Tag: Historical Fiction Author

Book Launch Event for Jungle of Ashes

RSVP and join us!

It’s finally happening! Way back in 2017 while reading Greg Grandin’s Fordlandia I thought, “This would make a great setting for a novel.” Nine years later that novel is finally going to be in the hands of readers. On May 19, Jungle of Ashes launches and we’re going to celebrate at The Book Bird in Avondale, GA. If you’re in the Atlanta area, you’re invited! I’m so honored to have national best selling author Lynn Cullen join me in conversation about Jungle of Ashes, the importance of historical fiction, the writing process and more. The event is free! Just RSVP! No book purchase is necessary. Although we are having a giveaway! The first 30 pre-orders with Book Bird will receive a free audiobook book copy!

I am so, so proud of this book. I believe it’s timely and important that we discuss its theme of the human cost of unchecked power and empire, be it political or corporate. I love my characters. They say write what you know and I wrote an American girl and a Brazilian boy whose crushing sense of responsibility may or may not be inspired by my own Brazilian boy. (Nobody tell him!) If you can’t make it to the Book Bird on May, I’ve got a few other events around Georgia and South Carolina lined up. There’s also a virtual event with the fabulous audiobook narrator, Carolin Hewitt, so keep an eye out.

If you love historical fiction set during a time and place you probably never learned about. If you love the hope and tenderness of first love. If you love the trials as young adults come of age in a world they can’t help but question. If you love tales of man versus nature where nature counters every punch man can throw. If you believe the most dangerous people are the ones who can never admit they’re wrong. Jungle of Ashes is a story for you. You can pre-order it at History Through Fiction and support an indie publisher. You can pre-order it through Bookshop.org and support a local indie bookstore of your choice. You can pre-order through Amazon paperback, ebook or audiobook. You can also ask your local library to order a copy.

May 4, 2026
See the covers! Jungle of Ashes and Jaguars and Other Game

I’m so excited to share the gorgeous covers for Jungle of Ashes and the rerelease of Jaguars and Other Game. I’m obsessed with them both! The tire on the cover of Jungle of Ashes is the perfect symbol for the story. There are the two primary opposing forces, industry versus nature, masculine versus feminine, and the lily has special significance for one of the characters. I’ve already got stickers made of the tire and will be giving them out all my events. There are two versions of the new cover for Jaguars and Other Game because I couldn’t decide between the red and green. My publisher finally saved me from decision paralysis by suggesting we use one for the paperback and one for the ebook. Brilliant! Look closely and you’ll find Easter egg hidden in the icons designed and illustrated by the incredible Scott Cathey.

The books both release on May 19, 2026 but you can already preorder! Place your orders at History Through Fiction or wherever you buy books!

February 22, 2026
A Wonderful Launch for Jaguars and Other Game

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to everyone who came out to the launch of Jaguars and Other Game. We had a wonderful night at Buteco in Grant Park with Brazilian salgados and caipirinhas. We raffled off some Haviannas, Garoto candy and coffee fresh off the plane form Brazil curtesy of my husband. The amazing Kendra, of Bookish in East Atlanta, completely sold out of books. My dear friend and I had a blast doing a Q&A. Nothing makes two former high school thespians happier than being handed microphones and people’s undivided attention.

It was a wonderful evening and I can now officially say I’m a published author. Jaguars and Other Game is available wherever books are sold! Your local indie bookstore, Barnes&Noble, and of course Amazon. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story this time. I’ve got no more words except a final thank you!

December 9, 2022
Jaguars and Other Game is out today!

It’s official! Jaguars and Other Game, my debut historical fiction, is out today! I’ve been writing and working toward the goal of being a published author for more than a decade. This is literally a dream come true.

You can buy Jaguars and Other Game wherever books are sold! Your local indie bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Target, directly from my publisher at Orange Blossom and of course from Amazon. EBooks are available from Amazon for only $4.99 so if you want to check it out before you purchase 10 paperbacks for everyone in your bookclub or if you happen to live in Brazil (Oi, gente! Tenho saudades para minha familía e meus amigos no Brasil!) you can buy a digital copy!

