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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Lyndsay Withey

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely love a good historical story but when you add on the twists and turns of psychological thriller it’s just amazing!!! The author does a wonderful job of sharing just enough to keep you interested and then throws a twist into the story. This was a book I could not put down. It also kept me guessing and thinking long after I finished reading it. If you love mind games and historical stories you will love this book.

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Jasmin Marie

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! I am completely blown away by this novel. I typically have a lot of issues with historical fiction because they make events seem somewhat unrealistic but this author did a wonderful job of connecting the characters to events of the past. Set between WWII and modern times, this novel follows the stories of multiple well-written characters as they find their ways through a myriad of events. This author writes like a seasoned novelist and I am looking forward to reading more!

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Shadel Ayerbe

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a great woman and historical fiction

Anna Venu of Arizona is a shrewd, insightful, and funny woman. She’ll need every one of those qualities to make it through the adventure she’s about to go on following the unintentional discovery of a shocking family secret. Anna embarks on a perilous journey across Vienna, Paris, and Berlin in order to solve a mystery that leads her back to the bloody closing days of WWII. When Anna’s quest unexpectedly leads her into a modern-day European political intrigue, she suddenly finds herself in over her head. Anna will have to use all of her abilities and resolve to find the truth and remain alive if she is to survive. This work, told in a unique storytelling manner, spans numerous generations and historical periods, with surprising twists and turns along the way. Readers are forced to ponder the psychological urge for hostility, racism, power abuse, and the inexorable human need for war with Anna. This book encourages readers to learn about their own ancestors’ tales while also emphasizing that we are all connected through the Web of Humanity, which is our last hope for survival.

I loved this story. I loved every page of it. Every chapter was exciting. This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read the rest of her books

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Gillian Fawell

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, did this one keep the twists and turns coming! I won’t go into the number of late nights I had where I just couldn’t put this book down! I love historical fiction and especially ones where there is a present day component and a mystery and found all three aspects in this delightful story! I would definitely recommend it and whilst I read the eBook version, I am thinking I need to buy the hard copy to give as gifts!

Review by @sparkinside

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Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield-Review by Elena Tobar

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1)Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a sweet romance full of action, suspense and true love. I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this book. It was like stepping back through time, reading about the trains and the beautiful clothing. Cora Lee is so nervous but also excited when she takes off for a whole new life with a man she’s never even laid eyes on. She fits in with country life like she was always meant to be there. She doesn’t find the man that she was expecting to marry but she finds and gains something so much better, and makes some amazing friends along the way. This is such a sweet, heartwarming romance and I absolutely cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Angela Renee Diaz

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know that saying “history tends to repeat itself.” In this book she goes as far back to world War 2. I really enjoyed this book. As before reading I was already doing my basic genealogy. Now after I really want to learn and do more research of my own. This book really encouraged me to get the answers for my own family.

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Mae Leadstone

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m just completely gobsmacked about what I have just read! I found myself unable to put this book down even when I was exhausted from teaching crazy 8th graders!! If I could read for at least 5 minutes on Anna’s discoveries and findings I would be okay with knowing some answers! This book contains 2 of my most favorite things: history and interconnections through genealogy. Anna Venu’s story beings with family secrets and mystery! As an amateur family historian, I connected with Anna in her frustrations of meeting dead ends and having to start over THEN be presented with something totally bazaar! I was seeing myself in her character and I just had to know about her journey! Everyone is connected to some degree and world events impact not just those who lived it, but also those who come after! This complexity is shown through the present life of Anna and her journey through the past! This hit me hard when I read the book, and I feel the story created does a magnificent job displaying this fact through the Venu’s family mysteries and secrets! I’m extremely recommended this novel for your next read!!! You won’t be able to put it down!

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Melissa Collins

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am fascinated with WWII stories. I’ve always been one to watch series or books that give different perspective and this book delivers! Great read!

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Brittany Porter

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first I’ve read from this author and really my first historical fiction. I’ve never been a history buff, but I feel like I learned more reading this novel than I remember from history class, and it kept me hooked from the first chapter. I’m quite shocked that this is a new author, as her writing is well-researched, detailed, gripping, and incredibly thought-provoking. The character development of Anna was very well done and you could easily feel like you were going on her adventure with her. If you enjoy long and descriptive novels that will keep you yearning for more, grab this book!

