E-book bargains

Ones to look for today:

The Red Address BookBlue Lightning: A Thriller (Shetland Book 4)Miss You: A NovelSullivan's Island (Lowcountry Tales Book 1)The Red Address Book is a recently published novel that is in my TBR pile.

“Written with love, told with joy. Very easy to enjoy.”
—Fredrik Backman, author of A Man Called Ove

“In a reader’s lifetime, there are a few books that will be companions forever. For me, The Red Address Book is one of them. It will comfort you, and remind you of all the moments when you grabbed life with both hands. It is also an homage to the wisdom of women who have lived longer than most of us. One is never too old to learn that love is the only meaning of life—let’s listen to these women.”
—Nina George, author of The Little Paris Bookshop

“A charming, fragile romance.”—Kirkus Reviews

Blue Lightning is an entry in Ann Cleeves’s Jimmy Perez series set on Shetland.  This is one of my favorite mystery series.  I recommend that you read every one.  Jimmy is a well developed character and I always enjoy spending time with him.

Miss You is another in my endless TBR pile.

“If ever a couple was ‘meant to be’ it’s Tess and Gus. This is such a witty, poignant and uplifting story of two lives criss-crossing over the years, with near-miss after near-miss…I couldn’t put it down” (Sophie Kinsella, bestselling author of the Shopaholic series)

“Brilliantly constructed, with wonderful characters you’ll be cheering on, this romantic story is full of poignant moments, has a huge heart and a massive feel-good factor. Engrossing and entertaining.” (Sunday Mirror)

“Debut novelist Eberlen develops two wonderfully distinct storylines, but her characters are carefully connected by proximity and circumstance. . . . Eberlen’s characters are so real and deserving of love-thankfully it’s safe to root for them both, and root for them you will.” (Kirkus )

“Eberlen…excels in creating realistic characters whom readers will adore-including Tess’ unusual sister, Hope; Tess’ sassy best friend, Dolly; and Gus’ impulsive college pal, Nash. Eberlen also shines at keeping the story moving through 16 years of friendship, purpose, and love. Swoon-worthy.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Eberlen’s marvelous debut novel captivates and immerses…. This worthy, wonderful, and witty read is a must-have for all romantics who believe in hope.” (Library Journal)

Sullivan’s Island was the first book that I read by Dorothea Benton Frank.  She writes absorbing women’s fiction.

From Publishers Weekly

Frank’s debut novel is a story of redemption set in South Carolina’s steamy low country. Susan Hamilton Hayes’s comfortable Charleston existence is shattered when she finds her husband in bed with another woman. Faced with a failed marriage, a confused teenage daughter and a mediocre job, she sets about the business of healing. Slowly, supported by visits to her sister in their childhood home on sleepy Sullivan’s Island, Susan becomes a successful newspaper columnist, regains her confidence as a woman (despite a hilariously deflating date) and finally explores the death of her complex, abusive father decades before. Chapters alternate between the present and 1963, the year her father died, as Susan faces both the strength and the damaging effects of her family legacy. The ending – complete with a perfect suitor reemerging from Susan’s youth – is almost too picture perfect to ring true but both the setting and the characters are blazingly authentic. Frank evokes the eccentric Hamilton family and their feisty Gullah housekeeper with originality and conviction; Susan herself – smart, sarcastic, funny and endearingly flawed – makes a lively and memorable narrator. Thanks to these scrappily compelling portraits, this is a rich read. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Another in a series: Little Hoo has the Flu

This is a simple story book for young listeners. They will see how well a mother owl takes care of her baby when he becomes ill. The routines of a sick room are simply explained. The reader also sees Little Hoo’s friends arrive. They can’t play with Little Hoo but come back with a get well surprise for him. Children will be reassured to know that when ill, they can feel better soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. The opinions are my own.

#LittleHooHasTheFlu #NetGalley

A fantastic (true) voyage: The Voyage of Discovery

This is quite a clever book in my opinion.  The illustrations are engaging, the text is informative and in the book (unlike in my e-galley), there are flaps to lift; I don’t know about you but I always found flap lifting to be fun when I read with my children.

In this book, children are invited to find a missing movie reel.  Along the way, they are presented with an appealing history of communication.  There are small boxes on each two page spread that are filled with interesting facts.  Children can learn about everything from the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, to telegraphs, to the discovery of graphite, to the printing press, telephones and of course, the movies.  All are presented in a way that makes learning easy and fun.

I highly recommend this one to both kids and adults.  You will all be entertained.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable book. The opinions are entirely my own.

#AllAboardTheVoyageOfDiscovery #NetGalley

Here are some examples of the illustrations from the book.

voyage, game, book, learnParis, France, voyagevoyage, interactive, atlantic

Fun with Books: The Ultimate Cartoon Book of Book Cartoons

From the publisher:

#TheUltimateCartoonBookOfBookCartoons #NetGalley

For Kids Who Want to Go Places: Around the World in 80 Ways

This visually appealing book consists of a series of two page spreads. Each features modes of transportation. For example, there are two pages that illustrate and talk about hot air balloons. There is another two page spread that is about travel by camel and yet another that features fire engines, police cars and ambulances. I found Around the World in 80 Ways to be a fun, engaging and well illustrated book. I learned a lot about ways of getting around! If you know a child who is interested in how we move, they will most likely enjoy leafing through this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions are my own. Happy trails!

#AroundTheWorldIn80ways #NetGalley

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A (de)light to read: Light Over London

Dual narratives currently appear to be popular in historical fiction. The recent novel, The Gown, uses this structure. These books offer the perspective of the present while exploring an earlier time and demonstrating that, whatever the period, characters look for meaning, relationships and safety. In this enjoyable novel by Julia Kelly, the reader gets to know Cara in the present and Louise during WWII. The device that links them is the diary that Cara, an antiques expert, finds when she is evaluating the objects in the home of a character with a link to Louise.

When the novel opens, Louise is living with her parents and is a dutiful daughter who dreams of one day moving to California with its sunshine and greater educational opportunities. However, her present is WWII Cornwall where she meets and falls for Paul. The evolution of their relationship is a key part of the novel.

The war provides Louise with the opportunity to enlist and leave her small community. She becomes an “ack-ack girl.” According to the website The Female Soldier, ack-ack girls “were members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) that helped operate Anti-Aircraft Guns in the defense of Britain from German bombing raids during World War 2.” Louise becomes an integral member of an integrated male/female unit. She writes extensively to Paul while in the service. Will they have a happily ever after? You will need to read the novel to find out.

Cara, following a recent divorce, is giving most of her attention to her job until she meets a neighbor. Their relationship evolves. Will they have their happy ever after?

Throughout the book, Cara discovers Louise through her diaries, just as the reader does. These entries form an integral part of the narrative.

There are other stories as well, especially that of Cara’s grandmother who does not want to talk about her wartime life and who appears to be harboring a secret. Cara wants to know all that she can while her grandmother is alive to tell her. Will she find out?

Each of these narrative threads is handled well by the author and I very much enjoyed reading this novel. I experienced more of what it was like to live in London during wartime and connected with the characters and their stories. My only caveat would be that some of the physical romance feels a bit formulaic while it is the relationships that are more interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I recommend Light Over London to those who enjoy historical novels set during the second world war.

Other reviews:

“Kelly weaves an intricate, tender, and convincing tale of war and romance with skill and suspense.” (–Publishers Weekly)

“Kelly deftly balances intrigue with mystery and historical detail in her latest novel… A charming imagining of the historical gunner girls.” (–Kirkus Reviews)

“Kelly has crafted two convincing, conflicted heroines in Cara and Louise, and the resolution of Louise’s romance is satisfyingly empowering. Hand this to fans of Jennifer Egan’s Manhattan Beach (2017) and other tales of the vital roles played by women in wartime.” (–Booklist)