Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this guest post today, Alissa. As a former school librarian, this is a topic that is important to me – the impact of kids’ books.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Lord and the Lady Astronomer by Alissa Baxter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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Kids’ Books that Made an Impact on My Life

I remember the magical feeling I experienced when I learned to read at the age of seven. The minute I discovered how letters combined to create actual words, I knew I wanted to be a writer. The moment is etched so clearly in my mind! 

All kinds of stories enchanted me as a child. I remember the excitement of The Read It Yourself Ladybird Series. William Tell, Cinderella, Jack and the Bean Stalk, The Little Red Hen, Heidi, Snow White, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Hansel and Gretel. . . I devoured these early readers as they opened up a whole new world to me. 

My imagination was fired, and I quickly went on to read more complex tales—I loved the illustrated stories in the children’s annuals I received as Christmas presents every year. I also enjoyed Enid Blyton’s Adventure Series, The Secret Seven, and The Famous Five, as well as her boarding school stories—Malory Towers and St Clare’s. I was also a fan of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. 

This early appreciation of children’s literature powerfully impacted me, and I believe it planted the seeds of my imagination. Indeed, I believe my ability to tell stories developed after I was exposed to thousands of books over a number of years. The way in which a story is developed and recounted becomes imprinted in your mind after a while, like a hidden blueprint that you follow because it comes as naturally to you as breathing. 

It is so important that children are encouraged to read. However, we are surrounded by so many other forms of entertainment these days that compete for our kids’ attention. 

Although I believe all kinds of storytelling can be immensely beneficial for children, books are an especially important format as they teach them to place themselves in other people’s shoes by using their imaginations. And in a world where narcissism seems to be on the increase, I suspect this simple method of learning empathy is more important now than ever.

About the Book

Title: The Lord and the Lady Astronomer
Series: The Grantham Girls #3
Author: Alissa Baxter
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Release Date: November 1, 2023
Genre: Regency/Historical Romance (Sweet, wholesome)

Can wishing upon a star ever come true?

Abigail Grantham has always taken a keen interest in astronomy since her brother Sir John Grantham enlisted her aid as a young girl to keep records of his astronomical discoveries. Abigail is delighted when her uncle, Lord Longmore, invites her to stay at Longmore Hall in Buckinghamshire as he needs her assistance to compile a star chart.

When Abigail arrives at the Hall, her Aunt Longmore introduces her to local society. However, Abigail also spends a great deal of time in her uncle’s observatory, viewing the night skies alongside her uncle’s neighbor, fellow astronomer William, Viscount Rochvale.

Lord Rochvale is intrigued by Abigail, and when he discovers that they share an interest in ancient buildings and Roman history, he contrives to become better acquainted with her away from her uncle’s observatory, taking her to places of archaeological interest with a view to winning her heart. But the astronomical project they are working on makes courtship difficult, and William’s plans are further frustrated by his rakish cousin Gerald Burnby, who becomes a frequent visitor to Longmore Hall, seeking out Abigail too.

After a valuable Roman urn disappears from Longmore Hall, a series of mysterious occurrences unravel, presenting a puzzle Abigail has no idea how to solve. However, when events escalate into peril, Abigail discovers that it is the night sky that holds the secret to the missing urn—as well as to her stolen heart.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books In This Series

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About the Author – Alissa Baxter

Alissa Baxter wrote her first Regency romance during her long university holidays. After travelling the world, she settled down to write her second Regency novel, which was inspired by her time living on a country estate in England. Alissa then published two chick lit novels before returning to her favourite era with her Linfield Ladies Series, a trio of Regency romances that feature women in trend-setting roles who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways… at least eventually. Her new Dragonblade trilogy, The Grantham Girls, continues this inspiring theme.

Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons.

Connect with Alissa by visiting alissabaxter.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 6, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 13, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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