by Laura Childs

Narrated by Susan Boyce

#DreamscapeMedia #NetGalley

Laura Childs is the author of three mystery series; one features Theodosia Browning and her tea shop; another is set in New Orleans and has a scrapbook theme, while Egg Shooters is a Cackleberry Club mystery. To be honest, the tea shop stories are my favorite.

In Egg Shooters, one of the three protagonists is at a hospital to visit her doctor fiance when a shooting takes place. The gunman escapes after killing a security card. Suzanne survives and, in the way of amateur detectives, wants to find out what happened. She is helped by friends Toni and Petra.

The narration of the audio book is good. Ms. Boyce has different tones and accents for each of the main characters. The story itself did not completely capture my attention however, Still, for readers who love cozy mysteries, this one may be worth a try.

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

Audio book

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I looked to it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others.

Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be?

Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more.

In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister.

Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them?

At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. The audio version is well done and the narrator reads with a clear, easy to follow style.

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

by Kristen McCurry

#PatricksPolkaDotTights #NetGalley

Patrick loves a pair of polka dot tights. He enjoys wearing them and also finds multiple uses for them with his vivid imagination. All goes well until…the sister that the tights belongs to reclaims them. What will Patrick do? How will he cope? Young children will soon find out.

This book shows that a boy may wear tights without any moralizing or over focus. The book gently gives a message that kids can be who they are.

With its vivid illustrations and a text that pairs well with them, this is an engaging title.

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

Pub Date 01 Jan 2021

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021

Jane Austen lovers will welcome this beautiful version of the novel. The floral illustrations are highly appealing and will add to readers enjoyment of this already enjoyable novel. Whether it will be your first or fourth (or more) reading of Emma, the reading experience will be enhanced by this lovely edition of a favorite Austen work.

I am not reviewing the novel in depth because I think that this release is more about the gorgeous edition of the classic. But, for those who don’t know this work, Emma is a young woman who thinks she knows what is best for everyone around her. She has a few blind spots however…

With it engaging characters, settings and story lines it is clear to me that there are solid reasons for Emma being a much loved work. It will continue to be so in this release.

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

Lockdown Walks

A Picture Story

by Netty Cracknell

#LockdownWalks #NetGalley

Earlier this year a friend made a photo book and sent it to those to whom she feels close. Spring was depicted therein and offered a verdant reminder that nature and life were going on during the pandemic. As soon as my local botanical garden allowed visits, I began going there and have taken so many photos as the seasons have evolved. Netty Cracknell also took photos, lots of them, during Covid as she reactivated an old hobby. This collection of photos of her corner of England is the result.

This is a lovely book to look at in many sections but also one that is sad at times. To get the sadness out of the way, Ms. Cracknell captures the deserted high streets and more urban locations with no one there, providing a poignant remainder of the emptiness of the pandemic. However, she also has gorgeous photos of canal boats, locks, bridges, sunrises, trees, swans and more. For those who enjoy photography and want to remember this time or just enjoy the scenes, I recommend this title.

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

Pub date: May 5, 2021

Mark your calendar for this title’s release date if you enjoy women’s fiction. I found myself looking to spend time with Sophie, Adelaide and Regina (and their dual timeline) whenever I had a few minutes or more to spare.

There are many books about female friendship, marriage, new relationships, family history and conflict. What made this one a bit different was that the protagonists all are connected with the Army. Readers are there as partners are deployed and those left at home are expected to cope with matters big and small. Where are the needed supports through everything from miscarriages, to unexpected pregnancy, to graduate school, to parenting twins and much more? Readers will hope that the three women successfully navigate their stresses and joys of their lives and that they are able to maintain their friendships.

There is a book club theme in this title as well. This adds some fun to the novel with the different meetings and suggestions of what to read. I left with some new ideas for my TBR pile. All in all, a good read.

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

PLEASE NOTE: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE WISDOM OF SALLY REDSHOES. My review is on the blog.

A Kate Shackleton Mystery

by Frances Brody

The Body on the Train is the eleventh entry in the Kate Shackleton mystery series, I think. The books feature Kate who was widowed during WWI. She is bright, resourceful and looking for life to give her some meaning as the series begins. Of course, she is an old hand at solving mysteries by the time of this entry.

It is now 1929 as the story begins. A body is, as you know, found on a train. Who was murdered and why? Is the death related to the rhubarb shipment on the train? What will Kate discover as she seeks to solve this case?

With its recurring characters and good story lines the Kate Shackleton mysteries will be enjoyed by those who like the books by Anna Lee Huber and Jacqueline Winspear. The titles can be read out of order but once a reader tries one, they will most likely want to read others.

By the way, each title in this series has a gorgeous cover. The artwork always makes me want to pick up the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own. I would also like to thank Crooked Lane Books for publishing so many series that began with other publishers. It is wonderful to still be able to find the titles.