KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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JULIETTE
The Switchboard Sisterhood Book 6
BY DONNA SCHLACHTER
Blurb
Juliette Hart—or J.K. Hartling as her readers know her by—leaves Colorado to strike out on her own following the accidental death of her husband two years prior, after answering an advertisement in a ladies magazine for switchboard operators in Anchorage, Alaska. She knows nothing of the territory or its largest city—simply that she must get away from the suffocating grief of her mother-in-law. Once firmly ensconced in the Lawrence Boarding House for Single Ladies, she determines to use her off-time wisely and continue writing her romance novels. Someday, she hopes to write full-time and move into her own home. And get a cat.
Patrick Bruder lives and works in the social elite of Anchorage, Alaska, and should have the pick of any woman in town. Instead, his physical and emotional scars keep him in the background, spending spare time with married couples. As assistant manager of the Anchorage Citizens and Miners Bank, which his father founded after striking it rich in the gold fields, Patrick’s future has already been decided for him. Smallpox scars remind him of how precious life is, and following his fiancee’s betrayal many years before, he carries a broken heart and a strong resolve to avoid women. At all costs. He supports the local art scene, traveling to San Francisco and beyond often, but still finds evenings lonely. He needs a pet. Not a dog, as his father is allergic. Maybe a cat.
JULIETTE
The Switchboard Sisterhood Book 6
BY DONNA SCHLACHTER
20th Century Historical
When I first heard about this multi-author project, I was excited from the get-go. I’d recently read an article in the Smithsonian Magazine about women adventurers, and several had flown over the ocean, the North Pole, the Arctic Circle, and more. I was convinced that my gal would be like them. Set in 1925, when the telephone was still new, I simply knew that Juliette would be wild and crazy and super-funny and…
Except, when I sat down to write about her, that wasn’t who she was. Unfortunately, she’s a lot more like me than I want to admit. I missed plenty of opportunities in my younger years because I was afraid. Of going to the wrong place. Taking the wrong job. Leaving—or, in my case—not leaving the wrong man. As I thought about Juliette, I had to come up with a good reason why she would travel all the way north. So I basically built an overbearing mother-in-law who never appears on the page, but who serves as the impetus for Juliette to leave what she knows to venture into the wilderness.
Juliette is a recent widow who wants to start her life over again without her mother-in-law looking over her shoulder every moment. Having worked as a switchboard operator before her marriage, she reads an advertisement to travel to and work in Anchorage Alaska. Her goal is to earn enough money to move into her own house.
Which still makes her an adventurer in my books.
My hero is Patrick Bruder, a banker in Anchorage. He’s the town’s most eligible bachelor, but he isn’t looking for a woman because he’s too busy planning to expand his bank into the continental US. And he is supportive of local artists, so he’s hoping to combine both interests to make his trips to San Francisco and other cities in the US more profitable.
When Juliette literally runs into Patrick, they are both knocked back on their—uh, heels. Already having their plans in place, neither seriously pursues the other—until a mystery crops up. Nothing huge or nasty—just enough to make them think about working together.
Oh, a cute kitten makes an appearance, leading to cuddly moments of adorability.
The book releases today, and you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ66NX1Q
If you enjoy it, check out the rest of the series here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNPJF8SJ
Meet Donna Schlachter…
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter.
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Links to Donna’s website, blog, books, #ad, etc.
The book releases today, and you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ66NX1Q
If you enjoy it, check out the rest of the series here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNPJF8SJ
www.DonnaSchlachter.com Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive 2 free ebooks simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
Check out previous blog posts at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com and www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter
Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=donna+schlachter
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**Special Giveaway** Donna will give away an ebook copy of JULIETTE to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog. Answer this question to enter:
Have you ever moved somewhere, or thought about moving somewhere, that was totally off the wall?
I’ll go first: I sold my condo, my car, and my accounting business, and moved to Colorado to meet my future husband, having met on a Christian online dating group 6 months prior. We have been married 23 ½ years!
Happy Reading!
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Thanks, Donna, for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
This story sounds wonderful and I would love to read it! Thanks for sharing.
Hubby and I decided to start married life in another state, away from family. It’s had its ups and down, but we’ve been happy here.
Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds good.
Good morning, Donna, and welcome back to Karen’s Killer Book Bench. I love the unusual setting/job for your story. I’ve never read anything about switchboard operators and Alaska has always fascinated me. Someday, I’d love to go there.
Although I’m not entering the giveaway, I wanted to share that I did just this. Moved to a new state where I’ve never even visited, completely off the wall. Moving to South Carolina has been challenging and fun. An adventure I never thought I’d have again in my married life.
I have long contemplated buying an RV and traveling cross country just to see what there is to see. I traveled a lot when I was younger and I miss it. I am a widow and my children are grown and on their own. I can imagine if I actually did this, they would probably think I lost my mind.