historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
The Psychological Landscape of the Civil War - an Editorial Review of Nostalgia from the Historical Fiction Company, By DK Marley Susannah Willey's "Nostalgia" is an enlightening historical novel that promises early a lasting impression. It uses the Civil War as both a setting and a psychological landscape where the battlefield is not only a … Continue reading Another Five-Star Review!
The Witches of Riegersburg, an historical novel by Julie Anne Stratton begins in the castle for which it is named. Located in southeastern Syria, Riegersburg castle is the site of the witch trials conducted between 1673-1675. It is 1664, and Baroness Elisabeth von Galler, the owner of the castle, is preparing for the celebration of … Continue reading Book Review–“The Witches of Riegersburg”, by Julie Anne Stratton
With my first draft of Nostalgia sent out to beta readers, I can finally take a breath and get caught up on my blog by writing a book review, specifically a review of Verity by Colleen Hoover. The story starts when Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling young novelist, is hired to complete the best-selling series written … Continue reading Coming Up For Air
I enjoy reading (and writing) historical fiction and, although I don't have the chops to write mystery, I love a good who-done-it. The Heron Legacy, by Leona Francombe is an exceptional example of both. As a teenager, Charles de la Fontaine loves spending summers with his uncle Theodore, a noted teacher and historian, at Antioch … Continue reading Book Review: “The Heron Legacy,” by Leona Francombe
Okay, I admit it. I wouldn’t have read The Circle of Ceridwen if I hadn't seen it offered as a freebie. But I downloaded it, and I read it, and now I'm hooked. Only eleven more books in the series! Of course I am an historical fiction freak, and I do especially love British historical … Continue reading Book Review: “The Circle of Ceridwen” by Octavia Randolph
Lana Granger is hiding a dark past: seven years ago her father murdered her mother, and Lana helped bury the body. She's changed her name, enrolled at an obscure college in upstate New York, a couple thousand miles from her home in Florida. Her father is in prison, on death row for a crime not … Continue reading Book Review: “In the Blood” by Lisa Unger
Too many times, we learn only one side of a story. I believe it’s important to be informed of all perspectives before I make any judgment. In the case of the many Arab-Israeli conflicts since the early 1900s, I’ve mostly learned the Israeli side, beginning with the Holocaust and the creation of an Israeli state … Continue reading Book Review: “The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine” by Rashid Khalidi
Bea Crenshaw shows up in the third installment of Brenda Marie Smith's Braving the Light Series. Thing is, Bea died in book one. But that doesn't stop her from being able to see what's been happening for the past two years. Bea can only observe, but somehow, her granddaughter, Maddie, knows she's there. Two years … Continue reading Book Review: “If the Sun Spares Us” by Brenda Marie Smith
September 26, 2004. It is the opening night gala of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Attending is the renowned philanthropist and Auschwitz survivor, Elliot Rosenzweig. Nazi concentration camp survivor Ben Solomon is also there, but he has no intention of attending the opera. He is there, pistol in hand, to confront Mr. Rosenzweig.Ben Solomon knows … Continue reading Book Review: “Once We Were Brothers” by Ronald H. Balson
I’ve been reading John Pavlovitz’s If God is Love, Don’t be a Jerk. Like some other non-fiction books I’ve read lately, I’ve found it interesting and thought-provoking. I was intrigued to find that the evolution of Mr. Pavlovitz’s beliefs are similar to my own journey in faith. When I was a child, my family attended … Continue reading My Evolving Higher Power
Susannah Willey Writes 