Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart

100 Reassuring Devotions

by Julie Gillies

#PrayerstoCalmYourAnxiousHeart #NetGalley Are you a person made anxious by corona virus? One of the many people whose set point is anxiety? Or, are you just looking for a few minutes to yourself each day in order to feel and enjoy a sense of calm? Whoever you are, this book is worth a look. Each entry has a quote, a short vignette and space to write one’s own reflections. For example there are entries with titles like “When Life Is Harder than You Ever Imagined” or “Fearless.” This book is Christian in its orientation but may well speak to anyone who is seeking a life with a bit less in the way of anxious thoughts. The vignettes are ones to which many may relate, Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Cupcake Murder

A Festive & Delicious Christmas Cozy Mystery

by Joanne Fluke

#ChristmasCupcakeMurder #NetGalley

I have enjoyed spending time with Hannah Swenson and those around her since Ms. Fluke wrote the first in this series. The Chocolate Chip Murder. With its bakery setting to make you hungry, and the recurring characters and relationships, it is a good series for lovers of cozy mysteries.

This time, as the title states, the story takes place around Christmas. Who is the John Doe who cannot remember much but knows a lot about antiques? Why is he in Hannah’s small mid-Western town?

Along with this mystery, readers will enjoy spending time with Hannah, her sisters and the other folk who live in Lake Eden. As a bonus, there are lots of recipes included too.

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

A Novel

by Josie Silver

#TheTwoLivesofLydiaBird #NetGalley

I enjoyed Josie Silver’s One Day in December so was looking forward to reading her newest novel. It is a satisfying read for those who enjoy women’s fiction/romance.

Early on readers learn that Josie faced a terrible loss. How will she cope with this? Who will be there for her? Will she be able to move on?

Through a plot twist, readers watch as Lydia both moves forward in her life and also engages with what her life would have been like had her true love not died. How will Lydia deal with this strange incongruity? What will she choose? Read the book to find out!

One caveat, be prepared to read about grief if you pick up this title.

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

Bel Canto is one of my favorite novels and I also recommend the Graham Greene. Also here are some mysteries, historical fiction and a Rumi title. Enjoy.

www.nytimes.com/2020/09/24/books/october-2020-new-books.html

Winner Cake All

by Denise Swanson

Luke & Lottie. Fall is Here!

by Ruth Wielockx

#LukeLottieFallisHere #NetGalley

This is a read aloud for a young audience. Luke and Lottie go outdoors to enjoy some fall fun. Most exciting for them is finding a hedgehog whom they help to get ready to hibernate.

The illustrations are very cute and go well with the simple text. This book is a nice introduction to the season.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Life in Miniature

A History of Dolls’ Houses

by Nicola Lisle

#LifeinMiniature #NetGalley When I was young, I always wanted a doll house although that dream was not realized. I did enjoy seeing a number of doll houses in museums and was always intrigued by the houses and their small furnishings. When my kids were young, there was a wonderful doll house store near where I worked and we loved going there. So, based on all of that, I was excited to see this title on dollhouses. It is clear that the author loves her subject. This title takes an academic, but by no means dry, approach providing a great deal of history starting from the earliest houses in the sixteenth century when they were not children’s playthings. That you will learn began more around Victorian times. Just a few of the intriguing chapter headings include Ann Sharp’s Baby House, Dolls’ Houses in Literature and Miniatures Move Outside: Model Towns and Villages. There are, additionally, an appendices; on includes places to visit while the other is offers suggestions for further reading. This book is full of information and includes some lovely illustrations. The audience that this book was written for should very much enjoy this title. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own. Share this:

I also reviewed this.

by Leslie Meier

#GobbleGobbleMurder #NetGalley Leslie Meier has been chronicling the adventures of Lucy Stone since about 1991 so she is quite experienced at writing the light mysteries that her fans enjoy. The stories are set in Tinkers Cove which would be an idyllic spot were it not for the murders. This book contains two previously published novels. In these novels, fall is in the air and Thanksgiving is approaching. In Turkey Day Murder an activist is killed while in Turkey Trot Murder a frozen corpse is found. Lucy can’t help but get involved. Fans of cozy mysteries and those who enjoy the novels of Katherine Hall Page will I think enjoy this collection. There is the added bonus of enjoying time with Lucy’s family. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.