This picture book reveals how Eva Sommaripa starts her produce business in Massachusetts on a small patch of land between the ocean and the woods. Soon she is growing more herbs than she and her family can eat. So she drives into Boston and offers her herbs to restaurant chefs. The chefs love her herbs and ask her to bring more. Her business booms. This book emphasizes the science of gardening, especially the soil.
Lots of information after the biography.
-Borrowed from the library.
Newly published author, Ernest Cunningham, has been invited to the Australian Mystery Writer's Society crime-writing festival as they travel via the Ghan, a famous train, from Darwin to Adelaide. While he travels the vast desert, his agent is pressing him to write a fictional book (a departure from his typical genre). Will this train ride with its individuals maintaining secrets provide inspiration for his next book? When the most famous writer dies, Ern steps in to uncover the abundant deceptions and solve the murder. Then another person dies. They are trapped on a train with a determined murderer. Plot sound familiar? Mr. Stevenson alludes to classical mysteries but creates his own entertaining and clever storyline.
The first-person narration was interesting. Ern talks directly to the reader throughout the novel.
Somewhat Spoiler Alert-A nice twist at the end that I did not anticipate--I thought I had figured out the twist and was sorely disappointed in Ern-felt like he was an unreliable narrator when he promised he could be trusted! But then at the last minute he proves to be trustworthy!
I loved the allusions to classical mysteries. Although Mr. Stevenson incorporates descriptions of the Australian landscape and also historical and general information, the novel is not didactic. The amount of description is apt. I ended the book with a deeper appreciation for Australia.
Warning: one man likes younger women and had raped one of the characters when she was young, this same man makes advances (not descriptive in the novel-a one-liner that hints at what he wants from her) toward a young woman. Unbeknownst to him, she is his daughter., one character is gay-his partner was killed by a train years ago, a series of books is discussed that is soft porn (no graphic description-just that they are that), Ern & his girlfriend share a cabin although they are not married (not intimacy takes place), some swearing-very limited
Other books in this series-Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone & Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret
-Borrowed from the library.
I bought this book a few months ago with birthday money. Leisurely I read it in during meals when I ate alone. Of course, Sally utilizes her modus operandi-encouragement -throughout the entire book. The photographs are 99% from Oxford and are stunning. Just paging through the book and viewing the photos uplifts my spirits. Scripture and quotes, sprinkling the pages, also hearten the soul.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
When reading my denomination's quarterly newsletter, I read about this author who is local and who is a member of my denomination.
Almost three years ago Avery witnessed a murder which involved a drug cartel. Immediately she is placed into a witness protection program. Winning the teacher of the year award results in her photo being leaked in the local newspaper. The leaders of the drug ring want her dead. When she steps outside her high school on the last day of school, her car explodes. Luckily the security guard sees the explosion and rescues her. Little do they know that the next few days will require stamina beyond belief as they dodge the savvy, evil group.
Warning-when you start to read this novel, you won't be able to stop! Very suspenseful.
I found it a bit unrealistic and also predictable at points. But it is great escape novel that is actually clean!
-Borrowed via ILL.
Mabel, the mouse, lives in a cabin along a little lake. In the cabin, a man and a boy also live. The man builds a model ship without the boy's help. All three of them admire the model ship in the window. Mabel wonders if it can sail like a real ship. One night the wind blows the door open. She seizes the opportunity and maneuvers the boat onto the lake. In the morning, the man and boy spy her on the lake. . . .
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
RAR recently added this book to their "big family booklist".
The twelve Acerra brothers played baseball constantly. Eventually, they formed their own semi-professional baseball team coached by their father. What I especially appreciated about this biography is its portrayal of a supportive, cohesive family. The author interviewed a couple of the brothers while researching this story.
The biography spans from the 1920s-1997.
**Highly, highly recommend (especially children who love baseball and baseball history).
-Borrowed from the library.
I loved every moment while reading this book. It is one of my top favorite reads of the 2024 year ( The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion volumes by Beth Brower remains in first place!). I first read about this series at Redeemed Reader-review of Wormwood Abbey. I then asked my librarian to purchase it. Months later it was put into the library system. I am sooo glad she honored my request.
After the death of her uncle and nephew, Edith and her family are requested to come to the old family home (an abbey) in Yorkshire since her father is the next male heir. Three female cousins await them. Gwendolyn, the oldest, is not approachable. Slowly Edith befriends her. As Gwendolyn opens up to Edith, she reveals ancient family secrets beyond imagination.
This book contains all that I love-a warm, intact family who lives out the scriptures (Edith's family, not Gwendolyn's family), a clery father depicted in positive light, scriptures seamlessly woven into the narrative (never preachy or sappy), well-developed characters, the Yorkshire Dales setting, historical and classical literature allusions, writing that has the depth & quality of classical literature, and an exciting plot.
Series contains four more books in the series- #2 Drake Hall, #3 Castle of the Winds, #4 City of Serpents, #5 Valley of Dragons.
The author, Mrs. Baehr, is delightful. If you sign up for her newsletter, you receive warm, inviting emails that reveal more about her personally. Some highlights: she used to travel the world as a harpist, she & her husband run a hostel in TASMANIA!!, she is a mother of TEN children. She is working on another series, which will release in 2025.
**Highly, highly recommend (for high school & older)
-Borrowed from the library.
