About the Book: 
The Most Happy
by Helen R. Davis
Publication Date: July 25, 2017
Callipe Editorial
Genre: Alternative Historical Fiction

Anne Boleyn is known throughout the world as the beheaded wife of King Henry VIII, a woman for whom Henry discarded a Spanish princess and who was later discarded for the woman who gave Henry his longed-for son. Love her or hate her, it cannot be denied her romance with Henry VIII changed the course of English and European, and perhaps World History, forever.
This is a novel that imagines Anne Boleyn giving Henry a son and taking the reins of power as Regent of England when Henry VIII perishes in a jousting accident.
Told in the voice of the infamous Anne Boleyn, we are treated to the 16th century world that has recently become famous through programs such as The Tudors. We meet Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII, and many of the personalities of the mid-16th century albeit in an altered setting.
How would this era and time, a pivotal one in Western Civilization, have changed if one of the movers and shakers of the period, Anne Boleyn, had not been struck down in her prime by the man who once adored her?

Buy the Book: 
Amazon

Review: 
Imagine what England might have been like if Anne Boleyn had birthed a son for King Henry VIII.  This story imagines just that, instead of being cast aside after the birth of Elizabeth, Anne Boleyn gives birth to twins, Elizabeth and Edward VI, securing a legitimate male heir for the throne.  King Henry VIII still entertains his womanizing ways, but his jousting accident comes before he can push Anne aside and Henry names Anne the Regent until Edward comes of age.  It is now up to Anne to weather the tense political climate building between England, France and Spain and to secure the throne for her children until Edward comes of age.  
​
As an avid reader of all things Tudor, I was very excited to see what could be imagined for Anne Boleyn if her life was continued past her short reign as Queen. Some points in history were kept the same throughout this alternative historical fiction tale, but some were obviously changed.  It was interesting to see the new roles that Henry VIII's real life next wives took, many now served Queen Anne, some more faithfully than others.  I was also fascinated by the insight of Queen Anne as she aged.  She was very remorseful of her treatment to Katherine of Aragon and Mary, especially since she was almost placed in the same situation.  Queen Anne also explained many times that it was not she who pushed herself onto Henry, but she merely could not say no to the King.  I was also intrigued how, at the end everything seemed to turn out the way that history intended.  I did wish that the book went into more detail, this was a shorter story, so time moved quickly and many events simply happened and were not experienced through reading.  I would have loved to be engrossed in this alternate history for a little longer and have had the characters expanded upon a bit more.  Overall, an insightful look into what might have been for Henry VIII's 'Most Happy' Queen. 

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

About the Author

Helen R. Davis is an American author. Her first novel, Evita: My Argentina was previously published as Evita: My Life and republished with Custom Book Publications in Hong Kong. Her second novel, CLEOPATRA UNCONQUERED, which is the first in a series, imagines a world in which Antony and Cleopatra, rather than Augustus Caesar, are the victors of the Battle of Actium. the sequel, CLEOPATRA VICTORIOUS, will be released soon, followed by the titles CLEOPATRA MAGNIFICA and CLEOPATRA TRIUMPHANT. Her third novel, or at least, her third historical novel/alternate history, THE MOST HAPPY, will be published with Callipe Editorial, based out of Madrid Spain, on July 25th, 2017.
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For more information, please visit Helen Davis’ website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Review: 

This was supposed to be Nina Fortunova's year to win.  Instead, she is divorced, without a partner on and off the dance floor.  Nina takes to training a young couple, Carly and Sam.  Soon, teacher and student become competitors as Nina finds a new partner in Jorge, a Latin Dancer who wants to transition to smooth and Carly gets picked up by Trey, a three time National champion.  Both ladies will do whatever it takes to win, but will they take it too far?

Riveting and captivating, The Winner threw me into the exciting world of competitive ballroom dancing.  I did ballroom dancing for a few years in college, which is what initially sparked my interest in the book, so I had no trouble following along with the styles, techniques and feelings evoked by each dance.  However, even if you know nothing about dance, you should be able to follow along just fine without feeling overwhelmed.  The scenes described in the practice studio and the competition were so vivid that I could smell the sweat and hairspray.  I enjoyed reading the contrasting storylines of Nina and Carly.  Nina, an older dancer who, determined to win the Nationals after working her way through the ranks and Carly, a new dancer to the scene who wants to win Nationals in a short period of time.  Both Carly and Nina are determined and talented, but have very different motivations.  The side stories of both Nina and Carly's backgrounds added drama to the story.  Nina believes she must accomplish a great feat and be successful for her mother who sacrificed everything to come to America and give her opportunities; whereas Carly's parents are forcing her to be a special education teacher in order to better help people like her brother, Archer, who is autistic.  When Carly finds a dream of her own, they are not supportive.   What was highlighted most for me however, was the connection you find while dancing, especially with a partner.


"And with connection, all things were possible.  One person's limits were halved and his or her prospects doubled when paired with another.  Four legs rooted into the earth, allowing two hearts and two heads to reach heavenward."
 
The ending was very surprising and moved quickly through time seeming a little disjointed with the rest of the book. Overall, an immersive and enthralling read taking you deep into the world of ballroom dancing.   

​This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 
​
Guest Post: 
BALANCING FACT AND FICTION IN THE WINNER: A BALLROOM DANCE NOVEL
 
By Erin Bomboy
 
While writing The Winner, it didn’t take long for me to realize I had a problem. A big one. There was no way to accurately reflect the world of competitive ballroom dancing AND craft a page-turning narrative. Ballroom dancing is too complex, too lively, and most of all, too cyclic to be realistically depicted thanks to word-count limitations. This meant I had to make changes, knowing that whatever ones I did make, both major and minor, were likely to irk readers who are ballroom dancers.
 
No matter what the story required, I refused to compromise the dancing. All steps and techniques align with the syllabus of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Every description of dancing is true to my lived experience and those alongside whom I danced. I must add the caveat that words can never fully represent the visceral reality of dancing.


For those new to ballroom dancing, it may surprise you to learn that its vocabulary isn’t especially challenging — mostly because the steps are based on weight changes: left, then right, left again. The average person can show up at a local studio and, in just a handful of lessons, learn to execute a few basics with reasonable competence.
 
But that is only the beginning, which is far from the ending. Getting good, much less great, takes thousands of hours. Ballroom dancing is extraordinarily nuanced, each action consisting of tiny particulars — a tilt this way, a sway that way. Competitive ballroom dancers spend years chasing first place, whirling through a sweaty, tear-soaked loop of practicing, perfecting, and competing.

But this is boring, both to write and to read. In the interest of keeping my story taut and vivid, I condensed time. For instance, one of my characters goes from teacher-training class to having a better than good chance at winning a professional title in a little over two years — a feat that usually takes a decade or so.
 
When I felt it appropriate, I altered space. As an example, I moved the location of the national championship from Florida, its current location, to New York, its original location, which is also the setting for much of the novel. This kept my climactic moments from being dragged down with travel minutia.


The Winner ends with a fact-versus-fiction section, so practitioners can appreciate my reasoning and newbies can gain a fuller picture. If you do me the honor of reading, I’d love to hear what you think about this world I created that evokes, but doesn’t represent, competitive ballroom dancing in the United States.

About the Book: 
Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I
by Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
William Morrow Paperbacks
Paperback & eBook; 384 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction


New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor has joined with Heather Webb to create this unforgettably romantic novel of the Great War.
August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris.
But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…
Evie and Thomas experience a very different war. Frustrated by life as a privileged young lady, Evie longs to play a greater part in the conflict—but how?—and as Thomas struggles with the unimaginable realities of war he also faces personal battles back home where War Office regulations on press reporting cause trouble at his father’s newspaper business. Through their letters, Evie and Thomas share their greatest hopes and fears—and grow ever fonder from afar. Can love flourish amid the horror of the First World War, or will fate intervene?
Christmas 1968. With failing health, Thomas returns to Paris—a cherished packet of letters in hand—determined to lay to rest the ghosts of his past. But one final letter is waiting for him…

Praise for Last Christmas in Paris
“Beautifully told…the authors fully capture the characters’ voices as each person is dramatically shaped by the war to end all wars.”—Booklist

“For fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society comes another terrific epistolary historical novel that is simply unputdownable […] this remarkable novel will undoubtedly go on my keeper shelf.” —Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of The Night the Lights Went Out

