329 ratings | 217 reviews | avg rating:4.10

more photos (1)

Leonide’s Year In Books

Leonide’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at Leonide’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Leonide’s 2024 Year in Books

Leonide Martin’s Followers (142)

Leonide’s Bookshelves

to-read (134)
currently-reading (5)
read (348)
future-fiction-and-fantasy (7)
maya-nonfiction (11)
not-going-to-read (2)

Leonide’s Friends (254)

Madeline

2,809 books | 1,128 friends

Peggy Petersen

1,375 books | 992 friends

Cynthia Austin

1,962 books | 2,242 friends

Mark Noce

1,806 books | 5,043 friends

Sean Carlin

473 books | 148 friends

Natalia Iwanyckyj

2,280 books | 688 friends

Tamara

1,103 books | 5,059 friends

Stef Smulders

5,455 books | 1,027 friends

More friends…

Leonide Martin

Goodreads Author

Born

in New Orleans, The United States

August 14

Website

http://leonidemartinblog.wordpress.com

Twitter

lenniem07

Genre

Historical Fiction, History, Memoir

Member Since

July 2009

edit data

Leonide (Lennie) Martin: Award winning author, retired California State University professor, former Family Nurse Practitioner, Research Member Maya Exploration Center.

Dr. Martin writes narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. Her nonfiction is genealogical research on the Acadian (Nova Scotia) roots of her South Louisiana Vial-Martin family that has lived for 7 generations in "upriver" parishes - 30 miles north of New Orleans along the Mississippi River. The quest led back 14 generations to original French settlers in the 1600s who created a unique culture. The founder of her lineage was an early governor of Acadia and nobleman from Champagne, near Paris. After 6 generations creating rich farmlands from marshes, the Acadians were force Leonide (Lennie) Martin: Award winning author, retired California State University professor, former Family Nurse Practitioner, Research Member Maya Exploration Center.

Dr. Martin writes narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. Her nonfiction is genealogical research on the Acadian (Nova Scotia) roots of her South Louisiana Vial-Martin family that has lived for 7 generations in "upriver" parishes - 30 miles north of New Orleans along the Mississippi River. The quest led back 14 generations to original French settlers in the 1600s who created a unique culture. The founder of her lineage was an early governor of Acadia and nobleman from Champagne, near Paris. After 6 generations creating rich farmlands from marshes, the Acadians were forcefully expelled by British conquerors in 1755; scattered across Europe and Atlantic British colonies who received them with hostility. This exile of politically neutral Acadians is not considered violation of international law and ethnic cleansing. After years in exile, many Acadians journeyed to Louisiana and joined French settlements. Martin's ancestors went to the "Acadian Coast" and became landowners and professional leaders. They intermarried with French and Spanish Creoles, lived through the Louisiana Purchase, statehood, Civil War, and 2 World Wars; eventually forgetting their Acadian roots. The quest for these roots showed transition to mainly Creole heritage. Colorful personalities, political and educational leaders, curious events including a family feud, and the process of reconnecting estranged branches are highlighted in this book.

Dr. Martin’s historical fiction books portray ancient Maya culture and civilization through stories about both actual historical Mayans and fictional characters. She studied Maya culture and history from both scientific and indigenous viewpoints, lived five years in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, and apprenticed with Maya Elder Hunbatz Men, becoming a Solar Initiate and Maya Fire Women. Other indigenous teachers in Guatemala included Maya Priestess-Daykeeper Aum Rak Sapper and Maya elder Tata Pedro. The ancient Mayas created the most highly advanced civilization in the Western hemisphere, and Martin’s work is dedicated to their wisdom, spirituality, scientific, and cultural accomplishments through compelling historical novels.

Martin’s interest in ancient Mayan women led to writing the Mayan Queens’ series called The Mists of Palenque. This 4-book series—each book stands alone—tells the stories of powerful women who shaped the destinies of their people as rulers themselves, or wives of rulers. These remarkable Mayan women are unknown to most readers. Using extensive research and field study, Martin aspires to depict ancient Palenque authentically and make these amazing Mayan Queens accessible to a wide readership.

Dr. Martin lives with her husband David and white cat in California's Temecula Valley wine country, where she enjoys reading, gardening, nature walks, tap dancing, classical music, and wine tasting.

Blog: http://leonidemartinblog.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leonide.martin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lenniem07
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/leonide-martin ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Leonide Martin questions, please sign up.

