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

The beginning of this novel asks that readers suspend disbelief. Why were these five characters mysteriously invited to attend a society whose mission was not known? The author implies that something higher than the fictional Gilda brought them together. After all, this is a book that is published by a Christian publisher.
So…the five are the heir to a cosmetic company, a widower grieving for his wife, a divorced man wanting to see his children, an executive assistant who would feels qualified to be a CEO, and her former husband, an academic who is contemplating a difficult career decision. The story of each of these characters, Coral, Ed, Chuck, Lexa and Jett is told in a way that keeps readers turning the pages. There are romance, secrets revealed and healed, and deep friendships formed over the course of the novel.
SPOILER: One of these characters makes a major life decision based on beling called to become an active Christian. I won’t tell you who but in the context of the story, this felt slightly forced to me. Otherwise, I found this novel to be an enjoyable, easy read .
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

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 you would like 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.

The Robyn Carr title is part of the Sullivan’s Crossing Series; they are generally heartwarming stories.  I have not read Tangerine but it got good reviews.  Maeve Binchy is the well-known writer of Irish women’s fiction.  There is a new series on TV forthcoming based ont he books of James Herriott, the vet.

poisonedpenbooks.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/bn-feb-20.pdf

This brightly illustrated book contains three stories about Scaredy Monster for young readers.  Poor Scaredy; he does not scare others but rather is scared of things himself.  For example, in the first story Scaredy is very worried about losing a tooth; he is so worried that he tries to keep it in with peanut butter, marshmallows and more.  Luckily Scaredy’s mother helps him through and he finds that losing a tooth is not so bad.

In Part Two Scaredy Monster gets his first two wheeler and after a scary experience does not want to ride any more.  Once again, Mom helps him to face his fears as he learns to ride his bike

In Part Three, Scaredy Monster goes on his first sleepover.  It is fun until it is not.  Yet again, Scaredy learns to cope with the support of the adults around him.

This is a great book for kids.  It takes their fears seriously while showing that they can cope.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

Mystery, a classic or two, some women’s fiction and Barbara Taylor Bradford’s first novel.  I reviewed The Spotted Dog and A Bitter Feast (see the archive.)

In Barbara Delinsky’s newest novel, one week changes lives as relationships are re-examined, rekindled and renewed.

One week, usually not much happens in that amount of time, but for the characters in this novel past and present come together as old hurts along with family secrets and relationships surface along with questions about a disappearance.

Protagonist Mallory lives with her thirteen-year-old daughter Joy in New York where she has a busy life as a photographer.   Mallory’s camera allows her to both be creative and to look at the world through her own (literal) lens.  Mallory’s sister Anne lives in the Rhode Island town that Mallory left behind. Anne cares for her father, runs a (delicious sounding) breakfast restaurant, The Sunny Side Up and tries to decide what she wants from a relationship.  Third sister Margo has also left town and lives in Chicago with her family.  The three sisters reunite at the shore.

Also in Rhode Island is Mallory’s boyfriend from her younger years.  They had a serious falling out when Jack’s mother disappears from Mallory’s father’s boat, not to be heard from for over twenty years.   What happened to her?  What was the involvement of Mallory’s father?  Did he cause her death?  Did she die? Will he talk?  This is one of the big mysteries of the novel but there are others including the question of Mallory’s paternity.

I grew up in Rhode Island where the book is set.   To me the town seemed generic though, like any beach town, not especially RI-ey.  However, the town was charming and readers will wish that they could visit there.

This is a solid novel that kept me turning the pages.  It was not my favorite book by this author but I definitely enjoyed it and do recommend it to those who enjoy women’s fiction.  I preferred Ms. Delinsky’s last novel, Before and Again but that just means that you could read both!

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

Before and Again…how does what happens, mistakes that we have made, impact our view of the past, our present and our belief in the future? These big issues are fictionally brought to life in Barbara Delinsky’s newest novel.
Early on in the book, the reader learns that a moment of inattention led to the death of the protagonist’s daughter, Lily. Any parent can, but does not want to, imagine what this could mean. The reader watches as Maggie tries to move on and start fresh but…can/should the past be denied? A concurrent theme involves Grace who has secrets and stories of her own. In addition, Grace’s son is accused of computer hacking and the consequences of his act may impact his future, just as Maggie and Grace are impacted by their pasts.
I found the characters to be sympathetically drawn and would recommend this book to readers of women’s fiction.

 

 

https://nyti.ms/3aVj0tj

A couple of mysteries and a fairy tale book which is part of a well-known series and free.

This book is geared towards three-to-six year olds and the adult who reads them a bedtime story.  The author notes that, in the age of screens, it is more difficult for children to relax and get ready to go to sleep.  One possible solution is to look at this book with a child once they are ready for bed.

Using stories and imagery from the constellations and mythology, a number of short tales are told.  Alongside these are stretches, breathing exercises and other mindfulness activities to help a child become ready for sleep.

The author wisely suggests reading in any order and trying out activities even if you are not certain that your little one will engage.  To me, it seems worth the effort.

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