Val’s Book Reviews The Imposter by Johanna Van Zanten Las Vegas: Histria Books, 2024 $29.99 / 9761592113767 Johanna Van Zanten has created an intriguing story spanning two World Wars in Europe in her second novel The Imposter. Like her first novel (Between a Rock and a Hard Place) The Imposter explores the overwhelming decisions that […]
The wars: before, between, after Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Let’s Eat: Recipes for Kids Who Cook by DL Acken and Aurelia Louvet Victoria: TouchWood Editions, 2023 $40 / 97817711514132 If you have been searching for a cookbook for your children, Let’s Eat – Recipes for Kids who Cook by DL (Danielle) Acken and Aurelia Louvet, is the one for you. These
Back to School Cookin’ Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Apocalypse Child: Surviving Doomsday and the Search for Identity at the End of the World by Carly Butler Qualicum Beach: Caitlin Press, 2024 Apocalypse Child is an unimaginable story that would be difficult to believe unless you knew that author Carly Butler had actually lived it and is now generously sharing her story with readers. Butler begins
Val’s Book Reviews High Society by Daniel Kalla Toronto: Simon & Schuster, 2024 $24.99 / 9781668053904 Once again, Vancouver author Daniel Kalla (Fit to Die) uses his expertise in the world of medicine to write an exhilarating psychological thriller. In High Society he looks into the volatile and controversial world of prescribed psychedelic drugs. His
Therapeutic psychedelics? Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Wildlife Congregations: A Priest’s Year of Gaggles, Colonies and Murders by the Salish Sea by Laurel Dykstra Surrey: Hancock House Publishers, 2024$24.95 / 9780888397539 [Editor’s Note: Laurel Dykstra is non-binary and uses they/them/their pronouns. This is accounted for in the following review.] Over one particular year, author Laurel Dykstra, a naturalist priest,
Encounters of a naturalist priest Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews The Time of My Life: Dirty Dancing by Andrea Warner Toronto: ECW Press, April 2024 $19.95 / 9781770417410 This small book by author Andrea Warner covers many important topics that are still relevant in today’s world. The author has told her own story, comparing it alongside the story in the movie Dirty
Magic from a Movie Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Love Naturally by Sophie Sullivan New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2024 $24.00 / 9781250875839 Love Naturally is a lighthearted, romantic romp between two people who are complete opposites. It is set at a wilderness resort in Michigan. Sophie Sullivan, the pen name of a Fraser Valley author (who’s written romantic comedies since
City girl + rough outdoors man = ♥︎♥︎♥︎ Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Call of the Void by J.T. Siemens Edmonton: NeWest Press, 2024 $22.95 / 9781774390863 A nimbly-paced mystery story, Call of the Void takes readers into the raw and dangerous work of a private investigator. Protagonist Sloane Donovan, an ex-cop with a questionable past, now works as a private investigator with her partner,
The missing and the dead Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews The Wickedest of Things by Russel Barrie Kamloops: Russel Barrie Books, 2023 $24.00 / 9781738060701 Seeing a strong opening line like “The first time Reid died it was downright embarrassing,” you imagine you’re in for an intriguing read. As you read on, you realize the protagonist Reid Sheraton is playing a video
AI and corporate intrigue Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Playing The Long Game: A Memoir by Christine Sinclair (with Stephen Brunt) Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2023 $23.00 / 9781039004627 Christine Sinclair admits at the beginning of her book that she rarely talks about herself because she is not comfortable doing so. She writes: “Talking about myself has never been something I’ve liked
A young woman from Burnaby Read More »
