From bestselling author, MJ Porter comes the tale of the mighty pagan king, Penda of Mercia.
The year is AD641, and the great Oswald of Northumbria, bretwalda over England, must battle against an alliance of the old Britons and the Saxons led by Penda of the Hwicce, the victor of Hæ∂feld nine years before, the only Saxon leader seemingly immune to Oswald’s beguiling talk of the new Christianity spreading through England from both the north and the south.
Alliances will be made and broken, and the victory will go to the man most skilled in warcraft and statecraft.
The ebb and flow of battle will once more redraw the lines of the petty kingdoms stretching across the British Isles.
There will be another victor and another bloody loser.
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, as well as three twentieth-century mysteries. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.
From bestselling author, MJ Porter comes the tale of the mighty pagan king, Penda of Mercia.
Britain. AD632.
Penda, a warrior of immense renown, has much to prove if he is to rule the Mercian kingdom of his dead father and prevent the neighbouring king of Northumbria from claiming it.
Unexpectedly allying with the British kings, Penda races to battle the alliance of the Northumbrian king, unsure if his brother stands with him or against him as they seek battle glory for themselves, and the right to rule gained through bloody conquest.
There will be a victor and a bloody loser, and a king will rise from the ashes of the great and terrible battle of Hædfeld.
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.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
Pagan Warrior by M.J. Porter, is an impeccably researched historical fiction of the dark ages. A captivating book that is written in multi-POV’s, giving the reader front row center place as book progresses up to the battle of Hædfeld. As Christianity makes it steady march, across the lands, and the shift from paganism to the one god. Kings and Lords start to form alliances, M.J. Porter, incredible writing gives readers an insightful look at the treachery and the side switching of those who play key roles in the dark turbulent time in history. A vast cast of players who are somewhat related by birth or marriage makes for even more heated dynamics. Stunning character development and rewarding backstories, kept me immersed from start to finish. The ever present tension, is cleverly built up to the climatic battle.
What A Rewarding Read
The Battle of Hatfield
In AD632 there was a fierce battle between the Northumbrians led by King Edwin against the Pagans led by Penda of Mercia and King Cadwallon of Gwynedd. The Battle is known as the Battle of Heathfield but we now know it as the Battle of Hatfield.
History tells us that the Battle took place at the village of Hatfield just north-east of Doncaster. Yet I cannot find any evidence to support that claim, only by the word of mouth of William Camden. (1)
Heath means ‘unattended land’.
Field means ‘a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed’
So Heathfield is ‘a clearing of unattended land’.
From this point we will use the word Hatfield in preference of Heathfield.
The first recognised historian in England was The Venerable Bede (673-735) and it was he who first mentioned the Battle of Heathfield / Hatfield in the written word. 40 years before his birth, the battle in question took place.
Bede writes:
“A great battle being fought in the plain that is called Haethfelth, Edwin was killed on the 12th of October, in the year of our Lord 632, being then forty-eight years of age, and all his army was either slain or dispersed.” In the 7th Century, a vast amount of Northumbria, Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire would fall under the heading of Hatfield.
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, as well as three twentieth-century mysteries. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken cements her status as one of the top fantasy authors writing today in this stunning series opener inspired by Arthurian legend and fueled by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!
Tamsin Lark didn’t ask to be a Hollower. As a mortal with no magical talent, she was never meant to break into ancient crypts, or compete with sorceresses and Cunningfolk for the treasures inside. But after her thieving foster father disappeared without so much as a goodbye, it was the only way to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive.
Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian vanished with a powerful ring from Arthurian legend. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring.
As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .
Content Warning: foster family dynamic, childhood abuse, mention of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and gore/blood
An expert at winning a woman’s hand. A woman who cannot be won.
Lord Featherstone has the world on his shoulders. Or at least his world. With two brothers and a failing estate he must make funds somehow. But what happens when he falls for a woman? Will his tactics work when the situation is so close and personal?
Everyone thinks Lady Loveluck is a wealthy widow. What they don’t know is that she is on the brink of hiring herself out as a Governess in order to pay for her next meal. The only thing keeping her from employment is a growing reputation as a matchmaker. As long as she never falls for another man, as long as she doesn’t allow herself to be fooled into marrying, she will be just fine.
But she never counted on being caught up in the beguiling tactics of London’s renowned and not so secret matchmaker for men.
A unique Regency romance with a delightful twist on the matchmaker troupe !
We follow vivacious Lady Loveluck, who has been left with a considerable amount of debt from her late husband’s passing. She secretively takes in female clients that are looking for suitable husbands. Lord Featherstone shoulders the burden of of his impoverished estate, along with sole care of his younger siblings. His uncanny ability to transform certain gentleman of the ton into appealing husband material, has earned him a certain notoriety as a stand out matchmaker.
What happens when a friendly competition brings these two closer together? Will they lose their hearts to one another?
Jen Geigle Johnson’s engages readers in this fun and witty Regency Romance. I couldn’t help being drawn into this very clever twist on the matchmaker trope, that worked so well and I was completely there for. A delightful book, that will keep interested and characters that you will root for.
PRAISE FOR TO WIN HER HAND
“I loved the character growth, watching them learn more about the other’s heart and hardships, and the realization that perhaps they had more choices than they first thought. Such a sweet regency. I’m so grateful I had the chance to read this one.”— Makayla Branson, Reading Past Bedtime
“The house party, the quiet moments, the collection of other characters, and much more all combined together made this is delightful read.”— Julie Carpenter, Goodreads
“Two matchmakers with a wager. What fun for all! [A] heart touching story.”—Shauna Jones, Goodreads
Jen Geigle Johnson is an award-winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and LDSPMA Praiseworthy’s top award for Romance,
Jen has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well.
Six children and an inspiring husband keep her going and make certain she doesn’t stay glued to a keyboard or lost in obscure fascinating details of old castles.
Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.
Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era cozy series with a feminist spin.
When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation―in front of London’s loosest lips―that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.
But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper―uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.
I’m incredibly honored you’re here to help me reveal the cover for the first book in my new historical mystery series, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord.
The idea for this book took hold during the pandemic, when I was watching period dramas on the regular, including all my favorite Jane Austen adaptations and Downton Abbey. And of course, in nearly every one, there was the notion of the unmarried woman being a rather pitiable character. I began thinking about how the spinsters never got to be in the limelight, especially in the Regency period. They were hardly ever seen as strong, or capable, or worthy of respect, and I thought to myself that a main character who valued her independence and embraced her decision not to marry would make for a heroine I would like to write.
And thus, dear readers, I am overjoyed to introduce you to Lady Petra Forsyth. Daughter of the Fifth Earl of Holbrook, accomplished equestrienne, goddaughter to the Duchess of Hillmorton, and a woman in possession of her own fortune.
After the death of her fiancé three years ago, Lady Petra’s already headstrong ways—which include occasionally riding astride in her brother’s old breeches—came to include living her life on her own terms. That is, without a husband—though not everyone sees her decision as the right one, or the ladylike one. And when the purported death of a dear friend seems intertwined with mentions of a mysterious physician, Petra does the most unladylike thing she can: she starts asking questions.
When Petra formed in my mind as a character, I saw her with little bits of some of my favorite…well, almost-spinsters. Such as Emma Woodhouse, who was initially willing to go her own way and remain unmarried in a time where doing just that was an incredible risk for a woman, no matter what her financial status. And then there’s Downton Abbey’s Lady Edith, who recognized her talents and carved out a satisfying life for herself as anentrepreneur and businesswoman. She didn’t let it stop her from romance, either…
Another thing my inspirations for Petra have in common is that I feel they would all have made excellent amateur sleuths. Some would say it’s because spinsters have an inclination toward nosiness, but I would say it’s their sharp minds and a refusal to give up on what’s important. I think Petra certainly begins to develop the knack for investigating—whether or not those around her approve—and I very much hope you’ll enjoy riding alongside her for her very first adventure.
All my best,
Celeste
AUTHOR BIO
Celeste Connally is an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. A lifelong devotee of historical novels and adaptations fueled by her passion for history—plus weekly doses of PBS Masterpiece—Celeste loves reading and writing about women from the past who didn’t always do as they were told.
Author Celeste Connally and her publisher Minotaur Books are generously offering a fabulous giveaway for your readers that you can add to your post and on social media.
Giveaway Details:
Two (2) winners (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. One (1) winner (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord and a gift prize package containing the following:
1. A Jane Austen ‘Obstinate, Headstrong Girl’ mug from the Jane Austen Centre giftshop.
2. A bookmark, and a bookplate signed by the author.
3. A medley of Harney & Sons teas in various flavors individually wrapped teabags.
4. A handmade ceramic tea tidy in the shape of a teapot for teabags.
5. A box of English tea biscuits.
Giveaway period: Open from 12:01 am Pacific time 02/22/23 until 11:59pm Pacific time on 03/19/23.
Terms & Conditions:
The giveaway is hosted by Celeste Connally and Minotaur Books. No purchase is necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Open to US residents only. All information will remain confidential and will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate postage of the books and prizes to the winners. Void where prohibited. One giveaway item per eligible entrant.
Announcement of Winner:
Visit author Celeste Connally’s website on March 20, 2023, to see if you won one of the three prizes.
Desperate to save her people and secure allies, Kitarni must forge her position as leader of the coven and lady of Mistvellen. The only way to do that is to marry him.
