Blog Tour: Katherine's Wish by Linda Lappin

 

Katherine’s Wish

(Historical fiction/fictional biography)

Officially released in 2008,
now re released in 2021
250 pages
Wordcraft of Oregon

Goodreads

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Also Available From The Publisher / On Amazon

 

   

SYNOPSIS

In this dramatic, fictional retelling of New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield‘s final years, and of the events which led up to her meeting with P.D. Ouspensky and G. I Gurdjieff, novelist Linda Lappin transports the reader like a time traveler into Mansfield’s intimate world.
Scrupulously researched and richly evocative, the novel has been praised by Mansfield scholars as “creative scholarship.”
With vivid detail and beautiful language and style, Lappin has built on journals, letters, and diaries to fashion a true-to-life mosaic, using themes, motifs, and methods of Mansfield’s own writing.
Katherine’s Wish celebrates Mansfield’s deep love of life and its final message is a life-affirming one of joy and of wholeness achieved.

Finalist, ForeWord Book of the Year Award in fiction,
IPPY Gold medal in historical fiction,
honorable mention Hoffer Awards, honorable mention Paris Book Festival,
finalist Next Generation Indie Awards.

A radio play adaptation of Katherine’s Wish is forthcoming.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Lappin has published four novels:
The Etruscan (Wynkin de Worde, 2004);
Katherine’s Wish, dealing with the life of Katherine Mansfield (Wordcraft, 2008),
shortlisted for Foreward Book of the Year
and IPPY gold medal winner in historical fiction;
Signatures in Stone: A Bomarzo Mystery, winner of the Daphne DuMaurier Award
from RWA for the best mystery novel of 2013;
and Loving Modigliani: The Afterlife of Jeanne Hébuterne.
She is also the author of The Soul of Place: Ideas and Exercises for Conjuring the Genius Loci,
winner in 2015 of the gold medal in creativity in the Nautilus Book Awards.
She lives in Rome.

Visit the author’s website and her blog.
Follow the author on Facebook, and Twitter
Join her mailing list

 

READ AN EXCERPT (Print And Audio)

Discover Enthusiastic Reviews!

 

 

 MY REVIEW

Katherine's Wish is my first introduction to author Linda Lappin. After reading this one, it will not be the last book I read by her. It was interesting to find out that the character Katherine was based on a late nineteenth century writer, Katherine Mansfield. I thought the author did a wonderful job bringing this historical figure to life. I felt like I was transported back in time and was taking the journey with her. It was fascinating to see how she was portrayed, enjoyed getting to know her, and learning about her life. At times, I felt as though I could relate to her and felt a connection. One of my favorite parts of the book was when she met up with Virginia Woolf and saw how the two interacted. It was fun and entertaining. 

I am giving Katherine's Wish four stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction, based on real people from the past. I will be looking for more by Linda Lappin in the future to find out where her imagination will take her readers to next.

I received a digital copy of Katherine's Wish from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Double Idenity by Alison Morton

 

Alison Morton

on Tour

October 12-November 30

with

 

 

Double Identity

(Thriller)

 Release date: 1/7/2021
338 pages
Pulcheria Press

Goodreads

Buy It Here:
Our Bookshop

Also Available In All These Places

(Paperback Or Ebook)

 

   

SYNOPSIS

Deeply in love, a chic Parisian lifestyle before her. Now she’s facing prison for murder.

It’s three days since dual national Mel des Pittones threw in her job as an intelligence analyst with the French special forces to marry financial trader Gérard Rohlbert. But her dream turns to nightmare in London when she wakes to find him dead in bed beside her.
Her horror deepens when she’s accused of his murder. Met Police detective Jeff McCracken wants to pin Gérard’s death on her. Mel must track down the real killer, even if that means being forced to work with the obnoxious McCracken.
But as she unpicks her fiancé’s past, she discovers his shocking secret life. To get to the truth, she has to go undercover and finds almost everybody around her is hiding a second self.
Mel can trust nobody. Can she uncover the real killer before they stop her?
A stunning new thriller from the author of the award-winning Roma Nova series, fans of Daniel Silva, Stella Rimington and Chris Pavone will love Double Identity. 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alison Morton
writes award-winning thrillers
featuring tough but compassionate heroines.
Her nine-book Roma Nova series
is set in an imaginary European country
where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire
has survived into the 21^st century
and is ruled by women who face conspiracy,
revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue.

