This is going to be fun. So stick around. We have reviews. Rants and fun info. More reviews though.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Book Review of Saying Goodbye Without Saying Hello by RaeBeth McGee-Buda
Synopsis:
The journey of pregnancy brings hope, joy, and love for the expecting mother. The hope of giving birth to a new life. The joy of feeling this new life grow inside of her. The love that starts with a test that doesn’t ever end. Dreams for the unborn child flood the new mother’s mind, as well as those around her. Each step of the pregnancy is a cherished moment. The anticipation of meeting her cherished baby builds from the very first month and ends after birth.
This is the story of one mother and how a few words changed her life forever. How a piece of her faded when she heard these words: “There’s no heartbeat.” When RaeBeth Buda laid in the hospital in labor, she and her husband heard those dreaded words.
What happens when all of those dreams are shattered in a moment’s notice? How does one cope with the loss of their child? This is the story of their journey and of the devastating grief of the loss of her daughter, Dakota Emily Buda.
Review:
Saying Goodbye Without Saying Hello by RaeBeth McGee-Buda
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a true story, told by a mother who has lost her child due to stillbirth.
I am not a huge reader of non-fiction, but I had read (fiction) books by this author previously, and when I heard that she was writing this story, I knew that I was in for an emotional ride. I have never had a child, so I could not fully comprehend what someone who has feels when they are expecting. The excitement and joy at finding out that you are to be a parent is something I may never get to find out, but many women do. This story takes the reader on a journey of wonder, excitement, happiness, joy, worry, dread and grief. I had to keep putting this book down to dab at the tears streaming down my face, but I also had to keep reading. This story had me feeling everything the author felt at each stage of her pregnancy. Although I cannot fully comprehend the emotional merry-go-round that this author (and other parents) have gone through, I felt my heart break whilst reading Dakota Emily's story.
What struck me about RaeBeth McGee Buda was that she was obviously grieving for her daughter, Dakota Emily Buda, whilst writing this story. Her heart and emotions are bared on the page for everyone to see. What astounds me is her inner strength, which filled me with awe! Her faith that her daughter was sent here by God for a short time, touched me deeply.
Why things like miscarriage, S.I.D.S (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and stillbirths happen is still a bit of a medical mystery. Why? is a good question. Why does this still happen when we have better medical care? Why do some children die, when others survive? Maybe there is a rhyme and/or a reason for this, but it is elusive. All we have is faith; faith that those who are taken away too soon, will be waiting for us when it's our time. However, sometimes faith is cold comfort for those parents who have lost a child. My heart goes out to each and every one who have lost their child/children.
I highly recommend that this book be read by everyone. It is an emotive story, but if you or one of your family members has also suffered through the loss of a child, you will find that you are not alone. - Lynn Worton
View all my reviews
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Book Review of Sky Blue (The Ruby Blue Series #3) by Julie Cassar
Synopsis:
Something strange is brewing in Lake City… as the summer comes to a close, Ruby finds herself caught in a torrent of trouble when a stranger blows into town. Relationships are put to the test, lines are drawn and a choice is made when the ways of the Royal Sky Court rain down upon Ruby and the gang. Weathering through a storm of secrets, spells and yet another life-changing adventure… who will survive in its wake? Find out just what mysteries are revealed in this third, magical installment of the Ruby Blue Series!
Review:
Sky Blue by Julie Cassar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book in The Ruby Blue Series. I "Fashizzilly Freakin' Fantabulous!!!" LOVED IT!
Ruby Blue is a fantastic character. She is a typical teenager, full of angst and sarcasm, who loves ice cream and converse shoes. But she also is not so typical in that she can see fairies, and has begun to acquire powers courtesy of a dragon bite.
In this story, we get to see Ruby trying to come to terms with her new abilities, and starting a new school year with a gorgeous hunk for a boyfriend, Nick. I was quickly sucked back into story and was happy to meet Nick, Jeremy, Brennan and Anya again. I was a bit disappointed that Anya was unable to be in the story as much, due to her royal duties. However, Brennan has a bigger presence in this story; I really liked this, as it gave me a chance to get to know him better. Jeremy is his usually flamboyant self; he had me giggling with his sayings (see above quote). There is also a new character introduced in the book. Her name is Katrina, but Ruby quickly re-names her Ka-Trampy, which actually suits this character's personality perfectly! She's not exactly a nice person either!
