The Boy From Tomorrow by Camille DeAngelis

Synopsis:
Josie and Alec both live at 444 Sparrow Street. They sleep in the same room, but they’ve never laid eyes on each other. They are twelve years old but a hundred years apart.

The children meet through a handpainted spirit board—Josie in 1915, Alec in 2015—and form a friendship across the century that separates them. But a chain of events leave Josie and her little sister Cass trapped in the house and afraid for their safety, and Alec must find out what’s going to happen to them. Can he help them change their future when it’s already past?

The Boy from Tomorrow is a tribute to classic English fantasy novels like Tom’s Midnight Garden and A Traveller in Time. Through their impossible friendship, Alec and Josie learn that life can offer only what they ask of it.

Review:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an amazing story about Alec and Josie. They live in the same house only separated by 100 years. Josie's mother is often cold and abusive and Alec is her only friend. they start talking through a spirit board and then later a gramophone. Alec tells her of the future and Josie tells of the present. This book is also told from both perspectives switching between the two so you know what is happening with each character. This was a really unique story that I will definitely read again and again.

P.S. The author does include a warning about using the spirit board in real life.

This book goes on sale May 8, 2018. Pre order your copy here!

Hang Him Twice by William W. Johnstone with J.A. Johnstone

Synopsis
There are a lot of ways a man can end up on a wanted poster. There's the easy way (murder), there's the hard way (robbery), and then there's Dooley Monahan's way (by accident.) On the trail west with his trusty horse and dog, the hapless gunslinger stops a mean, hungry bear from making lunch out of the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody. In turn, Cody grubstakes Dooley for the purchase of a silver mine in the lawless, violent boomtown of Leadville, Colorado. Dooley can't believe his good luck. But when he guns down three deadly outlaws, the grateful townsfolk pin a sheriff's badge on Dooley. And that's when his luck runs out . . .

Turns out there's a war going on between two rival gangs. Stagecoaches are being robbed every other day, and fingers are being pointed at Dooley himself. There's a tradition here in these parts, he discovers. If a sheriff's no good, they hang him. And if the next one's no better, they hang him twice . . . 

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another amazing western novel. I was so happy that Buffalo  Bill Cody was a character in this book.  Someone in Leadville has it in for Dooley. He goes to Leadville to be a miner, After a series of attacks, the town decides that he should become marshall to try to bring some law and order. Every time he thinks things will quiet down, there is one more attack. I couldn't put the book down, I had to find out if he would eventually lose the battle.

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

Synopsis
After being branded during the battle of Jericho, Moriyah has had no prospects for marriage--until now. She hopes to please the man, but things go horribly wrong and she is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the Levitical cities of refuge, she is unprepared for the dangers she faces, and the enemies--and allies--she encounters on her way.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this book. You could tell that a lot of Bible research was done to write it. Morgan was accused of poisoning two young boys and girls on the run so she can have a fair trial instead of vengance. On the run, she meets a variety of characters the help her, ventures into enemy territory, and has encounters with the king. Constantly fearful of the outcome of her trial, she learns to rely on God and gains an understanding that only He is in control. The ending was completely unexpected

This book will be released February 6, 2018. Click here to preorder your copy today!

Q and A with Allan - a - Dale and Much the Miller's son from Robin Hoods Dawn!

Today I have a real treat for my readers.  We are about to meet the famous outlaw, Robin Hood!  Born into a wealthy and noble family, Robin Fitzooth, the Earl of Huntingdon, is now leading a band of men in Sherwood Forest as they fight the injustices of a lawless and cruel sheriff.  Luckily, I’ve managed to arrange this rendezvous so that my readers will meet the amazing Robin Hood!

Q: Are you Robin Hood?

Allan: Well, not exactly.  It ain’t safe for Lord Robin to come into town, because all the sheriff’s men are looking for him, especially Guy of Gisborne.  I’m Allan-a-dale, and I’m the most important member of his band!

Q: Oh, that's too bad. Is there anyway that my readers and I could meet Robin Hood? We've heard so much about him.... What can you tell us about him?

Allan: I can tell you everything about Robin Hood!  He asked me to join his band of men after I single-handedly saved his life and the life of Lady Marian!  I’m chronicling all his deeds with my songs and ballads, would you like to hear one of my songs?

Q: Maybe we could hear it later. We would really like to learn more about Robin Hood. How does he always manage to defreat Sheriff de Argentan and Sir Guy?

Allan: Lord Robin relies on me to help him defeat the sheriff.  Do you want to hear how I saved his life?  All by myself!

Q: I don’t understand.  Are you saying that you are the real leader of the band?

