As some countries celebrate the causes of freedom and justice all over the world this time of year, this month I have two book recommendations for you dealing with those very subjects.
The first book is Beneath a Crescent Strike by A.L. Sowards. This takes place in the Balkans during the 1300s when the Serbs are fighting for territory and freedom from the Ottoman Empire. I didn’t know very much about Serbia in this time period and loved how the author wove the facts and details into a compelling story with characters that truly seemed to have lived through these events.
Experience the gripping historical fiction ‘After the Crescent Strike’ by A.L. Sowards, set in the tumultuous Balkans of the 1300s.
In the opening chapter we meet Miladin, a soldier in the Serbian army. Their army is betrayed and the Turks strike them down indiscriminately until there are few survivors. Miladin and two of his friends barely escape and they attempt to return home to help their new zupan (or lord), the young son and heir over their zupa (or town and surrounding area), whose father has now been killed. On the journey home, Miladin comes upon villages who have been ravaged by the Turks, leaving nothing but death behind. As he stops in the village of his childhood he finds the love of his youth, Magdalena, still alive, with her now orphaned young niece. Magdalena has nothing left there, so she decides to leave everything behind and make a fresh start in Rivak, the zupa where Miladin now lives. The journey is full of danger as the Turks are pillaging and murdering anyone they come upon, but as they work to get home Magdalena sees flashes of the Miladin she once loved and the dreams she had of their life together when they were young. But can they truly rekindle a romance after ten years of being apart?
A.L. Sowards is one of the best writers for bringing historical fiction to life. Her descriptions and attention to detail are phenomenal and readers will love learning about a time period that is not well-known. The political intrigue, customs, and culture add an international flavor grounded in real events. The fight for freedom and justice is very real and relatable to many events going on in our world today. Readers will appreciate that the battle scenes feel real but are not overly graphic, with just enough details to feel the devastation to those who are left behind. The second chance romance between Miladin and Magdalena is realistic and tender, as they both have grown and changed, yet still have some emotional wounds to work through. A theme of faith is a thread throughout the book, putting into perspective how forgiveness can change us, too. Beneath a Crescent Strike is one historical fiction you won’t want to miss and kicks off a Balkan Legends series.
Beneath a Crescent Strike by A.L. Sowards, published by Shadow Mountain Publishing, 182 pages, available in ebook and audiobook.
Dive into the thrilling world of ‘Tru’ by Bree Livingston, where art, adventure, and romance intertwine.
My second recommendation is Tru by Bree Livingston. This was my first time reading anything by Bree Livingston and if you want a quick afternoon read, you will enjoy this fast-paced romantic suspense.
Thaddeus Tru is assigned by the Guardian Group to get close to Kayleigh Kingston, an art gallery assistant who is picking up an artifact in Mexico. She’s said to be a ruthless killer who won’t hesitate to kill again if it means she won’t get captured. But from his first meeting with Kayleigh, Tru knows something is off. His gut tells him she isn’t the killer his boss thinks she is.
This action-adventure romance was full of instant attraction between Tru and Kayleigh and an on-the-run danger element as they fight to stay alive and get the artifact out of Mexico so they can figure out who really wants them dead. There is a strong sense of wanting justice in both Tru and Kayleigh as they work to figure out who the bad guy is and how they are staying one step ahead of them. Tru has a crisis of conscience for much of the book because Kayleigh doesn’t know he’s lying to her about his identity, but it’s for her own safety. Unfortunately, or fortunately, secrets don’t stay secrets for long and once his comes out, the danger turns deadly. The art world and trip to Mexico with several near-death experiences keeps the plot moving and the author includes some beautiful scenery in the villages and towns they pass through on their way to the border. Our heroine, Kayleigh is pretty naïve because of her life experiences and medical condition, but Tru is attracted to her even with all her quirks, which makes for some cute scenes. Their romance—while going from attraction to more pretty quickly—is fun to read. This is a sweet adventure story that you can delve into when you have a free summer afternoon.
Tru (The Guardian Group Security Team Book 1) by Bree Livingston, 276 pages, available in ebook and paperback.
After winning $10 in a second-grade writing contest, Julie Coulter Bellon knew she wanted to be a published author someday. That dream came true and she is now an award-winning author of thirty-two books. She is also a podcast host for Authors Off the Page and Book Chat with Julie.
