What happens to her and: The Man I Fell in Love With by Kate Field

The cover of this book makes it look like a somewhat typical romance novel; however, that is not exactly the case. Here is the story of Mary Black. She is a mother who has been married to Leo for twenty years. Her life changes drastically when she realizes that Leo (no big spoiler so I’ll stop even though there is a reveal in the book’s very first paragraph) wants something else. His choices will impact Mary, their children and their lives. What will Mary do? What would you do in her shoes? To what extent will she accept and compromise? Will their be something else for her? Read this one to find out. The pages turn pretty easily.

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

300 pages

Pub date: 07 February 2019

It’s helpful to know: How To Prepare For Kindergarten

by Gabriella S Rajguru

This short picture book is filled with ways that a young girl gets ready for kindergarten. There are things for her to learn, places to go and other children to get to know. All of these, plus a little help with her nerves, will lead to a good start.

Note: The first two pages of this book refer to God. I was surprised to see this in, what I had thought, was a secular book. This will undoubtedly appeal to some readers and maybe not others.

Many thanks to NetGalley and The Paper House for this title. All opinions are my own.

28 Pages

Pub date: 06 September 2022

Think before becoming a chaperone: Murder on the Class Trip by Lee Hollis

#MurderontheClassTrip #NetGalley

Murder on the Class Trip is the third title to feature Maya and Sandra. Earlier entries in the series are Murder at the PTA and Murder at the Bake Sale. From the books’ names, readers know that these are cozy mysteries.

Maya and Sandra are parents, friends and private detectives. This time, they are also chaperones on a class trip. Their respective children are not pleased about this.

The trip takes the duo out of Maine and to Washington DC. Sandra’s almost ex is a Senator there. When a young female intern is found dead in a compromising position, needless to say, he is quite upset. He asks for the help of Maya and Sandra to get to the bottom of things. The FBI is considerably less than thrilled that Maya and Sandra are investigating but the two persist until matters are resolved.

There are plenty of suspects and motives in this entertaining mystery. This book will be enjoyed by those who like sitting down with a reliable, cozy title.

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

288 pages

Pub date: 29 November 2022

Sweet Dreams, Lil Paw

by Bruce Dierking

#SweetDreamsLilPaw #NetGalley

This book has truly lovely and sweet illustrations. Those who read this title will wish that they could bring some of these dogs home in real life.

From the title, I had thought that this was a book about getting a pup to bed. It was not though. It was more about Lil dreaming about getting bigger and being able to do all of the things that the others in his family and breed can do. Indeed this leads to sweet dreams. During the day Lil is a bit afraid but Lil Paw soars in dreams. The end emotion is that Lil will one day be an amazing dog.

This is a nice short story that is greatly enhanced by the illustrations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Circle D Publishing, LLC for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 December 2022

The Birds That Stay

by Ann Lambert

Narrated by Ann Lambert

#TheBirdsThatStay #NetGalley

The Birds That Stay is the first title in the Russell and Leduc mystery series. The next book to feature this duo is The Dogs of Winter which has also been published.

Readers of this title are in Canada’s Laurentian Mountains where an elderly woman has been murdered. What happened and why? A mixed team will sort things out. There are a professional inspector (who should have been starting vacation) and the amateur working together. The case will raise issues from both of their pasts.

The narration of this title is crisp and clear, allowing listeners to get to know the characters. The reader, who is the author, did a good job.

This book was middling for me. I would rate it at three stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.

Release date: 30 September 2020