Loren Secretts's Blog, page 2
April 29, 2014
Scents and Senses Book Blast 50$ Giveaway
I’m happy to share with you a link to the Scents and Senses book blast and giveaway. This blast has been organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and sponsored by me in honor of the book’s release.
Link to Blast Giveaway (please scroll down to bottom of that page). Ends 5/27/2014.
Good luck!
Scents and Senses is now available at:
Share This:
April 23, 2014
Crown Duel
Crown Duel
by Sherwood Smith
Fantasy, Young Adult
Medieval Setting
I gained a new regard for OpenLibrary when I found Crown Duel in their collection. This book was one of the first on my Kindle, and not the last Sherwood Smith work I bought.
Mel is a young lady of noble birth in a kingdom that utilizes subtle magic but is ruled by a tyrannical king who taxes his subjects into poverty. Her dying father reveals that the king will break their covenant with the Hill Folk. She promises him to free their fortress from the king’s rule.
Together with her brother, this small and feisty teen devises war strategies and plays pranks against the enemy, leading her people in rebellion.
Crown Duel may be borrowed from OpenLibrary.org*
(You may need to place a hold.)
(*You’ll need to open an Open Library account, but it’s a great resource, and free to readers around the world.)
Share This:
April 13, 2014
Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
Classic, Historical Romance
End of the eighteenth century, England
When two teenage sisters — one of whom represents sensibility, while the other represents sensuousness — are displaced from their home and class ranking, they begin a new life that is beset with love and heartbreak.
Upon meeting Elinor, the protagonist of Sense and Sensibility, I’m jealous of Marianne, and wish for the older sister I never had.
Sense and Sensibility can be borrowed at goodreads.
Share This:
April 5, 2014
Murder on the Orient Express
Murder on the Orient Express
by Agatha Christie
Mystery, British Literature
1930′s, The Orient Express Train, Stamboul to London
Murder on the Orient Express is responsible for planting thrilling ideas about luxurious trains in my head. I’m tempted to take a trip on one, but I’m afraid I’ll be disappointed when I don’t meet up with Hercule Poirot.
To understand my obsession, one doesn’t need to read all of Christie’s books that feature this detective; his genius and the charm of his personality are revealed in full glory in this classic mystery.
As we’re stuck with the passengers on this train that is grounded in the snow, we’re entertained by the large cast of colorful characters with diverse personalities and backgrounds. When Poirot interviews them, we become more intimately familiar with each of them.
Will we prove ourselves worthy of becoming Poirot’s sidekick? Can we detect the real murderer among us?
This ebook can be borrowed from the Open Library. You’ll need to open an Open Library account, but it’s a great resource, and free to readers around the world.
Once you’ve opened your account, check out Murder on the Orient Express. If it’s available, you’ll have the option of borrowing it for two weeks. (As of now, you may borrow up to five books at a time.)
Share This:
March 29, 2014
Little Women
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
Classics, Children’s Classics
Admittedly, I’m biased toward this classic tale of four sisters growing up in a wholesome home in nineteenth century New England. When I was young, it represented my transition to chapter books, being my very first, and now it brings back nostalgic memories of my mother reading it to me when I was snuggled up in my poster bed.
The March family struggles with poverty and worrying about their husband and father, who’s on the battlefront during the Civil War. But their love for each other and concern for others leaves little room for self-pity. Led by a kind mother who’s full of sound advice that stands true even today, these girls navigate the coming-of-age years with grace, and develop into young women any “respectable” home in that period would be proud of.
Some of the preachy parts may be hard to swallow, but personally, I appreciate this book for the authentic insider perspective it gives us of that time period in North America. It is nearly autobiographical, as Ms. Alcott based the March family on her own, and their life experience inspired the plot and themes in the book.
This American classic is available for download at goodreads.com
Share This:
March 23, 2014
Fairchild’s Lady
Fairchild’s Lady
by Roseanna M. White
A historical romance novella
Setting: 1789 Versailles, France
Fairchild, an English general, assumes the identity of a French lord in order to whisk the wife and daughter of an English earl out of France on the eve of the revolution.
But Julienne, the earl’s beautiful daughter, is engaged to a powerful and nefarious duke so the situation leaves no chance for her to be surreptitiously taken away. Not only may Fairchild return to England empty-handed, but his very life is in peril.
Fairchild’s Lady is a stand-alone Kindle edition novella offered gratis on Amazon, but please note that you must have an account.
Don’t be disappointed if you don’t own a Kindle; you can download the Kindle app for free and read directly from your browser, smartphone or tablet.
Roseanna M. White has other works for sale, and they are listed on her Amazon page.
Share This:
March 20, 2014
Scents and Senses Cover Reveal
I don’t want to clutter this site with self promotion, but how can I not share the newborn cover of Scents and Senses?
Cora, one of the talented artists that works with my publisher, Astraea Press, did an impressive job, especially considering all my specifications. For example, I requested that the image of the main character leave room for the imagination, so readers could create their own heroine.
She also managed to work in symbolism, and I always appreciate that in a cover.
Release date is April 15th (2014). If I need a visual sign that this is indeed happening, here it is:
Share This:
March 14, 2014
Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen
Classic, Historical Romance, Satire
Late eighteenth century, England
If you’re in the mood for a light, amusing read that is a classic to boot, I suggest Northanger Abbey — Jane Austen’s first published work. It’s somewhat of a gothic parody, and Ms. Austen doesn’t disappoint readers with her trademark satirical jibes.
Meet seventeen year old Catherine and her over- reactive imagination in this quirky tale of Bath, dances, new friendships, a bipolar father, and haunting castles.
Northanger Abbey is available for download on Goodreads.
Share This:
March 6, 2014
Rumors
Rumors (A Lingering Echoes Novella)
by Erica Kiefer
Young Adult Contemporary
I’ve just finished reading Rumors, and I’m so moved. I must jot down a few words to share this novella with you, though my eyes are still moist.
Allie, a high school senior, is so racked by grief that she seems to live on a different plane of existence than her peers. Wrapped in her guilt and loss, she isolates herself from her previous loves.
Kiefer captures the grief so profoundly that it hurt to vicariously experience Allie’s estrangement and to feel the pain she carries all alone.
Rumors is offered for free on Smashwords, but I most definitely am interested in reading the sequel, Lingering Echoes for sale on Smashwords.
Share This:
March 1, 2014
Night Marchers
Night Marchers
by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels
Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy/Paranormal
Not all of us are lucky enough to visit Hawaii, but in the Night Marchers we get to do so, and experience some of its paranormal elements through Emma.
Though she’s devastated that she and her father must relocate to the island just months before her graduation from high school, Emma is rewarded with dream-like living conditions and budding relationships– some of which are supernatural.
Night Marchers is available for free at Smashwords.
Night Marchers is the first in its series’, the second one is for sale, and it, and other works by the same authors can be found here;
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Share This:
