Today Is My Stop On The When Summer Ends Book Tour
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (April 9, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250187338
ISBN-13: 978-1250187338
Praise for WHEN SUMMER ENDS
“Bringing the small-town Michigan setting evocatively to the forefront, Pennington’s sophomore novel captures the pleasures of new love.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Praise for LOVE SONGS & OTHER LIES
“A captivating read and a great pick for fans of Morgan Matson and Emery Lord!” ―RT Book Reviews
“Filled with lyrics, love, and late nights, Pennington’s debut novel will appeal to romance fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti.” ―School Library Journal
“Pennington’s debut is a light road-tripping romance about redemption and the love of music.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Reading Cam & Vee’s past and present romance reminds me of This is Us! This is going on my keeper shelf.” ―Simone Elkeles, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author
Love Songs & Other Lies is a music-infused romance about a pair of perfectly imperfect teenagers who will have readers rooting for their happily ever after.” ―Katy Upperman, author of Kissing Max Holden
“Boys in bands, second chance romance, and pitch-perfect chemistry. Love Songs & Other Lies hits all the right notes!” ―Gina Ciocca, author of Last Year’s Mistake
“Fun and full of heart, with a hero who stole my heart!” ―Katie McGarry, author of Pushing the Limits
Aiden Emerson is an all-star pitcher and the all-around golden boy of Riverton. Or at least he was, before he quit the team the last day of junior year without any explanation. How could he tell people he’s losing his vision at seventeen?
Straight-laced Olivia thought she had life all figured out. But when her dream internship falls apart, her estranged mother comes back into her life, and her long-time boyfriend ghosts her right before summer break, she’s starting to think fate has a weird sense of humor.
Each struggling to find a new direction, Aiden and Olivia decide to live summer by chance. Every fleeting adventure and stolen kiss is as fragile as a coin flip in this heartfelt journey to love and self-discovery from the author of Love Songs & Other Lies.
You can purchaseWhen Summer Ends at the following Retailers:
This book was received as an ARC from the publisher and Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
➽TW: Abandonment, neglect, and underage drinking.
Three months Two changed fates One chance to fall in love
“Why did we have to meet the summer before I move away?”
When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington is the perfect YA contemporary to Finish off your Summer Reading. The Michigan beach town setting is the perfect backdrop for this sweet coming of age story. The authors ability to create a book that is Ya swoon worthy and strong family and friendships themed book makes this book a perfect read.
Jessica Pennington seems to have ability for for writing stories that feature settings that are perfect for a very sweet light summer romance. Both of the characters work at a popular tourist spot in Michigan, and I really enjoyable to read about their boating and camping adventures. It definitely sets the stage for some sweet romance.
The duel perspectives added an extra element to the story that I really enjoyed
This coming of age story is told from the perspectives of Olivia and her boyfriend, Aiden. Olivia is a perfectly flawed character and it is quite relatable reading about her struggles. She has to make some tough choices as well as come to grips that some things in life are not within our control. I really loved how Olivia’s character developed in the plot as the book progresses.
I really enjoyed this faced paced heartwarming modern family themed storyline. The storyline is creative with unconventional family themes, which makes the book more relatable.
Fans of the YA contemporary genre will love this new novel from Jessica Pennington. When Summer Ends has the perfect setting for a summer romance, full of family, friendship, and love, and with big changes that lead into new beginnings
Definitely one book to read before this summer ends..
Photo Credit: Sheena Pearce
Jessica Pennington is no stranger to the combination of love and drama. She’s a wedding planner, after all. A writer since the age of ten—when she sought publication for her poem about a tree—Jessica likes the challenge of finding the humor in a sad situation or highlighting the awkwardness in a romantic one. She lives in a Michigan beach town suspiciously similar to the one in her novel, with her husband Josh and their son, Rory. Love Songs & Other Lies is her debut novel.
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (April 9, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250187338
ISBN-13: 978-1250187338
Praise for WHEN SUMMER ENDS
“Bringing the small-town Michigan setting evocatively to the forefront, Pennington’s sophomore novel captures the pleasures of new love.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Praise for LOVE SONGS & OTHER LIES
“A captivating read and a great pick for fans of Morgan Matson and Emery Lord!” ―RT Book Reviews
“Filled with lyrics, love, and late nights, Pennington’s debut novel will appeal to romance fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti.” ―School Library Journal
“Pennington’s debut is a light road-tripping romance about redemption and the love of music.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Reading Cam & Vee’s past and present romance reminds me of This is Us! This is going on my keeper shelf.” ―Simone Elkeles, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author
Love Songs & Other Lies is a music-infused romance about a pair of perfectly imperfect teenagers who will have readers rooting for their happily ever after.” ―Katy Upperman, author of Kissing Max Holden
“Boys in bands, second chance romance, and pitch-perfect chemistry. Love Songs & Other Lies hits all the right notes!” ―Gina Ciocca, author of Last Year’s Mistake
“Fun and full of heart, with a hero who stole my heart!” ―Katie McGarry, author of Pushing the Limits
Aiden Emerson is an all-star pitcher and the all-around golden boy of Riverton. Or at least he was, before he quit the team the last day of junior year without any explanation. How could he tell people he’s losing his vision at seventeen?
Straight-laced Olivia thought she had life all figured out. But when her dream internship falls apart, her estranged mother comes back into her life, and her long-time boyfriend ghosts her right before summer break, she’s starting to think fate has a weird sense of humor.
Each struggling to find a new direction, Aiden and Olivia decide to live summer by chance. Every fleeting adventure and stolen kiss is as fragile as a coin flip in this heartfelt journey to love and self-discovery from the author of Love Songs & Other Lies.
You can purchaseWhen Summer Ends at the following Retailers:
Photo Credit: Sheena Pearce
Jessica Pennington is no stranger to the combination of love and drama. She’s a wedding planner, after all. A writer since the age of ten—when she sought publication for her poem about a tree—Jessica likes the challenge of finding the humor in a sad situation or highlighting the awkwardness in a romantic one. She lives in a Michigan beach town suspiciously similar to the one in her novel, with her husband Josh and their son, Rory. Love Songs & Other Lies is her debut novel.
Happy Tuesday to you! I hope your week will be is overflowing with great reads.
I am delighted to welcome a wonderful author to the blog today,
Chris Thorndycroft
Sign of the White Foal
by Chris Thorndycroft
Publication Date: July 1, 2019
eBook & Paperback; 327 Pages
Series: Arthur of the Cymry Trilogy (Book 1)
Genre: Historical Fiction
A generation after Hengest and Horsa carved out a kingdom in the east, a hero of the Britons rises in the west…
480 A.D. The sons of Cunedag have ruled Venedotia for fifty years but the chief of them – the Pendraig – is now dying. His sons Cadwallon and Owain must fight to retain their birthright from their envious cousins. As civil war consumes Venedotia, Arthur – a young warrior and bastard son of the Pendraig – is sent on a perilous quest that will determine the fate of the kingdom.
