Silver Linings for the Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines

 Silver Linings for the Seaside Girls

Book Summary

Cleethorpes, 1941

Singer Jessie Delaney is back home after narrowly escaping the London Blitz with her life. Her confidence in tatters, she’s playing it safe; performing at the Café Dansant - hardly the future she dreamed of.

With husband Johnny Randolph serving overseas, Frances Randolph is busy juggling the business, motherhood and keeping West End star Ruby Randolph out of trouble. Much to Frances’s relief, the arrival of a handsome naval officer full of attractive and exciting ideas provides an earnest and timely distraction for Ruby. Could this spur Ruby on to new beginnings?

Young, talented amateur entertainer, Peggy Marshall has been left in the care of her feckless stepmother while her father serves on the dangerous Atlantic convoys. Performing is her escape, but as her star rises, danger lurks, and Peggy has nowhere to turn.

With everyone doing their bit, the Seaside Girls pool their talents to support the community and also their men at war. Will heartbreak and danger scupper their efforts – or will the show go on, no matter what…

My Thoughts

Silver Linings for the Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines is a wonderfully heartwarming historical tale that I truly enjoyed. It is beautifully written, with relatable characters who quickly drew me into their world, and it is clear that the author put a great deal of research and care into the story. Everyone did their “bit” during the war, even the children, and the novel does a lovely job of showing just how brave, resourceful, and resilient women were during such a difficult time. I especially enjoyed the way the community came together to make sure no one went without. During wartime, holding on to hope and looking for the silver linings is so important, and this story captures that message beautifully. Silver Linings for the Seaside Girls is a touching, uplifting story that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

Silver Linings for the Seaside Girls can be obtained from Amazon. You can find the first four books in The Seaside Girls series here.  If you follow Tracy Baines on Amazon, they will email you when she has a new book release.  

I will return on June 23 with Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn. I am almost done with my list of outdoor chores.  Our screened porch looks good (two rocking chairs and one side table assembled) and the storage shed is organized (all my inflatables are rolled, stored neatly in totes by holiday).  I have a bench to update with cherry red paint (it will match the house trim color) and a cat house to put together (will keep the outdoor cats warm this winter).  Once those tasks are complete, I can move indoors to begin working on my lengthy indoor to do list (imagine a legal pad--8.5" x 14"--with several pages full of tasks).  I will be kept busy this summer. I hope today treats you kindly.  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Where We Belong: An Orphan Train Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Where We Belong

Book Summary

The life of Hester Haak, a widow with no children of her own, takes an unexpected turn when she opens her Kansas home to children from the bustling streets of New York City. The orphan asylum has entrusted her with two sisters and a young boy, and Hester is determined to provide a safe and loving environment for them. Despite the looming uncertainty of their stay, she rises to the challenge, embracing the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.

Meanwhile, Callum Holbrook is grappling with the loss of his wife and the despair that followed. Unable to provide for his family, he made the heart-wrenching decision to place his daughters in an orphanage, promising it was only temporary. Now, with a stable job and a renewed sense of purpose, Callum is horrified to learn that his daughters have been sent halfway across the country. Fueled by determination and love, he embarks on the difficult journey to bring them back.

Through their struggles and triumphs, Hester and Callum discover that family and love can be found in the most surprising places—and that the journey home is paved with hope.

My Thoughts

Where We Belong by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming, historical tale. I like the author’s inviting writing style.  I thought the story was well-written with developed, likeable characters.  Hester is an amazing woman.  She is a warm, kind, and patient Christian woman. The story had a good flow and moved at a steady pace.  The thread of faith is light, but it is powerful.  I liked themes the author emphasized which were:  He often puts people in our lives to help guide us, God does not always answer our prayers in the way that we want, and a roadblock can lead us to a better path.  This is a story that tugs at your heartstrings.  Where We Belong is a delightful and engaging story.  

Where We Belong can be obtained from Amazon*.  You can find Kim Vogel Sawyer's other novels here.  Here are several additional books that have been published today:   Our Extraordinary Summer by Lori Wilde, Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, and The Bush Tea Murder by Ashley-Ruth Bernier.  I am a stop on Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours on Wednesday, April 22 for Murder in a Lavender Daze by Daryl Wood Gerber.  It is the second book in An Aroma Wellness Mystery Series.  I hope that you have a dazzling day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

I agree with this one.  I always have my kindle or a book with me.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson

The Lost Story of  Via Belle

Book Summary

Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle's sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via's reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother's favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she'll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

My Thoughts

The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson is a compelling dual timeline tale.  It did take me a beat to adjust to the two timelines in the story.  I admit that I preferred the historical timeline over the 2006 timeline.  It is an engaging story with a few twists and turns to keep things interesting.  The mystery had me curious as well as all the secrets (there were so many).  I wanted to know what would happen next and how the two timelines would play out. This story has layers (like an onion).  The layers are peeled back slowly revealing a little bit of information at a time (which I found frustrating because I wanted to know it all at once, but it kept me reading to find out more).  I enjoyed the unexpected ending.  The faith thread was subtle but present.   The Lost Story of Via Belle would be a great selection for a book club (there is so much to dissect and discuss).  The Lost Story of Via Belle is a stimulating character driven, layered tale. 

The Lost Story of Via Belle can be obtained from Amazon*.  You can find Melanie Dobson's other novels here.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  I have Christmas decorations to wrangle (they need to fit into their allotted space in the storage area). I will be glad when I am done with organizing the items in the storage space (too much stuff and not enough space).  I will return next week with Murder in a Lavender Daze by Daryl Wood Gerber, Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, and An Unexpected Match by Shelley Shepard Gray. Enjoy the picturesque spring day. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

The Last Quiet Autumn by Loni Kemper Moore

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The Last Quiet Autumn

About the Book

Book: The Last Quiet Autumn

Author: Loni Kemper Moore

Genre: Christian historical fiction with strong faith themes

One letter stitched a family together. Now, with war on the wind, only love—penned note by note—holds the threads in place.

Autumn 1941

Three young women—strangers to one another—each receive an alluring invitation they cannot and dare not refuse—Thanksgiving dinner in Texas with a mysterious ninety-year-old woman.

Virginia Campbell, a poised Boston socialite on the brink of marrying into a powerful political family, is entrusted with a delicate family mission—one that could jeopardize the perfect wedded life she so carefully planned.

Eulalia Bell, a spirited nursing graduate, earned her scholarship in Nebraska thanks to the Orphan Train. But the truth of her past threatens the career she’s fought hard to build.

Francesca Smythe, a resilient wife and mother on an Oklahoma ranch, survived the Dust Bowl and Depression. She longs for the warmth and connection of a true family. When the letter arrives, she wonders if it holds the key to the belonging she’s yearned for all her life.

As secrets unfold and pasts entwine, these three women are drawn to a truth that will reshape their lives—about love powerful enough to face a potential world at war, desires too strong to be silenced, and the courage to claim their place in history.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Loni Kemper Moore is a sports-cheering, Diet-Pepsi-sipping, Rocky Mountain–adventure-seeking storyteller who longs to reflect God’s beautiful love through life’s hardest places, especially for remarkable women around the globe.

A preacher’s kid at heart though her father joined her mother in Heaven, Loni’s wanderlust was sparked early by family and missionary stories. She has visited more than a dozen countries, learning from other cultures while often experiencing life as “the other.” Though she attended multiple schools as a minority and later discovered African heritage through DNA testing, she approaches those experiences with humility rather than assumption.

Loni earned bachelor’s degrees in Education and Biblical Studies from the former Denver Baptist Bible College and completed graduate work in Education at the University of Evansville.

A Jesus-following history enthusiast, Loni was named Leonnie Sue after generations of strong women. Leonnie was her maternal great-grandmother, who died during the Influenza Pandemic, leaving behind her husband and four teenagers. Sue traces through the family tree to Susanna Dean, who stepped off a ship in Korea, Maine, in the 1640s. These inherited collections of more than 500 spoons; stories of faith, endurance, and love deeply shape Loni’s writing.

Her novel The Last Quiet Autumn came to life after cousin reunions on both sides of her family stirred memories of childhood gatherings at her grandparents’ homes—one on a Loudoun County, Virginia farm and the other on a southern Colorado ranch. Reflecting on shared family experiences and her parents’ childhood just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Loni began to wonder how different her life might have been without nearly two dozen cousins spread across four time zones. That question sparked a story that grew far beyond her original imagination.

