Product Details
- Title: Tides Across the Sea (The Explorers)
- Author: Lu Ann Brobst Staheli
- File Size: 359 KB
- Print Length: 160 pages
- Publisher: Back Yard Press (March 28, 2013)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00C37B8KE
- FTC FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Book Description:
Set against the background of the exploration of the Aztec civilization, Tides Across the Sea, opens in the year 1519, where the passion for adventure and the lust for gold reign in the hearts of both young and old. Fifteen-year-old Felipe is no exception, though his yearning for adventure is tempered by his love for the beautiful Manuela. She wants to marry Felipe, but she must first rid herself of the betrothal bands her papa has accepted on her behalf to the local bully, who threatens the life of the one she loves. When Felipe ends up on Cortés’ ship bound for the New World, the young couple is pulled apart.
Felipe and Manuela each must find a way to overcome the odds stacked against them if they want to someday reunite. But the New World is filled with danger, and Felipe may not escape the human sacrifices being made to the Great White God, unless the young slave girl, Tia, who also yearns for home, can help him escape and return to Manuela.
Tides Across the Sea, a young adult novel from The Explorers series, is historical fiction with a touch of romance in the style of Carolyn Meyer (Loving Will Shakespeare) and Ann Rinaldi (The Coffin Quilt). Tides Across the Sea will take readers on a journey to the New World with Cortés and into the palace of Moctezuma (Montezuma) that will satisfy their own lust for adventure.
Excerpt:
Manuela Perez couldn’t stop the perspiration pouring across her brow. The azure sky was crisp and clear above the piazza where the sun radiated from the cobblestones, making the day seem hotter. But it was more than the heat making her feel drained. The words coming from the mouth of the boy she hoped to one day marry brought her great worry.
“A New World. Just saying the words brings a fire to my belly,” Felipe Marco said, reading from one of the many notices posted in the village. Felipe’s fists rested on his hips and he pulled his shoulders back, his lean torso enhanced by the muscles bulging from the sleeve above his almond-colored arms. “To travel to a new continent across the Caribbean. This—this would prove to your father that I am a man. Old enough to own a bull and a piece of land, old enough to travel beyond the southern shores of Santiago de Cuba, and to marry his daughter.”
“Oh, Felipe,” Manuela said, sighing. Her tiny frame was almost hidden beneath the orange, yellow, and green ruffles that decorated her skirt and blouse. “What if you never return from this voyage with Cortés? Who would I marry?” She placed her head against the woven fabric of his tunic and touched her creamy palm against his dark curls. The noise of the market swirled around them, but she paid no attention.
A smile played at Felipe’s lips as he embraced her. “A child as lovely as you need not worry about marriage.”
My Review:
I haven't read a lot of stories about this particular time and events in history. I love history and learned many things I hadn't known before. Cortés and King Montezuma were both very evil men. This book does go into some of the depraved acts that were done to people; especially when Montezuma sacrificed people to the Gods. My stomach actually turned while reading about this(Just a warning for those who have weak stomachs like me!)
Tides Across the Sea has two stories going on, one with Manuela back in the home land waiting for her love Felipe. The other story is about Felipe who was kidnapped aboard Cortés ship and taken away from his home and Manuela. There is a lot of action as Cortés's men battle against the Aztec people. Through the enjoyable storytelling of Lu Ann Staheli, readers are taken to the new world. The harshness and reality of the life of an explorer is told vividly. Manuela's life back home is sad, but you truly cheer for her as she waits patiently for Felipe's return.
This story is for older teens and adults. History buffs will love reading this story about the adventures and tragedies of the Cortés expedition and the Aztec people.
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About the Author:
Lu Ann Brobst Staheli got her start as a celebrity
paparazzi-stalker-chick, which led to her award-winning career as a
ghostwriter for celebrity memoirs. A masochist at heart, she has taught
junior high school English for 33 years, moved to the school library
for year 34, and once spent two weeks summer vacation backpacking
through Europe with 15 of her students. She has won three Best of State
Medals—two for writing and one for teaching—but refuses to wear them
all at the same time because she’d hate to be known as a show-off. Her
published works include A Note With Taking, an award-winning MG novel
which is currently a Whitney Award nominee; When Hearts Conjoin, the
story of the conjoined Herrin twins; Psychic Madman about mentalist Jim
Karol; One Day at a Time: Teaching Secondary Language Arts; and Books,
Books, and More Books: A Parent and Teacher's Guide to Adolescent
Literature.You can contact Lu Ann HERE at her blog.
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