Carole reviews: Olivia, Mourning - Yael Politis

Author: Yael Politis

Title: Olivia, Mourning (Olivia #1)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure, 

Pages: ebook

First Published: November 27th, 2013

Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased and honest opinion

"Newly orphaned and forced to live with her brother and the overbearing woman who will soon be his wife, Olivia Killion is determined to gain her independence by inheriting 80 acres of farmland in far off Michigan. Her father’s will bequeathed the land to whichever of his offspring would put in a crop and stake a claim to it. Olivia insists, “I’m sprung off him just as much as Avis or Tobey.”

The problem: she’s seventeen, female, and it’s 1841.

She has a friend who would make a perfect partner for this endeavor. Mourning Free knows how to run a farm, having worked many years for local farmers. More importantly, Olivia has complete trust in him and no fear of a romantic entanglement developing between them. Mourning will put in the crop for her and she will then help him buy land of his own.

The problem: Mourning is black, the orphaned son of runaway slaves, and reluctant to travel and work with a white girl. He especially fears the private agents from the south who patrol the free states, hunting fugitive slaves.

Olivia believes she and Mourning can make their partnership work and they set off together. All goes well, despite the drudgery of survival in an isolated log cabin. Incapable of acknowledging her feelings for Mourning, Olivia thinks her biggest problem is her unrequited romantic interest in their young, single neighbor. Then she is betrayed and violated and her world falls apart.

Strong-willed, vulnerable, and compassionate, Olivia is a compelling protagonist on a journey to find a way to do the right thing in a world in which so much is wrong."

Like earlier stated I was given this book by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion. 

At this point I am speechless....I...huh....its a good speechless, but I'm trouble forming words at the moment....

Well, lets begin with the beginning and middle. Very calm and very well written. I'm so glad someone decided to showcase Michigan in the 1800s. Not a common place for a setting. I'm from Michigan (as you may or may not know) and when this was presented to me I had no choice but to sign on and give this a read. But yes...the beginning was sad, but Olivia was ready for the new start. The hero's call for the adventure, one might say. The middle was very well described and at one point I told Boyfriend, "I'm so glad we were not farmer's in the 1800s...I think I would have jumped into the river..." then I went on a ten minute rant about what life was like as a farmer starting out. Not fun. Not fun at all. I would have given up after the first day. However, kuddos for Olivia sticking it out! The only compliant I have is that after a while I was concern nothing was going to happen. Yes, it was still intriguing...but I started skimming. This did not last long, however.

The middle to the end. OH MY GOODNESS! I did not expect ANY of that to happen. Holy bananas. The author certainly did throw me twist and loop. Poor Olivia and poor Mourning. Jeez. I can not tell you all what happened, because it ruins the whole book. Just wow. The ending did leave off with a decent sized cliff-hanger. GAH! I must know! I must read the second book of this series!!!! I especially can't wait for the third one that seems to follow Mourning's story after the huge drama that takes place. Hmmmmm.

Another compliant that I had was Mourning at the beginning. Okay. I get it...he's son of former slaves and he's black. Tough times and he's use to whites hating on him. Even though the whites of the village accepted him as a free man of color. Some still judged him. I really, truly get it. Fine, great. But why the Hell was he treating Olivia like crap at some points? He pretty much was edgy for a while thinking Olivia was just some white girl who hated him. WHY WOULD YOU EVER THINK THAT MAN?! Daft idiot. They had known each other for years and she never once judged him because of the color of his skin. Hell, he was the first person she thought of when she decided she wanted to go to Michigan and start a farm. There were other options of men for her to pick (all of them white) and she went to him. GAH. I just wanted to smack his thick skull.

Well, this was a really good book. It truly was. Yael Politis truly captured the time period. She didn't even shy away from the major issues of the time: women's place in the world, farmer's struggle, bad people, and the slave issue/blacks place in the world. She took them all head on and made the world real. Major kuddos to her for that. It was a fun adventure, even though I was scared nothing was going to happen for a while and Mourning made me angry for a little bit. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book. There are so many unanswered questions! DARN THE CLIFFHANGER! *shakes fist* But it was done soooooo well. I recommend this to those that love Historical Fiction. You'll get a kick out of this. MMmmmmm, I shall stamp this....with 5 stars. It's more like 4.5, but I don't give decimals.

