The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an epic novel of love and war, spanning from the 1940s to the present day, and the secret lives of those who live in a small French town.

In love we find out who we want to be.
In war we find out who we are.

FRANCE, 1939

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France...but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When France is overrun, Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched; her life and her child’s life is at constant risk. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates around her, she must make one terrible choice after another.

Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old girl, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets the compelling and mysterious Gäetan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can...completely. When he betrays her, Isabelle races headlong into danger and joins the Resistance, never looking back or giving a thought to the real--and deadly--consequences.

With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah takes her talented pen to the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France--a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.  

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1FiQ10i
 

MY THOUGHTS:
5 HUGE STARS
This was a beautiful, heart wrenching story about two sisters doing whatever it takes to protect their family and those around them. It was inspirational, romantic, suspenseful, and life changing. I wasn't sure what to think when I started reading, but I never expected to feel such an intense connection to the characters and story. It was truly an epic read that should be experienced by all.

 

Please keep in mind that this wasn't an in your face kind of romance... While it had intimacy and romantic scenes, the overall gist of book is classic love, family love, and love that can withstand war. The ugly words come together to form a beautiful journey. Please one click this one. You won't be disappointed!

Five Books to Read in 2015

Are you looking for a good read?
Check out some of my favorites from 2015 so far...

Jezebel by K. Larson
(Releases June 5th, Available for pre-order Amazon)
"With one page, I was addicted. The story quickly became my drug of choice. I think it's safe to say that this one is an epic read. It had that addictive feel that pulls a reader in and stays with them long after the last page. It was a story that was filled with characters that you love to hate. I was so conflicted on who to trust and what would happen in the end... The whole time I knew to expect something huge, but in all reality, the twist was MASSIVE. I'm talking jaw on the floor, eyes bulging HUGE! My ideas and thoughts were somewhat on track, but then again, so far away. I will tell you now... Everything you think you know will be tossed out the window with those last pages. It was one heck of an ending!"
Be sure to check out my review.

 

Charlie, Presumed Dead by Anne Heltzel
(Releases June 2nd, Available for pre-order here.)

"This one was a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode. We are sucked in at page one and quickly become tangled in the intricate weaved lies of Charlie. No one truly knows what's going on, but everyone knows it's not good. It's like a sick, twisted game of cat and mouse. Aubrey and Lena think the ball is in their court, but what they don't know is... Charlie is controlling every move they make. I expected a huge ending, but I never expected to have my mind blown. It was intense, gut wrenching, and left me begging for the next book."
Be sure to check out my review.


The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
(One Cick on Amazon)
"A epic historical read that brought so much to the table. It was suspenseful, romantic, emotional, and just flat out life changing. I loved every word of it."
Be sure to check out my review.


All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
(One Cick on Amazon)
"All the Bright Places is one that sticks with you long after the last page. It is a raw and intense plot that will leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed. While it had the cutesy YA additions, it also had a deep set message behind it. I was consumed by the romance and mystery and in the end ... my heart was shattered into a thousand little pieces. "
Be sure to check out my review.


Out of Control by Sarah Alderson
(One Cick on Amazon)
"You know that feeling you get when you are plunging down the first huge drop on a roller coaster... The butterflies arrive and you feel as though you left your stomach at the top? Well, that is how I felt while reading Out of Control.

I was sucked in from page one and quickly became addicted to the fast paced thriller. I had a hard time putting it down... The fact that the story occurred in just two-three days, blows my mind. You would think that there would be a lack in the storyline, but gah!, no.... it was so good! The intensity of each page had me on the edge of my seat and the romance aspect had my heart swooning."

Be sure to check out my review.

Blog-A-Day (Hosted by K.A. Linde)

Meet Author K.A. Linde
K.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding series. She grew up as a military brat traveling the United States and Australia. While studying political science and philosophy at the University of Georgia where she got her masters degree, she founded the Georgia Dance Team, which she still coaches. Post-graduation, she served as the campus campaign director for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

An avid traveler, reader, and bargain hunter, K.A. lives in Athens, Georgia, with her fiancé and two puppies, Riker and Lucy.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkalinde

Twitter/Insta: @authorkalinde

Website: www.kalinde.com

Check out her All That Glitters series...

Diamonds Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1EUW1fs
B&N: http://bit.ly/1P5jD2k
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1JmywJz
iBooks: http://apple.co/1beaYeQ


Gold Preorder: (RELEASES JULY 7TH)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1KyE7xS
iBooks: http://apple.co/1bLVYWE
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1DgI0pv

GIVEAWAY

NEXT STOP (5/13) - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beantown-Bitches-Book-Page/

Vicious Cycle by Katie Ashley

New York Times bestselling author Katie Ashley revs up the danger and sexual tension in her brand-new Vicious Cycle romance series.

Deacon Malloy’s life is dedicated to the Hell’s Raiders motorcycle club. Tough, hard, and fast with his fists, he serves the group as sergeant at arms. But his devil-may-care approach to life is thrown for a loop when the five-year-old daughter he never knew existed lands on the club steps.

Alexandra Evans is devoted to all her students—but there’s always been something about Willow Malloy that tugs at her heart. There’s an aura of sadness about her, a girl in need of all the love Alexandra can give. When Willow stops coming to school, Alexandra’s search leads to a clubhouse full of bikers…and a father hell-bent on keeping his daughter always within sight.

The moment Deacon sees Alexandra, he has to have her in his bed—and he’s never met a woman yet who couldn’t be persuaded. No matter how attracted she is to Deacon, Alexandra refuses to be just another conquest. But it’s Deacon himself who could be seduced—into a brighter future for himself, his daughter, and the woman he’s falling for against all odds.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1F2xQZq
MY THOUGHTS:3/5 Stars

 

*Received an ARC for an honest review*
I'm a huge Katie Ashley fan, but this one fell a bit flat for me. She came out of her comfort zone to write something different and I think it showed. A lot of the content reminded me of tv shows and other biker reads. It followed the cliché mold and while I know bikers probably do similar things... I would have liked to see some twists that made the story stand out from others.

*SPOILERISH*
The characters were a touchy subject for me. While I loved Willow and her tiny spirit... Alexandra was not one of my favorites. When she was first introduced I thought she was going to be awesome. She was strong willed, smart, and sweet... However, somewhere near halfway she started to change. She became desperate for Deacon's attention. She went out of her way to throw herself at him and as a reader, that took away the appeal. Near the end she did start to redeem herself. Unfortunately by that time everything was in a rush to an HEA.

 

Overall, I thought this story had all of the ingredients to be a five star read, but unfortunately just lacked the confidence to execute. It was a dark read concept wrote as a contemporary mc read. You will see in the beginning Deacon says some vulgar things and than there is a huge description about how his club would never do what he threatened. To me, this just made him come off as unsure. I say if you're going to go mc dark, go mc dark. Let the actions do the talking.

I applaud the Author for trying something new and I am sure biker fans will devour this read... It just didn't work for me.

Jezebel by K. Larsen Review

30 years of affection.
10 years of soul shattering love.
8 years of happy employment.
2 months of turmoil.
1 week of truth.
A lifetime of betrayal.

Would you have seen it coming?

Annabelle Fortin landed herself in a bit of trouble. Mandated to community service at an assisted living facility for early onset dementia she meets Jezebel, one of the residents. This is the story that unfolds over the course of Annabelle's court ordered six month sentence. Nothing is what it seems.
AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1FWpdS4

 

MY THOUGHTS:
5 HUGE STARS

*I was provided an ARC for an honest review*
This book goes on my top reads of 2015 list. It was truly a beautiful, twisted masterpiece! Romance? Yes! Suspense? Yes! Mind F*? ABSOLUTELY.

 

With one page, I was addicted. The story quickly became my drug of choice. I think it's safe to say that this one is an epic read. It had that addictive feel that pulls a reader in and stays with them long after the last page. It was a story that was filled with characters that you love to hate. I was so conflicted on who to trust and what would happen in the end... The whole time I knew to expect something huge, but in all reality, the twist was MASSIVE. I'm talking jaw on the floor, eyes bulging HUGE! My ideas and thoughts were somewhat on track, but then again, so far away. I will tell you now... Everything you think you know will be tossed out the window with those last pages. It was one heck of an ending!

