Reviews


Book Review on Sanctuary

The Second World War was a time of turmoil. It was a time where the weak were oppressed by evil men who sought power above all else. And yet it was also a time of heroism, a time where men and women put aside differences of religion, race or creed and achieved acts of heroism and mercy. These heroes are a gleaming light in the maelstrom of war and symbolized that man is inherently good.

In Sanctuary the author Terry W. Drake captures this heroism. The story follows the efforts of Father John Damien. A British Catholic priest who is put in a truly impossible situation. He was sent by the Vatican to Italy as a Foreign exchange to be the pastor of Santa Maria Maggiorie Basilica in Bergamo Italy prior to the breakout of World War II. When Italy surrendered to the Allies Father Damien witnessed the retaliation of the German Army against the citizens of Italy for their betrayal. As the chaos ensues, Damien takes in a handful of citizens fleeing the German Army’s vengeance. What comes next is a life and death struggle that challenges his faith and courage.

Sanctuary is a truly inspiring read that shows the innate goodness in humanity, the book is masterfully written and is a wonderful portrayal of a man who will risk all for those under his care. Sanctuary is undoubtedly a must read.

Book Review The History of the Drake Family and the Times They Lived

Thank you so much for putting all the Drake family history together that was a huge undertaking and I am still absorbing all the information. I especially liked the way you added historical events so that all the family members could be put into historical context.

Best wishes and again, many thanks for all your hard work,
Cousin Barb Matson

kevin hannah
March 29, 2017 5:31 PMYou
Terry,

Good evening. I have received your book in excellent condition! Thank you so much. I am overwhelmed with the amount of information it contains. I was pleasantly surprised to find how many generations of the Drake family were represented and the amazing history which accompanied them. Being a novice at this depth of genealogy, I am sure my reading of these facts will to evolve into a clearer understanding of how these families are now part of mine.

Date: June 22, 2012 02:07 AM From: FanStory.com To: terry drake
The House on Maple Street is a popular poem that has received excellent reviews. We are happy to inform you that it has been selected to receive the FanStory.com recognized status. The great majority of the writing shared on FanStory.com never makes it off our new listing page. Only stories, poems and book chapters that stand out, and that readers enjoy, are selected for this status.

"The House on Maple Street" will be listed in the category listings. It will be considered for our all time best status when it receives more than twenty-five reviews. Thank you for this addition to FanStory.com. CheyLGwriter wrote:
I loved this poem. It kept my attention from beginning to end. Because children are innocent and a source of light the ghost was drawn to them. I wish it was a story, because it makes you want to know more about the what happens on Maple street. For more information on this status click here.

A great story you tell here. The details and warmth you include make it a pleasure to read. Good form, rhymes and flow too. Excellent - Cally :)
Comment Written 22-Jun-2012 by fairydancer

Excellent
wow..this is like a campfire or bedtime story for the kids and who will think twice when looking at that old houise on Maple Street.. clever and witty excellent
Comment Written 22-Jun-2012 by Metaphorical~Mark

Comment by Lady Valor
What a story you told. It's eerie and brings me back to when I was younger telling stories in the tent me and my buddy pitched in the living room between 2 couches :) What a great memory. great read

Comment by Chris Tee
This poem titled "The House on Maple Street" is an absolutely wonderful kiddies poem, Well done and good luck in the contest here.

Comment by Phyllis Stewart
Fun little ghost story with imaginative kids, or possibly even a bit of the supernatural thrown in. I like your description of him floating... from knees up.

Comment by duchessofdrumborg
'The House on Maple Street' is an extremely well-written and thought-provoking piece. There is much more to life and death than we will ever understand. It was a pleasure to read and review a work of this standard.

Comment by Janice Canerdy
Your well-written poem effectively tells an eerie ghost story. Making children the main characters gives the story a special appeal. good
should be "It just doesn't seem . . . "
apostrophe in "trespassings" should be before "s"

Comment by artemis53
Wonderful story and contrived through the eyes of children. You has me as a believer. Very lively flow and speed to this poem as well as great imagery.

Comment by dejohnsrld
we said now-We should be capitalized. Quite a clever story in a poe with good rhymws. One's about children sound so good in poetic for. Good luck in the contest!!! DEbbie

Comment by Crackerberries
Great story in a poem...really enjoyed reading it.
All turned quite[quiet] you could hear no sound
It just don't seem possible somehow! - don't doesn't work here, how about It doesn't seem possible somehow!
we [We] said, now I lay me down to sleep
God bless my Mommy and Daddy too![,] instead of exclamation

5.0 out of 5 stars The Historyof the Drake Family and the Times They Lived
By Judy Wise on August 19, 2013
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

I was pleased with the information I was able to get regarding my family history. It will help me greatly in completing my family genealogy. I was empressed with the author's detailed writing techniques and the way he presented the complete history of the Drake Family. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to complete their history of the Drake family since it gives great details all the way back to Charlamagne and you can even go back further to Adam. Thanks for your help!

4.0 out of 5 starsGood coverage of Drake ancestors
By Dana C. Drake on April 25, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This is a good and concise coverage of the Drake family, and yes, it does cover the descendants of Sir Francis Drake.

5.0 out of 5 starsDrake Genealogy at its best
By Terry W, Drake on June 19, 2015
Format: Paperback

Thank you so much for putting all the Drake family history together -- that was a huge undertaking and I am still absorbing all the information. I especially liked the way you added historical events so that all the family members could be put into historical context. Best wishes and again, many thanks for all your hard work, Cousin Barb Matson

Sanctuary
by Terry W. Drake
Reviews on amazon.com
5.0 out of 5 starsSanctuary
By Jen H. on March 12, 2012
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

A good, quick read, providing a look into World War II through the eyes of the villagers. I'm looking forward to the author's next book!

4.0 out of 5 starssince it's not my favourite historical era
By Jolanta Daab on July 11, 2014
Format: Paperback

'Sanctuary' by Terry W. Drake is a gripping novel, from the beginning full of action. I haven't read many stories set in World War II , since it's not my favourite historical era, but I found this book very interesting and I kept turning the pages to find out more. Father Damien was very likeable character and I'm very interested to see what will happen to him in the next instalment.

5.0 out of 5 starsI want more from this Author
By Flame on March 8, 2012
Format: Paperback
I couldn't put this book down. Author, Terry Drake has another book through xlibris that I ordered and waiting for it anxiously. Keep them coming!

First Impressions
by Terry W. Drake
Reviews on amazon.com
5.0 out of 5 starsThe House on Maple Street
By Terry W, Drakeon July 4, 2015

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton
The House on Maple Street: Ahhh . . . Would've loved it if my childhood friend Charles and I could have experienced that . .
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

Eh . . . First impressions are important no doubt, and the devious among us know that as well and work on modeling that first impression to gain favor. Still, I agree that first impressions are definitely important.
Reviewed by Ronald Hull

You had me looking back at all the first impressions that turned sour for me as I read this. It seemed like my entire life, although there were times when first impressions went very well, I often had to spend considerable time proving that I was who I was, because others' impressions of me were not good.

While there are scads of books that tell us how to behave when we first meet someone, you would be surprised how many underestimated the ability of a man wearing a hand splint on his right hand--damaged goods.