Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: #TheViscountsLadyNovelist #AlissaBaxter #HFVBT

The Viscount's Lady Novelist by Alissa Baxter

Publication Date: April 26, 2022

Vinspire Publishing

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: The Linfield Ladies, Book 2

Harriet Linfield is a lady novelist who has been disillusioned by love. She sets out to write more realistic tales about the emotion when she returns home to Linfield Court for the summer. Vowing to avoid any romantic entanglements along the way, she focuses instead on her writing and her plan to turn the estate she inherited from her uncle into a refuge for orphans.

Oliver, Viscount Wentford, is determined to restore his family fortunes. But his plans for the estate he inherited are in direct opposition to the wishes of Harriet, his new neighbour. Upon meeting her, Oliver is amused when, in response to his provocative comments, she informs him that she intends to make him the villain of her next book. But his amusement swiftly turns to dismay when circumstances align to show him in that exact light.

When an enemy comes back into Harriet’s life, she sees that love isn’t as clear-cut as the romantic tales she pens. But will the viscount manage to discard his villainous mantle to become Harriet’s real-life hero?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Guest Post from author Alissa Baxter

The Minerva Press

The Minerva Press was a publishing house that created a lucrative market in sentimental and Gothic fiction in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was established by William Lane (1745–1814) at No 33 Leadenhall Street, London.

Among his regular writers were many female authors, including Regina Maria Roche (The Maid of Hamlet, 1793; Clermont, 1798); Mrs Eliza Parsons (The Castle of Wolfenbach, 1793; The Mysterious Warning, 1796); and Eleanor Sleath (The Orphan of the Rhine, 1798) whose Gothic fiction is included in the list of the seven Northanger Horrid Novels, recommended by the character Isabella Thorpe in Jane Austen’s novel Northanger Abbey.

Literary critics at the time perceived the Minerva Press novels as lowbrow literature. However, the books were extremely popular, and when Lane formed circulating libraries, where he could lend out his books on subscription to those who couldn’t afford to buy them, he reached a large number of readers. His target market was women, and women, many of them writing under a pseudonym to avoid scandal or notoriety, predominantly wrote the books.

Between 1790 and 1820, Minerva Press was the largest fiction publisher, mainly publishing Gothic fiction. It was taken over by Lane’s business partner, Anthony King Newman, who dropped the “Minerva” brand name in the 1820s.

William Lane’s circulating libraries contributed to widespread literacy across the social classes. However, the market for Minerva Press’s books became negligible after the death of its charismatic founder and authors such as Emma Parker (“Emma de Lisle”) and Amelia de Beauclerc, who wrote for Minerva Press in the 1800s, are unknown today.

In recent years, Valancourt Books, an independent American publishing house, has revived and reprinted some of the lost Gothics of Minerva Press which faded into obscurity.

In my latest Regency romance, The Viscount’s Lady Novelist, my heroine, Harriet Linfield, shies away from the sentimental and Gothic fiction she devoured as a young girl after a romantic mishap and focuses instead on reading and writing more realistic stories. However, as Harriet examines the effect of novel-reading on her sensibilities, she discovers that life can turn an accepted idea entirely on its head.

It was interesting as I researched this book to learn about the perception of romance novels written by women over two hundred years ago. However, it was also sad to discover that sometimes the more things change within the romantic fiction genre, the more they actually stay the same.

Sources:
https://www.valancourtbooks.com/minerva-press.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minerva_Press
https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/the-underestimated-importance-of-minerva-press/

 

 

 

Praise

 

"A charming love story set in the English countryside that's grounded in impeccable research." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"Alissa Baxter's writing is period perfect." ~ Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Matrimonial Advertisement

"This book is gorgeous!" ~ Rachel Burton, author of The Tearoom on the Bay

"A truly traditional Regency romance, with lots of witty banter, very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. Recommended for anyone who likes a completely clean traditional Regency, with strongly authentic writing, historical accuracy and a satisfying romance. Baxter's writing is excellent, and her dialogue, manners and settings are true to the era." ~ Mary Kingswood, author of traditional Regency romances

"While immersing the reader in the mores and life of the Regency era, Alissa Baxter manages to write strong, independent heroines whom modern-day women will cheer and root for. Plus the addition of little details that wrap around the plot and the characters make reading her books all the more special because you never know when you might land on a little Easter egg morsel in the beautiful and engaging prose. Historicals with heart and engaging characters that read real—that's what you get in Ms Baxter's books." ~ Zee Monodee, USA Today bestselling author

About the Author

 

 

Alissa Baxter was born in a small town in South Africa and grew up with her nose in a book on a poultry and cattle farm. At the age of eleven, she discovered her mother’s collection of Georgette Heyer novels. The first Heyer novel she ever read was Sylvester and she was hooked on Georgette Heyer after that. She read and reread her novels, and fell totally in love with the Regency period and Heyer’s grey-eyed heroes!

After university, where she majored in Political Science and French, she began writing her first Regency novel, before moving to England, which gave her further inspiration for her historical romances.

Alissa has lived in Durban and Cape Town but she eventually settled in Johannesburg where she lives with her husband and two sons. Alissa is the author of two chick-lit novels, Send and Receive and The Blog Affair, which have been re-released as The Truth About Series: The Truth about Clicking Send and Receive and The Truth About Cats and Bees.

Alissa's Linfield Ladies Series features women in trend-setting roles in the Regency period who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways... at least eventually. The Viscount's Lady Novelist is the second book in this series, following on from The Earl's Lady Geologist.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

 

Blog Tour Schedule

 

Tuesday, April 26
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Excerpt at The Caffeinated Bibliophile
Wednesday, April 27
Review at MTM Reads
Excerpt at Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Romance
Thursday, April 28
Excerpt at The Lit Bitch
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read
Friday, April 29
Review at Anna’s Book Blog
Saturday, April 30
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy
Sunday, May 1
Excerpt at The Cozy Book Blog
Monday, May 2
Review at Bookish Rantings
Tuesday, May 3
Review at Bookworlder
Wednesday, May 4
Review & Excerpt at Elodie’s Reading Corner
Thursday, May 5
Review at Novels Alive
Friday, May 6
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Review at View from the Birdhouse
Saturday, May 7
Excerpt at Lisa Everyday Reads
Monday, May 9
Guest Post at Heidi Reads...
Wednesday, May 11
Review at Ms. Darcy Reads
Thursday, May 12
Review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Friday, May 13
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Monday, May 16
Review at One Book More
Tuesday, May 17
Review at Robin Loves Reading
Wednesday, May 18
Guest Post at The Tea Queen

Giveaway

Enter to win a $30 Amazon Gift Card!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on May 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Viscount's Lady Novelist

Book Tour & Excerpt: The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray #MurderWickham #AustenprosePR

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A summer house party turns into a thrilling whodunit when Jane Austen's Mr. Wickham—one of literature’s most notorious villains—meets a sudden and suspicious end in this brilliantly imagined mystery featuring Austen’s leading literary characters.

The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a party at their country estate, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst.

Nearly everyone at the house party is a suspect, so it falls to the party’s two youngest guests to solve the mystery: Juliet Tilney, the smart and resourceful daughter of Catherine and Henry, eager for adventure beyond Northanger Abbey; and Jonathan Darcy, the Darcys’ eldest son, whose adherence to propriety makes his father seem almost relaxed. In this tantalizing fusion of Austen and Christie, from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray, the unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang.

BOOK LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Bookshop | Goodreads | Bookbub

EXCERPT

Three times now, Fitzwilliam Darcy had believed himself permanently rid of the odious presence of George Wickham. Three times, he’d been wrong. The division eight months ago had seemed as though it had to be final, but no. Fate could be pernicious.

“Ah,” Wickham said, strolling forward. “I see my timing is inopportune. In the city, you see, the fashion is for later dinners.”

Knightley stood, pale and drawn. He looked as though he loathed Wickham as much as Darcy did. “You would not have been invited at any hour.”

Wickham’s smile widened. Somehow, in the heart of a confrontation, the man managed to seem even more at ease. “If I waited for an invitation to receive that which is mine in right of law—yes, Mr. Knightley, I imagine my wait would be very long.”

Knightley’s lips pressed together. Emma’s face had flushed with ill-repressed anger. Nor were they the only persons agitated at the table: Wentworth’s expression was dark, and his wife had tensed, as though she expected to have to fly from her chair to hold him back. Worst of all was dear Elizabeth, frozen like ice in her seat; her fingers were wrapped tightly around the hilt of her dinner knife. Jonathan’s distrust of his uncle clearly warred with his concern for his mother.

As for the Brandons, the Bertrams, and the young Miss Tilney: they each appeared deeply confused by the sudden, severe deviation from common civility. Therefore, none of them had ever met George Wickham before. Darcy envied them the privilege.

A loud clap of thunder rumbled through the air, the house, the ground itself. In the next instant, raindrops began to pelt the windows and ground, striking the windowpanes until they rattled.

Darcy could’ve cursed aloud. To judge by the hoofbeats he’d heard outside earlier, Wickham had arrived on horseback rather than by carriage, and not even the most odious company would be thrown out in such weather. Particularly in such hilly country as this corner of Surrey—to attempt to ride in a severe thunderstorm risked the health and nerves of one’s horse, and even one’s life.

Wickham raised an eyebrow, as aware as anyone of the etiquette that imprisoned his hosts. “It seems I shall be staying for a while.”

*

“I fear we cannot accommodate you at the table, Mr. Wickham.” Mrs. Knightley pushed her chair back as abruptly as an ill-mannered child. Jonathan would’ve been scolded for less, as a boy. She said, “Allow me to get you settled, and the servants will bring something up to you for dinner.” With that she strode out of the room. After a moment, Wickham inclined his head to the table—an ironical half bow—then followed her.

Had she done the right thing? The normal rules could not apply to such a situation as this. Jonathan would’ve resolved to ask his parents later had they not appeared so stricken. No, he would be left to interpret this for himself.

A silence followed, empty of words and yet suffocatingly heavy. Finally, Knightley cleared his throat. “My dear guests, I must beg your pardon. The gentleman who has arrived is . . . no friend to this household. Yet there are matters between us that must be resolved.”

“He seemed insolent in the extreme,” said Mrs. Brandon, astonishingly forthright. “What a disagreeable person.”

In any other circumstances, Jonathan might’ve found such a pronouncement rude; tonight, people seemed freed to speak their thoughts—and to the whole table, at that. Understandable, perhaps, but in his opinion it set a dangerous precedent.

“George Wickham is indeed disagreeable,” Knightley agreed, “however skilled he is at pretending otherwise.”

Brandon spoke for the first time at dinner. “Did you say—Mr. George Wickham?”

Knightley nodded. “A former army officer, who now fancies himself an arranger of investments. Bah! Investments that work to his own gain and everyone else’s loss.”

“Certainly to ours,” Wentworth said, his voice hollow.

Jonathan saw Mrs. Wentworth wince.

But she rallied swiftly, turning to Darcy and asking very civilly, “How are you acquainted with Mr. Wickham, sir?”

“We grew up together in Derbyshire,” Darcy said. Brandon’s fork clattered against the dinner plate. Jonathan wondered—How could anyone continue eating at such a time? “He was the son of my late father’s steward. As adults, our ways parted for many years.”

To his surprise, it was Mother who spoke next. “Then Mr. Wickham married my sister Lydia.”

And Lydia and George Wickham had had a daughter.

For a moment, Jonathan remembered Susannah so vividly that she might’ve been sitting at his side, giggling as she so often did, dark curls framing her round, smiling face. To him, she had been more sister than cousin. To his parents, Susannah had been more daughter than niece. He knew himself and his brothers to be dearly loved, but he knew also that for many years his mother and father had longed for a little girl that never came.

Then, eight years ago, Susannah had been born—the belated first and only child of his aunt and uncle. Neither Aunt Lydia nor Uncle George had possessed much interest in the daily tedium of child-rearing; as soon as Susannah had left her wet nurse, she had been packed off to Pemberley for lengthy visits. Indeed, Susannah had spent far more of her short life in his home than she ever had with her parents. This suited everyone: Mother and Father, who doted on the child; Jonathan and his brothers, who were old enough to find her odd little ways amusing rather than irritating; Aunt Lydia and Uncle George, who showed no evidence of ever missing their daughter; and Susannah herself, who wept piteously before each of her journeys home and always ran back into Pemberley as fast as her small legs would bear her.

She would never run through the doors again.

Excerpt courtesy of Vintage Books, A Division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. Copyright © 2022 by Claudia Gray. All rights reserved.

 

ADVANCE PRAISE 

 

“Had Jane Austen sat down to write a country house murder mystery, this is exactly the book she would have written. Devotees of Austen’s timeless novels will get the greatest possible pleasure from this wonderful book. Immense fun and beautifully observed. Delicious!” —Alexander McCall Smith

“What a splendid conceit! . . . Gray provides plenty of backstory and enough depth to her characters that even those who mix up their Pride and Prejudice with their Sense and Sensibility will delight in the Agatha Christie–style mystery. . . . There’s so much fun to be had in this reimagined Austen world—and the mystery is so strong—that one can only hope, dear reader, that more books will follow.” —Ilene Cooper, Booklist (starred review)

“[An] enchanting mystery. . . . Gray perfectly captures the personalities of Austen’s beloved characters. This is a real treat for Austenites.” —Publishers Weekly

“Who would NOT want to read a book in which one of literature’s most notorious rakes meets his final demise? . . . A delightful Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen romp.” —Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Secrets of Rosenli Manor by Heidi Eljarbo

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Secrets of Rosenli Manor by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Secrets of Rosenli Manor 

Series: Mysteries of the Modern Ladies' Society #1 

Author: Heidi Eljarbo 

Publisher: Independently Published 

Release Date: March 29, 2022 

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction/Mystery 

Betrayal and trust go hand in hand in the first book of Heidi Eljarbo’s new turn-of-the-century series. 

It’s 1898, and Lilly has spent most of her life motherless and living with a father who never looks for a silver lining. When her great-aunt Agatha passes, Lilly’s existence takes a drastic turn. She packs her few belongings and moves into the old lady’s magnificent estate, Rosenli Manor. 

In the days that follow, Lilly tries to understand who Agatha really was, and hidden secrets slowly rise to the surface. Her great-aunt’s glamorous legacy is not quite what Lilly had imagined. She must trust in newly forged friendships, and to her surprise, she discovers what it means to truly fall in love. But not everyone is happy about the new mistress of Rosenli. 

Intrigue, mystery, and a touch of romance in the Norwegian countryside fill the pages of Secrets of Rosenli Manor. Fans of Rhys Bowen, Julie Klassen, Kathleen McGurl, Kate Morton, and Lucinda Riley will be delighted with this new novel. 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

 

EXCERPT

ROSENLI MANOR SAT bathed in a pleasant glow when Lilly arrived early the following day. Rays of sunshine sprayed the few snowy spots left on the ground, and two sparrows flittered between the bare branches of birches and hazelnut trees.

She’d only attended two funerals. The first one was for her beloved mother, then Uncle Alfred had passed a few years later.

A whiff of freshly baked goods met her as she opened the main door and stepped across the threshold. Maids were buzzing around an immensely long table set up in the middle of the grand entry hall, smoothing the linen tablecloth, and hurrying to and from the kitchen carrying trays and baskets of cakes and sweet rolls.

Gertrude came toward her. “Oh, there you are, love. The reception is being prepared according to Agatha’s wishes. I hope you are pleased.”

“It looks wonderful. Are you expecting a large crowd?”

“The townsfolk. Your great-aunt was much loved.”

 

---

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near.

Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.

Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

CONNECT WITH HEIDI: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

 

(3) winners will receive a paperback copy of Secrets of Rosenli Manor and a paperback copy of Of Darkness and Light!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 3, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 10, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: This Time Around by Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson, Kathleen Fuller

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

For lovers of happily ever afters—this collection of three light and sweet romance stories will sweep you off your feet.

In A Summer Detour by Denise Hunter, you’ll meet free-spirited Allie Adams, who undertakes a road trip to deliver her grandparents’ newly restored ’57 Chevy in time for their fiftieth anniversary party . . . along with Luke Fletcher, the former boy-next-door who callously crushed her heart.

Pining for You by Melissa Ferguson invites you to a cozy Virginia mountain town where Christmas tree farm owner Theo Watkins III has the opportunity to drop everything for one weekend to play farmer and potentially win back the heart of his childhood best friend, Skye Fuller. Only problem? He’s the kind of man who drives a Tesla, not a tractor. 

Last but not least, He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller will transport you to a small town in Arkansas where thirty-five-year-old Sophie Morgan has spent years making her flower shop a success. But when this workaholic decides she’s ready to make time for dating again, she finds herself with two handsome men vying for her attention.

Whether your perfect romance involves rows and rows of Fraser firs and white pines glinting in the moonlight, childhood love that never ends, or a second chance at a happily ever after, you’re sure to find a story within this collection to warm your heart any day of the year.

My Review

This is a sweet collection of engaging stories. The first two were enjoyable, but my favorite of them all was He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not. It's set in the small town of Maple Falls and is connected to her Maple Falls series which each feature a character from a group of friends who have businesses that are working to revitalize their community. In this novella, Sophie runs the flower shop (which is my fantasy job) and is looking to date one of the slim pickings of single men in the area. She has a rocky history with Joe, which makes her write him off at first, but I loved the way he persevered and proved himself to her. Overall, the stories in this collection are a well-balanced blend of relationship angst, gentle humor, and sweet romance.

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.

Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: #ShadowsintheMindsEye #JanyreTromp #HFVBT

Shadows in the Mind's Eye by Janyre Tromp

Publication Date: April 19, 2022

Kregel Publications

Genre: Historical Fiction/Christian

Charlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on--responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who's come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam's experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand--but that everyone is learning to fear.

Tongues start wagging after Sam nearly kills his own brother. Now when he claims to have seen men on the mountain when no one else has seen them, Annie isn't the only one questioning his sanity and her safety. If there were criminals haunting the hills, there should be evidence beyond his claims. Is he really seeing what he says, or is his war-tortured mind conjuring ghosts?

Annie desperately wants to believe her husband. But between his irrational choices and his nightmares leaking into the daytime, she's terrified he's going mad. Can she trust God to heal Sam's mental wounds--or will sticking by him mean keeping her marriage at the cost of her own life?

Debut novelist Janyre Tromp delivers a deliciously eerie, Hitchcockian story filled with love and suspense. Readers of psychological thrillers and historical fiction by Jaime Jo Wright and Sarah Sundin will add Tromp to their favorite authors list.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

 

Guest Post from author Janyre Tromp

 

I’ve been addicted to reading for as long as I can remember.

I was that kid who read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in first grade and then proceeded to read everything I could get my hands on.

As a kid I preferred stories steeped in classic stories and myths—King Arthur, Brothers Grimm, etc.—and often read under my covers by the glow of my little nightlight.

Looking back, I suppose reading was a way to escape the ugly that often hovered in my childhood home.

The characters were my friends, and I could travel with them on adventures and be a hero even when I often felt unremarkable and forgotten.

But it wasn’t until I was in college that I really enjoyed history. I’ll pause here while you process a historical writer not liking history.

It does makes sense. History, as presented in school, is often impersonal timelines and boring lists of facts. I don’t do boring details.

That all changed when my US History professor gave us an assignment to talk to a family member about WWII or the depression. I drove up to see my grandparents and heard stories I had never heard before, and I was profoundly affected.

Grandma and Bobpa told me about being separated while my grandmother went to college during the depression; my grandfather enlisting and applying for officer’s school to avoid being drafted as a grunt; my grandfather directing fire from a piper cub and being shot down over Germany.

Because of my grandparents’ stories, I will forever see how personal and relevant history is.

In some ways, it’s my mission to find the truth tucked in historical stories and introduce it to modern readers.

Given my past, it isn’t surprising that I write historical novels steeped in the deliciously creepy stories of myths and legends. And Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is no different.

You’ll see bits and pieces of my family’s stories in the book. Things like both my grandfather and Sam didn’t meet their daughter until they returned from the battlefield and both men struggled with memories from their war experiences.

However myths and legends are just as important to the story. Besides typical fairy tale themes of light versus dark, my hero, Sam, talks of himself in terms of the heroes and monsters in his daughter’s fairy tale story books. He says, “if you pop in the middle of the story, you might just mistake the hero for a failure or worse, a monster. But it’s the scrabbling out of trouble and finding the truth deep inside him that transforms that character into a hero of light and goodness.”

The moment those words hit the page, I stopped. It’s such a powerful thought.

The middle of the story isn’t the end.

Wherever we are in our stories, it might seem like there’s no hope and we’re in too far. But story is all about the rising action, the conflict, and the resolution. And history bears proof of the pattern.

It’s why I hunt for beauty . . . even when life isn’t pretty.

In my pursuit of truth and beauty, I dig for good things like the golden morning light kissing the tips of winter bare branches or the way flower petals curl when they dry or even the blessing of an alarm, so I don’t forget to pick up my kid from school . . . not that that ever happens (ha ha)!

What are some good things you see around you?

 

Praise for Shadows in the Mind's Eye

 

“Readers will enjoy this emotional exploration of a soldier’s journey as he returns home to his family’s farm after fighting a war in the Pacific. This story examines not only the traumatic impact on his own psyche but on the lives of all who love him most. With alternating points of view, Tromp weaves a complex historical tale incorporating love, suspense, hurt, and healing―all the elements that keep the pages turning.” -- Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of Perennials

“Oh my! What a story! Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is a stunner of a debut novel. Sam and Annie’s love is beautifully rendered, Sam’s combat fatigue (what we now call PTSD) is compassionately portrayed, and Janyre Tromp’s writing effortlessly captures the Southern voice. And the last half of the book is one dangerous, breathtaking twist after another, as Sam’s worst nightmares come to pass. A compelling look at a town struggling to find its soul and a wounded couple struggling to reclaim their love. Not to be missed.” -- Sarah Sundin, ECPA best-selling and award-winning author of Until Leaves Fall in Paris

“An achingly poignant tale of rediscovering love and trust between wounded hearts. Love, forgiveness, and danger weave together in Tromp’s emotional tale where the greatest of battles are fought in the mind. Beautiful in description with complex characters, readers will not forget this emotional journey.” -- J'nell Ciesielski, best-selling author of The Socialite

“Stunning and compelling, Janyre Tromp’s Shadows in the Mind’s Eye kept me turning pages. With a cast of true-to-life characters, pitch-perfect narrative, and a plot that will keep the reader wondering what is true (and what is imagined), this novel is not to be missed. Intense and full of heart, Tromp delivers a fresh voice in the world of fiction.” -- Susie Finkbeiner, author of The Nature of Small Birds and the Pearl Spence Series

“With twists and turns as unexpected as an Arkansas thunderstorm, Tromp brilliantly explores the things war can change and the important things it can’t.” -- Lynne Gentry, USA Today best-selling author of Lethal Outbreak

“A hair-raising, mind-bending psychological thriller, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp deftly explores a marriage torn asunder by war. Is a marriage worth fighting for when you cannot see the people your husband is fighting, or when you even become the one he is fighting? Tromp’s nuanced empathy elevates this story to another level and blurs the line between villain and hero, causing readers to ponder the lengths they would go to protect themselves, even against the ones they love.” -- Jolina Petersheim, bestselling author of How the Light Gets In

“Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is an intense, beautifully written novel about secrets and sacrifice. A story about poignant trauma and truth potent enough to heal a broken family. A fabulous debut!” -- Melanie Dobson, award-winning author of The Winter Rose and Catching the Wind

“With pitch-perfect dialect, lyrical prose, and homespun wisdom, Tromp delivers a slow boiling mystery that dares to ask the deepest questions about faith, love, suffering, evil, and hope.” -- Elizabeth Musser, award-winning author of The Promised Land

“Tromp’s debut novel is the perfect blend of historical fiction and psychological thriller. Shadows in the Mind’s Eye hooked me early on and kept me enthralled until the very end. A story of war, of heartache, of love and healing, this novel will appeal to a broad swath of readers. Tromp is a new author to watch!” -- Kelli Stuart, award-winning author of The Fabulous Freaks of Monsieur Beaumont

Author Janyre Tromp

 

 

In case we get to meet in person some day, you pronounce that first name Jan-air. Kind of like the stove. I'm a developmental book editor by day and a writer at night.

And that all happens from my kitchen table when I'm not hanging out with my husband, two kids, and slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. Unfortunately, I spilled coffee on my super cape and then the dryer ate it. So you'll just have to imagine I can do it all!

I have four traditionally published books—a WWII era novel, Shadows in the Mind's Eye; a juvenile fiction, That Sinking Feeling; and two board books in the All About God's Animals series—and 2 indie books—Wide Open, a historical novella and It's a Wonderful Christmas, a Christmas novella collection (coming October 2021).

But my passion is writing about the beauty of the world—past and present—even when it isn't pretty.

After all, isn't it the beauty in the world that gets us through the day?

Hopefully after you hang out with me for a bit, we'll be able to see things a little more clearly, find a little bit of meaning, and make a bigger impact.

With me what you see is what you get...all the Beautiful, all the Ugly, all the Me.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Blog Tour Schedule

 

Monday, May 2
Review at Bookworlder

Tuesday, May 3
Guest Post at Heidi Reads

Wednesday, May 4
Review at Dive Into a Good Book

Thursday, May 5
Excerpt at What is That Book About

Friday, May 6
Review at Ms. Darcy Reads

Monday, May 9
Review at The Page Ladies

Tuesday, May 10
Excerpt at Books & Benches

Wednesday, May 11
Excerpt at Books, Cooks, Looks
Review at Cover Lover Book Review

Saturday, May 14
Review at Girl Who Reads
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Monday, May 16
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, May 18
Excerpt at Lisa Everyday Reads

Friday, May 20
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at The Cozy Book Blog
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Giveaway

 

Enter to win a copy of Shadows in the Mind's Eye by Janyre Tromp!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on May 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Shadow's in the Mind's Eye

Review: You're the One That I Want by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.

Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after―especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama―and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.

But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

My Review

I have a horrible habit of not reading the last book in a series I love... it's completely irrational, but it's like I subconsciously think that if I don't read that last book the series won't end yet. I recently read a novella by the author set in Deep Haven, and it put me in the mood to *finally* finish the Christiansen series with You're the One That I Want. I had mixed feelings of course about Owen, who is a bit of a punk in previous books. The author did a great job of showing Owen's redemption process, peeling back a layer at a time, showing us the new Owen through Scotty's experiences with him. I thought it was smart to show how major aspects of his personality didn't change- that he is still the same person, but more mature, with a broader perspective, and the desire to be a better man. 

 

I loved reading the scenes set on the fishing boat, reminding me of the show Deadliest Catch, and the danger and adventure there. Owen and Scotty's life changing experience together bonds them, and it was fun to see how their dynamic shifted as their roles changed off the boat. The remainder of the story in Deep Haven was wrought with family drama- both angsty and healing. Lots of faith talk helped Owen, Scotty, and Casper as they worked to resolve the complications that have their relationships tied in knots. A strong ending to a memorable series! Now I want to binge 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 other books in the Christiansen Family series . . .