Allan: Not exactly.  But I’m responsible for gathering information for Lord Robin, and I did save his and Lady Marian’s life.  I defeated a whole company of soldiers who were searching for Lady Marian.

Q: You?  How is that possible?  Are you skilled with weapons like Robin Hood?  I’ve heard that he is unbeatable with both the bow and the sword.  How were you able to fight off an entire company of soldiers?

Allan:  Well, I’m glad you asked.  It was the night I met Lord Robin and the fair Lady Marian.  I was leading them down Castle Gate Road – helping them escape from the castle when–

Much:  Allan!  What you doing here?  Why are you telling this stranger about Lord Robin?

Allan (rolling eyes):  I’m always telling strangers about Lord Robin when I sing my ballads for coins!  Now leave us alone, I was in the middle of an important story–

Q:Who are you?  Do you know Robin Hood too?

Much:  I’m Much, and I’ve been Lord Robin’s companion since we were boys!  I know him better than anyone else, and I’m the most important man in his band.

Q: Allan was just telling me about the time when he saved Robin and Lady Marian by defeating an entire company of soldiers. 

Much (rolling eyes): The only weapon that Allan can use with any skill is his clever tongue.  That’s the only way he could defeat any soldier.

Q: Is that true, Allan?

Allan (sheepishly):  Well, yeah, it’s true.  But even if I didn’t use a sword or a bow, I still saved their lives, and that’s why Lord Robin counts on me to be his eyes and ears in all the towns around Nottingham.

Q: Can you arrange for me to meet Robin Hood?  My readers would really like to ask him some questions.

Much:  I don’t know … these are such dangerous times.  We all have to be careful.  Come on, Allan, it’s time to leave.

Allan:  But, wait!  My song!  Here is one of my most popular songs:

                 Our noble and clever Robin Hood, 

                 He leads a band of brave and merry men. 

                 From deep in the heart of the great greenwood, 

                 They laugh at the cruel Sheriff de Argentan! 

                 Wood and wealth, they will boldly pilfer, 

                 And then merrily give it to the poor. 

                Greedy Argentan loves only silver, 

                Our hero, Robin Hood, loves people more! 

Q: It was nice to meet both of you.  Thank you for sharing your song with me and my readers.  Please let me know if I can meet Robin Hood – I will venture into the forest, if necessary!

Much:  We’ll let you know.  Come on, Allan!  Let’s go!  

Don't forget to grab your copy of Robin Hood's Dawn here. 

Author Questions and Answers for Robin Hood's Dawn!!!

Hey Everyone!

I read Robin Hood's Dawn a while back. I was asked to be part of the blog tour and was honored to do so. Here is the link to the book review: Robin Hood's Dawn I have to tell you, I am still telling everyone about this book. See below for the Author Question and answer

Robin Hood has been featured in many books, movies, and television shows. How is your story different?
We have taken a fresh approach to the Robin Hood story, and we’re excited to share our vision with fans of the legendary hero.  

We have creatively reimagined the origins of the Robin Hood legend, which includes exploring the complexity of his family dynamics - an aloof, proud father loyal to King Henry II, and a kind-hearted, generous mother devoted to ministering to the poor with her gift for healing.  One theme is that the consequences of immoral actions and secret sins can reverberate across generations, and this is part of the legacy that Robin receives from his father.

We wanted to cast him as a hero fighting against the tyranny of a lawless government official instead of a bandit redistributing wealth.  When Robin is falsely accused of a shocking crime by the new Sheriff of Nottingham, he could have simply retreated to a safe place beyond the reach of the sheriff.  However, he feels a responsibility to the people – he believes in the intrinsic value of every human being – so he takes a stand to defend the people from the actions of the sheriff.  And this points to another theme:  one person can make a difference by taking a stand for what is right.
Robin also feels great admiration for the newly crowned King Richard the Lionhearted.  His loyalty to the king will create a number of conflicts and unexpected consequences in the story. 
Lastly, we wanted to set our Robin Hood story in a fascinating time period:  the 12th century.  In our humble opinion, the 12th century has much to offer fans of sweeping tales of political, social, and spiritual upheaval. 

We have carefully constructed our story within the framework of real history. We hope that this realism and devotion to actual history will add to the enjoyment of the story and encourage people to learn more about this time. 

You've emphasized how your Robin Hood story has been reimagined. Will fans of the traditional ballads still recognize this as a Robin Hood story?

There is a lot of variety in the many books and screen adaptations of the Robin Hood legend.  We wanted to create a story that was respectful towards fans of the original ballads and legends without necessarily adhering to the same storylines that have been previously written.  It is our hope that all Robin Hood fans will enjoy this fresh retelling of the story.

