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.
Amanda is the author of the historical action & adventure series A Country for Castoffs, which combines her family history with the larger historical context to educate and entertain a new generation of readers. She has researched her family genealogy for decades and taught middle and high school history for fourteen years. She loves the fragile beauty Sonoran Desert where she lives most of the year and the vibrant Willamette River each summer. Though her best inspirations reside with the ever-changing Sea of Cortez, where she has watched her three children grow up over the years, and now enjoys watching her grandchildren making new discoveries for themselves!
Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite
In Thrown to the Wind: A Country for Castoffs by Amanda M. Cetas, many in the population of La Rochelle are Huguenots. The previous king had allowed them to be, but the current king wants everyone to conform to the Catholic religion and sends his musketeers to enforce the new rules. Etienne has always wanted to be part of this elite force, but his Protestant roots stand in the way. His best friend has offered a way for Etienne to remain in La Rochelle and maybe even become a musketeer, as he has always wanted. But in a sudden twist of events, the family has to embark on a dangerous journey to start afresh in Amsterdam. How will Etienne deal with his dilemma? Will he accept his friend's offer or follow his family to this new place to avoid persecution?
One of the themes that stand out in Thrown to the Wind by Amanda. M. Cetas is the role of religion in society. The dynamics of power and control also become apparent, and one can't help but question to what extent governments should get involved in religion and the role of religious leaders in interpreting the scriptures. This thought-provoking work also aroused my curiosity about history and Calvinism. I cannot wait to read more about the Huguenots. The characters were well-developed, and the author subtly ensured that the narrative was effective in passing on the intended message without alienating anyone. All the events and places were vividly described, which helped to capture my imagination. I also loved the steady narration, which kept me intrigued.
