Monday 16 February 2015

THE SECRET OF PEMBROOKE PARK BLOG TOUR - JULIE KLASSEN: "WHAT INSPIRED MY NEW WORK" + GRAND GIVEAWAY!


Hello dear Austenite friends! I'm really glad and honored to give the start to this great blog tour. 
Award winning historical romance author Julie Klassen tours the blogosphere February 16 through March 2 to share her latest release, The Secret of Pembrooke Park. Twenty five popular book bloggers specializing in historical and Austenesque fiction will feature guest blogs, interviews, book reviews and excerpts of this acclaimed gothic Regency romance novel. A fabulous giveaway contest, including copies of all of Ms. Klassen’s eight books and other Jane Austen-themed items, is open to those who join the festivities. 

Inspiration for The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Guest post by Julie Klassen

People often ask me where I find the ideas for my books. And the answer varies. Most ideas have come from research—historical practices, professions, or events that spark the idea for a situation or premise. Some ideas have been inspired by movies I’ve seen, or books I’ve loved, especially those by Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte. Others have come from historic places I’ve visited in England—if only I could travel there more often!

My latest book, The Secret of Pembrooke Park, is about a young woman who moves with her family into a mysterious manor abandoned for eighteen years. With help from a handsome neighbor, she searches the house, hoping to find its secret room and rumored hidden treasure—but finds danger instead. The idea for this setting came from closer to home.

I grew up in rural Central Illinois. We could only see one house from ours, and that was across a field. (I spent a lot of time playing alone as a girl, which likely helped develop my imagination.) About a half mile behind our house was a wood. I liked to walk there, all the while making up stories in my head. In these woods, I stumbled upon an abandoned house. The roof and most of the upper story was gone, but three walls still stood. Through the gaped opening, you could see the entire ground floor, still furnished. A moldering piano listed in one corner, a tattered blue dress hung on the wall, a set of stairs lead upwards to nowhere… Behind the house I discovered a root cellar—a hollowed out mound of earth with stairs leading down into it. Inside there were still shelves filled with mason jars of home-canned peaches and vegetables.

The Mysteries of Udolpho
That abandoned house fascinated me. I loved to sit on a stump and stare at it and try to imagine what had happened to the people who once lived there. Why had they left so suddenly? And why had they left behind their belongings? I don’t know if I ever heard the real story from neighbors and have simply forgotten it (I was only in the 3rd or 4th grade at the time). Or if, being a quirky, writerly kid, I didn’t even ask—preferring to come up with my own scenarios. Whatever the case, I found it immensely satisfying to weave in a bit of that real-life mystery into my new book.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park is my most mysterious book to date and has definite gothic undertones. Readers may notice a few similarities to Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. And my hero, a curate, bears some resemblance to clergyman Henry Tilney of the same book.

Jane Austen wrote Northanger Abbey at a time when gothic novels like The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe and Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto were enormously popular. They typically included elements of the supernatural with atmospheric settings such as hidden chambers and ancient castles. In Northanger Abbey, Austen both uses and parodies these gothic themes. Her main character, Catherine Morland, looks at normal situations and surroundings and, fueled by the gothic novels she reads, sees mystery and the supernatural. She imagines dark deeds where there are none.

Catherine Morland - Illustration for Northanger Abbey
In The Secret of Pembrooke Park, however, the strange sounds and sightings are not a product of a girl’s overactive imagination, but are all too real. When Abigail first begins hearing strange noises at night, finding footprints in the dust, and seeing a hooded figure retreating in the shadows, she chalks it up to the rumors she’s heard about treasure hunters, and the influence of the gothic novel she’s reading. But soon danger escalates until she can explain it away no longer.

            Heart pounding, she gingerly leaned forward and peered over the stair rail, her candle’s light barely penetrating the darkness below. A hooded figure floated down the last few stairs. Stunned, she blinked. But when she looked again, the stairs were empty. She had probably only imagined the dark apparition.
            With a shiver, she decided that was the last time she would read gothic fiction. It was back to architecture books for her.

As you can see, several sources converged to inspire The Secret of Pembrooke Park. Whatever its genesis, I hope you will enjoy the final product. Readers and reviewers are saying it’s my best yet.

What about you? Have you read any “gothic” fiction? Do you like books with mystery or hints of the supernatural?
 Julie Klassen 
Book Blurb


In the spring of 1818, twenty-four-year-old Abigail Foster fears she is destined to become a spinster. Her family’s finances are in ruins and the one young man she truly esteems has fallen for another woman — her younger, prettier sister Louisa.

