The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

Set at the end of World War II, in a crumbling Bavarian castle that once played host to all of German high society, a powerful and propulsive story of three widows whose lives and fates become intertwined—an affecting, shocking, and ultimately redemptive novel from the author of the New York Times Notable Book The Hazards of Good Breeding

Amid the ashes of Nazi Germany’s defeat, Marianne von Lingenfels returns to the once grand castle of her husband’s ancestors, an imposing stone fortress now fallen into ruin following years of war. The widow of a resistor murdered in the failed July, 20, 1944, plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Marianne plans to uphold the promise she made to her husband’s brave conspirators: to find and protect their wives, her fellow resistance widows. 

First, Marianne rescues six-year-old Martin, the son of her dearest childhood friend, from a Nazi reeducation home. Together, they make their way across the smoldering wreckage of their homeland to Berlin, where Martin’s mother, the beautiful and naïve Benita, has fallen into the hands of occupying Red Army soldiers. Then she locates Ania, another resistor’s wife, and her two boys, now refugees languishing in one of the many camps that house the millions displaced by the war. 

As Marianne assembles this makeshift family from the ruins of her husband’s resistance movement, she is certain their shared pain and circumstances will hold them together. But she quickly discovers that the black-and-white, highly principled world of her privileged past has become infinitely more complicated, filled with secrets and dark passions that threaten to tear them apart. Eventually, all three women must come to terms with the choices that have defined their lives before, during, and after the war—each with their own unique share of challenges. 

The Women in the Castle was an engrossing and thought provoking novel, and was unlike any World War II book I've ever read. Told in the point of view of three German Women, this book focuses on them during and after the war. It did give me insight into how something so horrible as the holocaust could be allowed to happen in an educated society. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. It's very well written and researched, I felt at times as if I was back in the 1940's and 50's. The only drawback is that this book is kind of tedious to read, but well worth it in the end. 

Also, don't read this book if you like books to end in happily ever after. It's a war novel after all, so it is kind of depressing at times. After reading this book I needed something light to cleanse my mental palate. Thankfully I have plenty of cheap romances for that. haha. 

Skyscraper of a Man by Michael Bowe

Skyscraper of a Man is a truly American story. Rooted in the homogenous suburbs of the 1970s, the novel explores the American propensity to pursue great ambitions, regardless of upbringing, that can result in lives that are larger than life. The four main characters meet at college and forge such lives, each achieving remarkable success in their chosen pursuits while condoning the choices that enable their success. The main character, Benjamin Franklin Matthews, the son of a printer and avid Revolutionary War buff, believes deeply in America, its founding principles, and “by the people, for the people” government. Inspired by the grand ideals of the Founding Fathers, Ben starts a newspaper and runs for political office, efforts aimed at righting a nation he perceives as falling short of its potential and promise. His three college friends, a writer who is also his business partner, a television news anchorwoman who was his lover, and a former college football star, play contributing roles in his rise to national prominence. In the end, Ben learns that grand ideals are elusive, difficult to maintain, and better left to the perfect among us. 

*I received a free copy of this book courtesy of Goodreads and Michael Bowe in exchange of an honest review* 

This book was amazing! I feel lucky to have won this book! By far the best book I've read in a long time, but I hate the synopsis blurb that describes this book. I really don't feel like this book is truthfully about Ben. He's a main character and it does follow his political rise, but I feel as if Pete is really the focus of this novel and the synopsis should reflect this. I don't feel like the synopsis really does justice to the amazing and intricate tale that this novel is.

This book truly is a journey, starting when the 4 main characters are just starting their Freshman year of college and spanning into their 30's. At times I wondered where this story was going, but there really was no useless information, because everything builds to the grand finale.

I didn't see the ending coming and would have never expected at the beginning of this book that it would end where it did. I feel like this is the type of book that can be re-read over and over again because I know there are details that I missed the first time that will make the story richer with each re-read.

I'm also so excited that I was lucky enough to get an autographed proof copy. This will be one that I will hold onto and cherish in my collection.


*Spoiler Alert*

I think I could really feel for Pete in the end because of my own recent loss of a best friend. She made choices that I couldn't look the other way and remain her friend. Like Pete, I feel the loss of this friendship everyday and I'm still trying to find my identity and who I am without this person in my life. Sometimes I feel like it would be easier if I'd never met this person, but I think Pete would agree, that the good memories of how things used to be are worth it all ending in disaster.

