About the Book
Book: The Keys to Gramercy Park
Author: Candice Sue Patterson
Genre:Christian / Historical / Romance
Release date: April, 2023
Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.
Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.
Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.
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My Thoughts:
This was a pretty intriguing and mesmerizing dual-time story that had me from the first pages. I usually enjoy one timeline better than the other, but this time I was anxious to get to both, especially as the secrets were coming to light.
In the past, during and after the Civil War, we have two twin brothers, Franklin and Edward. Theirs is a complicated relationship and we get both of their points of views. Without giving too much away, one of these men was a villain, and I was not sure what to make of him and what happened. It was very heartrending.
The present times were just as intriguing. They were told in Andrea's, an historical investigative journalist, and Beau's, who has some high ambitions for being governor of New York until something is found that could destroy his chances. And Andrea, the girl he is trying to get to date him, so happens to find this.
The back and forth of the timelines, the characters from each, the moral dilemmas, and long held secrets kept the pages turning and I can say this is one of the most interesting dual-time stories I have read.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author
More from Candice
A locked secret garden in Manhattan with historical significance and the only ones privileged to step inside are the wealthy residents who purchase a key—count me in! The plot for The Keys to Gramercy Park was born at our dining room table when my husband looked up from the book he was reading and asked if I knew about Gramercy Park. I hadn’t, so we started Googling and discovered it was a real garden in Manhattan built in 1841 for the cream of society. The fact that it’s been off-limits to the public for one hundred and eight-two years instantly brought all kinds of story ideas to my mind.
Not long after, I discovered that Barbour Publishing Inc. was looking for dual-time stories to fill their Doors to the Past series. I love reading dual-time novels but I’d never written one. I love a good challenge, so I began plotting and before I knew it, I had another first—creating a villain.
I’ve only ever seen the New York City skyline from the New Jersey ferry that travels to and from the Statue of Liberty, so after the story was contracted, I spent several weeks researching Manhattan and Gramercy Park. New York is full of rich history and it was so fun to stumble across the historical details of The Player’s, Edwin Booth, and the stories behind each home along Gramercy Square.
One of my favorite things about writing this story was the juxtaposition of the timelines. We don’t have the present without the past, and what happens in the past affects the future, but the future can also determine how we view, feel, and learn about the past. That’s essentially what The Keys to Gramercy Park is about—the butterfly effect of past events reaching ahead two centuries with dire consequences. I love how in one scene the characters are sending telegraphs and in the next scene, they’re sending text messages.
What’s your favorite thing about dual-time novels? Make sure to check out the other books in the Doors to the Past series!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews
From an Avid Reader, May 26
lakesidelivingsite,
May 26
Melissa’s
Bookshelf, May 27
Ashley’s
Clean Book Reviews, May 27
Debbie’s
Dusty Deliberations, May 28
Blogging With
Carol, May 28
Book Looks
by Lisa, May 29
Connie’s
History Classroom, May 29
Texas Book-aholic,
May 30
For Him and My
Family, May 30
Cover
Lover Book Review, May 31
Where Faith
and Books Meet, May 31
Locks, Hooks
and Books, June 1
Truth and Grace
Homeschool Academy, June 2
Blossoms
and Blessings, June 2
Remembrancy, June 3
Holly’s Book
Corner, June 3
Tell Tale Book
Reviews, June 4
Pause for Tales,
June 4
Gina Holder,
Author and Blogger, June 5 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake,
June 5
Happily
Managing a Household of Boys, June 6
Inklings and
Notions, June 6
Simple Harvest
Reads, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Labor Not in
Vain, June 7
She
Lives To Read, June 8
Books I’ve Read,
June 8
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Candice is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of the book!!
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/2626e/the-keys-to-gramercy-park-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on The Keys to Gramercy Park, this sounds like a story that I will enjoy reading myself
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your excellent review. Time-split is such a fun genre!
ReplyDeleteVery interested concept. Looks good!
ReplyDeleteI find both timeline stories fascinating and am curious about how they are woven together.
ReplyDelete