Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour and Giveaway for Once Upon an Irish Summer by Wendy Wilson Spooner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Wendy Wilson Spooner
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: April 3, 2020
Genre: Young Adult Historical Romance
Two teenagers, two centuries, one city.
1817 Ireland - Allen Hamilton crosses the Atlantic alone to find a way to save his family from imminent financial and social ruin before it's too late. Instead he is met with prejudice, sickness, and starvation.
2018 Fort Wayne, Indiana - A gifted young artist struggles with debilitating grief after a sudden death in her family. When she unearths Allen Hamilton's noble rise from rags to riches in Antebellum America, their shared connection inspires her own healing and renewed inspiration.
Based on a 200-year-old letter collection, Once Upon an Irish Summer brings to life and weaves together this true story of romance, mystery, and hope.
INTERVIEW WITH WENDY WILSON SPOONER
Would you share your inspiration for Once Upon an Irish Summer?
Wendy: It began with a trip to Ireland! The remarkable life of my 3rd great-uncle, Allen Hamilton, is who and what I wrote about in the historical chapters of Once Upon an Irish Summer. After researching his family in Ireland--including the original estate connected to the family--I investigated his life after he came to America. This ancestor left Ireland alone as a teenager to find a way to save his family. Who and what he became in the United States inspires me beyond words and I think he’ll inspire readers too. I based this book on the 200-year-old letter collection written to Allen by his parents as they suffered in Ireland. Also, at the end of Allen’s life, he left behind 15 boxes of letters and manuscripts documenting his extraordinary existence, called the Hamilton Papers.
How long did it take you to write this novel?
Wendy: Three long years of research and writing dual timelines. But I LOVE the result and I’ll do it again!
Do you have a favorite character in Once Upon and Irish Summer?
Wendy: Beth and Allen are my favorite characters, but Preston,
Beth’s childhood friend is a really close second. He’s a history nerd who helps
history-loathing Beth navigate her way through a job she hates until she
develops her own passion for the past. And he’s REALLY cute too.
What do you hope readers take away from this novel?
What do you hope readers take away from this novel?
Wendy: I hope readers are inspired to seek out and KNOW their
own ancestors. We can each gain a deeper sense of who we are in this world when
we get to know and love the people we come from, even if they really struggled.
And if you are adopted? Nurture is just as strong as nature. So, research those
ancestors on your adopted lines because they each had an influence on your
adoptive parents, which means they had a major influence on you!
Can you share a book you are currently reading or have read recently?
Can you share a book you are currently reading or have read recently?
Wendy: Right now, I’m reading The Chosen by Chaim Potok. It was
a number one best seller the year I was born, and its high time I read it.
Who is an author that you would recommend to anyone and everyone?
Who is an author that you would recommend to anyone and everyone?
Wendy: KATE MORTON. Oh, my goodness. She is the queen of dual
timelines! I love every single one of her books.
What hobbies do you enjoy when you aren't writing?
What hobbies do you enjoy when you aren't writing?
Wendy: I paint, hike, camp, play the piano, I’m an insane movie
buff, and I love to TRAVEL. This world is one big arena of vast opportunities
to experience. And I’m not done picking up new hobbies yet. I’ve always wanted
to learn to play the harp.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CONNECT WITH WENDY: Website | Facebook | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Once Upon an Irish Summer with a gorgeous Irish bookmark!!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 28, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on May 5, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
I enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDeleteLove the post Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being part of the JustRead Publicity Tours book tour for "Once Upon an Irish Summer".
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading the interveiw with Wendy Wilson Spooner. Always enjoy reading more about an author whose books I have on my TBR list.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thank you so much! - JustRead Tours
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read I love the cover
ReplyDelete