100+ Funny Animals and Fantastic Characters

by Terry Runyan

#DrawItHappy #NetGalley

Are you a doodler? I am always drawing in my notes. For anyone, like me, who has some fun with pencils, this book is worth a look. Here are more than 100 drawings to replicate.

Many of these drawings are whimsical. For example, the very first one titled baseball bat does not show a Louisville slugger but, rather, a bat (the winged type) holding a bat. Each doodle that follows has clear instructions and steps.

So, enjoy a drawing break. It can be refreshing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 15 October 2024

From the Publisher

Draw a Baseball Bat…	Or a Night Owl…	Or a Ghost Writer!

A Short Story

by Mary Kay Andrews

#HolidayHideaway #NetGalley

I picked this short (under 100 page) story when I was feeling a bit out of sorts. It did cheer me up.

Readers have to be willing to suspend disbelief but,if they do so, this is a fun read.

Tilly is no longer married and is facing some (temporary) housing issues. Her solution? Stay in one of the vacant properties that is on the books of the agency where she is employed. This works just fine until a tenant enters the house leaving Tilly and her dog fleeing to the attic.

This is how the stage has set for an enjoyable and witty holiday read. Since this is a seasonal story, readers can relax and enjoy waiting for the happy ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 29 October 2024

A Novel

by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Sci-Fi and Fantasy

#BeforeYourMemoryFades #NetGalley

Have you ever wished that you could go back to the past? Is there something you wanted to say? Something you wanted/needed to do? Do you want to revisit a critical time? It might not be possible for you and me but it is exactly what the characters in Kawaguchi’s stories can do so long as they follow the rules.

In Before Your Memory Fades, third in the series, readers old and new can experience the magic of these opportunities. Here they will visit café Donna Donna which has some of the same magic as café Funiculi Funicula as in the earlier novels.

True to form, there are four stories in this collection. They feature:

A daughter who begrudges her deceased parents for leaving her orphaned

A comedian who aches for his beloved and their shared dreams

A younger sister whose grief has become all-consuming

A young man who realizes his love for his childhood friend too late

How will lives be changed? Turn the pages in the stories with a unique concept to find out.

To be enjoyed with your next cup of coffee. Your life may just be changed a bit too.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in 2022

Also by this author:

A lovely read: Tales from the Cafe

Is there time: Before we say goodbye

Three City Kitties

by Ashley Barron

This very cute title will be enjoyed by young children who like animal stories. The text is simple and inviting, the depiction of the cats will ring true to cat lovers, and the illustrations are bright and charming.

Highly recommended. This is adorable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Here is another title in this excellent series of short biographies for kids. This time, I got to read about Mary Kom, someone whom I did not know. As is always the case in the Little People, Big Dreams titles, readers will find a story with inspiration, this time about a girl who dreamed of becoming a boxer. Learn how she achieved this, how she grew along the way and how she gave back.

This book is beautifully illustrated and tells Mary’s story well. Give it to a child to show them how dreams can lead to accomplishments.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dreaming of Arcadia

by Tim Richardson

#TheEnglishLandscapeGarden #NetGalley

While I don’t have a garden, I so enjoy looking at books about them. I just sit down, relax and enjoy some virtual touring. It is a lovely way to spend some time.

In this well put together book, readers can visit twenty gardens including Castle Howard, Chiswick House, Blenheim Palace (all known to me) along with, to name a few (that I did not know), Stowe, Painshill, and Petworth Park among others.

The introduction lets readers know that the focus here is the eighteenth century landscape garden. In this section, learn what exactly and English landscape garden is-for one thing, it is naturalistic. Read a bit more and then get to the gardens. For each of these there photos and text. Dip in anywhere and enjoy!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 October 2024

The Sentence is Death (Horowitz)

#TheSentenceIsDeath #NetGalley

In The sentence is Death, second in the series which began with The Word is Murder, the author inserts himself as a character in his fiction. Tony, aka Anthony Horowitz, is Watson to Daniel Hawthorne’s Sherlock. Like Watson, he theorizes but is not as clever as his mentor. In the novel, the conceit is that Mr. Horowitz is writing a series of books about Inspector Hawthorne’s cases.

In this entry, a divorce attorney is murdered. There are numerous suspects including clients involved in an acrimonious divorce. But…the murder may also be related to a past friendship and a tragedy that occurred while caving. Characters stories are developed sufficiently to give the reader a good sense of them. Suffice it to say that several plot lines are followed, there are a number of viable suspects and eventually the case is solved.

As a fan of some of the author’s TV work, I enjoyed the references to Foyle’s War. There is also information about publishing which lends authenticity. I enjoyed this book and will most likely go back to read the first in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e=galley. All opinions are my own.

Mary Kirk, Bessiewallis Warfield, Diana Spencer…their stories entwine in this historical novel that is largely based on truth. It is a page turning and fascinating look at life in America and Europe from 1912 until 1997.

Mary and Wallis became friends in their teens; Wallis married an American pilot; Mary married a French pilot. Wallis divorced and subsequently married Ernest Simpson. You probably all know who her third husband was… but do you know who Mary married next? I won’t spoil the book by telling you.

Mary and Wallis’s stories come alive in a glittering London. The story of Alex and Rachel, who are impacted by Diana’s death, takes place in 1997. Choices are made by all with implications and consequences. I truly enjoyed this book and suggest it highly to fans of historical fiction.

50 Folktales and Legends from Around the World

by Angela McAllister

This title will make a welcome addition to any young child’s bookshelf. It is filled with beautifully illustrated short tales from all the continents and many countries of the world. Some of these stories as, for example, The Sword in the Stone were already known to me. There were also so many new reads within these pages. Each story will take just a few minutes to read; they are perfect bite size stories that can be read anytime and with regard for a young one’s attention span.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The very first photo in this cookbook shows a scrumptious looking plate of pasta-I was in from there! I also love the idea of cooking with someone else- of course that can be any two people, not necessarily a couple. And, of course, one could cook alone if that is the plan.

This book is over 300 pages long so will stay fresh with its audience over the course of many kitchen enterprises. Chapters include Everyday Dinners; Just for Two; Gatherings; Mornings; Sides; Bakes; Appetizers & Snacks; Sweets; and Drinks. One recipe from each: Chicken Cutlets with Honey Mustard Pan Sauce; Truffle Pasta with Mixed Mushrooms & Goat Cheese; Curry Salmon Burgers with Cilantro Chutney; Mini Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls; Roasted Butternut Squash & Onions with Garlic Butter; Spiced Latte Loaf; Warm Goat Cheese with Jam; Brown Butter-Miso Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars; and Lillet Spritzer.

There are additional section ins this book including an author’s note and their story, advice on how to use the book, where to begin and more.

I would like to purchase the hard copy of this book. The recipes are easy to follow and the food looks appealing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

Hearty Black Bean Chili	Salmon Piccata	Glazed Applesauce Spice Cake

Everyday Arugala Salad	Banana Baked Oatmeal	Tortellini Vegetable Soup

TopAbout this itemReviews