Author Interview & Giveaway: Once Upon an Irish Summer

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

Title: Once Upon an Irish Summer
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.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

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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 3^rd 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?

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?

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?

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?

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.
  

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wendy Wilson Spooner became a novelist after writing academically and for family history clients. Her love of history compels her to write the true stories she unearths during research, and she's found that truth is indeed much more exciting and inspiring than fiction! She writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we truly are—children of God, and the descendants of remarkable people who paved the way for us—even if they really struggled. Wendy believes in learning from our ancestors, honoring them, and standing on their shoulders to become someone even better. When not writing, Wendy currently serves as Vice-Chair for Daughters of the American Revolution over the American Heritage Contest in Art and Sculpture. She also loves to hike, paint, travel and spend time with her favorite people—her family.

CONNECT WITH WENDY: Website | Facebook | Instagram  

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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.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

 

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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