REVIEW: The Bear and the Nightingale

The Bear and the Nightingale
Author: Katherine Arden

The Bear and the Nightingale is the first book in the Winternight Trilogy. I've had this book on my TBR list since it came out in 2017. The final book in the series came out this month, so I decided it was finally time to read this awesome folktale trilogy!

Vasilisa lives at the edge of the forest in the Russian wilderness with her father and siblings. Her mother died and after years of living alone, her father goes to Moscow and comes back with a new wife.  Vasilisa's new stepmother does not believe in the Old Ways of honoring household spirits and  forbids them to leave out bread or any of the other traditions. Vasilisa continues in secret, knowing that stopping the Old Ways might have dangerous consequences. As others stop honoring the old spirits, strange creatures begin coming out of the forest, crops fail and bad luck seems to haunt the village. As whispering starts about Vasilisa being a witch and bringing the bad luck, her stepmother demands she either be married or sent to a convent. But, the young girl knows she must not leave the forest because only she can protect her family and the village from evil.

I listened to the audio book version of this story (Random House Audio). Narrated by Kathleen Gati, the audio is just under 12 hours long. I listened to this book every night at bedtime for a week, curled up in my blankets with hot tea and my dogs just listening to Gati read. I felt like Vasilisa and her siblings sitting around the fire listening to folk tales told by their old nurse. :) Gati has a nice voice and her performance really brought out the folktale/old fairy tale feel of this story. I have partial hearing loss, but was easily able to hear and understand this entire book.

A lovely story! I already have book 2, The Girl in the Tower, queued up and ready to go! The old folk tale feel of this trilogy is just a joy to listen to on audio!

REVIEW: The Real Wallis Simpson

The Real Wallis Simpson
Author: Anna Pasternak

The story of Wallis Simpson's infamous affair with the Prince of Wales in the 1930s that led to Edward VIII abdicating the throne after only 326 days as King of England has been told again and again. Simpson has been portrayed as everything from a gold digger to a whore to even a Nazi spy. Wallis Simpson was not a saint...she was a twice divorced American and an independent woman with a strong personality in a time where that was not fashionable. In The Real Wallis Simpson, Anna Pasternak strives to dig past gossip and media spin to get to the real woman. What was Wallis Simpson really like? Why did she get involved with Edward? Was their relationship really the romantic story it has been portrayed to be?

According to Pasternak, Wallis Simpson did not really want to marry the Prince of Wales. The situation got out of control and she was forced into a divorce and marriage she didn't really want. Pasternak, and other historians, now believe that the affair was pushed into marriage by the royal family and others because Edward's immature behavior, reckless spending, and lack of attention to responsibility made him a poor king. Getting him to abdicate and marry Wallis Simpson passed the crown on to his brother, who was a more stable choice. But, it left Wallis Simpson stuck.....she missed the husband she was forced to divorce and was forced into exile with an often moody, immature Edward.

Kinda changes the story a bit doesn't it?

I will admit I believed the decades of gossip. I always believed Simpson was a twice-divorced sex pot who set her eyes on the Prince and wheedled her way into his head til she got what she wanted. But after reading this book, I have to change my mind. I believe Simpson was flattered by the attention and liked the dinners, gifts, parties, and social position it gave her to be recognized as a friend/companion of the Prince of Wales. She expected the attention to continue until Edward got tired of her....then he would move on to another interest and she could return to her life and her marriage. But that didn't happen. Edward became obsessed with her....spending more and more money on her, demanding more and more of her time, calling multiple times a day, demanding her attention......   The situation rapidly got out of control, became a public scandal, and then there was no way for Wallis to get out of it. She played a game with very powerful people and she lost. It doesn't change the fact that she was willing to play the game....she was married,but carried on a very public relationship with Edward anyway. She loved the money and the social standing. So, she was no saint. But she wasn't a complete devil woman either. She was portrayed that way because at the time women were not supposed to be strong, intelligent, or independent.

I enjoyed this book. Pasternak definitely did a lot of in-depth research. She quotes news reports, personal letters, interviews with friends of Wallis, Edward and others, letters from government officials, royal letters and documents, etc. At one point she quotes a member of the royal family as saying that it wasn't Simpson they despised, but Edward.

So interesting! I'm going to read it a second time, and then re-watch some documentaries I've seen on the affair and the aftermath, and come out with a much more informed, fair opinion on Edward's abdication. I feel guilty for believing that Simpson was a horrid person who jumped above her class and nearly toppled the monarchy....that was unfair and uninformed. I'm not sure I'm willing to believe that Edward was a complete weak-willed, narcissistic ninny though until I read more and weigh out the facts. I do realize now that Simpson might have been a pawn in a much bigger game and didn't realize it until it was too late....then she had to follow through.

I'm definitely going to read more by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Spooky Libraries

Spooky Libraries
Author: Jessica Rudolph

Spooky Libraries is part of the Tiptoe Into Spooky Places Series. There are 16 books in the series, transporting kids to all sorts of scary places like mummy tombs, horrific hotels, and haunted locations. Fun! I love spooky stories....even children's stories....so when my library added this book, I just had to read it! I'm glad I did.

Each page is nicely illustrated with full color photos and artwork. The book is visually appealing so it might be a great book to entice reluctant readers to enjoy reading. In the back of the book is a glossary of ghostly terms used in the stories, a short bibliography, a suggested reading list and a weblink for kids who want to learn more about ghostly topics. This book -- and series -- could easily be used in a classroom as a writing prompt, group reading, solo reading or just a fun activity.

All of the stories are age appropriate for elementary to middle grade students. The stories are spooky but not overly scary.

I'm definitely going to read more in this series, and buy a book or two to send my grand kids at Halloween!

REVIEW: What Makes a Mammal a Mammal?

What Makes a Mammal a Mammal?
Author: Andi Cann

As a grandma, mom and former home-school teacher, I am always looking for great books for kids. I absolutely love the Animal Class series by Andi Cann! It combines age appropriate information and full-color photos to teach the different classes of animals.

What Makes a Mammal a Mammal is all about.....you guessed it....mammals!! I love the front cover....that goat is just too cute! Similar photos are sprinkled on every page....and will definitely draw the attention of even very young children. The information presented is completely age appropriate and simple.

This series could definitely be used in a preschool or elementary classroom or home-school. It would be nice supplementary reading for lessons on animals, or before a field trip to the zoo. Reluctant early readers would enjoy all the photos, and the pages use a nice big font and few words.

Great book! I'm going to buy this series for my youngest grandson. Right now he will love the pictures! Later he will learn all about the different kinds of animals!

Andi Cann has written many books for children. I'm sure I will be reviewing more by her as I search out interesting, great books for the grandkids!

REVIEW: Butterfly Boy

Butterfly Boy
Author: Mary Hiker

I love reading cozy mysteries set in Western NC where I live. :) Add in a cute dog plus an interesting mystery plot and I'm hooked! I think I have found a new favorite cozy series!

Butterfly Boy is the first book in the Avery Barks series. There are 10 books and a couple short stories in this series so far. Avery is a dog trainer and a search & rescue volunteer. Her best buddy is Chevy, her golden retriever.  In this first mystery, Avery & Chevy come across a dead body on her neighbor's property. That's bad enough....but add in the fact the dead man got her fired from her job and has her initials written on his forehead in sharpie marker.....   Avery might just be in hot water with local law enforcement!

I love Chevy's antics. He would rather chase butterflies and love everyone he sees rather than be trained as a SAR dog. Avery is a likable main character. She's an outdoor enthusiast and dog lover. She definitely uses her wits to get out of tough situations!

All in all, a cute, enjoyable cozy mystery! Butterfly Boy is a quick read at 69 pages, but that doesn't mean the story is rushed or simple. There's a lot packed into those 69 pages! The mystery isn't complex, but still enjoyable. I like the background theme of dog training and SAR. And I really love the Western NC setting! My favorite side character in this story has to be Charlie Ham -- the old man who is called Old Man Crash because he runs his truck into everything. Fences, parked cars....doesn't matter. Charlie drives into them. :) Made me smile.

Mary Hiker also writes the Shady Springs Mysteries and Miss Fortune series. I will definitely be reading more by this author! This first book was a fun, entertaining read! Plus what a cute cover! It's hard not to love a golden....even when he's only a character in a book! :)

REVIEW: This Fallen Prey

This Fallen Prey
Author: Kelley Armstrong

This Fallen Prey is the 3rd book in the Rockton series. I just love the premise of this series! Rockton is a town in the wilderness of Canada. It's completely off the grid...no outside communication, no power, no nonsense. Tucked into the dense forest and camouflaged so it can't be seen by passing airplanes, Rockton is perfect for people who want to -- or need to -- disappear for a few years. People pay the corporation that funds Rockton a lot of money for the privilege. Casey Duncan, a former detective and resident of Rockton, is concerned at the growing number of problematic residents the corporation is sending. Criminals, rapists.....and now....a serial killer. When an airplane lands unannounced at Rockton to dump off a suspected serial killer with instructions to keep him as a prisoner until further notice, it causes no end of worry and trouble for Casey, her sheriff boyfriend and the residents of Rockton.

I loved this book! I've enjoyed this entire series so far. Each book is better than the last. The action started right at the beginning of This Fallen Prey and kept going right up to the ending. Lots of suspense and twisty plot surprises, as usual.

I like Casey Duncan as a main character. She has flaws....she murdered a man in her past....but she works hard to help the residents of Rockton. Casey is intelligent, strong and feisty when necessary. She has to be to survive in Rockton!

I recommend reading this series in order to fully understand the plots and characters.

Great series! Moving on to the 4th book in the series, Watcher in the Woods. Can't wait to find out what the residents of Rockton will be facing next!

REVIEW: Cookin' the Books

Cookin' the Books
Author: Amy Patricia Meade

Letitia "Tish'' Tarragon is preparing to open her new business, a restaurant and catering business with a literary flair. Her first catering job is a last-minute one. She's hired to cater the Hobson Glen, VA annual library fundraiser. The caterer hired by director Binnie Broderick cancelled at the last minute. Tish has 3 weeks to plan and execute a 3-course meal and cocktails for 300+ guests. Turns out the meal executes the library director. Binnie Broderick drops dead, plopping face first into her plate of prime rib at the event. With her business and reputation on the line, Tish investigates to find out who offed the rude, unpopular library director.

This is a nice start to a new cozy mystery series. I like the characters and the background theme. I found myself wishing Cookin' the Books was a real restaurant! I love the idea of an eatery with a lending library on the front porch. Patrons can read while eating, and if they want to take the book home they can purchase it or leave a book on the shelf to replace it. Neat idea!! Some of the recipes and cakes described in the book sound so fun! I would love a catered dinner with courses like For Whom the Stuffed Bell Peppers Toll on the menu!! :)

The mystery moved along at a nice pace. There were plenty of quirky interesting characters and suspects. The ending wasn't a big surprise, but I liked that there was more to it than a melodramatic reveal and arrest scene. Cozies can get a bit tropey at the end sometimes....this one offered something a bit different.

I will definitely be reading more of this series! Amy Patricia Meade also writes the Marjorie McClelland series and several other books. I have her Rosie the Riveter mystery, Don't Die Under the Apple Tree, at the top of my TBR pile!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**