Grays Hill By Barbara T. Cerny

Name of the Book: Grays Hill

Name of the Author: Barbara T. Cerny

Publisher: Eloquent Books

Disclaimer: I have recieved this novel from the author in exchange of my honest review.

Book Blurb

After her father committed suicide rather than face his mounting gambling debts, Oksana Wallingford knows she will have to work in order to keep food on the table and her younger brother, the new baron, in school. When her best friend finds her a position as the nanny of his brother's children, it is the opportunity Oksana needs. But what she didn't contend with was Rafe, the recently widowed Duke of Essex and her new employer. Oksana and Rafe's personalities are like oil and water. However, what begins as mutual hate slowly begins to change into something more. But what future can they have when Rafe has sworn off marriage for good? As the mismatched pair struggles to come to terms with one another, a disaster that throws everything into question strikes them both. Barbara T. Cerny also authored Of Angels and Orphans. She served twenty-two years in the U.S. Army Reserves and is now an information technology specialist and supervisor. She lives with her loving husband, Charles, and their two wonderful children, Oksana and Audra, in Dayton, Ohio. .

Review

After reading Angels ad Orphan and Tessa, I had expected nothing less than what I am reading currently, 'Grays Hill’. Strong characters, backdrops -I would give anything to have this kind of  knowledge of history which would put many historians to shame. As usual a great book from Barbara.  

Lady Oksana Jane Wallingford had lost her family home and needed a place to stay. Her childhood friend, Geoff Tarkington takes her to his brother - Rafe Tarkington’s house  who was The Duke. Rafe was a widower with three kids. Oksana joins as their governess and soon takes over the running of the property. 

While the Duke didn't like it originally, but soon found himself relying more and more on her. Not only as a caretaker for his children but also as a companion. His distrust in women, caused by his late wife Paula, too a dent when his armor against love and happiness was chipped off by Oksana. 

But even when they succumbed to their love, Rafe is not able to let go of his past and would rather have her as his mistress rather than as his wife. But he was very badly shaken when she refuses. Would he be able to let go his past or would it be too late for them before he really understands her worth.

Rating

Reasoning

The characters are very strongly etched. Oksana, aka OJ, comes out as a very strong woman. She was ashamed of her weight but instead of lamenting about it..[ahem!!!] she acknowledges it and decides to do something about it. Sorry guys.. this is not a weight loss book but this topic is very close to me..[*winking] 

Now, back to track… Oksana is one woman I would want to be. Strong, dependable, independent and above all humorous. The way she learns fencing, her subtle fights with Lady Catlin and the way she handles the Duke is done in a humorous way without losing the sweet and passionate romance between them. Right touch of evil injected,which gelled well with the Duke’s inner conflict.

Barbara has not restrained herself to only the two protagonists - this is what I have always loved about her writing. She has brought about Geoff also as a beautiful character. I love the way he reacts when he comes to know about his best friend loving his brother. I would have done the same.  :)

Would I recommend this to my readers. Definitely. 

Buy this book @

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance

About the Author

A tete a tete with Barbara T. Cerny

 What inspired you to write your first book? 

I have wanted to write since the second grade. I was always coming up with stories to tell my friends at lunch or on the bus rides to/from school. I wrote through high school, on the journalism team, in creative writing class, on the teen page for the school newspaper.

My first story, Of Angels and Orphans, rolled around in my head for nearly thirty years.  Life eventually got in the way and writing was shoved to the side.  “Someday, I will write…” You know how it goes.

Well, that someday came in the most unusual way. I am a retired lieutenant colonel in the US Army Reserves, a twenty-two year veteran in our military.  And I, like hundreds of thousands before me, was called up by my country to serve in Southwest Asia (SWA) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

I left behind two small children, Oksana, eight and Audra, five, and a husband, Charles, who overnight became chief, cook, bottle washer, mom and dad. I bless him everyday for the sacrifices he made to keep the home fires burning.  He took the brunt of this deployment, not me. I love him with all my being: my heart my mind, my body, my soul.  My love for him is where my ability to write about the love between my two main characters is born.

In SWA, I worked six days a week, twelve to thirteen hour days for twelve straight months.  My day off was sometimes a day off, sometimes only six-to-eight hours of work.  I lived Groundhog Day for three hundred sixty-five days.

But I had time on my hands. No kids, no responsibilities outside the mission, no cleaning the bathrooms, no cooking or grocery shopping.  I just had to make my bunk and take the bus to work. I lived in an open bay barracks with forty-eight of my favorite friends, walking three buildings to a shower/toilet trailer in 115º heat.

When I first arrived, I read voraciously, downing four-five novels in a week.  In January 2006, I was able to take a four-day break to Qatar and lay around reading seven novels.  I read two romance novels in those four days, a genre I rarely read as I like Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and their brand of book best.

So there I was, reading a romance novel and wondering why I was reading other people’s books when I have Of Angels and Orphans still wandering around in my mind.

So I started to write.  I wrote on my days off. I wrote on my evenings I wasn’t dancing - I taught ballroom and country dance lessons for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines on my camp.  I wrote when my boss went on leave, I wrote when my boss went on business travel.  From the first week in February to the first weekend in June, I wrote that book that I had thought up so long ago.

Since I had written it in my head, every activity planned to the nth degree, it flowed very quickly.  I wrote the meeting between Nate and Audra first and the two whippings, the wedding day, then the wagon train, then the final sword fight between Audra and her brother as they had been detailed greatly in my mind over the years.  The rest filled in fast without problem.

Bottom line, deployment gave me the time I had pushed aside for almost three decades so I guess I have to say, “Thank you, Uncle Sam!” for giving me the chance to actually put the life of Audra Markham and Nathaniel Abbot on paper.

       Do you have a specific writing style?

I love to write descriptions. Dialogue is very hard for me and I struggle with it and have to really concentrate on it. The editor working on my fifth novel is constantly telling me to rewrite descriptive paragraphs into dialogue (she is diabolical to say the least). I would be perfectly happy to write everything in a description. However, knowing that would drive away my readers, dialogue and I have come to a truce of sorts. I love research and I love history. I pepper every novel with historical facts woven with the story. My readers always comment on the history lesson I take them on while telling my story.

       What books have most influenced your life most?

As I said earlier, I read Stephen King (my ultimate favorite is The Stand), Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler (so fun), Robert Ludlum, Dan Brown (so technically amazing), Stephen Coonts, etc. However, what comes into my head are romances. Go figure. I love books with the richness of language. I really hate to see our youth of today “dumbed” down with some of the commercial successes that are written without the depth of the English language I feel all readers deserve to read. Now, I don’t mean reading a diet of Shakespeare, but reading at more than the 8th grade level.

       Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I must confess. I get to read very little these days, as all my spare time is spent doing my own writing (unless you count Time Magazine!). I did read every Harry Potter out loud to my daughter and read every Twilight before I let her read them. JK Rawling wins hands down but I seriously doubt if she is considered “new” anymore.

       What are your current projects?

I have two books with editors. My regular editor couldn’t get into my dark fantasy, The Tiefling, so I had to find a new one. My new editor (the diabolical one), is changing every word, I think. But the novel will be amazing. It is set in Scotland, 1053, and first person male. I really had to get in touch with my masculine side for that.

The sequel to Shield of the Palidine, The Magic Thief, is also with my editor (the regular one) and it is well over 425 pages. As editing is simply the start of writing, the both are still “current”. 

I am currently developing three new novels: one romance is set in Sweden in the 1600s (researching the 30 Years’ War for background history), a second is a modern murder mystery called The Walled Cat (you will have to read it to understand that strange name!), and a biography of an amazing woman I know. That biography is by far the hardest book I have written and will probably be the only non-fiction I will ever write. It takes a special kind of writer to do biographies and I don’t think I “have” it.

       Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Boy, second grade was so long ago! I think I was just born with a writing gene, if there is such a thing. I have done very well at my jobs over the years due to my writing ability even though that is not fiction (or is it?) I guess it is hard to find folks that understand technology (my degree is in computer science) and English at the same time. I write because it fills my “love bucket”, the thing that keeps me happy and fulfilled. I would love to make a living at writing but sometimes writing is enough.

       What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Each book has its moments. Of Angels and Orphans flowed in literally days. I wrote on Sundays while deployed and had it done in 16 Sundays. But, it had been drafted in my head for 30 years.

Grays Hill had a size problem. It was too short and the publisher sent it back (162 pages was too close to the 150 page-make-no-money mark). So I had to restructure it completely and put in a sub-plot and touched nearly every page. I literally burned down the town with a fire that started at the blacksmith. My illustrator and I laugh now that we need to “burn down the smithy” when something needs a lot of fixing.

Tressa was a breeze. Loved researching baking in the late 1700s in Ireland.

Now, Shield of the Palidine was a pain. Try keeping track of seventeen main characters that represent nineteen fantasy races (pixies, fairies, griffons, etc.) plus animals like yale and centicore.  I had to refer to a list of characters constantly (included in the book for the reader). I also had to draw a reference of all their heights and sizes compared to each other for sizing. If a pixie had a conversation with a giant, what did that really look like since the pixie was 18 inches tall and the giant 15 feet tall! Also, my editor’s sister and first reader did not think the romance was believable to I tore it apart too and revamped the romance. I was never so glad in my life to see a book leave my hands. So I tortured myself by writing a sequel. I need my head examined (especially since I have outlined a prequel and a fourth in the series!)

For The Tiefling, I had a map of Scotland from around 1500 I use heavily and a dictionary of Scottish words from the 1400s. Talk about a reference nightmare! I use actual word and phrases from hundreds of years ago and have to keep track of the meanings in a glossary. Plus, it is a dark fantasy, first person male. It took me six year to write as I couldn’t sit down in 20 minutes and write a paragraph or two like I could with the romances. I had to take that long just to reread sections and become Branan Lachlan so I could write from his point of view. I needed large chunks of time to write. I also had to get in touch with my darkest side which doesn’t bubble to the surface easily. I hope I do not have to write a sequel to The Tiefling. I don’t want to go there again.

       Do you write an outline before every book you write?

ABSOLUTELY! Couldn’t keep track of everything if I didn’t. Now, it is never a complete outline at the start but a framework by which to work. It gets pretty thick by the time I am done.

Stalk her @

                    

Haveli By Zeenat Mahal

Name of the book : Haveli

Author : Zeenat Mahal

ISBN: 1927826020 (ISBN13: 9781927826027)

The Review

The story starts with the relationship between Chandni and her grandmother, whom she lovingly calls –The Broad. This is enough to hook the readers till the end of the story. It's hilarious how the author brings out the  humor, as well as the conflicting emotion, between the granddaughter  and the grandmother.  Chandni is an orphan, whose mother had died while waiting for her husband to return.  She is brought up by her grandmother and turns out to be a saucy young woman.  

Chandni calls her father The Nameless. She shares the same love and hate relationship with her father.  She wants her father to come and beg for forgiveness and declare his love for her. And he does come. But was his motives as pious as he led them to believe? Or does he have a hidden agenda?

While the father-daughter relationship is a part of the short story, there is another thread to this which is cute and full of hidden love and passion, the naughty love story between Chandni, [or shall I call her C?] and Taimur. Taimur is someone whom she hates because he could see through her acts. She herself couldn’t understand her true feelings for him until circumstances forces her to acknowledge what her heart desires? Will Taimur make the stubborn Chandni admit her love for him or will Chandni fall prey to her father’s schemes?

Rating…

Reasoning…

I loved the way a saucy woman introduces the readers to the Pakistani culture. Where as it should have been a history lesson, if not written properly, but Zeenat Mahal makes you see the culture and the backdrop of the story through Chandni’s eyes. Whether it is defying her grandmother with her dressing style or accepting the wedding proposal out of the duty of a daughter, all portray the social and cultural nuances of the Pakistani society. In such a short story [99 pages approx..] to bring out two upheavals in the life of the protagonist is commendable. 

The chats between Taimur and Chandni could not help but make a reader smile. I loved the scene [Sorry Zeenat but I have to mention this]  where Chandni talks about knowing all about sex to Taimur and in the end he finds out where she got her lesson from. Hilarious. 

The only problem I faced with this story is the number of pseudonyms given to the characters. The grandmother was The Board, Taimur was the Alpha Male, father was The Nameless and so on.  Even Chandni is  ‘C’. In such a short novella, with so many names flying by, makes it  a bit confusing. I won’t say that they did not add humor to the story but they did confuse me at certain parts. 

Would I recommend this book to my readers? Most Definitely. In fact there are  many  threads which surround the Indian Pakistani culture. With such stories in every household of both the countries, maybe one day we won’t need to put on the television and hear about some border fights. Kudos for writing such stories.

Buy the Book at 

Meet the Author

Zeenat Mahal has published two romance novellas with Indireads. Two of her stories were published with The Missing Slate, in their June and September issues, 2013, writing as Faiqa Mansab. Her short story, The Accidental Fiancee was published in Running out of Ink in their August, 2013 issue. It was republished in November, 2013, in their Special Edition, Best of Anthology. Faiqa is currently doing her MFA in creative writing from Kingston University London. 

Tete a Tete With Zeenat Mahal

1. How was Chandni born? Did she portray someone you knew or is she fragmant of your imagination?

Chandni is definetly her own person. Her protected lifestyle and religious constraints she often refers to are proof of that. This was deliberate because I wanted to show that a woman doesn't necessarily have to defy cultural and religious values to find romance and love, or to be independent. These aren't mutually exclusive. She has certain shades of perhaps some of my favourite heroines. Like Emma Woodhouse in Jane Austen's Emma, she grows immensely through the course of the novel and gains self-knowledge. Like 'Kairi bai' in The Far Pavilions, her eyes are a defining feature. She's also a bit like Kit Weston in Just Imagine, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, one of my favourite romance writers. 

2. Her relationship with her father was unusual. Do you think Chandni would have ever forgiven her father, if the story was taken in that direction.

3)You have jampacked a novella with many beautifully etched relationships. Many of them I am sure a reader would love to know further about? Do you think we will see a sequel?

I'll combine the answer to the next question and say that yes, a sequel is a possibility actually because there is a thread that I didn't explore regarding the father and the new wife. However that would be more of a short special edition kind of thing. After what her father does post the ending as you see it, I don't think she would forgive him ever. Her innocence and trust are lost. Her relationships with the rest of them change and evolve too and she comes out a stronger woman. Let's see if that ever sees the light of day.

4. How much of you was in Chandni? Not as a character but with reference to ideologies?

That's complicated. I'm a post-modern Muslim woman and I'm a feminist. Let's leave it at that.

5. The Nanowrimo month is going on. Many new writers are coming out of their shell. Any words of motivation for them?

First and foremost, never give up on your dream. Persevere. Read a great deal, and read about writing as well. I have added several of the books on writing I read, on my Goodreads author page. It helps. I started writing knowing that i was going to be a writer 'one day' when I was eleven. My first story was about a soldier's last moments. It got published in the newspaper I sent it to. I never stopped writing and spinning stories in my head. One of those stories was Haveli. It can happen. Dreams do come true; so dream on.

6. Any upcoming new ventures should your readers wait for? 

Apart from Haveli and The Contract that are already published, a new novella of mine will be coming out soon. It's slightly darker, but it's still very much a romance novella and my initial readers have given positive reviews. I'm quite happy with it. It's called Thank you, he's for me.

7. If Chandni would not have found her true love, how would you have saved her from the situation.

It's a romance novella, there was no other story but this. Romance is a very demanding genre because you have to balance on a knife's edge, the story of a heroine who wants love, finds happiness only when she has her man, but at the same time, she must never appear to be helpless and needy because who wants to hear about that? We want to read about strong female characters who fall in love on their own terms and make it work. At least that's the kind I like, so I write such stories too.

8. Writers how have influenced you?

That is a long, long list. But since we're talking about Romance I'll just name the romance writers I love.  Victoria Holt's Gothic romances are truly wonderful and i used to devour her work as a teenager. I like Nora Roberts because she mixes the supernatural and romance with such expertise, and she writes in trilogies, always a plus with me. Josie Litton writes in the same vein and I loved the nine books she's written. Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn are absolutely wonderful with their heroes. And of course my absolute favourite Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She's amazing.

9. If Zeenat would not have been a writer then what would she have been?

Sad.

You can meet her and see her work at the following sites.

                 

Also @

http://themissingslate.com/2013/09/28/the-qalander/view-all/
http://themissingslate.com/2013/06/21/the-walled-city/
http://www.indireads.com/books/haveli/
http://www.indireads.com/books/the-contract/
http://www.runningoutofink.com/the_accidental_fiancee.html

She can be contacted at zeenatmahal@yahoo.com

Carrots by Colleen Helme

Blurb: 

Shelby Nichols is an average woman who is married to the only guy she ever fell for. Her life is organized and predictable, revolving around her husband and two children. All that changes the day she stops at the grocery store for some carrots. As the cashier rings up her purchases, a gunman is busy robbing the bank inside the store. When a customer grabs the robber's mask, he is shot and everyone runs for cover. Everyone except Shelby, who finds herself face to face with the killer. The next thing she knows, she's lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her head. Luckily, the bullet only grazes her scalp, and she doesn't suspect any lasting affects until later, when she suddenly 'hears' what people are thinking. With this uncanny ability, her life takes on a whole new dimension. Her kids think she's bossy and too old to understand them, but that's nothing compared to her husband. He says he loves her, but what is it about the redhead at work that he doesn't want her to know? As if that isn't enough, the gunman knows she can identify him, and he's out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive, she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime. This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone's thoughts can not only hurt her feelings, but get her killed.

Available for purchase at 

     

Thoughts of the Reviewer.....

It all began because she had to buy Carrots! If Shelby did not stop to buy carrots in the supermarket, she would not have been a victim of a shop robbery and had a head injury but luckily it was not fatal and the bullet had just grazed her scalp. After she regains her consciousness she finds that she can hear people! So what is so great about it? She can hear those things which are not spoken yet. In other words, she can hear the thoughts of people. What I would not give to have this giftJ

But is this gift a boon or a curse? Her husband Chris certainly feel uncomfortable around her, feeling that the privacy of his mind was being invaded. Though he tried to be as understanding as possible ( and he is quite a cute character), the distance between them started increasing specially when Shelby got a job without telling him.

But what would the poor gal do? Chris’s co-worker Kate is after him. When Shelby could hear her thoughts, she decides not to take it meekly. Little did she know that Kate was connected to a man from the underworld whom she called Uncle Joey. Uncle Joey takes matters in his own hand and ‘picks’ up Shelby to warn her. Shelby thinks her life is in danger and makes it known that she can read minds. Uncle Joey takes it as an opportunity to read the minds of his opponents.

On the other hand Detective Harris from the police force, who had investigated the shop robbery, gets to know about Shelby’s gift and he too wants her on their side to solve some crimes. (Not to forget that her hubby, Chris is also standing in the line as her list of potential client.)

Now Shelby is in a dilemma. On one hand she is asked to work for Uncle Joey and on the other hand she feels it is her duty to help the police. Even Chris wants her in his law office to help him around. So Shelby the housewife suddenly makes a niche for herself in her life and basks in the feeling of  importance.

But after a few forced robberies by Uncle Joey and being in  the middle of a bomb blast, she decides she had enough. But then getting out of the clutches of Uncle Joey was very tough. He had eyes everywhere and also enemies. But even Uncle Joey had not counted on one enemy to show their true colors. And when the person does it, even Shelby is shocked.

Would Shelby be able to come out of the situation unscathed or would she lose all, her husband, her kids or even her life? Or would fate intervene and she would get her old life back?

And then there is Ramos... scary yet cute.... :) shshshhs........

Rating…. 

Reasoning….

The story is funny And I really mean this. I had been reading this book while waiting for my daughter to come out of her guitar class. And I saw passerby’s giving me some funny looks. I then realized I was laughing sporadically even without realizing it.

The story is webbed intricately and I liked the fast pace of the story. I wanted to reach the end. In fact when I could not read this book I had put it up in audio mode and heard it while driving. The characters are beautifully etched and what I loved about Shelby’s character is that she is not without faults. Greed plays a role when she wants to buy a car or her admiration for the dimples of the Detective while she hated the way how Kate was flirting with her husband.

Not for a moment, did I want to keep this book aside. A very interesting and fast paced read. 

About the Author

 A long career as a wife and mother while juggling several part-time jobs gave Colleen the ambition to dream of being a published author, where she could put her imagination to good use. Now instead of making up stories to tell her children, she writes books they love to read. Hopefully you will too. She is the author of three romantic fantasy novels, Songbird, Flame of Destiny and The Relic. Her Shelby Nichols Adventures include Carrots, Fast Money, Lie or Die, Secrets That Kill, and Trapped By Revenge coming soon!

         

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Tressa by Barbara Cerny

Title of Book:   Tressa

Author:             Barbara Cerny

ISBN:                978-1-61204-341-8

Publisher:          Strategic Book Group

Release date:     10/01/2011

Genre:                Historical Romance

Length of Story:  Novel (above 70K words)





Back Cover....

Escaping an abusive husband and the tragic loss of her newborn child, Tressa O'Daire leaves her home of Dublin, Ireland, for the unknown shores of New York City. There, she finds work in the powerful Langley family as a nurse-maid to a baby girl. The Langleys allow Tressa, a master baker by trade, to use their baking oven and she starts a business and a new life.

Ethan Langley, crippled in a riding accident that left him bound to a wheel chair, has spent the last eight years in his room escaping the embarrassment to his family and the hatred of his brother, Heaton. The only bright spot in his life is his sister, Sarah; until a certain Irish baker arrives and turns his life upside down.

Their very lives are threatened when the head of the Langley household dies unexpectedly leaving the business and family fortune to Heaton. As Heaton and his wife, Victoria, bring the family to the brink of ruination, Tressa and Ethan must save whatever they can, including the budding love between them.

Excerpt...

Tressa played with the remains of her food. “So, if you’re not worried about being caught for hiding Heaton’s body, then what is on your mind?” 

Ethan paused. How should he tell the most beautiful girl in the world that she deserved better? That being straddled with half a man was not what she needed in life? How could he tell the woman he loved more than life itself to find another, better man, to love?

 “I can’t be what you want me to be,” he finally whispered. 

Tressa was quite taken aback. “What do I want you to be?” 

He looked into his lap and down at his broken body. “I am not a man. I cannot be a husband. You deserve a man who…who is whole.” 

Tressa had never seen a man look so downhearted. Ethan truly believed he wasn’t good enough for her. She stared at his despondent face for a moment and then said, “You think sex is what makes a man? That the use of your manhood is the only way to show a woman your love?” She shook her head. 

Ethan turned several shades of red to hear a woman boldly discussing such intimate topics. 

“Well, mister, you have a lot to learn and I think you need to start learning it now. I am not looking for a husband. I am looking for you.” Tressa stood up and, taking the handles of the wheeled chair, pushed the uninformed young man to his bedroom and then leapt onto the bed. 

Ethan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head to see a woman, specifically this woman, lying on his bed, her head propped up on one arm.

 “Undress,” she commanded, staring him down, her eyes daring him to comply. 

"I um…I really—” he stammered, not exactly sure this was proper.

 “I was a married woman. I’ve had a child. I am not exactly a virgin, so undress.” Tressa sat up and undid her bodice. Ethan opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Tressa stood up and dropped her dress to the floor. She kicked her shoes across the room and, dressed only in her chemise, straddled Ethan’s lap and began to kiss him. She kissed his lips, his nose, his cheeks, and his neck. She was determined to show him how much she loved him and how little she cared about that damned wheeled chair. This man had to stop tying his self-worth to those crippled legs and, if she had her way, he was going to learn that lesson this very instant. 

When Tressa began to nibble on his ear, Ethan came out of his state of shock. He felt things he’d never felt before. Never mind that nothing worked from the hips down; he felt tingling all the way to his toes. He instantly wrapped his arms around her and began to ardently return her kisses and nibbles. Within minutes, Tressa had his shirt and vest unbuttoned, off his arms and shoulders, and hanging from his waistband. She ran her hands over his chest, playing with his nipples with her thumbs. She didn’t know where her bold animal instincts were coming from, but she wasn’t about to stop and ponder them. Everything she had dreamed of sharing with Séamus on their wedding night and for the rest of their lives was poured into her actions. She had been brutally raped nightly for months and swore no man would ever touch her like that again. God, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, had sent her a man incapable of that cruel touch. But this man was more than capable of giving her loving touches. 

Ethan had no idea what was happening to him. He was dealing with a total onslaught of emotions. This woman was all he’d ever wanted and, until five minutes ago, he thought her unattainable. But here she was, half naked on his lap, kissing him in ways he never thought possible. Her playing with his nipples was driving him to distraction. He couldn’t stand it anymore. He wanted all of her and he wanted her now!

 “Okay, woman,” he groaned. “Up in the bed.” She happily obliged, completing her undressing in one stroke and then helping him to the bed and stripping him of his trousers. Naked they explored every region of each other, not holding anything back. They put their complete and amazing love for each other into every touch, every kiss, every nibble. 

Ethan might have a broken body, but there was nothing broken about his deep and undying love for this Irish woman. In one evening, she proved to him beyond a shadow of a doubt that his manhood was not limited to one region of his body, and that making love was a total body experience. .

Long time Readers! Sorry. Was wool gathering and in such a hunt I came across another book from my favorite author Barbara Cerny. Tressa. 

The name itself conjured a picture of a woman from the bygone era, floating white gown and long tresses of auburn hair. Shy, diminutive. Boy! Was I wrong!!!

Meet Tressa…

During the ages when the women folk was just supposed to cater to the wants of men, Tressa is all set to became an entrepreneur.  Strongly supported by her family she learns the art of being  a master baker from her uncles and cousins. And when the time comes for her to settle down she does it with all naivete that only comes from total trust that life can never go wrong with good people. Now I must say – Boy! Was she wrong!!!

The love of her life turned into a marital rapist who only only broke her spirits but also her dreams for her future. After losing her newborn baby, she escapes in a ship and lands up in America. But she lands with a child in her arms. How? [You really think I am going to tell you? [Tch tch…..]

But after reaching the land of opportunities, though she is a free woman unlike the other indentured servants, she is taken in as a nursemaid by the Langley family. There she meets the disabled younger son Ethan Langley. 

Meet Ethan…..

Ethan Langley is the youngest son of the Langley family. Crippled due to an accident, he had become  a recluse till he is forced to face life by Tressa. A beautiful friendship develops between them where both bring out the best of each other.

The Story….

Tressa leaves her loveless marriage behind as she covers the expanse of the ocean to reach America. Her dream of starting a new life is beautifully depicted as she transforms herself from being a nursemaid to an owner of a bakery. Her business acumen makes her different from other women. That along with a fierce sense of loyalty makes her a very charming character.

She is a very strong woman who always stands beside the man she loves. So much so that even when she is tortured and humiliated by her husband, she does not tell her own family but rather braves the ocean to reach America to start a new life. 

When Ethan faces eviction from his own home, she stands by him, supports him and fights for him. She is one woman who even in today’s world would be considered admirable.

What I liked….

The flow of the story is beautiful with each character being very much the part of the story. The evil Heaton versus the goodness of Ethan is beautifully depicted. 

Tressa is a beautiful person who is sensitive to all the relationships around her. She is gutsy enough to start her own business, foresighted enough to plan her future and sensitive enough to care for the less fortunate. 

Not to forget she was damn smart- planning the escape, landing in America and starting her business could not have been done if she did not have a sound head over her shoulder. A beautifully depicted strong character.

Ethan was an equal partner. Though crippled at an early age he was the motivation behind her actions. He too comes out as a strong character as he moves out of his father’s house and makes his own living. He could have depended on Tressa, but he chose to make a life of his own. 

The best part I loved was the relationship between them. A sweet understand, a camaraderie which encouraged the goodness in each other. 

What I did not like….

The only point I can think of is not about the author’s depiction of Tressa leaving her family behind. Agreed that her situation was difficult but her parents loved her, her cousins adored her, so why did she not contact them later. Or did she.. maybe if I let my imagination run wild I can imagine that she might have contacted her family…… 

Well, that sure seems like I would have wanted more in this story. 