The man who betrayed her … and the one who has her heart.
With demons roaming the land and humans on a witch hunt, their only means of survival lies in Death’s fabled crown. The only problem is, it’s hidden in the Under World, and the price of entry might be too much to bear.
Only the cursed one can save her people.
Only the wolf lord can save her.
INTL Tour-wide Instagram Giveaway!
Head over to my Instagram account to enter the tour giveaway where two lucky readers will win a paperback copy of The Fated and the Damned!
Ends on March 4th, 2023. Winner will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.
The Fated and the Damned is the stunning dark conclusion to the Cursed Blood duology. Action packed, this spicier follow-up has higher stakes and more action.
The Fated and the Damned, is a stellar fast paced romantasy with a strong female heroine, that features an arranged marriage, along elements of Hungarian folklore. Full of dark magic, hate to love, witches, epic battle scenes, second chances!
Be prepared for more spice, a binge worthy book that features two of my all time favorite book characters Kitarni and Dante ♥︎
Chloe Hodge was born in Adelaide, South Australia to New Zealand parents and a Hungarian heritage.
In 2017 she completed a Bachelor of Journalism & Professional Writing at the University of South Australia, receiving recognition as a high performing student in the top 10 percentile. She was a finalist for the Julie Duncan Memorial Award, and holds a lifetime membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society. Hodge then proceeded to work for the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) as a radio producer in Adelaide, before spending some time in regional SA as a broadcast news reporter. Thereafter, she worked as a journalist for a technical grape and wine magazine before founding her own small editing business, Chloe’s Chapters, and starting a career as a Young Adult Fantasy author.
She now spends her time crafting fantastical novels brimming with magic and mystery, and building worlds rich with colour and history. Hodge creates a character cast full of underdogs and the morally grey—always seeking to triumph over evil, or perhaps live long enough to see them become it.
Hodge lives in Brisbane, QLD, with her husband and two dogs. She can be found at chloehodge.com or you can contact her on her Bookstagram account @chloeschapters
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (December 5, 2023)
• Length: (448) pages
• Format: Hardcover, Trade paperback, & eBook
• ISBN: 978-1250867551
BOOK DESCRIPTION
When the Duke and Duchess of Kent rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal couple’s male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they’ve invited mysterious secrets and the sweet possibility of romance into their home.
Meanwhile, Emily Summers approaches a local publisher in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. When he turns her down, his dashing competitor promises to consider her novel if she will first write a new Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily accepts and begins researching with the help of the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she used to hold dear and her budding dreams for the future.
Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.
I am excited to give you an insider’s look at my December 2023 novel, A Winter by the Sea. This is the second book in the On Devonshire Shores series. Book One, The Sisters of Sea View, has been enthusiastically received and reviewed. I am grateful for each of you who helped spread the word about it!
During my research, I learned that the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their baby daughter stayed in Woolbrook Cottage (very near fictional Sea View) during the winter of 1819-1820. I instantly knew I wanted to include them in the novel to give readers a glimpse of the early life of Queen Victoria and her parents. The royal party arrived with too many attendants to accommodate at Woolbrook, so some were lodged elsewhere. I thought it would be fun to have a few staff members stay at Sea View, including a pastry chef who invades their kitchen, a man in desperate straits, and the duke’s handsome private secretary.
It was also interesting to write a seaside novel set during wintertime (it was unusually cold and snowy that year). Because I live in frigid Minnesota, cold weather details and sensations were easy to imagine. 😊
When I began writing this series, I had not yet traveled to Sidmouth, where the series is set. I am happy to say I was able to visit in August 2022 and was thrilled to experience this delightful town in person. The highlight of that trip was meeting the staff and volunteers of the Sidmouth Museum who have been extremely helpful in answering research questions and checking setting details for me.
A Winter by the Sea focuses on beautiful Emily Summers, who finds herself caught up in two rivalries. First, while striving to further her writing aspirations, Emily is torn between her loyalty to a well-established publisher & bookseller and his flamboyant competitor. Second, despite her best intentions, she is attracted to one of their new guests, but an old love comes to town, determined to renew their courtship.
I hope you are eager to return with me to the English seaside for Book Two of the On Devonshire Shores series. Thank you for all you do to support my books, and readers everywhere!
Gratefully, Julie
AUTHOR BIO
Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than a million copies and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also been honored with the Minnesota Book Award, Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Congratulations to J.L. Vampa on the release of the HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED second novel in The Sisters Solstice series, Winter of the Wicked! Read on for more and get yourself a copy of this beauty!
Genre: Adult Fantasy/ Gothic Fantasy/ Dark Romantic Fantasy
Some witches cast spells. Others sacrifice everything.
A Sister forced to do the unthinkable. A kingdom on the brink. A quartet of witches intent on altering History.
For centuries, Sister Winter’s life has been dictated by a Grimoire—the Book her Sister Autumn just destroyed. Despite the necessity of its destruction to end a vile shadow organization and the Sisters’ three hundred years of separation, Wendolyn is left adrift without its guidance.
As secrets from long ago begin to rise up around her, Sister Winter must face what haunts her, while the Prince of Mereville uses his abilities as Marchand de Mort to infiltrate The Order—the shadow regime that wants him dead.
Will the ghosts of the past keep Wendolyn from her Sisters? Will their differences spell the end for Midlerea? Or can they put aside what’s been to save the dark prince and the future of the realm?
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.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
Winter of the Wicked is the second installment in the book series, The Sisters Solstice. JL Vampa’s Winter of the Wicked, is another superb book. The story kicks off right where we last parted the Sisters. Told in distinct multiple POV’s, that were very easy to follow. We are giving a wonderful back stories, and more of a look at what propels our characters emotions and actions.
A fasanating book, that kept me engaged from start to finish. The Sisters complex relationship with each other and their love interest is expanded more. Vampa’s ups the stakes in this one, and her richly descriptive storytelling will keep you immersed within these pages. Old friends and new ones lavish the pages, along with the perfect amount of heat and spice will keep readers enthralled. The world building is expanded, and the emotional aspects of the MC personal development is well noted in this haunting gothic tale.
If you enjoyed the first book Autumn Of The Grimoire, like I did, than prepared to be spellbound in JL Vampa bewitching follow up.
Autumn of the Grimoire (Sisters Solstice Series #1)
Publication Date: September 22, 2022
Genre: Gothic Fantasy/ Dark Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Phantom House Press
Some witches cast spells. Others slay kings.
A mysterious Grimoire. A marriage full of dark secrets. A History sculpted by a quartet of ancient Sister witches.
For three hundred years, Sister Autumn has incited wars, burnt villages, killed kings, and released plagues at the bidding of the Grimoire. Meanwhile, her Sister Winter, Sister Spring, and Sister Summer have brought forth only peace.
When an Order from the Grimoire sends Agatha to the Kingdom of Merveille, she already anticipates the worst. Unless she wants to face the wrath of the Goddess, Agatha must keep her head down and do as she’s commanded.
But when the Grimoire Orders her to marry a pompous prince and play the role of a peasant “accepted” by vicious aristocrats, she finds herself at the center of a war between the classes and an age-old prophecy.
Within the court, many players harbor dark secrets—including her new husband. With her newfound influence, Agatha joins forces with the city’s Blacklisted in order to blur the lines between the common man and the elite, unravel the mysteries in her marriage, and decide once and for all if she will defy the Grimoire and face the brutal consequences.
As secrets unfold, will Agatha continue to slay on behalf of the Grimoire, or forge an uncharted History with her unlikely allies?
Jane Lenore (J.L.) Vampa is a published author of Dark Fantasy and Victorian Gothic fiction. J.L. also owns a macabre-style bookish shop, Wicked Whimsy Boutique. She lives in Texas with her musician husband and their two littles who are just as peculiar as they are.
I am truly excited to share with today the beautiful cover for
The Orchid Hour by Nancy Bilyeau
The Orchid Hour by Nancy Bilyeau
Publication Date: August 10, 2023 Lume Books
Genre: Historical Thriller
There is a certain hour, in the dead of night, when the orchid’s scent can put you under a spell…
“Nancy Bilyeau has created a beautifully layered and utterly seductive tale… and, at its living, tender heart, a strong-willed and magnetic heroine.” – Emilya Naymark, author of Behind the Lie, finalist for the 2023 Sue Grafton Award
Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown and The Blue, returns with a tantalizing novel about one woman caught up in a secret nightclub that one can only reach through a certain florist on a cobblestone street.
New York City, 1923. Zia De Luca’s life is about to be shattered. Having lost her husband to The Great War, she lives with her son and in-laws in Little Italy and works at the public library. But when a quiet poetry lover is murdered outside the library, the police investigation focuses on Zia. After a second tragedy strikes even closer to home, Zia learns that both crimes are connected to a new speakeasy in Greenwich Village called The Orchid Hour.
When the police investigation stalls, Zia decides to find her own answers. A cousin with whom she has a special bond serves as a guide to the shadow realm of The Orchid Hour, a world filled with enticements Zia has shunned up to now. She must contend with a group of players determined to find wealth and power in New York on their own terms. In this heady atmosphere, Zia begins to wonder if she too could rewrite her life’s rules. As she’s pulled in deeper and deeper, will Zia be able to bring the killers to justice before they learn her secret?
To be published August 10, 2023, in the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Australia, in original paperback and ebook.
The Crown: “Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical research throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal.” —O, The Oprah Magazine, pick of the month
The Blue: “Definitely a winner!” —Kate Quinn, author of The Diamond Eye
Dreamland: “I could practically taste the salt-water taffy and smell the ocean air as I read Bilyeau’s latest, set in 1911 Coney Island. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, DREAMLAND is a rollicking ride.” —Fiona Davis, author of The Magnolia Palace
About the Author
Nancy Bilyeau is a historical novelist and magazine editor based in New York. She wrote the Joanna Stafford trilogy, a trio of thrillers set in Henry VIII’s England, for Simon & Schuster. Her fourth novel is The Blue, an 18th-century thriller revolving around the art and porcelain world. Her next novel is Dreamland, set in Coney Island of 1911, to be published by Endeavour Quill on January 16, 2020. A former staff editor at Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and InStyle, Nancy is currently the deputy editor at the Center on Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College and contributes to Town & Country, CrimeReads, and Mystery Scene magazine.
There is a certain hour, in the dead of night, when the orchid’s scent can put you under a spell…
“Nancy Bilyeau has created a beautifully layered and utterly seductive tale… and, at its living, tender heart, a strong-willed and magnetic heroine.” – Emilya Naymark, author of Behind the Lie, finalist for the 2023 Sue Grafton Award
Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown and The Blue, returns with a tantalizing novel about one woman caught up in a secret nightclub that one can only reach through a certain florist on a cobblestone street.
New York City, 1923. Zia De Luca’s life is about to be shattered. Having lost her husband to The Great War, she lives with her son and in-laws in Little Italy and works at the public library. But when a quiet poetry lover is murdered outside the library, the police investigation focuses on Zia. After a second tragedy strikes even closer to home, Zia learns that both crimes are connected to a new speakeasy in Greenwich Village called The Orchid Hour.
When the police investigation stalls, Zia decides to find her own answers. A cousin with whom she has a special bond serves as a guide to the shadow realm of The Orchid Hour, a world filled with enticements Zia has shunned up to now. She must contend with a group of players determined to find wealth and power in New York on their own terms. In this heady atmosphere, Zia begins to wonder if she too could rewrite her life’s rules. As she’s pulled in deeper and deeper, will Zia be able to bring the killers to justice before they learn her secret?
To be published August 10, 2023, in the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Australia, in original paperback and ebook.
The Crown:
“Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical research throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal.”
—O, The Oprah Magazine, pick of the month
The Blue:
“Definitely a winner!”
—Kate Quinn, author of The Diamond Eye
Dreamland:
“I could practically taste the salt-water taffy and smell the ocean air as I read Bilyeau’s latest, set in 1911 Coney Island. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, DREAMLAND is a rollicking ride.”
—Fiona Davis, author of The Magnolia Palace
About the Author
Nancy Bilyeau is a historical novelist and magazine editor based in New York. She wrote the Joanna Stafford trilogy, a trio of thrillers set in Henry VIII’s England, for Simon & Schuster. Her fourth novel is The Blue, an 18th-century thriller revolving around the art and porcelain world. Her next novel is Dreamland, set in Coney Island of 1911, to be published by Endeavour Quill on January 16, 2020. A former staff editor at Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and InStyle, Nancy is currently the deputy editor at the Center on Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College and contributes to Town & Country, CrimeReads, and Mystery Scene magazine.
Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.
When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.
Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.
ADVANCE PRAISE
– “Deibel’s update on the “Cinderella” story features sympathetic, three-dimensional characters that readers will find easy to root for as they navigate the page-turning plot and find their way to one another. This heartwarming entry will keep readers hooked till its satisfying close.”— Publisher’s Weekly
– “A slow-building, delicious romance wrapped in a mystery!”— Erica Vetsch, author of the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries
REVIEW
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.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel, follows a sweet young Irish woman Brianna Kelly. Brianna was abandoned on the steps of the Ballymacool House and Boarding School when she was just an infant. Maureen Magee, the harsh headmistress of Boarding School has made sure that Brianna knows her place as a servant.
Michael Wray the son of a local lord, is tasked with checking on his wayward female cousin at Ballymacool House. He can’t help being drawn to tinder hearted Brianna Kelly. Even though they are separated by completely opposite social classes, Michael is smitten by the young lass. Michael finds Mistress Magee treatment of Brianna ghastly, and uncalled for. Together Brianna and Michael seek to unravel the mystery surrounding Brianna’s parentage.
This was such a lovely Cinderella styled clean historical romance. I found the setting and details wonderful, along with budding romance of Brianna and Michael. There is a mystery that unfolds that keeps readers in a state of suspense.
This was such a delightful book read, that once I started reading it I found myself captivated by the characters and the mystery.
Thanks so much to Laurel Ann Nattress Austenprose PR
AUTHOR
Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal (winner of the Kipp Award for Historical Romance) and The Lady of Galway Manor (a Parable Group bestseller). Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children.
The White Sails Series: Special Hardback Omnibus
by Emma Lombard
If Bridgerton and Pirates of the Caribbean had a love child.
Are you a fan of sweeping romantic adventures?
Do you fall for tall, brooding Naval Officers?
Love a feisty female lead who makes you yell aloud?
Then hop aboard Emma Lombard’s hardback Collector’s Edition of The White Sails Series, and batten down the hatches!
But Why?
Well, firstly, let me tell you what my Kickstarter campaign isn’t. It isn’t a plea for donations, it’s not a beg for money, and it’s not just another retailer.
Okay, so what is it then?
Kickstarter is a wonderful way for me to give more to my fans.
It allows fans access to a special collector’s edition that is not (and will never be) available from online retailers.
It allows fans to have each and every copy personalised, which is just not doable on retailers.
It also allows fans a more intimate view of the story behind my series.
And best of all, it allows fans to get involved in my next series, whether through an exclusive sneak peek of the first draft or even having a character named after them.
Oh, and did I mention there’s an opportunity to win the original oil painting of the cover?
Where else in the world do you get all this extra cool stuff thrown in just because you bought a book?
What’s in it for you, Emma?
Without wanting to sound too cheesy, I’m beside myself to put such a pretty book out in the world. I’m mean, just look at that dreamy sunset! I’m not going to lie, I love a chunky book. This collector’s edition fulfils my ultimate author dream—to be able to hold (and smell) a weighty tome. I’m not the only one—I’ve had folks walk up to my books at the market and pick them up just to smell them! My kind of peeps!
I know it’s taboo to talk about money, but the pledges received for this campaign will help me recoup some of the upfront expenses that I have already laid out, like editing, book cover design, audiobook narration, and it will give me the momentum I need to invest in those same services for my next series, The Gold Hills Series.
You’ll be helping keep the indie publishing ecosphere turning, which in turn lets me keep creating more stories.
So, what’s The White Sails Series about?
One of my readers described it best: If Bridgerton and Pirates of the Caribbean had a love child.
The idea for this series was born from a tiny nugget of family gossip that my grandmother shared with me. She told me how my 3x great grandmother left her well-to-do family in England to elope with an English sea captain, and live aboard his ship with him.
I took the basic concept of this story and had a blast creating an entirely fictitious imagining of what it might have been like for a woman to live aboard a ship in those days. Quite ironic considering that I get terribly sea-sick myself.
Curious? Never seen what a Kickstarter campaign looks like?
Just looking: Take an exclusive pre-launch look at Emma’s campaign to see it in detail, click HERE.
Note: clicking on this link will not sign you up to anything, it’s simply an exclusive behind-the-scenes look.
To follow the campaign: Open the campaign, and click ‘Notify me on launch’ button at the top of the page
Note: this will not commit you to any pledges, it’s how you will be able to have ring-side seats to watch the campaign play out.
Giveaway
Batten down the hatches, m’lovelies, for a chance to win an exclusive, personalised, hardcover Collector’s Edition of The White Sails Series: Fill out the entry form HERE.
The first book in an epic fantasy series for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal and Elizabeth Lim, set in an Arabian-inspired land. Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, seventeen-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother whose betrayal is now their greatest threat.
In the hidden desert city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens affinities in those who drink the misra tea. With an affinity for iron, seventeen-year-old Imani wields a dagger like no other warrior, garnering her the reputation as the next greatest Shield for battling the dangerous djinn, ghouls, and other monsters that lurk in the sands beyond city limits.
Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother who tarnished the family name after he was discovered stealing their nation’s coveted spice – a tell-tale sign of magical obsession. He disappeared soon after, believed to have died beyond the Forbidden Wastes, and leaving Imani reeling with both betrayal and grief.
But when Imani uncovers evidence her brother may be alive and spreading their nation’s magic beyond the desert, she strikes a deal with the Council to find him and bring him back to Qalia before he can reveal the city’s location. Accompanied by Qayn, a roguish but handsome djinni, and Taha, a powerful beastseer whose magical talents are matched only by his arrogance, they set out on their mission.
Imani will soon discover there are many secrets that lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes – and in her own heart – but will she find her brother before his betrayals endanger the fate of all of Qalia?
In this epic and action-packed fantasy, one young heroine navigates the treacherous road between protecting the ones you love and staying loyal to the place you call home.
Content Warning: politics, colonialism
REVIEW
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.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim is vibrant fantasy, full of swords and sorcery !
