Interview with Jo Ann Butler

I would like to introduce Author Jo Ann Butler, the winner of the BRAG Medallion for her novel, "Rebel Puritan."

Thank you Jo Ann for your time. I would like to first ask you about your reading interests. What was the last truly great book you've read?

I just finished “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power” by Jon Meacham, which will be published in November. I’m reviewing books for the Historical Novel Society, and one of the perks is seeing advance review copies. Meacham’s book is a thorough look at Jefferson’s life public and private life, and it is super!

What book are you currently reading?

I’m enjoying an advance copy of “The Plum Tree,” Ellen Marie Wiseman’s debut Holocaust story, and Daniel Defoe’s 1722 “Journal of the Plague Year,” about the bubonic plague epidemic which decimated London in 1665. I read “Plague Year” when I was researching “Rebel Puritan,” since Herodias Long survives an outbreak of plague. It’s also a great way to put the period’s language into my head as I prepare to publish “The Reputed Wife,” my “Rebel Puritan” sequel.

Where is your favorite reading spot in your home?

Reading in bed is even better than in the bathtub, and less hazardous if I let the book slip.

Which format do you prefer to read from? Paperback or e-book?

Paperback, definitely! I spend all day on the computer, so the last thing I want in the evening is to read on another screen. Plus, the book in my hands connects me to the story far better than words on the screen. I have hundreds of research books on PDF, but still prefer my hardcopies.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

The short answer: Herodias Long’s life led me to writing.

The long answer: actually, I wanted to be an archeologist from when I was seven. National Geographic ran an article about Pompeii, and I read the magazine to tatters. However, digs are tough on the knees and I had to quit, but not until after I’d worked on several sites and fallen in love with colonial America.

I channeled my interest in the period into genealogy, which led me to Herodias. She is notorious in Rhode Island for separating from two unsuitable husbands and for defending Quakers in Puritan Massachusetts. Herodias walked sixty miles to protest Quakers being whipped, and was herself flogged in Boston’s public square with her infant in her arms. That woman absolutely refused to sit down and shut up! That story was irresistible, so I decided to write a novel about Herodias. “Rebel Puritan” is my first creative writing project, though I sold some natural history articles while I was querying the mss.

Please tell me about your book, “Rebel Puritan.”

It depicts the coming of age of Herodias and of Rhode Island, the first colony to truly practice freedom of religion. Herodias marries when she is thirteen to escape servitude after the death of her father. She and her new husband arrive in Boston, Massachusetts when that Puritan colony is locked in a power struggle. Anne Hutchinson leads the minority party, which is ejected and flees southward. Herodias and her husband follow them to Newport, but her marriage is coming apart as her husband slides into alcohol and jealousy-fueled abuse. She petitions for a divorce, so the third theme in “Rebel Puritan” is women seeking control of their lives in a society which regards them as their husbands’ property.

What is some of the research that was involved for your story?

I’m from upstate NY, so I could easily get to Rhode Island’s archives and historical societies, and the New England Historical and Genealogical Society in Boston. I began my research in 1979, and the first time I went to the archives in Providence, they handed me the actual 17th-century record book. My hands were trembling as I turned the pages – very, very carefully!

My English research was done at the Mormon genealogical library in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have a vast worldwide collection, including 2.5 million rolls of microfilmed books and records.

Please tell me a little about the fictional aspects to your story?

Herodias laid out her life story in 1665 when she asked for a divorce from her second husband (they had been together for twenty years but never actually married, and she said it was weighing on her conscience). Her petition was my framework. I researched significant events in Herodias’ life, then picked out a birthplace and invented a family. Motivations, dialogue, and the minutiae of life are my creation, but most of the events in “Rebel Puritan” are real.

I read that a reviewer said your story was inspired by your 8th great-grandmother. Could you tell me a little about that?

Herodias’ second husband was George Gardner, and I am their 8th-great granddaughter via their eldest son. My grandmother was surnamed Gardner, so when my mom and I started doing our genealogy, Herodias and George were the first people we traced back to their immigration. Sadly, genealogists can’t find English parents for either one of them.

Women faced many hardships in the 17th Century. Were there any scenes you found a challenge to write?

