Red Headed Book Lady: Beyond the Moon by Catherine Taylor

Beyond the Moon by Catherine Taylor

Publication Date: June 25, 2019

The Cameo Press Ltd

eBook & Paperback; 496 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Time Travel

Outlander meets Birdsong is this haunting debut timeslip novel, where a strange twist of fate connects a British soldier fighting in the First World War and a young woman living in modern-day England a century later. *Shortlisted for the Eharmony/Orion Write Your Own Love Story Prize 2018/19 In 1916 1st Lieutenant Robert Lovett is a patient at Coldbrook Hall military hospital in Sussex, England. A gifted artist, he’s been wounded fighting in the Great War. Shell shocked and suffering from hysterical blindness he can no longer see his own face, let alone paint, and life seems increasingly hopeless. A century later in 2017, medical student Louisa Casson has just lost her beloved grandmother – her only family. Heartbroken, she drowns her sorrows in alcohol on the South Downs cliffs – only to fall accidentally part-way down. Doctors fear she may have attempted suicide, and Louisa finds herself involuntarily admitted to Coldbrook Hall – now a psychiatric hospital, an unfriendly and chaotic place. Then one day, while secretly exploring the old Victorian hospital’s ruined, abandoned wing, Louisa hears a voice calling for help, and stumbles across a dark, old-fashioned hospital room. Inside, lying on the floor, is a mysterious, sightless young man, who tells her he was hurt at the Battle of the Somme, a WW1 battle a century ago. And that his name is Lieutenant Robert Lovett… Two people, two battles: one against the invading Germans on the battlefields of 1916 France, the other against a substandard, uncaring mental health facility in modern-day England. Two journeys begun a century apart, but somehow destined to coincide - and become one desperate struggle to be together. Part WW1 historical fiction, part timeslip love story - and at the same time a meditation on the themes of war, mental illness, identity and art - Beyond The Moon sweeps the reader on an unforgettable journey through time. An intelligent read, perfect for book clubs. For fans of Diana Gabaldon, Amy Harmon, Beatriz Williams, Kate Quinn, Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, Susanna Kearsley and Paullina Simons.

"A poignant and stirring love story... Taylor’s accomplished, genre-bending book succeeds as a WW1 historical novel and a beguiling, time travel romance... The sharply written narrative deftly moves back and forth between the past and present." — Kirkus Reviews

"A time travel romance, yet so much more than that. It is also an unflinching portrait of the horrors of war, and a look at the torturous extremes a human soul can endure. It is a sonnet to the transformative power of love, even as it is also a criticism of the futility and pointless destructiveness of war." — Shaylin Gandhi, author of By The Light of Embers

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About the Author

Catherine Taylor was born and grew up on the island of Guernsey in the British Channel Islands. She is a former journalist, most recently for Dow Jones News and The Wall Street Journal in London. Beyond The Moon is her first novel. She lives in Ealing, London with her husband and two children.

MY REVIEW

When I seen the cover I knew I had to try it.
I like trying out new authors. This is an engaging story with very vivid details about the Great War.
The way this author writes is amazing!
She doesn't miss a beat with the duo time line. I love it that it's between exactly 100 years! It wasn't confusing at all!
She will take you back to the battles and trenches where I was able to "hear" the sounds of the war. She will make you feel like you are there. I even imagined myself in the trenches along with Robert and his fellow soldiers.
I can relate to Robert on one thing and that was his artistic talent. You see, I used to be able to draw but I can't quite so much anymore because I'm out of practice.
Catherine has the ability to make you "see" Robert's art. His art was beautiful!
Robert's point of view is very interesting. I love his story. I learned a lot from him.
He's a very brave man and I loved that he didn't hide his feelings like some men do. I wanted to reach out and grab Robert to take him away from all that mess but somehow, I don't think he's like it very much.
He is a strong and determined man and all those wonderful qualities are what makes a true man in my opinion of course.
The life of a soldier can't be easy and it has made me that much more appreciative of our soldiers fighting for our freedom every day. I try to thank each military person if a Veteran or currently serving. I also pray for them each and every day.
Like Louisa, I too was a medical student until I got real sick and couldn't continue. It just about broke my heart. I can understand Louisa the most because I too have lost family members. I guess people handle their grief in different ways but I handled mine through the good Lord. I'm so glad that He was there for me.
I am the only one left in my immediate family and let me tell you, it's no fun. It gives me sort of a weird feeling. Thank goodness for my husband and son. They along with Jesus are my rock to lean on.
I too am nosy like Louisa ( but nothing like that has ever happened to me) I love exploring old buildings, graveyards etc.
I loved the historical part of it because without all of these events happening I think that our world would be very very different.
I think about Bible prophecy and God knew exactly what He was doing. The Bible is the Word. He knew that all these events took place because He can look outside the big picture and see exactly what's going to happen before we do.
All I'm going to say is because I don't want to spoil this book for others is I didn't want to put it down. I just had to see what happened to Robert and Louisa.
My thanks to Virtual Historical Tours for a copy of this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 9 Review at Passages to the Past Tuesday, December 10 Review at @bookishbellee Review at Gwendalyn's Books Feature at I'm All About Books Feature at Books In Their Natural Habitat Review & Guest Post at Jackie & Angela's Book Reviews Wednesday, December 11 Review at 100 Pages a Day Instagram Feature at Just a Girl and Her Books Thursday, December 12 Review at @thisbibliolife Interview at Jathan & Heather Friday, December 13 Review at Reading is My Remedy Saturday, December 14 Review at Books and Zebras Feature at What Is That Book About Sunday, December 15 Review at Rose is Reading Review at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings Monday, December 16 Review at @ya.its.lit Interview at Liberty's Literary Loves Tuesday, December 17 Excerpt at Let Them Read Books Review & Guest Post at Tales from the Book Dragon Wednesday, December 18 Review at A Chick Who Reads Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads Thursday, December 19 Review at Pencils & Pages Review at Impressions In Ink Friday, December 20 Review at A Darn Good Read Review at Red Headed Book Lady Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two paperback copies of Beyond the Moon by Catherine Taylor! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on December 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Paperback giveaway is open to the US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.