Tides Across the Sea (The Explorers) by Lu Ann Brobst Staheli-Review

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.

You can purchase Tides Across the Sea
here:

Tides Across the Sea

Lu Ann Brobst Stah...

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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.

Blog Tour Review of Promises by Carolyn Twede Frank

Product Details:

• Title: Promises
  
• Author: Carolyn Twede Frank
• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: August Corp Press (March 24, 2012)
• Genre: Middle Grade/Historical Fiction
• ISBN-10: 0985251301
• ISBN-13: 978-0985251307

Book Description:

Hattie is barely twelve when her pa's business adventures disrupt her family and move them to the new town of Tropic, Utah, nestled in the shadows of old Ebenezer Bryce's Canyon. Her pa views the town as opportunity. Hattie is hopelessly shy and views it with apprehension; she dreads the task of making new friends. More than anything else, Hattie wants to be like her father--not afraid of meeting new people, talking to strangers, and standing up for herself. So it is with trepidation that she accepts her pa's challenge and promises to make new friends. Hattie forms more promises as she struggles to make friends, finding companionship in places she wouldn't have expected and learning that there is a difference between complaining and standing up for one's self. Promises is a heartwarming story of friendship with a touch of mystery and adventure set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park. Drawn from the memoirs of early Utah settlers, it is a realistic glimpse into the past and a delightful story for readers ages eight to eighty.

My Review:

Promise, how is it defined? Here is how it is defined on the free online dictionary.

prom·ise  (prms)

n.

1.

a. A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow.

b. Something promised.

2. Indication of something favorable to come; expectation: a promise of spring in the air.

3. Indication of future excellence or success: a player of great promise.

v. prom·ised, prom·is·ing, prom·is·es

v.tr.

1. To commit oneself by a promise to do or give; pledge: left but promised to return.

2. To afford a basis for expecting: thunderclouds that promise rain.

v.intr.

1. To make a declaration assuring that something will or will not be done.

2. To afford a basis for expectation: an enterprise that promises well.

I have always been proud of the fact that when I promise I will do something, that I do indeed follow through. It wasn't until I was a mother that I had to think twice about using that phrase," I Promise I will..." . I recall telling my kids, "I promise I will play with you as soon as I'm done with the dishes/laundry/paying bills/ etc." I soon realized as I became busy with other things, I wasn't always able to follow through. Then my kids would come back, "But you promised!" It was at that time that I learned to re-phrase what I told my kids. I realized I was giving them a warped sense of what giving a promise meant. I didn't want my kids growing up thinking that making a promise and following through wasn't important. I also didn't want them to think that I didn't keep my promises. From that point on, I always made sure to say things like, "I will do my best to finish ________ and then we can go for a walk." I have also been very careful to follow through whenever I do make a promise to someone. Giving your word to someone should be a priority.

 The book, Promises,by Carolyn Twede Frank, is about a young girl who makes many promises to her family and friends. As she goes on trying to fulfill these promises she finds that it is harder than she thought it would be. This story is set in 1898, Southern Utah. Here is the book trailer for Promises:

This is a great book trailer to give you a good flavor of what the book is about. Even though this is a middle grade/ya novel, I was thoroughly entertained and involved in the storyline. The mystery of Hattie trying to find out about the girl who had previously lived in her house, and left some belongings, kept the story moving forward.I also was moved by the family dynamics in this novel. Hattie belongs to such a wonderful and supportive family. But not everyone she comes in contact with, has a family like this. So Hattie is constantly challenged with making choices, keeping promises and also staying true to who she is. Hattie is a fabulous character that kids and adults will like. She is very timid, and it is quite fulfilling to see how she grows and changes over the course of the novel. 

As a parent, I am always on a constant journey to find books that are clean, no bad language, and also well written. I am so happy to tell you this is a wonderful book that fits the bill of what I'm always looking for. Promises is based on an LDS family and some religion is discussed, but nothing preachy. I love the fact that the characters pray when they need help.  So I highly recommend Promises to you and your children. This is such a wonderful story, which reminds me a lot of the "Little House" series. 

If you want to read more reviews of Promises go to Carolyn's website here.Carolyn is also having a HUGE contest going on along with her blog tour. Please go here to read all of the details, how to enter and see what you could win.

Carolyn's blog tour partner, Cindy Hogan's book was reviewed, here, on my blog a week ago. Go and check out my review of Protected, a YA mystery/suspense.

 About the Author:

Carolyn Twede Frank grew up in Payson, Utah. Ever since elementary school she loved to write. In junior high and high school she was on the newspaper staff. Her senior year she even had her own column: Carolyn’s Corner. While attending USU as a freshman, her journalism teacher—in an effort to “prepare her for the real world of writing”—tore down her work to the point that Carolyn gave up, dropped her minor of journalism, and concentrated on her other love—biology. She graduated with a BS in Horticulture and an MS in Botany and went on to start her own business manufacturing puppets, (go figure), totally forgetting that she once had a passion for writing. Four years ago, after marrying, raising five kids, and growing her business to a point it was viable to sell, she rediscovered her love of writing. She has since sold her manufacturing business, retaining a small division of it that she can operate out of her home, affording her more time to write. Carolyn now lives in Kaysville, Utah. She writes YA/Middle grade historical and speculative fiction.

***I received a review copy of Promises from the author. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.***