Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend, by George R. Matthews

 Publication Feb. 7, 2025

Little moments. Seemingly insignificant decisions. Disappointments. Tragedy. Highs and lows and countless moments where I somehow wished I could reach out through time and tap Billy on the shoulder and tell him "No, don't even think about it." In many ways, I felt like I was riding right beside him as I read. So many "If only he'd...." moments, moments where seemingly insignificant choices lead him down the trail to his early death.  

While even Billy himself seems to have shook his head in disbelief at some of the tales surrounding him, the life he lived was anything but dull. Even his mother's decision to migrate from Ireland at age 19 for America and the man she ultimately hooked up with had repercussions. True, initially her life seemed upward bound but then, well, I don't want to ruin the tale for you but you'll find much, much to digest here. His mother's life is certainly worthy of its own book but it's how it impacted her oldest son that led author George R. Matthews to do a deep dive into son's life in an effort to separate fact from fiction. It makes for a fascinating read. There's also an extensive bibliography, notes, and index, as well as both b/w photos and old wood engraving (I think I'm getting the style right) style illustrations, adding to the experience. 

The author paints a vivid, detailed picture of all Billy, and I'll call him Billy here as that is how mo st know him, may seen and done. Ironically, given his legendary reputation, Billy seems to have been an affable child, one who loved music and reading. Given that Mark Twain was popular at the time, it was intriguing to wonder what he might have thought of Twain's take on the Western landscape. Heck, I even learned something that, well, I wasn't even aware that I didn't know. Know that ol' song about the Erie Canal and that "low bridge"? I discovered what that really signified. How cool. I'm always a sucker for a book that teaches me something and this one had lots of info to share, ranging from the background details of that now famous photo of Billy standing with the rifle to his meeting up with the equally famous Jesse James and a Gov. Wallace who just happened to go on to write "Ben Hur". In between there are countless characters. Some good guys, some bad, most somewhere in-between, probably a norm for those rough and tumble times. I mean, even the supposed ruthless Billy the Kid was saddened to discover one of the horses he'd stolen was beloved by a young girl and tried to return it despite complications. So, like all of us, he was complex and multi-sided, a view this book does an excellent job conveying. Baseball was already a popular pastime, so it's intriguing to wonder if he played.

Bottom line, it's obvious I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I grew up a fan of westerns, albeit in my case more for the horses than story, so it was fascinating to discover how much I missed by not making an effort to discover the true story behind the legend. The characters who pass before our eyes are many, sometimes almost too many to keep straight, but some famous, others mere blips in history. If you've ever wonder what travel by stage coach was like, you'll find the answer here, too. You'll also see the result of being on the losing side of a range war, not to mention the realization that Billy the Kid really wasn't much more than a kid when he was killed by Pat Garrett. My thanks to author George R. Matthews for giving me this early peek at this fascinating book. The ol' history major in me was thrilled as was the child in me that sat in front of the television screen and watched endless westerns.

A Spirited Blend, by Lauren Elliott

 

Publication March 25, 2025

How would you like to discover you had magical powers as a full-grown adult? Let me rephrase that. How would you like to be a witch but with no real knowledge or control over your supposed powers? That's the situation in which Shay Myers finds herself. You have powers that can change lives, yours included, but no idea how to utilize them safely. Although she has had some time over the course of the series to learn certain skills, it certainly hasn't changed her life for the better. So much for all that simple twitch of the nose and all is well stuff with Samantha in "Bewitched".

In fact, her magic has made her life, if anything, more complicated and, yes, dangerous. Like, who are these people who keep showing up claiming a possible relationship to her family? Just as troubling, why is her former husband in town? What is he up to with his new wife? Why is Shay so spooked when a woman shows up claiming kinship? Surely it isn't a good omen for Shay that the woman later turns up dead, her body arranged in a ritualistic way? What's going on with the former supposed friend now in such a nasty competition with Shay's shop? Toss in the erratic relationship Shay has with Liam, who really annoyed me most of this go-round, and Shay has a great deal to deal with. Never mind that Liam's Gran keeps reassuring her things will work out. Shay obviously isn't a super patient person, especially since Liam keeps coming to Shay asking for romantic advice for his interest in other women. Oh, grrr....

On the plus side, Gran and Shay's spirit dog, well, Spirit, have her back as does, when push comes to shove, Liam. Hang on for that cliff-hanger of a life changing event near the end. The characters, even some of those that might annoy you early on, are well-developed and seem to mesh well, making you root for Shay all the more. Despite me frequent annoyance at Liam, just way too much venting over him this go-round, I fully enjoyed the read. Shay's own self-doubts make her all the more human, making it all the easier to root for her. There's even bits of good ol' fashioned Irish folklore/myth for good measure, making for an intriguing read. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for the magical early virtual peek at Shay's world. I'm looking forward to seeing where that ending is going to take us next visit.

Murder on the Cornish Coast (A Miss Underhay Mystery #19), by Helena Dixon

 Publication February 20, 2025

Actual review to come later as this one is part of a virtual book tour. This shared as sort of a place holder for me to remind me when I actually finished.

Spring Fling, by Annie England Noblin

 

Publication March 18, 2025

If you like small town/second-chance romances with fun, quirky characters, give this book a read. Seems like feisty tackle shop owner Mylie has been pinning for school friend Ben since, well, probably since their school days. Ben left, though, to pursue his dream of becoming a professor and is only back in town to sell his family home. He'd made a promise to his mother that he'd visit one more time before selling it but figures to get in and out quick. No muss, no fuss, no entanglements. He didn't count on Mylie. Their accidental cute re-meet starts out somewhat tensely for reasons you'll discover, but they are soon back to best buddies status at the very least. Do I need to tell you that doesn't last long?

Mylie is a bit of a contradiction, employing a good chunk of the town's population at her tackle shop in Clay Creek, Arkansas, while remaining stuck on her old flame/best friend. Grannie is, well, I wasn't really sure to begin with. Part stereotypical feisty ol' lady with the heart of gold who's as likely to pull a gun on you as to offer you a cookie (or some moonshine), while Mylie's step-sister Callie is a typical teen with all the ups and downs and missteps you'd expect of a teen. One thing you'll quickly discover, too, is how quick and efficient the town's gossip mill is, not to mention how very, very seriously they take their bingo nights. Ben has been away long enough to both forget but fall quickly back into the rhythm of small town life, one that includes not only bingo but Stanley, Mylie's dog and Stanley's nemesis, Fat Tony, a raccoon that seems to be part town pet, part menace, and downright entertaining. I mean, what's a raccoon going to do with a cell phone anyway? Not so entertaining is Robbie, mean and menacing, who seems to have earned his reputation as the town's bad news legitimately. I won't give away the plot but will say he has a grudge against Mylie. Others flit in and out of the story, ranging from the clerk at a nearby gas station to the doctor at the ER who, unfortunately, you will get to meet. Nope, not telling why. Read the book. Grin.

Bottom line, while in some ways not much seems to be happening aside from preparation for the local fishing tournament and the sparks flying between Mylie and Ben, there's actually a lot going on. You'll still get a full dose of small town gossip and fun. One plus of the narrative is that we get the perspective of both Mylie and Ben periodically, with even some of young Callie's thoughts. I'm pretty sure we don't want to know Fat Tony's thoughts, especially in some of the fixes he finds himself trapped in. A fun read, characters you'll like, even while not quite grasping the logic behind them initially, small town quirkiness, a fishing tournament, and some minor sexual moments that are really more about feelings than actions, so it simply adds to the growing senses of learning who these characters really are. Thanks #Avon - #HarperVoyager for the early introduction to Mylie and Ben. It didn't take me long to fall into the rhythm of life in Clay Creek and I'll definitely be on the lookout for this author's next books.

Women in the Fight Against Slavery, by Therese M Shea

 

Publication January 15, 2025

Beautifully done from the dramatic cover to the material covered. The woman's eyes seemed to be looking right at me from the cover with the intense sky and light on the plantation behind her. While aimed at children, the text is informative, full of names and dates and significant events, making it a good, quick resource for older students and adults, too. I was particularly impressed that the author wove the fight against slavery into the fight for women's rights, making it particularly timely. 

The illustrations are well done, depicting everything from a slave auction to depictions of such noted activists of the era as Harriet Tubman and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Divided into four chapters/sections, the book takes us from the beginnings of slavery in the Americas with the arrival of a ship from Angola in August, 1619, through the Civil War as well as mentioning the role of the 13th Amendment in 1865. Kudos to the author for including a section on the enslavement of Native Americans, too, an area usually glossed over or totally ignored. 

In addition to the basic text, info boxes are included in each section. Finally, there's a Timeline, Think About It section (excellent discussion starter questions), Glossary, and list of resources to Find Out More as well as an index. Each of these is nicely and thoroughly done given the limits of the target audience. Thanks #RosenPublishingGroup for giving me this early peek at the content. I'll be recommending it to teacher friends as well as the local library. There's a great deal to ponder here.

Thomas Jefferson, by Kathryn Walton

 Publication January 15, 2025

I've always been fascinated by the enigma of Thomas Jefferson, a man with so many aspects to his personality, some good, some bad, some quite troubling. As a result, even though this one is aimed right at young readers, I jumped at the chance to review it. While there certainly wasn't anything particularly new or surprising here for me, a former history major, I found it a satisfying read for children. It even touched on him being a slave owner, albeit without going into any great discussion other than explaining his times while noting how bizarre it was for a man who so espoused freedom to not only own slaves but never release his own slaves during his lifetime.

While I would wish it'd gone more into some of his fascinating inventions, the book does an excellent job of giving young readers a basic overview of who Jefferson was and why we remember him. Although it mentions the death of his father at a young age, the book really begins with his service in the Second Continental Congress. In his early 30's at the time, Jefferson stood out there, especially for his writing skills, being cited as the main writer of the Declaration of Independence. His political career is briefly detailed, too, as is his stint in France. I rather wished it'd mentioned the coincidence of the date of death for both Jefferson and John Adams since it mentions the role of the Electoral College in making Adams the second president, not Jefferson, but, hey, you can't have everything. Grin.

Each section is short and easy to read, accompanied by illustrations with more short bits of interest. I've always been fascinated by the home he built at Monticello, which means "little mountain", so was glad to see an actual photo of it included. Most of the illustrations are based on historical moments, such as the signing of the Declaration and portraits, so quite accurate. There's a timeline, glossary, index, and For More Information section at the end. It includes both print and online sources. Bottom line, for those new to Jefferson, an excellent starter book with suggestions of where to find out more at the end. Thanks #RosenPublishingGroup for this early peek at this book. Jefferson is a man of many interests, so hopefully this will guide young readers to want to know more about him.

Dead Post Society (A House-Flipper Mystery, #7), by Diane Kelly

 

Publication April 1, 2025

I've come to really enjoy this series. Why? Not just because of good stories, which is certainly true, or the likable, interesting characters who usually display a good sense of humor, but also because of one of the basic themes of the book: Don't destroy something just because it's rundown or old. While house flippers Whitney and cousin Buck accept that this isn't always easy, their efforts to find another way to preserve and restore the heart of what is there are admirable. It's certainly true in this book where Whitney just has an instinct about an old home that, gulp, was the scene of a murder-suicide. Or was it? Toss in Whitney's seeming inability to ignore a mystery, even one decades old, and you've got the basis for an intriguing story. 

You'd think that with Whitney's marriage to Collin and with Buck being a brand-new father (welcome to baby Mari) that they wouldn't have time to sort out a long cold case. You'd be wrong. Although Whitney is devoted to her feisty cat Sawdust, she's like a dog with a bone when something spurs her into sleuth mode. Obviously Buck and Collin have her back but, well, speaking of cats, there's this ol' saying about curiosity and cats which comes dangerously close to proving true in Whitney's case. How could simply asking a few questions (okay, lots of questions) about a case that she can blame her curiosity on now owning the house wouldn't make Whitney a target, right? Wrong, but you're going to have to read the book to find out the details. You'll even figure out why this title.

Bottom line, a fun, intriguing plot that stands alone nicely even for new readers. The characters quickly become like old friends and neighbors, people you'll feel like you know and can root for. I've got to admit, I love that Whitney's profession isn't the typical role for females, too. The setting in each book is in the same area but involves a different property with different neighbors, so there's always something new to discover and new faces to meet. If it wasn't a murder-suicide, which even the old police files seem to have found an uncertain conclusion, what really happened? Who killed the husband and wife? Why? And, what's that presence Whitney senses in the house? Ghost? Or, yikes, is someone keeping an eye on her? Why....oh, never mind. If you like a fun cozy with interesting characters and frequent humor, not to mention occasional input from Whitney's feline Sawdust, you'll enjoy this book/series. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #Minotaur for this early peek at what Whitney and Buck have been up to this time. Loved the reveal at the end. Can't wait for the next book!

After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company, by by Neil O'Brien

 

Publication March 4, 2025

I was still a kid when Disney World was being built in my state of Florida. As such, other than hoping to one day get to go and see Cinderella's Castle, I didn't give it much thought. Imagine my delight when many years later, I was able to not only visit there but attend a "Backstage Disney" class for teachers that took us, whoa, under that same castle and into what is really the first level of the park, the part underneath all the magical sights we see. Yes, it truly is a magical place.

Given that, it's amazing to look back via this book and discover the turmoil that was going on behind the scenes that made decisions of what would be filmed, when, and such details that we mere "guests", as Disney insists paying customers be called, never gave one moment's attention. I won't even attempt to summarize it all as it was long lasting and the names are both familiar and unheard. I definitely enjoyed getting to know some of those unknown faces via the book, giving me new insights into the germ of an idea for, say, Fantasia, or the comings and goings of people like Tim Burton of Nightmare Before Christmas fame. It's equally astonishing to realize how close we may have come to never seeing the likes of Beauty and the Beast or Lion King, among others. Disney's animation department may have been its heart and core at the beginning, with many of the animators being with Walt Disney even before Mickey Mouse, but its survival wasn't guaranteed by any means. You'll also learn of the Disney family's involvement, both token and active, over the years and the role they played in the survival of the park.

For the most part, it's an easy read, somewhat conversational in tone. That said, when the author delves into lengthy lists of names and facts, jumping back and forth in time a bit, I did find my eyes tending to glaze over at times. It'll probably depend upon how business savvy you are or interested in mergers and corporate structures and power struggles as to where you fall on that aspect. I was glad to see so many unknown to me names not only get credit, however, but be fleshed out as real people. Disney's magic is based around family values and it made it easier for me to care about what was happening to those involved, whether creative or management. Even the family had struggles with these aspects of what became a massively huge conglomeration of different parts and sections, many of them giving rise to the likes of, say, Pixar. It was quite nice to see Disney's daughter emerge more in her later years, making her feelings and ideas known, too. Family. That's the key to Disney magic and it seems like that despite all the disgruntlement at times, those who thrived remembered that concept. So, no simple, quick read, but one that will give you insight into what keeps that magic going and it isn't all pixie dust.

Bottom line, for those of us who grew up with Disney, whether watching the cartoons, nature shows, or usually child-friendly movies, this is an intriguing read. It even delves into how difficult it was to decide not only to stretch self-imposed limits as times changed, but how the reactions both within and without of the organization impacted those making them. For me, child of the pixie dust, of course, it was fascinating to read how the animators worked, the meticulous skill and attention required, not to mention how many re-draws were done in record time. And, yes, seeing the finesse and skills of early female animators gain their rightful place was also a "You go, girl!" moment. Thanks #PostHillPress for allowing me this sneak peek behind doors I didn't even know existed. That said, I still think fondly of the mantra we teachers took away from our workshop there which might be summarized as when the going gets tough, spread a little more pixie dust. More pixie dust for Disney, please. We need them all the more in this day and age.

The Old Girls' Chateau Escape, by Kate Galley

 

Publication Jan. 29, 2025

Heartfelt, charming and wonderfully character driven, not to mention a tale of secrets kept and even a hint of mystery. Or, is that two mysteries? In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend more time with Gina Knight again, once again as a caretaker, but this time in France. I worried we might not get much Dorothy Reed this go-round, so was quite delighted when she popped up as the book continued. It's Dorothy, after all, who points Gina in the direction of old author friend Meredith to find out what long kept secrets she might be revealing in her upcoming memoir. Gina is naturally friendly, honest, and wants to help, even if she is uncomfortable at the idea of betraying Meredith's trust, too, by sharing what she discovers. That's complicated by Meredith's husband Gerald having dementia and concerns of doing anything to ruin his moments of clarity by disturbing Meredith. Gina has a sensitive way of reading people and it's obvious Meredith is troubled.

