Thanks to Andrea Kiliany Thatcher of Smith Publicity, Inc., I am giving away one print copy of ‘However Long the Day’ by Justin Reed.
Description However Long the Day by Justin Reed
However Long the Day is the tale of two strangers—Niall Donovan, a poor immigrant from Ireland, and Frederick Philips, a rich ne’er-do-well from New York’s Upper East Side—who discover they look so similar they could be twins. Frederick, desperate to avoid a lecture from his father, bribes Niall to switch places for the evening. Niall finds there’s more to the story than Frederick let on, and is dragged through the turbulence created by World War I, the Spanish Flu, and social upheaval, and into the corrupt belly of Manhattan on the cusp of Prohibition.
As Niall and Frederick hurtle through the next twenty-four hours, will either get what they bargained for?
Praise However Long the Day by Justin Reed
“However Long the Day never slows the pace … Although you’d think it will be a run-of-the-mill historical fiction story that delves into details and world-building, However Long the Day reads more like an action-adventure book.” — Idaho Press
About Justin Reed
Justin Reed lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife and four children. He was a software engineer and executive for fifteen years before he began his writing career. When not working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering at his church, fly fishing, and agreeing to his wife’s requests to take selfies in front of libraries.
Two women who live a century apart. Two stories that interweave to form a rich tapestry of intriguing characters, evocative places, and compelling events. Escaping from a disintegrating relationship in the city, writer Kit Spencer stumbles upon the quintessential Norman Rockwell village in the Ottawa Valley, where she buys an old stone mansion, Moon Hall. But her illusions about idyllic country life are soon challenged by reality.
Beneath the seemingly calm backwater run powerful currents, dramas already close to breaking the surface. In her rural community of farmers, hippies, and yuppies, Kit unwittingly precipitates events that will change them all forever.
Violet McAllister, the ghost that reputedly haunts Moon Hall, comes vividly to life through her long-forgotten diary. From the gritty shantytown of the newly-minted capital of Canada to the extravagant balls given by the popular and flamboyant Governor General and his wife, Violet’s tragic tale unfolds. Kit feels a bond with this strong and passionate woman, and realizes she must grasp her own happiness while she can.
Moon Hall is a haunting tale of relationships in crisis, and touches on the full spectrum of human emotions – from raw violence and dark passions to compassion and love.
My Thoughts Moon Hall by Gabriele Wills
Kit Spenser wants to get away from the city. Somewhere quiet, where she can write her next novel. She finds a small, charming village in the Ottawa Valley and buys a stone mansion with the name, Moon Hall. She soon realizes, that the village, the people, and the mansion are not what they seem. For starters, there is said to be a ghost in Moon Hall.
Her name was Violet and she grew up in Moon Hall and lived there her entire life. It holds all of her secrets until happens to find her diary. Kit develops a strong bond with Violet, through her words and the shattered life she lived.
Kit also is visited by her new neighbors , some who want to be friends and some who want to work for her. She becomes good friends with the hippies that live in a commune, just down the road.
In turns we learn more about Kit and Violet and the era that she lived it.
I loved both the historical and modern-day plots! Wills is an excellent story teller and her characters come to life. They grab the reader and won’t let go! She captures place and time in poetic prose. I felt like I was there, in both time periods, bearing witness. In fact, I would love to see it be developed into a movie!
I became a fan of Wills’ writing from the first novel I read of hers. It was ‘The Summer Before The Storm’, book 1 of her ‘Muskoka’ series. I highly recommend the series and ‘Moon Hall’. If you love historical fiction and excellent character development, you will love Gabriele Wills!
I give ‘Moon Hall 5 out of 5 stars!
I received the ebook for my honest opinion.
About Gabriele Wills
Gabi at Claires rock
Gabriele Wills is the author of 6 highly acclaimed historical novels, including 4 in The Muskoka Novels saga set in North America, Britain, and Europe through the two cataclysmic World Wars and the seductive Jazz Age.
Her passion is to weave compelling stories around meticulously researched and often quirky or arcane facts in order to bring the past to life, especially with regard to women’s often forgotten contributions.
The first novel in her ‘Muskoka Novels’, ‘The Summer Before the Storm’ was the “Muskoka Chautauqua Reading List Winner”
Publisher: C&R Press (October 15, 2021) Category: Linked Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction Tour dates: October 11-November 24, 2021 ISBN: 978-1949540239 Available in Print and ebook, 150 pages
Description Mother’s Tale and Other Stories by Khanh Ha
A Mother’s Tale is a tale of salvaging one’s soul from received and inherited war-related trauma. Within the titular beautiful story of a mother’s love for her son is the cruelty and senselessness of the Vietnam War, the poignant human connection, and a haunting narrative whose set ting and atmosphere appear at times otherworldly through their land scape and inhabitants.
Captured in the vivid descriptions of Vietnam’s country and culture are a host of characters, tortured and maimed and generous and still empathetic despite many obstacles, including a culture wrecked by losses. Somewhere in this chaos readers will find a tender link between the present-day survivors and those already gone. Rich and yet buoyant with a vision-like quality, this collection shares a common theme of love and loneliness, longing and compassion, where beauty is discovered in the moments of brutality, and agony is felt in ecstasy.
My Thoughts Mother’s Tale and Other Stories by Khanh Ha
It is no secret that I love Khanh Ha’s novels! However, when I was asked if I wanted to read his short stories, I did not hesitate to accept.
Each story is excellent, not a bad one in the bunch. They all touch on the Vietnam war or the aftermath. There are several stories about Mrs. Rossi, her adopted Vietnamese daughter, her son who died in the war, etc. These stories are like companions to the novel. It was so wonderful to see these characters again!
The first story, ‘Uncle Chung’ reels the reader in and lets them know what may be to come. At times sadness, relief, gruesomeness, and shock. All beautifully written by the writing master, Ha! His characters leap off the page and reach out to the reader! You can’t help but be reeled in! The landscape is inviting yet fraught with danger and sadness.
The Vietnam war was devastating for families in the U.S. and Vietnam. There were no winners and the purpose was never really clear, even to the leaders. Men, women and children died senseless deaths! Ha, not only gives a sense of this carnage but also the humanity.
If you have not read Khanh Ha before, ‘A Mother’s Tale and Other Stories’ would be a great book to begin with. Even if you generally don’t care for short stories, these are sure to change you opinion! I also highly recommend Ha’s novels, ‘Flesh’, ‘The Demon Who Peddled Longing’, and ‘Mrs. Rossi’s Dream’! I don’t give out 5-star reviews lightly but I have done so for all of these novels.
I give A Mother’s Tale and Other Stories’ 5 stars as well!
About Khanh Ha
Khanh Ha is the author of Flesh, The Demon Who Peddled Longing, and Mrs. Rossi’s Dream. He is a seven-time Pushcart nominee, finalist for the Mary McCarthy Prize, Many Voices Project, Prairie Schooner Book Prize, and The University of New Orleans Press Lab Prize. He is the recipient of the Sand Hills Prize for Best Fiction, the Robert Watson Literary Prize in Fiction, and the Orison Anthology Award for Fiction. Mrs. Rossi’s Dream, was named Best New Book by Booklist and a 2019 Foreword Reviews INDIES Silver Winner and Bronze Winner. A Mother’s Tale & Other Stories has already won the C&R Press Fiction Prize.
Giveaway Mother’s Tale and Other Stories by Khanh Ha
This giveaway is for 3 print copies, 1 per winner, U.S. only and ends on November 24, 2021, 12 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.
However Long the Day by Justin Reed
Moon Hall by Gabriele Wills
