You don't have to be a New Age flower-child to enjoy Pandora's
correspondence with her supernatural penfriend. She's a newly single
lady of a certain age and romance is still very much on the agenda. But
who to choose? And can her spiritual buddy help her satisfy the longings
of both her heart and soul?
Sweet Willows Review:
Very spiritual and romantic read! This is a story of a young
woman, Pandora, who delves into a penfriend relationship with a supernatural
form. Pandora’s adventure and life is a page turner and one that with the
talent of Carolyn developing her puts her mind at easewith the ability to follow along. Carolyn’s
words will draw you in and keep you wanting to read more. This was an enjoyable
read that I would recommend to anyone.
Author Bio from Amazon:
Carolyn Mathews was born in London, of Irish parents. Surviving a
convent education, she explored various career paths before becoming an
English lecturer and writer of books and plays for language students.
Married,
with two grown sons and now living in Hertfordshire, she practises yoga
and meditation whenever possible, in the hope of eventually getting
them right. Her interest in contemporary spirituality informs and
influences her fiction.
Free spirit Pandora is shaken by the sudden death of her
mother and her discovery of a secret half-brother from across the
Atlantic. When her mother's grave is disturbed, she turns detective and
finds herself drawn into a world of intrigue, centring round a devious
couple's plot to exploit a healing circle for their own ends. Her
partner Jay's collaboration with an attractive singer and her own
encounter with an old flame add to the confusion. Will she succeed in
her quest to bring equilibrium to her life, and the lives of those she
loves, or will the decisions she and Jay make set them up for more
heartache?
Sweet Willows Review:
A page turner! After reading “Transforming Pandora” I was
excited and anxious to read more adventures of Pandora’s. Squaring Circles
takes it to a whole new level of Pandora’s life, with old flames, death of her
mother and more. Carolyn’s writing is one that anyone could enjoy and she has
become one of my new favorites.
Life holds no surprises for Devon Murphy. Her life consists of keeping
tabs on her aging Irish father, working part time at a coffee shop, and
building her online graphics design business. Devon’s only tricky
situation is a shallow relationship with the pampered and affluent
Michael Turner, who sees her as just another woman to conquer.
Following his father’s death, Brandon’s only goal is to expand the
family business and live life on his own terms. That is, until he walks
into the coffee shop one snowy evening and meets the enchanting,
red-haired barista behind the counter. But can Devon and Brandon’s
attraction for each other be strong enough to help erase their deepest
disappointments and renew their faith in God?
Sweet Willows Review:
Romance, inspirational and intriguing is the words I would
describe Devon’s Choice. Catherine writes with such ease and grace while
building the plot and her characters. I loved the whole entire atmosphere of
this story and watching Devon face some challenges and choices. I would recommend this book to anyone who is
looking for a romantic inspirational read.
I grew up in Ohio where I currently live with my husband and our
two rescue Labradors. Some of my favorite things include reading,
shopping, pepperoni pizza, Hershey bars and hanging out with my two
grown sons. I also love dogs; so going to the dog park is cheap
entertainment for my husband and I!
Growing up an only child, I
had many imaginary friends. I believe this - and a love of books -
fueled my desire to write. It was many years later that my dream of
becoming a published author came true.
"Devon's Choice" and "The Trouble With Charlie" are both published by Astraea Press.
Book Blurb: The Circus in Me confronts a girl’s outcast journey. Amish to the bone,
born and bred to be as such, Tracey Aliza discovers a magical land
outside of her traditional community. On a quest for solitude amongst
the vagabonds. She comes as a drifter transforming into a better version
of oneself called by the name Trae Lae.
Outside the safety of confinement Trae Lae learns hands-on
experiences being an adult in modern society. Struggles to let the past
remain behind her she concentrates on performing as part of the team.
Back and forth motions bring her to a whole new level of acceptance.
College in due course calls to her. Off she flees to the next adventure
on the map marked with an X.
