The Myrtle Wand
by Margaret Porter

Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Gallica Press

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

The Myrtle Wand, a retelling and a continuation of the classic ballet Giselle, restores original story elements to transform a tale of blighted romances and betrayals into a quest for redemption and restorative love.

Princess Bathilde de Sevreau, her school friend Myrte, and the peasant girl Giselle have heard the legend of the vilis, ghostly maidens who rise from their graves by night to roam the forest, seeking revenge on faithless lovers. Each will fear being ensnared by that spectral sisterhood…

Bathilde, destined for a marriage of convenience with Albin, Duc de Rozel, leaves her ancestral château for the Sun King’s sophisticated and scandalous court. As participants in royal ceremonies and entertainments, the princess and the soldier gradually recognize their deep feelings for each other, as well as mutual hopes for a happy and satisfying union. But the tragic consequences of Albin’s brief masquerade as a commoner and the amorous Louis XIV’s quest for a mistress divide the betrothed couple. Together and separately, they must overcome conflicting duties and unexpected dangers to determine their fate.

Praise

“An absorbing and touching tale . . . a fully realized, moving portrait of the storied court of Louis XIV.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“Lushly atmospheric . . .rich with historical detail. Porter imagines the story behind the iconic Giselle, transporting us to France during the early reign of the Sun King.” ~ Leslie Carroll, author of Royal Romances

About the Author

MARGARET PORTER is award-winning, bestselling author of The Myrtle Wand (October 2022), The Limits of Limelight (September 2021), Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr, and twelve other historical novels. After studying British history in the U.K., she worked professionally in theatre, film, and television. A historian and avid traveler, Margaret returns to Great Britain and Europe for research. She lives in New England with husband and dog, dividing her time between an architecturally unique book-filled house in a small city and a waterfront cottage on one of the region’s largest lakes.

More information is available on her website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, October 11
Review at Novels Alive
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Wednesday, October 12
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks

Thursday, October 13
Review at A Potpourri of Opinions

Friday, October 14
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Saturday, October 15
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Sunday, October 16
Excerpt at Reading Is My Remedy

Monday, October 17
Review at Jorie Loves A Story
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, October 18
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Giveaway

Grand prize:

Autographed book, Giselle ballet t-shirt, The Myrtle Wand 15 oz. ceramic coffee mug, myrtle plant grown by the author

2 Runners up:

Autographed book

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on October 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Myrtle Wand

Our Daughters’ Last Hope
by Elaine Stock

Publication Date: September 19, 2022
Amsterdam Publishers

Genre: Historical Fiction/WWII
Series: Resilient Women of WWII, Book 2

 

 

A mesmerizing story, set during one of the world’s most harrowing carnages, of two mothers as they cross enemy lines for the sake of their daughters’ futures.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands 1940 Herta, and her family, Jewish refugees, are living contentedly until the Nazi invasion, which echoes the persecution and fear they experienced before fleeing Germany. Across town, another wife and mother, Julia, also faces upheaval when her husband becomes more involved in the Nazis’ effort in controlling the world.

When their husbands go missing, one accused falsely of crimes and the other to fight on behalf of the Nazis, Herta, despite the heartache, takes charge and places her daughters into hiding believing they’ll keep safe. Meanwhile, Julia, as the only parent home, chooses to redefine family. These unexpected developments bring Herta and Julia together… until their true identities surface and they’re thrown into dangerous consequences that could harm not only them but their daughters.

Following We Shall Not Shatter, Book 1 of the Resilient Women of WWII Trilogy, this story of friendship questions whether two mothers, acting to ensure their children’s future, can put aside the issues of faith and heritage that could bring the Nazis right to their doorstep.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | Book Depository

About the Author

Elaine Stock writes Historical Fiction, exploring home, family and friendships throughout time. She enjoys creating stories showing how all faiths, races, and belief systems are interconnected and need each other.

Elaine’s grandparents, on both sides of her family, narrowly escaped World War II by immigrating from Poland and Austria to the US. Fascinated by the strong will of people to overcome the horrors from this era, she wrote We Shall Not Shatter, Book 1 of the Resilient Women of WWII Trilogy inspired by her deaf great aunt who was left behind as a teenager in Poland and perished in the Holocaust, while her other deaf siblings were permitted to enter the US when their young ages helped them to circumvent medically-revealing exams. Other extended family members also remained in Poland to lose their lives in the Holocaust.

Although multi-published in award-winning Inspirational Fiction, and a past blogger and online magazine contributor, Elaine now pens novels for the General reading audience. She is a member of Women’s Fiction Writers Association and The Historical Novel Society. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she has now been living in upstate, rural New York with her husband for more years than her stint as a city gal. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and of course, a good book.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 19
Feature at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, September 20
Review at A Baker’s Perspective
Feature at What Is That Book About

Monday, September 26
Review at The Page Ladies

Tuesday, September 27
Feature at Reading Is My Remedy

Thursday, September 29
Review at Books, Writings, and More

Friday, September 30
Feature at Coffee and Ink
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Our Daughters’ Last Hope by Elaine Stock (paperback or eBook, winner’s choice).

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on September 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Our Daughters’ Last Hope

The Other Side of Certain
by Amy Willoughby-Burle

Publication Date: September 21, 2022
Fireship Press

Series: Love for Certain, Book 1
Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

For the love of love…and books

Mattie Mobley planned to be a teacher, but when times grew tough during America’s Great Depression, and there were no teaching positions in her hometown of Asheville, NC, Mattie found work starting a school and helping the Pack Horse Librarians just over the mountains in the rural town of Certain, Kentucky. She’s not certain at all that this is a good situation, but she’s determined, and honestly, a little desperate. Of all the things that Mattie does have—money, comforts, a good name, she doesn’t have what matters most—friends, love, and a purpose of her own.

Daniel, “The Grizzly Bear,” Barrett had a lovely life for a little while. Overcoming his family’s bad name and worse reputation, he made a life for himself in Certain. He was married with children and a figure of respect in his church, but desperate times called for desperate measures and a terrible tragedy was the result. Now exiled with his children along the wily run of the Hell for Certain Creek, Daniel has gotten used to being the town pariah again. It’s in his blood after all. Right? Maybe not, but he’ll need the powerful influence of love not only to change his own mind about himself but to convince his estranged extended family and the whole town as well.

Can one librarian with a saddlebag full of books make people see the difference between fact and fiction? Mattie loves a good story, and this may be her best one yet. Fiction tells the best truths and the best truth of all is love.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise

“As a fan of southern fiction, I had high expectations for The Other Side of Certain, and Amy Willoubhy-Burle exceeded them all. She weaves an inspiring story of redemption and finding home in a rough-around-the-edges town that both intrigues and entertains from page one. Simply put, the book is lovely! With thought-provoking dialogue, characters you can’t help but cheer for, and poignant symbolism, Burle tackles the topic of hell on earth and in man-displaying God’s grace and mercy throughout. The ending will leave readers with a smile on their faces and hope in their hearts.” -Beth Pugh, award-winning author of The Valentine Proposal and The Santa Run

“Welcome to Certain, where mountain legends sway minds and secrets rule hearts. The Other Side of Certain is richly grounded in research, taking the reader on a sweeping journey. In the midst of the Great Depression, Mattie and Daniel discover the power of hope and the beauty of second chances.” -Rachel Scott McDaniel, award-winning author of The Mobster’s Daughter

“Amy Willoughby-Burle’s The Other Side of Certain is a heartwarming, enduring tale of how libraries in even the most remote, impoverished towns can change lives since books are ‘so much more than little black words on a white page.’ Reading opens up new worlds for those involved and learning to read helps them heal to love again. A smashed stained-glass window becomes a metaphor for broken things being restored in this small Kentucky locale where many things are uncertain. The author carefully reconnects the shattered, colorful pieces of her character’s journeys and situations into a beautiful and memorable design.” -Delores Topliff, author of Books Afloat, Christmas Tree Wars, and Wilderness Wife

About the Author

Amy Willoughby-Burle grew up in the small coastal town of Kure Beach, NC, and now lives in Asheville, NC with her husband and four children. She teaches creative writing and works as a freelance editor when not working on her own fiction. She is also the director of Wildacres Writers Workshop. She is the author of the novels The Lemonade Year and The Year of Thorns and Honey. Her award-winning short fiction has been published in numerous journals and in her collection, Out Across the Nowhere. Her fiction focuses on the importance of family and friends and centers on the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and finding beauty in the world around us. She likes to write about the wonder and mystery of everyday life.

Visit her online at www.amywilloughbyburle.com. You can also Amy on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Wednesday, September 21
Review & Excerpt at Books, Cooks, Looks

Thursday, September 22
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Review at McCombs on Main

Friday, September 23
Review at A Baker’s Perspective

Monday, September 26
Review at Reading is My SuperPower

Wednesday, September 28
Excerpt at Heidi Reads
Review at Novels Alive

Thursday, September 29
Excerpt at Novels Alive
Review at Books Less Travelled

Friday, September 30
Review at Bookworlder
Review at View from the Birdhouse

Monday, October 3
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Tuesday, October 4
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, October 5
Review at Tammy Reads

Thursday, October 6
Review at Older & Smarter

Saturday, October 8
Excerpt at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, October 11
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink
Review at Robin Loves Reading

Wednesday, October 12
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Friday, October 14
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Giveaway

Enter to win this fun prize package including:

Tote Bag
Journal & Pens
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Paperback copy of The Other Side of Certain

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on October 14th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Other Side of Certain

Shoot the Horses First: A Collection of Histories
by Leah Angstman

Publication Date: February 28, 2023
Kernpunkt Press
Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook; 238 pages

Genre: Literary / Historical / Short Stories

 

 

***Finalist for the Shorts Award for Americana Fiction***

Through a historian’s lens and folkloric storytelling, the pieces in SHOOT THE HORSES FIRST revel in the nuances, brutality, mythology, and tiny victories of our historical past. A launderer takes us inside the linens of the richest families in early Baltimore. A child on the Orphan Train has his teeth inspected like a horse. Civil War soldiers experience PTSD. While one woman lands on an island of the Wampanoag tribe, a woman 200 years later finds Apache in a harsh frontier. Children survive yellow fever, the desert heat, and mistaken identities; men survive severed fingers, untested medicines, and wives with obsessive compulsive disorders. Frederick Douglass’ grandson plays violin at the World’s Fair on Colored American Day, a woman with disabilities is kept hidden away like she doesn’t exist, and a botanist is denied her place in a science journal because she is female. Themes of place, war, mental illness, identity, disability, feminism, and unyielding optimism throughout harrowing desperation resurface in this collection of stories that takes us back to time immemorial, yet feels so close, and all too familiar.

Available for Pre-Order

Praise

“I’m astonished by the historical breadth in this collection of stories and by the sensibility that unites them. It’s a thrill to be dropped, so vividly, into such a wide variety of settings and periods—and even more of a thrill to discover the strong new voice of Leah Angstman. Read it!”
—Ethan Rutherford, author of FARTHEST SOUTH and THE PERIPATETIC COFFIN AND OTHER STORIES

“In SHOOT THE HORSES FIRST, Leah Angstman blasts readers from the Twitterfied nowscape into the manifest past—to an America connected by the burgeoning railroad and shattered by civil war. As inventive and complex as the era itself, these sixteen fictions of nineteenth-century friction contain surprises on every page. Whether it’s an impromptu snowball fight on a battlefield during a ceasefire or a wayward orphan finding hope at the end of the line, Angstman astonishes us with complicated characters and crystal-clear prose. She is the literary heir to Shelby Foote, Willa Cather, and E. L. Doctorow. Get off the internet and read this book!”
—Ryan Ridge, author of NEW BAD NEWS, HUNTERS & GAMBLERS, AMERICAN HOMES, SECOND ACTS IN AMERICAN LIVES, WEIRD WEEKS, and OX

“Rudyard Kipling said, ‘If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.’ Nothing demonstrates the wisdom of that better than SHOOT THE HORSES FIRST by Leah Angstman. This is an immersive, expansive, and unforgettable collection of fictional histories. Drawn from various points in America’s past and clearly well researched, these stories are harrowing and hopeful by turns. All through, there are unexpected kindnesses and betrayals and acts of heroism and transformation. Characters so deeply wrought they seem to leap off the page. Soaring and vast and lyrical, this book is a must-read.”
—Kathy Fish, author of TOGETHER WE CAN BURY IT, RIFT, and WILD LIFE

“Angstman’s work is a joy to read. These characters see their worlds in the way that we see ours: naturally, and independent of the vastness of time in which life eventually situates itself in memory. Each one of these stories breathes troubling, beautiful life into the history that inspires it. The exhaustive research that must have gone into this collection lives in an easy harmony with the stories it undergirds, and it’s Angstman’s chief achievement here to strike that balance with poise and grace. Fear, love, heartache, and wonderment: it’s all right here, between both worlds.”
—Schuler Benson, author of THE POOR MAN’S GUIDE TO AN AFFORDABLE, PAINLESS SUICIDE

“SHOOT THE HORSES FIRST puts the ‘story’ in history. With scholarly rigor and the soul of a bard, Leah Angstman weaves tales of defiance and resilience that bring the past to life and show us what endures.”
—Jennifer Wortman, author of THIS. THIS. THIS. IS. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE

About the Author

Leah Angstman is also the author of the historical novel of seventeenth-century New England, Out Front the Following Sea, available now from Regal House, and the novel of the French Revolution, Falcon in the Dive, forthcoming from Regal House in spring 2024. She serves as the executive editor for Alternating Current Press and The Coil magazine and is a founding Quartermaster member of the American Battlefield Trust. Her work has appeared in numerous journals, including Publishers Weekly, Los Angeles Review of Books, and The Nashville Review. She’s recently been a finalist for the Laramie Book Award, Chaucer Book Award, Eric Hoffer Book Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Da Vinci Eye Award, Clue Book Award, Richard Snyder Memorial Prize, Cowles Book Prize, and Able Muse Book Award; a semifinalist for the Goethe Book Award; and longlisted for the Hillary Gravendyk Prize. This is her first collection of short stories.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Medium | Ello | Mailing List

The Highlander’s Tudor Lass
by Heather McCollum

Publication Date: August 22, 2022
Entangled Publishing/Scandalous

Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Brothers of Wolf Isle, Book 3

 

 

Callum Macquarie would give anything to go back to the Highlands and Wolf Isle. Instead, he’s stuck circling an undefended English castle in too-tight breeches, longing for his bed and his plaid. But he has an oath to keep: to bring home the bonny Anna Montgomerie and her sister before that devil of a blaggard pirate Jundeau finds them first. Only the lass he’s come to rescue has no interest in going back to Scotland with him. Or ever.

To hell with Callum and his oath. Anna won’t step one foot in Scotland—no matter the danger. Not after what she’s left behind, and not while there’s a chance she can remain in England. But she has a plan. And the only hitch involves a braw, fiercely protective highlander who refuses to leave…and whose touch burns hotter than fire.

Now Anna and Callum are caught between the threat coming for Anna. Staying means danger. Leaving means death. And a blazing attraction that could spoil everyone’s plans.

Each book in the Brothers of Wolf Isle series is STANDALONE:

* The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal
* The Highlander’s Pirate Lass
* The Highlander’s Tudor Lass

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Heather McCollum is an award-winning, historical romance writer. With over twenty books published, she is an Amazon Best Seller and a Readers’ Choice winner.

The rugged beauty and rich history of Great Britain captivates Ms. McCollum each time she visits. The country’s history and landscape have been a backdrop for her stories since her very first book.

When she is not dreaming up adventures and conflict for brawny Highlanders and feisty heroines, she spends her time educating women on the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. She is a survivor and resides with her very own Highland hero and three spirited children in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Grave Intervention
by Shira Shiloah

Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Salty Air Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

The Past Rarely Stays Buried

Dr. Amir Hadad, a successful radiologist, hears an intruder. Hiding in the dark, the stranger whispers, “I can’t rest.”

Alarmed and unwilling to risk his family’s safety, Amir contacts the police. Only there is no trace of an intruder, no marks of forced entry. If there is a stalker afoot, the police cannot find him.

As the days wear on and Amir continues to hear the same disembodied voice speaking to him, he worries about his sanity. The Irish lilt has escalated from pleas for help to threats unless Amir helps the voice find rest – and revenge.

