BLOG TOUR: Waiting For The Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton

 

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Julie Carrick Dalton's debut novel, Waiting For The Night Song! Today, on our tour stop, we have a guest post featuring Julie's 10 Favorite Books this Year 2020 AND a tour-wide giveaway to share. So. Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now! Follow the tour, HERE.

Genre:

Adult

Mystery Thriller

Publish Date:

January 12, 2021

Publisher:

Forge Books

(Imprint of Tor Books)

Synopsis:

A startling and timely debut, Julie Carrick Dalton's Waiting for the Night Song is a moving, brilliant novel about friendships forged in childhood magic and ruptured by the high price of secrets that leave you forever changed.

Cadie Kessler has spent decades trying to cover up one truth. One moment. But deep down, didn't she always know her secret would surface?

An urgent message from her long-estranged best friend Daniela Garcia brings Cadie, now a forestry researcher, back to her childhood home. There, Cadie and Daniela are forced to face a dark secret that ended both their idyllic childhood bond and the magical summer that takes up more space in Cadie's memory then all her other years combined.

Now grown up, bound by long-held oaths, and faced with truths she does not wish to see, Cadie must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to protect the people and the forest she loves, as drought, foreclosures, and wildfire spark tensions between displaced migrant farm workers and locals.

Waiting for the Night Song is a love song to the natural beauty around us, a call to fight for what we believe in, and a reminder that the truth will always rise.

      

 

Julie Carrick Dalton's 10 Favorite Books Read this Year 2020

Ten Favorite Books Read This Year (not in any particular order- they are all my favorites!)

1. The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson

2. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

3. The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata

4. Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

5. Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

6. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

7. Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall

8. Remembrance by Rita Woods

9. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

10. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Praise for WAITING FOR THE NIGHT SONG

“Julie Carrick Dalton’s deftly constructed, urgent yet slow-burning debut novel reads like a warning from the frontlines of our rapidly deteriorating natural world.” —Omar El Akkad, American War

“Both a timely and timeless literary mystery, Waiting for the Night Song is as seductive as it is smart, blending the allure of Julie Dalton’s beloved rural New Hampshire setting with the dark undercurrents of a community’s racial divisions and betrayals. This is a story of love, of home, of friendship and family, of a childhood’s innocence and an adult’s comeuppance, all of which are in the line of fire in this beauty of a page turner.” —Michelle Hoover, award-winning author of Bottomland and The Quickening

“Human nature clashes with Mother Nature in this riveting and heartbreaking coming of age story— gorgeously written, and wonderfully told. With its combination of powerful themes and intensely immersive setting, fans of Delia Owens will swoon to find their new favorite author. A phenomenal debut!” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, award-winning author of The First to Lie

“Dalton writes masterfully of human relationship and the fraught relationship humanity has with ecology…put it on your lists NOW.” —Michael Zapata, author of The Lost Book of Adana Moreau

“I marvel when I come across a book that is at once timely and timeless…It’s a novel that burns–figuratively and literally–with sharp prose and uncommon wisdom. Do yourself a favor and have a look for yourself.” —Peter Geye, award-winning author of Wintering

“Waiting for the Night Song is a beautiful book that is also a hell of a read. Complex characters, unforgettable setting, taut storyline, big ideas.” —Ashley Shelby, author of South Pole Station

“Smart and searingly passionate, Dalton’s absorbing mystery debut explores many timely issues including global warming, female friendships, childhood secrets, and the lengths we take to protect them — Waiting For The Night Song is an illuminating snapshot of nature, betrayal and sacrifices set in the evocative New Hampshire wilderness.” —Kim Michele Richardson, award-winning author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“A killer, gorgeous debut that tackles love, racism and even climate change. Waiting for the Night Song will break your heart, leave you breathless and wanting more.” —Rachel Barenbaum, bestselling author of A Bend in the Stars

“Dalton weaves the vagaries of friendship, the wonder of the natural world, and the power of truth to create a powerful and unforgettable story.” —Erica Ferencik, bestselling author of The River at Night and Into the Jungle

“Dalton’s debut is a story of friendship, family, and the consequences of acting out of fear, especially when those actions are performed to protect those we love. The storytelling is made even more vivid by the way the novel practically breathes the woods of New Hampshire.” —Booklist

“Stirring...a taut novel that builds suspense to the very end.” —Publishers Weekly

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**About the Author**

Photo Credit: Sharona Jacobs

Julie Carrick Dalton grew up in Maryland and on a military base in Germany. As an adult, she bounced around from Seattle to Dallas to Virginia, before finding her true home in Boston, where she has lived for more than twenty years. Her writing has appeared in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Electric Literature, and other publications. She contributes to The Chicago Review of Books, DeadDarlings, and The Writer Unboxed. A Tin House alum and graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator, Julie holds a Master’s in Literature and Creative Writing from Harvard Extension School. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis. Mom to four kids and two dogs, Julie is a passionate skier, hiker, and kayaker. She also owns and operates an organic farm. Please excuse her dirty fingernails.

Stay connected with Julie Carrick Dalton

      

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

- ends February 1, 2021

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

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BLOG TOUR: South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for South of the Buttonwood Tree by USA Today bestselling author Heather Webber! Today, on our tour stop, we have an exclusive excerpt AND a cool tour-wide giveaway to share as we celebrate this new release! So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now! Follow the tour, HERE!

Genre:

Adult

Paranormal/Fantasy Contemporary

Women's Fiction

Publish Date:

July 21, 2020

Publisher:

Forge Books

Synopsis:

Blue Bishop has a knack for finding lost things. While growing up in charming small-town Buttonwood, Alabama, she's happened across lost wallets, jewelry, pets, her wandering neighbor, and sometimes, trouble. No one is more surprised than Blue, however, when she comes across an abandoned newborn baby in the woods, just south of a very special buttonwood tree.

Sarah Grace Landreneau Fulton is at a crossroads. She has always tried so hard to do the right thing, but her own mother would disown her if she ever learned half of Sarah Grace's secrets.

The unexpected discovery of the newborn baby girl will alter Blue's and Sarah Grace's lives forever. Both women must fight for what they truly want in life and for who they love. In doing so, they uncover long-held secrets that reveal exactly who they really are--and what they're willing to sacrifice in the name of family.

       

   

*Excerpt*

Marlo took my hand, holding it tightly, and drew in a deep breath. “It’s not a new employee.” Pulling her shoulders back, she stared at me with a shiny, determined gaze and said, “Blue, honey, I’ve sold the shop. I’m handing over the keys tonight. The Rabbit Hole has a new owner.”

The words swirled in my ears, slurring together. Certain I hadn’t heard her right, I started shaking my head to sort the syllables properly.

She squeezed my fingers. “You must understand, Blue. I’m past due for retirement, and the time has come for me to be with Moe around the clock. I want the transfer to be as seamless as possible—I’ll be staying on the staff for another month at least—but this week is just plain bad timing, especially with the festival. I’m throwing the new owner out of the frying pan and straight into the fire.”

“I . . . I . . .” Tears welled and I blinked them away. I heard what she was saying, and I knew what she said to be true, but to be blindsided like this had stolen my breath. I pulled back, and the tin pail fell from my forearm, spilling cheerful dandelion heads across the tree roots.

She said, “I didn’t tell you my plans ahead of time, because I knew you’d put up a fuss. You’d do something crazy like try to buy the shop yourself.”

I nodded.

“But, Blue, the shop has been my dream, not yours. It would be a burden to you. Don’t you shake your head at me. You know it’s true. You want to leave Buttonwood one day, remember? Besides, the money you’ve saved up is earmarked for something more important—your dream to start a family, to be a mama.”

“Who?” I managed to say. “Who’d you sell it to?”

A smile ghosted her lips. “He’s a grade-school teacher. Someone—”

A cry cut her off. My chin came up at the sound. So familiar. So out of place here in the woods.

Marlo glanced around and said, “That didn’t sound like a crow.”

No, the cry hadn’t sounded like a crow . . . It had sounded like a baby.

My head must’ve been playing tricks on me. Or it was my heart. Either way, I didn’t appreciate it.

As trouble gloated, I looked around. It took only a moment to spot her. I blinked, convinced it was my eyes playing the tricks this time, until she opened her tiny mouth and let out another wail. I sprinted due south of the Buttonwood Tree, to the basket nestled in a patch of daisy fleabane. I dropped to my knees. Netting was draped over the wicker, and I peeled it away so I could pick up the baby, her pink blanket and all.

She couldn’t have been more than a few days old, still wrinkled and looking like an old, wise, ticked-off woman. Warm and oh so soft, she was dressed in a simple white onesie. A headband made of pink ribbon that had a delicate scalloped edge was tied at the top of her head in a small bow that sat prettily in a fluff of pale-blond hair. As I tucked her close to my body, I was oddly reminded of a sack of flour, one big five-pound lump. My hands shook as I held her to my chest, and she quieted, her eyes squished closed.

Marlo came up behind me and gasped. “What in the ever-loving world?”

I stood up, keeping tight hold of the baby. There was no note. No explanation. Peering into the woods, I called out. “Hello?” Surely someone didn’t leave a baby out here in the woods all alone. Was this some kind of coldhearted prank, a cruel joke?

Twigs snapped in the distance, and I saw a quick-moving blur among the shadows. It seemed as though someone had waited to make sure the baby was found and then ran off. 

“Blue, look,” Marlo said as she crouched low to the ground.

My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears that I barely heard her.

“It must’ve fallen out of the blanket when you picked her up.” She held out her open palm. On it rested a Buttonwood Tree button, made of wafer-thin sycamore about the size of a half-dollar. On the pale wood, a message was etched in chicken-scratch letters.

GIVE THE BABY TO BLUE BISHOP.

I glanced down at the baby, at her dark eyelashes, pink cheeks, and tiny pointy chin.

A tiny pink bundle of trouble.

And I’d be damned if I was letting her go.

Copyright © 2020 by Heather Webber

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Praise for Heather Webber's MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFE

"Full of family secrets, undeniable charm and that particular touch of magic so often found in the South, MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFE is a heartfelt and redemptive tale of a daughter looking to move forward in the place her mother couldn’t wait to leave behind. Heather Webber creates a town as dynamic and real as her characters—and a story so compelling that it will stay on readers’ minds long after the final page. I savored every word." —Kristy Woodson Harvey, national bestselling author of Slightly South of Simple

"Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is an enchanting gem of a novel, brimming with charming characters, heartwarming connections, old secrets, and a southern setting that makes you want to move there. As refreshing as a glass of blackberry tea, this is truly magical realism at its best!" —Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

"Family, fate, and magic intertwine in this endearing Southern tale of long-held secrets, homemade pie, and building one's future from the remains of the past. A tantalizing, delicious delight, through and through. Heather Webber writes with so much detail and imagination that I’ll be craving some Blackbird Cafe pie—and the comfort that comes with it—for a long time to come." —Kristin Harmel, international bestselling author of The Room on Rue Amélie and The Sweetness of Forgetting

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**About the Author**

Photo Content from Heather Webber

Heather Webber is the national bestselling author of more than thirty novels--including Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, the Lucy Valentine novels, and the Nina Quinn Mysteries--and has been twice nominated for an Agatha Award. She loves to spend time with her family, read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, watch cooking competition and home improvement shows, crochet, and bake. Heather lives in southwestern Ohio and is hard at work on her next book.

Stay connected with Heather Webber

      

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

- ends August 10, 2020

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

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BLOG TOUR: Blame The Dead by Ed Ruggero

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Ed Ruggero's Blame The Dead. Today, on our tour stop, we are thrilled to spotlight this author and his novel. Plus, we have a tour-wide giveaway to share, too! So... Be sure to check out this new releas and grab your copy now! Follow the tour, HERE!

Genre:

New Adult

Historical/Mystery Fiction

Publish Date:

March 3, 2020

Publisher:

Forge Books

Synopsis:

The nurses of the US Army's Field Hospitals, mobile units that operate just behind the battle lines, contend with heat, dirt, short-handed staffs, the threat of German counterattack and an ever-present flood of horribly wounded GIs. At the 11th Field Hospital near Palermo, Sicily in the bloody summer of 1943, nurses also live with the threat of violent assault by one of their own--at least until someone shoots Dr. Myers Stephenson in the head.

Enter Eddie Harkins, a tough former Philadelphia beat cop turned Military Police lieutenant, who is first on the scene. Although he has never been a detective, Harkins soon finds himself the lone investigator, either because the Military Police are under-staffed or because someone in power thinks this rank amateur will never get close to the real killer. When the hospital commander tries to derail Harkins' investigation by transferring or harassing key witnesses, it becomes clear to Harkins that the unit is rotten to its core, that the nurses are not safe, and that patients who have survived Nazi bullets are still at risk after they arrive at this place that is supposed to save them.

Harkins fights--and worries that he is losing--multiple battles. He is driven to give hope to nurses who just want to do their life-saving work, to right at least a few of the wrongs around him, and to do penance for sins in his own past. The one bright note for Harkins is a rekindled relationship with Kathleen Donnelly, a nurse from Harkins' old neighborhood; but even that is complicated when Donnelly becomes a victim.

       

   

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Praise for BLAME THE DEAD

“The title of this riveting, finely crafted novel may be Blame the Dead, but I blame author Ed Ruggero--for keeping me up at night, reading "just one more" chapter then another and another. Whether your interests lie in a well-wrought mystery, a classic cop story, historical settings or first-rate military fiction, this thoroughly enjoyable novel set during World War II checks the block. Great pacing, compelling characters, solid research and a fiendishly clever plot add up to non-stop reading excitement.” ―Ralph Peters, author of Cain at Gettysburg and Judgment at Appomattox

“This book is a lot of fun, written with an insider's feel for the U.S. Army and its history.” ―Thomas E. Ricks, author of The Generals and Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq

“Ruggero's story sets itself apart with the vividly rendered field-hospital setting and the focus on the battle-hardened nurses. A solid choice for WWII-thriller fans.” ―Booklist

“At the start of this exceptional WWII mystery and series launch, Lt. Eddie Harkins, an MP who was once a Philadelphia beat cop, comes across a murder scene near Palermo, Sicily.... Ruggero plays fair with his readers and makes the carrying out of a homicide inquiry in wartime both exciting and plausible.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Ruggero uses his military expertise to create a vivid and unconventional setting for a murder mystery, crafting an intriguing quagmire of institutional corruption to challenge his everyman hero.” ―Library Journal 

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**About the Author**

Photo Content from Ed Ruggero

Ed Ruggero has studied, practiced, and taught leadership for more than twenty-five years, helping organizations develop the kinds of leaders people want to follow. His client list includes the FBI, the New York City Police Department, CEO Conference Europe, the CIA, the Young Presidents Organization, Forbes, the SAS Institute, Hugo Boss USA, CitiFinancial, and Time, among many others. He has appeared on CNN, The History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and CNBC and has spoken to audiences around the world on leadership, leader development and ethics. Ed is a senior advisor to McKinsey & Company and has been a panelist for The Washington Post’s On Leadership series. He also has been a guest speaker at Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Ed is the author of eleven books, including Duty First: West Point and the Making of American Leaders, a study of leader development at the US Military Academy; and Combat Jump: The Young Men Who Led the Assault Into Fortress Europe, July 1943, which became a one-hour docudrama on The History Channel. Ed is also the co-author of The Leader’s Compass, a fictional story of how one leader developed a personal leadership philosophy. His most recent book is The First Men In: US Paratroopers and the Fight to Save D-Day.

After his graduation from West Point, Ed received his commission in the United States Army and served as an infantry officer in a variety of leadership positions, followed by an assignment teaching at West Point. After his service, Ed continued to share his insights about leadership, leading to his career as an author, public speaker, and trainer.

Ed is the founder and principal of The Gettysburg Leadership Experience, The Concord Leadership Experience, The Valley Forge Leadership Experience and the Normandy Leadership Experience, four distinct experiential learning programs in which participants walk the grounds of great military struggles and learn battle-tested leadership lessons that will help them meet today’s business challenges.

Stay connected with Ed Ruggero

      

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

- ends March 23, 2020

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

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Blog Tour Organized by