Book Review: Murder at the PTA (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #1) by Lee Hollis

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Murder at the PTA (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #1) by Lee Hollis is the first installment in the Maya and Sandra Mystery series, a cozy mystery series centered on private investigators. The story follows Sandra Wallage , the wife of a U.S. senator and the newly elected president of Portland High School’s PTA, who becomes the latest target of a vicious gossip website called Dirty Laundry . After a heated PTA meeting, Sandra crosses paths with Maya Kendrick , a private investigator who has uncovered the identity of the person behind the gossip site. When the two women attempt to confront the culprit, they instead discover a dead body. Was it really a suicide, or did someone have a motive for murder? I’m a longtime fan of books by Lee Hollis , which is actually the pen name for sibling writing duo Rick Copp and Holly Simason . They’ve written several cozy mystery series, and what I appreciate most about their books is that they aren’t overly kitschy, unlike some other cozy mysteries I’ve ...
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Book Review: Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac

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Book Review Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac Picture Book Children's Book

Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac and illustrated by Maja Kastelic is a children's picture book that has been translated by Olivia Hellewell.  The expected publication date is February 28, 2023.  This picture book is about a boy named Adam who travels with his circus family, but he doesn't like performing like the rest of his family.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the Advanced Readers Copy of Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac.  The title of the book and the cover art caught my attention.  I thought this might be a super cute book, and I'm always looking for books that I might be able to gift to friends and family with young children, so I was delighted to be able read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Let me begin by saying that the illustrations in Adam and His Tuba are fantastic.  I found myself drawn to the pictures and just staring at them . . . they were that intriguing.  The storyline was just as fantastic.  I loved that the story lets kids know that it's okay to be different from the rest of their family.  Even though I'm an adult, it really spoke to me because I remember feeling different from my cousins when I was a kid.  The only negative I have about this book is that a couple of the transitions were a bit rough.

Four out of five stars is what I give Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac.  It would be a great addition to any children's library and is perfect for children aged three through six.

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