Happy Release Day!
Congratulations Deanna
on the release today of
Mrs. Winchester's Biographer!
Mrs. Winchester's Biographer by Deanna Lynn Sletten
Historical Fiction, 295 pages
Published October 3, 2023 by Deanna Lynn Sletten
Was Sarah Winchester a woman of mystery or simply a strong woman who lived her life on her own terms? It will take another strong woman to ensure her story is told.
1918 – Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, has read and heard all the newspaper stories written about her. Snob. Crazy. Insane. Spiritualist. Ghosts. Séances. The list goes on and on. At the age of seventy-nine, she’s lived an incredible life and her wealth has allowed her to live as she pleased. Sarah loves projects, and now she has one last project she wishes to complete. It’s time she compiled her life story so friends and family will know the truth once she’s gone. But with her crippling arthritis, she needs someone to help her. She hopes the young woman her lawyer, Frank Lieb, has sent to the house will fit in with her staff and work well as her typist. Sarah knows she doesn’t have many years left, and this is a project she is determined to finish.
1918 – Olivia Collins is a young single woman who has found herself in a precarious predicament. Through a mutual friend, lawyer Frank Lieb, she’s been offered a chance to work with the infamous Sarah Winchester. Olivia is nervous about meeting the elderly woman she has heard stories about all her life. But she desperately needs this job. Without it, Olivia has no idea what her future will hold.
Today – Morgan Connors is helping her mother go through her recently deceased grandmother’s possessions when she comes upon an old manuscript. The title states it is Sarah Winchester’s Autobiography. Morgan works as an acquisition editor at a publisher in San Francisco and knows that no such book has ever been published. When her mother explains that Morgan’s great-great-grandmother, Olivia Collins, once worked for Mrs. Winchester, she’s intrigued. Who was Olivia Collins, and why did she have a manuscript of Sarah Winchester’s life story?
Mrs. Winchester’s Biographer tells the captivating story of Sarah Winchester’s life and how she became one of the most talked-about women of her time despite her attempts to protect her privacy.
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)
First lines—"May 1918 - Olivia Anne Collins tried not to wring her gloved hands as the black automobile pulled up to the front door of the beautiful Atherton, California home."
One of the things I enjoy most when reading historical fiction is the knowledge I get about the topic I'm reading about. I was not the best student in school but I loved to read so when an author can put a fictionalize spin on the past, I am captivated.
Deanna does an excellent job of humanizing a person and making a place and time real to me in Mrs. Winchester's Biographer. I knew nothing at all about Sarah Winchester and the life she led or how ostracized she was for the solitary life she chose to live. After reading this wonderful story, I want to know more about her and her amazing life.
I loved all of the characters of this intertwined tale of generations, from Sarah, all the way to Morgan, the great-great-granddaughter of the biographer, Olivia. I loved how the generations of women found themselves connected. Side note: I wonder how much each of us could find out about our ancestors that would be just as intriguing if only past stories and lives were shared with future generations. It is sad to think about how much of our history is being lost.
I have loved all of Deanna's stories and as usual, her latest one is always my new favorite! How does she do that?
If you love historical fiction, if you love biographies, if you love stories about strong women persevering through tough times, if you love generational stories tying women together resulting in a fantastic, engrossing tale, you need to read Mrs. Winchester's Biographer. It will totally be a satisfying read for you! Definitely ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s for me!
I received an ARC of Mrs. Winchester's Biographer from the author and this is my honest opinion.
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About the author
Deanna Lynn Sletten is the author of The Ones We Leave Behind, Miss Etta, The Women of Great Heron Lake, Maggie's Turn, The Lake Harriet Series, and several other titles. She writes heartwarming women's fiction and romance novels with unforgettable characters. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.
Deanna has recently begun a new murder mystery series, The Rachel Emery Series which includes The Truth About Rachel and Death Becomes You.
Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing on the lake in the summer. ~ Goodreads
Deanna has graciously offered a paperback copy of her new book for one of my lucky followers. Just enter via the rafflecopter below and be sure to send Deanna some love. Lots of ways to enter!
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I like the premise for Mrs. Winchester's Biographer by Deanna Lynn Sletten!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Hi Susan - Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I'm happy you enjoyed the story - this one was truly close to my heart. Thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book!
ReplyDeleteI'am excited to read your fabulous book. I love all your other books as well. 📘📒📗
ReplyDeleteenderlins at gmail.com
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun one
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