Book Spotlight: The Scholar

The Scholar
by May Nicole Abbey

Synopsis

A leap through time. A choice to make. A destiny to change. 

Dismissed by her professors, ridiculed by her classmates, Serena Metcalfe is determined to prove the existence of the Samu Aqaru, the powerful stone of the ancient pharaohs – even if it means travelling through time. But her study of Egyptology did not prepare her for the dangers and passions of the real Egypt of 2361 BC. Crocodile attacks, kidnapping, betrayal, murder…and a pharaoh who believes she is a goddess and wants her as his queen. But Serena isn’t about to give herself to a king – not when finding the precious Stone could mean saving the man she loves. 

Irresistible playboy Shepseskaf, fated for an early death, and his loyal yet ruthless cousin Pepisenkaura were once the closest of friends, but the right to the throne of Egypt and their rivalry for Serena threaten to transform them into bitter and eternal enemies. Only Serena knows the tragic destiny that awaits, and only Serena can rewrite history…by following her heart. 

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Scholar-Book-Two-Fall-ebook/dp/B00DTNYO6Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1382043896&sr=1-2 

About the Authors

   

Caroline Gregory and Shawnette Nielson are sisters on a mission. Their goal is to write clean, adventuresome romance stories, full of lovely characters, personal growth, truth, and hope. Although they live nearly a thousand miles from each other, and are both busy with the daily needs of their respective families, they carve out time each night to put fingers to keyboard and write.  Their goal? Twenty completed books. Set all over the world and throughout time, they thrill at the freedom that writing time travel offers them. From Georgian society, to Ancient Egypt, and plans for a western, contemporary, and even a book set in ancient Greece, the possibilities are limitless. 

Links: http://www.maynicoleabbey.com 
Twitter: @mayicoleabbey 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MayNicoleAbbey

Review: Tiy and the Prince of Egypt

Tiy and the Prince of Egypt
by Debbie Dee

Synopsis 

Tiy is different than the other Egyptian girls--she has pale hair and more freckles than she wants to count. With her mother consumed by the need to keep up appearances, and her father too busy to care, Tiy just wants to disappear into the background. But her hope for a quiet life is shattered when she rescues Prince Amenhotep from a sandstorm and is rewarded with an invitation to attend the royal school in Egypt’s capital—-a place where girls like her will never fit in.

Amenhotep welcomes her into his close circle of friends and their friendship strengthens into a bond neither is willing to lose. But when Amenhotep becomes Pharaoh and is pressured by the priests to marry, the strength of their friendship is threatened. Will Tiy find enough courage to accept Amenhotep’s hand when he wants her to become the next Queen of Egypt, especially when her feelings run no deeper than friendship? And how can she protect him from the Nubian rebels who are determined to take control of Egypt?

Review

Tiy and the Prince of Egypt is a middle grade historical fiction work that completely grabbed my attention from the get-go! For one, Tiy was quite a likable character because of the strength she held onto above the obstacles. I found that Tiy grew throughout the book - something very refreshing. Readers of all ages need more honest and strong female characters who do not become "stuck".

It was my first time reading a historical fiction piece and I really enjoyed the amount of detail involved in describing everything that takes the reader to the time of ancient Egypt. Maybe I'm biased since I love anything having to do with Egypt...but that's beside the point. Dee's writing has made all the difference in this work. It was also awesome to realize that Dee based characters on actual people. 

Verdict

If you've enjoyed the Dee's other books, you will more than love this one. Trust me! It's only great because Egypt rocks, but because it's testament how being different can be beautiful :)

About the Author

Debbie Dee recently moved to southern Idaho with her husband and three children where she is learning how to be a country girl in her favorite pair of blue heels. She adores fairy tales and happy endings, but secretly crushes on the bad guy now and then.  

As a dedicated musician who practices way too much, she never expected writing would sweep her off her feet until she jotted down a scene from a daydream, which turned into two scenes, which turned into a messy house and her first novel. Since then she hasn’t been able to let a day go by without writing.  

In addition to writing, she plays the piano, harp, violin, and gets in frequent fights with her cello. She loves to read and play board games - when she is winning.  

Debbie is also the author of young adult novels, The Last Witch and The Underground Witch.  

 Author Links: 

 • website: http://www.debbiedee.com/ 
 • facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbiedeeauthor 
 • twitter: https://twitter.com/_DebbieDee 
 • goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535967.Debbie_Dee 
 • amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Dee/e/B009AH8UJ2/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1378230666&sr=8-1

Review: HerStory

HerStory

by Delaina M. Waldron

Book Synopsis:


HerStory a novel by Delaina M. Waldron is a paranormal/thriller that takes the reader on a journey in the life of a young African slave woman named Ayira who has a dark secret.  A dark secret she does not understand and is beyond her control.

Ayira can see the past and the future and she can also speak to the dead. 

It is the beginning of slavery in America, a Native American tribe rescues Ayira and she struggles to balance her special powers and face her dark past to help the people around her.

Ayira must overcome her fears of her dark past, survive the present and accept her destiny to help prevent the Indian tribes fatal outcomes.

Review:

Talk about a unique plot! Somehow, Waldron has created a story that combines two cultures and histories, that of the African slave and the Native Americans, into one story. 

The story focuses on Ayira, a young woman who has the power to see what has happened and what will be. As if that weren't enough, she has the power to speak to the dead. It is no surprise that this paranormal aspect of Ayira's existence is foreseen by one of the Native American elders. Through her experiences, Ayira learns more about herself and how her gift can be controlled/understood. 

The book itself was a quick read and I did enjoy it. I would have liked to learn more about the tribes themselves. However, this might be because of my personal interest in Native American folklore (note to self: give recommendations for those interested in Native American books and authors...). 

Anyway, if you're interested in historical fiction (leaning more towards the fiction...) and a quick read, this is for you! However, if you do not like reading about what could be considered the "occult" - sit this one out. 

About Delaina

Delaina M. Waldron is a screenwriter, novelist and freelance writer in her spare time.  She wrote two feature length screenplays one of which was adapted to her novel "HerStory" and the other a comedy called "Ghetto Ghost Hunters" was a finalist in the 2011 Hollywood Screenwriting contest.  She also wrote a short screenplay a thriller called "Peeper", which is currently in production.

Delaina M. Waldron is a single mother of one and is currently a city bus driver and a military veteran for the Army Reserves, based in New York City.

Website:  www.herstorynovel.com

Twitter:  @delainawaldron

Blog: http://delainawaldron.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/hello-world/

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delaina-M-Waldron/227854963892903?ref=hl

Review: Black Sun Reich

The Spear of Destiny: Part One
Black Sun Reich

by Trey Garrison

Publisher: Harper Voyager 
Available: December 18, 2012

Book Synopsis:


Black Sun Reich: Part One of three in The Spear of Destiny, the first novel in a new steampunk, horror, alternate history, action-adventure series set in a 1920s where the Nazi’s have begun their subjugation of the world using the occult, advanced science, and a holy relic with awesome powers.



And don’t miss the other parts of this serialized novel - Part Two: Death’s Head Legion and Part Three: Shadows Will Fall.



Trey Garrison recaptures the unapologetic adventure, wonder and excitement of the classic pulp fiction of the 1930s and 1940s, blending elements of steampunk with deeply-researched historical fiction and a good dose of humor. The novel also explores major philosophical and moral issues relevant to our contemporary world: the trade-off between security and liberty, the morality of pre-emptive war, and what fundamentally separates good from evil.



The North American continent is made up of several rival nations, and a Cold War is building between them. The Nazis rose to power a decade earlier. People travel by airship and powerful organizations calculate with Babbage’s Difference Engine. The Nazis have hatched a plot to raise a legion of undead soldiers.



Enter Sean Fox Rucker, Jesus D’Anconia Lago, two Great War veterans and freelance pilots who are pulled into the quest. They are joined by a brash Greek merchant, a brilliant Jewish cowboy, and the woman who once broke Rucker’s heart. This ragtag band of reluctant, bickering, swashbuckling heroes soon is locked in a globe-spanning race against Nazi occultists, clockwork assassins, and a darkly charismatic commando. In a world where science and the supernatural co-exist, and the monsters of legend are as real necromancers who summon them from dark realms, our heroes alone stand before the rising darkness. But all their efforts may not be enough.

Review:

More than one group of people are after the Spear of Destiny - and some unlikely characters are teaming up to stop the release of darkness into the world.

This book is truly one of a kind, in my opinion. Containing the theme of a political background with a twist of steampunk, it will take the reader on a thrilling adventure with dynamic characters. With its twinges of humor, it allows the reader to be fully entertained. The background of the story is also prepared well since it includes not only historical elements, but large corporations as a backdrop of the adventure as well. This book is the first of a trilogy, and although we are no strangers to the Trilogy (everyone seems to be doing one nowadays), the reader will not be able to wait to get their hands on the next book in the series!

Black Sun Reich was an easy and fun read. It was my first dabble into the steampunk AND alternative history genres. It can be a bit daunting at first, but if given the chance, this story will not disappoint you! 

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/HarperVoyagerBooksUS?fref=ts

@HarperVoyagerUS

@TreyGarrison

Rating: