Book Details:
Book Title: Enigma (Road to the Breaking Book 2) by Chris Bennett
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +) , 514 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: CPB Publishing, LLC
Release date: February 2021
Format available for review: print - softback, e-book ( mobi file (for Kindle), ePub, PDF)
Will send print books out: USA
Book Description:
“How can I call myself a man of good conscience, when I myself am no better than a slaver?”
It’s summer 1860, and former army Captain Nathan Chambers has returned home to Virginia to claim his inheritance: a large plantation with more than one hundred slaves. Nathan wants no part of slavery and intends to sell the farm and all its slaves. But even as he arrives home, enduring fearful and downcast stares from despondent black faces, he knows what he must do … and the price he must pay for doing it.
As Nathan works to carry out his ambitious plans, he is troubled by rumors of succession and war, even as a villainous neighbor plots a violent end to their decades-long family feud.
And then Evelyn arrives … strikingly beautiful, spirited, and intriguing, she is the daughter of an old family friend. But the more Nathan is drawn in by her charms, the harder she pushes him away …
The Road to the Breaking Series is an epic tale of a young nation seething with debauchery, brutality, corruption, and political intrigue, unwittingly on the brink of a deadly precipice: the American Civil War. In Book 2 of the series, Nathan Chambers has returned from the violent army life out West, only to face a heart wrenching Enigma at home.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Enigma continues the story of book one in the series, Road to the Breaking, and it's good to read these books in order because one picks up where the other one leaves off. I enjoyed following the story of Captain Nathan Chambers as he heads to Virginia to claim the inheritance left to him. This could prove a problem because Nathan wants nothing to do with slavery or owning the slaves on the farm. Again Chris Bennett writes an amazing story that will keep you reading till the very last page. The characters from book one as well as new characters introduced are so well creates and tell their story well as the plot unfolds. And I love all of the historical details throughout the book. You historical fiction buffs will have a great time with this series. Every part of it is so interesting and intriguing. And again, the ending kind of leaves readers hanging and waiting for the next book before we really see what's going on. I look forward to reading book three and I highly recommend book one, Road to the Breaking and book two Enigma for you to read now. I think you will find this a very worthy series. Enigma is a worthy Five stars for me.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Join me in reading this interesting interview from the author.
What made you write a book about the Civil War? Are you a big history buff?
My grandmother was a high school history teacher (and so was her daughter, my Aunt Gay who has helped me do research for my series), and also very into reading historical non-fiction books. She had a room in her house that had bookshelves floor to ceiling on three walls, and a large portion of these were on the American Civil War. I remember sitting in that room, looking through those books, and asking her questions about them. So the names Grant, Sherman, and Lee (along with Lincoln and Jefferson Davis) were well known to me from an early age. My Dad was also a big history buff, though more into WWII as that had been the big event of his childhood. As you can imagine, I took a lot of history courses in college, along with political science. So, when it came time to write a book, historical fiction seemed a natural fit, and it was a toss-up between the American Civil War and WWII. I had several plots in mind for both time periods, but settled on the Civil War story because it seemed the most compelling and timely with all that was currently happening in the world.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
I have not experienced it yet, I’m happy to say. But I have recently concluded that writing historical fiction gives you a big advantage in overcoming that potential scenario. Each time I have wondered what the plot should be in the next book of the series, I just dive into the historical research (i.e. “What happened in this specific time period in the area where my main characters are located?”) and end up discovering some obscure but fascinating details of things that were actually happening. As they say, “truth is stranger than fiction”, and “you just can’t make this stuff up!” I love including actual people and events in my books, then just weaving my fictional characters in. I think most of my readers would be surprised (if they did the research) to discover how many of the things in my books are factual.
What is your next project?
I’m currently working on Book 6 of Road to the Breaking, and it’s looking like, according to the timeline, it’s going to be a ten-book series to get it to the end of the Civil War. After that I have a few things in mind:
- Continuing with Nathan’s descendants through time, with a tradition of attending West Point and being involved in the nation’s major conflicts
- Writing one of the WWII plots I had originally considered
- A Road to the Breaking prequal (Nathan’s childhood?)
- Or a standalone, spinoff novel focusing one or more of the interesting side characters of the original series.
I’m thinking I may ask my readers for input on what they’d like to see next (maybe do a poll?)
Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?
I like sipping Scotch with a bite of dark chocolate. One of my favorite quotes is from Hemingway, “Write drunk, edit sober,” which has some truth to it, though I think the Scotch works best in moderation!
Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?
Mostly just the Scotch (see above.) Other than that, I tend to write pretty much any chance I get, so I keep a laptop laying around the house that I can use whenever I have a few spare moments, or an idea hits me. Otherwise, the hardcore writing is done at my desk on a regular workstation, with two large monitors (the one on the left is used for doing the research, and the one on the write for actual writing.)
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?
Lord of the Rings, King James Bible, and Road to the Breaking (can I have the whole series?)
Book Details:
Book Title: Road to the Breaking
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +) , 345 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: CPB Publishing, LLC
Release date: January 2021
Content Rating: PG-13. Cursing, violence and war scenes, etc.
Book Description:
Nothing survived “The Breaking” unchanged; lives and fortunes, love and hate, freedom and slavery …
It’s early 1860, and war hero Captain Nathaniel Chambers, commander U.S. Army Fort Davis in the west Texas wilderness, has received shocking news – his father is dead. He must return home to Virginia and claim his inheritance before a maniacal neighbor can murder his widowed mother and seize the family plantation.
But he’s torn by a terrible dilemma – to stay in the army and turn his back on his fortune, his mother and his beloved childhood home, or become the thing he despises; a slave master! Is there no other choice?
An epic journey across a young nation seething with debauchery, brutality, corruption, and political intrigue, unwittingly on the brink of an unimaginable disaster; the American Civil War. Nathan Chambers has left the violent army life behind in Texas, never imaging he’s on the very Road to The Breaking.
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Enjoy Book 2 in The Road to the Breaking series:
Book Details:
Book Title: Enigma (Road to the Breaking Book 2) by Chris Bennett
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +) , 514 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: CPB Publishing, LLC
Release date: February 2021
Format available for review: print - softback, e-book ( mobi file (for Kindle), ePub, PDF)
Will send print books out: USA
Content Rating: PG-13. Cursing, violence and war scenes, etc.
Book Description:
“How can I call myself a man of good conscience, when I myself am no better than a slaver?”
It’s summer 1860, and former army Captain Nathan Chambers has returned home to Virginia to claim his inheritance: a large plantation with more than one hundred slaves. Nathan wants no part of slavery and intends to sell the farm and all its slaves. But even as he arrives home, enduring fearful and downcast stares from despondent black faces, he knows what he must do … and the price he must pay for doing it.
As Nathan works to carry out his ambitious plans, he is troubled by
rumors of succession and war, even as a villainous neighbor plots a
violent end to their decades-long family feud.
And then Evelyn arrives … strikingly beautiful, spirited, and
intriguing, she is the daughter of an old family friend. But the more
Nathan is drawn in by her charms, the harder she pushes him away …
The Road to the Breaking Series is an epic tale of a young nation seething with debauchery, brutality, corruption, and political intrigue, unwittingly on the brink of a deadly precipice: the American Civil War. In Book 2 of the series, Nathan Chambers has returned from the
violent army life out West, only to face a heart wrenching Enigma at home.
BUY THE BOOK:
Add to Goodread
Meet the Author:
Chris A. Bennett grew up on the shores of Klamath Lake in southeastern Oregon. For a young boy it was a dream world of water, hills, forests, and abundant wildlife. His love for action and adventure morphed into a lifelong love for books when his Mom read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to the family on a long road trip.
Chris's thirst for adventure never faded and he began to live out his love of history onto the pages of his first book, Road to the Breaking. Once he started writing he just couldn't stop and the result is The Road to the Breaking series; an epic journey across a young nation seething with debauchery, brutality, corruption, and political intrigue, unwittingly on the brink of an unimaginable disaster: the American Civil
War.
Chris currently lives near Seattle with his wife Patricia. His three adult children Nick, Rachel, and Josh also live in the Puget Sound area.
Tour Schedule:
July 6 – Cover Lover Book Review – books spotlight / giveaway
July 6 - Working Mommy journal – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 7 – The Momma Spot - book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 8 – Books for Books - book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1)
July 12 – Books for Books - book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2)
July 13 – Locks, Hooks and Books - book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 13 – Bound 4 Escape - book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 15 – Jazzy Book Reviews – books spotlight / guest post / giveaway
July 16 – The Momma Spot - book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 19 – Splashes of Joy – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / author interview / giveaway
July 19 - Book Corner News and Reviews - book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 20 – Locks, Hooks and Books - book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 20 – Bound 4 Escape - book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 20 - Book Corner News and Reviews - book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 20 - fundinmental - books spotlight / giveaway
July 21 – @twilight_reader – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1)
July 21 – Literary Flits - books spotlight / giveaway
July 22 – @twilight_reader – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2)
July 22 - Character Madness and Musings - book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / guest post / giveaway
July 23 – Splashes of Joy – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 23 - Character Madness and Musings - book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 26 – Sadie's Spotlight – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Enter the Giveaway:
A ROAD TO BREAKING Book Tour Giveaway
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