Book Review: Nothing is Forgotten by Peter Golden


Nothing is Forgotten by Peter Golden

Publication Date: April 10, 2018
Atria Books
Hardcover & eBook; 352 pages

Genre: Fiction/Historical/Jewish


From the beloved author of Comeback Love and Wherever There Is Light, comes a novel about the life-changing journey of a young man who travels from New Jersey to Khrushchev’s Russia and the beaches of Southern France as he finds love and discovers the long-hidden secrets about his heritage.

In 1950s New Jersey, Michael Daniels launches a radio show in the storage room of his Russian-Jewish grandmother’s candy store. Not only does the show become a local hit because of his running satires of USSR leader Nikita Khrushchev, but half a world away, it picks up listeners in a small Soviet city.

There, with rock and roll leaking in through bootlegged airwaves, Yulianna Kosoy—a war orphan in her mid-twenties—is sneaking American goods into the country with her boss, Der Schmuggler.

But just as Michael’s radio show is taking off, his grandmother is murdered in the candy store. Why anyone would commit such an atrocity against such a warm, affable woman is anyone’s guess. But she had always been secretive about her past and, as Michael discovers, guarded a shadowy ancestral history. In order to solve the mystery of who killed her, Michael sets out to Europe to learn where he—and his grandmother—really came from.

Featuring Peter Golden’s signature “vivid characters and strong storytelling” (The Washington Post), Nothing Is Forgotten changes our understanding of the impact of World War II on its survivors and their descendants, and will appeal to fans of novels by Anita Diamant and Kristin Hannah.

Praise

"Golden draws a vivid portrait of the Cold War era, but it is the complex and unexpected connection between Holocaust survivors and their descendants that turns this book into a page-turner.” (RT Book Reviews)

"Nothing Is Forgotten is a Russian nesting doll of plot twists across continents and decades. This cleverly constructed Cold War tale, based on gripping true events, keeps readers eagerly anticipating what lies at its heart." -Sarah McCoy, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Mapmaker's Children

"Both heartbreaking and mesmerizing, Nothing Is Forgotten is the sort of book you won't soon forget. Peter Golden starkly juxtaposes the joys of coming of age and first love with the startling revelation of a dark family legacy. Cold War Europe, lingering Nazi secrets, and the tragic history faced by millions of families not only bring this tale to life, but will keep you turning the pages." -Lisa Wingate, New York Times Bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

"Nothing is Forgotten is historical fiction at its finest. A sweeping tale full of humor and heartbreak, Peter Golden takes us on a journey from 1960s America across Europe to explore how inherited histories can follow us through generations and redefine families." -Karin Tanabe, author of The Diplomat's Daughter

My Review

5 Stars!

I only meant to read a page or two as I waited for my boys at the bus stop to get home from school, but Peter Golden's writing sucked me in and I was officially toast! Nothing is Forgotten is one powerfully moving novel, brilliant in execution, and an emotional roller coaster. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll root for the heroes and you'll fly through the pages to see if evil will finally get their due. I absolutely loved every page! I had so many passages highlighted on my eBook because there were so many good lines.

Golden is a master storyteller, equally deft with action scenes as he is with the romance aspect of the book. I fell in love with Yuli, she reminded me of a female Jason Bourne. And like in the Jason Bourne movies we are taken on an International adventure to Amsterdam, Russia, France, Germany, and back to the US. And we get to meet Picasso!

There was never a dull moment and it truly has everything I look for in a novel - danger, intrigue, mystery, romance, a smart & sassy leading woman, and a believable plot and Nothing is Forgotten had them all in spades. I am so excited to have found Peter Golden and I already ordered his other books. He's that good, folks! I highly recommend you checking out this book - you can thank me later :)

About the Author

Peter Golden is an award-winning journalist, novelist, biographer, and historian. He lives outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son. He is the acclaimed author of the novels Comeback Love, Wherever There Is Light, and Nothing Is Forgotten.

For more information, please visit Peter Golden's website. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 20
Feature at To Read, Or Not to Read

Tuesday, August 21
Review at Hoover Book Reviews

Thursday, August 23
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Monday, August 27
Review at Creating Herstory

Wednesday, August 29
Feature at Maiden of the Pages

Friday, August 31
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, September 3
Feature at Donna's Book Blog

Thursday, September 6
Review at The Caffeinated Bibliophile

Sunday, September 9
Feature at Clarissa Reads it All

Monday, September 10
Review at A Book Geek

Tuesday, September 11
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 5 copies of Nothing is Forgotten! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on September 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Nothing is Forgotten


Interview with Janet Benton & Lilli de Jong Giveaway



Hello Janet and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about Lilli de Jong!

To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your novel Lilli de Jong?

I grew up in Connecticut, live in Pennsylvania, and lived lots of places in between. For my work, I mentor writers (helping them start and finish books) and teach writing workshops through my business, The Word Studio (www.thewordstudio.us). I also write fiction and essays and give lots of talks about my novel and writing. I was a religious studies major in college, and I have an MFA in English/fiction writing. I’m a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, an aunt . . .

What inspired you to write Lilli de Jong?

When I became pregnant and had a baby, I understood both how profound these realities are and how under-appreciated and unsupported the hard work of mothers often is. Then I came upon an article about unwed mothers in the European past, who in most cases were forced by prejudice to give up their babies and sometimes became wet nurses to earn a living despite their “stain.” I began reading about these women in the American past, and the voice of an unwed mother began coming into my head. She became Lilli de Jong, a young Quaker teacher, who becomes pregnant out of wedlock, gives birth at a charity for unwed mothers based on a real one, and becomes wet nurse to a wealthy family’s newborn. She’s trying to save up money to reclaim her baby girl. The novel is set in Philadelphia in 1883.

What type of research did you do for Lilli de Jong?

Oh, so much research! Years’ worth. To get the voice and sensibility right, I read works by and about American Quakers of the time, particularly ones in the Philadelphia region. I visited Quaker sites and did writing weekends at a Quaker center called Pendle Hill, which has a library of old books and a publishing company that has published and reprinted many important works. I read publications of the late 1800s, such as Harpers and the then-brand-new Ladies’ Home Journal, as well as books from the last third of the nineteenth century on social service, the poor, medical care, housekeeping, and on and on. And in the background were the Victorian novels I love, with their careful attention to language and their elegant tones. I also read newer works about Quakers of the past, including novels. I also researched and sought advice from historians about the ways Quakers in the Philadelphia region actually spoke.

Lilli is from Germantown, a neighborhood of Philadelphia. It was founded primarily by Dutch Quakers in the 1600s. The neighborhood holds so many historic sites, including a Quaker home that was a stop on the Underground Railroad, Johnson House; two Friends’ meetinghouses; and a home in which George and Martha Washington’s household lived, seeking to escape yellow fever epidemics in the late eighteenth century. To walk Germantown’s streets is to feel history rise through the cobblestones and emanate from the trees and from the buildings’ bricks and stones.

I also went to archives, including those of the charity for unwed mothers that Lilli is admitted to when she’s pregnant and homeless. The highlight of my research was reading the board minutes and annual reports of the State Hospital for Women and Infants. When it opened in 1874, it was the only charity for girls and women pregnant out of wedlock in Philadelphia. The board-meeting notes describe the great challenges of keeping the place running, including finding donors who would support this so-called shameful cause and responding to cruel articles in the press. The annual reports described the desperate condition the pregnant women were in when they applied for admission.

The opening third of the novel takes place in this charity, and the novel opens with a quote from its 1880 annual report: “Every other door . . . is closed to her who, unmarried, is about to become a mother. Deliberate, calculating villainy, fraud, outrage, burglary, or even murder with malice aforethought, seems to excite more sympathy, more helpful pity, more efforts for the reclamation of the transgressors than are shown towards those who, if not the victims of others, are at the worse but illustrations of human infirmity.”

Did you find anything in your research that was particularly fascinating or that helped shaped the novel?

Yes. I hadn’t understood that infants could not survive without a mother’s milk until pasteurization and refrigeration made cow’s milk a relatively safe substitute. This took place anywhere from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, depending on where one lived (and in some places in the world, this danger is still real). So this meant that most infants separated by prejudice from their mothers did not survive—a tragic aspect of history that most of us don’t know. I wrote this book partly to help people think about what women and babies of the past went through—and some still go through—because of prejudice, even if they were victims of rape, incest, ignorance, or abandonment.

What was your favorite scene to write?

The novel is in the form of Lilli’s diary. I think the most moving diary entry for me to write was the one right after her daughter, Charlotte, is born. I was able to express some of the amazement and love I felt when my own daughter was brand new.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

The one in which Lilli’s mother dies. I put that off till I was nearly done with everything else.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I started loving books very young, and I always wanted to give back—to create for others the kinds of wonderful experiences I had while reading books. I started storytelling before I could write, and I started keeping a diary when I was nine or ten. The realization that I am a writer—that is, someone who needs to write and who doesn’t feel good without writing—came on gradually. Writing has been very important to me for most of my life.

What was the first historical novel you read?

I think the first historical novel I read was Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. It’s a big, fat novel that hit me like a truck—it took over my life for weeks when I was eleven or twelve and taught me so much about the power a novel can have. Other historical novels that had a strong impact on me early in life were Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinback. I was also changed by The Diary of Anne Frank—not a novel, but by the time I read it, a historical document. These were stories of huge social forces affecting small numbers of people—to me, the best way to help people feel their impact.

What is the last historical novel you read?

My Notorious Life by Kate Manning. I thought it was very well done. I especially liked the narrator’s voice.

What are three things people may not know about you?

I used to sing jazz in restaurants and a hotel. Then my husband and I had a five-piece folk-rock band for eight years, playing mostly our originals. And I love to improvise when I cook.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

To me, there’s no better way to create compassion than to tell a powerful story of someone striving against injustice. I think such stories can improve the human race.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

I enjoy reading, taking long walks, and spending time with my loved ones. I also love dancing, but I hardly ever get to do it!

Lastly, what are you working on next?

A novel set in New England that tells of a woman who’s up to her ears in motherhood after twenty years of it, has sacrificed too much, and is trying to reclaim some space and time for herself. I know a lot more, but it’s still in formation, so that’s good for now!

Wow, that novel sounds eerily like my life! Hahaha! Thank you so much for spending time with us today! Congratulations on the success of Lilli de Jong!


Lilli de Jong by Janet Benton

Paperback Publication Date: July 10, 2018
Anchor Books
Paperback; 352 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


Philadelphia, 1883. Twenty-three-year-old Lilli de Jong is pregnant and alone—abandoned by her lover and banished from her Quaker home. She gives birth at a charity for wronged women, planning to give up the baby. But the power of their bond sets her on a completely unexpected path. Unwed mothers in 1883 face staggering prejudice, yet Lilli refuses to give up her baby girl. Instead, she braves moral condemnation and financial ruin in a quest to keep the two of them alive.

