J. Lynn Else's Blog

Here are my favorite reads of 2018.  That doesn’t mean the books are contained to 2018 release dates but rather book I’ve read in 2018.  Since I am a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, the majority of my books are historical fiction, some of which I read before the official publication date.  

Overall, I hope you’ll take away some new reads. I love to talk books, so let me get my book nerd on.
Thus, without further ado...
10. For the Winner (Golden Apple Trilogy #2) by Emily HauserPublisher: Pegasus BooksPublished: 6/15/2017
Read: 9/14/2018
Yet another brilliant novel by Hauser. Her precise detailing of the ancient world, its superstitions, its class structures, and its personalities are a marvel to behold within these pages. Its a familiar tale that Hauser is able to elaborate on and add exciting twists and turns to, for both the characters and their stories. Well-known Greek legends vividly come to life with plenty of surprises for readers through Hauser's deft narrative skill and historical expertise.


9.  Draekora (The Medoran Chronicles #3) by Lynette NoniPublisher: Pantera Press
Published: 4/1/2017Read: 7/21/2018
Oh. My. Goodness. These books just keep getting better! And its not just the dizzying adventures or the enchanting landscape or the delightful characters, its the depth of her characters and their relationships that makes Noni's book so great. And the wickedly funny sarcasm too. AND there are dragons. Once I started reading, I could not stop. 
8.  Of Fire and Lions by Mesu AndrewsPublisher: Waterbrook Press
Published: 3/5/2019Read: 12/14/2018
Unfortunately, I cannot divulge this review quite yet. You’ll just have to watch for it on www.historicalnovelsociety.org. The book’s release date is actually March of 2019, so keep your eyes out. However, I will say that I first encountered Andrews’s lovely Biblical fiction with “Isaiah’s Daughter,” and I delighted in “Of Fire and Lions” even more. My review of “Isaiah’s Daughter” can be found here if you want to learn more about Andrews’s talents in bringing to life richly-realized characters and stories from the Bible: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33916341-isaiah-s-daughter. 
7. Circe by Madeline MillerPublisher: Little, Brown and CompanyPublished: 4/10/2018
Read: 9/30/2018
Circe is shunned by her kind for being different, for wanting kindness instead of cruelty. Miller's prose about the fragility of life, the circumstances of the Gods versus mortals, and Circe's longing for acceptance creates a strong emotional core. The setting sweeps across generations, and many characters from myth are touched upon from Prometheus to Daedalus to Jason to Odysseus. This book is engaging because of its compelling and lyrical narrative of a women trying to carve out a world of her own. Recommended for readers who love strong female voices and a strong element of mythology.
6.  A Light on the Hill (Cities of Refuse #1)  by Connilyn Cossette
Publisher: Bethany House PublishersPublished: 2/6/2018
Read: 5/6/2018
Cossette has an uncanny ability to deep-dive into her characters. I loved the main and secondary characters alike, all with just enough backstory to create a diverse mix of interwoven perspectives. Plot wise, I could not predict anything that happened. Cossette’s talent in lovingly drawing out characters as well as historical settings is stunning and delightful, making her one of my favorite authors. 
5. Searcher of the Dead (A Bess Ellyott Mystery #1) by Nancy HerrimanPublisher: Crooked Lane BooksPublished: 3/13/2018
Read: 1/20/2018
Early on, Herriman’s level of historical detail pulled me in and never let go. Gramercy, how the dialogue sets the tone with finesse! I loved how immersed in time and place I felt. From patterns of speech, to details in homes of the poor versus the wealthy, to 16th-century law, the research Herriman has done is marvelous. The pacing is great, and I found myself glued to the pages. To my delight, on top of an intriguing mystery, the historical depth and the well-developed characters make this an extremely satisfying read. Certes, fans of Ariana Franklin will devour this book! I eagerly await more Bess Ellyott mysteries.  

4.  The Story Collector by Kristin O’Donnell Tubbs Publisher: Henry Holt & CompanyPublished: 8/28/2018
Read: 9/3/2018
O’Donnell Tubb’s masterfully constructed prose perfectly balances youthfulness and sophistication. Her whimsical word play had me hooked by paragraph one.  At its heart, this story is about Viviani discovering her self-worth—an impactful message for readers young and old. Based on an actual family who lived in the NYPL, O’Donnell Tubb weaves together a charming middle-grade tale of friendship, self-confidence, and a love of words. Who says you need a “once upon a time” to find magic in your life? A compulsive read for any age.

