The Hardest, Longest Race: an ambitious race and one man's determination to make sure his car won

The Hardest, Longest Race: Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Contest that Changed America by Eric Moskowitz is the story of the first true coast-to-coast automobile race in U.S. History. In 1909, America was home to 253 automakers who were visionaries, schemers and would-be barons of a new century. M. Robert Guggenheim, a playboy millionaire, announced an audacious “Ocean to Ocean” contest from New York City to the Seattle World’s Fair with three companies brave enough to try: Acme, Ford, and Shawmut. Oddsmakers favored the pricey imports while dismissing the pint-sized Model T and the long shot Shawmut, a company struggling to survive after a factory fire. With the rough terrain, they didn’t believe the cars would reach the finish line. But Henry Ford was determined to prove that the Model T could go the distance and three weeks later, a Ford crossed the finish line. However, the victory was a fraud. 

I had never heard of the Ocean to Ocean race and I was intrigued at this piece of automobile history. The Hardest, Longest Race is a fast-paced tale of the gritty and determined drivers, told from their perspectives, braving the hostile terrain, mechanical failures and sabotage and subterfuge to ensure victory. I wasn’t surprised that Henry Ford had cheated in order to win the race. However, it is also a love letter to America and the car which would help transform the landscape of the automobile. There was a lot of mechanical information that someone without basic automotive knowledge would get lost. However, even if you do not understand basic car mechanics, the history and the high stakes would be worth the read. Overall, I enjoyed the tale of the Ocean to Ocean race and the men who drove it. If you enjoy history and automobiles, I highly recommend The Hardest, Longest Race. 

The Hardest, Longest Race:

Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Contest that Changed America

will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on June 2, 2026. 

The Unicorn Hunters: a historical fiction fantasy of one woman's determination to keep her country's future secure

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden is a historical fiction fantasy of one woman’s determination to keep her country’s future secure. Anne of Brittany is an orphaned duchess who decides to use the world of myth and magic in order to buy herself time. When she was a child, her country was invaded, her home surrounded and her father driven to his death. Now the country’s treasury is empty, the land is filled with enemies and she has been ordered to marry the King of France or risk a renewed war. Anne had promised her father that Brittany would never be conquered. In secret, she betroths herself to France’s greatest enemy and in order to formalize the union, Anne takes her court deep into a legendary forest under the guise of hunting an unicorn. However, it is all a ruse or so Anne thinks when a unicorn appears and she finds herself in a world of enchantment where she must find the power to change her own as well as her country’s destiny or be lost forever. 

I loved Katherine Arden’s Winternight trilogy with a mix of historical events and magical elements. When I had a chance to read The Unicorn Hunters, I looked forward to it as I was intrigued. I knew of Anne of Brittany, the historical figure, as well as the story depicted in the famous Unicorn Hunt tapestries. From the opening pages to the closing chapters, this story was engaging with a political strategy, historical figures and mystical intrigue. Anne is strong willed, fiercely loyal to the memory of her father and the people who depend on her. I enjoyed watching her strategize as she tried to avoid marriage with the King of France. I enjoyed the eerie atmosphere of the country and the legendary forest. There is a romantic element to the story; however, I feel it did not overwhelm the story. Overall, I enjoyed this reimagined story of the historical Anne of Brittany and the magical myth of the elusive unicorn. If you enjoy historical fiction with magical elements, I highly recommend The Unicorn Hunters. 

The Unicorn Hunters will be available June 2, 2026 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Windsor Affair: the rivalry between an English queen and an American socialite

The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin is the story of a scandalous affair, a power struggle for the throne and a rivalry between an English queen and an American socialite. Edward David Windsor, heir to the British throne, the future Edward VIII, the suave Prince of Wales and his brother, Albert, known as Bertie, “the spare.” Wallis Simpsons, an American divorcee, and Edward’s lover, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Bertie’s wife. Between them, a rivalry that would last the rest of their lives, fuel gossip and headlines for decades. Telling their stories from their beginnings through their love stories and ultimately the bitter feud that created sides in the royal family as well in the British public, The Windsor Affair sets the stage for the Abdication, World War II, coronations, funerals, marriages and births, and the two women who maintain a bitter, sharp tongued feud. 

I have been a long admirer of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon as I have read her biography and saw her strength as she supported her husband in a role he never wanted and helped guide the British people through World War II with courage and tenacity. Wallis Simpson has always been the woman who won the heart of a prince and then vilified as he abdicated the throne for her. Yes, the women were catty and each fueled the hostilities between them which, to me, make them more human. I enjoyed the author’s characterization of David Windsor as Peter Pan, a man who was never going to grow up and take the responsibility his birth demanded. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I would have liked more indication of which point of view was featured in the chapter. If you enjoy royal drama, I recommend The Windsor Affair. 

The Windsor Affair will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on June 2, 2026. 

Memories of the Beach: a mysterious letter brings two women to a beach resort town and changes their lives forever

Memories of the Beach is the first book in Blue Heron Cottages by Kay Correll. Aspen receives a mysterious letter from her estranged mother, asking her to come to an all-expenses-paid week at the Blue Heron Cottages. The very mother who disappeared from her life over twenty years ago. After losing her job and her apartment, Aspen heads to the small town of Moonbeam to stay and figure out her next movie. Willow also receives a letter asking her to come to the resort; but she is reluctant until she realizes that this letter may be related to what her mother was trying to tell her with her dying breath. As Aspen and Willow arrive at the cottages, nothing can prepare them for the revelation they are about to learn. 

Memories of the Beach is a fast paced, sweet story of two women whose life is about to change with a single letter. Aspen is a woman who has known struggles but always lands on her feet. Willow is a woman who has lived a great life and doesn’t know what to do with this mysterious letter urging her to a place she has never been. The revelation that awaits them will throw their world for a loop. Overall, it is a sweet story but I felt too many loose ends were left. I am assuming they will be wrapped up in the rest of the series. However, I don’t know if I am invested enough to want to find out. However, I recommend Memories of the Beach. 

Memories of the Beach is available in paperback and eBook

Things We Left Behind: a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance as the Knockemout trilogy comes to an end

Things We Left Behind is the third and final book in the Knockemout trilogy by Lucy Score. Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean mogul with vengeance on his mind. With a mission to clear the horrible stain his father put on the family name, Lucian has gained the power of an indestructible business empire with the ability to pull strings and end careers with a single word. He is seemingly untouchable. Untouchable except for Sloane Walton, the feisty Knockemout librarian, the one woman who could set him free and the one woman he would rather die than ask for help. Sloane inherited her father’s quest for justice and would do anything for anyone in need. However, she doesn’t trust Lucian as fall as she can throw him. When their fierce bickering turns into foreplay and eventually a steamy one night stand, they find themselves unable to walk away from each other. 

It was sad to say goodbye to the residents of Knockemout; however, Lucian and Sloan’s friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story was a great sendoff. Lucian is determined to avoid the sins of his father and Sloan wants a loving marriage and family just like her parents did. They seem to be on opposing sides and yet they have a connection and a history that no one else understands. Their bickering was fun and their friendship was sweet. It was heartbreaking knowing how their friendship ended. The rebuilding of their friendship was great and their romance was spicy. I loved the interactions between Lucian, Nash and Knox as great as any sibling bickering could be among lifelong friends. Overall, I enjoyed this story and this series. It tied up all loose ends and sets the sun on their amazing love stories. I highly recommend Things We Left Behind and the rest of the Knockemout trilogy. 

Things We Left Behind is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Shippers: rom-com with childhood friends to lovers and hijinks on a cruise ship

The Shippers is the newest comedy romance by Katherine Center. Jojo Burton has been bad at love her entire life. With the help of her sister and a little pop psychology, she figures out the source of her intimacy issues, JoJo decides that she is going to fix them once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding aboard a cruise ship. Her first crush and first kiss will be a guest at the wedding and she decides to woo him for some closure. The snag in her plan, she needs a wingperson as her sister will be very busy with the final details of the wedding. Enter Cooper Watts, her childhood bestie. Cooper agrees to her plan, which is dubbed Project Conquest. As they participate in the ship's activities in order to catch the attention of her first crush, they also have late night talks and walk down memory lane. Something feels off, can JoJo figure it all out before it’s too late?

Katherine Center has been an autoread author for years and when she announced her newest novel, I eagerly waited. Unfortunately, the story started off iffy for me as I did not like JoJo. I found her naive, annoyed and very immature. However, she did grow on me by the end, I was cheered for her as she figured it all out. I figured out the piece of childhood memory didn't happen as she thought it did and maybe I was supposed to. I loved Cooper from the very beginning and begged JoJo to truly see him behind the childhood bestie she once knew and loved. By the end, I laughed, sighed and closed the book with a smile. I am so happy that I stick with it and I love this childhood-friends-to-lovers romance with plenty of heart. I also love the play on words as the majority of the story takes place on a ship and the slang “ship.” I highly recommend The Shippers. 

The Shippers is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Starfish Sisters: two women's friendship is tested as they face betrayals and heartbreaks

The Starfish Sisters by Barbara O’Neal is a story of two women, friends close enough to be sisters, as they face betrayals, heartbreaks and finding refuge in true friendship. Phoebe and Suze met at the age of twelve as Suze moved to the small coastal town in Oregon as Phoebe visited her grandmother. They became as close as sisters until secrets threatened their friendship and even their lives. Decades later, Suze is a famous actress who needs a safe haven after a brutal attack. . Phoebe is now a successful illustrator and fabric designer living in the small town she enjoyed so much. As Suze arrives in town, Phoebe is both excited and unsure how to face her return and the drama she brings. Phoebe had let Suze down once before and she doesn’t want to do it again. Can Phoebe and Suze confront their past and strengthen their friendship? 

The Starfish Sisters has been described as “a moving story about the complicated nature of female friendships, and the joys and heartbreaks of life and the resiliency and power that women possess.” Sounds powerful, right? The opening prologue certainly set the scene for a dramatic story. However, I did not care for Phoebe or Suze, either as young girls and as older women. Phoebe and Suze are supposed to be as close as sisters and a little jealousy is understandable as young girls but the jealousy and resentment as older women was eye rolling. Overall, I was bored. The Starfish Sisters was my third book by Ms. O’Neal and I see the same issues I had with the other two books. The story is bogged down with too many flashbacks, a slow moving plot, and a rushed and disappointing ending. I do not recommend The Starfish Sisters. 

The Starfish Sisters is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook