Day: December 9, 2019

Hello Bookish Friends,

Today I’m really excited to be taking part in the Book Tour of, The Spirt Of Fire.

This Book is the highly anticipated second installment in The Orphan’s Of Tolosa Series
by Susan Dunlap which is being hosted by HFBT

The Spirit of Fire by Susanne Dunlap

Listen to the Wind has been rated 10 out of 10 and was a quarterfinalist in the BookLife Prize, and won a Gold badge from the International Review of Books.

The eagerly anticipated sequel to Listen to the Wind, complex, absorbing, and dramatic start to a planned series. Kirkus Reviews

Azemar now a knight and Baron of Montpezat has rescued his childhood friend, Azalais, from the Castel de Belascon, where she was forced to disguise as a noblewoman and become the wife of the baron. But the captivating trobairitz Jordane de la Moux dAniort and her damozel Johana have escaped with them, putting them all in grave peril. Will Jordane conflicting goal of reuniting with the rebel Raimon de Berenger thwart Azemar and Azalaisâ quest to solve the mystery of their origins, which they believe lies within the heretic fortress of Montsegur? When a cryptic note leads them to the Templar stronghold at Mas Deu, Azemar undergoes brutal trials, and discovers that his ultimate purpose could lead him to betray the very people he wants to protect. And their altered route leads Azalais into the path of her old enemy, the Dominican monk, Fraire Martin. Full of surprising twists and turns, dangerous adventures, and true love, The Spirit of Fire continues the Orphans of Tolosa Trilogy.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise for Listen to the Wind

Listen to the Wind has been rated 10 out of 10 in the BookLife Prize and won a Gold badge from the International Review of Books.

Dunlap breathes life into the distant 13th-century setting… Poetry and music are as essential to the plot as warfare, with engaging glimpses of trobairitz (female troubadours). . . . A complex, absorbing, and dramatic start to a planned series.- Kirkus Reviews

Listen to the Wind is in its own league. Completely imaginative, mature and playful all at once, this book doesn’t book compete with any other novel for its spot on the bookshelf, as it will outshine many and sit comfortably among the classics.” – The BookLife Prize

Susanne Dunlap… is both a superb storyteller and a rich historian of the period. Its customs and language, castles, troubadours, mountains, thick forests, villages, monasteries, and vineyards come vividly to life as Azemar and Azala find themselves drawn into a path that will shape history.- Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille: a novel of Monet

In its mix of page-turning thriller with well researched historical novel, it draws comparison to the finely crafted work of Kate Mosse and Ariana Franklin.- Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Blue and the Joanna Stafford trilogy

Susanne Dunlap sweeping saga captivates readers imaginations from the first page, plunging them back into the Languedoc region of France in the 13th Century. Her impeccable research allows her three spirited protagonists to live, love, fight and breathe life into the dangerous period of rebellion and inquisition, when the Cathars struggled to hold on to their culture and old faith against the power of the Pope. A compelling read for lovers of adventure and romance. -Anne Easter Smith, author of
A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, Royal Mistress

The fortitude and ingenuity of her characters helps them adapt to all manner of circumstances, and the result is an engaging tale of escape, secrets, and mental toughness. For those looking for a smartly written captivating read, I highly recommend this first book in the Orphans of Tolosa trilogy.- Amy Hawes, Book Club Babble

This is an intriguing and complex story with lots of secrets and lies interwoven within the characters personal stories, it is charming, exciting and mesmerising.- Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

I love how vibrant the world is made, how danger really struck fear into my heart, how the pain felt real, everything is beautifully written and I thoroughly enjoyed this.- Clarissa Reads It All

Gwendalyn’s Books

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

5′ Star Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Spirit of Fire, by Susanne Dunlap, is the highly anticipated next book in the Orphans of Tolosa Trilogy.

Susanne Dunlap, expertise in blending historical elements with captivating fiction is impeccable, Dunlap writing flows seamlessly transporting you to the harrowing time of thirteenth century period in a region that will not become part of France until much later in the sixteenth century, which is called Occitanie. This riveting novel covering the years 1243-1244, pulling the reader into the horrific dark period in French History. The violence that the Cathars suffered as heretics, by the crusades carried out by the inquisition of Catholic Church is depicted within the pages of this compelling historical fiction.

The journey continues with The Spirt Of Fire, Azemar discovers after following the death of his patron Baron de Montpezat, that he has been named his heir.Azemar and Azalaïs leave behind Jordane and Johana, to their own fates. They travel swiftly and undetected, following cryptic message to retrieve a book and armed stone that was stolen from Azemar from the house that some of his belongs were stored.

