About the Book: Paperback: 592 pages
Publisher: Harper 360 (August 19, 2014)

Her beauty fuelled a war.
Her courage captured a king.
Her passion would launch the Tudor dynasty.

When her own first child is tragically still-born, the young Mette is pressed into service as a wet-nurse at the court of the mad king, Charles VI of France. Her young charge is the princess, Catherine de Valois, caught up in the turbulence and chaos of life at court.

Mette and the child forge a bond, one that transcends Mette’s lowly position.
But as Catherine approaches womanhood, her unique position seals her fate as a pawn between two powerful dynasties. Her brother, The Dauphin and the dark and sinister, Duke of Burgundy will both use Catherine to further the cause of France.

Catherine is powerless to stop them, but with the French defeat at the Battle of Agincourt, the tables turn and suddenly her currency has never been higher. But can Mette protect Catherine from forces at court who seek to harm her or will her loyalty to Catherine place her in even greater danger?


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Purchase Links

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About the Author: Joanna spent twenty-five years at the BBC writing and presenting for radio and television. Gripped by Shakespeare’s historical plays, Joanna began researching the King Henry V’s ‘fair Kate’ as a schoolgirl and the story of Catherine de Valois and the Tudor genesis has remained with her throughout life. She lives in an old farmhouse in Wiltshire and is married with a large family and a wayward Irish terrier.

Follow Joanna on Twitter and connect with her on Facebook.

About the Book: 
Written By: Donna McDine
Illustrated by: K.C. Snider
Publication Date: August 12, 2010
Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBookGenre: Historical Fiction/Children’s Fiction (Ages 8-12)



Be transported through time to the Underground Railroad, where high-pitched screams echo each night. David’s cruel Pa always chooses the same victim. Despite the circumstances during slavery, David uncovers the courage to defy his Pa.

Raised in a hostile environment where abuse occurs daily, David attempts to break the mold and befriends the slave, Jenkins, owned by his Pa. Fighting against extraordinary times and beliefs, David attempts to lead Jenkins to freedom with no regard for his own safety and possible consequences dealt out by his Pa.

Suggested age range for readers: 8-12. Free Educator Guides Available.

Praise for The Golden Pathway“The Golden Pathway is a tale of compassion and courage. This book earns the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval, a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children’s Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.” –Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews

“The Golden Pathway is written specifically for children 8-12 years old and is written perfectly to their level of understanding. It is easy to comprehend and the plot flows smoothly. The illustrations are beautifully depicted and complement the wording immensely. I found this story to be powerful, inspiring and something that will provide children with a valuable lesson about slavery and freedom as part of American History. I can see this book also providing a valuable tool for children to ask questions and bring about important conversation. I feel strongly that this book is a must read for all children ages 8 and up.” –Rita V., Readers Favorite

“This story by author Donna M. McDine, with full-page, full-color illustrations by K. C. Snider, is an attention-grabbing way to introduce students to the fact that slavery once existed in this country and also illustrate how the “Underground Railroad” helped slaves to escape north so that they might gain their freedom. It is a great book.” –Wayne S. Walker, Home School Book Review

“Donna M. McDine is an award winning children’s author and it comes through in the book. The way she has handled such a delicate and emotional subject is really good. She has given a good twist to the tale in the end. The story imparts an important message to the children, of being courageous and yet compassionate towards fellow human beings. At the same time the story makes the children realize the plight people went through in those times.” -Benu Bali, Zealot Readers

Buy the BookGuardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
Amazon (Kindle)
Amazon (Print)
Autographed Copies
Wholesale Orders






Review: 
A courageous and inspiring children's book.  David does not like that his father owns or mistreats their slave, Jenkins. Even though David's father can be mean, David risks the consequences to try and help his friend escape on the underground railroad.  

This book is written with honesty and with the reality of the subject matter at the time.  There is not a lot of sugar-coating, a slave is whipped, David's father is an alcoholic.  With this in mind, it is most appropriate for children in fourth grade.  The message of the book is clear and the illustrations are appropriate and truthful to the situation.  I actually wish that the book was a little longer and that the situations presented were elaborated on.  

On a personal note, horse manure does not smell as bad as it was presented in the book. 

About the Author: 
Donna McDine is a multiple award-winning children’s author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions, A Sandy Grave ~ Story Monster Approved and Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, The Golden Pathway ~ Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient Picture Book Early Reader, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention, Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction, and Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books.

