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Operation Vanished by Helen C. Escott was a very well-written crime thriller set in Newfoundland. The lead character, RCMP Corporal Gail McNaughton, is given a stack of historic murder and missing person files from as early as the 1950s to investigate. As the new officer on the unit and a female to boot, we see the challenges Gail faces to prove herself capable in a male-dominated field. We also see the history of women’s rights under the law in this novel, with some fairy folklore thrown into the mix. I enjoyed the well-developed characters in this story and hope to see some of them again in future stories by Helen.

After several positive recommendations by friends and customers, I finally brought home a copy of Ami McKay’s Historical Fiction, debut novel, ‘The Birth House’. It took me a bit to get “into” the story, but somewhere around page 150, I was hooked and read the rest in one sitting. Ami describes a slice of time in rural Nova Scotia during the First World War, a time before electricity came to North Mountain when Midwives were sought after for not only ‘Catching Babies’, but for coughs, fevers, and other ailments. I liked how she included the very real events of the time including the Halifax Explosion, the Woman Suffrage Movement, and the Spanish Flu Outbreak. I adored the Occasional Knitters Society and how Ami told her story through not just the text, but letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles creating a scrapbook effect. As a scrapbooker, I found the back cover of the original Hardcovers very eye-catching.

For a person who has visited the museum now located at 221B Baker Street in London and who has hosted traditional British Roast Beef feasts with all the trimmings including Yorkshire pudding and boiled puddings with hard sauce, the Memoirs from Mrs. Hudson’s Kitchen was a fun read. I enjoyed the reprinted advertisements scattered throughout the book and the recounts of the Victorian England Era, from the railways to the coffee houses. I had forgotten how much I love bread pudding and now will have to try the recipe in the book.

Tim Covell's debut novel ‘Ocean’s Lure’ is a delightful Nova Scotia romance. Set in a campground in Cape Breton, the story brings to life a setting that entices you to want to pack up your camping gear and set your GPS for the Island. That is until you get to the part where a storm hits and the road washes out. I do love local stories that describe our beautiful province and Ocean’s Lure did not disappoint. With engaging characters and a strong female lead, Ocean’s Lure is a perfect summer read.

An epic and magical fantasy novel The Legends of the Tri-Gard Vol I-III by Michelle Bryan and Michelle Lynn was the perfect lockdown read. At 756 pages, it developed the perfect world to get lost into. With its well-developed characters, and various plot twists it kept the reader glued to its pages. I am definitely sliding this one onto my to-be re-read bookshelf. "emotion is not a weakness. When you cry, you’re showing the world your strength. When you love someone, you’re showing yourself your strength.” Pg 747

The middle-grade story, Secrets of Sable Island by Marcia Pierce Harding is an excellent historical fiction novel. Set in 1904 on an Island most famous for its wild horses and many shipwrecks, the story weaves truths, legends, and the superstitions of the time into a fictional coming of age story of Caleb, a 14-year-old boy who washes ashore after a storm. Injured with a broken leg and severe concussion, he is found by the great stallion Kull and then rescued by a man named Norse. During his long days of recovering, he learns the art of scrimshaw, carving on whale teeth from the skeletons that have washed ashore. I admit I had never heard of this art before and I love when I learn something new. The novel’s storyline is well developed and keeps you interested right to the end. This is the type of adventure story I would have loved to have read and re-read when I was a young teen. Horse lovers will especially love this book, but it would interest many others as well.

Another wonderfully written romance by Donna Alward containing all the elements expected in a second chance story. You have young love, old hurts, past mistakes and misunderstandings, some wasted years in the middle, then a reunion, love rekindled, communication, and forgiveness. Throw in 2 adorably cute kids and you have a great happily ever after, feel-good story. I am looking forward to reading another story written by Donna.