Review:

A short collection of brief stories and anecdotes compiled from the author's very interesting life travelling around the world as a petroleum engineer.  Each of his stories is told as though sitting down with a good friend for some coffee and hearing about their amazing adventures.  The stories, though short each have an unexpected ending that elicits strong emotion through humor, sadness and compassion.  

My favorite story is probably the very first where the author tells of his Brazillian friend who is waiting to get married.  The friend is away from home for long periods of time and has a girlfriend on the side.  The author warns the friend of his actions and come wedding day the groom is in for a big surprise.  

I also loved the last story about a Chinese boy who grew up thinking that he would amount to nothing and decided to live his adult life trying to make others happy.  However, it wasn't until after his death that he was recognized for all he did.

A nice little collection of short stories, and a very quick read.  I did notice a few editing errors, such as 'live' instead of 'life' and the repetition of a phrase, but nothing that hindered my enjoyment of the book.

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

About the Book: 

Absolute obedience, servitude, neutrality. ​
These were the laws that once governed Bartholomew, an immortal soulcatcher, until one ill-fated night when he was forced to make a choice: rebel against his masters or reveal an ancient, dangerous secret.

He chose defiance.

Imprisoned for centuries as punishment for his decision, Bartholomew wastes away—until he creates an opportunity to escape. By a stroke of chance, Bartholomew finds himself in the human world and soon learns that breaking his bonds does not come without a price. Cut off from the grace that once ruled him, he must discover a new magic in 1930s Chicago.

Armed with only a cryptic message to give him direction, Bartholomew desperately tries to resume the mission he had started so long ago. Relying on the unlikely guidance of the streetwise orphan Charlie Reese, Bartholomew must navigate the depressed streets of the City in the Garden. But in order to solve this riddle, he must first discover if choice and fate are one in the same.

Buy the Book:

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Review: 
Two unlikely friends from two different worlds meet under dire circumstances and are now charged with saving one another from the evils of their own worlds.  Breedling Bartholomew is a soulcatcher from Euxinus, a world controlled by the Fates, a world where he chose to disobey his masters and has now been imprisoned.  Escaping his prison, Bartholomew lands in an orphanage in 1930's Chicago, an orphanage that is currently on fire.  With the help of Charlie, Bartholomew is able to escape the burning building,but at a price.  While saving Bartholomew, Charlie's cousin dies in the flames.  When they finally escape the burning building, Bartholomew receives a message from Euxinus, he must use Charlie to to find the mortal who will help him complete the mission that he began centuries ago. 

This book took me on an interesting and unexpected journey, combining urban fantasy and historical fiction.  At first I really had no idea what was going on, but as the story progressed, I was drawn in by Bartholomew's quest and his and Charlie's friendship. Charlie is an absolutely amazing character, a young man who has seen large amounts of tragedy in his life and who still makes it his mission to help others since that was his mother's life lesson to him.  Bartholomew's troubles on Earth, or Eden, as he calls it, brings a sense of levity, especially as we learn how the world's are colliding.  In addition to the fantasy aspects, the historical elements of 1930's Chicago were vibrant for me.  From the breadlines, to Grocer Pawlak, to the speakeasy and the rival Polish and Lithuanian gangs, the City in the Garden was brought alive, although I don't know how much some of these side stories moved along the plot.  Also, we leave the characters on a very tenuous note, there is a sequel, so hopefully things will pick up then. 

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

About the Author: ​
Kimberlee Ann Bastian has a unique love affair with American nostalgia, mythology, and endless possibilities. This melting pot of elements is what prompted the creation of her epic ELEMENT ODYSSEYS series, starting with the reboot of her debut novel now titled THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN.

When she is not in her writer's room, working her current "day job", or consuming other literary worlds, she enjoys hiking and cycling around the bluffs of your Southeastern MN home and catching up on her favorite pop culture. ​

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About The Queen of the Tearling

A #1 Indie Next Pick and LibraryReads Selection

Magic, adventure, mystery, and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler—and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her.
On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.
Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.
But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend . . . if she can survive.

This book received by Harper Collins and TLC Book Tours. 
​
Purchase Links
HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

​About Erika Johansen
Erika Johansen grew up and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She went to Swarthmore College, earned an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and eventually became an attorney, but she never stopped writing.
Follow the Tearling series on Facebook and Tumblr.

​Review: 
Princess Kelsea has been in hiding from soon after her birth.  Upon her nineteenth birthday, she will take her place as Queen of the Tearling.  Kelsea’s entire life has been learning and training under the tutelage of a former Queen’s guard and her mother’s nanny.  However, there are key points that Kelsea has been kept in the dark upon.  Her Uncle, Thomas Raleigh has been in place as the regent since the death of Kelsea’s mother, Queen Elyssa.  Unbeknownst to Kelsea, her mother and uncle have made quite a mess of the Tear for the past several years; specifically in their dealings with the feared Queen of Mortmesne.  Now, Kelsea must seemingly do the impossible:  get to the Keep in the Tearling without being assassinated, gain the trust of her Queen’s Guard and the people of the Tear and begin fix her kingdom by undoubtedly going to war with the Red Queen of Mortmesne.


An entertaining and intelligent female-driven adventure fantasy.  First of all, Kelsea is an amazing heroine.  At first she seemed meek and uninformed; however, her quick wits and determination set her apart.  She has many people to prove herself to, I ended up really enjoying the character of The Mace, a Queen's Guard.  He is unwavering in his duty, but unsure of the new, young Queen.  Through their time together, they form an interesting team and good relationship.  The inclusion of magic was very interesting, at first it seemed that magic was just an illusion and not part of this world, maybe something that only the Mort Queen could do; however, as Kelsea grew in her independence, her magic also grew.  I am eager to find out the full capacity of her stones.  I did have a little confusion on what setting we were in.  It seemed like the past in an unknown land, however the story apparently takes place in a future where many technological advances and knowledge has been lost in 'the Crossing.'  Also, the story leaves off with Kelsea inviting war from the Mort Queen into the Tear, so there is no big climax of action in this installment, but I will be looking forward to how Kelsea manages herself in that situation. Overall, a wonderful story of how an ordinary girl is able to find her extraordinary. 

Review copy provided by TLC book tours. 

About The Invasion of the Tearling
In this riveting sequel to the national bestseller The Queen of the Tearling, the evil kingdom of Mortmesne invades the Tearling, with dire consequences for Kelsea and her realm.
With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.
But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling —and that of Kelsea’s own soul—may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.
In this dazzling sequel, Erika Johansen brings back favorite characters, including the Mace and the Red Queen, and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery, and a fierce young heroine.


Purchase Links
HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
​
Review: 
Queen Kelsea Glynn has now asserted herself as Queen of the Tearling.  However, some of her first actions, which have gained her the respect of her people, have firmly upset the Queen of Mortmesne and have fueled an impending war with the  much larger and well armored Mort army.  As war approaches, Queen Kelsea develops a more mysterious connection to her sapphires.  She has now been having intense visions of a woman named Lily Mayhew who lived in Pre-Crossing America, Kelsea has also found other powers that her stones carry and has come face-to-face with a dark being with promises that are too good to be true.  Queen Kelsea must use everything she knows and place her faith in those she trusts to have a chance against the Mort Queen.  


As soon as I began reading the second installment, The Invasion of the Tearling, I was first very happy that Kelsea is still very much herself, although the stones have seemed to grant Kelsea her wish of beauty.  Kelsea is still strong-willed, hot-tempered and intelligent, continually fighting for what is right for her people.  The second thing that I was very happy for was Lilly's point of view through Kelsea's visions.  At first, I was a little confused about why we were suddenly in America with money and technology and doctors, but when I learned that we were finally seeing what Pre-Crossing was like and the time leading up to the Crossing, many questions from the previous book were answered for me and pieces started to fit into place about why things are they way they are in the Tearling.  Another facet that I was very glad that this book began to answer was the mystery of the Mort Queen and her source of power, with the introduction of a new and mysterious dark force, the Red Queen is de-mystified slightly.  The intensity and fast pace is kept up throughout the book with growing religious tensions, Kelsea's advance into womanhood and the inevitable invasion of the Mort Army.  I do really wish that Kelsea would not have been granted her ideal of beauty with the stones, however, she did learn that this is not what made her a good queen.  Overall, this installment was exciting and intense, answering many questions left from the first book, but opening up some others to be answered in the third.