The Morgens; nine priestesses of the Mother Goddess have found the cauldron of rebirth – a symbol of otherworldly power – and have allied themselves with the enemy. Arthur and six companions are dispatched to the mysterious island of Ynys Mon to steal the cauldron and break the power of the Morgens. Along the way they run into the formidable Guenhuifar whose family have been stewards of Ynys Mon for generations. They need her help. The trouble is, Guenhuifar despises Arthur’s family and all they stand for…
Based on the earliest Arthurian legends, Sign of the White Foal is a rip-roaring adventure of Celtic myth and real history set in the ruins of post-Roman Britain.
Chris Thorndycroft is a British writer of historical fiction, horror and fantasy. His early short stories appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Dark Moon Digest and American Nightmare. His first novel under his own name was A Brother’s Oath; the first book in the Hengest and Horsa Trilogy. He also writes under the pseudonym P. J. Thorndyke.
For more information, please visit Chris Thorndycroft’s website. You can also find him on Twitter and Goodreads.
Gwendalyn’s Books Q&A with Chris Thorndycroft
Q: Was the research easier for this book, or harder than the last series you completed?
A: Probably easier as I had done the lion’s share of research for the first trilogy. This trilogy really just follows on from the first so I had a lot of the background filled in already. It was mostly small details I had to research for this one. I generally research stuff as it comes up. Say I have a scene set in a particular town. I’ll then search for references to that town and make sure I have things like the layout right.
Q: What special challenges did you face making your story stand out from others in the genre ?
A: Arthurian fiction is a massive genre of its own and some really big authors have done their versions so it was daunting trying to come up with a unique take. There are several different ways you can look at the legend. One is to go the traditionalist route and basically use Thomas Malory as your template. He is the guy who, in the 15th century, rounded up all the things we associate with the Arthurian legend into one book – the sword in the stone, the round table, the quest for the Holy Grail etc. But that is very much in the fantasy vein. The Britain (or England) Mallory presented never existed and you’re pretty much in alternate history territory even if you strip out all the magical elements. Other writers have gone the realistic ‘how the legend might have happened’ route by grounding it very much in the 5th century and that is what I wanted to do but I knew I’d be up against several big names in doing so – Rosemary Sutcliff and Bernard Cornwell for a start! I had an idea I thought might make my Arthur stand out and that was to slot him into a real royal dynasty that ruled Gwynedd (North Wales) in the 5th century. It was fun to try and work elements of the legend around real figures.
Q: How did you go about developing the setting(s) for this story?
A: Britain at this time (the 5th century) was very wide open and mostly rural so the countryside was important. I researched what the land was like, what sort of trees, flora and fauna was around. Religion (both pagan and Christian) was a big deal for my characters so I really did the research on that. I also looked at how Roman Britain changed (or deteriorated) into post-Roman Britain, how towns decreased or were abandoned entir ely as focus shifted to a more rural economy. Hill forts, some of which had been abandoned since before the Romans came, were refortified suggesting that people moved from towns to more easily defendable places.
Q: What research methods have been most fruitful for you?
A: Reading, reading and more reading. As well as picking up several intimidating textbooks, I found the internet invaluable. Facebook groups are the haunts of some serious Arthurian scholars and reading through their posts (and occasional arguments) was really helpful. I also got ahold of a lot of academic papers relating to just about every aspect of the 5th century you can think of as well as some antique books no longer in print that have been scanned into Google books. You really have to dig and follow leads to get to the good stuff!
Q: Which character was most challenging to create? Why?
A: Probably Arthur. It’s something of a curse in Arthurian fiction that Arthur is usually the least fleshed-out character. With everybody else running off on quests, the king and his court usually just provides the backdrop. I wanted Arthur to be the main character but he’s a bit of a blank slate. I had to give him motivation, desires and fears. That, in turn, helped bring the cast around him to life.
Q: What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
A: Living in Norway with two small children doesn’t provide many opportunities for jetting off on research trips to Britain but I did use to live in North Wales so I had those memories of the landscape to inspire me. It was fun to write scenes set on the exact stretch of coastline I used to live on.
Q: Some writers create a bubble around themselves until they’re finished with their project – how true is that in your case?
A: It’s a bit hard to create much of a bubble when you have two young kids and a full time job, but I make sure the last couple of hours in the day is my time to get stuck in and get some writing done. I try to stick with one project until it’s done but all my other writing projects keep trying to sneak in. It’s an effort to push them out and focus on what needs to be done so I suppose I do isolate myself a little bit, at least from anything that might get me excited about those other books I have planned in my head.
Q: Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?
A: Music usually, but only instrumental stuff. Song lyrics distract me when I’m writing so I stick to movie and game soundtracks mostly. There’s loads of playlists on Spotify that have been very motivational in writing my Arthur trilogy. Anything epic or stirring.
Q: What book from your childhood has shaped you most as a writer?
A: The Hobbit was a big influence. I remember my primary school teacher reading it to us and I just loved the sense of adventure, of going from one peril to another, so that has probably had an effect. I always seem to put a bit of adventure in my writing.
Q: Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
A: I don’t base characters on people I know or anything like that, at least not wholesale. Sometimes I have a real person in mind when I’m writing a character but I always make sure I change a few things! When it comes to other stuff, there are a few nods in my Arthur books to things in Arthurian literature that only real enthusiasts will spot. I try to keep things as authentic as possible even if it’s a small detail nobody will notice.
Thanks so much Chris, for visiting Gwendalyn’s Books
Publication Date: July 1, 2019
eBook & Paperback; 327 Pages
Series: Arthur of the Cymry Trilogy (Book 1)
Genre: Historical Fiction
A generation after Hengest and Horsa carved out a kingdom in the east, a hero of the Britons rises in the west…
480 A.D. The sons of Cunedag have ruled Venedotia for fifty years but the chief of them – the Pendraig – is now dying. His sons Cadwallon and Owain must fight to retain their birthright from their envious cousins. As civil war consumes Venedotia, Arthur – a young warrior and bastard son of the Pendraig – is sent on a perilous quest that will determine the fate of the kingdom.
The Morgens; nine priestesses of the Mother Goddess have found the cauldron of rebirth – a symbol of otherworldly power – and have allied themselves with the enemy. Arthur and six companions are dispatched to the mysterious island of Ynys Mon to steal the cauldron and break the power of the Morgens. Along the way they run into the formidable Guenhuifar whose family have been stewards of Ynys Mon for generations. They need her help. The trouble is, Guenhuifar despises Arthur’s family and all they stand for…
Based on the earliest Arthurian legends, Sign of the White Foal is a rip-roaring adventure of Celtic myth and real history set in the ruins of post-Roman Britain.
