Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia.  The Mailbox Monday meme is currently on tour and this month it is making its home with Dolce Bellezza.

For Review:

• Circle of Shadows by Imogen Robertson
• My Notorious Life by Kate Manning
• Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford
• Tudor: the Family Story by Leanda de Lisle
• Lady of Passion by Freda Lightfoot
• The Returned by Jason Mott
• The Mountain of Light by Indu Sundaresan
• King Arthur: Dragon's Child by M.K. Hume

 

 

 

 Bought for Kindle:

• The Lhasa Trilogy by Gary D. Conrad
• The Flowers of War by Geling Yan
• Dear Heart, How Like You This by Wendy J. Dunn
• Destiny's Dawn by Rosanne Bittner
• Bone River by Megan Chance
• The Agincourt Bride by Joanna Hickson
• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
• Vengeance Thwarted by Prue Phillipson
• The Lady Penelope by Sally Varlow
• The Persimmon Tree by Bryce Courtenay

 

 

 

 

From PBS:

• Venom by Fiona Paul
• Big Ray by Michael Kimball

REVIEW: The Sinners and the Sea by Rebecca Kanner

Synopsis: The young heroine in Sinners and the Sea is destined for greatness. Known only as “wife” in the Bible and cursed with a birthmark that many think is the brand of a demon, this unnamed woman—fated to become the mother of all generations after the great flood—lives anew through Rebecca Kanner. The author gives this virtuous woman the perfect voice to make one of the Old Testament’s stories come alive like never before.

Desperate to keep her safe, the woman’s father gives her to the righteous Noah, who weds her and takes her to the town of Sorum, a haven for outcasts. Alone in her new life, Noah’s wife gives him three sons. But living in this wicked and perverse town with an aloof husband who speaks more to God than to her takes its toll. Noah’s wife struggles to know her own identity and value. She tries to make friends with the violent and dissolute people of Sorum while raising a brood that, despite its pious upbringing, develops some sinful tendencies of its own. While Noah carries out the Lord’s commands, she tries to hide her mark and her shame as she weathers the scorn and taunts of the townspeople. But these trials are nothing compared to what awaits her after God tells her husband that a flood is coming—and that Noah and his family must build an ark so that they alone can repopulate the world. As the flood waters draw near, she grows in courage and honor, and when the water finally recedes, she emerges whole, displaying once and for all the indomitable strength of women.
 
My Thoughts: I want to come right out and say this in the beginning: If your intent in reading this book is to play some sort of literary matching game between this novel and the account of Noah and his wife in the Bible, this book may not be for you.  If you are looking for a well written and vividly imagined book that breathes life into the story one of the lesser known people in the Bible then this is definitely a book worth reading. 

Knowing that she is in harms way because of the large birthmark on her forehead which some believe mark her as a demon, her father gives her a fighting chance by promising her to 600 year old Noah-a man who seeks a pure and virtuous wife.  Unwilling to give her a name just as her father neglected to, Noah takes his new wife home to Sorum-a place crawling with morally bankrupt people of ill-repute.  Amongst them is Javan-the apologetically sinful, murderous, brothel running woman who taunts Noah at every turn.  I think one of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was the varied cast of characters, most of whom fall into a gray area in terms of good or bad.  Even the most crude characters in this book take unexpected actions which shows a sliver of hope for their redemption.  I also enjoyed the internal journey of Noah's wife.  She is married off to an ancient man who puts his belief in God before all else, is taken from the only  home she has ever known to a haven of depravity where her husband is given a message from God to build a giant ark so He may flood the world and eradicate it of sinners.  You can't help but sympathize with her as she tries to fulfill her roles of wife and mother amidst the most unlikely of circumstances. 

I was a bit worried that once the journey on the Ark commenced the story would become less interesting.  This was not the case as the family faces a variety of trials and obstacles.  Admittedly, there were some more fantastical elements of the story that I really didn't care for-namely the one involving giants.  Still I found myself really liking this book.  Even God's chosen people weren't perfect.  They all had their faults and struggles.  This is definitely not like any other biblical themed historical fiction I have read previously.  I would probably read this sub-genre of historical fiction more often if I could find books as inventive and entertaining as this one.

I received this book for review from the publisher via NetGalley.  These are my honest thoughts on the book.

REVIEW: The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan

Synopsis: From her earliest days, Margaret Tudor knows she will not have the luxury of choosing a husband. Her duty is to gain alliances for England. Barely out of girlhood, Margaret is married by proxy to James IV and travels to Edinburgh to become Queen of Scotland.

Despite her doubts, Margaret falls under the spell of her adopted home. But while Jamie is an affectionate husband, he is not a faithful one. And nothing can guarantee Margaret’s safety when Jamie leads an army against her own brother, Henry VIII. In the wake of loss she falls prey to an ambitious earl and brings Scotland to the brink of anarchy. Beset by betrayal and secret alliances, Margaret has one aim—to preserve the crown of Scotland for her son, no matter what the cost…

My Thoughts: I have read a glut of Tudor novels over the last couple of years but if Margaret Tudor was mentioned at all it was in passing as the favorite sister of Henry was obviously Mary.  Margaret has her own interesting tale though and we are introduced to this young girl who embraces her role as a future queen at an early age and follow her on her journey into a foreign country to join in marriage to a man who is decades older than her.  Seeing so much be lain on the shoulders of this little girl in the hopes of uniting Scotland and England made me warm to her in the beginning of the novel.  I genuinely liked Margaret's husband Jamie who showed Margaret much patience and generosity as she came into her own and learned her role as queen.  I found their relationship to be touching and was able to look past the massive age difference.

In the very early chapters I thought the dialogue to be somewhat juvenile but I had to keep reminding myself it makes sense to write Margaret this way since at this point she was still just a child.  The narrative does however flow quite nicely as Margaret begins to find her voice. As the story progresses it became harder to relate to Margaret.  She has her heart in the right place in all of her doings but she suffers many a disappointment and tragedy and it is often her own actions that cause it.  While she displays the fiery spirit that is characteristic of her Tudor siblings, she also displays a fair amount of pride and arrogance that contribute significantly to the difficulties she experiences throughout the novel.  On one hand I felt sorry for her because she wanted so desperately to be loved as a woman and respected as a Queen. On the other hand I became very frustrated with her at points because of her impulsive and rash conduct.  This is most readily displayed in her interactions with second husband Archibald Douglas. Readers familiar with the story of Margaret's granddaughter Mary Queen of Scots will definitely see parallels in their lives.

Despite Margaret being a hard character to sympathize with at times, at other times I really appreciated when the author chose to show Margaret's softer side.  Her relationship with her son and future King James and her regrets for her lack of relationship with her daughter stood out most in this regard.  I thought the book did a nice job of thoroughly constructing Margaret's life.  It was nice to read a novel about this Forgotten Queen who is finally rescued from the shadows cast by the other larger than life members of the Tudor family.

 I received this book from the publisher for review via NetGalley.  These are my honest thoughts on the book.

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REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein

Synopsis: A lush, exquisitely rendered meditation on war, The Gods of Heavenly Punishment tells the story of several families, American and Japanese, their loves and infidelities, their dreams and losses, and how they are all connected by one of the most devastating acts of war in human history.

Fifteen-year-old Yoshi Kobayashi, child of Japan’s New Empire, daughter of an ardent expansionist and a mother with a haunting past, is on her way home on a March night when American bombers shower her city with napalm—an attack that leaves one hundred thousand dead within hours and half the city in ashen ruins. In the days that follow, Yoshi’s old life will blur beyond recognition, leading her to a new world marked by destruction and shaped by those considered the enemy: Cam, a downed bomber pilot taken prisoner by the Imperial Japanese Army; Anton, a gifted architect who helped modernize Tokyo’s prewar skyline but is now charged with destroying it; and Billy, an Occupation soldier who arrives in the blackened city with a dark secret of his own. Directly or indirectly, each will shape Yoshi’s journey as she seeks safety, love, and redemption.

My Thoughts: I have lately become interested in novels focusing on this era and The Gods of Heavenly Punishment delivers a very personal look at how World War II impacted families on both sides of the conflict.  Set mostly in Tokyo with bits set in America as well, this novel excelled at showing the hardships, devastation, loneliness, desperation and even glimpses of hope of nations at war.

I immediately connected with the story of shy, handsome Cam Richards and his sweetheart Lacy as Cam prepares to follow his dream of being pilot in the military.  We are then introduced to Japan born and Western bred Hana Kobayashi who is mistrusted because of her foreign ways, her seemingly mismatched architect husband Kenji and their bright daughter Yoshi who will become a focal point of the story.  Each of these characters stories unfolds in a compelling narrative as Hana desperately seeks the attention she doesn't get from her husband, Yoshi tries to cope with her changing world as revelations about her life and parents are made and Japan goes from a proud nation to one that is struggling to survive.

This book is definitely literary historical fiction but is a surprisingly quick read.  The only downfall for me was I would get invested in the storyline of one set of characters and while the transitions between story lines were well done, it was hard for me to switch back to the story arc of a different character.  The pacing was a bit slow in spots but I really appreciated the fact that this book was rich with detail and held nothing back in describing the trials of these characters and the hardships brutality that war brings.

I also wished more time had been given to certain characters, namely Lacy but overall I enjoyed this book.  The fluid writing and the desire to see what would become of all the characters kept me flying through the pages. I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy character driven World War II era books. 

This book was provided to me for review by the publisher for participation in the author's tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.  These are my honest thoughts on the book.

~GIVEAWAY~

One lucky reader can win a paperback copy of The Gods of Heavenly Punishment!

TO ENTER: Leave your name and email address in the comments.  One extra entry each for spreading the word via Twitter, Facebook or your blog.

OPEN:  Internationally!

GIVEAWAY ENDS: Midnight June 17th.  Winner will be selected and announced on the 18th.  Good luck!

For more reviews of The Gods of Heavenly Punishments, giveaways, and interviews/guest posts with author Jennifer Cody Epstein you can view the rest of the tour schedule HERE.

About the Author:

Jennifer Cody Epstein is the author of The Gods of Heavenly Punishment and the international bestseller The Painter from Shanghai. She has written for The Wall Street Journal, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Self, Mademoiselle and NBC, and has worked in Hong Kong, Japan and Bangkok, Thailand. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, two daughters and especially needy Springer Spaniel.

For more information, please visit www.jennifercodyepstein.com.

REVIEW: Seduction by M.J. Rose

Synopsis: From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries.

In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.

Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher. What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.


My Thoughts: Having previously read 2 novels in the Reincarnationist series (The Hypnotist and The Book of Lost Fragrances) I was looking forward to continuing on in the series which combines  suspense, supernatural and historical elements to weave a compelling story.  Reading the novels in this series is akin to losing yourself in a literary labyrinth.  The author presents several paths-in this case those set in the past with a tortured Victor Hugo who will do anything to connect with his beloved deceased daughter Didine, the intriguing bits set in the B.C. era, and the present storyline featuring Jac and Theo, a conflicted friend from her past.  Each story arc seems to lead you slowly along as you wend your way through wondering how they will collide in a thrilling conclusion.  That is the pattern I have noticed with the previous two novels I have read in the series and Seduction is no exception.

I really like M.J. Rose's writing style because her books contain great imagery that allows you to envelope yourself in the character's environment.  As with most novels that have a past and present storyline I found myself enjoying the parts set in the past more.  I will say that I really did like Jac's story as well and I felt I got a better sense of her than I had from reading The Book of Lost Fragrances which is the first novel in the series featuring her.  I find the whole reincarnation concept of these novels interesting although maybe a tad eccentric.  I loved that this story featured a conflicted Victor Hugo as one of the characters.

The one downside to Seduction is that I consider myself an impatient reader who likes some action to occur up front.  I recognize the appeal of the slow reveal in a book but this type of presentation is difficult for me personally because I get distracted easily waiting for the story to pull together.  This was the case here but I know from previous experience with Rose's novels that the ending is well worth a little frustration here and there while waiting for the more suspenseful elements to occur.  This "issue" is more my own personal preference rather than any knock on the book itself. Seduction did present a bit of action involving a lightning strike at the beginning which piqued my curiosity but then the novel veered into more strange occurrences meant to hold the readers interest.  Overall, I appreciated this one as I have the others in the series.   I dig this author's unique brand of storytelling and will doubtlessly be continuing on with subsequent novels in this series.

I received this book from the publisher for review for participation in the author's tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.  These are my honest thoughts on the book.

For more guest posts, giveaways, reviews and interviews with author M.J. Rose you can view the rest of the tour schedule HERE.

About the Author:

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio.  Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors - Authorbuzz.com.  The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype.  She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Giveaway Winners!

While I am sitting here trying to keep my mind off of the excruciating pinched nerve in my lower back, I thought I would pop on here and post a couple of giveaway winners.

The winner of the paperback copy of Cascade by Maryanne O'Hara is.....

Elliot!

The TWO winners for A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn are

Nancy

and

Linda!

Congrats!

(Winners have been notified by email).

REVIEW: Spartacus: Rebellion by Ben Kane

Synopsis: Spartacus has already done the impossible—not only has he escaped from slavery, he and his seconds have created a mighty slave army that has challenged Rome and defeated the armies of three praetors, two consuls, and one proconsul. On the plain of the River Po, in modern Northern Italy, Spartacus has defeated Gaius Cassius Longinus, proconsul and general of an army of two legions. Now the road home lies before them—to Thrace for Spartacus, and to Gaul for his seconds-in-command, Castus and Gannicus.

But storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. One of Spartacus's most powerful generals has defected, taking his men with him. Back in Rome, the immensely rich Marcus Licinius Crassus is gathering an unheard-of Army. The Senate has given Crassus an army made up of ten legions and the authority to do whatever it takes to end the slave rebellion once and for all. Meanwhile, Spartacus wants to lead his men over the Alps and home, but his two seconds have a different plan. They want to march on Rome itself and bring the Republic to its knees. Rebellion has become war. War to the death. 

My Thoughts: How fitting that on Memorial Day this combat veteran gets to review a book about one of the greatest military tacticians to ever take on the Roman Army.  In Ben Kane's first installment we meet Spartacus as he breaks free of the gladiatorial ludus and amasses an Army which soundly beats the Roman Legions multiple times against all odds (read the review here).  In Rebellion we continue the journey with Spartacus as his Army continues to grow and he strives to lead them permanently from Italy and away from the reach of Rome forever.  He encounters many obstacles along the way in addition to battling the fearsome Legions, including dealing with self serving Gaul leaders Castus and Gannicus who are tired of taking a back seat to the much revered Spartacus.  Rome finally wearies of taking a beating at the hands of "mere slaves" and leaves the slave problem in the hands of  former General and politician Crassus-a ruthless man determined to win at all costs.  He may just be the one who stops Spartacus and his followers in their tracks.

I really enjoyed the first novel with its abundance of action and the charismatic underdog Spartacus to root for.  I think I liked this one even more.  This book focused more on character development as we the reader get to see the cracks in Spartacus' armor (so to speak) and I really liked seeing the lives of my favorite characters from the first novel explored in greater depth.  Both the lives of Spartacus and his Soldiers in their massive Army camp and adventures in the streets of Rome were brought to life in great detail.  This book kept my interest all the way through.  Most know how the Spartacus story ends but I was flipping madly through the pages to see how the author would tie everything together and I was not disappointed.  Every once in awhile I get the urge to leave behind the world of courtly intrigue and royal themed books that are prevalent in historical fiction and sink into something that is more gritty and entertaining from start to finish.  This is exactly the kind of book I go for when those moods strike me.  I really liked the writing here and was sad to end my journey with Spartacus.  Luckily, I will be able to satisfy my urge for a good war novel with Ben Kane's take on Hannibal.  I hope I love those as much as the Spartacus books.

 This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley for participation in the author's tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.  These are my honest thoughts on the book.

For more reviews, giveaways, interviews, and guests posts with author Ben Kane you can view the rest of the tour schedule HERE.

About the Author:

Ben Kane was born in Kenya and raised there and in Ireland. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon from University College Dublin, and worked in Ireland and the UK for several years. After that he travelled the world extensively, indulging his passion for seeing the world and learning more about ancient history. Seven continents and more than 65 countries later, he decided to settle down, for a while at least.

While working in Northumberland in 2001/2, his love of ancient history was fuelled by visits to Hadrian's Wall. He naïvely decided to write best selling Roman novels, a plan which came to fruition after several years of working full time at two jobs - being a vet and writing. Retrospectively, this was an unsurprising development, because since his childhood, Ben has been fascinated by Rome, and particularly, its armies. He now lives in North Somerset with his wife and family, where he has sensibly given up veterinary medicine to write full time.

To find out more about Ben and his books visit www.benkane.net.