Companion Book to Child of the River by Irma Joubert

The Crooked Path by Irma Joubert

Irma Joubert writes a hopeful story of love, loss, and second chances in the World War 2 era, set both in Italy and South Africa.  Her characters are very real.  The story flows well despite taking place over long periods of time.  She portrays a slice of life that many American readers will find eye-opening. 

I fell in love with the characters and loved the fact that I had met some of them in a previous book, Child of the River.  Lettie is someone many women will find familiar.  She works hard to prove herself and learns to accept herself.  She blossoms through time.

 

The story covers many years, through both dark and bright times.  The plot moves along quickly enough so that it keeps the reader interested. 

Joubert brings to light the hardships that many people faced during World War 2.  She paints a grim reality but uses a broad brush and allows readers to fill in the details.

I would love to read another of her books.  Her characters wrap themselves around your heart.  I found myself wondering what was happening to Lettie after the book ended.

Readers of historical fiction will especially enjoy this story.  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.  

New to me Romance Author

Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

Zoe is living her dream of being a musician when she is called back home by her Granny’s death.  She has been gone for five years and plans to attend the funeral one day  and return to Nashville the next.  However, her Granny’s will holds a surprise—she is now the owner of the family peach orchard.  In a surprising turn of events, she decides to stay and run the orchard in Granny’s memory.  She hopes to avoid the man who broke her heart five years ago, but as it turns out, he is now the orchard’s manager.  Can the orchard survive and can Zoe remain there with the painful memories of her first love?

This is not the type of book that I usually read, but how could I resist when I took part in a survey to determine the book’s cover?  It was an easy read, not really a surprising one, but I did enjoy it.  Although I didn’t identify much with Zoe, the plot twists did make me want to find out what would happen to the characters.  The author left room for another book, perhaps featuring some secondary characters.

If you enjoy a pleasant story line with a not-too-surprising ending, I think you will enjoy this book.  I received a free copy from the fiction guild and this is my honest review.

Austen-like novel set in the present

The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay

I don’t believe that I have ever read any of Jane Austen’s books, but that didn’t prohibit me from enjoying this book, set in Bath, England, in a regency manor.  Two childhood best friends go on an Austen Escape to experience life as it would have been for an Austen character.  While there exploring the past, they come to terms with their present lives and change their futures.

Katherine Reay writes in a very readable style, and although I am more a fan of suspense than romance, I enjoyed this book.  The characters had interesting quirks and well-written personalities.  Mary was one of my favorites, although I did not understand why she put up with Isabel.  As the story progressed, I grew to like and understand Isabel better.  This experience turned out to be life-changing for both women.

The book had themes of friendship, love, personal growth—but I did find a spiritual emphasis missing.  It was a good, clean read, although I was surprised that part of it was set in a bar.  If a reader is looking for an Austen-like novel heavy on relationships and personal growth, this is a great book!  I received a free copy from the publisher for this, my honest review.

Timely Legal Novel

A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow

Adisa Johnson, a young African-American attorney finds herself back in her hometown in the center of a crisis as a young man from her community lies in a hospital fighting for his life.  The white police officer who shot him needs legal representation and Adisa must confront her prejudices and those of her community to help him.  Her budding relationship with the out-spoken preacher who demands justice in the situation, only complicates matters.

This timely novel demands that we put aside our prejudices and pursue justice, love and reconciliation—no easy task.

For the most part, I thought the plot was interesting though predictable.   It did have a satisfying twist at the end, which surprised me.  The results played out in the community a little too perfectly, but it made for a great ending.

The characters were grew and developed within the story.  Aunt Josie was well-written and familiar.  Adisa was a little harder for me to relate to.  I think the characters could support a sequel, especially if the author developed the relationship between Adisa and Reggie.

Fans of Robert Whitlow will enjoy this even if it is a bit predictable.  I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.