Category: Historical

Blog Tour (Book Review) – Midtown Huckster (Alex Cohen #3) – Leopold Borstinski

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Crime, Historical, Noir, Review1 Comment

Midtown Huckster banner

Hello!

              Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Midtown Huckster’ by Leopold Borstinski, organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I was delighted to participate in this tour, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book, as well as the rest of the blogs involved in the tour.

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.’*

 

3 Midtown Huckster High Res 1930

Book Summary:

1930s Jewish gangster, Alex Cohen runs Murder Inc for Lucky Luciano. After the death of Prohibition he must find a new way to make money, just as the cops are baying at his heels. When Luciano goes down for racketeering, Alex loses his protection and is arrested for tax evasion–he must decide between saving his skin and ratting out his friends.

If he chooses prison time then his gang will fall apart and he will end up with nothing. If he squeals then he will have to flee the city he loves and the family he once adored. What would you do in a world where nobody can be trusted and you have everything to lose?

The third book in the Alex Cohen series is an historical noir novel, which plunges you deep into the early days of narcotics trafficking and the Jewish New York mob. Leopold Borstinski’s piercing crime fiction delivers a fix to every reader like heroin from a needle.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review) – Midtown Huckster (Alex Cohen #3) – Leopold Borstinski” →

Book Review: The Story of Silence – Alex Meyers

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Review, Traditionally-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am reviewing ‘The Story of Silence’ by Alex Meyers, whose cover and premise intrigued me from the start.

*Disclaimer – I received an e-arc via netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

51051711

Book Summary:

There was once, long ago, a foolish king who decreed that women should not, and would not, inherit. Thus when a girl-child was born to Lord Cador – Merlin-enchanted fighter of dragons and Earl of Cornwall – he secreted her away: to be raised a boy so that the family land and honour would remain intact.

That child’s name was Silence.

Silence must find their own place in a medieval world that is determined to place the many restrictions of gender and class upon them. With dreams of knighthood and a lonely heart to answer, Silence sets out to define themselves.

Soon their silence will be ended.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Story of Silence – Alex Meyers” →

Blog Tour (Book Review) – Tomb of Gods – Brian Moreland

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Review, Traditionally-Published2 Comments

Tomb of Gods BT Poster

Hello!

Today (or rather yesterday as I have just realised that I had written the wrong date in my diary, and both calendars…) is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Tomb of Gods’ by Brian Moreland, organised by Random Things Tours. I was delighted to have participate in this tour as this book sounded right up my street, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book.

*Disclaimer: ‘I recieved an arc in exchange for an honest review.’*

Tomb of Gods Cover

Book Summary:

Deep inside the tomb exists a hidden world of wonder and terror.
In 1 935, British archaeologists vanished inside an Egyptian cave. A year later,
one man returned covered in mysterious scars.

Egyptologist Imogen Riley desperately wants to know what happened to the
ill-fated expedition led by her grandfather. On a quest for answers, she joins
a team of archeologists and soldiers in Egypt. Inside a mountain tomb,
they’ve found a technologically advanced relic and a maze of tunnels. Dr.
Nathan Trummel believes this tomb leads to the most guarded secrets of the
pharaohs. When the explorers venture deep into the caves, they discover a
hidden world of wonder and terror.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review) – Tomb of Gods – Brian Moreland” →

Book Review: The Court of Miracles (Court of Miracles #1) – Kester Grant

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Historical, Review, Traditionally-Published, Wyrd & Wonder, YA2 Comments

Hello!

Today I am reviewing ‘The Court of Miracles’ by Kester Grant. This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year, and I was delighted to receive an e-arc through netgalley, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The Court of Miracles (The Court of Miracles Trilogy, Book 1 ...

Book Summary:

A GLITTERING CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD. A HEROINE WHO WILL BRING IT CRASHING DOWN.

Get ready to #JoinTheCourt

The revolution has failed. Paris is a dark and lawless place. To protect themselves the city’s wretched have gathered into guilds of thieves, smugglers, assassins – and worse. Together they form the Miracle Court.

When Nina’s sister is stolen by one of their cruellest Lords she joins the Thieves Guild to get her back. And there she learns that even the wretched have rules. She’ll break every one of those rules to get her sister back.

Even if it tears the Miracle Court apart.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Court of Miracles (Court of Miracles #1) – Kester Grant” →

Blog Tour (Book Review) – A Plague on Both Your Houses – Ian Porter

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Historical, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

A Plague on Both Your Houses banner V2

Hello!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘A Plague on Both Your Houses’ by Ian Porter, organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I was delighted to participate in this tour, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book.

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.’*

A Plague on Both Your Houses

Book Summary:

It’s May 1918. The Great War is finally coming to a conclusion. The German Spring Offensive appears to be winning the war before the recent arrival into Europe of American troops can have any military effect.

But the German Home Front is struggling. The Allied blockade of foodstuffs; a poor government and a potato blight have left the German people hungry and angry. In comparison, the introduction of rationing proves a great boon to morale in Britain. And just in time too. Because the American troops have brought with them something far more deadly than their own firepower. A deadly mutated flu virus.

In the East End of London, Mr & Mrs Nash have not bought into the war. He’s a tough ex-villain who hides conscientious objectors from the authorities. But the government’s net appears to be drawing in on him. She helps Sylvia Pankhurst run a nursery, restaurant cum soup kitchen and a toy factory, as well as badger officialdom to give more help to people. And as an ex-Suffragette she knows how to both use and circumvent the law when it suits her.

In the East End of Berlin, a nurse, a farmer, a black marketer, a soldier home on leave and a rich woman with a chauffeuse are all woven together as the Germany Home Front starts to collapse into starvation, retribution and rioting. Germany can’t fight the British, the flu and themselves.

It’s a fast paced page-turner, full of action and personal relationships, as the two stories and the people of two countries come together to solve a huge problem the war and the flu has created.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review) – A Plague on Both Your Houses – Ian Porter” →

Blog Tour (Book Review) – A Prison in the Sun – Isabel Blackthorn

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Contemporary, Historical, Mystery, Review, Traditionally-Published2 Comments

A Prison in the Sun banner

Hello!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘A Prison in the Sun’ by Isabel Blackthorn, organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I was delighted to participate in this tour, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book.

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.’*

A Prison in the Sun cover

 

Book Summary:

After millennial ghostwriter Trevor Moore rents an old farmhouse in Fuerteventura, he moves in to find his muse.

Instead, he discovers a rucksack filled with cash. Who does it belong to – and should he hand it in… or keep it?

Struggling to make up his mind, Trevor unravels the harrowing true story of a little-known concentration camp that incarcerated gay men in the 1950s and 60s.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review) – A Prison in the Sun – Isabel Blackthorn” →

*COVER REVEAL* : Midtown Huckster – Leopold Borstinski

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Cover Reveal, Crime, Historical, Noir1 Comment

 

Hello!

Today in another first for this blog, I am absolutely delighted to participate in the Cover Reveal for ‘Midtown Huckster’ by Leopold Borstinski. This is the third book in the Alex Cohen series, and is due for release by Sobriety Press on 16th July 2020 (See below for the pre-order links). Having read and reviewed book two in the series (Here), and with the first book very high on my tbr list, I will certainly be checking out this title, and I hope that you will support the author by pre-ordering what promises to be a very exciting read!

Book Summary:

Can you keep your gelt and freedom when the cops have enough evidence to take you down? 

1930s Jewish gangster, Alex Cohen runs Murder Inc for Lucky Luciano. After the death of Prohibition he must find a new way to make money, just as the cops are baying at his heels. When Luciano goes down for racketeering, Alex loses his protection and is arrested for tax evasion-he must decide between saving his skin and ratting out his friends.

If he chooses prison time then his gang will fall apart and he will end up with nothing. If he squeals then he will have to flee the city he loves and the family he once adored. What would you do in a world where nobody can be trusted and you have everything to lose?

The third book in the Alex Cohen series is an historical noir novel, which plunges you deep into the early days of narcotics trafficking and the Jewish New York mob. Leopold Borstinski’s piercing crime fiction delivers a fix to every reader like heroin from a needle.

***** ***** *****

** Drum rolls **

***********

Continue reading “*COVER REVEAL* : Midtown Huckster – Leopold Borstinski” →

Blog Tour (Book Review) – East Side Hustler – Leopold Borstinski

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Crime, Genres, Historical, Noir, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

East Side Hustler banner

Hello!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘East Side Hustler’ by Leopold Borstinski, organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I was delighted to participate in this tour, and to this fascinating book, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book.

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.’*

Image

 

Book Summary

Alex lived through the war, but will he survive the peace?

Jewish gang member, Alex comes back from the Great War almost destroyed by the horrors he has seen. When he is plucked from certain death by an old friend, he commits to making so much money he’ll never know that agony again.

But the route to the top is fraught with danger and every time he helps one of his powerful friends like Al Capone, he acquires more enemies who want to see him dead. When organised crime financier, Arnold Rothstein dies, the turmoil caused by his loss sets in train a chain of events which means Alex must once more fight for his life. How far would you go to attain your American dream?

The second book in the Alex Cohen series is a violent historical novel, which tears through the Prohibition years of the Jewish New York mob. Leopold Borstinski’s gripping crime noir pierces the heart of every reader like a bullet from Alex’s sniper rifle.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review) – East Side Hustler – Leopold Borstinski” →

Book Review: Devil’s Ballast – Meg Caddy

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Historical, Review, YALeave a comment

Hello!

I found ‘Devil’s Ballast’ while browsing through netgalley, and the cover and summary immediately caught my attention, and I haven’t been able to put it down so here I am to share my love for this story.

*Disclaimer e-copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The Devils Ballast

Book Summary

Anne Bonny was eighteen when she ran away from her violent husband, James, into the arms of pirate captain Calico Jack Rackham. Now she’s ensconced aboard Jack’s ship Ranger, passing as a cabin boy and playing her ruthless part in a crew that is raining down mayhem and murder on the ships of the Caribbean. But James Bonny is willing to pay to get his ‘property’ back. And pirate-hunter Captain Barnet is happy to take his money. The Ranger’s a fast ship: Anne might just be able to outrun Barnet. But can she outrun the consequences of her relationship with Calico Jack?

Continue reading “Book Review: Devil’s Ballast – Meg Caddy” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Nobody’s Heroes – Steven Jacob

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Historical, Review, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Blog Tour

Nobody’s Heroes – Steven Jacob

@damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Nobody's Heroes banner

Hello!

Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Nobody’s Heroes’ by Steven Jacob, organised by Damppebbles Blog Tours. I was delighted to participate in this tour, and to read a fascinating book outside my usual genres, and I hope that you will check out both the author and the book.

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.’*

Nobody's Heroes cover

Book Summary:

Reuben Ayers in on the come-up. He makes a deal with Tammany Hall to spy on the African American regiment out of Harlem during World War I. As he works his way into the regiment, befriending Jim Europe, bandleader; and his friend Noble Sissle, he begins to understand the power of altruism. Though too late he realizes that he has sacrificed too much for the wrong thing.

In an effort to repent his betrayal of his people, he sets out on a quest to save the child he did not know he had and to repair the relationships that he sundered during his climb to the political heights. Only through his friendships forged on the battlefield is he able to come to the conclusion that his fight must change if he is to save his soul.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Nobody’s Heroes – Steven Jacob” →