Review - Brian Boru: Freedom Within the Heart by Mark Mahon

Great historical fiction full of action, romance and adventure.

TITLE:    Brian Boru: Freedom Within the Heart

AUTHOR:    Mark Mahon

INFO:    Historical Fiction, 245 pages

PUBLISHED:   M.I.P Ltd, 2015

SOURCE:   Received from Author for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   952 A.D. With infighting among the Irish clans throwing Ireland into turmoil, the pagan Vikings invade the region with little resistance. After watching both his father and mother murdered, a young Brian Boru and his brother, Mahoun, swear to revenge their Norse oppressors. 

A man, a simple man, whose bravery captivated a nation, was killed on Good Friday in April of 1014, but Brian Boru’s spirit lives on in every Irishman until this present day. This is his story of bravery that inspired a nation against all the odds.

MY TAKE:   I was very happy to be contacted by the author regarding a review of this book. I had read a bit about Brian Boru in the past and jumped at the chance to get to know him in a new light. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. 

This is a story full of fascinating history. The exploits of Brian and his brother as boys and then as men are filled with action and adventure. We are taken along with them as they seek revenge for the murders of their parents and village. 

The author has created a lovely story of what actually was and what might have been in this fictionalized version of an Irish hero and legend. It was very easy to feel that I was learning while being entertained - my favorite kind of story.

I highly recommend this book to history lovers and I think it would be an excellent way to get reluctant readers (especially of the young male variety) interested in a great tale.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Available now at AMAZON 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Spotlight - Balance Keepers: The Pillars of Ponderay by Lindsay Cummings

TITLE:    Balance Keepers - The Pillars of Ponderay
AUTHOR:    Lindsay Cummings
INFO:    Hardcover, Fiction,  366 pages
PUBLISHED:   Katherine Tegen Books, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher
AGE RANGE:   Ages 8-12


FROM GOODREADS:  The second book in Lindsay Cumming's epic middle grade fantasy adventure trilogy, reminiscent of Journey to the Center of the Earth. 

Albert Flynn is psyched to return to the Core, the magical world at the center of the earth where Balance Keepers fix problems in three underground realms. Last term, Albert and his Balance Keeper teammates Birdie and Leroy saved New York by fixing the Calderon Realm and were crowned First Unit, aka the Coolest Kids in the Core.

Now Albert and his teammates have been called to the Core for an emergency training session...along with their archenemy, Hoyt. There's a terrible Imbalance in the Ponderay Realm and they have only seven days before California will be swallowed by hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Worse yet, it's rumored there's a traitor among them who is causing all this chaos. 

Will Albert, Leroy and Birdie discover who's been putting the Core - and the world above - in danger? Can they save Ponderay before California becomes an underwater wasteland forever?

This second book in Lindsay Commings's epic fantasy adventure series is packed with fantastical creatures, perilous journeys and the magic of choosing to do what's right.

Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson or Lisa McMann's the Unwanteds series.

Available NOW
at

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
Powell's Books / The Book Depository

   

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Vanishing Island by Barry Wolverton Volume 1 in The Chronicles of the Black Tulip

TITLE:    The Vanishing Island - Volume 1 in The Chronicles of the Black Tulip
AUTHOR:    Barry Wolverton
INFO:    Hardcover, Fiction,  338 pages
PUBLISHED:   Walden Pond Press, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher

FROM GOODREADS:  Does the Vanishing Island really exist?  And if so, what treasure - or terrible secret - was hidden by its disappearance?

It's 1599, the Age of Discovery in Europe. But for Bren Owen, growing up in the small town of Map on the coast of Britannia has meant anything but adventure. Enticed by the tales sailors have brought Map's port, and inspired by the arcane maps his father creates as a cartographer for the cruel and charismatic map mogul named Rand McNally, Bren is convinced that fame and fortune await him elsewhere. That is until his repeated attempts to run away land him a punishment worse than death - cleaning up the town vomitorium.

It is there that Bren meets a dying sailor who gives him a strange gift that hides a hidden message. Cracking the code could lead Bren to a fabled lost treasure that could change his life forever, and that of his widowed father. But to get there he will have to tie his fate to a mysterious Dutch admiral obsessed with a Chinese legend about an island that long ago disappeared from any map.

Before long, Bren is in greater danger than he ever imagined and will need the help of an unusual friend named Mouse to survive. 

Barry Wolverton's thrilling adventure spans oceans and cultures, brings together the folklore of East and West, and proves that fortune is always a double-edged sword.

MY TAKE:   I am tickled that I was sent this book for review. It is aimed at the 8-12 year old reader, but this "much older" gal really got a kick out of the story and I believe other adults and their kids will too. It is extremely hard to come up with a book that multiple generations can read and enjoy, but this author has done it quite well.

My favorite genre is historical fiction. I love getting lost in a story that has elements of the actual past interwoven with a fictional tale. I'm fascinated by authors who can blend these two elements and come up with a fun and interesting story that keeps the reader hooked until the very last page. This was one of those books that I couldn't put down as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I spent half of a very enjoyable day reading it from cover to cover. 

The characters in this story are well written and engaging. Bren can't seem to keep himself out of trouble due to his wanderlust and thirst for "anything away from Map". When his chance for adventure finally does come, Bren jumps in with both feet and doesn't look back - too much. 

I highly recommend this book to readers, young and old, who enjoy a good adventurous romp. There is mystery, suspense and fast-paced action to be had as well as some good puzzle-solving dilemmas. I am really looking forward to the next volume in this lovely new series. 
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

The Vanishing Island is available NOW
at

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Sneak Peek Teaser: The Virgin of the Wind Rose - A Christopher Columbus Mystery/Thriller

The Virgin of the Wind Rose -  A Christopher Columbus Mystery/Thriller by Glen Craney

I thought I'd give you a quick sneak peek into the book I'm immersing myself in right now. I must say, I'm really enjoying it and look forward to writing a review on it.

If you don't want to wait for my review, you can grab your own copy on Amazon.com HERE.

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin

Happy Release Day!

TITLE:    The King's Agent
AUTHOR:    Donna Russo Morin
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 418 pages
PUBLISHED:   Kensington, 2012
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review and Blog Tour

FROM GOODREADS:   The King’s Agent is based loosely on the life of Battista della Palla-a patriotic plunderer, a religious rogue-of the 16th century, a lifelong friend to the great Michelangelo. 


As the cloistered ward of the Marquess of Mantua, Lady Aurelia is a woman with a profound duty, and a longing for adventure. In search of a relic intended for the King of France, Battista and Aurelia cross the breathtaking landscape of Renaissance Italy. Clues hide in great works of art, political forces collide, secret societies and enemies abound, and danger lurks in every challenge, those that mirror the passages of Dante's Divine Comedy. It is an adventurous quest with undercurrents of the supernatural, powers that could change the balance of supremacy throughout Europe.

MY TAKE:   A fun book that I was very happy to get a chance to review. It is a historical romp set in Italy of the 1500s with a thief/hero/mystery man and a beautiful, secretive woman at the heart of the tale.  This doesn't even begin to describe it though..


A lot of ingredients and flavors spice up this engaging story from the beginning.  There are touches of fantasy, history and romance mixed in with a healthy helping of adventure in the vein of "Indiana Jones", "National Treasure" and "The DaVinci Code".  The references to various masterpieces like Dante's "The Divine Comedy" and appearances of such august persons as Michelangelo add lovely substance to a well-written fictional tale.  The real historical backdrop of Italy's changing political and religious scene sets the stage for many twists and turns that the reader won't see coming.  


I enjoyed the main characters of Battista and Aurelia.  The reader will become invested in their lives and their progress as they hunt down an elusive and legendary piece of artwork.  They have such dissimilar lives and backgrounds and yet they connect at a deep level.  The author did a great job of laying the groundwork for their paths to intersect and converge.  Their journey was peppered with a lot of ups and downs and other colorful characters.  I wanted to hate Federico, the marquess of Mantua, but he proves himself to be true.  As do Battista's best friend Frado and their wild bunch of merry men. 


Ms. Morin is very adept at describing the surroundings and details of what the characters are seeing and experiencing.  It makes it very easy for the reader to be right there with Battista and Aurelia as they traipse across the country in search of the elusive prize!  She also keeps you guessing with well-placed clues peppered throughout the story.  I did manage to figure part of the mystery out before the big reveal, but it was well worth the journey.  


A very helpful and thought-inspiring reader/discussion guide is included at the end of the book.  It would be great for a book club as this book has so many elements that any reader should be able to find something that resonates with them in this story.  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

The King's Agent is out TODAY and available at most retailers including:

Amazon, Kindle, The Book Depository, 

Barnes & Noble, Nook

Donna Russo Morin

Donna Russo Morin was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1958. Her writing endeavors began at age six and covered such timely topics as The Pink Pussy Cat for President and The Numbers 2 and 4 are in Love.


Traveling through adolescence on the wings of the ‘60s gave Donna a lot of grist for her writing   mill. Feminism, civil rights, the Vietnam War were all a disturbing yet highly motivating muse.   Donna found her voice in fiction and with the appearance of a new horror writer on the book scene, a little known author named Stephen King, she turned her pen to the gruesome and the grotesque.


After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Donna worked in marketing and advertising for large corporations and small non-profit arts organizations. When she had her children, she knew with a certainty that she needed to show them, by example, that if you believe in yourself, anything is possible.
In addition to writing and teaching writing, Donna has worked as a model and actor since the age of seventeen, when she did her first television commercial for Sears. Since then she has appeared in more than thirty television spots and print ads, everything from changing the oil in her car (that was acting) to modeling fur coats. She also appeared in three episodes of Showtime’s THE BROTHERHOOD, as well as in Martin Scorsese’s THE DEPARTED.


Donna lives peacefully, close to the beautiful shoreline of Rhode Island that she loves so much, with her two sons, Devon and Dylan, her greatest works in progress.


Connect with Donna:  website, Facebook, Twitter

I'd like to thank the author and Amy from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for including me in this tour.

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact by A.J. Hartley

TITLE:    Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact

AUTHOR:    A.J. Hartley
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 431 pages
PUBLISHED:   Penguin Razorbill, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Eleven-year-old Darwen Arkwright has spent his whole life in a tiny town in England. So when he is forced to move to Atlanta, Georgia, to live with his aunt, he knows things will be different - but what he finds there is beyond even his wildest imaginings!


Darwen discovers an enchanting world through the old mirror hanging in his closet - a world that holds as many dangers as it does wonders. Scrobblers on motorbikes with nets big enough to fit a human boy. Gnashers with no eyes, but monstrous mouths full of teeth. Flittercrakes with bat-like bodies and the faces of men. Along with his new friends Rich and Alexandra, Darwen becomes entangled in an adventure and a mystery that involves the safety of his entire school. They soon realize that the creatures are after something in our world - something that only human children possess.

MY TAKE:   I love being taken on new adventures.  Darwen Arkwright takes us on a grand one with his new American friends.  In Darwen, A.J. Wright has created a very likable and relatable hero.  Darwen is truly a fish out of the water when he's dropped into a new life in America.  The proper young English boy is having a hard time fitting in when he accidentally sees a strange creature in the mall and follows it into a dusty old mirror shop.  Little does he know that the odd owner of the shop will soon set him on a dangerous and mysterious path to a world on the other side of a magical mirror.  


This is a fast-paced and fun story that will appeal to adventurous explorers of all ages.  I especially think that boys of about 9 or older will get a kick out of the various creatures and gadgets that Darwen comes across. Wannabe archaeologist Rich is a stalwart friend to Darwen as well as an interesting character on his own.  Girls will enjoy the eccentric Alexandra as she becomes a surprisingly stout supporter of the awkward Darwen.  I was quite engrossed in the tale and enjoyed imagining the creatures that the author described. 


This story is destined to be a classic and definitely has a place on the keeper shelf.  I highly recommend this story, especially if you or the kids like jumping into another world for a while.  Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact would also make a great gift this holiday season. I have a couple of young readers in mind to receive a copy.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Get your copy:

Amazon 

Kindle

The Book Depository

Barnes & Noble

Nook

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Frankincense Trail by Jody Kihara

TITLE:    The Frankincense Trail
AUTHOR:    Jody Kihara
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 253 pages
PUBLISHED:   Star Magnolia Publishing, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Author for Review and Blog Tour

FROM GOODREADS:   In 200BC, frankincense was worth its weight in gold, making Arabia was the envy of the world. But wealth comes at a cost: the precious resin had to be transported along the Frankincense Road, a dangerous route through rocky mountains and barren desert. 


Alia is a princess in a dwindling kingdom that lies on the Frankincense Road. Having grown up hearing tales of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, she dreams of finding a way to restore her kingdom’s former might. When a caravan journeying to the mysterious incense lands stops to take on travellers, she sees her chance.

She soon realises, however, that her trust in the caravan leaders has been misguided. They are not mere incense merchants, but traitors and mercenaries. Alia’s journey soon turns from dangerous to life-threatening. 