John Hicks, Herodias’ first husband, was abusive, and their marriage was dissolved because of his violence. That was tough for me. I researched spousal abuse during the OJ Simpson trial, so the controlling ways of abusers and their promises to reform, but then backsliding, entered into “Rebel Puritan.” It hit me hard when Simpson was acquitted, because he got away with murder after Nicole had begged for help.

Who designed your book cover?

That would be me. I demolished the cardinal rules of self-publishing which advise hiring pros for editing and the cover because I have very good beta readers and confidence in my language skills, and also in my cover. One reader called it weird, but most people like it.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I tried the soul-killing traditional grind of queries, agents, and publishing houses for several years when the fiction market was contracting sharply. A bunch of agents & publishers looked at the mss and I got many compliments, but the consensus was, “This is very good, but we aren’t taking fiction. You should self-publish.” I had false starts, and putting the money down at a printer took a lot of nerve, but I couldn’t be prouder of the results.

How did you discover indieBRAG?

Helen Hollick blogged about IndieBRAG and had it on her Facebook page in May, 2012. I couldn’t resist giving it a try, and am terribly proud to see “Rebel Puritan” acknowledged! IndieBRAG is a great way to discover superior self-published books among the many thousands published each year.

What is your favorite quote?

Fortune Favors the Bold, by Virgil. I have the quote on my desk, and it popped up on a teabag label when I was making that final decision to go for it with “Rebel Puritan.” What an omen!


Thanks for hosting me, Stephanie – it is my pleasure! ~Jo Ann


Jo Ann's Bio & Links:

https://www.facebook.com/joann.butler.75?ref=tn_tnmn
http://www.rebelpuritan.com/
http://rebelpuritan.blogspot.com/


I'm a baby boomer, born in the New York snow belt during the twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany. If myth is true, my birth date destines me to become a werewolf (but I have shown no symptoms yet). Since then I've been a tomboy, bass clarinetist, archaeologist, amateur genealogist and historian, field ornithologist, and worked with handicapped children. I edited telephone books for a while, but turned down an editor job with Harcourt, Brace & Jovanovich in favor of a job as a computer jockey in the aerospace industry. I am proudest of my current passion as an author-publisher of "Rebel Puritan" and its forthcoming sequel "The Reputed Wife." For fun I camp, hike, and take far too many photos in our country's beautiful public lands.



indieBRAGWe are delighted that Stephanie has chosen to interview Jo Ann Butler who is the author of, Rebel Puritan, one of our medallion honorees at www.bragmedallion.com. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. MedallionTM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as Rebel Puritan merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.


www.bragmedallion.com

Thank you!

Stephanie

Home by Richard Sutton

Science fiction was one of my first loves, and it was so wonderful to be able to delve back into my roots in this classic sci-fi adventure. Told through journal entries, we follow the struggles of a group of colonists on a new home planet.

I'm sure that I'm about to commit some kind of sci-fi blasphemy by likening Richard Sutton to Ray Bradbury, but it's true. This is not so much a blockbuster nail-biter. It's more about human nature at its best... and worst... and not strictly "human". Reminiscent of the Martian Chronicles.

I did have an issue with too many ellipses. I completely understand that pauses are common, especially when there is a language barrier, but it became a distraction, and did not taper off even long after the languages should have been learned.

Even with the ellipses, however, the world building made the story worth it. It's phenomenal! Sutton painted a picture of life on another planet, to the point of believablility. Awesome!

Lindsay Galloway
Review Team Member

Darcy's Decision by Maria Grace

Having renewed my acquaintance with Jane Austen by rereading several of her masterworks including Pride and Prejudice in the last year, it was with joyful anticipation I began to read Maria Grace's Darcy's Decision. I was not disappointed! Grace's delightful tour de force introduces the reader to Austen's Darcy as he inherits Pemberley and works toward becoming its best master ever. I simply could not put it down. I found myself reading long into the night trying to figure out how Darcy would handle the most delicate matter concerning his young sister Georgiana. A quick glance at the chapter titles gives the reader a good idea of the challenges Darcy will face. Such chapter titles include: To Whom Much is Given; Bad Company corrupts Good Company; and Folly is Bound Up in the Heart of a Child.

