June Price's Blog

Winter: The Story of a Season, by Val McDermid

 

Publication Jan. 13, 2026

It must have been serendipity that the morning I planned to read this delightful winter story that I woke to not just falling temperatures but snowflakes lazily drifting down. I was immediately taken in by the cover as that blue tint mirrors the way the cold snowy days here in Alaska so often look to not just the eye but my camera. I started out diligently taking notes and jotting down phrases I particularly enjoyed. They were lovely but soon I just sat aside the pen and pad and read. I'm glad I did. Full of personal memories of winters, particularly in Scotland, it felt like I was simply sitting in my living room sharing winter stories with the author. As such, it could be said it's rather a rambling narrative, but that's part of the charm. 

You'll get stories about not only winter but how the writer's own thoughts and writing processes so often mirrored the seasons, imaging as she looks out her writing room window watching "gnarled and arthritic oak trees" and veering to stories of bridges, family history, birds, train travel, including into Russia, and even some well crafted writing tips. As an Alaskan, I particularly enjoyed the section on the puffins, and comfort foods. And, oh, yes, even a winter trip to New Orleans. Having been there at Marti Gras time when it was so cold the bridges froze and were so unsafe that they closed them down just behind us rang particularly true. It was her descriptive and often poetic sounding tales of winter that pulled it all together, even when we veer from childhood memories to near present day ones, that made it extra special. Toss in some delightfully simply illustrations that perfectly capture the soul of her words and this one was a winner. Thanks so much #GroveAtlantic for allowing me this early peek at this delightful book. I'm not sure I can hang onto that magical infatuation with all things winter through the long winter days of Alaska's winters but it opens my eyes to seeing the wonder rather than simply the inconvenience. Wintertime is truly a magical season and kudos to the author for sharing her thoughts and memories. Now, what did I do with my winter gloves?

Life in the Old Girls Yet, by Celia Anderson

 

Publication Jan. 12, 2026

It's never too late to start over could be the theme of this book. No matter one's age, your age doesn't magically make you whole and complete with nary a backward glance. Let's just say, there are lots of looks back in this book. Vee/Venetia Prescott has returned to her childhood home of Dragonfly Cottage in the village of Willowbrook and feels just as confused and insecure as she was in her teens. There's a story there but I'll leave that for readers to discover on their own but it involves family and secrets. Oh, my, there are lots of secrets in this small village. Secrets and family drama, insecurities, and, well, a reputation to live down in Vee's case. 

But, is she the only one that feels that way? Of course not. She's lucky enough to be taken under the wing of the Saga Louts, a group of three older ladies whose zest for life is rather matched by the chaos of life. Beryl Summerfield is probably most prominent in the story but Althea and Winnie have their moments, as does handyman Rick who hopes Vee doesn't remember him. Oh, trust me, there's a story there, too, competing with several other side stories for our attention. I'm probably making the book sound much darker than it is by focusing on the character stories but it's also full of awakenings, self-discovery, revelations of the past and present, humor, friendship, and, oh, yes, an amazing road trip to France. Why France? Well, it's all to help Vee....but, nope. Not saying any more. It's a fun trip, too, so just kick back and enjoy as the characters begin to open up to life and each other rather than dwelling on perceptions. 

Bottom line, while it took me a bit to get the characters straight and the pace seemed to lag in spots, I enjoyed the ride. The descriptions were well done and the characters, with all their pluses and minuses, were likable and easy to come to care about. There are touches of romance, too, note, that's plural, and the mystery of Vee's past and why her return impacts so many will keep you reading. I'd also note that if you've ever had to renovate a long neglected house will relate to the challenge facing Vee and Rick as they try to bring back the home she knew as a child. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for the opportunity to meet this interesting group and get an early peek as Vee struggles to reconcile her past and present, not to mention her future. 

A Very Novel Murder (Novel Detectives Mystery #1), by Ellie Alexander

 

Publication Jan. 20, 2026

If you're a fan of sleuth Annie Murray from the Secret Bookcase mystery series, never fear. The cast seems to not only be back, but Annie and Fletcher Hughes haven't given up their bookshop duties completely. Instead, they've morphed into the Novel Detectives with an office above the bookstore as full-fledged private investigators. This book introduces their first case and, boy, it's a doozy. Just as Fletcher was beginning to chaff a bit waiting on their first official client. June Munrow, an elderly resident of Redwood Grove shows up and hires them to investigate a maybe not cold case but a cool case that Munrow is sure was murder. Not only that, but Caroline, who is dating the bookstore's original owner Hal Christie, shows up with a mystery regarding his ancestry. I won't dive into that one too much as it seems to carry over into the next book, but find it a great addition to his long time quest to prove his ties to Agatha Christie. 

In any case, the maybe murder case focuses on the odd death of champion surfer Kelly Taylor. What's the likelihood of a champion surfer drowning in the bathtub? In any case, Annie and Fletcher are soon off and running to track down suspects and witnesses who might be able to help them learn more. That takes them into a world they're not familiar with and Annie finds herself in danger once again. Secrets and more secrets, not to mention tangled romances and brand sponsorship all rear their heads. 

I won't go into more detail but both long time readers of the previous series and new readers should enjoy this one. It works well as a standalone and the author does a great job catching us up succinctly and quickly early on, so even new readers should quickly feel comfortable. The supporting case is fun and well-defined, especially best-friend Pri (and her endless temporary tatoos) and Liam, Annie's boyfriend. My thanks to #StormPublishing for introducing me to Annie way back when and allowing me to peek in on her progress early as the initial series has morphed into a new one but with the familiar faces we've grown to know. 

Heat Waves, by Trudy Becker

 Publication Jan. 1, 202

I've got to admit, that cover thermometer photo sure brought back memories. After spending most of my life in sunny Florida, it was temps like this that prompted my final decision to move north to Alaska and cooler (okay, occasionally frigid) temperatures. It didn't help that the frequent lightning storms that often accompany such temps blew up my A-C on one of those triple digit days. As the book says, the heat doesn't go away, either, when you're in the midst of a heat wave.

This short, quick read designed for K-1 level does an excellent job of describing what a heat wave is to young readers. Yes, heat can make you sick. While I might wish the book had offered a few more suggestions on how to maybe not totally beat the heat but stay at least more comfortable in it, given the target audience it does its job of hitting the basics. The color photos do a good job of helping convey the sense of heat, too. Thanks #NorthStarEditions for this early peek and the reminder for me to appreciate the comparative coolness of Alaska all the more. There's also a glossary (illustrated), table of contents, and index to help guide young readers. 

Murder at Midwinter Farm (A Miss Underhay Mystery #22), by Helena Dixon

 

As a reviewer, you meet any number of virtual cozy mystery couples. Some you like. Some you like but wouldn't want to spend much time with. Others? Uh, never mind. Fortunately, Kitty and Matt are one of those couples I think I'd enjoy spending time with. Well, murders aside. They seem to mesh well and are easy in themselves, always a plus. They feel like the sort of people we might know. True, they're not perfect and Matt is certainly still fighting his own mental demons left behind by the war. It's 1937 and they do seem to genuinely care about those who revolve around them. In this case, they're worried about how skeletal remains being found in the pig sty of Midwinter Farm may impact the upcoming marriage of friends Alice and Robert. Robert has been working hard at renovations and Kitty and Alice are hard at work inside when the remains are found. Who is it? Why is it there? 

Actually, Alice is more concerned about any bad karma connected to the farm house than the who and why? Seems not everyone is able to deal as well with dead bodies being found practically in their own backyard as Kitty. Kitty is determined to allay those superstitious feels of the house somehow being cursed. I liked that she simply didn't tell Alice she was being silly but was supportive and even went out of her way to find positive memories of the house to help Alice's fears. All this while trying to solve the mystery of who that body was and why it was there? 

Needless to say, this being a small town, gossip flew and there were several potential suspects, even the man's family members. How could a long missing man be connected to a robbery? Or, is it even connected? Not sharing any more of the plot. As usual, it was fun to go back in time to 1937 Devon and be reminded that while some things change, everything doesn't. Good friends are there for you, even if they may not buy into your superstitions. Instead, even while delving into whodunit, Kitty and Matt both try to soothe Alice's fears. 

Bottom line, I enjoyed my time spent with Matt and Kitty. While I haven't quite been with this series from the beginning, it's been fun to watch them grown both individually and as a couple. Matt's PTSD symptoms (did it even have a name back then?) help remind us he/they are "real", not perfect but trying their best. Watching them evolve as time passes has been great. Thanks #Bookouture for letting me time travel for an early peek at what's going on in their world.

 

 

Winter(Season to Season), by Kirsty Holmes

 

Publication Jan. 1, 2026

Ah, winter. A season we know well here in Alaska. Gotta admit, I chuckled when the text noted most season last about three months as, well, winter in Alaska tends to last much longer. That said, the text is accurate that the average winter/season lasts about three months, just not in Alaska. Wherever it takes place, each season has its own unique characteristics, weather, even celebrations and animal life. The pictures used are relatively straight forward, tending to be colorful with abundant blurbs/bubbles of more info. Words in bold print can be found in the glossary for a short, easy to understand definition. As one whose winters tend to be long, I definitely smiled at the inclusion of warm clothing items suggested to keep warm. Having once lived in Florida, it's easy to underestimate how cold "cold" is in northern areas, trust me. 

While more informative than story, explaining what winter is rather than the experience of winter life as a whole, I liked the inclusion of not just animals and how some survive frigid temperatures, but the various special holidays or events of the season. It was nice to see not just the well known holidays of, say, Christmas and Hanukkah noted but other less known celebrations from around the world and how each might be celebrated. Again, photos included for each bit of information. There is also a table of contents and index in addition to the previously mentioned glossary. Thanks #NorthStarEditions - #MapleBay for this early peek at this colorful look at the season I'm currently living, wintertime Alaska. I can assure you it was nice to see the subtle hint that like all seasons, this one, too, will end and new plant life and activity will begin. 

Ice Storms, by Trudy Becker

 

Publication Jan. 1, 2026

Living in Alaska, I probably know more about ice storms than I'd like to know. In fact, I did a double take looking at one of the photos showing a multi-lane highway bridge during an ice storm. Could have been taken here.  While the info is short and sweet, meant to build reading confidence in young readers (K-1), the photos used as illustrations do an excellent job showing more of the story, that's for sure. To add my own P.S. to the bridge photo, we're often reminded here that bridges are usually the first to freeze over and become treacherous, so I have to wonder if the photo placement was sheer serendipity or deliberate. 

In any case, while hardly likely to share new info with adults helping their child read through the text, the book does an admirable job of capturing the basic facts. Glossary words are shown in bold print and there are also photos on the glossary page to help understanding. The photo showing the impact ice can have on electric or other wires was a plus as that's a rarely addressed issue. Let's face it, it says the author lives in Minnesota, so they know what they're talking about. Thanks #Flux - #FocusReaders for the early look at this quite well done yet succinct title. I just hope that semi in the ditch in one photo wasn't the author's.  Grin. 

Alaska's Glaciers (Couple Personal Photos)

 Just thought this would be a good time to slip in a couple glacier pix to go along with the previous review on Alaska. 

 

Fascination with Alaska: Beyond the Alaskan Cruise Naturalist, by William B Stickle

Your rating of the book is largely going to depend upon what you were looking for when you open it up. While it's solid on information shared, it wasn't quite what I was expecting simply based on the title. First, I should probably mention that I live in Alaska. As such, much of the info was known to me at least in a passing fashion. Not that I go around memorizing statistics. I have to admit that I was looking for more of a book on the mystic, the magic, the allure of Alaska. You know. The part likely to fascinate the average person. Perhaps with an ample dose of snow adventures, moose and bear encounters, and the aurora dancing overhead. What I got was thorough information on its history and geography, plus it's peoples and the impact of various government's involvement, and Native Alaskan rulings and issues. Don't get me wrong, things like volcanoes, the Ring of Fire, earthquakes and tsunamis, climate change and it's impact, and much more are there and well handled. All detailed factually and briefly with no effort to elaborate. So, if you're looking for a relatively brief overview of all things Alaska, this is the book for you. If you're expecting more of a fun story, perhaps not.

Personally, after my initial disappointment, I was pleased to see how up-to-date and fair the author handled the various issues tackled. It was fun to read about places I've been, especially my glacier viewing jaunts. Let's just say, what you see on the surface of that incredible blue ice pack is only a small part of the whole. And, the whole includes decades of natural geographic activity interacting with the terrain. An explanation of not just what causes a tsunami, for instance, is tied nicely to the volcanic action of the area, including under the seas. Having viewed the mountain ranges discussed, it was intriguing to be reminded how natural forces shaped them and the areas we Alaskans now populate. I was also glad to see an even handed, albeit brief discussion of, say, the extraction of oil and the impact of that industry on the Native population. It was also good so see ample space given to the various larger groups of Native peoples, even taking time to note the Yupik dance style that relies on little lateral movement but instead on the movement of arms and upper bodies to convey emotion and story. 

Bottom line, while not what I expected, I still found the book a satisfying, informational read. It was rather cool to see the name William Bligh pop up. I did know his role in the Cook Exploration but had forgotten, so this one definitely stirred the ol' brain cells to action. Bligh was Cook's cartographer, btw. And, being animal oriented, the chapter dealing with the various wildlife was a plus. Thanks #AtmosphericPress for allowing me to read this quite well done in a succinct manner look at my chosen home state. I found myself digging into old photo files for my pix of Hubbard Glacier, I have to admit.

 

A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle (A Food and Spirits Mystery Book 2), by Darci Hannah

 Publication Jan. 27, 2026

This was my first time reading this series and I'm delighted to say I enjoyed it thoroughly. While I lean toward thinking I might have fallen into it more quickly had I read the first in the series, ultimately that didn't matter. The author easily catches you up on what's gone before without you really even being aware of it and makes it a solid standalone.  Although I'd never say I'm into paranormal books, the characters in this one are appealing and it's fun to watch a new to her psychic abilities Bridget/Bunny MacBride both floundering and overcoming both her lack of experience while sifting through clues both physical and spirit based, let's call them. I liked Bunny and her bunny friend, which you'll learn more about as you read. There's more to that story than a cute little rabbit, trust me. Her reality show crew is fun and well-fleshed out, even the not so prominent ones this go-round. Of course, it was delightful to meet her family, especially Ella/GrannieMac with her own set of other-worldly abilities. And, hey, she's even got a doctor as a beau, so she's quite personable and there to support and assist Bunny as needed.

As for the murder, on the surface it seems to be a "who killed one of the bagpipe judges", one who just happened to have been a personal bagpiper for the late Queen? That whole scene is sorta spooky, especially the appearance of a "fairy dog" while they're out ghost hunting. I have a corgi and myth claims its the breed used as mounts by the fairies but this dog, whoa. Big. Scary. Frightening bark. Glowing red eyes. Toss in a seemingly constant barrage of bagpipe music as the bagpipe contest goes on and, well, add a fog and a drunk ghost...who knew ghosts could be drunk? .... suspicious contestants and even residents around the castle and it's the perfect setting for Bunny and her crew to suddenly find themselves playing detective as well as ghost hunters. Well, Bunny would argue that she's merely the chef for the "Food and Spirits" reality show but, well, she always seems to be right there on the front lines despite enjoying her time with co-host Brett Bloom. So, toss a slow burning romance into the mix of romantic tales of castles and warriors, loyalty, fairy dogs, mysteriously flying objects, the smell of whiskey, and, well, so much more, and you've got a feel for the story.

Bottom line, I obviously loved it. Not only were the characters distinctive and likable, but the author does a wonderful job describing not just the castle grounds but its interior and, let's call it, aura of the Scottish history it all takes place in. I honestly don't want to give away too much more of the plot, it's far more complicated than it appears with multiple layers, but will say you'll learn a great deal about not just Scottish myths and history (be sure to read the author's note) but come away with a solid base of how bagpipes not just operate but their history and how contests are judged. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing and #NetGalley for introducing me to this series and giving me an early peek into what seems to be some monumental change in not just Bunny's life but that of those who surround her. Oh, and lots of butterflies. Loved their appearance.