3. City of Ink (Li Du Novels #3) by Elsa HartPublisher: Minotaur BooksPublished: 8/21/2018
Read: 5/20/2018
Elsa Hart’s third Li Du novel continues to impress. The mystery is multilayered and keeps you guessing. The setting breathes within the narrative, vividly enchanting readers into 18th-century China. Hart’s narration has a musical quality that is descriptive while adding cultural flair. From the way tea leaves sulk in a cup to the way walls drape across the landscape like a necklace, the prose is beguiling. With an intelligent plot, intriguing characters, and historical depth, this book is a delight!

2.  The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa SeePublisher: ScribnerPublished: 3/21/2017
Read: 1/1/2018
Lisa See gets back to what made "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" so great: women growing beyond social constraints in plausible ways and a rich cultural experience. The care and deep appreciation for tea, experiencing characters who live in a tea picking society, the roots of tea in our main character's culture -- I loved it all!  Our main character has such beautiful moments and growth.  Gorgeous settings, beautiful cultural elements, and intriguing characters make this a fantastic read, and my first read of 2018!

1.  Spinning Silver by Naomi NovikPublisher: Del ReyPublished: 7/10/2018
Read: 8/4/2018
In this Eastern European-esque tale of magic, family, and controlling one’s fate, three young women must work together to save their world from a mythical monster and an endless winter.  The world-building is compelling, and Jewish culture is represented lovingly throughout. Additionally, I delighted in the varied perceptions of magic as seen through different characters’ eyes. I believe this spellbinding book will be one of the most beloved releases of 2018. The way Novik uses words is melodic and beguiling. Escapism at its finest!


Got favorites from 2018?  Feel free to comment below.  I’d love to discover some new treasures. And let me wish you a Happy 2019! 

You can follow me and my reviews on Goodreads.com at:  https://www.goodreads.com/JElse
May the books be ever in your favor...

As August comes to a close and my kids once again start packing their backpacks, I can't help but be amazed at how quickly time has passed.  Its easy to reassure yourself that there's a little more time to finish something, like...say...the first draft of a new book. *cough, cough* Go figure I'm exploring the concept of lost time in a novella being developed.
The novella focuses on the fictional daughter of Shen Nung, the emperor who legend tells invented tea.  The stories of its discovery are varied, so I thought it would be fun to explore this concept, since I'm a huge fan of loose-leaf tea. 
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My current chapter focuses on the daughter as she copes with the loss of a loved one and how 'time' has betrayed her.  I think its a concept many of us can relate to.  Babes-in-arms are soon heading off to start their own lives, half-finished novels become dusty and forgotten on the computer (or in notebooks stuffed into a drawer, as we used to do in the late 1980s/early 1990s), and seasons change with no regard to our readiness or not (I'm looking at you, Minnesota Winter!).
But I'm also reminded of a line from "Star Trek: Generations" that Picard says to Riker near the end of the movie.  It goes like this:
Riker : I'm going to miss this ship; she went before her time.Picard: Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. But I rather believe than time is a companion who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment because they'll never come again. What we leave behind is not as important how we lived. After all, Number One, we're only mortal.Riker: Speak for yourself, sir. I plan to live forever.
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Before I go any further, yes, I have heard of the new Picard-themed show coming to CBS and I'm beyond PSYCHED about it!
Back to what I was saying...How do you view time?  A companion who helps us to cherish the moments or a villain who refuses to bow to commands or stop for our expectations?  I think its easy to get caught up in what's lost.  But this month, I challenge you to look at what's gained.  What's something time has reminded you of?  What's something time has given that's precious?
I think about all the times in high school I worried about perception and what people saw when they looked at me.  Was I cool enough?  Did they know that *gasp* I liked Star Trek??...because in the late 1990s, it was only cool to like Star Wars.  Looking back through time, I reflect on the huge amount of time I wasted on such worries.  Seeing those tendencies in my middle school and high school kids almost feels like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.  Talk about one of the biggest wastes of time.
The blog post before this also alluded to being yourself and not writing for other people's expectations.  I even had a conversation about this with an author friend of mine during dinner.  We discussed how it wouldn't be terribly difficult to pound out something that follows the trends of the market, but how authentic would that be?  Would the story resonate or fall flat because what's being created is not something that inspired us?  Instead, it would be something our author personae would wear to be trendy, kind of like the Girbaud jeans all the cool kids were wearing in high school that I never had.  Man, I'm glad my parents never bought me an overpriced pair!
As the school year starts, I keep reminding my kids to be themselves.  Bullies will find anything to pick on, and it doesn't matter who you try to be.  Honestly, though, I realize this is a hard concept to master.  It started in me during my college years, and I'm glad it did.  I still struggled with other values of self-worth and self-importance as I worked through my own pitfalls in suffering silently with depression, but that's a tangent to explore another day.
As the fall winds blow and my kids stand outside for their morning bus ride to school, I'll take the time to enjoy the moment.  The winds blow forward and backwards, as I easily recall my own nervousness and excitement at a new school year.  Time gives me a new perception on myself and my children.  Time holds my hand and helps me move forward with my head held high.
I think the more authentic you are in life, the easier it is to savor time.  I hope this idea will ferment in your heart and flow through your days.  Take a deep breath, sit back, and enjoy the story of your life as the pages unfold.  Its quite a good tale, wouldn't you say?

Thursday of last week was not my favorite day.

The good and bad of Facebook messages 
First, I received a Facebook message via my author page from an upset author.  It was about a review I'd done of her book.  The author told me how I should have mentioned certain things in my review about characters and plot line that were not mentioned and that I should have ended on a more positive note.  As a fellow author, I'm no stranger to a bad review of my work.  However, I put it out of my mind and deleted the message.

Next, I received an exciting email.  A review of my second novel set in ancient Egypt, "The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic," was posted on a website devoted to historical fiction and non-fiction stories.  Elation coursed through me.  My first ancient Egyptian fiction novel, "The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen," was well reviewed and was even an Indie Editor's Choice book for that year.


While I knew it wasn't an Editor's Choice (you receive an email prior to review posting if you are).  But I was thinking positive as I pulled up the review.  To my surprise, it was not very positive.  The reviewer said my writing was inelegant, my characters were too precocious, and the story as a whole was unbelievable.  While it ended on a note that offered a suggestion to readers who might like my story, overall, the review left me downhearted. I was surprised over the things that were pointed out, and the things that weren't.

Did I think back to my earlier message from the other upset author?  Of course.  The Lion King's "Circle of Life" song even played in my head.  Even my own mind likes to point out the obvious to me.

I thought of what the other author said.  In the review of my book, there was very little mention about characters or the historical facts I worked hard to portray accurately.  I have my own library of over 50 reference books on ancient Egypt, so I've researched!  The reviewer did comment on my misspelling of the capital city (missing a hyphen in it), now known as Amarna, but it didn't mention the other details I crafted.  In fact, other authors were brought up who wrote about ancient Egypt better than I did.  Talk about a burn.  I even included my own artwork in this novel of the main characters, which I was proud to share with readers.  Not a mention.

So yes, I was also very upset, as was the author who lamented my review of her novel.  And all on the same day.

However, the next day, a relative of mine sent me a Facebook message.  She told me how she'd just finished "Heir of the Heretic" (or HOTH as I like to refer to it, because any reference to Star Wars is nerdy win!).  My relative told me she loved it, thought I did a great job writing, and asked when my next book was coming out.  Talk about a 360.

Wow moment.  
Okay, yes, its a relative of mine.  But (1) while I knew this relative was enthusiastic about my writing, I didn't know she was reading my book, and (2) she didn't need to reach out to me and complement my writing.  I know people who purchase my book to show support like the total rock stars they are.  Like me, sometimes they have tons of books on their shelves, and so people who purchase don't always read them--we're all busy people.  I understand that.  And I love my friends so much for supporting my authoring ventures.  So getting this message really helped put things into perspective.

Here's what I reminded myself of:
(1) Reviews can be great and supportive and help generate buzz for you book.  However, reviews can also be hard to read and critical and can weigh an author down who worked hard to publish their art.
(2) I'm not perfect.  I research, sure, but its so easy to miss something.  I missed something that the reviewer of my book noticed.  That's something for me to build upon. 
(3) You can't please everyone.  There will always be negative reviews.
(4) A review is just one person's opinion.  That's very important to remember.

Don't be what other people expect you to be.  Be yourself.  I'm not writing to please other people, I'm writing because I love it.  So if people criticize my book, that's their opinion.  I respect that others have opinions.  I also realize that arguing with someone isn't going to change their mind.

The internet is a great way for people to express themselves.  However, there's a lot of negativity out there.  That's something that all writers should understand.  A lot of people are going to like your book, but they're not going to write a review.  And the negative reviews that are written up by other readers will stand out to you.

