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

See reviews of the Adams and Huber titles at http://www.joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews.wordpress.com

#AntiqueBlues #NetGalley

I recently reviewed this author’s newest title, Jane Austen’s Lost Letters, a mystery that I enjoyed. Here is an earlier entry in the series that features Josie Prescott, antique dealer and intrepid sleuth.

In the title I just reviewed I learned a bit about authenticating letters as can be told from the title. This time, readers will be treated to learning about Japanese woodblock prints. Unfortunately, for the owner of the print and a guitar, he has been murdered. What happened? Detect with Josie. It gets complicated with affairs, gambling and nefarious art world doings.

This book will be welcomed by fans both old and new. Antiques and a cozy; that’s a pretty good combination in my book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 24 Apr 2018

by Patricia Toht

I loved the illustrations in this book. They reminded me of those of Helen Oxenbury, a favorite of mine. They are beautifully detailed and invite the reader in. The text goes well with the visual. There are rhymes to engage young ones.

What follows is a lovely tour of London. Travel to The Changing of the Guard, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, The Thames, The British Museum and many more well-known destinations. The pages on Trafalgar Square offer a search and find puzzle for extra fun.

This book would be a great way to acclimate a child to London or to relive a favorite trip to the city. I know that I very much enjoyed my visit.

Note: at the end of the book there is a section with more detailed information about the places mentioned in the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 07 Jun 2022

Jennifer Ryan has a talent for writing absorbing historical fiction. She began with The Chilbury Ladies Choir, a book that I very much enjoyed. Next came The Spies of Shilling Lane and then The Kitchen Front. I recommend all of these. The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is the next, English set, WWII story by this author. I really enjoyed it and recommend it highly.

This is a story that, to me, was about change and transformation. Do people have to stay in their strictly defined (by them or others) roles or can they move toward the lives that they want? Watch the characters to find out.

Readers follow three women whose lives and circumstances have been impacted by loss, the war and a heretofore acceptance of given roles. First is Grace; she is the daughter of a village vicar. When Grace’s mother died she stepped up to support her father. Grace, who puts her own needs last, is a very kind “do-gooder”. She is scheduled to marry another vicar but is she settling? What will happen when she again encounters the son of the squire who was a childhood friend? Readers will want the best for this good and likeable character.

Then there is Violet. She accepts and relishes her place in society. She is a rather self-important snob as the novel opens. When Violet is called up to do war work, how will she change? What talents will she discover? How will her views of people change? Violet has always wanted to marry a title, maybe even more than the man. What will happen when she meets a brash American?

Last, but definitely not least, there is Cressida. She is a successful fashion designer whose life is upended by the Blitz. Cressida is Violet’s aunt and Grace’s father is an old friend. Will Cressida and Grace’s father let go of their past grief enough to perhaps get together? Even if a reader thinks that they know the answers, there is pleasure in reading this title.

The author, in addition to telling her characters’ stories, provides readers with an interesting take on the period. Through fashion, readers learn about the system of clothing coupons and a contest for making do in a fashionable way with less. Cressida enters this contest. She also helps Grace to refashion her mother’s beautiful wedding dress…and, by the way, what is the history of this dress? And, of course, there is the sewing circle.

I truly loved this book. I enjoyed the people, the setting and the historical context. Even if you suffer from WWII historical fiction fatigue, I recommend that you read this one!

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

From the Publisher

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle

Katie Fforde is in a small class of writers for me that include authors like Erica James and Marian Keyes. These are writers that I absolutely know that I can count on for that relaxing and entertaining read. the kind that I crave when life is difficult.

This time, readers meet Fran. She has worked as a chef in London but has always dreamed of living on a farm. Well, since this is fiction, her wish is granted. A distant relative has moved to assisted living and wants the farm and, most especially her cows, to remain in the family. All that Fran has to do is prove her worth…easy? Maybe not.

Aunt (by courtesy) Amy is tough and has expectations. She warns Fran away from Antony whom Amy thinks wants to buy her land. The problem is that Antony has been so very nice and helpful to Fran. Is he the good guy that he seems? Will there be the happy ending that Fforde generally gives to her readers.

Enjoy spending time with Fran, her herdsman and her close friend. Watch as she holds dinner parties and makes cheese, all in the hope of keeping the farm. Will she?

When you crave predictable but in the best possible way, read a Katie Fforde novel. You cannot go wrong.

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

From the Short List-recent books that are discounted

Some other bargains:

This title is book fifteen in the popular series that began with An Irish Country Doctor. The stories take place in a small, close knit community. The time here is the late sixties. Barry and Sue are expecting their first child, a new (aristocratic) doctor is on the scene, there are problems in Ireland and more.

I think that this title will be enjoyed (of course) by those who have already discovered the series. I think that it may also be enjoyed by fans of All Creatures Great and Small.

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

Pub date: 06 October 2020

A Manual on Courage and Crafting Your Unique, Beautiful Life

by Lucy Fuggle

This book is one that can be dipped into again and again, read either in order or by picking an entry that just suits a current mood. There are many short, thoughtful entries in this book. I will pick a few that I read at random: Anxiety lies; You are not your past, The simplest things are most important, and a special favorite, Books help with everything.

This is a title that can offer a bit of inspiration and encouragement when those are the qualities needed. I will be looking at this one for a while.

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

Pub date: 31 July 2022