A nice place to visit at this time of year: Holidays in Virgin River

Romance Stories for the Holidays

by Robyn Carr

#HolidaysinVirginRiver #NetGalley

This book would make a perfect seasonal gift for a Virgin River fan who either has read some of the series or who has seen the Netflix show. Included are two novellas; they may have been published before so hard core fans might want to check before making a purchase. That said, this book is a treat. Included is a note from the author who talks about how Virgin River came to life as a place and home to its residents. Virtual Virgin River visitors will especially enjoy this I think.

Here is a book to relax with. Get a cup of tea or cocoa and indulge!

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

Pub date: 04 October 2022

368 pages

Now out:

The Worry Relief Workbook

Practical Strategies to Reduce Stress, Calm Fears, and Manage Negative Thoughts

by Jane Teixeira, LMFT

Are you a person who worries and/but would like to fret less? Would you welcome some help from a reliable source? If yes, this book by a licensed marriage and family therapist could be of great help. It may be especially helpful when used in conjunction with some form of mental health treatment.

The author utilizes what are called “evidence based” strategies/treatments to work on issues of worry and anxiety. EB means that the practices have been tested and found to be useful. Without worrying about jargon, these include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy for example. Don’t worry (!), everything you need to know will be explained.

The well trained author of this book hopes to help readers identify their goals, learn new ways of working with anxiety and leave with a better understanding of their emotional health. This sounds very helpful.

It is suggested that readers read and work on the chapters in order as they build on one another. It provides an interactive resource with exercise suggestions and is one that many will turn to frequently. Be honest with yourself and see what you might achieve in terms of better coping skills. This is a great way to give something to yourself.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Callisto Media for this title. All opinions are my own.

Delightful: Mastering the Art of French Murder

by Colleen Cambridge

#MasteringtheArtofFrenchMurder #NetGalley

Many readers will recognize that the title of this historical mystery refers to Julia Child and her classic cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. And indeed, most happily, Julia, her husband (Paul), and sister (nicknamed Dort) are all found in these pages. There is also a fictional character, Tabitha, who is nowhere near the cook that Julia is but who is a good friend to her.

The story takes place in the late 1940s in Paris so I was immediately inclined to like this book. The opening has Julia trying to figure out what is wrong with her mayonnaise. Soon, she will have much bigger problems. After a party at her apartment, a body is found in the basement area of Julia’s flat. The victim was a guest and the knife used to kill her came from Julia’s kitchen. Therese also was employed at the theater where Dort works.

Tabitha, the book’s amateur sleuth, has a father who was in the police. This makes her wanting to solve the case feel credible. She has come to Paris to spend time with her grandfather and his partner who becomes like an uncle to her. They add color and relationships to the story.

This book was entertaining and fun. I liked the setting, the characters, the food and the story. Kudos to the author. She has also written a series featuring Agatha Christie’s housekeeper showing how versatile she is. I have enjoyed her contributions to the historical mystery and recommend this title. I hope that this is the start of a series.

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

Pub date: 25 April 2023 Mark your calendar

A challenge: So Compassionate it Hurts

My Life as a Rabbi on the Spectrum

by Tzemah Yoreh

#SoCompassionateitHurts #NetGalley

Anyone who is “on the spectrum” or knows someone who is,may want to read this title by Tzemah Yorah. He takes readers on a journey through his childhood, marriage, and life as a parent. He also gives an account of how he became a Rabbi and the unique perspective that he feels autism has given to him and the ways in which this has enhanced his approach to his profession.

At times, I found this title to be a bit “stream of consciousness” in its unfolding. Nonetheless, I valued getting to know this very honest author through this work.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Modern Scripture for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 08 November 2022

It is up to them: Peg and Rose Solve a Murder

A Charming and Humorous Cozy Mystery

by Laurien Berenson

#PegandRoseSolveaMurder #NetGalley

I was drawn to this title by its cover. It looked exactly like the sort of cozy that I might enjoy. Plot lines are right there for the reader to discover. Plus, I have enjoyed books by this author for many years.

Peg, is Aunt Peg, from the long running series of dog mysteries that Ms. Berenson has penned. Here Peg teams up with Rose who is her sister-in-law. The two are very different; Rose is a former nun who always looks for the good in people while Peg is more blunt.

In this book, as can be seen from the cover, Peg and Rose have taken up bridge. It’s supposed to be a game that does not result in murder but…here we are. Enjoy solving the case with these gray haired sleuths. It is a fun read.

This book is part of what seems like a trend now. While senior sleuths have existed since Jane Marple, now we are seeing more of them. There are the title by Richard Osman and Deanna Raybourn’s latest to name just two. Peg and Rose will be welcomed by readers as well.

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

Pub date: 30 August 2022