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

#HowtoDrawSuperCuteThingswithBobbieGoods #NetGalley

Would you enjoy doing some drawing or know someone who would? If so, this super cute book is definitely worth a look!

The author starts with an introduction followed by information on tools, materials, drawing techniques, characters and adding color. Next come the directions for how to draw everything from a baker bunny to a picnic basket, to a barista bear, a laundry hamper, a beach char, a garden puppy and many more things to create. All are adorable.

This book and a set of colored pencils could make a good holiday gift.

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

Pub date: 21 November 2023

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.

Five stars *****

The first in an excellent series

For a child in your life

Sloane faced an unthinkable loss when her sister died (not a spoiler as readers learn this early in the story). She is engaged to a somewhat pompous fiance who has an over involved family and often make Sloane feel inferior. On top of all this, Sloane’s parents are not the easiest people.

Sloane escapes into her work as a librarian although that also has it challenges. One of these is an older gentleman who enjoys mentally fencing with Sloane. Will these two change each other? Will others also be drawn in? Readers may know the answer but will still, I think, enjoy this book. It gives voice to some of what is important in life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this title. All opinions are my own

This book was published in March 2023

From the Publisher

My new book, The Proof of the Pudding, is the 17th in the series featuring Lady Georgiana, 35th in line to the throne in the nineteen thirties. When …

Rhys Bowen on Using Real Experiences As Inspiration

www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/books/review/best-illustratred-childrens-books.html

Anne Perry wrote many Christmas novellas, beginning with A Christmas Journey in 2003. Each features a character from one of her book series. This time, the focus is on Mariah Ellison. Readers of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series know her as Charlotte’s grandmother. She is an elderly woman in this title and is reflecting on her life, attitudes and actions. This makes the book feel a bit elegiac and indeed, I think that this may have been Perry’s last book as she died not long ago.

Mariah goes to visit an old friend. She arrives travel worn only to find her friend is not there and the husband far less than welcoming. It takes a bit of time before Mariah finds a comfortable berth in the village where she once lived. She then tries to ferret out her friend’s whereabouts and fate.

What happened to Sadie? Did she go somewhere voluntarily? Why is her husband not more concerned? Has he harmed his spouse? Mariah will try her best to find out.

This book is set in the festive season. I very much enjoyed it. It reminds me of the many reasons that the author’s death was a true source of sadness for those who love historical mysteries.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing-Ballentine for this title. All opinions are my own.

Five stars *****

From the Publisher

#TheExchange #NetGalley

Many readers will still remember when John Grisham launched his career with The Firm. It was a fun, fast paced story that kept readers turning the pages as they hoped that Abby and Mitch would manage to escape/survive intact. Well, they did and this is Grisham’s taking their story into a new chapter.

I don’t think that The Exchange quite lives up to its predecessor. Still, readers who remember the characters fondly may want to travel with them on this new adventure. The stakes are again high.

I note that the review ratings for this book have been all over the place. I give it a solid three stars.

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

Pub date: 17 October 2023

From the Publisher

I liked this one.