Wednesday Riders (Island Trilogy # 2) by Tudor Robins

The island.

Meg can’t wait to get back. She’s excited to see her new mare kick up her heels in Salem’s old paddock. She’s impatient to run on country roads between breeze-blown hayfields.Mostly, Meg longs to be back with Jared again.
It’s going to be the perfect summer.

But can real life live up to Meg’s huge expectations?

When Jared makes a heart-wrenching confession, Meg has to re-evaluate everything. If perfection’s not possible, can Meg find a way to build happiness for herself? Fans of Appaloosa Summer will welcome the return to familiar places and characters, with the chance to be captivated by more of the beauty, romance, and dreaminess of Meg’s summer island life.

I've found a new favorite author in Tudur Robins. I love the way she writes and her knowledge of horses. I've spent my whole life around horses and it's refreshing to find a book that can even teach me a few things about horsemanship. 
I really enjoyed the main character, Meg, more in this book rather than the first. She seemed more relatable to me. 
I don't want to give away too much, but there is a major twist in the beginning of this book, which I for one never saw coming, but ended up being an enjoyable read.
If you like books about horses or even just young adult romance type genre, then I would definitely check this one out. Preferably after you read Appaloosa Summer. 

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments! 

So, it's over. I'm actually glad that this series has finally ended. It was time. At first when Clare extended this series by 3 extra books, I didn't see how there was any story left. The Mortal Instruments had ended. I think she did a fairly good job of creating new issues, and I think I might have enjoyed the second half of this story more than the first. There was a lot more action, albeit it was a lot darker than the first 3. 

In this book the loose ends are tied up, although, after I finished I was left with a feeling, of "That was it?" I expected more and was slightly disappointed, although I think the ending suited the story. 

In reality, the Shadowhunter story isn't over though. Clare has a whole new series set to debut in March and who knows how many other books with this theme she'll go on to write. I'm not complaining, at the moment at least, because if she writes them, I'll gladly read them. 

Appaloosa Summer by Tudor Robins

Sixteen-year-old Meg Traherne has never known loss. Until the beautiful, talented horse she trained herself, drops dead underneath her in the show ring.

Jared Strickland has been living with loss ever since his father died in a tragic farming accident.

Meg escapes from her grief by changing everything about her life; moving away from home to spend her summer living on an island in the St. Lawrence River, scrubbing toilets and waiting on guests at a B&B.

Once there, she meets Jared; doing his best to keep anything else in his life from changing.

When Jared offers Meg a scruffy appaloosa mare out of a friend’s back field, it’s the beginning of a journey that will change both of them by the end of the summer.

The start of this book really upset me (probably from being pregnant and over-emotional about EVERYTHING!) but I wasn't sure I wanted to even continue reading. I'm so glad I did though. This book turned out to be amazing and a perfect summer read for anyone who loves horses. 

I have an Appaloosa horse, Shadow, which I've had and loved for 13+ years, but he's getting old and coming to the end of his life. This book helped me realize that even when he is gone that doesn't mean I will never love another horse. Also another horse will never replace the memories and love I have for Shadow. 

I would completely recommend this to any of my horse loving, book reading friends! 

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

In this timeless new trilogy about love and sacrifice, a princess must find her place in a reborn world.

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

*Big thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Mary E. Pearson for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Wow this book really takes you all over! I loved the world building part of this more than anything, and A LOT of this literary world is shown. I wish I could move to and live the rest of my life in Terravin! That place sounds amazing!

I really liked Lia. She made a great main character and wasn't afraid to work hard for what she wanted, which was just a normal life where she could choose her own path. I loved her friend/maid, Pauline, even more. She was fiercely loyal to Lia and overall just a great person and friend for Lia to have in her life.

I'm not sure how I feel about the two main men in this book. They both have their moments, but it gets confusing in this love triangle that isn't really a love triangle, but I have a feeling might turn into a love triangle later on at some point. 

The only thing that I really hate about this book is that I have to wait a whole year now to find out what happens next!!! 

Baby

I've been horrible at reading and and reviewing lately, but I have an excuse! I'm having a baby! Between morning sickness, that for me has been lasting ALL day, and wanting to sleep like a hibernating bear, I haven't been very interested in reading. Thankfully for my books I am almost done with the 1st Trimester and feeling human again. I'm excited about reading more often and I can't wait to meet our future book nerd!