Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate

Phoebe Dean was the most popular girl alive and dead.

For the last ten years, the small, claustrophobic town of West Wilmer has been struggling to understand one thing: Why did it take young Grant Dean twenty-seven minutes to call for help on the fateful night of the car accident that took the life of his beloved sister, Phoebe?

Someone knows what really happened the night Phoebe died. Someone who is ready to tell the truth.

With Phoebe's memorial in just three days, grief, delusion, ambition, and regret tornado together with biting gossip in a town full of people obsessed with a long-gone tragedy with four people at its heart—the caretaker, the secret girlfriend, the missing bad boy, and a former football star. Just kids back then, are forever tied together the fateful rainy night Phoebe died.

Paperback, 360 pages

Published January 23, 2024

 by Doubleday Canada

2.5/5 stars

An intriguing cover with an enticing blurb had me pre-ordering this book.

Twenty-seven minutes is the time that elapsed from when the accident happened until help was called.  So what happened in that space of time? 

It’s been 10 years since that night, with Phoebe's mother still grieving she has planned a memorial to remember her daughter. This book had great potential but I found the multiple POV‘s with similar characters a little confusing. For me the story dragged and felt repetitive.  As for the twists and ending it did catch me off guard but the extremely slow build up took away from that.

This book was part of my 2024 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge 

Bad Move by Linwood Barclay

In the too-quiet town of Oakwood, only the lucky die of boredom... and new homeowner Zack Walker isn’t feeling lucky. Whoever said the burbs were boring will think twice after reading Linwood Barclay’s hilarious debut mystery, in which Dad learns the hard way that he doesn’t always know best.

Zack wouldn’t blame you for thinking he’s safety-obsessed. True, he masterminded a plot to trade his family’s exciting city lifestyle for one of suburban tranquillity. True, even after this strategic move, Zack still has issues with family members who forget their keys in the front door, leave their cars unlocked, or park their backpacks at the top of the stairs — where you could kill yourself tripping over them. Just ask his wife, Sarah, or his teenage kids, Paul and Angie, who endure their share of lectures.

Zack knows that he needs to chill out and assume the best for once — but we know what happens to those who assume.

When Zack realizes their two-faced developer sent a petty thief to fix their leaky shower, he starts fighting hard to ignore the fact that Oakwood isn’t the crime-free paradise he was hoping for. But his brief state of denial comes to an abrupt end when, during a walk by the creek, he stumbles across a dead body. Even more shocking, Zack actually knows who the victim is — and who might want him dead.

With a killer roaming around their neighborhood and Zack’s overactive imagination in overdrive, he’s sure things can’t get any worse. But then another local is murdered — and Zack’s paranoid tendencies get him implicated in the crime. While his wife is trying to remember why she married him in the first place, and his kids are considering whether it’s time to have him committed, Zack decides there’s only one thing he can do. To protect his family — and avoid being busted for a crime he didn’t commit — he’s going to have to override his safety-first instincts, tap into his delusions of machismo, and track down the killer himself.

Mass Market Paperback, 387 pages

Published April 26, 2005

 by Bantam

4/5 stars

Since Linwood Barclay has become an auto read for me I have gone back to the beginning with his debut, Bad Move, which is also the first book in a four part series. Oh my this is unlike any Barclay book I have ever read before.

Thoroughly entertaining, comical with mystery and mayhem Bad Move is told from the pov of an overly cautious husband/dad/disgruntled homeowner. When I say overly cautious I mean paranoid about safely and mindful how his family isn't all that concerned about safety.  Especially when Zack moves the family to a 'safe' neighborhood which as it turns out isn't all that safe.

It’s an impulsive move, to teach his wife a lesson, that sends Zach on a path of bad decision making. And what a path it is. Even though Zack is rather annoying and over the top I was in need of a palate cleanser in my reading life and this fit the bill nicely. It was a twisty read with a wide range of personalities and a twisty ending I didn't see coming at all.

Will I continue with this series?  Absolutely, Bad Guys is already included in my January vacation plans.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.

Creep by Jennifer Hillier

Pulsing with the dark obsession of Radiohead’s song “Creep,” this taut thriller—Jennifer Hillier’s superb debut—rockets from its seductive opening to a heartpounding climax not easily forgotten.

If he can’t have her . . .

Dr. Sheila Tao is a professor of psychology. An expert in human behavior. And when she began an affair with sexy, charming graduate student Ethan Wolfe, she knew she was playing with fire. Consumed by lust when they were together, riddled with guilt when they weren’t, she knows the three-month fling with her teaching assistant has to end. After all, she’s finally engaged to a kind and loving investment banker who adores her, and she’s taking control of her life. But when she attempts to end the affair, Ethan Wolfe won’t let her walk away.

. . . no one else can.

Ethan has plans for Sheila, plans that involve posting a sex video that would surely get her fired and destroy her prestigious career. Plans to make her pay for rejecting him. And as she attempts to counter his every threatening move without her colleagues or her fiancé discovering her most intimate secrets, a shattering crime rocks Puget Sound State University: a female student, a star athlete, is found stabbed to death. Someone is raising the stakes of violence, sex, and blackmail . . . and before she knows it, Sheila is caught in a terrifying cat-and-mouse game with the lover she couldn’t resist—who is now the monster who won’t let her go.

 Kindle Edition, 432 pages

First published July 5, 2011 

by Gallery Books

4/5 stars 

If Jennifer Hillier wasn't already in my auto read list, Creep clinched it.  This was her debut?

Contrary to what the title feels like this book was not as creepy as anticipated.  It wasn't until closer to the end when I learned how it originated.  But rather Creep is a suspense mystery that kept me on my toes.

Coming in at 432 pages it isn't a small book but action packed with the depth of character and twists that made the pages fly by.  Creep messes with the mind as Sheila tries to control a situation her lust got her into.  Beware who you get involved with, could turn around and bite you...well you know where.

Creep is a well written story with a complicated plot and many layers. The characters are unreliable rounding out this book nicely. Definitely an author and book I recommend.

Creep is part of my Kindle library, originally purchased as a Kindle deal.

Review/Giveaway: The Dutch Wife by Ellen Keith

Amsterdam, May 1943. As the tulips bloom and the Nazis tighten their grip across the city, the last signs of Dutch resistance are being swept away. Marijke de Graaf and her husband are arrested and deported to different concentration camps in Germany. Marijke is given a terrible choice: to suffer a slow death in the labour camp or—for a chance at survival—to join the camp brothel.

 On the other side of the barbed wire, SS officer Karl Müller arrives at the camp hoping to live up to his father’s expectations of wartime glory. But faced with a brutal routine of overseeing executions and punishments, he longs for an escape. When he encounters the newly arrived Marijke, this meeting changes their lives forever.

 Woven into the narrative across space and time is Luciano Wagner’s ordeal in 1977 Buenos Aires, during the heat of the Argentine Dirty War. In his struggle to endure military captivity, he searches for ways to resist from a prison cell he may never leave.

 From the Netherlands to Germany to Argentina, The Dutch Wife braids together the stories of three individuals who share a dark secret and are entangled in two of the most oppressive reigns of terror in modern history. This is a novel about the blurred lines between love and lust, abuse and resistance, and right and wrong, as well as the capacity for ordinary people to persevere and do the unthinkable in extraordinary circumstances.

Kindle ebook, 384 pages

Published April 24th 2018

by Patrick Crean Editions

*****

As one who is always on the lookout for HF pertaining to the Netherlands the title and cover is what drew me to The Dutch Wife. It’s also Ellen Keith’s debut - how exciting is that! Only a small percentage of this book takes place in Holland but it’s enough for me, I didn’t totally expect to feel such an emotional connection to Marijke, really it should have been her husband Theo. You see back in 1943 my dad was taken from Holland to a Labour Camp in Germany, my parents never talked of the war years which is one of the reasons I am drawn to this genre.

The author has really done her homework here, the amount of research was evident. She didn’t hold back and some might find some of the details overwhelming. She told of the conditions in these camps vividly, no matter how dark and heartbreaking. For me there was a lot of learning that took place and though the characters are fictional what took place both in Germany and Argentina were based on fact.  I was not aware of what took place in the ‘70's in Argentina and that was a real eye opener. This book is told from 3 different POV’s with the added bonus of 2 being male - that doesn’t happen often and it’s refreshing for a change.

The Dutch Wife is a powerful, well written story of survival, secrets and heartache. It’s one of those that will stay with me for a long time.

Last month I had the privilege of attending an author event at Harper Collins Canada with Ellen Keith and have a signed copy of The Dutch Wife to give to a lucky reader (thank you Harper Collins)

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The Particular Appeal of Gillian Pugsley by Susan Ornbratt

From the shores of The Great Lakes to the slums of Bombay and a tiny island in between, this love story takes the reader on an intimate journey to unravel a family secret that’s lain hidden for generations.

To satisfy her wandering feet, eighteen-year-old Gillian McAllister is sent from Ireland to Canada in the summer of 1932. She arrives with her Irish ways intact, determined not to let the wiles of crop duster Christian Hunter woo her into submission. Yet as the summer unfolds and the sweet taste of love grows, Gillian’s appeal lures more than she anticipates, shattering the life they’ve built.

Fourteen years, a Great Depression, and a World War later, Christian sets out to discover why Gillian was ripped from his life. What he discovers on the Isle of Man will change them both forever. Not even a thatched cottage by the sea, a spritely Gillian, or memories sprinkled on a page can mask the secret that has been buried for too long. 

But it isn’t until a set of poems is given to Gillian’s granddaughter that the real mystery—Gillian’s true secret—is freed. 

Paperback, 338 pages

Expected publication: April 23rd 2015 by Light Messages Publishing 

ARC - Netgalley

*****

The book with the long title, don't let that scare you off like it almost did me.  The cover is what grabbed my attention and the blurb just glitched it.  A weird quirk of mine is location.  When I saw Bruce Peninsula, the Great Lakes and Tobermory I was sold, these are my stomping grounds.

Gillian spent the next several days trying to imagine why on earth Daddy would want her to go to Canada of all places.  She needed to let the idea soak in.  Honestly, she was furious with the man.  India sounded so exotic -- all those spices!  Canada sounded, well... wild.

With such a great setting my expectations rose somewhat.  I really hate putting pressure like that on any author, beautiful setting must equal beautiful story, right?.

Did Susan Ornbratt rise to the occasion? Of course she did, The Particular Appeal of Gillian Pugsley was an absolute pleasure to read!  The authors writing style made it extremely easy to get lost in this story.  Told in various time periods this reader had no problem connecting with Gillian.  First introduced when she is 89 years old (2003), then she takes us back to 1931 and then 1946.  Gillian is such a likeable character, she is adventurous, open minded and genuine.  First she is a nanny for a family from India, then off to the wilds of Canada.  Her relationship with her sister and father was played out nicely, the bantering between them added much to this story.    I loved the strong bond between Gillian and her granddaughter, Gilly (who is tasked with writing her story) was the finishing touch this story needed. 

