Interview & Giveaway: One Night with an Earl by Tina Gabrielle

Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Toady on the blog I am happy to be hosting an interview with Author Tina Gabrielle! She is currently on Blog Tour for her new historical romance, One Night with an Earl, and she graciously stopped by to talk more about it. We also have a chance for you to win a $10 Amazon gift card so be sure to enter the giveaway below.


Hello Tina and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about One Night with an Earl!
 
To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your writing?

Hello and thank you for having me today! I’m Tina Gabrielle and I write adventurous historical romances. I’m celebrating the release of ONE NIGHT WITH AN EARL, the first book in the Daring Ladies series. The story features a diverse Mediterranean lady and the newly minted Earl of Drake. I loved writing about Anahit, or Ana.

As for me, I have two girls, and I’m married to my own hero. We live in New Jersey, and we spend summers at the Jersey shore.

What inspired you to write One Night with an Earl?

I’ve always wanted to write a diverse historical romance. I’m a first generation Armenian American, and I used many of my own cultural roots when I wrote the book. There is even my family’s baklava recipe at the end of the book.

What was your favorite scene to write?

The first chapter is quite sexy and was a lot of fun to write. Ana seeks to lose her virginity before her thirtieth birthday, and she takes matters into her own hands. The book features:

• An elite brothel
• One night of passion
• Mistaken identity
• A Baklava recipe

What was the most difficult scene to write?

I’ve written multiple books and the middle of the book is always difficult for me to write. It’s the “sagging middle” and I’m not talking about my waistline. But I always keep writing and I ended up loving this book.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

For as long as I can remember, I have loved books and wanted to be a writer. As a teenager, I used scotch tape to hold my peeling laminated library card together. I spent many nights reading in bed well past midnight to finish a book, only to start another. I know my mom was aggravated waking up a tired teenager every morning.

I wrote my first book when I was sixteen. I remember typing furiously on the family computer, only to get frustrated when I was interrupted by one of my siblings. I thought the book was the greatest ever written, and believed it was my ticket to instant fame. How little did I know!

What does your daily writing routine look like?

I try to write every day, but it doesn’t always happen. Kids and family must come first. I work a day job and write at night and on weekends. Slow and steady wins the race for me.

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

I’ll say the same as above. The “sagging middle” is always a great challenge for me. I love writing the beginning of a manuscript and I always know how it will end, the rest can be more challenging. I have to have the perfect blend of romance and conflict.

Who are your writing inspirations?

Hmm. I’d say Jane Austen. I love “Pride and Prejudice.”

What was the first historical romance that you read?

“The Bride” by Julie Garwood. I still love it.

What is the last historical romance that you read?

“Lord of Wicked Intentions” by Loraine Heath

What are your favorite romance tropes?

Enemies to Lovers, Mistaken Identity. There’s both in “One Night with an Earl”

What are three things people may not know about you?

I also write cozy mysteries as Tina Kashian, I love to cook, I swim laps for stress for exercise.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

I have more than one chosen genre. For historicals, I love the Regency period. The gowns, the carriages, the dashing gentleman. For cozy mysteries, I love setting up a murder, red herrings, and solving the case.

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

Regency historicals, of course!

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

I love spending time with my two girls. We watch movies, play board games and shop.

Lastly, what are you working on next?

I’m working on the next book in my Daring Ladies series.

Thank you again for having me!


One Night with an Earl by Tina Gabrielle

Publication Date: October 18, 2021
Entangled: Amara

Series: The Daring Ladies, Book 1
Genre: Historical Romance


  Ana Gardner is determined to lose her virginity before her thirtieth birthday. She’s no stranger to fake identities, having posed as a chaperone since the scandal that destroyed her titled family. So she dons a mask, changes into a low-cut red gown, and attends the city’s most elite brothel, the Silver Chalice.

Oliver Bedford, the imposing Earl of Drake, is only at the Silver Chalice to appease his debauched friends—until he spots Lady Scarlet. She’s refreshing...and a complete mystery. Certain she’s a lady in disguise, Oliver is determined to learn her identity, but she eludes him at every turn.

The night with Oliver was unforgettable. But when he arrives at her employer’s home, she’s horrified to discover her lover is the Earl of Drake, the son of the man responsible for her father’s death and subsequent family ruin. And that he’s there to court her young charge.

Oliver never had any interest in the debutante, but he is drawn to her chaperone—a woman he soon realizes is his Lady Scarlet. Now that he’s found her, she claims she wants nothing to do with him, even though her kisses say otherwise. Fortunately, Oliver is not one to give up when he finds something he wants...and he wants Ana. In his bed, and in his life. Forever.

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes and Noble | Google Play | Kobo 


About the Author


Best-selling author Tina Gabrielle is an attorney and former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. She often picked up a romance and let her fantasies of knights in shining armor and lords and ladies carry her away. She is the author of adventurous Regency historical romances for Entangled Publishing and Kensington Books.

Publisher’s Weekly calls her Regency Barrister’s series, “Well-matched lovers…witty comradely repartee.” Tina’s books have been Barnes & Noble top picks, and her first book, Lady Of Scandal, was nominated as best first historical by Romantic Times Book Reviews. Tina lives in New Jersey and is married to her own hero and is blessed with two daughters. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her website to learn about upcoming releases, join her newsletter, and enter free monthly contests at www.tinagabrielle.com. Tina also writes cozy mysteries as Tina Kashian. Visit www.tinakashian.com to learn more about her mystery books.

You can also find Tina on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 18
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Wednesday, October 20
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss

Friday, October 22
Review at Anna's Book Blog

Saturday, October 23
Excerpt at The Cozy Book Blog

Tuesday, October 26
Interview & Excerpt at Passages to the Past

Monday, November 1
Review at Reader_ceygo

Tuesday, November 2
Excerpt at Bookish Rantings

Wednesday, November 3
Interview at Reader_ceygo

Thursday, November 4
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Friday, November 5
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Giveaway

Enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

The giveaway is open to US addresses only and ends on November 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

One Night with an Earl

Interview & Giveaway: The Riverwoman's Dragon by Candace Robb

Hello, dear reader! Today on the blog I am excited to welcome Author Candace Robb! She is currently on tour for her new historical and the 13th book in her Owen Archer series, The Riverwoman's Dragon, and graciously stopped by to tell us more about it! We also have a chance for you to win a copy, so be sure to enter the giveaway!

Stop by on November 1st to read my review! I am loving it so far!


Hello Candace and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about The Riverwoman’s Dragon!

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

Since doing my graduate work in medieval history and literature, I’ve been engaged in bringing to life the rich culture of the late medieval period, from the arts to the politics. That’s the beginning of my standard bio. Quite accurate! My first published book was The Apothecary Rose, the beginning of the Owen Archer series. The Riverwoman’s Dragon is the 13th book in the series. I’ve also written the Margaret Kerr trilogy, beginning with A Trust Betrayed, which is set at the beginning of the Scottish Wars of Independence in the late 13th/early 14th centuries. Also set in York, with three books so far, is the Kate Clifford series, beginning with The Service of the Dead. Writing as Emma Campion I published two novels about women in the court of King Edward III, The King’s Mistress (about Alice Perrers) and A Triple Knot (about Joan of Kent).

The Riverwoman’s Dragon is the 13th book in your Owen Archer series, what inspired you to write the series?

My fiendishly clever scheme was to use what I’d learned and loved in studying late medieval literature and culture in graduate school to write about my favorite city, York. The city was the second most important in England in the 14th century with a thriving merchant trade and an archbishop who was the second most powerful Churchman in the realm as well as serving as Lord Chancellor of England for a time.

What research did you undertake when writing this series?

How many hours do you have? Seriously, the research began long before I conceived of The Apothecary Rose (book 1) and it continues. I’ve planted herb gardens, traveled not just to locations used in the books but places that I knew had the best surviving examples of various aspects of medieval culture. I’ve sung in a medieval choir. I’ve tried spinning, weaving (both badly), hawking (the falconer called me a natural). I’ve have read and continue to read original and secondary sources, keeping up with new research. I’ve befriended historians and archeologists who graciously answer my questions. The research is a joy.

What was your favorite scene to write?

My favorite scenes to write in The Riverwoman’s Dragon were those in Magda’s point of view, which comprise half the book. I enjoyed being her.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

Always the most difficult scene for me is the very first. It evolves over time, yet I bleed over it on each iteration as if it will then be set in stone.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I caught the writing bug when American Girl published a short poem I wrote about ballet. I think I was 8. The poem was for a class project. I preferred storytelling—I entertained my mother while she was ironing or sewing by spinning elaborate fairy tales, always with tragic endings. But I didn’t write them down yet. I was already on to the next one.

What does your daily writing routine look like?

My routine is simple: I write every day if possible. I rarely find it impossible. No set time. My writing is slow at the beginning of a project, gaining speed as it takes on shape and the characters are fully engaged. I play with word count goals but don’t flog myself if I don’t reach them; I know that to be self-defeating. The truth is, I’m always writing in my head, reading background, arguing with characters, who often wake me at night to correct my course.

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

Marketing myself. I make it bearable by finding a way to have fun with it, whether it’s building my own website (of which I’m quite proud) or diving into Twitter.

What was the first historical novel you read?

Heaven knows. I was a voracious reader the moment I learned to distinguish words and devoured everything in the library. I have vague memories of biographies of Marie Antoinette, Alfred the Great, Paul Revere, and Martha Washington. My first distinct memory of medieval fiction was An Innocent Wayfaring by Marchette Chute. I adored it.

What is the last historical novel you read?

By the Edge of the Sword by C B Hanley, which will be out in November, I believe. Just before that I read Lauren Groff’s Matrix.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

The built-in structure.

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

Of late I’ve been enjoying the retelling of Greek myths and the Trojan War from the point of view of the women. Other than that, my bedtime reading is wildly eclectic.

Lastly, what are you working on next?

Owen Archer 14!

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I love this series and look forward to the next one!


The Riverwoman's Dragon by Candace Robb

Publication Date: October 1, 2021
Severn House

Series: Book 13 in the Owen Archer series
Genre: Historical Mystery


When the wise woman Magda Digby is suspected of murder, Owen Archer sets out to prove her innocence in this intricately plotted medieval mystery.

May, 1375. Owen Archer returns from London to find York in chaos. While the citizens are living in terror of the pestilence which is spreading throughout the land, a new physician has arrived, whipping up fear and suspicion against traditional healers and midwives. With the backing of the new archbishop, he is especially hostile towards Magda Digby, the wise woman who has helped and healed the people of York for many years. At the same time, Magda is uneasy about the arrival of two long-lost kinsfolk. Though they say they are seeking her help, she senses a hidden agenda.

Magda’s troubles deepen when she discovers a body in the river near her home – and finds herself under suspicion of murder. Days later, fire rips through a warehouse in the city. Amongst the charred debris lies the body of a man – not burned, but stabbed in the back. Could there be a connection to the corpse in the river?

Determined to prove Magda’s innocence, Owen sets out to find answers – but the more he uncovers, the deeper the mystery becomes...

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound


About the Author


I’m Candace Robb, a writer/historian engaged in creating fiction about the late middle ages with a large cast of characters with whom I enjoy spending my days. Two series, the Owen Archer mysteries and the Kate Clifford mysteries, are set in late medieval York. The Margaret Kerr trilogy is set in early 14th century Scotland, at the beginning of the Wars of Independence. Two standalone novels (published under pseudonym Emma Campion) expand on the lives of two women in the court of King Edward III who have fascinated me ever since I first encountered them in history and fiction.

I am a dreamer. Writing, gardening, walking, dancing, reading, being with friends—there’s always a dreaming element.

Website | Facebook | Twitter  | BookBub


Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 18
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Tuesday, October 19
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Thursday, October 21
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 22
Excerpt at I'm All About Books

Tuesday, October 26
Excerpt at Books & Benches

Wednesday, October 27
Review at Bookfrolic
Excerpt at The Cozy Book Blog

Thursday, October 28
Interview at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Friday, October 29
Review at Coffee and Ink

Monday, November 1
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of The Riverwoman's Dragon by Candace Robb! We have 1 copy available to the US and 1 to the UK.

The giveaway ends on November 1st. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Riverwoman's Dragon

Review & Giveaway: Windswept by Annabelle McCormack


Windswept by Annabelle McCormack

Publication Date: September 21, 2021
Paperback & eBook; 438 pages

Series: The Windswept Saga, Book One
Genre: Historical Fiction


A British nurse in WWI Egypt races to deliver explosive intelligence that could change the course of the war in this novel of suspense, adventure, and love.

May, 1917. Ginger Whitman left a life of wealth and privilege in England to train as a battlefield nurse and serve in the Great War. Working on the brutal frontlines in Palestine, she finds a wounded soldier hiding in her camp. The soldier claims to carry intelligence unmasking a secret plot against the British—and that traitors within British intelligence are searching for him. Desperate and dying, the soldier entrusts a coded message to her care.

Ginger is hurled into an unfamiliar world of intrigue and murder amidst the war-ravaged Arabian desert. She's determined to help her country but trusting the wrong person could cost her life. Then the arrival of mysterious and handsome British intelligence officer Major Noah Benson offers a chance of help. But Noah may be as dangerous as he is charming. As she’s swept away by stolen moments on the desert sands, Ginger realizes her heart may also be at risk.

Hunted by a shadowy enemy spy, Ginger must decide if she can trust Noah. But as she grapples with her decision, Ginger makes a shocking discovery: a sinister secret that threatens to shatter the world she thought she knew.

Amazon | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Books2Read | Kobo


Praise

"Chock-full of secrets and spies, love and betrayal, danger and adventure, all of which is set against the devastating backdrop of WWI, Windswept by Annabelle McCormack is a sumptuous, fast-paced, and riveting read that'll have you cheering for the heroine until the very end." -Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of Sister Dear and You Will Remember Me

"A neophyte nurse becomes an accidental but effective spy in this gripping adventure." -Kirkus Reviews

“Windswept is a whirlwind of an adventure. From the edge-of-your seat suspense, to the passionate romance…you won’t be able to put this book down!” -Lisa Boyle, author of Signed, A Paddy

"Windswept is a delightful, ripsnorting adventure with a feisty heroine, a breathless pace, and endless adventure, intrigue, and romance. You will smile from cover to cover. This will remind you how enjoyable a good book can be." –William Bernhardt, bestselling author of the Ben Kincaid series

“Suspenseful, sexy, and moving, Windswept is a great choice for those looking for strong female leads in their historical fiction. Ginger will inspire you; the story will enthrall you, and the passionate romance will win you over.” -Samantha Hui, Independent Book Review

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WOW! What a breathtaking ride of a book this was! I couldn't read it fast enough and yet I didn't want it to end!

Ginger is a young woman from a wealthy family who volunteered as a nurse in World War One and stationed in Palestine. Her fiance is a surgeon at the camp, though her family doesn't approve and wants her to marry her brother's friend whom she doesn't care for.

One day Ginger happens upon a wounded soldier. She stops to help him and realizes he is wearing a Turkish uniform. He tells her that he is a spy for the British and has extremely important information that needs to be passed on to his superiors and that there is a spy among the British that is looking for him. She decides to help him but she will have to get help from her friend and Fiance to keep him hidden. She is already in trouble for not listening to orders and harboring a possible enemy id of course frowned upon. He gives Ginger a coded message for Cairo Intelligence - a secret that could change the course of the war - and the name of the man that can help him. What happens next, well you will just have to read it and see! I can tell you that it's a thrilling read with danger, betrayal, romance (Ginger and Noah...more please!), and the writing is impeccable. Even if you are WWI'd out you should definitely pick this one up. It will bring readers a whole new aspect of the war that they may not be aware of.

I am truly impressed with Annabelle's debut historical and absolutely cannot wait for the next book, which will be out next year!

About the Author


Annabelle McCormack writes historical women’s fiction with epic settings, adventure, and romance. Her debut book Windswept, a novel about a British WWI nurse in the Middle East caught in a dangerous web of intrigue and romance, will be published September 2021.

She was born in San Jose, Costa Rica to a Costa Rican mother and American father. She moved to the US at the age of 4, but remains fully bilingual in English and Spanish. She studied at the Johns Hopkins University, where she obtained a Master of Arts in Fiction in 2010. Afterward, she dedicated herself to her photography business, while continuing to work on her writing as a long-term goal. In 2018, she received the award for Best Novel at the 2018 Red Sneaker’s Writer Conference (now Writer-Con). She lives in Maryland with her husband and five children and writes as a staff blogger for Inkitt Writer’s Blog.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, September 21
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Review at Booking With Janelle
Feature at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Wednesday, September 22
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Thursday, September 23
Review at Books and Backroads

Friday, September 24
Review at Jessica Belmont

Saturday, September 25
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Sunday, September 26
Review at Reader_Ceygo

Monday, September 27
Review at Bibliostatic
Review at Novels Alive
Interview at Reader_Ceygo

Tuesday, September 28
Excerpt at Donna's Book Blog

Wednesday, September 29
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss

Monday, October 4
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Tuesday, October 5
Review at Amy's Booket List

Wednesday, October 6
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Friday, October 8
Review at Niki Loves to Read

Monday, October 11
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Wednesday, October 13
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 15
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, October 18
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, October 19
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Friday, October 22
Review at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy of Windswept by Annabelle McCormack!

The giveaway is open to US addresses only and ends on October 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Windswept

Interview & Giveaway: Windswept by Annabelle McCormack

It's so exciting to share my interview with Author Annabella McCormack with you today! Annabelle is currently on blog tour for her novel, Windswept, and I am so grateful for her stopping by to talk more about it! I'm reading it now and it's MAGNIFICENT! Pop back on Friday to check out my review! I hope you enjoy getting to know Annabelle and don't forget to enter the giveaway.


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

Thank you! I’m glad to be a part of your blog today!

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

It’s always amazing how quickly I blank out when people ask me that! Haha. Let’s see, I’m a historical fiction writer who loves the combination of sweeping historical settings, lots of adventure, and a good dash of romance. I write about what interests and inspires me, which is often rooted in the more obscure, less explored parts of history. I’m also a photographer and I love exploring the world with my camera and my pen. I live in Maryland with my husband and five young children.

What inspired you to write Windswept?

The main characters of Noah and Ginger have been with me for over twenty years...but it took about fifteen for me to find the right story for them (after many, many drafts of different stories). I was reading about and researching the African campaigns of World War I and became fascinated in that theater of war. The implications it had for the modern Middle East (and therefore, the world) were huge.

