Spotlight: Dangerous Crossing by Rachel Rhys

 Hardcover, 368 pages 

Expected publication: January 9th 2018 

by Atria Books

The ship has been like a world within itself, a vast floating city outside of normal rules. But the longer the journey continues, the more confined it is starting to feel, deck upon deck, passenger upon passenger, all of them churning around each other without anywhere to go...

1939: Europe is on the brink of war when young Lily Shepherd boards an ocean liner in Essex, bound for Australia. She is ready to start anew, leaving behind the shadows in her past. The passage proves magical, complete with live music, cocktails, and fancy dress balls. With stops at exotic locations along the way—Naples, Cairo, Ceylon—the voyage shows Lily places she’d only ever dreamed of and enables her to make friends with those above her social station, people who would ordinarily never give her the time of day. She even allows herself to hope that a man she couldn’t possibly have a future with outside the cocoon of the ship might return her feelings.

But Lily soon realizes that she’s not the only one hiding secrets. Her newfound friends—the toxic wealthy couple Eliza and Max; Cambridge graduate Edward; Jewish refugee Maria; fascist George—are also running away from their pasts. As the glamour of the voyage fades, the stage is set for something sinister to occur. By the time the ship docks, two passengers are dead, war has been declared, and Lily’s life will be changed irrevocably.

Spotlight/Giveaway: Langford Series by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: April 29, 2015

Archway Publishing

Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook; 382 Pages

Series: Langford Series, Book #1

Genre: Historical Fiction

Love, murder, sex, and terrorism swirl within a collapsed world economy. No, it's not today. It's London, 1884. Recently married Langsford, born of wealth and privilege, is bound by the restrictions of Victorian society. Dynamite has been invented, but the term "homosexuality" has not and men can be arrested for either.

Langsford accompanies his visiting friend, HEINRICH, eighteen, who innocently flirts with young ANNA at London's Leadenhall Market.

What should be the end of the story becomes the beginning, for Heinrich falls in love with her, never part of the plan. Instead it becomes the catalyst for everything that follows when he flees Germany to return to her. Events unfold that expose terrorists, espionage and international intrigue.

Langsford walks a fine line as he crosses boundaries he never imagined, rubbing elbows with spies, killers and would-be assassins to save his friend, stop an assassination, and prevent a war.

“Wasserman’s writing is atmospherically rich. Very strongly recommended.” – Historical Novel Society, London, critical review of 1884 No Boundaries

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1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: November 3, 2016

Archway Publishing

Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook; 320 Pages

Series: Langford Series, Book #2

Genre: Historical Fiction

It is 1886 as Englishman Lord Langsford travels by train to San Francisco. Newly widowed, Langsford is desperate to escape his grief, demons, and life in England. As Langsford completes the last leg of his transcontinental journey, his life unexpectedly changes once again when he crosses paths with Miss Sally Baxter, a beautiful rancher who packs a pistol in her purse.

Sally has made it her mission to find the men who robbed a train and killed her brother. Unfortunately, no one—not even the owners of the Southern Pacific Railroad—seem to care. Unable to resist her pleas, Langsford offers to help Sally and soon becomes entangled in a web of politics, corruption, and greed. As murder, threats, and attacks ensue that endanger both Sally and Langsford, influential men in both California and Washington, D.C. jockey for positions of power. Langsford, who finds himself oddly attracted to Sally, now must sort through criminals and politicians alike to discover the truth behind her brother’s death and prevent his own murder.

"The author has woven a complex net of intrigue and background to the murder that makes the entire book so much more than just a mystery. As the title appropriately states, this deals with issues of politics, corruption and greed in a very accomplished way. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Highly recommended." - Christoph Fischer, UK Reviewer Discovering Diamonds

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1885: Crossings by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: October 5, 2017

Archway Publishing

Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook; 142 Pages

Series: Langford Series, Book #3

Genre: Historical Fiction

Anna’s hand holding the letter trembled as her vision rocked, going in and out of focus. She felt as though she was falling backward and at the same time rolling forward, expecting to land face first on the floor. She put her hand on the table to brace herself. She no longer heard the song birds in the buckeye tree outside the window, or the hoof beats on the cobblestones passing the front door, or any sound at all.

The world around her ceased to exist—only the paper with Henry’s written words: his own account of what happened during the past year. 

The entire time, she’d known he wasn’t telling her everything—but this—she could never have imagined any of it. The hard fact was, Henry will never escape the truth.

“1885 Crossings gives us another opportunity to return to the world of Henry, Anna, and Langsford. A.E. Wasserman’s writing is beautifully done—tense and uncomfortable. The ending gave me a chill.” -Chuck Sambuchino, Bestselling Author

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The daughter of a newspaperman, A.E. Wasserman grew up in a household filled with books and stories. At age 14, she wrote her first novella and never stopped writing.

She is the author of a new mystery/thrillers series, the first of which takes place in London: 1884 No Boundaries, A Story of Espionage and International Intrigue. The second in the Langsford Series, 1886 Ties That Bind, A Story of Politics, Graft and Greed, has just been released.

Her work, critically acclaimed as “richly atmospheric,” is being noticed by readers and critics alike, and has garnered international attention, not only in the U.S., but Europe and the U.K. as well. She recently received top honors from Writer’s Digest for her work.

After graduating from The Ohio State University, she lived in London, then San Francisco. Currently she resides in Southern California with her family and her muse, a Border Collie named Topper. For more information, please Visit the author’s web site at www.aewasserman.com.

You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Giveaway

During the Book Blast we will be giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on January 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.  Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

  Langsford Series Blast

Review: Where We Belong by Lynn Austin

The Adventure of a Lifetime for Two Indomitable Socialite Sisters

In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the Sinai Desert--and into a sandstorm.

Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a street urchin who is learning to be their ladies' maid, the two women are on a quest to find an important biblical manuscript. As the journey becomes more dangerous and uncertain, the four travelers sift through memories of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the circumstances that brought them to this time and place.

Paperback, 480 pages

 Published October 3rd 2017 

by Bethany House Publishers

****

This is my first time reading anything by Lynn Austin, which is always exciting especially when hearing great things about this author.  Where We Belong isn’t a quick read coming in at almost 500 pages and my favorite size to read. I feel with anything over 400 pages the writer should be able to deliver a story with depth of character and plot, that the story would have many layers and would keep me captivated the whole way through.  Did that happen here?  Of course it did!

Beginning in 1892 Rebecca and Flora are in the Sinai Desert during a sandstorm. It is during this time that they go back in time and tell the story of how they got there.

I don’t know if it is just me or if it is a new trend or I could just be late to the party but I am finding a vast number of Christian historical fiction out there. There’s history in this book that is not mentioned in the synopsis so I won’t go into any details about it but suffice to say the author portrayed a great picture of the time. Not just in Chicago but other parts of the worlds well.

These two sisters are brought up privileged with no worries about where their next meal is coming from or what to wear. They like adventure and travel, something at a time that is frowned upon for women, especially on their own. I found this to be a very well executed novel, two women ahead of their time who are courageous, daring enough to follow their dreams and compassionate. They don’t sit idly by but rather take action to help those in need. Life isn’t picture perfect and their faith sustains them.

With a cold winter upon us this is the perfect book to curl up with a cuppa tea, a warm blanket and just read the cold away. Definitely a book and author I recommend.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Review: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Alaska, 1974. 
Unpredictable. 
Unforgiving. 
Untamed. 

For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival. Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.

 Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown.

 At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

 But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.

 In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska—a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.

 Kindle Edition, 448 pages

 Expected publication: February 6th 2018

 by St. Martin's Press
*****

“One thing every child of a POW knew was how easily people could be broken.”

My only experience with Kristin Hannah was with The Nightingale, I believe it was her first venture into historical fiction - it made my best of 2015 list.  (My review can be found here). When I saw The Great Alone was coming out I jumped at the chance. Having visited Alaska on a cruise once it wasn’t hard for me to visualize so much of the landscape with its remoteness, harsh weather element as well as beautiful scenery.

What I loved about this book, other than the location was the time period.  The lack of modern electronics was a plus for me. With virtually an untamed landscape, it was a time when cruises and tour groups were sparse.

I appreciate the research that went into this book.  It wasn’t just the landscape with vivid descriptions of the various seasons but what the residents endured, the struggles of 18 hours of daylight and 18 hours of darkness. Even those not suffering from PTSD had to find ways to cope.  The author put me in those scenes of darkness and despair as well as appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature.

The synopsis above does a great job outlining this wonderful book. The Great Alone opened my eyes and gave me a clearer view of PTSD, it helped me to understand this condition and see how Ernt would grasp at anything for a new beginning.  But Alaska back in that time, where authority is scarce and limited phone service is asking for trouble, he was so focused on himself and the present forgetting to look ahead.

“He needs a chance. A new start. We all do. Maybe Alaska                                  is the answer.”

Leni is great character, she misses so much of her childhood, forced to grow up before her time and along with her mother live a life walking on egg shells. Getting inside her head, feeling the raw emotions of this young girl had me connecting right from the first pages. This is a capivating coming of age story, it was a pleasure to read and hard to put down. 

They are many layers to The Great Alone, a story of survival, heartache and challenges. It is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.

This was one of my last books of 2017, making my ‘best of 2017’ list.  Many thanks to St Martin’s Press (via Netgalley) for and advanced copy.

Review: The Royal Rabbits Of London by Santa Montefiore, Simon Sebag Montefiore

 Life is an adventure. 

Anything in the world is possible – by will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet nose and a slice of mad courage! 

Shylo has always been the runt of the litter, the weakest and quietest of all of his family, his siblings spend their days making fun of him for not being like the rest of them. But when Shylo stumbles across a band of ratzis and overhears their evil plan to take a photo of the Queen in her nightie, it's up to this unlikely hero to travel to London and inform the Royal Rabbits of London about the diabolical plot!

The Royal Rabbits of London have a proud history of protecting the royal family and now the secret society need to leap into action to stop the ratzis...

But can a rabbit as feeble and shy as Shylo convince them that Queen is in danger?

The Hobbit meets Fantastic Mr Fox meets Watership Down in this charming novel from bestselling authors Santa and Sebag Montefiore, which proves even the smallest rabbit can be the biggest hero. 

Hardcover, 192 pages 

Published October 6th 2016 

by Simon Schuster Children's UK
****

The Royal Rabbits of London is a wonderful children’s adventure story.

Though the runt of the litter and mocked by siblings Shylo steps out of his comfort zone, travels far from home on a mission to save the reputation of the Queen.  Fairy tale in style it’s a story of courage, adventure and bravery.  With short chapters and wonderful illustrations this is a great book for early readers of chapter books.  The story is interesting, showing how Shylo struggles with his fears and steps out of his comfort zone.  One I highly recommend and thoroughly.

This is the first in series (not sure how long it will be).  My copy was from my personal library.

Review: Daughters of the Night Sky by Aimie K. Runyan

 A novel—inspired by the most celebrated regiment in the Red Army—about a woman’s sacrifice, courage, and love in a time of war.

 Russia, 1941. Katya Ivanova is a young pilot in a far-flung military academy in the Ural Mountains. From childhood, she’s dreamed of taking to the skies to escape her bleak mountain life. With the Nazis on the march across Europe, she is called on to use her wings to serve her country in its darkest hour. Not even the entreaties of her new husband—a sensitive artist who fears for her safety—can dissuade her from doing her part as a proud daughter of Russia.

 After years of arduous training, Katya is assigned to the 588th Night Bomber Regiment—one of the only Soviet air units comprised entirely of women. The Germans quickly learn to fear nocturnal raids by the daring fliers they call “Night Witches.” But the brutal campaign will exact a bitter toll on Katya and her sisters-in-arms. When the smoke of war clears, nothing will ever be the same—and one of Russia’s most decorated military heroines will face the most agonizing choice of all.

