Review of A Wandering Warrior by Hollywood Book Reviews

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Title: A Wandering Warrior
Author: Harry E. Gilleland, Jr.
Publisher: 4RV Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9852661-9-6, Pages: 212, Genre: Historical Fiction Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert, Hollywood Book Reviews, Date Review Completed: May 25, 2013

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.

As 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 relateable, 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.

Win a Free Copy of A Wandering Warrior

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A Wandering Warrior is an action-adventure, historical fiction novel set in late 12th century England. It follows the exploits of a commoner itinerant soldier as he travels throughout the shires of England seeking revenge, finding love, and engaging in battles.

What's an Author to Do to Get Reviews?

A Wandering Warrior, my new action-adventure, historical fiction novel set in late 12th century England was published by 4RV Publishing on 15 April 2013. Since then, I have been in marketing mode, trying to draw attention to and get reviews for my book. People say an author should not buy reviews because paid reviews are tainted somehow. Instead, it is supposedly better to send review copies out and/or solicit free reviews. Free reviews ARE nice. Good luck in getting them!

I sent out emails inquiring about obtaining a free review in exchange for a review copy of my book being mailed to them for free. On April 27th - 29th I emailed twenty-three book review blogs asking for a free review for my book. One of the twenty-three, one responded thus far after more than two weeks ... one out of twenty-three.

I sent emails on May 4th & 5th to Amazon.com top reviewers selected by their giving an email for contact and their book genres interest matching my book's genre. I contacted twenty-five reviewers requesting a review for my book. One responded so far with agreement to read the book for possible review ... one out of twenty-five.

Therefore, in seeking free reviews, I contacted a total of forty-eight blogs and Amazon reviewers, with a total of two responding after nine to seventeen days. It is no wonder that authors turn to paid reviews to get a number of reviews posted to Amazon and to Barnes & Noble.

Anyone interested in posting a free review to Amazon and/or B&N in return for receiving a free copy of A Wandering Warrior, please contact me at my email = hgilleland @ gmail.com (remove spaces).

http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland/dp/0985266198/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366967763&sr=1-2&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior

Cheers!

Harry