Book Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: An Unexpected Journey by Ann Elizabeth Fryer

Welcome to the Blog Tour for An Unexpected Journey by Ann Elizabeth Fryer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: An Unexpected Journey: A Regency Hobbit Retelling
Author: Ann Elizabeth Fryer
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: November 28, 2024
Genre: Regency Romance/Hobbit Retelling

A heritage neither of them desires, a wrong to right. A chance to end a family curse... 

When strangers tumble through the doors of once resplendent Grandview Estate, Lady Laura Tamlow is pulled into a rather unexpected journey, away from the village she's never left along with a gentleman unlike any she's ever known. 

Jonathan Canfield is out of options. And he'd do anything to restore his family fortunes in order to keep them from poverty, including roping Lady Tamlow into playing the part of thief. They must reclaim both his and her family jewels that were stolen the night of the fated Grand Masquerade of 1770, where both the Canfields and the Tamlows fell far from society's good graces. If only his thief weren't so lovely, he'd be able to focus on the mission without distraction. 

But there's a bigger problem at hand. The jewels reside at Lombard Park under the eye of Lord Herrington, a greedy dragon of a man who knows he's about to die. Yet he has bigger claims than they ever imagined and attempts to steal something far more valuable than family jewels. With deception afoot, will Jonathan ever see Lady Tamlow again? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub  

**The author is offering free swag to the first 20 people who purchase a paperback/hardcover book. Proof of purchase required.**

 

 Interview with Author Ann Elizabeth Fryer

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Born and raised in Kentucky, I now live in the Midwest near St. Louis. My handsome husband of 27 years and I recently moved to a six-acre farm, where my crazy husky-poo and fluffy-aged dog live in countryside bliss. Our children are mostly grown up—we have one high school senior left! While most of the household leaves for work or lives at college, I spend my days at the writing desk or staring blankly into the woods while dreaming up the next scenes for my work-in-progress.

What do you do besides writing?

I’m a full-time writer these days, after many years of homeschooling my three kids. On my days off, I love to go antiquing. I’m into vintage everything! I found a large sign at a local thrift shop that says “museum” which is pretty accurate for my home. From books to dishes, nearly everything I own is old. I also love curling up in front of a fire with a good book or movie, cup of tea, or coffee in hand.

What was your favorite part of researching for this book?

My favorite part of researching for this story was diving back into The Hobbit, checking on story structure and what might be utilized for a Regency retelling.

How do you find visual inspiration for your characters? Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters?

I thought them up as the character’s personalities came on the page. They gradually grew from the inside, from the heart of them, outward. I haven’t played around with stock images or AI to create my look-alikes for the story, but that might be fun to do! But now that I think about it, Richard Armitage, who played in The Hobbit movie, wouldn’t be a bad example of my hero. Just no beard or long hair.

What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

So YouTube has some pretty sweet Shire-sounding music that will play for hours. I listened to a lot of that along with British folk music.

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

I would love for my readers to get the sense that the dragons we face are entirely fallible. That hope is stronger than fear and evil. And that love, even romantic love, is an element of that kind of hope. We aren’t meant to journey alone—but even if we find ourselves seemingly alone, God is with us—to the end of all things.

What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

I’m already working on book two for this duology. Besides that, at least two more Butterton Brides novels are in the works.

 

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About the Author

Ann Elizabeth Fryer loves nothing more than using story and romance to relay the depths and graciousness of a Father who holds us securely in the palms of His hands. Daydreaming her surroundings from a young age, she's lived in historic homes most of her life and regularly participates in backyard archaeology. When she's not writing historical projects, her contemporary novels show a flavor of her forever-passion for all things old. Ann, her husband, and three children make their home in small-town Illinois where they can hear church bells keep time and tradition.

Connect with Ann by visiting annfryerwrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a hardcover copy of An Unexpected Journey, a tote bag, swag, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive an ebook copy of An Unexpected Journey!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 2, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 9, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Review: What Dreams May Come by Dana LeCheminant

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

In a bid to escape the incessant attentions of a man she does not love, governess Lucy Hayes embarks on a journey to begin a new post. But when she’s stranded in a storm, her plans go shockingly awry. Desperate times call for desperate measures: against her better judgment, she agrees to a foolhardy scheme presented by a handsome stranger, known to her as only William. But when her mysterious benefactor falls ill, she finds herself unwittingly drawn into his family home in a case of mistaken identity: they believe she is William’s betrothed. Though she realizes she should admit the truth, the family’s warmth and welcome make it all too easy to play along, just for a while. Until she meets Baron Lord Simon Calloway, William’s older brother.

