MARTYR'S FIRE [MERLIN'S IMMORTALS #3] - Sigmund Brouwer 13.2.14

MARTYR'S FIRE [Merlin's Immortals #3]
Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals -
 where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge. * Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction? * 1313 AD.  Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Castle Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the inhabitants through conjured wonders  and seeming miracles. With the help of his longtime priest friend, Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Immortals, Katherine and Hawkwood, are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for. -
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Author: Sigmund Brouwer  Length: 224 pages Publisher: Waterbrook Press Published: Oct. 15.13 ------------------------------- * --------------------------------- My thoughts?
Author Sigmund Brouwer is Canadian - my first attraction to reading this novel  as I'm always on the lookout for a new to me Canadian writer.   It's turned into a true reading find and a series I'm keen to pursue. . . * Steady pace of the story's opening soon becomes urgent as we follow the trail of this recently conquering Lord of Magnus Castle  to his now fugitive conquered state. Thomas' doubt of those who would assist him is returned as both sides try to determine where alliances lie. As readers, we have the advantage of seeing the background story,  yet without opportunity to intervene [ nor to prevent inevitable dangers!]
Having not read the preceding two books of the series I was at a disadvantage in not knowing main players in the drama, but was quick to catch up with the author's inclusion of references and descriptions of events.  Action was constant, keeping me involved rather than frustrated. Deception and intrigue weave a dark pattern enhancing colourful characters and action. Brouwer paints a bustling medieval York that included me midst each scene -  having walked through those very gates, the cobbled alleys, the broad stone walls. High sea adventures as Thomas continues his flight from the evil intentioned druids. Battles and skirmishes play out for better and for worse... Who does he trust?
I love the story.  I love the characters.  I want to know how it ends.
The cameo scenes of Robin Hood and his band add a  pleasing touch of familiarity and seemed to situate the story for me.  An ahah moment - this is where we are! Romantic attachments are a pleasing thread running throughout,  without overpowering the essential aura of mystery and suspense. Leaving this reader anticipating more...  More action, more resolution, more romance.
Book #4 next...

Released January 21st 2014 by Waterbrook Press Merlin’s Immortals is a series that takes readers to the heart of the sorcery battles that have been hidden from mankind all through the centuries,  since the first rays of sunlight at Stonehenge. Perfect series for fans of Lisa Bergren's medieval River of Time series. * Sigmund Brouwer is author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America.  Married to songwriter recording artist Cindy Morgan. The couple and their two young daughters divide their time between Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. He loves going to schools to get kids excited about reading, reaching roughly 80,000 students a year through his RockandRoll Literacy Show. * Visit Brouwer's website HERE * Appreciation to Random House and Waterbrook Press for providing an ecopy for reading and review via Blogging for Books. *

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High Summer Read-a-Thon July 22-28.13

Joining the High Summer ReadaThon at Seasons of Reading ongoing Monday 22nd continuing til midnite CST Sunday 28th.

[Signups open until Friday midnite CST July 26th - no blog required - FB, Goodreads, Twitter - all are possibilities.  Some way to keep updated and connected...] * Host, Michelle Miller, encourages readers to  "remember to have fun this week. Again,  my read-a-thon credo is "a week of relaxed reading during which we can personally challenge ourselves and whittle away those ever looming TBR piles/shelves/libraries."  * My current reading includes award winning author, Lisa t Bergren's intense medieval time travel River of Time series

book 2  CASCADE - completed Sunday 28th

now beginning book 3 TORRENT

[publisher David C Cook] * My first completed High Summer ReadaThon read? James L Rubart's 'ROOMS' [published by B & H Books] *

* Looking like the perfect summer setting, it's proving to surpass all expectations for a great read..! Not sure what, if any, other books I may get to with added commitments this week. I'll be happy to complete at least this one! * * * Laura at BookSnob blog has created a mini challenge for ReadaThon participants:
The Challenge:  A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

                                                                                  1.  Choose a picture that represents a person, place or thing in one of the  books you are currently reading. 2.  Name the book you are reading and explain how the picture relates to the story you are reading. *I have chosen picture #1 representing the very thing 'ROOMS' protagonist, Micah, must learn to accept in the oceanside mansion he has inherited from his great uncle and in the new turns his life is taking... He comes to expect The Unexpected as he learns to Live Wonderstruck at his emerging life beyond the natural realm. The hazy effect depicts the atmospheric impact on the senses . * Photo #2 represents the many doors in this home that unexpectedly appear and disappear,
leading to rooms that relate to Micah's life... *

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3.  Put a link to your post in the linky at Laura's blog
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Liking this creative challenge, Laura, thanks for the FuN! * Thanks also to our High Summer ReadaThon Host,  Michelle Miller !

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Grave Consequences : Review - author Lisa T Bergren

The Powerful, Epic Romance Continues in the 2nd Book of the Grand Tour series  Grave Consequences by Lisa T Bergren *

Grave Consequences - Grand Tour series Book 2 Author - Lisa T Bergren Publisher - David C Cook March 1 2013   *                   For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future—her very life—depends on the decisions she’ll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her new found family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone’s plans in danger. And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own.
She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences. - David C Cook publisher
* I quickly discovered I needed to read 'Glamorous Illusions', before I had the background necessary for Book 2 in Ms Bergren's Grand Tour Series.  With the stage set, I began this 2nd leg of the journey...

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Hair-raising adventures dogged the Kensington and Morgan families from Paris to Austria to Italy. Red herrings and ruses thrown in to confuse any resolutions kept the tension building. 
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Our feisty protagonist, Cora, seems to have a flair for the dramatic, managing to get herself and not a few of the other entourage members into hot water. Repeatedly. She never seems to recognize the outcome of her decisions will affect more than herself.  Grave Consequences indeed... Whilst I appreciated many of her strengths of character, others, due to her immaturity, were borderline.  Scenes with her father were dynamite interactions calling for every available inner resource she possessed. Her growth of character ending this 2nd installment was valued.
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The romantic scenes offer a lovely tension, emotionally engaging this reader.  

Cora's confusion regarding her two pursuers is tangible.  I have the delightful advantage, as a reader, to make my own choice!

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Descriptive picturing of locations, people, settings, add to the appeal of the era. Historic information provided via tour presentations serves the reader well without being documentary. An added insight into these characters through their teaching methods and dialogue, and their choice of activities provided for these Grand Tourists. It certainly stirred up my own interest regarding their various ports of call. Live concerts in Vienna featuring the work of historic composers, balls [and ballgown shopping!], picnics in France's meadows overlooking waterscapes, champagne and strawberries at every turn... ahhh - not hard to picture the life Ms Bergren is presenting to her readers.
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The ending? Absolutely delicious. 
Fantastic story twist setting the stage of anticipation for book 3,  Glittering Promises, due this October 1st.  {Definitely looking like a HapPy Birthday gift to me !} *

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Enough summer reading time to complete books 1+2 in preparation. Enjoy!

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Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy.  She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Click to Connect with Lisa T Bergren and her Writing ..
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*With appreciation to David C Cook for providing an ebook to read and review without obligation. *

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Armchair BEA Genre Discussion: YA + Children's Books 1.6.13

Saturday at Armchair Book Expo for Bloggers is all about - * “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” 
― C.S. Lewis ~~~~~~ * ~~~~~ So what 'children's' stories do you enjoy ? *

I have to say the stories written by

CS Lewis , the author of the quote ,

  are def some ! And include the movies as well.   Brought them to life.
~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~ How could we grow up and live well rounded lives without Anne of Green Gables?

 Forever Thanks to Lucy Maude Montgomery for writing these ! Don't miss this amazing current amazon offer for this Anne eBook set 124 five * ratings !!

The Anne Stories: 12 Books, 142 Short Stories, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, 

Anne of the Island, Anne's... by Lucy Maud Montgomery and Timeless Reads (Feb 4, 2013) - 

Kindle eBook   $1.99 Kindle Edition

~~~~ * ~~~~ The usual fairy tales of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, were all a part of my childhood. * Robert Munsch 

and * Dick Bruna's Miffy for my kiddos. *

~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~ I really look forward to that aspect of becoming a NaNa. The opportunity to spend time reading to them.  Total Joy.  At least it was with my kids =) I am anticipating good reading times and new book discoveries along the way! ~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~ So many directions available for YA, but I probably steer toward classics for teaching really good reading material by example. Good vocabulary, dialogue, word usage - all things that add the best to their own development. Obviously our reading influences us, so we need to choose when we know believing affects behaviour.   * One YA series I'll focus on because I totally enjoyed and participated in the online weekly discussions is Lisa T Bergren's River of Time.  Time travel from today back to medieval days. Really fabulous and recommended highly around the book blogging world. *

     

           

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A few fave book quotes from Goodreads -

 “It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one 

till you have read an old one in between.” 

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”  “No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally  – and often far more –  worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” 

― all by C.S. Lewis  Seemed to apply to today's genre discussion !
Hoping you're having a great reading day - whatever your genre !

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book covers from goodreads