Review of "Convergence" by Ginny Yttrup

Here is my (first ever!) bullet point review:

This book totally messed with my mind (primarily in a good way).

I was kept guessing throughout - but I will say, when it came down to the final chapters I discovered that was right all along! :)

I appreciated the author's first foray into suspense. It was well done overall.

I was especially thrown off for a long time (likely intentionally) by the "back cover" synopsis - it took me forever to make sense of it all, to connect the dots.

Main character Denilyn Rossi is interesting and compelling. She has truly been traumatized and you are rooting for her the whole way through. She's not unrealistically tough OR wimpy/whiny/does not play the victim...even though she of course is.

I will gladly recommend this book!

I was provided a complimentary copy of Convergence by Shiloh Run Press in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "The Last Year of the War" by Susan Meissner

I have long enjoyed Susan Meissner's books; always something different, they make you think, I often find myself "living" with her characters in my brain and on my mind for a while after I am done reading. This book was no exception.

Teenager Elise Sontag is living a content and hopeful life in Iowa with her parents and younger brother. When her beloved father is taken away by the police for his ties to native Germany, her family is devastated and soon moves to live with him in an interment camp. There Elise meets Mariko Inoue from Los Angeles. Even though their parents are legal US residents, are in no way sympathizers with the enemies in the war, and both families dearly love America, they and many like them are exchanged with POW's and returned to their "home" country. Elise was born in the United States, does not speak German, and the family is unwittingly being sent directly to a war zone.

The book bounces back and forth between present day Elise (in her 80's with Alzheimer's that she has named Agatha, after a girl in school who stole things) and the story of their friendship. Her journey takes many twist and turns, many of them quite unexpected. The author deftly weaves the two together in a way that keeps you engaged and reveals things at a perfect pace.

This book was thought provoking, eye opening to a part of history I knew little about, and engaging all the way through. I highly recommend it.

I was provided a copy of this book by Berkley Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "The Inn at Hidden Run" by Olivia Newport

A split time novel, and first in a series.

Present day:
Genealogist and coffee purist (there is a lot of food talk in this book, in fact) Jillian lives with her father Nolan in the small mountain town of Canyon Mines. Her mother died when she was a teenager, and she works from home at her thriving business creating family trees, among other things. Her lawyer father is a skilled negotiator and mediator. Her best friend Nia owns a local Inn/B&B, and Nia has just spontaneously hired the clearly-in-crisis-but-they-don't-know-from-what-yet, Meri Davies.

1878 Memphis:
When yellow fever attacks the city, people are dying left and right -and at the cost of all good sense, Eliza is determined to help in any way she can. She partners with the Sisters and pitches in, taking food and providing aid to numerous ill and dying families around the city. When her close friend and housekeeper Callie leaves to help her sister's family, Eliza is alarmed when she doesn't hear any word.


I did find the 'quick' connection of Nia and Nolan to Meri somewhat unusual; I won't go quite as far as to say it was unbelievable, but their deep emotional investment in helping Meri was unusual. Perhaps that was the point.

Also, I found Meri to be a little too abrasive for my personal preference. I found her slightly off putting rather than sympathetic. I loved the 'small town' friendships, and overall I enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to the second one in the series (teaser chapter at end that was intriguing!) But just how are these two timelines and stories connected? You'll have to read all the way to the end to find out!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishers in exchange for my honest review.