The Song of the Lotus Flower by Lelita Baldock

                                             

Ebook:  392 pages                                                                         

Genre:  Adult Fiction, 20C Historical Fiction,

Publisher:  Storm Publishing August 2026

Source:  NetGalley

First Sentence:  Breaking through the thick foliage of the jungle, I spy the helicopter.

Review Quote: What a poignant and beautifully written book: Reader Review

Series:  Women War Reporters #1

My Opinion:

A new to me author, but I believe 'The Song of the Lotus Flower' is her eighth published novel.

It is a powerful dual timeline story set in war torn Vietnam in the fifties and sixties. The protagonist for the 1967 setting is American journalist Jude Murphy, who is fighting against all odds to report the truth. The earlier setting in the nineteen fifties is about Susan, a British woman who while working in Vietnam, starts to question what is really going on. The paths of these two strong women eventually cross as we learn more and more about the atrocities that occurred and the barriers these women came up against in trying to share the truth.

Some of the descriptions are very graphic and some readers may find them distressing, but they are necessary and the author portrays such scenes in a humane way.  Recommended to readers looking for compassionate historical fiction set in an unusual setting.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

An epic tale of courage, love and heroism inspired by the true stories of women working as journalists during the Vietnam War.

1967. Jude Murphy has never taken no for an answer. When her editor refuses to send her to cover Vietnam, she books her own flight to Saigon – typewriter in her luggage, borrowed camera over her shoulder, and every intention of reporting the truth of a war her country would rather sanitise.

But on arrival, she clashes with the stubborn military officer who blocks women from frontline reporting. Determined to break through every barrier, Jude fights the authorities for her right to report. Then, while waiting to join a platoon, she meets a young American soldier whose warmth and idealism starkly contrast her growing cynicism about the war, opening her eyes – and her heart – in ways she never expected.

When she’s captured behind enemy lines, Jude faces an impossible choice between protecting the people who saved her and exposing the devastating truths her reporting has uncovered.

A moving and utterly breathtaking story of loss, love and the determination of women to fight for freedom in a time of war, this unforgettable story will captivate readers of The Rose Code, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Perfect for anyone who loves:

Strong, independent women defying the odds
Rich period atmosphere
Forbidden love in a warzone
Stories inspired by real women in history
War fiction with emotional depth and moral complexity

Author Profile:

                                                      

                                                          

                                                Photo and Bio Courtesy of Goodreads

Lelita Baldock was born in Adelaide, Australia, she is an author of historical and literary fiction. 

Raised in Australia, living between the capital cities of Adelaide and Melbourne. In 2018 Lelita relocated to Surrey. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English Literature and History, and a Bachelor of Education, specialising in English.

As a secondary school English teacher, Lelita taught across multiple disciplines, including High Level International Baccalaureate English Literature and A Level English, in both Australia and the UK.

Lelita's novels focus on lesser-known aspects of history and the incredible everyday people who endure and overcome.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author Website.    Instagram Profile.   Facebook Profile.   Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Profile

When She Was Ours by Anna Nordberg

                                                        

Ebook:  308 pages                                                                         

Genre:  Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Publisher:  Lake Union, August 2026, 

Source:  NetGalley

First Sentence: When Astra was nine and travelling with her mother to Chicago, the passenger in front of them had a panic attack.

Review Quote: “This isn’t a book that demands your attention with dramatic twists; it earns it through emotional honesty.” — Manhattan Book Review

My Opinion:

Not sure now to be honest why I decided to read 'When She Was Ours', probably should not have done so as it was not for me.

A complicated story about a family that are navigating grief. Thea the mother is terminally ill and coming to terms with her imminent death. We learn how her adult daughters Astra and Phoebe cope, or rather don't as the plot lurches from one chaotic moment to the next.

A character driven novel about relationships and one that I believe the author wanted to write due to her own life experience. She certainly writes from the heart with regard to the death of a parent. 

This certainly seems to appeal to many readers, judging by the reviews, unfortunately not to me.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Thea Erickson, a renowned surgeon, is filled with both joy and grief as her family gathers at their home on a summer night in 1995. Her elder daughter Phoebe is getting married, but even the happiness of the day feels bittersweet, as Thea grapples with a terminal cancer diagnosis. She worries she won’t be around to support her younger daughter Astra, who’s still in college, but even Thea cannot foresee what is to come—a terrible accident the night of the wedding that changes Astra’s life forever.

In a last-ditch effort to protect her family, Thea arranges a secret meeting with an old family friend and extracts a promise that will reverberate long after she’s gone.

Years after her mother’s death, Astra has moved forward with a career and relationship, but she still struggles with her grief. When a man reaches out to her and Phoebe, offering a window into their mother’s past, Astra must make a choice, and her decision forces her to face what it means to love someone after they’re gone, who we decide to forgive, and how families reckon with the past.

Author Profile:

                                                           

                                                Photo and Bio Courtesy of Goodreads

Anna Nordberg is an author, journalist and culture writer whose essays have appeared in Slate magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She spent a lot of her childhood writing novels with a number 2 pencil on yellow legal pads. She actually still has these novels. 

In 2015, she started writing a memoir about becoming a mother without her mom, who died when Anna was 17. This memoir never found a home, but its themes—how loss unfolds throughout a life, how we carry the memory of someone forward, the surprising legacy of grief—are all themes in Anna's debut novel, When She Was Ours, out August 1.

Anna grew up in New York City and now lives in San Francisco with her husband, son and daughter, and English cocker spaniel, Guinness (who also loves books). She loves muddling through middle school with her kids, trying to remember what the formula for the circumference of a circle is, and rereading books like Tuck Everlasting and A Wrinkle in Time. Favorite books she has read to her kids: The Hobbit, The Dark is Rising, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and Bridge to Terabithia. 

It was always her dream to write a novel after watching her mother write one on an ancient Apple IIC when Anna was eight years old. When She Was Ours is dedicated to her.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Goodreads Profile.    Author's Official Website.    Amazon Author Page

Who Can you Trust (#4 in Cristy Ward Series) by Susan Lewis

                                       

Ebook:  384 pages 

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction, Adult Fiction, Mystery 

Publisher:  HarperCollins (9thApril 2026)

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentence:  Most people walked a little faster when passing 42 Randall Lane, picking up the pace as if something about the house might somehow be rotten or contagious or was waiting to spring outing get them.

Review Quote:  'Plenty of twists to keep you guessing' Heat

My Opinion: 

Susan Lewis is a prolific author writing across a broad range of genre, crime thrillers, suspense and family drama. I have been reading and enjoying her books on and off for over twenty five years now.

'Who Can You Trust' is the fourth title in the series about "hindsight" a podcast with the protagonists Cristy and Connor. This time they are investigating a suspected miscarriage of justice concerning a young woman convicted of murdering her baby twins some twenty years ago. The investigation is not an easy one and it impacts on the characters working and personal lives. It was great to catch up with the many familiar characters as they worked on another fascinating case.

Although this novel will read well as a stand alone story, I would recommend reading the whole series in order for maximum enjoyment and understanding of the relationships between the characters. Definitely recommend to fans of the series, the author and mysteries in general.

With thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read and review

Previous Reviews:  A Sicilian Affair.  Don't Believe A Word  Nothing to See Here 

Never Look Back

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Book 4 in the Cristy Ward series

A terrible crime. A shocking confession. Do you believe her?

Twenty years ago, Nicole’s twins disappeared without a trace.

No bodies. No witnesses.

Despite her pleas of innocence, Nicole was convicted.

Now she’s out. And she’s finally confessed.

But for true crime podcast host Cristy Ward, the story doesn’t add up.

Having worked on the case as a young reporter, Cristy can’t help but wonder whether Nicole is the villain everyone believes her to be.

Why did Nicole confess after so many years … and is the truth still out there, waiting…?

Author Profile:         

                                                                         

                                                                                 

                                               Courtesy of Official Author Website 

I was born in 1956, in Bristol.  My father was a Welsh miner, a poet, an engineer and a thinker.  My mother was one of 13 children who, at 20, persuaded my father to spend his bonus on an engagement ring instead of a motorbike.  We were a normal, happy, nuclear family, living in a spanking new council house on the outskirts of town – my mother’s pride and joy.  But we were going to do better, my mother had made up her mind about that.  My father, an unabashed communist, was writing a book, I was signed up for ballet, elocution, piano and eventually a private boarding school, and my brother, (the real great love of my mother’s life) was going to succeed at everything he set his mind to.

The rest of this fascinating biography can be read on the authors  Official Author Website

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

 Official Author Website  Twitter Profile   Instagram Profile   Facebook Profile 

Amazon Profile    Goodreads Profile

Never Look Back (#3 in Christy Ward Series) by Susan Lewis

                                                           

Ebook:  320 pages 

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction,  Adult Fiction, Mystery 

Publisher:  HarperCollins (6 Nov 2025)

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentence: 'I think my love, that I might have come up with a way out of the unfortunate situation we're in'

Review Quote:  Its a brilliantly written novel and has characters full of intrigue. Highly recommended Reader Review 

My Opinion: 

It is over twenty-five years ago that I first read a novel by Susan Lewis and I have continued to read her writing from time to time over the years. She is a prolific author, who writes across a broad range of genre, crime, thrillers, suspense and family drama. 

'Never Look Back' sees the return for a third story of podcasters Christy and Connor and their team with another mystery for 'Hindsight' their podcast. This time the company has been approached by a friend, as a close friend of their family has disappeared. they are worried about her safety as her behaviour is very out of character. Christy and Connor have doubts about the suitability of this live case for 'Hindsight' but curiosity gets the better of them and they decide to try and unravel the mystery.

In inevitable Susan Lewis style this cautionary tale for our times will keep you guessing and the use of Artificial Intelligence is particularly disturbing! Although the books in this series stand alone, reading them all in order enhances the understanding of the relationships between the characters. Recommended to those readers following the series, fans of mystery and the authors many fans.

Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Reviews:  A Sicilian Affair.  Don't Believe A Word Nothing to See Here

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

A dead husband. A missing wife. Will they find her in time?

Romy Kaplan has vanished from her home.

Or has she?

When Romy begins posting on her social media accounts asking everyone to stop looking for her, the police are certain she is safe. But Romy's nearest and dearest are far from convinced.

Her husband died in the bath under inconclusive circumstances six weeks ago. And Romy would never disappear without telling someone where she is going.

As true crime podcast host, Cristy Ward, picks up Romy's case… she has the whole world asking…

Where is Romy now?

Author Profile:         

                                                                         

                                      

                                               Courtesy of Official Author Website 

I was born in 1956, in Bristol.  My father was a Welsh miner, a poet, an engineer and a thinker.  My mother was one of 13 children who, at 20, persuaded my father to spend his bonus on an engagement ring instead of a motorbike.  We were a normal, happy, nuclear family, living in a spanking new council house on the outskirts of town – my mother’s pride and joy.  But we were going to do better, my mother had made up her mind about that.  My father, an unabashed communist, was writing a book, I was signed up for ballet, elocution, piano and eventually a private boarding school, and my brother, (the real great love of my mother’s life) was going to succeed at everything he set his mind to.

The rest of this fascinating biography can be read on the authors  Official Author Website

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

 Official Author Website  Twitter Profile   Instagram Profile   Facebook Profile 

Amazon Profile    Goodreads Profile

Don't Believe A Word by Susan Lewis

                                              

Ebook:   480 pages 

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction,  Adult Fiction, Mystery 

Publisher:  HarperCollins (10 April 2025)

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: "And you found this, where' Christy asked, looking up from the pages she'd just spent the past few minutes reading, pages that had taken her briefly to another world where clearly something wasn't right. She already wanted to know more.

Review Quote: ‘Drips with tension and suspicion.  Mind games, mystery and mayhem.’ Reader Review 

My Opinion: 

It is over twenty-five years ago that I first read a novel by Susan Lewis and I have continued to read her writing from time to time over the years. She is a prolific author, who writes across a broad range of genre, crime, thrillers, suspense and family drama. 

'Don't Believe A Word' sees the return of podcasters from Nothing to See Here, Christy and Connor and their team with another mystery for 'Hindsight' their podcast. This time the company has been approached by Sadie, a young woman who believes they may have the ingenuity to investigate who she really is!

Once again great character portrayal from Susan Lewis and a substantial read that will certainly keep you guessing. I am delighted that the author decided to feature these characters in a second novel and was also pleased to learn that a third story in the series Never Look Back is due to be published towards the end of this year.  The two novels published so far definitely stand alone however reading the series enhances the understanding of the relationships of the many characters.  Highly recommended to anyone that enjoys a good mystery.

Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Review:  A Sicilian Affair.  Nothing to See Here

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

They raised me. Nurtured me. And lied about everything.

Sadie’s childhood has always been shrouded in mystery.

But there are three things she knows.

She was raised by two aunts.

She never knew her parents.

She is convinced she was stolen.

Cristy Ward, podcast host, is gripped by Sadie’s story. It’s perfect for her next true-crime investigation. Yet Sadie's aunt claims it’s all a fantasy.

As the evidence begins to stack up, and the lies fall apart, they all could be in a lot more danger than they thought…

Author Profile:         

                                                                         

                                      

                                                     Courtesy of Official Author Website 

I was born in 1956, in Bristol.  My father was a Welsh miner, a poet, an engineer and a thinker.  My mother was one of 13 children who, at 20, persuaded my father to spend his bonus on an engagement ring instead of a motorbike.  We were a normal, happy, nuclear family, living in a spanking new council house on the outskirts of town – my mother’s pride and joy.  But we were going to do better, my mother had made up her mind about that.  My father, an unabashed communist, was writing a book, I was signed up for ballet, elocution, piano and eventually a private boarding school, and my brother, (the real great love of my mother’s life) was going to succeed at everything he set his mind to.

The rest of this fascinating biography can be read on the authors  Official Author Website

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

 Official Author Website  Twitter Profile   Instagram Profile   Facebook Profile 

Amazon Profile    Goodreads Profile