HOPE CITY: THE ALASKAN ADVENTURES OF PERCY HOPE

BY NEIL PERRY GORDON
Publication Date: May 31, 2020
Paperback & eBook; 324 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction



Two teenage boys from San Francisco set off in the summer of 1898 into the goldfields of the Alaskan wilderness.
Warned by his father to conceal his Jewish heritage from the ruffians he may encounter, Samuel Rothman changes his name to the less conspicuous Percy Hope. This fateful decision gives a yet-unnamed mining village a new identity and catapults Percy into a world where the good and the righteous must face greedy and ruthless adversaries.
Along a waterway known as Turnagain Arm, the newly named Hope City and the more established Sunrise are like opposite sisters. The good and virtuous Hope, with a Catholic church led by the influential Reverend O’Hara, admonishes residents against committing the seven deadly sins. In Sunrise, villainous saloon owner Magnus Vega tempts prospectors with whiskey, gambling, and women.
Hope City weaves the tale of a young man falling down a rabbit hole of unexpected hardships and struggling to find his way out, amid a wild and unforgiving environment where ambitious men and women seek their fortunes.
This fast-paced adventure is full of unforeseen twists and will delight all readers looking for a rich and dramatic page-turner with a shocking twist.

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND


Praise for Hope City

“… Gordon’s beautifully imagined prose has clarity and dimension, and he keeps the pacing relatively quick and does justice to the impressive array of characters. Samuel’s emergence from a typical teenage self-doubt is beautifully imagined. Ripe on unforeseen twists and shocking turns, this fast-paced adventure will delight action-adventure fans as well as lovers of nuanced coming-of-age tales. This is a complete entertainment package.” -The Prairies Book Review
“The hunt for gold was a time of discovery and excitement for many people. Neil Gordon Perry has crafted a story that takes this time period and allows readers to connect with two friends on their journey in Alaska. Hope City is the type of story that will remind people of the beloved stories like Call of the Wild that bring the adventures of the past to a present audience in an engaging way…” -The Nerdy Girl Express
“…But the real treasure in Hope City is to be found in its character development with Gordon once again demonstrating a gift for nuance that vividly brings his characters to life. A rich and dramatic page-turner with a shocking twist, Hope City proves a must-read and is highly recommended.” -Book Viral

​Review: 
Sam Rothman and Liam Kampen are headed for the wilds of Alaska in an attempt to strike it rich and have some adventure.  After a stirring speech by Jack London at their high school graduation, Sam and Liam leave their hometown of San Francisco to venture to the Turnagain Arm region.  Before departure, Sam's father warns him that his Jewish name may not be the best to use in Alaska and Sam decides on the name of Percy Hope.  Upon the boy's arrival, Magnus Vega, a local saloon owner, declares that he will name the neighboring town after the first person off the boat.  Percy becomes the talk of the town before even striking gold.  As Percy and Liam get settled and learn the ways of the land, they see that Hope follows the rules of the Catholic church and Reverend O'Hara while the neighboring town of Sunrise is ruled over by Magnus and his devious ways.  Percy and Liam find out what they are made of as they are captured in the rivalries between towns, enemies and religious groups.


As Jack London tells Sam, every good story needs conflict, danger, a battle between good and evil, a relatable hero as well as twists and turns.  This is exactly what Hope City delivers in a fast-paced and exciting read.  I loved the setting of wild Alaska during the gold rush and the many different settings that Sam and Liam's adventures took them through from the rivers of the Turnagain Arm, to the new towns, the native villages and the open waters.  Both Liam and Sam were great characters who took different paths while in Alaska offering two different views.  The point of view switched between Sam/Percy and Magnus which confused me a little at first, but became clear after the first few chapters.  Through these two different points of view the fight between good and evil was evident; however, what makes a person good or bad was more difficult to tell. The inclusion of the Asatru religion made for many more interesting twists and turns as well.  With a very exciting and unexpected ending, Hope City makes for a wonderful historical adventure. 


