Claudia's life did not start easily. The illegitimate daughter of Julia, reviled and exiled daughter of Caesar Augustus, Claudia spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. When Tiberius, who hates Julia, takes the throne, Claudia is wrenched away from her mother to be brought up in the palace in Rome. The young woman is adrift-until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When Pilate is appointed Prefect of the troublesome territory of Judea, Claudia does what she has always done: she makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find peace and rest in the teaching of the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?

Readers will be whisked through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as they follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts. Diana Wallis Taylor combines her impeccable research with her flair for drama and romance to craft a tale worthy of legend.

my thoughts

Well written, well researched story of an inspirational woman.  Claudia is a character we know very little about.  Diana Wallis Taylor has researched her life and introduced to us a women with visions of Christ.  A woman caught in the middle of one of the most incredible events to ever happen.  The crucifixion of Jesus.  

We meet her when she is a young girl and watch her grow.  She is taken from her mother and relocated to the Roman palace to become the ward of Tiberius.  She is married to Pontius Pilate.  Of Pilate, I felt  sympathy as well as anger.  He is an interesting character in this story.  He does what he must, what he is destined to do to fulfill a prophecy.   Claudia reminds her fellow Christians of this, Pilate did what he was destined, not what he wanted.   

Later in life, we see Claudia as an amazing woman who overcomes many obstacles to live the life she wants.   

This is a well written book, I will definitely read more by Diana Wallis Taylor

Anomaly

Welcome to my stop on the Anomaly blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Anomaly

by Krista McGee

Release Date: 07/09/13

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

about the book

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Thalli is different than others in The State. She feels things. She asks questions. And in the State, this is not tolerated. The Ten scientists who survived the nuclear war that destroyed the world above believe that emotion was at the core of what went wrong—and they have genetically removed it from the citizens they have since created. Thalli has kept her malformation secret from those who have monitored her for most of her life, but when she receives an ancient piece of music to record as her community’s assigned musician, she can no longer keep her emotions secreted away.

Seen as a threat to the harmony of her Pod, Thalli is taken to the Scientists for immediate annihilation. But before that can happen, Berk—her former Pod mate who is being groomed as a Scientist—steps in and persuades the Scientists to keep Thalli alive as a test subject.

The more time she spends in the Scientist’s Pod, the clearer it becomes that things are not as simple as she was programmed to believe. She hears stories of a Designer—stories that fill her mind with more questions: Who can she trust? What is this emotion called love? And what if she isn’t just an anomaly, but part of a greater design?

my thoughts

An interesting dystopian novel. Reminded me very much of Lois Lowry's THE GIVER .

In a future world, citizens are genetically created. Emotion is suppose to be eradicated. Guess what- it's not. Every so often an ANOMALY occurs and someone is created with something they shouldn't possess. Thalli learns about The Creator, and he's not a scientist from The State. 

A good book that touches upon religion without ramming it down the readers throat. This is the first in a series. I look forward to the next book. 

I give this book 4/5 stars.

About the Author

Krista McGee’s passion to see teens excited about serving God is a driving force behind her novels. Ever since college when she spent a summer working at a youth camp, McGee knew she wanted to invest in teenagers. Since then she’s been involved in a variety of youth ministries and currently teaches at a Christian school in Tampa, FL.

McGee broke into the writing world during her time in Spain. A friend encouraged her to submit an article to a Christian girls’ magazine, and it got published. Once her family moved back to Tampa, she got the idea for her first novel, First Date, a modern take of the story of Esther. Her subsequent books, Starring Me and Right Where I Belong, are based on Rebekah and Ruth.

When Krista McGee isn’t living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher and coffee snob.

Learn more about Krista McGee and her books at kristamcgeebooks.com. Readers can also become a fan on Facebook (krista.a.mcgee) or follow her on Twitter (@KristaMcGeeYA).

Available from:     

    

***GIVEAWAY*** 5 print copies of Anomaly, US only. a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Secret History

About THE SECRET HISTORY

Publication Date: July 2, 2013 

NAL Trade

Paperback; 448p

ISBN-10: 045141778X

Where Theodora went, trouble followed…

In sixth century Constantinople, one woman, Theodora, defied every convention and all the odds, and rose from being a common theater tart to become empress of a great kingdom, the most powerful woman the Roman Empire would ever know. But the woman whose image was later immortalized in glittering mosaic was, in fact, a scrappy, clever, conniving, flesh-and-blood woman full of sensuality and spirit whose real story is as surprising as any ever told…

When her father dies suddenly, Theodora and her sisters face starvation on the streets. Determined to survive, Theodora makes a living any way she can—first on her back with every man who will have her, then on the stage of the city’s infamous amphitheater in a scandalous dramatization of her own invention. When her daring performance grants her a back-door entry into the halls of power, she seizes the chance to win a wealthy protector—only to face heartbreak and betrayal.

Ever resilient, Theodora rises above such trials and by a twist of fate, meets her most passionate admirer yet: the Emperor’s nephew. She will thrive as his confidant and courtesan, but many challenges lie ahead. For one day, this man will hand her a crown. And all the empire will wonder—is she bold enough, shrewd enough, and strong enough to keep it?

