Hello everyone! This is Author Anthony Avina, and today I am here to share with you all the top reads of 2019 on my website. Iโve reviewed over 160 books this year, and as we close out not only 2019 but the decade, I thought it appropriate as we head into 2020 to look back on 2019 and see what were the top books of the year. So without further adieu, here are my top picks of 2019!ย
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Best YA Romance: Again, but Better by Christine Riccioย
A beautiful story from emerging author Christine Riccio about the choices we make in life, and what we would do if we could go back and change things. A story of following your dreams, living the life you want and finding love, and how hard a person is willing to fight to hold onto that dream and that love.ย
Best YA Sci-Fi & Fantasy: Nexus (The Androma Sage #2) by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings
This exciting concluding chapter to the Androma Saga duology was a whirlwind sci-fi adventure in the YA genre. Authors Lindsay Cummings and Sasha Alsberg did a wonderful job closing this story out, creating a universe under the forced rule of a pair of siblings that seek control, but as a young outlaw turned hero seeks to save her makeshift family and stop this threat, the siblings find they are more pawns than true rulers in this quest, and an even greater threat is set to emerge on the galaxy. A must read sci-fi adventure!
Best Fantasy: The Second Life of Eddie Coyne by Louis K Lowy
A brilliant fantasy driven narrative from author Louis K Lowy, which showcases the downfall of a father and husband and the journey he takes to find the true meaning of life and a life well lived. Finding what matters most in life and holding onto it as the protagonist struggles to find their way back home again, this is a fantastic read for 2019.ย
Best Mystery/Crime: A Shattered Lens: A Detective Preach Everson Novel by Layton Green
If you are looking for a great murder/mystery series to sink your teeth into, then the Detective Preach Everson series is for you. Author Layton Greenโs second novel is a masterpiece of the genre, expertly crafting a murder mystery that pushes the protagonist to their limit both professionally and personally. This book serves as both the perfect continuation of the series and a great book for newcomers to enjoy as well.
Best Comic Book/Graphic Novel: Spider-Geddon by Christos Gage
While there were many great comic books in 2019, and many that I still need to read, out of all the comics I read that were published this year, my all time favorite had to be Spider-Geddon. A great sequel to the epic Spider-Verse storyline, the return of the Inheritors and the imminent threat they pose to the Spider-heroes of the Marvel Multiverse make this a thrilling read. Spider-Man is an essential hero to the larger Marvel Universe, and the comic book industry as a whole, and so exploring not only his story but the story of several other spider heroes in the multiverse is always a thrill. Add the terrifying and powerful threat of the Inheritors to the mix, and this storyline makes for a wonderful read.
Best Contemporary Romance/Fiction: If Only by Melanie Murphy
One of my all time favorite reads of 2019, Melanie Murphyโs debut fiction novel was a brilliant novel. The characters were engaging, the fantasy element of seeing various lives if the protagonist had made different choices was a great addition to the plot and yet it didnโt overpower the overall theme and romance of the story whatsoever. Its a story many people our age can identify with and the authorโs voice and tone in the novel is entertaining, engaging and refreshing to read, making this a must read of 2019.
Best Dystopian Thriller: A Single Light (The Line Between #2) by Tosca Lee
A great ending to another brilliant duology, author Tosca Lee has created a wonderful dystopian thriller that showcases the continued struggle for survival in the face of a massive breakout. Months after surviving the events of book one, the protagonists must fight for survival in a crumbling society, and as secrets threaten to tear them apart, they must find that which makes life worth living in the face of great danger once more. A must read novel of 2019!
My all time favorite sci-fi read of 2019, my good friend author Rebecca Henry has created a fantastic story that delves into the best aspects of the sci-fi genre. Secret government operations, powerful aliens who have influenced society, time and space travel and so much more. Itโs a sci-fi fans dream read and I highly recommend reading my full review to get a sense of this amazing novel.
Best YA Historical Fiction: The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
If you are a fan of Historyโs Vikings or the legends of Norse Mythology mixed with historical settings then you will absolutely love Adrienne Youngโs โThe Girl The Sea Gave Backโ. The novel is a sequel of sorts to โSky in the Deepโ, and expertly crafts a story of a young girl considered an outcast her entire life and burdened by knowledge of fate, and a young man striving to make a better life for his people years after the end of a decades long war. Its a great way of continuing the story of the original novel while focusing on new characters and a new period of time in this wonderful world the author has created.
Best Mystery Crime Thriller: The Sixth Wicked Child (4MK Thriller #3) by J.D. Barker
The exciting final chapter in one of the best crime thrillers of the decade, author J.D. Barkerโs โThe Sixth Wicked Childโ is the brilliant concluding story in the 4MK Trilogy. The shocking game of cat and mouse between the protagonist and 4MK is taken to new heights in this novel, as readers are forced to examine whether or not the series protagonist is the hero theyโve been led to believe, or will he turn out to be the villain all along? A twisted tale that pushes everyone to their limit, this was a phenomenal read and one of the top books of 2019 for me personally.
Best Nonfiction: Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley by Carol Es
Last but certainly not least is author Carol Esโs book โShrapnel in the San Fernando Valleyโ. A heartbreaking and emotional journey, this non-fiction read was one of the best of 2019, and took readers through the authorโs life as well as through the harrowing journey of being caught in the midst of a cult. Itโs a gritty and realistic novel that will catch the reader off guard at times, but is well worth the read. Highly recommend!ย
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A visit from royalty turns into a tragic mystery as the stubborn Prince of a visiting nation teams up with a driven young woman who runs a local gazette in London society in author Julia Londonโs novel โThe Princess Planโ, the first in the A Royal Wedding Series.ย
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The Synopsis
Princes have pomp and gloryโnot murdered secretaries and crushes on commoners
Nothing gets London’s high society’s tongues wagging like a good scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefitted from an anonymous tip about the crime, prompting Sebastian to take an interest in playing detectiveโand an even greater one in Eliza.
With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more salacious than a prince dallying with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And when things heat up behind closed doors, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes firstโhis country or his heart.
The Review
A well written, character driven narrative, author Julia London soars as this novel brings historical fiction, romance and mystery to life. The chemistry between Eliza and Prince Sebastian was the immediate draw of this romance tale, as Sebastianโs temper and Elizaโs independence clashed immediately, but soon led to a friendship and something more as time went on.ย
What the author did an excellent job of however was expertly exploring the roles of men and women in society, those that are expected versus the roles we seek to create for ourselves. Also exploring social class and how status can sometimes impede life choices, it was fascinating to see the characters struggle against these roles thrust upon them by others when trying to find their own way themselves. Something quite difficult when caught up in a murder mystery, pending trade agreements and a brewing romance that puts Sebastian in the hot seat as he must choose between love and his duty.
The Verdict
Engaging, entertaining and explosive, author Julia London has created a smash hit with The Princess Plan. A story of societyโs expectations versus our own, love and overcoming the odds to maintain that love, and battling those who conspire against you behind your back, this was a truly tantalizing read that readers will not be able to get enough of. A lengthy read, the book is equal parts mystery, romance and historical fiction, creating a book that many different readers can enjoy. If you havenโt yet, grab your copy of Julia Londonโs โThe Princess Plan (A Royal Wedding #1)โ today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Julia London is a NYT, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance. She is a six-time finalist for the RITA Award of excellence in romantic fiction, and the recipient of RT Bookclub’s Best Historical Novel.
