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Recommend this book:
Cheated
Avril Jones
2023 Finalist
226 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite
In the poignant novel Cheated by Avril Jones, a woman’s fortitude carries her through her difficult childhood and turbulent adult years. Following a painful twist of events, Daisy is forced to put her daughter up for adoption. Georgia is adopted by Bert and Pat. After finally having the daughter he had been longing for, Bert feels content and is affectionate to Georgia. Pat, however, favors her biological son, Nigel. She treats Georgia even more cruelly as the years pass. As a victim of sexual assault and after suffering years of her mother’s neglect and abuse, Georgia suffers lifelong wounds that affect her throughout her life. At only fifteen years old, she is offered a post at a hospital in London as an apprentice catering officer. Though Georgia struggles to establish healthy, stable relationships, she works hard to provide for herself and her children.
Cheated by Avril Jones features an inspiring main character whose resilience helps her cope with trauma. It candidly shows the devastating impact of child abuse, parental neglect, and sexual violence. There are many uplifting, happy moments in the book when Georgia encounters breakthroughs which I loved. Jones does a remarkable job of highlighting Georgia’s feelings and perspective at every stage of her life. Family dynamics and the interactions between Georgia’s family members are realistic and their later effects on the family are well crafted. They include practical lessons that readers can glean from. Cheated by Avril Jones is a moving novel with powerful themes. It includes many touching scenes that are balanced by hopeful moments.
In the poignant novel Cheated by Avril Jones, a woman’s fortitude carries her through her difficult childhood and turbulent adult years. Following a painful twist of events, Daisy is forced to put her daughter up for adoption. Georgia is adopted by Bert and Pat. After finally having the daughter he had been longing for, Bert feels content and is affectionate to Georgia. Pat, however, favors her biological son, Nigel. She treats Georgia even more cruelly as the years pass. As a victim of sexual assault and after suffering years of her mother’s neglect and abuse, Georgia suffers lifelong wounds that affect her throughout her life. At only fifteen years old, she is offered a post at a hospital in London as an apprentice catering officer. Though Georgia struggles to establish healthy, stable relationships, she works hard to provide for herself and her children.
Cheated by Avril Jones features an inspiring main character whose resilience helps her cope with trauma. It candidly shows the devastating impact of child abuse, parental neglect, and sexual violence. There are many uplifting, happy moments in the book when Georgia encounters breakthroughs which I loved. Jones does a remarkable job of highlighting Georgia’s feelings and perspective at every stage of her life. Family dynamics and the interactions between Georgia’s family members are realistic and their later effects on the family are well crafted. They include practical lessons that readers can glean from. Cheated by Avril Jones is a moving novel with powerful themes. It includes many touching scenes that are balanced by hopeful moments.
Recommend this book:
Tour of Duty
William H Coles
2023 Finalist
216 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Gordon D. Durich for Readers' Favorite
Americans in France. Not so unusual, or is it? Tour of Duty by William H. Coles is set in 1960s Europe in the Cold War era during a nuclear attack threat. Physician Miles Ballard is serving in the Air Force at US Air Station, Châteauroux, France. Ingrid, the beautiful wife of Ballard's best friend Oliver Stern, there to locate lost relatives in the Holocaust and ascertain their fates, welcomes Miles. Enter Alyce Read, a New York Herald Tribune writer in France, on assignment to cover the war’s personal devastation. Ballard’s ambitions to serve versus his conflict with his ethics and morals make for hostility. Impeding the doctor’s challenging mission includes confronting the military hospital and his personal demons.
William H. Coles creates a world of historical intrigue in Tour of Duty. As a reader and a writer, I admired his narrative building and development of a darn good story. Written with strong believable characterization and a dialogue-driven plot, Tour of Duty is a perfect Sunday afternoon read. As an American citizen and European born, I loved the exotic backdrop and the culture climate of the period, for example, the reference to all-American “Coke” versus Sancerre Rouge pinot noir wine. I would like to experience more of this writer’s work. Highly descriptive, this novel would translate well into a solid and engaging screenplay. I, for one, would definitely pay to see the film version. Thank you for such a great read.