Combine Editions
Leonide Martin’s books

Average rating: 3.67 · 302 ratings · 60 reviews · 7 distinct works

	The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'nal of Palenque (Mists of Palenque, #1) 3.43 avg rating — 138 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Controversial Mayan Queen: Sak K'uk of Palenque (Mists of Palenque #2) 3.58 avg rating — 100 ratings — published 2014 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Mayan Red Queen: Tz'aakb'u Ahau of Palenque (Mists of Palenque #3) 4.33 avg rating — 33 ratings — published 2015 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Prophetic Mayan Queen: K'Inuuw Mat of Palenque (Mists of Palenque #4) 4.69 avg rating — 16 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dreaming the Maya Fifth Sun 3.88 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2006 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Upriver Families: Acadian Roots and Creole Heritage by Leonide Martin (Goodreads Author), Katherine Bonnabel, Corinne Martin it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Stories from Childhood: Memories from my early years in New Orleans and Hahnville, Louisiana 1940-1946 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Leonide Martin…

70 posts
Leonide Martin's Blog: Lennie's Blog

How to Cook Authentic South Louisiana Rice

New Orleans, my birthplace, and all South Louisiana are justly known for unique and exquisite cuisine. It includes French Creole and Cajun styles that have gained widespread popularity. Cooking is serious business among Louisiana families, and we relish fine dining with each course accompanied by wine pairings. While all three daily meals have special dishes, dinner is most important and often

Series by Leonide Martin

Mists of Palenque (4 books)
by

Leonide Martin (Goodreads Author)

3.66 avg rating — 287 ratings

Leonide is Currently Reading

Leonide Martin is currently reading

By Any Other Name

by Jodi Picoult (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sep 30, 2025 09:30PM

Leonide Martin is currently reading

Dragonwyck

by Anya Seton

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sep 02, 2025 04:48PM

Leonide Martin is currently reading

The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt

by Eleanor Roosevelt

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Nov 10, 2024 09:16PM

rss
Leonide’s Recent Updates

Leonide Martin is currently reading By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 30, 2025 09:30PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Leonide Martin rated a book it was amazing Flush by Carl Hiaasen (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 28, 2025 09:48PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Flush by Carl Hiaasen. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Flush by Carl Hiaasen <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Leonide Martin finished reading Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 22, 2025 11:13PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Leonide Martin wants to read On Wine-Dark Seas: A Novel of Odysseus and His Fatherless Son Telemachus by Tad Crawford (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2025 04:58PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of On Wine-Dark Seas by Tad Crawford. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — On Wine-Dark Seas by Tad Crawford <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Leonide Martin wants to read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2025 04:58PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Leonide Martin is currently reading Dragonwyck by Anya Seton	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2025 04:48PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dragonwyck by Anya Seton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dragonwyck by Anya Seton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Leonide Martin finished reading A Pillar Of Strength : An Inspiring Story Of Hope by Kirsten Mildbrandt	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2025 04:47PM · like
Leonide Martin is starting A Pillar Of Strength A Pillar Of Strength : An Inspiring Story Of Hope by Kirsten Mildbrandt	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2025 04:47PM · like · see status
Leonide Martin entered a giveaway Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2025 03:39PM · like · see giveaway
Leonide Martin rated a book it was amazing He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2025 03:01PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of Leonide's books…

Quotes by Leonide Martin (?)

“Dying is easy, beloved. It is living that is difficult. The secret is to live fully, to embrace every instant of existence, beautiful and ugly, blissful and painful. And remember to dance between the worlds, for that is your heritage as a child of the infinite Oneness.”
― Leonide Martin, Dreaming the Maya Fifth Sun: A Novel of Maya Wisdom and the 2012 Shift in Consciousness

tags: 2012, ancient-maya, archeology, maya-wisdom

8 likes

“Men cannot make good decisions about their lifelong mate when driven by the passions of youth. If Pakal is continuing to see this woman, I will immediately put this to an end." -- Sak K'uk, Queen Mother of Janaab Pakal, Ruler of Palenque.”
― Leonide Martin, The Mayan Red Queen: Tz'aakb'u Ahau of Palenque

tags: choice-and-attitude, coming-of-age, mayan, mothers-and-sons, power-struggles, queens, relationships-love

0 likes

“When the winds arrive and leaves fall to coat the forest floor, youth recedes and you come to the horizon of your life. You will then plan the remainder of life and the route to take. Then will appear the consequences of your past actions, so choose those actions well.”
― Leonide Martin, The Controversial Mayan Queen: Sak K'uk of Palenque

0 likes

See all Leonide Martin's quotes »

Polls

March 2013: FA Read

The Golden Lynx by C.P. Lesley

49 votes 46.7%

Rav Hisda's Daughter, Book I: Apprentice: A Novel of Love, the Talmud, and Sorcery by Maggie Anton

46 votes 43.8%

Dreaming the Maya Fifth Sun by Leonide Martin

10 votes 9.5%

105 total votes

1 comment

More...

