Review: Kingdom of Summer

Kingdom of Summer (Down the Long Wind - Book 2) by Gillian Bradshaw



Publication Date: September 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: Paperback, 352pp
ISBN-13: 9781402240720
ISBN: 1402240724

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks)


Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound



Gillian Bradshaw on the WEB: website


Synopsis:


ON THE PATH TOWARD GREATNESS, EVEN A HERO MAKES MISTAKES



Armed with his magical sword and otherworldly horse, Gwalchmai proves himself the most feared and faithful warrior of Arthur's noble followers. But while defending the kingdom, he commits a grave offense against the woman he loves, leading her to disappear from his life and haunt his memories.


With his trusted servant, Rhys, a commonsense peasant, Gwalchmai tries to find her in the Kingdom of Summer, where Arthur has sent him. But an unexpected and most malevolent force of evil and darkness is loose - that of his mother, the witch-queen Morgawse - and Gwalchmai finds that the secrets of his past may deny him peace...


In the second book of Gillian Bradshaw's critically acclaimed trilogy, Sir Gwain comes to life as Gwalchmai, startlingly human yet fantastically heroic. 


Thoughts:


The second book in Gillian Bradshaw's Arthurian trilogy, Kingdom of Summer, picks ups where Hawk of May left off, with the continuing journey of Gwalchmai (Gwain) one of Arthur's most formidable and trustworthy knights. Bradshaw's unique blend of historical fiction and fantasy will appeal to fans across many genres. This novel is first and foremost an adventure tale, that will have fans wondering just what will happen next.

At the end of the first book in the series Gwalchmai has pledged his allegiance to Arthur and now in book two he has leave from Arthur to pursue a quest of his own. While he was defending the kingdom he commits an offense against the woman he loves. Now he must find her and make amends in the kingdom of summer where Arthur has sent him. With the help of a young farmer named Rhys who becomes his servant he attempts to find Elidan, but his mother the witch-queen Morgawse is brewing trouble of her own. 


This book is a rare blend of history and fantasy. As many of you know I have long been a fan of anything relating to the legend of King Arthur and his knights. I was extremely excited when I was able to review Hawk of May and now the second book in Gillian Bradshaw's trilogy based on Sir Gwain. Kingdom of Summer was originally published over thirty years ago and has been re-released to a new audience. Bradshaw's story makes Arthur a secondary character and Gwalchmai or Gwain the hero of the tale. 


I was interested to see how Bradshaw would accommodate the magical elements of the Arthurian legend and I was happy to see that she used those elements but did not make them the focal point of the story. Gwalchmai has a magical sword and an otherworldly horse, but he primarily relies on his own wits and resources to get him into and out of most scraps. Though the Otherworld is mentioned, talk of Merlin is noticeably absent and I think the author was trying to draw attention to the man, Gwalchmai and not the magic in this book. I liked that, because a lot of authors rely heavily on magic to pull off a novel about Arthur and Bradshaw didn't seem to need that crutch.


I liked the fact that the author used the old Celtic names like Gwalchmai instead of the updated names we are most usually familiar with. Several of the players in Arthur's court are mentioned and use the Celtic names as well. There is a large cast of characters and it may be a little hard to keep up with who is who since the names are slightly different, but I think it added to the overall feel of the book. Once I equated each name with a person I knew from my own experiences with Arthurian legends I was able to understand it easily. For readers who not as well acquainted with the legends this may be somewhat confusing, but I thought it added a spark of authenticity to the book. 

The overall plot of the book was interesting and I thought Bradshaw did a wonderful job of conveying to readers the stark differences between the light that Gwalchmai represented and the evil darkness his mother Morgawse represented. This story becomes a battle of good vs. evil and I thought the author illustrated it well. It is not a long book or one that is difficult to understand. Readers will enjoy viewing Arthur from the sidelines and not as the main character. It gives a different perspective on him. I also liked that author changed from Gwalchmai's point of view in this book to the POV of Rhys, his servant. This allows readers to also see a different side of Gwalchmai as well. 


I recommend this one to fans of the Arthurian legends and those who want to learn more about Gwain. This series is a wonderful re-telling that goes in a new and original direction. Though originally published over thirty years ago, it comes across as fresh and full of potential. I look forward to the re-release of the last book in the series as well. If you haven't looked into the legends of Arthur this series may a good start for new readers. 

