My five star review, for Then Came a Lion by Cecila Marie Pulliam.

And Then Came a Lion by Cecilia Marie Pulliam is a great read. It's one of those books I was sorry to finish.
There were a few editing issues, nevertheless not enough to spoil my enjoyment of a really exciting story.
Susannah, the plucky heroin has a unique gift. She has dreams and visions of children being abducted by vile people. Because she sees the event ahead of time, she is able to rescue the children, all the while putting herself in grave danger.
This book tackles a subject that is very emotive. Yes, the story flows well, is fast paced, exciting, and filled with tension. However, I also found it challenging and at times moving. For me personally, it was a roller coaster ride of emotions, not least anger when you realise these awful things are happening in reality on a regular basis.
Like Susannah, I have to fight the hatred...the desire for revenge against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against little ones.
I guess from this you can see how much the story affected me!
On a lighter note; I loved Susannah's dog, a Brittany spaniel called Buddy. Having never heard of the breed, I did a search...they sound like a lovely family dog.
Ms Pulliam has great descriptive skill. The way she writes you can't help but get involved with each and every character, good and bad.
I enjoyed this book very much, and look forward to reading the sequel.

Crystal Rose.

A short unedited snippet from the book I'm working on, Crystal Rose. The sequel to Through a Glass.

 

Wrapping her arms around him; Irene sighed and leaned her head against his chest, listening to the comforting beat of his heart. “I love you so much,” she murmured.

Zatao stroked her hair.  His heart felt heavy, his thoughts consumed with the threat of war. Watching the horses wander away to graze, and holding the woman he loved in his arms…war seemed unreal, a nightmare that would pass when waking. But it isn’t, and unless God intervenes, this woman I love, my family, my people are all under threat. He frowned and gritted his teeth as the tranquillity of the moment vanished.

Irene felt the subtle tension in his body, the quickening beat of his heart. Raising her head she peered up at him. “What is it? Are you alright?”

Bending slightly, he kissed her forehead. “I’m fine. It’s getting late, we should return to the castle.”

As they retraced their steps, the tall cedars cast long shadows over the path. Irene stared at Zatao’s back, the uncharacteristic sag of his shoulders confirmed, he was lying to her…he was afraid! She shivered as an unpleasant sense of de-ja-vue settled over her, filling her with dread.

 

An Interesting and Challenging read.

I was given a copy of the Prophet, in exchange for an honest review.
I found the thought of reading a play rather daunting, and was also concerned about the subject matter. But it is very well written, and I got into to it very quickly; in fact I couldn't stop reading it. As expected I found it sad and very challenging. I never cease to find mans inhumanity to man, distressing!
I won't give a summery of the story, as others have already done that. Suffice to say, it's about Nat Turner a man born into slavery. And rather like Moses, his parents and the other slaves soon become aware that he is special and gifted.
I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read it, and would certainly recommend it to every one.
What ever nation we're born in...whatever colour we may be. We are all special in God's eyes!


http://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Story-Turner-Kenya-Cagle-ebook/dp/B00FK9XIZ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386715917&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Prophet+by+Kenya

Riveting. In Search of Priscilla by Bellakentuky.

I enjoy a good apocalyptic story, and this is good.
All the elements are there; scary monsters that come out at night, tension, fear, and the struggle to survive. However, there is a surprise element which I loved, Junkyard the dog. I just love his name, and he's a great character, and so loyal to Abner his master and friend. I've now decided I want my own Junkyard; every one should have a dog like him, especially when the world has fallen down around your ears, and danger waits at ever turn.
Apart from the main character, Abner. There's an old man called, Letch, who's a real nasty piece of work. And then there's , Priscilla, who proves to be anything but loyal to devoted, Abner. With these three characters and a dog the author weaves a tail that's riveting and very atmospheric. I liked the twist at the end.
If I have anything negative to say...there were a few editing issues, but not enough to distract me from the excitement of the story. There was an occasional swear word, which I personally don't like; but again not enough to offend, or stop me reading the book.
Once I'd started the book, I couldn't stop until I'd finished, which was nearly one in the morning! I guess it's just as well it wasn't a full length novel.
In search of Priscilla is great. I recommend it, and am looking forward to reading more by this author..

http://www.amazon.com/In-Search-Priscilla-Bellakentuky-ebook/dp/B00G82HF9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386625761&sr=8-1&keywords=in+search+of+priscilla

A Five Star review for Through a Glass.

Irene, a painter with a troubled past who drinks to ease her pain and squanders her talent, moves to the village of Zeal to begin again. One day, while gazing into a painting she is working on, she feels a peculiar sensation--a strong sense of the reality of the scene on the canvas. Soon she finds herself physically drawn into the world of her painting. Once there, she meets Stagman and Mira, and the adventure begins.

Irene learns that evil has overtaken the land of the painting. The enemy of the land’s good prince has stolen and imprisoned the prince’s stallion, and as long as the stallion remains imprisoned, the land itself remains in the clutches of evil.

Irene is informed by Stagman and Mira that only she can free the land from evil. Leaving Mira behind, Stagman and Irene begin a quest to find the stallion. They meet helpers along the way, some human and some not, as well as malevolent creatures bent on stopping the two from completing their task--including the ingeniously named wolf-like “ersatz.”

Lee is a terrific storyteller, weaving excitement and action with a sense of darkness and foreboding. Her story is both cozy--in the sense that a fairy tale is cozy--and fast-paced, and its Christian allegorical elements, while there, are not heavy-handed.

I should warn you: The epilogue will bring a tear to your eye. I hope Lee returns to Stagman and his world. This is a story that should be continued.


http://www.amazon.com/Through-Glass-Y-I-Lee-ebook/dp/B00AWBI2RA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386003200&sr=1-2&keywords=Through+a+Glass