Felicity
Beaumont, the rebellious daughter of Louisiana elite devises a plan to move her
father’s illegally owned slaves north to safety using the gambling river boat
known as the Lucky Lady. Dressed as a young farm boy, she attempts to sell
family heirlooms to raise the funds she needs. Short the full amount, she
continues her ruse and bargains her way aboard the boat as their chaperone.
Charismatic owner of
the Lucky Lady, Jake McAlister doesn’t trust women, and when he discovers
Felicity’s subterfuge, he remembers exactly why.
While they find
themselves in agreement about helping the free men and women, they are at odds
over everything else, including their quickly escalating feelings for one
another. When caught between Felicity’s powerful father and the ire of a local
judge, they’re forced into a marriage neither wanted.
Can they make the best
of a bad situation? And, will gambling on love be a bust or reap them both a
happily ever after?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
Jake McAlister lifted his foot to the railing above the
Lucky Lady’s stern and lit a thin cheroot, its tip glowing bright red in the
dark night sky. His cargo hadn’t yet arrived, and he felt the first stirring of
concern. He’d asked permission to dock at this unfamiliar port under the guise
of making some repairs. To overstay his welcome would draw attention he didn’t
want or need. He’d give them twenty minutes and then…
“Excuse me, are you Jake McAlister?”
Jake raised his head. A young boy of no more than fifteen or
sixteen stood before him. “Can I help you, kid?”
“I’m here to arrange passage for some of my friends.”
The boy coughed out his words, and Jake had to stifle a
chuckle at the lad’s attempt to hide the obvious changes in his voice. “You’re
the one who contacted me?” Jake asked.
“Yes.” The boy shuffled nervously from one foot to the other
and kept his gaze narrowed on the ship’s deck.
“And, just where are these friends of yours?”
The boy let out a shrill whistle and a long line of blacks
came out from behind a nearby building, first the men, then the women and, finally,
the children. They arrived carrying their worldly belongings in a few large
satchels, a handful of worn burlap sacks and, surprisingly, one rather
expensive-looking steamer trunk. Jake counted heads as they came on board.
“I count four men, six women, and sixteen children. At fifty
bucks a head for the adults and twenty for the children, that comes to eight
hundred and twenty.”
“That’s right,” the boy confirmed, “how much extra for me?”
“I don’t take spectators on these runs, boy. The agreement is
to take the blacks north to freedom. From the looks of them, they don’t need a
caretaker, unless it’s to help them read.”
“My friends all know how to read, Mr. McAlister. And write.”
“Then they don’t need you, do they?”
“I’ve got the money.”
“Which you are going to give to me.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jumping Across
Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning
author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she
writes them all.
Like most
authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with
crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made
her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of
teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Nancy has
published over thirty-five books in full-length, novella, and short format.
When not
writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful
grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy
lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.
After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.
About the Author
Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children.
"Jennifer Deibel's debut is rich in atmosphere, family mystery, and sweet romance. A gem!" ~ Julie Klassen, author of The Bridge to Belle Island
"With an authenticity born of having lived in Ireland herself, the author deftly paints a lush landscape, colorful customs, and memorable characters with personal journeys of their own. This impressive debut marks Jennifer Deibel as an author to watch." ~ Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of Veiled in Smoke
"Fans of Catherine Marshall's Christy will want to clear room on their favorites shelf because this one's earned a place alongside!" ~ Kristy Cambron, bestselling author of The Paris Dressmaker and The Butterfly and the Violin
A Dance in Donegal will probably be in my top ten of best reads for 2021. I adored this book. The story is so so good. The historical details were so vivid, I felt as though I was transported back in time in the gorgeous and beauty of Ireland. I loved Moira right from the start.
A Dance in Donegal is getting a very well deserved from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading books clean Historical Fiction. I will be eagerly waiting for more by Jennifer Deibel in the future. She has earned herself a new fan.
I received A Dance in Donegal from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Book Title: A Rendezvous to Remember: A Memoir of Joy and Heartache at the Dawn of the Sixties by Terry Marshall, Ann Garretson Marshall Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18 +), 378 pages Genre: Memoir, Romance Publisher: Sandra Jonas Publishing Release date:Feb 2021 Tour dates: Feb 9 to Mar 1, 2021 Content Rating: R. This memoir contains mature themes, explicit sex scenes, one f-word, and occasional profanity.
