Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Iron Maiden by J.T. MaickeIron Maiden: An Alternate History of the German Empire by J.T. Maicke


Publisher:  DX Varos Publishing, Inc. (October 31, 2023)
Category: Historical fiction, Alternate History
Tour Dates January17-February 23, 2024
ISBN: 978-1955065917
Available in Print and ebook, 411 pages

Iron Maiden

Description Iron Maiden by J.T. Maicke


What if a woman ruled Germany in 1914? This alternate history explores that very question. An elaborate attempt to rid Germany of the Hohenzollerns has left a young sole heiress, Christiana, to take the throne of the German Empire. But this is no typical princess, hidden away in a gilded cage. This college educated, expert fencer, and accomplished equestrienne is not the meek little girl the politicians think they will be able to control. She has her own ideas how to rule!

Review Iron Maiden by J.T. Maicke


“Somehow, word had leaked out regarding the venue for the coronation ceremony and crowds of thousands of curious people, anxious to witness a piece of history, started gathering at dawn in the main plaza—the Schlossplatz—in front of the Berlin Palace. “ – ‘Iron Maiden,’ by J.T. Maicke.

A compelling alternative history novel from the author J.T. Maicke where history shifts in one bloody act.

Early morning, Easter Sunday, 1910, the Kaiser of Germany and his young family are killed when a bomb is set off at the church where they are attending a service. At the same time, all over the country, all of the members of the royal family are systematically assassinated.

All but one. Christiana Von Preussen is a cousin to the Kaiser and an accomplished woman, herself. As one of the first women in the country to attend University and a talented fencer and horsewoman, Christa is beloved by her family, despite refusing to conform to their expectations about how a princess should act.

But Christa must very quickly go from being a princess, to being a queen when she ends up as the only living member of the royal family left alive. Determined to do her best for the country that she loves so much, Christa claims the throne with aplomb, and proves all of her detractors wrong along the way.

This is a must read that offers a fresh take on a historical novel and I savored every last morsel. ‘Iron Maiden’ is an incredibly satisfying read and, while Maicke clearly did his research it never, at any point, felt like the narrative got bogged down by too many details.

If you are looking for a lush, enthralling read that sucks you in and makes you forget about the rest of the world, ‘Iron Maiden,’ by J.T. Maicke is definitely the book for you!

About J. T. Maicke


A self-described Germanophile, J.T. Maicke writes historical fiction novels that take place in Germany or among German-American communities in the Midwest. He has spent most of his life studying German history, geography, language, culture, customs, and cuisine. Maicke also spent several years living in and traveling throughout Central Europe, and he has visited many of the locations depicted in his novels. Maicke’s debut novel was ‘The Humble Courier.’

Website: https://www.jtmaicke.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jt.maicke/

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Iron Maiden by J.T. Maicke

Kiss of Frost and Flame by Ken CzechKiss Of Frost And Flame by Ken Czech

Publisher:  Fireship Press, (June 22, 2023)
Category: Historical Fiction, Romance/Action/Adventure, Romance/Historical/Medieval, War & Military
Tour Dates January 15-February 8, 20223
ISBN: 978-1611794113
Available in Print and ebook, 304 pages

Kiss of Frost and Flame

Description Kiss of Frost and Flame by Ken Czech


When Defending the Homeland Means Defending Your Heart.

Siberia 1581. When Umey, a young outcast woman, stumbles on a ravaged
village, she uncovers a plot that threatens to devastate her beloved
homeland. It’s furs—soft gold—the invading Cossacks crave, and the
greediest of them is Yermak, the man who saved her life and raised
her.

Armed with fearsome muskets, the Cossacks plunge deeper into the
Siberian forest, crushing the tribal folk who stand in their way.
Although prejudices are arrayed against her, Umey emerges as a tribal
leader, albeit a reluctant one. She and Alexey, a Russian soldier who
has seen too much war, are soon caught in an unfolding crucible of
destruction where their courage and incipient love will be tested in a
final collision with Yermak and his horde.

Praise For Kiss of Frost and Flame by Ken Czech


“I was immediately drawn in by the atmospheric and descriptive effort that Czech put into his writing to bring the wilds of Siberia to life. I was fascinated by the customs and tribal people as well as the beauty of nature … Umey’s gentle but unwavering courage makes her a protagonist whom you grow to feel deeply for during the adventure. Overall, Kiss of Frost and Flame is a work that fans of historical adventures and cross-cultural writing are sure to enjoy as much as I did.”-K. C. Finn,  author of Caecilius Rex and The Book of Shade

Praise for Ken Czech


“… a truly excellent novel that readers will simply devour.”-K. C. Finn, author of the Caecilius Rex  series-THE TSAR’S LOCKET

“There were twist and turns throughout, but the climactic twist at the end really caught me off guard.”-Lesley Jones, for Reades’ Favorite-THE TSAR’S LOCKET

“I was drawn to this book due to a passionate interest in British history and a passing one in Russian history. The author does an outstanding job of weaving fact and fiction together in a backdrop of colorful and accurate description of the international culture of the first Elizabethan Era.
Those who shun romantic novels should not do so to this work. There are surprises and intrigue aplenty to thrill those who crave a bit of adventure. The history lover will be presented with information they may have never encountered.”- Caroleinwv, Amazon Review-THE TSAR’S LOCKET

“The journey is long and arduous over war-torn Europe from the fields of The Netherlands to the frozen marshes of Poland and Russia. Secrets are revealed, friendships are made and lost, terrible sacrifices are made, and by the thinnest of thinnest hopes Blunt finally makes it to the Promised Land. And then the locket is opened to reveal—
Well, I’ll leave that to you to find out. The journey itself is fascinating, a tour of 1580s Europe with its wars and religious squabbling, the fights over the dominance of one man by another, the lust for power of one nation over another. “-stephenmatlock.com, THE TSAR’S LOCKET

“Fans…of the Victorian era will find this book a gem.” – Historical Novels Review, BEYOND THE RIVER OF SHAME

“It’s a rollicking read … ” – Dr. Jim Casada, Sporting Classics Magazine, BEYOND THE RIVER OF SHAME

Excerpt Kiss Of Frost And Flame by Ken Czech


 

 Chapter One

A horse’s whinny pierced the smoke, causing Umey to flinch. Shadowy figures stirred beyond that nightmare mound and lurched toward her. She stared, fearing the dead had come to life, then stumbled backward, tripped, and landed on her backside with a startled, “Oomph!” Her arrow flittered harmlessly to the ground.

“It’s a heathen spy!” one of the shapes bellowed. “Shoot the bastard!”

The man’s words tumbled through her brain. He had spoken not in the Tatar tongue as she expected, but in Russian, Mama’s language. Great Mother! Did it mean Russians had killed Russians?

Umey scrambled to her feet and bolted toward the forest. A musket roared, its ball whistling overhead. She darted left to swerve behind trees and keep their boughs and trunks between the burning village and her. Another musket boomed.

Horses neighed and more voices shouted. Whoever had raided the camp and massacred its inhabitants now chased her! She sped down an animal trail and through a snarl of branches and brambles where horsemen would have difficulty guiding their mounts. Thorns plucked at her panitsa. A low-hanging bough snagged her hair and threw her off balance. Without warning, the thick brush ahead of her crackled and a tannish bulk heaved up. Liquid brown eyes wide with fear and tail upraised, a stag crashed away.

The upturned roots of a fallen pine offered a hiding place. Umey dropped to a knee behind the roots. Afraid her gasps might alert those who tracked her, she buried her mouth against her forearm and tried to think. While in the village, she had caught no more than a glimpse of the horsemen. A few wore the conical helmets favored by the Tatars and at least two of the raiders carried bows. However, there was no mistaking the roar of muskets and the whine and crack of lead balls clipping tree branches.

Shadows in the forest lengthened, then faded as the evening deepened. It never properly got dark during the summer in Sibir; the sky tinted more like burnt brass and indigo until the sun again peeked above the eastern horizon. White nights, that was what the Russians called the short night hours. How she wished for a different season when darkness and deep shadows would better hide her

Umey strained to listen above the pounding of her heart. The mounted men had turned south, their clamor dwindling to a murmur. They undoubtedly followed the stag she flushed, thinking it was her. Certain it was safe to leave the pine root sanctuary, she sucked in a deep breath and took a single step. A spruce grouse suddenly exploded from a thicket a few dozen yards away, the whir of its wings warning her to stay put. Something had disturbed the bird—something that moved cautiously across the ravine she had traversed earlier. A quick peek between the roots revealed two men on foot and armed with muskets threading their way along the path of broken branches she had made. Soon they would be up to where she knelt.

            The earthy smell of the roots from the overturned pine filled her nostrils. A nerve in her thigh twitched. Grit had gotten inside her mouth and she longed to spit it out … but not now! To run or make any kind of noise would attract their attention.

            Another grouse frightened by the intruders thundered away.

            Muscles tensed, Umey crouched lower and risked notching a new arrow. The two pursuers, more shapes in the gloom than men, halted on the edge of the ravine. One of them chuckled and waved his interlocked fingers in a parody of the grouses’ flight. The other man, gray-bearded, hushed him to silence and pointed at the knot of roots that hid her.

            The raider nearest her, a younger man sporting a single reddish rope of braided hair, loosened his fingers and ambled toward the pine. “You are seeing things, Brother Petrov,” he called to his older comrade. “This is nothing more than a fallen tree.” 

            “Keep your voice down and check behind the roots,” Petrov growled in reply. “We cannot let that spy escape to tell others of what they have seen.”

            The young raider sauntered closer, his musket resting lazily on his shoulder.

             Please go away, Umey silently begged. She glimpsed the cloud of his breath puffing into the cooling night air just beyond the network of barren branches and roots. Another step and he would see her. No more waiting! Launching herself upright, she drew the arrow to her ear. In that instant, the man’s eyes bulged with surprise. He yelped and struggled to raise his musket. The gun’s match flickered. Her bow sang and he fell to his knees, an arrow quivering in his chest.

            Hunched over to make a smaller target, she scurried away. She knew she hit him, but it was a snap shot without time to aim. If she paused, his companion would be on her in a trice.

            Petrov’s musket roared, its ball whizzing past her ear so close she well-nigh felt its kiss of death. Staying low, she veered left to keep a cluster of pines between them. A dozen more steps and she risked a glance over her shoulder—a glance that nearly cost her life. Petrov had retrieved his fallen comrade’s musket and aimed. Its muzzle flamed red and its bark resounded among the trees. The heavy musket ball tore through a pine branch thick enough to partially deflect it. It scored Umey’s side, nicking a rib. Her wild howl of pain echoed. Hand pressed over the wound, she dodged behind trees, leapt over a log, and raced away as fast and hard as possible. Petrov cursed while he thrashed among brush and branches after her.

            She dared not look back again.

(c)Ken Czech

 

About Ken CzechKen Czech


Ken Czech is a retired history professor whose passion has turned to writing fiction.

His previous novels include BEYOND THE RIVER OF SHAME (All Things That Matter Press, 2017); LAST DANCE IN KABUL (Fireship Press, 2018); and THE TSAR’S LOCKET (Fireship Press, 2020). As a member of the Historical Novels Society, he has attended HNS conferences and workshops.

Website: https://www.kennethczech.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehistoricalnovelist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-czech

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Giveaway Kiss of Frost and Flame by Ken Czech


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Kiss of Frost and Flame by Ken Czech

On the Rails by Rosemary and Larry MildOn the Rails: The Adventures of Boxcar Bertie by Rosemary and Larry Mild

Publisher:  Magic Island Literary Works (July 1, 2023)
Category: Historical Fiction
Tour Dates August 21-Sept 22, 2023
ISBN: 978-099054724
Available in Print and ebook, 230 pages

On The Rails

Description On the Rails by Rosemary and Larry Mild


What’s a woman to do? Bertie Patchet has just graduated from college in New Haven, Connecticut, to become a grammar school teacher. But the year is 1936, and the country is deep in the throes of The Great Depression. Securing employment is nearly impossible for everyone, let alone a single inexperienced female. Going home is an ugly option to be avoided. Bertie absolutely must get away, but travel without an income? Forget it!

Bertie dresses like a man and turns to hopping railway boxcars to make her escape to better opportunities. A female hobo? Unheard of! It’s a man’s world, so how can she maneuver in this male atmosphere fraught with risk, danger, and loss? Will she ever find a teaching job? And will she dare to find romance in the bargain?

A charming new novel with an unforgettable protagonist, a setting to die for, and a mesmerizing plotline, On the Rails is on track to become another beloved tale by dynamic husband-and-wife duo Rosemary and Larry Mild.

Review On the Rails by Rosemary and Larry Mild


Bertie Patchet has graduated college with her teaching certificate.  It is 1936 so, not only will she not know if she will have a teaching job until right before the school season starts, in a few months but it is during the Great Depression. 

She decides to go back home to her mother and step father, even though things have been bad in the past.  Her mother is an acholic and her step father has abused Bertie at night.  Perhaps things will be better.

Her first night back home and her step father enters her room.  At least, this time she is prepared to strike back and prevents him from getting his way.  However, now she knows, she can’t stay there.  She had heard stories of men riding the rails to look for work.  So, she decides to give it a try.  However, she must first disguise herself as a boy.

Bertie has many adventures and meets some very interesting and sometimes, quirky and even dangerous characters. She is certainly a woman ahead of her time and she learns to protect and take care of herself. 

I could tell while reading that the authors put in a lot of time into researching the period.  They really bring the Great Depression to life.  Bertie is a strong female character.  I loved her spunk, wit, and determination! The other characters were well thought out as well.  Larry and Rosemary are excellent writers and breath life into this historical fiction!  I felt like I was there, with Bertie.  This would be excellent source material for a feature length film,  I really think someone should buy the rights!!  It could even follow Bertie on her adventures as a mini series.

This is my favorite book of 2023!  I cannot recommend it enough!  I give it all 5 stars.

I received the eBook version for my opinion.

About Rosemary and Larry MildOn the Rails by Rosemary and Larry Mild


Rosemary and Larry Mild coauthored the Dan & Rivka Sherman Mysteries; the Paco and the Molly Mysteries; Hawaii adventure/thrillers Cry Ohana and Honolulu Heat; and four volumes of short stories, including their new one, Charlie and the Magic Jug and Other Stories. Many of their stories appear in anthologies. The Milds, a happy husband-and-wife team, make their home in Honolulu, where they cherish time with their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Website:  https://www.magicile.com/

Buy On the Rails by Rosemary and Larry Mild


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Giveaway On the Rails by Rosemary and Larry Mild

This giveaway is for 1 print copy and is open to the U.S. only  This giveaway ends on September 22, 2023 midnight, pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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On the Rails by Rosemary and Larry Mild