Reflections on Fundamental Matters: Not for the Satisfied Mind by John H.T. Francis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of "those" books that stay with you always. You can open it a year from now and it's bound to have another lesson in store for you. Honestly, the cover does not do this book justice. I was expecting a dull, textbook style read but instead was treated to John H.T. Francis' engrossing writing.
By the time a reader finishes this book - Reflections on Fundamental Matters: Not for the Satisfied Mind by John H.T. Francis - you will definitely address and question a mixture of simple and deep issues in your life. Good reading for when you're having some 'me' time or for self-improvement.
Would I recommend this read? Yes but only if you want a truly intellectual read that will make you think.
Overall assessment:
Content: 4/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 4/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and thoughts presented in this book, anyone aged 10 and above will be able to understand these essays.
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Family, motherhood, books, caffeine and life - seven words at a time.
Wednesday 30 April 2014
#BookReview - Stormy Weather by Dermot Davis @DermotDavis1 #ReviewShare #Fiction
Stormy Weather by Dermot Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the third book I have read my Dermot Davis and I must say I'm impressed. His use of flawed personalities to magnify society's issues is fascinating even though it's done indirectly. In Stormy Weather, readers are introduced to a 'dream therapist' who doesn't take his own advice.
His wife has left him, he has little faith in himself and strange things start happening in his own life. Soon reader and main character are confused about what is real and what isn't. This was the best part of the book for me. Dermot Davis took his time with toying with the reader's mind and I don't mean this in a bad way. He makes you think. Sick father, broken family, crumbling career, what do you need to do to put it all back together?
Would I recommend this read? Definitely a must read from me. You have a flawed character who's dealing with other people's faults instead of his own, something many of us find entertaining to do ourselves.
Overall assessment:
Content: 3.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 3.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would recommend it for readers 13 and above.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the third book I have read my Dermot Davis and I must say I'm impressed. His use of flawed personalities to magnify society's issues is fascinating even though it's done indirectly. In Stormy Weather, readers are introduced to a 'dream therapist' who doesn't take his own advice.
His wife has left him, he has little faith in himself and strange things start happening in his own life. Soon reader and main character are confused about what is real and what isn't. This was the best part of the book for me. Dermot Davis took his time with toying with the reader's mind and I don't mean this in a bad way. He makes you think. Sick father, broken family, crumbling career, what do you need to do to put it all back together?
Would I recommend this read? Definitely a must read from me. You have a flawed character who's dealing with other people's faults instead of his own, something many of us find entertaining to do ourselves.
Overall assessment:
Content: 3.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 3.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would recommend it for readers 13 and above.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
Tuesday 29 April 2014
7 Questions with JennaLee Gallicchio #Pets #AmReading #DogTraining
Tell us a bit about your family.
I am the oldest of four, one sister and two brothers. My entire life there was always an animal whether it was a cat, dog, bird if you can think it we probably had it at one time or another. Even today all of my siblings still have pets.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I use a lot of different modalities but my favorite is one called Emotional Freedom Technique also known as EFT. It really helps me to move through my fears and self doubts. I call it my miracle!
What makes you happiest?
My pups really bring an amazing amount of joy to my life on a daily basis. They are my inspiration and my teachers. I love that I get to learn with and from them all the time. Their joy for life is contagious.
What’s your greatest character strength?
My willingness to keep trying.
What’s your weakest character trait?
Procrastination.
Why do you write?
My reason for writing is the dogs. I want to help as many dogs as I can and the easiest way to do that is threw there humans. That is why I write.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
I always used to journal..but I'm not sure that I've always enjoyed writing. I do feel like when I am writing that I am actually talking to the reader so for me it feels more like a lesson than writing. I do enjoy speaking.
Two books in one! This book combines "The Secret To Getting Your Dog To Do What You Want" and "Teach Your Dog To Pee and Poop Outside: House training Made Easy".
The Secret To Getting Your Dog To Do What You Want
With so much information available today, training your dog can become confusing. Trying to understand exactly what is meant by a "reward" or "reinforcement" and how to use it properly can be frustrating to say the least.
Once you understand what defines a reward, why they are important and how to use them effectively only then will you have the secret to getting your dog to do what you want.
The Secret To Getting Your Dog To Do What You Want
With so much information available today, training your dog can become confusing. Trying to understand exactly what is meant by a "reward" or "reinforcement" and how to use it properly can be frustrating to say the least.
Once you understand what defines a reward, why they are important and how to use them effectively only then will you have the secret to getting your dog to do what you want.
- Does your dog get crazy when it's time to go out?
- Does getting their leash on take forever and a day?
- What about their food?
- Are they calm or crazy?
Jenna shares with you a simple training exercise that will forever change what it's like to go out or getting their dinner ready. By using their desire to get what they want you can get them to do what you want! Calm and relaxed is the name of the game!
Once you've learned this simple exercise make sure that you apply it to every routine or behavior you want to change.
Teach Your Dog To Pee and Poop Outside: Housetraining Made Easy
- New puppy?
- New Dog?
- Trouble with an older dog peeing and pooping in the house?
- Multiple dog household that just seems to be out of control?
In this book you will learn:
- Why an instinct that your dog possesses could sabotage your efforts if you're not using it to your advantage.
- How to know your dog has to go BEFORE they go.
- The different reasons people fail.
- A step by step example of what a successful potty routine should look like.
- An example of a schedule.
- How to put peeing and pooping on cue.
This proven method of training will get you a housetrained dog, at any age in 30 days or less.
Jenna has put the program that she has used, not just with her dogs, but also with her clients, in writing just for you. This program is fail proof if you are committed to the end result of having a housetrained dog.
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Genre - Dog Training, Animals
Rating – G
More details about the author
#BookReview - What Lies Inside (Blood Bound, #1) by @BloodBoundJLM #ReviewShare #PNR
What Lies Inside by J.L. Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you like Twilight, you may like this book. The author is descriptive with her setting without using too many adjectives. I found myself drawn into each scene. Her characters come to life and I especially liked Amelia who was a fresh and entertaining character. The way she grows throughout the novel was my favourite part about the way Myers layered her charcters.
The plot was well laid out and the many twists caught me by surprise. You just never knew what was going to happen which is how I like most of my books. The journey to self-discovery and happiness is never easy and even more so in the paranormal world so Amelia has a lot to do in the next book in the series.
Would I recommend this read? Yes but be warned of a cliffhanger. Otherwise, great writing and character building.
Overall assessment:
Content: 4/5
Editing: 4/5
Formatting: 4/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would recommend it for readers 13 and above.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you like Twilight, you may like this book. The author is descriptive with her setting without using too many adjectives. I found myself drawn into each scene. Her characters come to life and I especially liked Amelia who was a fresh and entertaining character. The way she grows throughout the novel was my favourite part about the way Myers layered her charcters.
The plot was well laid out and the many twists caught me by surprise. You just never knew what was going to happen which is how I like most of my books. The journey to self-discovery and happiness is never easy and even more so in the paranormal world so Amelia has a lot to do in the next book in the series.
Would I recommend this read? Yes but be warned of a cliffhanger. Otherwise, great writing and character building.
Overall assessment:
Content: 4/5
Editing: 4/5
Formatting: 4/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would recommend it for readers 13 and above.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
#BookReview - The House by Sebastiana Randone @sebasti29567440 #Historical #Romance
The House by Sebastiana Randone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In summary there were four main elements to this story which were mystery, paranormal, romance and time travel. Of these four the author's strongest were romance and time travel, which Sebastiana weaves in with her many characters in an impressive manner. The characters were well-developed and the confusion that Scura feels is also felt by the reader. The plot is tight and straightforward despite the changes in POV.
But the writing needs work. It is an extremely encouraging attempt at writing "old English" but I've read time travel romances many times before and no matter how authentic you want the language to sound, stuffing a sentence with one flowery word after another is not the way to go.
Would I recommend this read? I would recommend it but I would also say I think this book still needs an editor. At the moment, it has either been self-edited or had a proofreader but the flow of some sentences doesn't sit right in old or new English.
