Review of How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center is a fabulous book about finding hidden strength and hope within oneself when faced with tragedy and the loss of all things familiar. The future seems bright for Margaret. She is newly engaged and is about to embark on a lucrative career. All seems lost after a devastating accident but she realizes that she must persevere if she is ever to live a normal life. Once she begins to change her perspective, amazing things begin to happen. This book takes you through all the feels!


View all my reviews

Review of The Space Between by Dete Meserve

The Space Between by Dete Meserve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Space Between by Dete Meserve is an outstanding, out-of-this-world work of art! This book starts off with a bang and never slows down. Main character, Sarah, is an astronomer who returns home from a conference to find that her husband is missing and that security system footage of their home has been erased. Working with a colleague, she is able to recover snippets of footage that lead her to wonder just what kind of dealings her husband was involved in. This book will keep the reader guessing as to each character’s motivation and intentions. This one is not to be missed!


View all my reviews

Review of The Art of Inheriting Secrets by Barbara O'Neal

The Art of Inheriting Secrets: A Novel by Barbara O'Neal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Art of Inheriting Secrets by Barbara O’Neal is like the grown up version of The Secret Garden. O’Neal provides rich descriptions of the secret property that Olivia Shaw inherits from her mother. The property is an English estate shrouded in mystery. Olivia sifts through clues left behind by her mother in order to determine who was responsible for deaths that occurred on the estate decades ago, and what led her mother to America, and to never once discuss her past life with her daughter.


View all my reviews

Review of Fallout Girl (Hollywood Lights #5) by Katie Rose Guest Pryal

Fallout Girl by Katie Rose Guest Pryal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katie Rose Guest Pryal’s characters are mesmerizing! They are larger than life but have problems that make them so relatable to the reader. Guest Pryal is not afraid to delve into the darker side of the human condition, tackling topics such as suicide and bipolar disorder. I truly enjoyed this continuation of Miranda’s story. Brief mentions of situations that occurred in previous novels of the Hollywood Lights’ series guarantee that I will be reading the books that I have missed!


View all my reviews

Cover Reveal for The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

Publication: Fall 2018 Endeavour Quill

Genre: Historical Fiction

What would you do to possess the most coveted color in the world? The year is 1758, and a headstrong woman artist, 24-year-old Genevieve Planche, is caught up in a high-stakes race to discover the ultimate color, one that threatens to become as deadly as it is lucrative. When Genevieve's mission is complicated by her falling in love with the chemist behind the formula, she discovers the world of blue is filled with ruthless men and women and how high the stakes really are. The story sweeps readers from the worlds of the silk-weaving refugees of London’s Spitalfields and the luxury-obsessed drawing rooms of Grosvenor Square to the porcelain factory of Derby and, finally, magnificent Sevres Porcelain in the shadow of Versailles. And running through it all: the dangerous allure of the color blue.

"Bilyeau’s sumptuous tale of mystery and intrigue transports the reader into the heart of the 18th century porcelain trade—where the price of beauty was death"’ E.M. Powell, author of the Stanton & Barling medieval mystery series.

Praise for Nancy Bilyeau's Fiction

"Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal." —Review of The Crown published in Oprah, which made the book a pick of the month. "English history buffs and mystery fans alike will revel in Nancy Bilyeau's richly detailed sequel to The Crown." —Parade magazine review of The Chalice "The story in The Tapestry is fiction, but it is a sheer joy to have Henry’s court recreated with an eye to the reality of its venality, rather than the trendy Wolf Hall airbrushing of its violence and rapacity. The tone is always modern and light, but with none of the clumsy thigh-slapping faux period language. Bilyeau’s writing is effortless, vivid, gripping and poignant, bringing Tudor England to life with sparkling zest. If you want to see the Reformation from the side of the English people rather than the self-serving court, it is tough to do better than this trilogy." —Review of The Tapestry by Dominic Selwood, published in The Catholic Herald "As always, Bilyeau has done her historical homework, bringing the drama, and details of Henry VIII’s court to life. You’re basically watching the rise and fall of Catherine Howard, Thomas Cromwell, Walter Hungerford and Thomas Culpepper through Joanna’s eyes. Her private moments with the king were among my favorites in this book. This a true historical thriller. It’s a Tudor novel full of suspense, intrigue, brutality, and death. It’s a well researched page turner. If you’re looking for an exciting historical read, this will be on your list." —Review of The Tapestry by Sandra Alvarez for Medievalists.net “Nancy Bilyeau's passion for history infuses her books and transports us back to the dangerous world of Tudor England. Vivid characters and gripping plots are at the heart of this wonderful trilogy. Warmly recommended!” —Alison Weir, author of The Marriage Game: A Novel of Queen Elizabeth I and many bestsellers "Nancy Bilyeau's polished, inventive debut has all the ingredients of the best historical fiction: a broad cast of characters, well-imagined settings, and vivid story-telling... In Joanna Stafford, Bilyeau has given us a memorable character who is prepared to risk her life to save what she most values, while Stafford's desperate search for a lost religious relic will satisfy even the most ardent mystery fans." —Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of Witches

About the Author

Nancy Bilyeau has worked on the staffs of InStyle, DuJour, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Good Housekeeping. She is currently a regular contributor to Town & Country and the editor of the digital magazine The Big Thrill. Her screenplays have placed in several prominent industry competitions. Two scripts reached the semi-finalist round of the Nicholl Fellowships of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. A native of the Midwest, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. THE CROWN, her first novel and an Oprah pick, was published in 2012; the sequel, THE CHALICE, followed in 2013. The third in the trilogy, THE TAPESTRY, was published by Touchstone in 2015. The books have also been published by Orion in the UK and seven other countries. Nancy lives in New York City with her husband and two children. For more information, please visit Nancy Bilyeau's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Cover Reveal Schedule

Wednesday, May 16 Passages to the Past Clarissa Reads it All Just One More Chapter To Read, or Not to Read Oh, for the Hook of a Book! Thursday, May 17 Bri's Book Nook CelticLady's Reviews Kris Waldherr Books What Is That Book About Friday, May 18 A Book Geek The Lit Bitch Broken Teepee Saturday, May 19 Books and Glamour Writing the Renaissance So Many Books, So Little Time Sunday, May 20 Cup of Sensibility Kate Rock Lit Chick Teaser Addicts Book Blog Monday, May 21 The Maiden's Court SilverWoodSketches View from the Birdhouse Tuesday, May 22 100 Pages a Day Bibliophile Reviews History From a Woman's Perspective Wednesday, May 23 Pursuing Stacie Creating Herstory Donna's Book Blog Please add to your Goodreads shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40121191-the-blue

**GIVEAWAY** and Review of A Slave of the Shadows by Naomi Finley

A Slave of the Shadows by Naomi Finley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Slave of the Shadows by Naomi Finley is a fantabulous (yes, yes, I know this is not a real word!) read! I adored it and cannot wait for the other books in the series! Finley’s main character, Willow, and her new best friend, Whitney, are outrageous, audacious women on a mission to help mistreated slaves in the south where they live. Willow is also determined to find out more about her mother, who died when she was a child, whom no one is willing to speak of. There are several interesting side stories that I assume will come to fruition in Book 2, coming out in 2019. I was quite delighted with this read. Fans of Gone With the Wind will truly enjoy A Slave of the Shadows.


View all my reviews

A Slave of the Shadows by Naomi Finley

Publication Date: March 5, 2018

Huntson Press Inc.

eBook & Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

In 1850 Charleston, South Carolina, brutality and cruelty simmer just under the genteel surface of Southern society. In an era where ladies are considered mere property, beautiful and headstrong Willow Hendricks’ father has filled her life with turmoil, secrets, and lies. Her father rules her life until she finds a kindred spirit in spunky, outspoken Whitney Barry, a northerner from Boston. Together these Charleston belles are driven to take control of their own lives—and they are plunged into fear and chaos in their quest to fight for the rights of slaves. Against all odds, these feisty women fight to secure freedom and equality for those made powerless and persecuted by a supposedly superior race. Only when they’ve lost it all do they find a new beginning. Book 1 presents Willow and Whitney—and the reader—with the hardships the slaves endure at the hands of their white masters.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Chapters Indigo | iBooks | Kobo

About the Author

Naomi lives in Northern Alberta. Her love for travel means her suitcase is always on standby while she awaits her next plane ticket and adventure. Her love for history and the Deep South is driven by the several years she spent as a child living in a Tennessee plantation house. She comes from a family of six sisters. She married her high school sweetheart and has two teenage children and two dogs named Ginger and Snaps. Creativity and passion are the focus of her life. Apart from writing fiction, her interests include interior design, cooking new recipes, throwing lavish dinner parties, movies, health, and fitness. A Slave of the Shadows is her first novel. For more information, please visit Naomi Finley's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, April 23 Interview at Passages to the Past Tuesday, April 24 Excerpt at Donna's Book Blog Wednesday, April 25 Feature at Creating Herstory Friday, April 27 Interview at Maiden of the Pages Monday, April 30 Review at Books and Glamour Tuesday, May 1 Excerpt at Teaser Addicts Book Blog Thursday, May 3 Feature at Button Eyed Reader Friday, May 4 Feature at A Holland Reads Monday, May 7 Review at Pursuing Stacie Tuesday, May 8 Feature at Just One More Chapter Thursday, May 10 Excerpt at What Is That Book About Friday, May 11 Feature at Oh, for the Hook of a Book! Saturday, May 12 Review at Cup of Sensibility Monday, May 14 Review at A Chick Who Reads Wednesday, May 16 Review at So Many Books, So Little Time Review & Interview at Clarissa Reads it All Friday, May 18 Review at Nicole Evelina's Blog Tuesday, May 22 Review at Reviewing Nerds

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a Kindle Fire HD 8" 32GB & signed copy of A Slave of the Shadows! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on May 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to residents in the US/UK/Canada only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. A Slave of the Shadows

Review of Patricia Sand's Drawing Lessons

Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devastatingly tragic, yet beautifully hopeful. Patricia Sands’ novel Drawing Lessons is a story about a wife forced to face difficult circumstances. She has lost herself over the years, and gets the opportunity to attend an art course in Europe. There, she meets colorful characters and lets go of things beyond her control. She finds truth and hope in her art, and embarks on a new adventure. Sands’ characters are unique and inspiring, and her story gives the reader hope that happiness can, indeed, be found even when life’s curveballs attempt to thwart us.


View all my reviews

Review of The Widow's Watcher by Eliza Maxwell

The Widow's Watcher by Eliza Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jenna is flailing about in a life she no longer wants to live. When her car breaks down, she finds herself stuck in a small town, forced into close proximity with Lars, who has also suffered unimaginable loss. Jenna finds purpose again when Lars enlists her help in solving a decades old mystery. This was an endearing novel about the strength that can be found within oneself after suffering a great trauma. Fans of books by Barbara Claypole White and Catherine Ryan Hyde will enjoy this book.

View all my reviews

Review of Alice Feeney's Sometimes I Lie

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An intriguing psychological suspense novel, Alice Feeney's Sometimes I Lie is about a woman who is alert but in a coma. Her memories of what led to her situation are fragmented. Each character is suspicious in his or her own way, leaving the reader to guess whodunit. Fans of The Wife Between Us are bound to enjoy this novel, as well.

View all my reviews

Review of Ruth Ware's The Lying Game

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A psychological thriller about four women who reconvene a friendship after years apart in order to protect one another from the secrets of a weekend from their past. The setting is fabulously eerie, and the reader will be kept guessing until the very end. A great read in true Ruth Ware fashion!

View all my reviews

Review of Orly Konig's Carousel Beach

Carousel Beach by Orly Konig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A cannot-put-down read! This book is a rare and memorable treat. It has all of the elements of a great novel: a riveting plot, characters with whom the reader feels kindred, and a great love story! Konig's characters are quirky and realistic. Fans of Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher will fall in love with Carousel Beach!

View all my reviews

Review of Barbara Sissel's What LIes Below

What Lies Below by Barbara Taylor Sissel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What would you do if you had precognition, yet your power was not always right? And what you may know casts you under a web of suspicion? Barbara Sissel’s What Lies Below takes the reader on just such a psychological journey. Sissel skillfully creates memorable characters whose stories rivet the reader. I could not put this one down until I learned the truth behind the snippets of memories.


View all my reviews