Welcome to BYU-Idaho! A Mormon college located on the southeastern
region of the great potato state. Trae Lae traces a path in-between a
religion she was forced to vacate and another indulging her capacity to a
newfound faith that contradicts her soul further. The journey grimy and
gray toward the new beginning of endearment. On a mounting podium to
seize control of the wild beast conformity. She becomes an acquaintance
of a young man by the name of Briggs who is also in torment of
historical demons. Their lives intertwine into courses neither of them
accused as possible. One girl’s bonnet for another man’s briefs. Do our
conclusions meet requirements previously posted? Turn the pages to find
out if Trae Lae and Briggs can find a way out of fate’s fortitude. With
every whimsical there is a wish, with every star there is a shine, where
there is a shunned Amish girl there is bonnet about to be burned.
Sweet Willow's Review:
S.M.’s story of Trae Lae was written about a young girl that
leaves the security of her upbringing to adventure out into society and Trae
Lae struggles in everyday life and trying to fit into a team as she fights to
let go of her past.
S.M. is a great writer and one that brings life to the pages
of her book. I would recommend this book to anyone that is wanting to
inspirational story that touches the heart
Author Bio via Amazon S.M.'s origin of script commenced at the earliest of eons. Growing copious ambitions to be a novelist. Exploring choice roads in making this goal complete. Once
deliberating self-publishing the best option, the first edition of The
Tangled Tears a novella published in 2013. The Circus in Me, new to the
collection of young adult fiction came into print April of 2014.
Proclaimed to a livelihood of a dream catcher. Imaginative power fueling
her creative projects; more Young Adult novels in route. Clean of
ink stains and paper cuts, she dabbles in scrap-booking & wood
crafts, also enjoys cooking. S.M. lives in Idaho with her husband and
son.
An autobiography of a woman who survived her eating disorders, and an inspiring chronicle of her journey.
Sweet Willows Review:
Haley's story broke my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
Haley is an angel and a true survivor and a great friend with great talent. I
truly enjoyed reading her story of survival and one that I will keep close to
my heart. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a life story to read
and one that will touch their hearts and soul.
We can all learn from Haley's story and how to be a better person to ourselves.
Haley may be a survivor but she is definitely an inspirational teacher and a
great writer.
Erin gave me a copy of her book
“Death is but a Dream” for a honest review and for my personal enjoyment. Thank
you Erin!
I just now have the time to read her book and I have found myself
lost the first few hours I read and hoping to have a full review update here soon!
Erin’s story starts out on a twist and it captured
my attention in such a way that I fell in love with the characters.
May be a spoiler to some!
Callie being my first
favorite and wanting to know more about her and the adventure Hades had for her.
Plutus, being my second favorite character just because my heart ached on what I
have read about his disadvantages but also the hurt he must feel of being the god
of wealth.
Erin, as an author as real talent
for words and I can truly feel her interest in Greek mythology and her love for
her characters; I will be updating this book review as I move through her book.
Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist
Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books, like the fantasy
mystery novel Death is but a Dream, the sci-fi middle grade book Jacob Smith is
Incredibly Average, and the Her Wolf paranormal series.
She works as an advertising copywriter during the day, and
she moonlights as an author. She has lived in New
Zealand, Texas, and now
in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, cat, and a growing
collection of geek paraphernalia.
2014 Literary Classics Silver Medal Winner for PreTeen/Tween
Literary Classics 2014 Seal of Approval
When 15-year-old Rosa agrees to help the ghost of King Tut find his lost queen Hesena, she doesn't count on falling for him. And once back in Ancient Egypt, Rosa discovers that finding Hesena is not all she must do: She must keep out of the reach of the living Horemheb—who crosses mortal boundaries using Seth's evil magic—if she is to stay alive to make it back home.
Sons of the Sphinx is based on the schism that shot through ancient Egypt when, according to historians, the Pharaoh Akhenatenturned his back on Thebes and the gods of Egypt. He built his own city to honor his god the Aten, and he insisted that the people of Egypt do the same. Along with this, he supposedly refused to send troops to defend Egypt's borders thus incurring the wrath of the then General Horemheb. When Tutankhamen becomes pharaoh, he reverses Akhenaten's proclamations and returns the governing center to Thebes and the worship back to the god Amun.
