Author: Olivia Hawker
WWII, German family in small community, based on real people and events

1942 Germany, a widow places an ad in the paper for a husband, she's having difficulty raising three children alone. A friar, no longer able to continue that work in Nazi Germany, answers the ad. The plot follows their struggles to become a family and the real and psychological struggles to maintain dignity and faith in a country ruled by hatred. 

Hawker's writing is described as "beautiful prose," and her writing is excellent.  Her characters are thoughtful and conflicted people, and narrative takes you into their mind as they live with guilt and fear. If you read for action, you might want her to get to the point. But if you enjoy the use of words to set you in time and place, you'll appreciate her work. 

As a bonus, we learn the entire books is based on real people and actual events. It reminds us of people's resilience and power during during horrendous times... and that is a great reason to read this book.   

Author: Chanel Cleeton
Drama, 1935 Florida, strong female characters

Follow the lives of three very different women in this drama/romance set in a time period of Florida rich in unknown history-- at least history unknown to me. A storm organically weaves the characters lives together, a setting provides a turbulent backdrop, and a time creates plot elements that will be new and refreshing to most readers.  

Cleeton knows how to create a plot that is engaging and educates the reader in cultural and historical aspects.  Not only are you entertained, you feel time well spent in gaining an understanding.  If you enjoy this novel, Cleeton has also written a novel which takes the reader to 1958 Cuba and the build up to the revolution.  Next Year in Havana also delivers in aspects of suspense, romance, and historical fiction that takes you to that setting and time. 

Author- J. Ryan Stradal
​Light, Midwest family, beer brewing

If you are looking for a light summer read, were raised in the Midwest, or have an interest in making beer, then this book could be worth your time. If you want well developed characters with a captivating plot, you might want to look elsewhere. Some books you're sad when they end, I couldn't wait to reach the end so I could move on to something better. 

The plot follows two sisters, both hard working, one who take the family inheritance and creates a brewing company, the other plods along squeaking out a living working multiple jobs. A granddaughter is added to the story, also with designs on creating the best brew.  The storyline sounds interesting but it fails to inspire. The characters are one dimensional-- good, and always good, or bad with little redeeming value. Even when the granddaughter has a brief stint as a robber, it's for noble Robin Hood reasons. 

What I had a difficult time getting past were the errors.  The likelihood of granddaughter, with no advanced high school courses, getting a perfect score on the PSAT is beyond doubtful.  According to a college prep blog: "In fact, a perfect 1520 would exceed even National Merit expectations!" And if she had, she wouldn't have to worry about money for college! When she's a teenager, both of her parents are killed but there's no money from Social Security?  And their lack of funds was a key component of the plot. Also, what bank is going to let someone withdraw a million dollars in cash?  There where too many times when the reader was expected to let things slide and just follow the author's story line.

The Lager Queen was a bestseller.  Others loved it, over 800 people giving it five stars.  I just wasn't one of them.