Chris Thorndycroft is a British writer of historical fiction, horror and fantasy. His early short stories appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Dark Moon Digest and American Nightmare. His first novel under his own name was A Brother’s Oath; the first book in the Hengest and Horsa Trilogy. He also writes under the pseudonym P. J. Thorndyke.
For more information, please visit Chris Thorndycroft’s website. You can also find him on Twitter and Goodreads.
During the Blog Tour, one winner will receive an eBook of Sign of the White Foal by Chris Thorndycroft! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 2nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Based on a true story, this gorgeous new novel follows the fortunes of three Berliners caught up in an art scandal—involving newly discovered van Goghs—that rocks Germany amidst the Nazis’ rise to power.
Hedonistic and politically turbulent, Berlin in the 1920s is a city of seedy night clubs and sumptuous art galleries. It is home to millionaires and mobs storming bakeries for rationed bread. These disparate Berlins collide when Emmeline, a young art student; Julius, an art expert; and a mysterious dealer named Rachmann all find themselves caught up in the astonishing discovery of thirty-two previously unknown paintings by Vincent van Gogh.
In the Full Light of the Sun explores the trio’s complex relationships and motivations, their hopes, their vanities, and their self-delusions—for the paintings are fakes and they are in their own ways complicit. Theirs is a cautionary tale about of the aspirations of the new Germany and a generation determined to put the humiliations of the past behind them.
With her signature impeccable and evocative historical detail, Clare Clark has written a gripping novel about beauty and justice, and the truth that may be found when our most treasured beliefs are revealed as illusions.
“As compelling as it is expansive… In an age that has apparently lost faith in experts and verifiable sources of information, Clark’s fictionalization of the Wacker affair stands as a salutary tale for the post-truth era.” —The Guardian
“[Clark] excels at evoking the febrile tensions of the Weimar Republic… A gripping and ultimately moving story about art, artifice and authenticity.” —The Mail on Sunday
“With great skill and sympathy, Clark evokes a febrile society in which politics, love and art offer no certainties, and the ground always threatens to open beneath her characters’ feet.” —The Sunday Times
“Set over the decade of the Nazis’ rise to power, In the Full Light of the Sun loosely follows the real-life mystery of whether paintings apparently by Van Gogh that were exhibited in Berlin in the 1920s were forgeries…The most enjoyable mystery here is the matter of whether anyone is really their authentic self.” —The Times (UK)
“An engrossing read.” —Image Magazine Ireland
“Clark’s beautiful writing is as dense and layered as thick, Post-Impressionist oils.” —Tablet
“A completely fascinating novel about the early 20th century art world and its many dubious machinations. Expertly researched, compellingly narrated and full of potent resonance today.” —William Boyd, author of Sweet Caress
“Clare Clark casts her spell of time and place with casual elegance and no apparent tricks – yet caught me up in this juicy story of colossal art fraud, the passions and intrigues of her vivid and moving characters – and the truly terrifying rise of the Nazi party, with all its contemporary echoes. The atmosphere of this book lingers on.” —Laline Paull, author of The Bees
“I loved In the Full Light of the Sun, a novel about deception, self-deception, truth, love and lies that will enthrall anyone fascinated by Van Gogh, the art world and Berlin in the 1920s. Written with verve and assurance it is both engaging and humane.” —Amanda Craig, author of the Lie of the Land
“In her gripping new novel Clare Clark paints a picture of Weimar Berlin in which surface glitter hides sinister and bitter truths. Page by page she brings secret lives into the light; nothing: not love, not art, not politics, is what it seems, and few escape the brutal forces that emerge.” —Stella Tillyard, author of Aristocrats
“A wonderful novel: passionate, intelligent, humane, it held me from the first page to the last. Van Gogh’s fleeting genius—achingly out of reach, the pull so strong—is wonderfully evoked; and the house of cards that was the Weimar Republic provides the perfectly rendered backdrop for a story about our willingness to deceive in the pursuit of beauty.” —Rachel Seiffert, author of A Boy in Winter
“Clark’s mastery of historic and artistic details merges with skillful plotting and compelling characters in this accomplished novel. A suspenseful, atmospheric portrait of Berlin during Hitler’s rise.”—Kirkus
“Infused with Clark’s signature attention to historical detail…Evocative prose and excellent pacing make this fine historical a must-read for art history buffs.”—Publishers Weekly
Vincent Willem van Gogh
“What I do may be a kind of lie, but only because it tells the truth more plainly.”
Clare Clarke, In The Full Light of the Sun, set in 1920s Berlin, between the First & Second World Wars, in a time when Germany was facing climatic political turbulence.
The Authors ability to cleverly divide her narrative voice into three distinctive times, was easy to follow and immensely enjoyable. The books multi layered time frames are set in 1923, 1927 and 1933, with mixed POV’s. Told through the views of Julius, a middle-aged art critic; Emmeline, a young bisexual artist; and Frank, a Jewish lawyer. All three have one distinct thing in common Matthias, a young aspiring Art dealer, who a desire to open his gallery.
What really I really enjoyed was the use of historical events to masterly create a storyline that draws upon a real life scandal that shocked the Berlin Art World.
The riveting discovery of a number of previously unknown works by Van Gogh. At first they are authenticated, but later they are declared to be forgery. Clark’s compelling literary novel is suspenseful, and gripping atmospheric portrait of Berlin during turbulence of Hitler’s rise to power. A must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Clare Clarke, delivers quite the impressive, clever, complex, tension-filled and well-written read here that was extremely well-plotted, multi-layered. Faced paced with well developed characters that makes for a dramatic read.
This highly recommend getting your hands on a copy!
Vincent Willem van Gogh, was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of them in the last two years of his life.
-According to British journalist and art historian Martin Bailey says the patch of floor in front of the Sunflowers in London’s National Gallery gets more scuffed than any other part of the museum, and the Sunflowers are the number one bestseller postcard at London’s National Gallery gift shop.-
Are you a fan of Van Gogh?
I definitely am, I took at a special trip to see some of this amazing artists work in person at the Chicago Museum of Art.
The Art Exhibit : In Van Gogh’s Bedrooms
“I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.” I Vincent van Gogh
-This book was received as an ARC from the publisher and Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own-
CLARE CLARK is the author of four novels, including The Great Stink, which was long-listed for the Orange Prize and named a Washington Post Best Book of the Year, and Savage Lands, also long-listed for the Orange Prize. Her work has been translated into five languages. She lives in London.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away three copies of In the Full Light of the Sun by Clare Clark! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US & Canada only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Print Length: 410 pages
Publisher: The Wild Harp & Company, Inc. (July 16, 2019)
Publication Date: July 16, 2019
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07QSC84TFPraise for A MURDER ON JANE STREET“Family ties tighten and bonds of affection grow stronger as a family is trapped between ruthless forces struggling for the highest stakes: control of a world to be subjected to unimaginable evil. As.parents, children and loved ones risk all to protect one another, events accelerate towards a conclusion that is in doubt until the last page is turned. A terrific read!” ―Richard Gid Powers author of The Mystery of the Trinity
“A MURDER ON JANE STREET is a gripping summer thriller filled with history, adventure, and an intriguing mystery. Cathy Cash Spellman will keep readers on the edge of their seat” ―Charles Brokaw, New York Times Bestselling author of The Atlantis CodeCathy paints a picture with the most radiant phrasing and colorful words! I’m a fan of her books and have read every one of them, always wishing that she’ll write more! That hope was answered with A MURDER ON JANE STREET. This compelling gem of a mystery is also a history, a conspiracy, and a modern-day morality tale rolled into one. Yes there is a murder, deadly secrets and treachery, but at its heart, it’s also about family, friendship and having the courage to do the right thing in the face of nearly insurmountable odds. This brilliant author has created yet another home run! Her narrative, coupled with an edge-of-your-seat contemporary mystery thriller, have characters that warmed my heart and an unexpected ending that I absolutely LOVED! ―Adria de Haume, author of Cross Purpose
“Do NOT read this book unless you are willing to be seduced by a dozen incredibly keen people without whom the world as we know it might cease to exist.” ―K.T. Maclay author of Beginners Guide to Death and Dying in OaxacaA brutal murder.
A heinous secret
A deadly conspiracy.The brutal murder of the little old lady next door puts FitzHugh Donovan on the case. A retired New York City Police Chief, he knows a cover-up when he sees one and his Irish Cop conscience can’t let that happen.
Now, Fitz, his family and his quirky band of Bleecker Street Irregulars are ensnared in the bizarre secret the woman died to protect.Is this a 75-year-old cold case turned hot again, or an unspeakable crime-in-progress that could alter the course of the world?Fitz doesn’t yet know how high the stakes are, that failure isn’t an option, and that the little old lady was so much more than she appeared. But he’s trying to keep everyone alive long enough to find out.Characters you’ll care about, dark shocking secrets, and disturbing similarities to today’s political scene, will keep you turning pages to an ending you won’t see coming.
You can purchaseA Murder on Jane Street at the following Retailers:
Excerpt #2BA MURDER ON JANE STREET by Cathy Cash Spellman
Chapter 77
Finn had slipped soundlessly out from behind the sliding shoe racks that housed enough shoes for a family of centipedes. The intruder had been on his way to the master suite when Brace’s moans from the staircase had turned him around and slowed him down. She heard a muffled exchange. It sounded as if Brace was badly hurt and pleading, but the guy was berating him for not being able to stand up and walk. Then he seemed to be dragging him painfully up the stairs again.
“Where are the others?” he kept shouting and Brace didn’t seem to be making any sense in response. Then there was the sound of something being hit hard, a grunt of real pain and finally silence.
Barefoot, she scampered into the master, locked the door behind her just to gain time, knowing the old lock wouldn’t hold for long. She tried the window.
She muffled the sound of the window sliding up with a pillow and peered at the size of the ledge outside. Holy shit! It was maybe a foot deep, tops, and she got nauseous just thinking about heights. The freezing air hit her like a force field, but shocked her into movement. There really weren’t any choices. Whoever had engineered this break-in was good at his job. She wouldn’t have long to escape and she needed to get help now. She knew it in every bone.
Finn grabbed the lap robe from the window seat and knotted it around her shoulders like Superman’s cape. The wind was frigid as the North Pole and her coat was miles away downstairs. Why the hell hadn’t she grabbed a sweater or jacket, to say nothing of sneakers, from the closet?Fuck!No time for regrets. The afghan-thingy knotted around her neck was all there was, so she gingerly climbed out onto the ledge and tried very hard not to look down and not to throw up.
Multiple New York Times and International Bestsellers, a Paramount Movie, book sales in 22 countries, Cathy Cash Spellman writes stories about love, friendship, adventure, and history. Known for her big sprawling sagas and memorable characters, Cathy writes the kind of stories women like to lose themselves in, and then remember long after the book is done.
Her books range through several genres: contemporary, historical, mystery, mystic and romance. Several take place in two time-frames, both current and historical.
Bless the Child was a Paramount movie in 2000, starring Kim Basinger and Jimmy Smits, and Paint The Wind has been optioned for film and TV.
Cathy is an Astrologer, Martial Artist (Black Belt Goju Ryu Karate) and has expertise in Chinese Medicine, several alternative healing modalities and many metaphysical disciplines.
She has written for Self, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Mademoiselle, Cosmo, Penthouse, Mode, Kung Fu and many other magazines about women, health, empowerment, sexuality, spiritual philosophy and Astrology. She blogs for The Huffington Post and The New York Times.
This book was received as an ARC from the publisher and Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
A Murder on Jane Street by Cathy Cash Spellman is a suspenseful provocative, and
engaging read. A recreated historical conspiracy novel that begins with the murder of a 95-year-old woman in New York City, with secrets and ties to Nazi Germany.
The brutal murder of his next-door neighbor pulls retired New York City Police Chief FitzHugh Donovan into an world wind investigation.
While surveying the property, one of the CSI technicians finds an addressed envelope to ex police Fitz in some bushes between his and his neighbor, Mrs.Wallenberg’s properties. Inside, Fitz finds three books and a letter that said, “You will know what to do!”
Mrs. Wallenberg’s has left a journal and some documents which shed light on a secret dating back to the Nazis and World War II. Fitz is helped by his daughters, granddaughter and computer whizzes who band together as the Bleecher St Irregulars. The documents are scribblings and symbols which, when interpreted, reveal great advances in science that the Nazis were on the verge of launching but defeat thwarted them. But the greatest secret of all is one buried in Mrs. Wallenberg’s journal which describes a plot that transitions the Third Reich to a Fourth Reich.
As the irregulars began to survey evidence they realize that the real terror lies with the carriers of the Hitler’s Nazi torch already. They have already amassed great power and are on the verge of seizing much more. They now wrestle with a decision in what to do with the dangerous knowledge.
Cathy Cash Spellman, has written an incredibly creative edge of your seat thrill ride of a book. The tension and excitement rises right up to the satisfying ending.
I highly recommend this riveting and intensely entertaining mystery.
Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the Duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.
An Unlikely Hero…
Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.
Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her—and her heart—in more danger than ever?
“In her sixth historical romance, Matthews (The Pug Who Bit Napoleon; A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty) weaves suspense and mystery within an absorbing love story. Readers will be hard put to set this one down before the end. Highly recommended to historical romance and/or mystery buffs and especially animal lovers.” – Library Journal, Starred Review
Mimi Mathews has written an captivating Regency Historical Romance..
