Category: Book Reviews

Goodreads Giveaway – Davey & Derek Junior Detectives, Book 2, The Case of the Mysterious Black Cat!

Published on by macjam472 Comments

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you have probably read my reviews of a few of Janice Spina’s books for young children. I just love her books. Starting on January you can enter a giveaway for one of her books for 9-12 year olds. I can’t wait to read this one.

jjspina's avatarJEMSBOOKS

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Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 2, The Case of the Mysterious Black Cat (middle-grade book for Grades 4-7, ages 9-12)

Link to Goodreads Giveaway

Three books will be given away. See if you are in the location noted on Goodreads to participate. I added more locations this time.

Begins 1/8/16 & ends 2/8/16

Hi Everyone! It’s now 2016 and I wanted to start the year off with a bang or I should say with a giveaway from Goodreads! All my previous giveaways have been successful and a lot of fun to do. Here’s your chance to get in on all the fun of Davey & Derek Junior Detectives. Last year I did a giveaway of Book 1, The Case of the Missing Cell Phone. If you don’t have the first one here is the link for Amazon paperback, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Create Space…

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The Ancient Babylonians Invented New Year’s Resolutions!

Published on by macjam475 Comments

Have you ever wondered why the first day of the new year is on January 1st? Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you know how that custom got started? Ali at aliisaacstoryteller has done the research for you.

Happy New Year 2016!

Published on by macjam4739 Comments

As we say goodbye to a wonderful 2015, I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of my fabulous followers.  Without you, I wouldn’t be here.  I cherish our conversations, our laughter, and our tears and look forward to sharing more of the same with you in 2016. Whether you leave comments or not, I truly appreciate your following and taking the time to read my posts.  My wish to each of you is for a happy and healthy 2016.  Big (((HUGS))) to all.

1st Book of the year.Sheila at Book Journey, one of the most prolific readers I know who has an amazing blog, is hosting First Book of the Year. Please hop on over there and check out what everyone is reading, and while you are there, have a look around Book Journey.  I know you will have a great time checking out her posts.

Reading Bette Lee Crosby THE LOFTThe first book I am reading this year is THE LOFT by Bette Lee Crosby.  It is the second in the Memory House series and can be read as a stand-alone book, but MEMORY HOUSE is a well worth the read. Check out my review of  MEMORY HOUSE here.  The unique voice that Crosby writes in will pull you deep into her story before you realize it.

The Loft

 

A heart-warming story about Alzheimer’s disease and love

Published on by macjam472 Comments

The Staircase on Pine Street is both informative and entertaining… It explains Alzheimer’s disease in a way that in not scary for children. It is available for Kindle and in paperback.

What Jennifer Knows

Published on by macjam4710 Comments

By Wendy Janes

What Jennifer KnowsBook Blurb

A vital member of her Surrey community, Jennifer Jacobs is dedicated to her job as a dance therapist, helping children with special needs to express themselves through movement. Wife of a successful though reclusive sculptor, Gerald, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, she is known for having a deep sense of empathy, making her a trusted confidante. So when two very different friends, Freya and Abi, both share information with her that at first seems to be an awkward coincidence, she doesn’t tell them. But as the weeks roll by, the link revealed between the two women begins to escalate into a full-blown moral dilemma – and also brings to the surface a painful memory Jennifer believed she had long since forgotten. What is the right thing to do? Should she speak out or is the truth better left unsaid?

My Review

Jennifer is the friend everyone should have. Do you have a secret?  Jennifer can be trusted to keep a confidence.  She divides her time among the things most important to her – her grandchildren, husband, friends, and her part-time job as a dance therapist teaching children with special needs.  But her relationship with her daughter Blythe is strained. They both have a lot to work out before they can have the easy relationship Jennifer longs to have with her daughter.

When Jennifer meets Freya at the grocery store, she soon is listening to Freya’s plan to propose to her boyfriend, Oliver. Jennifer and Freya soon fall into an easy friendship, and Jennifer wonders why she and Blythe can’t have the same kind of relationship.

Jennifer’s longtime friend Abi can’t make up her mind whether or not to ask her boyfriend Ed to move in with her. Jennifer supports Abi in her decision.

But when Jennifer discovers what Freya and Abi don’t know, can she tell them?

Will Jennifer and Blythe ever find common ground? What role does Jennifer’s grandson Tim play in keeping Jennifer and Blythe at odds or helping them reconcile whatever differences are keeping their relationship on rocky ground?

I relished reading What Jennifer Knows. Wendy Janes did an excellent job crafting the story and developing the characters.  It is a quick read but contained all the necessary details needed to keep my interest.  Jennifer must deal with the issues of morality and loyalty and leaves the reader wondering, “what would I do?”  I recommend this to all readers of women’s fiction.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

I was given a copy of What Jennifer Knows by author Wendy Janes in exchange for an honest review.

Format: Available as an e-book.

Publisher: Self-published

Publication Date:  October 11, 2015

Page count: 223

Genre: Women’s Fiction

About the AuthorWendy Janes

Wendy Janes lives in London with her husband and youngest son. A number of her short stories have recently appeared in anthologies, and 2015 sees the launch of her first solo novel, What Jennifer Knows. Her writing is inspired by family, friends, and everyday events that only need a little twist to become entertaining fiction.

As well as writing contemporary fiction, she loves to read and review it.

Wendy is also a freelance proofreader, and a caseworker for the National Autistic Society’s Education Rights Service.

Connect with Wendy Janes on social media and her website

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Favorite Christmas Stories

Published on by macjam4719 Comments

Board Books for 2-4

Board books for 2-4 year old children have always been a favorite of mine. It’s not just the colorful pictures and charming stories that I love, but they bring back memories of when my children were young and would crawl up onto my lap for story time. We would read together, as their beautiful chubby fingers turned the pages.

I have chosen some delightful books to highlight. These little board books are just the right size for tucking into stockings.

Duck & Goose - It's Time for ChristmasDuck & Goose It’s Time for Christmas by Tad Hills is an amusing story, like all Duck & Goose books. Duck and Goose are taking a walk in the Snow, and Duck says, “Goose, it is not time for catching snowflakes.” Then no, it is not time for sledding, or making snow angels, or throwing snowballs, or building a snowgoose, or skating, or building snow forts. What is it time for? It is time for Christmas!

Tad Hills 10-15I met the author of the charming Duck & Goose books at the Cincinnati Books by the Banks, book festival, in October.  He is quite charismatic, and besides being a talented author, he is the fabulous illustrator of the books.

I’m Not Santa!, written and illustrated by Jonathan Alan, begins on Christmas Eve. Baby Owl was sledding inI'm Not Santa the snowing woods and thinking about how quiet the woods were in winter, when Baby Hare called, “Santa, it’s you!”  Baby Owl said, “Don’t be silly.”  Baby Hare thought Baby Owl was Santa because Baby Owl was wearing a red hat with white fur just like Santa. And so the story proceeds with Baby Hare finding more and more reasons why Baby Owl is Santa, and with each reason, Baby Owl declares he is not Santa.  Each becomes more upset with the other, until Santa himself appears.  I’m Not Santa! will surely have your little ones chuckling as these two adorable little animals argue over who is Santa. Additionally, the delightful illustrations will be loved by all.

That's Not My SnowmanThe boldly illustrated That’s Not My Snowman…his hat is too soft by Fiona Watt is a touchy-feely book. The snowman’s hat is too soft, his scarf is too fluffy, and his mittens too fuzzy.  The snowman’s buttons are too bumpy and his arms are two wiggly, but his nose is so squishy. Babies and toddlers will enjoy the bright colors and varied textures in this entertaining board book.

No list of board books is complete without a book by author and illustrator Eric Carle. Carle’s only Christmas book Dream Snow introduces us to aDream Snow farmer who lives on a small farm, with a few animals – five to be exact. Their names are One, Two, Three, Four, and Five. Near the barn, a small tree grows, appropriately named Tree. The farmer feeds his animals every day, and cleans their stalls.  When his work is done, he goes home and prepares the same meal he always has, as he sits in his favorite chair. The farmer falls asleep and dreams of snowflakes covering him with a white blanket. When the farmer awakens, he sees a world filled with snow, not dream snow, but real snow.  Suddenly the farmer cries out, “Oh my! Oh my! I almost forgot.”  You and your little ones will enjoy finding out what the farmer almost forgot. The pages are attractively illustrated in bright colors in the trademark style of Eric Carle.

Mouse's First SnowMouse’s First Christmas, written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Buket Erdogan is purely a delightful book. One snowy day Mouse and Papa go out to play in the snow. Poppa went sledding and Mouse said, “I can do that, too!” And he did. Poppa went skating, and Mouse said, “I can do that, too!” And he did.  Everything from making a snow angel to building a snow mouse, if Poppa could do it, so could Mouse. Absolutely charming, this is a book that every parent will enjoy reading to his or her little ones.  The beautiful illustrations with lots of bright colors and characters that children will delight in makes this book a must buy for the youngest readers.

Clubhouse Christmas by Susan Americaner, is a book that fans of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse will love.  This colorfully illustrated story has peek-a-boo Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Christmaspages to entertain as well as pictures of everyone’s favorite Clubhouse characters.  Everyone in the Clubhouse is busy getting ready for Christmas.  Minnie is baking cookies, Goofy popping popcorn to string.  Everyone has a job to do.  This is one of those books you will be asked to read over and over again.

All books can be found at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most indie bookstores.

Have you found a book you would like to gift to your favorite little one? Have you and your child read a book you both loved? Are you aware of any terrific new Christmas book for any age child?  Please share your thoughts and book suggestions below.

Tales from the Garden – Guest Post by Sally Cronin

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jorobinson176's avatarJo Robinson

Thank you so much to my much loved friend and talented author Sally Cronin, for being my guest here today to introduce her new book, Tales from the Garden. It’s full of wonderful, and sometimes wistful tales, as well as gorgeous photos. It’s joyful to move to exciting new climes but also a little sad to leave behind old friends. This is a beautiful book. I’ve been dipping into it now and will review later, but already I recommend it heartily. I’ll be back to normal transmission here tomorrow by the way, and catch up with comments, but for now Sally’s in charge. Over to you Sal!
Tales From The Garden – Behind the scenes – by Sally Cronin

Tales From the Garden small- Cover

My deep thanks to my friend Jo for hosting me today. Also for all her support over the last two years for my blog and other projects that I have been…

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Christmas Grotto – Real Grands: From A To Z, Everything A Grandparent Can Be by Deborah Drezon Carroll

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The Christmas Grotto on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life. If you are looking for a book for a gift, Sally’s Grotto has some tips.

Wild Water

Published on by macjam4719 Comments

By Jan Ruth

Wild WaterBook Blurb

Will life and family conspire to keep these lovers apart again?

Wild Water is the story of forty-something estate agent, Jack, who is stressed out – not only by work, bills, and the approach of Christmas, but by the feeling that he and his wife, Patsy, are growing apart.

His misgivings prove to be true when he discovers Patsy is having an affair, and is pregnant. As his marriage begins to crumble around him, he becomes reacquainted with his childhood sweetheart, Anna, whom he left for Patsy twenty-five years before.

His feelings towards Anna reawaken, but will life and family conflicts conspire to keep them apart again?

 

My Review

Just about everything his life touches – work, his home life, his wife Patsy’s infidelity – leaves Jack Redman stressed.  When he confronts Patsy, she says she wants a divorce and runs off, with their youngest child in tow, to live with her French lover Phillipe.  While dealing with this major upheaval, Jack’s father sends him to talk to Anna Williams, a former girlfriend from long ago, about selling her farm. Thus, we have basis of the love triangle – Jack, Patsy, and Anna.  Phillipe is, for most of the story, in the background and his character doesn’t really come into play until the later part of the book.

The characters are so well drawn; they came to life for me.  Jack is somewhat of a tragic character that evokes the reader’s sympathy.  Patsy is the easy to dislike. She fits the stereotypical idea of a wife who runs off with her lover, forsaking many happy years of marriage and family life. Without regard for her young daughter Lottie’s feelings or the feelings Jack and of the other members of her family, she uses the child as a pawn in the divorce.  Anna is easy to like, she is a friend, a single mother, a caretaker of her farm, and finds that her long buried feelings for Jack are still burning strong.

Wild Water takes place, in part, in rural Wales, which the author describes in such vivid detail you can visualize the mountains, the farm, the beauty of the area as you read.  The plot has a many elements seamlessly woven through it to keep you turning the pages.  Well written so that fiction could be one with reality, Wild Water is the kind of book you never want to put down. It is the first of Jan Ruth’s books that I’ve read, and it won’t be the last.

 

To Read a Sample Chapter: Mybook.to/wildwater

Available as Kindle or Print Book

Publisher: ACCENT PRESS

Publication Date:  July 2015

90,000 words (324 pages print)

Genre: Contemporary Family Saga

 

About the Author

Jan Ruth lives in Snowdonia, North Wales, UK.Jan Ruth - B & W - Lake

This ancient, romantic landscape is a perfect setting for Jan’s fiction, or simply day-dreaming in the heather. Jan writes contemporary stories about people, with a good smattering of humour, drama, dogs and horses.

ABOUT JAN RUTH

Jan was born in Cheshire and moved to North Wales in 1998, although she has always maintained a strong connection with the area from a much earlier age. Her feel for the Welsh landscape is evident in all of her work.

The real story began at school, with prizes for short stories and poetry. She failed all things mathematical and scientific, and to this day struggles to make sense of anything numerical.

Her first novel – written in 1986 – attracted the attention of an agent who was trying to set up her own company, Love Stories Ltd. It was a project aiming to champion those books of substance which contained a romantic element but were perhaps directed towards the more mature reader and consistently fell through the net in traditional publishing. Sadly, the project failed to get the right financial backing.

Many years later Jan’s second novel, Wild Water, was taken on by Jane Judd, literary agent. Judd was a huge inspiration, but the book failed to find the right niche with a publisher. It didn’t fall into a specific category and, narrated mostly from the male viewpoint, it was considered out of genre for most publishers and too much of a risk.

Amazon changed the face of the industry with the advent of self-publishing; opening up the market for readers to decide the fate of those previously spurned novels. Jan went on to successfully publish several works of fiction and short story collections. Jan is now pleased to announce that throughout 2015, she will be re-published with Accent Press.

ABOUT JAN’S BOOKS

Fiction which does not fall neatly into a pigeon hole has always been the most difficult to define. In the old days such books wouldn’t be allowed shelf space if they didn’t slot immediately into a commercial list. Today’s forward-thinking publishers – Accent Press being one of them – are far more savvy.

As an author I have been described as a combination of literary-contemporary-romantic-comedy-rural-realism-family-saga; oh, and with an occasional criminal twist and a lot of the time, written from the male viewpoint.

No question my books are Contemporary and Rural. Family and Realism; these two must surely go hand-in-hand, yes? So, although you’ll discover plenty of escapism, I hope you’ll also be able to relate to my characters as they stumble through a minefield of relationships, family, working, pets, love …

I hesitate to use the word romance. It’s a misunderstood and mistreated word in the world of fiction and despite the huge part it plays in the market, attracts an element of disdain. If romance says young, fluffy and something to avoid, maybe my novels will change your mind since many of my central characters are in their forties and fifties. Grown-up love is rather different, and this is where I try to bring that sense of realism into play without compromising the escapism.

Jan Ruth. 2015.

Discover More About Jan Ruth

Jan writes a variety of posts – funny, serious, informative – about Snowdonia and it’s landscapes. Horses and history, her inspiration to write fiction set in Wales and her publishing journey so far.

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