Madeline Martin's Blog, page 2
February 3, 2025
January Books Read Wrap-Up
Did you join the 2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge this year?
I joined and I'm so excited! I kept my goal low to keep myself from feeling too much pressure, but I read some AMAZING books in January and am so excited to share a brief wrap up with you here:
- ARC of Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight - perfect for anyone who has ever silently (or not so silently) corrected anyone's grammar
- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah - a heartbreaking and beautiful story set in the Dust Bowl of the Great Plains during the Great Depression.
- The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery - life changes in the most unexpected ways when Valancy is diagnosed with a heart condition - utterly charming!
- Sandwich by Catherine Newman - the ultimate mom book, this one is both raw reality and like being wrapped in a nostalgic hug
- Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins - a twisty thriller about an island with a dangerous past and characters with dark secrets.
- The Arctic Fury by Greer McAllister - a novel of brave women who venture into the arctic and whose leader is on trial for murder.
- A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick - a compelling novel about a mail order bride who intends to kill her soon to be husband.
- ARC of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kirstin Harmel - a tale of a diamond bracelet with a heartbreaking history and a mystery that needs to be solved. Colette is such a quirky, plucky character and I love her!
- The Safe Place by Anna Downes - when a woman takes a job as a nanny and house cleaner, she never expects so many secrets...and they just might kill her.
What were some of your favorite books read last month?
I joined and I'm so excited! I kept my goal low to keep myself from feeling too much pressure, but I read some AMAZING books in January and am so excited to share a brief wrap up with you here:
- ARC of Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight - perfect for anyone who has ever silently (or not so silently) corrected anyone's grammar
- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah - a heartbreaking and beautiful story set in the Dust Bowl of the Great Plains during the Great Depression.
- The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery - life changes in the most unexpected ways when Valancy is diagnosed with a heart condition - utterly charming!
- Sandwich by Catherine Newman - the ultimate mom book, this one is both raw reality and like being wrapped in a nostalgic hug
- Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins - a twisty thriller about an island with a dangerous past and characters with dark secrets.
- The Arctic Fury by Greer McAllister - a novel of brave women who venture into the arctic and whose leader is on trial for murder.
- A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick - a compelling novel about a mail order bride who intends to kill her soon to be husband.
- ARC of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kirstin Harmel - a tale of a diamond bracelet with a heartbreaking history and a mystery that needs to be solved. Colette is such a quirky, plucky character and I love her!
- The Safe Place by Anna Downes - when a woman takes a job as a nanny and house cleaner, she never expects so many secrets...and they just might kill her.
What were some of your favorite books read last month?
January 3, 2025
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!!
2024 was a truly incredible year and it was due largely in part to you <3 The Booklover's Library was received so warmly upon its release, hitting the USA Today bestseller list a couple of times and I absolutely loved getting to meet so many of you in person while on my book tour in the US and in Canada. And I've loved interacting with so many of you on social media as well - it's to fun to get to know all of you <3
Then having The Booklover's Library not only be nominated for the Goodreads Choice awards for Best Historical Fiction, but final and come in fourth place was such a high note to end the year on! Having over 30K votes for my book absolutely blew me away!!
I cannot thank all of you enough for making 2024 to wonderful and special.
Here we are in 2025 and I could not be more excited! The Secret Book Society ( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ) is coming out in September 2025 - my first ever Victorian fiction! I enjoyed writing it so much and hope you all enjoy reading it.
I also have a trip planned in February to go to England for research for the book that will be coming in 2026, tentatively titled A Time of Witches - a dual timeline (part will be modern day) based on the witch trials in England. I've spent the last two months in the discovery phase for that book (ALL the research!) and I've been enjoying it!!
And I'm also finally joining the Goodreads Reading Challenge! I always have an idea of books in my head, but haven't really logged them here. Every year, I'm in awe of everyone's book numbers and figured I'll start logging mine too, although I don't intend to include my research books.
There is so much to look forward to and I am so excited at how many of you I'll get to connect with in the many events I'll be doing this upcoming year.
I hope you have an AMAZING 2025, filled with love, happiness, and many wonderful books. xoxo
Sending you all my love,
Madeline
2024 was a truly incredible year and it was due largely in part to you <3 The Booklover's Library was received so warmly upon its release, hitting the USA Today bestseller list a couple of times and I absolutely loved getting to meet so many of you in person while on my book tour in the US and in Canada. And I've loved interacting with so many of you on social media as well - it's to fun to get to know all of you <3
Then having The Booklover's Library not only be nominated for the Goodreads Choice awards for Best Historical Fiction, but final and come in fourth place was such a high note to end the year on! Having over 30K votes for my book absolutely blew me away!!
I cannot thank all of you enough for making 2024 to wonderful and special.
Here we are in 2025 and I could not be more excited! The Secret Book Society ( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ) is coming out in September 2025 - my first ever Victorian fiction! I enjoyed writing it so much and hope you all enjoy reading it.
I also have a trip planned in February to go to England for research for the book that will be coming in 2026, tentatively titled A Time of Witches - a dual timeline (part will be modern day) based on the witch trials in England. I've spent the last two months in the discovery phase for that book (ALL the research!) and I've been enjoying it!!
And I'm also finally joining the Goodreads Reading Challenge! I always have an idea of books in my head, but haven't really logged them here. Every year, I'm in awe of everyone's book numbers and figured I'll start logging mine too, although I don't intend to include my research books.
There is so much to look forward to and I am so excited at how many of you I'll get to connect with in the many events I'll be doing this upcoming year.
I hope you have an AMAZING 2025, filled with love, happiness, and many wonderful books. xoxo
Sending you all my love,
Madeline
November 17, 2024
Goodreads Choice Nominee!
I am so pleased to announce that The Booklover's Library is a nominee for Favorite Historical Fiction in the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards!! I'm absolutely blown away by this honor and am so grateful for the love my book has gotten.
This book truly came from my heart and is based on so much of my own personal life, which makes this honor even more profound for me.
If you'd like to vote for The Booklover's Library, you can do so here: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...
And THANK YOU <3
This book truly came from my heart and is based on so much of my own personal life, which makes this honor even more profound for me.
If you'd like to vote for The Booklover's Library, you can do so here: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...
And THANK YOU <3
August 30, 2024
Will I be near you?
I'm heading out on my book tour soon for The Booklover's Library and have some amazing venues lined up with fabulous libraries and booksellers. I'll be in Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and South Carolina. I love to chat with readers and having such a wide area means more of you to meet! :)
**Reminder: If you don't see your area listed here, please remember that I love to chat with book clubs over zoom and I am always happy to send indie bookstores signed book plates. :)
Check out the book tour list below - will I be near you?
• Sept 9 at 6PM EST - The BookMark in Neptune Beach, FL (Jacksonville) for a pre-launch chat with Jessica Hatch. More info: https://bookmarkbeach.com/events
• Sept 10 at 12:30PM EST - Story & Song Bistro in Fernandina Beach, FL for a launch party literary luncheon with Booklover's Library themed lunch. More info and registration: https://storyandsongarts.org/event/th...
• Sept 11 at 6PM EST - Writer's Block Bookstore in Winter Park, FL for a book chat with Kristin Harmel. More info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-s...
• Sept 12 at 7PM EST (6PM for VIP tickets) - Toledo Library in Toledo, OH for an author chat and book signing. More info and registration: https://events.toledolibrary.org/even...
• Sept 13 at 7PM CST - Anderson's Bookstore in Naperville, IL for an author chat and book signing. More info and registration: https://www.eventcombo.com/e/author-e...
• Sept 14 at 1PM CST - Blue House Books in Kenosha, WI for a book chat with Renee Rosen. More info and registration: https://www.blue-house-books.com/even...
• Sept 15 at 4PM CST - Boswell Books (at Shelly's) in Milwaukee, WI for an author chat. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/madeline...
• Sept 16 at 7PM EST - Cuyhahoga Library in Cuyahoga, OH for an author chat and book signing. More info and registration: https://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/ev...
• Sept 17 at 12PM EST - M. Judson Bookseller (at Soby's Restaurant) in Greenville, SC for lunch and lit. More info and registration: https://mjudsonbooks.com/event/lunch-...
• Sept 18 at 11 AM EST - Litchfield Books in Pawley's Island, SC author chat and luncheon. https://www.litchfieldbooks.com/event...
• Sept 20 at 6PM EST - The Island Bookshop in Venice Beach, FL for an author chat with Eliza Knight. For more info and registration, call: 941-416-5511
• Oct 1 at 4PM PDT - VIRTUAL event with Warwick's Bookstore in a chat with Rachel McMillan. More information and registration: https://www.warwicks.com/event/martin...
• Oct 6 at 2PM EST - San Marco Books & More in Jacksonville, FL for a 1940s themed book club for an author chat and signing. More information and registration: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...
• Oct 10 at 7PM EST - Ashland Public Library in MA for a VIRTUAL event to chat about The Booklover's Library. More info and registration: https://www.ashlandmass.com/Calendar....
See you there!! :)
xoxo,
Madeline
**Reminder: If you don't see your area listed here, please remember that I love to chat with book clubs over zoom and I am always happy to send indie bookstores signed book plates. :)
Check out the book tour list below - will I be near you?
• Sept 9 at 6PM EST - The BookMark in Neptune Beach, FL (Jacksonville) for a pre-launch chat with Jessica Hatch. More info: https://bookmarkbeach.com/events
• Sept 10 at 12:30PM EST - Story & Song Bistro in Fernandina Beach, FL for a launch party literary luncheon with Booklover's Library themed lunch. More info and registration: https://storyandsongarts.org/event/th...
• Sept 11 at 6PM EST - Writer's Block Bookstore in Winter Park, FL for a book chat with Kristin Harmel. More info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-s...
• Sept 12 at 7PM EST (6PM for VIP tickets) - Toledo Library in Toledo, OH for an author chat and book signing. More info and registration: https://events.toledolibrary.org/even...
• Sept 13 at 7PM CST - Anderson's Bookstore in Naperville, IL for an author chat and book signing. More info and registration: https://www.eventcombo.com/e/author-e...
• Sept 14 at 1PM CST - Blue House Books in Kenosha, WI for a book chat with Renee Rosen. More info and registration: https://www.blue-house-books.com/even...
• Sept 15 at 4PM CST - Boswell Books (at Shelly's) in Milwaukee, WI for an author chat. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/madeline...
• Sept 16 at 7PM EST - Cuyhahoga Library in Cuyahoga, OH for an author chat and book signing. More info and registration: https://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/ev...
• Sept 17 at 12PM EST - M. Judson Bookseller (at Soby's Restaurant) in Greenville, SC for lunch and lit. More info and registration: https://mjudsonbooks.com/event/lunch-...
• Sept 18 at 11 AM EST - Litchfield Books in Pawley's Island, SC author chat and luncheon. https://www.litchfieldbooks.com/event...
• Sept 20 at 6PM EST - The Island Bookshop in Venice Beach, FL for an author chat with Eliza Knight. For more info and registration, call: 941-416-5511
• Oct 1 at 4PM PDT - VIRTUAL event with Warwick's Bookstore in a chat with Rachel McMillan. More information and registration: https://www.warwicks.com/event/martin...
• Oct 6 at 2PM EST - San Marco Books & More in Jacksonville, FL for a 1940s themed book club for an author chat and signing. More information and registration: https://www.sanmarcobooksandmore.com/...
• Oct 10 at 7PM EST - Ashland Public Library in MA for a VIRTUAL event to chat about The Booklover's Library. More info and registration: https://www.ashlandmass.com/Calendar....
See you there!! :)
xoxo,
Madeline
July 10, 2024
On a personal note...
Confession: The Booklover’s Library is the most personal book I’ve ever written.
In The Booklover’s Library, Emma is a single mother to her daughter, Olivia. So much of this story is based on my own personal experiences as a single mother to my sweet girls.
In those years, there were so many times I felt overwhelmed with the world stacked against me. There were times when we were sick and I had drag us all to the store with fevers to pick up meds and buy food. There were times when I felt so desolately alone when facing obstacles. And there was a lot of judgment as a single mother - yes, even in this day and age.
However, there were so many amazingly beautiful one-on-one moments with my girls. Like family fun nights with dance offs and board games, or Mother’s Day teas and honor roll assemblies, or the annual pass to our local zoo and all the playground and splash park fun we had there. And even those quiet Saturday mornings when I turned on the TV and would have my girls snuggled up on either side of me while I sipped my coffee as we watched an episode of H2O.
My single mom years came to an end when Mr. Awesome and I moved in together. I’m so grateful for him every day, not just for being my partner in raising the girls, but for how perfectly he fits into our silly, happy, fun family.
As we get closer to the release of The Booklover’s Library, I’ll be sharing personal stories to offer insight on inspiration for scenes you’ll see in the book (don’t worry - no spoilers!)
And in just two months, The Booklover’s Library will be out!!
Have you added it to your Want to Read yet? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
In The Booklover’s Library, Emma is a single mother to her daughter, Olivia. So much of this story is based on my own personal experiences as a single mother to my sweet girls.
In those years, there were so many times I felt overwhelmed with the world stacked against me. There were times when we were sick and I had drag us all to the store with fevers to pick up meds and buy food. There were times when I felt so desolately alone when facing obstacles. And there was a lot of judgment as a single mother - yes, even in this day and age.
However, there were so many amazingly beautiful one-on-one moments with my girls. Like family fun nights with dance offs and board games, or Mother’s Day teas and honor roll assemblies, or the annual pass to our local zoo and all the playground and splash park fun we had there. And even those quiet Saturday mornings when I turned on the TV and would have my girls snuggled up on either side of me while I sipped my coffee as we watched an episode of H2O.
My single mom years came to an end when Mr. Awesome and I moved in together. I’m so grateful for him every day, not just for being my partner in raising the girls, but for how perfectly he fits into our silly, happy, fun family.
As we get closer to the release of The Booklover’s Library, I’ll be sharing personal stories to offer insight on inspiration for scenes you’ll see in the book (don’t worry - no spoilers!)
And in just two months, The Booklover’s Library will be out!!
Have you added it to your Want to Read yet? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
June 19, 2024
A read-a-thon for a great cause
The only thing better than a read-a-thon is when it's for a great cause!
Teaching me to be a reader is one of the most precious gifts my parents ever gave me. But not everyone in the world is so lucky to have the opportunity to learn how to read. That's why I'm an ambassador for Chapters for Change, an organization dedicated to help improve literacy rates in Cambodia.
July 1st kicks off our Read-A-Thon - bringing a fun way to not only read, but help give others the gift of reading.
The registration is $25 (AUD which is about $17 USD) and affords one child a library membership. Sponsor fees and registration fees all go toward helping improve literacy in Cambodia. A little really goes such a long way.
If you'd like to register to join our fun Read-A-Thon, sign up at the Chapters for Change website: https://chaptersforchange.org
If you'd like to sponsor me, you can pledge here: https://chaptersforchange.org/madelin...
Thank you <3
Teaching me to be a reader is one of the most precious gifts my parents ever gave me. But not everyone in the world is so lucky to have the opportunity to learn how to read. That's why I'm an ambassador for Chapters for Change, an organization dedicated to help improve literacy rates in Cambodia.
July 1st kicks off our Read-A-Thon - bringing a fun way to not only read, but help give others the gift of reading.
The registration is $25 (AUD which is about $17 USD) and affords one child a library membership. Sponsor fees and registration fees all go toward helping improve literacy in Cambodia. A little really goes such a long way.
If you'd like to register to join our fun Read-A-Thon, sign up at the Chapters for Change website: https://chaptersforchange.org
If you'd like to sponsor me, you can pledge here: https://chaptersforchange.org/madelin...
Thank you <3
May 9, 2024
My amazing mom
Warning: Sweet story ahead...
Just a little over 9 years ago when my debut novel was published, a Scottish historical romance titled Deception of a Highlander, my mom proudly displaying all my bookmarks at her job at the time working in the post office for a local college. Even though historical romance isn't her genre, she's read EVERY SINGLE book I've ever written - including all my romances - and has continued to be immensely proud of my writing.
When we went to Target together once, we saw The Librarian Spy on the shelves and my mom asked if it was OK if she embarrassed me. I said yes, not knowing what she would do. She held up my book and said to every person passing, "This is my daughter and she wrote this book" I confess, it was a smidge embarrassing, but looking back on that moment now I get choked up because my mom is an introvert and you don't do something like that as an introvert unless you are soul-bursting proud.
Through the years, she's continued to be my biggest cheerleader, telling people about my books and how proud she is of me, and reading through each book when it's in that final phase before it goes to print.
Two years ago when I was researching The Keeper of Hidden Books, she joined me in Warsaw for two weeks, accompanying me on tours and museums, learning right along with me. When the book came out, I dedicated it to her - not because she was such an integral part of that book, but because she's been such an integral part of EVERY book.
I know it's not Mother's Day yet, but I never stop being grateful for my beautiful mother and the nonstop show of her love and support and wanted to celebrate her with this post. <3
Just a little over 9 years ago when my debut novel was published, a Scottish historical romance titled Deception of a Highlander, my mom proudly displaying all my bookmarks at her job at the time working in the post office for a local college. Even though historical romance isn't her genre, she's read EVERY SINGLE book I've ever written - including all my romances - and has continued to be immensely proud of my writing.
When we went to Target together once, we saw The Librarian Spy on the shelves and my mom asked if it was OK if she embarrassed me. I said yes, not knowing what she would do. She held up my book and said to every person passing, "This is my daughter and she wrote this book" I confess, it was a smidge embarrassing, but looking back on that moment now I get choked up because my mom is an introvert and you don't do something like that as an introvert unless you are soul-bursting proud.
Through the years, she's continued to be my biggest cheerleader, telling people about my books and how proud she is of me, and reading through each book when it's in that final phase before it goes to print.
Two years ago when I was researching The Keeper of Hidden Books, she joined me in Warsaw for two weeks, accompanying me on tours and museums, learning right along with me. When the book came out, I dedicated it to her - not because she was such an integral part of that book, but because she's been such an integral part of EVERY book.
I know it's not Mother's Day yet, but I never stop being grateful for my beautiful mother and the nonstop show of her love and support and wanted to celebrate her with this post. <3
March 27, 2024
NetGalley has The Booklover's Library Up!
Where are my early reviewers at? ;)
My newest historical fiction, The Booklover's Library is officially up on NetGalley for your requesting pleasure: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
If you haven't heard about The Booklover's Library yet, here's some info:
Nottingham, England, 1939:
The heartbreak of sending her daughter away at the onset of war is more than widow Emma Taylor can bear. Though her new job at the Booklover’s Library keeps her busy with disappearing books and a quirky slew of regulars, can she overcome her painful past to once more turn to books for comfort?
What you can expect from this story:
- The loving bond between mother and child
- Heartwarming friendships
- An adorable little dog named Tubby (he stays safe!)
- Women doing their bit for the war effort
- A cameo from The Last Bookshop in London
- Characters you’ll love
- Books, books, and more books
Also, the cover just released last week and I'm OBSESSED! Check it out here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Thank you for requesting! <3
My newest historical fiction, The Booklover's Library is officially up on NetGalley for your requesting pleasure: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
If you haven't heard about The Booklover's Library yet, here's some info:
Nottingham, England, 1939:
The heartbreak of sending her daughter away at the onset of war is more than widow Emma Taylor can bear. Though her new job at the Booklover’s Library keeps her busy with disappearing books and a quirky slew of regulars, can she overcome her painful past to once more turn to books for comfort?
What you can expect from this story:
- The loving bond between mother and child
- Heartwarming friendships
- An adorable little dog named Tubby (he stays safe!)
- Women doing their bit for the war effort
- A cameo from The Last Bookshop in London
- Characters you’ll love
- Books, books, and more books
Also, the cover just released last week and I'm OBSESSED! Check it out here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Thank you for requesting! <3
December 29, 2023
Thank You and Happy 2024!
With 2023 drawing to a close, I am so immensely grateful to the many readers who have taken time of our their busy lives to read my books, leave reviews, and recommend my books to friends and family, as well as for all the votes The Keeper of Hidden Books received for the Readers Choice Awards. It's because of you and all your support that I'm able to keep writing the books.
I want to send you all my love this holiday season and wishes for an amazing 2024! Here's to a year of prosperity, love, happiness, and a lot of really wonderful books!
xoxo,
Madeline
I want to send you all my love this holiday season and wishes for an amazing 2024! Here's to a year of prosperity, love, happiness, and a lot of really wonderful books!
xoxo,
Madeline
December 18, 2023
Free Short Story
Psst…I wrote a fun Christmas short story for Grace and the characters from The Last Bookshop in London.
This is a thank you gift to my amazing readers whose love and support has meant to much to me. The gorgeous pics you take and share of my books, the reviews you’ve left, the people you recommend my books to, the emails you take the time to send to me – they all mean more to me than I could ever say.
I’ll be sending out a newsletter this Wednesday with the story, so if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, please make sure you do to receive your special holiday treat. 🎁
Set in 1942, this special Christmas short includes a gift list for all of Grace’s friends as well as a fun Christmas program hosted at Primrose Hill Books.
Enjoy – and, again, thank you!!! ❤
Newsletter sign up here:
https://madelinemartin.com/newsletter/
This is a thank you gift to my amazing readers whose love and support has meant to much to me. The gorgeous pics you take and share of my books, the reviews you’ve left, the people you recommend my books to, the emails you take the time to send to me – they all mean more to me than I could ever say.
I’ll be sending out a newsletter this Wednesday with the story, so if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, please make sure you do to receive your special holiday treat. 🎁
Set in 1942, this special Christmas short includes a gift list for all of Grace’s friends as well as a fun Christmas program hosted at Primrose Hill Books.
Enjoy – and, again, thank you!!! ❤
Newsletter sign up here:
https://madelinemartin.com/newsletter/
