Expected Publish Date: July 30, 2025by Story Architect
Exiled from his beloved Acadie in Canada, Bleu Galant has little on his mind but survival as the tumultuous French and Indian War comes to a close. When his journey to Virginia’s Rivanna River settlement takes an unexpected turn, he crosses paths with Brielle Farrow–a woman whose presence stirs something in him he cannot explain nor express. Unable to forget her, his decision to help her takes them across an ocean into a lavish world he’s never known. Will their intricate tie decide not only her fate but his future?
My thoughts:
I spotted this book from a reader I follow who shelved this book on goodreads. First, I must say I’m not into romance stories if they’re not considered closed door romance. Meaning where the you know what is off stage- if you will. So, I’m not sure about those details in this story. I would really like to find out more about the details before fully committing. That said, I’m intrigued with the premise, period of the story and I love the cover! I will be adding this one to my considering pile.
I tend to read multiple books at once due to my moods, what I’m studying or what I’m reading for pleasure. I know many say they can’t read like that but I’ve been able to do so for a long time now. Look at it this way, people usually watch multiple tv shows on a weekly basis and are able to keep up with the plots and characters without any problems. Taking notes or talking with a friend about what you’re reading is a good idea. I also like to go back a few pages sometimes to immerse myself back into the story. That said, if I’m really into a story and I don’t want to put it down or can’t wait to get back to it, I will focus on that story before moving on to the next one. I have finished a few books since the last time I blogged about books and I’m hoping to move on to a few books I’ve listed below.
I’ve had, “One Good Thing” by Georgia Hunter in my currently reading pile for quite a while now and haven’t been able to finish it. For some reason, I’m just not able to get into the story. Perhaps it is because I’ve read so many World War II stories and I’m experiencing burnout. That has happened to me before with this theme. I want to give the story a fair critique so I will be putting it aside temporary.
Side note: There are many books I’m using for study that I haven’t blogged about as of yet or I study and reference them on an ongoing basis.
Stephanie
The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman(I have an advance reader’s copy)
Pub Date Jul 29 2025
In rural 1930s Virginia, a young immigrant mother fights for her dignity and those she loves against America’s rising eugenics movement – when widespread support for policies of prejudice drove imprisonment and forced sterilizations based on class, race, disability, education, and country of origin – in this tragic and uplifting novel of social injustice, survival, and hope for readers of Susan Meissner, Kristin Hannah, and Christina Baker Kline.
When Lena Conti—a young, unwed mother—sees immigrant families being forcibly separated on Ellis Island, she vows not to let the officers take her two-year old daughter. But the inspection process is more rigorous than she imagined, and she is separated from her mother and teenage brother, who are labeled burdens to society, denied entry, and deported back to Germany. Now, alone but determined to give her daughter a better life after years of living in poverty and near starvation, she finds herself facing a future unlike anything she had envisioned.
Silas Wolfe, a widowed family relative, reluctantly brings Lena and her daughter to his weathered cabin in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to care for his home and children. Though the hills around Wolfe Hollow remind Lena of her homeland, she struggles to adjust. Worse, she is stunned to learn the children in her care have been taught to hide when the sheriff comes around. As Lena meets their neighbors, she realizes the community is vibrant and tight knit, but also senses growing unease. The State of Virginia is scheming to paint them as ignorant, immoral, and backwards so they can evict them from their land, seize children from parents, and deal with those possessing “inferior genes.”
After a social worker from the Eugenics Office accuses Lena of promiscuity and feeblemindedness, her own worst fears come true. Sent to the Virginia State Colony for the Feebleminded and Epileptics, Lena face impossible choices in hopes of reuniting with her daughter—and protecting the people, and the land, she has grown to love.
Children of the Book: A Memoir of Reading Together by Ilana Kurshan (I have an advance reader’s copy)
Pub Date Aug 26 2025
In Children of the Book, Ilana Kurshan explores the closeness forged when family life unfolds against a backdrop of reading together. Kurshan, a mother of five living in Jerusalem, at first struggles to balance her passion for literature with her responsibilities as a parent. Gradually she learns how to relate to reading not as a solitary pursuit and an escape from the messiness of life, but rather as a way of teaching independence and forging connection. Introducing her children to sacred and secular literature—including the beloved classics of her childhood—helps her become both a better mother and a better reader.
Chief among the books Kurshan reads with her children is the Five Books of Moses, known as the Torah, which Jews the world over read in synchrony as part of the liturgical cycle. In the five parts of this memoir, Kurshan explores the surprising resonances between the biblical text and her experiences as a mother and a reader – from the first picture books that create the world through language for little babies, to the moment our children begin reading on their own leaving us behind, atop the mountain, as they enter new lands without us. A testament to the enduring power of shared texts, Children of the Book celebrates the deep pleasures of books.
The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans(I have an advance reader’s copy)
Pub Date Jun 24 2025
Estella Ecker has returned to Rockfall House, the last place on earth she wants to be. Years after she ran away from her overbearing father, she has been forced back home to walk in his footsteps, teaching at the college he dominated and living in the fabulous home where he entertained artists and scholars for decades—and perhaps she owns it now, because her mercurial mother has disappeared. At the center of everything—the whispers, the rumors, the secrets—is her father’s library of rare books, which she had been forbidden to touch while he was alive to stop her.
Everyone in town is watching Estella, with her dead father’s name on their lips, and no one seems to care about her missing mother. Who were her parents, really, and is the answer hidden somewhere in the depths of Rockfall House? And who will Estella be, if she gathers enough courage to find that answer? What she will discover is that no one can escape the secrets hidden in this dark library.
Suspenseful and unsettling but ultimately triumphant, The Dark Library by acclaimed author Mary Anna Evans is a compelling tale of mystery, family secrets, and the quest for truth.
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.
Are you currently reading a historical fiction book? What is the title? Are you enjoying the story?
I’m currently reading, “The King’s Messenger” by Susanna Kearsley and it is fantastic so far! By the way, I LOVE the cover! I certainly have high hopes for this story. Kearsley’s depiction of King James character is very close to what I’ve imagined it to be by what I know of him through history books. I’ve been busy of late and haven’t had as much time for reading fiction as I would have liked but I’m playing catch-up this coming weekend. Excited! Lots of reviews to get out.
The next Historical Fiction book I plan on reading and reviewing is, Paris Undercover (A Wartime Story of Courage, Friendship, and Betrayal)by Matthew Goodman
Stephanie
The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley
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 rumours rise the prince was poisoned.
Andrew Logan’s heard the rumours, 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.
Amid the 1900 Galveston hurricane, one woman’s perseverance is tested in this captivating story from the author whose work has been called “intelligent and arresting” (Foreword Reviews) and “historical fiction as it is meant to be told” (Library Journal).
I walked until I could go no farther, until open water was all I could see.
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.
In the eighteenth-century England a fisherman’s daughter from Cornwall called Mary Broad was arrested for theft and was sentenced to be hung. Her sentence was commuted, and she was transported to Australia, where she and others on the ship were among the first convicts to arrive there. As the story continues, Mary is determined to escape the cruel and dire existence of the colony. Was she successful in her escape?
Based on a true story, Mary’s courage, endurance and grit to withstand the utter cruelty and inhumane conditions of her plight leaves the reader awe struck.
The author weaves an evocative and strong narrative, and the reader becomes acutely aware of the deplorable conditions endured in the ships holding as they make their way to the colony. Heart-wrenching and vivid, this story will stay with you for a very long time.
Stephanie Hopkins
I rated this book five stars.
I obtained a copy of this book from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.
Quite a few years ago now, I had the pleasure to interview and review about David Morrell’s Thomas De Quincey Trilogy. A few weeks ago, I was looking through my book stacks and came across paperback copies of his trilogy. I thought this would be a great story to read again and how it would be a great idea to re-post about his books and the interview I had with him, back in 2013. Gosh, has it really been that long ago since I interviewed David? Time flies! Morell’s Thomas De Quincey Trilogy is a fantastic read and perfect for the fall season to curl up with. By the way, did you know that Morrell is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone?
Stephanie
Murder as a Fine Art #1
Gaslit London is brought to its knees in David Morrell’s brilliant historical thriller.
