Hi there, readers! So I’ve never been one to talk over someone, and I think characters have a right to a voice, too. So instead of introducing my characters … I’m going to let them introduce themselves!

That’s right – today, Claire and Alice will be writing this post (as their TDS selves!), talking about their book, and perhaps even having some special guests join them.

Are you ready for this?

Well, that’s good, because first you have to wade through a bunch of blog tour info! #bigletdown #howannoying #butIgottashareyall

Blog & Instagram Tour Schedule

12: 

Emily Yager // Blog Spotlight

Kellyn Roth // Tour and Book Intro

13:

Jane Mouttett // Blog Interview

14:

Tara // Blog and Instagram Review

15:

Jessica Greyson // Instagram Spotlight

16:

Michaela Bush // Blog Review

17:

Danny Jacobsen // Blog Spotlight

18:

Amie Woleslagle// Blog Review // https://crazyadotblog.wordpress.com

Kellyn Roth // Character Intro // YOU ARE HERE!

19:

Mary // Instagram Review // https://www.instagram.com/ive_seen_a_new_world/

20:

Merie Shen // Instagram Spotlight // https://instagram.com/merie_elight_shen/

21:

Kylie Hunt // Instagram Spotlight // http://www.instagram.com/thefilmdirectorswife

22:

Abigail Harris // Instagram Spotlight // https://www.instagram.com/readreviewrejoice/

23:

Jane Mouttett // Blog Review // janemouttet.wordpress.com

24:

Hanna T. // Blog and Instagram Review // losingthebusyness.wordpress.com // https://www.instagram.com/hanneasinhannah/

25:

Lori Parrish //  Blog and Instagram Review // http://redheadedblogspot.com // https://www.instagram.com/llparrish_46

Maya JT // Blog Review //  https://mayajt.wordpress.com

Kellyn Roth // Tour Wrap Up // https://wp.me/pauHGK-8Aj

***

About the Book

If they knew who she was, they’d never accept what she’s become.

Claire will stop at nothing to provide for her daughters. An unwed mother, she does everything possible to raise them whilst avoiding her scandalous past. Some secrets are best kept, even between mother and daughter.

Alice longs for a father, especially if that means her mother will be happy. She takes matters into her own hands—but she never expected what she finds.

Despite her efforts to shelter her daughters, Claire’s ghosts rise up to haunt her, and any semblance of control over her life vanishes. If her secrets are uncovered, what will become of her family?

Find it on Amazon // Add it on Goodreads

 

***

The Tour Giveaway Runs On

One winner will receive a paperback copy of The Dressmaker’s Secret and a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

Best of luck!

Last-Minute Entries to the Instagram Giveaway

If you have an Instagram account, head over to my most recent post and tag a friend! Every friend you tag (IN THE SAME COMMENT DO NOT COMMENT 500 TIMES!) counts as an entry.

This is what you could win:

Cool, right? It includes:

• A $15 Amazon Gift Card
• A paperback copy of The Dressmaker’s Secret
• 2 Literary Treasures Keychains
• 4 bookmarks
• A TDS-themed notebook
• A pen (for the notebook)
• A pack of my go-to gum
• 2 rubber ducks, Knight and Violet

Instagram Live Coming Up!

This Sunday on my Instagram … at 3 PM PST … I’ll be having a live with questions being answered! You are welcome to comment your questions below, and I shall answer them in the live. 😛

And yes, I shall awkwardly read a section of my book. *winces*

All right, ready for the characters?

Here we go!

*Claire and Alice walk into the room and sit down on two chairs* *Claire glares at Alice until she corrects her posture* *Alice guiltily sits up straight*

Claire: Hello, everyone. I’m Claire … Claire … well, I’m Claire.

Alice: Claire Chattoway!

Claire: Yes, well, it’s slightly more complicated than that, but my true name is Claire Chattoway. I suppose people in my world won’t see this …?

Ominous Narrator: *breathes heavily into mic causing some random static* Uh, no. You’re fine. Your world won’t be affected by this conversation as it exists outside it and is not technically cannon.

Claire: Oh. That’s … good. I think. Well, I use the alias Claire Berck to … to keep people from knowing I’m a Chattoway. *presses lips together*

Alice: It’s rather silly, I think. Why don’t people just love you no matter what, Mummy?

Claire: Let’s talk about that later, darling. We’re here to introduce ourselves to these people.

Alice: Oh, all right. I’m Alice, and I love horses, and Mummy, and Ivy, and Nettie. But I don’t love staying inside the house all the time!

Claire: *laughs slightly* Perhaps some day you won’t have to. Also, I noticed I get mentioned second after horses – that’s a high honor.

Alice: Of course it is. But – does it matter what I say?

Claire: *cheeks redden slightly* I suppose not. As long as this doesn’t really affect anything, you can say what you like.

Alice: Most of all, I love my father.

Claire: How is that?

Alice: Because I know I will. And if you would tell me who he was, I could love him even better. *folds arms and slumps back in the chair* But you won’t.

Claire: *shakes her head* No, it’s a bit of a spoiler even here. And sit up, please.

Alice: *sits up but grouchily*

Claire: But you’ll know by the end of the book, or so I’m told, and so will everyone else. *sigh* I don’t understand why people so enjoy learning personal details about other people. I’ve never enjoyed novels for just that reason.

Alice: I don’t read novels, but if I did, I would want to know at once what everyone was about.

Claire: It can be frustrating to wait.

Alice: But Mummy, you haven’t told these people anything about you!

Claire: Oh, haven’t I? Well, I enjoy … I don’t know. Keeping my family safe!

Alice: That’s just part of life. You have to say something else.

Claire: I enjoy tea.

Alice: Mummmyyyyyy!!!

Claire: *laughing slightly* It’s been a long time since I’ve had a day to just enjoy myself, dearest, so I really don’t know.

Alice: What did you do when you were my age?

Claire: Oh, I’d play outside. Play with Nettie, a great deal, on the moors.

Alice: *blinks* In Yorkshire?

Claire: Right. Nettie was the creative one – she always had an idea for something to do. I never was an imaginative child, like you or Ivy. But I do remember playing in brooks and pretending to be fairies – things like that.

Alice: I can’t believe you ever played in brooks?

Claire: I can’t believe you’ll ever be a grown up.

Alice: I practically am one now. Or I will be soon! But I can’t imagine you being little. Anyways, I forgot to mention Kitty – we’ve had her for a long time, and she’s grouchy, but we still love her.

Claire: *mumbling under her breath about how annoying that cat is*

Alice: And Mummy loves her, too!

Claire: *eye roll* Well, it was really Nettie’s idea to keep her. Speaking of which, we wanted to have Nettie here today, right?

Alice: Oh, yes!

*Nettie walks out on the stage to the cheering of the crowd and takes a seat*

Nettie: Hello, everyone! *waves* Alice, please sit up.

Alice: *sighs and sits up once again*]

Nettie: Well, I’m certainly glad to be here! I’m Nettie Atwater, and I’ve worked in service most of my life – since I was fourteen, I’ve been Claire’s maid. And now I look out for Alice and Ivy and teach them some things.

Alice: She does a lot of things, but she wouldn’t say that.

Nettie: Well, not so very much.

Alice: And she’s smart and kind and loving!

Nettie: *blushes a bit* Well …

Alice: She loves Kitty, too.

Nettie: I spoil Kitty, really.

Claire: *mumbling under her breath about Kitty again*

Alice: Kitty likes being spoiled, so that’s all right.

Nettie: But you can’t judge spoil things because they like it – that’s why I don’t spoil you and Alice.

Claire: *slight eyebrow raise*

Nettie: Oh, don’t look at me that way. You’re worse than I am.

Ominous Narrator: All right, that’s enough chit-chat. Now that all three of you are here, why don’t we ask a few questions.

Claire: Oh dear.

Alice: Yay!

Nettie: *slight smile*

Ominous Narrator: Here we go. What is your favorite scene in The Dressmaker’s Secret?

Claire: None of them. Really, just … none of them.

Nettie: I think they were all leading up to something big – something from God! But I think the epilogue. Everyone is so happy then.

Claire: Yes, let’s go with the epilogue.

Alice: I think I liked the scenes with Kirk! They were a lot easier because there was happiness and no secrets.

Claire: Who’s Kirk?

Nettie: I’ll tell you about that later.

Claire: Oh, dear.

Nettie: It’s actually rather sweet – but we’re off topic. Next question?

Ominous Narrator: Do you prefer the rewrites or the old drafts?

Claire: Old drafts. Old drafts. Old drafts.

Nettie: … yes. Old drafts.

Alice: I like the rewrites!

Claire: Yes, well, you don’t know the whole story …

Ominous Narrator: Are you all excited to see yourselves grow old in the books?

Claire: No.

Nettie: Absolutely.

Alice: Yes, though I don’t want to be very old. Just old enough that people will take me seriously.

Ominous Narrator: Any predictions for the series as a whole?

Nettie: I am reasonably sure that at some point the author will force everything to come to light that hasn’t yet. I don’t know when, but I’m dreading it.

Claire: I agree with Nettie, and I also expect her to kill off certain characters and/or redeem them. Also, I know she’s planning big things for Alice and Ivy and some of their friends and family.

Alice: I just hope I get to keep my horse!

Ominous Narrator: What do you hope will happen in book 2?

Alice: I’ll get to ride more horses! And have a real family! And –

Claire: Peace. Peace and quiet – really that’s all I want.

Nettie: I honestly think the author should put more babies in. You can’t go wrong with babies. Possibly more books, too. Books and babies and … Alice, what’s another B word?

Alice: Bustles?

Nettie: Oh, heavens, let’s not have more of those! Bibles. More Bibles.

Alice: But that is a book, Nettie!

Nettie: Yes, but it’s the best book. Final answer: books, babies, Bibles.

Ominous Narrator: And that’s all for tonight!

***

Well, wasn’t that fun? 😉 Thanks for hanging out, Claire and Alice and Nettie!

TTFN!

~Kell~

P.S.

Have you entered any of my giveaways? (Yes, I do realize there are quite a few!) Have you gotten a chance to check of The Dressmaker’s Secret? Do you think it’d be a book you’d enjoy? Will you be able to watch the Instagram live? (Even if you just watch a replay, be sure to comment your questions below!) What do you think of the characters?

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