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This week: Reviews of W.Com Harry Gilleland's Novel Edited by: Vivian  
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W.Com's own Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. (Harry  ) may be known for his storyems on the site, but he also has published novels. He takes periods of history, mixes in exciting characters, and brings forth books to be enjoyed.
Therefore, I want to share just a few of the reviews given by others about his most recent novel, A Wandering Warrior. I can't review it objectively because I helped edit it, and my company published it. However, I can share what reviewers have written. You can find the novel in paperback and eBook formats from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
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Introducing A Wandering Warrior by Harry Gilleland
First, let's look at some short reviews:
"You'll definitely be rooting for Thomas to succeed." -- Reviewed by Samantha Rivera for Readers' Favorite, A Wandering Warrior: 5 Stars
Thomas is a warrior in medieval England. His story is filled with love and loss, hope and despair, and you'll definitely be rooting for Thomas to succeed. He has much to accomplish. This is what makes Thomas such an interesting character. He gets hurt, he falls in love, and then he gets hurt again, but he always keeps fighting. This story is also about Emalda and Juliana and how their lives tie into Thomas'.
“ The plot is interesting and the plot twists are unexpected and well handled. ” Homer M. Scarborough, Jr.
“ There is so much more that happens in this story: romance, adventure, combat, damsels in distress, love found, and love lost.” Lori Lundberg
“ The story, locations, and characters were all well written and described and do a good job and transporting the reader into the story. ” Elizabeth McCrary
Now, to two longer reviews, which will hopefully tweak your interest in our "home-grown" author:
Hollywood Book Reviews June 19, 2013
By Nicole Sorkin
Author Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. takes readers on an action-filled excursion through life, as it was, in twelfth century England in his latest novel A Wandering Warrior. Mr. Gilleland is a lauded author and poet and A Wandering Warrior is his eighth published work. The novel centers on a soldier for hire - Thomas Beaumont. Thomas is young, handsome, fearless, loyal and a skilled warrior, who seeks to avenge the death of his older brother John which is what starts him on his adventure-filled journey across England.
Itinerant soldiers, Thomas and his brother John led nomadic lives moving from battle to battle fighting as temporary warriors for pay. It is during the course of a poorly strategized battle that Thomas is severely injured, barely survives his wounds and winds up far away from the scene of the battle. After a kind couple finds him close to death on his horse, they take him in and nurse him back to health. While on the road to search for his brother Thomas encounters a messenger, who was actually looking for any members of his family - the Beaumont family. The messenger carried the unfortunate news of his brother's brutal murder while in captivity, at the hands of High Sheriff Simon Mowbray of Thetford in Norfolk, which sends Thomas on a hell bent venture to Norfolk for revenge.
Along the route of his journey towards vengeance, Thomas encounters several fascinating characters, and situations leaving little room for dull moments in his life. Thomas learned from his life as a soldier, that bravery, and gallantry often caused him to become involved in situations that test repeatedly tested his mettle; including many impromptu, fierce battles as well as a bloody battle with the royal guard. Although always a considerable foe in battle, Thomas repeatedly comes close to death after his battles. In a few instances he is nursed back to health by the kindness of other commoners like him and one instance in particular leads him to a life lesson in love by virtue of his rehabilitation back to health by the daughter of the leader of a band of Travelers - the beautiful and determined Emalda. Eventually, Thomas does get to exact revenge on his brother's murderer but it is what he learns and accomplishes along the way that brings his journey full circle.
Not being a big fan of historical fiction, I did not expect for this book to be as engaging a read as it turned out to be. It was engrossing, thoroughly entertaining, a realistic representation of the time - period, with well-composed characters that are relatable, vividly detailed scenes -- especially the fight battles -- and just an overall well-told tale. I admire Harry E. Gilleland, Jr's ability to write such a compelling story in A Wandering Warrior. I heartily recommend A Wandering Warrior to anyone looking for an absorbing read.
Review from Bookkaholic:
Overview
Highlights: Full of rich historical detail and snappy action sequences.
Synopsis: Thomas Beaumont is an itinerant soldier in twelfth-century England. When his only family members are killed, Thomas sets out to avenge their deaths and discovers a vast world of adventure and romance along the way.
Genre: Historical Fiction Rating: A
Posted June 3, 2013 by Hannah Sheldon-Dean
Review excerpt:
In the latest book from Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. the prolific novelist and poet revisits the genre of historical fiction, this time with a tale set in twelfth-century England. It’s a tough world of ruffians, duels, and political machinations, and A Wandering Warrior leads readers through a rich tour of the period’s intrigues.
The novel’s hero, Thomas Beaumont, begins the book as a humble commoner, having lost his parents at a young age and spent his teenage years fighting alongside his uncle and older brother as an itinerant soldier in any army that would have them. Despite his low birth, Thomas is an unbeatable swordsman and ferocious fighter—skills that suddenly become even more important when both his brother and uncle are killed, leaving him without any personal ties or sense of home.
Badly injured himself in the series of frays that led to his family’s death, Thomas is taken in by a family of “Travelers” who roam the countryside in covered wagons, searching for adventure and the chance to earn a few pounds. As Thomas heals, he grows close to Emalda, a beautiful Traveler girl who hopes to marry him. But Thomas remains preoccupied with vengeance; although he wishes to remain with Emalda, he feels strongly that he must find and kill the sheriff who brutally murdered his brother. And so Thomas becomes entangled in his two central—and conflicting—quests: to avenge the deaths of those he loved, and to find new love with a worthy woman.
It’s been said that all literature is really about sex and death, and to some extent, A Wandering Warrior reflects that principle: when Thomas isn’t fighting to the death with some bad guy or other, he’s searching relentlessly to find an elusive lover. Along the way, though, he also manages to pull off heroic rescues, make loyal friends, and explore the vast expanse of England. True to the book’s title, Thomas does indeed wander, focusing on one epic task after another in an effort to find a place for himself in an often-hostile world. Interestingly, the missions that initially seem central to the plot do not continue throughout the whole book; it’s an unusual decision, but given the nature of the protagonist, the plot’s discontinuity makes an odd sort of sense. Gilleland flips around the conventions of linear narration that often dictate such tales of chivalry, and instead allows Thomas to wander where he will, taking up new quests and acquaintances as he goes.
It’s entertaining to watch and see where Thomas’s wanderings will lead him next, but what makes the A Wandering Warrior especially engaging is the level of detail with which the author draws its long-ago setting. Maps detailing each of Thomas’s journeys are inserted into the text, and information about how nobility functions, what it takes to be a knight errant, and how to survive while camping in a forest—to name just a few subjects—makes our hero’s world feel vivid and alive. The many fight scenes are especially intricate, and readers interested in the ins and outs of combat will find the book particularly fascinating.
Ultimately, this book successfully immerses readers in twelfth-century England and all its nuance. Fast-paced and full of historical detail, A Wandering Warrior will satisfy readers looking for the daring and excitement of a classic adventure story.
{indent}Ready to read Harry's novel? As stated above, it can be found in paperback format or as an eBook on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If you should read it, let Harry know. All authors like to hear when people like their writings. |
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Words from Our Readers
Some readers are replying to the newsletter about support from others, and some are replying to previous newsletters about the importance of good grammar (some people still want to be proven right rather than use their energy to improve their writing, but others agree with me).
creatress 
Hi Viv,
I share your sentiments on writers networking and supporting one another. Some of my favorite authors would never have been published, like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis if it they had not supported one another and their projects. I believe that a lot of the reason that authors do not support one another is that they have an overly competitive streak. I had a blog on a social networking site and I told other members who were authors about my project and would post links to their projects on my page. I will just say that another member of the site found me inconvenient. Wouldn't want to give anyone any nasty ideas here.
But I would love to network with you. I'm a graphic designer and illustrator and I'd love to support you and have your support as well even though I'm not able o drop in as often as I'd like to.
Writers supporting each other is a great way to perfect our craft.
Visit me by email, and let's see what we can set up.
B.AnnaLee 
Personally, I write, the way I talk. Wrong or right, I will put a book down when I have to refer to a dictionary for the meaning of some words. It is good to increase your knowledge, but reading for pleasure, should be just that--pleasure.
However, I'm trying to help writers improve their writing, not improve their reading. If we as writers improve what we write and how we write it, more readers will have less problems understanding what we're trying to say.
Beckyl
You've really made me think with this article. I work full time and have a ridiculously busy life, but I try to make writing and editing my budding novel a priority. I have also tried to do at least one in-depth review a month, but I have found it tough to dig into another author's book or even a short story without getting interrupted by grand children and life in general. I will make more of an effort, thanks to your thoughts in this newsletter! Thanks for making me more aware.
Beckyl
I understand how life can interfere. I don't review as much as I wish I could, partially because I'm editing authors' works. Let's both make more of an effort, okay?
Red Barron
I agree with you whole-heartedly. There should be an equal give and take, and sharing on this site.
I am glad you posted your thoughts on this. I too have been extremely generous with my reviews, and have received almost nill on this site. Can be very discouraging. Good job.
As I wrote above, I don't review as much as I used to, and I'm going to make an effort to review at least once or twice a week.
jim1184 
This topic got my attention. I know this is strange, I support authors from my Naval career. I was surprised to see how many of my retired co workers , guys and girls write. We worked in a very small and classified community. I buy their books even though they are in very different genres from my own. So far they are just very good reading. Even the romance ones. Only 2 involved our past lives. Those are great fiction books,as required by law. I also bought some by Writing.Com authors. Mara McBain's Club justice series comes to mind. It just feels good to help your friends, when you can.
Some people from W.Com have purchased my books. Some of the authors through the publishing company I head are from W.Com.
~ Santa Sisco ~ 
I agree 100% about support being a two way street. I have just over 2,500 authors follow me on twitter; I can count on both hands how many of them actually support other authors 100%. They win! I buy their books and retweet their book promotions. Supporting other authors actually gets you larger rewards. I have at least a dozen of my followers that keep messaging me to let them know as soon as my book is published. That will mean over 250,000 people will see my promo! :) Support really works!
I'll have to admit I don't keep up on Twitter as much as I do Facebook, but I get lost on Twitter. I do use it from time to time to support other authors and their books and/or newsletter posts.
lynnhammer
I understand your complaint, and I agree. Reviewing someone and getting nothing in return can make you feel like you are swimming upstream.
But I also have a complaint which I feel is valid. These newsletters are given on a weekly basis and I am assuming that you write them for the week they are issued. I am also assuming that you select the links that are included in the newsletter.
If this is so, why do you list links that lead to contests that aren't relevant or are closed? I know that it is impossible to check everything and no one expects you too, however at least check the links you are including in your email to make sure the contest is going on.
I seldom use links to contests because they often close without notice, etc. Also, often contributors to the newsletters submit them a week to a month before the date the newsletter comes out. Things often change quickly and without warning. We do our best to have updated links, but we can't control what others do. Sorry.
Cupadraig~The Remote Country
Nice and to the point. I am lucky enough to have not come across anyone with this type of mentality. I cannot even fathom that someone would not be willing to read other people's hard work yet expect them to read and review theirs. Anyone with that kind of mindset should not be allowed on a community site like this one. Its called a community for a reason. I stand by your editorial one hundred percent!
Thanks. It's sad what other people "take" but never "return."
Now, some more comments about supporting each other:
Sara
The idea of authors supporting authors and those who are self-serving is indicative of those same people's take on life. I choose to think that because I was raised with a great deal of love and appreciation,I am fulfilled. With that comes the ability to pass it forward. Some people are not so blessed. They think only of how to enrich themselves because they are not complete. I am not saying one shouldn't avoid getting sucked in by such neediness, but just be gracious enough to sometimes give even if you know they are not going to return the energy. Know that you are better for it and that is enough said.
harperpaul
What you are saying makes sense to me. I try to live by the philosophy of give and take fairly. I also believe in staying on the right side of the producer/consumer balance. This is something I came up with that correctly describes (in my opinion) where a person is at in terms of give and take. In a nutshell, I take some, I give some, and I try to keep track of where I'm at with the producer/consumer balance.
The follow comment covers a couple of past newsletters.
Teerich - 2019
This was an illuminating newsletter. I was greatly moved by your description of the tornadoes.
I missed the newsletter on grammar but agree that it is important to make your work as readable as possible. However, not all of us have the expertise required for perfect punctuation, so we should be sympathetic to those which are less than perfect and couch our comments in as encouraging a way as possible.
Thank you for joining me for this issue of the For Authors Newsletter. I would still like to hear what topics readers would like for me to cover.
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For Authors: July 24, 2013 Issue [#5800]
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