Category Archives: Review

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*ARC REVIEW – The Salamander, (The Dawn of America series Book2), by Regan Walker

#historicalfiction #histfic

Book Blurb

Even the enemy whispered his name…

Captain Jonathan Haraden’s coldblooded courage earned him the nickname “the Salamander”. Like the creature of old, his crew believed him immune to the fires of battle. At the Revolution’s outbreak, he joined the militia guarding the seacoast, yet his true calling lay on the open sea, and it soon drew him into the fledgling Massachusetts Navy.

A dashing sea captain, tall and handsome, Jon captured hearts as easily as he captured ships, but his own belonged to Hannah, his young wife he lost to fever as the Revolution began. Devastated, he sets sail with a vengeance, entrusting his young daughters to Eunice Mason, a preacher’s daughter and young widow whose quiet strength steadies his home.

Commanding the Tyrannicide, Jon seizes British prizes and vital dispatches for General Washington. But chafing at the state’s inefficiencies and hungry for greater freedom, he accepts command of the privateer General Pickering, backed by Salem merchants who hail his daring and skill. Adored by his crew and feared by the enemy, Jon soon becomes a legend, capturing ships with unmatched audacity. Yet he wonders if he will ever find room in his heart for love again — or will the sea be his only mistress?

My Review – 5 stars

A Tale of Patriotism, Courage and Kinship. Historical Fiction at its finest by Regan Walker

The Salamander, set amidst the Revolutionary War, is the second book in Regan Walker’s Dawn of America series. It is a compelling read which recounts the early career of Captain Jonathan Haraden, a real historical figure. Captain Haraden played a key role in the militia and subsequently became a renowned sea captain and privateer working on behalf of Salem merchants.

After the tragic death of his wife Hannah, we witness how Jonathan devotes his life to the sea. I enjoyed reading how he transforms himself into a figure who strikes fear into the British, seizing their ships and dispatches and showing great fortitude and bravery on numerous occasions.

At home Eunice Mason takes on the task of looking after his two young daughters. Eunice, a widow, is a pious young woman with a quiet strength and soon becomes devoted to Jonathan’s family. Although the main thrust of the novel is Jonathan’s endeavours, I savoured the sub plot of their growing relationship and romance which plays out alongside the battles at sea and the war against the British. The author does and excellent job of showing how slowly but surely, Eunice finds her place within the Haraden household and Jonathan’s heart.

The themes of patriotism, courage and kinship predominate throughout the read, reflected in Jonathan’s own actions but also in those of the supporting cast of characters, in particular those of Eunice, his loyal servants Martha the cook and Silas, his man of all works, and the wider Salem community. Indeed, the read strongly reflects Salem’s key role in supporting the privateers and the Continental Army against the British in terms of providing money, munitions and provisions.

As with many of this author’s books, I enjoyed the fact that many of the characters are real people from history. The author’s accompanying notes reflect the meticulous research she has carried out and were much appreciated.

I recommend this read to lovers of character driven historical fiction, particularly those who enjoy reading about the Revolutionary War.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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ARC Review: The Irish Yankee, book one in The Dawn of America series, by Regan Walker

#historicalfiction #histfic #historicalromance #romance

Book Blurb

June 1775, amid the Revolutionary War’s early stirrings, Irish Yankee Jeremiah O’Brien, seizes a British armed schooner off the Maine coast to thwart the cargo of lumber she was escorting from reaching British forces in Boston. Inspired by this daring victory, Jeremiah abandons his lumber business to command privateer vessels, relentlessly pursuing British merchant ships across dangerous waters.

Defying the British navy’s tightening grip on the Massachusetts coast, he risks his life and his ships to capture many prizes. Yet his greatest battle may lay onshore: winning the heart of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, a fiercely independent woman who loves the freedom he fights for. Only a man worthy of the title “the hero of the Lexington of the Sea” could earn her love and prove himself worthy of her strength.

My Review:

In Pursuit of Love and Liberty –  a captivating start to a new series: 5 stars

The Irish Yankee is the first book in Regan Walker’s The Dawn of America series, which features lumber businessman turned privateer Jeremiah O’Brien and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick who has recently moved from Nova Scotia to his hometown of Machias in Maine. The read combines romance with danger and suspense and expertly explores the impact of the Revolutionary war on individuals and communities.

I particularly enjoyed the realistic portrayal of hardships endured by the colonists and how they come together with fortitude and tenacity to fight and ultimately defeat the representatives of the British crown who have ruled and exploited them. The scenes where the revolutionaries gather in the local taverns, places of worship and within their homes, to unite against the British rule and ultimately overcome them were particularly evocative, as were the descriptions of the skirmishes and battles at sea carried out by Jeremiah and his fellow privateers. I now have an understanding of just how important the American privateers were in seizing British merchant ships and disrupting their supply lines during the Revolutionary war.

I appreciated how the author once again features scenes with key historical figures such as General Washington. The book gives and insight into how the general and those in his circle interacted with and supported the privateer Jeremiah and the small community which he represented.

As for Jeremiah and Elizabeth, they are well matched in their strength and determination to defeat the British, and both become key players in the local community. The development of their romance is a gentle one, but it is clear from the start that they were destined for each other. There are a number of scenes which I found extremely moving as the conflict impacts on their life together.

This page turning read is well paced as it explores the themes of loyalty, bravery and honour and the growing love between a strong man and an independent woman. It is recommended to lovers of historical fiction and historical romance alike.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of the book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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*BOOK REVIEW TOUR* – STORY AND STRUCTURE, A COMPLETE GUIDE, BY LEON CONRAD

#storystructure #storytelling #writing

Story and Structure: A complete guide illustrated by Jason Chuang
Nonfiction 528 pages (xxviii, 500)

Book Synopsis

Why does story exist? What makes story ‘story’?
And how can understanding story help us shape our life story more effectively?

Story and Structure tells the untold story of how story works. Using just six primary symbols, author Leon Conrad outlines eighteen story structures and shows how they all optimally solve the problems which give rise to them. The book also demonstrates the much wider application of story, presenting new insights into story as a dynamic force of life, allowing the reader to access more harmony and flow in their life. Writers, storytellers, creative writing teachers, folklorists, narrative therapists, anthropologists, poets, and readers interested in how story works will all find this book useful and informative. Rethink your idea of story.

Paperback – The Squeeze Press – 1 Nov 2022 – £29.95
Signed Limited Edition Hardback (450 copies) – Aladdin’s Cave Publishing – 10 Aug 2022 – £40.00
Purchase link: http://www.leonconrad.com/writer

My Review

Delves Deeply into the craft of storytelling – 5 stars

Story and Structure delves deeply into the crafting of story in its many and varied forms, As an avid reader, it gave me a valuable insight into the structure, patterns and motivations inherent in what I read. In the work the author examines 18 types of stories and their structure in what I found to be a unique approach using a set of 6 primary symbols. The story types examined include the creation myth, rags to riches, the quest, dilemma, voyage and return and others I was less familiar with.

I particularly enjoyed the well-crafted use of examples the author uses to illustrate the analysis, using stories which range from old favourites such as the Three Little Pigs and Snow White to those from other cultures. The references to poetry, song and the oral tradition of storytelling were also useful in examining both the origin and development of all types of storytelling over time. It is a work which made me think more deeply about what I read and one which will become a valuable source of reference in the future.  

The book provides a valuable set of keys to unlock, create and comprehend story in all its forms and as such is highly recommended to readers, writers, students and academics alike.

Please note, this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

About the Author

Leon Conrad – Author, Educator, Story Structure Consultant

I’m a traditionally published author and storyteller. I’ve been a regular columnist, had articles published in journals and magazines, written theatre shows, and contributed to radio programmes. I teach creative writing and am a meticulous and collaborative editor and story structure consultant to both fiction and non-fiction writers.

My latest book, Story and Structure (The Squeeze Press, 2022) reveals new information about story and how we can live more harmoniously by following the ‘laws of story’. It’s based on the work of George Spencer-Brown’s remarkable book, Laws of Form. I was his last student, and he guided me through the work himself.

My TEDx talk on the Magic of Words, with marimba player Aristel Škrbič, is on YouTube (HYit3MYAoqM) and my free on-line course taking readers through Laws of Form available on You Tube (https://www.leonconrad.com/lawsofform) has had over 5,000 views (as at July 2022).

As a storyteller, I’ve been studying the Drut’syla Midrash, a little-known oral tradition and approach to latticing stories with storyteller Shonaleigh Cumbers since 2015.

I’m co-founder and lead trainer at The Academy of Oratory (previously The Conrad Voice Consultancy) and I tutor students across the world using an integrated approach to a classical liberal arts education through The Traditional Tutor and The Penelope Institute for gifted and profoundly gifted learners as well as being Orator in Residence at The Next Society Institute.

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Featured

*ARC REVIEW* – The Strongest Heart (The Clan Donald Saga #3), by Regan Walker

#historicalfiction #saga #Scotland #ScottishHistory

Book Blurb

Set in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, this is the story of Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles, the grandson of both Angus Og Macdonald, whose story is told in book 2, and King Robert II. Donald was a man strong of faith, character and heart who would lead the clan into battle before seeing the Kingdom of the Isles destroyed by an ambitious man who would be king.

In the late 14th century, the Kingdom of the Isles was under assault from the ambitious Albany Stewarts, who were taking advantage of Scotland’s empty throne to increase their power. Jealous of the Macdonald lordship to the west, the ruthless Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, thwarted Donald, Lord of the Isles, at every turn.

A man of keen intelligence, strategy and faith, educated at Oxford and a frequent guest of England’s kings, Donald did not intend to allow a traitorous royal thug to rob him of his legacy. The Earldom of Ross was the buffer he needed to keep the Isles safe. Not unmindful of all that was at stake, he took as his bride Mariota Leslie, heiress to the Earldom of Ross.

What he could not achieve through diplomacy or marriage, Donald was prepared to claim by right of the sword. In the greatest battle Scotland has ever seen, he would demonstrate the power of the Isles to become the Hero of Harlow.

My Review

A powerful tale of honour, loyalty and fortitude, penned by a gifted storyteller – 5 stars

The Strongest Heart is the third book in the Clan Donald Saga by Regan Walker. Spanning the late 14th and early 15th centuries, it chronicles key events in the life of Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles. I found the book to be another character-driven and insightful foray into the history of the dynasty. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend the previous novels in the series, Summer Warrior and Bound by Honor, to gain more understanding of the period.

I was entertained throughout by this powerful read – Regan Walker is a talented storyteller, whose words conjure up a vivid sense of place and time. The domestic scenes and the dialogue between Donald, his wife and those closest to him give the reader an insight into his character and motivations, as do his interactions with his contemporaries. It is evident that the author has paid great attention to the historical sources available. Donald’s relationship with the Kings of England and his allies in Ireland illustrate the strength of the MacDonald clan at that point in history.

The book contains a substantial amount of personal and political intrigue as Donald deals with rebellion from within his own ranks and the ever-present threat in the guise of the Albany Stewarts. Throughout Donald is portrayed as a man who is just, loyal, and fair, not to mention well educated and skilled at diplomacy. He is also a man who does not shy away from making difficult decisions. I enjoyed learning how these traits permit him to both conserve and strengthen the MacDonald legacy and protect the lives of his kin. 

The book is populated by a number of engaging characters, not least that of Mariota, his wife, who is portrayed as wise and devoted. I found her to be a worthy companion for Donald and enjoyed reading about their courtship and their life together. 

Recommended for readers of historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in the  history of Scotland, Ireland and England.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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Regan Walker