Top Ten Secrets Behind the Tobacconist’s Wife this #TopTenTuesday | a clever list of #behindthebook insight by AnneMarie Brear!

Posted Tuesday, 17 November, 2020 by jorielov , , 5 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday blog banner created by Jorie in Canva.

#TopTenTuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Topic of the Week: Pet Names based on Books/Tv/Films

It would not surprise anyone I’ve found a heap of inspiration in naming my pets after favourite stories across the mediums I enjoy the most – especially of course from tv series and films! However, I wanted to focus on a different topic of interest today and get into the secrets #behindthebook of a Historical Fiction novelist I enjoy reading and hope to read more of in the future!

Jorie’s topic for AnneMarie Brear:
Top Ten Secrets Behind the Tobacconist’s Wife

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Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

I have been enjoying creating special guest features for #TopTenTuesday this Autumn wherein different authors get the chance to delight us with their guest posts during the book blogosphere’s faovurite meme every Tuesday! I have been taken a bit of a backseat in composing my own entries for awhile as I haven’t quite felt as inspired as I have previously to respond to the topics at hand and have given authors I want to be reading the chance to showcase their stories instead. I am wicked thankful for the visitors and my readers alike who have been enjoying these sequences as it has inspired to me continue to seek out whys to have more guest authors become featured on Top Ten Tuesday in the future whilst I will also continue to add my own responses as I feel motivated to undertake the topics of the week.

Today’s guest author is Ms Brear – a Historical Fiction novelist I crossed paths with originally through hosting and reviewing for ChocLitUK. When I first read “Where Dragonflies Hover” I must admit, I was truly enraptured by how she wrote the story and how the story resonated with me once I had concluded it. I knew I had found a wicked brilliant new voice in Historical Fiction and I have been following her career over the years, sorting out which of her releases I want to be reading next and trying to find ways to host her again on my blog.

I hadn’t realised her second release by ChocLit I wanted to read went into a print release, so I’ve now added “Where Rainbows End” to my gathering list as it was a story I thought I would enjoy reading at the time I showcased the cover reveal. Today, however, she’s with Lume Books – another Indie Publisher in the UK I haven’t yet had the chance to discover and am delighted I get to feature a new-to-me publisher inasmuch as her latest release which is “The Tobacconist’s Wife”!!

Brew yourself a cuppa and let’s find out more about this story!

And, I hope this will give you a wonderfully keen insight into Ms Brear’s writerly process as she dives into both the story and her process to write it.

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Top Ten Secrets Behind the Tobacconist’s Wife this #TopTenTuesday | a clever list of #behindthebook insight by AnneMarie Brear!The Tobacconist's Wife
Subtitle: Dark Secrets Lurk Behind the Shop Facade
by Ms AnneMarie Brear

Having lost her father, Thea Goodson is alone in the world.

It is true she has a husband, but Ernie is a brutal man, more inclined to use his fists to keep Thea in line than to build on their marriage. And besides, Ernie Goodson has secrets – secrets that even his wife cannot share.

But in Victorian Yorkshire, appearances must be kept up, so Thea goes on powdering her bruises and forcing a smile as she toils in Ernie’s home and tobacco shop. There seems to be no other option.

That is, until a handsome and well-bred stranger arrives to set up shop next door…

Can Thea escape her misery and break from the conventions of society? Or will the clutches of her abusive husband confine her forever?

The Tobacconist’s Wife is the latest book from AnneMarie Brear, the highly acclaimed author of bestselling The Slum Angel. Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson, Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Women's Fiction



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 978-1839012174

Published by Lume Books

on 12th November, 2020

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The stories by Ms Brear on my radar:

Where Dragonflies Hover by AnneMarie BrearWhere Rainbows End by AnneMarie BrearThe Tobacconist's Wife by AnneMarie Brear

Where Dragonflies Hover (see also Review)

Where Rainbows End (see also Cover Reveal)

The Tobacconist’s Wife *newly released!

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Published by: Lume Books (@lume_books)

Converse via: #TheTobacconistsWife, #AnneMarieBrear, #HistoricalFiction or #HistFic

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Top Ten Secrets Behind the Tobacconist’s Wife

by AnneMarie Brear

Inspiration from Jorie for this Topic: a lovely list of things we might not have realised go on behind the book for a writer to create the setting, characters and ambiance of their Historical Fiction narrative whilst potentially giving us a few secrets about the novel before we read it!

Author’s Response: Thank you for having me.

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Which lead or supporting character surprised you
by how important they became to the story?

I think Adam’s little brother surprised me the most. Through him we were able to see another side to Adam and also see how Adam’s life was at home with his family.

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What surprised you the most about researching “The Tobacconist’s Wife”?

I was surprised in my research that mid Victorian women were encouraged to have bank accounts and save money. It was encouraged as a moral thing to do to show they were decent citizens.

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What would surprise readers about how you approached writing the story?

Readers might be surprised that the story features domestic abuse. In Victorian times women didn’t have the rights we have today and received very little support when in trouble. I wanted to show readers how strong Thea is despite what she’s going through.

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What surprised you the most about how much you love writing Historical Sagas?

I’ve read historical sagas since I was a teenager. It wasn’t a surprise to me that I started writing them. For me to be an author of historical sagas and make it my career is a dream come true. I love that I am able to give readers hours of enjoyment from my stories. I’m honoured and delighted to do that and receive lovely feedback from readers.

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What did you find surprising about your setting Victorian Yorkshire
and the rights of women during that time?

I’ve been researching the Victorian era for many years, and I still learn new things all the time. Modern day outlook on the Victorian era can sometimes be very limited in view. Some people think Victorian women lived very straight and rigid lives, but digging deeper you soon find that is not always the case. Some women did break the restrictions and they forged a life that was both interesting and fulfilling and defied conventions.  

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What was the hardest part of writing this story about Thea’s situation and finding a way to both honour her story but lead towards an ending readers could accept as plausible?

Being a victim of abuse, I had to make Thea strong enough to survive that and also be a woman of her time. She had to know what she wanted and how to achieve that. Things happened to help her in some areas and also things happened which hindered her. For me, the ending was exactly as it needed to be.

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Reveal a secret about either the story, plot, setting or character.

In 1850s York, England, there were two Black Swan Hotels. One in Coney Street where the tobacconist’s shop is set and the another on the other side of York, which still stands today.

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Reveal a secret about how the novel was titled and the art on the cover

The cover has a clock on it which represents the clock on Coney Street in York which is still there to this day. The title was picked by my publisher’s editor.  

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Reveal a secret about your writing process and
research for writing Historical Sagas.

I don’t think I have any secrets about my writing process or my research. My writing process is simply me sitting at my desk in my study and writing the story as it comes to me, and my research is done through reference books, the internet, studying old maps and at times visiting the places where my books are set.

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Reveal what your favourite scene is from “The Tobacconists’ Wife”

Behind the shops were two yards, one each, fenced and gated. The river ran at the end of the yards and he could see across to the bank on the other side. Boats of all shapes and sizes plied the water as busy as any road. From somewhere a siren sounded, ending the day’s shift for the workers.

Aware that he was losing the light, Adam tried the latch on the gate, but it was locked. The fence was high, well over seven feet – for he was six feet tall and he couldn’t see over it. He tried the latch again, to no avail.

‘May I help you?’

Adam spun around at the voice and flushed, as though caught breaking into someone’s house. He stared at the woman as she raised her eyebrows at him, her alluring moss green eyes full of inquiry.

‘I apologise. I wasn’t meaning any harm. That is … I was simply trying to see if the gate was open.’

‘Why? The shop and rooms above are empty.’

‘Yes, I understand that.’

‘No one lives here. Are you looking for someone?’

‘No. I wish to inspect the property, and am doing so with an agent, in the morning, at ten o’clock.’ Good heavens, why was he explaining himself like a child?

She relaxed a little, the stiffness leaving her shoulders and she gave him a tiny smile, a mere lift of the corners of her mouth.

‘I’m Thea Goodson, from the tobacconist’s shop next door.’

‘Adam Fitzwilliam.’ Adam held out his hand for her to shake, and after a slight hesitation she did so.

Her eyes, such a deep green he’d never seen the colour of before, stared at him. She wasn’t a classic beauty, the kind men raved over, but there was something in her face, an alertness, that intrigued him. Her abundant chestnut hair was roughly tied at the back of her head, and she wore a neat plain black skirt and a cream blouse with lace cuffs. In his mother’s world of pure silk, diamonds and pearls, she would be considered plain, but in fact, there was nothing plain about Thea Goodson. Those large green eyes would never allow her to be plain.

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I am hopeful this lovely guest post for #TopTenTuesday has given you a lot of lovely insight into this author’s writerly style and the story found within “The Tobaccionist’s Wife”!

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About Ms AnneMarie Brear

AnneMarie Brear

An award-winning and Amazon UK bestseller, Australian born AnneMarie Brear writes historical novels and modern romances and sometimes the odd short story, too. She has a love of old country houses, travelling, chocolate (except dark chocolate - not a fan), researching historical eras and looking for inspiration for her next book.

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This blog tour is courtesy of:

Love Books Tours Host badge provided by Love Books Tours and is used with permission.

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Follow this blog tour via #bookstagram & #BookTwitter!

The Tobacconist's Wife blog tour banner provided by Love Books Tours and is used with permission.

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 I look forward to reading your thoughts & commentary!
Be sure to leave notes, takeaways and commentary for the author who would love to hear your thoughts on behalf of this lovely guest post. We look forward to seeing what you felt about the premise of this novel and series!!

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NOTE: Similar to blog tours wherein I feature book reviews, book spotlights (with or without extracts), book announcements (or Cover Reveals) – I may elect to feature an author, editor, narrator, publisher or other creative person connected to the book, audiobook, Indie film project or otherwise creative publishing medium being featured wherein the supplemental content on my blog is never compensated monetarily nor am I ever obligated to feature this kind of content. I provide (98.5%) of all questions and guest topics regularly featured on Jorie Loves A Story. I receive direct responses back to those enquiries by publicists, literary agents, authors, blog tour companies, etc of whom I am working with to bring these supplemental features and showcases to my blog. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them: I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers. Whenever there is a conflict of connection I do disclose those connections per post and disclose the connection as it applies.

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{SOURCES: Book cover for “The Tobacconist’s Wife”, book synopsis, author biography, author photograph of AnneMarieBrear, the extract from “The Tobacconist’s Wife”, the tour banner and book tour banner were all provided by Love Books Tours and are used with permission. Book Covers for “Where Dragonflies Hover” and “Where Rainbows End” were originally provided by ChocLit and are being reused with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets were embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: #TopTenTuesday banner and the Comment Box Banner.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2020.

I’m a social reader | I tweet my reading life

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About jorielov

I am self-educated through local libraries and alternative education opportunities. I am a writer by trade and I cured a ten-year writer’s block by the discovery of Nanowrimo in November 2008. The event changed my life by re-establishing my muse and solidifying my path. Five years later whilst exploring the bookish blogosphere I decided to become a book blogger. I am a champion of wordsmiths who evoke a visceral experience in narrative. I write comprehensive book showcases electing to get into the heart of my reading observations. I dance through genres seeking literary enlightenment and enchantment. Starting in Autumn 2013 I became a blog book tour hostess featuring books and authors. I joined The Classics Club in January 2014 to seek out appreciators of the timeless works of literature whose breadth of scope and voice resonate with us all.

"I write my heart out and own my writing after it has spilt out of the pen." - self quote (Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story)

read more >> | Visit my Story Vault of Book Reviews | Policies & Review Requests | Contact Jorie

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Posted Tuesday, 17 November, 2020 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Book Spotlight, Bookish Memes, Historical Fiction, Indie Author, Love Books Tours, Top Ten Tuesday




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5 responses to “Top Ten Secrets Behind the Tobacconist’s Wife this #TopTenTuesday | a clever list of #behindthebook insight by AnneMarie Brear!

  1. I’m so glad that I’m not the only one disillusioned with the recent TTT topics. I feel like they haven’t spoken to me most of the year. But then again, that could just be the 2020 speaking. ;) Using this meme as a way to connect with authors and let them shine is brilliant! I love it. Are these questions you came up with? Super fun! I’ll have to hunt down some of your other author-driven TTTs.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts, AnneMarie Brear! What drew you to the Victorian era, of all the possible eras you could set your books?

    • Hallo, Hallo Greg,

      Wasn’t this smashing!? I did quite a few of these and its a tradition I’m taking into 2021!! I love the flexible ways I can turn a meme post into an author’s guest post plus, some of the authors’ I featured during these posts happily surprised me by how they spun the post replies!! I thought the same as you with this one – how Ms Brear truly gave us an up close feel for the era and of course, a more unique viewing into her story. Thanks for coming round for these special lovelies… I can’t wait to see what I’ll be hosting in the New Year!!

      Your feedback helped me know this new spin on the memes was resonating with my readers which I always appreciate knowing!

    • Thanks, Lydia!

      I apologise it is taking me to Christmas Eve to start making headway on my blog comment replies – I just felt a bit overly consumed by life this year. I was thrilled to bits you and a few others were commenting how much you *loved!* these re-spun meme posts as I liked them dearly myself but you just never know if an idea you have is going to ‘take’ with your readers. So, thank you for blessing me with your feedback! I’ve decided to continue the new tradition by doing this as much as I can (without being too repetitive!) in 2021!! I look forward to sharing those with you – some will be for TTT but I also like the Friday meme I did (you saw this one right?) and I might play on a few others as well.

      I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season and may each of us find our lives full of unexpected blessings in the New Year. Bless you for being one of my top commenters and for giving me such lovely surprise notes!! I appreciate them more than you realise as its nice to see how something I’ve blogged is being read by someone else. It gives my heart a boost to find comments in other words. I hope to bless your blog more myself with more commentary, too.

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