Category: Medical Fiction

Blog Book Tour | “Certainty” by Victor Bevine a story based on truth from the world war era of the early 20th Century, this #histfic is powerfully evoking in breadth of scope!

Posted Thursday, 23 October, 2014 by jorielov , , 4 Comments

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Certainty by Victor Bevine

Published By: Lake Union Publishing
Official Author Websites@victorbevine| Facebook 

Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook

Converse via: #VictorBevine & #Certainty

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Acquired Book By: I was selected to be a tour stop on the “Certainty” virtual book tour through TLC Book Tours. I received a complimentary copy of the book direct from the publisher Lake Union Publishing, in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Blog Book Tour | “Certainty” by Victor Bevine a story based on truth from the world war era of the early 20th Century, this #histfic is powerfully evoking in breadth of scope!Certainty
by Victor Bevine
Source: Publisher via TLC Book Tours

When you’re fighting an injustice, can it be wrong to do what’s right?

Inspired by the scandalous true story that shocked a nation at the close of WWI.

With America’s entry into World War 1, the population of Newport, Rhode Island seems to double overnight as twenty-five thousand rowdy recruits descend on the Naval Training Station. Drinking, prostitution, and other depravities follow the sailors, transforming the upscale town into what many residents—including young lawyer William Bartlett, whose genteel family has lived in Newport for generations—consider to be a moral cesspool.

When sailors accuse a beloved local clergyman of sexual impropriety, William feels compelled to fight back. He agrees to defend the minister against the shocking allegations, in the face of dire personal and professional consequences. But when the trial grows increasingly sensational, and when outrageous revelations echo all the way from Newport to the federal government, William must confront more than just the truth—he must confront the very nature of good and evil.

Based on real-life events, Certainty recalls a war-torn era when the line between right and wrong became dangerously blurred.

Genres: Historical Fiction



Places to find the book:

Published by Lake Union Publishing

on 21st October, 2014

Pages: 358

Author Biography:

Victor Bevine

For over thirty years, Victor Bevine has worked as an actor, screenwriter, audio book narrator, director, and more. A graduate of Yale University, his acting credits include many prestigious roles onstage as well as roles in the film version of A Separate Peace and countless television shows. He has read over one hundred and eighty titles as an audiobook narrator; in 2010, he received an Audiophone Award for his narration of the Pulitzer Prize–winning book The Beak of the Finch. He has written several screenplays, including Certainty, which was chosen for two prestigious writers’ conferences and which served as the basis for his first novel. His thirty-minute short film Desert Cross, which he wrote and directed, won accolades at the Athens International Film Festival. Currently, he serves as CEO of the World Freerunning Parkour Federation (WFPF), of which he is co-founder. He resides in New York City.

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The gravity of a situation can have more depth than first perceived:

When I originally read the premise for Certainty, I believe I interpreted the story a different way than I was meant too, as in most cases, when I am sorting out which blog tours to participate in, I sometimes have to go with a gut instinct rather than anymore substantial. What appealed to me about the premise is there was a story out of the recent historical past (as this is set during WWI) that not only could help people by being told, but could circumvent where history might have let the facts of truth blur the lines of justice and public perception. There are a lot of stories within the annals of history where this has happened many times over, and I am always keenly interested in seeing how a writer elects to tell the story and allow the truth to come back into the light. Good or bad, history and truth have a way of being revealed, and if a writer can take a bold step towards achieving that goal, I find it is something to commend.

My Review of Certainty:

The story opens in a most auspicious way as to lead with a foreshadow of where the events of the novel surmount to lead a minister to jail; yet there is a curious bit of intrigue to how the actions lead into this conclusion. My mind was whipping around thoughts and ideas of how what happened to have led to such a calm exit for the minister, save the tarnish of his reputation about to fill the pages of newsprint. A most curious beginning, as a full-on flashback sequence begins as we pick up where the story began months prior to this one particular scene playing out in a thickening mug of heat and humidity.

