Super excited to welcome author Eva Stachniak to my blog via zoom today to discuss her historical novel and the research that went into it. Join us – even if you have not had a chance to read or finish her book.
3:00-4:30 PM EST.
Join My Zoom Meeting!
My Zoom Link Or Meeting ID: 398 022 7365
I am thrilled to be here today to write about Hester Fox’s newest historical novel: The Book of Thorns. I love Ms. Fox’s writing and this story was so interesting and compelling I could not put it down. I loved the historical setting but I also loved learning about different flowers and herbs. And what a beautiful cover!! I have added a photo of Hester Fox and I am always so impressed with authors that are SO amazing and are probably young enough that I could be their mother. Whether this is your first novel by this author or your latest, I think you will enjoy it!
Thank you for my copy through Net Galley and for making me part of the tour!
The Book of Thorns
Author: Hester Fox
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781525812019
Publisher: Graydon House, Trade paperback original
Price (US) $18.99
Buy Links: Not affiliated with BBNB
HarperCollins: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-book-of-thorns-hester-fox?variant=41079517413410
BookShop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/in-the-season-of-violets-original-hester-fox/20070119?ean=9781525812019
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-thorns-hester-fox/1143567257
Social Links:
Author site: https://hesterfox.com/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17440931.Hester_Fox
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hesterbfox?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hesterbfox/
Book Summary:
An enchanting tale of secrets, betrayal, and magic…
Penniless and stranded in France after a bid to escape her cruel uncle goes awry, Cornelia Shaw is far from the Parisian life of leisure she imagined. Desperate and lacking options, she allows herself to be recruited to Napoleon’s Grande Armée. As a naturalist, her near-magical ability to heal any wound with herbal mixtures invites awe amongst the soldiers…and suspicion. For behind Cornelia’s vast knowledge of the natural world is a secret she keeps hidden—the flowers speak to her through a mysterious connection she has felt since childhood. One that her mother taught her to heed, before she disappeared.
Then, as Napoleon’s army descends on Waterloo, the flowers sing to her of a startling revelation: a girl who bears a striking resemblance to Cornelia. A girl she almost remembers—her sister, lost long ago, who seems to share the same gifts. Determined to reunite with Lijsbeth despite being on opposite sides of the war, Cornelia is drawn into a whirlwind of betrayal, secrets, and lies. Brought together by fate and magic at the peak of the war, the sisters try to uncover the key to the source of the power that connects them as accusations of witchcraft swirl and threaten to destroy the very lives they’ve fought for.
“The Book of Thorns is a gentle, magical tale of hope and healing in the midst of war. Fox does not hide from the fact that for all the romance surrounding Bonaparte’s exploits, nobody who fought at Waterloo came out unscathed, whether they were breathing by battle’s end or not. But Fox also reminds us that, even in fields tilled by cavalry charges and fertilized with gunpowder, flowers can grow.” –BOOKPAGE
Author Bio:
Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. She is the author of such novels as The Witch of Willow Hall, A Lullaby for Witches, and The Last Heir to Blackwood Library. When not writing, Hester can be found exploring old cemeteries, enjoying a pastry and seasonal latte at a café, or scouring antique shops for old photographs to add to her collection. She lives in a small mill town in Massachusetts with her husband and their two children.
I’m super excited to share with readers the opportunity for a zoom book chat with author Eva Stachniak regarding her novel: The School of Mirrors.
Here’s the overview from Amazon:
“A riveting epic, keenly observed and shining with lush historical detail. You’ll never forget this journey.”–Cara Black, New York Times bestselling author of Three Hours in Paris
“A sweeping tale of tumult and tragedy— intricate, absorbing, and impeccably depicted, The School of Mirrors will linger in your imagination long after you turn the last page.”–Ann Mah, bestselling author of Jacqueline in Paris
A scintillating, gorgeously written historical novel about a mother and a daughter in eighteenth-century France, beginning with decadence and palace intrigue at Versailles and ending in an explosive new era of revolution.
During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals, and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries.
Beautiful and canny Veronique arrives at the school of mirrors and quickly becomes a favorite of the King. But when she discovers her lover’s true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. There is no return to the School of Mirrors.
This is also the story of the King’s daughter by Veronique—Marie-Louise. Well-provided for in a comfortable home, Marie-Louise has never known her mother, let alone her father. Capable and intelligent, she discovers a passion for healing and science, and becomes an accredited midwife, one of the few reputable careers for women like her. But eventually Veronique comes back into her daughter’s life, bringing with her the secret of Marie-Louise’s birth. But the new King—Louis XVI—is teetering on his throne and it’s a volatile time in France…and those with royal relatives must mind their step very carefully.
I’m reading it now and I love love love historical fiction!
Here’s the scoop on the book chat:
WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2024
WHERE: My Zoom
TIME: 3:00-4:30 EST
HOW DO I REGISTER?: please email me at bethsbooknookblog@yahoo.com and I will email the zoom link the week of the event. Or if you follow me on Facebook (Beth’s Book Nook Blog) I will post the link there as well.
Today I’m dishing about Tarryn Fisher’s latest suspenseful thriller Good Half Gone, a story about a young woman whose twin was abducted and trafficked when they were teens. Needless to say this is heavy stuff and disturbing, but the story is told mostly in the present, roughly ten years later, with flashbacks of memory as opposed to in real time once Piper is taken. Still, good to know in advance if you find reading about these topics disturbing.
Here’s the scoop: (and can I say I love this cover??)
GOOD HALF GONE
Author: Tarryn Fisher
ISBN: 9781525804885
Publication Date: March 19, 2024
Publisher: Graydon House
18.99 US | 23.99 CAN
Buy Links: NOT affiliated with BBNB
Social Links:
Author Bio:
Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nine novels. Born a sun hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington, with her children, husband, and psychotic husky. She loves connecting with her readers on Instagram. (note from Beth: I had a husky for many years that I adored and would love to see a picture of Ms. Fisher’s!)
Book Summary:
Iris Walsh saw her twin sister Piper get kidnapped—so why does no one believe her?
Iris narrowly escaped her pretty, popular twin sister’s fate as a teen—kidnapped and trafficked and long gone before the cops agreed to investigate. Months later, Piper’s newborn son Callum was dropped on their estranged mother’s doorstep in the dead of night, with a note in Piper’s handwriting signed simply, Twin.
As an adult, Iris wants one thing—proof. Because she knows exactly who took Piper all those years ago, and she has a pretty good idea of who Callum’s father is. She just has to get close enough to prove it. And if the police won’t help, she’ll just have to do it her own way–by interning at the isolated Shoal Island Hospital for the criminally insane, where her target is kept under lock and key. Iris soon realizes that something sinister is bubbling beneath the surface of the Shoal, and that the patients aren’t the only ones being observed…
There’s a lot going on in this book and the ending made me think “Netflix limited series, please!”. It definitely kept my interest!
Thank you for my review copy and for having me as part of the tour!
I’m excited to be part of the Harper-Collins blog tour for The Day Tripper by James Goodhand – a novel of time travel and (possible) redemption. If you know me, you know I’ve been obsessed with time travel since I was a little girl and I love stories that focus on this theme. What if we could travel in time? How can our actions affect our outcomes? What can we learn about ourselves? I cannot say too much about the plot without giving spoilers, but suffice it to say that if you enjoy reading and thinking about this type of thing – this is a great choice for you!
Here’s the scoop:
The Day Tripper
Author: James Goodhand
Publication Date: March 19, 2024
ISBN: 978-0778369646
Hardcover
Publisher: MIRA
Price $28.99
Buy Links: NOT affiliated with BBNB
HarperCollins: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-day-tripper-james-goodhand
BookShop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/alex-dean-unplugged-original-james-goodhand/20083933?ean=9780778369646
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-day-tripper-james-goodhand/1143567258
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Day-Tripper-Novel-James-Goodhand/dp/0778369641/
Social Links:
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19321245.James_Goodhand
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodhand_james?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.goodhand/
Book Summary:
What if you lived your days out of order?
It’s 1995, and twenty-year-old Alex Dean has it all: a spot at Cambridge University next year, the love of an amazing woman named Holly and all the time in the world ahead of him. That is until a brutal encounter with a ghost from his past sees him beaten, battered and almost drowning in the Thames.
He wakes the next day to find he’s in a messy, derelict room he’s never seen before, in grimy clothes he doesn’t recognize, with no idea of how he got there. A glimpse in the mirror tells him he’s older—much older—and has been living a hard life, his features ravaged by time and poor decisions. He snatches a newspaper and finds it’s 2010—fifteen years since the fight.
After finally drifting off to sleep, Alex wakes the following morning to find it’s now 2019, another nine years later. But the next day, it’s 1999. Never knowing which day is coming, he begins to piece together what happens in his life after that fateful night by the river.
Why does his life look nothing like he thought it would? What about Cambridge, and Holly? In this page-turning adventure, Alex must navigate his way through the years to learn that small actions have untold impact, even in a life lived out of order. And that might be all he needs to save the people he loves and, equally importantly, himself.
Named a Most Anticipated Title by Goodreads, Men’s Health, BookBub, and more
“Witty and wise, THE DAY TRIPPER had me pulling for Alex through all of his mixed up days. James Goodhand brings a fun, fresh voice to the time travel genre in this gem of a novel. I loved it!” —Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures
“A compelling look at the way decisions, good and bad, build up over time to create a life.” –Library Journal
“A page-turner.” -BOOKLIST
“James Goodhand takes the time-travel genre and reshapes it into something wonderful. A tender, compulsive, miracle of a love story.” —Adam Simcox, author of The Dying Squad Trilogy
Author Bio: James Goodhand has written two YA novels. His YA debut, Last Lesson, was called “a powerfully charged study in empathy,” by the Financial Times. THE DAY TRIPPER is his adult debut. He lives in England with his wife and young son.
Thank you for my copy and for making me part of the tour!
I just finished reading this amazing new book by Ariel Lawhon and it is destined to be one of my top picks of 2024. When I first started this novel, I thought “this feels SO familiar” and I was reminded of Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s book about a midwife’s diary from the 1700’s in Maine (A Midwife’s Tale, which won the Pulitzer in 1991). This is the same Martha Ballard, but Ms. Lawhon has taken the facts of the diary and written a story around them, making it a true gem of historical fiction.
Here’s the scoop:
GMA BOOK CLUB PICK • AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR • From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.
“Fans of Outlander’s Claire Fraser will enjoy Lawhon’s Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent. . . impressive.”—The Washington Post
“Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine.” —People Magazine
Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own.
Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.
Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.
I loved this book, though at times it was disturbing as it highlighted the harshness of life in the 1700’s and in a patriarchal society (note: there is description of sexual assault and rape). While I had originally received this book through Net Galley to review, my copy disappeared off my kindle at some point and I had only read a third of it, so I purchased mine from Amazon so I could finish it!
Recently, Rachel LaBerge reached out to me about her new novel, A Lodge Affair. This was a sweet and fun light romance and I enjoyed it a lot! It was the perfect read to combat my winter doldrums.
Thank you for the opportunity to read your book and for my copy, Rachel!
Here’s the scoop:
In “A Lodge Affair,” Ivy Lawson, a meticulous planner with a penchant for predictability, finds her life upended when she discovers her long-term boyfriend’s infidelity. Suddenly thrust into managing a high-profile event at The Emerald Canopy Lodge, Ivy is desperate to complete her task and escape the wilderness. However, the lodge’s enigmatic owner, Holland Holt, captivates her with his quiet charm and solitude. As Ivy’s stay at the lodge is unexpectedly extended due to a series of unforeseen mishaps, she finds herself drawn to Holland and the unexpected allure of the lodge. As their lives intertwine, Ivy is faced with the decision to surrender her carefully controlled existence, while Holland grapples with the challenges life has thrown his way. “A Lodge Affair” is a delightful romantic comedy that explores the magnetic pull of opposites and the unexpected beauty of chaos.
You can find more information about the book at the following links:
AMAZON
MY WEBSITE (Rachel’s website)
If you read me, you know I love the Julia Bird mystery series! Julia is middle-aged and always seems to be bumping into mysteries, but she isn’t annoying (like Jessica Fletcher) or as elderly as Miss Marple. And I love that she has her black lab in tow for her adventures.
This one focuses on her ex-husband’s wedding and a death that happens as part of the events. I did find the pacing of it a bit slower than in the former books, with more dialogue and less description and actions — but that could just be me. I didn’t do an analysis or anything, it was just my feeling as I read it. It was well-plotted and once again, I enjoyed reading about the characters of Julia’s small village!
Thank you for my review copy through Net Galley!
Here’s the scoop:
The joyous crowd applauds as the happy couple strides down the aisle. This Cotswolds country wedding has everything – friends and family, beautiful flowers and… murder?
When Julia Bird’s ex-husband Peter and his lovely partner Christopher decide to get married in Berrywick, Julia is delighted – after all, who doesn’t love a country wedding? Little does Julia know that normally calm and collected Christopher will turn into a full-on Groomzilla – and that by the end of the night, someone will end up dead.
The morning after the big day, the jolly nuptial mood turns grim when Julia discovers the lifeless body of the caterer, Desmond. Someone locked him in the cold truck and the poor man froze to death. Now looking for a murderer, all eyes are on Christopher who, mid-tantrum, had publicly threatened to kill him. Convinced that Christopher is innocent, Julia vows to find the real culprit.
Julia soon discovers Desmond had a long list of enemies as she races against the clock to clear Christopher’s name. Could his death be the work of the respected wedding planner who was heard exchanging choice words with the victim? Or perhaps it was his wife – ‘til death do them part – who didn’t shed a single tear at his funeral?
But just when Julia thinks she’s cracked the case, her prime suspect is found dead with a knife in their back. Can Julia find the murderer before they strike again?
An utterly gripping, charming cosy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries.
I’m excited today to be part of the blog tour for Vera Kurian’s new thriller A Step Past Darkness.
This was a fast and exciting read, following 6 friends who witness something terrible and come back together twenty years later when one of them dies from a supposed accident. I could see this book being for adults or YA or new age readers. What I really could see would be it as a Netflix or Hulu limited series.
Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!
Here’s the scoop:
A Step Past Darkness : A Novel
Vera Kurian
On Sale Date: February 20, 2024
9780778310761
Hardcover
$30.00 USD
Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological
448 pages
ABOUT THE BOOK:
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER meets Stephen King in this character-driven thriller about a study group of six teenagers who witness something tragic in an abandoned mine, which comes back to haunt them 20 years later.
SIX CLASSMATES.
ONE TERRIFYING NIGHT.
A MURDER TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING…
There’s more to Wesley Falls than meets the eye, but for six high school students, it’s home.
Kelly, the new girl and rule-follower.
Maddy, the beauty and the church favorite.
Padma, the brains and all-A student.
Casey, the jock and football star.
James, the burnout and just trying to make it to graduation.
And Jia, the psychic, who can see the future.
When these six are assigned to work on a summer group project, their lives are forever changed. At an end of the year party in the abandoned mine, they witness a preventable tragedy, but no one will take them seriously. As things escalate, they realize the church, the police, and the town’s founders are all conspiring to cover up what happened. When James is targeted as the scapegoat, to avoid suspicion, they vow their silence and to never contact each other again. Their plan works – almost.
Twenty years later, Maddy is found murdered is Wesley Falls, and the remaining five are forced to confront their past and work together to finally put right what happened all those years ago. If they can survive…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Vera Kurian is a writer and scientist based in Washington DC. Her debut novel, NEVER SAW ME COMING (Park Row Books, 2021 was an Edgar Award nominee and was named one of the New York Times’ Best Thrillers of 2021. Her short fiction has been published in magazines such as Glimmer Train, Day One, and The Pinch. She has a PhD in Social Psychology, where she studied intergroup relations, ideology, and quantitative methods. She blogs irregularly about writing, horror movies and pop culture/terrible TV.
SOCIAL LINKS:
Author website: https://www.verakurian.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/verakurianauthor/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vera_kurian
BUY LINKS: Not affiliated with BBNB
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-step-past-darkness-original-vera-kurian/20155061?ean=9780778310761
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Step-Past-Darkness-Novel/dp/0778310760
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-step-past-darkness-vera-kurian/1143574161
I am SUPER EXCITED to share that I will be hosting an online zoom book club event with Eva Stachniak, author of the historical novel: The School of Mirrors.
Here’s some info from Amazon about the book:
“A riveting epic, keenly observed and shining with lush historical detail. You’ll never forget this journey.”–Cara Black, New York Times bestselling author of Three Hours in Paris
“A sweeping tale of tumult and tragedy— intricate, absorbing, and impeccably depicted, The School of Mirrors will linger in your imagination long after you turn the last page.”–Ann Mah, bestselling author of Jacqueline in Paris
A scintillating, gorgeously written historical novel about a mother and a daughter in eighteenth-century France, beginning with decadence and palace intrigue at Versailles and ending in an explosive new era of revolution.
During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals, and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries.
Beautiful and canny Veronique arrives at the school of mirrors and quickly becomes a favorite of the King. But when she discovers her lover’s true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. There is no return to the School of Mirrors.
This is also the story of the King’s daughter by Veronique—Marie-Louise. Well-provided for in a comfortable home, Marie-Louise has never known her mother, let alone her father. Capable and intelligent, she discovers a passion for healing and science, and becomes an accredited midwife, one of the few reputable careers for women like her. But eventually Veronique comes back into her daughter’s life, bringing with her the secret of Marie-Louise’s birth. But the new King—Louis XVI—is teetering on his throne and it’s a volatile time in France…and those with royal relatives must mind their step very carefully.
This sounds SO good and I can’t wait!
Our zoom event will be on Saturday, April 6, from 3:00-4:30 EST.
I will send my zoom link closer to the date (as a good reminder, too!). It would be great if folks could RSVP but my zoom is unlimited for time and up to 500 people, so it’s okay if you don’t.
Beth's Book-Nook Blog 