Heather Osborne's Blog, page 8
June 3, 2021
Blog Tour: The Cotillion Brigade by Glen Craney
Title: The Cotillion Brigade
(A Novel of the Civil War and the Most Famous Female Militia in American History)
Author: Glen Craney
Blurb:
Georgia burns.
Sherman’s Yankees are closing in.
Will the women of LaGrange run or fight?
Based on the true story of the celebrated Nancy Hart Rifles, The Cotillion Brigade is an epic novel of the Civil War’s ravages on family and love, the resilient bonds of sisterhood in devastation, and the miracle of reconciliation between bitter enemies.
“Gone With The Wind meets A League Of Their Own.”
— John Jeter, The Plunder Room
Sixteen-year-old Nannie Colquitt Hill makes her debut in the antebellum society of the Chattahoochee River plantations. A thousand miles north, a Wisconsin farm boy, Hugh LaGrange, joins an Abolitionist crusade to ban slavery in Bleeding Kansas.Five years later, secession and war against the homefront hurl them toward a confrontation unrivaled in American history.
Review:
A brilliant historical novel encapsulating a little-known part of American Civil War history. I was very engaged from the start, and really enjoyed learning about these brave women. I know women sacrificed much during the war, on both fronts. Well worth the read for anyone interested in this time period.
Buy Links:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08XJ4Z3DM
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XJ4Z3DM
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08XJ4Z3DM
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08XJ4Z3DM
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-cotillion-brigade
IBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1555830477
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cotillion-brigade-glen-craney/1138906614
About the Author:
A graduate of Indiana University School of Law and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Glen Craney practiced trial law before joining the Washington, D.C. press corps to write about national politics and the Iran-contra trial for Congressional Quarterly magazine. In 1996, the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences awarded him the Nicholl Fellowship prize for best new screenwriting. His debut historical novel, The Fire and the Light, was named Best New Fiction by the National Indie Excellence Awards. He is a three-time Finalist/Honorable Mention winner of Foreword Magazine’s Book-of-the-Year and a Chaucer Award winner for Historical Fiction. His books have taken readers to Occitania during the Albigensian Crusade, the Scotland of Robert Bruce, Portugal during the Age of Discovery, the trenches of France during World War I, the battlefields of the Civil War, and the American Hoovervilles of the Great Depression. He lives in Malibu, California.
Connect with Glen:
Website: www.glencraney.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlenCraneyAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/glencraney
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gcraney5618/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1516207.Glen_Craney
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Glen-Craney/e/B002C1VQZ8
May 27, 2021
Blog Tour: Saving Grace by H D Coulter
Title: Saving Grace: Deception. Obsession. Redemption.
(The Ropewalk series, Book 2)
Author: H D Coulter
Blurb:
Beacon Hill, Boston. 1832.
“You are innocent. You are loved. You are mine.”
After surviving the brutal attack and barely escaping death at Lancaster Castle, Beatrice Mason attempts to build a new life with her husband Joshua across the Atlantic in Beacon Hill. But, as Beatrice struggles to cope with the pregnancy and vivid nightmares, she questions whether she is worthy of redemption.
Determined to put the past behind her after the birth of her daughter Grace, Bea embraces her newfound roles of motherhood and being a wife. Nevertheless, when she meets Sarah Bateman, their friendship draws Bea towards the underground railroad and the hidden abolitionist movement, despite the dangerous secrets it poses. Whilst concealed in the shadows, Captain Victor Hanley returns, obsessed with revenge and the desire to lay claim to what is his, exposes deceptions and doubts as he threatens their newly established happiness.
Now, Beatrice must find the strength to fight once more and save Grace, even if it costs her life.
Ropewalk; Rebellion. Love. Survival (The Ropewalk Series, Book 1) is only 0.99 on ebook during the tour. Here are the buy links:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08MKZW4S5
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MKZW4S5
Universal Link to other bookshops: https://books2read.com/u/bxjlQd
Review:
Check out my review of the first book here!
So, I don’t want to give away too much, since you really need to read the first book as well, but all I can say is, DAMN! When is book 3 coming? Cause it need it, like, yesterday! Amazing historical fiction. This is definitely an author to watch.
About the Author:
Hayley was born and raised in the lake district and across Cumbria. From a young age, Hayley loved learning about history, visiting castles and discovering local stories from the past. Hayley and her partner lived in Ulverston for three years and spent her weekends walking along the Ropewalk and down by the old harbour. She became inspired by the spirit of the area and stories that had taken place along the historic streets.
As a teacher, Hayley had loved the art of storytelling by studying drama and theatre. The power of the written word, how it can transport the reader to another world or even another time in history. But it wasn’t until living in Ulverston did she discover a story worth telling. From that point, the characters became alive and she fell in love with the story.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://hdcoulter.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coulter_hd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hd.coulter/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hdcoulter
Sign up to Hayley’s newsletter between now and May 30th to be placed into a giveaway raffle for a personalised BookBox, including a signed copy of Ropewalk and Saving Grace.
May 23, 2021
Blog Tour: Of Love and Vengeance by Louise Lyndon
Title: Of Love and Vengeance
Author: Louise Lyndon
Genre: Historical Romance
Blurb:
Forced to marry Lord Aymon to ensure her young nephews survival, English Lady Laila vows undying hatred for the Norman she holds responsible for the deaths of so many innocents. Discovering Aymon has committed an act of treason gives her the chance to seek vengeance he deserves. But can Laila let Aymon die at the hands of the king once she learns the truth?
A hardened Norman warrior, Lord Aymon has lived through atrocities no man ever should. With the invasion of England over, all he wants is a quiet life and a wife who will give him heirs and obey his every command. Instead, he finds himself wed to feisty and outspoken Laila. But when she learns the truth of his treasonous act, can Aymon count on her to keep his secret?
FREE for the duration of the tour!
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/Of-LoveandVengeance
Review:
This historical romance fondly reminded me of ones I had read when I first started delving into the genre, especially A Year and a Day by Virginia Henley. I liked the characters, even though they did things a bit backwards from the traditional romances. I very much enjoyed Laila as a character and Aymon had redeeming qualities. Some of the historical elements were a bit stretched and there were a few editing/proofreading niggles that pulled me a bit away from the narrative at times, but the love story was still very beautiful.
Excerpt:
Laila swallowed hard, hoping to choke down the words which threatened to hurtle from her mouth in defense of her home. She inhaled deeply. And when she was sure she was not going to blurt the words she so desperately wanted to shout, she said simply, “Only three serfs remain, and they are hunting. They will return shortly,” she lied.
“They dare leave the Lady of the manor unprotected?”
Laila would have been deaf not to hear the derision in his voice. “Although, you hardly need protecting, do you? And your husband? Where is he? Is he hunting, too?”
“I do not have a husband.”
He nodded his head in understanding. She was unwed; a lone woman with no one to protect her. She was at his complete mercy. She knew it. He knew it.
The rasp of his strong fingers against his day old stubble filled the silent great hall. With his mind seemingly made up, he strode toward the door. “It’s too late to do anything about it today, but be ready first thing on the morrow.”
Laila followed close on his heels. “Ready for what?”
Without missing a step, he threw over his shoulder, “Our wedding.”
About the Author:
Louise grew up in country Victoria, Australia, before moving to England, where for sixteen years she soaked up the vibrancy of London and the medieval history of England. She has since returned to Australia and now lives in Melbourne.
Her obsession with all things medieval continued upon her return and shortly after settling back in to Aussie life she wrote the first of the two Warriors In Love novels – Of Love and Vengeance (book 1), and Of Love and Betrayal (book 2).
Louise temporarily re-joined the 21st century with a soon to be released new series – Justice Served. Book 1 – Nowhere to Hide is scheduled for release in 2021.
Not yet ready to leave modern times Louise has started work on a new series, Shame Defy about rock gods and their journey to finding “the one”. Book one is scheduled for release in 2022.
Connect with Louise via:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005458125421
Email – louiselyndonauthor@gmail.com
Website – http://www.LouiseLyndon.net
GIVEAWAY:
Louise Lyndon will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.jsMay 20, 2021
Blog Tour: The Shadow of Versailles by Cathie Dunn
Title: The Shadows of Versailles
(An Affair of the Poisons Book One)
Author: Cathie Dunn
Blurb:
Dazzled by Versailles. Broken by tragedy. Consumed by revenge.
When Fleur de La Fontaine attends the court of King Louis XIV for the first time, she is soon besotted with handsome courtier, Philippe de Mortain. She dreams of married life away from her uncaring mother, but Philippe keeps a secret from her.
Nine months later, after the boy she has given birth to in a convent is whisked away, she flees to Paris where she mends gowns in the brothel of Madame Claudette, a woman who helps ‘fallen’ girls back on their feet.
Jacques de Montagnac investigates a spate of abducted children when his path crosses Fleur’s. He searches for her son, but the trail leads to a dead end – and a dreadful realisation.
Her boy’s suspected fate too much to bear, Fleur decides to avenge him. She visits the famous midwife, La Voisin, but it’s not the woman’s skills in childbirth that Fleur seeks.
La Voisin dabbles in poisons.
Will Fleur see her plan through? Or can she save herself from a tragic fate?
Delve into The Shadows of Versailles and enter the sinister world of potions, poisoners and black masses during the Affairs of the Poisons, a real event that stunned the court of the Sun King!
Buy Links:
Is your book on Kindle Unlimited? – Yes.
Universal Link (if you have it): Amazon: https://mybook.to/ShadowsVersailles
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LHC27F7/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LHC27F7/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08LHC27F7/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LHC27F7/
Review:
Certainly one of the most intriguing periods in history, The Shadow of Versailles takes the reader directly into Louis XIV’s dazzling and dangerous court. Jacques de Montagnac is faced with uncovering a mysterious string of poisonings and disappearing infants, but will someone he holds dear be at the center of it all?
Personally, I thought Jacques should have featured more heavily in the blurb, because he is the main character of this series. Fleur is a sympathetic character, driven by revenge and subject to the burdens of women at the time. I felt deeply for her plight and immense sadness at her fate. I would be very keen to continue reading about Jacques and his further investigations of the poisonings at Versailles and I look forward to the next book in the series. This will appeal to historical mystery lovers with a penchant for reading novels set at the time of the Sun King.
About the Author:
Cathie Dunn writes historical fiction, mystery, and romance.
Cathie has been writing for over twenty years. She studied Creative Writing, with a focus on novel writing, which she now teaches in the south of France. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites.
Her stories have garnered awards and praise from reviewers and readers for their authentic description of the past.
Cathie is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
After nearly two decades in Scotland, she now lives in the historic city of Carcassonne in the south of France with her husband, two cats and a rescue dog.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.cathiedunn.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cathiedunn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathieDunnAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathiedunnwrites/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.fr/cathiedunnwrites/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cathie-dunn
Amazon Author Page: https://author.to/CathieDunn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5066224.Cathie_Dunn
May 12, 2021
Blog Tour: Wired by the FBI by Glenn Painter
Title: Wired by the F.B.I.
Author: Glenn Painter
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Thriller
Blurb:
Christian Romano lives his life as a con-artist, burglar, drug dealer, and a ladies’ man, using his good looks to con wealthy women out of jewels and money. When he is arrested and jailed in one of the most violent jails in the U.S. (Cook County in Chicago), a steamy affair begins with a nympho female jail guard. When he loses control of the romance, Christian must end the affair by reporting her to Internal Affairs. It turns out that she is already under suspicion for supplying drugs to various gang members inside the jail. He has to decide if he is “rogue” enough to help set her up for arrest. Meanwhile, the FBI wants to recruit Christian to gather information against a sadist ex-cop, Scott Mason, who has been arrested for murder. The risk? Christian must wear a wire and testify. The reward? Witness protection for Christian and his girlfriend and a modification of his prison sentence. Will Christian risk his life for a chance at freedom? Will the female sheriff “get even” with him? Or will his life end at the hands of the jail’s drug lords or a lunatic former cop?
Review:
Not normally a book I would pick up on my own, however, I was pleasantly intrigued by the story, once I started to get into it. Based on true events, Wired by the FBI takes us into the mindset of Christian Romano as he’s jerked this way and that by the legal system and law enforcement. Christian’s straight-forward way of talking reminded me of the film, Blow, with Johnny Depp, in terms of his covert drug empire. The flow of the novel took some getting used to, and this is one for the long-haul readers, covering Romano’s life from beginning to now. I would say that there were a few proofing issues that did take me out of the story occasionally, and missing quotation marks at places, but they were easy enough to decipher based on the dialogue. This is definitely one for true crime fans, and I found myself looking up some of the case information about the man on which the main character is based. A solid four star read.
Excerpt:
U.S.S. Just Kill Me Now
Once we were through that charade, Smith began to explain how it all worked.
“This is a Swiss-made Nagra recorder. It’s a little heavy, but it gets the clearest recording of any machine we have ever used. Once you turn the machine on, you must let it run until the two hours expire, then take the tape out and exchange it with another. We will come by every couple day to bring new tapes and pick up the ones you have recorded. Do you understand everything so far?”
I could feel my mouth go dry as I stared into the case and wondered, What the f*** have I gotten myself into?
Then, the sound of Smith’s voice snapped me back to attention, “Here, get a feel for it.”
I took the silver-cased recorder from him and thought to myself, It’s too heavy and clunky to ever be concealed. The recorder was the size as a Sony Walkman cassette player, but three times heavier. Two wires, four feet each, ran from the machine with white plastic heads attached to each end. I had a bad feeling about the size and shape of this thing. It would be a real concern later.
Then Rogers said, “Because the heads on this machine are so sensitive, we will tape the recorder to your upper thigh and run the wires around your leg until the heads sit directly under the waistband of your underwear.”
Out of frustration, I said, “Great, if I have to piss and someone saddles up next to me and happens to look over at my manhood, they’re gonna get an eyeful of recorder wiring. Chances are I will be beaten to death after that miscue.”
My mind kept going back to the obvious lack of insight these square, fed boys had toward the real life within a jail.
“I’m about to go back to a jail with zero airflow and 100-degree heat. We walk around in our boxers all day.”
It was crystal clear that neither of these agents gave a rat’s ass about my safety.
Smith said, “We’ll just have to tape it higher up your thigh.”
“No, how about we strap it up your ass and let you go up there face-to-face with your boy.”
That was all they wanted to hear of my sarcasm and all hell broke loose as we tried to figure out how this was ever gonna work. The real logistical nightmare hit when I finally dropped my jail uniform pants and pulled up my boxers to see how it would fit on my inner thigh. After several years of martial arts and weightlifting, my thighs were far too big to fit the recorder under my boxers. Two agents played with the leg of my underwear, as they slid the fabric up and down with no success in figuring out how to get the damn machine up under my nut sack. Finally, I had had enough.
I asked, “Does anyone here have a knife with them?” They all stared at me in stunned silence.
Rogers finally spoke up. “I have a pocketknife,” he said as he handed it to me.
I jerked my boxers off and stood there with my dick dangling in the wind for all to admire. I measured the boxers to see where this heavy sack of metal was going to be placed. I began cutting a crude square hole in the upper right leg of my underwear. I was pretty certain the recorder would fit snugly in the hole. I slid my boxers back on and held the recorder where I had just cut the hole. The fit was very good, but now there was a different problem.
The recorder showed, so I had to come up with another way to cover the hole. I decided that if I was gonna pull this off, I would have to wear a second pair of boxers over the first pair. The outer ones had to hang lower on my torso and loosely enough to cover the recorder where it stuck out of my underwear. The hope was that the inner pair would hold the recorder in place well enough so it wouldn’t slip around. If this worked, I might be able to get away with it.
In my mind, I was thinking, what a cluster f*** this operation is. This would soon prove to be the way the F.B.I. does everything. So long as they are getting what they want, all else be damned. But at the moment, I had to wear this heavy chunk of metal under my nuts and hope that it stayed put and didn’t fall from my boxers like the anchor of the U.S.S. Just Kill Me Now.
Rogers wrapped the recorder with the ACE bandage he had brought and stepped back long enough for me to give it a light tug. I tugged on it ever so gently and knew immediately that it was too heavy.
“This thing is not gonna stay on my leg while I spend several hours walking up and down the tier. Are you trying to get me killed?” I asked. “Did either of you think to bring duct tape?”
Barry Smith had the audacity to respond by saying, “I didn’t want to bring any because I did not want to take the chance of it being considered contraband here at the jail.”
“You thought to bring my suicide machine, but you thought duct tape would set off alarms?” I shot back.
By now, Williamson had heard enough and walked back to his office. He reappeared a few moments later with some heavy, clear packing tape. We used that over the ACE bandage that the feds had brought to hold the recorder up. I gave the new configuration another slightly harder tug and everything seemed better. We then moved on to the next logistical nightmare, the swapping out of the tapes. It was actually Walsh that brought it up.
“How can the tapes be retrieved from Christian without stirring up attention?”
I had seen a movie once where a thick book was carved out and contraband was kept in the hollowed-out hole inside.
“Hey, I have one of those super thick books by Michener. I think it is about ancient Israel. I could take a razor blade out when it is time to shave and cut a hole in the center pages of the book to make a cavity large enough for the tapes. What do you guys think?” I asked.
Everyone was nodding their heads in agreement.
“I can put the book in my bars on the rear side toward the catwalk where no one will notice anything different. I have about four or five books back there now. What I can do is reverse this book so that the title faces out. When Sergeant Walsh walks around the tier, that will be his cue to grab that particular book, take the tape out and replace it with a new one.” I suggested.
They all agreed with the plan, so with the tape swap seemingly figured out, I was feeling a little better. I stood up to see how the recorder looked under my pants; and to my surprise, I could not see it through the clothing. I felt ready to go back to the jail and put the second pair of shorts over the first.
Barry Smith handed me a piece of paper and said, “This is a private phone number to our office that we call the ‘Hello’ line.
“When it rings through, it will be at a central desk where all the agents can pick it up. They will only answer by saying ‘Hello.’ When the jail recording announces that it is a collect call, everyone knows to accept the charges. You will then be speaking to one of the agents in our office. If it is after hours, the answering machine will come on, so speak to it as if you were leaving a message for me or Agent Rogers.”
It both surprised and impressed me that he was willing to give me a direct line in case of an emergency. For the first time, I felt a little less like a disposable piece of trash to these people. I took a pen from Buchan and rewrote the number in code so that if it were ever found, no one could access the actual number. When I was done, I stuffed the paper in my sock for safekeeping.
I looked at the two F.B.I. agents and asked, “Am I supposed to steer the conversation toward any certain topics?”
Smith spoke for them. “Since the conversation seems to come out of Mason’s mouth so frequently, just let him go, and see what happens.”
Barry Smith then handed me a second tape to have as a backup for the one that was already in the machine. After stuffing it into my other sock, I walked out with the heavy recorder strapped under my balls.
When I arrived back to my tier, Scott was talking on the phone. I walked past him and headed to my cell to get out of the jail clothes. I stripped down to my boxers to beat the crazy heat that hung over the unit like napalm. I stuck my head out of my cell to make sure the hallway was clear and slipped the second pair of boxers over the first. After pulling the outer pair down a few inches, they seemed to cover the protruding recorder just enough. I looked down and couldn’t tell where the recorder was. Just to be on the safe side, I put on an oversized shirt and let it billow out as I walked; this looked natural for the surroundings. It wasn’t five minutes and Scott was at the bars of my cell.
“You go to the hospital?” he asked.
“Yeah, I had to wait for the MRI machine to empty before I could go in. The radiologist was taking a smoke break between every MRI.”
I walked out of my cell and turned left, away from the guard post and began the ritual of walking from one end of the long hallway to the other.
When I walked away from my cell, I could feel Scott place his hand on my back. I tried not to freeze out of panic, but he had never touched me like that before. I had to wonder, Is he cleverly checking for a recording device? I tried to push the paranoia out of my mind, but it was tough with the stakes this high.
[image error]About the Author:
Glenn Painter is single and lives in Central Florida. He became interested in writing at an early age but did not make it his career until 2014 when he published his first book, Beyond the Sentence.
Glenn has written this story from the notes by the man who actually lived it. However, extensive research was also require in order to make the story factual.
Glenn has also founded a company, ‘Prisoner Civil Right Services.’ He is an advocate for incarcerated individuals who have had their rights violated. He is in constant contact with these individuals, their families and the council. Most of his stories are inspired by ‘factual events’ that have happened to these individuals. This makes his stories both fiction and non-fiction.
Glenn says that writing is very challenging, and you must love the trials and tribulations that come with it. He believes that patience, perseverance and determination are required essentials to see a book through to being published. The journey is just as important as the destination.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.gapainter.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Glenn-Painter/e/B00NETNKU6%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9875593.Glenn_Painter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/author2663
a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.jsMay 11, 2021
Blog Tour: Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton
Title: Under the Light of the Italian Moon
Author: Jennifer Anton
Genre: Historical Fiction
Blurb:
A promise keeps them apart until WW2 threatens to destroy their love forever
Fonzaso, Italy, between two wars
Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave.
When childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise. Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America. Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother.
As Mussolini’s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorise their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone…
A gripping historical fiction novel, based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.
Spanning over two decades, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is an epic, emotional and triumphant tale of one woman’s incredible resilience during the rise of fascism and Italy’s collapse into WWII.
Review:
(I had reviewed this novel previously for Readers’ Favorite. While I am unable to post my review on Goodreads or Amazon, due to their reviewer guidelines, I’m happy to present it here.)
Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton is a beautiful historical fiction novel about the life of Nina Argenta. Growing up in a small village in Italy, Nina’s mother is the local midwife, a strong woman who has delivered many babies and overcome many hardships. As Nina grows, Adalaisa, her mother, asks her to stay in the village after her brother goes off to American. Young, at the time, Nina agrees, but then she falls in love with Pietro Pante. He decides America is the future for him, so he leaves, but then ends up returning to marry Nina. Nina, however, knows she must remain for her mother. This, at times heart breaking and hopeful novel spans the course of two world wars as Nina and Pietro struggle with their lives apart, and through many tragedies.
Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton kept me captivated from the first page. Like a slow burning candle, the story of Nina and Pietro is told with skillful prose and historical accuracy to the time. I really loved how Miss Anton presents a realistic narrative, as well as showing how different generations deal with the hardships of war and maintaining relationships from a great distance. My favorite character was Nina and Pietro’s daughter, Laisa. I found her courage and steadfastness a good contrast to Nina’s sometimes instability with all the tragedy befalling her. I would definitely recommend this novel to someone who appreciates a carefully woven story, without rushing to a quick ending.