She blends her deep love of France with six years’ military service
and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction.
On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history. 

Alison now lives in Poitou in France, the home of the heroine of her latest two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity and Double Pursuit. Oh, and she’s writing the next Roma Nova story.

To find out more,
Connect with Alison on her thriller site.
or on her writing blog
Visit her on Facebook author page
Twitter  @alison_morton
Instagram
Goodreads
Alison’s Amazon page
And sign up to her Newsletter

 

READ AN EXCERPT

AND A Q&A!

 

 

My Review

Double Identity is a great start to the Mélisende Thrillers series. Alison Morton has written a great suspense filled mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from the start. There were a few twists and turns I did not see coming. This is one of those books that I could never predict as to what was going to happen next. It felt like I was taking a ride on a thrilling roller coaster. I loved every single page. 

I am giving Double Identity a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading action packed thrillers. I can not wait to find out what happens next from the Mélisende Thrillers series, Double Pursuit. 

I received a digital copy of Double Identity from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

   

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Hands On French Cookbook: Connect With French Through Simple, Healthy Cooking

Elisabeth de Châtillon

on Tour September 20-October 1st with 

  

The Hands On French Cookbook: Connect With French Through Simple, Healthy Cooking

(nonfiction: Healthy Bilingual French Cook Book and Language Book – French and English) Release date: 6/2/2021 144 pages Hands on French Goodreads 📚📚📚

Buy It Here: Our Bookshop

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

***

SYNOPSIS

If you think French food is complicated, decadent, and heavy, think again! If you think learning and exploring another language is difficult or boring, think again! And if you think cooking French food and learning French at the same time is impossible, teacher and home cook Elisabeth de Châtillon is here to prove you wrong. It might sound too good to be true, but THE HANDS ON FRENCH COOKBOOK is full of healthy, simple French recipes that you can make for friends and family while you learn not only the French language but also a little bit about French culture in a relaxed, fun, tasty way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elisabeth de Châtillon was born in France, has an MA in Education and Marketing, and has taught extensively in both the USA and Europe. She is also an accomplished home cook who enjoys sharing her love for French cooking by feeding her family and friends simple, good food. Her book, THE HANDS ON FRENCH COOKBOOK, was born from her combined love of teaching and cooking —and a desire to share that love and knowledge. When Elisabeth isn’t working or cooking, she likes stepping on her yoga mat, meditating, swimming in the ocean and lakes, walking in the beautiful outdoors, and traveling. She currently lives in Nashville, TN, with her husband, Ron, and Minou, her bilingual cat. To find our more, please visit her website. Follow her on Facebook, on Instagram, or on LinkedIn  

***

You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blog participating in this tour. Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter, as listed in the entry form below, and win more entry points!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] Global giveaway open to US residents 2 winners will receive a print copy of this book

***

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ REVIEWS AND AN INTERVIEW

My Review

The Hands On French Cookbook: Connect with French through Simple, Healthy Cooking is probably the easiest reading French cookbook I have come across. I was able to follow the directions and ingredients with no problem. Each recipe is in French, as well as, translated into English. My family’s favorite dishes were the Gratin De Pommes De Terre or Potato Gratin and Galette Des Rois A` La Crème D’Amandes or Kings’ Galette with Almond Cream. They were so delicious and look forward to making them in the future. 

I am giving The Hands On French Cookbook: Connect with French through Simple, Healthy Cooking a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for those who want to find an easy and authentic French cookbook. 

I received a soft cover copy of The Hands On French Cookbook: Connect with French through Simple, Healthy Cooking from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Church Of Tango: A Memoir by Cherie Magnus

Cherie Magnus

on Tour June 1-14 with 

 

The Church Of Tango: A Memoir

(memoir) 

 Release date: 2012 

292 pages 

Mirasol Press 

  Goodreads 📚📚📚

Buy It Here:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

***

SYNOPSIS

IWhen she couldn’t do anything else, she went to Paris. This is a story of survival that cuts across death, cancer, Alzheimer’s, loss of home and homeland and cherished heirlooms and possessions, loss of shared histories, of hope for one’s children, of hope for the future, of love. But it’s also about finding love and unexpected joy. And about listening to the music and dancing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cherie Magnus returned home to Los Angeles, California in 2014 after teaching tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina for eleven years. Before her South American expat adventure, she lived in France and Mexico. Cherie worked as a dance research librarian at the Los Angeles Central Library and was a dance critic for local newspapers. She is the author of the Death Dance Destiny Memoir Trilogy, which includes The Church of Tango. Her articles and reviews on dance, books, travel and international culture have been published in magazines, professional journals, and anthologies. To find our more, please visit her website. Follow her on Facebook, and Twitter

***

You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blog participating in this tour. Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter, as listed in the entry form below, and win more entry points!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] Global giveaway open to US residents 3 winners will receive a kindle copy of this book

***

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ REVIEWS AND A GUEST-POST

 

My Review

The Church of Tango is a fascinating memoir by Cherie Magnus. I admired her honesty throughout the pages. She does not hold back on her emotions or how she was able to find her way of coping with tragedy. The details of her adventures were entertaining. I liked her bravery, courage, determination, and how she used the love of tango. It was an overall a very good inspiration. I think so many readers who would be able to relate to it. 

I am giving The Church of Tango four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading about real people, issues, how they are able overcome a devastating loss and able to heal. I would love to read more books by Cherie Magnus and learn about her. 

I received a copy of The Church of Tango from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Island on Fire by Sophie Schiller

Sophie Schiller

on Tour May 18-31 with 

     

Island On Fire

(historical fiction) 

  Release date: March 1st, 2018 

272 pages 

  Goodreads 📚📚📚

Buy It Here:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

***

SYNOPSIS

In the lush, tropical world of Martinique where slavery is a distant memory and voodoo holds sway, Emilie Dujon discovers that her fiancé, a rich sugar planter, is unfaithful. Desperate to leave him, she elicits the aid of a voodoo witch doctor and is lured into a shadowy world of black magic and extortion. When the volcano known as Mount Pelée begins to rumble and spew ash, she joins a scientific committee sent to investigate the crater. During the journey she meets Lt. Denis Rémy, an army officer with a mysterious past with whom she forms an unlikely attachment.

During the journey, the committee discovers that Mount Pelée is on the verge of eruption. When they try to warn the governor, he orders them to bury the evidence for fear of upsetting the upcoming election. As the pressure builds, a deadly mudslide inundates Emilie’s plantation and she disappears. Lt. Rémy deserts his post and sets off on a desperate quest to rescue Emilie. But with all roads blocked, can the lovers escape the doomed city of St. Pierre before it’s too late?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophie Schiller was born in Paterson, NJ and grew up in the West Indies. She loves stories that carry the reader back in time to exotic and far-flung locations. Kirkus Reviews called her “an accomplished thriller and historical adventure writer”. Her novel, Island on Fire, is a historical novel about the worst volcanic disaster of the 20th century, the eruption of Mount Pelee on Martinique. She was educated at American University, Washington, DC and lives in Brooklyn, NY. To find our more, please visit her website, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

***

You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blog participating in this tour. Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter, as listed in the entry form below, and win more entry points!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] Global giveaway open to US residents 1 winner will receive a print copy of this book

 

***

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ REVIEWS AND AN EXCERPT

   

My Review

Island on Fire is a fascinating story. It is a perfect combination of love, action, horror, survival, suspense and history. With the eruption of the volcano, I had to find out what would happen next with the main characters. I stayed on the edge of my seat until the end. Even though the book is based on actual events, I had no way of predicting what would transpire on the following pages. I had to keep reading on until I was completely finished with the book.

I am going to give Island on Fire four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction based on real events. I would love to read more like this from Sophie Schiller in the future. She has earned herself a new fan. 

I received Island on Fire from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Monet and Oscar by Joe Byrd

Joe Byrd

on Tour May 3-28 with 

     

Monet & Oscar: Essence Of Light

(historical fiction) 

 Official release date: May 1st, 2021 

at Giverny Books 

300 pages 

  Goodreads 

  📚📚📚 

BUY THE BOOK HERE ***

SYNOPSIS

At the end of WWI, Oscar, an American soldier in a French Army hospital, learned of his mother’s death while recovering from his war wounds. He remained in France to search for his father, an Impressionist painter, whose identity his mother never revealed. Through curious circumstances, he’s hired to be a gardener for Claude Monet. Oscar jumped at the opportunity to further his landscaping career by working in Monet’s world-famous garden at Giverny. He hoped the most renowned Impressionist could help him find his father.​

Monet, tired and disheartened by his ailing health and deteriorating eyesight, took Oscar along on visits to his previous painting venues and allowed him to meet some of his art-world friends. These meetings provided insights into Monet’s life and art and clues to Oscar’s father’s identity. ​

On a train returning from Paris to Giverny, Oscar met and fell in love with Isabelle, a beautiful young American artist, who introduced him to the emerging 1920’s fashions and mores. She is the daughter of one of Monet’s major American clients, which interests him. Over Monet’s daughters’ objections, Isabelle and Oscar become regular guests at family gatherings as their infatuation blossoms into a unique love affair. Oscar’s past, present, and future collide in a way that he could not have anticipated.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joe Byrd‘s BS in Journalism and MA in Communications degrees inspired him to become a pioneer in electronic publishing. As a McGraw-Hill editor, he developed one of the first computer publishing systems. In the rapidly developing PC software industry, he co-authored one of his two books using PC desktop publishing software, the first for a major publishing house. He developed the first technical support website in the software industry. In his fifty-year career, he published magazines, wrote research reports, and developed conferences in the US and Europe for the digital photography industry. He launched one of the first digital photography dot coms. This is his first novel. To find our more, please visit his website, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

***

You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blog participating in this tour. Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter, as listed in the entry form below, and win more entry points!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] Global giveaway open to all 4 winners will receive a kindle copy of this book

 

***

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ REVIEWS AND AN EXCERPT

 

My Review

The talents of Joe Byrd shines through in his debut, Monet and Oscar. I thought this read was pretty good. As an artist, I enjoyed the historical details and learning more about Claude Monet. It was entertaining to get a glimpse of the author’s vision of how he lived. I was instantly drawn to the character of Oscar. I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen with him next. It was an interesting and unique story to read. I really liked it. 

Monet and Oscar is getting four and a half stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction based on real people. I am looking forward to more by Joe Byrd in the future. I am curious to see where his imagination will take his readers to next.

I received a digital copy of Monet and Oscar from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Madeleine: Last French Casquette Bride in New Orleans by Wanda Maureen Miller

Wanda Maureen Miller

on Tour April 12-16 with 

        

Madeleine: Last French Casquette Bride In New Orleans

(historical fiction/romance) Release date: April 1st, 2021 at Atmosphere Press 272 pages Goodreads 📚📚📚

Buy It Here

Amazon

***

SYNOPSIS

In 1728, beautiful, resourceful Madeleine Boucher is one of the last in a group of poor young girls given modest dowries in trunks, or casquettes, by the French government—then shipped off to America, where they are intended as wives for the French settlers in the Louisiana Territory. Despite a series of romantic travails, Madeleine remains dedicated to finding passion and securing the promise of her new adopted land, free from prejudices of the past.

