4 star review for Zenobia - Birth of a Legend

Mary rated a book 4 of 5 stars Zenobia Birth of a Legend ( #1) by Russ Wallace (Goodreads Author) 

Read in June, 2013 " This is a great story with interesting characters and interesting events. I enjoyed everything I learned from it and I enjoyed the characters. Being a girl, and having been raised on horse back- at least partially, I felt a connection to much of the story. My only advice to the author would be- trust your audience to get it. Show don't tell- wrap your facts within the flow of the story, allow us to become a part and to think for ourselves. Your characters are great, the story is great. That being said, I would recommend it especially if you love the ancient world." - Mary Goodreads Review


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Tuesday Teaser for Book two, Zenobia Challenging a Legend

Ch. 6

     “There seem to be a lot of people who need killing.” Longinus noted she was deadly series. The beautiful, intelligent young woman before him, almost still a girl, was a deadly killer.

Ch. 8

     Zenobia rode onto the plain, sizing up the situation. She had plenty of arrows left, so she rode slowly toward the enemy and then stopped.

Reviews on Book one - Zenobia – Birth of a Legend:

“With new authors, I am always apprehensive. My usual reading is spying and conspiracy against world governments. I was told to try this book by a close friend. I must say, to my surprise I really enjoyed it. First, the description of the characters was such that it took little imagination to visualize them. Because of that I was sucked into the story. Zenobia as well as other main characters were believable and the storyline was very entertaining. I hated to see the pages coming to a close since the story is yet far from over. I can't wait to see what is in store for Zenobia as she grows in life experience and wisdom. Please continue writing the rest of the story............” Steven Weston on Amazon.com kindle edition.

“If Russ's first book is any indication of the planned series, this first-book author should move quickly up the best seller’s lists and remain there for years to come.” LinDee Rochelle- owner of http://www.penchantforpenning.com/- founded and administered Women Writers of the Desert, a metro Phoenix organization for nearly five years.  It transformed into an online resource to benefit women on a broader scale and renamed Women Writers Worldwide. 

Great Reviews of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend

"If Russ's first book is any indication of the planned series, this first-book author should move quickly up the best seller's list and remain there for years to come." 

"Zenobia - beautiful, intelligent, and powerful. And she was real. Russ Wallace's Zenobia - Birth of a Legend, Book 1, is a rich coming-of-age saga based on true events that transport you back in time to the desert of ancient Syria, 250 CE. It chronicles what is known of the Syrian queen's youth, wrapped in imaginative tales of the vibrant life she might have led. To protect her life, Zenobia's gender was hidden until her ninth year. She understood the need for deception, but once exposed, the dynamic girl persuaded their male-dominated tribe to fulfill her dream, training her to become a cunning warrior. The new twist of discovery in Zenobia's life offered the best of both worlds, creating a budding womanly warrior few men could resist.
I love reading historical novels and this one is particularly interesting. Having traveled through the Middle East, which was once part of Zenobia's landscape, I easily visualized the ancient events Wallace depicts. Aptly blending fact and fiction is a tricky art, but he cleverly mixes education, history, political and religious theories, action and adventure, with a young girls emotional discoveries.
Zenobia's allure will attract more than today's young adults who will identify with the girl, though they are millennial apart. Her thirst for knowledge and penchant for righteousness, and Wallace's historical acumen in satisfying them, will be a magnet for political aficionados and military tacticians. Like for me, she will resonate too, with women who admire the empowerment Zenobia embodies as she battles injustices.
Well-written and imaginative, fast-paced and exciting, this is a book that will fascinate and charm. I not only identify with Zenobia's passion and staunch support of equality, but enjoy the personality Wallace infused into this exceptional ruler. With every page you will marvel at the intricate details of thought expressed by his characters, and wonder with him at how little we have learned as a society, through the ages. '
Woven in the fascinating narrative of Zenobia, Russ Wallace features the humanity of history - and sometimes lack of it - acquainting us with a remarkable time in ancient cultures. Much like today, country borders and even whole countries appeared and disappeared in the earth's "blink of an eye." And as now, world-changing events were largely due to the dynamic politics and warring strategies of those who ruled the most powerful countries - Zenobia was such a leader. Book 1 is a great beginning." - LinDee Rochelle - owner of  http://www.penchantforpenning.com/ ; Founded and administered Women Writers of the Desert, a metro Phoenix organization for nearly five years, which transformed into an online resource to benefit women on a broader scale and renamed Women Writers Worldwide. http://www.womenwritersworldwide.com/

Joyce DiPastena Book Review and Free Book Giveaway

Joyce DiPastena's book review of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend view at http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/2012/08/author-interview-and-giveaway-zenobia.html#.UBlR-E1mTug

Joyce DiPastena is Author of LOYALTY'S WEB, ILLUMINATIONS OF THE HEART, and DANGEROUS FAVOR. She fell in love with the Middle Ages when she first read Thomas B. Costain’s THE CONQUERING FAMILY in high school. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree specializing in medieval history, Joyce lives in Arizona with her two cats, Clio and Glinka Rimsky-Korsokov.


Check out the book review and enter to win a free book giveaway on her blog. Contest will run Aug 1st - Aug 8th 2012 and one lucky winner will win a free copy of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend.

For more ways to win a copy of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend go to https://www.facebook.com/geodepress and like our facebook page for a chance to win a free book.

For more information about the exciting new historical series please visit our website: http://geodepress.com/zenobia-birth-of-a-legend/