Prostitution required the violation of my body. Piracy required my soul. The first enslaved me. The second set me free.
A young girl is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a floating brothel. Xianggu begins as a servant, but soon her virginity is bought by the highest bidder. Ambitious and determined, she learns the business in hopes of earning her freedom from the madam. Her dreams are washed away when a midnight pirate raid changes her life.
Kidnapped by the notorious Red Flag boss, Xianggu embarks on a journey that demands beauty, brains, and brawn. But Xianggu must do more than learn to wield a sword, sail a ship, and swim across the bay, she must become indispensable to the pirate boss if she hopes to survive. The winds, however, never blow in the same direction, and Xianggu must make a decision that requires her to battle jealous men, ancient prejudices, and her own heart.
The triumph of the notorious Zheng Yi Sao is a sexy, fierce, and unflinchingly realistic story of how a prostitute became the most powerful and successful pirate in the world.
In 18th century China, when men made and enforced the rules, the Dragon Lady lived by her own.
I stayed up way too late last night finishing Dragon Lady but it was worth it...what a fan-freakin-tastic book it was!
Set in 18th century China, Xianggu is the daughter of a peasant family with a loving mother but a father who is unsuccessful in life and who takes it out on her and her mother. When her father sells her to pay for his debts she is forced to leave the only home she knows and the love of her mother to become a prostitute on a flower boat owned by Madam Xu. But Xianggu is resourceful and clever and tries to make the best of her new situation by learning all she can from everyone she comes to meet. She ham ambition to become like Madam Xu and not just be another flower girl for the rest of her life. When her fate changes she is taken by pirates and again, with her cunning, she rises to the top and creates her own future. I absolutely adored Xianggu! She was stronger than anyone in her position had a right to be and she was no one's victim. She was truly a badass!
Again, Autumn Bardot has captivated me with her incredible writing skills. There is so much to love about Dragon Lady! Adventure, danger, passion, intrigue....this book had it all! I cannot recommend it enough and truly think it would make for an excellent movie! I can't wait for the next Autumn Bardot book and luckily I won't have to wait very long as The Emperor's Assassin releases tomorrow!
About the Author
Autumn Bardot writes historical fiction and erotica about sassy women and daring passions!
Her erotic fiction includes Legends of Lust, Erotic Myths from around the World, published by Cleis Press. Confessions of a Sheba Queen (erotica) will be available Jan 2020.
The Impaler's Wife is her debut historical fiction, released in April 2019.
Autumn has a BA in English literature and a MaEd in curriculum and instruction. She’s been teaching literary analysis for fourteen years
When Autumn’s not writing or working, you'll find her hanging out with her ever-growing family, spoiled husband, and pampered rescue pooch. Her favorite things include salty French fries, coffee, swimming, and a great book.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Dragon Lady! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Sarah Bennett doesn’t remember the night her mother tumbled down the stairs at Bennett House, despite allegedly witnessing the fatal fall. There was talk of foul play, dark whispers, and sidelong glances, all aimed at Sarah, prompting her family to send her to The Laurels, an exclusive asylum in San Francisco, under a cloud of suspicion. Now, on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sarah has been summoned home. Convinced of her innocence, she returns to Bennett House, hoping to put the broken pieces of her life back together. But when another murder occurs shortly after her arrival, Sarah once again finds herself a suspect, as she is drawn into a web of suspicion and lies. In order to clear her name, Sarah must remember what happened the fateful night her mother died. But as she works to regain her memory, the real murderer watches, ready to kill again to protect a dark family secret.
After enjoying The Silent Woman by Terry Lynn Thomas I was super excited to check out her historical mystery/paranormal series, the Sarah Bennett Mysteries. Book one is The Spirit of Grace and what a fabulous book to read as we head into the Spooky season!
Sarah has been asked to come home by her father after her stay in a Mental hospital following the mysterious death of her mother. She doesn't remember anything from the night her mother died and she's hoping that being home will help her remember what happened. The people in town believe that Sarah killed her and she wants to clear her name. When another person dies in the house they suspect Sarah again, so she must do all she can to bring the truth to light, with the help of a spirit named Grace.
Wonderfully written and deliciously suspenseful, I loved every minute of this book and I can't wait to get to the other two books in the series.
The House of Secrets by Terry Lynn Thomas
Publication Date: April 11, 2019
HQ Digital
Series: Sarah Bennett Mysteries, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery
Sarah Bennett has two secrets: she sees ghosts, and she is in love with a spy.
When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.
As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geisler’s life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.
Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr. Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.
When Zeke’s sister-in-law Rachel Caen was found dead on Christmas Eve, her family assumed that she had taken her own life.
Now five years later, one of the emeralds that Rachel was wearing at the time of her death is discovered at a stonecutter’s house in Portland, Oregon.
With his brother Simon under suspicion for Rachel’s murder and stealing the emeralds, Zeke and detective Sarah are under pressure to clear his name.
But with troubles of their own and in need of a place to hide, the duo return to Zeke’s hometown where a spiritual force helps Sarah find another emerald…
All the fingers are pointing to Zeke’s family; how far will they go to protect their secrets? And will Sarah uncover the killer before it’s too late?
TERRY LYNN THOMAS grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back.
Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret is slated for release in March 2019. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away one eBook of each title in the Sarah Bennett Mysteries series! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Today I am super excited to be kicking off Lynn Winchester's Blog tour for A Lady Never Tells! This is the first book in her Women of Daring series and I have a great excerpt to share with you. There's also a giveaway for an eBook so be sure to enter!
A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester
Publication Date: September 23, 2019
Entangled Publishing
eBook, 368 pages
Series: Women of Daring, Book One
Genre: Historical Romance/Regency
Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he's bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts...well, color him intrigued.
Raised with a rather...peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty's personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.
But Richard is the first man to see through her disguises--and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects...
He had no idea what to expect when he’d taken the risk in calling Victoria out, but what he hadn’t expected was the woman standing before him. Fierce, armed, and with black paint around her eyes. It made her look deadly, stunning, all the more alluring. It was utterly disconcerting, this attraction to her, even after all that had occurred since meeting her.
Victoria pouted, her sapphire eyes snapping with fire, a flash of guilt pinking her cheeks.
She cleared her throat and dipped her chin, hiding her face from him.
“What I am doing…I have my reasons,” she said, before lifting her chin to meet his gaze again.
“And what reasons are those? It is obvious you think I have nefarious connections and that I am planning something.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “And what am I supposed to be planning?”
Gritting her teeth until the muscle in her cheek jumped, Victoria seemed to hold her breath. He could tell she was thinking hard, and he wondered if she were conjuring up an excuse.
“I cannot tell you. Not now,” she offered.
He opened his mouth to argue, but she stayed his words with a finger to his lips. A thrill of something hot and silky moved through him.
“Meet me at my home tomorrow. I will expect you after the luncheon hour.” She picked up her mask from where she’d dropped it during the reveal and slapped it against her thigh to remove the dirt. Rather than slip it back on her head, covering the strange stocking cap she must have used to hold her hair, she slipped it into her waistband instead. Once again, his gaze flicked to the glimmering blade of her sword. He’d never seen the like.
Perhaps he’d ask her about it tomorrow.
“I will be there,” he replied. “And be prepared, Victoria.”
She arched a finely shaped eyebrow. “For what?”
For what, indeed? He watched her, standing there, clothed in black, as she watched him.
“Now you aren’t going to answer?” she asked, a sneer on her lips—lips that looked lush even when downturned. He wanted to gather her into his arms and kiss that sneer from her lips, and then keep kissing her until they were both breathless.
“I will answer in good time.”
She sniffed, then muttered so quietly, he hardly heard her. “What am I to do with you?”
Instead of responding to her, he moved around her, her lithe body tense, and gazed out into the night.
What to do with me, indeed… What was he to do with her? She wasn’t the typical London debutante, that much was plain, but she was still a lady, still tied to the dictates of society—whether she liked it or not.
Beyond the lamp overhead, it was dark as pitch. Suddenly, the reality of his situation dawned. He was alone in an alley with an unmarried lady, who was dressed in trousers, brandishing an exotic blade—and she’d just saved his life. If there wasn’t cause to think of her before, there certainly was now. He would never forget this night, not for as long as he lived.
Deciding it was best to see her to safety, he turned to demand she allow him to take her home.
