Tag Archives: historical

April 11, 2016 · 5:00 am

His Wicked Highland Ways by Laura Strickland (Book Review)

 

Widowed following a marriage of convenience, Jeannie MacWherter has fled lowland Dumfries, Scotland, for the highland cottage bequeathed to her late husband by his brother-in-arms, laird of the glen. Though she’s never met the laird, local rumor labels him both murderer and seducer—a wicked, dangerous man who Jeannie learns is determined to chase her from his land.

Finnan MacAllister has come home to Glen Mhor in order to right past wrongs. He doesn’t care that Rowan Cottage is the beautiful Widow MacWherter’s only refuge. He’s convinced she’s a wanton who deliberately broke the heart of his best friend, Geordie, and he’s vowed to get even with her: seduction is his weapon of choice. But will his own heart betray him?

 
GET YOUR KINDLE OR PAPERBACK COPY TODAY!! 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Ladies and gents, be prepared to meet your next book boyfriend. Finnan was described deliciously — tall, tanned, muscular, tattoos, shoulder-length hair, and sporting a nice package. *winks* 
Sounds yummy, right? 

Oh yeah, once Jeannie gets a taste of him, she has to go back for seconds, and thirds, and so forth. 

 
She also proved quite addicting for him. His head and heart might’ve been conflicted due to his vow of revenge but in the end his heart reined victorious. 
 
But theirs wasn’t the only love to shine through in this tale. Nope, there was lots of lovin going on. 🙂
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

GET YOUR KINDLE OR PAPERBACK COPY TODAY!! 

 

 
 
 
Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her “fur” child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romances Devil Black and His Wicked Highland Ways as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she has also published two Steampunk romances, Dead Handsome: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and Off Kilter: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and two Christmas novellas: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship. Her Lobster Cove Historical Romance, The White Gull, is followed by a Lobster Cove novella, Forged By Love.
 
www.laurastricklandbooks.com

10 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , ,

April 5, 2016 · 5:00 am

Devil Black by Laura Strickland (Book Review)

 

Disgraced in her father’s eyes, Isobel Maitland travels to Scotland, determined to purchase her sister’s happiness at the cost of her own. But when her coach is held up and she is abducted by a dangerous highwayman, she faces an unexpected choice: suffer the loveless union to which she has resigned herself, or marry this ruthless, Scottish outlaw who can ignite her desire with a single touch.

They call him “Diabhal Dubh”—Devil Black—and he spends his days terrorizing the countryside, trying to outdistance the memories that torture him. The King has decreed he must settle and take a wife. And when he steals the alluring woman betrothed to his enemy, Dougal MacRae sees a way to both answer the King’s demand and obtain the revenge he has sought so long…

This is a new release of a previously published edition.

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
When I finished reading this historical tale, I sat down to write a list of pros and cons to help me gauge my score. I’d like to share that list with you. 
 
Pros
1.) I liked the fact Laura wrote about several strong heroines. Women can be fighters, in body and mind, and it was thrilling to see their strength and determination shine through. Bravo!!
2.) The fight scene was bloody…. good. 
3.) I liked how Black wasn’t judge, juror and executioner after he won the battle. 
 
Cons
1.) Laura described Dougal, Devil Black, as a very passionate and virile man. You’d think then she would’ve demonstrated his prowess in a bit more detail. We saw the start of this seduction (a kiss) and then nothing. They had sex multiple times but zip, zilch, nada on elaboration. I’m not asking or expecting NC17 material but a higher rating than PG would’ve been nice — especially with his “reputation”. 
2.) I didn’t quite understand why Isobel decided to marry Dougal. All I can say is he must be one helluva kisser. 
 
HEA
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her “fur” child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romances Devil Black and His Wicked Highland Ways as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she has also published two Steampunk romances, Dead Handsome: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and Off Kilter: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and two Christmas novellas: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship. Her Lobster Cove Historical Romance, The White Gull, is followed by a Lobster Cove novella, Forged By Love.
 
www.laurastricklandbooks.com

14 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , ,

March 6, 2016 · 6:00 am

Riches to Rags by Penny Estelle (Book Review)

 
Dylan Jones, seventh grader at Langdon Middle School lives the good life. His family has money. He gets most everything he wants. Even so, everybody likes Dylan ’cause he is a happy go lucky kid. 

Miss Wickware, his seventh grade history teacher, tells the class they will be studying the United States in the late 1800 for the next few weeks. Everybody will be expected to present an oral report on a subject that is drawn from a box. Dylan draws The Orphan Train.

A penniless Dylan finds himself at the train station in New York in 1875 and he is as scared and unsure as the children getting ready to ride the Orphan Train. How will Dylan make it when money is nowhere to be found?

 
 
—-> Review <—-
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
This is a great book for people of all ages.
Why? Because of one important reason. It reminds us to appreciate what we have in life because it can all vanish in a blink of an eye. Dylan learned this lesson up close and personal. An experience he shall never forget. 
 
 GET YOUR KINDLE COPY TODAY!!
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 

Penny Estelle is a best-selling writer for all ages, from the early reader to adults. Her books range from pictures books for the little ones, to fantasy and time-travel adventures for ages 9 to 13. She also, under P. A. Estelle, has written adult stories including a family drama and contemporary, paranormal and historical westerns romances.
Penny was a school secretary for 21 years. She and her husband moved to their retirement home in Kingman, AZ, on very rural 54 acres, living on solar and wind only.

Penny and her books can be found in the following links:

www.pennystales.com

www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY

https://twitter.com/Pennystales

7 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , ,

February 10, 2016 · 6:00 am

Beneath the Stones by Susan Coryell (Book Review)

 

Ashby Overton has everything to look forward to, including a promising writing career and her wedding at summer’s end. But, Overhome, her beloved historic family estate in Southern Virginia, is in financial peril and it is up to Ashby to find a solution.

Interfering with Ashby’s plans is a dark paranormal force that thwarts her every effort to save Overhome. Supernatural attacks emanate from an old stone cottage on the property rumored to be a slave overseer’s abode, prior to the Civil War. As the violence escalates, Ashby begins to fear for her life. Who is this angry spirit and why is his fury focused on Ashby?

Mystery, suspense and romance flourish against a backdrop of Civil War turmoil and ancestral strife–where immortality infiltrates the ancient air breathed by all who inhabit Overhome Estate.

Beneath the Stones is now available at all online bookstores in both print and e-book formats: Amazon paper back or Kindle version – Barnes and Noble Nook version.

 
 
 
 
Small Teaser! 
 

I moved downward, one step at a time, leaning against the wall for support. I was half-way down when it happened—so suddenly that I had no time to react. Frigid air swooshed down on me from behind, freezing my face so that I screwed my eyes tight shut at the same time something strong and determined pushed against my back violently—so violently that I stumbled, then, tumbled forward, to be caught in Luke’s outstretched arms from several stairs below.

“Whoa!” Luke exhaled from the impact of my body on his. “My God, Ashby. What happened?”

I slumped against him, unable to utter a single word, my breathing shallow and rapid. At last I found my voice. “Something pushed me, Luke. I don’t know what—or who—but it was powerful and deliberate.”

Luke glanced up to the top of the stairs. “Nothing there. I’m going back to the loft to look.”

I stopped him. “I doubt you’ll find anything.” I sniffed the air, expecting a new infusion of foul odor. “And what would you do if you did find anything?”

Just then we both heard it. Hollow, chilling, trailing away from us with every syllable: “Go away. He’s dead. He’s dead. He’s dead….”

 

 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

Thank goodness I am only an “observer” to the spookiness surrounding Overhome because if this was actually happening to me…. underpants would’ve been changed more than once. Ominous voices, strange noises, angry spirits……. Nope, I think I will pass on the ghostbusting business, thank you very much. 
 
Through the Twilight Zone occurrences, what I most loved about BTS was the historical aspects of this novel.  I would like to mention the special note from Susan in the opening credits which I think adds value to her story.
 
“The Civil War letters included in Beneath the Stone are based on actual letters written from battle fronts by family ancestors, Joseph Franklin Stover and John William Stover. “
 
That bit of information brought the story MORE TO LIFE (for me) and I think it will for you too. 
 
One final thing, thank you for educating me (us) on the chemistry behind making wine. It was enlightening!! 

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2

 

GET YOUR COPY NOW AT AMAZON Paperback / Kindle

 

 
My Background

A career educator, I have a BA in English and an MAIS in writing, English, and education. I’ve taught English, speech, drama, reading, and English as a Second Language to students from 7th grade through college. I once taught a course to teachers. I married my high school sweetheart and we have 3 children and 6 grand children. I live at Smith Mountain Lake in my home state of Virginia.
I have done all kinds of writing. My free-lance articles have been published inSmith Mountain Laker.Com, Blue Ridge Traditions, Cooperative Living and other local publications. I’ve also been published in The Washington Post and The Roanoke Times, The Smith Mountain Eagle, The Bedford Bulletin, and The Franklin News Post. Here at the lake I’ve written press for four different groups, including The Smith Mountain Arts Council and The Smith Mountain Charity Home Tour. My writing repertoire includes articles for educational and professional magazines and even several recipes for Taste of Home magazines and cookbooks.
 

Teaching

When I taught at Thoreau Intermediate School in Vienna, Virginia, I started a literary magazine, A Cabin in the Woods. At Centreville High, where I later taught, I initiated an Authors Club and launched an annual Writers Conference for student writers.
I’ve toured dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools in Fairfax County, giving author talks and conducting writers’ workshops for students. Here at the lake I have worked with creative writing classes at the Gereau Center in Franklin County and participated in student writing contests sponsored by the Lake Writers.
 

Lets stay connected!! 

5 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , ,

October 6, 2015 · 5:00 am

The True Picture by Alison Habens (Book Review)

‘The True Picture’ is the story of Veronica (Vera – True, Icon – Picture). It starts, around 33 AD, in the city of Tyre where ex-temple dancer and high-class purple dye trader Veronica comes face to face with Jesus one night at the necropolis as he tours Phoenicia with a crowd of followers.

 
Gradually she gives up all her treasures to follow him, too. She loses her towering hair-do and bronze bust of Venus, and leaves a trail of jewellery through Galilee and by the River Jordan, singing and drinking her way to the station on the Via Dolorosa where she wipes her master’s face with a cloth as he carries the cross. Famously, that image never fades: but the story of St. Veronica is refreshed in this funky new telling.
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Man, oh man, I really wasn’t looking forward to writing this review. But, I gave Alison my word I’d be honest with my feelings regarding it. 
 
So with that said…… I’m sorry to say I didn’t enjoy this book. My opinion is NOT based on the fact it taps into religion. 
 
No, I felt Alison went overboard with describing everything in minute detail. I understand trying to set the scene for a reader but there comes a point where an author needs to learn “less is more”. 
 
With so much detail and information thrown at us, it reminded me of a textbook or an encyclopedia. Not highly entertaining but filled with vast amount of knowledge. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:❤
 
Amazon Purchase Link
 
 
 

Alison Habens is the author of Dreamhouse, Lifestory , Family Outing, and new novel The True Picture. She is course leader for Creative Writing at the University of Portsmouth and has a PhD on the subject of ‘divine inspiration’! (She lives in an old church on the Isle of Wight and commutes to work by hovercraft.)

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , ,