Two Dogs and a Book

This Terrible Beauty: A Novel by Katrin Schumann My rating: 5 of 5 stars I am a total wreck, yet I am elated by this beautiful story of love, loss, and endurance. This novel takes place in two timelines and is mostly located in East Germany after WWII. On the day she is recognised for her contribution to the world of photography, Bittina finds out that her ex-husband is very sick. Nine years earlier, she was forced to leave East Germany and leave behind her baby daughter after her husband found out that she was having an affair with a local teacher and threaten all their lives. She returns to Germany in hope that she will be able to get her daughter back, but Herbert is not done with her and danger is all around. This novel is beautiful and so touching. It gives a glimpse of what happened to the German people once Germany was separated into East and West. The ending is unexpected and yet makes total sense. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, Thomas Allen & Son for sending me an ARC of ...

The Forge of Bonds: Chronicle Three in the Adventures of Jason Lex by Wendy Terrien My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is the third book in the Adventures of Jason Lex Series. Although these books are identified as YA fantasy, they are suitable for middle-grade as well. I read the first book but not the second one which caused a bit of a disconnect. I recommend you read all the books to keep up with the story. Despite this, the book was an exciting read, full of conflicts and action. I love the new characters and how the story has evolved. Jason continues to increase in his calling as a Rampart Guard and so is Sandie as a Yowie. While facing new dangers and enemies, they do not see eye-to-eye and their friendship is jeopardized. Will they find a way to reconcile? If they don’t they could lose more than just one another. This is not the end of the adventure. There is more to come. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, BooksForward for sending me an ARC of this fun and exciting novel. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿...

The Rampart Guards by Wendy Terrien My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is a non-stop action-adventure, mixed with mystery, and lots of surprises. It is the story of Jason Lex. Jason’s mom is missing and thought dead. This is the beginning of discovering who she was and who he really is. With the help of his uncle and his new friend Sadie, he will find out his purpose in life. This is just the beginning, and he will face many tests and dangers before his calling as a Rampart Guardian is confirmed. There is no sure thing. When his mother resurfaced, everything changes, and he must face the biggest challenge which is to save the Earth. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, BookForward for sending me a copy of this exciting novel. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 by Wendy Terrien is already available at your favourite bookstore. #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #book #books #booklover #bo...

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller My rating: 5 of 5 stars Every time someone asked me if I have a literary crush, I always answer no. But now, I think I found one… his name is Kallias Maheras. He is the Shadow King. I was surprised by this novel and had no choice but to love it. I love the plot, the characters, and the suspense. I was sad when I finished the book because I wanted more. I wish it was not a stand-alone. This would have been a fantastic series. I particularly love the way Tricia Levenseller gave her female characters so much freedom and power. It was so refreshing. This book has all the right elements to be a bestseller: deception, poison, murders, envy, and love. I recommend this book to older youth as the sexual content might be a bit much for young teenagers. As an adult, you will love this book. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, RainCoast Books for sending me an ARC of this fantabulous novel. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗨𝘀 by Tricia Levenseller will be...

Red Letter Days by Sarah-Jane Stratford My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is the second novel by Sarah-Jane Stratford I have the pleasure reading. Sarah-Jane’s writing is detailed and beautiful; it is perfectly suited for historical fiction. It shows that she researched the subject very well as she delivered a truthful account of the dark pursuits of the House Un-American Activities Committee (a.k.a. HUAC) and their hunt for communists in America in the ’50s. In this novel, we follow the story of Phoebe Adler, a writer, who is accused of being affiliated with the communist party. At her sister’s begging, she escapes to England and hopes that this madness will soon be over so she can return to America. While in London, she joins a group of Americans who, just like her, escaped the folly. They will become her allies, her friends, and her foes. But the FBI has long arms and her safety is soon jeopardized. Will Phoebe ever be safe? I enjoyed the book and the characters. I recently read...

The Women In Black by Madeleine St. John My rating: 3 of 5 stars This was a lovely short novel about four women working at Goode’s in Sydney, Australia, and their stories. I had a bit of a hard time with some of the expressions and vocabulary in the book as they would be particular to Australians. Overall, it was delightful to read but a bit too uneventful for my taste. This book was originally published in 1993 and it is being re-released by Scribner. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an ARC of this lovely novel. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 by Madeleine St John is now available at your favourite bookstore. #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #book #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #bookphotography #thewo...

Don't Look Down by Hilary Davidson My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is the second book in the Shadows of New York series by Hilary Davidson. The series stars NYPD detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner, Rafael Mendoza. Jo Greaver is a successful businesswoman with a past. She is being blackmailed for something she has done when she was a teenager. In order to make it all go away, she meets her blackmailer and pays his $50,000. But the meeting does not go as smoothly as she hoped. In a moment of self-defense, she shoots her blackmailer and she is shot in the arm. She escapes with her life but eventually, the police catch her, and she is accused of killing Andray Baxter. When shown a picture of Andray, Jo knows that this is not the man she shot. What is going on? Who was the blackmailer and where is he? This appears to be a simple case, but as Sterling and Mendoza dig in, they discover that nothing is simple. The complications pile on top of each other, making this case chall...

Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal My rating: 5 of 5 stars I said many times and I will repeat myself…. 2020 will be an extraordinary year for books. 𝗜𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 by Canadian author, Kim Smejkal, is another proof of that. Once I started, I could not put this book down. This is the story of 16-year-old, Celia Sand, and her best friend, Anya Bertoni. Both were selected to serve as inklings in the religion of Profeta. Once in, the inklings cannot leave and must tattoo messages from the Divine on themselves and transfer the tattoo to the intended receiver. But Diavala, a demon, is roaming to destroy the Divine, but is it a lie? Celia and Anya have their doubts and want out of this religion. With the help of an ex-member, they join a troop of traveling entertainers. To stay, they must perform an act. Using secretly their inking talents, Celia and Anya have the perfect act representing how an angel controls a demon imprisoned in a glass dome. Their act is exceptional a...

The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a beautifully written story about two women who met while serving as entertainers to the US troops during WWII. Hazel Riley has big entertainment shoes to fill. She is the daughter of a well-loved entertainer but, despite all her efforts, she does not seem to get a break. Maxine Mead is a flamboyant actress who has secrets. Together, they will produce a play about their experience during the war. On opening night, Maxine forgets her lines and sank the show. Why would she do such a thing? This leads to a rift between the women and they both walk away. Fast forward twenty years, Hazel is leaving a peaceful boring life and Maxine is a Hollywood star. A fantastic event reunites them. It is not a happy reunion, but the truth finally comes out. Based on true events about the Russian spy paranoia of the 40s and its impact of the entertainment community, this story resounds true and is a pleasure to read. #poodles #poodl...

Alone in the Wild by Kelley Armstrong My rating: 5 of 5 stars Very few authors can write a series of more than three books and keep his or her audience invested. Kelley Armstrong does it again. 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 is the fifth book in the Rockton series and it is an awesome story. Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton don’t get time off very often. Rockton is located in the Yukon and is a town filled with troublemakers; some by choice; some because they do not have a choice. No murders or major criminal activities have taken place in a little while, so they decided to go on a winter camping weekend. While waiting for Eric to come back to the tent, Casey hears a cry. She investigates and stumbles on the body of an older woman buried in snow. When she looks in her parka, she discovers a very young baby still alive. Casey has faced many dangers and survived, but this encounter will change her life. Not only Casey want to solve this murder, but she also wants ...

All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace My rating: 5 of 5 stars When an adventure includes a princess, a pirate, a healer, and a mermaid, it can only mean that it will be a great story. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵 has the right combination of magic, action, and love. It is an instant best-seller. Amora must pass the ultimate test to prove that, when the time comes, she will be ready to rule the kingdom with power. Since the age of five, she has been groomed by her father and she knows she is ready to pass the test. But as she is performing the test, she is distracted, and everything goes haywire. While in prison and awaiting the decision concerning her future, she is rescued by Bastian, a pirate. They both embark on an adventure to defeat evil and save the kingdom. This is the first book in this series. It is a promising debut and I am looking forward to reading the next book. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, RainCoast Books and MacMillan/Imprint for sending me an ARC of this...