I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!
When my children were young there were no ipads and I don’t know if I would have wanted one sharing a restaurant table with me anyway. This title therefore felt nostalgic to me, in the best possible way.
Bring some crayons and a pencil, along with this book, with you for a restaurant outing. This is a generous book at over sixty pages. Inside start with a spot for a child to enter their information and restaurant reservation and it goes on from there. Next, there are restaurants and chefs in a matching game. Creativity is encouraged as kids are asked to invent a menu item for each. There are dot-to-dot puzzles, number searches, an I Spy Game, Shadow Matches, Mazes and loads more.
I really recommend this colorful and engaging title for kids. I definitely would buy this one.
Many thanks to Quarto-QEB Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Every time that I am given a chance to spend time with Katherine Center, I find myself eager to immerse myself in her fictional world. I know that she will tell a good (if slightly predictable) story and that I will forget about the real world for a bit, something that I welcome these days.
This time readers learn something about what it is like to be a bodyguard. For example, it is in the training and a person does not have to be BIG to be able to do the job. That is why Hannah has been good at her job.
As the novel opens, bodyguard Hannah is having a hard time. Her boyfriend Robbie has broken up with her and is dating Hannah’s close friend. To make things worse and sadder, Hannah’s mother has died. She was not an easy woman but this is still life changing. Usually Hannah uses work to escape, the farther away the better. However, this time her boss is not letting that happen.
Instead, and under protest, Hannah is hired to look after a heart throb movie star, Jack Stapleton who is in Texas which is where Hannah is based. Hannah will pose as Jack’s girlfriend feeling dubious about this as she is no glamour queen. Despite not wanting the position, Hannah will do her best.
From here, readers spend time with Jack as he faces a family issue. How will being the bodyguard for Jack go? Will there be mutuality in Jack and Hannah’s relationship, despite Hannah’s always wanting to be professional? Turn the pages to find out.
Readers may feel that they know what will happen and that’s okay. The fun is in watching the plot unfold and just enjoying it.
I got to do my favorite thing with this title, toggling between the book and the audio. This works so well for me. The narration was clear and easy to follow.
Whichever way, you like your Katherine Center novels or, if you are just discovering this author, give this title a look. It is a good book for those looking for a break.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.
Murder with Oolong Tea is book number six, out of eight so far, in the Daisy’s Tea Garden series. This is a cozy series that may be just right for reading on a warm summer day with a glass of iced tea nearby. I enjoyed the Pennsylvania Dutch setting.
In this entry, Daisy is providing refreshments at a school. Althea, who appears beloved by none, is found dead in the school’s pool. It is easy to understand why she might have been a victim but which of the many possible suspects did it? Stick by Daisy as she unravels everything and justice is served.
Fans new and old may want to give this title and series a look. Cozy lovers should enjoy it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for this title. All opinions are my own.
Here is another in a terrific series of Sherlock Holmes stories for kids who are starting to read (slightly longer) chapter books. These retellings of the Conan Doyle tales are just the right length and are illustrated to keep a young reader’s interest. Each remains true in spirit to the original story.
This time readers face The Final Problem. It is one of the most exciting stories in the canon as Moriarty and Holmes face off.
Spark a child’s interest with this classic series. They will thank you.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus for this title. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the first book in this series by M.E. Hilliard and was happy to have the opportunity to find out what was happening for the protagonist and her community in this second book in the series.
Librarian Greer is one of those people who finds herself embroiled in situations. There are also issues from her past that were not resolved in the last book here around Greer’s husband’s death. This is a major concern for her and the reader.
In this book, Greer is going to a wedding. She has an ulterior motive. What does she hope to learn at Sarah Whitaker’s wedding? How will a murder impact Greer’s quest and the lives of the other characters in this novel?
This is a reliably good, if at times a bit slow, read. I enjoyed the setting, characters and plots. Now it is time to wait for the next in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
The first book:
The Unkindness of Ravens
A Greer Hogan Mystery
by M. E. Hilliard
#TheUnkindnessofRavens #NetGalley
This book grabbed my interest immediately because, on the first page, a favorite childhood fictional character of mine was mentioned. You may not know her, but she was Trixie Belden. She, her brothers, Honey and Jim had adventures and solved mysteries with their club. They had exactly the life that I wanted .I loved Trixie more than Nancy Drew. As this was exactly how the fictional detective in this book felt, I knew that I wanted to read more.
The amateur sleuth in this title is Greer. Her husband had been murdered (not a spoiler as this is mentioned early in the novel) and she has sought a new life away from New York City. Greer goes to library school and moves to a small town in upstate New York. A library patron and friend to Greer is murdered. What is behind the murder? Who did it? How will intrepid, amateur sleuth Greer fare? Will the solution tell her more about her husband? Find out in this cozy mystery.
In addition to Trixie, I loved the library setting and the mention of various books and authors. Readers will wish for a library like this, despite the crimes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
An Island Wedding is the fifth title in the series that began with The Cafe by the Sea. Each of the books is set on the small island community of Mure, a spot that feels pretty idyllic.
Readers who have followed the folks who live on Mure will surely be happy to find that there is a new book. While the stories are best read in order, Ms. Colgan thoughtfully provides an introduction to the characters and places, so this book could be read and enjoyed by new readers too.
I was happy to again spend time with Flora, her baby, her fiance, her family and her friends. It was nice to revisit the hotel and see what was happening there. I also enjoyed the plot about Saif, a refugee doctor who has found a new beginning for himself and his children on Mure.
There are wedding plans here, daily life and a few surprises. How will Flora and Joel’s wedding, one that they planned to be “micro” compare with that of Olivia who has returned to Mure for an extravaganza? Will love triumph? Relax and enjoy as you find out. Enjoy a (virtual) vacation in Mure, that magical island between Scotland and Norway as the pages are turned in this light read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 