Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Barbara Kingsolver: how I rewrote Dickens for the opioid generation

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/adc3bdf6-4a37-11ed-8176-c5c5e560820a?shareToken=963046a6e771c56736e8221a5f660c78

A Novel

by Mary Kay Andrews

Mary Kay Andrews knows how to tell a good story. She has given her readers many fun beach reads. This one is among her best.

In this long (over 450 page book) a lot happens as readers spend time with journalist Conley. She certainly experiences some ups and downs. They lead her back to her small hometown when she wanted to be a hotshot in DC. However, there she is. What is Hello Summer and what is Conley’s contribution to it? What will transpire after something happens to a congressman? Will there be romance in the storyline? Find out as you rapidly turn the pages in this title. I recommend it for those who want a fairly light yet involving read.

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

Pub date: 05 May 2020

by Laura Wood

Little Women was the first classic that I ever read. It changed me as, up until then, I thought the term classic was synonymous with boring. To my surprise, I found the story of the four March girls to be completely absorbing. In fact, this is a novel that I have gone on to reread several times.

Here is a version of Little Women that has been gently simplified so as to be more accessible for those who may not be ready or able to deal with the original. The essence of Little Women is in these pages. Ms. Wood has given readers the key descriptions and episodes of the novel. She may even inspire some readers to go to the original.

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

Pub Date 06 Apr 2023

A Day in the Life of a Elephant Calf

by Anna Brett

The cover of this children’s book draws one right in. It is very sweet. Inside this title, the illustrations continue to be evocative and delightful. In addition, the text goes nicely with the visuals.

Here is a book that invites kids to learn more about elephants and their world. Adults may be surprised to learn that elephants have 22 month pregnancies. This is just one of the things that was learned in these pages.

Both adults and children will like this title. The end of the book includes lots of nice extras. All in all, highly recommended.

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

Pub date: 01 November 2022

Stella Douglas has been enjoying her life in London in this story set in the 1930s. She has a good friend in Michael, writes books (with modest success) about cooks of days gone by and is content with her life. All of this changes when Stella returns home, to Yorkshire, to be there for her her father.

When Stella returns to London to meet with her publisher, he sets her a task. Stella is to write about British foods in a far reaching compendium. She accepts this challenge which leads to research, writing and travel. Stella meets many along the way. How will her life be changed by this project and where it takes her? Find out in this delightful novel.

For me this book seemed a bit slow at times but I am glad to have read it. I think that those who enjoy women’s fiction, historical fiction, food and more will want to look at this nostalgic title.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster U.K. and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 December 2022

Crimereads x Masterpiece Mystery:Magpie Murders Giveaway

Crimereads x Masterpiece Mystery:Magpie Murders Giveaway

— Read on crimereads.com/crimereads-x-masterpiece-magpie-murders-giveaway/

I certainly have never been to Mustique but I know that it is a favorite destination of those who have lots of money and like a bit of privacy. One of its frequent guests was Princess Margaret. So, since I may never be there (it is a private island), I very much enjoyed my virtual visit over the course of this novel.

This novel is set in the 1970s and it shows the glamour and the darker side of life on this playground. Readers follow socialite Willy Mae who builds a house not far from Princess Margaret’s hideaway. Willy gets involved in the social scene.

Readers also get to know Willy Mae’s two daughters. One is a model and the other a musician. It feels like they should fit in perfectly. But…life on the island is complicated. Read this engrossing novel to learn why.

Recommended for those who enjoy their fiction mixed with historical characters in a wealthy setting. It is a beach read kind of book, only better.

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

Pub date: May 2022

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

AMAZON Best Book of the Month Pick for Literature & Fiction

BOOKBUB Best Book of Spring Pick

Town & Country Best Book of May Pick

Veranda Magazine Best New Book of Summer Pick 

Best Beach Bag Book Pick by the Satellite Sisters

Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List Pick 

“Sarah McCoy’s Mustique Island is a sun-kissed mother-daughter story set against the backdrop of the titular private island.”
—POPSUGAR’s Most Anticipated Books of 2022

“If you’ve ever wanted to slip into a picture by Slim Aarons, renowned photographer of elites on continuous vacations, now is your chance. McCoy’s gorgeous novel takes place on the Caribbean island of Mustique in the 1970s, a getaway for Princess Margaret…”
—The Washington Post, a Noteworthy Book pick for May

by Margaux Carpentier

Introduce a young child to farm animals in this vividly colored title. Many commonly known animals grace the pages of this appealing title. This is a cloth book so it is just perfect for the littlest hands.

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

Pub date: 08 November 2022