EXCERPT

Excerpt from Chapter 4

Madeleine recoiled at his crudeness and shrugged out of his grip, only to fall against the railing as a huge wave drenched the decks. With one hand, Captain Beauchamp grabbed her around the waist to keep her from falling down the ladder; the other he kept on the railing. This time she did not protest. The two of them swayed in the wind taking comfort from each other’s warmth. Madeleine, who had never been in a man’s arms before, was amazed at how pleasant it was to lean against his hard chest.

“Madeleine,” he said gruffly, “why are you on this voyage to that godforsaken Louisiana territory? You are beautiful and clever enough to find a husband in France, even if you are not a de Mandeville.”

Madeleine stiffened in shock but remained in the protection of his arm. To his surprise, she did not pretend ignorance or indignation but asked with resignation, “How did you know?”

“I seem to recall the boarding clerk mistaking your name on the day we left. I was watching, do you not remember? I looked over the Company’s register of names. I have a copy in my cabin. There is no de Mandeville, only a Madeleine Boucher, serf’s daughter and servant of the de Mandevilles.”

Madeleine paled at his words. She lifted her head and tried to look at him in the darkness. The captain could feel her breath on his chin. If he lowered his head, he thought, he could kiss her. 

“What do you intend to do, Monsieur? What do you want from me? I will not beg you to keep my secret.” Nor will I give myself to you, she thought, straining away from his body as much as she could in his tight grip, but he did not let go.

“You silly chit, what do you think I want?” he bellowed. “Do you think I have to blackmail women into my bed? I don’t give a damn if you are the Queen of France or a woman of the streets. Mon Dieu, I don’t blame you for taking advantage of someone else’s mistake. That was quick thinking. Our countrymen in Louisiana are as class snobbish as they are in France.”

Madeleine relaxed in his arms again, “Then why did you not continue to pretend? Why did you shame me?”

“Ma petite, there is no shame in trying to be better than people think you are. The colonies are a good place to make a new start, but the French will forgive any lie except about family. That is sacred. Do you think you can carry it off?”

“Oui, I can carry it off. I must carry it off. I will never bow and scrape to anyone again.” She thought bitterly of her days at the estate.

The captain rumbled a low laugh in his chest, “I do believe you can. At any rate, no one will ever learn your secret from me.”

“Merci, Captain,” Madeleine lifted her head and grazed his cheek with her lips. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

(or Mo) grew up on an Arkansas farm in the 1940s and 1950s, got educated, moved to California, and taught college English. She has published six books —a historical romance, The French (1983); three textbooks, Reading Faster and Understanding More, Books 1, 2, and 3 (5 editions, 1976 to 2001); her slightly fictionalized memoir, Last Trip Home (2018); and now Book 1: Madeleine, Last French Casquette Bride in New Orleans. Retired, she plays pickle-ball and is working on Book 2: Solange, Daughter of Last French Casquette Bride in New Orleans. To find our more, please visit her website, and follow her on Facebook Visit the publisher, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter

***

You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blog participating in this tour. Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter, as listed in the entry form below, and win more entry points!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] Global giveaway open to all 1 winner will receive a book ($5 value) of their choice through Book Depositery

***

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ MORE REVIEWS AND AN EXCERPT

My Review

I thought Madeleine: Last French Casquette Bride in New Orleans to be a really good read. It is, also, the first book I have read by Wanda Maureen Miller and it will not be the last. I loved being transported back in time to the early eighteenth century. I enjoyed getting to know Madeleine. She grew on me more and more throughout the story. 

Madeleine: Last French Casquette Bride in New Orleans will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical romance. I will be looking forward to reading more by Wanda Maureen Miller in the future. This one should definitely not to be missed. 

I received a paperback copy of Madeleine: Last French Casquette Bride in New Orleans from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.