Date Published: April 9, 2013
Publisher: WiDo Publishing
The Blurb:
When Marlie agrees to attend a cadaver ball at Vanderbilt Medical School, she did not expect to actually see any cadavers. Or, that a strange apparition would issue her a chilling message.Despite the cadaver's warning, Marlie is married a year later to Tennessee State Senator, Daniel Cannon, and living in a plantation-style mansion with two step-sons. Add to the mix her growing suspicion that something is amiss with the death of Daniel’s first wife, Gentry, and newlywed Marlie is definitely in over her pretty Yankee head.
What begins as an innocent inquiry into her new husband’s clouded past ends with Marlie in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.
A modern twist on the classic Gothic romance novels of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, Replacing Gentry follows Marlie’s precarious journey as she learns the truth about the man she married.
My Review:
Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford was a fun read for me on many levels. First of all, I enjoyed the mystery and suspense surrounding the entire plot line. There was so much thought and detail that went into Replacing Gentry, and that made me feel like I was right there looking through the eyes and mind of Marlie. Julie N. Ford is a Tennessee author and this book takes place in Nashville. Being a Tennessee gal myself, I could visualize the places Marlie went because I've been here myself. That added to the fun and mystery for me. Maybe I'm a tad biased, but Nashville was the perfect setting for this story. Marlie is the type of character I love. She doesn't just settle for things. When she knows something's off, she tries to figure out why. I love that curiosity and truth seeking nature. Plus she had spunk and personality. I've gotta say, I would have changed the locks on that stinking house the day I moved in. She was always getting surprised by uninvited guests. It seemed like everyone had a key! Sheesh! Daniel had to grow on me as a character. I wasn't too much of a fan at first. Johnny on the other hand? I had him figured out pretty quickly, but I liked him the moment he stepped foot on the page. Is that a good thing? You'll have to read to find out!
The ARC of Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford was provided to me by Book Blasts & Blog Tours for review. The opinions are my own.
I'm super excited to have Julie N. Ford with us today on our stop off of the Replacing Gentry Blog Tour to answer a few questions for us!
How long have you been writing?
I started writing, literally, about six years ago. Prior to sitting down and starting my first novel, I’d never written creatively, never taken a class. It was crazy. Knowing what I know now, if I’d known what an undertaking completing a novel, not to mention getting it published, would be I likely never would have tried.
What inspired you to write Replacing Gentry?
The inspiration for Replacing Gentry was ignited by a question my daughter asked regarding spirits. The paranormal elements I’d originally intended for this text were eventually edited out but still, the plot originated with her inquiry. Then, one of my favorite books is Rebecca. I decided to blend my story with DuMaurier’s, make it modern and Southern, and voila, Replacing Gentry was born.
Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Out of all the characters I’ve ever written, Marlie, the protagonist in Replacing Gentry is most like me. My curiosity gets me into more trouble than I care to admit. And I’m tenacious to a fault.
What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
If I told you then everyone would know and I’d have to get a new secret. But if you insist. Sometimes I eat BBQ chips right out of the bag. Most of the time when people are talking to me, I’m not completely listening because I’m writing in my head.
If your real life was a fictional book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Kind of dull actually. She’d be a homebody. I like to be home, cooking, writing, reading, working in the yard or hanging out with my family. She would wear jeans and loafers and fix her hair the same way every day. She’d practice yoga and eat mostly gluten-free organic. But underneath, she’d have a need for speed. A hot little sports car parked in a secure garage somewhere that she drives occasionally to blow off a little steam. I don’t actually have a secret car and/or hidden garage to keep it in, but my fictional character definitely would.
What book have you read too many times to count?
I usually don’t re-read books because there are just too many out there I still want to read. But if I were to pick up one, or more, I’ve already read, they would be, Distance Shores, The Undomestic Goddess, Can You Keep a Secret, Time Line, The Eight, Between Sisters, Big Stone Gap, to name a few.
What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Show the story from the character’s perspective. Sometimes we writer’s have a tendency to narrate too much. But if we can get into the character’s head and stay there, the story will be rich till the end. Easier said then done, but always in the back of my mind when I’m writing.
If you could hop into the life of any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Kate Burkholder from one of Linda Castillo’s novels. She’s smart, brave, and solves murders.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How the plot and/or words just seem to flow effortlessly at times as if being sent from a special place I have yet to discover. It truly feels like my own little miracle.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When? Basically, I’m always writing, making notes, thinking about my current plot, hearing my characters talking in my head. But when I’m not physically writing, I’m a much better listener. I also love to read, garden, and hang out with my girls, see movies with my husband. Pretty bland, huh?
Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
I take real life experiences and mix them with my imagination. I like to write about social workers and therapists. But then I also enjoy writing about people with professions that interest me. All of my characters drive cars I wish I had, wear clothes I can’t afford, live in houses I’ve fantasized about living in at one time or another. I take the real experiences I’ve had with living in the south and from my work, tweak them to protect the innocent, and then work it all into my stories. All of my characters are loosely based on people I know, or on different aspects of my own personality, mixed with other traits to make them more interesting/fit into the story.
The ARC of Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford was provided to me by Book Blasts & Blog Tours for review. The opinions are my own.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing, literally, about six years ago. Prior to sitting down and starting my first novel, I’d never written creatively, never taken a class. It was crazy. Knowing what I know now, if I’d known what an undertaking completing a novel, not to mention getting it published, would be I likely never would have tried.
What inspired you to write Replacing Gentry?
The inspiration for Replacing Gentry was ignited by a question my daughter asked regarding spirits. The paranormal elements I’d originally intended for this text were eventually edited out but still, the plot originated with her inquiry. Then, one of my favorite books is Rebecca. I decided to blend my story with DuMaurier’s, make it modern and Southern, and voila, Replacing Gentry was born.
Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Out of all the characters I’ve ever written, Marlie, the protagonist in Replacing Gentry is most like me. My curiosity gets me into more trouble than I care to admit. And I’m tenacious to a fault.
What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
If I told you then everyone would know and I’d have to get a new secret. But if you insist. Sometimes I eat BBQ chips right out of the bag. Most of the time when people are talking to me, I’m not completely listening because I’m writing in my head.
If your real life was a fictional book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Kind of dull actually. She’d be a homebody. I like to be home, cooking, writing, reading, working in the yard or hanging out with my family. She would wear jeans and loafers and fix her hair the same way every day. She’d practice yoga and eat mostly gluten-free organic. But underneath, she’d have a need for speed. A hot little sports car parked in a secure garage somewhere that she drives occasionally to blow off a little steam. I don’t actually have a secret car and/or hidden garage to keep it in, but my fictional character definitely would.
What book have you read too many times to count?
I usually don’t re-read books because there are just too many out there I still want to read. But if I were to pick up one, or more, I’ve already read, they would be, Distance Shores, The Undomestic Goddess, Can You Keep a Secret, Time Line, The Eight, Between Sisters, Big Stone Gap, to name a few.
What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Show the story from the character’s perspective. Sometimes we writer’s have a tendency to narrate too much. But if we can get into the character’s head and stay there, the story will be rich till the end. Easier said then done, but always in the back of my mind when I’m writing.
If you could hop into the life of any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Kate Burkholder from one of Linda Castillo’s novels. She’s smart, brave, and solves murders.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How the plot and/or words just seem to flow effortlessly at times as if being sent from a special place I have yet to discover. It truly feels like my own little miracle.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When? Basically, I’m always writing, making notes, thinking about my current plot, hearing my characters talking in my head. But when I’m not physically writing, I’m a much better listener. I also love to read, garden, and hang out with my girls, see movies with my husband. Pretty bland, huh?
Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
I take real life experiences and mix them with my imagination. I like to write about social workers and therapists. But then I also enjoy writing about people with professions that interest me. All of my characters drive cars I wish I had, wear clothes I can’t afford, live in houses I’ve fantasized about living in at one time or another. I take the real experiences I’ve had with living in the south and from my work, tweak them to protect the innocent, and then work it all into my stories. All of my characters are loosely based on people I know, or on different aspects of my own personality, mixed with other traits to make them more interesting/fit into the story.
Julie N. Ford graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in English Literature. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a Marriage & Family Counselor. She is the author of two women’s fiction novels, The Woman He Married and No Holly for Christmas, published in 2011. In addition, she wrote a romance/chick-lit novel, Count Down to Love, also published in 2011. Count Down to Love was a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. Her next novel, Replacing Gentry, is due for release April 9th, 2013.
Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one hedgehog.
To learn more about Julie N. Ford and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Thanks so much for being a part of this blog tour. So fun that you live here in Tennessee! Thank you too for writing such a nice review :)
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