THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN (Hidden Masterpiece, #1) By Kristy Cambron

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Expected Release Date:  July 15, 2014
Pages:  336
Genre:  Christian Historical Fiction

Book Description:  And then came war . . .

"Today." Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world's elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

"Vienna, 1942." Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna's vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele's barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait--Adele--they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God's faithfulness never falters.

Wanda's Thoughts - An unforgettable period of history – the harsh realities of the Holocaust – this story will evoke many emotions.  It is estimated that one and a half million people died within Auschwitz – Birkenau.

Present Time – Sera James, an art historian, owned a gallery in Manhattan. Sera engaged herself in her work, and had been dreaming of finding a painting, from the Holocaust era, since she was a little girl.  The painting was of a sad young woman with piercing blue eyes, whose head was shaved, and tattooed numbers on her left forearm that cradled a violin.  Sera was intrigued by the mystery of this painting.

William Hanover III, a financier in real estate, was liquidating his late grandfather’s estate.  He had in his possession a painting that was a virtual copy of what Sera was looking for.  But, his grandfather’s will was being contested, and the original painting was standing between his family and their inheritance.  He was in search of the original painting, and he and Sera are brought together because of her interest in the painting.

December 1942 – Vienna, Austria – Adele Von Bron, daughter of Fredrich Von Bron, a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, seemed to have a perfectly arranged life.  Adele was known as “Austria’s sweetheart.”  She was a gifted musician, a violinist with a bright future, who played with Vienna’s Philharmonic.  Adele was involved in the secret transport of Jews out of the city. She wanted to help them escape and she knew the risks involved.  Her fate was sealed and would certainly be a death sentence if the Germans found out.  

Vladimir Nicolai played in the Philharmonic orchestra as a cellist.  He was involved with the secret activities of the Jews and the blackness of Nazi Germany.  He and Adele had more than just a passing attachment.  They had been in love for the last three years and wanted to be together, but Vladimir knew the danger and tried hard to protect Adele.  Vladimir was the son of a merchant and Adele’s family found him to be unsuitable for their daughter.  Their relationship would have to remain a secret. 

The Gestapo had landed their sights on Vladimir and Adele as traitors to the Reich, and the story unfolds as Adele is sent to the nightmares and unbearable living conditions in Auschwitz.  Adele and others are herded in like animals to the cattle cars that were stagnated with stench, no food or water, and no heat to protect them from the elements. 

Adele, among others, was chosen to play in the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, and the orchestra became Adele’s ticket to life.  Hundreds of Jews went straight to the gas chambers upon their arrival in Auschwitz, and the orchestra played through it all.  Their joy of music was turned into something evil.  It is said that the musicians had the highest suicide rates of any prisoners.

The skillful storytelling draws you in from the beginning, and the author did an admirable job weaving together two different storylines.  The topic of the Holocaust, and the horrors that Hitler put on the Jewish people, brings with it a deep sadness. This is a story that will capture your heart, and one that never loses momentum.  The Butterfly and the Violin, by an incredible author, delivers in every way, and is most definitely worthy of a 5 star rating.  This book will be on my list of favorites for 2014.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions shared are solely my responsibility.

About the Author - I'm active on social media - stop by Twitter @kcambronauthor and Facebook to say Hello!https://www.facebook.com/KCambronAuthor

Kristy's been fascinated with the WWII Era since hearing her grandfather’s stories of his experiences as a B-17 co-pilot in the war. She came across the lost art of Auschwitz while studying for her undergraduate degree in Art History and knew this was a story she wanted to tell one day. She writes WWII and Regency Era Christian fiction titles, which placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations & 2012 FCRW Beacon contests. She was also a 2013 Laurie Finalist. THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, Book One in the 'A Hidden Masterpiece' series on the prisoner camp art of Auschwitz, will release from Thomas Nelson Publishers in July, 2014.

She's a proud Hoosier, living in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read. 

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS: Reflecting on 24 Hours That Changed the World By Adam Hamilton

Publisher:  Abingdon Press
Release Date:  January 7, 2014
Pages:  144
Genre:  Religion

Book Description:  Experience the final hours of Jesus’ life in new ways as you take your own journey to the cross. Based on Adam Hamilton's devotions from 24 Hours That Changed the World, this new compilation contains added content to help readers prepare heart and mind for Easter: descriptions of Hamilton’s travel to the Holy Land, historical and scriptural content from each chapter of 24 Hours, links to online travel videos and photographs, as well as Scripture and prayers.

