The Inflammation Reset: The 28-Day Plan to Reduce Pain, Restore Energy, and Reverse Hidden Inflammation The Reset Series, Book 1 by Ron Yaffe

 The Inflammation Reset: The 28-Day Plan to Reduce Pain, Restore Energy, and Reverse Hidden Inflammation

The Reset Series, Book 1

by Ron Yaffe

Fatigued?  Achy? Brain fog? Weight you can’t lose? The culprit may be inflammation….inflammation that has been building up in the body for years. Inflammation caused by poor diet, stress, toxins, inadequate sleep. The author, a naturopath and functional medicine practitioner, explores the specifics that cause this inflammation and proposes a 28 day plant to reverse it. 

There are specific, realistic recommendations for reversing this trend.  I found the discussion of and plan for diet and exercise particularly instructive, as were the suggestions for specific blood tests to request from your physician.  Now, if only there were some magic to help improve poor sleep. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @victoryeditingngc for the DRC.

*****

Buddhist Practices for Calming Anxiety and Regulating Your Nervous System - Tim Desmond

 Buddhist Practices for Calming Anxiety and Regulating Your Nervous System

 Tim Desmond

Pub. Date: Jan. 12, 2027

This is a valuable introduction to some of the fundamental principles of Buddhism, particularly their relevance to managing anxiety. The concise chapters provide insights into understanding anxiety and practical techniques for dealing with it. 

What struck me while reading this was the overlap between some of the thoughts and practices proposed and the methods employed in cognitive psychology.  I intend to reread this book multiple times to fully grasp the processes and their practical applications. 

Thanks to @Netgally and @w.w.Norton for the DRC.

****

Arendal - Karl Ove Knausgård

 Arendal - Karl Ove Knausgård

Review to come

Her Lips are Sealed - Helen Phifer

 Her Lips are Sealed - Helen Phifer

Pub. Date: Sept. 28, 2026

A young woman living by herself is found murdered, her lips adorned with bright red lipstick. The killer leaves behind a chilling note warning of more victims to come, sealed with the imprint of the woman’s lips. When a second woman is found dead in a similar manner, with the same red lips and accompanying note, Detective Morgan Brookes and her colleagues are thrust into a race against time to uncover the culprit and prevent further deaths.

This is the nineteenth installment in the Morgan Brookes series, one of my must-read series. I’ve read most of them, and while each book contributes to the development of the recurring characters, this one could stand alone.

This is another of Helen Phifer’s engrossing, fast-paced, thrilling narratives. This was one time when I guessed the culprit right from the beginning, but that didn’t stop me from being glued to the story, unable to put it down. What truly resonates with me in this series is not only Madison’s capabilities and determination, but also her profound empathy. 

I enjoy the camaraderie and teasing relationships among her team. The tension of the case is balanced by moments of biting humor, adding depth to the narrative. Some new characters are introduced in this installment, and I hope to see them again in future episodes. 

This is a good series for fans of British police procedurals, mysteries, and thrillers, especially those that feature capable female detectives with amiable supporting characters.

****

This Door of the Seas - Val McDermid and Jo Sharp

 This Door of the Seas - Val McDermid and Jo Sharp

Pub. Date: Jan. 5, 2027

This is a fictional account of the Darién Scheme in 1698, which changed the course of Scottish history. Scotland was impoverished and famine-stricken. Word of a paradise at the junction between North and South America (present-day Panama) inspired the funding of five ships and 1,000 men to sail there to establish a trading colony. Unfortunately, the venture failed, with the majority of settlers dying and the dream abandoned.

Told in epistolary format, the story of the promise and the collapse unfolds through letters by Dr. James Wallace to his wife, Eliza, and to Geographer Royal Sir Robert Sibbald. Written by bestselling author Val McDermid and her partner, Geographer Royal Jo Sharp, this novella is well researched and a compelling read. 

The epistolary style was an excellent way to convey this account, which had a great impact on the history of Scotland, and of which I was unaware. The hope, the mishaps, the death and destruction, the relationships with England and Spain; it is all here, along with some interesting observations about slaves and indentured servants. This is a very worthwhile read. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @GroveAtlantic for the DRC.

****

Dina Gets Lucky - Uzma Jalaluddin

 Dina Gets Lucky - Uzma Jalaluddin

Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2026

Dina, Arshad, and Lucky are law students in Toronto. Lucky is in love with Dina, but too shy to speak up, so he asks Arshad to intercede. Arshad, having designs of his own on Dina, lies to Lucky, denying any interest on Dina’s part. Due to family circumstances, Lucky is forced to move to Chicago, where he must abandon law school and becomes a successful contractor.  Arshad marries Dina with designs on becoming a partner in her parents’ law firm.

Disgusted with Arshad after a few years of marriage, Dina divorces him but keeps it a secret, not wanting to disappoint her Islamic South Asian parents or interfere with her sister’s upcoming wedding. Much to her surprise, the wedding serves to reunite Dina with Lucky, and that attraction is still there. Will they have another chance at love?

This is a fun second-chance romance novel that features what has to be one of the most over-the-top wedding celebrations ever. It is a very entertaining read, with a look at the Desi culture in North America, showcasing delicious South Asian food and vibrant clothing.  There is a villain and a hero, chaos, family drama, some screwball comedy, and a somewhat satirical look at the world of influencers, of which Dina’s sister is one. While some readers may want to shake Dina into finally standing up for herself and coming clean with her family, I do understand her plight. 

Thanks to @NetGalley and @AmazonPublishing for the DRC.

****

Cragside - LJ Ross

 Cragside - LJ Ross

Pub. Date: Dec. 1, 2026

She read

This is the sixth in the DCI Ryan series. It was originally released in the UK in 2017, where it was a bestseller. A new release is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2026.

DCI Ryan and his fiancée are invited to a Victorian murder mystery party at Cragside, where they are temporarily living on the grounds. All goes well until the lights go out and the owner’s valet is found dead. Thought at first to be an accident, secrets from the valet’s life are revealed, and soon there is another dead body.

With an interesting plot and well-developed characters, this is an atmospheric and compelling read. I enjoyed the camaraderie and relationships among the members of Ryan’s team. They are characters to whom readers can connect. 

The setting becomes a character almost of its own. For those not familiar with the north of England, Cragside is a real Victorian mansion with a significant history in Northumberland. Now managed by the National Trust, the house and extensive grounds are open to the public for visits. 

The ending foreshadows some bumps in the road ahead for Ryan, and I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @PoisonedPenPress for the DRC.

****