The characters postively leap from the pages! They are alive and interesting. They are people the reader wants to get to know better.

Grace has an eye for detail and a knack for recreating Austen's world. I heartily recommend her books to Austen fans everywhere! I am eagerly awaiting more in this series.

 

 

Author Michele Kallio

Review Team Member

Layered Pages Book Reviews

Wow! What a wild ride! When I was first asked to review Lost and Found, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Service Dogs? Kidnappings? Autism? Medical drama? I was a little concerned about how all of those were going to relate to one another, but my concerns were unfounded because once this story got rolling, I was completely swept away. Shojai melded all of these things together in a nearly seamless flow.

Written in third person, the narration alternates between different perspectives. The primary character, September Day, has a past that colors a lot of her decisions. Although details about her past were slow in coming, by the end of the story, her character really comes full circle, and I felt like I really understood her and her motivations as a character.

The secondary characters were well-rounded too. Officer Combs, a cop battered by undeserved scandal, added a great layer to the story without falling into the romance trap, which was really refreshing. The most refreshing thing, however, was the service dog Shadow’s perspective. I thought that it was really sweet & endearing, and it really did seem like how a dog would speak if they used words. Shojai’s knowledge of canines shines in Shadow’s narration.

The plot itself was full of tension, suspense and several nail-biting moments. All of the events felt believable but still held that "I can’t believe it" feeling. Two of the most intriguing aspects of the plot are the treatment & life of those with an autistic child and the German Shepard service dogs. I really appreciated how well she handled the autism aspect. It was tasteful and conveyed respect for those with autism and those who care for them.

If you are looking for suspense & crime drama with a twist, then Lost and Found is a read for you. 4 stars.

Beth Bulow
Review Team Member

Maria Grace's novella The Future Mrs. Darcy is a variation of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It introduces the readers to the Bennet family in a way that clarifies the character and foibles of the family. Grace has a knack for recreating Austen's world and breathing life into her characters. The Future Mrs. Darcy is the second in THE GOOD PRINCIPLES series which is aptly named. I found myself reading long into the night to see how the Bennet family would deal the recalcitrant Lydia. While the storyline is different from Pride and Prejudice, Grace remains true to Austen's creations. I found it quite fun to see favorite characters in a different story. I am looking forward to reading more in the series. I heartily recommend The Future Mrs. Darcy to Jane Austen fans everywhere.

Author Michele Kallio
Review Team Member

The Grave Blogger, Donna D. Fontenot's first novel is a clever, fast paced and extremely twisted psychological thriller. Drawing on her upbringing in a cajun household in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the author was able to clearly capture the essence and flavor of small town life near a bayou. Cleverly intertwining her personal passions of computers and blogging, she has created a unique and realistic main character with a intriguing and unusual occupation.

Raya Landry, the main character is a freelance writer and professional blogger, who researches and investigates cold cases for true crime websites. While researching her newest cold case, Raya has a curious and disturbing flashback of a brutal and horrific slaying of an entire family. Discovering that she is the lone survivor, Raya embarks on a journey to solve the twenty year old homicide case, despite the possible risks of becoming the killers next target.

Overall the book was a fantastic page turner that was very hard to put down. The characters were believable, yet a bit quirky at the same time, which kept the reader wanting to know more.

Throughout the novel, each character was given its own voice and the reader was able to experience the world through their eyes. Especially fascinating is the killer's perspective. The killer is extremely twisted, diabolical, and merciless - toying with the victims and psychologically torturing them, before ultimately ending their lives. As often is the case, the villain has the most disturbing and compelling role.

At the conclusion, the author leaves open the opportunity for a possible book two in the adventures of a true crime blogger. Looking forward to more novels from this impressive new author.  

 

Emily Pryer

Review Team Member

 

 

 

How I hadn't heard about this book before now, I have no idea. Now I feel that it is my duty to let others know about it. This was an exciting story about survival in the most extreme circumstances.
Grace's father is missing, and presumed dead. But she feels that he's still out there somewhere. It just might take some time to find him in the thousands of acres of wild where he disappeared. Her years of wilderness training couldn't be more useful.