Simon is suspicious of his lovely future sister-in-law, a woman who seems completely unsuited to his self-important brother. As they wait for William to awake, Simon and Lucy are drawn ever closer together. But danger draws closer too, in the form of her unwanted suitor. Lucy knows that when Simon discovers the truth, he will despise her. Now she must find a way to keep herself safe . . . and avoid falling hopelessly in love with a man she can never have.

My Review

What a mess Lucy is in! She is kept safe with the family of William, but she knows it is temporary. For Simon it's a case of forbidden love as he thinks that Lucy is his brother's fiancee. It's all very While You Were Sleeping, and the author even slipped in some well-known quotes from the movie as well as similar characters and scenes. It was interesting to see the modern story applied to Regency times, with the differences in the way society worked and the roles of women and men. Lucy struggles with the deception, but self-preservation ultimately keeps her from confiding in Simon, even after they develop a friendship and attraction. It was an entertaining read, but I don't think the nods to the original story were subtle enough for me. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series which is a Regency take on You've Got Mail.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the next book in the Calloway series . . .

 

 

Review: The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love.

Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.

Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.

After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….

My Review

Stella and Teddy are both oddities in society, and keenly feel that sense of isolation, even with friends and family as supports. I love how they inadvertently came across each other, later discovering how connected they really are through their friends. It was easy to connect to the emotions of the characters, and feel the longing they both have for some sense of normalcy, yet also to follow their dreams. Teddy helps Stella embrace her differences and see herself as beautiful instead of peculiar. Stella does the same for Teddy, seeing his amazing skills and talents instead of just his limitations. They have wonderful chemistry and their interactions were so fun to read! I loved how Stella didn't capitulate to Teddy's requests out of pity, but made sure she was in the right frame of mind to embark on such a daring venture. The characters from the previous books in this series as well as some from the author's Parish Orphans of Devon series made this book feel like coming home, and now I want to read them all over again ;)  

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Belles of London series . . .

 

 

Review: One More Last Chance Cathleen Armstrong

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

About the Book

Sarah Cooley has come home to Last Chance, New Mexico, for one reason–because it doesn’t change. After an engagement gone bad with a man who wanted to change everything about her, Sarah is more than ready for the town whose motto may as well be, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
 

Chris Reed, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to spark some change in the little town. As the new owner of the Dip ‘n’ Dine, he’s shaking things up to draw folks from all over the Southwest into his restaurant.
 

As it turns out, the winds of change are blowing into Last Chance–just not in the ways that Sarah or Chris might expect.

My Review

I was hoping I would enjoy the second book in the series more than the first, but I was disappointed to discover that the author's writing style just isn't the right fit for me. I normally gravitate towards small-town romance, but the perspective of the two main characters was somewhat shallow, and I didn't see much growth in the first quarter of the book, making me lose interest swiftly. Sarah is sentimental and embraces her small community, to the point of being exclusionary, judgemental, and just plain mean to newcomer Chris- with no apparent justification other than he's "a big doofus." Admittedly I had difficulty relating to her. Chris has dreams for his newly acquired restaurant, but his attempts at change or improvement are met with resistance. His restaurant and social challenges, combined with his worry over his young niece suffering from neglect, brought a sense of disheartenment as I read.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: To Charm a Lady by Joanna Barker

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

Cora Atherton wants nothing more than to finally fall in love—real love, not the unrequited sort. When she is invited to attend a house party without her disapproving, overbearing mother, Cora leaps at the chance, desperate to make a match of her own. That is, until she finds that Oliver Cartwell is also attending the party. Oliver, the boy she has loved since she was a girl and the man she is determined to forget.

A house party in the country is just what Oliver needs to distract himself from the shadows of his past. When he discovers that Cora, his sister’s best friend, is in need of a little matchmaking, he resolves to help her in her search for a husband. He quickly learns that no man is good enough for her, least of all himself. Why, then, does he find himself fighting his attraction to gentle, beautiful Cora at every step?

As the two draw closer together, Cora is forced to confront the feelings that have tortured her for years. With her future on the line and a deadline fast approaching, can she trust that flirtatious Oliver has changed for the better—or will he leave her heart in pieces once again?

My Review

It's always a pleasure to read a book by Joanna Barker! Unrequited love can be so painful, and I admired Cora for doing her best to move forward with her life. Quite the challenge when the object of her former affections is front and center. It was gratifying to see the growth in both Cora and Oliver, and for Oliver to come to important realizations that will affect their futures. The humor and angst were perfectly balanced, bringing a connection to the characters' emotions and relating to them on a lighter level as well. I loved their banter and chemistry, especially when their attraction and romantic feelings become stronger and mutual. The family and friends from A Game of Hearts were fun in this new story, and I hope the author continues to write more in this series!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous book in the Cartwells series . . .

