Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Meg Shaffer’s previous novel, The Wishing Game, was one of my favorite books last year. So, I was incredibly excited to receive an e galley of The Lost Story.

In this title, the author develops an imaginative story that pays homage to CS Lewis. Just as Lewis did, Shaffer creates an alternate and magical world populated by unique characters and situations. As in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, characters lives will be transformed.

Two boys, Rafe and Jeremy, disappeared only to miraculously return six months later. How did their relationship and lives fare after this? What happens to them and a young woman named Emily fifteen years later? No more plot reveals as readers will want to have their own experience while reading this.

Good and evil, many kinds of love, and adventure await in this highly recommended title. BookPage has given it a well deserved star review.

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

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

#Jackie #NetGalley

Is there a more iconic American woman than Jacqueline Kennedy? Much has been written about her and yet she still retains an air of mystery.

In this novel Dawn Tripp successfully imagines Jackie’s life with a carefully researched title. Readers follow Jackie over a period of many years. They will learn more about her life before Jack, her courtship and marriage to both him and to Onassis, her role as a mother, her career, her cancer diagnosis and much more in this well written narrative. Readers will witness both the tragedy and the inner strength that defined this most impressive woman.

Tripp has written a long (over 450 pages) and immersive novel. It is very easy to recommend this title to historical fiction readers and those who are intrigued by the myth of this woman.

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

Pub date: 18 June 2024

From the Publisher

Other books that I have reviewed about Jacqueline Kennedy

Get to know them: Jackie and Maria by Gill Paul

Yes, that Jacqueline: Jacqueline in Paris

50 Recipes to Rediscover the Magic of the Season

by Taylor Vance

#TheCozyChristmasCookbook #NetGalley

For anyone who thinks about the holiday season well in advance, here is a book for you. Instead of the blazing sunshine that I have today, I will think of fireplace warmth as I peruse these recipes.

The chapters are a bit whimsically named. For example, one is title Yummy Stocking Stuffer Sides, while another is Deck the Halls with Sips & Sugar.

The recipes seem easy to follow. The illustrations are inspiring. See for example the Ho, Ho Holiday Appetizer Wreath. For another appetizer, consider Santa Suit Button Mushrooms. Keeping with adorable recipe/illustration, see the one for Rudolph’s Reindeer Burgers. A nice looking dessert is the Joyeux Dark Cherry Clafoutis.

All in all, this cookbook teams up the cute and the tasty. It seems perfect for its audience.

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

Pub date: 24 September 2024

An Elena Standish Novel

by Anne Perry

Of all of Anne Perry’s series, currently this one featuring Elena Standish is my favorite. For those who don’t know she has also written books about Thomas and Charlotte Pitt and their son Daniel Pitt has his own series. In addition, there are the Monk books, the Christmas novellas, a WWI series and some standalones. Clearly, Ms. Perry is a busy novelist.

The Elena Standish stories take place in the lead up to WWII. The period is well portrayed. Elena has been the subject of four books and, in my opinion, they just keep getting better. Readers will admire Elena. She is brave but that does not mean that she is not scared; this makes her seem quite human.

In this entry, Elena is sent back to Berlin. It is a city where she previously faced great danger so she is aware of the high stakes. Her mission is to extract a scientist who has knowledge of and works in a germ war program. Will she be successful? As this is a series, readers read hoping for the best.

I enjoyed spending time with Elena and those around her. I especially like her paternal grandparents.

It was hard for me to read this novel without thinking about current events. The germ warfare plot may make readers think of Covid. Some of the ways in which Hitler is described will (sadly) remind some of U.S. politicians. I don’t know if this perspective was intentional on the author’s part but perhaps it was.

Those who enjoy books by authors like Susan Elia MacNeal are sure to like the Ella Standish novels. Best read in order but one could dip in anywhere.

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

Pub Date 20 Sep 2022

#AfterAnnie #NetGalley

In my opinion, Anna Quindlen is one of the premiere practitioners of the art of deeply felt domestic fiction. In After Annie, she once again goes deep into the heart and soul of a family, one that is facing loss and all that entails.

Annie was a mother to four children, all of whom counted on her, taking her for granted in the ways that children do. Her sudden, seemingly unpreventable death from an aneurysm at a young age, is the catalyst that deeply affects these children, her husband and her best friend.

Readers find out more about Annie as they spend time with those around her. Her daughter, Ali, is forced to grow up, her husband falters, and her best friend faces a renaissance of old issues. Will these folks who were left behind be able to move forward? Will they be okay? How will Annie continue to be a presence in their lives? Find out in this work of literary fiction that is as good as anything the author has written (and that is high praise).

Note: Anyone who has experienced a recent loss may find this book both difficult and worth reading

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

Pub date: 27 February 2024

From the Publisher

Extra credit to you if you know where Wattle Island is. I knew the country but not the location when I picked up this novel. The answer will be in the next paragraphs.

I have been reading a lot of what I would term Australian women’s fiction recently. I do not live in Australia, have only been there once but have enjoyed my many virtual visits this summer. These began when I was reading novels by Sophie Green. Now I have read my first novel by Sandie Docker and I plan to read every one that is available in my country.

I always love books that have a bookish element, as is true here. One of the main characters is named Anne; her name is bookish. Can you guess for which Anne she was named? (GG is my hint). After her parents died, Anne grew up with an aunt on Wattle Island, which is off the Australian mainland. It was a small place and one that she did not choose.

Significant to Anne was her relationship to Tadashi, an artistic soul who was born in Australia. This romance began in the post WWII period. Note that there was much prejudice against the Japanese at the time, regardless of whether a person had been born in Australia. Also important to Anne in the story is her grandson Sam and her great granddaughter.

The other main character is Grace, a librarian. She is facing serious illness. Her own initiative for a work project brings her to Wattle Island. It is here that Anne and Grace meet and the storylines merge.

This book takes place in the present and in that post WWII period. Both are well developed. There are many other characters surrounding Anne and Grace. They add to the story.

I don’t want to say much more so that readers can enjoy this book without spoilers. Suffice it to say that I very much enjoyed this novel and will soon be cracking open another by Ms. Docker.

by Seamus Kirst

#RealSiblings #NetGalley

The question of whether children who come to families in their own ways are truly siblings seems to get a lot of attention. It is not a question that I like. It can feel intrusive and awkward when it is asked to children, as well as to the adults in their lives. The authors of this lovely kids book do a nice job of addressing this topic, especially in the relationship between the two siblings themselves. Hopefully after reading this book, kids will feel empowered and able to address their peers when the topic arises.

I liked this book very much. The only thing I would wish for is a little more. For example, I would have liked to see the dads address someone when asked the question. This could offer good role modeling for the adults who face this question with their kids.

This book should be part of preschool story hours. I hope that it will be found in both school and home libraries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the American Psychological Association-Magination Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 17 September 2024

Inspiring & Empowering Quotes from Global Thought Leaders

by Dana Rubin

#JewishVoices #NetGalley

This collection of thoughtful quotes is organized by topic. A few of these include Art and Culture; Laughter and Tears; Antisemitism and the Holocuast; Family and Home; and more. Each of these sections begins with an orientation to the topic.

The author-compiler’s introduction notes the importance of language and words to the Jewish population across the diaspora. She has chosen quotes from Greek, Latin and Aramaic teachings as well as Yiddish lore. In addition, there are sayings from migration to the Aegean, the Iberian Peninsula, Asia Minor and the Russian steppes. Quotes cover a wide period of years up to the present day.

Readers are also given information on those who are quoted. Some of these authors may be well known, for example there are quotes from Amy Shumer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg while others will be from those not previously known by the reader.

The quotes themselves are plentiful. In addition, the text is accompanied by graphic illustrations.

This book would make a lovely gift or addition to libraries. It would maybe be a nice title to give to someone at the time of the Jewish fall holidays. I hope it will be read by many and will help to open dialogue during fraught political periods.

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

Pub date: 17 September 2024

A Vera Stanhope Novel

by Ann Cleeves

I always am excited when a new novel featuring Vera Stanhope is published. The Dark Wives is classic Ann Cleeves and I think that the author’s fans will be delighted with this book. Any new reader could start here but I think that they will then want to go back to read all of the other titles. (Note too that there is a TV series featuring Vera).

IMPORTANT: Anyone who did not read the last book but is a fan of the series should know that there is a spoiler about Holly. I do not give that away below .

A care home for adolescents who are unable to live elsewhere features in the story. Four young people live there in a place that is profit making. Nonetheless, there are some who seems to care about their charges. A per diem worker named Josh was seemingly well liked and yet he is murdered early in the story. At the same time, Chloe, one of the teens and someone who had a crush on Josh, has gone missing. So…the plot begins.

What led Josh to take this job? Does it tie in to his feelings for an old girlfriend? To his interest in the arts? To something else? What leads to a second murder?There is a lot for Vera and her team, including newbie Rosie, to sort through.

Just a few of the things that I liked about this book were: the settings, the number of characters and their connections, the plot and the concern of the author for young persons in need. This is an atmospheric story that kept me wanting to read more. It is easy to recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 27 August 2024

This book just made me smile. I love the colorful and engaging illustrations that feature beloved Sesame Street characters. I like the reminder (for both kids and adults) that there is much to be grateful for.

This book is perfect for any toddler’s bookshelf. They will enjoy the rhyming cadence in the text and seeing characters that they know.

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

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