The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw

Pub date: 03 March 2026

Historical fiction-Women’s fiction

320 pages

Description:

from the publisher

For fans of Her Hidden Genius and The Engineer’s Wife comes the awe-inspiring true story of Caroline Herschel, an 18th century astronomer who lived in the shadow of her brother, but learned to pave her own path among the stars.

1772. Caroline Herschel is beholden to her wildly popular musician brother, William, who rescued her from servitude and brought her to live a comfortable life in Bath. Caroline vows that, because William saved her, she must always remain by his side. When William becomes obsessed with the science of astronomy, Caroline follows suit, and soon, the duo are moving to Windsor to be close to court, so they can advise the king about the stars and become members of the Royal Astronomical Society. Overshadowed by her brother, Caroline quietly studies the stars, attributing her success to the men in her life. But when it becomes clear that Caroline is just as much the astronomer as the men in society, she will have to break free from the life she’s lived, and find her own place amongst the stars.

Based on the true story of Caroline Lucretia Herschel (1750-1848), 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 inspiring story set within the societal boundaries of the Regency era, it is a journey of self-belief, friendship, and triumph. 

My thoughts:

I enjoy reading historical fiction. I like entering worlds and times with real personages, even though I know this is not biography.

This story about Caroline Herschel will be enjoyed by those who like stories about women who did not fully conform to the expectations of their times. It is always satisfying to see such women given a voice, even if, as here, it is many years later.

Caroline Herschel was a woman who made an astounding discovery. Get to know her and her brothers in this novel and find out how she accomplished all that she did.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All thoughts are my own.

An e book bargain-Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

#FamousLastWords #NetGalley.

Imagine that you are Cam and that your entire world is turned upside down. You have always found your husband, Luke, to be pretty laid back and so supportive. He cooks! Both of you are exhausted but adore your baby, Polly. And, Luke is so good that you always have some time to have a break and read. Imagine that you are a book agent, ready to go back to work on your first day…AND THEN, the unthinkable happens.

Your husband wasn’t there when you woke up and left a somewhat cryptic note. You soon discover that he is involved in a tense hostage situation. WTF (as the rude might say). How can this be? Why? How do you a piece a life back together after this? Did you ever know your spouse? Where is he? Alive? Not?

Also, imagine That you are Niall. He was the hostage negotiator. The decisions that you made are haunting you.

How will events unfold? Find out in this page turner. I was absolutely glued to it and recommend it highly for those who enjoy suspenseful stories.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 February 2025

From the Publisher

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME
A MISSING HUSBAND. A WIFE SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS. A TWIST YOU WILL NEVER SEE COMING.
READ MORE TWISTY TALES FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR GILLIAN MCALLISTER

Third in the series: Lost and Never Found by Simon Mason

An e book bargain

Many of us remember Inspectors Morse and Lewis, both in books and in TV series. More recently Simon Mason has published a series that is once again set in the university and its environs.

Mason has a conceit in the series. The two detectives are both named Wilkins. There the similarity ends. Ray is Black, well-educated and immaculate in appearance. Ryan grew up in a trailer park and mostly wears track suits. Both have the ability to solve complex investigations.

Zara Fanshawe was a kind of “It Girl” who at times seemed to have it all. How did things go so wrong for her, eventually ending in her death? The Wilkins men are on the case although Ray may be tempted away by a high up police person named Chester.

There are a number of murders to be solved. There are the wealthy and down on their heels. There are interesting connections among people.

I find it very easy to recommend this title and the series. A fourth book will be coming out soon. I will definitely be reading it!

Who is: A Traitor in Whitehall (by Julia Kelly)-an e book bargain

Julia Kelly has written a number of historical fiction titles that I have enjoyed.  With A Traitor in Whitehall, she adds a murder mystery into the mix.  The result was an absorbing read.
Readers learn early on that protagonist, Evelyne, has a backstory through her parents' relationship .  She moves forward from this into managing her own life.  When she is tapped by a friend of her father's to work in Whitehall, both in a position there, and also with an eye to reporting to an outside source, little does she anticipate all that will happen.
One of the women who works in the typing pool has been found murdered.  Why?  Who did it?  Readers will try to figure this out even as Evelyne works with David, supposedly a Minister's aide, on the case.  There are many suspects.
In addition to the well conceived plot, I also enjoyed the setting in Churchill's War Rooms.  Readers are given a genuine feel for what it would have been like to work in this deep underground setting during the war years.
One thing that I struggled with a bit, however, was keeping all of the women who worked with Evelyne straight.  I went back a number of times to remember something about each of them.
This minor quibble aside, this was a book that I very much liked.  I hope that Ms. Kelly will add another and make this a series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur for this title.  All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 October 2023

#ATraitorinWhitehall #NetGalley

Spotlight on: The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

About the Book

When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways, in this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.

Free-spirited travel influencer Hannah Spencer has spent five years touring the country in her vintage van, alone save for her hulking Great Dane, Dude. Until an unexpected inheritance from her pops has Hannah thinking about putting down roots in Cape Split, North Carolina, where she’s the new owner of a worse-for-wear seaside beach house. Or, rather, fifty percent of one. Turns out Simon O’Malley inherited the other half from his gramps.

As Simon and Hannah spend the summer tag-teaming repairs on the crumbling cottage, they discover it was once home to a timeless love story. As their own relationship shifts from enemies to friends to lovers, they begin to wonder if the house’s romantic past might be a good omen for their future together. But there’s one problem—Simon is set on selling the property at the end of the summer.

For Hannah, the Split isn’t like anyplace she’s ever been, and Simon isn’t like any man she’s ever known—she doesn’t want to let this new life go. She just needs Simon to see their budding relationship and this newfound community in the same way, or their first summer share might also be their last.

About the Author

Jenn McKinlay is the award-winning New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. Her work has been translated into multiple languages in countries all over the world. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with kids, pets, and her husband’s guitars.

From the Publisher:

THE SUMMER SHARE Banner 1 - Berkley
THE SUMMER SHARE Banner 2 - Berkley
THE SUMMER SHARE Banner 3 - Berkley

Library Journal notes that McKinlay “offers an ode to summers on the beach, small towns and love itself.

My thoughts:

I had heard of this author and wanted to give one of her books a try, so I was delighted to be offered a spot on this blog tour. Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for this opportunity.

This book has what readers are looking for when they want a bit of an escape. The setting, characters, romance, and plot were all well done.

I enjoyed this title. It could easily be added to anyone’s beach reads shelf this summer. They will enjoy time spent in Cape Split with Hannah and Simon.

Pub date: 26 May 2026

366 pages

Categories: Romance and Women’s Fiction

What will they find in: The Library of Lost Love (Norie Clarke)-an e book bargain

An e book bargain

#HowtoFindALostLove #NetGalley

We all know that life does not always go to plan. What we choose to do next can make all the difference. This is the situation that Jess is experiencing as this lovely novel opens.

Jess has recently faced some hard times that have made it difficult for her to trust and believe in others. She has been couch surfing at her best friend’s and needs a place to live. This is how she comes to meet Joan who is looking for a lodger.

This device puts one younger and one older person together as Jess rents a room in Joan’s house. Joan is doing this in order to liven up her life. Indeed many things will happen for both of these women over the course of the story. One of the entertaining ones for me was to watch Joan and Jess switch with Jess swearing off her mobile for old fashioned communications just as Joan learns about the internet and more.

Will Jess and her close friends be able to save a vintage theater? What role (for good or bad) will Joan’s son play in this? Will someone from her past get in touch with “Joany?” Will these characters find some happiness? Read this one to find out. It is just delightful.

Many thanks to Headline and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 23 May 2024