Category: Book Tours

Happy Friday

Today I have Partnered with HFBT Book Tours

and The Author Clare Clark

In the Full Light of the Sun by Clare Clark

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.

Praise.

#infulllightofthesun #hmhbooks #book #bookstyle #summerreading #bookstagram #booklover #bookclub #parner

“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-

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 22
Review at  Rebecca is Reading

Tuesday, July 23
Review at Bibliophile Reviews

Thursday, July 25
Feature at Diana_bibliophile

Friday, July 26
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Monday, July 29
Review at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, July 30
Review at A Bookish Affair

Thursday, August 1
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Orange County Readers

Friday, August 2
Review at Mama’s Reading Corner

Monday, August 5
Review at Amy’s Booket List

Wednesday, August 7
Feature at Let Them Read Books

Friday, August 9
Review at Book Reviews from Canada

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.

In the Full Light of the Sun

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#infulllightofthesun #hmhbooks #book #bookstyle #summerreading #bookstagram #booklover #bookclub #readmorewomen #historicalfiction #currentlyreading #amreading #igreads #novel #beachreading #tbr

Hello Bookish Friends,

Welcome To My Stop

On This Very Anticipated

Book Tour

“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 purchase A 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.

Copyright © 2019 by Cathy Cash Spellman

Photo Credit: Dakota Cash

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.

      

WEEK ONE
JULY 15th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
JULY 16th TUESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW
JULY 17th WEDNESDAY Casia’s Corner EXCERPT
JULY 18th THURSDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST
JULY 19th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT 

WEEK TWO
JULY 22nd MONDAY On My Bookshelf REVIEW & INTERVIEW
JULY 22nd MONDAY Stephanie’s Life of Determination REVIEW & GUEST POST
JULY 23rd TUESDAY J.R.’s Book Reviews REVIEW
JULY 24th WEDNESDAY Book Referees REVIEW & GUEST POST
JULY 24th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW
JULY 25th THURSDAY For the Love of Fictional Worlds REVIEW
JULY 26th FRIDAY Gwendalyn’s Books REVIEW 

WEEK THREE
JULY 29th MONDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW
JULY 29th MONDAY Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace TENS LIST 
JULY 30th TUESDAY Wishful Endings FILL IN THE BLANKS
JULY 30th TUESDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW
JULY 31st WEDNESDAY A Bookish Dream REVIEW
AUGUST 1st THURSDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

Rafflecopter Link

–Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

– 4 Winners will receive a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card.

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Welcome to the blog tour for The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews!

You can read my review of this Regency romance below

and enter the Tour-Wide Giveaway!

The Work of Art
by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: July 23, 2019
Perfectly Proper Press
Paperback & eBook

Genre: Historical Romance

READ AN EXCERPT.

An Uncommon Beauty…

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

AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE

Amazon | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

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.

For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, July 23
Review at Bookish Rantings
Review at View from the Birdhouse

Wednesday, July 24
Review at Courtney Clark

Thursday, July 25
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Friday, July 26
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, July 29
Review at Red Headed Book Lady

Tuesday, July 30
Excerpt at Faery Tales Are Real

Wednesday, July 31
Review at The Lit Bitch

Giveaway

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.

The Work of Art
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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.

One click now for your happily ever after.

Pre-order

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?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

Only 99¢ for a limited time!

—

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 her cutthroat 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 by magical 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

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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The Fire of Winter by D.K. Marley

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.

Amazon | IndieBound

A Woman’s Story .. The Fire of Winter

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

j

A Woman’s Place in Medieval Scotland

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 This Amazing Book Trailer!!

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.

For more information, please visit D.K. Marley’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 22
Review & Guest Post at Gwendalyn’s Books

Tuesday, July 23
Review at Amy’s Booket List

Wednesday, July 24
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Friday, July 26
Feature at Words and Peace

Monday, July 29
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Tuesday, July 30
Excerpt at The Order of the White Boar

Thursday, August 1
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Friday, August 2
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books

Monday, August 5
Review at Jorie Loves A Story

Tuesday, August 6
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Thursday, August 8
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Faery Tales Are Real

Saturday, August 10
Interview at Jorie Loves A Story

Monday, August 12
Review at A Book Geek

Tuesday, August 13
Guest Post at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Wednesday, August 14
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Friday, August 16
Review at Impressions in Ink
Review at Book Reviews from Canada

Monday, August 19
Excerpt at Broken Teepee
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

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.

The Fire of Winter
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Welcome To The First Stop On This Amazing Book Tour

Sign of the White Foal by Chris Thorndycroft

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.

Amazon | IndieBound

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 mythology of cauldrons 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 independent huntress 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.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 22
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Tuesday, July 23
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, July 24
Review & Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Thursday, July 25
Review at My Reading Chronicles

Friday, July 26
Guest Post at Gwendalyn’s Books

Monday, July 29
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Faery Tales Are Real

Tuesday, July 30
Interview at Gwendalyn’s Books
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Wednesday, July 31
Review at Hoover Book Reviews

Friday, August 2
Review at Stephanie’s Novel Fiction

Giveaway

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.

Sign of the White Foal
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https://gleam.io/competitions/TD86z-sign-of-the-white-foal

Welcome to the Turncoat Book Tour and Giveaway

The Turncoat by T.J. London

#TheTurncoat #TJLondon #HFVBTBlogTours

Twitter tags: @TJLondonauthor @hfvbt  

Facebook tags: @ TJLondonauthor @hfvbt

Spy. Redcoat. Traitor.

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?

Available in eBook and Paperback

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.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 8
Excerpt at The Lit Bitch

Tuesday, July 9
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, July 10
Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Thursday, July 11
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Friday, July 12
Excerpt at Words and Peace

Saturday, July 13
Feature at Coffee and Ink

Monday, July 15
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Tuesday, July 16
Review at Gwendalyn_Books_

Wednesday, July 17
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Review & Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Thursday, July 18
Review at Historical Fiction Reviews

Friday, July 19
Review at Broken Teepee
Feature at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Giveaway

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.

–Enter–

Click the link below to Enter

https://gleam.io/competitions/kY2QS-the-turncoat

#TheTurncoat #TJLondon #HFVBTBlogTours

Twitter tags: @TJLondonauthor @hfvbt  

Facebook tags: @ TJLondonauthor @hfvbt

Hello Bookish Friends and welcome to the

RiVen Book Reveal And Trailer

Series: My Myth Trilogy (Book 1)
Publisher: CreateSpace (March 5, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1544054173
ISBN-13: 978-1544054179


Winner: 2016 Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Prize in Fiction, Young Adult

Winner: 2016 Moonbeam Gold Medal, Young Adult Fiction
Winner: 2017 Royal Dragonfly First Place, Young Adult Fiction
Winner: 2017 Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award
Nominated for the 2018 Indie Next ListWhich reality would you choose? Seventeen year-old Emily’s dad is in prison for securities fraud and her mom’s strung-out on pain meds, leaving Emily to parent herself and her younger brothers and sister. She’s got things mostly under control until a couple weeks before Dad’s release, when voices start whispering in her head, and Gabe, the hot lifeguard at the pool, notices the strange brands engraved on her arm…the ones she’s trying desperately to hide. Emily doesn’t know how the symbols got there or what they mean. They appeared overnight and now they’re infected and bleeding. She’s pretty sure she’s losing her mind. Stress, insomnia, and her wounded egos drive Emily to self-medicate, which has to be why the nightmares from her childhood have resurfaced, why they’re commandeering her conscious even when she’s awake. It has to be why the fairytale creatures she created as a little girl insist they need her help. 

Triggered by the return of her childhood abuser and unable to cope with reality, Emily slips completely inside her elaborate fantasy world. She’s powerful in the First Realm, maybe even more powerful than her attacker. It would be so easy to stay there, to lose herself in enchantment…to lose herself in love. But something sinister lurks in the forest shadows. Emily soon discovers her demons have followed her inside her fairytale. They’re hunting her. With the help of the Fae, she frantically searches for the weapons she needs to defeat her greatest fears and escape back to reality before the man who tortured her can prey on her younger brothers and sister, too. Time is running out…*Non-explicit Trigger Warning: This book deals with issues of child molestation and abuse.

You can purchase Riven (My Myth Trilogy #1) at the following Retailers: Film 14 is an LA-based film studio.They produce cinematic book trailers, author’s videos, short films, and more.
Cinematic Book Trailers leave that lasting impression on the viewer, and remain with the book for as long as it’s in print. They’re stand-alone works of art, and at the same time they compliment the book perfectly. We create these cinematic trailers to give a poignant vignette of the book, which leaves the viewer curious. The tone, the pacing, the details, all generate tangible interest in the book and its author.FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBEPhoto Content from Jane Alvey Harris

Jane Alvey Harris has a Humanities degree from Brigham Young University with emphases in Art History, Italian Language, and Studio Art. She’s CRAZY about the visual and performing arts! Jane enjoys playing classical piano, painting & sketching, singing & acting, and especially writing poetry & prose.But her real passion is PEOPLE. She loves to watch and study what makes us tick as human beings. Jane is definitely a dreamer. Her favorite thing to do is weave together sublime settings and stories for characters to live and learn in…herself included.She currently lives in an enchanted fairy-princess castle in Dallas, Texas, with her three often-adorable children and their three seldom-adorable cats.

Soteria The Crisis Forge

by Roberto Arcoleo

@chandrapress

@RobertoArcoleo

Trigger Warnings: Adult Content

Sex, alcohol and Drug Use

Thank So Much Chandra Press for Sending Me This Book

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

With Time Running Out And The Fate Of Both Plants, Can Mark And Jason Unravel The Truth Before It’s To Late? …….

Release Date July 5th

https://www.chandrapress.com/

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Soteria: The Crisis Forge by Roberto Arcoleo, Is a drama filled Syfy, with a character driven plot. Arcoleo, adds an alien infiltration trope and historical fictional of the turbulent times of Manhattan in the 1960’s.

In this well developed atmospheric book, the council on planet Eldern, devise a mission to save our Earth from a comet that is blazing its way across galaxies on a collision course. They send two subjects to evolve into believable influencers to Earth.

The two main protagonist Jason and Mark who are twin emissaries, with developing powers that can influence others. The twins face their own character struggles and experience along side the chaotic and changing times of Manhattan New York during the 60s. Creative plot twist when things are not at all what they seem, The twins must accomplish their task along with new discoveries and save their own world.

What stood out for me was the authors ability to create the Art, Music and energy of the 60’s time period along with science fiction elements made for a real engaging Syfy read.

ROBERTO ARCOLEO

Roberto Arcoleo was born in New York City, Queens to be exact, into a working-class Italian-American family. Roberto’s father was a hardworking, grumpy, and reserved restaurateur, his mother a warmhearted, talkative hairdresser. 

Roberto was a bit of both. He grew up in Astoria in a two-bedroom ground-floor apartment with one younger brother, his parents, and an invalid grandmother. His early years were tumultuous and confused. Roberto never felt that he fit into the molds that were laid before him. His early extended family home life was chaotic, and his teenage years were worse. After the Catholic grammar school, he continued on to a Catholic high school. He hated them both. 

As a teenager, Roberto felt more and more apart from his surroundings. He withdrew into his own world. To onlookers he seemed full of bravado, but he was timid and reserved at heart, always feeling out of place. He started lashing out at the world with violence as mark of distinction. He found a home within street gangs and hard drugs at fourteen. Roberto started living on the streets at fifteen, but was soon taken in by a schoolteacher uncle who lived on Long Island. His uncle held him captive from his own devices until he graduated high school.  Later, in college, he studied psychology hoping to find answers. Still troubled, he didn’t find the answers he needed in the text. He gave up his clinical ambitions for more underground alternatives. The same uncle gave him his first camera, and he discovered photography.

Under a name other than Arcoleo, he obtained recognition as an artist. He received his MFA from Brooklyn college and later saw his art reviewed in the New York Times. Roberto’s work has been acquired by major collections. Among them Brooklyn Museum, the Chrysler Museum, the Museum of Fine arts in Houston and the Museum de l’Eysee, Lausanne Switzerland. He was the first artist working in photography to be given a one-person exhibition at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art; he was awarded a stay at the American Academy in Rome; and his work is presently in the National Gallery of Art.

He always had an urge to write and his late mother was always asking for his first novel. He told her he had to wait until he was called from a special place.