The manner in which William (a lawyer) and Reverend Kent was innocent enough, as Kent was in the process of setting up a way to minister to the overwhelming large populace of sailors who were overwhelming the small towne of Newport. Kent had devouted part of his work as a minister to care and pray over the dying men who had caught a disease that they could not recover from and were about to cross into the next life. The nurse who watched over them was a man who was misunderstood by most, yet it was his self-less act to care for them on the footheels of death that gave his life the most definition of all. He showed the most humility in knowing the greater truth to life and death, as many of the men he cared for were ones who had bullied him in the past. Lessons of life and of ethics are knitted into the story as Bevine shares his take on this historical narrative. He doesn’t simple tell the story everyone has heard of in the past, but rather he humbles the characters inside the story itself by giving them the full measure of coming alive on the page.

The undercurrent of the story is the most disturbing for me, as I cannot believe there was an op to seek out certain types of people from being found out of a crowd. What didn’t surprise me is that there was an overwhelming misunderstanding amongst gender classes when it comes to sexuality and a person’s right to dignity and civil rights. It was a different era back then, and the cause for acceptance is still being waged today. A lot of the chapters hit me quite hard as the whole injustice of the situation was quite shocking and I cannot say that I realised exactly where this novel was going to head when I marked myself down for the tour, but I was hopeful the ending might lead back towards the light or a resolution of justice. I simply do not appreciate anyone who is bullied for whichever reason because hatred grows out of ignorance.

Although this is story is writ and rooted in the full breadth of historical fiction, I do not think everyone will appreciate the emotional tides it will put the reader through whilst reading it. It is an intense read, and not an easy one to progress through if you stand on the side for civil rights and liberties as much as for equality. It is a good story for those who want to dig into the history of how supposition and ignorance can lead to life changing situations that will affect a man’s life in such a way as to alter his ability to live with freedom.

I personally found myself more than a bit uncomfortable with the novel, and decided not to continue to read it, because what I didn’t enjoy finding is how prejudice cannot only blind the law but how it can change a man’s perception on what is just and fair in reality. Although this is a story that merits being told and read, I am simply not the right reader for the story overall because what was most unsettling I believe for myself is how poignantly real Bevine wrote the story. It is a credit to what he gave to Certainty but for myself personally, I know I made a mistake in seeking this to review as it not a story I would normally feel able to read. I simply felt horrible for everyone who was involved and the most sickening part of all is how none of it had to happen at all. Not every story is for every reader.

On the writing style of Victor Bevine:

You can tell the depth of Bevine’s research on this particular subject of the novel’s scope, as at some point as he was writing the novel, the research fell away and only the story remained. It is written in a very tightly conceived fashion as to not leave any room for speculation nor imagination on what happened or even in the sequencing of how it all came to unravell. There is a sort of eloquence in his phrases and the companionable way of how he discloses the character’s back-stories as much as their personalities, to alight their presence in the forefront of your mind as you read the chronicle of events which knitted the novel into existence. Based on actual truth and person who had lived, Bevine finds a balance between being a historian, a writer, and a story-teller.

The scenes at the hospital are thankfully tempered a bit for those who might be sensitive to medical fiction (such as I am) but anyone who has read my previous entries for historical fiction intermixed with military fiction will not find this a far cry away from what I can personally handle reading. He breathes realism into his scenes with the sick and dying, but also brings in compassion, as much as a questioning of God’s will. He gives the Kent the freedom to share his own concerns on humanity and on death, but without overly so, in such a way as to reveal one man’s walk in faith and the questioning of circumstances out of suffering.

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This blog tour stop was courtesy of TLC Book Tours:
{ click-through to follow the blogosphere tour }

TLC Book Tours | Tour Host

See what I am hosting next by stopping by my Bookish Events page!

