I discovered author, Tess Thompson, in August, 2021, and after reading the first few chapters of "The School Mistress of Emerson Pass," I added her to my personal list of favorite authors.  I recall I stumbled upon this book by chance, suggested by a fellow Goodreads reviewer on my "friends" list.   I purchased this book for my Kindle reader on a gut feeling and reading another reviewer's opinion and I am glad I did.  

The book cover is absolutely lovely.  Although the lady on the cover is facing away, her stance and the stunning blue dress is breathtakingly beautiful.  Not being able to see her face ignites the reader's own imagination.  I immediately gravitated to the book and stopped to read the review. One can never doubt the power of an enticing book cover to draw the reader in.

Set in Colorado, 1920, "The School Mistress of Emerson Pass" is a historical, sweet romance that exudes a coziness that had me tucking fluffy blankets around me in bed as I read it late at night. It really set the mood and the reading mood is such an important part of me when I read. I adore cozy, sweet romances with slow burning attraction between the main characters and this delivered. 

Female, main character, Quinn Cooper, is instantly loveable, exuding a nurturing personality that connects with the reader.  She takes on employment as a teacher in a frontier town away from her hometown of Boston in order to provide for her mother and younger sister. Needless to say, they are all struggling financially. Her journey as a lone woman was not an easy one and I won't give away some things that happened along the way that basically placed in her in the male, main character's arms once she arrived in town. 

Lord Alexander Barnes is the father of 5 children whom he adores.  He is widowed (once again, I will not reveal particulars so as not to spoil the story).  Alexander is a powerful man who is appreciated by his children and his household staff.  He is a self-made man, having built the school in which Quinn teaches at and in fact, helped build this town with his finances and fortitude. He takes a protective stance towards Quinn and cannot help but fall for her caring nature and is keenly aware of her budding relationships with himself, his children and his household staff. The main characters develop a blossoming attraction for one another that builds throughout the storyline. 

The pace is relaxed and although it is deemed a sweet romance, there are some significant issues enveloped within the story such as difficult tensions with an inter-racial relationship, a murder, the fact that (during that time period) a woman must not deign to venture out on her own without male protection... the author weaves these perfectly into the storyline.  There are prefect moments, then there are tense scenes like these that bring a realism to her story as we see much of this reflect in real life: the highs and the lows that balance our own lives.  Yin and yang. Give and take.  Nothing and no one is perfect but we find a way to carve our happiness and brightness against whatever obstacle is thrown our way. We keep marching forward, pulling out those weeds and life lives on.

I got a wonderful sense of family in this book and its importance.  To stand united against any negative threats. To nurture and protect one another. To fill a home with positivity and support.  It is something we all strive for and so we can connect with what the author is so astutely delivering.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is wholesome... like cookies and milk.  Highly recommended.

This is probably one of the most difficult reviews I have ever written.  My tears revealed themselves more and more as each page was read. I literally stopped breathing at some points and I felt my heart crack and then shatter into multiple pieces and as I kept moving forward, reading to the end of the book, I felt as though all those shattered pieces of my heart were being gingerly sewn back together with a needle and thread and shaking hand.
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The knowledge that this book is a factual rendition, made it so much more poignant for me. I cried and had to stop reading it a few times.

The book is meticulously written.  It revolves around the true story of the author’s husband, Mike’s, heart wrenching experience with pancreatic cancer. Holly Rose Holland compartmentalizes her husband’s cancer journey from his pre-diagnosis, his cancer treatment, his death and the grieving family’s attempt to cope and move forward, bereft of a central figure in their family. As a reader, you witnessed this journey in full circle, keenly aware of the seriousness of receiving a high stage cancer diagnosis and the stressful, devastating, rippling effect it has on the cancer patient as well as caregivers, family and friends.

At the end of the book, the author also added some helpful charts for the reader to fill out when the time comes. It shows her giving nature in wanting to provide help to others who may feel lost in their own traumatic journey.

The book does break your heart.  And yet, the author does her best to empower the reader, to give hope, to encourage the griever to embrace that to keep “moving forward” in your own life journey is not only permitted, but naturally essential to do so. I think that is something we all struggle with…how to move forward when your world is shattered, be it because of a death, a job loss, lifestyle change, chronic illness diagnosis or anything else that may devastate and disrupt your world.   This is an excellent book to give anyone hope and strength to weather any of life’s perfect storms.

I recommend this soul-searching book.  It is triggering and empowering at the same time. If you are personally experiencing your own trauma, I hope you are blessed with hope and the will to “keep moving” forward. Every moment is precious and counts.
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Thank you, Holly Rose Holland, for this poignant book that it is clear to see, came straight from your heart.

You can connect with Holly and learn more about her by visiting her website at: hollyroseholland.com.

​I was not requested to do this review. I did it of my own volition, volunteering my views in an effort to bring the author and potential readers together.

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: "Keep Moving: Creating A Life Afer Loss;" Author: Holly Rose Holland; Publisher: Sapphire Seashore Press; 2021

Book Blog Copyright (C) 2021  Mary-Lisa Russo ​

I purchased this short story compilation in early August and completed reading it on September 3, 2021. I read it in small spurts as it’s been a busy month. (Note: It would have been a much quicker read if time permitted it.)

I am in love with the book cover!  It completely drew me in and prepared me for the fantastical stories that transpired within the book.  It made me feel like something chilling and suspenseful is about to transpire.  Great cover choice!

I am happy to report that I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The stories are fantasy driven, brimming with suspense. This is perfect for summer time reading.  It’s a great compilation wherein three authors come together to create an entertaining book. I appreciate each of their efforts. All three authors exhibited strong writing although R.M. Carpus’s work has a certain pull to it as even though it’s  fictional fantasy, there is a sense of realism to her writing that draws the reader into the worlds she created.  Rosemary Lane really stood out for me.  Her other writings in the book are compelling, too.

I did not take the contents within the book seriously so I guess that is why I enjoyed it.  I let my imagination take flight which engrossed me in the book. I believe this is what the authors intended.  I read the book outdoors in the evenings so it added to the suspenseful tone of the stories.  They are short stories so if you have little reading time to spare, you are able to take in a story or two from beginning to end. I recommend this book for your reading pleasure.

• You can acquire a copy of "Through The Woods: (Short Story Collection, Volume One): Whimsical Worlds Chilling Thrills and Magical Tales" via Amazon Canada by clicking HERE  and Amazon USA by clicking HERE.​​

I was not requested to do this review. I did it of my own volition, volunteering my views in an effort to bring the author and potential readers together.

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: Through The Woods: (Short Story Collection, Volume One): Whimsical Worlds Chilling Thrills and Magical Tales; Kindle Edition; Authors: D.M. Million, R.M. Carpus & C.C. Givans

Book Blog Copyright (C) 2021  Mary-Lisa Russo ​