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 »
Val’s Book Reviews Freddie: The Rescue Dog Who Rescued Me by Grant Hayter-Menzies Victoria: Heritage House, 2023 $24.95 / 9781772034615 Grant Hayter-Menzies has immortalized his beloved dog Freddie in this charming book. His tribute to a very special little dog is both poignant and insightful, showing us how much dogs can teach us about love.
Memoir of writer and companion Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews The Jazz Club Spy By Roberta Rich Toronto: Simon & Schuster Canada, 2023 $24.99 / 9781982187729 With her usual meticulous historical research and her incredible gift for storytelling, you always know you are in for a treat when you start reading one of Roberta Rich’s books. Her latest, The Jazz Club Spy
Cossacks, clairvoyance, and revenge Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Wild Horses Running Free by Linda L. Richards Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 2023 $24.95 / 9781459825598 “Everybody loves horses. The flowing mane and tail. Those big, lovely eyes and long elegant legs. Horses make us think of strength and speed and the sense of flight we can enjoy when we ride.” This
Relationship between humans and horses Read More »
Val’s Book Reviews Grounded by Granite: a memoir by Patti Shales Lefkos SilverStar Mountain: Loon Island Press, 2023 $27.62 / 9781999229825 Before I read Patti Shales Lefkos’ book Grounded by Granite, I decided to research the area known as the Canadian Shield in Ontario. That is where the author’s memoir takes place, and I admit
Out-of-doors at the Canadian Shield Read More »
