A Parachute in the Lime Tree by Annemarie Neary

A Parachute in the Lime Tree is about four characters whose lives are deeply affected by WWII: Oskar, Elsa, Charlie, and Kitty. The war stifles love affairs, as any war does. Once again there is a couple who are separated because one is German, Oskar, and the other is Jewish, Elsa. Kitty finds Oskar, the man in a parachute in her lime tree, captivating, but his goal is to locate Elsa, who is in Ireland. He isn’t successful and lives his life without her. Charlie, a medical student, ends up marrying Elsa.

Each character has a different point of view regarding the war. Even though Ireland took a neutral stance in the war, Oskar, Elsa, Charlie, and Kitty did not think neutrality. The opinions and feelings of the characters are learned by sharing in their daily lives. A Parachute in the Lime Tree is a perfect and entertaining way to learn the history of WWII, with the emphasis in Ireland.

I experienced a difficult time reading the first few chapters, although the separations aren’t labeled as chapters. It took time to become comfortable because the narratives kept changing, followed by numerous alternating characters. I viewed it as a good challenge to sort through as I continued reading. By the end of the book I had mastered Annemarie Neary’s writing style.

The ending is unpredictable, which I appreciate the most. The descriptions are vivid and I pictured each historical setting as I read A Parachute in the Lime Tree. Annemarie Neary integrates love, suspense, and humor in her well researched novel.

As an aspiring writer, I am going to reread A Parachute in the Lime Tree by Annemarie Neary, because her style was unique and at times a challenge. I know I can benefit from reading different writing styles.

Readers of all ages who want to learn the history of WWII will enjoy this historical novel.

Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix

A Castle and WWII

The castle is the Meunier Manor during the Nazi occupation of France. Hitler turns the manor into his maternity ward to breed. Introduced are two teenage girls who work there and these characters enlighten readers to the daily events happening in the manor.

Fifty years later – the castle becomes a Renaissance castle, to be renovated in the city of Lamorlaye, France.

Michele Phoenix writes her historical novel with first-hand knowledge as she is from France. Her attention to details is much appreciated when reading a work of historical fiction.

Marshall Becker, from America, is the architect hired to renovate the castle. He arrives with expertise, but carries a bus load of ‘baggage’. Throughout the story, his character flaws are painfully visible, but we don’t get to fully understand him.

Becker’s relationships with his partner in America, the owner of the castle, the nanny who takes care of the owner’s twins, an old man who lives in the carriage house, and the interior designer, are how we acquire our knowledge of the characters in Tangled Ashes.

Each character is interesting, in their own way. The nanny, Jade, tries to understand Becker, and it is their developing relationship that makes me think Michele Phoenix has a sequel in mind. I say this mainly because of the ending, but I’ll let you decide.

I enjoyed the format of Tangled Ashes, reading dialogue from WWII, followed by the current time - during the renovation fifty years later. My concern with the story is plot related. There were a lot of things going on with Becker and all of his strained relationships, but there was no conclusion to the conflicts involved with them. I would have preferred the ending of Tangled Ashes to be as fascinating as the beginning.

There is a thread of Christianity sprinkled throughout the story, and it is nicely done, not obnoxious.

I recommend Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix for readers who enjoy learning history by reading a book, in this case, WWII history.

Beginner’s Bible App for iPad

I wanted to review this app because I have a 15 month old grandson. He already knows the iPad because we use FaceTime together.

The Beginner’s Bible App is perfect for children on the iPad. It includes six colorful animated stories from Genesis and a wonderful activity for each one. Children can read, listen, color, complete puzzles, and play a game.

My grandson is obviously too young to read, however, I am going to play the Beginner’s Bible App on my iPad for him the next time I see him. It’s an app he can grow with.

