Tag Archives: #NetGalley

Reader’s Log 032: A New Year of Reading

Posted on by
5

This is going to be another fabulous year of great books coming out, reading and discovering new authors. I recently finished reading, “Every Precious and Fragile Thing” by Barbara Davis and it moved me so much that I’m still thinking about the story and getting teary eyed. My review will be posted closer to the publish date. I’m currently reading a couple others including, “Babylonia” by Costanza Casati and it is fabulous! I’m delighted to have discovered Casati’s work and look forward to seeing what she publishes next. I already have so much to say about the story, the time period and where the story takes place. Also, I should be posting my review of, “Sisters in Science” by Olivia Campbell soon. I’m a bit behind on that one because how important this story is and I want to make sure my review conveys the importance of women’s contribution to Science.

I know I said I was all set for the titles I was going to read and review this year but I can’t turn down invites to Random House and Atria books often. That is my excuse and I’m sticking to it. Ha!

The next Reader’s Log will be about the book I got for Christmas! Can’t wait to share! – Stephanie

Paris Undercover (A Wartime Story of Courage, Friendship, and Betrayal) by Matthew Goodman

Pub Date Feb 04 2025 by Random House Publishing Group

Description

Two women in Nazi-occupied Paris created a daring escape line that rescued dozens of Allied servicemen. With one still in a German prison camp, the other wrote a book about it—a memoir built on fabrications. Now the bestselling author of Eighty Days shares their incredible, never-before-told full story.

Etta Shiber and Kate Bonnefous are the unlikeliest of heroines: two seemingly ordinary women, an American widow and an English divorcée, living quietly together in Paris. Yet during the Nazi occupation, these two friends find themselves unexpectedly plunged into the whirlwind of history. With the help of a French country priest and others, they set out to rescue British and French soldiers trapped behind enemy lines—some of whom they daringly smuggle through Nazi checkpoints hidden inside the trunk of their car.

Ultimately the Gestapo captures them both. After eighteen months in prison, Etta is returned to the United States in a prisoner exchange. Back home, hoping to bring attention to her friend Kitty’s bravery, she publishes a memoir about their work. Paris-Underground becomes a publishing sensation and Etta a celebrity. Meanwhile Kate spends the rest of the war in a Nazi prison, entirely unaware of the book that has been written about her—and the deeds that have been claimed in her name.

In researching this story, Matthew Goodman uncovered military records and personal testimonies that reveal, for the first time, the shocking truth behind Etta’s memoir and the unexpected, far-reaching consequences of its publication. More than just a story of two women’s remarkable courage, Paris Undercover is a vivid, gripping account of deceit, betrayal, and personal redemption.

Letters from the Dead by Isabella Valeri

Pub Date May 27 2025 by Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books

General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

Description

This addictive debut novel takes us into an intoxicating world of old money, privilege, and family intrigue as a young heiress must return home from a decade-long exile to face the powerful enemies arrayed against her, including those within her own family.

For the first eleven years of her life, the precocious daughter of a great European family tracing its roots back more than fifteen generations, never set foot on land that her family didn’t own. Cloistered on a sprawling estate in the Alpine foothills, as the youngest sibling of her generation she has little knowledge of the dark forces gathering in the shadows to strike at her family. But, when her insatiable curiosity leads her to uncover a priceless text hidden hundreds of years before, she shines light into corners meant to be left in the dark and threatens to uncover secrets that could trigger an internecine battle for succession.

Then, with no warning or explanation, she is whisked away on a private jet and exiled to an elite but isolated all-girls boarding school in the United States. More than a decade later, now in her twenties, she finds her bank accounts abruptly frozen by her family. She is recalled from her affluent but empty existence abroad. Little does she know that her family has plans for her, including an arranged marriage. Worse, as she draws closer to discovering the horrific act that sent her into exile a decade before, and shadowy enemies close in on her family, she must face her most dangerous and powerful foe: her own father.

Book Review: The Last Room on the Left by Leah Konen

Posted on by
1

Expected publication January 14, 2025, by G.P. Putnam’s Sons

The Last Room on the Left is a darkly woven philological thriller that takes place in the mountains of the Catskills in New York during the winter and presents the reader with an immensely isolated, and claustrophobic setting.

The story is told in Kerry’s, Siobhan’s, and Allison’s point of view. Kerry- whose husband has left her because of her drinking problems and Kerry needing to finish writing a book due to a deadline- takes a job as caretaker at a motel. When she arrives, almost immediately, bizarre and creepy things start to happen. Not only that, she also discovers a dead and frozen body in the snow, and the mystery of who the victim is and what happened, begins to take shape, and unfold in the most astonishing way.

The reader quickly begins to doubt Kerry’s perspective due to alcohol and pills in the mix. As the story further escalates, all three of the women end up heavily drinking while emotions are running high. This highly charged element makes an interesting mix of dysfunction and drama among them to say the least.

The whole “feminist take on The Shining” by Stephen King mention as a “praiseworthy” comparison in the description of this book is quite a stretch. I did not see any sense of true feminism in this story whatsoever. If anything, there are few thoughts on two of the white males from two of the female’s perspective that are straight up assumptions at best. Not sure what Konen was trying to achieve with this. As for the comparison to “The Shining”, it isn’t in the least bit like it. There are literally zero supernatural elements, nor are the characters going totally mental in this story. Harsh, I know, but it is too glaring for me not to point out.

Despite my criticisms, Konen is a great storyteller, and I enjoyed this fast pace physiological thriller. There are a lot of twists and turns that leave the reader guessing as to what is really going on and there is suspense in all the right places. Everyone is a suspect and Konen did a terrific job in portraying that. An atmospheric, chilling and a perfect read to hunker down with during the winter season. 

I’ve rated this book 3 stars.

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC from the Publishers for an honest review. 

Side bar: In the beginning of November of last year, I blogged about differentiating between red herrings and explicit content for shock value or book sales in mystery-thrillers. I use this book as an example. You may want to check it out for further information about my thoughts on this book: Link HERE or you can search the title of the post:  Reader’s Log 023: Current Read and Difficult Passages

Book description from goodreads:

The caretaker at an isolated mountain hotel finds herself fighting for her life—and sanity—in this “twisty, addictive, feminist take on The Shining” (Andrea Bartz).

Kerry’s life is in shambles: Her husband has left her, her drinking habit has officially become a problem, and though the deadline for her big book deal—the one that was supposed to change everything—is looming, she can’t write a word. When she sees an ad for a caretaker position at a revitalized roadside motel in the Catskills, she jumps at the chance. It’s the perfect getaway to finish her book and start fresh.

But as she hunkers down in a blizzard, she spots something through the window: a pale arm peeking out from a heap of snow. Trapped in the mountains and alone with a dead, frozen body, Kerry must keep her head and make it out before the killer comes for her too. But is the deadly game of cat-and-mouse all in her mind? The body count begs to differ . . .

Book Review: Death Comes in Threes by Michael Jecks

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Reader’s Log 030: New Arc’s

Posted on by
Reply

Titles for 2025

The New Year is almost upon us and many book lovers are sharing their anticipated reads for 2025. That has always been hard for me to do since I’m a mood reader. That said, I usually have a list of projected titles I want to achieve. Do I read all the titles on my curated lists I select to read in a year? Err… Not usually but in my defense, the lists I make do help in regards to keeping track of the books I want to read whether it be sooner or later. There is also something so satisfying about making book lists. I may have shard these thoughts before.

Now when it comes to reviewing ARCs, organizing is key. I’m pretty much set on 2025 ARC’s and I’m looking forward to a new year of book reviewing, discovering new titles, reading and sharing them. Below are three new ARC’s I’ve recently obtained. Excited!

What are some of the titles you are looking forward to in the new year? Are you a NetGalley member? No? I highly recommend becoming one.

Stephanie  

Every Precious and Fragile Thing by Barbara Davis

Pub Date Feb 18 2025 by Lake Union Publishing

Description:

A mother and daughter try desperately to reconcile just as a decades-old secret threatens to shatter their relationship forever in this powerful story from the bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books.

For social worker Mallory Ward, working with at-risk youth is a calling. But when one of her clients is tragically killed, she finds herself at a crossroads. Despite long-held resentments toward her distant mother, Mallory retreats to her childhood home on the Rhode Island coast to contemplate her future. Instead, she’s confronted by her past, not only in the renewed tensions with her mother but in the unexpected appearance of a familiar face—and the wrenching losses that drove her away a decade ago.

Helen Ward’s home is filled with precious keepsakes from her patients, a testament to decades spent caring for the terminally ill. Her work has always come first, though, leaving little time to connect with her daughter. Over the years, the rift between them has become a chasm, so when Mallory appears unannounced, Helen sees it as an opportunity to repair their broken relationship.

But hidden among Helen’s mementos are the keys to her past…and a terrible secret that threatens to destroy the fragile new trust between them forever.

No Precious Truth by Chris Nickson

Pub Date Apr 01 2025 by Severn House

Description:

The first in a brand-new WWII historical thriller series introduces Sergeant Cathy Marsden – a female police officer working for the Special Investigation Branch – who risks her life to protect the city of Leeds from an escaped German spy!

Leeds, 1941. As the war rages across Europe, Police Sergeant Cathy Marsden’s life since she was seconded to the Special Investigation Branch has remained focused on deserters and home-front crimes. Until now.

Things take a chilling turn when Cathy’s civil servant brother, Dan, arrives from London with a dark secret: he is working for the XX Committee – a special MI5 unit set up to turn German spies into double agents. But one of these agents has escaped and is heading for Leeds, sent to destroy targets key to the war effort. Suddenly Cathy and the squad are plunged into an unfamiliar world of espionage and subterfuge.

With the fate of the country and the war in the balance, failure is not an option, and Cathy must risk everything, including her own life, to stop a spy.

Trust Me On This by Lauren Parvizi

Pub Date Apr 08 2025 by Lake Union Publishing

Description:

Two half-sisters on a road trip to see their dying father end up miles from where they expected in an emotional novel about secrets, forgiveness, and what it means to be family by the author of La Vie, According to Rose.

Zahra Starling and her younger half-sister, Aurora, have nothing in common. Not their childhoods or their personalities. And certainly not their outlooks. After a terrible loss, Zahra prefers the solitude of her LA kitchen to people, especially family. Bubbly Aurora, a rising Hollywood starlet, has everything she’s ever dreamed of, except a relationship with her sister.

Then comes a plea from their dying father, who wants both daughters by his side. He has a secret to share that’s been a long time coming.

It’s Zahra’s last chance to bring closure to the past, even if traumatic memories mean there’s no way she’s stepping foot on a plane. For Aurora, road-tripping to Seattle is the perfect escape and the chance to win over prickly Zahra.

What starts as a rough ride reopening old wounds evolves into something neither expects. When they finally reach their destination—and the truth that awaits them—the sisters will need each other like never before.

Book Review: Remember Me by Lesley Pearse

Posted on by
1

Pub Date Mar 18 2021 by Agora Books

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.

Book Review: The Perfect Ex-Wife by Winter K. Willis

Posted on by
2

A Psychological Thriller

Pub Date Dec 02, 2024, by Celestial Bear Publishing

Ramona plays second fiddle to Bradley’s ex-wife, Natasha, who went missing twelve years ago. No matter how hard Ramona tries to be the perfect wife and mother to Bradley and his teenage daughter, Allison, they can’t let go of the past. No matter how hard she tries to be a good mother to Allison, she always says or does the wrong thing, and Allison pushes her further away.

The day two police officers show up at their home to tell them they discovered remains of a woman believed to be Bradley’s Ex-Wife Natasha, they bring in Bradley for questioning and from there everything spirals out of control. Family secrets and betrayal reveal themselves in astonishing ways.  

The Perfect Ex-Wife is told from Natasha and Ramona’s points of view, and it certainly is a page turner from the start. This story touches on a few themes such as alcoholism, depression, adultery, obsession, erratic behavior, neglect, self-serving behavior and devastating consequences for one’s actions. I have to say obsession and desperation drives the plot of this story and the author brilliantly portrays these actions.

What fascinates me about psychological thrillers is exploration of what is reality or what is perceived to be reality in the minds of the characters. Perception is tricky when it comes to the human mind and how we see and experience the world around us and how we perceive other people’s speech, actions and motives. Our perception could easily be distorted, which may lead to serious and devastating consequences for oneself and others when acted upon. I thought a lot about this while reading this story which leads to the unreliable narrator. The characters’ credibility in the story becomes compromised by the ill choices they make due to their perception of reality and their own selfish wants. We see this abundantly with the characters in this story and it leaves you guessing what is true and what is false. The lines quickly blur as the story progresses and before you know it, things take a drastic turn to events.

What a thrilling and suspenseful story.

Stephanie

I obtained a galley copy from Celestial Bear Publishing through NetGalley for an honest review.

Reader’s Log 027: NetGalley

Posted on by
Reply

Recently, I’ve started back with book reviewing for publishers via invite through emails and on NetGalley. I also have a backlog of books to review, and I’ve worked on a system to get caught up on my backlog while reviewing ARCS (Advance Reader Copies). There are several reasons why I got behind, but the important thing is I’m catching up.

Firstly, I’m a mood reader so I need to factor in this while selecting the books I want to read and review. I also tend to read several books at once depending on the genre. I’ve been able to read like this for years now due to practice, focus and taking notes.

Secondly, keeping a reading journal, excel sheets and a schedule helps me stay on track. This also takes mindfulness to keep to this routine. Yes, sometimes I get off track because life happens. My reading journal is where I keep the list of books I’ve completed. I have separate notebooks for taking notes for drafting reviews. I also use a calendar book to keep track of when book reviews (other posts) are scheduled to go live on my website.

How I Use Excel for books to review:

I have two excel spread sheets to keep track of my NetGalley books to review. You can also keep track on the NetGalley site as well. They have it all set up for you. I’m using excel as well so I can group my current ARCS and Backlog. I limit how many I put on the spread sheets. This technique helps me from becoming overwhelmed with my backlog. Below is an example of how I group and select the next ones to read and review.

On this post I did not include the pub date and so forth. Which I have on the spread sheets. The books listed are the ones I need and want to have completed before June 2025. The completion is based on the ARCs and their publishing date and when they need to be turned in. After I have read and reviewed these books, I will add to the spread sheets the next group of books to work on. I’m currently averaging about 4 to 8 a month of books read and reviewed. Sometimes that number changes but I make sure that every week I’m turning in a review(s). Right now, I’m reading ARCs during the day and reading a book from my backlog late afternoon and evening.

Stephanie

ARCS (2024-June 2025):

1. Sisters in Science by Olivia – Campbell –Currently reading

2. Babylonia by Costanza Casati 

3. The Sinners All Bow by Kate Winkler Dawson – Currently reading

4. Death Comes in Three by Michael Jecks

5. The Garden by Nick Newman – Recently finished

6. We Are Made of Stars by Rochelle B. Weinstein – Finished reading yesterday

7. I died for Beauty by Amanda Flower – Almost finished reading

8. Murder at the Loch by Dee MacDonald

9. The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley    

10. The Secrets of Good People by Boo Walker 

11. The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb

12. Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson    

13. One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter

14. Nine Minutes Eleven Seconds by L.V. Pederson

15. Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay 

16. The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective by Sara Lodge –Book has been published. I received a review copy after the pub date.

Backlog:

1. Remember Me by Lesley Pearse

2. Mr. Campion’s Coven by Mike Ripley

3. The Eyes of the Queen by Oliver Clements

4. The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron

5. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

6. Our of the Rain by VC Andrews

7. The Midnight Watch by David Dyer

8. Greenwhich Park by Katherine Faulkner

9. The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gables

10.  A Scream in Soho by John G. Brandon

Already Scheduled Post Dates on Layered Pages: Book Reviews

This schedule is always being added to as I finish writing the posts and choosing a post date.

Book Review: The Perfect Ex-Wife by Winter K. Willis- Nov 25, 2025

Book Review: The Last Room on the Left by Leah Konen- Jan 4, 2025

Book Review: Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker- Feb 2, 2025

Book Review: The Garden by Nick Newman- Feb 10, 2025

Cover Crush: The Garden by Nick Newman

Posted on by
Reply

Whenever I come across a story that entails a walled garden, a boarded house, and eccentric siblings or people in general; I’ve got to check it out! I just hope it isn’t as dark and depressing as the last book I read and couldn’t finish.

Isn’t this book cover beautiful?!

I have an ARC of this book from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review. My review will probably be posted a week or two before the publishing date. –Stephanie

About the book:

Pub Date Feb 18 2025

PENGUIN GROUP Putnam

304 Pages

Description:

In a place and time unknown, two elderly sisters live in a walled garden, secluded from the outside world. Evelyn and Lily have only ever known each other. What was before the garden, they have forgotten; what lies beyond it, they do not know. Each day is spent in languid service to their home: tending the bees, planting the crops, and dutifully following the instructions of the almanac written by their mother.

When a nameless boy is found hiding in the boarded house at the center of their isolated grounds, their once-solitary lives are irrevocably disrupted. Who is he? Where did he come from? And most importantly, what does he want?

As suspicions gather and allegiances falter, Evelyn and Lily are forced to confront the dark truths about themselves, the garden, and the world as they’ve known.

Book Review: Heart of the Frontier

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Book Review: The Coldest Case by Tessa Wegert

Posted on by
Reply

Pub Date Nov 05 2024

Publishers: Severn House

There is so much to unpack with this story and while I can’t cover everything in this review, I’m just going to share a bit of an overview of some of my thoughts while reading the story.

Book Description:

News of a missing Instagram celebrity brings Senior Investigator Shana Merchant to a frozen island community of just eight people. When the visit turns deadly, her hunt for a killer collides with a cold case she’ll never forget . . .

It’s February in the Thousand Islands and, cut off from civilization by endless ice, eight people are overwintering on tiny, remote Running Pine. Six year-rounders, used to the hard work, isolation and freezing temperatures . . . and two newcomers: social-media stars Cary and Sylvie, whose account documenting their year on the island is garnering thousands of followers, and thousands of dollars’ worth of luxury gifts.

The long-term islanders will tell you Running Pine can be perilous – especially for city slickers who’ll do anything to get the perfect shot. So, when Cary doesn’t return from ice fishing one morning, his neighbors fear the worst.

With the clock ticking to find the missing influencer, a police team are dispatched to take the dangerous journey to the island . . . but Sylvie, his frantic partner, will only talk to one person: newlywed Senior Investigator Shana Merchant.

Where is Cary – and what is it that Sylvie’s not sharing? With aspects of the case reminding Shana of an unsolved homicide from her past that haunts her still, she risks her own safety to help. But little does she know that a storm is coming – and if she doesn’t solve both crimes soon, she may become the island’s next victim . . .

My Thoughts:

Imagine investigating a deadly crime on a secluded island during the harsh winter where a small group of people overwintering are tight knit and deeply rooted in the Islands history. Imagine trying to break a wall of ice-no pun intended- in solving a murder under those conditions. No one can be trusted, no one is safe, everyone is keeping secrets and it is cold. Bone chilling cold. Yeah, that makes a great story-line.

Author Tessa Wegert does a brilliant job weaving all the senses of seclusion with an apocalyptic feel at times. Blended with psychological elements of the small Island’s community heightens the intensity of how vulnerable everyone is on the Island. This would also be the case for Shana Merchant and her team as they investigate the crime. You experience that with the characters throughout the book-particularly as the situation escalates.  

Merchant’s backstory is an interesting one to say the least and this investigation is another test of her mental capabilities in solving the crime. I say this without reading the other books in the series, that is how well Wegert pens a good backstory.

This crime thriller takes dangerous conditions to a whole different level!

Stephanie Hopkins

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