Journey to the Cross is excellent for individual devotion and reflection and can also be used in a small group experience.

Wanda's Thoughts:  This book brought so much depth and insight on Jesus' final day on earth. It was written in a clear and simple way, while providing a wealth of information.  

The book includes 6 weeks of devotions:

1.  The Last Supper
2.  The Garden of Gethsemane
3.  Trial Before the Council
4.  Jesus and Pilate
5.  Suffering and Humiliation
6.  Crucifixion
Epilogue - The Resurrection

Wonderful for the Lenten season, it certainly captured my attention, and it's one I'll read year after year. I highly Recommend.  

About the Author:  Adam Hamilton is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton's congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013. Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours that Changed the World, Enough, When Christians Get it Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, all published by Abingdon Press.

THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME By Hazel Gaynor

Publisher:  William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date:  April 1, 2014
Pages:  384
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Book Description:  A voyage across the ocean becomes the odyssey of a lifetime for a young Irish woman. . . .

Ireland, 1912 . . .

Fourteen members of a small village set sail on RMS Titanic, hoping to find a better life in America. For seventeen-year-old Maggie Murphy, the journey is bittersweet. Though her future lies in an unknown new place, her heart remains in Ireland with Séamus, the sweetheart she left behind. When disaster strikes, Maggie is one of the few passengers in steerage to survive. Waking up alone in a New York hospital, she vows never to speak of the terror and panic of that fateful night again.

Chicago, 1982 . . .

Adrift after the death of her father, Grace Butler struggles to decide what comes next. When her great-grandmother Maggie shares the painful secret about Titanic that she's harbored for almost a lifetime, the revelation gives Grace new direction—and leads both her and Maggie to unexpected reunions with those they thought lost long ago.

Inspired by true events, The Girl Who Came Home poignantly blends fact and fiction to explore the Titanic tragedy's impact and its lasting repercussions on survivors and their descendants.

Wanda's Thoughts: Over and over again Maggie had heard the screams and terror of a thousand voices.  The Titanic sinks with 1800 on board, and only 675, mostly women and children, survived.  Maggie felt so guilty over the years and wondered why she had survived when so many died.

April 10, 1912 – Fourteen people, their home in a small village, Ballysheen, Ireland, would be sailing on the Titanic, the queen of the ocean.  They were headed to America, leaving their families behind, in search for a better life. 

Maggie Murphy’s heart was heavy and troubled.  She really wanted to stay in Ballysheen, where she was leaving Seamus behind, the love of her life.  Maggie was making the journey with her Aunt Kathleen, her guardian since her mother’s recent death. 

Kathleen Dolan organized the group of travelers for this journey.  She was a strong influence on the people in Ballysheen and felt very strongly that life in America was better.  Kathleen and Maggie enjoyed each other’s company and soon formed a bond. 

April 15, 1982 – Illinois – Grace Butler, a college student with a talent for writing, was the great-granddaughter of Maggie.  Grace needs an inspiration for a story for a feature article she is about to write.  That inspiration comes from Maggie.  And the story unfolds as the tragedy of the Titanic comes to life through Maggie’s reminiscences.  87 year-old Maggie, now a bit frail and diminutive, had not shared with anyone her experiences of the titanic, and the nightmare it brought to so many people. 

For the most part, this was a captivating read.  The writing is simple and flowing with well-developed characters, including the minor ones.  I especially liked the relationship between Maggie and Grace – they certainly had a special bond. 

A few problems – The story lost its momentum part way through, becoming a bit blah, but did pick up again.  Also, there was a large cast of characters to keep track of.  I sometimes got names confused.  But, I must say, Maggie, unique and realistic, and wonderfully portrayed, brought the story to life. 

The ending was great, with a few unexpected twists and a satisfying conclusion.  The Girl Who Came Home is an enjoyable and simplistic read. My rating is 4/5 stars. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LibraryThing: Early Reviewers, to read and review.  All opinions shared are my own.

The Author - Hazel Gaynor is an author and freelance writer living in Ireland. 'The Girl Who Came Home - A Novel of the Titanic' is her first novel (William Morrow/HarperCollins).

When she isn't writing historical fiction, Hazel writes a guest blog for national writing website writing.ie for which she has also interviewed bestselling authors such as Jo Baker, Philippa Gregory, Sebastian Faulks, Cheryl Strayed and Mary Beth Keane.

Originally from Yorkshire, England, Hazel now lives in Ireland with her husband, two young children and an accident-prone cat. 

Hazel is represented by Michelle Brower of Folio Literary Management, New York.

THE HUSBAND'S SECRET By Liane Moriarty

Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Release Date:  July 2013
Pages:  394
Genre:  Women's Fiction

About the Book:  At the heart of The Husband’s Secret is a letter that’s not meant to be read

My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died...

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves.

Wanda's Thoughts:  I really tried to like this book, actually reading 50% of it because I was curious to find out what was in the letter. But, sorry to say, I just couldn't take any more and finally abandoned the book. There were far too many characters, confusing me early on, - the storyline was shallow, falling flat, -  and quite frankly, I was bored. I'm thankful I didn't purchase this one, but borrowed it from the library...I can return it. Just not for me...very disappointing!  

The Author:  Liane was born on a beautiful November day in 1966 in Sydney. A few hours after she was born, she smiled directly at her father through the nursery glass window, which is remarkable, seeing as most babies can’t even focus their eyes at that age.

Her first word was ‘glug’. This was faithfully recorded in the baby book kept by her mother. (As the eldest of six children, Liane was the only one to get a baby book so she likes to refer to it often.)

As a child, she loved to read, so much so that school friends would cruelly hide their books when she came to play. She still doesn’t know how to go to sleep at night without first reading a novel for a very long time in a very hot bath.

She can’t remember the first story she ever wrote, but she does remember her first publishing deal. Her father ‘commissioned’ her to write a novel for him and paid her an advance of $1.00. She wrote a three volume epic called, ‘The Mystery of Dead Man’s Island’

After leaving school, Liane began a career in advertising and marketing. She became quite corporate for a while and wore suits and worried a lot about the size of her office. She eventually left her position as marketing manager of a legal publishing company to run her own (not especially successful) business called The Little Ad Agency. After that she worked as (a more successful, thankfully) freelance advertising copywriter, writing everything from websites and TV commercials to the back of the Sultana Bran box.

She also wrote short stories and many first chapters of novels that didn’t go any further. The problem was that she didn’t actually believe that real people had novels published. Then one day she found out that they did, when her younger sister Jaclyn Moriarty called to say that her (brilliant, hilarious, award-winning) novel, Feeling Sorry for Celia was about to be published.

In a fever of sibling rivalry, Liane rushed to the computer and wrote a children’s book called The Animal Olympics, which went on to be enthusiastically rejected by every publisher in Australia.

She calmed down and enrolled in a Masters degree at Macquarie University in Sydney. As part of that degree, she wrote her first novel, Three Wishes. It was accepted by the lovely people at Pan Macmillan and went on to be published around the world. (Her latest books are published by the equally lovely people at Penguin in both the US and the UK)

Since then she has written two more novels for adults, as well as a series of books for children.

Liane is now a full-time author. She lives in Sydney with her husband, her new baby daughter Anna, and her son George, who likes to sit on her lap while she works, helpfully smashing his fist against the keyboard and suggesting that she might prefer to be watching the Wiggles instead.

Once upon a time she went heli-skiing and skydiving* and scuba diving. These days she goes to the park and ‘Gymbaroo’ and sings ‘I’m a Little Cuckoo Clock’ at swimming lessons. She has discovered that the adrenaline burst you experience from jumping out of a plane is remarkably similar to the one you get when your toddler makes a run for it in a busy car park.

THE PROMISE By Ann Weisgarber

Publisher:  Skyhorse Publishing
Release Date:  April 1, 2014
Pages:  320
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Book Description:  From the author of The Personal History of Rachel Dupree, shortlisted for the Orange Award for New Writers and longlisted for the Orange Prize.

1900 - Young pianist Catherine Wainwright flees the fashionable town of Dayton, Ohio in the wake of a terrible scandal. Heartbroken and facing destitution, she finds herself striking up correspondence with a childhood admirer, the recently widowed Oscar Williams. In desperation she agrees to marry him, but when Catherine travels to Oscar's farm on Galveston Island, Texas—a thousand miles from home—she finds she is little prepared for the life that awaits her. The island is remote, the weather sweltering, and Oscar's little boy Andre is grieving hard for his lost mother. And though Oscar tries to please his new wife, the secrets of the past sit uncomfortably between them. Meanwhile for Nan Ogden, Oscar’s housekeeper, Catherine’s sudden arrival has come as a great shock. For not only did she promise Oscar’s first wife that she would be the one to take care of little Andre, but she has feelings for Oscar which she is struggling to suppress. And when the worst storm in a generation descends, the women will find themselves tested as never before.

