Tuesday, 28 July 2026

The Spirit of the Times by Justin Newland


  The Spirit of the Times 
By Justin Newland


Publication Date: July 28th, 2026
Publisher: Troubador Publishing
Pages: 264
Genre: Historical Fiction

From a land of milk,
And a Road of Silk,
To a ring of roses,
And a dance of posies,
Comes the tale of the spirit of the times!

In fourteenth-century Central Asia, Karia is a young woman living under the yoke of Mongol occupation. But she’s different. She’s a fighter with supernatural powers. She could use them to keep the Black Plague at bay and solve the mystery of the purple skies at dawn – if only she could overcome her self-doubt.

Travelling in caravans on the Silk Road, she faces dangers seen and unseen – from sandstorms and slave traders to the desert djinn and folk who believe she’s a witch. She fears losing Abi, her little cousin, who’s fascinated by roses and the dance of the Whirling Dervishes of Bukhara.

When Karia falls in love with an English sailor fleeing the Knights Hospitaller, they sail to England with Abi to unravel the meaning of the purple skies, a dance, a posy tree, and a ring of roses.

The Spirit of the Times is part history, part fiction and part speculation: on the origin of disease; the power of innocence; the unfortunate aspects of custom and dogma; and humanity’s ability to respond to the governing influence or spirit of the times.




Pick up your copy of  
The Spirit of the Times 


Justin Newland


Justin Newland's novels represent an innovative blend of genres, from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism. 
Undeterred by the award of a doctorate in mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies. Next came The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

The Coronation (Matador, 2019) features the Great Enlightenment and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution. The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

At this point in his writing career, after four self-published books, Justin was offered a part-funded contract with the Book Guild.

The Mark of the Salamander (Book Guild, 2023) is the first in a two-book ‘The Island of Angels’ series. It tells the epic tale of England’s coming of age during the Elizabethan era. The second in the series, The Midnight of Eights (Book Guild, 2024), charts the uncanny coincidences of time and tide that culminated in the repulse of the Spanish Armada.

His latest novel, The Spirit of the Times (Matador, 2026), is to be published in July. It tells the story of a young Kyrgyz woman’s journey westwards along the Silk Road. With purple skies at dawn, and a supporting cast of Genghis Khan, the Black Plague, a perplexing rhyme, a ring of roses, it explores the greatest mystery of all – the spirit of the times. 
Justin’s enduring passion is to explore the origins of our current time. This prompted a broad research into what we’ve inherited from history – encompassing Egypt, China, Prussia and Tudor England.

He also writes entertaining talks which he gives to the WI, U3A, Probus, Rotary and local historical associations. Please visit his website for a current list of the talks.

Alongside the talks, Justin promotes his work with regular book signings at TG Jones (ex. WH Smith) high street stores, selling over 3,500 books since 2019. He has sponsored over 40 UK and US blog tours, given frequent radio interviews and penned many guest posts.

His current book signing motto is: Enjoy, Imagine, Discover.

As a member of the Society of Authors, he has Public and Products Liability Insurance.

Born in Essex, England, three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his lady in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

Posted by at No comments:

MURDER IN GILMERTON an absolutely gripping Scottish crime mystery (Detective Hunter Wilson Mysteries Book 2) by Val Penny




MURDER IN GILMERTON
(Detective Hunter Wilson Mysteries Book 2)
By Val Penny


Publication Date: 2nd June 2026
Publisher: Joffe Books 
Print Length: 290 Pages
Genre: Crime / Mystery

Behind Edinburgh’s genteel facade, a killer is settling an old score . . .

An elderly man is shot dead on his own doorstep in the leafy suburb of Gilmerton.

One bullet. Point-blank range. A professional hit on a harmless old man who lived a simple life collecting rare books.

Detective Hunter Wilson knows the victim. George Reinbold was once head of Crime Scene Investigations. He’s one of their own.

What Hunter can’t understand is why George’s modest flat is fortified with reinforced doors, bomb-blast curtains and a Cold War pistol under the bed.

That same morning, a young woman vanishes from a luxury car showroom. No struggle. No witnesses. Just a discarded coat and a missing blue Volvo.

Two cases. One killer?

In a city where everyone guards their secrets, the past has come knocking.

Detective Hunter Wilson must catch a murderer who has waited a lifetime to strike.


Pick up your copy of
MURDER IN GILMERTON
Read with #KindleUnlimited
 

Val Penny


Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store. 

Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd. 

Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat. 

Connect with Val Penny:




Posted by at No comments:

Napoleon's Shadow Wife by James Conroyd Martin



 

Napoleon's Shadow Wife
By James Conroyd Martin


Publication Date: 13th April 2025
Publisher: Hussar Quill Press
Print Length: 492 Pages
Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction

Embark on a voyage through unconditional love, power, and betrayal!