The plot was intriguing, kept me on my toes.  There is much going on here, a beautiful love story, mystery, trauma of WW II and more.  With vivid descriptive prose it wasn't hard to picture scenery and the added poems was a unique idea and enhanced this story nicely.  While the story weaves back and forth in time, as well as alternating POV's it wasn't hard to get totally invested in this book.

It's such a strange phenomenon with writers, the way a story starts to breathe life, the way the characters become real, the way a writer becomes a servant to the story as much as its creator. 

This is Susan Ornbratt's debut, reminiscent of Kate Morton and Susanna Kearsley, I highly recommend.

Hand of Fire by Judith Starkston

A Novel of Briseis and the Trojan War.

The Trojan War threatens Troy’s allies and the Greek supply raids spread. A young healing priestess, designated as future queen, must defend her city against both divine anger and invading Greeks. She finds strength in visions of a handsome warrior god; will that be enough when the half-immortal Achilles attacks? Hand of Fire, a tale of resilience and hope, blends history and legend in the untold story of Achilles’s famous captive, Briseis.

"In Hand of Fire, Starkston's careful research brings ancient Greece and Troy to life with passion and grace. This haunting and insightful novel makes you ache for a mortal woman, Briseis, in love with a half-god, Achilles, as she fights to make her own destiny in a world of capricious gods and warriors. I devoured this page-turning escape from the modern world!" -- Rebecca Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author of The World Beneath.

Publication Date: September 10, 2014
Fireship Press
Page Count: 330
ISBN 13: 9781611792966

****

The Iliad is one of my favorite books.  There is just something timeless and, of course, poetic about it.  After reading Hand of Fire it is obviously a favorite of Judith Starkston.  She has taken the character of Briseis and created a world where the reader not only gets to know her but sees another side of Achilles as well.  

Using Greek Mythology and the Trojan War a lovely picture has been painted of the bond between Achilles and Briseis. From her upbringing where she was trained as a healer, a wife and future queen she is finally captured by Greek soldiers, Briseis is easy to connect with.  She is a strong character, having suffered much but courageous and daring.

The authors immense knowledge of this time period is evident here with vivid descriptions, strong characters, a smooth writing style and an interesting story. this is a solid debut, leaving me anticipating what the author is working on next. 

Find an excerpt, Q&A, book reviews, ancient recipes, historical background as well as on-going information about the historical fiction community on Starkston’s website  www.JudithStarkston.com

Buy Links:

Amazon 

Amazon UK  

 

 Nook 

 

Itunes  

Link to the tour schedule: Hand of Fire Fireship Press Virtual Tour

Advance Praise:

"But what is the difference between a good historical novel and a brilliant one?

I suggest you read Judith Starkston's Hand of Fire and you'll discover the answer."  Helen Hollick,

Historical Novels Review Editor and author of Forever Queen

"In Hand of Fire, Starkston's careful research brings ancient Greece and Troy to life with passion and grace. This haunting and insightful novel makes you ache for a mortal woman, Briseis, in love with a half-god, Achilles, as she fights to make her own destiny in a world of capricious gods and warriors. I devoured this page-turning escape from the modern world!" -- Rebecca Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author of The World Beneath

“In her portrayal of Briseis, Judith Starkston has cast a bright light on one of the Iliad's most intriguing sub-plots. With her fast-paced story, three-dimensional characters, and fascinating cultural details, Starkston has given historical fiction fans a tale to remember.” –Priscilla Royal, author of Covenant with Hell



Judith Starkston is a classicist (Greek and Latin literature and history), having received her B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz and her M.A. from Cornell University. She taught high school English, Latin, and humanities for twenty-one years. Judith fell under the spell of Homer’s Iliad as an undergraduate; the ancient poem later became a perennial favorite among her students. Judith Starkston lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and golden retriever, Socrates. She has two grown children. 

Follow Judith Starkston on FB and Twitter   

Visit on Goodreads Hand of Fire

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

In a time of unprecedented darkness and fear, Cornelia must decide if saving a stranger’s life is worth risking her own.

In the twilight of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, the Germans have taken everything Cornelia had to give, even what was most precious to her. Now Gerrit Laninga—a man who puts God and country above all else—arrives at her house, needing help. She is terrified for herself and terrified for her family, but most of all, terrified of the pain she might feel again if she allows herself to love Gerrit. Her hope is to be free from her paralyzing fear.

Gerrit is a known and hunted Dutch Resistance member. When he comes to Cornelia’s home for shelter, he’s drawn to her strength and kindness. When he asks her to contact the local Resistance on his behalf, she refuses. Gerrit is determined to find a way to continue his underground work without putting Cornelia or her family in harm’s way.

When things start to unravel and Gerrit’s life depends on her actions, she must summon her courage and learn to depend on the perfect love that drives out all fear. But will her new love be snatched away before it has a chance to bloom?

Paperback, 326 pages

Published August 2013 by Thomas Nelson 

***1/2

I never used to read that much about World War II, especially after reading books like The Book Thief, Between Shades of Grey and The Invisible Bridge.  Plus knowing the atrocities committed by the Nazi I just needed to stay away for a bit.

What I am finding these days is a wide array of books showing the war from the other side.  Those courageous enough to fight back in any way they can.  Snow on the Tulips is a look at the Netherlands during the final days of this conflict.  Some sat and waited for the war to end, surviving on ration cards, minding their own business. For others there is the underground, the Resistance.  Some get involved on purpose and for others its thrown in their face. 

It's almost the end of the war, but Cornelia and Gerrit do not know this.  This book shows a vivid portrait of life in the Netherlands, the emotions when a loved one is no longer there.  Hiding those you love from the Germans and knowing who you can trust and who you can't.  This is the authors debut and I think that she is off to a good start.  There were times I felt it dragged a little, but the author shows that she knows her subject matter and wrote an interesting and believable story.

It's Christian fiction which I think added the story,  it's wartime and sometimes all you have left is your faith. 

  

“Courage is not a feeling. Courage is an action.”

Another reason I was drawn to this book is simply the fact that my parents lived in the Netherlands during this war as a young married couple.  My dad was a German POW for 2 years as well.  My parents never talked about the war and this book was a glimpse for me of what life might have been like for them. 

P.S. - it's the cover gorgeous?!

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam-a city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religion-a masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of Emma Donoghue, Sarah Waters, and Sarah Dunant.

"There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed…"

On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office-leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.

But Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist-an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways . . .

Johannes' gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand-and fear-the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation . . . or the architect of their destruction?

Enchanting, beautiful, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.
 

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published August 26th 2014 by Ecco

"But the problem is...those with no horizons want to pull yours down."

There are so many things that drew me to this book.

Locations, location, location - Amsterdam, it's off the beaten path.  Though I am Canadian, my parents and siblings were all raised there and I am always on the lookout for anything HF that I can get my hands on.  The author created scenes that I could visualize, reminders of a trip I once did and made me all the more anxious to go back again.  Add the fact that my mothers maiden name is also Brandt, well it was a given that this book was for me.

It's no secret that I love debuts and this one comes fully loaded!  Outselling JK Rowling is enough to raise ones expectation level!  It's based on a real cabinet and the author has really written a unique story that just drew this reader right in.  It was intriguing, with a wide array of different individuals, each character so different from the other, in their roles and personalities.

Taking place in 1686, Amsterdam was not just a wealthy city but a deeply religious one as well.  Nella is only 18 years old when she arrives in the Brandt household as a young bride, so many ideas and images of what her life would be like, only to meet with Johannes (again) who really does not share those ideas himself.  In fact he doesn't share a lot of things.  He is mysterious and aloft, which adds to the gothic feel.  His sister Marin, who welcomes Nella to the household in an unwelcoming manner and does not hide her feelings. 

When Johannes gift arrives things change and a new Nella emerges. The story takes off once the cabinet starts taking on a life of its own, Nella is no longer shy or reserved, but rather daring and inquisitive.   The writer has a pose that I like, rich details emerge about this time period and lifestyles in a way that kept this reader reading.
 

There are two different covers out there, I really like the UK one and that is what I purchased. I think there is just something kind of mystic and enchanting with this one.

"Freedom is a glorious thing.  Free yourself, Marin.    The bars on your cage are of your own making"

Review & Giveaway: Edwin: High King of Britain by Edoardo Albert (Book Tour)

Debut historical fiction series vividly recreating the rise of the Christian kings of Northumbria, England.

In 604 AD, Edwin, the deposed king of Northumbria, seeks refuge at the court of King Raedwald of East Anglia. But Raedwald is urged to kill his guest by Aethelfrith, Edwin's usurper. As Edwin walks by the shore, alone and at bay, he is confronted by a mysterious figure--the missionary Paulinus-- who prophesies that he will become High King of Britain. It is a turning point.

Through battles and astute political alliances Edwin rises to power, in the process marrying the Kentish princess Aethelburh. As part of the marriage contract the princess is allowed to retain her Christian faith. But, in these times, to be a king is not a recipe for a long life.

This turbulent and tormented period in British history sees the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon settlers who have forced their way on to British shores over previous centuries, arriving first to pillage, then to farm and trade--and to come to terms with the faith of the Celtic tribes they have driven out.

The dramatic story of Northumbria's Christian kings helped give birth to England as a nation, English as a language, and the adoption of Christianity as the faith of the English.

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Lion Fiction

Formats: eBook, Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: The Northumbrian Thrones (Book 1)

"For this is one island and it should have one king - and such a king would be a mighty king, able to stand as equal to the king of the Franks and even the emperor of the Romans."

I've never read anything before the 11th century (other than prior to 1st century). So this book was a new experience for me.  A little nervous with the spelling of names and places that I was unfamiliar with. Along with the way kingdoms were divided and the different, and again unfamiliar, territories.  This is one of those times that I was grateful for a print copy.  There was a nice detailed map, a full cast of characters and a glossary.  I found this very helpful and referred to it numerous times.

This is Edoardo Albert's debut and the start of a new series, The Northumbrian Thrones.  There is no hiding the fact that the author has definitely done his homework here.  From the very first chapter, when the secret messenger makes his appearance and has his say, I was captivated.

One of the reasons that I love historical fiction is not only to be entertained but to learn something at the same time.  This book was a pleasure to read, it was true to the time period with authentic language, settings and descriptions. The different relationships portrayed here showed Edwin as a leader, a father, a husband, a friend and one questioning his beliefs.  With his marriage to Aethelburh we are introduced to a Roman priest named Paulinus and his friend James.  They are bringing their belief in one true God verses a civilizations that believes in many gods.  Paulinus's style of sharing the gospel was unique and added much to this book.

The book ended with 3 pages of authors notes and with this type of book it was the perfect way to end.  The notes just complete the book adding the finishing touches that this reader loves.

I am very thankful to be part of this tour and having been given the opportunity to begin this series.

Praise for Edwin: High King of Britain

“In the first installment of the Northumbrian Thrones, a new historical fiction series, Albert launches readers into the tumultuous world of 7th century Northumbria. Edwin, the deposed king of the region, forges political alliances, is betrayed, and fights critical battles that form the arc of his rise and fall as High King of Britain. As he ages, he fears for the future of his kingdom, and war has simply become a necessary evil. His shifting worldview leads to conversion to the Christian faith—a slow process given special attention by Albert. But it is not a clear path, and sometimes Edwin and his subordinates doubt the validity and the power of the Christian God, as opposed to the pagan deities they have left behind. Albert’s focus on the religious element does not detract from the political and dramatic aspects of the history he is portraying. Rather, it lends an extra dimension of psychological turmoil, because characters must deal with the problem of not only individual identity but also the beginnings of a national identity related to religion. Albert’s offering is a highly entertaining and refreshing work of historical fiction thanks to his emphasis on the precarious intersection of religion and identity.” –Publishers Weekly

“A splendid novel that leaves the reader wanting more.” –Bernard Cornwell, New York Times bestselling author

“A fast-paced and gripping tale of the great Northumbrian King Edwin, reclaiming one of our great national figures from the shadows of history.” –Justin Hill, author of Shieldwall

Buy the Book

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
IndieBound

Edoardo Albert is a writer of Sri Lankan and Italian extraction based in London. The best response to his writing was when he reduced a friend to helpless, hysterical, rolling-on-the-floor-holding-his-stomach laughter. Unfortunately, the writing in question was a lonely hearts ad. He hopes to produce similar results in readers, without inadvertently acquiring another wife.

For more information, please visit Edoardo Albert's website. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Edwin: High King of Britain Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 25
Review at Princess of Eboli
Review at 2 Book Lovers Reviews

Tuesday, August 26
Review at Just One More Chapter
Review & Giveaway at Unshelfish

Wednesday, August 27
Review at Dab of Darkness

Thursday, August 28
Interview & Giveaway at Dab of Darkness

Monday, September 1
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Review at Queen of All She Reads

Tuesday, September 2
Review at Flashlight Commentary

Wednesday, September 3
Review at The Writing Desk
Review at The Mad Reviewer

Friday, September 5
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Monday, September 8
Review at A Book Geek
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Tuesday, September 9
Review at Book Nerd

Wednesday, September 10
Review & Giveaway at 100 Pages a Day - Stephanie's Book Reviews
Interview & Giveaway at Thoughts in Progress

Friday, September 12
Review at A Bibliotaph's Reviews

Monday, September 15
Review & Giveaway at Words and Peace

Tuesday, September 16
Review at Layered Pages

Thursday, September 18
Review & Giveaway at Beth's Book Reviews

Friday, September 19
Review at Book Drunkard

Review & Giveaway: The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee (Book Tour)

A Pub­lish­ers Weekly Best Books of the Year pick: The Type­writer Girl is a “spec­tac­u­lar debut, set in a per­fectly real­ized Vic­to­rian England.”

When Bet­sey Dob­son dis­em­barks from the Lon­don train in the sea­side resort of Idensea, all she owns is a small valise and a canary in a cage. After an attempt to forge a let­ter of ref­er­ence she knew would be denied her, Bet­sey has been fired from the typ­ing pool of her pre­vi­ous employer. Her vig­or­ous protest left one man wounded, another jilted, and her char­ac­ter per­ma­nently besmirched.

Now, with­out money or a ref­er­ence for a new job, the future looks even bleaker than the deba­cle she left behind her.

But her life is about to change … because a young Welsh­man on the rail­road quay, wait­ing for another woman, is the one finally will­ing to believe in her.

Mr. Jones is inept in mat­ters of love, but a genius at things mechan­i­cal. In Idensea, he has con­structed a glit­ter­ing pier that astounds the wealthy tourists. And in Bet­sey, he rec­og­nizes the ideal tour man­ager for the Idensea Pier & Plea­sure Build­ing Company.

After a life­time of guard­ing her secrets and break­ing the rules, Bet­sey becomes a force to be reck­oned with. Together, she and Mr. Jones must find a way for her to suc­ceed in a soci­ety that would reject her, and fig­ure the price of sur­ren­der­ing to the tides of love.

Audible Audio Book Edition
Audible.com Release Date: April 4, 2014
Listening Length: 12 hours and 39 minutes
Publisher: Audible Studios
Language: English
ASIN: B00JH0L9HW

Genre: Historical Fiction

***

I love the cover of this book, I found it intriguing and it peeked my interest  This is Alison Atlee's debut and that is another plus for me.  I listened to the audio version which is read by Rosalyn Landor, who is my favorite reader, boy can she bring a story to life (even if there isn't much life in there).  That isn't the case with this book though. 

Betsey is a woman who wanted control of her life without conforming to society's expectations. She is a  strong woman with drive, even if some of her methods were unsavory.  I did at times have a hard time liking her.  In the last third of the book things picked up and she seemed to come into her own.

One interesting thing was the authors use of profanity, which I found a bit distracting.  I have nothing against profanity but in its place.  With this book, the setting and general language, it just seemed out of place and instead of adding to the story I was thrown off.  It wasn't until I was writing this review that I read the Publishers Weekly endorsement and saw that this book takes place in Victorian England. I was in the dark as to the time period thinking that I missed it being mentioned somewhere.

Praise for The Typewriter Girl

“Atlee’s out¬standing debut unflinchingly explores … the unforgiving man’s world of Victorian England.” –PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)

“Easily one of the most romantic books I’ll read all year … John and Betsey are compelling and worth rooting for.” –DEAR AUTHOR (a Recommended Read)

“Sweeps readers to a satisfying conclusion.” –LIBRARY JOURNAL

 

Buy the AudioBook

Amazon UK
Amazon US
Audible.com

Alison Atlee spent her childhood re-enacting Little Women and trying to fashion nineteenth century wardrobes for her Barbie dolls. Happily, these activities turned out to be good preparation for writing historical novels. She now lives in Kentucky.
For more information please visit Alison Atlee’s website.

You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads and Pinterest.

 

 

 

The Typewriter Girl Blog Tour & Book Blast Schedule

Monday, August 4
Review at Peeking Between the Pages (Audio Book)
Book Blast at Mina’s Bookshelf
Book Blast at Princess of Eboli
Book Blast at Literary Chanteuse
Book Blast at What Is That Book About
Tuesday, August 5
Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews (Print)
Book Blast at So Many Books, So Little Time
Wednesday, August 6
Book Blast at Let Them Read Books
Thursday, August 7
Book Blast at Mari Reads
Book Blast at Book Lovers Paradise
Friday, August 8
Book Blast at Book Blast Central
Saturday, August 9
Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes
Sunday, August 10
Book Blast at Book Nerd
Monday, August 11
Review at Just One More Chapter (Audio Book)
Book Blast at Gobs and Gobs of Books
Tuesday, August 12
Book Blast at Queen of All She Reads
Wednesday, August 13
Review at Historical Tapestry (Audio Book)
Book Blast at The Lit Bitch
Book Blast at CelticLady’s Reviews
Thursday, August 14
Review at A Bookish Affair (Print)
Guest Post at Historical Tapestry
Friday, August 15
Review at Brooke Blogs (Audio Book)
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Saturday, August 16
Book Blast at Broken Teepee
Sunday, August 17
Interview at Closed the Cover
Monday, August 18
Review at The Maiden’s Court (Audio Book)
Tuesday, August 19
Book Blast at Layered Pages
Book Blast at Always with a Book
Wednesday, August 20
Book Blast at Literary, Etc.
Thursday, August 21
Review at Books in the Burbs (Print)
Book Blast at Bibliotica
Friday, August 22
Review at Bibliophilia, Please (Audio Book)
Saturday, August 23
Book Blast at Reading Lark
Book Blast at Ageless Pages Reviews
Sunday, August 24
Book Blast at Passages to the Past
Monday, August 25
Review at Flashlight Commentary (Audio Book)
Book Blast at Historical Fiction Connection
Tuesday, August 26
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, August 27
Book Blast at Susan Heim on Writing
Thursday, August 28
Review at Luxury Reading (Print)
Review at The True Book Addict (Audio Book)
Review at Jorie Loves a Story (Print)
Friday, August 29
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

 

The Typewriter Girl Swag Giveaway

One copy of The Typewriter Girl (Audio Book or Print)
Set of earbuds in a cute typewriter print pouch
A Typewriter Girl Happily-Ever-After t-shirt (features last lines from famous novels)
A vintage style postcard “from” Idensea, the setting of The Typewriter Girl
A “dream wildly” ribbon bookmark with typewriter key charms

To enter, please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to residents in the US, Canada, and the UK.

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on August 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on August 30th and notified via email.
Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

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Review & Giveaway: To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis by Andra Watkins

Is remembrance immortality? Nobody wants to be forgotten, least of all the famous.
Meriwether Lewis lived a memorable life. He and William Clark were the first white men to reach the Pacific in their failed attempt to discover a Northwest Passage. Much celebrated upon their return, Lewis was appointed governor of the vast Upper Louisiana Territory and began preparing his eagerly-anticipated journals for publication. But his re-entry into society proved as challenging as his journey. Battling financial and psychological demons and faced with mounting pressure from Washington, Lewis set out on a pivotal trip to the nation’s capital in September 1809. His mission: to publish his journals and salvage his political career. He never made it. He died in a roadside inn on the Natchez Trace in Tennessee from one gunshot to the head and another to the abdomen.
Was it suicide or murder? His mysterious death tainted his legacy and his fame quickly faded. Merry’s own memory of his death is fuzzy at best. All he knows is he’s fallen into Nowhere, where his only shot at redemption lies in the fate of rescuing another. An ill-suited “guardian angel,” Merry comes to in the same New Orleans bar after twelve straight failures. Now, with one drink and a two-dollar bill he is sent on his last assignment, his final shot at escape from the purgatory in which he’s been dwelling for almost 200 years. Merry still believes he can reverse his forgotten fortunes.
Nine-year-old Emmaline Cagney is the daughter of French Quarter madam and a Dixieland bass player. When her mother wins custody in a bitter divorce, Emmaline carves out her childhood among the ladies of Bourbon Street. Bounced between innocence and immorality, she struggles to find her safe haven, even while her mother makes her open her dress and serve tea to grown men.
It isn’t until Emmaline finds the strange cards hidden in her mother’s desk that she realizes why these men are visiting: her mother has offered to sell her to the highest bidder. To escape a life of prostitution, she slips away during a police raid on her mother’s bordello, desperate to find her father in Nashville.
Merry’s fateful two-dollar bill leads him to Emmaline as she is being chased by the winner of her mother’s sick card game: The Judge. A dangerous Nowhere Man convinced that Emmaline is the reincarnation of his long dead wife, Judge Wilkinson is determined to possess her, to tease out his wife’s spirit and marry her when she is ready. That Emmaline is now guarded by Meriwether Lewis, his bitter rival in life, further stokes his obsessive rage.
To elude the Judge, Em and Merry navigate the Mississippi River to Natchez. They set off on an adventure along the storied Natchez Trace, where they meet Cajun bird watchers, Elvis-crooning Siamese twins, War of 1812 re-enactors, Spanish wild boar hunters and ancient mound dwellers. Are these people their allies? Or pawns of the perverted, powerful Judge?

Publication Date: March 1, 2014
World Hermit Press
Formats: Ebook, Paperback  

****

Read an Excerpt HERE.