However, the damage has been done, and by the time Horemheb attains pharaoh status, he has proclaimed the betrayal of the Egyptian people by Akhenaten so widely and so much, all members of the family including Tutankhamen and Ankhsenamun and Ay are dishonored. Horemheb further insults the family by defacing Ay's tomb after his death. It is Ay's decision before his death to ensure that Ankhsenamun is not subject to dishonor by keeping her final resting place a secret.
The historical significance of my story is the main reason I was able to write Sons of the Sphinx. Needing to help right a wrong done over 3000 years ago and reunite the boy king with his queen (whose tomb has yet to be identified or found), allows my protagonist Rosa the opportunity to come to terms with who she is and what her place is in this world.
I’m a twice-retired high school (ages 14-18) English teacher from Colorado having taught for 25 years. I love working with my students, and now I write for middle graders and early teens. My books are written for reluctant readers, but are enjoyed by any who love adventures and quests. It is my love of the ancient and medieval worlds that provides my settings for my stories.
Excerpt from Chapter 6 of Sons of the Sphinx by Cheryl Carpinello
A tall man stands and motions at the door. His lips are moving, but I can’t hear a word. A cone-shaped hat sits on his head and a kilt-like garment swishes against his legs. Light sparkles off the huge jeweled necklace that rests on his bare chest. It appears to sway as he breathes. Good thing the necklace is pretty because he is ugly. Oops, I’m not supposed to say that. But talk about an unattractive man. It’s his nose—so square and large—that really makes him that way.
Sitting next to him is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Black hair frames her delicate face, an older version of Ankhesenamun’s, and earrings shaped as gold eyes dangle from her tiny ears. Her bare shoulders sparkle like glitter above a golden gown that flows down her slender body. It is gathered at the waist with a jewel-encrusted belt. She looks stunning and totally unaffected by the huge elephant.
“Who are those two?” I ask, nodding my head in their direction. Tut averts his eyes from the scene in front of us.
“That is my father, Akhenaten.”
“Oh.” I can’t seem to manage any more than that. They don’t really look like father and son, but then I don’t see the resemblance between my dad and me. My grandmother always said I favored him.
“And that is his wife and Hesena’s mother, Nefertiti.”
Well, you could knock me over with a feather. This is the most talked about queen in all of Egyptian history. Everything I’ve read says that her beauty knows no comparison. The evidence stands right here in front of me.
I look back to Tut’s father. How in the world does someone that beautiful marry someone like that?
I’m having trouble taking all this in. Akhenaten, Nefertiti, Tut, Hesena—and me—all in the same room, well sort of anyway. I’m beginning to wonder where I’m headed and how I’m going to get home. Nerves make my stomach flip uneasily.
Chills come over me like my blood is made up of ice water running throughout my body. I shiver. I try to shrink behind Tut. Evil. I remember how my grandmother would describe these feelings. Rosa, she would say. It feels like someone is walking over my grave. I would look at her, not understanding. She wasn’t dead. How in the world could someone walk over her grave? I know now. And whoever is doing the walking leaves evil in each of his footprints.
The king and the other Tut follow the elephant out a side door, and Hesena trails behind.
Nefertiti walks by, elegant and regal. Her imperial gaze halts any who might think to precede her. One by one, the people stand aside and bow their heads as she floats past. Her gaze sweeps over us, but it is not evil, just interested, as if she senses something where we stand.
“She can’t see us, can she?”
“No, Roosa. My people cannot see us. It is not allowed. Come, let’s follow,” he says. “I want to show you my father’s zoo.”
“Your father has a zoo! No way. No one owns a zoo, no...” I stop short. Tut’s image wavers before me. I suck in air, but my lungs feel empty. Pulsing blood thunders through my body. My fingers turn white at the knuckles as I clutch his hand. It’s as if I’ve just been punched in the stomach. Evil envelopes me, threatening to squeeze the life out of me. Please body, breathe! Am I dying? How can this be? No one can see us!