“Humor, love, tragedy, and hope make for a moving, uplifting read. A winner!” —Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network
“An extraordinary epistolary novel that explores the history and aftermath of the Great War in a sensitive, memorable and profoundly moving fashion. A book to savor, to share and discuss with friends, and above all to cherish.” —Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author of Goodnight from London

“There is a special talent to writing the epistolary novel and Gaynor and Webb have mastered it. Letter by letter, the complex lives of Evie and Thomas unfold as WWI wages on, bringing with it the heartbreaking news of physical and emotional casualties. And yet, in the midst of such sacrifices, an ever-deepening love surfaces, finding a unique way to live on in this devastatingly beautiful work of historical fiction.”—Renee Rosen, author of Windy City Blues

Buy the Book: 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Chapters | IndieBound | Kobo
​
Review: 
In 1969 Tom Harding makes a final trip to Paris for Christmas.   While he is there he re-reads all the letters sent between 1914 and 1918.  In 1914, Evie Elliot's brother, Will and best friend, Tom  leave for the Front.  Evie diligently writes to both of them. In their letters, the three divulge their greatest wishes, fears, and emotions.  Most of all, they all wish for the war to be over by Christmas so they may celebrate the holiday in Paris.  Little do they know how much the War will change all of them.  

An all at once heartwarming and heartbreaking story of love and loss during World War I.  Told almost entirely in letter exchanges between Evie and her loved ones, this book completely enveloped me as I devoured every word.  There was so much passion in the writing, especially the letters between Thomas and Evie, I felt as if these could be two real people.  I felt like I was immersed into their most intimate moments and my heart raced for when they would finally declare their love for one another.   Through the letters, I was able to see the impact of the war from all sides. Through Evie, I got a sense of how it felt to be left behind, the worry, dread and depression of fearing that your loved ones may not come home and the overwhelming urge to do something about it.  Through Tom, the gruesome depictions of the Front that the media wouldn't let anyone know of as well as the mental toll that war takes on the soldiers.  Also, through Evie's exchanges with her friend Alice, we learn of the many ways that women jumped in to help from delivering the mail, to nursing and driving ambulances to the Auxillary Corps and even writing newspaper articles.  What affected me most was Tom's re-reading of the letters and his opening of the final letter at the end.  Overall, a wonderfully written historical novel reminding me of the sacrifices made by our veterans. 

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

About the Authors: 
​HEATHER WEBB is the author of historical novels Becoming Josephine and Rodin’s Lover, and the anthology Fall of Poppies, which have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Elle, France Magazine, and more, as well as received national starred reviews. RODIN’S LOVER was a Goodreads Top Pick in 2015. Up and coming, Last Christmas in Paris, an epistolary love story set during WWI will release October 3, 2017, and The Phantom’s Apprentice, a re-imagining of the Gothic classic Phantom of the Opera from Christine Daae’s point of view releases February 6, 2018. To date, her novels have sold in ten countries. Heather is also a professional freelance editor, foodie, and travel fiend.

HAZEL GAYNOR is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Memory of Violets and The Girl Who Came Home, for which she received the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award. Her third novel The Girl from the Savoy was an Irish Times and Globe & Mail Canada bestseller, and was shortlisted for the BGE Irish Book Awards Popular Fiction Book of the Year. The Cottingley Secret and Last Christmas in Paris will be published in 2017.
Hazel was selected by US Library Journal as one of ‘Ten Big Breakout Authors’ for 2015 and her work has been translated into several languages. Originally from Yorkshire, England, Hazel now lives in Ireland.

Review: 
Alycat has woken up Monday morning in a foul mood- she has a case of the Monday Blues!  Aly can't think of a talent for the school talent show and  the weather is stormy, how will she turn her day around?  A jazzy beat from her friend Spotty may be just what she needs.  Aly turns all of her frustrations into a song and swings her blue day to a new day.

Alycat is a very easy character for children to identify with.  All children have frustrating days, but don't always realize that they have the tools to help themselves through it.  With just a little bit of guidance from Mom cat, Alycat was able to solve her own problem.  I loved that Alycat was able to voice her frustrations through music and help a friend at the same time.  It was a definite bonus for me to be able to listen to the music in the book with a code online, this way I was able to sing along to the song with my son.  The illustrations in the books are bright, colorful and simple enough for children to recognize features.  My son enjoyed pointing out the cats, bus, and toys to me as we looked through.  Overall, a fun book that gives children the tools to recognize and deal with their emotions. 