The Work of Art Set in London during Spring, 1814, Mimi has written a absorbing and perfect romance. Upon the death of her grandfather, Phyllida (Philly) Satterthwaite’s entire life has changed. Philly is orphaned and still unmarried at 23 and up to this point her life she lived solely in the quiet country. Surround by everything she has come to love in her genteel life. Philly is now some what destitute and has been taken into her uncle’s household in London. Philly will certainly come to realize that all is not what it seems, and her uncle has ulterior motives.
London is full of treachery and untrustworthy people.
Philly is a rare beauty both with looks and her genuine warmth, and a compassionate heart to all. From her unruly dogs to horses, to wounded moody Captains, anything that might need her nurturing.
Captain Arthur Heywood’s life has changed three years ago on a battlefield in the Great Peninsular War. He is a wounded broken soul, dealing with inner demons.
He has completely isolated himself from London and all its gossiping forays, at his estate,Heywood House.
In chance meeting in town on business he meets Phyllida Satterthwaite.
Society calls her “The Work of Art , Phyllida will not be used as pawn in game to be sold into marriage. In a courageous act that takes her out of the hands of sinister Duke. She escapes from London with a marriage of convenience.
In this captivating storyline with an engaging cast of characters, I was swept up and completely taken by Mimi Matthews writing style. She weaves historical romance in such a way that you lose yourself within the pages of her books
In her more than steamy, Jane Austin-Style of writing, you find yourself completely immersed until the very satisfying end. This book was an unstoppable read for me.
Matthews approach to giving the reader just the right amount of tender romance and her unique writing skill that leaves you smiling and actually happy after reading her books.
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement) writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.
During the Blog Tour, one winner will receive a signed copy of The Work of Art! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 31st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Today I have Partnered With Xpresso Book Tours To Bring You The Cover Reveal Of Kingdom of Thorns & Dreams Boxed Set
Kingdom of Thorns & Dreams Boxed Set
Publication date: October 15th 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, New Adult
Sleeping Beauty, but not how you remember it…
Sleeping Beauty, but not how you remember it
One kiss.
That’s all. Just one kiss and the curse will be broken.
But is love’s true kiss a myth and will it be strong enough to break the curse that’s held her in its grasp for a century?
The compelling tale of a young princess fated to sleep forever and the prince destined to save her retold in this spellbinding collection by USA Today and Amazon bestselling authors.
One click now for your happily ever after.
Fate of Dragons Alisha Klapheke
(Dragons Rising #1)
Publication date: March 27th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
An Earth Queen desperate to wake her magic.
An elven prince fighting a ruthless betrayal.
A flood is coming. The Sea Queen has a mad plan to drown the world.
Only the magic of the Earth Queen can stop her. Vahly, the last human, was born to fill that role and wield the power necessary to battle the rising oceans and save the dragons and elves.
But Vahly is the world’s biggest disappointment. She possesses no magic whatsoever.
When she finds an ancient scroll that mentions a human power ritual conducted deep in the homeland of the elves, she gathers her dragon allies and journeys to see the king of that great forest-dwelling race.
Welcomed by a handsome royal cloaked in dark magic, will Vahly find answers or will a twisted and powerful elven lord destroy her chance at saving the world?
This the first book in a new magical dystopian high fantasy world, by Alisha Klapheke. The authors beautifully created world building will pull you in.
Alisha intricate world building is actually some of my favorite in Ya Fantasy. Richly magical and immensely entertaining!
The authors ability to use mixed POV’s and keep the overall pace is definitely notable. She has the ability to intricately build the storyline to make this a classic fantasy. She sets this novel up to make it a precursor to the following books to come. With some of the most amazing cast of magical characters, Fate of Dragons definitely caught me by surprise.
In a turbulent world where The Sea Queen And hercutthroat clan of sea-folk, wants to conquer everything in her path using brute force and strategic warfare to win her battles. The Sea Queen mad plan is to drown the entire world.
Vahly, the human protagonist is nonchalant and reckless She bears a Blackwater mark between her eyebrows—a shimmering oval that represents the origin of creation and magic in this world. powerful. Raised by Dragons she is the sole survivor of the Earth Kynd, But one thing..her powers lay dormant.
Nix, is an incredible shapeshifting renegade Dragon. She is a smuggler, choosing to live outside any Dragon Clan
Arcturus, Arcturus is alchemist Elf, with royal elven blood who is fascinated bymagical science. His memory has been en altered.
I was captivated from page one, with Elves and their elemental magic. Dragons, and their dragonfire, To our hero that must rise above and meet her destiny. I found this story to be engrossing, well thought out, perfectly paced, exciting and intelligent. There were some suspenseful moments, but more importantly, Alisha knows how to write interesting and fully developed characters which we care about. I admired their strength and their weakness. The strength in this book was not only in magical fantasy World, but in the characters themselves. This book was an engaging atmospheric read that was both riveting and intensely entertaining!
Band of Brackers, Dragon Rising Book Two
is scheduled to be released July 31, 2019
Author Bio:
When USA Today Bestselling author Alisha Klapheke isn’t busy creating new fantasy worlds, she teaches martial arts (specifically Muay Thai kickboxing, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), loves on her two amazing kids, and travels the world with her ninja husband. *Alisha made the list November 2, 2017
Thanks For Joining Me On This Very Anticipated New Novel
By D.K Marley
The Fire of Winter by D.K. Marley
Publication Date: June 1, 2019
eBook; 355 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
She is known as Lady Macbeth.
What leads her down the path of murder?
What secrets fire her destiny?
Gruah, granddaughter of King Cìnéad III of the Royal Clan Alpin, marries two men in less than six months, one she loves and one she hates; one in secret, the other arranged by the High King of Scotland. At the age of eighteen, she lays her palm upon the ancient stone of Scone and sees her destiny as Queen of Scotland, and she vows to do whatever necessary to see her true love, Macbeth macFindlaech, beside her on the throne.
Amid the fiery times and heated onslaughts from Denmark and England, as the rule of Scotland hangs in the balance, Gruah seeks to win the throne and bring revenge upon the monsters of her childhood, no matter the cost or amount of blood tainting her own hands; yet, an unexpected meeting with the King called the Confessor causes her to question her bloody path and doubt her once blazing pagan faith. Will she find redemption or has the blood of her past fire-branded her soul?
The story weaves the play by William Shakespeare with the actual history of Macbeth and his Queen in 11th-century Scotland.