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Book Review Club: BOOK REVIEW POOL #32 - CLOSED	109	83	Jul 30, 2016 07:41PM
Book Review Club: BOOK REVIEW POOL #33 -CLOSED	78	91	Aug 08, 2016 07:11AM
Book Review Club: BOOK REVIEW POOL #34-CLOSED	79	65	Aug 14, 2016 02:58PM
Book Review Club: SWAP REVIEW POOL #39 - CLOSED	122	86	Oct 09, 2016 11:05PM
Book Review Club: SWAP REVIEW POOL #40 CLOSED	181	110	Oct 23, 2016 11:49PM
Book Review Club: BOOK REVIEW POOL #41-CLOSED-	137	73	Nov 03, 2016 06:47PM
Book Review Club: BOOK REVIEW POOL #42 - CLOSED	122	84	Nov 13, 2016 01:46PM
Book Review Club: BOOK REVIEW POOL #43 - CLOSED	166	85	Nov 30, 2016 06:52AM
Book Review Club: BOOK REVIEW POOL #44 - CLOSED	65	90	Dec 03, 2016 01:24PM
Making Connections: 5235. - THE MAYAN RED QUEEN: Tz'aakb'u Ahau of Palenque (Mists of Palenque #3) by Leonide Martin	4	20	Jun 16, 2018 08:18PM

More…

Leonide’s Quotes

“The reuse of names by later (Maya) kings (of Palenque) is not random, but conforms to a reversed re-ordering. The overall king list suggests a closed system. We hesitate to think that Maya dynasties were predestined to end by themselves . .”
― David Stuart George Stuart, Palenque: Eternal City of the Maya

tags: ancient-maya, archeology, epigraphy, palenque

4 likes

tags: 2012, ancient-maya, archeology, maya-wisdom

8 likes

“Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.”
― Paramahansa Yogananda

tags: inspirational

66 likes

“Stillness is the altar of spirit.”
― Paramhansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi

97 likes

“We are meaning-seeking creatures. Dogs, as far as we know, do not agonise about the canine condition, worry about the plight of dogs in other parts of the world, or try to see their lives from a different perspective. But human beings fall easily into despair, and from the very beginning we invented stories that enabled us to place our lives in a larger setting, that revealed an underlying pattern, and gave us a sense that, against all the depressing and chaotic evidence to the contrary, life had meaning and value”
― Karen Armstrong, A Short History of Myth

tags: dogs, human-condition, myth, mythology

42 likes

More of Leonide’s quotes…

Leonide’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-1) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 1: by Leonide

May 22, 2013 08:30PM

Hi friends, I need you to become followers of my blog. Check it out on Goodreads. Let me know your thoughts about my new book "Mists of Palenque." Lets have some dialogue! Lennie

reply | flag

Leonide’s Year In Books

Leonide Martin’s Followers (142)

Add New
Videos

Leonide’s Bookshelves

Leonide’s Friends (254)

Leonide Martin

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
Leonide Martin’s books

70 posts
Leonide Martin's Blog: Lennie's Blog

How to Cook Authentic South Louisiana Rice

Series by Leonide Martin

Leonide is Currently Reading

rss
Leonide’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

See a Problem?

Preview — Flush by Carl Hiaasen

See a Problem?

Preview — Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed

See a Problem?

Preview — On Wine-Dark Seas by Tad Crawford

See a Problem?

Preview — The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

See a Problem?

Preview — Dragonwyck by Anya Seton

See a Problem?

Preview — He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland

Polls

Topics Mentioning This Author

Leonide’s Quotes

recent posts
Leonide’s Groups

Leonide’s Friend Comments

Leonide Martin’s Followers (142)

Leonide Martin

Goodreads Author

Popular Answered Questions

rssLeonide’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

See a Problem?

Preview — Flush by Carl Hiaasen

See a Problem?

Preview — Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed

See a Problem?

Preview — On Wine-Dark Seas by Tad Crawford

See a Problem?

Preview — The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

See a Problem?

Preview — Dragonwyck by Anya Seton

See a Problem?

Preview — He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland

Polls

Topics Mentioning This Author

rss
Leonide’s Recent Updates