The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife by Ellie Midwood

Annalise Meissner, a young woman living in Berlin had it all:  wealth, loving family, a career as a Ballerina and a sheltered and protected life.  That is until the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht) when violence against Jews broke out across Germany.  Then she discovers a secret her parents have kept from her, one that will change her life. 

Alongside her husband, Standartenfuhrer Heinrich Friedmann, they must survive the development of the Third Reich and all its political traps.  Will her secret come out?  Can she continue to love her husband knowing he is a Nazi? 

Everyone has a secret but for Annalise witnessing the oppression against the Jewish begin, she cannot sit idly by and let the innocent die or suffer.  She must do something!

Then he finally said, “You just came back from the Gestapo jail. You’re lucky to be alive.  Don’t you understand that you would be taking a risk and may go there again?”

Single-minded and single-handed, Annalise becomes a force that may just take down the Third Reich!

A historical novel, The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife is spellbinding and told from a woman’s persepective.  I found that once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.  Ellie Midwood weaves an intricate storyline in and out of the historical information smoothly and expertly.  She completely develops each character through dialog, description and emotion.  Midwood skillfully wrenches your heart and plays your emotions like a virtuoso, pulling every ounce of emotion from her readers.

Readers cannot help but become pulled into the action packed story with romance and thrilling espionage.  

If you enjoy historical novels, this is a wonderfully written book.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its flawless blending of history and creative story.

Of This Much I'm Sure by Nadine Kenney Johnstone

WordsAPlenty received an advanced reading copy “Of This Much I’m Sure” by Nadine Kenney Johnstone in exchange for an honest review. 

Finding that special someone you wish to spend the rest of your life with and have babies is daunting given the number of people in the world, the size of the world but Nadine Kenney found that special someone while on vacation in Florida.  Now she has to move from Chicago to a small suburban area in Massachusetts.  Life was going to be perfect.  For most starting a family would be easy and smooth going but not for Nadine and Jamie.

Given Jamie’s circumstances when he was younger, they must turn to IVF if they have any hope of having children.  Thus begins the nightmare and terrifying ordeal that Nadine and Jamie must face together as they go through the IVF process – the failures, the life changing process and mind numbing sense of being overwhelmed.   Then when everything seems to be going right, their baby is facing a life threatening danger.  Nadine finds comfort with her family and friends as well as a sense of hope.

“And if I do live to survive, I am acutely aware that my life will forever be categorized as before IVF and after.”

Nadine Kenney Johnstone describes her horrifying ordeal and desperate desire to have children every step of the way.  The reader feels her heart wrenching anguish as she vividly describes her experiences.   Told straight from the heart, one cannot help but connect with Nadine and feel her torment and heartache after each setback.  Told in simple down to earth terms, the reader is given a front seat on her emotional, mental and physical rollercoaster ride into motherhood. 

Johnstone’s memoir is moving; one cannot help but respond with tears, sighs and an urge to hug your children/spouse/grandchildren. Her path to motherhood is rough and fraught with hardships that are unimaginable, yet she stays strong throughout. 

This is a must read for anyone and everyone.  Johnstone talks about how she felt, not being able to conceive and seeing others slide into pregnancy and motherhood without problems.  She sees both sides of the situation as she experiences both.  As a woman, Johnstone’s openness and inner strength will provide guidance, support and most importantly HOPE. 

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for being well written, brutally honest and hopeful all at once.

To purchase this book, click here.  Will be available April 17, 2017. 

Zombie Fallout 10: Those Left Behind by Mark Tufo

Zombie Fallout 10: Those Left Behind is as riveting as the others in the Zombie Fallout Series.  From day one, it has been clear that Mike Talbot is unique and is full of witty sarcasm.  He continues to hold the world and fate of his loved ones in his hands knowing that one mistake or judgement can bring it all crashing down around him.  In this book we say goodbye to some longtime favorites and witness the return of some not so favorite people (will not spoil anything here).  BT proves himself more than capable of handling Knox (the newest and biggest bad ass around) in a hilarious yet unique manner then stepping aside so Mike and Knox can measure who has the biggest ... and most believable liar in a standoff (this is one you should NOT miss) You will be laughing.

I have watched Mark Tufo grow as a writer working his audience without mercy subjecting them to moments of humor, darkness and sarcastic wit.  He weaves his stories well and connects them expertly.  Tufo grows suspense even when you know what’s going to happen next, because he puts a slight spin on it eliciting a “I really didn’t see that one coming” response. His characters continue to grow and show more of their true colors and intestinal fortitude.  Tufo has created and grown Talbot, BT, and Trip in many ways making them seem more life-like.    I would not be surprised to see Talbot, BT and Trip being selected by readers/listeners, hands down, as the best folks to be stranded with in an apocalypse.

Tufo, as usual keeps his listeners off-balance but this time with an unlikely frenemy that has turned over a new leaf ... Don’t miss this book, the darkness is beginning again but more intensely and with gripping action.  As a storyteller, Tufo is an artisan who hones his skills and books with precision and deadly action – his internal dialogues are excellent and unfortunately for some of us – right on the money realism wise!

As usual the narrator, Sean Runnette takes the book and owns it Talbot style.  He draws the listeners in and holds them there with his talent and skill at projecting Mike, BT and the other characters to perfection.  His voice is clear and he drops Talbot witticisms skillfully, almost as if second nature.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

This is a must listen!

The Dream Stealers by Devra Robitaille

The Dream Stealers is about the life of Devin, a young woman just in her teens.  Her mother is gone and her father might as well be since he spends every waking moment building a laser spaceship.  Devin goes about life much on her own until one fateful day her father boards the spaceship called the Traveler and leaves her behind promising to return in a few minutes; The Traveler returns hours later but without her father!  The adventure begins when brave Devin straps herself into the spaceship and goes off in search of her father. 

She discovers many things about herself, her mother, her father and her future.  She finds herself in a race against dream stealers who are threatening the universe by stealing dreams and selling them on the black market.  Devin and her new friends at the flight academy on orders from the Dream Council must find a way to stop the thieving bandits.  Each dream that is stolen leaves the victim in a catatonic like state, a mere shadow of who they once were.  Can Devin and her crew outsmart the Stealers? 

Devra Robitaille, author and illustrator, creates a world that children and young adults will love.  She builds her story around a young girl who is both strong and smart; who meets challenges head-on. This story stresses the importance of listening, thinking things through thoroughly and not rashly which is something most kids and young adults struggle with daily. 

Her characters are strong, well developed with flowing dialog.  The story is action packed and fun.  While it is an easy read, you will be drawn into the story and find it difficult to put it down.  The illustrations are simple but colorful – a strong representation of what faces Devin.  Robitaille gives her readers glimpses of Devin’s mind as she works through the different situations before arriving at the right solution.  Her words are vivid and detailed with several plot twists that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.  The plot is well written and developed. 

Robitaille weaves the story around lessons to be learned, questions that young adults ask themselves and gently guides them while keeping them entertained. 

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its creativity.

The book will be released on February 19, 2017.  Click here to purchase on or after that date.