Month: June 2023

by

A Gripping Finale to an Outstanding Historical Fiction Series

 King of the Anglo Saxons by Millie Thom

Premise (from book promo): Following Guthrum’s crushing defeat at Edington, Alfred’s kingdom is enjoying a rare period of peace. Alfred is ageing. Bouts of his old illness are increasingly frequent, and he prays that his final years will be free of Viking raids, allowing him to concentrate on expanding his kingdom’s boundaries and improving its standard of learning. Scholars are summoned from near and far, amongst them a certain Welsh abbot named Asser.

Ongoing peace is no certainty, however, and Alfred continues to improve his defences. An attack on Rochester proves that Wessex is still far from safe… whilst also confirming the effectiveness of Alfred’s newly fortified towns and mobile armies. The arrival of a huge Norse army puts those defences to the test. Its devious leader does not easily give up and the conflict becomes a trial of will and wits between him and Alfred’s staunch ealdormen, one of whom is Eadwulf’s son, Aethelred.

While Aethelred pursues his role as Lord of the Mercians, Eadwulf settles back in Aros. Old friendships are rekindled, new ones are formed, and a situation in al-Andalus takes Eadwulf, Bjorn and their comrades on another dangerous quest across the sea.

But will this new life be enough to stop Eadwulf missing his children and friends back in Mercia?

My Review:

Millie Thom’s “King of the Anglo Saxons” immerses readers in the captivating world of King Alfred the Great and his struggles against Viking raids. As the fourth and final book in the Sons of Kings series, it delivers a fulfilling conclusion to a remarkable historical saga.

Already a fan of the author’s first three wonderful historical novels in the series (all three of which I’ve previously reviewed on this blog), I must say this one might be my very favorite.

As in the first three volumes, Thom skillfully balances various elements, seamlessly blending the challenges and violence of the time with adventure, romance, and action. Every character, no matter how small their role, contributes to the vibrancy of the story. The author’s meticulous research shines through, taking readers from Mercia and Denmark to the vivid and exotic al-Andalus, allowing them to envision long-forgotten times and people.

One of the book’s many strengths lies in the deep connection between King Alfred and the fictional character Eadwulf of Mercia. Thom expertly weaves historical figures with her fictional creations, creating a seamless blend of fact and fiction that enhances the authenticity of the narrative.

The author’s attention to detail is evident throughout the book, and the inclusion of maps provides a wonderful sense of place and historical evolution. She convincingly conveys the passions and motivations of King Alfred, and readers gain insight into Alfred’s dedication to defending his kingdom, fostering education, and leaving a lasting impact on his people.

“King of the Anglo Saxons” captures the complexity of staying in power and the challenge of maintaining peace in the kingdom amid Viking threats. It explores the evolving dynamics between characters, the interplay between loyalty and conflicting interests, and the personal journeys that unfold throughout the series. Readers are left with an appreciation for the historical significance of King Alfred the Great and his enduring legacy.

No doubt Millie Thom has crafted a wonderful four-book series in Sons of Kings, (four book series) with “King of the Anglo Saxons” providing a befitting and satisfying conclusion. It is a testament to Thom’s storytelling prowess, historical knowledge, and ability to create compelling characters that resonated with this reader. This series is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those seeking an immersive and enlightening journey through a tumultuous period in English history.

Millie Thom, author

To learn more about Millie Thom, please visit her site at Bringing History To Life.

 

   

by

Copyright Trolls: A Reblog from Writer Beware

Copyright J. R. Cotner

Victoria Strauss over at the Writer Beware site has some important information if you use works of art or images not of your own making on your blog or other online presence. From her post:

“Here’s how Wikipedia defines a copyright troll: a copyright troll is a party (person or company) that enforces copyrights it owns for purposes of making money through strategic litigation, in a manner considered unduly aggressive or opportunistic[.]

This kind of copyright troll creates and registers copyright to content that they then make widely available online, to increase the possibility that people will re-post it without permission. Using search technology, they find infringers and use threats of litigation to shake them down for cash settlements.”

Here’s a link to her original article. Good read!  When the Copyright Trolls Came for Me – Writer Beware

by

Canyon Sacrifice: A National Park Mystery Review

 

 

Overview: Canyon Sacrifice is a mystery thriller novel written by Scott Graham. It was first published in 2013 and is the first book in the series. The story is set in the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest, primarily taking place in the iconic Grand Canyon National Park.

