Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

As you can see, an Agatha Christie and an earlier book by the author of Big Little Lies.  Each is $1.99.

A few examples:

-I move forward with confidence;

All is well in my life.

-I release the desire for control;

I accept things as they are.

-I am gentle and loving

toward myself and others.

In this book, I learned that Ani Trime was a motorcycle riding woman who became a Buddhist nun. Ani Trime died in her 80s when she was working on this book of affirmations. It was completed and illustrated by her students.

The book is a collection of 52 affirmations. The author’s intention was to have a reader, in a given week, say the same mantra each day. I will try that but, of course, could not wait 52 weeks to review this title.

If you are a person that follows a mindfulness practice or app, this book could/will enhance your experience. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

 

Jill Mansell is an experienced writer of women’s fiction. Her titles have been available in England for many years and a number of them have now been released in the U.S. As is true for her other novels, in this one we watch as the “course of true love” goes awry before coming to the desired and anticipated happy ending. Mansell creates characters both good and less good; the reader roots for the good ones. This story involves a betrayal, a car accident, loss, complications, small village life and romance. How can you go wrong if this is your kind of read?

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another fun title by this author. The opinions are my own.

$2.99 today

My review:

When I was a child, watching The Wizard of Oz was a yearly family tradition. Armed with snacks, thanks to my father, we settled in to watch, be scared by those flying monkeys, see the world go from black and white to technicolor and hear Somewhere Over the Rainbow. But wait! Did L. Frank Baum write that song? No spoiler, he did not. So…how was this movie made? Who were the actors behind it and who were Mr. and Mrs. (Maud) Baum? You can find answers while reading this delightful historical novel.

There is familiarity as favorite characters are met on the set of the movie. Maud worked hard to have a presence there and to be true to the author’s intentions for the work. She also gets to know Judy Garland and comes to understand her history, emotions and pressures.

Behind and around this, the novel tells the story of Maud and Frank. I learned so much! For example, Maud’s mother was a committed suffragette and Aunt Susan (B. Anthony) was well known to the family. I also read about Maud’s experience as one of the early female students at Cornell. Meeting Frank, getting married, Franks’ biography, struggling…all of this is present in this book.

Finding Dorothy is an excellent historical novel. Follow the road to it!

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

$2.99 today

My review:

Y

ou can decide whether you prefer the British or U.S. cover for the latest novel by Jill Mansell. Either way, this book is recommended for those who enjoy women’s fiction with engaging and endearing characters, a few plot lines, and confusion until, at last, order (and relationships) are restored.

In this one, Essie thinks that she has it all. She is in love with and living with a partner whose flaws and family she excuses. However, the relationship breaks up when a private document is seen by far too many. So…no relationship, no home and Essie must regroup. She finds a place to live with an elderly woman in return for household help. Zillah is a force to reckon with. She teaches Essie a lot about life.

Essie has a prior history with bar owner, Lucas. She is now his employee. Clearly there is an attraction but can their relationship work out? Even if you think that you know the answer, you will enjoy the getting there.

There are several other main characters including Essie’s best friend, Scarlett, photographer Conor, Essie’s brother, Lucas’s girlfriend, Alice (who knew Zillah many years ago)…enough to keep you busy.

A truly appealing part of this novel told of how Zillah, Conor and Essie made the dreams of those in hospice care come true. The stories are touching. I only wish that such services really existed.

All in all, Ms Mansell comes through yet again. Add this to your beach reads this summer and enjoy!Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks!

$1.99 for one I have not read but that looks interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

This illustrated chapter book is the second that I have read in the ASPCA kids series. The main characters were in the last book as well and include Chance, a therapy dog, who helps Meg who has epilepsy.

In this story, the friends are looking for a pet to be a reading buddy at the library. They have done their research and understand how an animal friend might help reluctant readers. Meg, Amanda, Blanca and Drew have hopes of Arnie, a shelter dog but instead, by the end of the book, have found a macaw who enjoys being read to and commenting on what is heard.

Children who have read the earlier stories will enjoy spending time at the shelter, school and library where the protagonists spend time. They will find enough plot to keep them turning the pages.

The illustrations complement the story well. They are bright and appealing.

At the end of the story there are some special sections. One has photos and the story of the therapy bird that was the basis for the book. There is also information about birds as pets and a section that tells about each of the main characters.

If you know a child who likes clubs, animals and stories about friendship and who is starting to read slightly longer chapter books, get them this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in return for an honest review.

If you know a child who likes clubs, animals and stories about friendship and who is starting to read slightly longer chapter books, get them this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in return for an honest review.

I have been reading about China Bayles ever since the first novel in the series was published. I enjoy the main characters and their relationships with one another. The series has built over time as characters have become involved in marriages, work together, have children, etc. I am always happy to pick up with the folks in Pecan Springs again.Chna’s voice is folksy and welcoming; when giving back story she speaks directly to the reader.

In A Plain Vanilla Murder, there is, of course, murder and more…no spoilers here though; you will need to read the book. Along the way the reader will learn a great deal about the vanilla trade, orchids and ethical practices.

All of the pieces of the mystery come together in a satisfying way. The side stories, for example about Ruby’s daughter’s partner’s pregnancy were also welcome and reminded me that a theme in this book was motherhood, both pending, past and current.

I already look forward to the next to come in the series. Keep writing Ms. Albert.

So…spend some time in the Hill Country of Texas. You will enjoy your stay.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for this advance copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

A few classics here and an update of a classic.  Enjoy!

There is one in Lisa Scottloine’s court room novels, a classic by Margery Allingham and another Donna Leon.  I really have enjoyed the Leon books that I have read and am happily accumulating more with the recent e book bargains.

This summer I am taking an eight week class entitled Women Who Sleuth.  When I read about it, I thought that it would be the perfect class for me.  While I blog on many books, mysteries are very close to my heart.

So, the first class was today.  We learned about the origins of the woman sleuth and how she evolved from the traditions of the Gothic novel.  We talked about books like The Castle of Otranto and The Woman in White.  Next there was discussion of some of the stories in the two books noted above.  The Female Detective is a book of stories written by a male author while the Loveday Brooke book was written by a woman.  I felt that this influenced how each protagonist was viewed.  Both books date to the 1800s.  In each, the female uses her status as a woman in solving her cases.  For example, the investigators gossip with servants or get jobs, as a seamstress in one story, that give the detective access to the suspects.  There is some coincidence in each story to be sure.  Still, I had never read either of these books and found it interesting to look at the start of a genre.

Next week, will be The Murder in the Vicarage by Agatha Christie and Have His Carcase by Dorothy Sayers.  It should be a fun summer!

William Woolf has a most intriguing job. He works in the lost letters department of the British post office. Using available resources, William tries to get letters that strayed to their rightful recipients. There are several moving stories in the novel in which William succeeds in this task.

William is married to Clare. They were once very happy but now are struggling. Will they stay together? How deep are the ties that bind them? Can they accept each other?

While they struggle, William becomes involved in his most engaging quest ever. He begins to find letters from the mysterious Winter, addressing her true love. William longs to know who Winter is and his search, along with her letters, form the backbone of the novel.

There were many things that I very much liked in this novel. All of the characters came to life and were well portrayed with their idiosyncrasies, faults and foibles. I loved some of the descriptions of William’s travels, especially Clovelly and Dublin. However, I confess to being a mite disappointed with what is the “big reveal.” Nonetheless, this is an engaging novel and should be a successful debut for the author.

Editorial Reviews

“A love-letter to letters and a brilliantly written, moving homage to the power of words, The Lost Letters of William Woolf celebrates the magic of pen and paper.”
-Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop

“In her mesmerizing debut, one of Cullen’s many gifts is skillfully managing the voices, stories, and possibilities of the enchanting world of lost letters…. This moving treatise on love and the art of letter writing will leave readers eager for more from this very talented writer.”
-Booklist (Starred Review)

“A beautiful story celebrating life, love and letters. This is a luminous debut.”
-Phaedra Patrick, author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

“A heartwarming novel about love, life, and the lost art of letter writing.”
-PopSugar

“Gorgeous. Packed full of romance and longing, the writing pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until the very last page. I was sad to finish it!”
-Ali Land, bestselling author of Good Me Bad Me

“A charming romantic caper. William Woolf, a thirty-something Englishman working in the dead letters depot of London, is the latest in a tribe of unlikely heroes. Delightful.”
-Sunday Times (UK)

“If you liked Harold Fry and Me Before You, you will love Helen Cullen’s nostalgic debut. With its themes of love, romance and frustrated hopes, this life-affirming book will draw you in and keep you there.”
-Independent (Ireland)

“Wonderfully warmhearted and quirky.”
-Good Housekeeping (UK)

“I LOVED this book. If you want a beautifully written story of love, loss, heartache, thwarted dreams and how to negotiate relationships as they change over time, this one’s for you. A lyrical exploration of things said and unsaid, and the spaces between lives.” -Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths

“A wise, imaginative and heart-warming novel about the limits of love, the allure of new romance and the lost art of letter writing.” -Luiza Sauma, author of Flesh and Bone and Water