Step right up for a Day of Magic!
(Susanne here, using her best sideshow voice.)
Magic! Magic! That's right! You're in for quite a show. Sleight of hand. Rabbit out of a hat. You won't believe your eyes.
Because today on the Inkwell, we're celebrating the release of Vanishing Act (Book 2 of Charm and Deceit) by Jennifer AlLee and Lisa Karon Richardson!
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| Love the gown and bonnet! |
What better place to celebrate a Civil War-set novel than an 1860's themed soiree where we don pretty gowns, and our servers offer us delectable treats whilst entertaining us with the odd parlor trick?
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| Would you care for a refreshing glass of fruit punch? Afterward, I shall produce a coin from behind your ear.* |
But wait a moment, kind sir. Pray tell, might you please explain what all this magic is about?
Let's examine the book, shall we?
Juliet Button doesn't even believe in ghosts, but she believes in supporting her makeshift family of misfits. Having spent years as assistant to her uncle, an illusionist, she now has all of the skills and know–how she needs to make an audience believe the impossible. So, she begins a career as a medium by the name of Miss Avila. She wants nothing to do with a detective with the power to destroy the life she's built, but when President Lincoln's youngest son is kidnapped, and the first lady comes to her for help, she can't refuse, even if it means facing Pinkerton agent Carter Forbes, who knows far too much about her already—and possibly falling in love.
A medium? Not an occupation many Christian heroines find for themselves. Juliet must be in a pickle.
And what is this about the kidnapping of President Lincoln's young son? Oh dear. Good thing we have a Pinkerton agent at our disposal. Dear Carter. Meanwhile, Poor Mary Todd Lincoln is worried sick.
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| Mary Lincoln knew so much grief. How sad. |
It sounds as if the stakes in this novel are high, indeed. Add to it a spiritual journey and the element of romance between Juliet and Carter, and oh dear! I may swoon! (Never mind that I'm wearing a period-appropriate corset for the party that might or might not be cutting off my circulation.)
I have a feeling everything will work out in the end, don't you?
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| President Lincoln and youngest son, Tad, who is safe and sound in this image! |
Meanwhile, here comes our server with a tray of cakes and other sweets! What's this? He would like a volunteer from the audience?
One of the Inkies has leaped to her feet, and in a swish of silk, she is at the front of the room. My, she is blushing as our waiter/illusionist gently assists her into a box on the table where he--gasp! He's going to cut her in half!
Oh dear. Perhaps it's best if I cease writing and rush to her aid. That saw he's wielding looks rather sharp. I'm not sure our waiter is a true illusionist and this seems a rather dangerous way to find out....
In the meantime, Jennifer and Lisa have graciously offered to give away a copy of Vanishing Act! Please leave a comment by 11:59 pm EDT, Saturday, Oct 19, and one name will be drawn at random.
* Jude Law at the premiere screening of "Midnight in Paris" on the opening night of the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival. (Pacific Coast News). All other images from Lisa Karon Richardson's "Charm and Deceit" pinterest page.
I am here early because, well, I was worried the waiter would not show up. Coffee is on, hot water is boiling and we're starting the day with some nice breakfast food. You will get to see us in our hooped skirts today, and it takes a while to get used to maneuvering!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susie, Jude (looking a bit like Mr. Lawless in that photo rather than Mr. Law??) and congratulations Lisa and Jen on another super installment from the Charm and Deceit series!
Yes, I've volunteered for the magic show. Good thing I wore a skirt and blouse, I'd hate to have a good dress ruined by a dull saw blade!
Oh, Deb, Mr. Lawless indeed. He surely looks like a mischief-maker to me. :D
DeleteHey Jude... over here! :)
Deleteha ha ha!
DeleteLoved the post, Susie. What a fun way to introduce the book, Vanishing Act.
ReplyDeleteJen and Lisa... The heroine is a medium? Well even if I weren't inclined to read this series - which I am! - I'd have to read it just to see how you carried it off. What an imagination you too - er - quiet - Inkies have. :D
And congratultions on another release. Can't wait to read it. :)
Well, Anita Mae, I hope you approve of how we've handled it. My favorite review that we've gotten was from a lady who said, I thought I was going to hate this book, (because of the medium) but I loved it!
DeleteYes, the whole idea of having a medium as our heroine may seem odd, but it really makes sense! Our publisher, Whitaker House, never expressed any dismay over our choice, and I've heard from quite a few people who said they really enjoyed how we handled it. Hearing that always makes me smile!
DeleteI will admit it. I was the one who jumped right up and volunteered to be sawed in half. But really, when you're in such fine hands is there anything to worry about?
ReplyDeleteThanks for throwing this party, Susie! I'm really excited about this release. I love the story and I think readers will enjoy it as well.
My goodness, what a morning. There seems to be line-up of blushing volunteers, eager to assist the illusionist in the show.
ReplyDeleteI am in need of a bit of breakfast. Seriously. My 1887 White House cookbook (albeit a few decades too late) suggests a morning buffet of brain cutlets, tomato toast, steamed oatmeal, tea, and egg muffins. However, I'm stepping in and declaring the brain cutlets OUT and croissants and eggs scrambled with bits of ham and onion IN.
We are all so happy for Jen and Lisa!
Hold the onion please! But then I'm in. I've been saving my appetite just for this!
DeleteAll right. No onion. We wouldn't want anything giving us bad breath when the illusionist is about. Thanks for saving my bacon, Lisa.
DeleteWhat on earth is "tomato toast"?
DeleteThe recipe says to stew a quart of ripe tomatoes until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and butter. Add a cup of sweet cream and some flour. Heat. Pour over slices of buttered, "dipped" toast. I don't know what dipped toast is.
DeleteThis does not sound bad to me, btw. Almost like creamy tomato soup with croutons.
Susie, you always throw a great party! Actually, the tomato toast dish sounds yummy. Thanks a bunch!
DeleteWHA??? no brain cutlets? White House food in 1887?
ReplyDeleteNO brain cutlets, Deb. I know you're disappointed. They are served with a nice gravy, after all.
DeleteI love my White House 1887 cookbook. Except for the breakfast suggestions. Lots of mutton, calf's liver, fried fish, broiled fish, pickled pigs feet, etc. Modern breakfasts sound much more palatable to me.
Yeah, I'm more of a continental breakfast kind of gal. All that sounds really heavy. Not to mention, ick.
DeleteThis sounds like so much fun! Must add another title to my TBR stack... er, room.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Niki. I will probably be killed by books toppling over on me.
DeleteGreat way to introduce this book. I'm interested and intrigued by this book. Looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the chance of a giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Barbara! Glad you could come by. You're entered into the drawing!
DeleteWe love having you here, Barb! Someone may need to call an ambulance, well, an 1865 ambulance, so we need someone who is clear-headed.
DeleteHi Barbara, you're in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm glad I chimed in late enough to miss breakfast! :) Congratulations, ladies.Sounds like a great read. Also curious how you pulled of the medium thing...
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question as to how a Christian heroine can be a medium, Barb...in the spirit of the fortune telling/magic theme, I predict we must read the book! (ugh. I am so bad at this stuff.)
DeleteStick to fiction, oh Genesis Winner. Fortune Telling is not for you.
DeleteBut I can see Deb with a bandanna tied gypsy style around her head and big hoop earrings as she bends over a crystal ball. Yep. I can see that for sure.
Deleteyes, it's true. Pick a color. I have about ten options. "your future's so bright you're going to need sunglasses!"
Deletea great posting...thanks for the chance to read this novel :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Hi KarenK! Thanks for coming by. You're entered into the drawing!
DeleteCongratulations, ladies! I love the premise of this book. And the cover, too. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I know I'm late to the party, but how fun!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book as you'll see on Friday. :)
This book sounds really good! I can't wait to get my hands on it! :)
ReplyDeletecampbellamyd at gmail dot com
Thanks for stopping in Amy C! this is the second book - I know it will stand alone but I hope you get to read them both. Your name is in the drawing!
DeleteThere's still some pickled pigs feet at the buffet. Any takers? Anyone? Hello?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of new releases, I just updated the "Our Books" feature to the right. We now have twenty-five books listed! Whoo hooo, Inkies! And that's not including Anita's story in the anthology or a number of books coming out early next year.
ReplyDelete