Before the Fortress Falls by A.L. Sowards, Blog Tour & Giveaway!

 

Book Summary:

When rumors reach Vienna that an attack by the Ottoman army is imminent, Wilhelm von Schor, one of the emperor’s courtiers, prepares to evacuate his family—including his sister, Katja. But Katja’s reluctance to leave the city and the people she loves so well grows the farther the family carriage gets from her childhood home. When she learns that another brother, Xavier, is returning to Vienna with his musketeers, she decides to remain behind and face the shadow of war.

Katja soon reunites with Xavier and also with Toby, a dear friend from childhood. As Katja and Toby renew their friendship, an element of attraction builds on the comradery of their youth, and they quickly realize they have found something worth fighting for: love. But all too soon, the Ottomans encircle the city, blanketing its inhabitants in fear. Katja, Toby, and Xavier must each fulfill their new roles if they are to survive. In the overcrowded hospitals, below ground in the countermines, and on the ramparts defending the city walls, the three must fight for love, family, faith, and the survival of their city and everyone inside.

My Review:

Wow, this book just blew me away! This is historical fiction like I have never read before. Sowards so completely paints a picture of what it is like to be living inside a city under siege. I felt the fear, the hopelessness, the courage, the strength and determination that the characters were feeling. From deafening cannon fire to explosions from the mining, it all became real as the story unfolded. Katja had courage that was admirable and awe inspiring. Her willingness to help anyone pulled at my heartstrings and emotions. Everyone should want to be like Katja.

Told from three different perspectives, Sowards pulls everything together in an amazing way. The world building was so realistic that at times I was flinching. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t real. This book is not for the feint at heart. It depicts war during the 1600s in a very real and raw way. That is what makes it ring true to the reader. The gentle interweaving of faith and the power of music was beautiful. With the perfect amount of romance sprinkled in, Before the Fortress Falls is an intense and exhilarating journey you don’t want to miss!

About the Author:

A. L. Sowards is the author of multiple historical fiction novels, with settings spanning the globe from the fourteenth to twentieth centuries. Her stories have earned a Whitney Award, several Whitney Finalists positions, and a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal. She enjoys hiking and swimming, usually manages to keep up with the laundry, and loves it when someone else cooks dinner. She currently lives in the beautiful state of Alaska with her husband, three children, and an ever-growing library.

You can connect with her via Linktree:

A. L. Sowards on Linktree

Happy Reading!!!

You can pick up your own copy of Before the Fortress Falls at any of these retailers:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58653736-before-the-fortress-falls

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GLG2CX6/

Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/before-the-fortress-falls?variant_id=198499-paperback

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/before-the-fortress-falls-a-l-sowards/1140216107

Seagull Book: https://www.seagullbook.com/before-the-fortress-falls.html

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