Book Junkie Promotions Book Review: Athena: The Warrior Queen of Yavdolo

Athena: The Warrior Queen of Yavdolo by Helen R. Davis

Publication Date: May 17, 2017 Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. eBook; 140 Pages ASIN: B0716ZV4H5

Damlol is a planet located outside the reaches of Earth and the solar system, a peaceful world from which many colonists from Earth left centuries ago, fleeing a worldwide caliphate. But all is not as it seems. Athena, the princess of a country known as Yavdolo, is growing up in a turbulent time. The kingdom of Avodla desires to crush all other nations and cover the world in an oppressive dictatorship—similar to the one the colonists fled from so many centuries ago. This is the story of a girl of great courage and her many adventures, the first in a series.

"Fantasy and science fiction lovers will fall in love with Athena, rooting for her until the very end. In this, Helen R. Davis, like fantasy giants, has created a new world full of wonders and mystique which will leave you have stepped into another realm that by the end of it, you won't want to leave. A highly recommendable read!" - Carolina Casas, co-author Isabella Unashamed

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Review: I am a fan of Helen's alternative histories so I was excited to read Athena, because I wanted to see how she wrote in this genre.

I'm really happy to say, she crafts just as great a story for other worlds, as she does the Queens of our world.

In Athena, she has created a princess who is just as strong as the human counterparts she has written about. 

I loved watching Athena grow in strength as the book progressed.  She starts out in the book as a very young girl of five, just learning what she needs to know to become Yavdolo's Queen. She's smart and very spunky, as you learn when she manages to go on the mission to rescue her mother in Havla.

If you have read Helen's other books, you'll definitely enjoy this book, even though its a different genre. Earth history plays a part in it and there are mentions of royals such as Henry VIII in this book.

Another thing that I liked was how religion and beliefs and conflicts were a part of this story as well. I found the setting to be an interesting mix, with parts of Damlol's countries being backward, even for our time, and other countries feeling much more futuristic.

The book is action packed from start to finish and really a great read, that will have you reflecting on things happening in the here and now

I look forward to reading more of Athena's adventures.

Rathing: 5 flowers

About the Author

Helen R. Davis has a long interest in history, religion, politics, and all nations. Author of "Evita, My Life," Ms. Davis has studied the ancient world through the gift of books since a very young age, her passion for Egypt and the era of Cleopatra kindled long ago. She has also researched and studied other times and eras and has a passion for strong women who have governed nations from the past to the present.

For more information, please visit Helen Davis’ website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, May 29 Review at Reviewing Nerds Feature at Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!

Wednesday, May 30 Excerpt at Maiden of the Pages

Thursday, May 31 Feature at Donna's Book Blog

Friday, June 1 Review at DystopianCitzn Blog Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Monday, June 4 Feature at CelticLady's Reviews

Tuesday, June 5 Review at A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, June 6 Excerpt at Locks, Hooks and Books

Thursday, June 7 Feature at A Book Geek Excerpt at Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Friday, June 8 Interview at Reviewing Nerds

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of Athena: Warrior Queen of Yavdolo! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on June 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to residents in the US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours: Isabella Unashamed

Isabella Unashamed by Helen R. Davis and Carolina Casas

Publication Date: September 7, 2017

Editorial Caliope

eBook & Paperback; 144 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Alternate History

Isabella of Castile is known as Europe's first great queen. Renowned for her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon and birthing of modern day Spain, Isabella is also known as the queen who launched the Inquisition, completed the Reconquista and expelled the Jews from her nation. Not long after her triumph in 1492, her dynasty came apart and unraveled, and it was whispered by many that the Trastamara line was cursed. But, What if Isabella had been wiser and not expelled the Jews, some of the very people who ironically helped put her on the throne of Castile? What if Isabella had had more foresight and had her successor be Catalina, who, although the youngest, was the most like her and the wisest of her children? How would the power balance of 15th and 16th century Europe shifted if Catalina had been the powerful queen regnant of Spain and not one of the 'merry wives' of Windsor? A joint effort, Isabella Unashamed is written by two authors from very different cultural backgrounds who have nonetheless joined together to create a haunting portrait of Spain's most famous queen, as well as a glimpse of what might have been had Isabella been wiser.

Available in eBook and Paperback on Amazon

Review: I've never read an alternative history before. I've always found the what if premise to be very intriguing, and since I was familiar with Helen's writing from the book on Evita, I decided to give this one a try as Isabella was a interesting queen and one I've always been fascinated with.

I like Helen's writing style. This book is Carolina's debut, and I found I really enjoyed the writing by both of these authors. It was very intriguing and a quick read. (It is easy to say it would be great if it were longer). When I enjoy something I always want more.

Isabella is an interesting queen, whichever way you look at her, but this what if, alternative history gives some other characters in history a different fate as well. Yes, Catherine of Aragon! I have to say of all the wives of Henry VIII she is my favorite. She's smart and capable and she really was quite pretty, and she deserved a lot better than what she got. So to change her fate made me smile, a lot.

I looked at this book as something similar to the "Turn Left" episode of Doctor Who. What would happen if Isabella made different decisions. I wouldn't say so much if she were wiser, because for her time Isabella was really a strong and intelligent woman.

A lot of Isabella's changes are a result of visions. For me these were the best parts of the book, especially the changes that result in the end of inquisition.

The epilogue is beautiful, even though Jesus delivers Isabella a shocker about her confessor.

This is a fabulous read for fans of alternate history.

Rating 5 flowers

About the Authors

Helen R. Davis is an American author. Her first novel, Evita: My Argentina was previously published as Evita: My Life and republished with Custom Book Publications in Hong Kong. Her second novel, CLEOPATRA UNCONQUERED, which is the first in a series, imagines a world in which Antony and Cleopatra, rather than Augustus Caesar, are the victors of the Battle of Actium. the sequel, CLEOPATRA VICTORIOUS, will be released soon, followed by the titles CLEOPATRA MAGNIFICA and CLEOPATRA TRIUMPHANT. Her third novel, or at least, her third historical novel/alternate history, THE MOST HAPPY, will be published with Callipe Editorial, based out of Madrid Spain, on July 25th, 2017. For more information, please visit Helen Davis’ website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

   

Carolina Casas has a BA in History and a minor in women's studies. Her debut novel "Isabella Unashamed" was co-written with the author of "Cleopatra Unconquered" & "The Most Happy", Helen R. Davis and it is a powerful alternative historical novel that asks the important question that has been on everyone's mind: what-if? What if Isabella had taken a different route than the one she did following the surrender of Granada at the beginning of 1492. A young woman who enjoys life and giving to others, she is also a self-proclaimed nerd who currently resides in the lone star state of Texas where she spends her free time writing, drawing, reading about her favorite historical subjects and watching classical horror and rom-coms with her friends. Carolina's journey into the realm of alternate history began when she was very little. After a frightful and sleepless night, she was introduced to the legend of King Arthur and his knights through Sir Thomas Mallory's epic "Le Morte d'Arthur" which started her fascination with the medieval period and later with other eras. This, along with her curiosity, has led her to delve into the realm of alternate history. Carolina has several pages on Facebook where she works alongside other history buffs and novelists (Tudor Nerds with Glasses and Tudor Facts vs. Fiction), as well as a history blog where she shares her thoughts on movies and TV shows as well. You can also find her on Twitter and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, November 27 Kick Off at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, November 28 Feature at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots
Wednesday, November 29 Review at A Chick Who Reads Feature at Just One More Chapter Thursday, November 30 Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Friday, December 1 Review at The Maiden's Court Interview at Author Dianne Ascroft's Blog Saturday, December 2 Feature at WS Momma Readers Nook
Monday, December 4 Review at Locks, Hooks and Books
Tuesday, December 5 Review at So Many Books, So Little Time Feature at The Hungry Bookworm Wednesday, December 6 Feature at Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
Thursday, December 7 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away an eBook of Isabella Unashamed! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on December 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Isabella Unashamed

Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours Book Review: Evita, My Argentina

Evita...My Argentina by Helen R. Davis

Publication Date: February 10, 2017

Custom Book Publications

eBook & Paperback; 228 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Biographical

EVITA … My Argentina Evita Perón tells her own spectacular story. Tracing her life back to her humble beginnings, when she is abandoned by her father, Evita takes the reader on her journey to become an actress and later, to the pivotal moment when she meets Colonel Juan Perón. Never content to stay in her husband’s shadow, Evita reveals how she shares his belief that Peronism will help the working class. Eventually she begins doing work on her own as the president of the Society of Benevolence, helping the poor and winning the peoples’ trust. As the times change and women get the vote, Evita becomes even more powerful, running the Ministries of Labor and Health, starting a foundation, and organizing the first female party, The Female Peronist Party. A larger-than-life story, told in her own fictional words, the powerful novel is as educational as it is entertaining.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review: I have to say, Evita has intrigued me since I first listened to the musical back in my high school days. I'll even go as far as to admit to having the songs from the musical in my head as I read the book.

I learned quite a bit from this book. Up until this book, I had only found one biography. This book really made me want to learn much more about this woman who is very much a modern mystery.

It's told from Eva's point of view and in some ways that was a little detrimental to the story. Eva's voice didn't come across as strong, but rather more childish and immature. The book definitely could have been longer. Eva lived a lot in her 33 years.

Eva Peron is a cross between good and evil, depending on what you read. There are hints of Eva's darker side, and how anyone that was a threat to Peronism disappeared, but for the most part, this book painted Eva as Santa Evita.

From what I've read Ms. Davis did a very good at giving the details of Eva's life, but there was a lot that I felt was omitted. (One of the reasons I found the book to be a bit too short) I expected more about her relationship with Juan. I couldn't imagine Evita telling the story of her life without telling of her relationship with her husband. Also, from everything I read, Eva was totally unaware that she had cancer.

The one thing that really stuck me about Eva was how hard she worked for the poor people, regardless of whether it was done to make her look good, or if she really was the humanitarian. I hadn't heard of her children's city, until I read this.

This was an enjoyable read and a good book for Evita fans to read.

Rating: 4 flowers

About the Author

Helen R. Davis is an American author. Her first novel, Evita: My Argentina was previously published as Evita: My Life and republished with Custom Book Publications in Hong Kong. Her second novel, CLEOPATRA UNCONQUERED, which is the first in a series, imagines a world in which Antony and Cleopatra, rather than Augustus Caesar, are the victors of the Battle of Actium. the sequel, CLEOPATRA VICTORIOUS, will be released soon, followed by the titles CLEOPATRA MAGNIFICA and CLEOPATRA TRIUMPHANT. Her third novel, or at least, her third historical novel/alternate history, THE MOST HAPPY, will be published with Callipe Editorial, based out of Madrid Spain, on July 25th, 2017. For more information, please visit Helen Davis' website. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 25 Interview at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, September 26 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective (The Most Happy) Wednesday, September 27 Review at A Bookish Affair Guest Post at A Holland Reads
Thursday, September 28 Review at Pursuing Stacie (Cleopatra Unconquered)
Friday, September 29 Review at A Chick Who Reads (Evita)
Review at 100 Pages a Day (The Most Happy)
Monday, October 2 Review at Must Read Faster (The Most Happy)
Tuesday, October 3 Review at Book Nerd (Evita)
Wednesday, October 4 Review at Tudor Enthusiast (The Most Happy)
Thursday, October 5 Review at Faery Tales Are Real (The Most Happy)
Friday, October 6 Review at Pursuing Stacie (The Most Happy)

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away eBooks of Cleopatra Unconquered & Evita...My Argentina & a paperback of The Most Happy! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on October 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to residents in the US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Helen R. Davis