Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

“Congratulations on writing 100 posts on Joyce’s mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!!”  Thank you WordPress and thanks to all of you readers.  I always welcome your opinions and thoughts.  Here’s to 100 more!

Baby Bird has one perfect wing and one that limits his ability to fly despite his many efforts. This is a story about how meeting a new friend can change perspective and help one to cope with challenges. A clear message contained in a short children’s story. As usual with this publisher, the illustrations are appealing.  Thank you NetGalley.

#BabyBird #NetGalley

If you enjoyed books like The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See, you might enjoy this book as well.  Map of the Heart is women’s fiction but good women’s fiction.  It is about loss and love and the ways that loss impacts future relationships and risk taking.  The protagonist, Camille, is a photographer who restores old photos.  In the novel, through her photography, she uncovers the history of her father and grandparents who lived in France during WW II.  Tragedy has made Camille cautious; the reader watches as she slowly learns to again take chances and live fully.  The book takes place in both the present and in a French town that was occupied by the Nazis.   I recommend it.

Book Buzz provides a terrific service to avid readers. Here we are with the March issue. Take a look and see what needs to be placed on your TBR pile!

#ErikTheLoneWolf #NetGalley  Erik is a wolf cub who feels that his pack is limiting him. He wants to have his own, individual adventures without outside constraints…and so, he takes off to experience just that. Through a simple illustrated story, reader and child being read to, can see what happens next and what Erik chooses and needs. In a way, this is a small, child’s version of Brene Brown’s Braving the Wilderness, a book that I previously reviewed.

Fans of Andrea Camilleri and Donna Leon may well enjoy this mystery featuring a woman of a “certain age” who moves to Sicily. Enjoy the setting, the views and watch what happens to Auntie Poldi as she gets involved in solving a mystery. The book is narrated by Poldi’s nephew who is an aspiring author. Each chapter begins with an italicized summary.
This book was not compelling but was a fine read.

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.

A whimsical look at a mom from her child’s point of view. This daughter loves her mom for being real, fun and not caught up in other’s expectations. The reciprocal is that this daughter will not feel that she has to be perfect. Cheerful illustrations abound. A pleasnt book for a young child.

What does a person “Need to Know?” What truths do we need to live by and how can/should a person compromise? Karen Cleveland’s first novel reads like the book of an experienced author. It not only reflects her background in working for the government but also a keen awareness of what it means to be married, have children, think there is security and find out that is an illusion. I agree with all those big name authors who said that once you start this book, you will look forward to finishing it!

A reminder that many of this author’s mysteries have recently been re-issued.  I just took photos of a couple of the novels; there are many more.  I loved the Nigel Strangeways series when I first read it and look forward to reading the series again.  Interesting fact for Oscar season…Nicholas Blake was the pen name for Cecil Day Lewis, father of yes…that actor, Daniel.