Zora Lily is incoming... and here's the cover!
It’s been a while and I hope you’re all doing well so far in 2023.
A bit of a catch-up on what I’ve been up to…
The launch for ANGELS OF THE RESISTANCE back in November went well, though in true sophomore book fashion, it didn’t launch without a few hiccups – namely snow. I woke the morning of to a dusting of snow that was off-and-on all day. To my surprise, that didn’t deter people from coming out. Not even the star that is historical fiction author, Kate Quinn, who I was in conversation with that night.
Since then, ANGELS has continued to reach people in amazing ways, and I’ve loved hearing from readers who’ve connected so strongly with my brave Dutch sisters, inspired by the real life Truus and Freddie Oversteegen. In fact, if you’ve read it and loved it yourself, it would mean the world to me if you left a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Or both! Those reviews may not seem like a big deal, but for authors, they can really make a book.
Since the release of ANGELS, I’ve been hard at work doing events for promotion, and also working on edits for my third book, THE ROARING DAYS OF ZORA LILY. I’m thrilled that Blue Mountain Bookstore in Laramie, Wyoming has now revealed the cover for it!
Isn’t she beautiful??!
THE ROARING DAYS OF ZORA LILY
In this dazzling new novel, the discovery of a hidden label on a famous gown unearths the story of a talented young seamstress and her journey from the smoke-filled speakeasies of Jazz Age Seattle to the costume houses of Hollywood.
2023, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History: A costume conservator is preparing an exhibition featuring movie costumes from the 1920s to present day. As she gingerly places a gown once worn by Greta Garbo on a mannequin, she discovers another name hidden beneath the designer's label, leaving her to wonder—who is Zora Lily?
1924, Seattle: Poverty-stricken Zora Hough spends her days looking after her younger siblings while sewing up holes and fixing hems for clients to bring in extra money, working her fingers to the bone just to survive. But at night, as she lies in the bed she shares with one of her three sisters, she secretly dreams of becoming a designer like Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin.
When her best friend gets a job dancing in a club downtown, Zora is lured in by her stories of music, glittering dresses and boys. She follows her friend to the underground speakeasies that are at once exciting and frightening—with smoke hanging in the air, alcohol flowing despite Prohibition, couples dancing in a way that makes Zora blush and a handsome businessman named Harley. It’s a world she has only ever imagined, and one with connections that could lead her to the life she's always dreamed of. But as Zora's ambition is challenged by tragedy and duty to her family, she'll learn that dreams come with a cost.
I can’t wait for you to meet Zora and the cast of characters surrounding her. I had a blast threading (wink wink) this story together, my original inspiration stemming from my own family history (the name Zora Lily was actually the name of my great great grandmother and I thought it was so fantastic, I decided it needed a story).
TRDOZL is out in October 2023 and you can preorder it here.
And for those of you who’ve noticed and wondered about this departure from me writing about World War II, rest assured I’m heading back there in my fourth book, due out in 2024! I can’t wait to tell you more about that one soon…
Until then, I hope you’re deep into a truly great read.
X
Noelle