The protagonist is archaeologist Chuck Bender, who is drawn into a perilous adventure after he discovers a note left by his friend and fellow archaeologist, Graham Hancock, who has gone missing. As Chuck delves deeper into the mystery, he unravels a dangerous secret hidden within the canyons, leading to a thrilling and suspenseful plot.

The novel incorporates elements of archaeology, Native American history, and the unique challenges faced by those who explore and protect the national parks.

From The Book Cover: “When his new stepdaughter is kidnapped during a visit to the Grand Canyon, archaeologist Chuck Bender faces up to his secret past and his unfamiliar family-man role as he confronts every parent’s worst nightmare—that of a missing child. In Tony Hillerman fashion, Canyon Sacrifice is a gripping page-turner that brings the rugged western landscape the mysterious past of the ancient Anasazi Indians, and the modern Southwest’s ongoing cultural fissures vividly to life. Canyon Sacrifice is the first in the Nation Park Mystery Series.”

My Review: Canyon Sacrifice by Scott Graham is an easy read with mounting tension and a reasonably well-developed plot. The vivid descriptions of the Grand Canyon National Park evoked memories of my own visit to that awesome place.

The plot follows a familiar theme of an unjustly suspected protagonist on the run to prove their innocence.  I appreciated Graham’s use of red herrings, false leads, and action scenes to build suspense. Unfortunately, those positives were often overshadowed by flaws in character development, dialogue, and distractions that failed to move the plot forward.

Too often, the flow of the story was interrupted by the protagonists’ tendency to deliver lengthy archaeological lectures or to conduct extended internal dialogue about family relationships. In particular, the dynamics between Chuck and his wife were problematic, with secrets and a lack of trust creating a sense of disconnect between the two which did nothing to make me particularly like either of them.

Gaps in the storyline kept me guessing and intrigued and sometimes confused. The final chapter falls into cliché territory when the villain provides the information needed to fill in the gaps in the storyline. In my opinion, the ending deserved more attention.

Despite those issues, however, the insights shared by the author are frequently interesting and his knowledge of the subject matter and setting added depth to the narrative, especially as concerns the setting. Overall, Canyon Sacrifice is a good read, particularly for those with an interest in national parks. It may not appeal to all mystery fiction readers, but the premise and setting provide an intriguing perspective for those more interested in national parks or stories set in captivating landscapes than with die-hard mystery fans. Tony Hillerman, however, it is not.

 

by

Stolen Obsession by Marlene M. Bell. A Review.

Amazon’s description of Stolen Obsession by Marlene M. Bell: “People die, but legends live on.

New York antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury recently lost her best friend to murder. The killer’s identity may be linked to her friend’s expensive missing bracelet—a 500-year-old artifact that carries an ancient curse, one that unleashes evil upon any who dare wear the jewelry created for the Persian royal family.

Weeks later, Annalisse sees a matching necklace at a Manhattan gallery opening. She begs the owner to destroy the cursed piece, but her pleas fall on deaf ears—despite the unnatural death that occurs during the opening. With two victims linked to the jewelry, Annalisse is certain she must act.

Desperate, Annalisse enlists the gallery owner’s son to help—even though she’s afraid he’ll break her heart. Wealthy and devastatingly handsome, with a string of bereft women in his wake, Greek playboy Alec Zavos dismisses Annalisse’s concerns—until his parents are ripped from the Zavos family yacht during their ocean voyage near Crete.

Annalisse and Alec race across two oceans to save his mother, feared dead or kidnapped. When the killer changes tactics and goes after Alec behind Annalisse’s back, can her plan to rescue Alec’s mother save them all?

Hold on for a heart-thumping, thrilling adventure through exotic lands in this fast-moving romantic suspense mystery by Marlene M. Bell.”

From the book cover: “A prominent Manhattan antiquities appraiser, Annalisse Drury believes the butchery of her college roommate was a targeted hit—not a mugging. The loss of her closest confidant rips a canyon across her heart and unleased a familiar ache from the past. Detectives have no leads, and Annalisse would do anything to find the killer—even if it makes her a target…At a gallery opening weeks later, Annalisse notices a necklace of horse heads—a relic identical to her roommate’s stolen bracelet. Convinced the jewelry collection carries hideous evil and must be destroyed, Annalisse enlists the help of Alec Zavos. The gallery owner’s womanizing son who has his mother’s ear, but doubts Annalisse’s concerns. A startling second victim hurls Annalise and Alec together in a tempest of pulse-pounding treachery through exotic lands—that move them into an unimaginable future—if Annalisse can survive…”

 

Stolen Obsession by Marlene M. Bell is a blend of murder mystery and romance that offers an easy yet sometimes confusing read. While it leans more towards the romance side than I expected, the story remains engaging for those interested in a mystery with heavy romantic elements. The protagonist, Annalisse, an antiques appraiser, finds herself entangled in a mystery connected to the murder of her best friend. As she teams up with Alec, the rich Greek playboy son of the gallery owner, the plot unfolds with well-designed and unexpected twists and turns.

The story begins with immediate action, which was disorienting at first but quickly found its stride. However, it seemed the relationship between Annalisse and Alec developed too quickly, lacking subtlety. The author manages to introduce surprising twists and uses the Greek backdrop effectively to create an engaging, colorful atmosphere. It was especially vivid for me because I lived in Greece for several years and found the setting descriptions of Greece spot on.

I felt the opening scene of the horrific murder of Annalisse’s roommate needed more background information. It seemed thin though it was a central focus in the story. Details are, as one might expect, revealed gradually, but a prologue or earlier explanation to provide a stronger foundation might have been helpful. Additionally, I found the writing style was somewhat difficult due to odd phrasing and unclear dialogue exchanges that disrupted the flow. A “necklace of horse heads” is an example. They are not actually horse heads but, as you might expect, jewelry pieces resembling horse heads. Proper, thoughtful, informed editing could have addressed these issues.

I have mixed feelings about the romance in the book. I would have appreciated a slower pace giving the characters time to get to know each other before becoming intimate. I am by no means a prude, but once the romantic moments switched to sexual activity, I felt they occurred at inappropriate times and there was, in my opinion, an excessive focus on sexual tension and explicit scenes.

The two main characters, Annalisse and Alec, lacked likability for me. Alec, the Greek playboy character, appeared one-dimensional and overly focused on sex, even in the face of tragedy. Annalisse’s personality and actions didn’t resonate well either, and I struggled to connect with her. Both characters made unwise decisions throughout that created suspense but somehow seemed contrived and unrealistic.

The book’s strengths lie in its global settings, intricate web of clues and misdirection, and the constant suspense surrounding the murders and kidnappings. The story’s concept is interesting, and the potential for a captivating mystery is evident. However, I often felt disconnected from the story and struggled to connect with the characters and the author’s writing style though she has crafted a very good murder mystery.

All in all, “Stolen Obsession” presents an intriguing premise and a well-developed story, blending murder mystery and a big dose of Harlequinesque romance. While it may not appeal to all readers due to issues with character development, dialogue, and pacing, those seeking a romantic-heavy adventurous tale with elements of suspense and tinged with sex may find it enjoyable.

This book was a recommended read from a fellow writer and I have put Marlene M. Bell’s three other books on my ‘to read’ list.

About the Author

“Marlene M. Bell is an award-winning writer, artist, and sheep breeder who resides in wooded East Texas. Her renown sheep photographs grace the covers of many livestock magazines.

The fourth book in the Annalisse Series, Copper Waters, is a New Zealand sheep station mystery with light touches of romance. Stolen Obsession, Spent Identity, and Scattered Legacy, books one through three in the series, have received numerous awards including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery and two FAPA President’s Gold awards. Her work can be found at marlenembell.com.

Marlene also writes children’s books. Her picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team is based on true events with a bottle lamb from Ewephoric ranch. It’s a touching story of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb. Mia and Nattie is suitable reading for ages 3 – 7 years. A Mom’s Choice Gold Award winner and Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List winner.

Marlene shares her life with her husband and a few dreadfully spoiled horned Dorset sheep: a large Maremma guard dog named Tia, and cats, Hollywood, Leo, and Squeaks. The animals and nature are the cornerstone for Marlene’s books.”