Maiya Ibrahim, brings Qalia and Alqibah worlds vividly to life. This immersive enemies to lovers fantasy is set in an Arabian-inspired land. Full of Monsters and myths from Middle Eastern folklore.
We follow seventeen year old Imani, who is the the infamous Djinni-Slayer, the youngest member of the Shields, protectors of the city of Qalia. Imani is gifted with the magical ability to transform her ancient dagger into other weapons. Aided by a tea called Spice, who’s magical properties that comes from the ancient Misra Tree.
Her presumed treasonous brother Atheer, has been missing and assumed dead after his theft of misra. When things come to light he might not be so dead after all. When Imani and her younger sister, Amira are given information about their brother, they find themselves in a retrieval group set out to bring Atheer back. To much to her dismay Imira is paired with her rival Taha and his scouts. Together along with her sister, and a Djinni, who claims he has befriended her brother, they leave the comforts of everyone and everything they know to retrieve her brother.
Faced with danger and the harsh reality of the vast desert land, and what it’s people have had to endure. Imira slowly realizes how much she is narrow minded. The reader Is given first hand Imira inner thoughts as she finds herself in back and forth relationship with Taha, as they make their way.
A plot driven book who’s slightly stubborn and quite sassy character, faces harsh realities about the world she thought she knew. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers troupe and the banter. The magical system was unique and I thought the beautiful world building and folklore was gorgeous.
Maiya Ibrahim is the debut author of SPICE ROAD, publishing January 24, 2023 from Delacorte Press and Hodder & Stoughton. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney. When she isn’t writing, reading, or spending time with her family, she enjoys video games, gardening, and expanding her collection of rare trading cards. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
“I do not know how I lived in darkness for so many years with this bright world just waiting for me to grasp it.”
Maelwen is a young witch trapped in a harsh and unforgiving life. Friendless and alone, she endures terrible abuse in order to survive in the desolate land of Iowain.
Across the continent, Cicerine, a virtuous young faun, lives in the idyllic glade of KanitoshWoods. Alongside her mother and closest friend, she is raised with dutiful reverence for the god, Idyth—led by the mysterious Father Farragen.
After escaping her tormentor and seeking a new life of her own, Maelwen finds a fresh start in the seedy trade city of Konidas. Meanwhile, a terrible tragedy befalls the glade, and Cicerine must flee to the same seaside town, leaving behind all she has ever known.
As a dark and menacing force spreads across Idythia, can Maelwen’s gifts and Cicerine’sdeveloping power stand against the threat which faces them all? Alongside found family, new friends, and a crew of sapphic pirates, the line between good and evil is tested as the continent prepares for an epic battle.
GIVEAWAY
Win a Woodborn book box that includes the book and other goodies (US only)
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.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
Woodborn by Heather Nix, is a stunning sapphic dark fantasy.
Heather Nix delivers a vividly descriptive, interesting, and well-written read here, with characters and a setting that totally captivated and intrigued me. I was totally taken and fascinated with each character’s own story. The narration is solid told in very distinct multiple POV’s. The two characters that stand out for me are, Maelwen the witch and Ceci a half human faun. The writing is smooth, and the author easily switches back and forth between characters effortlessly. The book has depth, with gender identity, and sexual preferences representatives The there also is traumatic scenes that I thought were handled perfectly. The spice was just enough to add some heat to the tale, also it kept me flipping through the pages. Fair warning friends, once you start reading this book you won’t be able to stop. Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, and I am excited to read Heather Nix next written work.
A captivating dark fantasy book, that will give you the best book hangover !
Happy Reading Friends
EXCERPT
My bare feet pad along the floor of my small apartment as I head toward the bedroom. The desolate and stark journey from Iowain to Konidas took three days’ time, and I arrived two months ago today. I slept on the open ground, wrapped in my cloak beneath the wide sky, full of stars. I did not encounter a single living creature as I flew. The nights were silent but for the whistle of the wind and the soft rustle of my cloak, becoming as familiar to me as a part of my body. Tiny pinprick scars now run along my arms and back from wrist to wrist, where it stitches to my skin for flight, looking like a seam pulled undone. They are the only wounds which my body has not healed. It feels odd, like finding something I did not know belonged to me. The cloak currently lies draped over a chair in my sitting room, humming softly to me as I sit on my bed. Months ago, I only dreamed of freedom. Now, I have it.
This apartment sits over a tavern in Konidas. The owners are human, plump, and kind-hearted. The night I arrived here, the tavern was the first open business I found, and I shook off the chill at a barstool with a tankard of frothy ale. The barkeep made small talk, and after the ale loosened my tongue, I let slip that I had just arrived and had made no arrangements for housing. I had planned on renting a room at the inn by the docks, despite the cost—rooms were rented by the day or the hour, not monthly. Without renting one of the rickety, dilapidated homes in town or an apartment above one of the small businesses, the cost of living in a transient city like Konidas is high. However, by the end of the night, I had made my first friend, the barkeep, Shell. She is the daughter of the tavern owners who coincidentally, and conveniently, had an empty apartment upstairs. I can’t help but feel like this is all too easy, too good. I have never had a home or a friend, and this comfort is unnerving. Some god or goddess must have been on my shoulder, guiding me toward complete strangers who somehow trusted me enough to offer up an apartment within hours of my arrival. I would say thanks if we still recalled the names of the gods. I paid them upfront for three months, a show of good faith that I can at least be counted on in that regard. I am not a friendly face, but money is just as good when it comes to trust. For the second time today, I pull out my sack of coin from beneath my mattress and count it. Jarrus’s savings and my meager hoard made a fair sum, and I have a decent amount left, but soon I will need to come up with a way to make more. I slide beneath my blankets and with a small smile allow myself to drift to sleep—almost happy for the first time in my life.
I wake with the dawn, the pale pink light of sunrise filtering through my small window. There is a marked quiet to the morning and my brow furrows as I look around. My cloak has gone quiet. The persistent hum has stopped, and my senses feel dulled. I am tired, despite my night of sleep, and my body aches. Hunger grabs onto the pit of my stomach with a twisting cramp and I stand, unsteady on my feet. I dress in a pair of charcoal gray pants and a silk blouse, and I pull my long hair back into a leather tie. The staircase down to the tavern seems to shift beneath my feet, and I grip the railing to keep from falling. Shell is busy wiping down the bar, and I can smell something cooking in the kitchen, but it makes my stomach turn. Nearly gagging, I push my way through the door and out into the morning bustle.
AUTHOR
Heather Nix is the debut author of Woodborn, the first book in the Song of Gods series. Born and raised in sunny San Diego, CA she longs to return to the forests of the Pacific Northwest. She is the mother of two human and three cat children, and enjoys tattoos, tabletop RPGs, and creating feminist art in her limited spare time. Heather is passionate about writing queer fantasy and strives to create nuanced characters who resonate with underserved communities.
Welcome to my stop on Book Blast for Ascent by Cathie Dunn!
Ascent by Cathie Dunn
Publication Date: April 8, 2022 Ocelot Press
Series: House of Normandy, Book One Genre: Historical Fiction
A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty – the House of Normandy Neustria, Kingdom of the West Franks AD 890
Fourteen-year-old Poppa’s life changes when Northmen land near Bayeux. Count Bérengar, her father, submits to them, and she is handfasted to Hrólfr, the Northmen’s heathen leader, as part of their agreement.
To her relief, Hrólfr leaves immediately in search of further conquest, only returning to claim her years later. In the face of retaliating Franks, they flee to East Anglia, where she gives birth to their son and daughter.
When Hrólfr and Poppa return to reclaim Bayeux, his new campaign strikes at the heart of Frankish power, and King Charles of the West Franks offers him a pact he cannot refuse. In exchange for vast tracts of land in Neustria, Hrólfr must convert to Christianity and accept marriage to Gisela, the king’s illegitimate daughter.
Poppa’s world shatters. She remains in Bayeux, with her daughter, Adela. When Gisela arrives one day, demanding she hand over Adela, to be raised in Rouen, Poppa’s patience is at an end. But Gisela makes for a dangerous enemy, and only one woman will survive their confrontation high up on the cliffs.
Will Poppa live to witness the dawn of a new era?
ASCENT is the first in a new series about the early women of the House of Normandy – women whose stories have been forgotten through time.
Until now!
Readers of Viking and medieval fiction will enjoy ASCENT, a fictional account of the life of Poppa of Bayeux, handfasted wife of Rollo the Viking.
Ascent is on sale for eBook for only $.99 across all Amazon platforms!
Cathie Dunn writes historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The focus of her historical fiction novels is on strong women through time.
Cathie has been writing for over twenty years. She studied Creative Writing, with a focus on novel writing, which she teaches in the south of France. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites.
At the moment, Cathie is working on two novels: Treachery, #2 in the House of Normandy series, about Sprota the Breton, handfasted wife of William Longsword, the son of Poppa and Rollo; and The Alchemist’s Daughter, #2 in the Affair of the Poisons series. She also continues to plot a medieval murder mystery series set in 13th century Languedoc at the height of the Cathar persecutions.
Cathie’s stories have garnered awards and praise from reviewers and readers for their authentic description of the past.
Cathie is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Alliance of Independent Authors, and she organises historical fiction blog tours for The Coffee Pot Book Club.
After many years in Scotland, Cathie now lives in south of France with her husband, and rescued Charlie Cat and Ellie Dog.
The Orchid Hour
Gwendalyn’s Books 
