Ronesa’s 2015 Excellence in Writing Awards: Top-Five Picks

December 26, 2015

Have you read a good indie book lately? No? Why not? Independent and small-publishers have produced books vastly superior to many of the Big Five super-hyped books. The difference why our books are not as widely read vs. the Big Five boils down to marketing and reviews. The Big Five has tons of money and lots of clout. Many places refuse to review indie books, without even giving this vast group of wonderful authors a chance. We have to scrounge for reviews and tout our own horns. I’ve read a lot of books this year, and none have been the “popular” ones. Here’s my list of favorite authors I’ve read this year. I’ve read so many that my selections are based on authors who are exceptional and ones I’ve read more than one of their books. So here goes, in order of when I discovered the writing of these fabulous authors.

 

Jana Petken

I LOVE all of Jana’s books. I’ll read anything further she writes, without looking at the book blurb. I’m a big historical fiction fan, and after reading The Errant Flock, I was hooked on Jana’s writing. She takes you back in time to whatever era she writes about. This particular book is set in 1491, in Valencia, Spain, during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. A quote from my review: “From beginning to end the author’s extensive research about how the people lived permeates the fine details of the story as well as the overall setting of the time.”

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Jana Petken’s Amazon author page for all her books, including Guardian of Secrets and the Mercer Carver series: http://www.amazon.com/Jana-Petken/e/B00I2WAUVC/

Or visit her website: www.janapetkenauthor.com

 

C.N. Lesley

What brought my attention to C.N.’s writing was the word “Avalon.” As well as being a historical fiction fan, I read whatever I can about King Arthur, whether it’s historical or fantasy. C.N. takes gives the Arthur legend a new twist: sci-fi. This Shadow series of books (Shadow over Avalon and Sword of Shadows) is set far into the future. I’ve only read two of them because, alas, the third book has not yet been published. I’m eagerly waiting for its release. A quote from my review: “ ‘Sword of Shadows’ is more than a sci-fi rendition of the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable, however. It has a deeper meaning about how our lives are destroyed by the gods we let rule our lives–whether it is technology or otherwise.”

 

 

 

 

 

Check out C.N. Lesley’s Amazon author page for all her Shadow series books, as well as others, including “Darkspire Reaches”: http://www.amazon.com/C.N-Lesley/e/B00HTV3GV8/

Or visit her website: http://cnlesley.com/

 

Hannah Howe

Love a good detective story? Then you’ll want to dive into Hannah’s Sam Smith series. You’ll love enquiry agent Samantha Smith. She’s perfect in her imperfections. Abused as a child and even more so as a wife, Sam lacks confidence in herself, except when it comes to solving crimes. In that respect, she dives head first, or sometimes “foot-in-mouth” first into her work. You’ll love this spunky, petite woman, bent on improving the world and her own self. The books in the Sam Smith series have deeper meaning than pure entertainment. Be it prostitution, eugenics, drug abuse, insanity, or other social issues, the books delve into the human psyche. (And The Hermit of Hisarya takes place in Bulgaria, so I HAD to read that one.)

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Hannah Howe’s Amazon author page for all the books in the Sam Smith series: http://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Howe/e/B00OK7E24E/

Or visit her website: http://hannah-howe.com

 

Mansel Jones

It was a tossup which of Mansel’s books to include here. Since I’ve already discussed Arthur above, I opted to write about Tangwstyl: A Medieval Mystery instead. Nope, I can’t pronounce “Tangwstyl” either, but that doesn’t distract from reading the book. This is another historical fiction masterpiece. The setting is Kenfig (in Wales) in 1399. It weaves the story around a prophecy about Tangwstyl, the daughter of the future “Arthur.” (Okay, so it does have a slight Arthurian theme.) The story doesn’t have a lot to do with Tangwstyl. Her birth is rather the catalyst that eventually leads to an uprising. The book covers a span of eight days, but they are packed with historical fact and depict the struggle against the Church and unjust kings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Mansel Jones’ Amazon author page for all his other books, including “Pendragon”: http://www.amazon.com/Mansel-Jones/e/B0044RKLZO/

Or visit his website: http://jonesthebook.com/

 

Ellie Midwood

Set in Germany during WWII, The Girl from Berlin series is told from the perspective of a fictional woman who becomes Nazi Ernst Kaltenbrunner’s mistress. The problem is that he hates Jews, and she has hidden from the world the fact that she is a Jew. To appreciate this series of books, you have to be able to distance yourself from the Nazi atrocities, and look at the events from a more historical aspect. What is the other side of Ernst Kaltenbrunner, the one that a woman who loved him would see? What can you make of his proclamation of innocence of atrocities at the Nuremberg trials? These books attempt to answer those questions.

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Ellie Midwood’s books on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Berlin-Standartenf%C3%BChrers-Wife-ebook/dp/B015BNZWNK/

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Berlin-Gruppenf%C3%BChrers-Mistress-ebook/dp/B016FTEU14/

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Berlin-War-Criminals-Widow-ebook/dp/B018L3WM6C/

 

April Adams

I know. I said my top-five picks, but here’s a bonus look at my favorite series of books I read in 2014. “The Legends of Runes” trilogy is a fantasy. The world needs a savior. Will this role fall to the battered woman who can’t recall who she is, but finds herself in a magical place? From my review of Shattered, the first book in the series: “This fantasy has your traditional gathering of elves, gnomes, and such, but it has a religious twist that makes it fall along the lines of C.S. Lewis stories. The world building includes lands where the elements reign supreme: wind, fire, water and earth.”

 

 

 

 

 

Check out April Adam’s Amazon author page for all her books in “The Legends of Rune” trilogy: http://www.amazon.com/April-Adams/e/B00CHRCD8G/

Or visit her website: www.writerapriladams.com

Light Love Rituals Receives Readers’ Favorite Award

December 24, 2015

Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore by Ronesa Aveela is a wonderful book that gives readers a peek into the rich culture, customs, traditions, myths, legends and folklore of Bulgaria. The book speaks about the traditions that are part of the soul’s journey and the topics discussed reflect the relationship of nature to mankind. The rituals described are a collection of ceremonies practiced throughout the country and the author also intersperses these with fun facts and legends, making it an informational and engaging read. The book is educational, fun and entertaining, and it reveals the fascinating history and culture of the Bulgarian people in an enjoyable way.

The recipes shared at the end are mouth-watering and readers will be tempted to try them out. The illustrations are bright and colorful and complement the author’s thoughts and ideas beautifully. The author takes readers through the sections methodically and every ritual has a story which makes it easier for readers to understand. The ‘Did You Know’ bits shared with readers in every chapter throw light on the beliefs and superstitions that exist in this country.

I learned a lot about Bulgaria, its culture, customs, rituals and traditions through the book. It’s obvious that the author has done a lot of research on the topic. The seasonal rituals with the questions at the end of each chapter does help readers connect better with the Bulgarian rituals, practices, and traditions that existed. I loved the book. The author does a great job in telling readers about the culture, customs, and traditions of Bulgaria.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

Light Love Rituals Review