As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her big brother; she still had her home. She had a normal teenager’s life.

Now Salama volunteers at a hospital in Homs, helping the wounded who flood through the doors daily. Secretly, though, she is desperate to find a way out of her beloved country before her sister-in-law, Layla, gives birth. So desperate, that she has manifested a physical embodiment of her fear in the form of her imagined companion, Khawf, who haunts her every move in an effort to keep her safe.

But even with Khawf pressing her to leave, Salama is torn between her loyalty to her country and her conviction to survive. Salama must contend with bullets and bombs, military assaults, and her shifting sense of morality before she might finally breathe free. And when she crosses paths with the boy she was supposed to meet one fateful day, she starts to doubt her resolve in leaving home at all.

Soon, Salama must learn to see the events around her for what they truly are—not a war, but a revolution—and decide how she, too, will cry for Syria’s freedom. 

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published September 13th 2022 

by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

5/5 stars

This is a book I recently received through the Book of the Month club, of which I am trying really hard to stay on top of, to not create a backlog. 

I'll just say that I don't feel my words can adequately reflect how I feel about this book.  I'm putting a link to the Goodreads page, be sure to check out the author's review (comments), it's the first one. Her words are definitely worth a read and hopefully inspire you to pick this one up.
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Told from the POV of 18 year old Salama, showcases the heartbreaking events that took place during the revolution in Syria. What I loved about this story is the author notes and how she used real events to tell Salama's story.  A story that was was raw and at times hard to read, needless to say this is a story that will stay with me for a while.

Salama is an interesting character. Being a teen, only one year of formal education as a Pharmacist is forced into situations she was neither trained for or emotionally ready to handle. This was such a well written story, I had a hard time putting it down.  Her courage to survive in war torn Syria while alone was gripping.  There was many aspects causing a wide range of emotions. 

The other thing is this is Zoulfa Katouh's debut, oh my, can't wait to see wait to see what she writes next.

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grows is an emotional story that is well written, well researched, and showcases human resilience and hope. Hope is what shines through when all appears to be lost.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #90, also my last book of 2022.

Review: The Mourning Ring by Sarah Parke

 Sixteen-year-old Charlotte Bronte lives to tell stories. She longs to improve her fortunes through her writing. Charlotte’s father expects her to leave behind her childish fantasies in order to set an example for her three younger siblings.

 But the Bronte children hold a secret in their veins—a smidgen of fairy blood that can bring their words to life.

 When Charlotte discovers that the characters from their childish stories exist in an alternate world called Glass Town, she jumps at the opportunity to be the heroine of her own tale.

 The city of Angria teeters on the brink of civil war and Charlotte and her siblings must use their magic and their wits to save its people from a tyrant with magic abilities. But entering the fictional world means forfeiting control of their own creations. If they fail, the characters they have come to know and love will be destroyed.

 Charlotte is determined to save the city and characters she loves, but when the line between creator and character becomes blurred, will she choose her fantasy or her family?

Publication Date: October 10, 2016 

CreateSpace eBook & Paperback; 350 Pages 

Genre: Young Adult/Historical Fantasy

    

   READ AN EXCERPT. 

****

The Mourning Ring is not your average book about Charlotte Bronte.  I will be totally honest here and say I have never read any books written by a Bronte, it isn't for lack of desire but rather lack of time.  I jumped at the chance to review this one and my sincere apologies for being late with my review.  

Charlotte Bronte is only 16 years old returning home from school. Stories are not just in her blood but her siblings as well, together they have created the world of Glass Town.   This wasn't your average magical adventure but rather a story of deception, intrigue and kinda whimsically.  I was drawn in with rich descriptions and a story both captivating and a wonderful introduction to the Bronte's.

The synopsis above gives a wonderful description of this book and for fear of giving away any part of this charming story I won't say too much.  Angria is a creation of the Bronte's and they face a terrible dilemma now.  The author's writing style was engaging and a pleasure to read.

The Mourning Ring is a solid debut by Sarah Parke, it is a great mix of historical fiction, adventure and fantasy. Targeted for a young adult audience, I quite enjoyed it.

