Review: The Sacrifice by Diane Matcheck

From Goodreads:

An Apsaalooka (Crow) Indian girl has lived her life as a despised loner, overshadowed by her dead twin brother, who, it was prophesied at their birth, would become a "Great One" among his people. One night, she sets off on a forbidden journey to prove to her village, and her brother's spirit, that "she" is the one destined to become the true Great One. Her trek over the plains and into the mysterious region of modern-day Yellowstone National Park is a disaster, culminating in her eventual capture by a tribe of Pawnee. Strangely, these foreigners treat her with an unfamiliar respect, and the girl starts to let down her guard. But when it is suddenly revealed that she has been kept alive in order to be killed in a ritual harvest-season sacrifice, the girl is thrown back into her desperate battle for survival.


My Thoughts:
I am so glad I found this book again after all these years. I found it during my high school days in the school library and was deeply affected by it. Over the years I remembered the story, but not the title/author. So, after years of searching, I was ecstatic about sinking my teeth into it once more.
The Sacrifice follows an Apsaalooka (Crow) girl who has grown up on the fringes of her community, treated poorly because she was considered "bad in the head." When her father dies, and she is denied the opportunity to seek vengeance for his death, she sets out to follow the warriors, but loses track of them and her way. Her will to prove herself drives her to push forward rather than go back and face humiliation. She finds her way to modern day Yellowstone National Park, survives a bear attack, and is abducted by a band of Pawnee men. In the Pawnee camp, she is surprised to find happiness through Wolfstar, the boy who slowly softens her stone heart.
This story was as beautiful, heart wrenching, and as moving as I remembered. This coming of age tale about a "Crow" girl mesmerized me from start to the final page. Without spoilers, that ending still gets me and leaves me with a massive book hangover. In fact, it left me craving more.
I absolutely loved it.

Review: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esqivel

From Goodreads:
Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico became a best-selling phenomenon with its winning blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit.

The number one bestseller in Mexico and America for almost two years, and subsequently a bestseller around the world, Like Water For Chocolate is a romantic, poignant tale, touched with moments of magic, graphic earthiness, bittersweet wit - and recipes. 

A sumptuous feast of a novel, it relates the bizarre history of the all-female De La Garza family. Tita, the youngest daughter of the house, has been forbidden to marry, condemned by Mexican tradition to look after her mother until she dies. But Tita falls in love with Pedro, and he is seduced by the magical food she cooks. In desperation, Pedro marries her sister Rosaura so that he can stay close to her, so that Tita and Pedro are forced to circle each other in unconsummated passion. Only a freakish chain of tragedies, bad luck and fate finally reunite them against all the odds.

My Thoughts:
I had mixed feelings about this book. I liked how the recipes were entwined into the story to enrich the plot, and the hint of magic was enchanting. But the whole story made my heart ache. I struggle with books that make my heart ache, especially this kind where family hurt each other over and over due to selfishness.
But I can understand why it is a classic. It is beautifully written and tragic.
I read this on Audible.

Sparrow Squadron by D.L. Jung

 

                                                        Sparrow Squadron

by D.L. Jung
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Action-Adventure
Release Date: February 2018

Summary:
"There was a time when flying didn't mean looking over my shoulder for death coming at me."

World War II. June 1941. Hitler's war machine turns to the Soviet Union.

Escaping her hometown ahead of the Nazis, 16-year-old Aelya Makarova seizes a chance to live her dream. Obsessed with flying, she joins a women's fighter squadron to defend her homeland against the invaders. She'll go faster and higher than she's ever gone before.

But the harsh reality of Air Force life shatters her expectations and forces her to grow up fast. The squadron is split by petty rivalries, male pilots treat them like a joke, and the ideal country she thought she was fighting for doesn't really exist.

Finally given a chance to prove herself in battle, Aelya is pushed to breaking point. With all her talent, the help of her comrades, and a lot of luck, she might just make it through. But will there be anything left of her humanity?

With fast-paced action and a heart-rending mix of humour and tragedy, Sparrow Squadron is an adventure novel for young adults that brings an overlooked episode of history to life.

Add to Goodreads   Buy on Amazon

Sparrow Squadron Blog Tour: Prepared Interview Questions

Introduce yourself.

My name is D.L. Jung. That doesn't match the name on my birth certificate, but then again, neither does the name on my desk at work. I work in IT, am married and have two intermittently tolerable kids. That sucks up most of my time. Pretty much every free second outside of that is devoted to goofing off, I mean, writing.

I live in Canada, but I'm lucky enough to spend part of my time in New Zealand.

What inspired you to write this story?

A long time ago, I happened upon the documentary "Wasps and Witches" on TV.

It tells the parallel story of the American Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP’s) of World War II and the female combat pilots fighting for the Soviet Union at the same time. I was particularly fascinated by the Soviet women, and read as much on them as I could. Until then, I had no idea that women had fought in combat during WWII, let alone flew fighters and bombers.

There's now been quite a bit of fiction and non-fiction written about the night bomber pilots, the "Night Witches," but very little about the fighter pilots. I thought that was a shame, so I decided to step into that gap. And so, many years later, Sparrow Squadron came into being.

Did you write Sparrow Squadron what is currently happening in society in mind?

I think all fiction reflects the world around the writer. While the idea for the novel came much earlier, the bulk of it was written a year and a half ago. Probably the biggest external influence was the lead up to the 2016 US election. Because a female US president was a likely possibility, there was this strange mix of uplifting inspiration and rampant misogyny. Neither of these things is new. As each generation faces its own struggles to make progress, it's good to be exposed to what previous generations faced and achieved. All of that was definitely playing in my mind when I wrote the novel.

How much of Sparrow Squadron is fiction?

Aelya’s story itself is fiction and all of the people, with one notable exception, are all inventions of mine. However, I wrote this with the intent that all the events in the novel could reasonably have happened. Obviously, the major historical events all happened and many incidents are drawn from real-life accounts. The backgrounds of many of the characters are also based on real-life people.

What was your favourite discovery in doing your research?

As a result of Lend-Lease, in which the United States sent supplies to the Soviet Union to support their war effort, Soviet military personnel got inundated with a Spam-like canned meat. They took to calling it "Second Front." This was in part a dig at the repeated promises and delays the West made to open up a second front against Germany while the Soviets continued battling every day.

Describe your writing routine.

Everything in my schedule is based around the fact that I have a full-time job and kids. I usually schedule as much as I can around breaks at work and at night, after the kids’ bedtimes. I try to go several weeks without a lot of sleep, then crash for a week, then get back to it. That may sound crazy, but I find I’m actually way more productive when I have limited time to write. I try to remember that any moment of writing could be my last!

What can we expect in the sequel?

Aelya's going to be pushed into more of a leadership role, whether she feels ready or not. We're also going to see Aelya's first visit to the home front since she joined up. The relationships between the surviving pilots are going to get a lot more intense as they're thrown into the Battle of Kursk, which will push them further beyond the limits of anything they experienced at Stalingrad.

What are your future writing plans?

First and foremost, I need to finish the trilogy that starts with Sparrow Squadron. Then I have some epic fantasy that's just burning to get out of my head and onto the page. A significant part of it is inspired by a North Korean-style authoritarian personality cult.

What would Aelya like the most about our present day world and what would freak her out?

The extent of air travel available today would thrill Aelya, though she'd be a bit disappointed that we haven't gone to other planets yet. She'd be first in line for that job! As a child of Soviet society, I think she'd be overwhelmed by all of our entertainment choices and distractions. She'd probably want to escape into a cockpit at the earliest opportunity.

Who was your favourite character to write?

Obviously Aelya, being the protagonist, feels very much like my own child. But I loved letting loose on the "bad girl" Tonya. She doesn't really have a heart of gold, but there's a certain reasonable logic behind everything that she does and it was fun getting into that mindset.

What were some books that influenced your writing for this novel?

For Sparrow Squadron, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins was probably top of mind. I admired the tense, action-oriented writing. The Agency Series by Y.S. Lee, with its underdog, teenage heroine in a historical setting, also had a polished mix of humour and danger that I tried to emulate. Another huge influence was the Battle of Britain novel Piece of Cake by Derek Robinson. Its realistic depiction of the confusion of combat and the camraderie of the pilots makes it really stand out among war fiction.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

I like to reserve Fridays evenings, after the kids go to bed, as do-nothing times. It's a holdover from my college days. I'm so disciplined (by necessity) most of the week, I think I'd go crazy without that one off day. I usually spend it in a combination of watching TV or playing video games. Not very exciting, but I put all my spare energy into my writing.

What might readers be surprised to know about you?

Mainly because I forgot to mention this in any of my bios, they might be surprised that I once tried to run a sports analytics business. It didn't take, but I got to watch a playoff hockey game from the owner's box out of it!

About the Author
DL Jung has been an enthusiastic student of history since grade school, when he spent lazy afternoons flipping through an old Encyclopedia Britannica set. He enjoys blogging about history and writing historical fiction. He also writes fantasy and horror fiction as Darius Jung.

