The Romanov Empress Blog Tour and Review

The Romanov Empress by C.W. Gortner

Publication Date: July 10, 2018

Ballantine Books

Hardcover; 448 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Even from behind the throne, a woman can rule.

Narrated by the mother of Russia’s last tsar, this vivid, historically authentic novel brings to life the courageous story of Maria Feodorovna, one of Imperial Russia’s most compelling women, who witnessed the splendor and tragic downfall of the Romanovs as she fought to save her dynasty in the final years of its long reign.

Barely nineteen, Minnie knows that her station in life as a Danish princess is to leave her family and enter into a royal marriage—as her older sister Alix has done, moving to England to wed Queen Victoria’s eldest son. The winds of fortune bring Minnie to Russia, where she marries the Romanov heir and becomes empress once he ascends the throne. When resistance to her husband’s reign strikes at the heart of her family and the tsar sets out to crush all who oppose him, Minnie—now called Maria—must tread a perilous path of compromise in a country she has come to love.

Her husband’s death leaves their son Nicholas II as the inexperienced ruler of a deeply divided and crumbling empire. Determined to guide him to reforms that will bring Russia into the modern age, Maria faces implacable opposition from Nicholas’s strong-willed wife, Alexandra, whose fervor has lead her into a disturbing relationship with a mystic named Rasputin. As the unstoppable wave of revolution rises anew to engulf Russia, Maria will face her most dangerous challenge and her greatest heartache.

From the opulent palaces of St. Petersburg and the intrigue-laced salons of the aristocracy to the World War I battlefields and the bloodied countryside occupied by the Bolsheviks, C. W. Gortner sweeps us into the anarchic fall of an empire and the complex, bold heart of the woman who tried to save it.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Praise for The Romanov Empress

"Gortner’s mesmerizing historical novel (following The Vatican Princess) depicts the remarkable life of the mother of the last Russian tsar. This insightful first-person account of the downfall of the Romanov rule will appeal to history buffs; at its core, it’s the powerful story of a mother trying to save her family and an aristocrat fighting to maintain rule in a country of rebellion, giving it an even broader appeal." —Publishers Weekly

“A sweeping saga that takes us from the opulence and glamor of Tsarist Russia to the violent, tragic last days of the Romanovs. C. W. Gortner breaks new ground here, skillfully painting an intimate, compelling portrait of this fascinating empress and her family.” —Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America’s First Daughter

“The Romanov Empress has all the glitter and mystery of a Faberge egg, the outer decadence and beauty of Imperial Russia unfolding to reveal the mysteries and horrors within. The waning days of a doomed dynasty are recounted by the vivacious but tough Danish princess who would become one of Russia's most revered tsarinas, only to see her line end in war and revolution. Gortner pens a beautiful tribute to a lost world, weaving a tale sumptuous as a Russian sable.” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

“A vivid, engaging tale of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, the mother of Russia's last Tsar, her loves and her heartbreaks, bringing the troubled final decades of the Russian Empire to life.” —Eva Stachniak, author of The Winter Palace

My Take:

Because I have read and loved several of C.W. Gortner's historical fiction novels, my policy has pretty much been to jump at the chance to read and review any of his books offered to me. He is a great writer of historical fiction with a talent for making each of the main female characters jump from the page and engage the reader in her story. 

I am very appreciative of the fact that instead of telling the story of Nicholass II's wife, Alexandra, he instead tells the fascinating story of Nicholas's mother. Minnie, as she is known to family and friends, is a strong, intelligent woman with a canny ability to see the big picture and take action when needed.

Minnie was born Marie Sophie Frederikke Dagmar of Glucksburg, Denmark; her father was from an impoverished princely cadet line who suddenly became the heir-presumptive to the throne of Denmark. The story of how she went from a poor princess to the Empress of Russia is a fascinating one that rivals many fairy tales. Her story then turns into a love story, then a political drama and finally a tragedy.But through it all Minnie is a strong and capable woman - she is a survivor. Despite all the sadness of life, she maintains that what else can one do but live? I found her story to be very inspirational and I found Minnie to be an admirable woman. She always tried to do what she felt to the right. 

I loved all the historical information that Gortner includes in the novel -- I love history and I appreciate that he makes sure to frame the events of the story within the larger historical context. The familiar story of Russia during WWI and the aftermath from Minnie's point of view was unique and I learned so much about what happened to some of the family members during this chaotic and dangerous time period. The novel includes England and Minnie's family members as well as the family of Nicholas II. 

I want to read more about Minnie and her life as a result of reading The Romanov Empress. This always seems to be the case after reading one of Gorner's novels -- I rush out and read a bunch of non-fiction about the main character because the novel peaked so much interest. To be quite honest, Minnie seems to have been a much more interesting, intelligent and capable woman that Alexandra was. 

As always with a Gortner novel, I can happily and heartily recommend The Romanov Empress to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, history, Russian history, the Romanov family, or fiction in general. 

About the Author

C. W. Gortner holds an MFA in writing, with an emphasis on historical studies, from the New College of California. He is the internationally acclaimed and bestselling author of Mademoiselle Chanel, The Queen’s Vow, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, The Last Queen, The Vatican Princess, and Marlene, among other books. He divides his time between Northern California and Antigua, Guatemala.

To learn more about his work and to schedule a book group chat with him, please visit his website. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, July 10
Review & Interview at Clarissa Reads it All
Feature at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, July 11
Review at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, July 12
Review at A Bookish Affair

Friday, July 13
Feature at Bookfever

Monday, July 16
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Tuesday, July 17
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Wednesday, July 18
Review at Creating Herstory
Feature at So Many Books, So Little Time

Thursday, July 19
Review at The Lit Bitch

Friday, July 20
Review at Bri's Book Nook

Monday, July 23
Review at Books and Glamour

Tuesday, July 24
Review at Dressed to Read

Wednesday, July 25
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective

Thursday, July 26
Review at Donna's Book Blog

Friday, July 27
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Monday, July 30
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Tuesday, July 31
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Wednesday, August 1
Feature at Let Them Read Books

Thursday, August 2
Review at Curling Up By the Fire

Friday, August 3
Review at Broken Teepee

Monday, August 6
Review at A Book Geek

Tuesday, August 7
Review at What Cathy Read Next

Thursday, August 9
Review at Caryn, the Book Whisperer

Friday, August 10
Review at Two Gals and a Book

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a copy of The Romanov Empress to one lucky reader! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Romanov Empress

Trial on Mount Koya Blog Tour and Review

Trial on Mount Koya by Susan Spann

Publication Date: July 3, 2018

Seventh Street Books

Paperback & eBook; 256 Pages

Genre: Historical Mystery

Series: Hiro Hattori, Book #6

Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo head up to Mount Koya, only to find themselves embroiled in yet another mystery, this time in a Shingon Buddhist temple atop one of Japan's most sacred peaks.

November, 1565: Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya, carrying a secret message for an Iga spy posing as a priest on the sacred mountain. When a snowstorm strikes the peak, a killer begins murdering the temple's priests and posing them as Buddhist judges of the afterlife--the Kings of Hell. Hiro and Father Mateo must unravel the mystery before the remaining priests--including Father Mateo--become unwilling members of the killer's grisly council of the dead.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise for Trial on Mount Koya

“A page-turning and atmospheric historical mystery that beautifully melds fascinating Japanese history with a cleverly constructed mystery reminiscent of And Then There Were None—if the famous Agatha Christie mystery had been set in medieval Japan on a sacred mountaintop during a snowstorm.” —Gigi Pandian, USA Today–bestselling author of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries

“Susan Spann is up front in saying that Trial on Mount Koya is an homage to Agatha Christie. Believe me, she does the great Dame Agatha proud. This excellent entry in Spann’s series of Hiro Hattori mysteries offers plenty of esoteric clues and red herrings that are fun to chase. Along the way, she even does Christie one better, giving readers a fascinating glimpse of life and religion in feudal Japan. This is a book sure to please Spann’s growing legion of fans as well as anyone who loves the work of Agatha Christie.” —William Kent Krueger, Edgar® Award–winning author of Sulfur Springs

My Take:

This is the second of Susan Spann's Hiro Hattori Novels that I have read. I think this one, Trial on Mount Koya, is my favorite so far - mostly because it reminds me of an Agatha Christie mystery in some ways. I love the main characters Hiro and Father Mateo - they make a great duo. I also love that the reader can jump into any of the mysteries without feeling like they are completely lost. Its been a long while since I read the third book, Flask of the Drunken Master, and I felt like I still knew the characters enough to enjoy the book. At the same time, I very much want to go back and read the other books in the series.

Hiro and Father Mateo are sheltering from a storm in a mountaintop temple while delivering a secret message to a spy - and that's not even the most interesting thing that happens. That's just what gets them to the mountaintop. Once there, a storm traps them and several other people in the temple. When people start getting murdered in strange and ritualistic ways, things get really interesting. Who is doing this and why? There are many suspects, lots of red herrings and tons of fun for mystery lovers. 

Trial on Mount Koya was a fun, easy read - the kind of mystery where I couldn't put the book down because I was just so interested in what was happening, the people and their background stories and the whole location of the novel. While the novel kept my attention and was a real page-turner, I wasn't anxious while reading it at all - Hiro and Father Mateo have my full trust that they will survive and solve pretty much any mystery or crime thrown at them. 

This is definitely a novel I would happily recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery - especially anyone who likes historical novels and/or books that take place in Japan.

About the Author

Susan Spann is the award-winning author of the Hiro Hattori mystery novels, featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo.

Susan began reading precociously and voraciously from her preschool days in Santa Monica, California, and as a child read everything from National Geographic to Agatha Christie. In high school, she once turned a short-story assignment into a full-length fantasy novel (which, fortunately, will never see the light of day).

A yearning to experience different cultures sent Susan to Tufts University in Boston, where she immersed herself in the history and culture of China and Japan. After earning an undergraduate degree in Asian Studies, Susan diverted to law school. She returned to California to practice law, where her continuing love of books has led her to specialize in intellectual property, business and publishing contracts.

Susan’s interest in Japanese history, martial arts, and mystery inspired her to write the Shinobi Mystery series featuring Hiro Hattori, a sixteenth-century ninja who brings murderers to justice with the help of Father Mateo, a Portuguese Jesuit priest.

Susan is the 2015 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Writer of the Year, a former president of the Northern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime (National and Sacramento chapters), the Historical Novel Society, and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She is represented by literary agent Sandra Bond of Bond Literary Agency.

When not writing or representing clients, Susan enjoys traditional archery, martial arts, photography, and hiking. She lives in Sacramento with her husband and two cats, and travels to Japan on a regular basis.

For more information, please visit Susan Spann's website. You can find Susan on Facebook and Twitter (@SusanSpann), where she founded the #PubLaw hashtag to provide legal and business information for writers.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, July 3
Kick Off at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, July 4
Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Thursday, July 5
Interview at T's Stuff
Feature at The Bookworm

Friday, July 6
Guest Post at Jathan & Heather

Sunday, July 8
Review at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings

Tuesday, July 10
Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Wednesday, July 11
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Thursday, July 12
Guest Post at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Friday, July 13
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Monday, July 16
Review at Writing the Renaissance

Tuesday, July 17
Guest Post at Writing the Renaissance

Wednesday, July 18
Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog

Friday, July 20
Feature at Maiden of the Pages

Saturday, July 21
Review at Cup of Sensibility

Tuesday, July 24
Feature at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Thursday, July 26
Feature at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Friday, July 27
Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog

Monday, July 30
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Wednesday, August 1
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews

Thursday, August 2
Review at A Book Geek

Friday, August 3
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Sunday, August 5
Feature at What Is That Book About

Monday, August 6
Review at Broken Teepee

Wednesday, August 8
Review at Reading the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 5 copies of Trial on Mount Koya! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Trial on Mount Koya

Review: Sharp & Sugar Tooth: Women Up to No Good

Sharp & Sugar Tooth (Women Up to No Good #3)
Edited by Octavia Cade
Publisher:Upper Rubber Boot Books
Publication date: March 26, 2019
Source: Publisher for an honest review

Description:

Sharp & Sugar Tooth: Women Up To No Good is a horror anthology of dark fiction and darker appetites, edited by Octavia Cade. Containing 22 stories of “bad” women, and “good” women who just haven’t been caught yet, it features 22 fearless writers who identify as female, non-binary, or a marginalized sex or gender identity. It’s the third in the Women Up To No Good series, and is forthcoming at the end of 2018.

My Take:

When I was offered the opportunity to read and review this anthology, I was quite excited by the premise of the collection of short stories. There are twenty-two stories in this collection and they each made an impression on me. I

tried to list my favorites and the list ended up including most of the stories - for varying reasons. The stories include dark fairy tales, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and a few stories I'm not sure how to categorize.

I find that short story collections take me longer to read and longer to review -- and this particular book even more so. I found that after each story I had to put the book aside so that I could process and ponder what I had just read. Even after a few weeks, I find my mind wandering back to an idea, a character, a situation from the stories and I just sit and think. Sometimes its because it was shocking, sometimes because the situation was heart-breaking, other times its the particular twist of a well-known idea or theme that strikes me. There wasn't a single story that I hated -- and most I really liked. Sharp & Sugar Tooth is definitely a book that I am recommending to my friends - it is a very worthwhile read.

It is hard to pick favorites, but some of the stories that really stick with me are:

"Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers" by Alyssa Wong. - this is such an amazing story - It is a dark supernatural/horror tale that really sticks with me. Loved it.

"A Lie You Give, and Thus I Take" by Damien Angelica Walters - a different twist on fairy tales. It has layers to the tale - could be about many things, but seems to be a view of abuse told through the words of fairy tales - and I would say it is true to the real purpose of fairy tales.

"A Fish Tale" by Sabrina Vourvoulias - a fish tale -- a great story.  This is one that I will read again for sure.

"Strong Meat" by A. R. Henle - such a thought provoking story. I can't say much or risk giving too much away.

"Alice Underground" by Rachael Sterling. Alice in Wonderland - but out of Wonderland - real? mental illness? So good!

"The Lily and the Horn" by Catherynne M. Valente - a very good tale.

"A Year Without the Taste of Meat" by Erin Horakova - Science Fiction story that takes on different species/cultures. I really liked this one.

Honestly, I could list every story in this collection and tell you something that made an impression on me. However, I would be giving too much away -- these stories deserve to be discovered. Go read Sharp & Sugar Tooth - you won't be disappointed!


Publisher/book website: http://www.upperrubberboot.com/sharp-sugar-tooth/

The King's Justice Blog Tour and Review

The King's Justice by E.M Powell

Publication Date: June 1, 2018

Thomas & Mercer

Paperback & eBook; 288 Pages

ISBN-978-1542046015

Series: Stanton and Barling #1

Genre: Historical Mystery

A murder that defies logic—and a killer on the loose.

England, 1176. Aelred Barling, esteemed clerk to the justices of King Henry II, is dispatched from the royal court with his young assistant, Hugo Stanton, to investigate a brutal murder in a village outside York.

The case appears straightforward. A suspect is under lock and key in the local prison, and the angry villagers are demanding swift justice. But when more bodies are discovered, certainty turns to doubt—and amid the chaos it becomes clear that nobody is above suspicion.

Facing growing unrest in the village and the fury of the lord of the manor, Stanton and Barling find themselves drawn into a mystery that defies logic, pursuing a killer who evades capture at every turn.

Can they solve the riddle of who is preying upon the villagers? And can they do it without becoming prey themselves?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

My Take:

Because I enjoyed all of the Fifth Knight novels, I was really excited to read The King's Justice by E.M. Powell. I love that Powell took a minor character from the other series and made him one of the main protagonists in this new series. I love mystery novels and by combining mystery and historical fiction, Powell has made a fun, clever and really intriguing novel.

Hugo Stanton is a great character - young, troubled, with a strong conscience and a knack for picking up on details. His boss, Aelred Barling, seems as first to be a very stiff, overly formal stick in the mud who isn't too concerned with true justice. But as the novel progresses, he can be seen more clearly -- he is a stickler for rules - and this really doesn't sit very well with young Hugo. But they make a great team, with humor - sometimes very dry on Barling's part and eventually a mutual appreciation for each other's skills and dedication.

This novel was so much fun to read - I read it in basically one sitting. I was really drawn into this murder mystery and Powell did a great job of keeping me off the right track with lots of possible suspects, conflicting motives, some really great characters plus lots of historical detail as an added bonus. I was glad the story went in such a different direction than I was expecting -- I love to be surprised by mysteries.

The King's Justice is a novel that I can wholeheartedly recommend and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

About the Author

E.M. Powell’s historical thriller Fifth Knight novels have been #1 Amazon and Bild bestsellers. The King’s Justice is the first novel in her new Stanton and Barling medieval murder mystery series. She is a contributing editor to International Thriller Writers’ The Big Thrill magazine, blogs for English Historical Fiction Authors and is the social media manager for the Historical Novel Society.

Born and raised in the Republic of Ireland into the family of Michael Collins (the legendary revolutionary and founder of the Irish Free State), she now lives in North-West England with her husband, daughter and a Facebook-friendly dog.

Find out more by visiting www.empowell.com. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, June 1
Interview at Passages to the Past

Monday, June 4
Review at Donna's Book Blog

Wednesday, June 6
Review at The Writing Desk

Thursday, June 7
Feature at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Tuesday, June 12
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Wednesday, June 13
Guest Post at Jathan & Heather

Saturday, June 16
Review at Clarissa Reads it All

Friday, June 22
Review at Broken Teepee

Wednesday, June 27
Review at Hoover Book Reviews
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Monday, July 2
Interview at Reading the Past

Tuesday, July 3
Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Thursday, July 5
Review at Bri's Book Nook

Friday, July 6
Guest Post at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Monday, July 9
Review at A Book Geek

Wednesday, July 11
Review at Jaffa Reads Too

Friday, July 13
Review at Bookramblings
Review at A Darn Good Read

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 6 paperback copies of The King's Justice! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

 Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on July 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
 – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
  The King's Justice

Vox

Vox by Christina Dalcher

Publisher: Berkeley

Publication date: August 21, 2018

Source: Publisher for an honest review

Description:

Set in an America where half the population has been silenced, VOX is the harrowing, unforgettable story of what one woman will do to protect herself and her daughter.

On the day the government decrees that women are no longer allowed more than 100 words daily, Dr. Jean McClellan is in denial--this can't happen here. Not in America. Not to her.

This is just the beginning.

Soon women can no longer hold jobs. Girls are no longer taught to read or write. Females no longer have a voice. Before, the average person spoke sixteen thousand words a day, but now women only have one hundred to make themselves heard.

But this is not the end. 

For herself, her daughter, and every woman silenced, Jean will reclaim her voice. 

My Take:

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good dystopian story - short story, novel, movie - you name it.  Fortunately for me, VOX really hit that dystopian sweet spot just when I needed to read it. 

The novel starts about a year into the new chapter of America in which all females are limited to 100 spoken words a day. This barbaric rule is enforced by a “bracelet” which counts the words and delivers gradually increased electric shocks with each word over 100.  As if this isn’t bad enough, females are also deprived of reading and writing - of any kind. For any reader, curious person, and any otherwise intelligent human being, this is exceedingly cruel. Girls are segregated into their own “schools” to learn homemaking skills - this is their only education.  Jobs for women are out of the question, of course. 

The descriptions of how this came about are told by Jean as flashbacks of regret for not taking things seriously or seeing the threats as real. Jean regrets that she viewed her friend Jackie as too extreme in her protest, too hysterical. That word is used a lot in referring to women - specifically how men view women’s reactions to things happening to them. 

Anyway, Jean is an amazing cognitive linguist who had been on the verge of a major breakthrough right at the moment that women lost their right to speak. This is a huge point in the novel. Not only are human rights being violated at every turn, but there is a huge conspiracy as well. Without giving anything away, the story involves Jean being needed by her government for her particular skills and her response to this coercion. 

The novel is fast paced, thought provoking, has some great heroic characters and really kept me emotionally invested in the story. 

Once I started reading VOX, I couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. For anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction, read The Handmaiden’s Tale or enjoys feminist, activist fiction, definitely read VOX.

Athena: The Warrior Queen of Yavdolo - Spotlight

Athena: The Warrior Queen of Yavdolo by Helen R. Davis

Publication Date: May 17, 2017

 Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. eBook; 140 Pages 

ASIN: B0716ZV4H5

Damlol is a planet located outside the reaches of Earth and the solar system, a peaceful world from which many colonists from Earth left centuries ago, fleeing a worldwide caliphate. But all is not as it seems. Athena, the princess of a country known as Yavdolo, is growing up in a turbulent time. The kingdom of Avodla desires to crush all other nations and cover the world in an oppressive dictatorship—similar to the one the colonists fled from so many centuries ago. This is the story of a girl of great courage and her many adventures, the first in a series.

"Fantasy and science fiction lovers will fall in love with Athena, rooting for her until the very end. In this, Helen R. Davis, like fantasy giants, has created a new world full of wonders and mystique which will leave you have stepped into another realm that by the end of it, you won't want to leave. A highly recommendable read!" - Carolina Casas, co-author Isabella Unashamed

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DFys98OTOI]

About the Author

Helen R. Davis has a long interest in history, religion, politics, and all nations. Author of "Evita, My Life," Ms. Davis has studied the ancient world through the gift of books since a very young age, her passion for Egypt and the era of Cleopatra kindled long ago. She has also researched and studied other times and eras and has a passion for strong women who have governed nations from the past to the present.

For more information, please visit Helen Davis’ website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, May 29 

Review at Reviewing Nerds 

Feature at Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!

Wednesday, May 30 

Excerpt at Maiden of the Pages

Thursday, May 31 

Feature at Donna's Book Blog

Friday, June 1 

Review at DystopianCitzn Blog 

Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Monday, June 4 

Feature at CelticLady's Reviews

Tuesday, June 5 

Review at A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, June 6 

Excerpt at Locks, Hooks and Books

Thursday, June 7

Feature at A Book Geek 

Excerpt at Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Friday, June 8

Interview at Reviewing Nerds

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of Athena: Warrior Queen of Yavdolo! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on June 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

 – Giveaway is open to residents in the US only. 

– Only one entry per household.

 – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. 

– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Athena

Nancy Bilyeau's The Blue - Cover Reveal

The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

Publication: Fall 2018 Endeavour Quill

Genre: Historical Fiction

What would you do to possess the most coveted color in the world? The year is 1758, and a headstrong woman artist, 24-year-old Genevieve Planche, is caught up in a high-stakes race to discover the ultimate color, one that threatens to become as deadly as it is lucrative. When Genevieve's mission is complicated by her falling in love with the chemist behind the formula, she discovers the world of blue is filled with ruthless men and women and how high the stakes really are. The story sweeps readers from the worlds of the silk-weaving refugees of London’s Spitalfields and the luxury-obsessed drawing rooms of Grosvenor Square to the porcelain factory of Derby and, finally, magnificent Sevres Porcelain in the shadow of Versailles. And running through it all: the dangerous allure of the color blue.

"Bilyeau’s sumptuous tale of mystery and intrigue transports the reader into the heart of the 18th century porcelain trade—where the price of beauty was death"’ E.M. Powell, author of the Stanton & Barling medieval mystery series.

Praise for Nancy Bilyeau's Fiction

"Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal." —Review of The Crown published in Oprah, which made the book a pick of the month.

"English history buffs and mystery fans alike will revel in Nancy Bilyeau's richly detailed sequel to The Crown." —Parade magazine review of The Chalice

"The story in The Tapestry is fiction, but it is a sheer joy to have Henry’s court recreated with an eye to the reality of its venality, rather than the trendy Wolf Hall airbrushing of its violence and rapacity. The tone is always modern and light, but with none of the clumsy thigh-slapping faux period language. Bilyeau’s writing is effortless, vivid, gripping and poignant, bringing Tudor England to life with sparkling zest. If you want to see the Reformation from the side of the English people rather than the self-serving court, it is tough to do better than this trilogy." —Review of The Tapestry by Dominic Selwood, published in The Catholic Herald

"As always, Bilyeau has done her historical homework, bringing the drama, and details of Henry VIII’s court to life. You’re basically watching the rise and fall of Catherine Howard, Thomas Cromwell, Walter Hungerford and Thomas Culpepper through Joanna’s eyes. Her private moments with the king were among my favorites in this book. This a true historical thriller. It’s a Tudor novel full of suspense, intrigue, brutality, and death. It’s a well researched page turner. If you’re looking for an exciting historical read, this will be on your list." —Review of The Tapestry by Sandra Alvarez for Medievalists.net

“Nancy Bilyeau's passion for history infuses her books and transports us back to the dangerous world of Tudor England. Vivid characters and gripping plots are at the heart of this wonderful trilogy. Warmly recommended!” —Alison Weir, author of The Marriage Game: A Novel of Queen Elizabeth I and many bestsellers

"Nancy Bilyeau's polished, inventive debut has all the ingredients of the best historical fiction: a broad cast of characters, well-imagined settings, and vivid story-telling... In Joanna Stafford, Bilyeau has given us a memorable character who is prepared to risk her life to save what she most values, while Stafford's desperate search for a lost religious relic will satisfy even the most ardent mystery fans." —Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of Witches

About the Author

Nancy Bilyeau has worked on the staffs of InStyle, DuJour, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Good Housekeeping. She is currently a regular contributor to Town & Country and the editor of the digital magazine The Big Thrill. Her screenplays have placed in several prominent industry competitions. Two scripts reached the semi-finalist round of the Nicholl Fellowships of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

A native of the Midwest, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. THE CROWN, her first novel and an Oprah pick, was published in 2012; the sequel, THE CHALICE, followed in 2013. The third in the trilogy, THE TAPESTRY, was published by Touchstone in 2015. The books have also been published by Orion in the UK and seven other countries.

Nancy lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

For more information, please visit Nancy Bilyeau's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Cover Reveal Schedule

Wednesday, May 16
Passages to the Past
Clarissa Reads it All
Just One More Chapter
To Read, or Not to Read
Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Thursday, May 17
Bri's Book Nook
CelticLady's Reviews
Kris Waldherr Books
What Is That Book About

Friday, May 18
A Book Geek
The Lit Bitch
Broken Teepee

Saturday, May 19
Books and Glamour
Writing the Renaissance
So Many Books, So Little Time

Sunday, May 20
Cup of Sensibility
Kate Rock Lit Chick
Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Monday, May 21
The Maiden's Court
SilverWoodSketches
View from the Birdhouse

Tuesday, May 22
100 Pages a Day
Bibliophile Reviews
History From a Woman's Perspective

Wednesday, May 23
Pursuing Stacie
Creating Herstory
Donna's Book Blog

Eyes Don't Lie - Spotlight Tour post

Book Details:

Book Title: Eyes Don't Lie: You Can't Hide by Crystal Dawn Mason
Category: Adult Fiction, 142 pages
Genre: Suspense / Thriller
Publisher: self-published
Release date: Oct 11, 2017
Tour dates: April 30 to May 18, 2018
Content Rating: PG

Book Description:

Curly-haired brunettes with blue eyes are the only women that seem to capture Keith’s attention. But is it really their appearance that attracts him or something sinister? Keith, a broken soul, who’s battling between good and evil, goes about his days trying to fight his evil urges. But because of a demonic stronghold, in most instances good loses the battle to evil.

Affected by the pain and hurt of his childhood, he now seeks out the love he didn’t receive as a child. But when he doesn’t get it, there’s retribution to pay…and what a sad day it is for those curly-haired brunettes with blue eyes who fail to make the mark. But things take a turn when he meets a grocery store cashier who has the ability to see evil through his eyes. McKenzie is able to connect dots, interfering with Keith’s destructive path – a path that could lead him to prison or even the grave.
​

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~

iTunes ~ Smashwords ~ Kobo

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Crystal Dawn Mason started writing books of poetry, then transitioned into narrative writing. Becoming a writer was not a goal as she began her studies as a psychology major at Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis. It wasn't until she had a bad experience that she stumbled upon her natural ability to create stories. And this discovery started her down a newfound path of purpose. While working, she found another niche in the education field, which led her to pursue a teaching degree. Thus, she is now pursuing a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies to become an elementary teacher. She enjoys working with children, and her goal, outside of teaching, is to continue writing stories that are inspiring and entertaining for her readers.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest 

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends May 26, 2018

​

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My Oxford Year - review and blog tour

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
Publication date: April 24, 2018
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: Publisher for an honest review

Description:

American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day. When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret. Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.

My Take:

The whole premise of My Oxford Year - from the title itself to the dream-come-true aspect of spending a year at Oxford able to study whatever your heart desires - appealed to me very much.

I loved that even though Ella is an accomplished policy wonk on the rise in the American political scene, she is still an awkward, star-struck American in England and trying desperately not to look too much like what she is. I think most of us can relate. 

I really enjoyed the smaller characters in the book. There is Hugh, the first person Ella meets at Oxford - he is so British, quiet, with understated humor - I really liked him. Charlie and Maggie are two of Ella's classmates and friends. They are really funny and have lots of crazy, adorable adventures with Ella. And then there is poor Tom - he is socially awkward and pretty clueless, but a fun addition to the group.

Ella almost gets run over by Jamie Davenport and he ends up being the instructor for her class - of course. At first, I wasn't overly thrilled by this plot point - it just seem too cliche -- but it grew on me as the characters grew and their relationship was developed. There were some pretty standard things in the story line, but there were quite a few things that made the story pretty unique and it grew on me as I advanced through the novel. I appreciated that none of the characters are perfect, they all have flaws, but they grow and learn from experience. As a reader, I had to drop preconceived ideas about characters pretty quickly because Whelan likes to play with cliches and kind of turn them around on you. I like that.  

Another plus for me was the number of literature jokes, and a fair amount of literary analysis and criticism spread throughout the novel. I mean, you pretty much have to include some literary references if your main character is reading literature at Oxford, right? 

There were a few surprises in the novel - I anticipated a big one, but then Whelan turned it around on me and took it in a direction that I hadn't seen coming. I do like a surprise in my reading. I  really enjoyed My Oxford Year and will definitely be recommending it to all my friends. 

About the author:

Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, lifelong actor, and award-winning audiobook narrator. She graduated with a degree in English and creative writing from Middlebury College and Oxford University. While she was in England, her flirtation with tea blossomed into a full-blown love affair, culminating in her eventual certification as a tea master.

Connect with Julia

Website: http://www.jmwhelan.com

Facebook: @justjuliawhelan

Twitter: @justjuliawhelan

Instagram: @justjuliawhelan

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2939944.Julia_Whelan

BUY LINKS for MY OXFORD YEAR

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HjFtVB

IndieBound: https://bit.ly/2z4ur2u

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2qPk5gL

Books-A-Million: https://bit.ly/2qPZ8l5

iBooks: https://apple.co/2HhOJty

GooglePlay: https://bit.ly/2K5jIqj

Madam of My Heart Blog Tour - Spotlight

Madam of My Heart by Gini Grossenbacher

Publication Date: February 6, 2017

eBook & Paperback; 476 Pages

ISBN-13: 978-0998380605

Series: American Madams, #1

Genre: Historical Fiction/Victorian

Baltimore, 1849. During a scandalous crisis, the young Irish Brianna Baird flees her home at Fells Point. With little cash and only a seamstress's trade, she braves the hypnotic streets of New Orleans. The tantalizing Madam DeSalle lures her to her brothel, then sells her to the dashing but questionable gambler, Edward Spina, who falls in love with her. In a tawdry alliance with these two profiteers, Brianna embarks on a journey through the French Quarter's debauched and glittering Voodoo world. Facing the horrors of slavery, she triumphs by gaining freedom papers for her maid Emma's enslaved husband and son. Brianna and Edward escape with them to San Francisco. There she becomes one of the most sought after madams in the gold rush parlor house trade. But will her fame and pluck be enough to save Edward from the Vigilante noose? This is the first book in the American Madams series.

"A debut historical novel that chronicles the struggles, loves, and joys of an exceptional madam in 19th-century America. Grossenbacher's book, the first in a planned series, dramatizes the early life and busy career of a woman named Brianna Baird. Grossenbacher's prose is both graceful and inventive. She absorbingly limns the various cities Brianna inhabits, from New Orleans and its 'web of Creole cottages, chaotic marketplaces, and secretive balconies, simmering outside her window, ' to the rowdy atmosphere of frontier-era San Francisco. The occasional marvelous metaphor will surprise readers, as when 'the truth hit Brianna like a badly aimed bowling pin.' This isn't just a novel for lovers of history's more prurient corners; it's for everyone who likes well-deployed language and intense stories. A seamier side of American history, engagingly told through one woman's unexpected adventures." -Kirkus Reviews, A Recommended Review

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

About the Author

California author Gini Grossenbacher was a successful high school English teacher until she abandoned grades and term papers, choosing to write historical novels instead. Now she leads small writing groups and coaches other writers. She loves researching the history behind her novels, and enjoys traveling to the setting where they take place. Her hobbies include needlepoint, nature walks, and Scrabble. She lives in the Sacramento Valley where she grew up, east of San Francisco.

For more information, please visit Gini's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, April 16
Feature at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, April 17
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Interview at The Princess and the Pen

Wednesday, April 18
Feature at A Book Geek
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books

Thursday, April 19
Review at A Bookaholic Swede

Friday, April 20
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Saturday, April 21
Interview at Be Inspired By Books

Sunday, April 22
Review at Clarissa Reads it All

Monday, April 23
Review at Janice Mess
Guest Post at Just One More Chapter

Tuesday, April 24
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews

Wednesday, April 25
Excerpt at LadyJ's Bookish Nook

Thursday, April 26
Review at Carole's Ramblings
Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Friday, April 27
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Monday, April 30
Review at Cup of Sensibility
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two copies of Madam of My Heart! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules 
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
 – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
  Madam of My Heart