Belinda’s Book Nook Book Review: The Charm Bracelet by Melissa Hill

the charm bracelet

The Charm Bracelet by Melissa Hill

Holly O’Neill knows that every charm bracelet tells a story.

Many years ago she was sent one with just a single charm attached. The charms have been appearing ever since, often at challenging times, as if her mysterious benefactor knows exactly when she needs a little magic in her life.

As a result, Holly’s bracelet is her most prized possession. So when she finds someone else’s charm bracelet, she feels she has to try to reunite it with its owner. Even if the only clues she has to follow are the charms themselves.

On a search that will take her all over New York City at Christmas, Holly becomes ever more determined to piece together the details of this other charmed life. But what she doesn’t know is that her quest may also lead her somewhere she never, ever expected . . . 

I bought this book  on sale for  $1.99 on my Kindle back in November and didn’t get around to reading it until January while I was reading, “The Ruins of Lace“.  I used it on days I felt I didn’t want to read the dark places in The Ruins of Lace.  The Charm Bracelet, immediately struck a cord with me because I have a Pandora bracelet and one of the reasons I really love collecting beads to put on it is the meaning behind each bead.  Although not all of my beads have the same personal significance as the main character Holly in this book, but I do cherish mine.

The book moves back and forth in the present and past for Holly and Greg another character in the book. Although a few chapters in, I predicted what might happen, it didn’t spoil the book in any way. The story had a great mystery and an element of surprise at the end that made it worth the read. I liked all of the characters and felt she developed them well throughout the story.

The main character worked at a thrift shop and she had a beautiful way of describing the stories behind the clothing they sold.  It made me want to drop in on some of my local thrift shops. I love books that make you smile and feel that warm and fuzzy.  This book achieved that. It also makes me want to go buy some more beads for my bracelet!!

I would recommend this book.

I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.  I rate books on my GoodReads account so I will give it a go here too.  Hope it’s helpful!

Happy Reading!

Belinda

 

 

 

Unmasking Maya by Libby Mercer

Unmasking MayaHello! Welcome to another Belinda’s Book Nook Review.  Today I part from my historical fiction to a light romance. The book is called “Unmasking Maya” written by Libby Mercer. This is my first Mercer book.

I downloading this book on my nook a while back but decided to take a peek yesterday while at pick up for the boys at school. I tend to go about 45 minutes early to secure a good spot (pathetic I know) and to get some reading in. So I began to read and you know how good books draw you in and the surrounding sounds begin to fade and all you are left with is the characters and you are there? Well usually I hear all the cars arriving or the middle-schoolers cutting through since they get out earlier than elementary students.  I did not look up once. I was completely absorbed.

I enjoyed Maya’s character a great deal. She was fun and to watch in the different scenarios and I liked the way Derek was introduced in the book. As I said, this book is a stray from my usual historical fiction or mystery although there was a little mystery in this book.  As I have gotten older, I often like historical fictions because I can still have fun and feel like I am still using my time to learn something.

But I also believe that books like this give you the escape that is pure fun even if predictable.  I liked all the characters in the book and of course was on the edge of my seat at pick up waiting for sparks to fly.  I somehow managed to tear myself away and get the boys on time then quickly drove home and after they had their snacks, I dove back in for round two and can I tell you again, everything faded around me (and that’s tough to do with two young boys in the house) and finished the book.  I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend it as  fun beach read type of book.

Belinda’s Book Nook – Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

I am having so much fun using Overdrive to check out ebook out of public libraries to read on my Nook HD.  You don’t always find the latest books but the process always puts me on the doorstep of a new author or story that I have not been blessed to have read.

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

I stumbled across this book, Marianna in one of my searches and boy am I happy I did.

The new owner of a 16th-century Wiltshire farmhouse, Julia finds herself transported back and forth in time to the life of a woman named Mariana. Enthralled with the long-ago world, in love with a man who lived centuries before, Julia must lay the past to rest if she is to find love in the present.”  –

I enjoy when a book can take me somewhere else. I like when I feel attachment to the characters. Well I felt this way with this book.  I would read it during pick-up for the boys and  at night before I go to sleep.  Each time, I felt drawn in and wanting to find out more when I had to put the book down. (It wouldn’t go over well if I were late for school pick up!)

Again one of my favorite things about historical fictions is that it allows you to learn more about history without the stuffiness of a history text book.  I don’t know much English history so this was a little peek into some history.  The characters were rich and the details allowed me to really be there while I was reading it. It also had some light romance in it too. Without spoiling the book, I will say there is a major twist in the book that knocked me off my seat and I felt good with it once I read a few reading guide questions that helped me to process my reaction better.  Are  you curious now? Go ahead and read it and tell me what you think.

I am on the hunt for a new book now and will be back to share my thoughts with you soon.

Happy Reading!!

Belinda

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