My review of The Du Lac Curse: Book 5 of The Du Lac Chronicles by Mary Anne Yarde

THE DU LAC CURSE
BOOK 5 OF THE DU LAC CHRONICLES

By Mary Anne Yarde

God against Gods. King against King. Brother against Brother.

Mordred Pendragon had once said that the sons of Lancelot would eventually destroy each other, it seemed he was right all along.

Garren du Lac knew what the burning pyres meant in his brother's kingdom — invasion. But who would dare to challenge King Alden of Cerniw for his throne? Only one man was daring enough, arrogant enough, to attempt such a feat — Budic du Lac, their eldest half-brother.

While Merton du Lac struggles to come to terms with the magnitude of Budic's crime, there is another threat, one that is as ancient as it is powerful. But with the death toll rising and his men deserting who will take up the banner and fight in his name?

MY THOUGHTS…

It took me no time at all to get into this book and jut as little time to settle in for the ride. Having read the previous books in the series, I knew what I was getting myself in for, so I was ready with a cup of tea and a box of tissues! While telling the different stories of the characters, Ms Yarde has managed to tie together the narratives into a compelling journey that I travelled along with the characters. 

My favourite character throughout the series has always been Merton, his generally light-hearted and joking nature finding a place in my heart, but this book has reserved a place for Garren in my heart as well. He has been through so much and wants to protect those he cares about and tries his best to save everyone, even when it seems like an impossibility. This book, while adding to my love of the Du Lac brothers, also developed some of the characters fighting against them and gave a second side to the story. 

While Teagan and Sampson do not share the same views on religion, their need to protect Merton is strong and together, they build the religious aspects of the novel while Teagan’s house is opened up to those in need. While the religion is in depth, it is not hard to follow and it is very clear that Ms Yarde has done her research!

This book is one that I will treasure and will most certainly be reading over and over! I Highly Recommend this book to anyone with even just a slight interest in the history of King Arthur, as this novel will make you fall in love with it! 

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Mary Anne Yarde

Mary Anne Yarde is the multi award-winning author of the International Bestselling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Britain and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.

Website: https://www.coffeepotbookclub.com/

Blog: https://maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryanneyarde

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryanneyarde/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

My review of The King’s Retribution:Book 2 of The Plantagenet Legacy by Mercedes Rochelle

THE KING’S RETRIBUTION:

BOOK 2 OF THE PLANTAGENET LEGACY 

By Mercedes Rochelle

If you read A KING UNDER SIEGE, you might remember that we left off just as Richard declared his majority at age 22. He was able to rise above the humiliation inflicted on him during the Merciless Parliament, but the fear that it could happen again haunted him the rest of his life. Ten years was a long time to wait before taking revenge on your enemies, but King Richard II was a patient man. Hiding his antagonism toward the Lords Appellant, once he felt strong enough to wreak his revenge he was swift and merciless. Alas for Richard, he went too far, and in his eagerness to protect his crown Richard underestimated the very man who would take it from him: Henry Bolingbroke.

MY THOUGHTS...

I loved everything about this book, and I mean EVERYTHING! I had picked up Book 1 on NetGalley last year, and when I was given the opportunity to read Book 2, I jumped at the chance. I have to say that this book is even better than the first one!

Richard II is larger-than-life. He brings everything that befalls him onto his own head, which makes this story all the more tragic. He is fearful to the point of insanity, and the author hints that there is a fine line between the two. But despite all his mistakes and his vengeful behaviour, I kinda liked him!

Although the man focus of the story is on Richard, we do meet Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV) as well. I can understand why Henry did what he did. Talk about a messed up family!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to anyone interested in the reign of Richard II.

Amazon

Mercedes Rochelle

Born in St. Louis MO with a degree from University of Missouri, Mercedes Rochelle learned about living history as a re-enactor and has been enamored with historical fiction ever since. A move to New York to do research and two careers ensued, but writing fiction remains her primary vocation. She lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

Website: https://mercedesrochelle.com/

Blog: https://mercedesrochelle.com/wordpress/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedesrochelle.net

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorrochelle

Blog Tour: MISSING: PAST AND PRESENT By Diana Jackson

MISSING: PAST AND PRESENT

By Diana Jackson

Following the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Dorothy Gibbons, affectionately known as Lady Pink Hat, trudged the lanes around Drumford, homeless and directionless. Alone, she rolled a dice, reflecting on her life, times both painful and pleasant. She stumbled upon The Grange, which changed the course of her life. In her isolation and surrounded by old books Dorothy began to write ...

An 18^th Century aspirant nun, Millie, ran away from The Grange ...

Jamal Hussain, a Syrian refugee and asylum seeker, was fostered under the careful wing of Dorothy until leaving school and finding work. He and his brother settled in a nearby flat until the misguided Ahmed Hussain also disappeared.

With three missing people, who will discover the truth? Is it Millie who is still haunting The Grange until her story is told?

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Diana Jackson

After six years in the wilderness, (wandering the Fife Coastal Path and finding her way back to writing, to be precise!) author Diana Jackson is about to launch the second novel in her Mystery Inspired by History series. A retired teacher of sixty one years, Diana Jackson has published five works since 2009. Her first, historical romantic fiction, Riduna, set in the Victorian era, was published by Pegasus Elliot Mc Kenzie in 2009 but was re-launched by Eventispress in 2012 - a writer’s indie collaborative publisher, through which all her other works have been published:

2012 Ancasta, Guide me Swiftly Home ~ Riduna’s sequel

2013 The Life and Demise of Norman Campbell ~ a memoir

2014 Murder Now and Then ~ a mystery set in two time zones, 1919 and 2019

2017 The Healing Paths of Fife ~ a personal fantasy memoir

After moving to Fife from Bedfordshire in 2014 Diana has had a break from her life as an author to settle into her new life within the Kinghorn Community. The Healing Paths of Fife tells of that journey. Rejuvenated, she finally turned to finishing MISSING, Past and Present.

Diana writes, ‘This novel is special to me because it is influenced, in part, by my experience volunteering in a soup kitchen in Bedfordshire and also at a local food-bank here in Fife. My experience as a course team leader and personal tutor at a College of Further Education in the heart of Luton and a teacher of English as a Second Language is also reflected, where I gained valuable insights into social issues and difficulties some young people of today face.

Website: https://pa8028.wixsite.com/dianamj

Blog: https://dianamj.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Riduna

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDianaJackson/

My review of DRAGONS OF WILD (Upon Dragon's Breath Trilogy Book 1) by Ava Richardson

DRAGONS OF WILD
(Upon Dragon's Breath Trilogy Book 1)
By Ava Richardson

But as her powers become more uncontrollable, Saffron knows she must find her family before she hurts herself—or worse, her dragon clan.
Scholarly and reclusive, Bower prefers to spend his days reading about the legends of the Dragon Riders—even if being caught means death. But as the son of a noble house on the brink of destruction, it falls to him to fulfill a mysterious prophecy and save his kingdom from the rule of the evil King Enric—yet all he wants is to be left alone to read. When fate brings him into contact with Saffron, Bower gains a powerful ally—but one whose wild, volatile magic threatens their very lives.


Their friendship might just have the power to change the course of history, but when the Dark Mage King Enric makes Saffron a tempting offer, their alliance will be shaken to its core.

MY THOUGHTS...

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*

I enjoyed reading this book but have to say that it took a while to get started. The prologue made me think that the story would be about either Vance Maddox or the royal infant, and to begin with, I thought that Saffron was the royal baby, but I found that the actual story was set several generations later. Although there was no indication of the time that had passed, I soon picked it up.

I thought that there should have been some more about Vance. What happened to him after he was cursed? I would have liked to have read a little more about him and how he came to have a wife and daughter.

Another thing to point out is the grammar in this book. There are many misspelt words, random quotation marks in the middle of sentences. I noticed that the italic, meaning that Saffron and Jaydra were talking, sometimes didn’t stop or start where it should. There were several occasions where the two characters names were mixed up too. This distracted me from the story.

I thought that Bower seemed too young. Not much was explained about the appearance of Bower or Saffron, other than the fact that Saffron had wild, frizzy, red hair. It wasn’t until I was past the halfway mark that I found out that Bower thought that Saffron might be eighteen or twenty, which made me feel that Bower might be the same sort of age, if not older, taking in the fact that he was on the council. Until I reached that point, I thought that they were both very young and I had the feeling that Bower was about twelve and Saffron thirteen or fourteen. Their language wasn’t that of adults.


All things considered, I liked the story line of this book, and Jaydra had a curiosity about her that reminded her of me, but I do think that the grammar needs looking into.

My review of Same Love by Tony Correua

SAME LOVE
By Tony Correia

At seventeen, Adam has suspected for a while that he might be gay. His sketchbook has become full of images of good-looking men, and he isn't attracted to any of the girls he knows. When he reveals his feelings to his devout parents, they send him to a Christian camp, warning him that there will be no room in their lives for a gay son. The last thing Adam expects is to meet someone he is deeply attracted to; unfortunately, Paul is more committed to his Christian faith than Adam is.

Adam tries to bury his attraction to Paul by concentrating on his art and his new friends Rhonda and Martin. When it becomes clear how unhappy Rhonda and Martin are at Camp Revelation, Adam and Paul are both forced to question what the church tells them about love. But with a whole camp full of people trying to get Adam to change who he is, what kind of chance do Adam and Paul have to find love and a life with each other?

MY THOUGHTS…

This book, I think, is inspirational in a way. Although Adam's parents and everyone at Camp Revelation believe that his way of life is wrong and his feelings should be repressed, Adam does not listen as any other person would. He stands up for what he is and doesn't let anyone pull him down.

The thing I loved most about this book was the interesting mix of characters. The only character I didn't like was Randall. The ones I liked the most were Paul, Adam, Martin, and Rhonda (in order of which I liked the most).

The deep meaning that I felt while reading this book was to be yourself and not to worry about what any one else thinks of you, (even if your wardrobe is full of khakis and polo shirts) because God loves you just the way you are.

I Highly Recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Amazon

My review of Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield

PAPER BUTTERFLIES
By Lisa Heathfield

  

Stand By Me meets We Were Liars - a heartbreaking and stunning breakout novel for teenagers from the award-nominated author of Seed.

June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one - and a secret one. Not even her father knows about it. She's trapped like a butterfly in a jar.
But then she meets Blister, a boy in the woods. And in him, June recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away. But freedom comes at a price . . . 
Paper Butterflies is an unforgettable read, perfect for fans of Lisa Williamson's The Art of Being Normal, Sarah Crossan's Moonrise, Jandy elson, Jennifer Niven and Louise O'Neill.

MY THOUGHTS…

This book touched my heart. The torture that June goes through at home with her stepmother made me want to cry, but the book was written so well that I just kept reading until the end.

I was hoping for a happy ending for June. So, as soon as Jacob (Blister) Wick was introduced as a character, June's future seemed to brighten. Blister and June, the two main characters, were my favorite two. This was only to be expected as they are the nicest characters in the whole book (in my opinion).

The ending surprised me. I'm not going to give anything away, but there was that small hope at the end which made me wish for a book two to be in my hands immediately. Just when I thought all hope was lost, Lisa Heathfield brought a small ray of sunshine to the last page and hope came back for June.

I Highly Recommend this book to anyone as it is one of my favorites and everyone should read it.

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