Category: Historical Fiction

the old gilt clock by paulette mahurin

18/12/2019

Being an enormous fan of Paulette Mahurin's historical fiction that usually has a basis in fact, I was thrilled to have a chance to read her latest effort - The Old Gilt Clock.
In early 20th Century Netherlands, Willem Arondeus was a young man who had suffered both for his sexuality and his defence of not only Jews but all persons treated with contempt by society, at that time. When the Nazi's invaded the Netherlands at the start of WWII, this successful young artist decided it was time for him to stand up and be counted. He was damned if he was going to stand idly by and let the Germans slaughter millions of innocent people. In a story of immense courage and conviction Mahurin highlights one of the true unsung heroes of the Dutch Resistance.
As with all of Mahurin's books, this one resonates with truth and justice. A reader cannot help but to be swept away in Willem's profound belief in the dignity of his fellow human beings no matter their race, their creed, their features, or their religion. This is an incredibly powerful and soaring treatise of man's injustice to man and one person's conviction that it cannot and should not be allowed to happen.
As always, with Mahurin, the writing is superb with the main character and his supporting cast, simply beautifully drawn and equally demanding of the reader's empathy.
I loved this book, which for me, marks a new level in Mahurin's considerable maturity as a real literary talent. A fantastic read and one I can highly recommend.

You can find The Old Gilt Clock, along with the rest of Paulette Mahurin's superb portfolio, here on her Amazon page:

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the fortune follies by catori sarmiento

7/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Fortune Follies by Catori Sarmiento takes us back in time to a very different version of life after the Second World War. The author has created a totally different backstory to the defeat of the Japanese. Instead of dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan, the Japanese army was defeated by a mechanical army of soldiers created essentially by one man, Robert Sinclair and his company Sinclair Industries. Sarah Igarashi, of Japanese extraction, along with her entire family were interred during the war, as a precaution but now she has decided to leave her poverty-stricken native Alaska and head to Seattle, where her cousin Penny, she assumes, is living a life of luxury on an inheritance that Sarah believes her family is entitled to some of also. When she arrives in Seattle, she quickly realizes the streets are not paved with gold and her cousin has no intention of sharing their inheritance with her. As a non-citizen of Seattle, Sarah has few rights and is forced to work long, hard hours at Sinclair Industries, for minimal wages, just to survive. Against a background of gangs, the Japanese underworld and a massive earthquake that strikes Seattle, Sarah must somehow find her place and her way in this alien environment.

I felt the premise for The Fortune Follies was unique and interesting. The idea that America post-war would become a repressive, almost fascist society was interesting. The struggles of the non-citizens in Seattle, as opposed to those who had citizenship resonated with me as being not too different from the problems faced by undocumented immigrants in the US of the twenty-first century. Author Catori Sarmiento takes us inside a dark, Japanese underworld and a city ruled by gang violence and the ever present, overarching spectre of Sinclair Industries. The writing style, was at times, beautifully descriptive, however the scene changes were often abrupt and unsignalled, which as a reader had me struggling at times. The POV’s change constantly between Sarah and her cousin Penny, which was fine and gave variety to the story. The two principal characters were well-drawn as almost opposites, despite them being cousins. I particularly enjoyed the tension and interactions between Sarah, Penny & George (family) in contrast to the warmth and friendship between Sarah, Ruth and some of the other rebels (comrades). All in all, an interesting idea and one worth delving into.

You can find The Fortune Follies by Catori Sarmiento, here on Amazon:

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seventh flag: a novel by sid balman Jr.

26/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Seventh Flag: A Novel by Sid Balman Jr. tells us of the intertwining stories of two very different families on the prairies of West Texas. The author traces the journeys of three generations of a Syrian and American family to the small town of Dell City in West Texas. In the aftermath of 9/11 and the “war on terrorism” we see how the radicalization of both Muslims and Christians has led to a rupturing of American society and the splintering of long-term relationships and friendships, all across the country. The history of Zarkan family can be traced right back to the 1850’s when Ali Zarkan’s grandfather first arrived in America as part of a doomed experiment to introduce camels to the United States cavalry. When Jack Laws, an Irish/American immigrant decided he needed to stake a place for himself after World War II, he chose the remote area of West Texas, to farm. The Zarkan and Laws’ family bond was cemented following a bloody knife fight in a Mexican bar just across the border from Dell City. What follows is a tale of love, friendship, brotherhood and betrayal as these two immigrant families try to withstand the bigotry, religious intolerance and hatred that sweeps across America at the start of the new millennium. Their mutual love for football, their country, their Lone-Star State, and ultimately each other, will have to survive some extreme tests.

Seventh Flag: A Novel carries a deep message of tolerance and love in a world that is severely wounded by its very antithesis. However, Author Sid Balman Jr. pulls no punches in describing the turmoil that exists in both of the two families as they try to balance their love for each other against the rising tide of hatred against Muslims and indeed, immigrants of any colour. This story is a reminder that ultimately all Americans are either immigrants themselves or descended from immigrants. Despite the powerful, overarching moral concepts of the novel, the author has managed to deliver an exciting, action-packed story of courage, selflessness and duty, that impresses. The writing style is extremely readable and this is one of those books that I had trouble putting down, always wanting to know what would happen next. The core of the book, revolves around the relationships of the children and grandchildren of Ali Zarkan and Jack Laws. The characters were strong and believable, especially with the pressures being put on them from all quarters. I particularly appreciated that the author chose to show the dangers of both sides of extremism, within both families. To me, what made this book stand out was core belief that “we are all Americans”, together in this battle against extremism, racial bigotry and hate, in whatever form it may take. I put this book down, at the end, with a feeling of satisfaction and completion and that’s possibly the highest compliment I can pay the author. I highly recommend this read.

