Category: Xpresso Book Tours

Author Interview | #JorieReads a healthy array of #HistFic but it is a rare treat of golden blissitude to find such a hearty entry for #YA #HistoricalFiction such as “All is Fair” by Dee Garretson

Posted Wednesday, 23 January, 2019 by jorielov All is Fair, Dee Garretson, Feiwel & Friends, MacMillian Publishers, Swoon Reads 3 Comments

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

I am wicked thrilled to bring to you this riveting conversation I had with Ms Garriston – whose written an engaging Historical narrative set during war where the women who were codebreakers truly impacted all of our lives & redirected History one code at a time. I was instantly keen to read this lovely due to my love of the new series #BletchleyCircle which is rooted in the original series which laid down the foundation of the new serial via BritBox which takes place in San Francisco after the war has ended.

The actresses who portray the women bring history to life in such a way as to prove how difficult it was to be a woman who had an intellectual mind in a day & age where using your mind to fuell your career was not acceptable nor understood by men. Or, in many regards by fellow women who felt a woman’s place was in the home and not in the workforce. This series also highlights how hard it was for these women who were on the cutting edge of breaking codes during the war who had to step back into civilian life as if their work during the war years *never happened* and how that impacted their spirits and minds after they tried to resume life as if nothing had happened at all.

Having seen the first few episodes of #BletchleyCircle and one of the original episodes – I knew I was keen to enter into the world of spies, codes and the Historical backdrop Gerriston was going to give us in her story “All Is Fair”. As the tour only had ecopies available for review (as you know as a migraineur I can only read print or listen to audio) I opted instead to host a conversation with her as I wanted to tuck into her writerly process, the components of the story itself and how Historical Fiction illuminates such an enriched knowledge of humanity’s past, present and future.

All is Fair
by Dee Garretson

Lady Mina Tretheway knows she’s destined for greater things than her fancy boarding school, where she’s being taught to be a proper English lady. It’s 1918, and war is raging across Europe. Unlike her father and brother, who are able to assist in the war effort, Mina is stuck sorting out which fork should be used with which dinner course.

When Mina receives a telegram that’s written in code, she finally has her chance to do something big. She returns to her childhood home of Hallington Manor, joined by a family friend, Lord Andrew Graham, and a dashing and mysterious young American, Lucas. The three of them must band together to work on a dangerous project that could turn the tide of the war.

Thrilled that she gets to contribute to the war effort at least, Mina jumps headfirst into the world of cryptic messages, spycraft, and international intrigue. She, Lucas, and Andrew have to work quickly, because if they don’t succeed, more soldiers will disappear into the darkness of war.

Genres: Feminist Historical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Spy Fiction, War Drama, Young Adult Fiction

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 978-1250168696

Published by Feiwel & Friends, Swoon Reads

on 22nd January, 2019

Published by: Swoon Reads (@SwoonReads)
a publishing subsidiary of Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan

Formats available: Hardback and Ebook

Converse on Twitter via: #YALit & #HistoricalFiction; #CodeBreakers

as well as #HistFic & #HistNov or for readers who love #BletchleyCircle

About Dee Garretson

Dee writes contemporary, science fiction and historical adventure stories for a wide range of ages. Her books have been chosen as Junior Library Guild selections, the Scholastic Book Club, and have been nominated for numerous state awards lists. In addition to books published under her own name, she also writes for the Boxcar Children series.

Posted Wednesday, 23 January, 2019 by jorielov in 20th Century, Blog Tour Host, Book Spotlight, Children's Literature, Code-breakers and Ciphers, Feminine Heroism, Historical Fiction, History, Reader Submitted Author Interview, The World Wars, War Drama, Xpresso Book Tours, Young Adult Fiction

A #ContemporaryJanuary Book Blitz with Notes and Extras | “Fly Girl” by R.D. Kardon

Posted Friday, 18 January, 2019 by jorielov Acorn Publishing, Fly Girl, R.D. Kardon 2 Comments

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

I happen to sneak off into the historical past quite a heap which is why when I first stumbled across the marathon to read Contemporaries in January (ie. #ContemporaryJanuary) I was off like a rocket seeking out #newtomeauthors inasmuch as Contemporary authors who have backlist titles (a la #BeatTheBackList reading challenge I am participating in this year) – when I saw this particular title go into a blitz with an extract to share, I knew it was one I wanted to feature on Jorie Loves A Story!!

Here’s why – I *love!* Aviator stories! Generally, I seek out the ones which are interconnected to the military – specifically either the US Air Force or the Marines or even the Navy – depending on the port of entrance. I also loved my years of watching JAG which became an extended bout of joy when I fell into NCIS (and the 2x sequels thereafter!) – this one felt authentically realistic to today’s world whilst it hugged close to the women’s perspective which is something I love to seek out to read. I regularly read Feminist Lit from a Historical point-of-view which is why I am reminding myself I need to invest the same kind of gusto into seeking stories which are writ in the modern eras.

There is a Historical novel of the same title “Fly Girl” by Sherri L. Smith I dearly want to read as well. I want to see if my library can purchase this title and then, I could read two novels of the same title for the Pop Sugar Challenge. If your curious about all the reading challenges I’m tackling this year, you’ll find them over here!

Let’s get into why this novel jumped out at me and why I dearly want to be reading it! I’m going to share an extract with you and then, my thoughts about the story afterwards! If you love reading stories of this nature, I hope this becomes one of your #mustread #nextreads of Winter 2019!

Fly Girl
by R.D. Kardon

It’s 1997. Women stand beside men in combat and fly fighter jets. Pilot Tris Miles is not content with her job as a First Officer for tiny Clear Sky Airlines. She wants to be a Captain—the only way she knows to prove her worth as a pilot and atone for a deadly mistake.

To further her career, Tris accepts a prestigious job with Tetrix, Inc. But her dream of becoming pilot-in-command twists into a nightmare.

As the company’s first woman pilot, she encounters resistance, marginalization and harassment on a daily basis. Fortunately Tris has one thing her co-workers can’t deny—skill.

When Tris finds herself in a crippled airplane thousands of miles from home she must prove she can lead. With her career on the line, can Tris earn the respect she’s been craving? And if this is the end, can she find the strength to forgive herself?

Genres: Action & Adventure Fiction, Contemporary (Modern) Fiction (post 1945), Realistic Fiction, Women's Fiction

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781947392212

Published by Self Published

on 27th December, 2018

Published By: Acorn Publishing (@AcornAuthors)

Formats Available: Paperback and Ebook

Converse on Twitter via: #Contemporary #FlyGIRL

& #AviatorGirls #WomensFiction and #AdventureFiction

About R.D. Kardon

Robin "R.D." Kardon had a twelve-year flying career as a corporate and airline pilot. She holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and three Captain qualifications. Her travels took her all over the world in every type of airplane from small single-engine Cessnas to the Boeing 737. Robin earned her B.A. in Journalism and Sociology from NYU and J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law. A native New Yorker, Robin now lives in San Diego, California with her beloved rescue pets.

"Flygirl," a work of fiction inspired by her own aviation experience, is her first novel.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | LibraryThing

Posted Friday, 18 January, 2019 by jorielov in 21st Century, Action & Adventure Fiction, Blog Tour Host, Book | Novel Extract, Book Blitz, Book Spotlight, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Feminine Heroism, Indie Author, Modern Day, Realistic Fiction, Self-Published Author, Women's Fiction, Xpresso Book Tours

#PubDay Author Interview | Bec McMaster converses with Jorie about a book series befitting a wicked good addition to #SpooktasticReads! Join us as we discuss her latest installment: “To Catch A Rogue”!

Posted Tuesday, 30 October, 2018 by jorielov Bec McMaster, Blueblood Conspiarcy series, Lochaber Press, London Steampunk series, To Catch A Rogue 2 Comments

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

On the eve of Halloween, I have a very special treat for my readers & visitors – especially those who are following #SpooktasticReads this year – as @WyrdAndWonder kicked-off our first mini-event which played against a theme of spooktacular stories befitting being read throughout October and leading straight into the last 13 days til Halloween! It is a spookified time of the season – a time where there are veils being revealled between worlds, where the paranormal & supernaturally inclined readers dig into thrilling suspenseful reads whilst our favourites from years past run on our televisions as both serial tv and motion picture haunt us or thrill us depending on the story we’re watching take over our mind on the screen!

These are the days where digging into the darker realms is part folly for course and where all of us try to keep ourselves rooted in the Light even if our imaginations start to run a bit more wild on the edgier side of Literature and Film!

What drew me to this story is the premise of course – as all stories first have to capture my heart & give me something fittingly unique to be reading. A character arc andd journey; a dramatic revelation expected, a cheeky relationship being built despite mistrust & the curious ways the heart flutters despite our head’s intention to keep us distant and of course, the interplay of the world-building itself – of how this is a bridge into a realm I already love (Steampunk) to cross itself into #VampireRom (a new PNR interest of mine since I first read ‘Dance Until Dawn’) and a dash of werewolf lore I’m still sorting out how I feel ever since I was emotionally overwhelmed by ‘Twilight’ during Nanowrimo, 2008!

I previously disclosed my appreciation for PNR stories whilst I was highlighting a Dark Fantasy novel about the fey – another selection I felt was fitting for #SpooktasticReads.

The curious bit of course is how despite my reservations about dipping into the realms of Vampires & Werewolves – there are certain authors who intrigue me. Either by writing a genre-bender (such I would consider this one to be) or by giving such a hearty premise of cross-appeal that for a reader like me whose on the *fence!* if she can walk into this darker realm of Paranormal Romance (PNR) it is something to consider – as there are keen elements of what I do love to find in a story of this nature. The cheekiness of humour, the world-building aspects of the dimension explored, the interplay between the lead & secondary characters, the potential drama evolving into the forefront of the story itself and of course, those ‘elements’ which happily reside within the scope of the paranormal. The ones which are not as easily defined and have their own perimeters of existence.

As previously declared this is October – a time for finding #SpooktasticReads & the stories which might take us outside our comfort zones a bit whilst we embrace the spookier side of literature! I love Gothic stories & I do love the paranormal – sometimes I find myself drawn into stories which might tempt me past my own conclusions of how dark I want to read darker Fantasy & Science Fiction (or rather, Spec Lit in general without a definitive branch inclusively declared) and sometimes, I find a gem unexpectedly in a sea of choices, where a story can stand out, grab my eye and encourage me to ‘dive into the unknown’ – this novel felt like the kind I ought to take a chance on and I am thankfully blessed to be highlighting it through this conversation during our #WyrdAndWonder mini-event – this one just felt wicked fascinating!

To Catch A Rogue
by Bec McMaster

An impossible heist. A thief and a rogue. But will she steal his heart, instead?

The Company of Rogues finally knows the identity of the mastermind behind a plot against the queen—but their enemy is still one step ahead of them. When he kidnaps one of theirs, the Rogues plan a daring rescue mission that will lead them into the heart of the bloodthirsty Crimson Court.

It’s a job for a master thief, and there’s nothing Charlie Todd likes more than a challenge. To pull off the impossible, Charlie needs a crew, including the only thief who’s ever been able to outfox him.

He broke her heart. But now she must risk it all to save his life…

Lark’s spent years trying to forget her past, but the one thing she can’t ignore is the way a single smile from Charlie still sets her heart on fire. When he proposes they work together again, it feels just like old times, but she has one rule: this is strictly business.

It’s Charlie’s last chance to prove he can be trusted with her heart. But Lark’s keeping a deadly secret. And as passions are stirred and the stakes mount, it might be the kind of secret that could destroy them all…

Ocean’s 11 meets Dracula, in this sexy paranormal heist by USA Today Bestselling Author, Bec McMaster. If you like sexy paranormal romances, steampunk shenanigans, and plenty of action-adventure (vampires, dirigible flights, and steamy rooftop chases), then dive into this thrilling heist with Charlie and Lark.

Genres: Cosy Horror, Dark Fantasy, Genre-bender, Gothic Literature, Suspense, Vampire Romance

Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781925491289

Published by Lochaber Press

on 30th October, 2018

Format: Audiobook | Digital, eBook

Published by: Lochaber Press

Formats available: Audiobook* and Ebook

(*) nearly all of the London Steampunk series is available in audiobook as I happily found them via Scribd which is where I was able to listen to the opening chapter(s) of Kiss of Steel and look forward to listening to more of the story. I am hopeful more of this duel series goes to audio eventually or becomes released into print – though I am partial to audio due to what I heard thus far. This is a predominately Digital First series – straight to ebook.

Converse on Twitter via: #PNR or #ParanormalRomance, #Vampires + #Werewolves

as well as #Steampunk or #SteampunkRomance + #genrebender

Series tags: #LondonSteampunk or #BluebloodConspiracy

The stories within the first half of this epic series
as sequences through ‘London Steampunk’:

Kiss of Steel (book one)

Tarnished Knight (book two)

Heart of Iron (book three)

My Lady Quicksilver (book four)

The Curious Case of the Clockwork Menace (book five)

Forged by Desire (book six)

Of Silk and Steam (book seven)

and continuing through: The Blueblood Conspiracy:

Mission: Improper (book one)

The Mech Who Loved Me (book two)

You Only Love Twice (book three)

To Catch A Rogue (book four)

Dukes Are Forever (book five) | *title forthcoming!

About Bec McMaster

BEC MCMASTER grew up on a steady diet of 80’s fantasy movies like Ladyhawke, Labyrinth and The Princess Bride, and loves creating epic, fantasy-based worlds with heroes and heroines who must defeat all the odds to have their HEA. If you like sexy, dark, paranormal romance, try her Dark Arts series; for some kick-bustle ladies-saving-the-day steampunk romance then check out London Steampunk; and for rocket-fuelled post-apocalyptic romance with a twist on the werewolf theme, then see her Burned Lands series.

Bec has been nominated for RT Reviews Best Steampunk Romance for Heart of Iron (2013), won RT Reviews Best Steampunk Romance with Of Silk And Steam (2015), and Forged By Desire was nominated for an RWA RITA award in 2015. The series has received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, with Heart of Iron named one of their Best Romances of 2013.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

#SpooktasticReads 2018

Posted Tuesday, 30 October, 2018 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Book Spotlight, Dark Fantasy, Gothic Literature, Indie Author, Paranormal Romance, Parapsychological Suspense, Reader Submitted Author Interview, Xpresso Book Tours, YA Paranormal &/or Paranormal Romance

Book Blitz with Notes and Extras | “Cursed Rebel” by H.G. Lynch a potential selection for #WyrdAndWonder’s #SpooktasticReads

Posted Tuesday, 9 October, 2018 by jorielov Cursed Rebel, H.G. Lynch, Self Published 0 Comments

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

I had so much going on this first week of *October!* – from a migraine to the tides of life – I effectively *forgot!* I had signed on for this lovely s/o announcement! The key reason I even was able to trigger a memory of the signup is when I read the gifted surprises for those who are participating in the giveaway attached to it!

I happen to love the legend, the lore & the symbolism attached to the Claddagh ring which I first learnt about when I watched the Hallmark Channel film “Daniel’s Daughter” starring Sebastian Spence, as this particular kind of ring has significance in the story-line. A slight bit of personal irony is this was just shy a few years of a fourth removed cousin finding my Mum and re-connecting our own ancestral lore of being Irish. Turnt out, we’re Irish as they come and that was a lovely confirmation for me as I’ve felt so dearly attached to Celtic Mythology, Celtic music & this particular ring (as I researched the origins, the stories & everything interconnected to it) since I first saw the forementioned film. And, yes, I have a copy of the dvd – courtesy of intuitive parents!

Thereby, when I spied one of the prizes attached, I thought – ooh yes, I need to look into the premise of this one and see how it interconnects to the Emerald Isle!

I happen to love finding Paranormal Romances – it isn’t oft I find ones involving the fey as in recent years I’ve been happily enjoying the Urban Fantasy series ‘Tipsy Fairy Tales’ which has cheeky humour and delightful drama!

Being a reader who is tempted to read darker Fantasy Lit but finding her traction within the realms of #DarkFantasy to be a complicated road to walk – when I saw this particular story going up for a blitz I was hopeful I might learn a bit more about it and might find myself being inspired to read it when it eventually goes into an edition I can read. As you will gather – I think I have accomplished answering my questions about its contents but what is rather keenly lovely is the extract I selected for you to read – to see if perchance this title appeals to you?

This is October – a time for finding #SpooktasticReads & the stories which might take us outside our comfort zones a bit whilst we embrace the spookier side of literature! I love Gothic stories & I do love the paranormal – sometimes I find myself mistrustful of the fey (as they do not have a strict ethical code!) but I must admit – ahead of our #WyrdAndWonder mini-event – this one just felt wicked fascinating!

Cursed Rebel
Subtitle: I never believed in fairies,.. until I was kidnapped by one.
by H.G. Lynch

My grandma always warned me never to trust a Faery. I never believed they were real…until I was kidnapped by one.

Finn is an obnoxious, mercurial Fae whose job it is to bring me to the King. He’s gorgeous, but in this world, the prettiest things are the deadliest.

But if I want to survive the Fae realm and find a way home, I’ll have to trust him…for now.

Genres: YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal Romance, YA Paranormal Suspense, Young Adult Fiction

Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ASIN: B07FSGQJB6

Published by Self Published

on 5th October, 2018

A Self Published Story

This is a Digital First publication | I am hopeful a print or audio release will follow

Converse on Twitter via: #YALit, #PNR or #ParanormalRom

& #YoungAdult with #DarkFantasy #YAFantasy

About H.G. Lynch

H.G. Lynch is a Paranormal Romance author from Scotland. She is an avid reader, and cat-lover. She spends most of her days writing, while wrestling her cat off her laptop. She loves horse-riding, Star Trek, and snow. Her books are dark paranormal romances.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | LibraryThing

Posted Tuesday, 9 October, 2018 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Book | Novel Extract, Book Blitz, Book Spotlight, Dark Fantasy, Gothic Literature, Indie Author, Paranormal Romance, Parapsychological Suspense, Self-Published Author, Xpresso Book Tours, YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal &/or Paranormal Romance, Young Adult Fiction

#PubDay Book Blitz with Notes and Extras | “Jaclyn and the Beanstalk” by Mary Ting A new #YAFantasy novel which re-invents the tale surrounding #JackAndTheBeanStalk with an impressive premise driving it forward!

Posted Tuesday, 4 September, 2018 by jorielov Jaclyn and the Beanstalk, Mary Ting, Vesuvian Books 3 Comments

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

Happily this is my second of featuring stories I would love to be reading through spotlighting the titles I am discovering through Xpresso Book Tours! Earlier this week I was highlighting a new Digital First release for a New Adult Romantic Suspense whilst tonight I am drawing your eye to a fairy tale re-telling of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ – set within a Young Adult Fantasy world. I would speculate this one is a bit darker than I normally might be drawn to read – however, when it comes to Dark Fantasy, I dearly remember how charmed & enchanted I was by ‘Bearskin’ which gives me the hopefulness to find more Dark Fantasy writers out there who can give me a chillingly thrill of a read *but!* in such a way I can handle the context of their stories without feeling I’ve become :pushed: outside my zones of comfort (to a negative effect).

What do you love about fairy tale re-tellings & after canon sequels on behalf of the stories / series / canons you draw a thirst of interest in re-exploring? Do you read a heap of adaptations per each original you love OR do you hop round like I do and only occasionally read the same story told through different variants every odd moon!?

‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ has a lot of room to work with in regards of how to re-tell this particular Classic and still have room to breathe! This is partially why I was enchanted by the premise but also, in finding new voices within the bracket of Young Adult Fantasy which is a niche of Fantasy literature I happen to be drawn inside more oft-times than naught! The worlds within YA Fantasy worlds are just as compelling if not moreso than their Adult variants – I have spent many enjoyable hours (including recently!) spellbound by how writers are curating their worlds, deepening our awareness of how wide the realms of Fantasy can become explored & of the convicting plot threads which carry us into the final chapters where we might not be fully ready to depart reading the story!

I selected two extracts from this novel, which I am happy to announce *celebrated!* its #PubDay for print today on the 4th of September – isn’t that especially grand for those of us who are traditional readers!? These extracts and the quote banners which accompany them I felt gave the best ‘introduction’ to who Jacyln is in the story but also, the direction of Ms Ting’s vision for this novel!

The artwork gracing the cover was brilliant – between the colour palette and the combination of seeing Jacyln near the beanstalk with the ready sense she was affirmatively ready for whatever was awaiting her – gave you the strong impression there would be quite a heap of adventuring to be done alongside her as we ventured into the story left behind for us to read!

Jacyln and the Beanstalk
by Mary Ting

What fate awaits a girl who hears monsters at night…

Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn looks up to her father. An honest man who once fought for the king, he now teaches Jaclyn how to use her wits—and her sword.

But he has a secret. And his secret may have a connection to the one thing Jaclyn is hiding from him.

Upon hearing “monsters” are terrorizing the small villages around Black Mountain, Jaclyn’s father and his friends head out to hunt them … but they don’t return.

Armed only with her sword and three magic beans—a gift from a mysterious old woman—Jaclyn sets out for Black Mountain to save her father.

On her climb, one bean drops and grows into a beanstalk, catching her when she falls.

She isn’t the only one that takes the ride. Jack, her childhood friend and secret crush, is following her.

Together, Jaclyn and Jack must battle to save not only their fathers, but the townspeople the beasts plan to lay waste to before it’s too late.

Genres: Dark Fantasy, Fairy-Tale Re-Telling, Fantasy Fiction, YA Fantasy

Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781944109745

Published by Vesuvian Books

on 4th September, 2018

Published By: Vesuvian Books (@VesuvianMedia)

Available Formats: Paperback and Ebook

Converse on Twitter via: #YAFantasy, #YoungAdult + #Fantasy

OR #DarkFantasy #JackAndTheBeanstalk re-telling

About Mary Ting

International Bestselling Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry.

Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading New Adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great.

Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Posted Tuesday, 4 September, 2018 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Book | Novel Extract, Book Blitz, Book Spotlight, Coming-Of Age, Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tale Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Indie Author, Upper YA Fiction, Xpresso Book Tours, Young Adult Fiction