Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

This is the tenth edition of this sampler.  It includes long excerpts from cozy style mysteries that will be coming out soon.  The authors included are Ashley Weaver, Jane Cleland, Ellen Hart, Carolyn Haines, Donna Andrews, Cate Conte, Ellie Alexander, Diane Kelly, Elizabeth Penny, Vivien Chen and Susan Cox.  See the covers of these authors’ new titles, read the summary about the novel and then immerse yourself in the beginning of the book to see if it appeals to you.  There are several chapters of each, surely enough to whet your appetite.  Then, learn more about the authors, see their photos and find  a full list of their books  and see what they looks like.  All in all, a very good resource if cozies are your cup of tea.

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

This is a sweet, charmingly illustrated book that young children will enjoy having read to them.  With its rhymes and repetition, it is sure to delight toddlers.  They will watch as Merve encounters danger, reunites with his mum and figures out how to prevent getting lost in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title that is sure to please its intended audience.

#MervetheForgetfulMouse #NetGalley

Just a couple, both of which offer fine escape.

Jane Austen wrote her novel, Persuasion, in 1817, four years after the well-known Pride and Prejudice.  It was the last full work that the author wrote.

This audio version of Persuasion was a pleasure to listen to.  The male narrator’s measured tone, along with his ability to create dialogue in the voices of multiple characters, enhanced the joys of the novel.

Persuasion is the story of Anne Elliott, a more mature Austen heroine, as she is in her late 20s and still single.  Anne did not marry the man she loved as a young woman because she was convinced that Frederick Wentworth had a status too far below hers. As the novel opens, Anne is soon to be reacquainted with the now successful naval captain.

Along with their story, Austen provides much commentary and humor relating to shallowness, snobbery and more.  For example, readers learn early on that Anne’s father’s favorite reading matter is the entry on his family in a peerage book.

I most definitely recommend this audio book.  Whether you are coming back to the novel and have already read it in the past, or if you are new to it, this narration is sure to engage you.

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

#PersuasionSeasonsEdition #NetGalley

Jenny Colgan has found fertile ground for her novels in Scotland where she has set a number of  women’s fiction/romance titles.  500 Miles From You is the latest of these.  I found it to be a relaxing read and recommend it for some pleasant distraction.  If that sounds like faint praise, it isn’t.  I find that as this unusual life we have continues, being transported to a fictional world can be most welcome.

In this story, Lissa is a community nurse in London, while Cormac holds down a similar job in a small Scottish village.  The two swap places for a number of months.  Traumatized Lissa falls in love with her new life which is idyllically presented.  Cormac is initially overwhelmed in London but slowly feels a bit better there.

Cormac and Lissa have one very important case that they share, that of a young girl who has received a heart transplant.  The donor ties the two story lines together.

Lissa and Cormac get to know one another through texting.  Readers know that they will eventually meet but this takes awhile and some plotting on the author’s part.  By the time the meeting takes place, many readers will be rooting for this couple.

There are many secondary characters in the novel.  Some of them are new, while others have made appearances in other novels by Ms. Colgan.  However, readers do not have to have read any of the prior books in order to enjoy this one.

If I had one small quibble with this novel, it would be that it tilted so favorably toward Scotland, somewhat slighting the glories of London.  That aside, I recommend this one for a fun read.

Have you read books by Jenny Colgan?  Did you enjoy them?  Let me know, please.

just a couple for today.  Enjoy.

Historical fiction at its best allows readers to immerse themselves in another place and time. When it is done very well, I often find myself wishing for a different ending…even as I know what happened historically. That was exactly my reaction to this novel; I kept wanting to guide the characters when the events are, in reality, long past.
The woman who was the woman before Wallis Simpson is Thelma. For anyone who may not know, Wallis married David, the heir to the British throne who abdicated, paving the way for Elizabeth to be the current monarch. Thelma, nee Morgan, was a twin and her twin was Gloria Vanderbilt. Again, for any who may not follow such things, Gloria was involved in a dispute over the custody of “little Gloria,” her daughter, with Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. (Little Gloria grew up to be the mother of Anderson Cooper). Thelma, herself, had an early divorce and then married Duke Furness. He introduced her to the future king with whom she had a long term affair.
The author lays out all of these events in glorious detail with characters who come to life and settings that I would love to visit. There are country estates, chapters set in Paris, London, the English country side and New York. Readers visit David’s bolt hole, Belvedere Castle, and watch it come to life.
Each of these personages tried to live their life while others tried to heavily influence their actions. This creates the conflict of the novel and real life.
I wanted each of these historical personages to find happiness and that was the gift of the author, as I knew how each of the plot lines ended. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#TheWomanBeforeWallis #NetGalley

#TheWomanBeforeWallis #NetGalley

This alphabet book for young children is designed with the planet in mind.  It includes many suggestions for ways to take care of our earth.  For example the letter C is for compost, F is for fix it (instead of throwing things out), and R is for recycle.  The illustrations are cute and cheerful.  Hopefully this title will inspire our next generations of eco activists.

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

#ABCforMeABCEarthFriendlyMe #NetGalley

Beth O’Leary’s first novel, The Flatshare, got wonderful reviews. The Switch, her sophomore effort, will be sure to please those who enjoy women’s fiction.
This book tells the story of Eileen, a grandmother who lives in a small village, and her granddaughter Leena, an urban dweller, who has recently faced some work difficulties and major anxiety issues. Both also have been deeply affected by the death of their sister/granddaughter. In addition, Eileen’s husband has left her.
This novel comes so vividly to life in the audiobook version that I listened to. The settings are so different between city and country and the flavor of life in each is well portrayed. With a different narrator voicing each of the two main characters, they have distinct voices and their personalities really come through. In this instance, I think that the audio really enhanced all of the good qualities of the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable listen in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date:  August 18, 2020

I enjoyed The Light Between Oceans when I read it.  The Anne Perry and Dorothy Sayers are also favorites of mine.  I just bought the Camilleri.  Fans of his should know that there are two series on MHZ that are about Montalbano.  The Geraldine Brooks looks interesting and she is a good writer.  Enjoy.