Tag: blogtour

Blog Tour/Book Review: Island on Fire by Sophie Schiller

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Island on Fire_Blog Tour Banner_FINAL

I’m delighted to be hosting today’s stop on the blog tour for Island on Fire by Sophie Schiller, set in the Caribbean island of Martinique.  Having been lucky enough to visit Martinique, albeit only for a day as a port of call on a Caribbean cruise, I simply couldn’t resist the invitation from Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours to read and review the book.  You can find my review below.

On the tour page, you can check out the other great book bloggers taking part in the tour with links to their reviews of Island on Fire.  For example, Stacie at Pursuing Stacie described it as ‘an enjoyable, fast-paced historical fiction’, praising the author’s ‘impeccable research’.  Ashley at Oh, October described the book as ‘unique, well researched historical fiction’ and Briennai at Bri’s Book Nook loved the beautiful setting.

WinIf those comments have piqued your interest and you’re a US resident then, good news, as there’s a giveaway with a chance for one lucky person to win their very own copy of Island on Fire. Enter via the Gleam form at the bottom of the tour page.  Don’t hang about though as entries close on 14th August 2018.

Island on FireAbout the Book

In the lush, tropical world of Martinique where slavery is a distant memory and voodoo holds sway, Emilie Dujon discovers that her fiancé, a rich sugar planter, has been unfaithful. Desperate to leave him, she elicits the aid of a voodoo witch doctor and is lured into a shadowy world of black magic and extortion. When the volcano known as Mount Pelée begins to rumble and spew ash, she joins a scientific committee sent to investigate the crater. During the journey she meets Lt. Denis Rémy, an army officer with a mysterious past.

At the summit, the explorers discover that a second crater has formed and the volcano appears to be on the verge of eruption. But when they try to warn the governor, he orders them to bury the evidence for fear of upsetting the upcoming election. As the pressure builds, a deadly mudslide inundates Emilie’s plantation and she disappears. With ash and cinders raining down, chaos ensues. Left with no choice, Lt. Rémy deserts his post and sets off on a desperate quest to rescue Emilie. But with all roads blocked, can they escape the doomed city of St. Pierre before it’s too late?

Format: ebook, paperback (270 pp.)    Publisher:
Published: 15th March 2018          Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

Purchase Links*
Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find Island on Fire on Goodreads

My Review

In Island on Fire the author creates a picture of a society where, much like the volcano, a lot is going on underneath the surface, whether that is commercial and political machinations or continued belief in voodoo practices in an age of modern science and rationality.

Despite evidence to the contrary, those in authority choose to believe that there is no threat from the volcano, having more regard to the consequences of panic by the population than the possible risk to life and property. This will prove to have disastrous consequences.

The book’s heroine, Emilie, whilst in all other respects an intelligent, independent-minded young woman, reflects the dichotomy in Martinique society. As a result she acts in a way that seems out of character but which reflects the desperation she feels at the situation in which she finds herself.

Whilst the book description reveals much of the story (a little too much to my mind), the author creates a credible sense of melodrama as events unfold in dramatic fashion.

I really enjoyed the evocative portrayal of the island’s lush landscape, vegetation and wildlife. ‘Everywhere he looked, the island was teeming with life. Mango trees, sprawling bougainvillea, flaming flamboyant, majestic palm trees, and endless plantations dotting the hillsides like a parchwork quilt of sumptuous beauty.’ Plus, as regular followers of this blog will know, I can’t resist delicious descriptions of food and there are plenty of the local cuisine in the book.

Island on Fire reveals a fascinating aspect of the history of Martinique that was new to me as well as being an entertaining, if slightly melodramatic, story of betrayal, honour and love

I received a review copy courtesy of the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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In three words: Romance, melodrama, adventure

Try something similar…Fireburn by Apple Gidley

Sophie SchillerAbout the Author

Sophie Schiller was born in Paterson, NJ and grew up in the West Indies. She loves stories that carry the reader back in time to exotic and far-flung locations. Kirkus Reviews called her “an accomplished thriller and historical adventure writer”. Her latest novel is Island on Fire, a thriller about the worst volcanic disaster of the 20th century. She was educated at American University, Washington, DC and lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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Blog Tour/Q&A: The Girl on the Doorstep by Lindsey Hutchinson

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The Girl on the Doorstep Blog tour poster

I’m thrilled to be hosting today’s stop on the blog tour for The Girl on the Doorstep by Lindsey Hutchinson – many thanks to Victoria at Head of Zeus for inviting me to take part in the tour.  I’d have loved to find time to read and review Lindsey’s book but unfortunately my reading schedule didn’t permit it.  However, I’m delighted to bring you a Q&A with Lindsey in which, amongst other things, she reveals how a Christmas present provided the inspiration for the book and the essential tools of her craft.

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The Girl on the DoorstepAbout the Book

Left an orphan, five-year-old Rosie Harris is found and raised by Maria, a Romany gypsy. Life on the road is hard, but the little girl soon feels one of the tribe with the travellers.

As she grows older, Rosie realises she has ‘second sight’ and is able to read people’s palms and see into their futures. Needing to make a living of her own, she befriends the canal folk, known as the ‘cut-rats’ traversing the Black Country waterways with their cargo, and so offers readings to anyone who can pay.

Pursued by Jake Harding, a Romany bandolier who wants her for his wife, Rosie instead finds herself falling in love with a married man. And despite growing ominous signs that her future may be cursed, Rosie can’t quite break away from the dream of a happily ever after…

Lindsey Hutchinson is a master storyteller, and her Black Country sagas are heart-breaking, uplifting and truly addictive.

Format: Paperback, ebook (494 pp.)    Publisher: Aria
Published: 7th August 2018            Genre: Historical Fiction

Purchase Links*
Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find The Girl on the Doorstep on Goodreads

Interview: Lindsey Hutchinson, author of The Girl on the Doorstep

Welcome to What Cathy Read Next, Lindsey.  Without giving too much away, can you tell me a bit about The Girl on the Doorstep?

Rosie Harris, an orphan, is raised by gypsies and realises she has ‘second sight’. She is befriended by the canal people and reads palms to make a living. Finding herself in all sorts of predicaments, Rosie battles her way through them. All she wants is a ‘happy ever after’ life – will she achieve this?

How did you get the idea for the story?

My sister, Kim, bought me a book for Christmas on ‘Black Country’ canals which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It sparked an idea so I grabbed my pen and began to write. The Girl on the Doorstep was the result.

I was intrigued by the reference to the ‘cut-rats’, the canal folk Rosie befriends who travel the Black Country waterways.  Can you tell us any more about them?

The ‘cut-rats’ were hard working folk who lived and worked on the canals. They were looked down upon by town folk, unfairly in my opinion, as being rough and ready. The women swore like navvies and the men drank like it was going out of fashion. Working long hours at back-breaking work took its toll and many died at a fairly young age.

In the book, Rosie reads palms to make a living.  Do you believe in ‘second sight’ yourself?

I do believe in ‘second sight’ – I’ve had too many experiences not to. I also think there are a lot of charlatans out there, so beware before you part with your money.

Were there particular scenes in the book you found especially challenging – or rewarding – to write?

When I write I think about my readers. Will this scene make them chuckle? Will another bring them to tears? Writing a book as a whole is challenging, but then it makes us authors work harder.

What is it about the Black Country that inspires you to make it a location for your books?

The ‘Black Country’ is where I was born and brought up. Although I live in the country now, my heart will forever be in Wednesbury.

As a writer of historical fiction, what do you think is the key to creating an authentic picture of a particular period?

Senses. I endeavour to draw the reader into the place and time with smells, sounds, etc., as well as historical facts.

Do you have a favourite place to write or any writing rituals?

I sit in my easy chair to write and I always use a fountain pen. I write longhand as I find it easier to glance back at the pages should I need to. Once the draft is complete I then type it up before reading through it thoroughly.

Which authors do you admire and enjoy reading?

I have an eclectic mix of books on my Kindle and in the bookcases. I enjoy Mary Wood, Linda la Plante, Lyn Andrews, I also enjoy John Lyman, Dan Brown – anything to do with ancient Egypt or ancient Rome.

What are you working on next?

My next project is set around an orphanage in 1890. A family in abject poverty sell two of their children to an orphanage, which is not council run, for five shillings. The boy knows that to protect himself and his younger sister he has to learn to fight. So he manages to convince a pugilist to teach him bare-knuckle boxing. We will all have to wait and see where these two youngsters end up!

Thank you for those fascinating answers to my questions, Lindsey.  Your many fans will be thrilled by your answer to my last question!

Lindsey Hutchinson Author ProfileAbout the Author

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and dog.  She loves to read and has recently discovered photography.  Lindsey is the daughter of million-copy bestselling author Meg Hutchinson.

Connect with Lindsey

Website  ǀ  Facebook  ǀ  Twitter  ǀ  Goodreads