Unto Us a Son Is Given by Leon

A new novel from this author is always most welcome! What I love about this series is not so much the mysteries, although those are well constructed, but the relationships among the characters and the ways in which the city of Venice is brought to life. Guido and Paola seem so real and affectionate with one another; they have a marriage that many would envy. Watching Guido and Paola with their children is a treat as is reading about their latest family dinner. Guido’s relationships with his extended family and work colleagues are also brought vividly to life.

In this book, a friend of the family who is elderly wants to adopt an adult male to be his heir. Will you as the reader feel empathy for this lonely man? All around wonder if this adoption is a good plan but he is determined and undeterred. Is this what leads to his and one other’s death? What are the reasons for what is happening? How are families constructed? They are not all like Guido’s.

For fans of Donna Leon, the chance to spend time with her will be a delight. New readers will also enjoy the book and will probably then look to read others in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this good read. The opinions are mine alone.

#UntoUsASonIsGiven #NetGalley

Miss Benson’s Beetle A Novel by Rachel Joyce

Miss Benson’s Beetle is by the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a book that I very much enjoyed.  So, I was excited to receive this e galley from the publisher.  The book does not disappoint.

As has been true in her other novels, Rachel Joyce is a mistress of creating quirky characters for whom readers will care.  The beginning of the novel introduces Miss Benson.  What teacher will not identify with her ‘losing it,’ even if they might not take the actions that she does?

From this unlikely beginning Miss Benson goes on the quest of her lifetime, to the New Caledonia, in search of a rare golden beetle.  Readers learn what led to this obsession and of the tragedies in Miss Benson’s past.  Accompanying Miss Benson is the irrepressible Enid Pretty who has her own back story.  There is also another less savory and wounded character whom Miss Benson did not hire when she met him.

This is a story about doing what one dreams of in life.  It is about embarking on a journey without knowing how it will end.  Isn’t this a universal of going on journeys and taking risks?  Readers will become attached to the story and character and will immerse themselves in Miss Benson’s world.

This is a novel that has both humor and heart.  I highly recommend it.

A Walk Along the Beach A Novel by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber is a prolific writer of women’s fiction. This, her latest title, is dedicated to her very close friend, a woman who died of cancer. Indeed, one of the two sisters in this title has had a bout with cancer as well. As a result, Harper wants to live her life to the fullest. She is a risk taker. Older sister and caretaker Willa worries about her and so does the reader of the novel, wondering if she will stay healthy.
As Harper’s story unfolds, so does Willa’s. She owns a coffee bar and bakery that I would love to visit. Into the store walks Sean, a former baseball player and now a photographer with a passion for good causes. The title of the book comes from the location of their first date. Will his relationship with Willa make it?
I know that Ms. Macomber is a knitter and one place Sean travels to is Bolivia where he wants to document the impact of climate issues on those who graze animals for wool. I assume that the issue is a real one because of the author’s interests. It adds an interesting travel story to the novel.
I enjoyed this book and its characters as they explored, faced challenges and cared about each other. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#AWalkAlongtheBeach #NetGalley

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for A Walk Along the Beach

“You can always trust Macomber . . . to tug at your heart strings and keep you turning pages.”—AARP

“Macomber scores another home run with this surprisingly heavy but uplifting contemporary romance between a café owner and a photographer. Eloquent prose . . . along with [a] charming supporting cast adds a welcome dose of light and hope. With this stirring romance, Macomber demonstrates her mastery of the genre.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Highly emotional . . . a hard-to-put-down page-turner, yet, throughout all the heartache, the strength and love of family shines through.”—New York Journal of Books

Sonali Dev has written three novels in which she modernizes the books of Jane Austen. I previously reviewed Recipe for Persuasion and I look forward to reading Incense and Sensibility.

Each of these novels follows members of the Raje family. This take on Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Trisha Raje. She is a highly qualified and talented neurosurgeon and a member of a highly competent and prominent family. One of Trisha’s patients, Emma, is an artist whom Trisha could save; however, the cost may be too high. What will Emma decide and what will happen?

Note the name Emma. Other characters in the book also have names taken straight from Austen’s novels. There is a Wickham (female) and DJ whose first name is, of course, really Darcy.

Darcy and Trisha collide both literally and figuratively. They personify both pride and prejudice as they get to know one another and as their relationship evolves.

DJ is a chef and food is a big part of the novel, just as it was in A Recipe for Persuasion. The cuisine is lovingly described and made me hungry.

There are other characters and story lines in the novel. One is about Trisha’s brother who is running for office. His story will be told more fully in the third of the novels.

I found this book to be a most enjoyable read. I looked forward to picking up at the end of the day and relaxing.

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

A Big Activity Book for Kids about the Amazing United States

by Nicole Claesen

#Funwith50States #NetGalley Pub date: 24 Aug 21

Readers of my blog know that I am a fan of activity books. I think that it is helpful to offer children activities that use crayons and pencils, not just screens. Activity books can also be great sources of entertainment when kids are spending long hours in cars or other forms of transportation.

This activity book on the fifty states is an excellent one for its age group. There is a section of interesting facts for each state, always followed by an activity. It could be a code to break or a word search puzzle or a spot the difference challenge, or maybe a maze or matching game, to give just some examples. Information is also included on each state’s capital, population, region, when it acquired statehood, state flower and bird and state nickname.

Let a child you know have the chance to learn about the U.S. while being entertained.

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

I highly recommend the mystery series by Deborah Crombie.

Washington Square is free.

A Novel

by Julia Claiborne Johnson

#BetterLuckNextTime

Travel back in time to 1938. You want a divorce. Not easy. Where to go? Well, how about Reno? Divorces are supposedly not so hard to obtain there. But…what to do while waiting? Hmmm, how about going to a dude ranch? That should help to pass the time.

At the dude ranch find Nina, Emily and Ward. Each has their own story and reason for being at the aptly named Flying Leap.

This novel combines humor and heart. I recommend it.

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

Spectacular Spreads

50 Amazing Food Spreads for Any Occasion

by Maegan Brown

#SpectacularSpreads #NetGalley Pub Date 28 Sep 2021

There are loads of spreads in this title. They cover Breakfast & Brunch; Lunch & dinner; Special Occasions; Holidays; Desserts, and Drinks.

The book opens with some helpful sections as, for example, How to Use This Book, What You’ll Need, and Planning. Then come the spreads beginning with a Continental Breakfast that includes cinnamon swirled coffee cake, mini banana muffins, blueberry streusel quick bread, and mini cinnamon rolls. These recipes are followed by suggestions for accompaniments. Some of the recipes that follow are familiar crowd pleasers; there are soups and sandwiches, tacos, pizzas and more. Holiday spreads include one for a family Valentine’s Dinner, an Easter Brunch and more.

This cookbook has many illustrations that may well inspire those who are planning gatherings…once we are again able to do so.

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