The Spouse Trap is the first book in the Madeline Dawkins series, and I think the author got off to a flying start. The story starts with Madeline in a hotel room, unable to remember how or why she is there. After photographs surface Madelines world begins to crumble, she not only doubts herself but she can no longer trust anyone. Determined to find out the truth Madeline searches for answers. You really feel for Madeline, especially at the start when there is so much hurt and confusion. The book is packed with emotion throughout and you are really rooting for Madeline that she gets the outcome she deserves. I really enjoyed this book, the author let’s you know from the beginning where the story is leading, but there are plenty of twists throughout to keep you hooked. I really enjoyed the pace of the writing. Books with lots of action can often leave me behind, but the author packs in lots of description and scene setting which I love. I would recommend this book, I haven’t read anything by Cynthia Hamilton before, but I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lianne Proberthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLianne Probert2020-05-08 12:04:342020-05-08 13:56:18SPOUSE TRAP: Madeline Dawkins Mysteries (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 1) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Lianne Probert
Madeline Ridley had all she’d ever dreamed of: a handsome, successful husband, a place at the top of Santa Barbara society, every luxury money could buy. In all respects, her world was perfect…until she awoke in the early morning hours in a strange hotel room, alone, unclothed, with a splitting headache and no clue how she had gotten there.
When Steven Ridley comes home in the middle of a weekday and throws a sheaf of damning photos at her, Madeline’s comfortable world collapses in a swirl of blackmail, sabotage and deceit. Hoping to convince Steven of her innocence, Madeline drives to his office and unwittingly stumbles onto a scene that makes her realize who the real enemy is.
From that point on, Madeline Ridley deconstructs herself, reverting back to Madeline Dawkins in order to salvage what’s left of her life. In the process, she discovers where her true strengths lay, and with those, she steels herself for the battle of a lifetime.
Cynthia Hamilton turned to writing while fighting a mystery illness that went misdiagnosed for nine years. Forgetting that she couldn’t write if her life depended on it, she wrote her first book in secret, just in case it didn’t amount to anything. Nineteen years later, she has written twelve books and published ten of them. She writes general fiction and mystery-suspense novels, as well as some non-fiction. “Once Upon A Lyme…A Tale of Two Journey” documents her harrowing odyssey through late-stage Lyme disease and the unexpected upside of becoming a writer. The Patience of Karma—her latest novel—is the fifth book in her Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Spouse-Trap-1-14-13-scaled.jpg1200810itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2020-05-02 00:02:382021-02-15 13:01:23SPOUSE TRAP: Madeline Dawkins Mysteries (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 1) by Cynthia Hamilton
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton
This was a very engaging read. I was hooked from the beginning. I found myself curious as to how difficult this was to write, or maybe not difficult at all, maybe it revealed more of an understanding. This book was so well written that I felt like I was right there. Ruth went through a lot in her lifetime which explains some of her bitterness later in life. She was truly a strong beautiful woman in her youth, but it seems as though her search for love left her wanting. I found this book to be very intriguing. This is definitely a must read. I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Candida Hopperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCandida Hopper2019-08-30 22:09:572019-08-30 22:16:50Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Candida Hopper
I had not heard of Cynthia Hamilton before reading Finding Ruth, what a book to make a first impression. Cynthia took a diagnosis that is real and personal and crafted a memorable, heartwarming story. I am having trouble finding the words to describe how this story made me feel. The detail was raw, emotional and real. I can’t even begin to imagine the emotion that was conjured up while writing the book. Certainly a 5 star read, I am curious to read more from this Author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Felicia Bateshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngFelicia Bates2019-08-30 21:21:242019-08-30 21:47:39Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Felicia Bates
Finding Ruth A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past By Cynthia Hamilton ☆☆☆☆☆
This story hold many secrets of a daughter finding out who her mother was. Cynthia is the author in this insightful story. She is also one of the main characters that will take you back into her mother’s life. This all started with a picture Cynthia found dating back to 1949. Take the journey of Ruth’s life with Cynthia. Many things about her mother will be discovered.