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~ 📙 •☕️ •📘 ~ COMING SOON ~ 📙 •☕️ •📘 ~ Exiled South by Harriet Cannon

~ 📙☕️📘 ~ COMING SOON ~ 📙☕️📘 ~
Exiled South by Harriet Cannon
PREORDER NOW – https://amzn.to/3o0B8dJ
Genre – Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction
Page Count – 268 pages
Cover Designer – Lauren Sheldon Koehler Books
Lizbeth Gordon, a school counselor and master at facilitating conflict resolution in everyone’s life but her own, returns home to South Carolina after her husband’s sudden death.
Seeking solace at the ramshackle family cottage, she walks the winter beach, but the quiet life doesn’t last. An elderly aunt has troubling family stories: a blockade runner hunted as a traitor after the fall of Charleston, and ancestors who disappeared during Civil War Reconstruction. Curiosity drives Lizbeth into roots research that dead ends.
Tentacles of the past reach across the continents when Lizbeth takes a job at an international school in Rio de Janeiro. She meets a multiethnic descendant of Confederate exiles, with the Gordon surname and nineteenth-century documents. Robert Gordon’s letters describe bold escapes from Federal blockaders and Civil War intrigue in Scotland. Laurette Gordon’s diary shares a heart-wrenching story of sacrifice.
Can the keys to generations-long secrets open a path to family reconciliation and healing?

Click here to view the Coming Soon Trailer for Exiled South by Harriet Cannon

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Ashley Westerman

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing book! I felt like I learned so much. The attention to detail was excellent. I felt like I was there seeing things through the eyes of regular everyday people. This book is so much more than just about war. I could not put it down! I wanted more and more. I learned so much about World War II and how it affects everyone, including other generations. Everyone should read this!

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Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Stephanie Colley

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1)Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This holiday romance story was everything you could ask for in a romance/ historical fiction book!

Cora Lee is on the train to Holiday to marry a guy she has never met! After being picked up at the train station by her soon to be father in law they go home to find out her groom(Jude) is no where to be found! What a horrible way to start a relationship!!
But as they try to figure out what to do next, Jude’s brother (Jace) steps in and well things between him and Cora Lee heat up!
You will have to read it yourself to find out the ending!!
This book is such a great read. Happy reading!

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Chrissy Spulak

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a sucker for historical fiction, and this book is the best one I’ve come across in a LONG time. First of all, the author’s style of writing is so easy to follow that I just slipped right down into the story. It’s wild to believe this is the author’s first novel. Anna is such a compelling character that it was not hard to believe her and the journey she takes into the past. I love reading books that make me ask questions and continue reading in order to get to the bottom of those questions. I am also into genealogy and am intrigued by the thought of getting to know my ancestors and the reasons why they did certain things and lived a certain way, and this novel brings it all back to the human condition. What does it mean to be human and do the things that humans do? I feel like this is a good read for teenagers, as well as adults, who are curious about delving into the intricacies of human interaction and survival. I highly recommend this book.

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Dani Honeycutt

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has been an absolute treasure to read! I love historical fiction and this is right up my alley. The author takes you on a wonderful and page turning experience during WWII. Anna, the main character, drew me in as soon as the book started. I could NOT put this book down. If you enjoy a clue-finding type of book, this is the one to read. If you like genealogy, this is also a great read. It’s definitely made me want to get back into learning my ancestral history.

Reviewed by @danihoneycutt

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Faith Jackson

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I fell in love with the characters more than the actual story surrounding it. That’s really odd for me to say but if you follow the flow of the way it unravels. So much of this book warms my heart in so many ways. It was almost like I was drawn to this book and it was well worth the read as it flowed easily, well written, and a whole experience!

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Finley K. James

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book has so much going for it. It has historical elements right along with suspense. It has love and family and friends, all of which make life better—both in reality and on the page. The characters were strong, well-written, and realistic. The story itself had some amazing twists that I didn’t expect but loved. With fantastic descriptions, this book kept me thick in the middle of things—I felt like I was there during all of it. There was a bit more exposition than I’m used to, but it didn’t drag the story down as it was easy to take in. All in all, the book was a great read that was easy to lose myself in.

@finleykjames

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Rayne East

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Multi-layered and intriguing
This book had many elements that were presented in a way that kept my interest. The book is well written and keeps the multiple story lines in order. The elements of truth woven throughout the mystery adventure were well done and it stands out that the author has researched. A mix of history, drama, suspense, emotional turmoil and mystery makes this a very worthy read.

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Piper Foster

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What am introducing is a book filled with a difference. This is a different than normal read for me. Ann is a women with a loving family. I enjoyed the time hopping in the book. This book has a lot going for it history romance, secrets, danger. There alot of attention to detail. It’s can be graphic at times and very emotional.