Kingdom of Summer is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Gillian Bradshaw was born in Falls Church, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Michigan, where she won the Hopwood Award for Hawk of May. She is the author of twenty-five other novels.

Review: Remember Me

Remember Me by Cheryl Robinson


Publication Date: August 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: Paperback, 400pp
ISBN-13: 9780451233387
ISBN: 0451233387
(Received for an honest review from Berkley NAL)



Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound


Cheryl Robinson on the WEB: website, facebook



Excerpt from Remember Me
Book Trailer:

Synopsis:


What happens when the loyalty that defines the friendship of two women is tested? For Mia and Danielle, finding the answer takes a lifetime...

Mia Marks was an independent black girl from inner-city Detroit with an eye for the hottest fashion and a penchant for the good life. Danielle King was a soft-spoken suburban white girl with artistic ambitions. When they met at an all girls Catholic high school, neither expected to form a deep bond that transcended race and background and lasted for years. And neither could have anticipated the one indiscretion that destroyed their friendship.


Twenty years later, Danielle is a successful novelist living in Miami. Mia is a school-teacher in Detroit. But they're still on common ground. Both are unhappily married and raising teenage daughters, and both are far too proud to make the first move to reconnect - until tragedy brings them back together in the most unexpected way.


Now they must confront the past, discover its untold truths, and learn to survive the increasing complexities of their lives and of a friendship destined to endure. 


Thoughts:


Cheryl Robinson takes up the challenge of interracial relationships in her latest book, Remember Me. This is the story of two girls, one black, one white, who forge a friendship in the turbulent environment of the 1970's. Robinson's ability to show readers the bonds of friendship and how it can be tested by circumstance, outside influences and tragedy will draw the reader in and give them an experience they won't soon forget.


Mia Marks was one of the few black students in an all girl Catholic high school. Danielle King was the suburban white girl who stood up for her against a racially bias teacher. The girls form a strong friendship that lasts into their college years before a series of bad choices breaks it a part. Now twenty years later they are about to be reunited in one tragic night that ends them up at a hospital and puts them once again in each others path. Both women have successful careers and beautiful daughters, but their marriages are less than happy. Can they put the past behind them and build a future that includes each other? Or do some hurts just go too deep?


Cheryl Robinson has created a story that explores the bonds of friendships between women. Danielle and Mia come from very different backgrounds and I was initially impressed that Danielle would take that step to make Mia a part of her everyday life. This was the 70's, it wasn't exactly accepted by many for two girls of separate race to be acquaintances, let alone friends. These were turbulent times and I applaud the author for going there. These two characters were exceptional young women, it takes courage to stand up for someone no matter what the circumstances are and I think that was the catalyst for these two characters, the thing that helped form that bond.


I think the bond really endured even though it was latent for awhile. When Danielle and Mia closed themselves off to each other over a man, I was a little surprised. At first I was thinking, how could they let a guy come between them, but as I continued to read I think I began to understand that they still loved each other, they were just too proud to be the bigger woman, so to speak. But when they are finally reunited it's easy to see that the friendship was still there it was just waiting for them to remember it. 


I did have a little trouble with the point of view on this one. Not only goes the POV shift between both main characters, it also switches between time periods, from past to present and in-between. That was a little confusing. I had a hard time distinguishing who was talking and whether it was the 70's or now. But usually after a sentence or two I picked it back up and was able to go on. I did like the fact that the author incorporates pop culture references into her writing. She mentions not only facebook, but texting and other current details in her descriptions of the present. It helped me grasp where we were in the story a little better. 


I tend to like books that explore the friendships of women and I particularly liked this one because both women are given a second chance to make this friendship work. They can either choose to let their differences hold them back or forge a future that includes each other and I was really happy with the choice the author allowed them to make. I would like to have found out more about their daughters and their present family lives though. I think the secondary characters could have been a little more fleshed out than they were, but that certainly didn't detract from the story itself. 


I recommend this one to readers of chick lit, and women's fiction. I think it will appeal to readers who have strong friendships and those who are seeking them. There is nothing better than having that girlfriend you can go to in your time of need or just when you need a little pick me up. I think the author illustrates how strong these bonds can be whether the are forged through tragedy or joy. I liked this one a lot and I think you will too!


Remember Me is available NOW from your favorite bookseller. 


I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Cheryl Robinson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She has a bachelor of science degree from Wayne State University. Cheryl currently lives in Central Florida and is working on her next novel. 

Review: Road from the West

Road from the West (Chronicles of Tancred - Book 1) by Rosanne E. Lortz


Publication Date: September 2011
Publisher: Madison Street Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: Paperback, 360pp
ISBN-13: 9780983671909
ISBN: 0983671907

(Received for an honest review from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours)


Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble


Roseanne E. Lortz on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter


Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours Schedule for Road from the West


Excerpt from Road from the West



Synopsis:


A TALE OF COURAGE, CONQUEST, INTRIGUE, AND HONOR


You've heard of the Knights Templar, you've heard of Richard the Lionheart - now learn the story that started it all with the adventures of the First Crusade.


Haunted by guilt from the past and nightmares of the future, a young Norman named Tancred takes the cross and vows to be the first to free Jerusalem from the infidels. As he journeys to the Holy Land, he braves vast deserts, mortal famine, and the ever-present ambushes of the enemy Turks - but the greatest danger of all is deciding which of the Crusader lords to trust. A mysterious seer prophesies that Tancred will find great love and great sorrow on his journey, but the second seems intent on claiming him before he can find the first. Intrigues and passions grow as every battle brings the Crusaders one step closer to Jerusalem. Not all are destined to survive the perilous road from the west.


Thoughts:


Rosanne E. Lortz brings readers the first in a trilogy of books based on the First Crusade. Road from the West follows the journey of Tancred, a seemingly unimportant young man that is trying to outrun his past. When most readers think of the crusades, Richard I and Robin Hood are the names that come to mind. Lortz gives readers a new hero with a different path. Readers will find Lortz's work very research intensive and full of rich historical detail. Road from the West is a novel that will have readers redefining their idea of what the crusades were all about. 


Tancred is a young Norman with a tortured past. Guilt rakes him and he is worried for his future. When he decides to fight in the first crusade to take Jerusalem back from it's conquerors, he has no idea what he is in for. But when a seer tells him what his future may behold he takes courage and goes into battle. Great love and great sorrow await him but he hopes the two are not intertwined. The are many wealthy cities to take as the crusaders journey toward their ultimate goal in Jerusalem and Tancred must face many dangers that test his fortitude and his commitment to the cause. Not everyone will come back, and he wonders if he is one that will not return...


Road to the West is a historical fiction novel that reads like an adventure story. Rosanne E. Lortz has taken the tale of the first crusade and given it a broader audience and a new understanding to many readers. The crusades are often synonymous with names like Richard the Lionheart and Robert of Normandy, but we hear very little of the beginnings of the story. I think one of Lortz's strengths in this novel is expanding the readers knowledge of what the first crusade was all about. Her research is evident even from the first page of the novel. She writes with a very easy style. She doesn't rush the story or try to get ahead of herself, she just lets the history lead her and that makes the book very readable and easy to understand, which is usually an issue with readers who are just getting interested in historical fiction. Road from the West is not so steeped in detail that readers have to muddle through it, it flows very well.


The period detail itself is amazingly vivid and accurate. Lortz's descriptions of cities like Constantinople and Jerusalem itself are so clear that the reader will be able to feel the sand under their feet and hear the noises of the battles in the distance. Lortz is able to bring the first crusade to life. To allow the reader to see what was so important about these cities that men would risk their lives to get them back. I thought she also did a great job of describing the reasons that these men may have fought. They could be outrunning a tragic past which is part of the reason Tancred is fighting. They could be seeking a better life for themselves or a greater position in their communities on their return. There were so many motivations that stirred these men to passion, to war and I think the author was able to explore many of them. 


I did have a little trouble getting into the characters in this novel. Tancred is probably the most fleshed out of the characters, yet I didn't feel the kind of connection to him that I needed. He still remained somewhat distant until late in the book. Just when I was starting to get a handle on what he really wanted out of this crusade the book was ending. Which makes it nice to know that this is the first of three books. I'm looking forward to seeing where Lortz will take Tancred as a character. Will he find what he's looking for? Or will sorrow take him... 

I was also a somewhat disappointed that there were not more female characters. Tancred is supposed to find great love according to the prophecy, but he just doesn't have too many to choose from. I realize that most of the key players in a novel about the crusades need to be men to carry the story, but women played such an important role during this time, that I was surprised that Lortz did not explore this further. But I have hopes that she will continue to grow as a writer and hone her characterization skills. I will definitely be reading the second book on the strength of her rending of the historical detail, but I also think she will expand these characters and show the reader more of their personalities and motives in future installments. 


I recommend this one to historical fiction fans. The period detail is well written and researched. This novel is based on the first crusade rather than the more dominant crusades that feature characters we already know, so it has a freshness and originality about it that is lacking in some historical fiction books. I think Lortz was able to vividly describe the scene and the reasons for the crusade, as well as, why it was so important. I see a lot of potential in this trilogy and think readers will find it interesting and definitely worth the time to read. Make sure you check out the list of principal characters and get a feel for who is who, I was very happy that this was included.

Road from the West is available NOW from your favorite bookseller. 

I'm giving this one 3 out of 5 apples, based on the fact that the characters were a little lack luster. There were parts I really liked and parts that fell a little flat. The second book will probably see big improvements in this area, as we were starting to see it in the end of this one. 

Rosanne E. Lortz ("Rose") is a medieval enthusiast, a history teacher, a book addict, a mom to two baby boys, and a native of Portland, Oregon. When she's not waking up with the twins at 3am, Rose is at work on her latest book, Road from the West, a historical novel set during the First Crusade and the first volume in the trilogy The Chronicles of Tancred.

Review: Mice

Mice by Gordon Reece


Publication Date: August 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Thriller
Pages: Hardcover, 336pp
ISBN-13: 9780670022847
ISBN: 0670022845

(Received for an honest review from Viking)


Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound


Gordon Reece on the WEB: website


Excerpt from Mice
Book Trailer:

Synopsis:

AN ELECTRIFYING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER ABOUT A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER PUSHED TO THE LIMIT


Shelley and her mother have been menaced long enough. Fleeing their fears and anxieties, they retreat to Honeysuckle Cottage deep in the countryside, which they hope will put a halt to years of suffering at the hands of others. Shelley has endured merciless bullying from the girls who used to be her best friends, and Elizabeth's domineering husband of eighteen years has abandoned them for a younger woman. For Shelley and Elizabeth are "mice" - timid, nervous and obliging.


At first they flourish in their cottage haven, drinking hot chocolate and listening to Brahms by the fire. But on the even of her sixteenth birthday, Shelley wakes to a creak on the stairs. Someone is in the house...


In the shocking events that follow, these women find themselves tested as never before, and as their lives spiral out of control, Shelley begins to wonder, if she and her mother aren't mice after all, then what are they?


By turns horrifying and humorous, Mice is a taut tale of gripping suspense, told with a delectable mix of wit, irony and tainted innocence that transforms the pressing issue of bullying into an edge-of-your-seat adventure to the outer reaches of right and wrong. 


Thoughts:


Mice, the debut novel by Gordon Reece explores the idea of just how much a person can take before they snap. This novel is in turn both terrifying and shocking. Bullying is an issue that is becoming more and more prevalent in today's society and Reece has created a book that will leave readers questioning if violence is ever really justified? And asking themselves if the cost is worth it? Reece takes a timid, "mousy" character and transforms her innocence into something haunting and more than a little scary. What happens when the mouse turns on the cat?


Shelley and her mom, Elizabeth need an escape, a place where they can start to rebuild their lives. Honeysuckle Cottage is that safe haven, that place of rest after a long hard fought battle. Shelley is the victim of terrifying schoolgirl bullying that nearly cost her, her life. Her mother Elizabeth has lived with a controlling husband for eighteen years. Both women are battered and tired. But on the eve of Shelley's sixteenth birthday a man breaks into their home and sets in motion a series of events that will change their lives forever. Violence may sometimes be justified, but you can't ever take it back...


Gordon Reece's debut novel starts out with a great premise, a fast-paced plot and characters with some deep seated issues. When readers first meet Shelley she is being bullied and physical abused. Reece describes her experiences in an unpretentious manner that builds sympathy for Shelley and sets up the story for what's to come. She is both scared and humiliated and keeps everything inside until she is almost killed. Elizabeth's journey is different but brings her to essentially the same place. She has lived with a husband who belittles her and co-workers who are no less menacing. Reece is able to really allow the reader to feel these very strong emotions from his characters. He brings them into stark reality. I found the first part of the book emotionally satisfying and I felt like I knew these characters and what they were all about.


When Reece returns to the present day at Honeysuckle Cottage, deep in the English countryside, the reader almost gets to take a breath, when tragedy once again knocks at Shelley's door. When a man breaks into their home and expects these "mice" to act a certain way, he isn't prepared for the outcome. Events spiral out of control as Shelley and Elizabeth prove that they are no longer going to look for a place to hide. Readers are probably expecting Reece to send someone to the rescue to save these characters from any more devastation. But Reece takes the road less traveled and transforms the characters we learned to like in the first half of the book into something quite different. He takes the idea that you must sometimes fight to survive to a whole new level in this book. Do we count the cost before we do something that irrevocable?


Some readers will think that Reece has taken this a bit too far. But I know from personal experience the tole that bullying takes on a person's psyche. How repeated humiliation and torture can take a person to their breaking point and beyond with devastating consequences. When I was in high school there was a student that was constantly bullied, battered and humiliated on a nearly daily basis. He was timid, quiet, a good student and never let on that he was bothered by what was happening. One day after years of this behavior he was called out by a teacher and tore down in front of everyone. Nobody really thought anything about it until he came to class the next day and shot her and a janitor who heard the shots and came to help. He just couldn't take any more and he snapped. I don't think Reece took it too far... maybe not far enough. 


This is a novel that will leave readers wondering if violence is ever justified? Just how much can the emotional balance in our brains can take? How far is too far? I think the author did an amazing job of bringing a serious issue to the forefront and exploring where it takes a person. I think one of the most interesting parts of the novel is where all this takes Shelley. In the end the reader will probably see her as empowered, but the hair on the back of their necks will likely stand on end and they will wonder if she's capable of doing it again... is she just a little off center... what was the cost to herself? It's a certainly a creepy place to end a novel and I think the author was counting on that.


I recommend this one to psychological thriller fans and to those who love to see the progression that a character goes through. Readers may find themselves wondering if these are the same two characters in the first half of the book, the differences are so pronounced. I thought it was well written, very evocative and a bit chilling. Hit a little close to home for me, but books that do that are usually the ones that hit home with others as well. It's not a light book, so don't go into it thinking it's an easy read. It's sophisticated and a little harsh, but in this case that's a good thing. Violence good, bad or justified carries a heavy price.

Mice is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Originally from the United Kingdom, Gordon Reece studied English literature at Keble Collage, Oxford, before emigrating to Spain and then Australia, where he has lived since 2005. He has written and illustrated fourteen children's books and graphic novels. Mice is his American debut and first novel.

Review and Giveaway: Pleating for Mercy

Pleating for Mercy (Dressmaker Mystery - Book 1) by Melissa Bourban

Publication Date: August 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 320pp
ISBN-13: 9780451234360
ISBN: 0451234367

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian Mystery)
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Melissa Bourbon on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Pleating for Mercy
Book Trailer:

Synopsis:


All the Cassidy women possess special gifts. Harlow Jane Cassidy's is creating beautiful dresses. But she's about to discover secrets in her own family and another gift - one that can reach beyond the grave...


When her great-grandmother passes away, Harlow leaves her job as a Manhattan fashion designer and moves back to Bliss, Texas. But soon after opening a custom dressmaking boutique in the old farmhouse she inherited. Harlow begins to feel an inexplicable presence...


One of her first clients is her childhood friend Josie, who needs a gown for her upcoming wedding. But when Josie's boss turns up dead, it starts to look as if the bride-to-be may be wearing handcuffs instead of a veil. Suddenly, Josie needs a lot more from Harlow than the perfect dress. Can Harlow find the real killer - with a little help from beyond?


Thoughts:


Melissa Bourbon brings readers the first in a new series with her latest release, Pleating for Mercy. The Dressmaker's Mystery series will appeal to not only cozy mystery fans, but sewers and seamstresses as well as light paranormal readers. With a quirky cast of characters and a well thought out plot, Bourbon gives readers a novel that will have them in stitches with all of the humor instilled into it. A great end of the summer mystery!


Harlow Jane Cassidy is a descendant to the famous outlaw Butch Cassidy. The women in Harlow's family have always possessed special gifts. Her grandmother was a goat whisperer and her mother has a green thumb that's hard to miss. Harlow is sad that the magical gifts her family is known for have somehow skipped her, but she's still a fantastic fashion designer and dressmaker in Manhattan. When Harlow's great-grandmother dies, leaving her the family farmhouse, Harlow decides it's time for a change and returns to Bliss, Texas to set up her own dressmakers boutique. Her first client is a childhood friend in a pickle. She needs a wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses in a hurry, but when the Maid of Honor ends up dead, it's up to Harlow to figure out whodunit. With a little help from beyond the grave and the realization of her new gift, Harlow is on the case!