All of London has been on tenterhooks, desperate for a glimpse of Crown Prince Sebastian of Alucia during his highly anticipated visit. Windsor Castle was the scene of Her Majestyโs banquet to welcome him. Sixty-and-one-hundred guests were on hand, feted in St. Georgeโs Hall beneath the various crests of the Order of the Garter. Two thousand pieces of silver cutlery were used, one thousand crystal glasses and goblets. The first course and main dish of lamb and potatoes were served on silver-gilded plates, followed by delicate fruits on French porcelain.
Prince Sebastian presented a large urn fashioned of green Alucian malachite to our Queen Victoria as a gift from his father the King of Alucia. The urn was festooned with delicate ropes of gold around the mouth and the neck.
The Alucian women were attired in dresses of heavy silk worn close to the body, the trains quite long and brought up and fastened with buttons to facilitate walking. Their hair was fashioned into elaborate knots worn at the nape. The Alucian gentlemen wore formal frock coats of black superfine wool that came to midcalf, as well as heavily embroidered waistcoats worn to the hip. It was reported that Crown Prince Sebastian is โrather tall and broad, with a square face and neatly trimmed beard, a full head of hair the color of tea, and eyes the color of moss,โ which the discerning reader might think of as a softer shade of green. It is said he possesses a regal air owing chiefly to the many medallions and ribbons he wore befitting his rank.
Honeycuttโs Gazette of Fashion and Domesticity for Ladies
The Right Honorable Justice William Tricklebank, a widower and justice of the Queenโs Bench in Her Majestyโs service, was very nearly blind, his eyesight having steadily eroded into varying and fuzzy shades of gray with age. He could no longer see so much as his hand, which was why his eldest daughter, Miss Eliza Tricklebank, read his papers to him.
Eliza had enlisted the help of Poppy, their housemaid, who was more family than servant, having come to them as an orphaned girl more than twenty years ago. Together, the two of them had anchored strings and ribbons halfway up the walls of his London townhome, and all the judge had to do was follow them with his hand to move from room to room. Among the hazards he faced was a pair of dogs that were far too enthusiastic in their wish to be of some use to him, and a cat who apparently wished him dead, judging by the number of times he put himself in the judgeโs path, or leapt into his lap as he sat, or walked across the knitting the judge liked to do while his daughter read to him, or unravelled his ball of yarn without the judgeโs notice.
The only other potential impediments to his health were his daughtersโEliza, a spinster, and her younger sister, Hollis, otherwise known as the Widow Honeycutt. They were often together in his home, and when they were, it seemed to him there was quite a lot of laughing at this and shrieking at that. His daughters disputed that they shrieked, and accused him of being old and easily startled. But the judgeโs hearing, unlike his eyesight, was quite acute, and those two shrieked with laughter. Often.
At eight-and-twenty, Eliza was unmarried, a fact that had long baffled the judge. There had been an unfortunate and rather infamous misunderstanding with one Mr. Asher Daughton-Cress, who the judge believed was despicable, but that had been ten years ago. Eliza had once been demure and a politely deferential young lady, but sheโd shed any pretense of deference when her heart was broken. In the last few years she had emerged vibrant and carefree. He would think such demeanour would recommend her to gentlemen far and wide, but apparently it did not. Sheโd had only one suitor since her very public scandal, a gentleman some fifteen years older than Eliza. Mr. Norris had faithfully called every day until one day he did not. When the judge had inquired, Eliza had said, โIt was not love that compelled him, Pappa. I prefer my life here with youโthe work is more agreeable, and I suspect not as many hours as marriage to him would require.โ
His youngest, Hollis, had been tragically widowed after only two years of a marriage without issue. While she maintained her own home, she and her delightful wit were a faithful caller to his house at least once a day without fail, and sometimes as much as two or three times per day. He should like to see her remarried, but Hollis insisted she was in no rush to do so. The judge thought she rather preferred her sisterโs company to that of a man.
His daughters were thick as thieves, as the saying went, and were coconspirators in something that the judge did not altogether approve of. But he was blind, and they were determined to do what they pleased no matter what he said, so heโd given up trying to talk any practical sense into them.
That questionable activity was the publication of a ladiesโ gazette. Tricklebank didnโt think ladies needed a gazette, much less one having to do with frivolous subjects such as fashion, gossip and beauty. But say what he might, his daughters turned a deaf ear to him. They were unfettered in their enthusiasm for this endeavour, and if the two of them could be believed, so was all of London.
The gazette had been established by Hollisโs husband, Sir Percival Honeycutt. Except that Sir Percival had published an entirely different sort of gazette, obviouslyโ one devoted to the latest political and financial news. Now that was a useful publication to the judgeโs way of thinking.
Sir Percivalโs death was the most tragic of accidents, the result of his carriage sliding off the road into a swollen river during a rain, which also saw the loss of a fine pair of grays. It was a great shock to them all, and the judge had worried about Hollis and her ability to cope with such a loss. But Hollis proved herself an indomitable spirit, and she had turned her grief into efforts to preserve her husbandโs name. But as she was a young woman without a manโs education, and could not possibly comprehend the intricacies of politics or financial matters, she had turned the gazette on its head and dedicated it solely to topics that interested women, which naturally would be limited to the latest fashions and the most tantalizing on dits swirling about Londonโs high society. It was the judgeโs impression that women had very little interest in the important matters of the world.
And yet, interestingly, the judge could not deny that Hollisโs version of the gazette was more actively sought than her husbandโs had ever been. So much so that Eliza had been pressed into the service of helping her sister prepare her gazette each week. It was curious to Tricklebank that so many members of the Quality were rather desperate to be mentioned among the gazetteโs pages.
Today, his daughters were in an unusually high state of excitement, for they had secured the highly sought-after invitations to the Duke of Marlboroughโs masquerade ball in honor of the crown prince of Alucia. One would think the world had stopped spinning on its axis and that the heavens had parted and the seas had receded and this veritable God of All Royal Princes had shined his countenance upon London and blessed them all with his presence.
Hogwash.
Everyone knew the prince was here to strike an important trade deal with the English government in the name of King Karl. Alucia was a small European nation with impressive wealth for her size. It was perhaps best known for an ongoing dispute with the neighboring country of Wesloriaโthe two had a history of war and distrust as fraught as that between England and France.
The judge had read that it was the crown prince who was pushing for modernization in Alucia, and who was the impetus behind the proposed trade agreement. Prince Sebastian envisioned increasing the prosperity of Alucia by trading cotton and iron ore for manufactured goods. But according to the judgeโs daughters, that was not the most important part of the trade negotiations. The important part was that the prince was also in search of a marriage bargain.
โItโs what everyone says,โ Hollis had insisted to her father over supper recently โAnd how is it, my dear, that everyone knows what the prince intends?โ the judge asked as he stroked the cat, Pris, on his lap. The cat had been named Princess when the family believed it a female. When the houseman Ben discovered that Princess was, in fact, a male, Eliza said it was too late to change the name. So theyโd shortened it to Pris. โDid the prince send a letter? Announce it in the Times?โ
โCaro says,โ Hollis countered, as if that were quite obvious to anyone with half a brain where she got her information. โShe knows everything about everyone, Pappa.โ
โAha. If Caro says it, then by all means, it must be true.โ
โYou must yourself admit she is rarely wrong,โ Hollis had said with an indignant sniff.
Caro, or Lady Caroline Hawke, had been a lifelong friend to his daughters, and had been so often underfoot in the Tricklebank house that for many years, it seemed to the judge that he had three daughters.
Caroline was the only sibling of Lord Beckett Hawke and was also his ward. Long ago, a cholera outbreak had swept through London, and both Caroโs mother and his childrenโs mother had succumbed. Amelia, his wife, and Lady Hawke had been dear friends. Theyโd sent their children to the Hawke summer estate when Amelia had taken ill. Lady Hawke had insisted on caring for her friend and, well, in the end, they were both lost.
Lord Hawke was an up-and-coming young lord and politician, known for his progressive ideas in the House of Lords. He was rather handsome, Hollis said, a popular figure, and socially in high demand. Which meant that, by association, so was his sister. She, too, was quite comely, which made her presence all the easier to her brotherโs many friends, the judge suspected.
But Caroline did seem to know everyone in London, and was constantly calling on the Tricklebank household to spout the gossip sheโd gleaned in homes across Mayfair. Here was an industrious young ladyโshe called on three salons a day if she called on one. The judge supposed her brother scarcely need worry about putting food in their cupboards, for the two of them were dining with this four-and-twenty or that ten-and-six almost every night. It was a wonder Caroline wasnโt a plump little peach.
Perhaps she was. In truth, she was merely another shadow to the judge these days.
โAnd she was at Windsor and dined with the queen,โ Hollis added with superiority.
โYou mean Caro was in the same room but one hundred persons away from the queen,โ the judge suggested. He knew how these fancy suppers went.
โWell, she was there, Pappa, and she met the Alucians, and she knows a great deal about them now. I am quite determined to discover who the prince intends to offer for and announce it in the gazette before anyone else. Can you imagine? I shall be the talk of London!โ
This was precisely what Mr. Tricklebank didnโt like about the gazette. He did not want his daughters to be the talk of London.
But it was not the day for him to make this point, for his daughters were restless, moving about the house with an urgency he was not accustomed to. Today was the day of the Royal Masquerade Ball, and the sound of crisp petticoats and silk rustled around him, and the scent of perfume wafted into his nose when they passed. His daughters were waiting impatiently for Lord Hawkeโs brougham to come round and fetch them. Their masks, he was given to understand, had already arrived at the Hawke House, commissioned, Eliza had breathlessly reported, from โMrs. Cubison herself.โ
He did not know who Mrs. Cubison was.
And frankly, he didnโt know how Caro had managed to finagle the invitations to a ball at Kensington Palace for his two daughtersโfor the good Lord knew the Tricklebanks did not have the necessary connections to achieve such a feat.
He could feel their eagerness, their anxiety in the nervous pitch of their giggling when they spoke to each other. Even Poppy seemed nervous. He supposed this was to be the ball by which all other balls in the history of mankind would forever be judged, but he was quite thankful he was too blind to attend.
When the knock at the door came, he was startled by such squealing and furious activity rushing by him that he could only surmise that the brougham had arrived and the time had come to go to the ball.
Excerpted from The Princess Plan by Julia London, Copyright ยฉ 2019 by Dinah Dinwiddle. Published by HQN Books.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A grieving mother who lost her son to the Vietnam War learns years later that the ashes given to her by the military may not belong to her son after all, leading her to a journey of discovery that will leave her and readers shocked in author Nick Lombardi Jr.โs novel โThe Plain of Jarsโ.
The Synopsis
2014 Dayton Literary Peace Prize entry!
What would you do if you found that the bones and ashes you were given by the Air Force were not the remains of your loved one? Dorothy Kozeny, a 64-year-old widow from a small town in Ohio, after getting no answers from the relevant authorities, decides the only thing to do is to go to Laos herself to search for the truth concerning her son’s fate. In 1990, accompanied by a trusted Laotian called Kampeng, Dorothy travels deep into the mountains of rural Laos, attempting to trace her son’s path through inhospitable terrain, an unforgettable trek that provides her with a rewarding, often humorous, and at times frustrating, cross-cultural experience. All clues lead her to a mysterious figure, an alleged CIA operative left over from the war, living in a remote and hostile area deep in the jungle. The second part of the book traces the life of this enigmatic character hiding in Laos, the two main characters linked through Dorothy’s son.
The Review
This was a powerful and emotional story that focused on the pain and loss families feel for loved ones lost to war, the horrors many soldiers witness and are forced to become a part of during war, the injustices committed during the Vietnam War, and the struggle to let go of violence and hatred to lead a more peaceful and happy life.
While the story did a great job of showcasing both the more modern day struggle of a mother looking for her long thought dead son and the past of the sonโs journey through a hellish war, his attempt to escape it, and those who ruthlessly fought to stop him, the true heart of this novel was the backdrop of Laos and the Plain of Jars themselves.
Those unfamiliar with the history of this area and site should know that during the Vietnam war, more bombs were dropped by the U.S. Military on the Plain of Jars in Laos than in the entirety of WWII, and over 80 million of these bombs remain a constant danger to the people there as they failed to detonate at the time and remain hidden in the area. This story highlighted the struggle of the people of Laos and the horrors they and the soldiers in the country bore witness to during this war. The savagery in which soldiers and operatives were trained to become monsters, and the struggle to use peace and non-violence to combat that savagery, took a major portion of this book and readers will instantly connect with the characters as a result of this particular piece of the story.
The Verdict
This was a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, impactful and engaging read that fans will not want to miss. Author Nick Lombardi Jr. does it again with this memorable story that captures the era and history of this devastating war, and brings to life the unpleasant truths of the loss and pain it caused on both sides. In the end however, what truly stood out amongst all of this horror and heartbreak was the love and passion for which a mother fought to either find her son or at least get the truth of his passing out for the world to see. A motherโs love can be felt in every chapter of Dorothyโs tale, and makes her son Andrewโs backstory all the more powerful. If you havenโt yet, be sure to grab your copy of Nick Lombardi Jr.โs novel โThe Plain of Jarsโ today!
I’m happy to share this link from my friends at BetterHelp for anyone looking for the best online therapy sites. Be sure to click the link to find out for yourselves.
Author Nick Lombardi Jr. has spent over half his life in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and he speaks five languages. An event in California in 2011 in which a homeless man was beaten to death lead Nick to write his newest novel, Justice Gone. Nick now lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Hey everyone, Author Anthony Avina here. I’m honored today to be sharing with you this guest blog post from author Madeline Sharples, author of the recently reviewed book, Papa’s Shoes, in association with Women on Writing Tours. I hope you all will enjoy it and please make sure to comment on this post and share it as well. Enjoy everyone.
I didnโt think I had another book in me after I finished my novel, Papaโs Shoes. Writing that took a long time even though I didnโt work on it straight through all those nine years. But when I had finished the tenth revision, I felt my book writing days were over.
However, I started to get itchy to write something else when I started querying publishers โ exactly what I did in 2010. I started my novel while I was querying publishers for my memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On.
I took one look in the mirror and realized from my aging face that Iโm at that stage in my life when I have almost all of it to look back on. I just turned seventy-nine, and my mirror told me I looked it.
So I thought I could write a memoir from an old wise womanโs approach to turning eighty. I could write about the secrets of staying married to the same man for forty-nine years and living in the same house for forty years. Really where have all those years gone? And really that brings up another big question โ how much time do my husband and I have left anyway, and what are we doing to prepare for our last years? Or better yet, how weโre handling our lives right now as we age โ each at a different paces. Yes, I decided another memoir or even two are a real possibility. The options are endless: how weโre still working at surviving the loss of our son in 1999, what we eat, how we sleep, my health and exercise program, about our travels, and what do we do all day at our age.
Another thing that triggered my decision to write this new memoir is the many people my age who are sick or have died. Just yesterday I heard about the death of a wonderful work colleague and friend much younger than me who died of a massive heart attack. With those facts in mind I decided to bring aging healthy into the book. I am very fit for my age. I workout every day and eat healthy. Why couldnโt I write a memoir about aging healthy?
I hope readers will take a good look at themselves and what they are doing to live the rest of their lives successfully. I hope they will take my examples about what to do and what not to do as I age seriously. For example, I recently spent a few days with my cousin who is four years younger than I. She is out of shape and doesnโt eat very healthy. But while I was with her we took long, fast walks every day, and sheโs still taking them even though Iโm not with her. She says I was an inspiration to her. I hope to be an inspiration to all my readers.
I also have to contend with the hardest parts to write: 1) the lasting effects of our older sonโs suicide death in 1999, 2) my married son and daughter-in-lawโs decision to live a married life without children, and 3) some regrets about decisions Iโve made over the years. I know all of us have life experiences that are hard to write and talk about. We also have regrets. Hopefully my writing about these things will engage my readers in thinking how theyโve lived their own lives and what they can improve on for their futures.
So far, Iโve written the first draft to this brief outline:
PART ONE
What stage of life I am in right now
A little looking back โ maybe incorporate my reunion experiences of seeing old classmates and being in the neighborhoods where I grew up
What I see when I look in the mirror
My daily routine
What I do to take care of myself
How much I like my privacy and alone time
My physical maladies
My emotional life
My depression and suicidal thoughts
I say Iโm a writer, but what do I really write
My writing routine
My volunteer life: South Bay Cares and WriteGirl
My married life
How my sonโs death affects my life now
What about no grandchildren โ how has that affected my relationship with my son and daughter-in-law
How I spend my time
Friends and relatives โ how much I back away
What I see for the future
Whatโs next on my bucket list
End of life directives
My beliefs or lack thereof of an afterlife, and my lack of a spiritual life
PART TWO
What advice I give to those heading my way
PART THREE
How I feel about turning eighty and repairing for my imminentย
About the Book:
Papaโs Shoes, a work of fiction about immigration with a feminist and historical bent. At 99,968 words, Papaโs Shoesis a stand-alone novel with series potential.
Ira Schuman is determined to move his family out of their Polish shtetl to the hope and opportunities heโs heard about in America. But along the way he faces the death of three of his four sons, a wife who does not have the same aspirations as his, and the birth of a daughter, Ava, conceived to make up for the loss of his boys. Ava grows up to be smart, beautiful, and very independent.
Besides having a feisty relationship with her overly-protective mother, Ava falls for the college man who directs her high school senior class play. With the news that she wants to marry a non-Jewish man, Ira realizes that his plan to assimilate in the new world has backfired. Should the young couple marry, he must decide whether to banish his daughter from his family or welcome them with open arms. Even though he wonโt attend their wedding, he makes her a pair a wedding shoes. In his mind, theshoes are simply a gift, not a peace offering.
ยท Print Length: 286 pages
ยท Publisher: Aberdeen Bay (April 27, 2019)
ยท Publication Date: April 27, 2019
ยท ASIN: B07R7MQ6CM
Praise:
“From an insightful storyteller, Papa’s Shoes, is a heartwarming story of courage and love. Author Madeline Sharples has created an epic journey with intriguing twists and surprises along the way. From days of old in Poland to cultural and economic realities in America, this is an awe-inspiring novel about families, generational history, and the incredible power of change. You truly won’t want to put it down!”
โD.A. Hickman, author of Ancients of the Earth: Poems of Time
“Author Madeline Sharples tells the intimate story of an American family, of immigration, tragedy, renewal, and love with grace and the delicate touch of a poet. Thereโs a raw kind of sweetness in this rich and epic saga.”
โDavid W. Berner, author of The Consequence of Stars and A Well-Respected Man
โAn immigrant familyโs braided history โ its conflicts, losses, and secrets โ come to life in Papaโs Shoes. With loving attention to detail, Madeline Sharples transports readers from a Polish shtetl to the Illinois town where Ira and Ruth settle, and shows us the intimate workings of their
marriage. This familyโs triumphant journey to the American Midwest will inspire you long after
youโve closed these pages.โ
โEleanor Vincent, author of Swimming with Maya: A Motherโs Story
A longer synopsis
On a cold and pouring night in Sokolow Poland, Ira Schuman carefully steps over the red mud puddles on the streets, sad, weary, and soaked. He dreads what heโll find when he arrives at his two-room house in the Jewish section of the stetl. He envisions his mourning wife, Ruth, angry he wasnโt home when three of their four boys died during a flu epidemic.
As he enters the silence in what was once a home full of the loud voices and cries of little boys is deafening. However, he canโt wait to embrace Ruth, comfort her despite his own grief, and tell his surviving son about his love for America.
Iraโs goal is to become Americanized and bring whatโs left of his family to a small town in Illinois, when he has enough money and an established business. Ruth doesnโt want to leave Poland and the graves of their three dead sons.
After their initial cold and difficult reunion, Ira keeps his promise to impregnate Ruth before he goes back to Illinois. Three years later he sends her the money to follow him to Illinois with their son age 10 and little girl, Ava, age three. Ruth agrees to leave Poland because of fears that the Russian army will recruit her son.
After a short stay in Chicago, the family moves to Danville IL, where Ira joins his brother in their shoe-making business. Though free of his long hair, beard and forelocks, and wearing modern clothes without the four-cornered yarmulke he threw into the Atlantic Ocean, Ira wants to bring a semblance of Orthodox Jewish life to his family and his new town. He creates a synagogue, hires a rabbi, and arranges the delivery of kosher meats. He also begins an affair with a chubby but curvy redheaded widow. Ruth, who smothers Ava and tries to keep her a little girl, has grown fatter and more unkempt, always wearing the same tight-fitting black dress she wore in Sokolow. She wants no part of Iraโs synagogue work.
Ruth keeps her hold on Ava, antagonizing her daughter. They argue continuously throughout Avaโs school years. Ava gets the lead in her senior high school play, and she and the director, a student at the local college, strike up a relationship โ she tells her parents they are just friends when he picks her up to take her to school events.
Her brother, in law school in Chicago at nights and working in the textile business during the day, comes home and warns his parents that if they donโt move her away from this gentile, he will take her to Chicago himself. Ira agrees to let Ava go; Ruth does not. In the end her brotherโs argument wins. Ava, ever respectful of her parents and out of her love for her brother, tells her director friend that she must leave. They are devastated but stay away from each other until the day before her departure.
In Chicago, Avaโs brother introduces her to a suitable man. Heโs a bit of a milk toast, messy, and not very motivated in school or business, but heโs nice and attentive so she goes out with him for quite some time. Her rationale is that dating him will protect her from meeting someone she could actually fall for. She also experiences the modern ways of young women in the 1920s. She goes to dance halls and speakeasies, speaks flap talk, works as a seamstress, designs her own short and swingy dresses, and lives freely away from her mother. Her suitor proposes, but Ava says, โWhat a pretty little ring,โ instead of yes.
After continued pleas from her director friend and her still undying love for him, Ava returns to Danville as a mature and determined young woman. She withstands a blow-up with her parents when she tells them she wants to marry her gentile friend. Ira throws her out. That night he goes to the synagogue to say the mournerโs kadish for his daughter but decides to break up with the red-headed widow and mourn his relationship with her instead. To assuage his guilt, he makes her a pair of shoes that she wears at her wedding.
While Ava is sad not to have her family with her at her wedding, she is hopeful that her mother and father will come around. Her biggest fear is that she will never see her brother again, the man she loved and looked up to all her growing up years. However, she is happy with her decision to marry her love no matter how they feel.
About the Author
Madeline also co-authored Blue-Collar Women: Trailblazing Women Take on Men-Only Jobs (New Horizon Press, 1994), co-edited the poetry anthology, The Great American Poetry Show, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, and wrote the poems for two photography books, The Emerging Goddess and Intimacy (Paul Blieden, photographer). Her poems have also appeared online and in print magazines, e.g., in the 2016 Porter Gulch Review, Yellow Chairโs In the Words of Womyn 2016 anthology, Story Circle Networkโs journals and anthologies, the Best of Poetry Salon 2013-2018, and the Vine Leaves Literary Journal: a Collection of Vignettes from Across the Globe, 2017. And her articles have appeared in the Huffington Post, Naturally Savvy, Aging Bodies, PsychAlive, Story Circle Networkโs HerStories and One Womanโs Day blogs, and the Memoir Network blog. One of Madelineโs essays has also appeared in the My Gutsy Story Anthology by Sonia Marsh.
Madeline also co-edited Volumes 1 and 2 of The Great American Poetry Show, a poetry anthology, and wrote the poems for two books of photography, The Emerging Goddess and. Besides having many poems published in print and online magazines, writes regularly for Naturally Savvy, and occasionally for PsychAlive, Open to Hope,and Journeys Through Grief and The Huffington Post.
Madeline Sharples launches her tour of “Papaโsย Shoesโ with an insightful interview and giveaway at the Muffin!
June 4th @ Coffee with Lacey
The lovely Lacey reviews “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples and shares her review with readers at Coffee with Lacey. This is a blog stop and review readers won’t want to miss!
June 5th @ Lisa Haseltonโs Reviews and Interviews
Lisa Haselton interviews well known author and memoirist Madeline Sharples about her latest novel “Papa’s Shoes” – the story of a Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America. This insightful interview is one you won’t want to miss!
Beverley A. Baird shares her thoughts after reading the touching story of a Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America – “Papa’sShoes” by Madeline Sharples is a book that is sure to please readers!
Today’s guest author at Words from the Heart with Linda Neas is none other than well-known author and memoirist Madeline Sharples. Today, her guest post is titled “How I reinvented myself from a technical writer and editor to a creative writer โ and at my
age.” Heart from Madeline and learn more about her latest novel “Papa’s Shoes”!
Last week, readers at Words from the Heart with Linda Neas read a guest post penned by Author Madeline Sharples and today, Linda will share her review of Madeline’s latest novel “Papa’s Shoes”. This is a blog stop you won’t want to bypass!
Fellow author and memoirist Linda Appleman Shapiro shares her review of “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples. Don’t miss Linda’s insight into this touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they move to America!
Nicole Pyles reviews the latest best selling novel “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples – readers will delight to hear what Nicole thinks of this crowd pleasing story of one Polish shoemaker and his family!
Vicky Brinius reviews “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples. Find out how she feels after reading this touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America.
Fellow author Anthony Avina reviews “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples – this is a touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settled in America.
Amanda of Amanda Diaries reviews Madeline Sharples latest novel “Papa’s Shoes” – read Amanda’s review and add this lovely story to your TBR pile today!
Readers at Anthony Avina’s blog will delight with today’s guest post and author interview with Madeline Sharples – learn more about her and her latest work!
Lisa Buske shares her review of “Papa’s Shoes” – the latest novel by Madeline Sharples and a touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America.
August 12th @ Kathleen Poolerโs Memoir Writerโs Journey
Readers and writers alike will want to stop by Memoir Writerโs Journey to hear from Kathleen Pooler and friend / fellow author Madeline Sharples as they discuss Madelineโs latest book โPapaโs Shoesโ.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A manโs journey to escape poverty and provide a better life in America for his family takes a series of unexpected turns as he struggles with tradition and his own beliefs versus the happiness of his daughter in author Madeline Sharples novel, โPapaโs Shoesโ.
The Synopsis
Ira Schuman is determined to move his family out of their Polish shtetl to the hope and opportunities heโs heard about in America. But along the way he faces the death of three of his four sons, a wife who does not have the same aspirations as his, and the birth of a daughter, Ava, conceived to make up for the loss of his boys. Ava grows up to be smart, beautiful, and very independent.
Besides having a feisty relationship with her overly-protective mother, Ava falls for the college man who directs her high school senior class play. With the news that she wants to marry a non-Jewish man, Ira realizes that his plan to assimilate in the new world has backfired. Should the young couple marry, he must decide whether to banish his daughter from his family or welcome them with open arms. Even though he wonโt attend their wedding, he makes her a pair a wedding shoes. In his mind, the shoes are simply a gift, not a peace offering.
The Review
This historical fiction novel was incredibly well written. It did a great job of showcasing the dual nature of immigration by studying one manโs desire to secure a safe and happy future for his family in the United States, with his other desire to see his daughter marry someone within the same faith and people as they were. It is an in-depth look into the struggle to maintain oneโs identity in an ever changing world, and the struggle to allow oneself to be open to change and accept the reality that our children must make their own choices in life, and a parentโs job is to support them and help them throughout those choices.
It was amazing to see just how much of the Jewish culture was explored in this novel, highlighting the resistance to change so many devoted followers of the faith feel as seen in Iraโs wife Ruth, which was strengthened by their strained marriage throughout the novel. The book did a wonderful job of exploring deep character growth and highlighting the natural interactions amongst the cast of characters, helping to highlight the emotional struggle of those involved.
The Verdict
This was a wonderful book to delve into. The author does a great job of highlighting the struggles of immigration, the beliefs and culture of the Jewish people, and the emotional struggle of a father and daughter, the former struggling between tradition and love for his daughter, the latter seeking love and struggling with the thought of losing her family in the process. The bookโs beginning sets the tone for the fragility of life that is explored in this novel, and the struggle to aspire for a better life.
The double lives people lead, the heartbreak of following your dreams and passions in life at the cost of losing a family unwilling to accept your different outlook on life, and a simple yet powerful ending make this the perfect read. If you havenโt yet, be sure to grab your copy of โPapaโs Shoesโ by Madeline Sharples today!ย
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Madeline also co-authored Blue-Collar Women: Trailblazing Women Take on Men-Only Jobs (New Horizon Press, 1994), co-edited the poetry anthology, The Great American Poetry Show, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, and wrote the poems for two photography books, The Emerging Goddess and Intimacy (Paul Blieden, photographer). Her poems have also appeared online and in print magazines, e.g., in the 2016 Porter Gulch Review, Yellow Chairโs In the Words of Womyn 2016 anthology, Story Circle Networkโs journals and anthologies, the Best of Poetry Salon 2013-2018, and the Vine Leaves Literary Journal: a Collection of Vignettes from Across the Globe, 2017. And her articles have appeared in the Huffington Post, Naturally Savvy, Aging Bodies, PsychAlive, Story Circle Networkโs HerStories and One Womanโs Day blogs, and the Memoir Network blog. One of Madelineโs essays has also appeared in the My Gutsy Story Anthology by Sonia Marsh.
Madeline also co-edited Volumes 1 and 2 of The Great American Poetry Show, a poetry anthology, and wrote the poems for two books of photography, The Emerging Goddess and. Besides having many poems published in print and online magazines, writes regularly for Naturally Savvy, and occasionally for PsychAlive, Open to Hope,and Journeys Through Grief and The Huffington Post.
Madeline Sharples launches her tour of “Papaโsย Shoesโ with an insightful interview and giveaway at the Muffin!
June 4th @ Coffee with Lacey
The lovely Lacey reviews “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples and shares her review with readers at Coffee with Lacey. This is a blog stop and review readers won’t want to miss!
June 5th @ Lisa Haseltonโs Reviews and Interviews
Lisa Haselton interviews well known author and memoirist Madeline Sharples about her latest novel “Papa’s Shoes” – the story of a Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America. This insightful interview is one you won’t want to miss!
Beverley A. Baird shares her thoughts after reading the touching story of a Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America – “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples is a book that is sure to please readers!
Today’s guest author at Words from the Heart with Linda Neas is none other than well-known author and memoirist Madeline Sharples. Today, her guest post is titled “How I reinvented myself from a technical writer and editor to a creative writer โ and at my
age.” Heart from Madeline and learn more about her latest novel “Papa’s Shoes”!
Last week, readers at Words from the Heart with Linda Neas read a guest post penned by Author Madeline Sharples and today, Linda will share her review of Madeline’s latest novel “Papa’s Shoes”. This is a blog stop you won’t want to bypass!
Fellow author and memoirist Linda Appleman Shapiro shares her review of “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples. Don’t miss Linda’s insight into this touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they move to America!
Nicole Pyles reviews the latest best selling novel “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples – readers will delight to hear what Nicole thinks of this crowd pleasing story of one Polish shoemaker and his family!
Vicky Brinius reviews “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples. Find out how she feels after reading this touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America.
Fellow author Anthony Avina reviews “Papa’s Shoes” by Madeline Sharples – this is a touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settled in America.
Amanda of Amanda Diaries reviews Madeline Sharples latest novel “Papa’s Shoes” – read Amanda’s review and add this lovely story to your TBR pile today!
Readers at Anthony Avina’s blog will delight with today’s guest post and author interview with Madeline Sharples – learn more about her and her latest work!
Lisa Buske shares her review of “Papa’s Shoes” – the latest novel by Madeline Sharples and a touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America.
August 12th @ Kathleen Poolerโs Memoir Writerโs Journey
Readers and writers alike will want to stop by Memoir Writerโs Journey to hear from Kathleen Pooler and friend / fellow author Madeline Sharples as they discuss Madelineโs latest book โPapaโs Shoesโ.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Iโve worked in music, fashion, high tech, and retail. Writing has always been an element of my professional career.
What inspired you to write your book?
My motherโs life inspired this book, and the understanding that her story was so deeply intertwined with the establishment of the State of Israel. Sadly, she died when I was eleven years old, and I was too young to know what questions to ask. Following my fatherโs death years later, I discovered her photographs and documents, most of which I had never seen before. Under pictures of best friends and boyfriends, whose names weโd never know (or how they affected her), I found an illustrated sketch book by her brother. Avraham was the uncle we never met, but knew was her best friend. The book tells the story of a trip they took to the Galilee in 1947. For the first time, I had an inside view into the most significant relationship in my motherโs life, and an intimate portrait of her as a 17-year-old. I wanted to tell not only her story, but the story of the Sabra generation, the first generation of modern-day Israelis.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
We are from our birthplace.
The importance of family and community.
War is about losing loved ones.
Resilience in the face of adversity is key to survival.
What led to the establishment of the State of Israel. The events in Europe during WWII had repercussions that affected the whole world.
I began this project as a straight biography, but quickly found it was not possible to corroborate particular facts about my motherโs life. It also became clear that there was a broader story to tell about the time period and her generation. Iโve always found historical fiction compelling to read, and love that it can transport you to a different time and place.
What I like about writing an historical fiction novel is that there is a timeline of events that I was able to follow. I could intertwine those events in ways that I knew, or had to imagine, affected my mother. Hereโs an example: While researching the time (1940s), and place (Tel Aviv), I came across an incident that happened in 1941 that I never knew about. My mother never spoke about it, and it wasnโt mentioned in most of the histories of Tel Aviv. Shortly after the Italians entered WWII, an squadron of Italian planes dropped bombs on my motherโs neighborhood killing 137 people. Even though I didnโt know how it affected my mother, it became clear to me that this was a scene that I had to write. What would it be like to be a 12-year-old girl caught in such a frightening event?
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Facebook and Instagram for now, and Iโm working on my Twitter presence. With my WOW blog tour, I can see how effective the world of book blogs can be.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Take classes in writing. Learn the craft.
Create a timeline with an outline. Thatโs your path.
Find a writing group.
Write THE END. Are you sure? Better check it one more timeโฆ
Polish your final piece.
Self-marketing is part of the publishing world now. The best way to create interest in your story is to find like-minded people, and promote to those you are connected with. Network with other writers, writing groups and organizations that may have an interest in your work.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I have two projects that Iโm currently outlining. There is a sequel to Born Under Fire that follows Shula in Manhattan in the 1950s, and her work at the first Israeli consulate in New York. And, because itโs based on my mother, the highs are high and the lows are devastating.
The second is a music-centered novel that takes place in New York in the early 1970s.
Rina Z. Neiman is a writer, event producer and public relations professional. Born Under Fire is based on the true story of her mother, Shulamit Dubno Neiman, a Sabra, a musician and one of the first generation of modern-day Israelis. Rina lives in Marin County, California with her husband and son. This is her first novel.REPORT THIS AD
What goes better in the morning than a muffin! So, grab your coffee and join us today as we celebrate the launch of Rina Z. Neimanโs book Born Under Fire. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
Make sure you stop by Karenโs blog today where you can read Rina Z. Neimanโs guest post about how to manage time and distractions during the book writing process. If you are writing a book โ or thinking about writing one โ this one is a post you donโt want to miss!
Looking for a new book? Make sure to stop by Briโs Book Nook and find out why you need to add Rina Z. Neimanโs book Born Under Fire to your reading list.
Today is a canโt miss review by Lisa over at One Sisterโs Journey blog. Sheโs sharing her thoughts about Rina Z. Neimanโs historical fiction book Born Under Fire.REPORT THIS AD
You wonโt want to miss todayโs stop at the blog Reading Whale where you can read this Rina Z. Neimanโs guest post about when you can finally start writing your book after all that research.
