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Sacred Mounds

2/27/2021

4 Comments

 
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About the Book: 
SACRED MOUNDS
BY JIM METZNER
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Adelaide Books, NY (print);
Skyboat Media/Blackstone (audio)
Paperback, eBook & Audiobook
Genre: Historical Fantasy


Cyclonic hordes of insects, a telepathic despot, body-swapping sex – just a few of the surprises Salvador Samuels encounters when he finds himself swept back to pre-colonial times walking in the moccasins of a blind Indian – who, in turn, has been transported into Salvador’s body in present day America. Four hundred years apart, they’re bound by a common mission to rescue our world, aided by the mysterious presence of the mounds. Thousands of these ancient earthworks once dotted the landscape of North America. We still don’t know why they were created. Sacred Mounds suggests they are as important today as when they were made over a thousand years ago.
Sacred Mounds, a first novel of magical realism and historical fantasy, weaves the stories of two men, each a stranger in a strange land. With the help of two remarkable women, they must find a way to save our planet and return home.
From Jim Metzner, producer of the Pulse of the Planet series and podcast, with a foreword by Hutke Fields, principal chief of the Natchez Nation.

AMAZON
 | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

Praise

“This is a rollicking, thought-provoking, rollercoaster of a novel. It’s time traveling on steroids, but it asks big questions. Bravo.” – Ken Burns, filmmaker

“After decades of most American fantasy writers echoing European fantasists and using European myths, it’s refreshing to see an extravagantly imaginative writer go into the history and myths of the Natchez nation… We have a chance to see our own culture through the eyes of a native of the Natchez civilization, so the view is double — us seen by them, them seen by us. It’s amazing to read something so fresh and vivid tying us back into the roots of this land and the people who knew it first.” – Orson Scott Card, author “Ender’s Game”

“Jim Metzner’s Sacred Mounds draws you right into the action with high energy prose, strands of mystery floating in the wind, and lively characters. A great read, with Metzner’s usual deep insights into the amazing workings of the natural world seeping into you while you are caught up in the flow. Enjoy!” – Robert Thurman, President, Tibet House US

“Metzner’s time-bending style is interwoven in a well-researched novel about the great Natchez Nation and the mysterious mounds across the midlands of America. This is a witty and inventive historical fantasy that seduces with twists and turns accompanied by lively street wise contemporary dialogue. It will keep you magnetically amused right up to the surprise ending.” – Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Member, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation, MT

“There are not enough words to fully outline the rich, complex and historically and culturally accurate setting of this tale of supernatural heroism. The novel folds ancient traditional wisdom into the seams of its story with the author’s well-honed narrative skills, delivering the tastes and flavors of its mingling times and cultures with ease and aplomb. One ends up feeling not like an onlooker, but an active participant in the events. The book is hard to put down. It’s a page-turner, but an intelligent one; one that asks more questions than it answers and left, for one, this reader hoping for a sequel.” – Lee Van Laer, Senior Editor, Parabola Magazine

“The tribe’s descent from late prehistoric mound builders connects the Natchez people to one of North America’s most intriguing puzzles. Archaeologists know how the earthworks were built, but excavations cannot reveal what these monuments meant to the native people who built them. With Sacred Mounds, Metzner embraces the mystery to weave a story across time and cultural boundaries.” – Jim Barnett, author “The Natchez Indians: A History to 1735”

“Jim Metzner can really spin a yarn. This story is filled with historical reality as well as spectacular descriptions of what could be. Jump into this book. Feel the challenges of the characters. Join with the Shining Ones. The adventure is yours!” – From the foreword by Hutke Fields, Principal Chief of the Natchez Nation

​Review: 
​​An ancient ritual binds the bodies and spirits of two men living centuries apart.  The souls of Skyfisher, a Natchez living in what would be Mississippi in the 1600's and Salvador, a man in present day New York are switched in order to fulfill a mission to heal the world.  Complete strangers to each other's world and way of life, the two men are helped along by two women who believe their wild claims and help them to understand the world they have found themselves in.

Sacred Mounds is a mysterious journey that connects Natchez traditions and beliefs with the state of our planet today.  The introduction pulled me in with the mystery behind Salvador's memory lapse and tattoo that he does not recollect receiving.  After that, the writing bounces back and forth between Salvador and Skyfisher's worlds creating an almost dizzying sense of place as the two men switch bodies through time.  I enjoyed reading about the Natchez traditions, way of life, religions and use of the mounds. I was surprised to learn that the mounds once extended all the way up through the Northeast as well as the fact that much of the Natchez people's heritage has been erased.  Skyfisher and Salvador were compelling characters, especially once they were in one another's bodies.  Even more captivating were Inez and Tell Me a Story, the women that served as guides for the men in mismatched bodies.  While I'm not quite sure if the men succeeded on the journeys, I feel like there is definitely more in this story to unfold.

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

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About the Author
​

Jim studied acting at Yale Drama School and enjoyed a brief career working as a singer-songwriter in London, where he opened for TRex, Free and Pink Floyd. He has been producing sound-rich audio since 1977, starting with the ground-breaking short format radio series – You’re Hearing Boston. Metzner’s other award-winning series include You’re Hearing San Francisco, You’re Hearing America, The Sounds of Science, Voices of Innovation, and Pulse of the Planet, which has been on the air since 1988 and is now heard widely as a podcast. He has recorded all over the world and received major grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Grammy Foundation.

Jim has given presentations around the world as a Fulbright Specialist. For more information visit https://www.jimmetznerproductions.com and https://www.sacredmoundsnovel.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Goodreads.

4 Comments

Rhapsody

2/22/2021

1 Comment

 
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About the Book: 
RHAPSODY 
BY MITCHELL JAMES KAPLAN
Publication Date: March 2, 2021
Gallery Books
Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook; 352 pages
Genre: Biographical/Literary/Historical



One evening in 1924, Katharine “Kay” Swift—the restless but loyal society wife of wealthy banker James Warburg and a serious pianist who longs for recognition—attends a concert. The piece: Rhapsody in Blue. The composer: a brilliant, elusive young musical genius named George Gershwin.
Kay is transfixed, helpless to resist the magnetic pull of George’s talent, charm, and swagger. Their ten-year love affair, complicated by her conflicted loyalty to her husband and the twists and turns of her own musical career, ends only with George’s death from a brain tumor at the age of thirty-eight.
Set in Jazz Age New York City, this stunning work of fiction, for fans of The Paris Wife and Loving Frank, explores the timeless bond between two brilliant, strong-willed artists. George Gershwin left behind not just a body of work unmatched in popular musical history, but a woman who loved him with all her heart, knowing all the while that he belonged not to her, but to the world.

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND


Praise

“Mitchell James Kaplan pens a lilting, jazzy ballad as catchy as a Gershwin tune, bringing to vibrant life the complicated relationship between classically trained composer Kay Swift and free-wheeling star George Gershwin. Their musical bond is as powerful as their passion, and jazz-soaked gin-drenched Broadway is their playground through the tumultuous years of the Great War and Prohibition. Rhapsody will have you humming, toe-tapping, and singing along with every turn of the page.” –Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of THE ALICE NETWORK and THE HUNTRESS

“We all know Gershwin, but how many know he was ‘the man behind the woman,” the conflicted, extraordinary Katherine ‘Kay’ Swift? Mitchell James Kaplan illuminates her in Rhapsody, bringing his impressive knowledge of history, composition, and the heart’s whims to bear on this shining rendition of Swift and Gershwin’s star-crossed love.” –Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of Z and A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

“In Rhapsody, Mitchell James Kaplan brings to lyrical life the romance between Kay Swift and George Gershwin. A gifted musician in her own right, Kay was no mere accompanist to Gershwin’s genius; she was a true partner, unfortunately little remembered today. Kaplan’s vivid prose and empathetic characterization shines a spotlight on this remarkable woman who contributed so much to American music.” –Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and Mistress of the Ritz

“Mitchell James Kaplan’s Rhapsody shines a blazing light on the celebrated George Gershwin, uncovering the man behind the legend through the story of the woman he loved, Kay Swift, a brilliant musician caught in the swiftly moving mores of New York’s Jazz Age. Rich with history and packed with intricate detail, Rhapsody soars.” –Randy Susan Meyers, bestselling author of THE WIDOW OF WALL STREET and WAISTED

