The Sound of Emeralds: Cover Reveal!

 Hey guys! I have a special treat for you today. The cover reveal of The Sound of Emerald by Rachelle Rea. *Insert trumpeting.* Before I share the cover, here is the series description.

The Steadfast Love Series is set in 16th-century Europe, where the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, a half-Dutch Catholic, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he has come to rescue her, will she trust him? Or would she rather succumb to the violence surrounding the Dutch Revolution?


 Now that you obviously want to read this book, part of a series, here is the goodreads link to learn more about it.

 And now... The reveal!

Tada! Isn't it lovely? You can order it here on Amazon.


About the author:  Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. As a freelance editor, she enjoys mentoring fellow authors in the craft. A homeschool graduate and retired gymnast, she wrote the Sound of Silver the summer after her junior year of college.

To Win her Favor: A Book Review

 I'll try to have another post up with an update on some things happening in my life, but for today I have a book review for you. It's been a while, so I hope you're excited. I'm reviewing To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander. I received this book through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Back cover:
A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good.
An Irish-born son far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He's come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and start a farm, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he'd wagered, especially when Maggie Linden's father makes hiwas m an offer he shouldn't accept yet cannot possibly refuse.
Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the annual Drayton Stakes at Nashville's racetrack--the richest race run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance, and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder, Maggie's father--aging, yet wily as ever--makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail--Maggie must marry a man she's never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.
Cullen and Maggie need each other in order to achieve their dreams. But their stubborn, wounded hearts--and the escalating violence from a "secret society" responsible for lynchings and midnight raids--may prove too much for even two determined souls.
~~

I've heard good things about Tamera Alexander's writing for far too long. I've been looking for the opportunity to read one of her book sand when the opportunity represented itself of course I couldn't refuse. This book is actually the second in a series, but reading it first probably has no effect on anything. The plot was interesting. I've seen many comment that Maggie's marriage is arranged, but I disagree since she is given the choice. I liked the focus on race horses and the nineteenth century. The Civil War era is one I enjoy reading, so reading this one, right after the War, was pretty entertaining.

 I liked the characters for the most part. Maggie probably bothered me more than any of the main or supporting cast. She is a Christian, but has some strong prejudices that make her look rather ugly. I understand that we probably all have some sort of prejudice but I suppose since I knew who she was prejudiced against it bothered me. But I give Maggie the benefit of the doubt because when she wasn't acting a bit spoiled she was a good character. I liked Cullen a lot. Even though he was withholding secrets and whatnot, he was a good man who cared about others. Just a nice guy. He had his issues to work out, but work them out he did. Then there were other supporting characters like Ethan, Gilbert--Maggies father--and one of my favorites, an adorable little former slave girl named Kizzy--a character filled with spunk, something I love.

 While the book had a pretty well paced plot, a bit of that plot disconcerted me. There was a lot of discussion into marital kinds of things and lots of love going on, though the scenes never went far, I feel at times they went too far for the market this book is selling to. So I wouldn't recommend anyone reading it but adults. I'm nineteen and even I felt a little awkward around parts of it. The story also has some frightening sequences thanks to racism and violence.

 Besides a couple of things I enjoyed this story. Pretty well written. I hope I can get my hands on another of Tamera Alexander's novels to see if I enjoy it even more than this one.

Buy it here.

~ a rambling author

Bridger Answers

  Today Bridger will answer your questions from this post. If I talk during the questions it will be in
italics. So let's go!

Would you rather be the oldest or the youngest?

 Hm. Let me think about that. I'm already the youngest, so... Pretty sure I'd want to be the oldest. It's better than being a fifth son, I'm sure. 

Which of your brothers do you feel closest to?

Iden. He's in the ministry so he's kind to everyone and will simply listen to me when I wish to vent about something.

Why do you hate your name?

I would think this to be for obvious reasons. All of my brothers have names translating to wealthy or kingly... My name brings to mind images of bridges and people are neverletting me forget that. I hear too many bridge jokes to handle. 

If you can't find the sleeping princess, do you think you'll marry the pirate girl?

If you avoided death would you walk in front of a cannon ball blast? 

Hi Bridger! (I love your name, so there :P) How did you find out about the sleeping princess?

 My thanks. My nurse told me the story when I was a child. She spoke of it as if it were more than a story so I am sure it is. 

What do you think the sleeping princess will be like?

I believe she will be young, fair of face, and of a kind heart. She will be grateful to be awoken and will be happy to have me as her rescuer, even if I am a fifth son.

 What if she's a spoiled snob? Would you still marry her if she was?

It would still be better than Eliysa Delgor.

Do you like animals?

They serve their purposes. I do enjoy the hounds from the kennels and to ride the stable horses. So I suppose the answer is yes. 

If you existed in present time, would mashed potatoes on top of cheese or pepperoni pizza sound delicious? Would you eat it?

