The Gray Chamber Review + Giveaway with Celebrate Lit Tours

About the Book

Book:  The Gray Chamber
Author: Grace Hitchcock
Genre:  Christian Historical / Suspense
Release Date: January, 2020
 
Will Edyth prove her sanity before it is too late?
Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
On Blackwell’s Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving.
With her late parents’ fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Foster does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. And Edyth fears she will never be found.
At the asylum she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the author of three novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. The White City is her debut novel and releases March 2019 with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

More from Grace

I am thrilled to share with you my second novel in the True Colors series, The Gray Chamber, which is set in New York City in 1887. I loved writing about Edyth Foster, our cat-rescuing, spunky heroine who spends her days painting, fencing with her dreamy instructor, and avoiding society at all costs, which as you can imagine, comes back to haunt her before the end. I’ve never written about a character who despised reading, so that was a new one for me. Edyth just doesn’t like to sit still long enough to finish a book, but you’ll find out why later.

I am pretty certain the librarians at my local branch are wondering what in the world my hobbies are, judging from the stacks of fencing books for beginners, histories of New York crime in the 19^th century, and Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Mad-House, and more that I have continuously checked out since moving back to Louisiana.

The inspiration for this book came from Nellie Bly’s scandalous exposé for Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper, The World. In reading Nellie’s articles, I was shocked at the grounds by which the asylum would commit women and that’s when I discovered a tiny mention about an heiress with family members who had her tucked away so they could have her fortune. . .and Edyth Foster was born.

I hope you will enjoy reading about our eccentric leading lady and her fencing master hero, Raoul “Bane” Banebridge. If you are interested in seeing pictures of the asylum and to see what I pictured the characters looking like, check out my Pinterest board here.

Thank you for joining the fun for the Celebrate Lit tour! Join my author newsletter for more bookish news and to find out what is coming next! Just enter your e-mail address and name here. Happy Reading!

“With beautiful description and shiver-worthy scenes, Grace Hitchcock has penned an incredible fiction story based on true history. The Gray Chamber was a fascinating and chilling read. Edyth’s story had me glued to the pages. But as I journeyed with the heiress and her eccentricities, the greed of her family which saw her locked up in an asylum against her will made me grateful for the freedoms I have today. And made me pray that my voice would never be silenced. The nightmare was brought to life so vividly that I found myself holding my breath and then cheering on Bane as he never gave up on Edyth. This is a story that will stick with me for a long time…”

~Kimberley Woodhouse – Carol-Award winning and Best-Selling Author of more than twenty books, including: MissTaken Identity, The Express Bride, The Golden Bride, The Patriot Bride, and The Mayflower Bride.

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, January 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20
Texas Book-aholic, January 20
Emily Yager, January 21
All-of-a-kind Mom, January 21
Older & Smarter?, January 21
Bigreadersite, January 22
Inklings and notions, January 22
For Him and My Family, January 22
Genesis 5020, January 23
deb’s Book Review, January 23
Blogging with Carol, January 23
Christian Bookaholic, January 24
KarenSueHadley , January 24
Mary Hake, January 24
For the Love of Literature, January 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25
Godly Book Reviews, January 26
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 26
The Becca Files, January 26
Through the Fire Blogs, January 27
Daysong Reflections, January 27
Back Porch Reads, January 28
Robin’s Nest, January 28
Connie’s History Classroom, January 28
Betti Mace, January 29
Rebecca Tews, January 29
Vicky Sluiter, January 29
By The Book, January 30
Hallie Reads, January 30
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 30
Blossoms and Blessings, January 31
A Baker’s Perspective, January 31
Remembrancy, February 1
To Everything There Is A Season, February 1
With a Joyful Noise, February 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 2
Pause for Tales , February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free copy of The Gray Chamber!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

GIVEAWAY 

 My Thoughts

I love books based upon true events. I loved the history behind this story. I find asylum settings to be rather fascinating and of course these places were not well controlled/monitored for a lot of our past history. Reading about Nellie Bly and getting to be in that world for a few pages was fun and a bit disturbing. Edyth Foster's character I didn't love. I thought it was a unique point of view but the character didn't thrill me. I liked the historical aspect and bits and pieces of the chapters I enjoyed. Overall this wasn't my favorite book but it did make me look into a bit more of that time period and women's asylums. 

