Published by Carina Press in March 2019.
How I got this book:
Bought the ebook from Amazon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Search Literary Flits for more:
Books by Adriana Herrera / Romance fiction / Books from Dominican Republic
Indie, small press and global literature.
Reviews of books I've loved, liked or loathed!
Locks: A Story Based on True Events by Ashleigh Nugent
Published by RiseUp on the 21st September 2020.
How I got this book: Received a review copy via Rachel's Random Resources
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“1993 was the year that Stephen Lawrence got murdered by racists, and I became an angry Black lad with a ‘chip on his shoulder’.”
Aeon is a mixed-race teenager from an English suburb. He is desperate to understand the Black identity foisted on him by racist police, teachers, and ‘friends’. For want of Black role models, Aeon has immersed himself in gangsta rap, he’s trying to grow dreadlocks, and he’s bought himself some big red boots.
And now he’s in Jamaica.
Within days of being in Jamaica, Aeon has been mugged and stabbed, arrested and banged up.
Aeon has to fight for survival, fight for respect, and fight for his big red boots. And he has to fight for his identity because, here, Aeon is the White boy.
Meet the author
Author links:
Search Literary Flits for more:
Books by Ashleigh Nugent / Historical fiction / Books from England
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop
Autographed from Author
Add to Goodreads
I love discovering forgotten historical women, especially through reading fictionalised accounts of their lives. For some reason facts imparted through reading historical fiction seem to stick in my mind better than those from nonfiction books. Perhaps it is because I identify better with the emotional aspect of fictional writing which is often absent from straight biographies? In any case, I don't think I had heard of Sofonisba Anguissola prior to spotting Melissa Muldoon's new novel, even though the events described within this book are from the same era - and even involve many of the same people - as Francis I by Leonie Frieda and The Rival Queens by Nancy Goldstone.
Sofonisba benefited from having an unusually (for the times) supportive father who, once he discovered her precocious artistic talents, did everything within his power to create and further a career for her. Muldoon begins by introducing readers to an elderly Sofonisba who, in telling her life story to a young visitor, also tells us. I was a bit disconcerted at the switch from first to third person point of view, but soon got back into the tale. Muldoon writes in an engaging style with authentic historical details to deepen the atmosphere. Her characters felt genuine, especially the eternally bickering sisters, but I also loved that the man who captures Sofonisba's heart has a wisp of magical realism about him. The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola is an entertaining portrait of a remarkable woman and I am grateful to Melissa Muldoon for bringing her out of obscurity so modern women such as myself can learn about her life and appreciate her surviving work.
Enter the Giveaway:
Win a print or an audio copy of The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola. (3 winners). Open to the USA only until the 5th March.
Book Description:
As a very shy, meek, and insecure little girl, Diane Mullins grew up the
youngest of seven children in an abusive family. Never shown or taught how to love or be loved, Diane grew up with no self-confidence or self-esteem. Who knew that it would take a near-fatal accident to help her find her way to self-love and spiritual freedom? In Dying to Belong, Diane shares her story that begins at the scene of a body- and
spirit-crushing ATV accident. Forced to ride out of the wilderness area herself, she arrived at the hospital to discover broken bones, ruptured organs, and a punctured lung. She was literally on the doorstep of death. During the excruciating process of physical healing, Diane began exploring a spiritual journey that led to loving, accepting, and respecting herself. Diane learned the empowering lesson that by changing her thoughts and feelings, she has been able to live a life of freedom from negativity and pain.
Buy the Book:
Meet the Author:
Enter the Giveaway:
Win an Autographed copy of DYING TO BELONG Plus $25 Amazon Gift Card (USA only) (1 winner) (ends Feb 9)