Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Romanov Cross... a book review

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The Romanov Cross: A Novel
 
Available: March 2013
ISBN: 9780553807806
mystery, suspense, thriller
historical fiction (Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Inuit Eskimo)
 
Nearly one hundred years ago, a desperate young woman crawled ashore on a desolate arctic island, carrying a terrible secret and a mysterious, emerald-encrusted cross. A century later, acts of man, nature, and history converge on that same forbidding shore with a power sufficient to shatter civilization as we know it.  ~ Goodreads.com
 
Publisher Description:
 
A small Alaskan island is the setting for Masello's latest, genre-bending thriller. Dr. Frank Slater is an epidemiologist, dishonorably discharged from the army for countermanding orders while attempting to save the life of an Afghani girl. But he is left with one way to redeem himself in the eyes of the government. Global warming is melting the Alaskan permafrost, and the graves of an old Russian colony are becoming exposed. The victims all died of the Spanish flu-one of the the deadliest viruses of all time. Only Frank and a hand-picked team can stem the reintroduction of the virus into society. But within the graveyard lies another secret...and the answer to one of Russian history's most enduring mysteries: What happened to Anastasia Romanov? Interwoven with Frank's story is Anastasia's tale, as she struggles to survive in a post-Revolution Russia.
 
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Robert Masello has written a wonderful tale of death, love, and redemption.  The believability of the characters draws you in from the opening pages.  Frank chooses to disoby direct orders to save a young girl, and in the process, is court-martialed.  To redeem his career, he is sent to a frozen land to contain a possible Spanish flu outbreak.  While there, he meets his match in the person of Nika, Port Olov's town mayor.  Frank not only has to contain a possible medical threat, but also keep Nika safe.  Add in a few greedy thieves and an exciting story follows!
 
Is he able to complete his mission as ordered or does he run into unforeseen problems?

This is the first book I have read from Robert Masello but it won't be the last.  His writing style keeps you involved in the characters' lives and guessing what is around the next page!


I received an ecopy of The Romanov Cross from Random House via Edelweiss for my honest review.

Blessings,

     Ellen

Friday, October 12, 2012

Love Unscripted... a book review

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Love Unscripted
ISBN: 978-1451533965
Publisher: Atria Books
Contemporary Fiction
Romance

An A-List Movie Star... 
Pursuing his dream, Ryan Christenson did not take into account the crazy life stardom would give him. Stalkers, paparazzi, promoters and Hollywood studios each want a piece of him. While escaping crazed fans in the small town of Seaport, he ducks into Mitchell's Pub and meets an unlikely friend.
 
A Small Town Girl...
Taryn, the owner of the pub, expects a self-centered actor, but finds out he is funny, charming, and extremely handsome. As their friendship grows, she is drawn to him and he to her.  Since she is still healing from a bitter break-up, Taryn is hesitant to become invoved again; especially with a movie star!
 
A Relationship that Doesn't Follow the Script... 
As their relationship moves from friends to lovers, will it be strong enough to withstand the overwhelming demands from fans, photographers, and tabloid lies?  Or will their unscripted love affair end in heart break for both?
 
Read Chapter 1 HERE!
 
With well-written characters and a plot that keeps you involved, Love Unscripted is a wonderful romance book.  I was a bit concerned with the length of the book, but was sad when the story ended.
 
Thank you Tina Reber for writing such a wonderful book!  I didn't want to put it down.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book Love Unrehearsed in the series set to be released January 2013.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria and NetGalley for my honest review.
 
 
Blessings,
 
Ellen

Thursday, October 4, 2012

The Girl in the Glass... a book review

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The Girl in the Glass    -     
        By: Susan Meissner
 
ISBN: 9780307730428
 

Publisher's Description

Renaissance is a word with hope infused in every letter.

Since she was a child, Meg has dreamed of taking a promised trip to Florence, Italy, and being able to finally step into the place captured in a picture at her grandmother’s house. But after her grandmother passes away and it falls to her less-than-reliable father to take her instead, Meg’s long-anticipated travel plans seem permanently on hold.

When her dad finally tells Meg to book the trip, she prays that the experience will heal the fissures left on her life by her parents’ divorce. But when Meg arrives in Florence, her father is nowhere to be found, leaving aspiring memoir-writer Sophia Borelli to introduce Meg to the rich beauty of the ancient city. Sofia claims to be one of the last surviving members of the Medici family and that a long-ago Medici princess, Nora Orsini, communicates with her from within the great masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.

When Sophia, Meg, and Nora’s stories intersect, their lives will be indelibly changed as they each answer the question: What if renaissance isn’t just a word? What if that’s what happens when you dare to believe that what is isn’t what has to be?
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What hopes and dreams do you see when you peer into the looking "glass?"  Do you see what was or what could be?  Have you put off your dreams or have unfulfilled promises in your life because of situations out of your control?  Well, I know I do.
Step into the pages of The Girl in the Glass.  Through Meg's life of work and dysfunctional family relations, we see a glimpse of ourselves... or maybe a friend.  She is not the strongest person, and the unexpected solo trip to Florence helps her realize she can accomplish more that she thought.  Meg is able to finally break free of past hurts and disappointments and learns to embrace the future.  I truly enjoy a book in which I can relate to the characters. 
Susan Meissner has woven a wonderful story of the bonds that connect us to each other.
My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars
 
I received a complimentary copy of The Girl in the Glass from Waterbrook Press for my honest review.
 Blessings,
      Ellen
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