HELP!! What's That Book Again??

[Jennifer]

THAT'S IT! What a wonderful discussion board--and a wonderful reader to answer my question so promptly :) I'll have to think up more of those pesky "nameless-novels-I-loved"....

[Sonia]

Hi everyone
I posted on here a while back hoping someone could help me locate a book but haven't had any luck - so am reposting in the hope that someone can help...

I read a book a couple of years ago (the end of 2009) & I CAN'T for the life of me remember what it was called & who wrote it...so maybe someone can help me based on the plot...I have tried Google but to no avail.
Ok.....basically what I remember is....it is mainly set in England before, during & after the war (I think WWII) an English girl marries a German guy (I think) & I moves to Germany. They have a few children but then she ends up moving the kids back to England to her childhood home to be safer during the war. I believe it is an old estate home & is then turned into a convalescent home for the soldiers as they recover. She meets up with a guy that she used to know, they have an affair & I think they eventually marry.
I vaguely also remember a brother dying in a plane crash & a son (or nephew perhaps) who moves to the USA to attend boarding school. I also remember a woman getting involved with helping jewish people escape during the war....Now it’s possible that this is the memory of more than one book and that I am just getting confused the more I try to remember it....any clues??? I did find online recently - The Diplomat's Wife By Pam Jenoff - & its slightly possible that I may have read this book but I'm not 100% certain from the info that I can find on the net...
The book was lent to me by a friend who also lent me "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton. I have asked her what the book might be & she really isn't sure.
Thanks in advance
Sonia

[Judy]

Sonia wrote: "Hi everyone
I posted on here a while back hoping someone could help me locate a book but haven't had any luck - so am reposting in the hope that someone can help...

I read a book a couple of years..."
Hi Sonia,
Do you remember if the book was mostly a romance, or was there any mystery to be solved? Was it Christian or inspirational fiction? Do you remember any more details about the main characters? Names? Was the setting in London, England or the countryside? Was it part of a series maybe?

[Sonia]

Judy wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Hi everyone
I posted on here a while back hoping someone could help me locate a book but haven't had any luck - so am reposting in the hope that someone can help...

I read a book a c..."

Hi Judy
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I don't remember any names :(
I believe that that her "original home" in England was just outside a small town. I wouldn't say the book was mystery or Christian but there was some romance. That said, where I mentioned the bit about a brother dying in an airplane crash during the war, I remember the "sisters" searching for him. And with the bit about a young woman helping jewish people escape, I recall people living in an attic or abasement. I swear the more I think about it the more confused I get. I really can't say if it was 1 or 2 books & like you said maybe it was 2 books in a series.
I do know that at around the same time I read "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton - but I'm pretty certain none of what happened in it correlates with what I am remembering. So don't think I am mixing it up with this one (or 2 books) The most frustrating thing is that the person who lent the book to me can't even help. She has said that she "thinks" she knows the one I am talking about but she can't remember the name either....

regards
Sonia

[Judy]

Hi Sonia,
Take a look at Enemies Of The Heart by Rebecca Dean. Anywhere close?

If not, do you remember if the book was told from a single person point of view or were there multiple narrators? Your last message hints at "sisters". You hadn't mentioned that factor in your first message, so I'm wondering if you have a sense of who the main narrator might be or if there is a main plotline.

[Sonia]

OMG!!! Judy I have read this book!! I recognised it as soon as you wrote the name!! I will see if I can find it now & then I will see if my plot is all from the one book or if there is another one I am thinking of also!
Thank you!!
regards
Sonia

[Christine]

I went to Amazon.com and searched for 'HF, India, Romance" and got 145 titles. It may help you to go and search and look at what they have.

[[deleted user]]

Back in the 80's I read a used paperback about Sam Houston's native american wife, his childhood with the Cherokee, the trail of tears. I think the cover had a native american woman on it..any ideas?

[Kathleen]

Tammy wrote: "Back in the 80's I read a used paperback about Sam Houston's native american wife, his childhood with the Cherokee, the trail of tears. I think the cover had a native american woman on it..any ideas?"

Could it be Walk in My Soul by Lucia St. Clair Robson?

[[deleted user]]

I think it might be. Thank you I would like to read it again someday.

[Sarah]

Hi!

I read a book a year and a half ago (2011-2012) and I just cannot remember the title or author. I loved the book, and thought it was GREAT - but I just can't remember and it's driving me NUTS!