Jack offers the military life Ann grew up with. Terry, a conscientious objector, will leave for the Peace Corps at the end of the summer—unless the draft board intervenes and sends him to jail. Her dilemma: she loves them both. Caught between the old mores and winds of change, Ann must make an agonizing choice.
In alternating voices, A Rendezvous to Remember presents firsthand accounts by the two who eventually married, enriched by letters from the rival, whose path led him elsewhere. Provocative and delightfully uncensored, this coming-of-age memoir, anchored in the tumult of the sixties, is a tribute to the enduring power of love and family.
Terry Marshall and Ann Garretson Marshall taught English in the Philippines as Peace Corps volunteers and later served as Peace Corps country co-directors in the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu. Back in the States, they worked side by side as community organizers and activists in Colorado. Terry went on to write fiction and nonfiction works on discrimination, poverty, rural development, and intercultural conflict. Ann has thirty years of experience as a writer, editor, and community-government go-between for issues related to nuclear and hazardous waste cleanup. Always seeking adventure, Terry and Ann have traveled to forty-three countries. They live in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The core of A Rendezvous to Remember is a trip that Ann and Jack took though Europe in the summer of 1964. As we were writing the memoir, Ann and I concluded we really needed to do that trip again—both to refresh her memories and to give me the lay of the land.
In the spring of 2014, we spent seven weeks in Europe following the trail Ann blazed with Jack in 1964—several short trips through Bavaria, then three weeks driving the route Ann and Jack took from Landshut, Germany, to Paris, Saint-Tropez, Nice, Monaco, Verona, and Lake Garda.
Jack had wanted to take Ann on a cruise down the Danube River, but he couldn’t work it in. So we (Ann and I) did it 50 years later—12 days on the Danube from Prague to Budapest. A grand time: gourmet meals, castle tours, a wine tasting, historic sights, stops in Regensburg, Vilshofen, Passau, Linz, Melk, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, and a side trip to Salzburg.
But best of all were the people we met, especially a young couple from Lima, Peru, on their honeymoon. We made friends, chatted away evenings with them, and, as we always do, invited them to visit us in Las Vegas.
They did. A year later they came to Las Vegas to celebrate their first anniversary. They stayed with us. We toured the city—the casinos, the shows, the shops, the restaurants, and the nearby countryside. And again, we chatted away the evenings.
So a couple of years later, Ann and I detoured to Lima on our trip to Patagonia, Argentina. We spent five days in Lima, staying with them in their small apartment. We cuddled their three-month-old daughter, joined them at work in their delightful coffee shop, hiked their childhood neighborhood, and partied with their extended families.
We still keep in touch. We follow their stories on Facebook and exchange emails regularly. Their gorgeous daughter now babbles on in both Spanish and English.
Our takeaway? Yes indeed, good, solid research for your story is a must. But more importantly, it can lead to discoveries you never imagined and never planned.—Terry Marshall, coauthor, A Rendezvous to Remember
Book Title: LEMAR AND HER MAGICAL PETS by Nesrine Sleiman Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 30 pages Genre: Fiction Pets General Publisher: Self-Published Release date:September 25, 2020 Tour dates: Feb 22 to Mar 5, 2021 Content Rating: This children's book is rated G.
Book Description:
Perhaps, Pets are more than best friends, they are a huge responsibility. Lemar
and her Magical Pets teach simple facts about pets and give children a glimpse of what it means to own a pet; that pets require lots of care and are hard work. Lemar finds a gemstone in her backyard. She will use it to ask for a pet. Little did she know that the gemstone will unfold the truth of owning a pet. With a little bit of time left to try over
and over again, will magic work for her after all? This children's book is full of unexpected magical Outcomes! Children will love to read it over and over again.
Nesrine is a full-time preschool teacher for more than ten years. Nesrine holds a degree in child development and is currently working on a master's degree in Family and Human Development. Nesrine loves to read fantasy
books and believes in the magic of hard work! Currently, she is working on books two of ,both, the Magical Gemstone Series and Learning Through Reflection Series. More on the personal side, Nesrine loves white flowers, horses, birds, and is fascinated with ants’ teamwork.
I
am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the REBEL DAUGHTER by Lori Banov Kaufmann Blog
Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the
giveaway!
A
young woman survives the unthinkable in this tale of family, love, and
resilience, set against the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
Esther
dreams of so much more than the marriage her parents have arranged to a
prosperous silversmith. Always curious and eager to explore, she must accept
the burden of being the dutiful daughter. Yet she is torn between her family
responsibilities and her own desires; she longs for the handsome Jacob, even
though he treats her like a child, and is confused by her attraction to the
Roman freedman Tiberius, a man who should be her sworn enemy.
