Book Summary

When Linda doesn’t receive the marriage proposal she had long been expecting from her boyfriend on her 41st birthday, she reluctantly visits a psychic, Angelica, who predicts that Linda will soon leave him for a romantic and music-filled Odyssey in Europe. There, a “Russian icon” will lead to her future husband, a “tall man with glasses.”

Skeptical at first, but eager to explore her Eastern European roots and reignite her passion for music, Linda moves to Hungary, the land of her idol, composer-pianist Franz Liszt. In Budapest, she reinvents herself as an English teacher and joins a chorus. Soon, she’s performing at the Liszt Academy of Music and Tel Aviv’s Opera House.

With Angelica’s vision in mind, Linda vows to “settle down, not settle for,” but is tempted by romantic close calls: Gabi is gorgeous but too immature; David in Amsterdam fits Angelica’s description to a T, but his British reserve needs some defrosting. Liszt look-alike Ádám has it all, including a wife.

With her teaching and singing gigs ending, Linda flies to Finland for one last trip before moving back to Boston. But is her Odyssey truly over, or is it just beginning?

Publisher: Tulipan Press (May 2021)

Pages: 320

ISBN-10: ‎ 194860499X

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1948604994

Genre: Memoir

Purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. Make sure to add it to your GoodReads list.

My Review

After feeling let down by her long-time boyfriend Hank, Linda visits a psychic while searching for answers. At first, what she’s told doesn’t make any sense, and Linda fears she can’t trust what the psychic told her. The more she considers it, the more she knows in her heart, she must find out if there is any truth to the prediction that her beloved is a “tall man with glasses.”

If love, music, and a psychic weren’t enough to get me hooked on this book, Linda’s wonderful writing style sealed the deal. Odyssey of Love was an absolute joy to read! I felt as though I was having a conversation with a good friend. This book runs the gamut of emotions, making it relatable to anyone who’s ever felt all those emotions too as they longed for a life partner and wondered why they weren’t finding that person yet.

Linda also has a wonderful sense of humour. I enjoyed reading about Hungarian culture and the experiences Linda had abroad—something I won’t likely experience for myself. Some of them men, I wish I could have reached into the book and slapped. Good for you, Linda, for “settling down and not settling for.” The wonderful descriptions and likable characters (especially Linda) make this a truly enjoyable read.

About the Author, Linda Jämsén

Linda Jämsén is an American ex-pat writer-musician living in Finland. She grew up in New York, holding a book in one hand while exploring the piano keyboard with the other. Mesmerized by her mother’s playing of the Romantic repertoire, she soon studied piano with her and later graduated with a B.A. in Music from Bard College. Linda is also an avid choral singer and has performed in Hungary, Finland, the UK, and Israel.

During her years in Boston, Linda raised funds for a variety of philanthropic causes and completed the graduate management course at Radcliffe Seminars/Harvard. However, longing to return to her musical roots, in 2001 she moved to Budapest, land of her musical idol, Franz Liszt. There, she volunteered for the Music Academy in his name and received a CELTA certificate from International House, where she then taught English as a foreign language. Her musical, romantic, and travel adventures abroad inspired her to write Odyssey of Love: A Memoir of Seeking and Finding, her literary debut.

Linda lives on an island in Helsinki with her husband, the “tall man with glasses” from the memoir, and their treasured Russian icon. A sequel, Triptych, is in the works.

To follow the author, visit her website at www.lindajamsen.com. Make sure you also follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and GoodReads.

-- Blog Tour Calendar

September 20th @ The Muffin

We kick off the blog tour over at WOW! Women on Writing's blog, The Muffin, where we interview the author and give away a copy of this amazing memoir.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

September 21st @ One Writer's Journey

Join Sue as she features author Linda Jämsén's guest post about how to organize and host a kick-ass virtual book launch event at little cost.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

September 22nd @ Create Write Now

Join Mari as she publishes author Linda Jämsén's guest post about what inspired her to start journaling.

https://CreateWriteNow.com

September 23rd @ One Writer's Journey

Visit Sue's blog again where she reviews Linda Jämsén's memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

September 24th @ The Faerie Review

Join Lily when she features Linda Jämsén's memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

September 26th @ Michelle Cornish's Blog

Join Michelle as she shares her review of Linda Jämsén's memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

September 28th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

Join Lisa as she interviews author Linda Jämsén about her experiences and writing her memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

September 30th @ Choices

Come by Madeline's blog today and you can read a fascinating guest post by the author about how a visit to a psychic ended up changing her life.

http://madelinesharples.com/

October 1st @ Michelle Cornish's Blog

Visit Michelle's blog again and you can read a guest post by the author about self-publishing versus traditional publishing and why she chose the former.

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

October 3rd @ Word Magic

Join Fiona as she features Linda Jämsén's memoir Odyssey of Love and gives away a copy of the book to one lucky reader.

http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

October 5th @ A Storybook World

Stop by Deirdra's blog and read a feature of Linda Jämsén's memoir Odyssey of Love. A memoir you don't want to miss if you are looking for love!

http://www.astorybookworld.com/

October 6th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Visit Beverley's blog and read a guest post by the author about publishing as a debut author in mid-life. Don't miss this inspiring post!

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

October 8th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Come by Beverley's blog again and you can read her thoughts about Linda Jämsén's memoir Odyssey of Love.