#TheSeaStoneSisters #NetGalley

I have been looking for a book like The Sea Stone Sisters for quite some time. I was wanting to read a novel that would fully engage me with an enjoyable and involving story, as well as having good characters and settings that come to life. Oh, it would be nice if it was a long book so that I could escape for a while (448 pages here). The Sea Stone Sisters definitely met my expectations.

I think that this will be a first in a series as there are four sisters as main characters. This time the story belongs to Iris. Her three flower named siblings will, I hope, mean that there will be four books in all.

Readers can read a plot summary to know more. Know that it is immersive.

The characters are fully brought to life in this story that focuses on several time periods and four special rings. The first time period is pre-historic and sets the stage. Next is a family in a beautiful home on Skarra (Scotland) that has fallen on hard times, and Iris’s story. There is also a story in the present that centers on Roz who has connections to the past.

I did not want this book to end. Those who enjoy women’s fiction won’t want to miss this one. Fans of Lucinda Riley may find a new favorite series here.

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

Pub date: 12 March 2026

Post first published on 7 March 2026

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description:

from the publisher

Across land, sea and time, the stones will summon them home . . .

‘Unputdownable . . . This book moved me, profoundly’ SANTA MONTEFIORE

It all begins with The Sea Stone Sisters. In this spellbinding series Eleanor Buchanan intricately weaves together the stories of four sisters and their descendants scattered across the globe from the Scottish home that they all yearn to return to.

‘A gorgeous immersive epic’ KRISTIN HARMEL
‘The perfect successor to Lucinda Riley’ ZOE MARRIOTT
‘Evocative, immersive and completely involving’ CLARE FLYNN
‘An enchanting, edge-of-your-seat tale’ CHRISTINA COURTENAY
_________________________

Four great stones once stood on a remote Scottish headland – the Sisters of Skara.
Legend has it they were raised by a grieving father, to guide his abducted daughters home.
A curse was placed on anyone who laid the stones low:
their family, too, would be scattered to the winds, never to find their way home.

1931. When Iris Blackmore’s father knocks down the Sisters of Skara standing stones, a dark shadow falls on the Blackmore family. With his fortune lost and wife dead, his four daughters are forced to leave their home, taking only the rings they inherited from their beloved mother.

Iris is the first to depart, travelling east in search of an uncle who might be able to help the family.

Present day. Roz Chatton moves to London from Australia, bringing very little with her other than her mother’s old ring. Grieving and adrift, she stumbles on a painting of four ancient standing stones which ignites an uncanny connection to the ring on her finger.

Determined to learn more about the origin of the painting, Roz unearths the full story of Iris Blackmore, unravelling a family history she could never have imagined.

Four lost sisters. A family scattered. An epic journey home. Will you follow?
_________________________

The Sea Stone Sisters is the first of a sweeping and moving series, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley. Let yourself be whisked away from Scotland to Ceylon and from Australia to London in this epic, dual time tale about family mysteries, unexpected love and enduring courage.

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From the Publisher:

#TheGlassKey #NetGalley

I had never read a title by this author but was quite interested in The Glass Key, based on both the book description and the cover. It was a terrific read and I have already purchased Geard’s two earlier novels.

This is a bit of a tough review to write because I don’t want to give too much away. There is just so much for the reader to discover.

Here is an over 400 page book with a plot that is complex, twisty and involving. There are also many characters and relationships to track in two timelines, one during WWII (Norway) and the other in the 2000s (Ireland). Readers will want to know how these come together. In addition, pay attention to the title of the book and learn about the significance of The Glass Key.

This is a book that will appeal to readers who enjoy The Seven Sisters series and the recent Sea Stone Sisters. As is true of the books just cited, The Glass Key offers a most immersive read. I highly recommend it.

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

Pub date: 18 June 2026

Description:

from the publisher

The breathtaking new novel from the bestselling author of the Richard and Judy Book Club pick The Midnight House.

‘I just loved this sweeping and deeply moving book of dark secrets’ SANTA MONTEFIORE
‘A page-turning mystery, richly layered and irresistible’ CARMEL HARRINGTON
‘A gorgeous novel. Beautifully written and twisty. I loved it’ EVE CHASE

In Ireland, Maggie has grown up hearing her mother tell her the bedtime story of The Glass Key. It’s a Nordic fairytale passed down by Maggie’s grandmother Anna Swan, who mysteriously left her home one stormy night years ago, never to return. Now Maggie’s grandfather has died and going through his things, Maggie is shocked to discover a faded wartime letter, asking him to take in a baby. In that moment she realises that Anna Swan was a woman of many secrets.

Only by travelling to Norway and discovering the story of four brave young women whose lives were forever changed by the occupation of their tiny islands, can Maggie uncover the shocking truth about her family – and finally unlock the mystery of the glass key…

‘You can taste the salt air and bathe in the glow of the Northern Lights’ KATE QUINN
‘A captivating story that unlocks an emotional doorway to the past’ EVIE WOODS
‘Epic, emotional and immersive. One of those books I wanted to savour’LOUISE DOUGLAS
‘Brimming with mystery, family secrets and heart’ MADELINE MARTIN
‘An old school epic that will have readers turning the pages long into the night’ SINÉAD CROWLEY

#TheTroublewithSisterFrancis #NetGalley

Fiction

448 pages

Four stars ****

Pub date: 27 August 2026

My thoughts:

Anyone who enjoyed Coyne’s novel Frank and Red will be jumping for joy when they come across his newest book. I think that he will easily bring new readers aboard as well.

Coyne brings a group of young boys and a most unusual nun together in a story that taps into nostalgia, friendship, adventures and relationships (both among friends and the older generation) with a mix of laughter and emotion. This is all very well done.

It is very easy to recommend this novel. It will appeal to many.

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

Description:

from the publisher

Sister Francis is an unlikely nun.

She’s sixty, sweary, drives like a lunatic and smokes like a stacked chimney . . . and she runs the Blessed Assumption Boys Club.

Richie, Bennett, Kenny and Stan are four best friends from the Whittle council estate with little to do but get up to no good. After a run-in with local bullies, they discover the crumbling, forgotten club and find themselves in the company of the most remarkable person they will ever meet.

Set against early 1980s Britain, THE TROUBLE WITH SISTER FRANCIS is a funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story of unlikely heroes, quiet rebellions, fierce loyalty and unexpected hope.

And at the centre of it all lies a long-forgotten journal that might just change everything.

A heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of FRANK AND RED

‘This might just be my feel-good read of the year . . . prepare to be transported back to the early 1980s and to lose your heart several times on the way back ‘
JANICE HALLETT

‘Matt Coyne is a genius. I defy you to read this book without smiling, laughing and weeping’
CLARE POOLEY

‘A nostalgic masterpiece . . . A funny, heart-warming and heartbreaking story of ordinary heroes, quiet rebellions and unexpected hope’
WOMAN & HOME

‘I cannot express how much I enjoyed this gorgeous story . . . I also snort-laughed on more than one occasion.’
JENNIE GODFREY

‘We promise this nostalgic book will reduce you to tears – of heartache and laughter . . . it’s a masterpiece’
SUNDAY POST

‘Matt Coyne is an extraordinary storyteller . . . everyone needs this heartwarming novel in their lives’
SARAH TURNER

State of Terror was a highly anticipated fall release before its publication. It will have its admirers and detractors. I suspect that conservative Americans will be offended by the thinly veiled references to the presidency of Donald Trump and the consequent perilous state that was left in his wake. But…this is fiction and should be judged as such.

This book is a page turning thrill ride that goes from one scary scenario to another. Throughout is a stalwart Secretary of State, Ellen, who I imagine has some of HRC’s characteristics. Ellen is a good person who is willing to take risks for the good of her country. She was appointed by a president who did not like her and who perhaps wanted her to fail; will she?

Interestingly, readers learn a bit, through Ellen, about how women are judged. Ellen takes advantage of this in her role as chief diplomat. For example, while she may act one down or look a bit disheveled Ellen is as clever as they come.

In addition to the action and the feeling of insider information, there are some nice relationships with the main characters and their connections. Ellen’s friendship with Betsy is the kind of relationship many wish for with their closest connections. Readers also get to watch Ellen with her adult children.

There are many other characters in this book. All contribute to the story line and readers will care for many of them. The villains also get their time in these pages.

The collaboration of these two authors works very well. Each had a role to play in creating the book. SPOILER: Readers of LP’s books will be delighted when they see how her own series comes into play. I loved how that was done.

I recommend this novel. It is a thriller with heart and some important messages.

An e book bargain

#ASprinkleofSweetSerendipity #NetGalley

Sometimes the right book just comes along when it is needed. Maybe that is part of the magic of this author’s books. This was a comfort read exactly when I needed one. It is perfect for when a non-stressful read is wanted.

Emmie has returned home from a burgeoning career as a chocolate maker in Europe because her family needs her help. Emmie takes over her parents’ fudge shop, emotionally supports her mother who has a chronic health problem, and does her very best to care for her young son. She literally (and metaphorically) has a lot on her plate.

Emmie is surrounded by many others, perhaps most importantly Jakob whom she dated in high school. Also key is Henry whose TV show Emmie regularly watches. Imagine her surprise when Henry comes to her town for the summer.

Linden usually puts a bit of magic in her books. Here she inserts a special candle that tells the women of Emmie’s family their future. Will what she sees be what Emmie wants? Is there any room for interpretation?

The setting in a small Pacific Coast town with Norwegian roots (that really exists!) is lovingly described. I could so easily picture the Main Street and its’ shops.

Linden very talks about the importance of finding what a person wants in life. This is a very valid message but I think could perhaps have used a tad lighter touch.

Those who enjoy small towns, romance, stories about family and friends, and, of course, chocolate will want to pick up this title.

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

Pub date: 19 May 2026

Post first published on 12 January 2026

Description:

A tantalizing novel about a struggling chocolatier who is granted a magical vision of the future of her dreams, only to realize that her heart may desire something else entirely, from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

Paris trained chocolatier and single mother Emmie Wynne gave up her own dreams six years ago when she returned to her Pacific Northwest coastal tourist town to run her family’s struggling candy store. Now on her thirty-fourth birthday, Emmie has only one wish, to be granted the vision that every Wynne woman is given once in her lifetime—a shimmering glimpse of her true destiny. This year, when she blows out her candles, it finally comes true.

Her vision is more delectable than she could’ve imagined—her very own artisanal chocolate shop filled with decadent truffles and caramels, and her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, down on one knee. And when Henry suddenly arrives in town for the summer, offering Emmie the opportunity of a lifetime, the future in her vision suddenly seems possible.

But a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend turned hunky, brooding tattooed baker, forces Emmie to grapple with the bittersweet realization that her destiny may not be what her heart truly longs for. As the culmination of her vision draws nearer, can Emmie find the courage to create a happiness of her own making?

Also by Rachel Linden:

Spotlight on The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake

About the Author:

from Amazon

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in more than fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake, Recipe for a Charmed Life, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, Ascension of Larks, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and The Enlightenment of Bees. Currently, Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island in the Pacific Northwest where she enjoys creating stories about hope, courage, and connection with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy

The Windsor Knot

A Novel

by SJ Bennett

#TheWindsorKnot #NetGalley

Please note that this review is for the unabridged audio of this title. It will be released in the U.S. in March. The book is out in the U.K.

Right now, many are absorbed in watching the latest season of The Crown. There is a lot of back and forth about what is true and what is fictional drama. Well, as far as I know, The Windsor Knot is totally fiction about the monarch as detective.

This is an absolutely delightful and enjoyable title and one that I recommend highly for an escapist break. Give it a try.

In The Windsor Knot, there are murder, mysterious Russians, ballet dancers, Chinese speakers, a very likeable Nigerian aide to the Queen called Rosie, various government and palace workers, family members of the Queen, visiting dignitaries, including Obama and more. All are engagingly portrayed.

The character of the queen feels pitch perfect. She is portrayed as a woman well aware of her role and importance but also as someone with an interior life, likes and dislikes. She is a detective who uses her access to information and her Poirot like gray cells to solve the case.

The narrator of the audio book is just splendid. She captures the characters and accents with aplomb and individual voices. I was only sorry when I had to part with her at the end of this title.

Put this one on your TBR or TBL (to be listened to) pile. Enjoy! It is part of a series so there is more to come.

#MayContainMurder #NetGalley

This title is Murrin’s sophomore effort, following on Knife Skills for Beginners. Both feature an amateur sleuth who is also a chef. This means that there is a lot of delightful information about food and meals in the books.

This time Paul is on a sea cruise. He was invited by a wealthy female friend. She has just married Sir Billy. Will their happiness last? What will become of the very, very expensive necklace that Xera was given by him?

This book is peopled with so many characters. They include the crew of the private yacht and the guests. Not all of them are likeable. And, of course, one of them will be murdered, leaving Paul to figure things out.

I liked many things about this book but did find the plot to require significant suspension of disbelief. Still, I believe that Murrin had great fun while writing his tale. His sense of humor is quite evident. For example, the yacht is named the Maldemer (anyone who has studied French knows that this refers to seasickness!).

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

Pub date: 16 December 2025

Post first published on 11 January2026

Description:

from the publisher

For fans of Nita Prose, Benjamin Stevenson, and Jessa Maxwell, this delightfully witty and tightly-written new locked room culinary mystery from the MasterChef semi-finalist, cookbook writer, and bestselling author of Knife Skills for Beginners features a charming chef, delicious original recipes, and a killer cruise aboard a luxurious superyacht.

“If it weren’t for all the terrible things that have been happening, I’d consider myself the luckiest man alive . . .”

While his flooded house undergoes repairs, chef-turned-writer Paul Delamare has been offered an accommodation upgrade—an all-expenses-paid trip aboard a private superyacht in the company of Xéra, one of his dearest friends. Paul will help Xéra work on her memoirs as Maldemer glides its sumptuous way to the Caribbean. The scenery is stunning, the luxury is unparalleled, and the food…well, at least the dishes that Paul is roped into preparing are delicious. The hired chef, meanwhile, seems completely out of her depth.

She’s not the only one. Much as Paul adores Xéra, a Parisian socialite who he was introduced to by his late lover, Marcus, he has little in common with the other guests, a motley crew consisting of Xéra’s new husband and his grasping family. 

When Xéra’s priceless new necklace goes missing, Paul falls under suspicion. But there’s far worse in store, as one of the passengers is found dead in mysterious and grisly circumstances. The stormy weather matches the threatening mood onboard, and as Maldemer veers off course, every semblance of order goes with it.

Above and below deck there are secrets and dangerous alliances. And as he untangles the truth, it becomes clear that Paul’s sharing close quarters with a killer eager to make this his final voyage . . .

From the Publisher

#TheOfficialClueBookofPuzzles #NetGalley

224 pages

Pub date: 27 October 2026

My thoughts:

I am a fan of puzzle books for when I want to engage my brain and step away from my screens. Gareth Moore and Laura Jayne Ayres have co-authored many of the titles in my collection. So, when I saw this title on NetGalley, I naturally was interested.

This title is, of course, based on the well-known game. It is an entertaining book filled with different types of puzzles. I will definitely be buying the paper book so that I can solve them all with pencil in hand.

Recommended for puzzle solvers and Clue fans.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Four stars 🌠🌠🌠🌠

Description

Step into the shadowy halls of Tudor Mansion and put your detective skills to the ultimate test! The thrilling world of Clue comes to life in this interactive puzzle book, packed with 80 whodunnit challenges to solve.

Inspired by the classic mystery game, The Official Clue Book of Puzzles transforms Tudor Mansion into an interactive investigation. Follow the evidence, question your assumptions, and put your powers of deduction to work as each solved puzzle brings you one step closer to the truth.

But watch out. In Tudor Mansion, everyone has something to hide.

Perfect for CLUE fans, puzzle lovers, amateur sleuths, and anyone who can’t resist a good mystery, this brain-teasing adventure invites you to:

• Crack 80+ puzzles designed to test your detective skills
• Search for clues and piece together evidence as the mystery unfolds
• Logic problems, codes, deduction challenges, visual puzzles, and evidence to analyze
• Familiar suspects including Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, and Dr. Orchid
• An interactive screen-free investigation that builds toward solving the murder of Mr. Boddy for solo detectives, families, game nights, road trips, and vacations
• Outsmart six suspicious guests and separate useful leads from clever distractions
• Immerse yourself in the iconic world of CLUE in a whole new way
• Put your logic and deduction skills to the test as you hunt for the killer

Grab your pencil, sharpen your detective instincts, and solve the mystery before the culprit gets away.

#FamiliusBooks #NetGalley

This twenty page board book for little ones includes many music terms, everything from clef to instrument groups to styles of music. Youngest children will only be able to take in some of the terms but the book could grow with them.

The words are accompanied by illustrations. These use a variety of color palettes.

This book could make a nice addition to a toddler’s board book library.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 10 November 2026

Four stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Description:

from the publisher

A playful new board book in the 100 First Words series, filled with musicians and terms that every music nerd wants to teach their little prodigy.

You get overly excited when you hear a song in a minor key. Classical music makes you think better. And when you say you love spring the best out of the four seasons, you don’t mean the weather.

Congratulations! You’re a music nerd. But can Baby tell the difference between Bach and Handel?

Composed by certified music nerd Taylor Robbins, this melodious first-word primer is sure to turn your child into a musical prodigy. Forget apple and dog. Little musicians are ready to move from ABC to FACE (if you know, you know,) and other musical words like crescendo, orchestra, and Yo-Yo Ma.

Packed with hilarious illustrations and references to famous musicians, iconic compositions, and musical terminology, 100 First Words for Little Musicians is the ultimate symphony of words every future musician needs to know to stay on pitch.

In the Blink of an Eye

A Novel

by Jo Callaghan

#IntheBlinkofanEye #NetGalley

I had seen this book on a British bookstore’s website and was quite intrigued. I was delighted when it became available in the U.S. and thrilled to get an early review copy of this series starter.

Jo Callaghan has already received awards and praise for her debut. She is the Winner of the Crime Writers’ Association’s John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. These are huge accomplishments and, in my opinion, well deserved.

Readers will not forget Kat and Aide. Kat is a detective who has been paired with an artificial intelligence device. It is an experiment to see if and how AI might be useful in investigations. Aide can assume bodily form as a hologram, at times causing much consternation. He also can be rather outspoken. There is much interplay between Kat’s intelligence and emotions as compared with Aide’s brilliance and lack of tact.

Kat, Aide, her team and the creator of Aide Lock are tasked with the investigation of two (cold) missing persons cases, both young men. One is a Black student missing from Uni. The other is a white theater graduate who is from a well to do family. Are these situations independent or linked?

In this novel, there is an excellent mystery plot and added to this are the AI elements of the story. Both kept me turning the pages and sad to reach the end of the story. Luckily the sequel, which is out in the UK, will be coming to the U.S. before too long.

The other aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the characters. Each had enough back story to keep them interesting. In the case of Kat, she is widowed and has a teenage son. One of her investigators has a sister who had a bad experience at university while another, Debbie, seemingly lacks confidence. The relatives of the missing young men and others also very much come to life.

This book is easily one of my favorites of the year. I hope Callaghan writes many more titles.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this one. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 August 2024

From the Publisher