Read my review of The Whispering Women, Book #1, A Delafield & Malloy Investigation by Trish MacEnulty #historicalfiction #historicalmysteries #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @pmacenulty @cathiedunn

The Whispering Women, Book #1

A Delafield & Malloy Investigation 

By Trish MacEnulty

“Richly drawn characters, the vibrant historical setting, and a suspenseful mystery create a strong current that pulls readers into this delightful novel. But it's the women's issues—as relevant today as they were in the early 1900s—that will linger long after the last page."

-- Donna S. Meredith, The Southern Literary Review

Can two women get the lowdown on high society?

“Two powerless young women must navigate a soul-crushing class system and find the levers of power they wield when they combine their strengths. These women may have been taught to whisper, but when their time comes, they will roar.”

– 5 Star Amazon Review

Louisa Delafield and Ellen Malloy didn’t ask to be thrown together to bring the truth to light. But after Ellen witnesses the death of a fellow servant during an illegal abortion, Louisa, a society columnist, vows to help her find the truth and turn her journalistic talent to a greater purpose.

Together, these unlikely allies battle to get the truth out, and to avenge the wrongful death of a friend.

What will our heroes do when their closest allies and those they trust turn out to be the very forces working to keep their story in the dark? They’ll face an abortionist, a sex trafficking ring, and a corrupt system determined to keep the truth at bay.

“If you like historical fiction and if you like mysteries, this one is for you!”

– 5 Star Amazon Review

Was change possible in 1913?

To find out, read THE WHISPERING WOMEN today!

Publication Date: 09/06/22

Publisher: Prism Light Press

Page Length: 387

Genre: Historical Mystery, Women’s Fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

MY THOUGHTS

Louisa Delafield has been struggling to scrape by. The wealth her family once had is gone, and she is barely making enough money writing columns for a newspaper to pay the bills. When her job is threatened, she must start writing less about the dresses and events of the upper class, and try to dig up some dirt, something that will draw more readers to her columns. 

Ellen Malloy was simply trying to make her way in America, working as a ladies' maid, when a fellow servant, Silvia, ends up pregnant. Ellen goes with her Silvia to an illegal abortion, arranged by one of the people they work for, but things go sideways when Silvia dies, and Ellen finds herself running from people who would capture her for Heaven knows what purpose. 

When Louise and Ellen find their paths entwined, a solution reveals itself – Louisa can help to ensure Ellen’s safety by exposing the people that did such things in the paper, but even with the two working together to protect each other, there are many dangerous obstacles in their way, and the way forward is not quite as easy to find as it may seem.

This is a novel I thoroughly enjoyed reading, and I just simply could not put it down. Louisa and Ellen are absolutely fabulous characters, and I loved following their stories. The mystery behind who the doctor is, and what the plans were for Silvia and, after her death, for Ellen, remains mostly unsolved until very near the end of the book. If the wonderful characters weren’t enough to keep me reading, not knowing the truth made it very difficult to put the book down. The story has been laid out perfectly, with just enough information given as you read to keep you hooked, and not enough revealed to let you leave the world within the pages until you knew the truth. 

This book deals with some issues that are, unfortunately, still prevalent in today’s society. Topics of the legality of abortions, and women’s rights, are covered in great detail, as Louisa and Ellen delve into trying to find out the truth. Certain things in particular are highlighted, especially how, even though Silvia’s pregnancy was forced upon her, and she had no choice in stopping it, she would’ve been the one punished for ending it. The men face no consequences, even when it is them who are the cause of the problem. The way this book covered such topics was, in itself, tactful, although these things were still very real in the telling. The things Louisa writes about in her column are still pressing issues, over 100 years later, and such parallels show just how important these things are in society now, when we see the layout of society in the past as barbaric.

I loved the inclusion of Louisa’s columns as the story progresses, so the reader knows exactly what information has been revealed and what hasn’t. Louisa is among the women of high society, who all want their names in her column to show off who has the best dresses of the season while living like the lower classes. The inclusion of the column helps to show the difference between the classes as well, catering to both the higher and lower classes by showing off the higher-class ladies to those of the lower classes. 

The gangs that lurk in the undergrounds of the streets were an excellent addition that I really enjoyed. The seedy underground has connections that not many can achieve, so if you are after some information, and are not too concerned about safety, that is the place to go. Louisa and Ellen both find themselves in the midst of the Gophers, in the presence of Owney the Killer, in some very different scenarios, and I did creep forward to the edge of my seat while I was reading. Louisa and Ellen find themselves in some incredibly dangerous situations, and I definitely feared for their lives at some points in this novel. If you are after a book that will keep you perched precariously on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book, this is definitely one to go on the to-read list.

