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Tuesday, March 14, 2023

THE METROPOLITAN AFFAIR - Jocelyn Green - One Free Book

Bio: Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King, A Refuge Assured, and THE WINDY CITY SAGA. Jocelyn lives with her husband and two children in Iowa.

Well-loved for her vivid writing and rigorous historical research, Christy Award–winning author Jocelyn Green plunges into the depths of one of New York City’s most esteemed museums, where a young woman discovers secrets, betrayal, and romance in this exhilarating series starter. Appealing to fans of Katherine Reay, Sarah Sundin, and Fiona Davis, Green sweeps readers into a tantalizing historical tale in her latest novel, The Metropolitan Affair.

About the Story: For years her estranged father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she’d accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions, giving her hope for the sense of belonging she’s always craved. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations. The first is her repentant father’s offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a fascinating new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the glittering world of New York’s wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York’s high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him identify fake relics and track down the con artist. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger’s identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

Please provide a brief summary of your new novel, The Metropolitan Affair. For years her estranged father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she’d accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions, giving her hope for the sense of belonging she’s always craved. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations. The first is her repentant father’s offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a fascinating new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the glittering world of New York’s wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York’s high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him identify fake relics and track down the con artist. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger’s identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

Welcome to my blog, Jocelyn. This novel follows an assistant curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a detective. Can you tell us a bit about these two characters? Lauren and Joe first met at the Met museum when she was twelve years old and he fourteen. They have different class backgrounds but became fast friends until college took Lauren away. The novel begins more than a decade later, when they reconnect while hunting a forger of Egyptian art together. Dr. Lauren Westlake wants nothing more than peace—and approval from her estranged father. Detective Joe Caravello, recently betrayed by a corrupt cop on the force, wants nothing more than justice. The closer the two get to finding the truth, the more they realize they can’t have both peace and justice at once.

What inspired you to write a series set in New York during the 1920s? I was inspired by the first professionally trained female Egyptologist in America. The brilliant and humble Caroline Ransom Williams served as assistant curator in the Met’s Egyptian department in the early years. I set my novel a little later than Caroline’s time so I could also take advantage of the Egyptomania sweeping the world after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. From there, it was easy to imagine a series where the protagonists all work at revered institutions on Central Park. The second book will focus on the American Museum of Natural History, and the third will be based on work for the New-York Historical Society.

Of all the things you learned about the Metropolitan Museum of Art while writing this book, what most surprised you? The Met really has a fascinating history, full of many surprises. I especially enjoyed learning how the early pieces were acquired for the museum, and the drama and scandal surrounding either particular acquisitions or the funding for them.

What was the highlight of writing The Metropolitan Affair? My trip to Manhattan was most certainly the highlight of writing the novel. There is no substitute for being where I placed my characters, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Grand Central to The Plaza’s Palm Court and Central Park.

What challenges did you experience while writing this story? The book isn’t classified as a mystery, but there are definitely mystery elements to it, and sorting all of that out in my head, let alone on paper, was a challenge.

How is this series different from others you have written? This series is a change of pace from most of my previous novels in that there is no war or natural or manmade disaster to contend with. The only other novel I’ve written without either of those was Shadows of the White City. In that sense, The Metropolitan Affair enjoys room to delve more deeply into character development while interacting with the vibrant historical context of Prohibition Manhattan.

What lessons do you hope readers gain from reading The Metropolitan Affair? I hope readers pick up on many parallels to spiritual life that are tucked into this novel. One obvious theme is being able to identify something that’s counterfeit by studying the pure and genuine instead. But even more significant than any forgery analogy is the exploration of family relationships, our roles in those, and where the boundaries are.

How can readers connect with you? My website is www.jocelyngreen.com , and you’ll see on the home page a place to subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Otherwise, find me on Facebook (@jocelyngreenauthor), Instagram (@Author_Jocelyn_Green), and you can always find me on Goodreads.

Thank you, Jocelyn for sharing this book with my readers.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+metropolitan+affair+jocelyn+green&i=stripbooks&crid=WOJK8EK1QFZ7&sprefix=The+Metropolitan+Affair%2Cstripbooks%2C125&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_23

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

16 comments:

  1. Please enter me in the contest!
    -Melissa in TN

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  2. I’m such a fan of Jocelyn’s books. Would love to read. Blessings from Lucy in WV.

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  3. We have her books in the Lakes Church Library.
    Thanks for giving me the chance to win!
    Janet Estridge
    Florida

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  4. Jocelyn Green is one of my MUST read authors!
    Caryl K in TX

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  5. The Metropolitan Affair sounds captivating and interests me greatly. Thanks. Pearl-NM.

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  6. This novel is fascinating and intriguing. Jocelyn Green's books are wonderful. Anne in NM.

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  7. Sounds exciting!
    Elly -Indiana-

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  8. This sounds like a fascinating trip back in time. Would love to win this.

    Pam G in OH

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  9. Thanks, Lena, for hosting this post! It's great to see some dear reader friends here, and a few I have yet to meet. It's great to connect here! Thank you for your interest in The Metropolitan Affair.

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  10. Can't wait to read this!
    Abigail in VA

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  11. Anonymous8:33 PM

    I’m definitely a Jocelyn Green fan! I enjoy her interesting historical details and she always comes up with a wonderful and relatable storyline that is not quickly forgotten. I’m a bit fascinated by the Egyptology rage in the 1920’s. I was one of the crowds in New Orleans back in my high school days when I got to see the King Tut exhibit. That gold mask was incredible and the security was pretty intense. I’m so glad that I got to experience that exhibit. It was a fabulous, and once in a lifetime exhibit!
    Perrianne Askew in Central Texas
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

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  12. Wow, Perianne, that is an incredible story! I wish I had been part of that, to see King Tut's gold mask. I'm sure the memory remains vivid for you. Thanks for your support!

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  13. Anonymous7:22 AM

    I’d love to read this book. Kathy in Maryland

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  14. Anonymous12:01 PM

    Janine S from Indiana
    Thanks for the chance of winning this book!

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  15. This book sounds SO good! I enjoy mysteries, women investigators, the first half of the 20th century, and Egyptology documentaries. I'm definitely going to read (and online review ;) ) this book.

    Ironic timing too, because I just got the first book in your Windy City Saga (my mom's family lived there in the same era as your books, so I'm looking forward to learning more about what their lives may have been like).

    Thanks for writing fascinating stories about historical moments that are off the beaten path :) !

    - Madie from FL

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  16. Sharon Bryant7:42 PM

    Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
    Nichols SC.

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