Paperback, 316 pages

 Expected publication: January 1st 2018 

by Lake Union Publishing

****

I was first introduced to Aime K. Runyan with her Daughters of New France series,  Canadian historical fiction set in the early years of Canada’s history. With Daughters of the Night Sky she has traveled well off the beaten track, venturing into Russia during the Second World War.

Daughters of the Night Sky is inspired by the female pilots known as the Night Witches and told through the eyes of one brave woman. With so many novels about World War II taking place in various European countries this was a refreshing change to see inside the Soviet Union, under the command of Stalin.

This was a learning experience for me as I did not know about these brave women who wanted to serve country while overcoming so many obstacles. The amount of research in this book is evident as the author portrayed a very vivid picture here, from the struggles these women endured to the desolate landscape and so much more.

Daughters of the Night Sky is a story of strength and bravery, how these women had a desire to do their part in the war effort and the determination to reach their goals. They sacrificed so much knowing each flight could be their last. 

This book was a pleasure to read and one I recommend to those that love not just Russian, WW 2 history but those that crave something different.

My sincere thanks to the author (via netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audio Review: Tides of Honour by Genevieve Graham

A novel of love, loss, and honour amidst the horrors of war and its aftermath.

It’s 1916, and the last thing Nova Scotian soldier Danny Baker expects to find in war-torn France is the love of his life. Audrey Poulin is alone in the world, and struggling to survive the war in the French countryside. When Audrey and Danny meet and fall in love, it seems like the best version of fate.

But love is only the beginning, as Danny loses a leg in the Battle of the Somme, and returns home to Halifax with Audrey, only to discover that he’s unable to leave the war behind. Danny and Audrey struggle with their new life together, and must face not only their own internal demons, but a catastrophe that will soon rip apart everything they think they know about themselves and each other.

Genevieve Graham, author of Under the Same Sky and Sound of the Heart, brings her passion for weaving history and fiction together in a seamless tale that will capture and enthrall the reader.

Paperback, 432 pages

Published April 2015

by Simon & Schuster Canada

Audiobook 12 hours 22 minutes

Reader: Fajer Al-Kaisi
**** 1/2

Last Wednesday marked the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, which plays central to The Tides of Honour. Having never visited the East coast I know very little of its history and what I do gleam is from my reading, which made me excited to read this one.

I am relatively new to the writings of Genevieve Graham, Promises to Keep opened my eyes to the Acadians and their plight. It also showed me how little I know of this great country's history. With Tides of Honour the trauma of World War I is not just felt in Europe but reaches to Canadian soil as well.  It takes its toll on Private Daniel Baker as he arrives back in Canada with deep physical and mental wounds. As he is adjusting to his new life at home his young bride arrives, though overjoyed it also causes more anxiety.

Now add the explosion and there is a lot to take in, but it works. It works because it’s real, the war is still going strong in 1917 with Canadians playing a part. The characters are authentic, they are flawed, they hurt, they grieve and lash out at those they love. Life isn’t what it used to be nor will it be the same again.

It isn’t often that I come across a story told with a male POV and  it was a refreshing change. There are parts that alternate with Audrey (his bride) but for the majority of the time it was Danny and getting inside his head with its wide range of emotional conflicts.

Tides of Honour is a realistic look at the struggles of war, losing friends, PTSD and new beginnings. It’s an emotional story, drawing on the heartstrings of not just this family but those affected by the explosion, there is a real sense of the devastation that transpired.

Genevieve Graham is a Canadian author who has a love of Canadian history and it shows in her writing.  The amount of research is evident as well as her passion to share this part of our history.

Be sure to check out the her website for a look at her other books.

Though I have a print copy in my personal library I opted for the audio version (via audible). It was great in this format with the reader doing a stellar job.

click on cover to take you to my review

Spotlight/Giveaway: Fanny Newcomb and the Irish Channel Ripper by Ana Brazil

Publication Date: November 1, 2017

Sand Hill Review Press

Formats: Paperback & eBook

Genre: Fiction/Historical/Mystery

Gilded Age New Orleans is overrun with prostitutes, pornographers, and a malicious Jack the Ripper copycat. As threatening letters to newspaper editors proclaim, no woman is safe from his blade.

Desperate to know who murdered her favorite student, ambitious typewriting teacher Fanny Newcomb launches into a hunt for the self-proclaimed Irish Channel Ripper. Fanny quickly enlists her well-connected employers—Principal Sylvia Giddings and her sister Dr. Olive—to help, and the women forge through saloons, cemeteries, slums, and houses of prostitution in their pursuit. Fanny’s good intentions quickly infuriate her longtime beau Lawrence Decatur, while her reckless persistence confounds the talented police detective Daniel Crenshaw.

 Reluctantly, Lawrence and Daniel also lend their investigative talents to Fanny’s investigation. As the murderer sets a date for his next heinous crime, can Fanny Newcomb and her crew stop the Irish Channel Ripper before he kills again?

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A native of California, Ana Brazil lived in the south for many years. She earned her MA in American history from Florida State University and traveled her way through Mississippi as an architectural historian. Ana loves fried mullet, Greek Revival colonnades, and Miss Welty’s garden. She has a weakness for almost all things New Orleans. (Although she’s not sure just how it happened…but she favors bluegrass over jazz.) The Fanny Newcomb stories celebrate the tenacity, intelligence, and wisdom of the dozens of courageous and outrageous southern women that Ana is proud to call friends. Although Ana, her husband, and their dog Traveller live in the beautiful Oakland foothills, she is forever drawn to the lush mystique of New Orleans, where Fanny Newcomb and her friends are ever prepared to seek a certain justice.

For more information, please visit Ana Brazil's website and blog.

You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest and Goodreads.

click on banner for more stops on this tour (reviews, interviews and guestposts)

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of Fanny Newcomb and the Irish Channel Ripper! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

 – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on December 15th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
 – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. 

 Fanny Newcomb

Review: The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown.

But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide.

 A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives-- including her own--are lost?

Published November 21st 2017 

by Bethany House Publishers

**** 1/2

The House on Foster Hill is Jamie Jo Wright's debut, I love discovering new authors especially when I get the chance to start with their debut. I loved the premise of this one, spooky old abandoned house, murder of an unidentified woman taking place a century earlier in a town that is tight lipped about the past.

This book made my 'best of 2017' list for a number of reasons. First off I love the mystery, the Gothic elements, creepy family portraits hanging crooked with eyes that follow you, mysterious music playing in this vacant house and it's deadly history. The author kept me wanting to read more with its subtle clues and it wasn’t till near the end where everything fit into place. I think it’s great when an author can create a mystery/suspense book in a way where it isn’t blatantly obvious what is taking place and keeps me guessing.

Now you may have noticed I only gave this book 4 1/2 stars instead of five and that involves the past story line. It wasn’t anything that I can put my finger on but I just felt there was some little thing missing. They were a few times where I didn’t get the feel of the time, but it wasn’t enough to distract me or take away from the plot.

I really like the author's writing style I liked how she wove the story back-and-forth in time smoothly, the ending it was not something I expected at all, very fitting for the time. The way the past and current story lines mesh was perfect.

This is Christian fiction and this book portrayed it perfectly. Maybe it’s just because I can relate but I thought the author displayed both Ivy and Kaine’s grief in a realistic manner,. Each person handles grief differently, the reaction and their feelings toward God is altered,  where some cleave to Him others distance themselves wondering how a loving God could let bad things happen. Both Ivy and Kaine’s struggles played out nicely here not in an overwhelming preachy manner but heartfelt and authentic. There is no set time period for grief and healing and that came out here.

All in all I think Jamie Jo Wright is off to a great start with this book, definitely looking forward to her new book out in June 2018.

Thank you to Bethany House (via Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book).

Review/Giveaway: There is Always a Tomorrow by Anna Belfrage

There is Always a Tomorrow is the ninth book in Anna Belfrage’s time slip series featuring time traveller Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth century husband, Matthew Graham. 

It is 1692 and the Colony of Maryland is still adapting to the consequences of Coode’s Rebellion some years previously. Religious tolerance in the colony is now a thing of the past, but safe in their home, Alex and Matthew Graham have no reason to suspect they will become embroiled in the ongoing religious conflicts—until one of their sons betrays their friend Carlos Muñoz to the authorities. 

Matthew Graham does not leave his friends to rot—not even if they’re papist priests—so soon enough most of the Graham family is involved in a rescue attempt, desperate to save Carlos from a sentence that may well kill him. 

Meanwhile, in London little Rachel is going through hell. In a matter of months she loses everything, even her surname, as apparently her father is not Master Cooke but one Jacob Graham. Not that her paternity matters when her entire life implodes. Will Alex and Matthew be able to help their unknown grandchild? More importantly, will Rachel want their help?

Publication Date: November 5, 2017

Timelight Press

eBook & Paperback; ISBN: 9781788039666

Series: Graham Saga, Book #9

Genre: Historical Fiction/Time-Slip

*****

It is always a pleasure reading one of Anna Belfrage’s books. With book 8 (To Catch a Falling Star) in the series I thought that was the last of Matthew and Alex but alas book 9 was published earlier last month. 

Why do I enjoy this series so much? Well, there are many reasons, so in no particular order let’s start with the setting and time period. As a lover of historical fiction I love it when an author takes me back in time, where I can get a good feel of the era with the lifestyle, lay of the land and the political/religious tension in the air. Which is exactly what happened here. Not only am I entertained but educated at the same time, in this case as I was unaware of the religious strife that took place. 

Secondly, Alex and Matthew Graham, though it saddens me to say these are fictional characters, the author has made me care about them, they are an authentic family where life isn’t always kind. 

Thirdly, the author's writing, Anna Belfrage is one of my favourites, it isn’t hard for me to get lost in her books. I sit for a few minutes and then wham, it’s an hour later. 

In There is Always a Tomorrow, the family feels the betrayed by one of their own, they struggle to support friendships, heal over loses and welcome someone who doesn’t reciprocate . There is a lot going on in this book and with a brood of offspring it makes sense, but it isn’t done in an overwhelming way. While most of the story takes place in the US, with 2 sons and granddaughter in England the story weaves back and forth. 

Now the big question, will there be a book 10? While the ending was fitting with no cliffhangers I will admit to that there are a few lose ends that need to be tied up. If my feelings for the Grahams are like this I can assume the author’s is doubly so and she won’t leave things hanging when it comes to the offspring of Matthew and Alex. 

This one can work as a stand alone but I highly recommend starting at the beginning of this series with A Rip in the Veil. 

Thanks to Amy at HFVBT and Anna Belfrage for a copy of this book (which in no way influenced my opinion).

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Anna was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result she’s multilingual and most of her reading is historical- both non-fiction and fiction. Possessed of a lively imagination, she has drawers full of potential stories, all of them set in the past.

She was always going to be a writer – or a historian, preferably both. Ideally, Anna aspired to becoming a pioneer time traveller, but science has as yet not advanced to the point of making that possible. Instead she ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for her most favourite pursuit.

Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career Anna raised her four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive…

 For years she combined a challenging career with four children and the odd snatched moment of writing. Nowadays Anna spends most of her spare time at her writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and she slips away into her imaginary world, with her imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in her life pops his head in to ensure she’s still there.

 Other than on her website, www.annabelfrage.com, Anna can mostly be found on her blog, http://annabelfrage.wordpress.com – unless, of course, she is submerged in writing her next novel.

You can also connect with Anna on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 2 ebook and 2 paperback copies of There is Always a Tomorrow!

To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.



  There is Always a Tomorrow