You can find, Seventh Flag: A Novel, by Sid Balman Jr. here, on his Amazon page:

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a convenient fiction (parish orphans of devon book 3) by mimi matthews

20/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon Book 3) takes us back to the genteel, class-ridden society of mid-1800 England, the early Victorian years, where ladies were ladies, gentlemen were gentlemen and cads were damn bounders. Author Mimi Matthews brings us a romance of manners that takes us inside the genteel world of the wealthy landowners and all those who may aspire to be one. Alex Archer had a terrible start to life, as an abandoned orphan in a Devon orphanage, where he and his three best friends (brothers-in-arms) were there for each other against the cruelty and mistreatment of the orphanage manager. When Alex betrays his friends and runs away, at thirteen, he begins a life-long search for money, power, and most importantly position and land. His gambling prowess allows him to strike a deal with the drunken, wastrel son of an English Vicar who, to extinguish his debts to Alex will introduce him to his childhood friend and wealthy heiress, Henrietta. Alex will woo and marry Henrietta and finally have the place and position he has been seeking for some twenty years. Alex, however, does not plan on meeting another one of Henrietta’s childhood friends, Laura Hayes, who is down on her luck, let alone fall in love with the poor woman.

This was a fantastically easy read. I am an enormous fan of historical fiction anyway, but author Mimi Matthew’s accurate and telling portrayal of life for women and men of some privilege, in the early Victorian age was wonderful and compelling. A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon Book 3) is beautifully written and flows incredibly well. I found some of the scenes, especially the depiction of bathing at Margate to be hilarious and couldn’t help marveling at how on earth the participants of the time managed to actually get some enjoyment from the escapade. The romance and obvious electric connection between Alex and Laura was the centerpiece of this novel and I loved how their motivations changed over time and the almost shock when they realized their “marriage of convenience” was, in fact, so much more. Although I suspect I’m far from the author’s target audience, I really believe this type of story appeals to everyone. I think the highest compliment I can pay any author, especially one who has written a series is to say that her work has inspired me to read more of the series. This is a wonderfully, relaxing read of a gentler time and I can highly recommend it, to all.

You can find A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans Book 3) here, along with the rest of her extensive portfolio, here, on Mimi Matthews' Amazon Page:

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heart of steel (based on a true story) by kevin d. miller

16/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Heart of Steel: Based on a True Story by Kevin Miller takes us back in time to rural Ohio in 1920 – to the Puchalski Farm just out of Southington, Ohio. Family patriarch George Puchalski, a Polish immigrant, has made a success of his “American Dream” as a respected businessman and farmer in the rural district. George, however, has his demons, with a wandering eye, a violent temper, and an alcoholic disposition, which are expressed with rage and violence against, his wife, and children. After one particularly violent episode in which his wife and daughter, Sophie are both viciously beaten, the family is in turmoil. When George is murdered in his bed, one night and his wife arrested for complicity in his murder, the five siblings suddenly find themselves as orphans. It falls on twelve-year-old Stanley William Puchalski to step up and become a “little man”, in order to protect his siblings from the abuses that are inherent in Orphanages of the time. We follow Stanley’s rights of passage into adulthood, as Stanley William Puchalski transforms himself into Stanley William Miller, as the five children seek to put their violent pasts behind them, forever.

Author Kevin Miller has taken a gamble in writing about such a hidden and violent past from his ancestors. This is never an easy task, as it is difficult to be objective when dealing with family histories, with so many sensitivities to be aware of. In Heart of Steel: Based on a True Story, Miller handles the difficult teenage years of his grandfather with clear pride, but also tempered with an understanding that this young man, forced to grow up so early, was also stalked by demons, similar to his father. He was able to give the character a wonderful balance between his clearly big heart and his burgeoning wild side. I particularly loved the determination and courage Stanley showed in taking responsibility for his four siblings at such a tender age. The author’s pride in his grandfather’s courage shines through this book like a beacon, as does the love between his grandfather and grandmother. This story is one, first and foremost, of love – a mother’s love for her children that would drive her to commit and unspeakable act and the love of five siblings for each other and ultimately both of their parents. I thoroughly enjoyed the overarching them of forgiveness that ran through the narrative. This is a fantastically easy book to read and one I would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction and family drama, or simply anyone who loves a good tale, especially with a basis in fact.