What an original, unique and slightly bizarre plot (and I mean that in a really good way).  I was fascinated with this story right from the beginning. With the narrative alternating between Emmaline, Merry and the Judge it was interesting to hear their thoughts and feeling about the what and why's of what was taking place. 

The author portrayed each of the 3, Emmaline, Merry and the Judge in such a way that I got to know each of them, their motives and what is driving them on this journey.  Emmaline is this 9 year old, still a child, but forced to grow up before her time.   Merry shows his emotional side in how her cares and protects Emmaline. And well the Judge remembers a love from long ago.

This story was believable in it's supernatural way. It is fast paced and full of tense action, very hard to put down.

click on the icon for more stops on this tour

Buy the Book

Amazon (Kindle Ebook)
Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Nook Ebook)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

Hey. I’m Andra Watkins. I’m a native of Tennessee, but I’m lucky to call Charleston, South Carolina, home for 23 years. I’m the author of ‘To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis’, coming March 1, 2014. It’s a mishmash of historical fiction, paranormal fiction and suspense that follows Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis & Clark fame) after his mysterious death on the Natchez Trace in 1809.

I like:

hiking
eating (A lot; Italian food is my favorite.)
traveling (I never met a destination I didn’t like.)
reading (My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.)
coffee (the caffeinated version) and COFFEE (sex)
performing (theater, singing, public speaking, playing piano)
Sirius XM Chill
yoga (No, I can’t stand on my head.)
writing in bed
candlelight

time with my friends

I don’t like:

getting up in the morning
cilantro (It is the devil weed.)
surprises (For me or for anyone else.)
house cleaning
cooking

Author Links

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Google+
Pinterest

Natchez Trace Walk

The Natchez Trace is a 10,000-year-old road that runs from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. Thousands of years ago, animals used its natural ridge line as a migratory route from points in the Ohio River Valley to the salt licks in Mississippi. It was logical for the first Native Americans to settle along the Trace to follow part of their migrating food supply. When the Kaintucks settled west of the Appalachians, they had to sell their goods at ports in New Orleans or Natchez, but before steam power, they had to walk home. The Trace became one of the busiest roads in North America.


To launch To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis, I will be the first person of either sex to walk the 444-mile Natchez Trace as the pioneers did since the rise of steam power in the 1820′s. March 1, 2014 to April 3, 2014. Fifteen miles a day. Six days a week. One rest day per week. I will spend each night in the modern-day equivalent of stands, places much like Grinder’s Stand, where Meriwether Lewis died from two gunshot wounds on October 11, 1809.
I will take readers into the world of the book. You’ll see the places that inspired scenes and hear the backstories of different characters, with running commentary by my father, who’s tagging along with me.
I’ll also have a daily YouTube segment where I answer reader questions about the book, my walk, my arguments—I mean—interactions with my dad, and whatever readers want to know. Ask me anything at
mystories(at)andrawatkins(dot)com.
You might see yourself on this site during my tour.


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Review: A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith

In A Rose for the Crown, we meet one of history's alleged villains through the eyes of a captivating new heroine -- the woman who was the mother of his illegitimate children, a woman who loved him for who he really was, no matter what the cost to herself. 

As Kate Haute moves from her peasant roots to the luxurious palaces of England, her path is inextricably intertwined with that of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later King Richard III. Although they could never marry, their young passion grows into a love that sustains them through war, personal tragedy, and the dangerous heights of political triumph. 

Anne Easter Smith's impeccable research provides the backbone of an engrossing and vibrant debut from a major new historical novelist.

Author's Note: We know Richard had a mistress -- perhaps more than one -- because two of his bastard children are mentioned in records from the period. No one has discovered her identity, which has allowed me to invent her. This is her story -- as plausible as a thorough research into the period and lives of the non-fictional characters allowed .

Paperback, 672 pages

Published March 14th 2006 by Touchstone 

Audio length: 25 hrs and 21 mins

*sign* why has it taken me so long to read this book, or anything by Anne Easter Smith?  I can't think of a good excuse, it's not the size because I love a good thick book.  It's not the presentation because the cover is gorgeous. It's not because I've heard negative things about this book, on the contrary I have heard nothing but good things (and others she has written).  So last week I decided enough already and purchased the audio from audible, loaded up my iPod and went for a walk. Then I walked some more, then I cleaned the house, took the dog for another walk (he thanks you Anne), folded laundry. I did whatever I could so to continue with this story. I was captivated right from the get go.

Kate is only a young girl when introduced, she is spunky and lively but also mature for her age, though I must remind myself that girls grew up faster in the 1400's, there wasn't a lot of time to just be kids.
This book comes in at 672 pages in an over-sized softcover, it is a romance but not done in a harlequin kind of way.   It's historical and the author really knows her stuff and wove this story around actual events which made the story very plausible.

As this author states in her notes, there isn't a lot of information about Kate Haute and this book fills in the gaps that not only humanized her but Richard III as well, it was nice to view him in this light for a change.

Rosalyn Landor is the reader and she is one of my very favorites, her voice matches the time period perfectly and it always a pleasure to listen to.

The Debt of Tamar by Nicole Dweck (Book Tour)

During the second half of the 16th century, a wealthy widow by the name of Doña Antonia Nissim is arrested and charged with being a secret Jew. The punishment? Death by burning. Enter Suleiman the Magnificent, an Ottoman “Schindler,” and the most celebrated sultan in all of Turkish history. With the help of the Sultan, the widow and her children manage their escape to Istanbul. Life is seemingly idyllic for the family in their new home, that is, until the Sultan’s son meets and falls in love with Tamar, Doña Antonia’s beautiful and free-spirited granddaughter. A quiet love affair ensues until one day, the girl vanishes.

Over four centuries later, thirty-two year old Selim Osman, a playboy prince with a thriving real estate empire, is suddenly diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Abandoning the mother of his unborn child, he vanishes from Istanbul without an explanation. In a Manhattan hospital, he meets Hannah, a talented artist and the daughter of a French Holocaust survivor. As their story intertwines with that of their ancestors, readers are taken back to Nazi-occupied Paris, and to a sea-side village in the Holy Land where a world of secrets is illuminated.

Theirs is a love that has been dormant for centuries, spanning continents, generations, oceans, and religions. Bound by a debt that has lingered through time, they must right the wrongs of the past if they’re ever to break the shackles of their future.

Publication Date: February 4, 2013
Devon House Press
Paperback; 332p
ISBN-10: 061558361X 

(click on banner for more stops on this tour)

I LOVE the cover for this book! If that doesn't shout 'read me you won't regret it', I don't know what does.

Reading this book I had a hard time believing this was Nicole Dweck's debut. She has a writing style like that of a seasoned writer, knowing how much information to give and how much to withhold.  I thought the theme of this book was quite original and the sequence of these stories (within the book) flawless. In fact at times it was almost poetic and had me totally mesmerized right to the very end.  

Beginning in the year 1542 in Lisbon, Portugal then continuing on to Istanbul, Nazi-occupied Paris and then to Israel and the US (present day), this book moves at a pace that always had me wanting to read just another chapter.  The story lines moved smoothly with just the right amount of time spent in each place.  Yes there were times that I wanted to hang around a little longer and get to know the characters better before moving on in time and destination.

This book is historical, some might feel more historical details would have been nice, but I loved it the way it is, given the feel for this story I think too much historical details might have detracted from the theme here (just my opinion).  There is romance, mingling of religions and family dynamics (whether by blood or not), healing and forgiveness and more.

This book will stay with you long after you are finished and will appeal to those that love historical fiction, duel time period books and beautiful covers.

 

Nicole Dweck is a writer whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country.

As a descendant of Sephardic (Spanish) refugees who escaped the Inquisition and settled on Ottoman territory, Dweck has always been interested in Sephardic history and the plight of refugees during the Spanish Inquisition. The Debt of Tamar, her debut novel, was a two-time finalist in the UK’s Cinnamon Press Novel Award Competition. It has also received an honorable award mention in the category of Mainstream/Literary Fiction from Writers Digest and was the highest rated book for two weeks running on the Harper Collin’s “Authonomy” website. It has claimed a #1 Bestseller spot in the Amazon Kindle Middle East Fiction category, a #1 Bestseller spot in Amazon Kindle Jewish Fiction category, and has been included as one of the “Hot 100″ Kindle bestsellers in the category of Historical Fiction.

Dweck holds a BA in Journalism and a Masters Degree in Global Studies with a focus on Middle East Affairs (NYU) . Her non-fiction articles have appeared in several magazines and newspapers including The New York Observer and Haute Living Magazine.

She lives in New York City with her husband and son.  

For more information visit Nicole’s website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and

Goodreads.

Buy the Book

Amazon (eBook)
Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble
iTunes

The Orchid House by Lucinda Riley

For fans of The House at Riverton and Rebecca—a debut spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from a magnificent estate in war-torn England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist, Julia, and the prominent Crawford family whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences for generations to come.

As a child Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the great house where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to the tranquility of the estate. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.
When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed Wharton Park. Their search takes them back to the 1930s when a former heir to Wharton Park married his young society bride on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt on generations to come.

Lucinda Riley skillfully sweeps her readers between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II with irresistible and atmospheric storytelling. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a romantic, poignant novel that became an instant bestseller in the UK and Germany.

Paperback, 449 pages

Published February 14th 2012 by Atria Books (first published November 25th 2010

This is the Lucinda Riley's debut and I just love the cover!  Orchids are one of my favorite flowers and I can never grow them myself.

The ratings for this book are mixed, either you love it or you don't.  I didn't even look at the ratings when I purchased this book (it came highly recommended from readers that I have similar tastes with), then once I started reading I began to wonder and thats when I checked it out.

I am giving this book 3 stars, that means 'I liked it" and that's not a bad thing, right?

Let me start by saying that I love books with dual time period stories.  I love long lost letters/diaries that hold secrets to the past that affected the future in dramatic ways.  So of course this book really appealed to me. Comparing it to Kate Morton really grabbed me because she is one of my very favorites and I will grab anything she writes.

The opening of this book was really good and it did grab my attention. but as time went on I started to struggled to connect with most of the people in this book, especially Julia, whom the book focuses on.  The only one that I could feel any emotion for was Julia's grandmother, Elsie, but at the same time surprised as to her role in the present day story line.  Yes she played a big part, but for such a close family why wasn't she around more to support Julia in her tragedy? Taking place 9 months lately and this is their first encounter together.  I can only be vague here for those that have not read this book yet.

With the discovery of an old diary this story shifts back and forth in time. I found the past time period better written and more interesting, I was able to connect with Olivia, Elsie, even Harry (though I didn't like him much, the author did a good job of portraying him as unlikeable).  There was depth to these characters which showed more emotion and feeling.  I struggled with the present day people, they felt flat to me and really I wasn't all that interested in what happened to them.  Also parts of this storyline were predictable.

Will this stop me from reading more by Lucinda Riley?  Definitely not!  This is the authors debut and as far as I am concerned it can only get better.  Her 4th book is being released in March,  The Midnight Rose, I received a review copy and can't wait to dig into it.