Praise for: Sub Rosa - Sactuary's End
Los Angeles Book Festival 2015
Honorable Mention, General Fiction
Bruce Haring, Festival Director: (http://www.losangelesbookfestival.com/)
“...Less than five percent of entries are ever honored...”
Ian Bull
Author: The Picture Kills (ianbullauthor.com)
“I love historical fiction, I love thrillers, and this book combines the two in a fast-paced read that grabs you from the start. For me, it was like “Gangs of New York” meets The “Da Vinci Code,” set in the ancient world. What would happen if all the knowledge on the Internet was destroyed overnight? And what if roving gangs of religious zealots seeking power were behind it all? That’s what happened in the 4th Century AD when the Library of Alexandria burnt down. All the knowledge of the ancient world disappeared… This book captures the drama of that precise day, with warring factions battling each other for control of not just the city, but the future of the Holy Roman Empire. I recommend this five star book, and I hope that the hero, Marcus Seanus, also known as The Stranger, shows up in future books!”
Philip Reed
Author: Bird Dog, Low Rider and The Marquis de Fraud (philip-reed.com)
“While I'm not big on historical novels, I really enjoyed Sub Rosa – Sanctuary’s End once I got into it. It was engaging, exciting, readable and quite vivid. The research is incredible with details woven seamlessly. It also built to a climax with an ending that was both satisfying and seemed to be setting up a sequel at the same time. The writing throughout is consistent and strong. I think fans of historical novels will really enjoy this book. Barry brought history to life.”
Ramana Pureti
Review, Teluglobe Website
“The book is an engaging historical thriller and an engrossing page turner which transports one to the times. I have never read a book like this which portrays an obscure part of history in a thoroughly compelling and engaging manner. The aspects of life in this time are described in the most ornate and vivid detail which is only possible from someone with a great conviction and knowledge of the subject matter. The characters, their personalities, names and the mannerisms will live in the minds of readers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.”
Honorable Mention, General Fiction
Bruce Haring, Festival Director: (http://www.losangelesbookfestival.com/)
“...Less than five percent of entries are ever honored...”
Ian Bull
Author: The Picture Kills (ianbullauthor.com)
“I love historical fiction, I love thrillers, and this book combines the two in a fast-paced read that grabs you from the start. For me, it was like “Gangs of New York” meets The “Da Vinci Code,” set in the ancient world. What would happen if all the knowledge on the Internet was destroyed overnight? And what if roving gangs of religious zealots seeking power were behind it all? That’s what happened in the 4th Century AD when the Library of Alexandria burnt down. All the knowledge of the ancient world disappeared… This book captures the drama of that precise day, with warring factions battling each other for control of not just the city, but the future of the Holy Roman Empire. I recommend this five star book, and I hope that the hero, Marcus Seanus, also known as The Stranger, shows up in future books!”
Philip Reed
Author: Bird Dog, Low Rider and The Marquis de Fraud (philip-reed.com)
“While I'm not big on historical novels, I really enjoyed Sub Rosa – Sanctuary’s End once I got into it. It was engaging, exciting, readable and quite vivid. The research is incredible with details woven seamlessly. It also built to a climax with an ending that was both satisfying and seemed to be setting up a sequel at the same time. The writing throughout is consistent and strong. I think fans of historical novels will really enjoy this book. Barry brought history to life.”
Ramana Pureti
Review, Teluglobe Website
“The book is an engaging historical thriller and an engrossing page turner which transports one to the times. I have never read a book like this which portrays an obscure part of history in a thoroughly compelling and engaging manner. The aspects of life in this time are described in the most ornate and vivid detail which is only possible from someone with a great conviction and knowledge of the subject matter. The characters, their personalities, names and the mannerisms will live in the minds of readers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.”
Praise for: Sub Rosa - The Lost Formula
D.C. Fontana - Famed Star Trek Writer and Novelist
“As a standalone read, I found it rich in engaging and accurate historical background including notable research about ancient alchemy and the suppressed Cathar tradition, all presented in a fast-paced story set in the dramatic 100 days of Napoleon’s stunning return to power. With compelling characters, wonderfully surprising twists, and elements of an excellent mystery, I enjoyed the book immensely.”
“As a standalone read, I found it rich in engaging and accurate historical background including notable research about ancient alchemy and the suppressed Cathar tradition, all presented in a fast-paced story set in the dramatic 100 days of Napoleon’s stunning return to power. With compelling characters, wonderfully surprising twists, and elements of an excellent mystery, I enjoyed the book immensely.”
Brenda Harari, PhD - HEART in Education
“Extremely well-written, Sub Rosa – The Lost Formula transported me to a time and a place that I could otherwise not have known or imagined. An engrossing page turner with extraordinary prose and intrigue, Barry tenderly invites and guides the reader to witness a narrative from another time and place, rich in historical and esoteric research. An intricate tapestry of characters and relationships so well developed that it left me feeling as though my world has been expanded. I read the first book in this cycle as well – Sub Rosa – Sanctuary’s End. It's a very different, vivid and rewarding reading experience, and yet I’m not sure which one I like best.”
“Extremely well-written, Sub Rosa – The Lost Formula transported me to a time and a place that I could otherwise not have known or imagined. An engrossing page turner with extraordinary prose and intrigue, Barry tenderly invites and guides the reader to witness a narrative from another time and place, rich in historical and esoteric research. An intricate tapestry of characters and relationships so well developed that it left me feeling as though my world has been expanded. I read the first book in this cycle as well – Sub Rosa – Sanctuary’s End. It's a very different, vivid and rewarding reading experience, and yet I’m not sure which one I like best.”