Buy Links:
Amazon: getbook.at/JAnton
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3n1nDqC
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/under-the-light-of-the-italian-moon/jennifer-anton//9789493231009
Bookshop.org (U.S. only): https://bit.ly/3ofS39T
I am Books Boston: https://bit.ly/2Z0mWUO
About the Author:
Jennifer Anton is an American/Italian dual citizen born in Joliet, Illinois and now lives between London and Lake Como, Italy. A proud advocate for women’s rights and equality, she hopes to rescue women’s stories from history, starting with her Italian family.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.boldwomanwriting.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/boldwomanwrites
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferantonauthorpage
Instagram: www.instagram.com/boldwomanwriting
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/janton1468/_created/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-anton
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Anton/e/B08RL6HBDN%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2XsHt3F
Youtube: https://bit.ly/3i9XvZA
May 5, 2021
Blog Tour: Dawn Empress by Faith L. Justice
Title: Dawn Empress: A Novel of Imperial Rome (The Theodosian Women, Book Two)
Author: Faith L. Justice
Audiobook narrated by Kathleen Li
Genre: Historical Fiction
Blurb:
As Rome reels under barbarian assaults, a young girl must step up.
After the Emperor’s unexpected death, ambitious men eye the Eastern Roman throne occupied by seven-year-old Theodosius II. His older sister Pulcheria faces a stark choice: she must find allies and take control of the Eastern court or doom the imperial children to a life of obscurity—or worse. Beloved by the people and respected by the Church, Pulcheria forges her own path to power. Can her piety and steely will protect her brother from military assassins, heretic bishops, scheming eunuchs and—most insidious of all—a beautiful, intelligent bride? Or will she lose all in the trying?
Dawn Empress tells the little-known and remarkable story of Pulcheria Augusta, 5th century Empress of Eastern Rome. Her accomplishments rival those of Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great as she sets the stage for the dawn of the Byzantine Empire. Don’t miss this “gripping tale” (Kirkus Reviews); a “deftly written and impressively entertaining historical novel” (Midwest Book Reviews). Historical Novel Reviews calls Dawn Empress an “outstanding novel…highly recommended” and awarded it the coveted Editor’s Choice.
Review:
Focusing on a little-known woman in Roman history, Dawn Empress takes us into the life of Pulcheria Augusta, who was co-ruler of Eastern Rome, along with her brother, Theodosius. Initially, I was struck by Pulcheria’s dedication to her faith, as it felt a bit overwhelming, especially when it led to the persecution of others, but I recognize that, at the time, that wasn’t radical in the slightest. There were parts I felt a bit dry and sometimes repetitive, especially when it came to religion, but the conflicts between Pulcheria, her brother, and her brother’s wife made for some interesting reading, as well as learning how the power was balanced between the eastern and western parts of the Roman empire at the time. Understandably, the novel does jump a bit, having to cover over fifty years of history, but it’s clear the author certainly knows her Roman history and has dedicated a great deal of time to be as accurate as possible within the scope of the historical fiction genre. That is something I fully appreciate.
Buy Links:
Print/eBook
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0917053265
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0917053265
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0917053265
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B089J6R3YZ
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dawn-empress-faith-l-justice/1136976264
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/dawn-empress/faith-l-justice/9780917053146
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dawn-empress-a-novel-of-imperial-rome
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dawn-empress-a-novel-of-imperial-rome/id1511991657
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1020223
Books A Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Dawn-Empress/Faith-L-Justice/9780917053146
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/460186605/Dawn-Empress-A-Novel-of-Imperial-Rome
Audiobook:
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Dawn-Empress-A-Novel-of-Imperial-Rome-Audiobook/B08WLZ4M28
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/id1549846649
Nook Audiobook: https://www.nookaudiobooks.com/audiobook/1028557/dawn-empress
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Faith_L_Justice_Dawn_Empress?id=AQAAAEBc9QS1SM
Kobo Audio: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/dawn-empress
BingeBooks: https://bingebooks.com/book/dawn-empress
Chirp: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/dawn-empress-by-faith-l-justice
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/491435814/Dawn-Empress-A-Novel-of-Imperial-Rome
About the Author:
Faith L. Justice writes award-winning historical novels, short stories, and articles in Brooklyn, New York where she lives with her family and the requisite gaggle of cats. Her work has appeared in Salon.com, Writer’s Digest, The Copperfield Review, and many more publications. She is Chair of the New York City chapter of the Historical Novel Society, and Associate Editor for Space and Time Magazine. She co-founded a writer’s workshop many more years ago than she likes to admit. For fun, she digs in the dirt—her garden and various archaeological sites.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://faithljustice.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/faithljustice
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithljusticeauthor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-l-justice-53974719/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fljusticeauthor/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B003FWNP9S
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3268206.Faith_L_Justice
April 27, 2021
Blog Tour: A Reckless Heart by Jennifer Wilck
Title: A Reckless Heart
Author: Jennifer Wilck
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb:
Meg Thurgood, former society girl, took the blame for her friend and paid a steep price. Now all she wants is solitude and a chance to rebuild her life. She thinks she’s found that in an isolated house she rents from a mysterious stranger.
Simon McAlter has hidden in his house on the coast of Maine since a fire left him scarred. A successful landscape architect who conducts his business and teaches his classes remotely, he’s lost his inspiration and is trying to pretend he’s not lonely.
Simon’s new neighbor is more than he bargained for. When he learns Meg’s secret, will he retreat into the shadows or will he learn to see past the surface and trust in Meg’s love?
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Reckless-Heart-Scarred-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B08X429BMX/
Excerpt:
“Let’s watch a horror movie.” Meg flopped on the couch and wiggled into the soft cushions.
There was a beat of silence before Simon turned away from her and poked at the logs in the fireplace, sending sparks up the chimney. “I’m not a big fan of horror movies.”
She liked horror movies because the monsters were obviously fake. You didn’t have to dig deep, to wonder about anything. It was black and white. Meg’s heart constricted. She hadn’t thought about it from Simon’s perspective. Did he consider himself a monster? Could this amazing man see himself in those movies? Her throat thickened. She wanted to run away and cry. But he’d think she ran from him. With a deep breath, she sorted through the list of her favorites in her mind and threw away several until she thought of the perfect one.
“How about Dracula?” Her voice rasped past the emotion, but she forged ahead. “The old one. It’s totally cheesy, which makes it funny. ‘I vant to suck your blood!’ ” she said with a fake accent.
“Do you?” he asked.
Returning the poker to the rack, he walked toward her, and held out his arm, wrist up. She took it in her hand. His skin was warm beneath her fingers, his pulse steady, and the hair on the other side of his arm was wiry. She stroked her thumb along the inside of his wrist. His breath stuttered. She wondered what he’d do if she kissed him. Desire flooded through her. Never mind him, what would she do?
“Next time,” she said. She was brave, but maybe not that brave, at least not yet.
Slowly, he lowered his arm to his side, but remained close enough his knees brushed hers. His skin was flushed, his eyes ablaze. Heat pulsed between them. After a moment, he stepped away, as if he wasn’t brave enough either. “Do you want popcorn?”
Review:
A heartwarming romance of two people trying to rebuild their shattered pasts, A Reckless Heart will appeal to contemporary romance readers everywhere. I particularly enjoyed the small town beach setting and the gradual transformation of both characters into trusting each other and themselves. Although Meg was the clear main character, and we got small glimpses into her life before Simon, I would have liked there to be more depth to both her and Simon. It felt like key parts of their past lives were missing and only briefly touched on. I would have liked to see them have a final heart-to-heart, just to get all of those emotions out. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of the novel. I would certainly read more by this author in the future.
About the Author:
Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
She writes contemporary romance, many of which feature Jewish characters in non-religious settings (#ownvoices). She’s published with The Wild Rose Press, as well as indie, and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/
Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck
a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.jsApril 20, 2021
Blog Tour: Songbird by Karen Heenan
Title: Songbird (The Tudor Court, Book I)
Author: Karen Heenan
Blurb:
She has the voice of an angel…
But one false note could send her back to her old life of poverty.
After her father sells her to Henry VIII, ten-year-old Bess builds a new life as a royal minstrel, and earns the nickname “the king’s songbird.”
She comes of age in the dangerous Tudor court, where the stakes are always high, and where politics, heartbreak, and disease threaten everyone from the king to the lowliest musician.
Her world has only one constant: Tom, her first and dearest friend. But when Bess intrigues with Anne Boleyn and strains against the restrictions of life at court, will she discover that the biggest risk of all is listening to her own stubborn heart?
Buy Links:
Amazon UK • Amazon US • Amazon CA • Barnes and Noble • Kobo
Audio Buy Links:
Narrated by Jennifer Summerfield
Audible • Authors Direct • Nook • Hoopla • Apple Books • Kobo • Scribd • Google Play • Amazon
Review:
A beautifully captivating novel of the endurance of love, Songbird encapsulates the life of Bess, a minstrel in the court of Henry VIII. Every word lived and breathed the time, and it was truly an amazing read. I immensely enjoyed watching Bess grow from child to adult, facing and fighting her emotions. I especially liked the focus on Bess solely, whereas some other historical romances of the time tend to encapsulate two points of view. It was lovely to get such an in depth story about the life of one person. Definitely recommend this novel for lovers of historical romance in Tudor times.