 

Looking back, I see how well crafted the book really was... It flowed flawlessly and kept you interested to the point of no skimming. Each and every word played an intricate role and I loved every bit of it... From the sweet romance, to the beautiful friendship. From the angst to the ultimate mind f*. It all filled my heart and made a happy reader.

 

I highly recommend this read to everyone that loves their books rich in thought with tons of depth.

Fisher's Light by Tara Sivec Review

Fisher,
I guess this is it, huh? After fourteen years together, starting a life of our own on this island, five deployments and countless letters I’ve written you through it all, I finally go out to the mailbox and see something I’ve always dreamed of: an envelope with your handwriting on it. For one moment, I actually thought you’d changed your mind, that all the awful things you said to me were just your way of coping after everything you’d been through. I was still here, Fisher. I was still here, holding my breath, waiting for you to come back even though you told me you never would. You always said you’d find your way back to me. Out of all the lies you’ve told me, this one hurts the most.

Enclosed you will find the signed divorce papers, as requested.
I hope you find what you’re looking for. I’m sorry it wasn’t me.
Lucy

To get the ending they want, Lucy and Fisher will have to go back to the beginning. Through the good and the bad, they’ll be reminded of why they always made their way back to each other, and why this time, one way or another, it will be the last time.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1bycubE

MY THOUGHTS:
4.5/5 Stars

Fisher's Light was filled with raw emotion and utter beauty. It reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks book because the flow was flawless. It was easy to fall into Fisher's Island and feel like a new resident. We are taken on a journey through the past and left to hold onto the words of the future. It's about a second chance at love and the intense battle of PTSD. It's not always an easy read, but in the end I found myself quite satisfied with how everything turned out.

 

The Author did a wonderful job at creating vivid pictures in our mind. Each detail about the town displayed a beautiful painting and each deep, dark emotion the character felt was painfully portrayed. Fisher and Lucy have an intense connection and even after divorce they still are drawn to one another. It's not always pretty, but the love they share is something to be desired. I loved watching them reconnect and overcome the obstacles of life.

 

My only complaint would be that towards the end I felt that the emotional aspect was pushed aside for the sexual connection to be focus. I would have liked to see less sex even if that meant a shorter read.

 

Overall, this book was fantastic! I was captivated from the beginning and consumed long after the last page. My heart ached at the emotional parts and swooned at the romance. I loved how the lighthouse tied the story together like a beautiful bow.

I HIGHLY recommend this read!

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My Current Read:
I started Fisher's Light by Tara Sivec last night and am already hooked! Each word portrays such an intense emotion...

Fisher,
I guess this is it, huh? After fourteen years together, starting a life of our own on this island, five deployments and countless letters I’ve written you through it all, I finally go out to the mailbox and see something I’ve always dreamed of: an envelope with your handwriting on it. For one moment, I actually thought you’d changed your mind, that all the awful things you said to me were just your way of coping after everything you’d been through. I was still here, Fisher. I was still here, holding my breath, waiting for you to come back even though you told me you never would. You always said you’d find your way back to me. Out of all the lies you’ve told me, this one hurts the most.

Enclosed you will find the signed divorce papers, as requested.
I hope you find what you’re looking for. I’m sorry it wasn’t me.
Lucy

To get the ending they want, Lucy and Fisher will have to go back to the beginning. Through the good and the bad, they’ll be reminded of why they always made their way back to each other, and why this time, one way or another, it will be the last time.


Latest 5 Star Read...Black Rose by Kris Thompson
(.99 for a very limited time)
Lillian Locke had the perfect life in Boulder, Colorado. She had the boyfriend of her dreams, a wonderful family, awesome friends, and a spot on the track team at a great college. There wasn’t anything life could throw at her that she couldn’t get through . . . until he found her.

Lillian never could have imagined being abducted and chained up in the dark. Worse yet, being just one of many girls kidnapped and held captive by a madman. All she can do now is hope that she survives the brutality of their captor long enough to find a way to free herself and her new captive friends.

When Richard Haines’ girlfriend goes missing, he makes it his personal mission to find the woman he loves and bring her home to the safety of their loved ones. Seeking the help of friends and family, Richard abandons everything except for his pursuit of Lillian. But when someone else close to Richard goes missing, and the bodies of the abducted girls start showing up in the hills outside Boulder, the only thing he can do is hope that he finds her before it is too late.
Check out my review here.