Peeking Between the Pages

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The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen Blog Tour & Giveaway (US, UK, and Canada)

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As part of the blog tour for Julie Klassen’s newest novel The Secret of Pembrooke Park I had the privilege of  reading (listening) to this wonderful book!  All I can say is why in the world haven’t I read any of Julie’s books before and believe me I will be fixing that!  I was captivated by this book from start to finish and listening to it in audio, narrated by Elizabeth Jasicki who is amazing, really just brought the time, place, characters, and story alive in my mind in such a pleasing way.  The Secret of Pembrooke Park is an intriguing mystery that is sure to appeal to Regency Romance fans.

Abigail Foster, practical and intelligent, stands in the shadow of her younger and much more attractive younger sister.  Things get even worse when she unfortunately gives her father some bad financial advice and they lose almost all of their money.  Luckily, out of the blue, a solicitor shows up offering them residence at Pembrooke Park.  For Abigail this seems to be the perfect solution to their problems at present.  Upon arriving they find Pembrooke Park  in a strange state.  It seems as though the people who had inhabited it had just picked up and left leaving used tea cups on the table, linens and clothes dusty and moth eaten in the closets, and even more strange a doll house that seemed as though it had been deserted in mid play.  It’s all very strange to Abigail and as the days go by things become even weirder and Abigail realizes that Pembrooke Park has many dark secrets in its past along with a secret room and treasure.  Abigail is determined to uncover the story behind all these strange goings on but she finds out quickly that doing so may put her in a lot of danger.

This was such a great listening experience for me!  When you have such a fantastic story and top it with a great narrator it’s just magic to a reader.  For me this was great – manor houses, old secrets, hidden treasure – I love it!  The characters come alive on the page with Abigail being one of my favorites.  I felt a connection to her from the beginning when she finds herself not only responsible for her family’s ruin but also the sister who lives in the shadow of her more beautiful sibling.  Abigail is beautiful – in form and in mind  – and that’s what makes her so attractive although she doesn’t herself realize that.  As a few suitors show interest in Abigail we see how insecure she becomes in her sister’s presence … so insecure that she may miss the truest love of her life.

For fans of Austenesque or Regency Romance novels and great mysteries The Secret of Pembrooke Park is one not to miss.  I really can’t put into words just how much I loved it but I can say that eighteen hours of listening to this book passed by in a flash.  It’s a fantastic book – highly recommended!

 

Other tour stops on The Secret of Pembrooke Park Blog Tour
Add to your Goodreads List
Author Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
Buy: Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N, IndieBound, Audible

 

 

GIVEAWAY – OPEN TO US, UK, & CANADIAN RESIDENTS

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!

 

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*CLICK HERE*  to access all of the blogs on The Secret of Pembrooke Park Blog Tour and be sure to leave your comment on all of them including mine  for a chance to win any of the fabulous prizes above.

 

 

Source: Digital review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.  Audiobook personal copy.  Giveaway sponsored by the publisher.  No compensation was received.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I’m enjoying this blog tour and all the different facets of it! Now I’m curius as to the audio version after having read the actual book!

  2. I am enjoying visiting the different blogs along the tour?. I cannot wait to read Julie’s new book.

  3. thanks for a little more insight into a book that I am definitely looking forward to reading! I’m really enjoying the blog tour.

  4. I read the book and loved it. I have trouble with audio books as I am very much a visual learner. Adding that I tend to be doing something else while listening, there are too many distractions for me to follow along.

    • Hi Charity. Fun to hear you are still wondering about that “boy” doll! Without giving any spoilers, I will say its inclusion is part of the atmosphere and mystery of the story as well as a bit of foreshadowing about the history of the previous inhabitants that Abigail learns later in the book. Thanks for your comment!

  9. Thanks so much for your wonderful review, Darlene. I’m delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the audio version. (Audio books are my favorite!) I plan to share your review with Elizabeth Jasicki on FB. I have not had a chance to listen to this one yet, but she’s narrated a few others of mine as well. I agree–she’s great!

  12. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! In fact, I started reading it for the second time immediately after finishing it.

  13. I love audio books! The selection at the library is okay. I do get a few of them there when I can. I would love to hear The Secrets of Pembrooke Park on audio. The characters really come to life when you hear the narrator speak.

  14. Wow! Now I am not sure whether to get the audio book or the print one! Choices, choices!

    The other book I loved of Julie’s was the Girl in the Gatehouse!

  15. Thank you for sharing your review with us! I must confess that I would rather read then listen to audio books..However, I have been known to make some exceptions. I suppose the beauty of it that when one reads it for themselves they can also hear the narrator’s voice in their heads. That’s how I was first introduced to one of my favorite books. 😉 I am looking forward to read The Secret of Pembrooke Park ~ Juli emeraldelena@hotmail.com

  17. I do prefer paperback novels to audio books, but sometimes I do imagine a narrating voice in my head!

  18. I agree with your comments on the audio version. I do not believe I have ever “read” any of Julie’s books in any other way. Each one has a narrator that just brings the characters and the story to life.

    I was completely amazed by the story and the mystery surrounding the old country manor house. It was an Austen and her time worthy offering.

    I encourage you to read all of her books. Each one is just as wonderful.

  19. Thanks for the great review! Julie is a new-to-me author also. I am looking forward to reading her books….

  20. Great review – I’m very excited about this book. I’ve really enjoyed Julie Klassen’s other books and know this one won’t disappoint!

  22. I have said the same thing to myself: how have I not read one of her novels? I have a few that I’ve purchased on my Kindle but, with so many books waiting to be read on my shelves and on my Kindle, I just haven’t gotten the chance yet. They do sound wonderful so I’m excited to finally find some time!

  34. I’m reading the Secret of Pembrooke Park now. I am really enjoying it. I really enjoy Julie Klassen’s books.

  36. I’m excited to get the chance to read this. I don’t listen to books on tape mainly because I Have a hearing problem.Thanks for any opportunities to win a copy of this book.

  37. I love the book giveaway idea, especially for the grand prize because then you get the chance to Julie Klassen’s other books. I really enjoyed reading The Secret of Pembrooke Park. It was so hard to put it down and even when I finished reading it I did not want to put it down.

  38. I am a huge Julie Klassen fan & have read several of her books already! She has instilled the love of everything Regency & the pursuit of other authors who write in this time period. I’d love to see all of her books on my shelf & would happily share them with my family & friends to read too. I’m having a great time on this blog tour and can’t wait to see what others say about this book. It is definitely on my to-be-read-list! Thank you for the chance to win another great book by Julie 🙂

  39. I love all of Julie Klassen’s books, can’t wait to read the ones coning out layer this year!

  41. I have just finished “The Secret of Pembrooke Park” and enjoyed it as much as the others I’ve read. Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors.

  46. What a lovely review! Now I want to get a copy of the audio version. 🙂

    If you’re looking for another Julie Klassen book to read, some of my favorites have been:
    The Apothecary’s Daughter (first one I read; made me a fan for life)
    The Girl in the Gatehouse
    The Tutor’s Daughter

    Blessings!
    Andrea
    Proofreader/Editor/Writer
    andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
    writingtoinspire.blogspot.com

  50. Fun trailer! I love it when trailers are made for books.

    That would be interesting to listen to the audiobook. I read the paperback and loved it!!

  51. A great review! I definitely agree with it! My personal favorites of Julie Klassen’s books are this one, The Silent Governess, The Tutor’s Daughter, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! (they’re all really good. 😉 ) Julie Klassen is an amazing author and one of my favorites!

  57. Sorry, I don’t know about an URI, but I do want to enter this most wonderful contest. I found out about it by Carrie Fancett Pagel’s post on FB . I love the cover, the review, the video and must read this book. I sure would love to win this contest. Sincerely, Mary Lou K flowersmarylou85@gmail.com
    I loved Victoria Holt books in the past!

  58. I enjoy reading Julie’s books and am really looking forward to The Secret of Pembrooke Park. I used to love to read books by Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and Daphne DuMurier. This sounds like it would be similar to their gothic romances. I can’t imagine listening to the book rather than reading it. I get too distracted when just trying to listen to something. Eighteen hours would really be a challenge for me!

  59. I wish we didn’t have to wait so long for the giveaway but I love going to all the different websites hearing what everyone has to say about this great book.

  62. I would love to own this book! I am (slowly, but surely) adding every one of her books to my shelf. It’s just not good enough to borrow them– I want them for myself! 😉

  70. This is the third Klassen book that I have read and it is my favorite so far! But they are all good! I will be reading more of her books in the near future!

  75. Always a fan of Julie’s books – can’t wait to read it! truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

  76. Glad that you have read and liked Julie’s books. All of the ones that I have read, just lure me in to read more of her writing.

  78. I love the trailer – I hadn’t seen it yet. Like you I was surprised I hadn’t discovered this author yet as this book was wonderful and so much of what I like to read!

    • Laura, I can’t wait to read – well listen – to more of her books. It’s amazing that we’ve been blogging for so long and hadn’t read any of her books.

  79. I would love to have a listen to this story on audio! A good narrator would add much depth, I’m sure, to the secretive nature of the adventures.
    Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm.