Summerside Press's American Tapestries Series Debuts with Authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson
About the Books:
~Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson~
When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.
~Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson~
A young woman traveling the Oregon Trail in 1842 must rely on a stranger to bring her to safety. But whom can she trust with her heart?
For two thousand miles along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her family must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. Together they weather autumn storms, hunger and thirst, and the dangers of a wild and unfamiliar country. But when their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they must rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to rescue them from the icy water.
Alex escorts Samantha and her young brother, Micah, to Fort Vancouver. There Samantha is overwhelmed with men vying for her affections, but the only one who intrigues her-Alex-is the one she cannot have. When his betrothed arrives unexpectedly from England to escort him home, Samantha becomes determined to create a home for herself and Micah in the fertile valley far away from the fort. But how will an unmarried woman support herself and her brother in the wilderness alone?
Then Micah disappears into the wilderness one rainy night, and Samantha must rely on the man she loves-the man she’s trying desperately to forget-to rescue her brother before it’s too late.
About the Authors:
~Meet Janice~
Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren.
She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.
Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.
Find out more about Janice at www.janicethompson.com
~Meet Melanie~
Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense). Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years. Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.
When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.
Find out more about Melanie at http://www.melaniedobson.com.
My Thoughts:
~Queen of the Waves ~
4.5 stars
In a year of hundreds of books commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic I must say that I haven't been all that impressed by the books that I've read...until now. Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson is a mix of The Prince and the Pauper and Downton Abbey that caught my interest from the very first page. There's a dash of mystery, a touch of romance and of course all the sadness that surrounded the sinking of the ship a century ago. If you're a fan of Jame's Cameron's film Titanic you'll find this book has just as much drama and heartbreak as Jack and Rose's story. In my opinion the ending could have been tied up more nicely for Jacqueline Abingdon and her family (sequel please!) but all in all this was an excellent story as I've come to expect from Ms. Thompson. What a truly talented storyteller! Queen of the Waves is a terrific way for Summerside Press to start off their new line.
To read what others are saying GO HERE.
~Where the Trail Ends~
3 stars
Dobson deftly paints a picture of the struggles families faced on the path to a knew life that was known as the Oregon Trail. Samantha Waldron and her family could have easily been any one of our ancestors. While this book is labeled as romance I found it to be more of a coming of age story that focused on the perilous trail. Samantha is just what I've always pictured a pioneer woman to be, although young she doesn't let anyone make her do anything she doesn't want to do. She's definitely spirited and even a bit ferocious, like a bear guarding her cubs. Alexander Clarke on the other hand is not what I pictured a frontier man to be like but that's not a bad thing! He's wealthy, cultured, and a bit snobbish but he eventually comes around. Both their stories worked separately (they didn't meet until halfway through the book) and I even liked the bits when they were together however I felt if this story was way too rushed at the end and the romance felt forced. I didn't feel any kind of romantic chemistry between then two and all of a sudden they were pronouncing their love for each other. If you're looking for a great historical story than this is it but if you're looking for a book with a lot of romance you might be disappointed. Melanie Dobson is still definitely an author I'll be watching for in the future.
To read what others are saying GO HERE.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
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| Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson Copyright 2012 Summerside Press |
When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.
~Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson~
 |
| Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson Copyright 2012 Summerside Press |
For two thousand miles along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her family must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. Together they weather autumn storms, hunger and thirst, and the dangers of a wild and unfamiliar country. But when their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they must rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to rescue them from the icy water.
Alex escorts Samantha and her young brother, Micah, to Fort Vancouver. There Samantha is overwhelmed with men vying for her affections, but the only one who intrigues her-Alex-is the one she cannot have. When his betrothed arrives unexpectedly from England to escort him home, Samantha becomes determined to create a home for herself and Micah in the fertile valley far away from the fort. But how will an unmarried woman support herself and her brother in the wilderness alone?
Then Micah disappears into the wilderness one rainy night, and Samantha must rely on the man she loves-the man she’s trying desperately to forget-to rescue her brother before it’s too late.
About the Authors:
Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren.
She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.
Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.
Find out more about Janice at www.janicethompson.com
Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense). Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years. Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.
When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.
Find out more about Melanie at http://www.melaniedobson.com.
My Thoughts:
~Queen of the Waves ~
4.5 stars
In a year of hundreds of books commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic I must say that I haven't been all that impressed by the books that I've read...until now. Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson is a mix of The Prince and the Pauper and Downton Abbey that caught my interest from the very first page. There's a dash of mystery, a touch of romance and of course all the sadness that surrounded the sinking of the ship a century ago. If you're a fan of Jame's Cameron's film Titanic you'll find this book has just as much drama and heartbreak as Jack and Rose's story. In my opinion the ending could have been tied up more nicely for Jacqueline Abingdon and her family (sequel please!) but all in all this was an excellent story as I've come to expect from Ms. Thompson. What a truly talented storyteller! Queen of the Waves is a terrific way for Summerside Press to start off their new line.
To read what others are saying GO HERE.
~Where the Trail Ends~
3 stars
Dobson deftly paints a picture of the struggles families faced on the path to a knew life that was known as the Oregon Trail. Samantha Waldron and her family could have easily been any one of our ancestors. While this book is labeled as romance I found it to be more of a coming of age story that focused on the perilous trail. Samantha is just what I've always pictured a pioneer woman to be, although young she doesn't let anyone make her do anything she doesn't want to do. She's definitely spirited and even a bit ferocious, like a bear guarding her cubs. Alexander Clarke on the other hand is not what I pictured a frontier man to be like but that's not a bad thing! He's wealthy, cultured, and a bit snobbish but he eventually comes around. Both their stories worked separately (they didn't meet until halfway through the book) and I even liked the bits when they were together however I felt if this story was way too rushed at the end and the romance felt forced. I didn't feel any kind of romantic chemistry between then two and all of a sudden they were pronouncing their love for each other. If you're looking for a great historical story than this is it but if you're looking for a book with a lot of romance you might be disappointed. Melanie Dobson is still definitely an author I'll be watching for in the future.
To read what others are saying GO HERE.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
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Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!
One fortunate winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
- Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson
So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!
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Happy Reading!
I am SO late in getting my Queen of the Waves review posted but its not because I don't love it... I am just that behind! Ah, well! May have to read ahead this time just to get an honest review up. LOL! Glad you liked it too, Renee - it is really quite lovely.
ReplyDeleteUgh LOL I know what you mean! I've been reading like crazy these past few days because I have reviews scheduled one right after the other. It's my own fault though because I can't say no to a good looking book! ;-)
ReplyDelete