About the Book
Book: The Elnora Monet
Author: Rachel Skatvold
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release date: April 27, 2021
Islanders call him the Elnora Monet.
Is that island speak for “pompous, arrogant jerk?”
When Carly Mulligan volunteered to make house calls on Elnora, she never imagined treating the richest cat on the islands. What other feline has his own wing in a mansion like the Belshaw Estate?
After a wrong turn in the mansion, Carly stumbles across a secret room—one filled with incredible paintings. Perhaps there’s something more to the man than she first thought.
Most people envy Jean-Luc Belshaw’s position. The heir to a lucrative business and family fortune, he should have everything he could dream of.
But Luc dreams of days past. Days when he traveled the world with his wife and painted the breathings of his soul disappeared with Angeline’s passing. Faith and inspiration gone, he wonders if returning to France to take his place in his father’s business is the right thing to do.
Carly has a few relational demons of her own, and she’s reluctant to trust him, but Luc’s paintings draw her in even as his story touches a long-empty place in her heart.
Only God can transform two broken pasts into a work of art.
The Elnora Monet continues the Elnora Island romances of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.
The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming and Brides of Pelican Rapids Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.
More from Rachel
Thank you for helping celebrate the release of The Elnora Monet by following this Celebration Tour hosted by Celebrate Lit. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about the characters and what inspired the story. Please follow the other stops on this tour and don’t forget to enter in the giveaway. Thank you!
Carly had many struggles in the first book, questioning what purpose God had for her life. This time around, her feet are more grounded, but she still has some growing to do when it comes to faith. Carly has been a fun character to write about because of her witty extroverted personality and some of the humorous predicaments she ends up in…one of them including getting caught snooping around a billionaire’s mansion.
While not outspoken as Carly, I can relate to the character’s search for direction. Sometimes it is difficult learning to trust, especially during troubling times, but we can rely on God’s promises. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.” This verse means so much to me because I know even when I can’t understand something, He is behind the scenes guiding me in the right direction. For Carly, it leads in a direction she never expects, but it is worth it in the end.
Certain parts of the story were inspired by my mom. If you have read Her Merriweather Hero, you know the Mulligan sisters are originally from New England, close to where my mom grew up. I love hearing about her memories of spending time at Nantasket Beach, drinking orange pop, and putting chips in her sandwich so they wouldn’t blow away. Even though I grew up in the Midwest, I still put chips in my own sandwich because of watching her do the same thing and her fridge is always stocked with orange pop to this day. Little bits of my mom’s childhood are weaved into this story, making it close to my heart.
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about characters and story behind The Elnora Monet. Now continue reading for a summary of the book and giveaway. Blessings!
My Thoughts
The Elnora Monet is written by Rachel Skatvold. This book is book 10 in the Independence Island series. The series is written by several different authors with a central island theme. Each book can be read as a stand alone. In this book we meet Carly Mulligan. She makes a house call to the richest cat on the island. The cat has it's own wing in the mansion that it resides in. It's owner, Jean-Luc Belshaw has some demons that he does not want to seem to fight. While on the outside he looks like he has it all - an heir to a fortune, a beautiful home, so many beautiful things. However he lost his spark of life when he lost his wife.
Carly is outspoken and adventurous. She is introduced in a previous book - but you will get to know here very well in this book. Her first interaction with Jean Luc is comical - especially since she is caught snooping. Helping with her sisters mobile vet business has been good for her. Her character grew from the previous book. One of the best things about these characters is they are real. They are flawed. They have pasts. I loved the interaction with them and how it built up.
I am really enjoying the Independence Island series. I wish that I could go and visit. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 10
Lakesidelivingsite, May 10
Rebekah Reads Lit, May 10
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 11
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, May 11
She Lives to Read, May 12
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 12
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 13
deb’s Book Review, May 13
Texas Book-aholic, May 14
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, May 14
Inklings and notions, May 15
CarpeDiem, May 15
For Him and My Family, May 16
Cultivating Us, May 16
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 17
Books and Everyday Live, May 17
Blossoms and Blessings, May 17
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 18
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 18
Lots of Helpers, May 19
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 19
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 20
Blogging With Carol , May 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 21
Godly Book Reviews, May 21
Kayem Reads, May 21
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 22
Connect in Fiction, May 22
Splashes of Joy, May 23
Simple Harvest Reads, May 23 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10bb3/the-elnora-monet-celebration-tour-giveaway
Excited for another release in this series! I've loved the other books!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book that I am really going to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts on this story, this sounds like an awesome book and series, a must read for me
ReplyDelete