This was a fantastic book! I enjoyed the characters and the setting immensely. A must read! ( )

"Count the Night by Stars" was the second novel I have read recently where the dual timelines are both historical settings. Both stories were set in Nashville, Tennessee, and the narrative moved seamlessly between 1897 during the opening of the Centennial Exposition and 1961 where Audrey was cleaning out the room of an elderly guest at the historical Maxwell Hotel which her father runs. I found the descriptions of the Expo fascinating and would love to have been there and seen all the wonderful exhibitions.

I enjoyed both Audrey's and Priscilla's stories and found both women inspiring. I liked that the novel was seeped into history, from the excitement of the Centennial and the grandeur of the Maxwell House hotel to the decay of the same hotel decades later.

What I didn't realise was that in its heyday the Maxwell was famous for its coffee which led to the Maxwell House coffee brand.

Overall, "Count the Night by Stars" had very likeable characters (except for Kenton who I abhorred), suspense, mystery, tender moments and a sweet romance. A lovely read. ( )

This is my second book by Michelle Shocklee and I can’t wait to read more. She’s a great author and does so well in creating such wonderful characters in the historical setting of each book. This time we are back in 1897 Nashville, TN at the Tennessee Centennial Expo in the famous Maxwell House Hotel. This split-time novel goes between 1897 and 1961.

I fell in love with the characters and the storyline. It was so interesting and kept my attention until the end. I just wish the novel could have gone on for another 100 pages!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

She walked over and handed the Bible to me. “But what I am certain of is if we believe what this book says about God and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, then death isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning of something so wonderful we can’t fully understand it.”

“That is our mission, dear. To see people for who they are beneath the pain. Beneath the sin. To see them as God sees them: a beautiful creation, with plans and purposes only he knows.”

“Is there an answer?”
Dad turned to me, a soft smile on his lips. “Not one that we humans want to hear. The book of Isaiah says God’s ways are not our ways, that his ways are much higher. I think what that means is we aren’t meant to understand the whys of everything. We’re simply asked to trust in the One who does.” ( )

I absolutely could not put this book down as it had me enthralled from the beginning. Split time books are quickly becoming my favorites especially when they are exceptional like this. I loved that both time settings were in the past and that scrapbook had me wanting to sit and look through it as that would be fascinating. It took me back in time to experience the exposition and also brought to light that evil existed even in those simpler times. Learning about the Maxwell Hotel was fascinating. So many things in this story gutted me and left me needing tissues. It is hard to put a review into words without spoilers so I will just say run to pick up a copy and settle in for words that leap off the page and into your heart and characters that you wish were in your life. I highly recommend reading.
I was blessed to win a copy of this book and made the mistake of not moving it to the top of my TBR pile. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required. ( )

Just like in the heart-felt, memorable novel, Under the Tulip Tree, the author takes readers to a moving and emotional time. This dual timeline story has readers experience the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897, up close and personal through the eyes of, Priscilla Nichols, twenty-five-year-old, whose father has spent lots of time and money on the celebration. Priscilla’s parents are concerned about this gathering and hire Luca and his sister Gia Moretti to be her guide throughout the festivities. Priscilla begins to see things she’s never noticed before.

Readers then get to know Audrey Whitfield in 1961. She’s a young lady grieving the death of her mother. She has put her plans on hold to help her father out at the Maxwell Hotel, at the same time caring for her special needs’ brother Emmett. He’s just witnessed an older woman collapse on the floor of a stroke. He runs to his sister for help.

While the woman is in the hospital recovering, Audrey and her friend, Jason, helps sort out her things. It’s then they come across a fascinating scrap book that includes love letters to and from “Peaches” and “Luca” Both are intrigued by the letters, this love story, and the mystery behind it all. They want to know more (so did I).

Jason and Audrey read a story about six young immigrant women that disappeared during the exposition. No foul play is suspected and there is no investigation. Audrey says, “How could the police assume that there was no foul play? Six or more women gone, just like that. Their families or friends were obviously worried and reported them missing, otherwise the newspaper wouldn’t have picked up the story.” So, the drama unfolds.

I loved learning about the Maxwell Hotel, and all that went into celebrating the 1897 Tennessee Centennial. I liked the sensitivity in which the author handled Audrey’s disabled brother, Emmett, and the human trafficking situation. She does a compelling job of shining light into the grim subject of human trafficking. It’s an eye opener!

This moving story is rich in history, filled with intrigue, great relatable, mysterious characters, with a few surprising twists, turns and tender scenes that leave you teary-eyed. This book is a must-read, for yourself and for book club!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )