New Release! The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen ~ My Thoughts #TheWomenInWhite

Congratulation Sarah

on the recent release of

The Women in White!

 

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen

Mystery Thriller, Historical Fiction, 320 pages

Published August 4, 2026 by St. Martin's Press

The newest next thriller from #1 Bestselling Author Sarah Pekkanen combines a decades-old mystery with spine-tingling paranormal elements in this twisty novel of the seen and unseen.

Extrasensory perception.

The Gift.

A Sixth Sense.

Or something else….

In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history. 

Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet. Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? 

As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.

My thoughts about The Women in White ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"Riley, Present Day. Just before I knock on the door of the small brick house, I'm gripped by the skin-tingling sense I'm being watched."

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book. Sarah Pekkanen is a must-read author for me so I knew I'd be in for an exciting ride when I read this one. And it did not disappoint.

The Women in White takes place in dual timelines, the present and the mid-sixties. Riley answers an ad for a live-in position, assisting an elderly woman. What she didn't expect was a journey to help Betty find her friends from the past, when they were all the 'women in white'. 

Betty and three other women were part of parapsychology experiments performed in the 1960's. These women formed a deep bond with each other, until they disappeared from each other's lives. Riley embarks on a quest to reunite these women. Through the flashbacks, the reader relives the lives of these women and what they endured.

One thing that struck me the most was that experiments of these type actually did take place during that time. It was a bit shocking to me to know what these women and others went through, all in the name of science.

I loved The Women in White and I highly recommend it!

I received an eARC of The Women in White and this is my honest opinion.

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About the author

I'm a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 solo and coauthored books, including HOUSE OF GLASS, which is a Goodreads Choice award nominee and Amazon best book of the year.

My upcoming thriller, THE LOCKED WARD, is being hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."

I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I've also written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."

When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.

I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring! ~ Goodreads

Connect with Sarah

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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New Release! The Mountains We Call Home by Kim Michele Richardson ~ My Thoughts #TheMountainsWeCallHome

Congratulations Kim Michele

on the recent release of

The Mountains We Call Home!

The Mountains We Call Home: The Book Woman's Legacy by Kim Michele Richardson

(The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek #3)

Historical Fiction, 384 pages

Published April 21, 2026 by Sourcebooks Landmark

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek comes a triumphant tale of a librarian's fight to bring literacy to the prisons of Kentucky and the underserved neighborhoods of downtown Louisville, revealing a story of fierce love, quiet strength, and the healing power of books.

When Cussy Lovett, a Packhorse Librarian famed for bringing books to the people of Appalachia, is unjustly incarcerated, she finds a new calling as a prison librarian, bringing hope to downtrodden women and voiceless city residents alike, finding a home even while separated from those she loves. A vivid portrait of mid-century Kentucky, from the hills and hollers of Appalachia to a vibrant city neighborhood on the cusp of urban renewal, The Mountains We Call Home explores the effects of criminalization and incarceration on the poor and powerless, while tracing the societal consequences of fractured family bonds.

Gritty, heartbreaking, yet infused with hope, The Mountains We Call Home is an authentic American tale and a powerful testament of strength, survival, and the magic of the written word.

My thoughts about The Mountains We Call Home ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"Somewhere among the nestled fissures and cradling dark-blue bluffs, between towns such as Hazard, Hell-fer-Sartain, Kingdom Come, and Troublesome, comes the Book Woman."

This whole series is such an amazing set of stories. And now in The Mountains We Call Home, the reader is taken back to the strong and wonderful women that we met in the previous books. Book one is all about Cussy Lovett and her struggles to bring books to the people of Appalachia. Book two continues with her daughter, Honey, taking over the mission when her parents are thrown in jail. 

The Mountains We Call Home takes us back into Cussy's storyline, as she endures prison life and all that that has thrown at her. I didn't realize how much I missed being a part of her life until I started reading this book and it all came back to me. Cussy once again shows her resilience and strength as she endures the unthinkable, and just keeps going, never losing her beliefs and goals. 

The Mountains We Call Home is a beautifully written, heartwarming story about strong women and the lengths they will go to to overcome adversity. This is a must-read for all lovers of books and reading. I highly recommend it, as well as this whole series.

I received an ARC of The Mountains We Call Home from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of the book.

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About the author

The NEW YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kim Michele Richardson is a multiple-award winning author and has written five works of historical fiction, and a bestselling memoir.

Her critically acclaimed novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a DOLLY PARTON RECOMMENDED READ, a Goodreads Choice award nominee, and has earned the 2020 PBS Readers Choice, 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, Indie Next, SIBA, Forbes Best Historical Novel, Book-A-Million Best Fiction, and is an Oprah's Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection. It was inspired by the remarkable "blue people" of Kentucky, and the fierce, brave Packhorse Librarians who used the power of literacy to overcome bigotry, hate and fear during the Great Depression. The novel is taught widely in high schools and college classrooms.

Her fifth novel, The Book Woman’s Daughter, an instant NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY and INDIE NATIONAL bestseller, is both a stand-alone and sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

Kentucky-born native, Kim Michele Richardson, lives with her family in the Bluegrass State and is the founder of Shy Rabbit, a writer's residency scholarship. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Kim Michele

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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North of Tomboy by Julie A. Swanson ~ My Thoughts #NorthOfTomboy @GoSparkPress

North of Tomboy by Julie A. Swanson

Middle Grade, Queer, Fiction, 376 pages

Published September 2, 2025, by SparkPress

For fans of Kacen Callender, Lin Thompson, and Kyle Lukoff, comes a middle grade novel set in 1973 about a child who feels more boy than girl and is frustrated that people act blind to that when—aside for her stupid hair and clothes—it should be obvious!

Shy fourth grader Jess Jezowski turns the tables on her mom when she’s given yet another girly baby doll for Christmas. This time, instead of ignoring or destroying it, she transforms it into the boy she’s always wanted to be—a brave, funny little guy named Mickey. Making him talk, Jess finally lets the boy in her express himself.

But when Mickey evolves to become something more like an alter ego whose voice drowns out her own and the secret of him escapes the safety of her family, Jess realizes Mickey’s too limited and doesn’t allow the boy part of her a big enough presence in the world. She must find a way to blend him into her—so she can be that side of herself anywhere, around anyone.

Jess tries to wean herself from the crutch of Mickey’s loud, comical persona, and to get her family to forget about him, but she struggles to do both. What will it take for her to stop hiding behind Mickey and get people to see her for who she truly is? Based on the author’s experience growing up on Michigan’s rural Leelanau Peninsula in the ’70s, North of Tomboy includes artwork throughout.

My thoughts about North of Tomboy ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"On the day I was born, God made a mistake."

North of Tomboy gives the reader interesting and enlightening insight to the confusion experienced by most young people in their pre-teen and teen years. Trying to figure out their bodies, minds, and the hormones during that turbulent time isn't easy.

Jess sees herself differently from the way others around her perceive her. When she creates another persona in Mickey, she becomes very comfortable using his personality for a lot of the situations she finds herself in. Will she be able to move past this shield that she has created with Mickey to discover her own true self? 

North of Tomboy is the perfect read for young people who might be struggling with their identity and may help them realize that they are not alone in their struggles.

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Praise for North of Tomboy

". . . a powerful, tender portrait of early gender exploration and self-acceptance, interwoven with charming illustrations."—Readers' Favorite, 5-star review

"North of Tomboy is an engaging novel that reveals the inner world of a creative child who explores and learns to express her nonconforming gender identity."—Foreword Reviews

"An adolescent's struggle with identity makes for a smart, fascinating read."—Kirkus Reviews

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About the author

Julie Swanson grew up on Michigan's "Little Finger", the Leelanau Peninsula, where many of her stories are set, but has lived in Wisconsin, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, California, and Virginia. 

For the past twenty-five years she's lived in Charlottesville, VA. Julie writes middle grade and young adult novels and enjoys sports, the outdoors, "making things" (almost any type of art or craft, woodworking), reading, writing, eating, planting trees, and spending time with family. She suddenly has 6 grandchildren! Good thing she loves kids. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Julie

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

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New Release! Merry Everything by Joanne DeMaio ~ My Thoughts #MerryEverything

Congrats Joanne

on the recent release of

Merry Everything!

Merry Everything by Joanne DeMaio

Holiday Fiction, Christmas, 248 pages

Published October 1, 2025, by Joanne DeMaio

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes a much-anticipated holiday novel and love story to warm your heart.

“Enchanting.” “Delightful.” “Enthralls.” “Feel-good.” “Rich with nostalgia, like a black-and-white Christmas movie you look forward to viewing again and again.” USA Today, as well as one of the nation’s bestselling magazines—along with readers everywhere—know you can count on Joanne DeMaio for a New England Christmastime classic.

“Merry Christmas, Eddie.”

“Should we never meet again, Nora, merry everything.”

For Nora Chadwick and Eddie Alden, those parting words close out each holiday season. Seasons that run the gamut from comfort and joy to hurt and heartbreak. But their fond farewell prevails through it all. 

Set against the backdrop of a beautiful New England landmark, Merry Everything is inspired by an iconic Connecticut treasure. Nora and Eddie’s endearing love story not only brings this special place back to life—but also brings back the way life could (and used to) be.

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My thoughts about Merry Everything ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"Snow fell overnight. Not much, but enough."

I love Christmas stories. I totally enjoy this time of year, with all the new holiday books coming out. And I'm a huge fan of Joanne DeMaio's stories. Merry Everything is the best of both worlds!

Merry Everything has a nostalgic feel to it with the beautifully decorated department store, all of the Christmas decorations, the joy of the season, the friendliness and familiarity of the staff and customers, and the traditions. I really wanted to become a part of this world. 

Then throw in the friendship of Nora and Eddie. They see each other for two weeks every year when Eddie comes back the store to operate the store's old, manual elevator. See, there's that tradition I was talking about. Their deep friendship grows over the years, with Eddie watching Nora go through her good times and her bad times. For those two weeks each year, he is there for her.   

Merry Everything is a heartwarming, beautiful love story that I enjoyed immensely. I highly recommend it and you should definitely add it to your holiday reading list.

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About the author

Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea.

Joanne’s books include the New York Times Bestseller Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, the first in her ongoing and groundbreaking Seaside Saga. These eleven (and counting) novels journey with a group of beach friends, much the way a TV series does, continuing with the same cast of characters and their storylines from book-to-book.

Joanne’s winter novels have also received much acclaim. These heartwarming standalones are set in the same snowy New England town. Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes became a USA Today Bestseller, and has been featured in national magazines and Six Flags theme parks.

In addition, Joanne’s debut novel, Whole Latte Life, won first place in a competition at BookExpo America and was named a Kirkus Reviews Critics’ Pick. Her other novels have appeared in Redbook, First for Women magazine, Southern Living, USA Today and more. ~ Author's website

Connect with Joanne

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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New Release! Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby #SlashedBeauties @Allison_Rushby

 

Congrats A. Rushby

on recent release of

Slashed Beauties!

Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby

Horror, Historical Fiction, 384 pages

Published September 23, 2025, by Berkley

A gothic feminist body horror in two timelines revolving around three Anatomical Venuses—ultrarealistic wax figures of women—that come to life at night to murder men who have wronged them

Seoul, present day. Antiques dealer Alys’s task is nearly complete. She has at last secured Elizabeth, the third and final Anatomical Venus. Crafted in eighteenth-century London and modeled after real-life sex workers to entice male medical students, these eerie wax figures, known as slashed beauties, carry unsavory lore. Legend has it that the figures are bewitched, and come to life at night to murder men who have wronged them. Now Alys embarks for England, where she knows what she must sever her cursed connection to the Venuses once and for all.

London, 1763. Abandoned and penniless in Covent Garden, wide-eyed Eleanor and another young woman, Emily, are taken under the wing of beautiful and beguiling Elizabeth, one of the city’s most highly desired courtesans among the rich and powerful. But as Eleanor is seduced deeper into a web of money, materialism, and men, it seems that Elizabeth may not be the savior she appears to be.

As the timelines begin to intersect, it becomes clear that the women’s stories are linked in deeper, darker ways than it initially seems. And that the only method for Alys to end the witchcraft that binds her legacy is to gather all three models in one place and destroy them.

However, these haunted, murderous dolls might not be ready to burn.

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Praise for Slashed Beauties

"Rushby takes readers on a globe-trotting, timeline-straddling journey...brisk and entertaining... Rushby’s characters are richly realized, and she doesn’t shy away from depicting the high risk of their lives as sex workers or society’s cruelty and indifference toward women on the margins. Tense and fast-paced with refreshingly unique supernatural elements."—Publishers Weekly

"Slashed Beauties is the warped, witchy lovechild of Madame Tussaud and Jack the Ripper – an engrossing gothic tale of friendship, misogyny, and the murderous consequence of denying women's autonomy."—Ellie Marney, New York Times bestselling author of None Shall Sleep

"Utterly compelling from the first page to the final, shocking twist, Slashed Beauties is a darkly exquisite story that explores the corrosive effects of misogyny and the enduring power of female love."—Christine Wells, author of The Paris Gown

"An extraordinary tale. Slashed Beauties left me spellbound."—Emma Grey, author of Pictures of You

"Easily one of the best books I've read this year. Captivating from start to end and tells a haunting tale of feminine rage."—Abbie Eaton, author of Dragonhart

"Adored this gorgeous, sumptuously gothic feminist novel. Slashed Beauties moves from present-day Seoul to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens of Georgian London in a colourful riot that examines the macabre world of the anatomical Venus and the seedy underbelly of the modern-day antiques trade, with a dash of witchcraft thrown in. It's also about sisterhood, friendship and the ties that bind a beautifully-rendered love story that spans centuries. I loved it."—Emma Cowing, author of The Show Woman

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About the author

A. Rushby (also writing as Allison Rushby), was gifted the middle name of Jane, for Jane Austen. Wordsmithing was duly destined and, under several pseudonyms, she has published more than thirty books. She has long been a fan of cities steeped in history, wild, overgrown cemeteries, red brick Victorian museums, the curious and the uncanny. She prefers to write with a cup of French Earl Grey tea by her side and a cat curled up in her lap. ~ Goodreads

Connect with A. Rushby

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | X

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New Release! Hush by Joanne DeMaio ~ My Thoughts #Hush @JoanneDeMaio

Congrats Joanne

on the recent release of

Hush!

Hush by Joanne DeMaio

Series: The Seaside Saga #25

Women's Saga, 282 pages

Published August 4, by Joanne DeMaio

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes Hush, Book 25 of The Seaside Saga.

The whisper of dune grasses. The faint cry of gulls. The hiss of waves. In the New England beach town of Stony Point, there's an undeniable hush. Maybe it's because the summer people have left and many of the coastal cottages are shuttered for the season. Or maybe it's just because one tenacious lobsterman's stay is coming to a close. Regardless, there's a stillness in the salt air. But don't be fooled—all is not at ease.

And The Seaside Saga continues.

The Seaside Saga on Goodreads

The Seaside Saga on Amazon

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My thoughts about Hush ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"The dark night presses close. Outside the weathered cottage, a hitching autumn wind has kicked up."

Hush took me on another great visit to Stony Point as it gave my one more chance to catch up with the gang. They all truly have become to feel like friends.  

Each one of these installments is filled with so much love and so many emotions. I adore the level of support and respect that all of the neighbors have for one another. As Shane lives his last few days in the community, he discovers how deep these friendships have become. Can he really leave all that? 

As other members of Stony Point live their lives, making decisions and moving on, there is the beauty and calmness of the location and the healing beach that is always a character in the background. These books are a great form of escape for me as I immerse myself in the scenery and kindness of the community. 

I highly recommend Hush and this entire series. If you haven't read them yet, you need to get started with book one and catch up. Book #26, The Diner will be released in March of  2026!

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If you're new to The Seaside Saga, the reading order is below. Written like an ongoing TV show, it's a revolutionary series following the same tangled group of beach friends from book-to-book.

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About the author

Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea.

Joanne’s books include the New York Times Bestseller Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, the first in her ongoing and groundbreaking Seaside Saga. These eleven (and counting) novels journey with a group of beach friends, much the way a TV series does, continuing with the same cast of characters and their storylines from book-to-book.

Joanne’s winter novels have also received much acclaim. These heartwarming standalones are set in the same snowy New England town. Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes became a USA Today Bestseller, and has been featured in national magazines and Six Flags theme parks.

In addition, Joanne’s debut novel, Whole Latte Life, won first place in a competition at BookExpo America and was named a Kirkus Reviews Critics’ Pick. Her other novels have appeared in Redbook, First for Women magazine, Southern Living, USA Today and more. ~ Author's website

Connect with Joanne

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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New Release! My Twin in Budapest by Kim Cano ~ My Thoughts #MyTwinInBudapest @KimCano2

Congrats Kim

on the recent release of

My Twin in Budapest!

My Twin in Budapest by Kim Cano

Women's Friendship Fiction, 314 pages

Published July 8, 2025 by Kim Cano

An uplifting women's fiction novel full of romance, intrigue, and a vacation that shapes destiny.

After being dumped by her fiancé, heartbroken Morgan spends time with her best friend, Amanda, hoping to forget her troubles. While looking through old family photographs together, Morgan notices a picture of Amanda’s grandmother, Veronika. The woman looks just like her. Suddenly, meeting her becomes important. The only problem is that she lives overseas.

On a trip to Budapest, Morgan meets Veronika, who is now eighty years old. As the two women get to know each other, Veronika shares a secret with Morgan about a tragic romance that ended under mysterious circumstances. Discovering what happened becomes Morgan’s obsession. Veronika’s happiness is her number one goal. Morgan thinks that if she can fix Veronika’s life, there may be hope for her own.

    

My thoughts about My Twin in Budapest ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"The humiliation of the previous week had shaken Morgan. Every time she thought of what happened, her stomach lurched."

This story captured my heart from the very first chapter. 

Morgan and Amanda are the best of friends and are there for each other, no matter what. When they discover how much Morgan looks like Amanda's grandmother, a woman who lives in Budapest, and Morgan hears about her life, she just knows she has to meet her. As the women take a trip to Budapest to meet and reconnect with Veronika, I felt like I was traveling with them. I experienced the history, culture, and food right along with them. I loved every minute of my 'travels'. 

Morgan and Veronika share a special bond and Morgan does everything in her power to make sure that the older woman has a good, happy life from here on out. I also enjoyed the loving, warm relationships of all of the women in the story, again being there for one another, no matter what.

My Twin in Budapest is a beautiful story of strong women, heartbreak, romance, travel, history, reconciliation and so much more. I loved everything about it and highly recommend it

I received a copy of My Twin in Budapest from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Read Backstory of My Twin in Budapest on Kim's website to find out how this story came about. It really is fascinating.

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About the author

Kim Cano is the author of seven women's fiction novels: A Widow Redefined, On the Inside, Eighty and Out, His Secret Life, When the Time Is Right, The Healing Train, and My Twin in Budapest.

She writes emotionally charged book club reads about second chances, family life, and friendship.

Kim's novelette, The Rescue, is available for free on her website.

Connect with Kim

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

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New Release! Violet Is Blue by Anne Shaw Heinrich ~ My Thoughts #VioletIsBlue @svpublishing @booksforwardpr

Congratulations Anne

on the recent release of

Violet is Blue!

Violet is Blue by Anne Shaw Heinrich

(The Women of Paradise County #2)

Family Life Fiction, 292 pages

Published June 16, 2025 by Speaking Volumes LLC

Violet Sellers is blue, and for good reason. She’s repressing a shocking secret she won’t tell anyone, especially her comfortably middle-class parents. When she makes a new friend in school, Jules Marks, who lives on the “other side of the tracks” with his five little sisters, she is introduced to a dark world of self-abuse. 

As Violet learns about Jules and his shifty mother, Lee, she retreats further into her shell. Her parents, Gloria and Skip, are horrified and do their best to find out what happened to their adolescent daughter while bending over backward to keep the whole town from knowing their business. Jules has an aunt and uncle who know his desperate story, and they finally get a chance to free him and his sisters from a loveless world of poverty. 

Meanwhile, a spinster named Margaret Burns watches and waits. She knows all about redemption and she’s got a master plan up her sleeve. Margaret and most of the quirky characters in Violet is Blue eventually learn to dance between the worlds of the “haves” and the “have nots” in ways none of them ever anticipated.

Welcome to Book 2 in The Women of Paradise County Series.

My thoughts about Violet is Blue ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"If you are a stranger and you're lucky, this town will chew you up and spit you out. If you aren't lucky, you'll get stuck in its teeth or swallowed whole."

I fell in love with the quirky, dysfunctional characters I discovered in book one of this amazing series. And I was excited to go back and visit the community again. This story has plenty of drama and covers some hard topics but the strength and determination of the characters kept me going. 

Violet is Blue introduced my to a whole new set of characters while also throwing in visits from some of the people I met in the first book, God Bless the Child. I loved this overlap of storylines as I got a better feel for the whole town and its residents. 

While parts of this story were hard to read because of the trauma the characters were enduring, it was uplifting to see how the 'good guys' stepped up to help those in need. I will remember everyone from this story and I hope you fall in love with each of these unique characters like I did. 

Violet is Blue is book #2 in The Women of Paradise County series. I'm not sure if the author has more stories planned for the future but I sure hope so! I highly recommend it!

I received Violet is Blue from the publisher and this is my honest opinion of the book.

Book 1 of The Women of Paradise County series.

Read my thoughts here.

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About the author

Anne Shaw Heinrich has written features and marketing copy for newspapers, the health and nutrition industries, higher education and not-for-profit organizations. A graduate of Eureka college in Eureka, Illinois with an English degree, she previously served as the society and entertainment editor for a suburban Chicago newspaper. 

Besides reviewing local and national touring theater productions, she also interviewed celebrities such as Debbie Reynolds, Judy Collins, and Opera great, Beverly Sills. One of her essays, "Grandma's Big Secret" appeared in Marlo Thomas's book " The Right Words At The Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!" ( Published by Atria Books, 2006). 

In addition to her consulting work, Anne wrote a monthly column called " Small Talk" in the small town newspaper of Dwight Illinois, where she formally lived with her husband and three children. Anne has also contributed a chapter in " Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Cancer Book." 

Anne is currently working in the fundraising/public relations department for City Academy. A private school that admits under privileged students on full scholarship. Anne also has two completed rough draft novels waiting to be published and several side projects are always in the works. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Anne

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

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Release Day! ~ Every Little Thing by Kay Bratt ~ My Thoughts #EveryLittleThing @KayBratt

Happy Release Day!

Congrats Kay

on the release today of

Every  Little Thing!

Every Little Thing by Kay Bratt

(Hart's Ridge #12)

Saga Fiction, 263 pages

Published May 5, 2025 by Red Thread Publishing Group

A fairytale wedding in Mexico.

Everything is supposed to be perfect.

What could possibly go wrong?

When Taylor Gray and her family travel to Cabo San Lucas to celebrate a beachside wedding, it’s supposed to be a time of joy and reconnection. But the morning after the celebration, the bride is missing—and the only clues are discarded champagne glasses at the edge of a private plunge pool, and a trail gone cold in the sweltering sun.

Back home, Taylor’s sister Lucy is on her own journey—wandering the country on what she calls her "lost highway," trying to outrun the memories that haunt her and the voices she can't seem to silence. But the further she runs, the more the road seems to lead her right back to the very things she's trying to forget.

As Taylor works with local authorities and unravels a tangled web of secrets in paradise, Lucy begins to confront her past—and consider whether the path to healing might not be about escape, but finally facing the truth.

From the author of Hart’s Ridge comes a gripping twelfth installment that blends suspense, family, and heart in a story that proves every little thing matters—especially when everything is on the line.

Every Little Thing is book twelve of the bestselling Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series, written by Kay Bratt, million-copy best-selling author.

My thoughts about Every Little Thing ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"'Relax, said the night man, we are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave,' Sam sang softly into Taylor's ear."

Kay Bratt has done it again! This installment of her Hart's Ridge series blew me away. 

We've got two story lines going on here. First, there is the beautiful destination wedding that we become a part of, but you know since Taylor is there there is going to be a crime to solve. So along with all the loveliness of a wedding, we also get the drama and suspense that only Taylor can provide. And then we have Lucy's storyline. Poor Lucy, will anything ever work out in her life? She, and we, take a journey back to her past to try to make things right. 

The back and forth kept me enthralled and I devoured this story once I got it into my hands. I love this whole series and am always excited when the author drops a new one. I love all of the installments but this one just might be one of my favorites. 

I received an ARC of Every Little Thing from the author and this is my honest opinion.

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Read my thoughts about Hart's Ridge, Lucy in the Sky, In My Life, Borrowed Time, Instant Karma, Nobody Told Me, Hello Goodbye, Starting Over, Blackbird, Hello Little Girl, and So This is Christmas.

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About the author

Kay Bratt; Writer, Rescuer, Wanderer

As a writer, Kay used writing to help her navigate a tumultuous childhood, followed by a decade of abuse as an adult. After working her way through the hard years, Kay emerged a survivor and a pursuer of peace--and finally found the courage to share her stories. She is the author of more than a dozen full length books, with ten of those published by Lake Union Publishing. Kay writes women's fiction and historical fiction, and her books have fueled many exciting book club discussions. Her works have been translated into German, Korean, Chinese, Czechoslovakian, and Estonian.

As a rescuer, Kay currently focuses her efforts on animal rescue and is the Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. As a child advocate, she spent a number of years volunteering in a Chinese orphanage, as well as provided assistance for several nonprofit organizations that support children in China, including An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries. In the USA, she actively served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, and spear-headed numerous outreach programs for underprivileged children in the South Carolina area.

As a wanderer, Kay has lived in nearly three dozen different homes, on two continents and in states from coast to coast in the USA. She's traveled to Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Philippines, Central America, Bahamas, and Australia. Currently she and her soulmate of more than 25 years enjoy life in their forever home on the banks of Lake Hartwell in Georgia, USA.

Kay has been described as southern, spicy, and a little sassy. Social media forces her to overshare and you don't want to miss some of the antics that goes on with her and the Bratt Pack. 

Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and then buckle up and enjoy the ride. You can find a full list of her published works at www.kaybratt.com -- To be notified when new books are released, please sign up for my monthly email newsletter at www.kaybratt.com ~ Goodreads

Connect with Kay

Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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