Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Robyn Carr is a prolific writer of women’s fiction. Her Virgin River novels are now a series on Netflix. The Country Guesthouse is one of the author’s Sullivan’s Crossing books. These stories take part in Colorado and are interconnected although they do not have to be read in order.

This title is primarily about Owen, Hannah and Noah. They face challenges although readers of this author know that usually things end well. Owen is a world traveler and a photographer who had a significant tragedy in his life. Hannah was a close friend to Noah’s mother, who died and named Hannah to be his guardian. Noah, who is five years old, has mild CP and is grieving the loss of his mom. Over the course of this story, the three come together, heal and find love while also connecting with the characters from previous books.

I recommend Robyn Carr’s novels to those who enjoy women’s fiction. This one is an easy read that takes the reader to a beautiful place and the kind of caring community we dream about.

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

Other titles in the series:

#TheCountryGuesthouse #NetGalley

David Attenborough is a well known advocate for environmental causes. He has produced a number of spectacular television series about the world we live in. Yet, he was once a little boy who was just beginning to explore his interests in the natural world. In this charming entry in a wonderful biographical series, readers watch a curious David become educated, spend time with all kinds of animals in all kinds of places and find his calling. He is eventually honored by Queen Elizabeth.

Charmingly illustrated, this is another appealing entry in the Little People series that children should read to learn more about their world and the many things that people do in it. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and blogged on The Masterpiece (see archive).  Fantastic Crimes is a set of biblio mysteries that are published by the Mysterious Bookshop.  Having read Middlemarch, I am curious about My Life in Middlemarch and just bought it.  Barbara Vine is the author known as Ruth Rendell.  I like the Ruth Rendell traditional mysteries but know that lots of people enjoy the Barbara Vine books which are darker.

Christmas Pudding and Pigeon Pie by Nancy Mitford. Two early novels. I recently blogged on a mystery series which features the Mitford Sisters.

Sheer Abandon by Penny Vincenzo. An enjoyable, long women’s fiction title.

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher. I enjoyed and blogged on this one.

The Grass Harp by Truman Capote. Classic.

The Royal Nanny by Karen Harper. Historical fiction.

The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis. Women’s fiction.

Fans of Anne of Green Gables will rejoice when they see this title. As described, it is a transcription of the novel with its amendments, corrections and more. There are facsimile pages of the manuscript in Montgomery’s handwriting at the beginning of the chapters. I loved seeing these because they make the writing feel so very real.

The beginning of this book is packed with interesting things to read. There is biographical information about Lucy Maud (who wanted to be called Maud), whose mother died when she was a toddler, leaving her to be raised by her maternal grandparents. Her later reunion with her father and his new family is described as was Maud’s wish to make him proud of her. Readers learn about Maud’s efforts to get her education, her work as a teacher and also as a reporter which culminated in her becoming a novelist.

There is material from Maud herself included; for example, her efforts in sending out her manuscript and the rejections it received. Learn why one publisher finally took a chance on her. Readers share the author’s evident delight when her manuscript is accepted.There is also information on how the characters in her stories are or are not based on real people and how the geography of her community found its place in the book. Readers will learn why Montgomery made Matthew quiet and SPOILER why he died. One anecdote that I found especially touching had to do with the author being asked if Anne was a real person; she was fictional but so very real to the author.

I highly recommend this book for those who are fond of Green Gables and also for those who may be coming to Anne for the first time.

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

#NimBooks #NetGalley

This is a nicely illustrated story that is designed to address an issue that children may often feel and to offer some ways to deal with it. In this book, Sir Tim goes to the park with his best friend, only to feel left out when she plays with another child. Sir Tim keeps trying to get her attention, hoping that she will admire him. He continues in his exploits until he finally takes a fall from a tree. At this point, Sara comes over, acknowledges how Tim feels and offers that she and Tim can play with other children together.

This book will work best if children are encouraged to talk about their feelings and the story. For example, how did Tim feel? What did he do? Did he have other choices? Do you think that it was a good idea to climb the tree? Tim did not walk over to his friend; do you think that might have been a good idea?

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

A few choices for today.

This book is part of a series by Boys Town press that is meant to help children to cope.  In this entry, the reader follows  Blake as he is involved in several situations that overwhelm him.  Generally, he cannot figure out how to get everything done.  The reader sees how many demands he faces and that is just how they feel, like external demands that Blake does not know how to meet.  Blake’s mother teaches him the “three Ps;” these are prioritizing, planning and posting, that is figuring out the order in which things need to be accomplished, figuring out how to each task in steps and putting a reminder where it can be seen.  Adults will see this as organizing and partializing in order to get things done.

Young elementary school aged children will see how Blake manages a bake sale, his chores, his schoolwork and more.  Each time the “three Ps” come into play.  Children who buy into this message will have a useful tool for getting their work done and not becoming completely overwhelmed.  There is a section of tips for parents at the end of the book.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.  I am off to get organized now!

There is a lot of talk about immigration these days and there are many opinions on the subject. This book for elementary school aged children is not political although it does serve as a reminder of what immigrants have contributed to the country. Included are biographies of fifteen immigrants. Those featured range from those I know well to people I have just learned about. All are inspiring. Some of those included are Levi Straus (of jeans fame), Mary Harris Jones (better known as Mother Jones, a woman who experienced much tragedy and worked in the labor movement), Albert Einstein, the architect I.M. Pei, the author Isabel Allende and Elie Wiesel, a well-known Holocaust survivor.

This book provides a good introduction to each person and hopefully will inspire students to learn more about these men and women. There are additional resources and suggestions of other immigrants to learn about at the end of the book. At the beginning, there is a short introduction on immigration.
I recommend this title for both home and school libraries. Both adults and children can enjoy this title. I learned a lot. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

First, the illustrations in this book are so appealing and adorable! They absolutely enhance the text. This book is for young children. It begins by demystifying what a vet does. This will be helpful for children who need to take their pet to see the vet. The book then gives two examples of the vet at work. One case is about a dog and the other a pony. Both animals recover well of course.

I found this book to be very cute and a nice introduction to the field of veterinary medicine. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.