Gabriel's Daughters Book Review

Gabriel's Daughters

Review

Gabriel’s Daughters is full of emotional ups and downs between three sisters born within the polygamist community of Gabriel’s Landing. Zina, at the age of sixteen, finds herself thrown into the real world because of choices she made that would ruin her family’s reputation. She goes on a long journey that helps her grow and find herself truly before she is able to forgive herself from her past transgressions.

Luckily with friendship and loving individuals that support her through her journey she becomes a person worth admiring. She isn’t the only sister to feel thrown into this world though, Louisa and Amy find themselves fighting to find themselves in different ways. Louisa becomes a doctor and fights to find confidence with her life after a tragic effect. While Amy prepares to take her duty as a first wife only to find her world thrown upside down by betrayal of one she loves.

This novel was an exciting read that captured my heart from page one. The way Mrs. Jensen captured the emotion behind each character is what made the story. Yes many might have issues with this lifestyle that centers at the plot of the story. But the journey and emotional turmoil draws you in and makes you root for Zina and her sisters. You will find yourself feeling fear, sorrow, happiness and even glee as you read about these sisters journeys.

Side note: This is by far a novel genre I haven’t read often but I found myself drawn in and couldn’t stop reading. Zina and her sisters story brought tears, and such emotion I will be finding myself rereading this novel many time. This is defiantly a read you all will want to give a try.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Review provided by: Kathryn Jenkins

                    

 

Character Interview w/ Grace Jameson

You face many trials over the years from childhood to adult life. Can you tell us which challenge was the hardest for you to face?

The hardest challenge, without doubt, was leaving my husband. I was terrified. I didn’t know where to go, or even if I would survive. I only knew that if I’d stayed he would have killed me sooner or later.

Throughout your books you come to inherit some very strong friends in Charlie and Derek. Could you tell us how you met each and, what your first impression was for the both of them?

I don’t think I could survive without either of them. We don’t often get to choose our family, but I chose mine and I know how fortunate I am. I like to think we were drawn together through a mutual need. Derek lost his sister, my best friend at the time, when we were still in High School. He adopted me as his own pretty soon after that, and Charlie came as part of the package!

Charlie always teased me in the beginning. He liked to pretend he didn’t want me around. But I knew he didn’t mean it, because it felt different to when my father said it. I suddenly had two big brothers who I knew instinctively would protect me and I behaved like any younger sister would – I followed them around and bugged the hell out of them!

In Hands of Evil, you find yourself with a strong support network. How do you think you would have fared if you didn’t have this through your journey?

I can’t imagine a world without my brothers, it would be a lonely, desolate place. But I’m a survivor, so I would have found a way out of the nightmare somehow. I’m not sure what that version of me would look like, I’m not even sure I want to know. Thankfully, I’ll never have to find out because there are people who see the good in others and who go that extra mile.

Character Interview w/ Jonathan Jukes

So, JJ it is noticeable throughout your book Hands of Evil, that you have a lot of training in the military. How did you come to obtain your military background?

My best friend, Andrew Butcher (Butch), persuaded me to sign up. We were pretty wild when we were kids, got ourselves into quite a few scrapes, so I think it was the only option. That discipline, you know, the sense of purpose. I would have followed him anywhere, but I’m glad I followed him into the Marines.

In your military record it states you served as a Royal Marine Commando. Could you elaborate on the kinds of duties this entails?

My main role was that of a sniper within a reconnaissance troop. Without getting too technical it means I have an expertise in weapons, field craft and observation – so knowledge of distances, terrain, that kind of thing. As a Marine I worked in extreme environments and was deployed to Iraq in 2003. During one of my tours I worked with the Commandos rifle company and was part of a two man team.

Hands of Evil Book Review

Hands of Evil, written by Melissa Barker-Simpson, is a masterfully crafted crime romance and thriller. The opening of the book gives off the vibe of a Law and Order television show. If you happen to be a big fan of Law and Order, then this is the perfect book for you…I know it was for me.

Barker-Simpson’s characters are well-rounded and capture her readers from the first paragraph. If you’re looking for a page-turner, these great characters will keep you going till the very end. She makes you root for the victims and hope that love will overcome all odds.

Character Interview w/ Susannah McElvogue

Susannah, you have a strong military background serving as a Royal Engineer. How did you find yourself working at the Morgan and Fairchild agency?

Kelvin likes to tell people he stole me away, but the moment I heard he was setting up with Bradley, I set my sights on running the show. They are the kind of men you follow, it’s just how it is. 

There are plenty of bizarre personalities that make up the team at Morgan and Fairchild. Do you have a curtain team member that you prefer the most out of all of them? In other words who is your favorite?

I’m not sure I’d describe them as bizarre, but some of the situations we find ourselves in are a little out of the ordinary, so it takes a certain personality type, sure. As for favourites, I love all my boys, and girls, for that matter. They each have their strengths and weaknesses and I know how to play to them. Choosing between them would be like choosing a limb to remove – it’s not going to happen.

