GOLD WINNER, FANTASY
Foreword Indies BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016
In Another Life
TOLD IN DUAL PAST AND PRESENT DAY NARRATION, IN ANOTHER LIFE IS THE STORY OF LIA CARRER, A BROKENHEARTED HISTORIAN WHO BECOMES ENTANGLED IN THE ECHOES OF AN ANCIENT MURDER.
Lia Carrer has finally decided to return to southwestern France determined to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. But instead of finding solace in Languedoc’s quiet hills and medieval ruins, she’s captivated by three enigmatic souls: a photographer who extends an opportunity to help restart her career, a winemaker who offers the chance to rebuild her heart, and a priest who reveals the truth of her new friends’ pasts—and his own. What Lia learns sends her into an emotional tailspin, for each of these men is much more than what he seems, and their unbelievable stories may be linked to her own devastating loss.
In Another Life by Julie Christine Johnson is steeped in the rich history and romantic landscape of rural France, intertwined with Lia’s modern quest to uncover the truth of an ancient murder and free a man haunted by ghosts from his past, resulting in a suspenseful journey that reminds Lia that the dead may not be as far from us as we think.
In Another Life is set amidst the medieval intrigue of thirteenth century Languedoc and Paris, intertwined with Lia's modern quest to uncover the truth of an ancient murder and free a man haunted by ghosts from his past.
PRAISE FOR IN ANOTHER LIFE
“In Another Life grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. The prose is rich and evocative, transporting the reader to rural France with an ease unusual for a debut author. The story is intriguing, weaving past and present in an ever-tightening braid that eventually dissolves the separation altogether, adeptly illustrating how the Cathars’ belief in reincarnation might play out in the real world. Lia is especially well-portrayed as the unwitting catalyst uniting two deaths, three men, and 800 years of history, while the male characters are slowly revealed as we learn their unlikely pasts and how they affect the present. Very highly recommended.”
“First-time novelist Julie Christine Johnson’s In Another Life offers a tale that spans time, bringing the 13th century and contemporary Languedoc and Paris to vibrant life. Populated by characters grappling with common human challenges, this novel is amplified by a framework beyond time. ... a compelling tale of forgiveness and redemption, weaving together “then” and “now,” and revealing the steadfast power of love”
“Debut author Johnson handles what could be an overwhelming amount of historical details with skill, presenting a fascinating mystery grounded in historical fact. Her lyrical, sensuous style is beguiling in its own singularly seductive way. Readers can practically taste the ever-present wine and feel the winter wind. Lia is a dream of a narrator, one whom readers will root for. VERDICT: A perfect match for readers who enjoy Kate Mosse’s “Languedoc Trilogy” and fans of female-driven romantic historical works such as Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series.”
“Johnson’s novel is beautifully written. It centers around Lia and her return to France, moving seamlessly between present and past, blending mystery, romance, and rich history together. Johnson brings the 800-year-old Cathar religious persecution to life with vibrant characters who appear to be reincarnated in the men surrounding Lia in the present day.” ”
“Delicate and haunting, romantic and mystical, IN ANOTHER LIFE is a novel with an extraordinary sense of place. Fans swept away by Diana Gabaldon’s 18th-century Scotland will want to explore Julie Christine Johnson’s 13th-century Languedoc.”
“In this lovely novel, Johnson shows us the redemptive power of love and second chances through the ages. In Another Life is a thrilling combination of romance, adventure, and history.”
“Johnson’s heartbroken researcher wends through the lush landscape and historical religious intrigue of southern France seeking the distraction of arcane fact-but instead, like the reader, is transformed by the moving echo of emotional truth. An imaginative, unforgettable tale.”