Forced to retrench after the bank failure of Austen, Gray & Vincent, the Foster family optimistically pool their resources for another London Season for her sister in hopes of an advantageous alliance. While searching for more affordable lodgings, a surprising offer is presented: the use of a country manor house in Berkshire abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to the imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left, the tight-lipped locals offering only rumors of a secret room, hidden treasure and a murder in its mysterious past.

Eager to restore her family fortune, Abigail, with the help of the handsome local curate William Chapman and his sister Leah, begins her search into the heavily veiled past aided by unsigned journal pages from a previous resident and her own spirited determination. As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?



EARLY PRAISE:

“Jane Austen meets Victoria Holt in Christy Award–winning Klassen’s latest deliciously spooky and sweetly romantic historical.” — Booklist

“Regency romance with awesome castles, secrets, hidden rooms and, of course, romance . . . . Julie Klassen has hit this one out of the ballpark.” — Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick

“If you are looking for a book which combines the enticing elements of a Gothic with the mannerly charm of a Regency, look no further, because this lovely Inspirational is just your cup of tea.” — Heroes and Heartbreakers

“While there are plenty of Regency authors out there, the lovely Julie Klassen is by far one of the top and a must read for fans of Austen/Brontë style and prose. Klassen’s latest, The Secret of Pembrooke Park has a touch of both – the mystery of Brontë and the fun of Austen.”— Books and Beverages

The Secret of Pembrooke Park is perfectly packaged with several threads of the gothic suspense, Regency romance and inspirational themes while presenting a well plotted story with intriguing characters in an amazing setting.” — Burton Book Review

AUTHOR BIO:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Learn more about Julie and her books at her website, follower her on Twitter, and visit her on Facebook and Goodreads.
                                       



GIVEAWAY DETAILS 

Grand Giveaway Contest

Win One of Four Fabulous Prizes



In celebration of the release of The Secret of Pembrooke Park, four chances to win copies of Julie’s books and other Jane Austen-inspired items are being offered.

Three lucky winners will receive one trade paperback or eBook copy of The Secret of Pembrooke Park, and one grand prize winner will receive one copy of all eight of Julie’s novels: Lady of Milkweed Manor, The Apothecary's Daughter, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Tutor’s Daughter, The Dancing Master, and The Secret of Pembrooke Park, one DVD of Northanger Abbey (2007) and a Jane Austen Action Figure.

To enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any or all of the blog stops on The Secret of Pembrooke Park Blog Tour starting February 16, 2015 through 11:59 pm PT, March 9, 2015. Winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments and announced on Julie Klassen’s website on March 16, 2015. Winners have until March 22, 2015 to claim their prize. The giveaway contest is open to residents of the US, UK, and Canada. Digital books will be sent through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Good luck to all!
Remember to visit the blogs in the list below and leave as many comments as you can in order to get the chance to win one of the fabulous prizes!

THE SECRET OF PEMBROOK PARK BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

February 16              My Jane Austen Book Club (Guest Blog)
February 16              vvb32 Reads (Excerpt)                            
February 17              Psychotic State Book Reviews (Review)
February 17              My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice (Spotlight)  
February 18              Addicted to Jane Austen (Review)                              
February 18              Peeking Between the Pages (Review)                                   
February 19              Jane Austen in Vermont (Interview)                                        
February 19              Living Read Girl (Review)                                              
February 20              My Love for Jane Austen (Excerpt)                                         
February 20              Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books (Review)                         
February 20              Laura's Reviews (Guest Blog)                                      
February 21              A Bookish Way of Life (Review)                                              
February 21              Romantic Historical Reviews (Excerpt)
February 21              Confessions of a Book Addict (Review)
February 22              Reflections of a Book Addict (Review)                                              
February 23              Austenesque Reviews (Guest Blog)                                       
February 23              Peace, Love, Books (Review)                                      
February 24              vvb32 Reads (Review)                                        
February 24              Poof Books (Excerpt)
February 25              Babblings of a Bookworm (Review)                                      
February 25              Austenesque Reviews (Review)                                             
February 25              Luxury Reading (Review)
February 26              So Little Time…So Much to Read (Review)
February 26              More Agreeably Engaged (Excerpt)
February 27              Psychotic State Book Reviews (Interview)                           
February 27              Booktalk & More (Review)
February 28              Laughing with Lizzie (Spotlight)
February 28              The Calico Critic (Review)
March 01                   Leatherbound Reviews (Excerpt)                                            
March 01                   Delighted Reader (Review)
March 02                   CozyNookBks (Review)                                     
March 02                   Laura's Reviews (Review) 




148 comments:

Rachel Rittenhouse said...

I'm not a big Gothic fan, but I did love the element of mystery in The Secret of Pembrooke Park (and also Northanger Abbey!!). Kept me on my toes and made it hard to put the book down. :)

Loraine Nunley said...

I do like mystery and intrigue especially in historical books. I haven't read Northanger Abbey, but it looks like I need to add that to my TBR list. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

Susan C said...

This is going to be fun! My daughter and I are both Jane Austin and Julie Klassen fans! I have been reading gothic novels since I was a teen. I am looking forward to visiting all of the blogs on this tour. Thanks for the giveaway!

Ken'sGuideService said...

I love Julie's novels. She is my favorite author and her writing makes the Austen time period come alive for me!

sweethome4 said...

I love Jane Austin and any of her books, this is a great contest

Christine A. said...

Congrats on the newest release Julie! I can't wait to read it.

Anonymous said...

How fun it must have been to have your own private little abandoned building in the woods!! I would have loved that as a child! Too bad you didn't have a friend to meet you for secret tea parties (;

Anonymous said...

I love Julie Klassen's books. I have read all of them and can't wait for more!

Brenda G. said...

I love all of Julie Klassen books and I am anxious to read her new book! Reading the blog has me excited to revist Northanger Abbey as well. I do not have a copy of Klassen's new book yet, so hope I win one!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing stories that inspired your novel, Julie. I really enjoyed it. It was my first experience with your work and will definitely not be my last! I love Gothic stories like REBECCA and others by Daphne duMaurier, for example. The moody settings add so much to the overall mystery.

Anonymous said...

Just recently found these books, but I think I've read them all now!

Rsymphony said...

Jane Austen and Julie Klassen...two of my favorite authors!

Sam and Lea said...

I love Julie Klassen's books!

Jumping Off.....Maybe! said...

I love Julie Klassen's books...I can't wait for the next one!

Caryl Kane said...

Julie is a new-to-me author. Her books sound amazing. Blog tours are so much fun.

Unknown said...

I am a new reader of your books.

Rachael K said...

I also grew up with an abandoned house on our property, which once belonged to neighbors - they left lots of stuff behind, so my brothers and I loved to treasure hunt and bring home moldy junk for our play house. I can't believe we always explored bare-foot with all that broken glass . . .

Unknown said...

Julie writes such wonderful books. Can't wait to read this one!

joye said...

I am a huge Jane Austen fan. Love her books. This is an awesome prize
jwisley8@me.com

karen salazar said...

I absolutely Love your books! There is something in each story that I can relate to. I'm a janitor/housekeeper, so my favorite Is the maid of fairbourne hall, and the secret of pembrook park.

Nina said...

I love mysteries and your story of the house in the woods is fascinating. I will definitely be picking up The Secret of Pembrooke Parl. It sounds great.

I also just finished Northanger Abbey. The only 'Jane" I hadn't read, yet. I love Jane! And Julie :)!

pol said...

Julie it looks as if you will be super busy with all the blogs to visit and your readers too. I read Victoria Holt when I was young and liked them. I like hearing the "Behind" of what gave you idea for the Pembrooke Place. I would have been scared to go into it. Reading is such a pleasure and I am thankful to the authors that give us this pleasure.
Paula O

delpgang said...

I love historical fiction! Can't wait for a new book!

Elizabeth Ann said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

Beth Gillihan said...

I love Julie's books! Can't wait to read this one!

Stacey Ross said...

I can't wait to read this latest book!

Anonymous said...

Julie Kalssen is such a fantastic author. I have several of her other books at my home. I have read gothic fiction in V.C. Andrews for years. I do enjoy reading paranormal books as well. I would love to have an opportunity to read her latest book. I have been wanting to read it for quite awhile !

Dora Wagner said...

Julie, I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Penbrooke Park. It was a great read. I eagerly await your next offering. I did think a bit about Catherine Morland, as Abigail wondered through the halls. However, I would not have envisioned the truth of that great manner without your assistance.

lace said...

Looking forward to reading this book and adding it to my collection.

Sheila said...

Would love to have all of Julie's books in my collection!

Theresa M said...

I loved the Dancing Master and look forward to reading this Penbrooke Park. Historical fiction, mystery ala Northanger Abbey? What could be better.

Susan Heim said...

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors, and I loved reading about the inspiration behind her newest book. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

Fallon said...

Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, and I love this book as well. I am so excited about this giveaway!!!

Anonymous said...

Have read several of Julie's books and loved them!
There's nothing like a good book! Beth

Alysa said...

I've never followed a blog tour before but I am planning to comment on all of the blog stops! I love this book. It is my favorite out of all of Julie's books I have read so far! I have never read Northanger Abbey by Austin but I am going to soon because it sounds interesting!

TheAtticGirl said...

I can't wait to read this! I love Julie Klassen's books!

Julie Klassen said...

So many comments already! Thanks, everyone, for joining us from the get-go on this amazing tour. I'm enjoying reading all of your comments.

Lindsey Parker said...

Hey Julie, I absolutely LOVE your books!! I have read all of them!! Everytime I hear your coming out with a new one I get super excited and start counting down the days! I have read Secret of Pembroke Park and I believe it is your best yet! I loved it! You are a very favorite author! :)

Julie Klassen said...

Thanks Alysa and Susan Cornwell for planning to follow the tour to all its stops. I'll look forward to "seeing you" along the way!

Kelli H. said...

I am so excited to read this new book. I have heard nothing but good things about it! Thanks for the giveaway!!

Brenda said...

A very interesting blog! Victoria Holt was my very favorite author for years on top of years until I found out that there was such a thing as Christian Fiction! I read Grace Livingston Hill & Eugenia Price but still didn't know that you could buy such a thing called "Christian Fiction"! So thankful when I discovered what I so enjoy today! Can't wait to read your book! I hope to win some of them!

Breanna Davenport said...

This sounds like a wonderful read!

LeAnne said...

I love books by Julie Klassen! So I am really excited about the giveaway and would love to enter!

Unknown said...

Julie Klassen is simply awesome! Her books are always so fabulous! I've recently read a few more gothic novels than I have in the past and I gotta say, I love them!

Sparks of Ember said...

Does Jane Eyre count as gothic? ;)

A house like that would have fascinated me, too. Deep in the woods near the church where I grew up, there was a small group of graves from an old wagon-train kindly buried by the local settlers, one assumes? I also had similar thoughts - who were they, where were they going, what were their dreams...

Jane Caster said...

I'm a lover of Julie Klassen books. I've read them all and was bummed to find Pembroke Park was not in my possession on Friday when it was due back at the library. I was first in the queue and thought when someone had it on hold, one couldn't renew it; guess I was wrong! Now we have a snow day off from school and at home frustrated I'm not reading it... :-(

Unknown said...

I have heard such great reviews about The Secret of Pembrooke Park - what fun it would be to win a copy!

Unknown said...

Sounds like an excellent book Julie!
So want to read it!

Mackenzie Carol said...

Although I have not read many graphic novels, I absolutely LOVE Julie Klassen and am sure I will enjoy The Secret of Pembrooke Park. I have read every one of Julie's other books and was barely able to out them down!

dmauton said...

I love Julie Klassen and look forward to reading this series. :)

Unknown said...

I'm intrigued. I've never heard of a blog tour. I'm interested to learn more. Julie Klassen is a great writer. What a great giveaway opportunity!

Anonymous said...

I have loved reading all of Julie Klassen's books. I eagerly await the next one. The characters are so vivid they stay in my mind long after I have finished the book.

Amanda W said...

Thanks for sharing the inspiration for your novel. I love all your books and this on was fantastic! :)

Becky French said...

I'm not a huge fan of gothic novels but I do love "Jane Eyre". Can't wait to read Jule Klassen's latest book!

Anonymous said...

Just finished The Silent Governess and I'm starting The Girl in the Gatehouse! Looking forward to reading this book too!

E.Kate

carlaganell said...

Would love to be part of the Secret of Pembrooke Park book owner. I love a good secret with historial value!

Amber said...

I absolutely loved The Secret of Pembrooke Park! And it was so interesting to read about some of the inspiration behind the story. Love Julie Klassen and Jane Austen!

Unknown said...

I'm so excited about the blog tour! Julie Klassen is one of my all-time favorites!

Donna said...

Just got this book from the library. And surprise the next day a blog tour

Melody said...

Looking super forward to reading this newest book of Julie's!

Vicki H said...

I love her books. I'm very excited about the blog tour! I'd love to win the package.

Jennifer said...

Julie’s novels inspire in me a regency-wanna-be. The respectful dress, polite manors, ardent chivalry- It’s a fantasy world I adore spending time in.

Deanna Stevens said...

One of my favorite authors, I would love to have this set of books :)

Abby Burton said...

I love Julie Klassen's books and have read them all multiple times! She has a wonderful way of using her words to sound just like a Jane Austen novel. I look forward to her next novel debut with barely constrained excitement.
Abby

Unknown said...

I love Julie Klassen's writing. This new book sounds like it will not disappoint. Gothic literature is some of my favorite. The Bronte sisters, in particular, are my favorites and this book sounds like it fits well in that tradition.

ASC Book Reviews said...

Awesome! I REALLY enjoyed this book and love the look behind the story! What a cool thing to dream up what happened to the people from the old house as a kid! One of the things I loved about The Secret of Pembrooke Park was the GREAT descriptions and now I know where some of them came from! ;)

Hugs, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

Shantelle Mary said...

Such a neat post! I love how Julie Klassen was inspired by Northhanger Abbey and her childhood escapades for The Secret of Pembrooke Park! :)

I love that book by the way!! Gothic and that hint of mystery and intrigue is superb. So good.

Thanks!
(shantelle@truevine.net)

Views and Reviews by Kay said...

Thanks for sharing your gift of writing!

Debbie G said...

Thanks Julie for another outstanding work of literature!

Pamela said...

I love Julie's novels! I'd love to win the set of her books or just this new one!

pamelarm said...

I love all of Julie Klassen's books; thanks for the chance to add them to my home library!

mariahswind said...

When I was reading your childhood memories I felt it rang so true for myself. Growing up in eastern Iowa myself we had a hickory wood not far from our house that fascinated me, then down an old dirt road there was an abandoned house with a root cellar and .... it still had preserves in it. Remembering the nostalgia it even evoked in my childhood shows how much my love of the past was something I was born with.

Hayden said...

Due to my love of Northanger Abbey, I actually read Anne Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. What a book! It was completely ridiculous and melodramatic but still strangely enjoyable, although at 700 pages it definitely could have been shorter. :)

Susan Marlene said...

I wondered if this book was based on Northanger. I must confess that one was one of my least favorites compared to P&P, Persuasion and Emma. But that said, Northanger also reminds me of Secret Garden, Jane Eyre, novels where there's a seeming mystery involved in the back story of characters.

Julie Klassen said...

Hayden, I read of The Mysteries of Udolpho, but hats off to you for finishing it!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your books. I have been a Jane Austen fan for as long as I can remember. In fact my daughters name is Lizzie after my favorite character. Your books are classics to me just like Austens.

Joyce Hein said...

I do love Julie Klassen's work - she is my favourite current author!

Jennifer said...

I try to stay away from anything gothic but tend to lean toward inspirational fiction!
jennydtipton at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I have not had the privilege of reading your books. Would so love to win one and get started on a new author. juanitawickey@gmail.com

Thinkin' Out Loud said...

I'm so excited for this Blog Tour. Just looking through the first couple of blogs I have found so many things to either watch or put on my reading list.

lpeps said...

I am new to the world of Julie Klassen but absolutely fell in love with The Secret of Pembrooke Park. What a beautiful twist of mystery, heartbreak and love. It currently tops me list of favorites...thus far!

Anonymous said...

I'm so delighted to have discovered author Julie Klassen!!! What an amazingingly talented author. I am definitely in love with her books. When you start one of her novels, you just can't put it down until its completed. Recently just read "The Secret of Pembrooke Park" and loved it. Introduced my daughter to this author through this book, (she finished it in a couple of days)!!! We definitely are looking forward to some more great works from the desk of this great author!!! 😊. Thanks, Phyllis tea_thyme@yahoodotcom

Trixi said...

I absolutely love Julie Klassen's books!! I would love to see every one of these sitting on my shelf & sharing them with my friends. It was very fascinating reading where the research took place for "The Secret of Pembrooke Park". This book is on my to-read list. Thank you for a chance to win some great prizes...I'm going to enjoy each blog post in this contest. Blessings Julie!

Jan said...

What a great giveaway. I put TSPP on hold at our library and am looking forward to reading it. Of course, winning my own copy would be even better. :)

PdxIrishGirl said...

I love Northanger Abbey and Julie Klassen
too, so I must read this book!

Bev said...

My favorite books are mysteries, and I have read many gothic novels through the years. Julie's new book sounds intriguing!

Anonymous said...

Love all of Julie's books. I had a hard time choosing a favorite until her latest. The Secret of Pembrooke Park had me hooked from the beginning. I can't wait until her next two v ome out later this year. - Elaine Panfil

dstoutholcomb said...

I like books with a hint of supernatural

Hannah Leggett said...

I can't wait to read this book! Hannah Leggett

Lynne T. said...

I am so glad your childhood fostered an active imagination. It is a true pleasure to read your books. I learn something new about the Regency period every time, and I have read many, many books set in this timeframe.

Pam K. said...

I used to read a lot of books by Victoria Holt, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis Whitney, the old gothic romances. I've read several of Julie's other books so am quite looking forward to reading The Secret of Pembrooke Park. I would be absolutely thrilled to win the grand prize! Thanks for the chance.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

So excited to be able to join this blog!!!!!! I love books from this time period!!!!!!

Sonja said...

What a great giveaway. The books look wonderful and I love reading this type of book!

Sonja said...

What a great giveaway. The books look wonderful and I love reading this type of book!

Rick Estep said...

This would make a great addition to our church library! librarybooks at religious dot com

TJ Reschke said...

Gothic is not my usual genre, but from time to time, I do like to branch out.

Unknown said...

I love the element of mystery in all of Julie's novels. There's always a question of who's done something and/or why did they do it? That mystery combined with humor and romance always makes for a book that's hard to put down!

Aerykah said...

I haven't read much Gothic fiction... I am a fan of Jane Austen & Jane Eyre, though, and love seeing bits of both in Julie's writing! She's such a great author! :)

Unknown said...

I don't know that I've read any Gothic fiction (yet), but I did find one whose author Jane Austen mentioned in Northanger Abbey. I have not gotten to read it at present, but it's called Evelina and can be found on Amazon...still free for kindle.Yes!!! I love them! Northanger Abbey was the first of Jane Austen's books that I read. Thank you for sharing with us and for writing such wonderful books, Julie. I must confess that yours are the ones that I constantly go back and reread. My favorite, so far, is the Tutor's Daughter. Thank you for the lovely giveaway! Blessings, Juli
emeraldelena@hotmail.com

Heidi Reads... said...

I absolutely loved the book! I have several friends I'd like to give the book to :) I enjoyed Northanger Abbey with a hit of gothic romance and some humor as well, but heavy gothic mystery isn't my cup of tea.

J "Joy" Dawn King said...

How exciting to be the first stop on the blog tour. Best wishes for your travels and the success of your book. I have a few of these on my Kindle, but would love to have a print copy in my hot little hands (not that my hands are particularly little, of course).

Great post!

Happy Thorp said...

A blog tour! What a fun idea. :)

I took a "which Jane Austen movie are you" quiz recently, and got Northanger Abbey - I've never read it, but knowing The Secret of Pembrooke Park has similarities makes me more likely to look it up! :)

Andrea Cox said...

Oh, Julie, thank you for the background behind The Secret of Pembrooke Park. The book is one of my favorites you've written. Yes, I love the mysterious features of it, but it also holds that sweet innocence I've come to expect from you. Keep writing 'em, and I'll keep reading 'em.

Blessings,
Andrea
Proofreader/Editor/Writer
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com

Brooke Showalter said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this guest post! I look forward to reading Julie's book.

brookeb811 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Hello. Another tour. They are such fun. I haven't read Gothic that I know of, but I do love mysteries and this sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to win but haven't been very lucky on tours. You must been a brave little girl to go in that cellar. We used to have one for tornadoes. It would have been fun to investigate that house. Not so sure by myself. Please put my name in the drawing.
Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

Monica said...

Northanger Abbey is the only Gothic novel I have read ;-)

Loved to read your story about the abandoned house :-)

Shoni said...

I always look forward to Julie's books. I always learn new and interesting details about Regency history.

From Snowflakes To Hotcakes said...

One thing I really love about your writing, Julie, is the detail you provide. Not so much as to be boring but enough that we can picture exactly what you're describing. I can picture perfectly the abandoned home that served as your muse :) thanks for the chance to win.

Meagan said...

Very awesome! I love Jane Austen! Excited about the giveaway.

Pam said...

This is going to be fun and looking forward to this new book.Pam

Dawn said...

This looks like a great read -

Unknown said...

Some great looking books in this giveaway!! Heard a lot of good things baout Secret of Pembrooke park!

Sydney Anderson said...

I absolutely love Julie Klassen's novels. Excited for this book tour.

Unknown said...

I would love to win a copy of Julie Klassen's book. I love all of her books. Thanks for the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

What a great book! thanks for the giveaway!

Tabitha said...

Love to win a copy. I love historical romance novels and of course Julie's books are at the top.

Jessica Hyatt said...

Can't wait to read Julie Klassen's latest - love her other books!

Joyce Jamieson said...

I always enjoy reading a Julie Klassen novel. Am looking forward to reading this one!

Betty Strohecker said...

I have read all of your books so far Julie and am anxious to read this one. The gothic air of mystery appeals to me. Your abandoned house story made me think of when I was 12 and we had just moved into our new house - it was only the third house on the street of a new development. At the end of the road were woods that ran down to the river. While exploring one day, my brother and I found an old family graveyard dating to the 1700's. We often took walks to 'the graveyard' where we could let our imaginations run wild. This was a place of mystery to us until more people built homes in the area, but we were the first to discover the graveyard. Looking forward to this tour.

The Allen Family said...

I absolutely love all Julie's books! I've read them all and have even finished The Secret at Pembrook Park (I think I was the very first to put it on hold at the library months ago :) Thanks for the chance!
Dezi A
sethdezAThotmailDOTcom

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

This is an excellent review!

Krista said...

I don't know how I missed getting in on this tour, I LOVE Julie's books! Oh well, hope I win! ;)

Unknown said...

I've already put this on my TBR. Hope I win!

Felicia said...

I'm really excited about this book. I can't wait to read it!

Christine said...

So excited to read this! Have loved every single other book!

Charlotte Brentwood said...

Sounds like a great read! The handsome curate is intriguing ;-)

What a fabulous giveaway as well!

Rita M said...

Just finished "The Secret of Pembrooke Park". Loved trying to figure out the mystery and very happy with the ending. Another great Julie Klassen book!

Sara B. said...

Just recently finished reading "The Secret of Pembroke Park" and I absolutely loved it! Also, how you came to make the plot is really interesting, I wish I had an abandoned house nearby!

Unknown said...

I just found your blog and can't wait to read your new book. :)

Unknown said...

great giveaway. Love all the books and the figure too.

Breanna L. said...

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors! She paints colorful pictures in her books, God has really gifted her!!

Breanna L. said...

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors! She paints colorful pictures, characters, scenes... God has really gifted her!! :)

MomRedding said...

I can't wait to read this book.... for free would be even better!

Bookworm Lisa said...

I have actually read this book and loved it. thanks for sharing.

Sasha Elizabeth Conrad said...

This book looks amazing!

Unknown said...

I love all of your books and I can't wait to read the newest one!

Michelle J. said...

It sounds like a fun read. Please count me in!

Unknown said...

i would love to win!

Karen said...

I am new to your books. Came by way of Faith Hope and Cherry Tea. Would love to read one of your books!

apple blossom said...

sounds like a wonderful book and I love the cover

Kristin said...

I've loved all of Julie Klassen's books that I've read, and I look forward to reading this one! :)

Truckredford said...

Always a fan of Julie's books - can't wait to read it! truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

The Artist Librarian said...

I don't read a whole lot of gothic, but I do like mystery aspects added to romance (I blame Nancy Drew). =)

Laura's Reviews said...

I love this story behind the book! There was an old abandoned house near my Great-Grandparents in Indiana that still had the belongings in it that we used to peer into as kids. It was always a mystery to me on what happened to the family!

Unknown said...

I love all of Julie's books and I'm sure this one will not disappoint! Northanger Abbey is a favourite of mine so I can't wait to read The Secret Of Pembrooke Park!

Aimee said...

I love Julie and historical fiction. They make my giddy!

Anonymous said...

I like to learn about authors I enjoy and what inspires their work, so I loved reading this! I am also looking forward to reading The Secret Of Pembrooke Park!

st. james said...

I so love Julie's story about exploring the abandoned house in the wood and how this real life experience influenced The Secret of Pembrooke Park!