Ratings…

Reasoning….

If I wanted this story to continue… do I have to give a reasoning? It was a beautiful read and when I read about her father crying for her at the dockyard, I had tears in my eyes too. So Barbara,can you please send Tressa back home……..?

Of Angels and Orphans by Barbara T. Cerny

Title of Book :  Of Angels and Orphans

Author Name: Barbara T. Cerny

ISBN: 978-1-60860-013-7

Publisher: Strategic Book Group

Release date: 09/15/2009

Genre: Historical Romance

Length of Story: Novel (above 70K words)

Disclaimer: I got this book from the author in exhcange of my honest review











Back Cover...

Audra Markham is a ten-year-old girl born into privilege, but only in the sense of wealth. The granddaughter of a Viscount, Audra is the object of ridicule in her spoiled and spiteful family. Alone and unloved, Audra seeks solace in the comfort of food.

In another part of London thirteen-year-old Nathaniel Abbot lives a wretched life, forced to steal food in order to survive. Living in squalid conditions at the local orphanage, Nathaniel and three of his friends are spared further suffering when Audra “rescues” them from their plight.

Two lost souls that cannot find their place in the word suddenly find a place in each other’s hearts. Follow the lives of Audra and Nate as they grow from loyal childhood companions to inseparable young lovers, struggling through the perils of their own lives and facing difficult decisions that threaten to keep them apart.

Excerpt...

At midnight, Audra finally felt the house settled enough that she arose from the bed, put on her clothes (God forbid if she was caught in her nightgown), and silently walked down the hallway to the stairs. Her knees were a little shaky but she couldn’t tell if that was from fear or from weakness. Not willing to take chances, she sat down on the top step and moved down the stairs one at a time on her butt, scooting slowly down to the bottom. So far, so good. All those years of sneaking food and clothing for the boys were paying off! The back staircase emptied out into the breezeway. If she went straight, she’d end up in the stables; if she turned around, she would go back into the kitchens. Glancing around to make sure she was alone, she began her trek across the breezeway and into the stables. The door seemed heavier than usual, and she struggled to keep silent. Once through the door, she stood on the other side of it to catch her breath. Her legs were very shaky now but she was too close to stop. Ahead of her were the narrow stairs up to the loft area and Nate’s room. This time, she crawled on her hands and knees up the stairs, hiking her skirts up so they wouldn’t be caught. This would the worst place to be seen with her bare legs showing and her skirt hitched up around her waist! She grinned at the picture she must make from the bottom of the stairs—at least her undergarments were clean! Audra finally made it to the top and had to stop for a minute to catch her breath. Then she stood up and went to Nate’s room. Like before, Calvin had moved out to keep from disturbing Nate with his horrible snoring. Audra confirmed this with a glance to the empty bed and swiftly moved to Nate’s side. The chair was on the opposite side of the bed this time as his back was facing the door. Audra went around the bed and kneeled next to his head. He lay there with both arms on his pillow, keeping them from touching the wounds on his side. Even in his sleep, his brow was furrowed in pain, his eyes tightly shut, his breathing ragged and shallow. His mouth was slightly open and he was making those little mewling noises she remembered from last time, as if he labored through his breathing and the movement hurt him. She reached out and brushed his hair away from his forehead and checked his temperature by putting the back of her hand to his temple. He seemed okay. She stared at his face in the dark trying to make out each of his handsome features in the inky blackness. A little light came from the window over his bed, but the moon was in quarter and not much help. She was afraid to light a candle and draw attention to the room. Audra put her hands in-between and over his, content to just kneel there and hold his hands. His breathing changed slightly, seeming to calm a bit for the next few minutes. As she lifted her hand to stroke his hair again, Nate opened his eyes. “I knew you were here,” he whispered, pain coming through his voice, “I could feel you.” “Oh, God, Nate.” She moved her face closer to his so they wouldn’t be heard. “I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry.” With great effort, he lifted his right arm and stroked her face with his hand. “Not your fault. He’s a bastard from the start and at least Termins was there to stop him this time. He really wanted to kill me. I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He wanted me dead.” “Shhhh. Don’t think of him anymore. He isn’t worth the energy it takes to think about him. Shhhh.” “I am so glad you are here. That means you are better.” “I am fine. A little weak still, but fine. Now we need to concentrate on you becoming better. I couldn’t stay away from you any longer. I can only think of you and that night, and your kisses…” her voice trailed off as she choked on her emotions. Nate swallowed hard and closed his eyes, the effort of speaking overcoming him but not as much as the thought of that night when they shared their first kiss. Was that only five or six nights ago? Seemed like years to his tortured mind and body. But he wanted to relive the moment, to recapture the feeling of that night, to remember the stunning fire that had burned inside, to forget the dreadful fire that now burned outside. He opened his eyes and stared at the hidden face of his love, obscured by the darkness, backlit by the sliver of moon coming through the window. “Kiss me again,” he whispered hoarsely, “Kiss me now, Audra.” She followed the line of his cheek and chin with her hand, feeling for his lips with her fingers. Then she moved her head so she could replace her fingers with her lips. His body cried out in pain as he rolled slightly to meet her kiss and hold onto her arm with his free hand. Just like before, when their lips met, the world around them exploded with passion. Audra felt the kiss all the way to her toes, her mind focusing sharply on the intimacy of the touch. Nate moaned in pain and in pleasure, his body screaming at the pulling movement caused on his newly forming scars. But his heart and soul screamed at the joy her kiss brought him. He moved his hand to the back of her head, pulling her even closer to him, searching the depths of her mouth with his tongue. She responded fully with a search of her own. There was nothing tentative about her exploration. It was as if she knew exactly what to do, what she was meant to do, what they were meant to do together. There were no secrets between them, no hesitation. They were a perfect match. Audra broke the kiss, knowing the danger in which they were putting themselves. “I love you,” she whispered, lip to lip, “I am yours forever.”

 She...

She is Audra Markham. A rich, fat girl belonging to the nobility. Teased by her siblings and cousins, looked down by her parents, she looses herself to a secluded area in her garden to books. No one knows that she has something which is very rare in a small girl. A beautiful heart. A heart that motivates her to become friends with some street urchin boys.
.
He .....
He is Nathaniel Abott aka Nate. A young boy forced to live in an orphanage because he lost his family to the epidemic. He is more learned than any of his peers and also more cultured. But due to hunger he is forced to steal food. One day such an incident forces him to seek shelter in the garden of Audra.


The Love Story....

The chance meeting in the garden of Audra, brings her in contact with the Nate and his friends. They nickname her Angel. For she is truly like an Angel to them. Bringing them stolen food to satisfy their hunger and books to satisfy their young minds.

To escape the savagery of the orphanage, Audra makes her family hire them in her estate. Soon the young ones grow to by strong youngsters and love joins Audra and Nate in a beautiful relationship. Of course in those days it was unacceptable and they had to keep their love a secret- specially from Audra's family.

Audra in the meantime decides to lose weight [ this is truly motivational now folks!!!] And she does. She becomes the beautiful Madame Butterfly and attracts the attention of an old Duke. When he offers for her hand in marriage, Audra's father readily agrees to it since it would improve their social status to have their daughter as a Duchess. Then the story takes another turn which I had not expected!!!

Instead of taking it quietly both Nate and Audra decide on fighting against it. They plan a strategy. Will they succeed or will Nate end in the gallows? What happens to all their friends? Is  there a happily ever after?

What I liked.....

I really loved the narration style and the picturesque way the story is presented. Taking the readers to the old Victorian era is not small treat. The cobbled streets, the cobbler, the smithy or even the highwayman, all contributed in creating the aura of that era.

I loved the description of the cost of the tickets to America from England - $15. Wow! And to buy a stud farm in America.. guess the price? No wonder we say 'Old is Gold."

There are many characters in this story. Each character was well etched. The change in the atmosphere of the story from England to America was subtle, yet present. A job well done Ms. Cerny.

Coming to the characters. I loved Audra. Gentle yet fiery. A spunk of a girl who had great determination and she knew what she wanted. Though the story had some gruesome tortures by the bourgeoisie class on the commoner but they did not overtake the main theme of the story. Again very subtlely done Ms. Cerny.

What I didn't like....
Nate came out weaker than Audra. [Glares from the feminists around me]. I am not saying the I did not like Nate but after reading the story you have to agree with me that Audra is more adventurous, more spunky and definitely more loyal. [ Selena, remember Nate?]

Reading about complacent females slowly wooing the hearts of the macho men has clouded my decision may be. I am sure some of you readers would feel that Nate is a  "He is lovable every minute. He is cute, totally in love with Audra and a damn good friend". I do too... but Audra's spunk is what makes me want to be her. To all the feminists my apologies... but heck once in a while when come across a character like Audra, you need to root for her.:)
 Rating....

Reasoning....

Nate is one of the major causes why I do not think of giving it a 5 star. In the equal battle of the sexes, Audra came as a fighter. Coming from the gentry class one would expect her to be more docile and Nate being brought up on the street should have had at times at least been more vibrant than Audra. Even in the fighting scenes, it is Audra who always comes out stronger.

About the Author...

Barbara T. Cerny grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado. She served twenty-two years in the US Army Reserves, retiring a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007. She is an information technology specialist and supervisor. Barb writes historical romances good for late teen and adults. She puts a lot of history and adventure into her work. Words are her passion, they do matter

Meet the author at her Website or you can email her @ cernyb_c@sbcglobal.net









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