~5 Star REVIEWS~
I thoroughly enjoyed doing the cliff walk on Howth again and revisiting Dublin with Pat McDermott's characters. While everything seemed so familiar, her fairies inhabiting the island, kept me on my toes. The idea of an Irish king ruling the country today adds to the fun and enchantment. The troubles of the American ambassador's granddaughter drew me in from the start. Beautifully written, the story plays with the contrast of a modern day Ireland and the presence of mythical creatures. Great read for young and old.
Review by - Edith Parzefall
I just spent seven hours "away with the fairies" and loved every minute of it! Pat's enchanting novel is the perfect blend of Irish folklore, magic, romance, action and suspense. I would recommend this book to young adults of all ages. I found myself entertained, engrossed and educated. The scenery and images brought me right into the story with the characters. From the Irish royal family to a myriad of magical fairies, "Glancing Through The Glimmer" is an enthralling page turner that should not be missed.
Review by- nhwriter
What a great read! This book had fairies and danger and a handsome young prince - what more could you ask for? I want to plan a trip to Ireland right now with this book as my guide!!!
Review by-Finicky book reader
Glancing Through the Glimmer is a treat! Fairies, princes, love, and danger! And we also get a taste of traveling Ireland. Pat McDermott is a wonderful writer -- her choice of detail bring Ireland, the characters and the story alive! I was totally entranced and read this book in one sitting -- all wrapped up cozy by the fire. I really hope she has a sequel - I'm not ready to leave Liam, Janet and the Fairies just yet!
Review by- Virginia Deluca "ginny d"
It is not often that I buy a book that I simply cannot put down! I am so happy to have learned of this author, and this story. She blends fact and fantasy, and presents us with "what might have been." While one can argue that the fantasy introduced could never happen, Ms. McDermott does, indeed, make us believe that not only could it...it actually did. Set in modern-day Ireland, but with a twist (I don't want to give away too many details...best you should discover them for yourself!), this extraordinary story will lift you from your every day world and transport you to Mother Ireland, where a wonderful story of young love mixes with a bit of the faery kingdom. There is romance, suspense and a plot designed to keep you reading long into the night. This is a book that I will read over and over again, particularly when I need a "lift" to my spirits. Thank you, Ms. McDermott, for your imagination and the ability to spin your story into words! You are, indeed, one heck of a seanchaí! I couldn't possibly give you a better compliment. Now...I want more! Review by- I Am Celt "Liz"
Loved this storyline! Just the sort of book I would have picked in my junior high days: Ireland, fairies, a hint of romance, and lots of adventure!! Perfect for ages 10-16. I highly recommend for young readers.
Review by- Cheryl Carpinello "http://www.beyondtodayeduc...
Purchase Glancing through the Glimmer
*Pat will be giving away an E-copy of Glancing Through The Glimmer to one lucky commenter! Your E-mail address must be with your entry. No E-mail address, No Entry! Winner will be chosen at random once the SPOTLIGHT is over on March 23, 2012. Good Luck!*
Check back tomorrow to read an EXCERPT from Glancing through the Glimmer!
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
5 Roses for THE KING'S DAUGHTER!
Tia is the daughter of the King of Alcinia. He is about to marry her off to a neighboring king, despite the fact that she is the heir to his throne and has always expected to marry her cousin—so much so that she throws a temper tantrum in the midst of what was to be her wedding banquet. Her tantrum is cut short, however, by an attack by their enemies, the Tumagi using weapons and ships supplied by Alcini’s ally, the Omani.
Alcinia is a small kingdom and not very wealthy or populous. High Born women (including Tia) are trained for combat, but Tia is unarmed in her wedding gown. She is captured, almost raped by the enemy king (saved only by his impotence), and sold into slavery.
Tia is transported along with the other High Born women to Omana, where she is bought by Sergius Magistri, a general whom all of her people fear, as his reputation is one of ruthlessness on the battlefield. At home, however, he is a gentle man who frees her and treats her with the accord due her rank and station.
They fall in love, marry, and start a family.
