“We move through this world on paths laid down long before we are born.”
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Historical Fiction by subject!
On This Day Recommendation!
Book Review: The English Wife by Lauren Willig
Annabelle and Bayard Van Duyvil live a charmed life: he’s the scion of an old Knickerbocker family, she grew up in a Tudor manor in England, they had a whirlwind romance in London, they have three year old twins on whom they dote, and he’s recreated her family home on the banks of the Hudson and renamed it Illyria. Yes, there are rumors that she’s having an affair with the architect, but rumors are rumors and people will gossip. But then Bayard is found dead with a knife in his chest on the night of their Twelfth Night Ball, Annabelle goes missing, presumed drowned, and the papers go mad. Bay’s sister, Janie, forms an unlikely alliance with a reporter to uncover the truth, convinced that Bay would never have killed his wife, that it must be a third party, but the more she learns about her brother and his wife, the more everything she thought she knew about them starts to unravel. Who were her brother and his wife, really? And why did her brother die with the name George on his lips?
My thoughts:
Not long after the war between the states were over, New York City boomed in the Gilded Age era and there was a wide line of class distinctions. In modern day standards, life of the rich during that period is a deep fascination for many, including myself. Newspapers and journalism really took off during that time and in their view, the rich were ripe for the picking! When I think of that era in New York, I think of shimmering lights, Gothic style mansions, slums of the poor, immigration, the American dream and high-society. Did the author of The English Wife capture this in her story? At first, I wasn’t feeling it but as the story development I began to see glimpses of the era come to life and in this story, not everything was as it seemed.
There certainly were a few twists and turns in the story and I have to admit, I didn’t see what was coming. I love that in a story! I wasn’t expecting to have a deep sense of empathy for Annabelle and Bayard but I did. Their family was the crème of society and they certainly suffered for it. Bayard sister, Janie, moved me the most and she was an example of feeling suffocation by living with strict rules of high society. They all were really…
City life in New York and the elitists were a contradictory crowd to say the least and the author of this story captures that. I will say this, I don’t recommend reading the prologue before diving in the first chapter. It was confusing and a bit all over the place. I made a mistake in doing so and I was really worrying I wasn’t going to like the story. This is a great murder mystery story and I will be adding more stories from the author to my reading list.
I rated this book three stars.
I obtained a eARC of this book through NetGalley from the Publishers for an honest review.
Stephanie M. Hopkins
Cover Crush: Impossible Saints: A Novel by Clarissa Harwood
I am not a cover designer but I can agree that cover layouts play an important role in the overall presentation of stories and I must admit, often times I first judge a book by its cover.
Cover Crush is a weekly series that originated with Erin at Flashlight Commentary.
Impossible Saints: A Novel by Clarissa Harwood
Print Length: 351 pages
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Set in England in 1907, Impossible Saints is a novel that burns as brightly as the suffrage movement it depicts, with the emotional resonance of Tracy Chevalier and Jennifer Robson.
Escaping the constraints of life as a village schoolmistress, Lilia Brooke bursts into London and into Paul Harris’s orderly life, shattering his belief that women are gentle creatures who need protection. Lilia wants to change women’s lives by advocating for the vote, free unions, and contraception. Paul, an Anglican priest, has a big ambition of his own: to become the youngest dean of St. John’s Cathedral. Lilia doesn’t believe in God, but she’s attracted to Paul’s intellect, ethics, and dazzling smile.
As Lilia finds her calling in the militant Women’s Social and Political Union, Paul is increasingly driven to rise in the church. They can’t deny their attraction, but they know they don’t belong in each other’s worlds. Lilia would rather destroy property and serve time in prison than see her spirit destroyed and imprisoned by marriage to a clergyman, while Paul wants nothing more than to settle down and keep Lilia out of harm’s way. Paul and Lilia must reach their breaking points before they can decide whether their love is worth fighting for.
My Thoughts:
This cover jumped right out at me and I love the color and dramatic scenery of the layout.
Stephanie M. Hopkins
Other great cover crushes from my fellow book bloggers:
Magdalena at A Bookaholic Swede
Colleen at A Literary Vacation
Heather at The Maiden’s Court
Holly at 2 Kids and Tired
Meghan at Of Quills & Vellum
Photo Spotlight: WSM Photography
“I always thought of the stars like a handful of gems that God randomly tossed across the sky, saying, ‘Here, go wherever you please.” ― Chelsea Vanderbeek
Photo by WSM Photography
Testimonial From Award Winning Author Suzy Henderson
“It’s rare to come across someone like Stephanie who has such a natural gift for the arts. A true professional, her expertise and passion shine through, and you know instantly you’re in the best of hands. With an exceptional flair for discovering great stories, fiercely supportive and loyal, Stephanie’s skills are truly invaluable to any artist.” -Award Winning Author Suzy Henderson
Twitter: @Suzy_Henderson
Suzy’s Website: Website
About The Beauty Shop:
England, 1942. After three years of WWII, Britain is showing the scars. But in this darkest of days, three lives intertwine, changing their destinies and those of many more.
Dr Archibald McIndoe, a New Zealand plastic surgeon with unorthodox methods, is on a mission to treat and rehabilitate badly burned airmen – their bodies and souls. With the camaraderie and support of the Guinea Pig Club, his boys battle to overcome disfigurement, pain, and prejudice to learn to live again.
John ‘Mac’ Mackenzie of the US Air Force is aware of the odds. He has one chance in five of surviving the war. Flying bombing missions through hell and back, he’s fighting more than the Luftwaffe. Fear and doubt stalk him on the ground and in the air, and he’s torn between his duty and his conscience.
Shy, decent and sensible Stella Charlton’s future seems certain until war breaks out. As a new recruit to the WAAF, she meets an American pilot on New Year’s Eve. After just one dance, she falls head over heels for the handsome airman. But when he survives a crash, she realises her own battle has only just begun.
Based on a true story, “The Beauty Shop” is a moving tale of love, compassion, and determination against a backdrop of wartime tragedy.
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L.A.P. it is a social media platform that applies to a variety of professions-such as-Literature, Art and Photography. The practicalities of Internet life can be tricky for many, not everyone is computer savvy and would prefer to solely focus on their craft or they have a tight budget but need help in this arena. There are so many entities out there charging fees that are not doable for most or they promise what they cannot deliver. L.A.P. it has created a new concept of social media marketing and provides a unique service to showcase writers, artists and photographers work. L.A.P. it will also work with publishers, independent presses, artists/photographers galleries and other entities that involve the three areas mentioned.
L.A.P. it Marketing Website
Twitter: @lapitmarketing
Book & Art Spotlight: The English Wife by Lauren Willig
My book review of The English Wife coming soon here on Layered Pages! Canvas art for the background created by yours truly. -Stephanie M. Hopkins
Book Description:
From New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Willig, comes this scandalous novel set in the Gilded Age, full of family secrets, affairs, and even murder.
Annabelle and Bayard Van Duyvil live a charmed life in New York: he’s the scion of an old Knickerbocker family, she grew up in a Tudor manor in England, they had a whirlwind romance in London, they have three year old twins on whom they dote, and he’s recreated her family home on the banks of the Hudson and renamed it Illyria. Yes, there are rumors that she’s having an affair with the architect, but rumors are rumors and people will gossip. But then Bayard is found dead with a knife in his chest on the night of their Twelfth Night Ball, Annabelle goes missing, presumed drowned, and the papers go mad. Bay’s sister, Janie, forms an unlikely alliance with a reporter to uncover the truth, convinced that Bay would never have killed his wife, that it must be a third party, but the more she learns about her brother and his wife, the more everything she thought she knew about them starts to unravel. Who were her brother and his wife, really? And why did her brother die with the name George on his lips?
The Lion of the South: A Novel of the Civil War by Jessica James
One woman holds the fate of the country in her hands. Can she allow her brother to die so that others might live?
A tale of espionage, intrigue and deception during the Civil War.
AS THE CIVIL WAR grinds into its second year, an audacious and mysterious figure known only as the Lion of the South emerges from the shadows to rekindle the Confederacy’s spirit of defiance.
With no one to turn to and nowhere to run, Julia is caught in a tangled web of secrets and deception. The only way to save her beloved brother from the hangman’s noose is to unmask the Lion. But who is he?
When she finally discovers the enigmatic hero’s true identity, Julia sets off on a desperate journey to stop the vengeful plot she unknowingly helped set in motion. But time is running out. The elusive Lion is walking straight into the Yankees’ trap.
Despite the danger, Julia is determined to save the two men whose lives hang in the balance—and redeem herself from the deadly mistake she has made.
From award-winning author Jessica James comes another suspenseful historical fiction that will keep you turning pages.
Pre-order on Amazon
Book Cover Design by Jenny Quinlan with Historical Fiction Book Covers
L.A.P. it is a social media platform that applies to a variety of professions-such as-Literature, Art and Photography. The practicalities of Internet life can be tricky for many, not everyone is computer savvy and would prefer to solely focus on their craft or they have a tight budget but need help in this arena. There are so many entities out there charging fees that are not doable for most or they promise what they cannot deliver. L.A.P. it has created a new concept of social media marketing and provides a unique service to showcase writers, artists and photographers work. L.A.P. it will also work with publishers, independent presses, artists/photographer’s galleries and other entities that involve the three areas mentioned.
L.A.P. it Marketing Website
Twitter: @lapitmarketing
Cover Crush: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcel
I am not a cover designer but I can agree that cover layouts play an important role in the overall presentation of stories and I must admit, often times I first judge a book by its cover.
Cover Crush is a weekly series that originated with Erin at Flashlight Commentary.
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcel 
Publication Date: March 6, 2018
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books
“If The Silent Companions lands on your night table, don’t plan on leaving your bed anytime soon.” —Lyndsay Faye, bestselling author of Jane Steele
When newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband’s crumbling country estate, what greets her is far from the life of wealth and privilege she was expecting . . .
When Elsie married handsome young heir Rupert Bainbridge, she believed she was destined for a life of luxury. But with her husband dead just weeks after their marriage, her new servants resentful, and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie has only her husband’s awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks. Inside her new home lies a locked door, beyond which is a painted wooden figure—a silent companion—that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie herself. The residents of the estate are terrified of the figure, but Elsie tries to shrug this off as simple superstition—that is, until she notices the figure’s eyes following her.
A Victorian ghost story that evokes a most unsettling kind of fear, The Silent Companions is a tale that creeps its way through the consciousness in ways you least expect—much like the companions themselves.
My thoughts:
This cover is totally atmospheric and down right creepy considering what the premise is about. I am all over this book.
Stephanie m. Hopkins
Other great cover crushes from my fellow book bloggers:
Magdalena at A Bookaholic Swede
Colleen at A Literary Vacation
Heather at The Maiden’s Court
Holly at 2 Kids and Tired
Meghan at Of Quills & Vellum
Testimonial and Book Spotlight
“Jenny went above and beyond as my cover and bookmark designer. Not only is she talented as a designer, but she is patient, polite, and easy to work with. I felt completely comfortable giving her my opinion on design and telling her what I did and didn’t like. Further, her clients are her top priority. She spent countless extra hours helping me to work through several snafus with my printers. She made phone calls on my behalf and even worked on a holiday weekend to help me meet a deadline. I couldn’t have asked for a more talented or professional designer, and I am so grateful that I found her. I plan to work with her again and again in the future.” ~ Stephanie Carroll
About White Room:
At the close of the Victorian Era, society still expected middle-class women to be “the angels of the house,” even as a select few strived to become something more. In this time of change, Emeline Evans dreamed of becoming a nurse. But when her father dies unexpectedly, Emeline sacrifices her ambitions and rescues her family from destitution by marrying John Dorr, a reserved lawyer who can provide for her family.
John moves Emeline to the remote Missouri town of Labellum and into an unusual house where her sorrow and uneasiness edge toward madness. Furniture twists and turns before her eyes, people stare out at her from empty rooms, and the house itself conspires against her. The doctor diagnoses hysteria, but the treatment merely reinforces the house’s grip on her mind.
Emeline only finds solace after pursuing an opportunity to serve the poor as an unlicensed nurse. Yet in order to bring comfort to the needy she must secretly defy her husband, whose employer viciously hunts down and prosecutes unlicensed practitioners. Although women are no longer burned at the stake in 1900, disobedience is a symptom of psychological defect, and hysterical women must be controlled.
A novel of madness and secrets, A White Room presents a fantastical glimpse into the forgotten cult of domesticity, where one’s own home could become a prison and a woman has to be willing to risk everything to be free.
Based on historical trends of the era and inspired by the classic Victorian novels The Yellow Wallpaper, The Secret Garden, and Wuthering Heights, author Stephanie Carroll has taken women’s empowerment in fiction to an all new level in this inspiring debut.
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A White Room was featured as a Notable Page Turner in Shelf Unbound Magazine and named 2013’s Best Cross-Genre Title by USA Book News.
To read behind the scenes material about “A White Room” and learn about future books by Stephanie Carroll in addition to giveaways, freebees, and how to become a test reader, visit her website and sign up for the VIP Reader newsletter.
About Author:
As a reporter and community editor, Stephanie Carroll earned first place awards from the National Newspaper Association and from the Nevada Press Association. Stephanie holds degrees in history and social science. She graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Fresno.
Layered Pages 