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Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Release Blitz for Right Your Wrongs by Kandi Steiner
Book Review for It Girl by Allison Pataki
It Girl by Allison
Pataki
Published: March 10,
2026 by Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical
Fiction, New York City
New York, 1900. At the dawn of a new century, the city’s streets teem with electricity, automobiles, a brash young President Teddy Roosevelt—and the It Girls. As artist’s muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison’s new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America’s sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot.
But the journey to stardom was not simple or straight. As a young girl, a
grieving Evelyn is forced to take care of her widowed mother and kid brother.
While working as a shopgirl, she is recruited as a studio model, and soon
catches the eye of the preeminent artists of her age. When Broadway comes
calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female
celebrity, a “Gibson Girl,” the most sought-after face of her time. Enter a
parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley
Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan’s mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal
Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premiere “playboy” of high
society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security—even love. But fame and
fortune are cruel teachers.
When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the
Crime of the Century,” the sins of the men in her life are blamed on her.
In the media frenzy that erupts, Evelyn realizes that—to survive—she will have
to take charge of her own ending. But can this artists’ muse turned showgirl
pull off the greatest act of her life?
It Girl is a breathtaking ride inspired by a singular artist and
survivor who captured the heart of American society. In Allison Pataki’s
talented hands, we see Evelyn find the power to change not only the world
around her, but her own destiny.
My Thoughts: It
Girl is a book that should come with warnings.
The first warning is that this is a book that will pull you in from the
very first page and will not let you go.
You will become invested in Evelyn’s story, invested in her becoming the
It Girl and what that means to her. The
second warning is the triggers. The
loss of family members, the relationships with the sponsors and her
mother. While I did not want to put the
book down there were many times I cringed at what was happening to and around
Evelyn.
I felt like I was living on the stage with Evelyn. I lived through her poverty, her growth, and
her being seen. I felt her excitement,
her fear, and all the other emotions she experienced. This book came alive to me as I read it, it
played like a movie as I turned page after page never wanting it to end but yet
needing to know how Evelyn would turn out.
It Girl is a book that was not easy to read but it is a book
that I will not forget. It is a book
that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you Ballantine Books for a copy of the book via
NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads
Purchase your own copy on Amazon
Photos Copyright © Tricia McCormackPhotography
Monday, March 9, 2026
Book Review for Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson
Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson
Published: March 3, 2026 by William Morrow
Genre: Mystery Thriller, Suspense
Born three minutes apart, Penny and Nix Albright grew up doing everything
together, close as only twins can be. But when Nix dies in a tragic accident
soon after college, she leaves behind a cryptic voicemail that has Penny
guilt-ridden and desperate for justice.
Five Years Later
Penny has found new purpose as a rookie cop. She’s working to fulfill Nix’s
dream of making the world a safer place, but following that dream becomes a
nightmare when she’s called to her first murder scene. When she sees the victim,
she knows him instantly. It’s Danny Bowery—one of three men she’s long blamed
for Nix’s death—splayed in a pool of blood outside a posh Atlanta shopping
center, almost as if she’d wished it so.
Stunned, Penny steps away to catch her breath and discovers a blonde in
blood-drenched clothes gripping a box cutter. Before Penny can arrest her, the
woman reveals that Bowery’s murder is part of a larger story that is far from
over. A story about sisters. And with that, the killer disappears.
Now, Penny will stop at nothing to pursue this dangerous woman and learn why
she’s avenging Nix’s death. The deeper she dives into the mystery, the less
clear it becomes who is hunting whom in this captivating page-turner of hidden
motives and deadly consequences.
My Thoughts: Joshilyn Jackson knows how to write a
thriller. I was pulled into this book
from the very first page and could not let the story go. Even when I was forced to put the book down,
I was thinking about the book, looking for time to read, and staying up past my
bedtime to read.
Penny is a deep and intriguing character. She stepped outside the lines numerous times but also stayed true to herself. Penny was invested in solving the mystery at all costs. I liked that I was side by side with Penny through it all, I felt attached to the story and invested in Penny figuring it all out.
Missing Sister is a quick and easy book to read. I was hooked and never wanted to put the book down.
Thank
you William Morrow for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my
honest review.
Add
to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads
Purchase
your own copy on Amazon
A
former actor, Jackson reads the audio versions of both her own novels and other
writers’ books. Her work in this field has been nominated for the Audie Award,
included on AudioFile Magazine’s best of the year list, won three Earphones
Awards, made the Audible All-Star list for highest listener ranks/reviews, and
garnered three Listen Up Awards from Publishers Weekly.
She
lives in upstate New York with her family and a motley crew of black and
white animals.
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Guest Post from Kelli A Wilkins, Author of Miss Dangerous Indenture
Like Feisty Irish
Heroines? Don’t Miss Dangerous Indenture
A Historical/Mystery-Romance
By Kelli A. Wilkins
This premise could be the basis of any number of
romances: a Victorian-era story about a governess moving to a remote estate, a
contemporary tale about a physical therapist or teacher relocating across the
country, or, in the case of my historical romance, Dangerous Indenture, an
Irish indentured servant leaving everything behind to start a new life.
Dangerous
Indenture is set in Pennsylvania Colony
and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense.
Right from the start, readers (and the heroine, Shauna) are warned about Stewart
House: “It’s got more haunts than the Tower of London.”
Here’s the book summary and links:
DANGEROUS INDENTURE
Indentured for five years… how long can Shauna resist her
master’s son?
Desperate to escape her past in Ireland, Shauna Farrow
signs on to become an indentured servant to Joshua Stewart, a wealthy man in
Pennsylvania Colony. But a life of servitude quickly turns to drudgery, and
Shauna’s hopes for starting over and creating a better life for herself are
waning—until she meets her master’s roguish son, Ashton.
Ashton needs to redeem himself in his
father’s eyes and earn the respect he has always longed for. Meeting Shauna
turns his life around, and he sets out to win her heart. Torn between propriety
and passion, Shauna struggles against her growing attraction to Ashton as long
as she can.
But amidst their flirting, something
dark stirs. Shauna soon discovers why no other servants wanted to work for the
strange Stewart family.
Stewart House has an unsavory
reputation: a previous servant died there under mysterious circumstances. When
another servant goes missing in the middle of the night, Shauna is convinced
that a member of the family is responsible.
Shauna’s investigation leads her close to the truth, and
yet, she’s not sure who she can trust. Events take a deadly turn when she confronts
the murderer and discovers the mystery of the Stewart family.
Will Shauna be rescued
before time runs out, or will she meet with the same fate as the other
servants?
Order your copy here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJVQ7XJ
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3JyROP
Read 5-star reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/dangerous-indenture
***
When I wrote the book, I wanted to evoke a sense of
danger and mystery around every corner. This wasn’t going to be a typical
romance with the hero and heroine from different classes falling in love and
having a forbidden affair. Nope.
The romance is almost a sub-plot of the book, and when
the story begins, finding love is the last thing on Shauna’s mind. She’s more
concerned about doing a good job than getting involved with Ashton (even if he
is handsome).
I liked creating the incredibly dysfunctional members
of the Stewart family. They all have secrets and practically have dual personalities.
Joshua (the patriarch) is a big bear of a man who comes across as gruff and
insensitive, yet at times can be caring. Colin (Joshua’s son) appears to be a respectable
married businessman, but underneath his proper exterior lurks a dark and
dangerous manipulator (among other things).
Colin’s beleaguered wife,Minerva, is mentally unstable
and trapped ina terrible marriage. Readers and the other characters in the
story aren’t sure if she’s truly mad or not. And she might be a murderess…
Our hero, Ashton Bailey, is flawed and has
a lot of problems to overcome. For starters, he’s the black sheep of the family
and has been sent home in disgrace. He drinks too much, womanizes too much, and
has nearly given up on life. He’s a failure in his father’s eyes and wants to
redeem himself, but isn’t sure how. Ashton knows that Stewart House is a
terrible place and vows to protect Shauna while she’s working there.
This cast of characters and their interactions (fighting,
name-calling, secrets, and lies)carry the plot. Everyone has an agenda, and
readers learn that not everyone is telling the truth… or is exactly what they
seem. Ashton wants to become respectable, Colin wants him disowned, Minerva
wants Shauna gone, Shauna wants to stay out of trouble, and Joshua just wants
some peace.
Writing the twists and turns of the mystery was a lot
of fun. When the new servant, Lila, goes missing in the middle of the night,
Shauna is convinced someone in the house killed her. But who?Shauna is a clever
amateur sleuth, and when she starts to solve the mystery, she realizes that
she’s in danger.
The book has a“Dark Shadows” feel to it. A mysterious
house, a strange family, everyone has secrets… In fact, several of the
character names in the book (Colin, Joshua, and Minerva) appeared inthe
original “Dark Shadows”series.
I hope you enjoyed this look at the making of Dangerous Indenture.I
welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the
latest updates and visit me on social media.
Happy
Reading,
Kelli A. Wilkins
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Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.
Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was
published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and
follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first
time in The Route 9 Killer.
Kelli’s 24th
romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy
romantic adventure, was published in 2025.
In 2024, she
released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7
speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.
Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list, social media links, and more.
Spotlight for The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble
The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley
Noble
Published: March 3, 2026 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Historical Fiction,
Books about Books
1915: Manhattan’s Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious censor in American history—Anthony Comstock.
And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.
For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they’ve ever known. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on women’s health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the personal risk.
Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.
Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads
Purchase your own copy on Amazon
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Spotlight for New Harmony: A Mother’s Story of Love and Loss by Leon E. Pettiway
New Harmony: A Mother’s Story of Love and Loss by
When the murder of her son shatters her family, grief settles into every corner of her life. What follows is not a story of spectacle, but of reckoning. Through memory, faith, and the sustaining presence of community, Margaret must find a way to carry the weight of loss without losing herself. Rooted in Southern history and shaped by generational memory, this novel offers an intimate portrait of motherhood, endurance, and the fragile threads that bind families together.
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3NN680i
Goodreads: https://www.
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Leon E. Pettiway, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at Indiana University, Bloomington, where his scholarship focused on race, environment, and criminal justice in urban America. Over the course of his academic career, he examined how structural inequality shapes lived experience and social outcomes. In later years, his work expanded to explore how Eastern and Western philosophical traditions might inform conversations about justice and morality. A fully ordained Buddhist monk in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, he now devotes his time to spiritual practice, teaching, and writing. New Harmony: A Mother’s Story of Love and Loss is his debut novel. You can learn more on his website and follow him on Instagram.
Book Review for The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw
The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw
Published: March 3,
2026 by Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Historical Fiction, British Literature
Caroline Herschel has always lived in the shadows. Beholden to her wildly
popular older brother, William, who rescued her from servitude, she's worked
hard to build a life for herself – one where she can go unnoticed and repay the
debt she believes she owes. But when her brother becomes obsessed with sweeping
the heavens, everything changes.
Newly appointed as the King's Astronomer, William is rushed away from the
bustling streets of Bath to the quiet countryside of Windsor. When Caroline
makes a discovery that could send her right back to the people she was rescued
from, she has no choice but to leave her carefully constructed life and follow
her brother. Taking up the position as William's assistant, Caroline resolves
to learn everything she can about astronomy. But the more she understands, the
more she falls in love with her telescope, and soon, she discovers that she
might be good at the science, great, even, and that the stars could offer her
the freedom she's always secretly wanted. When it’s clear that Caroline is just
as much the astronomer as her brother, she realizes she must break free from
the life she has lived and find her own place in the night sky.
Based on the true story of Caroline Herschel, The Woman and Her Stars shines a
light on a woman who was raised to believe she was worth nothing more than to
serve others, but whose genius and resolve made her one of the world’s leading
astronomers. An awe-inspiring story set within the societal boundaries of the
Georgian era, it’s a hopeful journey of self-discovery, familial bonds, and
passion.
My Thoughts: I
love a strong female character.
Caroline Herschel is just that.
She grows up only wanting to stay with her brother William and not be
forced to go back to her mother. William
treats her as an intelligent woman, giving her the skills to work along side
him. It is a time when woman are not
thought to be smart but she is recognized as a talented singer and eventually
an astronomer. I felt that the biggest obstacle was herself, she struggled to
accept herself as someone who was more than just the assistant.
Some of the stargazing was beyond what I was looking for
while reading the book but I truly enjoyed the family dynamics, the strength of
Caroline’s knowledge, and the protection that William gave her. William protected her from society and
family but held her back, unintentionally, within her own knowledge. She deferred to him and let him guide her
even when there were times that she had more knowledge than he did. The best parts of the book are when she
discovered or realized something new and showed her excitement in being the one
to find it.
