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RELEASE DATE: 9.8.20
Baptism of Fire by Virginia Crow…what can I say. The amazing eye catching cover caught my eye and even though the title turned me off, it now seems appropriate.
MY REVIEW
I think you may immediately fall in love with 9 year old Kevin, to want to wrap your arms around this sweet child to protect him and to let him know that he is worthy of love. He feels he is cursed, followed by fires and death from one foster home to another.
I love that Virginia Crow gave nothing away in the blurb for Baptism of Fire. The title is interesting, but the wonderfully creative cover is what drew me in and I am so happy to be here. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was not what I got. I got so much more. I thought horror, yeah we have some humankind horror. We have lost and damaged characters that have so much to give, if only…
Baptism of Fire by Virginia Crow is a mystery, but the real story is about Kevin and Reverend Alistair Roberts. About how this wonderful group of damaged people come together. About the healing power of love.
I would have loved an epilogue, but that’s okay. The mystery is solved and all are safe.
I voluntarily reviewed and ARC of Baptism of Fire by Virginia Crow.
GOODREADS BLURB
Kevin gripped Jilly’s coat and his voice became little more than a whisper. “I’m cursed, Jilly. Everyone who looks after me dies in a fire, or someone they love does. I don’t know how to stop it.”
When Rev. Alastair Roberts adopts Kevin Alderman, he dismisses any reference to the boy’s curse. But, as the pair spend more time in each other’s company, it becomes apparent that Kevin is not the only one with a bitter past.
As the past continues to haunt them, can they hope to change their future?
EXCERPT
“Where’s Kevin?” He looked around the room, panic seeping into him, but he forced himself to keep smiling. “Tuck in,” he continued. “I’ll just go find him.”
He squeezed past the gathered people, but Trish stopped him at the door.
“Are you alright, Vicar?” she asked, her voice clipped but her tone caring.
“I’m just going to find Kevin,” he explained.
“Did he do it?”
“Do what?” Alastair asked, confusion on his face.
“That,” she said, pointing at the dresser.
“No,” Alastair whispered, staring at the array of crossed out photographs. He didn’t know whether the word was in answer to Trish’s question or a statement of disbelief. Perhaps it was both. He took the door handle and put all his weight onto it.
“Do you want me to go find him?” she asked. “He’ll just be outside.”
“No, I’ll go. But would you do something for me?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at the other people.
“Yes. What is it?”
“Don’t make a fuss, just take them down.”
Trish placed her hand on his arm and nodded across at him. Alastair stepped out of the room and back over to the French windows, then out into the garden. The sudden change from clear electric lights into the darkness took his eyes a moment to adjust, and he stood still for a time, waiting for them to focus.
“Kevin?” he called softly. There were one or two people still standing by the bonfire, smokers mainly, but Kevin wasn’t with them.
ABOUT VIRGINIA CROW
Virginia grew up in Orkney, using the breath-taking scenery to fuel her imagination and the writing fire within her. Her favourite genres to write are fantasy and historical fiction, sometimes mixing the two together such as her newly-published book “Caledon”. She enjoys swashbuckling stories such as the Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and is still waiting for a screen adaption that lives up to the book!
When she’s not writing, Virginia is usually to be found teaching music, and obtained her MLitt in “History of the Highlands and Islands” last year. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of music, especially as a tool of inspiration. She also helps out with the John o’ Groats Book Festival which is celebrating its 3rd year this April.
She now lives in the far flung corner of Scotland, soaking in inspiration from the rugged cliffs and miles of sandy beaches.
She loves cheese, music and films, but hates mushrooms.
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Thank you for featuring me and my book – and for the fantastic review! – on you brilliant blog. I’m delighted you enjoyed the book!
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it is my pleasure. this was different from what i expected, and that made it a very pleasant surprise
Thank you!
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Thanks for hosting!
my pleasure
Poor Kevin, I wonder what happened in his past. Alistair, too. Best of luck to Ms. Crow on this recent release!
yes, i immediately wanted to protect kevin
Thank you, Priscilla! I’ve had a great month of online book events. No in-person events due to Covid, though!
I like the cover. The colors are amazing.
doesn’t it just jump right out at ya
Thank you! I can’t take the credit for that – Crowvus has a super cover artist!
Good Morning! Your book sounds great and I’m glad I got to learn about it. Thank you!
good luck james
Thanks, James!
Neat cover, fits the title well.
fits the story too
Thank you, Julie! The Crowvus cover artist is a real star 🙂
Never seen this book before but it’s good to know that you enjoyed it. Sometimes you really just want that epilogue and read how everyone you loved in the book ended up. Feels good when a book has them 🙂
yes, i do love an epilogue.
It was a tricky decision to leave the book where I did, but I hope each reader will put something of themselves into the events which follow. I tried to build characters everyone could (at least in part!) connect with. I love imagining all the different futures readers will give to my characters!
They’re your characters, now!
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I also think this has a wonderfully creative cover
for sure
The Crowvus cover artist did a great job! There’s no way I’m clever enough to do that!
I like the excerpt, sounds good.
it surely was. i would definitely read more of her work
Thanks, Rita!
The title and cover are attention getting.
i totally agree
Thank you! Though, I have to be honest, I can’t take the credit for either of these!
Well now, you have me curious.
mission accomplished
That’s what I like to hear, Kimberly! I’d love to know what you think of the book – I absolutely love feedback, and sneak my author email on the copyright page of all my books in the hope my readers will let me know what they thought!
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Great review! Sometimes “real life” horror is worst than anything made up for sure!
thanks jennifer. i think real life horror is so much scarier than made up horror. it definitely affects me more
I totally agree. People can be much scarier and more frightening than monsters. I hope this book shows the very best as well as the very worst of people.
Enjoyed the excerpt, sounds fascinating! Thanks for sharing and for the review!
my pleasure. glad you enjoyed it
Thank you, Eva, I’m delighted you enjoyed the excerpt. And I’ll second that thanks for a fantastic review!!!!
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Love the cover! Very gothic and mysterious looking!
for sure denise. the cover is usually what hooks me first
Thanks, Denise! The Crowvus cover designer is a real artist!
Great colour combination too! Dark black-grey for mystery, then the orange-red blood. Love it!
Love the cover! Very gothic and mysterious looking! The captcha says this is a duplicate comment. Yet my comment is not there.
sorry about that. sometimes, for whatever gremlin reason, comments go to trash. i do, however, check often to rescue them.
Good to know.
Great colour combination too! Dark black-grey for mystery, then the orange-red blood. Love it!