In leaving behind Bristol,
England, Constanza Smythe bids farewell and good riddance to
a tumultuous childhood and her alcoholic surgeon father, for
the life of a Governess in America.
However, her dream for a new
life in the colonies quickly darkens into a nightmare. Her
new plantation home is fraught with terror. It seems the
estate sits beneath a cloud of doom. The livestock and
slaves are sick and dying; chains on the tiny school desks,
and nighttime screaming make her fear for her life.
And worst of all, she has
unwittingly captured the attention of the most infamous
pirate ever known-Edward Teach. Or as he is known to Outer
Banks townsfolk- Blackbeard.
Reviews for
The Bride of Blackbeard...
~
Brynn Chapman has crafted a
story that is a tapestry of lore, legend, and fact.
Bride of Blackbeard will leave you asking questions
until the last page.
Chapman’s passion for
research into the ailments, from the ordinary to the
bizarre, drive this book forward and enhance already
well-crafted characters. The heroine, Constanza, is
exactly as the author shows: unique, unconventional and
a champion for rejected and lonely. Hero Lucian is a
refreshing mix of vulnerability and strength. And tiny
Meg has a bit of us all in her. At some point we all
feel as she has—alone, with our only recourse to lock
ourselves away in a world all our own and hope someone
will listen. Chapman’s medical background definitely
adds to this book, and the author notes at the end were
a definite plus.
Parts of the plot could have
been focused more as I found myself pulled in by certain
aspects of her writing more than others, but Bride of
Blackbeard made me concerned for the characters and
curious to learn more about the pirate himself.
For this reader that is a
mark of good fiction.
Jennifer Linforth
Author, Historical Fiction and Romance
MADRIGAL: A novel of Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the
Opera, Fall 2008
Callum McClure's family and village are under siege from an
unknown foe. Villagers by the droves are falling into a
mysterious sleep, a coma, from which they are unable to
wake.
Callum and his schoolmates are in a race against time to
decipher why and how their parents are unconscious. Odd
natural disaster are occurring everywhere, and then there
are the trees…In each sleepers room, roots have grown wild
out of the closet, and have wrapped the comatose in a root
sarcophagus. On each sleepers closet door glows a
message….Stand…See…Remember…Choose.
The Netherwood is the alternate realm where coma-sleepers
exist until their fate is decided-to return home or expire.
Sleepwalkers experience great and terrible creatures, nature
gone wrong. From breathtaking shores, crawling with starfish
and sand dollars, and unnaturally deep rivers filled with
humpback whales to carnivorous trees and rabid swine. A
bull-man chimera overseers the door which swings open and
shut between the two worlds.
Will Callum and his mates solve the riddles in time to save
their parents…or will they be banned for all time, to the
Netherwood?
Reviews for
Into the Woods...
~
Into the Woods
has a rich tapestry quality that is found in old fairy
tales. The words and rhythm give it the feel of a fable. The
tale hints at what is to come, but never gives you a true
look, rather like the inhabitants of the woods luring you
into the woods before you’re aware you moved. Having the
mother who is encased in roots have a voice is a nice touch.
It allows us to see what is going on in her world and to
understand what Callum will need to do to save her. The tale
is a complicated one, but any eager reader should be able to
unravel it.
Into the Woods is an interesting and exciting tale for the
intermediate reader. I would recommend it because it
operates on many different levels, includes the richness of
imagery and fully developed characters.
Reviewed by
Morgan Wyatt
October 3, 2007
from novelspot
~
See. Stand.
Choose. Remember. Only these four words glowing on closet
doors throughout the village of Sureau lend any clue as to
the mysterious sleep that plagues many of the village
residents. Callum, Erlidih, Finlay, and Skye are friends
and students at the Alexander School but they share a new
bond now. Each has a parent trapped in a sort of stasis,
surrounded by coffins formed by trees and vines. Will
Callum decipher the clues in time to save his mother,
Ellsbeth, or will the roots and vines overtake her and the
other sleepers forever?
What a
delightfully eerie tale! R.R. Smythe creates very vivid
images, both of the Netherwood and of the root sarcophaguses
encasing the sleepers. One can’t help but give a little
shiver of fear as Callum and his cohorts race to uncover the
meaning of each clue. Seeing the Netherwood through
Ellsbeth’s eyes is a stroke of genius by R.R. Smythe as it
adds just the right touch to make this one a classic tale!
INTO THE WOODS
evokes an almost haunting atmosphere, as the reader is
pulled into the storyline. While INTO THE WOODS is billed
as a tale for young adults, adult readers will enjoy the
darker fairytale-like aspects of the storyline. R.R.
Smythe’s explanation for each clue is quite clever and the
deeper meanings will resonate with adult readers as well as
young adults.
INTO THE WOODS
is yet another phenomenal offering from Highland Press.
R.R. Smythe kickstarts their first ever young adult story
with a bang. INTO THE WOODS is a definite hit by this
stunning author!
Reviewed by Debbie
~
INTO THE WOODS packs a big
message into a short book. R.R. Smythe had me intrigued from
the very beginning. Just like the young men and women in the
story, I wanted to learn the secret of the trees. They were
obviously there for a reason, but what could it be? I flew
through this book in just a couple of hours because I just
had to know if Callum would figure it all out to save his
mother. The scenes in the Netherwood are particularly
interesting. You never know just what is going to happen,
but you're sure there's going to be a message hidden
somewhere.
Callum and his friends were
all wonderful. They were indeed the perfect people to pass
on the message of the trees. I love the sweetness of young
love surrounding them as well.
INTO THE WOODS really is a
unique story with a lot of heart. It's great for all ages,
so check it out and tell your friends.
Reviewed at
Romance Junkies....4.5 stars
~
This Young Adult
Fantasy will send chills down your spine. I, as the reader,
followed Callum and witnessed everything he and his friends
went through as they attempted to decipher the messages. At
the same time, I watched Callum's mother, Ellsbeth, as she
walked through the Netherwood. Each time Callum deciphered
one of the four messages, some villagers awakened. Through
the eyes of Ellsbeth, I saw the other sleepers wander, make
mistakes, and be released from the Netherwood, leaving
Ellsbeth alone. There is one thread left dangling, but do
not fret. This IS a stand alone book. But that thread gives
me hope that another book about the Netherwoods may someday
come to pass. Excellent reading for any age of fantasy fans!
Detra Fitch,
HUNTRESS REVIEWS
~
Coffee Time
Romance Rating: 4 Cups
What a beautifully inspiring story. This tale takes you back
into time and to a place where curses and folklore were well
known. From curses to centaurs, this story is full of
excitement and adventures. This author touches on what
humans are doing to themselves and shows our children what
could happen if they do not abide by rules. A truly
remarkable story.
Wateena,
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance and Karen
Find Out About New Books
~
Incredible story
by debut author!
Into the Woods is a fairytale, really, because it has a
strong message wrapped in a riveting, wonderful story. If
you like mystery, thrills, adventure, magic, and romance,
you'll find it in this wonderful Young Adult novel. I
highly recommend this book to readers of any age. You won't
be sorry you bought it!
4 stars****
Highland Press launches its Young Adult line with a page
turning read. Ms. Smythe has a wonderful imagination and
demonstrates it with this spin chilling read. Her
descriptive writing will put the reader alongside Callum and
his friends. This is a read that will appeal to young
adults. It's imaginative and will encourage kids to read-a
very good thing. This is a story I have no trouble
recommending.
Kristi Ahlers
~
"With the
eerie lyricism of M. Night Shyamalan, and a pinch of J.K
Rowling, R.R. Smythe is the next 'big thing' waiting to
happen. She offers a turn of the century horror-suspense
that will easily capture the Young Adult audience with
the tale that is both original and imaginative. While
waiting for Harry Potter's swan song, discover a new
voice, a new talent that shines."
Deborah MacGillivray- author of A Restless Knight
and The Invasion of Falgannon Isle
~
"R.R. Smythe
delivers a superb web of fantasy and mystery in this
horror-filled coming-of-age tale set in the nineteenth
century that is sure to capture the imagination of today's
young adults."
Michele Ann
Young- Regency author.
A Circle of Crows
The
children of Rhinebeck are not safe. They have been
disappearing since 1900, without a trace or clue. The Four
Seasons Inn of Rhinebeck is no longer safe. The lives of the
three sisters who own the Inn, have been forever altered; 13
year old Morgan has disappeared in the night from a locked
house, where all of her family lie sleeping.
The sister’s
Scottish upbringing, with all of its tales of evil birds
always seemed like old wives tales; until the magpies began
behaving oddly, like flying in circles around the Inn, and
the sister’s swear that when it rains you can hear
children’s voices on the night air.
Order a Circle of Crows online at
Whiskey Press.
Click to order!
Reviews for a
Circle of Crows...
"A
rollicking ride of a story, with a tender heart -- A
Circle of Crows is a thrilling adventure where the
impossible comes to happen; where past meets present;
and where a reader can't help but realize that some
bonds can't be broken by time or distance."
Jodi Picoult, author of The
Tenth Circle, Vanishing Acts, and My
Sister's Keeper.
~
"This is an amazingly
creative read! This is a story about love and selflessness
and offers a little bit of everything for the reader. This
is one story that will stay with the reader long after the
last page is read. Ms. Chapman is very talented author and
one I have notrouble recommending."
Kristi Ahlers- Reviewer
for Romantic Times,The Best Reviews,
Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com
~
In the early 1900, children in Rhinebeck went missing and
now over a hundred years later, it is happening again. The
Four Seasons Inn is hiding a secret and it concerns the
children that are whispering on the wind. Lives altered as
one sister’s daughter disappears one night and now it is a
race against time as two realms fight to save them from an
unspeakable evil that will decimate both lands if it is not
stopped. Because this time, the crows are telling the
sisters what to do but it is up to them to listen to the
Circle of Crows. Will Morgana and the other children be
found in time? On the other hand, will the evil that
permeates the fae realm break out and take over the human
world? Read A Circle of Crows and find out what happens next
in this mesmerizing tale.
A Circle of Crows is a
heart-stopping tale that will keep the reader on the edge of
their seat and make them wonder what will happen next. Full
of twists and turns, Ms. Chapman writes with much depth and
flair as the sisters of the Four Seasons Inn gather to find
out what happened over 100 years ago. Each page flips from
one realm to the other as the tale is told and totally
engrosses this reviewer. The characters are multidimensional
and deliver a broad range of emotions as each sister deals
with the nightmares and whispers they hear in the rain. Each
page is a new revelation to the mystery and as one question
is answered, another crops up to ensnare the reader. The
flow of the book was fast paced at times when it needed it
to be and then it would slow down some to keep the reader
from having heart palpitations at the pace. It was a
wonderful journey to enjoy this new author’s imagination.
Highly imaginative yet quite suspenseful,
A Circle of Crows
delivers the reader to a place where the dark edge of
emotions gathers and mysteries abound.From start to finish,
Ms. Chapman delivers a story that will keep the reader
guessing with the many twists it delivers as well as the
multifaceted characters to worm their way into a reader’s
heart. This is truly one book that will keep you on the edge
of the seat as it races toward its climatic ending. A Circle
of Crows is a stunningly told story that will keep you
highly entertained from start to finish. Run to grab this
engrossing tale and find yourself surprisingly scared at the
way the plot curves when you least expect it.
Reviewed by
Dawn, Love Romances
~
4 STARS!
"Rachael and Raena Macbeth are twins. The two have
had a lot of death in their family. One lost her husband to
an accident, both lost their parents. However, they still
have their adopt sister, Bella, and the inn. The three
sisters clothed in renaissance style dresses each day when
they had guests at the inn. It was not the life Rachael and
Raena would have chosen for themselves, yet they were
content for the most part. That all changed when Morgana,
Rachael's daughter, disappeared through a mirror that hung
in the Autumn Room. Morgana finds herself locked in a dark
and gloomy place, surrounded by small children.
Using the
skills she gathered from her mother and aunt while helping
out at the inn, Morgana is able to care for the frightened
children. She soon learns that the evil Queen Ivana has
horrible plans for the them. All would have been lost except
for the rebellion. Even with the rebellion's help, there is
no guarantee that many, if any, of them would survive.
Imagine Morgana's surprise when Bella, Rachael and Raena
show up somehow! Since Morgana disappeared, the Macbeth
sisters and Sam (Bella's husband) have been searching for a
way to go through the mirror and rescue Morgana. Their
investigations show that several children between the years
1900 and 1905 had mysteriously disappeared, just like
Morgana.
It would seem that their grandmother's insane
stories of so long ago were not so crazy after all. The
journal of former innkeepers and the journal of their
grandmother could very well have the key to bringing the
children home. Queen Ivana has the Dark Book in her
possession. She needed children, the younger the better, to
help in her dark quest. Since the locals knew their babies
would be taken from them, they quit having any. Thus Queen
Ivana opens portals to other realms so her men could enter
and bring back children from there. Unless the Macbeth
family and the rebellion can stop her, Queen Ivana will
enslave all and her reign will be forever!
**** Author Brynn
Chapman gives readers a glimpse into her fantastic
imagination. This story includes many magical creatures,
some good, most evil. A few of the magical beings I cannot
report about, for fear of ruining the tale. However, I feel
safe in revealing the "Sepulachar" which are big, black
winged creatures whose caw sent shivers down my spine. If
you enjoyed the book and/or the movie, "The Lion, The Witch,
and The Wardrobe", then you will LOVE this tale. Oh no, not
the same plot; not even close. But I got the same surreal
feeling. I plan to keep an eye on Brynn Chapman's career. I
see major talent here! Recommended! ****
HUNTRESS REVIEWS Reviewed by Detra Fitch
~
Most readers will be glued to the pages in this thrilling
non-stop adventure that you won’t be able to put down. The
author treats you to numerous twists and turns, as she keeps
the action going back and forth between the two worlds. You
feel the family’s desperation as they try to find their way
into an unknown realm that had swallowed their beloved
daughter and niece. Then as the author reveals little by
little, the horrid truths of what was going on in that
world, you’ll feel Morgana’s terror as they all raced
against time to rescue the children before and stop an
unbelievable evil sacrifice.In this amazing, highly
imaginative, and fully robust tale you meet an incredible
cast of characters from both worlds that are so carefully
constructed the reader will quickly become immersed in each
of their lives. The author takes several of the key
characters and with succinct story telling shows and
breathes life into their motivations. You’ll get emotionally
involved as they battled the evil, revel in the
self-sacrifice they make for one another, and finally cheer
their hopes and dreams of finding love. The world Ms.
Chapman created along with her unforgettable characters will
stay with you, as they did with me, long after the last page
is turned. A very creative and intriguing read that I highly
recommend.
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO – Reviewers International
Organization
Come What May
A
Comprehensive Guide to Traditional and Non-Traditional
Treatments for the Autism Spectrum
You will
never forget the day you heard the words, ”Your child has
autism.”
Well,
neither will I.
For most,
it is a completely life altering experience, leading
families onto a confusing path of therapies, conflicting
medical opinions, or worse…..no answers at all.
This book
is designed as an autism “cheat sheet”; intended to touch
each aspect of the autistic person’s symptoms, and then
offering treatment ideas in the form of therapies and new
medical practices. It is a compilation of seven years of
research by the author, streamlined into one place…..in
essence, what I wish someone would have handed me at the
beginning of the arduous journey. It addresses autism as a
medical illness.
So take
my hand, and follow me inside, don’t forget your research
and guidebooks…..as this is definitely the road less
traveled……….
"I have never faced this
heartrending situation of a child with autism, so I have no
experience. I have had the fortunate association in with
dealing with Hochbein on similarly related issues. Her
extensive knowledge of medicines, that they affect your
body--for the better, but more so for the worse, is amazing.
Prescription medications often do more harm that good.
Hochbein has a deep respect for the medical profession, yet
knows often a fifteen minute visit with a busy doctor and
hastily written prescriptions can leave you worse than
before. Such was my case.
An Occupational Therapist is like
a modern day Sherlock Holmes, unlocking the riddles of why
something is happening with your body, and just as
importantly, why it doesn't happen. You hear the pain of a
mother when Hochbein writes about the illness of her soon,
how a perfectly normal, bright and beautiful child "left
us". Very simple words, very emotional. She chronicles her
long journey to find the answers and to reach past the
standard, pat responses, look for ways to do what they said
cannot be done.
As I said, my contact with her was not for
Autism, but in an illness that had many of the same roots,
and found her information both informative and worth my
time. I know if I had a child suffering under this
condition, I would desperately want answers, and would be
facing the same frustration as Hochbein did. She has given
other parents a road map to hope. The book is loaded with
resources, treatment suggestion that range from traditional
medicine to non-traditional. You have all the information
compiled here - websites, case studies, on-line groups for
help and support, diets, stats and books. A very valuable
tool that is a must read for any parent facing the same
situation."
DeborahAnne MacGillivray- Author of A Restless
Knight and Invasion of Falgannon Isle
