Queen Bee (Frank) #QueenBee #NetGalley

Dorothea Benton Frank loves the Carolina Lowcountry. The setting is as much a part of her novels as any of the characters. She encourages readers, wherever they live, to fetch a glass of sweet tea, put their feet up and enjoy a summer read.

This novel is about Holly, her sister Leslie, their mother QB (Queen Bee) and all those with whom they interact. The people in their lives include two adorable boys who live next door and their widowed father, Archie; Leslie’s husband Charles who likes to dress in women’s clothes, the new love of QB’s life and… as you read, you will also find out who is Holly’s true love.

Holly is a beekeeper. As a result there are loads of fascinating facts about honeybees in the novel. They add to the quality of the story. Readers will enjoy watching Holly find her strengths and her voice even as she chats to her bees.

This novel is a most pleasant read and I recommend it.

A couple of my favorite quotes:

If I haven’t learned anything else this whole year, I learned that love comes in every color, shape and size.

That’s what it is to live in the Lowcountry. The colors are a little brighter. The air is a little sweeter.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sunrise on Half Moon Bay by Robyn Carr

Robyn Carr is a prolific writer of women’s fiction; to name just a few there she has written the Virgin River, Grace Valley and Thunder Point series. Her many fans will pretty much always read what she writes.
This title is a standalone. It tells the story of Justine (in her fifties) and Addie (in her thirties), sisters who, due to their age difference, were not especially close. Addie, for reasons that the book makes clear, left her degree program to care for her parents while married mother Justine went from success to success with the support of her house parent husband.

However, as we all know, novels often have an arc. Characters have experiences, struggle, grow, learn and, if they are lucky, find themselves in a better place. As Justine’s marriage implodes and Addie tries to figure out what to do with her life, what will happen? At the end of the novel, will the sisters be closer and happier? (Readers will hope so).

In following the Justine and Addie’s stories, Ms. Carr explores social issues including women who return to the workforce insecure after years away and men who face partner abuse. The author clearly wants her readers to know that there is help for those who suffer.

This book is an easy read that fans of the author will welcome. The small town setting is very appealing.

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

Girls of Summer A Novel by Nancy Thayer

Nancy Thayer is an experienced writer of women’s fiction.  Her books give those who pick them up immersive and relaxing reads.  This title  is no exception.

As is often the case for this author, the story is set on Nantucket.  Over the course of the novel, main characters Lisa, Mack, Juliet, Theo, Beth and Ryder are looking to find happiness as each is impacted by both their past and present.  As storm clouds, both metaphorical and physical, build up, will these characters find their happiness?  Trust Ms. Thayer for a page turning time as you wait to find out.

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

#GirlsofSummer #NetGalley

The four titles above are all recent releases that are under $10.

Some other e book bargains for today:

The James Joyce book is free.

Miss Benson’s Beetle A Novel by Rachel Joyce

Miss Benson’s Beetle is by the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a book that I very much enjoyed.  So, I was excited to receive this e galley from the publisher.  The book does not disappoint.

As has been true in her other novels, Rachel Joyce is a mistress of creating quirky characters for whom readers will care.  The beginning of the novel introduces Miss Benson.  What teacher will not identify with her ‘losing it,’ even if they might not take the actions that she does?

From this unlikely beginning Miss Benson goes on the quest of her lifetime, to the New Caledonia, in search of a rare golden beetle.  Readers learn what led to this obsession and of the tragedies in Miss Benson’s past.  Accompanying Miss Benson is the irrepressible Enid Pretty who has her own back story.  There is also another less savory and wounded character whom Miss Benson did not hire when she met him.

This is a story about doing what one dreams of in life.  It is about embarking on a journey without knowing how it will end.  Isn’t this a universal of going on journeys and taking risks?  Readers will become attached to the story and character and will immerse themselves in Miss Benson’s world.

This is a novel that has both humor and heart.  I highly recommend it.

NOTE: THERE ARE ADDITIONAL ELLY GRIFFITHS BOOKS IN THIS SERIES AS BARGAINS TODAY. THE DICKENS IS FREE.

Fast Girls A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team by Elise Hooper

Fans of historical fiction may want to read this newest title by Elise Hooper. Ms. Hooper also authored The Other Alcott and Learning to See (about Dorothea Lange). Both are in my TBR pile.
Ms. Hooper’s newest novel tells the stories of the first women to compete. in what is now called track and field, in the Olympics. Three main characters are featured along with many others. The three are Betty, Louise and Helen. They are not like one another in personality, where they live, in their challenges or in their families but they are all talented athletes. Ms. Hooper brings them and the time period to life in this novel.
The beauty of historical fiction is how it brings the past to life in a way that involves the reader. This book does that well and I recommend it. This title may be a good one for high school aged girls as well. As they more freely compete in athletics, they may be interested to know what it was like for girls like them in the past.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

To Die But Once

I have been reading Ms. Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs’s novels ever since the first one was published back in 2003.  When the series began, the world was facing WWI.  Now. a number of books later, WWII is coming ever closer to England.

Against the backdrop of the rescue at Dunkirk, the author tells a story that includes a murder, heroism, a spy and war profiteering.  In writing this one, the author drew upon the experiences of her father during the war years.

The reader also spends time with Maisie’s in-laws, her father, Priscilla and her family, her employees and war time evacuee, Anna.  Long term readers of the series will rejoice in the opportunity to visit with them.

I have read books in the series that I liked a tad better but I NEVER regret time spent with Ms. Dobbs.  You won’t either.

The Vineyard at Painted Moon

A Novel

by Susan Mallery

Pub Date 09 Feb 2021

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 Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs

I subscribe to this author’s newsletter so had been hearing about The Lost and Found Bookshop for months before it was published.  I entered a number of giveaways in my enthusiasm, did not win the book and eventually got it from the library.

The story is about Natalie who suffers some losses from which she must recover.  The reader encounters those with whom Natalie is involved as she moves from a high powered, but unsatisfying career, to become the proprietor of her family’s bookshop.  There is Peach, clearly to be a romantic interest; a popular author who wines and dines Natalie; Dorothy, the precocious daughter of Peach; Grandy, who is slowly sinking into dementia and others.

Ms. Wiggs love of bookstores and what they offer to people and communities come across clearly.  The city of San Francisco is also painted by someone who is fond of both its history and what it offers now to those who live there.

The resolution of the story is satisfying but…somehow I had hoped for a little more from this novel.  Its insights were not unique although they were true.

If you enjoy women’s fiction, I recommend this title.  However, there are books by this author that I have enjoyed more including the Lakeshore Chronicles series, Map of the Heart and Just Breathe, to name a few.

Have you read this book?  What did you think?