My favorite part of this book is the writing style. S.R. Johannes has a unique voice which is carried through her characters. Each one, either hero or villain, is a perfect fit with their surroundings.
Each chapter begins with a survival skill, but as the book progresses, the tips become less wilderness safety, and more paranoid and defensive, giving clues to the direction of the story. There is certainly no lack of suspense. I could feel the puzzle pieces fitting together, each clue leading to the bigger picture.

So, help me spread the word! Untraceable is a great read! 4 Stars!!

Lindsay Galloway
Review Team Member


More reviews coming up tomorrow here on Layered Pages! Stay tuned!

Stephanie
Layered Pages

Review: The Cross and The Dragon by Kim Rendfeld

The Cross and The Dragon is a tale of love in an era where war and blood feuds plague Francia in 778. Alda is a willful fifteen year old who has fallen for Hruodland  a prince in the King’s court. With a vow of vengeance hanging in the air from Hrouland’s sworn enemy Ganelon, King Charles army invades Hispania. Alda wants to keep her beloved from harm, she gives him a charmed dragon amulet that she wears from her homeland. Can the amulet keep her beloved safe? Will Ganelon have his revenge on his enemy?

The Cross and The Dragon is the magical journey of love and war. The story is beautifully written, inspired by legend, and thoroughly researched, The Cross and The Dragon is a must read for all those who enjoy historical fiction. For those who normally wouldn’t pick up an historical fiction novel, The Cross and The Dragon is a fast read that will captivate the reader. The story is addictive and I found myself not wanting to put the story down. The strong characters found in Alda, Hroudland, and their families command attention and put you right into the heart of Francia and King Charles court. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the The Cross and The Dragon Rendfeld has created a historical fiction masterpiece. I look forward to reading the books that she writes in the future!

I am giving this book 4.5 stars!

Rachel Massaro
Review Team Member

Layered Pages Reviews

 

 

 

 

Spitfire by Jack DuArte

Spitfire is a thrilling third installment in Jack DuArte’s World War II Series. The setting is Great Britain in 1940, we meet Flight Lieutenant Anthony Nelson as he flies valiantly in the Royal Air Force. The RAF are in the heat of battle with the Luftwaffe bomber and fighter pilots and are giving ole Jerry a run for their money. In the middle of it all Nelson’s younger brother Fletcher joins the 54 Squadron, Anthony becomes fearful of nepotism. As events unfold they both find out that they are in love, which is great, but they are in love with the same women. As the book nears a close the reader will be flying through the pages of this final installment in the Spitfire series.

Spitfire is a book about real historic events and the phenomenal men who fought to protect their country in a time of war. Though some parts of the novel were slow to read, it is obvious that Jack DuArte researched this book thoroughly. The masterful writing abut training and different episodes of flying the Spitfires during missions supplied the reader with a real glimpse into what life was like for pilots during World War II. The life at Hornchurch was penned brilliantly by DuArte. The love triangle between Anthony, Fletcher, and Prudence offered break in some of the more tactical aerial flying scenes. I would have liked the romance to be more developed and incorporated more into the story. Overall I thought that the novel was a good ending to the series.

I am giving this book three stars.

 

Rachel Massaro

Layered Pages Review Team Member

 

 

 

 

 

Echoes from Home by Jim Carey

 

 

Echoes from Home, the first novel from Jim Carey, chronicles the life of a confederate soldier. I was expecting a very different novel from the one I read, but enjoyed the story all the same. The book reads like a memoir, mainly from the perspective of Joshua. The writing is well done and, in truth, at one point I felt the need check if this book was based on the letters of a real life civil war solider. The plot begins just before the war breaks out and much of the story takes place in the trenches (so to speak). Carey does a lovely job of weaving in Joshua’s relationships with his family, sweetheart, best friend, and even the family’s slaves. The story of Joshua Miller’s life is at times both heartbreaking and inspiring. War stories are not the genre of book that I would typically seek out, however I liked this book and found I gained a new perspective on the Civil War while reading. I would recommend this to people interested in war stories, the Civil War specifically, and historic romance. 

