Lake Union Publishing Archives

September Virtual Tour: THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS by Simon Tolkien

“In epic fashion worthy of his namesake, Tolkien crafts a remarkable novel of an American boy swept up by love and circumstance and cast into the crucible of the Spanish Civil War. Intense, vivid, and moving.” ―Mark Sullivan, bestselling author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky and All the Glimmering Stars

“Tolkien includes real-life events and people to anchor the story. Through detailed descriptions of place and of Theo’s evolving perspective, Tolkien crystallizes the horrors of war, the toll it takes on those in the middle of it, and the importance of finding a place that feels like home.” ―Booklist

An American boy with impossible dreams is thrust into the cauldron of the Spanish Civil War in this arresting and thrilling historical coming-of-age epic and sequel to The Palace at the End of the Sea.

Critically acclaimed author Simon Tolkien, grandson of literary legend J.R.R. Tolkien, continues the beautifully written historical saga and coming of age story of Theo Sterling he began with The Palace At The End Of The Sea (Lake Union | June 1, 2025) with the second installment in this two-part series, THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS (Lake Union | September 16, 2025).

About this duology, Simon explains: “The kernel of the idea for Theo Sterling’s story came to me a long time ago when I read an article about the Abraham Lincoln Brigade – Americans who volunteered in the last years of the 1930s to fight for the democratically elected Spanish Republic, that was under attack from the Spanish army supported by Hitler and Mussolini. Thousands of them from many different walks of life – university graduates and mill hands, teachers and truck drivers, even a governor’s son – crossed the sea without any previous experience of soldiering and risked their lives to fight for their ideals; many never came back. I was astonished by their courage and sacrifice, and I thought that their story would make a wonderful subject for a novel.”

THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS is a remarkable story of belief and disillusionment, of hope and loss, and what is left of a man when his ideals are stripped away; it’s historical fiction at its best.

Barcelona 1936. Theo helps the Anarchist workers defeat the army that is trying to overthrow the democratically elected government, and he is reunited with his true love, Maria. But all too soon, his joy turns to terror as the Anarchists turn on him, led by a rival for Maria’s affection.

Lucky to escape with his life, Theo returns to England to study at Oxford. But his heart is in Spain, now torn apart by a bloody civil war, and he is quick to abandon his new life when his old schoolmate Esmond offers him the chance to fight the Fascists. He is unprepared for the nightmare of war that crushes his spirit and his hope until, back in Barcelona, Theo is confronted with a final terrible choice that will define his life forever.

As Theo’s tumultuous coming-of-age journey reaches its end, can his dream to change the world―so far from home―still hold true?

With a careful eye for historical detail and masterful storytelling, Tolkien completes the stunning and immersive coming of age story of Theo Sterling with THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS.

To celebrate the release of THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS, we are hosting a virtual book tour starting in September through the beginning of October featuring this outstanding list of book influencers. Follow along for features, reviews, excerpts, and GIVEAWAYS!

Tuesday, September 2 Books and Coffee MX

Wednesday, September 3 Dive Into A Good Book

Thursday, September 4 Love My Books 2020

Friday, September 5 Nissa The Bookworm

Monday, September 8 Cassie’s Book Reviews

Monday, September 8 What Is That Book About

Tuesday, September 9 The Maddie Hatter

Wednesday, September 10 Lexijava

Thursday, September 11 Gwnedalyn Books

Friday, September 12 Book Girl Brown Reviews

Sunday, September 14 Subakka Bookstuff

Monday, September 15 Armed With A Book

Tuesday, September 16 Enjoying Books Again

Wednesday, September 17 Sarah’s Bookish Reviews

Thursday, September 18 Suzy Approved Book Reviews

Friday, September 19 Linda’s Book Obsession

Monday, September 22 Athena Noone Asked You

Tuesday, September 23 Gloriana Wong

Wednesday, September 24 Danish Mustard Reads

Thursday, September 25 WBTB Book Reviews

Friday, September 26 Karen’s Library

Monday, September 29 Rebekah Dolmat

Tuesday, September 30 Kim Reads And Reads

Wednesday, October 1 Books and Biewers

Thursday, October 2 Book Notions

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June Virtual Tour for THE PALACE AT THE END OF THE SEA by Simon Tolkien!

A young man comes of age and crosses continents in search of an identity—and a cause—at the dawn of the Spanish Civil War in a thrilling, timely, and emotional historical saga.

Critically acclaimed author Simon Tolkien, grandson of literary legend J.R.R. Tolkien, will captivate readers with the release of his new historical saga, THE PALACE AT THE END OF THE SEA (Lake Union | June 1, 2025). The first installment in a two-part series, the novel introduces us to Theo Sterling, a young man who comes of age and crosses continents in search of an identity―and a cause―at the dawn of the Spanish Civil War. As Theo engages with political and religious beliefs, including Capitalism, Communism, Anarchism, Fascism, and Catholicism, this sweeping novel examines the effect they have on him and his ultimate disillusionment with their promises. Rich in details and beautifully told by the talented Simon Tolkien, THE PALACE AT THE END OF THE SEA is historical fiction at its best.

Theo’s story continues with THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS, which will be released on September 16, 2025 (Lake Union).

“Through intense research over many years,” Tolkien explains, “I have tried to bring the vanished world of America, England and Spain in the 1930s to life – a time that shares many similarities with the troubled world we live in today. I believe in the value of historical fiction. The past is another country just as rich as ours, and I want to bring it to life.”

New York City, 1929. Young Theo Sterling’s world begins to unravel as the Great Depression exerts its icy grip. He finds it hard to relate to his parents: His father, a Jewish self-made businessman, refuses to give up on the American dream, and his mother, a refugee from religious persecution in Mexico, holds fast to her Catholic faith. When disaster strikes the family, Theo must learn who he is. A charismatic school friend and a firebrand girl inspire him to believe he can fight Fascism and change the world, but each rebellion comes at a higher price, forcing Theo to question these ideologies too.

From New York’s Lower East Side to an English boarding school to an Andalusian village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Theo’s harrowing journey from boy to man is set against a backdrop of societies torn apart from within, teetering on the edge of a terrible war to which Theo is compulsively drawn like a moth to a flame.

With historical depth and compelling storytelling, Tolkien weaves a stunning tale about how hope, courage, loss and disillusionment affect the formation of one’s character. Fans of historical fiction and literary fiction will devour THE PALACE AT THE END OF THE SEA.

To celebrate the publication of THE PALACE AT THE END OF THE SEA, we are hosting a virtual book tour throughout the month of June featuring this fantastic group of book influencers that will feature reviews, spotlights, excerpts and giveaways!

Sunday, June 1 Purrfect Pages

Monday, June 2 Books Coffee MX

Tuesday, June 3 Dive Into A Good Book

Wednesday, June 4 Bookalong

Thursday, June 5 Suzy Approved Book Reviews

Friday, June 6 Wuthering Vines

Monday, June 9 We Love Big Books And We Cannot Lie

Tuesday, June 10 Cassie’s Book Reviews

Wednesday, June 11 Lexijava

Thursday, June 12 Subakka Bookstuff

Friday, June 13 Sarah’s Bookish Reviews

Monday, June 16 Gym Girl Reads

Tuesday, June 17 The Maddie Hatter

Wednesday, June 18 Dana Mustard Reads

Thursday, June 19 Briana and Her Books

Friday, June 20 What Is That Book About

Friday, June 20 Linda’s Book Obsession

Sunday, June 22 Nissa The Bookworm

Monday, June 23 Bailey’s Book Recs

Tuesday, June 24 Book Girl Brown Reviews

Wednesday, June 25 Rebekah Dolmat Reads

Thursday, June 26 Gloriana Wong

Friday, June 27 Kim Reads and Reads

Sunday, June 29 Karen’s Library

Monday, June 30 Enjoying Books Again

https://www.overtheriverpr.com/2025/05/12/3692/

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April Virtual Tour for THE LIES AMONG US by Sarah Beth Durst

“Elements of fantasy and magical realism provide an intriguing framework for exploring the ideas of complicated grief and whether not telling the truth can leave real remnants that affect the world around us.” –Booklist

“The Lies Among Us is a wonderfully inventive novel, beautifully written, with a cast of characters that is fantastic in every sense of the word . . . a marvelous read!” –Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

“This book is full of lies (and that’s exactly why you should read it). The Lies Among Us is an engrossing and wildly inventive story that takes a magic wand to the lies we tell ourselves and each other and imagines a world in which the line between truth and fiction is a curtain that could be pulled back at any moment.” -Ruth Emmie Lang, author of Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance

From the award-winning author of The Bone Maker and The Lake House comes a haunting novel about sisterhood and grief, where difficult truths must contend with the corrosive power of unchecked lies.

Book Riot has described award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst as “the hidden gem of the fantasy world,” and “an expert at crafting beautifully sincere characters, with compelling backstories and relationships, who work to make their world a bit better.”

Her captivating and evocative new novel THE LIES AMONG US (Lake Union Publishing; 4/1/24) is the latest example of these creative superpowers. It’s a paranormal family drama that delves deep into the complexities of grief, the intricate bonds of mothers and daughters, and the destructive nature of lies. Durst brilliantly and effortlessly blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural to create a unique story of self discovery for sisters Hannah and Leah Allen. THE LIES AMONG US is a story unlike anything you’ll ever read!

After her mother dies, Hannah doesn’t know how to exist without her. Literally. In fact, Hannah’s not even certain that she does exist. No one seems to see or hear her, and she finds herself utterly alone. Grief-stricken and confused, her sense of self slowly slipping away, Hannah sets out to find new purpose in life—and answers about who (and what) she really is.

Hannah’s only remaining family is her older sister, Leah. Yet even Leah doesn’t seem to notice her. And while Hannah can see and hear her sister, she also sees beautiful and terrible things that don’t—or shouldn’t—exist. She learns there’s much more to this world than meets the eye and struggles to make sense of it all.

When Hannah sees Leah taking the same dangerous path that consumed their own mother—where lies supplant reality—she’s desperate to get through to her. But facing difficult truths is harder than it looks.

Here’s the fantastic lineup of bloggers who will post reviews, features, and giveaways as part of our virtual tour. We hope you will follow along:

April 1 – Kera’s Always Reading

April 2 – Love My Books 2020

April 3 – We Love Big Books And We Cannot Lie

Thursday, April 4 – Library of Bookish

Friday, April 5 – Lilacs and Literature

Saturday, April 6 – Mel Ann Rosenthal

Sunday, April 7 – Hooked By Books

Monday, April 8 – Suzy Approved Book Reviews AND What Is That Book About

Tuesday, April 9 – Sarah and Her Bookshelves

Wednesday, April 10 – Briana’s Best Reads

Thursday, April 11 – We Break For Books

Friday, April 12 – Secret Reading Life

Saturday, April 13 – Purrfect Pages

Monday, April 15 – Amy’s Book Nook

Tuesday, April 16 – Well Read Traveler

Wednesday, April 17 – What Jessie Reads

Thursday, April 18 – Thrillers Wine And Chill

Friday, April 19 – Linda’s Book Obsession

Monday, April 22 – Danish Mustard Reads

Tuesday, April 23 – Bookalong

Wednesday, April 24 – X Lost in Books

Thursday, April 25 – Totahly Booked

Friday, April 26 – Amber’s Reading Corner

Monday, April 29 – Celia McMahon Reads

Tuesday, April 30 – Read Review Coffee AND My Bursting Book Blog

By otrpr Leave a Comment

Spring Virtual Tour for THE WAVES TAKE YOU HOME by María Alejandra Barrios Vélez

“Barrios Veléz offers a heartfelt and deeply personal debut novel… The Waves Take You Home is a beautiful homage to the values, traditions, and way of life of a small town and its families in Colombia.” –Booklist

“Foodies will delight in the mouthwatering details of paella, pineapple upside-down rum cake, caramel flan, and sweet red wine in a charming novel.” – Library Journal

“This debut novel is immersive, deeply descriptive, and entirely transportive…if you want hope and self-empowerment in the face of familial pressure to revive a crumbling family restaurant (including from the ghost of your late grandmother), this one will feel like a gasp followed by a hug. It’s an ode to choosing yourself, honoring who came before you, and glorious, healing food. For fans of Vida and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.” – Chicago Review of Books

In this heartfelt story about how the places we run from hold the answers to our deepest challenges, the death of her grandmother brings a young woman home. There she must face the past in order to become the heir of not just the family restaurant, but her own destiny.

Ten years after she immigrated to the United States, twenty-eight-year-old Violeta Sanoguera goes home to Barranquilla, Colombia at the news of her grandmother’s death. Her grandmother was the one who insisted Violeta leave in the first place – to escape a love she didn’t approve, to avoid making the same mistakes she did, and to pursue a better life. But now Violeta learns she’s inherited Caminito, their failing family restaurant.

Violeta resolves to honor these final wishes and stay—long enough, at least, to save Caminito. Accompanied at all times by the ghost of her grandmother who reminds her of the choices she’s made and the ones that lie ahead, Violeta embarks on a journey that leads her to rediscover her home, her mother and grandmother, and the flame of an old love. She tastes food and experiences sensations not felt in years and uncovers deeply kept family secrets written in the pages of her grandmother’s journal and begins to question everything.

THE WAVES TAKE YOU HOME is a novel from an exciting new voice that sheds light on how our ancestors shape our lives, food as memory, and facing the past in order to build a life that’s truly your own. A novel that will dare you to choose boldly, all while making you crave a slice of pineapple rum-upside down cake or a steaming plate of paella.

Here’s the outstanding list of bloggers who will post reviews, features, and giveaways as part of our virtual tour. We hope you will follow along:

Monday, March 18 – We Love Big Books And We Cannot Lie

Tuesday, March 19 – Kera’s Always Reading

Wednesday, March 20 – Tomes and Textiles

Thursday, March 21 – We Break For Books

Friday, March 22 – Reading with Nicole

Saturday, March 23 – Books Arevida

Saturday, March 23 – What Is That Book About

Sunday, March 24 – Joyful Reader

Monday, March 25 – Steph on a Shelf

Tuesday, March 26 – Mel’s Shelf

Wednesday, March 27 – Love My Books 2020

Thursday, March 28 – Lilacs and Literature

Friday, March 29 – Purrfect Pages

Monday, April 1 – Mabel Journals

Tuesday, April 2 – Lauren’s Book Vibes

Wednesday, April 3 – Secret Reading Life

Thursday, April 4 – Totahly Booked

Friday, April 5 – Well Read Traveler

Saturday, April 6 – This Browne Girl Reads

Sunday, April 7 – Marisol Reads Books

Monday, April 8 – Books on my Mind

Tuesday, April 9 – Bookphile Belle

Wednesday, April 10 – Linda’s Book Obsession

Thursday, April 11 – Gloriana Wong

Thursday, April 11 – Read Review Coffee

Friday, April 12 – Lexijava

Sunday, April 14 – Pretty Little Bookshelf

Monday, April 15 – Danish Mustard Reads

Tuesday, April 16 – Dive Into A Good Book

By otrpr Leave a Comment

March Virtual Tour for THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT by Paulette Kennedy

The bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain and Parting the Veil mines the subtle horrors of 1950s America in a gripping novel about a woman under pressure―from the living and the dead.

“With a mystery that steadily builds, this gothic novel masterfully captures the horrors and sexism of 1950s suburbia. A bewitching page-turner with author Kennedy’s signature: a strong heroine who cleverly navigates twist after twist.” —Booklist

“Shirley Jackson fans will appreciate this novel with a distinct vintage vibe; readers of gothic and supernatural titles will be drawn in by the book’s feminist empowerment narrative.” —Library Journal

“This story of a 1950s housewife who can suddenly see and receive messages from the dead is so fascinating and compelling that it will be hard to put down. Loretta’s growing abilities and the cracking facade of her life are so well described. The author expertly begins to pull the curtain from Loretta’s marriage and show the truth—her husband is not perfect, and is, in fact, abusive. The combination of a bad marriage and explosive new psychic abilities makes this book shine… This is a satisfying mix of historical mystery and paranormal fiction that fans of those genres will enjoy. Highly recommended.” —Historical Novels Review

Paulette Kennedy‘s latest domestic gothic novel THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT focuses on Loretta Davenport, a housewife who develops psychic abilities after recovering from a virus (Lake Union; March 5, 2024). With the creation of an intriguing twist on the traditional 50’s homemaker and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Kennedy skillfully weaves the theme of self discovery with the important message that we must honor who we are so we can better love those around us. If you’re a fan of Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier and historical fiction, this novel is a must read.

The first day of autumn brought the fever, and with the fever came the voices.

Missouri, 1955. Loretta Davenport has led an isolated life as a young mother and a wife to Pete, an ambitious assistant professor at a Bible college. They’re the picture of domestic tranquility until a local girl is murdered and Loretta begins receiving messages from beyond. Pete dismisses them as delusions of a fevered female imagination. Loretta knows they’re real―and frightening.

Defying Pete’s demands, Loretta finds an encouraging supporter in parapsychologist Dr. Curtis Hansen. He sees a woman with a rare gift, more blessing than curse. With Dr. Hansen’s help, Loretta’s life opens up to an empowering new purpose. But for Pete, the God-fearing image he’s worked so hard to cultivate is under threat. No longer in control of his dutiful wife, he sees the Devil at work.

As Loretta’s powers grow stronger and the pleading spirits beckon, Pete is determined to deliver his wife from evil. To solve the mysteries of the dead, Loretta must first save herself.

THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT is a compulsive read full of unforgettable characters, classic gothic components, and page-turning suspense.

Here’s the stellar schedule of bloggers who will post reviews, features, and giveaways. We hope you will follow along:

Friday, March 1 – Purrfect Pages

Saturday, March 2 – Stacy 40 Pages

Sunday, March 3 – Kera’s Always Reading

Monday, March 4 – Steph on a Shelf

Tuesday, March 5 – Gwendalyn Books

Wednesday, March 6 – Hooked By Books

Thursday, March 7 – Amy’s Book Nook

Friday, March 8 – We Love Big Books And We Cannot Lie

Saturday, March 9 – Reading with Mel Ann Rosenthal

Saturday, March 9 – What Is That Book About

Sunday, March 10 – Mabel Journals

Monday, March 11 – Dive Into A Good Book

Monday, March 11 – Linda’s Book Obsession

Tuesday, March 12 – Love My Books 2020

Wednesday, March 13 – Lilacs and Literature

Thursday, March 14 – Nurse Bookie

Friday, March 15 – Reading with Nicole

Saturday, March 16 – Books Arevida

Sunday, March 17 – Dreams of Manderley

Monday, March 18 – It’s Bibliotherapy

Tuesday, March 19 – Bookapotamus

Wednesday, March 20 – Secret Reading Life

Thursday, March 21 – Bookalong

Friday, March 22 – Library of Bookish

Sunday, March 24 – Read Review Coffee

Monday, March 25 – Danish Mustard Reads

Tuesday, March 26 – Sarah and Her Bookshelves

Wednesday, March 27 – Lexijava

Thursday, March 28 – Gloriana Wong

Thursday, March 28 – Well Read Traveler

Friday, March 29 – We Break For Books

Sunday, March 31 – Subakka Bookstuff

September Virtual Tour: THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS by Simon Tolkien

June Virtual Tour for THE PALACE AT THE END OF THE SEA by Simon Tolkien!

April Virtual Tour for THE LIES AMONG US by Sarah Beth Durst

Spring Virtual Tour for THE WAVES TAKE YOU HOME by María Alejandra Barrios Vélez

March Virtual Tour for THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT by Paulette Kennedy

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