Jung is married, with two children, and lives in Toronto, Canada. They are lucky enough to spend part of the time in New Zealand. Outside of writing, he has tried stints as an industrial engineer, a film and TV script supervisor, an IT consultant, a professional game show contestant, and a grossly under-qualified business wear model. Sparrow Squadron is his debut novel.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Instagram│Amazon Page

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Guest Post: The Heroines Journey by G. Miki Hayden

Blurb:

Two girls separated by centuries, one living in the Middle Ages and one in the here and now, find common ground in their heroines’ journeys: the need to forge their own lives and identities and the hope of meeting that one, true love.

Amazon

Heroines Rule in The Heroine’s Journey

We’ve heard about the Hero’s Journey for most of our lives. That’s the model of what all fiction is supposed to be. But now, we girls and women are coming into our own—the time is up, and today is ours. Our struggles have become noticeable in society and the gender so totally submerged throughout human history is on the rise—and owning our equality with the male.

Yet the truth is that life isn’t all about gender; it’s about finding our authentic selves and being able to live from that with courage and intelligence.

Mostly, though, my novel, The Heroine’s Journey, is meant to be fun. Two girls help each other across the centuries and are clever enough and determined enough to succeed at what they need to do.

Today, this very day, youth is coming into its own and taking hold of the ideals that have been held up in our society while not being entirely enacted. So, hero or heroine, this is our time. Humanity and love will certainly conquer.

Here's an excerpt for a little taste!

"Cinderella," griped Gwen to her best friend Kresta, while the two sat in the noisy cafeteria eating a "Healthful Wednesday" lunch of chow mein. "What was Cinderella's claim to fame? The size of her foot? Give me a break here. So she got the guy. That's it?""You're right," agreed Kresta, tapping a bit more soy sauce from a miniature paper cup onto her food. "She didn't do anything clever or smart. She was just a ‘good' girl. Any luck she stumbled over was by way of the fairy godmother's generosity. Very handy.""Yeah," continued Gwen. "And those females in Shakespeare who dressed like men. What's up with that? They had to hide their gender to achieve anything? That can't be what the Heroine's Journey is all about."The girls stared at one another. Gwen pondered.As two of the members of the boy's basketball team passed the girls' end of the table, Gwen's attention wavered, and Kresta shifted in her chair: Lance Reilly and Jerod Afifa. Gwen's heart rate increased, and her mouth drained of moisture. Although getting the guy wasn't her idea of an ultimate objective, the concept did have a certain pulse-accelerating appeal.Deep in a conversation that demanded hearty peals of male laughter, neither athlete gave the girls a glance.

G. Miki Hayden has published a steady flow of short stories in anthologies, national magazines, and small press publications. She has had a number of novels in print, including Question Woman & Howling Sky, a new adult fantasy set after a series of cataclysmic ecological disasters; Strings, a middle grade fantasy based very loosely on string theory; and The Heroine’s Journey, a young adult mind-meld fantasy spanning many centuries. Miki teaches writing online at Writer’s Digest University, has been on The New York Times summer reading list, and won a short story Edgar.

Review: Rebekah by Orson Scott Card

From Goodreads:
Born into a time and place where a woman speaks her mind at her peril, and reared as a motherless child by a doting father, Rebekah grew up to be a stunning, headstrong beauty. She was chosen by God for a special destiny.

Rebekah leaves her father's house to marry Isaac, the studious young son of the Patriarch Abraham, only to find herself caught up in a series of painful rivalries, first between her husband and his brother Ishmael, and later between her sons Jacob and Esau. Her struggles to find her place in the family of Abraham are a true test of her faith, but through it all she finds her own relationship with God and does her best to serve His cause in the lives of those she loves. 

In Rebekah, Orson Scott Card has created an astonishing personality, complex and intriguing, and her story will engage your heart as it captures your imagination.



My Thoughts:
I read Sarah earlier this year, and I read Rachel & Leah several years ago (not long after it released) but Rebekah is hands down my favorite of the three books.
I struggle to like Rachel & Leah, mostly because the whole premise, even the biblical version, hurts my heart and I really dislike Jacob for the way he treated the women. Sarah hit some tender places in my with her fertility struggles, and self-sacrifices, and I always empathized with her. But Rebekah. Rebekah I really felt like I knew because I saw myself in her. Her fire, her fight, even her relationship with God reminded me of myself. Isaac was wonderful too, even if he couldn't see past his own self-loathing at times. Rebekah's love for him made up for that.
I also really enjoyed seeing so much of her younger years, as the foundation of her adult life was put in place. The strong, devoted young girl was incredible.
It makes me wish there was more in the bible about Rebekah and Isaac.
LOVED!!!

Review: The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

From Goodreads:

In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher--whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.

Yet Elizabeth's new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John's boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher's enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she's more determined than ever to save the child--and man--she's come to love.