Thank you to HFVBT for the invite to be part of this tour, I love discovering new authors that I might have missed otherwise.

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Sarah Parke writes fantasy and historical fiction (sometimes at the same time) for young adult readers and those young at heart. She has a MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from the University of Southern Maine's Stonecoast MFA program. Her work has been published internationally, most recently in the July 2015 issue of The Writer magazine.

For more information, please visit Sarah Parke's website.

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Waiting on Wednesday: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill  at  Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.   

 This week I am waiting for:

 

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: February 2nd 2016 by Philomel Books

The author of Between Shades of Gray returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival. 


What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill  at  Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. 

  

 This week I am waiting for:

 

 (I can't decide which cover I like best)

Hardcover, 432 pages

Expected publication: March 1st 2016 by HMH Books for Young Readers

When fragile, sixteen-year-old Hope Walton loses her mom to an earthquake overseas, her secluded world crumbles. Agreeing to spend the summer in Scotland, Hope discovers that her mother was more than a brilliant academic, but also a member of a secret society of time travelers. Trapped in the twelfth century in the age of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Hope has seventy-two hours to rescue her mother and get back to their own time. Along the way, her path collides with that of a mysterious boy who could be vital to her mission . . . or the key to Hope’s undoing.      Addictive, romantic, and rich with historical detail, Into the Dim is an Outlander for teens.

"Instantly engaging, constantly suspenseful, ultimately poignant and satisfying" --DIANA GABALDON, author of OUTLANDER

"Book II:An Into The Dim Novel" comes out Spring 2017 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

What are you waiting for?

Review: Beautiful Goodbye by Nancy Runstedler

Maggie's life has been anything but easy lately. So when her best friend Gillian discovers a Ouija board in the attic, it's a welcome relief. While they'd rather be at the mall than babysitting Maggie's brother Cole, the girls figure it will be a fun way to spend a Saturday -- asking questions about boys and other teenage dilemmas. After all, it's just a game. Or is it?

Thinking nothing could possibly go wrong, the kids dive in, eager to test the new game, but discover the board will change their lives in ways they couldn't have imagined. The trio ends up with more than they bargained for and are thrust into a whirlwind journey. One from which they might never return, if they aren't careful.

Paperback, 152 pages

Published August 20th 2012 by Dundurn 

**** 

Lately I seem to be reading more Young Adult HF, which is what Beautiful Goodbye is.  Written by Canadian author  Nancy Runstedler, this was released in 2012 - the publisher very gracious provided me with an arc (via Netgalley) for review.  My sincere apologies for not reviewing this little gem sooner.

At first I wasn't sure what to expect but it didn't take long to be immersed in this story.  There were times I found it to be a little choppy, some scenes not fully developed as it could have been.  But aside from that I found this to be an emotional and addictive read.  It's relatively short (152 pages) and I could not put it down.  The author made me care for Maggie, Cole and Hope, the things they have gone through and what the future holds.  The synopsis doesn't give too many details about the book (which I love) so I won't expound on that.  It wasn't an easy road they traveled, especially during the early part of WW I, but it was a journey that each of them had to face.  The story itself was intriguing and unique.  

"Maggie's last thoughts before exhaustion claimed her were that her grief felt like an earthquake.  The intial blow devastated everything in it's path.  You grouped together, trying to recover and move on, even if it meant you'd lost the things most important to you.  But when you least expected it, an after shock would hit.  It might be days, it might be months or years.  Maggie knew whenever those tremors did hit she would not be alone and she would survive them."

 

Review/Giveaway: Spirit of the Highway (Highway Trilogy, Book II) by Deborah Swift

England 1651.

England has been engaged in a bitter Civil War for nearly ten years. Ralph Chaplin, a farmer’s son, has fallen for beautiful copper-haired Kate. There is only one problem – he is a Roundhead soldier and she is a Royalist lady.

Tired of bloodshed, Ralph volunteers to fight, sensing that the Battle at Worcester will be a chance to finish the fighting for good. He longs for peace, so he can forge a secure future and find a different, more equal way of life for himself and Kate.