How could an emperor like Napoleon Bonaparte be so captivated by the twenty-year-old Polish Countess Marie Walewska—admittedly a rare beauty but of minor nobility—that their affair would last through both his marriages? And if it wasn’t romance that first drew Marie to Napoleon, what was it?

A fan of Napoleon since her school days, Marie eagerly seizes the opportunity to meet him when he passes through the former Poland, his intention to secure military support for his campaign to conquer Russia. She seeks only to express Poland’s gratitude and hope he would restore the nation’s independence. She never imagined a romantic entanglement. But Napoleon, taken with her patriotism, youth, and beauty, soon sets his sights on her—and begins a campaign to win her heart.

Pick up your copy of
 Napoleon's Shadow Wife
HERE


James Conroyd Martin




James Conroyd Martin is a writer of Irish and Norwegian descent who has been working on his Poland trilogy for many years. It began with Push Not the River, a novelization of a real countess’ diary of her experiences in the 1790s, during the rise and fall of Poland’s Third of May Constitution years. The family saga continued with Against a Crimson Sky and concludes with The Warsaw Conspiracy.

The Polish translations of the first two books, Nie ponaglaj rzeki & Pod purpurowym niebem, became bestsellers in Poland. The translation of The Warsaw Conspiracy, Warszawski spisek,has just been released.

The most recent book set in Poland is tentatively titled The Boy Who Wanted Wings, a story of the Polish hussars at the Battle of Vienna, the first 9-11.

In the meantime Martin has published a ghost story, Hologram: A Haunting, set in Hammond, Indiana.

He is hard at work on a novel set in sixth century Greece.

Martin has retired from teaching in Chicago and now lives and writes in Portland, Oregon. He holds degrees from St. Ambrose and DePaul Universities.

Website

X





Posted by at No comments:

Author Interview: Laura Daleo

 


Today, I am chatting with Laura Daleo about My Name Is Death, a poignant and thought-provoking novel that reimagines Death in a strikingly original way, blending humour, heart, and the supernatural into an unforgettable story.


But first, let's check out My Name Is Death



Publication Date: 28th February 2025
Publisher: Author Laura Daleo
Print Length: 161 Pages
Genre: Paranormal Suspense

Death is an enchanting and witty immortal being who prefers Italian suits and savors Americano coffee. The traditional scythe and robes are far removed from his style. Instead of reaping souls with a weapon, he guides them into the afterlife through meaningful gestures. This dynamic takes a profound turn when Death meets Annalise, a teenager facing the harsh realities of a terminal illness and the fleeting nature of her time on Earth.




My Name Is Death presents a very unusual interpretation of one of humanity's oldest figures. What inspired you to reimagine Death as a witty, stylish immortal who prefers Italian suits and coffee to scythes and robes? 

I wanted to create a modernized version of the Angel of Death—someone with a more human side who could be put to the test emotionally. Giving Death a witty personality, a love for Italian suits, and a taste for coffee made him feel more relatable and interesting to me than the usual scythe and robe.


Death is often portrayed as something to be feared, yet your version appears compassionate and deeply human. What aspects of his character were most important for you to explore? 

It was important for me to show Death as compassionate, caring, and very human-like. I wanted readers to see a different side of him—someone who understands people and feels empathy, even while carrying out his role.


The relationship between Death and Annalise forms the heart of the story. What drew you to pairing an immortal being with a teenager confronting her own mortality? 

Meeting Annalise changes everything for Death, how he sees himself, his past, and even how he acts. I was drawn to the idea of pairing an immortal with someone young and facing her own mortality because it let me explore how both characters could grow and change through their connection.


Although the novel deals with difficult subjects, there also seems to be warmth and humour woven throughout the narrative. How did you balance the emotional weight of the story with lighter moments?

Balancing the heavy and lighter moments just comes naturally to me when I’m writing. I think it’s important to include warmth and humor, even in tough stories, because that’s how life is, and it helps the characters feel more real.


Annalise is forced to face realities that many people spend their lives avoiding. What did writing her character teach you about courage, resilience, and the value of time?

Writing Annalise’s character made me reflect on how people respond to difficult situations in their own ways. It wasn’t so much about specific lessons, but more about trying to stay honest in how I wrote her reactions and choices.


Your books often blend supernatural elements with deeply personal human experiences. What is it about this combination that appeals to you as a storyteller? 

I was really interested in seeing how someone like Death would deal with real, everyday feelings when faced with someone as honest and vulnerable as Annalise. Putting such different characters together let me play with both the unusual and the ordinary, and that mix is what made me want to keep writing their story.