My Thoughts:
I didn't expect this to be perfectly timed for Thanksgiving, but I'm glad it was! Learning about the puritans before they became pilgrims couldn't have been more perfect for the season.
Elizabeth's story begins when a mother dies soon after delivering her baby. Elizabeth, headstrong and bright, puts her talents and loving heart to the task of keeping the infant alive. Her faith gets her through, which is something I greatly admired, especially in the darkest times she faced. She's outspoken, but she's a quiet and powerful force, a person whose influence isn't really noticed, but needed and present.  I think that's what I enjoyed about her love with John; it's so honest and built on him noticing her character and her quiet strength.
Clean read, and well worth the time, this book charmed me and transported me to a time of struggle and reform well worth understanding.

Review: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

From Goodreads:
Eleven-year-old orphan Anne Shirley has just arrived at Green Gables, and already her guardians want to send her back. First, she’s not the boy the Cuthberts expected. Second, she talks too much. And even with her generous spirit, the redhead’s a trouble magnet. She gets the neighbor drunk and nearly poisons the pastor!

Still, despite a rocky start, the fiery Anne wins over her guardians and her new community. She enjoys life at Green Gables, excels in school, and earns a coveted scholarship. But when tragedy hits, Anne must choose between her dreams and the only home she’s ever known.

In this beloved coming-of-age story, Lucy Maud Montgomery drew from her own experiences growing up in Canada during the nineteenth century to introduce generations of readers to one of literature’s most original and inspiring characters. 




My Thoughts:
I know this book is in no need for reviews, but I have made a goal to read more classics, especially North American literature since I wasn't exposed to them much growing up, and I also leave reviews for all that I read. So, here we go!
This was an interesting one for me. I loved it, but then, I didn't. It was engaging, yet, it didn't keep me flipping the pages. I felt like the end finally became interesting, and there were parts that were also engaging, but the writing didn't pull me in like I wanted. I'll put it down to the older "style" of writing employed that I'm not used to reading anymore. Aside from that, it's a cute story. Each chapter seems to have mini stories that show Anne aging, learning, and growing,which all ends up with an ending tht I wanted to cry about, but, couldn't for the above reasons.
I will now continue my reading of classic books, and include the rest of the seven Anne books.

Review: Souls Endure by Anne B. Cole

From Goodreads:
‘Without faith, love may not exist. Without love, evil takes control.’

Protected against the ring’s curse by their bond in marriage, Sam and Gretta begin a new life together. Gifted with a free honeymoon from strangers, they encounter visits from spirits of dead loved ones as they travel to the origins of the curse on Gretta’s ring. The beautiful Greek Islands become not only their honeymoon getaway, but their fated destiny where they will be forced to either break the curse or succumb to its evil.

With help from ancestral spirits Roxana and Katarina, Sam and Gretta time travel to the nineteenth century in search of answers to the mysteries behind the ring’s final curse. Faced with challenges of faith, trust, and forgiveness, Sam and Gretta prepare to make the ultimate sacrifice.



My Thoughts:
I have LOVED this series, having read one after the other as the released, and watched as Cole went from querying to this final book. Sam and Gretta were fabulous from the beginning, their love raw and strong, and their family bonds tangible.
Book 1 is still my favorite though. Each book had a different feel about it, this one hving a fantasy, mythological feel about it. But this wasn't my favorite of the 3 books. Were the other books kept me flipping through the pages, this one had me getting disinterested in places. I think with the gods bickering like children it became disjointed emotionally for me. Where the first two books were focused on getting to know Sam and Gretta and their family backgrounds, this book didn't really have that.
But, that said, the writing was as strong as ever, and I enjoyed the conclusion. I'd recommend this series to anyone who likes history or mythology.

Son of a Pitch Finalist: Let the Canyons Weep

Title: Let the Canyons Weep
Category and Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100,000

Query:
In the 1880s Arizona Territory, Irish immigrant Adam Donovan has inherited the gift of empathy from his Celtic forebears. From an early age, Adam has been the one his large family turns to in times of emotional crisis. His deep understanding of their needs and his ability to dissect and resolve their problems have made him their hero―their rock.

His belief in the power of his gift is unchallenged until he falls in love with Jesse Travers. Deeply traumatized by abuse, Jesse needs more than the empathy that Adam has always relied upon; he solicits the help of his parents and siblings to show Jesse that real love doesn't hurt, and real family means security. But even as she begins to trust them, and to accept Adam's love for her, Jesse is stricken with recurrent nightmares and hallucinations about her abuser.

Adam's failure to overcome Jesse's fears pulls him into a quagmire of self-recrimination. His faith in his gift is destroyed, yet he must find a way to help her before he loses her to madness.

