Review: The Winter Boy by Sally Wiener Grotta

The Winter Boy

By Sally Wiener Grotta

A Bookwatch Reviewer's Choice

Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Mary Doria Russell and Ursula K. LeGuin, The Winter Boy explores important political and social issues within a dynamic, character-driven otherworld, wrapped up in masterful storytelling.

“…a very rewarding read that raises your self-awareness in a way that only great books do…
A literary triumph” ~ Dr. Babus Ahmed, Ajoobatcats

BUY THE WINTER BOY:Amazon, Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Kobo or an independent bookstore near you. Available in paperback, hardbound or eBook (all formats)

The Valley of the Alleshi is the center of all civilization, the core and foundation of centuries of peace. A cloistered society of widows, the Alleshi, has forged a peace by mentoring young men who will one day become the leaders of the land. Each boy is paired with a single Allesha for a season of intimacy and learning, using time-honored methods that include dialog, reason and sexual intimacy. However, unknown to all but a hidden few, the peace is fracturing from pressures within and beyond, hacking at the very essence of their civilization.

Amidst this gathering political maelstrom, Rishana, a young new idealistic Allesha, takes her First Boy, Ryl, for a winter season of training. But Ryl is a “problem boy” who fights Rishana every step of the way. At the same time, Rishana uncovers a web of conspiracies that could not only destroy Ryl, but threatens to tear their entire society apart. And a winter that should have been a gentle, quiet season becomes one of conflict, anger and danger.

Editorial Reviews

“...a great book... in the 'must read' category for anyone who enjoys a cultural fantasy...” ~ Charline Ratcliff, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"An amazing, tour-de-force literary work completely unlike anything I have ever read.... People will be studying and talking about The Winter Boy for years to come." ~ Wendy Delmater Thies, Abyss and Apex Magazine

"...with the kind of mysterious tone and a sense of a complete world apart that is the hallmark of the best.... The Winter Boy... exists in... a mythic, spiritual realm. Even ordinary lines resonate with this sense of the unseen." ~ Peter Damien Bellis, author of The Conjure Man

“...a deeply thoughtful book… very engrossing” ~ Kelly Jensen, SFCrowsnest

"...intriguing, thought provoking and highly enthralling." ~ Lynn Worton, Zavive

“Sally Wiener Grotta blends pain, love, lust and adventure into a tale you may not want to put down.” ~ Robin Baum

"This book is a masterpiece. I am in awe of the author's storytelling skill." ~ Evie Harris, Sammi

"...lyrical... deep... well-imagined and exotic." ~Mary Sellers, What Is That Book About

“… multi-faceted, complex and wholly intriguing” ~ Gaele Hince, I Am Indeed

“Deep and profound” ~ Dr. Norma Krasne-Levine

"What a gorgeous story." ~ Barbara Heckendoen

"The Winter Boy is an intriguing story that's unlike any other I have read." ~ L.A. Sherman

Free Downloads:

Read an excerpt of The Winter Boy

A Study Guide to facilitate discussions about The Winter Boy

- See more at: http://www.pixelhallpress.com/the_winter_boy.html#sthash.MmfmFWOI.dpuf

About Sally Wiener Grotta

Sally Wiener Grotta is a consummate storyteller, reflecting her deep humanism and appreciation for the poignancy of life. As an award-winning journalist, she has authored hundreds of articles, columns, essays and reviews for scores of glossy magazines, newspapers, journals and online publications. She has also authored numerous non-fiction books. Her fiction includes Jo Joe, a Black Bear, and Pennsylvania novel.

A member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors, Sally Wiener Grotta is a frequent speaker at conferences. Schools and other organizations storytelling, creativity, the business of writing, as well as on photography and the traditional tradespeople of her American Hands narrative portrait project. She welcomes invitations to participate in discussions with book clubs (occasionally in person, more often via Skype, Google Hangout, or phone), and to do occasional readings. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and/or her blog.

- See more at: http://www.pixelhallpress.com/the_winter_boy.html#sthash.MmfmFWOI.dpuf

My Review:

Sally Wiener Grotta is one of my favorite authors since I began blogging. I previously read Jo Joe which was by far amazingly written and the same goes for The Winter Boy. I enjoy the development of the characters throughout the story. The plot is well written with many insights that are offered throughout the story that are related to our world. I highly recommend The Winter Boy along with Sally’s prior work. 

FTC Disclaimer

Since the FTC has so kindly taken to regulate bloggers I have to state that, yes I get free books and sometimes products to review. These books/products are given to me to evaluate and decide if I like them or not and then write an honest review about them that I display on this blog. I do not receive monetary compensation for these reviews and all my reviews state my honest opinion of the products/books. I am in no way swayed by any type of bribery or cajoling. My opinions are my own and will be negative or positive depending on the book or product.

Cover Reveal: Persuading Tomorrow by J. Laslie

Persuading Tomorrow

By: J Laslie

Genre: New Adult Releasing September

When the unimaginable happens and Jordan loses her best friend on the night she had planned to tell him her feelings, it leaves her to wonder if she’s the guilty party, but her memories of that night are fuzzy. In an attempt to leave her past and the hateful stares of her peers behind, she moves across the country to live with her mother in Esterwilde, Pennsylvania. It’s a small close-knit town, but there no one should know about her past, or so she thought.

When Zyler runs into the new girl in town he can’t help but feel a connection, but he also knows her past harbors a horrible secret. He’s heard the rumors, but doesn't believe them. Seeing Jordan in pain kills him and all he wants to do is take it away.

Jordan soon realizes that no matter what she does she’s not going to be able to outrun her past. Can Zyler show her that despite the hate and ignorance in the world that life is still worth living? Will she ever figure out the truth about the night that took away her best friend?

“You gotta stop saying things like that.”

“Why?” I see him push off the counter and step around to face me. He brings a hand up to run his thumb across my cheek and my breath hitches at the intimate contact. His touch still seems to shoot electricity through me. My skin is on high alert when he’s around and I can feel the pace of my heart pick up into a full gallop by the close proximity of him.

“Be.. because I said so?” It shouldn't have come out as a question and it lacked the conviction that I was feeling inside.

“I don’t think you mean that. I think you like it when I say nice things about you. You just don’t know how to handle them. Jordan, you are a beautiful person no matter what people may have said to you in the past. I know you hide behind that shy exterior, but you need to push that aside and not let people put you down. You have the most amazing wavy, red hair. I didn’t even know it came in that shade naturally. Your eyes are the most brilliant green I’ve ever seen.”

J. Laslie lives in Louisville, KY with her wonderful husband, two kids, four dogs, and mother-in-law. She runs Sweet Yet Naughty Book Blog and is also an event coordinator for the Louisville Authors Event. She has always been an avid reader and now wants to try her hand at writing. 

In her spare time she loves to do digital scrapbooking, hanging out with her BFF Heather, or reading a good book. Her favorite genres to read are Young Adult and Young Adult Dystopian. Though she loves a good romance novel too.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorjlaslie

Website: http://authorjlaslie.weebly.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8162958.J_Laslie

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Cover Reveal: Absolute Love by Erin Everleigh

Absolute Love

By: Erin Everleigh

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Phoebe thought she had her Happily Ever After. She had a beautiful little girl and was married to the man of her dreams.

But the unexpected death of her mother causes Phoebe’s world to come crashing down.

She becomes haunted at night by her dreams, as issues from her past begin to resurface.

Confronted with the realization that the missing pieces of her past are likely lost to her forever, she watches herself morph into a person she no longer recognizes.  A person she quickly grows to hate.

With their marriage now dangling by a thread Phoebe and Justin find themselves living apart.

But Justin refuses to give up, and when he stumbles upon what could be the missing piece to Phoebe’s past, he is faced with a choice that could cost him everything.

  

Book Trailer: 

Canadian born and raised, Erin Everleigh, is the mom of three girls, who always keep her on her toes - twins age 7 and an older sister that is almost 9.  She has a self-confessed addiction to reading that her family will certainly corroborate, and you will rarely find her without her kindle at arm’s length constantly feeding this obsession.  She is the author of the soon to be released novel, Absolute Love.  A story that composed itself in her head, which she could no longer ignore.  After months of writing out chapters on her iphone, she finally opened up her laptop and decided to take the plunge.

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