The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 4

New Books to Make Your Heart Race

I always enjoy these samplers. They offer good introductions to books that are coming out along with very generous excerpts. Author bios are also included. In this volume there are new novels by Stacy Willingham, Alex Finlay Gigi Pandian, Camilla Sten, Anna Downes and Samantha Jayne Allen.

I already have two of these titles in my TBR pile and I will be adding to that now.

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

Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope

by Sally Clarkson

This book’s title is reflective of both its content and appeal. Most of us feel overwhelmed at times. It can be immeasurably helpful to know that we are not alone in those moments. A good book can help in processing, moving forward and feeling heard.

I love that the author of this book is about seventy years old. She is able to bring her accumulated wisdom to the page. Ms. Clarkson’s help can be looked at in the nautical terms of her title. She offers a life raft, an anchor, a life preserver…call it what you will to her readers.

Some of the subjects covered include Loneliness and Isolation; Disappointment in Marriage; Unexpected Challenges with our Children; and Be Gentle with Yourself. Each chapter includes something personal from the author’s life along with guidance, a suggested prayer, a bible quote and something to journal.

Note: This book is addressed to the Christian reader. I think that those of other faiths may also find some helpful guiding here.

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

by Dianna Wilson-Sirkovsky

I like this book which will be an excellent one for a child who struggles with reading. If that child loves cats, that will be a big bonus!

James has trouble reading. He has been told that he has to spend his recess time practicing. How, why and where James practices and what he accomplishes are the elements of this lovely picture book story. There is a nice surprise for James at the end of this gentle and positive title.

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

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/29/books/new-october-books.html

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/29/books/negative-book-reviews.html

Murder with Orange Pekoe Tea

by Karen Rose Smith

For those times when only a cozy, but one with some depth, will do…Murder with Orange Pekoe Tea is the seventh entry in this series with the name of a food or a tea in the title. In this entry, Daisy is attending a fund raiser when there is a disruption. Or course there will be a murder and Daisy will be involved in its’ solution.

Amidst the mayhem some important issues are touched on. There is a plot involving a fertility clinic. There is another strand to the story about the community wanting to build a shelter for those in need.

Read the book to find out how the plot strands come together and how the case is solved. As a bonus, enjoy the recipes that are also included.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. I also liked the Amish Country setting. Both are well portrayed.

This was the first in the series that I read. I am pretty sure that I will go back and spend time with some of the earlier entries.

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

by Michael W. Waters and illus. Nicole Tadgell

Medgar Evers, Emmett Till, Dr. Martin Luther King, four young girls at a church in Alabama, the bridge in Selma-these evoke iconic images and memories of the Civil Rights movement. They are the places visited by Liberty and a diverse group of people in this book for kids.

The story is simply and honestly told and introduces why the people included were so important and why the places mentioned need to be remembered. Additional information is included at the end of the book.

I think that this title is very age appropriated and important. Read it with a child or in a classroom and begin to have those important and necessary conversations.

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

Robyn Carr has been writing about Virgin River and its residents over the course of the 21 novels in the series. This is the book that began it all back in 2007. It is the one that is the basis for the television series on Netflix.

Each book features a couple along with a number of other characters. Characters from one of the novels often appear in the later volumes.

This story is about Mel and Jack. Mel has faced tragedy and is coming to Virgin River to start over. She has taken a job (sight unseen) as a nurse practitioner for the community. Unfortunately, at first, the local doctor really does not want her assistance. The other main character, Jack, is a retired Marine who runs the local bar and restaurant. No spoiler to say that Jack and Mel will become a couple.

Give this title a try. If you enjoy it, you can run through the series and maybe that will keep you busy and free of thinking about Covid for awhile. After you read the novel, take a look at the tv series. Do the characters and place seem true to what you read? Let me know your thoughts.

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