Book Tours

The Book Witch

Book Blitz and Giveaway

Hey Friends ! Today I’m taking part in the book blitz of The Book Witch by Desy Smith, which is being hosted by Xpresso Book Tours!

The Book Witch
Desy Smith
(Rosewood, #2)
Publication date: October 4th 2019
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

There are no bodies to bury, no graves with marked tombstones.

There are only three books, each one belonging to a member of the Rosewood family. There is only one reason for the books to be gathered all in one place—the witches who once owned them are dead.

Sage Rosewood is now the last of her line, a burden nearly as heavy as her grief.

Kayden, the charismatic werewolf who holds her heart, tries to console her, but there is only so much his warm arms and gentle words can do when her heart aches for vengeance. She wants nothing more than to find the people who killed her family, to dispatch justice, and to bring the bodies of her loved ones home.

Walk alongside Sage in this tale of magic, mystery, and vengeance. Every chapter will leave you spellbound.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

“Who are you meeting?” Kayden questions from behind me, causing me to jump. How can someone so big, move around so quietly? “At the Mango Cafe, because it definitely isn’t your grandmother.” He tries to look at the laptop screen, but I shut it. “Who are you meeting?” He asks again, his voice more serious than before.

“Just a friend,” I respond with a lie, as I make my way back to the kitchen, and blow out the sage. I check the water on the stove, that’s now boiling, perfect. I turn the stove off and pour the water inside of my cauldron. When making spells, one should always start with fresh boiled water, from a pot, not the cauldron, I learned that the hard way.

I didn’t like lying to Kayden, honestly it felt strange, and I didn’t understand why. I would lie to my mom all the time and feel great, but with him, it makes me feel weird. I wonder if that had anything to do with me wanting to jump his bones. Anyway, if I told him the truth, he’d find some way to stop me or invite himself along, and I couldn’t have either of those. I had to do this myself. I would be the one to avenge them alone. I’m a Rosewood for freaking sake.

“You’re lying, who are you really meeting with Sage?” Kayden asks me again, as I reach for my dry ingredients, and begin cutting them into the cauldron. Due to the material the cauldron is made of, it’s the perfect vessel to combine and mix the ingredients in for any spell.

“I told you, a friend,” I lie again. “Don’t do whatever you think you’re going to do, we have laws here in the Woodlands, and The Guild would come down on you, or kill you,” Kayden warns. I would get my revenge and if I lost my life in the process, so be it.

“Good thing I’m just meeting a friend, huh,” I tell him as I lean in with the intention of kissing him again, to change this topic.

“I didn’t think I would be kissed twice, in the same night…” he trails off, as he leans in for the kiss, but pauses as his eyes glow. I know his wolf is present. Kayden moves his head backwards, making me extend my head forward.

Author Bio:

Desy Smith, MFA, is a paranormal romance author and English teacher who is on a mission to expand her readers’ minds and create unique worlds that they can escape to through the power of storytelling. Her poignant writing style features sassy heroines, urban drama, angels, wolves, demons, witches, and sensual scenes.

Born, raised and based in Dallas, Desy spent most of her childhood picking apart movies and books. Her mother and her affinity for all things supernatural also really drove Desy to dabble in life’s unknowns and use her imagination. Ultimately, this led her to writing stories of her own at just 10 years of age. After her release of “The Talented (The Messenger Series)” this February, she will be working on book number three, and plans on writing until her last breath.

Currently, Desy is the Founder of Floebe Publishing, where she publishes her own and other writers’ short stories (of 20,000 words max) with the busy reader in mind. She also provides complimentary creative writing advice to her fellow word weavers.

When she doesn’t have a pen or book in hand, Desy Smith is a movie buff and foodie with an unquenchable sweet tooth (having a gluten allergy makes things a bit tricky). She also isn’t much of a whistler and has a round face (people like pinching her cheeks any chance they get). With her “carpe diem” mindset towards life, she looks forward to exposing her readers to realms unseen.

Amazon / Goodreads

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Book Tours

Book Review

THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE

THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE

Diana Biller

St. Martin’s Griffin

Available October 8th

A “MOST ANTICIPATED ROMANCE” of 2019

A young widow restores a dilapidated mansion with the assistance of a charming, eccentric genius, only to find the house is full of dangerous secrets in this effervescent Gilded Age romantic comedy debut

It’s 1875, and Alva Webster has perfected her stiff upper lip after three years of being pilloried in the presses of two continents over fleeing her abusive husband. Now his sudden death allows her to return to New York to make a fresh start, restoring Liefdehuis, a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time. 

However, fresh starts aren’t as easy as they seem, as Alva discovers when stories of a haunting at Liefdehuis begin to reach her. But Alva doesn’t believe in ghosts. So when the eccentric and brilliant professor Samuel Moore appears and informs her that he can get to the bottom of the mystery that surrounds Liefdehuis, she turns him down flat. She doesn’t need any more complications in her life—especially not a handsome, convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, though Alva is loath to admit it, Sam, a pioneer in electric lighting and a member of the nationally-adored Moore family of scientists, is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva’s new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva’s history—and her heart. 

Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, The Widow of Rose House is a gorgeous debut by Diana Biller, with a darkly Victorian Gothic flair and an intrepid and resilient American heroine guaranteed to delight readers.

Praise For…

“Biller’s complex and intriguing debut, set in 1875 New York City…is part romance, part ghost story, and part period piece with just enough modern sentiment on the topics of feminism, mental illness, and abuse.” – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Utterly irresistible. With engaging, original characters and dialogue as crisp as a new apple, Diana Biller’s debut will have you rooting for Alva and Sam through every spooky twist.” – Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of the Veronica Speedwell series

“Take a Joanna Shupe Gilded Age romance, stir in a Simone St. James ghost story, add a pinch of Julia Quinn banter, and, voila! Sheer fun with a satisfying emotional conclusion.” – Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The English Wife

“Get ready to devour Diana Biller’s magnificent debut novel in one sitting. The Widow of Rose House boasts memorable and vibrant characters, a delicious romance, great period detail, and a hint of the supernatural. Alva and Sam spring off the page and to life, so that I now feel as though they are friends of mine. This novel is a treat not to be missed!” – Alyssa Palombo, author of The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel

Pre-Order Now

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Barnes & Noble

IndieBound

Target

Books-a-Million

Apple Books

Kobo

This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Love isn’t naïve, Alva. It’s hope, and it’s faith, and it can outlast buildings and wars and empires.”

Mrs. Alva Webster is left widowed after a disastrous marriage to an abusive spouse She returns to the US to start her life over and launch an interior design career. Alva invests in a once-grand, now ramshackle mansion as a project to reinvent herself as an interior decorator. Unfortunately, it might be haunted. Problem arise because one wants to work on the house.

Alva doesn’t believe in ghosts but Samuel Moore does. Enter Samuel Moore and his entire wonderful family. A captivating family of scientists who are on the forefront of electrical science research among other scientific investigations. A Good thing for her that Professor Sam Moore is very interested in ghosts and not at all interested in social convention! More to the point, he’s interested in Alva.

A wonderfully well-written story full of family drama, ghosts, chemistry fueled heated romance, unexpected twists, and turns, Alva and Sam have a chemistry that is off the charts. They cannot be in the same room together without the heated romantic chemistry between them causing sparks to fly. A ghost-hunting adventure with sweeping romance with a hint of mystery

The Widow of Rose House is a delicious, swoony, spooky, completely engrossing historical novel. The novel had just the right amount of suspense that kept engaged, and that makes this book hard to put down.

About the Author

Diana Biller lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their very good dog. The Widow of Rose House is her debut novel.

Love isn’t naïve, Alva. It’s hope, and it’s faith, and it can outlast buildings and wars and empires.”

Book Tours

The Vine Witch

Hi Friends! I am so excited to be one of today’s tour stops for The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith, which is being hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. Be sure to check out the other amazing tour stops scheduled here.

The Vine Witch

by Luanne G. Smith
Publisher: 47North
Release Date: October 1st 2019

Genre: Fantasy

 photo addtogoodreadssmall_zpsa2a6cf28.png photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg
Synopsis:
A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping fantasy of betrayal, vengeance, and self-discovery set in turn-of-the-century France.
For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse. Now, after breaking the spell that confined her to the shallows of a marshland and weakened her magic, Elena is struggling to return to her former life. And the vineyard she was destined to inherit is now in the possession of a handsome stranger.
Vigneron Jean-Paul Martel naively favors science over superstition, and he certainly doesn’t endorse the locals’ belief in witches. But Elena knows a hex when she sees one, and the vineyard is covered in them. To stay on and help the vines recover, she’ll have to hide her true identity, along with her plans for revenge against whoever stole seven winters of her life. And she won’t rest until she can defy the evil powers that are still a threat to herself, Jean-Paul, and the ancient vine-witch legacy in the rolling hills of the Chanceaux Valley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was received as an early ARC from the publisher and Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own .

Sorcière Elena Boureanu, is Château Renard’s Vine Witch. She was brought to live as as an apprentice to Monsieur and Madame Gardin. Elena, disciple of the All Knowing and daughter of the Chanceaux Valley. Her spell-work and careful nurturing helped created the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley.

Weak after finally breaking free of the bonds of a curse that has kept her confined to the shallows of a marshland as toad. Elena emerges after seven long winters with her magic weakened but her memory intact. She is bent on seeking vengeance to the one who betrayed her and used a transformed curse on her.

Vigneron Jean-Paul Martel is a lawyer by trade, has purchased the vineyard Château Renard from Mademoiselle Gardin {Grand-Mere}. Allowing to Grand-Mere to continue to reside in her ancestral Chateau. Jean-Paul naively favors science and methodology over superstition. In his heart of hearts he still want to creat a great wine.

Elena’s beloved vineyard, Château Renard has been sold off, And the vineyard is in a tragic state and has rapidly declined in her absence. She needs time to recover her strength to breathe new life into grape vines and revive the vineyard to what it once was. All the while excepting the fact that someone else now owns the place her life has been rooted to for so long.

“She is apart of the vineyard as the vines themselves.”

Luanne G. Smith debut novel., THE VINE WITCH, is beautifully developed. The story line has the perfect blend of suspense and romance. Mixed together with the right amount of spellbinding magic that makes for an incredible read. The authors descriptive writing creates beautiful imagery that is perfectly paced, and a plot that was thought-provoking, that is richly detailed and unique. An engaging book set in early 20th century France. With well developed characters that I felt connected to and absolutely feel in love with. The story held my attention fully all the way through with just enough romance to a create a tension filled slow burn.

I enjoyed the creative elements of dark blood magic and herb lore that made for a stunning witchy read. Luanne, describes scenes with such lush imagery that you are able to fully immerse yourself into the world she has created. The novels premise and the writing definitely intrigued me and kept me entertained.

From start to finish this book delivered the perfect amount of mystery and mystical realism that I can’t say enough about.

A captivating book, and by far has been one of my favorite reads this year.

So, pour yourself the perfect glass of your favorite wine and grab this book now that it’s available

☆❥¸.•*´¨☆❥¸.•*´¨❥☆🍷☆ ❥¸.•*´¨☆❥¸.•*´¨❥☆

#magical, magical realism, #witchy #Fiction #spellbing #5star #fantasy

Luanne G. Smith is the author of THE VINE WITCH, a fantasy novel about witches, wine, and revenge set in early 20th century France, and the forthcoming second book in the series, THE GLAMOURIST. She’s lucky enough to live in Colorado at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, where she enjoys reading, gardening, hiking, a glass of wine at the end of the day, and finding the magic in everyday life.

:#thevinewitch #wunderkindpr #47north

Book Tours

Wanders Far

Blog Tour and Review

Wanders Far
by David Fitz-Gerald

Publication Date: May 11, 2019
Outskirts Press
eBook, Paperback, AudioBook; 197 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

Wanders Far lived in dangerous times and was faced with one difficult challenge after another. He was a skinny, quiet boy who was raised on the banks of a tributary of New York State’s Mohawk River, hundreds of years before colonists arrived. One lifetime was not enough for Wanders Far’s old soul.

From a very young age, his wanderlust compelled him down one path after another. No village could contain him.

He was happy living a simple life in the physical world during challenging times. The spirit world had other plans.

A wise, enigmatic shaman mentored Wanders Far and helped him cultivate the supernatural visions that haunted him. His guide could only help him so far.

He set out to become a runner, carrying important messages across the lands of his people and their enemies. He ended up fulfilling a much greater destiny than he ever imagined.

“This engrossing, well-written novel tells the story of a pivotal moment in Iroquois history through a well-traveled protagonist.” – Kirkus Reviews

Watch the Book Trailer HERE

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

Wanders Far-an Unlikely Hero’s Journey – Part of the Adirondack Spirit Series

David Fitz-Gerald, has written a thought provoking early American historical fiction. The story spans from the year 1125 through about 1192. Rich in Imagery, the author has given us a glimpse into life among the the native people of North America, hundreds of years before Europeans Colonist reached its shores. An intriguing storyline with well developed characters. Wonderful atmospheric details, that catapult you into the struggle and hardships of the natives. The setting takes place in what is now the Adirondack’s mountain range, in upstate New York.

Wonders Far, is name given to the main protagonist in the story. In the beginning of the story we are introduced to this precocious young boy who has been with gifted talents that he will use throughout the book. His mother is the tribal leader, Bear Fat.

It is a traditional matriarchal family with his mother at the head but with all members working together in unity. Wanders Far, has wanderlust and curiosity that will send him down many different paths. He become a runner early carrying important messages across the lands of his people and their enemies. Encountering the elements along wild animals. This is a coming of an age story we see him grow through trials and tribulations to marriage and his spiritual beliefs.

An enjoyable well crafted novel of early American historical fiction that I really enjoyed immensely.

Captivated and enduring characters, that you can easily feel connected to, and they kept me engaged throughout their struggles. The heartwarming sense of family and enduring family ties. The author has done a great job in making the characters well fleshed out. I was completely captivated and fully immersed in adventures tale.

Fitz-Gerald, has an intriguing written an engaging and thought provoking story, that gives a glimpse into the traditions, culture of the people, their crafts. I enjoyed learning about the others tribes and their sophisticated government as well.

There are some dramatic scenes, and tribal warfare, along with great adventures that made for a non stop read and had me glued to the pages. The author has meticulously blended historical, spiritual, along with adventurous elements. I am highly anticipating the next book in the this series

If you enjoyed the stories about Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse or Geronimo, then Wanders Far is a definite must read for you.

Thank you @hfvbt for the spot in this tour.

The Iroquois Confederacy was comprised of the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, and Seneca tribes it had sophisticated governments and societies.

The Mohawk were Kanyengehaga, or “people of the place of the flint.”

The Oneida were Oneyotdehaga, or “people of the standing stone.”

The Onondaga were Onontaga, or “on the mountain.”

The Cayuga were Gayokwehonu, or “where they land the boats.”

The Seneca were Onondewagaono, or “great hills people.”

About the Author

After a chaotic day as a business person, Dave enjoys getting lost in the settings he imagines and spending time with the characters he creates. Writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. He loves to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance, and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the hope of transporting the reader to another time and place. He is an Adirondack 46-er, which means he has hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so it should not be surprising when Dave attempts to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes in his writing.

Wanders Far—An Unlikely Hero’s Journey is the first in a series of books in the Adirondack Spirit Series.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Instagram

 

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 2
Review at Historical Fiction Reviews

Thursday, September 5
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Monday, September 9
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Tuesday, September 10
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Monday, September 16
Review & Interview at Jorie Loves A Story

Friday, September 20
Feature at Coffee and Ink

Monday, September 23
Review at Nursebookie

Wednesday, September 25
Review & Excerpt at Just Another Reader

Friday, September 27
Review at Red Headed Book Lady

Monday, September 30
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, October 4
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Wednesday, October 9
Excerpt at Maiden of the Pages

Monday, October 14
Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Thursday, October 17
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Monday, October 21
Review at Jessica Belmont
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Saturday, October 26
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Monday, October 28
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Giveaway

Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Wanders Far and a $50 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Wanders Far
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– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

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Book Tours

The Drowned Woman

The Drowned Woman

#SarahBennettMysteries #SarahBennett #HFVBTBlogTours 

The Spirit of Grace
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: November 26, 2017
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book One
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Sarah Bennett doesn’t remember the night her mother tumbled down the stairs at Bennett House, despite allegedly witnessing the fatal fall. There was talk of foul play, dark whispers, and sidelong glances, all aimed at Sarah, prompting her family to send her to The Laurels, an exclusive asylum in San Francisco, under a cloud of suspicion. Now, on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sarah has been summoned home. Convinced of her innocence, she returns to Bennett House, hoping to put the broken pieces of her life back together. But when another murder occurs shortly after her arrival, Sarah once again finds herself a suspect, as she is drawn into a web of suspicion and lies. In order to clear her name, Sarah must remember what happened the fateful night her mother died. But as she works to regain her memory, the real murderer watches, ready to kill again to protect a dark family secret.

Amazon

 

The House of Secrets
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Sarah Bennett has two secrets: she sees ghosts, and she is in love with a spy.

When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.

As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geisler’s life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.

Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr. Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

 

The Drowned Woman
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 16, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Three
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Family secrets won’t always stay buried…

December 1937.

When Zeke’s sister-in-law Rachel Caen was found dead on Christmas Eve, her family assumed that she had taken her own life.

Now five years later, one of the emeralds that Rachel was wearing at the time of her death is discovered at a stonecutter’s house in Portland, Oregon.

With his brother Simon under suspicion for Rachel’s murder and stealing the emeralds, Zeke and detective Sarah are under pressure to clear his name.

But with troubles of their own and in need of a place to hide, the duo return to Zeke’s hometown where a spiritual force helps Sarah find another emerald…

All the fingers are pointing to Zeke’s family; how far will they go to protect their secrets? And will Sarah uncover the killer before it’s too late?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

 

by Terry Lynn Thomas

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book three
Genre: Historical Mystery

Excerpt

Zeke limped to the door. He smiled when he saw me. ‘Come in, love. We need to talk.’

I followed them into the office. Once we were all inside, Zeke locked the door and engaged two brand new deadbolts.

‘Extra locks?’

‘We have a situation.’

The ghost shimmered in the corner of the room, her eyes fixed on me. Wade and Zeke carried on, impervious to her.

‘Sarah, are you listening?’ Zeke asked.

‘Yes,’ I said. The ghost smiled and winked at me. I ignored her.

‘I want you both out of here.’ Wade barked out his orders. ‘Go upstairs and pack. Bring enough clothes to stay away for a month or two.’

I stood, ready to lash out at Wade, but one look at Zeke changed my mind. His brow was furrowed with worry. ‘What’s happened? Where are we going?’ I asked.

‘Millport,’ Zeke said. ‘I need to go home.’

‘And you’re not safe here,’ Wade piped in. ‘Zeke’s going to tell you all about it, once you are on your way.’ Wade peered between the blinds again, surveying the street below us, keeping his eyes riveted on the foot traffic as he spoke. ‘I’m sorry, Sarah. I don’t mean to be short. Zeke will explain everything. I want you two on the road in fifteen minutes. You’re in danger. Can you please just go pack?’

‘I started to pack for you, but I didn’t know what you’d want to bring. Your typewriter is loaded up already. I put the extra ribbons, ink, and a case of paper in the trunk, too. I’ll take those.’ Zeke nodded at the sack of groceries I had carried in. ‘We can bring them with us. No meat, I suppose?’

‘Not a scrap,’ I said. ‘Do we have gasoline coupons?’

‘I’ve taken care of that,’ Wade said.

‘Of course you have.’ I sighed and left the room.

‘Stay away from the windows,’ Wade called after me.

With a shaking hand, I unlocked the door to our upstairs flat, frightened now, thanks to Wade Connor. I loved our flat. The bay windows faced the water, angled just enough to the west to allow floods of afternoon sun to fill the room.

The ghost stood before the window now, her image stronger than it was downstairs. She looked like the type of woman who rode horses over tall hedges while perched in a tiny saddle, fearless and bold. Her hair shimmered with golden light. She wore an evening dress of cream silk. It fitted her body and flowed to the floor like liquid pearls.

‘Why have you come?’ I asked. Although I could see ghosts, most of the time I couldn’t hear them. I pointed to a scratch pad which sat on the table near the sofa. ‘Can you write your answers?’

She floated over to the tablet in that particular way of ghosts.

‘Good. I’m going to pack.’ I turned my back on her and headed down the hall toward our bedroom. Zeke’s suitcase sat on the floor. Mine lay open on the bed, ready to be filled with the clothes I would need. Something about Wade’s manner and the look on Zeke’s face struck a chord with me. I realized with a start that I had seen fear, not only in Zeke, but in Wade Connor as well. Urged on by this, I threw clothes into the suitcase without thinking or taking the time to fold them. I jammed the black Lanvin evening gown on top of the pile, not caring that the tiny pleats around the waistline would need to be ironed again – a tedious job that I loathed. I grabbed four sweaters and tossed them on top of the gown.

A blast of cold air on the back of my neck told me that my ghost had joined me. She stood by my small writing desk, holding the tablet that I had left for her to write on. When I moved close to her, she disappeared. Her writing was schoolroom perfect. I am Zeke’s sister-in-law, Rachel Caen. You must find the emeralds to discover who killed me.

Rachel had dumped all the sweaters I had packed onto the bed, and was now replacing them with cotton blouses and light-weight summer clothes. She folded the clothes and placed them in neat stacks inside my case. When everything was properly stowed, she snapped the latches in place with a resounding click. The smile she gave was a sad one. She pointed to the tablet on the table one more time before she disappeared. New handwriting had replaced her prior

About the Author

TERRY LYNN THOMAS grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back.

Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret is slated for release in March 2019. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 9
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, September 10
Excerpt at Bookish Rantings

Thursday, September 12
Review at Just One More Chapter (Book #1)

Friday, September 13
Review at Coffee and Ink (Book #1)

Monday, September 16
Feature at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Tuesday, September 17
Review at WTF Are You Reading? (all three)

Thursday, September 19
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, September 20
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #1)

Monday, September 23
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #1)

Tuesday, September 24
Feature at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #2)

Wednesday, September 25
Review at Passages to the Past (Book #1)

Thursday, September 26
Feature at I’m All About Books

Monday, September 30
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #2)

Wednesday, October 2
Excerpt at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #3)

Thursday, October 3
Review at Macsbooks (Books #1 &# 2)

Friday, October 4
Review at 100 Pages a Day (Book #1)

Sunday, October 6
Review at A Darn Good Read (all three)
Review at Spooky’s Maze Of Books (Books #1 & #2)

Monday, October 7
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #3)

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away one eBook of each title in the Sarah Bennett Mysteries series! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Sarah Bennett
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Book Tours

Spellbound

Book Review

#Writingcommunity #Writers #amwritingfiction #YAfantasy #fairies

Spellbound

Title of Book- Spellbound

Author- Julia Goldhirsh

Publication Date: August 8, 2019

Synopsis- An enchanted Rose spellbound to a greenhouse prison.

Sixteen-year old Rose has been cursed to live within the glass walls of a greenhouse for her entire life, and has finally reached her breaking point. She had to escape before she lost her mind. But life outside the protective glass was filled with perils of its own. When she met Gabriel, she thought she’d finally found a savior. But neither was aware of what lurked inside him. A devious nymph is pulling his strings from the shadows. With darkness on the horizon and danger lurking around every corner, Rose must escape the greenhouse, but at what cost?How hard could it be to break out of a glass cage?

Genre- YA Fantasy

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Author Julia Goldhirsh makes a bold debut with this enrapturing modern-day fairy tale. Spellbound will quickly strike a chord with YA lovers, as it ticks plenty of boxes for the genre: unexpected love, emotional turmoil, and a protagonist/damsel in distress at the heart of the tale. The novel is a unique take on an old story, but written with a mature hand that understands the flexibility and beauty of language, which will appeal to readers of any age.” Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

“Spellbound is a fun fairy tale. There are well thought out nemeses and an intriguing plot that catches your attention right from the first page…Julia Goldhirsh demonstrates real potential as an emerging author of modern young adult fiction. Spellbound will enchant readers looking for a magical short story with a welcomed twist.” – Indies Today★★★★

“I really liked the main character…She is a bit of an introvert, she’s rude (but as a joke) and also nice and easy to get along with and that is probably why there is some romance cooking up between her and Gabriel that just thickens the plot a little. This book was really easy to read as it takes a hold of your interest in the first few pages…I recommend this book to any fantasy readers. You will not be disappointed as it’s a good read. I rate Spellbound by Julia Goldhirsh 4.5 out of 5 stars.”- Nadine Forsberg (Reviewer on Onlinebookclub).

“Whether or not you are a fan of ‘YA’ fiction, I recommend this book. It is more than just a ‘promising debut from a new author,’ it is genuinely a good and fun story. I am looking forward to the next volume to find out what happens to Gabriel and Rose, and more about the fascinating curses that follow them.”-  Carey L, Author of Aeon of Wonder

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Julia Goldhirsh, Spellbound is an enchanting story of Rose, a young girl who wants to explore the world outside of the greenhouse where she is forced she lives in. Rose swas born with a curse that would kill her if she isn’t near the roses that are keeping her alive. Longing this explore,Rose decides to run away from home but the curse prevents her from getting too far. Rescued by a young man named Gabriel, saves her for death. He returns with her to her home within the greenhouse.

Once there they they form a bond and Gabriel sets about finding a cure for Rose.

This is sweet and charming book, one I enjoyed immensely.

Captivating storyline and engaging characters

Biography

Julia Goldhirsh was born and raised in Coconut Creek, Florida. She spent one year working in Japan as an ESL teacher and loves traveling and teaching. She has been writing ever since she was in elementary school, and her favorite stories to read and write were always fantasy and mythology books.

She started out writing on writers cafe and all poetry. RPG writing became her favorite past time in high school. She has won a short fiction award in high school from the Broward County Lit fair for her short story “Night Sprite.”

She loves to talk about lesser known mythological creatures. Her most recent obsession is with Nymphs, Enchantresses, and the Encantado. Known as wanderingteacher on her travel blog and adventuringwriter on her author blog, she also writes about traveling, adjusting to different cultures, and the process of self-publishing.

Book Tours

A lady Never Tells

Book Tour and Giveaway

A Lady Never Tells
by Lynn Winchester

Publication Date: September 23, 2019
Entangled Publishing
eBook, 368 pages

Series: Women of Daring, Book One
Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

 #LynnWinchester #HFVBTBlogTours

Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he’s bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts…well, color him intrigued.

Raised with a rather…peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty’s personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.

But Richard is the first man to see through her disguises–and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects…

Hi everyone! Today I’m really excited to be taking part in the Book Tour of , A Lady Never Tells, which is being hosted by HFBT

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Lynn Winchester new novel, A Lady Never Tells, is the first installment in a brand new Regency Series. Ms. Winchester has written an absolutely charming and enchanting novel.

Victoria {Vic} Daring, is not your typical lady of the Regency period, and her family’s business is very unconventional to say the least.

Trained in espionage and intrigue. All of Darings from father and her charming sisters Honoria and Verity, are part of a spy network trying to reveal the men or women hiding behind masks in the House of Cards Society. Their mission, spy on people responsible for smuggling and any crimes against the Crown of England.

Victoria is a master in disguises for the Imperial Espionage Home Office. A Historical Romance set in 1817, from Zhejiang, China and quickly moves to London where she and her siblings have taken a position, as part of “Operation Imperial Twilight”

During one of those missions, she is almost discovered by a dashing viscount named Richard Downing. Meeting Richard only complicates things. While trying to gather gather evidence, Richard is becoming an obstacle. More importantly his family is on list of people to be investigated. Victoria has made a definite impression. She is not an ordinary lady of high birth, she enjoys fencing and she is full of surprises. How will Richard react when if out about Victoria double life.

Ms Winchester, delivers a fast-paced, amusing, and well-written read here that had the perfect mix of humour, romantic moments, and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship between Victoria and Richard grow and thought that they the had great chemistry. The supporting cast was also great and complimented the dynamics of the storyline extremely well. The book is both Intriguing, and entertaining , a fabulous representation of a storyline. The author has set up the creative ending that is perfect for the next in the series.

I adored this extremely engrossing, enjoyable & entertaining book right from the very start and had me engaged and at some parts laughing. Victoria is an unforgettable heroine and I excited to read the next in this captivating delightful series.

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

and the Author, Lynn Winchester

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

 

About the Author

Lynn Winchester is the pseudonym of a hardworking California-born conservative, now living in the wilds of Northeast Pennsylvania. Lynn has been writing fiction since the 5th grade, and enjoys creating worlds, characters, and stories for her readers.

When Lynn isn’t writing she is running a successful editing business, reading whatever she can get her hands on, raising her four children, making sure her husband is happy, and binge-watching shows on Netflix.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, September 24
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Wednesday, September 25
Feature at What Is That Book About

Friday, September 27
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Monday, September 30
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Wednesday, October 2
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Sunday, October 6
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, October 9
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Thursday, October 10
Review at Coffee and Ink

Friday, October 11
Review at Spooky’s Maze Of Books

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away an eBook of A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Giveaway is open to the US only.
Only one entry per household.
All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

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Book Tours

The First Lady and the Rebel by Susan Higginbotham

Blog Tour and Giveaway#TheFirstLadyandtheRebel #SusanHigginbotham #HFVBTBlogTour

The First Lady and the Rebel
by Susan Higginbotham

Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Sourcebooks Landmark
eBook & Paperback; 400 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

From the celebrated author Susan Higginbotham

comes the incredible story of Lincoln’s First Lady

A Union’s First Lady
As the Civil War cracks the country in two, Mary Lincoln stands beside her husband praying for a swift Northern victory. But as the body count rises, Mary can’t help but fear each bloody gain. Because her beloved sister Emily is across party lines, fighting for the South, and Mary is at risk of losing both her country and her family in the tides of a brutal war.

A Confederate Rebel’s Wife
Emily Todd Helm has married the love of her life. But when her husband’s southern ties pull them into a war neither want to join, she must make a choice. Abandon the family she has built in the South or fight against the sister she has always loved best.

With a country’s legacy at stake, how will two sisters shape history?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Chapters | IndieBound

Praise

“Historical fiction at it best: A unique, intimate view of a character we thought we knew. The Civil War comes to life through two sisters on opposite sides, one the first lady of the not-so United States. And through it all, a fascinating family saga. I learned a lot and loved this book.” – Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of American Duchess

“Susan Higginbotham’s The First Lady and the Rebel is a meticulously researched and powerfully written account of the complicated and compelling relationship between the Todd sisters. Higginbotham’s two female protagonists are bonded by blood and love, but pulled apart by war. Set against the sweeping backdrop of our nation’s Civil War, this is the tragic and true story of human hearts both fierce and fallible, of deeply mixed loyalties, and of the imperfect but inspiring individuals who were asked to do the unimaginable. Moving and enlightening.” – Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Empress

“Susan Higginbotham has done it again-crafted a richly detailed novel that immerses readers in America’s Civil War. The First Lady and the Rebel explores the tragic story of a family and a nation torn apart, while shedding light on rarely reported events in the personal life of Abraham Lincoln. Mary Todd Lincoln, the President’s wife, and her sister, Emily Todd Helm, are devoted to their husbands and to each other, yet find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict as they face overwhelming grief and loss. The novel presents a devastating time and place rendered so vividly you’ll feel as if you’d lived through the war yourself. Higginbotham’s painstaking and extensive research is evident from the engaging first chapter to the novel’s moving conclusion. For those who like their historical novels based on real people, this book is a must-read.” – Amy Belding Brown, author of Flight of the Sparrow

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, Sourcebooks And the Author.

@S_Higginbotham @hfvbt @ Sourcebooks

The First Lady and the Rebel is award-winning author Susan Higginbotham’s, latest novel. A captivating and powerful book that captures the sisterly relationship of Mary Todd Lincoln and her sister, Emily Todd Helm, wife of a Confederate general.

The author has created a compelling dual narration, that gives us an intimate look into the lives of two of the most notable woman in civil war history.

1839, Mary Todd travels from her home in Lexington, Ky., for an extended visit with her married sister, Elizabeth Edwards, in Springfield, Ill. Elizabeth’s house drew everyone of of importance in Springfield. A luxurious mansion, that held Sunday parties where the best educated society of Springfield gathered.

A chance encounter with a quiet and reserved gentlemen Mr Abraham Lincoln, He captures Mary’s attention right from the start with his intellectual face. Mary’s passion for politics and her unladylike ways of saying what she thought. Seeks every opportunity to engage Mr Lincoln. After the on again off again dramatics the two eventually do marry.

Soon after Mr. Abraham Lincoln is elected president, The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 caused seven southern states to secede and form the Confederate States of America. With impending war just on the horizon Mr Lincoln extends an offer of Union Army Paymaster to his brother-in-law, Hardin Helm, who is married to Mary’s younger sister, Emily. Hardin declines the job and offers his services to Jefferson Davis and the Confederate States, where he was initially a colonel and later promoted to brigadier general. Helm commanded the 1st Kentucky Brigade.

Like so many torn families during The Civil War the Todd sisters were divided my family and state-loyalties along with moral and politics beliefs. Steadfast in their loyalty to their husbands, who both become tragic victims to the war. The once close relationship the sisters shared is shattered and broken as War rages through the country. This immensely character driven book, I enjoyed every page in this richly detailed period piece of historical fiction . The author skillfully leads the reader right from the first page all the way through to end heart rendering ending.

Emily Todd Hardin along with her children, like so many dedicated woman, became nomadic, moving from one encampment to another in constant fear that her husband would be wounded or killed in battle.

This was a perfect read for me. Both historical true and well researched. Higginbotham, once again delivers in immersive and deeply moving novel.

Mary Todd Lincoln

Emily Todd Hardin

About the Author

Susan Higginbotham is the author of seven historical novels, including Hanging Mary, The Stolen Crown, and The Queen of Last Hopes. The Traitor’s Wife, her first novel, was the winner of ForeWord Magazine’s 2005 Silver Award for historical fiction and was a Gold Medalist, Historical/Military Fiction, 2008 Independent Publisher Book wards. She writes her own historical fiction blog, History Refreshed. Higginbotham has worked as an editor and an attorney, and lives in Maryland with her family.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, October 1
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Wednesday, October 2
Review at Faery Tales Are Real
Review & Guest Post at Clarissa Reads it All

Thursday, October 3
Review at Broken Teepee
Review at Stephanie’s Novel Fiction

Friday, October 4
Review at Donna’s Book Blog

Saturday, October 5
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Monday, October 7
Review at Hooked on Books
Interview at Reading the Past

Tuesday, October 8
Review at The Lit Bitch

Wednesday, October 9
Review at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, October 10
Review at Unabridged Chick

Friday, October 11
Interview at Unabridged Chick
Review at View from the Birdhouse

Saturday, October 12
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Monday, October 14
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Tuesday, October 15
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of The First Lady and the Rebel! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 15th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

The First Lady and the Rebel
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Book Tours

A Phoenix Rising

Book Tour, Review and Giveaway

#APhoenixRising #VivienneBrereton #HFVBTBlogTours

A Phoenix Rising
by Vivienne Brereton

Publication Date: July 7, 2019
Yuletide Press
eBook & Paperback; 339 pages

Series: The House of the Red Duke (Book 1)
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

 

“If I have anything to do with it, we Howards will live forever.”

Thomas Howard Charismatic head of one of the most powerful Houses in Tudor England. An indomitable old man approaching eighty: soldier, courtier, politician, a ‘phoenix’ rising from the ashes. After a calamitous period of disgrace, the Howards, renowned for their good looks and charm, are once more riding high at the court of Henry VIII.

Set against the backdrop of the extraordinary 1520 ‘Field of Cloth of Gold’, it is a tale of ambition, love, and intrigue, with Thomas at the centre of this intricate tapestry

Will Thomas’s bold vow be fulfilled? Danger stalks the corridors of the royal courts of Europe. Uneasy lies the head beneath a crown. Every other ruler – a fickle bedfellow…or sworn enemy.

The action takes place in England, Scotland, and France. On either side of the Narrow Sea, four young lives are interwoven, partly unaware of each other, and certainly oblivious to what Dame Fortune has in store for them.

