As a child, I didn’t have imaginary tea parties. I was an outlaw fighting alongside the greatest rogue in Sherwood Forest, the notorious Robin Hood. The stories kept me sane when I had no control. They freed me from a bleak existence of abuse and neglect. If life taught me anything, it was that living was hard, and only the dreams you made happen came true. At nineteen, living in my uncle’s cabin in the Oregon Cascades, my life was anything but the fantasies of my childhood. I was free, but I was alone. I was surviving. Until I hiked into the mountains and carelessly challenged the universe to notice me. A door made of white light appeared in front of me, compelling me to step through. I took it. I stepped through. Into the greatest trials, both physical and emotional, I’d ever face—into another time and unknown world that would test my strength to my core. I would fight… I would kill… I would love... Most of all, I would live.
Sherwood Rogue is rated PG17 by the author for violence, mild language, and some mature subject matter.
When Kristi isn’t working at her day job, playing outdoors at 3D archery shoots, and hiking or walking in the great Pacific Northwest, you can find her in front of her computer, hammering out exciting suspense stories, or chatting around on social media.
Although she has honed her writing craft for 30+ years, she only published her first book in 2012. Her strange and varied work history - having held jobs from a hotel housekeeper, a car wash attendant, an insurance underwriter, an electronics assembly line worker, a data entry tech in auto parts warehouse, a blueberry nursery shipping coordinator, a local delivery driver, and a truck driver and owner of her own trucking company - gives her a broad base from which to build her characters and storylines. Now a billing specialist for The Arc of Lane County, she supports those who care for people with disabilities while she pursues her writing career in earnest.
She got married for the first time at 38, skipped being a mommy and went straight to Grandma. Turns out it’s best for everyone that way.
Kristi's books are all affordably priced. In the time since self-publishing her first novel in 2012, Kristi has learned that working at selling her writing is a great way to kill the joy she has in the process of writing, so she has returned to the idea of writing for the joy of it. She still puts her heart and soul into producing the best possible product, trying only to make it easy for readers to enjoy her work for the least expense. She doesn't promise perfection but works hard to ensure the quality results in a low-to-distraction-free reading experience.
In April of 2023 she cut eBook prices as low as possible, making them free wherever she could. (Amazon doesn't make it easy to provide free eBooks, so all eBooks there are priced at 99¢.) You can find them free on other platforms - see website (below) for details. Paperbacks are priced as low as Amazon allows, or you can purchase directly from the website at cost.
What's the catch? We don't require anything of readers. If you are moved to do so, please feel free to leave a review. If you can afford it, you can donate to the cause of helping Kristi's bottom line. As of April 2023, money for professional covers will come solely from donations and royalties, or from bartering. See her website for details on how to donate.
I was really surprised how much I liked this story! It felt like a very fresh take on an old tale with some interesting elements of time and dimension added in. And not to forget mentioning a lovely clean romance in the mix. Highly recommend 😊
Well, what a lot of fun this was. The tale of Robin Hood and his Merry Men reimagined, and in a totally different way. The story is told through the eyes of a 21st century American girl living mostly in the wilds of the US to escape her difficult family life. After an ill-advised call to the universe, a portal opens up and she steps through it, straight into Medieval England.
This kind of premise shouldn't really work. If you're any kind of cynic you may think it doesn't, but it was a hugely enjoyable read with a strong female character holding her own with a band of ruffians who don't realise at first she is a woman. It's a YA book with a difference. Medieval times were bloody, mucky and brutal, and Cramer doesn't shy away from that. The story is well-researched, giving the legend due justice as well as a fresh new twist.
There is romance, but it doesn't really kick in until halfway through. The strongest aspects of the story occurred in Sherwood Forest, when the robbing the rich to feed the poor was taking place, as well as the practicalities of living in hiding. Kay's eventual love interest was beautifully handled, as it didn't veer into the romance tropes, which would have been so easy to do.
And the ending was beautiful and totally unexpected. Yes, you have to remember this is a fantasy time travel novel, but the writing and historical detail were so good, it was easy to forget at times.
In short, definitely worth a read, with a great female role model and a cast of beloved characters. Well played!
I absolutely adore this book! It’s so so different to the usual books you read about young women at the moment!
Kay goes back in time and becomes on of Robin Hood’s most loyal followers.
The story focuses on Kay learning to survive in the past and whether or not her actions will change the future and even if it does, does she care enough to stop herself going after what she wants?
Cramer’s characters are so well written it’s incredibly easy to get emotionally attached to them. The way she describes Sherwood Forest you would think she’d lived there her whole life. The character development leaves me speechless and the dialogue is so flawless and natural.
Kristi Cramer never fails to amaze me and this has become one of my favourite books ever.
I thought YA and Robin Hood would be dull as dishwater so I’m totally taken aback by this unusual take on the legend. This was an awesome read!
Unhappy 21st century Kay steps through a time portal and is sent to Sherwood Forest where she joins Robin Hood. While she lives the legend, she’s living her own story at the same time. The result is an adventure story with a love theme - and some excellent twists. (I won’t spoil it for you.)
What I loved about it: It’s a thoroughly human story with the carefully layered main characters. It retains some of the legend’s iconic points, like the fight between Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. The gore, the dirt and the rough bits of medieval England are all there. Kay doesn’t become a sage or a wise woman or any of the usual tropes.
What I didn’t like: Actually, it was an excellent read. If I’m super critical, then I’d say the first few paragraphs don’t hint at the amazing story to follow. So if you read only the first page, instead of dipping in the middle, you may miss out.
Five star read, and it’s on my re-read list.
PS I received an ARC from the author, and I know her. But this wow is an honest personal opinion.
Sherwood Rogue is a new take on the tales of Robin Hood with a twist of time travel and a side of romance. The story doesn't sugar-coat life in the times of Robin Hood. It is a realistic portrayal of harsh living conditions, scarce provisions, and general hardship appropriate for the times. However, it is not a bleak story because that is the only life the characters ever knew. Things almost always look bleaker when we view them with hindsight.
Kaye has had an unhappy life due to circumstances beyond her control. Stepping through the portal into the unknown was an easy choice, IMO. Becoming part of Robin Hood's men gave her a chance to belong for the first time in her life. She really blossomed and grew throughout the story. I love kickass women who can take care of themselves.
I highly recommend reading Sherwood Rogue. It is well-written and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I received an ARC of the SHERWOOD ROGUE, by the very talented Author KRISTI CRAMER. This is the very first time that I have ever had the pleasure to read any of her books.This story is well written- takes the reader to unknown dimensions. Let's your imagination fly. The characters seem so real and the scenes are described in such a way. You feel you are right there in the forest with the characters. The reader is able to see everything. Kay is staying in the mountains at her uncle's cabin. She needs to get out. The next thing she knows - Kay has been time warped into days of Robin Hood. She finds herself one his loyal band. But can she change the outcome of what happens to Robin Hood and his men? You will need to read this fanasting story to find out. This book has been Rated PG 17 due to the violence in the book. I recommend this book to all that love a good Romance- Historical - Young Adult . I give this a Mouse rating of 5 plus mouse paws. Now run and Get Your Copy Now!!
I’m not sure how I’m ever going to put into words how much love I feel for this book. It’s INCREDIBLE!!!
For one, it’s inspired by Robin Hood. ROBIN HOOD. Who doesn’t need a Robin Hood book in their life? I’m a major fan of the tales, so a book that takes a modern day American woman and transports her into 12th Century England and throws her into the path of the outlaw Robin Hood and his Merry Men, is bound to be epic right? Correct. But you cannot begin to comprehend the level of epic that is Sherwood Rogue.
I’m very rarely a fan of Young Adult, adventure, or fantasy books anymore, and I’m very rarely invested in a book that spans multiple years, but like Harry Potter, Sherwood Rogue is an exception. I adore these characters. In fact, I was so invested and immersed in this story that I stayed up (so late it classed as early morning) because I couldn’t stop reading, and when I did put my iPad down and force myself to sleep and stop reading, I was still awake wondering what was going to happen next and stressing that something bad might end up happening to those characters.
Kay is such an inspirational character, it’s so wonderful that not only has Kristi Cramer created a strong, independent female character, but that Kay can be such an amazing role model for teens and young women that are the key demographic of Sherwood Rogue is truly amazing. She’s such a brave, strong woman but she also has this vulnerability that made her so relatable, demonstrating that it’s important to accept your whole self; flaws, fears, and insecurities included.
And Will Scarlett? Where do I even begin with Will Scarlett? Will Scarlett is the ultimate book boyfriend. Seriously hands off, I have dibs on my Will. Just saying, I’m Kay with a t - Katy - so I automatically earn all the dibs.
This is a fast paced, unpredictable, adventure novel. I never thought I’d enjoy a time travel book but the time travel is a very space aspect, that just makes this fantasy adventure even better! And there’s a romance aspect. I’m a sucker for a romance book, and even though romance is a very small part of the book it just adds to the overall, compelling, enchanting excellence of Sherwood Rogue.
And from a literary perspective? The symbolism, imagery and emotive language used was haunting, addictive, and truly magical to read.
Sherwood Rogue is a new take on the tales of Robin Hood with a twist of time travel and a side of romance. The story doesn't sugar-coat life in the times of Robin Hood. It is a realistic portrayal of harsh living conditions, scarce provisions, and general hardship appropriate for the times. However, it is not a bleak story because that is the only life the characters ever knew. Things almost always look bleaker when we view them with hindsight.
Kaye has had an unhappy life due to circumstances beyond her control. Stepping through the portal into the unknown was an easy choice, IMO. Becoming part of Robin Hood's men gave her a chance to belong for the first time in her life. She really blossomed and grew throughout the story. I love kickass women who can take care of themselves.
I highly recommend reading Sherwood Rogue. It is well-written and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I received an ARC of the SHERWOOD ROGUE, by the very talented Author KRISTI CRAMER. This is the very first time that I have ever had the pleasure to read any of her books.This story is well written- takes the reader to unknown dimensions. Let's your imagination fly. The characters seem so real and the scenes are described in such a way. You feel you are right there in the forest with the characters. The reader is able to see everything. Kay is staying in the mountains at her uncle's cabin. She needs to get out. The next thing she knows - Kay has been time warped into days of Robin Hood. She finds herself one his loyal band. But can she change the outcome of what happens to Robin Hood and his men? You will need to read this fanasting story to find out. This book has been Rated PG 17 due to the violence in the book. I recommend this book to all that love a good Romance- Historical - Young Adult . I give this a Mouse rating of 5 plus mouse paws. Now run and Get Your Copy Now!!
I happened across the author at a book event and picked this up on a whim. Once I started reading, I fell in love.
Cramer is a wonderful storyteller, and her main character Kay is sharp-witted and lethal. When Kay stumbles through a portal, she's transported through time and space into the midst of Robin Hood and his men.
Kay convinces Robin's crew to let her join them, and defies all odds by becoming a hub of the brotherhood. Part time-travel, part storybook retelling, Sherwood Rogue will make you want to take a hike in the woods, searching for outlaws.
I'm not sure how to write a book review. I do know I LOVED this book. Not to many books make tears come to my eyes, but this one did. Sad ones and happy ones! I wanted to stop reading toward the end, I couldn't take it any longer. But 20minutes later I HAD to finish it. What a ending!!!! Fabulous! YOU need to read it!