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The Trick

11/29/2017

9 Comments

 
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About The Trick
  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Atria Books (September 19, 2017)
A deeply moving, humorous story of a boy who believes in everything and an old man who believes in nothing.
In 1934, a rabbi’s son in Prague joins a traveling circus, becomes a magician, and rises to fame under the stage name the Great Zabbatini just as Europe descends into World War II. When Zabbatini is discovered to be a Jew, his battered trunk full of magic tricks becomes his only hope of surviving the concentration camp where he is sent.
Seven decades later in Los Angeles, ten-year-old Max finds a scratched-up LP that captured Zabbatini performing his greatest tricks. But the track in which Zabbatini performs his love spell—the spell Max believes will keep his disintegrating family together—is damaged beyond repair. Desperate for a solution, Max seeks out the now elderly, cynical magician and begs him to perform his magic on his parents. As the two develop an unlikely friendship, Moshe discovers that Max and his family have a surprising connection to the dark, dark days the Great Zabbatini experienced during the war.
Recalling the melancholy humor of Isaac Bashevis Singer and the heartbreaking pathos of the film Life is Beautiful—this outstanding first novel is at once an irreverent yet deeply moving story about a young boy who believes in magic and a disillusioned old man who believes in nothing, as well as a gripping and heartfelt tale about the circle of life.

“The Trick is a lyrical, uplifting, and funny story that will tug at all of your heartstrings.  A true miracle from the first to the last page.” (Armando Lucas Correa, bestselling author of The German Girl)

“Sweet, funny, magical.” (Kirkus)

“Bergmann’s novel, a pleasing blend of Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants and Jonathan Safran Foer’s Everything is Illuminated, puts magic back into everyday life.” (Booklist)


Purchase Links
Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Review: 
Moshe Goldenhirsch grew up in Prague in the 1930's.  His family was far from perfect and Moshe decides to run away.  Moshe comes across a circus run by the Half-Moon Man and is entranced by his magic tricks; he eventually is eventually taken on as an apprentice by the Half-Moon man.  Moshe eventually transforms into the Great Zabbatini, a Persian mentalist.  However, as the war grows, Zabbatini's facade is broken and he is found out as a Jew.  In 2007, Max Cohn is trying to deal with his parent's divorce.  As his parents are moving out, Max finds a record of the Great Zabbatini's performance and one of his tricks is a spell for eternal love.  The record happens to be scratched on the eternal love spell sending Max on an adventure to find the real Zabbatini and ask him to perform his spell. 


This dual time story was an emotional journey that ranged from sorrowful to sweet.  The writing flowed seamlessly as the alternating time lines switched between Moshe and Max.  Moshe's story drew me in with the complexity of family issues and his desire to find escape within the magic of the circus.  I was further impressed with Moshe's transformation to Zabbatini and his path to becomming a mentalist.  The suspense grew as Zabbatini interacted with officials from the Nazi party.  Seeing some of the mentalist tricks in action was very intriguing.  Max's character evoked a lot of sympathy as his parents went through the trials of divorce and Max clung to the hope of a magic spell.  When Max did fine Zabbatini, the tone of the story changed as both characters found hope in one another.  The relationship they formed was similar to grandparent and grandchild and exactly what the other needed at the time.   I loved the eternal love spell that Zabbatini performed as well as the unlikely connection that he found.  Overall, an emotional  story that incorporates history, magic and hope.  


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



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About Emanuel BergmannEmanuel Bergmann was born in Germany and is a journalist and translator. He has been living in Los Angeles since 1990. His first novel, The Trick, is an international bestseller.


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Shadow By The Bridge

11/24/2017

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About the Book: 
Shadow by the Bridge by Suzanne Zewan


Publication Date: November 1, 2017
No Frills Buffalo
eBook & Paperback; 368 Pages

Genre: Historical Mystery

11-year-old Fritz Reynolds recalled his father telling him that man is the only creature who can find amusement in killing. Little did he realize that those words would become the theme for his teenage years growing up in the rural hamlet of Linden, New York. In this coming-of-age story, Fritz takes us back to a simpler time when neighbors gathered at the general store to listen to radio shows, drank barrel-aged cider, and worshiped at the Baptist church every Sunday. All was picturesque in his close-knit farming community until terror was unleashed on them.
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Review: 
In 1917, 11-year old Fritz Reynolds is trying to find a good place to set his fox trap in the woods of Linden, NY.  He stumbles upon a couple in the woods, thinking that the couple was just looking for some alone time, Fritz hides behind a rock.  Instead, Fritz ends up witnessing the brutal murder of the women who ventured into the woods.  As Fritz runs away, he is sure that the murderer catches a glimpse of him. Terrified, Fritz keeps the sighting to himself.  When the woman is found, she is so brutally beaten that she cannot be identified and more so, the murderer is never found.  Years later, another murder shakes the small town of Linden.  This time it is a neighbor and obviously committed with forethought.  Fritz is immediately reminded of the brutal murder he witnessed before. Several years later, three more beloved residents of Linden are murdered.  With no arrests and no good suspects, the residents of Linden are thoroughly shaken.  Fritz and his family decide to move on, but the memory of the murders continues to haunt Fritz.


