I apologize for disappearing from visiting blogs and answering your comments. After a bad fall a couple of weeks ago, I suffered days of headaches, body pains, and raccoon eyes. It was the last that worried a medic at my husband’s job site. He said because it took a few days for the bruising to show, I should go into the doctors in case there was a skull fracture and possible brain bleed.
Needless to say, I booked an appointment immediately, got in within a couple of days, and was directed to the hospital emergency room for assessment and a CAT Scan. The good news: No fracture and the headaches are easing.
Now, to catch up with all of you!
My first book review today is a middle-grade Christmas mystery by D.L. Finn.
The posts on this site may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase using a link.
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Things on a Tree is a fun middle-grade fantasy from the talented hand of D.L Finn.
Aimee is sick at Christmastime and wants nothing more than a hug from her father who died in a car accident the year before. Sad and depressed, Aimee falls asleep staring at the Christmas tree and awakens to a new, fantastical, and dangerous world.
With the help of three kitten tree ornaments come to life, a whimsical elf named Holly, and her long-lost grandma, Aimee works to save Christmas (regaining her belief in Santa Claus along the way) and reverse time to bring back her dad.
Beautiful illustrations bring the story to life and add dimension to a classic tale of faith, love and trust against impossible odds.
A great read for children and adults alike!
What could possibly go wrong?
Amazon book link
Entrepreneur Hailey Sharp is determined to make her preppy salad bistro a success if only she can convince customers to enter. The coffee shop next door has no problem drawing a crowd, which pushes Hailey to edgier campaign promotions.
Wes escapes New York and family stress to start again in a new place. When a chance encounter with a woman he mistakes as a blind date goes wrong, he begins to wonder if he made the right decision. Determined to apologize for his bad behavior, Wes tracks Hailey down and though there is an immediate chemistry between them, they decide it’s best to become friends to protect their damaged hearts.
This is an enjoyable slow-burn romance with plenty of humorous moments and a good guy hero- what more could you want? 🙂
“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”
With over 97,000 five-star reviews, The Nightingale is a life-changing story of two very different sisters and their survival during WW11.
Vianne Mauriac was a young teenager when her father came home from the war a changed man. Gone was the loving, caring man who adored his family, leaving a broken shell in his place. When her mother died shortly after, leaving Vianne to care for her baby sister, she is overwhelmed and escapes by marrying her boyfriend, Antoine.
Isabelle was only a four-year-old precocious girl when her mother died and her father began what would be years of sending her to this nanny or that finishing school in the hope of taming her spirit while avoiding the responsibility of raising her himself. Vianne was too busy with her new husband to have time for a troublesome sister, leaving Isabelle to go through her life feeling unloved.
When the Second World War begins and Germans invade France, the girls are tested in ways they could never have envisioned.
“Don’t think about who they are. Think about who you are and what sacrifices you can live with and what will break you.”
The Nightingale- Kristin Hannah
While Vianne’s husband goes off to war, she is forced to billet a German soldier while trying to keep her and their daughter alive on minuscule rations and freezing winter conditions.
Isabelle finally finds a release for her rebellious heart by joining the French Resistance, a movement to free France from German oppression. She becomes known as The Nightingale and leads daring rescue missions of allied soldiers through the Pyrenees mountains.
“I hope you never know how fragile you are, Isabelle.”
“I’m not fragile,” she said.
The smile he gave her was barely one at all. “We are all fragile, Isabelle. It’s the thing we learn in war.”
The Nightingale- Kristin Hannah
There are many heartbreaking moments in this book with atrocities I could never have imagined. This is such an important read. Many of us are too young to know much about World War 11. My mom says when her uncle returned, he refused to talk about it and often suffered horrible nightmares.
With the conflict in Ukraine and the recent fight in Afghanistan, it’s even more crucial for our generation to truly understand what WAR means. It’s brutal, demeaning, deadly, and unnecessary. Shouldn’t we have learned how to live together as one by now?
“But love has to be stronger than hate, or there is no future for us.”
The Nightingale- Kristin Hannah
The kids made it safely to New Zealand and are recovering from jetlag. They’re doing a bit of exploring and getting a feel for their new home before school starts next month.
Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author 
I’m sorry to hear about your fall, Jacquie. I hope you’re feeling better. Thanks for sharing your reviews! I’ll have to add a few to my Wish List!
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Lol, that’s what I do! Bookbub makes it easy to have a wish list and they send out notices when the book goes on sale!
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Sorry to hear about your fall! Take care…Sharing your reviews is always appreciated by all parties…The very best of luck to the authors. Thanks Jacquie. Cheers. x
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Thank you, Joy. Hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer {{hugs}}
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So sorry about your fall, Jacquie. But I’m glad it wasn’t the worst case scenario. Hoping you’re 100% again soon.
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Thank you, Staci, and congrats on your collaboration with Mae!
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Thank you! We’re excited!
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So sorry about your fall, Jacquie. Hope you continue to feel better and the headaches cease. Sending hugs. Great reviews, and congrats to the authors. Thanks for sharing. 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. I look forward to getting back into the swing of things.