But she was gone. She’d slipped away as silently as a ghost.
A laugh burst from his chest—a mirthless chuckle born of exhaustion and confusion and frustration.
“Of course she had to have the last word.”
About the Author
Lynn Winchester is the pseudonym of a hardworking California-born conservative, now living in the wilds of Northeast Pennsylvania. Lynn has been writing fiction since the 5th grade, and enjoys creating worlds, characters, and stories for her readers.
When Lynn isn't writing she is running a successful editing business, reading whatever she can get her hands on, raising her four children, making sure her husband is happy, and binge-watching shows on Netflix.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away an eBook of A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Alexandra of Sparta vowed her sword and her heart to the goddess Artemis. And the goddess blessed her. But no warrior lives at peace, and soon, Alexandra loses her title, her troops, and all she holds dear, including the man who holds her heart.
Cursed by a Babylonian witch, she is forced to return to a city she once conquered to make amends, but is captured by the powerful Persian rebel, Artaxerxes. As his prisoner, she awaits judgment for her crimes. But Artaxerxes is not what he seems. With death approaching, Alexandra must face her violent past and discover the truth of her captor’s identity before it’s too late.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I am of Sparta"
As she did in The Jinni's Last Wish, Zenobia Neil masterfully transports you back in time with The Queen of Warriors. Zenobia's books are such a treat for the senses and the kind of books that completely immerse you into another world.
Alexandra of Sparta is better known as The Queen of Warriors. Fierce and powerful, she was a leader of men, invader of lands, and feared by her enemies. Now her reign as Queen as ended she consults an oracle who tells her to go back to where she began to reach the answers she seeks. I don't want to give away much more as I was shocked at what she found - you will just have read it for yourself :)
Sensual, exciting, titillating, and erotic, The Queen of Warriors is a fabulous historical that will keep you turning the pages. Alexandra was a complex and intriguing character and a complete badass! I loved her strength and perseverance.
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. She lives with her husband, two children, and dog in Los Angeles. The Queen of Warriors is her third book.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 2 eBooks and 2 paperbacks of Psyche Unbound and The Jinni's Last Wish! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 4th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
John Docherty’s mother has just been taken into a nursing home following a massive stroke and she’s unlikely to be able to live independently again. With no other option than to sell the family home, John sets about packing up everything in the house. In sifting through the detritus of his family’s past he’s forced to revisit, and revise his childhood. For in a box, in the attic, he finds undeniable truth that he had a brother who disappeared when he himself was only a toddler. A brother no one ever mentioned. A brother he knew absolutely nothing about. A discovery that sets John on a journey from which he may never recover. For sometimes in that space where memory should reside there is nothing but silence, smoke and ash. And in the absence of truth, in the absence of a miracle, we turn to prayer. And to violence. Shocking, chilling and heartbreakingly emotive, In the Absence of Miracles is domestic noir at its most powerful, and a sensitively wrought portrait of a family whose shameful lies hide the very darkest of secrets.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well, this is going to be one tough review to write. Author Michael Malone has had me on an emotional roller coaster for the past few days with this incredible book and I'm still thinking about it.
The book starts off with John's mother having had a stroke and living in a care center to receive help. When John realizes that he won't be able to support her and that she probably won't be coming home he decides to clean out the house to sell it. When he comes across a family photograph he hadn't seen before with a brother he never knew about, it starts off a series of events that will ultimately shock John (and you, the reader!).
Working with his other brother Chris they investigate who is in the photograph and what happened to him, and why his parents kept it a secret from them. The answer was no where near what I expected it to be! I was absolutely floored!
Heart-wrenching and brutal, this story will grab you by the heart. I felt so much for these boys and my heart broke for them. The author's writing was beautiful, even with the tough subject matter. I was a mess at the end and know I will be thinking of this book for a long time.
Thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for the chance to read In The Absence of Miracles! I highly recommend it.
About the Author
Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. Other published work includes Carnegie’s Call; A Taste for Malice; The Guillotine Choice; Beyond the Rage; The Bad Samaritan and Dog Fight. His psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and the critically acclaimed House of Spines and After He Died soon followed suit. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr.
Happy Monday everyone! Today on the blog I am super excited to share my interview with Cynthia Sally Haggard. Her blog tour for Farewell My Life kicks off today and she stopped by to answer a few questions! We also have a giveaway so be sure to enter!
Hello Cynthia and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about Farewell My Life!
To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your writing?
I was born & raised in England, and came to the US at the age of 21. I’ve lived my entire adult life in the Mid-Atlantic region. (It was tough getting used to those steamy summers.)
What inspired you to write Farewell My Life?
I had a picture in my mind of the practical sister (Violet) bringing a violin for the dreamy sister (Grace) who had had to leave home under a cloud. That was all I knew when I started writing.
What research did you undertake when writing Farewell My Life?
I read LOTS of books, about fashion, manners, history…anything that gave me a vivid picture of life in the 1920s and 1930s. Of course, I also went online too, but that was just to fill out the research I’d gleaned from books.
What would you like readers to take away from reading Farewell My Life?
Life is fragile. Things can unravel much more quickly than any of us like to admit.
What was your favorite scene to write?
The last scene of Part 1, when Russell is unmasked.
What was the most difficult scene to write?
The very last scene of the novel, because it is so harrowing.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Not until fairly late in life (at the age of 43). Prior to that, I’d been a violinist and then a cognitive scientist.
What does your writing routine look like?
The truth is that I don’t have a writing routine. When I write, I work every day in the morning because that is my best time of day. But as I have to promote my books myself there are times when I can’t write. For example, right now I’m editing audio files so that I have Audible versions of both of my novels.
What has been your greatest challenge as a writer?
Writing dazzling prose.
Have you been able to overcome it?
Based on the early reviews of Farewell My Life, it seems as it I have!
Who are your writing inspirations?
I was the typical bookworm from the age of 10 on, when I started reading for three hours every day. I read all the classics, so of course I was inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Fanny Burney. The actual inspirations for my novels come from disparate sources. My first novel “Thwarted Queen,” was inspired by a Time Team program on Richard III. “Farewell My Life” is loosely based on the story of my college violin teacher, who went to Berlin to study violin circa 1925.
What was the first historical novel you read?
I’m not sure, but I remember enjoying Jean Plaidy’s Isabella & Ferdinand trilogy (“Castile for Isabella,” “Spain for the Sovereigns,” and “Daughters of Spain.”)
What is the last historical novel you read?
“I, Eliza Hamilton” by Susan Holloway Scott. I loved the voice, the blend of love & exasperation in Eliza’s voice as she talked about her husband.
What are three things people may not know about you?
I learned to play violin when I was 3 years old. I have a PhD in Experimental Psychology. I wanted to study ballet.
What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?
Well, I love living in the past, so historical novels are the perfect venue for my imagination.
What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?
That depends on what I’m working on. When I was writing “Thwarted Queen” I read historical fiction about the middle ages. When I created “Farewell My Life” I read historical fiction about the 19th and 20th centuries.
What do you like to do when you aren't writing?
Play piano, walk, hike, exercise at the gym, play landlady, organize my husband.
Lastly, what are you working on next?
My next novel is set in Sicily circa 831, when Palermo was attacked by Muslims from North Africa…
Sounds fascinating! Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Farewell My Life by Cynthia Haggard
Publication Date: April 7, 2019
eBook & Paperback; 586 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Angelina led a life which required her to fib. When Angelina, the black sheep of the Pagano family, meets the mysterious Mr. Russell, she has no idea that she has seen him before…in another country. And so begins Farewell My Life, a novel in three parts, which spins an operatic tale of dangerous love and loss.
The Lost Mother, the first part of this novel, slices back and forth between time and space, opening in the charming village of Georgetown, Washington D.C. while reflecting a family’s troubled past in the lovely village of Marostica in the Italian Veneto.
An Unsuitable Suitor, the second part of the novel, is a Cinderella-ish tale with not-so-charming princes who inhabit the edgy setting of 1920s Berlin.
Farewell My Life, the last part of the novel, set again in Berlin, Germany, during the dark 1930s as the Nazis gain power, takes comfortable lives, assumptions and civilizations and crumbles them into ash.
