A cutie things to download and print: next month calendar planning
Hello everybody ! :-D
Since graphic design is one of my passions and hobbies ( and I also was a graphic designer and web designer for 10 years ), I thought it would be nice to give you some little gift from time to time.
Here is a free printable July 2023 calendar to help you keep track of the days passing by and your deadlines, appointments, your family and friends birthdays, projects and more!
You see it here in a medium/little size but the original jpg size ( in pixels ) is 1634 x 1264, so you can click on the image to enlarge and then download it.
You can save it on your computer and upload it as you screen desktop or print it and keep it on your work desk or hang it on the wall.
I wish you can enjoy it and if you have some suggestion about size, please tell me.
I'm asking you only a little favore : before downloading it, please leave me a little greeting in the comments, saying your name and which country do you come from :-)
If I see that at least 5 people have downloaded the freebie, I will gladly prepare another one for the month of August and for the next few months.
Thanks for stopping by, wishing you a good day and a Happy July!!!
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Friday, June 30, 2023
Monday, June 26, 2023
Book review : City of Silence by Kim Wright
City of Silence
by Kim Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
NOTE : _ I'm Italian, I hope I managed to explain everything clearly even if not in correct English _
4 stars, it means that I liked it, it caught my attention, but it's not among those I would read again in the future (as often happens with those I adore and I rate 5 stars).
WHAT I LIKED:
1_) I liked that although there were many characters on the line ( not only the detective group but many others ) that develop their own story, it's very easy to get involved in each character's life and events.
Some of those characters are pure invention, some other are real existed characters ( such as Queen Victoria, her granddaughters Ella and Alix, the oldest Tsar's son Nicky ( future Nicholas II ), a young revolutionary that will be known as Lenin ).
All stories and character's thoughts alternate from chapter to chapter, but I repeat:
it's very easy to follow everything, indeed the writing is flowing the events are reported in an orderly manner and with a certain suspense that makes you want to know more.
I also had a lot of fun searching Pinterest for photos of the Romanovs, lots of personal photos of their family, taken by themselves, since they loved photography and had their own cameras.
This took me longer to read the book, but also shows that the subject was captivating.
3_) The whole story takes place in St. Petersburg, when the young Alix goes to visit her sister Elizabeth (married to a Russian Grand Duke, the brother of the tzar Alexander III _ true facts) accompanied by her grandmother Queen Victoria (false).
Although there are no striking descriptions of the city in the book, you can breathe the imperial air of those times and the ferment of the revolution that was already peeping out.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
1_) As I told before some facts are true and some others not. Of course, after all it's a fiction, but I find that the author perhaps exaggerated a little with author's license ( Queen Victoria in Russia ??? It never happened, she disliked them, as it also is said in the book. I just can't even imagine her
at Romanovs court, bowing to the Tsar ).
There are two or three things that in my opinion are too exaggerated inventions, one of which I don't mention because it would be a spoiler, which even remains unexplained at the end, a fact that the true story tells us didn't happen, but which in the book, concerning one of the main characters, it should be clarified and should ended differently, instead it has an epilogue contrary to the true story and that I didn't like.
2_) I liked the whole book except two chapter ( the second one and one towards the end ) in which the group of detectives discuss the old cases and the boss comes up with all his theories about how to investigate ( not THIS CASE, but in general )... HEY ! HOW BORING ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, I can accept a couple of pages about that, but a WHOLE ? ( 2 whole chapters )
If it doesn't concern the case of the book I'm reading: WHO CARES ?! )
Of course all opinions are subjective.
____
To conclude, I can say that I liked it quite enough. I was happy to have read a mystery with a different scenario than the usual, set during a fascinating and also so profoundly unfair and therefore dangerous at the same, time historical time.
I recommend it ( even if from other reviews I saw that people preferred the first and the second one in the series ).
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Book review : The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer | A Measured Look at a Wartime Tale
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer
GENRE: #HistoricalFiction #EpistolaryNovel
My rating: ★★★★☆
Actually 3.5 of 5 stars
I recently finished reading this epistolary novel, which is set in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.
The story follows a young writer who begins a correspondence with the residents of Guernsey Island, eventually collecting a series of testimonies regarding their experiences during the German occupation.
It is a collection of unique, colorful voices, and reading it felt a bit like being invited over for tea, listening to a group of friends share their anecdotes.
Some of these stories were genuinely funny, while others were deeply moving.
However, I must admit there were moments when the descriptions leaned a little too far into the visceral. From details about scabby heads to the grim realities of wartime hunger—like the roasted pig or the unfortunate fate of a neighborhood cat—there were passages that frankly made me a bit squeamish.
While I fully appreciate that these horrors were the reality of the era, I can’t help but feel the author could have spared us some of those grittier, stomach-turning details.
The heart of the book is undoubtedly the figure of Elizabeth McKenna.
Although she is not a living presence in the narrative, she looms large over every conversation. Through the letters, we learn of her exuberance, her vitality, and her fierce, unwavering intolerance for injustice. She is a character who leaves an indelible mark on those around her, for better or for worse.
I have decided to round my rating up to four stars. The reason is simple: you can tell that behind this fiction lies a tremendous amount of research. It is clear the author spent years diving into archives and truly listening to historical accounts, and I consider the time spent learning about the island’s history an enrichment.
However, I have to be honest—there was a significant "but" for me.
Something was missing that kept me from feeling truly tethered to the pages.
I found that I only kept reading because I had a stubborn desire to finish it, always hoping that I would eventually stumble upon that one spark that would make the story truly shine. Yet, every time I put the book down to attend to daily life, I never felt a sense of longing to get back to it. In fact, during my downtime, I often found myself daydreaming about which book I would pick up next instead. For me, that is the ultimate litmus test for a story: it was a PLEASENT READ, but it simply WASN'T ADDICTIVE!
Within the novel, the protagonist—the writer—struggles to find a common thread for her book until her publisher suggests centering the story around Elizabeth.
I couldn't help but wonder if the author herself faced a similar challenge. She found a clever way to weave these testimonies together, but the narrative tension that keeps a reader in suspense felt absent.
The author seems to attempt to build that momentum through a romantic subplot, but for me, there was a lack of pathos. I didn't feel the weight of that romance, nor did I feel the emotional gravity regarding the fate of the central character that the rest of the cast seemed to feel.
By the time I hit the halfway mark, I was genuinely tempted to abandon the book entirely. After looking at other reviews online, I’ve seen everything from glowing praise to harsh, biting criticism. My take sits firmly in the middle. I find the truly contemptuous reviews to be quite unfair and disrespectful to the research involved, but at the same time, I can't quite bring myself to label this a "hidden gem."
Ultimately, it is a lovely, well-researched project that offers a window into a fascinating time in history, even if it didn't quite capture my heart the way I’d hoped.
Thank you for reading my thoughts, I hope they can be useful to you in choosing your next reading.
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Il club del libro e della torta di bucce di patata di Guernsey
di Mary Ann Shaffer
GENRE: #FictionStorica #RomanzoEpistolare
Il mio punteggio: ★★★★☆
In realtà 3.5 of 5 stelle
Si tratta di un romanzo epistolare, ambientato subito dopo la fine della guerra e la protagonista raccoglie una serie di testimonianze riguardanti l'occupazione dell'isola di Guernsey e la vita dei suoi abitanti. Sono tutti personaggi molto singolari, tra i quali emerge, in particolare, la personalità di Elizabeth McKenna.
Elisabeth non è presente come personaggio, ma tutti, o quasi, raccontano di lei, della sua esuberanza, della sua vitalità, del suo coraggio, della sua insofferenza verso i soprusi e le ingiustizie e di tutto ciò che, bello e brutto, ne deriva.
Le storie degli abitanti sono molto particolari ed è piacevole leggerle, mi è sembrato di avere ospiti per il tè e di sentirli raccontare i loro aneddoti, alcuni divertenti, altri tristi, altri ancora che mi hanno disgustata e sinceramente avrei preferito non avere dettagli in merito (maialino arrosto, gatto ucciso e scuoiato, scabbia sulla testa e qualche altra schifezza... sappiamo che durante la guerra era così, ma l'autrice poteva risparmiarsi questi dettagli che mi facevano venir da vomitare).
La vera protagonista del libro è una giovane autrice che viene contattata da uno degli isolani, il che porta a una fitta corrispondenza tra lei e tutti loro.
Il romanzo, come ho già detto, è stato piacevole e l'ho arrotondato a 4 stelle perché nonostante sia tutta una pura invenzione, dietro a tutto questo ci sono anni di ricerche e testimonianze vere raccolte negli archivi, quindi considero questa lettura un arricchimento.
MA ... c'è un grande "ma" per me:
__________ mancava qualcosa, qualcosa che mi teneva legata al libro.
Ho letto questo libro fino alla fine solo perché "volevo finire di leggere, sperando di trovare qualcosa che lo facesse brillare", ma in realtà ogni volta che dovevo interropmpere la lettura, perché avevo altro da fare... NONB MI TROVAVO DISPIACIUTA ( come accade con un libro che adori ) e ogni volta che avevo tempo libero per riprendere il romanzo, mi ritrovavo a pensare a cosa avrei potuto scegliere come lettura successiva, qualcosa che fosse più coinvolgente. QUESTO DICE MOLTO.CIOè : CARINO, MA NON AVVINCENTE.
Nel romanzo, la protagonista, scrittrice, dopo aver raccolto tante testimonianze, non sa come scrivere un libro che abbia un filo conduttore e il suo editore le consiglia di scriverlo facendo ruotare la storia attorno ad Elizabeth.
Forse nella realtà l'autrice ( non la protagonista del libro, ma la vera autrice ) ha avuto lo stesso problema, ha trovato un buon modo per riportare tanti eventi, ma manca quel "qualcosa" che tiene col fiato sospeso. Forse lei ha pensato di averlo inserito con una storia d'amore, ma in realtà non c'è pathos ne riguardo a questo ne riguardo alla sorte del personaggio di cui tutti parlano.
Quando sono arrivata a metà libro, ho avuto il pensiero di abbandonarlo.
Ho letto qualche recensione : alcune entusiastiche, altre veramente sprezzanti... Ecco ora è arrivata la mia recensione che si trova a metà strada.
Trovo veramente cattive ed irrispettose le recensioni sprezzanti su questo libro, ma non mi sento neppure di inserirlo tra i piccolo gioielli della lettura di quel periodo.
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Saturday, June 03, 2023
Book review : The Musician's Daughter by Susanne Dunlap | Music, Murder & Mystery
The Musician's Daughter
by Susanne Dunlap
GENRE: #HistoricalMystery
My rating: 3.8 rounded up to ★★★★☆
This review is a bit of a tough one to write!
I gave it a 3.8-star rating, though honestly, it could’ve been 4.5 or even a full 5 stars, if it hadn't been for some reasons that I will explain later.
The plot is solid and really gripping, probably one of the most original stories I’ve come across in years. It hooked me right from the back cover. However, I have to admit I struggled to get into it during the first half, but I'll share why in a moment.
First, here’s a little about the plot:
___THE PLOT__
Late 18th-century imperial Vienna. The story kicks off with a gut punch: fifteen-year-old Theresa Maria wakes up on Christmas Eve to the devastating news that her father, a talented violinist in Prince Nicholas Esterhazy’s court, has been murdered.The mystery is immediate and gripping: his priceless violin is missing, and the only clue left behind is a strange gold pendant hanging around his neck.
When his body is discovered in a Hungarian gypsy camp and brought home by his fellow orchestra members, his daughter, Theresa, is determined to uncover the truth.
Theresa is taken in by the celebrated composer Franz Joseph Haydn, who serves as both her father’s former mentor and her new benefactor.
Employed as his copyist, she gains unprecedented access to her father's clandestine life. What starts as a quest for justice quickly spirals into a dark trail of secrets, and deep-seated corruption, so the young girl soon finds herself tracking a dangerous trail of blackmail and deceit, while simultaneously discovering her own integrity and a budding new love.
****** MY OPINION ******
THE SETTING - A PLUNGE INTO THE HEART OF IMPERIAL VIENNA
I’ve always had a soft spot for 18th-century Austrian or Prussian settings, but they are notoriously hard to find in English or Italian translations.
It’s even rarer to find a novel written by a non-Austrian author that feels truly authentic, where you can actually feel the atmosphere of the era.
Susanne Dunlap absolutely nails it. You aren't just reading about 18th-century Vienna; you are breathing its air.