First 250 Words:
The trail split the canyon walls, walls that loomed tall and close and only gradually fell away, clearing the gloom from midday. The rider lifted his hat and drew a sleeve across his brow.
It was much too hot for April, and much too quiet. No breeze stirred the aspen leaves. No birds trilled, no squirrels scampered. Even the brook ran silently. His horse's hooves, muffled by dust, sent up gray ghosts that hung in the air for an instant, then drifted back to earth. If he didn't know better, he'd have assumed this ranch was abandoned.
The walls continued to recede until they were close to a mile apart, and the ribbon of trail wound between meadows of grass newly sprouted and already sere. Willows now hid the brook from view, and the aspens and sycamores grew thickly. But where were the cattle, the horses? Corrals or pens? It was the most desolate place he'd ever seen.
Round the edge of a cottonwood grove, a ramshackle cabin stood. And there in the shadow of its sagging porch, the rider glimpsed the barrel of a rifle pointed straight at his chest. Pulling the appaloosa up, he lifted his hands to show they were empty of anything but the reins.
A girl stepped out, an old Whitworth rifle gripped tightly in her hands. He said nothing, made no move toward the dark gun that hung low on his left hip.
“Donovan.” It was more accusation than query.

Review: Secrets of the King's Daughter by Renae Weight Mackley

From Goodreads:
It was a relationship designed to unite not two young people in love, but two powerful kingdoms. And for Princess Karlinah, eldest daughter of King Lamoni, her marriage to the haughty heir to the throne of Jersusalem has led to a life of fear and abuse. There seems to be no escape—until her husband is murdered and Karlinah is unexpectedly free to return to her father’s kingdom. She can begin again—but no one can ever know of the part she played in the prince’s demise . . . 
Karlinah’s relief is short-lived, for upon her return to the land of Ishmael, she is once again swept into her father’s plans for a politically powerful marriage. Then the arrival of a young missionary in her father’s court changes everything: her family is converted to a new religion, and Karlinah is free to choose her path. Yet she is not so easily convinced by the words of Ammon—especially when repentance means confessing her crime. 
But as her faith grows and a young stone artisan captures her heart, Karlinah realizes that she must face the consequences of her past in order to move forward with her future.


My Thoughts:
This book starts out showing Karlinah traded off as a political marriage, but it's a far from happy one. Her husband is dead, and we can tell she has something to do with it, but we don't know what, just that she's relieved to be free of him.
Upon returning home to her family, her father is about to marry her off again so her sister can have a love-match marriage. To me, her sister was a real selfish brat throughout the book and I didn't like her at all. At this point we also meet the villain, who is truly villainous throughout.
When Ammon arrives, everything changes for not only her father the king, but her and the entire kingdom. There are good things; she is released from being forced to marry someone she despises (said villain) and there are things she struggles with, like her actions that resulted in her abusive husband's death.
Many of the side characters are so obnoxious it hurt my brain. They had this narrow mindedness typical of Utah Mormons rather than converts from vastly different cultures. No one saw Karlinah struggling, not even her parents, who were supposed to know her so well. They just judged her for not converting with everyone else.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the story. Her hesitance and fear was understandable, and I empathized with her. I do wish there was more to the romance because I did like her love interest and I wish I could have seen more of him.
It helps that the story of Ammon is one of my favorite BOM tales. I've loved it since I was a kid watching the Living Scriptures cartoons! Seeing another fictional perspective on the events made me happy.

This is a clean read, easy reading, with a steady pace.

Review: Sarah by Orson Scott Card

From Goodreads:
Sarai was a child of ten years, wise for her age but not yet a woman, when she first met Abram. He appeared before her in her father's house, filthy from the desert, tired and thirsty. But as the dirt of travel was washed from his body, the sight of him filled her heart. And when Abram promises Sarai to return in ten years to take her for his wife, her fate was sealed.

Abram kept his promise, and Sarai kept hers they were wed, and so joined the royal house of Ur with the high priesthood of the Hebrews. So began a lifetime of great joy together, and greater peril: and with the blessing of their God, a great nation would be built around the core of their love.

Bestselling author Orson Scott Card uses his fertile imagination, and uncanny insight into human nature, to tell the story of a unique woman--one who is beautiful, tough, smart, and resourceful in an era when women had little power, and are scarce in the historical record. Sarah, child of the desert, wife of Abraham, takes on vivid reality as a woman desirable to kings, a devoted wife, and a faithful follower of the God of Abraham, chosen to experience an incomparable miracle.

My Thoughts;
I have had this book and the following books in the trilogy sitting on my shelf for several years now, but, with my summer reading challenge, I'm determined to get them read once and for all! So, here is my review!

Sarah was a powerful and enlightening tale for me. My whole life I've been familiar with these biblical tales, and told them in so many varying ways, some with resentment for Sarah, some with indifference, some even painfully judgmental. But OSC does an amazing job bringing the true anguish of a woman who loves a prophet and can't give him children. Sarah is loyal and devoted to the end, even when she is faced with danger, lies, and scorn. Her sister calls her a slave to her husband, but she doesn't see how Sarah's devotion makes the world brighter, and is far from in bondage, but has freedom because Abram trusts her so completely.
I wondered how the issue of Hagar and Ishmael would be handled, and in my opinion, OSC did a beautiful job. He took into account the culture, Sarah's struggle, and even her overwhelming love for Abram and Hagar. Even after Hagar turned on her, Sarah showed nothing but grace and dignity.
Thanks to this book, I'm going to revisit those passages of scripture, and I'll definitely continue the series. My love and respect for Sarah has grown, and I'm eager to learn now of her daughter-in-law Rebekah.

Son of a Pitch Entry: The Iceni and the Roman

****Only editors/agents and the writer of the entry can comment on this post.

Title: The Iceni and the Roman

Genre: NA Historical Romance

Word Count: 95,000

Query;

Romans slaughtered Devona’s parents in the final battle of Queen Boudicca’s rebellion that nearly wiped out her Britannic tribe, the Iceni. Devona’s hatred and fear of the Romans grows as they hunt and destroy what little her tribe has left. But despite the fear surrounding her, she is driven to keep her last promise to her mother; to raise her four year-old-brother.

Right before his father’s death, Felix joined the Roman legions to escape the patriarchal dominion of his older brother. But since Felix’s family is wealthy citizens, his brother has sway among the military’s leadership. Felix finds himself assigned to the fringe of the empire, Britannia, keeping him away from any claims to land inheritance. Not that Felix is complaining. The post has ridden him of an unwanted arranged marriage and his brother’s tight grasp. Once he arrives, a young native woman intrigues him as she stands beside a funeral pyre. A girl who hates Romans for what they did to her clan almost six years earlier.
When Devona is abducted by Roman soldiers, Felix saves her and, despite how much she cannot trust him, they make an arrangement; to keep her safe, he will claim her and her brother as his property in exchange for warm clothes and homemade meals.
As Devona sees beyond her prejudice, she and Felix fall in love. But their love is challenged by a rival suitor for Devona who wants to use her to start his own rebellion, overcoming laws that will not acknowledge Devona as Felix’s wife, and most of all, keeping their relationship from Felix’s brother who would force them apart. But they will fight to be together, because they refuse to believe their love will break in a time where love has almost no value.

250 Words:

Devona
The carnage left a metallic stench in the air as blood covered everything. And yet, the Roman soldiers still advanced, crushing men, women, and children alike between their wall of shields and the unbroken row of carts and horses.
Grabbing my frightened younger brother, I dragged his tiny limp body backward, out of the way of the onslaught. In the distance, Queen Boudicca’s cries echoed over the wails of our dying people, the great and noble Iceni.
With my heart pounding in my ears, I cleared the carts. Swung around to find my parents, Mother appeared in the commotion, her bronze hair streaked with dark liquid. Our eyes met across the barrier of carts and horses and she nodded. She wanted me to flee, and to keep my younger brother safe. There was no doubt in my mind she knew she would die along with most of our people. After our glorious revolt, the Iceni faced near extinction.
With a tug of his hand, I pulled my brother from the battlefield. Reaching the edge of the field, I coaxed him up a tree, following right behind him. Climbing as high as we could, we hid among the leaves and branches. I covered his ears to block out as much of the horrors as possible. I did not have such a luxury, I witnessed all of it.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as the final stages of battle passed, each one drawing out fewer final cries of death. Finally, the field fell quiet. Tucking my brother and I firmly in the branches of the tree to keep from being found, I watched as the Romans, each covered in crimson, streaks soiling the polish on their armor and shields, effortlessly parted the remaining carts and pushed through.
“You killed them all!” The woman’s cry echoed from among the dead.

Son of a Pitch Entry: A Tulip in Winter

****Only editors/agents and the writer of the entry can comment on this post.

Title: A Tulip In Winter

Category and Genre: Adult and Historical Fiction

Word Count: 90,000


Query:
After a storm at sea, a Dutch girl awakes alone on a ship as it sails into Japan. Taken captive by a samurai clan and their ruthless warlord, she comes of age and struggles to adapt in an alien culture. The warlord forces her to take the name Miyako. But that’s not the only change he has planned. Miyako is dressed in a beautiful kimono and led to the warlord’s chambers where he will force her to become his concubine. Afraid and alone, Miyako realizes she must develop cunning, embrace the samurai way and work hard to gain the warlord’s trust until the moment comes to grab her chance for freedom. As the warlord begins to favor Miyako, other women scheme to stop her star from rising. The warlord finds himself growing possessive. Unbeknownst to Miyako, her fate depends on the warlord’s regime, which is teetering on the edge of collapse. The shogun, the real ruler of Japan is pulling the strings and has given the warlord instructions regarding Miyako. The warlord will never turn Miyako over to the shogun and is surprised at just how far he is willing to go to keep her within the castle walls, even if it means risking his lands.

As tensions rise between the shogun and the warlord, a bold adventurer arrives on a Russian ship offering Miyako a chance to be more than just a concubine. They grow closer and suspicions are aroused. The warlord begins to turn his eyes to them. Trapped in a land where dishonor is a breath away, Miyako tries to conceal her love for the Russian. But the warlord suspects an unfavorable liaison and takes the Russian ship hostage as part of his savage revenge against the lovers. Miyako knows it is forbidden for a concubine to look at another man but she is willing to risk the freedom she needs and the love she craves even if it means defying the shogun, the warlord and death.

First 250 Words

Ezo, Crow Castle, 1793

It’s not that I could forget about the killing.
I was the closest to him as his greatest concubine.
If they caught me, they would hang me, I couldn’t let that happen.
If I stopped for a second, I’d remember.
The ripe dirt shoved deep under broken nails.
Bruised knees perched at the edges of an open grave.
The sound of the blade seared, the weapon tore flesh, shattered bone. He was still staring into my eyes when he dropped and slumped on his side.
I shrieked into my hand, the dagger buried within his chest. 
And all that blood, shimmering crimson under the shadow of the moon.
I had to pull the blade out.
“Go away. Don’t,” he murmured, red gurgling down his lips.
He looked so deeply into my eyes that a flash of that old feeling stirred.
I trembled, hard. His hand drew the steel from his own mortified flesh.
He was my jailor.
He was the first man to lay hands on me and show me that I was beautiful.
“Oh, my God.” I wept, clutching my stomach next to his lifeless body.
Panic drove my every step. There was only one place to bring him until I could return. The agony of dragging him raced through me.
I wondered if I could.
I turned and saw fresh streaks leading out from his body. I dropped to my knees and tore and tore but the blood wouldn’t go.

Blog Tour: Capturing the Captain by @authorckbrooke

Capturing the Captain (America Pirate Romance #1)
by C.K. Brooke
Genre: Adult Historical Adventure Romance
Release Date: April 26th 2016
Limitless Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:

In 1720, it’s a pirate’s life for Abigail Clear, daughter of a notorious colonial pirate captain… 

But when a rival crew invades Abigail’s ship, she is taken prisoner. Now aboard the enemy vessel, she must contend with its formidable captain. But who is the real captive? 


Locked away in the belly of The Indomitable is no place for a woman… 

Captain James Morrow is more than displeased to discover his sole captive to be none other than an untamable young lass who will earn him no bounty. Yet if he can soften the little rogue, she just might switch her loyalties to him, and reveal the whereabouts of the infamous thief who sired her—and his stolen treasure. But two can play that game, as Abi is equally inclined to charm the dogged sailor off her father’s tail. 

Might she and Captain Morrow run the risk of falling for their own charades? 

They dance about their disguises as genuine developing emotions clash against deeper motives, and suspicion runs high. When the captain finally steals a first kiss, Abi decides it’s high time to make her escape—fleeing not only his vessel, but her fondness for the man who intends to see her father hang. 

The high seas heat up as Captain Morrow’s quest to recapture Abi is halted by her pirate father, Captain Clear. Will James succeed in pursuit of his captive love, or will his desires conspire to make him a captive himself?

*Advisory: Contains some sensual/sexual content

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Buy Links
Amazon B&N BAM Limitless Publishing

Excerpt:

“Well, don’t just stand there, gaping like a codfish,” snapped the captain, the corner of his mouth twitching. “I want my decks shining by noon.”

If Abi had been gaping before, now her jaw truly dropped. “You want me to wash your decks?”

Morrow stepped in. Nearby, more sailors looked up from their labor to watch. “Scrub it spotless,” he growled.

Abi rested her hands on her hips. “I’m no one’s swabber. I did no such task on my father’s ship, and I sure as hell ain’t doing it on yours.” She shook her head. “Clean an enemy vessel,” she scoffed, turning back.

A large, cool hand gripped her arm, just above her elbow. Abi had to stop. “Excuse me.” The captain reeled her in, speaking under his breath. “But do ye notice anyone absent here? None of my crew is above maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness I expect. Least of all, you. Pirate.”

