Re-Release of The Secret of Isobel Key, Plus a Guest Post by the Author, Jen McConnel!!

With a new name and a snazzy new cover, THE BURNING OF ISOBEL KEY will be re-released on December 19, 2013 as THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY by Bloomsbury Spark!

The Secret of Isobel Key by Jen McConnel
Genre: Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance/Historical Fiction)
Originally Published: September 14, 2012 by BrightFish Press
Re-Released: December 19, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark

Lou is in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. Fresh out of college, she’s unemployed and unsure of herself. But when she gets the chance to escape to Scotland with her best friend, it could be the answer to her quest for self-discovery. The trip is not at all what she expected, especially when her tour guide turns out to be the dreamy historian Brian, and together they embark on a hunt for information about Isobel Key, a woman accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century.

They set out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but Lou isn’t prepared for the knowledge that awaits her. She must face her own demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.

Flashing between seventeenth century Scotland and a contemporary romance, THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY is a mystery that will please readers of all ages. Check out my review!

What’s in a Name? Character Names by Jen McConnel

I don’t have any kids, but I keep ordering baby name books. Why? Because I like to choose character names that mean something, and often times, the name of the character helps me figure out who they are. This holds true for the cast in THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY, and today I wanted to let you in on the secrets behind some of the character’s names.

First up, Lou: she’s actually names Louisa, but she’s always hated her formal name. I named her for one of my favorite authors, Louisa May Alcott, and in an early draft, I thought Lou might become a writer (living up to her name and all that). Louise and its many variants means “warrior maiden”, and I like to think that in her way, Lou becomes a quiet warrior in THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY.

Next, Brian: according to my favorite baby name book, Brian means “virtuous and honorable.” And he really is! The character certainly fits his name; I don’t think I’ve ever written such a nice, wholesome, handsome guy as Brian. That doesn’t prevent him from being smexy as hell, though; there’s something about the good guys...

Finally, Isobel: although I changed the spelling, I actually did come across many women named Issobell in the lists of accused in the Scottish witch trials, and there was even an Issobell Key.

The name Isabel also means “dedicated to God”, but even a religious name wasn’t enough to stop countless men and women from facing accusations of witchcraft in Scotland (and around the world).

There’s a host of other characters running around in THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY, and I took time with each of their names, too. I swear, if I ever have kids, I’ll have used up all the good names in my books!

What’s your favorite character name? Do you think names matter for characters?

Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. When she isn't crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches college writing composition and yoga. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time. Her debut NA novel, THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY, is coming December 2013 from Bloomsbury Spark .

Check out my interview with Jen McConnel!

To learn more about Jen McConnel and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.