The Circus Train by Amita Parikh ~ My Thoughts #TheCircusTrain

The Circus Train by Amita Parikh

Historical Fiction, 352 pages

Published December 6, by HarperCollins Publishers

At the World of Wonders, Europe's most magnificent travelling circus, every moment is full of magic, and nothing is as it seems--especially for the people who put on the show

Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite her father's overprotection and the limits her world places on her because she is disabled. Her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past. Over several years, as their friendship flourishes and Alexandre trains as the illusionist's apprentice, World War II escalates around them. 

When Theo and Alexandre are contracted to work and perform in a model town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena becomes separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible--herself.

A must-read for fans of The Night Circus and Water for Elephants, The Circus Train will take readers on a heart-wrenching and spectacular two-decade journey across Europe. When all is lost, how do you find the courage to keep moving forward?

My thoughts about The Circus Train ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"'Twenty-four, maybe forty-eight hours.' Dr. Komninos delivered his diagnosis as though he was reciting a weather report or the answer to a math problem."

This story had me from the prologue. So much sadness and heartbreak in those first few pages. But then the reader also finds out that there are some secrets that are not revealed as well. So intriguing. 

And then the reader gets to become a part of the exciting world of the circus. But to the people who work in the circus, that is their normal, everyday life, with joy and plenty of struggles. The life of Lena is a hard one but she is a survivor and becomes close friends with a young boy who truly believes in her. 

This is a wonderful historical fiction story that gives the reader a different look at life during World War II and the control that the Nazis had over so many people. It's a story of the struggles and strength of a group of people who had to do whatever they needed to do to survive. There are plenty of surprises along the way that made their story that much more interesting.

This book is touted as must-read for fans of The Night Circus and Water for Elephants. I loved both of those stories and I feel like The Circus Train one is right up there with those two books. Check it out! 

I received The Circus Train via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Amita Parikh is an author, web developer and marketer. She earned an Hons. B.Sc from the University of Toronto, then spent the next decade working in the tech start-up industry in Europe and Canada. 

In 2014, she began writing what she hoped would become a book. The resulting novel, The Circus Train, is out in 2022 and 2023. ~ Author's website

Connect with Amita

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Amazon

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? December 12, 2022 #IMWAYR

   

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are! 

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. 

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Love and War

(Virginia Vineyards #4)

by Ashley Farley

Pub date ~ December 27

The Maidens

by Alex Michaelides

Vendetta in Death

(In Death #49)

by J.D. Robb

Narrated by Susan Ericksen

What I recently finished

Lessons in Chemistry

by Bonnie Garmus

A Christmas Star

(Seashell Cottage #1)

by Judith Keim 

Before Ever After

by Samantha Sotto

The Circus Train

by Amita Parikh

What I am going to read next

One Last Secret

by Adele Parks

Pub date ~ December 27

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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This OR That #Giveaway № 82 ~ Riding Shotgun OR Claws and Effect by Rita Mae Brown #RidingShotgun #ClawsAndEffect

 

I have sooooo many books!

The This or That Giveaway! feature that I post every Saturday is a way for me to cull my collection and to share some of the many books I have. I get to clear off some of my shelves to make room for more books and give someone else the chance to enjoy these treasures.

Good luck and be sure to stop back next week!

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Riding Shotgun

by Rita Mae Brown

Hardcover ~ Published May 1997

The author of Venus Envy takes you on a riotous ride back to one woman's future...

In a delightful contemporary farce with a riotous twist, Rita Mae Brown welcomes you to Virginia's horse country, where a fox hunt is about to lead a 1990s woman, Cig Blackwood, into a 1690s adventure of the heart. Infidelity, single motherhood, family betrayal, and the thrill of the hunt (in many varieties) are hilariously and poignantly played out in this captivating novel of time travel and self-discovery.

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Claws and Effect

(Mrs. Murphy #9)

by Rita Mae Brown

Hardcover ~ February 2001

As winter puts tiny Crozet, VA in a deep freeze, everyone seems to be suffering from a case of the winter blahs -- including postmistress Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, who knows things must be dull if the hottest topic of conversation is a chain letter from the mysterious Sister Sophonisba. Even Harry's cats, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and her corgi Tee Tucker, haven't been able to dig up any dirt lately. 

But life in this small Southern town is about to heat up....The first hint of trouble comes when Hank Brevard, the plant manager of Crozet Hospital, and head nurse Tussie Logan let drop a few remarks that hint at a hospital in turmoil. Then a malicious comment by the hospital's director suggests that there's bad blood between him and his star surgeon, handsome Dr Bruce Buxton. Still, no one takes any of it seriously until Hank Brevard turns up dead in the hospital boiler room.

Harry, who can't resist a mystery no matter how dangerous, decides to do some investigating of her own. What she finds is that the hospital's a hotbed of secrets, a closed little world where ego, jealousy, and illicit love collide. But it's Mrs. Murphy, roaming the underworld of Crozet Hospital, who sniffs out the most telling fact: a secret room in the old section that dates back to the time of the Underground Railroad.

Then Harry is attacked and a doctor is executed in cold blood. Now the usually mild-mannered postmistress vows to bring the killer to justice. But when Harry gets too close to the truth, only a quick-witted cat and her animal pals stand between Harry and a homicidal maniac who means to ensure that she carries what she knows to the grave

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Book Blitz! Pasko Na, My Love: A Holiday Romance Anthology ~ Excerpt & #Giveaway! @XpressoTours

 

Pasko Na, My Love: A Holiday Romance Anthology
Publication date: December 6th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Family, heart, and a Merry Christmas Happily Ever After.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all ‘round Hacienda Luz bustled in celebration of Natividad Luz Moore’s 100^th birthday.

A Filipino American woman of courage, strength, and heart, Lola Naty has touched the lives of many. Celebrities and politicians make merry, fine dresses and barong Tagalogs shimmer, and food and drink flow freely. And it’s all to honor family, tradition, and the very essence of that thing called love.

While Filipino ballads fill the chilly Northern California air, hearts throb and passions ignite as seven remarkable couples find love in all the right—or wrong—places.

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From acclaimed and bestselling Filipino American authors—Elle Cruz, Maan Gabriel, Maida Malby, Mia Hopkins, Sarah Smith, and Tif Marcelo—comes Pasko Na, My Love, a holiday romance collection that is sure to warm your heart and uplift your Christmas spirit.

• Volcanic Love by Elle Cruz
• My Only Love by Maan Gabriel
• So It’s You by Maida Malby
• Illicit by Mia Hopkins
• Last Minute by Sarah Smith
• The Deal by Tif Marcelo

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

iBooks | Google Play | Kobo

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Volcanic Love by Elle Cruz

Sophie is a thirty-year-old with a wildly successful sex podcast. She has secretly been in love with Travis, her older brother’s best friend, for years. A mistake from the past tears them apart. Sparks fly when they when they see each other five years later during her grandmother’s one-hundredth birthday celebration. Sophie will have to put aside her insecurities to win back Travis’s heart so she can finally have the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of.

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My Only Love by Maan Gabriel

He’s on his way to the White House. She’s fighting for women’s rights on the streets of DC.

Ten years ago, Drew and Angelica broke off their engagement while in law school. They both attribute their failed relationship to young love and ambition. But when Drew begs Angelica to attend his grandmother’s 100th birthday and pretend for one week that they are back together, sparks fly between them. Is it pretend when the feelings from the past never truly went away?

The thing is, Angelica doesn’t want to be Senator Hizon’s number one. Selfish as it may seem, she wants to be his only one – his only love.

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So It’s You by Maida Malby

Vida and her maternal grandmother, Naty Moore, share a special bond—the same birthday on Christmas Eve, fifty years apart. This year, Lola Naty will celebrate her 100th birthday, and Vida plans to do everything to make sure her grand party goes off without a hitch. Even if that includes hiding the identity of the man she’s dating.

Rafa Balmaseda fell for Vida long before he became her grandmother’s physician. Ten years younger than her, he chafes at being kept a secret. When he pushes for a deeper commitment, will Vida continue to deny his role in her life? Or will she finally admit that they belong together?

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Illicit by Mia Hopkins

Event planner Eden Rosales and Catholic priest Nick Salgado reunite at Hacienda Luz and settle a score fourteen years in the making.

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Last Minute by Sarah Smith

Twenty-eight-year-old Ruby is in charge of catering the 100th birthday party of her grandmother. As the baby of her family, Ruby has grown up in the shadow of her older, more successful cousins, so she’s determined for her catered dinner to go off without a hitch. But when her head chef calls out with food poisoning the day of the party and sends chef Mason Waller as her replacement, Ruby is pissed. She’s loathed Mason ever since he screwed her over in culinary school five years ago. There’s still plenty of fire between these two … in more ways than one.

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The Deal by Tif Marcelo

Prodigal cousin Oliver Moore returns to Hacienda Luz to attend Lola Naty’s hundredth year birthday party only to find out that he’s not on the guest list from divorcée event planner Norah Sha. In catching him as he tries to break in, she feels sorry for him and makes a deal to sneak him in, both discovering Christmas can still bring forgiveness and new love.

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Release Day! Last Circle of Love: A Novel by Lorna Landvik ~ My Thoughts #LastCircleOfLove

Happy Release Day!

Congrats Lorna

on the release today of

Last Circle of Love!

Last Circle of Love: A Novel by Lorna Landvik 

Contemporary Fiction, 288 pages

Published December 6, by Lake Union Publishing

A funny, heartwarming story about a feisty group of women who shake, spice, and heat things up with a “recipe” book for romance, from the bestselling author of Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons.

Newly installed at All Souls Lutheran, Mallory “Pastor Pete” Peterson soon realizes that her church isn’t merely going through turbulent waters, but is a sinking ship. With the help of five loyal members of the Naomi Circle, the young, bold minister brainstorms fundraising ideas. They all agree that the usual recipe book won’t add much to the parish coffers, but maybe one with all the ingredients on how to heat up relationships rather than casseroles will…

Pastor Pete has her doubts about the project, but it turns out the group of postmenopausal women has a lot to say on the subject of romance. While Charlene, the youngest member at fifty-two, struggles with the assignment, baker-extraordinaire Marlys, elegantly bohemian Bunny, I’m-always-right Velda, and ebullient Edie take up their contributions enthusiastically. After all, their book is really about cooking up love in all its forms.

But not everyone in the congregation is on board with this “scandalous” project. As the voices of opposition grow louder, Pastor Pete and these intrepid women will have to decide how hard they’re willing to fight for this book and the powerful stories within—stories of discovery, softened hearts, and changed lives.

My thoughts about Last Circle of Love ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"Let it be known, there was resistance—and bodily injury. But Edie, understanding that her bloody nose was not due to any maliciousness on her friend's part, accepted Marlys's apology."

I've been a fan of Lorna Landvik's books ever since I read Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. Love that title! Last Circle of Love reminded me of that book of hers—a group of women who come together to fill a need in their lives. And oh, what a ride those crazy women take the reader on. 

I loved all of the characters in this story. They're mostly older women, who as you may or may not know, sometimes lose their filters. That's where the fun comes in! They decide they want to 'spice up' their traditional fundraising church cookbook. 

I'm pretty sure I read this entire book with a smile on my face, as I so enjoyed the antics of this group of church ladies. I could totally see myself being a part of this hilarious pack. What a hoot!

Give Last Circle of Love a try for an fun, entertaining, and uplifting time. You will not be disappointed. 

I received Last Circle of Love via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Lorna Landvik is a mother of two and wife of one. She is the author of eight novels, including the best-selling Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, Patty Jane's House of Curl and Oh My Stars. 

Also an actor and playwright, Lorna has appeared in many stage productions. She is a new and passionate neophyte to the practice of yoga, which is a fine antidote to her long established practice of lounging. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Lorna

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon

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