Hi, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Annette
Oppenlander and her new book, “Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish
Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in
this post.
Be sure to make it to the
end of this post to enter to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Annette
and to increase your chances of winning!
This book is on SALE
during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!
See below for more details.
Escape from the Past: The
Duke's Wrath
by Annette Oppenlander
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GENRE: Young Adult - Time-Travel
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BLURB:
"...will
grip the reader's total attention from beginning to end. Very highly
recommended for school and community library..." ~ Midwest Book
Review
"...an
entertaining and fast-paced read that guarantees to thrill any young
reader's/gamer's wish to be a hero in faraway time." ~ Historical
Novel Society
When
nerd and gamer, Max Anderson, is lured into trying an experimental computer
game, he doesn’t realize he's playing the ultimate history game, time-traveling
into the past...anywhere...anytime. Survival is optional. To return home he
must decipher the game's rules and complete its missions--if he lives long
enough. Tofail means staying in the past--forever.
Now
he’s trapped in medieval Germany, unprepared and clueless. It is the year 1471
and he quickly learns that being an outcast may cost him his head. Especially
after rescuing a beautiful peasant girl from a deadly infection and thus
provoking sinister wannabe Duke Ott. Overnight he is dragged into a hornets'
nest of feuding lords who will stop at nothing to bring down the conjuring
stranger in their midst.
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EXCERPT THREE:
The
guard ignored me and stared over my shoulder. I thought of my comment to Bero
on how to speak up to the Lord. It had been easy to say. Bero would laugh at me
now.
“What
seems to be the matter?” a voice called from behind.
“My
Lord.” The guard bowed his head. “We caught a suspicious intruder, a probable
spy. We await your orders.”
“He
came from yonder.” The second guard, who’d returned with a huge sour-looking
youth, pointed in the general direction of Bornhagen.
“Then
there is no better time than now, say I. Turn him ‘round.”
The
guard shoved me to face the group. Not ten feet away towered one of the largest
horses I’d ever seen. Its humungous head swung back and forth as if it were
proud of the armored breast and nose shields. On top soared Knight Werner whose
piercing blue eyes searched my face. For a moment, the world retracted into
stillness. I felt my knees wobble.
Any
second now they’d cut off my head. Hadn’t Bero said the Lord would kill me?
Yet, the Lord of Hanstein neither showed anger, surprise nor fear. Nobody spoke
as I stood pinned between the guards, their hands iron cuffs on my arms. I
smelled them, their unwashed bodies and filthy hands. I wanted to leave the
game. Return to the safety of my former life. Now! All I could do was suck air.
My room might as well have been on the moon. Werner’s men waited, probably
ready to charge on command.
“Your
name is Nerds,” Werner finally said. The blue eyes were unsettling.
I
stared up in surprise. “I’m Max.”
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This book is such an exciting, intriguing, suspenseful adventure
– and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip!
This book reminded me of the Movie “Jumanji,” (the original with Robin Williams!!!) meets the TV Show, “Reverie.”
This book reminded me of the Movie “Jumanji,” (the original with Robin Williams!!!) meets the TV Show, “Reverie.”
This
is the third book I’ve read from the incredible writer, Annette
Oppenlander. A few months ago, I had the
privilege of reading her book, “Where the Night Never Ends,” and I totally
loved it, so I was very excited to read her latest work, “Escape from the Past:
The Duke’s Wrath.”
Mrs. Oppenlander’s
writing continues to improve and grow with each book! I know she is an author I will remain
following and reading over the years!
Mrs. Oppenlander has a style of writing that thrusts the reader
into the story and makes them feel like they too, are walking those old,
smelly, dirty, 1471 streets in medieval Germany alongside Max, Bero, and Juliana.
Unfortunately,
I really didn’t connect with the main character, Max. He was nice and all, but he just seemed
unrealistic and not the genuine article.
He is supposed to be a 15-year-old gamer, teenager, but he doesn’t act like one
and he knows things a typical kid his age most likely wouldn’t know. The author does provide insight to his
special skills suggesting he learned his natural medical talents from his mom and from TV, and yes, I
too, have learned quite a bit from all the TV shows I’ve watched. However, the extent of his skills and
capabilities seem to far outreach what I’d assume someone could actually watch
and learn and then apply for the first time in the field – and no less in a
stressful medical emergency situation. But it was
entertaining to hear someone else compare life situations with what they saw
and learned on TV LOL!!! Guess I’m not
the only one who does that LOL!!!
Perhaps that could have been enough to cover some of the extra knowledge points, but it continues on with him knowing other tidbits that seem unlikely for his proficiency and skill set. There were just too many gaps that needed further explanation and sadly detracted from the story and from me being able to share a bond with this character.
