Tuesday, August 16, 2016

BETWEEN TWO FIRES by Mark Noce


I'm pleased to be part of the blog tour for one of my long time blog readers and author buddies, Mark Noce. I'm so excited for his book, BETWEEN TWO FIRES to release in just one short week!



Is that an amazing cover or what?!  Here's what it's about:

Saxon barbarians threaten to destroy medieval Wales. Lady Branwen becomes Wales’ last hope to unite their divided kingdoms when her father betroths her to a powerful Welsh warlord, the Hammer King.

But this fledgling alliance is fraught with enemies from within and without as Branwen herself becomes the target of assassinations and courtly intrigue. A young woman in a world of fierce warriors, she seeks to assert her own authority and preserve Wales against the barbarians. But when she falls for a young hedge knight named Artagan her world threatens to tear itself apart. Caught between her duty to her people and her love of a man she cannot have, Branwen must choose whether to preserve her royal marriage or to follow her heart. Somehow she must save her people and remain true to herself, before Saxon invaders and a mysterious traitor try to destroy her.

“A spirited ride through a turbulent slice of Welsh history!” – Paula Brackston, NYT Bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter

“A fast-paced read that has a wonderfully visual style and some memorable characters. Mark Noce combines Welsh history with a touch of folkloric magic in this promising debut novel. Lady Branwen is a strong and engaging narrator and the turbulent setting of early medieval Wales makes a fine backdrop for an action-packed story.” – Juliet Marillier, Bestselling author of Daughter of the Forest and Wolfskin


Release Date: August 23, 2016


Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also met his beautiful wife. By day, he works as a Technical Writer, having spent much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. In addition to writing novels, he also writes short fiction online. When not reading or writing, he’s probably listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening with his family. His debut novel, Between Two Fires, is being published by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin's Press and Macmillan). It is the first in a series of historical fiction novels set in medieval Wales.


Friday, January 1, 2016

Books I read in 2015

I made my reading goal for 2015! In fact, not only did I make it, but I kind of smashed it. I read more books this year than I have in any other year of my adult life. And man were there some good ones! I even read more books aimed at adults than my usual. ;) Here's my list.

Chapter Books

 
 

Middle Grade Books

 
 
  
 

 
 

Books that were on the Bluebonnet list with Sky Jumpers this year (along with the winner from last year)

 
 

 
 
 

My Books
(Yes, I reread my books. Because it's been a while, and kids ask HARD QUESTIONS.)


Young Adult Books

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Adult Books

 
 
 
 
  
 


 Did we read any of the same books?