It was set in immediate post-WWII U.S. - specifically, I think New York (suburbs of NYC, I believe)... it started out with one female character who was working as someone who read the incoming telegraphs, and the husbands of two of her acquaintances have died in the war.

The book follows several women (and men) through their lives after the war, and how they deal with the loss of a spouse, PTSD, and family struggles.

One thing that really stood out to me was that one of the female characters ended up remarrying, and married a Jewish man who invented the credit card.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thank You!

[Judy]

Sarah wrote: "Hi!

I read a book a year and a half ago (2011-2012) and I just cannot remember the title or author. I loved the book, and thought it was GREAT - but I just can't remember and it's driving me NU..."

Parts of your description sound like


Next to Love by Ellen Feldman.

Main character, Babe, works in Western Union telegraph office. She has two friends, their husbands are killed in the war, Babe's husband comes back, but changed.

Sound familiar?
Hope this helps,
Judy in UT

[Flora]

If you like books set in India, I recommend The Far Pavilions by M.M Kaye. It's an older book first published in 1978 the again in 1997. I read it years ago. It's a beautiful story and one of my favorites.

[Sarah]

Thank you so much!!!

[Judith]

Judy wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hi!

I read a book a year and a half ago (2011-2012) and I just cannot remember the title or author. I loved the book, and thought it was GREAT - but I just can't remember and it's..."

I agree with Judy in UT. I'm thinking Next to Love is the book you're looking for. It's one of my favorites. My review

[Jennifer]

Sonia wrote: "Hi everyone
I posted on here a while back hoping someone could help me locate a book but haven't had any luck - so am reposting in the hope that someone can help...

I read a book a couple of years..."
Some of this sounds like the second book in Penny Vincenzi's Spoils of Time trilogy.
Something Dangerous

[Jennifer]

Linda wrote: "I hope someone can help me....the other day a book on display in the New Books section at the library caught my eye, and I referenced it for future reading and THOUGHT I'd remember the title. Sill..."
Linda, I think Josefina's Sin: A Novel is the book your looking for.

[Jai]

Hi all..

I am looking for a book I read close on 15--20 years back, so unfortunately I do not recall the author's name, or the title of the novel. Was hoping someone could help me locate the book if I gave (what I hope is) a fairly detailed plot outline.

The book is set in England of the middle ages, as far as I recall, during the Angevin period (reign of Henry III?). The plot revolves around a boy whose father (a baron or an earl who, I think, is blind...) is opposed to the King. A wily rival nobleman uses this to bring about their downfall.

The boy is sent to work as an apprentice/ squire in another sympathetic nobleman's palace. He trains in jousting, fighting and the like, enlists to go to France as part of a military campaign (all part of preparation for ultimately challenging and defeating his father's enemy).

He returns, and with some tacit support from the heir to the throne, challenges the rival noble to a jousting duel. I recall there's a scene where he challenges their enemy by flinging his glove at him...

Anyway, it was a pretty good read, would have liked to catch up with it again, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Judy]

Vijay wrote: "Hi all..

I am looking for a book I read close on 15--20 years back, so unfortunately I do not recall the author's name, or the title of the novel. Was hoping someone could help me locate the book ..."

by Howard Pyle sounds like the book you're looking for.
"In Men of Iron young Myles Falworth wins a reputation for courage and independence while still in training at the castle of the great Earl of Mackworth. But one day he discovers that his blind father had been condemned for treason and is still being hunted by a powerful enemy who is close to the King. To challenge the King's champion means certain death. Should he risk all to win back his family's honor?"

Hope this helps!
JT

[Jai]

Hi Judy

Thanks a ton. That IS the book I was looking for! Downloaded it to my kindle and planning to finish it over the weekend.

Thanks again.

[Judy]

Vijay wrote: "Hi Judy

Thanks a ton. That IS the book I was looking for! Downloaded it to my kindle and planning to finish it over the weekend.

Thanks again."

My pleasure! Enjoy

[Gary]

Judy wrote: "Vijay wrote: "Hi Judy

Thanks a ton. That IS the book I was looking for! Downloaded it to my kindle and planning to finish it over the weekend.

Thanks again."

My pleasure! Enjoy"

Just fyi, there's a 1950s film version of Men of Iron called The Black Shield of Falworth, starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Dated perhaps, but IMHO still a good old-fashioned Hollywood swashbuckler.

[Judy]

Sounds like the perfect weekend movie to watch when it's cold outside. Thanks for the tip, Gary

[Gary]

Judy wrote: "Sounds like the perfect weekend movie to watch when it's cold outside. Thanks for the tip, Gary"

You're welcome, Judy. It goes well with popcorn. ;)

[Dominique]

Kit★ wrote: "I have a book I've been dying to remember for years. I've had a thread up for it in the What's the Name of that Book group for awhile now, but maybe I'll get some help here.

Ok, I read this book ..."

Kit★ wrote: "I have a book I've been dying to remember for years. I've had a thread up for it in the What's the Name of that Book group for awhile now, but maybe I'll get some help here.

Ok, I read this book ..."

Hi Kit, It was published after the time you said you read it, but could it be The Constant Princess? That's a fictionalised account of Katherine of Aragon when she was just a girl, and sent to marry the Prince of Wales, who was just a boy at the time...

[Dominique]

Linda wrote: "I hope someone can help me....the other day a book on display in the New Books section at the library caught my eye, and I referenced it for future reading and THOUGHT I'd remember the title. Sill..."
Hi Linda. You've probably found it by now, but I think you mean Josefina's Sin: A Novel

[Hailey]

I listened to this audiobook when I was pretty young, maybe four or five, and I just remembered it vaguely and was wondering what it is. Basically all I remember is this girl is taken from her bedroom window at night and is shrunk, maybe, and rides a bird to a tree where she enters the community that lives in hollows between branches. If I remember correctly... Any ideas?

[Eileen]

Was it The Borrowers by Mary Norton?

[Helén]

I, need help - about 10 years ago i bought a book about the salem with hunts, but it was written from the perspective of one of the young girls in the town, her family was a prominent murchants family, owned a store, she was the same age as the girls making the accusations, but was an outsider to that group.... - it may have been a young adult historical fiction book - I don't remember.... and the book is gone, I can't find it... to make matters worse, I read it in norwegian, not english...... so if I remember the title ( and I don't..) it would not help much, but it was an American, or English author! please help - I read the book sooooooo many times and would love to read it again - and in the proper language this time!

[Dominique]

Helén wrote: "I, need help - about 10 years ago i bought a book about the salem with hunts, but it was written from the perspective of one of the young girls in the town, her family was a prominent murchants fam..."

Do you mean Witch Child by Celia Rees

[Helén]

Dominique wrote: "Helén wrote: "I, need help - about 10 years ago i bought a book about the salem with hunts, but it was written from the perspective of one of the young girls in the town, her family was a prominent..."

unfortunatly no.... but it looks like a book I would like to read!

[Eileen]

Helén wrote: "Dominique wrote: "Helén wrote: "I, need help - about 10 years ago i bought a book about the salem with hunts, but it was written from the perspective of one of the young girls in the town, her fami..."

I just entered "novels about the Salem Witch trials" on Amazon and a number of books came up. by Lisa Rowe Fraustino came up, among others. The synopsis made it sound like it might be your book. But there were a lot of novels on the subject.

[Helén]

Its not this one either... I might have done a poor job describing the book... It starts out with the leading figure walking in to church, and her inner dialogue as she walks past the different rows and noticing the different families and this who isn't there. And then she starts thinking of all that's happened many years ago. I've been thinking about the book all day and some part of me thinks the main characters last name was English... But don't quote me on that..... She is about 14 -16 the most part of the story. She knows all of the people on both sides of the witch hunt... But, this might not help any of you coming up with the answer.... The girl's name is Susanna or Susannah..... Does any of this help or am I making you more confused?

[Becky, Moddess]

Helen, I think it's A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials.

From a review on Amazon: "The story is about a little girl named Susanna English who witnesses a circle of girls who are chanting what they want out of life, and acting like witches."

[Helén]

Becky: thank you! That's it!

[Nancy from NJ]

I always say ask a question here and you'll probably get the answer. Good sleuthing, Becky.

[Becky, Moddess]

Helén wrote: "Becky: thank you! That's it!"

:) Happy to help!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Nice job, Becky.

[Kristi]

Hello guys and gals! I'm looking for a book I read SEVERAL years ago in middle school, and I only remember a few details about it! Help me figure out what it was?

It 100% most definitely took place during the Salem Witch Trials (not positive if it was actually IN Salem, though!)

In the very beginning a girl in the stocks, and had to keep her feet up for hours because she picked up her skirts and ran and showed her ankles. She had to get up the next morning and go to church and was complaining that the service was 4 hours long because she was so sore.