The Woman and Her Stars is a historical British fiction
book. I enjoyed the story, the
characters, and the settings.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of the book via
NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads
Purchase your own copy on Amazon
Now, I am the author of books featuring strong, interesting
and independent women. My writing also illustrates my love for animals and the
outdoors, and explores the interconnectedness of all living things.
Early in 2024, I was honoured to receive the 2024
Philida Literary Award. The award celebrates the life of
renowned South African author, André Brink and is presented annually to a
writer mid-career for an oeuvre of between three to five books of any genre.
My debut historical fiction, The Invincible Miss
Cust tells the story of Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary
surgeon, Aleen Cust. Find it at a bookstore near you here or
order it online here.
My second work of historical fiction, The Woman at the Wheel is
based on the life of Bertha Benz, wife of the ‘Father of the Automobile’, Carl
Benz. You can order it here.
Follow Me to Africa is inspired by the life of
distinguished paleoanthropologist, Mary Leakey. Order it from a bookstore near
you here or
order it online here.
My fourth work of biographical historical fiction, The Woman and Her
Stars is about the world’s first paid woman astronomer, Caroline
Herschel. It will be released on March 3, 2026 and can be pre-ordered here.
My first book, Nicko—The Tale of a Vervet Monkey on
an African Farm is a children’s book, which was published in 2017. My
inaugural novel for adults, The Wilderness Between Us was
published by Köehler Books in 2021 and is available in all formats on
Amazon here. You can locate it
via Indie Bound here and
find out more about it on Goodreads here.
In South Africa, as part of a distribution agreement
with KaravanPress, wholesale/trade orders of The Wilderness Between Us and Nicko can
be made from Booksite Afrika on
(021) 950 5900. The Invincible Miss Cust, The Woman at the
Wheel, Follow Me to Africa and The Woman and Her
Stars are distributed in South Africa by PenguinRandom House South Africa.
I live on the slopes of a mountain near the sea not far from Cape Town in South Africa, where I walk my dogs with my husband, run and read when I’m not at my keyboard. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Available Now!! A Thousand Perfect Lies by Monica Murphy
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Book Review for To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast
Divided Fates #1
To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast
Published: March
3, 2026 by Avon
Genre: Dystopian,
Romantasy
In the city of Dividium, the law is simple: commit a crime,
and your punishment is a life sentence in Endlock.
Raven Thorne is Dividium’s most notorious bounty hunter,
living on the edge of society. But when her younger brother, Jed, is sentenced
to Endlock, Raven will do anything to save him—even if it means getting herself
arrested.
Now trapped in a prison where danger lurks around every
corner, Raven must use all her cunning and strength to protect Jed—and herself
if she is to complete her perilous mission. But there’s one obstacle she never
expected: the prison guard who stirs something deep inside her. The man she
should hate. The man whose true motives seem impossible to pin down.
In a world where trust is a weapon and love is a liability,
Raven must decide if she will risk everything to tear down a vicious system.
My Thoughts: A
debut dystopian novel… I could not wait to sink my teeth into this story. At no point was I disappointed. From the very beginning I was invested in
the storyline and the characters. The
author did something amazing; she caught me from the first paragraph and never
let me go. This is the perfect book,
and I am excited to see what she writes next.
To Cage a Wild Bird felt like a YA book with the ending not
being a cliffhanger but leaving it open for potentially more to come. I loved the YA vibes, even better with the
spicy parts sprinkled within the story.
The relationships and friendships between the characters made them
relatable, making it easy to cheer them on.
I loved this book and cannot wait to talk about it with my
fellow dystopian readers.
Thank you Avon for a copy of the book in exchange for my
honest review.
Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads
Purchase your own copy on Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Brooke Fast is a lover of dystopian, fantasy, and all things romance. When she’s not writing new worlds, you can find her curled up on the couch with her husband and their pups in their self-built tiny house in the mountains of Maine. She’ll either be consuming copious amounts of coffee and thumbing through the latest romantasy release or sharing book reviews and writing snippets under her alter-ego, @librarybrookes. To Cage a Wild Bird is her first novel.