Hi everyone! Some of you around here might not know me, I’m Abby, Ariel’s sister. I help out around these parts, usually behind the scenes or over on The Book Tide where its all books all the time. However, it seems like a great day to pop up from behind the curtain to let you know some big news.
Yesterday - Tuesday December 5, 2023 - was the official release day for Ariel’s new novel The Frozen River. She has been talking about this book for the last few months and posting scenes that didn't make the cut (here, here, here, here, and here). But now it’s out in the world and Ariel is on tour.
As a reader, I can say with all honesty that this book is incredible. Her best yet. As her sister, I can say that if you haven’t ordered it yet you should. Right now. What are you waiting for?
Big News:
If you didn’t catch it yesterday, Good Morning America announced that The Frozen River is their book club pick for December. Go check out her segment and tune in to GMA on Saturday to see her live in studio. They will also be profiling her book throughout the month on their social media.
If you’re curious, you can check out other features on her book in The New York Times, People Magazine, Book of the Month Club, and Kirkus Reviews. All well deserved praise.
Tour Dates:
Below is a current list of her tour dates. If you are in any of these cities, please drop in and say hello - she would love to meet you in person!
Tuesday, 12/5 – Nashville, TN: Parnassus Books
Wednesday, 12/6 – Fairhope, AL: Page & Palette (NEW DATE)
Monday, 12/11 – Sykesville, MD: A Likely Story
Tuesday, 12/12 – Pawleys Island, SC: Litchfield Books (Luncheon)
Tuesday, 12/12 – Sunset Beach, NC: Silver Coast Winery (Evening Event)
Wednesday, 12/13 – Greenville, SC: M. Judson Booksellers
Tuesday, 1/9 - Hunstville, AL: Snail on The Wall
Thursday, 1/11 – Dallas, TX: Interabang Books
Friday, 1/12 – Georgetown, TX: Lark & Owl
Tuesday, 1/16 – La Jolla, CA: Warwick’s (Luncheon + Evening In-Store Event)
Wednesday, 1/17 – Scottsdale, AZ: Poisoned Pen
And finally, what the heck is this book even about? I’m so glad you asked. See what I did there?
Synopsis:
From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who investigates a shocking murder that unhinges her small community.
Maine, 1789: The Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice. Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As the local midwife and healer, Martha is good at keeping secrets. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, every murder and debacle that unfolds in the town of Hallowell. In that diary she also documented the details of an alleged rape that occurred four months earlier. Now, one of the men accused of that heinous attack has been found dead in the ice.
While Martha is certain she knows what happened the night of the assault, she suspects that the two crimes are linked, and that there is more to both cases than meets the eye. Over the course of one long, hard winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha’s diary lands at the center of the scandal and threatens to tear both her family and her community apart.
In her newest offering, Ariel Lawhon brings to life a brave and compassionate unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice on behalf of those no one else would protect. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story of a remarkable woman who had the courage to take a stand, and in the process wrote herself into American history.
That’s it for today, folks. Give Ariel some love in the comments or feel free to share this post, and any others, with all your friends.
Hello! I’m loving the book! My copy also has the GMA sticker! 🤗 I’m soooo excited for Ariel and her highly acclaimed work. She has earned all the accolades. 💃🏻 I’m hoping she will add a new leg of the tour and pass through Atlanta??
Loved it! One of my 2023 favorites! http://tcl-bookreviews.com/2023/12/04/chilling-accounts/