Overall assessment:
Content: 3.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 4/5
Pacing: 2.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would recommend it for readers 15 and above.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In summary there were four main elements to this story which were mystery, paranormal, romance and time travel. Of these four the author's strongest were romance and time travel, which Sebastiana weaves in with her many characters in an impressive manner. The characters were well-developed and the confusion that Scura feels is also felt by the reader. The plot is tight and straightforward despite the changes in POV.
But the writing needs work. It is an extremely encouraging attempt at writing "old English" but I've read time travel romances many times before and no matter how authentic you want the language to sound, stuffing a sentence with one flowery word after another is not the way to go.
Would I recommend this read? I would recommend it but I would also say I think this book still needs an editor. At the moment, it has either been self-edited or had a proofreader but the flow of some sentences doesn't sit right in old or new English.
Overall assessment:
Content: 3.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 4/5
Pacing: 2.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would recommend it for readers 15 and above.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
7 Questions with #Author Claudette Melanson @Bella623 #AmReading #Paranormal
Tell us a bit about your family.
I live with my husband and four bun-babies. Our rabbits dominate our lives and are like children to us. We have a female lop named Beckett and a male from the same mother, Butters. Our two big babies are a mischievous girl named Pepper and the sweetest boy in the world, Tegan. My husband is my best friend and is a rockstar; he plays in a cover band called Ear Candy. They play big venues like Fan Fridays and Canada Day before Blue Jays’ games and Blue Mountain Ski Resort. I’m also very close to my sister—and her three beautiful daughters—and my son, who live about 10 hours away. It’s very hard to be away from them, but I try to get home as much as I can. We went to the Bahamas with my son, Jake, last year and it was the best trip of our lives!
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I am a big believer in that old adage—Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I had to completely leave my life behind when I moved from British Columbia to Ontario to be with my husband and it was a leap of faith. The reward was worth the risk, as far as he was concerned, tenfold. I’ve pretty much lived my whole life this way and it turns out positive 99% of the time. Without risk there is no reward, without darkness, no light. I’m lucky though, because I have a talent for tuning out what others think and believing in myself. I have a very positive voice inside my head and it’s gotten me through some pretty tough situations.
What scares you the most?
Losing the ones I love. We lost a bunny we’d had for seven years, a little over a year ago, and it still cuts deep. Your life is built around those you love, and when they disappear your life will be missing that vital part forever. You will never be the same again.
What makes you happiest?
My family. Playing with and petting the bun babies. Vacations with my son. Talking with my sister into the wee hours. Horror movies! Seeking out and cooking healthy recipes. Just hanging out anywhere with my husband. Oh….and writing!
What’s your greatest character strength?
I’m hoping it’s my kindness. I love that quote ‘Be kind, because everyone is fighting some kind of battle.’ It’s so true. We have no idea what that person in front of us is dealing with. I try to smile and say hello to everyone around me. I also do a lot of baking for others. I was born in the Southern states and love to feed people! We have rescued five rabbits and are big Rabbit Rescue advocates, too.
What’s your weakest character trait?
I’m going to say impatience. I always want things to happen right away, even though I know the best things happen in their own time. I know I need to slow down more and enjoy the experience instead of just wishing to jump to the end result.
Why do you write?
I have no control over this. I’ve had a writer’s voice in my head since before I can remember. I used to ride in the car with my mom and write the scenery around me, automatically, in my head. I also have very vivid dreams about creatures or characters I don’t know or have never read about. I think I was just born with a writing brain. Also, I write because I suck at science and math!
CHOSEN AS ONE OF 400 FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF THE AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD FOR 2014!!!
ARE YOU A FAN OF VAMPIRE ROMANCE?
Rising Tide will sink it's teeth into you, keeping you awake into the wee hours of the night
Maura's life just can't get any worse...or can it?
Isolated and sheltered by her lonely mother, Maura's never been the best at making friends. Unusually pale with a disease-like aversion to the sun, she seems to drive her classmates away, but why?
Even her own father deserted her, and her mother, before Maura was born. Bizarre physical changes her mother seems hell bent on ignoring, drive Maura to fear for her own life. And her luck just seems to get worse.
Life is about to become even more bewildering when her mother's abrupt...and unexplained...decision to move a country away sets off a chain of events that will change Maura forever. A cruel prank turned deadly, the discovery of love and friendship....and its loss, as well as a web of her own mother's lies, become obstacles in Maura's desperate search for a truth she was never prepared to uncover.
Featured on one of the most popular health blogs on the internet as a giveaway!
Be sure to check out the blog on Maria Mind Body Health to win a free copy today! Go to Mariamindbodyhealth.com and check out the blog Chicken “Wild Rice” Soup for your chance to win!
Offered as a giveaway on Goodreads!
Head over to Goodreads for a chance to score a free copy today!
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Genre – YA Paranormal Romance
Rating – PG
More details about the author
Thursday 24 April 2014
#BookReview - The Photo Traveler by @ArthurJGonzalez #TimeTravel #ReviewShare
The Photo Traveler by Arthur J. Gonzalez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a time travel book, the storyline was terrific. You have an ultra unlucky kid who needs a hole he can sink into, a comfort zone of sorts. He finds this comfort zone with his ability to look at pictures and travel back to when they were taken. I'm not a 100% for keeping the parents in the story because it was as if Gavin couldn't move on or didn't want to move on.
As a YA book, I've had better. Gavin as a lead character didn't seem like the best choice. It always seemed that the secondary characters like his grandparents, parents or the people he was running from could take over and make this their story at any time. Had his character matured a bit more during the novel, I would have liked him more. Overall, The Photo Traveler by Arthur J. Gonzalez was a good read that combined more than time travel and science fiction. It had elements of history, fantasy and an adventure the reader can go along for the ride.
Would I recommend this read? Hmmmmmm. It's one thing to have a cliffhanger ending when the second book is already with the editor or in the final stages. It's a whole other thing to have a cliffhanger ending and then tell readers, I'm working on the second book. I will recommend this book based on the author's writing and on the storyline but if you are not one for cliffhangers then best to stay away.
Overall assessment:
Content: 4.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I'd say even an advanced 10-year-old would enjoy it.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a time travel book, the storyline was terrific. You have an ultra unlucky kid who needs a hole he can sink into, a comfort zone of sorts. He finds this comfort zone with his ability to look at pictures and travel back to when they were taken. I'm not a 100% for keeping the parents in the story because it was as if Gavin couldn't move on or didn't want to move on.
As a YA book, I've had better. Gavin as a lead character didn't seem like the best choice. It always seemed that the secondary characters like his grandparents, parents or the people he was running from could take over and make this their story at any time. Had his character matured a bit more during the novel, I would have liked him more. Overall, The Photo Traveler by Arthur J. Gonzalez was a good read that combined more than time travel and science fiction. It had elements of history, fantasy and an adventure the reader can go along for the ride.
Would I recommend this read? Hmmmmmm. It's one thing to have a cliffhanger ending when the second book is already with the editor or in the final stages. It's a whole other thing to have a cliffhanger ending and then tell readers, I'm working on the second book. I will recommend this book based on the author's writing and on the storyline but if you are not one for cliffhangers then best to stay away.
Overall assessment:
Content: 4.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I'd say even an advanced 10-year-old would enjoy it.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
Wednesday 23 April 2014
#BookReview - A 3rd Time to Die by @GeorgeBernstein #Romance #ReviewShare
A 3rd Time to Die by George Bernstein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had previously read Trapped by the same author and I loved it. I loved the strength in his lead character and the way it was written. I was looking forward to his second book but I was disappointed. Most of the story and how it was presented was as if the author was trying to rush completion of the book.
Two significant sections of the book point me in this direction. First, the Ashley-Craig back and forth didn't have to go on for so many pages. If they did in fact feel that strongly for each other and nothing for their spouses, it wouldn't have taken that long to part ways. Really. I've seen marriages with more emotions than theirs part ways sooner.
Second, (and this was my biggest peeve about this book) the formatting was beyond wonky. You had a variety of symbols for text. I figured I would I just buy a copy on Amazon, the copy there was just as dodgy which leads me to think - write a book, upload and go. If the formatting had been fine, I may have been more tolerant of the characters. Maybe. We'll never know.
Would I recommend this read? Not at all. But to be fair, I know some of my book club members who are currently reading this book who have a cleaner copy than the one I was given. Their reviews might be better.
Overall assessment:
Content: 3.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 0.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would say this book is best suited for readers 13 years and older.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had previously read Trapped by the same author and I loved it. I loved the strength in his lead character and the way it was written. I was looking forward to his second book but I was disappointed. Most of the story and how it was presented was as if the author was trying to rush completion of the book.
Two significant sections of the book point me in this direction. First, the Ashley-Craig back and forth didn't have to go on for so many pages. If they did in fact feel that strongly for each other and nothing for their spouses, it wouldn't have taken that long to part ways. Really. I've seen marriages with more emotions than theirs part ways sooner.
Second, (and this was my biggest peeve about this book) the formatting was beyond wonky. You had a variety of symbols for text. I figured I would I just buy a copy on Amazon, the copy there was just as dodgy which leads me to think - write a book, upload and go. If the formatting had been fine, I may have been more tolerant of the characters. Maybe. We'll never know.
Would I recommend this read? Not at all. But to be fair, I know some of my book club members who are currently reading this book who have a cleaner copy than the one I was given. Their reviews might be better.
Overall assessment:
Content: 3.5/5
Editing: 3.5/5
Formatting: 0.5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Offensive content?: Based on language and settings I would say this book is best suited for readers 13 years and older.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.
View all my reviews
Tuesday 22 April 2014
7 Questions with #Author Morgan Richter @morganrichter #AmReading #ChickLit
Have you always enjoyed writing?
My personal feeling is that if anyone enjoys writing, they’re doing it wrong. I enjoy coming up with story ideas, and I certainly enjoy finishing a big writing project—heck, there are times I even enjoy the fine-toothed-combing of that final edit, weeding out the unnecessary adverbs and eliminating passive verbs, etcetera—but that first draft is never what I’d call enjoyable. It’s worth it, of course it’s worth it, but the process of churning out those chunks of words every day? At best it’s tedious; at worst it’s agonizing.
What motivates you to write?
Fear of failure. I’m inherently lazy, but I’m driven by a craven fear of not meeting expectations and not getting things done. Not counting the books I’ve ghostwritten, I’ve written six novels. Four have been published; the other two will be published at some point. There’s one book, however, that I’ve never finished—I wrote a blisteringly awful first draft maybe ten years ago, and I’ve never had the guts to revisit it. I hate that it’s unfinished. It sits there like a canker sore in my writing history. One of these days, that hatred will probably grow strong enough to motivate me to sit down, dust it off, and finish it once and for all.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing. Tell us where you grew up and where you now live.
I grew up in Spokane; I currently live in New York City. The place that’s had the most influence on my writing by far, however, is Los Angeles, where I lived for twenty years. Two of my books—Charlotte Dent and Wrong City—are primarily set in Los Angeles; the city is crucial to the storylines of both. If Charlotte were a New York-based actress, say, instead of an L.A.-based one, her story would be dramatically different.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
I’ve worked at a bunch of jobs in the entertainment industry—for instance, I was an associate producer on the E! Entertainment Television show “Talk Soup” and a production coordinator on ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” I’ve been a legal assistant, both inside and outside the entertainment industry. I’ve churned out articles for an online content mill. I’ve ghostwritten books. I’ve temped at an awful lot of places. I’ve answered phones at agencies, I’ve sold popcorn at a movie theater, I’ve mopped floors at a rehab clinic.
How often do you write? And when do you write?
I write daily. When I’m between books, I write essays and reviews for my blog, Preppies of the Apocalypse. Mornings tend to be my most productive time, but I’ve worked very hard to train myself to be able to write whenever and wherever I can. Flexibility is one of the most useful traits a writer can have; being able to mix up my routine—write in the morning, write at night, write on a laptop, write in a notebook, write at a desk, write at a coffee shop, write on a plane or in a hotel room—serves me well.
Who designed the cover?