But war is not what he imagined, and soon he has made a deadly enemy; one who will pursue Ralph and those he loves, and wreak vengeance. What’s more, Ralph finds he has just as many enemies at home, as on the battlefield.

Told by Ralph’s ghost, Spirit of the Highway is the stand-alone second part of the Highway Trilogy based on the real life and legend of Lady Katherine Fanshawe, highwaywoman and heiress.

Publication Date: September 30, 2015

Endeavor Press

eBook & Paperback; 292 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Young Adult

  I was very excited to hear  the sequel to Shadow on the Highway was in the works, especially that my wait wouldn't be long.  Deborah Swift is a favorite of mine, her books The Lady's Slipper, The Gilded Lily and A Divided Inheritance were books that I really enjoyed.  They took me to another place and time, had me totally captivated, hence why I was excited to find out Spirit of the Highway was being released. 

The Highway Trilogy is YA, it's a genre that lacks really good historical fiction - those with not just a good story but that you can lean the time period in an enjoyable and entertaining fashion.  Spirit of the Highway is the 2nd book in the series.  It definitely works as a stand alone, but I recommend book one, Shadow on the Highway, just because it's really good and tells the story of Abigail which I found very interesting.

Spirit on the Highway is told from the POV of Ralph, his spirit that is.  At first I thought what a unique prospective until I finally grasped what that meant.  It really is a different approach, though at times I forgot about the spirit and then waited for a miracle of some sorts.  It wasn't until I was reading the authors note that I really appreciated this POV.  More on those notes shortly.

There were a variety of characters here, some I liked and others not so much.  With different and unique personalities Swift skillfully wove a story showing the various repercussions of war.  From those that fought, those left behind, those on a mission for themselves along with the women left behind to struggle on their own.  This book didn't hold much back in the way of details back in 1651, not just the struggles and hardships endured but a bleak future as well.  Her knowledge of this time is evident here and her writing style makes it easy to get absorbed in the story.

The Authors Notes explains that Katherine Fanshawe is a real historical figure which adds more life to this story.  In regards ghosts/spirits Deborah Swift wrote a few pages entitled 'Ghosts of the Seventeenth Century' which I found just as interesting as the book and has me looking forward to the next/final installment in this series, Lady of the Highway (set for a 2016 release).

Though YA I feel this series would be enjoyed by adults as well.

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

 

Praise for Deborah Swift

“The past comes alive through impeccable research, layers of intriguing plot line, an understanding of the complexities of 17th century politics and the sheer power of descriptive prose.” -Lancashire Evening Post
“characters you can really get interested in” -The Mum website

 

Praise for Shadow on the Highway (Book One, Highway Trilogy)

“Shadow on the Highway is an awesome work of YA historical fiction. It is definitely my new favorite Deborah Swift book!” -So Many Books So Little Time Blog

“Swift brings layers of historical and imaginative detail to her stories and I highly recommend as a light read for any adult and for teenagers interested into foraying into historical fiction.” -Hook of a Book Blog

“Shadow on the Highway is an exciting peek into the English Civil War from both sides of the fighting… I very much look forward to the next two books in this trilogy!” -Historical Tapestry


Deborah Swift is the author of three previous historical novels for adults, The Lady’s Slipper, The Gilded Lily, and A Divided Inheritance, all published by Macmillan/St Martin’s Press, as well as the Highway Trilogy for teens (and anyone young at heart!). Her first novel was shortlisted for the Impress prize for new novelists.

She lives on the edge of the beautiful and literary English Lake District – a place made famous by the poets Wordsworth and Coleridge.

 

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 26

Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, October 27

Review at Book Nerd

Spotlight & Excerpt at Let Them Read Books

Wednesday, October 28

Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Thursday, October 29

Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Monday, November 2

Review at The Maiden’s Court

Tuesday, November 3

Spotlight & Excerpt at Brooke Blogs

Thursday, November 5

Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Friday, November 6

Review at Bookramblings

Review at Just One More Chapter

Guest Post at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Giveaway

To win a signed paperback of Spirit of the Highway please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below. Three copies up for grabs!
Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on November 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.


Spirit of the Highway