Cover Reveal: The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray

The Women of Chateau Lafayette
Author: Stephanie Dray
Release Date: March 30, 2021
Publisher: Berkley

Description:

An epic saga from New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray based on the true story of an extraordinary castle in the heart of France and the remarkable women bound by its legacy in three of humanity's darkest hours.

Most castles are protected by powerful men. This one by women...

A founding mother...

1774. Gently-bred noblewoman Adrienne Lafayette becomes her husband's political partner in the fight for American independence. But when their idealism sparks revolution in France and the guillotine threatens everything she holds dear, Adrienne must choose to renounce the complicated man she loves, or risk her life for a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

A daring visionary...

1914. Glittering New York socialite Beatrice Astor Chanler is a force of nature, daunted by nothing--not her humble beginnings, her crumbling marriage, or the outbreak of war. But after witnessing the devastation in France and delivering war-relief over dangerous seas, Beatrice takes on the challenge of a lifetime: convincing America to fight for what's right.

A reluctant resistor...

1940. French school-teacher and aspiring artist Marthe Simone has an orphan's self-reliance and wants nothing to do with war. But as the realities of Nazi occupation transform her life in the isolated castle where she came of age, she makes a discovery that calls into question who she is, and more importantly, who she is willing to become.

Intricately woven and beautifully told, The Women of Chateau Lafayette is a sweeping novel about duty and hope, love and courage, and the strength we find from standing together in honor of those who came before us.

Pre-order Link: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/594461/the-women-of-chateau-lafayette-by-stephanie-dray/ 

Author Newsletter:  https://www.stephaniedray.com/fun/newsletter/

 

What made you fall in love with Adrienne Lafayette and why do you think readers will fall for her as you did?

Thanks to a popular musical, the Marquis de Lafayette is known to a new generation as "America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman"--and there's good reason for that. He's easily the most lovable of our Founding Fathers, and his wife, whom he called his dear heart, is just as lovable if not more so. Adrienne was our French Founding Mother, so right up my alley as a heroine, but at first I worried she was too sweet, devoted, and forgiving. In short, too gentle for a novel. Little did I realize that more than any other historical heroine I've ever written, Adrienne fought and sacrificed for her principles, courageously threw herself into danger, confronted tyrants, and endured trials that would have broken lesser mortals. She truly humbles me, and when I talk about the Lafayette legacy, I think of it as every bit as much hers as it is his.

How long did it take you to write this book? Did the story evolve as you researched, or did you always know you wanted to take on the lives of these particular women?

I was always interested in Lafayette--an interest that grew as Laura Kamoie and I co-authored America's First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton. I think I had the germ of the idea for a Lafayette novel at least seven years ago, but I had other projects in the way. And I was always in search of an angle that would be fresh and unique. That came to me when I discovered that Lafayette's castle in Auvergne, which had been purchased and renovated by Americans, served to shelter Jewish children from the Nazis. Knowing how deeply the Lafayettes both felt about religious freedom, I knew this would have pleased them, and it touched me. I was then determined to know which Americans had purchased the chateau, and when I found out, yet another glorious chapter in the Lafayette legacy was born. That's when the story took shape for me about one special place on this earth where, generation after generation, faith has been kept with principles of liberty and humanity. I find that very inspirational, now more than ever.

The book is centered around Lafayette’s castle, the Château de Chavaniac, and the pivotal role it played during three of history’s darkest hours—the French Revolution and both World Wars. If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive) at Chavaniac, who would you choose and why?

 

Believe it or not, this is actually a difficult choice because so many incredible men and women passed through those doors. I'd have to start with the Lafayettes--though I hope they would not serve me pigeons, which were a favorite at their wedding banquet. To join us for dinner, I'd choose the colorful stage-star of the Belle Epoque, Beatrice Chanler, because she was a force of nature without whom Chavaniac might not still be standing. Actress, artist, philanthropist, decorated war-relief worker and so-called Queen of the Social Register, she was as mysterious as she was wonderful, and even after all the startling discoveries I made researching her larger-than-life existence, I have a million questions about the early life she tried so hard to hide. I can't wait for readers to meet her!

  


 

Spotlight: The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis

The Vanished Bride (A Brontë Sisters Mystery)
Author: Bella Ellis
Genre: Historical/Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: July 7, 2020 (Reprint)
Publisher: Berkley

Description:

Before they became legendary writers, Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë were detectors in this charming historical mystery...
Yorkshire, 1845. A young wife and mother has gone missing from her home, leaving behind two small children and a large pool of blood. Just a few miles away, a humble parson's daughters--the Brontë sisters--learn of the crime. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë are horrified and intrigued by the mysterious disappearance.

These three creative, energetic, and resourceful women quickly realize that they have all the skills required to make for excellent "lady detectors." Not yet published novelists, they have well-honed imaginations and are expert readers. And, as Charlotte remarks, "detecting is reading between the lines--it's seeing what is not there."

As they investigate, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne are confronted with a society that believes a woman's place is in the home, not scouring the countryside looking for clues. But nothing will stop the sisters from discovering what happened to the vanished bride, even as they find their own lives are in great peril...  

 

The Passengers Blog Tour: Review

The Passengers
Author: John Marrs
Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books

Description:

You're riding in your self-driving car when suddenly the doors lock, the route changes and you have lost all control. Then, a mysterious voice tells you, "You are going to die."
Just as self-driving cars become the trusted, safer norm, eight people find themselves in this terrifying situation, including a faded TV star, a pregnant young woman, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife, and a suicidal man.

From cameras hidden in their cars, their panic is broadcast to millions of people around the world. But the public will show their true colors when they are asked, "Which of these people should we save?...And who should we kill first?"  

Praise:

“THE PASSENGERS is a 1970s disaster movie by way of Black Mirror, with an added dash of technology-gone-wrong straight out of Michael Crichton….If you’re looking for a sleek, exhilarating ride, look no further.”— Financial Times

“One can almost hear the Hollywood music in the background as the action unfolds; the plot twists are truly gripping….Summer blockbuster entertainment at its best.”— Kirkus Reviews

“[THE PASSENGERS’s] strength lies in its well-developed characters and in its exploration of issues such as the growing role of AI, mob psychology, and the ethics of who gets to decide who lives or dies.”— Publishers Weekly

“Marrs excels at thrilling readers by creating a real sense of tension and delivering a believable, harsh criticism of modern society through this dark and entertaining story.” —Los Angeles Times

“What a ride!”—Booklist

The Passengers is a fast paced thriller that uses common technology we use almost daily against us and then demands we make the hardest decision of all - who to save and who to kill. I haven't read any of the author's other books before going into this one and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The description sounded really intriguing and I knew there was definite potential for a great story. I was not disappointed in the least - it was actually the opposite. This is a genre bending novel that not only makes the reader think about our daily use and increasing dependency on technology but also on greater ethical questions. I found it to be exhilarating, terrifying, thought provoking, and truly gripping.

I don't do spoilers in my reviews, so it's going to be really hard to say basically anything about the plot that isn't mentioned in the description without giving anything away. There are several characters involved in the story - the people in their cars who have been chosen to participate in this sick "game" and also the people on the outside who are trying to figure out what's happening and shut it down - namely a woman named Libby, who we quickly learn isn't completely separate from what's happening and the people involved. We get small but insightful snippets of each "Passenger" throughout the novel, so bit by bit we can start to piece together their lives and situations. On top of getting to know all of the characters better and learning more about this deadly game that's being played - we start getting hit with the good stuff. Everything in these people's closets is being exposed - secrets, lies, and any other dirt that can be found. On top of all of these revelations, the author introduces twist after twist into the plot - to the point where you have absolutely no idea what's going to come to light or what might happen next. This last part had me completely invested in the story and I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next and what was going to be exposed. I was reading as quickly as I could without missing anything and the book was over before I knew it.

Normally, my preferred writing style is first person point of view for several reasons. However, with this many main and major characters, it was best that the author used the third person POV. We still get to know each of them and everything in their lives, but it doesn't become overwhelming or confusing because of the author's writing style. It was a great balance to the whirlwind story unfolding in front of us and I don't think it could've been done any better. I honestly didn't have any expectations going into this book and it blew me away and left me thinking about a lot of serious topics long after I had finished the last page. I'm definitely going to be checking out the author's other books now. I very highly recommend this novel for fans of science fiction, contemporary fiction, suspense, mystery, thriller, action and adventure, and those looking for something different from what else is out there right now. 

John Marrs is the author of The One which is being made into a 10 part Netflix series, The Good Samaritan, Her Last Move, When You Disappeared, and Welcome to Wherever You Are. Until recently, he worked for twenty-five years as a freelance journalist based in London, England, where he interviewed celebrities from the world of television, film, and music for national newspapers and magazines. He has written for publications including the Guardian's Guide and Guardian Online, Total Film, the Huffington Post, Empire, Q, GT, the Independent, S Magazine, and Company. He is now a full-time author.

 

Release Day Spotlight + Giveaway: Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati

Where the Light Enters (Gilded Hour #2)
Author: Sara Donati
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books

Description:

From the international bestselling author of The Gilded Hour comes Sara Donati's enthralling epic about two trailblazing female doctors in nineteenth-century New York.

Obstetrician Dr. Sophie Savard returns home to the achingly familiar rhythms of Manhattan in the early spring of 1884 to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. With the help of Dr. Anna Savard, her dearest friend, cousin, and fellow physician, she plans to continue her work aiding the disadvantaged women society would rather forget.

As Sophie sets out to construct a new life for herself, Anna's husband, Detective-Sergeant Jack Mezzanotte calls on them both to consult on two new cases: the wife of a prominent banker has disappeared into thin air, and the corpse of a young woman is found with baffling wounds that suggest a killer is on the loose. In New York it seems that the advancement of women has brought out the worst in some men. Unable to ignore the plight of New York's less fortunate, these intrepid cousins draw on all resources to protect their patients.

 

There's a new novel coming out September 10: Where the Light Enters. More about the novel here. or on Sara's FaceBook page.

Sara Donati is the pen name of Rosina Lippi, also here on Goodreads because she writes too. All book reviews you'll find under Rosina's name.  

Links:

http://rosinalippi.com/weblog 

http://www.twitter.com/akaSaraDonati  

  

(1) Hardcover copy of WHERE THE LIGHT ENTERS - Open to US entries only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The Perfect Son Blog Tour: Spotlight

The Perfect Son
Author: Lauren North
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Release Date: August 13, 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books

Description:

A disturbing and shocking debut novel of psychological suspense about a recently widowed mother, her young son, and the lengths she'll go to in order to keep him safe.

When Tess Clarke wakes up in the hospital the day after her son Jamie's eighth birthday, she's sure of these things: She's been stabbed, her son is missing, her brother-in-law and her grief counselor are involved. But no one is listening to her.

After her husband, Mark, died suddenly in a terrible accident a few months earlier, the only thing keeping Tess together is Jamie. As they struggle to make sense of their new life without Mark, they find joy in brief moments of normalcy like walking to school and watching television together. Life is hard without Mark, but Tess has Jamie, and that's what matters.

But there in the hospital, confused and surrounded by people who won't listen, Tess’s world falls apart. To save her son, she must piece together what happened between Mark's death and Jamie's birthday, but the truth might just be too much for her to bear.  

Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.

Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside. Readers can follow Lauren on Twitter @Lauren_C_North and Facebook @LaurenNorthAuthor






 

Spotlight + Giveaway: Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

Seven Days of Us
Author: Francesca Hornak
Genre: Adult Contemporary/Holiday
Release Date: October 16, 2018 (Paperback edition)
Publisher: Berkley Books

Description:

"Sharply funny."--People

Only the most extraordinary circumstances can reunite the Birch family for the holidays...

It's Christmas, and for the first time in years the entire Birch family will be under one roof. Even Emma and Andrew's elder daughter--who is usually off saving the world--will be joining them at Weyfield Hall. But Olivia, a doctor, is only coming home because she has to. She's just returned from treating an epidemic abroad and has been told she must stay in quarantine for a week...and so too should her family.

For the next seven days, the Birches are locked down, cut off from the rest of humanity, and forced into each other's orbits. Younger, unabashedly frivolous daughter Phoebe is fixated on her upcoming wedding, while Olivia deals with the culture shock of first-world problems.

As Andrew sequesters himself in his study writing scathing restaurant reviews and remembering his glory days as a war correspondent, Emma hides a secret that will turn the whole family upside down.

In close proximity, not much can stay hidden for long, and as revelations and long-held tensions come to light, nothing is more shocking than the unexpected guest who's about to arrive...  

Francesca Hornak is a British author, journalist and former columnist for the Sunday Times. Her debut novel Seven Days Of Us will be published by Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in October 2017. Little Island Productions has pre-empted TV rights to the book.

Francesca's work has appeared in newspapers and magazines including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Metro, Elle, Grazia, Stylist, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Red. She is the author of two nonfiction books, History of the World in 100 Modern Objects: Middle Class Stuff (and Nonsense) and Worry with Mother: 101 Neuroses for the Modern Mama. 

Author Links:
http://www.twitter.com/FrancescaHornak 

(1) Paperback copy of Seven Days of Us - Open to US only

  a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Vox Blog Tour: Spotlight + Giveaway

Vox
Author: Christina Dalcher
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopia
Release Date: August 21, 2018
Publisher: Berkley Books

Description:

Set in an America where half the population has been silenced, VOX is the harrowing, unforgettable story of what one woman will do to protect herself and her daughter.

On the day the government decrees that women are no longer allowed more than 100 words daily, Dr. Jean McClellan is in denial--this can't happen here. Not in America. Not to her.

This is just the beginning.

Soon women can no longer hold jobs. Girls are no longer taught to read or write. Females no longer have a voice. Before, the average person spoke sixteen thousand words a day, but now women only have one hundred to make themselves heard.

But this is not the end.

For herself, her daughter, and every woman silenced, Jean will reclaim her voice.  

Christina Dalcher earned her doctorate in theoretical linguistics from Georgetown University. She specializes in the phonetics of sound change in Italian and British dialects and has taught at universities in the United States, England, and the United Arab Emirates.
 
Her short stories and flash fiction appear in over one hundred journals worldwide. Recognitions include the Bath Flash Award’s Short List; nominations for The Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and Best Small Fictions; and multiple other awards. She teaches flash fiction as a member of the faculty at The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency represents Dalcher’s novels.
 
After spending several years abroad, most recently in Sri Lanka, Dalcher and her husband now split their time between the American South and Naples, Italy.
 
Her debut novel, VOX, will be published in August 2018 by Berkley (an imprint of Penguin Random House).

Author Links:
http://www.christinadalcher.com/ 
http://www.twitter.com/CVDalcher 
https://www.facebook.com/CVDalcher/ 
https://www.instagram.com/cvdalcher/ 

 (1) Hardcover copy of VOX - Open to US entries only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Release Day Spotlight + Giveaway: The Boy at the Door by Alex Dahl

The Boy at the Door
Author: Alex Dahl
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: July 24, 2018
Publisher: Berkley

Description:

This riveting psychological suspense debut by Alex Dahl asks the question, "how far would you go to hold on to what you have?"

Cecilia Wilborg has it all--a loving husband, two beautiful daughters, and a gorgeous home in an affluent Norwegian suburb. And she works hard to keep it all together. Too hard...

There is no room for mistakes in her life. Even taking home a little boy whose parents forgot to pick him up at the pool can put a crimp in Cecilia's carefully planned schedule. Especially when she arrives at the address she was given
and finds an empty, abandoned house...

There's nothing for Cecilia to do but to take the boy home with her, never realizing that soon his quiet presence and knowing eyes will trigger unwelcome memories from her past--and unravel her meticulously crafted life...  

  Half-American, half-Norwegian, Alex Dahl was born in Oslo. She graduated with a B.A. in Russian and German linguistics with international studies and went on to complete an M.A. in creative writing at Bath Spa University, followed by an M.S. in business management at Bath University. Alex has published short stories in the U.K. and the U.S. She is a serious Francophile and currently lives in both London and Sandefjord. The Boy at the Door is her first novel.

http://www.twitter.com/alexdahlauthor

 (1) Paperback copy of THE BOY AT THE DOOR - Open to US only!

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Review + Giveaway: The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

The Broken Girls
Author: Simone St. James
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: March 20, 2018
Publisher: Berkley Books

Description:

A breakout suspense novel from the award-winning author of The Haunting of Maddy Clare.

Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants--the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it's located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming--until one of them mysteriously disappears...

Vermont, 2014. As much as she's tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister's death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister's boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can't shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past--and a voice that won't be silenced...

Advance praise for THE BROKEN GIRLS:
 

“Clever and wonderfully chilling. It held me hostage.”

—Fiona Barton, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow

“Part hauntingly gothic and part suspenseful crime drama, The Broken Girls is a bona fide page-turner.”

—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of The Night the Lights Went Out

“Chilling, disturbing and gripping, this is a well-written, modern-day Gothic tale about facing our darkest fears.”—Tessa Harris, author of The Anatomist’s Apprentice
 
“Each new twist is served with calculated, masterful precision…A vivid, riveting story you won’t soon forget.”—Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of A Treacherous Curse

“Haunting and memorable… Masterfully done!”

—Karen Dionne, author of The Marsh King's Daughter

The Broken Girls is a fantastic suspense novel that combines past and present, truth and lies, and even the supernatural. I read mysteries and thrillers all the time, so it takes a bit to impress me anymore. I can easily say that this novel had me intrigued, constantly guessing, and on the edge of my seat the entire time. It's a wonderful breath of fresh air for the genre and one that readers are definitely going to want to get their hands on.


The plot immediately caught my attention when I read the description, but I really got hooked on the story starting with the prologue. There are a lot of aspects to this book that differ from others and definitely set it apart. For me personally, there were two major aspects that had me impressed. The first was the connection between the past and the present. The story continually goes between 1950 and 2014 as separate yet somehow connected events are happening at Idlewild Hall. I found it fascinating to feel transported to the past and then to see the parallels with the current happenings. The other aspect that I really enjoyed is actually directly connected to this one. It's the author's choice of writing style. Normally, I'm a huge fan of the first person point of view for a lot of different reasons. The author, however, chose to write this book in the third person. But what really sold me on it were the characters whose viewpoints we see. There are five main characters in the book - Fiona, a journalist in 2014; and four girls who attended Idlewild in 1950 - CeCe, Katie, Sonia, and Roberta who are roommates and best friends. We get to hear from each of them throughout the book - some more than others - as their stories unravel and the mysteries unfold. There are multiple cases to be solved, both from the past and from the more recent past. The author wove in several smaller storylines that easily wove together to form the overarching plot of the novel. And the best for last (at least for me) - part of it was a legit ghost story. Not one that turns out to be reasonably explained away, but an honest to goodness creepy ghost that haunts Idlewild and the surrounding property. I don't do spoilers, so I can't say much else without revealing anything. 


Overall, this was an incredible novel that blended several genres together to produce a chilling thriller that will have readers devouring the pages. The writing was very well done and I look forward to reading the authors other books. Very highly recommended to fans of mysteries, thrillers, suspense, supernatural/paranormal, ghost stories, crime fiction, historical fiction, and contemporary fiction. There's a bit of something for everyone in these pages and I definitely recommend giving it a chance.

Simone St. James is the award-winning author of The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two RITA awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. She wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school, and spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and a spoiled cat.

Author Links:
http://www.simonestjames.com/ 
https://twitter.com/simone_stjames 
http://www.facebook.com/simonestjames 
https://www.pinterest.com/simonestjames/ 
http://instagram.com/simonestjames

 (1) Hardcover copy of The Broken Girls by Simone St. James - Open to US residents only!

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Gone Without a Trace Blog Tour: Review

Gone Without a Trace
Author: Mary Torjussen
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: April 18, 2017 (Paperback)
Publisher: Berkley Books

Description:

A jaw-dropping novel of psychological suspense that asks, "If the love of your life disappeared without a trace, how far would you go to find out why? "

Hannah Monroe's boyfriend, Matt, is gone. His belongings have disappeared from their house. Every call she ever made to him, every text she ever sent, every photo of him and any sign of him on social media have vanished. It's as though their last four years together never happened.

As Hannah struggles to get through the next few days, with humiliation and recriminations whirring through her head, she knows that she'll do whatever it takes to find him again and get answers. But as soon as her search starts, she realizes she is being led into a maze of madness and obsession. Step by suspenseful step, Hannah discovers her only way out is to come face to face with the shocking truth...  

Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door, says: “Gone Without a Trace has one of the most interesting narrators I’ve ever come across.”

Gone Without a Trace is another great addition to the mystery/thriller genre, and is definitely one fans are going to want to read. The main theme is one that almost everyone can identify with, and that's one of the major selling points - among several others. Overall, I'd definitely recommend it to readers who like suspense, mysteries, and thrillers. Here are my pros and cons after finishing:

Pros:
- First person point of view. This is such an important detail for me that I'm listing it right at the beginning. I truly believe that the story wouldn't have had the impact it did for me if it had been written in a different style. The fact that it's told from the first person - from Hannah's perspective - was one of my top positives for the novel.

- Fantastic attention to detail and lots of vivid imagery that brings the story to life for the reader.

- A tightly wound mystery with lots of twists and turns that you don't really see coming. I always try to figure out what's really happening before the author reveals it, but this book had me stumped for most of the story.

- The fact that this could potentially happen to someone in real life made it seriously creepy and made me stop and think about what I would do if I found myself in Hannah's shoes. 

- Hannah is a wonderful main character and I identified with her right away. It's a huge plus for me that the book is told from her perspective, and the fact that I could see inside her head made it all the better.

Cons:
- Some parts of the story seemed to be redundant. It felt like some points were repeated again and again to the point of almost being annoying - but then again, I haven't been in Hannah's position and I don't know how I would think or react. But I thought it was worth a mention.

 

Mary Torjussen has an MA in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moores University. She worked for several years as a teacher and lives outside of Liverpool, where Gone Without a Trace is set.