Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Time Enough by Lise Mayne



Time Enough 
By Lise Mayne 


Publication Date: 1st January 2025
Publisher: Oprelle Publications
Page Length: 507
Genre: Historical Fiction

A sweeping historical novel about the challenges of emigration and holding on to one's identity and sense of "home."

Emigration comes at a cost, even more so when it's forced. Traditions, culture, belongings, everything must be abandoned. What endures? 1904. A Manx family subsists on a small-hold farm. Their lives are bound by tradition and love, steeped in folklore and belief in faeries. The grandparents, son William, Euphemia and their six children share a tiny cottage. The men work as miners. Despite poverty and the tragic loss of three sons, Grandad upholds the Manx belief: "Traa dy liooar." Like the triskelion, their symbol of the three-legged man, he insists they will not fall. There's time enough; all will be well. When change imposes a critical dilemma, does belief matter? The father, William, is dying of lead poisoning. How will Euphemia and her eldest son, Henry, support them all? William's younger brother, Thomas, offers emigration to Michigan. Euphemia suspects his motives: they started as lovers and parted as enemies. Their history could destroy everything. Henry, almost thirteen, longs to remain with his grandparents. His grandmother makes him promise to help his mother. The die is cast. They must go. After a perilous voyage, their hopes are shattered. Fighting for survival against deception, exploitation and abuse, they stumble along, just. Then, tragedy strikes. William is killed and Euphemia's secret is inadvertently revealed. Devastated, Henry breaks his word and flees. Euphemia must remain to protect her children. Henry travels to Canada, still pining for Man, clinging to his beliefs. The triskelion turns again; Henry falls in love. Now he must confront his mistakes and find a way to heal his broken family, for a new life to begin. On a three-decade journey from Isle of Man to Saskatchewan, via Michigan and Manitoulin Island, we are immersed in the moving saga of Euphemia and Henry as they seek independence and gain strength. 

A sweeping novel about what endures in an unfamiliar place. Can forgiveness restore love and bring hope?


Pick up your copy of Time Enough HERE

Lise Mayne


Lise Mayne (aka LG Pomerleau) is an author living in Nanton, Alberta, Canada. Becoming Sand, 2012 presented a fictional Francophone family’s four hundred-year history in Canada. Time Enough, Oprelle Publications, 2024, is the saga of a family migrating from Isle of Man to Canada, via Michigan, in the early 1900’s. Lise’s award-winning poetry appears in several international literary publications. Lise volunteers as a bluebird monitor, plays the harp and cherishes her family. 





Author Interview: Val Penny

 



Val Penny welcomes readers into the shadowed streets of Edinburgh with Murder in Edinburgh, the first novel in her popular DI Hunter Wilson series. Combining a compelling mystery with a vividly realised sense of place, the novel introduces Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson as he investigates the discovery of a woman's body buried near an exclusive golf course. As the case unfolds, Hunter finds himself drawn into a complex investigation where appearances can be deceptive and danger lurks behind seemingly ordinary lives. In this interview, Val discusses the origins of Hunter Wilson, the importance of Edinburgh as a setting, her unconventional writing process, and the experiences that have shaped her approach to crime fiction.


But first, let me intoduce you to Murder in Edinburgh:


Publication Date: 13th May 2026
Publisher: Joffe Books 
Page Length: 338 Pages
Genre: Scottish Crime Fiction

‘A thrilling series begins — and beneath the action lies a tragedy that cuts deep.’ Caro Ramsay

Discover an addictive Scottish crime thriller set on the streets of Edinburgh . . .

A woman’s body is found in a shallow grave on the edge of an exclusive Edinburgh golf course. The victim bears the signs of a brutal struggle: blows to the body, marks around her throat, knees scraped raw as she fought to escape.

But there is no name. No phone. No one reported missing.

Detective Hunter Wilson is summoned from his regular darts night to take the call. Two decades on the force, he’s seen plenty. But this one gets under his skin from the start.

Then a pregnant teenager is mown down on Comiston Road — and Hunter realises this killer isn’t finished.

In a city where everyone knows everyone else, there’s a killer hiding in plain sight. And it’s up to Hunter to uncover the truth before they strike again.




MEET THE DETECTIVE:

Hunter Wilson is ‘a son of the manse’ as they say in Scotland. He has inherited his church minister father’s strong Scottish work ethic, and his deep sense of right and wrong. He is divorced from the mother of his two children, and lives in a two-bedroomed flat in Leith, a modest Edinburgh suburb. He rarely sees his daughter, Alison, who lives with her husband and two children in the Shetland Islands. His son, Cameron, is a troubled young man who has given Hunter cause for concern over the years. Hunter is secretly in love with Dr Meera Sharma, the local pathologist. Their heavy work schedules means their tentative relationship is fraught with difficulties.

THE SETTING

Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Tourists flock to admire its historic castle, elegant Georgian terraces, smoky pubs and ancient closes. But beneath the picture-postcard beauty lies a darker side, where murder can hide in plain sight.





Murder in Edinburgh introduces readers to Detective Hunter Wilson and the streets of Edinburgh. What first inspired you to create Hunter, and why did you choose Edinburgh as the setting for his debut investigation?

When I started writing Murder in Edinburgh I considered creating an imaginary town in central Scotland, in the same way that Peter Robinson did for his DCI Banks novels. However, when I thought about it again realised that I know Edinburgh well because I had lived there for many years. It is a famous city that many readers will have visited or want to visit so it makes a perfect back drop, almost another character in my books.

The novel opens with the discovery of an unidentified woman buried near an exclusive golf course. What challenges did you face in building a mystery around a victim who initially has no name and no obvious connections?

Oh dear, that is a secret! To be honest, I wrote that part of the story backwards. I started off with the identity and back story of the character and then wrote her into the earlier scenes. I rarely write my novels in a linear fashion, but write scenes in a sporadic order and then knit them together to form the final story.

Detective Hunter Wilson has spent two decades on the force, yet this case affects him more deeply than most. What is it about this investigation that gets under his skin?

What upsets Hunter so much about this case is that he is a witness to one of the murders but finds himself wanting when it comes to remembering exactly what he saw. He is also devastated by the murder of the youngest victim. Who wouldn’t be?

Edinburgh is a city with a unique atmosphere and character. How important is the city itself to the story, and what aspects of Edinburgh were you most eager to showcase?

There is no doubt that Edinburgh is another character in my novels. I love travelling the city with my readers through the eyes of my characters.

The novel suggests that the killer may be hiding in plain sight within a close-knit community. What fascinates you about crimes that emerge from seemingly ordinary environments?

I find it fun to tease my readers by suggesting several perpetrators, each of whom seems equally unlikely. However, I rarely decide on the actual perpetrator until near the end of the book so I find out the answer to the puzzle along with my readers.

Before becoming a novelist, you worked in a remarkable variety of professions, from banking to farming to university lecturing. Have any of those experiences influenced your approach to writing crime fiction?

Every experience you have and every person you meet influences you to a greater or lesser extent. So I have to admit that each job has influenced me, however lecturing is probably the most important in that regard because I would create stories and situations to bring my subject alive and make it memorable to the students.

As someone with a background in law, how has your legal training shaped your understanding of criminal investigations and the justice system?

Although I studied law, I was never involved in criminal law, so if I have questions I tend to ask friends who are CSIs, in the police or retired police friends to help fill in the gaps in my research. I also look to friends in the medical and military fields for information about weapons and injuries. If anybody checked my computer search history, I would probably be arrested! 

Crime fiction readers often enjoy returning to familiar detectives. What qualities did you want Hunter Wilson to possess that would encourage readers to follow him throughout the series?

I have made Hunter a son of the manse – that is a Scottish phrase to mean his father was a church minister. Hunter also plays darts and referees a local junior football matches. Through all of these I have infused him with a sense of fair play and a love of teamwork. He is relentless in his pursuit of justice and determined to make a positive contribution to every team of which he is part.

You write across a variety of forms, including poetry, short stories, nonfiction, and novels. What is it about crime fiction that keeps drawing you back to the genre?

That is an easy one to answer! I most enjoy reading crime fiction and so that is what I most enjoy writing. 

For readers discovering Hunter Wilson for the first time, what do you hope they will take away from this gripping introduction to the series?

The DI Hunter Wilson series of books does work as a set of stand-alone novels. However, I am aware that many readers like to start at the beginning of a series. In Murder in Edinburgh readers are introduced to Hunter and his team as well as many of the villains whose crimes keep the police busy. I hope readers will enjoy the humour that pervades the tales and become immersed in the lives of my characters so they can enjoy the series. 


It was a pleasure speaking with Val Penny about Murder in Edinburgh and the creation of Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson. Her insights reveal not only the careful thought that goes into constructing a gripping mystery, but also the affection she has for both her characters and the city they inhabit. From her unique approach to plotting to the blend of humour, teamwork, and determination that defines Hunter's character, Val offers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of a series that continues to captivate crime fiction readers. For those yet to meet Hunter Wilson, Murder in Edinburgh provides an engaging introduction to a detective whose pursuit of justice is matched only by his deep connection to the city he serves.


Praise

‘Hunter Wilson is a compelling new detective and Val Penny is an author to watch.’ 

Erin Kelly, bestselling author of Broadchurch.

‘A taut police procedural that is up there with Ian Rankin, Alex Gray and Quintin Jardine.’ 

Michael Jecks, bestselling author


Pick up your copy of 
Murder in Edinburgh 

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:



One More Hour of Daylight by C.M. Gray

 



One More Hour of Daylight 
By C.M. Gray




Publication Date: 16th May 2026
Publisher: Constance Books
Print Length: 417
Genre: WWII Thriller

Some debts survive captivity. Some brothers never stop looking.

France, 1943. SOE operative Derrick Sedgley is running for the Spanish border with Lotte Braun: a German woman, an unlikely ally, and a complication he never saw coming.
Behind them, closing fast, is her brother.
Ernst Braun is a Luftwaffe pilot who woke up in a British hospital bed and spent two years deciding who put him there. All he had asked for was one more hour of daylight. Now he wants his sister back. He wants Derrick dead. The SS officer travelling with him has a simpler agenda: he wants them all dead.

The Pyrenees are ahead. The border is possible. Not everyone will reach it.

One More Hour of Daylight is a taut, morally complex WWII thriller about promises made in good faith, debts that survive captivity, and what it costs to bring someone safely home.

One more hour of daylight. That was all he asked for.

It was never going to be enough.


Pick up your copy HERE. Read with #KindleUnlimited

C.M. Gray


C.M. Gray's first book, The Flight of the Griffin, was longlisted in the 2015 Times Chicken House Writing Competition. Shadowland, the first book in the Pendragon Saga, has so far received over 900 five-star reviews on Amazon. These things still genuinely astonish him, and he is deeply grateful for every one of them.

Most of his previous work has been fantasy: either pure fantasy or historical fantasy, the kind of writing where druids turn up uninvited and one of your main characters develops an unsettling affinity with wolves before you have quite decided what sort of book you are writing. Shadowland began with every intention of staying grounded in historical reality, the story of Uther Pendragon. It did not. It has turned out to be a popular book, so he does not complain.

His years travelling through Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East have a habit of finding their way onto the page. He has seen and done some fairly strange things along the way and met some extraordinary people, and writing fantasy has always felt, to him, only a short step from writing fact.

New for 2026

One More Hour of Daylight, marks C.M. Gray's return to writing. It will be fully published in June 2026, marking a departure: pure historical fiction, no druids, no wolves. It follows Derrick Sedgley, a seventeen-year-old from Essex who makes a single moral choice in a field one September morning in 1939 and spends the next four years living with the consequences. From the Essex countryside to occupied France, from the mountains of Burgundy to the Pyrenees, it is a story about promises, betrayal, courage and the cost of doing the right thing too late.

And for those who have been waiting patiently for the Pendragon Saga to continue: the third book, Shadow's Heir, the story of Arthur Pendragon, follows in September 2026. More on that very soon.

C.M. Gray was born in England and grew up in the Essex countryside near the Suffolk border, which is where Derrick Sedgley grows up, too. The flat fields, the big skies and the particular quality of Essex light found their way into the book, whether he intended them to or not.

C.M. Gray is now very happily settled just outside Barcelona with his wonderful wife and partner in life, Adriana.







Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Fortune's Child: A Novel of Empress Theodora (The Theodora Duology Book 1) by James Conroyd Martin



Fortune's Child: A Novel of Empress Theodora 
 (The Theodora Duology Book 1) 
By James Conroyd Martin


Publication Date: 27th October 2019
Publisher: Hussar Quill Press
Print Length: 400 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

Theodora: actress, prostitute, mistress, feminist. And Byzantine Empress of the Roman world. Stephen: handsome Syrian boy, wizard's apprentice, palace eunuch. And Secretary to the Empress. How does this unlikely pair become such allies that one day Empress Theodora asks Stephen to write her biography?

From a very young age, Theodora, daughter of a circus bearkeeper in Constantinople, sets her sights well above her station in life. Her exquisite beauty sets her apart on stages and in the eyes of men.

Stephen, a Syrian lad of striking good looks, is sold by his parents to a Persian wizard, who teaches him a skill in languages that will serve him well.

By the time Destiny brings them together in Antioch, Theodora has undergone heart-rending trials and a transformation, while Stephen has been sold again . . . and castrated.

Discover the enduring bond that, however imperfect, prompts Theodora—as Empress—to request palace eunuch Stephen to write her biography.


Pick up your copy of Fortune's Child 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.




The Lost Voices by Paul Rushworth-Brown

 


The Lost Voices 
By Paul Rushworth-Brown


Publication Date: April 28th, 2026
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 466
Genre: Historical Fiction


Some lives pass through history without leaving a trace.

The Lost Voices is a work of historical fiction that brings to light those whose stories were never formally recorded—not because they lacked significance, but because their lives unfolded beyond the reach of power, authorship, and recognition.

This is the story of ordinary people forced into extraordinary circumstances—individuals navigating a rigid social order shaped by obligation, fear, and quiet resistance. Here, survival depends as much on silence as on action, and choices are made not in moments of glory, but in private, under pressure, and with consequences rarely acknowledged.

The novel explores how personal truth is shaped—and sometimes erased—by authority, custom, and the need to endure. What remains are the lives history does not celebrate: the unspoken loyalties, the moral compromises, and the quiet cost of being unheard.

The Lost Voices is an intimate and powerful reflection on what history forgets—and what it leaves behind.


Praise for The Lost Voices:

"Another great work by a very talented author who loves his period works and characters from his great plots. He writes with verve and intent to deliver the imagination something unexpected and greatly appreciated... Brilliant..."

~ Gavin, Readalot Magazine reviewer


Buy Links:

Amazon US Buy Link

Amazon AU Buy Link

Amazon UK Buy Link


Paul Rushworth-Brown


Paul Rushworth-Brown is an Australian historical fiction author whose work explores ordinary people navigating forces far greater than themselves.

His writing focuses on identity, survival, and the lasting impact of historical events, examining how lives are shaped not only by what history records, but by what it leaves behind. His work has reached international audiences across the United States and the United Kingdom, including appearances on PSI TV and U.S. radio, including Moments with Marianne Pestana on ABC-affiliated KMET 1490AM/98.1FM.

Through his fiction, he brings attention to the human cost of history and the individuals often overlooked within it.






Ping by Lisa Lucas and Steve Landsberg

 

Ping
By Lisa Lucas and Steve Landsberg


Publication Date: 28th November 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Page Length: 105
Genre: Historical Fiction / Sport Fiction

Alternating between the pivotal 1971 Ping-Pong Diplomacy - where a simple game of table tennis thawed the icy relations between the U.S. and China during the Cold War - and the present-day struggles of a family weighed down by legacy, Ping is a compelling tale of history, politics, and personal conflict.

Jenny, a modern-day teen, wrestles with her grand-mother Miriam's larger-than-life legacy, rooted in Cold War tensions and the surprising intersection of ping pong, antisemitism, and global diplomacy. As Jenny uncovers Miriam's secret role in shaping history, she confronts her own place in a family bound by expectations and unspoken truths. Blending family drama with meticulously researched historical events, this gripping story explores the enduring impact of the past on the present.

"Ping skillfully blends family drama with political and historical events, particularly through Jenny's modern-day struggles and Miriam's Cold War-era experiences. The use of Ping Pong as both a symbol and a plot device keeps the story engaging, exploring generational expectations and legacies . . . Ping effectively combines history, sports, and personal conflict, appealing to readers of both literary fiction and historical drama."


Pick up your copy of Ping HERE!


Lisa Lucas


Lisa started writing for magazines and newspapers. Later, she wrote extensively on issues related to literacy and health that were featured in publications by the Canadian Public Health Association, several literacy organizations, and hospitals across Canada. She is the recipient of the CIBC Children’s Miracle Maker Award for advancing literacy among people with special needs. Several years ago, Lisa partnered with Laurie Stein and began writing for children covering subjects from climate change to refugees. Her belief that “storytellers often sugarcoat real issues and present subjects to kids that are too far from reality in order to protect them. Just tell it the way it is. Kids appreciate authentic stories that are honest and real.” More recently, Lisa has turned her attention to poetry and historical fiction. Ping is her first novel. Lisa’s work has been recognized by The New York Times, Kirkus Reviews (starred), Publishers Weekly, Indigo and more.  Her books have been translated into several languages and are widely recognized throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

Steve Landsberg


Steve Landsberg, an accomplished, award-winning advertising executive and entrepreneur, is currently Co-Founder and Chief CreativeOfficer of Human Intelligence (H.I.), a New York City-based creating marketing studio. Prior to H.I., he co-founded Grok, an Inc. 500 “Fastest GrowingCompany.” Steve has held executive creative roles at many top global ad agencies leading the work on iconic global brands. A copywriter by trade, Steve has published numerous ad industry articles. Ping is his first published book.




Monday, 22 June 2026

Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury: The Story of Marguerite of Anjou by Judith Arnopp



Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury: 
The Story of Marguerite of Anjou
 By Judith Arnopp


Publication Date: 21st June 2025
Publisher: Independently published
Page Length: 
Genre: Historical Fiction (Biographical)

Marguerite: Queen of England

From the moment Henry VI's new queen, Marguerite of Anjou, sets foot on English soil she is despised by the English as a foreigner, and blamed for the failures of the hundred years war in France.

Her enemies impede her role as the king’s consort and when Henry sinks into apparent madness her bid to become regent is rejected. Marguerite must fight, not only for her own position but to maintain Henry’s possession of the crown.

The ambitious Duke, Richard of York seizes control of the country, thrusting Marguerite aside and inflating the mutual hatred between the houses of York and Lancaster. But the queen refuses to relinquish power and fights determinedly for the rights of her son, Edward of Lancaster.

The long and bitter civil conflict, that has come to be known as the war of the roses, commences.



Pick up your copy of Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury: The Story of Marguerite of Anjou
HERE! Read with #KindleUnlimited.


Judith Arnopp


A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies. She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for her novels set in the Medieval and Tudor period, focusing on the perspective of historical women but recently she has been writing from the perspective of Henry VIII himself.

Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria which is when she began to experiment with sewing historical garments. She now makes clothes and accessories both for the group and others. She is not a professionally trained sewer but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly historically accurate clothing. Her non-fiction book, How to Dress like a Tudor was published by Pen and Sword in 2023.

Her novels include:
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
The Beaufort Chronicle: the life of Lady Margaret Beaufort (three book series)
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years (Book One of The Henrician Chronicle)
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix (Book Two of The Henrician chronicle)
A Matter of Time: Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light (Book Three, Coming soon)
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Winchester Goose: at the court of Henry VIII
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Peaceweaver
The Forest Dwellers
The Song of Heledd

Previously published under the pen name – J M Ruddock.
The Book of Thornhold
A Daughter of Warwick: the story of Anne Neville, Queen of Richard III

Connect with Judith:




Queen of Shadows by Anna Belfrage



Queen of Shadows 
By Anna Belfrage



June 22nd - 26th, 2026

Publication Date: May 21st, 2026
Publisher: Timelight Press
Pages: 400
Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance



She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun


Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.


When Alfonso needs respite, he finds it in the arms of his Leonor—the most beautiful woman in the realm. But while he may love Leonor over all others, his lawful wife, Maria of Portugal, is tired of being constantly displaced by the fair Leonor.


Leonor loves her man. She gives him healthy sons, a place to be himself. But she is only a mistress, even if Alfonso treats her like a queen. Leonor’s enemies watch and hate.


Flying too close to the sun comes at a high price. How much will Leonor’s love cost her?


Based on the true story of Alfonso XI and his complicated relationships to wife and life-long mistress.



Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link

This title will be available to read on #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 three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing.

Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as two equally acclaimed medieval series; The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England, and The Castilian Saga, which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has also published a time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and its sequel, Times of Turmoil, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding...

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.

A master storyteller

This is what all historical fiction should be like. Superb.

Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com where you will also find her post about Alfonso and Leonor.