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Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Beverly Finnie

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1)Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holiday Hope is differ because it’s a period romance, but I loved it. First time I’ve really enjoyed a period piece that wasn’t a movie that starred Kiera Knightley. Anyway back to why I loved Holiday Hope and why you should too!
Cora Lee is a sweet, independent, intelligent woman who has no living family left in the states. She decides her best course of action is to answer a mail order bride article that was in the paper. Now I knew during those times arranged marriages were a thing, but I never expected the mail order bride aspect. Unfortunately the whole reason for her to uproot her life to Holiday, Oregon was under false pretenses which leaves a decision for her to make. Stay with the lovely Coleman family and continue to fall in love with Jace, the twin brother of the man who rejected her, or move on.
Jace swore off women and marriage because he feels all women are like his mother, floozy and vindictive. He never wanted to risk happiness because of what happened to his father. Instead he fell in love with the railroad and trains. Then when he meets Cora who was brought here by his father to wed his twin Jude, aside from his slight attraction, he swears to himself he will nor let Jude destroy her.
Throughout the story Jace and Cora Lee’s character development apart and together is what makes this book work. The things they decide and overcome make this a sweet story in an idyllic setting of the gold rush during the Holidays in Oregon.
I was skeptical going in, but not so much that I wasn’t intrigued, and I glad I jumped in, because the author won over and made me toss all skeptics to the wayside.

@placxeba

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Dani Dando

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book truly felt like an adventure, filled with thrilling danger, heartache, warmth, and love. It’s a story that shows all the ways in which people connect, the ways that we are all the same and go through the same hardships. It is a wonderful story written beautifully, pulling the reader in and not letting them go till the very end. Turchin writes her characters beautifully and I fell in love with every one of them.

I also have to applaud the way Turchin handles different timelines effortlessly, using a true story to weave her narrative around. Such a special story and such a special writer, hope to be reading more of Turchin’s stuff in the future, she really does command her audience. When you pick this book up you will not be able to put it down.

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The Web of Humanity by Maria Turchin – Review by Corine Lombardi

The Web of Humanity: A NovelThe Web of Humanity: A Novel by Maria Turchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is long and entertaining.
World War Two is one of my favorite topics to read about.
The plot is focused not just on the war but it seems very disconnected.
It is a lot of characters and development but it was so entertaining to me that I just kept going.
I enjoyed this story however I will not reread.
Great plot.
I am new to this author, because I enjoyed it I will give it four stars but this is not for everyone.
This highlights morals, friendship, love and everything that may make you an individual.
There are many time jumps and that is the greatest aspect for me so many view points.
Enjoyable yet chaotic.

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No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Lyndsay Withey

No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No names to be given is a story that centers around 3 young ladies in the late 1960’s. While their story travels different roads they all land at a maternity home. As we travel with them on their journeys we get to meet Faith, a young lady whose entire dream is to be the youngest Christian recorded artist, Sandy/Candy a local stripper who ran away from home to get away from her stepfather, and Becca a young lady who fell in love with a man not acceptable by her family.

You will cry, laugh, and feel like you are living their story with them. If you enjoy historical fiction or stories based on true events you will love this one!

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No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No Names to be Given is probably the best book I have read all year. It really stuck with me, and I didn’t want to put it down. While it is not advertised as being a true story, it totally could be. This book follows 3 women throughout teen and adulthood, and focuses around the tragic event that ties them together. Three unwed girls in the 1960s, shamed into a maternity home by their parents, and forced to give their children up for adoption. They did not even get to see their child, not knowing if they had a daughter or a son. All 3 had different back stories, again very realistic. This book was especially captivating after the recent events surrounding abortion and women’s rights. I loved that all three women turned out to have wonderful lives, although very different. I did not expect all the events surrounding their adulthood and children, but it was perfect. I love how it all tied together in the end. Highly highly recommend this to all!

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by stephanie nicole

No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is so much in this book that it was impossible to put down. But a word to wise, if you are easily upset this book may not be for you. This book talks about several sensitive topics including child abuse, racial discrimination, a fear of hopelessness, and more but it really gives you a feel for how things worked in the 1960’s. While this is the authors debut novel, I really loved her writing style, and the way she laid out the plotline for this story. While this book is not for everyone I really enjoyed this thought provoking read. So if you are looking for a unique thought provoking read this weekend, then I recommend this book.

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Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Jenni Bishop

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1)Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

A charming and sweet historical western romance story but it is not all sunshine and roses. There are kidnappings, train robberies and plenty of danger as we see mail order brides on hard times trying for a better life. The authors passion for facts shines through in her writing and makes the story more interesting. The story is intriguing and well written. It is an emotional tale filled with tension and anxiety, heartbreak and hope, frustration, and mystery, lies and deceit, and love.
Cora Lee has nothing left to lose or so she thought. Hoping for a better life and someone to love is what she thought she was getting but the lies she found wrecked her. However, fate had something more in store for her.
I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Reviewed by @jennadb

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No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Kerry Baker

No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a story this is. This book is so rich in detail and emotionally engaging. All three characters came across so strong. I expected to connect with one more than the other but that really wasn’t the case. The story is so well written. The author really opens your eyes to things you wouldn’t necessarily experience but does do in a way that you don’t feel excluded. I think a lot of this comes from the fact the author can speak from experience. This is a brilliant story that I would highly recommend.

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Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Tausha Treadway

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1)Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield. I loved this book. It was a great holiday read. I’m looking forward to the next installment in the Holiday Express Book series. This is the story of Cora Lee Schuster who after her parents die answers an ad for a mail order bride. She boards the train to Holiday Oregon and on board she meets another lady heading to the same town as her for the same reason. She is so happy she will have at least one friend when she arrives to this new town. When the train arrives she is met by her future father in law not her groom and she realizes that his father had set it up not her finance. When Jude doesn’t want anything to do with her his brother Jace decides to befriend her. As they spend more and more time together Jace starts to have feelings for Cora and can’t decide what to do. Will Cora and Jace give romance a shot or will Cora be out in the cold again with no one to call family? Read Holiday Hope to find out!

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Scarlet Princess (Lochlann Feuds Book 1) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison – Review by ASHLEY LAPE

Scarlet Princess (The Lochlann Feuds, #1)Scarlet Princess by Robin D. Mahle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rowan thought that she was invisible to the dangers outside her clan. When her risk-taking lands her on the wrong side of the tunnel, how will she and her cousin make it out alive? Rowan is a spunky, firecracker who does not really fit the traditional idea of how a princess should behave. When Rowan ends up at the mercy of Lord Theodore she never could imagine the outcome. When her risky behavior lands her in hot water it’s up to the clan leaders to decide her fate but her mouth will be the final sward in her coffin.
I fell in love with this book from the very first page. The author’s ability to captivate their audience and make it feel like you are right there next to Princess Rowan and Lord Theodore. This book ended with such a cliffhanger that I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

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Reviewed by @alape

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Bethany Rollins

Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1)Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put Holiday Hope down. It was such an enjoyable read and swept me up into the late 1800s setting. The author did a wonderful job of the description of a small western town and how community, family and friendships were valued among all else in this era. Holiday Hope is a sweet romance between Cora Lee and Jace. Cora Lee is a mail order bride intended to Jude, the brother of Jace. Jude is not an ideal match in many ways but Jace, who claims he is married to his career as a train engineer, begins to feel different upon him meeting and getting know Cora Lee. I put this book down wanting more of this relationship and getting to know more about this lovely town of Holiday. I’m excited to read the next in this series.

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No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Kerry Carr

No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a really amazing story to read. It is set in the 1960s and for women today what the characters are put through is something we can’t even imagine. The story itself is heartbreaking. As a mother myself I couldn’t imagine having to give up my child because i was unmarried. The author deals with some very serious subjects in this story such as racial discrimination, abuse and rape but it is done in a way that is respectful and gives you a real insight into how some people’s lives were during that time and that’s what makes this book so touching is the fact that even our characters are fictional their circumstances and their lives probably would have existed.

At the start of the book we meet our 3 woman, Sandy, Becca  and Faith. 3 women from 3 different backgrounds but the one thing that connects them is that they are in a home for unmarried women to give birth and then give up their children.
Sandy had left her home and ran away from an abusive parent. She found a job as a dancer in a bar.
Becca  fell in love with someone of the wrong skin colour. At that time interacial relationships were frowned upon and seen as wrong
Faith came from a strict religious family. When an incident with someone close to the family happened, Faith felt she couldn’t confide in her parents for fear of not being believed.

After we meet our women we are then take forward in their lives to see how their lives have progressed and we also see the story from the eyes of the children that they had given up at birth.

This is a really heartwrenching story made all the more so but how realistic these situations would have been during that time.

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