Another Homerun in Alison Morton's Roma Nova Series

 I received a pre-publication copy as a reviewer for the Discovering Diamonds review site; however, another tough reviewer beat me to it in posting his on Helen Hollick's Blog (definitely worth reading) where it received the  

Discovered Diamond Award - see

https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.co.uk/carina-by-alison-morton

Here is my review: 

Alison Morton’s excellent Speculative History series poses the underlying question, “What If...” While the thread also runs through "Carina," it does not detract from the thriller-element of this novella.

Having read several full-length (5-star) volumes of the series, I had come to know Carina rather well as a hard-trained and self-reliant Praetorian Officer (with a rather dangerous penchant not to take orders too well at times). In "Carina," it was doubly satisfying to delve deeper into this feisty character defeating foes as well as her own past; we also glimpse her more vulnerable side (especially toward the swoon-worthy Conrad).

The writing once again is what we have come to expect from Ms. Morton: brisk and intelligent, with her material being well-researched as the imaginary autonomous country of Roma Nova fiercely guards her borders in the middle of an unstable Europe. 

Here, I'd like to mention the choice of covers for the series: Simply stunning. While the basic image for all books is the same, the one-word titles and their graphics beautifully stand out. There is no mistaking which book is which.

This is an exciting series for history and thriller lovers alike. 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/CARINA
Alison's Blog gives us many interesting insights into Roman Society:

https://alison-morton.com/2017/11/17/why-is-carina-just-a-novella/

Yeah, Don’t Mess with us Sprightly Ladies!

My Review of "Don't Mess with Mrs. Sedgewick"  

by Mary F. Martin 

This was not only a fun read, but should convince the “younger folk” not to discount us sprightly, well-mannered ladies they tend to ignore in their youthful self-importance. If hard pressed – as Mrs. Sedgewick was – we old gals can nimbly spring to action to foil evil perpetrators with aplomb.

Written in an easy style, the book provided me with much-needed chuckles and relief from my usual more serious reading fare. I call the book “delightful.” And I am sticking to it despite its “improbability,” as some reviewers contend.

Not so fast. There was a time when my apartment was broken into. It took me one year to get the robber behind bars simply through tenacious high-heeled legwork by myself; after which three police departments (Boston, Cambridge and Brookline) offered me a job as a detective (I said, "No, thanks").

Henceforth, “Don’t Mess With Mrs. Sedgewick” isn’t that far-fetched – as well as a very enjoyable read.

 

 Check out Ma4ry Martin's Amazon Author Page for more:

https://www.amazon.com/Marie-F.-Martin

Where’s My Suitcase?

My Review of  
Rare Steak, Red Wine, Hot Tango! 

by Helen Wilkie

This is an interesting, fun travelogue/memoir through Argentina. It also reads like a love letter to Buenos Aires.

This intrepid Canadian writer sets off into the Southern Hemisphere alone (even I – minimally geographically challenged through extensive travel myself – always marvel as I look at my atlas how “far down” it lies on the South American continent).

 

 During her first visit, the lady falls in love; not with a Latin lothario, but bustling, exciting Buenos Aires - and the Argentine Tango (and a brief video on her website attests she does it well).

 Not content to wander around the urban sprawl, adventures (sprinkled with the few inevitable misadventures) beckon from the countryside, friendships are forged, and always, there is good food with Malbec wine flowing freely. Copious dinners last late into the night to be counteracted the following morning by steaming coffee at busy outdoor cafés (which will also serve something stronger if needed). Now, that’s living!

I thoroughly enjoyed coming along for the journey – if only by virtue of Ms. Wilkie’s lively tales interspersed with photos and her own artistic sketches. At the end of her book, she generously shares websites and videos of her local friends who – she says – would be delighted to be of service when we, the readers, stop being armchair travelers, pack our bags and decide that we can do it, too! That’s what I call an inspiring read.

https://www.amazon.com/Rare-Steak-Red-Wine-Tango-ebook

 Also check out Helen's Amazon page with her entertaining short 11-book series "On the Road with Merry," written as M. H. Wilkie.

 https://www.amazon.com/Helen-Wilkie/e/B0034PDYDI

 

 

We Need Stories Like This

PS: I just downloaded and read this author's Story No 1 of her On the Road with Merry 11-book series (written as M. H. Wilkie). To my delight, it played out in Boston bringing back lively memories when I lived there. The Lost Boy is a heart-warming story we so sorely need these days. 

I recommend it as a delightful short read which left me feeling good.

My Review of "When The Mermaid Sings"

A Reader’s Pure Joy 

  

https://www.amazon.com/When-Mermaid-Sings

Having read and truly enjoyed Helen Hollick’s “Sea Witch Voyages,” I was happy to find out more about that charming rascal, Jesamiah Acorne. Was I ever surprised to read where this seemingly English lad had spent his miserable young years [and, no, I am not going to ruin this great story by telling you].

With trepidation, we follow the fifteen-year old’s escape to sea. If his life on land had been miserable and hard, in 1708 life at sea proves even harder. Young Jesamiah soon learns about the drink, the stink and the whoring. He discovers that his volatile captain and the salt-hardened crew are attacking French and Spanish merchant ships throughout the Caribbean. Any smidgen of conscience is eased by Queen Anne’s “Letter of Marque,” giving them royal leave to plunder as it declares them to be honorable privateers in her war against Spain and her allies; when truth be told, their lust for plunder soon turns them into murdering pirates.

Jesamiah, the ship’s boy, grows into Jesamiah, the man (ahem, Pirate). There is foreboding of an intriguing Cornish girl, Tiola, appearing in his dreams. In the later Sea Witch novels, it is she who becomes the rival to Jesamiah’s great love, the sea. And, of course, there is the Mermaid, who tries to lure young Jesamiah into her watery realm with her sweet siren song.

This short prequel to “The Sea Witch Voyages” was made doubly enjoyable for me by the author’s usage of language; spot-on for the time. (And I don’t mean salty language although - leave it to this hat-wearing lady – she can swear like any rum-soaked pirate when the occasion calls for it.) The interwoven descriptions of snapping topgallants, slick ratlines, and belaying-pins and other nautical terms correctly fit those complex old sailing ships on which one false step meant certain death.

You’ve got to love Jesamiah and, you've got to get this novella. It's only 99c (or 99p in Britain).

Also, check out Helen Hollick's interesting blogs:

https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.co.uk/

https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.com/