#ADarkerReality #NetGalley Pub Date 21 Sep 2021

A Darker Reality is the third title in Ms. Perry’s Elena Standish series and it is definitely worth reading. Those who enjoy the Maggie Hope or Maisie Dobbs series will want to give the Elena Standish stories a try. They are best read in order. That having been said, this third novel may be my favorite.

In A Darker Reality, Elena is in Washington DC; the earlier books were set in Europe. She has traveled there with her parents in order to attend her maternal grandparents’ sixtieth anniversary party. While there, she meets the absolutely stunning, charismatic and intelligent Lila Worth. Lila’s fate, what she was doing and who she was propel much of the narrative. How do Elena’s grandfather, Elena and others become embroiled in these events? No spoilers, so no more.

The novel takes place before WWII but when Germany is showing its ugliest side. How do events there connect with the story? What is America’s role in the history that is unfolding? Pick up the book to find out.

Readers will learn about an isolationist movement in the novel. And yes, there are parallels with more current events in the U.S.

Elena is a photographer. This feels like an apt metaphor for her keen way of viewing the world and those around her. She is a most likeable protagonist.

I think that this series may be my current Anne Perry favorite. For those who don’t know, she has also written the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt mysteries, the William Monk stories, the Daniel Pitt investigations and a series of Christmas novellas. She also has a series that begins just prior to WWI. All are worth exploring.

I highly recommend this title to those who enjoy good characters, good plot and good pacing. I also enjoy some of the truths that are in Ms. Perry’s sentences.

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

Apologies. It could not be uploaded.

Beginning-to-Read – Big Feelings by Mary Lindeen

#FeelingJoyful #NetGalley

This title is part of a series that helps children to recognize and respond to their emotions. Each entry is filled with photos of kids and adults who represent many races and whose photos illustrate the featured emotion. These photos add to the text.

In this entry, children are asked to think about what leads to their joyful feelings. The author acknowledges that the answer is different for different people, while also observing that no one feels joyful all the time. There are suggestions for a child might do to help them feel better at such moments.

This book can open the door to discussion with a child. Having access to books about many emotions will, the author believes, lead to social-emotional learning.

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

The Met Lost in the Museum

A seek-and-find adventure in The Met

by Will Mabbitt

#TheMetLostintheMuseum #NetGalley

This title would be a great one for a child and adult to spend time with together, although some children might also enjoy this book on their own. The author and illustrator know their Met, the world famous museum located in Manhattan. The text is informative and the illustrations are intricately detailed.

Children will become familiar with the many treasures of the iconic museum as they visit the galleries with Stevie, the young girl who has gotten lost. There are many search and find activities within these pages, along with some questions to think about.

The end of the book includes additional information about some of the art works that are in the Met.

This title provides an excellent resource for (budding) art lovers.

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

Five stars

#TheRoyalCorrespondent #NetGalley

Those who enjoy historical, women’s fiction should definitely mark their calendars for this title’s release date. It was a fun and absorbing read set in both Australia and England.

Protagoras Blase Hill grew up poor in Sydney. She has promise and wants a career. With the help of one of her teachers she secures a newspaper job. Blaise’s career will take her far, all the way to being the Royal Correspondent of the title.

Blaise’s early jobs taught her a lot about fashion so names like Yves St. Laurent, Mary Quant and Cecil Beaton make appearances in the novel. Her later career puts her in the midst of mid-century history; readers follow her as she covers Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones. Readers also meet John Profumo and Christine Keeler, and learn about spies including Kim Philby. It makes for a fascinating background.

This novel also has a romantic story line, family and friendships. Will Blaise find love with Charlie who seems to have it all; this includes a high government position, a family seat, charm and more. But…there is also the mysterious Adam Rule. He knows a dark secret from Blaise’s past; will he use this against her? Readers also get to know Blaise’s sister Ivy who contracted polio and the close friends with whom Blaise lives in England. Readers will be turning the pages as they await the resolution of the novel’s several strands.

Ms. Joel writes an interesting note at the end of the novel sharing her inspiration and resources. This background places the book in context.

The Royal Correspondent reads easily and I always looked forward to picking it up. Here is a good escapist read.

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

Four stars

The four books above are all recently published and available as e books for between five and ten dollars.

Other e book bargains:

The Bronte is free. There are additional books by Ms. Hilderbrand as bargains today. Check your retailer.

Falling by T J Newman

Sometimes a couple of books are published close together that have similar plots. That is the case of the novels Falling by T. J. Newman and Hostage by Clare Mackintosh. Each has a story line in which a threat is made to someone who works for an airline. These threats in both cases are to cause harm to family members of the employee unless certain demands are met. In each case, there are moral decisions to be made. Further, in each of these novels, there is a lot of action and that action includes some violence. Within that framework, I found the beginning of Falling to be rather grim, more so than the opening of Hostage.

In Falling, a pilot, Bill, is putting over 100 passengers at risk. Who will he enlist to possibly help thwart a total catastrophe? What decisions will he make? Can it possibly end well (or less badly)? To find out, read this novel that many have hailed as a best book of the summer while, other reviews, have been just one star.

If you feel brave about flying, learn more about this title and decide if it is for you. The author has worked for an airline and has some inside knowledge.

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

The Living and the Lost by Ellen Feldman on BookBub. From the author of Paris Never Leaves You, Ellen Feldman’s The Living and the Lost is a gripping story of a young German Jewish woman who returns to Allied Occupied Berlin from America to face the past and unexpected future “A deeply satisfying…
— Read on www.bookbub.com/books/the-living-and-the-lost-by-ellen-feldman

Another review of this title

Sorry. This could not be forwarded to the blog but readers can find it on the Criminal Element site.

by Stephanie Ciatti

#LetsTalkBaby #NetGalley Pub Date 14 Oct 2021

This book offers adults the chance to encourage their baby’s verbal development by introducing simple sounds. This title begins with some advice for adults about how to help a child’s vocal development. These seem quite sensible and intuitive.

I am not a speech pathologist so cannot vouch for how well this book will do its job. I can say that it has adorable illustrations, repetition and simple sounds.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.