Summer is here in Missouri and I am trying to get outside more, as hard as that is for someone whose day job and side job are both in front of a computer. But as Stephen King has said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic,” which means they can be enjoyed just as easily outside as well as in.

Unsettled Shores – One Month Later

One of my favorite parts of being an author is the opportunity to connect with other authors and readers and discuss great books. Since the launch of Unsettled Shores last month, I’ve had the privilege of participating in two live stream events with Instagrammer, @paper_trail_adventures, and with fellow historical fiction author, Tanya E. Williams. We talked about everything from inspiration for my books to my writing process to which character I liked the best (hint, he reminds many of Flynn Rider). If you missed them live, they can still be viewed here:

Alexis (@paper_trail_adventures) – June 8, 2021

Tanya E. Williams – May 21, 2021

And if you still need a copy of the book, here’s the link to purchase:

Purchase Unsettled Shores

 

Writing Updates

My 1850’s series, Larksong Legacy, has crossed the halfway point in the outlining phase. I plan to finish plotting the rest of the series by August, with drafting for Book 1 beginning in early September. Research also continues as well as searching for those perfect inspirational pictures from the time period. The photo below is located on the Columbia River, which separates Oregon from Washington State, close to where my characters settle at the end of Book 1.

 

My Favorite Read of 2021 So Far

Last month, I revealed the relaunch cover I designed for Jennifer Q. Hunt’s Some Through the Fire. I am so excited to announce this month that I’ve completed the relaunch design for her second book, Great Waters. I finished reading this book shortly before designing the cover and it is my favorite read of the year so far. Although it is Book #2, it can be read as a standalone.

Taking place during the last few years of the 1920’s and into the Great Depression, this is a beautiful novel of not only what it means to fall in love, but how to stay in love and stay faithful when the rose-colored glasses come off and everything crumbles beneath you. I loved the raw, rich, and real emotions that Jennifer Q. Hunt shows in every aspect of her characters from the young love of our leads, Russell and Katie, to the more seasoned (but no less complex) marriages of their siblings and friends. There are some tough topics discussed including spousal abuse, depression, and pregnancy loss that are all handled with a tender understanding and grace. There were certainly times that this book brought me to tears, but thankfully there were many more instances, including the ending, which made me smile. I recommend this to all readers, especially those who are married. Even if you do not like historical fiction, the themes of this novel are worth considering.

To celebrate the relaunch, I’m giving away one paperback copy of Great Waters to one random winner (U.S. only). Giveaway ends on July 16, 2021. Full rules are included in the link below.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

 

Upcoming Events

To help celebrate the July 1 release of Jenny Knipfer’s new historical fiction novel, In a Grove of Maples, I am participating in a multi-author event in the Journeying with Jenny Facebook group. During the two-day event, over 35 giveaways will be offered from 13 different authors, including a chance to win an ebook copy of one of my four novels. You will need to join the group and comment on the post in order to be entered to win. Winners will be chosen July 3. Not affiliated or sponsored by Facebook.

 

The Book Shop

Need a copy of my books? All four can be read on their own or in order of publication. Click the covers below to purchase! Available online in ebook and paperback or by request from your favorite indie bookseller or local library. For book club appearances, contact me here.

              

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2021

Happy May (almost June), readers! Missouri weather is out in full force here, alternating between bright and sunny weekends and chilly rainy weekends. This weekend in the United States is Memorial Day, where we remember all those who fought and died for our country. We thank them for making the ultimate sacrifice and pray for all those left behind.

Unsettled Shores – Now Available!

My War Across Waters duology is the perfect series to talk about this Memorial Day weekend as it features World War I soldiers and their families. Unsettled Shores launched in eBook on May 15 and was met with some amazing reviews! I am so grateful for your purchases, kind words, and sharing with your friends and family. Reading your words brings a smile every day. For those of you who have stayed with the Hope or High Water world through all four books and six years, I offer an additional showering of gratitude. Over the series, I have grown so much as a writer and part of that is due to your support. As hard as it is to close this series, I am excited to bring you the next one! (See next section for more details on Series 2.)

Some praise for Unsettled Shores:

“This must read novel is sure to become one of your all time favorites. I loved this story so much and the author’s writing style that she is now on my auto buy list.” ~ Page Turners Blog

“Gietl has crafted a novel to sink your teeth into.” ~ Jenny Knipfer, author of Silver Moon

“Do you ever finish a book and then just wonder what book could ever possibly compare to the one you just finished? Yes, that was how I felt when I finished Unsettled Shores.” ~ paper_trail_adventures, Instagram

“I cannot get over my love for these characters. They are just so honest and layered and real!” ~ the.enchanted.library, Instagram

“A captivating and surprising read. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did … By the last few chapters, it was really hard to walk away from.” ~ readingthroughnaptime, Instagram

Purchase Unsettled Shores

Next Up – Larksong Legacy

Last month, I revealed that my next historical fiction series will be set in 1850’s America. At the time, I was deep in research and wasn’t sure where exactly the series was going. I’m pleased to say that I have a much better idea now and the story is really starting to take shape. Usually my writing process if fairly chaotic, so it’s a different experience for me to have so much plotted before starting to write the first book. This series has a bit of a different flavor than my last one though, so advance outlining and proper foreshadowing will be key. Here’s what I can tell you so far:

• The working series title is Larksong Legacy as it revolves around the Lark siblings.
• Book 1 begins in Mid-Missouri, but doesn’t stay there.
• There’s an unusual twist to this historical fiction family saga.
• The story also involves a cursed woman. No, that is not the twist.
• Here are the books currently on my research pile. Any ideas what might be in store for our new characters?

