Blog Tour and Giveaway: Time With Norma Jeane: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

Time With Norma Jeane: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas 

Publisher: Broadback (January 13, 2020) 

Category: Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Time Slip, Women’s Fiction 

Tour Dates March and April, 2020 ISBN: 978-1671646032 

Available in Print and ebook, 

258 pages 

Description Time With Norma Jeane: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

A young woman is hurled back to 1954 to spend a week with Marilyn Monroe. Together, they embark on their own personal journeys — one a coming-of-age — the other, Marilyn's journey, a struggle to reconcile with her past and perhaps change the future.

Praise Time With Norma Jeane: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

“A delightful and enthralling read! Elyse Douglas captured magic and put it on the page.”—Ambling Bookworm Reviews “This is just an astonishing read that will have you hooked on page one and won’t let go till the last. I read it all in one sitting and could not put it down.”—Donadee’s Corner Reviews

Praise Lost Mata Hari Ring: A Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

“I am amazed by the research done into her characters, especially since with this book it is a known woman from the past – Mata Hari. From the moment Trace falls back in time, the descriptions of people and towns created a vision in my mind and I could imagine myself there observing the situations. This book captivated me to the end! If you like books that delve into past lives along with time travel, this is a book you should pick up and read!”-Storeybook Reviews “I must say that the authors did a fantastic job in writing this book. I do not believe that time travel is possible nor do I believe in reincarnation. But while I was reading this book, I believed it was all possible. Part of me envied Trace Rutland for what she experienced, for the things she got to see. What an exciting thing! Well, except for the being thrown in prison part. Once I was about halfway through the book, putting it down for any length of time proved to be impossible.”- Lisa's Writopia “This book has it all mystery, romance , history. I really enjoyed it as I didn't really know that much about Mata Hari. I like historical fiction and this book was filled with history. I am not a believer in past lives but I found myself being drawn into the story and holding my breath to see what would happen next. A very well done story. I would recommend it if you like historical fiction.”-Mindy, A Room Without Books Is Empty

Excerpt

In the large, rustic kitchen, Marilyn opened a can of Campbell’s tomato soup, prepared grilled cheese sandwiches and poured each of us a coupe glass of champagne.  I was thrilled that she didn’t care if I was only sixteen.  

As she poured my glass full, she said, “I have to quote Coco Chanel at times like this, ‘I only drink champagne on two occasions.  When I’m in love and when I’m not.’”

With a naughty laugh, she lifted her glass, and we chimed a toast.

Marilyn’s hosts had a dog they’d taken with them, so fortunately there was dog food in the house for Sonny.  Marilyn slipped into the walk-in pantry, found a can and opened it with one of those old manual can openers. While she spooned the food into a plastic red dog dish, Sonny looked on, tail swishing, eyes bright.  Marilyn lowered to her haunches, watching in pleasure as Sonny chomped away.

“I’m so happy tonight, Darla,” Marilyn said, rising to her feet.  “I’m so happy you’re here and that you found Sonny. What a wonderful Christmas present.”

As we ate our dinner, Marilyn was full of plans and excitement.  

“Tomorrow I’ll take you to see Dr. Ellen Miles and she’ll make sure your ankle is okay.  Maybe she’ll have some crutches for you.”

“I don’t need them.  I can manage. The sprain isn’t that bad.”

“Whatever you think, Darla.  I’ll leave it up to you. After we see Dr. Miles, we’ll buy a Christmas tree, some groceries and…”  Marilyn glanced up, mid-thought. “Darla, you don’t have any extra clothes, do you?”

I shook my head, stirring my bowl of tomato soup.

Marilyn sat back, worried, a hand touching her neck.  “Honey, are the police looking for you?”

“No… Not at all,” I said, quickly.  “No. Nobody’s looking for me.”

“You do have family, don’t you?” 

I didn’t know what to say.  “Right now, I don’t have anyone.  That’s why I left.”

“Left where?”

I decided to lie.  “An orphanage.”

Marilyn teared up.  “Oh… God, honey.” 

She pushed her chair back, got up and came to me, offering a hug and a kiss on my cheek.  “So you ran away from there?”

I continued the lie.  “Yes… and I don’t want to go back.”

Marilyn hugged me again.  “No, honey. Don’t go back.  Don’t ever go back.” She paused, considering her words.  “Are both of your parents dead?”

What could I say?  I’d have to lie. “Yes…”

Another hug.  I decided to use what I knew to deflect from my story.  “You know what orphanages are like, don’t you, Marilyn?”

Marilyn straightened, her face turning sad, her eyes downcast as the dark cloud of memory changed her from a pretty woman to a shy girl.  She wandered back to her chair, but she didn’t sit. She stood behind it, staring into the middle distance, remembering.  

“Yes… I know.  I was born on June 1, 1926, in the charity ward of the Los Angeles General Hospital.  That has always bothered me. It shouldn’t, but it does. It was like I didn’t have a home when I came into this world.  It’s not right that a baby is born into this world without a home.”

“Didn’t your mother get sick?” I asked, watching Sonny trot over and lie at my feet, warm and contented.

“Yes… Yes.  When I was eight, she had a nervous breakdown and was committed to an asylum.  I was sent to live with my mother’s best friend, Aunt Grace. She was good to me, but when she lost her job with Columbia Pictures in 1935, she was forced to take me to the Los Angeles Orphans Home Society.”

“How old were you?”

“Let’s see… I think I was nine years old.”

“Let’s see… I think I was nine years old.”

“How long were you there?”

“On and off, about a year and a half.  We called it ‘The Home’. The ladies that took care of us were kind, but I couldn’t help feeling abandoned and lost.”  

A little smile formed, and she went into a private silence.  When she spoke, her voice was dreamy, just above a whisper. “And do you know what, Darla?  That orphanage was only seven blocks away from Tom Kelley’s Photography Studio.”

She paused, and I waited, rapt, our soup getting cold.

Marilyn lowered her eyes.  “Well… you know… Tom Kelley’s was where I posed for calendar photos in 1949.  When I modeled, I changed my name a lot. I was Jeane Norman for a while and then Mona Monroe.”

She giggled.  “I was never shy about my body, and I loved looking into cameras.  Sometimes I think I’m a better model than actress. I don’t know why, but I feel more comfortable doing stills than doing a scene in front of a movie camera.”

View Trailer Time With Norma Jeane: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

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About Elyse Douglas

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a master’s degree in English Literature. She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress and a speech-language pathologist. Douglas has worked as a graphic designer, a corporate manager and an equities trader. He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years. Website: www.elysedouglas.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglaselyse Facebook: www.facebook.com/elyse.authorsdouglas

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Giveaway Time With Norma Jeane: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas

This giveaway is for the winner's choice of print or ebook however, print is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends April 22, 2020,midnight pacific time.

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My Review

Time with Norma Jeane is another great time travel novel by Elyse Douglas. I love her books and I think this one is among my favorites by her. I enjoyed seeing her vision of how Marilyn Monroe was really like in 1954. I love how the character from the future, Darla, was able to bring out the vulnerable side of Marilyn. Darla not only was able to meet her role model; she met several that were relevant of the time. I was really surprised to see how Joe DiMaggio was portrayed. He was not a character I cared for at all, but it gave another reason why Marilyn was the way she was. I really wish this book was a little longer, so I could have spent more time with her. I was sad to say goodbye to her. 

I am giving Time with Norma Jeane five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy 1950s era and time travel novels. 

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.