Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

This book includes many reflections and stories from the author on the subject of aging. I very much like how she embraces this time of life and sees it as a time for growth, exploration and consolidation of a lifetime of experience.

The book is divided into four sections; Grief, Reclamation, Vision and Laughter. In the first section the author supports acknowledging the losses both large and small that come with the aging process. In the next section, she encourages readers to reclaim things that one enjoyed at an earlier life stage; for example, maybe  to take up playing the piano or singing in a chorus again. Vision is about using one’s acquired wisdom to fully participate and see life as it unfolds each day. Laughter provides a chance to laugh which is good for us!
If you know someone, including yourself, who would enjoy or benefit from gaining perspective on this life stage, take a look at this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#ADelightfulLittleBookOnAging #NetGalley

I adore the old fashioned illustrations that appear throughout this book; I felt nostalgic as I saw Camay soap, Tang and Crisco in the paintings. Amy, the artist, talks in the introduction about her inspiration while Martha, the cook, also adds her take. The book itself is organized with the day in mind, beginning with breakfast and moving through to late night snacks. There are then anytime treats. Yum.

Within this framework, there are intriguingly named recipes. For example, the Morning’s Glories section includes “Ethel’s Overnight Breakfast in Bed (a casserole), and Marge’s Usual Sunrise (a drink) among others. These titles definitely enticed me and kept me browsing through this book.

The recipes are all doable. The presentation is quirky and fun. This title could be a nice addition to a cook’s bookshelf.

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

#AGoodMealisHardtoFind #NetGalley

The Gilded Hour is a very long novel coming in at 742 pages.  If your dream during this crisis is to read an absorbing story that will keep you going for days, this one is worth reading.

The  Gilded Hour is the first of two books with Where the Light Enters also having been published.  By the way, the second book currently only costs $2.99 in e book format.  I bought it at a higher price when it came out.

The two main characters of the series are Anna and Sophie Savard.  Anna and Sophie are both physicians in turn of the century New York.  The city itself is portrayed in all its classes, from the poorest immigrants to the ballrooms.  Anna and Sophie are surrounded by a rich cast of characters, most fictional and a few historical.  Their relationships and work form the focus for the story.

Around this structure, there is something happening in New York.  If what I write next offends you, this will not be the book for you.  Women did not have access to much in the way of contraceptives at this time.  This led some to seek help in terminating pregnancies.  Anna and Sophie see that women are dying from procedures done by someone, but who?.  Who has done this will be a part of both of these novels, though I have only read the first.

I enjoyed The Gilded Hour and plan to read Where the Light Gets In.  Let me know what you think…have you read books by this author?

I read and enjoyed many of the books that this author wrote as S.J. Bolton.  They followed a female detective, Lacey Flint, and were always suspenseful page turners.

The Split is not part of a series but has the author’s trademarks of a well told and suspenseful story.  I especially enjoyed the settings of this book which are the Antarctic  and Cambridge.  Read the novel to find out why the protagonist, Felicity, travels so far and why she feels that she must do this.  Who will be there to help her when the stakes get higher and higher?

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

I was quite excited to receive this ARC because I realized that the author of this mystery was already known to me.  She has been a reporter on my local radio station and I have heard her voice many times.  So, it was fun to think about “hearing” her writer’s voice as well.

This book is a cozy and should be enjoyed by readers who like this genre.  That means nothing too violent and a good story with characters with whom I enjoyed spending time.  These include the protagonist, Ella, who is unconventional, a murder victim and an English lord. The setting is the world of opera and the time period is the very end of the 19th century.  The place is New York City.

Sound appealing?  If yes, give this one a try.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this first in a series (I hope).  All opinions are my own.

I have been reading and enjoying mysteries since I was a young child with my first Nancy Drew books. I still look to mysteries as favorite reads. It’s not always the “whodunnit” but often the characters, settings and joys of following a series that draw me in.
Whenever I read a mystery, I take a look at the page about the author. Sometimes I wish I knew more though about what makes a favorite writer tick. If you feel that way too, this is a fun book to dip into in any order that you like.
This title from the Mystery Writers of America posed a question to authors; they were asked to write about a mystery in their own life, however they defined that. As a result here are writings by Sulari Gentill, Ausma Zahanat Khan, Rhys Bowen, Jacqueline Winspear, Tasha Alexander, and Anne Perry, just to name my own favorites. (Reviews for these authors are on my blog).
What a treat! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#PrivateInvestigations #NetGalley

Right now I am very much enjoying exploring cookbooks. Since it is not possible to travel or go out to eat, I love having other ways to think about (and make) good food. This cookbook which features 100 Italian recipes is a delight. If the photos don’t make you salivate, I will be surprised.
Start with an Aperol Spritz, move on to crispy artichoke hearts with aioli dip and then have some tortellini in brodo with spinach or maybe a panzanella salad with cucumbers. A few of the other recipes include spaghetti cupcake frittatas, lemony risotto with asparagus or pasta with 30 minute meat sauce, and of course, pizza. Then after fish or poultry or other proteins, don’t forget desserts including raspberry mascarpone mini hand pies and Sicilian almost orange cookies among others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this culinary treat. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 28 Apr 2020   |

Everything from self-help, to the Durrells, to Miss Jean and a bit more.

Historical fiction at its best allows readers to immerse themselves in another place and time. When it is done very well, I often find myself wishing for a different ending…even as I know what happened historically. That was exactly my reaction to this novel; I kept wanting to guide the characters when the events are, in reality, long past.
The woman who was the woman before Wallis Simpson is Thelma. For anyone who may not know, Wallis married David, the heir to the British throne who abdicated, paving the way for Elizabeth to be the current monarch. Thelma, nee Morgan, was a twin and her twin was Gloria Vanderbilt. Again, for any who may not follow such things, Gloria was involved in a dispute over the custody of “little Gloria,” her daughter, with Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. (Little Gloria grew up to be the mother of Anderson Cooper). Thelma, herself, had an early divorce and then married Duke Furness. He introduced her to the future king with whom she had a long term affair.
The author lays out all of these events in glorious detail with characters who come to life and settings that I would love to visit. There are country estates, chapters set in Paris, London, the English country side and New York. Readers visit David’s bolt hole, Belvedere Castle, and watch it come to life.
Each of these personages tried to live their life while others tried to heavily influence their actions. This creates the conflict of the novel and real life.
I wanted each of these historical personages to find happiness and that was the gift of the author, as I knew how each of the plot lines ended. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#TheWomanBeforeWallis #NetGalley

Pub Date 21 Jul 2020

Don’t Let Go is such an appealing and charmingly illustrated story that both children and parents will love. The polar bear family goes to the beach. One young member of the clan does not want to go into the water independently. Watch as he is encouraged to get into the sea using a variety of toys. See what happens to his dad in the process!

This is a fun story. It is also sweet as it shows how parents care for their children.

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

#DontLetGo #NetGalley