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The Orphan Collector
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
42 posts | 28 read | 47 to read
Ellen Marie Wiseman, acclaimed author of What She Left Behind and The Life She Was Given, weaves the stories of two very different women into a page-turning novel as suspenseful as it is poignant, set amid one of historys deadliest pandemics. In the fall of 1918, thirteen-year-old German immigrant Pia Lange longs to be far from Philadelphias overcrowded streets and slums, and from the anti-German sentiment that compelled her father to enlist in the U.S. Army, hoping to prove his loyalty. But an even more urgent threat has arrived. Spanish influenza is spreading through the city. Soon, dead and dying are everywhere. With no food at home, Pia must venture out in search of supplies, leaving her infant twin brothers alone . . . Since her baby died days ago, Bernice Groves has been lost in grief and bitterness. If doctors hadnt been so busy tending to hordes of immigrants, perhaps they could have saved her son. When Bernice sees Pia leaving her tenement across the way, she is buoyed by a shocking, life-altering decision that leads her on a sinister mission: to transform the citys orphans and immigrant children into what she feels are true Americans. As Pia navigates the citys somber neighborhoods, she cannot know that her brothers wont be home when she returns. And it will be a long and arduous journey to learn what happenedeven as Bernice plots to keep the truth hidden at any cost. Only with persistence, and the courage to face her own shame and fear, will Pia put the pieces together and find the strength to risk everything to see justice at last.
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review
Monica5
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Mehso-so

Not a popular opinion, but I just thought this was so-so. I couldn't stand Bernice and hated reading her POV. This is a two person POV, Pia and Bernice. Set during the Spanish Flu Epidemic in Philadelphia.

#offtheshelf 2023 @Tove_Reads @Andrew65
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 10mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 10mo
16 likes2 comments
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Acoleman
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

A little slow at times. Also, a little gory. Might be hard to read post pandemic. Makes you appreciate the ease of COVID pandemic- thank you Amazon and Instacart lol

Crazeedi This one was very good, I've read others by this author that I didn't care for as much 13mo
10 likes1 comment
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MelKelsey
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

Book 106

The Orphan Collector is a fictional novel set in Philadelphia in the early 1900s during the flu pandemic. Pia, a young child whose dad is fighting in the war, becomes the sole caretaker of her infant twin brothers after her mom dies from the virus. Berniece, a distraught neighbor of Pia's, struggles with the death of her husband from the war and her baby from the virus.

MelKelsey The author writes such real characters, one that is the epitome of evil, that it is easy to suspend disbelief with the less-believable aspects. It was compulsively readable, and I want to read more by the author. Highly recommend! 2y
ReadingisMyPassion Loved this book! 2y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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tara_ashley
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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As you will soon see, I love a good orphan story.

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Lauranahe
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

This was a doozy. I almost stopped a couple times because it got me so down. During the flu epidemic in Philadelphia, we follow two main characters: Pia, a German immigrant girl, and Bernice, a woman who takes children (often orphans) and sells them off. It‘s heartbreaking, and harder I think now with our own pandemic. Fortunately it ended well (well enough, anyway), and I would recommend.

Reggie Yikes- the selling of children. 2y
20 likes1 comment
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BkClubCare
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Mehso-so

This book didn‘t work for me. I felt the characters were flat; I was not at all hooked into the story - I found it tedious. I would let days go by or would pick it up, read a sentence and ...put it back down. Do I not like plot plot plot? Sigh. Marking this so-so, but truthfully, I wanted to bail. What I ended up doing was reading the last 20-30 pages, commented to myself that the book is TOOOO long, got annoyed by how many times the phrase 👇🏼

BkClubCare “But she sold babies!” was repeated, smiled with satisfaction that I skipped 200 pages and could fill in the gap holes with my imagination. (edited) 3y
Ruthiella So were you so annoyed you tore up all your flooring? 😂 3y
BkClubCare @Ruthiella - that is the detritus of tearing down a wall. We have 5 layers of wallpaper that won‘t be conquered unless destroyed 🤣 3y
26 likes4 comments
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SilversReviews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Thank you:

#WINDSOFMARCH
@eggs

Today‘s Prompt: BLITHE

You will not feel sorry for Bernice because of her deceitful, unethical, uncaring (BLITHE) ways.

FANTASTIC BOOK - Have you read it?

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/yxtfqnor

Eggs Well done 👏🏻📚👌🏼✅ 3y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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megnews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

Set in Philadelphia during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, it was intriguing to read this book during Covid-19. There was a bit of magical realism that the story didn‘t really need but all in all I enjoyed this one a lot.

42 likes1 stack add
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megnews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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A little rhyme used during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.

#YABuddyRead folks who read A Death Struck Year may want to check this one out.

tpixie I‘ve heard a lot of rhymes were made. Interesting!! 3y
Lcsmcat Rhymes were the memes of the day! 😀 3y
TheBookHippie Why we had to eat an onion a day -my great grandma had little kids then swore by the onion so my grandma did as well ...🧅🧅🧅🧅 3y
See All 11 Comments
megnews @TheBookHippie there‘s lots of talk about onions in the novel. Also eating a sugar cube in kerosene! That‘s where I‘d have to draw the line! 🤢 3y
TheBookHippie @megnews there were some crazy remedies ... masks actually worked then too -go figure 😂🤦🏽‍♀️ 3y
Chrissyreadit This looks like one I would love. 3y
AmyK1 I just finished this one a couple days ago-loved it! 3y
megnews @AmyK1 I think it was your post that made me move this up my tbr. 3y
sblbooks I'm going to read it eventually. 3y
mrp27 Thanks for the recommendation! 3y
JaclynW Thanks for the recommendation! 3y
55 likes3 stack adds11 comments
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megnews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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I‘ve been doing this with my kids since my 24-year-old was a toddler. I just did it to my 17-year-old the other day and she asked me if I had made that up. I told her yes. But apparently I am not the only one who does this with their kiddos.

tpixie How sweet! My mom would wriggle her nose to me 💖 3y
BarbaraTheBibliophage My mom and I always did this. Especially in church, although I think she was trying to wake me up! 3y
43 likes4 comments
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AmyK1
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

When the Spanish flu sweeps through Philadelphia 13 year old Pia is left to care for her twin baby brothers alone. She‘s forced to leave them to search for food but becomes sick before she can get back to them. When she does return, they‘re gone. She spends the next 5 years searching for them, never willing to give up.

Also, I don‘t think I‘ve ever disliked a character as much as I did Bernice 😡

SaturnDoo Stack add 🙄🙂 3y
44 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Reviewsbylola
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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I started The Orphan Collector when I woke up this morning, and although I‘m only in chapter 2, I think it‘s going to be a winner. Side note, am I the only one that loves reading a solid pandemic novel even more during covid?! 😂

Now @Cinfhen has started Betty, so I‘m switching over to FINALLY give Betty a read! 🙌🏻

EKonrad There were so many similarities to the current pandemic. Kinda eerie! 😬 3y
Cinfhen Now you have me wanting to pick up 3y
Reviewsbylola It‘s SO good, even only one chapter in! @Cinfhen 3y
Reviewsbylola So The Orphan Collector was good but definitely not great. It started off strong but it ended up feeling like a bit much. Could have done with better editing. @cinfhen Def would be #borrownotbuy 3y
Cinfhen Thanks for letting me know 💗I sort of put this author in the same category as Kristin Hannah, so my expectations weren‘t very high 3y
84 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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rsteve388
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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#LMBPC Round 11 Group J Historical Fiction!! I am very excited to read this genre!

Here are my suggestions.
@DarcysMom @ncsufoxes @EliNeedsMoreShelves

DarcysMom I have read Circe. The rest look great! 3y
rsteve388 @DarcysMom Good to Know thank you! 3y
ncsufoxes I haven‘t read any of them, The Orphan‘s Collector sounds interesting especially since we‘re in a pandemic 3y
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rsteve388 @ncsufoxes for sure yeah! 3y
coffees Ohhhh nice choices!! I've been meaning to read circe, didn't know it was hf 🤩 and orphan collector, oomff, PREPARE URSELF and allende, niiiicee 3y
EliNeedsMoreShelves I've had The Moor's Account on my TBR for a bit, but would be up for any of these. 3y
rsteve388 @EliNeedsMoreShelves The Moors account has been on my TBR for a long time as well so that's my vote. 3y
ncsufoxes The Moors Account sounds interesting too 3y
40 likes8 comments
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Lisas.Library
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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End of 2020 goals

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Laura.Gillespie
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
Pickpick

This book was amazing! I could NOT put it down and lost so many hours of sleep and it was absolutely worth it! It's definitely one of my favorites!