Readers may come to the novel expecting a story about death, but it also appears to be a story about life. Was that contrast something you consciously set out to explore? 

Yes, it absolutely was something I wanted to write. I really wanted to show what it meant for Death to feel alive and to feel human and vulnerable. I wanted him to experience things like loss, love, and family, just like anyone else.

As an author known for creating vampires, supernatural beings, and dark legends, did writing Death himself present any unique challenges or opportunities? No, writing Death didn’t present any unique challenges. He was actually super fun to write. Giving him his own personality and quirks was a great opportunity, and I enjoyed seeing where his story would go.


The novel raises universal questions about mortality, acceptance, and what happens when our time runs out. Were there any particular themes you found yourself reflecting on while writing the book?

I wanted to write about the moments when someone is facing the end of their life and how difficult it can be for their loved ones to accept. Death’s role is to be there for the person who is dying, guiding them through that experience, even as those around them struggle to let go.


For readers picking up My Name Is Death for the first time, what do you hope they take away from Death's unlikely friendship with Annalise and their shared journey? 

I hope readers see that family and love can be found in the most unlikely circumstances. Sometimes the strongest connections come from the people you least expect, and I wanted Death and Annalise’s journey to reflect that.


I'd like to thank Laura Daleo for taking the time to chat with me today. It's been a pleasure learning more about the inspiration behind My Name Is Death. I wish Laura every success with the novel and hope readers enjoy getting to know this wonderfully original version of Death as much as I have.


Laura Daleo


Where ancient myths collide with a modern edge.

A creative writing class in junior high sparked Laura Daleo’s desire to tell stories, but her true inspiration came from the legendary Anne Rice. Following in the footsteps of Interview With The Vampire, Laura fueled her ambition to craft her own dark legends, beginning with the publication of Immortal Kiss.

Today, Laura is the author of nine published works that blend the supernatural with high-stakes suspense. Her portfolio ranges from deep-rooted vampire lore to the chilling sci-fi thriller The Doll and the supernatural reimagining of the Angel of Death in My Name Is Death. Her latest release, The Wolf Experiment (2026), marks a gripping evolution into urban fantasy thriller territory, exploring the dark intersection of military science and forced transformation.

Beyond the keyboard, Laura is an artist and a dog enthusiast living in Tucson, Arizona, with her two dogs, Rose and Cooper.




Posted by at No comments:

Monday, 27 July 2026

Blossoming of Truth: A gripping, emotional story of love, mystery and betrayal by Susan Gray

 


Blossoming of Truth: 
A gripping, emotional story of love, mystery and betrayal. 
A 1920s romantic suspense.
By Susan Gray


Publication Date: 13th February 2024
Publisher:  UK Book Publishing 
Page Length: 365 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

If the truth is denied...an identity is hidden...
a trust is eroded and a shocking betrayal ensues...
can love truly blossom?

A tragic accident...a bitter betrayal...a baffling mystery.

When an attractive young woman seeks refuge in his home during a blizzard, Tom Smallwood is convinced they have met before.
As their friendship develops, her persistent denial of their previous connection threatens to shake the bedrock of Tom's 'life code'.
A tragic accident robs Tom of his beloved brother, leaving him devastated.
His world implodes further when he is arrested...

HIS ONLY CRIME WAS TO FALL IN LOVE.

Can Tom's strong pillars of truth and integrity hold fast and enable him to win the heart of the woman he adores?



Pick up your copy of
Blossoming of Truth
Read with #KindleUnlimited


Susan Gray


'Never to old to follow your dreams' has become Susan Gray's mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her novels in the early Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England, setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by 'life' and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to 'people watch' and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written six novels. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel and is now joined by another standalone novel BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH. 

Connect with Susan:







Posted by at No comments:

Via Malorum by G.G MacLeod



 

Via Malorum

By G.G MacLeod



Publication Date: October 3rd, 2025
Publisher: independently published
Pages: 216
Genre: Historical Fiction / Psychological Thriller / Dark Romantasy


In the shadows of Rome power bleeds red.

In the shadowed streets of ancient Rome, 37 CE, power is a blade that cuts both ways. Agrippina, a towering enigma of ambition, slips from Caligula’s gilded cage with her newborn son, Domitius, her mind a labyrinth of cold calculation. At her side prowls Messalina, a siren in scarlet, her seductive cunning as deadly as her blade. Together, they navigate a city teeming with decadence and deceit, pursued by whispers of treachery and the emperor’s wrath.

Their journey leads to the Temple of Fortuna where the enigmatic Prophet Cassandra unveils a cryptic fate – one that demands sacrifice and promises blood. As alleys echo with violence and forbidden passions ignite, Agrippina’s quest for dominion collides with Messalina’s ruthless desires. In a night where every step drips with danger, who will rise and who will fall?

VIA MALORUM is a visceral plunge into the heart of Roman darkness, blending historical intrigue with the chilling allure of giallo. Prepare for a tale where power bleeds red, and trust is a luxury none can afford.


Pick up your copy of  
Via Malorum




G.G. MacLeod is a 59-year-old Canadian male based in Calgary.

The author has always had a tendency of combining genres like horror and action along with drama, psychological thrillers, giallo, and sometimes even comedy.

It really depends on how the author feels from moment to moment as they write because the author likes to entertain themselves first and then hope that a smattering of other people out there in the world will like it as well.




Posted by at No comments:

In the Shadow of the Storm: The King's Greatest Enemy #1 by Anna Belfrage




In the Shadow of the Storm: 
The King's Greatest Enemy #1 
By Anna Belfrage


Publication Date: 30th June 2016
Publisher: Timelight Press
Print Length: 385 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

Adam de Guirande owes his lord, Roger Mortimer, everything — his life, his lands, even the wife he believes to be Katherine de Monmouth.

England in 1321 is in turmoil. Edward II has forced to exile his favourite, Hugh Despenser, and the barons — Lancaster, Mortimer, and de Bohun — think they have finally broken the king’s will. They are wrong. Edward is already preparing to strike back.

Adam worries his lord has over-reached. Also, there’s the niggling suspicion his new bride isn’t quite what she seems to be. She isn’t: Kit may have been forced to wed him, but what will Adam do when he discovers she is no heiress but a mere bastard sister to the real Katherine?

When the king unleashes his vengeance, personal troubles fade. Mortimer and his men fight to survive.

When hope dies, when death seems inevitable, it falls to Kit to save Adam – if she can.


Pick up your copy of
In the Shadow of the Storm
Read with #KindleUnlimited


 Anna Belfrage



Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England.

Anna has also published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients.

More recently, Anna has been hard at work with her Castilian series. The first book, His Castilian Hawk, published in 2020, is set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales. His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love. In the second instalment, The Castilian Pomegranate, we travel with the protagonists to the complex political world of medieval Spain, while the third, Her Castilian Heart, finds our protagonists back in England—not necessarily any safer than the wilds of Spain! The fourth book, Their Castilian Orphan, is scheduled for early 2024.

Anna has recently released Times of Turmoil, the sequel to her 2021 release, The Whirlpools of Time. Here she returns to the world of time travel. Where The Whirlpools of Time had Duncan and the somewhat reluctant time-traveller Erin navigating the complexities of the first Jacobite rebellion in Scotland, in Times of Turmoil our protagonists are in Colonial Pennsylvania, hoping for a peaceful existence. Not about to happen—not in one of Anna’s books!

All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Readers’ Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com.

Connect with Anna:





Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, 25 July 2026

The Occupation (WW2 Occupation Series Book 1) by Deborah Swift

 


The Occupation 
(WW2 Occupation Series Book 1) 
By Deborah Swift 


Publication Date: 20th December 2024
Publisher: Quire Books
Print Length: 338 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

One woman’s secret war against the Nazis. One man’s war against himself.

1940, Jersey. 

When Nazi forces occupy Jersey in the English Channel Islands, Céline Huber, who is married to a German, must decide where her loyalty lies. Love for her island and fear for her Jewish friend Rachel soon propel her into a dangerous double life.

Meanwhile, Céline’s husband Fred is conscripted into the Wehrmacht in occupied France. Horrified by Nazi acts of atrocity and torture, he soon becomes a double agent for the French Resistance. But when things go wrong, and his Nazi masters discover his true allegiance, he finds he has the whole of the German Army on his tail.

How far will Céline go for her best friend? Will Fred make his way home to her? Or, will their lives be changed forever by the brutality of war?

The Occupation is a moving second world war story of resistance, courage and the will to survive.


Only 0.99 on #Kindle for a Limited Time
Pick up your copy of
The Occupation 
Read with #KindleUnlimited


Deborah Swift



Deborah Swift is the English author of twenty historical novels, including Millennium Award winner Past Encounters, and The Poison Keeper the novel based around the life of the legendary poisoner Giulia Tofana. The Poison Keeper won the Wishing Shelf Readers Award for Book of the Decade. Recently she has completed a secret agent series set in WW2, the first in the series being The Silk Code.

Deborah used to work as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV and enjoys the research aspect of creating historical fiction, something she loved doing as a scenographer. She likes to write about extraordinary characters set against a background of real historical events. Deborah lives in England on the edge of the Lake District, an area made famous by the Romantic Poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge.






Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)