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tanya e. williams

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Stealing Mr. Smith by Tanya E. Williams

Stealing Mr. Smith by Tanya E. Williams

“I’ve always deserved better. Nobody ever told me so. It is simply a fact I’ve always known to be true.”

After surviving the loss of both her parents – one to illness and the other to abandonment – Bernice Rosin finds herself at a South Dakota orphanage that will never feel like home. Longing for a life free of poverty and misfortune, she takes matters into her own hands, determined to secure her own happily ever after no matter the cost.

In 1948, a relocation west promises a life rich with upper-class pleasantries until a naive mistake shatters both Bernice’s pride and her heart. Convinced she can still rise above her allotted station, she returns to South Dakota to calculate her options.

Desperate for a hero all her own, she singles out John Smith, a simple man with a kind heart and a gentle smile. John appears to be the perfect escape from a life fraught with disappointment. The fact that he comes with the baggage of two children and a past he seldom speaks of, has little bearing on her new obsession. Caught unprepared for such cleverness and deception, John falls right into the path of Bernice’s affection as she has set her sights on changing her last name to Smith, even if she has to steal it. (Goodreads)

Bernice Rosin’s mother dies when she is young and because her father is unable to care for his children, she is sent with her sister Patty into an orphanage. She can’t wait to leave the place as soon as possible and to get the life she thinks she deserves. Eventually, she meets John Smith from the first book and sets her mind to get a husband.

Bernice is the very opposite of Violet, Smith’s first wife, and that alone would have made me dislike her, but she was so selfish, manipulative and rude that I didn’t like her at all. I had just begun to think better of her and then the ending just made me hate her…
It was interesting to see that while Bernice and Patty had the same beginning, they both have very different attitudes to life.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this works out between them and if they can make a life together.

3,5 /5

Published: Rippling Effects (September 25, 2018)
Format: ebook
Source: Author

reviews

Becoming Mrs. Smith by Tanya E. Williams

Becoming Mrs. Smith
by Tanya E. Williams

Not all of warís destruction takes place on the battlefield.

Violetís heart flutters from the scarlet fever she survived as a child, and it beats faster at the sight of John Smith, the man she plans to marry. America is entrenched in WWII, and when John enlists, Violet is certain she wonít ever forgive him for dashing their dreams. As the realities of war slowly overtake her life, Violet’s days are filled with uncertainty and grief. She struggles to maintain her faith in John, as the world as she knows it, crumbles.

Becoming Mrs. Smith is the inspiring, and at times, heartbreaking story of a womanís struggle to reclaim what she lost. War stole the man she loves, and childhood illness weakened her heartóperhaps beyond repair. While guns rage in Europe, the war Violet faces at home may be even more devastating.

Wonderfully emotional and beautifully written, Becoming Mrs. Smith will take hold of your heartstrings and leave you longing for more.” –Kelsey Gietl, author of Across Oceans

As a child Violet suffers scarlet fever that leaves her with a fluttering heart. At first, she believes it means she will die because of her broken heart – like her grandmother. Ah, the days of innocence…

Growing up, she falls in love with her childhood friend John Smith. When WWII rages and John enlists, Violet swears she will never forgive him and at first doesn’t even read his letters from the war.

I thought it was a different and honest emotion being angry for him to enlist. Usually, in books it’s like everyone is eager for war but I doubt everyone at home supported their men when they wanted to go to war.

I don’t usually read novellas and while I enjoyed this, it was just short and I wanted to know more. But this is the first in a series so at least there will be more.

3,5/5

Published: Rippling Effects Writing & Photography (October 10, 2017)
Format: ebook
Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

About the Author

A writer from a young age, Tanya E Williams loves to help a reader get lost in another time, another place through the magic of books. History continues to inspire her stories and her insightfulness into the human condition deepens her character’s experiences and propels them on their journey. Ms. Williams’ favourite tales, speak to the reader’s heart, making them smile, laugh, cry, and think.

For more information, please visit Tanya Williams’ website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 30
Feature at View from the Birdhouse
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Tuesday, October 31
Review at Hopewell’s Public Library of Life

Wednesday, November 1
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Thursday, November 2
Review at Bookish

Friday, November 3
Feature at Passages to the Past

Monday, November 6
Review at Once Upon A Book

Tuesday, November 7
Feature at The Reading Queen

Wednesday, November 8
Guest Post at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Thursday, November 9
Excerpt at Just One More Chapter

Friday, November 10
Feature at Jenn’s Book Vibes

Monday, November 13
Excerpt at What Cathy Read Next

Tuesday, November 14
Interview & Excerpt at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, November 15
Feature at A Literary Vacation
Review at Singing Librarian Books

Friday, November 17
Review at Bookramblings
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books
Feature at Broken Teepee