Character Interview w/ Kado

Hi Kado, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I am a shadow stalker who was chosen at birth to be trained by our Foramar to replace him upon his death. Auren believes I am a courier, but I have spent the last eighteen years acting as a liaison between the shadow stalkers and the Coalition, the current government of the northern territory of the Serpent Isles. It has been my cover for keeping Auren’s secret. Shadow stalkers do not live among the people of the Serpent Isles, and it was the only way to legitimize my reason for being here. I am very recognizable as a shadow stalker to those who have fought beside us in the war with the Galvadi Empire, which helped the Coalition win their independence. Auren’s presence with me is not unusual because many people who know of us know that we foster our children out to be raised by others.

Character Interview w/ Auren Trask

Tell us a little about you and the world you reside in?

The Serpent Isles are an island chain in the far north of my world. There are other land masses, mostly islands, around the world, but we are far from any of them. We are the most advanced culture on our world as well. Some of the other islands have primitive cultures, but the other islands are not very hospitable places to live. The wildlife is much too dangerous to coexist with on some, and the climates are too harsh on others. We are not sure why our culture seemed to thrive and advance, while others that remain are so primitive, but there are legends that suggest shadow stalkers played a role in that, if you believe in such things.

Time's Tempest Book Review

SUMMARY

Embarking as a guide into the death zones that are the Deserts, Taya leads a group of civilians who blindly follow a prophet obsessed with preventing the planet Xannia from environmental self-destruction. Here, Fate and Destiny wage war propelling an epic search for truth amidst 2000 year old lies, in opposition to a government bent on burying ancient secrets and anyone who goes looking for them.

As Taya desperately attempts to keep the prophet and his followers alive, this journey forces her to grapple with the circumstances of her past which have aligned to hurdle her into her darkest memories; making choices she never wanted to consider; learning truths she was never meant to know.

Character Interview w/ Charles Macavoy

Where do you presently work? And why did you choose this career for yourself?

I work within a murder investigation team, which is part of the Metropolitan Police Service. I’ve always felt a strong sense of duty, of responsibility for others. I don’t know where it comes from, but it’s the reason I gravitated towards the force.

We have heard you have a reputation for being tough. Do you believe this has anything to do with your life experiences?

Interview w/ Melissa Barker-Simpson

What inspired you to become a writer?

I used to write plays and perform them for my family when I was a child, usually roping my sister in and a group of friends. As soon as I could write I would get lost in a story or, in this case, script. My mum likes to say I started talking when I was ten months old and I haven’t stopped since!

I don’t know when I began to think of myself as a writer, but I do remember the numerous short stories I wrote growing up. I would read them to my friends (a slow form of torture) and then move onto the next adventure. I wrote my first novel when I was a teenager but nobody would ever want to read it!

I had a few really inspiring English teachers, who took my passion and encouraged me to run with it. But I think I was born to write. I haven’t always been very good at it, but I’ve always put my heart and soul into it. I was certainly born with stories in my head and when I wasn’t jabbering about them, I was writing them!

Hands of Evil Book Interview

You have two different types of abuse featured through your book, Hands of Evil. These being child abuse and spouse abuse. Do you happen to have personal experience with either of these?

No, I’m lucky that I haven’t been subjected to either form of abuse. When the character of Grace came to me, she came with a dark history and so I spent some time researching until I felt confident to tell her story.

Are these issues close to your heart?

I work in many different areas as a sign language interpreter, and one of the most challenging has been working with women who have suffered through these kinds of abuse. Their strength and courage stayed with me and, I believe, influenced the character. I don’t work within the field of Child Protection because it would be impossible for me to remain impartial. In my opinion there is no greater evil than that which would allow someone to hurt a child.

Angelic Confessions Book Interview

Angelic Confessions, is an interesting read. How did you come up with your characters? Were they inspired by people you know or met?

Thank you. Everyone says, “It’s an interesting read.” I guess that is good.  My characters come from my dreams actually, and some were inspired from the angels of religion such as Archangels: Raphael, Michael, Uriel, Gabriel.

Character Interview w/ Aye

You were a very confused child that spent much of her childhood sheltered by Father. Did you ever have true resentment towards him?

I confess I did. I never understood why he sheltered me so much. In the end though I did learn the why he did, but still why didn’t he have more faith in me that I could control the darkness inside me.

Character Interview w/ Pio

       The life of an angel is unique. Can you tell us a bit more about what it is like?

For me personally life was doing for my Lord. I am the incarnation of  Father’s mercy, and was very devoted to my work. I dealt with a lot of fallen angels requesting Father’s mercy to return back home, yet I am my own being as well. This lead to butting heads with Father often, an act that could of gotten me expelled. In the end I always complied with my Father’s will.

What was your first impression of the child that was Aye?

I thought she was beautiful, and had one hell of a kick. There was also bit of mystery to her… a sadness too even though Father showered her with anything she wanted. 

Interview w/ Jan Marie

       What inspired you to become a writer?

I liked the idea of being able to speak your voice without saying a word. I am not much of a talker. There were also certain events in my life that helped push me in that in that direction too.  For example in the 6^th grade. The class had to write a story on how a parrot got its colors. The teacher was very impressed with my story showing my mother at parent teacher conference. I think it was at that moment the seeds of being a writer was planted in me. It took time for it to bloom though. It was not until middle school/high school where in English Lit class I got introduced to the works of poets and authors such as Maya Angelo, Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, William Blake. I was then that it all came together inspiring me to try to write myself.