Book Review: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen #bookreview #fateofthetearling

Book Review for: The Fate of the Tearling

Written by: Erika Johansen

Harper Collins Publishers

ISBN: 978-0-06-229042-7

I read: the hardback

5 Stars

Epic!!

Johansen pens a stunning conclusion to the Tearling series

with “The Fate of the Tearling.” Set in a dystopian future, the

Tearling is being attacked from all sides. Mortmesne threatens

 invasion, the Arvath has hired mercenaries, and the Orphan

sets his vampiric children on an unsuspecting populace.

Kelsea Glynn, The Queen of the Tearling, finds herself in a

Mortmesne dungeon unable to protect her people from danger.

The Mace, her regent, is torn between saving her and protecting

the Tearling. A surprise alley, Evenly Raleigh, seeks out

Kelsea to bring peace to the Tearling and Mortmesne as the

Orphan grows in power.

As in “Invasion of the Tearling,” Kelsea continues to have

fugues due to the influence of her sapphires. This time she

discovers Katie Rice’s story and learns how Katie’s past has

helped to shape Kelsea’s Tearling. Secret after secret unravels

 leaving Kelsea to reconcile past, present, and future. Can

Kelsea save the Tearling, or will her future crumble between

her fingers?

Johansen pens a thrilling end to the Tearling series. Her

writing style is easy to read. Plot, pacing, and

characterization are well balanced. Johansen’s ability to

make the Queen of Mortmesne a sympathetic character, and

the Orphan deliciously evil, deliver an excellent read. The

ending was hopeful, despite Kelsea’s personal losses, and I

thought the story came full circle as Carlin, who was such

an influential and haunting presence in Kelsea’s life, reached out 

to Kelsea in the end.

 I simply couldn’t put this book down. “The Fate of the

Tearling” will leave the reader breathless with every chapter

that is devoured.

Book Review Tuesday: The Boy Who Wanted Wings by James Conroyd Martin #bookreview

Book Review for: The Boy Who Wanted Wings

Written by: James Conroyd Martin

Published by: Hussar Quill Press

ISBN: 978-0-9978945-0-9

I read: ARC PDF. This ARC was given to me in exchange for

a fair and honest review.

4 Stars

Engaging and Full of Intrigue

Martin pens an engaging story full of intrigue with “The Boy

Who Wanted Wings.” Set in 1683, an Ottoman/Turkish

invasion force has surrounded Vienna, intent on bringing

Islam to a Christian Europe. If Vienna falls, so falls Europe.

Nations band together to repel the threat. King Jan Sobieski

III of Poland gathers his Hussars and Army to join the fight. 

According to Martin’s historical note, this event was a pivotal

 one in European history.

“The Boy Who Wanted Wings” is told through the fictional

lens of Aleksy Gazdecki, a polish peasant who longs to be a

Hussar.  Though of Tatar origins, Aleksy was raised Polish

and Christian. He’s fashioned his own lance and is a good

 archer. The local nobleman’s sons, Roman and Marek, are

Hussars, planning to join King Jan as he marches on Vienna.

 When Aleksy meets Krystyna Halicki, Roman and Marek’s

sister, sparks fly much to the brothers’ disapproval. Aleksy

gets his wish to go to war as a retainer for Marek, however

he has to deal with Roman’s ire.

Will the Polish army help to defeat the Grand Vizar who

holds Vienna hostage? Can Krystyna and Aleksy find a

way to be together despite his lack of a title and the war

that threatens to tear them apart?

Martin’s writing is easy to read and understand. The plot

and pacing are well balanced. The characterization is spot

 on. Aleksy is honorable and decent despite the hardships

he has to face. Krystyna is spirited and independent, which

 will appeal to the modern reader.  The immediate threat of

the Ottman invasion is one readers will connect to as even

 in modern times, there are struggles with insurgent Islamic

 forces.

One of the reader’s questions asks if Roman’s change of

heart in the end is genuine.  This is a big change for Roman

and for me it doesn’t ring true, as he’s been duplicitous

throughout the novel. Roman is the character the readers

 love to hate. He does have some redeeming qualities,

though he is awkward in how he presents them.

Overall, “The Boy Who Wanted Wings,” is a story that will

keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens

next. While most historical fiction novels tend to be placed

in an English setting, I find Martin unique in that he looks

at history through Polish eyes.  I highly recommend this

story for readers 13 years and older.

99 cent romance: Feast of Candles #amazonkindle #99cents #bookblast

Feast of Candles a 99 cents Spicy Contemporary Romance

BLURB:

Drake de Brettville is going to take the biggest risk of his life – because of a bottle of wine. When Drake's brother returns to their home in Denmark with a bottle of wine from the Marquand Winery, Drake finds himself compelled to discover who the wine maker is. Intrigued to learn that the owner is a young woman named Lily Marquand, Drake travels to Napa Valley, California, to meet her. When Drake finds Lily, the sparks fly. Lily is that rare woman who stimulates him like no other, but to win her love, Drake has to shatter the battlements that guard her heart and prove to her Christmas wishes do come true.

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

Collecting her purse, she walked into the lobby as Drake descended the stairs. He presented her with a manila envelope.

"I'll look it over and give it to my lawyers to examine."

"When might you make a decision?"

"Give me a week."

He escorted her to her car and paused near the door. Lily unlocked it with her remote and leaned over, placing her purse along with the folder in the passenger seat. When she stood back up, Drake was directly in front of her. He cupped her cheek, his hand warm and encouraging. "When can I see you again?"

Her abdomen ached for more as waves of desire washed over her. Lily craved closer contact, but she tried to think rationally. "I'm, ah, not sure of my schedule."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes – tomorrow. Come to the winery after it closes."

His lips brushed against hers, then gently covered her mouth. Lily welcomed him, his spicy scent sending her senses reeling. She placed her hands on his chest and moaned when his lips left hers, blazing kisses over her jaw, and searing a path of pleasure over her neck. 

"So sweet," he whispered. His hands left a trail of heat from her waist to her breasts. 

"Oh, Drake…" She arched closer to him. His mouth left her neck and he kissed her again, running his tongue over her bottom lip before mingling with hers.

Her head spun in a vortex of excitement. This man knew how to kiss. 

An owl hooted. Startled, Lily broke away from him, but kept her hands firmly on his chest. She searched out Drake's eyes for a hint at what he was feeling. There was no hiding his raw attraction. 

"Don't go tonight," he whispered. 

REVIEWS: 

5 Stars, Loves Reading, Amazon Reviewer:  "The ending with the feast of candles is so romantic you'll want your feast of candles with your sweetheart. Lovely story!"

5 Stars, Karen Michelle Nutt, Amazon Reviewer: "Pour yourself a glass of wine or your drink of choice and treat yourself to a romantic interlude with Ms. Burkhart's Feast of Candles." 

5 Stars, Angela S. Britnall, Amazon Reviewer: "This is a wonderfully romantic story with a hero to die for."

BUY LINKS: 

AMAZON BUY LINK: KINDLE:  http://a.co/0SfbumJ

SMASHWORDS:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452548

BARNES & NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/feast-of-candles-stephanie-burkhart/1119887243?ean=2940046043792

GOODREADS:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15782847-feast-of-candles?ac=1&from_search=true

KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/feast-of-candles

IBOOKS:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/feast-of-candles/id894193058?mt=11

This story is also included: Victory Tales Press

A Christmas Collection 2011 Sensual/Spicy