I eat potatoes and cheese as separate entities, but I must say that description sounds delicious. Pepperoni pizza... Interesting words. Author explained it to me. I think I would like it. If it is food I will eat it. 

Who is your closest sibling? 

Iden, as I answered above. 

What is your biggest fear? 

Death, most likely. At the hands of Eliysa Delgor? This is my interview. Sh.

When is your birthday? 

In the autumn month you call November. On the 16th of that month. 

Where were you last Friday?

The ocean. We've recently set off. It is beautiful but also nauseating at times.

Why is your name so weird?

I suspect my parents were at a low of boredom and decided to play a cruel trick on me. 

How does that make you feel? 

Jealous? Depressed? That I could change my name?

If you could save one person in the world from death, who would it be?

I have learned that death is a cruel thing that you cannot save someone from. But if I could I would choose my friend, Erel, or perhaps Iden or my mother. 

How tall are you?

Six feet.

What is one of your favorite phrases to say, or one you just say a lot?

I often call Eliysa Delgor a siren, if that counts?

If you could have one power (a super ability), what would it be?

Invisibility so Eliysa would leave me be. Or the ability to move from one place to another in a moment, so then I could find my princess sooner. 

What are you most afraid of?

I answered this. 

If a bully who is stronger than you was picking on you, how would you respond?

You must be speaking of my elder brother, Darreh. Usually I just refuse to do what he wants. He either grows bored or boxes my ears. 

If a bully who is stronger than you was picking on a friend, how would you respond?

I would probably yell at them and try to avoid getting beaten up. Perhaps a duel would be in order. I am good with a sword. 

If you could give up your life to save someone, would you do it?

I'm not sure I'd call myself a hero. I suppose it depends on the person.

If someone was willing to die for you, would you let them do it?

I hope not.

If there was no tomorrow, what would you do?

Celebrate, perhaps. There would be no need to worry about Eliysa Delgor any longer.

How many siblings do you have?

Four older brothers and they don't often enjoy letting me forget it. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And there we have it. What do you think?

Top Ten Tuesday: Fairytale Retellings

  It's been a couple weeks since my last post, but I'll have another one up pretty soon to answer Bridger's questions. Today I am excited to take part in Top Ten Tuesday! It's a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. While Tuesdays used to be my day for talking about normal life, I think I'm going to mix it up a bit, because for one, this meme looks like fun. Today's topic? Top Ten Fairytale Retellings.

 Now, I love fairy tale retellings. They're one of my favorite type of story. Sadly I haven't read all of them, but I have attempted to write a few. So here are my top ten retellings. Not necessarily in order of favorites.

10. Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

 Not technically a 'fairytale' retelling, this is a retelling of Peter Pan, so I'm counting it. A bit on the stranger side, but still enjoyable, providing interesting reasons for Peter not growing up, etc

9. The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson

 Dickerson makes my list a lot for her Christian retellings. This one is a retelling of both Robin Hood and Swan Lake so I'm counting it. I have a review of this one coming soon.

8. Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey

 

Retelling of Cinderella with a twist. I like it. 

7. The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Historical retelling of Beauty and the Beast. First book I read by this author.

 6. Golden by Cameron Dokey

 Featuring one of my favorite fairytale retelling twists, in this Rapunzel story, the known lady of long hair is bald. Makes for some interesting narration.

5. The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

This historical retelling is about as chilling as the original fairytale of Snow White with an interesting cast of characters.

4. Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

 

 Eastern inspired retelling of little-known fairytale Maid Maleen. Written in diary format, it is actually the story of the maid's servant, Dashti, and it is extremely well-written.

3. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

 

A captivating retelling of Twelve Dancing Princesses, this book kept me turning the pages.

2. The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

My favorite Dickerson story is actually another Cinderella retelling. Add in a misunderstood prince and a creepy villain (and I'm not even talking about the stepmother) and you've got an intriguing historical retelling. 

1. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

When I first read the fairytale, The Goose Girl, as a child I was both horrified and intrigued. This retelling that expounds upon that classic fairytale takes my top spot for taking small details from the story and using that to create an entire original series after this book. Hale masterfully spins the tale of the princess who experiences betrayal by those closest to her as she journeys to be married to a foreign prince, instead becoming a servant while her waiting woman masquerades as her. Great story, with a wonderful original series following.

BONUS

Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey 

A retelling of the historic tale of the warrior Mulan, this couldn't technically be counted as a fairytale, but I love this story, so decided to include it as a bonus. 

Finally, here are three books I need to read.  (There are more, but.)

1. Doon  

A retelling of Brigadoon, it's on this month's to-read list.

2. Cinderella

Cyborg Cinderella???

3. Ella Enchanted

 

 

Like the movie, need to read the book.

And you can add all the Melanie Dickerson and Cameron Dokey books to this list as well, as well as any sequels to the above books I didn't mention. Also, there are many more I want to read. Do you have any suggestions for me to add to my list? 

~ a rambling author