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.
I was born in the Ukraine in 1970, which was then a part of the Soviet Union, a country that no longer exists. Things changed when at the age of sixteen, I immigrated to United States with my family to join my relatives and seek a better life. Assimilating into new culture, learning a new language, finishing high school and college, these were some of the best and most challenging years of my life. After earning my bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design, I sought beauty in all its forms until slowly and rather surprisingly a new irresistible desire emerged inside me: a love of writing.
I had great teachers who taught me the craft with great patience, fun and understanding. I learned from the books written by some of the best writers in the world: Jack London, Ernst Hemingway, David Morell, Isaac Azimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert… And the movies that always inspired me are on my shelf, waiting to be picked up when I need to go where the winds of creation will take me. For me writing is a labor of love. I want to share with my readers all the fun and joy of creativity and imagination. My hobbies include traveling, book and coin collecting, graphic novels, Japanese food and manga, military history and science.
I currently live in New York City where I enjoy the best the Big Apple has to offer.
Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite
Swordpoint by David Crane is a historical novel set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in French history, the 18th century; a story that follows the path of an unusually skilled character, Eugene Francois Vidocq, a thief and a hunted man in search of redemption. He is a skilled swordsman and one who negotiates his path with wit. No wonder that he quickly gets himself under the covers of women's beds. The agents of the French Revolution want his head on a platter and Napoleon’s allies hold him in great disdain. Everywhere he turns, he meets with enemies. Now he has to negotiate his way out — not in his customary way, but with the sword — by becoming the fugitive who hunts other fugitives for justice. Follow this character on a slippery path as he seeks redemption, but can he succeed against the obstacles facing him?
David Crane transports the reader to an exciting historical period and introduces them to characters that are equally exciting and compelling. From the very beginning of the story, the reader is introduced to the protagonist and some of the memorable characters in a scene where the dialogue is great and well-crafted. The reader follows the story as it moves from one intense and action-packed scene to another, featuring passionate love affairs, duels, stabbings-in-the-back, and narrow escapes that only the likes of Vidocq can orchestrate. The writing is awesome and the characters are well-developed. One feels as though they were reliving a part of French history, thanks to the author’s gift for setting. Swordpoint is a roller coaster ride packed with more surprises than readers might expect to find in an ordinary book. You won’t be able to put this one down.