I also remember her mother being suspected of being a witch and put in jail, (I can't remember if the girl was though)

That's about all I remember, except that I really enjoyed it, and would like to figure out what book it was!

THANKS SO MUCH!

[Nora]

This is a great spot. I know the feeling of desperately trying to remember a title and the more one thinks, it becomes of vital importance to rediscover it!

[Ruth]

Okay, hopefully someone can help. Within the last ten years I read a series of historical mystery romance novels set in Italy (maybe 19th century) that was heavily involved with the opera and art. I know, I know...it's Italy! But, there were three novels and then the author died before she could finish the series. She was quite young, right out of some prestigious college, and she died unexpectedly of a brain tumor. I was sorely disappointed. But, now I would love to read them again and recommend them to others. The male protagonist had many secrets in his past, I think I recall he had used to sing, but no longer did. Please help.

[Judy]

Ruth wrote: "Okay, hopefully someone can help. Within the last ten years I read a series of historical mystery romance novels set in Italy (maybe 19th century) that was heavily involved with the opera and art. ..."

The author is Kate Ross and she wrote the Julian Kestral mystery series that begins with
.

Hope this helps!

[Candice]

I am looking for a book I read a while ago but don't remember the title or the author and was wondering if anyone could help me? It was a historical fiction book. It was about different families who emigrated to America and was set in New York in the 1800s. One family was French and the husband was badly injured and the wife tatted lace and made brioche bread. Another family was German and the oldest daughter got caught up with a bad man and ended up getting syphilis as an unmarried girl. It was at least 5 years ago that I read it and I can't remember all of the families. I am almost positive that the cover was yellow with a lady holding a parasol. Maybe with the Statue of Liberty in the background? Not sure on that one. Sorry I don't have more details. It was such a good book and I would really like to be able to read it again! Thanks for any help I can get!

[B]

Hi

Can anyone help with the title of this book?...It's set in the 1700's or early 1800's America. It starts out with a man burying his recently deceased wife and remarries a woman he does not love out of convenience to help settle the new America. I believe they are in Tennessee and I remember them crossing the Cumberland Gap. One scene that sticks out is they are sleeping by an outdoor fire that had snakes burrowed in it and the snakes come out and bite them. Any help?

[Eileen]

B wrote: "Hi

Can anyone help with the title of this book?...It's set in the 1700's or early 1800's America. It starts out with a man burying his recently deceased wife and remarries a woman he does not love..."

I think it was a James Michener book, possibly Centennial. And the woman dies from a snakebite? The book was about the settling of Colorado, but that scene where she dies really got to me. If we are talking about the same book, I can understand why you would remember it.

[Nora]

Did Candace ever find her book? She did have a string of facts.

[Chelle]

Back when I was first in university I read a historical fiction about this girl whose father was the doctor(?) in a small town. He died and she was taken in by a wealthy household. The uncle of the very rich man was constantly conspiring to have the two marry. She insisted that she was to be married to someone else who was off on his Grand Tour or something. He swore he'd never marry again after his first wife cheated on him, I think.(little hazy on that detail)

The copy I had had a mostly green cover, with a letter stamped with a red seal on it. I've been trying to remember the name of it for forever, and I just can not. I remember the plot sort of hazily, it is combined with a few other HF that I was reading at the time.

Any help would be appreciated!

It might have had the word "letter" or "note" in the title... also possibly "forbidden" or something along those lines?

[Judy]

Rachelle wrote: "Back when I was first in university I read a historical fiction about this girl whose father was the doctor(?) in a small town. He died and she was taken in by a wealthy household. The uncle of the..."

Possibly The Hidden Shore by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles? Charlotte's (the main character)father dies and she thinks she is destitute until she finds that she is actually an heiress. The book is part of a series called the Morland Dynasty and each book had the letter "M" stamped on the cover. ???

If not, a few more details might help. What year were you in university and you might have read it? Was the setting in England or the US or someplace else?

[Chelle]

Figured it out!

Once and Always - Judith McNaught

Although that book you suggested looks amazing :D I'm definitely going to read it.

[Judy]

Rachelle wrote: "Figured it out!

Once and Always - Judith McNaught

Although that book you suggested looks amazing :D I'm definitely going to read it."

Yay! Glad you found it. I know the distraction that eats at you when you can't find the name of a book.
:=)