Svetlana's Reads and Views

Name of Book: The Castilian Suite Author: Graham Blackburn ISBN: 978-1-892585-07-3 Publisher: Blackburn Books Type of book: Europe, America, 1961-1985, multi-generational, composing, rising to greatness, secrets, family, survival Year it was published: 2012 Summary: In 1961 Generalíssimo Franco is still dictator of Spain and Roger Coulter is on his way to Madrid with the beauiful Sarah to write ‘The Castilian Suite’. Youthful enthusiasm is no match for the harsh realities of life, however, and composing gives way to a hand-to-mouth existence of scalping tickets to the bullfight, pimping in the Barrio Chino, and an eventual return to a life of rowdy gigs in West Indian and Irish bars in London. Tragedy ensues in New York, followed by corruption in Los Angeles before Roger Coulter can return to his dream. Characters: I couldn't really connect to any of the characters in the book. Roger desires to be a composer and write a work entitled The Castilian Suite; C...

Name of Book: In His Stead Author: Judith Sanders ISBN: 978-1-938573-83-5 Publisher: Ironwood Press Type of book: War, army life, substituting for a child, Civil War law, 2000s, positive male role model Year it was published: 2012 Summary: AN ANCIENT LAW, A MODERN WAR, AND A FATHER'S LOVE THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS... Retired Army Ranger Thomas Lane once burned for the taste of gunpowder and the thrill of the battle. But as he struggles to cope with his own PTSD and the death of his eldest son, killed by an IED in Afghanistan, Lane learns that the price of war is far too dear. When the National Guard calls up Lane’s youngest son to serve, Lane knows he will do anything to save his child—even if it means going in his place, a pursuit unheard of since the Civil War when slaves were sent to war in place of their masters. In His Stead, Judith Sander's second novel, follows Thomas Lane's crusade against the United States Army, its JAG corps, a vengeful offi...

Book to be reviewed: The Castilian Suite- Graham Blackburn In 1961 Generalíssimo Franco is still dictator of Spain and Roger Coulter is on his way to Madrid with the beauiful Sarah to write ‘The Castilian Suite’. Youthful enthusiasm is no match for the harsh realities of life, however, and composing gives way to a hand-to-mouth existence of scalping tickets to the bullfight, pimping in the Barrio Chino, and an eventual return to a life of rowdy gigs in West Indian and Irish bars in London. Tragedy ensues in New York, followed by corruption in Los Angeles before Roger Coulter can return to his dream. In His Stead (A Father's War) by Judith Sanders AN ANCIENT LAW, A MODERN WAR, AND A FATHER'S LOVE THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS... Retired Army Ranger Thomas Lane once burned for the taste of gunpowder and the thrill of the battle. But as he struggles to cope with his own PTSD and the death of his eldest son, killed by an IED in Afghanistan, Lane learns that the price o...

Summary: In a sunny California apartment, a young woman and her fiancé arrive to record her great-grandmother's story. The story that unfolds of Precious Orchid's life in China, where she rises from a childhood of shame to become one of the most successful courtesans in the land, is unlike any they've heard before... When Precious Orchid's father is falsely accused of a crime and found guilty, he is executed, leaving his family a legacy of dishonor. Her mother's only option is to enter a Buddhist nunnery, so she gives her daughter over to the care of her sister in Shanghai. At first, life at Peach Blossom Pavilion feels like a dream. Surrounded by exotic flowers, murmuring fountains, colorful fishponds, and bamboo groves, Precious Orchid sees herself thriving. She is schooled in music, literature, painting, calligraphy, and to her innocent surprise, the art of pleasuring men. For the beautiful Pavilion hides its darker purpose as an elite house of prostitu...

I recently volunteered to become a contributor for readdreamrelax website. One of their rules is that reviews cannot be published in two websites at once, which means that certain books will (hopefully) be published over at their blog. I will mark which ones will belong to them by using a picture and a rating and a link to the review.

Name of Book: Winter Nova Author: Preston Morgan ISBN: 978-0-9851918-8 Publisher: ArchMillennium Type of book: Fantasy, faith, quests, magic, sage, different fantasy story, struggle, Light vs Darkness Year it was published: 2012 Summary: For over six years, the Imperial army has achieved uninterrupted success and now controls most of Gildend. Alternating between deceptive diplomacy and brute force, the crafty Empire has decimated the followers of the Light. Only the city of Greydale remains free, and the Imperial army vows to crush it within months. In search of hope, Greydale’s Council rushes to finish rebuilding the Temple. The city sends out the Luminaires, a group of gifted soldiers, to recover the four remaining Crystals—the last pieces of the Temple which are now scattered in the wilderness. During these perilous quests, the soldiers will confront many trials and tribulations. But what will happen if they fail to recover all of the Crystals in time? And do...

Name of Book: Fire Always Burns Author: Krista Lakes ISBN: 9781482605655 Publisher: CreateSpace Type of book: second chances, 2000s, mistakes, secrets, friendship, adult, romance, Conifer, fire, mountain Year it was published: 2013 Summary: Fire always burns. Three friends just have to make sure that it doesn't burn them. Holly managed to escape the boring mountain town where she was born by going to college. However, she found herself having too many wild nights and too many mornings of waking up in unfamiliar beds to keep her scholarship. Now that's she's back in Conifer, she has no idea what she is going to do with her life and no hope for the future. Luke's little brother is miserable after being shuffled away from his friends and family after his parents' bitter divorce. Luke feels helpless, and he will do anything it takes to bring his little brother home where he belongs. Andrew's father died a couple years ago in an electrical acc...