Wanda's Thoughts - 1899 – The prologue begins with a somber scene. The air is filled with sadness at the funeral of Bernadette, Oscar’s wife. Oscar is left, widowed with a 4-year old boy, Andre, who is now a poor motherless child and grieving deeply for his mother. 

1900 - Catherine Wainswright is an accomplished pianist who has become well known in the Dayton, Ohio area. Unfortunately she makes some bad decisions and her reputation becomes ruined. Performances are canceled, piano students drop out, and gossip shatters her life. Catherine is forced to leave Dayton. She travels 1,000 miles to Galveston, Texas, leaving unpaid bills and a disgraced family behind, to marry Oscar, a childhood friend. It was the only way she could save herself from her less than honorable past and get on with her life. 

Oscar is a farmer, living about a half mile from the Gulf of Mexico. He decides that Catherine is a good choice for a wife and mother for Andre, even though their backgrounds are worlds apart, and they have very little in common. Oscar wants the best for his son – the right way to talk, good manners, and Catherine would be a good influence and the best person to teach Andre. 

Nan Ogden was Bernadette’s best friend. She had promised Bernadette, who was on her deathbed, to take care of Andre. Nan was “Strong in her opinions,” as Oscar described her, but a good woman. Nan and Catherine were like oil and water and they certainly didn’t mix. Nan’s misery over Catherine and Oscar’s marriage turned her into a bitter woman.

And the story unfolds as Catherine settles into a marriage, and life as an instant mother. And then the unexpected happens – a devastating storm develops – the worst natural disaster in the 20th century – a storm where over 6,000 people were killed. Entire families drowned and many were never found. This is a story filled with disappointments, regrets, tragedy, and loss, with a thread of romance. 

I was completely absorbed from beginning to end in this storyline that never lost momentum. The descriptive writing was beautifully crafted and the characters were vibrantly drawn. There is a crescendo of suspense during the storm that builds to a stunning conclusion. There was not an easy resolution, with the impossible situations that had developed. The Promise is truly a heartwarming and emotional story. Don’t miss this one. 5/5 stars. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a Goodreads First Reads winner. All opinions shared are solely my own.

The Author - Ann Weisgarber - Ann is the author of "The Promise" and "The Personal History of Rachel DuPree." She was nominated for England’s 2009 Orange Prize and for the 2009 Orange Award for New Writers. In the United States, she won the Stephen Turner Award for New Fiction and the Langum Prize for American Historical Fiction. She was shortlisted for the Ohioana Book Award and was a Barnes and Noble Discover New Writer. 

"The Promise" takes place in Galveston, Texas, during the time of the historic 1900 Storm that killed thousands. Ann was inspired by an abandoned, dilapidated house on the rural end of Galveston and by an interview she conducted when writing an article for a local magazine. Her debut novel, "The Personal History of Rachel DuPree," takes place in the South Dakota Badlands during 1917. It was inspired by a photograph of an unknown woman sitting in front of a sod dugout. 

Ann was born and raised in Kettering, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. She graduated from Wright State University in Dayton with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and earned a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Houston. She has been a social worker in psychiatric and nursing home facilities, and taught sociology at Wharton County Junior College in Texas. 

In addition to Ohio and Texas, Ann has lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Des Moines, Iowa. She now splits her time between Sugar Land, Texas, (home to Imperial Sugar Company), and Galveston, Texas. She and her husband, Rob, are fans of America’s national parks and visit at least one park a year. Ann is currently working on her next novel that takes place in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, during the winter of 1888. 

THE WINTER'S TALE By Mark Helprin

Publisher:  Mariner Books
Release Date:  June 2005
Pages:  768
Genre:  Fantasy
Reviewed By WC

Book Description:  New York City is subsumed in arctic winds, dark nights, and white lights, its life unfolds, for it is an extraordinary hive of the imagination, the greatest house ever built, and nothing exists that can check its vitality. One night in winter, Peter Lake, orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side.

Though he thinks the house is empty, the daughter of the house is home. Thus begins the love between Peter Lake, a middle-aged Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn, a young girl, who is dying.

Peter Lake, a simple, uneducated man, because of a love that, at first he does not fully understand, is driven to stop time and bring back the dead. His great struggle, in a city ever alight with its own energy and besieged by unprecedented winters, is one of the most beautiful and extraordinary stories of American literature.

WC's Review:  Even though it was difficult at times to coordinate events in this epic volume of life in New York City during the decades of both centuries most recent, this is a book worth the five star rating because of its readability. 

Peter Lake, a most extraordinary man abandoned by his rejected foreign parents in the fen glades of New Jersey across the bay from Manhattan, and his serendipitous acquisition of Athansor, the majestic white stallion who overcomes all burdens and the travails of the symbolic cloud walls, share heroics in Mark Helprin's magical tale of life in the poverty-stricken Battery, the wealthy Manhattan Upper West Side, and the rustic and Arctic enveloped Lake Coheeries area of upper New York State.

Lake discovers his uncommon talent for meaningful friendships and for love, marries the beautiful consumptive debutante Beverly, successfully manages the archaic machinery of the town newspaper, and fights the forces of evil conjured up by the gangland mob of Short Tails under the nefarious leadership of Pearly Soames.

The book is laden with characters of both sexes who approach the insightful magnificence of Peter Lake. What happens next holds the reader in suspense.

The Author - Mark Helprin belongs to no literary school, movement, tendency, or trend. As many have observed and as Time Magazine has phrased it, “He lights his own way.” His three collections of short stories (A Dove of the East and Other Stories, Ellis Island and Other Stories, and The Pacific and Other Stories), six novels (Refiner's Fire, Winter's Tale, A Soldier of the Great War, Memoir From Antproof Case, Freddy and Fredericka and, In Sunlight and In Shadow), and three children's books (Swan Lake, A City in Winter, and The Veil of Snows, all illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg), speak eloquently for themselves and are remarkable throughout for the sustained beauty and power of their language. 

www.markhelprin.com

CRITICAL CONDITION By Richard L. Mabry, MD

Publisher:  Thoman Nelson
Expected Release Date:  April 15, 2014
Pages:  336
Genre:  Christian Medical Mystery/Suspense

Book Description:  Dr. Frasier couldn't save the gunshot victim on her front lawn. Now she's fighting for her own life.

It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier's colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.

Her "almost-fiance" Dr. Mark Gilbert's support only adds to Shannon's feelings of guilt, since she can't bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he's just been diagnosed with leukemia.

Shannon thought it couldn't get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, "What did he say before he died?"

With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has.

Wanda's Thoughts - Dr. Shannon Frasier, a complex character with a vivid personality, had seen two lives snuffed out by guns.  Her life changed instantly when Todd, the man she loved, was shot, while she watched helplessly.  That night she made a commitment to fight against death.  Then ten years later, during a quiet dinner party, a stranger is murdered outside her home. 

Shannon was more competent in her professional life than her personal.  She couldn’t seem to accept love and move forward with her life.  It was as though she had an aversion to commitment.  Shannon’s “almost fiancé”, Dr. Mark Gilbert, a pathologist, displays a lot of faith and understanding throughout the storyline – I liked him a lot. 

And the story unfolds with a mystery that keeps you guessing, a little romance, and a thread of faith spread throughout. 

The overall premise of the story was good with its share of twists and turns.  And the writing is simple and flowing – easy to read.  However, I craved a little more suspense and drama.  Unfortunately, the storyline fell a bit flat for me.  3/5 Stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions shared are solely my responsibility.

The Author - Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, past Vice-President of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and the author of five published novels of medical suspense. His books have been finalists in competitions including ACFW’s Carol Award and Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year. His novel, Lethal Remedy, won a 2012 Selah Award from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. His most recent medical thriller, Heart Failure, released in October.

Richard’s non-fiction book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse (Kregel Publishers), has ministered to multiple thousands of grieving individuals. His meditations and short pieces have appeared in The Upper Room, In Touch, and several other periodicals.

When Richard is not writing, he spends his time reading, working fruitlessly to improve his golf game, and defending his title as the world’s best Granddad. He and his wife live in north Texas and are active members of Stonebriar Community Church, pastored by Dr. Chuck Swindoll.