Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #WWII #Family Joy Neal Kidney, #Ireland #Contemporary #Recipes Mary Crowley, #Cancer #Memoir Miriam Hurdle

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This year in the second part of the Summer Book Fair, I will be sharing my recommended books from the last 12 months and sharing either my review or one of  their top reviews.

The first book today that I can highly recommend is the poignant family story Leora’s Letters by Joy Neal Kidney.

About the book

The day the second atomic bomb was dropped, Clabe and Leora Wilson’s postman brought a telegram to their acreage near Perry, Iowa. One son was already in the U.S. Navy before Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Four more sons worked with their father, tenant farmers near Minburn until, one by one, all five sons were serving their country in the military. The oldest son re-enlisted in the Navy. The younger three became U.S. Army Air Force pilots.

As the family optimist, Leora wrote hundreds of letters, among all her regular chores, dispensing news and keeping up the morale of the whole family, which included the brothers’ two sisters. Her fondest wishes were to have a home of her own and family nearby. Leora’s Letters is the compelling true account of a woman whose most tender hopes were disrupted by great losses. Yet she lived out four more decades with hope and resilience.

“Joy lets us see her grandmother’s personal family correspondence through letters. It is heart-tugging. Be ready to be moved by this true story.” –Van Harden, WHO-Radio Personality

Joy Neal Kidney, the oldest granddaughter of the book’s heroine, is the keeper of family stories, letters, photos, combat records, casualty reports, and telegrams. Active on her own website, she is also a writer and local historian. Married to a Vietnam Air Force veteran, Joy lives in central Iowa. Her nonfiction has been published in The Des Moines Register, other media, and broadcast over “Our American Stories.” She’s a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, and her essays have been collected by the Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa.

One of the reviews for the book

D. Baumgardner5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Inspirational, Heartbreaking  Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸

I read the entire series and it was wonderfully written. The love and devotion this family showed each other was unlike anything you might see today. Adversity made them that much stronger, together. I don’t know how Leora had the strength to survive.

My Grandparents were from the same generation. They had 10 children (2 boys and 8 girls), and were farmers just like Clabe and Leora. Their boys and sons in law went to WWII and were spread out all over the world. They were fortunate that all of the men in our family came home after the war, but families like the Wilson’s were devastated and it just doesn’t seem fair. Their sons were so devoted to them and Leora had live another lifetime (40+ years) without her husband and 3 sons. I don’t know how she managed to to go on and yet I’m so thankful she kept every single letter so we could have this very raw and beautiful and emotional experience. Thank you for telling your story and thank you for your family’s sacrifice. 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Joy Neal Kidney

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews: Goodreads – Website: Joy Neal Kidney – Facebook: Joy Neal Kidney Author – Twitter: @JoyNealKidney – Instagram: Joy Neal Kidney

The next book is by Mary Crowley, an author I enjoy reading, and her book Recipes and Tales from the Kitchen of Oceanic Temptations: A Taste of the Wild Atlantic Way

About the book

Meet the women of Oceanic Temptations and try their recipes…..

Oceanic Temptations Café is featured in the novel, A Sweet Smell of Strawberries.

Kilmer Cove sits on the beautiful coastline of Donegal where the Connolly family has strived to keep their beloved father’s legacy alive by adapting their farmland and extending their businesses, one of which is Oceanic Temptations.

Ocean Temptations started out as a small farm shop run by Sarah Connolly and her sister-in-law Lily selling fresh produce from the farm and home baking. The two women soon discovered the need to expand their business and take on more staff, due to its idyllic spot along The Wild Atlantic Way. Oceanic Temptations Café was built to accommodate passing coaches of tourists on their way to Fanad Head Lighthouse. It also became a place for locals from the seaside town of Kilmer Cove to meet and socialise.

This book tells the stories of the four women who work together in Oceanic Temptations. Lily, Olive, Lena, and Sarah along with their specialty deserts, some prose, and a selection of recipes.

A Taste of the Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s first defined touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork. It was a yearly trip to Donegal where my son Steven competed in the Errigal Youth Tour in 2016, 2017 and 2018, which inspired the setting for A Sweet Smell of Strawberries, having fallen in love with the beautiful coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way.

One of the reviews for the book on Goodreads

Eleanor Murphy Five Stars

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK –  And: Amazon US

Also by Mary Crowley

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And on : Amazon US – Follow Mary : Goodreads – Blog/Website: Mary Crowley WordPress – Twitter: @marycrowleym

And the final book today is by Miriam Hurdle… and her inspiring memoir The Winding Road: A Journey of Survival.

About the book

In the summer of 2008, Miriam Hurdle was diagnosed with melanoma-an aggressive and invasive cancer in her internal organs. The survival rate before 2008 was low. Besides risking harsh treatments for a slim chance of survival, Miriam had hoops to jump through. By the time she received treatment at the beginning of 2009, her cancer had progressed from stage II to stage IV. It was a rough and uphill winding road. But alongside her was support and encouragement. Accompanied by the love of her family and community, this is Miriam’s journey of faith and miracle. It is a heartwarming story of resilience, courage, and the will to live.

