Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

This book will be welcomed by those who love floraculture and gardening as well as those who just love looking at flowers and want to know more about them.  The informative, alphabetical listings include lovely illustrations and many facts.

The author notes that during Victorian times, the flowers one received conveyed messages, even if sometimes these messages became confused.  We still tend to associate feelings with certain flowers; as the author mentions, red roses on Valentine’s Day send a particular message.  Flowers and trees also indicated certain religious feelings or views.  So… a lot going on along with observing beauty.

Using the book as a reference may take a little practice.  The flowers are listed by their scientific names but there is an index of common names at the back of the book to help. The information for each plant might include symbolic meanings, color meanings possible powers and folklore and fact.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this comprehensive title which appears to have been well researched.  All opinions are my own.

#TheCompleteLanguageofFlowers #NetGalley

From the publisher:

This title is part of a series of  chapter books for beginning readers.  It is nicely illustrated and includes extras such as quotes from Lincoln, questions in sections called “jump in the think tank,” timelines, a glossary and a bibliography.

The author engages young readers right away, reminding them that they may well have seen Lincoln on coins and dollar bills. She then begins the biography with the complicated issues and wrongs of slavery, writing factually and not minimizing or talking down to her readers.

As an adult reader, I learned things about Lincoln that I had not known. For example, I had not known much about the death of Lincoln’s mother which left young Abraham with a lingering sadness.   I also read about the positive impact that Abe’s father’s second wife had on him.

The reader follows as Abe leaves home and finds his way in the world and marries, culminating in his becoming the president. There is a clear explanation of the circumstances surrounding the Civil War and its impact on Lincoln.  His assassination is also described as is the sadness of so many when he died.

Throughout this book, Lincoln’s essential goodness stands out.  I was very impressed with the way in which the author wrote and put together this title.  It is an excellent, readable resource for elementary school children.

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

#TheStoryofAbrahamLincoln #NetGalley

This book for the youngest children is absolutely adorable. The illustrations are multicultural, engaging and appealing! Toddlers will watch baby over the course of the day and learn what baby does as for example, when she puts on boots or a bib. Highly recommended for the little ones. I really liked this book.

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

From the publisher:

The Book Charmer is certain to tick all of the boxes for those who enjoy women’s fiction with a bit of heft. The story takes place in Dove Pond, a small town in North Carolina that has some charming shops and charming people. The Book Charmer herself is Sarah Dove. Books speak to her and have ever since she was little. Books let her know who should read them; although it may not initially make sense to the recipient, over time it will.

To this community come Grace, Mama G and Daisy. They all have back stories that are explored. Grace was a foster child, Mama G cared for her and Daisy is the child of Grace’s deceased sister. Mama G suffers from Alzheimer’s; the book shows some of her struggles and the sadness and difficulties for those who are affected by it.

Also living in Dove Pond is Travis who has his own ghosts and troubles. He is a war veteran who is trying to move on with his life. There are other characters for the reader to meet as well. Their stories intersect over the course of the story.

I enjoyed this title with its mix of a little magical realism, realism, love stories, friendships and time spent with characters whom I enjoyed knowing. If there were a real Dove Pond, I would surely love to visit there.

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

A girl that you know can be anything that she dreams of… a Cake maker or a  Food scientist or a House inspector or a Kite designer or a Novelist or a Rancher…or a Zip line master.  There is something for every letter of the alphabet here in this vibrantly illustrated book.  Definitely a nice title to add to the ABC book shelf.

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

Lots to choose from.  Hope you find a good read.

Young readers and listeners will learn how Robert Zimmerman became the famous, somewhat reclusive, musician Bob Dylan in this entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series.  Finding his voice and using it are what made this singer, songwriter and multiple instrument playing musician the person that he became.  Attention is paid to the kind of music Dylan makes and the ways in which he is his idiosyncratic self.  Nicely illustrated and with additional biographical information at the end of the book, this is another excellent entry in an excellent series.

