June Price's Blog, page 102

Little Homesteader: A Spring Treasury of Recipes, Crafts and Wisdom, by Angela Ferraro-Fanning, Anneliesdraws (Illustrations)

I try not to overuse the word adorable when reviewing children's books but, well, this one is just plain ol' adorable. In addition, I spent my earliest years on a family farm and it brought back some memories. True, I don't recall ever giving a bath to a duckling but, hey, I bottle fed a lamb. See, I have credentials.

All kidding aside, this book is packed with ideas and projects for children and, who knows. children in grownup bodies, too. True, all the ideas won't work for everyone, such as I doubt many city dwellers have access to ducklings, but the ideas can spark other ideas and perhaps get the children and adults working together. The.  suggestions include both inside and outside activities, too, I might note, as well as focusing on healthy habits and possibilities. For instance, it tells how to blend the perfect green smoothie and brew Sweet Violet Syrup. It makes a point of listing what is needed before you start, too. All these and many, many more ideas are, well, adorably illustrated and showcase different races of children working together. While true, the book doesn't get into the harder aspects of homesteading, nor does it seem to explain the difference between homesteading and simply being a farm kid, but it's a wonderful reminder of the joy and creativity of living and using nature. I should note here, too, perhaps, that the book is printed on recycled paper or, as is noted early on, "We print out books on TRASH." That concept alone is another idea worth talking about with children, perhaps as they are trying to press flowers as instructed.

Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup for allowing me to briefly time travel back to my own childhood and be reminded of the joys of not just country life but how marvelous it is to be a child discovering new things and ideas.

-- ABC for Me: ABC The World Me: Let's take a journey around the world from A to Z!, by Christiane Engel

Pack your bags and grab your passport. You're about to embark on a fun trip. The closest site to my home in Alaska was the Yukon, so I started there and meandered about the globe taking it all in. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip just as much as a child, the real target audience, might, but did notice a few lovely touches I wanted to mention. Not only are different races showcases, but a wheelchair character keeps popping up. Lovely illustrations, both simple and detailed, if that makes any sense, to give one a feel for what they might encounter at the sites.

The former teacher in me can't help but note that not only do they illustrations provide a nice overview of each site but offer teaching opportunities, too. Those could be as simple as identifying colors used, finding various items in the pictures, or leading a discussion on why the clothing/buildings/structures are not all the same, among others. Art project? Have the children use construction paper to construct the various alphabet letters as they are shown in the photos and let them create their own take on the scenes. I'm sure you can come up with many other ideas. Although the text given might be more advanced than the child it is used for, it seemed easily adaptable to age. For now, I'm going back for a return visit. Yes, this big kid was enchanted by this book. I'd recommend it to parents and teachers everywhere, not to mention it'd make a wonderful gift for "big kids" who want to travel without leaving their homes. There's even a nice map at the end.

Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup – #WalterFoster for inviting me along on this fun, and, oh, so enchanting journey. It made my day.

ABC for Me: ABC The World Me: Let's take a journey around the world from A to Z!, by Christiane Engel

Pack your bags and grab your passport. You're about to embark on a fun trip. The closest site to my home in Alaska was the Yukon, so I started there and meandered about the globe taking it all in. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip just as much as a child, the real target audience, might, but did notice a few lovely touches I wanted to mention. Not only are different races showcases, but a wheelchair character keeps popping up. Lovely illustrations, both simple and detailed, if that makes any sense, to give one a feel for what they might encounter at the sites.

The former teacher in me can't help but note that not only do they illustrations provide a nice overview of each site but offer teaching opportunities, too. Those could be as simple as identifying colors used, finding various items in the pictures, or leading a discussion on why the clothing/buildings/structures are not all the same, among others. Art project? Have the children use construction paper to construct the various alphabet letters as they are shown in the photos and let them create their own take on the scenes. I'm sure you can come up with many other ideas. Although the text given might be more advanced than the child it is used for, it seemed easily adaptable to age. For now, I'm going back for a return visit. Yes, this big kid was enchanted by this book. I'd recommend it to parents and teachers everywhere, not to mention it'd make a wonderful gift for "big kids" who want to travel without leaving their homes. There's even a nice map at the end.

Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup – #WalterFoster for inviting me along on this fun, and, oh, so enchanting journey. It made my day.

50 Years of Iditarod Adventures, by Lew Freedman

                                              Cover art by Jon Van Zyle

50 Years of Iditarod Adventures: The First Fifty Years of the Last Great Race: Freedman, Lew: 9798409923990: Amazon.com: Books

Having moderated a couple Iditarod related online groups in the past, I can attest to the fact that author Lew Freedman has managed to answer most of the FAQs that pop up, well, frequently. It will be a handy, easy to read resource for fans. Lots of list of who ran/won/placed/won awards and more. Freedman has also taken a look at some of the memorable characters of the sled dog race, including families who have become a part of race lore, the Redington, Mackey and Seavey families. Lots of photos, too, including I should probably admit, one of my own, and maps. If you're a race fan, you need this book. Kudos to Freedman for putting together his love and extensive knowledge of the sport together in such a readable, usable fashion.

Murder Most Grave (Granny Reid #4), by G.A. McKevett

Small town. Check. Cute (mostly) kids. Check. Dog. Check. Hunky sheriff. Check. Good friends. Check. Murder. Check. Er, make that double check. Double murder. And I wasn't sure who did it until the end, so this one keeps you guessing. It also was fun to visit an ol' favorite's, ie the Savannah Reid series, and see what Savannah and the rest of her siblings were like as children. I have a real soft spot for Waycross, I have to admit.

In any case, while the murder is the focus, we get to see the younger version of Grannie, aka, Stella Reid, and her relationship with the sheriff, Manny, develop. Although all her thought of him in the story sometimes seemed a bit much, the use led to a dramatic ending. I've also got to mention that having grown up in the South, albeit Florida, not Georgia, I felt myself falling right into the rhythm the use of so many Southern colloquialisms conjured up. Heck, I found myself jotting down several as I read simply because, "I swear on my mama's best pecan pie", they delighted me so. In fact, Manny sums up Stella and Savannah nicely at one point with, "You Reid gals are full of sass and vinegar". Is it any wonder Stella gets all "twitterpated" at times when she's around him?

Bottom line, an easy, fun read. Set in the 1980's, seemingly during the Bush-Dukakis presidential campaign, it's a fun trip back in time with delightful characters one will wish they could spend some time with. Thank you #NetGalley and #KensigntonBooks for inviting me to time travel back into McGill, GA, and enjoy their company. 

The Diva Says Cheesecake! (A Domestic Diva Mystery, #15), by Krista Davis

If you like cheesecake, you'll not only thoroughly enjoy this book but get hungry while reading it. Let's just say lots of food and cheesecake involved. This is the 15th in the Domestic Diva series and although I had read some of the earlier books, I wondered if new readers would grasp what was going on with the letters to Sophie and Natasha seeking advice that started each chapter. It was fun, of course, to see how they blended into the story but that wasn't evident at the beginning. Other than that nitpick, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

A seemingly well liked restaurant owner has been found dead. Initially, it appears it may have been as the result of an accident. Sophie, on hand when the body was discovered, had doubts, however. It isn't long before she is busy asking questions and gathering clues. She has the help of her loyal circle of friends and always seems to be dishing up a yummy meal or snack for them as the discuss their own hunches and findings. There are several suspects and so many twists and red herrings that it can almost make you shake your head in an attempt to shake everything into place. I liked how her friends pulled together to solve the crime, at times even rescuing Sophie from danger. I also liked how well Sophie was able to keep her cool when finally confronting the killer, using only her wits to escape.

