My new release is not really a new release, but rather an old memoir that needed to be refurbished. Introducing… Stars Upside Down – a memoir of travel, grief, and an incandescent God.
The original memoir was not particularly bad. (Let me boast a little bit here, please). It had 81 reviews with a 4.4 star average, out of 5. It earned an honourable mention with the New York Book Festival, and a bronze medal with Illumination Press (the first under the memoir category, the second under the e-book category).
But the title, A Lady in France, was not adapted to a Christian audience, and I had a few disappointed (understatement) readers who thought it would be like A Year in Provence. I figured that was bad enough, but once I launch my romance later this year, and then follow it (hopefully) with a Regency romance, the old title A Lady in France will disappoint many more people, who will be expecting more of the same.
Also, I’ve since learned how much of writing is not just about putting words down on the page, but also about weeding them out again. If you can believe it, in this new edition, I’ve weeded out 52,000 words, bringing the total to a more standard memoir-sized book of 82,000. With the help of friends, I’ve streamlined the chapters so they all relate to the central theme. (Travel, grief, and an incandescent God). So I think this book is much better, and I’m glad I took the plunge and redid it.
If you’re reading my blog, it’s probably because you like me a little bit, right? 🙂 So here’s where I ask for some help in promoting. If you’ve read the book – the old one, or are about to read the new – would you be so kind – SO kind – as to leave me a review on Amazon (and also Goodreads, if you’re there)? If I want to participate in certain promotions later on, I’ll need at least 150 reviews, and I’ve already lost a bunch in making this switch.
And if you know someone you think might like the book, will you tell them about it? We small time authors need to beg a bit, unfortunately. It keeps us humble though. 😉
Here’s the new cover, and the text from the back below it:
At seventeen, Jennie Goutet has a dream that she will one day marry a French man and sets off to Avignon in search of him. Though her dream eludes her, she lives boldly—teaching in Asia, studying in Paris, working and traveling for an advertising firm in New York.
When God calls her, she answers reluctantly and must first come to grips with crippling loss, depression, and addiction before being restored. Providence takes her by the hand, and her dream comes true as she meets and marries her French husband, works with him in a humanitarian effort in East Africa, and settles down in France to build a family.
Told with honesty and strength, Stars Upside Down is a brave, heart-stopping story of love, grief, faith, depression, sunshine piercing the gray clouds—and hope that stays in your heart long after it’s finished.
“Goutet’s lovely and vulnerable self-reflection invites us to join her journey to the heights and depths of a life of faith. Time and again, she illustrates the tender care of a God who pursues us across any land and landscape, even long before we know His voice.” Anna Whiston Donaldson, author of NYT Bestseller, Rare Bird
“In this beautiful memoir, Jennie Goutet details the evolution of one woman’s faith and love in a singular story that is—at once—both intensely personal and universal in its themes. I soared and plunged along with her from beginning to end.” Julie C. Gardner, author of Letters for Scarlet
“God listens. Jennie Goutet entwines her extraordinary real-life experiences through foreign countries with the continual prayer, ‘God do you hear me?’ And the answer she receives again and again is, ‘Yes.’ Loved it.” – CeeCee James, author of Ghost No More
And here’s how you can purchase the book. I’ve kept the price low. Only $3.99 for kindle, and $10.99 for paperback.
Thank you. THANK YOU for your friendship and support all these years.
Sheesh, how have I NOT read this? I like you more than a little. I’ll buy and share.
Tamara, you are so good to me. Thank you, dear friend. 🙂