Book Review and Giveaway -The Dressmaker’s Secret Author: Kellyn Roth On Tour With Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book:  The Dressmaker’s Secret

Author: Kellyn Roth

Genre: Christian historical women’s fiction

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?

 

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction & romance author from North-Eastern Oregon who has independently published multiple novels, the most notable being The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. You should definitely call her Kell.

Kell lives on family-owned property outside an unmemorable but historical town with her parents, two little brothers, arbitrary cat, precious border collies, a dozen cows, and lots of chickens. She also possesses a classic, vintage aesthetic which does not at all speak to her country girl side, but such is life.

When not writing, Kell likes to blog, teach writing to her various students, have day jobs which allow her to keep her car properly insured, and spend lavish amounts of money on Dairy Queen french fries.

 

More from Kellyn

I’ve honestly never rewritten a book as many times as I rewrote The Dressmaker’s Secret, and I hope I never do.

A first draft flew out of me one November when I was fourteen, and before the next November had come around, I’d gone through twelve drafts, changed points of view multiple times, and eventually rewrote the whole thing from scratch.

The ending especially went through many, many versions … until at last I settled on the final. Or so I thought.

Not long after, some more issues were called to light, and I revised again. And again. Years passed. I went through over twenty-five drafts! And, at the time, I liked all of them. Would I ever like one for longer than a month, though?

Well, turns out, it was possible! I’m over a year and a half into loving my draft of The Dressmaker’s Secret – e.g. the published draft – and that’s not likely to change any time soon.

This book taught me a lot. It practically taught me how to write – and edit! – a good book, and it made me really focus in on quality, even when it took some humility to admit I was wrong and critics were right – or, sometimes, that my gut was right. It taught me to not give up on something I love. It taught me that the risks I always wanted to take are worth taking. It taught me that no mistake is too great to be corrected … well, in some ways, at least.

And it taught me that there’s a great God out there who has grace for all my delays and mistakes and learning experiences.

So, that’s the story of how The Dressmaker’s Secret came to be written!

My Thoughts

The Dressmaker’s Secret by: Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction book. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. This is the first book in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. This book starts out in 1862 in Yorkshire, England. We are given a prologue that starts to explain how Claire came to be an unwed mother. It then fast forwards 8 years to London England and you are quickly captivated by this story. You see 8 year old Alice wondering why she does not have a father. You also see Alice dealing with the fact that her twin Ivy is a bit different then she is. (which honestly tugged at my heart strings) Alice is determined to find out who her father is and decides to do a little bit of investigative work for herself. This book is written from an 8 year old POV, however there is some content that would make it appropriate for middle grade and above. The content is Claire being married previously and having the marriage annulled by her father. 

I am not a England history expert - however what was written seemed to align with other books in similar settings. The author did an amazing job writing her characters. You feel very invested in them. Alice is a charmer, very smart and mature for her young age. Ivy will warm your heart. I loved Nettie and Claire the adults in the story. 

This book is well written, has an intriguing story line. I hope to read more from this author. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging program - all thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 27

Splashes of Joy, January 27

Remembrancy, January 28

Genesis 5020, January 28

Worthy2Read, January 29

Vicky Sluiter, January 29

Maureen’s Musings, January 29

The Write Escape, January 30

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 30

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 31

A Novel Pursuit, January 31

Texas Book-aholic, February 1

CarpeDiem, February 1

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 2

Inklings and notions, February 3

lakesidelivingsite, February 3

Betti Mace, February 4

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 4

deb’s Book Review, February 4

For Him and My Family, February 5

Connect in Fiction, February 5

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 6

Connie’s History Classroom, February 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 7

Godly Book Reviews, February 7

Labor Not in Vain, February 7

Artistic Nobody, February 8 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Blogging With Carol, February 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 9

Sodbuster Living, February 9

Bizwings Blog, February 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kellyn is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of both The Dressmaker’s Secret and Ivy Introspective, as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10689/the-dressmaker-s-secret-celebration-tour-giveaway