You can find Heart of Steel, here, on Kevin D. Miller's Amazon page:

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demons at war: urban fantasy by p. a. minyard

8/8/2019

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Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Demons at War: Urban Fantasy by P.A. Minyard brings us a demon fantasy adventure with a twist. Set during the American Civil War, Daniel Parker is a Union Major, intimately involved in many of the battles taking place that defined that war. When Daniel comes face to face with a real, live, demon and is murdered at the battle of Antietam, by the demon, he finds himself in a unique situation. Rather than crossing over to the afterlife, Daniel is met by a guardian Angel, Bernard, who offers him an opportunity to return to normal life on Earth, as a member of the “Beloved” brotherhood and to do good for the Father by finding and eliminating demons on earth, who are way more prevalent than most of us would believe. Back home, Daniel’s parents, brother Jonathan and sister Beth, patiently await their dear Daniel’s return, always hoping he will survive this horrible conflict. So begins a journey that will take the two brothers through the hell of fighting demons, including the most powerful of them all, an evil, sadistic demon by the name of Benedict.

Demons at War: Urban Fantasy was something a little different, for me, from the usual demon fodder. By relocating the story back during the American Civil War, author P.A. Minyard gave the story some point of difference. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between the characters, especially Beth and her parents as they tried to come to terms, as so many families had to at that time, with the prospect of losing their son to this horrific war and eventually the possibility that they could lose both their sons. The relationships between Duffy and Beth, as well as that between Jonathan and Mattie rang true to the period and the culture of manners that existed in the 1860’s between the sexes. I also particularly enjoyed the emotions and pain felt by the Angel, Bernard over the grief he was causing to his charges and their family. That certainly softened the violent fight scenes with demons, which gave the story some real balance. One thing that I struggled with was the lack of indication when the POV (Point of View) and scene changed from one character to another. These sudden scene changes would often leave me temporarily confused. All in all, though, this is a very readable, demon fantasy story and with a few minor tweaks could be even better. I did enjoy the read and am tempted to read more in this series.

Demons at War by P.A. Minyard is not available yet on Amazon, as I write this but you can check out the rest of the author's portfolio on P A. Minyard's author page:

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a man called smith by tanya e. williams

30/7/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

A Man Called Smith by Tanya E Williams takes us inside a dysfunctional, blended family in the nineteen fifties and sixties. John Smith was just a newlywed when he volunteered for service during the Second World War. Seeing action on the beaches on Normandy and beyond, John survives but is plagued with nightmares and survivor guilt when he returns home to his bride and daughter, in Cedar Springs, South Dakota. Despite John’s trauma, the future looks bright for these childhood sweethearts as they await the birth of their second child. When John’s wife, Violet dies in childbirth his whole world crumbles around him. Alone and bereft of the love of his life, John sends the children to live on the farm, with his parents while he tries to drag himself through his insufferable grief. When John meets Bernice, it seems like all his problems can be solved. She’s not Violet (but then nobody ever could be!) but she could be the wife and mother he and his children desperately need. What neither he nor his children realise is that Bernice’s first, second, and third priority will always be, Bernice. So begins a downward spiral that will see all the participants sucked into this dysfunctional family and trying desperately to survive the angst and abuse that come their way.

Author Tanya E Williams tells the story of A Man Called Smith, through the eyes of two protagonists and through two time periods. John and his daughter Calla recount what it was like to, first lose their wife and mother and then how John’s marriage to Bernice drove a wedge between Calla, her brother Jarred and their father. The three boys born to the second union would fare marginally better at Bernice’s wicked tongue and hands than would Calla and Jarred but nonetheless they would also struggle with their mother’s vicious temper, belittling, and sarcasm. The character of John was an enigma in many ways. He was a strong, resolute and proud man but the war had instilled in him a belief that fighting achieved nothing, so he was always slow to rock the boat, to stand up for his children against “mother”. As a reader one wanted to seriously kick the man’s butt and tell him to stand up to the vicious, old slag. I’m sure that’s the reaction the author was looking for, so kudos to her for that. The style is simple, readable and somewhat relatable, although John antipathy to arguing seemed to stretch the bounds of probability at times. I found the story was fairly predictable at times and seemed a little formulaic for my liking. That being said, there is much to be had from the messages imparted by the characters, especially about the nature of war, the complicity of silence and the sheer lengths people will sometimes go to, to achieve peace – whatever the unseen costs of those accommodations might be. I understand this is the third in a series of stories around these characters so it may be that a reading of all three stories would open up the characters more and allow the reader to fully grasp the dynamics of this strained family relationship.

You can find A Man Called Smith, plus the rest of Tanya E. Williams' work, here on Amazon:

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American Past Time by len joy

22/7/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

American Past Time by Len Joy is a delve into the world of family and family dynamics across several crucial decades in America’s growth as a world power and the incredible social change that was being felt across the country during that period. The author tells his story through the eyes of Dancer Stonemason, a semi-professional ball player who is just a few days from his potential major league call-up. It is September 1953 and playing in what could be the last game for his team, Dancer finds himself on the cusp of pitching a “perfect” game. The dilemma for Dancer is does he pursue the perfect game and risk his upcoming major league debut or does he put his future and his family’s future first and foremost. From the dizzying heights of adulation and fame, as a small-town hero, Dancer’s life and that of his family take a downward spiral. We follow them through the “bucolic” fifties, as life seemed to improve for all Americans, through the social change of the sixties and into the seventies, with the backdrop of that war that polarized Americans, the Vietnam War. Through all of this turmoil, Dancer seeks to find the path that will give him the life he so clearly wants.

