Blog Tour: Sam Time

Sam Time

by Donna Balon

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GENRE: Historical Fiction, Time Travel

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BLURB:

When her fiancé is away on business, lonely Samantha Hunter despairs and absorbs herself in historical research. Her nighttime dreams being so vivid, Samantha believes she’s traveling to a past century. As she navigates the Victorian era rules of dos and even more don’ts, she charms Ulysses S Grant while struggling to maintain her present-day romance.

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Excerpt One:

During the night, Samantha had a vivid dream. She was in a rural town wearing her Victorian-style dress. The weather was cool so she wrapped the crocheted afghan around her shoulders. And her sockless feet were cold in her slip-on shoes.

The few men she saw were in worn, soiled work clothes and walked with purpose. The so-called roadways were not paved but dirt paths. No cars or trucks, but horses and carts. A few wooden one-story buildings scattered here and there.

This must be a dream in which the clock has been turned back, Samantha thought. But where am I?

She strolled, aware she had not seen any other women. Pulling the afghan around herself snugly, she walked with her head tilted down to avoid catching the eye of any man in whatever this place was, glancing up often to learn more of her surroundings.

Then two women hurried toward her, each carrying a wooden bucket of water. Their cotton dresses hung to their ankles, with full skirts gathered at the waist of fitted bodices. Plain white cotton bonnets covered their heads, and shawls were wrapped around their shoulders. They looked at Samantha disapprovingly. Her dress was too fancy for this rural town. Moreover, she wasn’t wearing a bonnet or hat; a bare head was a means of solicitation by prostitutes. She hugged her body with the afghan, which served as a shawl to hide her uncorseted torso.

The dream seemed authentic. Despite her uneasiness, she thought, Enjoy the dream. If I don’t like it, I’ll wake myself up.

Around a corner, she spotted a few men in uniform. Soldiers. Maybe the army. This might be a small town next to an army fort, Samantha guessed. Still, not a good place for a woman.

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INTERVIEW 

Are the experiences in this book based on an events in your own life?

I visited Grounds for Sculpture, fifteen minutes south of Princeton, New Jersey. It’s a park with gardens designed as outdoor rooms with lifelike sculptures. Some areas are like famous paintings including the Monet bridge. There is a lovely bamboo pathway and a porch swing. This is a perfect background in the opening chapter for a couple’s first date.

Has any book changed your life?

Although I’ve loved many fiction books, the self-help book French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano changed how I eat. I wasn’t overweight, but I carried a few extra pounds. I dropped a size by changing eating habits. That was in 2005, and I never regained that weight. 

What podcasts do you listen to?

The Power Hungry podcast with Robert Bryce. I also listen the Very Pink Knits podcast with Staci Perry. I’m an avid knitter.

Have you ever met anyone famous?

I met Jon Bon Jovi at a charity event and spoke with him. He’s a nice guy and a family man. 

What kind of vacation do you like most?

I like vacations rich in history so I feel as if I’m traveling back in time.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Author Donna Balon debuts Sam Time, a novel well-researched and professionally edited by quality talent from the publishing industry. Donna resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41018186.Donna_Balon

Website: https://samtimebook.com/about/

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/donnabalon

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway