Life is all about chance….Roll of the Dice is the prologue to a new historical romance novella series, releasing every other month. The next novella will be released on September 15, 2020.
New York City, 1894
10-year-old Fiona O’Connor, the daughter of two Irish immigrants, has led a difficult life thus far. After her beloved mother passed away the year prior under mysterious circumstances, … beloved mother passed away the year prior under mysterious circumstances, things go from bad to worse when her father proves he still can’t stay away from a bottle of whisky. And the punches and kicks once reserved for his late wife are now bestowed on the daughter he swears to cherish.
With her father’s drinking making him unable to keep a job, Fiona resorts to stealing in order to keep her belly full. On one of her missions to find food, she meets the plucky 12-year-old Dice Henley: a wise-cracking and gambling loving newsboy. Little do the pair know that this chance meeting in a Hell’s Kitchen tenement neighborhood will change the course of their lives forever.
This novella is the prologue to the upcoming Roll of the Dice series. While it isn’t a traditional romance, it sets the stage for the characters’ relationship for the duration of the series.
Roll of the Dice can be read as a stand-alone, or it can be read as part of the series of novellas. It is also not necessary to read this book to enjoy the rest of the novellas, but it does help develop the characters featured.
This series is set in the same world as the author’s Baroness of New York series, but is not part of the series. You do not need to read one to understand or follow the other.
Warning: Roll of the Dice contains scenes of physical abuse toward a child, as well as mention of alcoholism. Please be aware of this before deciding if this book is for you.
more
This is a beautifully written story about two people who each are dealing with their own difficult circumstances, meet and form a strong and lasting bond. The storyline was very interesting and well crafted and I was captivated right from the start. This is an intriguing read with wonderfully developed characters and a storyline that kept me totally engrossed through the very end. The author ‘s descriptions of Manhattan during this time period and the atmosphere and surroundings were so real and vivid that she really brought the story to life with her great attention to details. The story is written with such emotion and feeling, your heart really goes out to these characters. The story was very well crafted and a great start to what looks to be an amazing series. Looking forward to reading more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Anya Silverthorne
Roll of the Dice (Roll of the Dice Series Prologue): A Victorian Romance Saga
Is a five star read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is such a riveting story that the reader will have a hard time putting it down. In this first installment we meet young Fiona, a ten year old Irish immigrant living in the poor side of town. After losing her mother and baby sister, she is left with her drunk and abusive father who doesn’t return for days on end, only to hit her again when he returns. Starving and without money, she gets the courage to leave and join the street kids selling newspapers. This is where she meets Dice, a street wise, smoking, gambling man in a twelve year old child’s body. Can’t wait to continue their story…..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Riveting from the first page to the last!!!
I can’t wait to read the series.
Fiona and Dice are brought to life in their tortured lives.
Hoping for a happy ending for them!!!
***I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.***
The characters were brought to life
The author’s style of writing was impressive she made you feel as if you are right there in the late 1800’s New York. The characters were brought to life in such a way you could see and feel what they did. This is a great set up for the next books in the series. Poor abused Fiona only nine having to steal bread, beaten by her father that is so lost in the bottle. Then there is Dice a newspaper boy who has seen too much and has grown up to fast in Hell’s Kitchen. I knew this book was written by the same author as “Baroness of New York” and I was impressed by that tale. I am happy to recommend this piece I hope you check it out. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Roll of the Dice is a prologue with well developed characters that you feel their pain and struggles. I couldn’t put down and can’t wait to read more!
Because of the pleasant writing style, I really imagined myself in the streets of New York in 1894, where poverty reigns supreme in Hell’s Kitchen. Until the age of 9, Fiona grew up quite happy as the daughter of an Irish immigrant couple. After the death of her baby sister and her mother, life changes quickly for her. Her father cannot keep a job because of his love for whiskey. And when she asks him when he provides food, something terrible happens to her; she is beaten by her father and is left with a black eye.
When she steals bread, she is seen by a newspaper boy, Dice. He tries to help her by taking her to sell newspapers. Her young girl’s heart beats faster and she wonders if this is the feeling the older girls sometimes talk about.
Your heart goes out to her father. Become a widower at a young age, in a distant country, and have to take care of a young child, in all poverty and without opportunities. The choice that Fiona makes is understandable. Wondering how the story continues on 9 Duane Street
This prologue was well written and the characters were so well detailed that I couldn’t stop turning the pages until the very end!
The story starts off slowly but does set the scene to entice you to continue reading. The Author describes the conditions in Manhattan in 1894 realistically down to naming the real lodgings and programs available to children who otherwise would be out on the streets. It is not easy reading about the abuse Fiona and her Mother, when alive, endured but unfortunately it was very much a part of life then and should not be glossed over. Nor was it. It goes on tell how Fiona finally reached her breaking point after the last abusive session. I felt she was helped in making this decision by the friendship of the two children she encountered while out. Dice Henley was the child who influenced her the most by describing the avenues open for abused children. He also helped build her self esteem by giving her papers to sell and keep the money for herself and also inviting her to join him and Kat in selling papers. It ends with Fiona deciding enough was enough and took the matters into her own hands.
I enjoyed reading this story and would recommend reading it if only to get a clear picture of what life was like for children in 1894.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.