Nicolas de La Barre laid his lute to one side, hardly bothering to stifle a yawn of boredom. Nevertheless, he couldn’t escape the fact he’d agreed to take on a new wife….”

Explosive family secrets are concealed behind the ancient walls of castles in three lands. But… “There are no secrets that time does not reveal.”

“From the moment I picked this book up, I was enthralled and the story was so well written that I simply had to keep reading. Brereton weaves a fascinating story of several famous houses which lived during the Tudor age, including the Howards, Stewarts, Boleyns and of course the famous Tudors. If you are looking for a new fiction series that will draw you in and keep you wanting more than this is certainly the book for you!” – Sarah Bryson, author of ‘La Reine Blanche’.

“I really enjoyed it. I sometimes struggle with books written from the point of view of several characters, as this one is, but this one worked quite well because it had to be told from the points of view of different characters because it is spread across several countries – England, France and Scotland. The addition of Tudor recipes was a nice touch, and demonstrated that the writer had really done her research.” – Helene Harrison, Tudorblogger

 Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

The House of the Red Duke is a series of historical novels set in Tudor times. A Phoenix Rising is Book One by the British author, Vivienne Brereton.

A stellar historical fiction centered around the famous Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk head of a prominent house in Tudor England.

King Henry VIII, has entrusted him to look after his kingdom while he travels to France to strengthen his friendship between himself and Francis I at the Camp du Drap d’Or. Field of the Cloth of Gold….

A massive extravaganza that took place in 1520 just outside the English Pale of Calais and Ardres, on French territory.

This sweeping saga storyline Is set between the year’s 1497 and 1520 and among 4 different European courts; England, Scotland, France and Hapsburg.

Thomas Howard, vowed long ago that he would restore the Howard’s fortunes, and he has. But Dame Fortune is a fickle mistress.

Thomas has secrets, eventually time will tell whether they will one day catch up with him. Maybe he should have paid more attention to what the old witch, Mairghread, all those years ago. Her predictions seemed to incredible to even believe at the time.. Are they actually coming true?

A Phoenix Rising, is a historical fiction masterpiece. If you are a fan of historical fiction this is a must read for you. Rich details of political intrigue, along an impressive cast characters woven into some of the most iconic historical People during this era of European history. Exquisitely written, seen through the eyes of multiple points of view, expanding over two decades.

The authors descriptive narration brings all the great and noble Houses to life

The House of Tudor, The House of Stewart, The House of Habsburg, The House of Valois, The House of Stafford, The House of Bullens (Boleyn), and of course The House of Howard.

Vivienne Brereton, delivers a compelling, intriguing, and well-written read here with absolutely fantastic characters that totally captivated and fascinated me. The strength of this novel handsdown is the author’s fabulous characterizations. Brereton, definitely shines when it comes to how interesting and fleshed out her well developed characters are. As titles and wealth rise and fall the nobles are like game pieces on a chess board during this chaotic turbulent time period.

I was completely enchanted by medieval recipes the author has included throughout the book. This along with exceptional atmospheric historical settings and entertaining dialogue, made for impressive debut novel.

The author paints a compelling portrait of the times during the Tudor dynasty, with in depth well researched historical facts mixed with her creative fictional characters. This was a fascinating book for me, I was enthralled from the first pages and it held my attention all the way through to the end.

Exceptional debut from Vivienne Brereton, a book I recommend to whoever is passionate about historical fiction.

I am patiently waiting for the next installment in the series.

#APhoenixRising #VivienneBrereton #HFVBTBlogTours

Map taken Vivienne Brereton website

Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk head of a prominent house in Tudor England.

About the Author

Born near historic Winchester in the UK, Vivienne Brereton has been passionate about the Tudors for as long as she can remember. This led to a degree in medieval history at university where she met her future husband. Three sons later and six countries she called home, she finally felt ready to write a novel.

Words have always played an important part in Vivienne’s life whether it’s been writing, editing, teaching English to foreigners, or just picking up a good book. In preparation for her novel, she read intensively on the skills needed to write well and did an enormous amount of research which she greatly enjoyed. Having three sons was helpful when she came to write about the characters, Tristan and Nicolas. All those squabbles she had to deal with came in very handy. She also used her husband and sons as guinea pigs for her Tudor cookery attempts with varying degrees of success (abuse).

Seeing ‘A Phoenix Rising’ in print for the first time was a moment of great jo

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Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, September 26
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Friday, September 27
Excerpt at Beady Jans Books
Review & Excerpt at Nursebookie

Saturday, September 28
Review at Reading is My Remedy
Guest Post at Short Book and Scribes

Tuesday, October 1
Review at WTF Are You Reading?
Guest Post at On the Tudor Trail

Wednesday, October 2
Excerpt at The Writing Desk

Thursday, October 3
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Friday, October 4
Review at Jessica Belmont

Monday, October 7
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Tuesday, October 8
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, October 9
Review at Red Headed Book Lady

Thursday, October 10
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Friday, October 11
Review at Donna’s Book Blog
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of A Phoenix Rising! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

A Phoenix Rising
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Book Tours

Book Tour and Review

Cursed

Hi guys! Today we have a very exciting blog tour! Y’all know how much I love retellings, and this one is extra special. Cursed is going take over, and it is very soon going to be a NETFLIX SHOW. So, you better get on it and read this book now,

by Thomas Wheeler & Frank Miller(Illustrator)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Retelling, Fantasy
 photo addtogoodreadssmall_zpsa2a6cf28.png photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg
Synopsis: 

The Lady of the Lake is the true hero in this cinematic twist on the tale of King Arthur created by Thomas Wheeler and legendary artist, producer, and director Frank Miller (300, Batman: The Dark Night Returns, Sin City). Featuring 8 full color and 30 black-and-white pieces of original artwork by Frank Miller. 
Whosoever wields the Sword of Power shall be the one true King.
But what if the Sword has chosen a Queen?
Nimue grew up an outcast. Her connection to dark magic made her something to be feared in her Druid village, and that made her desperate to leave…
That is, until her entire village is slaughtered by Red Paladins, and Nimue’s fate is forever altered. Charged by her dying mother to reunite an ancient sword with a legendary sorcerer, Nimue is now her people’s only hope. Her mission leaves little room for revenge, but the growing power within her can think of little else.
Nimue teams up with a charming mercenary named Arthur and refugee Fey Folk from across England. She wields a sword meant for the one true king, battling paladins and the armies of a corrupt king. She struggles to unite her people, avenge her family, and discover the truth about her destiny.
But perhaps the one thing that can change Destiny itself is found at the edge of a blade.

Welcome to my stop of the Cursed blog tour! Thank you to @theffbc @thomaswheelerofficial and @simonandschuster @simonteen for allowing me to take part in this tour!

I am a huge fan of anything Arthurian and every year I reread the Mists of Avalon!

So when I was given the chance to read and review this hard copy breathtaking Arc, I jumped at the chance and greatly appreciate The Fantastic Flying Book Tour @theffbc for giving me this incredible opportunity.

In this imaginative fantastic retelling of the Notorious Arthurian legend. The Lady of the Lake takes the role of hero in this tale of king Arthur.Creators Thomas Wheeler and legendary artist, producer, and director Frank Miller of 300, Batman, The Dark Knight Returns, and Sin City.This book features full-color and 30 black-and-white pieces of original artwork by Frank Miller.

Cursed is told through the eyes of Nimue, a teenage heroine with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful and tragic Lady of the Lake.Nimue is a child, living in a nurturing environment still following the old ways of the Druid. When the evil Red Paladins, a section of the Church who have made it their mission to wipe out the Fey Folk, attack her village, Nimue finds herself journeying across England to fulfill her mother’s last wish. She sets out on a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. Nimue, finds an unexpected partner in a young mercenary named Arthur.

Rumors grow that the Sword of Power has resurfaced again has spread through out the country. Nimue faces incredible forces who all want to claim the sword for themselves, King Uther Pendragon, the Viking Ice King and the Catholic Church.

All knowing the ancient prophecy of the sword …

Nimue will become the hero and the symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their King Uther.

I can’t wait to see this novel turned into a show. I love the portrayal of Nimue and everything surrounding her story. Make sure to buy this beautiful novel on October 1st and be sure to watch the Netflix series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Star Book

Illustrations: From Frank Miller

GIVEAWAY
1 Finished copy US only

Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86408/?

Thomas Wheeler sold his first screenplay at age twenty-two, to Twentieth Century Fox. He has continued to work on major Hollywood features for the last several years. Wheeler lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Christina, and his son, Luca. The Arcanum is his first novel.

Frank Miller is an award-winning comic book writer, novelist, inker, screenwriter, film director, and producer best known for Daredevil, The Dark Knight ReturnsSin City, and 300, among others. He also created Cursed with Tom Wheeler, which is being adapted as a series for Netflix starring Katherine Langford. Visit him online at FrankMillerInk.com or on Twitter @FrankMillerInk.

Week 1

September 23rd

_bookishaestha_-Review/Bookstagram

September 24th

Maddie.TV– Review
Worlds Unlike Our Own– Review & Favorite Quotes

September 25th

@thereadingchemist– Bookstagram

September 26th

Kait Plus Books– Creative Post

September 27th

Shelf-rated– Review

Week 2

September 30th

Morgan Vega– Review & Favorite Quotes

October 1st

Fictitiouswonderland– Bookstagram
Book Blog London– Review & Favorite Quotes

October 2nd

A Bookish Dream– Review/Bookstagram

October 3rd

Bookishly Nerdy– Review
Booked J– Review

October 4th

Book Tours

Book Tour

Beast Of The Frozen Sun

Beasts of the Frozen Sun
Jill Criswell
(Frozen Sun Saga #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Burn brightly. Love fiercely. For all else is dust.

Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand.

When a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland–one of the fearful marauders from the land of the Frozen Sun–Lira helps the wounded man instead of turning him in. After reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. He confides in her that he’s been cursed with what his people call battle-madness, forced to fight for the warlord known as the Dragon, a powerful tyrant determined to reignite the ancient war that Aillira started.

As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all of Glasnith, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira’s life, for Reyker’s soul, and for their peoples’ freedom has only just begun.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Link Trailer:

Many thanks to @blackstonepublishing for an early ARC, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Book

“The light coming in from the stained glass windows reflects off the silver of golden skin visible in the gasp between my gloves and sleeves”.

BEASTS OF THE FROZEN SUN IS A BLOODY FANTASY OF BEASTS

AND SOUL MAGIC

Jill Crisswell, has written an epic historical fantasy of Viking /Norse-inspired mythology. Where Gods toy with mortals and bend them to their will.

Title: Beasts of the Frozen Sun

Author: Jill Crisswell

Format: Physical – Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

The first book in the series written by Jill Criswell, Beasts of the Frozen Sun, is a fierce saga, beautifully told, that will transport readers to a time of magic and gods, battles and clan warfare. A totally engrossing and epic adventure—I was completely captivated by the storyline of Lira and Reyker’s epic tale.

Lira and Reyker are enemies-to-lovers, and struggled to overcome a language barrier and culture differences while learning to trust one another wholeheartedly. The saga of Lira and Reyker goes far beyond the realm of normal men and deep into the lost myths of those who came before. Is history repeating itself, or is divine intervention weaving the threads of their hearts and souls together? It’s a story that focuses on the corruption of power and battle of control, holding fast in the face of sorrow and suffering, grief and finding solace beyond and in unexpected places.

Criswell has brought to life a cast of magnificent characters with written in voices multiple POV’s. Action packed adventure with intense battle scenes made this a non stop read for me. All leading up to climatic cliffhanger of an ending.

It’s a beautifully fierce, debut –

A trilogy, so Book 2 will be released in 2020 and Book 3 in 2021

Excerpt
Something made me stop. 

There, sitting atop my father’s black warhorse, was a Westlander unlike any other. Long ashen hair trailed behind him. He was bare chested, as if he didn’t fear the threat of blades on his skin, and he radiated a sleek, savage sort of beauty. 

His gaze locked on me.

Beautiful. Savage.

The Savage prodded his mount. Leaning to one side, he brought his axe crashing down into the Sons of Stone who ran at him, wielding his weapon like an extension of himself. My clan’s warriors fell. Blood splashed in waves across his skin.

His eyes never left mine. My limbs were heavy as boulders, stiff as plaster.

A voice called my name. Rhys rushed toward me, sword in hand. His eyes darted from me to the Savage, trying to reach me first.  

The horse was coming. My legs wouldn’t move. 

The Savage veered at the last second, passing between Rhys and me, so close his calf brushed my arm, and I shivered. He circled his horse back in our direction, and Rhys grabbed me, yanking me forward. The warhorse’s hooves pounded, nearly on top of us. We only made it a few steps before Rhys stumbled and choked, eyes widening. His hand slipped from my arm. His sword fell into the grass. 

A battle-axe was buried between his shoulders.

My scream was the raw, wrenching keen of an animal. I caught Rhys as he collapsed, lowering him to the ground. I looked around wildly, calling for Father and Garreth. 

The Savage leaped off his horse.

“Stay away!” I let go of Rhys and picked up his sword. 

With a swift kick, the Savage knocked the weapon from my grip. I drew the dagger, and he slapped it away too. He pulled me to him, smelling my hair, running his fingers through it. I hammered my fists against him, but it did nothing. This close, I saw every detail of his face, his body. I absorbed them through a haze of shock. 

Older than Garreth, younger than Father. Tall, muscled, with thick hair hanging down his back in braided ropes of silvery-white. Eyes a shade of greenish-gold, like a cat’s. Black ink crawling across one entire side of his body: up his stomach, chest, and neck, then back down the length of his arm to his fingertips, coiling along one jaw and cheek, to his forehead, disappearing into his scalp. Knotted patterns, with intricately etched claws and tails and reptilian heads interwoven between the twisted links. 

If the other Westlanders were frost giants, he was a leviathan; if they were beasts, he was their king. 

I struggled feebly, my palms smacking his chest. Anguish had torn my mind wide open, left my abilities untethered; my consciousness plunged into the depths of his soul. Except what I dove into was nothing. Colorless, shapeless, void of sensation. The space was starkly, infinitely empty. A barren abyss.

The Savage had no soul. 

I pulled my hands free, snapping back into my body as the Savage grasped my chin. “What you see, soul-reader?” The words sounded cumbersome to his mouth. He took hold of my wrist, bending it to expose the scar of flame Reyker had marked me with, laughing like my scar was a joke meant to offend him. “He is here.” 

The Savage thrust one of his hands into my hair, holding my head still, and the other tightened around my waist, crushing me against him. He pulled a delicate knife from his belt, pushing my hair back and sliding the stiletto behind my ear. The blade bit into my flesh in short, deep cuts. He was carving me. Marking me, just as Reyker had, only this felt far more violent. I whimpered as blood dripped down my neck. “Mine,” he said. 

A threat and a promise.

 —————————————————————————-

Author Bio:

Jill Criswell is a writer of Young Adult Historical Fantasy. She was born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida. She earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she’s visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland).

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Book Tours

Sarah Bennett Mysteries Blog Tour: Excerpt and Giveaway

Please scroll through, check out the synopsis for all three books, an excerpt from The House of Secrets, a little about the author, and…enter the GIVEAWAY!!

#SarahBennettMysteries #SarahBennett #HFVBTBlogTours 

The Spirit of Grace
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: November 26, 2017
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book One
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Sarah Bennett doesn’t remember the night her mother tumbled down the stairs at Bennett House, despite allegedly witnessing the fatal fall. There was talk of foul play, dark whispers, and sidelong glances, all aimed at Sarah, prompting her family to send her to The Laurels, an exclusive asylum in San Francisco, under a cloud of suspicion. Now, on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sarah has been summoned home. Convinced of her innocence, she returns to Bennett House, hoping to put the broken pieces of her life back together. But when another murder occurs shortly after her arrival, Sarah once again finds herself a suspect, as she is drawn into a web of suspicion and lies. In order to clear her name, Sarah must remember what happened the fateful night her mother died. But as she works to regain her memory, the real murderer watches, ready to kill again to protect a dark family secret.

Amazon

 

The House of Secrets
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Sarah Bennett has two secrets: she sees ghosts, and she is in love with a spy.

When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.

As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geisler’s life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.

Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr. Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

 

The Drowned Woman
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 16, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Three
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Family secrets won’t always stay buried…

December 1937.

When Zeke’s sister-in-law Rachel Caen was found dead on Christmas Eve, her family assumed that she had taken her own life.

Now five years later, one of the emeralds that Rachel was wearing at the time of her death is discovered at a stonecutter’s house in Portland, Oregon.

With his brother Simon under suspicion for Rachel’s murder and stealing the emeralds, Zeke and detective Sarah are under pressure to clear his name.

But with troubles of their own and in need of a place to hide, the duo return to Zeke’s hometown where a spiritual force helps Sarah find another emerald…

All the fingers are pointing to Zeke’s family; how far will they go to protect their secrets? And will Sarah uncover the killer before it’s too late?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

 

The House of Secrets
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

Excerpt

Zeke limped to the door. He smiled when he saw me. ‘Come in, love. We need to talk.’

I followed them into the office. Once we were all inside, Zeke locked the door and engaged two brand new deadbolts.

‘Extra locks?’

‘We have a situation.’

The ghost shimmered in the corner of the room, her eyes fixed on me. Wade and Zeke carried on, impervious to her.

‘Sarah, are you listening?’ Zeke asked.

‘Yes,’ I said. The ghost smiled and winked at me. I ignored her.

‘I want you both out of here.’ Wade barked out his orders. ‘Go upstairs and pack. Bring enough clothes to stay away for a month or two.’

I stood, ready to lash out at Wade, but one look at Zeke changed my mind. His brow was furrowed with worry. ‘What’s happened? Where are we going?’ I asked.

‘Millport,’ Zeke said. ‘I need to go home.’

‘And you’re not safe here,’ Wade piped in. ‘Zeke’s going to tell you all about it, once you are on your way.’ Wade peered between the blinds again, surveying the street below us, keeping his eyes riveted on the foot traffic as he spoke. ‘I’m sorry, Sarah. I don’t mean to be short. Zeke will explain everything. I want you two on the road in fifteen minutes. You’re in danger. Can you please just go pack?’

‘I started to pack for you, but I didn’t know what you’d want to bring. Your typewriter is loaded up already. I put the extra ribbons, ink, and a case of paper in the trunk, too. I’ll take those.’ Zeke nodded at the sack of groceries I had carried in. ‘We can bring them with us. No meat, I suppose?’

‘Not a scrap,’ I said. ‘Do we have gasoline coupons?’

‘I’ve taken care of that,’ Wade said.

‘Of course you have.’ I sighed and left the room.

‘Stay away from the windows,’ Wade called after me.

With a shaking hand, I unlocked the door to our upstairs flat, frightened now, thanks to Wade Connor. I loved our flat. The bay windows faced the water, angled just enough to the west to allow floods of afternoon sun to fill the room.

The ghost stood before the window now, her image stronger than it was downstairs. She looked like the type of woman who rode horses over tall hedges while perched in a tiny saddle, fearless and bold. Her hair shimmered with golden light. She wore an evening dress of cream silk. It fitted her body and flowed to the floor like liquid pearls.

‘Why have you come?’ I asked. Although I could see ghosts, most of the time I couldn’t hear them. I pointed to a scratch pad which sat on the table near the sofa. ‘Can you write your answers?’

She floated over to the tablet in that particular way of ghosts.

‘Good. I’m going to pack.’ I turned my back on her and headed down the hall toward our bedroom. Zeke’s suitcase sat on the floor. Mine lay open on the bed, ready to be filled with the clothes I would need. Something about Wade’s manner and the look on Zeke’s face struck a chord with me. I realized with a start that I had seen fear, not only in Zeke, but in Wade Connor as well. Urged on by this, I threw clothes into the suitcase without thinking or taking the time to fold them. I jammed the black Lanvin evening gown on top of the pile, not caring that the tiny pleats around the waistline would need to be ironed again – a tedious job that I loathed. I grabbed four sweaters and tossed them on top of the gown.

A blast of cold air on the back of my neck told me that my ghost had joined me. She stood by my small writing desk, holding the tablet that I had left for her to write on. When I moved close to her, she disappeared. Her writing was schoolroom perfect. I am Zeke’s sister-in-law, Rachel Caen. You must find the emeralds to discover who killed me.

Rachel had dumped all the sweaters I had packed onto the bed, and was now replacing them with cotton blouses and light-weight summer clothes. She folded the clothes and placed them in neat stacks inside my case. When everything was properly stowed, she snapped the latches in place with a resounding click. The smile she gave was a sad one. She pointed to the tablet on the table one more time before she disappeared. New handwriting had replaced her prior

About the Author

TERRY LYNN THOMAS grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back.

Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret is slated for release in March 2019. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 9
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, September 10
Excerpt at Bookish Rantings

Thursday, September 12
Review at Just One More Chapter (Book #1)

Friday, September 13
Review at Coffee and Ink (Book #1)

Monday, September 16
Feature at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Tuesday, September 17
Review at WTF Are You Reading? (all three)

Thursday, September 19
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, September 20
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #1)

Monday, September 23
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #1)

Tuesday, September 24
Feature at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #2)

Wednesday, September 25
Review at Passages to the Past (Book #1)

Thursday, September 26
Feature at I’m All About Books

Monday, September 30
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #2)

Wednesday, October 2
Excerpt at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #3)

Thursday, October 3
Review at Macsbooks (Books #1 &# 2)

Friday, October 4
Review at 100 Pages a Day (Book #1)

Sunday, October 6
Review at A Darn Good Read (all three)
Review at Spooky’s Maze Of Books (Books #1 & #2)

Monday, October 7
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #3)

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away one eBook of each title in the Sarah Bennett Mysteries series! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Sarah Bennett
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Book Tours

Madam In Silk

Book Tour

#GiniGrossenbacher #HFVBTBlogTours

@GGrossenbacher @hfvbt  

Madam in Silk

By Gini Grossenbacher

Publication Date: July 15, 2019
JGKS Press
eBook & Paperback; 476 Pages

Series: The American Madams, Book 2
Genre: Historical Fiction.

 

San Francisco,1849. Despite her objections, twenty-year-old Ah Toy and her servant Chen voyage from China to San Francisco with her husband who dies on board ship. With little cash and bound feet, how is she to find employment in the Gold Rush town? Since she is the only Chinese woman there, she opens a “Lookee Shop,” catering to miners who pay in gold dust to see her exotic beauty. As her notoriety grows, so does her attraction to the devoted policeman, John Clark. Yet should she put her faith in one man? Will their love survive despite her frightening encounter with Sydney Ducks, threats from rival madam Li Fan, and a tempting offer from Henry Conrad who promises her wealth and security? Armed with her mystical beliefs of the inner dragon and Goddess Mazu, Ah Toy faces much more than the journey from the ancient ways in China to the new world in America. In fact, she must find the true source of courage in a life or death struggle for her own fate, justice, and dignity. Based on page-turning accounts about the life of Ah Toy, one of San Francisco’s most legendary madams.

“Readers were effusive in their praise of Gini Grossenbacher’s dynamic debut novel Madam of My Heart, based on the life of the infamous brothel owner Belle Cora. This, the prequel to her American Madams Series, is inspired by the life of a beautiful young Chinese woman of high birth brought to California against her will. She was able–and willing–to do whatever it took to find security and fortune in Gold Rush San Francisco. Madam in Silk is this year’s exciting addition to historical fiction.” -Cheryl Anne Stapp, Author of Disaster & Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush Through the Civil War

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

Listen to your Inner Dragon 🐉…..

Madame In Silk, is Gini Grossenbacher’s second novel in The American Madam Series.

Ah Toy, finds herself along with her dedicated lifelong servant Chen, on a ship bond for San Francisco. Her life takes a sudden twist when her husband dies on the voyage. Stepping off the ship she finds herself in the rapidly expanding world of the San Francisco Gold Rush.

In a Tragic turn of events her dead husbands well laid plans comes a halt. Ah Toy is now destitute, and struggles to find employment. With time running out and her resources depleted. Her lotus bond feet were once highly prized in her native Guangzhou, but actually have handicapped her making everyday walking a trial. She decides to capitalize on her one true aspect, her extraordinary beauty. With help from her devoted Chen she opens a Lookee Shop.

Gini Grossenbacher, has written a vividly descriptive, atmospheric, intriguing, well-written and irresistible historical fiction here, that I absolutely loved and was thoroughly impressed by. The characters were extremely interesting, compelling, and definitely held my full attention. Exquisite prose, with great pacing and depth, Victorian San Francisco comes to life within the pages of this beautifully atmospheric, compelling novel. Ah Toy’s narrative voice allows you to struggle along with her and Chen as the find themselves facing obstacles and dangers on all sides.

Grossenbacher, writing ability shines through in the details of the interaction between the characters themselves. To me the the strength of the novel is the trials and tribulations that the main protagonist has survived through. Fierce and inspirational, Ah Toy must listen to her inner dragon to find her way in this truly stunning beautifully written historical fiction.

As her notoriety grows, so does her attraction to the devoted policeman, John Clark. Yet should she put her faith in one man? Ah’s relationship with Chen, is definitely worth noting, his complete devotion to her was truly heartwarming.

This is a touching, raw, heartbreaking and an absolutely wonderful novel that had me emotionally engaged and interested throughout the entire book. I was completely immersed in this deeply moving and beautifully written story here. I connected with and absolutely loved Gini Grossenbacher writing style.

This well researched historical fiction was incredible, I am definitely looking forward to reading the next installment in her series.

I also enjoyed the selective placement of Li Po’s writing in the book. Li Po wrote occasional verse and poems about his own life. His poetry is known for its clear imagery and conversational tone. His work influenced a number of 20th-century poets, including Ezra Pound and James Wright.

The author touches on some critical subjects, the position of the Chinese immigrant in the Victorian era, and the foundation of the Californi’s 19th century sex trade

This is a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book

#GiniGrossenbacher #HFVBTBlogTours

About the Author

California author Gini Grossenbacher was a successful high school English teacher until she abandoned grades and term papers, choosing to write historical novels instead. Now she leads small writing groups and coaches other writers. She loves researching the history behind her novels, and enjoys traveling to the setting where they take place. Her hobbies include needlepoint, nature walks, and Scrabble. She lives in the Sacramento Valley where she grew up, east of San Francisco.

For more information, please visit Gini’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 23
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Wednesday, September 25
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Friday, September 27
Review at Reading is My Remedy
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Monday, September 30
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Tuesday, October 1
Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Thursday, October 3
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Friday, October 4
Interview at Passages to the Past

Monday, October 7
Review at Passages to the Past

Thursday, October 10
Review at @jypsylynn
Review at my.boys.mom

Friday, October 11
Review at Broken Teepee
Review at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Madam in Silk! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Madam in Silk
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Book Tours

Book Tour Sarah Bennett Mysteries Series by Terry Lynn Thomas

#SarahBennettMysteries #SarahBennett #HFVBTBlogTours 

The Spirit of Grace
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: November 26, 2017
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book One
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Sarah Bennett doesn’t remember the night her mother tumbled down the stairs at Bennett House, despite allegedly witnessing the fatal fall. There was talk of foul play, dark whispers, and sidelong glances, all aimed at Sarah, prompting her family to send her to The Laurels, an exclusive asylum in San Francisco, under a cloud of suspicion. Now, on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sarah has been summoned home. Convinced of her innocence, she returns to Bennett House, hoping to put the broken pieces of her life back together. But when another murder occurs shortly after her arrival, Sarah once again finds herself a suspect, as she is drawn into a web of suspicion and lies. In order to clear her name, Sarah must remember what happened the fateful night her mother died. But as she works to regain her memory, the real murderer watches, ready to kill again to protect a dark family secret.

Amazon

 

The House of Secrets
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Sarah Bennett has two secrets: she sees ghosts, and she is in love with a spy.

When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.

As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geisler’s life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.

Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr. Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

This book was received as an ARC from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Author,

Sarah Jane, is returning to her hometown Bennett Cove, a small town nestled just north of San Francisco. She has been summoned home by her father, after residing at The Laurels, a mental institution. Even after a year away she still has no recollection of what transpired the night of her tragic Mother’s death. How did Sarah end up over her Mother’s dead bod? Did she just fall down the stairs, or was she pushed? Sarah needs to find the answers, and clear her name. Many of the folks who knew her in Bennett Cove don’t believe she did it, but who did?

This wonderful murder mystery set in 1942, we get to experience the war and turmoil through Sarah Jane eyes. Tension is in the air as the people of San Francisco awaitan invasion from Japan. Gothic mystery mired in suspicion, lies and deception. The storyline combines historical events, with supernatural occurrences, suspense and a love story. What a page turner of a book, a creative who-done-it. The author has written a fantastic, tension-filled, perfectly paced novel with spies and intrigue.

Spine tingling book with lots of twist creative, enjoyable storyline that was one that I found myself totally drawn into and held my attention to the very end.

Highly recommend, I can’t wait to start the next book in this series

 

The Drowned Woman
by Terry Lynn Thomas

Publication Date: April 16, 2019
HQ Digital

Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Three
Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

Family secrets won’t always stay buried…

December 1937.

When Zeke’s sister-in-law Rachel Caen was found dead on Christmas Eve, her family assumed that she had taken her own life.

Now five years later, one of the emeralds that Rachel was wearing at the time of her death is discovered at a stonecutter’s house in Portland, Oregon.

With his brother Simon under suspicion for Rachel’s murder and stealing the emeralds, Zeke and detective Sarah are under pressure to clear his name.

But with troubles of their own and in need of a place to hide, the duo return to Zeke’s hometown where a spiritual force helps Sarah find another emerald…

All the fingers are pointing to Zeke’s family; how far will they go to protect their secrets? And will Sarah uncover the killer before it’s too late?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

 

TERRY LYNN THOMAS grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back.

Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret is slated for release in March 2019. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 9
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, September 10
Excerpt at Bookish Rantings

Thursday, September 12
Review at Just One More Chapter (Book #1)

Friday, September 13
Review at Coffee and Ink (Book #1)

Monday, September 16
Feature at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Tuesday, September 17
Review at WTF Are You Reading? (all three)

Thursday, September 19
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, September 20
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #1)

Monday, September 23
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective (Book #1)

Tuesday, September 24
Feature at Gwendalyn’s Books (Book #2)

@McLellanBooks @RRBookTours1 @Shanannigans81 #rrbooktours #blogtour, Book Tours

Blog Tour

In The Shadow Of The Hanging Tree

Michael McLellan1

Today I have something a little different for you! This blog tour is for two amazing novels by author, Michael McLellan. I will be sharing my review of “insert book title here”, in addition to excerpts from both books and a giveaway to enter!

32886177In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree

Publication Date: April 26th, 2017

Genre: Historical Fiction

In 1865 a shadow hovers over the nation: the shadow lingers still…

Born into slavery, Henry’s young life is spent working in tobacco drying sheds on Missouri plantations. Freed at the onset of the Civil War, he’s alone, starving, and on the run from Confederate militiamen.

Five years later, Clara Hanfield, the daughter of a powerful New York shipping magnate, escapes her tyrannical father and travels west in pursuit of John Elliot, the man she loves. John, a U.S. Army lieutenant, was sent to the Dakota Territory where he discovers a government conspiracy to incite an all-out war with the Indians; a war meant to finally eliminate them as an obstacle to the westward expansion.

Henry finds himself caught in the middle.

Aided by Clara, John, and his native ally, Standing Elk, Henry must battle hatred, greed, and the ghosts of his past during this turbulent and troubling time in American history

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

Emmet Dawson pulled the crumpled sheets of Henry and Eliza’s free papers from his coat and held them close to his face, squinting. “…Samuel Cromwell.” He held the papers out. “Can you read these?”

Henry averted his eyes. “No, sir,” he lied.

“No, of course you can’t. It’s not only near to impossible to teach a nigger to read but it’s also against the law—God’s and man’s.” He lowered the papers to his side. “These jayhawkers are burning and pillaging their way across our great state. They’re murdering innocent Missouri families in their sleep, then setting niggers loose on the land like a pestilence. That boy’s an orphan. His father, his mother, and his little baby sister were inside the house when it was set fire. They were unable to escape. We found their niggers a few miles away, riding their horses and leading their pigs just like they had the right to. We are at war, Henry. We are at war to save our families and our way of life.”

Emmet turned and looked at Bob. “Hang him with the others.”

Eliza let out an anguished wail and dropped to her knees where she began screaming hysterically. Henry tried to kneel down with her but Bob yanked the rope tight and wrapped it on his saddle horn. This left Henry standing at an awkward lean as he tried not to drag Eliza.

“What about the woman?” Bob asked.

Emmet Dawson looked down at Eliza appraisingly. “Shut her up and tie her to my wagon…and here,” he handed Bob the free papers. “Pin these to his shirt. There aren’t any free niggers in Missouri.” He gave Henry a final stony look then walked into the camp.

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This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

This McLellan’s third novel in a dramatic tale of the 1860s

A story of love, friendship, hatred, conspiracies, and murder.

An American historical fiction that that is blunt and unnerving in its realistic portrayal of the times right after the Civil War ended. The author has written a historical drama not for the faint of heart. It will definitely keep your attention with realistic dialogue and strong characterization.

A time when our government was expanding and wanting to put turbulent civil war behind. Our nation then turned its eyes to eliminating the American Native as an obstacle. A violent and heartbreaking portion of our history as a nation is written about amongst the pages of McLellan book.

The author paints a detailed observation into violent and tragic way in which our nation as a whole unethical treatment of non caucasian residents.

Strong well developed characters surviving under gut wrenching circumstances.

You will be instantly drawn in this compelling atmospheric historical fiction.

Gwendalyn

35618158American Flowers

Publication Date: July 7th, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Drama

*Triggers: Addiction, Abuse, Sexual Assault

Nineteen-year-old Chris Shafer and seventeen-year-old Allie Laughton came from similar backgrounds of neglect and indifference. Chris spent his childhood desperately trying to gain his alcoholic parents’ love. Allie was dragged through an ugly divorce before narrowly escaping being molested by her mother’s new boyfriend.

A chance meeting draws the two together and Allie is quickly caught up in Chris’ new-found lifestyle. Plagued by poor choices, Chris sets into motion a chain of events that drags them deeper into the murky world of meth. Ultimately pursued by both the police and Chris’ volatile tempered drug dealer, Chris and Allie are forced to confront their only real enemy: themselves.

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Excerpt

“You’re poison to that girl. You do see that?”

“We love each other and don’t want to be apart.”

“What do you know about love?” Jan suddenly spat, leaning forward in the easy chair and staring angrily at Chris.

“You listen to me. The only truly unbreakable love is that of a parent for their child. All the other kinds of love, like the kind you and that beautiful young girl in there think you have is fragile and weak, and saddest of all, fleeting. That kind of love can be broken in an instant”—she snapped her arthritis twisted fingers for emphasis, making more of a dry papery sound than a snap. “It can be broken by the smallest of indiscretions, or nothing more than a few poorly chosen words. Mostly it’s just worn away over time like the banks of that creek out there. And it’ll happen so slowly that you never even feel more than a faint tickle at the back of your mind. Oh, it can burn as hot as blue blazes for a moment, but eventually it burns out and leaves something entirely different behind…like the bed of ashes in the bottom of a woodstove after the fire’s gone out. Some folks still insist on calling it love, but it isn’t, not really. It’s obligation, it’s responsibility, it’s apathy. Often it just becomes who you are…what you’re accustomed to. Sometimes it even becomes hate.

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About the Author

Mike Author 1

Michael’s love of books began with Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle when he was seven-years-old. Later influenced by the works of John Steinbeck, Harper Lee, Stephen King, James Baldwin, and Cormac McCarthy, Michael developed his style of storytelling. A self-proclaimed blue-collar writer, he draws on his experiences and observations to bring relevant and compelling topics to life.

Michael lives in Northern California and when he’s not writing, he can usually be found wandering around the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges.

His body of work includes the 2014 novel After and Again, the 2015 novel American Flowers, and the 2017 novel, In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, as well as various shorts and essays.

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Michael McLellan2

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