Pleating for Mercy is the first in a new cozy mystery series that fans are sure to enjoy. This book starts off with an interesting connection to the outlaw Butch Cassidy and gives insight into what happened after he and the Sundance Kid rode off into the sunset. I liked the playful idea and thought it was great touch for this series. I also liked the fact that the writer infuses a hint of the paranormal into the series, by giving the Cassidy women magical gifts. Harlow's gift has a lot of potential as well. Being able to speak to her great-grandmother to help solve crimes is an interesting approach and fits well with the cozy sub-genre. I look forward to seeing where the writer takes this aspect of the book.


One of the things that I really liked about this book, was the light and humorous attitude the author takes. Even though the book is a murder mystery readers are going to have a lot of fun learning more about the quirky and fun Cassidy clan. Using comic relief to lighten the mood is a common tool employed in cozy mysteries, but I think this one takes it to a new height. The overall tone of the book is still mysterious, but it is not heavy and gore laden as can happen sometimes in mainstream mysteries and thrillers. I thought the author did a great job of using humor and giving the reader a smile here and there.


Harlow is such an interesting character. I liked the fact that she was fashion designer. My daughter also aspires to the same career choice. Harlow is intelligent and a bit whimsical which I think is always important when you have a character with artistic flair. I loved the way she interacted with her family and the townspeople of Bliss. The theme of dressmaking and sewing will appeal to so many readers. I loved the tips in back and found them to be very accurate. Overall I thought Harlow started out well as an amateur sleuth though I was a little confused as to why she slipped into that pattern. 


I enjoyed this book a lot and felt it was a great first book in a series and sets readers up well for what's to come. I think this book will appeal to a lot of different types of readers and have a broad fan base. Melissa Bourbon has created a really good back story and the mystery itself was cunning and kept me on my toes as I was reading. At first I didn't think there were too many suspects and then all the sudden they were coming out of the woodwork! I liked the way Bourbon gives the reader little hints along the way as to who the killer might be and when I thought about it after I finished the book I had one of those, "I should have known" moments. But I didn't figure it out too quickly which I liked.

Pleating for Mercy is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

 

 

Melissa Bourbon, who sometimes answers to her Latina-by-marriage name Misa Ramirez, gave up teaching middle and high school kids in Northern California to write full-time amidst horses and Longhorns in North Texas.  She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with yoga and chocolate, is devoted to her family, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams.

She is the marketing director at Entangled Publishing, is the author of the Lola Cruz Mystery series with St. Martin’s Minotaur, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series with NAL, and is the co-author of The Tricked-out Toolbox and two romantic suspense novels to be released in 2012.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher has offered one copy of Melissa Boubon's book, Pleating for Mercy to one lucky winner from Debbie's Book Bag!


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Review: The Black Banner

The Black Banner by Helen Hart

Publication Date: June 2011
Publisher: Silverwood Books
Genre: MIddle Grade, YA
Pages: Paperback, 240pp
ISBN-13: 9781906236465
ISBN: 1906236461

(Received for an honest review from Silverwood Books)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Helen Hart on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from The Black Banner (Middle of the page... short excerpt)

Synopsis:


Set sail on the high seas of adventure with Becky Baxter and her band of pirates! A swashbuckling pirate novel for young teens. Penniless Becky Baxter crops her hair, dresses in breeches, and leaves the dangerous backstreets of Bristol for a life of adventure and fortune on the high seas. But she quickly discovers that there are far more dangerous enemies than her drunken Ma and evil Mr. Crudder...Pirates!


Thoughts: 


Author Helen Hart brings young readers a swashbuckling pirate tale in the vein of "Cutthroat Island" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," with her latest release, The Black Banner. Hart's vivid descriptions of everything from eighteenth century daily life to looting ships on the high seas will have readers on the edge of their seats. With detailed research and a spirit of adventure Hart brings to life a young girl, turned pirate that will capture the heart of young readers!


Becky Baxter leads a life of poverty in Bristol, practically living on the streets with a drunken mother and no prospects for a good future. Becky decides to take matters into her own hands when she cuts her hair and dresses like a boy named Billy in order to get a job on the merchant ship, the Bonny Marie. But life on the high seas isn't everything it's cracked up to be, when the Bonny Marie is attacked by pirates. Becky's life changes dramatically when she becomes a pirate and begins to lead the good life... but how long will it last?


Helen Hart has crafted a novel suitable for both, boys and girls from ages 9 - 13 and beyond. The Black Banner is a wonderful YA read that will appeal to both sexes and adults who love a good pirate tale. Set in 1719. this book is well researched and comes across as authentic and believable. Hart wasn't afraid to describe the squalid conditions of 18th century Bristol or the acts of the pirates as they looted and stole from the merchant ships. I liked the fact that she didn't sugarcoat the setting because the book was for younger readers. I think it's important that young readers understand the period they are reading about and I really appreciated that Hart allowed them that respect. 


One of the things that I really enjoyed about Hart's writing in this book, was her very detailed descriptions of the setting, the people, even the sea itself. It will be easy for readers to feel like they are being transported back in time into the very shoes of the characters. They will feel the salt spray on their faces and the sun on their backs. They will almost be able to taste, the mangoes and touch the fabric of the sails. I loved the fact that Hart added many details about the time period. The rich period detail made the book really come alive. 


As always when I review a YA or Middle grade title I enlist the help of two daughters ages 11 and 13 to give me their feedback on the book as well. After reading The Black Banner both girls reported that they really liked the character of Becky Baxter. She was both intelligent and resourceful and didn't leave her own future to someone else. My oldest is a huge fan of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies and books and said that Becky reminded her of a young Jack Sparrow with the world ahead of her. They were a little taken aback by the format of the novel, as it is comprised of Becky's journal entries. My youngest daughter would have preferred a more direct method, but she still really enjoyed the book. Overall both girls were impressed and would definitely read more from Helen Hart, as would I. 

I recommend this book to young readers, Middle Grade and YA, as well as to adults who are still young at heart and full of adventure themselves. It's a fast paced book, that can be read by a young reader in a few afternoons after school or over the weekend. I think it captures the pirate attitude and spirit and provides lots of adventure and action that will appeal to both boys and girls. 

The Black Banner is available NOW from your favorite bookseller!

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Helen has been a published author since 1999. Represented by London literary agency Pollinger Ltd, she has written a number of novels under pseudonyms for Scholastic, Oxford University Press, HarperCollins, Virgin Books and a range of overseas publishers. Her work has been translated into many languages including Swedish, Danish, Japanese and Greek. One of her Young Adult novels, written as Maya Snow, was shortlisted for the Solihull Children's Book Award 2010.

In 2007 Helen became the founding director of Bristol-based self-publishing company SilverWood Books. She is the co-founder of the successful 'Get Published Masterclass' in Bristol and was a judge for the Bristol Short Story Prize in 2010 and 2011.

Interview: Helen Hart

Please welcome author Helen Hart to Debbie's Book Bag today! Helen is here to talk about her book, The Black Banner. It is a YA selection that is also appropriate for Middle Grade readers, as well as young teens. 


DEB: Helen can you tell us a little about yourself?
HH: I’ve been a professional writer since 1999. I’ve written 11 novels and had 8 published - some of them have been translated into Swedish, German and Japanese. One of my YA novels written under a pseudonym (Maya Snow) was on a shortlist of 3 final titles for the Solihull Children’s Book Award 2010, which I was very excited about. The winner was Frank Cottrell Boyce, and sadly I couldn't make it to the ceremony so one of the editors at Working Partners (who hired me to write the series) went along and pretended to be me so that the children weren't disappointed! It was very weird reading about it afterwards, hearing someone else talk about my work as if she'd written it. Being a writer is a wonderful occupation, but sadly it doesn't pay the bills so I also run a publishing consultancy called SilverWood Books (silverwoodbooks.co.uk) which helps other writers get their work into print. I love writing, and I love my day job too. Helping other writers is really fun, and it can give you tingles when you read something really REALLY good.

DEB: Tell us a little about your book, The Black Banner?  

HH: The Black Banner is a swashbuckling tale of adventure on the high seas set in the 17th century. My heroine, Becky Baxter, escapes a life of poverty by dressing up as a boy and taking a job as a deckhand on a ship called the Bonny Marie. However, when the Bonny Marie is taken by pirates, Becky faces a stark choice - join the pirates, or die! She chooses life, and throws her lot in with the pirates. She soon finds new friends, a makeshift family of sorts, and as much excitement and danger as she can handle.

 

DEB: What was your inspiration for these books? Why did you decide to write a book for young teens?  

HH: I've alway loved reading teen books. Younger characters always seem to have much more exciting adventures than the people in 'grown up' books, so it was a natural step to write a book from the heart - to dream up an adventure that I would love to have myself!

 

DEB: Piracy has always intrigued me, what kind of research did you do for this book? 

HH: I read lots of wonderful books, from fiction like 'Treasure Island' and 'A High Wind in Jamaica' to serious academic works like 'Life Among the Pirates' by the National Maritime Museum's David Cordingly. I pored over old maps, and plans of tall-masted ships, and learned the names of all the sails. My Dad was a great help too - he's a blue water yachtsman and knows everything there is to know about tides. One funny thing I haven't thought of before is that a bit of the research had already been done back when I was growing up... I spent part of my childhood in the Caribbean, so for the scenes where Becky and her friends are on the islands I just had to think back to what it was like when I lived there. I pulled up memories of the heat, the food, the vibrant colours, and packed it all in to The Black Banner.

 

DEB: What is your normal writing day like? Do you have things that have to be in place to write comfortably?

HH: When I'm writing a book I like to have silence and a clear mind. That means I have to tidy the house before I sit down, because otherwise I'm thinking about the laundry that needs doing! I type straight into my laptop, and often find it hard to get started (actually, I think that laundry is procrastination!) but when I get going, I find it hard to stop. I live and breath the story in my head and sometimes 3 or 4 hours will go by without me realizing it. Stopping is a little like coming out of a trance... I have to blink and remember that I'm in 21st century England, and not on a pirate ship, or training to be a samurai, or fighting vampires in Eastern Europe (the themes of some of my other books).

 

DEB: What was it like when you got the word that your first novel would be published? 

HH: It was the most exciting thing to have happened to me in a long time. You spend years writing a book, and sometimes it seems as if you're never going to get anywhere, so when you get accepted for publication it's like winning a huge prize. I jumped around the room for a bit, and was so excited I could barely breath. I had to read the acceptance letter about 5 times before I was convinced it was real! I rang the editor and she was lovely. By the end of the conversation, she was laughing because I was talking so fast about how amazed and thrilled I was!

DEB: Do have any advice for new writers? How did you find the confidence to send in your first manuscript? 

HH: My advice would be to keep writing, and to believe in yourself. Write, re-write, edit and edit again. Never send your first draft off because it almost certainly isn't ready. Polish it until it's perfect, the very best it can be, because there's a lot of competition out there and you don't want to give a literary agent or editor a reason to say 'no' to your manuscript.

 

DEB: When your not writing, what kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author? 

HH: I love reading historical fiction, and also thrillers. I don't have a favourite author as such, but I'll often turn to Bernard Cornwell books because they are a guaranteed 'good read' - exciting and page-turning. In the YA field I admire Catherine Fisher, especially her fantastic novel 'Corbenic' which is a modern and utterly brilliant take on the Grail legend. Mary Hooper is another favourite of mine I couldnt put down her Great Plague novel 'At the Sign of the Sugared Plum' (which has such a gorgeous cover, too). Robert Westall ('Kingdom by the Sea') is a genius at conjuring up compelling characters and fast-paced plots. Moving up into more adult writing, I'm a big fan of Sarah Waters - I thought 'Fingersmith' and 'Affinity' were works of genius. I've also recently enjoyed Martin Davies ('The Conjuror's Bird') and William Heaney ('Memoirs of a Master Forger').

 

DEB:What are you working on right now? 

HH: I have a number of stories buzzing around in my head (in which pickpockets and highwaymen feature) but actually I'm taking a break from writing for a while to concentrate on promoting my company SilverWood Books. I've found that I love making books with other authors almost as much as I enjoy writing. Editing and proofreading are truly enjoyable, and I love it when one of our self-publishing authors gets a break and starts to sell books beyond their family and friends.

 

DEB: Tell us one thing that people may not know about you? 

HH: Not many people know that for 3 years I regularly wrote feature-length articles for the men's magazine FHM, which was funny and hard work at the same time. I met some fascinating people, and even got to go on board a Trident nuclear submarine to interview the Commander and chat to the submariners.

 

Look for my review of The Black Banner by Helen Hart later today!