Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop

Hot Off the Press #1

by Julia Park Tracey

Veronika Layne, sassy, tattooed, twenty-something newspaper reporter. Never saw herself working for the “man.” When her small weekly is swallowed up by Singh Media Group, that’s exactly where she ends up. Stuck writing fluff pieces that might as well be ads, how can she resist digging into rumors that a real estate developer is destroying native burial grounds? Warned away at every turn by her editor, she worries whether the story will see the light of day? Will Veronika stand up for what’s right? And what is she going to do about her love life?

Genres: Mystery, Chick Lit, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary Romance

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2014

About the author

Inspired by a mysterious train receipt in her family’s scrapbook, Julia Park Tracey researched her Orphan Train roots and wrote The Bereaved about her found relatives.

Julia has ancestors—or should we say an-sisters? In digging through her family history, she has uncovered a trove of powerful women who break rules and stand tall against whatever dares to oppose them. Another such heroine is the Puritan woman named Silence Nichols Greenleaf; look for Silence: A Novel from Sibylline Press.

Julia took a pause between historicals to write a contemporary romance about a lonely librarian named Nelly who found comfort in the Little House books through childhood trauma. On a whim, she takes a train journey to DeSmet, SD, on a literary tour, and on this journey, she finds her HEA. A provacative fanfic and slightly spicy romance for nerd-girl-bookworms! Whoa, Nelly! comes out in November 2025.

Watch this space for more news!

Reviews

[Meredith (Trying to catch up!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Fun read. I am looking forward to seeing how Veronika develops in future novels.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read. Much of the book takes place in a small town newsroom -- where I've spent the better part of 20 years and it was so accurate (funny, frustrating, rewarding, annoying -- sometimes all at once) I had to wonder if author Julia Park Tracey had been standing behind me taking notes.

Park Tracey has a good story going here, one of those can't-put-it-downers where you decide you didn't really need to take a shower or get eight hours of sleep.

Characters are well-developed and believable and the dialogue -- something I'm sensitive to -- is spot-on. People talk to each other naturally.

In short, it was a JPT -- Just Plain Terrific.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sharp tongue and a sharp wit make Veronika a character you'll fall in love with. Loved the fun combo of romance and suspense. Hope we don't have to wait too long for Book 2!

[Tomi L. Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a smart, fun, sexy read - and I'm not generally one for "chick lit." But this is not your usual chick lit: Julia has used her own background in journalism and the media to spin a story and create a character which I look forward to following. As a former (reformed) reporter myself, Julia's eye for detail and ideal (yet not heavy) use of the jargon makes even the jaded journalist in my lean forward and wait for more. Highly recommended!

[Maryellen Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written, keeps you involved to the last page! Veronika is dedicated to the story and her town. She may be a tatted up and pierced young thing, but you recognize all the great gum-shoe reporters of the 30's who never quit until they uncovered the truth. Park Tracey is an engaging writer who knows how to tell a story that catches your interest, in spite of yourself.

[Rebecca Lawton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this romp of a novel, Julia Park Tracey introduces us to the fun, sassy Veronika Layne—girl reporter, tattooed queen of punctuation and grammar, and fierce eco-chick on wheels. From at-risk indigenous burial grounds to well-written ledes to the politics in Veronika's newsroom, Tracey knows her stuff and tells it well. If we’re lucky, there will be many more stories to come in this series.

[Regas Kefalonitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening paragraph this book kept me wanting more. It's a fun romp through a small town and the social politics that entails. As a stringer photographer in my early years I could relate to the characters and the story. If you like light-hearted, fun romantic romps this is a book you will definitely enjoy.

[B K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read - quick, light and smartly written. The heroine is completely likable, so her exploits held my interest throughout. Chick-lit is not my favorite genre, but the romantic and hot and heavy scenes were well-written and funny. I knew nothing about journalism and the newspaper business, but thanks to the easy way the author brought us into the world, I feel I do now. It's obvious the author is also a poet; her clever turns of the phrase and evocative descriptions of the island setting kept this book a notch above the usual quick read. I especially appreciated that the ending was not pat and predictable, but true-to-life in that resolutions are rarely simple and as expected. I look forward to the next installment!

[Bronwyn Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ticks a lot of boxes for me. Intelligent dialogue, fully developed characters and storyline, skillfully crafted settings, and accurate reporting about life in a newsroom. Great sex, and oh! that one assignment...

Meanwhile, I'd like to have Veronika Layne in my circle of friends. Sure, she's smart and sassy, but she's also a great mix of scaredy cat and ballsie broad. She's resourceful when she's on a mission, but can be clueless about what's right in front of her face. Julia Park Tracey has created a character I can relate to, and I'm eager to follow Veronika Layne's next story.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sassy, smart, sexy Veronika Layne really does get the scoop and a whole lot more. I loved her! Reading this book was delightful because it was so well written and created characters that you cared about. I didn't want it to end, and hope there are many more adventures along the way. The book has some surprises, but you know that certain events are bound to happen. And you want them to happen... No spoilers here, just read the book and enjoy every moment.

[Margaret Rosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this in a single day! I really enjoyed this fast-paced story of a current-day reporter for a local newspaper. The main character is competent, quirky, warm and thoughtful and the plot relating to our local history really held my interest. I also appreciated that this was quite well-written, creating a vivid picture of the challenges faced by today's newspapers.

[Charlotte Tlachac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun romp of a book with a salty lead character who's a mix of talent, loneliness and a bit of angst for her life choices. Her green, vegetarian(nearly) outlooks form her life style and help set her apart from the crowd...as do her tattoos and piercings(ouch).
My friend Julia has done well here....read it and see!

[M.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronika Layne is a smart, sassy twenty-something trying to build her career as a journalist on a small San Francisco Bay Area island (modeled after Alameda). She’s doing pretty fine for herself until the paper she works for merges with a larger conglomerate (an all-too familiar situation for many of us), and has to face an unpleasant decision: work on cotton-candy feel-good crap, or quit. She decides to suck it up and pay her dues until she can convince her boss she’s been undervalued. So when she stumbles across what looks like the the desecration of Native American burial mounds, she decides to investigate. Predictably, all does not go well; Veronika struggles with the investigation and her very hot rival co-worker, while the reader reaps the rewards.

Veronika is the sort of female protagonist I love; she’s strong, she’s kind, and she’s flawed in ways that are highly relatable. She can take care of herself, thank you very much, and she can save the planet as she’s doing it (green is her watchword) but she’s simultaneously semi-clueless when it comes to men. I don’t know about you, but that sums up my previous dating life pretty darn well, so I find myself face-palming and wanting to hug her all at the same time. The closest comparison I can come up with is to say that if Stephanie Plum had a younger sister who was a little more tattoed, and a little more savvy, and a little more hippy-dippy, she’d be Veronika Layne.

The author herself was a journalist for many years, and her expertise shows. The book approaches the mystery through the mind of an investigative reporter rather than a detective; this gives it a fresh take and a less predictable trajectory. If you’ve ever watched old movies and wondered what it was like to be one of those guys with the press-pass in their fedora, you’ll enjoy taking this journey in Veronika’s shoes.

This is Chick Lit, so there is romance threading through it, with some sex. Very sexy sex. And all I have to say about that is: Yum.

If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced, witty read to savor on a beautiful summer day, I highly recommend you spend some time hanging out with Veronika.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick lit isn't really my thing. Heck, fiction isn't even really my thing. The sex and romance-focused bits may have made me roll my eyes, but there's a lot to like about Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop!

Veronika is a young professional who regularly compares her moral compass compass to how she's paying the bills. She's a more tattooed version of me, making breakfasts with Field Roast vegan sausage and biking her way around town. Veronika finds herself assigned to the senior citizen and pet beat for a syndicate of "community" papers, but she's sitting on a big story. A story that will not please one of her employer's advertisers.

The main story doesn't go exactly where you think it will, which keeps it engaging. Along Veronika's journey readers get a peek into a journalist's life, corporate media issues, SF bay area history, tribal issues, and more. In the last several pages, I felt anxious along with Veronika as she tried to piece together some crucial information, with formerly cooperative sources suddenly shutting her out. At a certain point I was convinced she was going to quit her job and start a new independent paper—empty bank account be damned. (She doesn't.)

Sprinkled between the more interesting themes listed above, there were also some sex scenes and romance stuff. Because how could chick lit be categorized as such without these? But at least this chick lit was far smarter and well-written than Bridget Jones's Diary or other passages I've read and then retched so hard I couldn't continue reading.

I would totally ride bikes with Veronika Layne.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Booktrope for a review copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Veronika Layne, is a heavily tatooed and pierced young woman, who a couple of years out of college is working on her local newspaper as a journalist. Due to the size of the paper, all the staff do their own editing, photos, and cover all variety of topics each.

Soon it becomes apparent the paper is struggling and is sold to a company attempting to build a small media conglomerate. Once the team moves offices, they find a much more professional environment, and Veronika who was previously working on proper news stories, is given the pets and retired people sections to write as well as advertorials. Since Veronika, had just started investigating a new story of her own, she isn't too pleased about this, especially when told she can't do any news stories at all.

This book is all about Veronika Layne, tracking down and trying get the news story she is working on published in her new paper. You meet a bunch of other journalists, as well as people helping her out with the mystery she is investigating.

This was a lovely light hearted woman sleuthing mystery with some chick lit tendencies thrown in, and looks to be a lovely opening to the Hot off the Press series.

I would be interested to read more about Veronkika Layne, and this is a lovely light hearted book if you want to while away a few hours.

[Celia Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the character - Veronika Layne; much about her was completely unexpected, and a complete delight!

We meet Veronika as she hits the streets to cover a house fire at a local artists home. Veronika works for a small newspaper, which is alright by her, because it means she's in the thick of things - whether it is covering news, proofreading, or getting the paper to the printer.

Everything changes when the newspaper is sold to a large conglomerate. Veronika's world suddenly becomes quite small, when she's stuck behind a desk writing fluff. Her dreams of being a hard-hitting journalist come to an end.

This tattooed, rough-talking, bio-fuel, tree-hugging, vegan, has to find a way to return to covering the real action - not kittens and crochet fairs! But how? In an unlikely form, her opportunity comes up - and it's a doozy. Now, she only needs her boss, who sees her as a newbie journalist barely wet behind the ears, to let her get the scoop.

Ms. Tracey does a fabulous job at writing just outside the normal margins of ChickLit and makes this book a fascinating character study, and a smart plotline to boot!

I loved this book - and that Veronika finds romance along the way doesn't hurt!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to have lunch with Veronika Layne. That pert newshound, that hippie hottie, that competent journalist—I would feel soaked in the flip sass, the itchiness for the story under the story, the fresh ways of telling a news tale. Even tiny details--loved how Veronika has a cat named “Jonesy,” because after I read in Tracey’s June 2015 interview that she “learned a lot about chicklit and the sassy shorter form from reading Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding,” I smiled every time I met a “Jonesy” or “jonesing” word (http://ow.ly/O2QiF). Cherry on the sundae, the chapter titles are like newspaper headlines—this book is really one of a piece. And it does not wimp out in the last 50 pages!
Tracey packs a lot of backstory into a very few well-chosen, colorful words, just part of a sentence. She has such fresh ways of writing hot scenes and describing the wriggly garden serpent of lust. Working in the tone of the whole novel, Veronika’s sassy voice, Tracey packs in tons of what I love in any book—information about something important—in this case, American Indian shell mounds and their fate in the path of developers.
And, hey, … Veronika drinks kombucha, so what’s not to love.
Cannot wait for Veronika Layne: Hot off the Press #2!!

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf


Alright, can I just say this one thing? More, Please!

I love this girl. She is kick butt, take no names, true to herself and determined to get the story – in spite of what anyone else wants her to do.

Now I have never been inside a newspaper office with all the things happening at once, the chaos, the politics and the sense of urgency to meet deadlines and get the story. But I don’t have to be, because this story took me right into the center of the action.

There is a big story out there and Veronika is after it. Through turns that I didn’t see coming, we are taken alongside Veronika as she searches out leads, follows clues and uncovers the truth.

And it’s got the love interest as well. All around, a really good story with a side of romance. But to me the main story was always about Veronika getting to the truth.

I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who wants a fast paced, entertaining, wild ride of a story. Looking forward to reading the next installment of this series.

*I received an e-ARC of Veronika Layne Gets The Scoop from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first tale in the new, very spicy series about Veronika Layne, reporter on fire with strong views about what is right and what is not. This book sets up her current situation and introduces major characters, as well as involving some sizzling romance and more than a touch of her romantic fantasies. Veronika herself the main focus of this book. And she is an entertaining character.

In this instance, Veronika's employer, a loved local paper, is bought by a large, advertorial-heavy media group. Suddenly, instead of covering breaking news, she is regulated to sparkly features about pets and puff pieces glorifying local advertisers. While her job is not a casualty, her idealistic way of life may become one. Trying to keep her journalistic integrity intact, she investigates suspicious actions being undertaken by one of her new newspaper's major advertisers.

The story felt a bit rushed at times, and I would have liked a bit more of the local land development story. Overall, this is an enjoyable, and definitely a spicy, read. I am interested in following up with the next installment to discover in what direction the author is going to take Veronika.

**eARC netgalley**

[Rachel C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a 3.5 stars for me.

The story started off a bit rocky for me; I didn't instantly feel connected to the character and was only mildly interested in the story that was unfolding. Though once the book got off to a more secure start I enjoyed it quite a bit overall. However, there were many elements that I simultaneously liked and disliked. For example, the steamy sex scenes. They added a little spice to the story, but weren't really necessary. I felt like they were more of a cop-out for developing Veronika than they were really a legitimate story element.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that all in all the storyline itself was very intriguing, but the main character felt flat to me. I don't think I can honestly rate this as one of my favorites, but I would read a second installment.

[Review also posted on LibraryThing as part of Early Reviewers]

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A free kindle download. This book was just not my cup of tea. While a fan of both chick-lit and cozy mystery, this book seemed not quite a cozy and not quite chick-lit. The mixup left me confused more than once while reading, especially when Veronika begins to fantasize about another character. If I try to quantify why ... the character doesn't seem developed, the story plot is good but ends in what feels like an abrupt and unfinished way, and the sex scenes didn't add much and seemed off somehow. It's the first in a series and I can't see myself seeking out more. But then I can say that I got my money's worth on this one, and that's not always true when it comes to the free downloads.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun New Series!
This is a fun new series; this is the first book in the Hot off the Press series by Julia Park Tracey. Veronika is a sassy newspaper reporter who is stuck writing fluff pieces for the paper. When she hears rumors that a real estate developer is destroying native burial grounds she find out the truth. If you are looking for a great mystery, with a humor then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Eileen Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veronika Layne was a fun read. It took me back to being twenty-something, with the dilemmas and delusions, along with the idealism and desire not to compromise. The author gives us wonderful detail in describing places, people, and details of everyday life. The man she desires had long lashes "the unfair gift of a mirthful god who had skimped and cheated an otherwise lovely girl somewhere." The sex scenes portray lots of heat, and easily recognizable awkwardness. The story Veronika takes twists and turns, and offers surprises.

[Barbara Caulfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining look at small towns, local newspapers, and the challenges they present to a young reporter who wants more. More than covering costume contests at the dog park. More than filling columns about the joys of senior bingo. And definitely more than going home to snuggle her cat. She wants some serious action - in and out of the newsroom. When a friend shares a tidbit overheard at the local bar, Veronika sees an opportunity to make a name for herself. Following up, will she get what she wants? or what she needs?

[Amy Patick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable read! Brimming with Island of Alameda familiarity, a compelling and contemporary story line, and enjoyable characters. I actually enjoyed the main character and narrator Veronika Layne. Rather than coming across as overly trite, stereotyped and narcissistic which main narrators often can be, Veronika was very likeable and her sharp unassuming wit made me snort my coffee on more than one occasion. As for the "hot, charged, wet" sex scenes, I say: get a hotel room!!! Kudos to Julie Park Tracey and I look forward to more "V" sequels!

[Jennifer Senhaji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being born and raised in SF and now living in the East Bay, I loved this book and all the local references. Veronika is an extremely likeable character and reminds me of when I was younger, living in the Lower Haight District of SF. She is a socially aware, ecofriendly reporter working for a local paper that gets bought out by a bigger syndication. She’s funny, smart, quirky, and many twenty and thirty something young women will identify with her. I really enjoyed this book and the writer’s style. Well done.

[Simera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veronika Layne is sassy, tattooed, a reporter, and eco-friendly. Her world is turned upside down when the small newspaper she works for gets bought out and she ends up working for the paper that bought hers out and is given "fluff" to write. She hates writing about pets and seniors. She stumbles across a big story about butial grounds.
Aiden is a co-worker and has feelings for Veronika. Their romance is slow and it takes a little tough love on Aiden's part to get Veronika to do what she knows she must.
This is a fast read and very enjoyable.

I recieved a copy thanks to NetGalley.

[Bonnie Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fast-paced entertaining read, this book is for you. Quirky Veronika Layne gets the scoop all right, along with a non-challenging beat covering dog shows when the newspaper she works for is sold. Having written for a newspaper myself, I enjoyed Veronika's frustrations trying to write the best story she could with little help from her employer. When Veronika investigates a lead she shouldn't, all kinds of things appear, including what might be a twig, or a woman's finger. Light-hearted and sassy, I enjoyed this book.

[Kay Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Ol' Veronika Layne. I liked her character. She was a reporter who was tossed from a small home like newspaper to a big corporate one. She reminded me of one of the guys. She did her job as well as making it her business to report the truth.
Who doesn't respect an honest reporter. I loved the one sided rivalry between her and Ivan. I absolutely loved the chemistry and friendship between Aidan and Veronika. Great story.

[Kathy Ozmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun and easy read. I enjoyed Veronika Layne and her sassy, 'green' demeanor throughout the book. The sex scenes were unexpected, not drawn out and moved right along. I enjoyed the scenery of a small town and recognized some points of reference. Additionally, Julia did her research and it shows in this book. I look forward to reading more from Julia and the next adventure for Veronika Layne.