Thank you to NetGalley, Sweet Lemon Press LLC and Ellie Alexander for the opportunity to read and review an Advanced Reader Copy of "Lost Coast Literary" expected to be released on March 29, 2022.  

This book is a perfect blend of reality and magic that captivates the reader with every turn of the page.  The first question that entered my mind when I commenced reading the book was: "is it possible that another author's writing style from a different era can be reincarnated in a modern-day author's work?" I truly believe this is possible for after reading the carefully etched, deliberate descriptions in Ms. Alexander's book, I immediately compared her to another engaging author that had a rare gift in bringing a story to life in vivid detail: Elizabeth Von Arnim (1866-1941).  Ironically, a few weeks ago I read Ms. Arnim's book, "The Enchanted April," written in the ripe old year of 1922... a book which still resonates today with countless readers across the globe because of the exquisite details she masterfully pens that paint moving pictures within the reader's mind.

And this is the exact writing gift that Ms. Alexander portrays in her own writing.  Her every word is a brush stroke, shifting the story from a mere book to a cinematographic vision etched in ink. The reader does not have to strain to envision what the author is trying to convey; the author does the work for you and so it invokes a pleasant, effortless read. 

Vivid descriptions contain the keys that open up the portal of the reader's mind that harbors imagination.  We can witness this in this book.  Emily's anguish in trying to carve her future, her love of all things literary which pulls her in every direction and is the epicenter driving her decisions, and her past and current family issues are palpable- the reader feels her dilemma through her countless self-analysis and never-ending questions. She feels abandoned by her extended family and is drowning in unanswered questions, carrying the weight of her uncertainty and lack of answers throughout her life. Her emotions are heightened. Strained. All these issues are now together, at the forefront of her thoughts and she must confront them.  She is at a crossroads- somewhere she does not want to be and this is expertly illustrated through Ms. Alexander's sweeping, yet controlled, descriptions.  We got inside Emily's head.

​We witness this gift of writing in vivid detail with the fantastic descriptions of "The Ballard" - the 'literary' mansion Ellie inherits from her grandmother and the paint-stroke, finely executed details of the village and it's community inhabitants.  These details 'connect' the reader to the unfolding story.  Without this, the reader loses interest in the characters and storyline and does not remain vested in the story to read it to the end.  This does not happen here. Ms. Alexander masterfully keeps her reader connected.

The "magical" element was a pleasant, refreshing twist to the story.  I was able to guess ahead of time what the outcome would be as the story unfolded but the author's writing kept me hooked.  The plot was evenly paced and flowed in time to the tone which was pleasant and blended with the descriptions. 

In summation, "Lost Coast Literary" was a cozy read and I stayed immersed in the story. I would be delighted to read Ms. Alexander's previous literary works and future ARCs. I do recommend this book be added to your TBR list.  All opinions in this review are my own.

Grading: 5/5

​You can find out more about the author,  Ellie Alexander, by visiting her delightful web page at:
Homepage » Ellie Alexander – Author, Writing Coach, and Speaker
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If you read a book, please remember to leave a review on any site of your choosing.  It acts as an incentive for other readers to purchase an author's book.  Writers are super appreciative of this kind act.

Book Reviewed:  "Lost Coast Literary;" (Advanced Reader Copy); Author: Ellie Alexander; Publisher: Sweet Lemon Press LLC; Expected Publication Date: March 29, 2022.

Book Blog Copyright (C) 2022  Mary-Lisa Russo

​Before I spill the contents of my thoughts regarding this book, kindly note I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review of "The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey."

I am not sure where to begin... My emotions are deeply touched by this poignant story wherein a Jewish mother had no choice but to leave her young daughter at a Catholic church during the Holocaust in order to protect her. The mother's dialogue with her daughter was gentle, heart-wrenching and I instantly knew this "game" she was trying to play with her daughter in order to lessen the blow of their imminent separation was setting me up for tears that would eventually silently spill from the corners of my eyes.  ​It is so very clear the mother-daughter separation was a bittersweet moment for them both.  

​​​I think a deeply powerful scene that poked holes in my heart was when little Lalka was kneeling on the ground and praying with her beads, clutching them to her as if they were a lifeline to protect her from her harrowing experience with the Nazis.  It is deeply disturbing to see what hate can do to another human being, instilling such anguish that it becomes pain personified, a palpable thing.  Empathy for others and resilience against the face of someone wishing to do you arm with their hate is taught here with a gentle, yet matter-of-fact hand, by the author.  

The illustrations within the book are a wonder to behold. The colors are muted and soft, pillow-like in their application as are the drawings and yet they are powerful at that same time. Skill and a deep understanding of the sensitive subject is conveyed here in superb balance.  The expressions of the characters reflect a wealth of emotions that are brimming with heartfelt sentiment.  Overall, the illustrations and the writing perfectly support one another in their respective parts in conveying the story's message quite beautifully.  There is a certain kind of soft elegance within the book that speaks volumes and brings its point across without any harshness in its delivery. The author brilliantly ends the story with a question from Lalka that is heavy with wisdom, leaving room for other discussions to ensue with children and/or adults long after the book is closed. 

This book is an instant, timeless classic that would appeal to young and adult readers alike. ​Kindly note this book is available for purchase on June 14, 2022 on a plethora of platforms.  I highly recommend this book for it's educational purpose and for the overall story that will steal your heart and run away with it.

​5/5

You can find out more about the author,  Pat Black-Gould, by visiting her delightful web page at:
Home - Pat Black-Gould (patblackgould.com)
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If you read a book, please remember to leave a review on any site of your choosing.  It acts as an incentive for other readers to purchase an author's book.  Writers are super appreciative of this kind act.

Book Reviewed:  "The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey;" (Advanced Review Copy); Author: Pat Black-Gould; Illustrator: Katya Royz; Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press; Publication Date: June 14, 2022.

Book Blog Copyright (C) 2022  Mary-Lisa Russo

Enchanting!  Mesmerizing!  Ultimately... spellbinding!
 
How else can one describe the written wonder that is "The Enchanted April," a classic novel written by the incomparable Elizabeth von Arnim in 1922, a novel that still has the ability to capture a reader's senses so fully it becomes an instant, never-to-be-forgotten, lifelong favorite for many readers several decades after being published! 

The characters, dialogue, setting and plot within this book are so equally well-developed they weave a mosaic of finely-knit ingredients that create the perfect recipe to formulate a stellar novel.  The characters are revealed like paint being chipped from a wall, a bit at a time, unveiling so much of the brewings within their mind and actions you cannot help but be transfixed.  

Take for instance this revealing line:

"How passionately she longed to be important to somebody again—not important on platforms, not important as an asset in an organization, but privately important, just to one other person, quite privately, nobody else to know or notice. It didn't seem much to ask in a world so crowded with people, just to have one of them, only one out of all the millions, to oneself. Somebody who needed one, who thought of one, who was eager to come to one—oh, oh how dreadfully one wanted to be precious!"

A flurry of emotions wanting to break free is evident here.  And this is just a minute example of the descriptive reflections portrayed from each character.  No one character and their thoughts are left mysterious in this book. There is a sweet, poignant longing to fully live life and love and be loved with all their hearts by the ladies in this book.  Their emotions are palpable, splattered on the page for you to revel in with every turn of the page.  Whatever the characters were experiencing in their lives and the dreams and hopes they aspired to- I felt it... all of it.

In addition, this quoted line conveys a classic connotation in that it can easily fit into today's society.  It is indeed timeless.  Anyone of us can feel like this at any time within our lives- longing to be "privately important"- not for the "mechanical" asset we can bring to an organization or platform but what we can bring of our true selves in authentic relationships we keep near and dear to our hearts in humble privacy. 

Another line strikes a poignant chord:

"Why couldn't two unhappy people refresh each other on their way through this dusty business of life by a little talk—real, natural talk, about what they felt, what they would have liked, what they still tried to hope?"

The setting was magical, so tangibly alive I could actually feel the soft breeze caress my own cheeks and imagine the scent of flowers and sea that lingered in the air. The vivid scenes permeated my own senses.  This descriptive paragraph says it all:

"The ripples of the sea made little gurgling noises at their feet. They screwed up their eyes to be able to look into the blaze of light beyond the shade of their tree. The hot smell from the pine-needles and from the cushions of wild thyme that padded the spaces between the rocks, and sometimes a smell of pure honey from a clump of warm irises up behind them in the sun, puffed across their faces. Very soon Mrs. Wilkins took her shoes and stockings off, and let her feet hang in the water. After watching her a minute Mrs. Arbuthnot did the same. Their happiness was then complete."

My heart was elated... my soul was transported to that beautiful vacation spot skillfully depicted by the author.  I felt like I was right there in Italy, in a world teeming with visual beauty, color and a hearty abundance of hope.  A world where dreams can turn into reality just by sight and breathing in the air.  This is magic skillfully, yet naturally,  etched by the author.  Words flowed into cinematic scenes that unraveled within the mind.  The spot-on extent of this writing perfection is rare.  Incomparable.  

There is no doubt... I am gushing for I was quite simply and irrevocably... "enchanted."
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5/5

You can find out more about the author, Elizabeth von Arnim, by visiting this delightful web page:
Elizabeth von Arnim – The International Society Devoted to Scholarship on Elizabeth von Arnim (elizabethvonarnimsociety.org)
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If you read a book, please remember to leave a review on any site of your choosing.  It acts as an incentive for other readers to purchase an author's book.  Writers are super appreciative of this kind act.

Book Reviewed: "The Enchanted April;" author: Elizabeth von Arnim; written in 1922

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Book Blog Copyright (C) 2022  Mary-Lisa Russo

The written information within this book is rich in detail, a true "companion" to Mr. Giampaolo's "Hampshire Stories Series."  I have read both previous books in the series: "Hampshire Stories: A Collection of Tales Set in 19th-century England (The Hampshire Stories Series) and "The Farmer's Daughter: A Regency Romance (The Hampshire Stories Series)," so I can convey that "The Reader's Companion..." is a perfect accompaniment to the series.  I particularly enjoyed learning the meaning of words I never heard of such as 'redingote' and 'burnous' and being privy to other informative tidbits from that era that rendered me much more educated.

This book serves as a desirous read for both a writer and a reader as:

1.) it serves as a plethora of information a writer can refer to when researching their own book set in the 19th-century.  It is that detailed and accurate in its rendition; and,
2.) it serves as an informative book for the average reader who simply wishes to be casually entertained with the history and traditions of the 19th-century.

I found myself delighted by the section of the book paying homage to all the wonderful writers that came out of that time period.  It makes for a wonderful reference list of authors.​

I read the e-book and paperback versions of this book.  My interest was held reading it twice.  I was privy to both experiences and I can honestly convey to you that whichever version you may choose to obtain, I enjoyed the book.  If, however, you are a reader who prefers or appreciates colored pictures in a book, then the paperback version is for you. I am very glad I have a copy of the paperback version. Such diligent care and accuracy is depicted in this book I can only describe the final result as a masterpiece... exquisite... with special attention paid to visual details. The photos, the descriptions and references, the neatly laid out Table of Contents and ultimately, the formatting of the book as a whole is spot on, conveying nothing but a professionalism that is yearned for by a discerning reader.

As this book riveted all my senses with its well-rounded execution, I can convey it deserves a 5/5 grading and nothing less.

You can find out more about the author, Joe Giampaolo, by visiting his Author Page at:
Amazon.com: Joe Giampaolo: Books, biography, log, audiobooks, Kindle
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If you read a book, please remember to leave a review on any site of your choosing.  It acts as an incentive for other readers to purchase an author's book.  Writers are super appreciative of this kind act.

Book Reviewed: "The Reader's Companion To The Hampshire Stories Series- Illustrated;" Author & Publisher: Joe Giampaolo; Publication Date: January 5, 2022
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Book Blog Copyright (C) 2022  Mary-Lisa Russo