ARTIMON (August 2024)
Every new beginning comes from another beginning's end.
-Lucius Annaeus Seneca
https://www.amazon.com/Artimon-Montenegrin-Leigh-Grant/dp/B0DBL8YYW9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LYKIP825AF5D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lj683lECP8BB9rF3Uy3BLw.-SpBlJ8VVHUIxZh2poZNij6mRtG7w4WQ45H5_HpMMLs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Artimon+Leigh+Grant&qid=1758829949&sprefix=artimon+leigh+grant%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1
In late 15th century Venice, only four people are aware and accepting of the subterfuge of his undetectable mask, and Rade's true scarred face behind it. His father-in-law urges him to leave Venice and immerse himself in the French invasion of the states of Italy. Create a story. Get rid of the mask. Come back as who you really are - so the rest of the world will accept your scars. He presents Rade with an unruly cavalry horse named Artimon. A gift Rade doesn't want. Rade departs, accompanied by his manservant and friend, Alberico, along with a mule train loaded with grain to sell to the French. Things start going wrong early on. Crossing the Apennines, an accident separates Rade from Alberico and Artimon. Bereft, his young bride, Caterina, struggles to reorder her life and Rade makes the acquaintance of Maria. Thus begins a journey that culminates in the notorious Battle of Fornovo - for Rade, a struggle for survival. His marriage, strained to the breaking point, falters.
"Artimon, Leigh Grant's excellent sequel to her Mask of Dreams, once again demonstrates how an impeccable command of Italian Renaissance history and material culture can enrich the genre of historical romance. Her protagonists, Rade and Caterina, bring this turbulent world to life, from the canals of Venice to the rugged Apennines, against the background of the brutal opening years of the "Italian Wars" and its most dramatic and fateful battle at Fornovo di Taro (1495)." Paul H. D. Kaplan, Professor of Art History, Purchase College, SUNY
In Artimon (Sequel to Mask of Dreams) Leigh Grant skillfully carries on her captivating historical narrative, transporting readers to the volatile world of Venice in the late 15th century and beyond. The protagonist of the book is Rade, a guy whose position in society is determined by his secret emotional and physical scars. Grant tells a gripping and intensely engaging story of personal growth, tragedy, and redemption as he sets out on a trip that entwines with the major political and military movements of Renaissance Italy. There are maps, as well as a glossary at the start to help you familiarize yourself with the language and certain terms that may be used inside. I found this really helpful, since I would not have known some of these words heading into the book.
Artimon's compelling premise captures the reader's attention from the first page. His father-in-law encourages Rade, who is used to hiding behind an invisible mask, to take off his disguise and show the world who he really is. Armed only with his cunning, a mule train of grain, and a reluctant gift - an untamed military horse named Artimon - he is thrown into the turmoil of the French invasion of Italy. The stakes are escalated as his voyage progresses through a number of unexpected turns: he is left alone in a dangerous and politically intrigued area when an accident in the Apennines separates him from his loyal friend and servant, Alberico, and his unruly horse. The narrative gains depth as his young bride, Caterina, battles with his absence on an emotional and psychological level.
Character development is one of the book's strongest points. Rade, who battles with survival, love, and self-acceptance, is an incredibly captivating hero. He undergoes a significant and emotionally impactful transformation from a man hiding behind a mask to someone who must face his actual self. Rade's inner anguish is faithfully balanced by Alberico, and their connection gives the narrative layers of warmth and companionship. The character arc of Caterina is equally well-developed. She is more than just a supporting character because of her suffering and development while Rade is away; she is a whole person with her own challenges and assets. Rade's loyalty to his wife is called into question by Maria, a new acquaintance, who also heightens the tension in an already compelling story.
Grant keeps the historical locations and earlier character arcs consistent, which is a great continuation from Mask of Dreams. Transitions between the various storylines - Caterina's hardships, Rade's voyage, and the larger political scene - are seamless and well-coordinated. Grant's mastery of historical fiction is demonstrated by the way the personal narratives, and the historical setting never seem to be separated.
