This links to a newsletter by Karen Odden. She interviewed me in this one. Scroll down through the newsletter until you see it.

https://mailchi.mp/9d4e5460eb18/september-book-news-a-jenn-mckinlay-giveaway?fbclid=IwAR2zZFJvJ6PaHwvK4O5-5U1HHPkGViN4Ydw3eFAGIywVz4TxHOTeWBxSzqw

Thank you, Karen!

by Jonathan Galassi, ed.

Pub Date 02 Nov 2021

Poetry lovers, or those who want to explore poetry in the hopes of becoming one, mark your calendar for this book’s publication date. It is an incredibly generous and wide-ranging collection of poetry over the 75 years of Farrar, Strauss and Giroux’s history.

The book is organized by time periods. The first poems included are from the 1950s and they keep going from there, right up until the 2020s. There are so many wonderful poets in here that I cannot possibly name them all. Just a few from the first section of the book to give readers an idea; Pablo Neruda, T.S. Eliot, Robert Lowell, Elizabeth Bishop and Randall Jarrell to name just some. By the time readers approach the 2020s, they can read works by Sylvie Baumgarten, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Spenser Resece and others. In between there are a cornucopia of choices.

I highly recommend this title. Get it for yourself or as a gift for someone you know. It is worth it.

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

by Liesbet Slegers

Pub Date 07 Sep 2021 #ClavisPublishing #NetGalley

There were many things that I liked about this book:

The illustrations that are bright and vibrant

The diversity in the illustrations with people of different races and also showing a male nurse. Often children think that only females can be nurses.

The descriptions of some of the jobs that a nurse might do and the different patients that they may help.

My one niggle: The nurses are all clearly taking orders from the doctors. Of course this is what happens but, in the real world, I think that nurses use their voice and expertise more. Some of what is described sounds like jobs that a nurse’s aid might do.

Still, I recommend this title overall. It demystifies the nurse’s work and what it is like to be in the hospital. It may inspire some to become nurses in the future.

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

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#MarilynMonroe #NetGalley Pub Date 28 Sep 2021

This entry in a favorite series tells the story of how Norma Jeane became Marilyn Monroe. Of course, adults know how complicated Monroe’s life was but this entry for children tells her story in a way that is appropriate for them.

Children learn that Norma Jeane’s mother was ill so young Norma grew up in an orphanage and with foster families. Her early love of going to the movies, her first marriage at a young age and other details of Norma Jeane’s life are matter of factly told.

Children see Norma rename herself Marilyn and become a movie star. Marilyn felt that she was realizing her big dream. Yet she did more. Marilyn was a trailblazer when she started her own production company.

This entry in the series nicely tells Marilyn’s story. The illustrations beautifully accompany the text.

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

Donut Worry

by Christianne Jones

#DonutWorry #NetGalley

Poor Donut. She stopped enjoying the summer when she started to worry about school. The more those around her told her not to worry, the worse it was. Until, one day, she met Cookie who told Donut about how she crumbled. The two talked about their worries, things that might help and the concept of doing things in one’s own way and time.

If you know a child who worries a lot, think about reading this book with them. The illustrations are kind of ridiculous but I think that is this book’s way of making it easier to approach such a difficult subject. Make this a book that a child can return to and, please, encourage them to find their way.

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

From the publisher:

Three Weddings and a Proposal: One summer, three weddings, and the shocking phone call that changes everything . . .

by Sheila O’Flanagan

#ThreeWeddingsandaProposal #NetGalley

This book will be published just in time for last picks for summer reading. It will be a good title for those who have been enjoying women’s fiction titles this season.

Delphie is a woman who has given her all to her career and to her boss, Conrad. She is an employer’s dream, loyal, hardworking, knowledgeable and compassionate. Her family feels that she has given too much to her career and not enough to her personal life but Delphie, herself, is okay with this until…no spoiler but things will change. What will then happen to and for Delphie?

Delphie is surrounded by characters with whom readers will enjoy spending time. Early in the novel, Delphie becomes reacquainted with Ed who becomes her “plus one” for her brother’s wedding. Will they remain friends or will they become something more?

Readers also get to know Delphie’s two closest female friends. They spend time together offering support to one another. They also go on trips together including one to Mallorca.

So, there are three weddings and a proposal. Who is involved in each one? How will each affect Delphie? Read the novel to find out.

I very much enjoyed this book. I was invested in Delphie, the choices she makes, the world of work that is described in these pages and in her relationships. I will certainly want to read more by this author.

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

Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Thomas. It is the start of a new series for the author. I think that this title will be enjoyed by those who read books by writers including Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak and Robyn Carr. It is an enjoyable women’s fiction title.
The three main male characters are Colby, Sam and Pecos. The three women are Piper, Anna and Kerrie. Their respective relationships form the basis for the romances of the novel. There is an additional relationship that includes the sheriff and the woman with whom he is involved. The setting is a small Texas town where Piper is the mayor.
Colby comes to town to be a bodyguard/detective whose charge is Piper who, in turn, is receiving threats and who had a date with someone who subsequently disappeared. The sheriff has himself been out of reach and is not there to help for much of the story.
Colby has a back story of injury. He wants to be a Texas Ranger. Sam is a minister who is looking to find himself; he has escaped through many other occupations. Pecos is young, graduating from high school and becoming a man over night. The women with whom they are involved are strong and are survivors and people who cope.
This is a book that will be welcomed by readers who are looking forward to an easy but enjoyable read. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning of this novel asks that readers suspend disbelief. Why were these five characters mysteriously invited to attend a society whose mission was not known? The author implies that something higher than the fictional Gilda brought them together. After all, this is a book that is published by a Christian publisher.
So…the five are the heir to a cosmetic company, a widower grieving for his wife, a divorced man wanting to see his children, an executive assistant who would feels qualified to be a CEO, and her former husband, an academic who is contemplating a difficult career decision. The story of each of these characters, Coral, Ed, Chuck, Lexa and Jett is told in a way that keeps readers turning the pages. There are romance, secrets revealed and healed, and deep friendships formed over the course of the novel.
SPOILER: One of these characters makes a major life decision based on beling called to become an active Christian. I won’t tell you who but in the context of the story, this felt slightly forced to me. Otherwise, I found this novel to be an enjoyable, easy read .
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Killings at Kingfisher Hill

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 18, 2020

#TheKillingsatKingfisherHill #NetGalley

The New Hercule Poirot Mystery

by Sophie Hannah

#TheKillingsatKingfisherHill #NetGalley The Killings at Kinfisher Hill is the fourth mystery that Sophie Hannah has written with the permission of the Agatha Christie estate. The books feature Hercule Poirot. They are stand alones so can be read in any order. This book, along with the others in the series, have an old fashioned feel. They have some Christie trademarks with traditional settings, intricate plots and some interesting characters. Readers know that with the help of his “little grey cells,” Poirot will solve the case. There are a number of threads to the story. In one, a young woman refuses to initially board a coach because she has been told that she will be murdered if she sits in seat seven. What will happen to her whether she sits there or not? Poirot has a conversation with a mysterious woman on this same coach. She tells him that she has murdered someone and regales him with the tale while remaining anonymous. Who is she? Did she do what she said? How will Poirot find out? Then there is Helen. She has confessed to a murder but it is not clear that she actually killed the victim. Did she? Why if she did, and why confess if she did not? And…who is the second murder victim? Why were they murdered? HOw does this connect with the first murder in the story? Thank goodness that Poirot is around to bring order to the case and the reader’s world. Fans of traditional mysteries and/or Agatha Christie will enjoy this case. Can your “little grey cells” figure it out? Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable read. All opinions are my own.