Cynthia Hamilton wrote this story and discovered many things about her mother she never knew. You will laugh, cry and learn a little history. Alzheimer’s is an eye opener in this story. This book is well written and takes you, the reader, on a quest through Ruth’s life. What a remarkable story, as told by Ruth’s daughter. I absolutely love this story and the journey the author will discover for herself is remarkable. I will be reading more from Cynthia Hamilton. Well done!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Cindy Mayberryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCindy Mayberry2019-08-30 20:24:412019-08-30 20:42:08Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Cindy Mayberry
Disclaimer this is a beautiful life story that makes you weep in tears. Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton is an amazing story that touches the heart of everyone who reads it. Alzheimer’s is a nasty condition that affects the family of the patient on a different level then the patient. This book is a wonderful story of a daughter’s love for her mother and what she finds out about the mother in her research. Cynthia Hamilton did an amazing job writing this story. This story took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I give a lot of credit to Ms. Hamilton. She is a strong woman to take the time to see her mother through her mother’s eyes. I highly recommend this story for two reasons. First, so that you can see the beauty around the life of the patient. Second to bond you closer to that person and try to see their life through their eyes.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Fishhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Fish2019-08-29 13:46:132019-08-29 15:51:51Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Erica Fish
5 Star Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton is a wonderfully written book that touched my heart. It’s a story about the life story of the authors mom.I could relate with this story so much it made my heart hurt. This story has so much love it made my heart happy. I had a hard time putting it down till I finished. I know how heartbreaking this disease is and it’s not fair. I could go on and on but I wont. I will say this story will stay with you long after you finish. I highly recommend this book about a daughter who pieces together her moms life through memories, pictures public records and even old letters. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Daughenbaughhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Daughenbaugh2019-08-26 18:10:032019-08-26 18:46:16Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past By Cynthia Hamilton. Let me start by saying I think this author did a wonderful job on writing about a subject that’s hard. We all know that growing old can come with unwanted problems. This book takes you on a wonderful journey of a daughter trying to find out just who her mother was in the past. I love reading this story it completely had me so full of emotions. If you’re looking for a story that will reach you heart I highly recommend this one. I’m giving this story a five star review and truly had a pleasure reading it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Katie Kearneyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKatie Kearney2019-08-26 14:04:582019-08-26 14:14:07Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Katie Kearney
Mother / daughter relationships are so complex and ever changing. As a woman who recently lost my mother, I was a little worried going into this book. I wasn’t sure what emotions it would evoke.
Real life is stranger than fiction. as shown in this book about finding out who your mother was vs who she is now. I am so glad the author is self aware enough to be able to move on after the example of parenting that was set for her.
The story is written with an unbiased view of a woman who went through some tragic events.
I have always enjoyed this author’s stories and I’m glad to get to know her just a little bit more.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maura Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaura Harper2019-08-23 23:35:492019-08-24 09:54:22Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Maura Harper
Finding Ruth was an emotional 5 star read about Cynthia’s mother Ruth’s struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Cynthia wanted to know more about her mothers history through the years. As she goes through personal effects etc..she starts to learn about her mother. Ruth had so many different life experiences some good and some not so great, heartbreaking actually.
As Ruth gets older she starts to develop signs of Alzeimers. With this she begins to lose some of the dark and hurtful memories and only remember the good.
