Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson~ 5 Stars~ Wonderful read!

 Such a delightful book that I almost couldn't put down, big thanks to my book club for the selection. I purchased the author's second book, hoping it's also terrific. I found myself laughing out loud often at funny things Major Ernest Pettigrew said.

Major Pettigrew, a widower 'pushing 70' and faced with his only sibling's sudden death becomes enamored with Jasmina Ali a widow ten years younger. Most of his small English village of Edgecombe St. Mary is horrified as she is a Pakistani shopkeeper. This shock includes his only son Roger and Mrs. Ali's extended family who scheme to send her to Pakistan, although she was born and raised in England.

His acknowledgement of this multifaceted prejudice, and his awareness of what and how things might change is a literary masterpiece. "We must concentrate only on the next step and then the next.. We do what we can do and and the rest is "God's problem" Major Pettigrew stated as he and Mrs. Ali rushed to her nephew's rescue.

The book ends with his ecumenical ( sort of ) marriage to this delightful person with invited guests who are both happy and unhappy with his choices. 

The Forest of Vanishing Stars- Kristin Harmel- A "Must Read" - 5 Stars~

#ForestofVanishingStars #NetGalley 5 Stars Thanks author, publisher for the ARC.

An amazing book. which was not just about Jews fleeing the Nazi's near Belarus- it had some mystical almost magical elements. Yona ,who was born Inge to a wealthy young German couple was stolen the night of her second birthday and raised in the forest.

Jerusza, her kidnapper never let her see others, but taught her all she knew and more., Jerusza was old then and mystical voices told her what would happen in the future and that Inge/Yona would play a part.. What she never showed her was love or how to love or even to interact with others.

When the old lady died at 102 In early 1940 the Polish Holocaust was driving Jews into the nearby Naliboki forest. Yona interacts with them with compassion and tries to save them by sharing her forest lore. The author's fine notes tells us about the Bielski Partisans who practiced guerrilla war against the oppressors. Yona and her groups of survivors eventually did the same.

I have read " The Book of Lost Names" and this novel is just as excellent in a different way.

Three Times the Lady- Anna Chant - Women of the Dark Ages Book #3 ~ Terrific~ 5 Stars

 I am very much enjoying all the books from Anna Chant's "Women of the Dark Ages " series..Judith was very much an anomaly for her times but had an interesting and productive life. Alfred the Great was her beloved stepson and his youngest daughter married Baldwin II her son.

I am starting "Dawn of the Franks" now and will finish up with "The Girl from Brittia" before starting the next series about Siward of Gloucester and his compatriots. 

Recommended strongly for fans of Medieval Historical novels

Judge Thee Not- Edith Maxwell- A Quaker Midwife Mystery~ Very Enjoyable ~ Only ONE left to read!!

 Really enjoying this series and only one left to read, having started with an ARC for Book #7.

Lots of exciting events all with a theme of being accepting of others' differences, and of course murders!

Happily all of the main characters, most of the support characters and their children are well at the end of this book. Rose and David are anticipating their wedding and David had a big surprise for her.

Recommended! I actually sent a copy of book #1 to my friend in New Jersey to read, I enjoyed the pace so much.