Animals of the National Parks: An Alphabet Book, by Fifty-Nine Parks

 

Publication May 5, 2025

The child in me still gravitates to alphabet books. Give me one featuring animals and I'm a happy camper. I'm always curious to see how the creators will differentiate their book from the multitude of others out there, not to mention how they'll find a way to represent some of the lesser used letters. This one does both well. 

To be honest, there was a part of me interested to see not just what Alaskan animals make the cut but how they'd handle those tricky letters like "X". Well, first, they cleverly used descriptive adjectives such as zigzag salamander, but outdid themselves for that "X". They not only came up with an Alaskan critter but one whose name I didn't recognize. As it turned out, I've even seen that animal, nope, not telling, but just didn't now its official name. See, even us big kids can learn a thing or two from these alphabet books. Needless to say, being Alaskan with access to not just Denali National Park but wild animals occasionally roaming about, I was delighted to discover how many I had seen. Young readers should appreciate the chart provided at the end where they can write down not just the animals they've observed but things like who they were with at the time and even sounds heard. A nice touch.

The illustrations were realistic but fun in a slightly whimsical way. I mean, it doesn't look like those bears might want to eat us for dinner. Grin. Each subject gets a full color illustrations and short, easy to digest description on the next as well as what parks they might be found at. Another nice teaching touch is that each alphabet letter is presented in both upper and lower case, not always common. There's a lively color map at the end that shows where each park is located as well as showing small versions of the animals scattered about. There's also a list to make it even clearer. Then the chart I mentioned earlier. All in all, nicely done and would make not only a fun gift for animal crazy kids but a nice addition to your school or classroom libraries. Thanks #ClarksonPotter - #TenSpeedPress for gifting me this early copy. It made me crave another trip to Denali National Park. Ironically enough, although moose are common sights here in Alaska...in fact, one visited my yard just a few days ago....that's the one critter I've yet to spy while visiting the park, go figure.

Finding Mr. July, by Anna E. Collins

 Publication uly 1, 2025

While I expected to enjoy what appeared from the cover to be a dog heavy romance, I wound up liking it far more than I'd expected.  I was right in that a calendar played a role, too, and enjoyed Holly's search for twelve likely candidates and their dogs to pose for a non-profit calendar project to raise funds. Who knew it'd be so hard? While I wasn't amused by Holly's use of a dating app to find candidates under false pretenses,, albeit only after some persuasion, that was short lived and handled relatively well. Heck, she even found some guys willing to pose for no pay for the cause. Getting her "hot" brother, as her best friend and mentor describes him, took more effort, not to mention some sisterly bribery. Holly's unexpected career path has its ups and downs but she finds herself enjoying the project and, okay, working with the office's grumpy creative guy.

 I won't detail the plot further other than to say it was fun to read about the various photo sessions done, including some quirks of the canines, and the different feels/moods created by the photographer, who is certainly model worthy himself. Oh, did I mention Jonathan, the initially grumpy and reticent to be involved, is an extraordinary photographer? There are reasons he isn't using that skill as the story opens which I'll leave for you to discover as you read. As it turns out, he's a rather complicated guy that Holly just can't help being curious about after their meet-cute, although not sure the word cute is accurate. As you discover more about Jonathan, you'll understand why and more about his reasons for being standoffish. I liked both, albeit it took me a bit to warm up to Holly. A former lawyer, she has her own story to tell, however, and you'll gradually root for her to find happiness. Love how that goal was emphasized later in the book. Nope. Not telling. You'll just have to read. 

Bottom line, while an entertaining romance on the surface, I liked the fact that the main characters were multi-layered. My initial reaction to Jonathan was bewilderment, I must admit, albeit I sort of liked his willingness to help a virtual stranger initially in the book, Holly. Glad they fixed that pantry door, Holly. Her relationship with her brother and his daughter is close with amusing brother-sister banter between them. In fact, the dialogue flowed naturally, even in the spicier scenes. Nothing heavy duty, mostly just sweet and sexy to warm you up and bring a smile at their budding relationship. And, I liked her brother's budding relationship that may keep him in town long enough not to risk the eternal ire of a teenage dragged away from long-time friends on a parent's whim. My thanks to #Forever - #GrandCentralPublishing for this early peek at a book I wound up thoroughly enjoying. Loved Holly's discovery of what was probably her mother's stash of Holly's old school days memories.

Bringing the Beach Home, by Laura Atkins, Evgenia Penman (illustrator)

 

Publication July 1, 2025

Although I'd have preferred a sand castle be built rather than the kid being buried in the sand, this was overall a sweet, thoughtful read. Children who alternate between parents handle it in other ways but it's obvious as the story opens that Rowen has grown weary of it. That said, I noted that if you don't read the back of the book blurb, you may momentarily be confused about what is going on and why Rowen is looking so dejected. Dad does wonders to make this a special day, however, and suggestions on how to  bring the beach home with you, so to speak, are shared. I liked the focus on natural materials and creativity. When Rowan looks at his creation, he'll surely remember this day.

The drawings and done in a light and airy fashion, recalling my own memories of some sunny days at the beach. In fact, I chuckled at Rowan finding the sand too hot initially because, as one who grew up near and spent considerable time at the beach with parents and friends, I, too, remember that issue all too well. The idea of how to use the seashells is definitely a fun one. While adults should probably be ready for questions about why Rowan is initially reluctant to go and looks so sullen, they should also be ready to simply explain the about divorce/custody. In other words, while a simple story of a day at the beach on the surface, the book offers many opportunities to discuss the world about us, let's say. Thanks to #TheCollectiveBookStudio for sharing this early look at a lovely book with .multiple layers. I enjoyed this virtual trip back to my childhood beach days.

Dogged Pursuit (Andy Carpenter, #31), by David Rosenfelt

 

Publication July 1, 2025

When Andy met Tara....and Laurie.

What a delight to go back in time to meet a younger but no less snarky Andy Carpenter in his first true murder defense trial. Even better, we get to spend some time getting to know his father, a renowned prosecutor, Nelson Carpenter. I liked their easy, trusting relationship where, even knowing his father wished Andy hadn't moved to the defense table, he's there 100% for Andy. Nelson even turns out to love dogs, noting that the only reason they never had a family dog was due to Andy's mother's allergies. 

Even as a long time Andy Carpenter fan, going back and meeting Tara for the very first time was also delightful. Never mind Andy walked into the shelter looking for a small dog. Tara had him with their first look. It goes almost without saying that a dog, Tara's then kennel buddy Sonny, was involved in Andy taking the case of Ryan Tierney, Sonny's owner, who has been charged with murder. Blowing up a car kind of murder. Yikes. Sonny is under a legal hold until after the trial, however, and a waver is needed before the shelter can release Sonny to anyone but Ryan. Needless to say, since Andy seems to feel it is only right to keep Tara and her canine friend together, Andy visits the jail to get the waver and finds himself with a client. Thus begins the fun. 

As usual, this case if far, far more complicated than the norm. I won't detail the plot further but will hint that it involves, let's see, hit men, shady business practices, potential suspects who keep getting themselves killed, life insurance scams, mob action, federal agents, and....well, you get my drift. Besides the younger Andy, we get our first meeting with investigator extraordinary Laurie Collins and discover Andy has friends himself on the police force, even if he does have to pick up their tab at meals. We also "almost" get to meet Marcus, he of incredible protective skills and that's touching the surface. I say "almost" meet because while Andy doesn't get to meet him in person, Marcus plays a major role in the story. Oh, and I can't forget Sam, Andy's accountant who seems to harbor dreams of being an detective. Andy usually seems to keep him tethered to the computer, which is where Sam's formidable hacking, er, computer research skills usually play a vital role. It's interesting to see how they manage to incorporate Sam's discoveries legally, let's just say. That said, who knew Sam had skills at breaking into cargo trucks?

 Bottom line, a fun, entertaining read with lots of laughs and remarkable insight into the courtroom and investigative processes. As always,, I marveled at Andy's then young courtroom skills and ability to use humor, personality, and, yes, snark as weapons for the defense.There's a fine line between pushing too far and irritating the judge and making his point, all of which Andy tip-toes along skillfully. I've told friends occasionally that the reason I know what news people are talking about at times on court cases, you know, all that legal terms, is because I've picked up some legal vocabulary from this series, in fact. Rather amazingly, author Rosenfelt weaves this all together skillfully while sharing the ongoing marriage woes of Andy and then wife Nicole. I admired Rosenfelt's delicate touch with this, even while introducing Laurie. He shows the mutual respect and love Andy and Nicole share, albeit now firmly heading along different paths with different goals. Let's just say, it would have been easy to portray Nicole as a spoiled rich girl but Rosenfelt don't take that shortcut and, instead, presents her as a sympathetic character. Speaking of sympathetic characters, Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for giving me this early spin on the time machine back to meet the younger but already charmingly snarky Andy and some of those who play such a huge role in his status as a reluctant attorney who is always trying to retire.

ABCs of Safe Web Surfing: Essential Online Safety Tips for Your Child's First Device , by CD Richardson

 

A nicely done, colorful guide for both parents and children. While the illustrations are definitely kid friendly with their colorful graphics, the words are obviously meant to be read by both the child and parents. I liked that concept, actually. Each term addressed is pertinent, with fun drawings to illustrate meaning, two pages per letter. 

I'm pretty certain there are some excellent reminders in here for even long time web surfers, too. It's easy to become careless and complacent as we click about at random, something this reminds us isn't always good form. I won't detail the contents but will share a few. My favorite perhaps was early one as the author urges "balance", a balance between time on and offline. As much fun and addictive as endless surfing the net can be, we're remind that time away from the screen is important, too. Cyberbullies are also addressed with the advice being direct, "Don't be one". 

The idea of "empathy", remembering that there's a real human (well, maybe) on the other end of the posting is emphasized, as is that one should never give away their "password". Nor should you click mindlessly. When in doubt, the book urges young uses to turn to trusted adults for guidance. As many learn to their sorrow, not all links are harmless and can, in fact, lead to major headaches. You're also reminded that every post you make, every comment you share, is most likely forever engraved in a digital footprint somewhere. I guess in the cloud? Not that this book even attempts to explain the cloud. Grin. 

Bottom line, a nicely done guide with fun graphics to help guide newcomers through the basics of the web. In addition, various activities are suggested at the end, including an encouraging way to get parent and child to talk out use and create guidelines. Internet sources are also given at the end. Thanks for this peek at this handy, sadly much needed guide, #IndependentlyPublished. As noted, I lean toward thinking the idea of "balance" between screen and away time is something just about any of us who find themselves seemingly glued to the screen can use.

Can I Sleep in Your Bed Tonight?, by Andreas Sahar

 

Publication June 1, 2025

This is surely something every parent has heard whispered to them in the night.  Every parent surely has handled it differently. I honestly wasn't as taken with this as I'd expected to be despite the lovely illustrations and dreamy colors. First, an admission. I really, really wanted to just give good ol' Dad a shove off that bed for both his lack of helpfulness, leaving it all to Mom to handle, and my jealousy of him being able to fall back asleep in practically the blink of an eye. Even the mother, while relatively patient, didn't seem to put much effort into how she handled the situation. 

If anything, while it's easy to give her a break for probably being exhausted and wanting desperately to sleep herself, she didn't seem to offer any soothing words or suggestions other than go back to bed. Dad continued to sleep through most of the interruptions, mind you, only going into action when a storm struck and the dogs' barking joined the pleas of the frightened children. They're adorable, by the way, and there are even a pair of twins. In any case, Dad's solution was to simply grab a blanket and pillow and move to the couch, in essence leaving Mom to deal with the children in the now roomier space of the bed. Can you tell I was disappointed by both? 

Bottom line, while I'm sure this could open a conversation between children and parents of how the situation could have been better handled, I didn't really enjoy the story. The rhyming text was relatively well done, however, and, as noted, the illustrations had a bit of a dreamy feel to most of them with the night colors and subtle soft hues. And, much as I hate to admit it, the situation is probably rather realistic. Children get frightened or even bored at night frequently and seek the comfort of their parents. I just wish there had been more of a gentle, positive handling of the situation, albeit, as noted, I can see this being used as a means to open a dialogue between not just parents and children but between the parents. Thanks #HolzerBooks for giving me this early peek at the book and life in many homes with small, restless children.

Scavenger Hunt, by Thea Whitehead, Suzi Devlin (Illustrator)

 

Why does a bumblebee wear a hat? Nope, not telling, not that I'm sure there's any one right answer, but it's one of the fun things you get to ponder as you read this book. Given the day off because the beekeeper needs to "smoke" the hive, a term you'll learn within, Betty Bumble Bee organizes a fun Scavenger Hunt for her friends, friends of all kinds.

The catch is that the clues ask participants to guess the target color from a visual hint. They're very well done, too, and kudos to the author for finding a way to use a tricky, two word rhyme for orange. Never fear if you don't get it as Betty Bumble Bee quickly explains each. The illustrations are bright and fun and be sure you pay attention to the background and who/what turns up in each. That was an added bit of fun and challenge. The friends work together to solve the riddles, a nice way of emphasizing teamwork as an important skill. And, needless to say, they're learning their colors and about rhymes all at the same time. 

Bottom line, this was a fun book that will have children giggling and chiming in to answer with Betty as answers are revealed. Needless to say, they all involve colors, mostly illustrated via lovely, perky flowers although you may not some bug friends in the pictures that fit the description, too. Friends work together, you know. I definitely liked the different level activity suggestions at the end, falling right into the category of challenging young minds while engaging them in a fun task. My only "Huh?" moment was at the start when I wasn't quite clear on how the clues worked but that quickly became obvious to my tired ol' brain. This would make a great addition to any elementary teacher's library or parent's book stash to keep their children entertained and learning at the same time. Thanks. #BooksGoSocial for the sneak peek at this fun read/activity book. As noted, kudos for the way the author managed to find a way to work in the color orange.4.5 rounded to 5 star.

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder, by Lynn Cahoon

 

Publication June 24, 2025

This is going to be one of those series where I came for the mystery and keep coming back for the characters. Meg Gates and her rescue dog Watson are back home on Bainbridge Island after her almost-husband basically dumped her for her maid of honor. She's living in her aunt and uncle's garage apartment and working at the family bookstore part time but is excited to be hired as a part-time assistant to mystery writer Lily Aster. Seems Meg has writing dreams of her own. Her first objective, however, is to pull herself together. Back at her childhood home, she's lucky enough to find her besties from middle school, Natasha and Dalton, are still around. They once solved petty mysteries such as missing items in middle school so what is more normal than for them to fall easily back into that after a dead body is discovered at her new part-time job site. Never mind her Uncle Troy is the police chief and keeps warning her to stay out of his case. Sound familiar? I bet you can guess how well Meg listens. That said, I give her props for sharing information she discovers asap with him rather than holding out and, props to him for, despite wanting to keep her safely away from danger, for accepting such information gracefully. 

I won't detail the plot but will note that Meg's interest isn't just based on her fascination with a good mystery. She also realizes her potentially fascinating new job as a writer's assistant is in danger when Lily turns out to be the prime suspect. Even worse, her long-time friend Natasha is another. Nor are they, thankfully, the only suspects. Seems Lily's manager, who turns out to be the victim, wasn't quite what he advertised himself to be and others may have had reasons to wish him gone, too. In the process of tracking down other suspects and proving Lily and Natasha couldn't possibly be guilty, Meg finds herself enjoying the company of Dalton more than she'd expected. Formerly with the Coast Guard, he is now working his way up the ranks with the local, vital ferry service and you'll get to take a few rides with them as you read. Fun! At some point she realizes her dog Watson is quite taken with Dalton but, hmm, didn't seem to care for the not-terriby-missed almost-husband....who'll also make a few appearances throughout. My bet is you won't be any fonder of him than Watson was.

Bottom line, this is a great start to a new series for author Lynn Cahoon. Heck, the book title alone pulled me in and I was delighted to discover each of the chapters is titled with one of the hints for sleuths that Meg comes up with. They made sense and were a nice touch that hopefully Cahoon will be able to utilize in future books, albeit perhaps not quite as focused on sleuthing. The trio of Meg, Natasha, and Dalton work well together and respect Meg's Nancy Drew abilities, as they call them. I liked them all and the easy way the related to each other with quite natural sounding dialogue. In other words, they seemed real. Her Aunt Melody and Uncle Troy were also a plus, with her aunt's background in the writing world coming in handy, just as her uncle's legal position and knowledge did here and surely will in the future. It was nice to find him, while protective, respectful of Meg's efforts, not belittling her contributions as he gracefully accepted them. I also very much appreciated Meg's restraint about mindlessly walking into danger. In other words, she's an amateur sleuth who isn't TSTL, ie too stupid to live. Finally, Bainbridge Island itself seems to be a lovely setting with lots of potential, so I'm looking forward to learning more about Meg's past and present home turf. Thanks #KensingtonPress - #KensingtonCozies for this early intro to Meg's life and allowing me to virtually enjoy a few ferry rides in the process.  I'm looking forward to following Meg's adventures as she not only solves crimes but works on writing about them, too. I assume Lily will be a regular and she's a great character with lots to share, both about life and the whole writing experience.

The Silver Ladies Seize the Day, by Judy Leigh

 Publication June 4, 2025

 Life is tough. So is love. Both have their ups and downs, moments of sheer bliss and sorrow. No one knows that better than the Silver Ladies, as the group around almost 92 year-old Cecily Hamilton has dubbed itself, although it seems to be expanding to include all ages. Life and love have left their mark, just as loss, the aches and pains of aging, and uncertainties of life have done. Even Cecily, the glue that seems to hold the group together, learns that age doesn't dampen emotions.

I won't detail the plot as much of it is woven into the multi-layered, inter-connected story, a story of many parts and tender, even troubled souls. They're friends, many for decades, but must face life on their own terms. We're immediately drawn to Cecily given the prologue but the other's stories are just as deep and multi-layered as Cecily's. While much of their tale is certainly sweet and charming, there's also angst, loss, uncontrolled anger, long held grudges of a sort, and, yes, romance and hope. I have found myself liking the central cast of characters but, trust me, none of them are saintly, even Cecily. That makes them all the more human to readers. There are even a few you won't like but their story is there, too. Again, life is made up of both. Their stories come together and apart periodically but the strength of friendship holds them together, even when they disagree. Let's just say, the Silver Ladies aren't necessarily all on the same page regarding Cecily's decision (nope, not telling) but they don't let it drive them apart. Instead, they're there to support her, vowing to support her whatever her decision.

Bottom line, without revealing the story-line, it's a story of life, the highs and lows, and learning to accept and cope with each as they come. Enjoying the moment, as they say. I felt like I was right there with them, fretting over decisions that might rupture a marriage or keep "meant-to-be" lovers apart, not to mention seated at the table for that fabulous 92nd birthday party gathering. What an intriguing, open bunch of friends, the sort of people we'd all aspire to be ourselves. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for the initial intro to Cecily and her circle of friends/family and allowing me this early peek at how life is treating them all. I aspire to be like Cecily one of these days, although I'm not sure a scooter, purple or not, is quite the vehicle I'd opt for here in Alaska.

Randy Rainbow and the Marvelously Magical Pink Glasses, by Randy Rainbow, Jaimie MacGibbon (illustrator)

 

Available May 27, 2025    AUDIO REVIEW 13m 29s

Having enjoyed his comedy songs and read his previous books, this sounded like a natural for me. The bright, playful cover illustration drew me in as did, let's face it, the idea of those sparkly pink glasses we all now associate with Randy Rainbow. It's his real name, btw, for anyone who doesn't know. Designed for children, it's short and sweet with the emphasis on the positives of being a "weirdo", as it says his classmates called him. I noted that some of the other reviews felt he shouldn't have used that term but who are we kidding? It's likely weirdo was one of the nicer things he was called. 

In any case, he shows, one, how his grandmother's support helped him through a tough time and, two, how to turn a negative into a positive. He narrates it himself and while he didn't knock my socks off, he did a good job conveying the story while differentiating the voices. I really came away from this one liking his grandmother who instilled the idea of the magic being within you, that's for sure. Having read his memoirs, I probably came to this with a bit more background than many but smiled as he made light of his habit of, oh, let's call it, dressing for fun, not to fit in. His love of dance and Broadway tunes shines forth here, too. 

While I doubt a pair of sparkly pink glasses will be the answer for all children not fitting in, this one voices the idea that it's possible to be yourself. While I'm sorry he had to endure the harassment, I applaud him for offering hope to others who didn't fit in with the crowd. Let's face it, we're all weird at one time of the other, so thanks reaching out your hand, Randy, to those who dare to be their own unique kinda self. Thanks #MacmillanAudio for sharing this early listen with me. I'm always glad to spend time hanging out with Randy.

Manuscripts, Meows & Murder: A Cozy British Animal Mystery (A Dickens & Christie Mystery Book 11), by Kathy Manos Penn

 

Publication April 24, 2025

This one managed to have my non-fiction, niche writer self contemplating if I could write a cozy mystery. Don't get me wrong, the mystery here is top notch but the bits of writing and plotting hints that just flowed naturally in the setting, a writer's conference, were tantalizing. So, if you're a budding writer, grab a pen and note pad and be prepared to take lots of note on writing, not to mention your ideas of whodunit.  There are lots of suspects, including, gasp, Dave, Leta's soon to be husband. The victim, Trevor Tarkington, known for his snarky reviews, not only insulted Dave but Leta in front of the audience of writers during a talk on contrasting review types. As luck would have it, Dave goes on a bit of a drinking binge after, okay, more than a "bit", and has no alibi for when the murder occurred. Then, as luck would have it, he's also the one who discovered the body. 

I won't detail the plot but, as usual, author Kathy Manos Penn has created a solid plot that will hold your attention from beginning to end. That she does it while weaving in lovely descriptions of the setting and those temping, tantalizing writing hints, makes it all the better. It's probably obvious this is one of my favorite series. Why? Well, of course there are the personable Christie and Dickens, Leta's cat and dog who talk to her. That's just a given in the story, nothing magical about i, so it's simply stated as a fact and the story moves along to human characters doing and saying things. They're fully fleshed out yet retain the ability to surprise us, a real human touch. Heck, even Christie and Dickens have that ability, so it's no fluke. I expected this one to be Leta and Dave focused but was delighted to have Belle and Wendy show up at the conference, too, not to mention DI Jake, another regular. Leta's faced with the dilemma of how to share info discovered via one of her furry companion sleuths, too, which leads to an interesting discussion, that's for sure. Nope, not telling. You'll just have to read the book. Grin. The new to the series characters, such as Issa, are also a delight despite her Parkinson's diagnosis. I'm sort of hoping Penn is able to work her into future books, too, as I genuinely liked her although, oops, she'll be on the other side of an ocean. Well, so was Dave, so anything is possible.

In any case, lots of twists and turns and red herrings to hold your interest. Leta and Dave's upcoming wedding, site undecided, even manages to get some space. The day trips the participating authors take are good scouting missions for possible locations but I got the impression none had been decided on as the book closed. Ah, a personal mystery to look forward to learning about. The author and literary name dropping is fun and I learned a few things this go-round, that's for sure, besides writing hints. Heck, even a popular movie I enjoy got a mention. Let's hear if the "The Three Amigos". Grin. Thanks to author Kathy Manos Penn for this early peek into how life is progressing for Leta and Dave. And, I'm definitely curious to find out where that long-awaited wedding will take place, not to mention the roles Christie and Dickens will have in it.

Last Wool and Testament, by Peggy Ehrhart

 

Publication April 29, 2025

I thoroughly enjoy this series and feel like I should caution you to always have some tasty nibbles on hand as you dive into the latest mystery. Something with strawberries would be perfect, as you'll read. Author Peggy Ehrhart is an expert at not only creating an intriguing mystery but leaving us hungry with her delicious sounding descriptions of food prep and meals. In fact, she excels at descriptions period, whether food, clothing, or a neighbor's garden. While I have to admit to skimming past the descriptions near the end in my haste to discover whodunit, it helps create a solid, colorful, even aroma filled idea of what is about the characters. 

And what a bunch of quirky, interesting characters. From Roland the lawyer, with his precise tome-keeping at Knit and Nibble gatherings to the neighborhood bee keeper, you'll enjoy meeting them all. The two main characters, Pamela Patterson and Bettina Fraser, not to mention her extraordinary cook-husband, are both alike in their dogged determination to get justice while opposites in dress and manner. Bettina's clothing, right down to the earrings, are topics of conversation while Pamela, well, is far more casual. Pamela also has an interesting job reviewing and editing submitted articles for "Fabric Craft" magazine and you'll pick up quite a bit of info on the role of fabrics throughout history. Even daughter Penny pops in briefly with friend, Sibyl Larkin, daughter of neighbor Richard Larkin who manages to be a focus of interest in this story almost without appearing. Nope, not sharing. You'll have to read the book. All in all, a fun, interesting cast of characters. Heck, even the ultimate killer was someone I found hard to dislike, leading to a rather sad ending. Again, nope, not telling. 

Bottom line, this was a pleasant, intriguing read. I liked the characters and settled into the somewhat leisurely pace of Pamela and Bettina's quest to discover who killed fiber artist Ingrid Barrick.Was it the neighbor who despaired of the allergies she suffered from some of the plants and flowers grown in Ingrid's colorful, rather chaotic garden/lawn? How about the ex-husband? What secret did he not want revealed? Or maybe the author who was about to reveal that secret? Surely not her daughter? How about that random neighborhood beekeeper? Or maybe it really was the result of a random break-in Ingrid interrupted? I'd like to say I figured it out but, well, I didn't, making the big reveal a stunner. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me this early peek at Pamela and Bettina's adventures. I felt like I could almost smell the delightful scents of Ingrid's garden and see the butterflies and bees frolicking around. Finally, the patterns and recipes at the end are a delight.

Grave Words (Deadly Deadlines, #2), by Gerri Lewis

 

Publication June 20, 2025

The scene in the funeral parlor made the book for me. Leave it to Winter Snow, yes, that's her name, to wind up hiding from a killer in a funeral parlor. Nope, no more details. You'll just have to read the book. Overall, although I find myself annoyed with Winter much of the times, I found that I liked her better this go-round more than I did in the first installment. Her job certainly isn't ordinary, interviewing surviving family and friends and writing obituaries for the deceased, but she somehow seems to find herself involved in a murder investigation in the process. Her detective boyfriend, Kip, of course tries to warn her off, refusing to share much with her. Winter shows her immaturity by expecting him to ignore police rules and share everything with her, even becoming upset at him for not jeopardizing his job to make her happy. Yet, she rarely hesitates not to share with him. 

I admired Winter for caring enough about the seemingly homeless Chester to do a deep dive into his life and background while, at the same time, cringing more than once at her methods. She's admittedly driven by the need to clear her friend Scoop's name as the prime suspect, especially when he winds up in jail. Scoop, the local newspaper reporter, had been investigating a series of arson fires and is a suspect in that as well as the murder of Chester but, as a reporter, feels obliged to protect his sources. Best friend Carla has her back, as do her senior friends Richard and Horace. I liked all of them, even the long suffering Kip. Will Winter's unceasing questioning get her in trouble? You already know the answer to that and, oh, boy, what a load of trouble. I don't want to give away much more of the plot but will add that cemetery plots are involved. More importantly, perhaps, we see growth in Winter as the story progresses. 

Bottom line, although still not thoroughly liking Winter, I liked her better this time and see her growth as a good sign. And, oh, I nearly forgot to mention the side story. Again, no details, but it involved Star Wars and collecting. Somehow the two stories merge for the finale. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for allowing me this early peek at how life (and writing about death) is going for Winter. I definitely felt her panic in that funeral parlor scene!

Dogs of the World, by Lili Chin

 Publication April 15, 2025

A dog lover's delight.

There's so much here that it's hard to decide where to start. I'd be lying if I said I tried to be the diligent, disciplined reviewer who started on page one and read straight through. Nope. More like flipped about, back-and-forth, to the index, to the given page, then back to sometimes random browsing. I followed my nose, so to speak. I'd think of a question, look to see what the book had to say, then move on. In the process, I definitely came to admire the author's knowledge and love of dogs, not to mention her often whimsical artwork and text. 

While informative, it was that sense of whimsy that made the book special. While some may wish she'd used real photos, I loved the use of her drawings as illustrations. It was a fun and entertaining read. There were breeds here that I'd barely heard of and even many new to me. I didn't know about Snuppy, the cloned Afghan hound, for instance, so lots to learn. Needless to say, given my Daisy dog's corgi mix heritage, I checked on corgis almost immediately and was delighted to find them nicely represented. Heck, even "mutts" and deliberately mixed breeds get a look. 

There's absolutely no way I can come close to summarizing it all. That discovery will be part of the fun for you as a reader. You'll learn the expected, such as breed origins and history, including purposes, but there's lots more to this book. The author's insights and thoughts will add to your enjoyment, as will the sometimes seemingly random bit of information. In other words, it will keep you both entertained and thinking. Thanks to #ClarksonPotter - #TenSpeedPress for gifting me this early peek at the wonderful world of dogs. It's a great tribute to humankind's best friend.

This Dog Will Change Your Life, by Elias Weiss Friedman

 

Publication June 3, 2025

The perfect book to read with your own furry friend curled up against your side.

To be honest, I finished this book quickly but kept finding reasons not to review it in order to be able to hang onto it a bit longer, so to speak. Yes, I enjoyed it thoroughly. And, yes, much of it was read with my own rescue, Daisy, curled up next to me or  snoozing on my feet, one of her favorite spots. I think it's to make sure I don't go anywhere without here. The author, who I'm almost embarrassed to admit that while I've heard of him, I'd never checked out his Dogist site, would probably know. It was great fun to sort of travel along with him as he talks about his childhood dogs through the creation of his Dogist site. 

His love of dogs shines through even when he shares a few not-so-fun experiences as he learned the best way to approach and handle his mostly random encounters with dogs and their humans. I found his thoughts on not staring into a strange to you dog's eyes interesting, for instance. His thoughts on puppy mills and rescue are equally thoughtful and shows his disciplined approach to learning more about all aspects of the dog world. 

I won't detail the text as those familiar with his photography  are probably more familiar with him than I was when I started this book. To be honest, I think I was expecting a sweet book of dog photos, some of which are included. After all, that is how I became aware of him, but was impressed by his depth and ability to share this thoughts in a conversational manner that made this an easy, enjoyable read. Instinctively, I think most dog fans know how dogs touch our lives but it's nice to see it laid out in print and I found myself taking extensive notes. Heck, even designer dogs, if that's the right turn, are discussed, as is the toll on those who rescue. My Daisy is a rescue, so I have the utmost respect for them, that's for sure. I even learned about a distant cousin, so to speak, of the corgi, the Lancaster Heeler, so there's much to learn here, too. Bottom line, if you love dogs, you will love this book. My sincere thanks to #RandomHousePublishingHouse for giving me this early peek at this book. Dogs do change us for the better, that's for sure.

Bells, Tails & Murder, by Kathy Manos Penn

 AUDIO VERSION   6h 29m

Available April 15, 2025

I'll won't belabor the plot as I'm pretty sure I reviewed the book when it was first published. Loved it then, love it now. I was seriously impressed with narrator Alex Picard. She does a wonderful job not only differentiating voices but adding emotion and capturing the tenser scenes. Heck, she even brings Dickens the dog and the feisty, often cranky cat Christie to life. Yes, the animals talk but it's just an accepted fact in this series and not seen as magical or odd. Works nicely, too, and I adore these two talking critters. 

You'll meet and surely like the regular characters. I'd sort of forgotten where Dave came into the picture, so this was a nice refresher for me. It's already obvious he's going to play an important role in the series although he still lives in the US while Leta has moved to the Cotswolds, England. Lots of book talk and literary references and you'll pick up quite a bit about collecting old books in the process of reading. I won't spoil the rest of the series for you but do pay attention to the stories of the author with ties to Peter and Wendy. Gee, bet their names give you a big hint, huh? In any case, the story revolves around Leta stumbling across a body and how her friends circle about to help her solve the crime. 

As is true in real life, everyone seems to have secrets. Leta makes many of the typical rookie amateur sleuth mistakes, such as jumping to conclusions and not sharing info post haste with the police, but it's also obvious she's a caring, intelligent woman. I liked the fact she's a columnist and hadn't quite realized how quickly she'd settled into the regular themes used until now. Rather fun to take a look back and see things you missed first time through, especially while enjoying Picard's excellent narration. Thanks #TantorAudio for gifting me the advance look back, so to speak. It was fun to be reminded why I've come to enjoy this series so much.

John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs, by Ian Leslie

 

Publication April 8, 2025

It's hard to remember a time when the Beatles weren't part of our lives. It seems like we went from listening to our big sister's records of Pat Boone and Perry Como to wanting to hold your hand. Author Ian Leslie does an excellent job taking us along on the ride, introducing pivotal characters like Brian Epstein, Derek Taylor, and all things hippy and New age. It's a deep dive into the shadows, not to mention the uneasiness of the spotlight. It was a time that changed us and the world forever.

 While I'll admit upfront to not being familiar with many of the musical terms tossed about -- aclion cadence, anyone? -- after a few pages they seemed to just waft right on over my head without demanding I stop to figure out what they actually meant. What can I say? I tend to be one of those who enjoys the music without knowing every little detail in it. That said, I'll certainly never listen to a Beatles tune again the same way. At the same time, we're taken into the psyche of both John and Paul as individuals as well as the singular entity of Lennon-McCartney. Despite the labels rabid fans were eager to attach to them, the four Beatles were complicated individuals. They went through incredible highs and lows together, certainly being prisoners of their own success and images.

I can't even begin to summarize the book. It's lengthy but don't let that daunt you. For the most part, it's an easy read and most of the names you encounter will be familiar. Actually, much of the material was familiar to me although I was delighted to discover John's discovery of a new sport in his latter days. I definitely don't want to give away that story but it was somehow comforting to know he had that in his life before his tragic death. I also came away with even more respect for actress and former McCartney girlfriend Jane Asher for not allowing herself to be pulled into Paul's life to the detriment of her own hopes and dreams. Even better, she's never written a tell-all book, not true of many.

Bottom line, I could go on and on or list countless descriptive words and phrases that popped into my head as I read but will simply wind this up by saying music and Beatles fans will enjoy this read. Those who devour every tiny mention of anything Beatles will definitely find much to ponder within. Will they agree with it all? Surely not, but that's part of the fun, isn't it? The Beatles were something different to everyone. For fans like me, who enjoyed their music and the rush of Beatlemania, it was fun. You don't have to understand the musical references or even agree with Leslie's comments to enjoy hanging out like that proverbial fly-on-the-wall as John and Paul created something magical out of a boyhood meeting. I simply didn't have the time to do so but would strongly recommend you call up the various songs as discussed and listen to them as you read, too. Since this is a book that just begs for a re-read, that's my plan for my next visit. As it is, my thanks to #CeladonBooks for sending me this advance invite for my own trip back to "Yesterday". It was magical.