Thomas De Quincey, infamous for his memoir ‘Confessions of an English Opium-Eater’, is the major suspect in a series of ferocious mass murders identical to ones that terrorized London forty-three years earlier.
The blueprint for the killings seems to be De Quincey’s essay “On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts.” Desperate to clear his name but crippled by opium addiction, De Quincey is aided by his devoted daughter Emily and a pair of determined Scotland Yard detectives.
In ‘Murder as a Fine Art’, David Morrell plucks De Quincey, Victorian London, and the Ratcliffe Highway murders from history. Fogbound streets become a battleground between a literary star and a brilliant murderer, whose lives are linked by secrets long buried but never forgotten.
The year is 1855. The Crimean War is raging. The incompetence of British commanders causes the fall of the English government. The Empire teeters. Amid this crisis comes opium-eater Thomas De Quincey, one of the most notorious and brilliant personalities of Victorian England. Along with his irrepressible daughter, Emily, and their Scotland Yard companions, Ryan and Becker, De Quincey finds himself confronted by an adversary who threatens the heart of the nation.
This killer targets members of the upper echelons of British society, leaving with each corpse the name of someone who previously attempted to kill Queen Victoria. The evidence indicates that the ultimate victim will be Victoria herself.
Thomas De Quincey is beginning to control his opium addiction when the excitement of his current case threatens to unravel his grip on reality once and for all. On their way home to the Lake District, the De Quinceys become unwitting witnesses to a truly historic murder: the first to take place on one of England’s newly constructed railways.
The railways changed everything in the Victorian era, transforming the English countryside, revolutionizing modern industry, and as the De Quinceys discover, providing the perfect escape. Giving chase in a cat-and-mouse game unlike any that have come before, the De Quinceys uncover a dangerous secret that reaches all levels of English society.
by Brittany Larsen, Jen Geigle Johnson, Jennie Hansen & Carolyn Twede Frank
Heart of the Frontier is a collection of western novellas written by four authors. Each story is about people or families from different places.
There are a few stories that would make a great full-length novel. Particularly, “The Gamble”, the first book in the collection was one I really wanted the story expanded on. The story has a great premise and plot. All of the stories in the book is wonderful and enjoyable to read. I truly didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did.
I appreciate the authors clean romance approach and their focus to the struggles of western frontier life.
I don’t typical read in the western romance genre but the book cover caught my eye, which lead me to find out about the stories. I’m delighted I chose this book and will be adding a physical copy to my book stack.
Below are brief descriptions of the stories.
Stephanie
Description
The Gamble
Brittany Larsen
British aristocrat Thomas Clayborne anticipated a grand adventure in America—but what he imagined is a far cry from the rough-and-tumble reality. When his journey West brings a bold young woman into his life, will he risk everything for true love?
Her Frontier Bandit
Jen Geigle Johnson
When Rebecca and her physician father relocate to a frontier town in desperate need of a doctor, Rebecca believes it will be an opportunity to mend her recently broken heart. But she quickly realizes that no matter how far she runs, true love always finds a way.
Sagebrush Sally
Jennie Hansen
English rose Sally is finding it difficult to bloom in the rugged wasteland of the West. But with two handsome cowboys vying for her affections, it seems that even amid cattle thieves and gunfights, the truest danger lies in losing her heart.
Celebration for Celia
Carolyn Twede Frank
Though Celia generally adores Fourth of July festivities, she finds herself weighed down by uncertainties that dim her anticipation of the holiday. Then fate brings into her life a dashing stranger who is determined to give Celia a celebration she’ll never forget.
Pub Date Jul 01 2021 by Covenant Communications
I obtained a reviewer copy from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.
This book is from my backlog list of books to read and review through NetGalley.
Acquiring books and reading them are entirely two different hobbies. I must say in the last few years, I have been working on curating my home library and working out what criteria I want to set to grow my stacks.
In this book stack series, I’m sharing books I’ve previously read and reviewed from NetGalley and want to obtain a physical copy for my home library.
I reviewed, “Good Time Coming” by C.S. Harris in September of 2016 and I was deeply moved by this story. I feel my review did not do the story justice and I want to go back and read it again to update my thoughts and to-of course-add a physical copy to my book stacks. Interestingly enough, ever since I’ve been on the lookout for the book at used bookstores and have never come across a copy. I have noticed-I’m not surprised-that there are a few readers that misunderstand the story and the author’s intentions in writing about the subject of what civilians in Mississippi went through during the war. Harris doesn’t leave any women out no matter their class, status in society, or age. What I mean to say is that there is a diversity of women in this book that are tied together by war, uncertain of their fate and the utter despair and savagery of war. Today many people still don’t want to address this part of the American Civil War because then it will force one to admit that we tend to look at things with prejudice. Harris is a brave woman to write this story and I admire her greatly for her spirit of persistence in bringing Good Timing Coming to the public.
Stephanie Hopkins
About the Book:
A powerful tale of the survival of the women and children left behind during the American Civil War by the author of the Sebastian St Cyr mysteries.”
It’s the beginning of the American Civil War and the Union army is sailing down the Mississippi, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The graceful river town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, has known little of the hardships, death, and destruction of the War. But with the fall of New Orleans, all changes. A Federal fleet appears on the Mississippi, and it isn’t long before the depredations and attacks begin.
For one Southern family the dark blue uniform of the Union army is not the only thing they fear. A young girl stops a vicious attack on her mother and the town must pull together to keep each other safe. But a cryptic message casts doubt amongst the town s folk. Is there a traitor in the town and can anybody be trusted?
Twelve-year-old Amrie and her family have never felt entirely accepted by their neighbors, due to their vocal abolitionist beliefs. But when Federal forces lay siege to the nearby strongholds of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the women and children of St. Francisville find themselves living in a no man’s land between two warring armies. Realizing they must overcome their differences and work together to survive, they soon discover strengths and abilities they never knew they possessed, and forge unexpected friendships.
As the violence in the area intensifies, Amrie comes to terms with her own capacity for violence and realizes that the capacity for evil exists within all of us. And when the discovery of a closely guarded secret brings the wrath of the Federal army down on St. Francisville, the women of St. Francisville, with whom Amrie and her mother have shared the war years many deprivations and traumas, now unite and risk their own lives to save them.
When I come across a book title with the word’s bookstore, bookseller, librarian or libraries, it is a sure bet I’m going to want to check it out and perhaps add it to my to-read pile. What is even more intriguing is that this story takes place during World War II in Lisbon. I can’t remember if I’ve read a historical story that takes place there. Isn’t the book cover nice? For those of you who are NetGalley members, this one is available to request a copy.
Stephanie
Description
In a glittering city of secrets and shadows, love is the most perilous gamble of all.
Lisbon 1943. As two American librarians are drawn into a city of dangerous subterfuge and unexpected love affairs, they are forced to choose between their missions and the men they love. Brimming with evocative writing and meticulous research, award-winning author Suzanne Nelson spins a web of secret aliases, sweeping romance, and great sacrifice. Inspired by real historical figures, this is the captivating story of two remarkable young women, their bravery and heartache, and a friendship that withstands the ravages of war.
With World War II raging across Europe, best friends Selene Delmont and Beatrice Sullivan are enlisted by the U.S. Intelligence Office and sent to Lisbon—a sparkling city and hotbed of trouble, harboring exiled royalty, hunted refugees, and spies trading double-edged secrets in seductively dark corners. In official capacity, librarians Selene and Bea have been recruited to catalog the vast mountain of information gathered by the Allies, but by night, both women are undercover agents tasked with infiltrating the Axis spy network.
Where Selene is confident and brash, Bea is bookish and careful. Selene longs to escape her family’s impossible expectations and embrace her independence, while all Bea wants is to heal from heartbreak and keep impulsive Selene out of trouble. But soon, both librarians are caught up in treacherous games of deception alongside two of Lisbon’s most notorious men—the outcast Portuguese baron, Luca Caldeira, and the lethal double-agent, Gable. As Selene charms her way through lavish ballrooms and fêtes with Luca, Bea is plunged into Gable’s shadowy underworld of informants.
Layered Pages 