The Historical Fiction Company

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Victory for Heart of Fire!

Eagles and Dragons Publishing has some big news to share today!

As many of you know, 2024 is an Olympic year, and so it is fitting that today we share some wonderful news about Heart of Fire: A Novel of the Ancient Olympics.

First of all, The Historical Fiction Company (HFC) recently awarded Heart of Fire Five Stars and the ‘Highly Recommended’ Award of Excellence.

As the HFC one of the premier reviewers of historical fiction in the world, this is indeed an honour that we are all proud of.

In addition to the award, the HFC’s editorial review of Heart of Fire rendered us speechless with extremely high praise for the story, for Adam’s knowledge and storytelling abilities, and for our amazing editor at Beautiful Ink Editing whose work is “top-notch, making for a smooth reading experience.”

Below are some excerpts from The Historical Fiction Company’s review of Heart of Fire…

“…Haviaras grabs the reader’s interest right away with an engaging and evocative opening. The first sentence immediately immerses the reader in antiquity and establishes the epic tale’s setting. This intriguing hook reveals the author’s skill in drawing readers in from the beginning of the narrative. 

In Heart of Fire, Adam Alexander Haviaras transports us to the vibrant heart of ancient Greece through a story that is both a realistic recreation of the ancient Olympic Games and a voyage of personal salvation. Haviaras is an engrossing, poignant story that is full of the essence of human struggle and victory through the perspective of Kyniska, a Spartan princess with dreams of Olympic glory, and Stefanos, an Argive mercenary with a turbulent background. 

Heart of Fire brings the most famous athletic event in ancient history to serve as the backdrop for a brilliant fusion of romance, mythology, and history. The plot is intriguing, drawing us in with a blend of deep personal stakes and wider historical ramifications. Haviaras explores what it means to pursue glory and redemption in a civilization constrained by strict conventions and long-standing rivalries via the weaving of a tale of love, honor, and ambition…

… The next strong suit of the book is the character development. It’s very well done and we’re able to relate to Stefanos and Kyniska’s challenges and goals because of the nuanced and intricate writing. Stefanos has a fascinating and complex path from a violent existence to one filled with honor and purpose. Kyniska defies the norms of her era and epitomizes strength and resolve. Their growth throughout the book is evidence of Haviaras’ talent for developing believable and incredibly inspirational characters. 

The plot keeps up a smooth flow, with each chapter adding to the story’s increasing energy. Haviaras skillfully strikes a balance between the personal and historical aspects, allowing the story to flow naturally toward its conclusion. Heart of Fire’s continuity is a crucial component that keeps you interested and ready to find out what happens to the characters.”

Green olive wreath on white. Top view

“Another positive of this book is the uniqueness. Heart of Fire is notable for how differently it portrays the historical Olympic Games. Haviaras provides a novel viewpoint on a well-known historical era by contrasting the grandeur of the Olympics with the intimate tales of its protagonists. The novel’s examination of concepts like love, competition, and atonement via the prisms of athletics and combat brings a noteworthy level of uniqueness…

…Heart of Fire‘s narrative arc is expertly written, following a precise path that heightens suspense and expectation. The story moves along at a good clip, striking a pleasing mix of action and emotional nuance from Stefanos’ early search for atonement to the pivotal events of the Olympic Games. The storyline comes to a dramatic climax that not only settles the main problems but also has a long- lasting effect on the reader. 

With vivid descriptions and real dialogue, Haviaras’ writing eloquently and precisely captures the spirit of Ancient Greece. The author’s skill in fusing vivid storytelling with historical detail is astounding, resulting in an engaging and educational story. Heart of Fire is an excellent example of Haviaras’ storytelling ability and his in-depth knowledge of antiquity. 

Heart of Fire ends in a way that is both thought-provoking and satisfying. The conclusion, which will not give away any plot points, sums up the themes of sacrifice and triumph and leaves readers with a strong impression of the characters’ travels. For anyone who has ever dared to dream large, it is a fitting conclusion to the novel’s examination of reaching greatness despite all circumstances. 

