Stumbling Stones by Bonnie Suchman - #blogtour #spotlight

 

Shortlisted for the Hawthorn Prize 2024

"Alice knew that Selma sometimes felt judged by their mother and didn't always like it when Alice was praised and Selma was not. Alice glanced over at her sister, but Selma was smiling at Alice. In what Alice understood might be Selma's last act of generosity towards her sister, Selma was going to let Alice bask in the glow of Emma's pride toward her elder daughter. Then the three shared a hug, a hug that seemed to last forever."

Alice Heppenheimer, born into a prosperous German Jewish family around the turn of the twentieth century, comes of age at a time of growing opportunities for women.

So, when she turns 21 years old, she convinces her strict family to allow her to attend art school, and then pursues a career in women's fashion. Alice prospers in her career and settles into married life, but she could not anticipate a Nazi Germany, where simply being Jewish has become an existential threat.

 Stumbling Stones is a novel based on the true story of a woman driven to achieve at a time of persecution and hatred, and who is reluctant to leave the only home she has ever known.

But as strong and resilient as Alice is, she now faces the ultimate challenge - will she and her husband be able to escape Nazi Germany or have they waited too long to leave?

ISBN: 978-1685134105

Publisher:  Black Rose Writing

Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  285 (paperback)

About the Author:

Bonnie Suchman is an attorney who has been practicing law for forty years. Using her legal skills, she researched her husband's family's 250-year history in Germany, and published a non-fiction book about the family, Broken Promises: The Story of a Jewish Family in Germany. Bonnie found one member of the family, Alice Heppenheimer, particularly compelling. Stumbling Stones tells Alice's story. Bonnie has two adult children and lives in Maryland with her husband, Bruce.

Adiel and the Fuhrer by Elyse Hoffman - #bookreview #blogtour

 

***

Adiel Goldstein has a good life. Despite the anti-Semitism he faces as a German Jew, he has everything he wants. A dream job as an art professor, good friends, a loving father, and a precious nine-year-old daughter, Kaia. But his life is about to be upended. An old comrade from his time fighting in the Great War is gaining power: a man named Hitler. Adiel’s father insists that they need to leave the country before Hitler becomes the leader of Germany.

Adiel and his family plan to move to America, but before they can even pack their bags, he and Kaia make a shocking discovery. Adiel’s father, Natan Goldstein, is from the future. A Holocaust survivor who lost his family to unspeakable tragedy, Natan was given the chance to go back in time and take the life of Adolf Hitler. But when he failed to kill the future Führer, he devoted himself to his new family and awaited the inevitable.

Natan can’t face the Holocaust again, but Adiel’s unique connection to Hitler means he might be able to succeed where his father failed. Adiel now has a choice: escape as planned and let history repeat itself, or sacrifice everything to stop the Holocaust before it can begin.

Award winning author Elyse Hoffman has crafted a thought-provoking and daring work of historical fiction which will tug at your heartstrings.

***

Although this is the fourth book in the Project 613 series, they absolutely work as stand alone novels. I have previously read and reviewed The Vengeance of Samuel Val which is the second book in the series. I've also read the third, Black Fox One. You can access both of these reviews by clicking on the respective titles. Having read and enjoyed those two, I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to read this one too. 

In all honesty, this book took me a little longer to get into than the previous books. I am not blaming the book for this. Trying to read whilst keeping the puppy amused is not necessarily an ideal combination. However, once I was able to focus on it, I enjoyed it every bit as much as its predecessors.

The book deals with the question; what would happen if we could go back in time and prevent Hitler engineering the atrocities of the Second World War? The plot delivers lots of surprises along the way most of which I did not anticipate and definitely kept me reading.

Each of the characters has something to contribute to the story. Mostly, the characters are fictional but several people from history have a part to play in this story.

The story follows the life of Adiel, the main character, from infancy to adulthood. He is an extremely compelling character as the reader is able to ponder the complexities of his life alongside him. His daughter, Kaia, equally has a significant role in the book and she is the instrumental in bringing the Jewish and Nazi element together on the page.

