Saturday, December 2, 2017

My Review of "Swift for the Sun,"



a Novel by Karen Bovenmyer 
 

  This is an excellent fluid read. I obtained a free copy as part of  reviewing it for Helen Hollick's historical fiction review blog -  https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.com/swift-for-sun-by-karen-bovenmyer

It easily earned five stars from me as a Discovered Diamond.

 



Genres: Multicultural & Interracial/Gay Romance



In the beginning, the title “Swift for the Sun” conjured up everything from old sailing ships swiftly following the sun - to other flights of fancy involving smugglers and privateers (which it does). At the end of Bovenmyer’s novel, I realized that I was wrong in assuming it to be a rollicking pirate fable or – as one of its genre is listed as gay romance - a man loving another man; it was so much more (even though I, too, have loved men – but then, I am a woman).


Benjamin Swift (as he introduces himself to us in this first-person account) is young, impetuous and a bit of a bungler who doesn’t listen too well to advice from his more experienced mates. This becomes sadly evident when, as captain of the Sea Swift, he puts his ship squarely on the rocks on cursed Dread Island.


Deeming himself the only survivor of the wreck, the young seafarer is understandably spooked when he finds himself face to face with a blond island savage who masters survival a lot better than our handsome Benjamin. After initial life-threatening quarrels and mutual mistrust, the two men (both being predisposed by nature or circumstance) fall deeply in love.


This is when the author’s mastery of human needs and wants shines. Lust and love are aptly intertwined with Benjamin’s secret hope to be rescued. A storm does bring a ship - and with it terrible trouble brews for the two. Sun could easily “take care” by himself of unwanted intruders into their isolated paradise; but during an ensuing fight, Benjamin feels he needs to prove himself.


That’s when I shouted at my Kindle, “For heaven’s sake, he told you to stay put!” I had become utterly involved in the two protagonists’ fates and desperately wanted them to escape their seemingly inexorable doom clamped on them by their “rescuers.”


Apart from the thrill of exotic seafaring adventure, the novel left me with a much deeper question about loyalty, the bond between two human beings, and the moral choice between killing for freedom or submitting to Man’s laws. “What would any of us have done?”
 * * * * *

Friday, December 1, 2017

A Gem for Discerning Readers



 When I found that Andrew Levkoff’s new book, Little Gods, A Tale of Ancient Wonders could be pre-ordered, I stood in line being familiar with his award-winning “The Bow of Heaven Trilogy.” 

Just a few days ago, “Little Gods” finally went live on my Kindle and – four-hundred pages plus notwithstanding – I finished it abandoning all other duties (except for feeding the cat).

With Little Gods, one definitely puts on one’s thinking cap. It is also apt to haunt one’s dreams as it poses philosophical as well as dreaded existential questions: Why does Mankind worship God and gods? Why does Man wage war? Why is love so elusive?

But not to worry. There is plenty of tension in a hamlet of Ancient Mesopotamia. Levkoff cleverly weaves the moral of his story into the relationship between two young boys, Scolotes and Melyakhat. One good, the other bad – we initially assume. Wrong. Levkoff is deft in exposing the many sides of human beings as there is no clear division - not even in saints nor in the little gods – and we begin to feel empathy for both as they seek acceptance in their community. Their struggles become epic during those ancient times. And then, there is the beautiful Leyla ...

Another twist is the insertion of Hovan’s struggle in modern Iraq – on the same soil where the Little Gods lived, loved, and fought to stay alive.

Little Gods is by no means a quick, forgettable read. If it were, it would not deserve five stars from this discerning reader. It is a gem for historical fiction lovers who will appreciate the extensive Glossary and Timeline at the end with the also appended Bibliography underlining Levkoff’s extensive research and knowledge of his subject matter.


Check out Andrew Levkoff's excellent Trilogy here:
 








Thursday, November 30, 2017

Action/Adventure in One Box Set

Four Novels
  

Individually priced at $3.99 each


These four present-day action/adventure novels are based on ancient treasures from Book 1, Khamsin, The Devil Wind of The Nile.
 
At over 1,000 pages, the Price for all Four is ridiculously low
(if I may say so myself).
 

This new Box Set is now available on 
Amazon for Kindle
at $5.99


Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Another Homerun in Alison Morton's Roma Nova Series




 I received a pre-publication copy as a reviewer for the Discovering Diamonds review site; however, another tough reviewer beat me to it in posting his on Helen Hollick's Blog (definitely worth reading) where it received the  
Discovered Diamond Award - see

Here is my review: 

Alison Morton’s excellent Speculative History series poses the underlying question, “What If...” While the thread also runs through "Carina," it does not detract from the thriller-element of this novella.

Having read several full-length (5-star) volumes of the series, I had come to know Carina rather well as a hard-trained and self-reliant Praetorian Officer (with a rather dangerous penchant not to take orders too well at times). In "Carina," it was doubly satisfying to delve deeper into this feisty character defeating foes as well as her own past; we also glimpse her more vulnerable side (especially toward the swoon-worthy Conrad).

The writing once again is what we have come to expect from Ms. Morton: brisk and intelligent, with her material being well-researched as the imaginary autonomous country of Roma Nova fiercely guards her borders in the middle of an unstable Europe. 

Here, I'd like to mention the choice of covers for the series: Simply stunning. While the basic image for all books is the same, the one-word titles and their graphics beautifully stand out. There is no mistaking which book is which.

This is an exciting series for history and thriller lovers alike. 




Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/CARINA
Alison's Blog gives us many interesting insights into Roman Society: