Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

A Novel

by Brenda Novak

The Bookstore at the Beach is the second title that I have read by Ms. Novak, following her earlier novel, One Perfect Summer. As was true of that book, this is a long (448 pages) story that is filled with plot and character.

Readers follow and get to know the lives, struggles and joys of three generations of women from one family. The oldest is Mary. She runs a bookstore in a small town and leads a fairly insular life. Mary is not a risk taker. Why? What happened to her in the past that formed her attitudes and character? No spoilers so you have to read the book to find out.

Next up is Autumn, Mary’s daughter. She has come with her two children to spend time with Mary over the summer. Readers learn early on that Autumn’s husband has been missing for nineteen months, most likely related to his travel in Ukraine. Should Autumn hold on to hope that he will come back or…should she again become involved with her high school crush who lives in the town where Autumn is summering?

Finally there is Taylor, Autumn’s daughter. She was feeling numb and engaged in sexual activity without using birth control. Is she pregnant? If yes, how will this define her life? There is also a strong plot line about Taylor’s friendship with Sierra as Taylor wonders if she is in love with her.

The author holds onto all of the many plot strands without losing any of them. She tells a story that has some depth and that held my interest.

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

In her novels, Fiona Davis brings the world of New York City to her readers. I have spent time at the Frick Mansion, the New York Public Library, the Chelsea Hotel and other locations with her as a guide. Each time Ms. David brings the landmark to life, sharing some of its history and mystique. This is exactly what she does in The Spectacular, where readers go to Radio City Music Hall and spend time with the famous Rockettes. As usual, Ms. Davis tells an involving story with not just the intriguing setting, but also good characters and an involving plot.

Readers get to know the members of the Brooks family. The father is a widower with a prosperous business and strong opinions. Judy is the less beautiful daughter, the one who works at her father’s company and seems to mostly do exactly what is expected. For her part, Marion is expected to be and do the same; she is supposed to marry the right sort of young man and he has just proposed to her early in the novel. However, Marion is more like her deceased mother who was artistic. Marion loves to dance and decides to take a chance, auditioning for the Rockettes. This decision to become a Rockette affects Marion’s family relationships. She wants their support but is not sure that she can count on them.

Marion also meets many new people, including Bunny (another dancer) and Peter, a psychiatrist, among others in her new life. Readers not only learn about these people, they also get to witness the grueling rehearsal schedule and indeed spectacular formations of the Rockettes.

At the same time there is a bomber in the city. How will that play at Radio City? What will be the impact on Marion and what role will take on in events?

The novel opens with Marion when she is older. It then goes back and takes readers on her journey. They will watch Marion as she faces real threats and emotional ones, all the while deciding what kind of life she wants for herself.

Here is yet another very good read by the author. Recommended for historical fiction and women’s fiction readers. It is a delight.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this title. All opinions are my own.

FOUR STARS ****

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An engaging story…the novel is rich with historical details, and it comes most vividly to life in the passages about the Rockettes, with all the sweat, agony, and camaraderie that go into those miraculously perfect performances.” —Kirkus

“Davis masterfully draws Marion into the story, setting the scene for a cinematic conclusion. Readers will be attracted to the intriguing history and moved by Davis’ entrancing narrator.”
—Booklist

#WelcometoGloriousTuga #NetGalley

It is not easy to get to glorious Tuga. This fictional island is far from anywhere, takes a long sea (sick) journey to get to, and is often not accessible. It is a very distant (fictional) British outpost.

The islanders are descended from several families. Many have distinctive dimples. Some want to stay there, a few want to leave (and come back) and once in a while an incomer arrives.

In this story readers meet Charlotte Walker, a vet, who has traveled to Tuga where she plans to live for a year while studying a particular tortoise. She is escaping her London life and her demanding mother while hoping that, in Tuga, she may discover her father, advance her career and enjoy a new experience.

On the trip to Tuga, Charlotte meets Dan. He is a physician who has studied abroad and is returning to Tuga to take over his uncle’s practice. He and Charlotte spend a lot of time together on the trip out. Will they have a future?

These are only two of the many, many characters who populate this warm hearted story. It takes a bit to sort them all out but there is a helpful character list at the start of the novel. Get to know them, their stories, their interconnections, challenges and loves in these pages.

Many have already declared this to be a special book. I agree. I have read that it is the first in a trilogy.

It seems to me that one of the joys of being an author is that the writer can create an entire world, populate it how they want and decide the fates of their characters. Segal has done all of this in creating Tuga. I recommend enjoying a (virtual) visit there.

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

Pub date: 02 July 2024

#TheSecretsofHartwoodHall #NetGalley

An e book bargain today

The cover of this book perfectly evokes it content and mood. I really like it.

Anyone who has read Jane Eyre will recognize some of the tropes of this story. While Jane’s story is unique, this title offers a lot of fun to those who enjoy Victorian Era inspired stories. I was also reminded of some of Mary Stewart’s books, especially Nine Coaches Waiting because of the governess.

First time author Katie Lumsden does a very good job of placing the reader in the time period and in that deserted manor house setting beloved by Gothic writers. Mrs. Eversham lives in this home with her son Louis. She hires Mrs. Lennox to be her son’s tutor. Off Mrs. Lennox goes traveling with her own backstory and secrets.

She arrives to a place that is in a rather bleak locale and has a number of servants including a gardener whom readers will want to watch. Some of the staff is frightened about occurrences that may be happening in the East Wing, the only area of the house that (of course) is off limits to Mrs. Lennox.

I found this story to be a lot of fun and would repeatedly promise myself “just one more chapter” before going on to do things that were calling for my attention. I liked the plot and the characters as well as the settings. It will be enjoyed by those who like historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Penguin Group/Dutton for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in February 2023.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A SheReads Favorite Historical Gothic Mystery

“Who doesn’t love a cursed manor house in the remote English countryside, especially one with an entire abandoned wing? I’m looking forward to diving into this modern gothic that also promises some Lady Chatterly’s Lover action (there is a handsome gardener!).”
—CrimeReads

“[A] captivating debut. . . . Assured prose propels this well-crafted tale of family, friendship, and the cost of personal freedom. Fans of the great Victorian novels, in particular Jane Eyre, will have fun.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Debut author Lumsden masterfully creates a believable atmosphere of the age, where science and logic are served side by side with the supernatural in everyday life.”
—Booklist

An e book bargain today

#Lexington #NetGalley

This horse was named for the city where he was born but he became well known to those from many other areas. He was one of the greatest race horse EVER. Lexington also sired many other famous race horses.

This is the story of both a horse and his times. That time was the Civil War era. It is nonfiction that reads easily. Recommended to anyone interested in horses, history and/or a good story. Those who read Geraldine Brooks’s recent novel may also want to read this one. It is written by an author who understands horses.

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

Pub date: 11 July 2023

From the Publisher

An e book bargain today

The summer is not quite over yet! Here is a fun book for those last lazy days whether at the beach, on the porch or in the AC.

Phoebe writes greeting cards for a living. It has all gone a bit sour as her latest romance ended with her partner getting ready too marry someone else (the nerve!). So, this Brit goes to visit her wealthy sister in LA. Readers will enjoy watching how her California dreams come true.

Lindsey becomes friendly with Bel who has a massive crush on Ren. In a modern take on Cyrano, Phoebe tries to move this relationship forward. But…who would make the best couple? Read this one to fine out!

The descriptions of LA, food, houses, beaches, etc are all designed to give readers a great armchair travel experience. There are times to laugh and also some moments of deeper emotion.

All in all, a pretty perfect summer read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 September 2023

PW calls this one a treat.

From the Publisher

An e book bargain today

#TheDoortoDoorBookstore #NetGalley

Recently I have read a number of books about books, bookstores and readers. This may become one of my favorite sub genres. This novel, The Door-to-Door Bookstore, is a a love song to those who care about books, reading and friendship.

Carl, who is in his early seventies, has worked in a bookshop for many years. In addition to his daily job, Carl delivers beautifully wrapped books to a number of customers. He knows what kind of book each of these customers craves. Carl also thinks of each as a fictional character and book lovers will very much enjoy this aspect of the novel. For example, one is Mr. Darcy.

Carl has led a somewhat solitary life. Watch what happens when a precocious nine year old, inserts herself in his life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own. This book really felt special to me and I highly recommend it.

Pub date: 04 July 2023

An e book bargain today

#TheAirRaidBookClub #NetGalley

I truly enjoyed Annie Lyons’s novel about Eudora Honeysett and gave it five stars. I, was then, of course, quite eager to read The Air Raid Book Club. It did not disappoint.

This is an historical novel that will appeal to those who have read Dear Mrs. Bird, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Last Bookshop in London, and other similar titles. It is warm in the same way with characters about whom writers will care. Plus, there are books, lots of books. At the end of the novel titles are listed should readers wish to explore further.

Gertie was married to Harry. Together the two opened and loved a bookshop. Sadly, Harry died from the very thing that kept him from serving in the military. Gertie has subsequently lost her zest for life. When she is asked by one of Harry’s friends to take in a Jewish child as WWII looms, she hesitates before making her decision. What happens as a result of this choice, the importance of books, and more make this title a most satisfying read, even with some sadness in the events of the story. As an extra bonus, get to know Mr. Hemingway…no, not that one! He is Gertie’s lovely dog.

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

Pub date: 11 July 2023

From the Publisher

My review of Eudora…

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I read it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others. Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be? Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more. In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister. Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them? At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. Give it a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

An e book bargain today

#TheTwelveDogsofChristmas #NetGalley

So many Christmas romance titles are published each year that it is hard to know which ones to read. That said, those who enjoy these holiday stories cannot go wrong if they pick up this latest title by Susan Wiggs.

As can be seen from the cover, there are twelve adorable dogs. Eleven of these are from a charity and are being driven to their new homes in time for the holiday. The twelfth dog belongs to Brenda and he is a real charmer.

As the story opens, Brenda has a horrible Christmas. She learns something that makes her world implode. A year later it is again the festive season (even though she does not feel that spirit), when Brenda is begged by the dog charity’s benefactor to ride with her to drop off the pets and socialize them with their new families. Somewhat against her better judgment, Brenda agrees to go.

Readers of Wiggs’s Lakeshore Chronicles may well be besides themselves with joy when they learn that the van is bound for Avalon. Those who don’t know this wonderful place and the stories of its characters can still easily read and enjoy this book. That said, anyone who wants an absorbing women’s fiction read, should definitely grab hold of those books. The interlinked stories are lots of fun.

What will happen to Brenda in Avalon? Will its magic embrace her? Things start out a bit shaky but what then? Will there be a happy ever after? Readers will certainly hope so.

I very much enjoyed this story. It makes me hope that Wiggs will return to Avalon again in the future. In the meanwhile, this book is truly a gift to the author’s many fans.

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

Pub date: 17 October 2023

From the Publisher

Phryne Fisher is a woman who lives her life the way that she wants and does not apologize for it. Readers may be familiar with her from other books in the long running series. Others may know Phryne from her TV exploits in Miss Fisher’s Mysteries on Acorn TV. Either (or both) ways or even if a reader does not already know her, it is worth while spending time with this protagonist. (Those new to the series do not have to have read the other books but will just have to accept that they do not know all of the characters’ backstories.)

A lot (!) is going on in this book. It opens with a scene that may well jar current sensibilities as an Asian character is called something maybe appropriate to the time of the story but not to our times. Why was this raid done? Was it successful?

At the same time, there are other subplots. Phrnye’s adopted daughters are volunteering at an institute for the blind where someone may indeed be turning a blind eye to discrepancies in the books. Also, why has one of Phryne’s daughter been locked in the music room?

Phrnye find a body (as she tends to). Is this connected to opium pipes that were found in a garden? Who is sending Phryne poisoned pen notes about her personal life (she does have a habit of taking lovers of whom Jeoffrey appears to the the latest)? What is happening with her Asian lover? And to her relationship with police officer Jack?

There are also two women (lovers) who have escaped their institution. Who are they working (and dancing) for?

Will all of these plot lines come together? It will be a test of Ms. Greenwood’s abilities but she has done it before. Follow her lead in 1920s Melbourne where the story takes place. It is an enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 November 2023