Linking to: It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? at BookDate; Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer; and the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz

Life…

What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…

Louisa by Gwen Wilson

Maiden by Georgia Leighton

Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood

New Posts…

Review: The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman

Review: Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Can’t Believe I’ve Never Read

Review: Louisa by Gwen Wilson

Review: The Palace of Lost Virtue by Anthea Hodgson

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Monthly Spotlight May

What I’m Reading This Week…

The strong. The messy. The a real buzzkill.
Private investigator Verona Montero hikes fifteen kilometers to a cliff-top lodge in the Canadian Badlands to dodge cheating dirtbags and a crush with better abs than boundaries. She expects R&R. Instead, a sex-bomb named Harper turns up planted in the front garden—daisies and all—and a storm turns the only road out into a mud smoothie. With the cops days away, Verona gets promoted to PI-in-residence with a complimentary bar tab and a house full of alibis that smell like last night’s tequila. The lodge is an adult summer camp for bad late-night room changes, motives with teeth, and alibis flimsier than a motel towel. When the body count starts flirting with plural, Verona’s strategy is simple—ruin evenings, crack egos, and make the killer sweat through their resort wear. Otherwise her weekend getaway could turn into a permanent check-out.
Hot Girls Die First delivers locked-lodge tension, dirty jokes, and razor-clean clues—Agatha Christie plotting, Janet Evanovich humor, and Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan chaos, all with a foul-mouthed feminist bite.

SHE RAISES HELL. HE RAISES THE DEAD. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
When new recruit Helspira takes on the doomed mission that no other soldier wants, life – and death – start to get a little complicated. Helspira must play escort to Sikras – a frustratingly handsome necromancer with the power to raise the dead – as he attempts a mission that he’s failed twice before; stopping an undead army at the edges of the kingdom. No-one thinks he will succeed. Not even Sikras. But the more time the two spend together, the more they find they can imagine a brighter future.
As secrets come out and the two grow closer – and Sikras’s lively skeleton companion Benjamin tries desperately not to be a third wheel – will Sikras’ and Helspira’s changing feelings for each other be enough to overcome the growing danger?
RAISE A GLASS. RAISE THE DEAD. JUST DON’T RAISE YOUR HOPES.
Necromantasy is the new romantasy in Hopeless Necromantic, a debut romantic fantasy for fans of Gideon the Ninth, The Irresistible Urge to Fall for your Enemy, Long Live Evil or Assistant to the Villain.

A blisteringly fast, fresh, funny and hugely entertaining novel of mothers, daughters and one gutsy wild colonial girl who gets caught up in Australia’s last female bushranger’s quest for revenge. 
‘The thing is, when your neck’s been getting stepped on for so long, you run out of air. Without air, the fight up and leaves you. What you need to see is someone who’s gotten out from under the boot before, someone who’s fought back and lived to tell the tale. And that someone’s Dulcie James.’ 
1918: Australia’s last bushranger, Dulcie James, holds up Anna King’s falling-down farmhouse. There’s a scrawny unloved infant on the floor, Anna seems more furious than frightened, and it’s the bushranger who’s left shaken. Sparks fly between the women, and the trajectories of their lives are altered, especially for Anna as the next day, she vanishes.
Twelve years later, Anna’s daughter, Billie King, is a girl ready to explode. With a missing mother, the rent in arrears and her alcoholic father’s gambling debts to cover, she has no time for school. But when child services threaten to remove Billie from her father – and she learns he’s really not her father – she must decide between continuing her search for her missing mother and keeping what’s left of her family together. If she fails to hold onto her father, she’ll be taken away and placed in a children’s home, but if she doesn’t find her missing mother, who will?

Thanks for stopping by!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR @bookdatereads #SundayPost @caffienatedreviewer #SundaySalon @debnance I’m #reading #HotGirlsDieFast #HopelessNecromantic #BillieKing

Welcome to the Monthly Spotlight for the

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge

Each month I highlight some of the reviews shared for the challenge in the LINKY

Don’t forget to link each book you read as you read during the year!

I encourage you to support all participants who have shared what they are reading for the challenge. Give them a like, leave them a comment, share their posts on your social media channels using #ReadNonFicChal 

[HISTORY]

“This graphic novel investigates the 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riot that took place in India….I enjoyed reading the book and learned alot about Indian politics…This was a difficult assignment for the author but he did well in telling the reader how he searched for answers on a daily basis.”

Learn more at Reading Books Again

[HEALTH]

“This book will be helpful for those looking to walk more effectively as exercise rather than recreation, though it might be unlikely to reach the desired audience of people who aren’t walking.”

Learn more at The Book Stop

[BIOGRAPHY]

“If you love making lists and looking at other people’s lists, you absolutely need this book.”

Learn more at the Intrepid Angelo

[GENERAL]

“I read this book mainly because I know what elements I want my book to contain, but struggled with the best way to arrange them. The section about design structure helped a great deal. But I benefited from reading the other material as well.”

Learn more at Stray Thoughts

[SUBCULTURE]

“It took me such a long time to finally read this book but I’m glad I did. All the praise for it is well deserved. It’s a powerful story with a powerful message and I’m sure I’ll come back to it again one day.”

Learn more at The Book Haze

What will you be reading in June?

Need some inspiration? 

Visit the LINKY

Or check out these posts:

2026 Nonfiction Reader Monthly Spotlight -April

2026 Nonfiction Reader Monthly Spotlight -March

2026 Nonfiction Reader Monthly Spotlight -February 

2026 Nonfiction Reader Monthly Spotlight -January 

2026 Non-Fiction Award Announcements

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Inspiration #HISTORY #MEMOIRBIOGRAPHY

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Inspiration #TRUECRIME #SCIENCE

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Inspiration # HEALTH #FOOD

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Inspiration #SOUTHEASTASIA #HUMOUR

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Inspiration #LOSTORFOUND #TELEVISION

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Inspiration #SUBCULTURE #PUBLISHEDIN2026

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge Monthly Spotlight for MAY #readnonficchal #readingchallenge #nonfiction #bookblogger #books #read #join See what people have been reading at Book’d Out 

Louisa 

Author: Gwen Wilson

Published:  29th May 2026, Glass House Books

Status: Read May 2026 courtesy the author 

My Thoughts:

Australian author Gwen Wilson draws inspiration from the life of her great-grandmother in her engaging historical fiction novel, Louisa.

Set over a period of about 20 years, the story begins in England with the death of Louisa’s father in 1872. As the second eldest of 9 children, 17 year old Louisa is forced to put her dreams of an independent life on hold to raise her younger siblings as her mother struggles in vain to maintain her late husbands business. It’s not until a decade later that Louisa finally has the opportunity to emigrate to Australia where she hopes to become a governess and eventually open a school.

Written in the first person Wilson’s titular character is an appealing lead with a strong, consistent voice. Louisa engenders sympathy as her dreams are dashed by a combination of blind optimism, naivety, and poor luck, while also inspiring admiration as she fights for her future despite being dogged by misfortune, tragedy, and betrayal.

Themes of sacrifice, misogyny, and injustice, are thoughtfully explored in the novel with Louisa’s ambitions repeatedly thwarted by the lack of agency women were afforded in the Victorian era. Friendship, resilience, courage, and love are also important elements of the story.

Wilson deftly weaves historical detail into the narrative, creating an authentic sense of time and place. Plainly written, the story unfolds at a steady pace, driven more by emotion than suspense or action. While the first-person narration allows readers to form a close connection with Louisa, her repeated encounters with misfortune and injustice can become somewhat wearing by the later section of the novel.

A well crafted tale of triumph over adversity, I found Louisa to be a pleasant and satisfying read. Fans of character driven historical fiction featuring a resilient heroine and strong emotional themes are likely to find much to enjoy in Wilson’s novel.

#bookreview Louisa by Gwen Wilson @IP_Australia #read #book #review #fiction #historical #histficreadingchallenge #2026NewReleaseChallenge #AussieAuthor #Louisa Learn more at Book’d Out 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

June 2: Books I Can’t Believe I’ve Never Read

Given that my TBR numbers in the thousands, my approach to this week’s prompt was pretty random. Essentially I scrolled my WTR shelf on Goodreads and made a list of  what immediately caught my eye. Some have been on my shelves (physical or virtual) for decades, some for only a few years. Every time I see them I literally do say to myself ’I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet’.

Covers link to Goodreads

The year I added the book to my shelf is below each cover

Do we have any in common?

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Today is Top Ten Tuesday #TTT hosted by @artsyreadergirl #books #bookblogger This week I’m sharing books I can’t believe I’ve never read. Learn more @ Book’d Out

Linking to: It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? at BookDate; Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer; and the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz

Life…

What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…

The Palace of Lost Virtue by Anthea Hodgson

New Posts…

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favourite Books by My Favourite Authors

Review: A Degree of Murder by Maz Evans

Review: Where There’s Smoke by Karly Lane

What I’m Reading This Week…

Embark on an unforgettable journey with Louisa: an historical novel by Gwen Wilson — a stirring historical tale of courage, resilience, and the quest for independence. Set against the vibrant backdrop of late 19th-century Australia, follow Louisa Whitley, a determined Englishwoman who defies societal expectations and embarks alone on a voyage to New South Wales, seeking freedom and a new life beyond the constraints of her past. From the challenging voyage aboard the Leicester Castle to the rugged isolation of an Australian homestead, Louisa’s story weaves through hardship, heartbreak, and unexpected friendships. Experience her struggle as a governess turned domestic servant, her fight against injustice, and her complex relationships — including a poignant romance that offers hope amid adversity. Gwen Wilson masterfully captures the spirit of a woman ahead of her time, navigating the harsh realities of colonial life while holding fast to dreams of independence and love. Rich in historical detail, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters, Louisa is a compelling saga of strength, sacrifice, and the enduring power of self-determination. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and inspiring women’s stories, Louisa will transport you to a world where courage knows no bounds and destiny is forged by those brave enough to seize it. Discover Louisa: an historical novel — a tale of hope, heart, and the pursuit of freedom.

THIS PRINCESS IS GOING TO SAVE HERSELF. Discover a world of forbidden magic, court politics and sacrifice in this enchanting new myth retelling, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik. The Kingdom of Calestra was built on blood. Every spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, one young woman is chosen by lot to be sacrificed to the Great Dragon. As the Maiden Sacrifice draws near once more, three women stand at the heart of its brutal ritual: Cressyda, desperate and trapped, Alinore, torn between duty and rebellion and Maylie, whose secrets burn hotter than dragonfire. Together, they carry the power to shatter a treaty written in blood and ash. Yet freedom comes at a cost, and first they must face the ancient fury of the Great Dragon. The sacrifice is coming. But this time, the maidens refuse to burn. Prepare for… ancient dragons, lady knights, cunning princesses, castle libraries, fierce fairy folk, forbidden magic and much more!

A heartbroken romance novelist is forced to address her writer’s block when the villainous cowboy character from her books shows up in the real world, desperately in need of his own Happily Ever After. . . from the bestselling author of GMA book club pick The Love of My Afterlife. Gertie Bickerstaff writes happily-ever-afters for a living. . . . Or she did, until her own love life fell apart. Now her ex is thriving, her deadline is looming, and she can’t write a single word. The last thing Gertie needs is more drama—like waking up to find a confused and rugged cowboy on her sofa. And not just any cowboy, but River Oakley, the villain from her unfinished novel. Somehow very real . . . and very shirtless. River wants to go home. Gertie wants her life back. So they strike a deal: he’ll use his cunning ways to help her win back her ex, she’ll finish the novel, and, surely, he’ll return to whatever world he rode in from. But as River Oakley proves to be so much more than just the bad guy, Gertie has to choose: the ending she thought she wanted . . . or the plot twist she never saw coming.

Thanks for stopping by!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR @bookdatereads #SundayPost @caffienatedreviewer #SundaySalon @debnance I’m #reading #Maiden #Louisa #RomanticHero Learn more at Book’d Out

Where There’s Smoke

Author: Karly Lane

Published: 28th April 2026, Allen & Unwin

Status: Read May 2026 courtesy Allen & Unwin

+

My Thoughts:

Where There’s Smoke is a heartwarming second chance romance from bestselling Australian author Karly Lane.

Twenty four year old Kenzie Knight is the owner of a small but successful event management company on Queensland’s Gold Coast. In the midst of planning a high profile wedding, Kenzie is shocked when she is finally introduced to the elusive groom. Her client’s fiancé is Ewan Campbell, the father of Kenzie’s four year old daughter Poppy, conceived during a passionate but reckless, drunken one night stand. Kenzie knows she must tell Ewan about their child but wonders if she can really put her future at risk for this man a second time.

Unfolding from the alternating perspectives of Kenzie and Ewan, Where There’s Smoke explores themes such as parenthood, grief, secrets, trust and love.

There’s a strong emotional undercurrent throughout the novel as Kenzie struggles with the pressure of running her business, her uncertainty about Ewan’s commitment to fatherhood, and her decision to accompany him to his family property in South Australia. Ewan, meanwhile, is determined to prove he deserves a place in his daughter’s life while also navigating a strained relationship with his father. The conflicts that arise feel authentic, and their eventual resolution is both believable and satisfying.

Kenzie is an easy character to like, and I had a great deal of empathy for her. Ewan is equally appealing, considerate, patient, and wonderful with Poppy. I especially appreciated the way both characters prioritised Poppy and worked together to make the best of an undeniably awkward situation.

The chemistry that originally brought Kenzie and Ewan together is still evident when they reunite, and I really enjoyed the steady development of their relationship as they learned to trust one another again.

I loved the cameo appearance of Sam (Kenzie’s mother) and Jack, two characters whose romance was featured in Once Burnt, Twice Shy, along with the ridiculous Guinea fowl. 

Written with the humour, sincerity, and heart for which Lane’s rural romances are known, Where There’s Smoke is a wonderfully satisfying read.

Available at Allen & Unwin RRP AUD $34.99

#bookreview Where There’s Smoke by Karly Lane @AllenandUnwin #read #book #review #fiction #romance #2026NewReleaseChallenge #AussieAuthor #WhereTheresSmoke Learn more at Book’d Out 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

May 26: My Favorite Books by My Favorite Authors (Pick your ten favorite authors and your favorite book written by each one of them.) (submitted by Cathy @ WhatCathyReadNext)

Choosing favourites of anything is a struggle for me, and that’s especially true when it comes to books (and by extension, authors).

I had to put some parameters in place so I wouldn’t be paralysed by indecision, namely I had to have read at least three books by the author, and I’ve avoided series where the book doesn’t work as a stand alone. So this list is what I came up with (in no particular order)…

(Covers link to my review)

Do we have any in common?

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Today is Top Ten Tuesday #TTT hosted by @artsyreadergirl #books #bookblogger  This week I’m sharing my favourite books by my favourite authors. Learn more at Book’d Out

Linking to: It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? at BookDate; Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer; and the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz

Life…

We had a lovely time celebrating my daughter’s 30th birthday on Saturday. Though the forecast was telling us to expect a day of rain and low temps the weather was actually mild and clear as you can see from the photo below taken from the back of the boat.

It’s the last Monday of the month, so here’s my challenge updates: 

2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge: 6/12

2026 Speccy Fiction Challenge: 9/12

2026 Great Canadian Reading Challenge: 4/12

2026 Cloak and Dagger Challenge: 15/25

2026 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge: 8/15

2026 New Release Reading Challenge 54/60

What I’ve Read Since I last Posted…

Disgraceful by Rachel Fox McLeod

Where There’s Smoke by Karly Lane

The Wolf and His Witch by KE Turner

New Posts…

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Haven’t Finished

Bookshelf Bounty

What I’m Reading This Week…

Embark on an unforgettable journey with Louisa: an historical novel by Gwen Wilson — a stirring historical tale of courage, resilience, and the quest for independence. Set against the vibrant backdrop of late 19th-century Australia, follow Louisa Whitley, a determined Englishwoman who defies societal expectations and embarks alone on a voyage to New South Wales, seeking freedom and a new life beyond the constraints of her past. From the challenging voyage aboard the Leicester Castle to the rugged isolation of an Australian homestead, Louisa’s story weaves through hardship, heartbreak, and unexpected friendships. Experience her struggle as a governess turned domestic servant, her fight against injustice, and her complex relationships — including a poignant romance that offers hope amid adversity. Gwen Wilson masterfully captures the spirit of a woman ahead of her time, navigating the harsh realities of colonial life while holding fast to dreams of independence and love. Rich in historical detail, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters, Louisa is a compelling saga of strength, sacrifice, and the enduring power of self-determination. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and inspiring women’s stories, Louisa will transport you to a world where courage knows no bounds and destiny is forged by those brave enough to seize it. Discover Louisa: an historical novel — a tale of hope, heart, and the pursuit of freedom.

THIS PRINCESS IS GOING TO SAVE HERSELF. Discover a world of forbidden magic, court politics and sacrifice in this enchanting new myth retelling, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik. The Kingdom of Calestra was built on blood. Every spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, one young woman is chosen by lot to be sacrificed to the Great Dragon. As the Maiden Sacrifice draws near once more, three women stand at the heart of its brutal ritual: Cressyda, desperate and trapped, Alinore, torn between duty and rebellion and Maylie, whose secrets burn hotter than dragonfire. Together, they carry the power to shatter a treaty written in blood and ash. Yet freedom comes at a cost, and first they must face the ancient fury of the Great Dragon. The sacrifice is coming. But this time, the maidens refuse to burn. Prepare for… ancient dragons, lady knights, cunning princesses, castle libraries, fierce fairy folk, forbidden magic and much more!

The bush keeps its secrets and its gold…In 1898, Marigold Harrington arrives on the goldfields of Western Australia with conviction in her heart. The daughter of a prospector and a proud member of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union, she dreams of rescuing women the gold rush has forgotten, those trapped in the shadows of brothels and bars. Across town, Pansy Arlington presides over the Palace of Pleasure, her own small empire built from ruin. When Marigold arrives at her door, offering God’s forgiveness, Pansy surprises her with unexpected kindness.The two women spark an unlikely friendship, but in a rough, lawless town built on greed and desire, their bond will be tested by betrayal, violence and a crime that will echo through the years. Inspired by true events and the real women of the gold rush, The Palace of Lost Virtue dares to rewrite history books, giving voice to the lives of the formidable women who lived and died in the goldfields.

Thanks for stopping by!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR @bookdatereads #SundayPost @caffienatedreviewer #SundaySalon @debnance I’m #reading #Maiden #Louisa #ThePalaceofLostVirtue Learn more at Book’d Out 

Every third Sunday of the month (or so)  I share my Bookshelf Bounty – what’s been added to my TBR pile recently for review from publishers.

Click on the cover images to view at Goodreads

(My thanks to the respective publishers)

Are any of these on your TBR? Which one appeals to you the most?

Bookshelf Bounty: New to my #TBR #reading #books #bookshelf #bookblogger #lovereading #bookreviews #newbooks Learn more at Book’d Out

Dark Sanctuary 

Author: Sarah Barrie

Published: 1st May 2026, HQ Fiction

Status: Read April 2026 courtesy Netgalley 

My Thoughts:

A serial killer embarks on a murderous rampage in Dark Sanctuary, a disturbing thriller from bestselling Australian author Sarah Barrie. 

As the body count rises, three very different people are drawn inexorably into his orbit. Detective Sergeant ‘Hex’ Redford who takes charge of the investigation when it seems to link to the notorious exploits of the now imprisoned ‘Witchdoctor’; Beth Thompson, a mother desperately trying to protect her children from her abusive husband who works as an activities director at an aged care complex; and Eve, an ambitious journalist with a successful podcast who is probing complaints regarding the operation of Coast Sanctuary Forensic Mental Health Facility.

The intricately layered plot unfolds methodically as Barrie successfully weaves the seemingly unrelated narrative strands together to unveil the serial killer and the shocking motive behind his ritualistic crimes.  

There is relentless tension from the opening scenes of the novel as the murderer eludes Hex’s dogged pursuit while stalking his unwitting prey. Meanwhile, Beth is terrified by her husband’s escalating threats and the worrying impact on her young son’s behaviour. Eve, eager for a source to support her investigation, makes an impulsive decision that unwittingly puts both herself and her co-host at grave risk.

Through the perspectives of Hex, Beth, and Eve, Barrie explores the lasting consequences of trauma, abuse, and institutional failure, while questioning the extent to which people are shaped by their circumstances in the age-old nature-versus-nurture debate. These themes add depth to the narrative, grounding the horror in a way that feels authentic and unsettling.

As the story approaches the final explosive chapters the revelations are breathtaking, and the climax is dramatic and powerful. Atmospheric and compelling, Dark Sanctuary kept me engrossed until its last page.

#bookreview Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie @HarlequinAus @HarperCollinsAustralia #read #book #review #fiction #thriller #crime #AussieAuthor #cloakdaggerchal #2026NewReleaseChallenge #DarkSanctuary Learn more at Book’d Out