Stealing Secrets : How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles and Altered the Course of the Civil War by H. Donald Winkler
Genre: Historical Nonfiction Reviewed by: Danya When you think of spies, James Bond and men like him come to mind, suave, debonair, facing danger and almost always male. But during the Civil War, many of the people gathering information were female, risking their freedom, safety, and even their lives for a cause they passionately believed in. These women from both the Union and Confederate sides, utilized feminine wiles, intelligence and every means at their disposal to gather battle plans, troop movements and any other information that could be useful, and, using a variety of ways, passed on
this information to spy masters, generals and others. Many of these women have never had their stories told before, but they deserved to have their courage applauded. “Stealing Secrets” by H. Donald Winkler is a fascinating look at the underexplored world of female espionage during the Civil War. During a time when female intelligence was considered minimal, and women were the “weaker sex” these spies broke gender roles by gathering information that in many cases, changed battles and affected the course of the Civil War. This is a wonderful addition to the bookcases of Civil War fans, history buffs, and anyone who enjoys reading about people facing danger and intrigue.
Features •
Featured Review............................................................3
•
Q & A With the Authors................................................6
•
Romance by Mary Eason...............................................8
•
Urban Fantasy and the Paranormal by Roxanne Rhoads ....................................................................................15
•
Cooking Up A Storm With Kyrainse............................19
•
Author Interview by Tammie King..............................21
•
SFF Insider by Shartyrant............................................27
•
Tantalizing Tidbits by The Book Nerd..........................32
•
History Bits by Lilyraines.............................................37
•
Teen Reads by MonicaBBB..........................................41
Night Owl Reviews™ WEtap Media, LLC ™ 2459 SE TV HWY, #153, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 NightOwlReviews@gmail.com Editor-In-Chief: Tammie King Director of Marketing: Tammie King NightOwlReviews@gmail.com © Night Owl Reviews 2010 These are just a small portion of the reviews that Night Owl Reviews has available on our website. For a full listing and the most up to date reviews visit our website www.NightOwlReviews.com. Reviews are provided by our review staff. Reviewers get books via NOR and we get books direct from the publishers, authors and publicists. Reviews are based on reviewer thoughts.
Q & A With Author Maria Geraci
Question:
Please tell us your latest news!
Answer:
I’m very excited about my upcoming release, The Boyfriend of the Month Club. It’s a romantic comedy about a woman who turns her dysfunctional book club into a boyfriend club, where members come together to discuss the men they’ve dated, comparing them to classic literary heroes and villains. http://www.mariageraci.com
Q & A With Author Felicity Heaton
Question:
Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing?
Answer:
No, not really. Get up, trudge to the train station (against howling wind and freezing rain this morning) and get on the train. Boot up the netbook. Write. http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk
http://felicityheaton.blogspot.com
Romance by Mary Eason Baby, its cold out! So why not curl up with a great classic romance novel.
It’s almost here…Christmas. Hopefully, you’re not like me and are only half way through your Christmas gift giving list. Even so, when the weather turns wintry and the holiday draws close, one of my favorite things to do is curl up in front of a roaring fire, with a nice cup of hot chocolate or apple cider and break out a classic romance novel to read on a chilly evening. With the Christmas tree lights twinkling, the fire glowing, what better ambiance could you ask for anyway? Romance has many definitions, and all people perceive its meaning differently. What is romantic to you may be boring to
some – still others eschew romance altogether in the name of simple sexual activity. There is something for everyone in classic romantic novels – sex, intrigue, mystery, adventure, they’re all covered in the majority of these books. There’s nothing wrong with so called “romance novels”. Everyone has to take a break from their serious reading pursuits and enjoy some trash fiction. Just remember that when you want a truly romantic experience, there may be no better conduit than one of these classic romantic texts. I took a poll of my friends and asked them to give me their top five lists
Night Owl Reviews
of all time favorite romance novels. Not surprisingly, we came up with some of the same novels. So why not grab one of these classics from the bookstore, library, or perhaps your own bookshelf, and get the romance fire going. Who knows, maybe you’ll make your own classic romance that you can treasure for years to come. And what better book to start with than…
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
This novel was published 1847, as Charlotte Brontë’s first novel. Jane Eyre is a young orphan, who moves from one bad situation to another until she meets and falls in love with her Byronic hero, Mr. Rochester. Jane Eyre is a coming-of-age story that is also a popular romantic classic.
Gone with the Wind was first published in 1936, and it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. This Civil War novel has been criticized for its melodramatic plot and flat characterization, but the novel has endured as one of the classic romance novels.
Pride and Prejudice is about the relationship of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, as arrogance, misunderstanding, and class all work to keep the couple apart. The novel has been called Jane Austen’s best/finest novel,
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
NightOwlReviews
and it’s also a romantic classic, set in 18th-century England. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Wuthering Heights was the only work published by Emily Brontë. Passion is the over-riding force that drives the characters in this novel against the Gothic, windswept landscape. A passion between Heathcliff causes far-reaching repercussions. Read this Gothic romance. Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The Phantom of the Opera is a classic French thriller about a ghostly man who emerges form the hidden passageways of the Paris
Opera House to express his obsessive love for Christine Daae. Read about the romance in this classic work.
I hope you enjoy these classics as much as my friends and I do. Until next time, keep romance alive in your heart. All the best…
Mary Eason www.maryeason.com
Mary Eason is the author of books such as “A Night to Remember” and “Root of All Evil”. You can find Mary online at http://www.maryeason.com.
NightOwlReviews
Urban Fantasy
and the Paranormal
by Roxanne Rhoads
Roxanne Rhoads is a story stumpet, tome loving tart, and lover of all things paranormal. She is also a freelance writer and the author of erotic paranormal romances.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas‌ Are you craving something a little darker than twinkling lights and snow? Maybe a fang or two? There are several paranormal and urban fantasy books available that have a little bite to them. A few just recently hit shelves while a couple have been around for a year or two. Recent paranormal romance books featuring holiday themes include Christmas with a Vampire, a new romance collection from Harlequin. It features stories by Lori Devoti, Merline Lovelace, Linda Winstead Jones, Lisa Childs and Bonnie Vanak. Another new paranormal Christmas book released this
year is Heidi Betts The Bite Before Christmas. This steamy read will make you wish Santa would leave a vampire under your tree. Paranormal holiday releases from Christmases past include: Holiday with a Vampire I, II and III various authors from Harlequin Nocturne; All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire (Love at Stake Book 5) Kerrelyn Sparks; Wolfsbane and Mistletoe an anthology featuring some of the best authors in urban fantasy and paranormal including Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, and Rob Thurman: The Morgue the Merrier a collection of romantic and haunted Christmas tales from Rosemary Laurey, Karen Kel-
ley, and Dianne Castell; Hot for the Holidays a steamy holiday collection from Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James; and Holidays are Hell a great UF anthology featuring paranormal holiday tales from Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Vicki Pettersson, and Marjorie M. Liu. Some of the new releases for December 2010 that appear on my wish list include: Hellforged by Nancy Holzner, Real Vampires Have More to Love by Glory St Clair (I love this humorous vampire series),
Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls by Victoria Laurie, My Fair Succubi by Jill Myles, Last of the Demon Slayers by Angie Fox (currently an ebook only thanks to the Dorchester mess but Fox took back her rights and is now independently publishing the book), and Arcane Circle by Linda Robertson. Hopefully I’ll get a few of those books under my Christmas tree or plenty of book store gift cards so I can buy them all. Happy Holiday reading everyone!
NightOwlReviews
Cooking Up A Storm
With Kyraninse
Martha Stewart’s menus for entertaining Author: Martha Stewart Rating: 3.75 stars off most anything one would The entertaining season desire. Louisiana seafood feast, seems to be upon us. In fact, simple Chinese, and pasta for as Thanksgiving is over, one a crowd are just some of the can say that at least one of samplings that she has to offer. the hurdles has been either There are pictures to accombypassed or carried pany most of off successfully. the recipes Regardso that you less, as occasions may compare for good cheer and your finished lots of people to feed product with come up on a regu‘what it’s suplar basis for most posed to look people, I figured like’, always that it’s a good time useful when as any to look into trying out feeding a crowd with new dishes, style and panache. she helpfully This is informs us a good enough of how many cookbook in a pinch. It is split people the recipe is expected to into chapters, all based around serve, and the instructions are certain themes, and there are relatively detailed and concise. diverse enough options to pull Bonus points for having picture
diagrams on how to prepare a whole fish for stuffing and other similarly useful additions. Unfortunately, even if I had not taken this book out from the library, I would probably not choose this book for my keeper shelf. In an effort to cram as much as possible into the limited pages, whereas I’d like to commend her for trying to let us get as much bang for our buck -- I found the recipes to be small, cramped, and sometimes I found myself wishing that she had less unnecessary pictures of how to decorate and left a little more space for the recipes. Psychology class taught me that the most inviting sort of layout for information is decently sized font and lots of white space -- I have to say that this information would not have gone amiss for whoever chose the layout. As many as 5 recipes crammed onto one single page is really a bit much to take in. Also, I wished that she had included vegan and vegetarian options. Certainly
one can choose from the many, many cookbooks out there which cater to the vegan and vegetarian crowd and surely one cannot expect her to think of everything. However, in today’s world where a host/hostess might very well be expected to serve a dinner to a mixed group of ‘vores ranging from the omnivore to the strictly carnivore to the self-imposed herbivores, it would have been useful for her to note a menu that all sorts may sit down to and enjoy alike. The days of fobbing your guests off with tomato sauce on pasta is quite over and I felt the book should have addressed that. Other than that, if you have a bunch of people descending upon you for the holidays or any other happy occasion, rest assured that you are in Martha’s oh-so-very capable hands. However, I shall have to continue my search for the penultimate in hosting guides.
Featured Interview by Tammie King with Grace Burrowes ***The Heir by Grace Burrowes (Sourcebooks Casablanca) December 2010***
Q: A:
Please tell us your latest news!
“The Heir,” hit the shelves December 1, the flagship Regency romance in The Duke’s Obsession trilogy. Three brothers are beset by their ducal father’s penchant for matchmaking, and all three find true love despite dear Papa’s meddling. The second book, “The Soldier,” will follow in Spring 2011, and the final installment is scheduled for Fall 2011.
Q: A:
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I wouldn’t change anything! This book was such a pleasure to write. Gayle Windham showed up in a previous manuscript as a
major supporting character with an interesting role and the kind of personality that demands its own book--sexy but reserved, determined, beset with woes but undaunted, resourceful and much in need of a heroine to rescue him from his bachelor existence. But then SHE had troubles of her own and the story just romped along from start to finish. This book spoiled me. From a craft perspective, I want twenty more just like it.
Q: A:
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
My favorite author is... hard to choose because there are so many (there’s a partial list on my website). My favorite vintage author is Judith Ivory. Her writing is a study in how to do it right: Terrific period detail that enhances rather than detracts, wonderful characters who bring
their worlds to life, and stories so brilliant “why didn’t I think of that” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Then there’s Laura Kinsale, Joanna Bourne, JR Ward, Meredith Duran, Sophia Nash, Mary Balogh... so much talent, so little time to read them all!
Q: A:
Do you see writing as a career?
I see writing as a vocation, as a calling the writer can’t escape no matter how hard she tries. Whether it can suffice as a source of income is a different question, and to the writer, a secondary question. It isn’t that I can write or I might write. I must write the way some people must get in their stretching, their yoga or their running. Gotta do it, no matter what or my soul starts feeling cloudy.
Q: A:
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I am the sixth out of seven children and for much of
my upbringing, we had no TV. Reading stories to the kids after dinner was one way my parents could give personal attention to three or four of us at once, wind us down from the day, and make the start of the bedtime routine pleasant. My parents also emphasized education and the ability to communicate. Writing lets me combine a life long love of story with the joy of effective communication.
Q: A:
Do you have any advice for other writers?
If you’re a writer, write. Really, truly write. Don’t be fooled by who has the most craft books, who drops the biggest names, who’s submitted to the most popular agent, who hits the most conferences in one year, who has the most published critique partners. None of that is relevant to YOUR writing. Let others buzz and flutter around and upgrade their craft libraries because that’s what they enjoy doing. You write, revise when you’re ready to, and write some more.
Q:
How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?
A:
My family seems to think it was inevitable that I’d end up writing fiction. I haven’t asked them why this is but I’m dedicating my first book to them.
Q:
What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?
A:
I used to say I wrote quickly, completing a manuscript in about sixty days. Fat lot I knew! Now I say I draft quickly, but it still takes me about twelve months to get a manuscript where I want it. You can’t make a baby in one month with nine women, and so it is with my books. They need time to marinate, I need time to cogitate, and drafting the book is only one step in that process.I am more a seat-of-thepants draftsman than a plotter,
but I go to craft workshops for the gems and nuggets I can pick up there.
Q:
Do you have a favorite object that is pertinent to your writing?
A:
I believe that as you progress on the path you’re supposed to be on, you accumulate regalia, things that both symbolize that path and guide you on it. I type in a special chair one of my friends bought for me one birthday after I’d started writing. My mother bought me my reading lamp. I drink my tea from a mug I bought at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London when I was writing my first Scottish Victorian. When I’m chilly, I wear the fuzzy I bought at the Balmoral Castle gift shop on a research expedition to the Scottish Highlands. These are just a few of my toys, totems, and treasures, and I’m gathering them gleefully.
Q:
Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing?
Feed the dogs, cats and horses first then one cup of jasmine green tea in the morning, preferably from the Twinings Tea Shop in Piccadilly (they assured me the UK blend is stronger than the international version), and into my writing chair I go. Ray Bradbury’s advice was to write before the day intrudes, and I agree with him. I can write later in the day, but those first few hours are my most productive.
I read over the previous day’s work, then away I go to Regency England or wherever the WIP takes me. I love this life, love it.
Q: A:
What main genre do you write in? Romance
Grace Burrowes
http://www.graceburrowes.com
THEIR ENGAGEMENT WAS A FAKE. Most women would not be pleased to be labeled a spinster. But Lady Poppy Smith-Barnes isn’t most women. In fact, Poppy has invented an imaginary fiancé, the Duke of Drummond, to deter unwanted suitors. A very useful fellow, this duke, until the real Drummond turns up and uses Poppy’s ploy to trap her in a betrothal. WILL THEIR PASSION MAKE IT REAL?
A good spy flies below the radar. Which is why being named one of the Prince Regent’s “Impossible Bachelors” is so inconvenient for Nicholas Staunton. Every society female will be out to ensnare him. Nicholas needs a fiancée—and Poppy’s ruse is the answer. How could he have known she’d be a brazen, sensual siren with an irresistible taste for adventure? Now nothing less will do than to convince his fiery Poppy to revoke her spinster status…for good.
Science Ficion & Fantasy
by Shartyrant Science Fiction & Fantasy News & Reviews The Horns of Ruin by Tim Aker is an interesting mix of a steampunk world that has magic mixed with science in it. Not quite what I was expecting when I started reading it as I thought it would be more steampunk. For the fantasy fans, there are three brothers that revered as gods and each has their followers. Eva Forge is the last of the Paladins for the Cult of Morgan. She comes across a plot to destroy the Cult while attempting to protect the Fratriach of the Cult of Morgan. Now Ash must find a way of saving not only the Cult of Morgan, but possibly saving the city. The story has a strong sword and sorcery type feel mixed in with the steampunk elements. The lead character is the strongest written character, but her abrupt, stubborn,
brusque nature may turn some people off. The story is filled with lots of fights, chases, magic and adventure. It is fast paced and should appeal to fans of traditional sword and sorcery who would like to try some steampunk. I would give this story 3 stars.
Salute the Dark by Adrian Tchaikovsky is the fourth book in the Shadows of the Apt series. After the events in the previous books (strongly recommend reading them in order), the Wasp Empire is winning. The other insect-humanoid kinden are losing as Stenwold’s allies are busy with their own agendas which may or may not help win the war against the Wasp Empire as each are shown to have different motivations for what they are doing. Be prepared as unlike many fantasies, this novel has realistic consequences to people’s actions as some will suc-
Night Owl Reviews
NightOwlReviews
ceed, but some will majorly fail. And the Wasp Empire may seem to be winning, but it could be creating its own doom from within. This series is one of my keeper series as it is extremely well written and plotted. Recommend for fans of fantasy with a more militaristic feel to it. I give it a five star rating. Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha is a horror paranormal historical. Jeremiah’s family encounters an undead like creature that transforms his family into vampires. Jeremiah survives the next 150 years while
he travels from Massachusetts Bay Colony to Egypt to the birthplace of humans in his quest to learn how to cure or save himself from his vampire nature. When he comes across a possible cure, he also comes across a woman he starts to love, but will the cure turn out to be worse than his disease? The story has some great ideas with the possible cure and what it could unleash, but gets a tad repetitive at times. The theme of an obsessive vampire willing to do anything to regain his humanity is very familiar, but is still an enjoyable read. Recommend for fans of old school type vampires that brood and don’t enjoy being what they are. I give it three stars.
The first book in a new urban fantasy series that thematically imagines if Jim Butcher (of The Dresden Files) and James Rollins (of Sigma Force) collaborated on an Indiana Jones novel set in present day New York City.
Night Owl Reviews
NightOwlReviews
Night Owl Reviews
Tantalizing Tidbits
The “W OW ” Factor
by The Book Nerd
December is already here and Christmas is fast approaching. Before you know it, we’ll be in a brand new year, and it seems like it moved so quickly! For me, it’s been an eventful year, meeting my real life romance hero at the ripe old age of…, and actually getting married, looking forward-sort of, to being a mother-in-law, and ending up instead as a gorgeous granny to the very lovely Little Layla. Despite all that, I’ve never been too far away from my favorite hobby in the whole wide world – reading. Lots of books were read, many were fun, a few were duds, some were exciting and plenty stood out as my favorites for the year. If you ever need something to occupy your time, take a moment and just reflect on every book you’ve read in a period of a year, then try to pick out the best of the best. What do you think? Will it be a piece of cake and fun, or a more difficult than you expected? Well, I did it and it was
a total blast reminiscing over some of those awesome one liner’s or steamy moments. If you have some favorites, goody, goody gumdrops for you, but I promise this list is THE list to check out! How to Never Look Fat Again – Charla Krupp
The Bliss Factor – Penny McCall Worth the Trip – Penny McCall
Dare to Surrender – Lilli Feisty
A Little Bit Wild – Victoria Dahl On the Steamy Side – Louisa Edwards
Just One Taste – Louisa Edwards Devil at Midnight – Emma Holly
The Guy Next Door – Lori Foster, Susan Donovan, Victoria Dahl
NightOwlReviews
Night Owl Reviews
Vampire Trinity – Joey W. Hill
Laced with Desire – Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, Denise Rosetti Sugar Creek – Toni Blake
Fade to Midnight – Shannon McKenna True Blue – David Baldacci
The Five Greatest Warriors – Matthew Reilly The First Rule – Robert Crais
The Walk – Richard Paul Evans
For the Love of Mollie – KT Grant Night of the Senses – Sierra Cartwright
The Christmas Hope – Donna Van Liere
The Christmas Secret – Donna Van Liere Lover Avenged – JR Ward Lover Mine – JR Ward
Knockout – Catherine Coulter
Whiplash – Catherine Coulter Instinctive – Cathryn Fox
I think you see where I’m going with this, as I could clearly go on for pages and pages, but as you’re ready to go out to buy your next bestseller, I’d better let you get to it. Write down your favorite books and see how many you have. Then again, this might be a little depressing when you realize all that money spent on books could have been used for some really neat shoes or a “must have” purse. I get it – priorities. Of course, if people ever give me gift cards for books instead of furry slippers or furry neon gloves every single Christmas, my life would be tons better. I think I’m really preaching to the choir here, as none of those people will ever read this column. Oh well – Merry Christmas from me to you! Hugs,
The Book Nerd
NightOwlReviews
Night Owl Reviews
NightOwlReviews
History Bits
by Lilyraines
Whether reading about him in a book or seeing him on the big screen, one of the more fascinating stereotypes of the American West is the gunslinger. Leon Claire Metz’s The Shooters explores not only the myth of the gunslinger, but the facts behind the myth as well. The book profiles gunmen like Billy the Kid, the James Gang, Bass Outlaw and the Daltons. It takes a look at the lawmen such as Pat Garrett and the Texas Rangers as well. The Shooters also shows some reasons for what could be described as range wars such as salt (the Magoffin Salt War in 1858 and the El Paso Salt War of the 1870s) and grass rights (the Johnson County War). Other books of interest: Draw: The Greatest Gunfights
of the American West by James Reasoner Focuses on different gunfights in the old West. Some of the highlights in the book include Doc Holliday’s last gunfight, John Wesley Hardin’s end, Bat Masterson, Sam Bass, and Ben Thomspon.
Legends & Lies: Great Mysteries of the American West by Dale L. Walker “All of history is mystery,” Dale L. Walker says, and he proves his point in this lively, humorous--and rational-approach to the West’s greatest puzzles. Did Davy Crockett, for example, go down swinging Ol’ Betsy, defending the ramparts of the Alamo--or was he captured? Who is buried in Jesse James’s grave? Was the man Pat Garrett
Night Owl Reviews
NightOwlReviews
shot that night really Billy the Kid? How did Black Bart, “the gentleman bandit,” disappear? Did Sacajawea, the famous “Bird Woman” who scouted for Lewis and Clark, die twice? The possibilities unfold as Walker brings together little-known facts and
the elusive connections that shed light on the biggest enigmas of the American West. I hope you found a great history book for this month.
Teen Reads
by MonicaBBB
Christmas is fast approaching, to the detriment of many a holiday procrastinator. Have you finished shopping, or even finished your list? There are so many wonderful books coming out in 2011 and so many equally wonderful books that came out in 2010. How can you possibly choose which would be the best to get, or receive? I am here to help. I will give you my top choices of 2010 and you can decide which to give to your friends or relatives. I am sure you have heard me mention many of these books in previous columns but they are all well worth repeating! - Matched by: Ally Condie is one my all time favorite books of 2010. It was just released on
the 30th of November but it has already made it to the top of my must get list. - The Iron Fey series by: Julie Kagawa is a series, I know, but the novels are wonderful and they will certainly please any holiday reader.
- Nevermore by: Kelly Creagh is also one of the best young adult novels of 2010 I have read. I carried this book around with me everywhere I went until I was finished. - Demonglass by: Rachel Hawkins is a great paranormal book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. - The Julian Game by: Adele Griffin is a great break from the paranormal YA that blankets the 2010 market.
- Linger by: Maggie Stiefvater (the second book in the series) is great, everything and anything this women writes will be on my must get list, always. - Beautiful Creatures by: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is an awesome paranormal adventure outside of the normal vampires and werewolves.
- Firespell by: Chloe Neill is a great addition to the paranormal
scene, featuring all manner of magically gifted teens and fresh new outlook as well. I hope this list helps you as you prepare to shop for the upcoming holiday. You can also refer to the holiday shopping guide in last month’s column as well if you need more specified inspiration. Stay safe and warm over the holiday season and I hope you get all the books you asked for. See you next year. MonicaBBB is a lover of books and more books!
Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia’s School for Girls, but she’s already learned that magic can be your best friend-or your worst enemy. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities while fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago’s nastiest nightlife-including the tainted magic users known as Reapers...