Three Stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Top Ten Winter Book Covers

 Top Ten Tuesday! 

Here are my top ten winter book covers. Surprisingly this was really difficult. There aren't many books that have snowy winter covers that aren't Christmas books.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

On An Evening Drive...

Top Ten Tuesday: The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf

Top Ten Tuesday!

I am excited about having all of these to add to my shelf!

 

The Way of The Brave: Five Stars!

 

About the Book

 

 Former pararescue jumper Orion Starr is haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong. He may be living alone in Alaska now, but the pain of his failure--and his injuries--has followed him there from Afghanistan. He has no desire to join Hamilton Jones's elite rescue team, but he also can't shirk his duty when the call comes in to rescue three lost climbers on Denali.

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun's yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from the guilt that has sunk its claws into her. As a consultant during a top-secret mission to root out the Taliban, she green-lighted an operation that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she'll be forced to trust her life and the lives of her friends to the most dangerous of heroes--the man she nearly killed.

Her skills and his experience are exactly what's needed to prevent another tragedy--but in order to truly set Orion free from his painful past, Jenny will have to reveal hers. They'll have to put their wounds behind them to survive, but at what cost?

Leap into action with this high-octane, breakneck new series from bestselling author Susan May Warren. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

Wow what an adventure! I am so excited for this new series and this first book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved all of the characters and I am eager to read the next story. This book is non-stop action from the battle field to the mountainside of Denali. I don’t know anything about climbing and I am amazed that people attempt to climb these mountains! I was able to visit Denali a few years ago, from a distance of course, and I didn’t realize climbing to the top was a possibility. I loved the suspense of everyone trying to survive and how detailed Susan is with her writing the experience. Orion I think might end up being my favorite male character I have read in a long time. The romance and secondary story lines were well written. This book also makes me have even more appreciation for our military and those that defend our country. The mental and emotional toll that it takes on these people is something often ignored or glossed over. This story was a good reminder for me to be so thankful for these individuals.

 

I highly recommend this book! It will keep you up late and holding your breath for what will happen next.  

 

Five stars! 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Collateral Damage Review

 

 About the Book

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

This book started out with a bang and kept me up late flipping the pages to find out what happened next. I really liked this book and I am excited about the next one! Typically military type books aren't my go to but every once in a while an author pulls me into this setting. I loved the characters, they were well written and I hope we get to read more of them. I like how the book kept you guessing without being over the top and unrealistic. I appreciated how PTSD is explained a bit and even the little things that are brought up that I wouldn't have thought to be a trigger. This is labeled as romantic suspense and while there is a tad of romance it doesn't take over the story. There are too many other things going on for much romance to happen-which I appreciate. This is such a great story and if you enjoy suspense I recommended it!

Five Stars.

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Do You Like To Travel?

 

One of the many things I have been thinking about is where in the world to travel this year. We both really enjoy it and we save up each year so that we can take a trip.  Some years it depends on life circumstances of course but this year I think we will try to do a longer trip and then visit some areas near us throughout the year.

I have put together a list of places within reasonable driving distance that we might try to see in 2020. I also love recommendations of fun places to go so add your input! 

·         Royal Gorge in Colorado-I would like to ride the train!

·         Chile & Frijoles Festival Pueblo, Colorado-I have always wanted to go and I think it might work out this year.

·         Georgetown, Colorado– This is such a cute little town bursting with fun shops, food, and history. The drive over Guanella Pass is also well worth the journey.

·         Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Kansas-This is a new state park and while you might think Kansas isn’t exciting, think again! There are some treasures hidden in the prairie.

·         Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark in Kansas-I bet you have seen pictures from here but didn’t realize it was located in Kansas.

·         Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska-This place covers 20 acres! That is a lot of history and artifacts. We love history and have always wanted to visit but have yet to make it there. This could be the year.

·         Leadville, Colorado-The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad train ride! We have been meaning to go here for a couple of years but it has yet to happen. I have family who has been on the train and they really enjoyed it. 

·         La Veta Pass area in Colorado-This I am sure won’t happen this year but GUYS this area is so unexpectedly pretty, especially in autumn. There was a fire that took out a lot of the forest but we visited after and it is still a beautiful area. Also, the northern New Mexico/southern Colorado border has some beautiful mountain areas that are well worth checking out.

 ·         The North Pole near Cascade, Colorado-I love this place so much. My husband thinks I am crazy but if you are in the area this is a fun place to spend a day. I personally don’t think you need to have kids to visit but I am sure if you do they will love it!

Some of things aren't going to happen for us this year but I thought I would share places that have been on my mind.

Are you going anywhere this year? Are you doing a “staycation”?

 

An Uncommon Woman Review

 

About the Book

Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical 18th-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical 18th-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself.

Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when she is taken captive by the tribe Clay left, his hand--and heart--are forced, leading to one very private and one very public reckoning.

Intense, evocative, and laced with intricate historical details that bring the past to life, An Uncommon Woman will transport you to the picturesque and dangerous western Virginia mountains of 1770. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

I get plain giddy when I have a new Laura Frantz book in my hands. Her books are some of my all time favorites and I know whatever she writes will be amazing. This story I enjoyed, though I had to mull it over for a few days before writing my review. While this story seemed to move a bit slower, I enjoyed the characters and setting immensely. I loved Clay's character and I wish we could have gotten more of a back story because a book just about his past would be great. The history starts on page one and that is why I love Laura's books so much. She makes history come alive and takes you on an adventure that keeps you turning the pages. 
I highly recommend anything she has written!

Five Stars. 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

December Memories and Hope For The New Year

I have about a half hour drive home from work each day. During this time my mind seems to be in overdrive and I do a lot of thinking. I realized yesterday how fast the last few months seem to have gone. December was a full month but it was a good one. We had work Christmas parties and family celebrations. We enjoyed our Christmas lights and wish we would have gone out and explored more of the decorated houses in the area. Work was very busy for both of us and to be honest the stress of it might have taken a smidge of the joy out of our holiday season. We loved giving gifts and we received some special ones as well. Every year I feel like I need to make a list of things I want to remember to do the following year. This year I didn’t do all the things I had planned. It was still an enjoyable and peaceful time. 

I ended the decade with a list of goals and excitement for a fresh start. The new year is always something I get excited about and with it being a new decade makes it all the better. I love lists and goals. I highly recommend making a reading goal of some kind! While I don’t typically think too much of what life will be like in the next ten years, I like to reflect on the past a little. I like to see how we have grown and changed as individuals. I also enjoy looking back and seeing how God has worked in our lives in the good and bad times. When you consider the moments that could have only been a God thing it makes you remember WHO is really in control. Did we ever think we would be where we are in life today? Absolutely not! But here we are and who knows what God has planned next.

So here is hoping that your new year is full of big and little adventures and memories in abundance.  

Favorite Books I Read In 2019

Top Ten Tuesday

I love looking back at my year of books. While this was a slower reading year for me I discovered some wonderful new stories.  Here they are in no particular order:












 









 







 


 

Wings Like A Dove Celebrate Lit Tour

 

About the Book

Book:  Wings Like A Dove
Author: Camille Eide
Genre: Historical fiction/romance
Release Date: December 1, 2019


Can the invisible walls that separate people ever come down?
In 1933, Anna Leibowicz is convinced that the American dream that brought her Jewish family here from Poland is nothing but an illusion. Her father has vanished. Her dreams of college can’t make it past the sweat-shop door. And when she discovers to her shame and horror that she’s with child, her mother gives her little choice but to leave her family. Deciding her best course of action is to try to find her father, she strikes out…hoping against hope to somehow redeem them both.
When Anna stumbles upon a house full of orphan boys in rural Indiana who are in desperate need of a tutor, she agrees to postpone her journey. But she knows from the moment she meets their contemplative, deep-hearted caretaker, Thomas Chandler, that she doesn’t dare risk staying too long. She can’t afford to open her heart to them, to him. She can’t risk letting her secrets out.
All too soon, the townspeople realize she’s not like them and treat her with the same disdain they give the Sisters of Mercy—the nuns who help Thomas and the boys—and Samuel, the quiet colored boy Thomas has taken in. With the Klan presence in the town growing ever stronger and the danger to this family increasing the longer she stays, Anna is torn between fleeing to keep them safe…and staying to fight beside them.
Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest…

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Camille writes poignant, inspirational love stories some call “more than a romance.” She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grandma, office admin, lead foot, cinnamon roll baker, and a bass guitarist. She’s a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, and Peanut M&Ms.

More from Camille

If Only I Could Fly Away…
“Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” -Psalm 55:6-8
What do you think of when you read this passage from Psalms? Does the idea of escape tempt you? Have you ever cried out for relief from life’s storms?
In Wings Like a Dove, Anna faces growing difficulties in her life. Psalm 55:6 is brought to her attention and she ponders it more than once, especially as the difficulties in her life steadily increase.
As Polish Jews in the early 1900s, Anna’s family lived in constant upheaval, so fleeing danger is nothing new to her. The problem is that Anna craves connection and community. While she was often uprooted, at least Anna enjoyed the security of family—until now. As the story begins, she is turned out of her home and must journey across the country alone, a heartache that only intensifies the persecution she faces as a Jew, an immigrant, and an unwed woman with child.
But her journey is temporarily delayed out of necessity, and she quickly falls in love with those who have taken her in. The idea of leaving them is as painful a prospect as leaving her own family, but because of the troubles that follow her, it seems she has no choice.
Psalm 55:6 isn’t tempting Anna to leave her surroundings; it tempts her to escape the negativity that robs her joy.
For Anna, and for the rest of us, we can’t flee trouble any more than we can grow wings and fly. The desire for relief is understandable. But what if there is a purpose in the difficult situations we face? What if we are called to more than simply outlast life’s storms? What if our weakest moment is exactly what God wants to use to show his power, love, mercy, and grace?
What if God is waiting for us to stop fluttering our wings and find joy in knowing that we are in the very place we need to be, for a purpose, for such a time as this?
Quote from Anna:
“If these past months have taught me nothing else, they have taught me that though I am only a seed blowing in the wind, I must still be fruitful wherever I land. I have learned that wherever we find ourselves, we must have the courage to stretch out roots and produce something useful, even in times of difficulty. We must bloom boldly in whatever field our seed has fallen.”
 May you find the sweet spot of joy and purpose in the midst of your storm!

-Camille

Blog Stops

KarenSueHadley, December 17
My Devotional Thoughts, December 17
Reflections From My Bookshelves, December 18
Mia Reads, December 18
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 19
Genesis 5020, December 19
Emily Yager, December 20
mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 20
Betti Mace, December 21
To Everything A Season, December 21
Christian Bookaholic, December 22
April Hayman, Author, December 22
For the Love of Literature, December 23
For The Love of Books, December 23
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 24
Bloggin’ ’bout Books, December 24
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 25
For Him and My Family, December 25
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, December 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 27
Deanne’s Book Thoughts, December 27
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 28
janicesbookreviews, December 28
Pause for Tales, December 29
Texas Book-aholic, December 29
A Reader’s Brain, December 30
Inklings and notions, December 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Camille is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon card & a signed book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

GIVEAWAY 


 My Thoughts

What a great idea for a story! I appreciate the topics this book brings up because, while this is a historical novel, it is something that can be just as relevant today. Anna is a terrific character and the story line seems to flow nicely. I think the main takeaway from a novel like this is how it makes you think. That is the reason books like this are important, they make you stop and ponder. You think about the past and how things were historically and then you also consider how people are today. You consider how we think and act in our communities and out in the world. I appreciate a story that makes a person pause and consider. I am anxious to read more by Camille Eide.

“Thanks to the publisher for offering me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.”