The Contessa’s Vendetta by Mirella Sichirollo Patzer

The era is A.D. 1645, in the city of Vicenza, Italy. The population is rapidly decreasing because of a deadly plague. To protect her family and live-in servants, Contessa Mancini quarantines everyone in her home. Against her better judgment, one day the Contessa decides to take a walk, a decision she regrets for the rest of her life. During her stroll down the street, she comes across a young boy, ill and suffering on the ground. She tries to help, and comes in close contact with him, which results in contracting the disease.

If that is not bad enough, a monk finds the Contessa, and tries to help her, as she did the child.  However, thought to be dead from being in such bad shape, they bury her. The only problem is she is still alive.

Contessa Mancini wakes up, and to her advantage, because of a poorly built coffin, she is able to claw and kick her way out, ending up in her ancestor’s mausoleum. During her efforts to escape the mausoleum, Contessa discovers a secret tunnel used by brigands to hide treasures of gold, silver, and gems worth a fortune.

Once Contessa is free, she learns her husband, Dario, and best friend, Beatrice, are having an affair. Neither grieved for her death, and she becomes aware of how little she meant to both, as a wife and friend. Dario even neglects their young daughter, and proves he isn’t much of a father either.

This is where Contessa Moncini develops her strategy for revenge. She tells no one she is alive while she plans and executes her vendetta against Dario and Beatrice.

Mirella Sichirollo Patzer writes with attention and details to her characters and settings. Patzer creates this period of 17^th century history to come alive, arousing my interest.  All her characters bring substance to the story and I appreciate learning about Vicenza, Italy.

My personal concern with, The Contessa’s Vendetta, is that many parts are drawn-out, for example:  Contessa’s thoughts repeated often, prolong the story.

I recommend The Contessa’s Vendetta by Mirella Sichirollo Patzer, to be an entertaining approach to learning history, hence my love for historical novels.

The Charter by Gillian E Hamer

Gillian E Hamer writes an outstanding Chapter One in her historical novel, The Charter. It is typical for the first couple of paragraphs in a book to hook the reader; however, The Charter’s entire first chapter is extraordinary.

As a historical novel, the story is based on the Royal Charter’s shipwreck that occurred in 1859. It is a fascinating read; because it isn’t often I travel to the rocky Welsh coast and the Irish Sea.

The storm of the century claimed many lives on the Royal Charter. The survivors in the Irish Sea, who made it to shore, were happy to possess their gold from Australia. This is where Gillian E Hamer develops her plot.

Sarah, the main character, has a father who displays odd behavior during his life. After his death, Sarah receives clues to locate his gold, at the reading of his will. In her quest to find the treasure, Sarah has to decide whom to trust and whom not to trust. Is Sarah successful in locating the gold?

Hamer adds the paranormal, crime, mystery, and murder, to her historical novel. Are crimes and mysteries solved?

The characters are captivating, and the story reads at an ideal pace. I did predict the outcome of one character, however, that was the exception. The story is unique for a historical novel, and the ‘ghost’ twist Hamer integrated with amazing skill, was not exaggerated.

Gillian E Hamer sends a subtle message in her intriguing novel, The Charter: Greed can wreak havoc on you and your relationships over time.  

I look forward to reading more from Gillian E Hamer; I enjoyed her unique style of writing historical fiction.

The Sun Zebra by R. Garcia

A collection of short stories with unpredictable endings is a description of, The Sun Zebra. If anyone has ever read a review of mine, they know I value unpredictability as the key to great fiction.

The Sun Zebra is a perfect reminder for adults to open their minds and become kids again. To understand events, through the eyes of a child, is a wake-up call to the kid in all adults.

Each story is different, containing the elements of great writing. Nell is a precocious child, who possesses the ability to think critically, and analyze better than most adults. Her father is the epitome of a perfect dad, listening to her and allowing her to think. Her mother is the perfect balance to a loving marriage. Nell is lucky to be a child in this family.

My children are grown up, but this tiny book of wisdom will benefit me to augment my ability to be a better grandmother to my grandson. I thank R. Garcia for writing these pearls in, The Sun Zebra.