Major Book Blogger Doing a 6 Part Series on HISTORY CAMP

I am so excited I could burst!

There’s no bigger thrill for a writer than when a reader “gets” them. You may have gotten yawned at several times that day by a few readers and reviewers, but then a review appears and someone writes that, even though they had to be up early the next morning, they just couldn’t put the book down until they found out how it ended, or a reader identified with the characters so much they just had to know how things turn out for them and are aching for the next book. And then there are the adventure junkies who love how the action just keeps going and going.

I’ve happily gotten all these reactions and it helps salve the wounds of people who say I’m just not their cup of tea. Hey, some people pan my favorite authors, so it’s just part of ‘putting yourself out there’, I guess.

Yes, I love my fans, every one of them. But there’s one fan who I would actually like to name today. He’s also a writer of children’s books, a prolific blogger, a book critic and a retired school teacher. His name is William Bentrim.

As I mentioned, Bill is a retired teacher, (as if the best teachers ever retire) a history teacher to be exact. And one of the things that Bill likes about my writing is inclusion of history in the stories. He likes it so much, in fact, that he’s kindly offered to do a six part series on my writing. Can you imagine how moved I was about this? Someone REALLY GETS ME, gets what I’m trying to do within the story and believes what I’m doing is important. Wow! I’m all verklempt!

Now I’m going to do what my media manager warned me not to do on my website. I’m going to give you a link to take you away from my site, to Bill’s. He’s also going to be giving a free copy of my books away with each part of his reviews, so you can enter his contest six times and choose the book you want.
Anyway, thank you Bill for being my first biographer of sorts. I’m truly touched and grateful.
-Lory

CLICK HERE FOR BILL’S BLOG and don’t forget to enter his give-away contest:

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AS WELL, HERE’S ANOTHER EXCITING REVIEW FOR
THE BRONZE AND THE BRIMSTONE
By Alex at
FANTASTICAL BOOK REVIEWS,
GEEK ON THE BRINK

As much as I enjoyed the last novel, I think that this one was even better. Normally I prefer the first of any series, books or movies, but Kaufman really came into his writing in this book. He is really able to throw the reader head-first into the story.

It was easy for me to get right back into the world that was created in The Lens and the Looker. While the first book took me a bit to get interested, this one did not. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the novel. I loved how well it flowed and how many twists and turns there were!

In addition to the great plot, there are fantastic characters. Kaufman is truly amazing at developing his characters into real people. They have their flaws, their strong points, and all of the worries that being alive means.

Hansum really takes the lead throughout this novel. He is the one trying to make their situation work. More than anything, he is trying to make a life for himself in the fourteenth century. Pan becomes an invaluable resource for him as he begins his dealings with the Podesta, but it is Hansum who has to learn how to deal with a noble. He proves himself over the course of the book.

Lincoln really grows up too. He takes on the responsibility of two little boys and basically becomes a big brother to them. It’s so cute to see how they adore him. Of course, as much as he has grown up, Lincoln is still the funny kid from the first book. Nothing can stop him from his jokes.

Shamira is just great. I wish I had her artistic skill. I know I’ve mentioned that, but it’s still true. I love that she is strong willed. It really comes in handy, but I won’t spoil that for you!

Signora della Cappa, the Master’s wife and Gulietta’s mother, plays a much more integral part in this novel than in the last. At first, I was very skeptical about her. She seemed so loony and almost malicious. As I continued reading though, I realized that she really wasn’t. It just took her longer to get used to people. By the end of the novel, I adored her.

I got so caught up in The Bronze and the Brimstone that I stayed up past midnight to finish it, even though I had to get up early the next day. I just had to know what was going to happen! Goodness, my eyes teared up, but I had to keep reading! The book certainly did not end how I expected – which is a good thing. I find that I keep thinking about the ending, even though I’m in the midst of reading other books. I am eagerly awaiting the third installment!

Rating: 10

YOU CAN READ MORE REVIEWS OF BOTH BOOKS BY CLICKING ON THE REVIEW TABS