Women In History Books: Beautiful Invention A Novel Of Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr in The Heavenly Body 1944.jpgDid you know if not for a movie star we would not have WiFi and GPS now? No? Then you need to read about Hedy Lamarr.
Lamarr was a beauty that captured the screen but what captured her heart was inventions. She loved to design and come up with items that she thought would benefit her beloved adopted country, The United States. It is estimated she requested some hundred patents over her lifetime but the one that matters the most was U.S. Patent 2,292,387 which reads as Subject-matter directed to cryptographic mechanisms involving encryption effected by mechanical apparatus, as rotating cams, switches or key-tape punchers.”
Lamarr stared in some 30 movies which led her to meet Howard Hughes. Hughes funded many of her inventions and ideas because “it made her happy”.
This is a woman who little girls should learn of and look up to. She was beautiful outside but also had a mind that gave the world what we now use every moment of every day. Gal Gadot is set to play her for Apple TV+ soon.
To get a taste of Hedy Lamarr’s life you can read about her on Wikipedia here.

Amazon Link

“But I don’t regret anything. I learned a lot.” —Hedy Lamarr

Hollywood Beauty. Brilliant inventor. The incredible story of a remarkable and misunderstood woman.
Hedy Kiesler, Austrian actress of Jewish heritage, scandalizes Europe with her nudity in the art film Ecstasy. Her hasty marriage to a wealthy munitions merchant disintegrates as he grows increasingly controlling and possessive. Even worse—he supplies deadly weapons to Hitler’s regime.
She flees husband and homeland for Hollywood, where Louis B. Mayer transforms her into Hedy Lamarr, an icon of exotic glamour. Professional success clashes with her personal life as marriage and motherhood compete with the demands of studio and stardom.
Motivated by the atrocities of World War II, Hedy secretly invents a new technology intended for her adopted country’s defense—and unexpectedly changes the world.

Kimberly reviews Danger In Numbers by Heather Graham

TITLE: Danger In Numbers
CHARACTERS: Amy Larson & Hunter Forrest
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/23/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On the edge of the Everglades, an eerie crime scene sets off an investigation that sends two agents deep into a world of corrupted faith, greed and deadly secrets.

A ritualistic murder on the side of a remote road brings in the Florida state police. Special Agent Amy Larson has never seen worse, and there are indications that this killing could be just the beginning. The crime draws the attention of the FBI in the form of Special Agent Hunter Forrest, a man with insider knowledge of how violent cults operate, and a man who might never be able to escape his own past.

The rural community is devastated by the death in their midst, but people know more than they are saying. As Amy and Hunter join forces, every lead takes them further into the twisted beliefs of a dangerous group that will stop at nothing to see their will done.

Doomsday preppers and small-town secrets collide in this sultry, twisty page-turning thriller.

REVIEW:
I am a big fan of Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series and most of her other stories as well. So I am always happy to pick up a Heather Graham story. But this one was just ok for me.

I love the suspense part. And being from Florida I loved hearing all the places and lore of the state. Graham has a way of bringing you into her stories with the real history that surrounds the area she is writing about. But the romance was a bit dry in this story.

I do not know what it was but I guess I never connected with Amy or Hunter because I just wanted to get back to the meat of the story and be done with the fluff.

The religious part of the story I found interesting. I have never been fond of the cult stories but this had a bit of a different aspect to the story. The murder was one that you wanted to help Amy and Hunter find the suspect.

All in all a good story from Graham just not one of her best.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Kimberly reviews Win by Harlon Coben

TITLE: Win
SERIES #: Windsor Horne Lockwood III #1
CHARACTERS: Windsor Horne Lockwood III
AUTHOR: Harlan Coben
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/16/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The new novel from Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author and creator of The Stranger on Netflix.

From a #1 New York Times bestselling author comes this thrilling story that shows what happens when a dead man’s secrets fall into the hands of vigilante antihero—drawing him down a dangerous road.

Over twenty years ago, the heiress Patricia Lockwood was abducted during a robbery of her family’s estate, then locked inside an isolated cabin for months. Patricia escaped, but so did her captors — and the items stolen from her family were never recovered.

Until now. On the Upper West Side, a recluse is found murdered in his penthouse apartment, alongside two objects of note: a stolen Vermeer painting and a leather suitcase bearing the initials WHL3. For the first time in years, the authorities have a lead — not only on Patricia’s kidnapping, but also on another FBI cold case — with the suitcase and painting both pointing them toward one man.

Windsor Horne Lockwood III — or Win, as his few friends call him — doesn’t know how his suitcase and his family’s stolen painting ended up with a dead man. But his interest is piqued, especially when the FBI tells him that the man who kidnapped his cousin was also behind an act of domestic terrorism — and that the conspirators may still be at large. The two cases have baffled the FBI for decades, but Win has three things the FBI doesn’t: a personal connection to the case; an ungodly fortune; and his own unique brand of justice.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Ok so here is the thing. This is a new series but we met Win throughout the previous books by Harlan Coben. But even though we have met him this starts a new series about him so his back stories are available. You just have a better idea of Win if you have read the other books.

Now what I will tell you about Win is he is an A$$! He is everything the stereotypical rich white man. And he cares about very little.

The one thing I enjoy about Harlon Cobin’s books is the humor. Yes there is suspense but the thing that makes his books worth reading is the humor.

I am very excited to learn more about Win and see if there is anything worthy of liking him since we now get to read from his point of view.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

Women In History Books: Madam President The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson

As America made history with the first female VP did you know that secretly we already had a female president? Well sorta.
I have always found the story behind Edith Wilson interesting. When President Wilson suffered a stroke he was bedridden and his loving wife did what she needed to do. She stepped up and became President, at least in duty only. Edith Wilson performed Woodrow Wilson’s daily tasks unless they were of high importance to which she brought the information to the President.
She kept the secret from the people of the United States and even most of his cabinet. She didn’t do this for her own glory or to prove a woman COULD do it but because the country needed a leader and her husband had been chosen to lead the people. And she would not allow the people to be let down.

Amazon Link

Edith Wilson was the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson and served as First Lady of the United States from 1915 to 1921. She married the widower Wilson in December 1915, during his first term as president. Edith Wilson played an influential role in President Wilson’s administration following the severe stroke he suffered in October 1919. For the remainder of her husband’s presidency, she managed the office of the president, a role she later described as a “stewardship,” and determined which communications and matters of state were important enough to bring to the attention of the bedridden president.

Kimberly reviews Search For Her by Rick Mofina

TITLE: Search For Her
CHARACTERS: The Jarrett Family
AUTHOR: Rick Mofina
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/10/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A missing daughter, a family with secrets, a race for the truth…

At a truck stop near Las Vegas, fourteen-year-old Riley Jarrett vanishes from her family’s RV, turning their cross-country dream of starting over into a nightmare.

Investigators have their work cut out for them. The massive, bustling truck plaza in the desert is the perfect place for someone to disappear—or be taken.

Detectives pursue every chilling lead as all eyes fall to the newly blended family with a tragic past. With the clock ticking down on the likelihood that Riley’s alive, suspicions run deep. Everyone—from Riley’s mom to her stepdad to her stepbrother and her ex-boyfriend—has something to hide. And their secrets could prove deadly.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts First you should know that Mofina has a unique way of writing. If you are a fan you can delve right into this story. If you haven’t read him before it may take a little time to mesh but you will not be disappointed.

This book had me wanting to stay up late and yet it was one I would fall asleep trying to figure out what was going on. Riley is a pain in the butt and so moody and as a mom of a teenager she is the poster child for teenager attitude so you would think you wouldn’t really care about her but then she is only 14 and, again, as a mom of a teenager I felt every feeling the family of Riley had.

So much happens. A number of times I thought I had it down and then the book would go a different direction. I ended up sorta figuring out who but never got the why until I was reading the ending. And those are the books I enjoy.

Another great read from Mofina. Pick it up but be ready to be entranced.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Lightning Game by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Lightning Game
SERIES #: GhostWalkers #17
CHARACTERS: Rubin & Jonquille
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/02/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Uninhibited passion meets spine-chilling danger in this thrilling GhostWalker novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Danger and passion fuse in this electrifying GhostWalker novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

GhostWalker Rubin Campo’s rough upbringing made him into the man he is today: strong, steadfast and wary of outsiders. When he and his brother return to their family’s homestead in the Appalachian Mountains, he can immediately sense that a stranger has taken up residence in their cabin—a woman who just happens to be a GhostWalker too.

Jonquille looks deceptively delicate but is clearly a fighter. She also doesn’t seem to care that Rubin could kill her where she stands. She sought him out, wanting to connect on their shared interest in electrical charges. As one of the first failed GhostWalker experiments, Jonquille can produce lightning with her body—but she can’t control it.

Their connection is magnetic, their abilities in sync. Rubin knows she’s his match, the answer to a lifetime of pain and intense loneliness. But Jonquille came to him with hidden intentions, ones that threaten to destroy their bond before it can truly begin.…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Christine Feehan is one of my go-to’s because I know I will get a wonderful read and this books is exactly why I fell in love with her books.

This is finally Rubin’s story. Seems like we have waited forever for his story. Rubin is in team 4 of the Ghostwalkers. They are the best but they do have abilities the SEALS will never have. But while his whole team has some kind of power Rubin may be one of the rarest of all. He is a psychic doctor, of which there are only 2 in the world.

Jonquille is one of Whitney’s first orphan girls groups that he designed to be unique and she has her own powers. So when she and Rubin connect the power is unstoppable.

One of the best things about Feehan’s books is the connections everyone has. The connection between Rubin and Jonquille is intense but the connection Rubin has with his team is just as well.

I love Feehan’s books and while 17 books in the same series may seem like a lot each one is a story that should not be missed. Bring on 18!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

Women In History Books: Storyteller by Dolly Parton

Say the name Dolly Parton and everyone knows who she is. You don’t have to be a fan of country music to know the name or her music. Older generations grew up listening to 9to5, Jolene and more. The younger generation may know her from movies and Whitney Houston’s version of “I will always love you”. But this woman is more than music. She is an enterprise unto herself.
She grew up poor, learned to play guitar, became a side gig to Porter Wagoner and then broke into movies. But Dolly Parton is generous and smart. There is no “dumb blonde” when it comes to Dolly.
Let’s start with Dollywood. Everyone know the theme park but what some do not know is she built the theme park in her hometown area to help the Tennessee people who were struggling to find work. If not for Dolly Pigeon Forge would not be a thriving vacation spot and the people of Eastern Tennessee wouldn’t have the opportunities that they do. And as a fan the park is one that should not be missed.
Dolly is generous and when the fires hit the Gatlinburg area a few years ago she donated generously to help but also asked her friends in the music industry to help out which they did.
She donated a million dollars to the Covid-19 vaccine company trying to help the country.
And let’s not forget the Imagination Library. This non-profit was started by Dolly to give books to kids from her hometown that couldn’t get to books but has grown to support the whole country. You can go to her website and if there is a distribution person in your area a child will get free books from birth to the age of 5 every month. And it is free.
Dolly Parton is one of richest women and yet probably one of the most down home southern ladies. My sister and I got to see her interview and do some singing and story telling a few years ago and it was incredible.
Dolly does it all and she does it with her blonde wig perfectly done and high heels ready to kick a little dust up. And this book tells you about her songs and what brought her to the words and the music that we all love. And she is certainly a woman who should be celebrated this Women’s History Month.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics is a landmark celebration of the remarkable life and career of a country music and pop culture legend.
As told by Dolly Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Dolly Parton’s personal and business archives.
Mining over 60 years of songwriting, Dolly Parton highlights 175 of her songs and brings readers behind the lyrics.
• Packed with never-before-seen photographs and classic memorabilia
• Explores personal stories, candid insights, and myriad memories behind the songs
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics reveals the stories and memories that have made Dolly a beloved icon across generations, genders, and social and international boundaries.
Containing rare photos and memorabilia from Parton’s archives, this book is a show-stopping must-have for every Dolly Parton fan.
• Learn the history behind classic Parton songs like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” and more.
• The perfect gift for Dolly Parton fans (everyone loves Dolly!) as well as lovers of music history and country

Kimberly reviews Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

TITLE: Every Last Fear
CHARACTERS: Matt Pine
AUTHOR: Alex Finlay
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/02/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In one of the year’s most anticipated debut psychological thrillers, a family made infamous by a true crime documentary is found dead, leaving their surviving son to uncover the truth about their final days.

“They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces the fate of the Pine family, a thriller that will both leave you on the edge of your seat and move you to tears.

After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family—his mom, his dad, his little brother and sister—have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident, but the FBI and State Department seem far less certain—and they won’t tell Matt why.

The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn’t the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny—currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte—was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted. Though the country has rallied behind Danny, Matt holds a secret about his brother that he’s never told anyone: the night Charlotte was killed Matt saw something that makes him believe his brother is guilty of the crime.

When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he’s faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he’d hoped to leave behind forever. Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny’s case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison—putting his own life in peril—and forcing him to confront his every last fear.

Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, Alex Finlay’s Every Last Fear is not only a page-turning thriller, it’s also a poignant story about a family managing heartbreak and tragedy, and living through a fame they never wanted.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Wow what a start to what I am sure will be an incredible writing career. If this isn’t made into a movie, at least a NetFlix original, I will be surprised.

Finlay really has a lot of twists and turns. I could tell you about what happens but the synopsis really does a good job of explaining what happens but what it does not do is tell you how great of a story Finlay wrote. This book has so much more than I expected. It had me not wanting to sleep so I could read more and dinners were late needing to read one more chapter.

This story has everything a fan of suspense could want. A great character, angst, surprises and so much more. If a reader is disappointed in this book I have no idea what more they could want.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts