Monday, 16 June 2025

The Warriors' Prize: A border reiver historical romance by Jennifer C Wilson



The Warriors' Prize: 
A border reiver historical romance
By Jennifer C Wilson


Publication Date: 16th June 2023
Publisher: Independently Published
Page Length: 262 
Genre: Medieval Historical Romance

Stirling Castle, 1498

Visiting court for the first time since her father's death, Lady Avelina Gordon finds herself drawn to the handsome warrior, Sir Lachlan MacNair. But as a woman who has seen too many of her friends lose everything for 'love', she keeps her heart guarded.

Castle Berradane, 1502

Lady Avelina is unceremoniously told to expect her new husband within the month. The man in question: Sir Lachlan.

Lachlan arrives in Berradane carrying his own secret, and a determination to control his heart. As attraction builds between the couple, they find themselves under attack and fearful of a traitor in their midst.

Can the teamwork they've shown in adversity so far pull them through one final test, and will they find the strength to risk their hearts, as well as their lives?

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The Warriors' Prize

Jennifer C Wilson


Jennifer has been stalking dead monarchs since she was a child. It started with Mary, Queen of Scots, then moved onto Richard III. At least now it results in a story!

She won North Tyneside Libraries' Story Tyne short story competition in 2014 (no dead monarchs, but still not a cheerful read), and has been filling notebooks and hard-drives ever since. Her Kindred Spirits series, following the 'lives' of some very interesting ghostly communities, is published by Darkstroke, and her historical romances by Ocelot Press.

Jennifer is currently exploring some new ideas for historical romance, and hoping to visit Kindred Spirit friends old and new, north of the border...

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Sunday, 15 June 2025

The Blade of Daire (The Cross of Ciaran Book 5) by Andrea Matthews

 


The Blade of Daire
(The Cross of Ciaran Book 5)
By Andrea Matthews


Publication Date: 23rd June 2024
Publisher: Inez M. Foster
Page Length: 331
Genre: Time Travel Romance

When a group of boys decides to violate one of the ancient hillside tombs that have been declared off-limits, they unleash a power they never imagined. But former fifth-century pagan priest Ciaran Donnelly is all too aware of what has been awakened, and it’s nothing less than another relic of his past rising to wreak havoc in the twentieth century.

He's growing weary of issues from his past resurfacing and bringing with them emotions he’d rather leave buried. But what is he to do when the latest creature has kidnapped one of the boys who dared to enter his tomb? There is no question that he and his brother, Aodhán, will have to get to the bottom of it. On a positive note, at least, the ancient priest who has been awakened has little real power, or he didn’t fifteen hundred years ago.

Ciarán has a bigger fear, though. This latest discovery has dredged up memories of his fifth-century wife, which is causing him to experience conflicting emotions and putting a strain on his twentieth-century marriage to Caitlin. 

Can their love survive this latest assault from his past, or is he destined to succumb to its grip and lose all he loves?

Pick up your copy of
The Blade of Daire

Andrea Matthews


Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science, and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen hundred year old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century. Andrea is a member of the Romance Writers of America.

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Friday, 13 June 2025

Book Review: The Block Room by Lloyd Harvey

 


The Block Room
By Lloyd Harvey


Publication Date: 28th June 2025
Publisher: The Book Guild Ltd
Page Length: 560
Genre: Historical Fiction / Dual Timeline / Thriller

In a small Lancashire town, two lives intersect with secrets buried deep within a century-old mill.

After serving in the Gulf War, Dev opens a bakery in an abandoned wallpaper mill, seeking peace and purpose. Meanwhile, Dani, haunted by her family’s troubled history, leaves Manchester and moves in with her grandmother, whose own past is tied to a scandal at the mill dating back to 1915.

As Dani and Dev grow closer, they uncover dark secrets that link Dani’s family to the mill. A hidden room within its walls holds answers to long-buried mysteries, from a love affair with a spy to a shocking betrayal. As events unfold, Dani must confront her own buried guilt, while Dev faces his unfulfilled feelings.

When past and present collide, can Dani and Dev find peace, or will history’s sins consume them?


The once-thriving paper mill, which had been abandoned for years, was finally undergoing a transformation. After years of neglect, it was being lovingly renovated into vibrant spaces for small businesses, providing the perfect setting for Devon to establish his dream bakery. 

If the walls of the paper mill could talk, they would tell a rich story of wallpaper, printing blocks, its time as a munitions factory, and something much more sinister.

“The Block Room” by Lloyd Harvey delves into profound themes of love, loss, war, crime, tragedy, and friendship. This moving dual-timeline novel contrasts two distinct periods: World War I and the 1990s, all within the shadow of the old paper mill in a Lancashire town. The story draws readers into a compelling narrative that highlights the complexities of human relationships amidst tumultuous circumstances.

The first timeline takes us to the tumultuous period following the Gulf War and the rise in gang warfare in Manchester. The second timeline unfolds against the harrowing backdrop of the First World War, capturing the chaos and uncertainty that defined that era. These narratives intertwine, exploring the enduring scars of warfare, both conventional and gang warfare, and the resilience of the human spirit to overcome the trauma inflicted.

The meticulous attention to historical detail in this book is truly commendable. Harvey masterfully captures both eras, revealing a profound understanding of what makes history not only informative but also captivating. His portrayal of the “Canary Girls” is particularly striking. These women, named for the yellow hue their skin adopted while labouring in British munitions factories during World War I, serve as a poignant reminder of the harrowing conditions they endured. The stark disregard for worker safety during this time is both chilling and powerfully rendered, inviting readers to confront the harsh realities of that era with honesty and depth. As the narrative transitions to the vibrant 1990s, the author brings the decade to life with lively depictions and nostalgic references. For those who grew up in this era, it feels like stepping back into a cherished memory—each detail resonating with the sounds, sights, and cultural touchstones of a time gone by.

This tale features a diverse array of protagonists, each woven into the fabric of the story through intricate family ties or shared locations. Their connections deepen the narrative, highlighting the relationships and influences that shape their paths.

Devon is a deeply complex character, grappling with the haunting psychological aftermath of war. He faces not only the challenges of hearing loss and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but also the daunting task of reintegrating into civilian life. Amidst this ongoing struggle, he discovers a tranquil haven in the art of baking bread—the warm, yeasty aromas filling the air offer a comforting escape from the turmoil swirling within his mind. This newfound passion ignites a dream within him: to open a bakery, just as his beloved grandmother once did. He stumbles upon the perfect location—a charming old paper mill nestled in a picturesque moorland town north of Manchester. The mill is in the midst of a stunning transformation, being lovingly restored into a lively business hub, vibrant with potential and creativity. All he needs now is the fortitude to do it. Devon is a character who inspires sympathy; his story unfolds with such sensitivity that readers can truly grasp the weight of his experiences. With exceptional care and detail, the portrayal of his PTSD allows readers to vividly envision the challenges he faces and the resilience he must muster in his journey toward healing. His bakery becomes a great source of pride for him, serving as both a creative outlet and a refuge. The comforting rhythm of daily tasks helps him navigate life’s challenges. However, as word of his delicious creations spreads and the bakery’s popularity soars, Devon finds himself working longer and longer hours, pouring his heart and soul into every loaf and pastry. When Dani re-enters his life, he suddenly finds himself reflecting on his choices and circumstances, prompting a profound revaluation of his own existence and what he really wants from life. Slowly, he begins to embrace moments of joy that had long eluded him. As they reconnect, he also begins to unravel the layers of Dani’s complexity, realising that she bears her own heavy burdens. Devon is a compelling character who captures the reader’s heart and inspires unwavering support. 

Dani’s character truly propels the narrative forward. The reader first encounters her in a moment of desperation as she makes a daring attempt to escape from her abusive father and the dangerous gang with which he is entangled. Before she flees, she channels all her pent-up anger and resentment into a violent outburst against her father’s car, swinging a wooden bat with ferocity. Aware that her father would never forgive her for this act of defiance, she runs away, seeking refuge in one of Manchester’s most impoverished areas, Hulme Crescents. Amidst a gritty community filled with punks, skinheads, musicians, and students—alongside the ever-present cockroaches and rats—she discovers a space where she can finally take a deep breath. Here, in this chaotic yet vibrant environment, she clings to the hope that no one will find her, at least not for a while. And although she keeps herself to herself, she does make friends with a punk called Fez, and Bikey, a man thus named for he likes to tinker with bikes! But, this sanctuary, if you could call it that, is earmarked for demolition, and so she has to find somewhere else to live. Dani is a profoundly complex character shaped by the haunting horrors she has endured throughout her life. Like Devon, she carries deep emotional scars that manifest in her everyday existence, with the sound of fireworks serving as a particularly jarring trigger, reigniting her trauma. When she finally summons the courage to leave the cacophony of the city behind and seek refuge with her grandmother in a quieter, more serene environment, she experiences a fleeting sense of peace. Yet, despite this respite, the shadows of her past loom large, continuously hovering over her. This unsettling presence instils a deep sense of anxiety in the reader, who finds themselves fearing not only for her physical safety but also for the fragility of her mental well-being. 

Harriette, a talented musician and a warm-hearted grandmother, offers a comforting sense of stability and love for Dani. With open arms and a gentle smile, she embraces Dani, providing a heartfelt contrast to the cold demeanour of Dani’s father, Harriette’s own son. Although Harriette often appears stoic about certain subjects, her caring nature shines through, revealing a deep well of anxiety intertwined with quiet strength. This complexity adds depth to her character, especially when compared to Dani’s more expressive and outwardly emotional disposition.

Ellen embodies a fierce spirit similar to that of her great-granddaughter, Dani, yet she carries with her the gentle demeanour of her daughter, Harriette. As the clouds of war gather over Europe, Ellen returns to her hometown of Dardale, a place filled with memories and expectations. Here, she must face her father, a staunch traditionalist, and navigate his reactions to her active involvement in the women’s suffrage movement. Compounding this tension is the surprising decision by her father to enlist in the army, a choice that shakes their family dynamics to the core. Ellen’s narrative unfolds with a well-defined arc, moving from Ellen’s initial dreams of liberation and adventure to a poignant acceptance of her new role at the local paper mill, where the rhythm of machinery contrasts with her restless spirit. As a deeply developed protagonist, Ellen grapples with the conflict between her ambitions and the pressure of familial obligations. 

From the moment Ellen locks eyes with Joe, an electrifying spark ignites between them, drawing her in like a moth to a flickering flame. His effortless charm and magnetic allure ensnare her senses, making it hard to resist the pull of his presence. Yet, beneath his captivating beauty lies a tangled web of secrets—dark truths concealed in the shadows that threaten to unravel their fragile bond if Ellen were ever to discover them. Joe presents himself as a genuinely kind man, a journalist deeply invested in Ellen’s passionate plea for suitable protective clothing for the women labouring in the munition factory. He recognises in her a kindred spirit, someone worthy of understanding and compassion. However, Joe is acutely aware that he cannot afford the luxury of falling in love; in his world, love breeds recklessness, and he must always keep his guard up, safeguarding the fragile facade he has built to protect himself from the dangers lurking not only in his past but also in his present. Joe undeniably infuses the narrative with an air of mystery, and though he glides through Dardale like a fleeting shadow, the echoes of his presence linger long after, resonating through the decades.

This story features a variety of antagonists, starting with Deni’s father and extending back in time to Harold Yates, the foreman and factory manager that Ellen works for. Yates’s refusal to properly pursue the necessary equipment for safe work conditions starkly illustrates the neglect within the factory. The conditions in the factory are subtlety compared to what is happening on the front line, everyday women are risking their lives by being exposed to the chemicals in TNT. In addition, a diverse ensemble of supporting characters plays vital roles in driving the plot forward, each contributing to the narrative’s development and complexity.

The setting plays a crucial role in establishing the mood and atmosphere of the story. The descriptions of the autumn estate, the charming town, the bustling bakery, the secluded print room, and the still water of the canal create distinct environments that influence the characters’ emotions and actions. The setting effectively conveys the passage of time, the lingering effects of past events, and the contrasting moods throughout the narrative. The detail is rich yet never overwhelming, enhancing the immersive quality of the writing.

“The Block Room” by Lloyd Harvey is a mesmerising novel that enchants readers with its richly woven narrative. With strikingly vivid descriptions, readers can easily visualise the unique settings and emotions that unfold. The protagonists are not only compelling but also deeply relatable, navigating a journey filled with twists and revelations. The intricate plot expertly intertwines suspense and intrigue, ensuring an engaging and immersive reading experience that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

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The Block Room
Release Date: 28th June 2025

Lloyd Harvey


After a decade as an architect, Lloyd Harvey became a stay-at-home dad, supporting his wife and two sons. During this time, he worked part-time and pursued hobbies like baking for the Women’s Institute and building theatre sets. Lloyd rediscovered his love for writing, resulting in his debut novel, The Block Room.



Heat In The Desert (Desert Love Book 3) by Angelina Kalahari


Heat In The Desert
(Desert Love Book 3)
By Angelina Kalahari  


Publication Date: 29th September 2020
Publisher: Flame Projects
Page Length: 313
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Saira and Gerhard live entirely different lives.

Feisty and ambitious, Saira reluctantly accepts an assignment to produce a TV pilot about weddings at the prestigious, romantic Desert Lodge. But when the small plane taking her there malfunctions, she finds herself stranded in the desert with sexy, muscular, mysterious Gerhard and his yummy German good looks.

Gerhard is everything Saira desires: he is regal, gorgeous, genuine. She cannot help but feel drawn to him.

Saira might just be the woman of Gerhard’s dreams, and now he’s found her, he doesn’t want to let her go. But there are things in Gerhard’s past that threaten to ruin everything…

Explore Heat in the Desert, a novel in the captivating Desert Love contemporary romance series, today.

“The way the author describes the characters’ emotions stood out for me as it made the story come alive. I could feel everything they felt.” - beta reader.

Disclaimer: You can read this novel as part of the series or as a stand-alone novel. You may enjoy a better reading experience by reading it in the series. It contains some heat and a happy ending.

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Heat In The Desert

Angelina Kalahari


Angelina Kalahari entered this life among the red dunes of Namibia’s deserts. Her first sounds merged with the power of the massive yellow moon that lit up the vast African spaces. There, where the heavens presented the splendour that the Milky Way flung across its canvas, she found her voice.

A nomadic childhood enchanted her, as Africa presented the raw beauty of her many faces, while Angelina’s family traversed the desert in search of crops for their herds of karakul sheep. This fertile ambience, filled with strange legends, amazing animals, and wonderful people, afforded Angelina a unique opportunity to live in a world of wonder and to develop a deep sense of self.

Her mother loved listening to Mario Lanza and other tenors of the day. A record player and records accompanied the family on their travels, and back to their farm. The gift of this divine music found resonance within Angelina’s body and called to her soul’s desire to share her voice with the world. She left her magical universe to study with other voice and performance obsessives, which resulted in degrees in drama, singing, and opera.

Angelina continued her nomadic existence as an adult, enthralling audiences with her singing, acting, and directing. These activities allowed her to visit a world far beyond her beloved Africa. She shared her talents on such diverse platforms as opening the busking scheme on London Underground, to a recital at the Royal Opera House, and everything in between.

This led to an invitation to Buckingham Palace, no less, where she met Queen Elizabeth as a reward, in recognition of Angelina’s contribution to the music, culture, and economy of the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, her fascination and obsession with the human vocal instrument grew, together with her knowledge of it. She found herself to be a teacher and sharer of the magic of the voice and performance, and she became co-founder of the North London Performance Academy.

Storytelling, which formed such a big part of her childhood, became an inherent element in her performances and continued to live in her heart. She never stopped writing down her stories, has finished many novels, plays, children’s stories, and several articles published.

Angelina has found a new colourful and vibrant universe in London. She now lives near a massive park, which satisfies another obsession, her awe and wonder of trees. The intoxicating world of London’s art scene has introduced Angelina to many inspirational people who have become a close and integral part of her tribe.

The only magnificent creatures that share her home today, are her husband, her little fur cat daughter, a rapidly diminishing population of house spiders, and a smallish herd of dust bunnies.

She has recently come to the conclusion that drinking vast amounts of tea holds the key to life.

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Thursday, 12 June 2025

Diomedes in Kyprios by Gregory Michael Nixon


Diomedes in Kyprios
By Gregory Michael Nixon


Publication Date: November 19th, 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 243 Pages
Genre: Mythico-Historical Fiction

This is a historically-based novel with authentic, mythic, and fictional characters interacting across the extraordinary panorama after the Fall of Troy and the Hittite Empire during the Bronze Age Collapse. Diomedes leads his Akhaians (Achaeans) to the Isle of Kyprios (now Cyprus) to meet his lost love, Lieia, the ex-queen of the Hittites. Kyprios is where the Peoples of the Sea have gathered before their final assaults on Canaan and Aigyptos (Egypt).

But Diomedes unexpectedly meets the avatar of the Goddess Aphrodite at her Temple in Paphos, the city of her birth. Will she take him from Lieia? Will his wanderings end, or will he head back to sea to seek redemption from the past in the further unknown? Aphrodite must also deal with the beautiful, impetuous youth, Adonis, who swears he would die for her. 

The Bronze Age Collapse was a time of such chaos that empires fell, royalty was overthrown, palaces and temples were destroyed, and the hierarchy of the gods was doubted, yet people's self-reliance emerged like never before, and the ancient Great Goddess of the Cycles of Time, who had been suppressed, began to regain her former dominance.

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 Diomedes in Kyprios

Gregory Michael Nixon


Gregory M. Nixon is a retired university professor who, after spending his professional years publishing academic papers, was pleased to discover he still had an active imagination. He moved alone to a nice cottage overlooking magnificent Okanagan Lake in western Canada to create his mythico-historical novels set after the Trojan War and the fall of the Hittite Empire during the Bronze Age Collapse. Nigel, an outdoor cat, also sometimes lives with him.

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The Captive Princess: Eleanor Fair Maid of Brittany (Medieval Babes: Tales of Little-Known Ladies Book 3) by J.P. Reedman


The Captive Princess: Eleanor Fair Maid of Brittany
(Medieval Babes: Tales of Little-Known Ladies Book 3)
By J.P. Reedman


Publication Date: 30th May 2018
Publisher: ‎ Independently Published
Page Length: 241
Genre: Medieval Historical Fiction

Princess. Marriage Prize. Prisoner.

Eleanor of Brittany is sent to live in the household of her esteemed grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and brought up expecting to be the bride of a powerful prince. But when the marriage proposed for her as part of Richard Lionheart's ransom falls through and King Richard dies a few years later at Chalus, she is returned to her mother and her beloved younger brother Arthur in Brittany. John now sits on the throne of England, something Eleanor and Arthur both resent, for they are the children of his elder brother, Geoffrey, and many men say their claim to England supersedes John's. Arthur's desire for a crown leads the pair to ally with France and attack their aged grandmother in the castle of Mirabeau, a move that brings untold disaster to both. Beautiful Eleanor, the Pearl of Brittany, is held captive in England from that day forth, through the reign of two kings-never tried, charged with no offence, her only crime her royal Plantagenet blood.

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The Captive Princess: Eleanor Fair Maid of Brittany

J.P. Reedman


J.P. Reedman was born in Canada but has lived in the U.K. for nearly 30 years. 

Interests include folklore & anthropology, prehistoric archaeology (neolithic/bronze age Europe; ritual, burial & material culture), as well as The Wars of the Roses and the rest of the medieval era.

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Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Lady of the Quay (Isabella Gillhespie Series, Book #1) by Amanda Roberts

 


Lady of the Quay
(Isabella Gillhespie Series, Book #1)
By Amanda Roberts



Publication Date: April 22nd, 2025
Publisher: Hickory Press
Pages: 282
Genre: Historical Fiction / Elizabethan Fiction

Knowing she is innocent is easy … proving it is hard

1560, Berwick-upon-Tweed, northern England

Following the unexpected death of her father, a series of startling discoveries about the business she inherits forces Isabella Gillhespy to re-evaluate everything she understands about her past and expects from her future.

Facing financial ruin, let down by people on whom she thought she could rely, and suspected of crimes that threaten her freedom, Isabella struggles to prove her innocence.

But the stakes are even higher than she realises. In a town where tension between England and her Scottish neighbours is never far from the surface, it isn’t long before developments attract the interest of the highest authority in the land, Sir William Cecil, and soon Isabella is fighting, not just for her freedom, but her life. She must use her wits and trust her own instincts to survive.

Lady of the Quay introduces an enticing new heroine who refuses to be beaten, even as it becomes clear that her life will never be the same again.

From the author of the award-winning ‘The Woman in the Painting’.

Excerpt

I knelt and plucked a handful of half frozen clods of earth from the pile on the graveside. Standing once again, I averted my eyes, threw them into the hole and listened to the ricochet as they bounced across the surface of the coffin. Mr Selby nodded his approval before turning his back and threading a path through the long grass towards the church. The crowd started to drift away too, no doubt eager to get out of the cold and into the warmth of the inn, and the food and drink I had provided. I lingered. As unwilling as I had been to look at my father’s grave just a few minutes ago, I was now reluctant to leave him there. The finality of it was overwhelming. I was not ready to let him go. Say goodbye for the last time. He still had so much to show me, and I was finding it difficult to rid myself of the conviction that I had failed him in some way. What if the heavy mood that I had noticed had not been caused by worrying about the Lady Isabella, as I had assumed, but something else?

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This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Amanda Roberts


Amanda Roberts has worked as an Editor in business-to-business magazines for over 30 years, specialising in out-of-home coffee, vending and foodservice / catering, including Editor of the global gastronomy title: ‘Revue internationale de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’. She currently freelances, editing UK-based healthcare titles – HEFMA Pulse, Hospital Food + Service and Hospital Caterer. 

She is a member of the Society of Authors, the Historical Novel Society and West Oxfordshire Writers. She also volunteers for Tea Books (part of Age UK) to run a book club / reading group for elderly people in the community.

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