Romance

I didn't know it was #2 until right now! I was thinking if there was a sequel I'd read it, but now I have to go back to #1. Therefore, stands alone very well! I loved that it was a romance, but it intertwined a WWII/Nazi/Denmark story. ( )

2.5 stars. I've unwittingly read yet another WWII novel. This one has 2 storylines - present day in California and WWII-era in Denmark. A friend had given it to me, so I read it without knowing much about the book. For what it is (a light, easy read), it wasn't bad. The development of the main character's relationship seemed uneven and silly. The book is obviously part of a series, and there were loose ends left open for the next book. ( )

There are two books in the Bella Vista Chronicles series. I liked the WW II background of the grandfather and the beginnings of the relationship between the two separated sisters more than I did the other threads of the storyline. Parts of the second book were very unbelievable for several reasons, not least the elephant in the room whiich is never explained in any way. Really! ( )

Isabela Johansen lives and works on her Grandfather Magnus' apple Orchard, Bella Vista. She is busy setting up a cooking school at the family estate, and is helping her sister Tess with plans for Tess's upcoming wedding. One of Isabel's projects, in homage to her late grandmother Eva, is to become a beekeeper. She has plans to use the honey in her cooking school. While trying to capture a swarm of bees, a wrier named Mac, interrupts her and gets stung. He has to get rushed to the local medical clinic. Mac had just arrived at Bella Vista, at Tess and Magnus's request. He will be writing the story of Magnus's life. Magnus had been with the Danish Underground during the Nazi occupation of Denmark in WW II. Through the interviews, Tess and Isabel find their family history is one of great courage, strength, sorrow, and happiness. Isabel learns much sbout herself and begins to find the story of the parents she never knew. This was a lovely engaging read. The author combines present day with the memories of life in a worn torn Denmark. ( )