About the Book
Book: Garden of the Midnights
Author: Hannah Linder
Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical / Romance
Release Date: October, 2023
Danger Lurks at Rosenleigh Manor
Enjoy another Gothic Style Regency from Hannah Linder.
The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As
English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at
Rosenleigh, he pleads for truth from the only man he can trust—until
that man is murdered.
As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into
destitution—leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the
constant love of Isabella Gresham, but even that has been threatened.
When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils
Isabella’s life, will William be the only one willing to rescue her? And
even if he saves Isabella from her captors, will he still have to
forsake her heart?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Hannah Linder
resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia.
Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense
novels. She is a double 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 Selah Award
finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers
(ACFW). Hannah is a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who
specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both
traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today,
and International bestsellers. She is also a local photographer and a
self-portrait photographer. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys
playing her instruments—piano, guitar, and ukulele—songwriting, painting
still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her
1800s farmhouse. To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com.
More from Hannah
Sometimes, the things we say we’ll never do are exactly the things we find ourselves doing.
Back when I was still wearing two braids and walking around barefoot
everywhere, I told myself I would never make a speech. Never. But by the
time high school graduation came along, despite a thousand firm
declarations that I wouldn’t, my mother shook her head. “I think you
should do it,” she said—and because mothers are usually right, I did.
Granted, I read the speech off a folded sheet of copy paper because I
was too nervous to face the crowd. And my knees were jelly. And I stood
off-centered on the stage instead of behind the pulpit like anyone
else.
But I did it.
For the rest of my life, I’ll look back and remember what it felt
like. Standing on the stage, reading my heart, hearing the sniffles and
glancing up to see tears glistening in the eyes of endless people I
love.
That was special. Mother was right.
Want to know another thing I said I would never do? Re-write a novel.
I’ve heard the stories all my life. The author second guesses their own
ability and burns their manuscript. Then, years later, they rewrite the
story that echoes through the ages as a classic. Or the novelist loses
their entire document to a computer crash, so with a blank page and a
blinking cursor, they start anew.
I never thought that was something I could do.
I never wanted to.
If I ever lost a novel or was prompted to start over, I would abandon
ship and try for a different vessel. Anyway, that’s what I told myself.
Garden of the Midnights was the story I wrote many years ago
when I was younger, when I knew less about manors and England and
history. I made mistakes. I broke writing rules. I did too little
research and too much overwriting…but it had my soul. Somehow, it was
alive. The characters breathed. The tears in their pillow, the aches in
their throat, became a part of who I was and what I felt.
This was the one. The story I loved most.
But the edits and the mistakes and the problems overwhelmed me. Like
the fearful girl in braids who refused to make a speech, I wanted to
throw in the towel and say with even more defiance, “I will never
re-write a novel. Never.”
But Mother knew what was needed. She knew the story was too much a
part of me to tuck away in some drawer, forgotten and dusty, unread by
anyone. So she nodded her head and said, “I think you should do it.”
I didn’t want to.
I was afraid because it wasn’t easy.
But because mothers are usually right, I did. Now, Garden of the Midnights is
ready. My heart is still tangled in all the words, all the twists, all
the secrets—but this time more, because the book has yet another part of
me. The part that was fearful. The part that was too close to quitting.
The part that finished anyway.
For the rest of my life, I’ll look back and be thankful. When someone
writes me a note that they enjoyed the book, or gets a whimsical tone
to their voice when they talk about a scene, or looks up from the pages
with tears shimmering in their eyes.
That will be special. Mother was right.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 28
Melissa’s Bookshelf, October 28
Texas Book-aholic, October 29
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 29
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 30
An Author’s Take, October 30
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 31
Mary Hake, October 31
Book Looks by Lisa, November 1
Alena Mentink, November 1
Connie’s History Classroom, November 2
Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 3
Sylvan Musings, November 3
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 4 (Author Interview)
To Everything There Is A Season, November 4
Blogging With Carol, November 5
For Him and My Family, November 5
Betti Mace, November 6
Live.Love.Read., November 6
Wishful Endings, November 7
Cover Lover Book Review, November 7
Where Faith and Books Meet, November 8
Holly’s Book Corner, November 8
Splashes of Joy, November 9
Labor Not in Vain, November 9
Pause for Tales, November 10
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Hannah is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a print copy of the 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
The premise for this story line had me quite intrigued. I have read the author's previous books so I was anxious to read this one. I really liked William and his story arc that flows through the pages. The first part of the book surprised me and I was a bit confused at a few different plot points after that. I loved the setting and there is a bit of mystery which always adds to this type of novel. I really REALLY struggled with the romance part. I wanted to love them together and to cheer them on but the first part of the book ruined that for me. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so I will just say that I just couldn't love this book like I wanted to. Perhaps if the relationship wasn't the center point of the story I might have enjoyed it more. I think many people are going to love it to the fullest but for me it was just okay.
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."
