Lauren B. Grossman

Rainee Allen – solver of mysteries, writer of novels. Friend, mother, wife.

Rainee’s world was turned upside-down at the ring of her phone. Her past resurfaces. She knew it would happen eventually. Her life is simultaneously completed and torn apart. Rainee’s sleuthing skills are quickly put to the test. Who to believe? Who to trust?

Unearthing mysteries is nothing new to Rainee. However, playing the part of “key player” is.

I love the inner strength this woman possesses. Those she loves most is being threatened, yet she remains focused on the facts. This ability is made possible due to her loving, supportive and understanding husband.

I love the writing style of Ms. Grossman. I am quickly drawn into Rainee’s life. I can feel the stress, relief, pride and love pouring through the telephone lines as she talks to others. I can easily travel with Rainee back and forth across the continent as the search leads to new destinations.

The Verona Exchange is the second Rainee novel I’ve had the pleasure of reading. I look forward to more of her mysteries.… (meer)

The Verona Exchange is the second book in a Rainee Allen mystery series.The Golden Peacock, Book I took place in London. The Verona Exchange takes place in Italy and in Book III, Prague will be our destination.

The book opens with Rainee working on her mystery novel and she receives a call from her long lost son, Joshua. She had given him up for adoption twenty three years ago and he would like to meet her. She agrees without blinking an eye and it’s off to Italy.

I know something bad is coming and I feel a sense of impending danger, menace, apprehension, wondering when and who. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be alone and in trouble in a foreign country. It would be hard to communicate if you don’t speak the language. How long would it be before you are missed? How much damage could you suffer before anyone is even looking for you?

Tick tock, the clock is ticking and time is running out.

The betrayal runs deeper than Rainee and Joshua could imagine, but I saw it coming. Something about the way Lauren Grossman and Bernard Jaroslow wrote that I could see that writing on the wall.

Rainee has great instincts and it’s a good thing she follows them. Joshua shows his maturity and bravery, when the time comes…though there is one part where he could have used some urgency instead of….well, you will have to read the book to find out. There are plenty of bad guys and plenty of good guys. Sometimes your enemy can be your friend and ally.

There is plenty of action while running through Italy, being the pursued and the pursuer, just depends on the moment.

I debated on my rating, between a 3 or a 4. The Verona Exchange was too predictable and I like to be tested. The danger had a sense of urgency, and, yeah, there was some violence, but I love it wicked evil, unable to stop reading. I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t take me to another place. It could be because I just finished reading a couple mind blowing books and I was on the road. Even as I write this review I’m debating and I usually know pretty quickly into the book. Okay, a 4 it is. NOW, if you choose to read it, I would love to know what you think.

This brother and sister duo did a collaboration, Lauren B Grossman writing Rainee’s POV and Bernard Jaroslow writing Joshua’s POV, all while sharing their work to smooth over any rough patches. An interview at the end of the book shares their thoughts on the collaboration.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Verona Exchange by Lauren B Grossman and Bernard Jaroslow.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (meer)

This well-written book took a different path when weaving her story. Many books are published telling of the horrors of the Holocaust. The concentration camps. The mutilation. The showers. Jews lived their nightmare until exhaling a final breath.

This story, however, is written from the view of an author trying to create a new story. Her inspiration came in the form of a long-forgotten Holocaust survivor card. Serendipity led her to England and straight into the arms of a story more fascinating than she could have imagined.

The survivor, Jana, was but a child as Hitler invaded country after country. Imprisoning or slaughtering all who opposed him. No Jew was safe. Children were shot by Nazis just as quickly as adults and the elderly.

There was a single saving grace. A place where she, and others like her, would be safe.

This is the story of Jana and how she survived hell.… (meer)

The Golden Peacock by Lauren B Grossman is so much more than I expected and the surprise ending is one I could never have foreseen.

The story bounces between Nazi Germany in the late 30s, early 40s and 1997. Running from Nazi Germany to Amsterdam, Holland to London, England, Rainee is always hiding, in some fashion.

Rainee will meet Jana and her life will be changed forever. Secrets will be exposed.

The combination of the Holocaust, adoption, Alzheimer and dementia, nursing homes, rape…Lauren B Grossman handles these subjects with grace…And when Rainee shares a little something with Mr Wickam…well, I loved it and even managed to smile.

I read along thinking I knew what the book was offering, and I love that Lauren surprised me with a couple tricks she pulled out of her bag. I was left with bittersweet thoughts of a well crafted novel that will make me more open to checking out books that I would normally pass by.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Golden Peacock by Lauren B Grossman.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (meer)