This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite
Outlander meets art in Storm at the Keizer Manor by Ramcy Diek. Annet, a pregnant woman from the 21st century, finds herself in the 1800s after she had gone for a walk in the dunes with her boyfriend, Forrest (the father of her unborn child). A storm had surprised them, and apparently transported her - but not him - back in time. Unfortunately for Forrest, some people became suspicious of him because he had last been seen having an argument with his girlfriend. Part of the novel concerns itself with his search for Annet, but the majority of the novel is about how Annet deals with life in the 1800s, and how the outspoken woman who loves to swear and carries a child out of wedlock ends up in a monastery of all places. Initially, Annet thinks it's all a prank, but then she meets the 19th century master painter Alexander Keizer, whose paintings are exhibited in the museum she work for, and who should be long dead. Annet accepts her fate, but wants to find a way home. However, the longer she stays in the past, the more she learns about what has been going on in her life, and what she really needs for happiness.
Readers who love time travel romances, Outlander for example, will feel right at home in the pages of Storm at the Keizer Manor by Ramcy Diek. The novel is not as rich in history as the Outlander series (which has a bit too much of everything for my taste - too much sex, too much history, too many long, winding passages that say nothing at all), but that's not a bad thing. Readers will learn quite a bit about industrialization, especially when it comes to sewing and the sewing machine. The main focus, however, is not on history, but on the development of Annet. I found the novel to be a very pleasant experience and it was also exciting in a certain way. There is, obviously, some romance going on, but it's not over the top, and naked bodies are clearly not the selling point of this novel. It has substance, and I found the ending rather satisfying. I was hoping it would end that way! It's not a taxing read, and ideal for comfortable reading sessions at the end of a busy day.