A Novel

by Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen is well known and loved by mystery readers for her Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness series. She has also begun writing a number of historical novels. The Victory Garden is, I think, the second of these.

The story is set during WWI. A young woman meets a cheeky Australian pilot. What will happen in their relationship and how will it impact Emily’s life?

During the war, Emily becomes a land girl. She finds a journal that intrigues her with the powerful properties of herbs. How will this discovery impact her life moving forward?

From this brief outline, the talented Ms. Bowen weaves her story. If you are a fan of the author, consider giving this or another of her standalone novels a try.

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

Some e book bargains for March 5, 2021

An e book bargain for March 5, 2021

A big summer read: Big Summer A Novel by Jennifer Weiner

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews June 6, 2020

MY EARLIER REVIEW

A new book by this author is always welcome and this title is no exception. Big Summer is a summer read but one with a bit of food (apologies for the pun) for thought. Protagonist Daphne has spent much of her life struggling with her weight and the impact this has on her self-esteem. As the novel opens, she is an “influencer” who is feeling better about herself.

Daphne lives with a roommate she likes and has caring and supportive parents. She cares for two children whom she likes, and maintains all of her social accounts. But…her life is about to change.

When Daphne was in 6th grade, she enrolled in the private school where her father taught. While there, she made some good friends including her current roommate. She also came under the spell of Drue. Drue seemed to have everything that Daphne wanted and when Drue offered her friendship, even a flawed one, Daphne was willing to accept this. Of course, she subsequently got hurt as happens when one cedes to the desires of a mean girl.

After a period of about 6 years, Drue comes back into Daphne’s life again seeming to offer Daphne something but, of course, also wanting something. What will happen moving forward? No spoilers so you will have to read the book to find out.

This book touches on some issues that matter: the importance of family, the nature of friendship, self-acceptance and self-esteem are some of them. Another is what it means to live life by social media posts. Never hitting readers over the head, Ms. Weiner just invites them to think while they enjoy a Big Summer.

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

#BigSummer #NetGalley

Now Out: The RHS Book of Garden Verse

**#TheRHSBookofGardenVerse #NetGalley**
I absolutely adore this book and will buy it once it is released so as to have it in my home library. The combination of verse and illustration is well executed. Each of the poems evokes a sense of a place, a season, a feeling or more. Starting with verses from Ecclesiastes and moving through poets in many time periods this book is an engaging resource. Gardeners and flower lovers, those who enjoy poetry, give this one a look!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Time to think: The Golden Age of the American Essay

1945-1970

by Phillip Lopate

**#TheGoldenAgeoftheAmericanEssay #NetGalley**

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

This collection, edited by Phillip Lopate, reads as a who’s who of great writers and thinkers. Some of the authors whose essays can be found here include James Agee, Reinhold Niebuhr, James Baldwin, Mary McCarthy, E.B. White, Norman Mailer and Martin Luther King among others.

The book begins with a helpful and detailed exploration of what may have led to this time period yielding so many exceptional essays. Each entry then has a brief introduction.

This is a generous compendium. Readers can dip in and out, always finding something of interest. It is worth a read.

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

How do they get settled? Fatal Scores

by Mark de Castrique

This title is the eighth in De Castrique’s series featuring Sam Blackburn. In this entry he and his P.I. agency partner, Nakayla Robertson are dealing with a case that may involve industrial pollution. An environmentalist has died and his widow seeks the pair’s help. Was his murder related to the paper mill’s owners or to something else?

This title is set in North Carolina where the author grew up. The setting is almost a character in its own right here.

Readers of this series will, no doubt, be excited about this latest title. It can also be read by those who have not read the other entries in the series (yet).

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

Some e book bargains for March 4, 2021

From the NYT: She was a wonderful author

Now out:

Pride and Prejudice

Illustrations by Marjolein Bastin

by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite Austen titles. Reading it in this gorgeous edition made for an even more enjoyable experience. This novel can be read, reread and treasured. I always find something new with each reread. In fact, I am just finishing a wonderful class on the novel.

The story itself is well known but perhaps wasted on those kids who are asked to read it in school before they are really ready. The story of the Bennet family and those around them is fresh, funny and, at times, serious. We all have our pride and our prejudices; while reading about those in the novel, we can think, too, about how we may judge others wrongly. Readers can also contemplate the roles of women and the social meaning of marriage at the time. But…along with deeper themes there is wit, plot, romance, a bit of travel and more.

This particular edition is special because of its beauty, beginning with the gorgeous cover. It is a keeper and one that would make a perfect gift for the reader or someone about whom they care.

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