The cover for Charlotte Dent is a wonderful oil painting by my aunt, Elsbeth Monnett. The subject is my beautiful cousin Katie, and something about her posture, her eyes, the way she’s clutching the towel around her body just seemed right for Charlotte. In the actual painting, Katie is smiling; Charlotte is not necessarily the smiley type, so the title bar on my cover is placed over her mouth to make her expression more of a mystery.
Have you included a lot of your life experiences, even friends, in the plot?
Of all my books thus far, Charlotte Dent comes closest to reflecting my life experiences. I am not Charlotte, but there’s some overlap: I lived in Los Angeles and worked in the entertainment industry, I was once cast in a play that was canceled just before performances started, I once worked as a legal assistant, I’ve taken some fairly worthless acting classes. I have a lot of friends who are professional actors, so I also drew upon their life experiences—bad auditions, appearances at fan conventions, long hours wasted on freezing cold film sets—to shape Charlotte’s journey.
When struggling actress Charlotte Dent is cast as a leggy killer robot in a big, brainless summer blockbuster, the subsequent hiccup of fame sends a shock wave through her life. The perks of entry-level celebrity are balanced by the drawbacks: destructive filmmakers, online ridicule, entitled costars, and an awkward, unsatisfying relationship with the film’s fragile leading man. Self-aware to a fault, Charlotte fights to carve out a unique identity in an industry determined to categorize her as just another starlet, disposable and replaceable. But unless she can find a way to turn her small burst of good fortune into a durable career, she’s destined to sink back into obscurity.
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Genre - General Fiction, Chick Lit
Rating - PG
More details about the author
Friday 18 April 2014
The House by Sebastiana Randone #Historical #Fantasy #Romance
ONCE UPON OUR time, there existed an abundant, sagacious old wood where misshapen time gambolled capriciously in the hidden furrows of memory.
In the distance, imbedded amongst the broad greenery roamed a young woman whose acute dishevelment painted a picture of tribulation. The torn black silky night gown that hung precariously on her slight frame, told immediately, that this excursion was not deliberate in nature.
As she continued on a pathway that to a willing visitor would have delighted, her discomposure was made evident by erratic movement. Her dark probing eyes darted to and fro upon the foreign landscape, as coarse scrub brushed against her weary body.
A plethora of wispy ferns surrounded the path, the gossamer foliage of which glistened through cylindrical shafts of light. Shadows were in pursuit, as the busy wood sang in a cacophony of scurrying birds, warning of night’s entrance.
She gazed up and saw a remote and distant sky, the blue horizon so unfathomable, that is could have been a faraway sea. Her legs were heavy with fatigue, but resignedly she sallied forth, as a somnambulist along an unchartered route. With only time, illusive as the shadow of a fleeting lover, accompanying her.
From afar, suddenly a figure appeared. The desire for illumination prompted the desperate woman to cry out, but her voice would not travel. Again she tried and again, but to no avail.
It was as if she were trapped within a nightmare, where fear itself had intervened and stymied all chance for salvation. Jumping and frantically waving her arms about, she attempted to attract the young man’s attention, only to fail, for he continued in the opposite direction. Sadly, a mass of thorny, impenetrable scrub prevented her from following him.
Apparelled in historical costume from a period long gone, he resembled a character from a Georgian novel. He wore a bright burgundy velvet coat, the intensity of which was exaggerated by the contrasting presence of a pearly satin brocaded waistcoat matched by a cravat wrapped up to the chin, tight cream britches, and black riding boots. He radiated a physical beauty that defied gender. Tall and svelte, his fair long hair framed eyes that emulated a clear blue sky.
The sight of this man took her aback. His concentrated gaze however, much to the desperate woman’s chagrin, kept looking forward. Breathlessly she stood shaking her head in silent despair as the ethereal figure floated further, and further away, until disappearing completely into the arcane forest.
The House is an adult fairy tale rich in mystery and intrigue.
Here is a tale of a woman so absorbed with historical novels that her own reality ceases to offer any hope of romance and beauty.
Until one day this dreamy idealist finds herself in a mysterious forest. How she arrived there is unknown. Soon she encounters a dilapidated house, within whose ancient walls magical rooms that transport to parallel worlds lie in wait. There she is transmigrated to 18th century England, where our heroine interacts with an odd mix of characters whose dysfunctional lives become immediately apparent.
Her first tribulation involves a nefarious lord, an archetype of the monstrous characters one encounters in fairy tales. The ramification from this confrontation sets the tone for the narrative.
A magic portal finally enables escape from the austere Georgian dwelling. She is then spirited back to the enigmatic house, and a journey to Regency London follows, where a large cast of eccentric identities present themselves.
Late one night, following a long stay in Florence, a young, heart-broken poet arrives. His introduction to the beautiful time traveller offers promise of restoration and love. But there are several more obstacles ahead before her destiny in this curious adventure is made apparent.
In the end an unexpected twist is revealed. But like all good fairy tales, this surprising conclusion is pleasing, even though the means of getting there are dark, and at times sinister.
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Genre - Historical, Fantasy, Romance
Rating - PG-16
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7 Questions with #Author Karin Rita Gastreich @EolynChronicles #Fantasy #AmReading
Have you always enjoyed writing?
I’ve been making up stories ever since I can remember. There was a period in high school when I wanted to become an author, but I decided instead to pursue a career in science. Still, I never stopped writing creatively as a way to escape and pass the time.
What writing are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my latest novel High Maga, the companion to Eolyn. High Maga is a darker novel than Eolyn, more entrenched in the brutal realities of war. The collective journey of the characters tests the limits of love and endurance. The story features some truly nefarious villains, and magic is used in terrible and destructive ways. This was a difficult but very rewarding novel to write. I am looking forward to seeing how readers respond to its characters and their stories.
What books did you love growing up?
The list is almost endless, but with respect to fantasy probably the most important were Grimm’s Fairy Tales and The Once and Future King by T.H. White. In high school I read a lot of historical fiction and historical romance, as well as science fiction and some fantasy. Many of those titles I no longer remember, but I suspect they still influence me today as a writer.
Who is your favorite author?
There have been so many, it would be impossible to list them all here. J.R.R. Tolkien has inspired me just as he has inspired every author of fantasy. I am also very fond of the work of the Nicaraguan author Gioconda Belli, particularly The Country Beneath my Skin¸ her memoir of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua.
Among historical fiction authors, my favorites include including Halide’s Gift by Frances Kazan and The Queen’s Vow by C.W. Gortner. I also love reading history, particularly women’s history. Some books that have stuck with me from this genre are Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne by David Starky, Murder of a Medici Princess by Caroline P. Murphy, and The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev.
In the genre of fantasy, I have very much enjoyed the novel series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin (although I have not yet read the fifth book). I also really like Patricia McKillip, especially her novel Winter Rose. My list of favorite novels would not be complete without mentioning T.H. White’s The Once and Future King, from which I drew much inspiration when writing my first novel, Eolyn.
What book genre of books do you adore?
My favorite genres are historical fiction and history. Although I do not pick (or refuse) books by their genre, these are the two I keep coming back to.
What book should everybody read at least once?
The Country Beneath My Skin by Gioconda Belli.
Are there any books you really don’t enjoy?
There is no genre I avoid consciously, but if I pick up a book and am not captured as a reader by the first chapter or two, I put it back down. Life is too short to spend time reading books I don’t like.
Lands Ravaged. Dreams destroyed. Demons set loose upon the earth.
War strikes at the heart of women’s magic in MoisehĂ©n. Eolyn’s fledgling community of magas is destroyed; its members killed, captured or scattered.
Devastated yet undaunted, Eolyn seeks to escape the occupied province and deliver to King Akmael a weapon that might secure their victory. But even a High Maga cannot survive this enemy alone. Aided by the enigmatic Mage Corey, Eolyn battles the darkest forces of the Underworld, only to discover she is a mere path to the magic that most ignites their hunger.
What can stop this tide of terror and vengeance? The answer lies in Eolyn’s forgotten love, and in its power to engender seeds of renewed hope.
HIGH MAGA is the companion novel to EOLYN, also available from Hadley Rille Books.
Genre – Epic Fantasy
Rating – PG-13
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