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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
“The realities of what happened at TCHS are hard to contemplate, but they are necessary to revisit. The history we deny is the history we are most likely to repeat.”
BEFORE AND AFTER
Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate is a nonfiction account of the survivors of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society run by Georgia Tann. This agency was discussed in Lisa Wingate’s historical fiction Before We Were Yours. After the release of Before We Were Yours, survivors and adoptees reached out to Lisa Wingate. Wingate then contacted Judy Christie to help her write down all of these stories. Judy Christie is a journalist who interviews all those who reach out leading up to a reunion of the survivors.
"Maybe after reading these stories, someone out there will choose to become that one person for one person. Change a life. Save a life. Tell a story that would have otherwise been lost."
BEFORE AND AFTER
I wish I could quote this whole book! Like Before We Were Yours, it took me some time to get through because of the emotional carnage. Some stories were heartwarming and beautiful and others shattered my soul. Over 5,000 children went through this agency and it is estimated that 500 children died. Georgia Tann was a salesperson. She talked of these children as if they were an object. These stories show the heartbreaking reality and stigma on unmarried mothers and those that lived in poverty.
Georgia Tann was not alone. Many social workers, doctors, politicians, etc…are also complicit. She paid them off for her benefit and families suffered. The infuriating part is Georgia Tann was never brought to justice and the adoption files were sealed until the 1990s. All her files were also filled with false information and changes. One story that broke my heart is the mother, Josie.
“Josie is still in the maternity ward the next morning, foggy from the lingering effects of the anesthetics, when the hospital officials deliver devastating news. Their newborn son has died overnight.”
BEFORE AND AFTER
Except her newborn did not die. Her baby was taken and she was told he died. I wish I could list each and every wrong this woman committed. She destroyed lives and families. However, these stories need to be told and I really recommend everyone read Before We Were Yours and Before and After. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate is a nonfiction account of the survivors of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society run by Georgia Tann. This agency was discussed in Lisa Wingate’s historical fiction Before We Were Yours. After the release of Before We Were Yours, survivors and adoptees reached out to Lisa Wingate. Wingate then contacted Judy Christie to help her write down all of these stories. Judy Christie is a journalist who interviews all those who reach out leading up to a reunion of the survivors.
"Maybe after reading these stories, someone out there will choose to become that one person for one person. Change a life. Save a life. Tell a story that would have otherwise been lost."
BEFORE AND AFTER
I wish I could quote this whole book! Like Before We Were Yours, it took me some time to get through because of the emotional carnage. Some stories were heartwarming and beautiful and others shattered my soul. Over 5,000 children went through this agency and it is estimated that 500 children died. Georgia Tann was a salesperson. She talked of these children as if they were an object. These stories show the heartbreaking reality and stigma on unmarried mothers and those that lived in poverty.
Georgia Tann was not alone. Many social workers, doctors, politicians, etc…are also complicit. She paid them off for her benefit and families suffered. The infuriating part is Georgia Tann was never brought to justice and the adoption files were sealed until the 1990s. All her files were also filled with false information and changes. One story that broke my heart is the mother, Josie.
“Josie is still in the maternity ward the next morning, foggy from the lingering effects of the anesthetics, when the hospital officials deliver devastating news. Their newborn son has died overnight.”
BEFORE AND AFTER
Except her newborn did not die. Her baby was taken and she was told he died. I wish I could list each and every wrong this woman committed. She destroyed lives and families. However, these stories need to be told and I really recommend everyone read Before We Were Yours and Before and After. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Cleaning the Gold by Karin Slaughter and Lee Child is the merge of the Jack Reacher series and the Will Trent series. My beloved Will Trent is going undercover again. This time it takes him across state lines to investigate a cold case murder. The suspect: Jack Reacher. Turns out Jack Reacher is under assignment as well. Their worlds collide when some red flags present themselves at Fort Knox.
Let’s call this a mini-review. This is a short story, it moves extremely quickly. I am not familiar with the Jack Reacher series but I did like the teamwork between him and Will. I love how Will keeps an open mind and is willing to listen to those around him before going solely off the evidence. The only downfall is that this book ends on a huge cliffhanger! I am also assuming that the questions will be answered in the next Jack Reacher book and not in Karin Slaughter’s next book. However, the story is always filled with suspense and criminal mystery. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Let’s call this a mini-review. This is a short story, it moves extremely quickly. I am not familiar with the Jack Reacher series but I did like the teamwork between him and Will. I love how Will keeps an open mind and is willing to listen to those around him before going solely off the evidence. The only downfall is that this book ends on a huge cliffhanger! I am also assuming that the questions will be answered in the next Jack Reacher book and not in Karin Slaughter’s next book. However, the story is always filled with suspense and criminal mystery. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
You all know I will read anything by Karin Slaughter. I just have to read The Last Widow before I am all caught up with the Will Trent series before The Silent Wife comes out! While I am waiting for my copy to arrive, I decided to pick up Pretty Girls. It is one of Karin Slaughter’s standalone novels. Lydia and Claire’s sister, Julia disappeared twenty years ago. Her body was never found. Their father went into a downward spiral trying to find her or her murderer. After his death, the family was torn apart. Now, another girl has gone missing and she has many similarities to Julia. Claire knows there is a connection but in order to figure it out, she will need Lydia.
TRIGGER WARNING: This book has rape and very graphic murder scenes
Karin Slaughter is a QUEEN! This book is gruesome, dark, and twisty! There are so many paths that cross throughout this story but come to absolute perfection by the end of the story. The one thing is that readers have to pay attention, there is plenty of foreshadowing that leads to some pretty fantastic twists.
Karin Slaughter always has a relationship focus in her books. In this one, it is sisters. When I saw her speak at The Festival of Books 2019, she discussed how she is one of three sisters and that definitely has an impact on her stories. I am also one of three sisters, so I could definitely relate to some of the aspects of Lydia and Claire’s relationship. Sisters fight. Sometimes we make mistakes, in Claire’s case, she makes a mistake that costs her her sister. But the themes of forgiveness are what really shine throughout this book.
In true Karin Slaughter form, the book is pretty graphic. She also touches on believing rape victims and government corruption. One thing is for sure, there is no putting this book down when you start. The suspense will keep readers up all night. My kids destroyed my house just so I could have the time to finish the book. I wish I could go into more depth but that would give all the most intense parts away. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!
TRIGGER WARNING: This book has rape and very graphic murder scenes
Karin Slaughter is a QUEEN! This book is gruesome, dark, and twisty! There are so many paths that cross throughout this story but come to absolute perfection by the end of the story. The one thing is that readers have to pay attention, there is plenty of foreshadowing that leads to some pretty fantastic twists.
Karin Slaughter always has a relationship focus in her books. In this one, it is sisters. When I saw her speak at The Festival of Books 2019, she discussed how she is one of three sisters and that definitely has an impact on her stories. I am also one of three sisters, so I could definitely relate to some of the aspects of Lydia and Claire’s relationship. Sisters fight. Sometimes we make mistakes, in Claire’s case, she makes a mistake that costs her her sister. But the themes of forgiveness are what really shine throughout this book.
In true Karin Slaughter form, the book is pretty graphic. She also touches on believing rape victims and government corruption. One thing is for sure, there is no putting this book down when you start. The suspense will keep readers up all night. My kids destroyed my house just so I could have the time to finish the book. I wish I could go into more depth but that would give all the most intense parts away. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!
The Pagan Lord by Bernard Cornwell is the 7th book in the Saxon Stories series. This installment is narrated by Matt Bates.
Possible Spoilers Ahead!!
Alfred the Great’s dream was to unite Britain under one King and one God. Now he is dead and his son assumes the throne. Uhtred has never been popular in Wessex, especially with the church. So he takes this moment to go and retake his home of Bebbanburg. After events go awry, news of the rise of Cnut Longsword reaches Uhtred. In true Uhtred fashion, he falls into a chain of events that would lead to a great battle. However, with the death of the king, the nation is more divided than ever.
As I have mentioned with the past 6 books in this series, it is pretty obvious I am addicted. The historical detail brings so much life to the stories I read in history books. I have also been to some of these locations and it gives them so much more meaning to me.
Although, these books wouldn’t be nearly as captivating without the cast of characters. I love Uhtred. However, I swear if anything happens to Finan, I will riot.
Be prepared this book ends on a MASSIVE cliffhanger. So you better have book 8 in hand when you finish this book. (I did.) Bernard Cornwell knows how to keep his reader’s hooked, that’s for sure! Also, you all know how much I love Johnathon Keeble narrating this series, but I have to give it to Matt Bates…he is pretty spectacular as well. He really nails Uhtred’s personality.
Another 5 out of 5 stars for Bernard Cornwell!
Possible Spoilers Ahead!!
Alfred the Great’s dream was to unite Britain under one King and one God. Now he is dead and his son assumes the throne. Uhtred has never been popular in Wessex, especially with the church. So he takes this moment to go and retake his home of Bebbanburg. After events go awry, news of the rise of Cnut Longsword reaches Uhtred. In true Uhtred fashion, he falls into a chain of events that would lead to a great battle. However, with the death of the king, the nation is more divided than ever.
