Book Spotlight: The Black Lily

Today I have  a book spotlight for the newly released fantasy novel, The Black Lily (The Arestea Chronicles Book 1) by Mandy and G.D. Burkhead. Enjoy!

The Black Lily by Mandy and G.D. Burkhead

Courtesan. Spy. Assassin.

Across the Kingdom of Arestea, the shadowy league of professional killers known simply as the Guild has long since earned its terrifying reputation. And none of its current members are more infamous than the Black Lily. No one knows who the Lily is, but everyone recognizes the efficiency with which he or she brings down even the most guarded targets. There is no one, it is said, who is safe from this fiend once they have caught the assassin’s attention.

Now Lily herself is about to discover if her reputation has been inflated or not, for she has just been assigned the most daunting mission of her career: infiltrate the royal palace and eliminate the entire Arestean line of succession to make room for the Guild’s puppet ruler. It’s a challenging job, but one that will secure her place in the history books should she succeed.

But when unplanned circumstances take the king from his country to help secure the front lines in his latest war of expansion, Lily is left trapped in her assumed persona behind the palace walls and forced to stall for time. And when a particularly bad stroke of luck reveals her cover to the king’s brother, Crown Prince Adrian, Lily finds herself ensnared in her own web, forced to use all her skills of subterfuge and manipulation if she is to stay one step ahead of the naïve but righteous young man and finish her mission — or die trying.

You can find The Black Lily on:

Amazon

Smashwords

Author Bio:

Mandy and G.D. Burkhead met in high school in a writing chatroom, where they began an episodic story together. They attended college together at Lindenwood University and both received BA's in Creative Writing. 

They currently live in the Nashville area. Mandy has her MLIS and works at the Nashville Public Library. Gary is a copy editor for the Tennessean. 

When they aren't working or writing, they enjoy reading, playing video games, cosplaying, and attending conventions.

The Black Lily is their first full-length fantasy novel.

You can find and follow them on:

Facebook   Twitter   Amazon   Goodreads 

A Slight Historical Novel: A Review of The Creation of Eve.

My Review of The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen:

The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen is an enjoyable book and a reasonably engaging historic novel with romantic undertones. The author has created a panoramic world, with deft historic details and colourful characters. She recreates her historic setting admirably.

The novel tells the story of Sofonisba Anguissola, a female artist in the time of the Renaissance. The book begins as she is studying under the tutelage of Michelangelo and falling in love with Tiberio. That love affair does not go well, and she finds herself in the court of the Spanish Court as painting instructor to the new Queen, swallowed by the complexities of royal life.

The author does know her history and writes of a thriving 16th century world, detailed and fully realised. Where the book stumbles is in the deeper portrayal of emotion. For a novel laced with themes of love and passion, I found the style curiously detached, even superficial, at times. I often found it difficult to connect to certain characters and wondered at the validity of their actions. I also found modern sensibilities were creeping in around the edges.

As an amateur painter, I’m somewhat familiar with the creation of art, so I enjoyed the historic art references in the book, but I found Sofonisba’s involvement with her painting lacking in expressive connection; it was all technique and little enthusiasm.

The Creation of Eve could have benefitted from a deeper tone and a richer vibrancy; it is elegant history sprinkled with some muted, underlying sentiments. Still, the book is agreeable to read and the character of Sofonisba is interesting enough to keep you reading. It is a reasonably appealing, frothy novel.


The Creation of Eve is available through bookstores and online retailers.


Note:  The copy of this book I read for review was obtained free of charge though the Library Thing Member Giveaway; it was an uncorrected proof.