 

A Double Giveaway

Many of you already know that I design my own book covers, but I also had the privilege of designing the relaunch cover for Jennifer Q. Hunt’s Some Through the Fire. This is a wonderful novel spanning from the 1917 Atlanta Fire through World War I and up to the 1919 Boston Police Riot, and I love how the cover expresses the beauty of the story. To celebrate the relaunch, Jennifer Q. Hunt is providing signed paperbacks of both Some Through the Fire and Unsettled Shores to one random winner (U.S. only). Make sure to enter soon as the giveaway only runs through May 31, 2021.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

 

Upcoming Events

 

The Book Shop

Need a copy of my other books? All three can be read on their own or in order of publication. Click the covers below to purchase! Available online in ebook and paperback or by request from your favorite indie bookseller or local library. For book club appearances, contact me here.

          

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2021

Happy April, readers! Here in Missouri, we have continued to experience rain and seasonal allergies, but we’ve also received a seemingly overnight burst in nature’s beauty. Yards are spattered with tulips and the Dogwood trees are in bloom. If you didn’t know, the Dogwood is the official state tree of Missouri. Take a drive through our countryside and you’ll see their little white blossoms visible throughout the trees. I pray that each of you may experience a portion of God’s graces during this Spring season.

Unsettled Shores – Only Two Weeks to Go!

The official eBook launch of Unsettled Shores is only a little over two weeks away, releasing on May 15, 2021. ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) are out with reviewers and early excitement has already been rolling in on social media. Thank you to the Instagrammers below and make sure to swing by my pages over the coming weeks for more reviews, teaser quotes, and more.

In addition, I received this lovely advanced editorial review from fellow historical fiction author, Jennifer Craven. Jennifer is the author of All That Shines and Whispers, a World War II family saga inspired by The Sound of Music and one I highly recommend.

“A powerful story of love and perseverance set against the backdrop of of 1917 Europe, Unsettled Shores is a beautifully written account of wartime life. Gietl weaves together historical accuracy with a page-turning narrative. Perfect for readers who love the nostalgia of times gone by, but with themes all too relevant today: loyalty, bravery, and the enduring hold of family.”

If you’ve already pre-ordered Unsettled Shores, thank you! You will receive your copy automatically on publication day! If not, there’s still time to receive special pre-order pricing of $2.99 for readers in U.S.A., Canada, Great Britain, and Europe. Pre-orders are important as all sales are logged on publication day, moving a new release higher in overall ranking. Prices will increase on May 16.

Don’t want to wait until May 15 to start reading? Paperback copies of Unsettled Shores are now available for purchase from major retailers such as Amazon and Bookshop.org, by ordering from your favorite independent bookstore, or by request through your local library.

Pre-Order Unsettled Shores

Next Up

The release of Unsettled Shores means the conclusion to the War Across Waters duology as well as saying goodbye to the Hope or High Water world. That doesn’t mean that the stories are over though. A writer’s work is never done as we are constantly plagued with new ideas. (It’s a blessing and a curse.) So, what’s next on the horizon?

I am currently outlining my new series set in 1850’s America. It’s quite a leap from the 1910’s of my previous books, which means plenty of research, but I’m ready for the challenge. The storyline has quickly taken shape, introducing me to some exciting new characters, settings, and interesting facts about United States History that I never learned in school. I look forward to where the characters will take me through the time period and what strange plot twists they’ll come up with.

I will provide more information once I have a better idea of the specifics, but I can show you a teaser of my research haul from the local library. This does not include the multitude of research I have completed online as well. Side note: Never feel bad about checking out too many books. Checking out materials keeps circulation numbers up, which helps libraries earn more tax dollars.

The Book Shop

Need a copy of my other books? All three can be read on their own or in order of publication. Click the covers below to purchase! Available online in ebook and paperback or by request from your favorite indie bookseller or local library. For book club appearances, contact me here.

          

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2021

Happy March, readers, and also happy spring! I pray that all of you made it through the winter safe and healthy and are finally experiencing some better weather. Here in Missouri, we’ve seen quite a bit of rain, but temperatures have been kind so far. Here’s hoping for a fantastic summer ahead!

Unsettled Shores Paperback Release

Only seven weeks until the launch of Unsettled Shores! This month was consumed by final edits and submitting for copyright registration, but the best part was finally holding a year’s worth of work in physical form.

When my proof copy arrived, I expected for the colors to be inaccurate and mentally prepared myself for another round of design edits as I drew the book from its packaging. After all, that’s how every other proof copy had been to this point. (Twisted River required four tries.) So, imagine my surprise when this one appeared exactly as it should! Which means good news for all my paperback readers; you can purchase your copy on April 30, a full two weeks before the official publication day. 

The eBook version of Unsettled Shores is now available for pre-order at the special discounted price of $2.99 for readers in U.S.A., Canada, Great Britain, and Europe. Pre-orders are important as all sales are logged on publication day, moving a new release higher in overall ranking. Prices will increase on May 16, so don’t miss your chance!

Pre-Order Unsettled Shores

New Website Features and Library Purchases

You may have noticed some changes when you log onto my website (kelseygietl.com) this month. I created some much-needed new homepage graphics for all four books as well as a new header, which is also shown at the top of this email. In addition, all of the individual book pages have been streamlined, providing the most important information in an easy to digest format.

Plus, important data for library purchases has now been added directly below the “Buy Now” button, making library purchase requests a breeze. Simply copy the required data into your library’s purchase request form and submit. For example,  what you’ll see for Broken Lines:

ARC Reviews

If you are a book blogger/reviewer and would like the opportunity to read an eBook ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for Unsettled Shores, please submit a link to your review site on the Contact Page. ARCs will be distributed April 1.

Recommended Reading

Per your request, recommended reads will no longer appear in the Writing Updates Newsletter. I will continue to provide reviews in my Friday Fiction Newsletter on the second Friday of each month.

The Book Shop

Still need a copy of any of my books? All three can be read on their own or in order of publication. Click the covers below to purchase! Available online in ebook and paperback from major retailers or by request from your favorite indie bookseller or local library. For book club appearances, contact me here.

          

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Follow me on:

       

COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2021

Welcome to the March 2021 edition of the Friday Fiction newsletter! If you read my Updates Newsletter a few weeks back, you’ll remember that I was behind on my reading due to edits for Unsettled Shores. Well, I’m happy to announce that edits are complete; however, I did not manage to sneak in any new reads. Determined not to leave you with an empty Friday Fiction (how boring), this month I’m sharing two past reads with new-to-you reviews: Soul Mates by Liz Morrison and Christmas Still by Jennifer Q. Hunt.

Soul Mates by Liz Morrison

World War I France Time-Split

I love historical fiction especially when it has a bit of a twist as this one does with the reincarnation aspect. Wills Harrington has dreams that he is the reincarnation of his great-great-granduncle, William, who died during World War I. Charlie Longley dreams about herself as a World War I nurse, Charlotte, who loved a man named William. Both uncertain what these thoughts and dreams might mean, they set out to discover the details of William and Charlotte’s story while also dealing with backstabbing friends, a mysterious treasure hunt, and their intense feelings for each other. And the clock is ticking.

While this book is definitely a romance novel, it isn’t as cheesy as the cover may lead you to believe. Liz Morrison does a fantastic job of blending the story of Wills and Charlie in the 21st century with the story of their counterparts, William and Charlotte, in 1917. The love story of Wills and Charlie sometimes feels a bit over the top for two average teenagers, but then we remember that their lives are anything but average. We see their relationship blossom amidst their individual struggles to discover who they were, who they are, and who they want to be. Their characters, both past and present, are well developed, the historical aspects seemed well researched, and the plot left me wanting more. It was sad to say goodbye after only 310 pages.

As a complete side note, I loved that Charlie was from St. Louis. It is so rare that St. Louis is mentioned in any of the novels I read that when it is, I have to tip my hat in thanks to the author. As a St. Louis native, I was thrilled to see references to both Forest Park and the Cardinals.

Liz Morrison now writes under the name Liz Costanzo. For more information on her books, visit: https://lizcostanzoauthor.com)

 

Christmas Still by Jennifer Q. Hunt

Post-World War I 

Jennifer Q. Hunt’s Some Through the Fire was one of my favorite reads of 2020 and her Christmas novella was the perfect way to end the year. 

During Christmas 1918, Lottie Webster is trying to survive the effects of a pandemic, a world war, and family expectations. Her husband is suffering from PTSD, her nieces are grieving their mother, and her brother is still away fighting in the war. The spirit of Christmas seems to have vanished altogether. When her brother finally returns and brings a German bride with him, she doesn’t know if she will be able to handle one more change. Will the past unravel the final thread of their family or tie them back together?

I finished Christmas Still in a single day and wanted to keep reading! The story had so much emotion packed into so few pages and was beautiful all the way through. World War 1, Spanish Influenza, PTSD, racism, romance, and parenthood flow together seamlessly. It’s a story that shows the hope I think we’re all longing for during COVID. I would love to see this become a full series.

 

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Need a copy of any of my books? All three can be read on their own or in order of publication. Click the photo below to grab your copy!

The best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Home page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2021