One of the reviews for the book

Luanne Castle 5.0 out of 5 stars Memoir of rare cancer treatment–couldn’t put it down  Reviewed in the United States

What happens when you’re given a diagnosis of a very rare and fatal cancer, but there is a horrible experimental treatment being offered to you? In The Winding Road, we learn what Miriam Hurdle decided–to undergo the grueling chemo and radiation schedule–and how she copies with it. She set her daughter’s still unfulfilled life mileposts of marriages and children as a goal–she wanted to see her daughter married and to meet her future grandchildren.

The reader knows from the beginning of the story that Miriam will overcome the cancer because she has written her memoir about it. But life is in the details, and this book provides many. I loved getting the inside information on how her illness affected her job, as well as seeing the loving support she got from friends and fellow church members. Because I lived for over twenty years in the same general geographic location, I could picture all the hospitals and other places she talks about. But that knowledge isn’t necessary because we all know what hospitals and medical care can be like.

When a doctor ignores a referral for three weeks when Miriam has no time to lose, it is so easy to imagine her visiting the office, being completely ignored by the fools at the counter, and sitting there in the waiting room until someone takes pity on her after hours and tries to help her. This is a short book, and you will want to read to the finish in one or two sittings.

Head over to read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Miriam Hurdle

Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon US – And:Amazon UK – – Goodreads: Miriam Hurdle – Blog: The Showers of Blessings – Twitter: @mhurdle112

 

Thank you for dropping by today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. Sally.

94 thoughts on “Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #WWII #Family Joy Neal Kidney, #Ireland #Contemporary #Recipes Mary Crowley, #Cancer #Memoir Miriam Hurdle”

  4. These are all wonderful books. I have to admit i was lost at Leora’s Letters, and had felt like i lived in this time. Miriam’s true telling about her worst time of life had forced my to a break. It is so heart touching. The recipes book is on my list. hugsx Michael

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  7. A very nice collection of books today, Sally. I wasn’t familiar with Joy and Mary but I’ve read two of Miriam’s books and I’ve enjoyed them very much. Good luck to all these talented authors.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. I read Miriam’s book and few of us would have known Miriam if there had not been a happy ending, but of course that does not minimise the awful unknowns she faced. Every aspect of one’s life has to be put on hold for most cancer treatment and especially so for rare or advanced cancers. Miriam’s moving story is an insight into how Important practical and moral support is and of course the spirit and drive of the patient.

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    • I’m grateful for the happy ending of my story, Janet! I read a book about cancer, but the author didn’t survive. She kept her journal and her husband published it after she passed away.

      You and I have a lot to share about cancer treatments. I have to deal with the chronic lymphedema on my leg. I imagine you may have lymphedema on your arm. Thank you very much for reading my book.

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      • Hello Miriam, yes we are lucky to still be here. We had a young woman who came to our writers’ group briefly and she was writing her cancer story, which had to be finished by her mother as she died at forty with two young children. I would never complain at getting cancer in my late sixties. Funny you should mention lymphoedema as I am two years past my operation with no sign of it till last month, when I noticed that arm looked puffy. I am under the hospital for another three years so phoned my breast care nurse who called me in. Waiting for an appointment at the Lymphoedema clinic, so that will be another blog!

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      • Sorry to hear your writer’s group member couldn’t finished her story. My brother-in-law died of liver cancer at 51. Another family member had lung cancer that went into her brain and died in her mid 50s. One other family member died of brain cancer. These family members were not so lucky. I don’t compain about aches and pains because I’m still alive.

        It’s strange that your lymphedema shows up three years later.Many of my friends who had brest cancer surgeries had lymphedema on their arms right away. I hope the clinic will give you good therapy!

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  11. Wonderful group of books, Sally. Joy’s book is on my TBR, and I am currently working on a review for Miriam’s, The Winding Road, what a moving account of her journey. And Mary’s book sounds delightful. Congrats to Joy, Mary, and Miriam. ❤️

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  14. I read the Winding Road by Miriam Hurdle. This is a truly amazing book about a difficult topic that many of us will have to face one day. Miriam is a great writer whose genuine and lucid writing could really be helpful the day we have to deal with an unknown traumatic situation. It shows how community and love and support from family really can make a big difference. It is a very important book.

    Thank you for the great reviews

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  20. Thank you for introducing Joy and Mary to me, Sally! Joy’s books are treasures and Leora’s Letter is heartwarming. I’m happy to be included today.
    We basically finished upgrading the interior of our new home, but still have a lot to do to turn the backyard into a garden. We’ve been setting up the medical network with family doctors, and doctors with specialties. Today I’ll have the smog check for my car before getting an Oregon new license plate. Then I need to study and pass the driving test to get the Oregon Driver’s License. We hope to get things done by the end of summer. We enjoy our grandkids in between the hectic business.
    I saw your new feature of posting an excerpt from a book in August. That’s wonderful and would like to take part.

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  21. These books are all so different and they all sound wonderful in their own way, Sally. Joy’s family story sounds heartbreaking, and Mary’s recipes and tales sounds delightful. I read Miriam’s inspiring book about her ordeal with cancer and her tremendous courage. What a line up! Congrats to the authors. 😀

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  23. I can highly recommend Leora’s Letters and The Winding Road as well. (As far as I’m concerned, Leora’s Letters should be in every junior high and high school in the US–and taught in classes as well.)

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