When she isn’t writing, Loni is visiting friends, studying history, and exploring meaningful places—like the Cherwell River near Oxford, UK where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis once walked. During a trip to Swindon, England, she visited the Eagle and Child pub, where the Inklings met, a moment that proved especially encouraging.

Loni is the proud mom of Adam, a CAD engineer and YouTuber; Becca and Anthony, who made her a delighted grandmother of her “GrandMiracles,” Naomie and Zemira; and a frequent traveler with her beloved “Hugsband,” Robert, an embedded engineer. A granddaughter of ranchers and farmers, Loni holds close the legacy of trusting God through tragedy—faith that carried her grandparents and parents through the World Wars and continues to anchor her stories today.

More from Loni

I can still picture my grandmother standing at her farmhouse stove, cracking open precious eggs she’d just sold back to herself. The surplus eggs were sold to allow her to buy rationed products.

One recipe she made regularly was this ‘Wacky Cake’—a chocolate cake so frugal it needed no eggs, butter, or milk. While historians debate the exact origin of the name, the most likely explanation is that it earned its playful moniker from the unconventional method of mixing everything directly in the baking pan—no bowl required. Homemakers could hardly believe a cake without eggs or butter would actually rise and taste good. But it does!

As a child spoiled by Betty Crocker mixes, I had to admire her ingenuity, even if I couldn’t quite share her enthusiasm for the taste. When my character Chessa bakes in ‘The Last Quiet Autumn,’ I drew directly from recipes like this one. Understanding how women stretched ingredients during wartime rationing helped me write scenes that felt authentic.

Have you tried Depression-era recipes? I’d love to hear about your family’s resourceful traditions from that era.

It reminded me how faith, like that cake, often rises when we least expect it to.

Wacky Chocolate Cake

(a.k.a. Depression Cake or Crazy Cake)

Circa 1940s

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
• ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup cold water

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. In an ungreased 8×8-inch square baking pan, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
3. Make three wells in the dry mixture:

o   In one well, pour the vanilla.

o   In the second, the vinegar.

o   In the third, the oil.

       4.  Pour the cold water over everything and mix well with a fork or whisk until 

            smooth.

       5.  Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes 

            out clean.

       6.  Let cool in the pan. Dust with powdered sugar or enjoy plain.

My Thoughts

The Last Quiet Autumn by Loni Kemper Moore is a historical novel told from the perspectives of three women.  The characters are well rounded and from different backgrounds.  The author effectively conveyed the historical context, demonstrating thorough research on the era.  I could not believe that a trained nurse could not get a job unless she could produce a birth certificate.  The alternating chapters made it hard to get into the story at first, but once engaged, I was eager to see what happened next.  I thought that the epilogue was unique and suited that period of time.  The Last Quiet Autumn is an enjoyable historical tale with a startling letter, train travel, meeting Mimi, a noteworthy Thanksgiving, rodeo nursing, a shattering radio broadcast, and finding family.

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Loni is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!  Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click HERE to enter.  Good Luck!

The Last Quiet Autumn Celebration Tour Giveaway

The Last Quiet Autumn can be acquired from Amazon*.  The first two books in the Silver Receiver Series are Faith Lights a Flame and Hope Travels Through.  All three books can be read for free if you are a member of Kindle Unlimited.

I will return on Tuesday, April 14 with The Patchwork Players by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It is the twenty-fourth The Elm Creek Quilts novel.  My front yard Easter display is down and I am now ready to set up my spring display (flower and cute baby animal inflatables).  We shall have to wait and see how it turns out.  I hope that you have a lovely spring weekend. Don't forget to enter the giveaway and leave a comment for an extra entry.   Take care and Happy Reading.  

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, April 9

Stories By Gina, April 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 11

Simple Harvest Reads, April 12 (Author Interview)

A Simple Texas Girl, April 12

Texas Book-aholic, April 13

Artistic Nobody, April 14 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, April 15

Guild Master, April 16 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 17

Fiction Book Lover, April 18 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 19

Vicky Sluiter, April 20 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, April 20

Lily’s Corner, April 21

For the Love of Literature, April 22 (Author Interview)

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

How many of you do this?  I never go anywhere without a book or my Scribe.

*This post contains affiliate links

The Manhattan Confessions by Jocelyn Green

The Manhattan Confessions

Book Summary

The streets of New York are brimming with secrets, and discovering the truth means navigating danger, deception, and an unexpected romance.

Ivy Malone, a New-York Historical Society librarian, is dedicated to preserving Manhattan's rich history, but when society grand dame Adeline King anonymously reveals her shocking life story, Ivy finds herself holding a highly coveted secret. Burdened with the responsibility of keeping Adeline's identity hidden, the matter grows increasingly complicated when two men claim ties to the elderly woman--one of them accusing Adeline of involvement in a crime.

Another dilemma brews when Ivy's Italian cousin, Gina, is detained at Ellis Island for lack of proper documentation. Hoping an immigration service can resolve the misunderstanding, Ivy employs their help but is instead thrust into a dangerous world. With time running out, she must unravel the tangle of secrets that bind Adeline's past, Gina's freedom, and her own safety. Who can she trust, and how far is she willing to go to protect those she loves?

My Thoughts

The Manhattan Confessions by Joceyln Green transported me to the 1920s in New York City.  I thought the characters were developed and engaging.  I can tell that the author did her research on the New York Historical Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Ellis Island, and the immigration policies as well as immigration quotas.  We get to see the difficulties immigrants faced when immigrating to America. If they did not have the requisite documents, a sponsor, good health, or enough money, they would not gain entry, or they could languish on Ellis Island for months.   I thought it was terrible the way people took advantage of immigrants.  As we see in the story, secrets always have a way of becoming known.  The Manhattan Confessions is the third On Central Park novel and can be read independently.  The author skillfully blends history, romance, suspense, secrets, friendship, intrigue, and family into a compelling novel.

The Manhattan Confessions can be acquired from Amazon*.  The first two On Central Park novels are The Metropolitan Affair and The Hudson Collection.  You can find Jocelyn Green's other novels here.  I hope that I have helped you find a new book, series, and/or author today.  I love to browse the shelves at bookstores and libraries because it is the best way to find new books, authors, and series.  On Thursday, April 9, I am featuring The Last Quiet Autumn by Loni Kemper Moore.  May your day be filled with smiles and kindness.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

The House of Secrets and Lies by Rosie Clarke

 The House of Secrets and Lies

Book Summary

One girl's chance of a new life, or a sacrifice too far?

Cambridgeshire, November 1945

Young Betty Cantrel is just 14-years-old when she reluctantly leaves her troubled family home to take up a position as companion to Frances Crawley, the ailing daughter of Eben and Mary Crawley.

As Betty begins her new life at the grand and imposing The Willows, she becomes drawn to Nathan Crawley, the handsome, yet mysterious nephew and ward of Eben Crawley of whom malicious whispers linger – whispers of a tragedy that claimed the Crawley’s’ young son Edward.

As her friendship grows with Frances, Betty accompanies her to London, where she glimpses another world – a world full of art, music and freedom and she begins to dream of a different kind of life.

But her growing loyalty to both Mary and Frances comes at a cost. And when tragedy strikes, Betty must choose where her true allegiances lie: with the family who opened her eyes to endless possibilities, or the one she left behind.

For young Betty Cantrel, her story is only just beginning…

My Thoughts

The House of Secrets and Lies by Rosie Clarke begins The Crawley Family Saga.  Betty, just fourteen, is sent away to work as a companion. She’s a sympathetic and friendly character.  It will take Betty time to realize what a wonderful opportunity this position is for her.  There will, though, be difficult decisions ahead for Betty. She had to grow up way too soon.   It may be 1945, but the class system still exists in England.  As we get to see, Betty is in a unique position.  As a companion, Betty is not a servant, nor is she a member of the family (makes things tricky). I thought the author captured the time period and locale.  I enjoyed going on the journey with Betty.  It will be interesting to see what happens next.  

The House of Secrets and Lies can be purchased from Amazon*.  The second book in The Crawley Family Saga is The House of Broken Dreams which will be out on May 24.  If you enjoy historical novels, you should check out Rosie Clarke's other books.  Thank you for stopping by today.  On Friday, February 27, I will be sharing my thoughts on Garters, Ghosts, and Wedding Toasts by Angie Fox.  It is the fifteenth book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  I laughed often while reading about Verity and Frankie's latest adventure.  I hope that you have a pleasing day. I am off to enjoy the spring weather. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.