Genre: Young Adult Grandpa always said Viking children never cried; they howled, screamed, bellowed - but did not cry! In Iceland 1935, Didda and her two sisters, Sissi and Lilla, have a childhood of adventure but learn difficult life lessons. Like their Viking ancestors, their life is full of trolls and Hidden People and the daily chores around the farm. Life in the remote fjords of Iceland was one of danger, hard work and joy. Trolls and Hidden Folk were as real as the struggles with … [Read more...]
FEATURED BOOK: Hieroglyph by WJ Scott
Genre: Historical fantasy ‘A fantastical mix of history and fantasy. A GOLD medal winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards “Did Ancient Egyptians visit Australia?” 13 year old TC has a secret. No one knows she possesses a supernatural power. Can TC help her Uncle Max, an archaeologist; unearth enough evidence that Ancient Egyptians visited Australia, before he’s discredited in the media by those that want the past to stay buried? “Some would say that I have a gift, … [Read more...]
FEATURED BOOK: Franni and the Duke by Anne Johnson
Genre: mystery, adventure, historical fiction In May of 1608, the Duke of Mantua will throw the most spectacular wedding extravaganza in history. But it will all be ruined unless twelve-year-old Franni can keep a very big secret. Franni and the Duke, a middle-grade novel, sets a fictional mystery against a specific historical backdrop. It takes place during rehearsals for Arianna, an opera by the great composer Claudio Monteverdi. When Franni and her older sister Alli run away to Mantua, … [Read more...]
One Stone Left Unturned by Marianna Heusler @MariannaHeusle1
At midnight on July 16, 1918, Tsar Nicholas Romanov and his family were murdered, thus signifying the end of the Russian empire. Historians believe that a peasant by the name of Rasputin was instrumental in the downfall of the dynasty. Because Nicholas thought that Rasputin could cure their son, Alexis, who was suffering from hemophilia, Rasputin was able to influence the Imperial Family. But what if Rasputin’s power did not come from God as he claimed but from a simple jewel, a tri-colored … [Read more...]
The Swan Bonnet by Katherine L. Holmes @klouholmes
Unbeknown to Dawn, her grandfather has shot an old swan out of mercy. In their coastal Alaskan town, her father buys the swan pelt, preventing her Uncle Alex, a fur trader, from selling it for export. Dawn's father surprises her part-Aleut mother with a hat she helped to make and also with an idea to catch poachers. Shooting swans has become illegal but Alaska is a territory and Prohibition occupies the Sheriff. Dawn and her mother become involved with suspicious inquiries about the swan bonnet … [Read more...]
Interview with Katherine L. Holmes – Book Author @klouholmes
Author Bio: Katherine L. Holmes lives in Duluth, Minnesota, where she does much of her writing in the winter. She also works with used books. Her first published book, The House in Windward Leaves, became a Finalist in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and in the NIEA awards. She's had three other books published. Those and more about her can be found at her website: https://sites.google.com/site/katherinelholmesauthorprofile/ What inspires you to write? Experiences inspire me, … [Read more...]
The Party Line by Lora Lindy
Imagine your mind floating back in time and reading about Oklahoma during the summer of 1971—the care free days. Well… almost carefree. Ten year old Gerty prevents that from happening. Every summer, Gerty spends one week with her granny. Seems normal… right? It turns out not to be so normal when this precocious little girl does a naughty thing. Unlike past summers, something different happens in 1971. Gerty's Aunt Bessie gets a telephone party line. Quickly, Gerty learns that she can listen in … [Read more...]
The Soldier’s Cross by Abigail J. Hartman
1415 A.D. Fiona’s world is a carefully built castle in the air, made up of the fancies, wishes, and memories of her childhood. It begins to crumble as she watches her brother march away to join in the English invasion of France. It falls to pieces when he is brought home dead. Robbed of the one dearest to her and alone in the world, Fiona turns to her brother’s silver cross in search of the peace he said it would bring. But when she finds it missing, she swears she will have it and sets out on … [Read more...]
The Shadow Things by Jennifer Freitag @JenniferFreitag
The Legions have left the province of Britain and the Western Roman Empire has dissolved into chaos. With the world plunged into darkness, paganism and superstition are as rampant as ever. In the Down country of southern Britain, young Indi has grown up knowing nothing more than his gods of horses and thunder; so when a man from across the sea comes preaching a single God slain on a cross, Indi must choose between his gods or the one God—and face the consequences of his decision. Targeted Age … [Read more...]
Foxworth Academy by Chris Blewitt
Entering high school at Foxworth Academy - a school for the ultra smart, athletic, and wealthy - Brett Logan is your typical shy freshman. But that is about to change. For years rumors have circled about what goes on in Mr. Martin's ultra secretive history class, and past students have all kept quiet, leaving Brett to wonder what really goes on. Until now. When class begins, Brett is joined by Ally, who is prettier than his envious girlfriend, in a race against time. What happens next and … [Read more...]
