#Blush #NetGalley

The title of this novel has several meanings as readers who pick up this one up will discover. See how many you can come up with. It was a clever name for the book.

This novel is about Leonard and Vivian (who married somewhat against the wishes of Vivian’s family) and those around them. Together the two founded the Hollander Estates winery. At first, Vivian felt like she made a real contribution to the vineyard but, over time, Leonard became the one making all of the decisions. Is this about to change? What will be the role of a French Count in this?

Vivian and Leonard had two children, Leah and Asher. A traditional patriarch, Leonard has involved Asher in the business while keeping his daughter at bay. Is this the best plan? Leah is a successful cheese monger and capable business woman. Her husband Steven and daughter, Sadie are other characters in the novel as are some of the men who work for the winery, including Mateo.

As the novel opens, Hollander Estates is facing major changes. These have the potential to impact all of the characters. Readers will watch as decisions are made.

Brenner is interested in the story’s women and their agency. Interestingly, she brings this topic more into focus by highlighting a number of books from the 1980s including Scruples, MIstral, Lucky and others. Do the fictional women characters in this novel have something to teach the women in the story? Will they help Sadie to complete her academic studies?

Readers can probably guess some of how the story will unfold but the book can still be enjoyed. They will also learn a fair bit about wine (and cheese) along the way.

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

From the Publisher

These books are under $10 this week:

Other e book bargains for today:

How to Walk Away by Center

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJanuary 15, 2019

Margaret and Chip appear to be the perfect couple at the start of this women’s fiction title. Both have just completed their MBAs and are on the path to high achievement. Margaret is hoping that Chip will propose to her. Not much of a spoiler because what I am writing next happens very early in the book. Chip does propose but does it in a small plane that Margaret had not wanted to fly in. There is an accident and Margaret suffers a serious injury which upends her life. The novel then tells the story of what happens to Margaret. The story is also about Margaret’s parents, her sister, Chip and his family and the hospital staff, especially Ian.

Readers will be rooting for Margaret as she figures out what to do in her life. The reader will undoubtedly enjoy spending time with her family and with Ian as well.

I enjoyed this novel which I read quickly. The author does not sugarcoat what Margaret experiences in her recovery. However this is a romance so each reader will have to decide if they want to buy into the semi-fairy-tale.

I would read other books by the author and would look forward to doing so. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-galley of the novel which I was given in exchange for an honest review.

#HowToWalkAway #NetGalley

“Center explores the limits of hope and love…[she] transforms the story of a family tragedy into a heartfelt guide to living the fullest life possible.” ―Publisher’s Weekly “With its appealing characters and wisdom about grappling with life’s challenges, Center’s sixth novel has all the makings of a breakout hit.” ―Booklist (starred review) “Inspiring and romantic… A touching and truthful novel that shows how people can find comfort in the most unexpected places.” ―Library Journal “A story about survival that is heartbreakingly honest and wryly funny, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Elizabeth Berg.” ―Kirkus

Calling fans of Ann Cleeves: The Long Call

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 30, 2019

I read and enjoyed this latest, a first in a new series, from Ann Cleeves. It is publishing soon.  I have also included the New York Times review. Let me know what you think, either of the reviews, or the book, or both.  I recommend this title.

My review

Kudos to the talented Ann Cleeves for this first entry in her new series. I have read the author’s Vera and Jimmy Perez novels, both of which I recommend. As a reader who looked forward especially to every Perez novel, I was sad to learn that the series had finished. I wondered if there would be no more books by this author. I am delighted that that is not the case.

In The Long Call, Ann Cleeves creates a world within a small community in North Devon where rivers converge; the setting effectively becomes a part of the story. In this world, there are three police officers who are central characters. First is Matthew; he was raised within the Brethren, a conservative religious group. While Brethren characters are very much a part of the novel, Matthew himself has left the group. This cast him away from the familiar into a new life in the police and with his husband, Jonathan. Next is a female character, Jen. She is divorced and never has sufficient time for that elusive work-life balance. Ross is a police officer who seems a bit full of himself but he too has reasons for being as he is. I enjoyed spending time with each of these characters.

The story is populated with many characters. There are businessmen, a curate and his girlfriend, an artist and many others. There is the murder victim whose backstory is essential to the plot. Also, there are three young women with Down Syndrome who are integral to the novel. Ms. Cleeves portrays each as a fully rounded person. She is clear eyed and empathetic in the portrayals of the three and their families.

This book was an excellent read and one that I highly recommend. I was sorry to get to the end of the book and only hope that the next in the series comes out soon. If you are a person who enjoys well written British mysteries, put this one on your TBR pile

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this book in exchange for an honest review.

The New York Times Book Review by Marilyn Stasio that will be in this weekend’s book review.

Matthew Venn is the kind of man who isn’t even welcome at his own father’s funeral. But that’s where we find this detective, skulking around the edges of the service at the North Devon Crematorium, when the call comes in that a body has been found nearby, on the beach at Crow Point. Not a drowning victim, we learn in Ann Cleeves’s atmospheric procedural THE LONG CALL (Minotaur, $26.99), but murdered with a stab wound to the chest.

Venn already has plenty to occupy him, having recently married his lover (“beautiful” Jonathan) and moved back to Devon to police the strictly religious community where he grew up. A prolific author with two sturdy mystery series already underway, Cleeves has a fondness for quirky characters, several of whom show up here when Venn starts interviewing suspects. But Cleeves’s true strength lies in her descriptions of the natural world, gorgeously captured in this brief description of Venn listening to “the surf on the beach and the cry of a herring gull, the sound naturalists named the long call, the cry which always sounded to him like an inarticulate howl of pain.”

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMay 13, 2021

A Graphic Novel

by Mariah Marsden, Hanna Luechtefeld

Pub date: June 15, 2021

The Secret Garden is a well-known children’s classic. The story of a young orphan, a mansion on the moors, a crippled young boy and others is a hopeful one. The novel has been presented in different formats including a recent movie with Colin Firth, a cookbook and this graphic novel version.

All of the elements of The Secret Garden are here. The illustrations are evocative and true to the story. The dialogue covers the plot well. All in all, this title is a welcome addition to the classic version of the story. I recommend it.

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

From the Publisher

True Stories of Heroic Hounds

by Penelope Rich & Isabel Muñoz

#DogTales #NetGalley

Pub Date 01 Aug 2021  

This title would make an ideal gift for a child who loves canines. It includes engagingly illustrated stories of real and amazing dogs. The book is divided into sections including Incredible Journeys; Hero Dogs; Extraordinary Dogs; and Talented Dogs. There are also sections on caring for dogs and on further reading.

For example, in the section on Incredible Journeys, children can learn about Bells and Strelka who traveled in space. The hero section includes Ajax who saved lives by detecting a hidden bomb. Each entry is short and well-written. Again, I love the illustrations.

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

Remain Silent A Manon Bradshaw Novel by Susie Steiner

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMay 15, 2020

Remain Silent is the third book in Susie Steiner’s Manon Bradshaw mystery series.  I very much enjoyed this author’s first two novles in the series and was eager to read this one as well.

Remain Silent is, in some ways, a very tough read.  It is the second book that I have finished recently that has a theme centering on the plight of illegal immigrants.  Ms. Steiner portrays what happens to these characters including Matis, Lukas and  others, with such brutal reality that it was painful to read.  The message is an important one however and something that needs to be considered.

Manon herself can be acerbic, funny and a woman who makes many pithy parenthetical statements.  In this book, Manon is overwhelmed with challenges.  She has a young son, a teenaged son and a partner, Mark, who is in the hospital.   Manon’s lament on how she wishes that she had been treating Mark better will strike a chord with anyone who has faced challenges in a relationship.

Around all of this, of course, there is a mystery.  The murder is that of one of the immigrants and Manon is tasked with solving the case.  Readers who have read the series will welcome back characters on her team including Davy.

SPOILER:

The afterword by the author reveals some of what she, herself, has been experiencing and this, too, has been quite sad and difficult.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in an excellent series in exchange for an honest review.  I hope that Ms. Steiner will continue writing.  She is a talented and clear eyed author.

#ROMeANTICALLYCHALLENGED #NetGalley

When I saw the title of this novel, I thought that it took place in Rome, Italy. That was part of why I wanted to read it. However, the Rome of the title is actually in Rhode Island. Once I let go of Italy, I found this to be an easy read with characters whom I liked.

Annie has grown up as the only Asian person in her community which has not always been easy. She reflects on this in the novel. When her wedding plans fall through, Annie ends up in Rome, Rhode Island (She, too, was hoping for Italy). Although not what she was looking for Annie tries to make it work.

Emmitt is home after covering a big story in China. Of course, he and Annie meet. Will they become a couple?

Along with these two, there are the members of Emmitt’s family. He has a daughter whom he is trying to get to know. Paisley has other family members who do not always make it easy for Emmitt.

While in some ways this is a predtictable story, sometimes that is just what a reader wants.

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