March Book Reviews @olbigjim @SaraNicoleAutor @JoleneRWhitten @Lizzie_Chantree @jtgeissingerauthor

I thought I hadn’t read much in March, until I looked back at the month. 🙂 So many good books!! I hope you enjoy my thoughts on them.

MY REVIEW:

What a unique way to view history. I have great empathy for the Native Americans and their plight as the Europeans pushed their way into the new country, taking prime land and pushing the natives off.
But this story gives us a glimpse into how they fought back and even won a few rounds. But as always, the treaties were broken and promises not kept.
Still, told through the eyes of a young boy, Jim, and a time travel adventure, it made the history come alive with emotion and color!
Jim discovered a portal that allowed him to travel back in time one hundred years. Then he got trapped in that time dimension and had to wait six months to return to his time. Only, when he did, he found things were not as he’d left them.
This story tells how Jim used the knowledge he could gain from the future to help the Indians survive in their time period. The story is entertaining, but also informative and historically accurate. I’m so glad I picked this book up as it is a most enjoyable read!

MY REVIEW:

Poetry is not meant to just simply be read. It is meant to be absorbed as poets pour their heart, soul, and deepest feelings into their words. This compilation is filled with lovely poetry, deep emotions and words that stir vivid visuals.
Here’s one of my favorite. Since I was born in August, I related to it.
The perfume of August
soft wind of essence and longing
with the color of sun and blue walks on alleys of sky
dressing my steps in silky laughter and dreams…

Then “Mountains In the Skies” spoke to me in a sweet but powerful way.
Every time I wake up in the morning, a new me enters the world…
it steps into the day bearing history and
growing wings breathing stars
from every word I utter, a thought is released into the air
its own color or shade or fragrance painting it
the hues of my soul
rainbow of feelings….

If you appreciate thought-provoking poetry, you will no doubt enjoy this collection from Nicole Sara!

MY REVIEW:

Charlotte Tilian has made a lot of mistakes in her life and the book opens with her making another one.
Charlotte has joined a senior group on a bus trip to a casino and while playing the slots, she’s also consumed a lot of rum and cokes. Then before she can return home to Houston, she has a debilitating stroke.
This story is about her journey through recovery. But it’s also much more. The author gives us glimpses of this character’s life, her triumphs and tragedies. Even being a world famous author doesn’t excuse you from family responsibilities or from caring for yourself. But Charlotte has failed at all of it.
Yet, through two unforgettable young characters, Lexi and Jade, she begins to make efforts to redeem herself and her self-worth.
It’s never easy to go back and face the parts of ourselves that make us ashamed and uncomfortable. But it’s always possible. I rooted for Charlotte as she ‘remodeled’ her life and faced her demons. There is a bit of mystery, danger and intrigue included. I highly recommend this book if you like a “true to life” story with characters you feel as if you know. This story inspired me.

MY REVIEW:

Daisy has been hurt in the worst way possible, not only once but twice. She trusted Harrison when he wanted to marry her. She had no idea he would disappear once he had her isolated from her family and friends.
Then he died, in another woman’s home. At least Daisy is now free, but struggling to raise a toddler with no help. When her family insists she return to the riverside town she grew up in, she finally agrees, taking her young daughter, Bronte with her.
But then there’s the possibility of running into her ex who hurt her before Harrison ever showed up. What are the odds that he winds up being her next door neighbor? Well, Arthur’s sisters may have had something to do with that.
As Daisy begins a new life, diving into making a good living for her and her daughter, the knowledge that Arthur is so close is troubling, to say the least.
I loved Daisy’s creativity in designing green spaces and beautiful landscaping. She has a talent.
The story goes back and forth between Daisy and Arthur as they fight conflicting feelings of undeniable attraction to each other and fear of getting involved and hurt again. My only critique is the redundancy of their wavering. On one page they admit their feelings, then immediately fall back into fear mode. There are some other nuances that give this story a deeper plot and I enjoyed those. I also enjoyed revisiting the wonderful riverside town and characters I’ve met previously. If like a sweet romance with just a touch of spice, you will enjoy this book.

MY REVIEW:

My daughter recommended this book to me, and I am SO glad she did!

I will begin my review by saying this is not a traditional romance by any stretch of the imagination. The story opens with a distraught woman dealing with what we think is the death of her husband and a house that is falling down around her. Kayla is in a state of mental distress when the first letter arrives from the mysterious Dante. She is confused because she knows no one by this name and especially no one in prison, which the postmark reflects.
The characters that show up right away are a little different, from the handyman, Eddie to the housekeeper, Fiona.
But things really ramp up when Aidan shows up to repair the leaking roof. He is immediately someone I know will play a big part in the story and boy does he ever!

I honestly don’t know how much to share about this book, and as I browsed through other reviewer’s comments, I see I’m not alone. It’s a dark romance for sure, but it also bleeds over into the psychological thriller category. The sexual encounters are high on the spice level (like at the top!).
But it’s the jaw-dropping twist to the story left me speechless. I didn’t cry at any point in the story, but it is also somewhat heart-wrenching. I’ve always believed love exists even from beyond the grave, but wowzer, this is taking it all to a whole new level.
I won’t leave any spoilers. I will say I read this book in two sittings and that was because I had to stop reading to participate in life. I couldn’t wait to get back to it. The bonus chapter at the end ties everything up in a satisfying way. I highly recommend it to fans of dark romance and heavy psychological thrillers! With over 87,000 reviews, this book is well worth the read and my hat is off to this author and especially since it’s on KU!

That’s it. I certainly ended my reading month with a bang! I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on each of these read-worthy books!