Fill your bookshelf with good books! Stop by Veronicaโs blog and read author Rina Z. Neimanโs guest post about writing biographical fiction and when to dramatize real events.
Make sure you stop by Morganโs blog Book Collab where you can find out what she has to say about Rina Z. Neimanโs historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
If you love historical fiction, make sure you visit Anthony Avinaโs blog today where he features author Rina Z. Neimanโs blog post about how she researched her historical fiction novel Born Under Fire. You wonโt want to miss this!REPORT THIS AD
Are you interested in writing history for young adults? If you are, you will absolutely want to visit Jessโ blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman talks about writing history for young adults and what grabs them and what loses them.
Canโt resist a good book? Visit author Anthony Avinaโs blog today when he reviews Rina Z. Neimanโs incredible historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
Looking for your next great read? Make sure you stop by Bevโs blog today and catch her opinion on this fascinating historical fiction novel Born Under Fire.
Todayโs stop is at Amandaโs blog where you can read what she thinks about Rina Z. Neimanโs historical fiction book Born Under Fire. REPORT THIS AD
Feeling bookish today? Make sure you stop by Anjanetteโs Bookworm blog where you can read her thoughts about Rina Z. Neimanโs powerful historical fiction book Born Under Fire plus read an interview with the author.
Todayโs tour stop is a fantastic guest post written by author Rina Z. Neiman about how to make stories interactive. A must-read for all the writers out there!
Are you doing research for your novel? Make sure you visit Bevโs blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman is talking about top 5 ways to research secondary sources.REPORT THIS AD
Interviewing someone for your book? Make sure you visit Madeline Sharplesโ blog today where Rina Z. Neiman talks about how to conduct interviews with people who are (and who are not) willing to talk with you.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A coming of age tale of a young girl facing the horrors of war during the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime takes center stage in author Rina Z. Neimanโs novel โBorn Under Fireโ.
The Synopsis
Born Under Fire is a historical novel that tells the story of a girl coming of age and her drive to excel despite the devastating effects of long-term war. Born in Jerusalem under British rule in 1928, Shula grows up in a world in turmoil as Hitler rises to power and nations enter into war. Amid a landscape of ancient stone ruins next to modern Bauhaus architecture, and desert scrub ending at newly verdant farmlands, Shula grows into her independence as the State of Israel is born. Based on historical documents and events, Born Under Fire is also about the context surrounding the founding of the State of Israel, as well as the horrors and dangers of growing up in a conflict zone. Shula battles grief and depression due to the shattering events affecting her, her family, and the entire world. Despite this struggle, her resilient spirit enables her to reach great heights as a concert pianist.
This was a gripping tale that held no punches and spoke honestly about the rise of the Israeli state and the hardships endured by many during this era of history. Not only did it explore the violence plaguing the world at large during WWII, but the affects it had on the Jewish community around the world and the violence between other cultures and the Jewish people, (and even division amongst the Jewish people themselves), that arose due to this tumultuous time. Yet itโs the way the story is told that will instantly pull readers in, as protagonist Shula is shown from a young girl growing into a young woman and seeing the violence and changes happening around her and to her family.
Shula is what makes the story feel relatable and emotional. While many books and films/television programs will explore historical periods like WWII and give great insight into the period of time that saw so much death and destruction, they often lack the emotional struggle many people faced each and every day. Yet this historical fiction/drama showcases these struggles realistically and allows the reader to hang on to the authorโs every word as Shula endures great loss, change and triumph throughout this tale. Not only do we see history through this young womanโs eyes, but readers also feel connected to her as she undergoes this coming of age journey that sees her find the inner strength and courage not only to face these everyday challenges during a time of war, but to reach for her dreams and fight to hold onto her passions in the face of so much loss and adversity.
The Verdict
This is a must read historical fiction novel. Many WWII novels that showcase the struggles of the Jewish people often will focus on the struggles of those immediately in danger from the Nazi regime. Yet in this novel readers get a new perspective on the Jewish community outside of Europe and instead on those establishing themselves in the growing state of Israel. Highlighting the cultural struggles as well as the violence endured during this time, readers will fall in love with Shula and the story of her life during this tumultuous era of history, making this a novel readers will not want to put down. If you havenโt yet be sure to grab your copy of โBorn Under Fireโ by Rina Z. Neiman today!
Rina Z. Neiman is a writer, event producer and public relations professional. Born Under Fire is based on the true story of her mother, Shulamit Dubno Neiman, a Sabra, a musician and one of the first generation of modern-day Israelis. Rina lives in Marin County, California with her husband and son. This is her first novel.
What goes better in the morning than a muffin! So, grab your coffee and join us today as we celebrate the launch of Rina Z. Neiman’s book Born Under Fire. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
Make sure you stop by Karen’s blog today where you can read Rina Z. Neiman’s guest post about how to manage time and distractions during the book writing process. If you are writing a book – or thinking about writing one – this one is a post you don’t want to miss!
Looking for a new book? Make sure to stop by Bri’s Book Nook and find out why you need to add Rina Z. Neiman’s book Born Under Fire to your reading list.
Today is a can’t miss review by Lisa over at One Sister’s Journey blog. She’s sharing her thoughts about Rina Z. Neiman’s historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
You won’t want to miss today’s stop at the blog Reading Whale where you can read this Rina Z. Neiman’s guest post about when you can finally start writing your book after all that research.
Fill your bookshelf with good books! Stop by Veronica’s blog and read author Rina Z. Neiman’s guest post about writing biographical fiction and when to dramatize real events.
Make sure you stop by Morgan’s blog Book Collab where you can find out what she has to say about Rina Z. Neiman’s historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
If you love historical fiction, make sure you visit Anthony Avina’s blog today where he features author Rina Z. Neiman’s blog post about how she researched her historical fiction novel Born Under Fire. You won’t want to miss this!
Are you interested in writing history for young adults? If you are, you will absolutely want to visit Jess’ blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman talks about writing history for young adults and what grabs them and what loses them.
Looking for your next great read? Make sure you stop by Bev’s blog today and catch her opinion on this fascinating historical fiction novel Born Under Fire.
Feeling bookish today? Make sure you stop by Anjanette’s Bookworm blog where you can read her thoughts about Rina Z. Neiman’s powerful historical fiction book Born Under Fire plus read an interview with the author.
Today’s tour stop is a fantastic guest post written by author Rina Z. Neiman about how to make stories interactive. A must-read for all the writers out there!
Are you doing research for your novel? Make sure you visit Bev’s blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman is talking about top 5 ways to research secondary sources.
Interviewing someone for your book? Make sure you visit Madeline Sharples’ blog today where Rina Z. Neiman talks about how to conduct interviews with people who are (and who are not) willing to talk with you.
When I took on writing an historical novel, I knew that research was going to be a top priority before any serious writing even began. Here are some of the ways and sources I used to research the background for Born Under Fire, which takes place from 1934-1949 under the British Mandate of Palestine.
A majority of my story takes place in the city of Tel Aviv, and I was able to make a trip to Israel early on in the research process. Walking the streets where scenes in the book occur was a way to soak in the smells, sights and sounds of a place, which I could later transfer to the story. I conducted several in-person interviews with her friends and relatives, which were invaluable to verify facts and get a feel for how certain events transpired.
Firsthand accounts from this time period were available through books and websites. By searching topics such as โBritish troops stationed in Palestine 1940sโ I was able to find actual accounts and photos of veterans from that era. Reading these accounts gave me a good understanding of how a particular group of people felt about events happening at the time.
Movies from that era and historical documentaries gave me a sense of what it was like at the time, and there is nothing better than hearing about an event than from the people that were there. Above and Beyond: The Untold True Story gave me a wonderful history of the birth of the Israel Air Force that I used as background for one of the main characters.
Director Steven Spielbergโs The Spielberg Collection is an invaluable source for Jewish themed films and newsreels. Newsreels with narration give a sense of what public perception was about a particular event of the day.
Reading original archived newspaper reports about an event are accessible via the internet or your local library. For Jewish-themed newspapers, the Historical Jewish Press archives is a great resource. There are websites of newspaper archives depending on your area of interest, and your local library has loads of resources that you can use.
Rina Z. Neiman recently published her first book, Born Under Fire, an historical novel based on her mother who was born in Tel Aviv in 1928. As she comes of age the State of Israel is born. #bornunderfirethebook https://www.amazon.com/author/rinaneimanwww.bornunderfire.com
About the Author, Rina Z. Neiman
Rina Z. Neiman is a writer, event producer and public relations professional. Born Under Fire is based on the true story of her mother, Shulamit Dubno Neiman, a Sabra, a musician and one of the first generation of modern-day Israelis. Rina lives in Marin County, California with her husband and son. This is her first novel.
What goes better in the morning than a muffin! So, grab your coffee and join us today as we celebrate the launch of Rina Z. Neiman’s book Born Under Fire. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
Make sure you stop by Karen’s blog today where you can read Rina Z. Neiman’s guest post about how to manage time and distractions during the book writing process. If you are writing a book – or thinking about writing one – this one is a post you don’t want to miss!
Looking for a new book? Make sure to stop by Bri’s Book Nook and find out why you need to add Rina Z. Neiman’s book Born Under Fire to your reading list.
Today is a can’t miss review by Lisa over at One Sister’s Journey blog. She’s sharing her thoughts about Rina Z. Neiman’s historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
You won’t want to miss today’s stop at the blog Reading Whale where you can read this Rina Z. Neiman’s guest post about when you can finally start writing your book after all that research.
Fill your bookshelf with good books! Stop by Veronica’s blog and read author Rina Z. Neiman’s guest post about writing biographical fiction and when to dramatize real events.
Make sure you stop by Morgan’s blog Book Collab where you can find out what she has to say about Rina Z. Neiman’s historical fiction book Born Under Fire.
If you love historical fiction, make sure you visit Anthony Avina’s blog today where he features author Rina Z. Neiman’s blog post about how she researched her historical fiction novel Born Under Fire. You won’t want to miss this!
Are you interested in writing history for young adults? If you are, you will absolutely want to visit Jess’ blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman talks about writing history for young adults and what grabs them and what loses them.
Looking for your next great read? Make sure you stop by Bev’s blog today and catch her opinion on this fascinating historical fiction novel Born Under Fire.
Feeling bookish today? Make sure you stop by Anjanette’s Bookworm blog where you can read her thoughts about Rina Z. Neiman’s powerful historical fiction book Born Under Fire plus read an interview with the author.
Today’s tour stop is a fantastic guest post written by author Rina Z. Neiman about how to make stories interactive. A must-read for all the writers out there!
Are you doing research for your novel? Make sure you visit Bev’s blog today where author Rina Z. Neiman is talking about top 5 ways to research secondary sources.
Interviewing someone for your book? Make sure you visit Madeline Sharples’ blog today where Rina Z. Neiman talks about how to conduct interviews with people who are (and who are not) willing to talk with you.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A lifetime of tragedy leads a young woman into a centuries old battle between two ancient orders over a secret that could change the world forever in author Linda Lee Kaneโs โBlack Madonna: A Popeโs Deadly Obsessionโ. Here is the synopsis.
The Synopsis
Luci de Foix was nine when her parents were killed in a car accident. But was it an accident? Unbeknownst to Luci, a group known as The Order, under the protection of the Pope, has been watching her family for many years, waiting for the day that a diary written in the thirteenth century would be delivered to her family-a journal that contains a key to a lost codex-and they would do anything to get it. Early one morning, when Luci is twenty-nine, a bloodied young man delivers a book, claiming itโs from her late grandparents.
Plagued by panic attacks that have left her crippled, Luci struggles to overcome her fears, avenge the death of their family, and search for the lost codex. But who can she trust? Everyone seems intent on betraying her, even the gorgeous, enigmatic Max, a man with secrets of his own.
Print Length: 210 Pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Publisher: Dark Rose Press
ASIN: B07KJR5WBH
The Review
This was a fast paced, action packed history thriller like no other. The mystery of the novel comes in two parts: the first being the mystery behind the secret the church has been chasing all these centuries, and the second being who was being the deaths of Luciโs parents and others in her life. The story thrives when it delves into the mythology aspect of the narrative, which readers will find refreshing as it flips the book on specific aspects of religion and history when it comes to the Catholic Church.
Exploring aspects like how Tarot Cards were marked as โevilโ by the Church, the secret teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (whether you believe in him as the Lord or are interested from a historical standpoint, this book will fascinate you regardless), and the lengths an organization will go to in order to maintain power and control, this novel features a truly amazing narrative. While there are some great character developments in this novel, it is the mystery and mythology of the book that really shines through, showcasing a powerful command over history and religionโs impact on humanity overall on the authorโs part.
The Verdict
This is a must read novel for any historical fiction and mystery fans out there. Filled with action, suspense and a twisting plot that will leave readers on the edge of their seat, this is a unique read that readers rarely glimpse in the historical fiction genre. If you havenโt yet, be sure to grab your copy of โBlack Madonna: A Popeโs Deadly Obsessionโ by Linda Lee Kane today!
Linda Lee Kane is an author of fantasies, thrillers, and contemporary fiction works. She is the author of Death on the Vine, Chilled to the Bones and an upcoming re-release of the The Black Madonna ‘A Popes Deadly Obsession’. She lives with her husband, two dogs, and seven horses in California. “Whether I am writing for adults or children, the war between my days and nights is reflected in my books. Although the tendency to acknowledge the light and dark sides of life is often disguised in my work, it’s always there, lurking just out of sight.”
You can follow the authorโs blog tour using the dates and links below!
— Blog Tour Dates
April 1st @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Come by today and celebrate the launch of Linda Lee Kane’s book Black Madonna: A Pope’s Deadly Obession. Read an interview with the author and also enter to win a copy of the book.
Stop by Anjanette’s bookworm blog where you can read author Linda Lee Kane’s post about creating suspense. Plus, be sure to check out the interview with the author as well!
Be sure to stop by Anthony’s blog today where you can read his opinion about Linda Lee Kane’s exciting historical mystery Black Madonna: A Pope’s Deadly Obsession.
May the 4th be with you on this day! Be sure to visit Anthony’s blog again where you can read Linda Lee Kane’s guest post on the anatomy of a thriller as well as an interview with this incredible author.
Visit Cassandra’s blog again where you can read her review of Linda Lee Kane’s book Black Madonna: A Pope’s Deadly Obsession. Plus you can also enter to win a copy of the book!
