Tag: @Julie_Klassen

Book

A Winter by the Sea

Gwendalyn’s Books

Hello Gracious Readers Welcome To My Stop On The Book Tour For

A Winter by the Sea By Julie Klassen

A Winter by the Seam

By Author: Julie Klassen

Series: On Devonshire Shores (Book 2)

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (December 5, 2023)

Length: (448) pages

Format: Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook

ISBN: 978-0764234286‎

Tour Dates: December 4 – 18, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Royalty comes to Sidmouth, bringing unexpected danger and the sweet possibility of romance. . . .

When the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter–the future Queen Victoria–rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal family’s male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they’ve invited secrets and intrigue into their home.

Meanwhile, Emily Summers longs to become an author. A local publisher offers to consider her novel if she will first write a Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily agrees and begins researching the area with help from the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she’s long held dear and her budding dreams for the future.

Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.

REVIEW

From The Desk Of Gwendalyn

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

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

A Winter by the Sea By Julie Klassen second installment in her charming On Devonshire Shores Series

Julie Klassen continues her delightful story of the Summers sisters along with their mother, who have Sidmouth a beautiful seaside town located in East Devon. Their reduction in funds has motivated them to open Sea View, a guest house for borders.

Set during the winter of 1819, which should have been a slower time, sees a surprise guest to the community of Sidmouth. England’s Prince Edward, his wife, and daughter Victoria arrive and have taken up residence at Woolbrook Cottage. Some of Dukes party of are lodging at Sea View. One in particular is the Duke’s private secretary, James Thomson. Mr. Thomson is captivated by Emily Summers, who literally dreams to become a notable writer seems to be at a standstill. Also to Emily’s confusion Charles Parker has returned, adding a proper love triangle. The two other boarders at Sea View that have accompanied the duke, are Antoine Bernardi the Prince’s Pastry Chief and the royal Keeper of The Plate, Selwyn During.

The Summer Sisters family Saga is such a rewarding reading experience. I treasured my time returning to Sidmouth shores and charming Sea View guest house.

Julie Klassen has written another richly detailed historical fiction, along with characters I have come to love and care about. The storyline involves Emily with Sarah as a tie in. Emily is so far my favorite Summer Sister, and I completely invested in her life, but I also was there for Sarah’s part. The royal family and future-Queen Victoria added so much to book. I am excited to read future books in this warm hearted and completely engaging book series.

☆☆☆☆☆

I highly recommend!

PRAISE FOR A WINTER BY THE SEA

• “Enlivened by historical details of the royal family’s 1819 visit to Devonshire, the narrative is propelled forward by an irrepressible protagonist whose spunk will easily win readers’ sympathy. This breezy and delightful installment is sure to satisfy Klassen’s fans.”— Publisher’s Weekly

• “A Winter by the Sea is a story about finding your purpose and realizing that the things we hope and pray for…might not always be the things we truly need…
The On Devonshire Shores series is truly a delight.”— Lauren, The Books Script

• “Julie Klassen has provided such a beautiful escape with this series…I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series and will be highly anticipating book 3!!”— Tasha, Clean Read Book Club

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Book Reviews

A WINTER BY THE SEACOVER REVEAL

Gwendalyn’s Books

Hello Lovely Readers

Welcome to my stop on the cover reveal for

A WINTER BY THE SEA

Julie Klassen

• Title: A Winter by the Sea

• Series: On Devonshire Shores (Book 2)

• Author: Julie Klassen

• Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction

• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (December 5, 2023)

• Length: (448) pages

• Format: Hardcover, Trade paperback, & eBook

• ISBN: 978-1250867551

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When the Duke and Duchess of Kent rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal couple’s male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they’ve invited mysterious secrets and the sweet possibility of romance into their home.

Meanwhile, Emily Summers approaches a local publisher in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. When he turns her down, his dashing competitor promises to consider her novel if she will first write a new Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily accepts and begins researching with the help of the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she used to hold dear and her budding dreams for the future.

Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

AUTHOR MESSAGE

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Dear Readers,

I am excited to give you an insider’s look at my December 2023 novel, A Winter by the Sea. This is the second book in the On Devonshire Shores series. Book One, The Sisters of Sea View, has been enthusiastically received and reviewed. I am grateful for each of you who helped spread the word about it!

During my research, I learned that the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their baby daughter stayed in Woolbrook Cottage (very near fictional Sea View) during the winter of 1819-1820. I instantly knew I wanted to include them in the novel to give readers a glimpse of the early life of Queen Victoria and her parents. The royal party arrived with too many attendants to accommodate at Woolbrook, so some were lodged elsewhere. I thought it would be fun to have a few staff members stay at Sea View, including a pastry chef who invades their kitchen, a man in desperate straits, and the duke’s handsome private secretary.

It was also interesting to write a seaside novel set during wintertime (it was unusually cold and snowy that year). Because I live in frigid Minnesota, cold weather details and sensations were easy to imagine. 😊

When I began writing this series, I had not yet traveled to Sidmouth, where the series is set. I am happy to say I was able to visit in August 2022 and was thrilled to experience this delightful town in person. The highlight of that trip was meeting the staff and volunteers of the Sidmouth Museum who have been extremely helpful in answering research questions and checking setting details for me.

A Winter by the Sea focuses on beautiful Emily Summers, who finds herself caught up in two rivalries. First, while striving to further her writing aspirations, Emily is torn between her loyalty to a well-established publisher & bookseller and his flamboyant competitor. Second, despite her best intentions, she is attracted to one of their new guests, but an old love comes to town, determined to renew their courtship.

I hope you are eager to return with me to the English seaside for Book Two of the On Devonshire Shores series. Thank you for all you do to support my books, and readers everywhere! 

Gratefully, Julie

AUTHOR BIO

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than a million copies and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also been honored with the Minnesota Book Award, Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

 

Book Tours

THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW

Gwendalyn’s Books

Hello There Gracious Readers

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour

The Sisters of Sea View By Julie Klassen

Book Information

• Title: The Sisters of Sea View

• Series: On Devonshire Shores (Book 1)

• Author: Julie Klassen

• Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction

• Publisher: ‎Bethany House Publishers (December 6, 2022)

• Length: (448) pages

• Format: hardcover, trade paperback, & eBook

• ISBN: 978-0764234262

• Tour Dates: November 28 – December 12, 2022

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .

When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.

Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family’s new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth’s many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars–both visible and those hidden deep within–and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

REVIEW

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

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

The Sisters of Sea View By Julie Klassen

Series: On Devonshire Shores (Book 1)

A Delightfully Charming Historical Fiction.

Author Julie Klassen, first installment in her new warm hearted series titled, On Devonshire Shores. Following their father’s untimely death, the Summer sisters along with their ailing mother, find themselves in dire circumstances. The Summer families reduced funds, threatened’s to separate them, the oldest sister Sarah takes things into her own hands. She convinces her other genteel sisters to open their home, the Sea View as a guest house, in the seaside town of Sidmouth. The area is known as a tourist destination off the coast of Devonshire.

The wonderful Historical details and beautiful drawn out characters made for a rich and rewarding reading experience. The first half of the book is set up perfectly, giving the reader much needed insightful information about the area around Sea View, along with its occupants. The storyline never drags, and keeps to a steady pace, which I found lovely.

Told in distinct multiple narratives, focusing on the three older sisters Sarah, Emily, and Viola. The paid guest staying at Sea View make for an interesting assortment of characters, and add some much to the story. As the sisters rise up to the new challenges that are presented to them, you will find them appealing and relatable. I cherished the light romance, with just enough angst to satisfy my romantic heart. To me the book looks at what it means to be humble, and to rise up to overcome obstacles either physically or socially, giving us strength moving forward.

This enduring book gives so many subtle nods to Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott, that will attract readers to its clever and witty characters.

I highly recommend this book to my family and friends, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this captivating series


VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW BY JULIE KLASSEN

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JULIE KLASSEN
An Exclusive Interview with Julie Klassen, Author of The Sisters of Sea View

 

ADVANCE PRAISE

• “Jane Austen fans will delight in this nimble series launch…Klassen excels at weaving her various story lines, each emphasizing the colorful qualities of her characters and allowing them the space to shine. Readers will be eager for the next installment.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF JULIE KLASSEN

• “Julie Klassen delights with a winsome love story…” —Publisher’s Weekly, on A Castaway in Cornwall

• “I couldn’t put it down! It you are a historical fiction fan you need this one on your radar! It was a spooky delight full of heart. ”—Anne Mendez, The Lit Bitch, on Shadows of Swanford Abbey

• “…a wonderfully engaging novel full of intriguing characters and storylines. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for more in the series.” —Laura Gerold, Laura’s Reviews, on The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS