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Showing posts from February, 2020

Beheld by TaraShea Nesbit

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 This story sheds light on struggles of the first pilgrims, who weren’t just Puritans. And not the struggles pertaining to their survival, but the struggles within their community – non-Puritans living with Puritans. Plymouth is the first colony in New England, where a group of Puritans and non-Puritans arrive from England making it their new home in 1620. Now, 10 years later, it seems that a friction between religious Puritans and not so religious Anglicans – as they are seen in the eyes of Puritans – wasn’t left in England, but rather transported to New England. As divided as they already are, a murder in the colony separates them even more. John Billington despises godly Puritans, calling them hypocrites as they call the Indians idle. But it was the Indians who helped Puritans to survive the first years on unknown sandy soil. He is a commoner who has been treated with deference from the moment he stepped from the Mayflower ship. Puritans who see God everywhere, treat anoth

Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard

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 Abraham Lincoln, one of the most beloved presidents and a man of great character, graces the pages of this story through the eyes of two people that mattered greatly to him – his best friend Joshua Speed and marriageable Mary Todd. This story is set during a short period, when Abraham Lincoln is a young poor lawyer and a state legislator, known for being “rough beyond the edges.” He learns quickly the proper manners and how to dance to advance in the society, but at heart he remains to be the same humble character. In 1839, Mary arrives at her sister’s place in Springfield, both in hopes of finding the right prospect for Mary. Here, the first prospect of romance makes Mary rebel. However, with appearance of Joshua Speed romance looks so much more appealing. Only to be pushed into the arms of Mr. Lincoln, leaving her confused. When her brazen behavior is transformed into heroism in the eyes of Mr. Lincoln, Mary’s heart changes its course. Thus giving Lincoln a chance to forg

The Light After The War by Anita Abriel

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 Based on a true story of two friends growing up together in Budapest before WWII, surviving the war and after the war emigrating to Italy, then Americas – this novel shows what a true friendship means. A friendship tested through the hardest of possible times. Naples, 1946. Nazis were defeated and the war was over. Now, the life is beaming with “the outdoor cafes overflowed with customers,” neighbors stop and talk to each other without any fear. “Neapolitans treat every day like a celebration.” Vera Frankel and her best friend Edith Ban arrive in a vibrant city of Naples. Refugees from Hungary, who escaped a train heading for Auschwitz and survived the war on an Austrian farm. Now, they start their new lives abroad. They’ve been close friends since childhood. But Edith’s spirit is broken and Vera is the one who propels them forward. Edith’s way of dealing with her pain is to just fall in love and have fun. The more sober and responsible Vera gets a secretary position at American