All About Books

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou

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Writer of Historical Fiction. Avid reader and lover of all things bookish.

  • Cultural Diversity!

    Moinak's avatarThe Cultural Bridge

    I’ve had the great privilege of visiting eighty-five countries on six continents and of experiencing over a hundred different cultures. My reasons for the visits aren’t as diverse as the countries nor the cultures, but they also differ as they range from following the track of Captain Cook across the Pacific to celebrate the bicentennial of his 1769 voyage of discovery, to peace-keeping duties in Southeast Asia following the Vietnam War, or a mountaineering expedition in the remote Hindu Kush during the relative peace in 1975 Afghanistan, or professional wine-buying trips for three decades to more than a dozen countries, and then there were the port visits and inland explorations on a three-year exploratory sailing voyage. During these travels, I’ve seldom been a tourist. Rather I was there either on duty or on business or to interact with the people.

    My love of cultural diversity began over half a century…

    View original post 1,374 more words

  • Reign of the Marionettes

    Cindy Harris's avatarBlack Lilac Kitty Book Reviews

    Title of Book:Reign of the Marionettes
    By: Sheena Macleod
    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Book Excerpt: CHAPTER ONE
    The Cavalcade
    ♛
    Grey clouds formed over London, casting dark shadows across the river entrance to Whitehall Palace. In the dimming light, Elizabeth stepped through a double door, set high on the crumbling facade of the palace wall. As she weaved her way through the throng of courtiers gathering on the cobbled courtyard, their accusing faces turned towards her.

    Keeping her head down, she pulled her fur-lined cloak tight against the biting air and quickened her steps. Her thoughts filled with concern for her family. At forty, she’d already spent a lifetime glancing behind her, looking for danger. A surge of fear, tinged with excitement coursed through her. Could the approaching cavalcade bring them greater freedom? She dared not even think it. All she could do now was wait and hope.

    Reaching the…

    View original post 1,577 more words

  • Finding Talents!

    Moinak's avatartheonemillionproject

    “Grandpa! Can I ask you something?” The boy asked as he rested his head on the old man’s lap.

    “Umm-hmm. Go ahead, son.” The old man ruffled his hands through the boy’s dishevelled hair.

    “Miss May was telling me that everyone has a special talent.”

    “Yes, she was right!”

    “But how do I find my talents. I have spent twenty-three years of my life. But still, I haven’t figured out the purpose of my existence and the value of my presence! Leave alone ‘talents’. Sometimes I feel, I am not talented at all.”

    “Hahaha! Well, that is not true, child” Grandpa replied.

    “Then how do I find my talents? Martha is an excellent singer. Toby plays wonderful football. Lira is good at drawing. Ron is good in studies. And I am good at nothing! For the past couple of years, I have only been failing. I have failed in my…

    View original post 387 more words

  • Spring Book Attack Weekend is coming!

    Source: Spring Book Attack Weekend is coming!

  • Reign of the Marionettes Review of Fifteen Postcards by Kirsten McKenzie

    fifteen-postcards
    I do like a good time-travel historical fiction book to read and Kirsten McKenzie’s Fifteen Postcards did not disappoint. It took me a while to see the connections but once I did, I loved this storyline. The plot felt incomplete and left me anticipating a follow up. If there is one I would definitely read it.

    Set across different time periods and locations, there is something for everyone here. The strong points for me were the characterisations and beautiful descriptions. It is obvious that this work has been well researched. The characters are well developed, providing an interesting mix. I would recommend Fifteen Postcards to all Historical Fiction lovers.

    #historical fiction #time-travel #fiction #GoodReads

     

  • The Solitary Nature of Writing

    potterwoods's avatartheonemillionproject

    I’ve been sitting at my desk since early morning. The sun came up but stays hidden behind the clouds. My back hurts and I’m getting hungry, after too many cups of coffee. I need to stand up and stretch.

    But Noah, the protagonist in my story, won’t let me take a break. He is trying to find some closure and I don’t know if he will. His stubbornness is making me crazy. Why are you such a blind fool? I yell at him in my mind. My phone buzzes. Again. Finally, with a great wrenching, I pull myself back into the “real” world. I hate to leave Noah and his problems alone. I’ll be back, I whisper.

    The life of a writer favorably compares to that of a hermit. Someone who enjoys spending hours cut off from reality—and other humans—is predisposed to being a writer, in my opinion…

    View original post 365 more words

  • Reign of the Marionettes Book Review – Asylum by Sherry Logsdon

    .   Sherry Logsdon’s book, Asylum, is a compelling and haunting work of historical fiction set at the turn of the century. Although events take place in the US, they could easily have happened…

    Source: Book review – Asylum

  • Publishing Houses FAQ

    Publishing Houses FAQ

    AKissAtMidnight's avatarA Kiss At Midnight Reviews

    When Kelsey and I signed with our publisher, Limitless Publishing, a small house, we found out a lot  about the publishing world that we had no idea about. Since then, we’ve talked to writers from small, and large publishing houses about the process. So, for you new writers, let’s go over this information so you can go in with your eyes open.

    1. This is a LONG process. In this day and age, we expect everything to be quick but publishing is still not a speedy process. There is a lot that goes into writing a book but almost even more that goes into publishing it. Once you sign your concert, it could be several months until your book comes out.

    2. One of the aspects of putting a book together is the book cover. You’re the author right, you must have some say in how your book cover looks…

    View original post 853 more words

  • Book review – Asylum

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    Sherry Logsdon’s book, Asylum, is a compelling and haunting work of historical fiction set at the turn of the century. Although events take place in the US, they could easily have happened in almost any country at this time.

    The title and cover drew me to read. Having worked in mental health for many years, and having heard stories of women with no actual symptoms of mental illness being placed into the old asylums, I was pleased to find a novel highlighting the plight of these women.

    Sherry Logsdon does a wonderful job of spotlighting just one of the many injustices done to women and the way that they were often treated at this time. Having said this, this is not a work of doom and gloom. Rather, it is an uplifting tale of the courage and fortitude shown by the main female character, and others, during harrowing circumstances.

    Though a work of fiction, Asylum is based around actual events, and spans a quarter of a century.

    I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from author Sherry Logsdon.

    Asylum will appeal to anyone who loves historical fiction, is interested in women’s issues or who just enjoys a well told story.

     

  • The Myths of Publishing

    A must read for anyone thinking of publishing