As I have mentioned with the past 6 books in this series, it is pretty obvious I am addicted. The historical detail brings so much life to the stories I read in history books. I have also been to some of these locations and it gives them so much more meaning to me.
Although, these books wouldn’t be nearly as captivating without the cast of characters. I love Uhtred. However, I swear if anything happens to Finan, I will riot.
Be prepared this book ends on a MASSIVE cliffhanger. So you better have book 8 in hand when you finish this book. (I did.) Bernard Cornwell knows how to keep his reader’s hooked, that’s for sure! Also, you all know how much I love Johnathon Keeble narrating this series, but I have to give it to Matt Bates…he is pretty spectacular as well. He really nails Uhtred’s personality.
Another 5 out of 5 stars for Bernard Cornwell!
I read Circe and was completely bewitched so I jumped at the chance to listen to The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, read by Frazer Douglas. For those who are familiar with the Iliad, then the name Patrocles will ring a bell. The story is set in Ancient Greece and we meet Patrocles. He is a young child and not the boy his father imagined. After an accident leaves a boy dead, Patrocles is exiled to Phythia. He will live in the halls of King Peleus. He becomes friends with Prince Achilles, who is the son of a sea nymph, Thetis. Their bond grows more and more as they grow up together. Achilles is training to be the greatest warrior of his time, but Patrocles is always beside him. Soon Helen of Sparta is kidnapped by Paris of Troy and war has been declared. Achilles is lured by the prospect of glory. Patrocles cannot let the love of his life go without him, no matter the cost.
Another win for Madeline Miller! I was absolutely captivated from the first page. Madeline Miller’s education in Greek literature is obvious. Her writing completely immerses readers in the Greek world. What makes this story even more special is Patrocles. I loved him from the very beginning. At first glance, he may seem weak or a coward. But he isn’t. He is aware of his place from the very beginning and succumbs to it. That is until he meets Achilles. He never has experience with compassion or love, so what he has with Achilles is everything to him. But his relationship with Achilles challenges to discover more about himself and what he is capable of. Their relationship isn’t perfect. There is Thetis who strives for Achilles to become a God and has a complete and utter disdain for Patrocles. She pretty much is the Mother-in-Law from hell with supernatural abilities. However, because Patrocles is amazing, he understands the complexity of her relationship with Achilles.
When the war in Troy begins, both Achilles and Patrocles go through so much development. They pretty much go from boys to men throughout the course of the war. Then comes my next favorite character…Briseis. I loved her and Patrocles. Patrocles may not have been physically strong but he had a bigger heart and more courage than any hero.
Now, let me say this…this book will rip your heart out. The emotions drawn in this story hit every feel in my heart. I sobbed and sobbed. So be warned. This story is utterly beautiful and tragic. Also, I forgot to mention the narrator, Frazer Douglas does an absolutely perfect job at reading this story. He captures all the emotion and love. This book gets 5 perfect stars. I will be buying it (I borrowed from Libby) so I have a copy to reread again and again, just like with Circe.
Another win for Madeline Miller! I was absolutely captivated from the first page. Madeline Miller’s education in Greek literature is obvious. Her writing completely immerses readers in the Greek world. What makes this story even more special is Patrocles. I loved him from the very beginning. At first glance, he may seem weak or a coward. But he isn’t. He is aware of his place from the very beginning and succumbs to it. That is until he meets Achilles. He never has experience with compassion or love, so what he has with Achilles is everything to him. But his relationship with Achilles challenges to discover more about himself and what he is capable of. Their relationship isn’t perfect. There is Thetis who strives for Achilles to become a God and has a complete and utter disdain for Patrocles. She pretty much is the Mother-in-Law from hell with supernatural abilities. However, because Patrocles is amazing, he understands the complexity of her relationship with Achilles.
When the war in Troy begins, both Achilles and Patrocles go through so much development. They pretty much go from boys to men throughout the course of the war. Then comes my next favorite character…Briseis. I loved her and Patrocles. Patrocles may not have been physically strong but he had a bigger heart and more courage than any hero.
Now, let me say this…this book will rip your heart out. The emotions drawn in this story hit every feel in my heart. I sobbed and sobbed. So be warned. This story is utterly beautiful and tragic. Also, I forgot to mention the narrator, Frazer Douglas does an absolutely perfect job at reading this story. He captures all the emotion and love. This book gets 5 perfect stars. I will be buying it (I borrowed from Libby) so I have a copy to reread again and again, just like with Circe.
Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell is the 6th book in the Saxon Stories series. Uhtred’s epic continues! It is King Alfred’s dream to have one united England under one king and one God. That means the Danes must either submit or leave. However, Alfred is dying. He has always been ill but it is obvious that his time has come. He is worried about the future and needs to be assured that Uhtred will take the oath for his son, Edward. Uhtred wants to reclaim his home, Bebbanburg and he believes that he has shed enough blood for both the Danes and the Saxons. He has to make a decision of where his true loyalties lie.
“There are seasons of our lives when nothing seems to be happening, when no smoke betrays a burned town or homestead and few tears are shed for the newly dead. I have learned not to trust those times, because if the world is at peace then it means someone is planning war.”
DEATH OF KINGS
Just because there is peace, does not mean it is safe. I love that Uhtred recognizes this. Uhtred may react without thinking and can be temperamental but he is wise in the ways of the world. He is observant and he is quite good at reading situations and people. He knows that when Alfred dies and when Edward takes over that it will be the perfect opportunity for the Danes to attack.
As always, the politics of the 9th century is so fascinating. Having a fictional character like Uhtred, narrate the story of real historical figures is just brilliant. The battle sequences are the best that there is. They are descriptive and leave me feeling like I am there in the midst of it all.
This series has it all: a brilliant cast of characters, politics, religious chaos, historical detail, and battle sequences. Every time a book in this series ends, it leaves me wanting more! Again, 5 out of 5 stars!
“There are seasons of our lives when nothing seems to be happening, when no smoke betrays a burned town or homestead and few tears are shed for the newly dead. I have learned not to trust those times, because if the world is at peace then it means someone is planning war.”
DEATH OF KINGS
Just because there is peace, does not mean it is safe. I love that Uhtred recognizes this. Uhtred may react without thinking and can be temperamental but he is wise in the ways of the world. He is observant and he is quite good at reading situations and people. He knows that when Alfred dies and when Edward takes over that it will be the perfect opportunity for the Danes to attack.
As always, the politics of the 9th century is so fascinating. Having a fictional character like Uhtred, narrate the story of real historical figures is just brilliant. The battle sequences are the best that there is. They are descriptive and leave me feeling like I am there in the midst of it all.
This series has it all: a brilliant cast of characters, politics, religious chaos, historical detail, and battle sequences. Every time a book in this series ends, it leaves me wanting more! Again, 5 out of 5 stars!
"Well, this book certainly kicks off with a bang!"
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/june/viewer/desktop/#page/92
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/june/viewer/desktop/#page/92
"Sit tight: this historical fiction will take readers on an adventure across the seas and highlands."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/june/viewer/desktop/#page/64
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2020/june/viewer/desktop/#page/64
“The realities of what happened at TCHS are hard to contemplate, but they are necessary to revisit. The history we deny is the history we are most likely to repeat.”
BEFORE AND AFTER
Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate is a nonfiction account of the survivors of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society run by Georgia Tann. This agency was discussed in Lisa Wingate’s historical fiction Before We Were Yours. After the release of Before We Were Yours, survivors and adoptees reached out to Lisa Wingate. Wingate then contacted Judy Christie to help her write down all of these stories. Judy Christie is a journalist who interviews all those who reach out leading up to a reunion of the survivors.
Maybe after reading these stories, someone out there will choose to become that one person for one person. Change a life. Save a life. Tell a story that would have otherwise been lost.
BEFORE AND AFTER
I wish I could quote this whole book! Like Before We Were Yours, it took me some time to get through because of the emotional carnage. Some stories were heartwarming and beautiful and others shattered my soul. Over 5,000 children went through this agency and it is estimated that 500 children died. Georgia Tann was a salesperson. She talked of these children as if they were an object. These stories show the heartbreaking reality and stigma on unmarried mothers and those that lived in poverty.
Georgia Tann was not alone. Many social workers, doctors, politicians, etc…are also complicit. She paid them off for her benefit and families suffered. The infuriating part is Georgia Tann was never brought to justice and the adoption files were sealed until the 1990s. All her files were also filled with false information and changes. One story that broke my heart is the mother, Josie.
“Josie is still in the maternity ward the next morning, foggy from the lingering effects of the anesthetics, when the hospital officials deliver devastating news. Their newborn son has died overnight.”
BEFORE AND AFTER
Except her newborn did not die. Her baby was taken and she was told he died. I wish I could list each and every wrong this woman committed. She destroyed lives and families. However, these stories need to be told and I really recommend everyone read Before We Were Yours and Before and After. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate is a nonfiction account of the survivors of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society run by Georgia Tann. This agency was discussed in Lisa Wingate’s historical fiction Before We Were Yours. After the release of Before We Were Yours, survivors and adoptees reached out to Lisa Wingate. Wingate then contacted Judy Christie to help her write down all of these stories. Judy Christie is a journalist who interviews all those who reach out leading up to a reunion of the survivors.
Maybe after reading these stories, someone out there will choose to become that one person for one person. Change a life. Save a life. Tell a story that would have otherwise been lost.
BEFORE AND AFTER
I wish I could quote this whole book! Like Before We Were Yours, it took me some time to get through because of the emotional carnage. Some stories were heartwarming and beautiful and others shattered my soul. Over 5,000 children went through this agency and it is estimated that 500 children died. Georgia Tann was a salesperson. She talked of these children as if they were an object. These stories show the heartbreaking reality and stigma on unmarried mothers and those that lived in poverty.
Georgia Tann was not alone. Many social workers, doctors, politicians, etc…are also complicit. She paid them off for her benefit and families suffered. The infuriating part is Georgia Tann was never brought to justice and the adoption files were sealed until the 1990s. All her files were also filled with false information and changes. One story that broke my heart is the mother, Josie.
“Josie is still in the maternity ward the next morning, foggy from the lingering effects of the anesthetics, when the hospital officials deliver devastating news. Their newborn son has died overnight.”
BEFORE AND AFTER
Except her newborn did not die. Her baby was taken and she was told he died. I wish I could list each and every wrong this woman committed. She destroyed lives and families. However, these stories need to be told and I really recommend everyone read Before We Were Yours and Before and After. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox has sadly been sitting on my TBR shelf for months. Her previous book, The Witch of Willow Hall is also sitting on my Amazon wishlist—which I need to add to my shelf soon, I know. I was immediately drawn into the cover the second I saw it and I was drawn into the story from the very first page. It is 1846, and Gabriel Stone arrives in Pale Harbor, Maine. He is reluctantly taking a position as the minister in the town. His wife had died in childbirth and he is trying to be the man she would have wanted him to be. However, this town is a small town and gossip flourishes. There are rumors that Sophronia Carver is a witch and that she killed her husband. She stays hidden in her estate, but that just increases the rumors. Then eerie events take place, events that have a strange similarity to Edgar Allen Poe’s famous works. At first, it seems like a sick joke that is targeting Sophronia, but these “jokes” soon take a much darker turn.
Once I picked up this book, I didn’t put it down. It really channels the dark and eerie-ness of Edgar Allen Poe. In fact, I loved all the references to his stories, and having those references targeting the main characters is perfect! I have to admit that I was a little let down with the reveal at the end. It wasn’t shocking to me. But I did love the suspense leading up to it.
The author really captures the small-town vibe which pairs perfectly with the darkness that seems to hover throughout the town. My favorite aspect is the characters. Gabriel Stone is really damaged. Damn, his wife did a number on him. He is trying to be someone else for her…even though she is dead. This leads to some wonderful development and that is all thanks to Sophronia–speaking of which, that name is fantastic. Sophronia is also damaged in a different way. She is a victim of domestic abuse in the worst way. She is also manipulated by those around her. So Gabriel and Sophronia’s development is all due to each other. They help each other and grow, all while trying to figure out the mystery.
All in all, read this book in the Fall. It has all the wonderful eerie and spooky vibes to complete all those October feels. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars! Here is to hoping I can read Hester Fox’s other books soon!
Once I picked up this book, I didn’t put it down. It really channels the dark and eerie-ness of Edgar Allen Poe. In fact, I loved all the references to his stories, and having those references targeting the main characters is perfect! I have to admit that I was a little let down with the reveal at the end. It wasn’t shocking to me. But I did love the suspense leading up to it.
The author really captures the small-town vibe which pairs perfectly with the darkness that seems to hover throughout the town. My favorite aspect is the characters. Gabriel Stone is really damaged. Damn, his wife did a number on him. He is trying to be someone else for her…even though she is dead. This leads to some wonderful development and that is all thanks to Sophronia–speaking of which, that name is fantastic. Sophronia is also damaged in a different way. She is a victim of domestic abuse in the worst way. She is also manipulated by those around her. So Gabriel and Sophronia’s development is all due to each other. They help each other and grow, all while trying to figure out the mystery.
All in all, read this book in the Fall. It has all the wonderful eerie and spooky vibes to complete all those October feels. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars! Here is to hoping I can read Hester Fox’s other books soon!