Upon reaching the temple of monks at M’as Deu. Azemar all is not what it seems and Azemar struggles and survies brutal training for a treacherous purpose that would lead him to destroy those of what he longs to find and preserve.The lives of Jordane and Johana, continuous intertwines with that of Azemar and Azalaïs, creating unforgettable moving and in the end a heart wrenching novel.

Susanne Dunlap delivers an atmospheric, adventurous, engaging, and well-written read here with compelling and illustrious characters, it is a stunning storyline that unfolds perfectly. Richly detailed, the book is gripping and captures the struggles of the Cathars, an heretical Christian sect that flourished in Western Europe, who called themselves the true Christians. The Catholic Frenchs agenda was to eradicate them completely the is set the year before the final stand of the heretics against the French at Montsegur.

An enjoyable historical fiction that is brisk and unique, immensely entertaining, with well fleshed out characters. The authors ability to deftly create an immersive, and gripping tale, that takes the reader on an epic adventure. Dunlap is a gifted author, her narration is superb and brilliant. The plot line is complex and it grabbed me and I was completely immersed. Beautifully written, rich in historic detail, perfect for anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction.

About the Author

Susanne Dunlap is the author of six works of historical fiction. Two are for adults (Emilie’s Voice and Liszt’s Kiss, both published by Touchstone books of Simon & Schuster). Four are for young adults (The Musician’s Daughter, Anastasia’s Secret, In the Shadow of the Lamp, and The Academie, published by Bloomsbury). A graduate of Smith College with a PhD in Music History from Yale University, Susanne grew up in Buffalo, New York and has lived in London, Brooklyn and Northampton, MA. She now lives in Northampton with her long-time partner, Charles, has two grown daughters, three granddaughters, a grandson, a stepson and a stepdaughter, four step-grandsons and one step-granddaughter—that’s a total of four children and nine grandchildren!

In her spare time she cycles in the beautiful Pioneer Valley.

For more information, please visit The Orphans of Tolosa website. You can follow author Susanne Dunlap on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, and BookBub.

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, December 6
Review at Nursebookie
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Monday, December 9
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Review at Mama’s Reading Corner

Tuesday, December 10
Feature at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, December 11
Interview at The Writing Desk

Thursday, December 12
Review at Books and Zebras
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Friday, December 13
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Sunday, December 15
Review at my.boys.mom

Monday, December 16
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Wednesday, December 18
Review at Passages to the Past

Thursday, December 19
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Friday, December 20
Review at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a set of Listen to the Wind & The Spirit of Fire by Susanne Dunlap! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on December 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Paperback giveaway is open internationally.
Only one entry per household.
All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Listen to the Wind
https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js

Welcome to the long awaited blog tour for Love Potions and Other Calamities by Charlie Laidlaw! Follow along for tour details, exclusive content, and a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

Love Potions and Other Calamities

Expected Publication Date: November 7th, 2019

Genre: Comedy/ Mystery

Publisher: Headline

Welcome to the strange world of Rosie McLeod, an amateur detective with a big difference. Her deductive powers are based solely on the careful preparation and use of plants and herbs.

Love Potions and Other Calamities is pure comedy, with a bit of drama thrown in, as Rosie sets out to discover whether her husband is having an affair and, as the story unfolds, to solve a murder – before she becomes the next victim.

Rosie McLeod, pub proprietor and a gifted herbalist of some renown, is thirty-nine and holding, but only just. The talons of her fortieth birthday are in her back and her bloody, bloody husband hasn’t laid a lustful hand on her for months.

She has the fortune, or misfortune, to live in one of Scotland’s most famous places – the East Lothian village of Holy Cross, which takes its name from the legendary Glastonbury Cross that was spirited away – and subsequently lost – when Henry VIII purged the English monasteries. The cross of pale Welsh gold, reputedly buried within the village, had at its centre a fragment of emerald from the Holy Grail. The story is, of course, complete baloney.

But the association with the Holy Grail and the later witch persecutions of James VI mean that the village is as well known around the world as Edinburgh Castle, haggis or Loch Ness. It has been described as “the heartbeat of Scotland” and is a major tourist destination – many of whom visit the village with metal detectors, hoping to discover the elusive cross.

However, a sighting of a large, black cat by the local Church of Scotland minister sets off a chain of events that lead back twenty years and, although the villagers are blissfully unaware of it, to a woman’s murder. The black cat had last been sighted near the village some two decades before, and the minister’s predecessor was sure that it had triggered something evil. The villagers, of course, think otherwise.