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

Guest Post: 
My Other Profession Besides Being an Author
by Alysson Foti Bourque
Prior to becoming a children’s book author, I graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Biology. I began my teaching career as a first-grade teacher and loved it. After teaching for a year, I decided that I wanted to keep challenging myself and applied for and was accepted into law school at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Three years later, I graduated and passed the bar exam and took a job as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana. Two kids and six years later, I decided to put my law career on hold to spend more time at home with the kids. This was the best decision I have ever made. I was able to slow down in life and enjoy the little things. I had more time to write about things that I enjoyed—not just trial briefs and motions.

I still have a license to practice law but I am consumed with the demands of publishing a book, so I’ll keep it on hold for now. As an author, I am able to work while my kids are at school and bring them to some events. They really enjoy the book events and my daughter now dresses up in the Alycat mascot costume, while my son leads the crafting portion of the event. It’s a family effort and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  

Review: 
​
Emmott Syddall wants nothing more than to leave her small town and move to London.  She does not want to become another dead Syddall buried in the small Eyam cemetery.   Emmott make plans to move to London with her boyfriend, Roland right before her 18th birthday.  However, before she can get out of Eyam, her neighbors begin dying.  At first, it looks like a weird flu, but no one really knows, and then, Eyam is quarantined.  There is no leaving, the exits are surrounded by military patrol.  Relief workers in yellow haz-mat suits flood the town and begin asking questions.  No one wants to go out and about or interact with anyone else.  Except for Emmott, who just wants to escape and her father, who just wants to help his neighbors.  Emmott's mind begins to change about leaving when a suited up relief worker named Aiden begins visiting.


The Smallest Thing is a creative re-imagining of the self-imposed quarantine of the village of Eyam in the 1660's due to the plague.  At that point in time, the villagers of Eyam were seen as selfless, heroic- allowing the plague to ravage them, saving countless others.  In modern times, with social media and aggressive TV reporters, the town is a spectacle, the victims are no more than statistics. Emmott is very easy to identify with, restless and burgeoning on adulthood, her story is one of growth and finding her place.  I enjoyed watching her change her opinion of her father from a fearful man who is tying her down, to a hero who allowed her to grow.  The virus also interested me, this was not just a resurgence of the plague, but something unknown, brought about possibly by climate change and increased human movement.  The romance in this felt just right, not rushed, not insta-love, but definitely intensified by the situation. If not for the fact that it was a haz-mat suit, the fact that Emmott saw nothing but Aiden's eyes felt almost exotic  their connection was based on something deeper than physical attraction when Emmott wants nothing more than to connect with someone.  Overall, a heartfelt story of devastation and how a community can pull through. 

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

TWILIGHT EMPRESS: A NOVEL OF IMPERIAL ROME

BY FAITH L. JUSTICE
Publication Date: May 12, 2017
Raggedy Moon Books
eBook & Print; 392 Pages
Series: The Theodosian Women, Book 1
Genre: Fiction/Historical/Action & Adventure


Twilight Empress tells the little-known story of a remarkable woman—Galla Placidia, sister to one of the last Roman Emperors. Roman princess, Gothic captive and queen—Placidia does the unthinkable—she rules the failing Western Roman Empire—a life of ambition, power and intrigue she doesn’t seek, but can’t refuse. Her actions shape the face of Western Europe for centuries.

A woman as well as an Empress, Placidia suffers love, loss, and betrayal. Can her strength, tenacity and ambition help her survive and triumph over scheming generals, rebellious children, and Attila the Hun? Or will the Dark Ages creep closer and bring down the Empire?