Her interest in ocean life resulted in writing and publishing A Sandy Grave (January 2014). Other books by McDine, Powder Monkey (May 2013), Hockey Agony (January 2013) and The Golden Pathway (August 2010). A fifth book is in the publishing pipeline with Guardian Angel Publishing. She writes and moms from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators.

For more information please visit Donna McDine’s website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,Pinterest, and Goodreads.

About the Book: 

Gypsy by Trisha Leigh 
(The Cavy Files #1) 
Publication date: May 13th 2014
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:
Inconsequential: not important or significant.
Synonyms: insignificant, unimportant, nonessential, irrelevant

In the world of genetic mutation, Gypsy’s talent of knowing a person’s age of death is considered a failure. Her peers, the other Cavies, have powers that range from curdling a blood still in the vein to being able to overhear a conversation taking place three miles away, but when they’re taken from the sanctuary where they grew up and forced into the real world, Gypsy, with her all-but-invisible gift, is the one with the advantage.

The only one who’s safe, if the world finds out what they can do.

When the Cavies are attacked and inoculated with an unidentified virus, that illusion is shattered. Whatever was attached to the virus causes their abilities to change. Grow. In some cases, to escape their control.

Gypsy dreamed of normal high school, normal friends, a normal life, for years. Instead, the Cavies are sucked under a sea of government intrigue, weaponized genetic mutation, and crushing secrets that will reframe everything they’ve ever been told about how their “talents” came to be in the first place.

When they find out one of their own has been appropriated by the government, mistreated and forced to run dangerous missions, their desire for information becomes a pressing need. With only a series of guesses about their origins, the path to the truth becomes quickly littered with friends, enemies, and in the end, the Cavies ability to trust anyone at all.


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Buy the Book: 
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Review: 
This was a book where I didn't really know what to expect, but loved every minute of it!  I had a hard time putting this down once I started to read about Gypsy's story and was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. 

Gypsy has grown up on the old Darley Plantation in South Carolina.  She and nine other teens, called Cavies are kept there, educated and tested due to their special abilities.  Gypsy has the ability to to touch a person and know the age they will die, her friend Mole can make things burn, Reaper can make a person's blood stop, Haint can disappear.  All they have ever known is the confines of their compound and what their Professor and Philosopher has taught them.  Their lives all come crashing down when the police show up and shut down Darley.  Some of the teens, like Gypsy find that they have fathers or other relatives, others go to group homes. Now in the real world the Cavies have to navigate things like schools and friendships without letting their powers get the best of them and trying to figure out what they really are and who they can trust.  

I loved Gypy's character.  She has a special gift, yet believes she is not special enough; she wants to live a normal life, but has a fierce loyalty to the Cavies.  I absolutely loved how Gypsy related many of her high school events back to Molly Ringwald movies.  The premise of this book was awesome, it reminded me a bit of of X-Men, but was not outrightly so.  I was really interested in all of the Cavies abilities and wished that they would have been showcased more, especially once their powers grew.  I was interested in Gypsy's power, even if she thought that it was useless.  Her power is really only used twice within the book.  There is of course a bit of a love triangle within the book; however it is not overwhelming and I like how Gypsy handled herself.  A lot happens at the end of this book where the Cavies begin to find out who they are and who to trust, it will be interesting to see where the next book is going to go.

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

About the Author: 
Trisha Leigh is a product of the Midwest, which means it’s pop, not soda, garage sales, not tag sales, and you guys as opposed to y’all. Most of the time. She’s been writing seriously for five years now, and has published 4 young adult novels and 4 new adult novels (under her pen name Lyla Payne). Her favorite things, in no particular order, include: reading, Game of Thrones, Hershey’s kisses, reading, her dogs (Yoda and Jilly), summer, movies,  reading, Jude Law, coffee, and rewatching WB series from the 90’s-00’s.

Her family is made up of farmers and/or almost rock stars from Iowa, people who numerous, loud, full of love, and the kind of people that make the world better. Trisha tries her best to honor them, and the lessons they’ve taught, through characters and stories—made up, of course, but true enough in their way.

Trisha is the author of The Last Year series and the Whitman University books. She’s represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Author links:
trishaleigh.com
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5828387.Trisha_Leigh
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trisha-Leigh/463838867020091
https://twitter.com/trishaleighkc

About the Book: 
Historical Fiction
Date Published: May 27, 2014

   
Sixteen year old Emma Cartwright runs away from her family’s South Carolina rice plantation after a slave is beaten to death. Determined to join the fight against slavery, Emma enlists in the Union Army disguised as a young man. Nothing could prepare her for the sacrifices needed—and for falling in love for the first time.   

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Review:

I was very interested in this book because it follows a young woman who decides to dress as a man and join the Union Army.  Many women in history actually did do this, and although Emma Cartwright may be a fictional character, the story of her motivations in the war, her struggles and her journey are all important.  

Emma Cartwright grew up on her family's South Carolina rice plantation.  She was raised by her family's slaves and her father often treated them well. Raised with several brothers, Emma also has a good deal of fighting under her belt and knows how to shoot a gun.  After a rebellion on the plantation, a new foreman begins to treat all of the slaves poorly.  Emma would often try to help them by teaching several slaves how to read and even forging papers to help them escape.  When war erupts and the South decides to secede from the Union, Emma takes the chance to do what she feels is right and fight for the end of slavery with the North.  It's also a convenient way to get out of an arranged marriage with a horrible man named Vaughn.   Emma finds her way to Washington D.C, dresses as a boy and enlists as Tom Edmonds, despite her small statue and weak looks, Emma finds a position in the hospital.  

Emma is an amazingly strong and brave female character.  I was surprised at how long she held her cover and how well she managed with the rest of her division.  Emma's fortitude and intelligence served her well and I believe that one of the reasons that Emma did so well on many of the special missions she was sent on was the fact that she was a woman.  It was interesting to me to see that Emma's main reason for joining the Union Army, to end slavery, was not the motivation for the rest of the men in the camp.  Reading Emma's reactions to the others motivations and her realizing that there was much more going on was thought-provoking.  I liked much of the historical accuracy within the Army Camps, the political motivations and the battles themselves; the action inside the camps and the hospital was realistic enough without being terrifying, making the reading suitable for young adult readers.  My one issue was with the romance.  When Emma finally received a little bit of intimacy,  she got totally flustered and seemed to forget everything she was there for.  However, Emma does recover from that first romance, but we never get to find out if she gets to fall in love again. 

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

About the Author: 
Mercedes King is an Ohio native and founding member of Sisters in Crime Columbus, Ohio (affectionately dubbed SiCCO). With a degree in Criminology from Capital University and a passion for writing, she crafted O! Jackie, a novel focusing on the private life of Jackie Kennedy. She has also written The Kennedy Chronicles, a series of short stories featuring JFK and Jackie before they were married and before 'Camelot'. Mercedes writes in a variety of genres, including historical and mystery / suspense. In fact, she's working on creating a new genre, 'modern historical'.

Her newest release, Plantation Nation, follows the journey of Emma Cartwright, a 16 year old Southern girl who disguises herself as a young man and joins the Union Army.

Visit her sites, OJackiebook.com or Mercedesking.com . Contact her at Mercedes 'at' ojackiebook 'dot' com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Website: www.mercedesking.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedes.king.1806

Twitter: @Mercedes_King_

Blog: http://mercedeskingblog.blogspot.com

Instagram: mercedes_king_author

About the Book: 



The Tiger’s Wife meets A History of Love in this inventive, lushly imagined debut novel that explores the intersections of family secrets, Jewish myths, the legacy of war and history, and the bonds between sisters.

When Eli Burke dies, he leaves behind a mysterious notebook full of stories about a magical figure named The White Rebbe, a miracle worker in league with the enigmatic Angel of Losses, protector of things gone astray, and guardian of the lost letter of the alphabet, which completes the secret name of God.

When his granddaughter, Marjorie, discovers Eli’s notebook, everything she thought she knew about her grandfather—and her family—comes undone. To find the truth about Eli’s origins and unlock the secrets he kept, she embarks on an odyssey that takes her deep into the past, from 18th century Europe to Nazi-occupied Lithuania, and back to the present, to New York City and her estranged sister Holly, whom she must save from the consequences of Eli’s past.

Interweaving history, theology, and both real and imagined Jewish folktales, The Angel of Losses is a family story of what lasts, and of what we can—and cannot—escape.


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Review:

The Angel of Losses is a beautiful and unique mix of history, Jewish folklore and family.  I was originally interested in this book because I am familiar with the story of the Wandering Jew.  This story ended up being so much more. Right from the beginning Grandfather Eli tells his young granddaughters, Marjorie and Holly a beautiful but dark tale with no ending; I was hooked after that. 

Years later, Eli has passed on, but his stories about the mysterious White Rebbe have stuck with Marjorie.  She knows there is more to learn from him, if only she could find all the notebooks that his stories were written down in.  Along with her grandfather's stories, Marjorie is hard at work on a thesis project that might be connected.  Holly, the younger sister is married to Nathan, pregnant and converted to his religion, Judaism.  Marjorie and Nathan have never gotten along, causing a fallout between the sisters.  Once Holly's baby is born with a rare genetic disorder, Marjorie must find out what her grandfather had hidden for so long in order to save the baby and bring her family back together.  

My favorite parts of the book were Eli's stories.  These folktales were intriguing and elegantly written combining known folklore with Eli's character's own history and a bit of magical realism.  The way the stories were revealed throughout the book, slowly and not in order, made the reveal and their meaning all the more interesting.  Marjorie's character was the best for me.  She is by no means perfect in the beginning, but extremely easy to relate to. It is her journey to discovery that enables her to grow and eventually bring her family together.  


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

About the Author: 


Stephanie Feldman is a graduate of Barnard College. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and her daughter.

About the Book:
Paperback: 420 pages
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (July 8, 2014)

American artist Joseph Hannigan and his alluring sister, Sophie, have arrived
in enchanting nineteenth-century Venice with a single-minded goal. The twins,
who have fled scandal in New York, are determined to break into Venice’s
expatriate set and find a wealthy patron to support Joseph’s work.

But the enigmatic Hannigans are not the only ones with a secret agenda.
Joseph’s talent soon attracts the attention of the magnificent Odilé Leon, a
celebrated courtesan and muse who has inspired many artists to greatness. But
her inspiration comes with a devastatingly steep price.

As Joseph falls under the courtesan’s spell, Sophie joins forces with
Nicholas Dane, the one man who knows Odilé’s dark secret, and her sworn enemy.
When the seductive muse offers Joseph the path to eternal fame, the twins must
decide who to believe—and just how much they are willing to sacrifice for
fame.

Buy the Book:
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Review:

Inamorata had me enamored.  A beautifully told and unique story that combined historical fiction, the paranormal and romance.  Set in enchanting 1800's Venice, I was taken into the story through the points of view of four wholly intriguing and different characters.  Odilé, a muse who's inspiration will cost an artist dearly; Nicholas, who has already felt the impact of Odilé's affection and is on quest to stop other men from falling under her spell; and twins, Joseph and Sophie a talented painter and storyteller with an inexplicable bond. 

I really can't say enough good things about this book, it is alluring, with marvelous writing and characterization.  The setting completely drew me in, the glamour, the mystery, the salons and the artistry created a world that I was completely immersed with.  The changing point of view between the four characters gave me a sense of a fast-pace and a view into each of their points-of-view and their motives.  Each of the characters was well developed and special.  I loved learning about what exactly Odilé was and her history.  Sophie and Joseph were an enigma, their relationship was obviously special, but it also had a a very dark component, but it is what ended up helping them the most in the end.  

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

About the Author:
Megan Chance is a critically
acclaimed, award-winning author of historical fiction. Her novels have been
chosen for the Borders Original Voices and IndieBound’s Booksense programs. A
former television news photographer and graduate of Western Washington
University, Chance lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two
daughters.


Connect with Megan
Website | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:
Sci-Fi (Post Apocalyptic / Dystopian)
Date Published: May 12, 2014
 
A man thrust a baby into Jade’s hands. It trembled in her arms. The man had a message: escape from the tunnels and never return, her parents were already dead. Jade had a sister; she was irradiated.

Thirteen years later, her sister, Pearl, is coming of age. Rows of sucker-caps line her arms and hands. Her skin is coral pink. Each night, her dreams fill with visions of violence, depression, and fear.

 On the surface, people have grown wild and dangerous. They scavenge, fight, and steal. Below, in the tunnels, they're controlled by a ruthless leader and an army of beings known only as Shadows. When both groups come searching for Pearl, sensing the power her dreams may hold, only Jade can stand in the way.





