Today's #HistFicThursdays blog is a brilliant interview with Susan Appleyard , as part of her Yarde Book Promotion tour! I was very excited to be a part of this tour as Susan is a fellow member of the Historical Writers' Forum , too. Read on to find out about her influences, inspirations, and the thrilling story readers can expect to share in with Escape of the Grand Duchess . But first, let's meet the book... Blurb Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard is a gripping historical novel that shatters the notion that royalty is synonymous with privilege and ease. At its heart is Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II—a Romanov who defied a doomed destiny and survived. Unlike her ill-fated brother and his family, Olga’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and daring escape. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a reckless gambler—who harbours secrets of his own—she finds hope in the arms of a dashing army lieutenant. But be...
"A Wounded World" by Crit Kincaid
Book Review
☆☆☆☆☆
“A Wounded World” was one of 5 books I got off Amazon. I’d
just got a subscription for Kindle Unlimited and I knew I would want to read
something while on the train north. I scrolled through my Kindle and clicked on
this book at random – entirely unsure what to expect but I wasn’t holding my
breath…
The first chapter gripped my attention in an uncommon way. I
have not read many books where my interest is piqued so near the beginning but
I found that I really did not want to put my kindle down. The Highland scenery
went by…and I was still engrossed in this book.
As far as I’m concerned, a book that can elicit heightened
emotions from me is a sign of good writing. At one point, I looked up from the ‘page’,
needing to find the composure to carry on. My Mum notices, as she does, and
moves forward to place her hand over mine.
“Don’t read it!” She says.
“No, I have to.” I stubbornly look back down to my kindle. “It’s
so wonderful!”
The uplifting nature of the book, and the perceptions of
life after death are utterly astounding for me.
On top of this, the characters were all well-developed –
something I’m keen on. The teenage angst parts reminded me of why I chose to
teach primary, but the author has portrayed secondary school very cleverly
indeed, the comments on bullying almost breaking my heart. Being in Scotland, I
don’t really understand the American system, but I reckon we have our fair
share of these characters on this side of the water too!
As with all books, I try and find something that could be
better…it’s just my nature I suppose! Aside from a couple of typos that are
easily overlooked, I would do nothing to this book to change it.
What a profound insight into the world and human nature! I
would highly recommend it!
Book Blurb (from Goodreads)
A story about living with the wounds that death can leave behind and healing those wounds with love. A boy hides from a world that hurt him, and a girl must learn how and what love is in order to help him realize there is life after death.
"A strange young man, indeed," said Shu, the old gardener who was really a doctor. "He's like that graveyard cat, who hunts mice amongst graves at night and occasionally ventures out into the bright light of the living world. But even then, he stays in the shadows, avoiding contact, forgetting that his natural place is with the living and not with the dead."
"Sí! La vida no debe rondan a los muertos."
The old man looked to his Hispanic friend and nodded. "My friend, Mr. Rosalis..."
"Ramirez!"
"...agrees, 'The living should not haunt the dead.' I fear bringing that boy to this place was a mistake."
Comments
Post a Comment