It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 15.7.13

It's Another Monday! What Are You Reading? with  Sheila's Book Journey

Lots of reading and not quite keeping up with the reviewing ! Having such perfect days of sitting outdoors with a great book, it's hard to break in on that with the indoor work of writing reviews... *
 Finished reading a couple this weekend and a few more during the week. * In Golden Splendor by Michael K Reynolds -  Fantastic historical - book 2 of the Heirs of Ireland - Releases today!   Grab it and dig in to this saga's continuation. Irish immigrant, Seamus Hanley, haunted by his past is a U.S. Army deserter  living alone in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in 1849.  After witnessing a deadly stage coach crash, he finds purpose in the scattered wreckage -- a letter with a picture of a captivating woman named Ashlyn living in San Francisco at the height of the Gold Rush.  Moved by her written plea for help, he abandons all and sets out on an epic journey across the wild and picturesque American frontier. While being pursued by those who want to hang him, Seamus encounters fascinating characters including a young Pauite Indian who makes the ultimate sacrifice helping Seamus to cross the snowy Yosemite Valley.
Battered but changed for the better, Seamus reaches San Francisco on Christmas Eve as the city burns .. *

Becker arrives in Lamorlaye, France, to begin the massive renovation of a Renaissance-era castle, he unearths a dark World War II history few in the village remember. The project that was meant to provide an escape for Becker instead becomes a gripping glimpse into the human drama that unfolded during the Nazi occupation and seems to live on in midnight disturbances and bizarre acts of vandalism.

Populated with a cast of complex characters, "Tangled Ashes" follows Becker's exploration of the castle's shadowy past as he seeks to cope with an unbearable present. From the virtually mute recluse who lives in the gatehouse to the feisty and enigmatic nanny of the owner's children, every one of the chateau's inhabitants seems to have something to hide and something to survive - none more so than Becker himself. - goodreads

* Author, Michele Phoenix, born in France to an American mother and  Canadian father, is an international writer with multicultural sensitivities. A graduate of Wheaton College, she currently works in Europe, at the boarding school she attended as a teenager. She has spent the past eighteen years there communicating her passion for writing, music and theatre to her students.  Further info: michelephoenix Cover: Lindsey Bridwell
* Fave UK chic lit author, Victoria Connelly, wrote one of my weekend reads -

Three Graces {A magical romantic comedy}

Carys Miller doesn’t believe in the aristocracy nor does she believe in the supernatural. So, when she finds herself married to Richard, 12th Duke of Cuthland, and living in his haunted house, she wonders if she’s going mad.

As the new mistress of Amberley Court, Carys discovers she’s now in charge of a house the size of a small village. She finds herself in the most unpopular of roles: a stepmother to young Cecily and Evie. Then there’s the formidable mother-in-law, the Dowager Duchess, who might once have been a society beauty but now possesses a frown which could freeze an ocean.

Carys desperately needs help but she doesn’t expect it to come from an eighteenth century duchess who simply refuses to leave Amberley.

Three Graces is a story about mothers, daughters, lovers and ghosts, and how the past, somehow, always manages to find its way into the present...

*

Surprised by this classic from Canadian author, Jean Little. Read [and reviewed] Mama's Going to Buy You A Mockingbird

Sensitive treatment of 11 year old Jeremy and his younger sister, summer vacationing at the lake with their paternal aunt, whilst waiting expectantly for their parents' to join them. Father is ill, but they haven't been told more. This is a ya journey through a parent's discovery of cancer and its impact on the family. Not at all morbid with realistic responses of Jeremy.  Befriending an ostracized student adds to the story's appeal.
Great cover!  and content definitely equal to the invitation to read.

* Looked forward to reading this follow up to Ashton Park by another Canadian author, Murray Pura, and wasn't disappointed.  Family saga similar to Downtown Abbey, The Danforths of Lancashire, have captured me - not unwillingly!  Beneath the Dover Sky,  2nd of the series establishes some European ties that don't bode well for the 3rd novel, due in early 2014. Hitler's noise making has begun...

*
Three other books read and reviews posted - A Bride for All Seasons The Promise of Provence Rosemary Cottage - fabulous suspense - just released last week
*
Thanks for checking in this week ! I'm off to a Weekend Festival later this week so I won't likely be able to post for next Monday. Here's the scoop on the Lily Festival adventure for any Margaret Laurence fans...? Have a great week reading wherever you are =) Safe travels ! *

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