Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

A Novel

by Susan Mallery

Mackenzie Dienes made a close friend, Stephanie, when she was in college. Over time, Mackenzie married Stephanie’s brother, Rhys, and she began working for Rhys’s mother, Barbara at the family winery. For sure, Mackenzie knows her grapes and the business yet she is always an employee, never a full partner in the company.

Mackenzie at first thought that she had everything that she could possibly want with her marriage, home and career. However, big cracks began to appear. A slight spoiler…Mackenzie and Rhys realize that they cannot stay together any longer. What will happen to Mackenzie? Will she find the life that she wants and what will she have to go through to get there? Read the book to find out.

I give this book a solid three stars. I did not find myself so immersed that I couldn’t wait to get back to the story to read more.

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

The Bay Area has had many lives. The Oakland novelist Leila Mottley shares books that paint a picture of the city that lives and breathes today.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/books/san-francisco-bay-area-books.html

In “The Wives,” Simone Gorrindo tells the story of joining a behind-the-scenes sorority — and how it changed her.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/04/07/books/review/simone-gorrindo-the-wives.html.

I read this and will review it soon.

Our romance columnist recommends three terrific new books, but the one she loves most is Cat Sebastian’s “You Should Be So Lucky.”
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/04/24/books/review/new-romance-novels.html

#ATasteoftheWorld #NetGalley

There are many ways to encourage kids to learn about the world. I think that through cuisines may be one of the best and most fun. This book will hlep families to do just that.

This cookbook is divided by world regions including Asia, Europe, Africa, The Middle East, and The Americas. Within each of these are a number of countries. To name one from each section, there are Singapore, the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Lebanon and the U.S.

The book begins with some general information and advice before moving to the recipes. Some of these are for Broiled Salmon with Spinach and Rice, Shepherds Pie, Breaded and Fried Chicken or Tofu with Vegetables and Arugula Salad, and Ground Beef, Lamb or Vegetable Stuffed Zucchini Canoes.

Recipes are organized with information like what you’ll need, time to make, allergens and more. There are generous illustrations throughout.

While this book is geared toward children, it would also be a good resource for anyone just learning to cook. It is a good resource.

Many thanks to NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in February 2024.

From the Publisher

In Barbara Delinsky’s newest novel, one week changes lives as relationships are re-examined, rekindled and renewed.

One week-usually not much happens in that amount of time but, for the characters in this novel, past and present come together as old hurts, along with family secrets and relationships, surface along with questions about a disappearance.

Protagonist Mallory lives with her thirteen-year-old daughter Joy in New York where she has a busy life as a photographer.   Mallory’s camera allows her to both be creative and to look at the world through her own (literal) lens.  Mallory’s sister Anne lives in the Rhode Island town that Mallory left behind. Anne cares for her father, runs a (delicious sounding) breakfast restaurant, The Sunny Side Up and tries to decide what she wants from a relationship.  Third sister Margo has also left town and lives in Chicago with her family.  The three sisters reunite at the shore.

Also in Rhode Island is Mallory’s boyfriend from her younger years.  They had a serious falling out when Jack’s mother disappears from Mallory’s father’s boat, not to be heard from for over twenty years.   What happened to her?  What was the involvement of Mallory’s father?  Did he cause her death?  Did she die? Will he talk?  This is one of the big mysteries of the novel but there are others including the question of Mallory’s paternity.

I grew up in Rhode Island where the book is set.   To me the town seemed generic though, like any beach town, not especially RI-ey.  However, the town was charming and readers will wish that they could visit there.

This is a solid novel that kept me turning the pages.  It was not my favorite book by this author but I definitely enjoyed it and do recommend it to those who enjoy women’s fiction.  I preferred Ms. Delinsky’s last novel, Before and Again but that just means that you could read both!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Before and Again…how does what happens, mistakes that we have made, impact our view of the past, our present and our belief in the future? These big issues are fictionally brought to life in Barbara Delinsky’s newest novel.
Early on in the book, the reader learns that a moment of inattention led to the death of the protagonist’s daughter, Lily. Any parent can, but does not want to, imagine what this could mean. The reader watches as Maggie tries to move on and start fresh but…can/should the past be denied? A concurrent theme involves Grace who has secrets and stories of her own. In addition, Grace’s son is accused of computer hacking and the consequences of his act may impact his future, just as Maggie and Grace are impacted by their pasts.
I found the characters to be sympathetically drawn and would recommend this book to readers of women’s fiction.

What a fun way to learn colors! For each color, a work of art in the museum’s collection is featured. For anyone who has access to the Met Museum. a treasure hunt of these objects would be fun. At the end of the book, kids are asked to recall the color of each art work. There is also a list of each work that is in the book.

This is an appealing way to learn both colors and a bit about art. I liked it very much.

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

Five stars *****

#TheSwansofHarlem #NetGalley

The Swans of Harlem is a must read for those who love ballet and social history. Here readers will meet some remarkable women. They are Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells. Readers will also spend time with the Dance Theater of Harlem and witness the many accomplishments of that company and its dancers.

In her prologue, the author notes that Abarca’s daughter was very proud of all that her mother had done as a dancer who broke barriers and was an exquisite performer. However when she did some research, she found that there was a dearth of material on any Black dancer except for the wonderful Misty Copeland. This book is in some ways a response to the need for documentations and recognition of the contributions of earlier ballerinas. No one who reads it will forget these dancers/friends/colleagues/barrier breakers and more.

This book benefits from the author’s connection to her subjects. She documents their beginnings, careers, retirements and legacy. Those who read it will have met some remarkable women and deepen their knowledge of dance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Pantheon for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 April 2024

“Remarkable…Spirited…Valby’s extensive interviews with the dancers lend an intimacy to the narrative, the details of their lives elevated and their perspectives clearly observed. The women of the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council are determined to bring their story out of obscurity. In The Swans of Harlem, they become unforgettable.”
—Bookpage

“A loving tribute.”
—Smithsonian Magazine
 
“Five of the world’s greatest dancers helped change the face of ballet—they performed at the White House, they appeared on Broadway, they were on the covers of magazines…This insightful history from Karen Valby tells the stories of Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells, celebrating the contributions they made to their art form and giving them the recognition they so greatly deserve.”
—Town and Country Magazine

The Stranger in the Library is the eleventh title in this North Carolina set series. Readers old and new will be happy to spend time with librarian Lucy and those around her.

I enjoyed the storyline that had to do with art and paintings. Of course, readers also get to experience some nefarious doings, including the murder. They can have fun with this, knowing that all will be revealed.

Those who enjoy traditional mysteries will want to give this one a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 June 2024

Praise for The Stranger in the Library:
“A neat package of art lore and murder set against the storied background of the Outer Banks.”
—Kirkus Reviews

Looking for your next great read? We’ve got 3,228. Explore the best fiction and nonfiction from 2000 – 2023 chosen by our editors.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/top-books-list.html