Unspeakable Blog Tour - Guest Post

As part of the blog tour for Unspeakable, I was able to get Caroline to write a brief guest post to share something about the novel. Since the novel is inspired by the real sinking of the Empress of Ireland I was immediately curious about this aspect of the story. I asked Caroline to discuss the benefits and challenges of grounding her story in a historical event.

Her answer is enlightening, and wonderful...

Great question. My series, GREENER GRASS: my new release, UNSPEAKABLE; and my upcoming Fall book THE GOSPEL TRUTH, are all historical fiction. Each one is set in very different time periods and circumstances but in all, the historical event is a huge part of the setting and the plot from the Irish potato famine, to the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, to slavery in the south. Not only do the characters deal with the struggles we all have in every day life, on top of that they are caught up in an incredible moment in history.
 For Ellie, in UNSPEAKABLE, it’s the night she barely escapes the sinking of the Empress of Ireland. How can she go on, how can she ever be happy again, when so many did not survive? I read a lot of Titanic survivor accounts to get a sense of lives after the tragedy. I love both reading and writing historical fiction because it really makes history come alive.
 Researching and learning as much as I can about the time and the events is an obsession, really. :) The challenge for me is to know when to stop researching and start writing. I try to balance it by focussing on the fictional characters. That way, the story isn’t just about what happened -- but who experiences it and how it changes them.

I also reviewed Unspeakable today (spoiler - I loved it) and urge you to check out this wonderful novel.  

If you happen to live in the Ottawa area there is going to be an exhibit showcasing artifacts salvaged from the wreckage at the Canadian Museum of History starting May 30th. As someone who didn't know anything about this prior to reading Unspeakable, it's certainly inspired me to learn more. I will definitely be checking out the exhibit.

Here are some links to where you can purchase a copy of the book

Chapters // Amazon Canada

What do you think of novels that are based, even in part, around a real life event? How important is accuracy to you?

Unspeakable by Caroline Pignat

Unspeakable by Caroline Pignat 

Release Date - May 6, 2014

Publisher Website - Penguin
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 288 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

On her first voyage as a stewardess aboard the Empress of Ireland, Ellie is drawn to the solitary fire stoker who stands by the ship’s rail late at night, often writing in a journal.

Jim. Ellie finds it hard to think of his name now. After their wonderful time in Quebec City, that awful night happened. The screams, the bodies, the frigid waters … she tries hard to tell herself that he survived, but it’s hard to believe when so many didn’t. So when Wyatt Steele, journalist at The New York Times asks her for her story, Ellie refuses. But when he shows her Jim’s journal, she jumps at the chance to be able to read it herself, to find some trace of the man she had fallen in love with, or perhaps a clue to what happened to him. There’s only one catch: she will have to tell her story to Steele and he’ll “pay” her by giving her the journal, one page at a time.

As a Canadian I was a little shocked to hear that this tragic event happened and that hardly any of us actually know about it. I certainly didn't until I had this book come on my radar. A harrowing story of a tragic event that is also infused with hope. It inspired me to want to know more about the real story behind this moving work of fiction.

The care in which Caroline wrote this novel is evident right from the beginning. She meticulously researched the events leading up to the sinking, as well as life on the ship itself. It was apparent that she wanted to not only write an enjoyable story, but wanted to be respectful of the tragedy that had happened. The story certainly pulls you in, and the characters quickly endear themselves to you.

The sinking, and the events surrounding it were painted in a horrific, unimaginable light. The scenes were gripping, and vivid. It was the aftermath that truly resonated with me however. The survivors, and the guilt they carried was a palpable thing throughout the novel. The guilt and memories eat at Ellie to the point that the events themselves are unspeakable to her. She becomes haunted by that night, and all that was lost.

Ellie's strength was an unexpected one. It wasn't a physical strength, but an inner one that carried her through everything. She finds the ability within herself to go on. She finds something worth striving for. She has her past come back to haunt her, and after all she's been through it might have been enough to defeat her, but she pushes through. It's this kind of strength that I think needs to be shown more. It's often forgotten, but is just as heroic as any physical feat.

Jim has a stormy past of his own. The reveal of that past, and how he became the haunted man he is today was beautifully done. It's one of my favourite parts of the novel, and ties everything together. While I won't spill how we learn his story, I will say that it feels like we get to know him along with Ellie. They had only stolen moments together, and as she learns about him, the reader does too.

The romance is going to, at first glance, draw comparisons to Titanic. It has similarities, but more differences once you fall into the story. Much of the novel is spent with Jim's fate being unknown. The diary Ellie clings to may be her last link to a man she opened her heart to. This tension drove the story and kept me turning the pages. Caroline gives us just enough to keep us hooked, and reveals things as they are needed.

As much as the romance is a large part of the story, Ellie is the focus. It's her the reader follows and learns to care about. It's her that we see learn things about herself she wasn't expecting. We get to see her turn the tragedy into a strength inside her. Her story fascinated me, and I am glad we had that as the primary focus.

A heartfelt read that showcases the crushing weight of survivor's guilt, and the beauty of hope. This novel is based on a real life event I knew nothing about, and it's story is every bit  has heartbreaking as the Titanic. Those who love romance, and a captivating story will want to devour this one.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week. It's heavy on the pretty covers because it's cover reveal time!

BOOKS

This was the week of cover reveals because Harper unveiled almost all of their Fall 2014 title's covers.

Cover for Amy Ewing's The Jewel

It reminds me a lot of the covers for The Selection. However, the synopsis makes it sound like an ever darker world. I do love this cover though. It's really pretty.

Cover for Anna Carey's Blackbird

The premise for this sounds really intriguing. It's told in second person which, from all accounts, makes you fully immersed in this story. The cover is okay, but the tagline immediately has me saying "whoa!".

Cover for Caroline Pignat's Unspeakable

I always love underwater photos/art/etc and this is no exception. I think it's really pretty. The synopsis has me wanting to read this immediately though! It not only takes place in Canada, but has a heartbreaking romance at it's center. Totally intrigued. 

Cover of Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

Oh! I love this. It's beautiful. The mixture of magic with a touch of historical has me really intrigued. Plus Kiersten White mentioned there would be kissing. I enjoy kissing in books. Add it to your Goodreads if you haven't already.

Cover of Bethany Griffin's The Fall

I helped reveal this on this blog this week. However, I LOVE it. It captures the haunting, creepy vibe of the synopsis perfectly. Bethany's previous books are some of my favourites so I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

OTHER

Book Expo America

Tickets are purchased. Apartment is booked. Things are happening. Why is it not May yet? The big news that was announced is that Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Segel, and Alan Cumming are the Master of Ceremonies for the annual breakfasts BEA hosts. This is obviously awesome! I am looking forward to the autographing schedule being released so I can attempt to plan my days.

So what are you obsessed with this week?