Rosier’s Reading: Spring Book Recommendations
Hello Waco mammas! My name is April Rosier, and I am excited to be providing this quarter’s book review and recommendations for Waco Moms
A little about me….My family and I moved to Waco in May of 2015, and we are proud to call this city we love our home. My husband and I have been married for 13 years, and we are the proud parents of two extremely active girls, ages 6 and 9. In addition to being a mom of two, I also work full-time as the Branch Business Development Manager of the Wood Group of Fairway Independent Mortgage Company’s branch here in Waco.
I love spending time with family and friends, staying active, and you guessed it, reading or listening to Audible in any spare time I can seem to find. I have been a self-proclaimed book worm since my mom gave me my first Nancy Drewnovel at age 8. Since then, my love for literature has had me reading any genre I can get my hands on … you name it, I will read it! I promise to do my best to post about books in a variety of genres, in hopes of sharing novels that many of you readers will love!
For my first post, I am introducing you to one of my favorite books of late: Beneath a Scarlett Sky by Mark Sullivan. My goal here is to provide a review that will make you want to read the novel, without giving too much away. This one is a MUST READ, and I want for you to enjoy the experience of every twist and turn that this gem provides without any spoilers.
Beneath a Scarlet Skyis based on the true story of the tumultuous life of World War II war hero, Pino Lella. Now, for all of my pure fiction-lovers out there, I beg you not to be scared off by the description that I just presented. This book, while based on a true story, reads like a beautiful piece of fiction. It checks all the boxes for romance, suspense, intrigue, and sadly, heart-break. You will become lost in this young man’s story, and I am confident that you will not be able to put this book down.
This journey begins during the Italian summer of 1943, where a seventeen year old Pino Lella lives happily with his parents and younger brother in Milan. Our protagonist is a typical teenage boy, whose days are filled with daydreams of romancing girls, listening to music, and having fun with his friends. As his family fears that their home is destined to be caught in the wreckage of the war, Pino is focused just as much on finding a date as he is with the surrounding political turmoil.
After a bomb destroys the Lella’s home in Milan, his parents make the decision to send Pino to live at Casa Alpina, an abbey/Catholic boys’ school near the Switzerland border. During his time at Casa Alpina, Pino finds himself an integral player in assisting Casa Aplina’s Father Re in a mission that is as dangerous as it is honorable.
The Axis forces are gaining traction, and while the Lella family does not agree with Nazi regime’s beliefs, the family is forced to call Pino back to Milan and make a creative decision in hopes of keeping their eldest son safe.
The story unfolds from here, following Pino Lella’s experience throughout the war. Lella maintains the core values and belief system instilled by his parents, and his bold and brave actions save the lives of many. His quick wit coupled with his fascination with driving racecars lead him on an unexpected path, straight to the top of the Axis forces. Through the years of the war Lella experiences true love and devastating loss, espionage, war horrors, and unyielding courage.
Through extensive research by the author, the story is corroborated by many, and if you are anything like me, the novel will only leave you wanting to know more about this fascinating young man’s life after the war. I hope that you take the time to read it, and that you love this story as much as I do!
APRILS FAB 5: Other book recommendations that I didn’t review, but that are worth a read if you find the time!
- Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand (One of my favorite authors!)
- What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty (Another favorite author!)
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (Love love LOVED this book. Historical fiction set in WWII.)
- The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave (This suspense novel was a page-turner – I could not put it down!)
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (this is the first in an unfinished series of three novels. It is a long one but well worth the read!!)
April works as the Branch Business Development Manager for The Wood Group of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Waco. Learn more about The Wood Group (NMLS 1487273) at https://woodgroupwaco.com.