Overall this story really tugged at my heart. Having a friend who recently lost a grandmother to this disease brought several emotions out in me. The way that Cynthia writes her story you feel like your right there with her experiencing everything. I was done with this book fairly quickly, once I started I didn’t want to stop. If you’re looking for a great story 1-click and get started today.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Michelle Austinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMichelle Austin2019-08-23 23:26:372019-08-24 09:52:45Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Michelle Austin
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover her Mother’s Past is the only thing I have read by Cynthia Hamilton. It’s not the type of book I normally read, but it sounded really interesting. It must have been hard for her to write such a lengthy and honest telling of her mother’s life. It wasn’t an easy one, full of glamour, but I bet what she learned explained a lot about her childhood. At times this was hard for me to read, knowing it was a true story, not a sad fictional story of hardship. I did continue to wonder throughout, why Ruth continued to marry, when one marriage after another fell apart. But it was a different time. I cannot speak to how it would have been to be a single mother in those times. I wish more time was spent on the later years, since the description’s mention of Alzheimer’s is what drew me in. It wasn’t brought up until the very end, but I still really enjoyed the story. I never got bored, and kept wanting to know what happened next and if Ruth would ever get her happily ever after. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biographies about non-famous people. It was a captivating story and I give props to the writer for sharing such a hard story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2019-08-23 18:27:532019-08-23 19:11:09Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton 5 stars
I was drawn to this book as my grandmother had Alzheimer’s and passed away a few years ago. I knew what it felt like for me to watch her slip away but I had no idea what it felt like for my mom and siblings. This book shed a big light on some aspects of that. This was engaging yet emotional. I recommend this book even if you’ve not been affected by this horrible disease.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lyndsey Fairleyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLyndsey Fairley2019-08-23 16:57:512019-08-23 17:25:42Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Lyndsey Fairley
Cynthia Hamilton is a vibrant and descriptive writer. This story is fast paced and entertaining. Personally I was confused by the book blurb which explained it was a journey by a daughter to reveal her mother’s past. I would not have known this was the case by just reading the book. I would have liked to have seen the epilogue as the prologue and then lead into the story of Ruth’s life. Miss Hamilton tells the story of her mother’s adventure to find herself the perfect life and the series of attempted and failed relationships along the way. Cynthia relays the relationships that her mother had with her and her siblings as well as the changes to it through the years. Aside from my initial confusion, I found this to be a wonderful account of Cynthia’s journey to know her mother.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rhonda K Pulkhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRhonda K Pulk2019-08-23 14:27:352019-08-23 14:33:33Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Rhonda Pulk
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton. This is such a beautiful loving story of a Daughter’s love for her Mother. This is the story of Ruth who is getting ready to move to a skilled nursing facility due to her having Alzheimer’s. Cynthia her daughter realizes she doesn’t really know much about her mom’s life before her so she tries to piece it all together thru pictures, letters, public records and her own memories. What she finds is an amazing women who was strong, attractive, loved the arts and life itself. Having several difficult relationships and none of them working out she is left bitter and lonely. She raised her children and loved them as she could but was always searching for love for herself. Finally towards the end of her life at the age of 86 after being self sufficient all her life she is now in the throws of a horrible disease. This is a powerfully, beautiful story of a mother and daughters love and life.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tausha Treadwayhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTausha Treadway2019-08-23 07:35:342019-08-23 08:41:51Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Tausha Treadway
I have read a few book by this author now and I love her writing style however this is very different to her other books as it comes from personal experience so I knew I would be in for something new from her. The book was extremely well written, it was heartfelt, personal, raw and very emotional at times. I do applaud the other for taking the time to document something as heart breaking as watching a loved one suffer with this awful condition. A condition that completely strips away the person that you once knew little by little. One I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down, I honestly felt like I was right there living this story with the author at times. I can only imagine how emotional it was for the author to compile everything to write this book but she did an absolutely amazing job and I 100% recommend it to other readers.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Katie Matthewshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKatie Matthews2019-08-23 07:08:012019-08-23 07:27:20Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Katie Matthews
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton was a pretty okay read that kept me reading and got the feels flowing.
Out of my normal realm of reading, I didn’t know what to expect. This book pulled me in pretty fast, and it had this nice easy flow that made it easy to follow and read. This story is just as much about forgiveness as it is about a life journey through time and shattered memories. It really gets the feels going, and at times I really felt for Ruth. But I will say that things did get a little repetitive, and parts became are a little dry because of that. It was sadly enough to pull me from this compelling story. But other then that this book is well constructed, well researched, and has so many emotional scene that you can’t help but continue reading.
Overall this book is worth your time and energy; it’s a wonderful summer, or lazy Sunday read. To end this book gets my high recommendation and my stamp of approval.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Emily-Ann Walshhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngEmily-Ann Walsh2019-08-22 16:24:182019-08-22 18:58:50Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Emily Walsh
This was an interesting read! It is a real life story about the author’s very own mother… When her mother unfortunately developes Alzheimer’s, Ms. Hamilton realizes that she knows very little of her mother’s life before the horrible disease and she sets off too learn all she can. This is a very different book than I am use to reading but I thought it was a good one! I was hooked on the authors attention to detail and I couldn’t put it down! Go pick this one up today!! Happy reading!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Anastasia Dodsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAnastasia Dodson2019-08-19 21:57:092019-08-19 22:15:02Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Anastasia Dodson
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton
5-Stars
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton was a compelling and intriguing story. I loved following Ruth as her story progressed. I felt she was a very layered and complex character. She had excellent development as the story moved. I could not put this book down! I loved her character and the way the author chose to portray her story.
The author did an excellent job on the setting and visualization for this story as well. It had enough detail but not so much as to distract from the storyline. The storyline was easy to follow and transitioned smoothly from one chapter to the next. This is definitely a novel worth 5-stars and I highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Madison Degraffenreidhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMadison Degraffenreid2019-08-17 20:49:322019-08-17 22:05:08Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Madison Degraffenreid
Finding Ruth by Cynthia Hamilton is a heartfelt and honest telling of one woman’s struggle with what her mother has become.It is heartbreakingly beautiful and engaging story about a complex yet remarkable woman, her mother. It is a story that will make your heartache and yes there will be tears, so get those tissues out. Cynthia put her heart and soul into this compelling narrative and has shown us the strength and courage that it has taken to show us this part of her world. We see the real life relationship, the ups and downs and the toil that dementia takes on everyone.
I applaud Cynthia for sharing with us. This is truly a remarkable read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2019-08-17 00:15:282019-08-17 10:48:01Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Jenni Bishop
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton is a real life, lightly fictionalized story about the author’s own mother. As her mother succumbed to Alzheimer’s, Ms. Hamilton realized that there were parts of her mother’s life, and aspects of her mother, that she really didn’t know- so she set about discovering the woman underneath it all. This story was emotional, thought-provoking, and full of life’s complexities- with dubious choices, strength, spirit, hard work, resilience, perseverance, ups and downs, heartache, difficulties, obstacles, heart, and soul. This memoir was beautifully written and was a poignant and emotive read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2019-08-11 13:11:102019-08-11 14:04:21Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Angela Hayes
Finding Ruth A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton is a book so heart breaking and heart warming all at the same time. The author delves deep into her own mothers past to learn more about the person she thought she knew. I loved the fact that this was about Cynthia’s own mother. For me it really made the connection you forge as a reader that much deeper. It added a whole new level of emotion to the book as you imagined what she must have been thinking discovering all this new information. Although it is completely different from anything else I have read by this author I have to say it is definitely my favourite. It is rare to be given such an insight into an author and her life and I feel like that is exactly what Cynthia Hamilton invites with this book. I cannot recommend this book enough!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2019-08-10 14:25:402019-08-10 15:15:25Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Kerry Baker
I knew this book would be captivating and emotional. I was unprepared for how much it was both. Hamilton provides such a candid, yet well written review of her own journey and did so with grace. Her own quest is one that resonates loudly with me even though I have not as of yet walked this particular road. Such a beautifully written journey and what a beautiful reflection of the bond between mother and daughter.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Lovelacehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Lovelace2019-08-09 22:55:402019-08-09 22:55:40Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Heather Lovelace
Finding Ruth is not my typical type of go to read, often biographical books just tend to not keep my attention quite the way fiction books do. However, I adore Cynthia Hamilton and her Madeline Dawkins novels have really been some of my absolute favorites that I have read this year so I decided I needed to give this one a go as well. I am so glad that I did. It was eloquently written story that I never expected to grasp me by the heartstrings quite the way that it did.
Finding Ruth tells the life story of Ruth, Hamilton’s mother. I can’t imagine how that must have felt to do, especially with knowing the outcome of the life secrets and trials she would unearth. I loved how this never failed to stay real, it was quite frankly raw and beautiful in all its scarred edges. I really ended up absolutely admiring Ruth for the life she managed to live, and give to three children on her own. It makes you feel really lucky to have the things I do as a mother, I couldn’t imagine doing without some of the basics like Ruth does so often. There isn’t really a negative comment I could make about this novel. I would highly recommend that you scoop it up! I can’t wait to see what will come from the ever talented Cynthia Hamilton.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2019-08-09 17:56:122019-08-09 19:55:23Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Liz Vrchota
Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past By: Cynthia Hamilton 5 out of 5 stars
The story Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton is a biography/memoir book. It tells the life story of the author’s mother. It is a tale that is emotional and also hard to put down. I found Ruth to be strong, intelligent, and at times stubborn. I found her story to be filled with love, disappointment, and at times despair. The book has a way of staying with you and I found myself thinking about it long after I had read the last page. There are descriptions of the different relationships she has as well as how through it all she took care of herself and her children. The author has pieced together her mother’s life through memories, photos, letters, and public records. There are moments that are heartbreaking. Don’t miss out on an amazing story of one woman’s life as told by her daughter which is sure to touch your heart. I highly recommend reading it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Laura Furutahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLaura Furuta2019-08-09 13:26:322019-08-09 13:39:36Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past By Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Laura Furuta
I loved this story, a heartwarming story. This book is about a subject that I have experienced, it is a difficult subject, this author did a great job with it. This story is told from the POV of a daughter talking about her mother. In this story the daughter realizes that she doesn’t know much about her mother’s life. The more she digs, the more she realizes the trials and hardships her mother went through and more. This story is full of heart and will touch your soul, a must read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bobbi Wagnerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBobbi Wagner2019-08-09 13:11:252019-08-09 13:11:25Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Bobbi Wagner
As fiercely independent Ruth struggles to stay self-reliant at the age of 86, each day brings her closer to an event that will alter her life forever. While her author daughter shifts through Ruth’s possessions prior to her move into a skilled nursing facility, she discovers a previously unseen photo from 1949 and realizes how little she knows of her mother’s life.
As Alzheimer’s continues to warp Ruth’s once sharp mind, she can no longer shed any light on the past. Yearning to know who her mother was as a person in her own right, the author painstakingly reconstructs Ruth’s life from photos, letters, public records and firsthand memories.
What emerges is a portrait of a bright, beautiful woman who is propelled through decades of broken promises and heartache, bouncing from one ill-fated relationship to the next, but always staying strong, always surviving. Through a timeline going back sixty years, the author gleans a much better understanding of the woman she had known only as Mom.
Though I was always an ardent reader, I was convinced I couldn’t string sentences together if my life depended on it. Fortunately for me, when I was looking for something creative I could do from bed—if my mystery illness progressed to that point—I decided to try my hand at it. No pressure, no expectations. I didn’t tell anyone what I was up to. I just wanted to see if I could string sentences together and tell an interesting story.
I remembered a quote by Hemingway, “Write about what you know.” With this mandate, I chose the time spent living with my husband in the French Quarter of New Orleans as the backdrop for my story. I typed out my first two paragraphs on my forty-third birthday. I finished that book on my next birthday, and started my second the same day. I now consider those my “practice books”.
As my still-nameless illness progressed, I continued running the family business and continued to write. Nine years after my symptoms began, I finally received a correct diagnosis: Lyme disease, and more specifically, late-stage Lyme, because it had been allowed to progress untreated for so long.
Though the pain was almost unendurable, I clung to my writing like a life preserver. It allowed me to crawl up inside my head, out of my body, giving me brief respites from the vast array of pains.
Though I would never wish this disease on anyone, I can honestly say I am grateful for the path my life took, for it gave me the gift of writing. I now have nine published books, all of which have special significance for me. I write general fiction, mysteries and some nonfiction.
Once Upon a Lyme: The Tale of Two Journeys, is the detailed account of the path my mystery illness led me down as I sought help from over two-dozen doctors, and the gift of writing that was the unexpected upside of being so hopeless ill.
Finding Ruth was inspired by a previously unseen photograph of my mother taken when she was nineteen. I found it as I was going through her things prior to her move into a skilled nursing hospital. That gorgeous photograph of her looking so happy and full of promise made me realize how little I knew about her life before I came along. Because Alzheimer’s has taken away all her memories, I painstakingly reconstructed her life from public records, thousands of photographs, and what my brother, sister and I could remember. The message in the tribute to my mom is Ask while you have the chance.
As of this writing, I have just completed the fourth book in the Madeline Dawkins mystery series. I’m still in love with writing and I still squeal with joy to think that I’ve written eleven books and self-published nine of them. If there is a message in this, it’s Never discount what you are capable of achieving.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Finding-Ruth-cover-for-Amazon.jpg1200800itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2019-08-09 00:01:382020-04-05 09:03:49Finding Ruth: A Daughter’s Quest to Discover Her Mother’s Past by Cynthia Hamilton
The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton. This is the 4th book in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery series. These have been such fun books to read. This is the story of 2 dead husbands and their wives. One wife is in jail for the crazy tractor death of her much older husband and the other wife is convinced that her husband’s death was not a suicide like they are trying to make her believe. Madeline has been on rest for 4 months and during that time her ex husband in jail has gotten parole and has asked Mike to help him figure out if Lindsay Bartholomew was set up for her husband’s death. At the same time Santa Barbara District Attorney Conrad Adams is helping Mike and Madeline search for answers in Lindsay Bartholomew’s husband “suicide”. Will Mike and Madeline solve these mysteries before someone else dies and will they discover that these 2 men had a lot more in common than it seems. Read The Trouble with Paradise to find out.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tausha Treadwayhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTausha Treadway2019-07-31 20:32:522019-08-01 12:48:42The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Tausha Treadway
With even more page turning suspense and a little extra romance for Madeline and Mike, the fourth installment of the Madeline Dawkins Mysteries is fantastic. Two different women with dead husbands need help for almost opposite reasons. One isn’t convinced of her husband’s suicide and the other might have been framed for her husband’s bizarre death. Madeline’s trash bag ex asks for help and out of the goodness of his heart, Mike says yes. Yes, the help is for Lindsay but I still think Steve had some nerve even asking. Mike and Madeline have hearts really too good for their world and are prepared to do whatever it takes to help these two women.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Emma Morrealehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngEmma Morreale2019-07-31 16:14:532019-07-31 16:31:49The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Emma Morreale
The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton is a five star novel. I have loved getting to know Madeline and Mike as people over the course of the first three books. Having more to devour, only makes this series better. This time, the duo has started investigating the deaths of two people. One, the wife was in prison for killing her husband and two, the police said it was a suicide. Once the pair is put to the task, they start finding out more and more. What they uncover is truly crazy and I did not see it coming. This book was difficult to put down and I didn’t do much of that until it was finished!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Lounellohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Lounello2019-07-28 22:50:232019-07-29 08:13:37The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Julie Lounello
The Trouble with Paradise (Madeline Dawkins Mystery) by Cynthia Hamilton
Another great mystery in a great series. I love to read about Mike and Madeline and how they solve their next case. This story kept me on the edge of my seat while I was anticipating what was going to happen next. The author does a wonderful job weaving a suspenseful story full of action and interesting characters. I have loved reading this series from the start. I can’t wait to read the next book by this amazing author. I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Candida Hopperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCandida Hopper2019-07-28 17:33:442019-07-28 19:12:46The Trouble With Paradise (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 4) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Candida Hopper
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Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
