Review of Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties by Camille Pagan

Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties by Camille Pagán
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Camille Pagan’s Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties! It was so relatable and I adored the main character. She is quirky and awkward, and some of her embarrassing scenes made me laugh and cringe. Pagan writes about women who endure and then overcome painful situations. Her books are solid for giving strength to women going through similar ordeals. Well done!


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***GIVEAWAY*** and Review of The Line of His People by C.J. Adrien

The Line of His People by C.J. Adrien
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Abriel is just a boy when he sees his village, including the monastery, slaughtered, pillaged, and burned. He is raised at a neighboring monastery but due to politics that have arisen there, he must return to his village to find old relics and restore the reputation of the monk who saved him. This novel will speak to fans of The Once and Future King as it reminded me of that book with a touch of Game of Thrones tossed in for good measure.

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The Line of His People by C.J. Adrien

Publication Date: September 1, 2013

Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, AudioBook

Series: Kindred of the Sea, Book #1

Genre: Fiction/Historical/Vikings

France, 799 A.D. The Northmen sacked the monastery at dawn, before anyone had awakened. They burned the village and slaughtered all who stood in their path. The relics of Saint Philbert were lost, and the island was abandoned by those who once dwelled there. Years later, the monk Abriel - survivor of the same attack as a young boy - is sent to recover the relics to help restore the reputation and legitimacy of Saint Philbert. What he discovers on his journey changes his life forever. Northmen had colonized the island in the absence of the monks. They hold the key to finding the relics, but they have greater plans for Abriel, plans that will take him to the North to find his destiny.

"Adrien's novel is a well thought out, deeply researched narrative that marries history with young adult fiction. In a time where females are popular among the young adult sector, this male focused novel is a welcome reprieve and appeals to a need for an action packed novel." - Portland Book Review

"A well-written tale with vividly imagined characters." - Trevor Schmidt, author of The Corsair Uprising series.

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The Oath of the Father by C.J. Adrien

Publication Date: March 1, 2015

eBook & Paperback

Series: Kindred of the Sea, Book #2

Genre: Fiction/Historical/Vikings

Coast of Brittany, 822 A.D. King Abriel Haraldsson is a man on the run. Injured in combat, his warriors take him to a nearby monastery to find a healer. The monks accept to care for him, but fake his death and steal him away to a distant island to be reconverted to their faith. Believing the king of Herius to be dead, suitors from the north descend upon the island kingdom with the intent to marry Queen Kenna to usurp her husband's lands and wealth. Most terrifying among them is the fierce warlord Turgeis -- known for his prowess in battle and lust for blood -- who sets his sights upon the queen. When a messenger from afar returns with news that Abriel survived his injuries, Turgeis sets sail to ensure the king will never return. Thus began the hunt.

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About the Author

C.J. Adrien is a French-American author of Viking historical fiction with a passion for Viking history. His Kindred of the Sea series was inspired by research conducted in preparation for a doctoral program in early medieval history as well as his admiration for historical fiction writers such as Bernard Cornwell and Ken Follett. C.J. Adrien’s novels and expertise have earned him invitations to speak at several international events, including the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds. For more information, please visit C.J. Adrien's website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, January 29 Kick Off at Passages to the Past Thursday, February 1 Review at Donna's Book Blog (The Line of His People) Monday, February 5 Review at Pursuing Stacie (The Line of His People) Wednesday, February 7 Feature at A Bookaholic Swede Monday, February 12 Review at The Writing Desk (The Line of His People) Tuesday, February 13 Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit Thursday, February 15 Guest Post at Let Them Read Books Friday, February 16 Feature at Broken Teepee Monday, February 19 Review at Laura's Interests (The Line of His People) Tuesday, February 20 Review at Donna's Book Blog (The Oath of the Father) Feature at A Literary Vacation Friday, February 23 Review at Cup of Sensibility Monday, February 26 Review at Pursuing Stacie (The Oath of the Father) Thursday, March 1 Review at Locks, Hooks and Books (The Line of His People) Monday, March 5 Review at Laura's Interests (The Oath of the Father) Tuesday, March 6 Review at WS Momma Readers Nook (The Line of His People) Tuesday, March 13 Tour Wrap Up at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a set of The Line of His People & The Oath of the Father! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. C.J. Adrien Blog Tour

Review of Ruslan: A Very Russian Romance by Victoria Wright

Ruslan: A Very Russian Romance by Victoria Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not usually one for mafia style romances, but this book was so good! Vivian is the daughter of a mob boss who is laid up in the hospital awaiting a kidney transplant after having been shot up. An opposing mob initiates Vivian’s kidnapping and intends to marry her off to the don’s son whether she likes it or not. Ruslan is the hired hand who snatches her and holds her until she can be transported to the mob boss.A romance develops between Vivian and Ruslan (and it is hot!). However, Ruslan must convey Vivian as planned and attempt to get his own forces together to get her back. There is much action as both Vivian’s family and Ruslan’s army try to infiltrate the Russian fortress where Vivian is being kept. This book is definitely a winner!


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Review of The Forgotten Ones by Steena Holmes

The Forgotten Ones by Steena Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mind. Blown. A line from the book, and how I feel after reading it. Steena Holmes weaves a tantalizing tale that keeps the reader on their toes until the end. The story involves a young woman, Elle, who is searching for answers to her past that her mentally unstable mother is unable or unwilling to provide. Elle discovers that her grandfather is dying at the very hospital she works at. The two become acquainted over a series of stories he tells. But what is fact and what is fiction? Elle is left to piece together snippets of information told to her by her grandfather, mother, mother’s caregiver, and old family friends. However, sometimes the truth is more horrifying than fiction. Fans of Jessica Strawser’s Not That I Could Tell and Catherine McKenzie’s Fractured will love this book!


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**GIVEAWAY** and Review of The Phantom's Apprentice by Heather Webb

The Phantom's Apprentice by Heather Webb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fans of The Phantom of the Opera musical will be enthralled as they are drawn into The Phantom’s Apprentice by Heather Webb. Webb’s version takes a twist on the original story, and gives us insight into the background and hopes and desires of Christine Daae. Singing is not her passion. She desires to become a magician and enlists the help of her best friend in putting together a show. However, the Phantom has other ideas and blackmails her. Should she give up singing, it will cost her her family, friends, and love interest Raoul. At the theatre where she is forced to sing, other spectres lurk in the background as the body count increases. Many want to find the illusive Phantom whose lair is hidden within its walls. Some will use Christine in order to get to him. Webb intricately weaves the details of this story together, leading to an astonishing climax. This is a gripping novel that does justice to the original story and readers will not be disappointed!


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The Phantom's Apprentice by Heather Webb

Publication Date: February 6, 2018

Sonnet Press

Paperback & eBook; 350 Pages

ISBN13: 9780999628508

Genre: Historical Fiction

In this re-imagining of Phantom of the Opera, meet a Christine Daaé you’ve never seen before… Christine Daaé sings with her violinist Papa in salons all over Paris, but she longs to practice her favorite pastime—illusions. When her beloved Papa dies during a conjurer’s show, she abandons her magic and surrenders to grief and guilt. Life as a female illusionist seems too dangerous, and she must honor her father’s memory. Concerned for her welfare, family friend Professor Delacroix secures an audition for her at the Nouvel Opéra—the most illustrious stage in Europe. Yet Christine soon discovers the darker side of Paris opera. Rumors of murder float through the halls, and she is quickly trapped between a scheming diva and a mysterious phantom. The Angel of Music. But is the Angel truly a spirit, or a man obsessed, stalking Christine for mysterious reasons tangled in her past? As Christine’s fears mount, she returns to her magical arts with the encouragement of her childhood friend, Raoul. Newfound hope and romance abounds…until one fateful night at the masquerade ball. Those she cares for—Delacroix, the Angel, and even Raoul—aren’t as they seem. Now she must decide whom she trusts and which is her rightful path: singer or illusionist. To succeed, she will risk her life in the grandest illusion of all.

“Heather Webb combines music and magic seamlessly in The Phantom’s Apprentice, weaving glittering new threads into the fabric of a classic story. Romantic, suspenseful and inventive, this novel sweeps you along to its breathless conclusion.”—Greer Macallister, USA Today bestselling author of The Magician’s Lie and Girl in Disguise

“Heather Webb’s The Phantom’s Apprentice delivers a performance worthy of the Paris Opera. Unlike so many other renditions of the Phantom’s tale, Webb breathes life into Christine, so often portrayed as the helpless victim. Christine’s evolution from ‘damsel in distress’ to self-reliant woman is masterfully done, hooking the reader from the first page. Webb’s work is immersive, well-crafted, and beautifully paced. A must-read for fans of this bewitching legend!”—Aimie Runyan, author of Daughters of the Night Sky

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | Kobo

About the Author

HEATHER WEBB is the author of historical novels Becoming Josephine and Rodin's Lover, and the anthology Fall of Poppies, which have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Elle, France Magazine, and more, as well as received national starred reviews. RODIN’S LOVER was a Goodreads Top Pick in 2015. Up and coming, Last Christmas in Paris, an epistolary love story set during WWI will release October 3, 2017, and The Phantom's Apprentice, a re-imagining of the Gothic classic Phantom of the Opera from Christine Daae's point of view releases February 6, 2018. To date, her novels have sold in ten countries. Heather is also a professional freelance editor, foodie, and travel fiend. For more information, please visit Heather's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 5 Review at The Maiden's Court Tuesday, February 6 Review at The Lit Bitch Feature at A Bookaholic Swede Wednesday, February 7 Review at Just One More Chapter Review at History From a Woman's Perspective Thursday, February 8 Review at A Bookish Affair Friday, February 9 Review at Trisha Jenn Reads Saturday, February 10 Review at Bookish Monday, February 12 Review at Creating Herstory Tuesday, February 13 Review at Linda's Book Obsession Wednesday, February 14 Review at Clarissa Reads it All Thursday, February 15 Review at 100 Pages a Day Friday, February 16 Review at Baer Books Monday, February 19 Review at Cup of Sensibility Review at Let Them Read Books Review at Bookworms Anonymous Tuesday, February 20 Feature at Passages to the Past Wednesday, February 21 Review at Writing the Renaissance Monday, February 26 Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we are giving away two paperback copies of The Phantom's Apprentice! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on February 26th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. The Phantom's Apprentice

Review of A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii by Stephanie Dray, et al.

A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii by Stephanie Dray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii by Stephanie Dray, et al., is a fabulously exciting portrayal of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The story is told from eight points of view by eight different authors. Somehow, they manage to blend the storylines exquisitely and seamlessly. This novel is action packed until the very end and the reader will find that they cannot put this novel down. It was exceptional!


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Review of In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt

In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt is a novel the reader will not soon forget. The underlying theme throughout this story, is hope. Main character, Rachel, is grieving the loss of her baby and the death of her mother. She craves knowledge of the father that abandoned her and disappeared when she was a child. She embarks on a journey that leads her to war-ravaged Rwanda where her father was last known to have lived. She meets Lilly, the woman he turned to and also abandoned, who wants nothing to do with Rachel. Lilly runs a home for orphaned children. At the insistence of a man who is like Lilly’s son, she allows Rachel to stay, and the two gradually build a bond. Putting herself in great danger, Rachel finds out the truth of why her father disappeared from Lilly’s life, and her own. Haupt does an exceptional job of showing the reader the devastation that occurred in Rwanda without portraying it in an overly violent and bloody way. Her characters are intriguing and the reader will quickly bond with them.

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