#@stmartinspress

[bucolicbook]

Lightfall (The Everlands Trilogy, #1) by Ed Crocker 

Pub date - 1/14/25

A dark fantastical world, where humans are myth and vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers are the norm, a mystery, with many characters’ PoV’s and a highly interesting plot. 

Did I find this a little slow? Did I find this a bit clunky in parts? I did. 

But, did I also find this very fun and intriguing? Did I appreciate the world building? Did I enjoy the characters? Would I read the next title? Absolutely yes. 

A very fun debut, and one I recommend. 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

[gorgeoushazel24]

Book review:: Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah

Title: Where Darkness Blooms Author: Andrea Hannah Published by: Wednesday Books Genre: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, LGBT, YA Paperback: 320 pages Releases: February 21, 2023 Rating: 5 Stars. “Their gender was never the curse, the land– and the man who tended to it– were the real curse” Goodreads sysnopsis:: The town of Bishop is known for exactly two things: recurring windstorms and an…

[anitabyars]

Description

Two unlikely allies team up to solve a case in this novel filled with Kate Bateman's signature sparkling voice, exciting adventures, and steamy chemistry.

As a founding member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, studious Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a charming con man pretends to be her fictional boss, "Charles King," Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might just be the key to cracking her new case and recovering a priceless manuscript.

“Henri Bonheur”—or “Harry” as he asks to be called—claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with such consummate ease can never be trusted. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and desire, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s developed feelings for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?

My Review

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How to Fall for a Scoundrel (Her Majesty’s Rebels #2) by Kate Bateman is a phenomenal addition to this series and my new favorite of the series! I story I didn’t want to end.

This is a unique, entertaining, historical romance that is full of intrigue, mystery, adventures, engaging banter, humor, steam, wit, electric chemistry and a heartwarming romance that made my heart and soul sing with happiness as I swooned hard for these two fabulous characters as they come together.

This is “Ellie” Miss Eleanor Jane Law and “Harry” “Henri Bonheur, Comte de Carabas or (Henry James Charles Brooke, the twelfth Earl of Cobham’s) journey and what a journey it is!!

I fell in love with this charming, adorable couple and their playfulness, flirtations, engaging banter as well as their instantaneous electric chemistry from the moment they meet! I swooned hard for Harry, the dashing rogue and scoundrel. I was in awe of Ellie with her brains, cleverness and tenacity as well as her sharp wit and even sharper tongue.

But it was the moments when these two were together solving cases for the King & Company and falling for each other that I will remember. I fell in love with this couple. I was giddy! I laughed! I swooned! I wanted this story to never end! This can be read as a standalone but I urge you to read this series. You will be so glad you did.

“After all, there’s no telling when you might fall for a scoundrel of your own.”

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[rijanjks-blog]

Identity - #NewRelease #NoraRoberts @StMartinsPress @NetGalley

I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are expressly my own. Pre-order Link BLURB: Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan’s job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party—attended by…

[fredhandbag]

The Soulmate is a twisty new domestic thriller from Sally Hepworth. "Pippa and Gabe live in a beach cottage on some tall cliffs. It has become a spot where several people have come to end it all. Gabe has been able to talk all of them back - so far. But one day, a woman jumps and is killed on the rocks below. When Pippa finds out that Gabe knew the victim she wonders - Did she jump? Was she pushed? Would Gabe - the love of her life - lie? As their marriage begins to crack, deep and dark secrets start to unravel." I think this might be Hepworth's best novel yet. What seems like a simple, tragic event turns out to be so much more. Hepworth keeps adding layers and revealing secrets until we get the truth. It is interesting that she uses the voice of the woman that jumped as a POV. She's not a ghost - not interacting with the other characters just giving a different perspective. The team of Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry do a fabulous job with the audiobook performance. Kreinik has narrated several of Hepworth's books and always does a fantastic job. Be sure to read the author's note where SH tells where the idea for this book came from - long lockdowns in Melbourne and something about "marriage and murder" I think this is the best work from Hepworth so far. A great option for your beach trips this summer. #thesoulmate #sallyhepworth #macmillanaudio #stmartinspress #bookofthemonth #barriekreinik #jessicadouglashenry #bookstagram #bookshelves #booknerd #readinglife #bookphotography #bookcommunity #bookblogger #sodacityreads #suspensebook #bookhaul #literarycrimefiction #homelibrary #thrillerbooks #domesticthriller #crimefiction #thriller #characterdrivenbooks #mysterythriller #bookrecs #audiobooks #twistybooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CqIWRK6LWJn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ruppertc1]

1893 London mystery involving mummies and more. 4.5/5 stars from me. #stmartinspress #heartofthenile #barkerandllewelynseries (at Mount Washington, Kentucky) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpnfq3iud1L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Gwen & Art Are Not in Love Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD What classic story would you love to read a queer retelling of? ❓ 🦇 Gwendoline and Arthur have been betrothed to one another since birth. Too bad they absolutely hate each other. When forced to spend a summer in Camelot together, Gwen and Arthur discover tantalizing secrets about one another: Gwen witnesses Arthur kissing a boy, while Arthur learns that Gwen has a crush on the kingdom's lone lady knight, Lady Bridget Leclair. Stuck at a stalemate, they make a reluctant pact to cover for one another. While Gwen and Bridget finally connect, Arthur finds himself enamored by Gwen's brother. Can they navigate their messy feelings to find their own places in history?

[ Find my review below or on Goodreads | Storygraph | Literal ]

💜 Oh my goddess, the queer chaos in this is everything. Lex Croucher has spun Arthurian legends of old into a queer medieval YA rom-com that could easily alter history as we know it. Gwen is a bi baby, newly navigating her feelings for a badass lady knight, while Arthur is a gay, sassy messy shooting heart-eyes at Gwen's brother (the one-day king). The dialogue is EVERYTHING; sassy, quick-witted, and all too entertaining. There's somewhat sexy sword-fighting (come on, sword-fighting is always sexy, but when your queer crush is schooling you, it's all the better), fake dating (does it count as fake dating when you've been betrothed since childhood?), and heart-warming found family vibes. The queer panic and nervous humor were all too relatable, even though the story is set in medieval times. That's a true feat; you can connect with the queer chaos, even if you're shooting heart-eyes in the 21st century.

💜 That being said, let's talk about Gwen and her lady knight. I mean, get ready to absolutely SWOON alongside Gwen. Lady Bridget Lechlair is all fierce confidence (a necessity, when everyone has an unpopular opinion of you simply because you're a woman, regardless of your badass abilities), but she's also an enigma with a gooey interior. I loved seeing Gwen find her confidence through Bridget, discovering her voice and standing up for them both when necessary. Though Gwen is a royal, she's questioned her inner power and authority, as everyone around her has made it clear her only worth is in her marriage to Arthur as a political move. Spending time with Bridget gives Gwen the change to realize she's worth so much more. Though the story's quick wit and banter stands out, I think this character development is the story's real strength. Sometimes, you need someone who believes in your potential before you can see it yourself.

🦇 The only real hang-up for me was the pacing. The ending felt especially rushed, which was a disappointment after the queer chaos dragged a bit. I wonder if the writer paused for a moment, then returned to finish the latter half of the story. I also found the relationship between Arthur and Gabriel (Gwen's brother) a little underwhelming when it had so much potential at the start. Regardless, I appreciated all the queer hijinks and humor.

🦇 Recommended for fans of Heartstopper, Rainbow Rowell's Simon Snow trilogy, Red, White, & Royal Blue, and the TV show Merlin. Get ready for a swoon-worthy, medieval mess of pining and romance!

✨ The Vibes ✨ ⚔️ All the Queer Ships (w/ Serious Queer Panic) ⚔️ Fake Dating ⚔️ YA Debut ⚔️ Found Family ⚔️ Medieval/Historical Fiction/Rom-Com ⚔️ Enemies to Allies

🦇 Major thanks to the author @lexcanroar and publisher @stmartinspress / @wednesdaybooks for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #Netgalley #GwenandArtAreNotinLove

[sharkgirl15cosplays]

We still have yet to hear an acknowledgement and smp taking accountability for what their staffer posted and how they are going to change their behavior. The rhetoric spewed was racist and harmful. #speakupsmp If you would like to be in solidarity with us and want to see smp speak up, here are some steps you could take. @stmartinspress-blog

[bargainsleuthbooks]

The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy #ARCReview #NetGalley #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #WWII #StMartinsPress

In this debut novel, readers will learn about the creation of fine porcelain figurines in Germany during WWII under the direction of the leader of the SS, Heinrich Himmler. #ThePorcelainMaker #StMartinsPress #NetGalley #ARCReview #BookReview #WWIIFiction

Germany, 1929. At a festive gathering of young bohemians in Weimar, two young artists, Max, a skilled Jewish architect, and Bettina, a celebrated avant-garde painter, are drawn to each other and begin a whirlwind romance. Their respective talents transport them to the dazzling lights of Berlin, but this bright beginning is quickly dimmed by the rising threat of Nazism. Max is arrested and sent to…

[bucolicbook]

Under a Rock: A Memoir by Chris Stein 

US pub date - 6/11/24

.

.

I loved Blondie as a kid in the 80's and still do all these years later and was very excited to be able to read an advance copy of Chris Stein's memoir. 

.

A life well lived is always fascinating to me, and Stein’s memory for small details is incredibly impressive. The writing is fantastic and lends itself to allowing the reader to really visualize the experiences. Not all parts are easy to read, but I appreciated his forthcomingness. 

.

A veritable who’s who from music and art in New York, Under a Rock is wildly engaging. This is a  must read memoir that will keep readers turning the pages (I’m also confident that it will be excellent in audiobook form). 

.

.

*Some of my own favorite Blondie songs include ‘Dreaming’, ‘Out in the Streets’, ‘Will Anything Happen’, ‘Atomic’, ‘Union CIty Blue’, and ‘Hanging on the Telephone’ (also, the very first 45 my husband picked out and got as a kid was ‘Heart of Glass’). 

.

.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

[con-alas-de-angeles]

Bridgerton meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this sparkling regency romance reminiscent of the magic found in a Ghibli film.

I absolutely love Ghibli movies, so finding traces and feelings of such always leaves me in a happy and lighthearted mood.

✨A Fragile Enchantment✨ is sure to take you on a dreamy enchantment of your own.

Thank you @stmartinspress for the ARC

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

IG: lux_and_the_bookx

[wellreadwyvern]

🎉TODAY’S NEW RELEASES🎉 Sharing a small sample of the titles releasing today. ❓Any of these on your TBR? THE MIMICKING OF KNOWN SUCCESSES by MALKA OLDER A cozy Holmesian murder mystery and sapphic romance, set on Jupiter. @torbooks @forgereads @macmillanusa WHAT HAPPENED TO RUTHY RAMIREZ by CLAIRE JIMENEZ A raw debut novel of a Puerto Rican family in Staten Island who discovers their long‑missing sister is potentially alive and cast on a reality TV show. @grandcentralpub WEYWARD by EMILIA HART What can happen when the natural world collides with a legacy of witchcraft? A spellbinding story weaving together the lives of three women across five centuries. @stmartinspress THE MOTH KEEPER by K. O’NEILL Being the Moth Keeper is a great honor and a great responsibility. But is it worth the cost? @randomhousekids THE GOLDEN SPOON by JESSA MAXWELL A locked-room mystery where someone turns up dead on the set of TV’s hottest baking competition. @atriabooks Thank you to the publishers mentioned above and @netgalley for providing these titles for review. #themimickingofknownsuccesses #malkaolder #whathappenedtoruthyramirez #clairejimenez #weyward #emiliahart #themothkeeper #koneill #thegoldenspoon #jessamaxwell #newbooktuesday #newreleasetuesday #bookbirthday #booksummaries #newtitles #netgalley #tbr #toberead #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpfl2SSBVsr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[anitabyars]

Description

Product Description

“Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!” –Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author

Fans of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton won’t want to miss this new story from the legendary New York Times bestselling author as she brings a fresh new hook to Regency romance with her series about three event planners who’ve rejected working as governesses to become party planners to London’s elite ton.

A young military widow, Eliza Pierce is enjoying both freedom and financial success as part of Elegant Occasions. When her late husband’s best friend, Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead, hires Elegant Occasions to help another young widow of an officer become part of high society, Eliza wonders why. Is the woman a relative? Or is she the earl’s mistress and her adorable toddler his child? If so, why does he take Eliza in his arms every chance he gets . . .

Foxstead’s family situation makes it difficult for him to marry, so his visceral attraction to his best friend’s widow is an unwelcome complication. Burdened by family secrets and those of his commanding officer, he’s determined to do his duty even when it means being around Eliza every day. But how can he resist when the fetching Eliza keeps tempting him to break his own rules? For if he dares to expose the truth, will she ever forgive him? Or will she banish him from her life forever . . .

My Review

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Regency Romance is about the three Harper sisters who have used each of their attributes to help them create a business that had become the most sought-after aid to throwing social events, called Elegant Occasions. Where they are hired to help prospective debutants become successful. This is the second book of this series and is Eliza and Nathaniel’s story.

Mrs. Eliza Pierce is the widow of Nathaniel’s eldest and closest friend Samuel who died in the war in the peninsula. Nathaniel hires Elegant Occasions to help Mrs. Jocelin March’s coming out to society for the season after losing her father and her husband in the war, leaving her with a small son.

Although Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead is strictly just Jocelin guardian, he is hoping that by using the sisters’ business, him and Eliza will become closer, since he has always been taken by her beauty. But he is also hiding some rather major secrets as well. That just might cause obstacles on the path to love!

Witty banter, seduction, and passion blend seamlessly to create this entertaining, emotional romance. With an intriguing plot, and complex characters to provide the perfect sensual escape. There’s nothing I didn’t love about What Happens In The Ballroom, especially its lush captivating glimpse into history.

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[jessread-s]

Thanks to @stmartinspress-blog for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🌩️☀️Review:

Stein’s opposites attract debut novel is delightful!

“When Grumpy Met Sunshine” follows Mabel Willicker, a sunshine-y ghostwriter hired to write grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding’s life story. But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a romantic relationship, the pair have to pretend to date to appease the public…that is, until the lines between what’s real and what’s fake begins to blur.

I love how Mabel and Alfie are more complex than their grumpy and sunshine personalities. Through Mabel’s point-of-view and her intimate conversations with Alfie, the reader learns that both feel trapped by their own personas. Mabel dons “Bubbly Girl armor” to be the person she needs to be for others instead of just being herself. She also clings to her cheeriness to avoid feeling like just a body when the world overanalyzes why Alfie would date a plus size woman. Alfie pretends to be someone he is not because of the expectations surrounding how footballers are supposed to act. With time, both come to the realization that they can be their true selves in each other’s company. Watching their love blossom and true selves flourish as they worked together on Alfie’s memoir made my heart race!

I also enjoyed how Stein ended each of her chapters with email correspondence, newspaper articles, video transcripts, tweets, and interviews connecting to the events that transpired. The change in formatting was entertaining and reveals how the public’s attitudes towards Alfie and Mabel’s Cinderella story brought them together.

The only issue I came across was not being able to understand the British pop culture references and slang, which often interrupted my flow of reading, but did not deter me from progressing through the novel.

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[padutchtravel]

What are you reading this weekend? I’m getting ready to dive into this beauty. I just love the cover. It brings some color into this otherwise dreary weekend here. #maame #weekendread #upandcomingauthor #prettycovers #readingbringspeopletogether #bookart #readwithjenna #currentlyreading #books #onmybookshelf #bookstagram @readwithjenna @stmartinspress https://www.instagram.com/p/CpGPTtLPCN2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[serialreaderkalyan]

March and BOTM brought 3 shining new books 📚 Well, add Daisy Jones to the mix and you have close to a perfect weekend 😇 Book 1 is the The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner. This one takes us into 1873 Paris and London’s Séance Society and into the occult worlds of spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire and her understudy Lenna Wickes. It’s bound to give gothic atmospheric vibes with a murder mystery at its core- high expectations from the author who gave us The Lost Apothecary! Lone Women by Victor LaValle combines Western, historical, psychological, horror, supernatural genres taking us into early 20th century Montana as we follow Adelaide Henry looking to bury her past with just her enormous steamer trunk for company. Dark, tempting and for fans of Stephen King for sure! Weyward by Emilia Hart draws its inspiration from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and three witches referred as “Weyward sisters” as we follow three “Weyward” women across three different centuries connected by nature with a hint of witchcraft- a debut with some great reviews. What’s were your picks for the month? #Bookstagram #botm #thelondonseancesociety #lonewomen #weyward #weywardsisters #macbeth #witchcraft #historical #womenshistorymonth #fantasy #mystery #sarahpenner #paris #london #wildwest #western #horror #supernatural #reesewitherspoon #reesebookclub #montana #emiliahart #VictorLaValle #gothic #march #stmartinspress #oneworld #penguinrandomhouse #parkrowbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpa60NyPELV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=