Category Archives: book review

Book Review: The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell

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A Novel of the Brontës

Publish Date Sep 16 2025 by Regal House Publishing

In 1846 Yorkshire, the Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Anne, and Emily—navigate precarious lives marked by heartbreak and struggle. Charlotte faces rejection from the man she loves, while their blind father and troubled brother add to their burdens. Despite their immense talent, no one will publish their poetry or novels. Amidst this turmoil, Emily encounters a charming shepherd during her solitary walks on the moors, yet he remains unseen by anyone else.

After Emily’s untimely death, Charlotte—now a successful author with Jane Eyre—stumbles upon hidden letters and a mysterious map. As she stands on the brink of her own marriage, Charlotte is determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s secret relationship.

My thoughts:

The Bronte sister’s life is known to us yet still mysterious and their stories are timeless and evoke human emotions so raw and brilliantly expressed that it leaves the reader powerful and lasting impressions.

Despite their early education and talent, they were dealt hardships in their short lives. As children they were left much on their own because of their mother’s death in 1821 and the death of their elder sister’s Mary and Elizabeth. These sad circumstances left them to take care of each other.

As they grew older, their father Patrick Brontë eyes were failing him and with the potential threat of his income as a minster and rectory being taken from him and their brother Branwells inability to establish employment for various reasons, they faced homelessness or the workhouse.

Charlotte, the driving force to publish their writings, begins to seek a publisher for her work and encourages her sisters to do so as well.

Stephanie Cowell has masterfully written a story about the cherished Brontë’s adult life in Yorkshire and brilliantly weaves in a story of Emily meeting a mysterious man on one of her walks on the moors.

Cowell’s ability to take readers to time and place is truly wonderful and adsorbing. I couldn’t put this story down. I will certainly purchase a physical copy of this book when it comes out.

Stephanie

I have rated this book five stars

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley.

Book Review: The Lost Baker of Vienna: A Novel by Sharon Kurtzman

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Happy Publishing Day!      

Published by Pamela Dorman Books

About the Book:

In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig is reeling after the loss of her beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to her family during the war.

Vienna, 1946: Chana Rosenzweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and her younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn’t look like they’d imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe.

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father’s recipes. Soon, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. How will Chana balance her love of baking against her family’s need for security?

My thoughts:

It is not often I read an historical fiction story of the aftermath of in months or year post World War II. I wonder how often people think about the dangers the Jewish people still faced during that time or how they had to completely rebuild their lives. There is also the fact that they were at the mercy of the allied forces and not all of them were honorable people to say the least. The Lost Baker of Vienna focuses on what the Rosenzweigs’ family experienced during and after the war.  

The Lost Baker of Vienna is a dual timeline weaved with mystery, love, survival, loss, and rebuilding life after the horrors of war.

I was fully immersed in this story and the outcome. Wonderful character development and the author portrayed a realistic reality to the post war era. As I understand it, this story is inspired by her own family’s experience after the war which makes this story even more impactful.

I rated this book five stars.

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher for an honest review.

Book Review: One Little Lie by Colleen Coble

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Pelican Harbor #1

Publication Date: March 03, 2020

Christian Fiction| Mystery & Thrillers | Romance

When Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, there’s no time for an adjustment period. He is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, and Jane quickly realizes she’s facing someone out to destroy her father.

They escaped from a cult fifteen years ago, and Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is a well-known journalist who makes documentaries, and his sights are currently set on covering Jane’s career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid’s calm manner as he follows her around taping his documentary, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross.

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth.

My thoughts:

One Little Lie is the first book I have read written by Colleen Coble and I am happy to report I enjoyed this story. I love a good mystery that is a page turner and has you fully invested in the characters plight and the actions they take to right the situation they find themselves in. Those actions are not always the correct ones and that is par for the course when it comes to human nature and this story shows that. This story also shows how our past determines our choices in life in how we handle those choices. This story is faith based and gives a realistic picture of the struggles I mentioned above.

Out of all the characters relationships, I have to say Jane and her friend Olivia friendship touched me the most. Though Olivia was a side character, her gentle influence and support of Jane helps Jane through her process of healing from being in a cult and encouraging Jane to find true faith, healing, peace and reconciliation with God.

There are a few things left unanswered but I’m hoping to find those answers in the next book of this series.

If you are looking for a clean mystery with a great plot this one is for you!

Stephanie

The publishers recently made this book available on NetGalley again for review. I was delighted to read this book for an honest review.

Book Review: The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

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Publish Date Jun 10, 2025 by Tyndale House Publishers | Tyndale Fiction

Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance

About the Story:

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.

My Thoughts:

The Lawyer and the Laundress is a beautiful faith based, wholesome, clean story blended with history of the British colony in Canada, 1837.

There aren’t too many fiction stories I’ve read based in Canada so I was delighted to chose this story and I was not disappointed in the slightest. Christine Hill Suntz story flows really well and she pulls the reader in with her fantastic character development. After I read this story, I went to search for her other works and discovered that this is her debut novel. Her characters Sara, Sara’s grandma, James, and Evie now hold a special place in my heart and I felt such a deeply emotional tie to their story as if they were my own family. I wanted to reach out and protect them from danger. That means a lot when a story evokes such emotions. Be sure to have a tissue box next to you while reading this story!

Christine Hill Suntz is now one of my new favorite Christian writers and I look forward to reading more of her stories.

I rated this book five stars! If there was an option for ten stars I would rate it thus.

My thanks and appreciation to Tyndale House Publishers for a galley copy though NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie

Book Review: The Secrets of Good People by Boo Walker; Peggy Shainberg

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Pub Date Mar 18 2025 by Lake Union Publishing

On a tiny island off Paradiso, Florida, in 1970, neighbors gather to toast two new arrivals: shy Catherine and her taciturn husband, Dr. Frank Overbrook, who is taking over an old friend’s medical practice. It’s an intimate welcoming for the newlyweds, who have abandoned city life for swaying palms and an ocean breeze. But the morning after is anything but peaceful when Frank is found dead on the beach.

Detective Quentin Jones has his eyes on the island’s residents and the welcome party’s guest list. There’s the retiring doctor and host, as well as his nurse. Volatile marrieds Miriam and her husband, David, constantly at each other’s throats. The Carters, a strangely antisocial young couple. And Sylvie, a blind sculptor to whom Quentin lost his heart years ago.

But which one is a murderer? As the investigation unravels a close-knit group of friends, secrets are exposed—and more than one of them is worth killing for.

My thoughts:

I love a good mystery with all the right elements and this one is just the ticket. The story is compelling with intriguing and complex characters. Anyone of the people on the small island could have been the murderer and the motives are stacked high! Quentin Jones makes a great laid-back detective and completely unassuming with his breezy, casual Florida attire which helps him fit right in with the close-knit community.

I must confess I haven’t read stories by these authors before and what first caught my attention to the book was that it takes place in Florida-my home state. The premise sounded so intriguing and I wanted to know how the authors depict the setting for the story. Florida is an interesting place to say the least and what I mean by that is the people. I was thrilled that they chose the 1970s for this story because that period is still remnants of old Florida. If you’re not from Florida, you may not know what I’m talking about. Well, this story depicts a little of that and the small-town atmosphere of its native Floridians. I am pleased I chose this story and I found it engaging and the mystery had me guessing until the big reveal.

I rated this book four stars and I obtained a review copy from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

I must caution you, there is a little spice in this story. I did skip over it but luckily, the scene was brief. Also there is a little profanity but not so much that it overwhelming or on a whole lot of pages, thankfully.

Stephanie

Book Review: Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright

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Historical \ Fiction Christian \ Fiction

Expected publication August 12, 2025 by Tyndale

About the book:

Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage—and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home—Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive.

My thoughts:

Last Light over Galveston is a story of perseverance during the historic, deadly and catastrophic hurricane in Galveston, Texas in September of 1900. This story also touches on human greed, selfishness, and cruelty at the expense of others that people tend to look down on in life. What is even more maddening is how the people involved justified their corrupt actions. Jennifer Wright does a marvelous job at showing the realities of life that is too often overlooked in my opinion.

The main character Kathleen McDaniel is a person who -at all odds- breaks away from the cruelty of her situation in life and on doing so finds herself in greater danger as the storm hits land. I was completely immersed in her plight and I felt as I if was right beside her going through what she was going through.

I did know about this hurricane prior to reading this book but I didn’t know all the details and how bad it actually was. Once I finished this story, I did a bit of research and I was really struck more so on Wrights depiction of the storm and the period in which the events took place.

The author does a brilliant job at pulling in her readers and I highly recommend this story to all and I want to encourage everyone who read the book to embrace the message of this story with an open heart.

I rate this book five stars and my gratitude and thanks to the publisher for an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie

Book Review: The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans

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Publish Date June 24, 2025 by Poisoned Pen Press

Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers

Years after leaving home due to her father’s suffocating and oppressive treatment, Estella receives a phone call from Annie-her family’s housekeeper-that she must come home. Estella’s father has had a stroke that caused his death and her mother has gone missing. When she returns home, everything is disjointed and up in the air and she takes a teaching position at the college where her father influence was powerful to say the least. Not only that, their family house is celebrated throughout the decades and her Father’s library holds rare books that her father closely guards and with strict orders, Estella is not allowed to touch the books.

With her father’s death, her mother missing and the war that is raging on, Estella must figure out how she will support Annie, the house and the gorgeous land it sits on. The more she looks into her father’s and mother’s life, she realizes how much she doesn’t know about them and the secrets they have kept.

This Gothic tale of mystery, buried secrets, death, family and local town intrigue begins slowly and half way through the story, unfolds in a major way. I must confess, at first, I didn’t have high hope for this story but as the plot reveals itself, you have a better understanding of why the story starts out the way it does. It gave me a better understanding of the-bread crumbs-if you will- the author was dropping. You won’t be shown an explanation of why the story is called “The Dark Library” until the second half of the book and it is a shocker! I did not see that coming a mile away. The premise of this story is unique and the author sure can weave a story of intrigue and deceptive people that leaves you trusting no one. The ending does tie up loose ends the reader wonders about and I want to encourage readers who might be frustrated with the beginning to rally on. You won’t regret it.

A truly atmospheric story with Gothic themes, deadly secrets and twisty turns of events that has you racing to the end to discover the deceptions, truths and the fate of Estella and the people in her life.

I rated this book four stars and I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie

Book Review: The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley

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Publish date:  March 4, 2025 by Sourcebooks Landmark

1613:  King James – sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots – has unified both countries under one crown. But the death of his eldest son, Henry, has plunged the nation into mourning, as the rumors rise the prince was poisoned.

Andrew Logan’s heard the rumors, but he’s paid them little heed. As one of the King’s Messengers he has enough secrets to guard, including his own. In these perilous times, when the merest suggestion of witchcraft can see someone tortured and hanged, men like Andrew must hide well the fact they were born with the Sight.
 
He’ll need all his gifts, though, when the king sends Andrew north to find and arrest Sir David Murray, once Prince Henry’s trusted courtier, and bring him a prisoner to London to stand trial before the dreaded Star Chamber.
 
My thoughts:

In 1613, Andrew Logan- King James’s Messenger- is given the task of arresting David Murray and bringing him back to England to stand trial.

Logan is a man of duty while holding true to a moral compass and discipline despite the pressures and opinions from his peers. I began to see this about Logan early on and was curious on how this task at the King’s demand would play out. His convictions to do right by others at his own peril had me cheering for him. Without giving too much away, I will say that Logan exemplifies the best of what a king’s messenger ought to be.

I must confess it isn’t often I read historical fiction stories that take place in the 1700s regarding King James’s – sixth of Scotland court. What do I mean by that? I have read a couple books and articles about King James and there was always something about his character and ruling I disliked or mistrusted-if you will. I was curious on how Kersley would depict him and I was surprised-in a good way-by her characterization of him. It I how I imagined him to be.

For me, the story really took off when Logan and others began their dangerous journey to arrest Sir David Murray. The interactions and growing camaraderie between the characters made the story all the more praise worthy and heart-felt in my eyes.

I must confess, I had my doubts upfront about the theme of, “Born with the Sight.” Will it overpower the story? How will it be dealt with and weaved through the story and will it be heavy handed? Kearsley’s out depiction of the Sight was balanced and well-drawn out and I was quite relieved.

What a wonderfully woven historical story with a fantastic cast of characters and a suburb historically depiction of court life, perilous duty and adventure. This is my top favorites of Kersley’s work and seeing as I have been a bit critical of her stories in the past, I’m giving The King’s Messenger five stars.   

Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end. You won’t be disappointed and you will learn a few historical details that will enhance your thoughts on the story.  

Stephanie  

I received a review copy from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: Babylonia by Costanza Casati

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Pub Date Jan 14 2025 bySOURCEBOOKS Landmark

When NetGalley added, “Babylonia” by Costanza Casati and I read the description, I was completely elated and was thrilled to be accepted a review copy. I knew when I first discovered this story, it would be special. Casati did not disappoint.

Semiramis was orphaned as a baby and grew up in Mari, a village located in Eber-Nari. Her upbringing was wrought with abuse by her adopted- father who shepherd of the village-and the boys of the town. She longed to escape the cruelty of life she was given. When she is at a marriageable age, she has a chance of escape when Onnes- the new governor- of Eber-Nari arrives to her village. Onnes notices something in Semiramis that has captivated him and he wants her to become his wife. He takes her to the capital of the Assyrian empire-Kalhu-and she soon discovers her life in the capitol will not be as easy to say the least.

Semiramis’s ascent to a throne was extraordinary told and when she becomes entangled in a love triangle of two powerful men-her husband and the King-and experiences war, politics and betrayal, she must fight for very survival.

Casati leads the reader through the tragic events unfolding and to the rise of power Assyria’s one and only female ruler. The blend of mythology and the ancient world of Assyria empire and the interactions with other kingdoms including the Babylonians is stunningly and beautifully told. The reader is transported to time and place and your senses are heightened by the sights and sounds of the characters daily lives, past experiences and the wars they wage on each other. You feel the character’s depth in their journey of life, love and conflicts with each other.

My only problem with the story is that I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to read about Semiramis’s time as ruler. I rated this this story five stars.

I highly recommend the reader to read the author’s notes at the end. I will most assuredly be adding a physical copy to my book stacks.

My thanks to the publishers for an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie

Book Review: Death Comes in Threes by Michael Jecks

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Book 9 of A Bloody Mary Tudor Mystery

Pub Date Jan 07 by Severn House

Princess Elizabeth’s unlikely assassin finds himself on the hook for two murders in this light-hearted Tudor mystery series!

August, 1558. As London is bustling with growing trade from foreign lands, and Queen Mary’s health is once again a hot topic, Jack Blackjack has much to keep him busy. And that’s before his new tenant – a Dutch merchant – disappears under a cloud of suspicion, quickly presumed murdered, and Jack’s latest female companion’s body is found mere streets from her dwelling place.

People around Jack keep inconveniently getting murdered, and he seems to be the most likely culprit! With both the authorities and the unsavoury echelons of London on his tail, nowhere is safe for Jack to hide. He must go about proving his innocence – and uncovering the mirky truth – while ensuring he doesn’t find himself dancing the Tyburn jig!

The question is – can he rely on friends in high – and very low – places to get him out of this ever-increasing mess?

My thoughts:

I must caution you, stepping outside the door of your home and taking a stroll down the streets in 1558 London, may be at your peril. At least it is for Jack! How he manages to survive through the whole story is anyone’s guess. I would like to step inside the book and shake some sense into Jack.  Whichever way he seems to turn, he gets himself in a tight spot and also, he seems to have a knack at putting other lives in jeopardy. 

I enjoyed reading Jack’s adventures and his troubles he finds himself in is hilariously comical, and it is highly entertaining how others perceive the kind of man they believe Jack to be and when we read what Jack is thinking in the moment, it’s not like how others perceive him or is it? More times than not, the reader must discern if this was an actual character flaw in Jack or some clever ruse.

Jack is questioned or interrogated so many times, I don’t know how he keeps a clear mind with all his excuses. I couldn’t stop chuckling. My goodness! He says anything to just stay alive which is understandable in his situation.  

What a fun historical mystery!

I’ve rated this book four stars. Now I must read the other books in the series before this one. Stephanie Hopkins

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.