I happened to grow up in Batavia, NY which is right outside of Linden, NY and mentioned quite a lot in the book.  So, I have of course heard of the Linden murders and have been to the small town on numerous occasions as well as several of the landmarks mentioned in the book.  I enjoy reading about local history and was glad that some new light has been shone on this unsolved mystery in a thoughtful and respectful way.  The description of the town, farms and shops created a perfect image in my mind. The main characters names may have changed slightly and Fritz's character was fictional; however, the timeline and details of the case were presented with historical accuracy and detail while the writing drew me into an intriguing mystery.  One thing I was surprised to learn was that the Linden murder investigations were among the first to use some new forensic techniques that were being developed such as plaster facial recreations, fingerprinting and using different 'tells' to see if someone was lying.  While the Linden murders are still officially unsolved. Shadow By The Bridge provides interesting insight into just who might have committed such awful crimes.

About the Author

Suzanne is coordinator at Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and is an adjunct professor at Buffalo State College. She has a M.A. in English and Creative Writing and a M.S.Ed. in Career and Technical Education. Other publications include a poem in Jigsaw (2014), a short story and two poems in Jigsaw (2016), and a short story in Amaranth Review (2016).

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Nadya's War

11/21/2017

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Title: NADYA’S WAR
Author: C.S. Taylor
Publisher: Tiny Fox Press
Pages: 300
Genre: Historical Fiction

BOOK BLURB: 

Nadezdah "Little Boar" Buzina, a young pilot with the Red Army's 586th all-female fighter regiment, dreams of becoming an ace. Those dreams shatter when a dogfight leaves her severely burned and the sole survivor from her flight.

For the latter half of 1942, she struggles against crack Luftwaffe pilots, a vengeful political commissar, and a new addiction to morphine, all the while questioning her worth and purpose in a world beyond her control. It's not until the Soviet counter-offensive at Stalingrad that she finds her unlikely answers, and they only come after she's saved the life of her mortal enemy and fallen in love with the one who nearly kills her.

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Seven of us zipped through the overcast sky, a dozen meters beneath the cloud layer. Gridnev flew lead and a girl named Tania from First Squadron flew on his wing. Alexandra and I cruised next to them about thirty meters away. I pictured myself as a modern version of my ancestors who rode into battle on horseback, courageous and strong. If only they could see me now, sailing through the air to drive off the invaders. I wondered if they’d be proud or jealous. Maybe both.
The four of us escorted a flight of three Pe-2s from the 150th High-Speed Bomber Regiment across the snowy landscape. That unit was led by Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Polbin who I’d heard was quite the commander. I’d also heard he enjoyed music and sang well, like me, which made me think we’d get along—even if he was a die-hard communist and loyal to Stalin.
The twin-engine Peshkas flew nearly as fast as our fighters, something I was grateful for. I’m certain the three crew members inside each bomber were thankful as well, since unlike the German Heinkels and Stukas, these planes were tough to catch for any aircraft. That being said, I was glad I was in my Yak-1. I wouldn’t have wanted to fly one of those bombers at all, no matter how prestigious they were. They were still big targets, and far less nimble than the fighter I had. I prayed we’d keep them safe.
All the Pe-2s, however, did have fresh, winter paint jobs. Their off-white and tan colors hid them well in the surroundings, and if I wasn’t paying close attention, I’d even lose sight of them from time to time. Their target was a rail depot the Germans were using to bring in supplies and troops headed to Stalingrad. Obliterating it would disrupt logistics and force the Luftwaffe to keep it safe once rebuilt.
With luck, the Germans wouldn’t spot the Peshkas until the bombs were already dropping and they were headed home. I fantasized about how easy of a mission this could be as we went deeper into enemy lines. Those thoughts almost turned into dreams as the drone from my fighter’s engine combined with the dreary sky nearly put me to sleep, despite the digging pain in my arm.
“Tighten up, Little Boar,” Gridnev called out over the radio.
My eyes snapped to the formation. I’d drifted away from the bombers by a good fifty meters sideways and at least that in altitude. I glanced over my shoulder to see Alexandra off to my right. She’d stayed with me even as I wandered. “Reforming now. Thought I saw something below and wanted a better view.” 





C.S. Taylor is a former Marine and avid fencer (saber for the most part, foil and epee are tolerable). He enjoys all things WWII, especially perfecting his dogfighting skills inside virtual cockpits, and will gladly accept any P-38 Lightnings anyone might wish to bestow upon him. He’s also been known to run a kayak through whitewater now and again, as well give people a run for their money in trap and skeet.

His latest book is the historical fiction, Nadya’s War.

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Review: 
​Nadya has earned the nickname of Little Boar as a pilot within the Russian Red Army’s 586th all-female fighter regiment during World War II for her fierce determination and charging the enemy. Nadya dreams of becoming an Ace pilot and bringing pride to her family for her service during the war.  However, when an aerial fight leaves Nadya as the only survivor and with burns and trauma, she struggles to fly again.  Nadya soon finds herself addicted to morphine and able to fly, bent on revenge to shoot down the German Pilot who killed her friends.  She also finds herself under investigation with a very dangerous man.  With the help of her friends, her mechanic Karla and new partner, Alexandra, Nadya continues to fly and come closer to becoming an Ace as well as shooting down the German pilot.  

