Celestial Persuasion by Mirta Ines Trupp: Guest Post, Excerpt + Giveaway

Hello, friends! I’m delighted to welcome Mirta Ines Trupp back to the blog today to celebrate the upcoming release of her new novel, Celestial Persuasion, which has some ties to Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Mirta is here to share a little about the book, along with an excerpt and giveaway. Please give her a warm welcome!

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Hello lovely readers! I am delighted to stop today and appreciate the opportunity to talk about my upcoming release: Celestial Persuasion. This is my fifth book to date; and in keeping with my penchant for combining various passions, this novel is a Jewish historical fiction—with more than a nod to Jane Austen’s work. In fact, I invite you to consider this stand-alone novel to be a prequel to Austen’s Persuasion. There is a twist, however. Shall I reveal all or just drop a few hints?

The story unfolds in Devonshire, England—in Exeter to be exact. There you will meet Abigail Isaacs, a young lady long considered past her last prayers. But Abigail is not concerned with her marital state. Indeed, her mind is occupied elsewhere. She is determined to follow in the footsteps of her heroine, Caroline Herschel, and become an astronomer in her own right. Abigail lives quietly at home with her father and long-time companion, Mrs. Frankel. Books and instruments keep Abigail fairly occupied, as do her friends and neighbors, including Mrs. Dashwood of Barton Cottage. Her brother, too, has been a dear friend and mentor in all things, but he has long been away from home.  A physician serving under Captain Wentworth’s command, Jonathan Isaacs’ presence is sorely missed, never more so than when their father dies from a brief illness. Again and again, Abigail sends out her letters, hoping soon to receive a reply. With no one to come to her aid, Abigail alone must face the unsettling matter of her present state of affairs; until, at length, a letter arrives.

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The sun took its place in the morning sky, scattering its light upon the awakening countryside but ungenerously withholding its radiant heat. Abigail brought her wrap in closely about her arms and snuggled in her father’s armchair, placed appropriately by the fire. How she missed her father! His humor and his intellect, his manner of always taking pleasure in her inquisitiveness and aspirations. Although his arms could no longer envelop her in his strong embrace, she found some warmth in his favorite chair. And yet there was a chill in the air. She made a mental note to speak to James regarding the sitting room’s fire.

Being a creature of habit, she could only get on with her life in the manner she was most accustomed. A stack of correspondence lay waiting for her to take notice, and with a sigh, Abigail abandoned her comfort and took a seat at her mother’s secretaire. A smile came to her lips as she realized the descriptions she applied to her belongings. Her father’s chair, her mother’s desk…somehow the sameness of these objects was in keeping with her own regimented routines, connecting her present circumstance to her past.

Her methodical approach to even the most commonplace task had always been a point of amusement for Mrs. Frankel; but Abigail often wondered whether it were not a sign of something more significant. As things stood now, she realized she needed to keep to her schedule. Mrs. Dashwood was expected for a visit; therefore, she had to complete the task at hand and see to the morning mail. Taking the letter opener in hand, she made quick work of the slicing through the waxed seal and proceeded to unfold the missive.

“My goodness,” she said aloud, noting it was dated three months prior. “This letter must have been on quite a journey.” Adjusting her wrap, Abigail shifted her weight until she found herself to be quite comfortable and able to read.

12th of August, 1811

Gibraltar

Madam,

I take pen in hand to inform you that I am in receipt of your letters, both the one you had so wisely addressed to my attention and the one intended for your brother. It grieves me to relate the following information. It is a task no commander ever wishes to undertake; and knowing that you have recently lost your father, this will be a harder blow than any young lady should have to bear. With all my heart and soul, I would wish to spare you this intelligence; however, Isaacs—that is to say, your brother Jonathan—always spoke so highly of his sister that I take courage in knowing your strength will allow you to rally. Your dear brother, and my good friend, will not be returning home. He has completed his service to the Crown and distinguished himself with great honor. You may hold your head high. Jonathan Isaacs is, and will always be, thought of as the best of men. These are trying times, Miss Isaacs. Wars seem to be never-ending, and a grateful nation asks much of the families that are left behind to wonder, to pray, and to grieve. I hope that you have family and friends to help you through these dark and troubled waters; but until you find yourself tranquil once more, pray allow me to guide you to a safe harbor. Your brother charged me to relay some instructions to you, and I am only too honored to fulfill my promise expeditiously and with great concern for your welfare.

It was your brother’s greatest wish that you meet Lord Fife. You may be unaware of the relationship, but your father and his lordship were friends and business partners. At your father’s bidding, Jonathan was introduced to the earl when he was at university at Edinburgh. Please make whatever arrangements are necessary to travel to London at once in order to make his acquaintance. You are expected, Miss Isaacs, and can rest assured that accommodations will be at your disposal with the earl’s compliments. His lordship is making his townhouse available to you and will, naturally, stay at his club for the duration of your visit. I cannot say this more succinctly, madam: Jonathan was most adamant in his declaration and has entrusted your well-being to Lord Fife, who will assist you with plans for your future comfort.

I can well imagine your present state of mind. Please forgive my impertinence, but having learned much of your home life from your respected brother, I feel quite part of the family. The Bible tells us to build our lives upon the stable rock that is God’s love, wisdom, and salvation. If I may speak of my own circumstances, my own brother, the Reverend Edward Wentworth, has been the rock in my life. I know what Jonathan has meant to you, as he has told me much of your childhood together. To be sure, I know you are a talented mathematician and astronomer, and that these accomplishments were brought about by hours and hours of your brother’s loving dedication to the betterment of your brilliant mind. I know, too, that you were quite put out and displayed righteous indignation when you were prohibited—at the age of nine or ten— from accompanying your brother to university. Pray, do not be vexed with Jonathan for relating these tales from your youth. Those of us thrown together on-board ship often develop an intimacy with one another’s life histories that would otherwise not be revealed if meeting in a drawing room. These stories were Jonathan’s cherished memories of his most beloved sister. He treasured this time you spent together, learning and discovering all matter of things. He also spoke of the influences many of your sex had had on your aspirations. Jonathan referred to them as giants in their fields of expertise. I myself had no knowledge of their greatness and readily admitted my ignorance of such feminine luminaries.

These intimate conversations with your brother have given me a sense of kinship and justify the license I take in speaking to you thus. These brilliant women of whom Jonathan spoke showed great resolve in forging ahead in worlds that denied their sense of identity. I am now called upon to ask you to follow their example and help you navigate the trajectory that the stars have so clearly outlined. I entreat you to make haste and communicate with Lord Fife as soon as you are able. I would be pleased to receive your reply and pray you feel at liberty to express your thoughts as freely as I have done. Your brother has wished it to be so.

Your servant,

Captain Frederick Wentworth

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About Celestial Persuasion

Abigail Isaacs fears ever again falling under the power of love and dedicates her life to studying the heavens. However, upon her father’s demise she finds herself in reduced circumstances and must write to her brother, who has long been away at sea. When instead Captain Wentworth of the HMS Laconia sends a tragic reply, Abigail is asked to set aside her own ambitions and fulfill her brother’s dreams in the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata.

In his relentless pursuit for justice, Lieutenant Raphael Gabay lends his sword to the Spanish American cause. But as he prepares to set sail with the others, he is entrusted with the care of a young woman. She is quite unlike anyone he has ever known, and Raphael wonders whether the brilliant astronomer will see beyond his frivolous façade and recognize his true nature.

Their destinies have been plotted beyond the celestial veil; their charts foretell of adventure. Can these two troubled souls be persuaded to heed the stars and find love—and their purpose—in this fledgling nation?

Buy on Amazon (release date: June 30, 2021)

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About the Author

Mirta Ines Trupp

Mirta is a second generation Argentine; she was born in Buenos Aires in 1962 and immigrated to the United States that same year. Because of the unique fringe benefits provided by her father’s employer- Pan American Airlines- she returned to her native country frequently- growing up with ‘un pie acá, y un pie allá’ (with one foot here and one foot there).

Mirta’s fascination with Jewish history and genealogy, coupled with an obsession for historical period drama, has inspired her to create these unique and enlightening novels. She has been a guest speaker for book clubs, sisterhood events, genealogy societies and philanthropic organizations. Sharing her knowledge of Jewish Argentina has become her passion.

Connect with Mirta: Website | Blog | Goodreads

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Giveaway

Mirta is generously offering 5 ebook copies of Celestial Persuasion. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. This giveaway will be open through Saturday, June 19, 2021. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!

Thank you, Mirta, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new book!