This is an absolutely amazing book, that gives a real insight into life for a woman in the early 1900s, and the kind of political and social divides that existed. The entire topic of illegal abortions, and the way the book has been laid out, draws some scary parallels between the past and some present events, which makes this book an even more interesting read. I couldn’t stop reading, it is certainly a great novel, and one I would highly recommend.

Trish MacEnulty is a bestselling novelist. In addition to her historical fiction, she has published novels, a short story collection, and a memoir. A former Professor of English, she currently lives in Florida with her husband, two dogs, and one cat. She writes book reviews and feature articles for the Historical Novel Review. She loves reading, writing, walking with her dogs, streaming historical series, cooking, and dancing. 

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Have a look at A Mistake of Murder by Helen Hollick #CosyMystery #MurderMysterySeries #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @HelenHollick @cathiedunn

A Mistake of Murder

By Helen Hollick

The third Jan Christopher Cosy Mystery

Was murder deliberate - or a tragic mistake?

January 1972. The Christmas and New Year holiday is over and it is time to go back to work. Newly engaged to Detective Sergeant Laurence Walker, library assistant Jan Christopher is eager to show everyone her diamond ring, and goes off on her scheduled round to deliver library books to the housebound – some of whom she likes; some, she doesn’t.

She encounters a cat in a cupboard, drinks several cups of tea... and loses her ring.

When two murders are committed, can Jan help her policeman uncle, DCI Toby Christopher and her fiancé, Laurie, discover whether murder was a deliberate deed – or a tragic mistake?

Publication Date: 18th January 2023

Publisher: Taw River Press

Page Length: 169

Genre: Cosy Mystery (Historical)

Grab a copy HERE!

This novel is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.

First accepted for traditional publication in 1993, Helen became a USA Today Bestseller with her historical novel, The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK) with the sequel, Harold the King (US: I Am The Chosen King) being novels that explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy is a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she writes a nautical adventure/fantasy series, The Sea Witch Voyages. She has also branched out into the quick read novella, 'Cosy Mystery' genre with her Jan Christopher Murder Mysteries, set in the 1970s, with the first in the series, A Mirror Murder incorporating her, often hilarious, memories of working as a library assistant.

Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales and Life of A Smuggler. She lives with her family in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon, England, and occasionally gets time to write...

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Read my review of When Life Gives You Lemons Instead Of Lattes by Rayna York #YoungAdult #ContemporaryRomance

When Life Gives You Lemons Instead Of Lattes

By Rayna York

Kylie’s summer after high school graduation was supposed to be celebrated in Europe, not some podunk town in Ohio. But when the FBI show up at her parents’ California beach house looking for her father, her life takes a sudden and unexpected detour.

With her family assets frozen and her father on the run, the only place left to go is a dilapidated house that once belonged to her great-grandmother. Now, her family is broke, her social status in ruins, and the only internet access is a café where a nerdy barista boy wants to be her new best friend.

But life has a funny way of teaching its lessons, and although Kylie seems to be the brunt of several, being catapulted into this new reality might be what she needs to learn that not all wealth can be measured in dollars and cents.

A opposites attract love story about about the deception of appearances and starting over in unexpected places.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Page Length: 318

Grab a copy HERE!

MY THOUGHTS

After her high school graduation, Kylie had planned on a summer of excitement, traveling Europe and enjoying herself before going to college. But when the FBI shows up at her family’s house, claiming her father has stolen a lot of money, and that they are looking for him, Kylie’s summer is officially ruined – their assets are frozen, which means Kylie, her mother, and younger sister, Harlow, have no money, and nowhere to live. With no other options, they make the long car journey to the small town Kylie’s mother grew up in, to move into Kylie’s great-grandmother’s house.

From riches to nothing, Kylie has a hard time adjusting to her new life. She has never got on well with her mother and now has to deal with not being able to afford even a latte at the one coffee shop in town. She finds herself working at the grocery store for the notoriously grumpy and rude old man who owns it, and, slowly but surely, she starts to get along with him, and begins to see that the town maybe isn’t as bad as she first thought.

