Finally Home, by Cortney Cino, Tim Deberd (Illustrator)

 

Publication May 6, 2025

With April coming up soon as the Month of the Military Child and May as Military Appreciation Month, this seems a good time to share this review. It's a touching tribute to the military. That definitely includes family members. Told through the eyes of a pilot's young daughter, the book nicely captures the depths of sacrifice and love that military families endure in the service to their country. The text is easy to read yet captures the growing sense of anticipation as the children await Daddy's return. You may find yourself about to burst with joy yourself as the jets land and methodically disembark.

Special kudos to illustrator Tim Deberd.  Largely using soft, comfortable, let's say cozy feeling colors, he uses many little touches throughout that bring to life the old cliche of "a picture is worth a thousand words". I won't mention them all but standouts for me were the calendar on the wall with the days X'd out as the big day approaches and the eager faces of a child leaning out of a vehicle as it approaches the checkpoint to enter the base for the reunion. There even seems to be dust kicked up by the children's energetic run to their father when he finally steps from the plane. Though focused on one family, the sense of joy on the faces will make you smile. Enjoy spying these little touches as you read and enjoy the lovely illustrations. Children are often overlooked when it comes to discussions of family sacrifice, so it was a delight to see Cino focus on them. 

Bottom line, it's surely obvious I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Well thought out and executed with touching, meaningful illustrations, it offers a sort of thank you to all who serve, families included. My sincere thanks to #WhimspireBooks and author #CortneyCino for sharing this book with me early. It was truly a delight and living in Alaska, a state with a heavy military presence, quite relevant to this day and age. I loved the final picture of the united again family having fun around the dinner table.

The Seaside Murders (The Secret Detective Agency #2), by Helena Dixon

 

Publication April 30, 2025

Review to come as this one is part of a virtual Book Tour. In other words, this is just a note to me when I finished reading. Second book of series and I'm finding it quite good, I will say. 

Across Yosemite’s Wilderness, by Laurel Munson Boyers

 Publication June 17, 2025

Although I hadn't quite planned on reading this one so early, it seems particularly relevant right now given the political minefield our national parks have been caught up in. While written much earlier, I felt the author's genuine love of the park, nature, and reverence toward all living things should be shared. While I've never been fortunate enough to visit Yellowstone, I have visited Denali National Park and thus grasp some of the awe Boyers felt being responsible for this natural wonder. The book focuses on what as her last mounted patrol of the full park after some thirty years as a ranger, some of it as the first female head Wilderness Management Ranger. And what a journey it was. More amazing, her history with the park goes back further. Her grandfather was one of those who welcomed Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir to the park in 1903, leading to it becoming a national park under President Roosevelt, and she was born in Yosemite Village. Although the iconic Yosemite Valley is probably most familiar to most, the park itself is nearly the size of Rhode Island and, as is noted several times, is definitely a land of superlatives. 

I won't detail the journey for you but it was a fascinating ride. As it progressed, stories were shared, both serious and humorous, such as Boyers' own encounters with the unknown as a ranger and tales of the park's history and people. That includes Native Americans, of course, who surely traveled those trails long before its well-meaning but not necessarily well-informed caretakers took over. Being in bear country myself here in Alaska, I had to chuckle at the tales of how many, many efforts were made to keep food sources away from the bears. Uh, hanging it in a tree is no guarantee as, like the ol' cartoon Yogi Bear, these black bears (Yosemite's grizzly population faded out, alas) were smarter than the average bear, not to mention ranger. In between the personal reminiscences and observations, we learn a great deal about the history of the area and its residents, too, not to mention how really, really difficult it is to erase human traces of a campfire and such. Did you know heat from a campfire can basically sterilize the soil beneath it? Or that former Fist Lady Laura Bush is a strong proponent of Yellowstone and, for that matter, national parks period. Largely personal photos illustrated the book.

Through it all, however, the thing that stands out is the rangers' abiding love of their jobs and how seriously they take their oath to protect the lands for all. Anyone who thinks rangers are simply props in cool uniforms has no clue all that is involved. They undergo serious training for a variety of potential problems, problems ranging from tourists determined to pet a buffalo (don't even think about it), to learning the history of not just the lands but the life on it, both plant and animal, and how to best care for it. Many are trained in search-and-rescue, law enforcement, fire fighting, ow best to present their site to visitors that often include political and world leaders, mountain rescue, ecology, wildlife behavior and care, and, well, so many more that I just can't list them all. Even in the case of this book we learn about those responsible for the care of the horses and mules used to cover tough terrain with dizzying drops along the trails, and how to keep the animals and humans safe. It all combines to following the mantra of both preserving and using the areas, often a tough, very narrow line. There are areas, for instance, in the park that have never been logged or had their trees harvested. Nature at her best.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Boyer has an engaging writing style and utilizes both facts and humor, dropping in bits of history as we go, not to mention some of her own oops moments. I liked her. It was her obvious reverence for all that goes to make up Yellowstone National Park that played repeatedly in my mind, however, as I read. The emphasis of why we need places like Yellowstone. Why people seek out nature. How hard rangers work to keep it wild and free. That it belongs to the people, not the government. And, well, I could go on but it's a strong message of why we should be preserving our parks, not stripping them of resources and all that makes them so special to so many. Okay, off my soap box. My thanks to #TheGlobePequotPublishingGroupInc - #FalconGuides for the early look at this timely, meaningful work.

Espresso Shots & Murder Plots: A Lila Bennett Cozy Mystery (Mysteries of Mount Pleasant Book 1), by Audrey Alden

 

I see lots of potential for this series. Interesting characters with diverse interests and mind-sets, a quirky main character who cares, often too much, small town with a boat harbor, romantic potential, and an adorable Golden Retriever, Finn. Toss in a murder with all sorts of twists and turns, not to mention red herrings, and it was interesting to get to know the characters and setting. While, true, I wasn't quickly taken with main character Lila Bennett, she grew on my as the story went along. True, my eyes got lots of exercise rolling at her actions, but her heart is big and her sense of caring came through. I particularly liked how she managed to get books into the hands of young people who couldn't afford them, for instance. And, of course, I loved Finn, who plays a role and has a dramatic moment or two.

Lila was a big city investigative reporter, but rather than finding the guilty party, she is more focused on proving the innocence of friends who are potential suspects. True, she was the only one who suspects them but it's important to her to prove their innocence. It's how she does it that kept me rolling my eyes. Let's just say, there's nothing subtle about her questioning and soon her friends, the ones she wants to prove innocent, are chaffing under the weight of her technique. One becomes so frustrated they even report her to the police for harassment. Wait till you see who she accuses of sending her a threatening letter!

Bottom line, frustrated as I was with her methods, the mystery was good and the plot twists and turns kept my interest. Lila cares about people and ultimately accepts her own mistakes, showing her ability for growth. Her banter and easiness with friend and business partner Amy shows another side of her, too, as does her devotion and even willingness to die for her dog. While we don't get to know the surrounding cast of characters well this go-round, their interests and personalities show potential. Thanks #BookSirens for introducing me to Lila and her friends and community. I'm looking forward to following their adventures in the future. Hopefully my eyes won't be rolling as frequently next time. Grin.

You Can Never Die: A Graphic Memoir, by Harry Bliss

 

Publication April 29, 2025

Sitting here with my own senior dog pressed against my side, this was a book I went into with both anticipation and trepidation.  I first encountered Bliss, I'm sure, via his cartoons for The New Yorker magazine and though I enjoyed his artwork, never really paid much attention. That changed when I discovered he'd illustrated books for writer/comedian/actor Steve Martin. I recall then being taken by appearances of a dog called Penny but was never sure if Penny was real and, if so, who she belonged to.

Penny was Bliss' much adored dog. While this book would seem on the surface a memorial to her, I mean, that's her sweet face on the cover, it's really as much about Harry Bliss and his life and the people in it as his dog. Penny gets star billing, of course, which is only right. Originally more his then girlfriend, now wife's dog, we learn how she ultimately wiggled her way into his heart, but we also get to know the human side of Bliss, his career path, and those who've mattered to him, family, friends, and, yes, pets. So, it's really his memoir, the path made clearer by Penny's presence. Nor is it the tear jerker the title may suggest although, be prepared, Bliss shares his emotional goodbyes to not just Penny but his own family. In the process, therefore, we learn about the human behind the frequently humorous artwork, as well as the role one dog played in his life. And, yes, Steve Martin does make a couple appearances including mentions of his own bond with his dog Roger. Martin, who's rarely serious in public statements, turns thoughtful. In the process of reading, we get to enjoy countless drawings, many of Penny, as well as photos of family and friends throughout Bliss' life.

Bottom line, while focused on loss, the book is really about bonds we share as we live, yes, live. It's about life. His grief had me reaching out without really realizing it at moments for my own furry girl, but then he'd backtrack and share a real, usually humorous moment and I'd smile as I realized what I'd done. Don't let anyone tell you cartoonists can't write, in other words. I thought of a line I've heard used at frequent memorial services. To paraphrase, as painful as our loss in now, would you trade it for never having the chance to know them? Of course not. Bliss gets this and although his anguish over losing a beloved furry family member of some 15 years resonates loudly, so to does the theme of life goes on. He even introduces us to his new dog, Junior, still seemingly in puppy mode as the book was written. Somehow, I think Penny would approve. My sincere thanks to #CeladonBooks and author #HarryBliss for gifting me this meaning introduction to all things Penny and life. As long as we have our memories, "You Can Never Die".