Without giving anything away, Artimon has a moving and fulfilling conclusion. It wraps up the novel's themes - identity, acceptance, and resilience - rather than simple answers. The ending offers an emotionally satisfying feeling of closure while also leaving space for future development in the series.
Despite the fact that historical fiction frequently retraces well-traveled routes, Artimon stands out for its attention to a little-known era and its intensely intimate storytelling style. A distinctive fusion of history and human emotion is produced by the themes of self-acceptance and metamorphosis against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy. The novel gains further uniqueness from the use of Artimon, the horse, as a physical and symbolic barrier.
The novel appeals to both historical epics and character-driven narratives because of Grant's balance between action and introspection, her descriptions of 15th-century Venice and the war-torn Italian states are rich without being overly dense, and her dialogue is purposeful and sharp, revealing character motivations and historical context naturally.
4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company - review by DK Marley
Grant's follow up to Mask of Dreams is an engaging story of a non-traditional hero, separated from his true love, who endures devastating hardship in his quest for self-acceptance. Rade's challenges and vulnerabilities will quickly endear him to readers, who will cheer his cause from the start. Grant's memorable characters, particularly the central couple, make Artimon a striking novel, bursting with deep moments of emotion and intimacy. Grant depicts a heartfelt love between Rade and Caterina that feels genuine, drawing the characters together across the book's multitude of events while still developing their individual personalities at the same time. - Booklife Prize
Honorable Mention from Writers Digest for Mainstream/Literary category (2025)
Congratulations! Your book, Artimon (Book II of Mask of Dreams), was named an Honorable Mention in the Mainstream/Literary Fiction category of the 33rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. There were 1,450 overall submissions this year. Among the eight categories, only 28 honorable mentions were awarded in all; your achievement is something to be very proud of!
"The set pieces are well-written and the main characters easy to root for."
Wayne Turmel, Historical Novel Society
MASK OF DREAMS (November 13, 2022)
Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is;
for then at last words of truth are drawn from the depths of his heart,
and the mask is torn off.
― Titus Lucretius Carus, De Rerum Natura
https://www.amazon.com/Mask-Dreams-Leigh-Grant/dp/B0BM3YZZQ8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UVUIJHBZT9EN&keywords=leigh+grant&qid=1668815880&sprefix=leigh+grant%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1
In 15th century Venice, Caterina struggles against the inevitability of an arranged marriage to a man old enough to be her father. Powerless, she is consumed by dread as the process spins out of control. The betrothal fails. A letter meant to manage future suitors goes astray. Out of the violence of the Balkans comes Rade, a lawless, charismatic Slav. Having won the letter―containing a belief that the soul's beauty is reflected in the beauty of the face―in a card game, he sees it as the hand of fate.
Though scarred, Rade attempts through the artifice of a lifelike mask, to enter her world of mercantile wealth. To protect Caterina, her father negotiates a lengthy agreement. The mask, meant to be a temporary ruse, becomes, of necessity, permanent. To further complicate the situation for Caterina, a new love interest appears. From fairs to shipwrecks, bull-baiting to rescues, noble house to villa in the hills, the time arrives when Rade is hopelessly entangled in her life. Desperate, he finds he can no longer continue the deception. A choice must be made.
Recipient of Chanticleer's 2017 CHATELAINE Grand Prize for Romantic and Women's Fiction (awarded 2018)
2017
Short-listed for Winner of Historical Fiction Before 1750, Chaucer Award, Chanticleer Reviews
KIRKUS REVIEW: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/author/leigh-grant-1/
MASK OF DREAMS: FIVE STARS AND THE "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FROM THE HISTORICAL FICTION COMPANY, 2022:
https://www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/post/a-merging-of-balkan-and-venetian-history-and-worlds-an-editorial-review-of-mask-of-dreams
"A huge, sprawling achievement. With its addictive plotting and believable characters backed up by clearly thorough research of the era, the novel is sure to linger long in the memory as an expertly woven, richly detailed, and thoroughly gripping work of historical fiction. Grant's characterization, matched with the brutal veracity of the time, brings the period to vivid life, for a period setting that is immersive, immediate, and wholly believable. A clear labor of love for the author, Mask of Dreams is a beautifully written book, scholarly yet page-turning, which should delight lovers of both historical fiction and adventure narratives." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★★
Honorable Mention from Writers Digest for Mainstream/Literary category (2023)
Congratulations! Your book, Mask of Dreams, was named an Honorable Mention in the Mainstream/Literary Fiction category of the 31st Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. There were 1,543 overall submissions this year. Among the eight categories, only 25 honorable mentions were awarded in all; your achievement is something to be very proud of!
"Congratulations, again, on your manuscript MASK of DREAMS taking home the Chatelaine Grand Prize, a division of the CIBAs!" Kathryn Brown, president, Chanticleer Reviews, LLC
"As a scholar specializing in Venetian Renaissance art who has some expertise in Balkan history and culture, I have been struck by Ms. Grant's in-depth knowledge of the social and political history of both these regions, and the effortless way in which she integrates that knowledge with her lively plot and memorable characters. Venice of the 1490s and the first years of the 1500s is a rich but largely untapped setting for the modern historical novel, and Ms. Grant's work makes the period come alive." Paul H. D. Kaplan, Professor of Art History, Purchase College, SUNY
"Wow! What an achievement--in the writing, the research, the narrative, the dialogue, EVERYTHING! I am so impressed with MASK OF DREAMS. I am dazzled at what you have accomplished." Patricia Brooks, author, N. Y. Times columnist
"One of the best novels I have read in many years. Ms. Grant is so articulate and thoughtful while simultaneously weaving an exciting page-turner. She has the rare ability to combine a comprehensive knowledge of historical fact with an exciting plot and characters who come alive." Robert Kruger, PhD
"Leigh Grant forges a different ambiance and background in her historical romance, Mask of Dreams. Through an intricate weave of characters, cultural differences, and secrecy, Grant constructs a fascinating storyline. The novel begins with Caterina's unfortunate behavior and its consequences, which at her age should have been a factor, but the pride of a man's reputation was on the line. The author gives an in-depth view of her dreams, hopes, and disappointments. When Rade's fate changes, he is brave enough to take hold with an iron fist; his kindness and integrity are seen only by those closest to him. The dynamics between Caterina and Rade clash, keeping the reader absorbed in their drama. Overall, Grant writes with an originality that is spectacular and engaging. The plotline and conflict make this a fascinating novel." - Readers' Favorite 5-star review by Peggy Jo Wipf
"I'm impressed with these characters, particularly Caterina, whose intelligence and power are apparent in the ways she exploits the patriarchal system and works within in its confines to shape her own destiny. Her love story with Rade is exciting and believable, and forms a high point of the novel. Grant is clearly well-versed in Renaissance Italy, and her passion for the time and place, particularly Venice, radiates from the page." - Feedback from an editor
"Reading Mask of Dreams is a unique experience. Masks and hidden identities play an important role in this novel. The story is descriptive without being annoyingly long, which means the descriptions are helpful and entertaining to read. While the pace of the story is great, it is the descriptions that bind the story together for me. They are so vivid that I can easily imagine living in the pages with Caterina. Author Leigh Grant explains sounds and images in such a glorious way that I believe no reader will have trouble forming a connection with the characters and falling in love with the narrative. You can tell Grant put a lot of thought into each moment of the story and I love that." - Readers' Favorite 5-star review by Rabia Tanveer
"Driven by the pull of fate and a belief in prophecy, Rade makes a life-changing journey towards his destiny. When he first meets Caterina and her father, he is determined to take advantage of their wealth. Leigh Grant explores the ups and downs of what becomes a fated romance in Mask of Dreams. It is a story that unravels different aspects of each character like the layers of an onion. Set in a patriarchal society where women have minimal freedom of choice, it explores the mind and heart of a strong woman. Mask of Dreams gives the reader all the experiences of a love story – love, betrayal, jealousy, longing, rejection, separation, reconciliation, compassion. In the end, it makes one think of the true value in relationships, both romantic and familial." - Readers' Favorite 4-star review by Soumya Sreehari
"Read the book and loved it. Couldn't put it down." - Roberta
"Yikes! You need a publisher!! It's unbelievable.
Well, sadly, I finished your book. I wanted it to go on and on. I loved the ending!" - Heidi
"Wonderful to see the characters grow and/or be revealed to the reader, showing empathy and humor and depth. Their love often shown through subtle hints or through the eyes of other characters. The unfolding of who they are vs what they seem, and then who they Really are deep down …… told wonderfully and very gripping to the end." - Anne
AMAZING EGYPT POP-O-RAMA
An Egyptian extravaganza of panoramic proportions! These highly detailed pop-up scenes allow readers to explore the building of pyramids and magnificent temples, and life on the River Nile. With timeline and information on the back of each pop.
Book folds out into a very large 3 panelled scene of Egypt with plenty of information about Egyptian history on the back. Great for school projects although text more suitable for older children as v. detailed. We found it useful as a visual aid for school Egyptian topic just to get a feeling for Egyptian life and the immense scale of their buildings.
ROME: A FOLD-OUT HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT CIVILIZATION
Experience Rome in all its glory through this entertaining and informative 3-D replica of the humming city center of ancient civilization. Standing over a foot tall and more than four feet long, Rome easily unfolds on a tabletop to depict nearly every aspect of Roman life in a series of dramatic and detailed scenes.
It's all here, including the forum with its temples, senate house, and courts of law; the colosseum where gladiators fight for their lives and crowds cheer and jeer them; and the hustle and bustle of the street, including apartments and shops, merchants plying their wares, jugglers and acrobats entertaining the crowd, and two-horse chariots racing over newly–built Roman roads.
The book is laid out accordion-style, with six panels on the front folding out into full-color scenes. On the back of each panel, lively, informative text describes the functions of the buildings, the rules of the colosseum, the life of a gladiator, the class structure of Roman society, and much more. The book also includes a complete time line of the important events in the history of ancient Rome.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: A CELEBRATION AND HISTORY
Few Christmas songs are as well known, well loved, or more often sung than The 12 Days of Christmas. We know all the verses, but we don't know the origins of meanings of these 12 seemingly simple rhymes. Grant has traced the history of the Christmas celebrations evoked in the song all the way back to their ancient and medieval roots. Accompanying her charming full-color paintings are brief riddle-rhymes that hint at the other meanings of the verses and the scenes depicted. Following are delightful texts that explain the old traditions of year-end celebrations, some of them dating back to Greek and Roman times.
Steven Dohanos Award for Our Own Show 1995
Book of the Month Club selection
Appearance on the Christmas Today Show with Katie Couric
KIRKUS REVIEW
"An enlightening rendition of the holiday song, enhanced by generous historical notes and elaborate, festive illustrations. Grant (Clyde Robert Bulla's The Shoeshine Girl, 1989, etc.) traces the lyrics, first published in England in 1780, to a much-older memory-and-forfeits game played for centuries in several countries. Here she gives them an 18th-century setting: The six avian gifts (the five gold rings, she suggests, are ring-necked pheasants) are arrayed against carved furniture and large tapestries; the people, in period dress, celebrate in a palatial country house or around a solstice bonfire. Grant follows the song with often-startling explorations of each verse's meaning and historical background--the birds as fertility symbols, customs and food, the pagan origins of wassailing--that will have readers looking at both the song and the holiday with new eyes. There's no musical arrangement (then again, who will need one?). Other versions of the song abound, but this may well supersede them all." (Picture book/folklore. 9+)