 

 

 

Takeover Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Rediscovering Christmas
Series: Hope Crossing #6 
Author: Mindy Obenhaus 
Publisher: Love Inspired 
Release Date: November 26, 2024 
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance 

She feels she’s lost everything… 

Will love give her hope? 

When a wildfire destroys her home, widowed schoolteacher Tori Stallings finds herself unexpectedly living with her mother- and brother-in-law—and struggling with her faith. With everything Tori owns consumed by the blaze, Micah vows to help his late brother’s wife and son rebuild their lives. The two of them have always been friends, but living under the same roof has their friendship turning into something more. Can love bloom amid tragic loss and shaken beliefs, and give them a fresh start for Christmas?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Excerpt

“What about your happily-ever-after?” The words were out of his mouth before he realized what he’d said. What if she thought he meant with him? Or worse, that he was encouraging her to find love with someone else?

But wasn’t that what he wanted?

Not in his heart of hearts. Yes, he wanted Tori to be happy. To have someone who cared for her and made her happy. Yet he couldn’t seem to let go of the part of him that longed to be that man.

Her pretty blue eyes met his. “I’ve dreamed of that since I was a little girl watching princess movies. But things didn’t play out the way I thought they would. And while I’m not saying never, I’m no longer the naïve teenager who allowed herself to be swept off her feet by the first guy who showed any real interest in her. I want someone I know will always be there for me. Whose love I will never doubt.”

Micah gulped, wishing he could be that man. Just the way he had before Joel had stolen Tori’s heart. But, just like now, Tori had only thought of him as her friend.

More Books in Series

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About the Author

Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.

Connect with Mindy visiting mindyobenhaus.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Rediscovering Christmas and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 25, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 2, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Blog Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: Investigation of a Journalist by Danielle Grandinetti

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Investigation of a Journalist by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Investigation of a Journalist
Series: Harbored in Crow's Nest #6
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Romance/Suspense

A second chance to set the record straight, and rekindle a lost love. 

Wisconsin, 1931—Buck Wilson refuses to accept failure as his reward for all he has sacrificed, but he’s kept secrets for too long to be believed. With his freedom on the line, there’s only one person he trusts to mine for the true story: the woman he left one month before their wedding. 

All investigative journalist Caroline Wagoneer wants is to shine a light on the truth wherever darkness threatens to obscure it. Which is the only reason she agrees to help her ex-fiance when he begs for her to go undercover in Crow’s Nest. What she discovers paints Buck in a whole new light. 

With lies and rumor hemming them in, Buck and Caroline realize their love may be doomed on the altar of altruism. 

Unless love can truly conquer all. 

Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

 

Guest Post from Author Danielle Grandinetti

I love giving my heroines unique careers, which is especially fun because the beginning of the 20th century opened so many doors. However, because of unemployment, those doors slipped shut during the 1930s, adding a twist of built-in suspense.

Caroline is the heroine in Investigation of a Journalist. She is an undercover investigative journalist.

The history of female undercover journalists goes back to reporters like Nellie Bly, perhaps best known for going undercover in an insane asylum in 1887. Bly's story has always intrigued me, so I loved the idea of creating a female character who also worked as an undercover journalist. As I researched, I learned that Bly was part of a generation of female reporters known as "stunt reporters," a term that had faded by the time Caroline's story would take place.

Journalism was an area hit hard by unemployment. Women were among the first to be let go because it was thought they were stealing men’s jobs, men who had fought in WWI and had returned to their “rightful place.” Married women, especially, were expected to be home. Unmarried women were reluctantly allowed jobs, but, again, as the Great Depression worsened, they were the first to be laid off because the expectation was men had families to support, and they would support the women.

However, the unemployment rate hit 50% in Chicago, where Caroline worked. Desperation due to loss of job and home created other problems. Theft, alcohol abuse, and other vices spread. Since it would have been unlikely Caroline would have had a job at this point, I created the character Ali Di Stasio and her journalism agency of female reporters.

Because women continued to be journalists throughout the 1930s, the tenacity they needed to exist in a male-dominated career served them well in finding a story, digging up coruption, and shedding a light on the evils in the world. They were fearless women, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to write about one.

In fact, writing about just one female journalist isn’t enough … I have a brand-new historical romantic mystery/suspense series in the works. More to come about Ali and her journalists in 2025.

Also Available

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About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books. As a FHLCW Reader’s Choice and Selah Award Finalist, she mixes romance, suspense, and history to bring her stories to life. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons.

Connect with Danielle at daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each win a paperback copy of Confessions to a Stranger, a Crow's Nest tote bag, and a Crow's Nest Journal!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 19, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 26, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!