“…a woman’s story at a winter’s fire…” (Macbeth, Act III, Scene IV)
“This beautifully written reworking of the Macbeth tale told from Lady Macbeth’s point-of-view flows from the page and you quickly become immersed in the politics and intrigues of feudal Scotland as she fights for her rightful place and her true love! A mesmerizing read that grips from start to finish and Gruah is now one of my all-time favorite literary crushes. “ – Iain Leonard, ARC Reviewer
“Brilliantly conceived and beautifully written, The Fire of Winter is a tale not to be missed by lovers of Shakespeare, lovers of history, or lovers of the written word.” – Riana Everly, Author of Teaching Eliza and Through a Different Lens
D.K. Marley, skillfully delivers an absolutely beautiful, richly detailed, complex and atmospheric read here that vastly intertwines historical with shakespearean fiction along with a factual events to create an astonishing fractured Shakespearean retelling. Expertly told from the descriptive voice of Lady Macbeth, Gruah.
Gruah, An alluring and ginger haired beauty, who happens to be a Princess and the granddaughter of King Cìnéad III of the Royal Clan Alpin,
She marries two men in less than six months, one she loves and one she hates; one in secret, the other arranged by the High King of Scotland.
At the age of eighteen, she lays her palm upon the ancient stone of Scone and sees her destiny.
With her ambitions heart that spurs her desire to become Queen of Scotland. A woman who instead changes the fate of herself and those around her. She rises up from a victimized little girl, to a pawn used in a political marriage to become one of the strongest and first woman to be coronated Queen of Scotland. A woman who changes the fate of herself and those around her.
What really stood out for me was the author intricately plots a character driven romance that fights poignancy through the complex conflicts of fate. Morley ability to move the reader to see another multilayer in the book. We Are introduced to Hecate, {The only named Witch In Shakespearean play} She is often maligned as a witch, she has gained wisdom after enduring years of cruelty and abuse from a man who claimed to love her but cast her aside. She bears him three children, daughters, and they align themselves with the future Queen of Scotland, Gruah, to bring revenge upon the monsters of their past.
The Daughters of Hecate are, Sorcha, Alana, and Fiona – {The Unnamed witches in the Shakespearean play} There is a secret behind their birth leading to the throne of Scotland, but now they live as banished women in a small crannog on Loch Tay. Are they witches or victims like so many women of the politics of a Kingdom? The make three key predictions just like in the Shakespearean play, Macbeth. In Marley’s retelling there is an agenda to these woman.
Lady Macbeth, chooses to fight for her rightful place and seeks vengeance to the wrongs done to her in her and her family. Along with the man she herself has chosen like her ancestors before her, Gruah, and her husband Macbeth must conquer and remove all opposition in front of them to become the reigning King and Queen of Scotland.
Marley, paints exquisite picture with the spreading of Christianity, that changed Scotland transforming it from the old Pictish practiced of “Celtic polytheism”, a vague blend of druidism, paganism. When Gruah, unexpected meets with the King called the Edward, The Confessor, it causes her to question her bloodstained path and doubt her once mothers pagan ancestral faith.
D.K. Marley, beautifully descriptive writing grabbed my full attention all the way through to a satisfying end. This reworking storyline gives a voice to Gruah,Lady Macbeth like no other. As the chapters progressed, the characters are fleshed out as the political drama and intrigues of feudal Scotland come to life. The authors ability to engage the reader as she weaves all the characters into this plot driven novel, to create an astounding and powerful storyline of intrigue and violence of royals of 11th century Scotland.
This book was received as an ARC from Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
Finding a woman’s place in medieval Scotland is often times hard to discern since there is such a lack of information not only for the area, but for the time period. Scotland, from the fifth century to the sixteenth century, was a patriarchal society and for a large part, many of the women of the time period, even noble figures, disappeared into the annals of time without any details being known of them, such as Margaret, the Maid of Norway, the uncrowned Queen.
Education for a noble girl such as Gruac (Lady Macbeth) would have been at a nunnery, however in Scotland, very few of these existed, so most noble families employed private tutors, but even this was extremely limited. Most women were consigned to the fate of domestic and agricultural life, with most girls marrying in their early teens (some as early as twelve) or twenties, such as is the case with Gruac.
The legal status of women was nil, since this was a patriarchal society, and daughters were to be subservient to their fathers, as well as wives to their husbands, thus any ambitious nature was viewed in the harshest terms. Passiveness and humility were the traits of an honourable woman, so it is understandable why someone like Lady Macbeth might have been viewed in unfavourable light. However, the historical records of her actual life indicate that she may indeed have been such a women, supporting her reigning husband for nearly two decades, yet in the absence of concrete evidence, the story behind such a woman blooms like a Scottish thistle.
I liked how one writer put it in my research of the women of Scotland in a book entitled “Rosslyn Chapel – Women in the Middle Ages” –
“Women were subject to a strong element of social control. Gossip alone could ruin a reputation. Women sought to avoid any situation that might be construed as scandalous. Of course, enemies were prone to making up lies and name-calling could be very damaging to a young lady. Generally these rumours and insults questioned the sexual purity of a girl; such comments could stand in the way of a good marriage. Men were also subject to town gossip but it was generally less detrimental to the man’s reputation. Women often played an integral role in wartime and when the men were away at war, the women would take over the household. They were expected to protect the children and manage their husband’s affairs.”
I used this element in considering how the women surrounding Gruac, the wives of the other Thanes, as well as the wife and Queen of Donnchad, might have interacted with each other while their husbands were off fighting or debating over the throne.
Lady Macbeth is a unique woman in an age when ambition was frowned upon when displayed by a woman, and I feel she had to have shown a measure of that fiery passion, at least that is how I am portraying her.
Those of Scottish society relegated to the role of crone, or witches, or accused of such practices, were captured and killed, thus I wanted to portray the supposed three witches of Macbeth as what was more common for the day, which was those using their skills in healing. It is interesting that in my research I discovered that White Magic was based in Christian symbolism, focusing on nature and herbs; a sort of “good magic”. Most women who practised this sort of art used it for good luck, love spells, wealth and health. Alchemy, or potion-making, was part of this practice, as well, so the images of the three witches can be understood in a different way for my book. However, since Christianity was becoming the mainstream religion and conscience of the day, many who “played in the shadows” or were borderline in the dark arts, were labelled witches and ultimately burned at the stake, thus the weaving of the story of Shakespeare into actual history in relation to the three women developed throughout The Fire of Winter in a way I hope feels real to the reader.
With Gruac and with all the other women in the storyline, I wanted to portray them in a way to feel authentic to the time period, their sufferings and their secret ambitions, while showing that no matter what century, women experienced the same ambitions, desires and passions as the modern woman today.
Check Out ThisAmazing Book Trailer!!
About the Author
D. K. Marley is a historical fiction writer specializing in Shakespearean themes. Her grandmother, an English Literature teacher, gave her a volume of Shakespeare’s plays when she was eleven, inspiring DK to delve further into the rich Elizabethan language. Eleven years ago she began the research leading to the publication of her first novel “Blood and Ink,” an epic tale of lost dreams, spurned love, jealousy and deception in Tudor England as the two men, William Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe, fight for one name and the famous works now known as the Shakespeare Folio. She is an avid Shakespearean / Marlowan, a member of the Marlowe Society, the Shakespeare Fellowship and a signer of the Declaration of Intent for the Shakespeare Authorship Debate. She has traveled to England three times for intensive research and debate workshops and is a graduate of the intense training workshop “The Writer’s Retreat Workshop” founded by Gary Provost and hosted by Jason Sitzes. She lives in Georgia with her husband and a Scottish Terriers named Maggie and Buster.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away copies of The Fire of Winter + a surprise gift to three lucky winners! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 19th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Welcome To The First Stop On This Amazing Book Tour
Sign of the White Foal by Chris Thorndycroft
Publication Date: July 1, 2019
eBook & Paperback; 327 Pages
Series: Arthur of the Cymry Trilogy (Book 1)
Genre: Historical Fiction
A generation after Hengest and Horsa carved out a kingdom in the east, a hero of the Britons rises in the west…
480 A.D. The sons of Cunedag have ruled Venedotia for fifty years but the chief of them – the Pendraig – is now dying. His sons Cadwallon and Owain must fight to retain their birthright from their envious cousins. As civil war consumes Venedotia, Arthur – a young warrior and bastard son of the Pendraig – is sent on a perilous quest that will determine the fate of the kingdom.
The Morgens; nine priestesses of the Mother Goddess have found the cauldron of rebirth – a symbol of otherworldly power – and have allied themselves with the enemy. Arthur and six companions are dispatched to the mysterious island of Ynys Mon to steal the cauldron and break the power of the Morgens. Along the way they run into the formidable Guenhuifar whose family have been stewards of Ynys Mon for generations. They need her help. The trouble is, Guenhuifar despises Arthur’s family and all they stand for…
Based on the earliest Arthurian legends, Sign of the White Foal is a rip-roaring adventure of Celtic myth and real history set in the ruins of post-Roman Britain.
Thorndycroft gives life to Arthurian legend, in this retelling the characters are more relatable to that time period. His placement of the Arthur into a historical family as a bastard son of Cunedag’s heir, is believable.Cunedag and his sons have removed the Irish out of North Wales and set up a bunch of numerous kingdoms throughout the area.
The book progression was spot on, and characters come to life under the authors skillful narration, also the supporting characters are definitely worth noting and interesting. This was a well paced with an adventurous quest, that combines Celtic myth with some well researched history.
What really stood out for me was the authors exploration of some the earliest Welsh mythologyofcauldrons and his ability the put a creative twist on the priestess of the Ynys Afallach, {Avalon}
The book delivers a distinctive cast of character, keeping with traditional poem the Preideu Annwfn, an early medieval poem found in the The Book of Taliesin, describes a voyage of Seven led by King Arthur.
Arthur and war-band of six companions including Menw, The Kings Bard, are sent away from an impending battle with the Gaels to the mysterious island of Ynys Mon to steal A mythical cauldron of rebirth, and break the power of the Morgens. Thorndycroft, has intriguing recreated the Maidens of Annwfn, The Morgens; nine priestesses of the Mother Goddess.
The Author gives insight to what the actual Lady Guenhuifa {Guinevere} might have been like. A strong Courageous woman who is portrayed as a fiercely independenthuntress turned fighter.. Guenhuifar’s family are stewards of the mysterious Ynys Mon for generation. Conflict arises when Guenhuifar finds out who bloodline Arthur comes from
With an absorbing storyline and resonant descriptive heated battle scenes. This novel was a satisfying read for me and one that was not predictable. I was completely vested in the trials and struggles of the characters, all the way through to the end
I immensely enjoyed reading this new angel on a fabled but realistically historical figure, and atmospheric Wales., Venedotia And it’s surrounding territories. This was definitely a great book for me and one I immensely enjoyed reading and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this Arthurian Trilogy.
Chris Thorndycroft is the author of the Hengest and Horsa trilogy. His follow-up, Sign of the White Foal, is the first part in a trilogy that re-tells the legend of King Arthur in an historical setting. Set in 5th century North Wales, it combines Celtic myth with real history and is based on the earliest elements of the Arthurian legend
About the Author
Chris Thorndycroft is a British writer of historical fiction, horror and fantasy. His early short stories appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Dark Moon Digest and American Nightmare. His first novel under his own name was A Brother’s Oath; the first book in the Hengest and Horsa Trilogy. He also writes under the pseudonym P. J. Thorndyke.
For more information, please visit Chris Thorndycroft’s website. You can also find him on Twitter and Goodreads.
During the Blog Tour, one winner will receive an eBook of Sign of the White Foal by Chris Thorndycroft! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 2nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
The discovery of a valise of old letters written to his Armenian grandfather from an Auschwitz survivor starts Avi Arutiyan on an odyssey to uncover the mystery surrounding his grandfather’s unsolved death. From the killing fields of Anatolia to the trial of Adolf Eichmann, Avi’s quest opens a door into intersecting paths and dark secrets of three families, stretching back to 1915.
How do these things happen time and again: the Holocaust was preceded by the Armenian Genocide, and followed by the killing fields of Cambodia, Rwanda, and Bosnia. Who were the people behind them? Eleos is a story of saviors and murderers, of bystanders and of those that don’t fall into an easy-to-classify category. Hopefully the book can serve as a reminder to protect our own humanity, because ultimately the battlefield is inside all of us.
“Bell masterfully combines his mystery story with an unflinching look at the 20th century’s bleakest tragedies. A beautiful . . . challengingly complex tale of the ramifications of history.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Eleos offers no easy answers, no pat approaches. Perhaps this is the novel’s greatest challenge to its readers, as well as its finest attribute. D. R. Bell crafts a set of circumstances that involve the protagonist in a sifting of blame, historical examination, and family attitudes, drawing in readers with a scenario that at first seems relatively black and white; then immersing them in decisions and outcomes that are satisfyingly complex. … Holocausts can happen again, but as long as stories such as Eleos capture the progression of events with an eye to explaining how logic and action led to disaster, future generations at least have a road map to avoid the pitfalls that lead in these directions.” — Diane Donovan, Donovan’s Literary Services; Editor, California Bookwatch
Every book is a journey, not only for the reader but also for the writer.The originalpremise for what became Eleos was called “The Journey”:a story of a German soldier savinga Jewish boyduring the war and the two of them trying to make their way to safety.It was a tale of redemption – and who doesn’t like stories of redemption, especially with a happy end?But as I was sketching the plot, other themes intruded. Therewas a personal angle: my late Armenian grandmother-in-law was the only member of her familytosurvive theslaughter of1915 and I had felt for many years that there was a connection betweenthe Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust.Thisleadto a bigger question: how do people turnagainstothers in a genocidal rage? Because throughout history thehorror repeats time and again. My conclusion was that wechoose toforgetsomething important: we know the facts of “what” happened, we don’t remember “how” it happened.
Weviewthepast events through the opposingpoles of heroes vs. pathological evildoersandcreate happy endings where most of the intended victims survive. EvenTheDiary of Anne Frank ends on a positive note. But the truth is much, much worse than that.These were notsimple conflictsof good vs. evil.Most of the perpetrators and enablersof genocideswere not sadists or psychopathsbutregular people like you and me.They had killed – or stood by – not out of visceral hatred but because ofblind obedience to authority, false patriotism,career prospects, etc.The slide into genocide was rarely sudden but was preceded by a long period of gradual dehumanization of “the other.”The worst atrocities were committed under the guise of doing good, in the name of ideology, religion, or national status.
That’s why remembering the “how” is important:sowecanrecognize the patterns in the present.At any point in time history is existential: we, human beings, are presented with a particular context,and we must choose amongst the possibilities within it. Without passing a judgment on those who lived during such terrible times, we can–wemust – learn from the choices they had made.
Because Eleos tries to address many difficult topics within its structure, it’s designed kaleidoscopically, shifting the narrative between different characters with their viewpoints and objectives.Themaincharacters have theirfaults and troubling secrets, forced to make ugly compromises in order to survive.I readily admit thatthe story iscomplex and challenging for the readerand not recommended for someone who prefers a linear plot and more agreeable characters. I have considered simplifying the story but decided against it: I felt that I couldn’t do it without losing something important along the way.
About the Author
I didn’t plan to become a writer. A few years ago, a friend’s death prompted me to ask what would be the one thing I regret not doing. I’ve always been an avid reader but have not had the courage to write. And I made a New Year resolution to write a book. That’s how The Great Game came about. I try to write about serious topics but wrap them into an action-filled story. While all my books are entirely fictional, each of them carries a Commentary how the fiction is rooted in facts and realities of current events.
The first three books – The Metronome, The Great Game, and The Outer Circle – form a trilogy, where the lives the seemingly unconnected characters intersect against the backdrop of a turbulent power game between United States, China, and Russia. Unfortunately, some of the events described there are now happening in real life.
Marshland is a detective story set in modern Los Angeles, focused on the impact that internet and social media can have on our lives and their potential for unscrupulous abuse by those in power.
The latest project, Eleos, is a historic fiction set primarily during the time of the Eichmann’s trial. In a way, it’s a personal investigation into how events like the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide become possible.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away one eBook and one paperback copy of ELEOS! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 24th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
A story told through a variety of interfaces, Written in the form of journal entries, text messages, emails, and excerpts of the novel Crystal is writing, A brilliant romantic comedy about mothers and daughters, and the hilarious consequences of a not really telling the real truth. The characters were all endearing and the subject matter was interesting and I really liked the format the author chose to write the book in.
What really stood out for me and what I really loved about this story was the development of the relationships between the Women in the story, and the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship.
It’s a creative a perfect summer read. Fast paced and enjoyable book that you won’t want to put down.
Overall, this is creative Romantic comedy that I would recommend to anyone looking to read and is a big fan of a contemporary novels
I Couldn’t put this Rom-Com down!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
This book was received as an ARC from the Galbadia in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
Author
Crystal Hemmingway is a corporate washout and novelist. She lives in Los Angeles with her favorite person and two cats. In her spare time, Crystal enjoys binge-watching TV shows, eating sugary cereals, and pretending to write at coffee shops.
After Captain John Carlisle’s dance with death, he’s retreated to the serenity of the Oneida village with his beloved Dellis McKesson, trying to hide from the inevitable truth: war is coming. But when duty calls, and John’s expertise is needed to negotiate a treaty between the Six Nations of the Iroquois and the Crown, he’ll once again be faced with a decision: his King or his conscience.
Many truths that have yet to be revealed, and a deal with the Devil made in desperation, threatens to ruin Dellis and John’s hard-won love. As ghosts of the past resurface, and bitter family rivalry exposes betrayal from those closest to her, Dellis is dragged down a devastating path to the truth of her parents’ murders.
Now, the die is cast as war comes to the Mohawk River Valley in the Summer of 1777. St. Leger and his native allies siege Fort Stanwix. They’re also plotting a secret attack that will force the Rebels and the Oneida to face off against the Crown and their allies, further dividing John’s loyalties, leaving him on the precipice of another decision: Rebel or Redcoat?
This book was received from the Author TJ. London , in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
It is within these pages I found justice…
A Captain.
A Spy.
A Prisoner.
And now a Oneida
The Turncoat, is book three in the Rebels and Redcoats Saga. An engaging novel of the American Revolution seen through the eyes of John Carlisle And Dellis McKesson caught up in an extraordinary time.
In her breathtaking excitement, and narrative force, Tj London grabs you and pulls you into this stirring story of a part of our nation’s critical history.
The action is brisk and incredibly addictive, with complex characters, atmospheric historical recreation of the Mohawk River Valley in the Summer of 1777.
Tj. London is a literary mastermind when it comes to weaving creative characters in to a riled time in American History. Her inclusion of historical figures is well done and their fictional counterparts are so well represented, their descriptive voice gives you the the sense they actually lived.
Historical accounts, with the unraveling of the Iroquois Confederacy and the multifaceted aspects of the Revolutionary War, the author uses true emotional elements to create a moving and enjoyable read.
Gwendalyn
About the Author
T.J. London is a rebel, liberal, lover, fighter, diehard punk, and pharmacist-turned-author who loves history. As an author her goal is to fill in the gaps, writing stories about missing history, those little places that are so interesting yet sadly forgotten. Her favorite time periods to write in are first and foremost the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolution, the French and Indian War, the Russian Revolution and the Victorian Era. Her passions are traveling, writing, reading, barre, and sharing a glass of wine with her friends, while she collects experiences in this drama called life. She is a native of Metropolitan Detroit (but secretly dreams of being a Londoner) and resides there with her husband Fred and her beloved cat and writing partner Mickey.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away some fabulous prizes! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
1. A Signed copy of each of my Revolutionary books
2. A bag with my Revolutionary Author Logo
3. A Sterling Silver Tricorn hat charm, so you’re always in style
4. My favorite T-Shirt to wear when I write my Revolutionary tales, that says: The original New England Patriots, from 1630 in Boston
5. A stuffed founding father doll by Little Thinkers to inspire the Rebel in you
6. And a Founding Father book of quotes. Seditious banter from our brash Rebels!
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 19th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Sign of the White Foal
The Work of Art
Gwendalyn’s Books 