Shirley Jane Mysteries

Today we feature the works of a young author who writes mysteries for children. 

           (from Amazon's author page)

 Brianna Benji is a young woman with high functioning autism who likes to read, draw, and write. she has published 6 Children's books under Brianna Benji and 4 YA and Adult books under B.C. Benjamin. She has 2 cats and a pit bull and currently lives with family in Whitinsville,MA.  To learn more about Brianna Visit www.Booksbybriannabenji.weebly.com, like the BooksByBriannaBenji facebook page or go on my blog @ Tumblr.com/booksbybriannabenji

now about the book:

Paperback, 26 pages

Published March 14th 2014 by Createspace

ISBN 1496199197 (ISBN13: 9781496199195)

seriesShirley Jane Mysteries #1

Shirley Jane Holmes is the Great, Great granddaughter of Sherlock Holmes who solves mysteries with her friends, Janice Dickinson and Joshua Edgar Poe. join them as you read about how they solved the case of the missing Golden Monkey that was stolen from Franklin D. Roosevelt History Museum in the hometown of Buckleville, Vermont.

my thoughts:

This is a quick, cute story written by an incredible young lady. Brianna Benji is a young woman with autism who wishes to create stories showing others with autism that anything is possible. 

The Shirley Jane stories are easy to read, quick and fun. Shirley is the great great granddaughter of Sherlock, who along with her friends Janice Dickinson (descendant of Emily) and Joshua Edgar Poe (Poe's descendant) solve mysteries. The Mystery of the Golden Monkey is the first in a series by this prolific writer.

The stories are easy to read and perfect for young readers, looking for something interesting and quick.

buy on amazon

link to Brianna's Amazon page.

other title's by Brianna

I had an opportunity to communicate with Brianna.   She is a delightful young woman who graciously answered a few of my questions.

BLP:  What encouraged you to write for children:

BRIANNA: What encouraged me to write kids books was last year when my brother brought home my dog Fredo, who was 3 months old at the time.  I had an idea to write a picture book about feelings starring my cat, Rascal, and my new puppy Fredo, The book was titled RASCAL AND FREDO ARE FEELING.  Since the release of Rascal and Fredo Are Feeling, I decided to write a mystery series for kids that takes place in the 21st century, so I decided to create the Shirley Jane Holmes mysteries which involves Sherlock Holmes great great granddaughter.  When I started designing Shirley I thought of my 13 year old cousin Ashley, who is around the same age as Shirley.  That's why in every book of the series you'll see a redhead on the cover.

BLP:  What message do you hope your books will send to kids?

BRIANNA: I want to give kids the confidence to learn to read and show kids who have high functioning autism or any other disability that they are like everybody else on the planet.  I have ADHD pervasive developmental delay and oppositional defiant disorder which are all disorders on the autism spectrum  We need to stand up to those who judge young people with a disorder or disability to show we are not stupid and incapable of doing anything! We have to be proud of who we are and what we are good at.  That's my message to all kids!

BLP:  Well said Brianna!  And you are absolutely right!  Good luck with Shirley Jane and your other books!

Anne Boleyn's last hour on Earth

Publication Date: May 19, 2015 MadeGlobal Publishing eBook; ASIN: B00X806742

Genre: Historical Fiction

The last hour of Anne Boleyn's life... Court intrigue, revenge and all the secrets of the last hour are revealed as one queen falls and another rises to take her place on destiny's stage. A young Anne Boleyn arrives at the court of King Henry VIII. She is to be presented at the Shrovetide pageant, le Chateau Vert. The young and ambitious Anne has no idea that a chance encounter before the pageant will lead to her capturing the heart of the king. What begins as a distraction becomes his obsession and leads to her destruction. Love, hate, loyalty and betrayal come together in a single dramatic moment... the execution of a queen. The history of England will be changed for ever.

Praise for Phoenix Rising

"Compelling, captivating and moving." Claire Ridgway, The Anne Boleyn Files "Thought provoking, esoteric and heart wrenching." - R.J.Askew, blogger, reviewer, author and journalist

Phoenix Rising Available at

Amazon

About the Author

Deb Hunter publishes as Hunter S. Jones. Her best-selling novel, "September Ends" won awards for Best Independently Published Novel and Best Romance, based on its unique blending of poetry and prose. Her story "The Fortune Series" received best-selling status on Amazon in the Cultural Heritage and Historical Fiction categories. She has been published by H3O Eco mag, LuxeCrush, Chattanooga Times-Free Press, and is now a freelance contributor for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She has recently been accepted into the prestigious Rivendell Writers Colony. Her arts, music and culture blogs on ExpatsPost.com are filled with eclectic stories regarding music, writing, the arts and climate awareness. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her Scottish born husband. Her undergrad degree is in History with an emphasis on the English Renaissance and Reformation. For more information please visit Hunter S. Jones' website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Phoenix Rising Blog Tour

Tuesday, May 19 Review at 100 Pages a Day Wednesday, May 20 Guest Post & Giveaway at The Anne Boleyn Files Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book Thursday, May 21 Review at Book Drunkard Friday, May 22 Spotlight at A Literary Vacation Spotlight at What Is That Book About Saturday, May 23 Spotlight at Curling up by the Fire Monday, May 25 Review at JulzReads Spotlight at Just One More Chapter Tuesday, May 26 Review at Book Lovers Paradise Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews Wednesday, May 27 Review at Book Nerd Guest Post at The Readers Hollow Thursday, May 28 Review at Bookramblings Friday, May 29 Review at The Reading Queen Saturday, May 30 Review at Historical Fiction Obsession Spotlight at Beth's Book Nook Blog Sunday, May 31 Review at Genre Queen Spotlight at Unshelfish


my thoughts:

First of all, let me begin by saying I love the cover!!! Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour together....two Queens of Henry.

Now, on to the book.  Amazing doesn't begin to describe this well written story. Much has been written about Anne, about her life, about her death but never from the viewpoint of everyone in her circle, and never occurring in the last hour of her life. Yes, I said the last hour!. This book delves into the feelings, ideas and views of the individuals, both friend and foe, who surrounded Anne Boleyn during her life.  Each chapter is a viewpoint of a different individual discussing their emotions during the time leading up to Anne's execution. We hear from Henry, Anne herself, Jane Seymour, Thomas Cromwell, Elizabeth Boleyn (mom), Cranmer (Archbishop of Canterbury), and incredibly, the executioner (swordsman) sent from Calais to execute Anne. We read the great reverence Henry placed in the astrologer and her 'charts'. Some of the characters loved Anne (very few), most were not her loyal supporters. I loved the manner in which the author portrayed Jane Seymour.  Not the sweetest individual.

The author was somewhat sympathetic towards Anne. The only way to describe Anne is regal. She behaved like a Queen.


To say I loved this book is an understatement. A well written book about individuals that fascinate me and many others. If you have any interest whatsoever in Tudor history, read this book. You will not be disappointed