I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Rock at the Bottom by Cynthia Hilston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Rock at the Bottom Series: Lorna & Tristan Series #3 Author: Cynthia Hilston Publisher: Independently Published Release Date: March 18, 2023 Genre: 20th-century Historical fiction/Christian fiction/Romance
A big dreamer and successful novelist carries the sins of his father and a secret that leaves him wondering if he is the author or killer of love. Stephen feels he is marked from day one to lose the ones he loves. His mother dies giving birth to him, and his alcoholic father makes sure Stephen never forgets it. To block out his father’s hate, fists, and belt, young Stephen loses himself in his imagination. Stories become his closest companions and barricades against a family that never wanted him. Once he can look his father in the eye, Stephen swears he will never be the monster his old man is. He vows he will become a published author, if for no other reason than to prove his father wrong. While his dreams of being a bestselling novelist and falling in love come true, Stephen has much to prove to himself before he can write his own happy ending. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era Cleveland, Stephen fights the same alcoholic demons that plagued his father as he tries to begin a life free from his family. He meets equally headstrong Julie and is smitten, but their marriage is as fractured as his career is solid. He can find ten ways to write about being in love, but he has a hard time translating love on the page to love in real life. Julie slips between his fingers like sand, and Stephen sees his father staring back when he looks in the mirror. Try as he might to rewrite his life, even going so far as to change his name, he has to wonder if he is the author or the killer of love.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
Amazon ebook sale March 21-22 $0.99
More Books in this Series
About the Author
Cynthia Hilston is a stay-at-home mom of three young kids, happily married, and lives in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Writing has always been like another child to her. After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she stepped away to do her debut dance with original works of fiction, although she still dabbles in fan fiction. In her spare time – what spare time? – she devours books, shamelessly watches Hallmark movies and When Calls the Heart, pets her orange and black kitties, looks at the stars, drinks wine or coffee with good friends, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell. Connect with Cynthia by visiting cynthiahilston.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
My Review
This is a tragic book in the Lorna & Tristen series #3. It begins with the sad and abused young Stephen. The youngest child in a family tortured by the alcoholic father who is determined to destroy Stephen. Stephen never wants to grow up and become like his wicked father, and chooses to become an author.
After trying to escape the father’s reach, he gets a job and moves in with his friend Ben. Ben is determined to create a drinker out of Stephen. Stephen’s goal of becoming an author is met with success while the lovely and kind Julie win his heart.
What could be the terrible thing that brings Stephen to become like his father….booze. This well-written book will keep you wanting to finish all the pages. It is a depressing tale, though, and if you have abuse and alcoholism in your family tree, please be warned that this could be a trigger for you.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a book bundle including Lorna versus Laura, Rocks and Flowers, and The Rock at the Bottom!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 21, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 28, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
This sounds like a great book! Thank you for sharing your review!
I look forward to reading this.
Looks like a good read. Thank you for your review, Lisa! 🙂
This looks like a fantastic novel for me.