I’ve just been on the most amazing blog tour with THE HALLOWMAS TRAIN. Not having travelled on a blogging type of book tour before, I was a bit apprehensive. But, with Kate Hennessey of Tellwell Press and five wonderful hosting reviewers at work behind the scenes, it was a piece of cake – at least for me. I am truly grateful to them all.

The first stop was on July 13 hosted by Bibliomaniac Aza who had this to say:

“I am a fan of fantasies based in old times and books with time travel? Just give it to me already. Azur is a sensory, a human with super natural powers and so was her sister before she took the midnight train to prosper station back in time and never came back. Azur is sure her sister is alive and is determined to find her at any cost. She and a few of a her friends with motives of their own take the train to the prosper station.

The story was interesting with a unique concept. I liked all the characters and while there were quite a few of them I wasn’t confused at all as they were all introduced and made part of the story with great care. I liked everything but felt there were too many descriptions and the book could be more enjoyable if written from first person.”

On the second stop, we heard from reviewer Gina Rae Mitchell on July 20:

“The Hallowmas Train is a captivating story. I kept trying to put it down so I could work on daily chores, but I found myself with it back in my hand while I devoured chapter after chapter.

This unique tale is imaginative and well-written. The characters are fully developed and the settings described so well you can picture them in full detail like a movie in your mind.

Fans of time-travel and mysterious stories will love this book. It’s twisty and entertaining with a full cast of characters residing in two worlds.”

Oh, I do swoon over awesome reviews.

There was a second blog stop on July 20 hosted by Mary DeSantis of Kit ‘N Kabookle:

“I really enjoyed the idea behind this book. A time-traveling train that brings certain people back to a world populated by psychic vampires? Just, wow—so cool (where cool means I don’t want to actually fight a psychic vampire, but reading about other people doing it is awesome). Maybe it’s a throwback to the Hogwarts Express, but I love mystical trains. But I digress—lots of great concepts in here, even aside from the train.

The characters faced some very real conflicts, both internal and external. I was interested to see how everything resolved. While the conflicts were fascinating, some of the characters’ actual actions were confusing. As a result, I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked to.

All in all, an interesting and fun read. Recommend to fans of historical fantasy.”

The blog tour made it’s fourth stop on July 27, this one hosted by Liliyana Shadowland of The Faerie Review:

“This was an absolutely captivating story. The characters had a wonderful depth, and the time travel was unique and handled well. I loved following first Azur, and then Hilma as they dealt with each obstacle thrown in their path, both internal and external. Once I started reading, I was reluctant to set it down, so be sure you set aside a few hours before you crack open this book. If you’re looking for a unique story with strong leads, then you’ve found your next read.”

THE HALLOWMAS TRAIN came to a delightful final stop on August 3 with a review by Long and Short Reviews:

“Two books for the price of one! And two really good books at that. I love these characters and I love the worldbuilding. I have to admit, I like the first book a little bit better than the last book, but they were both enchanting in their own way.

Book one sets up the world of the sensointuitives and the Hallowmas Train that helps the time travellers go back and forth between the present and the 19th century. I loved the way the characters worked and grew together. The author did a tremendous job on describing the setting, and the twists and turns in the plot kept me on my toes.

Book two takes place five years later and deals with Hilma and the way she helps solve a mystery at Black Springs Abbey. We get to see the characters from book two and find out what’s going on in their lives as well, which is a plus.

I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for more of this author’s writings and I hope she sets more stories in Providence Crossing and Prosper Station.”

I’m quite exhausted by all the lovely reviews, and I didn’t stay in a single hotel. Isn’t it interesting to see varying takes by different reviewers – along with a couple of criticisms?  A reminder to authors that each reader sees through a different lens.

So write from your heart until words flow and stories fill you with joy.