Americans in France. Not so unusual, or is it? Tour of Duty by William H. Coles is set in 1960s Europe in the Cold War era during a nuclear attack threat. Physician Miles Ballard is serving in the Air Force at US Air Station, Châteauroux, France. Ingrid, the beautiful wife of Ballard's best friend Oliver Stern, there to locate lost relatives in the Holocaust and ascertain their fates, welcomes Miles. Enter Alyce Read, a New York Herald Tribune writer in France, on assignment to cover the war’s personal devastation. Ballard’s ambitions to serve versus his conflict with his ethics and morals make for hostility. Impeding the doctor’s challenging mission includes confronting the military hospital and his personal demons.
William H. Coles creates a world of historical intrigue in Tour of Duty. As a reader and a writer, I admired his narrative building and development of a darn good story. Written with strong believable characterization and a dialogue-driven plot, Tour of Duty is a perfect Sunday afternoon read. As an American citizen and European born, I loved the exotic backdrop and the culture climate of the period, for example, the reference to all-American “Coke” versus Sancerre Rouge pinot noir wine. I would like to experience more of this writer’s work. Highly descriptive, this novel would translate well into a solid and engaging screenplay. I, for one, would definitely pay to see the film version. Thank you for such a great read.
Recommend this book:
A Darling Lovebug Summer
Tanya Rumford
2023 Honorable Mention
434 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
A Darling Lovebug Summer is a family drama by Tanya Rumford. Grandma Imogene left a strange item in her will for each of her four grandchildren. Belinda was a free spirit who sold her handmade jewelry while riding on a bus around the country. Emeline was a divorced mother of two who relocated due to her work. Wyatt and Geoff, their twin brothers, were also present at the reading of the will. Wyatt had experienced Grandma Imogene's unfortunate final years, while Geoff was having problems with his fiancée. Grandma Imogene left her four grandchildren a VHS videotape of herself, allowing them to learn things about her that they didn't know. Even though some of them had reservations, after realizing that the objects were clues they soon banded together and embarked on a summer adventure.
A Darling Lovebug Summer is captivating and interesting. Tanya Rumford has combined a mystery with a family-focused plot about a grandmother who brought her grandchildren together for a big surprise after she died. The narration alternated between the four grandchildren and the chapters flowed into one other. The story is fast-paced and full of action. I could not predict what would happen next and was guessing until the end. The characters were well-developed and authentic. I joined them on their travels, following the clues that were left for them. It was easy to become part of the journey. The story is about family, love, and friendship in a grandmother's attempts to have one last summer with her four Lovebugs. It is excellently written.
A Darling Lovebug Summer is a family drama by Tanya Rumford. Grandma Imogene left a strange item in her will for each of her four grandchildren. Belinda was a free spirit who sold her handmade jewelry while riding on a bus around the country. Emeline was a divorced mother of two who relocated due to her work. Wyatt and Geoff, their twin brothers, were also present at the reading of the will. Wyatt had experienced Grandma Imogene's unfortunate final years, while Geoff was having problems with his fiancée. Grandma Imogene left her four grandchildren a VHS videotape of herself, allowing them to learn things about her that they didn't know. Even though some of them had reservations, after realizing that the objects were clues they soon banded together and embarked on a summer adventure.
A Darling Lovebug Summer is captivating and interesting. Tanya Rumford has combined a mystery with a family-focused plot about a grandmother who brought her grandchildren together for a big surprise after she died. The narration alternated between the four grandchildren and the chapters flowed into one other. The story is fast-paced and full of action. I could not predict what would happen next and was guessing until the end. The characters were well-developed and authentic. I joined them on their travels, following the clues that were left for them. It was easy to become part of the journey. The story is about family, love, and friendship in a grandmother's attempts to have one last summer with her four Lovebugs. It is excellently written.
Recommend this book:
Drowning
Katelin Maloney
2023 Bronze Medal
312 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
In Drowning by Katelin Maloney, Rebecca is a normal woman living in New York with dreams of making something better of her life. On the outside, she is happy and on the verge of success, but the inside of her life tells a different story. She is not happy in her marriage to Mitch. He is a successful doctor, and he controls every aspect of Rebecca’s life. If there was love in their marriage, it is long gone and now it has been replaced with abuse and hatred. When Rebecca got the chance of a promotion at the bank where she works, she hoped Mitch would be happy for her. Turns out it was the catalyst that changed things for them forever. Once a strong, capable, and confident woman, Rebecca is now too scared to do things that would enrage her husband and bring a beating. With the plan to change her life, she enrolls in online courses, but she has to be sneaky, or else Mitch would find out. He always does.
Drowning by Katelin Maloney is a story of living and surviving an abusive relationship, of a woman finding her way back to her old self and making changes that will mean she is still alive. Abusive relationships are far too many, but not many people give them enough attention. Drowning gives the gory details of an abusive relationship, but along with that, the author gives her readers hope and shows a way out of the relationship as well. Amazingly written, Drowning is an inspiration for many women looking for a way out of their old life. Simply inspiring!
In Drowning by Katelin Maloney, Rebecca is a normal woman living in New York with dreams of making something better of her life. On the outside, she is happy and on the verge of success, but the inside of her life tells a different story. She is not happy in her marriage to Mitch. He is a successful doctor, and he controls every aspect of Rebecca’s life. If there was love in their marriage, it is long gone and now it has been replaced with abuse and hatred. When Rebecca got the chance of a promotion at the bank where she works, she hoped Mitch would be happy for her. Turns out it was the catalyst that changed things for them forever. Once a strong, capable, and confident woman, Rebecca is now too scared to do things that would enrage her husband and bring a beating. With the plan to change her life, she enrolls in online courses, but she has to be sneaky, or else Mitch would find out. He always does.
Drowning by Katelin Maloney is a story of living and surviving an abusive relationship, of a woman finding her way back to her old self and making changes that will mean she is still alive. Abusive relationships are far too many, but not many people give them enough attention. Drowning gives the gory details of an abusive relationship, but along with that, the author gives her readers hope and shows a way out of the relationship as well. Amazingly written, Drowning is an inspiration for many women looking for a way out of their old life. Simply inspiring!
Recommend this book:
Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets
Marc Kage
2023 Bronze Medal
415 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
Jabir and Michelle Soni left Boston in search of a fresh start. Melford looks like the perfect place to relocate, but the young couple finds it challenging as they can barely make headway in their businesses, which is starting to impact their finances. Jabir remains optimistic that their situation will turn around, but Michelle feels differently. It’s like her past is reluctant to let her go, and with the mounting problems on the home front, it is a question of when and not if everything will fall apart. Michelle senses an opportunity to break free when she receives an offer from a mysterious client. However, she must decide if the price of peace of mind is worth destroying everything she holds dear in Marc Kage's Bespoke Betrayal And Sartorial Secrets.
Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets directly showcases intriguing family dynamics. Marc Kage's characters are well set up and effectively brought to life with origin stories that are thoroughly explained and emotionally deep. He spares no effort to bring them to life so that they are as realistic as everyday folk. The storyline looks simple enough to follow yet is ingeniously constructed. The reader becomes immersed in a plot that gradually opens up along new tangents in layers that require that extra bit of intuition to decipher. The best part of this novel is how Kage maintains palpable suspense throughout, using some astute storytelling techniques in his subplots. I wondered when the ball would drop on Michelle or if there was more to Jabir's good-natured interest in the Old Town. Following this riveting story to its conclusion was a satisfying experience.
Jabir and Michelle Soni left Boston in search of a fresh start. Melford looks like the perfect place to relocate, but the young couple finds it challenging as they can barely make headway in their businesses, which is starting to impact their finances. Jabir remains optimistic that their situation will turn around, but Michelle feels differently. It’s like her past is reluctant to let her go, and with the mounting problems on the home front, it is a question of when and not if everything will fall apart. Michelle senses an opportunity to break free when she receives an offer from a mysterious client. However, she must decide if the price of peace of mind is worth destroying everything she holds dear in Marc Kage's Bespoke Betrayal And Sartorial Secrets.
Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets directly showcases intriguing family dynamics. Marc Kage's characters are well set up and effectively brought to life with origin stories that are thoroughly explained and emotionally deep. He spares no effort to bring them to life so that they are as realistic as everyday folk. The storyline looks simple enough to follow yet is ingeniously constructed. The reader becomes immersed in a plot that gradually opens up along new tangents in layers that require that extra bit of intuition to decipher. The best part of this novel is how Kage maintains palpable suspense throughout, using some astute storytelling techniques in his subplots. I wondered when the ball would drop on Michelle or if there was more to Jabir's good-natured interest in the Old Town. Following this riveting story to its conclusion was a satisfying experience.
Recommend this book:
Smash All The Windows
Jane Davis
2023 Silver Medal
338 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is a dramatic tale of justice and faith. August 2003 in London was a day like any other – until it wasn’t. Fifty-eight people never made it home from work that evening. But they weren’t the only ones who lost that day; justice for the victims’ families is still far off, and marriages and friendships have been destroyed. Finances are wiped out, health deteriorates, and careers are lost. The effects of one terrible event stretch far and wide, destroying all in its path. But now there's a hero for the victims. A first-year law student called Eric has studied what led to the accident that claimed so many lives, and he thinks he has discovered what they all need to know. But can they manage the fight ahead? Do they have the strength to continue after 13 long years of fighting?
Wow! Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is an unforgettable story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s an emotional tale of families seeking justice for the loss of their loved ones, of the destruction of lives in what appears to be a fruitless fight. This book is a journey you won’t forget in a hurry. The attention to detail is second to none, and you can feel the emotion pouring off the pages. This is an original story, well-written and action-packed, with no small amount of suspense. The cast of characters is immense, but they are all developed equally well into people you will relate to and feel empathy for. The story does flit between the past and present, but this helps you make sense of events and the enduring pain and suffering of those left behind. This is a tragic story, yet compelling reading, and it’s a book you won’t forget in a hurry.
Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is a dramatic tale of justice and faith. August 2003 in London was a day like any other – until it wasn’t. Fifty-eight people never made it home from work that evening. But they weren’t the only ones who lost that day; justice for the victims’ families is still far off, and marriages and friendships have been destroyed. Finances are wiped out, health deteriorates, and careers are lost. The effects of one terrible event stretch far and wide, destroying all in its path. But now there's a hero for the victims. A first-year law student called Eric has studied what led to the accident that claimed so many lives, and he thinks he has discovered what they all need to know. But can they manage the fight ahead? Do they have the strength to continue after 13 long years of fighting?
Wow! Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is an unforgettable story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s an emotional tale of families seeking justice for the loss of their loved ones, of the destruction of lives in what appears to be a fruitless fight. This book is a journey you won’t forget in a hurry. The attention to detail is second to none, and you can feel the emotion pouring off the pages. This is an original story, well-written and action-packed, with no small amount of suspense. The cast of characters is immense, but they are all developed equally well into people you will relate to and feel empathy for. The story does flit between the past and present, but this helps you make sense of events and the enduring pain and suffering of those left behind. This is a tragic story, yet compelling reading, and it’s a book you won’t forget in a hurry.
Recommend this book:
Blurred Fates
A Novel
Anastasia Zadeik
2023 Silver Medal
312 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
When Kate’s loving husband confesses to a sexual encounter he doesn’t even remember happening, Kate and the almost idyllic life she enjoys with her family fall apart. Negative memories of her unenviable childhood and sexual abuse by her brother’s friends keep surfacing in her mind despite her best efforts to repress the past - something she has always done since marrying into an upper-class and wealthy family. Unable to forgive her husband, her stress mounts when she is suddenly forced to return to her childhood home due to her father’s impending death. To do so means encountering her hated brother. It’s all more than someone suffering from past trauma can handle. In Blurred Fates, Anastasia Zadeik brilliantly brings all the events, characters, and emotions to life through Kate Whittier’s voice, head, and heart.
On several occasions as I read Blurred Fates, I found myself wanting to ask the author how much of this story is fiction. That’s because of Zadeik’s remarkable skill in making readers believe in the copious amount of reflective self-analysis of Kate Whittier, her protagonist. Kate is such a credible narrator of the events and her emotions that it makes me wonder whether this isn’t, perhaps, part memoir after all. As many reviewers of Blurred Fates have stated, it’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. The writing style is flawless; the characterization is realistic; the dialogue is natural; the plot is well-executed with well-placed twists, and the suspense and reader tension are well-controlled. Bravo, Anastasia Zadeik.
When Kate’s loving husband confesses to a sexual encounter he doesn’t even remember happening, Kate and the almost idyllic life she enjoys with her family fall apart. Negative memories of her unenviable childhood and sexual abuse by her brother’s friends keep surfacing in her mind despite her best efforts to repress the past - something she has always done since marrying into an upper-class and wealthy family. Unable to forgive her husband, her stress mounts when she is suddenly forced to return to her childhood home due to her father’s impending death. To do so means encountering her hated brother. It’s all more than someone suffering from past trauma can handle. In Blurred Fates, Anastasia Zadeik brilliantly brings all the events, characters, and emotions to life through Kate Whittier’s voice, head, and heart.
On several occasions as I read Blurred Fates, I found myself wanting to ask the author how much of this story is fiction. That’s because of Zadeik’s remarkable skill in making readers believe in the copious amount of reflective self-analysis of Kate Whittier, her protagonist. Kate is such a credible narrator of the events and her emotions that it makes me wonder whether this isn’t, perhaps, part memoir after all. As many reviewers of Blurred Fates have stated, it’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. The writing style is flawless; the characterization is realistic; the dialogue is natural; the plot is well-executed with well-placed twists, and the suspense and reader tension are well-controlled. Bravo, Anastasia Zadeik.
Recommend this book:
Life Between Seconds
Douglas Weissman
2023 Gold Medal
264 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
Life Between Seconds by Douglas Weissman introduces Peter Berry and Sofia Morales, who live opposite each other in a San Francisco apartment building. Peter lost his father in a car accident and his mother to a mysterious incident. Peter’s memories were of his mother’s struggle with depression following his father’s death. Sofia was happily married before her daughter disappeared during a protest in Buenos Aires. Peter and Sofia are opening up to each other by sharing their stories from the past. The neighbors have a common bond having been through so much and both suffering tremendous losses. Peter still misses his mother, while Sofia still longs for her daughter. As friends, Peter and Sofia help each other overcome the traumas and turmoil that have shaped their lives so far.
Life Between Seconds by Douglas Weissman was a slow read that was filled with emotion. It was a portrait of Peter’s and Sofia’s grief and suffering. The story was interesting, and I was intrigued from the start. It kept me guessing until the very end, and I never knew what to expect. The characters were authentic and relatable. I got to know them better through their memories. I had sympathy with Sofia for not knowing what happened to her daughter or getting closure. Weissman explores how childhood traumas and tragedies shape your adult life and have a lasting impact. The story was beautifully written and at times brought tears to my eyes. It is a tale about love, loss, grief, and finding a way forward. It will stay with me for a long time.
Life Between Seconds by Douglas Weissman introduces Peter Berry and Sofia Morales, who live opposite each other in a San Francisco apartment building. Peter lost his father in a car accident and his mother to a mysterious incident. Peter’s memories were of his mother’s struggle with depression following his father’s death. Sofia was happily married before her daughter disappeared during a protest in Buenos Aires. Peter and Sofia are opening up to each other by sharing their stories from the past. The neighbors have a common bond having been through so much and both suffering tremendous losses. Peter still misses his mother, while Sofia still longs for her daughter. As friends, Peter and Sofia help each other overcome the traumas and turmoil that have shaped their lives so far.
Life Between Seconds by Douglas Weissman was a slow read that was filled with emotion. It was a portrait of Peter’s and Sofia’s grief and suffering. The story was interesting, and I was intrigued from the start. It kept me guessing until the very end, and I never knew what to expect. The characters were authentic and relatable. I got to know them better through their memories. I had sympathy with Sofia for not knowing what happened to her daughter or getting closure. Weissman explores how childhood traumas and tragedies shape your adult life and have a lasting impact. The story was beautifully written and at times brought tears to my eyes. It is a tale about love, loss, grief, and finding a way forward. It will stay with me for a long time.
Recommend this book:
On the Bank of the Chippewa
An Evocative Saga of a Midwestern Family
Steven Lomske
2022 Finalist
302 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
On the Bank of the Chippewa: An Evocative Saga of a Midwestern Family by Steven Lomske is a captivating family story set in the tumultuous mid-1900s. Beneath a family saga of heroism, three generations of the Mertz family live on a Michigan farmland by the flow of the Chippewa River. This is a coming-of-age story as the author shows readers everyday farm life and gives them a glimpse of what the characters heard, smelled, tasted, and felt. Brothers Paul, Steven, and Gus--with their parents and grandparents--toil on the farm and hunt together until they grow up, fall in love, and choose completely different paths in life. The truth about their family legacy unravels toward the end of the narrative as the brothers struggle to keep their filial bond together.
Steve Lomske’s On the Bank of the Chippewa is a moving family saga narrated from the point of view of Steven Mertz. It explores the lives of three generations of men in a family of farmers from the uncertainties of the First and Second World Wars to the chaos of the Vietnam War in the United States. Moving seamlessly between the past and the present, author Steve Lomske successfully explores the emotional and physical landscape of war and the pains and joys of growing up in a rural setting. The central theme of this narrative, however, is the ties that bind a family together and it is a moving read. I highly recommend this book!
On the Bank of the Chippewa: An Evocative Saga of a Midwestern Family by Steven Lomske is a captivating family story set in the tumultuous mid-1900s. Beneath a family saga of heroism, three generations of the Mertz family live on a Michigan farmland by the flow of the Chippewa River. This is a coming-of-age story as the author shows readers everyday farm life and gives them a glimpse of what the characters heard, smelled, tasted, and felt. Brothers Paul, Steven, and Gus--with their parents and grandparents--toil on the farm and hunt together until they grow up, fall in love, and choose completely different paths in life. The truth about their family legacy unravels toward the end of the narrative as the brothers struggle to keep their filial bond together.
Steve Lomske’s On the Bank of the Chippewa is a moving family saga narrated from the point of view of Steven Mertz. It explores the lives of three generations of men in a family of farmers from the uncertainties of the First and Second World Wars to the chaos of the Vietnam War in the United States. Moving seamlessly between the past and the present, author Steve Lomske successfully explores the emotional and physical landscape of war and the pains and joys of growing up in a rural setting. The central theme of this narrative, however, is the ties that bind a family together and it is a moving read. I highly recommend this book!
Recommend this book:
The House of Baric Part One
Shields Down
Jillian Bald
2022 Honorable Mention
438 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Amanda Rofe for Readers' Favorite
The House of Baric: Shields Down by Jillian Bald is a debut fictional novel set in 17th century Europe. Part one of a trilogy, it tells the tale of Mauro Baric, heir to a Venetian barony and his arranged marriage to Resi, the daughter of an Ottoman trader. Neither very keen to wed, they come to the marriage as strangers, having only met once. Mauro, with his small army, arrives straight from battle with little experience of love. His new wife, with no desire to marry a Venetian far away from the home she loves, is spirited and strong. She settles to her new position but finds her husband away more than he is at home. An historical romance, Shields Down portrays the life and times of the period as the Thirty Years' War comes to a close.
This is a captivating story of battle-weary men and wealthy pampered ladies who were used in marriage alliances to further family ambition. I was delighted with the exquisite writing and the two very engaging main characters. Jillian Bald provides an exceptionally well-researched account of the compelling lives of the aristocracy of the time. She includes intimate details of their style of dress, complex social conventions and a generous portion of political intrigue. Shields Down is thoughtfully written with a rich mix of history and romance. There is a timeless elegance to the writing which never faltered. If you like historical romance, you will absolutely love this book. I very much look forward to reading the remaining books in The House of Baric trilogy.
The House of Baric: Shields Down by Jillian Bald is a debut fictional novel set in 17th century Europe. Part one of a trilogy, it tells the tale of Mauro Baric, heir to a Venetian barony and his arranged marriage to Resi, the daughter of an Ottoman trader. Neither very keen to wed, they come to the marriage as strangers, having only met once. Mauro, with his small army, arrives straight from battle with little experience of love. His new wife, with no desire to marry a Venetian far away from the home she loves, is spirited and strong. She settles to her new position but finds her husband away more than he is at home. An historical romance, Shields Down portrays the life and times of the period as the Thirty Years' War comes to a close.
This is a captivating story of battle-weary men and wealthy pampered ladies who were used in marriage alliances to further family ambition. I was delighted with the exquisite writing and the two very engaging main characters. Jillian Bald provides an exceptionally well-researched account of the compelling lives of the aristocracy of the time. She includes intimate details of their style of dress, complex social conventions and a generous portion of political intrigue. Shields Down is thoughtfully written with a rich mix of history and romance. There is a timeless elegance to the writing which never faltered. If you like historical romance, you will absolutely love this book. I very much look forward to reading the remaining books in The House of Baric trilogy.
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