Book Tour - Book Review - The Girl Who Married an Eagle -

Title: The Girl Who Married an Eagle 
Author: Tamar Myers 

Review: The Girl Who Married an Eagle is the fourth and final book in the author’s Belgian Congo mystery series.  Tamar Myers writes seve

ral series of cozy mysteries (light mysteries in the mode of Murder She Wrote), but draws upon her own real life experiences growing up the daughter of missionaries in the Belgian Congo.  So while this novel is fictional, it draws upon many experiences the author had, given it a sense of realism and authenticity often missed in contemporary fiction. 

I requested this book for three main reasons both trivial and serious.  First of all I always am looking to read more female authors.  This stems from an article I read several years ago that posited male readers avoided female writers.  I thought that silly to I actually crunched the numbers on my reading list of the past years and found it to be resoundingly true.  So Tamar definitely delivered on this desire. 

Second I am a big lover of mystery; and while I am not a cozy fan per se I do occasionally find a series I can get behind, like Mc Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth or Rhys Bowen Evan books.  This is where I was slightly disappointed as the mystery was fairly weak.  Now this isn’t a knock against the story at all, it is more of a jab at the branding of the book.  I would guess given the success of her other series in the genre, there was pressure to label this a mystery too; a lack of faith in her fans to follow here to where ever her writing goes.  This work is book is clearly fictionalized biographical mystery and in that it is quite good. 

Finally I enjoy reading books that are written by, or mostly take place in other cultures than America.  I am not devaluing America based writing; it is just a culture I am already familiar with.  When I read I like to expand my horizons by exposing myself to things I know nothing about.  Much like Belle getting lost in a novel (check the awesome Beauty and the Beast reference) or even my younger self reading fantasy novels, a book can be a educational experience.  Or at least an opportunity to open your mind and make the world a slighter smaller place; it is this power that makes you a better citizen. 

Now this is where the book is clearly a tour de force.  Tamar brings her life experiences to show just how a Congolese tribe would be as little ago as the 1950’s.  Arranged marriages and literally selling your children to assure security for the family on a macro scale.  Before you dismiss this as the past, this behavior still goes on in the world today.  In some Asian countries daughters are sent to the city to be sex workers in order to provide for the family back home.  This blatant human trafficking can be overlooked in are closed Western society but it is through novels like this we can begin to see what is going on behind closed eyes.  The perspective of a young girl trapped in this situation is very enlightening, and the consequences of confronting it openly also educate. 

If you are after a mystery be sure to read Tamar Myers other books, but if you want to see wonderful example of the plight of young girls that is still happening today, to make you a little more compassionate towards other people and cultures, and just learn more about Africa too, this is the book for you.  A little short, but still powerful, pick up The Girl Who Married an Eagle as soon as you can. 


Publisher: William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0-06-220385-4
Copyright: 2013
Pages: 260
Quick Review: 4 stars out of 5 
Why I Read It: Mystery set in Africa 
Where I Obtained the Book: Sent to me by TLC tours for review 

Synopsis: The final book Tamar Myers's Belgian Congo-set mystery series, this is the story of an all girls boarding school for runaway child brides, and features events inspired by Myers's childhood in the Belgian Congo.

When Julia Elaine Newton, a young, pretty Ohio girl, volunteered to go on a mission to the Belgian Congo, she knew it was going to be a huge change. But she never expected to wind up teaching at an all-girls boarding school primarily populated by runaway child brides!

Much to her chagrin, Early Dusk was born beautiful. If only she'd been ugly, Big Chief Eagle would not have noticed her. Escaping an arranged marriage, the scrappy eight-year-old girl finds her way to Julia Newton and the school. But this time her jilted husband will not be denied.

It's up to Julia and Early Dusk to try and save the school as Congolese Independence looms and Big Chief Eagle embarks on his revenge. With the help of Cripple and her husband, and even Amanda Brown, these plucky women must learn to save themselves.
Based on actual events, The Girl Who Married an Eagle is a beautiful finale to the Belgian Congo mystery series. 


Author Biography: Tamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.

In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.

Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.

Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.

Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.

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Book Review - One Glorious Ambition - The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix - Jane Kirkpatrick

Title:  One Glorious Ambition, the Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix

Author:   JaneKirkpatrick

Review:  This book is a historical fiction based on the life of Dorothea Dix the crusader for the rights of the mentally ill.  This book is a good combination of historical fact and enough fiction to keep it somewhat interesting to the less informed.  By this I mean, those of us who are not into biographies and who know nothing of the history or the treatment of the mentally ill through the ages of time.

To understand the story one must understand the nuances of the times in which Dorothea lived.  She was born in 1802 in Hampden, Maine.  Her mother was mentally ill all of Dorothea's life.  Dorothea remembered her in later years as always having "a blank expression in her lovely blue eyes," her father was the black sheep of the family, expelled from Harvard University, never wanted to pay his bills and was forever asking for money from friends and family.  The young ladies of her day were educated just enough to be able to attract "catch a husband".

At the age of 11 Dorothea left home and walked to her Grandmother's home forty miles away.  She was going there to ask her Grandmother if she, Dorothea, and her brother and the new baby, Joseph, could come and live with her.  It was a bitter cold day and the maid, thinking she was a street urchin, sent her around to the servants door of the mansion to wait in the kitchen.  Grandmother would not do as Dorothea requested and Dorothea was sent home to live with her abusive father and "sleepy" mother.  It was a sad time for her and her brothers but eventually her Grandmother sent for her and had her go and live with her Aunts family who were willing to "take" her in, and teach her to be a proper young lady.

Dorothea lived with her Aunt and Uncle and her cousin Mary and was taught all the proper things that a young lady of that age should know.  How to ride a horse, how to laugh, but not to loudly, at a suitor's little jokes, how never to disagree with a gentleman, how to walk so her hoops moved in just the right way, how to knit, crochet and cross stitch, all of the important things for well bred women of her day.  But this was not enough for Dorothea, she could read and write and think and she wanted to be something, to do what God in Heaven had placed her on the earth to do.  But first she had to find what that "something" was. 

As the years past, with no marriage in sight, she decided to open a school for girls, to teach riding, reading, mathematics, English, cross stitching.  She loved teaching and learning and wanted to instill that love in her students.  But the thinking of the day was not in her favor, as one of her students fathers told her " Just teach her, her letters, so she will write to her mother and me when she marries and moves away."   Later Dorothea opened a school for indigent children and taught them in the evenings and weekends.  She loved to teach but still did not feel fulfilled.

One day she was called into her Aunts sitting room and told she was going to live with her grandmother.  It seemed Grandmama felt that her Aunt had failed her by Dorothea not being married and so was bringing her home to "Find a Husband" before it was too late.

Dorothea's Grandmother had fallen on hard times and so had moved into the carriage house and her mansion was being used as a boarding house.  Dorothea was given rooms in the mansion house and would take her meals with the boarders.  Interesting conversations ensued and Dorothea met many interesting people some of whom would change her life forever.

Dorothea felt a need for religion in her life and loved to hear the fiery sermons of the preachers on Sunday morning.  These sermons and those who delivered them, helped Dorothea become the beacon for hope that the mentally ill, she later helped, needed.

"yearning to fulfill her God given purpose, Dorothea discovers her gift for teaching and writing..."  she has bouts of illness that leave her weak.  It turns out that she had T B, a dreaded health problem that was prevalent in that time.  She was able to fight against these bouts and regain her health to carry on the battle.  Dorothea fought prejudice against her sex, showing the "Hallowed Halls of Government" that women did have something to offer, she was a feminists long before it became the thing to be. She fought for basic human rights for the mentally ill, basic rights that every living creature deserves. 

At this point in time, the mentally ill, in some cases, were kept chained to walls that were dripping with water, with no heat in the winter, no blankets, overflowing slop buckets and with food tossed through the bars of their cells.  They were put into prisons with common criminals and were mistreated right along with them.  Dorothea saw their condition and decided her life's work would be to help them received decent care in state run institutions, where nurses and doctors could care for them with humane treatment.  Thoughts of her own mother's condition came back to her each time she became discouraged with all the "red tape".  She fought in the halls of congress clear up to the Oval Office.  She knew two Presidents of the United States and solicited their help and compassion, but the "business" of politics came first and bill after bill she had presented was tabled until the next session year after year.  Slavery was the big question at this point in time so humane treatment of the mentally ill was not much of an issue.

There are so many good quotes in this book, one of my favorite was "if it is to be, it is up to thee" and "Give me one glorious ambition for my life....",

This is a well written book, you can feel Dorothea's frustration with the people around her that have the power to help but who refuse for political ambitions.  The author fills out her character from a little girl worried about where her next meal will come from to a woman who gives up her life and her funds to provide care to the most helpless.

If you like Biographies and the stories of historical people and times this is the book for you.  This book will receive four out of five stars from me for good historical accuracy, vivid descriptions and sticking to facts.

The down side of this book for me was I do not feel that I know Dorothea Dix any better, her personality did not come out in the story, her feelings of sadness and hurt only made her seem petulant and over bearing.  I felt the character was flat and two dimensional. I do realize that taking a historical character, fleshing them out and bringing them to life is tough going but that is what this book needs.

Thanks Eileen for this review.

Published:   Published April 2nd 2013 by WaterBrook Press

ISBN:   9781400074310

Pages:  400

Copyright: 2013

Quick Review: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis:    One dedicated woman...giving voice to the suffering of many

Born to an unavailable mother and an abusive father, Dorothea Dix longs simply to protect and care for her younger brothers, Charles and Joseph. But at just fourteen, she is separated from them and sent to live with relatives to be raised properly. Lonely and uncertain, Dorothea discovers that she does not possess the ability to accept the social expectations imposed on her gender and she desires to accomplish something more than finding a suitable mate.

Yearning to fulfill her God-given purpose, Dorothea finds she has a gift for teaching and writing. Her pupils become a kind of family, hearts to nurture, but long bouts of illness end her teaching and Dorothea is adrift again. It’s an unexpected visit to a prison housing the mentally ill that ignites an unending fire in Dorothea’s heart—and sets her on a journey that will take her across the nation, into the halls of the Capitol, befriending presidents and lawmakers, always fighting to relieve the suffering of what Scripture deems, the least of these.

In bringing nineteenth-century, historical reformer Dorothea Dix to life, author Jane Kirkpatrick combines historical accuracy with the gripping narrative of a woman who recognized suffering when others turned away, and the call she heeded to change the world.

About the author:   Kirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community.

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Character Post - The Knights of Galaria: The Crystals of Power - O. S. Gill

KAZ SILVERWYND

First day on the job

Lieutenant First Class; I find myself still trying to get used to the words first day on the job. It has been less than twenty-four hours since my graduation from the Knight Academy, and I have been shot at twice, my vehicle blown up, and in a skirmish. Sure we’re trained for this, I mean that’s what being a knight is all about. But it was largely ceremonial until now. You never hear about anyone attacking a knight so openly, I certainly haven’t. These are strange times.

All in all, I’m glad that I had my training to rely on; otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to save Xul Xandu on the podium yesterday. And we all would have probably died back in the canyons. As I look around the cabin I see the others trying to put on a brave face, but behind the bravado I know that they are still a bit shaken, having just had their first battle. And the fact that we’re being pursued certainly hasn’t helped. At least now, in these civilian clothes we are less conspicuous.

Most of us have been friends since that first term at the academy. Before the first year had ended Kara, Remus, Tanu, Vogt and I were already a tight knit bunch, with Eri, Evet and Zarak joining our group in the later years. There’s not a finer group that I would rather serve with, that was reinforced in the canyons. The way we moved, and defeated those androids, that cohesion doesn’t just come to a group, it takes years of bonding.

As we press on to Andros, I know that whatever perils lay there, whatever this dark force is that plots against us, with them by my side we shall persevere.

-- 
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Book Feature - The Last Hybrid: Bloodline of Angels - Lee Wilson

Interview with Lee Wilson, Author of "The Last Hybrid: Bloodline of Angels."

1. What is the story behind the story for "The Last Hybrid"?

When we're teenagers, most of us feel that anything is possible. The world

is full of endless possibilities and it's often overwhelming as to what

direction we should go. It was during those days for me back in the 1990's

that the main character for "The Last Hybrid" came to life in my mind.

During a church class, a youth minister had mentioned the Nephilim, a race

of angel/human hybrids who, according to the Bible in Genesis 6, existed

on the earth before the flood. That fascinated me and dreams about those

people followed. It was in those dreams that Daniel, the main character in

the book, and the girl who would be thrown into his world, Hannah, were

born. To read more on the Nephilim go to

http://www.gracecentered.com/did-angels-have-children-with-humans.htm

2. What was the most challenging aspect of writing "The Last Hybrid"?

Deciding what to include in the first book. The story is so complex since,

as of now, it's been nearly 20 years in the making. I had to determine the

starting point and the end for the first book. I also had to determine

what details to share without giving away too much for the future or the

past since the book will likely go in both directions in the future.

3. Describe your writing schedule. Do you outline? Any habits?

Oh geez. My schedule is a stream of consciousness. I write after I've felt

it well up inside. I prefer to write at night or during the day with a cup

of black coffee but my schedule makes it difficult to plan time dedicated

to writing. I am able to do that but it's a rare event. I usually take the

day as it comes and if/when I find time to write I do so. I take notes on

my cell phone so that the time when I'm able to write is productive. And

music, I've got to have music while I write. Nothing is as distracting as

the sound of my fingers pecking the keyboard.

4. What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Take your time to make sure the book is fully developed. Don't just throw

something out there because you've got "cover fever." If it's worth doing

it's worth being done correctly and worth giving time enough to culture in

your mind and on paper. Good stories can always be made better and good

writing can always be smoothed out and made more interesting. Don't

sacrifice that just because you want to get something out there. If you

haven't been able to get an agent or publisher, don't decide to simply

self-publish until after you've gone to workshops, read books on writing

and made other efforts at making your manuscript as good as it can be.

Then if you don't get traction in the industry, consider publishing it

yourself. Either way, you'll have a better product than if you rush.

5. What are you working on now?

The sequel. And some screenplays.

Win a copy.

Register to win a free copy of "The Last Hybrid" at

http://www.TheLastHybrid.com/email.php.

Follow "The Last Hybrid" on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LastHybrid)

and Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheLastHybrid).

Follow Lee Wilson on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LeeWilsonfanpage)

and Twitter (http://twitter.com/leewilsontalks).

Pump Up Your Book Tour - Revived by Grace - Emma Clay

Title of Book: REVIVED BY GRACE Genre: Christian Memoir Author: Emma Clay Website: www.EmmaClay.com Publisher: Metokos Press PURCHASE REVIVED BY GRACE HERE SUMMARY: Emma Clay lived a life of rebellion, led astray by her own desires and her attraction to an indulgent life and a difficult man. This book is her memoir, telling the powerful story of her downward decline and the way God brought her back to himself through his love. Moving between personal storytelling, Biblical reflection, and political application, Revived by Grace is a book that speaks to the wounded place in all of us that can be healed only by the grace of God.

About the Author:

Emma Clay is a writer who shares her own experiences about her encounters with self and her bad decisions. She shares how she transformed a life that seemed hopeless and seeks to give answers to your own questions. She is dedicated to sharing her true stories with others, in the hopes they will avoid the same pot holes, pitfalls, and detours in their own lives.

She loves people, and her need to share this love will hopefully encourage others to find their own way.

Her latest book is the Christian inspirational memoir, Revived by Grace.

Visit her website at www.EmmaClay.com.

Connect with Emma:

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK

About the Book:

Emma Clay lived a life of rebellion, led astray by her own desires and her attraction to an indulgent life and a difficult man. This book is her memoir, telling the powerful story of her downward decline and the way God brought her back to himself through his love.

Moving between personal storytelling, Biblical reflection, and political application, Revived by Grace is a book that speaks to the wounded place in all of us that can be healed only by the grace of God.

AMAZON| BARNES & NOBLE

FIRST CHAPTER:

THE SMORGASEBOARD OF DESIRES

It shouldn’t have been a surprise, especially to Emma’s family, that she joined the Army when she was seventeen, in order to travel and get away from the farm. As a child, they said she would crawl into the backseat of every stranger’s car that came to the orchard to buy apples. It was like she was always wanting to leave, thinking there was more than just the farm out there. You shall not covet… (Exodus 20:17).¹ This is one of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses for his children’s wellbeing. God knew we needed these instructions to live life to its fullest. He wanted the best for us, and he knew this was the way to have that. This concept is best described in Merrill C. Tenney’sZondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. He defines the word “covet” as a “selfish longing” and “greed for material gain.”² This means setting your heart on something someone else has instead of being content with the gifts the Lord has given you. That is why the Bible says Thou Shalt Not! But as disobedient children, we sometimes go against the grain and do what we want instead of what’s best. And Emma was not listening to the Lord, but was instead listening to the hounding of her own desires. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone (James 1:13). The Army was the way Emma thought she could escape from the farm and from something else that she was hiding from—something deep inside that had recently happened. Her parents didn’t have the money to spend on college, and she didn’t want to go anyway. Since she would need no money to join the Army, it seemed like the only option. She talked a friend into going with her on what they called the “buddy system.” This meant she could go with someone she knew and not be all alone on the adventure. Emma figured she could travel all over the world, and they would even pay her to do so. The idea was quite inviting. She was promised a career, and they would train her and teach her in any area of work she would like to choose. She chose the medical field. The Army would even pay her room and board and give her a salary while she was trained, which would allow Emma to save the money she earned. What a great option for those who cannot afford college. It seemed like a good deal to Emma, so she joined at age seventeen. Her parents had to co-sign, which just about killed her mother. The week they were supposed to leave, her friend backed out on her. But Emma had made a commitment, and she couldn’t back out. Everybody knew she had joined, and they even threw her a going-away party. The Army turned out not to be the travel adventure she’d hoped for. It was regimented and disciplined and exactly what she needed—but not quite what she expected. This life is depicted well in the movie Private Benjamin, which was released in theaters just two weeks after Emma graduated from boot camp. Emma actually did well in the Army at Ft Jackson, South Carolina. She had been appointed squad leader, and she was great with her M-16 rifle. She also made a great friend in her squad, and together they would pray in the barracks at night to overcome their homesickness. She recited the 23^rd Psalm every day, even in the chow line with her hands behind her back. She prayed for the Lord to be with her and help her get through her uncertainty. She was afraid. She was in an environment that was very different from the way she had grown up. Her parents seemed to be saints compared to the people around her, and she wanted to go home. She realized what she had at home had been wonderful, and she had taken it for granted. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters(Psalm 23:1-2). Emma imagined running through meadows of green grass, swaying in the summer wind. She envisioned herself back home again, running over to the creek that flowed through the valley. She would lay down by the stream and listen to the water flow down the brook and stare up to the blue sky as the clouds floated by. ”Attention!” she heard a voice say, and then her drill sergeant told her to drop down and give him twenty. “You weren’t listening to a word I said,” he yelled. Emma was shaken back to reality, and the heat from her fatigues and her boots made her sweat terribly. You see, they were not allowed to leave their shirts out. Their shirts had to be tucked into their pants and their pant legs tucked into their boots. This left no room for the air to circulate, and it was a hundred degrees outside. She knew this was so they would learn to handle the heat better. Emma was living with people who didn’t look like her. Many were black, and she was white. Even her two drill sergeants were black. You have to remember, she had been sheltered most of her life from anywhere except the farm, with only an occasional trip to the beach with her parents. The color didn’t matter to Emma; she looked inside people for love and kindness. She knew God made us all. She would hum to herself a children’s song: Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world. Basic training was coming to an end, and just like in the movie, her life seemed to run parallel to Private Benjamin. She realized she had used travel as an excuse to not to deal with the true, underlying reason she joined. Just like Private Benjamin had joined the Army out of sorrow for her husband dying, Emma joined to escape the guilt she felt over an inconvenient truth—also involving death. Homesickness set in even more after her graduation ceremony and the reunion with her mom and dad. She got her assignment to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. It was there, with all the newfound freedom it offered, that loneliness truly set in. Unlike in boot camp, where she was housed in the barracks with forty other soldiers, there she was alone. Revived by Grace Tour Page: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/04/16/pump-up-your-book-presents-revived-by-grace-virtual-book-publicity-tour/