Carole's Sunday: Immigrant soldier - K.Lang-Slattery

Author: K. Lang-Slattery

Title: Immigrant Soldier - The Story of a Ritchie Boy

Genre: Historical Fiction, Biography

Pages: 391

First Published: February 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Immigrant Soldier, The Story of a Ritchie Boy, based on the true experiences of a refugee from Nazi Germany, combines a coming of age story with an immigrant tale and a World War II adventure. On a cold November morning in 1938, Herman watches in horror as his cousin is arrested. As a Jew, he realizes it is past time to flee Germany, a decision that catapults him from one adventure to another, his life changed forever by the gathering storm of world events. Gradually, Herman evolves from a frustrated teenager, looking for a place to belong, into a confident U.S. Army Intelligence officer who struggles with hate and forgiveness

This book came across at a perfect time! I was really in the mood for a nice HF set during WWII especially with focus on the Nazis and the Holocaust, due to Boyfriend and I passing by the Holocaust Museum in Michigan. We live close by and I had gone there with my class in Middle School. Such an experience. I really must go again...even though I was sobbing like a child the whole time. It is SO tragic. Boyfriend never has been there, so I think that is something he needs to experience.

ANYWAYS

Poor Herman....but kuddos to him taking up the uniform and fighting against those that ruined his country and his life. He was lucky to avoid the camps, but many people that he knew where arrested and sent there. 

Herman was such a brave and successful guy. How come I never heard of him? Well...that is a silly question, because there were millions and millions of people who did amazing things during this time period, so it is near impossible to hear/read all their tales. I am glad his niece shared his story.

The author did a wonderful job bringing this world alive. I was drawn in from page one. I felt like I was a fly in the room. A silly metaphor, but true. The only thing lacking was some emotion. I didn't connect with Herman emotionally. I felt bad and proud of him, but I didn't connect with him emotionally. I think the author focused too much on facts and the story, which works for me too, but I do love connecting emotionally as well. 

I really want a TV special or a movie about Herman! That would be awesome. His story really needs to be told.

In the end, I enjoyed this story. I am deeply proud of Herman, but I certainly felt bad for him. His country and old life was ripped away from him due to hate. Ugh, how can people deny what the Nazis did? There is SO much proof. GAH. ANYWAYS (I will avoid that ramble, because that is a whole different post and issue), I totally recommend it for those that like HF and/or biography-type books. This was a good one and I really think this should be turned into a TV special or a movie. *nods* Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4. More like 3.5, but I rounded since I do not do decimals.

Favorite Character(s): Herman and Herman's uncle

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Herman's mother (just for the fact she waited sooooo long to leave. Why not leave with her son? *sighs*) and of course those damn Nazis (WHY, WHY?! GAH)

#FitReaders Check-In: April 10, 2015 and The Selection

#FitReaders hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Sat 30 min walk

Sun 1.15 h walk

Mon 45 min walk

Tue, 1 h yoga, 8 km bike, 45 min bodycombat

Wed 4 km bike, 30  min walk

Thu 8 km bike, 1 h zumba

Fri, 4 km bike, 30 + 30 min walk

I went to a workout class on Tuesday and the teacher had a leave a bit earlier so instead of the usual stuff we did bodycombat and it was intense! And awesome! And omg I felt it the next day. 

Still fitbit less and feeling eh about it

Sun

...............................................

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My thoughts:

You know what, I thought it would be worse. I mean it still got those cringe worthy and eye rolling moments, but the story was fun :)

First America Singer *eye roll*

King Clarkson *eye roll*

8 castes *eye roll*

A reality show where the prince finds a bride *eyeroll*

Budding love triangle, sigh

But it was fun. America gets chosen. She does not wanna be there. Maxon is friendly. She misses her boyfriend. Other girls are bitches. And she is even friendly to servants! Omg. And there is danger around as rebels want something, but the world is not really explored so whatever. But I could do with crappy worldbuilding cos it was interesting. I even want to know what happens next. The whole love triangle bit. And if the country will fall apart.

Like I said, I do wonder how it all will end. 

Kindle Edition, 339 pages
Published April 2012 by HarperTeen (first published January 1st 2012)
The Selection #1
Dystopia,YA
Won

Author Interview and Giveaway: Debbie Flint

Today I interview Debbie Flint, and there is a giveaway of her new book :)

Welcome!

1. Who is Debbie Flint?

Mother, TV presenter, author, blogger, dog lover (three labradors – Grey Dog, Fat Dog and Escape Dog,) adventure seeker, lover of the countryside and peace and calm, meditator, geek, archaeology lover, film buff, bad cook (Debbie Does Dinner is this year’s project); reluctant gardener, sister, daughter, auntie to 16, singleton (tragic!), health conscious 80% of the time, problem-solver, copious-shoes-owner, tea and coffee drinker (my only vice,) spa-goer (when I can,) QVC host (so I know a bit about a huge number of topics and there’s a product that will solve most problems!), Diy’er (a bit), lover of turquoise (you should see my lounge!) tenant of a Grade II listed Victorian cottage surrounded by fields on three sides and a gastro-pub on the fourth, Dorking resident, history buff, wannabe-cruise-passenger (went on first one last year with mum!), and dark chocolate lover! 