"A unique, deftly scripted, and extraordinary novel by an author with a distinctive narrative storytelling style that will hold the readers dedicated attention from beginning to end, "Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia" is an impressive and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. One of those rare novels that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished."--Mid-West Book Review
"The author knows her characters very, very well; this shows in the consistent and very individual way they act. This is not a plot-driven story; it's character-driven. In this book, the characters are the jam which holds everything together. The best example of this is Grace, the talented violinist, who, simply, jumps off the page. I loved her."--Wishing Shelf
"This is not your typical mystery; it's for fans of thrilling action and historically-inspired events...Contra to the status quo of the genre, the men are the romantics - though in a deranged manner - and the women showcased are the core strength of the novel."--BookLife Prize.
"The author...adeptly summons the era in all its manners and details with her descriptive prose...Her omniscient, third-person narrator effectively flits through the heads of various characters, offering momentary glimpses of their inner lives."--Kirkus Reviews
"I loved the elaborate descriptions of all the places in this book. This is the kind of book that shows instead of just telling. The characters are very well-developed and interesting to read about. Angelina is a fascinating character, as is Grace. Along the duration of the book, Grace learns a lot about herself. I was amazed by her quiet yet vibrant personality, and her brilliant talent."--Pavani Mathur (The Voracious Bibliophile)
About the Author
Cynthia graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University, Cambridge MA, in June 2015.
Her first novel, Thwarted Queen, a frustrating tale (hence the title) of Lady Cecylee Neville (1415-1495) who was nearly crowned Queen of England, was shortlisted for many awards, including the 2012 Eric Hoffer New Horizon Award for debut authors. To date, sales have surpassed 38,000 copies.
Her forthcoming novel, Farewell My Life, is a Cinderella-ish tale with not-so-charming princes who inhabit the edgy setting of 1920s Berlin.
When she’s not annoying everyone by insisting her fictional characters are more real than they are, Cynthia likes to go for long walks, knit something glamorous, cook in her wonderful kitchen, and play the piano. You can visit her at www.spunstories.com. You can also find Cynthia on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two eBooks of FAREWELL MY LIFE! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Spain, 1938 The country is wracked by civil war, and as Valencia falls to Franco’s brutal dictatorship, Republican Teresa witnesses the murders of her family. Captured and sent to the notorious Las Ventas women’s prison, Teresa gives birth to a daughter who is forcibly taken from her.
‘Gustawsson’s writing is so vivid, it’s electrifying. Utterly compelling’ Peter James
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blood Song by Johana Gustawsson is a brilliant, unrelenting thriller that will sink its hooks into you and not let go! I have no idea how I can possibly do justice in my review to how amazing this read was.
This is the third book in Gustawsson's Roy and Castells series, and while I haven't read the first two books I didn't feel lost at all. I will be purchasing the first two books in the series soon because I am so in love with the way this author writes.
There are two timelines in the story and I was unsure of how they would connect, but it was masterfully done. One was definitely more emotional than the other. There are some pretty heartwrenching scenes when the story flips back to the time during Franco's regime in Spain, with Gordi's story, that are hard to read so be sure to have tissues handy. I haven't read much about this time in history so it was all new to me and absolutely horrifying.
I can't even begin to express how much I loved this book. I was furiously turning the pages to see how it would play out and glared at anyone that dared attempt to speak with me while reading. It's the kind of book that you think about all day until it's reading time, and when it's finally time to sit down and get back into it, your heart beats a little faster. I love that feeling!
Blood Song is perfect for fans of fast-paced thrillers and historicals. I highly recommend it and can't wait to pick up the other books in the series.
Thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for the opportunity to read this book!
You can't help but be drawn to the strong women in this book, and it was co-written seamlessly. I absolutely loved every minute I spent reading it!
It also brought back some memories as I had a pen pal as a teenager as well. They captured the allure of writing letters - the excitement you feel when a new letter would arrive, and the disappointment when it didn't. I kind of feel bad for kids these days that won't know the bittersweetness of it all.
JAN AGNELLO comes from several generations of hobbiest antiquers. Her love of stories behind the antiques inspired her in 2013 to form Storyology Design, now Storyology Design and Publication. The necklaces Jan crafts from antique coin purses have generated a loyal customer following and garnered attention from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, jewelry network executives, and TV and film costume designers. Her love of books, romance, history, and unique jewelry design led her to collaborate with author Anne Armistead to offer a series of historical novels, each paired with heirloom quality jewelry named for the female protagonist. The first in the series, WITH KISSES FROM CÉCILE, is a story of love and redemption drawn from Jan’s family history. It is paired with THE CÉCILE JEWELRY COLLECTION. Visit storyologydesign.com to learn more about Jan and Storyology.
ANNE ARMISTEAD is a writer of historical romance. She earned her English literature degree from the University of Georgia and her MFA in creative writing from Spalding University. Her background includes project management with AT&T and teaching English at the middle, high, and college levels. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Writers of Romance. WITH KISSES FROM CÉCILE is her second romance, following the publication of DANGEROUS CONJURINGS (Soul Mate Publishing, April 2018). Anne writes for and serves as an editor for Storyology Design and Publication. Visit annearmisteadauthor.com to learn more about Anne and her novels.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of With Kisses From Cecile! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on September 17th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Hello, dear readers! Today on the blog I am super excited to be hosting the co-authors of With Kisses From Cecile, Jan Agnello & Anne Armistead! Today kicks off their blog tour so be sure to check out the blogs that will be hosting them. My review will be up later today. It was a wonderful read! And don't forget to enter to win a copy at the end of this post.
I hope you enjoy getting to know these two fascinating women writers! Have you ever had a pen pal? Let us know in the comments!
Sandra: I cannot remember a moment in my life when stories have not been a part of my life and my desire to write and share stories with others has not been a dream! My dad was the consummate storyteller, and I loved hearing him share his stories from growing up during the Depression. I turned one of his stories about hobos visiting his home for food into my first published piece in Highlights Magazine (“The Sign of the Cat”). I ran my mother ragged when I was a child, carting me back and forth from the library multiple times a week for me to keep a stack of books at the ready. My most favorites including Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew Mysteries, and Little Women, Victoria Holt Gothic romances, and of course, Gone with the Wind.
What does your daily writing routine look like?
Sandra: I spend my morning working on my work-in-progress, researching, outlining, writing scenes, as well as revising after the first draft of a manuscript is completed I spend the afternoons outlining my next WIP, checking in on blogs I follow, posting across my social media accounts, and volunteering time with the writing community (judging entries for contests, developing and delivering workshops, and mentoring other writers). One morning every two weeks is spent with my writing group. We have been together for almost a decade and provide each other not only support in our writing but emotional support in life! I devote time each evening and on weekends to reading books in the historical romance genre as well as contemporary romance and romantic suspense. I believe a writer must be a voracious reader!
What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?
Sandra: My greatest challenge is to harness all the stories I want to write and actually write one of them to arrive at that ever-elusive THE END! My writing group helps keep me moving forward, as does keeping setting self-imposed deadlines and celebrating each I meet a deadline by munching on my favorite snack of popcorn with M&M’s while watching an episode of my latest British show I am binging. Right now I’m re-watching all of Downton Abbey to prepare for the movie!
Who are your writing inspirations?
Jan: I read antique books for fun. I love the voices in the old novels and regularly compare them to how books are different today. Books I loved as a child are Charlotte's Web, The Secret Garden, and Anne of Green Gables. As a teenager I loved all the Bronte novels, all of Jane Austin's novels, The Great Gatsby, To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brody. This year I have enjoyed The Lost Girls of Paris and The Only Woman In The Room.
Sandra: As an undergraduate, I chose American Literature as my major because of my American Literature high school teacher, who introduced me to Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, Flannery O’Connor, among other genius writers. I have always said that if I could author any sentences as gorgeous and perfect as those that make up Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby or Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, I would die happy. Other than these famous “classic” writers of the American canon, I probably have been most inspired by Margaret Mitchell’ Gone with the Wind. Scarlet. Rhett. Melanie. Ashley. “Tomorrow is another day.” These are the story elements that ”dreams are made of” (to paraphrase the end line of The Maltese Falcon movie—I am an incurable Turner Classic Movies devotee). I also am inspired by Nina George’s exquisite The Little Paris Bookshop. My family and friends are getting tired of me talking about and quoting from that book incessantly!
What was the first historical novel you read?
Sandra: I was eleven when I read Gone with the Wind, so I would have to say that was my first “adult” historical novel that I voraciously consumed. I also remember being introduced to Philippa Carr’s historical novels around that age. (It totally blew my mind when I realized Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr were the same writer!) I also was captivated by Leon Uris (favorite: Exodus) and James Michener (favorite: Shogun).
What is the last historical novel you read?
Jan: It All Comes Back To You by Beth Duke. I didn't want it to end. Duke is the best wordsmith of classic Southern Fiction!
Sandra: The Gown by Jennifer Robson—how could I pass up a glorious story about Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown? And that sumptuous cover drew me in.
What are three things people may not know about you?
Jan: 1) I grew up in Okinawa, Taiwan, and Washington State. 2) I adore my fur baby Westie, Beaux. 3) I am a Francophile! My Zen place is to imagine walking the streets in the 5th and 6th arrondissements in Paris.
Sandra: 1) While growing up, I played songs on the piano for my brother to sing along while we pretended to be a famous sister-brother act. 2) As a devotee of old movies and the TCM channel, I can quote Casablanca line by line and tear up every time I see the “La Marseillaise” scene. 3) Sometime before his death in 1818, my ancestor Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead acquired the flag that was immortalized in Key’s poem as the “Star-Spangled Banner” from the War of 1812, and the family eventually in 1912 offered the flag as a permanent gift to the country. It is on display in the Smithsonian Museum in DC. My other ancestor is the Civil War Confederate General Lewis Armistead, who was killed while leading Pickett’s Charge in the Battle of Gettysburg. His friendship with the Union General Winfield Scott Hancock was immortalized in Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Killer Angels and was a significant storyline in the movie made from that book, Gettysburg.
What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?
Jan: The historic time period I love is the Belle Epoch. I am a huge fan of French antiques from that Era. And I love the Victorian Era. I made a point of visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The collection of Queen Victoria's jewelry is exquisite. Also, I love novels set in WWI.
Sandra: My background in studying American Literature and teaching it honed my keen interest in the American Civil War period, and I am intensely drawn to the time period of World War I and World War II.
What do you like to do when you aren't writing?
Jan: I watch PBS, BBC, Fox News, and HGTV. I love on my sweet Westie, Beaux, refurbish antiques, design jewelry, and fly to LA and Ft. Lauderdale to visit by three granddaughters.
Sandra: When not writing, I’m reading tales conjured by others, torturing myself at my Pilates classes, and watching BBC shows, to which I am hopelessly addicted.
Lastly, what are you working on next?
Jan & Sandra: We are researching the era of the turn of the last Century and the “Grand Tour” that American teen girls would take as part of their rite of passage into “adult” society as a basis for the next Storyology Design and Publication historical romance, which will be released with another jewelry collection!
Sandra: I am working on a contemporary heartwarming series, marking a departure from historical fiction for me. However, it is set in a small Southern town, so I am sticking to my Southern roots!
I am so excited for both of these upcoming books! Thank you for taking the time to let us know more about you! Good luck with your new book!
JAN AGNELLO comes from several generations of hobbiest antiquers. Her love of stories behind the antiques inspired her in 2013 to form Storyology Design, now Storyology Design and Publication. The necklaces Jan crafts from antique coin purses have generated a loyal customer following and garnered attention from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, jewelry network executives, and TV and film costume designers. Her love of books, romance, history, and unique jewelry design led her to collaborate with author Anne Armistead to offer a series of historical novels, each paired with heirloom quality jewelry named for the female protagonist. The first in the series, WITH KISSES FROM CÉCILE, is a story of love and redemption drawn from Jan’s family history. It is paired with THE CÉCILE JEWELRY COLLECTION. Visit storyologydesign.com to learn more about Jan and Storyology.
ANNE ARMISTEAD is a writer of historical romance. She earned her English literature degree from the University of Georgia and her MFA in creative writing from Spalding University. Her background includes project management with AT&T and teaching English at the middle, high, and college levels. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Writers of Romance. WITH KISSES FROM CÉCILE is her second romance, following the publication of DANGEROUS CONJURINGS (Soul Mate Publishing, April 2018). Anne writes for and serves as an editor for Storyology Design and Publication. Visit annearmisteadauthor.com to learn more about Anne and her novels.
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