For example, we feel that Marian is a character who deserves more attention.  All too often she is a background character with little to do.  With this in mind, we have focused on creating a Lady Marian who will figure more prominently in the story, especially in book 2. 

Our Marian is more than a love interest for Robin.  Over the course of Robin Hood’s Dawn, Marian transforms from a sheltered, somewhat pampered, girl into a brave woman who continuously strives to overcome both her fears and the obstacles that she faces.  We also wanted her to be feminine and remain believable as a woman of the 12th century.  Of course, keep in mind that the most prominent woman of the 12th century was the indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine, an inspiration to any woman living in a male-dominated society.  

Fans of the Robin Hood legend will find many familiar characters:  Maid Marian, Little John, Allan-a-dale, Will Scarlet, Much the Miller’s son, Guy of Gisborne, and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Readers will also meet real historical figures such as King Stephen, King Henry II, Richard the Lionhearted, King Philippe II of France, Prince John "the Lackland", and many others, including Ranulphus Besace.  Who was he?  Well, he was a real person who was King Richard’s personal physician!

This book is advertised as the first in a trilogy.  Will the first two books end in cliff-hangers? Will any of the books be stand-alone?  

Although the final mysteries and conflicts will not be resolved until book 3, we have structured the trilogy so that books 1 and 2 do not end in cliffhangers.

The readers will not be left wondering whether the main characters will live or die, and we have endeavored to create a sense of completion in each of the first two books. Some story threads will be resolved, and some of the mysteries surrounding the main characters will be revealed in each of the first two books.

We think readers will be excited and eager for the next installment without suffering undue frustration at the endings of books 1 and 2.  

The books will not be stand-alone.

How did each of you become interested in writting this story and working together as co-authors?

Olivia:

I love to tell stories with multi-dimensional characters.  I speak several languages, and I found that I enjoyed not only writing stories but also writing them in different languages.  My favorite legendary hero is Robin Hood, and my favorite historical figure is Anne Boleyn.  My first novel is an English-language re-imagining of the story of Anne Boleyn.

In 2015, I met Coleen (J.C.) on the Internet and we decided to co-author a Robin Hood Trilogy.  

It is amazing that Coleen and I have managed to successfully work together on our project despite the fact that we have never met each other in real life.  We talk on the phone and frequently exchange skype messages as well as emails.  We have been working together long-distance despite living in very different time zones

.

Coleen (J.C.)

I began writing about three years ago.  I had previously done editing work for other authors, but I had never thought about writing my own stories until one day when I was suddenly inspired to start writing, and I’ve been writing nearly non-stop ever since.

I wanted to write a book that would honor the legend of Robin Hood as a man who stood against the tyranny of a powerful government official; a man who fought for justice and fairness because he recognized the intrinsic value rooted in the humanity of all people.

So, you’ve never actually met, you come from different countries, different cultures, and speak different languages.  How can you co-author a book?  Is it because you have similar writing styles?
Coleen:
Fortunately, Olivia is fluent in English, because that’s the only language I know!

Olivia:
We have found that we have a lot in common – especially our love of writing and of history.  We have to work hard to merge our writing styles, but we have successfully done this.

Coleen:
That’s very true.  Oliva and I have very different “voices” and writing styles.  You might even say they are nearly opposite styles.
I tend to write in a straightforward, expository style, with a minimum of descriptive elements and metaphorical flourishes.  I am good at explaining things, organizing ideas, and creating natural sounding dialogue.

Olivia:
My writing is characterized by lush romanticism and passionate lyricism.  I love to create metaphors and descriptions which excite the imagination of the reader in a vivid and dramatic way.

Coleen:
In some respects, Olivia’s words are the emotional heart of the story, and my words represent the rational intellect.  Of course, it’s not quite that cut-and-dried, but it is one way to describe how two people with such different styles have come together to create Robin Hood’s Dawn.


Click here to get your copy of this AMAZING book today!