Favorite Character(s): Olivia, Mourning (after he got over his thing...), Ms Place, Tobey (for some reason I liked him), Mabel (she entertained me for some reason), Jeremy (hoping he gets a nice HEA), and the oxen.

Not-so Favorite Character(s): The two baddies (names will not be given, because its a big spoiler)

Author Interview and giveaway: Dora Levy Mossanen

Today's interview is with Dora Levy Mossanen.

Welcome!

1. Tell me about yourself.

Dora—I was born in Israel and moved to Iran with my family when I was nine. Although I didn't know it at the time, I joined a culture and a community rich in legend, mythology, folklore, and superstition. What I did find out very early on was that I had an invaluable source of knowledge and history right next to me—my late grandfather, a renowned historian, whose books are being taught in universities around the world. At the time, I spoke only Hebrew, but I learned Farsi in less than a year, wanting to understand my grandfather, who spoke of Mahaleh, the Jewish Quarter, being the shah's dentist, and the dangers of being Jewish in a Moslem country.

In 1979, not long after I had started my own family, all of our lives were turned upside down by the Islamic Revolution. I was forced to leave Iran for America, where I was followed by the same set of expectations…to cook, clean, to raise my children. So, I embarked on finding the proper school for my kids, the proper orthodontist, and the best Iranian market with the most tender beef shank, the purest turmeric and most aromatic saffron, and the freshest mint. Once my wifely responsibilities were taken care of, I went ahead and rebelled. I went back to school! Got a bachelor's degree in literature, then a master degree in professional writing. And after three novels that take place in past historical eras, I garnered the courage to write Scent of Butterflies, a contemporary story that mirrors a historical time I’ve personally experienced.

2. Your new book is called Scent of Butterflies. Tell me about the book  :)

Dora—Ah! How I love this title: Scent of Butterflies, which reveals so much about my protagonist, Soraya, about her heightened sense of smell, about her obsession with butterflies as she lures them to her gardens in Bel Air, traps and studies them, analyzing their different scents in ways only Soraya can do. It’s important to know that Soraya, who feels betrayed by her best friend, Parvaneh, which means butterfly in Farsi, is beginning to fail to distinguish between her friend, Parvaneh, and the hordes of colorful butterflies she taps. This is the story of a revolution, of obsession and loyalty and revenge. But above all, it is the story of a love so deep, it will forever change everyone involved.

3. What inspired you to write this book?

Dora—A certain tumultuous period of my life. But that’s probably too simple an answer. I started writing Scent of Butterflies more than twenty years ago—yes you read right—when my personal life was going though an upheaval. Betrayal. Separation. Cultural shock. What else shall I say? And being a novelist with the power to change history, I found solace in writing, found pleasure in creating characters such as the incomparable Soraya, who loves so intensely she has no qualms destroying her best friend, Butterfly, the woman she believes has stolen her love. In addition, the political background of the Islamic Revolution, which I personally experienced, plays an important role in Scent of Butterflies, affording the reader an intimate look at the politics of the time and the events that led to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and its affect on Iranians.

4. Why is Soraya the character to read about? 

Dora—Soraya is an exceptional woman, who refuses to be bound by the suffocating mores of her culture, a woman who will dare commit acts we might wish to commit if we find ourselves in the same situation, but can’t imagine doing. She loves fiercely and passionately, and I lived my life vicariously through her for many years. I was sorry to say goodbye when the book was finished. I hope you feel the same way.

5. What is coming next from you?

Dora—My next novel takes place in the past again, this time in Iran during World War II. It’s the story of a dentist who introduces Novocain to the country. But his success and fame proves to be a curse. The powerful Director General, who has become dependent on the doctor to take care of his rotting teeth, refuses to allow the doctor to travel out of the country to have his daughter’s eyes checked. Until… Well, until the Director General’s beautiful wife and the kind eunuch, Tulip, step in. Stay tuned.

Thanks!

Giveaway:

1 copy of Scent of Butterflies

1. US and Canada only

2. Ends Jan 25th

3. Just enter :)

Review: Scent of Butterflies - Dora Levy Mossanen

Such audacity she has, Soraya, a woman who dares to break free of the diamond-studded leash of her culture. A woman who refuses to accept the devastating betrayal her husband has perpetrated. A woman who refuses to forgive her best friend.

Soraya turns her back on Iran, fleeing to America to plot her intricate revenge. The Shah has fallen, her country is in turmoil, her marriage has crumbled, and she is unraveling. The cruel and intimate blow her husband has dealt her awakens an obsessive streak that explodes in the heated world of Los Angeles.

Yet the secret Soraya discovers proves far more devastating than anything she had imagined, unleashing a whirlwind of unexpected events that will leave the reader breathless.

My thoughts:

There is something about the way this book is written, I have come across books like this before and I have always enjoyed them. But to explain what it is in the writing I like, that I just can't. It is jumpy and one would think that would be bad, but cos of the way it's written it works. It's like I am always in her mind, being sad, confused, angry, thinking about certain events in her life, missing her husband, hearing his voice. It is the writing that makes it excellent.

Soraya, there was this one event where I was all noo! But at the same time I was all yes! And yes won. Feelings are complex, I can't say much more about it. But I enjoyed reading about her life after she left with a broke heart, and I enjoyed the flashbacks cos it was so alien. How after the revolution they went from dancing and wearing makeup to being scared. Because the morality police looked through windows and if they saw you in the street and a single strand of hair was shown they were there with razor blades. But she loved her country, the scents, the food, the life. 

Conclusion:

An interesting book about love, life and revenge. I want to see if her other books are written with the same style.

Cover

Ok

Paperback, 282 pages
Published January 7th 2014 by Sourcebooks Landmark
Fiction
for review

Author Interview and giveaway: Tammy Falkner

Welcome Tammy Falkner to my blog today :)

1. Tell me about yourself.

Tammy: I am a mom of two boys, married for 20 years, and I am not quite 40 yet! I’m holding on to 39 for as long as I possibly can!

2. Your new book is called The Magic Between us. Tell me about the book too :)

Tammy: The Magic Between us is the third book in my faerie series and it’s the story of Marcus Thorne and his lifelong love, Cecelia Hewitt. Marcus is half-human and has to leave the fae world to go take over his family obligations, leaving Cecelia behind. Six months later, he’s realized he can’t live without her and just happens to see her, and knows he must win her back. Cecelia has some secrets of her own, and some issues at home with an alcoholic father, and she can’t call upon Marcus since he left her when she needed him most.

3. Will there be more books in the series?

Tammy: No, this is the third and final book in this series.

4. Tell me 3 hot things about Marcus? ;)

Tammy: He’s loyal to his family and friends. He is magical. He is my first virgin hero!

5. What is coming next from you?

Tammy: Up next is the fourth book in my New Adult Series, called the Reed Brothers!

Thanks so much for having me!

Giveaway

1 copy of The magic between us

1. US and Canada only

2. Ends Jan 25th

3. Just enter

THE MAGIC BETWEEN US BY TAMMY FALKNER – IN STORES JANUARY 2014

When These Worlds Collide…

Cecelia Hewitt has lived her whole life in the land of the fae, and she dreams of a future with her childhood sweetheart, Marcus Thorne. When Marcus is called upon to dwell in the human world, it means leaving Cecelia behind and breaking both their hearts...

More Than Sparks May Fly…

Marcus was groomed for leadership in the land of the fae, but now that he has found his human parents, he will inherit his father's title and position in the British ton—and he will marry a human. As love and passion continue to burn between Cecelia and Marcus, the question remains: Can two people fated for different worlds find one to share?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As half of the Lydia Dare writing team, Tammy Falkner has co-written ten books, including A Certain Wolfish Charm and In the Heat of the Bite. A huge fan of Regency England, her regency paranormal series combines the magical elements of both mystical faeries and the glittering regency ton and includes A Lady and Her Magic and The Magic of “I Do.” Tammy lives on a farm in rural North Carolina with her husband and a house full of boys, a few dogs, and a cat or two. Visit her website, www.tammyfalkner.com, for more information about all of her books!

To Purchase The Magic Between Us:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-a-Million

Chapters/Indigo

iBooks

IndieBound

Discover a New Love

Sourcebooks