I'm a little bit late to the party today, but I didn't want to miss out on my favorite weekly blog event. This week's topic is a fun one, too: Top Ten Books With Honorifics in the Title (submitted by Joanne over at Portobello Book Blog). You don't find this trend much in my favorite genre (mystery/thriller), but it's more prevalent in my second fave (historical fiction). We'll see if I can come up with a list of ten. It's going to be a bit tough, methinks...

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.

1. Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce—I've already read this delightful historical novel about an advice columnist dispensing wisdom during World War II, but there are now a few sequels, the newest of which comes out in August. I need to reread this first installment and then continue with the series.  

2. A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant—The titular character of this mystery is a Jamaican nurse living in England who has many talents. She's working with a community of Black investors when a John Doe is discovered, a Bible verse the only clue as to what happened and whodunit. The discovery takes Miss Hortense back to her long-hidden past. It's up to her to solve the killing without destroying the life she's built in England in the process. 

3. Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Ella MacNeal—The first in a historical mystery series, this novel introduces Maggie Hope, a brilliant young woman who's as smart and capable as anyone in British intelligence. Because of her gender, the only job she's qualified for at No. 10 Downing Street is a typist. It's not long before her superiors recognize her real abilities and start giving her assignments that will put her and everyone she loves in grave danger.

4. The Last Grand Duchess by Bryn Turnbull—In this historical novel, the heartbreaking story of Russia's royal Romanov family is told through the eyes of Olga, one of Anastasia's sisters. 

5. Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd—Another series opener, this book features Lady Caroline, who's left penniless after her father's suspicious murder. She takes a position as a lady's maid in an odd household where suspicious things are happening, including the murder of a family member. Along with the lady of the house, Caroline investigates the murder.

6. The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé—As indicated by its title, this novel tells the story of Madeleine Talmage Force, the 17-year-old socialite who attracted the attention of 46-year-old, recently divorced John Jacob "Jack" Astor and married him in 1911. The scandal became the talk of the town. After honeymooning in Egypt, they boarded Titanic for their journey home, only to meet with disaster...

7. The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr—Screen legend Lena Browning is known for her glamorous Hollywood roles. No one knows the truth about her past as a Polish Jew who fought with the Resistance to take down the Nazis. When someone in her present threatens to expose her, everything—and everyone—she loves comes under threat. It's up to her to protect her family and her secrets.

8. The Lady and Her Quill by Ruth A. Casie—This historical mystery/romance features two feuding authors who are competing against each other in a challenge to determine who is the more talented writer and the more skilled detective.

9. Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin—The first in a new cozy series, this mystery introduces Kausar Khan who returns to Toronto after thirty years in order to help her daughter, who has been accused of murdering her hated landlord. Kausar soon discovers that the killing is only one of a number of crimes that have occurred lately in her old neighborhood. What is going on? She's determined to find out and clear her daughter's name in the process.

10. Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray—Frances Perkins was a formiddable woman who was determined to make a difference by enacting societal change. When she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a young lawyer with an outsized ego, she was not impressed. Unbeknownst to both of them, the two would form a powerful, unlikely partnership, one that would take them both to the White House. This novel tells Frances' story.

I had to repeat a few honorifics, but I made it to ten. Phew! Have you read any of these? Which titles with honorifics did you feature on your list today? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

So, it's summer and it is HOT.  Not just in Arizona for once, but everywhere.  How are you all doing?  Are you dying?  Are you lucky enough to have air conditioning or a pool or at least access to some cool water somewhere to keep you from melting?  I hope you're all doing okay.  I'm keeping cool with a/c and swimming while praying for rain to soak the drought- and wildfire-plagued American Southwest.  

I'm heading to Utah this week to celebrate the Fourth of July with my husband's side of the family.  I won't be back for next week's Top Ten Tuesday, so let me wish you an early Happy Fourth as well as a Happy TTT for July 6th.  Despite all of the problems and division that exist in the U.S. right now, I love my country and am grateful for the freedoms I enjoy here.  My ancestors came to this country centuries ago in search of religious freedom, better opportunities, fertile land, and the chance to pursue a grand new life.  I'm proud to be a descendant of these hopeful, hard-working immigrants.  My family's sacrifices, including military service in nearly every war, made it possible for me to be living the American Dream now.  For all that and more, I'm very grateful.  Happy Birthday, America!  Whatever you're doing to celebrate, have a safe, happy Fourth of July.

Enough chit chat, on to the books!  I feel like I've talked about nothing else lately but upcoming books that I'm excited to read.  Luckily, there are lots of them because today's TTT topic is:  Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2021.  Since I've already chatted about those I'm most excited about, I'm going to highlight some lesser-known titles that may not be widely known.  Do you have new releases you want to talk about?  Join the TTT fun by clicking on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

1.  Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson (available December 1, 2021)—Honestly, I've been sort of avoiding World War II books lately.  Still, it's a topic I'll always be interested in reading about.  This novel, about a woman who joins a special branch of the Coast Guard for single women and ends up helping to protect the First Lady from a nefarious plot against her, sounds compelling. 

2.  Orphans of the Storm by Celia Imrie (available December 14, 2021)—No matter how many Titanic books I read, I'll always want more!  The subject is just endlessly fascinating.  This novel concerns two women with big secrets whose lives will change forever because of the tragedy.

3.  Her Perfect Life by Hank Philippi Ryan (available September 14, 2021)—Television reporter Lily Atwood has such an enviable existence that her fans have gifted her with the hashtag #PerfectLily.  Her flawless image depends on concealing the devastating secret that only she knows.  When the anonymous source that feeds her tips hints that she knows what Lily's hiding, it turns Lily's perfect world completely upside-down.  She'll do anything to keep her secret hidden.  Anything.

4.  A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott (available October 5, 2021)—Lark highly recommends Scott's American Wonders series and I agree.  I'm halfway through the first installment, A Distance Too Grand, which I'm really enjoying.  I've got the second volume ready to go on my Kindle, so I'll be more than ready for this third book when it comes out in October.

5.  Where I Left Her by Amber Garza (available August 24, 2021)—This domestic drama has a simple, but chilling premise.  A mother drops her teenage daughter off for a sleepover with a friend whose parents she's never met before.  When Mom returns the next day, an elderly couple answers the door, insisting there are no teenage girls at their house and never have been.  Where are the girls?  As the frantic mom searches for her missing daughter, she uncovers a trail of lies left in the teenager's wake...Wow, I can't wait for this one!

6.  The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman (available September 28, 2021)—After enjoying The Thursday Murder Club, I'm excited for this sequel which has the retirement home gang solving more murders.  

7.  My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa (available September 14, 2021)—Ever since her adoption from a Sri Lankan orphanage, Paloma has led a very privileged life.  When she's cut off from her parents, however, she decides to sublet a room in her apartment in order to make money.  Arun, a recent immigrant from India, moves in.  He discovers a devastating secret about Paloma, but before she has a chance to confront him, she finds his dead body in the complex swimming pool.  When the police arrive, the body is gone, along with all evidence that Arun ever existed.  Is Paloma going crazy?  What is happening and does it tie back to her past in Sri Lanka?

8.  Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce (available August 10, 2021)—Dear Mrs. Bird is a rarity: a funny novel about World War II.  I enjoyed it immensely and am excited for this sequel, which concerns the challenges faced by female war workers. 

9.  Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day (available October 12, 2021)—I've enjoyed Rader-Day's thrillers, so I'm looking forward to this one, her first historical.  Another World War II novel, this one focuses on a disgraced nurse whose only chance at redemption is helping to care for British children who have been evacuated to Greenway, Agatha Christie's summer home.  Between the strange house, a mysterious co-worker, and rising war tensions, the last thing the nurse needs is a murdered corpse on her doorstep, but that's just what she's got.  Who killed the victim?  And why?  She needs to find answers in order to protect the children and herself.

10.  The Hidden Child by Louise Fein (available October 19, 2021)—Another historical, this one takes place in 1929 and revolves around Eleanor, a woman whose husband is heavily involved in the eugenics movement.  When their young daughter is diagnosed with a shameful disease—epilepsy—the couple vows to tell no one.  Then, Eleanor discovers the secrets her husband has been keeping, secrets that throw everything she thought she knew about him and his work into question.      

There you go, ten more upcoming releases I'm excited to read.  What do you think of my choices?  Which up-and-comers are you chomping at the bit to get your hands on?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. 

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Although Emmeline "Emmy" Lake does her part for the war effort by penning cheery, uplifting letters to her soldier fianceè and volunteering as a telephone operator at the local fire station, she longs to do more.  What the 22-year-old really yearns to be is one of the smart war correspondents who are always dashing about importantly.  When she spots a Help Wanted ad for a job at the newspaper, Emmy seizes the opportunity.  It's only belatedly that she realizes the position she has secured is not exactly what she had in mind.

As the new assistant to Henrietta Bird—a seasoned and formidable advice columnist—Emmy is tasked with screening the letters sent to her boss.  Mrs. Bird refuses to answer any that deal with Unpleasantness of any kind.  Although Emmy's supposed to dispose of such notes, her heart breaks over letters from desperate women asking for help with everything from unexpected pregnancy to worries about the war to relationship woes to menopause.  Knowing Mrs. Bird will never answer such queries, Emmy takes on the task herself, dispensing sage advice using her boss' name.  It doesn't take long for things to get more than a little messy.  In over her head, Emmy doesn't know what to do—confess what she's doing and lose her job or do only what she's being paid to do and let down panicked people in need of real help.  As her life slowly falls apart around her, Emmy must make some tough decisions, decisions that could cost her everything that's important to her.

Dear Mrs. Bird, a debut novel by A.J. Pearce, tells a funny, upbeat tale about the complications of ordinary life, especially during extraordinary times.  The cast features colorful, relatable characters who are easy to love and root for.  Although the plotline is lively and entertaining, Dear Mrs. Bird also features some poignant, heartbreaking scenes that remind the reader of its sobering WWII backdrop.  Overall, though, this is a delightful, uplifting story, one that makes for light-but-with-substance reading.  I loved it.

(Readalikes:  Reminds me a little of The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee, The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:  

for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and vague references to sex

To the FTC, with love:  I bought a copy of Dear Mrs. Bird from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger.  Ha ha.