Abi knew he must have meant it as an insult, the way he spat the last word. And yet, her pride couldn’t help but inflate. “You’re right.” She looked him square in the eye. “I am a pirate. Which means I’m not part of your crew.” She whipped her arm out of his hold. “And I don’t have to answer to you.”

About the Author

C.K. Brooke is a 2015 Shelf Unbound Notable Indie author with a five-star rating by Readers' Favorite. She holds numerous fantasy and romance publications with 48fourteen, Limitless Publishing, and Elphame Press. Her lifelong passion is books - reading, writing, editing, publishing and blogging about them. When not blissing out in literary land, she enjoys info-tainment podcasts, singing, songwriting and playing the piano. She lives in Washington, Michigan with her husband and young son. There's tons to check out at the new CKBrooke.com, so come and see what she's up to! Check out her V.I.P. Readers Club (Subscribers get a free eBook!)

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Amazon Page

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YA Bound Book Tours

Review: The Woman on the Painted Horse by Angela Christina Archer

From Goodreads:
Alexandra Monroe is a slave smuggler, smuggling slaves north to Tennessee where they can live as free people. Her crime is sedition and her punishment, if caught, is death. The daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Montgomery, Alexandra lives a life not by her own accord, but a life she willingly accepts for her secret quest to save the lives of slaves. Her ultimate sacrifice is to marry the town's most eligible bachelor, Thomas Ludlow.

One afternoon, Alexandra comes face to face with handsome William Graysden. He captivates her, and her thoughts confuse her. Born a Creek Indian, not only is William forbidden because of his race, but also because Alexandra is a closely betrothed young woman. William and Alexandra fascinate one another, finding in each other a bond they don't wish to ignore. After a series of events; however, William is forced to face the choice to continue the dangerous pursuit of Alexandra's affections or forget about her.

As a sweet, level one heat level, romance novel, THE WOMAN ON THE PAINTED HORSE weaves through the social disparity in Deep South 1861. A time where blackmail, money, and greed could be more powerful than love. 

My Thoughts:
I have a real weak spot for historical fiction, but I haven't read much of it lately, so picking this one up and reading it was my choice completely. It's been on my kindle for quite a while, like many of the books I will be reading over this writing break I'm taking. I'm glad to get back to my favorite genre, and this book was a great way to return.
Set in the building civil war, Alexandra doesn't sympathize with her Alabama wealthy family roots. Instead, she loves the slave woman who raised her more than her own mother, and secretly smuggles slaves out of the state. While to the outside world, she's the well-bred daughter of a highly respected family, and her hand is being sought after by an even wealthier young man.
But Alexandra knows she can't live in a loveless marriage, despite how much her parents push the young man on her, turning a blind eyes to his less than savory characteristics. Instead, she falls in love with a Native American man, William, who is everything her intended lacks, but also everything she's not allowed to have.
Since I have my own Native American man who I love and married, I naturally felt connected with Alexandra's love and attraction to William. It saddened me to watch them struggle against not only her world, but his as well to be together. They were a couple who matched up brilliantly, although, their love didn't build up how I would have liked, rather they kind of jumped from avoiding one another to kissing in the blink of an eye. I wish there had been a little more sneaking around and love letters to really build up the connection.
But the story does do a wonderful job of expressing the horrors of slavery and prejudice in the Southern United States at that time. It's a time I'm truly glad I don't live in, and Alexandra did well to overcome the struggles she faced and continued to stand by her beliefs and not break and conform, which ultimately saved many lives. It's also a great story where the bad guy gets his in the end!

A New Book Deal with REUTS

That's right! I signed again with REUTS who published the Cadence Duology. I was so happy working with them, that I'm doing it again.

REUTS Press Release

Here is a rough description:

Adele grew up running wild around her family's property, but with the arrival of a finishing mistress from England, her wild days are over. Being the only daughter with five brothers, Adele learned to work hard, and being "finished" seems pointless in the convict colony of Sydney.

But Adele has a secret; she's in love with the handsome and mysterious drover. The problem is, he's not considered an option, especially against her older brother's stable farmer friend, Thomas, who wishes to pursue her. With the drover coming and going with the seasons, Adele struggles to maintain their romance, but when her oldest brother discovers them, he runs out the drover permanently.

Furious at her brother, Adele keeps Thomas at arms length, despite her feelings softening toward him. But there are secrets to be uncovered; who is the father of the mix raced aboriginal girl they keep hidden? And now, the father of the convict woman's unborn baby? When a note arrives hinting Thomas has fathered the children, Adele is torn and confused, and things only get worse when the drover returns to take her for himself.

It's a New Adult Historical Romance. I don't have a name for it, I'm currently calling it New South Wales, but hopefully it will be changed here soon. This should be another light, fun read here for you all soon! I'm excited!