Joanna Campbell Slan Archives - fundinmentalfundinmental

The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice.The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and find any sentence or a few ( no spoilers) that grabs you and post it..

Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence or so of the book you are reading along with you initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Please include the title of the book and the author’s name.

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DEATH OF A SCHOOLGIRL by Joanna Campbell Slan

I read this some time ago, but would like to share it with you.

You can see my review here.

MY 56..I told her about my trip in the mail coach and the incident with the thief. I ended my recitation with, “I hate the thought of telling Edward I have lost the Rochester diamonds!”

(page 56 in paperback).

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BOOK BEGINNINGS.

When Jane Eyre first wrote her autobiography, it was intended as a multivolume work, for she’d lived a rich and varied life despite her harsh beginnings. But after publication of the first volume of her early life, from her birth to her marriage in 1819, the book received such an overwhelming amount of attention – some positive, but much negative – that it quite turned her again publishing the rest of the story she’d written.

…reader discovered a handwritten manuscript…

And so, dear reader, her story continues…

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SYNOPSIS

In her classic tale, Charlotte Brontë introduced readers to the strong willed and intelligent Jane Eyre. Picking up where Brontë left off, the year is now 1851, and Jane’s life has finally settled into a comfortable pattern. She and her beloved Edward Rochester have married, and have an infant son. But Jane soon finds herself in the midst of new challenges and threats to those she loves…

Jane can’t help but fret when a letter arrives from Adèle Varens—Rochester’s ward and Jane’s former pupil, currently at boarding school—warning that the girl’s life is in jeopardy. Although it means leaving her young son and invalid husband, and despite never having been to a city of any size, Jane feels strongly compelled to go to London to ensure Adèle’s safety.

But almost from the beginning, her travels don’t go as planned—she is knocked about and robbed, and no one believes that the plain, unassuming Jane could indeed be the wife of a gentleman. Even when she arrives at the school, the headmistress takes her for an errant new teacher, and berates her for her late arrival. Most shocking to Jane is the discovery that Adèle’s roommate has recently passed away under very suspicious circumstances, yet no one at the school seems concerned. Taking advantage of the misunderstanding, she decides to pose as the missing instructor—and soon uncovers several unsavory secrets, which may very well make her the killer’s next target…

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Do you read autobiographies or historical novels?

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Death of a Schoolgirl
By Joanna Campbell Slan

Book Details:
Death of a Schoolgirl
(The Jane Eyre Chronicles)
First in Series
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (August 7, 2012)
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

SYNOPSIS

In her classic tale, Charlotte Brontë introduced readers to the strong-willed and intelligent Jane Eyre. Picking up where Brontë left off, Jane’s life has settled into a comfortable pattern: She and her beloved Edward Rochester are married and have an infant son. But Jane soon finds herself in the midst of new challenges and threats to those she loves…

Jane can’t help but fret when a letter arrives from Adèle Varens—Rochester’s ward, currently at boarding school—warning that the girl’s life is in jeopardy. Although it means leaving her young son and invalid husband, and despite never having been to a city of any size, Jane feels strongly compelled to go to London to ensure Adèle’s safety.

But almost from the beginning, Jane’s travels don’t go as planned—she is knocked about and robbed, and no one believes that the plain, unassuming Jane could indeed be the wife of a gentleman; even the school superintendent takes her for an errant new teacher. But most shocking to Jane is the discovery that Adèle’s schoolmate has recently passed away under very suspicious circumstances, yet no one appears overly concerned. Taking advantage of the situation, Jane decides to pose as the missing instructor—and soon uncovers several unsavory secrets, which may very well make her the killer’s next target…

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MY REVIEW OF DEATH OF A SCHOOLGIRL BY JOANNA CAMPBELL SLAN

Death of a Schoolgirl picks up where Jane Eyre left off. She is now a wife, mother and private investigator.

The age old story – she was Adele’s governess and married Rochester, the master of the manor.

Jane received a letter from Adele and became worried by the tone of the letter. She decided she must go to her and find out what was wrong.

Rochester’s first wife, Bertha, had died when she burnt down his house. He was permanently disabled because of it. He was almost blind and had only one hand. Due to medical complications, he was unable to travel, so Jane would be traveling alone.

Jane gets to Adele’s school and is greeted by a Death of a Schoolgirl.

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I was immediately attracted to the gothic feel of the cover.

Death of a Schoolgirl has no flash, but is full of fast paced action. No breath holding, edge of the seat suspense, but a very nice mystery that is not easily solved.

The great writing had lots of detail that kept me fully involved. Sometimes period books can be hard to read, but this wasn’t. Death of a Schoolgirl has a touch of the paranormal. Someone is watching over Jane, helping her help the girls.

Jane is strong and confident. Women had their place but not her. She did not accept the hypocrisy and caste system of her times. Has anything really changed?

Jane could reproduce, with pencil and paper, whatever she saw. She had an analytical mind and was a great observer, so becoming a private investigator was no stretch for her. She had empathy for those less fortunate than her.

I loved her stand up attitude. She would not allow the hypocrisy and snobbishness of the many to affect her decisions..

Alderton House, the boarding school, is a dumping ground for many unwanted children. The workers are either tyrants or meek and afraid.

“Her embrace sent me moaning in pain.”

“Oh dear, and I finally have a sister and I broke her already!”

I laughed out loud. I think this quote is priceless.

I enjoyed Death of a Schoolgirl and would like to read more.

I received a signed, first edition paperback for review from the author. My opinions are my own. She included some wonderful goodies and I would like to thank her for the awesome package.

4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning and National Bestselling author Joanna Campbell Slan is the creator of the Kiki Lowenstein Mysteries (an Agatha Award Finalist) and The Jane Eyre Chronicles (Winner of the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award). This fall will see the debut of the Cara Mia Delgatto books, a new mystery series set on the Treasure Coast of Florida, featuring a young woman who runs a recycling/repurposing shop. In her past life, Joanna was a television talk show host, an adjunct professor of public relations, a sought-after motivational speaker, and a corporate speechwriter. She is the mother of Michael Slan, a professional poker player, and she is married to David Slan, CEO of Steinway Piano Gallery-DC. The Slans and their two dogs make their home on ******* Island, Florida. Visit Joanna’s website at www.JoannaSlan.com

Website l Blog l Twitter l Facebook l Goodreads:

PURCHASE LINKS

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MY GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Joanna Campbell Slan is offering 1 print book. Easy entry. Just leave a comment with your email and answer the question:

What does the cover say to you?

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TOUR-WIDE GIVEAWAY

She also is offering a grand prize that she says she will “mail it anywhere!”

“Le Plus Grande Prize (ha-ha!) will be a Lowood Institution Lacrosse sweatshirt, a “Being yourself is the key” pencil case, a Jane Eyre mug, and a small Jane Eyre quotations journal.”

To enter, click on a Rafflecopter giveaway link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 15 – A Year of Jubilee Reviews Review & Giveaway

September 16 – Must Read Faster Review

September 17 – Griperang’s Bookmarks Review & Giveaway

September 18 – Chloe Gets A Clue Interview & Giveaway

September 19 – A Blue Million Books Guest Post

September 20 – My Devotional Thoughts Review & Giveaway

September 23 – Books-n-Kisses Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

September 24 – Mochas, Mysteries and More Guest Post & Giveaway

September 25 – fundinmental Review & Giveaway

September 26 – Melina’s Book Blog Review & Guest Post

September 27 – Cozy Up With Kathy Review & Interview

September 28 – Brooke Blogs Review & Guest Post

September 29 – THE SELF-TAUGHT COOK Review

September 30 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading Review, Interview & Giveaway

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Joanna Campbell Slan is a prolific writer. To grab a copy of Death of a Schoolgirl, or be taken to her books to see what else she has to offer, click on the cover below.
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