Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Spotlight on The Accidental Caregiver by Gregor Collins

 
 
Publication Date: August 15th, 2012
Bloch-Bauer Books
Genre: Memoir
Formats: Paperback, eBook
376 pages
 
 
When thirty-two-year-old actor Gregor Collins reluctantly interviewed for a job as a caregiver more out of a favor to a friend - he had no idea his life was about to change forever.



 Seconds into the chance meeting in 2008 with, it would turn out, a world-renowned Holocaust refugee named Maria Altmann, there was an unexplainable magic in the air - it felt as if they had already met. And Collins was suddenly thrown into a situation with which he had never before been confronted: caring for someone other than himself.


 Gregor offers us a personal and unprecedented look at Maria over the three intimate years he cared for her - her thrilling escape from the Nazis, her fight and subsequent win in the landmark Supreme Court Case to return original Gustav Klimt artwork that belonged to her family in Austria, and the extraordinary people she met along the way. But the real heart of the story transcends mere historical facts.


 Through a refreshingly raw portrayal of their unlikely and unbreakable bond, imbued with humorous, candid anecdotes about his mercurial relationship with Hollywood, Gregor takes us on a deeply emotional journey of how he opened up his heart to a 92-year-old woman in need - and in turn experienced the love he had been searching for his entire life.
 
 
 
The Accidental Caregiver also debuted as a stage play at the Robert Moss Theater in New York City on January 26th, 2015, with three sold out performances. The author is developing a movie based on his memoir so stay tuned for that as well!
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy the Book


Paperback
Kindle


 About the Author



Gregor Collins is a writer, actor and producer living in New York City. After graduating from Florida State University in 2000 he moved to Los Angeles and entered reality television, producing Blind Date, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and Celebrity Mole. In 2004 he set aside reality for acting, producing and performing in theater and film, touring as the lead in Ronnie Larson’s award-winning play Making Porn, and the lead in the critically acclaimed feature Goodbye Promise, which he also produced and co-wrote. He has a couple screenplays in development, produces the occasional unscripted TV show, and is a contributor to various sources like Filmmaking Stuff and Cinema Editor Magazine. His acclaimed memoir The Accidental Caregiver: How I Met, Loved, and Lost Legendary Holocaust Refugee Maria Altmann, debuted as a stage play for a limited run at the Robert Moss Theater in New York City in January, 2015.
shows such as

You can connect with Gregor Collins on Twitter.



Monday, March 30, 2015

Review: Heartbreak Hotel by Deborah Moggach

Publication Date: March 3rd, 2015
The Overlook Press
Formats: Hardback, Kindle
ISBN 13: 978-1-4683-1057-3
Pages: 304


Synopsis


In her effortlessly winning novels Tulip Fever and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Deborah Moggach charmed readers and critics alike with her generous prose and hilarious dialogue. With Heartbreak Hotel, Moggach has triumphed once again.

When retired actor Buffy decides to leave London and move to rural Wales, he has no idea what he is letting himself in for.

In possession of a run-down bed and breakfast that leans more toward the shabby than the chic and is, quite literally, miles from nowhere, Buffy realizes that he needs to fill the beds—and fast. Otherwise, his vision of the pastoral countryside will go up in smoke.

Enter a motley collection of guests: Harold, whose wife has run off with a younger woman; Amy, who’s been unexpectedly dumped by her (not-so) nebbishy boyfriend and Andy, the hypochondriac postman whose girlfriend is much too much for him to handle. But under Buffy’s watchful eye, this disparate group of strangers finds that they have more in common than perhaps they first thought.

A charming romantic comedy that will captivate even the most determined urbanite, Heartbreak Hotel is a supreme entertainment.


What Did I Think About the Story?



Any reader would be hard pressed to find a more varied and eccentric collection of characters than at the delightfully shabby "Heartbreak Hotel", all led by the bombastic yet loveable owner Buffy. Aging and lonely and fed up with the changes happening to his London neighborhood, Buffy leaves the world he has always known behind to move to the Welsh countryside and take over the Bed and Breakfast left to him by an old and dear friend. Seeing that he cannot make enough money to live without making some change to either his rundown establishment (which he can't afford) or to how that establishment is seen by outsiders (something his acting and people skills make him perfectly suited for) he decides to use his vast experiences in relationships to conduct week long courses for those who have recently broken up. These "Courses for Divorces" will not only save him from loneliness but bring in some much needed money and hopefully help some people along the way. With the stream of people who come seeking a change from their life - some strangers and some unexpected family members - things are anything but dull and many occupants find love, both personal and for the countryside, in the strangest places.

Heartbreak Hotel is a sweet, fun read filled with humor and love and happy endings. While there are quite a few strange connections made it wasn't hard to see where the various storylines were heading or who was going to end up with whom. Many of the characters have much in common: being somehow involved in the arts, being from London and wishing for a slower, more connected life and being middle-aged or older. Even with these similarities they still all have their own quirks  that are easy to like and root for. Something else they have in common: while most have had hard times in the love department no one is left without finding some sort of happiness, even if it isn't what they expected.

Something to keep in mind for American readers would be the fact that there is quite a bit of  British slang thrown in which, while I found it easy to get used to and very funny at times, could  take some a while to get used to. There is also a lot of discussion of an economical decline that has effected many of our characters which isn't something I was overly aware of. Being that America went through its own decline it isn't hard to relate, however, and I felt for the characters who were ready to throttle the bankers that were often discussed.

My only real complaint with Heartbreak Hotel would be the fact that it took quite a while for all of the characters to come together. A good amount of time is given to the backstory of some of our main characters and it isn't until over 100 pages in that the first course begins. This is a good 1/3 of the way in and I would have preferred getting to the hilarious interactions sooner.

I think anyone who enjoyed either the book or movie version of Ms. Moggach's previous novel The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with find similarities with this story and enjoy it just as much. Readers will be happy to discover that, if they enjoy Buffy as much as I did, the author has actually written a previous novel called The Ex-Wives that discusses his varied and eccentric love life. This novel is perfect for this time of year when you want a touching yet happy book to take on vacation.  


What Did I Think About the Cover?



I've actually seen three different covers for this novel, all varying in color but showcasing the same theme: the front of a house with decorated windows, flowers and a puppy. My ARC has the same cover as above but it looks like the US version has a pink house with only one window and a different type of dog and there is also a version that has a yellow house with two people peering out of two separate windows. Regardless of the cover I'm looking at I think they are all cute and would have me at least flipping the book over to read the back cover if not buying it out right.


My Rating:3.0/5.0


 
Thank you to Josie Urwin at The Overlook Press for providing me with a free copy of Heartbreak Hotel in exchange for an honest review!
 
 

About the Author

 

Deborah Moggach is the author of many successful novels including TULIP FEVER, for which a

film adaptation will premiere in cinemas in 2015, and THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, which was made into the very popular movie starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith. Her screenplays include the film of Pride and Prejudice, which was nominated for a BAFTA, and the forthcoming adaptation on Helen Simonson’s Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Her latest novel, Heartbreak Hotel, will be published by The Overlook Press on March 3rd, 2015.
 
For more information please visit www.deborahmoggach.com.
 
 
 

Praise For Heartbreak Hotel

 
“A comic performance so footsure it almost tap-dances.” - Sunday Times

“Extremely funny…the joy lies in the delightful characters and the wry, pin-sharp commentary on their shenanigans. Bliss.” - The Times

“A hilarious romp that showcases Moggach’s loving understanding of human foibles and which you will finish reading feeling a whole lot better about yourself.” - Red

“There’s all the warmth and the humour you’d expect from Moggach, as well as moments of beautifully expressed insight into her lonely hearts.” - Observer

“Moggach’s glorious sense of humour, the ease with which she inhabits her characters and her affections for them are apparent on every page. An astute and funny exploration of love and longing.” - Sunday Express
 


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Spotlight on Angels at the Gate by TK Thorne

Please join author T.K. Thorne as she tours the blogosphere with HF Virtual Book Tours for Angels at the Gate Blog Tour from March 23rd - April 17th, and enter to win your own hardcover copy!

Publication Date: March 5, 2015
Cappuccino Books
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
Pages: 368

Genre: Historical Fiction


Based on historical, biblical, and archaeological research, visits to the Middle East, and a large measure of creativity, ANGELS AT THE GATE is the story of Adira, destined to become Lot’s wife. A daughter of Abram’s tribe, Adira is an impetuous young girl whose mother died in childbirth. Secretly raised as a boy in her father’s caravan and schooled in languages and the art of negotiation, Adira rejects the looming changes of womanhood that threaten her nomadic life and independence.

But with the arrival of two mysterious strangers – Northmen rumored to be holy or possibly even “Angels” – Adira’s world unravels. Raiders invade the caravan, and she loses everything she values most – her father, her freedom, and even the “Angels.”

Caught between her oath to her father to return to her tribe and the “proper life for a woman” and tormented by an impossible love, she abandons all she has known in a dangerous quest to seek revenge and find her kidnapped “Angel.” With only her beloved dog, Nami, at her side, Adira must use the skills she learned in the caravan to survive the perils of the desert, Sodom, and her own heart.

ANGELS AT THE GATE is a story of adventure and the power of love, exploring themes about choice – the importance of asking the right questions and walking the fine edge between duty and personal freedom.

Based on a simple mention in the Bible, T.K. Thorne has developed a complex and full-bodied character in the wife of Lot, a woman both ancient and modern, who will touch readers’ hearts, and live in their memories for years to come. As Dianne Mooney, founder of Southern Living At Home says, “For all those whose curiosity is piqued by how it might have been in the time of Sodom and Gomorrah, this is a must read!”


Praise for Angels at the Gate



“ANGELS AT THE GATE is nothing short of a masterwork–superbly and eloquently written, solidly researched and a high-speed page-turner. Readers will be swept up in a story they can’t put down.” – Elsa D. Ruther, editor,The Nifty Pickle

“A masterpiece of historical research, interweaving history and theology in a re-visioning of an ancient story from a woman’s perspective. Thorne is a dazzlingly gifted writer.” – Sue Walker, Poet Laureate of Alabama, 2003-2012

“Thorne unspools an ancient adventure with crackling undertones of our contemporary lives. Lean, polished action sequences render a young woman’s life with both intensity and nuanced truth.” – Dale Short, public radio commentator and author of A Shinning, Shinning Path


Buy the Book


Amazon
Barnes and Noble


About the Author



T.K. Thorne’s childhood passion for storytelling deepened when she became a police officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It was a crash course in life and what motivated and mattered to people.” When she retired as a captain, she took on Birmingham’s business improvement district as the executive director. Both careers provide fodder for her writing, which has garnered several awards,
including “Book of the Year for Historical Fiction” (ForeWord Reviews) for her debut novel Noah’s Wife. Her first non-fiction book, Last Chance for Justice, was featured on the New York Post’s “Books You Should Be Reading” list. She loves traveling, especially to research her novels, and speaking about her books and life lessons. She writes at her mountaintop home, often with two dogs by her side and a cat on her lap.

She blogs at www.TKs-tales.com and her web site is www.TKThorne.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Sign Up for T.K. Thorne’s newsletter.


 

Giveaway!!

To enter to win a Hardcover copy of Angels at the Gate please complete the giveaway form HERE. Five copies are up for grabs!
 
 
* Giveaway is open to US residents only.
 
* Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on April 17th

 * You must be 18 or older to enter.

 
* Only one entry per household.

 
* All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
 
* Winners will be chosen via GLEAM on April 18th and notified via email. Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
 
* Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions.
 
Good luck!!
 
 
 

Angels at the Gate Blog Tour Schedule

 

Monday, March 23
 
Review at Genre Queen
Spotlight at Flashlight Commentary
 
Wednesday, March 25
 
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
 
Thursday, March 26
 
Review at Room With Books
Review at Unshelfish
 
Friday, March 27
 
Review at Broken Teepee
 
Saturday, March 28
 
 
Tuesday, March 31
 
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews
 
Thursday, April 2 Review at
 
 
Monday, April 6
 
Review at A Chick Who Reads
 
Thursday, April 9
 
 
Monday, April 13
 
 
Wednesday, April 15
 
Review at Book Nerd
 
Thursday, April 16
 
 
Friday, April 17
 
Blog Tour Wrap Up at Passages to the Past

 










Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Spotlight on The Countess' Captive by Andrea Cefalo + Giveaway!

Please join author Andrea Cefalo as she tours with HF Virtual Book Tours for The Countess’ Captive Blog Tour, from March 23rd - April 16th. Find out all about the book, the tour and the author and be sure to enter to win a Fairytale Keeper Clutch Purse & $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Publication Date: February 14, 2015
Scarlet Primrose Press
Formats: eBook; Paperback
Pages: 232


Series: Book Two, Fairytale Keeper Series
Genre: Young Adult/Historical/Fairytale Retelling



During March of 1248, Adelaide Schumacher-affectionately called Snow White-has lost so much: her mother, her possessions, and now her home.

Adelaide hates abandoning her home city, her family’s legacy, and her first love‒Ivo. More than anything, she hates her father growing closer to her mother’s cousin‒Galadriel. Adelaide plots to end their tryst before her fate is sealed, and she never sets foot in Cologne again.

But good and pious can only get Galadriel so far. Never again will she be destitute. Never again will she be known by the cruel moniker‒Cinderella. Never again will someone take what is rightfully hers. No matter what it takes.

The Countess’ Captive is the much anticipated follow-up to The Fairytale Keeper and is book two in The Fairytale Keeper series. The novel combines Grimm’s fairytale characters with real historical settings and events to create a tale that leaves the reader wondering where fact ends and fiction begins.


Praise for The Fairytale Keeper Series



“A…resonant tale set late in the 13th century… with unexpected plot twists. An engaging story of revenge.” – Publisher’s Weekly

“Great historical fiction. Strong emotion injected into almost every page.” – Amazon Vine Reviewer

“…a unique twist on the Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Part fairy tale retelling, part historical fiction… The Fairytale Keeper is a story of corruption.” - Copperfield Historical Fiction Review

“The story that Cefalo weaves is intriguing and leaves you hanging on, wanting more.” - Hooked to Books Book Review Blog

“…it doesn’t feel like any retelling. Because it’s not. The Fairytale Keeper is its own unique story…very entertaining, containing a strong female role, a sweet romance, and much more.” - Lulu The Bookworm Book Review Blog


Buy the eBook


Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
Kobo


About the Author

 

Andrea Cefalo is an award-winning author and blogger on Medieval Europe. The next three novels inwebsite. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
The Fairytale Keeper series will debut in 2015 and 2016. She resides in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband and their two border collies. For more information please visit Andrea Cefalo’s
 
 
 

Giveaway!!

 
 
 
To enter to win a Fairytale Keeper Clutch Purse & $25 Amazon Gift Card please complete the giveaway form HERE.
 
 
* Giveaway is open to US residents only.

* Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on April 17th.

* You must be 18 or older to enter.

* Only one entry per household.

* All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
 
* Winner will be chosen via GLEAM on April 18th and notified via email. Winner have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

* Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions.

 

 The Countess' Captive Blog Tour Schedule

 
Monday, March 23

Review at Library Educated
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, March 24

Guest Post at What Is That Book About
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Wednesday, March 25

Review at Back Porchervations
Spotlight at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Thursday, March 26

Review at Cheryl’s Book Nook

Friday, March 27

Review at Bibliotica
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Saturday, March 28

Spotlight at Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers

Monday, March 30

Review at 100 Pages a Day – Stephanie’s Book Reviews

Tuesday, March 31

Review at Bookish

Wednesday, April 1

Review at Shelf Full of Books

Thursday, April 2

Guest Post at The Lit Bitch

Friday, April 3

Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes

Monday, April 6

Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews

Tuesday, April 7

Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Friday, April 10

Review at Boom Baby Reviews

Monday, April 13

Review at Brooke Blogs

Tuesday, April 14

Review at A Leisure Moment

Wednesday, April 15

Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Thursday, April 16

Spotlight at Books and Benches

Friday, April 17

Review at A Book Drunkard



 
 
 


Monday, March 23, 2015

Lady of the Eternal City Blog Tour: Review

Publication Date: March 3, 2015
Berkley Trade
Formats: eBook, Paperback
528p


Series: Empress of Rome Series, Book Four
Genre: Historical Fiction



Synopsis



National bestselling author Kate Quinn returns with the long-awaited fourth volume in the Empress of Rome series, an unforgettable new tale of the politics, power, and passion that defined ancient Rome.

Elegant, secretive Sabina may be Empress of Rome, but she still stands poised on a knife’s edge. She must keep the peace between two deadly enemies: her husband Hadrian, Rome’s brilliant and sinister Emperor; and battered warrior Vix, who is her first love. But Sabina is guardian of a deadly secret:
Vix’s beautiful son Antinous has become the Emperor’s latest obsession.

Empress and Emperor, father and son will spin in a deadly dance of passion, betrayal, conspiracy, and war. As tragedy sends Hadrian spiraling into madness, Vix and Sabina form a last desperate pact to save the Empire. But ultimately, the fate of Rome lies with an untried girl, a spirited redhead who may just be the next Lady of the Eternal City…


What Do I Think About the Story?



This being the fourth full length novel of Kate Quinn's I've read I have come to understand her to be a master of emotions. Every character she writes is complicated and flawed but, if not all necessarily relatable, at the very least understandable. I'm not really sure how she does it, but she takes these long dead people from history and breathes new life into them, making them so real and fleshed out that you can nearly see them standing before you, challenging or joyful, vengeful or passionate. Very few other novelists have brought Roman history so completely to life for me as Ms. Quinn has done.

While I won't say that a new reader would be lost starting this series with Lady of the Eternal City I would recommend reading the previous novels just for sheer enjoyment. This is the fourth novel in the Empress of Rome series and I myself started the series with the third book, Empress of the Seven Hills, which gave me important background information regarding the relationships between some of this novel's main characters that just deepened my love for them (or dislike, depending on the character). However, if you just happened to pick up this novel without reading the previous ones the author does a wonderful job of streamlining the narrative to bring new readers up to speed or to remind previous reader what has previously occurred.

I don't want to give too much away regarding the plot of the novel, but let me just say much of the novel showed Emperor Hadrian (one of those characters I mentioned that I disliked, at least until the end) battling his own inner demons and darkness while also making the lives of many of our other characters miserable. I was amazed to see so many strong characters, such as Vix and Sabina, unable to break away from his hypocrisy and vindictiveness, or for Hadrian to continue to stand in the way of others seeking true love even when he had found his own. The perfect ending brought resolution to much of this but I still found myself yelling at the characters "screw him, just do what you want!". Being that this would most likely have had these characters losing their heads I'm glad they didn't listen!

The other storyline that had me unable to stop reading was the mystery surrounding one of the main character's deaths and the search, and discovery, of what really happened. I won't say any more about that, but trust me when I say it will be nearly impossible to stop reading once you have begun the last 100 pages of the book...it continues at breakneck speed and will leave you breathless and satisfied.

All of the characters are wonderful (or wonderfully horrific) in their own way but my absolute favorite was Antinous, the adopted son of Vix and lover of Emperor Hadrian. His is a pure and loving heart with a  beauty to match and it was easy to see how so many characters could love him even given his placement in the story. He was the only character to actually bring me to tears.

There really isn't much to say against this novel, it seems to have everything a reader of historical fiction would want: witty, complicated characters that can both infuriate you and pull mercilessly at your heart; storylines that keep you engaged and interested; a need to know more about the true history that even the delightful and informative historical note cannot fully satisfy. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially set in Ancient Rome, you need to read this book as well as the whole series.

 

What Do I Think About the Cover?



I think it's beautiful! The rich reds and golds make me think of luxury and the colorful sky makes me think of new dawns and new beginnings. While I know a lot of people don't like the ubiquitous "woman staring off into the distance" covers I have always liked them, and this one I believe represents Annia, another of my favorite characters.


My Rating:4.5/5.0



Thank you to Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for providing me with a free copy of Lady of the Eternal City in exchange for an honest review. Be sure to continue below for more information about the author, the book and the rest of the blog tour!
 
 
 

Praise for Lady of the Eternal City

 
 
 “Quinn specializes in bringing the splendor of Britannia and Rome to readers. The tangled lives of her three-dimensional characters represent the entanglements of the Empire. She cleverly pulls readers into the complex relationships, and even more complicated history, while bouncing back and forth between viewpoints. This is a feast for historical readers.” – Romantic Times Book Reviews
 
 

Buy the Book

 
 
 
 

Titles in the Empress of Rome Series

 
 
Book One: Mistress of Rome
Book Two: Daughters of Rome
Book Three: Empress of the Seven Hills
Book Four: Lady of the Eternal City
 
 

Praise for the Empress of Rome Series

 
 
“Gorgeously wrought.”— C. W. Gortner, author of The Queen’s Vow

“Deeply passionate.”—Kate Furnivall, author of Shadows on the Nile

“[An] epic, sexy romp.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)


About the Author



Kate Quinn is a native of southern California. She attended Boston University, where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. A lifelong history buff, she has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance detailing the early
years of the infamous Borgia clan. All have been translated into multiple languages.

Kate has succumbed to the blogging bug, and keeps a blog filled with trivia, pet peeves, and
interesting facts about historical fiction. She and her husband now live in Maryland with a small black dog named Caesar, and her interests include opera, action movies, cooking, and the Boston Red Sox.

For more information visit Kate Quinn’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.



 

Lady of the Eternal City Blog Tour Schedule



Monday, March 2

Spotlight at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, March 3

Spotlight at Historical Readings and Reviews

Wednesday, March 4

Review at Back Porchervations

Thursday, March 5

Review at The Maiden’s Court

Friday, March 6

Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes

Monday, March 9

Review at The Mad Reviewer

Wednesday, March 11

Review at Peeking Between the Pages

Thursday, March 12

Spotlight at The Lit Bitch

Sunday, March 15

Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Monday, March 16

Review at Just One More Chapter
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Tuesday, March 17

Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Wednesday, March 18

Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Monday, March 23

Review at A Literary Vacation

Wednesday, March 25

Spotlight at What Is That Book About

Thursday, March 26

Review at Book Nerd

Friday, March 27

Review at Unshelfish
Review at Genre Queen
Review at Let Them Read Books
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession



 
 
 
 


Friday, March 20, 2015

Book Blast: Mademoiselle Chanel by CW Gortner

 Please join author C.W. Gortner as his latest release, Mademoiselle Chanel, is featured around the blogosphere from March 17-April 3, and enter to win one of three fabulously chic, Chanel-style black and white beaded bracelets!


Publication Date: March 17, 2015
William Morrow/HarperCollins
Formats: Hardover, eBook, Audio Book


Genre: Historical Fiction


DRAMA, PASSION, TRAGEDY, AND BEAUTY: C.W.’s new novel stunningly imagines the life of Coco Chanel—the iconic fashion designer whose staggering creativity built an empire and made her one of the 20th century’s most influential, and controversial, figures.

Born into rural poverty, Gabrielle Chanel and her sisters are sent to a convent orphanage after their mother’s death. Here, the nuns nurture Gabrielle’s exceptional sewing skills, a talent that will propel her into a life far removed from the drudgery of her childhood.

Transforming herself into Coco—a seamstress and sometime torch singer—the petite brunette burns with ambition, an incandescence that draws a wealthy gentleman who will become the love of her life. She immerses herself in his world of money and luxury, discovering a freedom that sparks her creativity. But it is only when her lover takes her to Paris that Coco discovers her destiny.

Rejecting the frilly, corseted silhouette of the past, her sleek minimalist styles reflect the youthful ease and confidence of the 1920s modern woman. As Coco’s reputation spreads, her couturier business explodes, taking her into rarefied society circles and bohemian salons. Her little black dress, her signature perfume No. 5; her dramatic friendships, affairs, and rivalries with luminaries of her era increase her wealth and fame. But as the years pass, success cannot save her from heartbreak. And when Paris falls to the Nazis during World War II, Coco finds herself at a dangerous crossroads, forced to make choices that will forever change her.

An enthralling portrayal of an extraordinary woman who created the life she desired, Mademoiselle Chanel is Coco’s intimate story.


 
 
 
 

Praise for Mademoiselle Chanel

 

“In this deliciously satisfying novel, C.W. Gortner tells the epic, rags-to-riches story of how this brilliant, mercurial, self-created woman became a legend.” - Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

“In a novel as brilliant and complicated as Coco Chanel herself, C. W. Gortner’s prose is so electric and luminous it could be a film, and not just any film, but one of the grandest biopics of our time. Divine!” - Erika Robuck, bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl

“A richly imagined, deftly researched novel, in which the ever fascinating Coco Chanel comes to life in all her woe and splendor, her story unfolding as elegantly as a Chanel gown.” - Cathy Marie Buchanan, author of The Painted Girls

“From her heart-wrenching early years through her decades of struggle and glory, Gabrielle Chanel was fascinating—as is C.W. Gortner’s Mademoiselle Chanel. Coco lives again in this rich tale of brilliance, determination, and fierce self-creation.” - Ania Szado, author of Studio Saint-Ex

“Gortner brings to life a woman who was as alluring and captivating as her signature scent."  - Historical Novels Review

“Gortner brings history to life in a fascinating study of one woman’s unstoppable ambition.” - Booklist

“Well-written and historically accurate . . . An homage to a couture icon whose influence is still powerful today.” - Kirkus Reviews

Buy Mademoiselle Chanel



 

About the Author

 

C.W. GORTNER holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California, as well as an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.

After an eleven year-long career in fashion, during which he worked as a vintage retail buyer, freelance publicist, and fashion show coordinator, C.W. devoted the next twelve years to the public health sector. In 2012, he became a full-time writer following the international success of his novels.

In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard at Hampton Court, learned
about organic gardening at Chenoceaux, and spent a chilly night in a ruined Spanish castle. His books have garnered widespread acclaim and been translated into twenty-one languages to date, with over 400,000 copies sold. A sought-after public speaker. C.W. has given keynote addresses at writer conferences in the US and abroad. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights, in particular companion animal rescue to reduce shelter overcrowding.

C.W. recently completed his fourth novel for Ballantine Books, about Lucrezia Borgia; the third novel in his Tudor Spymaster series for St Martin’s Press; and a new novel about the dramatic, glamorous life of Coco Chanel, scheduled for lead title publication by William Morrow, Harper Collins, in the spring of 2015.

Half-Spanish by birth and raised in southern Spain, C.W. now lives in Northern California with his partner and two very spoiled rescue cats.

For more information visit C.W. Gortner’s website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook,
Twittter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and YouTube. Sign up for C.W. Gortner’s Newsletter for updates.


Mademoiselle Chanel Book Blast Schedule


Tuesday, March 17

Mina’s Bookshelf
Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
So Many Books, So Little Time

Wednesday, March 18

Forever Ashley
History From a Woman’s Perspective

Thursday, March 19

The Lit Bitch
100 Pages a Day

Friday, March 20

A Literary Vacation
Beth’s Book Nook Blog
What Is That Book About

Saturday, March 21

Genre Queen

Sunday, March 22

A Bookish Girl

Monday, March 23

Let them Read Books

Tuesday, March 24

Unshelfish
The True Book Addict

Wednesday, March 25

Historical Fiction Connection
The Never-Ending Book

Thursday, March 26

Broken Teepee

Friday, March 27

The Maiden’s Court

Saturday, March 28

Caroline Wilson Writes
Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Sunday, March 29

Passages to the Past

Monday, March 30

Flashlight Commentary
To Read, Or Not to Read
I’d So Rather Be Reading

Tuesday, March 31

Book Lovers Paradise

Wednesday, April 1

Booktalk & More

Thursday, April 2

CelticLady’s Reviews

Friday, April 3

Book Nerd
Luxury Reading


Giveaway!!






 
 
Three Chanel-style black and white beaded bracelets will be up for grabs during this blast so follow along and complete the giveaway form HERE for chances to win!
 
– Giveaway starts on March 17th at 12:01am and ends on April 3rd at 11:59pm EST.
 
– Must be 18 or older to enter
.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
 
– Only one entry per household.
 
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
 
– Winners will be notified via email and have 48 hours to claim prize, or new winner is chosen.
 
 
Good luck!!
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Book Blast: A Decent Woman by Eleanor Parker Sapia

Join author Eleanor Parker Sapia as her historical novel, A Decent Woman, is featured around the blogosphere from March 16-April 6, and enter the giveaway! Up for grabs is an Autographed copy of A Decent Woman, two eBooks of A Decent Woman, and a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Pub. Date: February 20, 2015
Publisher: Booktrope
Formats: eBook, Paperback
270 Pages


Genre: Historical Fiction


Ponce, Puerto Rico, at the turn of the century: Ana Belén Opaku, an Afro-Cuban born into slavery, is a proud midwife with a tempestuous past. After testifying at an infanticide trial, Ana is forced to reveal a dark secret from her past, but continues to hide an even more sinister one. Pitted against the parish priest, Padre Vicénte, and young Doctór Héctor Rivera, Ana must battle to preserve her twenty-five year career as the only midwife in La Playa.
 
Serafina is a respectable young widow with two small children, who marries an older, wealthy merchant from a distinguished family. A crime against Serafina during her last pregnancy forever bonds her to Ana in an ill-conceived plan to avoid a scandal and preserve Serafina’s honor.
 
Set against the combustive backdrop of a chauvinistic society, where women are treated as possessions, A Decent Woman is the provocative story of these two women as they battle for their dignity and for love against the pain of betrayal and social change. .
 
 

Advance Praise for A Decent Woman

 
 
“A Decent Woman brings vividly to life the world of early twentieth-century Puerto Rico through the struggles of Ana Belén, an Afro-Cuban midwife, as she attempts to live a meaningful life. Spanning almost thirty years, the story encompasses Ana’s unusual friendship with Serafina, a white woman of humble origins who marries into a wealthy, upper class family. Race, class, the lingering legacy of slavery, and a woman’s role in this neo colonial society are all effectively illustrated through the intimate depiction of these two intersecting lives.

Author Eleanor Parker Sapia lovingly evokes old Puerto Rico: the graceful colonial city of Ponce, the mixture of African and Catholic traditions, the tropical lushness of the land, and the devastating force of a Caribbean hurricane.

Overall, A Decent Woman is a powerful and moving tale; well worth reading.”
 
-Alina García-Lapuerta, biographer and author of La Belle Creole: The Cuban Countess Who Captivated Havana, Madrid, and Paris

“A Decent Woman opens with a birth and a hurricane and doesn’t let up. Deep with delicious detail, scrumptious characters, and full of folklore, this is a unique debut novel from Eleanor Parker Sapia, one that will win her readers over. Written in a clean style that lets the historical ambience seep through into our consciousness, this book is a tale of wonder, of life and death, of love and life and not a few twists and turns. Ana and Serafina are, indeed, decent women living in a hard time. Buy it, read it, love it.”
 
-Jack Remick, short story writer, poet, and author of award-winning, Gabriela and the Widow

“A Decent Woman takes the reader on a journey into the heat and steam of Puerto Rico in the early 1900s. The writing is so visceral and evocative that you almost feel the rain on your face, the pain of childbirth, fear, betrayal and redemption along with the women in this story of midwives and mothers.”
 
-Claudia H Long, author of The Duel for Consuelo and Josefina’s Sin

“A Decent Woman takes the reader on an unforgettable journey of friendship between two strong women set against the backdrop of colonial Puerto Rico of the early 1900s. When former Cuban slave and midwife Ana Belén delivers Serafina Martínez’ first child, an unbreakable bond is formed despite the hurricanes nature and politics thrown in their paths. A striking first novel from Eleanor Parker Sapia.”
 
-Arleen Williams, writer and author of The Alki Trilogy

“It’s not only that I enjoyed A Decent Woman as much as Alice Walker’s work, there is a quality to her prose. I went back and read an excerpt of The Color Purple to really identify the similarity. The only way I can describe it is that I wanted to read it in gulps. Like when you’re really thirsty. I found myself sucked into the world in three or four lines, and galloping through the prose, because reading more made me want to read more.

A Decent Woman embodies the genre of women’s fiction in the most complete sense of the word exploring the lives of women – young and old, dark- and light-skinned, poor and rich. This is an outstanding read and an important book about a little known corner of women’s history.”
 
-Yma Johnson, short story writer and journalist

“Eleanor Parker Sapia’s historical fiction novel, A Decent Woman, steeped in friendship, romance, politics, and mysticism, is the captivating story of Ana Belén’s struggle and perseverance to become a Certified Midwife in turn of the century Puerto Rico. Ana’s passions, joys, and plight are shared by midwives everywhere and throughout herstory.

Reading this book was inspiring. I’m sure readers will enjoy A Decent Woman as much as I did.”
 
-Sarahn Henderson, Midwife and Educator at Birth in the Tradition

“I really enjoyed this novel and particularly enjoyed the characters who I could visualize clearly as I moved along with the story. Eleanor’s descriptions really created such a vivid image in my mind, bringing them to life as I read. I was moved by the various events and was even brought to tears at times. I suspect it will be a huge success and certainly one that I will recommend to my circle of family and friends.”
 
-Gina Tsiapalis, Registered Midwife

 

See the Official Book Trailer 


 

Buy A Decent Woman

 
 
 

About the Author

 

Puerto Rican-born novelist and painter, Eleanor Parker Sapia, was raised in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Europe. Her passion for travel and adventure combined with her compassion for those in need have led to her careers as a counselor, alternative health practitioner, and a Spanish language The Writing Life. A Decent Woman is her debut novel. Eleanor has two adventurous and loving grown children, and currently lives in wild and wonderful West Virginia.
social worker and refugee case worker. These life experiences inspire her writing. She facilitates The Artist’s Way creativity groups, and teaches creative writing to children and adults. Eleanor shares her passion for telling stories on her blog,

For more information please visit Eleanor Parker Sapia’s website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Sign up for Eleanor Parker Sapia’s Newsletter for news and updates.


A Decent Woman Book Blast Schedule



Monday, March 16


To Read, Or Not to Read

Tuesday, March 17


Unshelfish
So Many Books, So Little Time

Wednesday, March 18


The Maiden’s Court

Thursday, March 19


A Literary Vacation
Flashlight Commentary

Friday, March 20


A Bookish Girl
CelticLady’s Reviews

Saturday, March 21


Griperang’s Bookmarks

Monday, March 23


History From a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, March 24


100 Pages a Day
Back Porchervations

Wednesday, March 25


Book Lovers Paradise
What Is That Book About

Friday, March 27


Book Babe

Saturday, March 28


Book Nerd

Monday, March 30


Let Them Read Books

Tuesday, March 31


Passages to the Past

Wednesday, April 1


Layered Pages
With Her Nose Stuck In A Book

Thursday, April 2


Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Monday, April 6


Historical Fiction Connection


Giveaway!! 

 
To enter to win one of the following four prizes, please complete the giveaway form HERE.
 
 
* Autographed Copy of A Decent Woman
* A Decent Woman eBooks (2)
* $25 Amazon Gift Card
 

RULES

 
Giveaway starts on March 16th at 12:01am EST and ends at 11:59pm EST on April 6th.

Giveaway is open to residents in the US only and you must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen via GLEAM on April 7th and notified via email.

Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen
.
Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com  with any questions.
 
Good Luck!!