***GIVEAWAY*** and Review of Elena Mikalsen's Wrapped in the Stars

Wrapped in the Stars by Elena Mikalsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wrapped in the Stars by Elena Mikalsen is a novel that wraps the reader in fairy lights and sprinkles of magic. This is one of my favorite books! Maya is in the midst of crisis. She is a medical resident who has taken leave after a tragedy occurred for which she blames herself. She is also dealing with her guilt over her sister’s death many years ago. Maya has traveled to Scotland and finds herself lost. A little bird seems to call to her and as she follows it, she comes across a small shop. A ring in the window calls to her heart and she knows she must purchase it. She feels compelled to discover the identity of the ring’s original owner, especially as she begins to have flashbacks of someone else’s past. This mystery leads her to Paris, where she meets David and feels an instant connection. She travels to Switzerland where she discovers that she and David have more of a connection than originally thought. Readers will swoon over the love story that unfolds in the present, as well as one that took place in the past. Mikalsen flawlessly transports the reader back in time and makes history come alive. This book is a one of a kind gem!


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Wrapped in the Stars by Elena Mikalsen

Publication Date: February 19, 2018

The Wild Rose Press

Paperback & eBook; 384 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Struggling with guilt over her sister’s death and the stress of her medical residency, Maya Radelis runs away to Scotland. She gets lost in an alley, where a robin mysteriously appears, leading her to an antique shop where she buys a century-old moonstone engagement ring. After having a dream about the ring’s former owner, Maya quickly realizes that there is a mystery associated with the ring, and it was not an accident that she was led to buy it. The novel follows Maya from Edinburgh to Paris to Bern, and, finally, to New York as she discovers why she was meant to find the ring and learn about Rebecca, a young Jewish woman practicing medicine in Bern as the Great War unfolded and the Russian Revolution was planned in Switzerland. Maya especially wants to learn about the love story between Rebecca and Mark, a young surgeon from Ukraine, who Rebecca fought to keep safe during this turbulent time in Europe. While in Paris, Maya meets David Fischer, a fellow American, who helps Maya learn Rebecca’s story. The attraction between David and Maya grows, and they discover that their meeting was not by chance. As Maya returns to New York from her travels, Rebecca’s courage and strength help her face her own troubles.

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Praise for Wrapped in the Stars

"Written with passion and expertise, Elena Mikalsen’s WRAPPED IN THE STARS is an intelligent and beautifully crafted story that proves the power of love while illuminating the historical struggles of women in medicine. I love books that teach me something while also being thoroughly entertaining, and Mikalsen’s debut does just that." -Kelli Estes, author of The Girl Who Wrote in Silk "Mikalsen effortlessly weaves past and present in this engaging tale. WRAPPED IN THE STARS spans countries and centuries, testing the boundaries between love, loyalty, fate, and following your heart. A delightful debut!" -Jessica Topper, author of Louder Than Love "Mikalsen's debut draws you in and takes you on a richly detailed journey, from Edinburgh to Bern, to Paris and New York. A tale of aspirations and familial pressures, of serendipity and the choices we make, WRAPPED IN THE STARS thoughtfully explores how we can take control of our lives." -Amanda Stauffer, author of Match Made in Manhattan "In WRAPPED IN THE STARS, with a touch of magical realism and a sprinkle of quantum physics, Elena Mikalsen blends the present with the Belle Epoque past, deftly weaving two points of view into two timeless romances into a can’t-be-put-down novel." - Suanne Schafer, author of A Different Kind of Fire

About the Author

Elena Mikalsen was born in Ukraine and came to New York City as a refugee with her family at age 17. She is somewhat obsessive about travel, but, when at home in San Antonio, can be found browsing through bookstores or antique shops with her family and two adopted pups. When not writing stories, she is a Pediatric Psychologist, working at a Children's Hospital, helping children cope with chronic medical illness. She actively blogs and gives interviews on issues related to child and adolescent mental health. WRAPPED IN THE STARS is her first work of fiction. She has two other works in progress. For more information please visit Elena Mikalsen's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 19 Review at Donna McCabe Tuesday, February 20 Review at Pursuing Stacie Wednesday, February 21 Excerpt at Short Book and Scribes Friday, February 23 Excerpt at What Is That Book About Monday, February 26 Interview at Passages to the Past Tuesday, February 27 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective Thursday, March 1 Feature at A Bookaholic Swede Monday, March 5 Review at Donna's Book Blog Wednesday, March 7 Feature at Teaser Addicts Book Blog Friday, March 9 Review at Cup of Sensibility

Giveaway

During the Book Blast we will be giving away a signed copy of Wrapped in the Stars and a Book Scents Candle! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Wrapped in the Stars