What research did you undertake when writing Windswept?

I read so many books, it’s hard to list them all. One of my favorites was the diary of Ion Idriess, who was an Australian soldier in that particular campaign—his insights and details were incredible. I also dug into forums and government archives about the Great War, watched videos, and read a lot of JSTOR and old newspaper articles.

What would you like readers to take away from reading Windswept?

To begin with, I think that campaign and the motives behind it are fascinating, so it’s naturally filled with a lot of material that I’d love to see people more educated about. But also—the women who were at the forefront of the war were really doing things that were revolutionary and must have been terrifying for them, morally, physically, and socially. I think it’s great to consider what women faced within the context of “a man’s world.”

What was your favorite scene to write?

I loved writing the scenes out in the desert with the Bedouin.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

Describing a khamsin (when I’ve never actually been through one, or even a dust storm). I watched so many YouTube videos about dust storms and annoyed my husband (a US Army vet who spent a great deal of time in the Middle East) with questions.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing very young to entertain myself. For me, writing was just as amusing as reading a book. In high school, classmates started asking to read my books and I realized I loved the idea of others reading the stories I had written.

What does your daily writing routine look like?

Because I have five young kids, it’s hard to have a solid routine as a full-time writer. Mostly, I write whenever I can during the day (like when they’re watching TV) and write late in the evenings when the kids are asleep.

I use weekly goals to keep me motivated.

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

Writing with kids. And yes. 😀

Who are your writing inspirations?

Truly, I’m an admirer of any man and woman who starts writing as a working parent and finds the time and ability to get the words in, day after day.

What was the first historical novel you read?

Not including the classics or books for school-- Once and Always by Judith McNaught, a historical romance.

What is the last historical novel you read?

The Pharaoh’s Curse by Elizabeth Peters

What book do you wish that you could re-read for the first time again?

The Fellowship of the Ring by Tolkien

What are three things people may not know about you?

I was born in Costa Rica (my mom is from there), I was a professional wedding photographer for 12 years, and I used to be in SAG-Aftra and worked as an actor.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

I love that they make historical time periods come alive for others in a way that isn’t as accessible by reading a history book.

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

Anything from about 1000 AD to WWII. I know, it’s a wide range. I just like history.

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

Bake and cook, explore nature, watch movies, paint.

Lastly, what are you working on next?

The sequel to Windswept—Sands of Sirocco—which will be out in 2022!

YESSS! I cannot wait for that! Thank you for being here today, Annabelle! And congrats on all of the rave reviews!


Windswept by Annabelle McCormack

Publication Date: September 21, 2021
Paperback & eBook; 438 pages

Series: The Windswept Saga, Book One
Genre: Historical Fiction


A British nurse in WWI Egypt races to deliver explosive intelligence that could change the course of the war in this novel of suspense, adventure, and love.

May, 1917. Ginger Whitman left a life of wealth and privilege in England to train as a battlefield nurse and serve in the Great War. Working on the brutal frontlines in Palestine, she finds a wounded soldier hiding in her camp. The soldier claims to carry intelligence unmasking a secret plot against the British—and that traitors within British intelligence are searching for him. Desperate and dying, the soldier entrusts a coded message to her care.

Ginger is hurled into an unfamiliar world of intrigue and murder amidst the war-ravaged Arabian desert. She's determined to help her country but trusting the wrong person could cost her life. Then the arrival of mysterious and handsome British intelligence officer Major Noah Benson offers a chance of help. But Noah may be as dangerous as he is charming. As she’s swept away by stolen moments on the desert sands, Ginger realizes her heart may also be at risk.

Hunted by a shadowy enemy spy, Ginger must decide if she can trust Noah. But as she grapples with her decision, Ginger makes a shocking discovery: a sinister secret that threatens to shatter the world she thought she knew.

Amazon | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Books2Read | Kobo


Praise

"Chock-full of secrets and spies, love and betrayal, danger and adventure, all of which is set against the devastating backdrop of WWI, Windswept by Annabelle McCormack is a sumptuous, fast-paced, and riveting read that'll have you cheering for the heroine until the very end." -Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of Sister Dear and You Will Remember Me

"A neophyte nurse becomes an accidental but effective spy in this gripping adventure." -Kirkus Reviews

“Windswept is a whirlwind of an adventure. From the edge-of-your seat suspense, to the passionate romance…you won’t be able to put this book down!” -Lisa Boyle, author of Signed, A Paddy

"Windswept is a delightful, ripsnorting adventure with a feisty heroine, a breathless pace, and endless adventure, intrigue, and romance. You will smile from cover to cover. This will remind you how enjoyable a good book can be." –William Bernhardt, bestselling author of the Ben Kincaid series

“Suspenseful, sexy, and moving, Windswept is a great choice for those looking for strong female leads in their historical fiction. Ginger will inspire you; the story will enthrall you, and the passionate romance will win you over.” -Samantha Hui, Independent Book Review

About the Author


Annabelle McCormack writes historical women’s fiction with epic settings, adventure, and romance. Her debut book Windswept, a novel about a British WWI nurse in the Middle East caught in a dangerous web of intrigue and romance, will be published September 2021.

She was born in San Jose, Costa Rica to a Costa Rican mother and American father. She moved to the US at the age of 4, but remains fully bilingual in English and Spanish. She studied at the Johns Hopkins University, where she obtained a Master of Arts in Fiction in 2010. Afterward, she dedicated herself to her photography business, while continuing to work on her writing as a long-term goal. In 2018, she received the award for Best Novel at the 2018 Red Sneaker’s Writer Conference (now Writer-Con). She lives in Maryland with her husband and five children and writes as a staff blogger for Inkitt Writer’s Blog.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, September 21
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Review at Booking With Janelle
Feature at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Wednesday, September 22
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Thursday, September 23
Review at Books and Backroads

Friday, September 24
Review at Jessica Belmont

Saturday, September 25
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Sunday, September 26
Review at Reader_Ceygo

Monday, September 27
Review at Bibliostatic
Review at Novels Alive
Interview at Reader_Ceygo

Tuesday, September 28
Excerpt at Donna's Book Blog

Wednesday, September 29
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss

Monday, October 4
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Tuesday, October 5
Review at Amy's Booket List

Wednesday, October 6
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Friday, October 8
Review at Niki Loves to Read

Monday, October 11
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Wednesday, October 13
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 15
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, October 18
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, October 19
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Friday, October 22
Review at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy of Windswept by Annabelle McCormack!

The giveaway is open to US addresses only and ends on October 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Windswept

Interview & Giveaway: Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg

Hello, dear readers! I am super excited to be hosting author Rebecca Rosenberg today! She is currently on blog tour for Champagne Widows and graciously stopped by to talk with us about it! It's such a fabulous book, I highly recommend it. Hope you enjy getting to know Rebecca!


Hello Rebecca and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about Champagne Widows!

Amy Bruno, Passages of the Past: To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your writing?

Rebecca Rosenberg, award winning author: I am a champagne geek/lavender farmer/writer of historical fiction. Hard to tell which of these monikers fits better! We lived on our lavender farm in Sonoma Valley, next to Napa Valley, an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I’ve had delicious research exploring champagne houses here in wine country, or as properly called in the United States, sparkling wine houses. Champagne can only be called champagne if it comes from Champagne, France! I love to write about “glorious women of the past” whose stories have not been told, like Houdini’s wife, and Jack London’s wife in THE SECRET LIFE OF MRS. LONDON and Baby Doe Tabor in GOLD DIGGER.

Amy: What inspired you to write about Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, also known as "Grande Dame of Champagne"?

Rebecca: We’ve traveled to Champagne, France many times, even leading tours. We’ve prowled through the elegant champagne houses and mysterious wine caves. When I realized Veuve Clicquot, one of the best champagnes in the world, was the creation of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot in 1800, I started researching her life. Hard to do from the 1800’s!


Amy: What research did you undertake when writing Champagne Widows?

Rebecca: I was lucky enough to meet with the historian of Veuve Clicquot winery, and they gave me a great tour of the city of Reims where she grew up. I was able to see/hear/smell all the things Barbe-Nicole experienced. We spent six weeks over a couple of years, researching. When I started writing the story, I naturally researched France in the 1800’s and discovered that Barbe-Nicole stared to make wine just as Napoleon was trying to conquer Europe with thirteen years of Napoleon wars! Furthermore, Napoleon knew her family and was very involved in champagne makers and developing that industry, because he knew champagne was very important to the French economy and could be used as a weapon against European countries, since they coveted it. I realized Napoleon influenced her story, yet I did not want him to dominate! I also loved how the arcs of Barbe Nicole and Napoleon turn out very differently!


Amy: In your research, did you find anything that surprised you about Barbe-Nicole?

Rebecca: At the winery I discovered Barbe-Nicole Clicquot had a rare trait called Le Nez—the Nose which made her very good at blending champagne. I had a lot of fun with that characteristic of Le Nez, and how she turned it from a negative curse to a blessing. I think we are all born with unusual traits that can be negative or positive depending on what we do with it!


 Amy: How did Barbe-Nicole’s process for making Champagne differ from her competitors?

Rebecca: Making champagne was brand new and very dangerous and unpredictable, actually! She was discovering more scientific methods of making it, ironically aided by Napoleon’s funding of champagne research. She was focused on making champagne clearer and eliminate the dead yeast that occurs in the bottle. Actually after the time period of this book, she invented the technique and tools for riddling, which trapped the dead yeast in the neck of the bottle for removal. That technique is still used today for clear champagne! Barbe-Nicole Clicquot also made the first Vintage Champagne from one year only—1813, the year of the Great Comet. Champagne is traditionally a blend of years and different grape varietals.


Amy: What was your favorite scene to write?

Rebecca: I love humor in books, and try to inject when I can, so I loved to write the scene where Barbe-Nicole is wooed by a pig farmer and she suffers with Le Nez!

Amy: What was the most difficult scene to write?

Rebecca: There is a mysterious character called the Red Man who goads Napoleon to conquer Europe, and kill six million people. Every time the Red Man appears I feel my chest tighten. I wish Napoleon would not heed his advice!

Amy: Lastly, what are you working on next?

Rebecca: I have two sequels to Champagne Widows series—for Madame Pommery and Lily Bollinger. And a sequel to complete for GOLD DIGGER, called SILVER DOLLAR. Great stories! But for now, I’m focusing on the first CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS!


Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg

eBook Publication Date: October 1, 2021
Lion Heart Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction


Triple-gold-medal-winning author Rebecca Rosenberg serves up a triumphant tale of talent and ambition, love and loss, betrayal and redemption, and accepting yourself and others for who they are.

Champagne, France, 1800
Twenty-year-old Barbe-Nicole has inherited Le Nez (an uncanny sense of smell that makes her picky, persnickety, and particularly perceptive) from her great-grandfather, a renowned champagne maker.

Her parents, however, see Le Nez as a curse and try to marry her off to an unsuspecting suitor. But Barbe-Nicole is determined to use Le Nez to make great champagne. When she learns her childhood sweetheart, François Clicquot, wants to start a winery, she rejects her parents' suitors and marries François despite his mental illness.

The Widow Known as Veuve Clicquot
Soon, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot must cope with her husband's death. Becoming a widow known as Veuve Clicquot, she grapples with a new overbearing partner, the difficulties of making champagne and the Napoleon Codes preventing women from owning a business.

All this while her father takes a military uniform contract from Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who wages six wars against European monarchs, crippling Veuve Clicquot's ability to sell her champagne.

Challenging Napoleon
Using Le Nez, Veuve Clicquot struggles through unbearable hardships and challenges Napoleon himself. When she falls in love with her sales manager, Louis Bohne, who asks her to marry, she must choose between losing her winery to her husband, as dictated by Napoleon Code or losing Louis. In the ultimate showdown, Veuve Clicquot risks imprisonment and even death as she defies Napoleon.

Available on Amazon

Praise

"For anyone who loves champagne, a must-read novel about Veuve Clicquot." ~ Judithe Little, best-selling author of The Chanel Sisters

"These first known women ofChampagne/Sparkling winemaking may not have even realized how strong they wereuntil they had to learn and do it all to survive for themselves and theirwineries! Reading Champagne Widows makes it even more of an honor tolearn a craft still dominated by men." ~ Penny Gadd-Coster, ExecutiveDirector of Winemaking, Rack & Riddle

"The sun-drenched vineyards of France, a real-life heroine who against all odds refuses to give up her dreams... and champagne. What's not to love? And that's just what Rebecca Rosenberg delivers in Champagne Widows. Barbe-Nicole Clicquot was a woman ahead of her time, a fascinating blend of ingenuity, heart, and sheer tenacity, with a nose for wine and a head for business. A 19th century widow who built an empire as war raged all around her. Note: This richly woven tale is best savored slowly, though with all delicious things, it won't be easy." ~ Barbara Davis, best-selling author of The Last of the Moon Girls

"Champagne Widows is a witty, accomplished novel, featuring a tough and charming heroine of the first order. One can't help but root for Barbe-Nicole, an astute businesswoman who brilliantly holds her own against none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. Although the events unfold two centuries ago, the story feels so modern, the characters could be your friends and neighbors. As easy to love as a glass of Veuve Clicquot, this may be Rebecca Rosenberg's best book yet." ~ Michelle Richmond, best-selling author of The Marriage Pact

"Champagne Widows is an inspired story based on the real-life Grande Dame of Champagne, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, who built her famous champagne empire amidst the turbulence of 19th century France. Barbe-Nicole is my kind of heroine: a woman with passion, courage, family loyalty, and a killer business sense. Rebecca Rosenberg's sensual details make every scene of this intimate novel come alive. A true reading pleasure!" ~ Martha Conway, best-selling author of The Underground River and The Physician's Daughter

"Award-winning author, Rebecca Rosenberg returns with another Historical Fiction jewel in CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS. Meet the women who succeeded in creating world class champagne in a time men ruled business and society. Lovers of history, romance, and French culture will relish the multi-layered plot and cast of characters including the ultimate French icon, Napoleon Bonaparte." ~ Johnnie Bernhard, award-winning author of Sisters of the Undertow

"An epic story featuring love, family, and the sustaining power of courage. Champagne Widows takes the reader back in time for an intimate look at the building of the iconic brand Veuve Clicquot. In the aftermath of Napoleon's rise to power, Barbe-Nicole and her husband Francois share a vision of creating a champagne that will astound the world. Despite war, death, blockades, and failed harvests, Barbe-Nicole ultimately succeeds." ~ M.K. Tod, author of Paris In Ruins and award-winning blog A Writer of History

"Raise a glass to Veuve Clicquot and all the women from history to the present, who have broken the mold and overcome obstacles to succeed in all-male professions. Just as a champagne bottle pops bringing delectable flavors and delicious aromas, Rebecca Rosenberg delights the senses with her engrossing novel. She treats the reader to a perfect blend of history and story - with lots of champagne! Sit back and savor the tale of Veuve Clicquot. " ~ Linda Rosen, author of Sisters of the Vine

"Rebecca Rosenberg has penned a spectacular saga about the first "Champagne widow" of France, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. With her gift, known as Le Nez (the nose), Barbe-Nicole can "smell the stink of a lie or the perfume of a pure heart. Or the heartbreaking smell of what could have been." Along with her expertise, she possesses courage and vision, overcoming incredible odds during the time of the Napoleonic Code, which left widows without property rights—in Barbe-Nicole's case, her Champagne business. Seamlessly interwoven with historical letters from Napoleon, the book sweeps the reader into the early nineteenth-century world. But it's her imaginative tale of Veuve Clicquot's personal life that captured me and wouldn't let go until the end, leaving me wanting more!" ~ Susan Cushman, author of John and Mary Margaret

"An independent woman of indomitable strength, determined to find her way in a man's world. Champagne Widows is vintage storytelling." ~ Jean M. Roberts, author of The Heron

"Rebecca Rosenberg transforms history into literary art. Her prose sparkles, bringing centuries-old characters to life with wit, heart and bon mots. Treat yourself to Champagne Widows, and marvel at Rosenberg's gift for making every sense sing." ~ Carol Van Den Hende, award-winning author of Goodbye, Orchid

"Like the best wines, Rosenberg's Champagne Widows will entice you with its complexity as it balances the story of a widow's determination to produce the world's greatest champagne in the face of Napoleon's path of destruction. If you love France, historical fiction, underdog stories, strong women, or wine, then pop a cork to celebrate this perfect blend of a novel." ~ Mary Helen Sheriff, author of Boop and Eve's Road Trip

About the Author

 

California native Rebecca Rosenberg lives on a lavender farm with her family in Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, where she and her husband founded the largest lavender product company in America. A long-time student of Jack London’s work and an avid fan of his daring wife, Charmian, Rosenberg is a graduate of the Stanford Writing Certificate Program. Her books include: GOLD DIGGER, the Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor, The Secret Life of Mrs. London, Lavender Fields of America, and the Champagne Widows series.

For more information, please visit Rebecca's website and blog. You can also find her on Amazon, BookBubFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 4
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss

Wednesday, October 6
Review at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 8
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Monday, October 11
Review at Novels Alive
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, October 13
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 15
Review at Bonnie Reads and Writes

Monday, October 18
Guest Post at Bonnie Reads and Writes

Wednesday, October 20
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks

Friday, October 22
Review at Bookworlder
Review at View From the Birdhouse

Monday, October 25
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Thursday, October 28
Review at A Darn Good Read

Friday, October 29
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy or eBook of Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg!

The giveaway is open to US addresses only and ends on October 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Champagne Widows

Review & Giveaway: The Limits of Limelight by Margaret Porter


The Limits of Limelight by Margaret Porter

Publication Date: September 14, 2021
Gallica Press
Paperback & eBook; 412 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


Pretty Oklahoma teenager Helen Nichols accepts an invitation from her cousin, rising movie actress Ginger Rogers, and her Aunt Lela, to try her luck in motion pictures. Her relatives, convinced that her looks and personality will ensure success, provide her with a new name and help her land a contract with RKO. As Phyllis Fraser, she swiftly discovers that Depression-era Hollywood’s surface glamour and glitter obscure the ceaseless struggle of the hopeful starlet.

Lela Rogers, intensely devoted to her daughter and her niece, outwardly accepting of her stage mother label, is nonetheless determined to establish her reputation as screenwriter, stage director, and studio talent scout. For Phyllis, she’s an inspiring model of grit and persistence in an industry run by men.

While Ginger soars to the heights of stardom in musicals with Fred Astaire, Phyllis is tempted by a career more fulfilling than the one she was thrust into. Should she continue working in films, or devote herself to the profession she’s dreamed about since childhood? And which choice might lead her to the lasting love that seems so elusive?

Amazon | Apple iBooks | Audible | Barnes and Noble | Blackwell's | Book Depository | Bookshop.Org | Books-a-Million | Chapters | Hudson Booksellers | IndieBound | Kindle | Kobo

Praise

"An engrossing glimpse into a bygone era and the forces affecting a young woman's evolution into her own abilities and adulthood . . . vigorous and involving to the end." ~ Midwest Book Review

"A witty and meticulously researched treat." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"A biographical novel as bright as the Golden Era . . . A lovely tribute to the larger-than-life celebrities of early Hollywood . . . a glitz and glamour novel that shines brighter the deeper you go." ~ Independent Book Review

"A time capsule of Hollywood's Golden Era . . . a captivating novel of Tinsel Town's perils and pitfalls, trade-offs and triumphs!" ~ Leslie Carroll, author of American Princess

"Porter's elegant, warm and well-researched novel is a joy to read! Perfect for lovers of historical fiction and tales of remarkable women. 5 of 5 Stars." ~ Literary Redhead, Goodreads

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have a confession to make and it may get me kicked out of the Historical Fiction community but...I have never seen an old Black and White movie! I know, I know! How is that possible?! Well, I can tell you that I will be rectifying that very soon now that I read The Limits of Limelight by Margaret Porter!

Hmm....which movie should I try first? Any suggestions?

The Limits of Limelight brings the glamour of Old Hollywood to life and features Phyllis, the cousin of Ginger Rogers as she tries to make it big in film in the 1930s. However, she soon learns that it's not all glitz and fun but also a lot of hard work and heartache.

The main stars of the day are also featured which was fun! Now I don't know a lot of the actors and actresses mentioned other than Katherine Hepburn and Fred Astaire but I will definitely be looking them up now. The Limits of Limelight opened up a whole new sub-genre for me and I will be on the lookout for more historicals centered around old Hollywood. It's a fascinating time to read about for sure!

Margaret did a wonderful job bringing this time to life and I highly recommend this book, especially to those that love old movies!

About the Author


MARGARET PORTER is the author of more than a dozen works of historical fiction, including The Limits of Limelight (September 2021) and the award-winning Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr. Her critically acclaimed novels have been translated into several foreign languages. Other writing credits include nonfiction, newspaper and magazine articles, and poetry. She studied British history in the U.K. and afterwards worked professionally in theatre, film and television. Margaret and her husband live in New England with their dog, dividing their time between a book-filled house in a small city and a waterfront cottage located on one of the region’s largest lakes. When not writing, she keeps busy reading, tending her extensive rose gardens, or playing the mandolin.

More information is available on her website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 20
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks

Tuesday, September 21
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Wednesday, September 22
Review at Rachelle Loves Books
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Thursday, September 23
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Friday, September 24
Review at View from the Birdhouse

Saturday, September 25
Review at A Darn Good Read

Monday, September 27
Review at Rajiv's Reviews
Review at Booking With Janelle

Tuesday, September 28
Review at With A Book In Our Hands

Wednesday, September 29
Guest Post at Jorie Loves A Story

Thursday, September 30
Interview + Excerpt at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 1
Feature at Bibliostatic
Review at Niki Loves to Read

Monday, October 4
Review at Novels Alive
Review at Jorie Loves A Story

Tuesday, October 5
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Wednesday, October 6
Review at Passages to the Past
Review at The Enchanted Shelf

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away some fabulous prizes!

Grand Prize Winner:

Choice of an autographed paperback or an ebook or an audiobook, plus an acrylic 16-oz sippy “go” cup with straw.

2nd and 3rd Prize Winners:

Choice of an autographed paperback or an ebook or an audiobook.

Runners-up (5):

Reproduction vintage Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire postcard, plus author-autographed bookplate.

The giveaway is open internationally and ends on October 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Limits of Limelight

Review & Giveaway: Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg


Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg

eBook Publication Date: October 1, 2021
Lion Heart Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction


Triple-gold-medal-winning author Rebecca Rosenberg serves up a triumphant tale of talent and ambition, love and loss, betrayal and redemption, and accepting yourself and others for who they are.

Champagne, France, 1800
Twenty-year-old Barbe-Nicole has inherited Le Nez (an uncanny sense of smell that makes her picky, persnickety, and particularly perceptive) from her great-grandfather, a renowned champagne maker.

Her parents, however, see Le Nez as a curse and try to marry her off to an unsuspecting suitor. But Barbe-Nicole is determined to use Le Nez to make great champagne. When she learns her childhood sweetheart, François Clicquot, wants to start a winery, she rejects her parents' suitors and marries François despite his mental illness.

The Widow Known as Veuve Clicquot
Soon, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot must cope with her husband's death. Becoming a widow known as Veuve Clicquot, she grapples with a new overbearing partner, the difficulties of making champagne and the Napoleon Codes preventing women from owning a business.

All this while her father takes a military uniform contract from Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who wages six wars against European monarchs, crippling Veuve Clicquot's ability to sell her champagne.

Challenging Napoleon
Using Le Nez, Veuve Clicquot struggles through unbearable hardships and challenges Napoleon himself. When she falls in love with her sales manager, Louis Bohne, who asks her to marry, she must choose between losing her winery to her husband, as dictated by Napoleon Code or losing Louis. In the ultimate showdown, Veuve Clicquot risks imprisonment and even death as she defies Napoleon.

Available on Amazon


Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How I love Rebecca Rosenberg and her novels...let me count the ways...

For one, she chooses the most fascinating women from history to write about, women that were largely lost to history and now are getting their moment under the sun. First, she wrote about the wife of Jack London, Charmian, in The Secret Life of Mrs. London, and then Baby Doe Tabor in Gold Digger, and now we have Barbe-Nicole Cliquot, the woman who revolutionized the Champagne industry.

Barbe-Nicole inherited her sense of smell from her grandfather and promises her grandmother that she will use that to her advantage to create the best Champagne. With her talent for scent and her business acumen she excels, despite being the only woman in the industry. She is clever and smart and fiercely determined, both in business and her personal and love life. I just adored her!

The book also features the wily Emperor Napoleon as he sets out to conquer the world and how he threatens the future of Barbe-Nicole's company.

Having loved Rebecca's first two novels, I think this one may be my favorite. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me. When I read one of her novels I know I'm going to be entertained and educated, gripped and enthralled. Kudos to Rebecca for another winner! Highly recommended!

Praise

"For anyone who loves champagne, a must-read novel about Veuve Clicquot." ~ Judithe Little, best-selling author of The Chanel Sisters

"These first known women ofChampagne/Sparkling winemaking may not have even realized how strong they wereuntil they had to learn and do it all to survive for themselves and theirwineries! Reading Champagne Widows makes it even more of an honor tolearn a craft still dominated by men." ~ Penny Gadd-Coster, ExecutiveDirector of Winemaking, Rack & Riddle

"The sun-drenched vineyards of France, a real-life heroine who against all odds refuses to give up her dreams... and champagne. What's not to love? And that's just what Rebecca Rosenberg delivers in Champagne Widows. Barbe-Nicole Clicquot was a woman ahead of her time, a fascinating blend of ingenuity, heart, and sheer tenacity, with a nose for wine and a head for business. A 19th century widow who built an empire as war raged all around her. Note: This richly woven tale is best savored slowly, though with all delicious things, it won't be easy." ~ Barbara Davis, best-selling author of The Last of the Moon Girls

"Champagne Widows is a witty, accomplished novel, featuring a tough and charming heroine of the first order. One can't help but root for Barbe-Nicole, an astute businesswoman who brilliantly holds her own against none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. Although the events unfold two centuries ago, the story feels so modern, the characters could be your friends and neighbors. As easy to love as a glass of Veuve Clicquot, this may be Rebecca Rosenberg's best book yet." ~ Michelle Richmond, best-selling author of The Marriage Pact

"Champagne Widows is an inspired story based on the real-life Grande Dame of Champagne, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, who built her famous champagne empire amidst the turbulence of 19th century France. Barbe-Nicole is my kind of heroine: a woman with passion, courage, family loyalty, and a killer business sense. Rebecca Rosenberg's sensual details make every scene of this intimate novel come alive. A true reading pleasure!" ~ Martha Conway, best-selling author of The Underground River and The Physician's Daughter

"Award-winning author, Rebecca Rosenberg returns with another Historical Fiction jewel in CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS. Meet the women who succeeded in creating world class champagne in a time men ruled business and society. Lovers of history, romance, and French culture will relish the multi-layered plot and cast of characters including the ultimate French icon, Napoleon Bonaparte." ~ Johnnie Bernhard, award-winning author of Sisters of the Undertow

"An epic story featuring love, family, and the sustaining power of courage. Champagne Widows takes the reader back in time for an intimate look at the building of the iconic brand Veuve Clicquot. In the aftermath of Napoleon's rise to power, Barbe-Nicole and her husband Francois share a vision of creating a champagne that will astound the world. Despite war, death, blockades, and failed harvests, Barbe-Nicole ultimately succeeds." ~ M.K. Tod, author of Paris In Ruins and award-winning blog A Writer of History

"Raise a glass to Veuve Clicquot and all the women from history to the present, who have broken the mold and overcome obstacles to succeed in all-male professions. Just as a champagne bottle pops bringing delectable flavors and delicious aromas, Rebecca Rosenberg delights the senses with her engrossing novel. She treats the reader to a perfect blend of history and story - with lots of champagne! Sit back and savor the tale of Veuve Clicquot. " ~ Linda Rosen, author of Sisters of the Vine

"Rebecca Rosenberg has penned a spectacular saga about the first "Champagne widow" of France, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. With her gift, known as Le Nez (the nose), Barbe-Nicole can "smell the stink of a lie or the perfume of a pure heart. Or the heartbreaking smell of what could have been." Along with her expertise, she possesses courage and vision, overcoming incredible odds during the time of the Napoleonic Code, which left widows without property rights—in Barbe-Nicole's case, her Champagne business. Seamlessly interwoven with historical letters from Napoleon, the book sweeps the reader into the early nineteenth-century world. But it's her imaginative tale of Veuve Clicquot's personal life that captured me and wouldn't let go until the end, leaving me wanting more!" ~ Susan Cushman, author of John and Mary Margaret

"An independent woman of indomitable strength, determined to find her way in a man's world. Champagne Widows is vintage storytelling." ~ Jean M. Roberts, author of The Heron

"Rebecca Rosenberg transforms history into literary art. Her prose sparkles, bringing centuries-old characters to life with wit, heart and bon mots. Treat yourself to Champagne Widows, and marvel at Rosenberg's gift for making every sense sing." ~ Carol Van Den Hende, award-winning author of Goodbye, Orchid

"Like the best wines, Rosenberg's Champagne Widows will entice you with its complexity as it balances the story of a widow's determination to produce the world's greatest champagne in the face of Napoleon's path of destruction. If you love France, historical fiction, underdog stories, strong women, or wine, then pop a cork to celebrate this perfect blend of a novel." ~ Mary Helen Sheriff, author of Boop and Eve's Road Trip

About the Author

 

California native Rebecca Rosenberg lives on a lavender farm with her family in Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, where she and her husband founded the largest lavender product company in America. A long-time student of Jack London’s work and an avid fan of his daring wife, Charmian, Rosenberg is a graduate of the Stanford Writing Certificate Program. Her books include: GOLD DIGGER, the Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor, The Secret Life of Mrs. London, Lavender Fields of America, and the Champagne Widows series.

For more information, please visit Rebecca's website and blog. You can also find her on Amazon, BookBubFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 4
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss

Wednesday, October 6
Review at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 8
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Monday, October 11
Review at Novels Alive
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, October 13
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, October 15
Review at Bonnie Reads and Writes

Monday, October 18
Guest Post at Bonnie Reads and Writes

Wednesday, October 20
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks

Friday, October 22
Review at Bookworlder
Review at View From the Birdhouse

Monday, October 25
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Thursday, October 28
Review at A Darn Good Read

Friday, October 29
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

10 winners will receive a prize pack including a signed copy of Champagne Widows, champagne earrings, champagne jellybeans, champagne bubbles, and a champagne bath bomb!!

The giveaway is open to US addresses only and ends on October 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Champagne Widows

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