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

#BloodSisters #NetGalley

This series launch by Vanessa Lillie does not feel like the work of a beginner. It is beautifully plotted, has a wide variety of three dimensional characters, and brings its people and settings fully to life. Along with all of this, readers will deepen their understanding of the issues that faced the Cherokee people but historically and to this day.

Syd is a Cherokee woman who works for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She has left the community where she grew up after a horrific home invasion and the death of her close friend. This character, Luna, is very much a presence in the book as Syd repeatedly hears her voice. In her current life, Syd is committed to her work and is in a relationship. Her wife very much wants to be a mother. Syd is not sure if she is up for this.

As this complex story opens, Syd has found a body in Rhode Island, most likely of a Narragansett woman. She is called back to her home community in mid stream when a case needs to be solved there. At the same time, Syd’s sister is missing. Her history includes addiction but would she have willingly abandoned her daughter?

Readers will turn the pages as they try to figure out what has happened to the people of this mystery and get to know Syd, her family and the others around her.. I recommend it very highly. It is atmospheric, suspenseful and (I would say) educational (as regards the treatment of the Cherokee and others.)

Fans of books as diverse as those by Carolyn Haines and Suzanne Chazin will, I think, enjoy this book very much. The writer is like Haines in that she has a ghost speaking to a character. Chazin is recalled because both she and Lillie have a deep understanding of communities and people of color who have not been treated fairly.

I will be most eager to read all of the books in this series as they are released. I hope that there will be many.

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

Pub date: 31 October 2023

#GirlsoftheWorld #NetGalley

This book is absolutely gorgeous. The author/photographer takes the reader on a journey through 55 countries where they will meet girls who are beautiful inside and out.

Ms. Noroc found her calling in these pages. She shares that it took her time to find her way as a person. With this book, she shows what a rich life she has developed.

Open this book anywhere and meet a girl. Readers will be so glad that they did! The photos are superb and the text gives a reader the opportunity to know a bit about the young woman.

I most highly recommend this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 November 2023

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BN-Halloween-23.pdf

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier review — a crime novel like no other

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d2174776-678d-11ee-853b-c0bf92ce36b1?shareToken=613ea2a84230148188bf762a2b616bc7

Five stars *****

Where I live the temperatures are still quite warm. Nonetheless, fall is coming and that is when I start to think about soup. This book definitely piqued my interest, especially with its reminder that soup is a meal for all seasons.

Warning! The photos in this book will make you hungry. Within these pages, in addition to the luscious photos, there are over 85 soup recipes. Before getting to those there are several helpful sections, for example, on storing and freezing soup. The recipes that follow are organized by season. Just two examples from each, beginning with fall: Caramelized Cabbage Barley Stew, Butternut Squash & Mushroom Lasagna Soup, French Onion Soup, Chipotle Three-Bean Chili, Spring Vegetable Chowder, Chilled Strawberry-Rhubarb Champagne Soup wit Olive Oil Cake, Dark Chocolate S’more Soup, and Corn & Roasted Potato Soup. The recipes have clear directions and some look pretty easy.

This book is one that would make a great gift. There are so many yummy sounding soups in these pages.

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

From the Publisher

Chickpea Noodle Soup with Lemon & Dill	Red Cabbage Soup with Crème Fraîche & Dill	Potato & Pea Stew with Indian Spices

Roasted Tomato Soup, Corn & Roasted Poblano Chowder, and Caramelized Spring Onion Ramen	Cream of Asparagus	Caramelized Spring Onion Ramen

Also some nice editions of classics:

Look for the seasons series of classics-The images below are hard to read but each is just ninety-nine cents. I have not listed all of them.

#RuthFirstNeverBackedDown #NetGalley.

This picture book will acquaint young students/children with Ruth First, a girl who grew up to fight apartheid in South Africa. Her story is simply and well told here and includes the difficulties she faced. Ruth was imprisoned, exiled from her country and lost her life after having been targeted by the government.

While Ruth is not as well known as someone like Nelson Mandela, this white, Jewish girl/woman fought for the cause that she believed in. It is time that her story was told and her passion and bravery recognized.

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

Pub date: 07 November 2023

A new title in this series is forthcoming

I enjoyed this one that features Julia Child

Part of a good series

I love this series.

Part of a good series

and others by this author

and others in the series

I adore Mary Oliver’s work

#UltimateGreekMythology #NetGalley

This title is a welcome addition to compilations of Greek myths for children. They are invited in to the stories and addressed as curious readers. Kids are quickly informed that myths originated in part to try to explain something (for example bad weather). They are assured that these exciting tales are stories and not real (there are no multi headed monsters for example). They are then encouraged to jump in.

This title is well organized. Part One is about “Essential Greek Mythology” and includes many characters, creatures and worlds. The other chapters have titles like Beginnings, Relationships (Echo and Narcissus for example), Bravery (one story is about Theseus and the Minotaur), Pride and Envy (King Midas is among the tales), and Glory and Loss (The Trojan Horse for one). In addition, there are both a glossary and reference section at the end of the book.

Throughout there are colorful illustrations and stories told in a modern way. Each tale includes boxes; one might ask “did you know?” while another may have some questions. These serve to further engage the reader.

This title provides a good introduction to the Greek myths. Interested readers may then graduate to other collections as they get a bid older and more sophisticated in what they understand.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist/Z Kids for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 November 2023