This month we are reviewing the book My Mother’s Secret by J.L.Witterick

My Mother’s Secret by J.L.Witterick
Franciszka and her daughter Helena, are unlikely heroines. They are simple people who mind their own business and don’t stand out from the crowd…until 1939, when crisis strikes. The Nazis invade Poland and start to persecute Jews. Providing shelter to Jews has become a death sentence, and yet Franciszka and Helena do exactly that. In their tiny two-room house in Sokal, they cleverly hide a Jewish family in a loft above their pigsty, a Jewish doctor with his wife and son in a  makeshift cellar under the kitchen floorboards, and a defecting German soldier in the attic – each party completely unknown to the others. For everyone to survive, Franciszka will have to outsmart her neighbors and the German commander.

Told simply and succinctly from four different perspectives – all under one roof – My Mother’s Secret is a testament to the kindness, courage, and generosity of ordinary people who choose to be extraordinary.

Reviews
“My Mother’s Secret is a story about the bravery and compassion of a woman and her daughter during the holocaust. Although a short book, this book is poignant and amazingly powerful. Based on a true story, it is inspiring to learn that during this dark time during the world war 2, love and nobility existed. It was definitely a good read.” – Review by Maria

“Given the story content, I thought this would be a difficult one to read.  On the contrary.  It was an easy, yet inspiring and poignant read that actually uplifted me.  Those who were going through so much suffering, gave what little they had, despite persecution and the threat of death.  In a time of ugliness and hatred, compassion and kindness was not obliterated.” – Review by Susie

“It’s like many short stories that merge into one at the end. Although it is a touching story of the bravery and generosity of some people, I found that the chapters were too short and the stories were bouncing back and forth too often. Because the chapters were so short, it was difficult to pick up the story line before it went to the next story line. There could have been better descriptions/build up of the characters so that the reader can have more empathy for them.” – Review by Janice

Book of the Month
Every month we will be featuring a new book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know.

This month we are reviewing the book The Harem Midwife by Roberta Rich

The Harem Midwife by Roberta Rich
Hannah and Isaac return in this riveting and suspenseful sequel to the #1 national bestseller The Midwife of Venice. Hannah and Isaac Levi, Venetians in exile, embark on a new life in Constantinople. Isaac runs a silk workshop, while Hannah, the best midwife in all of Constantinople, plies her trade in the opulent palace of sultan Murat III, where she tends to the women of his lively and infamous harem. One night, Hannah is unexpectedly summoned to the palace. She is asked to examine Leah, a shockingly beautiful Jewish peasant girl who has been abducted from her village and purchased by the sultan’s harem. The sultan favours her as his next conquest and wants her to produce his heir, but Leah wants only to escape. Will Hannah lie and risk her life to protect this young girl, or will she perform her duty as imperial midwife?

Reviews
“The Harem Midwife, sequel to The Midwife of Venice, follows protagonist Hannah to her new home in Constantinople. After being summoned to the Imperial Harem, she must decide whether to risk her own safety to help a young slave girl.
I found the book to be an easy read, and found the historical aspects of life in the Ottoman Empire to be interesting. However, the story was quite implausible at times, and I didn’t really find myself rooting for our heroine. I would recommend it as a very light, casual read.” – Review by Melissa

“The Harem Wife is a sequel to Midwife of Venice by Canadian author Roberta Rich.  It continues on with the story of Hannah a Jewish midwife and her husband Isaac.  In this book they have moved to Constantinople and Hannah is sometimes called to work in the palace of Sultan Murat III.   The book has a number of twists and turns and is very interesting for the true historical information that is included as part of the fictional story.” – Review by Carolynn

“I liked the book and thought it was well written.  I found it suspenseful and sad at times but also inspiring when you see some of the choices the main character has to make.  I also really liked getting a glimpse of what it would be like living in that time and culture, even if it may have been a bit farfetched at times. Overall a good read.” – review by Sharlie

Book of the Month
Every month we will be featuring a new book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know.