Nothing ever happens in Holy Cross.

For fans of Mel Brooks and Monty Python!

Add to Goodreads

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

“It Began, as these things always do, with a thunderstorm.”

Set in a small rural village in Scotland, Holy Cross is a place of myth and legend.

All the trouble began with the Reverend Lionel Kennedy, during a thunderstorm. He has nightmarish experience on his way home after judging a Women’s Institute jam making competition.

The sight of a very large black cat has completely unnerved him, being aware of the stories attached to Holy Cross from the previous minister.

The legend of Holy Cross relates how Satan rose rose up from the Lower kingdom and rebelled against the angels of the Heavens.

Rosie McLeod, a certified herbalist and landlady of the Fox and Duck hostelry in Holy Cross, is rapidly approaching her 40th birthday and is now feeling her age taking hold of her. Her husband, Jack, has stopped being as interested in her, as much as he once was

Further more adding more salt to the Fire and lowering Rosie self esteem, there is the new the temporary barmaid. Mara is young and beautiful, and Jake along with everyone else can’t help not notice her.

Rosie decides to take matters into her own hands and give Jack a much needed push in the right direction. Rosie takes the news of the minister’s sighting, and the mystery surrounding the pub’s hazel tree and the church wall as a sign.

What happens when Rosie’s herbal cures take on a comical outcome, creating confusion and disorder among the residents the village?

A wonderfully written book with interesting fleshed out characters adds to this stunning creative storyline!

Love Potions and Other Calamities, was a captivating, a marvelous perfect read for me. Full of magical realism along with perfect comical timing makes spellbinding book. A little mystery and a dash of magic will keep you full immersed in non stop read

Once again Charlie Laidlaw, has captivated me adding the beginning of each chapter with a snippet from The Book of Secrets by Albertus Magnus, 13th century scientist, theologian and philosopher, which relates to the story.

Excerpt

Coincidentally, Rosie had once owned a black cat, although it was very small, and was eaten by an eagle on the Christmas morning she was given it. That was also the Christmas she stopped believing in Santa Claus. One minute, the kitten was on a scrubby patch of grass in their Sussex back garden, a round ball of black fluff, peering fretfully at her new world; the next, she wasn’t anywhere to be seen until, looking up, Rosie saw large and predatory wings disappear over the farmhouse roof.

She was at an age when she knew that bad things happened, but still believed that Christmas Day was somehow exempt: guns fell silent, everyone had enough to eat, and pestilence was postponed until Boxing Day. Her parents tried to console her by saying that eagles weren’t native to Sussex, searching fruitlessly in flowerbeds and, then, in the surrounding fields. In a way, that day had become a metaphor for her life: that in unexpected ways good things can be randomly snatched away. It felt like that now: sagging boobs, carpet slippers, a dreaded birthday – and the revelation of a precise delusion.

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon!

About the Author

I was born in Paisley, central Scotland, which wasn’t my fault. That week, Eddie Calvert with Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra were Top of the Pops, with Oh, Mein Papa, as sung by a young German woman remembering her once-famous clown father. That gives a clue to my age, not my musical taste.

I was brought up in the west of Scotland and graduated from the University of Edinburgh. I still have the scroll, but it’s in Latin, so it could say anything.

I then worked briefly as a street actor, baby photographer, puppeteer and restaurant dogsbody before becoming a journalist. I started in Glasgow and ended up in London, covering news, features and politics. I interviewed motorbike ace Barry Sheene, Noel Edmonds threatened me with legal action and, because of a bureaucratic muddle, I was ordered out of Greece.

I then took a year to travel round the world, visiting 19 countries. Highlights included being threatened by a man with a gun in Dubai, being given an armed bodyguard by the PLO in Beirut (not the same person with a gun), and visiting Robert Louis Stevenson’s grave in Samoa. What I did for the rest of the year I can’t quite remember

Surprisingly, I was approached by a government agency to work in intelligence, which just shows how shoddy government recruitment was back then. However, it turned out to be very boring and I don’t like vodka martini.

Craving excitement and adventure, I ended up as a PR consultant, which is the fate of all journalists who haven’t won a Pulitzer Prize, and I’ve still to listen to Oh, Mein Papa.

I am married with two grown-up children and live in central Scotland. And that’s about it.

Charlie Laidlaw | Facebook | Twitter

For your chance to win a signed copy of Love Potions and Other Calamities, click the link below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organized By:

R&R Book Tours