Guest Review by Lisa Brown Gilbert 

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Endowed with the markings of an unforgettable debut read, Karen Azinger’s The Steel Queen, draws readers into Erdhe, a fantasy imbued realm ripe with intrigue, knights, bravery, swords, sorcery and pure evil. As the premier novel in her Silk and Steel Saga, this novel serves well as an introduction to the medieval type lands of the kingdoms of Erdhe, along with its various engaging inhabitants.

Author Azinger provides a filling fantasy read built with a satisfying integration of action, intrigue and fantasy elements. The story engages instantly immersing the reader in a complexly woven storyline, which houses an abundance of varied and unique characters. The female characters bear particular appeal because of their determination and cunning in a world where their place is limited by male dominance.

Foremost, the story, particularly follows the paths of several focal characters; Katherine/Kath, a young princess whose deepest desire is to lead and wield a sword. Blaine, son of a pig farmer who earns a seemingly impossible knighthood. Steffan, a dark character who seeks power at any cost and Liandra, queen of Lanverness who looks to preserve her wealthy kingdom. Meanwhile, events unfold, with the story told from their multiple perspectives with the narrative changing viewpoints frequently, as each moves toward their destiny. As well, furthering the character woven storyline, are brief appearances of additional engaging characters. Although, initially, it seems the characters are on separate paths, with their own goals to achieve, destiny dictates otherwise as a malevolent force at work threatens all of Erdhe.

Consequently, what follows is an entertaining, adult themed, vibrant and at times quite violent, but well paced narrative, that artfully explores the sexual, bureaucratic, and religious landscape of a fantasy world facing the heart of darkness.

Ultimately, I enjoyed The Steel Queen. With this work, Author Azinger has wrought the beginnings of an intriguing and thus far, fulfilling fantasy series. Furthermore, while there are a plethora of fantasy genre novels available, what separates this one from the some of the others is the quality and style of the writing and creativity. Author Karen Azinger wields a well honed knack for engaging and concise storytelling.

Additionally, aside from the great story, I like the inclusion of the map of Erdhe and the Appendix explaining the background of various kingdoms. Overall, this was well worth the read and I look forward to the next in the series. This is a book I not only recommend for fantasy fans, but also fans of eloquently written, action packed adventures.

Republished with permission. Source – Book Review of The Steel Queen

This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my tea habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra.

Guest Review By Sheri Hoyte

“Her Viking Heart” by Heidi Herman is a compelling story about love, loss, betrayal and redemption, as one woman discovers a family secret that changes everything she’s ever known.

When Anna Miller’s father is killed less than two years after the death of her mother, Anna finds herself alone in the world. Moving back into her family home, Anna has the arduous task of sorting through and packing up her parents’ belongings. When she comes across some mysterious documents in her father’s study she is confused but intrigued. Determined to complete the research her father began, Anna embarks on a journey that will take her back several generations in history to WWII. As she begins to unveil the mystery surrounding her family, her research takes her to a small town in Wyoming. It is in this town she meets a handsome rancher named Logan Harris, awakening feelings that haven’t stirred inside her in a long time. As Anna gets closer to discovering the truth about her family secrets, she realizes it may be at the cost of her personal happiness.

It’s been some time since I’ve read such an enchanting story. The plotline, the settings, the characters – I found all the elements to be equally satisfying. It is a well-balanced narrative with plenty of developments that move the story continually forward, with enough surprise turns building anticipation and just the right amount of drama, romance, and intrigue to keep readers engaged.

The characters are easy to relate to and feel genuine in their roles and situations. I experienced an immediate pull towards Anna – her emotions jumping off the pages as she is forced to deal with issues one cannot even imagine unless they’ve been in those shoes. Her personality brought out the mama bear instinct in me as I vacillated between wanting to give her that kind of hug only a mother can give and wanting to take over and fix things for her! Not that she needed anyone to fix anything for her. Capable, resilient and strong, I thoroughly enjoyed investing in Anna, standing in her corner and rooting her on as she unraveled the mystery. I especially delighted in watching her evolve throughout the story, as she reevaluated the things that were important in her life.

“Her Viking Heart” is the first story I’ve read by Heidi Herman, but it won’t be the last. She is a natural storyteller easily transporting the reader to another time and place. This was such a fun read, and I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction with elements of subtle romance, a good mystery to solve and enough twists and turns to keep readers on their toes.

Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views

Reprinted with Permission. Article Source: Book Review – Her Viking Heart By Heidi Herman

This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my tea habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra.

Guest Review By Sheri Hoyte

Melissa Muldoon delivers an enchanting story set in Arezzo, Italy about love, intrigue, mystery, traditions, and art in her latest novel, “Waking Isabella.”

Leonora (Nora), a young research assistant who is at a crossroads in her life, travels to Italy to film a documentary on 16th Century Italian princess, Isabella de Medici. Fascinated with the history surrounding the princess, Nora hopes to uncover some of the mystery surrounding her tragic death, and a painting of Isabella and her mother that has been missing for decades. There is also the rumor of Isabella’s ghost to consider.

While in Italy, Nora reunites with an old friend and meets several new ones. Of particular interest is Gianluca (Luca) Donati, owner of an antique business that has been in his family for generations. When Luca shares details about his ancestor’s participation in smuggling famous artwork out of the country during WWII, Nora’s research takes her down yet another path, exploring the life of Margherita, Luca’s grandmother. Muldoon magically weaves together the lives of Nora, Isabella and Margherita, spanning the course of many centuries, into a story that will mesmerize and haunt readers long after the last page is read.

As a big fan of Melissa Muldoon’s since reading her debut novel, “Dreaming Sophia,” I could not wait to dive into “Waking Isabella.” The author has such a unique voice you can feel her personality in every sentence. Her writing is magical, as she incorporates her distinctive style through various methods. She eloquently takes the reader from the past to the present and back again with seamless delivery. She transitions from real-time drama to bits of fantasy through almost dream-like sequences. She delivers historical references and tells of lasting traditions that drive you want to learn more, and exhibits a contemporary voice through her protagonists, all the while weaving bits of Italian into the dialogue. I’ve read books where intermingling languages actually took me out of a story-but not so in “Waking Isabella,” where the words flow harmoniously together, further adding to the author’s individuality and voice.

The characters are intriguing, versatile and genuine. At the onset of the story readers are drawn inside Isabella’s character, all at once capturing the essence of her free spirit and strength in light of the heartbreaking end to her short life. Protagonist Nora’s character grows impressively with the story as she pushes through her fears with courage and determination to reinvent herself and follow her dreams. Supporting characters are equally portrayed with authenticity and it is an exciting spin inside their heads.

It’s apparent “Waking Isabella” required extensive research, though it certainly feels like a labor of love. Muldoon’s passion for Italy is evident and I really enjoyed the addition of the last few pages of the book where she provides information distinguishing the facts from the fictional parts of the story. I found these tidbits the perfect way to wrap things up, inviting and encouraging the reader to learn more about the historical period, if so driven. All in all, I would say “Waking Isabella” by Melissa Muldoon is a must-read for all fans of Italy, history, romance and intrigue. Eccellente!

Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views February 2018. http://www.readerviews.com

Republished with permission. Article Source: Book Review – Waking Isabella by Melissa Muldoon

Guest Post by Roxanne Amour 

A History of Romance Novels

Romance novels are among the most popular forms of literature today. Most of the time, modern love stories are written with female sensibilities in mind, specifically from a woman’s point of view. The industry of romantic books is largely a female-driven medium, focusing on the various areas in life women deem important.

Can you believe that short love story book you just finished reading has a long and celebrated history? The romance books that fill your shelves have been around for centuries.

Where Did It All Began?

Marking its birth during the English Renaissance, women’s fiction was authored by a masculine pen and guided by the male point of view on the subject matter that is purely feminine. As a result, patriarchal ideas have been reinforced by way of literature and promoted the female sphere during the period that saw the rise of women’s literacy. However, the appearance of the Spanish novel The Mirror of Knighthood’s translation done by Margaret Tyler and Urania by Mary Wroth have become notable exceptions to this theory.

The commercial success of Renaissance romances can be attributed to the emergence of a larger number of female readers. Most of the Jacobean and Elizabethan romance authors credited their fame and commercial success to the gentlewomen readers or those who belong to the middle ranks in society, reassuring their faithful fans of their wholehearted dedication.

A Short List of the Best Romance Novels of All Time

The genre of romance books has surely seen a rich history. However, passion, devotion, relationships, and love are said to be easily experienced but a bit challenging to express in written words. Through the years, however, there are good romance books that have managed to capture the hearts of readers from all walks of life, earning the title of being the best romance novels of all time.

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

This romance novel has sold more than 120 million copies, with numerous imitations and adaptations, proving that this has stood even the harshest test of time.

Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights

Largely ignored and initially criticized for its unsuitable depiction of blind love, this is a true romance classic that is considered as one of the best-known love stories that English literature has ever produced.

Emily Bronte’s Jane Eyre

Widely renowned for tackling issues of sexuality, feminism, religion and class in first person narrative, it is a popular romance book that bears a rebellious streak disrupting the status quo of the 19th century.

Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina

Hailed by Times Magazine as the greatest romance novel that was ever written, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is a real masterpiece.

Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind

Taking the second spot amongst the best romance novels in America, the romantic classic explores the life of Scarlett O’Hara. It is also the very story that earned the author her Pulitzer Price in the year 1937.

It would be impossible to list everyone’s favorite romance book of all time, but the above list is a good place to start developing your taste for romantic literature.

Do you like reading short love stories? Clean romance books filled with heartwarming sentiment, romantic excitement, and good old-fashioned jealous rivalry. These romantic short stories can be enjoyed riding the bus, during lunch hours or before dropping off to sleep. Whenever you want to get lost in the dreamy land of love and romance visit http://freeromancebooks.org

Republished with permission. Article Source: Romance Novels to Read – 5 Historical Chick Flick Books

Guest Article By Sheri Hoyte

Kaylin McFarren has received more than 40 national literary awards, in addition to a prestigious Golden Heart Award nomination for Flaherty’s Crossing – a book she and her oldest daughter, Kristina McMorris, co-authored in 2008. Prior to embarking on her writing journey and developing the popular Threads action/adventure romance series, she poured her passion for creativity into her work as the director of a fine art gallery in the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon; she also served as a governor-appointed member of the Oregon Arts Commission. When she’s not traveling or spoiling her pups and three grandsons, she enjoys giving back to her community through participation and support of various charitable and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and is currently the president of the Soulful Giving Foundation – a non-profit focused on cancer research, care and treatment at hospitals throughout Oregon.

Welcome Kaylin, and thank you for being with us today! Why don’t you start by telling our readers a bit about your journey to becoming a published author?

I have always had a love of reading… at least as far back as I can remember. My interest in writing began at the tender age of 10, when an English teacher took an interest in my stories and encouraged me to keep a journal. Throughout high school and college, I worked on the newspaper and actually had my own column. But it wasn’t until my children were grown that I allowed myself the luxury of writing stories and submitting to publishers in New York. At one point, I was accepted by a famous, well-known firm, but then told to change everything about my book… everything that made it special. Rather than struggle to fit in with formulated fiction, I chose to spread my own wings with a small press and ultimately as a self-published author, which resulted in setting my own hours and deciding what I truly enjoy writing.

What is “Twisted Threads” about?

Akira Hamada, a beautiful Japanese geisha, failed at killing Kaito Mitsui two years ago-the same yakuza gang leader who destroyed her lover and forced her to become an assassin. Now, with his sister’s murderer traveling to the Caribbean on a cruise ship, Akira has ten days at sea to identify her target and complete her assignment as her penance, or face her own death.

What inspired you to write this story?

For many years, I’ve been privileged to experience remarkable things and rare opportunities while traveling the globe with my husband. This had included a vast array of transportation, ranging from private planes, helicopters, and hot air balloons to kayaks, submarines, and elegant cruise ships. My world-travel journeys have not only allowed me to meet interesting people and discover fascinating cultures, but also to develop life-long friendships with fellow travelers and to introduce dear friends to all parts of the world. Interesting tales shared by friends, personal experiences, and extensive research have contributed to making this character-driven story possible and have inspired me to write this “twisted” tale.

Which character do you relate to most? Is there a bit of you reflected in the characters?

I honestly believe that there are small pieces of myself in every character that I create – my fears, my insecurities, my longings, and my craving for love, affection and acceptance. With that said, I find myself tangled up in the character of Devon Lyons-although he’s a self-assured man. In truth, he’s a lost soul in this complex murder-mystery story. For a number of years, he’s been struggling to find his true identity in a circle of family that is successful, strong, judgmental, and extremely opinionated. I believe this is his one opportunity to break out and discover what he’s truly made of and if he’s capable of real love.

How involved was your research for “Twisted Threads”?

It took me almost eighteen months to write Twisted Threads. This included the time needed to research ship disasters, interview cruise enthusiasts, reacquaint myself with characters from other books I’ve written, and edit my final manuscript, while maintaining an active lifestyle, of course. Typically, I create a visual storyboard on Pinterest, write a short summary, and simply write by the seat of my pants without a thought about how the story will end. I’m not big on storyboarding and long-term planning like other authors. For me, it’s more interesting and fun to allow my characters to develop and direct the plots of each book.

How do you keep the narrative fresh in a series?

I tap into my personal experiences and inner voices that yearn to be heard. I love each and every one of my characters, despite their failings and imperfections, and want readers to sympathize with their plight, heartaches and damaged lives.

What do you like to read?

Everything you can imagine… but primarily thrillers and action-adventure stories.

Do you believe in writing every day as a standard practice? Tell us about your writing schedule and a typical day at the desk of Kaylin McFarren.

I write as a daily practice from 10am to 6pm. When it comes to creating fiction, this might involve fifteen minutes or four to five hours every day. But when I write, I’m compelled to voice the emotions buried deep within me. Years ago, I was a damaged soul, but I’ve always longed to be strong and to overcome the insignificance that I felt throughout my life.

How do you feel when you finish a writing project?

Accomplished. When I write the final words on a manuscript, I want to believe that the truth of my story is told and the buried message within the final chapter will be understood by the readers that see it. We all grow and become stronger from our experiences in life-good or bad… negative or positive-and I want to believe that my stories make a difference in their telling.

What writers have inspired your own work as an author?

I love all kinds of genres: mysteries, erotica, sci-fi, historical romance… you name it. But what I love most is current affairs told in a fictional account. That’s why I love Jodi Picoult books. She truly inspires me. Her books are controversial because they deal with real tragedies that average people don’t like to discuss but at the same time consider an unavoidable issue.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, about writing, or about life in general?

Write what you’re passionate about. I understand that some stories require research and others require commitment and personal heartfelt experiences. But what I’m talking about is the need to share what your beliefs are… what you consider to be true and want others to understand more than anything in this world. Don’t try to fake it, because it shows… believe me. Write with your heart on your sleeve and with your mind wide open to possibilities and you’ll touch lives that you never thought possible.

What advice can you give aspiring authors?

Read like there’s no tomorrow. We learn from experience, whether it’s our own or someone else’s. Just trust in your talent and never stop believing that you have a gift to share.

What’s next, do you have another project in the works?

I’m currently working on a new time travel story that I’ve discussed with my husband. Strangely enough, he dreamed about this story and I want to write about it in the worst way possible.

Where can readers connect with you on social media to learn more about “Twisted Threads” and your other books?

I honestly try to be everywhere… while writing as much as I can. You can find me on Facebook and Goodreads under Kaylin McFarren, and on Twitter at @4kaylin. My website is: http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

If you relish stories created by an author, be sure to let them know. Your praise and support encourages them to work harder at developing new dramas, romances, murder mysteries and adventures that you’ll ultimately enjoy and they’ll feel rewarded by writing.

Interviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views November 2017. http://www.readerviews.com

Republished with permission. Article Source: Interview With Kaylin McFarren, Author of Twisted Threads