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

About the AuthorBeginning with his debut novel in 2018–A Cobbler’s Tale, followed by Moon Flower, The Righteous One, The Bomb Squad and Hope City, Neil Perry Gordon has established himself as a well-respected and prolific historical fiction novelist. His story telling ability has earned him high editorial praise from the likes of Kirkus, Midwest Book Review and others, including hundreds of four and five star reader reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
Neil attributes his love of the writing process from his formative education at the Green Meadow Waldorf School, where he learned that subjects such as music, dance and theater, writing, literature, legends and myths, were not simply things to be read about and tested, but lessons to be experienced.
His creative writing methods and inspiration have been described as organic; meaning that he begins his work with a general storyline for his characters, rather than working with a formal, detailed outline. This encourages his writing to offer surprising twists and unexpected outcomes, which readers have celebrated. His novels have the attributes of being driven by an equal balance between character development and face-paced action, which moves his stories along at a swift page-turning pace.
Readers can learn more about Neil Perry Gordon, by visiting his website and blog at: NeilPerryGordon.com. You can also follow Neil on Facebook and Goodreads.

INTO THE UNBOUNDED NIGHT

BY MITCHELL JAMES KAPLAN
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Regal House Publishing
Paperback & eBook; 231 Pages
Genre: Literary/Historical


When her village in Albion is sacked by the Roman general Vespasian, young Aislin is left without home and family. Determined to exact revenge, she travels to Rome, a sprawling city of wealth, decadence, and power. A “barbarian” in a “civilized” world, Aislin struggles to comprehend Roman ways. From a precarious hand-to-mouth existence on the streets, she becomes the mistress of a wealthy senator, but their child Faolan is born with a disability that renders him unworthy of life in the eyes of his father and other Romans.

Imprisoned for her efforts to topple the Roman regime, Aislin learns of an alternate philosophy from her cellmate, the Judean known today as the Apostle St. Paul. As the capital burns in the Great Fire of 64 AD, he bequeaths to her a mission that will take her to Jerusalem. There, Yohanan, son of Zakkai, has been striving to preserve the tradition of Hillel against the Zealots who advocate for a war of independence. Responding to the Judeans’ revolt, the Romans—again under the leadership of Vespasian—besiege Jerusalem, destroying the Second Temple and with it, the brand of Judean monotheism it represents. Yohanan takes on the mission of preserving what can be preserved, and of re-inventing what must be reinvented.

Throughout Into the Unbounded Night, Aislin’s, Faolan’s, Vespasian’s, and Yohanan’s lives intertwine in unexpected ways that shed light on colonization and its discontents, the relative values of dominant and tyrannized cultures, and the holiness of life itself—even the weakest of lives.
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REGAL HOUSE PUBLISHING | AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND



Praise for Into the Unbounded Night
“In Into the Unbounded Night, Mitchell Kaplan offers a rich rendering of war and humanity in first century Rome — of tradition and loss, and the transformative power of healing and collective memory to find one’s way home.” – Nichole Bernier, Boston Globe Bestselling author of The Unfinished Work Of Elizabeth D

“Mitchell James Kaplan is the gloriously talented writer of this dramatic, intense story of conflicting emperors, slaves, priests and exiles in a first century world whose roots and traditions are increasingly torn apart by the brutal rule of Rome. Men and women search for belief and reason, out of which will emerge a new Judaism after the destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple as well as the early beginnings of Christianity. A writer of enormous scope, compassion and poetry, Kaplan has written several of the most compelling characters you will meet in the pages of a book. Into the Unbounded Night sweeps over you like a succession of huge waves. It is truly a major novel.” – Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award recipient, author of Claude And Camille: A Novel Of Monet

“Kaplan’s prose is so rich and agile I felt I was breathing the air of these ancient places, and his evocation of character is no less palpable. Fully embodied and driven by ambition, grief, the clear-eyed desire for truth, and fierce maternal love, these characters plunge, march, and stumble toward their fascinating and entangled destinies.” – Marisa de los Santos, New York Times bestselling novelist of I’ll Be Your Blue Sky and award-winning poet

“I’m a big fan of historical fiction when it’s as good as Mitchell Kaplan’s Into the Unbounded Night. Vividly imagined, Into the Unbounded Night pulls the reader along with beautiful prose, strong characters and a wonderfully realized story.” – Heidi W. Durrow, New York Times best-selling author of The Girl Who Fell From The Sky, winner of the PEN/Bellwether Prize

“A beautiful, informative book. It was gripping throughout, the research never overwhelms the story, but is always part of it. [The] writing is lyrical and evocative of time and place. All the characters are real and interesting. Loved it!” – Martin Fletcher, National Jewish Book Award winner, author of Promised Land

“From the mystical lore of Albion to the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem, Kaplan’s meticulous research and evocative writing meld seamlessly to create a vivid, textured, and richly imagined story.” —Beth Hoffman, New York Times and International bestselling author of Saving Ceecee Honeycutt and Looking for Me

“Set in Rome and Judea after the crucifixion of Jesus, Mitchell James Kaplan’s finely crafted and intense second novel delves into the minds and hearts of truly captivating characters. An excellent read.” – Eva Stachniak, winner of the Canadian First Novel Award, author of The Chosen Maiden

“Sensually provocative, verbally sharp and critically witted, Mitchell James Kaplan’s Into the Unbounded Night brings to life the tumultuous birth of Judeo-Christian monotheism in this intimately woven narrative brimming with righteous and riotous characters striving for survival and transcendence across the ravished landscapes of Judea, the Roman Empire, and Britannia.”
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– Jessica Maria Tuccelli, an Okra Pick winner of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance for her debut novel, Glow
“Kaplan weaves an intricate literary tapestry to create a poetic exploration of early Judeo-Christian and Roman history. He builds a diverse yet connected cast of characters whose encounters inspire timeless self-examination and advance the course of history. An engrossing work not easily forgotten.” – Therese Walsh, critically acclaimed author of The Last Will Of Moira Leahy and The Moon Sisters, founder of the literary blog, Writer Unboxed

Review: 
In the year 40 C.E. Aislin lives a hardworking but honest life with her aunt Muirgheal.  They live in Albion on what is known as Britannia.  When Albion is conquered by the Roman General Vespasian, Aislin is taken hostage and her aunt dies for her village.  Used by Vespasian and discarded, Aislin vows vengeance.  While wandering, Aislin meets disgraced Roman soldier Septimus.  They become travelling companions and Septimus introduces Aislin to the city of Rome.  Aislin's introduction is brief as she is thrown on the streets and picked up by Pallas, a wealthy patrician who uses Aislin to beget a son.  Aislin delivers a boy, Faolan, who is disabled.  Rather than kill her son, Aislin flees with Faolan.  While raising Faolan on the streets of Rome, Aislin learns of the best and worst of humanity while finding a true partner in Yohanan.

Into the Unbounded Night is a beautifully told story of the lives of several people during the precarious time period of the formation of monotheistic belief systems in the Roman Empire.  I haven't read a lot about this period of time and was very impressed by the historical detail that managed to not derail the storyline and characters.  The story follows six very different characters through this time. I was most drawn to Aislin's story and found it a little difficult to keep all of the characters in line at points.  Aislin was easy for me to relate to despite living so long ago and her life managed to tie together many of the important elements on her own. I was constantly amazed by the ups and downs of her journey, her ability to survive and how she managed to prevail over all those who sought to destroy who she is and the people she came from.  I did enjoy the inclusion of Azazel and wish that story would have been expanded upon. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

About the Author

Mitchell James Kaplan graduated with honors from Yale University, where he won the Paine Memorial Prize for Best Long-Form Senior Essay submitted to the English Department. His first mentor was the author William Styron.
After college, Kaplan lived in Paris, France, where he worked as a translator, then in Southern California, where he worked as a screenwriter and in film production.

He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with his family and two cats.
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ORIGINS
BY NICOLE SALLAK ANDERSON
​Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Literary Wanderlust
Paperback & eBook; 229 Pages
Series: Song of the King’s Heart, Book 1
Genre: Historical Fiction



This is the lost story of Lord Ankhwenefer, known to the Greeks as Chaonnophris the Rebel, the last native Egyptian Pharaoh. The brilliance and heartache of his rebellion weave a tale that history has forgotten.

Until now.

In the year 205 B.C., after centuries of Persian and Macedonian occupation, a rebel king rises from the south to take ancient Egypt back unto native hands. He will battle the Ptolemy line for twenty years, and rule almost eighty percent of Egypt, yet in the end, history will never mention his name.

Born Prince Ankhmakis, the last in a line of native Egyptian kings, he is raised with one purpose—to help his father reclaim Egypt from the Macedonian occupiers and return their country to dynastic greatness. Fate, however, has its own plans. For lies and deceit live in the hearts of all involved, from his family to the priesthood, and the Greeks aren’t the only ones who seek to destroy him.

Natasa is in training to become the High Priestess of the temple of Isis. Her task is to strengthen the royal family with the magic of the goddess through love and pleasure. She never thought the connection between her and Ankhmakis could be so strong, or carry a power coveted by those lurking in the shadows. Nor did she know that the child they would create would have her own great destiny to fulfill.

Together, Ankhmakis and Natasa must defend the potential of their love from those who would seek to use it for their own gain. Theirs is a world of magic, power, riches, and lust, and there are those within the court who would do anything to keep Ankhmakis and Natasa apart. Between mystical forces, murder, and illicit schemes–only the gods know if they’ll survive.

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

Praise for Origins
“ORIGINS is an enthralling, cinematic tale set in Ancient Egypt, seeping with magic, intrigue, treachery, and romance. I was hooked from the beginning and holding my breath until the very last page.” — Stephanie Diaz, author of the Extraction Series

“Nicole Sallak Anderson’s detailed research of costumes, history, and rituals illuminate a long-vanished culture and makes it interesting and she has skillfully breathed life into mere hieroglyphs turning them into vibrant people whose lives are filled with love, jealousy, intrigue, and ambition. A must-read for anyone fascinated by Egyptology or who just wants to read a great story.” — Nancy Lynn Jarvis, author of the Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries series and the PIP Inc. series.


Review: 
Egypt has been under Ptolomeic rule for centuries.  In 205 B.C., Prince Ankhmakis, the last in a line of native Egyptian kings, prepares for the war that will place the power back into his father's and the Egyptian's hands.  Ankhmakis' journey to be a successful soldier was filled with a lifetime of careful planning by those around him, demanding training, sacrifice and an incredible transformation through the love of Natasa, a High Priestess in Training for the Temple of Isis.  Ankhmakis and Natasa have an incredibly strong bond that only intensifies through their practice of Anit-Shadya.  With practice, they are able to astral project, protect one another and create a power for good.  However, there are many people working against them who covet their power and their love.

Ancient Egypt is brought to life in Origins: Song of the King's Heart. Egypt is under Greek rule and the passion of the Egyptian people shines through the writing.  Not much is known about Ankhmakis or his father, however a complete story is weaved out of what is known.  I loved reading about the belief system, magic and politics of the time.  The characters were full and easy to relate to for people living so long ago.  Ankhmakis' growth and willingness to do what is right for his home and family showed an amazing maturity.  Natasa was easily my favorite with her caring nature, sense of duty and abilities.  The practice of Anit-Shadya astounded me with the power that could be wielded through what the Egyptian's called sex magic.  The family dynamics that were created next to the political drama created the right amount of tension and intrigue throughout the story.  With a promise of more to come for these characters, I can't wait to read the next installment. 
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This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

About the Author

Nicole Sallak Anderson is a Computer Science graduate from Purdue University, and former CTO for a small Silicon Valley startup, turned novelist and blogger, focusing on the intersection of technology and consciousness. She currently lives in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains in California with her husband, where she raises goats and bees. She enjoys spinning, knitting, playing the bass, and dancing, particularly the tango.
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You can keep up with all her latest writing by following @NSallakAnderson on Facebook, Twitter and Medium or her website www.nicolesallakanderson.com. Feel free to contact her, she almost always answers to any query or comment!

THE LONDON RESTORATION
BY RACHEL MCMILLAN
Publication Date: August 18, 2020
Thomas Nelson
Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook
Genre: Historical Fiction


From author Rachel McMillan comes a richly researched historical romance that takes place in post-World War II London and features a strong female lead.

Determined to save their marriage and the city they love, two people divided by World War II’s secrets rebuild their lives, their love, and their world.

London, Fall 1945. Architectural historian Diana Somerville’s experience as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and her knowledge of London’s churches intersect in MI6’s pursuit of a Russian agent named Eternity. Diana wants nothing more than to begin again with her husband Brent after their separation during the war, but her signing of the Official Secrets Act keeps him at a distance.

Brent Somerville, professor of theology at King’s College, hopes aiding his wife with her church consultations will help him better understand why she disappeared when he needed her most. But he must find a way to reconcile his traumatic experiences as a stretcher bearer on the European front with her obvious lies about her wartime activities and whereabouts.

Featuring a timeless love story bolstered by flashbacks and the excavation of a priceless Roman artifact, The London Restoration is a richly atmospheric look at post-war London as two people changed by war rebuild amidst the city’s reconstruction.

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

Review: 
During World War II Diana Foyle and Brent Sommerville are hastily married before Brent ships out as a stretcher bearer.  While Brent is away, Diana wants to do anything to help bring him back safely.  With her experience in architectural history and her specific love of Christopher Wren churches, Diana is recruited as a codebreaker for Bletchley Park M16.  All of her work there is classified and when Diana discovers that Brent has returned from the war and is injured, she needs to put off their reunion for another five weeks while she completes a task.  Finally reunited, Diana and Brent are both changed from their experiences during the war and neither of them can talk about it.  Diana still has a special task to complete: to find  an agent named Eternity who is using Diana's favorite churches as rendezvous points.  Diana is determined to finish the job, but her involvement places Brent in danger alongside her. 


Set in Post World War II London, The London Restoration explores the devastated churches that were bombed during the war as well as the effects of war on relationships.    Through Diana's eyes and her unique love of architecture I was able to envision, not only what was left of the churches, but the beauty they still held.  Diana's work at Bletchley Park opened my eyes to another important role that women held during World War II intercepting messages and breaking codes that were sent directly to the Allies.  In addition, the women were not allowed to talk about their roles in any capacity.  The writing bounces back and forth between Diana and Brent's experiences during the War and 1945, when they are both battling inner demons as well as Eternity. While understanding what each character went through during their time apart is pivotal to the story, the transitions in time felt a little clunky to me and sometimes I had to backtrack to see if I was reading about the character's past or present.  Brent's experience during the War adds another layer to the secrets being kept as well as an important reminder of the mental health of Veterans.  The hunt for Eternity, the artifacts and codes kept my interest level up and the suspense heightened.  However, at the heart of the story is a marriage; and how secrets can change the marriage, but trust can make it stronger. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ​

​About the Author

Rachel McMillan is the author of The Herringford and Watts mysteries, The Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries and The Three Quarter Time series of contemporary Viennese romances. Her next work of historical fiction, The London Restoration, releases in Summer 2020 and takes readers deep into the heart of London’s most beautiful churches. Dream, Plan, Go (May, 2020) is her first work of non-fiction. Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada and is always planning her next adventure.


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About the Book: 
SHE WEARS THE MASK
BY SHELLY STRATTON
Publication Date: August 11, 2020
Paperback & eBook; 262 pages
Genre: Historical/Women’s Fiction

No one can ever really know what lies behind the mask . . .
Gripping and moving, She Wears the Mask is a novel about two women from two very different worlds, both burdened with secrets from their pasts, who form an unexpected bond…

1950s Chicago: Angelique Bixby could be one of many fresh-faced sales girls working along the Magnificent Mile, but she’s unique. She’s a white woman married to a black man in 1950s Chicago, making her stand out among the tenements on the South Side where she lives. Despite the challenges the couple faces, they find comfort and strength in their love for one another. Angelique is content, as long as she has her Daniel by her side and their baby in her arms, until she loses them both—one to death and the other to dire circumstances.

1990s Washington, D.C.: Angelique Crofton is a woman of privilege. A rich, aging beauty and mother of a rising political star, she has learned to forget her tragic past. But now that she is facing her own mortality, she is finally ready to find the daughter she left behind, remember the young woman she once was, and unearth the bittersweet memories she had long ago buried.
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Jasmine Stanley is an ambitious lawyer—the only black woman at her firm. She is too busy climbing the corporate ladder to deal with her troublesome family or their unresolved issues. Tasked with Angelique’s case, Jasmine doesn’t know what to make of her new client—an old debutante with seemingly too much time and money on her hands. Jasmine eagerly accepts the challenge though, hoping if she finds Angelique’s long-lost daughter, it will impress the firm’s partners. But she doesn’t count on the search challenging her mentally and emotionally. Nor does she expect to form a friendship with Angelique, who is much more like her than she realizes—because Jasmine is harboring secrets, too.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

​Review:
Angelique Bixby is braving the streets of 1950's Chicago.  After her husband Daniel's death Angelique has had trouble supporting herself and newborn, Ella Jean.  Living on Chicago's South Side as a white woman married to a black man has not been easy.  Feeling she has no other choice, Angelique leaves her child with a respected family and tries to move on with life.  Years later, Angelique has remarried into a family of privilege.  She has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and wants to amend her  will to include the daughter she left behind.  Angelique hires Jasmine Stanley, an ambitious, rising star at her law firm.  Jasmine's has been asked to keep strict confidentiality with Angelique's task.  At first, Jasmine believes that Angelique is another stuck up debutante, however as she digs into Angelique's past, she realizes that they are more alike than they seem; both women hold onto life altering secrets.

She Wears the Mask is a story about secrets, identity and family.  The characters were well developed and I could feel the heartbreak as Angelique made the most difficult decision of her life as well as the emotional weight of the secret Jasmine carried.  The writing skillfully worked across dual timelines divulging bits of Angelique's history as we learn about her present circumstance as well as unraveling the history of pain in Jasmine's family without giving everything away early on. I do wish we got to see a little more of Angelique's story at the end. Along with the themes of reconciling the past are themes of  gender, race and the perceptions and weight that the color of your skin can carry.  Overall, She Wears the Mask is an intense and absorbing plot and interesting characters.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

About the Author
As long as she could remember, Shelly Stratton (who also writes under the penname Shelly Ellis) has wanted to be an author. In college, she studied journalism and started out as a crime reporter for a small local newspaper. Now she is an editor at a trade journal.

She became an author when she was selected as one of four finalists in the BET Books First-Time Writers Contest when she was 19 years old. The prize was having her first short-story romance published in an anthology.

Since then, she has authored ten books and has been nominated for various awards, including a NAACP Image Award® in the Literary Fiction Category, an African American Literary Award in the romance category, and a RT Reviewers’ Choice Award.
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Shelly lives in Maryland with her husband and their daughter. She loves to paint, read, and watch movies.
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