HOUSE OF SHADOWS BLOG TOUR - INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR NICOLA CORNICK & BOOK GIVEAWAY

First of all Nicola welcome back! It’ s been a while since you visited last time (HERE).  It’s a great pleasure to have you as my guest again. Now, here’ s my first question for you.

Thank you so much! It’s lovely to be here.

Your novel tells the story of three women connected to Ashdown House in Oxfordshire where you volunteer as a guide and local historian. What is it like to work in such an amazing place?

Right from the start, Ashdown enchanted me. There’s something about the place that grabs you and doesn’t let you go. All my fellow volunteers say the same. Perhaps it’s the combination of the sheer beauty of the house and the fascinating story of the family who owned it – a rags to riches story of fortune and passion and scandal. It inspires me every time I step over the threshold and it feels sich a huge privilege to be allowed to work there.

How crucial was your work at Ashdown House in your decision to   write House of Shadows?

Can you briefly introduce the 3 protagonists of your book?

I’ve known for several years that I wanted to write a fictional story inspired by Ashdown and its history so it was absolutely crucial to House of Shadows. The story of Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, is a usually portrayed as a sad one because she lost her kingdom and was forced into exile, but there is so much more to Elizabeth as a person and I wanted to demonstrate her strength and the way she still campaigned for her children’s future after her husband died. Then there is Lavinia, the 19^th century courtesan whose story is inspired by that of another Craven connection, Harriette Wilson who was the mistress of the 7^th Lord Craven. In the present day, Holly is desperately trying to find her brother, and she is the one who unravels both Elizabeth and Lavinia’s story and sees the destiny that binds them together across the centuries.

WHICH LITERARY MONSTER ARE YOU?

Halloween celebrations are almost upon us and I just want to remind you the Spooktakular Giveaway Hop here at FLY HIGH! You still have a couple of days to enter the contest and win two great spooky reads,  which would make your Halloween just perfect: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children  and Six of Crows. Don't foget to scroll down below the end of the post for the huge list of blogs taking part in this great hop organized by Kathy at I Am A Reader.

That 's not all I have for you today! What about a literary quiz? To celebrate the spooky season our friends at Grammarly  created  a monster of a quiz!!!

BOOK BLASTS & GIVEAWAY - THE ONE WHO SEES ME BY KANDI J. WYATT

The One Who Sees Me by Kandi J. Wyatt

Teenage slave girl Faru’s life has been turned upside down when she discovers she’s been traded to a new master, forcing her to leave all she‘s ever known. Upon her arrival, Faru meets a friend, Cailean, who helps her adjust to life in the strange location. Life settles into a new pattern, and romance blossoms between the young friends. But as soon as they plan to get married, another proposal comes about – one that cannot be ignored. Being a slave means not always marrying who you love. On a daring journey to heal her heart, Faru encounters the Existing One. Will she trust Him and do His bidding even if what He requests is so hard? Follow Faru’s tale in author Kandi J Wyatt’s retelling of a Biblical story found in the Old Testament book of Genesis, showing that when things don’t make sense, God will guide the way.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes

Praise for the book

 "Kandi Wyatt has taken historical fiction and elevated it to a higher level. Her world building pulls you in and puts you right in the middle of the adventure. This is why I love her books." - Sandra Stiles 

 "Well worth the read. Kandi has done an wonderful job bringing this captivating story to life!" - Christianonfire2 on Goodreads

 

START HEADING "NORTH FOR CHRISTMAS" - COVER REVEAL, EXCERPT & BOOK GIVEAWAY

North for Christmas by Christina Dymock

Ruby Jeavon takes a position as a Christmas elf in order to evaluate the Nashville North Pole Program from the inside. For years, the program has been losing money and investors want a reason to pull out. Ratting out a Santa isn't Ruby's style, but someone has to do it. She’s mortified by the striped tights and elf shoes, but she has a goal and nothing, not even the handsome Nashville native, North Foxwell, will stand in her way. North’s dad was diagnosed with cancer. The news brings North home to Nashville for the holidays where he’ll have to face his past, his grudge, and his bossy sister. North gets more than he bargained for when Ruby steps into Santa’s workshop. He’ll do everything he can to save the North Pole Program, but in the end, it’s North that needs saving – and Ruby’s just the girl to take on the task.

Amazon

Read an excerpt

“Are you Mr. Foxwell?” ”Yes, sir.” “I’m Mitch.” He tucked the clipboard back under his arm. “We’re waitin’ for one more passenger.” “Will it be long?” North’s stomach rumbled. “Her flight just landed, so it should only be a few minutes.” They made small talk as they watched the people gather around the baggage claim. “I’ll bet that’s her,” said Mitch. North followed his gaze. Walking toward them was none other than Ruby Jeavon in a pair of designer black boots, tight jeans, and an oversized, but somehow still flattering, sweater. She expertly maneuvered two large bags, a carry on, and her purse in their direction. Maybe it was Karma that brought her here. Or maybe it was an angel with an overactive funny bone. Either way, North was not at all surprised to see the one woman who could make his trip home more awkward. He’d gathered from Ruby’s inclusion in the charity review meeting that she was on some sort of training schedule with Kathleen, and being here was probably a step up the ladder for the spoiled daughter of a powerful executive. He still hadn’t figured out a way to explain his behavior yesterday. He hadn’t meant to embarrass Ruby more than she embarrassed

AUTHOR GUEST POST: JOE GIORDANO, IMMIGRATION THEN AND NOW - SPOTLIGHT ON NEW RELEASE "BIRDS OF PASSAGE" - GIVEAWAY

           

Immigration Then and Now
The United States is a country of immigrants. Ironically, anti-immigration views have a long history. We can site John Adams's signing of the 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts, Millard Fillmore's run for the Presidency on the Know Nothing/American Party ticket of the 1856 opposing Irish-Catholics immigration. A Wisconsin and an Illinois governor were defeated for promoting anti-German immigrant laws in 1890. The Chinese Exclusion Act was enacted in 1882, and a 1907 unofficial agreement between governments stopped Japanese immigration to the United States. The Immigration Restriction League out of Boston, New York, Chicago and San Francisco in the 1890s believed southern and eastern Europeans were racially inferior and threatened the American way of life. The Dillingham Commission consisting of both Senate and House members agreed with the Immigration League and in 1911 recommended reducing southern and eastern European immigration. United States immigration laws were tightened after World War I.

BOOK BLASTS & GIVEAWAY - THE HOUSE AT HOMECOMING COVE BY GINNY BAIRD

THE HOUSE AT HOMECOMING COVE by Ginny Baird   

From New York Times Bestselling Author GINNY BAIRD A breathtaking romantic mystery set at the Virginia Eastern Shore... Seeking out solitude in which to work, New York City music composer Melissa Carter rents a century-old farmhouse on the Virginia Eastern Shore. There, she meets a loner with rugged good looks and smoldering gray eyes, who has long-term ties to the property. When strange things start occurring at the historic home, the handsome groundskeeper comes to her aid, but is Melissa really safer in his arms? When Stone Thomas meets a pretty northerner with a musical gift, he's immediately drawn to her. He's also determined to protect her from the increasingly odd happenings at the fifty-acre farm where he's employed. Soon, Stone finds himself wondering whether he and beautiful Melissa might share a future. Yet the secrets of Homecoming Cove threaten to drive them apart.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

SPOOKTACULAR! ONE WINNER, TWO GREAT READS FOR HALLOWEEN & A HUGE GIVEAWAY HOP

Hello Spooktacular friends of FLY HIGH! Like every year the spooky time to win a great fantasy or mystery story to celebrate Halloween has come. The giveaway hop is organized by Kathy at I'm A Reader.  Here at FLY HIGH! the winner will get  two best sellers in their kindle edition and the giveaway contest is open internationally. Remember to check the list of blogs participating in the hop, you've got hundreds of chances to win.  Join the fun and good luck!

Book 1. Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

A New York Times #1 best seller
 
On the New York Times Best Seller List for more than 52 consecutive weeks
 
Includes an excerpt from the much-anticipated sequel and an interview with author Ransom Riggs
 
A mysterious island.


 
An abandoned orphanage.


 
A strange collection of very curious photographs.


 
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an

IF TRUE LOVE WERE BASED ON ACTIONS: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LYNNE GENTRY - WIN A PAPERBACK COPY OF "VALLEY OF DECISION"

Valley of Decision (The Chartage Chronicles)

Every choice has a consequence in the explosive conclusion to the Carthage Chronicles as Lisbeth returns to third-century Carthage for a thrilling final adventure.

Thirteen years ago, Lisbeth made an impossible decision—leave third-century Carthage and her husband Cyprian behind for good. She knew it was to protect her daughter Maggie, so Lisbeth gathered the strength to move on with her life.

All these years, Lisbeth has thrown herself into her work and raising her headstrong daughter, all to live up to the promise she made to Cyprian. But Maggie is sick of being protected. In an act of teenage rebellion Maggie decides to do what her mother can’t—secretly returning to the third century on a quest to bring her father back, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to follow.

With Maggie’s surprise arrival in Carthage, chaos ensues. She finds her grandmother on trial for murder and attempts to save her, but instead the diversion sparks a riot that nearly destroys the plagued city. Only one thing will appease the wrath of the new proconsul of Carthage: the death of the instigator. 

HAVE YOU WRITTEN A STORY? NOW SEE IF IT'S THE WORLD'S BEST!

2015 CONTEST!
Writers submit your Story
Enter for a chance to join the House of transmedia stories company

What is World's Best Story?

"This is not just a literary contest, we're looking for stories that will be consumed in multiple media formats – from books to the big screen and beyond," says Vincent Salera, founder of World's Best Story. "Our goal is to revolutionize the traditional literary contest and identify a story with blockbuster appeal. We're looking for a story that audiences will love and help authors turn that story into trans-media franchises, which is why we're empowering readers to judge the contest."

How does it work?

Readers will vote for stories and awarded judges will declare the final Top 10 winners.

ANGEL OF THE CENTERFOLD BLOG TOUR - READ AN EXCERPT AND WIN AN EBOOK COPY!

Book Blurb 

Disguise of every sort creates difficulties for recent Yale grads Elizabeth and Jennie Blackwell, who are eager to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Elizabeth hopes her remarkable voice and academic training will help crown her the new darling of the Met. But will her burgeoning romance with world-renowned philanthropist Lliam Dafydd benefit her career or derail it before it begins?

Elizabeth’s minutes-older twin, Jennie, plans to translate her impressive résumé into a successful medical research program, but her demanding academic pursuits leave little time for romance.

Feeling trapped by her girl-next-door image, Jennie adopts a daring alter ego who behaves as she never would. As “Ariel De Mer,” Jennie becomes captivated by mysterious photographer, Chance Bly. Handsome and suave, he smoothly awakens her desires, while Ariel’s sexiness and sassiness mesmerize her smitten lover.

But Jennie’s innocent charade has a powerful impact on the lives of those she loves, and she is not the only one playing games.

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BECAUSE TEACHERS MATTER: HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS' DAY!

I still remember my primary school teacher, her sweet,  authoritative style and her fundamental teachings. I owe to her my starting reading books very early, though coming from a humble family and from a house with very few books inside. She gave me my first two novels,  when I was 7 or 8, Little Women and Cuore, thus  giving start to a never-ending passion for literature. 

A few years later, I started loving everything British when an extravagant, cheerful, colourful teacher of English entered my classroom.  I was 12  then, and I became curious,  eager to learn that language so foreign to me and to discover more and more about Britain, which I would only visit at 21 for the first time, but which I started dreaming of since our first lesson together. 

TO READ OR NOT TO READ - AUTHOR GREG JOHNSTON INTRODUCES US TO THE SHOCKING TRUE STORY BEHIND HIS NEW BOOK, THE CAST OF A HAND.

The Cast of a Hand

At dawn on the outskirts of Paris in 1869, Hortense Kinck lies buried alive and surrounded by five of her children. Violently attacked, tormented and trapped, she sifts through the truths and deceits of her marriage to self-made industrialist, Jean Kinck. Why had he lied? 

France, snug in the prosperity of Napoleon III’s Second Empire, is shocked by the vicious destruction of the bourgeois Kinck family. Under pressure from his superiors, the Chief of Police, Monsieur Claude, must unravel the baffling connections between the family and a mysterious young man, Jean-Baptiste Troppmann, a cold case, a famous palmist and France’s rising tide of dissatisfaction with the Emperor Napoleon III. 

   

The Cast of a Hand is an unforgettable love story and a murder mystery based on one of the most shocking crimes of 19th century Paris. GS Johnston’s razor sharp prose interweaves and cross-pollinates the two narratives, both desperately trying to arrive at the truth. 

 Check it out at Amazon