I created a list on Riffle to share the books that I simply could not become attached to as a reader myself, but stories which would benefit a reader to find them, and appreciate them for what each writer gave to their story. For me, the reason I included Certainty is because it was not only a difficult read for me but an uncomfortable one. I simply misunderstood the premise and could not continue with where the heart of the story was going to lead me. Therefore, this is now listed on my Riffle List entitled: Stories Seeking Love from Readers.

I positively *love!* comments in the threads below each of my posts and CommentLuv only requires Email to leave a note for me! Kindly know that I appreciate each thought you want to share with me and all the posts on my blog are open to new comments & commentary! Short or long, I appreciate the time you spent to leave behind a note of your visit! Return again soon! 

{SOURCES: Cover art of “Certainty”, author photograph, book synopsis and the tour badge were all provided by TLC Book Tours and used with permission. Blog Tour badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2014.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • Go Indie
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Posted Thursday, 23 October, 2014 by jorielov in 20th Century, Based on an Actual Event &/or Court Case, Blog Tour Host, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Domestic Violence, During WWI, Historical Fiction, Indie Author, Legal Drama, LGBTTQPlus Fiction | Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction, Medical Fiction, Military Fiction, Nurses & Hospital Life, Political Narrative & Modern Topics, Realistic Fiction, Small Towne USA, Sociological Behavior, The World Wars, TLC Book Tours, Trauma | Abuse & Recovery, Vulgarity in Literature, War Drama

Book Review | Moonflower by EDC Johnson a #YA #Fantasy novel

Posted Thursday, 16 October, 2014 by jorielov , , , 3 Comments

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Moonflower by EDC Johnson

Published By: Self-Published Author

Official Authors Websites: Site | @EDCJohnson | Facebook

Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook

GoFundMe Campaign to re-launch Moonflower

Converse via:#Moonflower & #MoonflowerTrilogy

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Acquired Book By:

EDC Johnson found me on Twitter and asked me if I would be interested in reading her YA Fantasy novel “Moonflower”, even though it is currently undergoing a re-edit & re-launch. I was quite interested in the novel after I read about it on her website and agreed to treat this edition similar to an ARC. Therefore, going in knowing there would be certain errors and not hold that against the book in general. This is why I marked this as an “ARC” read rather than a finished copy. I received a complimentary copy of “Moonflower” direct from the author herself, EDC Johnson in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Interested in Reading:

Aside from the fact that the synopsis of the story perked a whisper of interest in my mind to read the story, the cover-art of seeing a wolf translucently pictured off-center with a piercing blue eye held my breath in absolute awe! It is true I never read a book simply because of what is featured on the cover, as I go to the heart of where the narrative is going to lead me through a synopsis of the plot itself, but there are times, like with Moonflower where the cover-art is a compelling interest for the reader! The artistry alone held my attention, especially considering how beautiful the wolf appears in this half portrait of his face! The compelling part is why is he translucent? And, what is he not telling us from behind that piercing stare that unsettles you as much as it comforts?

I love supporting Indie Authors (either published through an Indie Press, Publisher, or through a Self Publishing platform) as they are walking such a wonderful journey through the publishing industry! Taking their creativity to a heightened level by giving themselves the breadth of freedom to write their stories the way in which they wanted them to greet readers inasmuch as tackling the daunting world of publicity and editing without a net to catch them! I give my hat off to any writer who takes this journey as the Indies have long since captured my heart and my support! It is always a true honour for me to participate in the promotion of an Indie writer and I am twice blessed when an Indie writer finds me on Twitter! I try to get to each of their profile pages and scope out their websites if they are linked to the profile itself — as I am always curious who is following me and who is interested in my own joyfully bookish tweets and bookish blog!

On this level, I wanted to say that I feel genuinely humbled as a book blogger to be in a position to draw a light on the literary work of an Indie writer and to that extent I have a surprise I will announce at the bottom of this post where the Indies will a strong beacon of light shining on them in forthcoming weeks! Until then, I cannot wait to disclose what you will find inside Moonflower the first installment of a trilogy that winks at you to draw your attention inside it’s pages!

Book Review | Moonflower by EDC Johnson a #YA #Fantasy novelMoonflower
by EDC Johnson
Source: Direct from Author

After Josephine Woods’ father dies of cancer, her mother up-roots the two of them and moves to the city. Josie hates her city life, but her teenage issues are of little consequence when they have a car accident and she wakes up in a strange land (reminiscent of Victorian Europe) alone. Lost, with her school backpack as the only connection to her world, Josie struggles to find her way home. She is found by Lucius Conrí, the son of a Marquess, who possesses royal blood and the gift to shift into a wolf’s form at will.

Can the kind-hearted Lucius help her find her way while winning her love, or will she fall for Donovan Conrí his older, more serious brother and heir to the Conrí wealth?

Genres: YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult Fiction



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 978-1469940021

Published by Self Published

on 29th March, 2013

Pages: 268

Author Biography:

EDC Johnson

EDC Johnson grew up in the Midwest, graduating from Michigan State University with her BFA in Art Education and her MA in Art Education from Western Michigan University. She lives with her husband and daughter in Palm Harbor, Florida. Her decade of experience as a public school art teacher has inspired her to write fiction novels that will entice young readers. You may see some of her illustrations in Renee Mallet’s: Fairies, Mermaids, and Other Mystical Creatures.

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Fantasy within the realm of the Modern World:

A new aspect for reading Fantasy for me is seeing how the modern world intercepts the fantastical, as previously in my teenage years I was drawn inside straight-up fantasy worlds which had no counterpart to our own. The element of placing bonefide modern era characters inside a world of fantasy proportions is a new concept for me and one that I am more than willing to continue to explore per writer’s vision for this branch of the genre. Inasmuch as my appreciation for certain story arcs which feature shapeshifter characters such as Lucius Conrí inside Moonflower. My first glimpse into this new attachment of mine for supernatural creatures and beings occurred whilst I was reading the second and third installments of the Leland Dragon series by Jackie Gamber. Followed closely by my discovery of A Beauty So Beastly by RaShelle Workman (read synopsis on Riffle) during the even #EuphorYA. A short while afterwards I was interacting with Ms. Johnson on Twitter and the current story alighted into my hands.

I realise this has been used as a directional tool for story-tellers for generations, but instead of soaking inside the world of C.S. Lewis by the novels themselves, I was wholly enthused for the theatrical releases at the box office instead. Therefore, my knowledge of how the balance of the modern era and the fantasy realms are achieved and carried out per each instance this avenue of fiction is explored is minimal. I am also in need of finishing my reading of Crown of Vengeance by Stephen Zimmer (read the synopsis on Riffle), which I believe fits well in this topic of discussion.

Part of my curiously intuitive mind was under the assertion part of Josie’s adventure might be explained by a near-death experience given how the situation of where she started this story began and where she travelled next. However I did not allow myself to qualm over the details, as I was being guided by a story-teller who held my attention with each page I turnt!

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Posted Thursday, 16 October, 2014 by jorielov in Alternative Reality, Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction, Apothecary, ARC | Galley Copy, Blog Tour Host, Book Cover | Notation on Design, Book Cover | Original Illustration & Design, Book Review (non-blog tour), Book Trailer, Bookish Films, Coming-Of Age, Dreams & Dreamscapes, Excerpt of Novel Read Aloud, Family Drama, Family Life, Fantasy Fiction, Herbalist, Indie Author, Indie Book Trade, Nature & Wildlife, Near-Death Experience, Self-Published Author, Shapeshifters, Single Mothers, Speculative Fiction, Supernatural Creatures & Beings, Supernatural Fiction, Teenage Relationships & Friendships, the Edwardian era, the Victorian era, Time Shift, Transfer Student at School, Transitioning into Private School, Wolves, YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal &/or Paranormal Romance, Young Adult Fiction