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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two Love Story (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Greetings From Asbury Park was a heartfelt, emotional read!

I’m not usually a fan of WWII books, but this one was different. It didn’t take place in Germany. It depicted the brutal German occupation of Rome.

Mariella and Jack are the main characters, although Jack doesn’t appear until much later in the book. A good portion of the book is about Mariella and her family. They had already endured a horrific tragic event in their lives, and as the book opens, they are suffering from brutal treatment from the Germans and possible starvation. Fear rules their lives.

Mariella is forced to give up so much, like her education. However, her tenacity and perseverance is incredible. As the war ends, she meets a handsome American soldier and spends an unforgettable day with him. There is an instant connection between them, but he has to leave. The two become pen pals for years. As the years pass, readers see how the two of them are living separate lives, but that connection is still there. I liked that their love story wasn’t rushed, making the story so much more believable. They get to know one another through their letters to each other.

This was truly an incredible read. Vecchione’s ability to make me feel everything Mariella and her family felt is a testament to her skill as a writer. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series to see where Mariella’s journey takes her next.

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Italian American (Jack & Mariella Book 2) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Italian American: Jack & Mariella’s journey continues…Italian American: Jack & Mariella’s journey continues… by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Italian American is a poignant exploration of family dynamics, sacrifices, love, and hope set against the backdrop of significant historical events. The novel’s narrative is deeply rooted in the experiences of the Italian immigrants, making it a compelling read for those interested in family sagas and historical fiction.

This is the continuation of Jack and Mariella’s love story, set against the backdrop of significant historical events. The novel opens with Mariella and her adult daughters, a poignant scene that sets the stage for Mariella’s journey to America and her adaptation to her new life. The historical context adds depth to the immigrant experience, making it more relatable to readers.

The couple finally reunites in Italy when Jack returns to bring her to America for her new life. I loved seeing through Mariella’s eyes the first sight of America. It made me stop and appreciate this wonderful country in which I have had the privilege of being born.

As she begins her new life, she experiences some bumps in the road. There is a language barrier as she is still learning English. She also encounters some nasty housewives, and her mother-in-law is nasty to her. However, none of this stops her determination to make a happy life with Jack. As the years move on, she and Jack become parents, and she must return to Italy because her father is ill. Will this trip back home make her second guess her decision to make her life with Jack? Or will it make their love even stronger?

Mariella emerges as an extraordinary woman, a beacon of resilience. She endured the horrors of the German occupation during her childhood, and she bravely left her family behind for a new life in America, a journey not without its trials. Her unwavering determination to carve out her own happiness is truly inspiring. What’s more, this is a story based on a real woman! While the book’s pacing felt a bit hurried towards the end, I was left wanting more. I yearned to see if her relationship with her mother-in-law had evolved, and I was curious about the fate of her sister and brother. Nevertheless, this was a powerful read that further opened my eyes to the atrocities of the Nazi Regime and the profound damage they inflicted.

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Salt Love by Marika Ray – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Salt Love: A Summer Romantic ComedySalt Love: A Summer Romantic Comedy by Marika Ray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Salt Love is a perfect summer romantic comedy that leaves you with a smile on your face!

Kenna’s life has definitely taken a turn for the worse. She discovers her husband is cheating with a co-worker who has now stolen her chance at a promotion. A call from the other side of the country changes her life. Her aunt has left her an inheritance. When she arrives in Florida from California, she discovers that Aunt Maeve has left her a home, a boating club, and a catch. She has to remain in Florida for a year and share ownership with her grumpy and sexy next-door neighbor, Dec.

As she spends more time in Sunshine Key, she realizes Dec is a sweet guy underneath that grumpy exterior. I enjoyed their friendship and the electric chemistry running underneath the surface. As the two grow closer, they must learn to trust each other. Dec hides a secret that could ruin any chance of the relationship he has been searching for.

Can I just say I love Kenna? She is the woman you want as your best friend. The longer she stays in Sunshine Key, the more she begins to discover the strong woman she once was. She also gets to know the aunt she never got the chance to know before she died and mends the fractured relationship with her mother.