Ms. Hoffman competently combines a story of Jewish folklore, time-travel, historical fiction and successfully pulls them all together to produce an excellent novel. I recommend this book and it will be enjoyed by anyone who likes historical fiction or time travel elements in their reading.

About the Author:

Elyse Hoffman is an award-winning author who strives to tell historical tales with new twists. Having studied WWII since the age of thirteen and with interests in fantasy and Jewish folklore, she loves to combine them in her writing. Elyse started writing novels at fourteen and finished her first historical fiction work at fifteen. She has published eight books: five in a series called The Barracks of the Holocaust, and three novels, including The Book of Uriel, Where David Threw Stones, and Fracture. In her spare time, she loves to read, work on pretty keyboards, and hang out with her co-authors - her Goldendoodle Ari and her ex-feral cat, Echo.

(book and media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)

The Red Citadel by Michael Lynes - #bookreview #blogtour #IsaacAlvarezSeries

 

As the muezzin's cry announced another dawn, shafts of sunlight from behind the peaks of the Sierra Nevada crept across the face of the Alhambra - situated high on the Sabika hill - suffusing the citadel's red walls with a saffron glow. The variegated light glided down the brick ramparts of the fortress to find Granada at its base. It moved on to illuminate the city's terracotta tiled rooftops, pomegranate studded trees, and blue and white mosaic tiled fountains. It even insinuated itself into the shadowy alleyways of the labyrinthine Albaicin, creeping into the homes of the Mudejares finishing their prayers, most too afraid of their Catholic masters to complete their devotions in the few remaining mosques. The sun did not discriminate though - it lit the houses of poor and rich alike...

***

Isaac Alvarez is a heretic, a reluctant spy, and a murder suspect. Can he prove his innocence and quell a rebellion to reunite his family? Granada, Andalusia, 1499 Forced to convert to Catholicism Isaac remains a Jew at heart. Exiled from Seville by King Ferdinand for heresy he is suspected of murdering the Grand Inquisitor, Torquemada. Did he? Andreas, a priest, has been accused of the murder and imprisoned. Alonso, Torquemada's previous deputy and an old foe of Isaac's, has now returned from exile in the Indies determined to prove his childhood friend's innocence. Isaac now lives with Abdul Rahman - a wealthy Muslim spice merchant - his wife Fatima, and his brother Ali Sina, the last apothecary in the city. He works for Archbishop Talavera. Granada is in turmoil. The rulers coerce Muslims to embrace Catholicism. A rebellion is developing, led by Abdul Rahman. The King instructs Isaac to spy on the rebels. He is conflicted by his loyalty to the brothers and his love for Fatima, but reluctantly agrees.

***

This is the third book in the Isaac Alvarez series. If you would like to read my spoiler free reviews of the previous two books, Blood Libel and The Heretic's Daughter you can do so by clicking on the titles.

I have very much enjoyed reading this series. The book has much to say about religious intolerance, albeit in an historical setting, but there are still lessons that apply to the modern world in which we live.

Isaac is a strong character who we have met in the previous books, and this book continues to develop his personality. I feel as though I know him, and his headstrong daughter Isabel very well by now and I shall miss reading about them as this is the final book in the series. I am unaware whether the author is planning on continuing with his characters but I would be thrilled if he was.

This book continues on from the persecution and intolerance suffered by the Jews in Seville during the Spanish Inquisition. This develops the theme when we see the same attitude focused on those of the Islamic faith.

The book is atmospheric, and Mr. Lynes does an excellent job at bringing his historical environment to life with his vivid and vibrant descriptions. I could almost smell the fires and feel the heat whilst reading. The author has clearly researched his material thoroughly, and it really shows in these books. It was easy to understand the chaotic and bewildering environment in which these people lived.

I learnt more of this difficult period in history through these books, and it was an easy and accessible way in which to become more familiar with the times.

This has been an excellent series which I highly recommend to historical fiction fans.

