Edward R Hackemer

I am in love. That's all you really need to know.

Sangria Sunsets is book number 6 in a series but it is a really good standalone. At the same time, when you love an author then you want to read everything that they have written and future books. You can see the love and care that he has put into this book. This also falls under my favorite genre and that always gives it bonus points.

The history in this book was amazing and very fast-paced from the moment you open the book to the moment you show more close it. The time period following WWII is one of my favorite time periods to read stories from. Also, how can you not love romance, thrillers, and a CIA agent? It makes for the best stories.

Thank you so much for gifting me a copy and putting 6 years into researching this family and bringing this story to life. show less

This is a historical fiction genre-bender that artfully blends together romances, dramas, and spy thrillers into one little package. This is a book from the middle of a series, yet it is thoroughly readable as a stand-alone novel. It takes place around the world, and covers the years from 1937 to 1960, but mainly takes place in the '50s.

This is the story of Nicholas Throckmorton (a secret agent working for the CIA after he left the Air Force after WWII), and many other people known and show more unknown to himself who are connected to him in mysterious ways. Each chapter focuses on the life of a different character, and gradually reveals how that character's life is inexplicably entwined with that of Nicholas. From Jovita, an orphaned young lady from Puerto Rico who tries to make a way for herself in the states, to Kathleen, a horse-loving young woman who finds out that horses aren't all she loves when she meets a certain young man, some of the characters in this book may surprise you.

I loved the history the author went to great troubles to include in this book. There are endnotes, a glossary, mini-biographies of the characters, a brief encyclopedia of the aircrafts and warships mentioned in the book, and a thorough listing of historically-accurate songs to listen to while reading the book. (The author also was generous enough to give me a music CD with these songs on it as a special gift.)

However, I did NOT like the worldliness of this book. It seems that every female in this book ended up being pregnant because of somebody they were not married to, and every male was a philanderer. There was not a single wholesome character in this entire book. Nora, who was portrayed as a God-fearing Catholic, was as bad as the rest of them. Some of the love scenes were graphic, another thing that I did not like.

I would give the book three stars. Interesting concept, well-written story, and lots of intriguing history that I learned from the book, but the negatives took much of the enjoyment out of it for me. show less

~I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review~

I really wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

What happens when you take a DNA test? This book explores a few stories about family members on the family tree. Each narrative contain elements of fact, fantasy, and fiction.

When I first saw the synopsis, I was curious but hesitant because I always have very mixed feelings on books like this. In general, I don't like them but this book has made me fall in love show more with them.
Each story is different and unique and this made it so hard to pick a favorite story. The story I kept coming back to though was Five: Wanderlust. I thought it was freeing for some reason. I mean, who hasn't wondered what people thought about as they go through their day-to-day jobs. Being a Regional Sales Executive cannot be that exciting, at least in my mind it isn't, but this short made it sound so fascinating.

I already have Hackemer's other books on my Amazon wishlist and hope to pick those up soon. I highly recommend this book especially because it is a short read and can be finished in a few hours. I picked it as my car book, it was what I read in the mornings in the parking lot, waiting for class to start. show less

Well this is the 4th book I have read of the "Throckmorton Family" series, and I have enjoyed them all so far. This particular book delved into the early days of Leopold and Phryne's relationship-- from seriously dating into marriage during the Prohibition era. Prior to marriage, they would sneak over the Canadian border with friend Eloisa and her beau Dillon. (I didn't like Dillon at all-- I don't think anyone would-- he was a huge jerk.), to the nightlife in Niagra Falls where alcohol was show more still legal. Unbeknownst to Leopold, Phryne, and Eloisa, Dillon had been using them as cover during their twice a month excursion to smuggle bootleg alcohol over the border to sell in the U.S., and between his arrogance and the bad company he was mixed up with, things could have ended horribly, well, lots worse than it did.
I liked the story, and being taken on this journey through the decades with the various members of this family, along with the cd the author included with music from the era. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review-- thank you! show less