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I hope you’re feeling better, Jacquie. It sounds like a scary moment. I’m glad you had tests done. All of these books sound fun. I’m adding a couple to my Kindle. And yes, we – the world – should have learned to live together by now.
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Me again. I didn’t mean to say ALL the books sound fun. War is not fun. It’s heartbreaking and everything you said above.
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It’s a crime, is what it is. People with power flirting with innocent lives. Anywhere else, they would be in court for manslaughter.
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Thank you, Mary. The older I get, the clumsier I am, lol
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I am glad you are recovering, Jacquie, but you can’t be too careful. These are all great reviews. I read “Things on a Tree” a few years back and loved the magic in it. Kristin Hannah’s book is most intriguing. I’m heading over to see if it is on KU. Thank you for sharing all of these, and congrats to the authors!
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Thank you, Jan.
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I’m sure you’ll be hooked by The Nightingale, Jan- it’s topping my list for 2022!
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Glad to hear you have nothing serious, Jacquie. Hope you get plenty of rest and all turns better. Thanks for the reviews.
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Thank you, John. I’ve missed my blogging friends ❤
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we miss you.
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I am sorry about your fall Jacquie… thankfully nothing serious. Wishing you good health.
The Nightingale is a powerful book, I’ve read it and really admire Hannah’s other books too. Thanks for sharing your reviews.
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She’s such a powerful writer. I want to be like her when I grow up, lol
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Hi Jacquie, I am so sorry you were so injured following your fall. At least it didn’t cause any serious on-going damage. Falls are so troublesome. Thanks for these reviews. Denise’s book sounds adorable.
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It kind of worried me because a dear friend of my mom took a fall in the winter and smashed his head against the brickwork of a nearby business. Not long after, he began to go downhill and died the following spring.
I think you’d enjoy Denise’s holiday story, the illustrations are lovely.
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So sorry about your fall, Jacquie. I’m happy to hear there wasn’t a fracture or worse damage. I hope you are feeling better soon. Thank you for including, Things on a Tree here. This is one I want to tidy up, after I finish An Unusual Island. I’ve been on the fence with keeping it on Amazon. Sending you a ton of healing hugs xo
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I thought it read just fine, Denise. I wondered where the Kindle link had gone, lol.
I hope you’re feeling better, too {{hugs}}
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I put the link back up, sorry. Yes, doung better. Hugs xo
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So glad it wasn’t a skull fracture, Jacquie, and glad to hear the headaches are getting better. Thanks for sharing the reviews – love the cover of Denise’s book!
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Perfect for Christmas in July (though I read it in August, lol) reading lists!
Thanks, Teri. I’m still a bit blurry-eyed but it’s getting better 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Pfew I am glad it was not too serious Jacquie! Also I loved The Nightingale!
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Me, too, Sophie! I’m so claustrophobic, lol. I was more scared of the CAT Scan than the injury.
The Nightingale ripped my heart out. How can any man do that to another person? It’s frightening.
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Thanks for the reviews, Jacquie. No need to apologize for taking care of yourself. I’m glad that things are moving in the right direction and that you feel like yourself in no time.
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Appreciated, Pete. I’ve always been clumzy, but it hurts more now, lol
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Jacquie, that is entirely too scary about your fall. I’m so glad you are on the mend. Be sure to take care of yourself for a full recovery.
A great collection of reviews, and very diverse reading. Denise’s Christmas story sounds especially charming.
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Thanks, Mae. It happened so fast, I didn’t even feel myself tripping- ugh!
These are all excellent reads, and congrats again on your collaboration with Staci. Mine downloaded this morning 🙂
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Glad you are on the mend, Jacquie.
And thanks for the download. I hope you enjoy! 🤗
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🙂
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Oh, Jacquie, I’m glad you are doing better. Falls are so scary. Thank you for sharing your reviews. I’ve only read “Things on a Tree” and loved it. Now I have more to add to my list. 😊
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I have to admit I’m walking gingerly through my yard now. Thank you, Gwen {{hugs}}
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Thanks, Gwen 🙂
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I’m so glad you’re on the mend. Yes, I did notice your absence, worried, happy to hear things are working out. I know about headaches–yuck.
What a list of books! 97,000 5-stars for The Nightingale. That is amazing.
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It’s being made into a movie- I can’t wait!
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My hope is that you are fully on the mend, Jacquie. These are wonderful reviews. I am going over to Amazon right now to grab one or more of these books. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these titles.
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Thank you, Beem, I’m getting there 🙂
Hope you enjoy the reads!
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Glad to hear you are recovering, Jacquie. A great list of books for all tastes. I’m amazed at the amount of reviews for, “The Nightingale,” I’ll be sure to add that one to the list. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your fall, Jacquie, and hope you will feel better soon. These books all look delightful. Toni x
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Thank you, Toni. Other than lingering headaches and tender ribs I’m doing okay.
These are all recommended reads 🙂
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