Cheers: Wine Club

A Monthly Guide to Swirling, Sipping, and Pairing with Friends

by Maureen Petrosky

#WineClub #NetGalley

I drink wine but am by no means a connoisseur. This book is an accessible, unsnobby and good guide to wines and it left me knowing a great deal more. Oh, and let’s not forget that this title is pretty; the bright colors and layouts really appealed to me. Organized by month, each chapter is packed with information. For example, January is about Cabernet Sauvignon, April is Merlot, August is Sauvignon Blanc and November is Pinot Noir. The author imagines that readers will use this guide as they form their own wine clubs; sounds like a great idea.

There is information on how to organize and host an event. There are tips for “tasteful tastings,” food pairings, ways to talk about wine and more.

Those who want to learn about wine and/or those who want to learn along with friends, will very much enjoy this title. It would make a great gift to a friend or one’s self.

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

Pub date: 30 May 2023

Would you like to: Return to Hummingbird Way by Reese Ryan

#ReturntoHummingbirdWay #NetGalley

This is the second of two books in a series; first was Second Chance on Cypress Lane. I have not read the first title but had no trouble following along in this one.

This is a novel that uses a well known trope of romantic/women’s fiction. An old rivalry/connection with someone who seemed to be in the past comes to the forefront. This is what happens with Sinclair and Rett (that is surely a name that brings romance to mind as in Mr. Butler, even if that had a different spelling).

The two are reunited when they become involved in a mutual friend’s wedding. Readers may feel that they know where this story is going. That is okay. This is just a relax and enjoy it kind of story. It will be savored by those who like small town romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 April 2023

Revising Classic Novels Spurs Debate About Where to Draw the Line – The New York Times

Agatha Christie. Roald Dahl. Ian Fleming. Classics are being reworked to remove offensive language. But some readers wonder, when does posthumous editing go too far?
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/books/classic-novels-revisions-agatha-christie-roald-dahl.html

What do you think?

A Killing in November by Simon Mason

Mismatched cops are a trope in crime fiction. Here that contrast is used to good effect. Believe it or not, there are two DS Wilkins; one is Ryan and one is Ray. Ryan grew up in the projects, wears track suits, has a young son and is white. Ray is Black, married and dresses like someone who shops at Brooks Brothers, whatever the British equivalent might be. They are paired on a case and, over the course of the novel, begin to understand one another.

The setting is Oxford which has led a number of reviewers to compare this series (a second is already out) to Inspector Morse. They are not the same although in each instance the author has a unique voice. Mason’s book shows college life but also much of the poorer side of the city. Race and religion are also important themes.

There are murders and detection, along with lots of back story and characters. I very much enjoyed this read and was so thrilled when the book became available in the U.S. It is currently only $4.99 for the e book and very much worth it.

Recommended to those who like character driven stories, crime stories set in Britain and a protagonist who will be remembered.

My only quibble is the surprise of the solution. The elements were there but it felt just a tad forced. This would not keep me from reading other books by this author however.

Highly recommended.

Have you read this? What did you think?

Little Women – A Retelling

by Laura Wood

Little Women was the first classic that I ever read. It changed me as, up until then, I thought the term classic was synonymous with boring. To my surprise, I found the story of the four March girls to be completely absorbing. In fact, this is a novel that I have gone on to reread several times.

Here is a version of Little Women that has been gently simplified so as to be more accessible for those who may not be ready or able to deal with the original. The essence of Little Women is in these pages. Ms. Wood has given readers the key descriptions and episodes of the novel. She may even inspire some readers to go to the original.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for this title. All opinions are my own.

How does she do it? Nancy Wins at Friendship

by Olivia Jaimes

#NancyWinsatFriendship #NetGalley

Some readers may remember the original Nancy and Sluggo comics while others have followed the updated books by Olivia Jaimes. Either way, here is a chance to relax and bring a smile to the reader’s face.

As always, Nancy has a lot to say. Follow her with the Robotics Club, see how she tangles with Aunt Fritz, enjoy her friendship with Sluggo and more.

Recommended to Nancy and other comic fans.

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

Pub date: 16 May 2023

It can be complicated to be Lucy: Mother of the Bride Murder by Leslie Meier

#MotheroftheBrideMurder #NetGalley

The mother of the bride is Lucy Stone. Readers may know her from the multi-book cozy series often set in Tinker’s Cove. Lucy has been on the case for readers since the early 1990s so there are many titles in the series.

This time, Lucy leaves home behind to go to France where her daughter’s wedding is scheduled to take place. But, will it? Readers know that where Lucy goes, trouble follows. There is murder, the reappearance of an old boyfriend of the bride, a French family (the prospective groom’s) with some tricky history so lots to keep Lucy busy.

I think that this title will most be enjoyed by those who already have read other titles in the series. They will get to spend time with Lucy and a grownup Elizabeth.

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

Pub date: 25 April 2023