THE HISTORY OF US Blog Tour
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on THE HISTORY OF US by Jennifer Bardsley Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Title: THE HISTORY OF US
Author: Jennifer Bardsley
Pub. Date: July 12, 2022
Publisher: Montlake
Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 317
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org
From Sweet Bliss author Jennifer Bardsley comes a poignant romance about a small-town crime that throws together ex–high school sweethearts who have never quite gotten over their past.
Andrea Wint’s life in the small town of Port Inez, Washington, is a simple one. She works, enjoys the gorgeous view from her bay window, and visits her dad at the memory-care facility. Her father is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, but Andrea brings in one coin from his valuable collection every day—little bits of precious metals that seem to bring him back to himself, even if just for a few moments.
So when Andrea’s house is burgled and the coins disappear, she’s bereft.
To track down the culprit, she turns to Dustin Karlsson, who just happens to be her former high school sweetheart. Years ago, they broke each other’s hearts, and some wounds are slow to heal. But Dustin feels indebted to the ailing Tom Wint and wants to help.
What’s more, Dustin has a personal stake in finding the perpetrator. In fact, he suspects the thief could be his own brother-in-law, a gambler and a drunk who skipped town, leaving Dustin’s sister and two young nieces behind.
As Dustin and Andrea travel the Pacific Northwest in an effort to recover the missing coins, old feelings rekindle. Maybe their happily ever after can still be minted.
Advanced Praise:
“Jennifer’s story peels back layer after layer until Dustin and Andrea get down to what really matters—what they feel down deep in their hearts. A lovely story of finding love, healing old hurts, and working together toward a lovely future together.” —Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Riverbend Reunion
“Equal turns thoughtful and sweet, The History of Us is a darling read. Dustin and Andrea shine as a couple, and Port Inez is the type of small-town that will draw you in like you are a member of the Karlsson family.” —Addie Woolridge, author of The Checklist
“Jennifer Bardsley delivers a beautifully written story of love, family, and second chances. You will experience all the feels as the hero and heroine navigate their way toward happily ever after. The characters were written with such authenticity that you will feel as if you know them personally. I enjoyed the love and devotion both main characters showed for their families. Bardsley skillfully handled the delicate subject of Alzheimer’s disease with grace and care, weaving it into the storyline flawlessly. These two characters truly went on a journey that led them back to each other. —Joy Avery, author of Something So Sweet
“Gripping and emotional, The History of Us is a beautiful story of what it truly means to love someone. Bardsley weaves a captivating tale of the complicated but powerful nature of family bonds, taking readers on a journey through the Pacific Northwest with two broken people looking to recover something lost—and along the way, rediscovering their enduring love for each other.” —Elissa Grossell Dickey, author of The Speed of Light and Iris in the Dark
“Jennifer Bardsley’s love stories are exactly what we need right now—books with hope, family, and characters that feel like home!” —Brooke Burroughs, author of The Marriage Code and The Name Curse
INTERVIEW
- Tell us a bit about your book. What inspired you to write it and is it part of a series?
THE HISTORY OF US is a sweet romance standalone book that takes place in the fictional town of Port Inez, Washington, on the Kitsap Peninsula. The location is inspired by the real life town of Kingston. While this book is not part of a series, readers who are familiar with my previous books, SWEET BLISS and GOOD CATCH, will spot quite a few Easter eggs. In THE HISTORY OF US, a mystery reunites two high school sweethearts who never quite got over their past. Dustin and Andrea take a whirlwind trip around the Olympic Peninsula as they search for stolen coins and end up taking a second chance on love.
- Who is your favorite character in THE HISTORY OF US and why?
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I adore Dustin Karlsson, the hero, because he is so steadfast. He’s a wonderful brother, a patient uncle, and the exact type of person you’d want to help you in an emergency.
- What does your writing process look like?
I start with a two-sentence hook and then write my synopsis. The original hook for THE HISTORY OF US was: “Dustin will do anything to find his dead-beat brother-in-law and make him repay the money he stole from the family trust, even if it means accepting help from the woman who broke his heart.” Once I have the synopsis, I develop my characters. It’s important for me to know what my main characters’ goals are, as well as what problems they will need to overcome. Then, I write between 1,500-3,000 words a day without taking breaks until I finish my first draft. My critique partners help me a lot. I never give a manuscript to my agent unless multiple people have already read it and provided feedback.
- Did this book require special research?
Yes, it did. Since THE HISTORY OF US features a coin heist, I did extensive research on numismatics, specifically about the St. Gardens double eagle. I visited multiple coin stores and consulted with experts to get that part of the story right.
- Do you have any more books on the horizon?
In 2023 I have a book coming out called Fixem Upper which is about two small town real estate agents who fall in love with the help of the local Facebook group for moms.
About Jennifer Bardsley:
Jennifer Bardsley believes in friendship, true love, and the everlasting power of books. A graduate of Stanford University, she lives in Edmonds, Washington with her husband and two children. Jennifer’s “I Brake for Moms” column has appeared in The Everett Herald every week since 2012. She also writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance under the pen name Louise Cypress. When she’s not writing books, or camping with her Girl Scout troop, you can find Jennifer walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets.
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Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE HISTORY OF US, US Only.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
| 6/1/2022 | BookHounds | Interview/IG Post |
| 6/2/2022 | Jenguerdy | IG Post |
| 6/3/2022 | BETTER_0FF_READ | IG Post/TikTok Post |
| 6/4/2022 | pickagoodbook | Guest Post/IG Post |
Week Two:
| 6/5/2022 | #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog | Excerpt/IG Post |
| 6/6/2022 | Lady Hawkeye | Excerpt/IG Post |
| 6/7/2022 | SJ_Bookshelf | IG Review |
| 6/8/2022 | Two Chicks on Books | Excerpt |
| 6/9/2022 | Viviana MacKade | Guest Post |
| 6/10/2022 | M reads often | IG Review |
| 6/11/2022 | @jaimerockstarbooktours | IG Post |
Week Three:
| 6/12/2022 | onemused | IG Post |
| 6/13/2022 | @kristens.reading.nook | Review/IG Post |
| 6/14/2022 | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf | Review/IG Post |
| 6/15/2022 | @thechattybookworm | Tik Tok Review/IG Post |
| 6/16/2022 | LatestBookCrush | Excerpt/IG Post |
| 6/17/2022 | Fire and Ice | Review |
| 6/18/2022 | @coffeesipsandreads | IG Review |
Week Four:
| 6/19/2022 | Emmiepooh2 | Review/IG Post |
| 6/20/2022 | beersbooksandboos | Review/IG Post/TikTok Post |
| 6/21/2022 | @My.Bookish.Mind | IG Review |
| 6/22/2022 | A Court of Coffee and Books | Review/IG Post |
| 6/23/2022 | The Momma Spot | Review/IG Post |
| 6/24/2022 | More Books Please blog | Review/IG Post |
| 6/25/2022 | Two Points of Interest | Review/IG Post |
Week Five:
| 6/26/2022 | onemoreexclamation | Review/IG Post |
| 6/27/2022 | Lychburg Reasd | Review/IG Post |
| 6/28/2022 | Lifestyle of Me | Review/IG Post |
| 6/29/2022 | Book Sniffers Anonymous | Excerpt/IG Post |
| 6/30/2022 | The Reading Devil | Review/IG Post |
What a wonderful book! Great interview. Thanks for sharing.
nice interview