Blog Tour: The Making of Marigold McGrath by Carrie Hayes

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The Making of Marigold McGrath

Freed

by Carrie Hayes

Wednesdays, July 1st - 22nd, 2026

Publication Date: April 29th, 2026
Publisher: HTPH Press
Pages: 332
Genre: Historical Fiction

New York City, 1937. Seventeen-year-old Marigold McGrath is coming undone.

Her mother is dead. Her father is drawn to dangerous politics. The only place she feels joy is behind a camera — where she can frame the world on her own terms.

After a series of her own missteps, she reinvents herself in London: mentored by a celebrated émigré photographer, photographing Kindertransport children, working alongside Edward R. Murrow. She falls in love with Joop, a charming Dutch student, and shrugs off the war gathering around her.

Then the Blitz begins.

Joop vanishes into the Dutch Resistance. And Marigold — who has always preferred to photograph the world as she wishes it were — must finally decide what kind of woman, and what kind of witness, she is willing to become.

A sweeping WWII coming-of-age novel set in wartime London.

For readers of Kristin Hannah, Kate Quinn, and SL Beaumont's The War Photographers

Praise for The Making of Marigold McGrath:

I read a lot of historical novels ... this one was one of my favorites. From the characters to the setting to the actions depicted I thoroughly enjoyed the journey—I really didn’t want it to end!
~ Netgalley Review, 5*

"The Making of Marigold McGrath by Carrie Hayes is the tale of a well to do American seventeen year old sent to Europe just prior to World War II. The book is exquisitely written with a well paced dialogue. The characters are well formed and interesting. Sprinkled throughout the book are bits from news outlets that help set the larger context for the reader - they are well timed and helpful. Great read, well worth it!"
~ Goodreads Review, 5*

"The Making of Marigold McGrath explores a rarely examined aspect of WWII: the complex journeys to maturity of young adults in war-torn Europe as they seek human connection and meaning. Marigold finds both, using her skills as a photographer to document the stories of refugee children. With gobs of historical references and vivid imagery, interlaced with intrigue and romance, The Making of Marigold McGrath is a great read!"
~ Goodreads Review, 5*

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This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Carrie Hayes

Carrie’s first two novels, Naked Truth or Equality and Well Dressed Lies, follow the lives of the iconoclastic suffragist sisters, Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin.

Carrie lives with her husband and two spoiled dogs in a rambling Victorian house just outside of New York City.

Connect with Carrie:
Website • Facebook • Instagram • Substack
Amazon Author Page • BookBub • Goodreads

Tour Schedule

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Shining a bright book spotlight on Rise of the Pale Moon, a captivating novel set in the American Revolutionary Wars by Patricia Brandon #HistoricalFiction #AmericanHistoricalFiction #RecommendedReading

Rise of the Pale Moon

by Patricia Brandon

Unlikely Allies: Three Diverse Women Navigate Tumultuous Times, Risking All Amidst Revolutionary Woes. A Tale of Hope, Love, and Triumph Over Adversity.

In the heart of coastal South Carolina, during the Revolutionary War era, a profound narrative unfolds in Rise of the Pale Moon. This captivating tale is set on a plantation, where three young women of strikingly different backgrounds are held captive - a humble indentured servant from London, a resilient chattel slave, and a resourceful Catawba Indian. Their lives are intertwined, bound by the chains of their circumstances, and deeply impacted by the Master and his family.

These women, each bearing a unique perspective, must learn to navigate their relationships with each other and their captors. As they grapple with their brutal reality, their courage is put to the ultimate test. Will they risk a daring escape, knowing full well that it could result in their demise? Or will they remain, hoping to influence their fate and possibly alter the course of the war in the American South?

Rise of the Pale Moon explores the intricacies of loyalty, sacrifice, and love amidst harsh adversity. The characters' relentless pursuit of hope is a testament to their determination and resilience, offering an inspiring portrayal of human spirit. As the birth of a new nation unfolds around them, their journey reveals the transformative power of unity and friendship.

This riveting narrative is more than just a historical fiction; it is a timeless exploration of the human condition, capturing the essence of shared struggles, shared dreams, and the shared determination to survive. The characters' journey serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of times.

Rise of the Pale Moon is a captivating read, that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you with a renewed perspective on life, love, and the power of resilience. The story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the courage to fight for freedom. A must-read for anyone who appreciates a compelling historical narrative laced with poignant life lessons.

Praise for Rise of the Pale Moon:

"... a captivating read, that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you with a renewed perspective on life, love, and the power of resilience. The story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the courage to fight for freedom. A must-read for anyone who appreciates a compelling historical narrative laced with poignant life lessons."

~ Yarde Book Promotion, 5* Editorial Review

"Set in Charleston, South Carolina during the Revolutionary war, this novel takes the reader on a journey through the past while teaching about history and friendship in a way that readers, especially middle grade readers, will surely connect. As a teacher, I was hooked at the beginning when the main character, and indentured servant, faces unbelievable hardship on the passage to America. Readers will learn about the history of that era while being entertained with the story."

~ Sophia, 5* Amazon Review

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Patricia Brandon

 Patricia Brandon is a winner of a Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award (South Carolina Writers’ Association.

Her first novel, The Center of Gravity, earned a Coffee Pot Book Club (UK) “Highly Recommended” 5-Star Award. It recently was awarded a bronze medal (fiction-mystery-historical category) in the Readers Favorite International Book Contest.