The Frankincense Trail is a story that transports the reader to a time and place reminiscent of the Arabian Nights tales.


MY TAKE:    Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read.  While I tend to lean towards a lot of the English and Scottish history, this story was a very refreshing change.  Arabia's past is a completely new area for me to explore and enjoy.


Jody Kihara has created two fascinating characters in Alia and Kardal.  Their chemistry and interaction keeps the reader engrossed in the story.  Alia's naivete was annoying at times, but I think if you keep in mind that she was a young, sheltered Princess before she ventured out into the world, it explains a lot of her behavior.  I liked that Kardal was strong and commanding, yet showed a weakness towards Alia.  


The story was entertaining yet educational as I learned many things about Arabian culture and history.  The plot moves along quickly and had me completely hooked. The tale truly did remind me of some of the Arabian Nights adventures. I read the book in one afternoon as I couldn't put it down.  


I highly recommend The Frankincense Tour for readers who enjoy YA, historical fiction, adventure and a little mystery sprinkled in for good measure.  
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

You can snag your own copy here:  

Amazon, Kindle, 
The Book Depository, 
Barnes & Noble, Nook

You can read the first two chapters and check out the cool trailer.  

There are a lot of fun things being planned along with this blog tour including a Twitter-view (Twitter interview):

@JodyKihara

@ladystorm33 

@onebookshy  

Join us!

November Tour Schedule:

1st:  One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

        2nd:   Freda's Voice

        3rd:   In between Writing and Reading

        4th:   Fictitious Musing

        5th:   The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia

        6th:   Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!

        7th:   Sweeping Me

        8th:   Can't Put It Down

        9th:   Library of Clean Reads

       10th:   The Book Addicted Girl

The author is giving away 5 copies of The Frankincense Trail.  Winners can choose print or digital copies. 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Lens and The Looker by Lory S. Kaufman

There's hope for the future,

but what about the past?

TITLE:    The Lens and the Looker
AUTHOR:    Lory S. Kaufman
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 322 pages
PUBLISHED:   The Fiction Studio, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review and Book Tour

  

Pump Up Your Book Tours

FROM THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:  It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s), have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.


In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.


These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

MY TAKE:    This is an exciting new series in the YA genre that will appeal to readers of various ages.  I think it's another one of those stories that shouldn't be "pigeon-holed" into just one genre or classification.  While it's being marketed towards YA readers, I think dystopian, historical fiction, time travel, romance, adventure and science fiction aspects are also well represented in this work by Lory S. Kaufman.  As an adult who enjoys all of these genres, including YA; I found this to be a great read.
  
I'm an avid reader of historical fiction.  When I saw the description of this story, I jumped at the chance to be part of the blog tour.  One of my favorite books/movies is Timeline by Michael Crichton.  It involves a group of archaeologists who are thrown back into medieval France and must learn to survive without their modern amenities.  This story reminded me of that in a vague way and I am happy to say I'm not disappointed.  It's a fresh take on the "fish out of water" syndrome. 

A History Camp where youngsters are taught to learn from the mistakes of the past is a fantastic idea.  I love that our three main characters are pretty much hard-ass delinquents who are spoiled and quite jaded.  They do their best to get in their own way and cause even more problems for themselves and the adults who are trying to help them.  It was fun watching the three of them grow and change their perceptions of themselves and the privileged life they came from.  None of them were especially likable at the start.  I found myself caring what happened to them quickly as the story progressed and their hardships began piling up on them.

The extensive research done by Mr. Kaufman is very apparent from the beginning.  He mixes historical facts in with the fictional tale seamlessly.  I learned a lot about Verona and much of medieval life without feeling like I was being "taught".  The story was enjoyable and educational and I became attached to many of the people who made the tale come alive for me.  While Hansum is the one we spent the most time with in the story, I am hoping to hear more from Shamira and Lincoln in the upcoming books.

I highly recommend this story and the entire series. The The Lens and the Looker  is available now.  I look forward to continuing on the adventure with Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln in the next installment The Bronze and the Brimstone - available TOMORROW ~ June 7th! 

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

You can learn more about the author and the series by visiting:
History-Camp
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

I'm excited to also be on the tour for the second book in the series: The Bronze and the Brimstone  on June 24th.  Be sure to check back in to see what's next in this exciting Verona Trilogy.

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.