Book Tour and Review: Ride the Mountain by Patrick Gooch

BOOK DESCRIPTION

BOOK REVIEW

Adam Livesey is a downhill skier, and a good one, but his life is about to take an unexpected turn. When he witnesses the death of his friend, a Russian ski jumper, Anatoly Vasiliev, a few whispered, nonsensical words put Adam in danger.

This is an exciting thriller set in the world of competitive skiing. I knew very little about this sport, but I learned a few things, and it was so interesting to follow the life of a competitive skier. I particularly enjoyed the way that skiing was combined with the Russian mafia and politics to create a compelling thriller. There’s even a bit of an enemies-to-lovers romance that fans of that genre will enjoy. This novel has many clever twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and at times when you think the story is over–it’s not. Skiers and fans of thrillers will love this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Zooloo’s Book Tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
(In His Own Words)

I studied History of Art, and lectured at the Central School of Art and Design in London. However, marketing was my main occupation; and in this role I have worked for a number of German, American and British companies.

Latterly, I joined the family trade development company, working principally with government departments of foreign countries. To relieve the tedium of long-haul flights and the four walls of rooms in impersonal hotels, I turned to writing.

Over time, I amassed a number of manuscripts, which were stored in the metaphorical bottom drawer. The number grew until, in exasperation, my wife declared I should either attempt to get them published, or she would.

In fact, she did submit the first novel; and, to date, ten have been published.

Patrick’s Social Media:

Twitter | Goodreads

BUY LINK

*Click on cover below for the buy link.

Sunday Post: Spring Cleaning

Thanks to @caffeinatedbookreviewer for hosting Sunday Post.

I’m sure winter is not quite over, but Spring Cleaning started this weekend. I worked quite a while, but haven’t made much of a dent in it yet. I have a lot of stuff to go through before I retire and we move in just a little over 6 months! Wish me luck. 

Bryson City, NC. About six more months til I’m living here. 

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG

On Tuesday I participated in Top Ten Tuesday: Books to Read When Time is Short

On Wednesday I reviewed The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke Dale

On Saturday I reviewed The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester

On Saturday I also reviewed Anywhere but Schuylkill by Michael Dunn for Indie Weekend.

NEXT WEEK ON THE BLOG

Next week I hope to review The Trouble with You by Ellen Feldman and Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber. For Indie Weekend, I will review The Mender by Jennifer Marchman and Hamelin Stoop and the Battle of Parthogen by Robert B. Sloan. I am also going to put up as many Indie Spotlights as I can next week. If time permits, I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday and Book Blogger Hop.

BOOK HAUL

What The Mountains Remember is set in 1913. A young girl’s circumstances change drastically after her father dies in a mining accident and her mother marries a rich man. But then she goes back to the mountains as part of one of Henry Ford’s “Vagabond” camping tours and to see her fiance, a man she’s only met once before. As the mountains begin to return her memories, she starts to awaken to the truths of her new privileged life.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue:

In 1910, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer’s retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie’s quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington.

A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt’s bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister’s dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house’s claim to fame–the murder of Isabelle Addington.

Long Time Gone: Sloan has one reservation about involving herself in a DNA experiment: she’s adopted. Grateful for a loving home, she’s never considered tracking down her biological parents. The results of her search are shocking. Sloan’s DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte”, who captured the nation’s attention when she mysteriously disappeared, along with her parents, in July 1995. Despite an exhaustive search, the family was never seen again, and no suspects were named in the case. Sloan is soon led to the town of Cedar Creek, Nevada, and she meets Sheriff Eric Stamos, whose father died while investigating Sloan’s disappearance.

That was how my week went. How About You? How was your week?

Blog Tour and Book Review: Kissing Kate by K. Lyn Smith

BOOK DESCRIPTION

“Benedick Kimbrell attempted to steal his first kiss from Miss Catherine Parker in the perfectly imperfect spring of 1808. But his hopes, then and since, were larger than fact.”

A LADY’S UNSPOKEN LONGING

Kate Parker is resolute in her quest for marriage, seeking a dependable match among Newford’s eligible bachelors. But behind her composed demeanor, Kate’s heart holds a stubborn affection for her less-than-dependable friend and an unspoken longing for a kiss that was never claimed.

A ROGUE’S LOST AMBITION

Years ago, Ben Kimbrell harbored ambitions, chief among them a kiss from Miss Kate Parker. Fate, though, had other plans. Now, his heart is weighted by family tragedy, his pain concealed behind a carefree charm. His reputation as an aimless rogue is well-earned, but beneath the façade lies a man who yearns for more.

AND A HEART WELL-GUARDED

When Kate sets her sights on Ben’s dependable cousin, a man who fits her expectations if not her heart, Ben can no longer stand idly by. His efforts to save her from a loveless match find the two of them paired together in a village production of Much Ado About Nothing. Tasked with crafting the enchanting sets for their town’s inaugural performance, their undeniable affection finds the perfect stage to blossom.

But for their love to flourish, Ben must reveal his true self and confront the shadows of his past. Can he find the courage to unlock his heart before it’s too late?

Kissing Kate is a heartwarming best-friends romance about finding the courage to choose happiness and the healing power of love. Set in the charming seaside village of Newford, each book in the Hearts of Cornwall series stands alone.

PRAISE FOR KISSING KATE

  • “I really enjoyed this book, and absolutely recommend it to historical romance readers who are looking for a “Hallmark” style read that offers real depth of character, beautiful Cornwall scenery, and a warm prosaic style.”— Bobbie Jo Fersten, Reading Historical Romance
  • “A sweet installment in the Hearts of Cornwall Series… I loved the progression of their feelings as they deepened from friendship to romance…This was my first read by K. Lyn Smith and I would pick up more!”— Genesis Aleman, Geny Reads  
  • “The growth of Kate and Ben is so much fun to watch, and I enjoyed the entire construct of them getting ready to perform a play for their town along with the cousins and friends…Kissing Kate is such a warm hug of a read! I recommend it.”— Michelle, Tales Untangled

BOOK REVIEW

This is a sweet “friends to lovers” romance that is a joy to read. The writing is so delicate and perfect for the period. The suspense that builds up every time Ben tries to kiss Kate makes me smile. It’s a pleasing and heartwarming romance that fans of historical romances will love. The customs and strict proprieties of that period are well described, as is the beauty of Cornwall. I felt transported to that place and time. The writing is so intricate. You won’t find a better-written romance, and you will find yourself cheering for Ben, Kate, and that kiss! 

AUTHOR BIO

K. Lyn Smith lives in Birmingham, Alabama, where she writes sweet historical romance about ordinary people finding extraordinary love. Her debut novel, The Astronomer’s Obsession, was a finalist for the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, while many of her other titles have been shortlisted for awards such as the American Writing Award, the Carolyn Reader’s Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the Maggie Award.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her with family, traveling and watching period dramas. And space documentaries. Weird, right?

WEBSITE | X (FORMERLY TWITTER) | PINTERST | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR K. LYN SMITH

K. Lyn shares her inspiration for the story and characters in Kissing Kate, the research process, and Regency era theater productions. Read the full interview here.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Audiobook Review: Hedging Your Bets by Jayne Denker #Romance

Gillian, who is divorced, has been trying dating apps to no avail. She has lots of curves and most of the guys these days seem to want a size 2. She is also a successful pharmacist and an avid gardener. When Noah moves in next door, the first thing he does is cut down his own hedges, not realizing he is ruining her design for the annual garden contest. And that’s just the first misunderstanding.

This is an enjoyable “enemies to lovers” romance. It is fairly clean with just a little spice. The biggest conflict in the book is that the men Gillian meets on the dating app and some of the people in the town judge her for her size. There is also a townsperson who has it out for her, and the reason is a little farfetched. As a plus-sized woman, I appreciated the fact that Gillian wasn’t another skinny protagonist. However, the author went a bit over the top with the fat shaming. The conflicts boil down to misunderstandings and Gillian’s size. I wish it was a little more complex than that. However, I liked most of the characters and it was a light and fun read.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was well done by Katelyn Levering and Nick Mondelli. However, I think two narrators were not needed for a light romance, and either one of them could have narrated the book well on their own.

My rating is 3..5 stars, rounded up to four on sites with no half-star option.

I received a free copy of the audiobook from Dreamscape Media. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Find Jayne Denker’s bio on her blog here. Read about her books here.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google | Kobo

WWW Wednesday: What Are You Reading 12/27/23

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking On a World of Words. 

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENT READ

This is the latest Eve Dallas. I’m only about halfway through, but it is COMPELLING. Teenagers are being murdered at clubs, and Eve is on the trail of the killer, who is injecting teens with a lethal substance while they dance, and then slipping away.

JUST FINISHED READING

I did a lot of reading while I was off for Christmas. 

CHRISTMAS PIE is another Christmas Story by Jodi Taylor, who always releases a short story on Christmas Day. This is my favorite one ever! For the last several years I’ve enjoyed the Christmas tradition of reading Jodi’s latest story, and I thank her for that. My review is here.

THE WOMAN IN ME by Britney Spears should scare the crap out of you, especially if you don’t have trustworthy people in your life. My review is here.

CHARLIE HUSTLE by Keith O’Brien shares all the dark secrets about Pete Rose, who I still think should be in the Hall of Fame. This isn’t published until April, so my review will come later.

WHAT AM I READING NEXT?

Publisher’s Description: 

As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.

I will start this soon. I’m doing a blog tour for this book with Austenprose PR later this month.

Inspired by the true events of the most notorious evictions in Irish history…

1861, Donegal, Ireland

Ten years ago Declan Conaghan’s father died in the Great Famine, and since then, Declan has kept his promise to keep his family out of the workhouse. But all that is threatened with the arrival of new landlord, John Adair. Adair is quick to cause trouble and fear among his tenants. When he turns them off his land, Declan has no option but to break his promise…

Declan is in despair until he receives a letter from America offering him the chance of a new life and salvation for his family. But it would mean signing up to the US Army and fighting for Lincoln. Despite knowing nothing of war, or US politics, Declan leaves behind all he knows.

Set against the wild landscapes of Ireland and the turbulent times of the American Civil War, this sweeping narrative takes us on an epic journey to understand the strength and endurance of the human spirit.

This is the only book on my Netgalley shelf that is late, but I also picked up the audiobook and I’ll be listening to it soon.

UPDATE

Christmas was wonderful. I’m back to work, but luckily I can listen to audiobooks while I drive, and that helps me keep up with my reading. Looking forward to New Year’s and the Rose Bowl. ROLL TIDE!!!

Book Blast: Something Borrowed by Rebecca Connolly

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Forsaking all others…

Gage Trembath is getting married. He is the only one who knows it, but the statement is true, nonetheless. The woman he had once loved has been married elsewhere for a time, and he can put off his own marriage no longer. The woman he has chosen to marry, without love, is sensible, quiet, musical, and amenable, which should enable him to have a good marriage and a content life. That is all he wants now, and Honora Berkeley makes the most sense.

Honora cannot believe that a handsome and wealthy man like Gage has any interest at all in marrying her, even without love. She certainly has very little to recommend her, but escaping her life of criticism and abandonment is something she cannot resist. But what about the woman Gage had once loved? The one who was perfect for him and the one who made him determined to abandon love? Are his feelings for her truly gone? Will Honora ever have his affection along with his respect?

Is a convenient, sensible marriage what Gage wants? Or will his capacity for love reignite under Honora’s influence?

PRAISE FOR SOMETHING BORROWED

  • 5 STARS “An excellent read…This book had me smiling, laughing, cheering, and crying.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than three dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She’s always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master’s degree from West Virginia University and is a hot cocoa addict.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X (Formerly Twitter) | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

GIVEAWAY

Author Rebecca Connolly has generously offered one print or digital copy (winner’s choice) and a $25.00 Amazon gift card as a giveaway chance to one lucky winner.

TO ENTER:

  1. LIKE & SAVE My Instagram post.
  2. FOLLOW me @BonnieReads777, Rebecca Connolly @author.rebecca.connolly, and @austenprose on Instagram.
  3. COMMENT sharing the most memorable gift that you ever received and why.
  4. TAG up to 5 friends in the comments. One additional entry per tag.

TERMS

Entrants must be US residents 18 years or older. The contest ends at 11:59pm Pacific Time, December 12, 2023. Void where prohibited. Not associated with Instagram or its affiliates, nor are they responsible for this giveaway. The winner will be chosen randomly from the entries and contacted by @austenprose as a direct message on December 13, 2023. The prize must be claimed by December 17, 2023. Please be aware of scam accounts!

Book Blast: A Brilliant Match by Jennie Goutet

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A love match would not do. She would make an advantageous matcha brilliant match!

At the age of nineteen, Lady Dorothea Rowlandson was practically on the shelf. Had she not suffered her father, the earl’s, untimely death weeks before last year’s season, she would surely by now be a married lady—the established wife of an illustrious peer. With such a regrettable delay, time was ever more of the essence if she wished to secure her own future and that of her sisters.

Miles Shaw holds an encumbered estate. It is only logical, therefore, that he commence the London Season on the hunt for a well-dowered wife. His personal code of honor requires he be upfront about this goal, so that he deceives no one. And as he fully intends to love and cherish the wife of his choosing, he will naturally bring as much to the union as he receives. After all, he is a landed gentleman with no shortage of charm.

When chance forced Miles and Dorothea to partner one another for the first dance of the first crush of the season, Fortuna could only have been in a funning mood. To have fostered so unsuitable a connection was nothing short of absurd. For what could a peer of the realm’s daughter and a gentleman of no consequence, with his pockets to let, possibly have in common?

PRAISE FOR A BRILLIANT MATCH

  • “This book was an absolute delight and without a doubt belongs on the reading list of any fan of sweet regency romance!”— Merilee Loves to Read
  • “A creative and delightful historical romance, especially for lovers of a good P&P-type story!”— My Literary Love

INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY

Author Jennie Goutet has generously offered one print or digital copy (winner’s choice) and a $25.00 Amazon gift card as a giveaway chance to one lucky winner.

TO ENTER:

  1. LIKE & SAVE my Instagram post.
  2. FOLLOW me @BonnieReads777, Jennie Goutet @aladyinfrance, and @austenprose on Instagram.
  3. COMMENT on my Instagram post sharing your favorite thing to bake during the holiday season and why.
  4. TAG up to 5 friends in the comments. One additional entry per tag.

TERMS

Entrants must be US residents 18 years or older. The contest ends at 11:59pm Pacific Time, December 5, 2023. Void where prohibited. Not associated with Instagram or its affiliates, nor are they responsible for this giveaway. The winner will be chosen randomly from the entries and contacted by @austenprose as a direct message on December 6, 2023. Prize must be claimed by December 10, 2023. Please be aware of scam accounts!

Good luck, and thanks for entering.  

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO

Jennie Goutet is the best-selling author of twelve Regency romances, including the Clavering Chronicles, Memorable Proposals, and Daughters of the Gentry series. Her books have received first place in historical romance for the New England Reader’s Choice Awards and have hit the number one spot in Regency Romance on Amazon. They have been featured on BookBub and Hoopla and are translated into five languages.

An American-born Anglophile, Jennie lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside of Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her best-selling proper Regency romances are set.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

Blog Tour and Book Review: Her Country Gentleman #HistoricalRomance #GeorgianEra

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London.

“Spring at Tribbley Hall,” by Sian Ann Bessey

When Charlotte’s grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister’s wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he’s also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William’s sheep’s disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

“Love of My Heart,” by Sarah M. Eden

Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

“Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire,” by Rebecca Connolly

Martha Smith wants to marry for love and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother’s approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha’s romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he’d already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he’s more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

ABOUT THE SERIES

The Timeless Georgian Collection is a new series featuring novellas set in England during the Georgian era (1714 – 1830). It is part of A Timeless Romance Anthology series published by Mirror Press — a curated collection of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. The collection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.  

THE AUTHORS

Sian Ann Bessey

Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she’s home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML’s “2013 Novel of the Year” and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award’s “2014 Novel of the Year,” Longing for Home: Hope Springs.

Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Rebecca Connolly

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She’s always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place.

She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master’s degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

BOOK REVIEW

I really enjoyed this trio of novellas set in the Georgian era. I appreciated that this anthology is full of historical details of a period with which I am not as familiar. The romances are clean, realistic, and engaging. Each novella has a strong cast of characters, and there are three charming plots provided from different, well-known authors. There is a theme throughout each novella of ladies who travel from the city to find unexpected romance in the country. There are delightful touches of humor, and because this is set in the country, there are lots of sheep! This anthology is full of delightful “city to country” stories and has inspired me to learn more about the Georgian era.

I received a free copy of this book from Mirror Press via Austenprose PR. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Self-Published Saturday: Silk

Self-Published Saturday is my effort to help self-published and indie authors promote their books. Indie authors have to do it all, and marketing may be the most daunting of all the tasks they have to take on. If I can help even a little bit, I’m happy to do it. Below is my review of Silk by Sophia Alexander. This is gorgeous, richly layered historical fiction with a hint of something more that takes it to another level.

Silk is set in 1899 in South Carolina. Caroline Corbett and her brother have moved to Kingstree, South Carolina to live with their uncle on his plantation. Caroline goes to work in the local sewing factory. She is soon joined by Anne, a relative of similar age. Together they find a niche in fashion. Her aunt and uncle are also searching for marriage prospects, and before long Caroline and Anne find themselves at a supper party crowded with eligible men. Caroline is soon being courted by the town doctor and a local farmer. But somebody else has plans too, and those plans may not bode well for Caroline.

This is not just a romance novel. It is compelling, well-researched historical fiction. It could almost be called a psychological thriller as well. There are certainly elements of that genre in this story. The characters are all well developed and I connected with them instantly, whether it was to love them or hate them. The history and prejudices of the period are so well researched and expertly woven into the story. The suspense added to this novel through the character of Jessie Bell really takes it to another level.

The ending contains a shock, but a promise for the future. I can’t wait to read Book 2.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophia Alexander writes character-driven historical fiction that grips readers’ emotions and surprises them with unexpected twists. A Lowcountry native, she is the author of the Silk Trilogy. Her writing is inspired by historical facts, genealogical investigations, intuitive guesswork, and fanciful romanticizations. Sophia is a graduate of the College of Charleston and lives with her family in Savannah, GA.

Sophia Alexander‘s new novel, Silk: Caroline’s Story, has garnered a clutch of accolades: finalist in the Historical Fiction category for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2021, finalist in the Family Saga category for the American Fiction Awards 2021, finalist for the Shelf Unbound 2021 Best Indie Book Awards, and longlisted for the Goethe Award 2022 by Chanticleer International.

Sophia’s Blog
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

BUY LINKS

Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble

*If you buy the book(s), please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books.  Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.

*Please click on the “share” buttons below and share these books with your Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress followers. A little bit of help from all of us will help self-published authors go a long way!


Book Review: A More Perfect Union

The review below is one I did for Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. This book just ripped my heart out. I saw it was classified as a romance, but it’s way more than that. It’s richly layered, deeply personal, extremely important historical fiction. This was an editor’s choice in the February 2022 edition of Historical Novels Review.

Henry O’Toole escapes the Irish potato famine of 1848 and comes to America, unprepared for the hatred against the Irish that greets him in New York. Changing his name to Henry Taylor, he eventually becomes a traveling blacksmith in Virginia, where he meets Sarah, who is enslaved on the Jubilee plantation. When they fall in love, an uphill battle awaits them as interracial marriage is illegal and considered immoral at that time. Also on the plantation is the enslaved Maple, who is actually the half-sister of the mistress of the house. Maple has been forcibly separated from her husband and child in order to serve her sister. Based on the story of the author’s own great-great grandparents, this is a novel that will captivate, shock, and yes, enrage the reader.

What a stunning debut novel by Tammye Huf! The extreme injustice of the time is so well portrayed that it had me in tears. The beautiful love story of Henry and Sarah is made all the better knowing that this is based on a true story. The chapters are divided into multiple points of view, which makes for a compelling read. The author does not hold back in portraying the evil of one man owning another, and the depraved reality of the lashes, neck rings, slave markets, and chains is brought forth for all to see. The truth about the so-called respectable men and women of that era is sobering, but the lights of hope woven into this story are shown in Henry, Sarah, and others who are willing to take risks in order to help. A More Perfect Union is a love story, but also a shocking and heart-rending look at the realities of slavery. It is a must-read for those who want to know the truth about the pre-Civil War South.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tammye Huf

(In her own words) Originally from the east and west coast of the USA, I have lived in the UK with my husband and three kids for the last twenty years. I love nothing more than to immerse myself into new places and experiences, and I love the way that books allow me to do that, traveling the globe or even back in time with the turn of a page.

Since earning my BA from Wellesley College, I have been a teacher of various ages and abilities as well as a copywriter and a translator. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing my short stories published in several literary magazines and being named the third-place winner of the London Magazine Short Story Prize 2018. My debut novel, A More Perfect Union, was published in the UK in October 2020 with Myriad Editions and will be published in the USA in January 2022 with Grand Central Publishing. 

BUY LINKS

AMAZON
AMAZON UK
BARNES AND NOBLE
TARGET
APPLE BOOKS