The Ballad of Huck and Miguel by Tim DeRoche

Synopsis: 
In this retelling of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tim DeRoche dares to imagine that Huck Finn is alive today. Chased by his vengeful and psychotic father, Pap, Huck escapes down the concrete gash that is the Los Angeles River with his friend Miguel, an illegal immigrant who has been falsely accused of murder. Riding the dangerous waters of a rainstorm, the two fugitives meet a strange cast of Angelenos both animal and human who live down by the river. And they learn the true value of love and loyalty. The Ballad of Huck and Miguel is not only a thrilling urban adventure, but also an inspired tribute to one of the most beloved novels ever written.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The author did an amazing job capturing the adventure and suspense of the Huckleberry Finn story. After his father is wanted for his part in a drug deal, Huck goes to live with two women. The stable hand, Miguel befriends him. When Huck's father shows up at the house one night and injures the women, Miguel saves Huck's life. They start on an adventure on the river that runs through LA. I love the fact that you could take Huck Finn from Mark Twain's novel, pluck him out of the pages, and put him right into modern day LA. This book was amazingly well written and a nice adaptation from one of America's classics. I would dub this one of the best modern-day classics that I have ever read. I also loved the illustration style of the pictures. They were beautiful. This book is available to purchase on Feb. 18, 2018 pick up your copy here!

Rust and Stardust by T. Greenwood

Synopsis:
The gripping, heart-wrenching novel of Sally Horner, the 11-year-old kidnapping victim whose abduction in 1948 inspired Nabokov's Lolita.

Camden, NJ, 1948. When 11 year-old Sally Horner steals a notebook from the local Woolworth's, she has no way of knowing that 52 year-old Frank LaSalle, fresh out of prison, is watching her, preparing to make his move. Accosting her outside the store, Frank convinces Sally that he’s an FBI agent who can have her arrested in a minute―unless she does as he says.

This chilling novel traces the next two harrowing years as Frank mentally and physically assaults Sally while the two of them travel westward from Camden to San Jose, forever altering not only her life, but the lives of her family, friends, and those she meets along the way.

Based on the experiences of real-life kidnapping victim Sally Horner and her captor, whose story shocked the nation and inspired Vladimir Nabokov to write his controversial and iconic Lolita, this heart-pounding story by award-winning author T. Greenwood at last gives a voice to Sally herself.

Review:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the most heart wrenching, tear-inducing, hanging on the edge of my seat books I have read in a really long time. All through Sally's ordeal, I could personally relate to everything she was going through. The author captured the raw emotions of Sally, her family, and all of the people that wanted to help, but at the time were unable. Many tears were shed in the reading of this novel, and I loved it.

This book is available August 2018 preorder your copy here!

My name is Venus Black by Heather Lloyd

Synopsis:
Venus Black is a straitlaced A student fascinated by the study of astronomy—until the night she commits a shocking crime that tears her family apart and ignites a media firestorm. Venus refuses to talk about what happened or why except to blame her mother. Adding to the mystery, Venus’s developmentally challenged younger brother, Leo, goes missing.

More than five years later, Venus is released from prison with a suitcase of used clothes, a fake identity, and a determination to escape her painful past. Estranged from her mother, and with her beloved brother still missing, she sets out to make a fresh start in Seattle, skittish and alone. But as new people enter her orbit—including a romantic interest and a young girl who seems like a mirror image of her former lost self—old wounds resurface, and Venus realizes that she can’t find a future while she’s running from her past. 

Review:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It is hard to review a book like this and not give spoilers. I love this writing style. I love how you get to know all of the pieces of the story before the conclusion, sometimes visiting the characters past and staying in the present. This was a really good book and written very well. I loved it!.

Dancing Through the Storm (My newest novella)

My newest novella Dancing Through the Storm is now available to purchase at Lulu.com

Get your copy of Dancing Through the Storm today! Use coupon code JAN for a 15% off!

Book of Souls by Nadine Nightingale

Synopsis:
They call me Angel of Death, but my name is Nisha Blake. I am Shepherdstown’s living urban legend. My life, a tale of the macabre. 

People avoid me like the plague. Well, everyone but my friends. They don’t see the Angel of Death when they look at me. They see poor, broken Nisha—the bully victim, suffering from vicious night terrors and vivid hallucinations. 

Things take a turn for the worse when Blaze shows up. He’s a too hot, tattooed, bad-ass MMA fighter from London, hell-bent on getting to know me. Since he walked into my miserable life, my hallucinations graduated to a point where I can no longer differentiate between fiction and reality. 

I am insane. 
Broken beyond repair. 
Or so I think until—

I uncover a secret form the past—a link between all the deaths, my hallucinations, and my night terrors. It’s then I understand I’m not the Angel of Death. 

I am something else. 
Someone else.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this book. I have never read anything about Egyptian gods and goddesses being reincarnated. I loved how the author went into detail to describe the relationships between the characters. Also, this book read like it was written by a teen. Not very many authors can write in the first person and actually capture the essence of a teen. The things the girl and her friends talked about and did are things that my teen could relate to.examples would be Harry Potter references, Facebook, game of thrones and things like that. Then there is the ending. Talk about one of the best cliffhanger ending ever. It left me feeling satisfied but I have to know what happens next! I already can't wait for book 2.

35% Off of My Published Novellas

Hey everyone,

Lulu.com just posted a coupon code that allows you to take 20% off. Right now I have a 15% discount on my books so that is a total of 35% off!

Click here and enter LULU20 at check out to get this amazing offer!

Firebolt by Adrienne Woods

Synopsis:
Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year-old Elena Watkins was no different.
Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.
Now Elena’s in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a Prince wants Elena’s heart, and a long-dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh. And the only way Elena’s going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.
Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales. Now it’s time for Elena to believe – in herself.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am in love with this book. It reminded me of Vampire Acadamy with a Harry Potter feel only for dragon shape-shifters and dragon riders.

This book had me as soon as a dragon fight happened during the first chapter.  Elena is left orphaned and finds her self on a magic island in the Bermuda Triangle. She is struggling with the recent loss of her father and thrown into a fairy tale world. Her school doesn't teach normal classes, instead, she has to learn dragon anatomy, latin, the art of war and the history of this magic island. Her two roommates become her best friend, and she falls in love with a prince.


When a magic sword is stolen, she and her friends set out on a quest that can only be described as 'suicidal' in order to retrieve it. This book never got dull or monotonous. It kept my attention and appeal throughout. I can't wait to read the next one!

My 5 Star Review

You may or may not know that I am a hobby author.  This morning I woke up and checked my e-mail and found out that a fellow hobby author Larraine Harrison (Author of Red Snow). Gave me a 5 star review on Amazon for my book Price of Freedom.

This review came just in time. I was thinking of finishing up the two stories I had started and then just letting it all go. I had lost the desire to write anything. I never started writing for the fame or glory. I didn't expect to become a best seller. It is just something I do to express myself. I have been firmly against becoming a full-time author because I hate expectations. I started writing short stories to relieve my own anxiety. When I write, I slip into my characters life and disappear from mine for a while.My stories are inspired by things that have happened to me, nightmares I had, real life events that have seemed to impact me in some way.

When I get an idea in my head, the first step I use to write it down is obsession. All I can think about are my characters, how they would react in the situations I put them in, what type of supporting characters they would need, and the tone I want the story.

The next step is the real rough draft. My mom is one of my editors, and she laughs when I "create my own language in a spot that I get really into." My handwriting turns into something between print, cursive and some foreign language. So Kudos to mom for her translation skills.

Then after mom reads it, I start the typing process. This part frustrates everyone that lives with me because almost nothing stays the same. Details get added, parts I don't really like get taken out ect.

Then the final draft is uploaded to Lulu and published.

In honor of my first 5-star review, I have listed my books at lulu.com at a 15% discount. See below for the book info.

Hidden Treasures -

This is a short collection of poetry based on real life events.
Find it here: Hidden Treasures

The Gentle Giant

Cassius Desmarius thought his life would change if he ran away and joined the circus. Nothing could have prepared him for just how much it would change.
Find it here: Gentle Giant

A Woman Scorned

Brielle's ex-boyfriend reappears and attacks her. Will he get what he deserves?
Find it here: A Woman Scorned

Surviving the Storm

What would you do if you lost your entire family? Thessaly had to face this very decision. After making several choices that got her into trouble, she must rely on some friends from her past. Will they be able to help her in time?
Find it here: Surviving the Storm

Kayleigh's Song

When I first met Kayleigh, I knew she would change my life. I could have never imagined just how much.
Find it Here: Kayleigh's Song

The Price of Freedom

Aezlynn is assigned a project for social studies. She must interview a person over 50 and write a 10 page report on her findings. Being new to town, she has no idea who to interview. On her way home from school, she sees a homeless man living behind the drug store. Little does she know that this interview will turn into so much more.

Read the five star review here: Review on Amazon
Find it here: The Price of Freedom

The Christmas Letter and Borrowed Angel

The Christmas Letter: Rowan writes a letter to Santa Cloaus asking for his help. Santa is his last hope. When Bill finds the letter, he answers Rowan's wishes. Borrowed Angel Ava found her self as a single mother. She loves her son with all her heart. Then her worst nightmare comes true.
Find it here: The Christmas Letter and Borrowed Angel

Nothing but Sky by Amy Trueblood

Synopsis:
Grace Lafferty only feels alive when she's dangling 500 feet above ground. As a post-World War I wing walker, Grace is determined to get to the World Aviation Expo, proving her team’s worth against flashier competitors and earning a coveted Hollywood contract.

No one’s ever questioned Grace’s ambition until Henry Patton, a mechanic with plenty of scars from the battlefield, joins her barnstorming team. With each new death-defying trick, Henry pushes Grace to consider her reasons for being a daredevil. Annoyed with Henry’s constant interference, and her growing attraction to him, Grace continues to test the powers of the sky.

After one of her risky maneuvers saves a pilot’s life, a Hollywood studio offers Grace a chance to perform at the Expo. She jumps at the opportunity to secure her future. But when a stunt goes wrong, Grace must decide whether Henry, and her life, are worth risking for one final trick.


Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one of those books that makes me want to yell "OMG THAT WAS AMAZING!!!"

Grace is an 18-year-old wingwalker. She does death defying tricks while walking on the wings of a bi-plane. Her uncle and two team mates are the only family she has. Her entire goal is to get to and win the Chicago Expo to make life easier on them and allow them to stay together. Then there is Henry. He is hired as a mechanic, and his very presence irritates Grace in every possible way for reasons she doesn't understand.


With all odds against them in the form of creepy Alistir Rowland and a detective, they finally make it. Here she experiences: Love, betrayal, pain, and sorrow. She discovers that she has feelings for Henry and you can't always trust the people you love.

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick

Synopsis:
Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now the young mother of two children, Eliza faces a different kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants them to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her departed mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity. Eliza longs to know how her mother, an early missionary to the Nez Perce Indians, dealt with the challenges of life with a sometimes difficult husband and with her daughter's captivity.

When Eliza is finally given her mother's diary, she is stunned to find that her own memories are not necessarily the whole story of what happened. Can she lay the dark past to rest and move on? Or will her childhood memories always hold her hostage?

Based on true events, The Memory Weaver is New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick's latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman's heart. Readers will find themselves swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Pacific Northwest history has always been a subject that I am passionate about. This book is based on Eliza Spalding-Warren. Her father traveled from the East coast to what is now Walla Walla Washington with the Whitmans to start a mission. Eliza was a small child and survived the Whitman massacre. This story is how that affected her life. Holding strong to her faith, she struggles through life as a mother and a wife. Her husband, Andrew Warren, moves them from Brownsville, Oregon to  Touchet, WA. This moves drudges up a lot of stuff for Eliza (Touchet isn't far from the Whitman site). With the help of a family friend, Eliza learns that the past isn't how she remembered it. Timothy also helps her learn that she needs to forgive her self and leave the past in the past. After her visit to the Whitman site, she is empowered. She feels that she is a better wife, a better mother, and no longer hangs on to the past that haunted her for so long.

Eliza Spalding was the first white child to be born in the Pacific Northwest. Her family, along with the Whitmans, were some of the first white settlers in the Washington territory.

Fatal Throne by Multiple Authors

Synopsis:
Fatal Throne, a book about Henry VIII and his six wives, coordinated by Candace Fleming. Fleming and six other authors will each contribute a story from different points of view: M.T. Anderson, Jennifer Donnelly, Stephanie Hemphill, Deborah Hopkinson, Linda Sue Park, and Lisa Ann Sandell.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this book free from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

I absolutely loved this story (or stories) about the wives of Henry the VIII. The author captured the womanizing ways of King Henry, and the political power he used to get his way.  This story is told in several short stories one for each wife. At the end of each, is a chapter told from Henry's point of view that offers a side of the story that you don't get from reading about the wives. I never realized how much the ladies' stories would intertwine. The history captured in this book is accurate and  believable. Through the stories, you also get a glimpse into the three children's lives as well as the deterioration of King Henry. You get an inside view of the corruptions between church and state and how religious officials used a kings power for their own needs.  They had spies, that would report anything and everything back to them. They used the information and twisted it to make the king feel threatened to suit their needs.

Dead Aim (Book 2 in The O'Malley's of Texas Saga) by Dusty Richards

Synopsis:
From Western Writers of America Spur Award-winning author Dusty Richards comes a thrilling new chapter in the O'Malley family saga, a blazing American epic of blood, bullets, and brotherhood set deep in the heart of Texas . . . 

Long John O'Malley is only nineteen years old, but he's no greenhorn. The oldest and boldest of the O'Malley brothers, Long John cut his teeth tangling with Comanche at the tender age of sixteen. He risked his life to rescue a group of captive women settlers--and forged his own destiny as a hero in the making.

Now he's taking on his biggest challenge yet: riding shotgun on a wagon train across the hostile Nebraska Territory. It's a treacherous trail, and it's not long before the young Texan is earning his paycheck by fighting off a tribe of bloodthirsty Sioux. But the real test lies in the journey ahead--a genuine ride to hell and back, from the Rocky Mountains to Sante Fe and all the way home--that will either make Long John O'Malley a living legend . . . or a dead one.


Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this series! I hope he continues it. This is written along the same tones that Louis L'Amour used, and I grew up listening to his stories.

Long O'Malley is the primary character in this one.  After Long returns from his trip to the Rockies (woman in tow) he gets married. The brothers are trying to buy up the properties that their ranch surrounds.  There is another cattle drive, Indian fighting, and raiders killing and terrorizing his men. Long and Harp receive an offer to buy the Three Star Ranch at a low price. Long and Harper decide that Long and his new bride will live and work this ranch. Long had no idea how bad the ranch was or the huge surprise he found when he started cleaning it up.


This is another book where the author does amazing at using historical events and political troubles that actually happened to bring his book to life. There is also a surprise! Wild Bill Hickok is a Sheriff and makes an appearance. I was really excited for that. At the end, Long's life takes an interesting turn. The author left enough of a cliff hanger that I can't wait to read the next one, but I felt satisfied after finishing it.

Judah's Wife (The Silent Years #2) by Angela Hunt

Synopsis:
Seeking peace and safety after a hard childhood, Leah marries Judah, a strong and gentle man, and for the first time in her life Leah believes she can rest easily. But the land is ruled by Antiochus IV, descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals, and when he issues a decree that all Jews are to conform to Syrian laws upon pain of death, devout Jews risk everything to follow the law of Moses.

Judah's father resists the decree, igniting a war that will cost him his life. But before dying, he commands his son to pick up his sword and continue the fight--or bear responsibility for the obliteration of the land of Judah. Leah, who wants nothing but peace, struggles with her husband's decision--what kind of God would destroy the peace she has sought for so long? 

The miraculous story of the courageous Maccabees is told through the eyes of Judah's wife, who learns that love requires courage . . . and sacrifice.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Follow Judah and Leah on their journey during the "silent years" of the Biblical period. This is an amazing, well written story that I instantly fell in love with. Leah is unsure of her husband because her father was abusive. Judah got married at his parents' insistence. As their story unfolds, the Jewish people are being persecuted. Lead originally by Judah's father, a resistance forms. With the help of prayer, the resistance army called "The Maccabees" were victorious in battles. Leah learns what it is to be a supportive wife and stand by her husband's side. The tone of the story seems like a Christian version of Robin Hood. After each battle, Judah allows his army to collect the spoils thus enabling his soldiers and economy to flourish.


This is told in alternating points of view between Judah and Leah. The depth of history of the time period and biblical history is amazing. It is written in a way that you connect with the characters, and it paints a clear picture of landscapes and emotions.

This is book 2 in the series. I just e-mailed the publisher to see if I could get the first one in exchange for a review. So keep an eye out for that!

Slave Old Man by Patrick Chamoiseau translated by Linda Coverdale

Synopsis: 

Patrick Chamoiseau's The Old Slave is a gripping, profoundly unsettling story of an elderly slave's daring escape into the wild from a plantation in Martinique, with his master and a fearsome hound on his heels.

We follow them into a lush rainforest where nature is beyond all human control: sinister, yet entrancing and even exhilarating, because the old man's flight to freedom will transform them all in truly astonishing—even otherworldly—ways, as the overwhelming physical presence of the forest reshapes reality and time itself. Chamoiseau's exquisitely rendered new novel is an adventure for all time, one that fearlessly portrays the demonic cruelties of the slave trade and its human costs in vivid, sometimes hallucinatory prose. Offering a loving and mischievous tribute to the Creole culture of Martinique and brilliantly translated by Linda Coverdale, this novel takes us on a unique and moving journey into the heart of Caribbean history.

Review - ⭐⭐⭐
All in all, I liked the story. It gave you the perspective of the runaway slave that most stories involving slavery don't. For example, the cultural "boogymen" that the slave fears after he ran away.

This book left me with a lot of questions. For example: at one point in the story, the "Master" mentions that the slave had been with him since he was born, and the slave taught him things and spent time with him. It seemed to portray a companion type relationship. So why all of a sudden, did the slave decide to run away? (not condoning slavery just it would have been nice info to have to set the tone of the story).


At times, the author is so overly descriptive that it becomes distracting. Other times, there is enough description that you can get the feeling of being there. The story starts out in a third person POV then switches to the first person POV. It was easy to distinguish who was narrating until the end. I still have no idea which character closed out the story. Was it the author? was it the slave owner? was it some other person? I am not sure.

Murder in Christmas River by Meg Muldoon

Synopsis:
Cinnamon Peters is one tough cookie.

Every year at Christmas River’s annual Gingerbread Junction Competition, pie baker extraordinaire Cinnamon aims to win, taking down any competitor who gets in her way. But when she finds a dead body in the woods behind her pie shop just days before the big competition, Cinnamon realizes that there’s much more to worry about than cookies, frosting, and gumdrops.

Someone’s out to bring Cinnamon down. And they’re playing dirty.
Only Cinnamon and a mysterious stranger who walks into her life one snowy evening can figure out the mystery.
But can they solve it before Cinnamon’s chances of gingerbread competition glory crumble?

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Not much mystery to this first one but the story was amazing. I love books that leave you feeling warm and cozy on the inside when you finish reading them. I am glad that everything worked out exactly the way it was supposed to.

Ice and Embers by Melanie Karsak

Synopsis - 
It takes more than an inferno to thaw a frozen heart.

Actress Elyse McKenna only wants to perform in Shakespearean dramas—not live in one.

With the 1814 London Frost Fair in full swing, Elyse and her troupe at the Ice House Theatre find themselves at the heart of the excitement on the frozen Thames. While the Ice House Theatre’s production of A Midwinter Night’s Dream thrills the London crowd, Elyse’s backstage life begins to take on a distinctly Shakespearean turn. 

When she fell in love with Lord John Waldegrave, she was prepared to keep their liaison secret. But she wasn’t ready for her newfound love to rock her relationship with her dearest friend, Doctor Kai Murray. Everything Elyse thought she knew about her feelings for her old friend gets flipped upside down when an exotic ship captain, whose ship is frozen in the Thames, turns her attention to Kai.

If Elyse hopes to escape the Thames with her heart intact, she must find a way to discover the truth about the captain, Kai, John, and her own feelings—before it’s too late.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Again I am impressed with Melanie Karsak's retellings. For this one, I was a little disappointed by how little of the steampunk theme was involved. The only time it was mentioned was when Master Hawkings and his daughter Isobell were brought in. I liked the little references back to Curiouser and Curiouser.

Curiouser and Curiouser by Melanie Karsak

Synopsis: 

To save the Hatter, Alice must work with the one man she despises so much that she might still love him.

* * * 

Alice thought she’d turned over a new leaf. No more working for Jabberwocky. No more making deals with the ruthless Queen of Hearts. No more hanging around The Mushroom with tinkers, tarts, scoundrels, and thieves in London's criminal underbelly. But she’d been bonkers to dream.

Hatter’s reckless behavior leads Alice back to the one person she never wanted to see again, Caterpillar. Pulled into Caterpillar's mad schemes, Alice must steal a very big diamond from a very royal lady. The heist is no problem for this Bandersnatch. But protecting her heart from the man she once loved? Impossible

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was amazing! It had all of my favorite elements of steampunk: the clothing, the machines, the airships, and the gears and clockwork animals and gadgets. I want the hat that the Hatter created with the clockwork butterfly! The other part that I thought was done really well was the Crystal Palace. The depth of descriptions the author used, you could believe that such a place existed. Then the Red Queen was the perfect villain. Overall this was one of the best retellings of Alice in Wonderland that I have ever read. I love how the author took all of the characters and made them part of this underground crime ring.

Murder in Belgravia By Lynn Brittney

Synopsis:

PERFECT FOR FANS OF COSY CRIME, DOWNTON ABBEY, FOYLE’S WAR AND THE BLETCHLEY CIRCLE. 

The first in an exciting new Mayfair 100 series of nostalgic crime sagas. 

Set against the backdrop of WW1, Mayfair 100 is the telephone number for a small specially-formed crimebusting team based in a house in Mayfair. London, 1915. Just 10 months into the First World War, the City is flooded with women taking over the work vacated by men in the Armed Services. Chief Inspector Peter Beech, a young man invalided out of the war in one of the first battles, is faced with investigating the murder of an aristocrat and the man’s wife, a key witness and suspect, will only speak to a woman about the unpleasant details of the case. After persuading the Chief Commissioner to allow him to set up a clandestine team to deal with such situations, Beech puts together a small motley crew of well-educated women and professional policemen. As Beech, Victoria, Caroline, Rigsby and Tollman investigate the murder, they delve into the seedier parts of WWI London, taking them from criminal gangs to brothels and underground drug rings supplying heroin to the upper classes. Will the Mayfair 100 team solve the murder? And if they do, will they be allowed to continue working as a team? 

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved the characters in this book. Some of the scenes seemed to be added just for the historical factor and didn't feel necessary. However, I loved the plot, the development of the case, and the attention to the details of the time period. Hopefully, there will be a series.