Meanwhile,
the growing turmoil threatens to tear apart not only her beloved city,
Jerusalem, but also her own family. As the streets turn into a bloody battleground
between rebels and Romans, Esther’s journey becomes one of survival. She
remains fiercely devoted to her family, and braves famine, siege, and slavery
to protect those she loves.
This
emotional and impassioned saga, based on real characters and meticulous
research, seamlessly blends the fascinating story of the Jewish people with a
timeless protagonist determined to take charge of her own life against all
odds.
Based
on an incredible true story!
AUTHOR
NOTE AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:
Additional
back matter includes an Author Note, which gives historical context and
explains author’s inspiration for the book. Included as well is an historical
overview by an eminent scholar of the period.
CHARACTER
DRIVEN HISTORICAL FICTION:
Fans
of THE RED TENT and THE DOVEKEEPERS will appreciate this incredibly detailed
and accurate depiction of historical events, woven within a richly told and
emotionally complex story of growth.
STRONG
EMPOWERED FEMALE HEROINE:
Despite
the constraints of society and the savagery of war, Esther is an independent
thinker exploring her identity and her faith—and showing unimaginable strength
in the face of trauma.
HISTORY
BROUGHT TO LIFE:
The
destruction of the Temple in 70 CE by the Romans is a crucial part of the
Jewish story, but it’s often lost amid more well known historical legends. The
depiction of Esther’s faith is realistic and moving to a modern audience.
FAITH:
The
role of faith and family obligation is explored in depth.
The
story will resonate with people who love Biblical history, Israel and stories
about faith, courage and family bonds.
REVIEWS:
“Esther’s
remarkable, mysterious, and meticulously researched story is one that demands
to be told.”—Kirkus Reviews
“The
writing is clear, smooth, and accessible. An engaging story for historical
fiction fans.”—School Library Journal
"Riveting!"
Allegra Goodman, author The Cookbook Collector
Selected
by the Junior Library Guild
My Review:
Rebel Daughter is my first introduction to the talents of Lori Banov Kaufmann and it definitely will not be the last. It was a great read for me. I loved the author’s vision of how Esther lived. The details were so vivid, I felt as though I was transported back in time. I could not put the book down.
Rebel Daughter is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading young adult historical fiction. I thought it was a great read and will be excited to read more by Lori Banov Kaufmann in the future.
I received Rebel Daughter from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Book
Trailer:
Q&A
1.Which
writer has had the greatest influence on you?
My
grandmother. Although she was never published, she always wrote short stories
and essays. Her passion for books and reverence for the written word had
a tremendous influence on me.
2. Advice?
Even though
I always dreamed of becoming an author, I never found a way to fit it into my
already bursting-at-the-seams life with 4 kids and a busy career. Finding
thirty minutes of "quiet time" to write seemed about as realistic as
running a marathon.
At the age
of 50, I figured it was either now or never. It took me another ten years to
finish so I'm hardly the best person to ask for advice! I wrote in those
stolen moments between work and family, carpools and laundry. But the thing is
- those stolen moments eventually add up.
I see myself
more as a cautionary tale than an inspiration! ! But I suppose, if I can do it,
you can too. It's never too late.
So my
advice? START!!
And my next
piece of advice? Don't give up, finish! Some writers sprint to the finish
line and some (like me) hobble. But if you keep going, you'll eventually get
there.
3.
Favorite childhood books
The Phantom
Tollbooth
The Happy
Hollisters - a mystery series for children. We used to get two every
month in the mail (remember what that is?) and my brother and I used to
fight over who got to read them first. I also remember pouring over the
biographies in the children's section of the library. I don't remember any of
the books but I still feel the distinctive ink and paper smell of that
neighborhood library and the blast of cold air from the noisy air conditioner.
4.
Favorite book
An
impossible question! There are so many outstanding books and incredible writers
working today.
5.Favorite
movies
I love
movies that take me back in time to exciting historical events, shown through
the eyes of someone there. Movies like Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List,
and Exodus to name a few.
6.
Becoming a writer
Like most
avid readers, I've always had romantic notions of being a writer. Struck by the
muse, writing into the wee hours of the night and all that.....Being a writer
always seemed more like a fantasy than a realistic career path.
So I never
actually decided to become e a writer. I did decide, though, to write this
particular 2,000 year-old- love story. When I heard about the gravestone of
Claudia Aster (on whose life Rebel Daughter is based), I was intrigued. I
wanted to know more and slowly - very, very slowly since it took me 10 years! -
I wrote her story. It still feels slightly pretentious to call myself a writer
but maybe when I see the published book, I'll feel like I earned the title!
8. Where
do you write?
My corner
desk in the attic, surrounded by piles of books, bills, recipes and other
unruly papers that refuse to be tamed.
9. Book
character most like me
Even though
I love to read about (and identify with) bold, adventurous heroines who change
the world, I'm probably most like Elizabeth Strout's grumpy Olive Kitteridge or
Agatha Christie's stubborn old Miss Marple.
10. Music
Any classic
Rock or old Country Music. When I'm sure my kids are at a safe distance away
(like in a foreign country), I've been known to crank up the Dolly Parton and
dance around the living room!
11. drink
Green tea
with fresh mint if I'm feeling like being nice to myself and instant decaf
coffee if not
12. Guilty
pleasure book
I never feel
guilty about the books I’ve read, only about the ones I haven’t.
13.REBEL
DAUGHTER takes us back in history to 70 CE, a tumultuous time for the
Jewish community in Jerusalem. What inspired you to write about this particular
period of time?
I didn’t set out to write about this
period. I fell into it by accident! I was inspired to write Esther’s story
after learning about the discovery of her two-thousand year-old gravestone, an
exciting and important archaeological find. It was the mystery behind the stone
that drew me in and made me want to know more. Who was she? How did a girl from
Jerusalem become a Roman woman buried in Italy?
And from
there, I began to research the time period. I was stunned that I knew so little
about one of the most formative eras in human history. It is a fascinating
period that has many parallels with our world today, especially the civil
discord and religious fanaticism.
14.You
tell the story of Esther, the daughter of a priest. Esther is brave, bold, and
unafraid in spite of the challenges she faces as a young woman, including an
impending marriage to a man she does not love. Did you face any
challenges in creating a character that was historically accurate yet infused
with the ability to see beyond what was expected of her?
Yes! That’s
a great question because of course girls in the first-century didn’t have the
freedom we’re used to today. Sexism was not only alive and well, it was
considered necessary for the proper functioning of society. And I was
absolutely committed to writing a book that was historically accurate. I felt
an obligation not only to the real historical people whose story I was telling,
but also to my readers.
So the
challenge was how to portray a bright, curious young woman who lived thousands
of years ago. For example, Esther had a thirst for knowledge, an innate human
trait. She wouldn’t have gone to school, of course, but scholars have
determined that there were women who were literate in first-century Jerusalem.
So she probably learned to read and write at home. And in Esther’s case, from
her father. I had to show how Esther navigated the very real gender barriers of
the time.
15.You
explore the daily life in Jerusalem in great detail – from chores and religious
practices to the struggles between the Jews and the Romans. Can you share a bit
about your research process?
I wouldn’t
call it a “process”! It was more like an obsession. I had a sense of obligation
to portray the time and setting as accurately as possible and a fanatic
attention to detail. I read literally hundreds of books, dissertations and
conference proceedings. I also worked closely with the leading historians of
this era. Luckily, I live in Israel and had access to the artifacts at the
Israel Museum, the archaeological sites all over the country, and the
world-class scholars at Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University. My “process”
is why this book took me 10 years to write! In retrospect, I realize that I
went completely overboard with the research but it truly was a labor of love.
16. What
were some interesting facts you discovered that did not make it into the book?
How much
time do you have? There are so many! My first draft of the book was over 1000
pages because of all the “interesting facts”. My editor insisted that I
couldn’t describe everything – how face cream was made from sheep fat or bread
baked in clay ovens.
17.What
do you hope readers take away from REBEL DAUGHTER?
I hope
readers are taken away! I want them to have the feeling of going back in
time. I want them to enjoy the trip. That’s my main hope. And if the experience
makes them see our own world in a new light, then that’s a bonus.
About
Lori Banov Kaufmann:
As
soon as she learned of the discovery of the first-century tombstone that
inspired Rebel Daughter, Lori Banov Kaufmann wanted to know more. She was
captivated by the ancient love story the stone revealed and resolved to bring
it back to life.
Before
becoming a full-time writer, Lori was a strategy consultant for high-tech
companies. She has an AB from Princeton University and an MBA from the Harvard
Business School. She lives in Israel with her husband and four adult children.
