Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

We live in a time when many people are very interested in their family roots and genealogy. Think about the use of all of those DNA testing kits for example.

This book, which I love, looks at the family trees of a number of well and lesser known figures. Just some of the trees featured are those of Mary Shelley, Abraham Lincoln, William Shakespeare, Ada Lovelace, Henry Ford, Marie Antoinette and Queen Elizabeth the First. Some of the families I did not already know included, for example Desiree Clary, a jilted fiancee of Napoleon who later became Queen of Sweden and the tree of the founder of an Indian dynasty. There are fun facts listed for each entry and a bit of history to give perspective.

If you know a budding genealogist or a child who enjoys history, consider getting this book for them. It is a treasure.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this e-galley. The opinions are my own.

***** five stars

I read this when it first came out and found it to be a good women’s fiction read.  It takes place in a Maine town that felt very much like the one where LL Bean is located.  The subject is a rash of teen pregnancies and their impact.

From Publishers Weekly

Review

“The storytelling is dazzling, as it always is in a Perry novel. . . . Like the great Dickens novel Our Mutual Friend, the Monk series has a deep, almost primal bond with London’s river, which disgorges all sorts of objects, including human bodies, with each tide. . . . [An] uncommonly atmospheric mystery.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Fascinating and addictive . . . Another strong historical mystery that is true in both culture and manners to its Victorian setting.”—New York Journal of Books

I have not read this one but now think that I will!

“Banner’s four-generation saga is set on an island near Sicily, where myths of saints get served up with limoncello as the Esposito family’s bar. As the captivating characters are challenged by war, financial crisis and heartbreak, their bonds hold them together. The island is fictional, but consider this dreamy summer read your passport.”—People

“Like pictures of a childhood summer, or a half-forgotten smell, this book is sweet and heady with nostalgia; not radical, maybe, but comforting as a quilt.”—NPR

“A gorgeous, sweeping story set over four generations . . . The novel calls to mind Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and Beautiful Ruins. It is not just the protagonists and their struggles that make Banner’s narrative incredible, but also the smaller, secondary characters that add color and detail, and the intricately described island of Castellamare itself.”—Interview

“Rich and immersive, this book will take you away.”—Vox.com

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Love happens in all places, at all times and, hopefully, for all people. Each person’s story includes joy, heartache and changes over time.
Amy Bloom’s novel is both universal and specific regarding relationships, as she writes about Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, largely from Lorena’s point of view. Their coming together and moving apart is richly imagined as is the era in U.S. history. With appearances by FDR, Missy LeHand and others, historical personages are shown with both their strengths and flaws. This novel evoked many feelings. Definitely a book worth reading.

I’ve already blogged about the first three books in this series; they are The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister and The Shadow Sister.  So…that makes The Pearl Sister, book four, with three more  still to come.  I was very eager to read this book so ordered it from England as it had not yet released in the U.S..   As in all of the novels in the series, this one is about a sister who was adopted as a baby.  CeeCee, learns about herself and her birth family along with the reader.  Parts of the novel take place in the present while the story of CeeCee’s birth family takes place in the past.  The parts of the novel join together well.  The characters are vivid and their stories well developed.  Australia is the setting for much of the novel and the historical background was fascinating; I learned about pearl divers, the fate of children who were sent to orphanages because of being aborigine and Caucasian and about aboriginal art and beliefs.  Some suspension of disbelief is required but I was more than willing.  If you enjoy historical/present tense novels with a good story in a long book, this one is for you

UPDATE:  I am currently reading the next in the series, The Moon Sister and will blog about it in the future.

I’ve been thinking about how to best write about this book by first time author Jess Montgomery. First time author! Wow, Ms. Montgomery writes like an experienced novelist as she effectively creates a place, characters and narrative tension. She has written what I consider to be a truly excellent debut novel.

The Widows are Lily and Marvena, each of whom has children, has lost a husband and is trying not to lose her way. Life in Bronwyn County, Ohio for them and those they love, following WWI is full of hardship. Coal is king and a harsh master. Poverty and company scrip rule many lives.

In this world, Marvena and her common law husband John have worked to organize the miners. This is a freighted and difficult task given the strong arm tactics of the mine owners. Pinkertons are brought in to quell resistance. Other outsiders try to dominate illegal moonshine businesses.

On the surface, Lily’s life looks better. She is married to Sheriff Daniel Ross, a former boxer and half brother to the mine owner. However, early in the novel, Daniel is killed. The circumstances surrounding his death are a central mystery in the novel.

Both Marvena and Lily have relationship history with Daniel. Each realizes that she did not fully know him. As they come to know one another, Lily and Marvena come to also know themselves.

Peopled with many additional characters that come vividly to life, this novel is engaging, realistic and compelling. Put it on your TBR pile for January when it will be released. I recommend this one very highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Minotaur for this fantastic read!

Robyn Carr has written many novels over several series; fans of hers will know that she has written the Virgin River, Thunder Point and Grace Valley books. Her latest series takes place in Sullivan’s Crossing. The Best of Us is novel number four. Old characters reappear but, if you have not read the other titles, this can be read as a stand alone.

Love grows across three generations in this story. The teen pair are challenged by a threatening medical diagnosis; the couple in their thirties face an unplanned pregnancy and the couple in their sixties show that love can happen at any age.

Place is also important in this novel. Sullivan’s Crossing is that small town that people think of when they imagine small town life as idyllic. There is a beautiful setting near the mountains, kind people and a strong sense of community.

Long term fans of Roby Carr will most definitely welcome her latest book.

Kudos to the author and publisher for this informative and important book. It deserves a place in all school libraries and would be an excellent read for Black History Month (or any month). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

This non-fiction work tells the story of African American women’s entry into the Women’s Army Corps of WWII and their experiences, while in the service, as they trained and were assigned to their duties. Issues of prejudice were quite present and the women’s responses, protests and efforts are noted.

Two things made this book exceptional: One was the photos that illustrated the text; the other was that women were named and quoted. These make the book feel intimate and real.

I had a great aunt who served in WWII. I wish that I had spoken to her more about her war experiences. I hope that she knew about and respected all of the African American Corps members.

This book is highly recommended…and not just for children!

While I have not read this, I have enjoyed many of the novels in the Inspector Rutledge series. The books take place in the aftermath of WWI.  A fact that you may not know:  Charles Todd is actually a mother and son writing team.

This is in my TBR pile.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A witty and emotionally charged novel that delves into the heart of a marriage, and how those we love and think we know best can sometimes surprise us the most

I love this series by Deborah Crombie.  She is an American but you may well think that she is British when you read her novels.  The series is best read in order so as to watch the relationship between Duncan and Gemma but you could always start at the beginning and read this one in its turn.  It is the ninth entry in the series.  The first book is titled A Share in  Death.

Gilly Macmillan is a writer of suspense novels.  I read and enjoyed the author’s first book and would like to read this one.

Hope you find a read here that appeals to you.

January is often a time for self-reflection and thoughts about how one wants to live over the next twelve months.  That makes January feel like the perfect time for this book.  It is divided into four sections: The Natural World, Cultures Around the World, Mythology and Folklore and lastly, Philosophers, Writers and Poets.  Each section includes reflections, cultural examples and exercises for one to try.  The book can be read in order or dipped into. It is recommended for anyone who is trying to figure out how to live their best life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this e-galley in return for my honest opinion.

*** Three stars

A couple of examples from the book:

The novels in this series have all been re-issued.  I read them a number of years ago.  They feature a rabbi in a small town who solves mysteries while imparting Jewish wisdom.

From the Inside Flap

I have not read this book but I did see an excellent play based upon it.  February House is home to an eclectic group including Benjamin Britten, W.H. Auden, Carson McCullers and Gypsy Rose Lee.  You will enjoy spending time with them.

Jan Karon’s Mitford series has been loved by many while others may find it a bit precious.  The stories are of life in a small town and its inhabitants.  I recently decided to re-read the first in the series, At Home in Mitford. Nothing truly bad ever happens there which makes the books source of respite from our current political turmoil. I have not as yet read To Be..but saw it as a bargain today.