About the Author:
Karen Heenan was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She fell in love with books and stories before she could read, and has wanted to write for nearly as long. After far too many years in a cubicle, she set herself free to follow her dreams—which include gardening, sewing, traveling and, of course, lots of writing.
She lives in Lansdowne, PA, not far from Philadelphia, with two cats and a very patient husband, and is always hard at work on her next book.
Connect with Karen:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest • Book Bub • Amazon • Goodreads
April 5, 2021
Book Spotlight: Harvest Moon by Jenny Knipfer
Title: Harvest Moon
Author: Jenny Knipfer
Blurb: In the wilds of 19th century Ontario, Maang-ikwe, a young Ojibwe woman, falls into a forbidden love, breaks her father’s honor, and surrenders her trust to someone who betrays it. The abuse she suffers divides her from her tribe and causes her to give up what she holds most dear.
Niin-mawin must come to grips with his culture being ripped away from him. Brought up in a “white man’s” school, he suffers through an enforced “civilized” education and separation from his family. When a man he respects reveals a secret about Niin-mawin’s past, he embarks on a search for the person he hopes can mend the part of his heart that’s always been missing.
Both Maang-ikwe and Niin-mawin wonder how a harvest of pain and sorrow will impact their lives. Will they find the blessings amongst the hardships, or will they allow the results of division and abuse to taint their hearts forever?
Fans of historical fiction, Native American fiction, Christian historical fiction, clean romance, and literary fiction will be moved by this deep, heartfelt novel.
Praise for Harvest Moon
“A moving and authentic work or historical fiction, while this series is a testament to Knipfer’s skilled and versatile storytelling.” Self-Publishing Review
“Knipfer does an outstanding job of cementing place, time, and culture against the backdrop of evolving relationships.” D. Donavon for Midwest Book Review
Buy Links:
Amazon UK • Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon AU
Review:
I had originally reviewed this novel on behalf of Readers’ Favorite. As per their review guidelines, I’m unable to post my review on Goodreads or Amazon, but I’ve shared it below.
A tale of tragedy and self-discovery, Harvest Moon, the fourth book in the By the Light of the Moon series by Jenny Knipfer, takes the reader on a journey through the life and decisions of Maang-ikwe, an Ojibwe woman living during the 19th century. As a young girl, Maang-ikwe is forced to attend a Jesuit school, a way for the white men to maintain some control over the native populations. There, she meets a young incumbent priest, Ignacio. The pair decide to run away together, but they are thwarted, and the unthinkable happens to Maang-ikwe as she seeks comfort from another man she thought a friend. Paralleled with her son, Niin-mawin, the subsequent years take both on a journey to forgiveness and understanding, but also roots in Maang-ikwe the deep desire not to forsake her people’s ways.
This was certainly an interesting piece of historical fiction. I do find novels written around this time period very interesting because it shows literally how white men wanted to wipe out the culture of an entire people through the use of residential schools and cruel methods against Native American children. I can see why Maang-ikwe struggled with her beliefs throughout, and wanted to keep the Ojibwe way of life alive for future generations. Her son’s experiences were equally heart-breaking as her own. I appreciated the satisfying ending to this novel, and I won’t say too much about that, but it works so well for the story. Harvest Moon, the fourth book in the By the Light of the Moon series by Jenny Knipfer, explores so much about a past I’m sure many would like to forget, but it’s so important we remember what was done to the Native people.
Author Bio:
Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.
Spending many years as a librarian in a local public library, Jenny recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability. Her education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions.
Her By the Light of the Moon series earned five-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite, a book review and award contest company. Their praise: “Ruby Moon is entertaining, fast-paced, and features characters that are real. Blue Moon continues a well-written and highly engaging saga of family ties, betrayals, and heartaches. Silver Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of historical wartime fiction, powerful emotive drama, and excellent atmospheric writing. Harvest Moon is probably one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read. I have come away deep in thought, feeling somewhat like I’ve had a mystical experience and one I will never forget.”
She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Wisconsin Writers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, and Independent Book Publishers Association.
Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set. She is currently writing a new historical fiction series entitled, Sheltering Trees. The first title in that series, In a Grove of Maples,—inspired by the lives of her grandparents in the late 1890’s—is slated for fall of 2021.
Connect with Jenny:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram
