Trotter and the Twins: The Magic of Imagination, by Tomás Pérez-Zafón

 

"Do you believe in magic?"

I bet you did as a child although, as the wise grandparents of this tale note, the belief is strongest in children and the old. Imagination is what fuels it....and the magical wooden horse within... based on our dreams and willingness to open ourselves to possibilities. That profound observation aside, this book is a delight. 

From the opening page, which features a quote by Albert Einstein, to the illustrations that call up that sense of magic and wonder that most adults suppress, the story of the wonderfully imaginative twins Adrian and Alba, it was a pleasure to lose myself in. The illustrations are wonderful, calling up that sense of wonder children have, using color and light effectively to bring the almost realistic but, yes, still dreamy scenes to life. I have to admit to browsing through the book just looking at them even before reading, not to mention stopping to appreciate how well they work with the overall feel both while reading and after. Yes, they work beautifully. There's a great guide at the end to help lead discussion of the book, which many will find helpful. I know I did as it prodded my thinking a bit more.

Toss in the two curious twins, who are spending the summer with their grandparents in the oldest village in the smallest country in the world (I won't share but think I know the place after some time searching and eliminating one small country based on the setting in the illustrations), and receive a wooden rocking horse their grandfather has built. It's totally irrelevant but I should probably note that the humans are obviously of mixed race. What matters is that they love each other and understand that there is magic in the world. Speaking of, do you remember how magical we found fireflies as children? They make an appearance, I'll just note. I'm not going to detail the story of how the magic happens, that isn't the point, and besides, I don't want to ruin the moment for you. Dare to dream. 

Thank you so very much #NetGalley and #WebLocomotionLLC for allowing me to spend time dreaming of what it would be like to float through the air having any adventure I can imagine on a magical horse. I'm a "fan".

Christmas at Corgi Cove, by Annie England Noblin

 

Publication Oct. 17, 2023

Break out the hot chocolate! Bake some Christmas cookies! Pet a dog...or two. Corgis preferred but I'm not picky, even tho' my own is staring at me right now with her nose on my knee. This one has all the makings of a Hallmark Christmas movie, I must admit, but sometimes it's nice to know there will be a "happily ever after" ending. And, oh, I loved the cover. Actually, I think I asked to review this one before I even read the blurb, all based on this adorable cover. The dogs, Bonnie and Clyde, are featured in the book, btw, even when they might prefer not to have been the center of attention. Toss in a slow building love story, small town gal and big town guy, and a financially struggling inn and you know sparks will fly. Will the inn be saved? Oh, come on. If you know romances, especially holiday ones you know the answer to that, even if a five--year plan might be helpful.

Obviously, I've read a few of these Hallmark flavored holiday romances but I still enjoy them. Nothing wrong with happily ever after, even if it's sometimes a rocky road to reach that ending. The prologue sets a somber tone, true, but that quickly abates as main character Rosie grows to love her new home with her aunt and uncle after a troubled youth, not to mention the adorable corgis that live there. Family is important in this story, including a broken relationship, so romance and corgis aren't the only focus. That said, the romance is sweet and the corgis provide plenty of humor, including their role on stage. Nope, not telling. You'll have to read the book for that one. Heck, Bonnie and Clyde even help bring Rosie and big city guy Everett together (in a way) at the end. Smart dogs, those two. 

I'm not going to detail the plot aside from that it's focused on Rosie's efforts to save the floundering inn and her only real home. Romance was an unexpected plus. So, too, is how the community comes together, despite some quirky characters. You'll see Rosie grow as a person, learning to trust and allow others into her life. We even have the advantage of dual viewpoints, so to speak, with chapters largely alternating between Rosie and Everett. That provides an interesting, much fuller picture than single viewpoint might. Bottom line, I fully enjoyed the read despite author Annie England Noblin being new to me and will be on the lookout for future books from her. Thanks #NetGalley and #Avon - #HarperVoyager for giving me a playful dose of corgi mixed with romance and community and the Christmas spirit. I am now feeling the urge for hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies.

Wild Horses: Running Free, by Linda L. Richards

 

Publication Oct. 17, 2023      Orca Wild, 11

As it turned out, I'd barely gotten into this book when a news article on efforts to remove the wild horses that run free in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park popped up on my computer screen. Much of what this book covers in the impact and conservation efforts surrounding the controversial program is echoed in the article, making this book all the more timely. I won't detail the article other than, for those interested in looking it up, to say it was out of Bismarck, N.D., by Jack Dura, of the Associated Press. One thing I did note, however, was something that I was curious about, the efforts to use sterilization as a means of control, which is also covered in the book. So, author Richards has done her homework, which is nicely reflected by the extensive index, glossary, and list of resources both on and offline, at the end. 

As for the book, while I've got to admit that sections demanded thought, it was actually a relatively quick, easy read. The photos are wonderful, food for this one-time horse-crazy girl's heart. In fact, the author's intro could have been written by me, including trying to adopt a stray horse, in both our cases a neighbor's wayward equine. The book is organized in five sections, with smaller sections within each. There's a wealth of info within, much of it maybe vaguely familiar to me now but nice to see made available in a shorter, more succinct manner than often rendered. The author's love of horses is obvious and she frequently gushes that everyone loves horses, which may be true in theory but, well, competing groups always prioritize and horses don't rank number one with everyone. As she says, however, it isn't that they don't like horses. They simply want to do different things with the land they now inhabit, whether grazing cattle herds, building homes, or drilling for oil, etc. It's obvious who's side she's on.

As a girl who read everything horse, while I might have struggled with some aspects of the info shared depending upon the age I encountered it, overall it was well laid-out and understandable. I particularly enjoyed the look at some lesser known types of horses. We're all surely familiar with the Chincoteague Pony (see, there I go assuming everyone reading this has read "Misty of Chincoteague") and perhaps the Brumby horses of Australia or Queen Elizabeth's favorite ponies in England, but some of the lesser known ones are fascinating.  Heck, you'll also discover how horses see and why (probably) zebras have stripes. So, part fun, part history, and part conservative, an interesting combination that resulted in an intriguing read...all richly illustrated with color photos, many taken by the author herself. Thanks #NetGalley and #OrcaBookPublishers for letting me dive back into my horse-crazy days. This one would be an excellent gift for any horse crazy kid or adult out there, even more so if they have a desire to help preserve the legacy of the wild horse.

Happy National Dog Day

 

Growing Up Powerful Journal: A Confidence Boosting, Totally Inspiring, Joyful Journal, by Nona Willis Aronowitz

 Publication October 10, 2023

I've fallen in love with this entire series of Rebel Girls' books. Even though this one struck me as a bit more of a workbook to guide growth than an actual journal, I felt the same with this one. Divided into five sections: What Is Confidence?, Take Action, Train Your Brain, Build Your Team, and Change the World, it guides the reader from discovering what confidence is to how to use it. 

I won't detail the process, those details are all inside the book, but found it an excellent guide for not only young girls but, quite frankly, something many of us not-so-young ones would find lots of food for thought within. In this day and age when confidence is often perceived as the ability to out talk, usually loudly, others, I loved how this guide takes your though recognizing what true confidence is, how to find it by finding your own strengths, or superpowers as the book dubs them, and then develop them fully. Note the name of the last section, hint hint. We all know how quickly the world and events about us can poke holes in our own confidence, so I appreciated the book's reminder that having confidence doesn't always mean you'll be successful. It empathizes that part of being genuinely confident in yourself and your goals is knowing and accepting that you might fail. Few are wonders at everything on their first try, let's face it. Sigh. If only. 

We need to celebrate even small steps forward, the book reminds us, acknowledging the courage it takes to try ... and try again and again ... to reach our goals. It provides a structured, systematic way to begin, find your own strengths, and work toward what we want as we build our personal support team. There's a great deal of advice shared, yes, but you'll also find various activities and writing prompts to help you find your way. It may lead you out of your comfort zone at times, but it's all part of the process. Oh, and did I mention there are even pictures you can color? Seriously, this book is wonderfully thought out and organized and should be on every young and maybe not-so-young bookshelf. Hmm, it'd make a great gift idea. Thanks #NetGalley and #RebelGirls for giving me this early peek at this powerful work. I wish you'd been around when I was one of those young, uncertain girls.

Sephen King nd more Facebook book thoughts

From Aug. 25, 2019

OLD FACEBOOK POST

 

So, what are you reading?

Just answered a "what are you reading?" question on another post and decided to share my answer with all. Right now, despite the following answer, I just realized I am reading Stephen King's book on writing, which is excellent, but....

"I'm still on my cozy mystery kick, tho' I read a sweet romance over the last couple days. While on this kick, I've read so many that I like but have found many "new to me" authors like Lilian Jackson Braun, Donna Andrews, and David Rosenfelt, who I know I've raved about already. Just rediscovered an author I'd read some time ago and liked but hadn't seen her books lately, Rita Lakin, so she's a happy new "refind". Have you read Spencer Quinn, aka Peter Abrahams? Love his Chet and Bernie series, which is narrated from the dog's point of view. Also on the new to me list, are Agatha Frost and Joanne Fluke.

Many more, but not those that were necessarily "new to me". I've found that I like, one, the comfortable idea of knowing the characters in a series and, two, that cozies usually have a dead body or two and some danger to the main character, but not the blood and gore of many other mysteries. Reflecting back to a comment David Rosenfelt made in an article somewhere, the main dog in his series, Tara, will never die, either, another plus for him.

Dolly Parton, by Tracey E. W. Laird

 

Publication Oct. 10, 2023

When I thought about it, I realized that I don't think I've ever met anyone who doesn't at the very least like Dolly Parton. I've always enjoyed her music and bigger-than-life stage personality but must admit that it's the down-to-earth, caring Dolly that I've most adored. As such, this book was a great review of some known and some unknown aspects of her life. Nicely illustrated, too, and there were quite a few photos included that I'd never seen, a plus. Toss in the author's easy writing style that pulls from a wide variety of sources (lengthy credits at the end for both words and photos, plus extensive index), and this was a quite enjoyable read. 

Oddly enough, her realness and kindness is what stuck with me more than all the big star photos and awards and wonderful events she's been part of in her life. The 4th of 12 children in a dirt-poor family, her early years were spent without running water and sharing a straw stuffed mattress with siblings, but Dolly seems to have grown up a loved and happy child, nevertheless. You'll enjoy the section early on of her attachment to butterflies, including one that lead her astray only to find her way home with the help of the family's also straying cow. I grew up on a farm, so that made me smile far more than the stories of meeting the presidents and such. 

I won't detail those many meetings or awards since they're surely in the blurb. Instead, I'll simply say that if you're a Dolly fan, you will enjoy this book. Heck, even if you are the rarity and haven't discovered a love of Dolly yet, you'll probably enjoy the book. It reveals her as a real person, not the glittering star we see onstage although, quite frankly, much of her true personality does come forth when performing, whether for the Grand Ol' Opry or simply reading books to children. I enjoy Dolly the performer but think I'd treasure her as a real friend. Thanks so much for letting me read this #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #Becker&Mayer! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend some down time hanging out with one of my heroes, Dolly Parton. Yes, Dolly, "I Will Always Love You".

A World Full of Winter Stories, by Angela McAllister, Angela McAllister

 

Publication Oct. 10, 2023

Given how many feral rabbits have been hanging out in my neighborhood, I had to chuckle when the very first story, from Japan, was how rabbits came to be. Then there was the Siberian story of how a snoopy rabbit/hare got long ears. Somehow, my "rabbit alert dog" wasn't impressed but I was. These stories are delightful, colorfully illustrated and many seemed to focus on the concept of "we are better together". 

Separated into sections, this is one of the first cold weather related collections I've read that didn't focus almost entirely on the Christmas or holiday season. But, don't worry. The closing chapter contains several Christmas focused stories. All are traditional stories from various cultures, wonderfully, imaginatively illustrated, and can be easily read to a child in one sitting. You may feel ready to curl up in a mitten, like the creatures of the Ukrainian tale, as you read, however. Fun book. 

Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #FrancesLincolnChildren'sBooks for sharing this wonderful book with me. I'll be recommending it to our library, not to mention thinking of folks who might enjoy some reading material for our long winter nights here in Alaska.

History FACTopia!: Follow Ye Olde Trail of 400 Facts, by Paige Towler, Andy Smith (Illustrator), Britannica Group

 

Publication Sept. 19, 2023

This one is just plain fun. It fed the history major/teacher/nerd part of me. Fun, quirky facts about, well, lots of stuff. It's designed not to be read straight through as the reader follows whatever thread grabs their interest, meaning you'll be able to spend some time going where your whims take you. From pirates to why the Romans, no lie, taxed the pee collected from public toilets to things like a 2000 year old battery found in a clay jar in Iraq. One of my favorites is the noted resemblance of the Vallhund, thought to originally be bred by Vikings, to a dog that looks like a cross between a wolf and a corgi. Yeah, sorta. It's fully illustrated and the illustrations are just as much fun as the words. Hard to pick a favorite but the one of a hunter on skis about to shoot his prey while ahead of him, unnoticed, a tree looms. I could just see the next imaginary panel, the stereotypical cartoon splat against a tree.

I did know quite a bit of the info, go figure, but still lots to take in. Some funny, some interesting, but all fact checked by multiple Britannica writers. If you have any interest in history, either trivial or serious, you will want to get your hands on this book when it comes out about id-September. And, hey, since I've groused about the feral rabbits that so annoy Daisy, did you know Napoleon was once attacked by a mob of bunnies....and lost. And, hey, San Fran folks, I didn't know much of your city was built atop ships abandoned by gold rushers way back when. SO much more, ranging from castles and witches to vampires and mummies and more.There's a glossary and index at the end, not to mention extensive list of online sites to check out more fun facts.

Thanks #NetGalley and #BritannicaBooks - #WhatOnEarth for providing me with such an entertaining, informative peek. I fully enjoyed meandering about wherever my whim took me. Gives new meaning to getting lost in a book.  

A Nutcracker Nightmare (Killer Chocolate #2), by Christina Romeril

 

Publication October 17, 2023

Alex and Hannah, twin sisters who own the chocolates and mystery shop, seem to have the bad luck of stumbling over bodies. That said, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be mourning Kyle's death, either. Too bad Hannah is a suspect. 

Unable to calmly step aside, Alex seems unable to keep herself from asking not-so-subtle questions and pondering scenarios and clues. She barely hesitates even after receiving a warning note on her windshield and later being almost deliberately run over while out walking her dog, Watson. She's pretty obvious about her sleuthing. How obvious? So obvious even the anonymous gossip rag identifies her as someone prone to both finding dead bodies and sleuthing. Of course, I should also note that she's still intent upon walking the dog and even searching out and confronting suspected  murderers. Probably not the best idea, huh?

So, who killed Kyle? Kyle is so obnoxious, arrogant, and, um, let's say too hands-on with women that the list would possibly run to pages. I mean, everyone seemed to have a motive. Well, except Watson. In the meantime, both Alex and Hannah are trying to make their blooming relationships work, which is a bit complicated when Duncan, Hannah's boyfriend, is faced with officially having to keep her on the police suspect list. Alex's is a bit less scary but complicated as she can't figure out what's going on with Tom. Watching them work on their normal lives, which includes lots of chocolate and baking, was interesting. We even get to see a new trick they've taught Watson, who is adorable. But, wait! More bodies? Uh-oh....

Seriously, enough teasers. While I spent a good portion of the book annoyed at Alex for not showing common sense much of the time and what seemed a slow start, I liked the sisters and found the mystery interesting. And, sigh, I didn't guess whodunit until the reveal. Didn't see that one coming although it made sense when I thought back. 

So, sit back and enjoy the ride and, oh, be prepared for an overwhelming yen for chocolate and more chocolate before you're done reading. You'll enjoy the recipes at the end which are in more of a conversational tone as they guide you. I felt like the author was talking to me rather than just handing me a recipe card and wishing me luck. Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for letting me indulge the chocoholic in me with words and recipes. My Daisy dog says to give Watson a virtual treat, btw.

Good Boy Lukey & the Dream Crumbs, by Linda Beck

 

Lukey represents the "ultimate protection of the night" as he goes about magically sprinkling his dream crumbs. If your child has bad dreams or trouble falling asleep, this may be the book for you, especially if they're a dog lover. If nothing else, it's a cute, imaginative tale told in rhyme with illustrations that should bring a smile to your face. 

The story is short and sweet. Lukey, obviously inspired by a real dog, is somehow both lifelike and comic styled in the illustrations, whereas the humans are nicely drawn but more comic style. It made me smile to note how closely Lukey's pot of dream crumbs resembles the mythical pot of gold, too. And, Lukey seems to always be wearing a smile. Good boy, Lukey, indeed. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #Independently Published for sharing this adorable tale of make-believe with me. Loved his sweet smile and magical red cape.

'Twas the Bite Before Christmas (Andy Carpenter #28), by David Rosenfelt

 Publication October 10, 2023

One of the things you're asked before you serve on a jury is basically if you can be impartial. Well, no, your Honor. I don't think I can be an impartial reviewer for an Andy Carpenter book. I love David Rosenfelt's humor, snarky and dry, even when it's only in Andy's head, and have come to know and like the characters quite well. That said, how did I miss that Andy's firm's other lawyer, Eddie Dowd, was a tight end for the New York Giants before joining Andy's law firm? See, just when you think you know all the answers, Rosenfelt still manages to surprise me. It's also great fun to "hear" the rational he has in the courtroom for what questions he asks or doesn't ask.

This book, #28 in the Andy Carpenter series, was an intriguing, amazingly quick read. Quick because, well, once I start one of these books I pretty much read straight through until, whoa, almost to my shock, I'm nearing the end. That was the case this time. The story opens with Andy trying to delay downing the eggnog at a Christmas gathering at the Tara Foundation that operates to rescue dogs. Almost to his relief, he gets a call from Pete Stanton, a friend and the town's captain of the homicide division, to come outside. Next thing we know, one of the party guests, Derek, is being cuffed and taken to jail. But why is Pete is calling him Robert Klaster? Soon, Andy doesn't have to worry about drinking the dreaded eggnog but he does have another client. You guessed it. Derek. Or, is it Robert? Or, Bobby? That's when the story really begins. 

As always, Andy's a reluctant lawyer but, well, Derek, er, Bobby is a foster failure for the Tara Foundation. That translates to him having agreed to temporarily foster a dog, two in this case, but changing his mind and deciding he can't give them up later. They're now inside, happily mixing with the other rescues and potential rescues in the shelter as Derek/Bobby is led away. Oh, the identity confusion. I won't detail how or why as that is part of the plot, but let's just say "witness protection program". From that moment on, it's a roller coaster of events, including drugs, mob lords, questions upon questions, poisoning, and, well, much, much more. The usual crew is there. In addition to Andy, we have his tough as nails wife, Laurie, ex-cop Corey and his also retired police dog Simon, Marcus, who'd give King Kong a run for his money in a match up, and Sam, the mild-mannered accountant and master hacker. Edna is still on hiatus but gets a few mentions of her travels. And, oh, the dogs: Tara, who Andy deems the world's best dog ever, Hunter the pug, and Sebastian, who's favorite speed is nap. Toss in Bobby's two, Sasha and Jake, and Andy has a house full of dogs, which is just fine with him once he figures out how to walk the dogs without Sebastian being an anchor. 

That's about as much of the plot as I'll share....the blog does an excellent summary ... but will say that it is, as always, complex and involves as much legal eagle time as investigation. Fortunately, they aren't trying to kill Andy in the courtroom, just beat his sometimes seemingly off-the-cuff defense. Mobster ties and rivalries abound and, wow, even a mob biggie has serious admiration for Marcus's skills. Let's just say, those silly enough not to just throw up their hands and immediately surrender when he's there live to regret it. Laurie may make a pancake to make Sam drool, but she's also tough and no-nonsense, a real plus as a private investigator, but even she takes a backseat to Marcus. She loves Christmas, however, and seems to take buying presents for not just son Ricky, who shares none of Andy's love of football and baseball, but herself. Andy's always amazed at the good taste he's supposedly shown in gift buying. 

That said, aside from taking place during the holiday, this isn't really a Christmas based story. It's a legal mystery. I quipped online to some friends that I recognized some of the legalese being tossed around online by commentators because of this series, so it's taught me a few things, too. But, no, I'm still keeping it to one dog. She's a rescue, tho', so Andy would approve. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me to spend some of the virtual holiday season watching Andy in action. I'm reading for the next case, even if Andy isn't.

Dear Rebel: 125+ Women Share Their Secrets to Taking on the World, from Rebel Girls

 

Publication October 3, 2023

Something for everyone. I opted to read these wonderful messages of hope and encouragement in spurts, so to speak, trying to fully take in the messages. I didn't recognize most of the women, bad me, but it didn't matter. They all had something to share. Something worthwhile. Words of hope. Words of comfort. Words of encouragement. Words of understanding and empathy. Words about, well, life. They're all here and we learn how universal experiences and emotions can be.

I'm not even going to try to summarize what is said. Each woman offers a snapshot of their life and how it may relate to others, so to speak, helping us connect to them and, hopefully, others. One of my favorite themes was the "What I'd Tell My Younger Self" concept. Haven't we all wished "if I'd only known then what I know now"? I know I have. The sharers are diverse, not only in race and culture but fields of expertise and experience. More than 125 contributors came together to offer up what they have learned in hopes of easing the way for others, particularly the younger generation. That said, even us "oldies" might learn a new trick or two from this, even if it just reminds us of things we know but maybe haven't used or thought for years. 

I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this book to everyone. And, hey, guys, bet you could find words of relevance, too, so it's not just for females. You don't have to know everything as one noted, you just have to keep pushing and asking questions until you figure it out. I mean, one girls dream started with a gum drop vending machine. No lie. Thanks #NetGalley and #RebelGirls for once again sharing important words and experiences with me. Even this ol' gal can use some inspiration.

Lore of the Stars: Folklore and Wisdom from the Skies Above, by Claire Cock-Starkey , Hannah Bess Ross (Illustrator), Alex Hithersay (Editor)

 

Publication October 3, 2023

Fascinating. Fun. Thought Provoking.

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at the "Lore of the Stars". While some of the myths and lore was familiar to me, I was delighted to find much to learn. Richly illustrated, its colorful renderings of the stories had me browsing through the book initially just to enjoy the pictures. Yeah, I'm a kid that way. I'm fuzzy on how to classify this one as it combines factual information with the whimsy and mythology of associated tales and stories. I know that I, for one, since I live in Alaska where the Aurora frequently appears in our darker winter months, will be mentally visualizing the magical horse-drawn carriages soaring above me according to the Estonian myth of the aurora, taking spirit guests to a magnificent wedding in the sky. Not bad entertainment, I'd say, and I've been lucky enough to stand on my own deck and enjoy the dancing lights as their colors dance above me. 

But, anyway, I particularly liked that the tales were drawn from all over, showing both the differences and similarities of cultures. Animal symbolism was common in all, I noted. As noted, the whimsical illustrations added much to the magic derived from the realities of shared experiences of cultures around the world. While officially targeting older children, I would think any age level will thoroughly enjoy this one. In fact, if you're like this no-longer-a-child, you'll find yourself going back to it repeatedly to flip through (I definitely suggest you get a print copy as it was a tad difficult to navigate all my meandering via digital) following your own whims. 

It is, however, nicely organized and offers both a glossary and index at the end. As an adult, I rather wished for a more complete index but, well, for a children's book, it's ample. My favorite bit of lore changed repeatedly, so it's difficult to offer up a favorite, although being a dog person, I enjoyed the familiar story of Orion and his faithful spirit dog companions, Canis Major and Canis Minor, although the Cherokee tale of how the Milky Way came to be was not just fun but a new one to me. 

Bottom line, if you've any interest in the mythology and lore of the sky above us, this one is for you. If you're a teacher, it should definitely be on your shelf. Heck, I'd think even a savvy science teacher could easily use it as a teaching tool to engage students' attention and imaginations. While my adult mind craved more full myths, there is so much to digest that this one will hold your attention and, as noted earlier, it's a book you'll want to revisit again and again. Thanks #NetGalley and ##QuartoPublishingGroup - #WideEyedEditions for sharing this wonderful rendering of international lore/mythology attached to our heaves through the ages.

Mozart, by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Lia Visirin illustrator

 

Publication October 2, 2023

What a delightful introduction to Mozart, a man of so much talent, for young readers. I liked that it began when he was only three, which is when he learned to play the piano simply by watching his sister play. I don't know about you, but when I was three I was more interested to motoring along after puppies and lambs than sitting inside playing a piano. Be prepared for children's questions of why his sister was no longer allowed to perform when she married simply because she was a female, however. 

That aside, even knowing the stress and overwhelming loss of childhood his incredible talents took from him, this story is for children and it's uplifting and nicely illustrated. The illustrations not only show us Mozart, of course, but a sense of the grandeur of the places he performed and became accustomed to working. I liked the touch of musical notes and score running through the early pages, albeit that touch seemed to end at about the time he reached adulthood and had to deal with real life issues, like paying the bills, not just focus on his musical compositions. Not that the story focuses on that but perhaps a visual nod to more tuned in adult readers?

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book (and also the entire Little People, Big Dreams series). He's first presented as a child, just like the primary readers of this book, and the story of Mozart is an intriguing one, with the illustrations giving us a hint of the people about him who impacted his short life in one way or the other. It was a simplified version of his life, true, but as an introduction for children to not just him but perhaps classical music, it was easily followed and understood. Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #FrancesLincolnChildren'sBooks for this nicely done, concise look at an extraordinary life as well as the info on where to find out more at the end.

Heywood Herbalist Cozy Mysteries Books 4-6, by Carly Winter

 

 

I immediately fell into the easy flow and sense of community of this Heywood collection of stories. Even though I've never read this particular series, I did read the next, go figure, but would have had no problem sliding right into who was who and what was what, not to mention the relationships. In other words, it stands alone nicely. Of course, just my luck, having just discovered this series it seems to be ending but, hey, there's always the new series with Gina as the main character, right? 

Since others will have detailed the plots already, I'll skip to my reactions, so to speak. First, I definitely liked the characters. They weren't one dimensional and felt comfortable, like people I might know. That's the magic of a good writer, to not only create characters but pull you right in and make you feel at home. I wanted only the best for Sam, especially in her complicated relationship police officer Jordan. Both seem to have a mixed bag of experiences, making them all the more realistic, so there was none of the occasional "too good to be true" relationship vibe from them. 

I'll skip Gina since she now has her own series but will note that I took to her immediately given her love of dogs and that she rescues dogs. That's always a plus for me. She's definitely a dog whisperer. Annabelle is, well, a hoot. She's one part stereotypical "stuck in the 80's gal, another part calm, cool, and able to handle a gun without the qualms that would overwhelm Sam. She's one of the hold-over characters in the new series, btw. Gina and Annabelle accept Sam's big reveal from her past without question or even ado, albeit Jordan is a bit more rattled by the revelation. But, hey, he'll get over it. Right? As for the murders, read the blurb. The three stories of the collection are nicely described there. Interesting to see how Sam's mind worked to help solve them, not to mention keep from getting killed herself.

Heywood sounds like a place I'd love to visit. One of the things that stuck with me was that the shops mentioned seem diverse, not simply the frequent bookstore or bakery of so many cozy mysteries. Now, true, those are some of my favorites but variety is the spice of life and helps add to the atmosphere and story. Thanks #BookSirens for introducing me to Heywood. I'm definitely looking forward to my next visit. Here's hoping Sam pops up occasionally in Gina's story.

Murder in the Bookshop, by Anita Davison

 Publication August 22, 2023

World War I, German spies, obnoxious employees, suffragettes, bombings, hidden identities, family secrets, and, well, more abound. Being a history buff, I was drawn to the historical aspects of it. Although I ultimately liked the characters and found the mystery intriguing, like all first-in-a-series books, it seemed to take its time unfolding. Unfortunately, while it had its moments, the pace rarely picked up, even in the wake of bombings and wreckage. I do see a great deal of potential here, however, given the era and characters, so wound up rounding up my 3.5 to a 4 star rating.

Hannah seems a mild-mannered sort initially, simply trying to help out her much flashier Aunt Violet. Aunt Violet has secrets of her own, but is quite well-known in suffragette circles and her unconventional life style, which Hannah learns more about as the book progresses. All is not as it seems, let's just say. Hannah, of course, has her own troubles, some romantic, some not, but seems to be growing in confidence as the story progresses, hence my hope for future books. There's also a potential romantic interest, albeit with major complications. And, let's not forget Bartleby, the bookshop cat. Ivy may not like him but he's doing marvels at reducing the mice population at the bookshop. 

So, who killed Hannah's friend Lily-Anne? Why had Lily-Anne urgently wanted to talk to Hannah? Should Hannah be worried when Monty tells her she'll be sorry for firing him? He does seem awfully confident. And, Darius? Is he a good guy or not? Why is Hannah (among many) so reluctant to believe bombings have actually happened? How do the Germans get their info on where to bomb anyway? Why is Hannah so determined to....oh, never mind. Enough teasers. While this one didn't quite capture my reader's heart, it has the potential do so, I believe, and I'll be on the lookout for the next offering. Thanks. #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Hannah. I've read a bunch of books set in England in WWII but found it intriguing to get a glimpse of the WWI, 1915 life in England.

The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race, by Farah Karim-Cooper

 

Publication August 15, 2023

Both fascinating and frustrating.

Fascinating because there is a wealth of information included, all quite detailed. Frustrating because I realized early on that I'm no longer familiar enough with Shakespeare's written works to fully take it all in. Hence, the problem was with me, not the book. It's simply been too long since I've done a deep dive into all things Shakespeare. As a result, I had to stop and spend some time quickly refreshing my memory as I read. As a result, I hesitated over the book rating. to be honest, for me personally it was probably a 3 star as it was slow going and at times I was simply, well, lost. For those more familiar with his works in detail, or a real interest in the focus, race as reflected in his works, however, this would easily be a 4/5 star. I've gone with the 4 star simply for simplification. I would suggest you refresh your memory on his works prior to reading, however.

In any case, although it was obvious to me early on that this book wasn't really for me, I'm still glad I persevered and finished. While it didn't focus on William Shakespeare's life and what personally drove him, it does offer a fascinating, very in-depth look at his times. In the process, it traces how impressions of Shakespeare's characters and written word reflected racial and, yes, even sexual attitudes of the day. In addition, it follows up its determinations with the probably how and why for these attitudes at the time. While focused on race, yes, it also approaches the role of the notable female characters in his plays. It also provides a sense of what being in the pit before the stage reserved for those with less wealth must have been like. In fact, it highlights where the audience itself became a character of sorts as the play moved into or through the standing throngs. As one who'd have surely been there, that was intriguing to me.

Bottom line, while I'm not going to detail the author's conclusions and findings -- I mean, the book is some 300+ pages long and each page is full of information -- I'll say that the author does an admirable job of supporting her thesis. Rather ironically, just as I finished reading, Shakespeare's works once again became a target for those who would restrict access to them. That issue is still undecided as I type. Let's just say, you may or may not agree with her but there is a great deal of food for thought provided, all thoroughly researched and documented. My thanks to #NetGalley and #PenguinGroupViking - #Viking for allowing me this intriguing look at the work of a man who is my 11th great uncle or something like that via his sister's lineage. I may not have taken it all in but it has made me curious enough to plan to do some refreshing of my memory, that's for sure.

Dog Treats and Death: A Talking Dog Cozy Mystery, by Carly Winter

 Available August 23, 2023

Although I haven't read anything by Carly Winter before, I quickly felt at home in Gina's world. The set up was nicely done early on, including the advent of Gina being able to talk with her dog, Daisy. We also learn of her childhood, which includes Gina and brother Vic being abandoned with their father when their mother simply left. As such, even while recognizing Vic's tendency to be a "bad boy" and his troubles in the past with the law, she cares about him and wants to help prove his innocence. Seems he's one of the last ones seen with Phoebe, a murder victim, and is Sheriff Mallory's prime suspect. 

Gina is a fun character, one who not only loves dogs but is involved in dog rescue, making me like her immediately. Vic is working on a horse ranch, too, one that has a focus on Arabians and Quarter Horses, so he had that going for him, not to mention one of Gina's rescue dogs immediately takes to him. The other human character that grabbed my attention was feisty Annabelle with her talent for pranks. She seems to be one of the other carry-overs from the Heywood Herbalist series. Gina's dog, Daisy, who has a great sense of smell, was a bit of a hoot. While incredibly brave and helpful at times, Daisy is also pure dog, one that manages to annoy a goat with the expected results. Dog annoys goat. Goat chases dog.  

So, who killed Phoebe? Why was she in the horse arena anyway? Should Gina believe the gossip she's hearing about the ranch owner? What advice does Annabelle give Gina? Why is the Sheriff so quick to assume Vic did it? Why doesn't Gina turn over the evidence she finds? How is Vic able to avoid arrest? Why is Gina suddenly thinking, basically, that she's lost her mind? Does Trevor, the deputy, believe Gina? Is there a potential romance budding? Why is Gina feeling so alone? Who...oh, enough teasers. This was a fun, easy read, so give it a read. My thanks to the author and #BookSirens for introducing me to a new series that I'm definitely looking forward to following. That epilogue already has me primed. 

The K Team, by David Rosenfelt

 I'm pretty sure I've reviewed this on here but, anyway, from August 2020.  Any Rosenfelt book is worth resharing. This was from a Facebook post.

What's everyone reading? Haven't asked for a bit

I just started David Rosenfelt's "The K Team". A spin off of sorts from his Andy Carpenter series as Andy and Laurie and, of course, their wonderful dogs are in it. Marcus, too. So far, quite intriguing, tho' I've loved about everything Rosenfelt has written, so no surprise there. Main character seems to be a retired cop named Corey and his also retired K-9, no lie, Simon Garfunkel. The connecting tie here is that in a previous book Andy was the lawyer that got the police department to let Simon retire with Corey rather than be turned over to a new human handler. In any case, the K Team doesn't include Andy tho' he has popped into the story. Case is just starting to be investigated, so looking forward to picking the book back up and continuing reading.

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!, by Donna Andrews

 

Publication October 10, 2023

While I'm not so sure that Meg didn't so much catch the killer as the killer outed themself, this was still a fun read with humor and the characters long time readers have come to know. Meg Langslow is one of my favorite series characters and Donna Andrews never disappoints. It was great to see Meg back at her forge seriously for the first time in awhile, even if she had to be sort of roped into the competition that got her there. I'm not particularly a fan of reality shows but have to admit that it's always rather revealing to read about how they're really put together, so that made it interesting. 

Oddly enough, the expected murder doesn't take place until well into the book. We initially  are focused on trying to find out who whacked Faulk aside the head, putting him out of the competition and Meg into it. Seems Faulk and Tad had invested money they really couldn't afford to lose into the show, the point that finally convinced the reluctant Meg to pick up her tools and substitute for him. The other contestants are an interesting mix, ranging from surly to friendly. 

So, who killed one of them? He seems to have had more enemies than friends, so the suspect list is long. Why is the production assistant so happy he's dead? How many people are actually living at Ragnor's gothic but, oh, so Christmas-y mansion? How smart are crows? Why is Horace so anxious about accompanying Meg to a site that may contain clues? How can anyone cheat in a contest when they are surrounded by a film crew almost constantly? Where is the Christmas music coming from? What do Michael and the boys find while horseback riding? Who . ..oh, enough teasers. Read the book. It's a fun, easy read full of humor and a bit of history of blacksmithing, not to imagine picturing the looks on people's face as they encounter one of Ragnor's lenticular portraits. Look it up. Grin.

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress- #MinotaurBooks for allowing me to hang out at Ragnor's mansion while Meg was pounding metal. It was nice to get a bit of a fuller tour than in previous books.

Mayhem in the Mountains (A Fiona Figg & Kitty Lane Mystery #3), by Kelly Oliver

 Publication August 15, 2023

I'm hooked. It took me awhile to warm up to Fiona Figg but this book definitely put me on her team. She's smart, not to mention smarts under the thumb of the male dominated espionage career she aspires to, and while she makes some mistakes, she's also full of heart and compassion. I'm not sure the latter is a good trait for a wannabe spy but, well, it is what it is. Moral dilemmas are the worst, even in the middle of a war, it seems, for Fiona. She's also not particularly patient but, then, neither is the somewhat mysterious Kitty whose spy talents are formidable. 

I also liked Clifford, who Fiona calls her chaperone, so to speak, but is surely more. I mean, he's friends with Fredrick Fredricks, the master spy that Fiona and Kitty are rather obsessed with capturing. Kitty because, well, it's her job, at least that's what we're meant to think, and Fiona because....well, uh, because he makes her blush and her heart pound when he's near. We get to see more of the human side of him this go-round, too, I'll note.

The mystery itself is fun, full of interesting characters and quirky humor. Like what? Well, how about Fiona being barely aware of a than new author, Agatha "Crispy". That's the sort of subtle humor the author excels at, some of which is almost past you before you suddenly come to a pause, re-read, and grin. Toss in Kelly Oliver's talent for sprinkling historical events and characters about in her stories -- we've even got an arrogant Benito Mussolini this go-round - and this history lover was in her element reading. Oliver sent me to Google, too, when I wondered if the amazing female aviator introduced rather dramatically into the story, Marie Marvingt was a real person or not. Oh, she was real and what an amazing person she must have been. That said, I'll simply say do a search on her as I don't want to take up this entire review gushing about her many, many accomplishments, among them being the force behind the creation of air ambulances.

But, oh, yeah, back to the mystery. Well, there are several. Who will ultimately win Fiona's heart. Let's just say her "official" beau, Archie, didn't exactly help himself this go-round. How many times can Conti die, only to suddenly come alive again? That was a bit of a stretch, yes, but added to the mystery. Could Mussolini be the killer? If not, why did someone identify him as the killer? Why can't they find the weapon? Who is that quiet, subdued lady who basically says nothing? How good are you at deciphering codes? Not as good as Fiona, probably. I know I wasn't. And, will Fiona manage to find an excuse to don a disguise? I mean, even Marie seems to appreciated her array of disguises.

In other words, there is a ton of stuff going on. And, I haven't even mentioned the rock throwing, poisonings, wolverine, and the dilemma of trying to catagorize what is good and bad in wartime service. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, that's for sure, and was ready for the next even before peeking at the teaser chapter at the end. Thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for letting me tag along on Fiona's last assignment.