Posts Tagged ‘historical fiction’

Pump Up Your Book Chats with Barbara Kyle

Barbara Kyle is the author of the Tudor-era “Thornleigh” series of novels, which have been published internationally: The Queen’s Captive, The Queen’s Lady, and The King’s Daughter, praised by Publishers Weekly as “a complex and fast-paced plot, mixing history with vibrant characters.” Her new novel, The Queen’s Gamble, will be released on 30 August 2011. Barbara previously won acclaim for her contemporary novels under pen name ‘Stephen Kyle’, including Beyond Recall (a Literary Guild Selection), After Shock and The Experiment. Over 400,000 copies of her books have been sold. Barbara has taught courses for writers at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, and is known for her
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Pump Up Your Book Chats with Dr. Jeri Fink

Dr. Jeri Fink is an author, Family Therapist, and journalist, with over 19 books and hundreds of articles to her name. She writes adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction, and has appeared on television, radio, book events, seminars, workshops, and the internet. Dr. Fink’s work has been praised by community leaders, educators, reviewers, and critics around the country. To find out more about Dr. Finkhttp://www.drjerifink.com On Trees Cry For Rain Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book? Years ago, I read about a group of people in New Mexico who followed traditional Jewish customs in their Catholic community – lighting candles on Friday night, refusing to
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Pump Up Chats with Melanie Benjamin

Melanie Benjamin is a pseudonym for Melanie Hauser, the author of two contemporary novels. Her first work of historical fiction as Melanie Benjamin was Alice I Have Been. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is her second release. She lives in Chicago, where she is at work on her next historical novel. You can visit her online at www.melaniebenjamin.com. On The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?  I was stuck in the middle of a manuscript that I simply couldn’t finish; I’d lost interest in it and had to assume the reader would, as well.  But it was due to
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Shame the Devil Virtual Book Publicity Tour August & September 2011

Join Debra Brenegan, author of the women’s fiction novel, Shame the Devil (SUNY Press), as she virtually tours the blogosphere August 1 – September 30 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Debra Brenegan Debra Brenegan grew up in the Milwaukee area and graduated with a B.A. in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She worked as a journalist and taught at Milwaukee Area Technical College before beginning her graduate work. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she also taught. She teaches English and Women’s Studies at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. For her
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The Queen’s Gamble Virtual Book Tour September 2011

Join Barbara Kyle, author of the historical novel, The Queen’s Gamble (Kensington Books, August 30, 2011) as she virtually tours the blogosphere in September on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Barbara Kyle Barbara Kyle is the author of the Tudor-era “Thornleigh” series of novels, which have been published internationally: The Queen’s Captive, The Queen’s Lady, and The King’s Daughter, praised by Publishers Weekly as “a complex and fast-paced plot, mixing history with vibrant characters.” Her new novel, The Queen’s Gamble, will be released on 30 August 2011. Barbara previously won acclaim for her contemporary novels under pen name ‘Stephen Kyle’, including Beyond Recall
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My Dearest Friend Virtual Book Tour August 2011

Join Hazel Statham, author of the Regency romance novel, My Dearest Friend (Write Words, Inc., May 29, 2011), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in August on her sixth virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. About Hazel Statham Hazel read her first Regency Romance, Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer, when she was seventeen and knew that at last she had found her era. She had been writing since she was fifteen and had mainly been influenced by authors like Austen, the Brontes and Sabatini, but Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteen and nineteenth century and she fell head over heels in love with it. She devoured her books in
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Consequence Virtual Book Tour August 2011

Join Hazel Statham, author of the Regency romance novel, Consequence (Avalon Books), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in August on her fifth virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. About Hazel Hazel read her first Regency Romance, Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer, when she was seventeen and knew that at last she had found her era. She had been writing since she was fifteen and had mainly been influenced by authors like Austen, the Brontes and Sabatini, but Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteen and nineteenth century and she fell head over heels in love with it. She devoured her books in very quick succession and wanted nothing more
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The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb Virtual Book Tour August 2011

Join Melanie Benjamin, author of the historical novel, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb (Delacorte Press, July 26, 2011), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in August on her second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. About Melanie Benjamin Melanie Benjamin is a pseudonym for Melanie Hauser, the author of two contemporary novels. Her first work of historical fiction as Melanie Benjamin was Alice I Have Been. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is her second release. She lives in Chicago, where she is at work on her next historical novel. You can visit her online at www.melaniebenjamin.com. About The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb In her national
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Pump Up Your Book Chats with F.J. Dagg

F.J. Dagg grew up in Michigan, where for a time he was a musician in a variety of rock and blues bands. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a degree in Philosophy and an additional concentration in Music Theory and History. After moving to California, his focus turned from music to the writing of fiction, which he pursued as various day jobs allowed. Though not a member of any religious denomination, the mainstay of the author’s life is his faith, a fact reflected in his writing. His pastimes include playing the guitar and violin, reading, and surfing. You can visit F.J. Dagg’s website at http://branch92.com. On
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When Stars Align Virtual Book Tour July 2011

Join Carole Eglash-Kosoff, author of the historical fiction novel, When Stars Align (Author House), as she virtually tours the blogosphere July 5 – 29 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Carole Kosoff An avid student of history, Carole Eglash-Kosoff is a native of Wisconsin. After graduating from UCLA, she spent her career in the apparel industry and teaching fashion retail, marketing, and sales at the college level. Her first book is The Human Spirit. She has also established the …a better way! Scholarship program, which provides money and mentoring for worthy high school students for both their first and second year of
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Trees Cry For Rain Virtual Book Tour August and September 2011

Join Dr. Jeri Fink, author of the historical fiction novel, Trees Cry For Rain (Dailey Swan Publishing), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in August and September on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Jeri Fink Dr. Jeri Fink is an author, Family Therapist, and journalist, with over 19 books and hundreds of articles to her name. She writes adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction, and has appeared on television, radio, book events, seminars, workshops, and the internet. Dr. Fink’s work has been praised by community leaders, educators, reviewers, and critics around the country. To find out more about Dr. Fink http://www.drjerifink.com About Trees
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Catriona Virtual Book Tour August and September 2011

Join Jeanette Baker, author of the historical romance, Catriona (Sourcebooks Casablanca), as she virtually tours the blogosphere August 1 – September 30,2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Jeanette Baker Jeanette Baker is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, published by Pocket, Kensington and Mira Books, many of them set in the lush countryside of historical and contemporary Ireland where she lives and writes during the summer months. Her ancestors, the O’Flahertys, hail from Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands located off the coast of Galway. She takes great pride in the prayer posted by the English over the ancient citygates, ‘From
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New Book to Review, ‘The Queen’s Gamble’ by Barbara Kyle

Barbara Kyle is touring in September with The Queen’s Gamble. Young Queen Elizabeth I’s path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army, and Elizabeth fears that once they are entrenched on the border, they will invade England. Isabel Thornleigh has returned to London from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son. Ever the queen’s loyal servant, Isabel is recruited to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth’s trust only goes so far—Isabel’s son will be the queen’s pampered hostage until she completes
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New Book to Review ‘The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb’ by Melanie Benjamin

Melanie Benjamin returns to tour in the month of August with her historical novel, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb. She was only two-foot eight-inches tall, but her legend reaches out to us more than a century later. As a child, Mercy Lavinia “Vinnie” Bump was encouraged to live a life hidden away from the public. Instead, she reached out to the immortal impresario P. T. Barnum, married the tiny superstar General Tom Thumb in the wedding of the century, and transformed into the world’s most unexpected celebrity. Here, in Vinnie’s singular and spirited voice, is her amazing adventure—from a showboat “freak” revue where she endured jeering mobs to
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New Book to Review, ‘My Dearest Friend’ by Hazel Statham

Hazel Statham is touring from August 15 – 26, 2011 with her Regency romance novel, My Dearest Friend. Robert Blake, Duke of Lear, is a man of intense emotions who loves deeply and protects fiercely. Devastated and wracked with guilt by the death of his younger brother, Stefan, in the Peninsular War,  he readily agrees to aid Jane Chandler to bring her seriously wounded brother back from Portugal.  Much against Jane’s wishes, he decides to accompany her and together they embark on the hazardous mission to retrieve the young soldier. However, the journey holds many revelations, not least of all the abiding friendship and growing love between the two travelers. 
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New Book for Review, ‘Consequence’ by Hazel Statham

Hazel Statham tours from August 1 – 12, 2011 with her Regency romance novel, Consequence. In the wake of a duel, Marcel Blake, the Duke of Lear, an infamous rake and gamester, leaves London to visit his cousin in Paris. Here he meets and falls in love with Julie, the British ambassador’s daughter. Thinking she would be horrified if she learned of his reputation, Marcel fights the attraction; but when he is wounded while saving her from the unwanted advances of a less-than-desirable would-be suitor, Marcel finds that she returns his affections. Ultimately, vengeance conspires against them; at their wedding reception, Julie is maliciously informed of Marcel’s previous life
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New Book for Review: Historical Fiction ‘Telegraph Island’ by John Milton Langdon

John Milton Langdon is touring in October 2011 with his historical fiction, Telegraph Island. Step back in time to the Victorian age. The industrial revolution in Britain is in full spate and electronic communication is in its infancy. Based loosely on fact author John Milton Langdon weaves a tale of romance and adventure on the high seas and in the Orient. Jason Smiley Stewart — My Life Story describes the life of an average man. Although he is born in humble circumstances, he shows how a combination of perseverance and intelligence aided by a little good fortune, can help any child overcome the disadvantages of a lowly birth status
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In the Aerie of the Wolf Virtual Book Tour 2011

Join Leonora Pruner, author of the historical gothic novel, In the Aerie of the Wolf (Nordskog Publishing, April 2011), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in June on her second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Leonora Pruner While born in Dubuque, Iowa, Leonora Pruner was brought to California by her parents during the Second World War, which has since been her principal residence.  In 1953, she graduated from Westmont College then earned an MBA from Pepperdine University in 1981.  Having married in 1953, she has seen her family expand from two children to thirteen grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Writing has been an important activity since junior
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The Confessions of Catherine de Medici Virtual Book Tour June 2011

Join C.W. Gortner, author of the historical novel, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici (Ballantine Books May 24 2011), as he virtually tours the blogosphere from June 13th – 24th on his fourth virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. About C.W. Gortner C.W. Gortner is the author of the acclaimed historical novels The Last Queen, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, and The Tudor Secret. He holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis on Renaissance Studies from the New College of California. In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard in a Tudor great hall and experienced life in a Spanish
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The Lowlands of Heaven Virtual Book Tour June, July and August 2011

Join F.J. Dagg, author of the inspirational fantasy fiction novel and San Diego Book Awards Finalist, The Lowlands of Heaven, as he virtually tours the blogosphere in June, July and August on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About F.J. Dagg F.J. Dagg grew up in Michigan, where for a time he was a musician in a variety of rock and blues bands. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a degree in Philosophy and an additional concentration in Music Theory and History. After moving to California, his focus turned from music to the writing of fiction, which he pursued as various
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Pump Up Chats With Ron Fritsch

Ron Fritsch grew up in rural northern Illinois, the son of poor but hard-working tenant farmers who loved to read. He obtained a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Illinois and a law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School. He became a public-service attorney representing indigent and disabled adults and abused and neglected children. For many years now, he’s lived in Chicago with his partner. He’s writing and publishing a four-book Promised Valley series of novels asking whether history and civilization, with their countless heaven-sanctioned wars and genocides, might’ve begun and proceeded differently than they did. Promised Valley Rebellion is the first novel in the series.
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New Book for Review: When Stars Align by Carole Eglash-Kosoff

Carole Eglash-Kosoff is touring in July 2011 with her historical fiction, When Stars Align. Carole Eglash-Kosoff’s first novel, WHEN STARS ALIGN, is set in 19th century Louisiana, at a time and place where mixed-race relationships are both illegal and unacceptable. How can these defiant lovers–and their love–survive? The time is a crucial period in American history–the Civil War and the years of Reconstruction following it–and the characters are Thaddeus and Amy, who share a forbidden love that can get them both killed. For he is a mulatto ex-slave, and she is white. In the novel, whenever Amy asks if she and Thaddeus will ever be together, his answer is
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Pump Up Chats with Margaret George

Margaret George is the author of six epic biographical novels, all New York Times bestsellers, featuring larger than life characters like Henry VIII and Cleopatra.  Although painstakingly accurate historically, their real focus is the psychology of the characters.  We know what they did, we want to know why. Her latest release is Elizabeth I. Margaret’s research has taken her from the islands of Scotland to the temples of Upper Egypt, with experiences that include snake-keeping and gladiatorial training. She lives in Wisconsin and Washington DC.  Interests include reptile conservation efforts, Middle Eastern dance (aka bellydancing), and archeology.  You can visit Margaret George’s website at www.margaretgeorge.com. On Elizabeth I: a Novel
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New Book for Review: Historical Novel ‘The Confessions of Catherine de Medici’ by C.W. Gortner

C.W. Gortner is touring from June 13 – 24, 2011 with his historical novel, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici. Catherine de Medici was one of history’s most powerful women.  She has been called brilliant and bold, but was also known as a vengeful Italian Jezebel who resorted to murder to protect her family’s throne.  Was she the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence? Or was she the passionate savior of the French monarchy? Originally published in hardcover in 2010, C.W. Gortner’s novel THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI (Ballantine Trade Paperback; On Sale: May 24, 2011) challenges the dark legend surrounding Catherine de Medici,
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The Hypnotist Virtual Book Tour May and June 2011

Join M.J. Rose, author of the historical suspense novel, The Hypnotist (MIRA, May 2010), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in May and June on her second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. About M.J. Rose M.J. Rose is the international bestselling author of 11 novels; Lip Service, In Fidelity, Flesh Tones, Sheet Music, Lying in Bed, The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex, The Venus Fix,The Reincarnationist, The Memorist and The Hypnotist. Rose is also the co-author with Angela Adair Hoy of How to Publish and Promote Online, and with Doug Clegg of Buzz Your Book. She is a founding member and board member of International Thriller
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The Katyn Order Virtual Book Tour May – June 2011

Join Douglas W. Jacobson, author of the historical fiction novel, The Katyn Order, as he virtually tours the blogosphere May 2 – June 30  2011 on his second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Douglas W. Jacobson Douglas W. Jacobson is an engineer, business owner and World War Two history enthusiast. Doug has traveled extensively in Europe researching stories of the courage of common people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. His debut novel, Night of Flames: A Novel of World War Two was published in 2007 by McBooks Press, and was released in paperback in 2008. Night of Flames won the “2007 Outstanding Achievement Award” from
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Pump Up Your Book Chats with Historical Fiction Author John Milton Langdon

John Milton Langdon is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and has a master’s degree in maritime civil engineering.  Langdon retired and became a professional writer after an active and rewarding engineering career.  Initially he worked in Britain but from 1972 until 2008, he dealt with project development in Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.  Langdon lives in the Austrian town of Klagenfurt which has a history stretching back to mediaeval times.  Langdon has three children and five grandchildren from his first marriage and two step sons from the second.  Langdon has many interests including travel, the British canals, music and literature
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Desperate Desires Virtual Book Tour April & May 2011

Join Terri Wolffe, author of the historical romance novel, Desperate Desires , as she virtually tours the blogosphere in April and May on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Terri Wolffe Recently, Terri Wolffe was challenged by the question: “What is it that you’ve always wanted to do, but never allowed yourself to do because of fear?” The resounding answer for her was: “I’ve always wanted to write an historical romance novel!” Pouncing on that flash of inspiration, she set out to try her hand at writing her very first historical, erotic romance. Terri admits that she had to overcome fears such as, “What
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The Treasure Hunters Club: The Secrets of the Magical Medallions Virtual Book Tour April 2011

Join Sean McCartney, author of the middle grade/YA novel, The Treasure Hunters Club: The Secrets of the Magical Medallions, as he virtually tours the blogosphere April 4 – 29  2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Sean McCartney Sean Paul McCartney (he’s not related to the Beatle) was born in 1971. He graduated from Alfred University in upstate New York with a Bachelor’s in Communications in 1993. From there he played two exciting season traveling around the world with the Washington Generals playing against the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. In 1996 Sean earned his Masters in Education and embarked on a career as
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Pump Up Chats with Paula McLain

Paula McLain received an MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan and has been a resident of Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony. She is the author of two collections of poetry, as well as a memoir, Like Family, and a first novel, A Ticket to Ride. She lives in Cleveland with her family. You can visit Paula McLain’s website to learn more about The Paris Wife at www.pariswife.com. On The Paris Wife Can you tell us why you wrote your book? Hadley Richardson was Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, and yet for many of us, she’s largely unknown. From the moment I found her, in the pages of Hemingway’s
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