Review:

From the prologue, a treacherous and uncertain world is set for eight year old Jade and her newborn sister Pearl.  Pearl is given to Jade and she is told to run, get out of the only home she had even known.  Jade and Pearl must escape from the darkness and safety of the Tunnels and go to the surface, Pearl was born irradiated, mutated because her father spent too much time in the sun.  Years later, Jade, Pearl and two other surface dwellers have made a life for themselves by scavenging and trading.  Pearl, who was born with pink skin and sucker caps up and down her arms has been having strange dreams, dreams where she can see other people and how they live. She doesn't know that all these people also see her in their dreams and that they are coming to take her away.

I loved the concept of this dystopian world, the sun's rays are now so intense that people are being mutated (this happens now, but we just call it skin cancer).  Such a simple thing that causes so many issues,  it is difficult to live on the surface, water is scarce, the air is hardly breathable, food is scarce and those born irradiated might have a unique gift.  Jade was the character I identified with the most, the writing switches back and forth from Jade and Pearl's point of view, Jade was continually struggling to make everything right, find food, keep dangers away and protect her sister.  When Pearl is taken, Jade steps up and becomes quite the vigilante.  Towards the end, there is some insight into the hierarchy of the Tunnel dwellers. I was interested in who The Queen was...but I have my ideas.  This was a shorter work, but part of a series.  I'll have to see what happen's next.  

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

About the Author:
S. Elliot Brandis is a Speculative Fiction writer from Brisbane, Australia. He
writes about societies on the brink of collapse, and civilizations that have
long since crumbled. His debut novel, Irradiated, is a dark tale about survival,
love, and moral ambiguity.

When he’s not putting his characters through the wringer, he’s actually kind of a
nice guy. He keeps literature on the same shelf as comic books, and mixes his
beer with tobasco. He invites you to visit him at selliotbrandis.com


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Read an Excerpt:
Birth


The man thrust a baby into Jade’s hands. It was warm and wet and
its cries were muffled. Thick fabric covered its face and body. It trembled in
her arms.


“You have to go,”said the man. His voice was urgent and his
movements were rapid. Each breath was hot and
laboured.


“I don’t understand. Where’s Mum, where’s Dad?” Jade
asked.


The tunnel was dark but she could place him by the sound, by the
heat, by the air. His panic rushed into her, as though it was her own. He
grabbed her with heavy hands and turned her
around.


“There’s no time,”he said. “No time, child. They’re coming. The
Shadows are coming. You need to get out of
here.”


“B-But, what about my parents?” she
stammered.


The man squeezed her shoulders tightly, his fingers digging into
her muscles and between her bones.


“I’m sorry,” he said. “They’re dead. You have to trust us. This
is your only chance. This is your sister’s only chance. You have to keep going
and never turn back.”


He pushed her onward, and other hands grabbed her. They grasped
her then passed her on to the next set. They all knew what was happening, all
knew where she was headed—everybody but her. She clutched the squealing baby in
her long, thin arms and yielded herself to their guidance.



Jade had a sister; she was irradiated.

About the Book: 


Not Quite Dead 
Lyla Payne 
(A Lowcountry Ghost Story) 
Publication date: April 1st 2014
Genres: Mystery, New Adult, Paranormal


A broken engagement sends Graciela Harper crawling back to Heron Creek with her tail between her legs, but finds the sleepy little town too changed to set her life right. Not even her budding drinking problem can obscure her Gramps’s failing health, or erase the mental picture of her first love happily married to her childhood best friend. To top it all off, she’s having a heck of time convincing the town’s dashing young mayor of her unfit-for-dating status.

When the ghost of 18th century lady pirate Anne Bonny starts insisting on a near daily audience, Graciela has to confront something else she never expected—being certifiably nuts at twenty-five years old.

Her brand new “I don’t give a crap” attitude makes it easy to dismiss the mysterious threats that seem to be tied to her search for more information on the long dead pirate, but when her family becomes a target, Gracie knows she needs to find out why the ghost insists on being a constant, reeking companion.

If Graciela can put aside her prejudice against people without a pulse, she may discover that Anne Bonny’s problems are intricately linked with her own. The past harbors answers could help the cantankerous spirit find closure, but she is, after all, already dead. If Graciela doesn’t move fast, she might find herself doing the haunting, instead of the other way around.