You can hear the scratch of violin bows against gut strings, smell the damp, cold cobblestones as Theresa maneuvers through the dark streets, and feel the stifling, powdered-wig formality of the Esterhazy court.
The author brings 18th-century Vienna to life with vivid detail, from court intrigue and professional jealousy among musicians (including the legendary Joseph Haydn, who is Theresa’s godfather) to the complicated racial tensions between the Viennese, the Hungarians, and the Romany people.
It is rare to find a non-Austrian author who captures the friction between the social classes so authentically. She perfectly portrays that strange, high-stakes balance where art is the only thing that keeps the courtly elite and the struggling musicians tethered together.
Plus, there’s plenty of action and drama to keep you hooked. It’s a captivating tale set against a charming backdrop, sprinkled with music and a touch of romance.
THE HISTORICAL TAPESTRY
Beyond the historical backdrop and the brief mentions of real people from the past, the historical research shines through in the gritty details of the time.
Dunlap doesn’t shy away from the darker realities of the 18th century, the brutal justice system, the rampant poverty, and the horrifying reach of those in power. Indeed, the book explores some of the rougher sides of that society, such as crime, prostitution, and the brutal punishments handed out through torture that were so common back then.
Showing us the reality behind the wigs and the powdered faces makes the stakes feel incredibly high for a fifteen-year-old girl.
It’s thought-provoking, dark, and utterly compelling.
Thankfully, the world has evolved since those times, at least in democratic countries, but these topics still provide a lot of interesting perspective for anyone reading it today, no matter their age.
THE CHARACTERS
I liked them all, starting with Theresa, the protagonist, a sensible 15-year-old devoted to her father and mother.
At fifteen, she is at that crucial turning point where childhood innocence is stripped away by tragedy. Her transformation from a sheltered musician’s daughter into a determined, intelligent sleuth is so satisfying to watch.
And then there are the people pulling her in different directions:
- Zoltan, the Hungarian musician, offers such a beautiful, grounded contrast to court life. Their connection is pure, tentative, and utterly charming.
- Mirela, a character who keeps you on your toes. She represents that wild, rebellious, and unpredictable side one would expect from gypsy. Unfortunately, she isn't always reliable friend to Theresa, which is why I occasionally felt a real dislike for her.
I found myself questioning her motives just as much as our protagonist did, which is exactly why she makes the narrative so compelling. - There are, of course, many other minor characters, such as the younger brother, the widowed mother, an exceptional gypsy violinist, and the famous composer Haydn.
Although they aren't explored in deep detail, the author brilliantly captures their essence; each of them plays a vital role in shaping the story Theresa shares with us.
THE MUSIC AS A CHARACTER
The music is the heartbeat of this book. The author doesn’t treat the music as a mere backdrop; she treats it like a living, breathing language.
Whether it’s the formal symphonies in the palace or the raw, untamed melodies of the gypsy camp, the writing makes you hear the story. It adds a layer of emotional resonance that makes the murder mystery feel not just like a crime, but like a desecration of something sacred.
SUITABLE FOR ?
This reading is recommended for 12 years old and up, but I would say it is best suited for readers aged 15 and older. Indeed, the language is clean, but the story tackles heavy themes such as pedophilia, exploitation, and the truly gruesome realities of capital punishment.
Of course, the author treats these subjects with the gravity they deserve, making this a much more "adult" YA novel than you might expect.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER?
Initially, I struggled to get into the story and adapt to the author's narrative style.
Everything is told in the first person by Theresa, which I really like, but her narration, especially in the first part of the book, offers very little dialogue. This prevented me from immediately connecting with her and the other characters.
Reading other reviews, I've noticed that some readers were disappointed with Haydn's character, wishing he had been explored more deeply. Perhaps it would have been interesting to see him more involved in the overall mystery, but I personally didn't mind. I would, however, have preferred the author to delve deeper into Zoltan's character, since he's the one who makes Theresa's heart race throughout the story.
When it comes to the love story, it is certainly not a sweeping, epic romance that fills every page, and I must admit I was a little disappointed by that at first.
Despite being a YA novel, it could have perhaps offered a real kiss and a few more heart-pounding moments.
However, I must warn you that it is instead a portrayal of a first love blossoming amidst chaos.
It is subtle, discreet, and precious, and it feels completely authentic for a fifteen-year-old of that era.
If you approach this book expecting a passionate or sappy romance, you’ll miss the point. But if you are looking for a tender, realistic connection that offers a glimmer of hope in a very dark story, you'll find it incredibly moving.
THE FINAL VERDICT:
If you’re drawn to this era, have the patience to push through a slightly slow start, and love mystery, music, and a brilliantly evoked 18th-century Vienna, give it a go!
If you’re looking for a heavy romance, you might want to look elsewhere!
Thank you all for stopping by and reading my review! 😊
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Monday, May 29, 2023
Book review : The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp | A lesson in resilience
The Story of the Trapp Family Singers
by Maria Augusta von Trapp
GENRE: #NonFiction #Memoir #History #Inspirational
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the true story of the von Trapp family, the singing family that inspired the famous 1965 musical film, "The Sound of Music", starring Julie Andrews and directed by Robert Wise.
I loved this book so much! Actually, the film only shows a very small part of the incredible life Maria von Trapp tells in her autobiography.
Maria shares 20 years of her life, and she does it in a simple, smooth, and often amusing way.
Her great faith in God gives a strong religious imprint to the book; while this might not interest everyone, I can assure you that you won't be bored for a single second.
👉This memoir is amazing.
THE PLOT: BEYOND THE MOVIE
Everything we see in the film corresponds only to the first pages of the book. Then, the story develops by telling anecdotes from their departure from Austria (to escape the Nazi regime they opposed) up to their arrival in the United States.
The book covers the 10 years after their marriage, their travels in Austria, the beautiful traditions, and how music became a natural part of their lives. It was fascinating!
A Lesson in Resilience
I started this book because of my childhood passion for the movie, but I found something much deeper.Maria’s words are simple, witty, and deeply moving. Her great faith gives a strong religious heart to the book, but even if you aren't religious, you will be inspired by their strength.
It left a positive mark on my soul, teaching me that you can always start over if you have your family by your side.
The "American Dream" Reality Check
The most fascinating part is their arrival in America in the 1940s. 80 years ago, Europe and the USA were two completely different worlds.Maria describes their "culture shock" with great humor: everything was "50,000 times bigger" and modern.
Even the way of speaking was different; I don’t just mean the language, but the idioms that still make it difficult to express oneself in a foreign tongue today.
It was very hard for them to start over without money.
Back in Austria, Commander Georg von Trapp was a wealthy Baron. The war brought many practical difficulties in the USA too: the fear they might be spies, problems with visas, and the ban on using new materials for building. As an Italian, I didn't know much about American issues during the war, and I learned so much!
THE CHARACTER OF MARIA and GEORG
Maria’s character was truly "bizarre" and likeable. She was a strong, dominant person, held in check (just a little!) by her calm husband, Georg.I loved seeing the real Baron Georg: he wasn't as harsh as in the movie, but a kind man who struggled to adapt to a life without his aristocratic privileges.
Seeing a Baron learning to "work" for the first time was both funny and touching.
Memories of a Lost World
While reading, you can almost smell the beeswax of the polished floors in the Salzburg villa, the scent of mountain air on their traditional Austrian clothes, and the metallic tang of the big American tour buses that became their new home.MY FINAL THOUGHTS
While reading, I looked for more information online about the children’s adult lives, the houses they built, and Georg’s death (which is described in detail in the English edition but cut out in the Italian one!). It was all so engaging.COZY CONNECTIONS
If you want to know even more, I highly recommend reading the memoirs of Agathe von Trapp (the eldest daughter) which completes this story perfectly.Both books gave me so much serenity. It’s a lesson in resilience that left a mark on my soul.
👉 READ AGATHE'S MEMOIR ONLINE HERE
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Il LIBRO è disponibile anche in EDIZIONE ITALIANA, leggi la mia recensione !
La Famiglia Trapp
di Maria Augusta Trapp
GENRE : #NonFiction #FamilyMemoir #SecondaGuerraMondiale
Il mio punteggio: ★★★★★
Questo libro racconta la vera storia della famiglia Von Trapp, la storia familiare che ha ispirato il famoso film musicale del 1965 intitolato "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" diretto da Robert Wise.
Ho adorato questa lettura così tanto e in realtà il film rappresenta solo una piccolissima parte di tutto ciò che la vera Maria Von Trapp racconta nel suo libro autobiografico.
Maria ci racconta 20 anni di vita e riesce a farlo in modo semplice, molto scorrevole e spesso divertente.
La sua grande fede in Dio (testimoniata anche nel film) dà una forte impronta religiosa a tutta la sua vita familiare e di conseguenza anche a questo suo “memoir”, cosa che probabilmente non a tutti potrebbe piacere o interessare, ma posso assicurarvi che non vi annoierete in nessuna pagina di questo straordinario e divertentissimo libro di memorie.
Tutto quello che abbiamo visto nel film corrisponde alle prime pagine del libro, poi la storia si sviluppa raccontando vicende e aneddoti dalla partenza della famiglia Von Trapp dall'Austria (per sfuggire al regime nazista a cui si opponevano) fino all'arrivo negli Stati Uniti, dove affronteranno mille problemi ed esperienze, esibendosi come cantanti in tournée da uno stato all'altro.
Ho iniziato a leggere questo libro, perché sin dalla mia infanzia mia madre ed io eravamo (e siamo tuttora) fans appassionate del musical "Tutti insieme appassionatamente" ed ero curiosa di saperne di più sulla storia reale ( e non romanzata )di questa famiglia.
La storia riportata nel libro, dopo una breve introduzione di come Maria comincia a far parte della famiglia Von Trapp (e l'abbiamo vista anche nel film), riguarda i 10 anni dopo il matrimonio, i loro viaggi in Austria e nei paesi limitrofi, le tradizioni austriache e come l'avvicinamento alla musica e al canto sia avvenuto in modo naturale. Tutto ciò è stato davvero affascinante!
Poi la fuga negli Stati Uniti, la loro vita in un paese nuovo, così diverso dal loro paese d'origine e dal continente europeo sotto tanti aspetti (materiali ed emotivi), ma dove incontreranno tanti nuovi amici e dove piano piano riusciranno a sentirsi “davvero a casa loro “, facendone la loro nuova patria per sempre.
In questo libro di memorie Maria ci racconta, in maniera davvero simpatica, tutte le tante avventure e le difficoltà che hanno dovuto affrontare anche dopo il loro arrivo negli Stati Uniti.
Può sembrare assurdo oggigiorno, ora che il mondo occidentale è tutto uniformato alle stesse mode e tutti conosciamo usi e costumi di altri paesi e di altri continenti, ma 80 anni fa Europa e Stati Uniti erano due mondi completamente diversi, negli scenari cittadini e naturali... tutto 50.000 volte più grande, tutto più moderno e innovativo rispetto alla vecchio continente, profonda diversità in usi e costumi, diversità nel modo di esprimersi e non intendo la diversa lingua, ma la differenza di modo di pensare e concepire la vita, la differenza di idiomi, che ancora oggi rende difficile la comprensione e l'esprimersi in una lingua straniera.
È stato davvero difficile per loro abituarsi a un nuovo mondo completamente diverso da quello in cui erano nati e cresciuti e ricominciare tutto da capo, senza soldi e senza essere stati abituati a lavorare (in Austria, infatti, il comandante Georg Von Trapp era un barone ed era molto ricco).
L'ostacolo maggiore fu dato dalle conseguenze della guerra, che pur svolgendosi in Europa, coinvolgendo anche gli Stati Uniti, portò anche nel nuovo mondo non poche e serie difficoltà pratiche.
I problemi con il visto per i fuggitivi europei (c'era il rischio che si trattasse di spie) e la conseguente carcerazione, il divieto di realizzare nuove costruzioni e di utilizzare materiali nuovi (potevano essere usati solo quelli di seconda mano ) e quindi l'impossibilità di potersi costruire una casa, il razionamento del cibo ecc... essendo italiana non conoscevo nei particolari la vita degli Americani durante gli anni della guerra.
La famiglia Von Trapp visse dunque esperienze spesso molto dure anche durante gli anni in cui erano ormai famosi.
Grazie al sentimento profondo che li univa, tutti insieme, seppero trasformare il negativo in qualcosa di positivo e ciò rese tutta la loro vita davvero straordinaria e così particolare e diversa dalla storia di qualsiasi altra famiglia.
Ciò che non mi aspettavo da questo libro era di imparare una lezione di storia sugli anni '40 negli Stati Uniti e soprattutto una lezione di resilienza e tenacia, che ha lasciato un grande segno positivo nella mia anima.
Come ho già scritto, la fede in Dio è stata una grande e importante componente nel loro cammino di vita, ma la forza di reagire senza mai arrendersi e la voglia di migliorarsi ed essere autosufficienti in tutto è un grande merito di Maria e di tutta la Famiglia Von Trapp.
Il libro è scritto in modo scorrevole e divertente da leggere, perché Maria era fu realmente una persona bizzarra e simpatica così come rappresentata nel film musicale e la sua spontaneità fu proprio uno dei suoi punti di forza.
Maria ha fatto le sue gaffe e ne sono venute fuori cose buffe, emerge il ritratto di una donna simpatica, ma anche forte e dall'energia dominante su tutti, tenuta a freno (poco) dal più pacato marito Georg, che fece non pochi sforzi per abituarsi alla povertà e alle comuni regole della società. Essendo un aristocratico, Georg Von Trapp considerava vergognoso lavorare o anche solo apparire sul palco, per il resto, invece, era un uomo molto buono, molto affezionato alla sua famiglia e non così severo come rappresentato nel film.
Durante la lettura del libro ho cercato anche altri articoli sul web, per saperne di più sui bambini Von Trapp nella loro vita adulta ( dopo i 20 descritti nel libro ), la residenza di famiglia a Salisburgo e la fattoria costruita in America, la morte di Georg (descritta in ogni dettaglio nell'originale inglese edizione, ma tagliata nell'edizione italiana), la morte di una figlia (l'unica morta giovanissima, mentre gli altre sono morti tra gli 80 e i 97 anni, e due di loro sono ancora vivi) ed è stato tutto così coinvolgente!
CONSIGLIO A TUTTI VIVAMENTE DI LEGGERLO ! E se non lo trovate in negozio o negli shopping online, potrete sicuramente trovare copie usate sul web :-)
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Sunday, April 30, 2023
Book review : A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
Lady Emily Mysteries book 2
by Tasha Alexander
My rating: ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful reading !! I love it so much !
The read is easy and flowing ( I'm from Italy and I read it in English, not my mother tongue, so if I find it flowing, it really is ), the plot starts off interesting and after few chapters it becomes so addictive that when I was partway through the book I just couldn't put it down and as I got closer to the end I felt the suspense take over of me, I couldn't help to feel so thrilled by finally getting to find out "who, how and why".
England, 1891 - The season has just begun and all of good society is taken by the succession of social events, made even more interesting by the presence of Charles Berry, an enigmatic character who claims to be the predominant heir of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. His arrival in London coincides with a series of unexplained thefts of objects that belonged to the last French queen, culminating in a double, heinous crime.
Lady Emily Ashton ( our heroine ) finds herself at the center of the mystery and decides to solve the case, investigating the numerous characters involved, without knowing what risks await her in this difficult path and what lies behind the glittering facade of the London nobility. Forced to extricate herself from scandals and backbiting, however, she will be able to count on the support of her faithful friend and suitor Colin, more than ever determined to win her heart.
This is the second book in the LADY EMILY series, but it's not the second one to me, since I started from book 12 then continuing in random order because each adventure is perfectly enjoyable as a "stand alone" and even if the private stories of the characters have a beginning and a progress, the author is very skilled at describing the past's character in each book.
However, if you like to become attached to a series and intend to read more or all of the books, then I strongly recommend that you read them in order of publication, because the charm of these novels lies not just in the well-articulated mysteries, but also in the plot of private life of the main character (a modern and independent woman of the Victorian era, a lover of culture and eager to establish herself as a person, thanks to her skills and not as someone's wife in high society) and of the characters around her.
Some characters are constant in the series and others are recurring. Each main character is skillfully described in his way of being, in his vocal expressions and gestures, on how one is perceived by society and how one likes to fit into or detach from the society of the time.
The characters are believable and it's really easy to become attached to them and experience the pathos of what is about to happen with them.
The dialogues are realistic and brilliant, the places and the clothes well described, I was able to visualize every scene, while reading, just like watching a movie.
The mystery is well thought out and the author manages to shift suspicions from one character to another so much that until the end you really can't imagine the "real" culprit.
Even after the discovery of the culprit there is still one last dangerous situation to be resolved and I can say that the novel kept me in suspense until the end.
IMPORTANT : the book is a cozy-mystery because it has clean language, no sex or violence scenes, however the plot of this book, as well as that of the other books in the series, manages to remain original (not the usual murder on ship, at the manor, on the train ... I read many cozies, they are adorable but they all look a bit alike ), moreover it is a fictional historical mystery, but which cleverly intertwines with true history and at the end of the book it is very interesting to read the author's notes which tell the reader how the facts actually took place.
This book takes place in England, but many others in the series are set in other countries of which the author describes places, uses and customs and this is one of the reasons why the plots are able to diversify from the usual cozies.
5 stars well deserved and I can't wait to read the next one !
( A LITTLE NOTE _ as I often write in my posts: sorry for my bad english, but it's not my mother tongue, I'm from Italy )
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LIBRO disponibile anche in EDIZIONE LINGUA ITALIANA, leggi la mia recensione !
Lettura assolutamente meravigliosa!! Mi è piaciuto tantissimo !
La lettura è scorrevole e piacevole. La storia, che già inizia in maniera interessante, dopo pochi capitoli diventa talmente avvincente, che a metà lettura del libro non riuscivo più a staccarmene.
Avvicinandomi alla fine del giallo e quindi alla soluzione del mistero potevo sentire la suspense prendere il sopravvento su di me. Succede solo con i misteri ben scritti e davvero coinvolgenti, mi sentivo così elettrizzata al pensiero di scoprire " CHI, COME E PERCHE' " fosse dietro le quinte del delitto e delle false piste.
___ LA TRAMA ___
Inghilterra, 1891 - La stagione è appena iniziata e tutta la buona società è presa dal susseguirsi di eventi mondani, resi ancora più interessanti dalla presenza di Charles Berry, personaggio enigmatico che afferma di essere l'erede predominante di Maria Antonietta e Luigi XVI . Il suo arrivo a Londra coincide con una serie di furti inspiegabili di oggetti appartenuti all'ultima regina francese, culminati in un duplice, efferato delitto. Lady Emily Ashton (la nostra eroina) si ritrova al centro del mistero e decide di risolvere il caso, indagando sui numerosi personaggi coinvolti, senza sapere quali rischi la attendono in questo difficile percorso e cosa si nasconde dietro la scintillante facciata della nobiltà londinese. Costretta a districarsi tra scandali e maldicenze, potrà però contare sul sostegno del fedele amico e corteggiatore Colin, più che mai determinato a conquistare il suo cuore.
___ LA MIA OPINIONE ___
Questo è il secondo libro della serie LADY EMILY, ma non è il secondo per me, dato che ho iniziato dal libro 12 proseguendo poi in ordine casuale perché ogni avventura è perfettamente godibile come "stand alone" e anche se le storie private di i personaggi hanno un inizio e un progresso, l'autore è molto abile nel descrivere in ogni libro le vicende personali del passato concernenti i protagonisti, in tale maniere il lettore riesce a sentirsi perfettamente a suo agio nella storia pur non avendo letto i libri precedenti.
Se però vi piace affezionarvi a una serie e intendete leggere più libri o tutti, allora vi consiglio vivamente di leggerli in ordine di pubblicazione ( sempre che in Italia decidano di proseguire con la traduzione, per questo mi considero fortunata nel poter leggere in lingua originale, purtroppo gli editori italiani spesso si limitano a tradurre solo qualche libro di una serie ).
Per ora in italiano ne sono disponibili solo 3 di questa serie :
Lady Emily serie di Tasha Alexander - libri in italiano :
Tra inganno e verità
La stagione dei veleni
Un valzer fatale
Spero per i lettori italiani che l'editore ne traduca altri, perchè il fascino di questi romanzi non risiede solo nei gialli ben articolati, bensì anche nella trama della vita privata della protagonista (una donna moderna e indipendente dell'epoca vittoriana, amante della cultura e desiderosa di affermarsi come persona, grazie alle sue doti e non come moglie di qualcuno dell'alta società, come usava allora) e dei personaggi che la circondano.
Alcuni personaggi sono costanti nella serie mentre altri sono ricorrenti. Ogni personaggio principale è abilmente descritto nel suo modo di essere, nelle sue espressioni vocali e nei suoi gesti, su come viene percepito dalla società e su come preferisce inserirsi o distaccarsi dalla società del tempo.
I personaggi sono credibili ed è davvero facile affezionarsi a loro e vivere il pathos di ciò che stanno vivendo o che sta per accadere.
I dialoghi sono realistici e brillanti, i luoghi e gli abiti ben descritti, ho potuto visualizzare ogni scena, durante la lettura, proprio come guardando un film.
Il mistero è ben congegnato e l'autore riesce a spostare i sospetti da un personaggio all'altro tanto che fino alla fine non si riesce davvero a immaginare il "vero" colpevole.
Anche dopo la scoperta del colpevole c'è ancora un'ultima pericolosa situazione da risolvere e posso dire che il romanzo mi ha tenuto con il fiato sospeso fino alla fine.
IMPORTANTE: il libro è "cozy mystery", ovvero un giallo accogliente perché ha un linguaggio pulito, nessuna scena di sesso o violenza, tuttavia la trama di questo libro, così come quella degli altri libri della serie, riesce a rimanere originale (non il solito omicidio di turno) sulla nave, al maniero, sul treno.
Ho letto tanti gialli, catalogati all'estero come "cozy mystery", sono adorabili ma si assomigliano tutti un po'tutti, mentre questo riesce a distinguersi dagli altri e ad essere davvero coinvolgente.
E' una "fiction storica", la storia e frutto della fantasia dell'autrice, ma è stata abilmente intrecciata con l'ambiente storico dell'epoca Vittoriana in Inghilterra.
Alla fine del libro è molto interessante leggere le note dell'autore che raccontano al lettore come si sono realmente svolti i fatti.
Questo libro è ambientato in Inghilterra, ma molti altri libri della serie sono ambientati in altri paesi di cui l'autore descrive luoghi, usi e costumi e questo è uno dei motivi per cui le trame riescono a diversificarsi dalle solite intime.
5 stelle meritate e non vedo l'ora di leggere il prossimo!
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Book review : The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan | A Heart-Warming Tale of WWII Resilience
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir:
a Novel by Jennifer Ryan
GENRE : #HistoricalFiction #WorldWarII
My rating: ★★★★★ (5 Full Stars !)
I LOVED IT from the very first page to the last one !!
This book has completely met all my expectations: I was looking for an engaging novel with topics that weren't too superficial, but also that weren't too much dramatic and able to bring me good humor and chirfulness while reading it.
___ THE PLOT ___
The village of Chilbury in Kent is about to ring in some changes.
This is a delightful novel of wartime gumption and village spirit that will make your heart sing out.
Kent, 1940.
In the idyllic village of Chilbury change is afoot. Hearts are breaking as sons and husbands leave to fight, and when the Vicar decides to close the choir until the men return, all seems lost.
But coming together in song is just what the women of Chilbury need in these dark hours, and they are ready to sing. With a little fighting spirit and the arrival of a new musical resident, the charismatic Miss Primrose Trent, the choir is reborn.
Some see the choir as a chance to forget their troubles, others as the chance to shine. Though for one villager, the choir is the perfect cover to destroy Chilbury’s new-found harmony.
Uplifting and profoundly moving, THE CHILBURY LADIES’ CHOIR explores how a village can endure the onslaught of war, how monumental history affects small lives and how survival is as much about friendship as it is about courage.
___ MY OPINION ___
I really love historical fiction that still reflect reality and this novel is inspired by slices of real life during the Second World War.
This book has completely met all my expectations: I was looking for an engaging novel with topics that weren't too superficial, but also that weren't too dramatic and able to bring me good humor and cheerfulness while reading it.
I love this novel because it's not only about characters, their personal vicissitudes, all the dramatic facts that unite them, the daily plots, secrets, dramas, joys and hopes, etc... but above all this book talks about the inner strength that some people manage to find within themselves in the toughest and most difficult moments and how others let themselves be transformed in a negative way by events.
The main and strongest message is that unity is strength, indeed being united we're able to overcome everything and helping each other is a way of acting that everyone should aspire to.
The story is told in the first person by the characters themselves, through their diary pages and their letters and it's incredible how a perfect description of each person, in all its different character facets, comes out.
While reading I felt like I was living for real in that village, in their houses, in the church with the choir, at farewell parties, etc... together with those people.
I felt like I was living next to those people whose stories I read.
The story involved me completely because the characters were truthful and fascinating in their positive and negative sides as well.
The tone of the whole book is light, sometimes even funny. Despite the stories of a time of war and dramatic events and losses follow one after the other, the common thread is the hope of getting out of the pain, of enhancing life in every moment without being afraid of other people's judgments.
It was a really enjoyable read and it warmed my heart.
5 stars really well deserved and I can't wait to start reading another novel by the same author!
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Il LIBRO è disponibile anche in EDIZIONE ITALIANA, leggi la mia recensione !
Il Coro Femminile di Chilbury
di Jennifer Ryan
GENRE : #FictionStorica #SecondaGuerraMondiale
Il mio punteggio: ★★★★★
Bellissimo romanzo, che consiglio a chi ama le storie di resilienza.😊
____ L'HO ADORATO dalla prima all'ultima pagina!! Questo libro ha soddisfatto in pieno tutte le mie aspettative: cercavo un romanzo avvincente con argomenti non troppo superficiali, ma che non fossero drammatici e che mi desse buon umore e allegria durante la lettura.
Amo molto i romanzi storici che riflettono la realtà e questo romanzo si ispira a frammenti di vita reale durante la seconda guerra mondiale.
___LA TRAMA___ il romanzo è ambientato in un villaggio della costa meridionale dell'Inghilterra nell'estate del 1940. La storia racconta la vita di alcuni personaggi del villaggio, le loro vicissitudini personali, i fatti drammatici che li uniscono, le trame, i segreti, i drammi, le gioie e le speranze che li accomunano e che si consumano ogni giorno, ma soprattutto questo libro parla della forza interiore che alcune persone riescono a trovare dentro di sé nei momenti più duri e difficili e di come altre si lasciano trasformare in modo negativo dagli eventi.
________ LA MIA OPINIONE _________
La storia è raccontata in prima persona dai personaggi stessi, attraverso le loro pagine di diario e le loro lettere ed è incredibile come venga fuori una perfetta descrizione di ogni persona, in tutte le sue diverse sfaccettature caratteriali.
Leggendo mi sembrava di vivere davvero in quel villaggio, nelle loro case, in chiesa con il coro, alle feste di commiato, ecc... Mi sembrava di vivere proprio accanto a quelle persone di cui stavo leggendo.
La storia mi ha coinvolto completamente perché i personaggi riescono a farlo, personaggi veritieri e affascinanti sia nel bene che nel male.
Il tono di tutto il libro è leggero, a volte anche divertente. Nonostante le storie di un tempo di guerra e di vicende e perdite drammatiche si susseguono, il filo conduttore è la speranza di uscire dal dolore, di valorizzare la vita in ogni momento senza avere paura dei giudizi degli altri.
È stata una lettura davvero piacevole e mi ha scaldato il cuore.
5 stelle totalmente meritate e non vedo l'ora di iniziare a leggere un altro romanzo della stessa autrice!
-----> Mentre per la maggior parte delle volte leggo in lingua originale, non solo perchè non tradotti nella nostra lingua, ma anche perchè solitamente con la traduzione si perde un poco dello spirito originale del libro, questa volta ho letto il libro in italiano e devo dire che la traduttrice Mariagiulia Castagnone è stata bravissima, ha saputo mantenere intatto lo spirito e la sensibilità del romanzo.
___ LA COVER : come sempre preferisco la copertina straniera a quella scelta dall'editore italiano ...ma pazienza..
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Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Book review : The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep | Victorian Heists, Spicy Flirting & Heavy Jargon! 🕵️♂️💖
The Thief of Blackfriars Lane
by Michelle Griep
GENRE : #HistoricalMystery #ChristianFiction #VictorianEra
My rating: ★★★★☆
Here I am, lovely friends! It has been a couple of days since I closed this book, but I really wanted to think carefully and let my thoughts settle before writing my review.
📜 THE PLOT IN SHORT:
Constable Jackson Forge is determined to make the world a safer place, or at least clean up the gritty streets of Victorian London. But those exact streets are the proud domain of Kit Turner, a clever swindler who runs a tight crew. They acquire their money the old-fashioned way—conning the wealthy to give back to the poor.
When a local cab driver suddenly goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding him, and his only desperate shot at solving the case is by enlisting Kit’s illicit help.
If Jackson fails to find the cabby, he’ll lose his job.
If Kit refuses to help, he’ll throw her in prison for thievery. Yet, neither of them realizes that these stakes are the absolute least of their problems.
😊 MY HONEST THOUGHTS:
Overall, the plot is incredibly compelling and captivating! I was actively looking for a rich story that combined a solid mystery to solve, plenty of adventure, fast-paced action, and a genuinely good love story.
To be completely honest, I absolutely hate romance novels for their own sake; I always need something more complex to tease my mind. That is why I usually drift toward mysteries. However, in standard cozy mysteries, the romantic element is barely mentioned. While it's lovely to stay warm in a winter armchair, too much "armchair comfort" gets boring, and my reader's soul craves action!
I can truly say that I found exactly what I was looking for in this book!
The historical descriptions are exceptionally detailed—I was able to vividly imagine every foggy alley, opulent parlor, and character as if I were watching a high-budget movie on a screen.
The action sequences are fabulous; in my opinion, Michelle Griep has such a visual flair that she could easily write scripts for TV series or Hollywood movies and be incredibly successful!
Furthermore, the romantic dynamic has a lovely pinch of spiciness without ever falling into vulgarity. It is a constant, shimmering presence that genuinely makes you dream of falling in love all over again.
So, why didn't I give it a full 5-star rating then? Let's talk about the flaws, friend to friend:
- 1. The Victorian Jargon: I found the language a bit challenging to navigate.
I've been reading novels in English for a couple of years now and usually fly through them, but Michelle Griep uses an intense, heavy historical jargon. Sometimes, even Google Translate couldn't decipher certain old slang words and local expressions! I frequently found myself rereading dialogues two or three times.
While it’s wonderful that the author creates an authentic Victorian way of speaking, too much of it became quite tiring. - 2. Character Overload: There are just too many names to keep track of!
I am highly used to reading mysteries with large casts, but here, several minor characters appear briefly and then pop up again fifty pages later, making it hard to remember who is who.
A few characters from the past are mentioned who have absolutely nothing to do with the main mystery, which added unnecessary weight to the narrative. - 3. The Mid-Book Slump: Chapters 25 to 30 felt a bit tedious. The protagonists formulate a rescue plan, but the execution drags out for five unbearable chapters without achieving anything concrete.
I adored the physical and emotional attraction between Jackson and Kit, but the detailed description of every single thought, look, and repetitive inner monologue felt bloated. For a brief moment, I actually found them both a bit annoying!
| 🏁 FINAL VERDICT: A TRULY ENTERTAINING VICTORIAN HEIST
Despite those slower five chapters, I read almost the entire book in just a few days!
The central portion is highly addictive, and the story wraps up beautifully with a very satisfying conclusion and—thankfully—no cliffhangers.
I already own the sequel, and while I won't dive into it immediately, I will definitely continue the series and read more of Michelle Griep's work.
On a final, personal note: this novel often appears under the "Christian Fiction" tag. Now, I am a Christian myself, but here in Italy, we don't look at readings through a rigid or fanatical religious lens, and I didn't choose the book based on that label. We don't get scandalized by a passionate kiss, physical attraction, or the natural desire between two people!
Reading some international reviews where readers complained about the "constant flirting" actually made me laugh. I found those complaints ridiculous!
I absolutely loved the flirting—it gave the novel that magical spark that allows us girls (even at 51 years old like me!) to dream big, which is exactly what I miss in standard, plain cozy mysteries.
If you want a fun, atmospheric Victorian heist with great chemistry, give it a go!
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Thursday, January 19, 2023
Book review : What Happens At Christmas by Victoria Alexander
by Victoria Alexander
Millworth Manor Series Book 1
My rating: ★★★★★
wowwww ! Brilliant !
Camille, Lady Lydingham, requests the pleasure of your company at a festive house party in the English countryside, as she endeavors to coax a marriage proposal from Prince Nikolai Pruzinsky of Greater Avalonia. Given the nature of the hostess’s eccentric relatives ,they will be played by a troupe of actors hired to impersonate a proper Victorian family. What a clever way to fool the prince! And gate-crashing, distractingly handsome first loves like Grayson Elliott are most unwelcome.
But nothing about Camille’s charade goes as planned. Tonight, at Millworth Manor, games will be played, motives will be revealed, the masks will come off, and hearts will be lost—and won—in the most romantic, magical season of all.
It has been so amusing and compelling, it was just like to watch a funny period set comedy-romance movie!
I loved this story from the first page to the last one, each character was so captivating and the dialogues were so perfectly written I was even able to imagine the expressions on characters faces and the tones of their voices.
The funny thing is that this is not my usual kind of reading, I usually read cozy mysteries, classic and golden age mysteries or sometimes, when I need something old classics for children.
I don't usually like love stories, I'm not a romance reader...I was just checking among books including the word "Christmas" in the title.
At one point I was attracted by the cover of this one, I read the plot and it sounded so interesting and intriguing at once that I couldn't resit to check more about it. So I read some of the reviews published, all so good that the risk was to be disappointed by reading it ( you know... when one has too much expetations... ) instead the book and the author were a real pleasant discovery to me.
I really needed a light and funny read and even if I will keep on reading mostly mysteries ( always my favs ), I'll definitely read other books in "Millworth Manor Series" and also others by this author.
I think it would be a brilliant comedy-romance to be played on the stage or to realize as big screen movie. I would definitely go to theather to watch it and I would watch it more than once on TV.
Last, but not least, this humorous novel also talk about forgiveness and how often each of us thinks we are the injured party by looking at things only from our own perspective, while we all should try more often to walk in other people's shoes.
I give 5 stars and I daresay it has been my best reading in 2022 ( I read it the week before Christmas ). Definitely highly recommended if you're looking for fun and a nice clean romance :-)
This novel is the 1st in a series, but is readable as a standalone.
NOTE : I'm an Italian old girl who use to read and now writing this post in a foreign language: please forgive me for all errors you may find in my text :-)
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Monday, January 16, 2023
Book review : 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep
12 Days at Bleakly Manor
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series
by Michelle Griep
My rating: ★★★★★
5 of 5 stars WELL DESERVED !
I LOVE IT !!
An amazing romantic mystery, in "dickensian style".
I loved it from the very first page to the end !😀💕
When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas 1850 at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds. That’s enough money to bring her brother back from America and reinstate their stolen family fortune. But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.
Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on the unknown person who stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is blindsided by the anger of the woman he left at the altar.
Brought together under mysterious circumstances for the 12 Days of Christmas, Clara and Ben discover that what they've been striving for isn't what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.
I'm not a writer and I don't pretend to do a professional review, so I'll just write my humble opinion as a passionate reader :-)
I admit that I choosed to read it because I was attracted by the cover and by the name "Dickens" and although I considered my Christmas reading marathon just ended with the previous read book, I decided to read the same one more Christmas story (I didn't want to postpone it until next Christmas) and I decided so well ! :-D
I read it in only 2 days because I couldn't put it down!
I really loved the 2 main characters, I loved their story and I adored their way of relating to each other, with care for each other and also with witty jokes from which transpires the pre-existing complicity between them and existing again in the present.
I liked the strangeness of the side characters, truly worthy of Dickens's pen, I liked the unexpected twists and turns and if you think that the ending could be taken for granted, well if you read the book (and I recommend it) you will also find unexpected surprises there.
The only predictable thing was the villain of the story, but I assure you that this does not spoil the novel because there are several mysteries to solve.
Great job Michelle Griep, this was the first book I read among yours, but I will read many more, starting today you can count me among your fans !
Worrying doesn’t stop the bad from happening.
It keeps you from enjoying the good.
NOTE : I'm an Italian old girl who loves to read books in their original language. Since the book isn't translated in Italian, the review is necessarily aimed at English-speaking readers, which, however, is not my native language.So please, forgive any errors of form and grammar you find in my text 😊
.
READ ALSO my REVIEW about BOOK #2:
A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep
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