R. Lynn

Flash Fiction from a Tree's Perspective

This is an extremely short (just over five minutes in audio) story from the perspective of a tree and the humans it barely understands who it sees regularly and their coming together.

Having the tree as the narrator and their ability to communicate with the animals around them was interesting, as was how far they were removed from human experience. The prose is lyrical and really rather wonderful, but for me the story didn't do enough of anything to show more engage me. I don't even know if I would label it as romantic, despite the meet cute and pairing of the humans right at the end, and feel it would have been more effective focusing more on the alien perspective of the tree (or allowing a little more time and emotional impact of the romance).

The poetic writing has made me intrigued to seek out more of this author, even if this didn't do it for me. As far as a free five minutes of pretty words competently put together, it's certainly worth a listen. show less

I just finished reading Vanity & Valor and I loved it. It was easy to read and even easier to loose myself in it. I read it straight through and couldnt stop myself. I felt what the chacters felt, laughed when they laughed, cryed when they cried, and felt anger when they were angry. The roman setting took me back to that time period and left me with a feeling for what life was like back then. The only disappointment for me was that it ended. This reader will be hoping for a sequel!

Sellah Katarius is an eighteen year old girl that was sold into slavery by her father. She is strong-willed, beautiful, full of spirit and very brave, however she lives in a time where those characteristics are not valued. The time she lives in is ancient Rome. A time of great works of art, philosophy and also a time a morbid cruelty. Sellah's circumstances will not bring her down. She decides that she can handle anything life throws her way. Including the new Dominus. The Dominus was a rock show more star chariot driver. Every man wanted to be him. Every woman wanted to sleep with him. Sellah can see two different sides to the Dominus, one side he's compassionate and kind and the other he's a pompous jerk. In this story you can see how he struggles with who he is and who he wants to become and how the world sees him.
He's drawn to Sellah but his pride gets in the way. Dominus puts everything at risk when he makes a wager that could make him lose everything.
Vanity and Valor by R. Lynn is a wonderful read. The story was well written and very exciting at times. The author brought me to the edge of my seat during the chariot race. It left me feeling anxious and breathless. Although some parts of this story made me cringe, the author did a great job with the authenticity of the time period. Vanity and Valor provoked a variety of emotions in me. If you like historical fiction and you're fascinated by ancient Rome, this is a book I would recommend. show less

I currently bought the ebook and am reading it for the second time! I am still sucked into to the beauty and wonder of the world that R. Lynn creates. I can see the world so clearly in my mind that I almost feel as if I am there. I cant wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!