2. Tell me a bit about your new book, Take a chance on me...

Investor is playboy billionaire, used to his own way, won’t mix business and pleasure; meets curvy, feisty single mother of two who is on a man-ban, but needs and investor and fast – they have 30 days to seal the deal, from Monaco in a luxury yacht, to Hawaii on a private plane... and stay out of trouble and out of love. Lust, does, however, play quite a big part! It’s a ’tastefully spicy’ romance, with some quite hot scenes!

3. Introduce us to Sadie.

The one who is fed up of being taken for granted and down trodden by her Ex. Her business hangs in the balance. Enters a competition and wins a trip of a lifetime where she is offered a business deal but she can’t do it alone. Enter Mac. 

4. And now to Mac :)

Ahhhh Mac. Think Daniel Craig in shorts on the deck of a luxury Superyacht, getting confused with a deckhand, but goes along with it to see where it will take him. Loves extreme sports, but when Sadie comes along his world gets a jolt of recognition that it may be time for a change...

5. What made you write this book?

A workshop during a ’How to Write a Mills and Boon’ course in Tuscany. The exercise we did formed the basis for the first ’meet-cute’ – the scene where Sadie sees Mac on the deck of a ship. I continued it as I loved the idea of the ’too hot to handle’ business relationship, especially when a mistaken one-night stand looms on the horizon.

6. And are you writing anything at the moment?

Always! Lots of blogs – Read it Write it Sell it is about novel writing and the publishing industry; Back to You is my well-being blog with lots of advice about weight loss (’Till the Fat Lady Slims 2.0’ is my semi-autobiographical weight loss book) and my QVC blog is out every Friday. You can access them all via my website Debbieflint.com. The next novel is also in the offing. Although I’m working on a script idea with a friend at the moment, based on an idea set a hundred years ago. The next romance will probably be an expansion of a short story called ’Battle of the Exes’ which is about a reality show where a former Regency actress chooses a new man from amongst her ex partners and finds out if the winner did it for her hand or just the suitcase full of cash...

Thanks!

Giveaway

1 e-copy of Take a chance on me

1. Open to everyone

2. Ends April 18th

3. Comment and you are in

(please leave a away to contact you if I can't find it in your profile)

Blurb for Take a Chance on Me

You know what they say about mixing business with pleasure … 

When the breakdown of her marriage leaves Sadie Turner a single mum, she vows that she will make it on her own. After all, why would a smart businesswoman with a PhD and the prospect of a life-changing deal on the horizon need a man?

But Sadie’s man-ban is tested to the limit when she travels to Monaco to meet her potential investor. There she encounters Mac, a rough and ready playboy billionaire who lives life in the fast lane – and that’s when the real adventure starts!

  But Sadie’s heart isn’t the only thing on the line. There’s also the business she’s worked so hard to make a success; the business that could so easily slip out of her grasp if she doesn’t seal the deal within thirty days …

  Previously self-published as Hawaiian Affair. Revised and edited by Choc Lit March 2015.

Author links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/debbieflint

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DebbieFlintQVCFanpage

Website: www.debbieflint.co.uk/

Buying links: Amazon UK http://goo.gl/o4Bhqm

Amazon US: http://goo.gl/8CLw73

The wedding cake tree - Melanie Hudson

Celebrity photographer Grace Buchanan has always known that, one day, she’d swap her manic day job for the peace and quiet of her beloved childhood cottage, St Christopher’s – she just didn’t expect it to be so soon. 

At the reading of her mother’s will, she’s shocked to learn that she hardly knew Rosamund at all, and that inheriting St Christopher’s hangs on one big – and very inconvenient – condition: Grace must drop everything for two weeks and travel the country with a mysterious stranger – war-weary Royal Marine, Alasdair Finn.

Caught in a brief but perfect moment in time, Grace and Alasdair walk in Rosamund’s footsteps and read her letters at each breathtaking new place. As Grace slowly uncovers the truth about her mother’s incredible life story, Alasdair and Grace can’t help but question their own futures. Will Rosamund’s madcap scheme go to plan or will events take an unexpected turn? 

My thoughts:

Grace lost her mother 6 months ago and it's time for the will. Oh her mum was a strange one because Grace is sent on a journey to learn more about her mum. With her she has a hunky solider named Alasdair. I see what you did there mum ;).

Did I approve of the journey? Yes and no. It was a lovely thing to do and to find out about your mother's past. It was a hard thing to do to find out about your mother and the things she had not said.

The book takes Grace from place to place. Special ones to her mother, and she has letters to read at each step. Telling her a story she did not know. 

Alasdair is there with her to give her guidance, he knew her mum too. But it's also obvious her mother put him there so maybe something would grow. She also wants Grace to find her way and passion again.

There is romance, but this is not a romance. It's a journey. They get to know each other, slowly become friends, and then maybe maybe something will grow, slowly. He is broken at times, she is lost. But they are a good fit, and of course it will have a happy ending too. It might not be a contemporary romance but of course I will give you a HEA :)

Her mother's life was interesting to read about. But she had also been one stubborn woman! Too stubborn. It was a bit sad at times too, not crying sad, just sad about the stubbornness of some people.

Conclusion:
A journey, a mystery and a romance to be had.

Cover
Nice

Paperback, 384 pages
Published April 7th 2015
Romantic fiction
For review