On Tour with Prism Book Tours
We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you’ll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:
Launch – Author Interview
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
I really hope that readers will be touched by the fact that there is a greater Love at work in our earthly romances, and that relationships aren’t separated by death, as proven in my novel by the relationship between Savannah and Deirdre Rose.
There’s a lovely quote from St. John of Chrysostom: Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are. I will feel satisfied if even one reader is comforted by this after reading this novel.
(With its own giveaway.)
“The lessons are numerous in this poignant, inspiring, and beautiful story – celebrate the life that is given, long or short; also that no matter what happens, the love remains. . . . Fans of the author or those who enjoy this genre will probably enjoy this. This has some elements of magical realism to it.”
“Dragonflies at Night is a novel of relationships past and present. It is story of loyal friends, destinies, fulfilling dreams, appreciating life’s beauty and true love. This is a captivating, inspiring and uplifting tale.”
Where the Magic Happens
Welcome to my writing space! When we built our home in 1995, this room was my stepson’s bedroom. When he moved out ten years later, we converted it into a guest room. But now we have two other guest rooms in our home, so this year … abracadabra! It is now my very own writing space. . .
A Celebrity Love Story
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of “celebrity,” from my very first crush in the 60’s on Bobby Sherman, to my current favorite—Josh Groban.
One time, in my thirties, I was waiting for someone at Logan Airport in Boston when I caught sight of Michael J. Fox being escorted through the terminal by his entourage. I was a fan, of course (those were the days of Family Ties and Back to the Future.) I was thrilled to see him right there a few feet away from me, but it surprised me that so many people were screaming his name and trying to touch him. That seemed totally bizarre to me, and I felt a good deal of sympathy for him. In my eyes, he was “just a guy” walking through an airport, and it woke me up to a certain awareness of how celebrities are almost revered by the public, to the point of sometimes losing their true identities. . .
“It’s a very sweet story. I can definitely relate to Savannah. She is strong and sweet and just so real. Ben seems like someone who would be happy with simple if he could just write and perform his music. The struggles of keeping a relationship despite the distance is real. They both are scared of giving their heart or losing each other.
I really loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It was such a sweet and beautifully written romance!”
“They look so happy, don’t they?” Savannah said from the doorway, her best friend Andi at her side.
They were sipping the last of the rainbow drinks, which reflected the bright light from the candles on all of the tables. One more Life Celebration part, this time a bridal shower, nearly over. Tam, the bride-to-be, was still opening presents, squealing with delight at this and that, the piles of torn paper and ribbons growing larger by the second. Her fiancé, Eric, had just come in and was sitting on the floor beside her, oohing and ahhing appropriately every time a new gift appeared. They were both glowing with the love of family and friends that surrounded them, and their love for one another was beautifully apparent.
Savannah gulped as she read the title. “Dragonfly Lady?” She turned to face him, her right hand over her heart. “You wrote a song about me . . . and the dragonflies?”
He was worried for a moment that he’d gone too far. Avery had not liked it when he’d written personal songs about her. Shoot, she’d never allowed him to write songs like that about her. Well, okay, he’d written intimate songs about their relationship, but he had never actually performed or recorded them. “I did indeed,” he quipped a bit nervously. “Is that all right?”
“The key themes of this book are loss, love and family. . . . This is my first book by Anne Marie Bennett and she did a great job at having the reader understand that celebrating life in the now is what really matters and that above all things love always remains.”
When they got back to the house, Ben worked out and took a shower, then spent some time in his music room, playing around with a new song. It was still in the very early stages, but he had a good beginning:
Tell me your heartaches and I’ll tell you mine
going back in time and how it all came to hurt so bad
It has so many unique qualities to it that I loved, and that make it stand out in contrast to the typical ideas that most authors of the genre fall back on.”
“Her journey is sweet, joyful, and enduring.”
Some ancient cultures taught that ordinary physical reality is not the only reality available to us. I used to ruminate on that teaching occasionally when I was alive. I entertained the idea that there had to be something greater than us to gift us with such precious beauty. But now I know. There is so much more than the physical limitations of earthly life. There is so much more love, so much more light, and so many more ways that we are all connected.
“. , , love watching them build up their friendship as they are learning how to trust and heal from previous failed relationships, while also just being real with each other. . . . This really was a feel-good romance that warmed my heart after a long and crazy week.”
About the Author
Anne Marie Bennett was touched by a dragonfly once and has never forgotten its message. She has published books about her cancer journeys and the process of SoulCollage®. This is her first women’s novel.
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive an ebook of All You Need is Love and Lilacs, a dragonfly suncatcher, and a $25 Amazon eGift Card (dragonfly suncatcher to US winner only, international winner will receive ebook and gift card only)
Ends October 14, 2020
Reading Excursions – Review
Rockin’ Book Reviews – Review & Guest Post
Where the Magic Happens
Welcome to my writing space! When we built our home in 1995, this room was my stepson’s bedroom. When he moved out ten years later, we converted it into a guest room. But now we have two other guest rooms in our home, so this year … abracadabra! It is now my very own writing space. . .
Christy’s Cozy Corners – Guest Post
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of “celebrity,” from my very first crush in the 60’s on Bobby Sherman, to my current favorite—Josh Groban.
One time, in my thirties, I was waiting for someone at Logan Airport in Boston when I caught sight of Michael J. Fox being escorted through the terminal by his entourage. I was a fan, of course (those were the days of Family Ties and Back to the Future.) I was thrilled to see him right there a few feet away from me, but it surprised me that so many people were screaming his name and trying to touch him. That seemed totally bizarre to me, and I felt a good deal of sympathy for him. In my eyes, he was “just a guy” walking through an airport, and it woke me up to a certain awareness of how celebrities are almost revered by the public, to the point of sometimes losing their true identities. . .
My Life, Loves and Passion – Review
I really loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It was such a sweet and beautifully written romance!”
Hearts & Scribbles – Excerpt
They were sipping the last of the rainbow drinks, which reflected the bright light from the candles on all of the tables. One more Life Celebration part, this time a bridal shower, nearly over. Tam, the bride-to-be, was still opening presents, squealing with delight at this and that, the piles of torn paper and ribbons growing larger by the second. Her fiancé, Eric, had just come in and was sitting on the floor beside her, oohing and ahhing appropriately every time a new gift appeared. They were both glowing with the love of family and friends that surrounded them, and their love for one another was beautifully apparent.
E-Romance News – Excerpt
He was worried for a moment that he’d gone too far. Avery had not liked it when he’d written personal songs about her. Shoot, she’d never allowed him to write songs like that about her. Well, okay, he’d written intimate songs about their relationship, but he had never actually performed or recorded them. “I did indeed,” he quipped a bit nervously. “Is that all right?”
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama – Review
Candrel’s Crafts, Cooks, and Characters – Excerpt
Tell me your heartaches and I’ll tell you mine
going back in time and how it all came to hurt so bad
Savannah, the romantic heroine of Dragonflies at Night, has a very special relationship with her mother’s sister Suzanna (aka Auntie Zan) who took her in when Savannah’s parents died. Later in the novel, there’s a sweet scene where Kline, a good friend of our hero Ben, introduces Savannah to his little girl, Carly. She has always called our hero “Uncle Ben,” and assumes that she should call his new girlfriend “Aunt Savannah.” Thus begins another very special auntie relationship with a very special niece who isn’t a blood relative.
Savannah raised her bottle to his. “And here’s to Avery.” They clinked glasses again. “Because when Avery let you go, it made room for me.”
“Amen,” Ben said, taking another deep swallow of beer. “Here’s to our exes who made us who we are today.”
“To our exes,” Savannah echoed.
Love on Location
Ben and Savannah, the romantic leads in Dragonflies at Night: More Than a Love Story, fall in love on one side of the United States (Massachusetts), and deepen their love on the other side (California). Sometimes the settings that I create in my fiction are totally imaginary, but in this novel, I have actually been everywhere that our lovers find themselves!
“That’s . . . I mean . . . That’s a special day in my family, that’s all.” Savannah wasn’t sure how much to divulge.
“C’mon guys!” Amy called as they made their way back to the picnic table in the twilight. “Time for dessert! Kline, can you bring Danny-Boy out here?” She looked at Savannah again as they set the dishes on the table. “What special day?” she asked quietly.
Savannah looked into Amy’s kind blue eyes for a moment. They looked like eyes that connected to a soul that could be trusted. “My mom died on September twenty-second.”
This is dedicated…
One of my favorite things to do when I’m getting a book ready for publication is to write the dedication. I think of the dedication as a little stream of love and gratitude heading out into the world towards whoever/whatever inspired me. . .
“I thought the novel had an interesting concept of a mother/aunt looking over their child. . . . If you like cozy romance with elements of magical realism, then this is the book for you.”
A Thing About Libraries
I have loved books and reading, and anything to do with books and reading, since I was a little girl. In fact, my mother loved to tell the story of how, when I was 5 years old, she began reading me The Wizard of Oz, a few chapters at a time. Then one night when she was sick and couldn’t read to me, I picked up the book and finished it myself! . .
“This is a super cute quick read. It is a very light hearted read which is surprising because their is so much loss, loneliness, and heartache. I enjoyed this book because the love story wasn’t overwhelming and was mixed with just enough sadness to seem realistic. You get to experience these intense, scary, and heartfelt emotions along side the main characters, which was my favorite part. I loved these characters and was so excited about the ending!”
“Reading this novel was like diving into the water of the romance genre, and being completely and totally immersed in a refreshing wave.
Hallie Reads – Excerpt
“Amen,” Ben said, taking another deep swallow of beer. “Here’s to our exes who made us who we are today.”
“To our exes,” Savannah echoed.
Kimber Li – Guest Post
Love on Location
Ben and Savannah, the romantic leads in Dragonflies at Night: More Than a Love Story, fall in love on one side of the United States (Massachusetts), and deepen their love on the other side (California). Sometimes the settings that I create in my fiction are totally imaginary, but in this novel, I have actually been everywhere that our lovers find themselves!
Jorie Loves A Story – Excerpt
“C’mon guys!” Amy called as they made their way back to the picnic table in the twilight. “Time for dessert! Kline, can you bring Danny-Boy out here?” She looked at Savannah again as they set the dishes on the table. “What special day?” she asked quietly.
Savannah looked into Amy’s kind blue eyes for a moment. They looked like eyes that connected to a soul that could be trusted. “My mom died on September twenty-second.”
Reading Is My SuperPower – Guest Post
One of my favorite things to do when I’m getting a book ready for publication is to write the dedication. I think of the dedication as a little stream of love and gratitude heading out into the world towards whoever/whatever inspired me. . .
Two Points of Interest – Review
Heidi Reads… – Guest Post
A Thing About Libraries
I have loved books and reading, and anything to do with books and reading, since I was a little girl. In fact, my mother loved to tell the story of how, when I was 5 years old, she began reading me The Wizard of Oz, a few chapters at a time. Then one night when she was sick and couldn’t read to me, I picked up the book and finished it myself! . .
laurenspageturnerz – Review
regallywritten – Review
It has so many unique qualities to it that I loved, and that make it stand out in contrast to the typical ideas that most authors of the genre fall back on.”
Book World Reviews – Review
Teatime and Books – Excerpt
Andi’s Book Reviews – Review
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post…
Dragonflies at Night:
More Than a Love Story
By Anne Marie Bennett
Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 365 Pages
September 22, 2020 by KaleidoSoul Media
A dragonfly brings a mother’s love to a grieving daughter.
Meet Savannah, the thirty-something owner of Life Celebrations, a party planning business. Despite losing both parents as a teenager, Savannah is creating a positive life for herself, surrounded by friends and co-workers who are now her family. But she also has a secret—as much as she wants to settle down and have children, she is afraid to, for fear of getting cancer and having to leave them without their mother, as she herself was left behind years ago.
Meet Deirdre Rose, Savannah’s mother. She continues to watch over Savannah, who feels deeply connected to her mother whenever she sees a dragonfly.
Now meet Ben, a thirty-something recording artist who is good-looking, talented, and a household name. Despite his fame, Ben is lonely. He trusts few people because it seems everyone wants something from him instead of getting to know who he really is.
Savannah and Ben cross paths when they meet at a yoga retreat in the Massachusetts Berkshires. They are drawn to each other’s creativity and outlook on life. She sees beyond his celebrity and he admires her strength in what she’s had to overcome.
What happens when the retreat ends and they go their separate ways? Will they be able to make a long distance relationship work? Can Savannah put aside her fears, and will Ben allow himself to be truly vulnerable?
Above all . . . what message do Deirdre Rose and Dragonfly have for both of them?
(Affiliate link included.)
About the Author
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive an ebook of All You Need is Love and Lilacs, a dragonfly suncatcher, and a $25 Amazon eGift Card (dragonfly suncatcher to US winner only, international winner will receive ebook and gift card only)
Ends October 14, 2020