Samantha Hastings's Blog, page 7

Book deal: The Marquess and the Runaway Lady

Coming February 2023

 I am working on the edits now and I can't wait to share more.

Five Winners Giveaway!

A New Cozy Mystery Series!

Thank You DEAL!

♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡ Sweet Historical Romances ♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡
Escape with over 20 Historical Romances with all the feels! Just 99¢
FREE Thank You DEAL: Preorder on iBooks or NOOK between April 4-April 21, 2022 and receive up to 6 ebooks for free to read while you wait for the boxed set to release.
Click now
NOOK: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1140033403
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1581762378
 Horses, animals and love, oh my!
 Happily Ever Afters
A sweet collection of original, heartwarming and inspiring historical romance novellas from best-selling authors.
All proceeds benefit animal rescue All Seated In A Barn
Don’t miss this limited-edition box set.
SEND a picture of your iBook or NOOK receipt to Jo@JoNoelle.com to receive your free ebook download links. Download freebies before the end of the day on April 22, 2022, when they disappear.

Interview with Anneka Walker

 

Interview with Anneka Walker:
Q: Do you have your own group of Rebels?
A: I do! We call ourselves HACKK though. We grew up together and take yearly girl's trips. They are always eager to rally behind a good cause and are as loyal as they come.
 
Q: Have you ever tried to matchmake, like the ladies in your book? Or are you in a 'musical club' (#wink)?
A: Haha! I love this question. I have experimented a little in the art of matchmaking. The first time I meddled, I nearly had a success. While they both married other people (they chose beautifully for themselves) they are next-door neighbors and their kids are best friends. So at least I can say, I had a hand in building a beautiful friendship!  
 
Q: Who is your favorite character in the book?
A: Paul. I love out-of-the-box characters. He has so many layers to him, and no matter how he tries to protect them, Louisa keeps peeling them back. The poor guy can't hide how wonderful he is. So, he's my fav because I loved brainstorming his reactions and seeing him evolve through the story.
 
Q: What was your inspiration for the story?
A: I wanted to write a community of strong families. They ALL have their problems, so strong does not mean perfect! And, yes, the kids are often pitted against their parents. But even with misguided ideas, I wanted to see a lot of familial love on the page. Annnnd, my mom shows her love to my siblings by trying to set them up. So, there was that too, lol!
 
Q: Which was your favorite bit of research that you did not end up using?
A: I did a lot of research about barristers and stumbled upon a historical record of cases from the assizes. Justice looked very different back then. Most crimes were punished similarly, even if one crime was not as severe as another. I fell hard down this rabbit hole, reading things that had absolutely no relevance to my story. It was both terrible and fabulous!
 
Q: What movies or shows would be a comparable title with your book?
A: I'm going to stretch this one a bit and say Pride and Prejudice. Visualize Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine De bourgh doing their utter best to sway the winds of fate, but in the end, love has a way of doing its own thing.
 
Q: Which Rebel do the Matchmaking Mama's intend to help next?
A: Teasing Tom is the Matchmaking Mamas next victim! I am almost done writing his story. Poor Tom thought he could hold out on love, but the mamas chose the perfect woman to weaken his defenses.

Connect with Anneka Walker: Website, Facebook, Instagram.

Bargaining for the Barrister

 

BARGAINING FOR THE BARRISTER by Anneka R. Walker

The young people in the village call themselves the Rebels, but they are no match for the Matchmaking Mama's! Mothers (and a few fathers) have joined forces under the guise of a new 'music club' to marry off their children. Mrs. Sheldon is first and wants her son Paul, a hard working barrister, to find love. She invites Miss Louisa Cox to stay. Louisa has lost both of her parents and is tired of being chased for her fortune. She wants to find a kind man with whom she can have an affectionate relationship. But Paul feels trapped by their machinations as well as from his abusive past. He doesn't like to be touched-how can he fall in love?

Both Paul and Louisa are struggling with past trauma and attempting to handle it different ways. Their romance is a sweet, slow burn as they both allow themselves to be vulnerable with the other. The Rebels (Paul's friend group) are particularly charming and I can't help but wonder who will be the next to be subjected to the Matchmaking mama's?

A lovely, emotional romance that is completely satisfying.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Reveal: HORSES, HOUNDS & HAPPILY EVER AFTER

 It's COVER REVEAL time!

I'm so thrilled to partner with these incredible historical romance authors to present the anthology, HORSES, HOUNDS & HAPPILY EVER AFTER. All proceeds go to the animal rescue charity: All Seated in a BarnComing May 3, 2022.You can preorder it now, for just $0.99 cents! That's only $0.03 cents a story. AmazonEverywhere else

Whitney Awards Nominee

 I am delighted to share that THE GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN EYES is a Whitney Awards nominee. To learn more and nominate more of your favorite books published this year, go to www.whitneyawards.com

Gift with Purchase of THE GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN EYES

Thank you so much for supporting me and my books! If you purchase an eBook, Paperback, or Hardback copy, I 'd love to send you a little gift in the mail. Unfortunately, Kindle Unlimited does not qualify. International readers welcome. Ends November 13, 2021.

Enter your address and a screenshot of your receipt here.

Easy purchase link. 

Discussion questions for THE GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN EYES

 The Girl with the Golden Eyes  Discussion Questions

In what ways does the Comtesse de Champagne treat Hana like a pet or painting? Or do you think she treats her like a daughter?

Some of the comtesse’s home remedies seem outlandish, but are there any home remedies that you use?

Aaron asks Hana what she is scared of and she says poverty. What are you scared of? How does Hana’s fear of poverty help drive her decision making?

Would you pick kisses or cake? Which flavor?

Hana wants “to be loved, but not cherished. She’d been cherished before, and nothing was more soul-destroying than that.” Do you agree?

Aaron prefers photographs to paintings. “Photography showed only truth in all its tainted and painful glory. It showed death without dignity, remorse without restraint.” Do you agree? Do you prefer photographs or paintings?

Did any of the Victorian mourning practices or superstitions surprise you? How do we mourn similarly today?

 Aaron says, “Please don’t trade your freedom for security.” Later, Hana believes that she has “sold her soul for security, her conscience for convenience.” Do you think Hana traded her freedom for security? Even at the end?

After Aaron learns of his illegitimacy, he is upset at how people are treated based on their birth. Something that is out of their control. He remonstrates with Daniel for thinking Prissy is only “a bit of fun.” He says that people won’t call Daniel names, but they will Prissy. Are women or those of lower classes, still treated differently than men or those of higher social classes?

Did the true murderer surprise you? Did you sympathize with their reasons to commit murder?

What twist did you not see coming in the story? 

If you read the author’s note, how does Hana’s life compare to the fictional story by Frances Hodgson Burnett, “Two Days in the Life of Piccino?”

Printable link.