REVIEW: The Gazebo by Emily Grayson

I found this book kind of by accident while searching for a different book on Amazon a couple of weeks ago. It sounded so good that I went to look and see if my library had it. They didn't, but they agreed to inter-library loan it for me. :)

The story revolves around Martin Rayfiel and Claire Swift. They meet in a gazebo in the centre of their hometown in 1952, and it's basically love at first sight. From that point on, they are practically inseparable.

Unfortunately, Martin comes from wealth, and Claire doesn't, so both of their families forbid them to continue seeing each other. Of course, that only pushes the two young lovers to want to be together more. So, they run off to Europe together, and make plans to marry.

But, life gets in the way before they can get married... and they end up separated for life. But, they promise to love each other always, and to meet each other on their anniversary at the Gazebo.

A sweet, sweet story that was so very well written... I couldn't believe it when I read in the back that this was the author's first book! She did an amazing job! She had me in tears by the end of the book! :-?

Highly recommended! This one was just put on my Top 10 list for this year. ;)

Rated: A+

REVIEW: The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff

I discovered this novel a couple of weeks ago, while browsing through Chapters bookstore. I wrote down the title, and then came home and checked to see if the library had it ~ they did. So, I told myself I'd take it out and read it at a later date.

Then, in the library last week, I had gone in to just drop off a book or two, and decided, "What the heck, I'll have a look through the shelves and see if anything catches my eye". Whatdoyaknow, this book was standing up on one of the shelves, facing out, and almost calling to me! I couldn't believe it was right there! I didn't even have to order it from a different branch! So, I figured it was fate, and I brought it home to read. LOL.

Two days ago, I picked it up -- couldn't decide on anything else to read -- and within 4 hours I was half-finished the book already! LOL. Yesterday I finished reading... it was just THAT good!

The story starts off with Marta Nederman - a jew - near death in a Nazi prison camp at the end of WWII. She thinks she's near death, anyway. Then she is rescued by an American soldier named Paul Mattison, and the attraction between them is instant.

The next thing you know, Marta wakes up in a recovery camp, and doesn't know how to find Paul. But, as luck would have it, he shows up a couple of days later, and they go for a walk along the lake.

The story continues, with Marta moving on, and a couple of chance reunions with Paul. But, then --just when she's to meet up with him again, she reads in the paper that his plane crashed in the English Channel. Marta grieves the loss of him for the next month or so, and then moves on, again...

Eventually, Marta ends up married to Englishman, Simon Gold. They are living in England, but work together in the Foreign Affairs office. Marta eventually ends up going back to Germany to do some "secret ops" stuff... and the plot thickens! ((I don't want to give anything away, so I'll stop here...))

This book was just fantastic! There is so much detail, and I really came to care for all of the characters! This is a story about first loves, reunions, war, and peace, and it could be classified as either a "romantic fiction" novel, or a "mystery/suspense" novel. :)

I really couldn't put this book down! Definitely one I highly recommend! :)

Rated: A+