The contrast between Sophie and Natasha provides some humor, with Sophie seeming to have more common sense. But, wait, what do any of those seemingly innocuous letters seeking advice have to do with the murder? Who is that tall woman both the murder victim and friend who is soon targeted as the chief suspect, were seen talking with? Fish fraud? Huh? Will Spence ever have a relationship with his biological father? How does Coach fit into the whole thing? Would you go out walking your dog if someone had just attacked you? Why did Natasha throw a cheesecake in a smarthy wannabe beau's face? What is the cheesecake queen's role in all this? All these questions and more are answered in this intricate path t0 the solution of the murder. Grab a piece of cheesecake, some tea, and settle in for an enjoyable ride.

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to visit Sophie and friends. My Daisy dog was happy to come along for the ride and meet Sophie's Daisy, too. 

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, by Martin Short

 "....in a fleeting moment."

Ironic that my big take-away from this likeable, funny book, published in 2014, is the humanity behind the public face. I came away with a new liking -- his characters have been hit or miss with me -- and respect for Martin Short. So much of what he said resonates loudly with his current visibility and popularity in the hit comedy-mystery "Only Murders in the Building" on Hulu. I "read" the audio version, btw, read by Short himself, which I highly recommend.

It's sometimes difficult to wrap our minds around the fact that they seemingly always funny, smiling man we see on television and in the movies or, if you're lucky on a Broadway stage, hasn't had an easy, smooth life. Short lost a brother and both parents by the time he was twenty. His wife of 30+ years died of Ovarian Cancer, ironically the disease that took the life of a former girlfriend, Gilda Radner.

Yet, even now that I know the back story of Short's life, it's hard to envision him as anything but smiling and loving life. As he writes, bad things happen but the sun does come up the next morning. He feels the mark of a man isn't just how he handles it all but what he learns from the experience. He's still smiling, remembering a good life, and surrounded by a circle of friends that would make almost anyone's A-list, including the likes of Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, not to mention one of his house guests at one point was the late Robin Williams. Steve Martin wrote a special song, "The Great Remember", for banjo in tribute to Nancy, Short's wife, after her death. I could go on and on but, well, think of your dream guest list and they are probably friends of Martin Short. That tells you something, the man is genuinely likeable.

I won't detail the whole list but Short lists the nine categories that have been essential to him. The key seems to be keeping a balance and getting your priorities straight. For him, yes, that included his show biz career but his family and friends were the ultimate concern. As he notes, all the little perks and rewards we get are nice but the important thing is really whether you're enjoying life and helping make the world a better place. A good philosophy for us all, I'd say.

Given the success and popularity of the Steve Martin created "Only Murders in the Building", I couldn't help but zero in on some performance/life traits that Martin Short brings to the character he plays. I also noted that he has a son who shares the name Oliver, Short's show name. The character is a bit of an oddball, aren't we all, but as Short notes in the book, written well before the show was created, oddball characters are often sweet, empathetic, and agreeable. It's the innocence in a character that strikes actor Short. While he definitely ascribes to the theory that, yeah, more can be fun, he also tries not to telegraph or oversell the character. Just as with his general life philosophy, he strives for that balance. As he notes in the book, any performance has in it the chance for danger, fun, and even anarchy.

The end of the book, while dealing with the lose of his wife to cancer, somehow manages to also strike that often precarious balance. It circles back to the death of his mother, who kept the seriousness of the disease from him as long as possible, thus illustrating his seeming need to somehow protect Nancy from the truth of her diagnosis as long as possible. His reaction and that of their children is enough to bring tears to the eyes. At the time, he tells Steve Martin that he is shattered. That said, the optimistic side of him seems to have won out, with not just imagined chats with her on the deck of their snug getaway but in the way his friends circle about him. As he recalls, it's a quote from his late brother that seems to bring peace: "I'll see you in a fleeting moment."

Funny, sad, and with lots of name dropping, this book should be a must for fans of both Short's past and present work. It'll make you look at him with new eyes.