Buy The Book:
Purchase:
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Review:
A new adult, paranormal romance with ghosts! And no, no one is in love with a ghost.  Graciela Harper returns to the small town of Heron Creek, South Carolina to take care of her grandfather who is not doing to well health wise.  She is also using the homecoming as a retreat after an embarrassing break-off engagement.  Gracie has to quickly come to terms with being an adult,with her grandfather's health, old friends with new dynamics and a cousin who might be in an abusive relationship, even though she would rather drown her sorrows in alcohol and not come out of her bedroom.  Meeting the town's hunky new mayor doesn't help matters; neither does the appearance of the town's rather insistent resident ghost, Anne Bonny.  It seems that Gracie is the only one who can see Anne and Anne really wants Gracie to do something for her.

This was a good mix of genres, a cute romance, a light haunting and plenty of family drama.  Gracie starts out as a pretty pitiful mess, but she has a fierce love of her family and history.  It was a little hard to connect with her in the beginning, but things picked up for me when the ghost of Anne Bonny started to appear.  I liked the tie-in's with actual history and learning more about Anne Bonny and Mary Reid, actual women pirates.  I also enjoyed going back in time for a while with Anne's journal entries.  The added mystery of what Anne wanted Gracie to find was fun, but I could see where it was going.  I am anxious to see what happens in the next book as Gracie is left with another ghostly dilemma.  Overall, a fun, light, different type of ghost story.

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

About the Author: 
Lyla Payne has been publishing New Adult romance novels for a little over a year, starting with Broken at Love and continuing with the rest of the Whitman University series. She loves telling stories, discovering the little reasons people fall in love, and uncovering hidden truths in the world around us – past and present. In her spare time she cuddles her two dogs, pretends to enjoy exercising so that she can eat as much Chipotle as she wants, and harbors a deep and abiding hope that Zac Efron likes older women. She loves reading, of course, along with movies, traveling, and Irish whiskey. Lyla’s hard at work, ALWAYS, and hopes to bring you more Whitman University antics and at least one more Lowcountry ghost tale before the end of the year.

Lyla Payne is represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

If you want to know more, please visit her at http://lylapayne.com

If you’re a fan of Young Adult fiction–science fiction or otherwise–please check out her work that’s published under the name Trisha Leigh. http://trishaleigh.com


Website                          Goodreads                                     Facebook                                     Twitter

About the Book:
Fractured by Erin Hayes
Publication date: July 8th 2014
Genres:Adult, Horror
Synopsis:
Blinded by a mysterious seizure when she was three years old, Bash Martin has managed to carve out a normal life for herself as an adult. Yet she still yearns for a deeper connection with her twin sister Lily, who has always been jealous of the attention their parents bestowed upon Bash due to her disability.

A dream vacation seems like the perfect chance to heal their relationship, but Bash soon realizes there is something terribly wrong with Lily and that her sister is hiding a dark secret. And when a supernatural fire engulfs their hotel and corpses come back to life, the sisters are plunged into a nightmarish world that threatens not only their lives, but their very souls.


Goodreads


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Review:  
Twins, Bathsheba (called Bash) and Lily have always been different.  Bash is outgoing and charming, Lily is quiet and keeps to herself.  Since a terrible playground incident when the twins were three, Bash has been blind and things just haven't been the same between the sisters.  Years later another horrible accident happens and their parents are taken from them.  To help heal old wounds, Bash wants to take Lily, along with her boyfriend and other friends up to a Colorado ski resort for a relaxing vacation.  However, everything seems to go wrong, just like it always does when Lily is around.

This book really surprised me.  I had no idea where it was going; it started out strong and seemed like it was going to be a good psychological thriller.  The prologue had me intrigued, going back to when the girls were three years old, there is a strong sense that something is different about Lily, but I didn't know what.  It could have been a psychological issue or supernatural.  Fast forward to twenty years later, Lily is still fighting the same demon and Bash still manages to have the perfect life, even while being visually impaired.  This is when the characterization shone for me, Bash and Lily were each strong and unique characters without being stereotypes. When Lily, Bash and the rest of the crew arrive at the resort, things pick up. Blood, death, gore, reanimated corpses, living hotels, supernatural everything.  It hit head on.  This is the author's first attempt at horror, and I think she did a pretty good job.  The ending tied up nicely, although I could see where it was going. 

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

About the Author:
Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist, Erin Hayes
writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books, like the fantasy mystery
Death is but a Dream and the sci-fi middle grade book Jacob Smith is Incredibly
Average.

You can reach her at tiptoegirl87@gmail.com
and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.
 


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About the Book: • Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: Campanile Books (January 22, 2014)

Sinful Folk is the new historical novel from Ned Hayes, with cover and internal illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator and author Nikki McClure. Like Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent and Geraldine Brooks’ Year of Wonders, Sinful Folk retells history from the perspective of a forgotten woman who finds her voice. An inspiring story of tenacity, perseverance and courage,Sinful Folk is based on real historical events.

In December of the year 1377, five children burned to death in a suspicious house fire. The historical record shows that a small band of villagers traveled 200 miles across England in midwinter to demand justice for their children’s deaths. Two hundred miles. In that time, an unimaginable distance for villagers who lived their entire lives only a few miles from their birthplace.

Sinful Folk is the story of this treacherous journey as seen by Mear, a former nun who has lived for a decade disguised as a mute and fearful man, raising her son quietly in this isolated village. When her son is killed, Mear wakes from her complacent life and undertakes a desperate journey.

The villagers travel across a harsh and unforgiving winter landscape. Propelled forward by a vision of justice, the villagers persevere in the face of bandit raids, ecclesiastical execution orders, starvation, kidnapping, and dissension in their own ranks.

The chief danger lies in their midst: Mear soon discovers that one of her fellow travelers lit the fire that burned the children for his own nefarious ends. Mear must not only uncover the murderer, but also stay alive long enough to reach London, where she can seek the king’s justice.

In the course of this pilgrimage, Mear finds old enemies, forgotten friends and hidden strengths. Mear’s long-­hidden intelligence and authority gradually come to the forefront as her gender, her articulate insight and her lineage are unveiled—first to her fellow villagers and then to the world, as she enters the Star Chamber and, in the end, presents her case before the king’s court. Sinful Folk begins in terror and heartache, and ends in triumph and redemption.

Endorsed by bestselling historical novelists such as Karen Maitland (The Owl Killers,Company of Liars), Ella March Chase (The Virgin Queen’s Daughter), Brenda Vantrease (The Illuminator, The Heretic’s Wife), and William Dietrich (The Barbed Crown), Sinful Folk is a breakthrough novel that stakes a new claim for women’s historical fiction.

Sinful Folk is an inspiring story of a woman’s perseverance and courage in a stark medieval world: a riveting and suspenseful story told with lyrical beauty and unwavering vision. “Every reader will come to love the brave and intrepid Mear.” —award-winning author Jim Heynen (The Fall of Alice K.)

Review: 
“I must learn to be as the bear in a cage with the stick that pokes it always, through the bars. The bear acts as if the stick is made of air, and takes no notice of it, even when it is sharpened and draws blood. I must do the same.” 

This historical mystery grabbed me from the brief historical note at the beginning.  Set during the reign of Richard II in 1377, the small village of Duns, England.  A tragic house fire takes the lives of five young boys; but the fire is very suspicious.  Why were all of the boys at the weaver's house in the night?  Why were they locked in?  Why did they all have precious possessions with them?  Some townsfolk think that this is the work of the Jews. Seeking justice the father's of the boys decide to bring the bodies of their boys to the King to pass judgement.  We see the treacherous 200 mile long journey on the dangerous roads through the cold winter through the eyes of Maer.  

Maer is one of the best historical fiction characters I have come across.  Disguised as a man and a mute since she reached the town 10 years prior with her infant son, Maer has many secrets that she must protect.  I felt an instant bond to Maer's character and protective instinct. Since Maer does not speak through most of the story, the writing is mostly through Maer's inner-dialogue and conversations that she hears. This is done in a wonderful and lyrical way.  The mystery unfolds slowly and we unravel stories little-by-little.  Ned Hayes has definitely woven a gripping tale that will keep you intrigued the whole way through.  

About the Author: Ned Hayes first read Chaucer in graduate school, where he worked under noted medieval scholar Richard Emmerson. He has studied at Stanford University, Western Washington University, the Rainier Writing Workshop and the Graduate Theological Union at the University of California, Berkeley. He lives in Olympia, Washington, with his wife and two children. Sinful Folk is his first story set in the medieval era. He is now at work on a new novel set in the 1300s.

Find out more about Ned at his website, follow him on Twitter, and see what he’s pinning on Pinterest. You can also read more about the book at its website, follow news of the book on Facebook, get quotes from the book on Pinterest.