A snowy afternoon, a cup of tea and a new book. Heaven on earth.

This is the story of a world that has all but been annihilated by wars and disease. The few remaining people have migrated to the Yukon and must use survival skills and endurance to stay alive in this rugged environment. Lynn McBride finds herself in the North with her mother and brother and a few other men.
The pace of the book effectively creates tension and suspense and keeps the reader totally committed.

This is the story of Mae and Gabe who grew up together in Alexandria Bay at Mae's grandparents' summer inn. During their teenage years, they became separated due to events beyond their control. Many years later, fate brings them back to Alexandria Bay and you will want to read this novel to discover all the secrets and mysteries that could again keep Mae and Gabe apart. This is a love story with much drama and suspense.

Paul Reeves, an immigration lawyer and antique New York maps collector, finds himself caught in the middle of the marriage of two of his neighbours. The story line winds around many turns and introduces several characters who get involved in this crumbling marriage, one way or another. Few will be standing at the end and the reader will get hooked into following who will do what to whom. A great read that does not disappoint.

This book is a prequel to Practical Magic. In the 1950s, Susanna Owens, a descendant of witches, moves to New York to raise her three children. It becomes obvious that Franny, Jet and Vincent cannot deny their heritage. The Rules of Magic is surreal and yet so real in many ways. It is a fairy tale for adults and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Well written and captivating.

The story begins with Oliver Ryan, a best-selling children's author, violently beating his wife. From that point on, the novel goes back in time. Unraveling Oliver peels back the layers of Oliver's life, leading up to the domestic violence, revealing how his life brought him to sink to such a level. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like reading psychological suspense. There is much to enjoy here. A captivating read.

This book deals with scientific data and personal research that prove over and over again how important kindness is to the quality of our lives. Kindness shown is kindness paid forward. Indifference does not enhance anyone's life. The author takes us on a step by step path to achieving kindness for ourselves and others. I highly recommend this book, especially in these troubled times.

Winter is the second of Ali Smith's seasonal quartet. What stood out was the cadence of the prose in Winter. It reads like a long poem, without chapters to distract the reader. I am intrigued with what the next season will bring.

The tension in this novel is evident from page one. The story becomes creepier from one page to the next. It is a difficult story to read, but read you must. It is a giant cringe-fest but you need to know what happens next. A fantastic psychological mystery and a great read. Highly recommended.