Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
Harkworth Hall by L.S. Johnson (Book Review #273)
Although the story is short, it was well put together and was filled with an immense amount of content. It was very surprising to feel as gratified as I was, once I had finished reading this book. The literature style of writing is in a classic format adding to the texture of the theme, and it is action packed with romance and hidden twists, making it an ideal choice for a fast-enjoyable read.
There is a sequel to this book which made the ending more intriguing. It definitely provides something to look forward to and promises great potential for something as good as this one. What the work could improve on was its character development. Having said this, it did not take away much from the book since it was a short story.
I recommend this book to historical fantasy readers.
Written by Jeyran Main
This review was kindly requested by the author and underrated.com
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“New Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies,” by Najmieh Batmanglij: A Review by da-AL
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Novelist da-AL will soon release her book, “Flamenco & the Sitting Cat.” For more of her writing, visit her blog: HappinessBetweenTails.WordPress.com
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It’s the start of Spring and with it Persian New Year, the time of year that is among the happiest everywhere in the world. A time brilliant with hope, promise, and gratitude for overcoming the year behind us. Yeah! We have survived! All people can peacefully celebrate!
“New Food of Life,” by Najimieh Batmanglij celebrates the past that brought about her marvelous food. Her book promises to keep Iran’s most sensual art alive. She packs in love in all of its forms. Within these pages lie poetry, tapestry, childhood memories, and practical advice on how to make these recipes your own.
Persian ‘tadig,’ crunchy rice.
Persian ‘miniature’ style painting of picnickers.
Colorful ‘miniature’ style paintings and lyrical poetry are interspersed among photos vivid enough to make me feel the aromatic steam on my nostrils as I experience crunchy rice (tadig), mountains of grains, pots of stews, platters of desserts, with all manner of drinks, staples including pickle and yogurt making instructions, and mixes for seasonings.
Platter of fresh herbs, feta, and nuts.
Without my husband, I might never have tasted simple elegance at its most sublime. Here Batmanglij features a splendid heap of fresh herbs that can include mint, fennel, parsley, watercress, and sweet basil. Alongside it, real feta cheese (not the miserly crumbled sort), and nuts soaked in brine.
Persian ‘Lubia Polo’ green bean stew with rice.
Tea gets its own chapter — marvelous Persian tea that’s best appreciated by eyes and nose from clear glasses that highlight color and scent.
Persian sweet fritters.
Batmanglij accomplishes much in this singular book! There’s illustrated explanations of holidays and traditions.
Persian poetry and painting.
Even a list of her mother’s interpretation of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ foods — hot and cold, not to be confused with the dictionary definition of these words. In this case, they’re more akin to Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine interpretations of how they affect the body, not merely the taste buds.
This book is for anyone who loves globetrotting via food and anyone who loves a Persian.
Batmanglij has other cookbooks for all ages.
Author: da-AL of HappinessBetweenTails.WordPress.com
Best Book Blogs of 2017
Happy First Day Of Spring
The first day of Spring also happens to be New Years (Noruz) for our fellow Persians. This traditional and historical celebration goes back to the Achaemenid times (555-330 BC). It has often been suggested that the famous Persepolis Complex, or at least the palace of Apadana and Hundred Columns Hall, were built for the specific purpose of celebrating Noruz. However, no mention of the name of Noruz exists in any Achaemenid inscription.It is no surprise then that this historical day comes along with many traditional and cultural proceedings.
Happy Persian New Year! and Happy First Day of Spring!
The Brotherhood By Shannon Condon Ward – Author Interview
- When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I knew I wanted to be a writer by the time I was in elementary school. When I reached college, I had the opportunity to explore different types of writing. It was then I decided I wanted to write fiction novels.
- What is your most interesting or craziest writing quirk?
I start every book on the first page and write straight through to the end. I never skip around with chapters. I want the story to unfold exactly as the readers are going to see it unfold.
- What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)? I found I changed things as I wrote. I had the basis for the story written in my head but as I put it on paper, things seem to evolve and the characters began to exercise their voices. It was exciting to see where the book flowed to.
- Which writers inspire you?
My three favorite authors are Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy and William Golding. In their books, they all have the ability to wrap you in their story and keep you holding on to the final page.
- Anything else you would like to say about writing? Encouraging words for potential writers? The most important thing someone ever told me was to write for the love of writing. Don’t write to try and make money. It was the best advice I ever received.
The Brotherhood By Shannon Condon Ward
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Starting where Finding Magdalena left off, nineteen-year-old Maggie marries her fiancé, Mateo and moves to Milan for his new job and her scholarship at the famous Milan Conservatory. She has barely settled in her new home when Maggie uncovers the Brotherhood, a secret organization and finds herself unwittingly involved in its sinister plans. Along with Shep and the rest of his team, she leads the covert mission to bring the Brotherhood to its knees.
Once again, Maggie embarks on a dangerous journey that tests her mental and physical limits. Can she escape the Brotherhood’s long reach and survive?
About the Author
Born in upstate New York, I was raised in South Florida where I was exposed to a multicultural background. From the time I was in elementary school, I was writing prolifically in journals and poetry. I attended the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and graduated with honors. Life happens and it was necessary for me to put my writing aspirations on hold for a while. I still wrote poetry as time allowed, but as a single mother of three boys, there wasn’t much time. But time passes quickly and the opportunity presented itself for me to begin writing again. I developed the first story in Magdalena series, Finding Magdalena, in my head before I put anything down on paper. I had the storyline, well-developed characters and ending before I began writing. I also took the opportunity to travel to Spain and Italy to do location research. It was a labor of love. I self-published my first book in September 2015 and then it was republished in the UK by Austin Macauley Publishers. The second book in the series, The Brotherhood, came pouring forth like a waterfall. The characters, now old friends to me, seemed to take over and write the book themselves. I am currently working on the third installment of the Magdalena series and another book which is a different genre, one that deals with the relationship between three generations of women over three time periods.
For me, writing has always been a release, never work. I hope that continues. When it becomes work, I will probably stop. Right now, just the idea that people read my work and find enjoyment in it is a thrill for me.
@shannonecondon1
https://shannonecondon.wixsite.com/shannoncondonauthor
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rpvb9R
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Pamper Yourself – Written by Jackie Paulson
Jackie has honored us by sharing monthly Chapters of her thoughts that will be published here. Please show her the love and support you have given me by following her or commenting here. – Jeyran Main
Have you wanted to pamper yourself? When was the last time you did that? Each day goes by so quickly leaving us with little time to consider what our efforts have allowed us to achieve.
On this life’s journey, it’s important to give yourself tiny gifts, whether in simple ways or other ways. This is in a way thanking you for your hard work and dedication. The gifts you give yourself today will help sustain your passion for your goals, no matter what challenges you must overcome. It is important to give yourself love.
Love is the opposite of fear, but true love is unconditional, no strings attached. In the relative, dualistic world of positive and negative, male and female, we make choices, and we learn from them. Ultimately, the choices we make will shed light on the love that makes us all one.
I choose love, to believe we are all created equal. What will you choose?
Jackie Paulson is a book blogger and book reviewer. She is one of Amazon’s Top Reviewers since 2012 and is currently studying Human Resources to obtain her Master’s Degree. Jackie adores her three cats; Wiley, Andy & Barney and their names come from her love of the television show Andy Griffith. You can visit her on https://thenuttybookblogger.wordpress.com/.
2000 Followers, Say What??
This is such a huge milestone! 2000 people are following my website! I never believed that I would reach such a number.
I really don’t know how to thank you? I just want you all to know that I recognize your names whenever I get a like or a comment from you. My face lights up, and I smile with the knowledge that you came back and visited me again.
Thank you so much for being you and for joining me on this endeavor.
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Jackie Paulson – Chapter 3
Jackie has honored us by sharing monthly Chapters of her thoughts that will be published here. Please show her the love and support you have given me by following her or commenting here. – Jeyran Main
Jackie Paulson is a book blogger and book reviewer. She is one of Amazon’s Top Reviewers since 2012 and is currently studying Human Resources to obtain her Master’s Degree. Jackie adores her three cats; Wiley, Andy & Barney, and their names come from her love of the television show Andy Griffith. You can visit her on https://thenuttybookblogger.wordpress.com/.
Chapter 3
All of you who have experienced a death of a parent under the age of five, experienced abandonment, know the loneliness that follows and you hear me. You can understand where I am coming from. The message I got was I must never say out loud how I feel. I must be a good girl.
Life without my mom was hard. It was filled with sleepless nights and nightmares. Dad was never around for me, creating my deep beliefs that we are responsible for other people’s feelings and ignored or silenced our own, which is known as codependency. As you grow up with no parent being around it created a belief that men are unavailable, men cannot meet my needs, and no one had time for me.
As I grew older, I realized, with mom gone that others would have to take care of me including grandma. This would lead me to believe that safety did not exist and hope was no longer a feeling but one of emptiness. Feeling alone and abandoned with mom was gone created the little girl inside me to silence all emotions. My dad made me believe silencing my feelings was my only option.
A Turning Point
My dad did not know or express his own emotions of mom’s death, no grief, no loss. Her death was the greatest loss of my entire life. My belief was that I am not good enough to be loved. This belief would play a big role in my future relationships. Dad worked hard every day running his restaurant which kept him busy as to not deal with his emotional loss of mom. At that time, I did not understand about the trauma my father had gone through during his hardship. What I do know is that he did not want me around.
The lack of closure with my mother did not come until the age of 25. I was not there at the time of my mom’s death which created a big resentment I carried with me for years. It was easier to place blame on my dad than deal with the death of mom.
Now that my mom was gone, it did not take long for him to find us a new mom. When dad announced that this would be my new mom, I thought to myself, “this is not going to happen.” Nevertheless, in March on St. Patrick’s Day when I was around seven years old, he married my step mom. Because I just lost my real mom, I had a hard time embracing her. Even though she was nice to me, we had a rough time getting along. What this did was make me believe that love does not last. I felt that if love lasted my father would not forget my birth mother by marrying my step mom. These feelings stood in the way of my relationship with her.
Over the course of two years, my life had changed so dramatically: I lost my mom, my individuality, my feelings, my expectations, my friends, my toys and my old school. I was hurt, grieving and confused and I lost parts of myself. I now had a new family as mom brought three children to the marriage making us the “Brady bunch.”
I was a master in my mind to not talk about feelings, and I went numb inside. I did not want to have to think about all that happened to me. This stage of my young childhood created a negative perception that sending them into my subconscious mind. This would only do harm later in my life as my feelings were not acknowledged ever!
Jackie Paulson is a book blogger and book reviewer. She is one of Amazon’s Top Reviewers since 2012 and is currently studying Human Resources to obtain her Master’s Degree. Jackie adores her three cats; Wiley, Andy & Barney, and their names come from her love of the television show Andy Griffith. You can visit her on https://thenuttybookblogger.wordpress.com/.
