Showing posts with label civil war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civil war. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Book Review: "Highland KIng." By Jeff Blackmer.


Product Description

Highland King, the sequel to Draegnstoen, continues the saga of the royal families in 5th Century Scotland and Northern England.
Doncann (nephew of Coel from Draegnstoen) is a young Pictish prince. Swept up in the politics and murderous infighting of claimants to his grandfather’s throne, he is falsely accused of murder and exiled to the north. Often fighting for his life, he is protected by the magic of women, mentored by a Celtic demigod and shown how his fate is part of the collective future of his people.
Who can unite an ancient kingdom broken apart for generations? Stand up to an invading army threatening to overrun the entire country? Learn the secret of the Stone of Destiny?
No one but the Highland King.

Book Review: Highland King by Jeff Blackmere.


Jeff Blackmer has written a marvelous tale combining equal parts myth, legend, history and imagination  presenting  the reader with a thrilling and moving sequel to Draegnstoen.

The waring factions in the Royal families of 5th century Scotland and Northern England have torn the country apart for generations. 

Greed and lust for power has murder as it’s constant companion. The country torn from within must unite as one in order to defeat the Invading army of The Dalriada.

This is more than a book of bloodied heroes and villains. It is a book of forceful and quite wonderfully graphic descriptions and you the reader are right there experiencing the fearsome sounds and scents of bloody and ferocious battle.

Doncann is the man destined to become The Highland King. 

Doncann is banished to the North as a child and wrongly blamed for the death of his cousin to gain ascension to his Grandfather’s throne.

Doncann is adopted and raised as  and there he begins the long journey to gain his rightful place as the King destined to unite the lands and bring an end to bloodshed.

He is trained in the art of swordsmanship and battle techniques by the shadow goddess Scathach, Patron of The Cruithni.

Doncann doubts his heritage, but stands firm in his desire to understand the legend and accept the responsibility of the throne he was born to sit.

Author Blackmer has woven a tale of loyalty and betrayal, of deep seated hate and abiding, timeless love.

In a time when woman stood and fought alongside the men in the fierceness of battle and died a dreadful and bloody death.  

 The characterizations are rich, the dialogues is perfect and the names given historically accurate.

The depth of emotion of the central characters adds a warmth and dimension to this work, making it far more than just Historical Fiction, it has layers of splendid imagery, with battle scenes that are memorable and crafted well, a love story that spans a generation and dialogue that plays gently on the ear of the reader.

I enjoyed this reading experience immensely and came back to reality with a jolt and the satisfaction of having read a book that took me to a different time and a different place. 

That in my view makes this an absolute must read.



Friday, November 11, 2011

Book Review: "Treasure Me " By Christine Nolfi.


 


Blurb: Blurb on review for Treasure me/ BY Christine Nolfi


Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.

The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, she carried untold riches on her journey north. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, the French plantation owner who was Birdie’s ancestor.

If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.


From the Author

If you're looking for a sweet and spicy read with mystery and romantic elements, I hope you'll enjoy Birdie, Hugh, Theodora and the rest of the characters in Treasure Me.
--Christine Nolfi

MY Book Review: on Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi

Birdie Kaminsky is a thief, albeit a beautiful one. She is a deftly drawn character with layers to her personality that peel back to reveal her need to be part of something good, her desire to belong to a family and have roots that can be put down without fear or guilt.  In short, Birdie wants to go straight.

Her need to feel connected to something and her possession of clues to a hidden treasure take her to the town of Liberty, Ohio.


Birdie is fascinated by the author of the clue, Justice Postell. A former slave that left her home a freedwoman as the Civil War loomed closer. According to legend, Justice Postell was heavily pregnant when she arrived in Liberty, Ohio.


Who fathered the child? Could it have been Birdies own ancestor Lucas?


The more she investigates the links to the treasure  the more she discovers of a love story that weaves the developing characters tightly together.


Meet Theodora Hendriks, for me the most likeable of all the characters author Christine Nolfi introduces. Theodora is a pistol packing live wire and a marvelous conveyor of family history and legend. The story unfolds through her stories of Justice Postell.


Author Christine Nolfi has a deft touch for weaving the layers of plot with dialogue, and rich description.


I as a reader like these people. I cared about what happened to them. That is for me the sign that the author has done what she set out to do, she involves you in their story from page one.


Meet Hugh. Reluctantly investigating rumors of a treasure in Liberty Ohio…only there as a last chance to salvage his journalistic career after missing one too many deadlines.


He and Birdie fire off each other beautifully. The chemistry between them is cleverly written.


A series of crossed information and error have Birdie believing that her bourgeoning trust of Hugh  is misplaced.


Birdie wants to belong, but how can she stay in Liberty with a conscience that is unraveling fast.


I will not spoil this book for you. Suffice it to say that I finished the book in one sitting and wanted more . 

This would make a delightful Christmas Gift.


 You Can Purchase the Kindle Edition on the following link. The paperback is due for release soon.
http://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Me-ebook/dp/B004XMOP9I%3FSubscriptionId%3D15HRV3AZSMPK0GXTY102%26tag%3Damznf-us-tbsearchsea-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB004XMOP9I