AMAZON US | AMAZON CAN | AMAZON UK | 
BARNES AND NOBLE | 
​IBOOKS | INDIEBOUND | KOBO

About the AuthorFaith L. Justice is a science geek and history junkie, which is reflected in her writing. Her short stories and poems have appeared in such publications as “The Copperfield Review”, “Beyond Science Fiction and Fantasy”, and the “Circles in the Hair” anthology. Faith has published in such venues as “Salon.com”, “Writer’s Digest”, “The Writer”, and “Bygone Days”. She’s an Associate Editor for “Space & Time Magazine”, a frequent contributor to “Strange Horizons”, and co-founded a writer’s workshop more years ago than she cares to admit.
To contact Faith, read her essays and interviews, or get a sneak preview of her historical novels, visit her website at www.faithljustice.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Review:

Galla Placida is sister to one of the last Roman Emperors in 400 AD.  As a young woman Placida is captured by the Goths.  Growing up in their camps, she comes to respect their way of life and skills.  Placida especially enjoys the company of Ataulf.  She eventually marries Ataulf and becomes Queen of the Goths by his side, helping with decisions and in battle.  Placida's brother, however, sees her marriage to Ataulf as a political move by the Goths and orders her home.  Unfortunately, Ataulf is killed in a plan to overthrow him.  Placida is captured and uses her strength and intelligence to escape and enact revenge.  Now, she must return to her brother and the marriage that he has arranged for her; although, she returns with a groups loyal to her until the very end.

Placida is a force to be reckoned with.  I am so happy I got the chance to learn about her life.  Even though women were not allowed to rule in their own right, Placida managed to keep Rome together in its dying days.  I was amazed by her patience and willingness to understand and learn from the Goths when she was originally captured instead of just fight back.  She seemed to continually look at decisions long term and for the good of her people and land.  The story follows Placida from a young women to her death. I very much enjoyed watching her grow and seeing how she hand a hand in political decisions through her brother, both of her husbands and her son.  As conflict rose throughout the territories and Placida aged, Placida's job became more and more difficult.  Through the writing, I got a wonderful sense of Placida's character while sticking to the history of the time period.  Overall, a breathtaking and immense journey through one inspirational and impactful woman's life in Rome.

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

CHAPTER 3
 
 
Ravenna, 410
 
Constantius, general in the Roman Army and advisor to Emperor Honorius, strode down the colonnade shaking with anger and fear—anger at Honorius for bollixing the last agreement Constantius had negotiated with the Goths, and fear for Placidia. Most of the Roman women Constantius knew were simpering fools, good for idle chatter and little else. Placidia was different. He would marry her even if she were a milkmaid. That she was the Emperor’s sister was a complication.
Constantius opened a low gate and stepped into a dusty courtyard. His entrance set off a flurry of offended squawks as chickens of several fancy breeds scurried from his presence.
If only those bloody Goths would do the same.
The Emperor, in the opposite corner, spread chicken feed with a sweep of his hand. At nearly twenty-six, Honorius had ruled for seventeen years, but still had the aspect of an unformed boy, with a weak chin and dull eyes. Yet Honorius was Emperor, and therefore commanded Constantius’ respect and obedience, as had his more worthy father before him. The General only wished the young man paid as much attention to his Empire as to his flock of fowl.
Constantius stalked across the poultry yard and found a spot free of chicken dung in which to kneel. “Most Mighty Emperor, I bring grave news. Rome is taken.”
“That’s impossible.” Honorius paled, and looking frantically around the poultry yard. “He ate from my hand only moments ago.” Honorius shot away and picked up a noisy rooster, easily the largest in the pen. “See? Here he is, safe, as I said.”
Constantius rose, took a deep breath, and instantly regretted it when the dust and grain chaff sent him into a paroxysm of coughs. He motioned to a slave for a drink. The man immediately brought a cup of chilled wine. After quelling the dusty tickle, he tried again. “Not the rooster, My Emperor, the city of Rome is taken by Alaric. Your agents sped here with the news.”
“Rome—not you, my pet…” Honorius smoothed the glossy black feathers of his rooster “…got what it deserved. Deposing me and setting up their own Emperor! Those traitorous Senators bent over and bared their backsides for that filthy Goth.”
Only in self-defense. Constantius held his tongue with long practice.
Every time negotiations broke down with the Emperor, safe behind the impregnable marshes of Ravenna, Alaric besieged Rome. The city endured starvation, plague, and crushing payments of gold and silver, until last year, when the Senate acquiesced to Alaric’s demands and raised one of their own to the purple. Only the timely arrival of troops from Constantinople saved Honorius from the ignominy of abdicating. With this third siege in three years, Alaric had evidently asked for nothing and gave no quarter.
“The Romans are a stiff-necked bunch,” and it is too late for them. “But do you forget the Princess Placidia? She might be in danger.”
Honorius’ face hardened. “Placidia fled to Rome. She could have returned to safety any time during the last four years, but refused. When she comes to me, I will forgive her, but I will not beg her to return.”
Constantius was determined to bring Placidia safe to Ravenna, but he knew the Emperor’s moods. Now was not the time to press the subject. “Sire, shouldn’t we repair to the audience chamber? The court will need your reassurances.”
Honorius looked at his beloved pets with regret. “This is the only respite I have from ceremony and duty.” He sighed. “But these are perilous times, and I should make myself available to my ministers.”
Constantius linked arms with the Emperor and escorted him through the gate, where a contingent of guards awaited. As they entered a marble passage, a servant ran into them, sending the Emperor reeling. The man, a twitchy Greek slave with a bad complexion, threw himself onto the floor, babbling apologies, as four guards menaced him with spears.
“Get up, man!” Honorius grumbled, ostentatiously dusting himself off. “I should send you to the mines. Why careen around the corner in such a fashion?”
“An important delegation seeks your immediate attention, Your Most Forgiving Highness. They await you in your audience chamber.”
“And who are these worthy gentlemen?”
“Senators from Rome, Most Charitable One.” The slave threw himself on the floor again. “Please forgive your humble and obedient slave for any unintended injury to your August Person, Highness.”
“Yes, yes. Get out of my way.”
The slave, like many of his fellows, had perfected the art of disappearing quickly, and did so.
Before they reached the audience chamber, a horde of eunuchs, led by the Provost of the Sacred Cubicle—the eunuch in charge of the imperial household, and the emperor’s most intimate servant—whisked Honorius away to be dressed for his appearance. Constantius didn’t envy the emperor’s obligation to ceremony and protocol. No wonder the poor man liked to escape to his chicken pen! If I were emperor…Constantius shoved that treasonous thought away. He had no ambition to be a slave to imperial eunuchs. He much preferred his current role as the power behind the throne. Constantius entered the purple marble-clad audience chamber, which was filled nearly to bursting with courtiers, and moved to the side to better observe the coming drama.
After several minutes, a trumpet blasted. The crowd quieted and went to their knees. The court announcer declaimed, “All bow before the Most Excellent and Invincible…” Constantius winced at the inappropriate honorific. “…Flavius Honorius Augustus, son of the Great and Divine Flavius Theodosius Augustus, nine-times Consul of Rome and Father of His People.” The sonorous voice went on for several minutes, listing the rest of the emperor’s honors and all the military victories that occurred during his reign—another irony, since the emperor, unlike his martial father, had never led troops.
With a final trumpet flourish, Honorius entered the room, enveloped in his gold thread and pearl encrusted paludamentum—his purple imperial cloak—fastened with a gold fibula in the shape of a multi-pointed star set with a brilliant ruby. Rubies also embellished the gold diadem that sat on the newly oiled and coifed curls. He carried a gold-headed staff of office. Honorius moved sedately to the center of the dais and took his seat on a gilded ivory chair, well-padded with purple silk cushions. Guards flanked him. Scribes waited to record his every word. The Emperor waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. The announcer gave the much awaited order, “All may rise.”
The courtiers came to their feet with only a few suppressed groans and the occasional helping hand for the more elderly or corpulent. Constantius rose easily, but noted a new twinge in his left knee.
The announcer introduced the delegation from Rome. The two men approached the dais. They had not even changed their dusty clothes. Constantius’ nose twitched at their stench. Both were pale from exhaustion; the fat one walked with a limp.
Honorius maintained a serious expression. “What news do you have for me about Rome?”
Both men threw themselves face down at the Emperor’s feet, with loud cries and acclamations. Honorius let the show go on a few moments before giving the men permission to rise and asking again for news.
“Betrayal, Most August One. During negotiations, that dog Alaric gave several comely youths as gifts to high officials…”
And the greedy empty-headed asses accepted those “gifts,” no doubt. Constantius could already see the outcome of their story. Alaric had more of the fox about him than the dog.
“…the young men were most compliant and professed loyalty to their new masters, yet, in the darkest moment before the dawn, they seized weapons and attacked the guards at the Salarian gate, overcoming them and letting their perfidious comrades into our fair city.”
A collective gasp rose from the court.
“The barbarians stripped our city, killing those men they found in the street or any woman who resisted them. The churches overflowed, and any who could not reach sanctuary were taken for ransom or enslaved. Our guards are dead, our slaves gone, our goods forfeit. Rome lies bleeding and broken.”
        

About The Long Way Home
Publisher: Fireship Press (September 15, 2016)

Set in the turbulent times of the War of Independence, ‘The Long Way Home’ follows the lives of Thomas Peters and Murphy Steele who are friends, former slaves, fellows-in-arms and leaders of the Black Brigade. Their real-life story is an epic adventure tale as they battle bounty hunters, racism, poverty and epidemic in their adopted country after the war.
‘The Long Way Home’ has resonated with readers around the world as an unforgettable account of courage, hope and determination triumphing over despair and injustice. Thomas Peters, thoughtful and charismatic, and Murphy Steele, strong and impulsive, lead their followers on an inspirational search for a place where they can be free.


Reviews:
“The author has written about such a sensitive topic and in a very beautiful way. The reader will become immersed in a reality that may seem too distant, but written in a language that conjures very vivid images, a tale that will speak to the hearts of readers with eloquence. Bannister has successfully combined historical facts with glowing imagination to deliver a masterpiece that will be well received by lovers of historical fiction. His language succinctly portrays the world of a slave and the injustices prevalent in that world.”–Romuald Dzemo, author of Courage To Embrace Yourself and You Can’t Be A Failure

“Kevin Bannister’s Long Way Home is a novel that grabs your attention from the start and keeps you riveted to the last word. . It is written around an era where the life of an Indigenous North American, and a person of African roots, were deemed by Caucasians to be easily expendable and not a thing to trouble a conscience. It highlights in great detail the fact that when greed and self interest came to the forefront during the American Revolution that Caucasian brothers had no compulsion about inflicting unspeakable barbarities upon each other. An unforgettable read!”–Dr. Daniel N. Paul, C.M., O.N.S., LLD, DLIT, Mi’kmaw eldering, author of We Were Not The Savages, Order of Canada recipient, journalist and lecturer, www.danielpaul.com


Purchase Links
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Review: 

Thomas and Murphy are slaves toiling away on a southern farm in the late 1700's.  Both want something more of their lives and itch for freedom.  However, they have vastly different personalities.  Thomas is mature, patient and a long-term thinker.  He was from a ruling family in his former land and held slaves of his own.  Murphy was born in the New World and is quick to act, ferociously strong and lives in the moment.  Together, they try several times to escape their bonds and fail.  That is, until unrest erupts between the colonists and the British.  and the British declare that any slave that can make it to British property is free.  Thomas and Murphy make it to a British ship and join up.  They make a ferocious team and move up through the ranks.  When the war is over, the British promised their soldiers benefits, but the former slaves still seem to get the short end of the stick.

This is an inspiring story of courage, determination and perseverance.  I was immediately intrigued by Thomas and Murphy's characters as well as the setting.  I have not read much at all about slavery before or during the War of Independence and have not read anything about the runaway slaves who fought for the British during the War.  The unique characters shed a different light on slaves for the time period; both men were educated and Thomas came from a family that had owned slaves, which gave him a shifting outlook on life.  I enjoyed learning about the real regiment that Thomas and Murphy originally joined, Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment, I had no idea that so many former slaves fought in the war of independence and had a major impact for the British.  The men's outlook on life was what impressed me the most, the entire story encompasses the struggle for freedom; even when Thomas and Murphy were fighting for the British, they knew that no matter what side won, they might still be slaves in the end, but, they were willing since it meant they were fighting as free men.  This also showed their willingness and inspiration, Thomas and Murphy knew they were fighting for the future; even if they still ended up slaves, their actions now might make things better for future generations. The writing presented an honest, gritty and realistic image and war and what people went through.  These men did not have easy lives, from slavery, to war and even after, when they were promised land in Canada. the realities of Thomas and Murphy's struggles and hopes are presented sensibly.  Overall, an eye-opening read about two amazing men during the War of Independence. 

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

About Kevin Bannister

Kevin Bannister is a rancher and writer living in the beautiful foothills of central Alberta. He would like Thomas Peters and Murphy Steele to be celebrated as the heroes that they were in their lifetimes and to be inspirations to young people everywhere to persevere in the face of bigotry, poverty, government indifference or any other adversity.
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Connect with Kevin on Goodreads.