 Her second novel, A Rule of Live, was selected as a gold medal (YA, Historical Fiction category) 2021 Book of the Year by The Coffee Pot Book Club. It also was recently selected as a bronze medal (YA Mystery category) winner in the Readers Favorite International Book Contest.

Rise of the Pale Moon was selected as a finalist for the American Writing Awards 2025.

All novels have gleaned several excellent editorial reviews.

Connect with Patricia:

Website • Facebook • Twitter / X • Instagram

Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

 

Check out Mary L. Schmidt's exciting challenge with her gripping new release, Earth's Last Hope #Suspense #Thriller #Challenge #RecommendedReading

Earth’s Last Hope

by Mary L. Schmidt

* Mary's Challenge June 8th - 13th*

Come celebrate book 64!

Book number 64 hit number ONE!

To celebrate, I have a challenge for you. I need to sell as many paperback copies as possible between June 8th - 13th.

If you buy a paperback, take a screenshot and you will be entered into a drawing that includes a new Chrome book and gift cards ranging from $10 to $100!!!

I'm working towards becoming a USA Today Best Selling Author!

Send your screenshot here:
https://whenangelsfly.net/contact-us/

What if you live in Denver metro, and in one day, you must find or make a bunker, filled with non-perishable food, water, and cold weather clothing to last for ten years, and manage to prevent volcanic ash particles getting into the air you breathe, when Yellowstone's caldera erupts with eruption lasting more than a year, and it starts erupting during an atmospheric river of snow and four day blizzard of up to twenty feet of snow, thrusting you into a volcanic winter of up to ten or more years, leaving behind an un-inhabitable, barren, and desolate Earth?

What would you do?

What if you thought you had two or more years of warning before the caldera of Yellowstone would erupt as a super volcano, and suddenly you are told you have one day at best to survive?

Dr. Theodore Grey decided that the scientists under him had their measurements wrong or there was a glitch in the system. Yes, Yellowstone was rumbling, but it did that every day, and the scientists at the USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO), led by Scientist-in-Charge Dr. Theodore Grey, utilized a sophisticated network of GPS sensors and seismometers to monitor the heartbeat of this active super volcano. All the movement in and around the caldera that is Yellowstone National Park is monitored and measured every day, 24/7, with computerized resources. Many scientists and technical people are necessary to monitor the computers, all the equipment, and cover Yellowstone's large expanse of crater and park land. 

Yellowstone has thousands of small quakes each year. The subtle Chicago-sized area of ground deformation near Gibbon Falls had buckled upward by one inch in January 2026, but these new numbers must be wrong! Even the newly discovered magma cap 3.8 km deep in January rose sharply overnight! 

Seven inches of rapid, sustained uplift? No way. That was too phenomenal for the caldera. Seven inches meant high-pressure fluid movement and is indicative of a significant magma intrusion. Real-time information stared back at him from the monitors. Real-time quakes were more pronounced in and around Yellowstone, and some areas close to Yellowstone certainly felt this shift and change. Dr. Rick Long confirmed what Dr. Grey saw in front of him. SEVEN inches in ONE day!! The ground was tilting and rising by inches, not centimeters! The Earth's crust was reaching its breaking point! The energy built up was too much, too fast. Dr. Grey knew he had to update the President right away. 

Time was critical. Everything was critical. So much for having a ten to twelve year plus warning! That powerful atmospheric river and a "monster blizzard" projected to drop up to twenty feet of snow over much of the US, including Yellowstone, would not stop the eruption!

Praise for Earth’s Last Hope:

'Earth’s Last Hope by Mary L. Schmidt is a really fascinating sci-fi disaster book that takes a total left turn halfway through the plot. It starts off feeling like a traditional prepper story, but quickly escalates into a deep-state military thriller. I appreciated the grounded, everyday tone the author uses to show what life would actually be like inside an underground bunker. I especially loved the focus on training the teens to take over complex operations because it adds a smart, long-term layer to the survival strategy, showing that the community is actively planning for the future instead of just waiting around. The casual, easy-flowing dialogue makes it feel like you are overhearing genuine families navigating a global disaster. By blending the harsh truths of an environmental collapse with uplifting, relatable moments, the book actually transforms into an unexpectedly touching story of survival. It’s an engaging read that avoids a ton of tech jargon while keeping the stakes high. I recommend it to fans of military sci-fi, intense environmental doomsday stories, or anyone who loves a good government conspiracy twist.'

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Mary L. Schmidt

Mary L. Schmidt writes under the name of S. Jackson along with her husband, Michael, pen name A Raymond, and Mary L. Schmidt.

She grew up in a small Kansas (USA) town and has lived in more than one state since then. At this time, Ms. Schmidt and her husband split their time between Kansas and Colorado (they love the mountains and off-road 4-wheeling). Traveling is one of their most favorite things to do and she always has a book or even three books to read, in the same week.

Books have always been her thing. It seemed like every time she turned around, a new library card was needed due to the current one being stamped completed. Diving into a delightful book made any day perfect and you would be surprised at the number of books she has read over and over. She drew paper dolls and clothes for them, and with watercolor as her medium when painting scenes, especially flowers. She continued with art in high school exploring a wide variety of arts and loved it! Her creative side loves to be an amateur "shutterbug" and they have an online art gallery.

Time spent with family is what she and her husband, Michael, cherish.

Connect with Mary:

Website • Twitter / X • Facebook • Instagram

Amazon Author Page • Pinterest