This is How I'd Love You by Hazel Woods (Book Tour)

As the Great War rages, an independent young woman struggles to sustain love—and life—through the power of words. It’s 1917 and America is on the brink of World War I. 

After Hensley Dench’s father is forced to resign from the New York Times for his anti-war writings, she finds herself expelled from the life she loves and the future she thought she would have. Instead, Hensley is transplanted to New Mexico, where her father has taken a job overseeing a gold mine. Driven by loneliness, Hensley hijacks her father’s correspondence with Charles Reid, a young American medic with whom her father plays chess via post. Hensley secretly begins her own exchange with Charles, but looming tragedy threatens them both, and—when everything turns against them—will their words be enough to beat the odds?

 Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Plume Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback, MP3 CD
Pages: 320

Genre: Historical Fiction

 ****

This is Hazel Wood's debut.  It is written in 3rd person narrative, which I am not totally used to, but thankfully it did not take long to get lost in this story.  I really enjoyed this book and like the unique premise, a chess game via mail.   Taking place in 1917 and America has just entered World War I.  There seems to be quite a number of books around these days during this time period, but I don't recall reading any that takes place primary in the US.  I am not a big romance reader and though this book has been listed as 'romance' it wasn't over the top, it was realistic and a believable tale.

Hensley Dench is young, fresh out of high school and uprooted from New York and moved to New Mexico.  She begins a unique relationship with a medic who is serving in France.  As the story progresses we learn that each is not without secrets and when tragedy strikes both of them they are both forced to do some serious soul searching.  I really enjoyed watching the progression of Hensley and Charles character throughout this book.  The author's writing style keep me engaged as well as visualizing places.

The cover is gorgeous and was one of the first things that attracted me to this book. This is How I'd Love You will  appeal to those that enjoy World War I fiction or just a good all round historical fiction read.

Praise for This Is How I’d Love You

“In This is How I’d Love You, Hazel Woods explores the enduring nature of an improbable love born of words, washed in tragedy, and sustained despite impossible circumstances. With prose as immediate and evocative as a painting, Woods accomplishes the magic of rendering sorrow into hope and fear into courage. It is as idealistic a tale as it is clear-sighted, a brilliant alchemy few novels achieve. Readers, prepare to melt” — Robin Oliveria, author of My Name is Mary Sutter

Buy the Book

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Powell’s

Hazel Woods lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children.

For more information please visit www.hazelwoodsauthor.com.

You can also find her on Twitter.

This Is How I’d Love You Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 25
Review & Giveaway at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, August 27
Interview at Dab of Darkness
Friday, August 29
Interview at Book Babe
Tuesday, September 2
Review & Interview at Closed the Cover
Review & Interview at A Chick Who Reads
Wednesday, September 3
Review at The Bookworm
Friday, September 5
Spotlight & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
Monday, September 8
Spotlight & Giveaway at Historical Tapestry
Tuesday, September 9
Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, September 10
Interview at Caroline Wilson Writes
Thursday, September 11
Review at Booktalk & More
Friday, September 12
Review & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Monday, September 15
Review & Guest Post at Bookish
Tuesday, September 16
Review at Book of Secrets
Wednesday, September 17
Review at Book Nerd