Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Spotlight of After Anne by Logan Steiner


PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA

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AFTER ANNE
LOGAN STEINER
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF KAITLYN KENNEDY | PUBLICITY DIRECTOR | KAY PUBLICITY, INC. 
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Explores the fascinating, bold, and often tragic hidden life of Lucy Maud Montgomery after the success of Anne of Green Gables.
 
Perfect for readers who enjoy complex and creative female characters, this stunning debut tells the little-known life story of the beloved creator of one of literature’s most prized heroines, whose own personal demons were at odds with her most enduring legacy—the irrepressible Anne of Green Gables. 
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May 30, 2023
William Morrow/HarperCollins Publishers 
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PRAISE FOR AFTER ANNE:
 
“After Anne, Logan Steiner takes up the tale of the story behind the story—the life story of the brilliant and complex woman who gave the world Anne of Green Gables. Steiner writes with evident love for her character, an impressive command of the history, and lush language that conjures the gentle sunshine and floral scented breezes of Prince Edward Island. Readers will delight in entering Maud’s world and learning of the heart and mind of this heroine.” — Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

“In this outstanding debut, Logan Steiner delivers a moving, richly detailed and nuanced portrayal of a deeply fascinating woman. Steiner, with a loving hand, lifts the veil of L.M. Montgomery to give us a glimpse of Maud, her strength, her struggles, her quiet courage navigating life as both an ambitious author and a loving friend, wife and mother. Steiner’s extensive research is evident not only in the facts but in the complex emotional tapestry she weaves. Anne of Green Gables fans will sure to delight in this book, but so will any fans of interesting, complicated and clever women.” — Brianna Labuskes, bestselling author of The Librarian of Burned Books

“After Anne is imbued with the love of an author for her character — both on and off the page. Logan Steiner made me want to scurry right back to revisit the Anne of Green Gables books, as well as delve into every one of L.M. Montgomery’s journals.” — Sarah Miller, author of Marmee

“After Anne is the never-told story behind one of literature’s most enduring characters. Logan Steiner’s beautifully written tale of the triumphs and tragedies of L. Maud Montgomery is a captivating read for anyone who grew up wishing they could adventure around Avonlea with Anne of Green Gables.” — Sarah James, internationally bestseller author of The Woman with Two Shadows

   “After Anne is a deeply thoughtful and moving novel about Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author whose imagination and ambition created the unforgettable Anne of Green Gables. With extensive research, compassion and honesty, Logan Steiner paints a nuanced portrait of a woman who triumphed in her professional life despite deeply personal struggles and in a society that expected so much less than she longed to give. A tragic story that also manages to inspire and uplift as we root for Montgomery and celebrate her beloved place in literature.” —Melissa Payne, bestselling author of A Light in the Forest

“This debut is unexpected in all the best ways. It is a book for everyone. The writing is deep and powerful, charming and moving. I found myself highlighting a sentence on nearly every page, knowing I would go back to reread and apply the words to my own life. Logan Steiner understood Maud’s voice and executed it beautifully. She created a world that intertwined fact and fiction in a way that I believe Lucy Maud Montgomery herself would be proud of.”—USA Today bestselling author Ali Dean


"An exquisite tribute to Lucy Maud Montgomery, the revered author who gave us so much scope for imagination. After Anne is for fans who long to know the woman behind Anne Shirley's story. Get ready, this book will break your heart in the most splendid ways.”— Sarah McCoy, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Marilla of Green Gables 

After Anne is imbued with the love of an author for her character — both on and off the page. Logan Steiner made me want to scurry right back to revisit the Anne of Green Gables books, as well as delve into every one of L.M. Montgomery’s journals.” — Sarah Miller, author of Marmee
 
 
“Perfect for readers who love Montgomery's seminal work or other classics like Little Women, with strong female leads who refuse to conform to societal standards or give up their passions.” – Booklist
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ABOUT AFTER ANNE:

As a young woman, Maud had dreams bigger than the whole of Prince Edward Island. 

Her exuberant spirit had always drawn frowns from her grandmother and their neighbors, but she knew she was meant to create, to capture and share the way she saw the world. 

And the young girl in Maud’s mind became more and more persistent: Here is my story, she said.  

Here is how my name should be spelled—Anne with an “e.”But the day Maud writes the first lines of Anne of Green Gables, she gets a visit from the handsome new minister in town, and soon faces a decision: forge her own path as a spinster authoress, or live as a rural minister’s wife, an existence she once called “a synonym for respectable slavery.” 

The choice she makes alters the course of her life. With a husband whose religious mania threatens their health and happiness at every turn, the secret darkness that Maud herself holds inside threatens to break through the persona she shows to the world, driving an ever-widening wedge between her public face and private self, and putting her on a path towards a heartbreaking end.

Beautiful and moving, After Anne reveals Maud’s hidden personal challenges while celebrating what was timeless about her life and art—the importance of tenacity and the peaceful refuge found in imagination.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Logan Steiner is a lawyer by day and a writer by baby bedtime. 
 
Her writing explores motherhood and the creative life—two things she once thought could never happily coexist. 
 
Logan also writes a Substack newsletter called The Motherhood Question. 
 
After graduating from Pomona College and Harvard Law School, Logan clerked for three federal judges, spent six years in Big Law, and served for three years as an Assistant United States Attorney. 
 
She now specializes in brief writing at a boutique law firm. Logan lives in Denver with her husband, daughter, and the cranky old man of the house, a Russian Blue cat named Taggart. 
 
Her debut novel After Anne will be published by William Morrow on May 30th. 
 

To learn more please visit www.logansteiner.com
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CONNECT WITH LOGAN:

Instagram: @loganannsteiner
Twitter: @LoganASteiner
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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Did Lucy's wish come true?  She needs a very big wish to come true.

Lucy had met Jack Masterson, children's author, who lived on Clock Island when she was a young girl.

Lucy and three other contestants are called back to the Clock House for a game to win his latest and last book.


Will a contest on the famous Clock Island with the famous Jack Masterson and with the prize of Jack’s last book worth six figures if you sell it save her so she can have enough money and a suitable life to adopt Christopher?

The house and the game Jack had for them on Clock Island was very clever, and the book was a magical one filled with books, love, hope, and lovable characters.

THE WISHING GAME is a different read that at times was a bit odd, but you will love Lucy and Christopher and their journey to become a family.

In the beginning, I was curious about the plot, but soon enough you will be part of the warm feelings flowing from the characters and will be rooting for Lucy to achieve her life-long dream of winning the contest and becoming a mother.

A sweet, uplifting read that also addresses the difficulties of the child foster program.  5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Monday, May 29, 2023

My Word Against His by Lauren North

Could we add a few others to the mix?

Celia was married to Martin. They had a son, Henry, but the marriage was abusive.

Lucie was a teenager that Celia took under her wing but Lucie found out something about Celia and never returned to that house again. 

When Lucie phones Celia thirteen years later and says she has to talk to her, Sam comes into the picture.

Same jumps into Celia's car as she is on her way to meet Lucie, holds her at knife point, and makes her drive three hours away.

When Celia crashes the car after Sam stabbed her, the police show up but whose story will the police believe?

Celia is worried her past will be uncovered, but Sam already has a record so who would believe him?

MY WORD AGAINST HIS is very tense, and you don't know who to trust, who to like or dislike, who is lying, or who to feel sorry for. 

So hold onto your hats folks....surprise after surprise is there as you continue.
 
Another good one by Ms. North.  

It was a bit confusing ​at first ​with the past and present colliding, but the suspense and twists ​that ​ke​pt coming your way will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The ending is a jaw dropper!!  4/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. 

She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. 

Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.

Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. 

 

She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside.

 

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BUY LINK:


https://geni.us/B0BWYVQYY8social

 

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FOLLOW LAUREN:

 

Website

 

https://www.lauren-north.com/

 

Facebook URL

 

https://www.facebook.com/LaurenNorthAuthor/?ref=bookmarks

 

Instagram URL

 

https://www.instagram.com/lauren_c_north/

 

Twitter URL

https://twitter.com/Lauren_C_North

Newsletter sign up https://www.bookouture.com/lauren-north

 

It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 5/29/2023

http://bookdate.blogspot.com/

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I hope you had a great reading week.
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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
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Books Completed:
 
GONE TONIGHT by Sarah Pekkanen - review will be on August 1.
 
Slow buildup, but once it gets going, you won't want to put the book down.
 
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PROM MOM by Laura Lippman - review wil be on July 25.
 
VERY disappointed...very confusing and a lot of information that didn't seem necessary.
 
Didn't get good until the last 10%.
 
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THE PARIS AGENT by Kelly Rimmer - review will be on July 12.
 
Good but confusing at times.
 
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THICKER THAN WATER by Megan Collins - review will be on July 11.
 
Not a favorite.
 
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WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW by Melissa Adelman - review will be on June 20.
 
Not a bad read...a bit predictable, though.

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MY WORD AGAINST HIS by Lauren North - review is in the book's title.
 
Thriller fans won't want to miss this one...twists and turns that will make your head spin.
 
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THE LAST LIFE BOAT by Hazel Gaynor - review will be on June 13.
 
Oh my goodness...FANTASTIC as always.  LOVED IT, and I didn't know about this event.
 
HISTORICAL FICTION - WWII 


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THE PARIS DAUGHTER by Kristin Harmel - review will be on June 6, 2023.
 
FANTASTIC as always!!
 
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THE NEW MOTHER by Nora Murphy - review will be on June 1.
 
It's a good one...a slow burn that grows in intensity.  
 
It also addresses postpartum depression.
 
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THE LITTLE ITALIAN HOTEL by Phaedra Patrick - review will be on June 9.
 
A sweet read with lovable characters.
 
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SECRETS OF THE ITALIAN ISLAND by Barbara Josselsohn - review is in the book's title.
 
LOVED this book...Italy, a story from WWII that leads to finding a secret her grandmother kept.

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THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer - review will be on May 30, 2023.
 
A lovely, different read with lovable characters.
 
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THE REVENGE LIST by Hannah Mary McKinnon - review is in the book's title.
 
A twisty, chilling thriller that fans won't want to miss.
 
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THE SENATOR'S WIFE by Liv Constantine - review is in the book's title.
 
Another good one - twists you won't see coming.
 
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BETWEEN TWO STRANGERS by Kate White - review is in the book's title.
 
Another good one by Kate White!!
 
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Book Currently Reading: 
 
THE LAST MASTERPIECE by Laura Morelli - review will be on August 3.
 
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Books Up Next:

A BAKERY IN PARIS by Aimie K. Runyan - review will be on August 4.
 
 
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IN A QUIET ROOM by Amber Garza - review will be on August 7, 2023.
 
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DARK CORNERS by Megan Goldin - review will be on August 8, 2023.
 
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THESE STILL BLACK WATERS by Christina McDonald - review will be on August 9.
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DEAD AND GONE by Joanna Schaffhausen - review will be on August 10.
 
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CALIFORNIA GOLDEN by Melanie Benjamin - review will be on August 11.
 
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A KILLER IN THE FAMILY by Gytha Lodge - review will be on August 12.
 
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NONE OF THIS IS TRUE by Lisa Jewell - review will be on August 14.
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THE TRADE OFF by Sandie Jones - review will be on August 15.
 
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NORTH OF NOWHERE by Allison Brennan - review will be on August 16.
 
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KISSING KOSHER by Jean Meltzer - review will be on August 29.
 
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THE ENEMY BESIDE ME by Naomi Ragen - review will be September 12.
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THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS by Lisa M, Matlin - review will be on September 26.
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BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS by Mary Kay Andrews - review will be on September 27.
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A TRAITOR IN WHITEHALL by Julia Kelly - review will be on October 3.
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THE INTERN by Michele Campbell - review will be on October 4.

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DREAMING OF WATER by A. J. Banner - review will be on October 10.

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THE PORCELAIN MAKER by Sarah Freethy - review will be on November 7.
 
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