Excerpt: A Rake Like You, Becky Michaels

Hello and thank you for visiting The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn. I am pleased to be today’s stop in the book tour for A Rake Like You by Becky Michaels. Many thanks to Amy Bruno at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the invite. Enjoy the information below, as well as a special excerpt provided by the author. Thanks again for stopping in and enjoy the tour! Best, Diane-Lyn

A RAKE LIKE YOU BY BECKY MICHAELS

Publication Date: August 31, 2021
Mildred Press

Series: Linfield Hall, Book #2
Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

About to turn thirty, Charles Finch finally realizes his luck has run out. He’s twenty thousand pounds in debt, his entire family hates him, and the powerful Duke of Rutley is watching his every move. So Charles sets out to do what any handsome but impoverished earl would: find a young lady with an impressive dowry to marry him and replenish his coffers.

Louisa Strickland much prefers managing the successful estate her father left her to the company of society. But now that her younger sister has come of age, Louisa finds herself in Mayfair, forced to protect her family from desperate fortune hunters like her neighbor, Charles Finch. And when Charles sets his sights on Louisa’s sister, Louisa will do anything to avert his attention elsewhere.

As Charles and Louisa find themselves rekindling an old friendship that once went up in flames, Charles begins to wonder if there could be something more between them. He only needs to prove he’s not the man he once was. But unfortunately for Charles, it will take much more than passionate kisses and giving up brandy to convince independent Louisa to marry a rake like him.

Excerpt:

Chapter Nine

Charles walked swiftly down the street toward the coffeehouse where the duke was
drinking that evening, Louisa’s list in hand, still smiling over some of the little things she said
that afternoon. From her horror over Hayward sending her flowers to the way she crossed out
names she thought might be unsuitable for him, Louisa was just the way he remembered her.
Despite her somewhat hard exterior, Louisa was still the same sweet, innocent girl he knew
seven years ago. Looking at the list, he wondered if she even realized she was looking out for
him like a friend might—like the friends they used to be.
When he reached the coffeehouse, Charles immediately looked for Rutley, hoping the duke
wasn’t too far into his cups already. Charles didn’t plan on staying for long, and their
conversation would be much easier if Rutley were at least somewhat sober. Charles found the
man sitting at a small table by himself, nursing a glass of brandy and looking as dark and broody
as ever.
They had not spoken in a while, not since the morning after Charles’s dinner party with his
family. Although Charles apologized for not telling Rutley about the party ahead of time, the
duke would hear nothing of it, preferring to pretend it hadn’t happened at all. After all, Rutley
was the one who had shown up at Finch Place acting like a drunken fool. He only had himself to
blame for Rosamund’s increasingly low opinion of him.
“If it makes you feel any better, she still thinks no more highly of me,” Charles
begrudgingly told him at the time. Not much had changed since then. Even after attending the
Talbot ball and behaving admirably, Rosamund still wasn’t impressed with her brother. She
would probably be even less impressed if she knew Charles was sitting down with the duke that
evening, but Charles didn’t have much of a choice when he owed Rutley so much money.
The duke seemed to have his wits about him because he shot Charles a suspicious look,
knowing he did not come to places like this anymore. “Charles,” he said, leaning back in his
chair and finishing his drink in one gulp. He placed the empty glass on the table, and Charles
looked at it, feeling envious for a brief moment. “What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be at a
ball or dinner party wooing a certain young lady?”
Instead of answering him, Charles sat down and placed the list that Louisa and his sisters
had drawn up for him on the table. Rutley looked down at it, confused, just as one of the serving

girls dropped another brandy on their table. She turned to Charles, waiting for him to order
something, but the earl only shook his head. Looking around the coffeehouse, he knew he wasn’t
wholly immune to the temptations of his old life. He wondered if he knew any of the blokes
playing cards in one of the secret back rooms.
“What is this?” the duke asked. He picked up the list, turning it over as he waited for
Charles’s response.
“A list of eligible heiresses other than Flora Strickland,” Charles said.
Rutley appeared confused. “Why are some of the names crossed out?”
Charles hesitated. “Miss Strickland didn’t think they were as suitable as the others,” he
said, not wishing to mention Rosamund’s name. The earl never knew how it might set Rutley off
when he did. Nevertheless, the duke’s eyebrows shot upwards.
“Miss Strickland?” he asked incredulously. “As in Miss Louisa Strickland? This was her
idea, wasn’t it?”
After a moment of hesitation, Charles nodded. The duke appeared dismayed by the
discovery. “She still doesn’t want me courting her sister, so she presented a list of alternatives.
Do you know any of them?”
Rutley furrowed his brow, reaching inside his jacket as he did so and procuring a pair of
spectacles. He gingerly placed them on the bridge of his nose after putting the list back down on
the table. When he picked it up again, Rutley peered at it carefully.
“I have heard of some of their fathers,” the duke said as his eyes scanned the list. “They
have generous dowries, no doubt. Any one of them would be more than suitable for your needs.”

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | BARNES & NOBLE | GOOGLE PLAY | KOBO

About the Author

Becky Michaels is a historical romance author and self-proclaimed Anglophile. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in English, she reluctantly decided to get a day job but never stopped writing—or dreaming. THE LAND STEWARD’S DAUGHTER, a Regency romance set in 1815 England, is her debut novel. Despite the cold winters and high rent, she still lives in the Boston area with her boyfriend and cat.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 13
Excerpt at Novels Alive
Review at Reader_ceygo

Tuesday, September 14
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Wednesday, September 15
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Thursday, September 16
Review at Bookoholiccafe
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Sunday, September 19
Excerpt at The Cozy Book Blog

Monday, September 20
Review at Rajiv’s Reviews

Tuesday, September 21
Review at Up Past My Bedtime

Wednesday, September 22
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy

Thursday, September 23
Review at Novels Alive

Sunday, September 26
Review + Excerpt at Robin Loves Reading

Monday, September 27
Review at Anna’s Book Blog

Tuesday, September 28
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Excerpt at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Wednesday, September 29
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Thursday, September 30
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Friday, October 1
Review at Bookworlder

Monday, October 4
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Wednesday, October 6
Review at Fringe Book Reviews

Thursday, October 7
Review at Probably at the Library

Friday, October 8
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy of A Rake Like You by Becky Michaels!

The giveaway is open to US addresses only and ends on October 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

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Review: The Ones We Leave Behind by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Synopsis:

Diane Martin had always believed that her maternal grandmother was dead, until the day a mysterious phone call revealed otherwise. Diane is shocked to discover that her grandmother, Anna, is alive and being released from prison after serving sixty-five years for murder. Despite protests from her mother, Diane decides to meet Anna and soon learns about her life and the circumstances surrounding her crime. In an attempt to put together the pieces of her broken family history, Diane discovers a devastating secret that changed all of their lives forever.

Review by Diane-Lyn:

The Ones We Leave Behind is a historical fiction novel spanning from 1936 – 2020. Each chapter focuses on one of the two central characters – Diane and Anna. I like how the novel is structured. It begins in 2020 with a bombshell discovery, giving the reader the “big pow” up front. Then it circles back to the events leading up to it, with chapters alternating between the past and present. The reader is transported back in time and presented with the full backstory of Anna’s life – the agonizing details of her unstable childhood, her later marriage and family, and the circumstances that led up to the murder and her long incarceration. Novels structured in this way do not carry the element of rising suspense, but The Ones We Leave Behind is an engaging page turner nonetheless. I was so intrigued by Anna’s story – that of a beautiful, well-educated woman whose life went horribly wrong.

The Ones We Leave Behind is the story of a broken woman, a broken family and a broken system. This novel poignantly yet accurately demonstrates the societal view of women in past decades. Their inferior status and paltry resources left them with limited options. In times of trouble, these women were completely isolated and faced a whole lot of shame and personal sacrifice. Poverty, alcoholism, mental illness, infidelity, abuse, secrets and lies are just a few of the themes in this thought-provoking novel. The Ones We Leave Behind is well-written and well-organized. The plot line is clear, smooth, and well-paced. Sletten offers complex and relatable characters. Each of them are burdened with their own struggles related to multi-generational patterns of dysfunction. Yet, each one also undergoes a courageous evolvement over time as they come to terms with these issues. Most importantly, all mothers will connect with a universal truism; we will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything in order to protect our children.

I highly recommend The Ones We Leave Behind. Sletten has done a superior job of creating a sad, yet rich and deeply touching novel that is a must read for women of all generations. Bravo!

“You have to remember, it was a different time. People didn’t easily get divorced, and I was raised to do what I was told. It was always the woman’s fault if her husband wasn’t happy…” Anna from The Ones We Leave Behind, Deanna Lynn Sletten

Purchase:

To purchase The Ones We Leave Behind, click here: Amazon. Please note that this is an Amazon affiliate link, which only means that if you click the link and make a purchase, I receive a tiny commission at no additional cost to you. Happy reading!

Best, Diane-Lyn

 

 

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Book Blast: The Rake of Hearts, Emily Windsor

Hello and welcome to The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn! I am happy to participate in the book blast for The Rake of Hearts, a new release by Emily Windsor. Many thanks to Amy Bruno at HFVBT for the invitation. Thanks for visiting and enjoy the blast! Best, Diane-Lyn

THE RAKE OF HEARTS BY EMILY WINDSOR

Publication Date: August 23, 2021
Senara Press Ltd

Series: A Lady to Suit, Book 2
Genre: Regency Romance

 

When the heart is afire…
By his own admission, Lord Ernest Brook is a rake. With sapphire gaze, sinfully handsome looks and a duke for a brother, the pleasures of London have come with ease…apart from one.
Ever since the gauntlet of her first wintry dismissal was thrown, the widowed Hebe Lock has stirred his deepest desires, but just what would it take to woo such a woman?

Sparks will fly.
Hebe Locke has vowed to never again fall for a scoundrel after her brief marriage to one left her broken and haunted.
Now she finds comfort with paintbrush and canvas, but as a female artist in a male world, commissions are as rare as a ballroom without rakes.

A castle of enchantment.
As the heat of late summer warms the land, an ancient, moated castle plays host to a widow and a rake, both concealing passions contrary to their reputations.
But as Lord Ernest awakens Hebe’s desire and thaws her frozen emotions, can she hold true to her vow?
Or can this rake win the one heart he yearns for?

Sensual Regency romance with warmth and wit, this tale also includes a disreputable aunt with a secondary love story, Cotswold country fairs, sinful masquerades and…a goat.

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK

A Lady to Suit Series

1 – The Duke of Diamonds – Out now!
2 – The Rake of Hearts – Out now!
3 – The Earl of Spades – Coming soon
4 – The Prince of Clubs – Coming soon

Praise

“Five gleaming stars for this amazing Regency romance.” -Bookbub Reviewer

If you love historical romance, you can’t do without this wonderful book.” -Goodreads Reviewer

“This is a beautiful historical romance where our author paints a picture just as well with her words as our heroine with her sketches.” -Bookbub Reviewer

“A little masterpiece.” -Bookbub Reviewer

About the Author

Emily Windsor grew up in the north of England on a diet of historical romance and strong tea.

Unfortunately, you couldn’t study Regency slang, so she did the next best thing and gained a degree in Classics and History instead. This ‘led’ to an eight-year stint in engineering.

Having left city life, she now lives in a dilapidated farmhouse where her days are spent writing, fixing the leaky roof, battling the endless vegetation and finding pictures of well-tied cravats.

NEWSLETTER | AMAZON | FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK GROUP | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM

Book Blast Schedule

Friday, August 27
Novels Alive
Bonnie Reads and Writes
What Is That Book About
Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Saturday, August 28
Pursuing Stacie
Passages to the Past
Reading is My Remedy
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Sunday, August 29
Coffee and Ink
Saynab Reads Books
The Cozy Book Blog
CelticLady’s Reviews

Giveaway

Enter to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card & an eBook of The Rake of Hearts!

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

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Thank you!

Scandal’s Deception, Pamela Gibson (guest post)

Welcome to The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn. I am happy to be today’s stop on the book tour for Scandal’s Deception by Pamela Gibson. Thank you, Amy Bruno (HFVBT), for the invitation to participate. The author has provided a guest post for me to share below.  Enjoy, and thank you all for visiting!

The Importance of Emotions in Romance Novels, Pamela Gibson

When I write I have to recognize and find ways to make others feel a myriad of emotions.
I want my readers to become the characters, to experience everything the character
experiences, even when it’s fear or frustration. Or grief.
In Scandal’s Deception my heroine loses her father in the prologue. She struggles to
grieve, but too many changes and too many secrets get in the way. “Grief will come when
you least expect it,” her friend tells her. She adds that until then, the heroine must trust
her instincts and believe in herself.
It is good advice, because this heroine will experience many disappointments until the
day she can finally cry for her father. Throughout the book the heroine will be on an
emotional roller coaster, and it’s my responsibility as an author to bring you along for the
ride.
How do emotions transfer from character to reader? It’s an art and I cannot claim to
always make it happen. It’s the “show,” don’t “tell” aspect of writing and it’s one of the
hardest things for an author to learn.
I can tell you my heroine is sad. But you won’t feel it unless the torrent of emotion that
fills her chest hurts yours so much you cannot breathe. I can tell you the hero is angry,
but you won’t experience it until he slams a door and strides away with clenched fists.
Romance authors use the senses to heighten the experience. Let the light flowery scent of
her perfume tease your nose. Let his gaze focus on her lips as they curve into a smile. Let
the wind whip branches against the window while the brandy burns down his throat.
I write romance novels because the definition of a romance novel is a book with a happy-
for-now or a happily-ever-after ending. My hero and heroine will eventually fall in love.
Instead of telling you a character is in love, I want you to feel velvet gloves softly
stroking the wall of your stomach, or warmth wrapping itself around you like a down
quilt. There will, of course, be narrative. But the best books are the ones that can make
you feel, especially during important scenes.
So back to grief. Does the heroine in this book ever release her grief? She does, sitting on
a beach, wrapped in the arms of the hero…”Gentle lips kissed the top of her head and
with all her defenses gone, the tears that burned behind her eyes finally fell. “Let it all
out, my love. No one else is around.”
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did writing it.

SCANDAL’S DECEPTION BY PAMELA GIBSON

Publication Date: July 21, 2021
Soul Mate Publishing, LLC

Series: Scandal Series, Book 4
Genre: Regency Historical Romance

Jane Stafford, raised in America, is shocked to learn she is a wealthy heiress, her late father was an earl, and her English mother is alive. Anxious to meet the woman she long-thought dead, she travels to London, only to be whisked away by her sinfully handsome guardian to a remote estate to be “schooled” in the ways of the ton.

Gilbert Carmichael, Lord Ralston, chafes at having to make a rebellious young heiress acceptable to society, especially one who is impetuous and blatantly democratic. Because the instruction she needs is more than deportment and dancing. It’s also about how to spot a rake who might woo her for her fortune.

When Ralston learns his ward is to be used as a pawn in an elaborate scheme involving a secret impersonation, he will move heaven and earth to keep her safe. Because proximity has brought the uncomfortable knowledge that his interest may be more than duty—it just might be love.

About the Author

Author of eight books on California history and sixteen romance novels, Pamela Gibson is a former City Manager who now lives in the Nevada desert. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in public administration, but her passion is and always has been writing.

Having spent three years messing about in boats, a hobby that included a five-thousand-mile trip in a 32-foot Nordic Tug, she now spends most of her time indoors happily reading, writing, cooking and keeping up with the antics of Ralph, her Siamese rescue cat.

If you want to learn more about her activities go to https://www.pamelagibsonwrites.com and sign up for her blog and quarterly newsletter. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 9
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Tuesday, August 10
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Wednesday, August 11
Review at Michelle the PA Lives to Read

Thursday, August 12
Excerpt at Wishful Endings

Friday, August 13
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Saturday, August 14
Review at Up Past My Bedtime

Monday, August 16
Review at Bookworlder

Tuesday, August 17
Interview at Books & Benches

Wednesday, August 18
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy

Thursday, August 19
Review at Novels Alive

Friday, August 20
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals
Review & Interview at Bonnie Reads and Writes

Monday, August 23
Review at Rajiv’s Reviews

Tuesday, August 24
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, August 25
Guest Post at The Cozy Book Blog

Thursday, August 26
Review at Two Bookish Babes

Friday, August 27
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink
Review at The Enchanted Shelf
Excerpt at Books Lattes & Tiaras

Giveaway

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on August 27th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

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A War in Too Many Worlds, Elizabeth Crowens (Guest Post)

Welcome to The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn. I am thrilled to be today’s stop on the book tour for A War in Too Many Worlds by Elizabeth Crowens. I hope you enjoy the author’s guest post below. Many thanks to Amy Bruno from HFVBT for the invite. Enjoy the tour! Best, Diane-Lyn

A WAR IN TOO MANY WORLDS BY ELIZABETH CROWENS

Guest Post by Elizabeth Crowens:

How do I define alternate history?
Other people’s definitions will vary but in my case, I choose actual places or events. Then I take
real people that actually existed back then, but put them in situations that were probable but
didn’t actually happen. Nearly every historical novel does this. To do this takes an enormous
amount of research.
There are a few tricks to bend the rules, but if I can pick up enough historical documents from
reputable sources stating that a notable figure did such-and-such on a particular date and in a
certain location, I should stick to those guidelines. But what if a fictional character is introduced
into his or her world, or a notable person who we know didn’t do what we intended? That’s
where an author can let their imagination go wild.
For example, in my first alternate history novel, Silent Meridian, I needed to find a plausible
time for my protagonist, John Patrick Scott, to meet with Arthur Conan Doyle in Edinburgh at
the end of the nineteenth century. I based Scott on a real person, although not well known. Born
and raised in Edinburgh, Doyle had already moved to an area outside of London by then.
However, he made an ill-fated attempt to run for political office in Edinburgh. Considering other
events to follow, choosing the date of 1898 to place Doyle back in “Auld Reekie” where the two
of them could meet in a pub made sense.
So far, that still doesn’t differentiate alternate history from a straight historical novel. In my
Time Traveler Professor series, I play upon Doyle’s genuine interest in ghosts and Spiritualism
but, then again, when I add time travel into the mix, then we jump into the realms of science
fiction and fantasy along with alternate history.

* * *

Most people only know of Arthur Conan Doyle as the author and creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Few realize that he wanted to kill off Sherlock Holmes when he wrestled with his archenemy
Professor Moriarty in his story The Final Problem, when the two of them supposedly plunged to
their deaths at Reichenbach Falls. Why? Doyle had grown weary of writing about the detective
and wanted to focus on writing historical novels and non-fiction works instead.
Although the four novels and fifty-six short stories about Sherlock Holmes made Doyle one of
the highest paid writers in the world, at the end of his forty-year career he wrote many non-
fiction articles and books on his passion focusing on Spiritualism, several autobiographies,
accounts of the Boer War and WWI, dozens of ghost stories, historical novels such as The
Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, Sir Nigel, Micah Clarke, The White Company, and science fiction
such as The Lost World and its two sequels.

In my Time Traveler Professor series, I play upon Doyle’s frustration of the pressure from his
publishers to continue writing the Holmes stories, when he would’ve rather been focusing on his
paranormal interests. What if he hired a ghostwriter, but what if that person wasn’t content on
obscurity? And what if that person happens to be the narrator, conveying his feelings and
opinions from his point of view? This poses a lot of possibilities.
* * *

Why did I pick Arthur Conan Doyle to be my protagonist’s mentor-turned-antagonist?
You’d think that anyone with the genius to create the character of Sherlock Holmes has to be the
good guy, right? After all, Holmes, in most cases, catches the criminals that evade the detectives
at Scotland Yard. Not necessarily. What if Doyle was hiding a deep, dark secret, and someone
thought he was getting the short end of the stick as a result? From the victim’s point of view,
he’d appear to be a traitor, or certainly as a former friend who could no longer be trusted.
Wouldn’t you agree?
That’s how my protagonist John Patrick Scott feels when Doyle, whom he’s idolized from the
very beginning, continuously lets him down. On the other hand, Doyle is a hero in his own story
against his own adversary—H.G. Wells! In my Time Traveler Professor series, who believes in
the existence of an actual time machine? Not Wells who wrote a famous book about one. No,
Wells is a man of science and logic, almost like Mr. Spock compared to Captain Kirk. The
notion that someone brought Wells’s imaginings to fruition is inconceivable. It’s not until Book
Three, A War in Too Many Worlds, where Wells, who stole Doyle’s time machine at the end of
Book Two, A Pocketful of Lodestones, gets to see for himself whether this contraption works or
not, and who’s the fool now?

* * *

Publication Date: August 16, 2021
Atomic Alchemist Productions, LLC

Series: Time Traveler Professor, #3
Genre: Historical Fiction

The secret diaries of John Patrick Scott pick up at the close of 1917. British intelligence sends Scott to work undercover in Berlin with his old partner-in-crime, Wendell Mackenzie, as his outside contact in Paris. Back on the Western Front, Scott discovered his ability to see the ghosts of the dead. Unsure if that’s a blessing or a curse, he takes this one-step further, employing spirits in the world of deception and intrigue. As the Russian monarchy crumbles and the Red Baron meets his final match, for Scott, true love is always beyond arm’s reach. His long-lost patrons and paramours, Sophia and Francois Poincaré, resurface but as potential enemies of the Crown.

Arthur Conan Doyle vows to retrieve his stolen time machine from H.G. Wells. Scott is still at odds with Doyle, who still refuses to publicly acknowledge his contributions for ghostwriting Sherlock Holmes, and Doyle encounters Harry Houdini in the most unlikely of places. Get ready for a wild ride. Time Traveler Professor, Book Three: A War in Too Many Worlds, pairs murder, mayhem and mysticism in a mashup where The Lost World meets The Island of Doctor Moreau. Stayed tuned for Book Four, The Story Beyond Time, the final book in this epic series.

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

Praise

“Meticulously researched and wholly evocative of its time period; rich detail, immersive atmosphere and clever use of documented Victorian interests in the paranormal give Crowens’s latest novel distinct authenticity. The difficult task of channeling such bold and beloved icons as Doyle, Wells and Houdini is confidently and capably handled. Brimming with specificity, historic flavor and intriguing supernatural fancy, A War in Too Many Worlds is an impressive feat of fact weaving into fiction; sure to please history buffs as well as the more fantastical at heart in equal measure.” -Leanna Renee Hieber, award-winning, bestselling author of the Strangely Beautiful and Spectral City series

“Pack your best time-traveling attire, your sense of humor, and your open mind. A War in Too Many Worlds by Elizabeth Crowens, the third book in the Time Traveler Professor series, is a vibrant, explosive treatise on the intersection of magic, science, and spirituality. The book is both a loving nod to an era when magic and science were separated by a hairsbreadth, and a Jungian exploration of time, memory, and mysticism. Though the topics are erudite, the author’s wit and humor combined with karmic twists, musical accompaniment, and a historical who’s who, keep the book moving to its thrilling and unexpected climax. The entire series is highly recommended, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” -Kerry Adrienne, USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books in a wide range of genres, including paranormal romance, historical romance, LGBT, horror, and fantasy.

“This genre-bending trip through time and space offers the same delightfully loopy charm as a Doctor Who episode—but with its own irresistible allure, as if Douglas Adams and Jules Verne collaborated with a little help from Kafka. Crowens jumps effortlessly from the mournful haunts of Berlin during the Great War to the unpredictable travels of H.G. Wells and Arthur Conan Doyle. Exotic—and yet strangely familiar—characters keep popping up to entertain us. However, even among the amusements are laments of lost loves and lost opportunities—along with ghosts (both real and imagined)—all of which elevate the story. Indeed, together with the many fantastic elements, we are moved by the strivings and desires of the all-too-human characters, who will stick with you long after you get to the last page.” -R.J. Koreto, author of the Lady Frances Ffolkes and Alice Roosevelt historical mysteries

“Take your favorite elements for a paranormal mystery adventure— from Victorian times into the 20th century, historical (and then some) characters like Conan Doyle, Jung, Houdini, and a few surprises. Add the MacGuffin of a mysterious red book, and you will understand the delights of Elizabeth Crowens’s series featuring the Time Traveling Professor. Things come to a head in the third book in this delightful series. If you need to escape this world for a bit, try the one she has so beautifully built for you.” -Jim Freund, host of radio program Hour of the Wolf, now for 50 years

About the Author

Over 20 years in the entertainment industry, a black belt in martial arts, and a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast. Credits include: Black Belt Magazine, interviews for Black Gate Magazine, short stories in the Hell’s Heart and the Bram Stoker Award nominated anthology, A New York State of Fright, and two award-winning alternate history novels, Silent Meridian and A Pocketful of Lodestones and A War in Too Many Worlds being released in August 2021. She also writes in the Hollywood mystery genre. Member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Horror Writers Association, and winner of the 2020 Leo B. Burstein/MWA-NY Scholarship. She also writes in the Hollywood mystery genre and can’t stay away from black humor.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 16
Feature at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Tuesday, August 17
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Thursday, August 19
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy

Sunday, August 22
Guest Post at The Cozy Book Blog

Tuesday, August 24
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Monday, August 30
Review at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, August 31
Interview at Passages to the Past

Saturday, September 4
Review at Booking with Janelle

Friday, September 10
Feature Coffee and Ink
Review at The Enchanted Shelf

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy of A War in Too Many Worlds by Elizabeth Crowens! We have 6 copies up for grabs!

The giveaway is open to residents in the US & Canada only and ends on September 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

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No Names to Be Given, Julia Brewer Daily

Hello Readers! Welcome to The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn. I am pleased to be today’s stop on the book tour for No Names to Be Given, by Julia Brewer Daily. Thank you, Amy Bruno (HF Virtual Book Tours), for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide a review (below). Thank you all for stopping in and enjoy the tour! You will love this book!

Best, Diane-Lyn

NO NAMES TO BE GIVEN BY JULIA DAILY

Publication Date: August 3, 2021
Admission Press, Inc

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

1965. Sandy runs away from home to escape her mother’s abusive boyfriend. Becca falls in love with the wrong man. And Faith suffers a devastating attack. With no support and no other options, these three young, unwed women meet at a maternity home hospital in New Orleans where they are expected to relinquish their babies and return home as if nothing transpired.

But such a life-altering event can never be forgotten, and no secret remains buried forever. Twenty-five years later, the women are reunited by a blackmailer, who threatens to expose their secrets and destroy the lives they’ve built. That shattering revelation would shake their very foundations-and reverberate all the way to the White House.

Told from the three women’s perspectives, this mesmerizing story is based on actual experiences of women in the 1960s who found themselves pregnant but unmarried, pressured by family and society to make horrific decisions. How that inconceivable act changed women forever is the story of No Names to Be Given, a heartbreaking but uplifting novel of family and redemption.

Review by Diane-Lyn:

Oh boy – this book grabbed me right from the beginning and wouldn’t let go! From the very start, I was so deeply and emotionally involved in the lives of these three women. Each of them were from vastly different walks of life, yet they all had a story and they shared the same heart-wrenching situation. I am so sad and angry over the limited choices women back then had, along with the intense shame and secrecy that unwed mothers faced – even from their own families. It was no different for sexual assault victims, who suffered in silence and had their lives ruined while their assailants moved on unscathed. Some of this still exists today, but not to the same degree. When unthinkable decisions had to be made, the unyielding social norms and pressures of the 1960s took priority over everything else – including people. Family structures were rigid with roles and expectations firmly in place. The effects of trauma were overlooked as blame, shame and a focus on appearances took center stage. No Names to Be Given provides a detailed, insightful and authentic look at life for women in the 1960s, and it shook me to the core.

The plot line is fast paced, yet clear, smooth and well developed. I loved how this book spanned across fifty years, allowing the reader to follow the life of each character across time. Daily did a magnificent job detailing the evolvement of each woman, and the painful aftermath that remained decades after they were forced to relinquish their children. Also presented later on were the lives of their long-lost children, and how each of them fared after being adopted. Some outcomes were positive, but sadly, others were not. This novel is multi-themed – addressing issues of racism, politics, sexual assault, love, loss, grief, family, adoption, and forbidden relationships. Adoption is so complex and emotional for all parties involved, and Daily handles these issues poignantly, honestly and realistically. No Names to Be Given is extremely well-written, engaging and thought-provoking. I enjoyed this book and loved Daily’s captivating writing style. I look forward to reading more from this talented author!

I received an ARC of this novel from HF Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

“Today’s young women will not understand how our families made us feel shame so intensely: we surrendered out first-born children to strangers.” Faith Reynolds, No Names to Be Given (Julia Brewer Daily)

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND | POWELL’S | TARGET

Praise

“A gorgeous, thrilling, and important novel! These strong women will capture your heart.”-Stacey Swann, author of Olympus, Texas

“A novel worthy of a Lifetime movie adaptation.” Jess Hagemann, author of Headcheese

“An insightful and sympathetic view offered into the lives of those who were adopted and those who adopted them.”-Pam Johnson, author of Justice for Ella

“Readers can expect deep knowledge of the world the characters inhabit.”-Sara Kocek, author of Promise Me Something

“I found myself thinking about Becca, Sandy, and Faith frequently as I went about my day-I was always excited to sit down and find out what happened next.”-Sarah Welch, author of Austin Brown Dogs: The Shelter Dogs Who Rescue Us

About the Author

Julia Brewer Daily is a Texan with a southern accent. She has a B.S. in English and a M.S. degree in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

She has been an educator, Communications Adjunct Professor at Belhaven College, administrator, and Public Relations Director of the Mississippi Department of Education and Millsaps College, a liberal arts college in Jackson, MS.  She was the founding director of the Greater Belhaven Market, a producers’ only market in a historic neighborhood in Jackson, and even shadowed Martha Stewart.

As the Executive Director of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi (300 artisans from 19 states) which operates the Mississippi Craft Center, she wrote their stories to introduce them to the public. She is an adopted child from a maternity home hospital in New Orleans.

She searched and found her birth mother and through a DNA test, her birth father’s family, as well.  She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband Emmerson and two Labrador Retrievers, Memphis Belle and Texas Star.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

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The Girls From the Beach, Andie Newton

Hello Visitors,

     Welcome to The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn. I am pleased to be today’s host for the book tour of The Girls From the Beach by Andie Newton. Thank you, Amy Bruno (HF Virtual Book Tours), for the invitation. Enjoy the tour!

Best, Diane-Lyn

THE GIRLS FROM THE BEACH BY ANDIE NEWTON

Digital Publication Date: July 8, 2021
Paperback Publication Date: January 2022
Aria Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

 

‘We’d heard stories about the nurses in tent seven. A secret mission, stolen money, and spies…’

In 1944, four American nurses disappeared for five days. No one knew what happened to them. Until now.

When Kit and Red set foot on French soil during the Normandy landings, they know they have to rely on each other. As they head for the battlefield, their aim is simple: save lives. But when they’re called away on a top-secret mission to patch up a few men behind enemy lines, everything changes.

Alongside fellow nurses, Roxy and Gail, they’re told to prepare for the worst, trading in their nurses’ fatigues for civilian clothes and hiding medical supplies under their skirts. But it’s a lie. Their real mission tasks them with the impossible – to infiltrate the Reich and steal something the Nazis desperately need to win their losing war.

In an ultimate test of courage and comradeship, each woman must decide what she is prepared to risk and what she has to live for.

AMAZON | APPLE | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOKBUB | GOOGLE | KOBO

Praise for The Girls From The Beach

‘One of my favorite books of 2021 and a true must-read for all fans of the genre. It’s not just a story of friendship, but a story of patriotism, heroism, and selfless sacrifice in the name of freedom. Absolutely riveting!’ – Ellie Midwood, USA Today bestselling author of The Violinist of Auschwitz

‘A wild ride of a book, laced with beautifully flawed characters, impeccable research and a story that will make you cry with tears of joy and sorrow. A resounding five-star read!’ – Terry Lynn Thomas, USA Today bestselling author of The Silent Woman

‘What a story! The Girls from the Beach took me on a rollercoaster ride of mystery and suspense. The Girls from the Beach is a testimony to courage, integrity and female friendship. And that ending – wow!’ – Gill Thompson, bestselling author of The Oceans Between Us

‘The Girls from the Beach is a unique and incredibly imaginative story inspired by the nurses who worked on the front line in World War Two. It is action-packed and full of unexpected drama around every turn – I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next! Readers who enjoyed Newton’s earlier books will be sure to love this one’ – Louise Fein, bestselling author of People Like Us

About the Author

Andie Newton is the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl from Vichy and the author of The Girl I Left Behind. Andie holds a Bachelor degree in History and a Master in Teaching. She would love to say she spends her free time gardening and cooking, but she’s killed everything she’s ever planted and set off more fire alarms than she cares to admit. Andie does, however, love spending time with her family, trail running, and drinking copious amounts of coffee.
 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 9
Nursebookie

Tuesday, August 10
Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Wednesday, August 11
Jessica Belmont

Thursday, August 12
Bonnie Reads and Writes

Friday, August 13
I’m All About Books

Saturday, August 14
Bookoholiccafe

Sunday, August 15
The Cozy Book Blog

Monday, August 16
MTM Reads

Tuesday, August 17
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Wednesday, August 18
Wishful Endings

Thursday, August 19
A Darn Good Read
Booking With Janelle

Friday, August 20
SJ Through the Looking Glass

Cad’s Wish, Cheryl Holt

Welcome to The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn! I am so pleased to host the book tour today for Cad’s Trilogy by Cheryl Holt. Many thanks to Amy Bruno at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the invite. Thank you for visiting and enjoy the tour! Best, Diane-Lyn

Cad’s Wish (Book One in Cad’s Trilogy)

Publication Date: August 16, 2021

New York Times bestselling author, Cheryl Holt, delivers her new and dazzling ‘CADS’ trilogy, three lush novels filled with drama, heartache, and love forevermore…

Hunter Stone is London’s most notorious cad. He’s lived a life of debauchery and vice, and he’s the most dedicated bachelor in the kingdom. He’s renowned for his wicked ways, and he always has a beautiful woman on his arm to keep him company. But when his father suddenly inherits the family’s earldom—an elevation that was completely unexpected—Hunter is next in line to be earl. He has to marry quickly to secure the title and inheritance. What’s a cad supposed to do?

Hannah Graves is a modern, independent young woman. She thinks men are fools and idiots, and she’s decided to avoid the path to matrimony that most females are forced to walk. When her father died and left her a small inheritance, she fled her rural life in the country and used the money to open a bookshop in London. She’s proud of herself and delighted with the strong choices she’d made, but it’s not easy to be a female proprietor in a man’s world, and she constantly dances on the edge of fiscal ruin.

When Hannah meets Hu

nter, sparks fly and passion ignites. But Hunter’s corrupt reputation precedes him, and he represents everything she detests in a male. But he’s a handsome, wealthy scoundrel who always gets exactly what he wants. When he sets his eye on Hannah, how can she resist?

Cad’s Pick (Book Two)

Publication Date: August 16, 2021

New York Times bestselling author, Cheryl Holt, delivers the second novel in her new and dazzling ‘CADS’ trilogy.

Warwick Stone is a rich, handsome cad. He revels in outrageous ways and enjoys his reputation as a scoundrel. But when his father suddenly inherits the family’s earldom—an elevation that was completely unexpected—Warwick has to marry in a hurry and start siring some heirs. As the consummate bachelor, who never expected to wed, the whole notion of matrimony is exhausting. He figures he’ll quickly pick a fetching debutante with a good dowry, and he’ll become a husband by expending as little effort as possible.

Wilhelmina Dobbs had an odd childhood. Her father was a famous artist, but a flawed and damaged man. As a girl, she followed him across Europe, standing in the background as he painted masterpieces and disgraced himself with his extravagant habits. After his death, she retired to the country to live quietly and paint too. After watching her father regularly disgrace himself, she’s sworn off all men. She can’t imagine ever marrying and intends to remain a spinster.

When Wilhelmina crosses paths with Warwick, sparks fly and passion ignites, but his corrupt reputation precedes him. He represents everything she detests in a male, but he’s spoiled and determined, and he always gets exactly what he wants. When he decides he wants Wilhelmina, how can she resist?

Cad’s Choice (Book Three)

Publication Date: August 16, 2021

CHERYL HOLT delivers the third and final novel in her fun and dazzling CADS trilogy…

Captain Sheridan Stone sails the Atlantic as a privateer who harasses enemies of the British Crown. He’s not a pirate, but he’s close enough. He lives a life of adventure, danger, and violence, but he was wounded in a battle. It’s left him weary, and he’s thinking of retiring and returning to England. He might even be ready to marry and settle down, but his bride would have to be the perfect girl from the perfect family.

Miss Sophia Cantwell is a poor relative with no dowry or prospects. Her father was a dreamer and schemer, and she’s possessed of his wanderlust and grandiose ideas. She wishes she’d been born a man so she could shuck off society’s restrictions and have the exciting future she’s always envisioned for herself.

When Sheridan meets Sophia, there’s an instant attraction, but he’s an earl’s son, and he’s convinced himself that he will wed very high. Sophia has nothing he wants, so she could never be the bride he imagined. But she just might be the woman who could make him happy forever.

PICK UP THE CAD’S TRILOGY ON AMAZON

About the Author

Cheryl Holt is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published over fifty novels.

She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.

Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.

She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

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Then Came the Thunder, by Rachael Huszar (Synopsis & Excerpt)

Hello Readers, I am pleased to participate in the book tour for the new release, Then Came the Thunder by Rachael Huszar. Thank you, Amy Bruno, for the invite. I am happy to post an excerpt for today’s book tour stop. Enjoy the tour! Best, Diane-Lyn

THEN CAME THE THUNDER BY RACHAEL HUSZAR

Publication Date: July 2, 2021
eBook; 160 pages

Series: Three Willows, Book 1
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Synopsis

Jessalyn Joy loves her husband, but she can’t help the feelings that arose when he volunteered for the Union army. When he comes back to her in a box instead of on his feet, those feelings complicate even more.

Jessalyn’s mourning period is cut short when something begins to attack the livestock in their small town, and greater dangers begin to threaten their provincial life. Thrown together with the new reverend, one of her own students, and a strange man somehow related to her husband’s passing, Jessalyn must find a way to stop the evils that threaten her husband’s first and ultimately last home.

Set in the Southwestern home front, Huszar blends a taste of fantasy into a startling down-to-earth world, creating a high stakes adventure for this strong female protagonist and her band of amateur sleuths.

AMAZON (affiliate link)

Excerpt, Chapter 9:

“Seems like a sweet kid,” Sam said once they’d gone.
“She is.”
“And, you’ve got a lesson with her tonight?”
“I do,” Jessalyn said. “Lilah is an excellent reader and studies with me privately.”
Sam noticed a pattern. The preacher received one-on-one advice from Jessalyn, and so did a
talented student. He was growing quite curious about Jessalyn the teacher, as well as Jessalyn the
woman. “Mind if I sit in?”
She blinked. “On the lesson?”
“Yeah. Might be fun to see you in action.”
Jessalyn narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure how much ‘fun’ you could have.”
“Leave that up to me. What’s the topic?”
“We’ve been reading A Tale of Two Cities.”
“Dickens. Good choice.”
“You’ve read it?”
Sam didn’t miss the incredulity in her voice. To be fair, he supposed he didn’t look like an avid
reader. Still, there was something so satisfying about surprising Jessalyn. He gazed up at the sky
and tapped his chin dramatically. “What was it we were saying this morning about snap
judgements? I just can’t remember . . .”
Jessalyn huffed. She put on a mockingly haughty tone. “Do forgive me, good sir.”
Any reply Sam might have had was cut off by a sweetly shrill cry. “Jessalyn! Oh, Jessalyn!”
Three women were making their way towards them in the slowly thinning crowd, the bright
colors of their dresses making them pop out like early spring buds.
Jessalyn froze mid-stride, and Sam watched a series of emotions cross her face. Pain, regret,
resolve, and finally a smile so wide it looked like it hurt. “Charity! Patience! Felicity! Hello,” she
said to the women. Ooohh, she hates them.
The blonde flapped a hand at Jessalyn. “It’s been a while since we saw you out and about!”

“Oh,” Jessalyn said with a sigh. “I’m around. I just have a lot of work to do, you know.”
The brunette, dressed all in yellow, leaned forward. “Tell me about it. If I could get out of the
kitchen in the summer and stay in that pretty little schoolhouse of yours, I’d never leave either!”
The third woman spoke up. “It really is a lovely building. You did such a nice job.”
“Thank you,” said Jessalyn.
The blonde woman, her cheeks as pink as her clothes, had been looking back and forth from
Jessalyn to Sam the entire time. “Jessalyn . . . aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“I’m sorry,” Jessalyn said. “This is Samuel Brooks. Mister Brooks, please meet Charity Meyer,
Felicity Anders, and Patience Hale.”
Sam tipped his hat. “My pleasure, ladies.”
All three of them giggled.
“Are you a relative of Jessalyn’s?” asked the third, Patience.
“I am not. I actually just came to Three Willows a handful of days ago. Miss Joy was kind
enough to open up her spare room to me, so I’ll be her boarder until I can make other
arrangements.”
Felicity, the brunette, looked Sam up and down appreciatively. “You always did have a good eye,
Jessalyn. Ow!” She squeaked in pain as Charity elbowed her in the ribs.
“That’s so exciting!” Charity said loudly, trying to cover up her action. “We haven’t had a new
face around here in a good while!”
“And what a face,” Felicity said.
Which earned her another jab in the ribs from Charity.
Sam glanced at Jessalyn to see her reaction to this circus act. She was failing to keep up the
sunbeam smile, and something dark seemed to be settling in her eyes.
Patience pulled his attention back to the conversation. “Are you looking for land, then?”
“I reckon so,” said Sam. “Or I will be soon.”
“You know what that means, ladies,” Patience said to the other two. “Come autumn . . .”

“Oh! We can have a barn raising!” Felicity clapped her hands in delight.
“Wait, is it still a barn raising if we build a house?” asked Charity.
“Does that matter?”
“Sort of?”
“It’s a party, Charity. What else needs to be said?” clarified Patience, a hand on her hip.
“Oh, this will be so fun!” squealed Charity.
“Mister Brooks, you must let us plan the whole thing. We won’t take no for an answer,” Felicity
said.
Sam wasn’t too sure how the conversation had arrived here in the span of what felt like seconds.
Maybe there was no secret behind the unfailing hospitality of Three Willows’ residents. Not that
the ulterior motives of these three weren’t clear. Still, who was he to refuse? “With you three
lovely ladies at the helm? I wouldn’t dream of intruding.” It wasn’t complete flattery. They were
quite pretty.
“Wonderful!” said Charity. Then, like it was an afterthought, she added, “Jessalyn, um, you can
be involved, too, of course.”
“Yes,” Jessalyn said, even though Sam thought she’d probably rather die than plan a party with
these three.
“My gears are already turning! Girls, we must meet up later in the week,” said Felicity.
“Yes, yes,” Patience agreed.
“Welcome to Three Willows, Mister Brooks!”
“Yes, welcome!”
“We’re glad to have you!”
Then in a whirlwind of giggles, they departed.
Sam let out a low whistle. “What do they put in this town’s water supply?”
With the three ladies gone, Jessalyn seemed to have come back to herself a bit. She looked at
Sam, a touch sly. “I’d watch that charm of yours, Samuel Brooks.”

“Why’s that?”
“Because two of those women are happily married.”
Oh, shit. “. . . which ones?”
Jessalyn turned away, tapping her chin. “I just can’t remember . . .”
Okay. She’d won this round. Chuckling to himself, Sam kicked at the dirt with the toe of his boot
before jogging to catch up with her.

About the Author

Rachael Huszar kept her life steeped in stories from a young age, and she began her own journey in story-making when she reached adulthood. In the time since, she has taken up swimming, roller skating, and consuming tabletop RPG streams. She spends the bulk of her time with her dog, Silo, and works full time as a designer in Dallas, Texas.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

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Necessary Sins, Elizabeth Bell

I am happy to host the book tour for Necessary Sins by Elizabeth Bell. Amy Bruno from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours invited me to read this book and provide a review. Amy, thank you for the tour invite and for the opportunity to share another amazing novel with my followers and tour participants.

Review by Diane-Lyn: 

Necessary Sins is a multi-generational family saga spanning from 1789 to 1843. Readers travel through a variety of settings, some of which include Saint Domingue (now Haiti), Paris, Rome, and Antebellum South prior to the Civil War. At the center of the novel is Joseph Lazare – a young, devout Catholic priest facing a family secret, and wrestling with forbidden love.

As a child, Joseph was told that his darker complexion came from his paternal grandmother, who was Spanish. Quite by accident, he later discovers that his grandmother was actually an African slave in Saint Domingue, and his father had been stolen from her during the slave revolt and brought to America. Joseph spends years coming to terms with the truth about his family and biracial heritage. He later confronts another crisis when he finds himself falling in love with Tessa – a young, married, Irish immigrant. Torn between his staunch commitment to God, the demands of the church and his feelings for Tessa, Joseph must wrestle with an inner battle that tests everything he thought he knew about himself and his faith.

Necessary Sins is a well written, engaging, and multi-themed novel. Despite the fact that it’s almost 500 pages long and covers over four decades of time, the plot line is smooth, clear and well-paced. Necessary Sins is a story of love, faith, secrets, betrayal, racial divides, and epic loss. It explores the toxic power of family secrets, and the resulting devastation they have on generations to come. This is a well-researched, authentic portrayal of life in the 1800s; the injustices of slavery, and the fragility of human life. Necessary Sins provides an abundance of multidimensional characters – each of them trekking through their own arduous path, enduring unthinkable tragedies and heartbreak along the way. Bell did a magnificent job of demonstrating how the unrealistic demands of the Catholic priesthood collide with the basic human need for connection. She presents Joseph’s desires and subsequent self loathing. Every “unpure” thought is met with shame, guilt and torturous self-punishments in the name of religion. Starting in childhood, Joseph was determined to sacrifice everything for the priesthood, including his freedom. He entered seminary at age thirteen. While there, his mail was opened and reviewed before it was given to him. He was completely isolated from his family. He was taught that his sole purpose in life was to serve God and the church, and nothing more. Joseph learned that pleasure of any kind, sexual or otherwise, is a sin. One must question if this training was perhaps more about a brainwashing agenda than it was about God. When describing a conversation between Joseph and another priest about their vocation, Bell writes, “It has…..puffed itself up with rules that have little to do with God and everything to do with control. That’s what celibacy is about. The Church tries to terrify us into submission; it claims we endanger our ministry and forfeit our souls if we fulfill the needs God himself has implanted.” Bell’s account of Joseph’s struggles with celibacy are honest, open, and appropriately detailed.

I devoured Elizabeth Bell’s first book in the Lazare Family Saga. Moving and thought provoking, Necessary Sins tackles complex life issues. This novel illustrates that no matter how hard we aspire to perfection, the truth is we are all just human beings struggling to navigate our complex world. We are all fighting inner battles. We are all flawed. And the most damaging lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

I look forward to Bell’s second book in the series, Lost Saints. 

“The true priest immolates himself on the alter of duty…His whole life is a perpetual sacrifice.” – James Cardinal Gibbons, The Ambassador of Christ (1896), as quoted by Elizabeth Bell, Necessary Sins

NECESSARY SINS BY ELIZABETH BELL

Publication Date: August 7, 2019
Claire-Voie Books
eBook & Paperback; 490 Pages

Series: Lazare Family Saga, Book 1
Genre: Historical Fiction

Amazon. This is an affiliate link, which only means that I receive a tiny commission when you click this link and purchase the book. There is no additional cost to you.

“A feast of a novel by an extraordinary new voice. Haunting, meticulously researched, and exquisitely told through characters so human you’d swear they have beating hearts.” — KATHLEEN GRISSOM, New York Times bestselling author of The Kitchen House

“From the ashes of rebellion to heart-rending forbidden love, Necessary Sins is a work of art. Bell’s voice is a refreshing addition to the genre, and the breadth of her research is impressive. A strong start to a promising series.” — Jessica Cale, bestselling author of Tyburn

“A taut, compelling family drama with a fresh and intriguing setting. Necessary Sins will be a welcome read for fans of historical fiction.” — Olivia Hawker, internationally bestselling author of The Ragged Edge of Night

“A gripping family saga with complex characters, Necessary Sins is lushly detailed and beautifully written. I look forward to following the fortunes of this antebellum family in future volumes.” — Susan Higginbotham, author of The First Lady and the Rebel

“In antebellum South Carolina young Joseph Lazare discovers a secret that would ruin his family. Driven to atone, he becomes a priest, only to fall in love with a married woman. In this carefully researched historical novel Bell examines the way race, religion and class weave a web that Joseph may never escape. A thoughtful, vividly imagined and engrossing historical novel, highly recommended.” — Sara Donati, internationally bestselling author of The Gilded Hour

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Bell has been writing stories since the second grade. At the age of fourteen, she chose a pen name and vowed to become a published author. That same year, she began the Lazare Family Saga. It took her a couple of decades to get it right. New generations kept demanding attention, and the saga became four epic novels.

After earning her MFA in Creative Writing at George Mason University, Elizabeth realized she would have to return her two hundred library books. Instead, she cleverly found a job in the university library. She works there to this day.

Elizabeth is an active member of the Historical Novel Society, and she loves chatting with fellow readers, writers, and history buffs. Visit her at elizabethbellauthor.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, BookBub, and Goodreads.

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