I write a lot of book reviews.  I love reading, and I love sharing books I love.  But what I I don't like is writing negative reviews.  Its hard on me, because I see it from the other end.  And I hope if I do write one, the author will take my feedback as constructive instead of destructive.

Constructive, not destructive
So instead of letting one bad review get me down, I'm going to let the negativity slough off my skin.  I'm not going to let it harden my heart.  And I'll look at the constructive side of things.  Because sometimes readers point out errors or inconsistencies an author (and/or an editor at times) missed.

I love to write and explore ancient or fantasy or sci fi worlds.  I'm going to keep doing it.  Maybe you don't like my writing, but that's okay.  I'm writing from my heart, and if your opinion is different than mine, that's okay!  I respect that. 

Be encouraged, fellow authors.  Be you, nobody else, and write what resonates in your heart.

And I hope that the reviews will be ever in your favor! 

If you liked what you read here, feel free to share.  Give some other authors support who may be overcoming a tough review.  Encourage their hearts and souls and remind them they wrote a freaking book--that's an accomplishment and its AWESOME!  #authorproud #authorsunite #beYOU #writefromtheheart and most importantly, #constructivenotdestructive 
Shameless plug here, but these are my other two works: (since its my blog, I can do that - tee hee)


Find them all at the link HERE.

As I gear up for the first reviews of my first professionally-published novel, "Descendants of Avalon" to appear, I thought I'd share some other fun and noteworthy books I've come across of late.  I enjoy reading almost as much as I enjoy discovering new worlds and characters through writing.  So here's a list of recent books I'd recommend!  Until you order my latest book that is!  ;)

These are in no particular order.
(1) The Coffin Maker by Breeann Allison
DISCLOSURE: I received an ARC from Curiosity Quills in exchange for an honest review.

With three books awaiting my attention before the end of June, I told myself I didn't need another book to review. But curiosity got the better of me, and I scrolled through the email with available ARCs from Curiosity Quills. If the title isn't enough to grab your attention, just the first descriptive paragraph will surely reel you in. Earlier caution out the window, I requested an ARC just a few minutes after receiving the email.
I was NOT disappointed. This book is a can't-put-down, original concept, hilarious, haunting tale. 4.5 stars!

DESCRIPTION
Jesse is a coffin maker who lives in Gregor's Hollow, a small town that lives off of tourism with their Poe Pageants, Hitchcock festival, and "ghostly" visitations. Halloween is their biggest season, and the date is fast approaching. Jesse has taken over the coffin making business from his dad who mysteriously disappeared 9 years ago. When Death shows up at Jesse's door to place an order for 8 coffins, things take a sinister turn. With a promise to tell Jesse what happened to his father, Death makes a deal for 8 coffins for the souls he's in town to collect by Halloween. Knowing that these coffins are for people he's grown up with, Jesse does everything in his power to stop Death from taking his friends.

REVIEW
Jesse is hilarious with his self-deprecating humor and sarcastic wit. We meet the people of Gregor's Hollow through his eyes, and the clever descriptions make is easy to get to know this community. Most compelling, though, is the interplay between Death and Jesse.

The only things I had issue with were a few clearly child-of-the-1980s references. First off, Rainbow Brite isn't a cartoon kids watch anymore. So having one of the kids obsessed with the show isn't realistic. I thought maybe this was set in the 1980s, but then Jesse references BB-8, so that wasn't correct. Jesse also mentions picturing "Melanie Griffith perched nude on something posh and marble." Melanie Griffith is 60 years old--not a 20 year old's fantasy. Additionally, I doubt 20-something Jesse knows the word "milquetoast." I like a rich vocabulary, but this word was completely out of the ballpark!

Beyond these minor gripes, I really enjoyed this book. With a twisty-turny plot mixed with great character development all dropped into a rich setting, I couldn't put this down. The plot is deeply layered, so readers may think they're getting an answer to one mystery only to find two more questions lurking in the shadows. I was fascinated and chilled at the same time as the plot drew to a close. Allison has a wonderful lyrical prose she uses to transition time and place. I found the observations and musings of her characters to be so well done. Such delightful prose was the caramel on the apple! I have already started recommending this book to my friends and am excited to see what's on the horizon for Jesse and Gregor's Hollow.


Review also posted via Goodreads HERE.

(2) Searcher of the Dead (A Bess Ellyott Mystery #1) by Nancy Herriman

DESCRIPTION It’s 1593, and since fleeing Elizabethan London after her husband’s murder, Bess Ellyott has been living in her brother’s house in Wiltshire. One evening, their sister arrives at the door fearing that her husband, who left that morning for business in another town, is in grave danger. The next day, his body is found hanging from a tree. While the coroner and jury pronounce the death a suicide, Bess spots a suspicious mark on her brother-in-law’s body. As Bess begins investigating, she’s quickly reminded of her own husband’s tragic demise. Has a murderer followed her from London? Or is the shadow that edges around the periphery of her investigation a different threat to her family and friends?
REVIEW
Early on, Herriman’s level of historical detail pulled me in and never let go. Gramercy, how the dialogue sets the tone with finesse! I loved how immersed in time and place I felt. From patterns of speech, to details in homes of the poor versus the wealthy, to 16th-century law, the research Herriman has done is marvelous. The pacing is great, and I found myself glued to the pages. To my delight, on top of an intriguing mystery, the historical depth and the well-developed characters make this an extremely satisfying read. Certes, fans of Ariana Franklin will devour this book! I eagerly await more Bess Ellyott mysteries. Highly recommended!
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/searcher-of-the-dead/
(3) Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews


DESCRIPTION
In 732 BCE, five-year-old Ishma witnessed her family being murdered by Israel’s soldiers. After the prophet Oded’s words free her and other captives from slavery, she finds her way into the home of Isaiah, God’s prophet, who has fallen out of favor with King Ahaz. In a pagan ceremony, King Ahaz sacrifices his oldest son to the god Molek. The memory of that day leaves Prince Hezekiah tormented, and he suffers daily. When Ishma and Hezekiah meet, the two form a bond of healing and hope. OveIn 732 BCE, five-year-old Ishma witnessed her family being murdered by Israel’s soldiers. After the prophet Oded’s words free her and other captives from slavery, she finds her way into the home of Isaiah, God’s prophet, who has fallen out of favor with King Ahaz. In a pagan ceremony, King Ahaz sacrifices his oldest son to the god Molek. The memory of that day leaves Prince Hezekiah tormented, and he suffers daily. When Ishma and Hezekiah meet, the two form a bond of healing and hope. Over the years, this friendship blossoms into love. So that Ishma can be considered for a royal betrothal, Isaiah adopts her and gives her the name Hephzibah, meaning “delight of the Lord.” But Hephzibah and Hezekiah face many challenges to their faith. Can they rely on God during great hardships affecting both their family and their country?
REVIEW Andrews, known for providing voice to women typically in the margins of biblical stories, paints a beautiful tale with heartfelt characters. While this is jarring at first, readers can easily adapt to the narrative switches from first person (Ishma/Hephzibah’s voice) to third person from chapter to chapter.
Ishma’s point of view hooked me from the get-go, despite her being only five years old. Andrews skillfully develops Ishma from orphaned child to the young queen renamed Hephzibah. I also loved how Andrews dives into how difficult prophecy can be, both to interpret and to give. Isaiah’s inner turmoil, Hezekiah’s difficulties trusting God, and Ishma’s reluctance to accept that she is loved are all sensitively explored issues. Historical details are woven into the narrative flawlessly. I particularly loved Andrews’s choice for metaphors (one example refers to standing a camel’s length away). These details really authenticate the story. This is a very well-researched and deeply felt novel. Recommended!

Review originally posted at the Historical Novel Society: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/isaiahs-daughter/

I hope you found a novel or two to add to your TBR lists!  Feel free to throw a book or two at me via Goodreads.  Enjoy the summer months and happy reading!

A New Quest Is About To Begin!
ARC READERS WANTED! My latest novel, "Descendants of Avalon," is a middle grade/YA book about four modern-day girls from small-town MN who are swept into the magical land of Avalon after a powerful wish tips the balance of power. An evil magician is doing everything he can to break the veil between worlds and ends up kidnapping one of the teenagers. With the help of some knights, the Lady of the Lake, and Morgan le Fay, the remaining three teens will set out on a quest to rescue their friend and save two worlds in the process. If you're interested, please email me at jess@teasippinnerdymom.com with your name and preferred email address.  My editor will then email you with the specifics, particularly as we get closer to the book's release date. Will you take this journey with me?
I hope to hear from you soon!

Find me online at these links:        

Top 10s are fun, aren't they?  I started writing this list last month, eagerly awaiting the New Year so I could share a few of my favorite things.  Surprisingly, the New Year has been busier than expected.  So after a slight delay, I am finally able to post for you my top 10 list of 2017 reads.

Oddly, I noticed that a majority of this list were books read in September!  Besides being my birthday month, I see its also a time when I have impeccable reading tastes.

Note: These are not limited to books released in 2017, like top 10 movie lists center on, they're simply the books I chose to pick up this year.

So without further ado!...
10. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by Alexander Freed Finished reading: January 4
This book is about the characters and how the Rebellion has affected them, a completely new layer in the franchise, which serves to grey the line between the Rebellion versus Empire. The best novelizations contribute to their films rather than just being a shallow money-grabbing tie-in, and this satisfyingly fleshes out and clarifies character motivations & intentions.

9. Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles #2) by Lynette Noni Finished reading: May 16
Noni builds so much intrigue between the different factions that its hard to put the book down. Her characters are inspired and amusing. They have great chemistry and are a delight to read. The world is expanded in mystical ways, and I can't wait to explore more of in book 3 because that ending was just…holy crap…what a twist.
8. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston Finished reading: September 27
Our main character, Fallon, is what Maas's main character in "Throne of Glass" should have been but wasn't.  Fantastic themes of sisterhood, loyalty, and sacrifice. The plot twists are fairly predictable, but the overall arch of the story line keeps you entertained from beginning to end.

7. Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane Finished reading: January 22
Fishbane’s historical research is thorough and comes out beautifully in the narrative. Additionally, the spirit of Montgomery’s writing breathes subtly within the pages. It’s a very well-written story about a girl discovering what she wants out of life and love. 

6. Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae CarsonFinished reading: December 14
Carson pulls together great historical elements, spunky and enduring characters, emotional weight and mixes in a captivating adventure.  The historical elements are rich, and I found myself not ready to say goodbye to the cast of characters when the book ended!

5. Heartless by Marissa Meyer Finished reading: May 22
Meyer's Queen of Hearts origin story is stunning. The plot is surprising yet comfortably familiar with its Wonderlandish charm. The characters were uniquely captured and multifaceted. Meyer's carefully crafted story is able to captivate readers enough so that the well-known end result doesn't loom over the pages.

4. The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere #1) by Jacqueline West Finished reading: September 29
A delightful middle-grade novel with an original concept and fun characters. It’s quirky, spooky, and has an unpredictable mystery to unravel.  The pace is great with many surprises to discover.

3. Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray Finished reading: September 5
This book beautifully explores the struggles Leia and her family faced as the Rebellion took flight. Claudia Gray digs deep into the heart of emotions and explores the many consequences that could arise from even the most noble of actions.  This story does the original characters credit and is strong in the Force.

2. For the Most Beautiful: A Novel of the Trojan War (Golden Apple Trilogy #1) by Emily Hauser Finished reading: September 14
What I love about this story is how it illustrates that historical women were able to accomplish great things despite constraints of time and place.  A stirring book with great characters moving within a fast-paced narrative and a beautiful setting.

1. The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green Finished reading: February 24
Themes of judgment and grace are contrasted thoughtfully and beautifully throughout Green’s narrative.  The real-life situations these colonists once lived through are harrowing, but skillfully and tastefully told through Green’s deft storytelling.  Brimming with impressive historical details, complex characters, and an alluring plotline rich with unpredictable twists and turns, this is a touching novel that I loved.

In this new year, allow me to wish you happy reading in 2018!

Romance Righter: The Only Character-Naming Guide You'll Ever Need: Did you read about the mom who wanted to give her toddler a new name because the one given at birth just didn’t work very well. H...

A Walk Through Time! 16 FREE historical fiction books, but only for a limited time!
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Upcoming event:A day-long celebration of BOOKS!Per the book festival site: The Twin Cities Book Festival—brought to you by Rain Taxi—is not only the largest and most important literary gathering in the Upper Midwest, it is the annual get-together for the Twin Cities’ devoted literary community. This FREE, day-long festival brings people together to celebrate our vibrant literary culture. The festival welcomes ‘rock star’ authors, local literary heroes, publishers, magazines, booksellers—all of whom connect over great books and conversations.My group, the Rochester Fantastical Women will be there!  So if you're close by, I'd highly recommend stopping by.  Here are a list of exhibitors I'll be rubbing elbows with on Saturday, October 14: Exhibitor List.