There is action, drama and romance aplenty in this third book, with lots of twists and splashes of humour that made this book a pleasure to read! There is also a surprising twist near the end, which made me go (all soft and gooey) "Awww!". I am now looking forward to reading the fourth book in the series, Forever Blue, as soon as possible!
Julie Cassar has written another amazing tale in this YA romance series. I am a massive fan of hers! This story is fast paced, and it flowed beautifully. I think that this YA series is one of the best I have read this year!
I HIGHLY recommend this book (and series) if you love YA romances or fantasy genres. - Lynn Worton
View all my reviews
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Book Review of Tempted by Trouble by Susan Arden
Synopsis:
PLEASE NOTE: This story has explicit adult content. Western Erotic Romance
A doctor on a mission...Carolina Rodriguez is a large-animal vet willing to do almost anything to escape South Florida. Interviewed over the Internet by a family connection, she accepts a job sight unseen. At her cousin's wedding, she runs into Matt McLemore.
A rancher short on time...Matt is more than daring, he's Carolina's new boss and floored to discover the sassy woman from the parking lot encounter is the ranch's new vet. Matt's attraction to Carolina is an excruciating temptation. But a roll in the hay may prove too volatile to handle where business is concerned, especially when he needs her help to determine why his cattle keep dying.
Evermore, a cattle ranch that needs saving...The last time a team of vets came to Evermore, the ending was less than stellar. Wade McLemore refuses to allow another modern vet on their land. Matt proposes to introduce Carolina to his family as his girlfriend, giving her the opportunity to work and stay at his ranch without arousing his family's suspicion. After learning she's the last chance to help save his family's cattle reputation, she agrees to act the part of his girlfriend.
A woman begins to see possibilities...Carolina uncovers several alluring sides to this powerful man. Succumbing to Matt's raw magnetism, she submits to his control in the bedroom. In turn, Matt unleashes a red-hot passion between them, unlike anything Carolina has ever experienced.
An attraction that has the force of a nuclear explosion...By the time the lab report comes back, Matt and Carolina have explored every inch of each other. All of a sudden, this fiery affair is more than just a fling. When a past flame threatens to overwhelm their newfound romance, Matt must find a way to stake his claim to Carolina's heart before it's too late.
Heat Level: Sensually provocative
WARNING: ICE MAY BE NEEDED FOR FLAMING IMAGINATIONS!
Review:
Tempted by Trouble by Susan Arden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love a good romance, so I was looking forward to reading this.
Carolina Rodriguez is a wonderful character. I liked her a lot. She is a veterinarian, who has been hired to find out what is killing the cattle at Evermore Ranch. When she meets Matt McLemore sparks fly!
Matt McLemore is an intriguing character. He certainly makes an impression! He's super smart and sexy. I liked him a lot too! The chemistry between these two characters is extremely HOT!
I have literally read hundreds of romance novels over the years (if not a thousand of them). One thing about this genre of books is that I know that they roughly follow a set formula - Boy meets girl, instant attraction, happy ending. However, it is the ability of the author to flesh out the story and make the characters come alive, which this author did perfectly. This story has a few twists that gives a freshness to it. I really enjoyed meeting the McLemore clan. They were a lovely family.
There are some seriously HOT scenes in this story that I must admit I wasn't quite expecting, but they definitely were intense! *Fanning myself!*. The ending felt a bit rushed and could have gone on a little longer, but I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more romances by this author in the future.
Susan Arden has written an exciting and sexy romance that had my heart racing!
Due to some of the scenes being spicier than the romance novels I used to read as a teenager, I do not recommend this book to younger teenage readers. However, I recommend this book if you love spicy HOT romance novels. - Lynn Worton
View all my reviews
Monday, October 21, 2013
The Breach Between by Duncan McGonall
WELCOME TO THE BREACH BETWEEN BY DUNCAN MCGONALL
Title:
The Breach Between
Series: The Spiral Dance, #2
Author: Duncan McGonall
Publisher: Mages Gate
Publication Date: October 18, 2013
Genre: Epic Fantasy
SUMMARY
They use blood to walk through time and sigils to port worlds; they are Magi. They are the Legacy. They are three.One ancient book, the Book of Woes, can either restore or condemn the human race—depending upon who uses it.
The Legacy seeks the mastery of this Book. At the moment, dragons have it and one of them is a lover scorned.The first of three is new to the game.
Bruce Caieden is still playing catch-up as Egyptian gods Set and Horus teach him the Magi way. Will his role in the Legacy cost him his soul mate, his life? The second, Maramore, immortal and cousin to the brothers Caieden holds the secret, the big picture; an immortal must die, the Ankh Principle must be isolated, the Ennead sated and Order must prevail to restore the ancient machine known as the Atum Origin aka the Rea Novum. The third, Tolen Caieden, is a soldier of secrets and keeper of true lies. Since his grandfather’s untimely death, he is also the custodian of the Legacy. Maramore, Bruce and Tolen must find a way to satisfy the contradicting terms of the Legacy—and stop a defunct, ancient order’s plan to Shift the Circle of Life. They need blood to walk through time. They need blood to master the Book, and they need blood to stop the Shift. But there are more than two sides; there are four.
GOODREADS LINK
Click on the pic....
PRAISE
"Very well written, intriguing story line and curiously developed characters. I enjoyed the complexities as much as the intellectuality. Refreshing take on the genre." Jenn S. GoodReads, NetGalley
"...we enter an intricate web of political intrigue, mixed with time travel, Nazi treasures, and even magic. The author sets the stage of the Nethertwain with some skill, crafts his long list of characters to battle and keeps the action moving from page to page." Vicki McKeehan, Author of The Bones of Others, GoodReads
"McGonall has created a world with complex politics and imaginative magick that even includes time travel, the Pope and Nazi treasures...a very powerful and stimulating read and rewarding with its intellectual depth and well-constructed foundations. McGonall’s command of language is superb..." Christoph Fischer, Amazon top 1000 Reviewer
"... woven with such intricate detail...McGonnall's diction is fantastic... his use of language will feel oddly refreshing and stimulating... a thrilling tale, The Breach Between is a special book because it isn't bound to just one mythological idea." This review can also be found at: http://awalkonwords.blogspot.com/ Steph and Dani, A Walk on Words
"McGonall wove a tale with words in the same way a master swordsman wields his weapon...this book reads like a testimony to a love of words and double entendres. Love, ambition and familial ties wrapped up with a spell or two ... is what the reader can look forward to." Wanda Hartzenberg, Amazon Reviewer, GoodReads
PURCHASE LINK Amazon or to follow the author....Click the pic.
ABOUT the AUTHOR
Duncan McGonall is a family man, first and everything else follows. Born of parents one generation from immigration to the U.S., his heritage is Scot’s Highlander. He lives in small-town Tennessee with his wife, five children and four dogs. McGonall’s first writing sold was a role-playing game in the mid-1980s. Now a retired Navy man, he writes full time and is a General Editing Partner of the Orion’s Exploit imprint under Authors Allies.
AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DuncanMcGonall Twitter – https://twitter.com/DuncanMcGonall
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5806725.Duncan_McGonall Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Duncan-McGonall/e/B00E15O7EA/fblink/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_nu_esLusb1V45Z0J
Author Allies - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsAllies GIVEAWAY The author is giving away one $15
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book one in the series...click on the pic and go buy your copy today
My review
The Breach Between by Ducan McGonall.
This book reads like a testimony to a love of words and double entendres.
Bruce, Tolen and their cousin is all part of a Legacy.
Maramore, cousin of the brothers is an immortal and a very strong Magi. Bruce has been protected against this life by Tolen and everyone else for in him he holds the key to the gateway. Balance flux and shift is the end game.
Who sets the plays into action determines their particular aim. When Magi gets called out to a gun fight their weapon of choice is a wand. In a time splice Jamie uses his sexual preference to dissuade enforcers to fulfill their mission in the 1970's and the Arcanon still craves absolute power. The Gragona who appear human in the Firma instead of their natural dragon selves and have an agenda of their own.
Love, ambition and familial ties wrapped up with a spell or two and gifted by the author to the reader on the fiery breath of a weir or a dragon is but some of what the reader can look forward to. McGonall wove a tale with words in the same way a master swordsman wields his weapon in a fight to the death. In this action packed story be aware that the book you read is not manifest fabric or the Book of Woes.
A truly engaging read spanning generations, politics, astro plains and desire.
WaAr
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Book Review of The Breach Between (The Spiral Dance) by Duncan McGonall
Synopsis:
Three Magi must find a way to satisfy the contradicting terms of the Legacy and stop a defunct, ancient order's plan to alter the Circle of Life by restoring the ancient, off-plane machine known as the Atum Origin. The Ennead, a secret delegation of nine ancient gods with their own agenda, complicate attempts to prevent the collapse of Reality.
