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.   

THE LAST LINE. THE LAST WORDS. THE LAST CHANCE.

Ifferon is one of the last in the bloodline of the dead god Telm, who mated with mortal women, and who imprisoned the Beast Agon in the Underworld. Armed with a connection to the estranged gods in the Overworld and a scroll bearing Telm’s powerful dying words, he is tasked with ensuring the god’s vital legacy: that Agon remain vanquished. Fear forces Ifferon to abandon his duty, but terror restores his quest when the forces of Agon find his hideaway in an isolated coastal monastery.

Weighed down by the worries of the world, but lifted up by the companions he encounters along the way, Ifferon embarks on a journey that encompasses the struggles of many peoples, the siege of many lands, and discoveries that could bring hope to some—or doom to all.

An epic fantasy set in a world replete with its own lands, races, languages, history and mythology. An immersive and lyrical tale with flawed and mysterious characters. A page-turner right up to the last page.

Enter the world of Iraldas.

Answer the Call of Agon.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Fantasy

Rating – PG

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Connect with Dean F Wilson on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://deanfwilson.com/

my thoughts

A great fantasy debut. The names and places were somewhat difficult at first, but while reading this book they become second nature to the reader.  

 Ifferon is a wonderful character.  He starts as somewhat of a coward but rises to the occasion when his hand is forced.  He is a descendant of the God Telm. He is given the task of maintaining the safety of his people from the beast Agon.  

This book is full of action, suspense and adventure.  It has a wonderful mythological feel to it, not in the Greek-like manner.  Reminded me more of the wild Vikings and Norse mythology. It has a Tolkien feel to it.  As a reader, knowing this is the first in a series, I had an idea how it would end.  The ride to the finish was fun and adventurous.  

I recommend this book to anyone who loves action and adventure with a flair.

THE GODS OF HEAVENLY PUNISHMENT

by

JENNIFER CODY EPSTEIN

about the book:

Publication Date: March 11, 2013

W.W. Norton & Company

Hardcover; 384p

ISBN-10: 039307157X

A lush, exquisitely rendered meditation on war, The Gods of Heavenly Punishment tells the story of several families, American and Japanese, their loves and infidelities, their dreams and losses, and how they are all connected by one of the most devastating acts of war in human history.

In this evocative and thrilling epic novel, fifteen-year-old Yoshi Kobayashi, child of Japan’s New Empire, daughter of an ardent expansionist and a mother with a haunting past, is on her way home on a March night when American bombers shower her city with napalm—an attack that leaves one hundred thousand dead within hours and half the city in ashen ruins. In the days that follow, Yoshi’s old life will blur beyond recognition, leading her to a new world marked by destruction and shaped by those considered the enemy: Cam, a downed bomber pilot taken prisoner by the Imperial Japanese Army; Anton, a gifted architect who helped modernize Tokyo’s prewar skyline but is now charged with destroying it; and Billy, an Occupation soldier who arrives in the blackened city with a dark secret of his own. Directly or indirectly, each will shape Yoshi’s journey as she seeks safety, love, and redemption.

my thoughts

This is a multi layered book.  As the reader, I found myself both liking and hating many of the characters.  All are interwoven in an epic story. The book takes place during WWII.   I loved and hated the Japanese, and I loved and hated the Americans.  Who was right?  Who was wrong?   I loved the character of Yoshi, felt pity for her mother and absolutely hated her father.   I almost cried when Cam's plane crashed in Japanese territory.  One character justifies his actions by convincing himself "It's not murder. It's war."  Reminds me of the saying "War is Hell."  My dad once told me-"War is war and hell is hell.  No one deserves war, everyone in hell deserves to be there."

War is never pretty.  This is a depressing story, but uplifting at the same time.  Confused yet?  You won't be.  The author is able to merge all the characters together in short connected stories.

This is a very well written, well orchestrated novel.  At  times, difficult to read.  It took me a while to finish this book.  My knowledge of WWII is from history books and old movies.  I can't imagine how horrible it was.  

About the Author

Jennifer Cody Epstein is the author of The Gods of Heavenly Punishment and the international bestseller The Painter from Shanghai. She has written for The Wall Street Journal, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Self, Mademoiselle and NBC, and has worked in Hong Kong, Japan and Bangkok, Thailand. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, two daughters and especially needy Springer Spaniel. 

For more information, please visit www.jennifercodyepstein.com.

http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/

http://www.passagestothepast.com/

Praise for The Gods of Heavenly Punishment

“…The book reveals itself to be as miraculously constructed as Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel in Tokyo (which itself is a character). The Gods of Heavenly Punishment is a page-turner thanks to its high-stakes adventure, torrid love affairs and characters so real they seem to follow you around. And in the end, this gripping novel asks us not just to consider a lost chapter of a famous war but also to explore what it means to be lucky—and what it means to be loved. (Amy Shearn, O magazine)

"The Gods of Heavenly Punishment showcases war’s bitter ironies...as well as its romantic serendipities." (Megan O’Grady, Vogue)

"With stunning clarity, Epstein has re-created Tokyo both before and after the bombing in a novel that raises still-unanswered questions about the horrors of war, the cruelty associated with it and the lasting impression it can make on a person, a people or a place." (Shelf-Awareness.com)

“An epic novel about a young Japanese girl during World War II underscores the far-reaching impact that the decisions of others can have.” (Kirkus Reviews)

"Epstein’s second novel (after The Painter from Shanghai) is bursting with characters and locales. Yet painful, authentic (Epstein has lived and worked in Asia), and exquisite portraits emerge of the personal impact of national conflicts—and how sometimes those conflicts can be bridged by human connections." (Publishers Weekly)

“Sweeping….[A] harrowing novel of destruction and creation that will appeal to fans of historical fiction” (Library Journal—starred review)