I'm turning off comments for this post and directing you to my entry in the blog tour, an excerpt from the first novel. You'll find all of the contest details there! Good luck!
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Showing posts with label Blog Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Tour. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Ross Poldark Blog Tour - UPDATE!
The blog tour celebrating the Poldark novels and miniseries may have ended, but the grand prize contest is still open! The grand prize (hosted by Sourcebooks) now includes a DVD copy of the new PBS series!
I'm turning off comments for this post and directing you to my entry in the blog tour, an excerpt from the first novel. You'll find all of the contest details there! Good luck!
I'm turning off comments for this post and directing you to my entry in the blog tour, an excerpt from the first novel. You'll find all of the contest details there! Good luck!
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
The Ross Poldark Blog Tour - Excerpt & Contest Info!
As I promised yesterday, today I'm thrilled to share an exclusive excerpt from Ross Poldark with you as part of the Ross Poldark Blog Tour! Following the excerpt, read on for information on the blog tour giveaway hosted by Sourcebooks Landmark. Enjoy!
Excerpt from Chapter 2 of Ross Poldark:
Ross came into a company quite
unprepared for his arrival. When his figure showed in the doorway, one after
another of those at the table broke into words of surprise. Elizabeth and
Francis and Verity and Dr. Choake were on their feet; Charles lay back grunting
and inert from shock. Cousin William-Alfred polished his steel spectacles,
while Aunt Agatha plucked at his sleeve mumbling, “What is it? What’s to do?
The meal isn’t over.”
Ross screwed up
his eyes until they grew used to the light. Trenwith House was almost on his
way home, and he had not thought to intrude on a party.
First to greet
him was Verity. She ran across and put her arms around his neck. “Why, Ross
dear! Fancy now!” was all she could find to say.
“Verity!” He
gave her a hug. And then he saw Elizabeth.
“Stap me,” said
Charles. “So you’re back at last, boy. You’re late for dinner, but we’ve some
apple tart left.”
“Did they lame
us, Ross?” said Dr. Choake. “A pox on the whole war. It was ill-starred. Thank
God it’s over.”
Francis, after a
short hesitation, came quickly around the table and grasped the other man’s
hand. “It’s good to see you back, Ross! We’ve missed you.”
“It’s good to be
back,” said Ross. “To see you all and—”
The color of the
eyes under the same heavy lids was the only mark of cousinship. Francis was
compact, slim, and neat, with the fresh complexion and clear features of
handsome youth. He looked what he was: carefree, easy-going, self-confident, a
young man who has never known what it was to be in danger or short of money, or
to pit his strength against another man’s except in games or horse-play.
Someone at school had christened them “the fair Poldark and the dark Poldark.”
They had always been good friends, which was surprising, since their fathers
had not.
“This is a
solemn occasion,” said Cousin William-Alfred, his bony hands grasping the back
of his chair. “A family reunion in more than name. I trust you’re not seriously
wounded, Ross. That scar is a considerable disfigurement.”
“Oh, that,” said
Ross. “That would be of no moment if I didn’t limp like Jago’s donkey.”
He went around
the table greeting the others. Mrs. Chynoweth welcomed him coldly, extending a
hand from a distance.
“Do tell uth,”
lisped Polly Choake, “thome of youw exthpewiences, Captain Poldark: how we
lotht the wa’, what theethe Amewicanth awe like, and—”
“Very like us, ma’am. That’s why we lost it.” He had reached Elizabeth.
“Well, Ross,”
she said softly.
His eyes feasted
on her face. “This is most opportune. I couldn’t have wished it different.”
“I could,” she
said. “Oh, Ross, I could.”
“And what are
you going to do now, my lad?” asked Charles. “It’s high time you settled down.
Property don’t look after itself, and you can’t trust hirelings. Your father
could have done with you this last year and more—”
“I almost called
to see you tonight,” Ross said to Elizabeth, “but left it for tomorrow.
Self-restraint is rewarded.”
“I must explain.
I wrote you, but—”
“Why,” said Aunt
Agatha, “Lord damn me if it isn’t Ross! Come here, boy! I thought you was gone
to make one of the blest above.”
Reluctantly Ross
walked down the table to greet his great-aunt. Elizabeth stayed where she was,
holding the back of her chair so that her knuckles were whiter even than her
face.
Ross kissed Aunt
Agatha’s whiskery cheek. Into her ear he said, “I’m glad to see, Aunt, that
you’re still one of the blest below.”
She chuckled
with delight, showing her pale brownish-pink gums. “Not so blest, maybe. But I
wouldn’t want to be changing just yet.”
The conversation
became general, everyone question-ing Ross as to when he had landed, what he
had done and seen while away.
“Elizabeth,”
said Mrs. Chynoweth, “fetch me my wrap from upstairs, will you? I am a little
chilly.”
“Yes, Mother.”
She turned and walked away, tall and virginal, groped with her hand for the oak
banister.
“That fellow
Paynter is a rogue,” said Charles, wiping his hands down the sides of his
breeches.
“If I was you I
should throw him out and get a reliable man.”
Ross was watching Elizabeth going up the stairs. “He was my father’s
friend.”
Charles shrugged
in some annoyance. “You won’t find the house in a good state of repair.”
“It wasn’t when
I left.”
“Well, it’s
worse now. I haven’t been over for some time. You know what your father used to
say about coming in the other direction: ‘It is too far to walk and not far
enough to ride.’”
Ross thanked her
and took the seat offered him between Aunt Agatha and Mr. Chynoweth. He would
have preferred to be beside Elizabeth, but that would have to wait. He was
surprised to find Elizabeth there. She and her mother and father had never once
been to Nampara in the two years he had known her. Two or three times he
glanced up as he ate to see if she was returning.
Verity was
helping Mrs. Tabb to carry out some of the used dishes. Francis stood plucking
at his lip by the front door; the others were back in their chairs. A silence
had fallen on the company.
“It is no easy
countryside to which you return,” said Mr. Chynoweth, pulling at his beard.
“Discontent is rife. Taxes are high, wages have fallen. The country is
exhausted from its many wars, and now the Whigs are in. I can think of no worse
a prospect.”
“Had the Whigs
been in before,” said Dr. Choake, refusing to be tactful, “none of this need
have happened.”
Ross looked
across at Francis. “I’ve interrupted a party. Is it in celebration of the peace
or in honor of the next war?”
Thus he forced
the explanation they had hesitated to give.
“No,” said
Francis. “I—er—the position is—”
“We are
celebrating something far different,” said Charles, motioning for his glass to
be filled again. “Francis is to be married. That is what we’re celebrating.”
“To be married,”
said Ross, slicing his food. “Well, well, and who—”
“To Elizabeth,”
said Mrs. Chynoweth.
There was
silence.
Ross put down
his knife. “To—”
“To my
daughter.”
“Can I get you
something to drink?” Verity whispered to Elizabeth, who had just reached the
bottom of the stairs.
“No, no… Please
no.”
“Oh,” said Ross.
“To…Elizabeth.”
“We are very
happy,” said Mrs. Chynoweth, “that our two ancient families are to be united.
Very happy and very proud. I am sure, Ross, that you will join with us in
wishing Francis and Elizabeth all happiness in their union.”
Contest Info:
Win One
of Three Fabulous Prizes
In
celebration of the re-release of Ross Poldark
and Demelza, Sourcebooks Landmark is
offering three chances to win copies of the books or a grand prize, an
Anglophile-themed gift package.
Two
lucky winners will each receive one trade paperback copy of Ross Poldark and Demelza, and one grand prize winner will receive a prize package
containing the following items:
(2
) Old Britain Castles Pink Pottery Mugs by Johnson Brothers
(1)
Twelve-inch Old Britain Castles Pink Pottery Plater by Johnson Brothersr
(1)
London Telephone Box Tin of Ahmad English Breakfast Tea
(1)
Jar of Mrs. Bridges Marmalade
(1)
Package of Duchy Originals Organic Oaten Biscuits
(2)
Packets of Blue Boy Cornflower Seeds by Renee's Garden Heirloom (1) Trade
Paperback Copy of Ross Poldark & Demelza, by Winston Graham
To
enter the giveaway contest simply leave a comment on any or all of the blog
stops on the Ross Poldark Blog Tour starting July 06, 2015 through 11:59 pm PT,
August 10, 2015. Winners will be drawn at random from all of the entrants and
announced on the Buzz at Sourcebooks blog on August 13, 2015. Winners have
until August 20, 2015 to claim their prize. The giveaway contest is open to US residents
and the prizes will be shipped to US addresses. Good luck to all!
Monday, July 6, 2015
The Ross Poldark Blog Tour - Intro!
Today I am thrilled to announce the start of the Ross Poldark Blog Tour! Speaking of Ross, how are we all enjoying Poldark on Masterpiece? We ARE enjoying Poldark yes? And if not -- well for goodness' sake catch up people! These stories are the BEST!! Historical fiction catnip, a swoon-worthy, brooding hero -- need I say more? I thought not. :)
Here's some information about the books and the tour (and what would a blog tour be without a giveaway, am I right?). And come back tomorrow when I share an exclusive excerpt and information about the giveaway!
“If Jane Austen met Charlotte Bronte and they
drank too much port, the Poldark Saga
would be their literary love child.” — Poldarkian.com
Captain Ross
Poldark rides again in the new Sourcebooks Landmark tie-in editions of Ross Poldark and Demelza, the first two novels in the acclaimed Poldark Saga by Winston Graham, adapted into
the inaugural season of the new Masterpiece Classic PBS’s series Poldark, airing June 21 – August 2 on
PBS.
In
celebration, July 6th
through August 3rd, The Ross Poldark Blog Tour will visit thirty popular book
blogs specializing in historical, romance and Austenesque fiction. Featuring spotlights,
previews, excerpts and book reviews of these two acclaimed historical fiction
novels, the tour will also offer readers a chance at a fabulous giveaway
contest including copies of the books and a stunning Anglophile-themed prize
package.
In the first
novel in Winston Graham’s hit series, a weary Ross Poldark returns to England
from war, looking forward to a joyful homecoming with his beloved Elizabeth.
But instead he discovers his father has died, his home is overrun by livestock
and drunken servants, and Elizabeth—believing Ross to be dead—is now engaged to
his cousin. Ross has no choice but to start his life anew.
Thus begins
the Poldark series, a heartwarming, gripping saga set in the
windswept landscape of Cornwall. With an unforgettable cast of characters that
spans loves, lives, and generations, this extraordinary masterwork from Winston
Graham is a story you will never forget.
In the
enchanting second novel in Winston Graham’s beloved Poldark series,
Demelza Carne, an impoverished miner’s daughter Ross Poldark rescued from a
fairground brawl, now happily finds herself his wife. But the events of these
turbulent years test their marriage and their love. As Ross launches into a
bitter struggle for the right of the mining communities, Demelza’s efforts to
adapt to the ways of the gentry (and her husband) place her in increasingly odd
and embarrassing situations. When tragedy strikes and sows the seeds of an
enduring rivalry between Ross and the powerful George Warleggan, will Demelza
manage to bridge their differences before they destroy her and her husband’s
chance at happiness?
Against the
stunning backdrop of eighteenth century Cornwall, Demelza sweeps readers into
one of the greatest love stories of all time.
AUTHOR BIO:
Winston
Graham (1908-2003) is the author of forty novels. His books have been widely
translated and the Poldark series has
been developed into two television series, shown in 22 countries. Six of
Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable
being Marnie, directed by Alfred
Hitchcock. Winston Graham is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in
1983 was awarded the O.B.E.
THE ROSS POLDARK BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:
Remember to check back tomorrow to read an excerpt from Ross Poldark and for information on the giveaway hosted by Sourcebooks Landmark!
Friday, February 27, 2015
The Secret of Pembrooke Park Spotlight & Tour!
If you've followed by reading habits for a while you've probably gathered that Julie Klassen is a favorite of mine. She's been touring the blogosphere in celebration of her latest release, The Secret of Pembrooke Park:
Award winning
historical romance author Julie Klassen tours the blogosphere February 16
through March 2 to share her latest release, The Secret of Pembrooke Park. Twenty five popular book bloggers
specializing in historical and Austenesque fiction will feature guest blogs,
interviews, book reviews and excerpts of this acclaimed gothic Regency romance
novel. A fabulous giveaway contest, including copies of all of Ms. Klassen’s eight books and other Jane
Austen-themed items, is open to those who join the festivities.
Julie Klassen
loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the
University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now
writes full time. Three of her books have won the Christy Award for Historical
Romance. She has also been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA
Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Learn more about Julie and her books at her website, follower her on Twitter, and visit her on Facebook and Goodreads.
Here's all you need to know to participate in this grand tour's fabulous giveaways!
Grand
Giveaway Contest
Win One
of Four Fabulous Prizes
In
celebration of the release of The Secret of Pembrooke Park, four chances to win
copies of Julie’s books and other Jane Austen-inspired items are being offered.
Three
lucky winners will receive one trade paperback or eBook copy of The Secret of
Pembrooke Park, and one grand prize winner will receive one copy of all eight
of Julie’s novels: Lady of Milkweed Manor, The Apothecary's Daughter, The
Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The
Tutor’s Daughter, The Dancing Master, and The Secret of Pembrooke Park, one DVD
of Northanger Abbey (2007) and a Jane Austen Action Figure.
To
enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any or all of the blog
stops on The Secret of Pembrooke Park Blog Tour starting February 16, 2015
through 11:59 pm PT, March 9, 2015. Winners will be drawn at random from all of
the comments and announced on Julie Klassen’s website on March 16, 2015. Winners
have until March 22, 2015 to claim their prize. The giveaway contest is open to
residents of the US, UK, and Canada. Digital books will be sent through Amazon or
Barnes & Noble. Good luck to all!
THE SECRET OF PEMBROOK PARK BLOG TOUR
SCHEDULE:
February 16 My
Jane Austen Book Club
(Guest Blog)
February 16 vvb32 Reads
(Excerpt)
February 17 Psychotic State Book Reviews
(Review)
February 17 My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and
Prejudice (Spotlight)
February 18 Addicted to Jane Austen
(Review)
February 18 Peeking Between the
Pages (Review)
February 19 Jane Austen in Vermont
(Interview)
February 19 Living Read Girl
(Review)
February 20 My Love for Jane Austen
(Excerpt)
February 20 Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books
(Review)
February 20 Laura's Reviews
(Guest Blog)
February 21 A Bookish Way of Life
(Review)
February 21 Romantic Historical
Reviews (Excerpt)
February 22 Reflections of a Book Addict
(Review)
February 23 Austenesque Reviews
(Guest Blog)
February 23 Peace, Love, Books
(Review)
February 24 vvb32 Reads
(Review)
February 24 Poof Books
(Excerpt)
February 25 Babblings of a Bookworm
(Review)
February 25 Austenesque Reviews
(Review)
February 25 Luxury Reading
(Review)
February 26 So Little Time…So Much to Read
(Review)
February 26 More Agreeably Engaged
(Excerpt)
February 27 Psychotic State Book Reviews
(Interview)
February 27 Booktalk & More
(Review)
February 28 Laughing with Lizzie
(Spotlight)
February 28 The Calico Critic
(Review)
March 01 Leatherbound Reviews
(Excerpt)
March 01 Delighted Reader
(Review)
March 02 CozyNookBks
(Review)
March 02 Laura's
Reviews (Review)
Now, you might notice that there is a "review" next to Booktalk & More in the above list...and now I must admit, much to my chagrin and with my most heartfelt apologies, that I've not yet finished the book! However, I checked with the tour organizer (thanks Laurel Ann!) and this spotlight will serve as my tour entry post for today, with a review to come before the tour's end on March 2nd!
