Pages & Paws

Writing, Reading, and Rural Life With a Border Collie


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‘Big Love and War Horse’ Wins GOLD!

“Mom! Mom! Stop the presses!”

“Stop what presses, Kimster? We don’t do presses around here.”

“So? I’ve just always wanted to say that. Especially when I have a super-duper, extra-crispy bacon worthy announcement!”

“Okay, Kimmi. Spill it.”

“Well Mom, I wantcha to meet my two new best buds: War Horse and Big Love.”

“What?”

“Yeah. You see, there’s this awesome new book out called Big Love and War Horse. War Horse is a Doberman pup. Big Love is a senior Great Pyrenees, and…”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope! In fact this book is so good, I’;m gonna tell ya all about it myself! So here is the Official Unabridged Kimber the Magnificent Version of a book we absolutely LOVED (with a little help from the one with opposable thumbs. Cuz, ya know. Mom): Like this:

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‘Grain of Hope’ a Must-Read!

You know how Her Royal Momness and I love historical fiction, right? Could scarf it up with a spoon. Forget to eat breakfast. Lunch. And dinner. Stay up all night until The End. Forego another round of extra-crispy bacon.

It’s Official!

Wait. Belay that last one. But suffice it to say that of the bazillion historical fiction titles we’ve read lately, Melissa Cole’s A Grain of Hope is one of the most compelling. In fact, we’re giving A Grain of Hope The Official Mom and Kimber Must-Read Stamp of Approval.  Here’s why:

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‘Song of Silence’: Startling, Stunning Must-Read

A Song of Silence: A Gripping Holocaust Novel Inspired by a Heartbreaking True Story

By Steve Lee (Blue Zoo, May 2024)

Genre: Historical Fiction/WWII fiction

Pages: 384

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“My friend, we live in a world where if good people do nothing, the things bad people do will only get worse and worse.”

That’s a central theme in Steve N. Lee’s latest historical fiction release, A Song of Silence: A Gripping Holocaust Novel inspired by a Heartbreaking True Story. It’s 100% riveting!

Here’s why:

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Perspicacity Prevails in ‘The Perilous Voyage’

The Perilous Voyage

A Professor Goodsteam Adventure

By Michael Wegner (Indie author, 2023)

Genre: Fiction – Historical Fiction/Action & Adventure/Steampunk Fiction

Pageg: 331 + Epilogue (Paperback)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“But it’s only a two-day trip. What could possibly happen?”

The answer is plenty in this lithe and lively combination of travel, technology, geography, adventure, romance and levity by Michael Wegner.

Mom: With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be…

Kimber: Earth to Mom. Come in, Mom. Methinks you’re in the wrong season.

Mom: Well, let’s not get picky here, okay?

Kimber: Speaking of “picky” – sort of – The Perilous Voyage thingy reminded me of that story where Caractacus Potts rebuilds that old race car for his littleuns after buying it for thirty shillings to prevent the car from becoming scrap metal.

Mom: You mean the book by Ian Fleming?

Kimber: Naw. I was thinkin’ more the movie with that Dick van Dyke dude.

Mom: Funny you should mention that. I was thinking Jules Vernes’ Around the World in Eighty Days.

Kimber: With Phileas Fogg and Passepartout?

Mom: Exactamundo!

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6 Literary Scene Stealers & Kimber’s New Best Bud

Dontcha just love scene stealers? That person or critter that outshines the rest of the cast, especially unexpectedly? You know. Like me?

 

All modesty aside, Mom and I have been keeping a running tally of literary scene stealers in recently read books.

Some of the books they appear in are great. Some are awful. Not a main character, a scene stealer outshines everyone else, including a bad script.

Here’s a brief list of our top 6 scene stealers from recently read historical non-fiction and fiction fiction (that’s not a typo). A brief synopsis of each book is included:

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Why ‘Shadow’ is Like a Warm Breath of Spring

Shadow

By Michael Morpurgo

U.S.: Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan

Great Britain: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction

Via: Library

A silver star badge. A little red train.  A cave in Afghanistan. A “sniffer dog” named Shadow. An incredible story of escape, adversity, courage, and love. The kind that never gives in and never gives up.

“We want you back.”

Kimber here, saying “Happy Spring” – finally! I’m also ready to introduce you to my new BFF: Shadow the springer spaniel. Aka: “Polly.” She’s a special bomb-sniffing dog. (Okay, she’s not quite as special as I am. But let’s not get picky here, okay?)

Wait. Where was I? Oh yeah. Shadow. She gets lost in Afghanistan during the war and is finally reunited with her old unit from the U.K. But not before finding her way into the heart of young Aman.

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day With ‘A Father’s Dream’

A Father’s Dream

By Heidi Ennis (Indie Author, 2023)

Genre: Better Than Bacon!

Pages: 430 (Paperback)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“God, help me. Jehovah-Rohi.”

Okay peeps. Listen up. Cuz Mom says today’s that Valerie Thing Day. When hoomans celebrate their loved ones and stuff. And Her Momness says, “NO CHOCOATE FOR KIMBERS!!”

On the scent of a Good Read!

Well. Mom also says we have the perfect book for this Valerie Thing Day. It’s also for anyone who enjoys good historical fiction and action/adventure or outdoor writing. And for anyone who’s ever felt lonely, afraid, discouraged, or fallen in love. If any of the above are you or you’re vertical and breathing, you’re gonna want to hear this.  Ready? Good. Here goes:

A Father’s Dream

Can ya hear me in the back? So for Valerie’s Day and Beyond, here’s the 4-1-1:

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‘Perestroika’ Percolates With Perspicacity

Perestroika

By Joao Cerqueira

Publisher: Arkbound, 2024

Via: Author Request

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 436 (paperback)

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Does beauty require freedom?”

Tucked into the chapters of this epic historical fiction, this question is one upon which the entire book hinges. 

 

For more, click here.


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Historical Fiction Has Potential

The Black Magician

By Kay Cee Jones (Indie Author)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 233 (print)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nasty oil. Sleeping dust. Illusions. Tunnels. An herb garden. Masterful planning. Clever camouflage. Courage, creativity, and daring. All of the above and more are part of Granny and George’s ingenious plans to help black slaves escape their chains in this historical fiction novel set in 1836 Charleston.

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Babylonian Saga Not Our Cuppa

Son of Babylon

By Daniel Pugsley

Indie author, 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 335 (paperback); 385 (Kindle)

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is set in Babylon during the tumultuous reign of King Hammurabi. The story revolves around one of the king’s sons, Bani, and his quest to become king. There’s lots of palace intrigue and court politics in between. Also betrayals, lies, spymasters, treachery and double crosses. When Bani’s mother is murdered by a jealous rival and he is shipped off to another country as a “hostage,” the stakes get even higher.

A prophecy foretells that Bani will some day hold the fate of his nation in his hands. But Bani’s not so sure. Frankly, neither are we.

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