Review & Giveaway: In Another Life by Julie Christine Johnson

 

Historian Lia Carrer has finally returned to southern France, determined to rebuild her life after the death of her husband.

But instead of finding solace in the region’s quiet hills and medieval ruins, she falls in love with Raoul, a man whose very existence challenges everything she knows about life–and about her husband’s death. As Raoul reveals the story of his past to Lia, she becomes entangled in the echoes of an ancient murder, resulting in a haunting and suspenseful journey that reminds Lia that the dead may not be as far from us as we think.

Steeped in the rich history and romantic landscape of the Languedoc region, In Another Life is a story of love that conquers time and the lost loves that haunt us all.

(Historical Fiction/Contemporary Women’s Fiction/ Fantasy/Romance) 

Release date: February 2, 2016

Sourcebooks 368 pages 

Website | Goodreads

***

I love the premise of this book, reincarnation. It's a subject that fascinates me and sadly I haven't really stumbled on many books involving it.  Dual time period books are a favorite of mine and this just adds that little extra twist.  The cover also drew me in with the synopsis clinching my desire to read In Another Life.

This book is about grief, new beginnings, reincarnation, love, religious persecutions and history - all the makings of a good story. The author conveyed the feel of France nicely here.  Her descriptions made it easy to not just visualize but feel the life style and countryside.  Based on real events back in 1208 she showed her knowledge and amount of research that went into this book.

I love learning history while reading and this book provided insight into the Cathars as well as the Knights Templar, both subjects that are unfamiliar to me.

Lia was an interesting character, still grieving the loss of her husband she returns to Languedoc for a change of pace and fresh start.  I struggled at times to connect with her, some of her behavior was erratic, though then again she is still grieving and that can make one do things not just out of character but impulsively as well. 

The storyline itself was interesting, however at times it moved at a slow pace. This is the author's debut and I think it was a nice one.

Thanks to France Book Tours for inviting me to be part of this tour, and netgalley for provided an arc.

 Julie Christine Johnson is the author of the novels In Another Life (February 2016, Sourcebooks Landmark) and The Crows of Beara (September 2017, Ashland Creek Press).

Her short stories and essays have appeared in several journals, including Emerge Literary Journal, Mud Season Review; Cirque: A Literary Journal of the North Pacific Rim; Cobalt, the anthologies Stories for Sendai; Up, Do: Flash Fiction by Women Writers; and Three Minus One: Stories of Love and Loss and featured on the flash fiction podcast, No Extra Words.

She holds undergraduate degrees in French and Psychology and a Master’s in International Affairs. A runner, hiker, and wine geek, Julie makes her home on the Olympic Peninsula of northwest Washington state with her husband. In Another Life is her first novel.

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