Both Sides of the Pond: My Family’s War, 1933–1946 by Barbara Kent Lawrence.

 

Today in the Spotlight: Both Sides of the Pond: My Family’s War, 1933–1946 by Barbara Kent Lawrence.

A powerful and deeply personal account of one family’s experience during the Second World War, this richly researched memoir follows love, loss, and courage on both sides of the Atlantic. Illustrated with photographs and documents, it brings to life the extraordinary journeys of ordinary people in remarkable times.

✓ A deeply personal Second World War memoir

✓ From Dunkirk to Burma and beyond

✓ A transatlantic story of love and duty

✓ Ordinary lives in extraordinary times

✓ Carefully researched and richly illustrated

Check out the blurb:

In January of 1939 when Barbara Greene, a beautiful

young British actress, met Joe Kennedy, Jr., son of the American Ambassador, she could not have expected that their relationship would lead to her emigrating to the United States and learning to pilot a plane. Neither could her brother, Kent, have foreseen his bitter retreat from Dunkirk when he left England in January 1940 to fight in France, or his subsequent service on the frontlines in Cornwall, North Africa, Sicily, and Burma.

In this intensively researched war story of the author’s family, we also hear the stories of other ordinary people who survived extraordinary circumstances. Richly illustrated with photographs and documents, “Both Sides of the Pond, My Family’s War: 1933 – 1946” is a captivating book.

This book is available in paperback & hardback at Amazon UK & Amazon US

Barbara Kent Lawrence

Dr. Lawrence is the author of many articles and nine books, including an award-winning dissertation about the influence of culture on aspirations in Maine. Her new book, Both Sides of the Pond, My Family’s War: 1933 - 1945, is available in book stores and on Amazon.

A former professor, she has taught courses in anthropology and sociology, research, and writing non-fiction and memoir. Lawrence grew up in New York City and Washington D.C., then earned a BA in anthropology from Bennington College, an MA in sociology from New York University, and an Ed.D. in Administration, Policy and Planning from Boston University.

In addition to teaching, Lawrence has worked for the Department of Social Services and the Housing Development Administration in New York, directed a small museum in Maine, co-run a brokerage and construction company, consulted for the Rural School and Community Trust and KnowledgeWorks, and started four non-profit organizations supporting the environment and students.

When not working she loves to garden, knit, and go for walks, pastimes she learned from her British mother. She lives in Maine and is working on the third novel in her Islands series.

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Book Trailer release

Today, we’re celebrating the release of the book trailer for The Magician by Somerset Maugham, newly revised by G. G. MacLeod.

A dark and fascinating tale of obsession, occult power, and the dangerous pursuit of forbidden knowledge, The Magician remains one of Maugham’s most intriguing works. This newly revised edition by G. G. MacLeod brings fresh clarity and renewed life to the classic text while preserving the eerie atmosphere that has captivated readers for generations.

The newly released trailer offers a glimpse into the mysterious world of Oliver Haddo, alchemy, and the seductive pull of the unknown.

Join us in celebrating this exciting moment and step into a story where ambition, magic, and morality collide

 

Check out the blurb:

In Edwardian Paris, brilliant surgeon Arthur Burdon is engaged to beautiful Margaret Dauncey, accompanied by her loyal friend, artist Susie Boyd. They encounter enigmatic Oliver Haddo—a wealthy, obese occultist claiming alchemical mastery. Haddo, inspired by Aleister Crowley, seduces and marries Margaret, drawing her into depravity.

While Arthur remains blind, Susie spies Haddo’s true nature: tentacled astral projections, ritual abuse, and experiments creating daemonic homunculi fed on virgin blood. Margaret descends into addiction and submission. Susie, contemptuous of weakness, murders to steal Haddo’s forbidden texts, performs blood rituals, and binds young Oswald Pendleton as lover and disciple through explicit sex magick.

This modern revision of this classic pot-boiler is a more hardcore, horrifying, and twisted take on this tale.

This book is available on Amazon.

G. G. MacLeod

I'm a Canadian indie author who also has a straight job. I'm 54 years old and "Augusta" is my first major foray into the world of publishing my work. Otherwise, there's nothing particularly interesting to say about me. I'm a pretty boring person, really who enjoys living a quiet life of reading/writing and thinking up story ideas that no one has actually pursued. 

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Bright One by Lisajoy Sachs

 

If you’re in the mood for a historical novel that gently reaches into your heart and refuses to let go, let me introduce you to Bright One by Lisajoy Sachs — a deeply moving story that most certainly deserves a place on your reading list.

✔️ Inspired by true events

✔️ Richly detailed historical setting

✔️ Heart-wrenching yet hopeful

✔️ Strong, unforgettable characters

✔️ A story of love, survival, and sacrifice

Check out the blurb:

When desperate choices mean the difference
between life and
death.

Inspired by true events, Bright One tells the story of Jetti Finkelthal, Lisajoy Sachs' great-grandmother. In Czernowitz, Romania, this young Jewish mother is forced to face impossible choices as the world begins to collapse around her. As antisemitism tightens its grip and war edges ever closer, Jetti holds fast to her daughter, Berta, with the fragile belief that love and courage might still carve a way through the darkness.

Heartened by her grandmother Berta's letters, photographs, and family oral histories, Sachs revives a story both intimate and universal-stitched with the fabric of daily life, the pull of memory, and the quiet heroism of women who refused to yield to despair. Told with vivid, sensory detail, the novel unfolds as if you are walking beside the characters, witnessing what they see and sharing what they feel.

Through Jetti's resilience and sacrifices, Bright One reveals the enduring strength of family ties and the shadow of trauma that lingers across generations. It is a story of survival, of loss, and of the unbreakable connection between mother and child.

For readers captivated by historical fiction that lingers long after the final page, Bright One offers a profoundly human portrait of love tested by history's darkest hours.

Ready to pick up your copy? Bright One opens a window into the past and invites you to walk alongside its characters — to witness their struggles, share their hopes, and feel every emotional turn of the journey.

You can find Bright One at your favourite online bookstore — including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books and Waterstones.

Lisajoy Sachs is a dedicated writer, beer enthusiast, and passionate advocate for preserving history and culture through storytelling. Born and raised on Long Island and in New York’s Hudson Valley, her early years were shaped by the striking contrast of mountains and sea. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in community and tradition, Lisajoy developed a lifelong appreciation for connection, creativity, and cultural heritage.

Her professional journey is as dynamic as her personal interests. With a career that spans Fine Arts, Interior Design, Metalsmithing, Lapidary, and the craft beer and hospitality industries, Lisajoy has cultivated a rich and diverse foundation of knowledge and experience.

She holds several distinguished degrees and certifications, including a Master of Fine Arts from the City University of New York and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University. Additionally, she is an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) through the Gemological Institute of America. In the beer world, Lisajoy is a graduate of Yakima Chief Hops’ Hop & Brew School and a Cicerone® Certified Beer Server, reflecting her expertise and passion for the craft.

As a writer, Lisajoy explores a wide range of topics—from beer culture and community engagement to historical fiction, which remains closest to her heart. Her work reflects a deep respect for the past and a fascination with how personal stories intersect with larger historical movements. She has published multiple articles highlighting how the craft beer industry promotes diversity and unity and continues to inspire readers with her thoughtful and emotionally resonant storytelling.

Lisajoy’s fiction is driven by a passion for history and family heritage, often set against vividly imagined backdrops and featuring characters navigating profound social and personal change. Whether capturing the resilience of refugees in pre-WWII Europe or illuminating the quiet strength of individuals in times of upheaval, her stories bring authenticity, emotion, and depth to the page.

Outside her professional life, Lisajoy is an avid cyclist and skier. Alongside her partner and their dog Hops, she travels in their camper van to explore new landscapes and seek out adventure.

Through her creative pursuits and professional endeavors, Lisajoy Sachs continues to bridge the gap between history, culture, and the shared human experience—bringing voice and visibility to the stories that matter most.

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The Light in the Labyrinth: The Last Days of Anne Boleyn. (The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn Book 3) by Wendy J. Dunn

 

Today, our book in the spotlight is The Light in the Labyrinth: The Last Days of Anne Boleyn. (The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn Book 3) by Wendy J. Dunn. 

Set against the dramatic final days of Anne Boleyn’s reign, this richly atmospheric historical novel follows Kate Carey as she enters the dazzling yet perilous court of Henry VIII. What begins as a dream quickly becomes a journey into intrigue, political scheming, and hidden truths that will alter Kate’s life forever.

✓ A young woman drawn into the dangerous world of Henry VIII’s court

✓ An invitation from Anne Boleyn changes everything

✓ Opulence, intrigue, and deadly political games

✓ Witness the final tragic days of Anne Boleyn

✓ Secrets, betrayal, and Tudor court intrigue

✓ A revelation that will change Kate Carey’s destiny forever

✓ Step inside the labyrinth of Tudor power

✓ Where loyalty and survival collide

✓ A court glittering with beauty — and danger

✓ The fall of a queen through the eyes of her niece

Check out the blurb:

In the winter of 1535, young Kate Carey lives with

her mother, far from the royal court. Unhappy with her life and unable to accept her mother's new marriage, she wants to escape her home.

Fate takes a turn when she receives an invitation from her idolised aunt, Anne Boleyn, inviting her to join her royal household in London. At first thrilled to immerse herself in the opulence and intrigue of Henry VIII's court, Kate enters a dark and dangerous labyrinth where power, betrayal, and passion intertwine.

As she witnesses the final tragic days of her aunt's time as Henry VIII's second wife, Kate confronts the harsh realities of court life and navigates a treacherous world of secrets and political machinations. When she stumbles upon a revelation that will forever alter her destiny, Kate's world is turned upside down.

Ready to enter the Tudor court?

Get your copy of The Light in the Labyrinth today — available in ebook and paperback HERE.

Wendy J. Dunn is a multi-award-winning Australian writer fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of Dear Heart, How Like You This, her first Anne Boleyn novel, which narrated the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder.

Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their holdings. It seems very likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally.

Wendy gained her PhD in 2014 and tutors in writing at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. She loves walking in the footsteps of the historical people she gives voice to in her books.

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A Ram for Mars by Christopher D. Stanley

Today in the spotlight: A Ram for Mars by Christopher D. Stanley — a gripping historical novel set during the Jewish revolt against Rome, where one man must choose between loyalty to Rome and the safety of his family.

✔ Political unrest, rebellion, and impossible choices

✔ A man torn between family safety and personal conviction

✔ When rebellion calls… which side do you choose?

✔ Ancient history brought to life with rich historical detail

Check out the blurb:

What would you do if you were pressured to support
a rebellion that you believed was misguided and doomed to failure? What if the safety of your family and business depended on your answer?

Marcus and Miriam, recently freed slaves from Asia Minor, arrive in Israel buoyed by hopes of finding Marcus’s long-lost mother and starting a new life together. They discover that the land is seething with social and political unrest, with anti-Roman parties in the ascendancy.

Marcus, who grew up in a Roman colony and owes his present prosperity to a Roman master, finds these anti-Roman sentiments perplexing. His uncertainty increases when war breaks out and he’s asked to ship supplies to the rebel army, including a newfound cousin who protects the northern front.

As his entanglement with the rebellion deepens, Marcus is torn between loyalty to the world in which he was nurtured and the need to secure his family’s safety. Then his adopted son runs off to join the rebels. What is he to do?

Fans of Conn Iggulden, Ken Follett, and Robert Graves will be captivated by this richly detailed and compelling exploration of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66-73 AD/CE) through the lens of a pro-Roman Jew in the rural district of Galilee.

This book is available in ebook and paperback formats. You can pick up your copy HERE.

Christopher D. Stanley is a recently retired Professor Emeritus at St. Bonaventure University in western New York, where he taught courses in biblical studies and the role of religion in contemporary society.

Dr. Stanley has written widely about the social world of early Christianity, including four authored books, three edited books, and dozens of articles in top international journals. He has presented papers and given lectures at conferences, universities, seminaries, and churches around the world, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Austria, Romania, England, Scotland, Ireland, and India. He is a member of the Studiorum Societas Novi Testamenti (SNTS), an elite international organization of New Testament scholars, and served as the founding chair for two ongoing sections of the Society of Biblical Literature.

In recent years Dr. Stanley has expanded his repertoire to include historical fiction, publishing the first two novels in a trilogy called "A Slave's Story" that takes readers into a neglected corner of the Roman world, first-century Asia Minor. The novels, titled "A Rooster for Asklepios" and "A Bull for Pluto," are available on Amazon.com along with several of his academic books. The first book is also available as an audiobook on Audible.com, and the second one will be ready in Spring 2022. The third book in the trilogy, "A Ram for Mars," is currently in the early stages of production.

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Rough Diamond – Rough Justice by Avien Gray

 

Rough Diamond – Rough Justice by Avien Gray plunges readers into a dangerous landscape of intelligence work, targeted killings, and the ruthless international diamond trade. From Australia to Florida, South Africa and beyond, the novel moves at breakneck speed, delivering a constantly shifting backdrop where danger and deception are never far behind.

✔️ Fast-paced international thriller

✔️ Espionage, undercover operations, and intelligence intrigue

✔️ A morally complex anti-hero

✔️ Global settings from Australia to South Africa

✔️ Action, betrayal, and high-stakes danger

✔️ A story of justice served on Cain’s own terms

Check out the blurb:

After a first kill, MI5 Agent and erstwhile
photographer Cain becomes an undercover, extra-judicial killer for a secret Bureau.

Recovering from injuries sustained protecting the Royal Family, Cain embracesa new life and romance in sun-drenched Australia, leaving his past life behind.

But when tragedy strikes, he is on the move again. This time to a new career in the world of diamond dealings in Florida.

Curiosity takes Cain to the diamond world in South Africa, where his past finally catches up with him, the criminal world allies against him and he becomes a killer again.

In Cain's action-packed escapades, a spectacular betrayal takes him into the rigours of a Chinese prison where the truth about his past begins to unravel.

Aided by a loyal band of friends from the shadowy world of intelligence, he delivers his own particular brand of rough justice.

However, with enemies closing in on all sides, will Cain prevail?

Rough Diamond – Rough Justice by Avien Gray is available now from Amazon, Apple Books, and Nook. Click here to buy your copy.

Avien Gray, the English author behind Rough Diamond – Rough Justice, brings a wealth of experience to his gripping debut novel. Born in the UK, Gray has led a dynamic, bachelor’s life marked by an impressive array of skills and global adventures. He has a driver’s license, motorbike license, and pilot’s license. His physical discipline extends to martial arts, where he earned a karate black belt, complemented by a lifelong passion for photography that captures the world through his discerning lens.

Gray’s rumoured travels paint the picture of a man unbound by borders. He is said to have spent many months in Saudi Arabia, Australia, the USA, South Africa, Europe and China. This rich tapestry of experiences infuses his writing with authenticity, lending a vivid, worldly edge to the thrilling narrative of his complex protagonist: a man called Cain.

Avien and his best friend shared a flat and went out with various female friends together. They had a great time. As it says in the book when Cain is talking with his best friend: a Royal Protection Officer.

 ‘We will have to write that book when we retire,’ Cain said.

 They looked at each other with knowing smiles – for a long few seconds.

 ‘All those secrets,’ said Jerry. ‘Perhaps we will.’

 And time moved on.

But in real life, his best friend tragically died – leaving Avien to write their book alone.

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Blog Tour: Another Soul Saved by John Anthony Miller

 

Another Soul Saved 
By John Anthony Miller

In a city silenced by fear and ruled by the iron grip of the Nazi regime, one woman dares to defy the darkness.

We warmly invite book bloggers and #Bookstagrammers to join us on tour from 20th April to 1st May 2026 for the ten-day blog tour of Another Soul Saved by John Anthony Miller — a powerful and deeply moving work of historical fiction set during one of history’s darkest chapters.

Monika Graf is the wife of a wealthy Austrian military commander. Outwardly, she leads a life of privilege and protection. But behind closed doors, she risks everything. When she steals two Jewish girls from the Nazis — a crime often punishable by death — she sets in motion a daring rescue operation that will test the limits of loyalty, faith and love.

With the help of Janik, a homeless Jew who moves like a shadow through Vienna’s backstreets, and Father Christoff, a conflicted priest wrestling with doubt inside St Stephen’s Cathedral, Monika begins trading military secrets for the lives of Jewish children. But danger is relentless. Pursued by a ruthless Gestapo captain and trapped in a crumbling marriage to a fanatical Nazi husband, she soon finds herself in a cage from which she may not escape.

Wrought with danger and threaded with unexpected romance, Another Soul Saved reveals humanity at both its most brutal and its most brave — a timeless struggle between good and evil.

Throughout this ten-day tour (20th April – 1st May 2026), we will be featuring:

✨ Reviews

✨ Author interviews

✨ Guest posts

✨ Extracts

✨ Book spotlights

If you enjoy powerful historical fiction, morally complex characters and stories of courage in the face of unimaginable risk, we would be delighted to have you join us on tour and help share Monika’s extraordinary story.

Check out the blurb:

Vienna, 1941

Monika Graf, the wife of a wealthy Austrian military
commander, steals two Jewish girls from the Nazis—a crime often punishable by death. With soldiers in rapid pursuit, a homeless Jew named Janik, a mysterious man who lurks in the shadows, helps her escape.

Unable to have children of her own, she finds a new purpose in life—rescuing Jewish children from the horrendous Nazi regime. She asks the Swiss for help, trading military secrets she gleans from her husband for the lives of Jewish children. With Janik’s continued support, she also enlists Father Christoff, a priest at St. Stephen's Cathedral coping with unexpected emotions and doubting his commitment to God. Monika quickly forms bonds that can’t be broken, feelings exposed she never knew existed. 

Relentlessly pursued by Gestapo Captain Gustav Kramer, Monika combats continuing risk to her clandestine operation. When her husband, a rabid Nazi, returns from the battlefield severely wounded, she gets caught in a cage that she can’t crawl out of.

Wrought with danger, riddled with romance, Another Soul Saved shows humanity at both its best and worst in a classic struggle of good versus evil.

John Anthony Miller writes all things historical—thrillers, mysteries, and romance. He sets his novels in exotic locations spanning all eras of space and time, with complex characters forced to face inner conflicts—fighting demons both real and imagined. He’s published twenty novels and ghostwritten several others, including Another Soul Saved. He lives in southern New Jersey.

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