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The Lightning Horse (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Lightning Horse (Empire at Twilight, #1)The Lightning Horse by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lightning Horse is the first book in the Empire at Twilight Series. It is a historical fiction that takes place in the exotic land of Turkey during the Hittite empire. The story centers around the character of Tiwatipara who is a young Hittite charioteer. He is kind, smart, funny, loyal and a hero to many. He is reeling with grief, guilt, and sorrow over the loss of his father in a chariot accident. When Tiwatipara learns that the death of his father during a chariot accident was actually sabotage intended for the King he sets out to seek the killer. As he sets out to uncover the truth, he finds out that some friends may not be what they seem, and that political corruption is at the root of it. Danger lurks and Tiwatipara must determine who are his true friends and who are his enemies. This book was well written with historical accuracy and a great attention to detail. It had action, suspense, mystery, murder, betrayal, deceit, lies, secrets, and good versus evil.

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The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight #2)The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Singer and Her Song is the second book in the Empire at Twilight Series. It is a historical fiction That centers around the character of Uqnitum and is set in the Kingdom of Mittani. Uqnitum comes from a long line of famous singers who must find her way in the world after she finds herself a pregnant widow. When her husband and youngest child lose their lives after Mittani falls to the Assyrians the stress becomes unbearable for Uqnitum. As the pressure of life escalates for her, she becomes a danger to those around her and she must find a way to find who she is without her husband and child. Uqnitum was someone that I instantly felt a connection to and felt great empathy for. Losing her husband and child was devastating and heartbreaking. This book was beautifully written, haunting, and full of rich historical details. It has sorrow, heartbreak, loss, love, tragedy, drama, anguish, family drama, and the horrors of war.

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The Queen’s Dog (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Queen's Dog (Empire at Twilight #3)The Queen’s Dog by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Queen’s Dog is Book Three in the Empire at Twilight Series. It is a historical crime mystery that centers around the character of Naheshi who is the Queen’s slave. Naheshi is a eunich who yearns for the love of the self-absorbed Queen and feels rejected when she does not love him back. Feeling scorned he spies on her and reports all of her disloyal activities in the hopes that she will get a divorce. When Naheshi learns that the Queen is set to be executed he must try to save her and free himself of the burden of his own guilt. Another well written book in this series with vivid details and historical information. This book had action, drama, betrayal, lies, deception, revenge, secrets, and love from afar.

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The Sun at Twilight (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Sun at Twilight (Empire at Twilight #4)The Sun at Twilight by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sun at Twilight is Book Four in the Empire at Night Series. It is a historical mystery that centers around the character of Tudhaliya IV in the Hittite Empire. He wants to rule his empire as past leaders have but his advisors have other ideas on how he should rule. The way in which he wants to rule is viewed as weak and Tudhaliya risks losing his kingdom to his cousin Kurunta. This was a great read that was vivid, and rich with historical information. It was full of mystery, action, suspense, conflict, betrayal, and family drama.

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The Moon That Fell from Heaven (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Moon That Fell from HeavenThe Moon That Fell from Heaven by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Moon That Fell From Heaven is Book Five in the Empire at Night series. It is a Historical mystery that combines both fact and fiction together. The story centers around Ehli-nikkalu, the eldest daughter of the Hittite Emperor. She feels unloved and unwanted by her family, her husband, and her husband’s family. Her husband feels that she is useless because she cannot bear children, yet he rarely visits their matrimonial bed. She is a kind and gentle soul that is easy to empathize with. Ehli-nikkalu stumbles onto some dangerous information and must find a way to get it to her father while trying to keep her kingdom safe from the threat of war. This is a well-written book full of historical details that transport you back in time. This book had action, suspense, danger, angst, murder, betrayal, and twists and turns.

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel) by Brittany Tucker – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel)The Calamities of Camden Callahan by Brittany Tucker

The Calamities of Camden Callahan is a YA Fantasy that centers around the character of Camden who lost his mother at a young age and was taken in by the captain of a pirate ship. The book starts off with a bang as young Camden and his mother are fleeing from Camden’s father who is determined to kill them. They are almost able to reach the safety of a ship when Camden’s mother is killed in front of him by an unknown assailant. Camden’s mother’s dying wish is for the captain of the nearby pirate ship who discovers her after her attack to care for her son and keep him safe from his father. Fast forward several years and Camden is now nineteen. He has been living the life of a pirate and closely guarding his identity. A dangerous job leads to the burning of the pirate ship which leads to the loss of numerous lives of his crew, including himself. Having risen from the ashes of the burned ship Camden sets off on a journey to find the members of his crew who were kidnapped and a mission to seek revenge on those that murdered other members of his crew. Along his journey he must place his life in farther danger by resuming his true identity which could lead to his father catching up with him after all these years. This book had action, suspense, mystery, murder, pirates, magic, and ghosts. The storyline will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with the highs and lows. I highly recommend this book!

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