Kylie’s entire attitude changes throughout the course of this book. She never got on very well with her mother and was used to having endless amounts of money to do with what she wanted. Having to work for money to afford basic things is something she is not at all used to, and she initially really struggles to adapt to her new life. She is angry at the world, but takes it out on her mother. She can’t believe that her father would actually steal, let alone steal the amounts he is accused of, and lives with the belief that her father will be proven innocent, and she will be able to return to her old life. I loved watching the change in Kylie as she starts to lose her entitled side, and starts putting some effort into the things she does. Watching as Kylie started to get on with her mother and sister better was great. Harlow is very grown up for her age, and looks up to Kylie as they enter a life unfamiliar to them. The sisters get on well, and following them as Kylie starts to get on with her mother as well was lovely. 

There were some very predictable cliches in this book, not that I’m complaining about them. They fit perfectly within the story. Rich girl moves to a small town, meets the bullied nerd, denies that she might have feelings for him… I loved Otto, especially his clear passion for astrology, and that he doesn’t let anyone’s negative comments get him down, and instead embraces his love for the stars. Otto and Kylie don’t end up in any sort of relationship until much nearer the end of the book, but I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to talk about, as it is very clear from the start that they will end up together. 

The title of this book is, in my opinion, amazing, and fits the book so well. The whole saying of ‘when life gives you lemons’, meaning to make the best of a bad situation, is an incredibly accurate way of describing the journey Kylie goes on in this book, as she attempts to get used to her new life, and adapt to try and enjoy living in the small town. The addition of lattes to the saying is just great. Not only does it point out the stark difference between Kylie’s new life and old, being that lemons and lattes are two very different things, and most people would much prefer the latte over the lemon, it’s an amusing saying, and definitely memorable – it was the title that made me want to read this book in the first place. 

I am not sure who my favourite character in this book would be if I had to pick one. I loved Kylie, especially further into the book where she starts to enjoy herself in the small town, but I also adored Otto and Charles, and Tristan was not far behind them in the end. Harlow is obviously a top contender. There are so many characters in this book to love, it is almost impossible to choose. With so many characters to fall in love with, though, it was difficult to finish reading this book, as I wanted to stay with the characters for as long as possible, which was made doubly difficult when all I wanted to do was keep reading! 

This is a great YA book, with some very clear themes of coming to terms with things, and working to make lemonade out of the lemons you’ve been handed. I loved every second of reading it, and cannot wait to read more books by this author!

Rayna York grew up with hippie parents that liked to adventure. Where change was the norm, books were her constant—a way to escape. As an adult, many careers came and went, but writing has always been her passion. Everything I knew to be true is her first published novel.

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Read an excerpt from The Black Madonna by Stella Riley #TheBlackMadonna #EnglishCivilWar #Blog Tour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @RileyStella @cathiedunn

The Black Madonna

By Stella Riley 

(Audiobook narrated by Alex Wyndham)

As England slides into Civil War, master-goldsmith and money-lender, Luciano Falcieri del Santi embarks on his own hidden agenda. A chance meeting one dark night results in an unlikely friendship with Member of Parliament, Richard Maxwell. Richard’s daughter, Kate – a spirited girl who vows to hold their home against both Cavalier and Roundhead – soon finds herself fighting an involuntary attraction to the clever, magnetic and diabolically beautiful Italian. 

Hampered by the warring English, his quest growing daily more dangerous, Luciano begins to realise that his own life and that of everyone close to him rests on the knife-edge of success … for only success will permit him to reclaim the Black Madonna and offer his heart to the girl he loves. 

From the machinations within Parliament to the last days of the King’s cause, The Black Madonna is an epic saga of passion and intrigue at a time when England was lost in a dark and bloody conflict.

Publication Date: 31st May 2013

Publisher: Stella Riley

Page Length: 622

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

Grab a copy HERE!

Only £1.95/$1.95 from February 20th - 24th.

EXCERPT

As soon as they were alone, Kit slid an arm about her waist and said, ‘This is a privilege I’d not dared hope for.  Have you really a letter for Venetia?’

‘Yes.  But that’s not what I want to talk to you about.’

‘Better and better.’

‘On the contrary.’  Kate eluded his arm to close the book-room door behind them and then faced him grimly. ‘It’s damnable.’

Quite slowly, the pleasure in his face turned to wariness.  He said, ‘Something is wrong.  What?’

She drew a long breath and gripped her hands together.

‘I don’t want to hurt you – but it’s become increasingly plain to me that the situation between us can’t go on.  So I’d like you to release me from my promise.’

During the long silence that followed, her words hung unpleasantly on the air.  Then he said abruptly, ‘Has someone been brow-beating you?’

