A Book Recommendation

Jessica Dotta and the cover of her book

You may remember the Tea Party Book Launch promotion that my friend, Jessica Dotta, sponsored to introduce her debut novel Born of Persuastion. Jessica was in my online writers critique group several years ago and I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at our group's conference last April. I was so impressed that this young woman had written not one, but three books to make up a trilogy. Self-described as being part Jane Austen and part Bronte's darkness, the tidbits I learned about the book during the conference intrigued me.

Me getting ready for Jessica's Tea Party--with a little photo shop addition

Jessica cleverly organized an online Tea Party to launch her book. It was a lot of fun with a new prize drawing each day for a full month. Since I didn't win a copy, I ordered the book from Amazon a few weeks ago but hadn't been able to start reading until this week. Historical fiction is my cup of tea (couldn't resist, sorry!) so I felt pretty sure I would like Jessica's book. She hooked me with chapter 1 and kept me turning pages far later at night than I'd like to admit. I seldom read during the daytime, but I found myself sneaking an hour after lunch to read a few more chapters. Oh yes, it's a definite page turner. Is the book for everyone? Probably not, but if you like the kind of stories that Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters wrote, like historical fiction and Gothic mysteries, then I guarantee you'll enjoy Born of Persuasion. Besides being a good story, it's beautiful prose. Jessica most definitely employs a bit of magic in the way she puts words together. 

There are so many twists and turns as the story progresses that I found myself changing my opinion of the various characters. One minute a character had my sympathy, and the next, I felt angry or frustrated by that character. Then doubt moved in and I decided maybe he/she was alright, after all. Exactly as Julia Elliston, the heroine, feels as she tumbles through a myriad of complexing situations.

You can read the editorial and customer reviews on the Amazon order page. Gift-giving time is just around the corner. At less than $11, this would make a nice gift for someone on your list. The second book in the trilogy is due to be released during summer of 2014. I know I'll be watching for it to see what happens next. Am I going to start liking some of those despicable people again or not? I know this fine author will keep me on a carousel of doubt as I read the second book. Maybe not doubt as much as she will keep me changing my opinions and turning those pages. I feel quite certain of that.

Amazon's synopsis is reprinted below to give you an inkling of what the story is about:

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

My Winning Day!

This morning, I turned on my computer, checked my Inbox for new messages and saw one with the subject 'Wahoo!'  Needless to say, it caught my attention pretty fast. Especially since it came from Jessica Dotta, my friend who is doing the 31 Day Giveaway to launch her first novel, Born of Persuasion.

The email directed me to check the facebook page, and when I went there, I learned that I was the winner of Day 8. Now how cool is it to begin your day with that kind of news? I won two things, a set of gaily decorated magnetic clothespins and a copy of Downton Abbey cookbook.

There are still plenty of days left in the giveaway, so check every day on Jessica's author page and enter. Today's giveaway is a pattern for an apron that might have been worn by our grandmothers. If that doesn't interest you, check back tomorrow and the next day. Enter for the items that appeal to you. And of course, enter for the lovely painting of stacked teacups which will be given at the end of the promotion.

Check on Day 10 as one of the giveaways is a book with one of my stories in it that deals with tea parties. The winner gets an autographed copy.

You can pre-order Jessica's book at Amazon here at a reduced price. The book will be released next month, so you won't have to wait long to read it. Help me spread the word. It will make Jessica keep smiling just as she is in this picture.

Jessica Dotta, author of Born of Persuasion

Tea Party Giveaway--Day 1

If you want to enter on Day 1 to win this painting of stacked teacups, got to Jessica's blog to sign up. You can enter with either your email address or facebook sign-in. Bookmark the page and check every day this month to find the next giveaway.

Take a look at Wanda Wright's site to see more of her paintings.

After you enter, try a writing exercise with a picture prompt with a tea theme. You can use either the picture of the stacked teacups above or the one below that I found at Pinterest that seems to go perfectly with Born of Persuasion, the novel written by Jessica Dotta.

Join Me At A Literary Tea Party

Tomorrow, August 1st, is the first of a 31 day tea party. And you are invited! The invitation above gives you the URL that lets you in the door. It's a longer tea party than most but it's also one filled with fun, excitement, and giveaways. That's right! You can win all kind of things related to tea parties and the lauching of a brand new novel.

Jessica Dotta is a friend and wonderful writer all rolled into one. I spent a week with Jessica at our online writing group's conference last April. The entire group is very excited about her debut novel, Born Of Persuasion. The story is set in Victorian era England and has been compared to Jane Austen's works. But it was Jessica who wrote this intriguing story--one that will keep you turning pages late into the night. You can read an early review here. The really good news about this novel is that it is the first of a trilogy, so when you finish the first one, another will soon be ready.

New books need to attract attention. Jessica's Tea Party is one way to let readers know about her book. I told this fine author that I'd love to help her launch this first novel. What better way than to bring my own readers to the party with me. You'll notice that I'm all set to go with my hat, gorgeous necklace and teacup.I'm also going to change my profile picture on my facebook page to my Tea Party outfit. I hope you'll join me for some fun and a chance to win a neat prize. I'm donating one of the prizes myself. Check every day to see what is being given away.

If you like historical fiction and also have been hooked on the PBS Downton Abbey series, and if you enjoy gathering with friends for tea and conversation, please drop in at least once each day. Pass the invitation on to your reading friends. Jessica is happy to welcome all who want to attend her party. 

The novel 

You can preorder the novel at Amazon or Barnes and Noble for a great read.