Nadya's war pulled me into the world of female pilots during the war.  While I was aware that women from several countries fought in the war, I did not know about the Russian all-female fighter regiment.  Nadya's point of view was very interesting, since she is very eager to prove herself, but does not fall in line with Stalin's values; primarily, Nadya is still religious.  The aerial fights drew me in the most, I could see the details of the planes and feel the adrenaline of the maneuvers.  The characters that made of the regiment were all interesting, however, I do wish some of the others were fleshed out more.  Nadya was steadfast in her beliefs, to the point of being boorish, earning her a nickname.  At points she did seem immature, although, like many of the others fighting in WWII, she was very young.  The romance that was introduced was very surprising, especially for Stalin's Russia, this was ok with me, but didn't seem to have enough of a prominent role.  The story arc seemed to be lacking something for me, I felt like I was waiting for something that didn't happen.  Either the romance or the revenge story needed to come to a head in a bigger way.  Overall, an intense story of women fighter pilots in World War II.

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

11/16/2017

1 Comment

 
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About The It Girls
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (October 24, 2017)


From New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper comes a novel based on the lives of two amazing sisters . . .
One sailed the Titanic and started a fashion empire . . .
The other overtook Hollywood and scandalized the world . . .
Together, they were unstoppable.
They rose from genteel poverty, two beautiful sisters, ambitious, witty, seductive. Elinor and Lucy Sutherland are at once each other’s fiercest supporters and most vicious critics.
Lucy transformed herself into Lucile, the daring fashion designer who revolutionized the industry with her flirtatious gowns and brazen self-promotion. And when she married Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon her life seemed to be a fairy tale. But success came at many costs—to her marriage and to her children . . . and then came the fateful night of April 14, 1912 and the scandal that followed.

Elinor’s novels titillate readers, and it’s even asked in polite drawing rooms if you would like to “sin with Elinor Glyn?” Her work pushes the boundaries of what’s acceptable; her foray into the glittering new world of Hollywood turns her into a world-wide phenomenon. But although she writes of passion, the true love she longs for eludes her.
But despite quarrels and misunderstandings, distance and destiny, there is no bond stronger than that of the two sisters—confidants, friends, rivals and the two “It Girls” of their day.


Purchase Links
Harper Collins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review:
Sisters, Lucy and Elinor Sutherland grew up on the sleepy island of Jersey.  They were insatiably curious and had large ambitions; ambitions far bigger than the island.  Upon meeting the notorious Lillie Langtry one day in their youth, the sisters decide that they will one day become much more.  Through time, hard work and dedication, the two women eventually do realize their dreams. Lucy transforms into Lady Lucille Duff-Gordon fashion designer and entrepreneur extraordinaire.  Elinor becomes Elinor Glyn, scandalous romance writer whose books went onto the big screen.  Both Lucy and Elinor became the 'It' girls of their day; however, while both women excelled in their career goals, their dream came at a price in other areas of their life.


Elinor and Lucy quickly pulled me into their world of daring, creativity and determination.  I was amazed at what these two women accomplished in their lives, especially for women living in the early 1900's.  The story follows Lucy and Elinor from their youth through later life bouncing back and forth between the two women.  The writing showed the 'it' factor of each woman without laying it out.  Lucy had amazing grit while opening up her own fashion enterprise and ingenuity enough to make change in the fashion world.  Even though I knew of Lucille Duff-Gordon, mainly through her voyage on the Titanic, I never knew of her impacts on the fashion world and how they are carried through to the present.  Lucille was the first to use live models and do runway presentations,  she also led the way to get women out of corsets and into more natural silhouettes.  I did not know much about Elinor Glyn, but it seemed that her style of romance writing had an impact on many people.  It also seemed that she made an impact on Hollywood romance as well!  While the sister's careers and social standings skyrocketed, I was surprised to see that their personal and family lives took a toll.  Both women struggled in marriage and didn't seem to have strong relationships with their children, often living in separate countries.  This imbalance, to me, was a strong commentary on the lives of women at the time, showing that even successful, strong women had to choose either career or family.  Overall, a wonderful portrait of two strong, important women in history. 


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

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About Karen Harper
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author KAREN HARPER is a former Ohio State University instructor and high school English teacher. Published since 1982, she writes contemporary suspense and historical novels about real British women. Two of her recent Tudor-era books were bestsellers in the UK and Russia. Harper won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for Dark Angel, and her novel Shattered Secrets was judged one of the best books of the year by Suspense Magazine.

Find out more about Karen at her website, and connect with her on Facebook.
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Purple Turtle Graded Readers Level One

11/14/2017

6 Comments

 


Boxed Book Set Details:

Book Title: Purple Turtle Graded Readers Level 1 (12 Titles)
Category: Children's Fiction,
Genre: Educational
Publisher: Aadarsh Pvt. Ltd.
Release date: April 1, 2017
Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 24, 2017
Content Rating: G (informative content intended for and available to children & their parents/educators to enhance and support learning. Suitable for: Family audiences with younger children.)

Boxed Book Set Description:

A1 Edutainment takes you to the world on an amazing new reading programme with Purple Turtle. The first level of Purple Turtle Graded Readers includes a set of 12 books with interesting stories and activities and 150 word count. This level is exclusively for learners who have just started reading. It is based on ATOS and Lexile reading level system.

To read more reviews, please visit Purple Turtle's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Boxed Set: 
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Meet the Publisher:

Purple Turtle is India’s 1st International brand with its educational content in several languages sold in more than 30 countries including Russia, China, US and UK. The character of Purple Turtle has delighted children across the globe through beautifully created Purple Turtle books, rhymes and videos available on YouTube.

Purple Turtle was created with the idea to spread education through a wide range of innovative books for children. To give them the experience of convenient online learning, Purple Turtle also brings both learning and entertainment on a common platform to give a wholesome learning experience to young minds.

Connect with the publisher: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook


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Review: 

The Purple Turtle Graded Readers Level One are perfect books to introduce a variety of topics to young children.  Throughout the twelve books, Purple Turtle introduces children to a daily schedule, opposites, colors, senses, animal sounds, family members, numbers, shapes, feelings, fruits and vegetables and household items.  Each books is 18 pages and a perfect size to fit into tiny hands.  The sentences are short and each reinforces recognizable words and concepts that the books is trying to convey.  

My toddler absolutely loved the Purple Turtle from the moment we opened the box.  He immediately began  handing me books to read.  With the length of each story, he could easily pay attention to several stories in a row.  The colorful, simple pictures featuring the same cast of characters in each book is wonderful for introducing a new or more difficult concept to children.  The sentence and word structure of each story also reinforced word recognition with a group of  words repeating throughout the story. Some of my son's favorite stories are The Lost Bag, The Animal Parade, and Purple's New Shoes which introduce shapes, animal sounds and colors. In The Lost Bag, we love finding all of the objects with the indicated shape among the pictures as well as all of the airport vehicles.  My son loves animals, so he enjoyed repeating the animal sounds in The Animal Parade. In Purple's New Shoes we enjoyed naming the colors and finding everything else pictured that was that color.  The last four pages of each book are fun interactive activities for your child that relate to the topic for further reinforcement.  These books will continue to grow with my child as he is able to go from being read to to reading himself and move up through the box set levels. 

Since these books were published in India there are a few things that are a little off if you are an American reader.  For example, there is a camel sound included in The Animal Parade and what I would call a ladybug is referred to as a ladybird in Counting Insects. 

These books were received for free in return for an honest review. 
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A Midsummer Night's Dream Coloring Novel

11/12/2017

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Beauty and the Beast: Coloring Novel Edition
Beauty and the Beast is a treasured fairy tale passed down through generations that explores the love story of a beautiful young girl captured in the enchanted castle of a frightening beast. Now, Beauty and the Beast has been creatively reimagined in this delightful Coloring NovelsTM edition which includes 56 colorable designs as well as featured art by author and artist, Emilyann Girdner. This is a short story length publication.
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Sense and Sensibility: Coloring Novel Edition
Perfect for fans of romantic classics like Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey, Sense and Sensibility (a Jane Austen novel) tells the tale of the lovely Dashwood sisters. They face difficult times after their father passes away and must each find a suitable husband if they are to be accepted in society. This special Coloring NovelsTM edition features vintage 1800s inspired pattern designs as well as adapted digital artwork by Emilyann Girdner.
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A Midsummer Night's Dream: Coloring Novel Edition
Inspired by Greek mythology, A Midsummer Night's Dream follows the adventures of young Athenian lovers, a group of actors, the Duke and Duchess of Athens, Theseus and Hippolyta, and the fairies who inhabit nearby moonlit woods. This classic tale is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare written around 1594 to 1596. The play is one of Shakespeare's most popular works and is widely performed across the world. This Coloring NovelsTM edition is the public domain version and has 40 imaginative colorable illustrations including featured artwork by author and artist, Emilyann Girdner. This is a novella length publication. Buy on B&N/Amazon
The Labyrinth Wall: Coloring Novel Edition
The fantasy charm of Eragon meets the gritty flare of The Hunger Games in the Amazon Best-Selling Obsidian Series books which offer a surprising and fresh magical labyrinth adventure. Imagine a labyrinth world from the perspective of its native people... Araina’s lonely teenage life is forever altered when she witnesses a man with supernatural powers emerge through a rippling wall into the dark and deadly labyrinth she calls home. Araina must solve many mysteries surrounding the newcomer and the labyrinth she thought she knew so well. And, as a result of the stranger’s arrival, Araina’s creators have unleashed a series of attacks against the labyrinth inhabitants. She must decide if she will trust potentially deceitful allies in order to survive. “It is a book that all fantasy lovers will find addictive and thrilling.” — Readers’ Favorite
An Amazon Best-Seller A Dante Rossetti International Award Finalist Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Rated Buy on B&N/Amazon
About Coloring NovelsTM: Novels have been refused the love of artistic interactivity and brilliant colors for far too long. Not anymore... Coloring novels were dreamed up by author and artist, Emilyann Girdner. She launched Coloring Novels™ because she wanted to bring the joy of reading novels and coloring together. Reading is an inspiring experience, so you are invited to color the provided pictures, draw your own art, and jot down your ideas as you enjoy this adventure. For more coloring and reading enjoyment, collect all classic stories available by Coloring Novels™.
*Note that colored pencils are ideal for this paper. Markers and some gel pens may bleed through pages. Attempting to color the paperback edition covers may cause smearing and is not recommended.