Over the many years-long journey to getting published, I’ve learned the idea of solitary author working alone in his cabin with kind only for his dog is a myth. No author works alone. It takes a team to make a book. A good one anyway. Many people have helped create Jaguars and Other Game, from early beta readers to my agent to my editor to the cover designer to every member of my launch team who scoured the manuscript for typos and early reviewers who helped spread the word. If anyone outside my immediate family buys this book, it’s due to all the help I’ve received during the process.

Of course I’m thankful for my husband and daughter who never complained about my hours spent working behind a screen with very little to show for it. This is what I was working towards, and I hope it’s only the first of many books to come.

If you have the chance to read Jaguars and Other Game, please leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon! Word of mouth and reader reviews are the lifeblood of independent publishers. And there are so many ways to support authors without spending money. Ask your library to purchase a copy of their book. Share posts about the book on social media. Follow the author on social media and sign up for their newsletter. And of course, leave ratings and reviews for the book.

I’m so proud of Jaguars! Thank you to everyone who helped make it into the dazzling adventure and romping good story it is and thank you to my readers for your support and spreading the word.

November 22, 2022
Enter the Giveaway! Win a Free Signed Copy of Jaguars and Other Game!

It’s giveaway time! Jaguars and Other Game comes out two weeks from today, and to celebrate the launch, my publisher is giving away five signed copies to US residents on Goodreads. The giveaway runs until debut day, November 22, so don’t miss your chance to win a free copy. You can cross-off a book lover from your Christmas shopping or keep it for yourself and escape the winter chills with an armchair trip to Rio de Janeiro.

On Goodreads, you can also check out the fabulous, early reviews for Jaguars! Only a couple are from people who’ll see me at Thanksgiving dinner.

“Five swashbuckling stars for this action-packed (and I don’t use that lightly) adventure! As a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean, The Princess Bride, and using historical fiction as a jumping-off point to learn about people and places, Jaguars and Other Game was right up my alley–and just a TON of fun! ” -Sarah

“What a fun read! Action-packed, lots of twists and turns, and badass females! This read like one of those action-packed movies, think Pirates of the Caribbean but in Rio and with female leads – I loved it!” -Catherine

“This book kept me wanting more. I did not want to put the book down. It has action, passion, and drama. The author describes each scene so well that you can feel like you are in each of those scenes.” -Jeanette

“Bad ass female characters that actually come across like real women, not just sex-symbol super-hero style caricatures. Laugh-out loud funny (the bakery scene! My favorite!)…But also really thoughtful (but not pretentious) commentary on social constructs. Plus a healthy dose of villains you love to hate getting their comeuppance.” -Melissa

“Brynn Barineau was able to combine grit, awesome adventure fight scenes, suspense at every turn and genuine heart all into one story inspired by the beautiful background of Brazil in the 1800s.” -Allie

“Despite being about characters in the early 19th century, the dialogue feels fresh and the tone is upbeat and fun! This book is packed with action and energy with a mystery at its heart, and it always left me wanting to read one more chapter before bed.” -Kelli Marie

…and so much more. I’m blown away by the support and enthusiasm for Jaguars and Other Game! For so long these characters existed only in my head, and it is absolutely wild that other people are professing their love for these figments of my imagination.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed Jaguars! Don’t miss your chance to get in on the action. Enter the Goodreads Giveaway and win your free copy!

November 8, 2022
You’re Invited to the Debut Launch Party! (Also my 40th birthday)

Mark you calendars. Hire a babysitter. Schedule your Uber. It’s time to celebrate the launch of Jaguars and Other Game! November 22 at 6pm at Buteco Bar in Grant Park!

This is not your typical book launch. My debut novel comes out four days before my 40th birthday. When your dream comes true, you’re turning 40 and your book is set in Rio de Janeiro, you celebrate! Buteco at the Beacon in Grant park is a Brazilian bar owned by São Paulo native and fixture in the Atlanta live music scene, Rafael Pereira. His team is going to be serving Brazilians salgados (heavy appetizers) such as pão de queijo, coxinhas and quibes. He’s fixing a Bossa Nova playlist for the night, and there’ll be a cash bar with a bar tender who knows how to make a good caipirinha.

We’re going to have raffles drawn throughout the night with goodies my husband is bringing back from Brazil especially for the party. I’ll do a short Q&A but mostly we’re going to be eating and mingling. Oh, and there will be cake. It’s a birthday too.

Anyone who pre-ordered a copy for pick-up will be able to get their books at the party. I’ll have some copies available for sale at the event.

You can also pre-order from any of the many indie bookstores across Atlanta. Want to pop in and say hi to Kendra at Bookish? Want to pick-up your copy at Charis Books? Want to support Virginia Highland Books? Would you prefer to buy from Little Shop of Stories? You can order your copy of Jaguars and Other Game from any of these stores.

Of course, eBooks are available from Amazon or Barnes&Noble. Thank you so much to my friends and family in Brazil, France, Croatia and around the world who have already ordered their eBooks. I know there are purists who only want print books, but eBooks make stories accessible on a global scale. When I lived in Brazil, I got all my books through Kindle, so I don’t throw shade on eBooks.

I’m so excited for people to finally hold a copy of Jaguars and Other Game. I hope to see lots of you on November 22 at Buteco. Come support debut author and a neighborhood bar. It’s going to be a lot of the Brazilian salgados will be delicious!

See you on the 22nd!

November 2, 2022
Pre-Order Jaguars and Other Game! A Rousing Historical Adventure!

It’s finally happening! After more than a decade of writing, I can finally answer the dreaded “Oh, you write novels? Where can I buy your book?”

At your local bookstore! That’s where! Jaguars and Other Game, my gender-flipped, Three-Musketeers-style adventure set in 1809 Rio de Janeiro, is available for pre-order from any local bookstore. (Shout out to my indie, Charis Books!) Or if you prefer, buy digital copies from Amazon or Barnes&Noble! Grab a signed first edition directly from Orange Blossom Publishing!

I have inwardly cringed at the “Can I buy your book?” for years. Writers constantly share memes “If you write, you’re a writer,” but let’s be honest. If you constantly talk aloud to yourself without an audience, you’re not an actor. You’re the person at the coffee shop no one sits near. And a writer without readers is a prolific diary keeper with delusions of grandeur. An author requires an audience.

Of course, we’re always warned to be careful what you wish for. Once your book is out in the world, it’s fair game for readers to interpret, critique, review and judge. Despite desperately wanting people to read my book, I was also terrified of people reading my book. I carried around a knot in my stomach from the moment my publisher uploaded Jaguars for early reviews on NetGalley until the first review came in 48 hours later. 5 stars. From a stranger. This person was under no familial obligation or threat of causing a super awkward PTA meeting. They could trash my book without consequence to themselves, and they gave my book 5 stars.

I know you’re not supposed to read reviews. It’s the one piece of advice all authors give to debuts. Don’t read your reviews. But…who actually does that? Who possesses the stone-cold, borderline sociopathic indifference to others’ opinions required to avoid reviews? When you take your kid to a doctor, you don’t leave the check-up without hearing some feedback. This is my book baby. I love it, but maybe I’m delusional. Honestly, after line edits I have no perspective whatsoever where Jaguars is concerned. I need a second opinion. I want to know what readers think.

Currently, they think it’s a 4.9 out of 5 stars!

I even got 5 stars from a librarian! *screaming* Take that agent lady who read an early query and said for Americans to read a book set in Portugal it would “have to be exceptional, and this is not it.” (Also, Rio de Janeiro is not in Portugal.)

This is very stream of consciousness post is to say, I’m an author. My debut novel, Jaguars and Other Game, is available for pre-order through your local indie bookstore, Amazon, Barnes&Noble and directly from Orange Blossom Publishing. You can get signed first editions from Orange Blossom. Check-out early reviews on Goodreads then order your own copy and see for yourself. Jaguars and Other Game comes out on November 22! I hope you love it!

October 17, 2022