In the crowded landscape of Civil War fiction, Chris Bohjalian’s “The Jackal’s Mistress” carves out distinctive territory by exploring the profound moral complexities faced by ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Set in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in 1864, this meticulously researched novel draws inspiration from an actual historical episode while crafting an original narrative that […]
In horror films, there’s always that one girl who makes it to the end—the one who outsmarts the killer, who turns the tables, who survives until sunrise when the credits roll. But what happens after? What sort of life awaits someone who’s witnessed unimaginable carnage, who’s faced down a monster and lived? This is the […]
Elena Armas, the author who charmed readers with The Spanish Love Deception, returns with a slow-burn, heartfelt, and deeply introspective second installment in her Love Deception series: The American Roommate Experiment. This novel focuses on Rosie Graham and Lucas Martín—Catalina’s best friend and cousin, respectively—as they navigate proximity, emotional vulnerability, and the creative paralysis of […]
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Summer in the City by Alex Aster
In her adult debut novel, Summer in the City, Alex Aster—best known for her #1 New York Times bestselling YA fantasy series Lightlark—demonstrates her versatility by crafting a witty, emotional, and deliciously satisfying contemporary romance. Set against the backdrop of a sweltering New York summer, this story delivers all the trappings of a great rom-com […]
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Book Review: Same Place, Same Stars
Same Place, Same Stars by Katey Taylor Genre: Literary & General Fiction / Psychological ISBN: 9781732750449 Print Length: 333 pages Amazon Reviewed by Joelene Pynnonen This ultimately hopeful psychological drama digs into the complexities of mental health treatment and the stigma surrounding it. When Natalia Sokolov is admitted to Awana, a mental health treatment facility, […]
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Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
Alexandra Kiley’s sophomore novel “Scot and Bothered” delivers a heartfelt second-chance romance against the breathtaking backdrop of Scotland’s Isle of Skye. Following her charming debut “Kilt Trip,” Kiley returns to the Scottish landscape she clearly adores, this time taking readers on an emotional and physical journey along the challenging Skye Trail. The novel artfully braids […]
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Monthly Features – March 2025
Black Cliff Chronicles by Steve Sterling I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. Synopsis: Three intertwined time travel rescue missions reveal how ordinary people rise to extraordinary acts of valor, driven by selflessness and a willingness to sacrifice for others. The thriving university town of New […]
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Solange by Alexandre Dumas
When thousands are being executed, would you risk your life to save a stranger? That’s the choice faced by Dr. Ledru in Solange by Alexandre Dumas. This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Solange by Alexandre Dumas Solange by Alexandre Dumas DR. LEDRU’S STORY OF […]
Monica Heisey’s debut novel “Really Good, Actually” is a triumph of comedic timing wrapped in a blanket of millennial existential dread. Following 29-year-old Maggie through the aftermath of her 608-day marriage, Heisey delivers a story that feels both painfully specific and universally relatable. With sharp dialogue, cringe-worthy moments, and unexpected tenderness, this novel offers an […]
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Faith by W. Somerset Maugham
Faith by W. Somerset Maugham was written in 1899. It is part of his Orientations Short Story Collection. This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Faith by W. Somerset Maugham Faith by W. Somerset Maugham I The moon shone fitfully through the clouds on to […]