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I'm excited to share that the ebook of BECOMING BONNIE is currently on sale for only $1.99 through the month of April! Download now from: Or wherever you purchase your ebooks! One of the really interesting aspects of writing BECOMING BONNIE was how both Bonnie and Clyde were musically inclined. Clyde played both the guitar and the saxophone (the later found in the back of the car they were killed in.) And, Bonnie was a singer, having sung in her church's choir. Bonnie was also known for her poetry. So taking into account their musical abilities and Bonnie's love of words, I thought it'd be really fun to include an original song in the novel, where Bonnie and Clyde write each verse as their story together grows and unravels. And, here's the scene where I began their song 🎶 Clyde’s head tilts down, and he looks up at me from under his lashes. “I started this here song a while ago, but she ain’t done,” he says. “Was hoping you’d help me finish her.” “Me?” His fingertips slide down the strings once, letting the soft sound vibrate ’round us. “You’ll see.” He goes back for more, a dark melody forming with each stroke, and moistens his lips. Clyde says, more than sings, “Death is a five-letter word, with a five- finger clutch.” His head stays down, his jaw relaxed, eyes closed. “It cornered him, pitting him against the bigger man . . . By the throat, edging closer, nearing Death’s final touch.” The rhythm quickens, the beat an unexpected surprise. “Then there she was, light in the dark, defying Death’s plan . . . She stared it down, held on tight, fired off a shot all her own . . . Ohh”—he draws out the word, as if taunting Death—“Oh, oh, oh, death for the boy has been postponed.” Clyde’s fingers shift to a higher pitch on the guitar. He smirks and sings from the corner of his mouth, “’Cause lean closer, listen close . . . How the story ends, no one knows . . . But one thing’s clear, you’ll see . . . Bonnie and Clyde, meant to be, alive and free.” That last line, that last note hangs between us. I forget how to breathe. “That’s all I got for now,” Clyde says softly. “Thought maybe we could do the next verse together.” “Together?” I wring my hands, staring into the eyes of Clyde Barrow, the criminal, the charmer, the . . . boy who wrote me a doggone song to show me how he cares. “Yeah, Bonnie. You and me. What do you say?” I hope you enjoyed the excerpt and I hope you'll download your copy of BECOMING BONNIE now -- for only $1.99!
BECOMING BONNIE—the story of Bonnie before Clyde—is now available in paperback, joining the hardcover, ebook, and audio options!   I'm so excited to share that for the eBook of my debut novel BECOMING BONNIE—the fictional story of Bonnie before Clyde—is on sale for only $2.99! This is the very first time the eBook's been discounted, so if you don't own a copy yet, I hope you'll snag a copy and step into the 1920s with Bonn and me. Purchase the BECOMING BONNIE eBook at your local bookstore's website or at any online retailer, including: No eReader? Read BECOMING BONNIE on your Phone, Computer, or Tablet! Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble make it easy to read eBooks, even if you don't have an eReader. Simply, download a free app for your phone, computer, or tablet. Get a free Kindle reading app, then get BECOMING BONNIE on Amazon.com Get a free Nook reading app, then get BECOMING BONNIE on B&N.com Praise for BECOMING BONNIE "Walsh's rollicking narrative will have readers rooting for Bonnelyn-turned-Bonnie every (dance) step of the way." - Shelf Awareness "A compelling account of a nation and a life in disarray—readers will feel for Bonnelyn as she finds herself scrabbling for survival in a world turned upside down." - Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author "An intriguing insight into the life of one half of the infamous duo, Bonnie and Clyde." - Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author "Booze-soaked, southern-fried, and fully immersive, BECOMING BONNIE is a rocking good read." - Heather Webb, bestselling author of Last Christmas in Paris After you read, I'd love to hear what you think, too. Thank you and happy reading!
It's always so exciting to see your book baby get a face and I'm so excited to share the cover of Side by Side! The cover and title is inspired by Bonnie Parker's own words, from her poem The Trail's End. Someday they'll go down together they'll bury them side by side. To few it’ll be grief To the law a relief But it’s death for Bonnie and Clyde. And without further ado... the cover!!  And in more exciting news, the forthcoming paperback edition of Becoming Bonnie got a facelift to match!  What ya think? Beauties, right?
Both are available for preorder here, with Side by Side releasing June 5, 2018 and the paperback of Becoming Bonnie coming May 8, 2018! The title for my next book has gone through quite the transformation. It began as Being Bonnie, the sequel to Becoming Bonnie (Book 1). And while Book 2 is still a sequel, it's very much a book that can stand on its own (without first having read Becoming Bonnie).
My publishing team and I have gone through a few different titles, but I'm excited/happy to announce we have a final title: Side By Side. This title was inspired by Bonnie's real-life poem, The Trail's End, and in particular, these few lines: "Some day they'll go down together they'll bury them side by side. To few it'll be grief, to the law a relief but it's death for Bonnie and Clyde." I hope you're getting excited! I sure am, especially for seeing the final cover (coming soon)! Thank you to Shelf Awareness for the kind words and review of Becoming Bonnie! Jenni L. Walsh imagines the story of the quintessential good girl turned gangster's moll in her debut novel, Becoming Bonnie. Bonnelyn Parker has always been a straight-A student and a straight-arrow girl. Since her daddy died, she's toiled extra hard to help her mama around the house while working nights and weekends at a local diner. But times are tight in Prohibition-era Dallas, and when Bonnelyn loses her diner job, she's not sure how her family will make ends meet. Her rebellious best friend Blanche drags her along to Doc's, a local speakeasy that might have jobs for them both, and Bonnelyn starts down a different path--one that will change both her life and name. See the review on Shelf Awareness here.
On This Day in History: Bonnie and Clyde's Crime Spree Came to an End #BonnieAndClydeVersary5/23/2017
 On this day in history, May 23rd, Bonnie and Clyde's twenty-two month life on the lam came to an end in a flurry of bullets. Today, I'll be taking part in a #BonnieAndClydeVersary event where I'll be talking Bonnie and Clyde and also about my novel, Becoming Bonnie, which tells the coming-of-age story of how Bonnie Parker becomes half of the infamous crime duo during the 1920s. See below for various essays, giveaways, interviews, and excerpts. Giveaway of Becoming Bonnie on Amazon Giveaway of Becoming Bonnie with Suzy Approved Book Reviews Chapter 3 of Becoming Bonnie and a Giveaway with Criminal Element Review of Becoming Bonnie and a Giveaway with EvieBookish "Bonnie and Clyde: What's in a Name?" at Heroes & Heartbreakers "The Bonnie and Clyde from Becoming Bonnie" at Women Writer's "Bonnie Parker: Rebel with a Cause?" at We So Nerdy "The Aesthetics of the 1920s within Becoming Bonnie" at Jorie Loves a Story "15 Questions for Bonnie Parker Pre-Clyde" at the Debutante Ball History from a Woman's Perspective sits down with Jenni L. Walsh Jenni L. Walsh in conversation with Leah DeCesare Audra McElyea interviews Jenni L. Walsh Bonnie and Clyde photos, more giveaways, and other anniversary/Becoming Bonnie goodies:
 Becoming Bonnie is now available in retail stores and online at Amazon, BN.com, and more!
I'd be truly grateful if you helped me spread the word about the release of Becoming Bonnie, which tells the untold story of how wholesome Bonnelyn Parker becomes half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo during the 1920s. Especially for a newbie author like myself, word of mouth is the main way that a book makes its way into new hands. Below are a number of ways you can help! If you are on Goodreads: - Add Becoming Bonnie to your shelves - Rate Becoming Bonnie - Recommend Becoming Bonnie to a friend If you are on Facebook: - In my announcement post, tag a friend who you think may enjoy Becoming Bonnie - or, share your own post. Please be sure to tag me (type @ and Jenni L Walsh and my page should populate)! If you are on Twitter: - Tweet about Becoming Bonnie. Here's some sample language: Happy release day to @jennilwalsh and #BecomingBonnie, the story of how Bonnie becomes part of THE Bonnie & Clyde https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Bonnie-Jenni-L-Walsh/dp/0765390183 If you belong to a library: - Request a copy of Becoming Bonnie to be added to their shelves If you are on Amazon: - Leave a review for Becoming Bonnie (this matters, a ton) If you have a local bookshop nearby: - Go in and ask for Becoming Bonnie by name to show interest - If all you can see is Becoming Bonnie's spine, face the cover out for all to see. - Send me photos of Becoming Bonnie in the wild! If you're part of a book club: - Recommend Becoming Bonnie! If you're local to Philly, I'd love to stop in. If not, I'd love to Skype! I even have a Reader's Guide you can use for the occasion. If you got a special gal or teacher in your life: - Consider gifting a copy of Becoming Bonnie for Mother's Day or birthday - Consider gifting a copy of Becoming Bonnie for your child's teacher If you've bought Becoming Bonnie (THANK YOU): - Carry the book around for all to see :) Thank you in advance. I sincerely appreciate your support! Today's the day! Becoming Bonnie is now available from Tor/Forge (Macmillan)! There are so many emotions involved in this moment and if I begin, I may become a blubbering mess, so I want to say a simple, but heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped in my journey to become a published author, including all the wonderful book-related blogs who are helping to shout about Bonn today! On each of these blogs, you can find the first chapter of Becoming Bonnie: History from a Woman's Perspective | A Glass of Wine | Jorie Loves a Story | Brenda Drake | Laura Heffernan | Sandi Ward Books | The Book Whisperer | First Impression Reviews | What Is That Book About | The Maiden's Court | Sapphyria's Book Reviews | Celticlady's Reviews | I Heart Reading | The Lit Bitch | A Literary Vacation | Reading Lark | Passages to the Past | Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers | Ageless Pages Reviews | What's Better Than Books | Impressions In Ink And also... Becoming Bonnie releases in a WEEK, so let's have some fun with a giveaway! There are 3 ways to enter to win this prize pack of a signed hardcover of Becoming Bonnie, 16x20 print featuring a excerpt from the novel, a faux newspaper print, and an exclusive mug: 1. Like the giveaway post on Facebook 2. RT the giveaway tweet and follow my account on twitter 3. Subscribe to my newsletter  Ends 5/8 11:59pm EST. US only. Good luck! |
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