The Journeys Begin Ora Book Tour
Cover Blurb
Read the Journey that Started a Family Tradition through Generations!
In 1864, the city of Atlanta surrenders to the Union Army, and Ora Harding and her family prepare to leave everything behind, including their slaves. Instead of planning for her debutante ball, Ora finds herself on a journey filled with heartbreak, trepidation, and danger.
Soon alone, Ora hears a guiding voice that leads her north, but she is a Confederate with a strong southern accent venturing deep into Yankee territory. Can she trust this voice?
During a storm, she encounters a hooded man on a wagon. He offers her a ride that will change her life.
This is the first novella of the exciting prequel series to Jenelyn’s Journey. It’s the story of Jenelyn’s three-times great-grandmother, Ora, and how her perilous Journey during the Civil War shaped the future of an entire family.
Other Titles By the Author
E. E. Byrnes
Author Bio
Born in northern California, Erin specialised as an equestrian trainer in the Olympic disciplines, but her natural wanderlust and family history led her to Ireland, where she currently resides with her husband and three children. Surrounded by the natural splendor of the emerald coast, she embraced her love for the sprawling landscape through hiking. With a particular interest in European culture and history, Erin moved into the world of literature to share her tales of journeys and adventures with fellow bookworms. I’m a stay-at-home mom and author. Outside of my domestic duties, my skills include writing, singing, and horseback riding.
The Book Tour
Day 1 - Favourite Quotes
Day 2 - Character Summaries
The character that I enjoyed the most was the titular protagonist, Ora. The first-person perspective is always a choice that allows for greater exposition and voice, but it’s one that’s used effectively here. There is a frankness to her voice that allows both flaws and growth to shine through, and the fact that she ends her journey a different, more understanding and more mature person than she begins it is the heart of the book. (Tim Marshall)
Ora. Despite the oppressiveness of the Dystopian world and its impending doom, the tenacity and indomitable spirit of her mother keeps her alive and motivated: “…whatever happens, I want you to promise me that you’ll take care of Leila until we find each other again…” (Andrew Bell)
The main character Ora, because she had been through so much. The death of her parents, giving her sister the chance of a better life and making such a long journey on her own, she still kept strong. It was easy to sympathies with her and her strong will. Ora went from being so unsure of herself to putting her faith in spirits just as her mother did before her. E.E. Byrnes really showed the development of Ora as being a non believer in the midst of the American civil war to a strong woman who has now found a place of safety and a family of her own. (Hannah Smith)
Ora, the main character of this novel was a pleasure to spend the duration of the story with. The way she adapted to her changes in circumstance was admirable and her courage was inspirational. Despite the losses she endured, she showed determination to keep going for the sake of herself and her sister, Leila. Ora proved herself open minded and willing to change where necessary and I loved the fact she was prepared to give other people a chance, despite her initial wariness, due to her upbringing. I could definitely connect to Ora, despite our different backgrounds, circumstances and time periods we are living in. The fact she is open to following her intuition is how I also like to live my life. This isn’t always an easy path to take, especially when your brain is trying to reason you out of what you truly feel ,but I believe it is one that reaps rewards. Ora’s journey is one that I felt like I was taking with her and I found myself rooting for her on every step of it. I enjoyed the way she engaged with other characters in the story and her observations on how she viewed them and how she felt they saw her. (Michelle Marshall)
As Ora, a 16 year old girl when the story begins, is the main character, we have only really her to admire. The vastly different people she meets as she is forced to leave her home in the South, soon to travel North as her parents planned but now alone, play an immense part in her journey into sudden adulthood, and to a life of her own. We can associate with her emotions as they change with events, and will her to stay strong and determined in her plan. From the off, I wanted her to accept the Spirits and their help, and I wasn't disappointed. Very well written is the battle she faces to find a new life! (Yvonne Marrs)
My favorite character in this book is Ora Harding. You can feel Ora’s stubbornness and determination while she walks northward, occasionally stopping for food and rest. You can also see her change. When she stops and stays with the Occaneechi people, she learns about the American Indian having to assimilate to the European ways in or to survive. She also learns to accept all people for who they are during her stay with them. During her stay at an inn, an African American lets her sleep in the inn’s barn. Keeping her away from the rowdy highwaymen inside the inn. She’s given comfort, warmth, and a blanket. She learns about giving kindness to strangers. Ora also learns about acceptance when she meets a family traveling north and they let her travel with them. (Deb Hockenberry)
The characters that E.E.Byrnes has created in this prequel are so beautifully written and easy for the reader to connect with on an emotional level.I could find many to like and to love. But the one who I resonated with the most, as was intended by the Author, is the protagonist Ora. Her inner strength, bravery and selflessness following the death of her parents makes her a character to be truly admired. I loved her journey to find a new life guided by the spirits, and the way in which the author expresses Ora's thoughts and feelings has the reader physically transported in time and into the story. I truly felt as though I was walking in Ora's shoes and there were so many aspects of Ora's journey that resonated deeply on both an emotional and spiritual level to leave a thought provoking and positive mark. (Kirsty McKay)
Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts
“Part of me wanted to prove that I could be like her, while another part knew I still desperately needed her…”
When Ora is searching for the strength within; vestige of hope to keep her afloat. (Andrew Bell)
The death of Ora’s and Leila’s parents was heartbreaking as they were trying to flee Atlanta to safety. Their mother sacrificed herself so they could flee the soldiers and their father died to give them more time. Both deaths were in some ways needless as they had hidden a trunk of gold in the carriage, therefore endangering the family. (Hannah Smith)
“I don’t take kindly to rude Yankees,” I said calmly, turning my lips up into a smile that was just this side of polite, “but I wouldn’t turn you onto the streets if the roles were switched. I suppose that’s the difference between northern and southern hospitality.” (Kirsty McKay)
“I didn’t have much else to hold onto at the time. I walked and listened to the world around me, as she had told me to do. I listened to my instincts. Nothing unusual happened for many days, and I started to tire of the game. But one day, I reached a crossing where the road divided into two paths. I didn’t know which direction was south, and no one was around to ask. I randomly chose a direction, but before I could take a step, a little singing voice came into my head. It said, ‘Take the other path.’ I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.” (Michelle Marshall)
“The girls, Clarence,” she said softly. “We must think of them first. I love our home, but I love our family more” (Deb Hockenberry)
“I don’t take kindly to rude Yankees,” I said calmly, turning my lips up into a smile that was just this side of polite, “but I wouldn’t turn you onto the streets if the roles were switched. I suppose that’s the difference between northern and southern hospitality.” (Tim Marshall)
'I nodded woodenly as my heart thundered against my chest. I had relied on Mama’s strength and wisdom my whole life. Much as she leaned on her rock of courage, I leaned on her. Part of me wanted to prove that I could be like her, while another part knew I still desperately needed her.' (Yvonne Marrs)
Day 4 - Video Interview
Day 5 - Reviews
Book Tour Reviewers
