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

by Jeannie Chin

Includes a bonus novella

If you enjoy books by Robyn Carr or Debbie Macomber, you may want to take a look at this romance. It has the small town vibe of these other authors. There are also some “will opposites attract?” elements to the story.

Meet June, who is Chinese American, and Clay, a war vet trying to fulfill a friend’s dream. Each is hoping for success for their business. Both are very motivated. Will they help each other? Will they get the financial security that they need? Will they fall in love.? Read this one to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Malory is free.

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www.nytimes.com/2021/09/24/books/review/anthony-doerr-cloud-cuckoo-land.html

This has spoilers. I have my review on the blog.

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Write. Draw. Reflect.

by Matilda Tristram

The author of this title feels passionately about the ways in which writing comics can be helpful to the one doing the drawing and captioning. It may also be helpful or inspiring or humorous or…to others if shared. The comic offers a visual way of thinking that can be augmented with text. The cartoon can make a point, evoke emotion, provide catharsis or more.

Ms. Tristram began making comics when she was diagnosed with cancer. Expressing herself with this form was important to her and she shares why this is so.

After a detailed introduction, there are a number of prompts. These are followed by pages where the owner of the book can make their own comics. She shares her own on each subject and these help to put budding artists in the spirit to create.

For those who are looking for ways to express themselves, this book may be quite intriguing. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing it. All opinions are my own.

Four stars

From the Publisher

A unique insight into recording your daily life and embracing the ordinary through comic art

The 52 sections in the book can be completed in any order. Start with a prompt that appeals to you. If you find any subject particularly inspiring, do continue with it outside of this book.

Or you might find that some of the starter subjects don’t appeal as much, in which case use those sections to continue with other narratives that you are enjoying. You could ignore the frames provided and divide your pages differently, if you like, with similar or larger boxes. It will be a record of your life that grows with you.

As I got further into writing and drawing this book, I noticed my drawings improving. It’s tempting to start again at the beginning and redo the whole thing – but that’s just what happens with drawing, and with any kind of creative art: the way you work will always develop and change.

ME / MY HOME

Take inspiration from yourself and your immediate surroundings, from everyday rituals, activities or spaces, to objects or garments that mean something to you. Enjoy thinking about how each experience or thing makes you feel and write those fragments down.

ME / MY HOME

THE WORLD AROUND YOU

MODERN LIFE

FAMILY & FRIENDS

A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 3

by T E Kinsey

This title is part of a cozy, historical mystery series. In this entry, Lady Hardcastle and her maid are invited to the country for some car races and parties. It sounds like fun to Lady H so off they go…but, of course, where she goes murder often follows. It does here when a driver dies. What happened? Who did it? Read this lighthearted story to find out Along the way, enjoy the unusual for its purported time bantering relationship between Lady and maid.

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

I recommend the Maisie Dobbs series. There are also a number of books for kids by Rick Riordan as bargains today.

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