Historicial Fiction Virtual Book Tours: The Secret Life Of Mrs. London

The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg

Publication Date: January 30, 2018

Lake Union Publishing

eBook & Paperback; 348 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

San Francisco, 1915. As America teeters on the brink of world war, Charmian and her husband, famed novelist Jack London, wrestle with genius and desire, politics and marital competitiveness. Charmian longs to be viewed as an equal partner who put her own career on hold to support her husband, but Jack doesn’t see it that way…until Charmian is pulled from the audience during a magic show by escape artist Harry Houdini, a man enmeshed in his own complicated marriage. Suddenly, charmed by the attention Houdini pays her and entranced by his sexual magnetism, Charmian’s eyes open to a world of possibilities that could be her escape.

As Charmian grapples with her urge to explore the forbidden, Jack’s increasingly reckless behavior threatens her dedication. Now torn between two of history’s most mysterious and charismatic figures, she must find the courage to forge her own path, even as she fears the loss of everything she holds dear.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise for The Secret Life of Mrs. London
“An impressively original and exceptionally well-crafted novel by an author who is a master of character- and narrative-driven storytelling, Rebecca Rosenberg’s The Secret Life of Mrs. London is an inherently riveting and thoroughly reader-engaging story from beginning to end and feature[es] many an unexpected plot twist and turn.” —Midwest Book Review

“Interesting, and based on the actual lives of the participants…Learning more about Jack London was enjoyable, as well as seeing early feminist examples.” —Historical Novel Society

“…Rosenberg paints an immensely intriguing portrait of a marriage and tells it in an accomplished lyrical prose that captures each moment with poetic intensity.” —Prairies Book Review

“The Secret Life of Mrs. London is a riveting behind-the-scenes look at the marriage of Jack and Charmian London, both fascinating and complicated characters with rich inner lives that Rosenberg conveys in crisp yet poetic prose. This contemporary historical fiction raises questions that are still relevant today about what makes a good marriage, and whether creativity and stability are incompatible. A rich, resonant, deeply satisfying novel sure to delight and leave readers thinking long after they put it down.” —Malena Watrous, author of If You Follow Me and Sparked!, and director of the Stanford Continuing Studies Program in Novel Writing

“The Secret Life of Mrs. London is a heart-wrenching portrait of a marriage between two people who utterly depend on one another, but ultimately aren’t enough for each other. With skillful precision of language, Rosenberg weaves a narrative that defines the complexities of love, passion, and art. This is a perceptive, deeply moving novel by a great new talent about a couple who has gone unnoticed in historical fiction until now. Anyone who has ever loved another person will want to read this book.” —Victoria Kelly, author of Mrs. Houdini: A Novel

“One of Houdini’s best kept secrets was his affair with Charmian London in 1918. Now Rebecca Rosenberg tells the story using an elegant blend of fact and fiction, creating a Houdini book like no other. The Secret Life of Mrs. London is a true peek behind the curtain and a page-turner.” —John Cox, Wild about Harry

Review: I have been meaning to read this book since I first heard about it. I read Gold Digger awhile back and I really love Ms. Rosenberg's writing style.

This is wonderful story about Charmian London, Jack London's wife and Harry Houdini. I've read a bit about both in other books, but this one really brings everyone into focus. I love reading books about important people in history.

The London's marriage was complicated to say the least, as was the case with Hemingway's marriage too. Charmian wanted to be a writer too, so that complicates things with Jack even more.

There are many ups and downs in their marriage, as with most. But this is definitely a wonderful mix of fact and fiction for any lover of historical fiction to devour.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author

Rebecca Rosenberg receiving the IPPY Gold Medal

A California native, Rebecca Rosenberg lives on a lavender farm with her family in Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, where Jack London wrote from his Beauty Ranch. Rebecca is a long-time student of Jack London’s works and an avid fan of his daring wife, Charmian London. The Secret Life of Mrs. London is her debut novel.

Rebecca and her husband, Gary, own the largest lavender product company in America, selling to 4000 resorts, spas and gift stores. The Rosenbergs believe in giving back to the Sonoma Community, supporting many causes through financial donations and board positions, including Worth Our Weight, an educational culinary program for at-risk children, YWCA shelter for abused women, Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center to provide performances for children, Sonoma Food Bank, Sonoma Boys and Girls Club, and the Valley of the Moon Children's Home.

For more information, please visit Rebecca's website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook and Goodreads. Visit the Facebook page for The Secret Life of Mrs. London.

Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, September 2
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, September 3
Review at Melissa Reads

Wednesday, September 4
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Thursday, September 5
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Sunday, September 8
Review at My Reading Chronicles
Review at Oh the Books She Will Read

Tuesday, September 10
Review at Diana_bibliophile

Thursday, September 12
Excerpt at I'm All About Books

Friday, September 13
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Tuesday, September 17
Review at Hooked on Books

Wednesday, September 18
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Friday, September 20
Review at Orange County Readers

Monday, September 23
Review at Jathan & Heather

Wednesday, September 25
Review at Red Headed Book Lady

Thursday, September 26
Review, Q&A, & Excerpt at Nursebookie

Friday, September 27
Review at Macsbooks

Monday, September 30
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, October 2
Review at gatticus_finch

Friday, October 4
Review at Coffee and Ink
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Saturday, October 5
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Monday, October 7
Review at rebecca.is.reading

Wednesday, October 9
Review at This Biblio Life

Thursday, October 10
Review at Peaceful Pastime

Friday, October 11
Review at Hopewell's Public Library of Life

Saturday, October 12
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Monday, October 14
Review at CelticLady's Reviews

Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 3 signed paperbacks + swag and 7 eBooks! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 14th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Mrs. London

Historical Fiction Book Tours Book Review: A Lady Never Tells

A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester

Publication Date: September 23, 2019

Entangled Publishing

eBook, 368 pages

Series: Women of Daring, Book One

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he's bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts...well, color him intrigued.

Raised with a rather...peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty's personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight.

But Richard is the first man to see through her disguises--and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects...

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Review:  A Lady Never Tells is a delightful regency with a touch of suspense, as we meet the Darling family, in the first book of a new series. If this book is any indication, this is going to be a fabulous series to follow too.

The women of the Darling family are not your typical Regency misses. Its a family of spies for the crown. Can you really get much better than that?

This is definitely a 5 star read, but don't expect a bodice ripping romance. The relationship between Victoria and Richard is challenging and comes about as a result of some of the sleuthing Victoria is doing for the Crown along with the rest of her family.

Richard Downing's brother is part of Victoria's investigation only he knows something is up with her and has to find out more. The sparks fly almost instantly between these two, yet things don't progress in the way you might think.

This Regency is written more in the old school, clean romance vein, that were popular way back before 50 Shades made erotica a hip thing.

Truth be told, that's why I liked this story. It focused on the mystery the Darling's were out to solve and established the relationship between Vic and Richard

I loved the strength of Victoria and her family. This was truly a different type of historical romance and one that wasn't easy to put down. I can't wait to find out what's in store for the rest of the family.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author
Lynn Winchester is the pseudonym of a hardworking California-born conservative, now living in the wilds of Northeast Pennsylvania. Lynn has been writing fiction since the 5th grade, and enjoys creating worlds, characters, and stories for her readers.

When Lynn isn't writing she is running a successful editing business, reading whatever she can get her hands on, raising her four children, making sure her husband is happy, and binge-watching shows on Netflix.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub

Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, September 24
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Wednesday, September 25
Feature at What Is That Book About

Friday, September 27
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Monday, September 30
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Wednesday, October 2
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Sunday, October 6
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, October 9
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Thursday, October 10
Review at Coffee and Ink

Friday, October 11
Review at Spooky's Maze Of Books

Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away an eBook of A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

A Lady Never Tells

ARC Book Review: Christmas Once Again

Author: Jina Bacarr
Title: Christmas Once Again
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publish Date: Oct 10, 2019
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: All she wants for Christmas is to save the man she loves… On a cold December day in 1955, Kate Arden got on a train to go home for Christmas. This is the story of what happened when she got off that train. In 1943. In 1943 Kate Arden was engaged to the man she loved, Jeffrey Rushbrooke. She was devastated and heartbroken when he was called up for wartime duty and later killed on a secret mission in France. But what if Kate could change that? What if she could warn him and save his life before Christmas? Or will fate have a bigger surprise in store for her? Christmas Once Again is a sweeping, heartbreakingly romantic novel - it's one woman's chance to follow a different path and mend her broken heart...



Review: Christmas Once Again is my first holiday romance of 2019, but it isn't my first book by Jina Bacarr. I know her more for the erotic romances for the Spice line, so I wasn't sure what to expect with a novel dealing with time travel and WWII.

What I got was a very pleasant surprise and one that definitely made me feel all tingly inside. Its the story of Kate who lost the man she loved during the war. A letter received 12 years later and a trip home send her back in time, where she does her best to save him and maybe even fix a few mistakes she made back then.

I instantly connected to Kate who was a strong woman that made her way in the world after losing her love. The time travel in the story was perfect. Kate's journey into her past was done so well. I loved watching her reconnect with her family and the way she tried to change things other than whether Jeff lived or died. I think everyone wishes that they did some things differently in their life, and Kate got to do than.

Jina wove a really beautiful story, complete with a baddy, aka a future evil mother in law. I really wonder what Kate's life is going to turn out like once Mrs. Rushbrooke is family? Cos that lady was pretty nasty.

The holiday setting is more a backdrop and a setup for the story, but it makes for a beautiful way of reconnecting, which is what the holiday is about.

If you like time travel novels and WWII this a fabulous book you won't want to miss

Rating: 5 flowers

Release Blast: It Was Always You

It Was Always You by Andrea Johnston

Release: 9/19/19

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn, Childhood Best Friends to Lovers, Small Town

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/AJ_TBD19

Please understand that but links will be available soon and will come to you in a separate email later today.

BLURB:

You know how the story goes . . .

Boy and girl are childhood best friends.

Boy moves away and devastates girl.

Years later, two strangers meet on the internet and one of them has a secret.

Or two.

When Ally Honeycutt rushes home to her small town of Pickerton Grove she never

expected to find her once best friend working at his family’s business. No longer the

small little boy she once chased lightning bugs with, Drew Collins would give any sinful

rock star a run for his money. With soulful dark brown eyes and hair that slips easily

through her fingers, she’s less worried about what he keeps trying to tell her and more

interested in the way his lips feel on hers.

Drew Collins has made a lot of mistakes in his life, the last one landing him behind bars.

He never dreamed a single dare would find him back in contact with the first girl he ever

loved. Ally Honeycutt is everything good in the world, and his mistakes make him the

bad boy every fictional girl dreams of. Now if he could only stop falling in love long

enough to tell her the secrets that could ruin it all.

They say you can’t go home again but what happens when home is in the heart of your

best friend?

Review: I have to admit that as much as I love Andrea Johnston, I was scared going into this book. Love After Lockup is one of those shows that makes me shake my head at what the world is coming to.

The thought of randomly emailing an inmate without knowing the particulars of why they were in the joint sets off all kinds of bells and whistles in my head, most of them screaming "HOW DUMB CAN YOU BE!"

However, in the grand scream of romance, this story works out, because Drew, aka Allys childhood bff Andy, isn't some totally scary felon. He's a good kid turned bad becoming good? Does that make any sense?

As always Andrea captures life in a small town perfectly and her characters will make you laugh and cry and a whole host of other emotions. If you don't love Ally's Granny, there is definitely something wrong with you. She's a whole lot of laughs. I haven't loved a grandma as much as her in a long time.

I really loved Drew, because he was trying to be a better person, and he was a better person than the guy he was 3 years prior. He's the kind of character you cheer on. and truthfully you can easily understand his motives for keeping secrets.

Just another wonderful read, by Andrea Johnston

Rating: 4 flowers

AUTHOR BIO:

Andrea Johnston spent her childhood with her nose in a book and a pen to paper.

An avid people watcher, her mind is full of stories that yearn to be told.

A fan of angsty romance with a happy ending, super sexy erotica and a good mystery, Andrea can always be found with her Kindle nearby fully charged.

Andrea lives in Idaho with her family and two dogs. When she isn’t spending time with her partner in crime aka her husband, she can be found binge watching all things Bravo and enjoying a cocktail. Nothing makes her happier than the laughter of her children, a good book, her feet in the water, and cocktail in hand all at the same time.

Facebook | Website | Sassy Romantics | Nerd Herd | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon

Great Escapes Book Tour Book Review Spotlight: In The Vines

A Tangle in the Vines

(A Calla Lily Mystery)

by Anna Celeste Burke

About A Tangle In The Vines

A Tangle in the Vines (A Calla Lily Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

2nd in Series

Independently Published (September 10, 2019)

Number of Pages 250 pages with recipes

ASIN: B07T62B16Q

The curtain may fall on the Calla Lily Players' first season unless Lily and Austin can find a killer on the loose in California's wine country. Torrential rains threaten to put a damper on The Calla Lily Players’ first outdoor theater production. When the ground suddenly shifts, buried secrets revealed amid the tangled vines put the spotlight on murder. As Lily and Austin dig deeper into the mystery, the drama unfolds onstage and off. The race is on to find a killer before opening night.

Grab your copy of the second book in the Calla Lily Mystery series by USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Anna Celeste Burke and join the race! Recipes Included. Free to read in Kindle Unlimited.

 Review: To follow later today

About Anna Celeste Burke

An award-winning, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, I hope you’ll join me snooping into life's mysteries with fun, fiction, and food—California style!

Life is an extravaganza! Figuring out how to hang tough and make the most of the wild ride is the challenge. On my way to Oahu, to join the rock musician and high school drop-out I had married in Tijuana, I was nabbed as a runaway. Eventually, the police let me go, but the rock band broke up.

Retired now, I’m still married to the same sweet guy and live with him near Palm Springs, California. I write the Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery series set here in the Coachella Valley, the Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery Series set along California’s Central Coast, The Georgie Shaw Mystery series set in the OC, The Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery Series set on the so-called American Riviera, just north of Santa Barbara, and The Calla Lily Mystery series where the murder and mayhem take place in California’s Wine Country. Won’t you join me? Sign up at: http://desertcitiesmystery.com.

Author Links

Website: https://www.desertcitiesmystery.com/

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/annacelesteburke/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7553558.Anna_Celeste_Burke

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-celeste-burke

Purchase Link - Amazon 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 10 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 10 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

September 11 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Literary Gold - SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

September 12 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST

September 12 – ❧Defining Ways❧ - SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 13 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

September 13 – Laura's Interests - CHARACTER GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

September 13 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

September 14 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

September 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

September 15 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

September 15 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

September 15 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

September 16 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

September 16 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

September 16 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Glass Ocean

About The Glass Ocean

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (September 10, 2019)

From the New York Times bestselling authors of The Forgotten Room comes a captivating historical mystery, infused with romance, that links the lives of three women across a century—two deep in the past, one in the present—to the doomed passenger liner, RMS Lusitania.

May 2013

Her finances are in dire straits and bestselling author Sarah Blake is struggling to find a big idea for her next book. Desperate, she breaks the one promise she made to her Alzheimer’s-stricken mother and opens an old chest that belonged to her great-grandfather, who died when the RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-Boat in 1915. What she discovers there could change history. Sarah embarks on an ambitious journey to England to enlist the help of John Langford, a recently disgraced Member of Parliament whose family archives might contain the only key to the long-ago catastrophe. . . .
April 1915

Southern belle Caroline Telfair Hochstetter’s marriage is in crisis. Her formerly attentive industrialist husband, Gilbert, has become remote, pre-occupied with business . . . and something else that she can’t quite put a finger on. She’s hoping a trip to London in Lusitania’s lavish first-class accommodations will help them reconnect—but she can’t ignore the spark she feels for her old friend, Robert Langford, who turns out to be on the same voyage. Feeling restless and longing for a different existence, Caroline is determined to stop being a bystander, and take charge of her own life. . . .
Tessa Fairweather is traveling second-class on the Lusitania, returning home to Devon. Or at least, that’s her story. Tessa has never left the United States and her English accent is a hasty fake. She’s really Tennessee Schaff, the daughter of a roving con man, and she can steal and forge just about anything. But she’s had enough. Her partner has promised that if they can pull off this one last heist aboard the Lusitania, they’ll finally leave the game behind. Tess desperately wants to believe that, but Tess has the uneasy feeling there’s something about this job that isn’t as it seems. . . .

As the Lusitania steams toward its fate, three women work against time to unravel a plot that will change the course of their own lives . . . and history itself.

Social Media

Please use the hashtag #theglassocean and tag @tlcbooktours, @williammorrowbooks, @authorbeatriz, @laurenwillig, and @karenwhitewrite.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review: What do you get when 3 of the best writers of historical fiction get together and write a book that involves the Lusitania?

A masterpiece in my eyes.

Its told in a dueling timeline that just makes the story more interesting, though I have to say I was more interested in the happenings in 1915, but that's just me. That's a time period I always found myself drawn too

I'm just going to say this, because I really don't know what else to say, except this was a stunning read that really shouldn't be missed

Rating: 5 flowers

[caption id="attachment_64462" align="alignright" width="151"] Amanda Suanne Photography[/caption]

About Beatriz Williams

A graduate of Stanford University with an MBA from Columbia, Beatriz Williams spent several years in New York and London hiding her early attempts at fiction, first on company laptops as a communications strategy consultant, and then as an at-home producer of small persons, before her career as a writer took off. She lives with her husband and four children near the Connecticut shore.

Find out more about Beatriz at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

[caption id="attachment_72363" align="alignleft" width="151"] Amanda Suanne Photography[/caption]

About Lauren Willig

Lauren Willig is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several novels. She lives in New York City with her family.

Find out more about Lauren at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Karen White

Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and currently writes Southern women’s fiction. She lives in Georgia with her husband and two Havanese dogs.

Find out more about Karen at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

425 Madison Returns!

425 Madison Avenue Season Two Announcement

We're so excited to finally announce that 425 Madison Avenue is returning for a second season,
beginning in early 2020! 

This season will feature some new authors as well as some of season one's favs. Back for season two is Allie York, Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Aubree Valentine, Lauren Helms, and Katy Ames. Plus a warm welcome to KC Enders, Jennifer Rebecca, and Marcie Shumway! 

Not only do we have a sexy mix of new and returning authors, prepare for pages packed with new
romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC. 

To celebrate we are giving away a complete season one set of signed books! One winner will win all nine
books from season one, all signed by the authors who penned them.

Do you want this EXCLUSIVE set of books for your bookshelf?

Click here!

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals and author spotlights over the coming weeks. 

Follow the series on Facebook!

For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

Subscribe now!.

About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Delicious romances set in fast-paced
& sexy NYC just waiting for you to read.

Season One features stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore,
Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, and C. Lesbirel.
Join these authors as they come together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy.

Covering all of your favorite tropes: second-chance romance, best friends sibling romance to a good
ol' enemies to lovers romance. We've even got a sports romance, a fake relationship and an ugly
duckling or two. Don't forget a brother's best friend and falling for your soul mate. Maybe a little love
triangle as well. Each tale offers you something new, something different. After all, 425 Madison is
the perfect place to fall in love!

For more information, visit the series website.

Check out the Season One and get caught up today!

You can read all nine books for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

This series and all promotional events are brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source
for all your writing needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours Book Review: Dragon Lady

Dragon Lady by Autumn Bardot

Publication Date: August 1, 2019

Flores Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction

"Prostitution required the violation of my body. Piracy required my soul. The first enslaved me. The second set me free. "

Against all odds, a prostitute becomes the most powerful pirate chieftain in the South China Seas. Sold into slavery by her parents, Xianggu works on a floating brothel for ten years before a midnight pirate raid changes her life. Determined to rise above her lowly status, the fearless young woman embarks on a journey requiring beauty, brains, and brawn.

Red Flag boss, Zheng Yi, is captivated by the spirited Xianggu and soon makes her his wife. This begins her adventure into the violent world of sea banditry. But Xianggu must do more than learn to wield a sword, sail a ship, and swim across a bay. She must become indispensable to Zheng Yi or risk losing everything, even her life.

In 18th century China, when men made and enforced the rules, the Dragon Lady lived by her own.

Review:  This book is an OMG its so amazing kind of book. I think the last book like this that really had me turning the pages was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

Xianggu was a strong character who fights for all she has. She is absolutely amazing character. She was sold into slavery at a young age and then ends up a prostitute and then the wife of a pirate. She goes through so many ups and downs in life, downs that would break a normal woman, but as we see early on Xianggu is anything but normal.

She is the type of woman that the phrase "nevertheless she persisted is about." Everything she had, she received through hard word and determination. She rose to levels of power that most women couldn't at that time.

You start out wanting to feel sorry for her as she loses her family, but you can't because she's so strong and she knows what she has to do to better herself. In a few chapters you can only admire her, because a lesser woman would have broken, but not Xianggu.

What I truly loved about her was how well she knew herself and how well she she wanted more for her children even though her wealth and power were acquired through illegal means.

This was truly one of the best books I've read in a long time.

Rating: 5 flowers

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Autumn Bardot writes historical fiction and erotica about sassy women and daring passions!

Her erotic fiction includes Legends of Lust, Erotic Myths from around the World, published by Cleis Press. Confessions of a Sheba Queen (erotica) will be available Jan 2020.

The Impaler's Wife is her debut historical fiction, released in April 2019.

Autumn has a BA in English literature and a MaEd in curriculum and instruction. She’s been teaching literary analysis for fourteen years

When Autumn’s not writing or working, you'll find her hanging out with her ever-growing family, spoiled husband, and pampered rescue pooch. Her favorite things include salty French fries, coffee, swimming, and a great book.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, September 2
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Wednesday, September 4
Feature at I'm All About Books

Friday, September 6
Review at Coffee and Ink

Saturday, September 7
Review & Excerpt at Robin Loves Reading

Tuesday, September 10
Excerpt at Maiden of the Pages

Thursday, September 12
Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, September 13
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Monday, September 16
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, September 18
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Friday, September 20
Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Monday, September 23
Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog

Wednesday, September 25
Excerpt at BeadyJans Books

Friday, September 27
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews

Monday, September 30
Review at Passages to the Past

Thursday, October 3
Review at Al-Alhambra

Friday, October 4
Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Saturday, October 5
Feature at Broken Teepee

Monday, October 7
Guest Post at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Dragon Lady! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Dragon Lady

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: Challenging Mountains

Challenging Mountains

by Tricia McGill

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Historical romance

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BLURB:

By 1840 the colony of New South Wales was expanding. Transportation of convicts to the east coast ended, and many free squatters set out to settle on lands to the south. In 1836, the Government in London authorised Governor Bourke to establish a settlement in The Port Philip District of New South Wales, and an Association was formed to make the district a separate colony.

Timothy, Tiger and Bella Carstairs eldest son has turned 21. Bored with his Government job and intent on seeking adventure and a new life away from Sydney, Tim decides to journey south in an endeavour to find this adventure, accompanied by his Uncle Carlos. Where else to find it, but in a newly formed settlement.

In the 1840s the road south might not be as hazardous as the one across the mountains travelled by his parents when he was a child, but the month long journey overland holds many dangers and challenges to be faced. Escaped and ex-convicts seek the easy life by forming gangs to take what they can where they can. Forced to fight off the intruders who take claim to the land they have cared for over many, many generations, the Indigenous people are faced with many trials and battles of their own.

Not the least of Tim’s personal challenges is a young headstrong woman who, uninvited, takes it upon herself to join him on his travels. When they reach their destination, their troubles have only just begun.

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Excerpt:

He walked off, but Tim lingered. He knelt to stroke Bracken’s ear as Josephine approached. “Can I come with you?” she asked.

“And just where do you wish to accompany me, young Jo?” Straightening, he began to stroll towards the house with her at his side.

“Rude of me, I know, but I couldn’t help but overhear your discussion with your uncle.” She lowered her voice and bent closer. Tim caught a scent of lavender. Carefree of feminine ways she might be, but she smelt as good as any young miss. “I shouldn’t sound so ungrateful, as your aunt ensured I had employment in her emporium when I arrived here in town, but the tasks are so tedious. I am bored. I thought of running off and making my own way in the world.” Her face grew comical as she wrinkled her pert nose.

“Silly chit. Don’t you dare even contemplate such a rash move,” he scolded. “You are not naïve, I think, and must know the dangers that exist beyond the sanctuary of a safe home. Anyway, I could not consider taking you along on such a dangerous journey.”

She made an unladylike noise. “Don’t you dare suggest I could not cope with such a journey. I roved free for all of my childhood while my parents worked their mine. I told you, my father treated me more as a son than a daughter.

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Review:  I love historical novels set in different settings, and Challenging Mountains was set in New South Wales. This isn't a place I've read about before so it was a learning experience while I read.

I loved the strength of Jo, though at times she could be frustrating. But isn't that how most people are in life? You can't be perfect. I had to remember the setting was the 1840s and that at 17 or 18 a young girl was really  a woman, though Jo often acted more childish and impulsive when it came to important matters

I liked learning about the frontier of Australia, but I really wish I could have read the first two books in this series. I would have liked to have known the family that shaped who Jo were.

Tim was a much more likable character. He is not much older but a little wiser and not as prone to do things that might, oh I don't know, get people killed. Jo is really good for that, let me tell you.

By the end of the book I wanted to choke her for carelessness, especially when she was given warnings about danger and also because her husband was really a great person who cared about her.

I was glad that through a lot of ups and downs Jo and Tim found their happily ever after, though for awhile, I was unsure of it happening

This was a wonderful short read that had me wishing for more

Rating: 4 flowers

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Award winning author Tricia McGill was born in London, England, and moved to Australia many years ago, settling near Melbourne. The youngest in a large, loving family she was never lonely or alone. Surrounded by avid readers, who encouraged her to read from an early age, is it any wonder she became a writer? The local library was a treasure trove and magical world of discovery through her childhood and growing years. Although her published works cross sub-genres, romance is always at their heart.

Tricia’s love of animals has always shown up in her books. Tricia devotes as much time and money as she can spare to supporting worldwide conservation groups and is passionate about supporting those who do all they can to preserve our wildlife for future generations, especially elephants and orangutans who seem to be getting the raw end of the deal even in this enlightened age. She also volunteers for a local community group that helps disabled adults and children to connect to the internet with provided computer equipment. When people ask what she does in her spare time, she is heard to ask, “Spare time, what is that?”

www.triciamcgill.com

http://triciamg.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/authorTriciaMcGill

Buy links for Challenging Mountains: https://books2read.com/Challenging-Mountains

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Tricia McGill will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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