Robyn Carr is a prolific writer of women’s fiction. Her Virgin River novels are now a series on Netflix. The Country Guesthouse is one of the author’s Sullivan’s Crossing books. These stories take part in Colorado and are interconnected although they do not have to be read in order.

This title is primarily about Owen, Hannah and Noah. They face challenges although readers of this author know that usually things end well. Owen is a world traveler and a photographer who had a significant tragedy in his life. Hannah was a close friend to Noah’s mother, who died and named Hannah to be his guardian. Noah, who is five years old, has mild CP and is grieving the loss of his mom. Over the course of this story, the three come together, heal and find love while also connecting with the characters from previous books.

I recommend Robyn Carr’s novels to those who enjoy women’s fiction. This one is an easy read that takes the reader to a beautiful place and the kind of caring community we dream about.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

For Virgin River fans: Each of these books costs $4.00

These are just some of the books that are on sale. Check your favorite on line book seller for even more, all the way to book number 20.

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I have updated the look of the blog, just wanting to refresh it. Feedback anyone? How do you decide what your pages will look like?

Thanks for any feedback.

Shakespeare’s Stories

by Samantha Newman

This title provides a wonderful introduction to Shakespeare for young readers. There are fifteen plays included; to name just a few, there are The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest. Each play is brought to life, simply retold but true to the spirit of the original. The illustrations that accompany the stories are truly magnificent. Those who would like to introduce a new generation to Shakespeare may well want to pick up this book and let the bard do the rest.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Traditions from Around the World

by Monika Utnik-Strugala

#ChristmasIsComing #NetGalley Pub Date 14 Sep 2021

This is a beautifully illustrated book that describes many Christmas customs and celebrations. The book opens with an an explanation for how Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25th. From here, there are sections on many ways that the holiday is noted and celebrated. For example, have you ever heard of Grittibaenz? He is a bit like a gingerbread man in Switzerland. How about a German Christmas Market? Reading about that makes me want to go to one to look around. What are some of the stories behind the Christmas tree? Learn about the Swedish gnomes, called tomtar. Find out when children in different countries receive their gifts. All this and more make this book an interesting one for families to share. The world opens up as children learn the ways in which their celebrations are the same and/or different from those in other parts of the world. A great way to look forward to the holiday season.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

by Lilly Workneh, Jestine Ware, Diana Odero, Sonja Thomas, CaShawn Thompson (Foreword)

Pub Date 28 Sep 2021 #RebelGirlsCelebrateBlackGirlMagic #NetGalley

The Rebel Girls series is one that is easy to recommend. Each book is well put together and created to inspire girls to believe that anything is possible. Readers are offered the opportunity to appreciate the accomplishments of others who paved the way while they ponder their own paths.

This title does exactly what it promises. The stories of 100 Black girls are told. For each there is a beautiful illustration and a biographical sketch. These pages have stories about everyone from Angela Davis, (activist), to Aretha Franklin (singer), to Ava Duvernay (filmmaker), to Ida B Wells (journalist), to Joy Buolamwini (computer scientist), and so many more. Readers find the ways in which paths may have taken time to find. They may also read about injustices. For example pediatric neurosurgeon, Alexa Canady, was the victim of a teacher swapping her grades with those of a white student. Readers also find that she considered several fields before finding her calling.

This title belongs in school and home libraries so that it can be picked up and read anytime. Girls will benefit from spending time with this one. I guarantee it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The inspiring connections between the world’s greatest artists

by Susie Hodge

#ArtisticCircles #NetGalley Pub Date 21 Sep 2021

This title includes stories of many artists and their creative connections with others. For each artist featured, there is interesting biographical information, something about these connections and an illustration of the artist. These illustrations reflect each artist’s own style.

There are way too many artists to list here. Some of those included are Sargent, Mondrian, Picasso, Calder, Basquiat and Krasner. I very much enjoyed the biographical anecdotes about each talented artist. The connections are also there often floating above the other text.

This title is well organized. Beneath each artist’s name are those who were influenced. For example, under Georgia O’Keeffe is the name Judy Chicago. Under Judy Chicago’s name are Georgia O’Keeffe, Eva Hesse and Jenny Holzer. This helps readers to see how so many of the artists connected to each other and lets readers hone in on which entries they want to read.

For those who would enjoy a wide-ranging exposure to both well-known and lesser known artists, this book is recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title which I plan to purchase. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher:

Treacherous is the Night by Anna LeeHuber

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 23, 2021

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 20, 2018

Anna Lee Huber began a new series last year when This Side of Murder was published. In Treacherous is the Night, the second novel featuring Verity Kent, the author hits her stride.

The reader learns early on that Verity was an agent in La Dame Blanche, a resistance and intelligence group, during WWI. This story has to do with events that had their origin in that time.

At the beginning of the novel, Verity, although not a believer, attends a seance with a friend who hopes to contact her brother. For those who don’t know, attending seances was common after the war. The medium appears to channel an agent with whom Verity worked during the war. From this point on, the novel is a hunt for clues to find Emilie and to prevent a tragedy. While the reader assumes that, since this is a series, Verity will survive, the author should be credited for creating suspense in her narrative.

There is a reason to read the books in order. SPOILER: This has to do with what happened to Verity’s husband, something the reader learns in the first novel. However, if the reader is willing to move forward, there is no reason that this novel cannot be read first.

I gave This Side of Murder three *** and am happy to give the new novel four. I enjoyed spending time with the main characters in this book and look forward to meeting up with Verity, Sidney and the rest of the crew in the future.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher.