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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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DFys98OTOI]

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.

Book Junkie Promotions Book Review: Shadow of Whimsy

Shadow of Whimsy: A Cape Cod Love Story by Ann Hymes

Publication Date: June 15, 2016 Secant Publishing Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Genre: Contemporary/Women's Fiction/Literary

Several generations of one family have lived, loved, and lied at Whimsy Towers, a unique oceanfront house in Chatham, Massachusetts. Strong women who refuse to be suffocated by marriage have found excitement and refuge in this house filled with artists and parties. Love surfaces in unexpected ways.

The newest owner, Theresa Alston Crandall, has just inherited the property and leaves her too-predictable husband in Virginia to spend time on the Cape and unravel family secrets and history. She swims, reflects, explores, and watches dramatic cloud formations float high over the ocean as she sorts through the choices in her path forward.

Romance arrives in the form of a young widower and landscape gardener with an awesome pickup truck, who likes Theresa’s dog and provides temptation to stay at Whimsy Towers. Tips of tree branches dance with the weight of birds that seem to scream warnings of danger, and the churning ocean disrupts family continuity.

Theresa learns how her Southern grandmother came to buy a storm-weathered New England house and how loveless marriage is not a mandatory life style. The final decision feels just right.

"In her debut novel, Hymes presents a conflicted young woman who is beginning to question her humdrum existence. From grief and loss to forgiveness and redemption, Hymes does not hold back. The author steers clear of predictable outcomes in this unexpected story, providing ample romantic suspense and witty prose to keep the reader turning pages. Chock-full of rich descriptions of the New England coast, as well as surprising scandals and an adorable dog named Gypsy, the book should satisfy even seasoned beach readers. A captivating and uplifting tale best suited for fans of meaningful beach-town romances." -Kirkus Reviews

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Review:  Shadow of Whimsy was such a delightful read.  Theresa has inherited Whimsy from her Grandmother who she hadn't known very well.

I love the backstory going into this, with her father keeping the information on her grandmother pretty much a secret until his death.

Theresa goes to Cape Cod by herself as a bit of a separation from her husband. I'm not sure why their marriage is stagnant, but it is. I admit, I was a bit team Kevin in this book. I didn't want their marriage to get thrown aside, but Theresa really puts her vows to the test. I was very surprised at how things worked out in the end, after some of the things that developed while she was at Whimsy. I think I would have really liked to get some more character development on the part of Kevin, so you could really tell why these two were at a breaking point when the story starts, or rather why Theresa felt they were.

The best part of the book was putting the pieces of her grandmother's life as well as her mother's together.

This is the kind of book I want to read on the porch sipping iced tea or lemonade. Its a story of rediscovery and a touch of mystery.

My one bone of contention with this story was the lack of a time frame. It seemed to be set in 1980, but there was one glaring error made that bugged me. Cars didn't have CD players in them in 1980. In fact the Compact disc wasn't invented until 1982 and not until 1985 in cars.

I really loved Theresa and Whimsy. I fell in love with this story from the start.  If you like authors like Dorothea Benton Frank or Anne Rivers Siddons. This is a good book to read.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author

Ann Hymes is a retired real estate broker and mother of two grown daughters. She has a B.A. in English from Mills College and an M.A. in English from Washington College. Her published work includes creative nonfiction. An active international volunteer, including service in the Peace Corps in the 1960s, Ann lives in St. Michaels, Maryland.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 27 Kick Off at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, February 28 Spotlight at The Lit Bitch Spotlight at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, March 1 Review at Books, Dreams, Life

Thursday, March 2 Review at A Chick Who Reads

Friday, March 3 Spotlight at Cafinated Reads

Monday, March 6 Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Tuesday, March 7 Review at Book Drunkard Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Friday, March 10 Review & Interview at The Book Junkie Reads

Tuesday, March 14 Spotlight at Susan Heim on Writing

Wednesday, March 15 Review at Book Nerd

Thursday, March 16 Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews

Tuesday, March 21 Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Friday, March 24 Review at Blushing Babes Are Up All Night

Giveaway

Five copies of Shadow of Whimsy: A Cape Cod Love Story are up for grabs during the blog tour! To enter, please click the link below.

Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 10th. 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.

Shadow of Whimsy

Book Junkie Promotions Book Review: A Home For Christmas

Publication Date: November 5, 2014

Trappers Peak Publishing
eBook; 74 pages
ASIN: B00NE43C0O

Settings: 19th Century Montana, Wyoming, & Colorado

Genre: Christmas Short Stories/Western/Sweet Romance

Includes three historical fiction short stories to delight and entertain this holiday season.

CHRISTMAS MOUNTAIN

In search of family she barely knows and adventure she's always wanted, Katherine Donahue is saved from freezing on a winter night in the mountains of Montana by August Hollister. Neither of them expected that what one woman had in mind was a new beginning for them both.

TETON CHRISTMAS

Heartache and a thirst for adventure lead McKensie Stewart and her sister to Wyoming after the death of their parents. With the help of a widowed aunt and a charming horse breeder, McKensie discovers that hope is a cherished promise, and there is no greater gift than love.

LILY'S CHRISTMAS WISH

Lily Malone has never had a real family or a real Christmas. This holiday season, she might get both. From an orphanage in New York City to the rugged mountains of Colorado, Lily sends out only one wish. But when the time comes, can she give it up so someone else's wish can come true?

Watch the Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3ok78fKCJA

Praise for A Home for Christmas

"5 stars! I have just finished reading three short stories written by M.K. McClintock, part of her collection A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. I really enjoyed these charming historical fictions CHRISTMAS MOUNTAIN, TETON CHRISTMAS and LILY'S CHRISTMAS WISH!" – Nicole Laverdure

"Heart-warming and inspiring." - Kat Cambron

"A delightful collection of stories sure to warm any reader's heart." - Elizabeth Loftus

Pre-Order the eBook

Amazon | Kobo

About the Author

MK McClintock is the author bestselling historical western romance and award-nominated historical romantic mystery. She spins tales of romance and adventure inspired by the heather-covered hills of Scotland and the majestic mountains of home. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, she lives and writes in Montana.

Learn more about MK by visiting her website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Review: 

There are three stories that make up the A Home For Christmas short story collection. I love sweet holiday stories. They are like a good bottle of wine. They make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. These three stories are about love, family and the holiday. None are really romances, but love is definitely one the way for some of these people.

Christmas Mountain is the first of the three and I adored this one. It is a story of finding family. August and Sarah were precious and so was Katherine. For a short story, you really connected to these three characters. I loved that there wasn't really a love blooming, so much as a friendship, though there is a hint of one.

I only wished we would have learned more about Clara, who was passed away several years before and was August's wife and Katherine's sister. It is through her that Katherine finds herself on the mountain.

This was a beautiful and touching story.

Teton Christmas is the story of the Stewart sister who travel west after the deaths of their parents. There's something very bittersweet about this story. McKensie has a lot to work through in her life. She was in a boating accident that resulted in her parents death. Now she is looking for a bit of adventure. Brandon is all that is good. Another perfect holiday read.

Lily's Christmas Wish is another beautiful story. Here we see Lily, an orphan, Rebecca, her teacher and Liam. Liam rescues both of them and they become a family for Christmas. I how kind Liam was, not only with Lily and Rebecca, but with Billy. This was my favorite of the three stories, but I loved all of them.

Rating: 5 flowers

A Home for Christmas Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, November 24

Review at The Maiden's Court
Interview at SOS Aloha

Tuesday, November 25

Review at Laurie Here
Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, November 26

Review at Brooke Blogs

Thursday, November 27

Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review & Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Friday, November 28

Review at The Christmas Spirit

Book Junkie Promotions Book Review: To Live Forever

Author:Andra Watkins
Title: To Live Forever
Publication Date: March 1, 2014
Publisher: World Hermit Press
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: General Fiction/Paranormal
Book Blurb: Is remembrance immortality? Nobody wants to be forgotten, least of all the famous.

Meriwether Lewis lived a memorable life. He and William Clark were the first white men to reach the Pacific in their failed attempt to discover a Northwest Passage. Much celebrated upon their return, Lewis was appointed governor of the vast Upper Louisiana Territory and began preparing his eagerly-anticipated journals for publication. But his re-entry into society proved as challenging as his journey. Battling financial and psychological demons and faced with mounting pressure from Washington, Lewis set out on a pivotal trip to the nation’s capital in September 1809. His mission: to publish his journals and salvage his political career. He never made it. He died in a roadside inn on the Natchez Trace in Tennessee from one gunshot to the head and another to the abdomen.

Was it suicide or murder? His mysterious death tainted his legacy and his fame quickly faded. Merry’s own memory of his death is fuzzy at best. All he knows is he’s fallen into Nowhere, where his only shot at redemption lies in the fate of rescuing another. An ill-suited “guardian angel,” Merry comes to in the same New Orleans bar after twelve straight failures. Now, with one drink and a two-dollar bill he is sent on his last assignment, his final shot at escape from the purgatory in which he’s been dwelling for almost 200 years. Merry still believes he can reverse his forgotten fortunes.

Nine-year-old Emmaline Cagney is the daughter of French Quarter madam and a Dixieland bass player. When her mother wins custody in a bitter divorce, Emmaline carves out her childhood among the ladies of Bourbon Street. Bounced between innocence and immorality, she struggles to find her safe haven, even while her mother makes her open her dress and serve tea to grown men. It isn’t until Emmaline finds the strange cards hidden in her mother’s desk that she realizes why these men are visiting: her mother has offered to sell her to the highest bidder. To escape a life of prostitution, she slips away during a police raid on her mother’s bordello, desperate to find her father in Nashville.

Merry’s fateful two-dollar bill leads him to Emmaline as she is being chased by the winner of her mother’s sick card game: The Judge. A dangerous Nowhere Man convinced that Emmaline is the reincarnation of his long dead wife, Judge Wilkinson is determined to possess her, to tease out his wife’s spirit and marry her when she is ready. That Emmaline is now guarded by Meriwether Lewis, his bitter rival in life, further stokes his obsessive rage.

To elude the Judge, Em and Merry navigate the Mississippi River to Natchez. They set off on an adventure along the storied Natchez Trace, where they meet Cajun bird watchers, Elvis-crooning Siamese twins, War of 1812 re-enactors, Spanish wild boar hunters and ancient mound dwellers. Are these people their allies? Or pawns of the perverted, powerful Judge?

After a bloody confrontation with the Judge at Lewis’s grave, Merry and Em limp into Nashville and discover her father at the Parthenon. Just as Merry wrestles with the specter of success in his mission to deliver Em, The Judge intercedes with renewed determination to win Emmaline, waging a final battle for her soul. Merry vanquishes the Judge and earns his redemption. As his spirit fuses with the body of Em’s living father, Merry discovers that immortality lives within the salvation of another, not the remembrance of the multitude.

READ AN EXCERPT.

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Review: First of all, don't judge this book by its cover. If you do, you might pass it over and this is not a book that you want to miss. Trust me.

Its part historical fiction, part paranormal fiction with some magical realism tossed in for good measure.  It was definitely something out of my normal comfort zone of reading, yet the book pulled me in, right away.

Meriwether Lewis is stuck in Nowhere and he has a final shot at redemption. This pits him as a rather unlikely guardian angel for Emmaline, whose mother is about to sell her to the highest bidder.

Yikes.

And it gets crazier from there.

This book is definitely a wild and wacky ride, fast paced and easy to read. As Merry and Emmaline try to find her father, you meet quite a few people from Merry's past.

I love the mixture of history of the old world with the modern world.

Definitely a must read.

Rating: 4 flowers

About the Author

Hey. I’m Andra Watkins. I’m a native of Tennessee, but I’m lucky to call Charleston, South Carolina, home for 23 years. I’m the author of ‘To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis’, coming March 1, 2014. It’s a mishmash of historical fiction, paranormal fiction and suspense that follows Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis & Clark fame) after his mysterious death on the Natchez Trace in 1809.

I like:

hiking eating (A lot; Italian food is my favorite.) traveling (I never met a destination I didn’t like.) reading (My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.) coffee (the caffeinated version) and COFFEE (sex) performing (theater, singing, public speaking, playing piano) time with my friends Sirius XM Chill yoga (No, I can’t stand on my head.) writing in bed candlelight

I don’t like:

getting up in the morning cilantro (It is the devil weed.) surprises (For me or for anyone else.) house cleaning cooking

Author Links

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