Review: A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain

When brilliant FBI agent Kendra Donovan stumbles back in time and finds herself in a 19th century English castle under threat from a vicious serial killer, she scrambles to solve the case before it takes her life—200 years before she was even born.

Beautiful and brilliant, Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI. Yet her path to professional success hits a speed bump during a disastrous raid where half her team is murdered, a mole in the FBI is uncovered and she herself is severely wounded. As soon as she recovers, she goes rogue and travels to England to assassinate the man responsible for the deaths of her teammates. While fleeing from an unexpected assassin herself, Kendra escapes into a stairwell that promises sanctuary but when she stumbles out again, she is in the same place - Aldrich Castle - but in a different time: 1815, to be exact. Mistaken for a lady's maid hired to help with weekend guests, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the time period until she can figure out how she got there; and, more importantly, how to get back home. However, after the body of a young girl is found on the extensive grounds of the county estate, she starts to feel there's some purpose to her bizarre circumstances. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra must use her wits alone in order to unmask a cunning madman.

My thoughts:

I’d like to start off my mentioning the whole concept of time-travel story. Sometimes it works in stories and sometimes it does not. In this story, it works and the author gives such a brilliant and believable description of Kendra being pulled through time. For me that was pretty intense. I could almost feel the physical pain she was going through.

I really dig the premise of an FBI Agent traveling through time and ending up working a case of a 19th century murder that turns into much more. You also meet some other great characters that race to help her solve the crimes. For starters, Rose, Rebecca, Molly, Alec and Duke Aldridge are about the best written supporting characters I have read in a good while. Most of all I was so fascinated with Kendra’s process in trying to solve these murders and some of the other characters thought process. I believe Kendra really brought that out in them and she really got them to think outside their 19th century minds.

The killings are graphic, there is profanity in this story. Quite a bit of it in the beginning actually. I’m not one for profanity but I understand the scenario the author was portraying. Intense situations cause people to react in all kinds of ways. For many, profanity is one of them. Even though the killings are graphic, this gives you a real sense of what the victims are going through, which makes the story all the more intense. I think that was brilliantly done and gives you a real understanding of that type of evil in the world.

I found this story to be atmospheric, packed with lots of action, high-energy situations and such intense and real emotions. I couldn’t put it down. I loved it and I hope there will be a sequel!  I’ve rated this book four and a half stars.

I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

You can find other great reviews and posts at my Wordpress here. 

Stephanie M. Hopkins

New Book Release: Tempest by David Cook

TEMPEST has received this fabulous review from Jim Stempel, the author of seven books, including Windmill Point released in March, 2016 by Penmore Press. He has this to say:

''It is February, 1797, and the French are up to great mischief along the southwestern coast of Wales. At Fishguard – a sleepy fishing village featuring a small harbor where a stone fort looms above – a force of some 1500 of the French Black Legion is rowed ashore disguised in British uniforms, dyed dark brown for purposes of deception. Sent by the French Directory, and led by the ex-patriot American, Colonel William Tate, their objective is to generate a general revolt against the king’s authority in the region. The mission’s progress, however, has been watched closely by Major Lorn Mullone, an Irish officer in the British Army of considerable experience, who has accurately gauged the true and sinister purpose of the landing.

Thus begins Tempest, David Cook’s sixth entry in his Soldier Chronicles Novella Series, and as Major Mullone rides into Fishguard, the reader rides with him into a seething cauldron of international intrigue, regional animosities, and personal vendetta that all soon conjoin to explode in violence. Cook, a master of the time period, brings this true story to life with a historian’s eye for the facts coupled with an artist’s fine touch. His scenes of battle are gripping and accurate, just as his descriptions of the Welch countryside – the wildlife, vegetation, and the locals themselves – are wonderfully evocative of both time and place. Indeed, it is Cook’s skillful juxtaposition of these disparate elements that brings Tempest to life for the reader, ultimately vaulting this fascinating story from the realm of mere historical fiction into that far rarer sphere of true art. For anyone interested in a vivid and captivating tale of international intrigue during the Napoleonic era, Tempest is highly recommended.''

UK AMAZON

US AMAZON

AMAZON.CA
AMAZON.COM.AU 

Author Bio:

David Cook has been interested in history since his school days, and developed a love for the Napoleonic Wars era from his father, who painted and amassed a lead model army of the Battle of Waterloo. From there David became fascinated with The American Civil War, The English Civil Wars and English medieval history, particularly the legend of Robin Hood. David is writing a novel entitled The Wolfshead, a story of Robin Hood, but based on the original medieval ballads as the source.

No One Knows by J.T Ellison

Book Description from Goodreads:

The day Aubrey Hamilton’s husband is declared dead by the state of Tennessee should bring closure so she can move on with her life. But Aubrey doesn’t want to move on; she wants Josh back. It’s been five years since he disappeared, since their blissfully happy marriage—they were happy, weren’t they?—screeched to a halt and Aubrey became the prime suspect in his disappearance. Five years of emptiness, solitude, loneliness, questions. Why didn’t Josh show up at his friend’s bachelor party? Was he murdered? Did he run away? And now, all this time later, who is the mysterious yet strangely familiar figure suddenly haunting her new life?

The element of surprise is important in mystery thrillers. Did I get that from this book? Find out April 12th HERE!

Stephanie M. Hopkins

A Murder in Time by Julie Mcelwain

Book Description from Goodreads:

Beautiful and brilliant, Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI. Yet her path to professional success hits a speed bump during a disastrous raid where half her team is murdered, a mole in the FBI is uncovered and she herself is severely wounded. As soon as she recovers, she goes rogue and travels to England to assassinate the man responsible for the deaths of her teammates.

While fleeing from an unexpected assassin herself, Kendra escapes into a stairwell that promises sanctuary but when she stumbles out again, she is in the same place - Aldrich Castle - but in a different time: 1815, to be exact.

Mistaken for a lady's maid hired to help with weekend guests, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the time period until she can figure out how she got there; and, more importantly, how to get back home. However, after the body of a young girl is found on the extensive grounds of the county estate, she starts to feel there's some purpose to her bizarre circumstances. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra must use her wits alone in order to unmask a cunning madman. 

Interview with Julie Mcelwain coming April 8th HERE

My review coming April 9th HERE

Stephanie M. Hopkins

SAWBONES by Melissa Lenhardt

A writer breathes life into characters with words and their book is their canvas. A writer’s art is to gather elements of life and situations and weave them into words. To design a story that draws a reader in and leaves an impression that has the reader emotionally invested.

A book blogger’s blog is their canvas to express the feelings that they come away with in those stories. We want to be impressed with the narrative’s story-telling, themes and all other elements of the story. I want a writer to ignite my imagination. I want the characters to haunt me. Humans are multi-dimensional. I want that shown in stories. I want happy, raw, sorrowful, honest and REAL emotions.

Does SAWBONES do this for me? Find out when I post my review on April 2 HERE!

Previously published HERE

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Loving Eleanor by Susan Wittig Albert

When AP political reporter Lorena Hickok—Hick—is assigned to cover Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential campaign, the two women become deeply involved. Their relationship begins with mutual romantic passion, matures through stormy periods of enforced separation and competing interests, and warms into an enduring, encompassing friendship documented by 3300 letters.

Set during the chaotic years of the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the Second World War, Loving Eleanor reveals Eleanor Roosevelt as a complex, contradictory, and entirely human woman who is pulled in many directions by her obligations to her husband and family and her role as the nation’s First Lady. Hick is an accomplished journalist, who, at the pinnacle of her career, gives it all up for the woman she loves. Then, as Eleanor is transformed into Eleanor Everywhere, First Lady of the World, Hick must create her own independent, productive life.

My thoughts:

I have to say I am selective in what I read about political figures or their families. Often times I find them to be completely one-sided or bias. When I came across this story, I became intrigued with the premise and not having read historical fiction before on Eleanor Roosevelt, I decided to take the chance…

Read more of my review and other great posts at my Wordpress!

A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain

The publishers granted my wish for this book through NetGalley! I am really looking forward to reading it. Check it out!

Pegasus Books

Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date April 11, 2016

When brilliant FBI agent Kendra Donovan stumbles back in time and finds herself in a 19th century English castle under threat from a vicious serial killer, she scrambles to solve the case before it takes her life—200 years before she was even born.

Beautiful and brilliant, Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI. Yet her path to professional success hits a speed bump during a disastrous raid where half her team is murdered, a mole in the FBI is uncovered and she herself is severely wounded. As soon as she recovers, she goes rogue and travels to England to assassinate the man responsible for the deaths of her teammates. While fleeing from an unexpected assassin herself, Kendra escapes into a stairwell that promises sanctuary but when she stumbles out again, she is in the same place - Aldrich Castle - but in a different time: 1815, to be exact. Mistaken for a lady's maid hired to help with weekend guests, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the time period until she can figure out how she got there; and, more importantly, how to get back home. However, after the body of a young girl is found on the extensive grounds of the county estate, she starts to feel there's some purpose to her bizarre circumstances. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra must use her wits alone in order to unmask a cunning madman.

Time of Fog and Fire by Rhys Bowen

This is one of the books I am currently reading right now and I am really enjoying the story. Its #16 in the Molly Murphy Series and I am reviewing it through NetGalley. After I read this book I think I will pick up the series from the beginning. I will say that this book is making a great stand alone.

Book Description:

Molly Murphy Sullivan's husband Daniel, a police captain in turn-of-the-century New York City, is in a precarious position. The new police commissioner wants him off the force altogether. So Daniel accepts an assignment from John Wilkie, head of the secret service. Molly believes her husband is in Washington, working for the president, until she spots him in San Francisco during a movie news segment. Then she receives a strange letter from him, leading her to conclude that he wants her to join him in San Francisco.

She takes her young son Liam on the cross-country train trip, but when they arrive in San Francisco, Molly is told that she's too late, her husband's funeral was yesterday. She's devastated, even more so when she receives a cryptic note saying Daniel's death was not an accident. In her grief she stays on to investigate, until she meets a strange man at a party, whom she soon starts to suspect may not be quite who he appears. Then Molly finds another body in the basement, but before she can report it, the Great Earthquake strikes San Francisco, and the servant runs off in a panic with Molly's son. Suddenly Molly has no idea where to turn or whom to trust, and she knows there are many lives on the line, including her own.

The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell

How will I calm down enough to read another book after this one? I am half way through and my mind is completely filled with this story. No room for other thoughts right now.

In this smart and enthralling debut in the spirit of The Weird Sisters and Special Topics in Calamity Physics, the only remaining descendant of the Brontë family embarks on a modern-day literary scavenger hunt to find the family's long-rumored secret estate, using clues her eccentric father left behind.

Samantha Whipple is used to stirring up speculation wherever she goes. As the last remaining descendant of the Brontë family, she's rumored to have inherited a vital, mysterious portion of the Brontë's literary estate; diaries, paintings, letters, and early novel drafts; a hidden fortune that's never been shown outside of the family.

But Samantha has never seen this rumored estate, and as far as she knows, it doesn't exist. She has no interest in acknowledging what the rest of the world has come to find so irresistible; namely, the sudden and untimely death of her eccentric father, or the cryptic estate he has bequeathed to her.

But everything changes when Samantha enrolls at Oxford University and bits and pieces of her past start mysteriously arriving at her doorstep, beginning with an old novel annotated in her father's handwriting. As more and more bizarre clues arrive, Samantha soon realizes that her father has left her an elaborate scavenger hunt using the world's greatest literature. With the aid of a handsome and elusive Oxford professor, Samantha must plunge into a vast literary mystery and an untold family legacy, one that can only be solved by decoding the clues hidden within the Brontë's own writing.

No Stranger To Death by Janet O'Kane

B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree 

A Scottish village. A burning corpse. Some very dark secrets.

Recently-widowed Dr Zoe Moreland moves from an English city to the Scottish countryside for a fresh start among strangers unaware of her past. However, her hopes of a quiet life are dashed when she finds the grisly remains of a body in the village’s Guy Fawkes bonfire and gets caught up in the resulting murder investigation.

Then someone else dies unexpectedly and Zoe herself narrowly escapes death. Determined not to become the killer’s next victim, she digs beneath the tranquil surface of the close knit community to find out who is committing these horrible acts. And discovers that some secrets can be deadly.

No Stranger to Death is the first of a series of mystery novels set in the Scottish Borders, where the author lives

Out Of The Ice by Ann Turner

I just spotted this one on NetGalley. Though it is not available for US Readers/Reviewers, I am hoping it is soon!

Pub date: Jun 1, 2016

When environmental scientist Laura Alvarado is sent to a remote Antarctic island to report on an abandoned whaling station, she begins to uncover more than she could ever imagine.

Despite new life thriving in the icy wilderness, the whaling station is brimming with awful reminders of its bloody, violent past, and Laura is disturbed by evidence of recent human interference. Rules have been broken, and the protected wildlife is behaving strangely.

On a diving expedition, Laura is separated from her colleague. She emerges into an ice cave where, through the blue shadows, she is shocked to see an anguished figure, crying for help.

But in this freezing, lonely landscape there are ghosts everywhere, and Laura begins to sense that her own eyes cannot be trusted. Is her mind playing tricks? Has she been in the ice too long?

Back at base, Laura’s questions about the whaling station go unanswered, blocked by unhelpful scientists, unused to questions from an outsider. And Laura just can’t shake what happened in the ice cave.

Piecing together a past and present of cruelty and vulnerability that can be traced all around the globe, from Norway, to Nantucket, Europe and Antarctica, Laura will stop at nothing to unearth the truth. As she sees the dark side of endeavour and human nature, she also discovers a legacy of love, hope and the meaning of family. If only Laura can find her way...

Out of the ice.

I've Got My Eye On You!

I came across this authors work through via social media when someone posted about this website: Historical Festival on Facebook. I cannot remember who. Anyhow, interesting website and a list of lots of authors to check out. This book really stood out to me and I will be keeping my eye on it! Who knows, I might even read it in the foreseeable future.

Police-procedural murder mystery that enters the lists of historical crime with shock and suspense. 

Eight days in spring, 1735: a race against crime. 

When a handsome young man is shot dead on an estate in the picturesque Champagne region of France, Victor Constant, military policeman, determines to find out why. But no one else, including the local magistrate, seems willing to penetrate the mystery of this brutal death. Alone and against orders, Victor confronts the notorious free-thinker, Voltaire, who found the body. Victor fights to protect the innocent and bring the real killer to justice. A second murder occurs and Victor's task becomes doubly dangerous: unless he can strip bare the conspiracy behind this intricate series of crimes, he stands to lose his military career--and his life. 

The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell

How cool is this?! I've received a galley copy of, The Madwoman Upstairs from NetGalley and I totally forgot Simon & Schuster was sending me a hard copy! It just came in the mail! So excited! *Doing the happy dance! * Looking forward to reading it! 

In this smart and enthralling debut in the spirit of The Weird Sisters and Special Topics in Calamity Physics, the only remaining descendant of the Brontë family embarks on a modern-day literary scavenger hunt to find the family's long-rumored secret estate, using clues her eccentric father left behind.

Samantha Whipple is used to stirring up speculation wherever she goes. As the last remaining descendant of the Brontë family, she's rumored to have inherited a vital, mysterious portion of the Brontë's literary estate; diaries, paintings, letters, and early novel drafts; a hidden fortune that's never been shown outside of the family.

But Samantha has never seen this rumored estate, and as far as she knows, it doesn't exist. She has no interest in acknowledging what the rest of the world has come to find so irresistible; namely, the sudden and untimely death of her eccentric father, or the cryptic estate he has bequeathed to her.

But everything changes when Samantha enrolls at Oxford University and bits and pieces of her past start mysteriously arriving at her doorstep, beginning with an old novel annotated in her father's handwriting. As more and more bizarre clues arrive, Samantha soon realizes that her father has left her an elaborate scavenger hunt using the world's greatest literature. With the aid of a handsome and elusive Oxford professor, Samantha must plunge into a vast literary mystery and an untold family legacy, one that can only be solved by decoding the clues hidden within the Brontë's own writing.

A fast-paced adventure from start to finish, this vibrant and original novel is a moving exploration of what it means when the greatest truth is, in fact, fiction.

Confessions of a Book Blogger

Today over at my wordpress I talked about how book bloggers should support authors. Click here to read the post! I believe you will find it interesting and useful. 

Thank you for your support!

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Recap of Great Reading!

This past week I was out of town and didn’t get much blogging in, so I have a lot to make up for! However, I did manage to publish three post on my wordpress. I highly recommend you check them out!

Feb. 8- BookReview: Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase

Feb. 12-BeStill My Heart: indieBRAG Valentine Blog Hop

Feb 13-Hello New Books

Layered Pages News

This week on my main website, I talked about how authors need to support book bloggers and I think you will find it mighty interesting. Please stop by and take a look and if you like what I have to say, please show your support in sharing the post.

There are several other great posts on there as well this week. Next week I won’t be doing a lot of blogging so be sure to stay tuned for further posts in the near future.

Other places you will find me: @Layeredpages on Twitter and Facebook.

Many Thanks,

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Book Review: In the Shadows of the Mosquito Constellation by Jennifer Ellis

In a world torn apart by economic collapse, Natalie and her husband Richard establish an island of relative safety on a communal farm. Death—by starvation, raiders, and sickness—stalks them daily, and their survival hinges on working together for the common good. But in a lawless land with no shortage of suffering, good is a malleable concept.

As the constant grind of survival and the frictions of farm politics expose the rifts in Natalie and Richard’s marriage, Natalie finds herself seeking refuge in the company of Richard’s twin, Daniel, a solitary man with little interest in politics.

In the face of ongoing external threats and simmering internal divisions, Natalie, Richard, and Daniel must each map the boundaries of their own loyalties and morality. In the Shadows of the Mosquito Constellation is a story of adventure, politics, and love in a brave new world where the rules have both changed, and stayed the same.

My thoughts:

I generally do not read apocalyptic stories. In the Shadows of the Mosquito Constellation captured my attention immediately. I’m pretty sure it was the cover art and then as I read the book description, I was fascinated with the concept of establishing life on a communal farm.

What makes this book believable is the economic collapse that happens in this story. It is all to real that food, gas and water could be sparse and lawlessness of nations could take place.

The story starts a bit slow but you could feel the tension growing. The shifting conflicts between the scenes was overwhelming at times but gave a clear picture of the hardships the people endured and their struggle for survival. Their inner strengths and even the smallest choices they made could have the biggest impact on their lives and everyone around them.

Natalie and Richard’s relationship was interesting to read about. They are married and opened their farm to establish a safe haven-if you will.

Richard is a politician, a typical one at that. Before the doom he would scoff at Natalie’s predictions and felt she worries too much. Well, when her predictions become reality, he takes the opportunity to take advantage of the situation and for the most part, for his own power and gain. He drips in total narcissism.

Natalie is pragmatic and has an admirable inner strength and Richard knows this and needs these qualities for a partner. I really liked the characterization of these two the most. Though at times I wanted to throttle both of them. For different reasons-of course.  I think you will be interested in how their relationship turns out.

The author did a splendid job on in the exploration of humanity under these dire and abnormal conflicts. She shows us consequences and reactions the characters make in an extreme environment. Nicely done and I look forward to more stories by this author.

I have rated this book four stars.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

You may also find this review at my WordPress, my main website.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

It's All In A Day Of Reading

Check out my new galley reads because, you know, it's not like I have enough to read already! But I can't help myself! 

Pub Date: March 17, 2016

It's 1956 and fifteen-year-old Betty Broadbent has never left the Cornish fishing village of St Steele or ventured far beyond the walls of the boarding house run by her erratic mother. But when the London press pack descends to report on a series of gruesome murders of young women, Betty's world changes. In particular, she is transfixed by mysterious and aloof reporter, Mr. Gallagher.

As the death toll rises, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Betty and Gallagher. But as their bond deepens, they find themselves entangled with the murders and each is forced to make a devastating choice, one that will shape their own lives - and the life of an innocent man - forever.

What if everything you knew was a lie… This house has a past that won’t stay hidden, and it is time for the dead to speak.

Pub Date: Feb 18, 2016

Returning to Number 17, Coronation Square, Edie is shocked to find the place she remembers from childhood reeks of mould and decay. After her aunt Dolly’s death Edie must clear out the home on a street known for five vicious murders many years ago, but under the dirt and grime of years of neglect lurk dangerous truths.

For in this dark house there is misery, sin and dark secrets that can no longer stay hidden. The truth must come out.

Finding herself dragged back into the horrific murders of the past, Edie must find out what really happened all those years ago. But as Edie uncovers the history of the family she had all but forgotten, she begins to wonder if sometimes it isn’t best to leave them buried.

From the bestselling author of The Lost Child don’t miss The Silent Girls

An unforgettable and addictive story, perfect for fans of Lesley Thomson, Diane Chamberlain and Tracy Buchanan.

Pub Date: May 3, 2016

In the spring of 1939, the drums of war beat throughout Europe, but nowhere more ferociously than in Berlin. The film studio where Clara Vine works is churning out movies, but each day that she stays in Germany is more dangerous than the last. Spying on the private life of the Third Reich, passing secrets to contacts in British intelligence, falling into a passionate affair—any of these risky moves could get Clara shot. So she is wholly shaken when someone close to her is murdered instead. The victim is Lottie Franke, an aspiring costume designer and student at the prestigious Faith and Beauty finishing school that trains young women to become the wives of the Nazi elite. While the press considers Lottie's death in the Grunewald forest the act of a lone madman, Clara uncovers deeper threads, tangled lines that seem to reach into the darkest depths of the Reich—and to a precious discovery that Hitler and his ruthless cohorts would kill for.

Wulfsuna by E.S. Moxon

E.S Moxon, kindly sent me her book, Wolfsuna, along with a beautifully written letter. Which I will cherish always. She is such a lovely and caring lady. I look forward to reading her book and going back to AD433! One can do that when one reads!

AD433

Torn apart when Rome abandoned Bryton, the Wulfsuna are a disparate tribe. Twenty years on, two long ships sail for the east fens to honour their Warrior-Lord's dream and reunite with lost kin. Soon after landing however, a murderous betrayal divides loyalties, some craving revenge and others indignant on pursuing their Lord's dream. Blood and brotherhood are tested to their deadly limits.

The discovery of a young Seer adds to the turmoil. Expelled from her village after foretelling of an attack by blue painted savages, the Wulfsuna are equally wary of the one they call 'Nix'. None fear her more than Lord Wulfgar, who refuses to believe an ancient saga bearing his name, is weaving the Seer's destiny into his own. But a treacherous rival threatens their fate and Wulfgar must accept the Seer's magic may be all that can save them.

Recap of Great Reading 1/25-1/28

Another busy week at Layered Pages! As you know by now, not only do I post at this location, I post at WordPress as well. As always, I would be delighted if you stopped by there and took a look.

Monday: Galley Reads from NetGalley & Titles I have Recently Added To My reading List

Tuesday: Review: Very Like A Queen by Martin Lake

Wednesday: Announcing the indieBRAG Interview Team

Thursday: Interview with B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree Anna Belfrage

As you can see, lots of great posts and exciting mentions of people and books!

Have a great weekend!

Stephanie M. Hopkins