Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia and is now hosted on its own blog.
Eye of the Moon by Dianne Hofmeyr (bookmooch)
Fade Out by Rachel Caine (bought)
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts (purchased)
meme
April 6, 2015
reviews
March 26, 2015
The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose
The Witch of Painted Sorrows
Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle …poque Paris.
Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmotherís Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists itís dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrineís deepest desires.
Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threatenóher cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. Sheís become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse.
This is Sandrineís ìwild night of the soul,î her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love, and witchery.
This is the second book I’ve read from the author and it seems that she manages to make me love books about subjects I know nothing about. I don’t know a first thing about art but this was really interesting.
When we first meet Sandrine she’s insecure woman who is still grieving for her father, running from her husband and her old life. She’s very likeable and you cannot but feel sorry for her. We see Sandrine become more sure of herself and falling passionately in love. After becoming possessed she starts slowly changing, and not always for the better.
Old family secrets starts to unravel and it seems Sandrine’s grandmother knows more than she tells. Why she warns Sandrine to never fall in love? Even though her grandmother is a courtesan, Sandrine has lived very proper life and grandmother isn’t very happy when Sandrine starts to find her sexuality.
Very enjoyable and gripping read that kept me wanting to know what happens next.
4/5
Published: Atria Books/Simon & Schuster (March 17, 2015)
Format: ebook, hardcover
Pages: 384
Source: France Book Tours
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times Bestseller, M.J. Rose grew up in New York City
mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum,
the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park
and reading her motherís favorite books before she was allowed.
She believes mystery and magic are all around us
but we are too often too busy to noticeÖ
books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.
Please visit her website, her blog: Museum of Mysteries
Subscribe to her mailing list
Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ OTHER REVIEWS AND AN INTERVIEW
Publication Date: September 29, 2014 (Kindle), November 10, 2014 (Print)
Publisher: Endeavour Press (Kindle), Createspace (Print)
Formats: eBook, Print
Pages: 370
Series: The Spoils of Olympus
Genre: Historical Fiction/Military Fiction
322 B.C. The Macedonian Empire is on the verge of civil war following the sudden death of Alexander the Great.
As a boy, Andrikos watched as Alexander’s army marched through his homeland of Greek Ionia after defeating the Persians at the Granicus River on their way to the total conquest of the Persian Empire. Soon he will be embroiled in their world, forced to flee his old life due to an unintentional crime.
Thrust into the army, Andrikos struggles to cope with the brutal yet necessary training which his superiors put him through to prepare for the coming wars of succession as Alexander’s surviving generals seek to divide and conquer the spoils of Olympus.
But Andrikos is not destined to be a nameless soldier; by chance he is chosen for a clandestine mission – and is immersed in a world of intrigue, violence and brotherhood.
The path that lies ahead of Andrikos requires him to shed his immaturity and take on the responsibilities and emotions of a man beyond his years as he struggles to save Alexander’s legacy from those who wish to usurp it.
The Spoils of Olympus: By the Sword is a historical epic which follows the advancements of one soldier from boy to man set during a time of global conflict.
Praise for The Spoils of Olympus
“Kachel does a wonderful job portraying the development of Andrikos from awkward, immature youth to confident and skilled operative.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“5 stars out of 5. All day long.” (Ancient & Medieval Mayhem)
Buy the Book
About the Author
I am a Long Island, NY native and current resident of Northern Virginia. While attending the University of Maryland- College Park, the events of September 11, 2001 inspired me to join the U.S. Army ROTC program and volunteer for three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan upon my commissioning into the Army Reserves in 2003. I hold three Master’s degrees and work in the defense industry.
The Spoils of Olympus has been a 2 1/2 year project that began in a Marriott hotel room in San Antonio, Texas while attending pre deployment training for a tour in Afghanistan in late 2011. The wars of succession immediately following the death of Alexander the Great have always fascinated me despite being overshadowed in the history books by the life and times of Alexander himself. Many great novels have been written about ancient Greece and Alexander but few fictional works have explored this forgotten era in western civilization where Alexander’s generals, who were once allies, battled each other for control of the largest empire on earth.
By the Sword is the first novel in The Spoils of Olympus series and introduces us to the story’s protagonist, Andrikos. The book follows him from an adolescence of criminality and capriciousness to his forced enlistment in the wars of succession; taking him from the battlefields of Asia Minor to the Achaemenid palaces of the Persian Empire. It is my hope readers will enjoy the story while learning about this important time in history.
For more information please visit Christian Kachel’s website. You can also find him on Facebook.
The Spoils of Olympus: By the Sword Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, March 2
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, March 4
Interview & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More
Friday, March 6
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Guest Post at What Is That Book About
Monday, March 9
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Tuesday, March 10
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Obsession
Wednesday, March 11
Review at Back Porchervations
Thursday, March 12
Review at bookramblings
Review at The Mad Reviewer
Friday, March 13
Interview & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
meme
March 9, 2015
Mailbox Monday (9.3.15)
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia and is now hosted on its own blog.
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews (bought)
Last Breath by Rachel Caine (bought)
Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine (bought)
meme
March 1, 2015
Mailbox Monday (2.3.15)
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia and is now hosted on its own blog.
Tuntematon Lauri Törni by Juha Pohjonen (purchased)
Winter Siege by Ariana Franklin & Samantha Norman (purchased)
Larkswood by Valerie Mendes (purchased)