It is to Gina's credit that she not only tries to do right by both of them but help harried chateau manager Lucian and another stranger she meets at the chateau villas. Phew, and that's only hitting the highlights. Lots more going on here. For me, however, the important aspect was that this is definitely a character driven story. From side characters like Lucian to Dorothy, Gina, and the rest, each is wonderfully fleshed out and we get to spend some time i many of their heads. I hope we somehow get to see more of Lucian in future books. I really liked him. The descriptions of the setting and the places Gina visits in the area are well-done and give you a taste of France, not to mention its artists. While the main characters are older, they're hardly stereotypes, albeit the author doesn't ignore that they have to make adjustments for activities and outings. I liked that, maybe because I'm slowly but surely coming to grips with that myself? Grin. 

Bottom line, while I don't want to give away any more of the plot, I will say if you enjoy character driven plots, especially with finally aged characters in amazing places, you'll enjoy this book. The plot moves along nicely and you'll feel at home with the characters almost immediately. While a follow-up to the first in the series, this one stands alone nicely with pretty much all the background you need to know being revealed in the first chapter almost without you noticing it. In other words, the author writes well and is quite readable. There's obviously lots of drama but also humor (and a cat), particularly as Gina tries to navigate civilly with an ex-husband who walked out on her but seems to be having second thoughts. I couldn't quite decide if he was a jerk or to feel sorry for him, though did grin when he was played a bit by both Lucian and neighbor and potential real romantic interest Erik, who I'm quite liking. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me this early peek at Gina's adventures in France. I like how she's handling the changes in her life and the realization that she rather likes not having to answer to someone else. You go, girl!

Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice, by Ryan Stevens

 

Publication March 2025

Although far from an expert on the sport, I've always loved the grace and beauty of ice skating. So, it was probably a natural I'd opt to review this one albeit I was unfamiliar with Scott. I'm glad I did as I enjoyed learning not only her story but some behind the scenes bits and pieces about the sport that I'd never really known. I mean, I did know what school figures were, for instance, but hardly how many different ones there were and how much time skaters devoted to just perfecting them as opposed to their actual skating programs. Today they're long gone. While many of the names mentioned were before my time, that didn't really matter and familiarity increased as time passed. Probably the first name to pop up that I was familiar with that was actually a part of her life was Dick Button although I only knew him as a commentator on television, not an active skater.

I'm always somehow surprised how many performers would classify themselves as shy when not performing. Scott seems to be one of them. She was also smart, smart enough to learn three different languages, learn to play the piano, and learn to fly at one point. All while competing, I believe. If you check out the long, long list of appearances and performances she made that are listed in the appendix (as well as sources ), you'll surely understand that her "spare time" was limited. Skating was her first love, however. While perhaps best known as the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal in skating, she seems to have remained the genuinely nice person everyone was quick to describe her as. She seems to have steered clear of real drama, well, aside from that one controversy. Let's just say, the Olympic powers drew a sharp line in those days between amateur and pro. Unfortunately, she also faced the usual problems of celebrity, being hounded and even stalked by fans. Given that I don't think even the President of the United States, who she met, had the sort of security we just naturally assume any big name celebrity has today, think Taylor Swift, she and her mother, who was her traveling companion, were largely on their own to handle confrontations. Scary today, scary then.  

Bottom line, despite my unfamiliarity with Scott, not to mention most of the surrounding cast of characters that made up her life, I enjoyed getting to know her. The addition of photos taken throughout her life were a bonus. I think I'd have liked her. In the process, I learned quite a bit about how the sport back then differs from the once we watch today. I know I was astonished to learn of the poor rink qualities at times, even at major competitions. I was definitely glad to discover she finally discovered something she loved more than skating, one that even helped bring one of her long time dreams alive. Nope, not telling, but it definitely helped me understand her a bit better. All in all, a book I'll recommend to skating fans. Thanks #BookSirens and author #RyanStevens for allowing me this early look at the life of Barbara Ann Scott and her life. And, what a life it was. And, hey, we even get her recipe for Moist Banana Cake!