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

This is an adorable book that both children and adults can love. In it, the reader learns about how Nora, the cat, does her very best to protect her family from Gustave the Mouse and even aliens from the moon. But does her family understand her? NO. Do they know the reasons for her behaviors? NO. Do they empathize with her? NO. Any reader may be able to relate to the difficulties in Nora’s life.

The illustrations in this story are funny and appealing. They very much enhance the text.

Give this one a try for a fun read. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me meet Nora.

#NoNoNora #NetGalley

Red Light, Green Lion is one of those children’s books that also has a fine and uplifting message for adults. It is about the unexpected things that can happen in life and about coping with whatever comes up with an open mind and heart.

Some examples of the clever pages in this book…each is on a two page spread with whimsical line drawings, so at first it is not clear what the second page will say.

Red Light…Green Li (next page) lac (lilac)

Red Light…Green Li (next page) fe preserver (life preserver)

And some text:

“Then on some days, when we feel most discouraged, something amazing happens right in front of us, and we don’t even notice it happening.

Red Light…Green Li (next page) ghtning bugs

And it changes everything.”

This is a sweet book with a positive message.

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

When a parent is ill and in the hospital, children can feel quite unsettled and anxious.  This beautifully and charmingly illustrated story demystifies the experience and will help children know what to expect when they visit a sick relative.  The text is simple, informative and reassuring making this book is a good resource for the young hospital visitor.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in exchange for my honest review.

#FeelBetterMommy #NetGalley

This beautifully illustrated story reads like a fable. In it, the reader observes as various animals make their cases for why the sun or the moon is better and more needed. The animals think of a number of ways to resolve their dilemma of which should be in charge and finally find a solution. Of course, the critters decide that both the moon and sun are important and needed. Along the way, young readers find out more about all of the things that the sun and moon provide for us. The book concludes with an extended additional section on the science of the sun, moon, seasons and more.

In addition to telling a tale about the sun and moon, the story is also a metaphor for problem solving and co-operation among people. This can open up a good discussion for children and their adults about compromise and working together.

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

#SunMoonTakeTurns #NetGalley

 $1.99

I adored this book.  It has everything that an Anglophile could possibly want.  There are churches, books and searches.  There is romance between a Brit and an American.  There are mysteries and family connections. There are even arguments about print versus digital.   On your first cold night in the fall, imagine you are by the fire and enjoy this read!

9

This is an adorable book featuring the irrepressible Anne Shirley in delightful embroidered illustrations. Each feeling relates back to something in the novels. Young children can learn to identify how feelings are expressed when looking through this book. Another welcome addition to what I hope will be a long series of Anne books.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this delightful book. All opinions are my own.

This is a lovely alphabet book in which each letter is represented by something from Anne of Green Gables. The illustrations are particularly charming. While this title may appeal to toddlers, I think that its greatest impact will be with adults who have happy memories of reading the Anne books. Still, this is an opportunity to interest your child from Anne at a young age. Go for it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this nostalgic ABC. All opinions are my own.

This is author Maria’s Fredericks’s second novel that is set in early 20th century New York. I very much enjoyed it and look forward to the next entry in this historical mystery series..

The book begins just as news of the Titanic has made its way across the ocean. Perhaps this is symbolic because in this is book there are metaphorical storms and acts are undertaken to protect loved ones, just as happened on that doomed vessel. An additional, and important, narrative centers on what it was like to be Italian American at a time when the Italians were not always welcomed and the Black Hand was something to be feared. Finally, there are settings in town houses and on Long Island estates as well as on Mulberry Street; these highlight the difference between rich and poor, immigrants and those with longer histories in the country.

Our protagonist is Jane who is a ladies’ maid to Louise. Much as in Downton Abbey, Louise is engaged to marry William as she brings the money and he the family connections to an alliance. Will their relationship survive?

William has an uncle who has taken an interest in him for many years. Uncle Charles offers his Long Island estate to the couple for their wedding. However, before that can take place, the nanny to Charles and Alva’s children is murdered. Was it the Black Hand or did the murder spring from other motivations? Of course, you will need to read the novel to find out.

I felt that the characters in Death of a New American had stories to tell and were well portrayed. There was the obligatory twist in the plot and it was well done. If you enjoy historical mysteries, I encourage you to give this one a try.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in exchange for my honest review I give this one four stars.

This is a quick read picture book.  For me, the best part of this book was the illustrations which were cartoon like and amusing.  The text did not speak to me as much; it goes through various ailments and asks if particular animals can have them.  Answers come only at the very end of the story and mostly in an appendix.  Still, children will most likely enjoy the pictures and the whimsy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

#DoPenguinsHavePediatricians #NetGalley

It requires suspension of disbelief to read this enjoyable second caper about Hollis and Finn. Their first adventure as amateur quasi-government agents took them to Ireland (see below) while this time they are in Buenos Aries. The plot is improbable but following this couple as they interact with one another is enjoyable. Another plus was the sense of place that the author provided; I think that the descriptions of the tango, Buenos Aries and other Argentinian locations were quite appealing for armchair travelers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this adventurous read. The opinions are my own.

 

I have read several books by Katherine Reay and will rank this one among my favorites. It is the story of three women who run a bookshop following the death of one of the protagonist’s relatives. The main characters are Madeline, who inherits the shop; Clare who feels unseen by her family and struggles with her teenage daughter; and Janet who made one mistake that led to the end of her marriage and another that led to a major crisis for the store. The stories of these characters overlap and form the basis for the novel.

The novel takes place in a small town outside of Chicago. The location feels idyllic as does the bookshop.

If you have ever had a dream about owning a bookstore that enhances a community, you will enjoy this novel. There are definitely struggles for the store but the author makes owning a bookshop feel so worthwhile.

I enjoyed this novel very much. There are friendship, romance and books, books, books within these pages. An added bonus was the number of books that are named in the novel and the complete list of those titles at the end. This list is a great resource for future reads.

So…if you like a light story with a great setting, think about this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book about books.