A Half-Baked Alibi (A Cook-Off Mystery#6), by Devon Delaney

Despite not being a fan of cooking shows or contests and being new to this series, I enjoyed "A Half-Baked Alibi". Author Devon Delaney does an excellent job of showing how high-profile cooking contests work, events she seems to have first hand knowledge of, including the goings on behind the scenes. I have to admit, too, to not guessing who did it until the final reveal. In my defense, the murderer's name was one of those that lead my suspect list at one point or the other but since that list changed regularly, I can't claim any extra-ordinary sleuthing ability. Delaney keeps you guessing. 

Sherry Oliveri is a likeable character, as are her friends and family. She is a frequent winner of cooking contests but is sidelined with an injury this go-round although she assists.We get to meet the likely suspects and see the basic set-up of the contest, including some memories shared of how things can go wrong. Hmm, wonder how many of these author Delaney has first-hand experience with? In any case, while doing her assistant duties, Sherry is on hand when a body is discovered. Even worse, one of her dearest friends is a suspect, a friend obviously keeping some secrets. 

If you are a fan of cooking shows or contests, this is definitely the book for you. Even this non-fan came away with a new respect for how stressful the evens must be and the pressure on contestants to not just cook but perform for the judges. There's a few episodes on boyfriend Don's boat, too, which gives insight into how much goes into preparing a boat to carry passengers safely. Oliveri blends it all together nicely in an easy read and, oh, goodie, includes some yummy sounding recipes at the end. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. 

Thank you #NetGalley and #BeyondThePagePublishing for inviting me to watch the cook-off, not to mention have a few rides on Don's boat.

Murder at Primrose Cottage (Flora Steele Mystery #3,) by Merryn Allingham

"The mystery had grown too intriguing to be given up to the police."

That thought from main character Flora Steele could probably describe how many amateur sleuths feel, not just regarding the police but often about those who would also protect them. In this case, Flora, whose imagination is vivid -- I agree with Jack, she should be writing a novel -- also has a tendency to keep things from Jack and venture out alone into potentially dangerous situations, even after being warned away by the area witch. Oddly enough, though I wanted to sit Flora down and have a chat with her about common sense, I liked Flora and was immediately drawn into the story.

The plot has two main story lines, past and present, which seem to weave in and out of each other as the story progresses. Do remember, however, that police procedures and expectations were obviously much more lax in 1956, which is when the story takes place, than they are now. Let's just say, at one point I found myself wanting to yell at Flora and Jack not to disturb a crime scene as they merrily wandered about, forcing open a gate they were then sure the murderer must have used, possibly trampling the murderer's tacks, and later failing to report a break-in in a timely fashion. Yes, things have changed.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the next. If you like engaging mysteries, especially ones that take place in England, and have an interest in the history of the world wars, you will find this book an intriguing read. There's even the hint of romance. Author Merryn Allingham also has a way with words. I hope to read more of them soon.

Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for letting me spend some time in the English countryside with Flora and Jack while they track down a murderer.

Death at the Abbey, by Jan Durham

A man is dead. Murdered. Main character Liz McLuckie finds the body. Why was the body wet with briny water, not to mention why was there a fish in his pocket? How did a drowned person wind up being found high above the nearest body of water? What was his connection to the other town citizens? What secrets lurk behind the closed doors of picturesque Whitby?  

I found the story line, the hook, if you will, intriguing. How does a missing religious relic play into the whole? Liz is beginning to feel open to people and new experiences five years after her husband's death, Although of retirement age, Liz is definitely energetic and even handy with tools. Her friend's personalities didn't seem fully characterized, normal in a first book in a series, but intriguing. Liz's constant companion, however, is Nelson, a brave, and protective bull terrier she adopted. Nelson was the star of the book as far as I was concerned but, well, I'm a sucker for dog characters anyway.

Bottom line, although I found it slow paced at first, once I caught on to the rhythm of the story line, I began to enjoy the book more and more. The pace definitely picks up as Liz begins to encounter more and more clues, which seems to irritate the local detective, DI Flint, putting herself in danger. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for introducing me to Liz and Nelson. I'm looking forward to spending some more time with them as I get to know Whitby.