Until the Robin Walks on Snow

I liked this story. It's really nice to be able to read a story based on true facts in (story form.) Even though it's fiction. I find that some authors try to write from true facts only to get caught up and write like they are teaching a history lesson.

I liked the idea that light was brought on the babies that are born prematurely.  I liked how the author focused not on the baby's challenges. But how others (including family) see the baby. Especially since was never told of the Eastern European people.

Sure you hear baby after baby being lost. But the times mothers, fathers, and even doctors had limited knowledge what to do.

The hope and strength that Marianna and Helena had that this baby would survive was very strong. And the children already that Marianna and Andrzej had, plus grandfather Nikodimas all surrounded Marianna with the support and love she needed. A rare find.

Sadly the rest of family and doctor seemed cruel. With statements like trying to cover the shock to see a stick of flesh just lying on Marianna's chest. Or the doctor saying It's the smallest baby he saw dead or alive. Again back then people just were scared.They knew not what to do. And whatever they think they said.

As everyone's faith strong Antoni seemed protected by the love of the Blessed Mary.

There is a silver lining with a harsh winter with snow. The robins had arrived bringing the hope of warmer, greener weather.

It is not spring "Until the robin Walks on Snow"

I found it interesting from the research that the author did and gave a little insight of how her culture, Eastern Europeans have lived.

.The natural thing a mother would do is make do to keep her baby warm and protected to lay baby on the chest. Shows for decades everyone is the same. To bond with baby. Baby hears mothers heartbeat.

.Many believe that our fate is written before we are born. 

.Antoni's family of Catholic faith baptized Antoni in a Polish church. Because their custom is a male will go with the father's faith. And a female, her mother's faith. Brother and sister would be going to different churches.

. an extra chair is not only set out at Christmas time. But for all the years. Encase unexpected visitors showed up at the door.

Short, sweet and to the point of a family just trying to live life.

I give Until the Robin Walks on Snow 5__________>

 

Verity

This wasn't the first book I have read from this author. I do agree that this story is so much better. The author does have a way with adjectives for sure. From reading the first sentence, "I hear the crack of his skull before the spattering of blood reaches me". I knew I needed to go on.

It's clever to have an author write from a villain's perspective. To have the author write the opposite of the author's life. Truly believable? hmm...

I feel the things that Jermey did came natural to him. He had no regrets of Verity and Lowen. The person I feel sorry for is the son Crew. He got stuck in the middle of this.

Who could pass on the opportunity that was given to Lowen? It was a big job to continue on with someone else's stories. But man seeing what was going on in that house I'm not sure I would of stayed. Lowen never asked why. Didn't she wonder why Vertiy was there? Of course how can you have suspense without romance?

What is done is done. After everything Lowen found out and read of Verity's she still became the author that she wanted. I guess she got both 15 minutes of fame and a paycheck. Got the guy of her dreams, and a baby of her own and be a step mother to Crew.

All the knowledge now that Lowen had she still believed in her heart she was thinking and doing for "her family"the right thing to do. Who is to say she is wrong to think how she feels?

I think Verity's character was intriguing. You think she didn't know what was going on. With deaths of their daughters Chastin and Harper, Vertity kept it together as much as she did. 

Even I thought what had happened was from someone else. 

A tragedy for Vertity. I say even Crew. But to know how clever things where orchestrated,

I give Vertity 5___________>

 

The Christmas Bus

I didn't realize this is a second book that I have read from this author. It was a cute story for the Christmas season.

It hit on all scenes that you would see in a Christmas movie. Or read in a Christmas story.

When I started to read the story it began with a couple, Amy and Collin trying to make it to California in a bus. No money, not prepared for what's to come in their lives.

Edith and Charles not having their children back to visit for Christmas. Just so happens to run the inn that they live in. Something that Pastor Charles says at Mass one night that makes Edith think twice. She decides to open the inn to travelers this season. Share their lives with people who may need some compassion themselves.

"No room at the inn," all booked up. So Collin and Amy stay in their bus, "The Christmas Bus".

The Inn's guests have their own personalities that make the season interesting indeed. Especially one, named Myrtle.

Myrtle is a character alright. Very opinionated, sometimes a rude woman. She can't keep her mouth shut. And even though Edith thinks she will behave. She ends up clearing a mess up.

At the end Myrtle seems to do something very nice. All works out.

Was she an angel? Or was it just the happiness and the true meaning of the season?

I give The Christmas Bus 5________>

 

Agatha Christie Collection #1

The Mysterious Affair at Styles

I should start at the beginning. And here I am introduced for the 1st time to Hercule Poirot. And later on to what for now anyway, his turned sidekick Arthur Hastings.

I have read other Poirot books before. But comparing them to her 1st, seeing that raw talent of her path for her detective to solve a case was a bit weak. Then again it is her first book.

She has Poirot going here and there to solve who killed the heiress. Where later Poirot seems more confident more organized in himself. She over does how much Poirot knows to the extent that he calls Hastings not intelligent. Although later on she keeps him knowing all.

Many characters. Family, friends all are under Poirot's microscope. And all may just be a suspect. To the end no one even Hercule had his doubts who the killer was. Keeping in mind that his dear old friend has helped the Belgium's get settled. That is why he decided to help Hastings.

I didn't like the character Arthur Hastings. He was very annoying. Almost childlike. I realize that Hastings wanted to solve the case as much as Hercule. Every time he suggested something Hercule had a point why he was wrong. But Hastings took it that Poirot just didn't like him.

As usual Poirot puts things together (not as smoothly) and finds the killer. Step by step he takes everyone through what he did. Including the Inspectors that came from Scotland Yards. Enough to have the Inspectors looking toward Poirot to solve the case.

A little shaky but a good story. I also agree not nessasary for a trail at the end. I didn't see Hercule Poirot as that famous detective in this story as he is in others.

The Secret Adversary

I think the main characters Tuppance and Tommy were not my cup of tea. Which made the story a bit bland.

For starters they are young and go about getting a "just so happen" job working for the government. Especially to find these important documents and the girl who carried them. 

Ad who is this Mr. Brown? that was a question through out. Even though I try not to look for the killer,(culprit) I found him. I know Christie wanted us to think one suspect but then it's another. Sadly I found out on my own.

Tuppance and Tommy are likable characters. Sometimes it's too good to be true.

Glad I got to read Agatha Christie once again. I do give The Mysterious Affair at Styles and The Secret Adversary 4------>

Onward with some more Agatha Christie!

 

The Last Thing He Told Me

Another book and another author that is new to me.

I did like the story. Although it was a bit slow in the beginning. I did have doubts if I wanted to finish. Somewhere in the middle it picked up enough to bring me towards the finish of the book. And then it brought me to an abrupt stop.

The story was a little deceiving on saying it was a mystery. There was a mystery. But not like we know it. Finding out who Owen was. Not who Hannah and Bailey thought.

I had trouble really liking Bailey. Bailey a spoiled child. Who had her father to herself for too long. Of course she's this awful teen when Hannah comes into their lives.

Very interesting on the career that Hannah has of a woodturner. Loved how she had such a great relationship with her grandfather. And their careers blend.

As they go through their lives to find out what was going on with Owen. Bailey does find out how far Hannah will go to protect her. That she really did want a happy relationship with Bailey. Hannah becomes mom finally.

We finally find out who Owen was married too and what he knew. Coming back would only put his life at risk. And of his family.

Although Hannah and Bailey will not be able to see Owen again. They move on. Both have their own lives and a new places to live. Who knows with a touch and a few words spoken Hannah might just see Owen here and there.

I give The Last Thing He Told Me 4_______>

Will look for more from Laura Dave