Category: Writing Life

On Tour with IRISH EYES

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Meeting readers is one of the best parts of being a writer! Please look below for a roster of my upcoming in-person events.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, October 25th

Vogue Knitting Live
Join authors Suzan Colón and Hope C. Tarr on a wild and, yes, woolly exploration of Ireland’s Aran Islands, the setting for Hope’s historical debut novel, IRISH EYES. Hope will chat about how she weaves fact and fiction in the book, and how a trip to Western Ireland inspired her to write the story of her fictional heroine, an intrepid Aran Islander whose needlecraft skills take her from a remote fishing village to New York City at the turn of the century. 
12-1 pm ET
Register @vogueknittingonline.

PAST EVENTS

Wednesday, October 23rd

Haunted New York: Ghost Stories from NYC
Join Hope in conversation with Andrea Janes, co-author of A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America’s Ghosts and the owner and founder of Boroughs of the Dead, a boutique tour company dedicated to dark and unusual walking tours of New York City.
The American Irish Historical Society
991 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10028
6-7:15pm, including book signing of IRISH EYES.
Ticketed event.

Saturday, October 12th

Belmar Fall Beach Reader’s Adult Book Fair
Hope chats with book lovers and signs copies of IRISH EYES.
Taylor Pavilion
500 Ocean Ave., Belmar, NJ
Sponsor: Belmar Public Library
1-5pm

Monday, October 7th

Lodi Memorial Library
Book talk with signing of IRISH EYES to follow.
973) 365-4044
6pm

Saturday, June 29th

Barnes & Noble, Holmdel, NJ
Hope returns to sign copies of IRISH EYES.
Commons at Holmdel
2130 Route 35, Holmdel, NJ | (732) 203-6180
1-3pm

Saturday, June 22nd

Barnes and Noble, Brick, NJ
Hope signs copies of IRISH EYES.
44 Brick Plaza, Brick, NJ | 732-255-6600
1-3pm

Saturday, June 15th

Thunder Road Books
Greater Spring Lake Irish Festival
3rd Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ
11 am – 1 pm

A Novel Evening Podcast
Hope chats with A Novel Evening podcast host Dannie Carter about researching IRISH EYES. Tammany Hall, WW1, Prohibition/speakeasies + my fantasy evening — we covered a lot. Have a listen!

Wednesday, March 20th

Thunder Road Books
March Book Club Pick!
3rd Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ
7-9 pm
To attend, purchase IRISH EYES from Thunder Road Books on or before the event date. Call 973-436-0914 to reserve your copy.

Sunday, March 17th

Comfort Zone
Hope signs copies of IRISH EYES.
44 1/2 Main Ave., Ocean Grove, NJ | (732) 203-6180
12 noon – 2pm

Saturday, March 16th

Barnes & Noble, Holmdel, NJ
Hope signs copies of IRISH EYES.
Commons at Holmdel
2130 Route 35, Holmdel, NJ | (732) 203-6180
1-3pm

Saturday, March 9th

Barnes & Noble, Brick, NJ
Hope signs copies of IRISH EYES.
44 Brick Plaza, Brick, NJ | 732-255-6600
1-3pm

Saturday, March 2nd

Asbury Book Cooperative
Hope in conversation with ABC Vice President, Allyson Crystal
644A Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ | 732-455-5549 | [email protected]
7pm
Sign up for the FREE event on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 12th

IG Live with Transformational Vision Coach, Barbara Biziou
“Perseverance and Faith Led to Publishing Gold”
https://www.instagram.com/barbarabiziou/
5:00-5:30 pm EST
Watch again here.

Thursday, January 4th

Hope in conversation with Fiona Davis (THE SPECTACULAR).
Barnes & Noble Upper West Side
2289 Broadway @ 82nd Street, NY, NY
6:30 – 8:00pm
View the event highlights: https://fb.watch/pJ7cNIfZGo/

Thursday, December 7th

Spring Lake Holiday Soiree – Ladies Shopping Night
Thunder Road Books
3rd Avenue, Spring Lake New Jersey
5 – 8 pm

A Novel Evening With Irish Eyes

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I had so much fun guesting on A Novel Evening, an exciting British podcast for book lovers everywhere. Host Dannie Carter and I chatted about my historical novel, IRISH EYES — Tammany Hall, WW1, Prohibition/speakeasies — we covered A LOT. Plus, a sneak peek at what I’m writing now (hint: sequel) and who I’d invite to my fantasy “novel evening” (and who’s on my Naughty List). Have a listen!

In Conversation for IRISH EYES with Fiona Davis

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Last Thursday’s (January 4) in conversation book talk for IRISH EYES at the Barnes and Noble Upper West Side Manhattan was a magical evening (Subway train derailments aside). Fiona Davis was a superb moderator and the newly renovated bookstore is bright and airy and in every way conducive to chatting. But don’t take my word for it. Enjoy the video, and if you’d like a *signed* copy of IRISH EYES, you can pick one up at B&N at 2289 Broadway @82nd Street.

IRISH EYES Release Day + Sarah, Duchess of York

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The wait is over! IRISH EYES, my historical saga set in turn-of-the-century New York City, is for sale wherever books are sold. I’ve received a VERY special SURPRISE Release Day prezzie — a gorgeous review from bestselling author, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York!

“WELL DONE TO HOPE C. TARR FOR A MAGICAL JOURNEY, SO GRUELLING, SO FULL OF OPTIMISTIC BELIEF, IN THE HOPE OF A BETTER FUTURE. I LOVED ROSE AND HOW SHE FOUGHT FOR HER OWN STRENGTH WITHIN HERSELF.” – Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

Find Irish Eyes at any of these brick-and-mortar and online booksellers:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Bookshop.org

Target

Walmart

Books-A-Million

River Road Books

Book Culture – signed copies avail in-store

The Corner Bookstore – signed copies avail in-store

Thunder Road Books – signed copies avail in-store

Join me in celebrating later tonight at Thunder Road Books, an awesome indie bookstore in quaint Spring Lake, New Jersey. As part of Spring Lake’s Holiday Shopping Soiree, from 5-7pm, I’ll sign copies of Irish Eyes and raffle off a gift basket of tasty NYC-themed treats to one lucky winner. Cocktails, mocktails, snacks — we are going to have THE A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E BEST TIME. Join us!

Speaking of winners, congrats to the winners of my Irish Eyes Shelf-Awareness Giveaway sponsored by AuthorBuzz: Laurie J., Susan B., Beth T., Melissa M., Mary G. and Lizz at Curiouser Books. Your copies of Irish Eyes are en route in plenty of time for the holidays.

Also, darling historical fiction author Finola Austin and I are giving away a signed copy of Irish Eyes and Finola’s brilliant historical novel, Bronte’s Mistress to one lucky winner. If you haven’t already done so, pop over to Finola’s site, The Secret Victorianist, and enter to win. Bonus: read our fun and (hopefully) informative interview on writing the historical novel.

xo Hope

In Convo with Finola Austin + IRISH EYES Book Giveaway!

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Before we all scattered for the Thanksgiving holiday, I chatted with historical fiction author Finola Austin AKA The Secret Victorianist about my inspo for Irish Eyes, what I’m working on now (hint: it’s the sequel!), and killing my darlings, namely, two prologues, neither of which made it into the final book.

Pop on over to The Secret Victorianist to read the interview, then sign up for Finola’s monthly newsletter to win a copy of Irish Eyes *and* a copy of Finola’s brilliant historical novel, Bronte’s Mistress. One lucky winner will receive both books. Giveaway closes December 7th — the Irish Eyes Release Day!

Irish Eyes on Irish Central!

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Recently I caught up with the fine folks at IRISH CENTRAL to chat about IRISH EYES, my historical fiction debut out with Lume (Joffe) Books this December 7th. Irish Central is the largest Irish culture media outlet in North America, and I’m so excited to share my fictional heroine, Rose O’Neill’s, story with its readership. Read the full interview here.

Irish Eyes Unboxing Video

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Last month, I shared the cover for IRISH EYES (12.7.23). Lovely as that was, and is, there’s nothing quite like holding the actual book in your hands — in this case, the Advanced Review copies courtesy of Lume/Joffee Books.