Author Len Joy has given us a simple story, with a powerful message. In American Past Time, using the game of baseball as a metaphor for life, he portrays the rise and fall of a simple, working-man in rural America. What I particularly liked about this story was the corollaries that can been drawn between today’s rhetoric and that time in American, seen by many as the “golden age”. It’s well worth noting from this narrative that despite the “rose-tinted” glasses there was much that was not great about the America of the fifties, sixties, and seventies, particularly for groups of marginalized Americans, especially people of colour and those who did not conform to the strict societal and evangelical rules of the time, such as the LGBTQ community. I think the author did an excellent job at highlighting the immense social injustices of the wealth equality gap and the race gap, particularly as it applied to southern, rural, America of the time. Dancer, as a character was exceptionally well drawn, with recognisable flaws but with a heart for his family and his beloved game. The read is easy, the language simple and the story compelling. For me, I just wish, given the span of the time-frame, that the story had been longer. The time jumps were a little too large for my liking and more in-depth development of, say, Dancer’s son’s growing up and other interesting characters, would have been nice. That aside, this is an excellent read on the social, economic and familial dynamic of a period of American history often hailed as “the good old days”. For many, they weren’t.

You can find American Past Time, here on Len Joy's Amazon page:

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the master of ships: charles's story (novella #2) by naomi finley

27/5/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Master of Ships by Naomi Finley is a short historical novella that follows the lives of Charles Hendricks, a wealthy American, slave-owner and merchant, in the 1840’s and the woman he fell in love with, in England, the half-black, former slave, Isabella. This novella is obviously a continuation of a story begun earlier, but it is not necessary to have read the previous book to obtain enjoyment from this one. Charles, despite being cheated on by his wife and his brother, a union that produced a child, was madly and deeply in love with his wife and was happy to raise the child as his own. When his wife is murdered by fellow whites for being a “nigger lover” (apparently she was active in the Underground Railway helping fleeing slaves in the American South), he is devastated and distraught, taking to sea and to drink to try to numb the pain of his loss. When he finds Isabella, beaten and unconscious in a London alleyway, in his inebriated condition, he determines to help her. What starts out as friendship rapidly turns to love, but Charles cannot let his wife’s memory go and more importantly perhaps, as a slave-owner himself, loving a black woman would ruin his business, his reputation and endanger the lives of Isabella, his daughter Willow and himself.

The Master of Ships is a novella and as such is a little short for me to be a totally satisfying read, however, what there was I found intriguing, exciting and fulfilling. Author Naomi Finley has created some archetypal characters from the era. Charles, especially, conflicted as he was by the love of his late wife and the need for him to ensure his daughter (niece, in reality) received the upbringing she deserved, along with his deep and abiding love for Isabella made him a fascinating study in morals and beliefs, at a time when people were routinely subject to ownership and subjugation. Charles was caught neatly between two worlds, unsure what the right move was but knowing he did not want to, indeed, could not lose Isabella from his life. As perhaps I’d intimated earlier, my only regret with this exceptional story was that it wasn’t a full-length novel. What I particularly enjoyed about the story was the moral debate over the appropriateness of slavery and the idea that somehow slaves or black people are in some way lesser than white or even sub-human. This was a debate that rattled through Charles’ mind the entire time. I note the author is planning the next chapter in this saga soon and the greatest compliment I can perhaps pay her is to say, I will be waiting for the next instalment, to find out what happens in this love story and where the main characters move on from here.

You can find The Master of Ships, along with the rest of Naomi Finley's porfolio, here on her Amazon page:

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by force of circumstance (the chosen man trilogy book 3) by j. g. harlond

27/3/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Author J G Harlond takes us back in time to 17th Century Europe, in her political thriller By Force of Circumstance (The Chosen Man Trilogy Book 3). Ludo Da Portavenere has certainly led an adventurous life. High-born, but illegitimate, Ludo has been a corsair, a merchant of spices and silks from the East, a Secret Agent and a Sea Captain, but one thing he has never been is anyone’s puppet. When a former nemesis, the Priest, Father Rogelio, forces him, under extreme duress, to participate in a scheme to get a hold of the English Crown Jewels, which the exiled Queen requires to sell, to help fund her husband’s civil-war against Cromwell and the Roundheads, excitement and danger is sure to follow. Trying to manoeuvre safely through the political machinations of 17th Century Europe was always fraught with danger and this particular exercise will test all of Ludo’s remarkable skills of evasion and chicanery. Reuniting with his former lover, Alina, the now widowed Baroness Metherall and his old partner Marco Alonso Almendro will ensure Ludo does not have to face the evil Rogelio alone but their presence also places additional burdens on him, burdens he would possibly rather not have.

By Force of Circumstance (The Chosen Man Trilogy Book 3) brings 17th Century Europe alive for the reader. I love it when an historical novel manages to teach, through its setting and characters something of the flavour of the time and events that we may have been unaware of. Author J G Harlond has certainly managed to achieve that in this exciting and intriguing tale. As a reader I was totally transported to the time, the sense of privilege felt by the aristocracy of the 1600’s, the courage of the men who sailed those tall ships halfway around the world in search of the elusive silks and spices, and the sheer level of chicanery, blatant arrogance, and self-service that epitomised the ruling classes and of course, the Vatican, at that time. The author’s research has, I’m sure, been extensive and as a history buff I am pleased by that. Although this is clearly the third book in this series, having not read either of the first two in no way diminishes the enjoyment of this story. The author made excellent moves to drop hints as to what had happened previously and why certain characters acted the way they did, based on the two earlier stories. I can highly recommend this read and can pay the author no greater compliment than to say I am motivated to go back and read books one and two of this trilogy.

You can find By Force of Circumstance here on J. G. Harlond's Amazon page, along with the rest of her portfolio:

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conflict on the yangtze by greg kater

18/3/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Author Greg Kator brings us an Asian action adventure with his latest novel, Conflict on the Yangtze. Featuring many of the characters already introduced in his previous works, the author takes us on a journey up the famous Yangtze River in post-war China to attempt to destroy an opium smuggling ring that is flooding Australia and the U.S. with illicit drugs, transported via The Philippines. Jamie Munro and half-aborigine Jack “Jacko” O’Brien, from the Australian Commonwealth Investigation Services will team up with Colonel John Cook from Britain’s MI6 and Harry Williams from the U.S. Office of Strategic Services to try to destroy the smuggling ring. Entering a China wracked with virtual Civil War, as Mao ZeDong’s Communists battle with Chiang Kai Shek’s Kuomintang Government was always going to be fraught with danger for the pair, especially with various Warlords also struggling for control of a country left in a vacuum with the defeat of the Japanese invaders. Fortunately for Munro and O’Brien they have a secret weapon – the diminutive but incredibly brave and resourceful half-sister of Jacko’s, the Aborigine girl Sarah. Together they will tackle the drug cartel from production to transport, to distribution.

Conflict on the Zangtze reads very much like a “boys own” adventure story from my childhood, with action and excitement on almost every page. Author Greg Kator has a direct and engaging style of writing that draws the reader into the familial group of characters and imbues them with a sense that they belong to the reader. As a New Zealander, I appreciated the sometime not so subtle “Aussie” speak and references but I imagine for many readers an “Aussie” glossary would be a useful tool for this book. Undoubtedly the star of the show was none of the big brave Intelligence officers but rather the tiny Aboriginal girl, Sarah. Her resourcefulness and her charming humility were beautifully portrayed by the author and one was totally endeared to her by the end of the story. This is a continuation of characters previously introduced by Kator but one does not have to have read his earlier books to be enthralled by this one – it stands alone, as a wonderful story. If you are a lover of action/adventure with a very ethnic twist or a lover of Historical Fiction (as I am) this book will be right up your alley. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and can highly recommend it.

You can find Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater, here on Amazon:

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The Stockton Insane Asylum Murder (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries Book 3) by James Musgrave

26/2/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Stockton Insane Asylum Murder (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries) by James Musgrove takes us inside a typical Californian Asylum at the end of the nineteenth century. At this time, committal of a patient in the asylum was common for both women and children in the patriarchal paradigm of that era. It seemed, when women became too strident or too annoying to their husbands, or they could see a financial benefit in jettisoning her, it was an, all too easy, thing to do. Clara Foltz is a private detective and a loud champion of women’s rights. When she is approached by an aunt of a young girl committed to the asylum after witnessing a murder committed on her wealthy parents’ estate, she joins forces with a former asylum inmate, the redoubtable Mrs Elizabeth Packard also a crusading activist to investigate what may be a miscarriage of justice. What Clara and her team find is much more than just a wrongly committed patient, but a systematic and endemic attitude of corruption, misogyny and racism at the highest levels of the asylum and the government. The crusading team are determined to unravel the mystery of the committed child but also to bring down the corrupt and evil experimenters who are trying to prove the superiority of the white elites of America.

What I did enjoy about The Stockton Insane Asylum Murder (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries) was the mirror it held up to us today. Despite well over a century having passed by, many of the deep set beliefs and ideals portrayed by author James Musgrove in this story of “white superiority” are still alive and kicking and sadly finding more traction than ever before in the United States at present. I found it fascinating that these strong, crusading women even back then, knew the answers to society’s ills and yet today, we are still crying out for powerful female leadership, with the compassion and common sense evident in this story. Clearly the patriarchal paradigm is still a long way from being fractured and done away with. The secondary characters in the story were, in some ways, the stars of the tale. I was particularly taken with the two sets of triplets, two sets of whom were conjoined twins. They added an almost Barnum and Bailey character to the story and brought to mind the sorts of experiments that would be practised some sixty-odd years later in another evil attempt to prove Aryan elite superiority. The story flows well, with the author’s style being readable and succinct. I did, initially have some difficulty isolating, in my mind, who was who and doing what to whom, but that aside, this was a satisfying read. If you love historical fiction rooted in reality and you look for strong, independent and fierce female lead characters, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy this book immensely.

You can find The Stockton Insane Asylum Murders by James Musgrave, here on Amazon:

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yield by b. j. .tiernan

23/1/2019

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I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed B.J. Tiernan's novel of love, loss and relationships, based in 1960's small-town middle America. Perhaps it was the nostalgia effect on a child of that period, but I found myself totally transported into the main character's lives and their angst, especially as they faced the most pressing situation of the time - the Vietnam War, head on. This is a story that examines the questions of what is love and how to cope with abuse and loss. I was delighted with the characters Tiernan created for this story. Marley, the young woman who had been sexually abused as a child and carried that weight deep inside her for all her childhood.
Marley, following a botched abortion, as a teenager, decides she is not loveable. With cold, undemonstrative parents, Marley concludes she is not worthy, so when the good-looking, wealthy and successful Peter comes into her life, she "settles" for a relationship that whilst not being "in love" is at least, safe and comforting. When, on her wedding day, she meets Peter's best friend, Warren, she realises, to her horror, that this man is actually the man of her dreams. The electricity between the pair is palpable.
All this is played out against the background of the horror, the loss and the music that was the dominating factor of the 60's and early 70's - the Vietnam War and the country's opinion of that war. As a child of the 60's and 70's I enjoyed the nostalgia trip, but more importantly, I enjoyed the story of these characters, as they tried to come to terms with who they were and what to make of the situations life had thrown at them.
This is not deep, sophisticated literature; this is a simply told, beautifully written tale of a woman attempting to find her place in a world she's not sure she belongs in. The friendship between Marley and her best friend since childhood was one of the highlights of the book. I have to be honest, there's not a lot I can read that makes me emotional, yet this book has that ability. I wondered how the author would conclude the story given the first person POV and I was both satisfied and moved by her writing.
If you love romance, relationships and the dynamics between them, you really will love Yield. It's a winner in my book and worth every one of the five stars I've given it.

You can find Yield here, on Amazon.

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dark serenade (montenegro #2) by estela vazquez perez

2/1/2019

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Dark Serenade (Montenegro, #2) is a continuation of the story of Victor Montenegro, from a well-to-do and influential Californian family, who gets more than he bargained for when he travels to New Orleans to escape a broken heart. Montenegro, a devil-may-care, treasure hunter is caught up with a group of vampires in New Orleans and discovers to his horror, what vampirism and demons are all about.
You do not have to have read Book 1, to enjoy this dark and mysterious tale, but I have and this is just a continuation of the wonderful story and beautiful language of author Estela Vazquez Perez. Perez very definitely has a way with words and her books are a delight to read, as the stories just trip off the tongue and draw fantastic mind pictures for the readers. At its heart, this series is very much a story about unrequited love and the pain that goes along with living forever, as a vampire, combined with the inability of a vampire to consummate true and lasting romantic love with another person. The characters from the first book are still there, but this book focuses very much on the life of Montenegro, after he returns to California and comes to terms with the idea that he is now an abomination and will live forever, but can never find true and lasting love.
I am generally not a great reader of vampiric fantasy, but Perez not only makes her characters real and the reader empathetic to them, she weaves a beautiful story as she goes. I cannot wait for the next iteration of this series to see where Perez takes these characters that I have come to adore.
Dark Serenade is an excellent read and one I can highly recommend.

You can find Dark Serenade here on Estela Vazquez Perez's Amazon page, along with the rest of her superb stories.

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of knights and dogfights: a WWII Novel by ellie midwood

26/12/2018

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I am an enormous fan of Ellie Midwood's and I await each new release with anticipation and excitement of another fantastic story from World War II. Of Knights and Dogfights is a wonderful example of what Midwood does and in my opinion, does much better than anyone else. She researches possible characters, finds real-life participants who pique her interest and then fictionalises them into magnificent stories of deering-do and romance.
This was very much the case with Of Knights and Dogfights, which is based on two real Luftwaffe aces from World War II. Although the two never met in real life, in Midwood's fictional world, they not only met, but trained and fought side by side in the skies above Europe and Africa. Her two characters, Willi and Johann, were, in many ways, the antithesis of the hatred, evil and prejudice that stalked Nazi Germany. Neither believed the racial purity lines spouted by the party and both were chivalrous and gallant toward their enemies, in a way that was always destined to bring them into conflict with the "powers that be" in 1940's Nazi Germany.
As a reader, I found myself totally invested in the lives of these two fine, upstanding, young men. I think perhaps the greatest moment of revelation was when I realised that despite being the highest and second-highest aces of WWII, both Willi and Johann were just a mere twenty-three-years of age. The horrors of war, that had required both boys to become men, way too early was reflected in their even-handed treatment of all people, regardless of their race, creed or religion. These were the Germans, who loved their beloved Fatherland and would fight to the death to protect it, but hated and despised everything the Nazi cancer had done to their home and their people.
I have yet to read a Midwood story that has left me unfulfilled as a reader and Of Knights and Dogfights will not be the first. It was a wonderful story that takes the reader soaring high amongst the clouds but doesn't shy from the realities and horrors of war that kills a nation's youth, whilst its old men plot and plan.
Another absolute winner from the doyen of WWII literature and one of my favourite authors, never mind favourite Indie Authors. Midwood stands proudly amongst the best of the legacy published authors. This book is another triumph in an already glittering portfolio.

Absolutely do go and take a look at Of Knights and Dogfights, along with the rest of her amazing portfolio, here on Ellie Midwood's Amazon page.

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ketsumeidan by maRK MOREY

7/12/2018

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Ketsumeidan provides us with a fascinating look inside the world of the Japanese Geisha and its rituals and ceremonies. Set in Tokyo, prior to World War II, we meet Aiko, a successful and much sought after Geisha, who, it seems, has her life well and truly sorted. She loves her role as a Geisha and the lifestyle it affords, plus she has a patron who she loves dearly. The only thing that darkens the horizon is the increasingly militaristic attitude of many in the armed forces and the parliament of Japan. It seems that Japan's slide into war is inevitable and many feel it is a war they cannot win, especially if the United States declares war on Japan.
When Aiko becomes privy (through a Geisha banquet) to information on an ultra nationalist organisation called the Ketsumeidan, she contacts the Tokyo police. Tokyo Police Inspector Yuudai Sato. The unlikely alliance join forces to try to prevent the assassination of the Japanese Prime Minister and to try to stave off the inevitable march to war. When they prove unsuccessful, both must face the horrors that war will bring to them and their loved ones.
Ketsumeidan is a solid, chunky read and gives us some real insight into the life, culture, customs and social mannerisms of pre-war Japan. The sharp contrast between the "average man or woman" and the ruthless, vicious, indoctrinated conscripts could not be more apparent. Many of those left behind cannot believe the atrocities committed by their military on behalf of the Japanese people. This juxtaposition is perhaps no more eloquently highlighted than that between the serene, world of the Geisha's and the murder and rape of thousands of innocent Chinese civilians in the Japan/Chinese conflict.
I found the story dragged ever so slightly at times, but the stark horror of those left behind to face the Allied bombing raids on Tokyo as well as the atrocities being committed in China, were always enough to keep me reading. As a social history of a long-forgotten time, Ketsumeidan served as an excellent read to someone for whom historical fiction is a "junkie's fix". I enjoyed the read and can definitely recommend it.

You can find Ketsumeidan, here, on Mark Morey's Amazon Page, along with the rest of his work.

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the persecution of mildred dunlap by paulette mahurin

23/11/2018

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Regular readers of my reviews will know I am a big fan of Paulette Mahurin's historical fiction. When I realised there was one of her books I had yet to read, I quickly set about to remedy that oversight.
The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap did not disappoint in any way. Set in 1895 in a small Nevadan town, Mildred and her cousin Edra had long ago realised their attraction to each other and as time had passed they had developed a deep and loving relationship, always cognisant of the effect such a relationship would have in their small town, should it ever become known.
Like all small towns Red River Pass was a hotbed of gossip, much of it generated from the telegrams from the outside world that would bring news and were posted on the public noticeboard outside the General Store. When news came of Oscar Wilde's conviction and imprisonment for homosexuality in England, tongues and minds turned to the evils and sins of same-sex relationships. For Mildred and Edra, they walked a very taut tightrope that threatened to drop them at any point. The pair had always shunned the local gossips, but when things get tight, it is often surprising where true friends and allies can emerge from.
What I've always loved about Mahurin's writings is her ability to weave true life events from the past into a fictional tale which conveys relevance to the happenings of the time. She has excelled at this in the past and does so again, here. Her messages of love, tolerance and understanding shine through her works and are as equally applicable (perhaps even more so) today as they were in 1895.
I don't know how I ever missed reading this before, but I am truly glad to have done so now. As a fellow author, I doff my cap to Mahurin, who shows me regularly what I could also be capable of. Having excellence to aim for is always a challenge and Mahurin always provide excellence in reading. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Absolutely do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, plus the rest of Paulette Mahurin's superb portfolio, here, on her Amazon page.

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innocent bystander (the innocent mystery series book 3) by c.a. asbrey

21/11/2018

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Abigail MacKay is a rarity, a detective for the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency at the end of the nineteenth century. In Innocent Bystander (The Innocent Mystery Series Book 3), by C.A. Asbrey, Abigail is drawn west, from her home in New York in search of her missing sister, Madeleine who it appears has run off with a man who is suspected of leaving a trail of dead, rich, wives behind him. The problem is nobody appears to know how he is killing his wives and although suspected of murder, no charges have ever been brought against him. When Nat Quinn, notorious bandit and leader of the Innocent gang, and his erstwhile Uncle Jake rob a train in Wyoming, they discover among the passengers, the beautiful and seductive Madeleine, who instantly reminds him of Abigail, with whom he has had previous romantic and unresolved issues. When Abigail realises Nat and Jake are her best chance to find Madeleine and save her from her killer husband, she heads into outlaw territory and persuades the pair to accompany her to San Francisco where they will try to discover the mysterious method by which the killer disposes of his wives without medical professionals being any the wiser.

Innocent Bystanders (The Innocent Mystery Series Book 3) is a powerful and exciting adventure that captivated me, as a reader, from the first page. I had not read the previous two iterations of this adventure, but author C.A. Asbrey did a superb job in filling in the gaps of what occurred in books 1 & 2. The characters of Abigail, Nat and Jake could almost have been taken from a “western adventure annual”. They are overdrawn, but purposely, I’m sure, by the author, to emphasise their characters. Nat and Jake were far from your average outlaws, with both having a strong moral compass buried beneath their outward bluster and toughness. Similarly, Abigail was your archetypal heroine; strong, independent, free thinking and wilful, everything you’d expect from a Pinkerton female detective. The author marvellously managed to imbue her with a softer, feminine and uncertain side to her character that just rounded her out perfectly. The plot was cleverly constructed and keeps the reader fascinated. Although this story could probably be classified as a “western” genre, it is far more than that and will appeal to aficionados of western, romance, murder/mystery and adventure. All in all, this is an excellent read and highly recommended.

Do pop on over to Amazon where you can find Innocent Bystander, plus the previous two books in the series, here on C.A. Asbrey's Amazon page:

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sometimes trouble comes in two's! by raymond cook

13/11/2018

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When Rosenda and Angelique Martinez waved their parents and brothers goodbye, as their family headed off to sell their 200 horses, to the Army in Fort Collins in 1898, little did the girls realise they would not return to them. Set upon and murdered by the very men, their father had hired to help them, the two sisters were suddenly left alone in the world. Rather than wallow in self-pity the girls, full of righteous anger vow to hunt down the five men responsible for their family’s murder. In Sometimes Trouble Comes in Two’s by Raymond Cook, the main problem faced by the girls, to their plan, is that neither of them has any experience in guns or gun-fighting. After hiring a passing gunslinger, they witnessed in a gun-fight in their town, to teach them the rudiments of drawing and firing a pistol, the girls are finally ready to begin their journey of vengeance and justice. Two females, with Colts strapped to their waists was a rare sight in Colorado in 1898 and Rosenda and Angelique soon draw plenty of attention from both those upholding the law and those breaking the law as they travel around the small towns, of early Colorado, searching for the five killers.

The thing I liked most about Sometimes Trouble Comes in Two’s is the two main characters Rosenda and Angelique Martinez who, as two strong female leads are not robbed of their femininity and their emotions by the role of “bounty hunters” that they have chosen to embrace. Author Raymond Cook does well to soften the harshness of the action and the violence with his two protagonists who display their caring, understanding and nurturing nature often in the story. The author’s style is very straightforward, simple and matter-of-fact, as the girls travel the roads and towns of frontier Colorado. In this sense it is a very readable story and could appeal as much to young adults as adults. The premise of two female gunslingers is rare and unusual enough in itself to capture a reader’s attention and Cook does a good job of telling their story. If the author’s intent was to show the counterpoint between the generally accepted version of the “west” as a wild and lawless frontier with the idea that the majority of settlers were good, simple folk just seeking a quiet and peaceful life, I feel he achieved his result. This was a satisfactory read, especially if western fiction is your genre.

Do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at Trouble Sometimes Comes in Two's on Raymond Cook's Amazon page, along with the rest of his extensive portfolio.

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touching the wire by rebecca bryn

22/10/2018

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Touching The Wire by Rebecca Bryn is an amalgam of two stories, vastly different and yet inextricably linked. We travel back to the horrors and evil of the holocaust concentration camps and perhaps the worst of them all, in Auscwhitz. The author shows us firsthand and in graphic detail the pain, the suffering and the abomination that was the death camps. Juxtaposed on top of this heart-rending story is the lives of two twins, Charlotte and Lucy, who have always believed their Grandfather held a secret that dated back to World War II. Grandfather would never talk about the war, but they knew of his nightmares and the frequent looks of deep sorrow that would cross his face from time to time.
When the twins' Grandfather dies, they discover a carving he had made, which leads them on a mystery hunt, similar to those he had organised for them as children, however, this time the prize will not be a bar of chocolate but perhaps the truth about what really happened in that murderous death camp and who was ultimately responsible.
At times, the horror of life in the camps is almost impossible to read, but that serves only too highlight the incredible and utter inhumanity of that period and is necessary to remind us that; "he who keeps silent, consents". The author has captured the brutality of the camps, but also she has beautifully captured the indomitable spirit of so many of those who lost their lives, to Nazi madness and the humanity of characters, such as Miriam, shines through the narrative to blunt the evil.
As I said, this is really two stories in one; we have the life and love of Charlotte, as she seeks to find her way in the world, after an abusive and failing marriage, plus we have the mystery of why Grandfather made these sculptures, what they tell, and where they all are, now.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and yes, although the conditions described in the camps are hard to bear, there is enough good in this story to counterbalance the evil. If you are a WWII story devotee and you like a good mystery, then Touching The Wire is an absolute "must read", for you. Author Rebecca Bryn has performed a superb balancing act with this tale.

You can find, Touching The Wire, along with the author's full portfolio, here on Rebecca Bryn's Amazon page:

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the old gilt clock by paulette mahurin

the fortune follies by catori sarmiento

seventh flag: a novel by sid balman Jr.

a convenient fiction (parish orphans of devon book 3) by mimi matthews

heart of steel (based on a true story) by kevin d. miller

demons at war: urban fantasy by p. a. minyard

a man called smith by tanya e. williams

American Past Time by len joy

the master of ships: charles's story (novella #2) by naomi finley

by force of circumstance (the chosen man trilogy book 3) by j. g. harlond

conflict on the yangtze by greg kater

The Stockton Insane Asylum Murder (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries Book 3) by James Musgrave

yield by b. j. .tiernan

dark serenade (montenegro #2) by estela vazquez perez

of knights and dogfights: a WWII Novel by ellie midwood

ketsumeidan by maRK MOREY

the persecution of mildred dunlap by paulette mahurin

innocent bystander (the innocent mystery series book 3) by c.a. asbrey

sometimes trouble comes in two's! by raymond cook

touching the wire by rebecca bryn

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