“Mitchell James Kaplan has captured a whole world in his luminous journey through the jazz age in fast-paced New York City with this love story of composer Kay Swift and the brilliant but elusive George Gershwin. Kay first heard him playing his Rhapsody in Blue, but she was married to a wealthy man and Gershwin could be faithful only to his own genius. Through Broadway theaters and concerts, he was rising so fast that neither the Great Depression, nor the darkening rise of Hitler across the sea, nor the impossible difficulties of writing the first black folk-opera Porgy and Bess could stop him. Through their love affair, Gershwin and Kay gave fire to each other’s music until nothing could derail his meteoric success but time.” –Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award-winning author of CLAUDE AND CAMILLE and THE PHYSICIAN OF LONDON



​Review:
In 1920's New York City, Kay Swift, a classically trained pianist plays at the parties for New York's elite.  At one of these parties she catches the eye of James Warburg, the son of a wealthy banker.  Soon, Kay is at the top of New York's social ladder but has not forgotten her dream of playing music.  After seeing George Gershwin perform Rhapsody in Blue, Kay becomes mesmerized with his style of music and the man himself.  Kay refocuses on her musical career with George and finds herself enamored with George as well.  With her music finally making its mark, Kay is pulled between her family and George while trying to carve out her own place in the world. 



Rhapsody is written in a style much like Gershwin's music, familiar yet new with different pushes and pulls to show you what you already knew was there.  Everyone knows the name of George Gershwin, but many people do not know Kay Swift.  Kay was the first woman to write the complete score to a Broadway musical though many only know her for her involvement with Gershwin. Rhapsody entwines the stories of Kay, James and George to create a rounded view on how this odd trio helped to define an era of American music.  Using many historical accuracies, the story of how their music evolved is written in a way that managed to bring the music to life on the page.  I was amazed at Gershwin's abilities as well as his commitment to the communities that he found inspiration from.  Kay's life was double sided as she faced the dilemma of many women, being a wife, mother and having a career.  It was very interesting to see Kay's relationship with her children and husband and her choices to focus on her music and happiness instead.  Along with Kay and George, I also learned about James Warburg.  I had no idea that he also wrote lyrics for Kay's songs.  While Kay's life with Gershwin may have been complicated at best, Rhapsody unravels some of the mysteries surrounding this time of Kay Swift's life. 

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

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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.
​
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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Rhapsody Tour
1 Comment

By Immortal Honor Bound

2/14/2021

2 Comments

 
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BY IMMORTAL HONOR BOUND
BY DANIELLE ANCONA
Publication Date: November 4, 2020
Kyanite Publishing LLC
Paperback, 400 pages
Series: Of Alchemy and Angels, Book 1
Genre: Historical Fantasy


Intrepid warrior angel Malachi faces the fiercest of adversaries of warfare through the centuries, fighting alongside the boldest of gods to defend humankind from the Seraph Rebellion.
Sent to York in the 1620’s, Malachi unexpectedly falls in love with keen and ardent alchemist Daphne Heatherton.

For Malachi, Daphne’s returned devotion is a tenuous gift of fate.

Dark machinations set into play by the fallen archangel, Gideon-leader of the Rebellion-bring Malachi to the brink of defeat and put him to the ultimate test.

Will he choose a mortal love, or will he remain By Immortal Honor Bound?

Alchemy, history, passion, myth, science, legend converge in a timeless battle-will love or honor prove to be the most powerful element of all?


AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

Review: 

A war between immortal beings has been raging for millennia. The Seraph, led by fallen angel, Gideon, want to enslave and control humanity.  The Celestials work to undermine Gideon and protect the humans and other beings that the Seraph want to destroy or use for their own purposes.  Malachi is an angel who has been Earthbound, sworn to protect the assets that the Seraph covet.  Through the centuries, Malachi has the privilege of working besides some of history's greatest minds as he protects them.  While protecting the Oak, Isaiah, Malachi is drawn to a mortal alchemist with great power, Daphne Heatherton.  Daphne skills in manipulating the elements amaze Malachi, but also put her in danger in 1600's England.  The Seraph uses Daphne as a pawn to go after Isaiah and use Malachi and Daphne's love to destroy them.  However, with the help of the gods, Daphne may be able to live again.

By Immortal Honor Bound is a unique mix of history, science and mythology over time.  I loved the idea of the war between Seraphs and Celestials throughout time shaping the forces of good and evil within humanity.  The first few chapters gave way to a slow start for me as the author set up this epic battle and introduced the immortal characters on both sides.  I quickly became more invested after Malachi received his assignment to protect Isaiah and Daphne and Dante were introduced.  I enjoyed the focus on women pioneers in science and the struggles they faced through time.  Told mostly through Malachi's point of view, his fierce loyalty, quick thinking and ability to adapt and overcome are amazing.  I do wish that he and Daphne's story was given more time and their love was allowed to grow instead of being an instant connection.  This would have made Malachi's quest even stronger.  Also, while incredibly steamy, the sex scenes seemed more of an aside than a meaningful focus in this context.  The ending was exciting and was able to grow the characters in an entirely different setting.  With more to come in book two, I am interested to see where the characters go next.

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

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About the Author
Pittsburgh has provided an interesting, vibrant and eclectic place to grow up and eventually become a writer of stories. Stories through which History, Science, Alchemy, Romance, High Stakes, and Mythology are woven.

My writing is also touched by ghostly echoes which greet me as I hike or bike through what were once bustling sites from the age of industry of the region, now reclaimed by nature. These are the ethereal remnants of those who shed their blood, sweat and tears onto what is now sacred ground.

Come dive into the stories shaped by these unique forges. The twists in the path are unexpected, fraught with danger, but always worth the journey.

Where passion and love take root unexpectedly, bloom, and somehow manage to survive against all odds, one surprising way or another.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

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By Immortal Honor Bound
2 Comments

I Can Handle It

2/4/2021

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Join us for this tour from Jan 25 to Feb 5, 2021!

Book Details:

Book Title:  I Can Handle It! (Mindful Mantras) by Laurie Wright
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  32 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Laurie Wright
Release date:   August 2016
Content Rating:  G. This children's book is for everyone.

Book Description:

Your child will incorporate the idea of 'I Can Handle It' almost immediately after reading this book, even in our current uncertain times. After reading this book, they will have great ideas for how to ‘handle’ tough situations! When they are tired of having to stay home, they will think 'I can handle it'! When they are missing their friends, they will think 'I can handle it'! When they are feeling worried about the future, they will think 'I can handle it'! Even if they aren't saying the words out loud, this mantra will become a part of their self-talk. Over 300 5-star reviews say so! Positive self-talk is vital for improving and maintaining strong mental health which is exactly what the world needs right now. Help your child feel emotionally strong along with Sebastien, and provide a tool to help them get through these challenging times. And because parents have such a difficult and important job, this book includes updated free resources.

Buy the Book
Amazon

add to Goodreads



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Review:

Sebastian is a young boy with a lot going on in his life. Sometimes his friend is mad at him. He can’t find his shoe. Sebastian gets upset when the pool is closed. He absolutely does not want to go to bed. Even with all of these frustrations, Sebastian knows he can handle these situations in a variety of ways.

I Can Handle It is an excellent social story that gives kids the beginning of a positive mind frame toolkit that they need to develop for everyday obstacles. Sebastian gives kids a variety of solutions to everyday issues from simple to more complex and from funny to serious in order to solve problems that create chaos in children’s lives. With clear and simple illustrations that show facial expression, emotion and illustrate solutions, I Can Handle It is an excellent book for children to begin building social-emotional skills in problem solving.

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


Meet the Author:

Children's author and book marketing coach, Laurie Wright is a silly but smart, busy mom of three who laughs at her own jokes just a bit too much. The minivan is her sanctuary, and the only place she can sing out loud without being shushed. She’s known for her short term memory and extreme love of chips and dip. Usually on her best behavior, watch out when her filter wears off! Never without her laptop and a notebook. Trust her with your kids and your books, but not your coffee!

connect with the author:  website  ~  twitter  ~  facebook ~ instagram
 
Tour Schedule:
 
Jan 25 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 25 - Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Jan 26 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review / giveaway
Jan 26 - pickagoodbook – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 27 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Jan 27 - Adventures of a Travelers Wife – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 28 – Books, Tea, Healthy Me – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 28 - The Book Review Crew – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 29 – Reading is My Passion – book review / giveaway
Jan 29 - Library of Clean Reads – book review /giveaway
Feb 1  – She Just Loves Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 1 - Splashes of Joy – book review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 2 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Feb 2 - The Momma Spot – book review / author interview
Feb 3 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Feb 3 - Nighttime Reading Center – book review / giveaway
Feb 4 – Lisa's Reading – book review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 4 - 100 Pages A Day – book review / giveaway
Feb 5 – I'd Rather Be At The Beach – book review / giveaway
 

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What Big Teeth

2/2/2021

2 Comments

 

What Big Teeth
Rose Szabo
Published by: Farrar Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date: February 2nd 2021
Genres: Fantasy, Gothic, Young Adult

Rose Szabo’s thrilling debut What Big Teeth is a dark, gothic fantasy YA novel about a teen girl who returns home to her strange, wild family after years of estrangement, perfect for fans of Wilder Girls.

Eleanor Zarrin has been estranged from her wild family for years. When she flees boarding school after a horrifying incident, she goes to the only place she thinks is safe: the home she left behind. But when she gets there, she struggles to fit in with her monstrous relatives, who prowl the woods around the family estate and read fortunes in the guts of birds.

Eleanor finds herself desperately trying to hold the family together. In order to save them all Eleanor must learn to embrace her family of monsters and tame the darkness inside her.

Exquisitely terrifying, beautiful, and strange, this fierce paranormal fantasy will sink its teeth into you and never let go.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play



Review



After an incident at her boarding school, Eleanor Zarrin flees back to her family home in the small town of Winterport, Maine.  Eleanor doesn't know quite what to expect upon her arrival after being sent away years earlier for being too dangerous.  Eleanor can't remember the exact reason that her grandmother Persephone wanted her gone. Upon her return Eleanor is the one frightened of her sister Luma, cousin Rhys and grandfather Miklos' untamed wolf forms, her mother's half coral body and her Aunt Margaret's silent acceptance.  As Eleanor tries to figure out her place within her strange family, her Grandmother Persephone dies, leaving her an ominous warning that she must now take care of the family.  To do this, Eleanor seeks out her other grandmother and unknowingly unleashes an even larger monster upon the family. 

What Big Teeth is a unique young adult fantasy horror that kept me on the edge of my seat as Eleanor unraveled the many strange elements of her family.  The writing is immediately engaging, leaving the reading with a constant sense of wanting to know more and needing to dig deeper into the secrets of the Zarrin family.  The Zarrin family is filled with many different types of monsters, yet they seem very familiar as they deal with family drama.  Every aspect of the Zarrin family pulled me in and left me in a suspenseful state from Persephone's death, to Miklos' and Rhys' wild habits and the oddities of their family friend, Arthur who seems ageless, can only drink Margaret's special coffee blend and may be controlled by Persephone.  The addition of Eleanor's other grandmother created yet another mystery and wreaked havoc on every member of the Zarrin family.  With her other grandmother, Eleanor learns that she may be the most dangerous monster of them all; and yet, she may be the only one who can save what is left of her family.  What Big Teeth is an unexpected gothic tale with many surprising twists and turns.

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


Author Bio:

Rose Szabo is a nonbinary writer from Richmond, VA, where they live with an assortment of people and animals and teach writing at VCU. They have an MA in English from the University of Maine and an MFA in creative writing from VCU. Their work has been published in See the Elephant and Quaint magazines. What Big Teeth is their first novel.


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    Hi there! I'm Stephanie and I obviously love reading.  As, the title suggests, I read at least one hundred pages a day.  I enjoy most book genres; however, my favorites are historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, horror and YA.  I also read a lot of non-fiction science and gardening books for my occupation.  I enjoy reviewing books and as always, any book that I receive for free is read in return for my honest review.  

    ​https://share.simonandschuster.com/stephanierhildreth

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