You can preorder Irish Eyes on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold.

IRISH EYES #CoverReveal

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I am absolutely over the moon to present the cover of IRISH EYES (12.7.23), my new historical novel and the launch of my American Songbook series! Double yay, the book is available for preorder worldwide as an ebook and trade paperback!!! (The audiobook also will release on December 7). For a quick and (hopefully) fun primer on why preordering an author’s book matters, check out my post on Substack.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Bookshop.org

The Story Behind the Story

Irish Eyes is very much a love note to my Irish ancestors, who came to America on the coffin ships at the height of the Great Hunger (1845 – 1852). For years, I batted around the idea of writing something with an Irish protagonist but back-to-back projects left me with little headspace to pin down what that story might be.

Then, on a hiking trip through Western Ireland in 2009, I stopped at the famed Cliffs of Moher, gazed across Galway Bay to the trio of islands known as The Arans—and Rose O’Neill’s story began taking sharp shape in my mind’s eye. Back in Manhattan, runs along the Hudson River looking out to Ellis Island and Lady Liberty helped me to further flush out Rose’s story.

I wouldn’t start writing the book for several more years, but eventually I did and here we are.

December 1898. In the aftermath of America’s war with Spain, eighteen-year-old Rose O’Neill leaves her beloved Arans and boards a steamer for New York City. Herded through the  emigrant landing depot at The Battery, abandoned and alone, she soon discovers that the New York streets are no more paved in gold than those of Galway. To survive, she must ford her way through Lower East Side tenements and sweatshops, Fifth Avenue mansions and tony hotels – tangling with the mighty Tammany Hall for the husband with whom her fate is inextricably linked while fighting her feelings for the first love who still holds her heart. Just as she begins to make peace with the past, the Great War erupts in Europe, threatening to topple the dynasty for which she has sacrificed so much.

I’ll leave you with this beautiful book trailer courtesy of my fab publisher, Lume Books.

🥁IRISH EYES & Sequel Sell to Lume Books

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As we ford into another new year, I’m thrilled to announce that IRISH EYES, my historical fiction debut, sold to London-based publisher, Lume Books in a two-book deal! IRISH EYES will release worldwide in November 2023, in print, digital and audiobook. Here’s a taste.

It is 1898. In the aftermath of America’s war with Spain over Cuba and the Philippines, eighteen year-old Rose leaves her beloved Inishmore and boards a steamer for New York City in search of the Yank soldier who swore to marry her. Herded through the emigrant landing depot at The Battery, abandoned and alone, she discovers the New York streets are no more paved in gold than those of Galway. To survive, she must ford through Lower East Side tenements and sweatshops, Fifth Avenue mansions and tony hotels, tangling with Tammany Hall for the soul of the husband with whom her fate is inextricably linked while fighting her feelings for the first love who still holds her heart. Just as she begins to make peace with the past, the Great War erupts in Europe, threatening to topple the dynasty for which she has sacrificed everything.

A second book, STARDUST will follow Rose’s children and grandchildren into the Second World War and will release in 2024.

Cover reveal and pre-order details coming later this year, so do check back!

Wishing everyone a 2023 brimming with blessings.

xo Hope

Two More Suddenly Cinderella Books on KISS

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Two more Suddenly Cinderella novels, THE CINDERELLA MAKEOVER and THE CINDERELLA SEDUCTION join OPERATION CINDERELLA on KISS, an exciting new app for romance novel lovers that allows you to read as much, or as little, content as you like. As per usual, I’m celebrating with a giveaway. Actually, TWO giveaways!

THE CINDERELLA MAKEOVER: The first four of you to download the app and use the complimentary code: kHD7rBYvwtbd will win the equivalent of 20 KISS Coins. Hurry because this offer expires 7/2!

THE CINDERELLA SEDUCTION: The first four of you to use the complimentary code: DuPq3vHNNxwi will win the equivalent of 20 KISS Coins. This offer expires 7/9!

Note: Codes are case-sensitive. Download KISS for free here.

Happy (Beach) Reading! Happy Independence Day!!

Hope