Perhaps that could have been enough to cover some of the extra knowledge points, but it continues on with him knowing other tidbits that seem unlikely for his proficiency and skill set. There were just too many gaps that needed further explanation and sadly detracted from the story and from me being able to share a bond with this character.
I
really liked Bero and his sister, Juliana.
They were likable, kind, and genuine.
It was so nice that they took Max in even though they didn’t know him,
and he was already getting a creepy, mysterious, odd/weird reputation – where anything
but “normal” doesn’t fare well in 1471 and can have deadly consequences.
The author’s writing is strong and eloquently detailed. She really provided so much detail in her
writing that it is easy to picture!
There were a few times I found myself completely caught up in the story!
I
really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing
this book. It was clear she was very
familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of 1471’s Medieval
Germany. This is honestly not a
time-period that I am very familiar with.
However, the author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions
it made the scenes easy to picture.
I
enjoyed the history lessons that were weaved throughout the book and learning
more about Medieval Germany. Mrs.
Oppenlander found a way to include accurate, historical content that was fun,
intriguing, and educational. I really
liked that she used real-life characters and events in the book to help set the
tone and create an even stronger and more realistic ambience.
I loved the story line and hearing how the author came up with it! It was exciting to read about the author’s concept and then read her actual finished product and see how it all came together! I’ve had friends that really get into those video games and you could set off fireworks next to them and they still might not realize you are there LOL!!! So, it wouldn’t be hard to get totally sucked into the game – let alone maybe one day be transported to another time LOL!!!
I loved the story line and hearing how the author came up with it! It was exciting to read about the author’s concept and then read her actual finished product and see how it all came together! I’ve had friends that really get into those video games and you could set off fireworks next to them and they still might not realize you are there LOL!!! So, it wouldn’t be hard to get totally sucked into the game – let alone maybe one day be transported to another time LOL!!!
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few unexpected
twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
Please note this book ends with remaining questions unanswered and unknowns still unsolved. However, since this book is part of a book series, I assume (and hope!!!) there will be answers, solutions, and conclusions in book two.
This book is book one in the Escape from the Past Book Series. There are three books in this book series. All three books are currently available for sale at most book retail stores.
Please note this book ends with remaining questions unanswered and unknowns still unsolved. However, since this book is part of a book series, I assume (and hope!!!) there will be answers, solutions, and conclusions in book two.
This book is book one in the Escape from the Past Book Series. There are three books in this book series. All three books are currently available for sale at most book retail stores.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would
absolutely recommend not only this book, but this author as well! I was truly impressed with the quality of
writing, and intriguing story line! I
will definitely be continuing to follow this author and checking out her
upcoming books! I think all young adult,
time-travel readers will like this book too!
So, be sure to add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be
disappointed!
Did you find this review helpful?
If so, please, please, please mark it as
helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R27G38BVOHM9L1
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AUTHOR BIO:
Annette Oppenlander is an
award-winning writer, literary coach and educator. As a bestselling historical
novelist, Oppenlander is known for her authentic characters and stories based
on true events, coming alive in well-researched settings. Having lived in
Germany the first half of her life and the second half in various parts in the
U.S., Oppenlander inspires readers by illuminating story questions as relevant
today as they were in the past.
Oppenlander’s
bestselling true WWII story, Surviving the Fatherland, won multiple awards,
including the 2017 U.S. National Indie Excellence Award. Her historical
time-travel trilogy, Escape from the Past, takes readers to the German Middle
Ages and the Wild West. Uniquely, Oppenlander weaves actual historical figures
and events into her plots, giving readers a flavor of true history while
enjoying a good story. Oppenlander shares her knowledge through writing
workshops at colleges, libraries, festivals and schools. She also offers vivid
presentations and author visits. The mother of fraternal twins and a son, she
recently returned to her home, Solingen, Germany where she lives with her
husband and old mutt, Mocha.
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CONNECT WITH ANNETTE:
Website:
Blog:
Email:
annette.oppenlander@yahoo.com
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
LinkedIn:
BookBub Author Page:
BookBub Book Page:
Goodreads Author Page:
Goodreads Book Page:
Amazon Author Page:
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BOOK BUY LINKS
& BOOK SALE INFO:
Amazon Kindle eBook:
Amazon Paperback:
Barnes and Noble Paperback:
Kobo eBook:
The Book Depository Paperback:
BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Annette will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC
to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a
purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this
blog. This does not cost you anything,
it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**
This contest is sponsored
by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish
Promotions. Prizes are given away by the
sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish
Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
