I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
Captain's Log, Stardate 11.18.2008
Shadow of Colossus
by
T.L. Higley
In a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?
The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaera, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free—if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible.
Now Tessa must battle for her own freedom and for those she is beginning to love, as forces collide that will shatter the island’s peace and bring even its mighty Colossus to its knees.
Camy here:
What a terrific picture of ancient Greece! I love unique and interesting settings for historical novels, and this intrigued me from the moment I read about it.
I know practically nothing about the setting (Rhodes) or the time period, but the author makes them both come alive for me. There are a few unfamiliar words that are cleverly explained so that I feel like I’ve been seamlessly immersed in this new world.
The heroine’s painful past of being sold into high-priced prostitution made me immediately care for her. Her stony heart, a self-defense mechanism against the pain she has received, made me ache for her.
The hero, the bastard of a wealthy, powerful man who has just been recognized by him as his son, is not as vividly drawn as the heroine but still very intriguing. His poor past combined with his recent elevation to wealth and power makes him an interesting character.
The secondary characters are all just as unique and memorable. Overall, a stunning cast.
Although the heroine’s life is gritty, the story itself is not graphic. I don’t know if I’d give this book to a junior high school reader, but I’d have no qualms about giving it to a high school reader.
Download and read the first three chapters (.pdf) by clicking here.
Shadow of Colossusby
T.L. Higley
In a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?
The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaera, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free—if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible.
Now Tessa must battle for her own freedom and for those she is beginning to love, as forces collide that will shatter the island’s peace and bring even its mighty Colossus to its knees.
Camy here:
What a terrific picture of ancient Greece! I love unique and interesting settings for historical novels, and this intrigued me from the moment I read about it.
I know practically nothing about the setting (Rhodes) or the time period, but the author makes them both come alive for me. There are a few unfamiliar words that are cleverly explained so that I feel like I’ve been seamlessly immersed in this new world.
The heroine’s painful past of being sold into high-priced prostitution made me immediately care for her. Her stony heart, a self-defense mechanism against the pain she has received, made me ache for her.
The hero, the bastard of a wealthy, powerful man who has just been recognized by him as his son, is not as vividly drawn as the heroine but still very intriguing. His poor past combined with his recent elevation to wealth and power makes him an interesting character.
The secondary characters are all just as unique and memorable. Overall, a stunning cast.
Although the heroine’s life is gritty, the story itself is not graphic. I don’t know if I’d give this book to a junior high school reader, but I’d have no qualms about giving it to a high school reader.
Download and read the first three chapters (.pdf) by clicking here.
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