Hello, readers!
The first month of summer has officially come to a close, which means we’re that much closer to getting our hands on Book Four in the North of the Tension Line series by J.F. Riordan. A Small Earnest Question–which hits shelves on August 3rd–follows Washington Island’s beloved cast of characters as they prepare for another busy season on the island. Not without its share of small-town politics, unsolved mysteries, and, of course, goat yoga, A Small Earnest Question is another delightful addition to J.F. Riordan’s award-winning series.
Continue reading to learn more about A Small Earnest Question, read an excerpt from Chapter One, and pre-order your copy to start reading on August 3rd.
More About the Book:
It’s spring on Washington Island. Despite her concerns about Roger’s desire to bartend, Elisabeth is eager to plan a grand opening for their newly remodeled hotel, but she quickly realizes that she may also need to make accommodations for Roger’s proposed goat yoga classes.
Bored and lonely, Oliver Robert joins bartender Eddie in forming a great books club at Nelsen’s, and Emily Martin, determined to make her mark on the community, forms a new Committee of the Concerned. When Emily decides that the Island needs a literary festival, complete with a famous author, she imprudently seeks out a notorious celebrity, hoping, as always, to enhance her own prestige.
Real estate agent Marcie Landmeier confides that an unknown someone is buying up the Island’s shoreline, newly-appointed Fire Chief Jim Freeberg contends with a string of suspicious fires, and Pali and Ben have a spiritual encounter that will change them both. Meanwhile, drawn once more into local controversy, and awash in suspicion herself, Fiona Campbell must determine the answers to questions that will affect her future, and the future of the entire Island.
A Small Earnest Question is Book Four in the award-winning North of the Tension Line series, set on a remote island in the Great Lakes. Called a modern-day Jane Austen, author J.F. Riordan creates wry, engaging tales and vivid characters that celebrate the beauty and mysteries of everyday life.
An Excerpt from Chapter One of A Small Earnest Question:
It was early spring on Washington Island, which, as any Islander could attest, is frequently an exercise in disappointment. The grass had turned a vivid green, but there were still piles of snow in the parking lots, mountainous ice shoves along the shoreline, and the lake still resonated with the clunking sounds of breaking ice on the waves. The trees were tinged with the lavender of their buds, and the air had an extra sharpness from the melting snow. But the sun shone, and the warming fields gave off a rising mist that carried the scent of earth and moss and leaves.
Fiona Campbell was sitting with her friend, Elisabeth, on the hotel porch, drinking coffee and watching a noisy group of gulls fighting over something on the pier across the road. Elisabeth’s big dog, Rocco, lay nearby, mostly dozing, but with one eye open to keep watch on things. Fiona wrapped her sweater more tightly around herself in the chilly spring air and held her mug in both hands for warmth.
Elisabeth’s and Roger’s plans to re-open the hotel had not gone precisely as intended. News of the long vacant property’s purchase and subsequent renovations were quickly the buzz of the Island. Even after the construction and decorating work had been completed, Elisabeth had wanted to wait for the right moment—just in time for the beginning of the new tourist season—to celebrate with a grand opening.
But news spread quickly beyond the Island, and months before the building was ready, the calls had begun, asking to reserve the space for a wedding, an anniversary, or a reunion of a group of friends. Before long, Elisabeth had had to concede to demand. Without advertising of any kind, the hotel already had bookings far in advance, and rather than the fanfare of a grand occasion, it had opened with Elisabeth quietly unlocking the front door to admit a group of well-heeled car enthusiasts.
“It doesn’t feel right,” she said to Fiona, as one of the bigger gulls attempted to fly off with the object of the flock’s attentions. “A place like this needs a celebration, and an invitation to the Islanders, and…a party.”
Fiona smiled into her coffee. They had had this conversation before.
“So, have a party. It’s your hotel. Do what you like.”
“I’m afraid it will be disruptive to the guests.”
“The guests will love it. It will be part of their experience.” Elisabeth played with a strand of wavy hair as she stared at the screaming birds. After a long silence she spoke. “Roger wants to bartend.”
Fiona, whose thoughts had already drifted elsewhere, shifted her gaze to Elisabeth. Suddenly the obstacle was clear.
“Ah,” she said.
Click here to read the rest of the excerpt.
Click here to pre-order A Small Earnest Question.
Click here to check out the rest of the North of the Tension Line series.