Lilli confides this story to her diary as it unfolds, taking readers from a charity for unwed mothers to a wealthy family’s home and onto the streets of a burgeoning American city. Her story offers a rare and harrowing view into a time when a mother’s milk is crucial for infant survival. Written with startling intimacy and compassion, this accomplished novel is both a rich historical depiction and a testament to the saving force of a woman’s love.

Awards

NPR Best Books of 2017
Library Journal Best Historical Fiction 2017
Bustle The 17 Best Debut Novels by Woman in 2017
An Amazon Best Book of May 2017
Semifinalist in historical fiction, Goodreads Choice Awards, 2017
Finalist, David J. Langum Prize in Historical Fiction, 2017

Praise for Lilli de Jong

“A heartrending debut…Lilli’s inspiring power and touching determination are timeless.”—Publishers Weekly

“Powerful, authentic… A heart-smashing debut that completely satisfies.” —Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

“I loved this novel. It’s deeply moving and richly imagined, both tragic and joyous.”—Sandra Gulland, author of the internationally bestselling Josephine B. Trilogy

“Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and psychologically astute…A gripping read.”—Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Piece of the World

“[A] gorgeously written debut . . . Devastatingly relevant and achingly beautiful.”—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Is This Tomorrow

“A captivating, page-turning, and well-researched novel about the power of a mother’s love.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“A confident debut . . . Sentence by carefully-crafted sentence, Benton ensnares the reader.”—The Millions

“Writing with a historical eye akin to Geraldine Brooks and incisive prose matching that of Anthony Doerr… Stunning!”—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Kommandant’s Girl

“Benton combines rich, carefully researched detail with an imaginative boldness that is a joy to behold.” —Valerie Martin, author of The Ghost of the Mary Celeste

“A stunning ode to motherhood.” —Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of The Mapmaker’s Children

“A new feminist classic…Benton’s writing is shrewd and beautiful.”—Philly Voice

“Eloquent and powerful.”—HuffPost Books

“This is both a super lush historical novel and an amazing feminist manifesto…Buy it for everyone.”—Book Riot

“You would be hard-pressed to find a more intimate—even revolutionary—depiction of the emotional and sensory experiences of motherhood.”—UMass Magazine

“A brilliantly quiet novel with a spine of steel.”—Read It Forward

“[What a] monumental accomplishment the novel achieves. . . . Benton holds a mirror up to the past and in doing so, illustrates how far we have come as well as how far we have yet to go.”—Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

JANET BENTON’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Glimmer Train, and many other publications. She has cowritten and edited historical documentaries for television. She holds a B.A. in religious studies from Oberlin College and an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. For decades she has taught writing at universities and privately and has helped individuals and organizations craft their stories. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Lilli de Jong is her first novel.

Visit www.janetbentonauthor.com for more information. You can also find Janet on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 13
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Wednesday, August 15
Review at Cup of Sensibility

Friday, August 17
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Monday, August 20
Feature at Clarissa Reads it All

Thursday, August 23
Feature at Beth's Book Nook Blog
Feature at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, August 28
Review at Dressed to Read

Friday, August 31
Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Monday, September 3
Review at Oh, October

Friday, September 7
Review at The Book Mind

Tuesday, September 11
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, September 12
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews

Thursday, September 13
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a copy of Lilli de Jong to one lucky reader! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on September 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Lilli de Jong Paperback


Feature & Giveaway: I Am Mrs. Jesse James by Pat Wahler


I Am Mrs. Jesse James by Pat Wahler

Publication Date: August 28, 2018
Blank Slate Press
Paperback & eBook; 316 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


A penny for a promise will change her life forever.

For Jesse James, the war will never be over. For Zee Mimms, the war is only the beginning.

The long, bloody Civil War is finally at an end when Zee Mimms, the dutiful daughter of a Missouri preacher, is tasked with nursing her cousin, Jesse James, back to health after he suffers a near-fatal wound. During Jesse's long convalescence, the couple falls in love, but Jesse's resentment against the Federals runs deep. He has scores to settle. For him, the war will never be over.

Zee is torn between deferring to her parents’ wishes and marrying for security or marrying for love and accepting the hard realities of life with an outlaw―living under an assumed name and forever on the run. For her, the choice she makes means the war is only beginning.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise

"A vivid, moving tale of the woman behind the man of myth and legend...a refreshing take on the woman who both inspired and outlived her partner's blaze of glory. This is a book not to be missed!" -Nicole Evelina, award winning author of Daughter of Destiny

"I am Mrs. Jesse James presents a woman who, far from being naive or complacent, shows us that pride and love can peacefully coexist against the most violent of backdrops." -Julia Bricklin, historian and author of America's Best Female Sharpshooter: The Rise and Fall of Lillian Frances Smith

"A beautifully spun, emotional tale of love and devotion in the most challenging of circumstances." -Sarah Angleton, author of Launching Sheep & Other Stories from the Intersection of History and Nonsense


About the Author

Pat Wahler is an award-winning writer who aims to pen stories a reader will savor. She lives in Missouri with her family, including a Peek-a-poo pup named Winston; and Bogey, a tabby with an attitude. A fan of good books, history, humor, animals, and the arts (her dream job would combine all of these); Pat draws inspiration from family, friends, and the critters who supervise her time at the keyboard.

A frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, Sasee Magazine, and Not Your Mother’s Book anthologies; her work has also appeared in Reader’s Digest, Storyteller Magazine, and other publications.

Pat is thrilled to announce the release of her debut novel, I AM MRS. JESSE JAMES, in August, 2018. This story of love, loss, and redemption is based on true events and told from the point of view of Zee James, wife of the infamous outlaw. She is also the co-author of a children's picture book, MIDNIGHT, THE ONE-EYED CAT, releasing in September, 2018. Get ready for Pat's Christmas-themed collection of short stories, essays, and poetry titled LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT: A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS, releasing October, 2018.

For more information, please visit Pat Wahler's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Bookbub.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, August 28
Interview at Let Them Read Books

Wednesday, August 29
Feature at Passages to the Past

Thursday, August 30
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Friday, August 31
Review at A Bookaholic Swede

Monday, September 3
Feature at Naomi Finley's Blog

Tuesday, September 4
Interview at Maiden of the Pages

Wednesday, September 5
Review at Creating Herstory

Thursday, September 6
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective

Saturday, September 8
Review at Clarissa Reads it All

Monday, September 10
Interview at Creating Herstory

Tuesday, September 11
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, September 12
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of I Am Mrs. Jesse James! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on September 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

I Am Mrs. Jesse James


Interview with Kristen Wolf & Giveaway of Escapement



Hello Kristen and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about Escapement!

To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your novel Escapement?

Hi Passages to the Past and Readers, thanks for having me! Escapement is my second novel and a work close to my heart. The book takes place in Europe during the Romantic era and the writing is inspired by the lyricism of that time. The story revolves around the relationship between a housekeeper and her employer, an up-and-coming composer But the tale is really a meditation on passion — not just for a person, but for art and beauty as well.

What inspired you to write Escapement?

Well, the truth is, the idea actually occurred to me many, many years ago. When I was a sophomore in college, I took a music history course that explored the great classical music repertoire. As a child, I’d never really listened to classical music and was completely overwhelmed by what I heard. I became enchanted and obsessed at the same time. I basically fell in love – hard – not only with the music but with the stories and lives of the famed composers and musicians themselves. In fact, I was so inspired that I decided to learn how to play piano. I found a teacher and took some basic lessons and then played for hours and hours and hours. Literally. Finally I could start to play some of the music that had so enchanted me and it was the most amazing experience. So it was then, when I was eighteen and obsessed, that the seeds of the story first took root. And it literally stewed inside my mind for decades.

What type of research did you do for writing Escapement?

I don’t know if it was research as much as drawing on years of impassioned study. Since that year in college I’d been listening to classical music and reading about the composers’ lives and work. So in a sense it was really about finding a practical use for the information I’d been gathering. I really didn’t undertake any formal research before I began writing. I mostly drew on what I’d already learned. And let it guide me. Going in I felt that I had a solid understanding and knowledge of the characters and subject matters at hand and I wanted to run with that intuition, and trust it.

Did you find anything in your research that was particularly fascinating or that helped shaped the novel?

Ahh, that’s a great question. And an easy one to answer. Ever since I can remember, I’ve only been able to write when there is peace and quiet. But, to my great surprise, when I began Escapement I quickly discovered that I could only write when I had music playing. In fact, I kept the second movement, the Adagio, from Brahms’ First Piano Concerto playing on a repetitive loop. It would just wind down to its ominous conclusion and then start right back up again, over and over. When I completed the first draft, I checked the little counter on iTunes and it said I’d listened to that piece over 2,500 times. I was completely shocked when I saw that! But, for some reason, I had to have that music playing while I wrote. Maybe it brought on a sort of musical trance that helped to enter the composers’ state of mind, I don’t know. Naturally I thought I’d discovered a secret to my writing process that would make every book so much easier. But when I picked what I thought would be a conducive soundtrack for the writing of my third book, I was completely surprised to find that I couldn’t stand listening to music at all! It was entirely distracting and uncomfortable! And so I realized that listening to music was just something special and essential for the experience of writing Escapement, and not a practice that would carry over to other projects. When I think about it now, it probably shouldn’t be all that surprising, but it really was!

What was your favorite scene to write?

All the scenes in which characters were performing or composing music.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

To be honest, I think this book had sat in my imagination for so long, I didn’t really have a struggle with it. Which was an entirely new experience for me!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t know that I “knew” anything. I was just always writing. Since the moment I could hold a crayon.

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?

Doubt. I haven’t yet. It’s both my worst enemy and my greatest muse.

Who are your writing inspirations?

Too many to list. A few off the top of my head: Jeanette Winterson, Barbara Kingsolver, Chang Rae Lee, Anne Michaels, Mary Oliver, Shakespeare.

What are three things people may not know about you?

I have a wicked sense of humor. I’m an ambidextrous lefty. Every time I watch the film “Babe” my eyes well with tears when the farmer says, “That’ll do, pig. That’ll do.” It just gets to me. Every. Single. Time.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

I’m also genre ambidextrous. In fact, my next two books take place in the present and the future.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Be in nature. Read. Hike. Daydream.

Lastly, what are you working on next?

At the moment, I’ve just published the audiobook version of Escapement — which includes a full cast and piano solos by a renowned concert pianist. It turned out beautifully and so I’m busy promoting that. At the same time, I’m exploring turning my first two books into films while also writing a third. For some reason, though, I can never really talk about a book when I’m working on it. I don’t know why. Maybe it feels like it dulls the spark or something? But I certainly hope your readers will come back to have a look! And I just want to say thank you, again, for having me here — I loved it!

We loved having you here, thank you so much! The AudioBook sounds amazing!


Escapement - An Exquisite Tale of Love and Passion
by Kristen Wolf


Publication Date: August 1, 2018
Pixeltry
Paperback & eBook; 481 Pages

Genre: Fiction/Historical/Women's


***WINNER of the 2018 IndieReader DISCOVERY AWARD***

From the bestselling Author of THE WAY, hailed by O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE as “A Title To Pick Up Now!”

Henri keeps many secrets. Some even from herself...

Prepare to be transported into a sensual world of possibility by this lush, heart-wrenching and gorgeously-written tale. Brimming with passion, intrigue, extraordinary characters and breathtaking surprises, ESCAPEMENT will arouse the senses and seduce readers of every persuasion.

“Wolf is a masterful storyteller who has created an enchanting novel… It will resonate with anyone who has ever felt passion.”
—IndieReader

Cristofer's star is poised to rise. Everyone expects the dashing and gifted composer to soar to the heights of musical genius—an expectation that terrifies the young artist as much as it drives him.

Walking into the fire with Cristofer is his housekeeper, Henri, a passionate and handsome young woman who takes pleasure in dressing as a man. Tending to her employer’s domestic needs, Henri has crafted a carefree life of routine behind which she hides the truth of a tragic past. Possessed herself of an extraordinary talent, she covertly guides her employer through the trials of his artistic and romantic pursuits while carefully guarding his most closely-held secret.

But Henri’s deceptively simple life is ripped apart when a wealthy and ruthless patron grants Cristofer a spectacular commission, then unwittingly hires Henri—whom he believes to be male—to give piano lessons to his alluring wife.

The resulting entanglements rise to a dangerous pitch as Cristofer struggles to create music of epic proportions while Henri is ignited by a love more powerful than any she has ever known. But when the monstrously ambitious patron catches wind of a duplicity, he and his henchmen mobilize quickly to target the threat and soon the only hope for either friend’s survival depends on one publicly exposing the other’s hidden truth—an act that would defy the bonds of love and loyalty and bring all their lives crashing down.

Can Henri stop the oncoming tragedy and still hold onto her greatest love? Or must she lose everything?

"ESCAPEMENT is a symphony of words marked by lyrical phrases and exquisite rhythm... a testament to the artistic spirit... breathtaking."
—IndieReader

“A passionate story.”
—Kirkus Reviews

Available in Paperback & eBook on Amazon


About the Author

KRISTEN WOLF is an award-winning author, creative and wondernaut living in the Rocky Mountains. Her debut novel, THE WAY, was hailed by O, The OPRAH Magazine as “A Title to Pick Up Now!” Her second novel, ESCAPEMENT, is a *WINNER - 2018 IndieReader Discovery Award* and received this praise: “Wolf is a masterful storyteller who has created an enchanting novel... It will resonate with anyone who has ever felt passion.” —IndieReader

To learn more about Kristen's books and other creative projects, subscribe to her Newsletter at www.kristenwolf.com/subscribe. You can also find Kristen on Twitter, Book Bub, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 6
Feature at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, August 7
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews

Friday, August 10
Feature at Donna's Book Blog

Monday, August 13
Review at Bri's Book Nook

Tuesday, August 14
Guest Post at To Read, or Not to Read

Wednesday, August 15
Feature at Author Naomi Finley'a Blog

Friday, August 17
Guest Post at The Book Junkie Reads

Monday, August 20
Feature at What Is That Book About

Friday, August 24
Feature at Maiden of the Pages

Wednesday, September 5
Review at The Slytherin Book Lady

Sunday, September 9
Review at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings

Monday, September 10
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, September 12
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Thursday, September 13
Review & Guest Post at Clarissa Reads it All

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two signed copies of Escapement and two $5 iTunes Gift Card! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on September 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US, UK, and Canada residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Escapement


Zenobia Neil's The Jinni's Last Wish Book Blast


The Jinni's Last Wish by Zenobia Neil

Publication Date: September 13, 2018
eBook; 283 pages
ASIN: B07FLDRY4V

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy


As a eunuch in the Ottoman Imperial Harem, Olin has already lost his home, his freedom, and his manhood. His only wish is for a painless death, until he meets Dark Star, a beautiful odalisque who promises to give him his deepest desire. He refuses to believe her claim to possess a jinni in a bottle. But when Dark Star is accused of witchcraft, Olin rubs the bottle in desperation and discovers she’s told the truth.

Olin becomes the jinni’s master to save Dark Star, but it's not enough. In the complex world of the Topkapi Palace, where silk pillows conceal knives, sherbets contain poison, and jewels buy loyalty, no one is safe. With each wish, Olin must choose between becoming like the masters he detests or risk his life, his body, and his sanity to break the bonds that tie them all.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Chapters


About the Author

Zenobia Neil was named after an ancient warrior queen who fought against the Romans. She writes about the mythic past and Greek and Roman gods having too much fun. Zenobia spends her free time imagining interesting people and putting them in terrible situations.

She lives with her husband, two children, and dog in an overpriced hipster neighborhood of Los Angeles. Visit her at ZenobiaNeil.com.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Book Blast Schedule

Monday, August 27
Passages to the Past

Tuesday, August 28
Creating Herstory

Wednesday, August 29
Bookfever

Thursday, August 30
100 Pages a Day
The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, August 31
A Chick Who Reads

Sunday, September 2
Clarissa Reads it All

Monday, September 3
Historical Fiction with Spirit

Tuesday, September 4
Ageless Pages Reviews

Wednesday, September 5
Pursuing Stacie

Thursday, September 6
CelticLady's Reviews
Just One More Chapter

Friday, September 7
Donna's Book Blog

AnneMarie Brear's The Promise of Tomorrow Book Blast


The Promise of Tomorrow by AnneMarie Brear

Publication Date: September 1, 2018
eBook; 390 Pages
ASIN: B07GHCXQ8Y

Genre: Historical Fiction


Perfect for the fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.

Charlotte Brookes flees her lecherous guardian, McBride, taking her younger sister with her. After a year on the road, they stumble into a Yorkshire village where the Wheelers, owners of the village shop, take them in. This new life is strange for Charlotte, but preferable to living with McBride or surviving on the roads.

Harry Belmont is an important man in the village, but he’s missing something in his life. His budding friendship with Charlotte gives him hope she will feel more for him one day, and he will marry the woman he yearns for.

When McBride discovers where Charlotte lives, his threats begin. Harry fights to keep Charlotte safe, but World War I erupts and Harry enlists.
Left to face a world of new responsibilities, and Harry’s difficult sister, Charlotte must run the gauntlet of family disputes, McBride's constant harassment, and the possibility of the man she loves being killed.

Can Charlotte find the happiness that always seems under threat, and will Harry return home to her?

Available on Amazon


About the Author

AnneMarie has been a life-long reader and started writing in 1997 when her children were small. She has a love of history, of grand old English houses and a fascination of what might have happened beyond their walls. Her interests include reading, genealogy, watching movies, spending time with family and eating chocolate – not always in that order!

AnneMarie grew up in Australia but now lives in the UK.

For more information please visit AnneMarie Brear's website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Goodreads.

Book Blast Schedule

Monday, August 27
Passages to the Past

Tuesday, August 28
CelticLady's Reviews
Just One More Chapter

Wednesday, August 29
A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, August 30
Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Friday, August 31
Pursuing Stacie

Saturday, September 1
Clarissa Reads it All

Monday, September 3
The Book Junkie Reads

Tuesday, September 4
For the Sake of Good Taste

Wednesday, September 5
Donna's Book Blog

Thursday, September 6
A Book Geek

Friday, September 7
What Is That Book About

Eric Schumacher's War King Cover Reveal


War King by Eric Schumacher

Publication Date: October 15, 2018
Creativia Publishing

Series: Hakon's Saga, Book 3
Genre: Historical Fiction


It is 954 A.D. and a tempest is brewing in the North. Twenty summers before, Hakon Haraldsson wrested Norway’s throne from his murderous brother, Erik Bloodaxe, but he failed to rid himself of Erik’s family. Now the sons of Erik have come to reclaim Erik’s former throne and avenge the wrong done to their father and their kin. But they do not come alone. With them marches an army of sword-Danes sent by the Danish King, Harald Bluetooth, whose desire to expand his realm is as powerful as the lust for vengeance that pulses in the veins of Erik’s brood. Like storm-driven waves, the opposing forces collide in the thrilling finale of Hakon’s Saga, War King; and when they do, Hakon is left with no choice but to face the tempest and resist.

About the Author

Eric Schumacher was born in Los Angeles in 1968 and currently resides in Santa Barbara, CA with his wife, two children and dog. He is the author of two historical fiction novels, God’s Hammer and its sequel, Raven’s Feast. Both tell the story of the first Christian king of Viking Norway, Hakon Haraldsson, and his struggles to gain and hold the High Seat of his realm.

More information on Eric and his Hakon Sagas can be found on his website. You can also connect with Eric on TwitterFacebookGoodreads, and AuthorsDB.

Cover Reveal Hosts

100 Pages a Day
Ageless Pages Reviews
Bri's Book Nook
Broken Teepee
CelticLady's Reviews
Donna's Book Blog
For the Sake of Good Taste
Historical Fiction with Spirit
Hoover Book Reviews
Locks, Hooks and Books
Maiden of the Pages
Naomi Finley
Passages to the Past
Pursuing Stacie
The Book Junkie Reads
What Is That Book About

Interview with Helen R. Davis & Giveaway



Hello Helen and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about The Most Happy & Evita, My Argentina!

To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your novels?

I am mostly an alternate history author, but I began my books with Eva Peron, which I did not do as an alternate history because I felt the lessons to be learned from her life were too important

What inspired you to write about these maligned women from history?

Precisely that fact. Many times these women were unfairly vilified by either those who had conquered their nations, such as Cleopatra, or were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time, such as Anne Boleyn. Evita I felt was very enigmatic and while I found that she had her detractors for a reason, I still admire her tenacity. Evita and Anne were both women that I feel while their virtues outweighed their vices, their neuroses outweighed their talents, to quote Gareth Russell about Anne Boleyn. That is, I also feel, true about Eva Peron.With Cleopatra, people forget she was fighting for Egypt and she was a queen regnant and as such, she was in charge of her nation. Unlike Anne Boleyn or Evita, Cleopatra had power and she used it to try to keep her people independent.

What type of research did you do for writing the novels?

I went down to Argentina to research Evita. There's only so much one can do from books and biographies. I interviewed people who had known Evita for this book, including a man who personally was helped by her Foundation. He cried at the mere mention of me asking about her and was delighted that I cared about her legacy. I spoke also to a tour guide whose family had moved to the middle class because of her. One of my colleagues in Argentina also presented the manuscript to someone who knew Eva and her husband and he was impressed. My only regret was not following up on that contact.

With Anne Boleyn, I've not yet been to England, so my research came from doing many biographies and non fiction histories, as well as some dramas. I was inspired by Anne of the Thousand Days, which, while not accurate in parts, is I feel still the best film about her, bar none.

Did you find anything in your research that was particularly fascinating or that helped shaped the novels?

I found Anne Boleyn resisted Henry a lot more than The Tudors or Phillipa Gregory would have us believe. Karen Lindsay, the author of Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: A feminist reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIII called Henry's pursuit of Anne sexual harassment. While I wouldn't go that far, Anne tried very hard to resist him. I also found she gave quite a bit to charity as queen and was far more conciliatory with Mary than popular history portrays it, although I do feel that was misguided on her part. Evita I found that she actually donated all her jewels, gowns and furs she was so maligned for to the poor at her death. Sadly, the governments succeeding her husband did not abide by her wishes.

What appeals to you most about Alternative History? Why did you choose to write in that genre?

What doesn't is a better question.

What was your favorite scene to write?

With Anne Boleyn, I so enjoyed the whole thing and was said it was over. But if I had to pick one scene, the scene where Anne shows Jane Grey and Elizabeth Mary Stafford's fate.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

Except for Evita's trip to Paris, I hated every second of writing that book. The research for it was more interesting.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

In high school.

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?

It had to have been my college professor who said I could not write to save my life. I was so hurt at the time I did not write anything other than school assignments for a year and a half. After I went to Argentina, my creative floodgates opened though, and I wrote the first draft of Evita.

Who are your writing inspirations?

Jean Plaidy.

What was the first historical novel you read?

Jean Plaidy's The Lady in the Tower.

What is the last historical novel you read?

The most recent one I read was Norah Lofts' Crown of Aloes about Queen Isabella.

What are three things people may not know about you?

1. I am a vintage video game fan and the old Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy games are my love

2. I love the French cartoon Barbapapa

3. I only use natural perfumes.

What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?

Ancient Egypt, anything with France, the Queens of England

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Swim, play video games, practice acting. You might say Evita inspired me to become an actress as well!

Lastly, what are you working on next?

My acting career and a sequel to Cleopatra Unconquered, called Cleopatra Victorious, and a children's book called Truth and Tell Travel the Solar System.

Sounds exciting! Thank you so much for spending time with us today!


Evita...My Argentina by Helen R. Davis

Publication Date: February 10, 2017
Custom Book Publications
eBook & Paperback; 228 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Biographical


EVITA … My Argentina

Evita Perón tells her own spectacular story.

Tracing her life back to her humble beginnings, when she is abandoned by her father, Evita takes the reader on her journey to become an actress and later, to the pivotal moment when she meets Colonel Juan Perón. Never content to stay in her husband’s shadow, Evita reveals how she shares his belief that Peronism will help the working class. Eventually she begins doing work on her own as the president of the Society of Benevolence, helping the poor and winning the peoples’ trust.

As the times change and women get the vote, Evita becomes even more powerful, running the Ministries of Labor and Health, starting a foundation, and organizing the first female party, The Female Peronist Party.

A larger-than-life story, told in her own fictional words, the powerful novel is as educational as it is entertaining.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble



The Most Happy by Helen R. Davis

Publication Date: July 25, 2017
Callipe Editorial

Genre: Alternative Historical Fiction


Anne Boleyn is known throughout the world as the beheaded wife of King Henry VIII, a woman for whom Henry discarded a Spanish princess and who was later discarded for the woman who gave Henry his longed-for son. Love her or hate her, it cannot be denied her romance with Henry VIII changed the course of English and European, and perhaps World History, forever.

This is a novel that imagines Anne Boleyn giving Henry a son and taking the reins of power as Regent of England when Henry VIII perishes in a jousting accident.

Told in the voice of the infamous Anne Boleyn, we are treated to the 16th century world that has recently become famous through programs such as The Tudors. We meet Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII, and many of the personalities of the mid-16th century albeit in an altered setting.

How would this era and time, a pivotal one in Western Civilization, have changed if one of the movers and shakers of the period, Anne Boleyn, had not been struck down in her prime by the man who once adored her?

Amazon


About the Author

Helen R. Davis is an American author. Her first novel, Evita: My Argentina was previously published as Evita: My Life and republished with Custom Book Publications in Hong Kong. Her second novel, CLEOPATRA UNCONQUERED, which is the first in a series, imagines a world in which Antony and Cleopatra, rather than Augustus Caesar, are the victors of the Battle of Actium. the sequel, CLEOPATRA VICTORIOUS, will be released soon, followed by the titles CLEOPATRA MAGNIFICA and CLEOPATRA TRIUMPHANT. Her third novel, or at least, her third historical novel/alternate history, THE MOST HAPPY, will be published with Callipe Editorial, based out of Madrid Spain, on July 25th, 2017.

For more information, please visit Helen Davis' website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 6
Feature at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, August 7
Feature at Pass Me That Book (The Most Happy)

Thursday, August 9
Feature at Maiden of the Pages

Friday, August 10
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective (Evita)

Monday, August 13
Review at Donna's Book Blog (The Most Happy)

Wednesday, August 15
Feature at Naomi Finley's Blog

Friday, August 17
Feature at Passages to the Past

Monday, August 20
Review at Pass Me That Book (Evita)

Wednesday, August 22
Review at Donna's Book Blog (Evita)

Friday, August 24
Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away one paperback & one eBook of The Most Happy & one eBook of Evita! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 24th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Helen Davis - Most Happy & Evita


A.B. Michaels' Golden City Series Book Blast


The Art of Love (Golden City, Book 1)
by A.B. Michaels

Publication Date: May 4, 2014

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance



A Notable Indie Book of 2014
Silver Ippy Award
New Apple Medalist
Editor’s Choice – Idaho Book Awards

At the end of the Gilded Age, the “Golden City” of San Francisco offers everything a man could want—except the answers August Wolff desperately needs to find.

After digging a fortune in gold from the frozen fields of the Klondike, Gus heads south, hoping to start over and put the baffling disappearance of his wife and daughter behind him. The turn of the century brings him even more success, but the distractions of a city some call the new Sodom and Gomorrah can’t fill the gaping hole in his life.

Amelia Starling is a wildly talented artist caught in the straightjacket of Old New York society. Making a heart-breaking decision, she moves to San Francisco to further her career, all the while living with the pain of a sacrifice no woman should ever have to make.

Brought together by the city’s flourishing art scene, Gus and Lia forge a rare connection. But the past, shrouded in mystery, prevents the two of them from moving forward as one. Unwilling to face society’s scorn, Lia leaves the city and vows to begin again in Europe.

Gus can’t bear to let her go, but unless he can set his ghosts to rest, he and Lia have no chance at all.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo


The Depth of Beauty (Golden City, Book 2)
by A.B. Michaels

Publication Date: January 6, 2016

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance



A Notable Indie Book of 2016
2017 RITA Finalist – “Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance”
Bookstores without Borders Lyra Award for Historical Fiction
Chanticleer Book Reviews Goethe Award – First in Category: North American Turn of the Century

In 1903 San Francisco’s Chinatown, slavery, polygamy, and rampant prostitution are thriving— just blocks away from the city’s elite, progressive society.

Wealthy and well-connected, Will Firestone enters the mysterious enclave with an eye toward expanding his shipping business. What he finds there will astonish him. With the help of an exotic young widow and a gifted teenage orphan, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, where lust, love and tragedy will change his life forever.

A stand-alone novel, The Depth of Beauty is the latest addition to the dual genre series, “Sinner’s Grove,” which chronicles the family and friends of a world-famous artists’ retreat on the northern California coast. The stories follow both historical and contemporary tracks and can be read separately or together for greater depth. Other titles in the series include the award-winning The Art of Love, Sinner’s Grove and The Lair.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo


The Promise (Golden City, Book 3)
by A.B. Michaels

Publication Date: June 24, 2016

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance



April 18, 1906. A massive earthquake has decimated much of the Golden City, leaving thousands without food, water or shelter. Patrolling the streets to help those in need, Army corporal Ben Tilson meets a young woman named Charlotte who touches his heart, making him think of a future with her in it. In the heat of the moment he makes a promise to her little sister that even he realizes will be almost impossible to keep.

Because on the heels of the earthquake, a much worse disaster looms: a fire that threatens to consume everything and everyone in its path. It will take everything Ben’s got to make it back to Charlotte and her family—and even that may not be enough.

The Promise, a stand-alone novella, is the third offering in A.B. Michaels’ award-winning historical saga, “The Golden City,” which takes place in and around San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century. Other books in the series include The Art of Love and The Depth of Beauty.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo


The Price of Compassion (Golden City, Book 4)
by A.B. Michaels

Publication Date: August 27, 2018

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery



April 18, 1906. San Francisco has just been shattered by a massive earthquake and is in the throes of an even more deadly fire.

During the chaos, gifted surgeon Tom Justice makes a life-changing decision that wreaks havoc on his body, mind, and spirit.

Leaving the woman he loves, he embarks on a quest to regain his sanity and self-worth. Yet just when he finds some answers, he’s arrested for murder—a crime he may very well be guilty of. The facts of the case are troubling; they’ll have you asking the question: “Is he guilty?” Or even worse…”What would I have done?”

About the Author

A native of northern California, A.B. Michaels earned masters' degrees in history and broadcasting, and worked for many years in public relations and marketing. Now that she's an empty nester, she has time to write the kinds of stories she loves to read. Her historical series, "The Golden City," follows characters who make their way in turn of the twentieth century San Francisco. "I love creating flawed characters I can relate to, who have to make difficult choices, and who long for happiness like the rest of us. So much was happening in the early 1900's that help shape my novels. Once I tear myself away from the underlying research, they are fascinating stories to write."

Currently Ms. Michaels lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two furry creatures who are unclear on the concept that they are just dogs. In addition to writing, she loves to read and travel. A dabbler in fabric art, she also plays bocce in a summer league. Her latest stand-alone novel, "The Price of Compassion," is Book Four of the "Golden City" series. It's scheduled for release this summer and will be followed by Book Five, "Josephine's Daughter."

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads


Book Blast Schedule

Monday, August 13
Passages to the Past

Tuesday, August 14
Naomi Finley's Blog

Wednesday, August 15
What Is That Book About

Thursday, August 16
To Read, Or Not to Read

Friday, August 17
CelticLady's Reviews
Just One More Chapter

Saturday, August 18
Broken Teepee

Sunday, August 19
Maiden of the Pages

Monday, August 20
Pursuing Stacie
Clarissa Reads It All

Tuesday, August 21
A Book Geek

Wednesday, August 22
Creating Herstory
The Book Junkie Reads

Thursday, August 23
Katie's Book Cave

Friday, August 24
The Book Review
Donna's Book Blog

The Golden City Series is on Sale!

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