For the final day of the launch tour, I’m discussing book 2 in The Hilton Legacy trilogy, Like the Air After Rain.
Before that, here’s the normal launch tour stuff . . .
About Like a Ship on the Sea
If God asks you to confront a storm, how dare you stay in the harbor?
Lady Mary Cassidy O’Connell has a dream that can be summed up in three connecting ideas: a loving husband, adorable children, and a home of her own. Her mother’s lack of care makes life difficult for Cassie, and an escape is necessary. The plan? Marry Aubrey Montgomery, the man her parents have chosen for her, and find the peace she craves.
Unfortunately, Cassie is uneasy about marrying Aubrey. Her apprehension grows as she witnesses her dearest friend’s loving marriage take place. At this wedding, she catches the eye of Patrick Hilton, son of a wealthy American. Like Cassie, he’s also set to marry a woman chosen by his parents—only, Patrick claims, he is content with this choice.
Torn between her desire for happiness and the knowledge that God is leading her in a different direction, Cassie confronts the impossible decision. Is a loveless marriage of obligation better than being alone, or will she set sail on a voyage without a safe harbor?
Like a Ship on the Sea is the first novel in The Hilton Legacy, a stand-alone trilogy featuring characters from the author’s first series, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy.
AMAZON ~ GOODREADS
About The Hilton Legacy
The Hilton Legacy will be a trilogy (with perhaps one standalone spin-off, depending on how I decide to do this!) set in 1880s and 1890s America and Europe.
The first novel, Like a Ship on the Sea, which is the one we’re celebrating today, features Patrick Hilton and his eventual love interest, Cassie. Of course, we know all about this novel!
The second novel, Like the Air After Rain, will feature Lorelei Hilton and her love interest and will primarily take place in England. There’s going to be a marriage of convenience angle that will be a lot of fun, methinks!
The second novel, Like Lightning in a Bottle, will feature Gwendolyn Hilton and her love interest and will primarily take place in England and America. This one is a little bit of a wild card, but we’re gonna have fun with it.
The Schedule
Monday, September 4th
“Why You Should Read Like a Ship on the Sea” by Kellyn Roth
Book Spotlight by Abby Johansen
Author Interview by Naomi Sowell
Tuesday, September 5th (LAUNCH DAY!)
“All the Launch Day Celebrations” by Kellyn Roth
Wednesday, September 6th
“About the Gilded Era” by Kellyn Roth
Thursday, September 7th
“Tackling Tough Topics with Tact” by Kellyn Roth
Friday, September 8th
“A Guest Post by Alice Strauss” by Kellyn Roth
Book Spotlight by M.C. Kennedy
Book Spotlight by Bizwings Book Blog
Saturday, September 9th
“Introducing the Hiltons of Boston” by Kellyn Roth
Monday, September 11th
“How The Hilton Legacy Fits in with The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy” by Kellyn Roth
Author Interview by Amy Ullrich
Review by Pens, Pages, and Pulses
Author Interview by Jane Mouttet
Book Spotlight by Rhys-Marie Whitnell
Tuesday, September 12th
“All About Book Two, Like the Air After Rain” by Kellyn Roth
Book Spotlight by Grace A. Johnson
Interview & Review by Saraina Whitney
The Giveaway
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! There will be a USA and International Winner, so even if you don’t live in my country, ENTER ANYWAY, because I made a prize just for you!
US-Only Giveaway: a signed paperback copy of Like a Ship on the Sea, a themed candle, two bookmarks, three character art prints, a themed charm bracelet, and extra special bonus scenes.
International Giveaway: an ebook copy of Like a Ship on the Sea, extra special bonus scenes, a themed phone wallpaper, and the first chapter of book 2.
ENTER NOW!
Or paste this link into your browser: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cbb544c921/
The Bookish Tag
With the help of Grace A. Johnson (who is way too kind to me), I am hosting a bookish tag! This can be done on any social media profile (or even your blog) and is a fun way to join together to celebrate the launch! Starting today!
I’m doing the prompt on my Instagram and Facebook profiles, and I may try to repost some of these to Twitter, too!
The Prompts
Sept. 4 // a book set in your dream destination
Sept. 6 // your favorite swoon-worthy romance
Sept. 8 // a book with themes that inspire you
Sept. 11 // a most remarkable heroine
Sept. 13 // a beloved mentor character
Sept. 15 // a hero with an inspiring arc
Sept. 18 // your favorite fictional sibling dynamic
Sept. 20 // a ship that took you by surprise
Sept. 22 // a theme that touched your heart
Sept. 25 // a series spinoff you loved
Sept. 27 // a topic you love to read about
Sept. 29 // your favorite historical time period
Rules
- There are prompts for every other weekday in September, but you’re welcome to share whenever you can and catch up at any time.
- Feel free to use any social media, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, your blog, and Youtube.
- Share about books that fit into the categories, and have fun!
- Don’t forget to use the hashtag #likeashipontheseatag and tag Kellyn (@kellynrothauthor on Instagram & Facebook or @kellyntheauthor on Twitter) to be shared!
All About Book Two, Like the Air After Rain
The most simple way I can share about the book? How about a blurb!
Lorelei Hilton is on the cusp of an arranged marriage to a spineless boy chosen by her father for the purpose of maintaining the family business. After years of being manipulated and talked down to, Lorelei has had enough. Determined to remove herself and her sister from the constant supervision of her parents, she set out to find a man with the gumption to stand up to her father.
Aubrey Montgomery has three problems: the care of his adolescent sisters, the managing of his household, and his own loneliness. Over two years have passed since his first proposal was rejected by Cassie Hilton. Although he no longer trusts himself to love a woman properly, he could settle for an amicable, emotionless partnership—if the right woman came along.
After a chance meeting with her sister-in-law’s former suitor, Lorelei discovers she has an ally in Aubrey Montgomery. A marriage of convenience to Aubrey would solve both their problems—provided neither of them becomes emotionally attached.
*nervous laugh* Well, um, what do you think? I admit I’m a bit nervous about pulling off some of these elements, but I’m excited.
Other than that, I won’t ramble on too much. But here are some elements this book will include:
- Lorelei hating tea for however many thousand words
- English coast (specifically Dorset)
- Younger sisters getting in trouble (and matchmaking, again)
- B A B I E S
- Swimming in the ocean (and getting dunked into the ocean)
- The fact that something about marrying an English gentleman triggers the Violet Crawley in Lorelei
- Exploring themes of marital harmony, what marriage really entails (& why you can’t just NOT CARE though we all know that EXCEPT APPARENTLY THESE TWO IDIOTS), et cetera
- Also, PPD is explored once more, so that’s going to be …
why do I keep writing these sadnesses - Lorelei sharing every thought that comes into her head before she’s properly thought it through
- This is my Pinterest for the story and this is my playlist for Lorelei, by the way.
A few favorite pictures from the Pinterest board:
To cap it off, let’s share a (very early draft) excerpt of what is Lorelei and Aubrey’s first conversation because she gets straight to the point, as per normal.
For a moment or two, they danced in silence while he scrambled to remember some fragment of small talk that might interest her. Nothing came to mind, and it was Miss Hilton who spoke first.
“You were engaged to my sister-in-law, weren’t you?” Her voice was quiet but cutting. It held a forcefulness, an abruptness, that most women didn’t possess—or didn’t wish to show, if they did possess it.
Aubrey narrowly avoided stumbling over his own feet. “Excuse me?”
Her head dipped in acknowledgement, as if this were the most average conversation subject on earth, but her gray eyes, light and dancing, held what looked like amusement, as if his being flustered was a matter of hilarity. “My sister-in-law. Cassie—well, Lady Mary O’Connell, I suppose. You were her fiancé, weren’t you?”
“No, I was not.” He steered her around another couple before he spoke again. “I asked her to marry me, and she refused.”
“Ah.” Another slight inclination of her head. “I see.”
Then she said nothing. Absolutely nothing. Did she want an explanation? Did she want to humiliate him? What a frustrating situation. If it were not for the fact that he was loathe to cause damage to a young lady’s reputation, he would return her to her mother and leave.
Yet that was not an option. So instead, he began to talk, not sure what he was saying or why—only knowing that he couldn’t bear the silence, the potential judgment.
“We had courted for several years,” he said, pausing to clear his throat, “and I had been quite sure of her. I knew there was something between us—but I believed it was my reluctance to commit. I have never been one to move quickly, not when I can measure my steps and make intelligent decisions. I suppose I made her feel as if I didn’t care—and that’s a fact for which I am eternally sorry. She shouldn’t have had to doubt me, if she did. Perhaps you know more of this than I do, or perhaps you do not. As for me, I was not given an explanation, nor do I need one, I suppose. Her decision was final enough. I don’t begrudge her that. I wish I had loved her well enough to make her stay, but I don’t want you or anyone else to believe that I wished to hold her against her will.”
Miss Hilton was silent for a moment then slowly nodded. “I don’t think I ever believed anything about you at all. Of course, I think my brother made the right decision in marrying her—and I think she was made for him, in all honesty. But I don’t care what you do. I don’t think I ever did. I think Cassie should have left you sooner, of course, but that’s not personal. I just like her better as a sister.” Her chin raised as her eyes met his. “I suppose you could find any number of women here who would serve your purpose just fine.”
His brow furrowed. “Whatever do you mean?”
She stared at him, unblinking, as if what she said was the most logical thing on earth. “I mean there are dozens of women in this room alone who I’m sure would make you a perfectly decent wife. I doubt you want anything special, and the kind of woman you’re looking for is bred here. I suspect you’re overthinking it.” Her tone was casual.
How old was she, anyway? Maybe eighteen? Why did she feel she had the right to speak to him so openly?
Yet he curbed his offense—he’d been learning more and more that the natural prickling of his pride was not an emotion he wanted to cultivate. Certainly, with two young sisters tempting him to frustration every day, he had to adjust—or suffer the loss of their affections, which he could not bear. No, anything but that, regardless of how tempestuous their emotions.
So he replied calmly, his tone even and soft, the same voice he used when Constance was being particularly irrational, at least in his view of things. “I’m overthinking marriage? As in, the life-long decision, ’til death do we part?” Perhaps the logical statement of matters would call the girl back to reality.
Yet apparently not, for her eyebrows arched, and what could only be called a grin appeared on her face. “Oh, that marriage. Sorry, I was talking about the union of Minneapolis and St. Paul.” She rolled her eyes. “No, of course ‘that’ marriage.”
“And why would you ‘suspect’ that I am ‘overthinking’ it?” She didn’t know him, and she felt qualified to make such broad judgments?
“Because I saw enough of you at Alice Strauss’s wedding to know you do not take risks, and because when a man is ready to get married, he marries. You proposed to Cassie; therefore, you are ready to be married; therefore, you are delaying unnecessarily from seizing what you ought.” She said this as if it were the most practical thing in the world rather than wild speculation. “It’s a simple matter, really.”
He frowned. “Well, who would you recommend?”
“As a wife?” She laughed. “Surely you can make that decision yourself.”
“As you seem to know everything, I am hardly foolish enough to neglect your keen advice.” Aubrey couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his tone. “What should I be looking for, at least?”
Small tendrils of nut-brown hair bounced about her head as she laughed. “What do you want?”
He moved his shoulders in the slightest of shrugs. “Someone who will stay, primarily.”
She shook her head, another grin dancing about her pink lips. “Not a jab that hits its mark with me, but I get your point. That’s simple, though. Just propose to someone. If you marry them, they’ll have to stay.”
“Ah, so you’re suggesting kidnapping?”
“If that’s what it takes.” She turned from him as the music ended, tossing, “A real man would do it,” over her shoulder.
He didn’t know why he followed her. He could’ve escaped, exited stage right, never had to speak to her again.
Instead, he trailed her back to the Knights like an obedient pup on a leash.
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.
Well … do you like the sound of that? Are you surprised about … anything?
Are you interested in getting to know me & my books better?
I want to invite you to my super secret club. I mean, it’s not really a secret, because I’m telling you about it now, but here goes.
Join Mrs. Roth’s Society Column, my street team! We’d love to have you along for the ride!
7 Responses
“A real man would do it.”
LORELEI. MY QUEEN.
Gosh, I love this girl.
Also, her and Aubrey’s dynamic is PER-FLIPPIN’-FECTION.
*is in love*
(Please tell me he kidnaps her.)
Thank you, Grace!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, because I am totally nervous about their dynamic and well, just everything about this story. XD It’s such a risk, but I’m hoping it pays off! (LOL, I kind of wish he would!)
*screams* I need this book right now!
Haha, I’d better get on writing it, then! 😛
Someone needs to have a serious conversation with Lorelei about her ideas of what a “real man” looks like…
I like that boy Aubrey, though. He cute.
Good luck with your writing! *sends you motivational chocolate*
It’s half part of her character arc, but it’s also half a joke. But yes, Aubrey is sweet, in his own way. He so badly wants to do well but also has no idea how to do well.
Thank you!