Nikola Reviews Blue Diary By Alice Hoffman

When I look for books to read, I look for books that open doors to perspectives or experiences that sometimes make you appreciate life a little better. Honestly, I look for books to read that help me escape from my own life and problems. Books that bewitch you with every turn of the page.  I've just finished reading another book that did just that. However, instead of helping me escape my own reality, Alice Hoffman captures in Blue Diary, the stillness of love and the vulnerability of stability before life throws you something you never quite fathomed possible.

As I started to read Blue Diary I was in awe of the love Jorie and Ethan shared.  I was so in love with how Alice Hoffman described how much Ethan loved his wife Jorie, and the hero like character he portrayed as the volunteer fireman who rescued a little girl from a fire, saved a teenager from a car wreck, worked full-time as the town contractor, and still had time to dote on his wife providing everything her heart desired that I tweeted under @NikolaReviews before I was even done reading the book  I started reading a new book and last night Alice Hoffaman's words made me reflect, there are things that are so beautiful, that feel so good in life that come for free that sadly not all of us experience.

Kat Willams is a twelve year old girl who lives next door to Ethan, Jorie, and Collie who is Ethan's son. Kat recognizes the father of her best friend Collie on a local news report for a murder committed 13 years ago. Kat is a complicated character with deep emotional wounds that she hides, she is smart, observant, and has the mind of an adult after she battles merely existing after her own father whom she loved dearly kills himself. Because of these unwanted wounds Kat sees to the soul of people past what most want others to see.

What Alice Hoffman has written so far in Blue Diary as a picture perfect life to be admired suddenly shatters in minutes as authorities arrive at the home of Ethan, Jorie, and Collie.  The book takes a turn in a very wrong direction that unleashes the unimaginable and the unforgivable.

As the book takes a turn, I the reader, do to.  I felt portrayed and begin reading the book looking for clues to uphold my original view.  The book unravels not into the mystery of the crime itself, but a mystery of character and the layers that time can add to a persons soul.

Review Written By Nikola Naylor-Warren

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As A Mom I Sometimes Try to Incorporate My Children Positively into Some of My Hobbies

My son is an undercover artist, I decided to include a sculpture he made for my book review.

Nikola Reviews The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth is an Easy Read Readers Will Enjoy

I've picked up several books since my last book review and I finally found a book that pulled me in after reading the first few chapters.  I usually know when a book is good if I'm still thinking about it after I've put it down.  Not to spoil the story line but after reading The Secrets Of Midwives by Sally Hepworth it made me think about a portion of a poem I wrote when I created a collage of family photos.  Part of the poem I wrote said a

"Dad" but for this book review I'll replace "Dad" with parent.

 "A parent is not of blood but of the heart, he/they love their children regardless if mom or dad are together or apart." By Nikola Warren

 The Secrets Of Midwives by Sally Hepworth tells the story of three women Neva, Grace, and Floss.  All three are a generation of daughter, mother, and grandmother who are midwives.  It starts with the unrealized revelation that Neva the youngest has hidden her pregnancy for five months and refuses to reveal who the father is.  Grace, Neva's mother has issues from growing up without a father and doesn't want her daughter Neva and grandchild to follow the same fate.  Floss who is the grandmother has a more complicated story, full of secrets that dates back to 1954 England, that may have caused a generational curse that Neva may repeat with her own child.

The story starts off in today's era of 2015 and takes readers back in time to 1954 England telling an intriguing story of love, friendship, loyalty and secrets. This book digs into the depths that women will go to shield and protect bonds of friendship and new life. This is definitely another book that I think could be turned into a movie.  A lifetime movie perhaps.

Review Written By Nikola Naylor-Warren

Email Request for Book or Movie Reviews 

Send E-Ticket for Viewings to

NikolaReviews@gmail.com Call or Text (724)213-0063