To help whet your appetite, here's more information about The Secret of Pembrooke Park, including the gorgeous trailer. In my view, this is easily Klassen's most ambitious novel to date! (I'd love to hear your favorite Klassen novel in the comments!)
In the spring
of 1818, twenty-four-year-old Abigail Foster fears she is destined to become a
spinster. Her family’s finances are in ruins and the one young man she truly
esteems has fallen for another woman — her younger, prettier sister Louisa.
Forced to
retrench after the bank failure of Austen, Gray & Vincent, the Foster
family optimistically pool their resources for another London Season for her
sister in hopes of an advantageous alliance. While searching for more
affordable lodgings, a surprising offer is presented: the use of a country
manor house in Berkshire abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to
the imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was
abruptly left, the tight-lipped locals offering only rumors of a secret room,
hidden treasure and a murder in its mysterious past.
Eager to
restore her family fortune, Abigail, with the help of the handsome local curate
William Chapman and his sister Leah, begins her search into the heavily veiled
past aided by unsigned journal pages from a previous resident and her own
spirited determination. As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke
Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she
seeks...or very real danger?
EARLY PRAISE:
“Jane Austen
meets Victoria Holt in Christy Award–winning Klassen’s latest deliciously
spooky and sweetly romantic historical.” — Booklist
“Regency
romance with awesome castles, secrets, hidden rooms and, of course, romance . .
. . Julie Klassen has hit this one out of the ballpark.” — Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick
“If you are
looking for a book which combines the enticing elements of a Gothic with the
mannerly charm of a Regency, look no further, because this lovely Inspirational
is just your cup of tea.” — Heroes and
Heartbreakers
“While there
are plenty of Regency authors out there, the lovely Julie Klassen is by far one
of the top and a must read for fans of Austen/Brontë style and prose. Klassen’s
latest, The Secret of Pembrooke Park
has a touch of both – the mystery of Brontë and the fun of Austen.”— Books and Beverages
“The Secret of Pembrooke Park is perfectly packaged with several threads of the gothic
suspense, Regency romance and inspirational themes while presenting a well
plotted story with intriguing characters in an amazing setting.” — Burton Book Review
See you soon with my full review!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
First Impressions: Jane Austen's First Love
^ See what I did there? *wink*
Today I am THRILLED to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Syrie James's latest novel, Jane Austen's First Love! (I am less thrilled, however, that due to life and a lack of time management I have not yet finished the novel, so I am unable to give you my full review as scheduled today...hence, the "First Impressions" title.)
Syrie James's novels have been on my radar for quite some time thanks to glowing reviews -- a recommendation from Laurel Ann of Austenprose carries great weight! -- and intriguing subject matter (Charlotte Bronte's secret diaries? I am so there!), but until I was approached for this blog tour her novels had not yet made it to the top of my to-be-read stack.
Let me start by sharing a bit about Jane Austen's First Love:
About the book:
Fifteen-year-old Jane Austen dreams of three things: doing something useful, writing something worthy, and falling madly in love. When she visits her brother in Kent to celebrate his engagement, she meets wealthy, devilishly handsome Edward Taylor—a fascinating young man who is truly worthy of her affections. Jane knows a match between her and Edward is unlikely, but every moment she spends with him makes her heart race—and he seems to return her interest. Much to her displeasure, however, there is another seeking his attention
Unsure of her budding relationship, Jane seeks distraction by attempting to correct the pairings of three other prospective couples. But when her matchmaking aspirations do not all turn out as anticipated, Jane discovers the danger of relying on first impressions. The human heart cannot be easily deciphered, nor can it be directed or managed. And if others must be left to their own devices in matters of love and matrimony, can Jane even hope to satisfy her own heart?
I've long admired Austen's prose, her warmth, humor, and razor-sharp wit! And I am an avid fan of several of the numerous film and miniseries adaptations of her work. However, it wasn't until Becoming Jane was released that Austen began to come alive for me as more than an author's name on the cover of a beloved novel. That film details the author's possible relationship with one Tom Lefroy as the impetus behind the timeless romances in her writing. Around the time of Becoming Jane's release, the BBC released the tele-film Miss Austen Regrets, which tells the story of Jane's last years, a poignant retrospective that sees an older Austen revisiting her life choices and past romantic possibilities.
Both films are gorgeous glimpses into this intensely private and beloved author's life, but it wasn't until I started Jane Austen's First Love that she came alive for me with the energy and life I always found within the pages of her novels. If this is an example of Ms. James's writing, I can only regret the time it has taken me to explore her work!!
This is an exquisite portrait of a youthful, vibrant Jane, who at fifteen is eager to explore the possibility of romance while honing her writing craft. James knows Austen's world like few others, her prose saturated with the period's rhythm of speech and colorful descriptors that bring everyday existence in the early nineteenth century to vibrant, technicolor life on the page.
James's teenage Jane has the energy of a Lydia and the romantic imagination of a Marianne, wrapped up with an Elizabeth's penchant for sly humor or cutting social commentary. As Jane's relationships with family and friends are sketched on the page, it is easy to see little hints of the classic characters that will spill from her pen plant seeds of imaginative possibilities in her keenly-observant conscious.
I am SO intrigued by the possibility that a youthful Jane's first brush with romance may have been with this Edward Taylor, heretofore completely unknown to me, and yet such a fascinating potential hero template -- educated, well-traveled, and a future Member of Parliament! Like much of Jane's life, the true extent of any possible relationship between them may never be known, but it is a fascinating premise for this articulate, beautifully-rendered sketch of a young Jane's life. I cannot WAIT to finish this novel and share my full review with you!*
You can check out the full list of tour stops as well as the launch contest on Austenprose.
*My apologies to the author and publicity team for being late with my review post! My goal is to have it finished on or shortly after the book's official release on August 5th!
Today I am THRILLED to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Syrie James's latest novel, Jane Austen's First Love! (I am less thrilled, however, that due to life and a lack of time management I have not yet finished the novel, so I am unable to give you my full review as scheduled today...hence, the "First Impressions" title.)
Syrie James's novels have been on my radar for quite some time thanks to glowing reviews -- a recommendation from Laurel Ann of Austenprose carries great weight! -- and intriguing subject matter (Charlotte Bronte's secret diaries? I am so there!), but until I was approached for this blog tour her novels had not yet made it to the top of my to-be-read stack.
Let me start by sharing a bit about Jane Austen's First Love:
About the book:
INSPIRED BY ACTUAL EVENTS
Fifteen-year-old Jane Austen dreams of three things: doing something useful, writing something worthy, and falling madly in love. When she visits her brother in Kent to celebrate his engagement, she meets wealthy, devilishly handsome Edward Taylor—a fascinating young man who is truly worthy of her affections. Jane knows a match between her and Edward is unlikely, but every moment she spends with him makes her heart race—and he seems to return her interest. Much to her displeasure, however, there is another seeking his attention
Unsure of her budding relationship, Jane seeks distraction by attempting to correct the pairings of three other prospective couples. But when her matchmaking aspirations do not all turn out as anticipated, Jane discovers the danger of relying on first impressions. The human heart cannot be easily deciphered, nor can it be directed or managed. And if others must be left to their own devices in matters of love and matrimony, can Jane even hope to satisfy her own heart?
I've long admired Austen's prose, her warmth, humor, and razor-sharp wit! And I am an avid fan of several of the numerous film and miniseries adaptations of her work. However, it wasn't until Becoming Jane was released that Austen began to come alive for me as more than an author's name on the cover of a beloved novel. That film details the author's possible relationship with one Tom Lefroy as the impetus behind the timeless romances in her writing. Around the time of Becoming Jane's release, the BBC released the tele-film Miss Austen Regrets, which tells the story of Jane's last years, a poignant retrospective that sees an older Austen revisiting her life choices and past romantic possibilities.
Both films are gorgeous glimpses into this intensely private and beloved author's life, but it wasn't until I started Jane Austen's First Love that she came alive for me with the energy and life I always found within the pages of her novels. If this is an example of Ms. James's writing, I can only regret the time it has taken me to explore her work!!
This is an exquisite portrait of a youthful, vibrant Jane, who at fifteen is eager to explore the possibility of romance while honing her writing craft. James knows Austen's world like few others, her prose saturated with the period's rhythm of speech and colorful descriptors that bring everyday existence in the early nineteenth century to vibrant, technicolor life on the page.
James's teenage Jane has the energy of a Lydia and the romantic imagination of a Marianne, wrapped up with an Elizabeth's penchant for sly humor or cutting social commentary. As Jane's relationships with family and friends are sketched on the page, it is easy to see little hints of the classic characters that will spill from her pen plant seeds of imaginative possibilities in her keenly-observant conscious.
I am SO intrigued by the possibility that a youthful Jane's first brush with romance may have been with this Edward Taylor, heretofore completely unknown to me, and yet such a fascinating potential hero template -- educated, well-traveled, and a future Member of Parliament! Like much of Jane's life, the true extent of any possible relationship between them may never be known, but it is a fascinating premise for this articulate, beautifully-rendered sketch of a young Jane's life. I cannot WAIT to finish this novel and share my full review with you!*
You can check out the full list of tour stops as well as the launch contest on Austenprose.
*My apologies to the author and publicity team for being late with my review post! My goal is to have it finished on or shortly after the book's official release on August 5th!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Rebecca Kanner's Sinners and the Sea tour!
*I'm still reading Sinners and the Sea, so unfortunately I'll be late with my review. Till then, read below for a spotlight on the book and contest information!*
HF Virtual Book Tours invites you to follow the virtual tour for Rebecca Kanner's Sinners and the Sea from April 14-May 29.
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Howard Books
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audio CD
The young heroine in Sinners and the Sea is destined for greatness. Known only as “wife” in the Bible and cursed with a birthmark that many think is the brand of a demon, this unnamed woman lives anew through Rebecca Kanner. The author gives this virtuous woman the perfect voice to make one of the Old Testament’s stories come alive like never before.
Desperate to keep her safe, the woman’s father gives her to the righteous Noah, who weds her and takes her to the town of Sorum, a haven for outcasts. Alone in her new life, Noah’s wife gives him three sons. But living in this wicked and perverse town with an aloof husband who speaks more to God than to her takes its toll. She tries to make friends with the violent and dissolute people of Sorum while raising a brood that, despite its pious upbringing, develops some sinful tendencies of its own. While Noah carries out the Lord’s commands, she tries to hide her mark and her shame as she weathers the scorn and taunts of the townspeople.
But these trials are nothing compared to what awaits her after God tells her husband that a flood is coming—and that Noah and his family must build an ark so that they alone can repopulate the world. As the floodwaters draw near, she grows in courage and honor, and when the water finally recedes, she emerges whole, displaying once and for all the indomitable strength of women. Drawing on the biblical narrative and Jewish mythology, Sinners and the Sea is a beautifully written account of the antediluvian world told in cinematic detail.
"Kanner animates a harsh, almost dystopic world of fallen people struggling to survive. Noah's unnamed wife is a powerful, memorable character." - Publisher's Weekly
"[Noah's wife] proves her strength and character as she tries to protect her family... from the outside forces that threaten. Kanner successfully undertakes a formidable task retelling a familiar religious story through the eyes of Noah's wife. The narrative's well-articulated, evenly balanced and stimulating—but it’s definitely not the familiar tale that’s so frequently illustrated in children’s books" - Kirkus Reviews
"SINNERS AND THE SEA is a rare find--a bold and vivid journey to the antediluvian world of Noah. Kanner's is a fresh, irresistible story about the unnamed woman behind the famous ark-builder. Compelling and masterfully written." - Tosca Lee, NY Times bestelling author of HAVAH: THE STORY OF EVE.
"What a remarkable debut! Rebecca Kanner's SINNERS AND THE SEA is a haunting, beautifully written story of struggle and redemption told through the eyes of the Biblical prophet Noah's wife. Kanner pulls no punches: She gives us humanity in all its wickedness -- bloodthirsty, greedy, cruel -- and the horror and heartbreak the inhabitants of Noah's ark might have felt as, unable to help, they listened to the screams of the dying and witnessed the utter obliteration of life on Earth. By the end of this book, I was in tears, for Kanner does lead us out of the valley of the shadow of death into a new world of promise and hope. SINNERS AND THE SEA is a profoundly moving tale, thrilling and fast-paced, and one of the best books I have read in a very long time."- Sherry Jones, author, THE JEWEL OF MEDINA and FOUR SISTERS, ALL QUEENS
“Rebecca Kanner brings the antediluvian world of giants, prophets, and demons alive, setting her narrative in motion from the first chapter and never letting it rest. She is a writer of great dexterity, performing tricks at a full sprint.” - Marshall Klimasewiski, author of THE COTTAGERS and TYRANTS
“Kanner does a masterful job of penetrating the depths of the Biblical Flood narrative and weaving in the complicated reality of challenging relationships and longings for personal fulfillment. Her desire to go beyond the traditional understanding of the lives she explores introduces us to a courageous and insightful young writer whose first book will take its place alongside other exciting modern re-readings of the ancient Biblical text.” - Rabbi Allen of Beth Jacob congregation in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Honored by Forward newspaper as one of America’s "50 most significant Jewish leaders"
"We think we know Noah's story but he was not alone on the ark; what was the experience of his wife, his family? Rebecca Kanner's vividly imagined telling recreates the world of the bible, and asks powerful questions about the story and about ourselves." - Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, named the most influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek Magazine (2012). Author of WHY FAITH MATTERS
"We sympathize with this unnamed woman because—as remote as her world seems to be from ours—she longs for all that we want for ourselves: to be known, loved, and accepted by her family, her community, and ultimately her God... After reading Sinners and the Sea, you’ll never look at the Biblical story of Noah and the flood in the same way again, and isn’t that Biblical fiction’s greatest purpose? To see the old stories with fresh eyes and perhaps find new meaning..." - Stephanie Landsem, author of THE WELL
"Rebecca Kanner has created an autobiography of Noah’s wife, and an imaginative one it is." - American Jewish World
"[Kanner] gives an intelligent voice to Noah's wife." - Jewish Book Council
"First-time novelist Kanner has written an utterly absorbing novel, one that flows seamlessly." - Historical Novel Society
"A fascinating look into a feral civilization of turmoil and hardship." - Historical Novel Review
"A stirring, fascinating story written beautifully." - Historical Fiction Connection
"Kanner beautifully evokes life on the claustrophobic, smelly vessel. Riveting... It will certainly spark hours of book club discussions." - St. Paul Pioneer Press
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Audible.com
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Books-a-Million
iTunes
Sinners and the Sea is Rebecca Kanner’s debut novel. Rebecca is a Twin Cities native and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing from Washington University in St. Louis. Her writing has won an Associated Writing Programs Award, a Loft mentorship Award and a 2012/2013 Minnesota State Arts Board Grant. Her personal essay, “Safety,” is listed as a Notable Essay in Best American Essays 2011. Her stories have been published in numerous journals including The Kenyon Review and The Cincinnati Review.
Along with other authors including Anita Diamant, Michael Cunningham, Joyce Carol Oates, Russell Banks and Ron Hansen, Rebecca will be featured in the upcoming title Truthful Fictions: Conversations with American Biographical Novelists.
You can learn more about Rebecca, and find links to selected stories and essays, at www.rebeccakanner.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Monday, April 14
Review & Giveaway at West Metro Mommy
Tuesday, April 15
Review at Cheryl's Book Nook
Thursday, April 17
Review at A Bookish Girl
Friday, April 18
Review at Reading the Ages
Monday, April 21
Review at Booktalk & More
Review at Judith Starkston
Wednesday, April 23
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Friday, April 25
Spotlight & Giveaway at Caroline Wilson Writes
Monday, April 28
Review at JulzReads
Tuesday, April 29
Review at The Most Happy Reader
Wednesday, April 30
Review & Giveaway at Book Lovers Paradise
Friday, May 2
Review at History from a Woman's Perspective
Monday, May 5
Review & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Tuesday, May 6
Review at Book Nerd
Wednesday, May 7
Review at Ink Sugar Blog
Friday, May 9
Review at Our Wolves Den
Monday, May 12
Review at The Calico Critic
Tuesday, May 13
Review at From L.A. to LA
Wednesday, May 14
Review at Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews
Thursday, May 15
Spotlight at The Tower of Babel
Friday, May 16
Review at Layered Pages
Monday, May 19
Review at A Bibliotaph's Reviews
Wednesday, May 21
Review at My Reader's Block
Friday, May 23
Review at Seaside Book Corner
Tuesday, May 27
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Thursday, May 29
Review at bookworm2bookworm's Blog
To enter to win one of 2 copies of Sinners and the Sea or a $25 Amazon Gift Card, please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on May 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter on May 30th and notified via email.
Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
HF Virtual Book Tours invites you to follow the virtual tour for Rebecca Kanner's Sinners and the Sea from April 14-May 29.
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Howard Books
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audio CD
The young heroine in Sinners and the Sea is destined for greatness. Known only as “wife” in the Bible and cursed with a birthmark that many think is the brand of a demon, this unnamed woman lives anew through Rebecca Kanner. The author gives this virtuous woman the perfect voice to make one of the Old Testament’s stories come alive like never before.
Desperate to keep her safe, the woman’s father gives her to the righteous Noah, who weds her and takes her to the town of Sorum, a haven for outcasts. Alone in her new life, Noah’s wife gives him three sons. But living in this wicked and perverse town with an aloof husband who speaks more to God than to her takes its toll. She tries to make friends with the violent and dissolute people of Sorum while raising a brood that, despite its pious upbringing, develops some sinful tendencies of its own. While Noah carries out the Lord’s commands, she tries to hide her mark and her shame as she weathers the scorn and taunts of the townspeople.
But these trials are nothing compared to what awaits her after God tells her husband that a flood is coming—and that Noah and his family must build an ark so that they alone can repopulate the world. As the floodwaters draw near, she grows in courage and honor, and when the water finally recedes, she emerges whole, displaying once and for all the indomitable strength of women. Drawing on the biblical narrative and Jewish mythology, Sinners and the Sea is a beautifully written account of the antediluvian world told in cinematic detail.
Watch the Book Trailer
Praise for Sinners and the Sea
"Kanner animates a harsh, almost dystopic world of fallen people struggling to survive. Noah's unnamed wife is a powerful, memorable character." - Publisher's Weekly
"[Noah's wife] proves her strength and character as she tries to protect her family... from the outside forces that threaten. Kanner successfully undertakes a formidable task retelling a familiar religious story through the eyes of Noah's wife. The narrative's well-articulated, evenly balanced and stimulating—but it’s definitely not the familiar tale that’s so frequently illustrated in children’s books" - Kirkus Reviews
"SINNERS AND THE SEA is a rare find--a bold and vivid journey to the antediluvian world of Noah. Kanner's is a fresh, irresistible story about the unnamed woman behind the famous ark-builder. Compelling and masterfully written." - Tosca Lee, NY Times bestelling author of HAVAH: THE STORY OF EVE.
"What a remarkable debut! Rebecca Kanner's SINNERS AND THE SEA is a haunting, beautifully written story of struggle and redemption told through the eyes of the Biblical prophet Noah's wife. Kanner pulls no punches: She gives us humanity in all its wickedness -- bloodthirsty, greedy, cruel -- and the horror and heartbreak the inhabitants of Noah's ark might have felt as, unable to help, they listened to the screams of the dying and witnessed the utter obliteration of life on Earth. By the end of this book, I was in tears, for Kanner does lead us out of the valley of the shadow of death into a new world of promise and hope. SINNERS AND THE SEA is a profoundly moving tale, thrilling and fast-paced, and one of the best books I have read in a very long time."- Sherry Jones, author, THE JEWEL OF MEDINA and FOUR SISTERS, ALL QUEENS
“Rebecca Kanner brings the antediluvian world of giants, prophets, and demons alive, setting her narrative in motion from the first chapter and never letting it rest. She is a writer of great dexterity, performing tricks at a full sprint.” - Marshall Klimasewiski, author of THE COTTAGERS and TYRANTS
“Kanner does a masterful job of penetrating the depths of the Biblical Flood narrative and weaving in the complicated reality of challenging relationships and longings for personal fulfillment. Her desire to go beyond the traditional understanding of the lives she explores introduces us to a courageous and insightful young writer whose first book will take its place alongside other exciting modern re-readings of the ancient Biblical text.” - Rabbi Allen of Beth Jacob congregation in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Honored by Forward newspaper as one of America’s "50 most significant Jewish leaders"
"We think we know Noah's story but he was not alone on the ark; what was the experience of his wife, his family? Rebecca Kanner's vividly imagined telling recreates the world of the bible, and asks powerful questions about the story and about ourselves." - Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, named the most influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek Magazine (2012). Author of WHY FAITH MATTERS
"We sympathize with this unnamed woman because—as remote as her world seems to be from ours—she longs for all that we want for ourselves: to be known, loved, and accepted by her family, her community, and ultimately her God... After reading Sinners and the Sea, you’ll never look at the Biblical story of Noah and the flood in the same way again, and isn’t that Biblical fiction’s greatest purpose? To see the old stories with fresh eyes and perhaps find new meaning..." - Stephanie Landsem, author of THE WELL
"Rebecca Kanner has created an autobiography of Noah’s wife, and an imaginative one it is." - American Jewish World
"[Kanner] gives an intelligent voice to Noah's wife." - Jewish Book Council
"First-time novelist Kanner has written an utterly absorbing novel, one that flows seamlessly." - Historical Novel Society
"A fascinating look into a feral civilization of turmoil and hardship." - Historical Novel Review
"A stirring, fascinating story written beautifully." - Historical Fiction Connection
"Kanner beautifully evokes life on the claustrophobic, smelly vessel. Riveting... It will certainly spark hours of book club discussions." - St. Paul Pioneer Press
Buy the Book
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Audible.com
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Books-a-Million
iTunes
About the Author
Sinners and the Sea is Rebecca Kanner’s debut novel. Rebecca is a Twin Cities native and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing from Washington University in St. Louis. Her writing has won an Associated Writing Programs Award, a Loft mentorship Award and a 2012/2013 Minnesota State Arts Board Grant. Her personal essay, “Safety,” is listed as a Notable Essay in Best American Essays 2011. Her stories have been published in numerous journals including The Kenyon Review and The Cincinnati Review.
Along with other authors including Anita Diamant, Michael Cunningham, Joyce Carol Oates, Russell Banks and Ron Hansen, Rebecca will be featured in the upcoming title Truthful Fictions: Conversations with American Biographical Novelists.
You can learn more about Rebecca, and find links to selected stories and essays, at www.rebeccakanner.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Monday, April 14
Review & Giveaway at West Metro Mommy
Tuesday, April 15
Review at Cheryl's Book Nook
Thursday, April 17
Review at A Bookish Girl
Friday, April 18
Review at Reading the Ages
Monday, April 21
Review at Booktalk & More
Review at Judith Starkston
Wednesday, April 23
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Friday, April 25
Spotlight & Giveaway at Caroline Wilson Writes
Monday, April 28
Review at JulzReads
Tuesday, April 29
Review at The Most Happy Reader
Wednesday, April 30
Review & Giveaway at Book Lovers Paradise
Friday, May 2
Review at History from a Woman's Perspective
Monday, May 5
Review & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Tuesday, May 6
Review at Book Nerd
Wednesday, May 7
Review at Ink Sugar Blog
Friday, May 9
Review at Our Wolves Den
Monday, May 12
Review at The Calico Critic
Tuesday, May 13
Review at From L.A. to LA
Wednesday, May 14
Review at Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews
Thursday, May 15
Spotlight at The Tower of Babel
Friday, May 16
Review at Layered Pages
Monday, May 19
Review at A Bibliotaph's Reviews
Wednesday, May 21
Review at My Reader's Block
Friday, May 23
Review at Seaside Book Corner
Tuesday, May 27
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Thursday, May 29
Review at bookworm2bookworm's Blog
Giveaway
To enter to win one of 2 copies of Sinners and the Sea or a $25 Amazon Gift Card, please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on May 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter on May 30th and notified via email.
Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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