Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

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!

Here is some help: Pocket Therapy for Anxiety by Edmund J. Bourne and Lorna Garano


#PocketTherapyforAnxiety #NetGalley

This title is part of a series that also includes Pocket Therapy for Emotional Balance and Pocket Therapy for Stress. One or all of these may be quite helpful to readers as they deal with our unique historical moment and their own personal challenges.

Following an introduction this book is divided into ten chapters that are filled with strategies for self-care. A few of the chapter headings include Relax Your Body, Face Your Fears, Get Regular Exercise and Your Anxiety Took Kit. A great deal is packed into this title’s under two hundred pages.

The book begins with a helpful introduction that describes the nature of anxiety and its various types. Readers will learn about everything from situational anxiety to panic attacks and the multi-factorial basis that may result in an individual’s anxiety. The included approaches to coping with anxiety come from a variety of clinical orientations including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness and more.

Following the introduction, the book moves to its individual chapters. The first chapter on the body offers a technique described as progressive muscle relaxation. There are many more approaches and tips that follow throughout this title.

This book appears to be an excellent resource on its topic. It will be welcomed by those in the mental health community along with individuals who are trying to live with the effects of the anxious state.

Note: the book is for self-help. Those needing medication are encouraged to consult with a mental health professional.

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

Pub date: November 1, 2020. This title will be available in both e book and book formats.

Recently published:

Adventure Stories for Daring Girls

by Samantha Newman

This collection includes sixteen stories in all. Some feature characters that may be familiar including Heidi (of the Alps), Alice (of Wonderland),and Dorothy (of Oz). Other featured heroines may be less well known but all have interesting lives in these tales that can be read in any order.
The editor invites girls in as she suggests that they grab snacks, find a comfortable spot and become friends with the girls in these stories. Girls can then go on to enjoy the truly, beautifully illustrated tales that follow. All are adapted from well known classics. Readers can look for longer versions of those that are their favorites.
This book provides a chance to enjoy the wonders of escaping through literature. Share it with a girl you know…either read together or give it to her to enjoy on her own.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Now out:

Ayrton Senna

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#AyrtonSenna #NetGalley

I always enjoy and learn something from the titles in this excellent children’s series. This time, I became acquainted with Ayrton Senna, someone who was not familiar to me.

Ayrton Senna was a child who needed to be on the go and this took him to go karting. He was an amazing racer and eventually moved on to racing cars, moving from South America to England to achieve his dream.

Young readers can be inspired by Ayrton; not only did he win but he cared about others and the safety of his sport. He was another little person who achieved a big dream.

This is another good entry in a good series. It is illustrated in a cartoon like and appealing fashion that goes well with the text.

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

In stores now:

A World Full of Poems

Inspiring Poetry for Children

by DK

#AWorldFullofPoems #NetGalley

This gorgeously illustrated title provides a wonderful introduction to poetry for young children. The adults who share or read these poems will also enjoy the experience.

The poems are organized by subjects including Family and Friends, Feelings, Animals and Nature, Cities, Towns and Travel, Fun and Games, Science and Art, Body and Health and A World of Learning. The range is vast and appealing.

I enjoyed so many of these poems, one I liked was I’m Bigger by Kristy Dempsey. What older sibling won’t enjoy this paean to having skills that the new baby lacks while also acknowledging love for that tiny creature?

This book is inclusive. For example, the section on family includes poems about everything from adoption to same sex families to the Korean tradition of a baby choosing an object that is tied to their future to a poem titled Abuelita. Throughout this book, on all other subjects this book is equally inviting.

I highly recommend this title. It would make a wonderful gift for a new baby and their parents. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Recently published:

Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You

by Annie Lyons

British cover
American cover

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I read it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others.

Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be?

Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more.

In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister.

Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them?

At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. Give it a try.

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

Now out:

Inside Out Medieval Castle

Explore the Ancient Fortress Behind the Iron Gates!

by Justine Ciovacco

#InsideOutMedievalCastle #NetGalley

Kids who are fascinated by castles will, I think, be fascinated by this meticulously illustrated title. They will see and learn about castle design, the various parts of the castle; for example, the armory and Great Hall, and will also find out about what life was like within these walls.

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

Would you like to go back? Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr

#ReturntoVirginRiver #NetGalley

Robyn Carr wrote her first Virgin River novel back in 2007. Many books followed before Ms. Carr moved to other series including Thunder Point and Sullivan’s Crossings. Perhaps the author was inspired to return to Virgin Riven because of the TV series that is now on Netflix. Whatever the motivation, long term readers of the Virgin River novels will undoubtedly be happy to return. They know that they can count on good people, a nice community and a love story.

This novel is about Kaylee and Landry. Kaylee is an author of suspense novels who is experiencing writer’s block following the death of her mother. Through family friends, she chooses to travel to Virgin River in the hope that she will finish her novel. No spoiler to say that she does and even that she moves into a new genre, that she falls in love and that some unexpected things happen to her. That is the Virgin River formula.

Kaylee’s romantic foil is Landry, an artist and dog trainer. He helps Kaylee to overcome her fear of dogs and to move forward even as she recognizes that she will always miss her mom.

The relationship that Kaylee had with her mom is lovingly described and maybe even idealized a bit. I suspect that many readers will wish for the same closeness, acceptance and encouragement that Kaylee’s mom gave her.

There are other characters in Kaylee’s orbit but readers will perhaps most enjoy that the names of all the characters from the earlier novels are called out here. While many make an appearance, it is Jack and Mel who are most featured.

As an extra treat, the story is seasonal. Readers will enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas in this most perfect of towns. I especially enjoyed the description of the tree lighting.

This is a sweet novel. I don’t know if Robyn Carr will write about Virgin River again. Regardless, this novel is a gift to her fans.

An additional bonus in the novel is a section describing the making of the TV series and Ms. Carr’s visit to the set. There is also a long excerpt from one of her other novels.

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