Book Review: The Flowers of Penruddock: A Romance Collection by Ronnda Eileen Henry

Synopsis: A collection of seven romance novellas set in the fantasy world of the vast island continent of Penruddock. Marigold, Poppy, Rose, Violet, Krysantha, Peony, and Hyacinth aren't just the names of beautiful flowers. They're also the names of the romantic protagonists in seven novellas. These women follow different paths in their pursuit of love and romance; and may experience adventure, danger, conspiracy, comedy, and tragedy on their way to finding a sweet love. For some, it's the first love. For others, a second. In spite of opposition and obstacles that sometimes block their way, they all strive for a love which is sweet and true. Three of the women are commoners. Four are of the nobility. Each in her own way challenges the conventions of her time. Come and meet The Flowers of Penruddock. Also included is the Jane Austen fan fiction fantasy romance novella, "Cousins, One and All," which takes place partly in Penruddock. Or does it?

AVAILABLE NOW on AMAZON and BARNES&NOBLE      

REVIEW

Released individually Henry has now compiled her fanciful tales into one collection The Flowers of Pendruddock: A Romance Collection. As a bonus, you get her special Jane Austen fanfic novella Cousins, One and All she collaborated with Aleksandra Layland. Each romance tale is emotionally unique and different on its own as they feature love at different stages of life. The sole connection these stories have is that each story takes place in a certain time period in the fantasy world of Pendruddock. Additionally, each heroine is named after a flower.

I personally read each novella individually as they were released. In the collection, they are placed in Pendruddock’s historical, chronological order. I fell in love with Henry’s writing style, and her sweet emotional romance tales she spun. I thrived on her innocent romantic tales that inevitably leave your smiling when you are done. If you are looking for a quick pick-me-up read Ronnda Eileen Henry the author to be.

My Rating ****(4 stars)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in middle age.

Retired now, she lives in Florida.

Book Review: Love, Royal and True: A Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry

Synopsis:

"In the medieval world of Penruddock, the Lady Hyacinth is promised in marriage to Prince Adelard from the time she is born, and the two grow up to love one another. As she approaches marriageable age, however, one obstacle after another prevents their wedding. In an unexpected tragedy, Prince Adelard's father suddenly becomes king and Adelard the heir to the throne. Forces of intrigue attempt to separate Hyacinth and Adelard so that he might marry another. Will their love for each other survive?"

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON 

                                          and BARNES & NOBLES

                                                                                                       

REVIEW

Love, Royal and True is the 7th book released in what Henry calls her Flowers of Penruddock collection (which I heard will be released soon with all the books in one collection). I love Henry’s romance writing and style. You always feel good after reading her books.

 In Love, Royal and True though I was conflicted. When it came to the romantic leads in the story Adelard and Hyacinth, while likable characters their romance fell flat to me. I felt no love from them other than the fact the author wrote that they did love each other. They seemed more like good friends than this epic love that seemed stated. A love that survived obstacles and tragedies, which were quite saddening, to say the least. I was like man this book is depressing too!

Henry is known for her sweet, pure, innocent romance novella’s that show you don’t have to go to the explicit to make a heart swoon. In Love, Royal and True it was a bit amiss. 

From a writing perspective Love, Royal and True faltered as well. There were a few contradictions in the story too that were amiss as well.One is at one point it stated that Hyacinth daughter was the oldest of her children. In just a few pages back it stated Hyacinth gave birth to a son first. Huh? How? This all combined made it a lesser read than it could have been.

MY RATING *** (3 STARS)     

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in middle age. 
Retired now, she lives in Florida.

BOOK REVIEW: Love in Season: A Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry

SYNOPSIS - In the medieval kingdom of Penruddock, eighteen-year-old Lady Poppy Alexandra has fled an arranged marriage to a wealthy but elderly and very cruel duke. She ends up far away in Blencathra, under the care of the widowed mother of the 28-year old Earl, Lord Reynard. The Earl's sixteen-year-old niece Lady Sherley is accompanying her grandmother and uncle to the Royal Palace to be presented to the King and Queen and begin a social season of dances with the hope of finding a suitable match. They take Poppy along but without a dowry, no one will offer for her. Or will they?

AVAILABLE NOW on AMAZON

REVIEW

Love in Season is another charmer from Ronnda Eileen Henry. The 6th book now in her little Penruddock romance collection. Love in Season is set again in the fantasy land of Penruddock in the lands medieval era. We meet sweet Poppy Alexandra and her plight. In the recent loss of her father and a greedy cousin wanting to sell her off to the most deeply disturbed Duke (Who has a certain hidden agenda in wanting to marry Poppy.), she flees and her adventure begins. While this book fits the romance genre, it also can fit quite nicely in the historical fiction section. Henry integrally weaves hints in how real-life culture/society was back in that era within her fantasy tale.

 Romance is usually not a genre I enjoy, but Henry’s books are an exception. Her storytelling is so pure, sweet, and uncomplicated and so oo la la. I gobble her books up. I’m a fan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's a teenager or a person in middle age.

Retired now, she lives in Florida.

Cousins, One and All: A Jane Austen Fan Fiction Fantasy Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry and Aleksandra Layland.

SYNOPSIS: "Cousins, One and All" is a Jane Austen fan fiction novella based on characters in "Pride and Prejudice." But with an alternate storyline focused on the second generation, and which crosses over to fantasy worlds from Ronnda Eileen Henry's romance novella "Love in Two Acts" and Aleksandra Layland's epic fantasy Windflower Saga trilogy.
 The sons of Mr. Wickham and Col Fitzwilliam join the daughters of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Collins for a two-week holiday in the Lakes district of northern England. During the second week, two of them (Ben Wickham and Lottie Darcy) disappear for three days. When they return, they explain their absence as due to a fall into a ravine. While they were out hiking and being picked up by a gypsy and taken to his camp some distance away to recover. That is as far from the truth as it could be, but the truth is utterly unbelievable... that is, except two logical, sensible Cat Collins who is in love with Ben but has never told him. The five cousins will never forget the year they went on holiday together, and if you're a Jane Austen fan, neither will you.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON & BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

Henry of the famous sweet Penruddock Romance Novellas joins Award-winning Aleksandra Layland of the epic Windflower Saga under their love of Jane Austin. The result is a sweet little read. Based on the characters of Austen's Pride and Prejudice they combine it with their own the timeless fantasy worlds they created. I must confess my fingers have never caressed the pages of a Jane Austen novel. It did not hinder this book one bit as I fell in love with these witty loveable cousins compelling me now want to read Austen herself. Fans of Jane Austen will definitely gush with delight in this book. Yet you do not have to of read a lick of Austen to understand or fall in love with this lovely, riveting romantic tale. This can really be a hard thing to do as it is based on material that has already been established. Henry and Layland though accomplish just that.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ronnda Eileen Henry has written several sweet romance novellas set in her fantasy medieval world of Penruddock. These include: Love in Two Acts; Forged in Love; Love, Savory and Sweet; Freed by Love; and Love, Ever Strong. Two more novellas are planned to complete a seven-novella set which will be republished as The Flowers of Penruddock.

Aleksandra Layland wrote an epic trilogy known as The Windflower Saga set in a medieval-like world and featuring an indigenous people who were the victims of colonial expansion. The original novels were Ansgar: The Struggle of a People. The Triumph of the Heart; Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace; and Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice. These were later joined by eight novellas, which expanded on characters in the novels, as well as several books for younger readers. Layland has since republished these in omnibus collections, joining each novel and its novellas under one cover. The first of these, The Ansgar Treasury, was reviewed by BlueInk in Booklist Magazine in September 2017. Recognized as a self-published book recommended to librarians, the other two collections, The Wisdom and Valor Treasury and The Far Haven Treasury receive equally high praise from BlueInk reviewers. The Far Haven Treasury was a recipient of a Gold Medal in the Romance Fiction category of the 2017 Florida Authors and Publishers Association Presidents Book Awards. The Wisdom and Valor Treasury were the recipient of a Silver Medal in the Fantasy Fiction category.

Book Review: Vegas Vendetta by Peter Castrillo

Synopsis: IT'S THE 1960S. War is raging in Southeast Asia, and the draft board is looming over every young man's shoulder, but recent high school graduate Peter Castrillo has a plan; enroll in college for as long as it takes to get a student deferment...and then head to Vegas! And Vegas is everything he dreamed it would be-parties at Sammy Davis's place, hanging out at the bar with Elvis, and flirting with Mia Farrow in the elevators. It's all bank-rolled lavishly by the clever cons that Peter and his pals devise, taking the casinos for a bundle in these low-tech security days. The drugs are plentiful, the girls are wild, and the glittery nights seem to go on forever. But when Peter makes the mistake of a romantic entanglement with the gorgeous trophy-wife of a venal Bulgarian mobster, his Vegas dream turns into a nightmare that he just might not survive. Based on true facts and dished out with equal portions of hilarity and horror, Vegas Vendetta tells one young man's story of his quest to evade the draft, make money, meet women, and find excitement back in the days when Vegas truly was Sin City...

       Available on Amazon e-book available at Friesen Press

REVIEW

Vegas Vendetta is a Hollywood movie wrapped in a book. Our narrator is Peter Castrillo himself and we find him in quite a scenario at the beginning, but let's rewind to find out how he got into this predicament.

Vega Vendetta then takes us on a memory trip which is truly what this story is that is quite dangerously sinful and eye-opening as we get to see a prominent era in history from a different cultural perspective tossed in with some sex, drugs, and Vegas to keep it exciting.

Vegas Vendetta is a double tale adventure as it is part memoir and part true crime. Not a fan of either, but Castrillo hold onto you and take you on an amazing ride. True crime lovers will gobble this book up.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author grew up in a very narrow time period of social change that was brought on when the war ended. The large influx of immigration that was happening at Ellis Island that allowed the criminal element to enter and flourish with the daily numbers games, parlays, horse racing, and other non-violent crimes was a boon to the economy. Everybody in my neighborhood gambled and betting was a sport that gave hope of winning cash. It was common and accepted to play games of chance, and it was sometimes a relative, neighbor, or trusted family friend who booked the bet for you. It didn't matter that it was turned in to a fella who gave it to another fella, who drove it to Brooklyn to another fella. We trusted the source all the way up the line and felt they were family, after all, they came from Calabria, Naples or Florence...

 FIND MORE ABOUT VEGAS VENDETTA AND THE AUTHOR AT Vegas Vendetta Peter Castrillo

Book Review: Love, Ever Strong: A Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry

Synopsis:

"Love, Ever Strong" is the story of a love which begins in childhood but doesn't reach fruition until years later. It's also a story of healing and change. Rose and Conor were orphans who were raised together as friends and playmates since she was 2 and he a boy of 10. When Conor is 16, he leaves their rural home to find his way in the world, not expecting to see Rose ever again. Twenty years later, their paths cross again, but life has treated them each very differently. Battle-weary and motivated by revenge, Conor is nothing like the heroic figure of her romantic girlhood memories; or is he? And Rose is no longer the little girl who used to follow him around everywhere. She's a widow with three young children who will surprise him in more ways than one.

                                     AVAILABLE ON AMAZON and BARNES &NOBLE

REVIEW

Love Ever Strong is the 5^th book in Henry’s romance novella collection. As a reader, It takes a lot to get me to swoon and get lost in anything romance, but Henry makes me do just that with her sweet tale of “love fruition”. Rose and Conor’s love tale is sweet, unique and fabulous!

As for the writer in me, Henry’s writing is once again smooth and poetic. Her characters are to fall in love with, well written with the perfect amount of everything. The only distraction was Henry transitioning as she skipped through the story in hours, minutes and years. As a reader and a writer, I found it a little off-putting. It was not THAT off-putting that it dissuaded me from the story at all though as I fell deeper and deeper in love with everything and everyone in this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her three favorite authors are Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's a teenager or a person in middle age.

Retired now, she lives in Florida.

Book Review: Freed by Love: A Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry

Synopsis:

"Freed by Love" is a short romantic suspense novella with a very happy ending. Lady Violet of Ramey is a member of the minor nobility of the region of the Kingdom of Penrudduck known as Corby. She's been married three times to successively higher-ranking noblemen. All three marriages ended in her widowhood, but the last may end her freedom. Fleeing her husband's castle, the same night someone murders him, Violet is assumed guilty by many, based on circumstantial evidence. She must stand trial. If she is returned to Ravensworth Castle, the verdict is decided before she ever sees a judge.

Her family is able to arrange her trial in their district instead, but they're at a loss as to how to defend her. They hire the best of lawyers, but everyone sees little hope. That is, except for a mysterious man known only as Brother Lancelot. Freedom from jail and imprisonment for a crime you didn't commit is one thing. But aren't there other freedoms we can cherish...

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REVIEW

I am immensely enjoying Ronnda Eileen Henry’s little historical romance novellas. In Freed by Love it once again takes place in the fictional Kingdom of Penruddock where we meet Violet who happens to innocently have the black widow curse. Once again in her third marriage, her husband ends up dead, and now Violet is named the culprit. Then enters the mysterious Brother Lancelot…well the title kind of speaks for itself.

Henry’s writes with a Jane Austen touch and a Masterpiece Theater quality. No matter who you are the ending will just make you smile.

End results?  If you want to be transported from the darkness of today’s world pick up one of Henry’s books. They will just warm your heart in sweetness.

Rating ***** (5 Stars)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in middle age.

Retired now, she lives in Florida.

Book Review: Love, Savory, and Sweet: A Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry

                                                       

                                                       Synopsis -

This is a historical-like novella set in a world that is not of our own. Lady Krysantha is a young widow with a son, a large mansion in the city, and just enough of an annuity to pay for living there. If she's going to provide her child with the future his father intended, she must earn an income; but how? Her stepsons, who were on bad terms with their father and whom she's never met, will do nothing to help their half-brother. In fact, they wish he would put on the house and gone.

Noblewomen aren't supposed to work like commoners and the only things she brought to the marriage were her family's impoverished title, a small dowry, and her grandmother's cookbook. With the help of an older widow from her late husband's regiment, she buys a business and works, without appearing to. When a handsome officer from her husband's regiment offers to help them for a time, she accepts, without revealing her secret. But has he really come to help, or is he a spy for her stepsons?

"Love, Savory and Sweet" is about a young woman who experiences two very different relationships with two very different men.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON    

REVIEW

Love, Savory, and Sweet is the third installment in what will soon be called “The Flowers of Penruddock Romance Novella Collection”. Each of her previous romance tales (Read their reviews here and here) take place in the historical fantasy world of Penruddock in different times and settings. In her third installment Love. Savory, and Sweet it’s a tale of widowed love. We first meet the widowed Colonel William who finds love again in the young Krysantha who becomes the heroine of this tale as tragedy strikes (Which I am still distraught over. The moment his character is introduced you cannot help but fall for him!). It is now the newly widowed Krysantha that discovers the same thing her widowed husband discovered in her, that you can find love again. Well, it’s that mixed along with sweet and savory teacakes and a step parent’s nightmare.

Overall this tale of widowed love would be depressing if it was not so dramatically romantic. Henry again writes smooth and poetically placing shocks and surprises just at the right moment to keep you on board throughout the whole tale.

****4 Star Rating

Check out Henry's previous novella's all available on AMAZON

        

                        

About the Author

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in middle age.

Retired now, she lives in Florida.

BOOK REVIEW:Golden Skye of Ansgar 2nd Edition (A Windflower Saga Middle-Grade Novel) Along with Short Story Fly Percy, Fly! by Aleksandra Layland

Synopsis

This is the second edition of the middle-grade fiction novel "Golden Skye of Ansgar" from the epic fantasy book series, the Windflower Saga. It also includes a non-fiction short story about the real Percy the Parrot, after whom a fictional bird character is named.

Set in a medieval-like world, "Golden Skye of Ansgar" is a short middle-grade story based on characters from the epic fantasy novel "Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace." (Part II of the Windflower Saga trilogy). It features a royal family with young children aged from toddlers to twelve years old, their friends, and their animals including horses, ponies, a dog, a cat, and three parrots.

Golden Skye is the name of a beautiful golden warhorse mare sent to Queen Keridwen as a gift. In the stable of the Royal Palace, she makes many new friends. Everyone likes her. She is gentle yet brave, calm yet strong, playful yet ready to work hard. Whenever her friends need help, they know they can count on her, and Skye becomes involved in several adventures.

                Available Now ON Amazon!!!  

REVIEW

Layland revives herself in glory in this second edition of Golden Skye of Ansgar (Review my review of the previous edition here.) The special changes she made turned this story golden.

Golden Skye of Ansgar tells the precocious tale about a special golden coated horse name Golden Skye and her adventures to finding her destiny. Youth readers especially horse lovers will find Golden Skye’s story adventures engaging and gripping. The real star of the tale though may just be a parrot named Percy. Layland’s sweet writing tone will instantly lull young reader in making them feel at home in this sweet tale that unfolds for them.

Golden Skye also includes a special short story Fly Percy, Fly! that tells the tale of the real-life Percy the parrot that inspired the Percy in the story, which I thought was beautiful. I thought it gave the story that little extra something and brought it to a nice conclusion.

Rating ****4 stars



About The Author

Aleksandra Layland is a retired civil engineer and a federal civil servant who worked primarily for the United States Air Force as a senior installation engineering manager responsible for buildings, airfields, infrastructure, fire protection, and emergency preparedness. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Western Caroline Islands where she helped build school classrooms and cafeterias, low-income housing, and simple village water distribution systems. Her other interests include arts and crafts, family genealogy, religion, and spirituality, fostering peace in the world, and enjoying retirement with family and friends.
The Windflower Saga series is comprised of the following volumes which trace the lives of members of the fictional Ansgar ducal family against a background of struggles between forces such as good and evil, love and hate, and war and peace. The series is a unique blending of traditional love stories and adventure and action stories in an "other world" setting, with serious spiritual and moral themes which are addressed in an overall uplifting tone. For all that the characters may face harsh realities, the story of the Ansgar family is a happy one.

Part I of the Trilogy: 
"Ansgar: The Struggle of a People. The Triumph of the Heart."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part I:
"The Feathered Crown"
"Far Endeavor"
"Three Brothers of Ansgar" 
"Bright Star, A Pony of the Kimbrii, A Windflower Saga Story for Kids"
"Tiyo, The Dog Who Saved Ansgar, A Windflower Saga Story for Kids"

Part II of the Trilogy:
"Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part II:
"Bind Not the Heart"
"Leofric of Longridge"
"Keri and Kalina, A Windflower Saga Chapter Book"
"Golden Skye of Ansgar, A Windflower Saga Middle-Grade Novel"

Part III of the Trilogy:
"Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part III:
"Albina"
"Courage of Ansgar"
"Swords of Ansgar"

(being written) "The World of The Windflower Saga, An Illustrated Companion and Author's Commentary"

BOOK REVIEW: Forged in Love: A Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry

Synopsis:

A new village blacksmith, a bachelor in his forties, even one who is as quiet and serious as Henry is reported to be, might well be of interest to any unmarried 40-year-old woman if it weren't that he was so apparently contented in his singlehood. The truth be told, it put the cheerful and witty Penny quite at ease around him, especially when she's introduced to him as a confirmed spinster. With romance off the table, the two quickly become friends.

But how far will friendship go when Penny must find a husband so she can keep an adorable foundling left at Henry's door? And can simple friendship ever be forged into a romance that will fill their hearts as nothing before has ever done?

This is a sweet story that reminds us of the power of love to enter our lives at any age, and in more than one way.

                            AVAILABLE NOW @ AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

Forged in Love: A Romance Novella is the second released by Ronnda Eileen Henry. Set in the same time frame and land as her previous title (Love in Two Acts) Forged in Love is a tale that says it is never too late in life to find love.

Forged in Love is a sweet enjoyable read, but sadly it felt like Henry was holding back on this one. While an excellent story I just wished there was more to it. More detail. More depth in the characters. More depth in the obstacles and challenges these characters faced. It all resolved too easily which made it hard for me to fall in love with the situations and the characters. Overall Henry’s writing is poet sweet and pure, but her goal of novella status to me, in my opinion, hurt this awesome tale. I wanted more storytelling.

RATING ****4 Stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and William Shakespeare (though she prefers to see Shakespeare acted). Retired now, she lives in Florida.