 

 

Brandy

Layered Pages Review Team Member

 

 

 

 

Charlotte: Pride and Prejudice Continues by Karen Aminadra

 

 

 

Charlotte nor Mr. Collins was never a favorite character of mine in Pride and Prejudice and so I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book to read. But I was pleasantly surprised!

Karen Aminadra brings you a story of Charlotte Lucas who needed to secure her future and marries Mr. Collins. Who is cousin to the Bennett’s and a minister who is extremely annoying with his fawning over his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Due to his behavior and Catherine’s interference, he and Charlotte begin to have problems with their marriage.

Meanwhile, Charlotte forms close friendships with the people in the village and sees the misery of people around her due to Lady Catherine. Charlotte must make an important decision regarding if she will stay or return to live with her parents.

In the end I found that I actually liked Mr. Collins and his behavior to be understandable in many ways. One of them being, he had a difficult childhood.

Charlotte was getting herself in a sticky situation that left me thinking, “What in the world is she doing?!” But in the end she puts things to right and I began to like and cheer for her.

This continuation of Jane Austen’s story was enjoyable, entertaining and I found humorous in parts of the story. Aminadra’s voice and language of her characters was right on for this period and gives you a Jane Austen feel. I believe Austen would be proud of Aminadra’s characterization of Lady Catherine the most.

If you are a Jane Austen fan, I highly recommend this story!

 

Stephanie

Layered Pages review Team Leader

 

New & Upcoming Book Releases 2012

October-December 2012

 

The Queen's Secret by Vitoria Lamb is released this week on the 27th, paperback edition on Amazon UK

 

Link:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Queens-Secret-Victoria-Lamb/dp/0552165271/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 

 

 

 

Coachman by Sue Millard-October 1st

Sons and Daughters by Karen V.Wasylowski-October 1st

Hidden Gifts by Elena Welch-Aitken -October 1st

A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir-October 2nd

How To Tame A Willful Wife by Christy English-November 6th

The Gilded Lily: A Novel by Deborah Swift-November 27th

The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener-November 27th

The Widow's Redeemer by Philippa Jane Keyworth-December 1st

The Lady of Secrets: A Novel by Susan Carroll-Decmeber 11th

The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman-December 25th

 

 

2013

 

The Forgotten Queen by D.L Bogdan-January 29th

The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau-March 5th (in North America, the sequel to the Crown)

Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I by Sandra Bryd- April 9th

 

 

I will be posting more 2013 releases in December. If you would like your upcoming book featured on Layered Pages, please email me at layeredpages@yahoo.com

 

 

 

Stephanie

Layered Pages

 

 

 



Interview with Author Helen Hart

I would like to introduce Author Helen Hart, winner of the BRAG Medallion for her book, "The Black Banner."

Helen, I'm delighted to be interviewing you. Thank you! I would like to begin by asking you questions about your reading interests. What are you currently reading?

Thank you for having me on Layered Pages, Stephanie. It’s a genuine pleasure to be here. Reading is a real passion for me and I can so easily lose myself in a book. I have a fairly ‘magpie’ approach to the books I choose - if I like the look of it, I’ll read it! I return regularly to historical fiction (Bernard Cornwell does this so well) and historical romance (I’m a big fan of Sergeanne Golon’s ‘Angelique’ series which was so popular in the 60s and 70s). Interestingly, until recently I would have said I don’t read a lot of fantasy novels but I’ve been completely swept away by the world created by George RR Martin and his ‘Song of Ice and Fire’ series (which TV viewers will know from HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’).

What do you plan on reading next?

I’m working my way through George RR Martin, but am also trying to read other books too. I plan to read ‘The Athenian Murders’ by Jose Carlos Somoza, and also to finish another book I began on holiday called ‘The Untied Kingdom’ by Kate Johnson. It’s an alternative history novel which explores what might have happened if the UK’s history had followed a different path over the last few centuries (and there’s a bit of romance for the lead character Eve Carpenter too!).

What's your favorite literary genre?

I tend to enjoy historical novels, but also thrillers, some crime, and some romance. I enjoy Young Adult books too, as they seem so much more exciting than a lot of novels intended for adults… and of course as a YA author myself, it’s important to keep up with trends.

When and where do you like to read?

I read anywhere I can - on the bus, on the train, in bed, in the bath. I’ve even been known to read while cleaning my teeth when I was very captivated by a book!

Do you have any bad book habits? Do you tend not to finish books? Skim? Scribble in margins? Fall asleep while reading?

I always finish a book. I feel that if the author had the stamina to complete their book then I should at least have the courtesy to try and finish it. I’ve only ever broken that rule once, and that was with a really bad book. I’d rather not say what it was. My only bad habit is falling asleep while reading. I always try not to, but after a long working day (I also work as a publisher and writing mentor when I’m not writing) it’s so hard to stay awake, however good a book is!

In which format do you prefer to read in? Paperback or e-book?

I actually like both, although if you’d asked me this question a year ago I might have given a different answer. I was quite resistant to reading on a e-reader, but as I work in the publishing industry I thought it was important to try them out and be aware of how technology impacts us as readers. I now read books on Kindle and iPad (and sometimes on my phone), but also read print books just as much. I think e-books are great for trying out new writers but I’ll often buy a print copy if it’s something I really enjoyed, because I want that sense of permanence. I also want to be able to share books, show them to friends, and lend them. It’s harder to do that with e-books.

Please tell us a little about your book, "The Black Banner."

‘The Black Banner’ is historical fiction for young teens. It’s set in the early 18th century and features penniless Becky Baxter who disguises herself as a boy and escapes to sea. Her adventures begin when the ship she’s on is captured by pirates, and Becky (along with some of her new friends) has to join the pirates if she wants to live. It’s a swashbuckling tale that was exciting to write, and now it’s getting a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews on Amazon which is wonderful. Becky learns a lot by living with the pirates – that some people can be trusted, but others can’t; that to survive in a rough world you have to be resourceful and live by your wits; that family, support, respect, and love can come from the most unexpected people.

How long did it take you to write your story?

I actually wrote ‘The Black Banner’ in 7 weeks. It was a tough deadline, and self-imposed by accident. I hadn’t written all of the book but sent the opening pages and synopsis to literary agents thinking it would take months or even years to get anyone interested. The first agent rang 4 days later and said she wanted to see the rest. I was terrified of losing her interest so didn’t like to admit there wasn’t much more… and instead just wrote day and night to get it done. Later, when I told her, she laughed and said she wouldn’t have minded waiting because the book was so good. The lesson I learned there was twofold: first, always be honest with your agent (she’s mother, best friend, advocate and cheerleader all rolled into one), and second, don’t send off your work until you have most if not all of it completed, polished, and ready for publication!

I lived in the Caribbean as a child and wanted to set a book there, but in the Caribbean of the past (because I’ve always loved historical fiction). Pirates and highwaymen have always fascinated me – they’re the ‘bad guys’ in reality, but in fiction they’re a good way to explore adventure, morality, and living outside of society with its rules.

Were there any scenes that were a challenge to write?

Quite a few scenes in ‘The Black Banner’ were challenging. In the past, people lived differently to the way we live now – life was rougher and customs more barbaric. There was no health & safety, or human rights. In order to be true to historical reality, some scenes needed to be violent or shocking… for instance, before the ship is taken by pirates, the captain has one of the ship’s boys whipped to death, and later in the book Becky kills for the first time. Those scenes were hard to write, but are an important part of the historical accuracy of the story.

What is your next book project?

I’m currently taking a break from writing to develop my publishing business, SilverWood Books (www.silverwoodbooks.com) where I use all my own experience to help other writers improve their manuscripts and then either submit to literary agents, or to self-publish (but self-publish to a high standard so that the resulting book is well-edited and beautifully produced). It’s great fun, and I’m really enjoying playing ‘midwife’ by supporting other writers and helping them develop their skills and knowledge.

 What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Write what you know, and write what you love. Readers can always tell if you’re faking it, so write the kind of thing that gets your fingers tingling as the words flow onto the page. That way, your enthusiasm will shine through and you’ll captivate your readers.

What is your favorite quote?

What a great final question! I haven’t been asked that before, but I do have an answer:

"Read, read, read. Read everything - trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out the window." (William Faulkner)

Bio:

Helen Hart has been a published author since 1999. She has written a number of novels under pseudonyms for Scholastic, Virgin Books and HarperCollins, and one of her books, ‘Sisters of the Sword: The Warrior’s Path’ (with Helen writing as Maya Snow) was shortlisted for a major UK book prize. Helen also runs a publishing consultancy, SilverWood Books, regularly reviews indie and self-published books for the Historical Novel Society, is an Associate Editor for the interactive reader/author site LoveAHappyEnding.com, and for the past two years has been publishing tutor at the prestigious Marlborough College Summer School.

Links:

General links...

Helen’s author website: http://helenhart.co.uk/

Helen’s publishing website: http://www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk/

Social networking...

Facebook: www.facebook.com/silverwoodbooks

Facebook Black Banner Book: http://on.fb.me/Apq4IB

Twitter @SilverWoodBooks: https://twitter.com/#!/SilverWoodBooks

‘The Black Banner’ links…

Amazon (UK) paperback (buy): http://amzn.to/p84Ahd

Amazon (UK) Kindle (buy): http://amzn.to/pptP82

Amazon (US) paperback (buy): http://amzn.to/qTOIEV

Amazon (US) Kindle (buy): http://amzn.to/oFhCQT

indieBRAG

We are delighted that Stephanie has chosen to interview Helen Hart who is the author of, The Black Banner, one of our medallion honorees at www.bragmedallion.com. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. MedallionTM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as The Black Banner merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.


www.bragmedallion.com

BRAG Medallion is owned and operated by indieBRAG LLC, a privaltaly held organization that has brought together a large group of readers, throughout the United States, Canada, and the European Union. IndieBRAG’s mission is to recongnize quality on the part of authors who self-publish both in print and digital books.

For contact information please visit indieBRAG at bragmedallion.com. You can also find indieBRAG on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/#!/Indiebrag , Twitter @IndieBRAG, & Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9273166-indiebrag

We also have a new and up-coming project that is under way. More information coming soon. Your single source for quality self-publishing books.

Thank you!

Stephanie

Wednesday Reviews

 

 

 

Wicked Sense  by  Fabio Bueno

On the Goodreads scale: 4 out of 5 stars.

 

I really enjoyed this book, which was surprising to me. I am usually not a fan of anything that falls within the paranormal genre. This book was definitely a paranormal book that I can enjoy. It is a cute story about two kids, Skye and Drake. Skye is a witch, sent to Seattle to track down the “Singularity”, a super witch. Drake falls for her, and together they try to save Skye’s coven from untold harm. I really appreciated the fact that the book wasn’t 100% supernatural stuff, and what was there was written very well. It was easy for someone like me to really enjoy this book. I liked the story, which I thought was very cute, but not the typical annoying sweetness of most YA books. It took me no time at all to get into this book, and it was a quick read. What helped me to be able to enjoy this book was its setting. It is set in Seattle, not some mystical world. The characters act like everyday people with the exception of a few having magical powers. It wasn’t so far out there that I couldn’t get into it. I also enjoyed that it was written from both Drake and Skye’s perspectives. This is a great YA book – easy to read, and easy to enjoy.

 

By Laurin Hawkins

Layered Pages Review Team Member

Folville’s Law by David Pilling

Folville’s Law is a book set in 13^th Century England and describes the advancement of Eustace Folville, an outlaw who grabs power due to the dismal law and order situation in the country. He and his rivalry with John Swale, a knight working for the Despensers are the focus of the series. With a background story of the return of Queen Isabella with Roger Mortimer to England and King Edward’s downfall, this is a fast paced story that manages to hold the reader’s interest constantly.

The book constantly presents the story from different viewpoints with each chapter. But this does not confuse the reader and adds to the charm of the book. The characters are well etched out and have a strong background and give an impression of going somewhere. The author has a way of writing that manages to keep the reader reading.

There are however some weak points in this book. Even though the characters are well developed, I did not empathise with any of them or even develop any strong feelings for them. This might result in some readers not able to sustain interest beyond a certain point in the story.

The book seems well researched and gives a good feel of the times it is based in. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the period, or this genre.

My rating 3.5 / 5

Kavitha
Layered Pages Review Team Member
 

 

 

 

Interview with Melanie Rose Huff

I would like to introduce Melanie Rose Huff, the winner of the BRAG Medallion for her book, Ashford.


Thank you Melanie for the pleasure of this interview. I would like to ask you questions about your interests in reading. What was the last truly great book you have read? I would have to say The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery. Beautifully written and meaningful.

What were your favorite books as a child? Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, The Jolly Postman, The Phantom Tollbooth... I also loved fairy tales and pretty much anything with Arthur Rackham illustrations.


What is on your night stand? Lamp, Kleenex box, clock, lip balm, several books, tonic water, a sweatshirt, and, of course, a notebook and pen. It's kind of a mess.


What do you plan to read next? I just ordered my copy of Victoria Dunn's Alice Hearts Welsh Zombies. Zombie books are generally pretty low on my reading list, but I've been following Victoria's blog, Handmade by Mother, for over a year now, and I'm a huge fan of her writing style and snarky sense of humor.


What's your favorite literary genre and why? I like a little bit of everything, but historical fiction probably wins. Most of all I like writing that reads like music, in any genre. It can be Mozart or The Beatles (I prefer it if it's not Justin Bieber) but it should have a rhythm, a melody.


Melanie, please tell us about your book, "Ashford." Well, it was kind of a happy accident. I was between writing projects, and I wrote the opening scene...then I liked the characters so much that I had to see where the story went.

 Did you do any research for your story? If so, were there any challenges? I did a lot of research. I had a stack of books on WWII, and timelines all over the place, but I really wanted it to be a story about ordinary people, the people at home trying to carry on with their normal lives through the chaos, and my best help with that came from the BBC. They've compiled an amazing online collection of firsthand accounts of the war years. You can type in pretty much anything you want to know and there will be a long list of stories, written by the people who experienced it. It's amazing. There's so much color and personality to them, and reading them is such a perfect way to find those little details...smells and sounds and emotions. For a writer, or really any sort of storyteller, it's like opening a treasure box. I used them again for my new novella, Violet Shadows, which just came out.


Was there any scenes you found difficult to write? Many. I always procrastinate over writing intense scenes, like the scene with the young man in the wheelchair, or the Christmas scene in the hospital. It's not even that I find them difficult to write, per se, but that they take me over. They're very fulfilling scenes to write, but they're also very scary and exhausting. You're channelling the actions and emotions of everyone in the scene: anger and fear and love and hate and God knows what else. When you're done you're bound be exhausted. That's how you feel sometimes: triumphant and bone-weary.


Is there a character in your story you feel most connected to? Definitely Anna. I think it would be very difficult to take three years writing a novel in first person and not feel connected to your protagonist. I also feel very connected to Violet, which is part of what led me to continue her story in Violet Shadows. Neither of them is me, but there are parts of me in both of them. I think as writers we all pull from our own experiences, and then inject those experiences into the context of another life. I never lived through war, but I survived cancer ten years ago. It's all there: fear, threat to life, the finding of strength and serenity inside yourself. It doesn't matter where you got the emotions. They're yours, and you can use them to express the feelings of others whose lives are outside your experience.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Don't be afraid of rejection or criticism. Use it, but also trust yourself, because only you can write your book.


How did you discover indieBRAG? A fellow author in an Indie Author group I'm part of mentioned that his book had been chosen for the B.R.A.G. Medallion. It sounded interesting, so I looked it up.

What is your favorite quote? “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” -Martha Graham

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelanieRoseAuthor
Blog: www.roseandwren.blogspot.com
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Melanie-Rose/

Bio:
Melanie Rose has been writing since childhood. She currently resides in Chewelah, Washington, with her husband, singer/songwriter Aaron Gabriel, their dog Leo, and a hedgehog named Ferdinand. She loves to dance and travel. Her debut novel, Ashford, was awarded the B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2012. Her most recent book, a novella titled Violet Shadows, was released in July of 2012.



indieBRAG

We are delighted that Stephanie has chosen to interview Melanie Rose Huff who is the author of Ashford, one of our medallion honorees at www.bragmedallion.com. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. MedallionTM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as Ashford merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.


www.bragmedallion.com


Thank you!

Stephanie
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