Meditations for the Soul

by Neale Lundgren

At the beginning of this title the author shares the journey that led him from a sense of emptiness toward a richer life of the soul. While most readers will not be able to spend time in a monastery as the author did, they can benefit from the wisdom that he imparts in this title.

The author provides a series of chapters that offer meditations practices with breathing techniques, visualizations and affirmations. There are also exercises and quizzes.

For readers who are interested in an exploration of their inner selves and who are open to the practices of meditation, this title is worth a look. Spending a few minutes each day contemplating and breathing can be so enriching.

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

by Ashley Clark

This book offers a story to immerse one’s self in and it is also a novel to make one think. What does it mean to deny a part of one’s heritage? How does a person carry their life forward with that knowledge?

This story takes place both in the 1940s and today with some time also spent in the slave owning south. Heritage and history matter as this story makes clear. It also shows a deep and caring relationship between protagonists Harper and Millie. Both seamstresses, will they achieve their dreams?

Read this novel of loss, pain, hope and two antique buttons. It will move you.

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

by Zoë Tucker

Pub Date 05 Jan 2021  

I previously reviewed another entry in this series; that one was about the Beatles. This time, the featured group is the Supremes.

First of all, I loved the illustrations in this title. They were bright, colorful and evocative of the time when the women of the Supremes were growing up. The story of Mary, Flo and Diana is engagingly told. Readers see the evolution of this girl group from high schoolers, their time as the Primettes and their eventual fame as the Supremes.

The group came together during an era of prejudice. For this black trio, gaining the attention and help of Berry Gordy made a huge difference as readers will see. They will also read some fun facts about the group like that a song by the Supremes was played when a space craft was returning to earth.

This is a well told story of three girls with a dream and how they fared. It includes additional information on the group at the end of the book. I recommend it .

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

Hot to Trot

An Agatha Raisin Mystery

by M. C. Beaton; Rod Greene

#HottoTrot #NetGalley

Regular readers of this series will welcome the return of Agatha Raisin. She is an intrepid protagonist who never fears interfering. She is in typical form in this entry when she crashes the wedding of her former lover. Naturally there is a murder and, of course, Agatha will investigate. As she endeavors to solve the case, Agatha learns more about the victim and the equestrian world.

Readers who have enjoyed the series will note that this one has a second author. That is because M.C. Beaton died last year. He does his best to write a title that the author could be proud of. He certainly achieves that goal.

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

The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Doctor

by James Herriot

Narrated by Nicholas Ralph

All Creatures Great and Small is about to be shown on public television in the U.S. The series has already been released in England to great acclaim. Readers may be familiar with the earlier tv adaption as well or may have read the book. It is even possible that some readers are unfamiliar with this work. Whoever you may be, I highly recommend this audio book version of the title.

The story of a young vet, his adventures, misadventures and personal life is gorgeously narrated by a reader whose accent I adored hearing. All Creatures Great and Small tells its story with humor and heart. I highly recommend this audio book version.

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

Death at a Country Mansion

A Smart British Mystery with a Surprising Twist

by Louise R. Innes

I tend to enjoy mysteries set in England. Sometimes I am looking for something by Ann Cleeves or Anne Perry or Susie Steiner or Peter Lovesey. Other times, I am looking for a more cozy mystery, the sort that offers a relaxing read for a troubling time. This title suits that latter category.

This is the first in what I think will be a new series. It is set in a small British town and features an amateur detective who in her more regular life is a hair stylist. She heeds to call to solve the case of her best friend’s mother, a well known opera star, who is murdered.

This book has interesting characters, murder, an art thief and a bit of romance. Definitely just what the cozy reader craves!

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

by Corrinne Averiss

#LOVE #NetGalley

This picture book tells the story of Tess who is starting school. She has always felt cocooned in love at home and wonders what it will be like to venture out into the world with no family member in her classroom. Tess’s mom assures her that there is a string (invisible) that always will keep them together. But…what happens when a little something goes wrong? Will love remain strong? No spoiler, of course it will.

This picture book has inviting illustrations and highlights the love of parents, siblings and grandparents. It shows that school is a benign environment with kind teachers and children. All of this is positive. I do think that young children will be reassured by this title. Literal young children may need a bit of help to understand a metaphorical string though.

At its core this is a story about coping with separation anxiety and the worry new situations can pose for children. Hopefully, this book’s audience will find its message empowering and encouraging.

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

Pub date: 19 Jan 2021