ISBN: 978 1739185749

Publisher:  Romaunce Books

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  358 (paperback)

About the Author:

Michael writes the Isaac Alvarez Mysteries, set in late 15th century Andalusia. He won a prize for his debut, Blood Libel, at the 2020 Emirates Literature Festival. Best-selling author Sophie Hannah called it, 'immensely gripping,' and the Historical Novel Society said, 'Lynes knows his history and tells the story with verve.' He published his second novel, The Heretic's Daughter, in 2022. Awais Khan, author of The Company of Strangers, said it had, 'everything a historical thriller should have, and more.' He is hard at work on the third book in the series, The Red Citadel, to be published in 2023. Michael is a member of the Crime Writers' Association - he is the founding convenor of the Gulf Chapter - the Historical Novel Society, and The Alliance of Independent Authors. He is an alumnus of the Faber Academy's Writing a Novel course. Originally from London, he lives in Dubai with his family.

(book and media courtesy of Love Books Tours)

(all opinions are my own)

The Heretic's Daughter by Michael Lynes - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Isaac yearns for a place that no longer exists - Seville before the Inquisition. A place where Torquemada did not call out the names of the heretics to be punished. Where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand did not watch impassively as executioners smeared a blonde-haired girl's tunic with sulphur - to quicken the journey of the flames from the crackling pyre at her feet. A twisted mercy. Where Isaac did not see white tendrils of smoke, hear shrill screams or smell the bitter stink of charred flesh. Where he did not witness Juan's body melt into the inferno.

***

As the Inquisition’s grip tightens Isaac and Isabel must choose between family and faith. Will they survive the consequences?

Isaac seeks revenge on Torquemada for murdering his wife and best friend. He’s not the only one who wants The Grand Inquisitor dead. The King commands Isaac to investigate. Should he save the man he hates? Fail and he loses the King’s protection — the only thing keeping him alive. Feeling abandoned by her father and con!icted by his heresy, Isabel sets out to discover the truth. The trail leads to the darkest places in Seville. She’s unnerved by a shocking revelation and a surprising discovery about her real feelings. Can Isabel use what she unearths to save her father and their family?

***

This book is a worthy follow up to Blood Libel, which was the first in the Isaac Alvarez series. If you would like to read my review of the first book you can do so by clicking here.

I enjoyed this book every bit as much. It is set in Seville three years after Blood Libel. Isabel is now a young woman and is responsible for the education of her younger brother, Gabriel, and the two orphaned children of a family friend. She is an excellent character and the author has done a great job in developing her character.

Isabel has a large part to play in this book, but there is still plenty of action provided by her father, Isaac. Mr. Lynes takes his readers on quite an adventure with the setting moving to Granada for part of the story. 

It made for an easy read with lots of excitement along the way. The series brings history alive on the page and details the way in which Jews were in fear for their lives during the Spanish Inquisition. There is lots of attention to detail, and the author has clearly completed his research extensively.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, particularly that of medieval history will enjoy this book. It would work well as a standalone but is worth reading the first book in the series in order to understand the backstory of the characters.

I will be reading the next book, The Red Citadel, later this month and I am looking forward to doing so very much.

ISBN: 978 1739185718

Publisher: Romaunce Books

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  330 (paperback)

About the Author:

Michael writes the Isaac Alvarez Mysteries, set in late 15th century Andalusia. He won a prize for his debut, Blood Libel, at the 2020 Emirates Literature Festival. Best-selling author Sophie Hannah called it, 'immensely gripping,' and the Historical Novel Society said, 'Lynes knows his history and tells the story with verve.' He published his second novel, The Heretic's Daughter, in 2022. Awais Khan, author of The Company of Strangers, said it had, 'everything a historical thriller should have, and more.' He is hard at work on the third book in the series, The Red Citadel, to be published in 2023. Michael is a member of the Crime Writers' Association - he is the founding convenor of the Gulf Chapter - the Historical Novel Society, and The Alliance of Independent Authors. He is an alumnus of the Faber Academy's Writing a Novel course. Originally from London, he lives in Dubai with his family.

(book and all media courtesy of Love Book Tours)

(all opinions are my own)