About the author:
Emilyann Girdner is the creator of Coloring Novels™ (a new novel format) and author of Amazon Best-Seller, Dante Rossetti Award Finalist, and Reader’s Favorite 5 Star rated young adult fantasy novel, The Labyrinth Wall.
Emilyann discovered at a young age that reading imaginative books gave living an extra flavor. She has loved stories ever since. She has appeared at events with organizations such as Barnes & Noble stores, Wizard World Comic Con, Supercon, AltCon, and MegaCon Fan Days. KCFV 89.5, City Surfing Orlando, Miami.com, and Tallahassee Magazine are some of the media outlets that have mentioned Emilyann. Emilyann tries to love God and others in all she does.
She believes that imagination sparks beauty in the soul. Emilyann’s writing and art have appeared via many publications, some of which include Sound & Communications Magazine, The TV Shield, Center for Work Life, Easter Seals Florida, and Examiner.com. Discover more of her writing and art at www.emilyanngirdner.com.
Get a FREE eBook and access to exclusive content by joining Emilyann's newsletter list. Visit the following link to subscribe: http://emilyanngirdner.com/free-fantasy-ebook/
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Review of A Midsummer Night's Dream: 
Everyone knows Shakespeare's classic story of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The night of Greek lovers Theseus and Hippolyta is interfered with by the comedic fairies of the woods.  This is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays and I have had to read it several times throughout my school career.  I adore the addition of the coloring pages and wish that this addition was available when I was in school, the coloring would have made the reading assignments that much more enjoyable as well as provide a great creative interlude while reading.  The 40 coloring pages range from intricate designs to simple flowers and scene portraits.  One of my favorite coloring pages is Titania's crown, that I have included below.  I love how I could finally make her how I always pictured.  Overall, a wonderful new way to enjoy a beloved classic.  


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

11/10/2017

1 Comment

 





Title: NIGHT IN JERUSALEM
Author: Gaelle Lehrer Kennedy
Publisher: PKZ Inc.
Pages: 246
Genre: Historical Romance

A bewitching love story that is also an extraordinary portrait of Jerusalem, its faith, spirituality, identity, and kaleidoscope of clashing beliefs, Night in Jerusalem is a novel of mystery, beauty, historical insight, and sexual passion.
David Bennett is invited to Jerusalem in 1967 by his cousin who, to the alarm of his aristocratic British family, has embraced Judaism. He introduces David to his mentor, Reb Eli, a revered sage in the orthodox community. Despite his resistance to religious teaching, David becomes enthralled by the rabbi’s wisdom and compassionate presence. When David discloses a sexual problem, Reb Eli unwittingly sets off a chain of events that transforms his life and the life of the mysterious prostitute, Tamar, who, in a reprise of an ancient biblical story, leads both men to an astonishing realization. As passions rise, the Six Day War erupts, reshaping the lives of everyone caught up in it.

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David lay awake thinking about Anat. He was intimidated by her sexuality, but also fascinated by her free spirit and daunting intelligence. He had never met anyone like her. He wondered if Jonathan and the others knew she preferred women lovers, and why she had confided in him. He became anxious, thinking perhaps she sensed he had sexual issues and was someone she could easily manipulate. 
Earlier, out on the roof, he had asked her why she preferred women. She had answered simply, “For the same reasons you do,” then adding, “I find women more interesting intellectually, as well as sexually.” 
Her directness was equal parts frightening and exciting. He wanted to know her better. Perhaps, with her, he could get over his sexual problem. The truth was, he desired her as much as he found her intimidating.


 

Gaelle Lehrer Kennedy worked as an actress and writer in film and television in the United States and Israel. Night in Jerusalem is her debut novel, which she has adapted to film. She lives in Ojai California with her husband and daughter.

She writes, “I lived in Israel in the 1960s, a naive twenty-year-old, hoping to find myself and my place in the world. The possibility of war was remote to me. I imagined the tensions in the region would somehow be resolved peacefully. Then, the Six Day War erupted and I experienced it firsthand in Jerusalem.

I have drawn Night in Jerusalem from my experiences during that time. The historical events portrayed in the novel are accurate. The characters are based on people I knew in the city. Like me, they were struggling to make sense of their lives, responding to inherited challenges they could not escape that shaped their destiny in ways they and the entire Middle East could not have imagined.

I have always been intrigued by the miraculous. How and where the soul’s journey leads and how it reveals its destiny. How two people who are destined, even under the threat of war and extinction, can find one another.

Israel’s Six Day War is not a fiction; neither was the miracle of its victory. What better time to discover love through intrigue, passion, and the miraculous.

Writing this story was in part reliving my history in Israel, in part a mystical adventure. I am grateful that so many who have read Night In Jerusalem have experienced this as well.”

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Review: 
David Bennett travels to Jerusalem in 1967 on a journey to find himself.  His cousin Johnathan has been studying Judaism in Jerusalem and believes that his mentor, the chief rabbi, Reb Eli will be able to help David with his troubles.  David arrives in Jerusalem planning only to stay one month, however, he is quickly taken in by the beauty of the city and Reb Eli's ways.  When Reb Eli suggests that David visits a local brothel for help with his women's troubles, David is taken aback.  However, when he finally decides to visit,  David meets Tamar and his troubles seem to vanish.  Meanwhile, Reb Eli's widowed daughter, Sarah is feeling depressed and out of place without a husband or child within her Orthodox community.  Sarah longs to love once again and when a mysterious Englishman enters her home, Sarah's senses are awakened.  As David and Sarah begin their new journeys in romance, the Six Day War breaks out in the Middle East and forever alters their lives.


Recreating the biblical story of Tamar in a more modern setting, Night in Jerusalem has a fairy-tale quality to it.  I immediately felt immersed in the city of Jerusalem, from the golden glow of the city, to the quaint diners and the people of many religions mingling together.  I easily took to David and Sarah's characters as lost souls as well as Reb Eli's comforting character.  I was surprised at Reb Eil's suggestion for David's troubles as well as how sensuous many of the scenes were.  Along with learning the tale of Tamar, I learned many things about Jewish Traditions and life in Jerusalem.  The intricacies of Shabbat seemed beautiful and I wish I could have heard Sarah's singing.  The Six Day War was something else that I learned of, I had no idea that this tragedy or the reasons why it had happened.  The most interesting aspect of this story is the interwoven tale of Tamar told through David and Sarah.   Their mystery to one another kept the story suspenseful and their romance kept me intrigued.  Overall, an interesting portrait of Judaism in 1960's Jerusalem interwoven with an updated biblical story.

This book was received for  free in return for an honest review. 
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A Sea of Sorrow: A Novel of Odysseus

11/9/2017

2 Comments

 
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About the Book: 
A Sea of Sorrow: A Novel of Odysseus
by David Blixt, Amalia Carosella, Libbie Hawker, Scott Oden, Vicky Alvear Shecter, and Russell Whitfield
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Knight Media, LLC
eBook & Paperback; 524 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


Odysseus, infamous trickster of Troy, vaunted hero of the Greeks, left behind a wake of chaos and despair during his decade long journey home to Ithaca. Lovers and enemies, witches and monsters–no one who tangled with Odysseus emerged unscathed. Some prayed for his return, others, for his destruction. These are their stories…
A beleaguered queen’s gambit for maintaining power unravels as a son plots vengeance.

A tormented siren battles a goddess’s curse and the forces of nature to survive.

An exiled sorceress defies a lustful captain and his greedy crew.

A blinded shepherd swears revenge on the pirate-king who mutilated him.
​

A beautiful empress binds a shipwrecked sailor to servitude, only to wonder who is serving whom.
A young suitor dreams of love while a returned king conceives a savage retribution.

Six authors bring to life the epic tale of The Odyssey seen through the eyes of its shattered victims—the monsters, witches, lovers, and warriors whose lives were upended by the antics of the “man of many faces.” You may never look upon this timeless epic—and its iconic ancient hero—in quite the same way again.


Review: 
We have all heard of Odysseus' journey and the fanciful tales he brought back while being away for 20 years after the War of Troy.  We have heard the stories from Odysseus' point of view, now the H Team brings us the stories from the point of view of those that he told the tales about.  Through Penelope, we find out how she ruled singularly as a Queen, through Telemachus, we learn what it was like to grow up without a father and King, we learn the stories behind the Kyklops and Sirens and the witch Circes as well as Calypso.  


I have loved reading the past stories that the H Team has cooked up and couldn't wait to read what they have developed for Odysseus.  Seven different stories and points of view woven seamlessly together to tell of Odysseus from the other side. To me, this was an ingenious way of getting to know the real Odysseus, as he was known as a trickster.   In this context, the gods and goddesses still existed, however, some of the mythology was dispelled.   I enjoyed reading every different story on their own and couldn't wait to see who would give me insight into Odysseus next.  The themes of Odysseus' tales stayed true, pride, oath, service, gratitude, survival and perseverance are still  strong subjects throughout each tale.  While I appreciated each story, there were several that stuck out for me.  Penelope and Telemachus' tales were those of survival.  I was impressed with Penelope's cunning and skill to stop her people from attacking her home in the absence of a king and her ingenuity to make money for her land.  Telemachus was an interesting character for me, I felt his pain at his father's departure and wanted him to grow into a leader as much as Penelope did.  Circe's tale also entranced me.  Instead of a witch who trapped Odysseus on an island, Circe has been banished to the island with her handmaids and has been making do on her women-led island.  When Odysseus arrives, he is a problematic for the women and uses them at his will.  Overall, I was amazed at how Odysseus' story changed from the point of view of the other characters and how I was still entranced by the amazing journey and stories that have been created. 

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

About the Authors
Amalia Carosella graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelors degree in Classical Studies and English. An avid reader and former bookseller, she writes about old heroes and older gods. She lives with her husband in upstate New York and dreams of the day she will own goats (and maybe even a horse, too). Amalia’s novels include Tamer of Horses, Helen of Sparta, By Helen’s Hand, and Daughter of a Thousand Years.
Website | Facebook | Twitter

David Blixt‘s work is consistently described as “intricate,” “taut,” and “breathtaking.” A writer of Historical Fiction, his novels span the early Roman Empire (the COLOSSUS series, his play EVE OF IDES) to early Renaissance Italy (the STAR-CROSS’D series) up through the Elizabethan era (his delightful espionage comedy HER MAJESTY’S WILL, starring Will Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe as inept spies). His novels combine a love of the theatre with a deep respect for the quirks and passions of history.
Living in Chicago with his wife and two children, he describes himself as “actor, author, father, husband. In reverse order.”
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Libbie Hawker writes historical and literary fiction featuring complex characters and rich details of time and place. Libbie’s recent novels include Daughter of Sand and Stone, Mercer Girls, A Song of War, White Lotus and Persian Rose.
She lives in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Russell Whitfield was born in Shepherds Bush in 1971. An only child, he was raised in Hounslow, West London, but has since escaped to Ham in Surrey.
Gladiatrix was Russ’s first novel, published in 2008 by Myrmidon Books. The sequel, Roma Victrix, continues the adventures Lysandra, the Spartan gladiatrix, and a third book, Imperatrix, sees Lysandra stepping out of the arena and onto the field of battle.
Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Scott Oden was born in Indiana, but has spent most of his life shuffling between his home in rural North Alabama, a Hobbit hole in Middle-earth, and some sketchy tavern in the Hyborian Age. He is an avid reader of fantasy and ancient history, a collector of swords, and a player of tabletop role-playing games. When not writing, he can be found walking his two dogs or doting over his lovely wife, Shannon.
Oden’s previous works include the historical fantasy, The Lion of Cairo, and two historical novels, Men of Bronze and Memnon. He is currently working on his next novel.
Website | Facebook | Twitter
​

Vicky Alvear Shecter is the author of multiple books set in the ancient world, including the YA novels, CLEOPATRA’S MOON, based on the life of Cleopatra’s only daughter, and CURSES AND SMOKE: A NOVEL OF POMPEII and the adult historical collaborations, A SONG OF WAR, A YEAR OF RAVENS, and A DAY OF FIRE. She has written a mid-grade series on mythology (ANUBIS SPEAKS, HADES SPEAKS, and THOR SPEAKS) as well as two award-winning biographies for kids. She a She is a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University in Atlanta.
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A Sea of Sorrow
2 Comments

Monsterland

11/6/2017

1 Comment

 


We're thrilled to host Michael Okon's MONSTERLAND Blog Tour today! Leave a comment below to enter the book giveaway!


Title: MONSTERLAND
Author: Michael Okon
Publisher: Wordfire Press
Pages: 232
Genre: Monsters

Welcome to Monsterland—the scariest place on Earth.

The last couple years of high school have not been fun for Wyatt Baldwin. His parents divorce, then his dad mysteriously dies. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter White, either. An on-going debate with his best friends Howard Drucker and Melvin over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.

But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can rock out with vampires at Vampire Village, be chased by actual werewolves on the Werewolf River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.

With real werewolves, vampires and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon



Review:

A plague has spread across the world affecting parts of the population and turning them essentially into zombies. Vincent Conrad has the perfect solution for the World’s zombie problem. Countries have them contained, but cannot come up with a decision on how to move forward. After Vincent discovered the last of the populations of Vampires and Werewolves, he has decided to open theme parks- Monsterland- across the world with attractions such as Vampire Village, Werewolf River Run and Zombieville. With a mission stated to research and find a cure, Monsterland opens with a bang. Lucky enough to land a special invite- Wyatt Baldwin, his brother and a few classmates are among the first guests.

This is a Young Adult paranormal, a bit like Jurassic Park but with Monsters. I really liked the theme park idea, but some of the monsters fell a little flat. Although, they were probably as realistic as monsters could get; if Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies existed, the Werewolves would hide in the thick Everglades, the Vampires would be a dying breed who can only turn others with sex and can survive on animal blood and the Zombies would be plague victims able to be killed by any normal means. I was not surprised by how quickly they revolted once they realized they were prisoners in Monsterland. The suspense built quickly and the action quickly turned gory. Steeped with teen drama, many of the students were more interested in their relationship status. Dr. Vincent was the most intriguing character. His intentions seemed devious from the start, but I had no idea how far he would take it. I was very surprised by the ending when his plan came to the surface. Another character that shone for me was Wyatt’s best friend, Melvin. Melvin is completely obsessed with Werewolves and is not afraid to be exactly who he is. I think he probably came out with the best deal. Overall, a good concept with a bit of a different twist on the classic monsters and some good parallels to concentration camps.

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

 
 
 

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling is his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

His latest book is Monsterland.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK



 

 

Michael Okon is giving away 2 autographed copies of MONSTERLAND!

Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • Two winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a copy.
  • This giveaway ends midnight December 29.
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Good luck everyone!

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1 Comment

The Ghost Chronicles 2

11/1/2017

4 Comments

 
 
On Tour with Prism Book Tours


The Ghost Chronicles 2
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
October 17th 2017 by Teddy Blue Books

**If you love ghost stories and the paranormal, then THE GHOST CHRONICLES series is the perfect new read for you!**

What's there to fear if you're already dead?
Plenty.
Michael and Sarah now know for certain, there is a destination after death.
They also know they better find their way out of the afterlife fast, before the devil claims Michael's soul.
What they don't know?
Before they can get to heaven...
they may just have to go through hell.

*Inspired by the legend of a haunting at the famous Angel of the Sea bed and breakfast in Cape May, NJ*

Goodreads│Amazon US│Amazon UK│Barnes & Noble 



Review:

Michael and Sarah are dead, but that doesn't mean that they can't make the most out of their afterlives. For some reason they are stuck in between as ghosts. Just now, months after Michael's death and decades after Sarah's death are they learning their true purpose for remaining on Earth. However, their positions come with danger. Michael is being chased by demons who are wreaking havoc on the spirit world and the corporeal world and they are using Sarah as bait. Meanwhile, Michael and Sarah are trying to make the most of their afterlife romance while learning what they can from other ghosts around them, checking in on Michael's living family and trying to come to terms with their newfound purposes.

This episode of the Ghost Chronicles was action packed. Michael and Sarah's story picks up right where it left off in book one. I was glad to see that they were still happy in their situation in the afterlife as well as finding out more about why they were not able to move on. Ghost Chronicles Two was kept fast-paced with interchanging scenes of of levity, parties and fun with demons, battles and suspense. I really enjoyed learning more about the afterlife and how all of the ghosts were content to be equal in death no matter of race, religion or station in life. It was also very fun being able to see glimpses of famous ghosts such as Albert Einstein. Most of all, I appreciated how Michael's new position allowed me to see how good can come out of death. It was interesting learning about the Cocoanut Grove fire through the eyes of those who were there. I can't wait to read more about Michael and Sarah's new found job and amazing powers in the next book.

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

Other Books in the Series

The Ghost Chronicles
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 298 Pages
November 17th 2015 by Teddy Blue Books

Can Michael get to heaven before the devil gets him first, and if it means leaving Sarah is he sure he still wants to go?

Michael Andrews had everything – a loving family, a great girlfriend and a promising basketball career. That was before the accident that took his life. Now, he’s a ghost, wandering among the living, struggling to understand why he’s stuck. All he wants is to move on.

That is until he meets Sarah, an attractive young girl who died just as tragically as he did. The only trouble is falling in love and binding oneself to another soul is forbidden, for it may keep one or both of the souls bound to earth for longer than they should be.

To make matters worse, there’s also a danger in going too far with Sarah, because the “joining” of two souls in the afterlife is also strictly forbidden and they don’t know what will happen if they do go that far. Each time they touch they can feel the boundaries of their energies slipping perilously into one another.

Things get even more complicated as Michael learns he’s being pursued. Demons are after him because he’s a marked soul, a soul the devil wants very badly for some unknown reason.

So, maybe falling in love in the afterlife isn’t such a good idea.

Goodreads│Amazon US│Amazon UK│Barnes & Noble



Review of Book 1:

Michael Andrews is a Senior in high school, weeks away from graduation, an all-star basketball co-captain and has a great girlfriend. Unfortunately, he is hit by a reckless driver and dies in the accident. Michael is left to navigate the ghost world on his own and it is no easier than the living world. Michael wants to move onward and upward after his death, but doesn’t know how. Michael finally meets Tom, another ghost who is able to help him figure out his new world. As Michael learns about being a ghost, he meets many other ghosts, including Sarah, the resident haunt at the Angel of the Sea. With Sarah, he learns that love can be part of the afterlife. However, danger is also part of being a ghost. Michael learns that he is marked by the devil and is being chased by demons that want his soul and will put Sarah in danger in order to get it.

I was pulled right into this story about Michael’s trials and learning about how to be a ghost. It was really interesting to see his struggles with leaving his family and girlfriend behind, especially in the absence of his father. I really liked when Michael met Tom and was able to learn about his new world, do cool things and meet other ghosts. Some of the famous ghosts were awesome to get to know in the afterlife. Michael and Sarah’s relationship is very sweet but a little strange to me; I’d love to know more about ‘joining’ of souls and why it is a bad thing and maybe more about Sarah’s life. The suspense builds as Tom sudden disappearances grow and the demons are more intent on chasing down Michael for his mark. There is a lot to still figure out: Why is Tom special? Why do some ghosts move on while others are stuck? Why is Michael marked for the devil? I will definitely be reading the second book! This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

About the Author


Marlo Berliner is the award-winning author of THE GHOST CHRONICLES, her debut book which was released in November 2015 to critical acclaim. Marlo writes young adult, women’s fiction, and short stories. Marlo is represented by Eric Ruben of The Ruben Agency.

When she's not writing or editing, Marlo loves reading, relaxing at the beach, watching movies, and rooting for the Penn State Nittany Lions. After having spent some wonderful time in Pittsburgh and Houston, she’s now back in her home state of New Jersey where she resides with her husband, two sons, and a rambunctious puppy named Max.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Schedule

October 30th: Launch, Harlie's Books & Mythical Books
October 31st: Wishful Endings
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November 3rd: Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
November 6th: Mel's Shelves
November 7th: Colorimetry
November 8th: Min Reads and Reviews
November 9th: Brooke Blogs
November 9th: The Bookworm Chronicles
November 10th: Bookworm Lisa
November 11th: Grand Finale

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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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