All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell – A Refreshing and Lovely Read

 

Maybe it was the winter season that piqued my interest in reading Marta McDowell’s book All the Presidents’ Gardens.  With our garden at rest, it was a lovely time to read about the history of the Presidents’ gardens at the White House over the last 235 years.

 

I absolutely loved reading this book.  It was a combination of history, gardening, with a little bit of biographies mixed-together.  It was refreshing to see the love of gardening from our Presidents, their wives, and families, and how they enjoyed the fruits of the labor of those who executed design plans.  What a huge task for the men and women who designed the gardens over the years.  I found it interesting to learn how everyone’s background, education, and experience influenced the designs, selection of plants, and the additions of other elements to make the gardens what they wanted. 

 

As a gardener, I found I connected with the Presidents and their families that had a love for gardening.  I appreciated their desire for seed and plant preservation.  I came away from reading this book with a new appreciation for how gardening is passed down from one generation to another.

 

If you love gardening, history, biographies, or design, I highly recommend All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell.  This was a lovely and refreshing book to read. 

 

I would like to thank Timber Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

 

The Strike of the Sailfish by Stephen L Moore – Fascinating World War II History

 

In recent years, I have been interested in reading World War II history books and wanted to read Stephen L Moore’s book The Strike of the Sailfish, Two Sister Submarines and the Sinking of a Japanese Aircraft Carrier.

 

The sister submarines, the Squalus and Sculpin, seemed to be ill-fated.  In 1939, off the coast of New Hampshire, the Squalus sunk.  Twenty-six of officers and men drowned, and thirty-two men remained alive.  Thanks to the help from the men on their sistership, the Sculpin and other ships, the men were rescued.  Amazingly, the Squalus was raised, decommissioned, and overhauled.  In 1940, she was recommissioned as the USS Sailfish.  Three of the Squalus survivors went on to serve on the Sailfish during WWII in the Pacific.  Their sistership, the Sculpin was also in the battle in the Pacific fighting against Japan. 

 

What happened to officers and men who served on those submarines and what they encountered during WWII is hard to imagine.  This book was well researched and is filled with a lot of details about the men who served, operation of the submarines, problems encountered with equipment, weapons, and the challenges of fighting a war in a submarine. 

 

The difference an effective leader can make as he leads his men in the battle was amazing to read about.  What these men endured in the submarines, the battles they fought, facing storms, disasters, being taken rescued, only to be taken captive as prisoners of war is almost beyond comprehension.  The drive to survive and commitment to fight and win the battle was awe inspiring.

 

There were times, it was hard to read what about what these men experienced.  But I am glad I finished it.  In many ways, these men were part of the greatest generation who fought evil and won.  So very grateful for their service and sacrifice. 

 

If you are interested in World War II history, or appreciate the military, you may wand read The Strike of the Sailfish by Stephen L Moore.  It was challenging, and at times a hard read, but it was well worth it. 

 

I would like to thank the Publisher Dutton Caliber and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Strike of the Sailfish by Stephen L Moore.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

 

Double Take by Lynette Eason – Action Packed Suspense

 
I enjoy mystery and suspense novels and was excited to read Lynette Eason’s newest book Double Take.  This is the first book in her new Lake City Hero series.  This book will grab your attention from the get go. 

 

Lainie Jackson is a physician’s assistant at a hospital in Lake City, NC.  After stopping to check on a friend, Lainie headed to work on a rainy day.  A driver behind her was intent on passing and clipped her car which sent her car over the side of the mountain.  After calling 911, Lainie noticed a man peering over the edge of the road.  A man that looked like Adam, her former fiancé who was dead.  Or was he?

 

Detective James Cross and his partner, Cole Garrison responded to a domestic violence call.  James wants to do whatever it will take to get the children out of a very dangerous situation, including putting himself in the line of fire.  After sustaining injuries, James was taken to the hospital where he was treated by Lainie, his sister’s best friend.  Perhaps they can reconnect and help each other.

 

There was a lot going on in this story.  Lots of characters and relationships that were intertwined.  Some healthy and some not so good.  Both Lainie and James had a lot of baggage from their past, from family issues and PTSD that had left emotional scars.  It seemed like there some “blame the imperfect parents” that caused their children to have issues going on.  I don’t know any perfect families and life sure can be messy. 

 

Yet, I liked how Lainie was honest, straight forward, and respectful.  I appreciated how James evaluated how he had erred in his response to his father and how his father was willing to look at his own actions.  I liked the main characters, they seemed like decent, kind, and caring people.  They had good friends who were supportive and tried to be there for them, people they could trust.  I appreciated that Lainie did not do stupid things that unnecessarily put herself at risk and she was open to receiving help. 

 

The characters were likeable.  The storyline was a bit of a stretch on believability.  But I wanted to know whodunnit and why.  I liked how the characters grew and developed during the story.  There were some twists and turns, intense situations, and serious subject matters.  Topics like domestic violence, attempted murder, suicide, and dysfunctional families.  Faith was a small part of the story.  I would have like to have seen faith, trust and dependance upon God, and prayer more fully developed in the characters. 

 

If you like suspense and mystery, you may want to read Double Take by Lynette Eason.  I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading future books in the Lake City Hero series. 

 

I would like to thank Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Double Take by Lynette Eason.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.