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Lsmoore43
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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This book is the best one yet by this author and she writes some very good books. It‘s such an emotional and touching story. It will leave you breathless. It‘s filled with things that really did happen and the young girl Pia was so likable. She never, ever, gives up. I loved her.
Full review here: https://tinyurl.com/ybc4gwxd
Ellen Marie Wiseman

Thank you to Silver's Reviews (Elizabeth P.) for this prompt.
What was your favorite?

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SilversReviews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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It‘s 1918, and the Spanish flu is running rampant.

THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR is an outstanding novel that touches on human empathy as well as people taking advantage of others.

Have you joined in sharing your favorite book from each month of 2020?

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/yxtfqnor

@ellenmariewiseman

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vlwelser
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

I loved this book so much. I think it may be her best yet. The Spanish flu sweeps through Philadelphia. Pia runs out of food and leaves her brothers in a safe place while she goes to find more. She wakes up in a church several days later having recovered from the flu. Where are her brothers? So good.

#BookSpinBingo square 7
@TheAromaofBooks

EKonrad Loved this book too! What other books of hers have you read? Would love to check out some of her other titles. 😊 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
vlwelser @EKonrad I have read every single one of them. I might be a super fan. Or I read a lot. Whichever. The tagged book is what really got me hooked. 3y
vlwelser @EKonrad but this one is also stunning. 3y
EKonrad Thanks for the recommendations! Added to my TBR now! 😄 3y
30 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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quirkyreader
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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#bookmail. I won this as a goodreads giveaway. Thank you Kensington Books.

EKonrad I loved this book! 😊 3y
30 likes1 comment
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EKonrad
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this historical fiction book set during the 1918 Spanish Flu. Hits pretty close to home but is also written so well! Kept me up late reading because I couldn‘t put the book down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review on Goodreads!

29 likes1 stack add
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EKonrad
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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This book is hitting a little too close to home right now! I didn‘t even realize it was about the Spanish Flu when I started reading it. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Guess it wont be an escape from our current problems.

TrishB Yeah, that is a bit too close to home! 3y
29 likes1 comment
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coffees
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

As much as I hated one of the characters and how bittersweet the end was, it was a really well written story about Pia, a young German girl, who survived the #SpanishFlu but who lost years of being with her family because of it. Warning for an unrepentant xenophobic character, descriptive mass deaths, separation of families, and child deaths

5hrs for #24b4Monday @jb72 @Andrew65 @SumisBooks

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
9 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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coffees
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Oh god I hate this woman SO MUCH, I want to stop reading, her POV is so disgusting but I also feel like I need to know what's going to happen 🤕🤕🤕 #historicalfiction #epidemic #spanishflu

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coffees
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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On the one hand, I'm glad she went to go check, on the other...I just don't like her. Bernice is really prejudice and I feel she's way too fixated on the twins, I'm afraid of what she'll do and where that will leave Pia 🙁🙁🙁

#historicalfiction #spanishinfluenza #epidemic #gore #death

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abookishbutterfly
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick


This is a heartbreaking and immersive piece of fiction. I struggle to get into most historical fiction that doesn‘t include mystery or horror, but I did not find this one difficult to stay engaged with at all.

My full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3246892322

53 likes2 stack adds
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Lisas.Library
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

5 stars

Love love love this book.
I highly recommend it. It‘s in my top 5 favorite reads of 2020. This is my first time reading a book by Ellen Marie Wiseman but it won‘t be my last. Fantastic

67 likes1 stack add
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Lisas.Library
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Only 25 pages in and loving it!
The Orphan Collector
By Ellen Marie Wiseman

Crazeedi I thought it was good 4y
58 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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KaylaD
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Loving this cooler weather right now!! What a perfect night to relax and read while enjoying the fresh air!! #whatagreatnight #lovingeverymoment #theorphancollector #ellenmariewiseman

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SilversReviews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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What a surprise today!!

I was expecting a book and received this wonderful promotional box for Ellen Marie Wiseman‘s FABULOUS book about the 1918 pandemic.

So thrilled.

♥️ Thank you @kensingtonbooks ♥️

If you haven‘t read this book yet, you need to.

MY REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/yxtfqnor

@ellenmariewiseman

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JulAnna
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

Overall a solid pick. It was interesting to read about the atmosphere in 1918 Philadelphia-dealing with the Spanish flu, especially considering our current state of affairs. Possibly a bit overdone at times, and Bernice was just too evil. It is saddening to imagine that children were actually treated this way during this time.

SilversReviews FANTASTIC....LOVED it!! 4y
29 likes1 comment
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Lsmoore43
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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It‘s such an emotional and touching story. It will leave you breathless. It‘s filled with things that really did happen and the young girl Pia was so likable. She never, ever, gives up.
The author shares NOTES at the end that are so worth reading. It‘s very obvious she put a lot of work and research into this book. I think it was so well done and the emotions are so real. It‘s just an all around great book.

review
Reecaspieces
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick
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SilversReviews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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HAPPY LAUNCH DAY

#TheOrphanCollector by Ellen Marie Wiseman offers a vivid portrait of life in America during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.

You‘ll be amazed to read about how things have – and have not – changed since the last time a global pandemic brought the world to its knees!

MORE INFORMATION:

#TheOrphanCollector
#EllenMarieWiseman
#KensingtonBooks
#spanishflu1918

https://tinyurl.com/y45224r4

@ellenmariewiseman
@kensingtonbooks

28 likes1 stack add
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Roxanareads
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Goodreads ARC bookmail win from March just arrived! The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman released on 7/28/2020

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ReadingisMyPassion
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Of the 75 books I have read so far this year, this is one of the best! The writing quickly pulled me in, and I became totally lost in the story. The pacing of the story is superb! It is a complex book, introducing us to a wide array of wonderful characters. I am in total awe of the writing in this incredibly special book.

10 likes1 stack add
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SilversReviews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Pickpick

A MUST READ!!

It‘s 1918, and the Spanish flu is running rampant.

A highly recommended book for historical fiction and suspense fans. 5/5

ON SALE: AUGUST 4

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/yxtfqnor

@ellenmariewiseman
@kensingtonbooks

54 likes3 stack adds
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BookNAround
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Today‘s #AugustARC will be released on 8/4.

51 likes1 stack add
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Crazeedi
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
"The deadly virus stole unnoticed through the crowded cobblestone streets on a sunny September day, unseen and unheard amidst the jubilant chaos of the Liberty Loan parade."

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Crazeedi
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Thanks for tag @JaneyWaneyB
#thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94
🌤 partly sunny, high 78 F , slight chance of showers
🌤 played in my garden , lol😉
🌤 3 books right now The Preacher, The Orphan Collector, The Mercies...couldn't make up my mind!!
Who wants to play?? @magyklyXdelish @BarbaraBB @wanderinglynn @AmyK1 @UwannaPublishme @Librarybelle @fandom_hellspawn99 @Princess-Kingofkings

wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag! 😘 4y
Librarybelle Thanks for the tag! 4y
BarbaraBB Thanks for the tag 💕 4y
UwannaPublishme Thanks for the tag! 🤗 It‘s very June gloomy here. 4y
MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🌸💗🌸 4y
42 likes5 comments
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SilversReviews
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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I just finished this marvelous book!!

You will NOT want to miss reading THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR.

I would recommend adding it to your TBR right now.

Historical fiction fans and suspense fans won‘t be able to put it down.

@ellenmariewiseman
@kensingtonbooks
#kensingtonbooks

Crazeedi I have the this from net Galley, need to read!! 4y
SilversReviews @Crazeedi That is where I read it. It is suspenseful and just so good. ENJOY!! 4y
52 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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abookishbutterfly
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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Most anticipated July releases ~ Check out my new post: https://www.facebook.com/262384764521804/posts/501557680604510/?d=n

Tera0707 What is the full title of the bottom right book? That cover caught my eye 4y
abookishbutterfly @Tera0707 The Year of the Witching ~ The whole title is in my blog post. 😊 4y
Tera0707 @Butterflyamore thank you 😊 4y
52 likes3 comments
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abookishbutterfly
The Orphan Collector | Ellen Marie Wiseman
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BookishFirst has some amazing book giveaways this week! I‘m fortunate to have an ebook review copy of The Half Sister already but I won‘t complain if I win a physical copy!

I recommend checking this site out! It‘s an easy way to win books that you get to read and review BEFORE they are published!

If you go to www.bookishfirst.com and join because of this post, please let them know that I sent you by using my referral code: d9c86cb41f080f1fc