Secrets of the Blue Moon
by Jan Heidrich-Rice
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Pub Date Sep 06 2024 | Archive Date Sep 22 2024
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Description
Redemption awaits her…but only if she confronts all her ghosts.
Marnie Putnam is devastated by her husband’s seeming indifference over her recent miscarriages and job loss. Trying to avoid the inevitable, she makes a temporary move to quaint Lake Gardner, Georgia, to record some local oral histories and find some space. But when noises and visions plague her at night, Marnie grapples to know if it’s her own past regrets that haunt her—or something more sinister here in the house where two women died under the blue moon years earlier.
Deciding to confront her fears, Marnie stays, embracing the town’s quirky stories and characters. She even begins to face ghosts of her own—psychological and real—that she thought she’d buried long ago. But when another blue moon rises and yet another heinous death takes place, Marnie knows her life is in danger.
If she returns home to her husband, she’ll be safe, but without the answers she desperately seeks. But if she stays, will she survive?
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Secrets of the Blue Moon celebrates family and friendship and small-town Southern living. It’s sprinkled with gentle humor and mystery and ghosts that don’t want to let the past go. At times a bit grisly, it deals with topics including loss, self-harm, and death. Yet at its core, it is an uplifting story of hope, resilience, and redemption.
If you like stories that haunt you while also filling your heart, pick up Secrets of the Blue Moon today…and read it with the lights on tonight.
A Note From the Publisher
If you find yourself triggered, or if you are in crisis and need help, please reach out to someone you trust for support or call 988.
No one should ever have to be alone.
Advance Praise
"Libraries seeking Southern ghost stories, tales of fractured relationships and legacies of murder, and fiction about women who stand up to past and present adversity will welcome Secrets of the Blue Moon’s haunting countenance. It’s a top recommendation for patrons ranging from women’s fiction readers to those who enjoy supernatural elements, intrigue, and psychological revelation in their stories." D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“If you love Karen White, head straight for this one—full of Southern charm, relatable characters, and ghosts who refuse to let the past go. A dash of romance and murder and you've got the perfect recipe for a satisfying day of reading. – Emily Carpenter, bestselling author of BURYING THE HONEYSUCKLE GIRLS
"A haunted past. A witches' coven. A blue moon. Jan Heidrich-Rice brings to life the complexities of marriage, motherhood, and friendship in this gotcha-from-page-one tale full of Southern charm. Part haunting ghost story, part paranormal mystery, SECRETS OF THE BLUE MOON is all page-turning emotional journey with Marnie and her spirits." Alida Winternheimer, award-winning author of A STONE'S THROW
"With fun touches of humor, a relatable sibling relationship, and a character who questions but still turns to her own faith, SECRETS OF THE BLUE MOON is a delightful and engrossing small-town tale full of mystery and ghosts galore! Lainey Cameron, award-winning author of THE EXIT STRATEGY and host of The Best of Women's Fiction Podcast
"From ghost stories and gossiping biddies to old flames and questions of faith, this novel covers a lot of ground. Not sure how Jan mastered the art of an enjoyable breezy read with so much going on, but she did, and I loved it all - the characters, the pace, and the satisfying ending." Mandy Day, Goodreads Reviewer
"I loved the mysticism of the blue moon, and what a sweet, relatable story mixing mystery with a search for redemption. It's a fantastic debut..., just in time for the spooky season." Kelly Elizabeth Huston, author of SEE SADIE JANE RUN
"Secrets of the Blue Moon is a heartfelt tale about a woman coming to terms with the parts of her life that need to change in order to find fulfillment. Fortunately, she has a few ghosts to help her figure that out and to solve a mystery that is tearing the town apart. This book has a lot going on in the best way possible – a very enjoyable read." Kathryn Dodson, author EL DIABLO
"Two things I loved best about this novel: 1) it is unapologetically a story about ghosts and spirits without spending half the story "wondering" if what's happening is real and 2) the main character knows her own mind and though she has doubts, it's never really about what she wants or deserves. GO MARNIE! This story has a bit of mystery to it that kept me guessing and thinking and Heidrich-Rice knits it all together perfectly." J. Marie Rundquist, author of AS THOUGH YOU WERE MINE
Marketing Plan
SECRETS OF THE BLUE MOON releases to the public on September 6, 2024.
Press releases to announce the book’s release and author events have been (or will be) sent to the following: The Marietta Daily Journal, The Atlanta Constitution, The Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and the Kennesaw State MAPW (Master of Arts in Professional Writing) Alumni Program.
Author talks/signings have been scheduled as follows: 9/7/2024 – Local Author Fair, Switzer Library, Marietta, Georgia; 9/14/2024 - North Georgia Regional Book Fair at the University of North Georgia, Dahlonega; 9/22/2024 – Barnes & Noble, The Avenue, West Cobb, Georgia; 9/29/2024 – Literary Fair at Johns Creek, Georgia; 10/5/2024 – author signing, The Art House, Acworth, Georgia; 11/1/2024 - author signing, Atlanta Writers Club Conference, Georgia.
Reviews/promotion articles have been scheduled for early September release through Women Writers, Women('s) Books Online Magazine and The Midwest Book Review.
The book is scheduled for a virtual tour with fifteen Bookstagram influencers through Suzy Approved Book Tours between 9/22 and 10/21/24.
Podcast appearances have taken place or been scheduled as follows: The Launch Pad with Grace Sammon and Mary Helen Sheriff, Episode 45 on 6/20/2024; The Writer’s Round Table Podcast with Alida Winternheimer scheduled for early 10/2024 (specific date TBD).
The author continues to build her personal email list with whom she shares a monthly newsletter as well as a monthly blog post.
The author continues to update her website regarding book events and information on how to purchase the book.
A modest budget has been set to test Amazon and/or Facebook ads during September. Final plans are pending.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798990977112 |
| PRICE | $16.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 306 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Heather S, Reviewer
Full of heart, I loved this small town mystery/ghost story. There was some southern charm with fully relatable characters. I wanted to give Marnie a hug!
Tracy S, Librarian
This ghostly tale is cozy and brilliant.
I loved the Southern charm quality and found my reading voice in my head sounded like Dolly Parton which was fun.
It is a mystery with a ghost attached and friendship and family are the main themes.
It is a well written descriptive tale and for me was a quick read. I loved it ..
Karen T, Librarian
Secrets of the Blue Moon
by Jan Heidrich- Rice
Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2024
Thanks to the author, -publisher and Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a great book! Stunning ghost stories to facing your fears. I highly recommend this novel.
Marnie Putnam is devastated by her husband’s seeming indifference over her recent miscarriages and job loss. Trying to avoid the inevitable, she makes a temporary move to quaint Lake Gardner, Georgia, to record some local oral histories and find some space. But when noises and visions plague her at night, Marnie grapples to know if it’s her own past regrets that haunt her—or something more sinister here in the house where two women died under the blue moon years earlier.
What will she decide to do?
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