There was a delightful cast of secondary characters, especially Dec’s father. The relationship between the two was so sweet. In addition, Aunt Maeve is a central character in the book, and the book is centered around her in a sense. She was like a fairy godmother to Kenna, rescuing her from an unhappy life and giving her a chance at the happiness she deserves. I always love a book in which a character who isn’t physically in the book directly impacts the story and the main characters.

I loved Ray’s descriptive writing. I could picture Sunshine Key clearly in my mind. I could smell the salt and feel the sand and sun on my skin!

Salt Love was a perfect summer read. It has just the right combination of humor, spice, and and sweetness and left me with a smile on my face. I highly recommend this book about self-discovery, second chances, and finding your happily ever after!

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Stout of My League (Love on Tap Series) by Sylvie Stewart – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Stout of My League (Love on Tap #4)Stout of My League by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this Sylvie Stewart rom-com; it was a great addition to the series. Now, it’s Lynn’s turn to share her story and her own “happily ever after.”

I enjoyed the way Stewart wrote this book. Instead of falling instantly in love, Lynn and Joey had quite a wait before they finally became a couple…a whole year! The fireworks were evident at their first meeting. Still, misunderstandings and an age difference killed the possibility of anything more between them before they ever really got to know one another. A year later, Lynn is treating Joey for an injury he sustained playing baseball, and he fears it could derail his career. The sparks are still there, but Lynn wants nothing to come between her career goals, so they agree to set boundaries and be friends. As she finds herself embroiled in a family mystery, Joey helps her, and that boundary begins to blur.

Lynn is not only the youngest Brooks child but also the only girl. Her brothers are extremely overprotective, especially since her father passed away. She has had enough of it, and in my opinion, she allowed that to color how she viewed relationships. Initially, I thought her view of women’s independence influenced how she saw men, and she tended to stereotype them, especially Joey. However, she grew exponentially by the end of the book by taking a hard look at why she felt the way she did. She didn’t want to let anyone into her heart because when her father died, it affected her as she saw her family falling apart around her. I was glad to see that she finally came to see Joey as her “teammate.”

I read another book in the series and fell in love with the crazy, loveable family. Joey fits right in with the Brooks family. He is sweet and such a cheerleader for Lynn, even when she is too stubborn to see it. Stewart tells the story with humor, love, and some mystery and spice thrown in. There are spoilers from books 1-3, so if you don’t want anything spoiled, I suggest starting from Book 1.

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Ten Little Starfish: Ocean and Marine Life Books for Children (Marine Life Counting Collection)Ten Little Starfish: Ocean and Marine Life Books for Children by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic addition to this series, which is not only sweet and educational but also highly interactive!

I have become such a fan of this series! It’s a book that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who want to learn more about starfish and teaches them how to count.

The starfish are vibrantly colored to keep children’s attention, and rhymes are used to engage them as well. In the end, there were fascinating facts about starfish. I even learned something new. I had no idea they had eyes on the tips of their arms.

This was another little treasure from Kim Ann.

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Ten Little Sea Turtles (A Counting Collection) by Kim Ann – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Ten Little Sea Turtles: Ocean and Marine Life Books for Children (Marine Life Counting Collection)Ten Little Sea Turtles: Ocean and Marine Life Books for Children by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ten Little Turtles is an exciting and adorable adventure for small children!

Readers will meet 10 of the most adorable baby sea turtles. The illustrations are bright and beautiful, and the story teaches children about baby sea turtles’ journey to get to the ocean. The author uses rhythmic rhyme that keeps their attention.

At the end of the book, the author also includes an interactive game for children to play, where they can identify other sea creatures. Additionally, there is a QR code that provides a song children can listen to and sing, adding an interactive and fun element to the reading experience.

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Opposite Day for Dinopotamus (Dinopotamus Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Opposite Day for DinopotamusOpposite Day for Dinopotamus by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a great book to teach “little ones” about opposites!

Dinopotamus has an adventurous day at school…it’s “Opposite Day!” Wickstrom has created a great way to teach opposites to children. The illustrations are engaging, and the story keeps children’s attention. It isn’t your average book about opposites. It really makes children think, but it is also a fun book to read.

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Oscar and Emmy’s First Christmas (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Oscar and Emmy's First Christmas: An adorable Christmas story of two kittens enjoying the holidays. Christmas cat book.Oscar and Emmy’s First Christmas: An adorable Christmas story of two kittens enjoying the holidays. Christmas cat book. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a precious Christmas story about two kittens adopted by their forever family!

Oscar and Emmy’s Christmas is a dream come true, with their forever home and a loving family. The two children in the family play a significant role, showering the kittens with love and adoration. Sabol beautifully captures the kittens’ curiosity, especially during the festive season, with bright decorations and crinkly gift wrapping.

This was a great book about Christmas traditions, family, and furbabies!

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Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Oscar and Emmy Weather a HurricaneOscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane by Terri Sabol
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane is a fun yet informative book about preparing for a natural disaster.

The book is beautifully illustrated, and the reader experiences the hurricane through Oscar and Emmy’s eyes. The author includes essential facts about hurricanes and gives readers a detailed list for a pet disaster kit. In addition, it provides vital facts like keeping phones charged, batteries for flashlights, having extra gas for the grills, and safe places to stay in your home.

Facts about Hurricane Harvey are included, as well as how the community came together to help each other, especially organizations that helped with pets. This was a great story that was very informative for people of all ages who may find themselves in the same situation.

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Murder a la Christie (Golden Age of Mystery Book Club) by Marilyn Levinson – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Murder a la Christie (Golden Age of Mystery Bookclub Book 1)Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder a la Christie was a great, cozy mystery with some romance sprinkled in.

Professor Lexie Driscoll is excited about her first Golden Age of Mystery Book Club meeting. However, that excitement turns to shock and sadness when a dear friend dies under suspicious circumstances. Lexie believes it’s murder, but the others aren’t so sure. It doesn’t take long for the police to verify Lexie’s suspicions. It was murder. She is determined to find out who did it. One murder turns into two, and Lexie knows she has to reveal the killer before someone else dies.

There were many characters, and in the beginning, I thought I would have a hard time keeping them straight, but the author provides a handy list of characters at the start of the book. The further I got into the book, it became easier to navigate them. I had mixed feelings about Lexie initially as she was very blunt and didn’t care whose feathers she ruffled. I came to see that as tenacity and love for her friend, Sylvia. She wanted justice for her friend, and that revealed her loyalty to those she cared for.

She is beginning to find herself in a bit of a love triangle; however, given her past, I can understand her reasons for not wanting to commit to a relationship. Both love interests are great guys, and in my opinion, she can’t go wrong with either. Hopefully, we will see some resolution to that in the next book.

Overall, this was a great read, full of twists and turns. I had no idea who the murderer was until the culprit was revealed. The author did a great job keeping me interested and engaged in the story. If you are an Agatha Christie fan, you will enjoy this book.

I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

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Purrfectly Framed (A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Purrfectly Framed: A Mobile Cat Groomer MysteryPurrfectly Framed: A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Purrfectly Framed is a great follow-up in this delightful series!

The book starts off with a bang right out of the gate! Cat groomer Molly finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery when her friend, Evan, finds the body of his old high school art teacher, Agnes, in his photography studio in the darkroom. Once the police get involved, Evan becomes their prime suspect when it is uncovered that she tried to ruin Evan’s aspirations of becoming a successful artist. However, he isn’t the only person who does not mourn Agnes’s death. It seems like no one liked her, and she had a reputation as a rotten human being who enjoyed spreading misery in everyone’s lives that she touched. Molly is determined to find the real killer before Evan goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

As with the first book, the mystery has many twists and turns. It was also sprinkled with Hartman’s wit and humor. And let’s not forget Molly’s cats, Percival and Jasper, who with their feline instincts, play a big role in solving the crime and protecting her. If you like cozy mysteries with a quirky cast of characters in a small town with a dash of romance, give this smart series a try!

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