‘No.  Of  course not. Though it is true that neither of my parents is particularly happy for me to remain neither formally contracted nor free.  But --’

‘I don’t blame them.  But that’s easily mended, isn’t it?’  His smile was tense.  ‘I’ll have my father contact yours and we can be betrothed – perhaps even married – before Christmas.’

‘No,’ said Kate, annoyed with herself for stepping so neatly into a pit of her own making.  ‘Kit, no.  With things as they are, it would be a mistake.’

‘Ah.’  He rested his hands on the back of a chair and looked down at them.  ‘The war.’

‘We can’t ignore it, can we?  And I, for one, can see all too clearly what it’s doing to Celia and Eden to want to put you and me in the same position.  Oh – I know it’s Celia’s nature to be discontented – but since she found herself trapped on what she considers to be the wrong side, she’s been ten times worse. And it’s tearing Eden in two. Do you want that?’

‘It wouldn’t be like that for us.’

‘How do you know?’  She paused to collect her thoughts, still determined to try and accomplish this without having to hurt him any more than necessary.  ‘I won’t marry you while the war places us on opposite sides, Kit – and that is quite final.  Neither do I see any point in continuing as we are. So I’ll ask you again.  Will you release me from my promise?’

‘I don’t seem to have much choice, do I?’ Sighing, he let his hands fall to his sides and looked bleakly across at her.  ‘What you’re really saying is that you don’t love me enough to take the risk … and I suppose that, deep down, I’ve always known it. I, on the other hand, have no such qualms – so you’ll have to forgive me if I can’t quite give up.  I love you, Kate.  Therefore, although I’ll do what you want now, I’ll be back when the war’s over to ask you again.  You have my word on it.’

It was the very last thing she wanted but, because her throat already ached for him, she could not say so.  And then, as she sought for some gentle way round it, the door swung open.

For an instant, sheer exasperation took Kate’s breath away and, when it came back, her first impulse was to scream with vexation.

‘God in heaven!’ she snapped. ‘Don’t you know how to knock?’

‘I beg your pardon.’  Luciano’s tone was courteously bland and there was nothing to indicate that he was drawing certain shrewd conclusions from the look on her face and on Mr Clifford’s.  ‘In fact I’d forgotten that you were here and only came to collect a book your father was kind enough to say I might borrow.’

‘You’re leaving?’ asked Kate, sharply. And then, to cover herself, ‘What book?’

‘Machiavelli’s Prince. Richard tells me it’s recently been translated and I’ve yet to read in it English.’

It sounded reasonable enough.  Kate didn’t believe a word of it.  Before she could say so, however, Kit said quietly, ‘I, too, should be leaving.  So while you find the signor his book, I’ll just go and see if Harry and Hugo are ready.  Excuse me.’

Kate watched him walk across the hall towards the parlour and then looked back at Luciano. She said flatly, ‘Someone will murder you one day.’

‘That is not at all unlikely.’  He began scanning the book-shelves. ‘But I don’t somehow think it will be you, Caterina.’

‘If you’re going to start all that again, it almost certainly will be me! And please stop calling me that!’  She stormed over to the window-seat and snatched up a leather-bound volume.  ‘Is this what you’re looking for?’

‘Yes … and no.’ He took it from her and placed it on the desk. Then, closing in to lay his hands on either side of her face, ‘I’m considering something which I believe occurred to both of us at a singularly inopportune moment earlier on.’

Paralysed by shock, Kate stared unwinkingly back at him.  And when no more clues appeared to be forthcoming, she said unevenly, ‘I don’t understand.  What are you doing?’

He said nothing but his smile melted her bones and his eyes suspended her in liquid darkness. Entirely without haste, one hand moved down over shoulder and arm to her waist and drew her closer, while the fingertips of the other explored her cheek and jaw with tantalising lightness.  She knew she ought to move or say something to break the spell but everything about him combined to mesmerise her; the curve of his mouth, the touch of his fingers, the faint scent of his skin.  So she remained in his hold, letting the unfamiliar tide continue to flow tingling along her veins and ceased caring what motive – if any – possessed him.  All that mattered was the warmth of his body against hers … and her own growing need to hold him.

Yielding to it, she slid her arms up around his neck and buried her hands in the long, crisply curling hair.  He smiled again and, as if it was the signal he had been waiting for, finally bent his head to hers.

His lips were cool and firm yet lazily unhurried and the first touch of them made her breath hitch.  The arm around her waist held her closer still and his other hand drifted enticingly up her nape to cradle her skull.  Slowly, willingly, Kate’s mouth opened under his – and the world outside his arms promptly disappeared.  The floor dissolved beneath her feet, flames licked her skin and suddenly she was drowning in fathom upon fathom of unimaginable sweetness.  

It was more than she had ever dreamed of … yet still not enough.

She wanted to know the texture of his skin, the imperfect line of his shoulders, the flat plane of his back.  She wanted more.  She wanted him. 

All the sensible denials and sterling resolves of the last two years fell away in as many seconds, leaving only one shining truth behind. She loved him.

The kiss stretched out into infinity … and ended too soon.  Slowly releasing her mouth but still holding her close, Luciano looked first into the dilated green eyes and then, almost reluctantly, towards the doorway.  And presently, coming back to earth sufficiently to be aware of his unnatural stillness, Kate stirred herself to follow his gaze.

Kit Clifford stood there, his face white with shock.  

Luciano’s hands fell from Kate and he took a small step away from her … while heavy, airless and unpleasant, the seconds ticked by in silence.  

Then finally, in a tone like splintering glass, Kit spoke.

‘I see now why you were so anxious to be free, Kate. It’s a pity you couldn’t bring yourself to be honest with me … but in the circumstances, I don’t suppose I should find it all that surprising.’  And with one last, bitter glance, he was gone.

The silence lingered. Kate discovered that she was shivering.  Or shaking.  She wasn’t sure which.  She looked at Luciano.  He was a trifle pale but otherwise seemingly composed.  She had no idea what to say so she waited for him to speak.

Then, with a faint, crooked smile, he did.  And the world tilted.

‘Forgive me, Caterina.  Dirty tactics – but effective.  And someone had to do it.’

She stared at him and he watched the significance of his words reach her by degrees; saw her eyes widen, first with disbelief and then with hurt; saw her realise, as he’d intended, that the kiss in itself meant nothing.  

And because, in truth, he was angry with himself, he said a little roughly, ‘As I said, I’m sorry.  But if Clifford loves you – if he really loves you – he’d never let you go without a very good reason.  And now he has one.’

Winner of three gold medals for historical romance (Readers’ Favourite in 2019, Book Excellence Awards in 2020, Global Book Awards in 2022) and fourteen B.R.A.G. Medallions, Stella Riley lives in the beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent. 

She is fascinated by the English Civil Wars and has written six books set in that period. These, like the seven-book Rockliffe series (recommended in The Times newspaper!) and the Brandon Brothers trilogy, are all available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.

Stella enjoys travel, reading, theatre, Baroque music and playing the harpsichord. She also has a fondness for men with long hair – hence her 17th and 18th century heroes.

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Read my review of Whistleblower By Kate Marchant #YoungAdult #ContemporaryRomance #SportsFiction

Whistleblower

By Kate Marchant

Kate Marchant, author of Float, presents a story about a young journalist who fights for the truth to come to light―even if it means she might lose everything . . .

Laurel Cates, a junior at Garland University, has no desire for the spotlight. She's determined to complete her degree with as little fuss as possible. As a writer for Garland’s school paper, the Daily, Laurel sticks to well-written fluff pieces. But when she uncovers a scandal involving the school’s beloved football coach, Laurel knows she has to expose the truth.

Even if her classmates don't believe her.

Even if her boss threatens to fire her from her desperately-needed job.

And even if the superhot quarterback with a heart-of-gold, Bodie St. James, is hell-bent on stopping her from publishing.

In the aftermath of the article, Laurel’s crush turns into her enemy as Bodie tries to protect the man who has been like a father to him. But as the interactions between the pair deepen, so too do their feelings for each other and an unlikely romance blossoms. Laurel soon realizes her uncompromising values will bring her closer to her desires, and closer to the truth–and closer to finding her voice.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sports Fiction

Page Length: 320

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MY THOUGHTS

Laurel never expected to uncover any major truths when writing for the school paper at Garland University, but a late assignment about the school’s football coach causes her to dive deeper than she ever has into any story before. The football coach, Truman Vaughn, has been sober for many years, but Laurel is certain she has proof to question his sobriety and, not only that, she has reason to suspect the school is covering for his sexism, and hiding truths to keep the money flowing in. Determined to get the truth out in the open, Laurel starts to investigate.

Bodie St. James is the star quarterback, and although he owes a lot to Vaughn, even he can’t deny that something is going on, and when Laurel starts poking around for interviews, he finds himself drawn deeper into trying to find out the truth. Between classes, interviews, and assignments, Bodie and Laurel start finding themselves spending more and more time together. And as the truth starts to reveal itself, certain feelings between them also start to shine through…

I absolutely loved reading this book. The characters were easy to fall in love with, and I was desperate to know the truth behind Vaughn’s actions. Laurel is an incredibly dedicated person, when she gets her mind set on something, she can’t stop until she has achieved what she set out to. Even if it means publishing things the school doesn’t want revealed, or staging mass uprisings to get the voices of the marginalised heard. I adored Laurel, she is a very easy character to get behind, and I just wanted to be her friend!

The romance between Laurel and Bodie is inevitable, but slow in coming. The chemistry is undeniable, but there are things keeping them apart, things that would severely compromise both Laurel’s quest to reveal the truth, and Bodie’s position on the football team. I can easily say that I absolutely loved Bodie, he is so kind and considerate, always trying to do the right thing, even when he’s not sure what the right thing is. He puts so much effort into looking after everybody else, and cares a lot about his friends. I think everyone needs a Bodie in their life, and it is a real shame that he is a fictional character. If there were a way to bring fictional men to life, the whole world would be a much better place!

One thing in particular that I loved about this book is that it has a lot of inclusivity, without making it too pronounced, or making it a main plot point. There is a lot of casual representation, such as the mention of a same-sex marriage, and the use of they/them pronouns. I loved coming across these topics mentioned so casually, as in a lot of books that talk about things such as gender and sexuality, it is made a main topic, rather than just being considered a normal part of the characters’ lives. I think the author has done a fabulous job of portraying normality and acceptance in regards to these topics.

There are some difficult subjects covered in this book, including rape and sexual harassment, and readers should be aware that these topics are covered when going into the book. With the difficulty Laurel has in finding the truth after things have been covered up and overlooked, it is easy to see how so many women struggle to have their voices heard, even if it’s about something important. Truths are twisted into lies to protect the positions of the men, and the women are pushed aside until everyone forgets anything ever happened. The author clearly has very strong opinions on these topics, which are so incredibly important, and it was heartbreaking to read about how some of the women were scared to come forward, knowing that they weren’t going to get any kind of justice. This book has been written amazingly well with regards to such sensitive subjects, and any reader will be able to feel the emotion behind the words. 

This book isn’t all intense topics, though. After all, they are university students. There are parties aplenty, and more than enough instances with a little too much wine. Relationships come and go, and there are bad part-time jobs to deal with. This book is a wonderfully real representation of a university student's life, and Laurel and her friends come across as very real in the telling. The author has done a wonderful job with this book. There is drama, truths and lies, love, and trust. And, of course, attempting to reveal hidden secrets to the world. This is an author I hadn’t come across before, but one I will certainly be returning to. I loved reading this book, and can’t wait to read more by this author!

Kate Marchant is an American author of Young Adult and New Adult contemporary fiction. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she began writing on the serialization fiction platform Wattpad when she was just fifteen. In 2017, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Art. After a brief stint at a startup and a few years working at a private school, she now lives and writes in San Francisco.
Her debut novel, Float, is being adapted for the big screen and will star Robbie Amell and Andrea Bang.

Kate Marchant is an American author of Young Adult and New Adult contemporary fiction. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she began writing on the serialization fiction platform Wattpad when she was just fifteen. In 2017, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Art. After a brief stint at a startup and a few years working at a private school, she now lives and writes in San Francisco.

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Read an excerpt from Finding True North by Dianne Beck #YoungAdult #FindingTrueNorth #DianneBeck @RABTBookTours

Finding True North

By Dianne Beck

North Carolina Simon hates her name. As a fourteen-year-old girl growing up in the 1970s, she has a lot of challenges. People not only make fun of her name, but also scoff at her eccentric family. Dad’s a hoarder, Mom’s an unpredictable artist, and her older sister lives with an autism diagnosis. After a humiliating middle school event shatters her confidence as a singer, North determines to break free from the stigma surrounding her family. 

As she starts high school, North tells people to call her Carol. Armed with a new name, she updates her appearance, befriends a popular boy in hopes of joining his band, distances herself from her two longtime friends, and avoids being seen with her adoring and dependent sister. Everything seems to be going according to plan until her sister suddenly disappears. Carol is forced to face reality. Should she continue to focus all her time and energy on fitting in or should she surrender to God’s calling on her life?

Finding True North is a prequel to Sticks and Stones, but each can be read as stand-alone novels.

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Date Published: January 31st, 2023

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

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EXCERPT

After the three-mile trek home from Sage Hill Middle School in the near ninety-degree heat, I stood at the edge of our walkway and wished I felt relieved to be home. The house looked like nearly every other one in the west valley suburbs of Los Angeles. The mowed lawn, a couple rose bushes, and a white picket fence with a creaky gate made it appear so nice and normal, but I knew the inside told a very different story. 

I took a deep breath before I opened the front door, hoping the scent of the roses would stick with me when I entered. I could hear the television blasting, and above that my older sister Aria cawing. Yes, cawing, like a crow, one of her new favorite birds. When a baby crow recently fell from its nest into our yard, she was amazed by the tender care its mother gave it. On the day that baby crow flew away, she stared out the window and said, “I used to think crows were sort of noisy and annoying, but they’re so special. That mama crow never gave up on her baby.”

I hoped she’d find a new bird to mimic soon, one with a sweeter sound, but once she had a favorite, it usually stayed in her rotation of sounds for a while. 

The door stopped short, blocked by  a stack of newspapers, magazines and books in the way. I waited to see how long it might take my mother, Belinda Simon, to notice me. Surrounded by bottles of oil paint, she was deeply focused on a large canvas, a paintbrush in her hand.

Aria noticed me first. “North! You’re home!” She ran over to me, her arms outstretched, flapping them like wings. “Caw!” She cried one last time as she jumped in front of me and closed her arms around me in a tight hug. “How was your day?” she said without loosening her hold. 

No matter how bad my day was, this welcome from my big sister always made me smile. As I hugged her, I heard the television blast another unpleasant headline. “A shootout at a home in south Los Angeles. We’ll take you live to the scene after the commercial break.” I thought about how much happier people would be with an Aria in their life. All their anger might melt away long enough to stop all their useless violence.

“My day was okay, Aria,” I lied. “How about you?” I pulled away to look at her since eye contact was something we were working on. Her bangs hadn’t been trimmed in months and with her head down they hung over her eyes like little orange curtains in front of two beautiful bright blue windows. I brushed them aside with my fingers. 

“Mmmm,” she mumbled as she glanced at me, then looked down again. “Hard,” she said.

I could usually count on her to be honest, even if I didn’t always get a lot of clear details. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you want to talk about it?” 

She kept her gaze downward and shook her head. 

“Okay, well maybe later you will.” I looked at Mom, still fixed on her painting. “Hello Mother,” I said, “I’m home.”

She snapped out of her focus, her eyes wide open as if I startled her. “Oh, yes honey, I saw you. I was letting you talk to Aria first. Everything okay? How’d you get home early?”

How did she not know what time it was? I was home nearly an hour after school let out, long past when she was supposed to pick me up. Every Wednesday Aria’s high school had a shortened day so teachers could have meetings, and almost every time, Mom somehow missed getting me when my school day was done. With only three days left of the school year, it didn’t seem unreasonable to have this figured out.

“Mom, it’s almost four o’clock. I’m not home early. I walked because you never showed up.” Her expression of surprise changed to shock. She dropped her paintbrush as she put her hand over her mouth. “Oh no, North. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I did it again.” She stepped forward and hugged me, careful to keep a bit of distance between me and her paint splashed shirt. Her bleached blonde hair smelled slightly of paint thinner on top of her familiar coconut scented shampoo. I could tell she was genuinely sorry for screwing up, but I was really tired of this. 

Dianne Beck has spent most of her career teaching students ranging from kindergarten through adult and currently works as a high school youth director at her church. In each of these roles, she hopes to encourage students to be their own unique selves, to have confidence in who they are, and to follow their passions.  Dianne’s debut young adult novel Sticks and Stones, winner of multiple awards, was inspired by her years of teaching, where she saw how an understanding ear and relevant literature could make a significant impact on students’ lives. She hopes young people and adults can find faith and strength in her stories.

Visit her author website at http://www.diannebeck.com.

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Read an interview with Anna Belfrage, author of A Rip in the Veil #HistoricalFiction #TimeTravelRomance #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @abelfrageauthor @cathiedunn

A Rip in the Veil

By Anna Belfrage

On a muggy August day in 2002 Alex Lind disappears. On an equally stifling August day in 1658, Matthew Graham finds her on a Scottish moor.  Life will never be the same for Alex – or for Matthew. 

Alexandra Lind is thrown three centuries backwards in time to land at the feet of escaped convict Matthew Graham. 

Matthew doesn’t know what to make of this strange woman who has seemingly fallen from the skies—what is she, a witch? 

Alex is convinced the tall, gaunt man is some sort of hermit, an oddball, but she quickly realises the odd one out is she, not he. 

Catapulted from a life of modern comfort, Alex grapples with her new existence, further complicated by the dawning realization that someone from her time has followed her here—and not exactly to extend a helping hand. 

Potential compensation for this brutal shift in fate comes in the shape of Matthew, a man she should never have met, not when she was born three centuries after him. But Matthew comes with baggage of his own and on occasion his past threatens them both. At times Alex finds it all excessively exciting, longing for the structured life she used to have. 

How will she ever get back? And more importantly, does she really want to?

Publication Date: Originally, 2012, but the new, re-edited version January 2023

Publisher: Timelight Press

Page Length: 370

Genre: Historical Fiction, Time Travel Romance

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INTERVIEW

Writing Interview questions.

Why did you choose to write your book in this era? 

Well, it all began with hubby—or rather the fact that he is descended from a boy who fled Scotland in the early 17th century. This lead to me reading up on Scottish history and suddenly I had this rather dour young man in my head, a Covenanter through and through. This young man, Matthew, needed some cheering up, which is why I gifted him with my time traveler Alex Lind, a young woman who has little patience with dogmatism but has plenty of time for Matthew. Especially as he keeps on saving her from one difficult situation after the other. . .

Did you find researching this era particularly difficult? What was the hardest thing to find out, and did you come across anything particularly surprising? 

Not really. There is a lot written about the 17th century, and I found some fascinating books about the Scottish Covenanters and their participation in the War of Three Kingdoms and the English Civil War. What I found a bit more difficult was getting to grips with the day-to-day: what did they eat, did they use soap, how did they wash their clothes? This latter led to experiments in lye making (messy. And the end product was VERY corrosive) and to washing sheets by first boiling them in lye then rinsing them in ice cold lake water. Not an experience I necessarily want to repeat.

Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb? 

Well, Alex isn’t the only time traveler in the story. There’s Diego who is sucked through more or less at the same time as Alex—and he’s not exactly a nice guy. And then there’s the enigmatic Hector, who has an age-old feud with Alex’s mysterious mother, Mercedes. 

If you had to describe your protagonist(s), in three words, what would those three words be and why? 

Alex is resilient, loyal and brave. She somehow manages to adapt to this new life, she would do anything to keep her Matthew safe and when so required, she’ll fight fo him—even against overwhelming odds. Matthew is determined, devout and devoted. For Matthew, his faith is extremely important and he has made up his mind to somehow rebuild his life after the havoc caused by his brother’s betrayal. And as to devotion—well, once he’s met Alex, he’ll walk to the end of the earth for her. 

What was the most challenging part about writing your book? 

Getting the actual time travel to be “realistic”. A contradiction in terms, right? 

Was there anything that you edited out of this book that would have drastically affected the story, should it be left in? 

No.

What are you currently working on? 

I am working on two books, one set in 13th century England and Wales, the other in early 18th century Pennsylvania. The latter actually has an indirect link to Alex and Matthew. 

What would you tell an aspiring author who had some doubts about their writing abilities? 

To persevere. And to write, write, write. 

Personal Interview questions.

What do you like to do when you are not writing? 

I like walking and reading. Or baking. 

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

The Secretary General of the UN. Alternatively, a professional time traveler. Clearly, I failed 😊 

What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating? 

Tonight we’re having gravid lax (cured salmon) with creamed potatoes and asparagus. And I am very happy eating that.

What is the best part of your day? 

My morning walk. I love waking up my body that way. And breakfast tastes sooo good after my walk.

Either or!

Tea or coffee: Tea!

Hot or cold: Cold

Movie or book: Book

Morning person or Night owl: Neither. I am a boring afternoon person.

City or country: I like both. But if I have to choose I’d say city.

Social Media or book: Book!

Paperback or ebook: ebook. Save some trees, I say. . .

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England.  

Anna has also published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. 

Her Castilian Heart is the third in her “Castilian” series, a stand-alone sequel to her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love. In the second instalment, The Castilian Pomegranate, we travel with the protagonists to the complex political world of medieval Spain. This latest release finds our protagonists back in England—not necessarily any safer than the wilds of Spain!

Anna has also authored The Whirlpools of Time in which she returns to the world of time travel. Join Duncan and the somewhat reluctant time-traveller Erin on their adventures through the Scottish Highlands just as the first Jacobite rebellion is about to explode! 

All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com

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