Month: August 2024

Love can be tricky: Husbands & Lovers

A Novel

by Beatriz Williams

#HusbandsLovers #NetGalley

The cover of this novel tells readers that it just might be a good summer read. The warmth of a day shines through. And, yes, this is a good book to read while at the beach or inside with the AC humming.

Warm locations are indeed settings in this dual time line story. Events in the past take place in Egypt at the time that the Suez Canal is being built. In the modern day, some storylines unfold on a wealthy New England beach enclave. Connecting the timelines and characters is a unique bracelet.

Much transpires in this story. In the 1950s Hannah has survived a tough war and married for safety. However, when she meets a hotel employee, what will happen to her (temporarily) secure life? What excruciating decision must Hannah make? How will this choice reverberate in the contemporary storyline?

In the present, a child has a severe reaction to a poisoned mushroom and needs a kidney transplant. Will his mom, Mallory, reach out to his now famous father to let him know that she was pregnant and needs a donor? How will her decision impact multiple lives?

What, other than a bracelet, connects the two stories that are told? Will there be happy endings for anyone? Read this atmospheric title to find out. It was enjoyable.

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

Pub date: 25 June 2024

An e book bargain-Everyone on this Train is a Suspect (Benjamin Stevenson)

#EveryoneonThisTrainIsaSuspect #NetGalley

I did not read Stevenson’s first novel though I think that I may now do so. That was, however, in no way a handicap to enjoying this title with recurring narrator Ernie.

This book strikes me as an, at times, humorous homage to the classic mysteries of authors like Agatha Christie. As in Murder On the Orient Express (though Ernie says it should be Murder IN the Orient Express), a group is assembled and isolated, there is mayhem and much to solve. As an added twist/bonus, many of the story’s characters are mystery authors and that adds to the fun.

There is much to enjoy in this entertaining story. Many thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in January 2024

From the Publisher

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And coming in October 2024

The Honeymoon Affair by Sheila O’Flanagan

#TheHoneymoonAffair #NetGalley

Books by Sheila O’Flanagan consistently offer just what a reader in search of relaxation needs. There are good characters, a story that keeps the pages turning and some luxurious settings. In this story, I also liked the literary quotes that begin each chapter.

Izzy is broken hearted as the novel begins. She was all set to be married in a gorgeous island venue when her fiancé concludes that he is not ready to settle down. Rather than give up the honeymoon trip, Izzy travels with her cousin to a resort that sounds amazing.

There is a well known author, Charles, staying there. He was once in a relationship with his agent Ariel who continues to represent him. Working on his forthcoming novel while holed up in this paradise, Charles meets Izzy. The lives of these three characters then keep readers engaged.

What will happen to each of them? Will Izzy or Ariel have a long term and more permanent relationship with Charles? If not, where will each of their lives take them?

I enjoyed that, in addition to the relationships, readers learn about the work of each character. Charles who had big success illustrates that writing the next books can be a challenge. Ariel offers insight into the life of a literary agent while Izzy taught me a lot about inspections at ports.

This book will be welcomed by fans of the author and those who flock to women’s fiction titles.

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

This title was published in May 2024

Let’s Go, Kitty!

by Holly Rosensweig

#LetsGoKitty #NetGalley

This book begins with a short section for adults that notes the importance of sounds and ways to encourage very young children’s speech development. All this is indeed so but I think that little ones will enjoy this title without knowing that it has higher aspirations. The illustrations are adorable and the kitty is just mischievous enough. What a great way to learn without even trying!

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

Pub date: 27 August 2024

100 First Words for Little Bookworms

A Board Book

by Stephanie Campisi

#FamiliusBooks #NetGalley

This title is categorized as a book for children but also as humor & satire. I put it not exactly in either of these categories. To me, this book is a kind of treasure trove of illustrations that invites readers to identify the literary references. That can be entertaining. Just a few examples: a picture of puffed sleeves, a skull, a serpent and so on.

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

Pub date: 03 September 2024

Glass Houses

A Novel

by Louise Penny

Louise Penny’s All the Devils are Here is one of my favorite books ever. In that title as in all the others I have found that it is easy to love Armand Gamache. Much like Donna Leon’s fictional Brunetti, Gamache is a good man and it is a pleasure to spend time with him.

Glass Houses is the 13th entry in the series that began with Still Life. Most of the books are set, as this one is, in the fictional village of Three Pines (Canada). Gamache has chosen to live there for the sense of peace and community that he finds there, in contrast with the grittiness he sees in his investigations.

In this novel, all of the reader’s favorite townspeople are there. To name a few besides Gamache, there is his second in command (and son in law) Jean Guy Beauvoir, Isabelle, the inn owners, poet Ruth, and painter Clara, to name a few. There are also some weekend visitors including a politician and an architect. However…in addition, there is someone rather odd in the village. This character is dressed all in black, stands in one place, does not engage and leaves everyone feeling menaced. Why is this figure there? What does this character symbolize? What will be uncovered? What moral dilemmas will Gamache face? Readers will want to know.

The structure of this book is goes between a court trial and the actual events. This perspective heightened my interest in the story.

Kirkus Reviews notes the very high level of tension in this story. I agree. My opinion is that one can NEVER go wrong reading this series. Pick up this one and all of the others. Note that Penny has a new novel coming out this fall.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in 2017.

Imagine: Calm in 40 Images

The art of finding serenity

by The School of Life

#Calmin40Images #NetGalley

The authors of this title observe that they, like all of us, become anxious at times. They hope that this book will make things a bit easier for whoever picks it up.

In these pages are a series of images. To the left of each image is a short essay with something to contemplate and, hopefully, for the reader to take away.

A reader can dip in and out as they choose. Hopefully, this book’s intended audience will find comfort in these pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 September 2024