Inspired by true events set in Naperville, Illinois, Dr. Shira Shiloah takes readers through suspenseful twists and turns in her latest novel. GRAVE INTERVENTION, a paranormal medical suspense, blurs the lines between real and imaginary to expose the hidden side of a historical suburban town.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise

“Shira Shiloah creates a masterful story of intrigue… Grave Intervention will appeal to thriller and mystery audiences, as well as those who appreciate a solid story filled with satisfyingly unpredictable twists and turns throughout.”
—Midwest Book Review

“Real life stressors collide with mysterious hauntings in Shira Shiloah’s newest thriller, Grave Intervention. A beautifully drawn family drama that encompasses fascinating history and realistic medical scenes, Shiloah presents a unique and compelling story of life, love and the power of forgiveness.”
—Tammy Euliano, MD Author of Fatal Intent and Misfire

“Grave Intervention by Shira Shiloah is very frightening, and I had goosebumps while reading. The story had my attention from the beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat… The characters… were introduced in such a way that I felt I would never forget any of them. Well written and has a good pace; the chapters just flow into each other.”
-Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review

Notable Winner, 2022 Gutsy Great Novelist Chapter One Prize.
—Selected by Joan Dempsey

About the Author

Dr. Shira Shiloah released her debut #1 bestselling medical thriller, EMERGENCE, in 2020. Her upcoming psychological thriller, GRAVE INTERVENTION, will be released September 20, 2022. Drawing on her unique observations as an anesthesiologist and novelist, she creates authentic characters and true-to-life medical scenes.

Dr. Shiloah received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee and completed her Anesthesiology residency at Northwestern University. She believes reflective writing can help physicians address conflicting emotions about their professional roles and give deeper meaning to their heroic work.

As a former hobby-writer turned bestselling author, Dr. Shiloah helps other aspiring writers start, complete, and sell their writing with a simple step-by-step formula that turns writing dreams into debut novels.

Before choosing Memphis as her hometown, Shira lived in Brooklyn, Jerusalem, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. She enjoys traveling the world with her husband and relaxing with her rescue pup.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Witch of Tin Mountain
by Paulette Kennedy

Publication Date: February 1, 2023
Lake Union Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

In Depression-era Arkansas, something wicked has come to a haunted mountain town in a novel of uncanny suspense by the author of Parting the Veil.

Blood and power bind three generations of women in the Ozark Mountains. So does an evil that’s followed them across the decades.

1931. Gracelynn Doherty lives peacefully on Tin Mountain, helping her adoptive granny work her cures. Despite whispers that the women are witches, the superstitious locals still seek them out, whether they suffer from arthritis or a broken heart. But when evangelist Josiah Bellflower comes to town touting miracle healing, full bellies, and prosperity, his revivals soon hold Tin Mountain in thrall—and Granny in abject fear.

Granny recognizes Josiah. Fifty years ago, in a dark and desperate moment, she made a terrible promise. Now Josiah, an enemy, has returned to collect his due.

As Granny sickens and the drought-ridden countryside falls under a curse, Gracelynn must choose: flee Tin Mountain and the only family she knows or confront the vengeful preacher whose unholy mission is to destroy her.

Available for Pre-Order

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Praise

“With LGBTQ representation, Kennedy’s captivating second novel is perfect for historical fiction readers who enjoy a bit of witchcraft, folklore, and mystery.” —Booklist

“Kennedy weaves an achingly beautiful tale full of dark folklore, powerful women, and spine-tingling suspense. Deirdre’s and Gracelynn’s stories will grab you by the heart and stay with you long after the last page.” —Hester Fox, author of A Lullaby for Witches

“Brilliant and enthralling, The Witch of Tin Mountain left me breathless. Gracie and Deirdre are two unforgettable characters, and their stories twine in an intricate braid of complex beauty. Kennedy has secured her place as one of the very best in historical fiction.” —Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow

“Kennedy’s sophomore novel weaves a mysterious, gorgeous tale that spans three generations of witches living in Arkansas—and the man who haunts them. A stunning work filled with fear, dark folklore, an Ozarkian voice that grabs you by the throat, and suspense that will keep you guessing, The Witch of Tin Mountain is the perfect read for a bleak winter’s day under the covers…with a flashlight.” —Maria Tureaud, author of The Last Hope in Hopetown

“Hauntingly atmospheric and crackling with life, The Witch of Tin Mountain is an unforgettable story of family, magic, love, hypocrisy, and the power—for good or evil—we all carry with us. The richly painted Ozark setting leaps from the page, and all three interlaced story lines are captivating, heartbreaking, and triumphant in equal measure. I inhaled this book in two days. Witchy readers won’t want to miss it.” —Allison Epstein, author of A Tip for the Hangman

“Atmospheric and haunting, The Witch of Tin Mountain flawlessly weaves folklore and history into a compelling generational story of love, evil, and magic. With vivid characters and an immersive dive into the beauty and superstitions of her native Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy delivers a darkly captivating novel that readers will devour.” —Erin Litteken, author of The Memory Keeper of Kyiv

“Paulette Kennedy has surely cast a spell with The Witch of Tin Mountain. This multigenerational saga beautifully illuminates a little-known (and often misunderstood) corner of America and its history while also providing spine-tingling, eerie chills and thrills along the way. I absolutely devoured this spooky, atmospheric book!” —Alyssa Palombo, author of The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel

“Kennedy beautifully captures the earthy, rural, charismatic traditions in her native Ozarks…Gritty and atmospheric, her alluring sophomore novel weaves spiritualism, demons, feminism, and folklore with more than a few twists before the book’s satisfying ending. I loved every page!” —Constance Sayers, author of The Ladies of the Secret Circus and A Witch in Time

“The Witch of Tin Mountain is a skillfully plotted home run about three generations of strong women who are bound by history and a curse. Kennedy will delight you with unexpected twists and turns where suspicions and accusations rule the land. Thoroughly enjoyed, a true feast for readers everywhere.” —Andie Newton, USA Today bestselling author of A Child for the Reich

“The Witch of Tin Mountain is lush, gripping, and deliciously creepy. Paulette Kennedy, author of the standout debut, Parting the Veil, transports readers to the heart of the Ozarks, a place as brutal as it is hauntingly beautiful, and the home of three generations of women whose special powers make them the target of an evil man set on destroying them. With elegant prose and captivating storytelling, Kennedy spins a fiercely feminist page-turner about the power of love, loyalty, and family—reminding us that it’s the women in our lives who give us strength and provide a light during our darkest hours. This spectacular sophomore novel proves that Kennedy is an author to watch, in the world of gothic fiction and beyond.” —Elissa Grossell Dickey, author of The Speed of Light and Iris in the Dark

“The Witch of Tin Mountain drew me in from the very first chapter. Paulette Kennedy takes readers on a journey across generations into the heart of the Ozark mountains where women rise above sexism with cleverness, strength, and—if you listen to the ne’er-do-well traveling preacher—witchcraft.” —Jennifer Bardsley, author of Sweet Bliss

“Electrifying! This multigenerational tale that travels across time and space is woven together like a delicate tapestry, and it will stay with you long after the last page.” —Mansi Shah, author of The Taste of Ginger and The Direction of the Wind

“Rich with sense of place, brimming with historical detail, and deliciously spiced with authoritative dialect, this tale of women’s resourcefulness and passion and power is pure magic. Kennedy knows the Ozarks and is uniquely qualified to bring the Ozarks culture alive. A thoroughly readable novel!” —Louisa Morgan, author of The Great Witch of Brittany

About the Author

Writing historical fiction for the romantic-at-heart reader who craves page-turning twists and a touch of the supernatural, Paulette Kennedy infuses her stories with realistic detail to create a cinematic, immersive experience for the reader.

As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her novels and what her characters might have experienced in the past.

Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, Paulette now lives with her family in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, January 9
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Tuesday, January 10
Excerpt at The Lit Bitch
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss

Wednesday, January 11
Review at The Page Ladies

Thursday, January 12
Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Friday, January 13
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Feature at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy of The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on January 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Witch of Tin Mountain

Under a Veiled Moon
by Karen Odden

Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Crooked Lane Books

Genre: Historical Mystery
Series: An Inspector Corravan Mystery, Book Two

 

 

In the tradition of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, a fatal disaster on the Thames and a roiling political conflict set the stage for Karen Odden’s second Inspector Corravan historical mystery.

September 1878. One night, as the pleasure boat the Princess Alice makes her daily trip up the Thames, she collides with the Bywell Castle, a huge iron-hulled collier. The Princess Alice shears apart, throwing all 600 passengers into the river; only 130 survive. It is the worst maritime disaster London has ever seen, and early clues point to sabotage by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who believe violence is the path to restoring Irish Home Rule.

For Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan, born in Ireland and adopted by the Irish Doyle family, the case presents a challenge. Accused by the Home Office of willfully disregarding the obvious conclusion, and berated by his Irish friends for bowing to prejudice, Corravan doggedly pursues the truth, knowing that if the Princess Alice disaster is pinned on the IRB, hopes for Home Rule could be dashed forever.

Corrovan’s dilemma is compounded by Colin, the youngest Doyle, who has joined James McCabe’s Irish gang. As violence in Whitechapel rises, Corravan strikes a deal with McCabe to get Colin out of harm’s way. But unbeknownst to Corravan, Colin bears longstanding resentments against his adopted brother and scorns his help.

As the newspapers link the IRB to further accidents, London threatens to devolve into terror and chaos. With the help of his young colleague, the loyal Mr. Stiles, and his friend Belinda Gale, Corravan uncovers the harrowing truth—one that will shake his faith in his countrymen, the law, and himself.

“The tragic crash of the Princess Alice makes for a thrilling set piece in the triumphant return of Inspector Michael Corravan. When the disaster is dubbed an act of terrorism, the Irish-born Corravan goes back to his old neighborhood of Whitechapel to investigate. He finds “the Chapel” much changed by gangs, prejudice, and violence which threatens to engulf the people he loves and the city of London itself. Rich in emotion and historical detail, Under a Veiled Moon is a brilliant tale of the dark, thorny places where the personal and the political intertwine.” —Mariah Fredericks, award-nominated author of the Jane Prescott series

About the Author

Karen Odden earned her Ph.D. in English from New York University and subsequently taught literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has contributed essays to numerous books and journals, written introductions for Victorian novels in the Barnes & Noble classics series, and edited for the journal Victorian Literature and Culture (Cambridge UP). Her previous novels, also set in 1870s London, have won awards for historical fiction and mystery. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and the recipient of a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Karen lives in Arizona with her family and her rescue beagle Rosy.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub | Goodreads

The Portraitist: A Novel of Adelaide Labille-Guiard
by Susanne Dunlap

Publication Date: August 30, 2022
She Writes Press

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

Based on a true story, this is the tale of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard’s fight to take her rightful place in the competitive art world of eighteenth-century Paris.

With a beautiful rival who’s better connected and better trained than she is, Adélaïde faces an uphill battle. Her love affair with her young instructor in oil painting gives rise to suspicions that he touches up her work, and her decision to make much-needed money by executing erotic pastels threatens to create as many problems as it solves. Meanwhile, her rival goes from strength to strength, becoming Marie Antoinette’s official portraitist and gaining entrance to the elite Académie Royale at the same time as Adélaïde.

When at last Adélaïde earns her own royal appointment and receives a massive commission from a member of the royal family, the timing couldn’t be worse: it’s 1789, and with the fall of the Bastille her world is turned upside down by political chaos and revolution. With danger around every corner in her beloved Paris, she must find a way to adjust to the new order, carving out a life and a career all over again—and stay alive in the process.

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Praise

“An imaginative work that brings the story of a little-known artist to vivid life.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Deeply researched and imagined, The Portraitist offers a fascinating and dramatic plunge into the world of a brilliant female artist, struggling to make her mark before and during the turbulent and treacherous era of the French Revolution. I loved this novel.” –Sandra Gulland, international bestselling author of The Josephine Trilogy

“Written with breathless drama, The Portraitist follows the rise of the gifted portraitist Adélaïde Labille-Guiard in Paris during the last years of the late eighteenth century. The novel is a luminous depiction of Paris and those terrible times seen through the astute, compassionate eyes of a woman who had to paint. Every bit of lace, or royal carriage or bloody cobblestone is alive in the writing. The rain drumming on the skylight and a misbuttoned coat speak. Go to those streets with this book in your hand to follow her footsteps and those long-gone turbulent times will come alive to you as if they were yesterday.” –Stephanie Cowell, award-winning author of Claude and Camille

“In The Portraitist, Susanne Dunlap skillfully paints a portrait of a woman struggling to make her way in a man’s world — a topic as relevant today as it was in Ancien Regime France. Impeccably researched, rich with period detail, Dunlap brings to life the little known true story of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, who fought her husband and society to make a name for herself as a painter to the royal family, the very apex of success– only to find everything she had built threatened by the Revolution. A stunning story of determination, talent, and reversals of fortune. As a lifelong Elisabeth Vigée-LeBrun fan, I am now questioning my allegiances!” –Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Country and Band of Sisters

“[The Portraitist is a] luminous novel of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, whose livelihood and longing for respect are threatened by the institutions that deny women artists their due, compounded by the tumultuous events of the French Revolution. Deftly written and impeccably researched. Highly recommended.” –Michelle Cameron, award-winning author of Beyond the Ghetto Gates

About the Author

Susanne Dunlap is the author of twelve works of historical fiction for adults and teens, as well as an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach. Her love of historical fiction arose partly from her studies in music history at Yale University (PhD, 1999), partly from her lifelong interest in women in the arts as a pianist and non-profit performing arts executive. Her novel The Paris Affair won first place in its category in the CIBA Dante Rossetti awards for Young Adult Fiction. The Musician’s Daughter was a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Bank Street Children’s Book of the Year, and was nominated for the Utah Book Award and the Missouri Gateway Reader’s Prize. In the Shadow of the Lamp was an Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award nominee. Susanne earned her BA and an MA (musicology) from Smith College, and lives in Biddeford, ME, with her little dog Betty.

For more information, please visit Susanne Dunlap’s website. You can follow author Susanne Dunlap on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, and BookBub.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, August 30
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Review at A Potpourri of Opinions

Wednesday, August 31
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Thursday, September 1
Review at Coffee and Ink
Feature at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Friday, September 2
Review at The Page Ladies

Sunday, September 4
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Monday, September 5
Feature at The Cozy Book Blog
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, September 6
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Wednesday, September 7
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Thursday, September 8
Excerpt at Books, Cooks, Looks

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy or Audiobook of The Portraitist by Susanne Dunlap!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on September 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Portraitist

Michael Angelo & the Stone Mistress
Steve Moretti

Publication Date: ‎April 30, 2022
DWA Media

Genre: Time Travel Fiction/Historical Fantasy

 

 

Michelangelo believed every block of marble held a statue inside it. Yet he knew that without deep personal sacrifice, it would remain forever hidden.

Five hundred years later, New York fashion photographer Michael Angelo Thomas falls in love with every woman who poses before his camera. He is driven to reveal what lies beneath the surface, stripping away the barrier between viewer and subject.

His finished photographs reveal the vulnerable beauty of each model. His work makes him the most sought after fashion photographer in 1994. But rather than enjoy his prestige, he lives a life of anguish, unable to form meaningful attachments or purge the demons of self-doubt and of losing both of his adoptive parents in a freak accident.

After the death of an aspiring young model that his photographs propel to international fame, he leaves New York for an assignment in Florence to photograph the world’s leading fashion models.

In the shadows of Michelangelo’s greatest triumphs, Michael discovers a secret that will change his life and those who desire to be closest to him.

About the Author

I have always been drawn to passion and creativity in all its forms. I am equally fascinated by the mechanics of the universe and the characters of history. I have a special affection for the power of music which I believe is the universal language of human emotion.

My writing journey started in journalism, public relations and advertising then continued into software development. I have been writing novels full-time for a couple of years now and recently completed my first series, Song for a Lost Kingdom.

I also co-authored a biography on the life of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and am currently finishing the first book of a new trilogy called Michael Angelo.

I grew up in London, Ontario (Canada) and also lived in Pompano Beach, Florida as a teenager. I moved to Ottawa and attended Carleton University and now live just south of the city with my wife and our two dogs.

I look forward to your feedback. Visit my website stevemoretti.ca for the latest news, or email me at steve@stevemoretti.ca anytime!