The Omana Empire is in trouble, however. The Emperator is clearly insane and the Emperatum is rife with corruption and debauchery. Think Caligula. It was he who supplied the Tumagi with ships and weapons for their invasion of Alcinia, despite their treaty with Omana, signed during his father’s reign. The Emerator sends Sergius to capture Alcinia, but Sergius has his own plans for the kingdom and they include returning Tia to her throne.
“Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae, aliam Aquitani, tertiam qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Galli appellantur.”
“All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgians inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called Celts, in our Gauls, the third.”
I’ve forgotten most of the Latin I took in high school and college and confess I had to look up this quote—the opening line of Caesar’s Gallic Wars, the text that consumes every Latin student’s second year.
However, I’ve included it here because Ms. Newman has really done her homework (something I didn’t do very well my second year or I might not have had to look this up).
Her descriptions of life in a Roman villa, battle tactics, and conditions aboard Roman slave ships are incredibly authentic. Alcinia could well be Britania but without a description of the building of Hadrian’s Wall, and Tia could be a Celtic Princess in that she worships The Goddess, had a scrying bowl back home, and honed her religious/spiritual powers among an order of wise women she refers to as The Sisters.
This book is also told in first person, a very difficult thing to do well. Even Dostoyevsky couldn’t manage it when he started Crime and Punishment in first person. Five hundred pages into the book he had to go back and re-write it in third person. In longhand, since the typewriter had not yet been invented. Ms. Newman has carried off her first-person narration flawlessly.
This book has incredible attention to historic detail, flawless first-person narration, but most importantly, it has multi-faceted characters who will engage you.
While Tia starts out as a spoiled brat, you can tell from her narration that there is a redeemable person in there and you will get to watch her grow. Sergius is fierce, but you feel his gentility from the moment you meet him, and you fall in love with him alongside Tia.
This is one incredible book. Have Kleenex close by.
*Reviews by Rochelle..
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Review for LOVE TO THE RESCUE by Nancy Lennea
~REVIEW by BabsBookBistro
Josie or as Pete calls her Joe, is Pete's partner. They are both Paramedic-firefighters in a small college town. Joe is a smart young women a bit naive in some ways and a bit of a klutz at times. She is not your typical female, she likes her baggy uniform and likes to work out. She rarely wears make up or dress clothes. Growing up with 4 brothers can do that to a gal. She starts to fall for Pete and wants him to notice her, but she is not pretty like the girls he is known to associate with.
Pete yearns for Josie, but knows he is not the right man for her. He worries about his past and doesn't want to be tide down. He drinks to forget and ends up in trouble. As Pete tries to move their working relationship into something more, his past comes crashing into his life. He is afraid everything will come out and Joe will not want him or worse be afraid of him. Will Joe understand what happened 6 years ago?
Pete yearns for Josie, but knows he is not the right man for her. He worries about his past and doesn't want to be tide down. He drinks to forget and ends up in trouble. As Pete tries to move their working relationship into something more, his past comes crashing into his life. He is afraid everything will come out and Joe will not want him or worse be afraid of him. Will Joe understand what happened 6 years ago?
I loved this book for a few reasons. These two characters are carried over from The story grabs you and won't let you go till the end. A fiery must read.
Purchase Love to the Rescue
Stop by tomorrow to read an excerpt from ~LOVE TO THE RESCUE!
**Nancy will be hosting a GIVEAWAY on Friday!!!**
Purchase Love to the Rescue
Stop by tomorrow to read an excerpt from ~LOVE TO THE RESCUE!
**Nancy will be hosting a GIVEAWAY on Friday!!!**
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
See what people are saying about Author Faith V. Smith and VIKING GO HOME..*Giveaway/contest*
Dunbar's Curse
Dunbar’s Curse is a great book that will enthrall the reader right from the start! This is one blazing book that has enough heat to start a forest fire! 5 Starts Night Owl Romance/Janean Sparks
Beware What You Wish ...
Cute, funny and romantic where it should be. I can't wait to read Ms. Smith's second story.
~Rating: 3.5 Books, Review by Hibiscus - The Long and Short Of It Rev
iews
~Rating: 3.5 Books, Review by Hibiscus - The Long and Short Of It Rev
iews This is an intriguing story that has you wondering where Leah will end up at last….future or past. A highly, enjoyable read. Arianne --Night Owl Romance
Beware What You Wish delivers exactly what readers want: a delightful story that knows true love lives in the mind, body, and heart.
Jennifer Akers - MyShelf.com
Kensington’s Soul
Readers will fall in love with Zacke and Miranda. Thank goodness you won't have to say goodbye to them after you close the book. KENSINGTON'S SOUL is the first in Smith's Bound by Blood series. Highly 
recommended.” -- Jennifer Akers, http://www.myshelf.com/
recommended.” -- Jennifer Akers, http://www.myshelf.com/Viking Go Home
When reading this story this reviewer couldn’t help but think of another excellent time travel, Jude Deveraux’s A Knight in Shining Armor. 4 STARS Romantic Times Bookreviews
Purchase Faith's books- Buy
Contact Faith at- faith@faithvsmith.com
Friend Faith on Facebook -
Join Faith's Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FaithVSmith/join
*Faith will be giving away an E-copy of VIKING GO HOME to one lucky commenter! A winner will be picked at random after the SPOTLIGHT is over, so comment for you chance to win!*
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Book Review- 'MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN' By Jen Holling
After reading MY WICKED HIGHLANDER, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in the MacDonell Bride Series. Once again Jen Holling hits a home run with
MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN.
Unlike her sisters Gillian MacDonell is not a witch, she's not confident and she's definitely not bold. So why would an Earl want to marry her, especially after being humiliated by her sister Isobel?
Nicholas Lyon, Earl of Kincreag is cold hearted, aloof and he may have killed his first wife. But to keep from being shipped off to France, where she's expected to marry an old man, Gillian is willing to sell her soul to the devil, even if the devil is Lord Kincreag.
At first Nicholas resists the offer of marriage but softens knowing that it is his dearest friend, Alan MacDonnell's dying wish. So using her powers of persuasion, and quite a bit of boldness taught to her by her sisters, Nicholas gives in.
Gillian is hopelessly attracted to her Earl, and doesn't want to settle for a "good match," so she decides to give Nicholas a love philter, but instead of making him amorous, it makes him suspicious.
Nicholas believes she is trying to poison him and the marriage gets off to a rocky start, it becomes even rockier once Gillian arrives at Castle Kincreag.
Strange things start happening and she starts to have visions. But worst of all, she believes someone may be trying to kill her?
Could it be? Would Nicholas kill another wife? Gillian doesn't want to believe it, she knows he is plagued with secrets, but she's glimpsed another side to him, a vulnerable side.
Hadn't she? Or could she be seeing only what she wishes most for? Did she imagine his kindness? Was his concern not real when she'd collapsed with her head pains? Was she imagining it all or was he acting? Trying to catch her off guard? But if it wasn't him, who was it and why? And what are the visions she keeps seeing? All fingers are pointing to Nicholas, even her sisters, who are witches, think him guilty. But is he? Or are there other sources of evil at work? AND when he finds her casting a spell with her sisters, will he protect her like he promised her father or will she face the same fate as her mother?
You'll have to read to find out!
Jen Holling has done it again. With a sweep of her pen she creates such heart-wrenching emotion, and a vivid picture of what Medieval Scotland must have been like. I fell in love with Gillian from the very start, she isn't the bold heroine that we normally see, but she grows into her own women as the book progresses. The attraction and love between the two characters is heartbreakingly warm and you can't help but cheer them on. The beginning hook is so intense that you won't be able to stop reading because of all the unanswered questions swirling through your mind. I had to resist the urge to peek! This story has so many twists and turns, and a few surprises that will keep you turning pages.
Congratulations again Ms. Holling on another wonderful book!
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars! *****
Now I can't wait to read, MY SHADOW WARRIOR, the final book in the MacDonell bride series.
Reviewed by- Highland Lassie
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