In summary, Adam Alexander Haviaras’ Heart of Fire: A Novel of the Ancient Olympics is a magnificent story that vividly and emotionally captures the world of ancient Greece. Haviaras explores the ageless human search for greatness and significance via the connected destiny of Kyniska and Stefanos, as well as the spirit of the ancient Olympics. For those who enjoy historical fiction as well as those who are enthralled with Ancient Greece and its lasting influence, this book is a must-read.”

We’re thrilled by this wonderful award and the amazing review which The Historical Fiction Company has bestowed on Adam and Heart of Fire.

To read the full review on The Historical Fiction Company’s website, CLICK HERE.

If you are looking for an exciting summer read in this year of the Olympiad, then look no further than Heart of Fire: A Novel of the Ancient Olympics!

Heart of Fire is available in e-book, paperback and special edition hardcover from all major online retailers, independent bookstores, brick and mortar chains, and your local public library.

CLICK HERE to buy a copy or get ISBN# information for the edition of your choice.

Remember… There can be no victory without sacrifice.

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Sincerity is a Goddess is a Triumph!

Eagles and Dragons Publishing is proud to announce that our latest release, Sincerity is a Goddess: A Dramatic and Romantic Comedy of Ancient Rome, has been awarded 5 Stars and the ‘Highly Recommended Award of Excellence’ by the Historical Fiction Company.

We are thrilled with the very kind words from the reviewers who posted a very lengthy, detailed review of the book.

Here are some excerpts from the review…

“Sincerity is a Goddess features a large cast of colorful characters that readers will fall in love with. Each one is unique, well developed, and remains believable as a character from ancient Rome. There is a large cast of characters and some readers may find it difficult to keep them all straight. It is clear the author anticipated this because the author includes a list of characters at the beginning of the book which will prove to be invaluable for many readers. The list includes both the characters’ names as well as a short description of each person so readers can quickly reference this list for a reminder if they become confused about characters.

The real gem of Sincerity is a Goddess is the author’s writing styles. Haviaras writes in a way that readers will find themselves immersed in the story quickly. Beautiful imagery and excellent character-related descriptions allow the reader to feel as if he or she were right there watching Felix Modestus and The Etrurian Players prepare for the biggest roles they will have. Haviaras was also able to describe the emotions of the characters in a way that builds empathy in the readers easily.

It is clear that the author has done extensive research about both ancient Rome and Roman mythology. Haviaras portrays both his character, settings, and events in a way that is very true to the time period while also making them very relatable to the modern reader. More evidence of Haviaras’ knowledge of ancient Rome is his use of both a variety of historically accurate vocabulary as well as Latin words. The Latin words could potentially pose a problem for some readers so, like his characters, Havarias remedies this by including a list of Latin terms at the end of the book that readers can easily reference. Roman mythology is deeply embedded throughout the novel and the author has done a fantastic job portraying the gods through their actions and influence with the mortal characters as true to the style of many Roman myths.

Humor is often difficult to incorporate throughout a historical fiction novel but Haviaras has done a fantastic job of weaving humor relevant to the historical setting throughout the novel as well. The humor, romance, and drama in this book combine to create an unforgettable novel that will appeal to a wide audience of riders. The book is quite lengthy which may prove to be a deterrent to some readers. However, the excellent pacing and humor makes the book a bit easier to get through despite its length. The length is also justified by the events of the story. Nothing seems to be extraneous or unneeded in the plot.

Sincerity is a Goddess by Adam Alexander Haviaras is a fun book that will touch readers’ hearts while making them laugh out loud. The modern writing combined with the historical setting and Roman mythology creates a book that is both enjoyable, entertaining, and even a bit educational at times. Readers will appreciate the historical accuracy as well as the humor that this book brings to the table. More than anything, Sincerity is a Goddess is the perfect book when you need a chuckle but also a beautiful reminder of the hope that can be found everywhere.”

– The Historical Fiction Company

To read the full review on the Historical Fiction Company website, just CLICK HERE.

Sincerity is a Goddess is now available in ebook, paperback and hardcover from all major online retailers, independent bookstores, brick and mortar chains, and your local public library.

CLICK HERE to buy a copy or get ISBN# information for the edition of your choice.

The Etrurian Players are coming! Brace yourselves!

 

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