STARDUST Cover Reveal + 99 cent Preorder

Hi History Lovers,

I’m thrilled to announce, unveil, and altogether shout from the rooftops that I have a cover for my new #histfic novel, STARDUST and boy oh boy is she a beauty.

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

But there’s m-o-r-e. Now through release, February 20th, you can preorder the Kindle edition of STARDUST for just 99 cents!

The sequel to IRISH EYES, STARDUST is the second book in my American Songbook series for Joffe Books and follows Rose’s granddaughter, Daisy to Paris where she apprentices with the legendary fashion designer, Coco Chanel.

1938, Paris.

War is looming and 18-year-old Daisy Blakely arrives in Paris as apprentice to the renowned fashion designer Coco Chanel. Enchanted by the beauty and glamour of the City of Light, Daisy throws herself into the whirlwind of couture and culture. When she meets charming and enigmatic Jean-Claude Jacob, a Jewish doctor, an instant connection cements Daisy’s happiness.

Then everything changes when the Germans march into the city. Daisy and Jean-Claude join the Resistance. But her world comes crashing down when Jean-Claude is taken by the Gestapo. Learning to live with her loss, Daisy’s life becomes one of secrets and danger as she works tirelessly to undermine the Nazi regime.

But the arrival of German soldier Fritz causes Daisy to question everything she thought she knew about life, and love, as she’s drawn to a man tied to the enemy she has vowed to defeat.

For a limited time, buy the STARDUST ebook on Kindle for just 99 cents.

Buy IRISH EYES in ebook and trade paperback wherever books are sold.

In Conversation for IRISH EYES with Fiona Davis

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.

In Convo with Finola Austin + IRISH EYES Book Giveaway!

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 #CoverReveal

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.