Legacy members use blood to walk through time and sigils to port worlds; they are magi, one new, one immortal and the third a soldier of secrets and keeper of true lies. The Ennead's designs must be met, an immortal must die, the god particle must be harnessed, and the Order of Origin must prevail. Maramore must beat the cycle of life, Bruce must find within him powers to span worlds and Tolen must decide what is most important and discover the truth.
Review:
The Breach Between by Duncan McGonall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Spiral Dance Series. I loved it!
Bruce McBaine is Tolen's brother and a magi. I really liked this character, but he is not as involved in this tale as he was in The Bread Of Fools (in which he was the main character).
Tolen McBaine is also magi and a fantastic character. I liked him a lot. He has a mission to complete, but finds that it's a lot harder than he anticipated.
Maramore is an immortal and a cousin to the brothers. I wasn't sure I liked him when I met him in The Bread Of Fools, but as this story unfolded, I began to understand him and warmed up to him.
This book is EPIC! I must admit that I was a little lost to begin with (I should say in my defense that it's been a while since I read the first book, and had forgotten a few things), but once I started reading this story, I couldn't put it down! There are several twists and turns that kept me intrigued. This book is told from several points of view, which made it very interesting and almost movie like in it's feel. The Gragona (who are dragons in their realm, but human whilst on Earth) have plans to alter the Circle of Life and, if they come to fruition, could mean the end of the Firma. Bruce, Tolen and Maramore are faced with the difficult task of fulfilling the Legacy. There are a few surprises in store for the brothers, and a traitor in their midst. Will they prevail in their mission? Only time will tell. Political intrigue abounds in this book, along with time travel and Nazi treasure!
This is a fantastic fantasy novel with some amazing characters that came alive on the page. There is an amazing amount of detail that had me picturing the scenes with ease. I certainly wouldn't like to come into contact with the Book of Woe's! The description of it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck! I am intrigued with the ending, and hope to find out what happens next soon!
Duncan McGonall's ability to weave a story that is action packed and complex at the same time has left me breathless! I feel that his writing has improved a lot since his first book, and I am looking forward to reading more of his work in the future.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of science fiction and fantasy genres. - Lynn Worton
View all my reviews
Friday, October 18, 2013
Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall!
Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall
Click on the pic to get your free copy on Amazon.
Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall
Ok so this book, being everything I normally dislike is an
attribute to the authors ability to write.
I do not like sexy or hot reads. This is one.
I never figured that Alice will grow up someday and that the
Mad Hatter would be her ultimate mate.
In this story it is.
I must say, thinking of Alice in Wonderland I always think
of a little girl not a grown woman. I
think of the legend behind the story that it is a warning of evil that lurks in
mirrors etc.
So when the story began my delight in reading it came as a
total surprise. The premise is fresh and
new for me, the love story is written with enough tension to run a turbine
off.
The world building is well enough done that I was constantly
reminded of the first story while fresh enough that I could see the world
through the eyes of a grown up Alice.
The bad boy scenes with the fairy god mother etc was both funny and
new.
And Hatter…well I hate it when an
author writes a story where the reader is forced to fall in love with a
character as much as the other main protagonist is based on
assumption. That does not happen here. The author writes these characters in such a
manner that the reader gets invested and the rest as they say is history.
WaAr
The winners of The Bridge of Deaths by MCV Egan!!!
are respectively
Guys, if you already own a copy MCV Egan will gift you a book of her choice or a gift certificate to the value of her book in Kindle format. Note this is only if you already own a Kindle copy.
So the winners of the ebooks....... are.......
In you Kindle or ereader soon.
Have fun all and thank you for playing.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Dear Vodacom. I am not a Nigerian!!! I do not run 419 scams. I am NOT that bored.
Why oh why is it that nobody cares?
Yes today is a rant.
So today. I am ranting over customer service in South Africa
First off, you the poor reader need to know a few things.
1st off. We have 3
main internet/cellular phone carriers.
I am on the most popular one of the three. Vodacom.
You need to know that we have a "watchdog" for
customer services. This is called Hellopeter
and this group is utterly amazing. Not
only can you raise concerns or queries or rants, what makes this service truly
amazing is that you can also give a name of a person / branch etc whose service
is above and beyond the norm. I love the
fact that we can give compliments where it is due as well.
Now you need to know a few more things. Vodacom hardly ever responds to complaints
logged on HelloPeter. Never to any
persons satisfaction as far as I can tell.
Vodacom is my cellular data carrier. My internet data
carrier etc. So without them…. no more
books and no more reviews.
So since yesterday evening I have been hacked by a
Nigerian. He sends out -- I don’t know
how many emails from my email address. I
noticed it when I received delivery notice information in the hundreds. Meaning my cellular phone battery cannot keep
up with notifications that runs into the 100's now.
So I did what everybody would do. You see, you need to know this as well. Identity theft, credit card and email hacking
has one thing in common. Somebody gives
out your personal information. Somebody
on the inside. These Nigerian 419 scam
operators are brilliant and can hack your pin/password etc. They are also busy. So they are smart enough to pay off somebody
on the inside to give the said pins/ passwords etc to them.
So back to me doing something apart complain to you here…. I
send an email to the service provider after changing my password. Changing my password had as little effect as
my email. No response. No action.
So I have to wonder….in a world where money is supposed to
be scarce… where a business is made and broken on their name and the reputation
it has. Why is it so obvious that big business don’t mind all their email
accounts being marked internationally as spam? Do they have that much money?
And as for me and the money involved in that type of mass email…. if they don’t
even reply to an email will they look into that? Obviously not.
They care as little as that as for the fact that if you don’t
phone enough within a month they simply withdraw a part of the funds you have
accrued in your account. So say for
instance you pay R149 a month. Don’t use
it all, after a few months you now have R852.
They say that according to the contract you signed you need to forfeit
the difference between the allowed R652 that you may accrue and the R852 you
have paid for that is in your account… why? What will I do with MY money that
they feel obliged to take that R200? I have no idea.
And I am convinced they have some really good reason that is
explained is such a way that the person that is being robbed from legitimate funds
is as clueless after the explanation as am I who is now apparently Mr. Dr. Simon
and YOU, yes YOU, have a dead relative and I CAN AND WILL pay you all but taxes
and 10% of the finder fee. Look forward
to my VODACOM email soon.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Don’t Look Away (Veronica Sloan) by Leslie A. Kelly
Click on the pic to purchase on Amazon.com
Don’t Look Away (Veronica Sloan) by Leslie A. Kelly
Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2013
A TOUGH DETECTIVE FACES
THE CASE OF HER LIFE WHEN A CORPSE IS DISCOVERED IN THE WHITE HOUSE...
Detective Veronica Sloan isn’t shocked by much. But even she is stunned by the brutality of the crime that took place in the White House basement. This case is making waves throughout Washington, and when the killer targets Ronnie, she has to admit she needs the help of FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes.
Sloan and Sykes know the victim was a participant in a top-secret experiment. They've been training for just this kind of case, waiting to use their special skills, anxious to learn if a recording device implanted in a victim’s head can help solve their murder….before the killer strikes again.
Detective Veronica Sloan isn’t shocked by much. But even she is stunned by the brutality of the crime that took place in the White House basement. This case is making waves throughout Washington, and when the killer targets Ronnie, she has to admit she needs the help of FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes.
Sloan and Sykes know the victim was a participant in a top-secret experiment. They've been training for just this kind of case, waiting to use their special skills, anxious to learn if a recording device implanted in a victim’s head can help solve their murder….before the killer strikes again.
My review
Seldom have I come across a book with such a hook for a
start. A victim. A killer and no way out. What more do you need?
Well then you need Veronica. A kick butt heroin with drive, determination
and a partner to die for. The thing is
she has a crush on a fellow trainee, Sykes -- whom she has not seen for months.
When said FBI agent is allocated to the case the sparks begin to fly. With sexual tension rampant, a murderer on the loose with an agenda that makes the
hair on your arm stand erect and a few issues of her own Veronica starts to put
the case together by immersing herself into the lives' of the victims. She does this for she, like them has a chip
that is implanted - a chip designed to ease some of the more debilitating
symptoms of Alzheimer's and is now instead a controversial military weapon who
makes the bearer able to record everything they see in the same manner as a
camera… EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY. She can see what the victims saw. She can see everything they saw..can she keep
from looking away?
A brilliant stroke of ingenious writing. A hook in paragraph one. An angle new and fresh though plausible and
logical. A triangle built more on
respect than lust. A murder most
foul. I loved the authors ease in
writing this thriller. From the first
page to the last it read like an old comfy t-shirt. It is simply a perfect fit.
No doubt that this book will impress most if not all
lovers of this genre.
I received a copy for review from Netgalley
WaAr
About the author
Leslie A. Kelly is a New York Times bestselling author who has
written more than fifty books in various genres. She currently writes
contemporary romances under the name Leslie Kelly, and dark thrillers as Leslie
A. Kelly.
She is the author of the futuristic Veronica Sloan thriller
series, and of the dark romantic suspense Black CATs series.
Visit her online at her websites:
www.lesliekelly.com
www.leslieAkelly.com
Purchase link for book II
Click to purchase this book on Amazon.com
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Seventeen - XVII Book One by Mark D. Diehl
Click on the pic to go to Amazon...
Seventeen: Book One (Vol 1) by Mark D. Diehl
I received a copy for review from NetgalleyA dystopian book with a twist. Nobody in this story wins.
No utopia for some and dystopia for others.
Some may think they are better off but they are not. Being a free thinking person in this world is dangerous, deadly even.
So comes together a group of rag tag survivors with a prophet, a Samurai inhabiting somebody else's body and a General who is or used to be a waitress.
I loved the fact that this group knows that change is needed but is not sure what type of change they would like to affect.
For now... not living the way they do seems like a win-win. Those on the other side of the coin, those not living in the zone is possibly even worse off, and Doc, a black man where color has erased, he might know the direction of change but not even he knows what Cal etc needs to do to get to their goal.
Where survival is the same thing as war this is a world that has come alive for me and I loved to turn each and every page.
Not a huge fan of a cliff hanger ending I loved this ending. The war had just begun
WaAr
Monday, October 14, 2013
Life in the Funny Lane by Paul Dunne
Paul Dunneauthor of Life in the Funny Lane
Click on the pic to go to Amazon to purchase your copy
Book Description
Publication Date: May 23, 2013
Life in the Funny Lane
Imagine a doctor who sleeps with his cat on the window sill - or a handyman who has no van and walks everywhere with his tools attached to his bicycle!
These are just two of the many eccentric characters who feature in this hilarious, sarcastic and sometimes irreverent story of a boy growing up in Dublin in the 1950s.
But it’s not all fun and games. There are abundant footnotes about places mentioned in the story, together with other snippets, from mathematics to music, that the author wants to share with you.
My Review
This book absolutely amazed me.
It started off for me as a comical retelling of a boy's
rather eccentric father. The family is Irish;
the mother is a devout Catholic and a woman this side of saintly.
The more I read and laughed at the author's ability to use a
simple turn of phrase to make a funny situation hilarious the more I noticed
that the veneer of comedy masked the true story.
The story is about a boy and his relationship with his
dad.
The boy hero worshiped his dad and
the relationship between the two grew stronger with age. The story started off in the late 1950's
progressing as the boy grew up and regressing again as new characters and
situations were introduced. Given Ireland's history a reader might expect a very strong political slant to the
book and even though it is alluded to it is not a main theme at all.
By the end of the book the reader really knows the boy's
father. His strong points, his
weaknesses and that not everybody loved him as unconditionally as his wife and
children. The boy and how this relationship shaped him and formed him into the
man he is to become is a reflection, a shadow of his father and the
relationship will haunt the reader.
A must read for all readers who likes to look at the funny
side of life, love and living.
7 * rating if only I could go that high.
The Black Eagle Inn (Three Nations Trilogy Book 3) Christoph Fischer
The Black Eagle Inn
Author Christoph Fischer ladies and gents. Hit the pic with a click and go follow his Amazon Author page!
This is his literary journey thus far
The
Luck of the Weissensteiners(Three Nations Trilogy Book 1)
Click the pick to purchase
In the sleepy town of Bratislava in 1933 a
romantic girl falls for a bookseller from Berlin. Greta Weissensteiner,
daughter of a Jewish weaver, slowly settles in with the Winkelmeier clan just
as the developments in Germany start to make waves in Europe and re-draws the
visible and invisible borders. The political climate in the multifaceted
cultural jigsaw puzzle of disintegrating Czechoslovakia becomes more complex
and affects relations between the couple and the families. The story follows
them through the war with its predictable and also its unexpected turns and
events and the equally hard times after.
But this is no ordinary romance; in fact it is not a romance at all, but a powerful, often sad, Holocaust story. What makes The Luck of the Weissensteiners so extraordinary is the chance to consider the many different people who were never in concentration camps, never in the military, yet who nonetheless had their own indelible Holocaust experiences. This is a wide-ranging, historically accurate exploration of the connections between social location, personal integrity and, as the title says, luck.
But this is no ordinary romance; in fact it is not a romance at all, but a powerful, often sad, Holocaust story. What makes The Luck of the Weissensteiners so extraordinary is the chance to consider the many different people who were never in concentration camps, never in the military, yet who nonetheless had their own indelible Holocaust experiences. This is a wide-ranging, historically accurate exploration of the connections between social location, personal integrity and, as the title says, luck.
On Amazon:
http://bookshow.me/B00AFQC4QC
On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/12Rnup8
On Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1bua395
Sebastian
(Three Nations Trilogy Book 2)
Click the pic
Sebastian is the
story of a young man who has his leg amputated before World War I. When his
father is drafted to the war it falls on to him to run the family grocery store
in Vienna, to grow into his responsibilities, bear loss and uncertainty and
hopefully find love.
Sebastian Schreiber, his extended family, their friends and the store employees experience the ‘golden days’ of pre-war Vienna and the timed of the war and the end of the Monarchy while trying to make a living and to preserve what they hold dear.
Fischer convincingly describes life in Vienna during the war, how it affected the people in an otherwise safe and prosperous location, the beginning of the end for the Monarchy, the arrival of modern thoughts and trends, the Viennese class system and the end of an era.
As in the first part of the trilogy, “The Luck of The Weissensteiners” we are confronted again with themes of identity, Nationality and borders. The step back in time made from Book 1 and the change of location from Slovakia to Austria enables the reader to see the parallels and the differences deliberately out of the sequential order. This helps to see one not as the consequence of the other, but to experience them as the momentary reality as it must have felt for the people at the time.
Sebastian Schreiber, his extended family, their friends and the store employees experience the ‘golden days’ of pre-war Vienna and the timed of the war and the end of the Monarchy while trying to make a living and to preserve what they hold dear.
Fischer convincingly describes life in Vienna during the war, how it affected the people in an otherwise safe and prosperous location, the beginning of the end for the Monarchy, the arrival of modern thoughts and trends, the Viennese class system and the end of an era.
As in the first part of the trilogy, “The Luck of The Weissensteiners” we are confronted again with themes of identity, Nationality and borders. The step back in time made from Book 1 and the change of location from Slovakia to Austria enables the reader to see the parallels and the differences deliberately out of the sequential order. This helps to see one not as the consequence of the other, but to experience them as the momentary reality as it must have felt for the people at the time.
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The
Black Eagle Inn (Three Nations Trilogy Book 3)
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The Black Eagle Inn is an old established
Restaurant and Farm business in the sleepy Bavarian countryside outside of
Heimkirchen. Childless Anna Hinterberger
has fought hard to make it her own and keep it running through WWII. Religion
and rivalry divide her family as one of her nephews, Markus has got her heart
and another nephew, Lukas got her ear. Her husband Herbert is still missing and
for the wider family life in post-war Germany also has some unexpected
challenges in store.
Once again Fischer tells a family saga with
war in the far background and weaves the political and religious into the
personal. Being the third in the Three Nations Trilogy this book offers another
perspective on war, its impact on people and the themes of nations and
identity.
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Short
Biography:
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Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near
the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian
mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an
ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in
pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few
years he moved on to the UK where he is still resident today. ‘The Luck of The
Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; 'Sebastian' in May 2013.He has
written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and
finalisation.
Need to know more. Why then read on.
Literary self-indulgence?
Why I wrote THE BLACK EAGLE INN
Early feedback to my third book in the
Three Nations Trilogy stated that it would probably be of most interest for
people with a German heritage. As author I had to ask myself: could this novel
bear relevance and interest for other people and non-German readers? The answer
is yes.
I was born 25 years after the end of the
war. Our history lessons at school ended with the year 1945. One of the most
urgent and important questions remained unanswered for me: How did a country
with so much shame and horror in its past recover and move forward? How could
it? I don’t think anything can ever make up for what has happened and nobody
can forgive or atone for the collective guilt. But can the new generation ever
deservedly rid itself of the stigma the previous generation has brought to the
country?
Apart from the actual family story in my
book I hope a great point of interest will be the way different characters
carry on with their life and develop their philosophies, outlooks and politics.
De-nazification, restructuring of a political landscape and implementation of
new state leaders are issues the book touches upon. Only ten years after the
end of the war a wave of Italian and Turkish Immigrants filled the hole in the
German employment market, but how did the Nation respond to those foreigners
(named Gastarbeiter)? Ten years after that a new right wing party formed and
threatened to tip the political balance and bring new shame to the nation.
The Sixties brought the Bader Meinhoff
Complex, student revolts and many family conflicts instigated by the generation
born after WWII. Many of those were disillusioned with politics and turned violent.
It took a new generation of politicians to instigate a modernisation of German
society.
The year of my birth Chancellor Willy Brand
famously fell on his knees in Warsaw, humbly honouring a monument for the
victims Warsaw Uprising. An important symbolic gesture after previous
governments tried too hastily to move on from the dark past.My book covers a
lot of ground about post war Germany and should be interesting for those whose
knowledge of Germany also ends with 1945. We know about the Nuremberg Trials
and the Nazi’s on the run in South America, but what about the little man,
guilty or not? What does he do with this broken country?
What is your personal experience with the
issues in the book?
I grew up with the first generation of
children of mixed marriages and Gastarbeiter families and I experienced them being
treated badly by some but also very welcoming by others. I grew up in times of
a United Europe, exchange students and pop music from Italy, France, Britain
and America. For me other nations and cultures were never anything but an exciting
cultural enrichment and I adored the people in my generation who had a similar
vision and worked hard to make such a mentality part of a modern Germany.
Of the three books THE BLACK EAGLE INN is
the one that is closest to my own life experience although I was born around
the time the story ends. While all three books deal with family sagas vaguely
similar to some of my ancestors, this story takes place in an environment and
times that I know almost first hand. Yet, there were an awful lot of facts that
I only learnt about while researching the foundations for the book. I hope it
helps to understand more about the path of the German people from its past to
the current state.
*****
A New Germany?
Can a leopard ever change its spots and can
a Nation ever change? Is Germany trying to take over the European Union in
militant fashion as some people claim? Are Germans always rigid, organised and
pushy? Did Mussolini’s fascism stem from a reminiscent ‘Roman’ megalomania? Is
there something inherently unchangeable in the makeup of a Nation?
Confronted with often harsh stereotypes of
Nazi-esque Germans in film, television and conversations abroad it seems that a
certain image sticks to us Germans in the view of other Nations. I left the
country 20 years ago and often see the Germans from the outside perspective
with similar eyes and cringe at some innocent remarks by my compatriots and
their sometimes only misunderstood behaviours. Yet some of these stereotypes can
reinforce undifferentiated ideas about German mentality and politics.
My book is by no means a glorification of
the German nation. As much as I love my place of origin I am happy where I live
now. By having written a somewhat political book about post-war Germany I hope
to paint a more balanced and more complex picture about its past and its
people. Like every country in the world Germany should remain a work in
progress of continuous development and improvement.
****
Religion in THE BLACK EAGLE INN
Most of my characters in this book are
Catholics and some of them are not portrayed favourably even though other
Catholics are written with more differentiation. I would like to point out
however in any case that by no means do I intend to condemn religion or
Catholicism as a whole.
Implied criticism of those devout Catholic
characters is directed at the dogmatism of some, which also shows in their
political and other beliefs and behaviours. Certain outdated beliefs and
practices are part of the historically accurate portrayal of the times and
places. Misuse of religion and Bible quotes for personal gain or political
goals are as old as religion itself and are not limited to Catholicism.
I would like you to know that I have the
most profound respect for any responsible religious person who uses their
respective belief system to become a better person and to better the world with
love and tolerance of others.
Politics in THE BLACK EAGLE INN
To write about any Nation and its
generational renewal party politics are difficult to avoid, even more so in the
case of Germany where for 12 years one party dictated world history. In one
plotline of the book I have gone deep into the rivalry between the two main
parties in post-war Germany, which exists to this day.
I must apologise for any perceived bias and
any offensive remarks against either of the parties portrayed. Party politics
at the time were more differentiated than I could afford to showcase them in
this book. The fictional party affiliation of some of my characters in the book
was determined by certain ideas they stand for and which of the actual parties at
the time would have fitted their profile the most.
In my view politicians of every party can
be corrupt as they can be idealists. By no means would I like to imply that I
favour the politicians of one party of another. My book is not a manifesto for
political ideas per se but for humanitarian ideas that should be the foundation
for any type of politics.
Politics can also be a frustrating and hard
business and I applaud all of the idealists who go into politics and struggle hard
for their visions and beliefs. I do not have the endurance for it myself and
would like to thank those who have done so and who selflessly help to form and
shape Germany into a modern state that has learnt from its past.
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