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

#BobDylan #NetGalley

This anthology of poems by Joseph Coehlo is designed for elementary school aged children to read aloud. The poet has included poems that illustrate concepts, for example homophones, diminuendo, speaking quickly or speaking slowly. There are also action poems, poems that are meant to make one laugh and more. Throughout, the book has amusing illustrations. Hopefully children will enjoy picking up this one and will have fun reciting as they learn.

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

I have been reading the Maggie Hope mysteries since the first title, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, was published in 2012.  The King’s Justice is the ninth in this historical mystery series.  Any of the books can be read as a standalone but readers of the series will relate to familiar characters including members of Maggie’s family.

The King’s Justice is a complex tale.  By the time that this story takes place, the stresses of war and Maggie’s work life (currently as a bomb disposal expert) are taking their toll.  Maggie is smoking and drinking too much and pushing for intimacy in a relationship where it does not appear wanted.

Into this tense and chaotic life come new challenges.  A Stradivarius violin has been stolen.  Will it be connected to the bigger cases of the novel?

Maggie is working with many Italian conscientious objectors in the UXB squad.  Why are they disappearing?  Are they dead or alive? Where would they go? Who is responsible for what is happening?

As if this were not enough, an imprisoned serial killer from a prior case wants to see Maggie.  He tantalizes her with the possibility of helping to solve another serial murder case that is being investigated, the one dubbed the Jimmy Greenteeth case. Readers will gradually watch the aspects of the story come together.

The author has done her research and posed some big questions.  I learned a lot about how the Italian community  in Britain was treated during WWII.  There are also questions raised as to what justice is or should entail.

There are big themes here and a story that reads very quickly.  My time with Maggie and her circle was well spent.  I already am looking forward to where the author will takes me in the next novel in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  I honestly recommend all of the books in this series.

#TheKingsJustice #NetGalley

Prior books in the series that I reviewed:

If you like Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None and WWII intrigue, you will certainly like this book. I have read and enjoyed all of the novels in this series, starting with Mr. Churchill’s Secretary. Maggie Hope is a resourceful, smart and spunky protagonist who takes great, and possibly foolish, risks, in order to help with the war effort. In The Prisoner in the Castle, Maggie has been exiled to an island where agents who pose a risk to security are secretly being housed. Over the course of Maggie’s stay on the isolated and claustrophobic island, life goes on with one big exception…Maggie’s fellow agents are being killed at a rapid, daily rate. Why? What danger do they present? Who can be trusted? How will the murderer be stopped? Will Maggie survive or could this be the end of the series? You will need to read the novel to find out.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a fun read in an enjoyable series.

The Paris Spy is part of a series set during WW II; The cover illustration for this latest entry is appealing but does not not reflect the gravity of Maggie and her fellow SOE operatives’ risky lives. This book is NOT a cozy mystery; the scenes with interrogation and torture were difficult to read.
I recommend this book. The Paris of the occupation was well drawn and there was an interesting mix of fictional and historical personages, including Coco Chanel. I connected with the characters and worried about their safety.
Occasionally, the plot relied on coincidence and was not completely believable. Nonetheless, I rooted for Maggie and hoped for her mission and England’s success as D-day comes closer. I would definitely recommend that you read other books in this series; the books do not have to be read in order to be enjoyed as some backstory is provided.

This is a title in the board book collection of Little People, Big Dreams series.  Each tells the story of a well known person in an easy to understand text.  These biographies show children a wide range of dreams and accomplishments with the hope that the child you read to will dream big too!

This entry is about the little girl who grew up to be the well-known educator.  Children will learnt that Maria  was the first girl to study medicine in Italy; she was often alone as the other students did not work with her.  Listeners will find out what Maria did after becoming a doctor and the great influence that she had on ways to teach children. They will learn that there are still Montessori schools today.

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

#MariaMontessori #NetGalley