This collection focuses on the importance of all that can be done for the environment. Rather than being doom scrollers, the writers of this book present a more hopeful outlook.

I love that the authors begin by noting that anytime is a good time for a story. What could be more true. Reading is the perfect anytime, low tech activity for an adult to share with a child.

Included in this beautifully illustrated collection are stories from around the world, beginning with Indonesia and ending with Canada. Birds, beasts, water creatures are all here.

This is a good book for a home or pre-school or early elementary school library.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

Four stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Novel

by Erika Robuck

Anyone who enjoys an engrossing cat and mouse thriller will enjoy Ms. Robuck’s newest book. It takes place in the 1920s.

On the one side, readers meet Marie. As is sometimes the case, she feels that she can do a job better than her husband, even as she has the responsibility of motherhood. There is lots of money to be made rumrunning and Marie wants in.

Of course, the government has concerns about the illegal activity. One of their weapons is Elizabeth. Like Marie, Elizabeth has domestic responsibilities. Nonetheless, she is driven to work with the Coast Guard. She has a great skillset including cryptanalysis.

Who will trick whom? Who will ‘win?’ Will justice be done? Will Marie escape detection? Read this entertaining novel, based on truth, to find out. It offers a fun escape to those who enjoy suspenseful historical fiction.

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

Pub date: 04 June 2024

From the Publisher

Before Covid I had never read a book by Ms. Novak. I started with One Perfect Summer and just kept going, also reading Summer on the Island, The Bookstore on the Beach, and When I Found You. All of these were enjoyable women’s fiction titles; each had a good setting storyline and characters. So, of course, I was eager to read this new book by the author.

The story takes place in a seaside community. Three friends grew up there. Ivy stayed and runs the library. Cam stayed; he became a talented architect. Ariana worked in New York in the publishing industry; she comes back to spend time with her grandmother.

The three all know of a tragic event that occurred when they were in high school. A girl went missing. What will be stirred up as events from the past spill into the present?

This book is a bit more of a mystery but retains many elements of the author’s talent for writing women’s fiction. I enjoyed this novel but did think that it had a bit of a slow start.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

#TheWeddingPlanner #NetGalley

Danielle Steel has written an astonishing number of novels and shows no signs of slowing down. Her readers want exactly what she offers and they will be very happy with this new novel in my opinion.

It is a bit of a trope, the wedding planner with her own tricky love life. This is the case for Faith Ferguson. Her services are clamored for even as she has not yet found her own happy ending. Will she finally find her person? Read this one to find out and along the way meet clients, those who help weddings to be special and follow along with some complicated wedding planning.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 May 2023

Erik Larson has a true talent for bringing history to life.  In prior books he has written about an American family in Hitler’s Germany (In the Garden of Beasts) and, in the Dead Wake about the crossing of the Lusitania, among others.  He is clearly well credentialed for writing about history and WWII.   As an added bonus, Larson’s books are not only informative, they are very readable.

I was quite excited to receive this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  As can be seen from the title, this one is about Churchill and his circle during the time immediately after he became Prime Minister.

I have read several books on Clementine Churchill, both fiction and biography so was very interested in this book.  It did not disappoint.  It was wonderful to spend time with this man who was truly the right man for England’s difficult blitz years.  The book reads easily and tells the story of the country and also Winston and those who surrounded him, including his wife and children.  Readers also get to spend time in iconic locations, including Chequers.

This book is highly recommended for those interested in England, WWII abd a human and steadfast leader to whom we all owe much.

Again, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TheBoysfromBiloxi #NetGalley

In The Boys from Biloxi, Grisham tells a story that will keep readers turning the pages. Two childhood friends, families with different values and backgrounds, a courtroom trial and its aftermath that will grip readers are all in this title, as is Biloxi, itself, a place that is vividly described. A desire to know how things will turn out keeps readers intrigued. Sound appealing? If yes, this is vintage Grisham and definitely a novel that his fans will enjoy.

The book does drag just slightly at times but otherwise this is an engaging tile by a master of his genre. Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in October 2022

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for John Grisham:
 
“A legal literary legend.” —USA Today
 
“John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got in the United States these days.” —The New York Times Book Review
 
“Grisham’s work — always superior entertainment — is evolving into something more serious, more powerful, more worthy of his exceptional talent.” —Th

One by one they will destroy you . . .

by Caz Frear

#FiveBadDeeds #NetGalley

Five Bad Deeds is a standalone novel. As in her series, Frear tells an involving and suspenseful story. A woman’s life is completely changed when she is imprisoned. Who wants revenge on Ellen? How did she end up so far from a more idyllic life? Is there a chance for a righting of her life? Find out in this page turner.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for this title. All opinions are my own.

Inspired by Anne of Green Gables

by Kallie George

So many adults have fond memories of reading the Anne of Green Gables series. In her books, Ms. George hopes to spark that same feeling in young readers. One hopes that they will then move on to the originals.

Ms. George has done a nice job in her series of six books in all. She captures the spirt of Montgomery’s language and phrasing. Favorite people are here including Marilla, Diana, Gilbert, Miss Stacey, and Anne, of course. While sadly, this is the last book, the set would make a nice gift for a summer reader.

In this entry, that is illustrated and has short chapters, Anne is unhappy with her trademark red hair. What will happen when she wants a change? What will she learn? What will she want to do with her life? Readers will enjoy finding out in this lovely end to the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada-Tundra Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 August 2024

Others in the series

Our favorite Anne: If I Couldn’t Be Anne by Kallie George

That E matters: Anne’s School Days

It’s tough for her: Anne’s Tragical Tea Party by Kallie George

Yes, that Anne: Anne Dares (Kallie George)

Line Leads the Way

by Laura Purdie Salas

#LineLeadstheWay #NetGalley

This is a story that teaches shapes and kindness. What will happen as all the shapes compete to be the treasure keeper? What is the treasure? Find out in the colorfully illustrated title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Capstone-Capstone Editions for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 August 2024

#TheHousekeepers #NetGalley

I saw a lot about this book before I began reading it myself. I wondered if it could possibly live up to the hype-the good news is that it does. This title will be enjoyed by readers who like a somewhat quirky premise, interesting characters, a well-portrayed time and place, and, of course, a good (if outrageous) plot.

I don’t want to give much away but will say that the housekeepers have quite a scheme in mind. Readers will long remember them; they include Mrs. King who was dismissed from her job and Mrs. Bone who runs some dodgy enterprises. Rounding out the group are Jane and Jane (really), Hephzibah and Alice. Each of these woman has a backstory and a needed skill set; these may well intrigue the reader.

In addition to the housekeepers, there is the owner of an ostentatious home and his daughter. Wilhelm recently died and his daughter is not really mourning. Who was he? What does she want? Readers will discover some surprising connections.

There are many twists and turns in this story and suspension of disbelief is called for. What will happen on the night of a very big ball in Edwardian England? Who are the guests and how will they be affected? Will the housekeepers get their revenge? Read this one to find out!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 July 2023