Praise for The Secret History

“Stephanie Thornton’s Theodora is tough and intelligent, spitting defiance against the cruel world of the Byzantine Empire. Her rise from street urchin to emperor’s consort made me want to stand up and cheer. Her later years as empress are great fun to read, but it was her early struggle as actress and courtesan that really had me roaring: either with rage at the misfortunes heaped on this poor girl, or with delight as she once more picked herself up with a steely glint in her eye and kept on going.”—Kate Quinn, author of Empress of the Seven Hills

"Loss, ambition and lust keep this rich story moving at top speed. Stephanie Thornton writes a remarkable first novel that brings a little known woman to full, vibrant life...A sprawling and irresistible story."—Jeane Westin, author of The Spymaster's Daughter

"A fascinating and vivid account; in The Secret History, the life of Empress Theodora leaps from the page, as colorful and complex as the woman herself."—Michelle Diener, author of The Emperor's Conspiracy

MY THOUGHTS

Words cannot describe this novel.  It is that good.  Theodora has always been an endless fascination to me.  A peasant who rose above all and became empress of the Byzantine empire.  She's the type of woman who controls her own destiny.  

This book is just amazing! I found myself just enthralled by her life.  I realize this is a work of fiction, but it closely mimics historical accounts of her life.  

Stephanie Thornton has created more than just a novel.  This is a work of art.  While reading the pages of this book, the reader is actually with Theodora.  We accompany her throughout her life, we experience her trials, her failures and her joys.  I may not have agreed with all of her decisions, nor can I understand all of her decisions, but I have to admire her drive and ambition.  

I can't recommend this book enough.  It is truly wonderful.  I look forward to more from Ms. Thornton, but this will be a tough book to surpass.

About the Author

Stephanie Thornton is a writer and history teacher who has been obsessed with infamous women from ancient history since she was twelve. She lives with her husband and daughter in Alaska, where she is at work on her next novel. 

For more information, please visit Stephanie Thornton's website.  You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

marquis boone Til the Last Drop

about the book

It is February of 2000, and Arthur and Valencia Todd and their twelve- year-old daughter, Lindsy, are living very happily—until Valencia receives a life-changing phone call. Life deals her a crisis that requires a miracle of biblical proportion.

Six months later, Valencia’s life is still in shambles. As she walks on a path lined with grief, frustration, illness, and loneliness, Valencia is too frightened to seek help from doctors, on whom she quietly blames her mother’s premature death. As she prays for answers, nothing seems to heal her persistent medical condition, prompting Valencia to plummet down a dark tunnel of despair. Desperate for answers, Valencia draws inspiration from the worn pages of her mother’s Bible, fueled by an unyielding determination to find healing. But three years later, as she is led to the doors of a holistic center where she believes she will finally be helped, Valencia helplessly watches as her life disintegrates once again—completely unaware that the Holy Spirit is waiting to comfort her.

’Til the Last Drop is the inspirational story of one woman’s journey to the truth as she learns to listen to her heart, never give up, and, above all, trust in God.

my thoughts

An inspirational story that tells of God's love for us and his willingness to help.  If you've read the Bible, you will recognize the characters.  

This book is a very quick read, it didn't take Marquis Boone too long to stress his point.  You are loved. God is here for you.  I recommend this book to anyone searching for answers.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  I was not asked nor required to provide a positive review.(Thankfully, I loved the book)

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Religious Fiction

Rating – PG

More details about the author 

Connect with Marquis Boone on Twitter & GoodReads

We are part of Orangeberry's ongoing book blog tour

Greece in the age of Heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. Here he is nobody, just another unwanted boy living in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles.

Achilles, 'best of all the Greeks', is everything Patroclus is not — strong, beautiful, the child of a goddess — and by all rights their paths should never cross. Yet one day, Achilles takes the shamed prince under his wing and soon their tentative companionship gives way to a steadfast friendship. As they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something far deeper — despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel and deathly pale sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.

Fate is never far from the heels of Achilles. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned, everything they hold dear. And that, before he is ready, he will be forced to surrender his friend to the hands of Fate.

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

my thoughts

Patroclus and Achilles.  Historians have argued over whether they were friends, lovers or relatives.

In Miller's retelling of the classic Iliad, they are companions/lovers.  The story is told from the narration of Patroclus.  A whiny, wimpy young boy.  How can the mighty Achilles fall for such a person?  That question is asked by many characters in this book, including Patroclus himself.  

Iliad is one of my favorite classic novels.  The Rage of Achilles.   In Miller's version, we see no rage.  It takes far too long to get to Troy.   I don't know about other readers, but I wanted to read about the battle.   When we finally get to Troy, Patroclus seems to take over the role of wife.  He becomes a healer and mainly stays with the women.  Achilles becomes the fighting machine he was meant to be.  He 'thinks of them as animals, not people' while killing.  

One character I absolutely loved in this novel is Odysseus.  Funny, charming wily and thoughtful.  

One thing I found strange, even after the death of Patroclus, we continue to see the story through his eyes.  We see the eventual death of Achilles and the aftermath of this death.  

This is a good book to read if you're looking for another viewpoint of the Achilles story.