Writing, Knights, and Chasing Dreams — a look back on 2019 #amwriting #blogging

Writing, Knights, and Chasing Dreams

— a look back on 2019

Happy New Year!
 I am going to take a look back at 2019 and talk about this amazing journey that I am on.

Blog News

I can remember when I was a naive upcoming debut author. Like many, I spent hours researching how to launch a book successfully, and one of the things that were at the forefront of the advice that is out there was to create what is known in the industry as an Author Platform, and the easiest way to do this, they said, was to start a blog.

Easy?

Yes, it is easy to set a blog up but to drive traffic to it, now that is a challenge. I accepted that challenge. And I am so glad that I did.

However, there was no way I could have predicted what would happen next. There was no way that I ever thought this little world I had created that discussed, history, myths, legends, writing and books would win an award, let alone be celebrating the one millionth page view. But here I am, and here the blog is. Life, it’s a funny old thing.

As I pause and take a look back at the past year on The Coffee Pot Book Club, I am struck by three things. Firstly, the loyalty of the readers, some whom I know visit every day without exception. Your commitment to this blog and to the guest that post here is deeply appreciated. Your support means the absolute world to me, and I hope you will continue to find interesting posts on this blog in the coming year, and also fabulous new books to read.

Secondly, I have to thank my guests, who come onto The Coffee Pot Book Club to share their knowledge of historical events and people, and of course, to talk about their books. I know I have certainly learnt a thing or two by your insight, and I have certainly read some fantastic books this year.

Just over a year ago The Coffee Pot Book Club became more than a blog, more than a place where authors can market their books. It became its own community. So thirdly, I must thank The Coffee Pot Book Club Fan Club who share the guest posts every day to their Twitter followers. Your commitment and your belief in The Coffee Pot Book Club humbles me. Would we be at one million+ page views, so early on in this blogs life without you? I doubt it. You will always be appreciated and always welcomed.

So, what are my plans for the blog now that the roaring 20s are upon us? I want to share the success of The Coffee Pot Book Club. I want to open it up to other writers and authors, whether they are debut novelists, traditionally published, or are part of this wonderful, exciting independent journey that so many of us are on. If you don’t have an author platform, then share mine. Write a post, come on the blog and get your book noticed.

Book News

I have had a few messages on Twitter and Facebook recently asking me when the next book in The Du Lac Chronicles is coming out. The Coffee Pot Book Club has taken a great deal of my time this year, but those Du Lac boys are never far from my thoughts. The Du Lac Curse (Book 5 of The Du Lac Chronicles) is currently going through its first round of edits, and I hope to release it in the coming spring. I am also currently writing a Second Edition of The Pitchfork Rebellion, which will hopefully be available at the end of the year. But in the meantime, here is a glimpse at the cover of The Du Lac Curse:

You may have also noticed the other book covers in the series have also had a makeover. I hope you like them.

The Du Lac Chronicles

(The Du Lac Chronicles, #1)

Alden du Lac, once king of Cerniw, has nothing. Betrayed by Cerdic, Alden’s kingdom lies in rubble, his fort razed to the ground and his brother Merton missing, presumably dead. He has only one possession left worth saving: his heart. And to the horror of his few remaining allies, he gives that to the daughter of his enemy. They see Annis, at best, as a bargaining chip to avoid war with her powerful father. At worst, they see a Saxon whore with her claws in a broken, wounded king.

Alden has one hope: When you war with one du Lac, you war with them all. His brother Budic, King of Brittany, could offer the deposed young king sanctuary—but whether he will offer the same courtesy to Annis is far less certain.

Amazon 

The Du Lac Devil

(The Du Lac Chronicles, #2)

War is coming.

As one kingdom after another falls to the savage might of the High King, Cerdic of Wessex, only one family dares to stand up to him — The Du Lacs.

Budic and Alden Du Lac are barely speaking to each other, and Merton is a mercenary, fighting for the highest bidder. If Wessex hears of the brothers’ discord, then all is lost.

Fate brings Merton du Lac back to the ancestral lands of his forefathers, and he finds his country on the brink of civil war. But there is worse to come, for his father’s old enemy has infiltrated the court of Benwick. Now, more than ever, the Du Lac must come together to save the kingdom and themselves.

Can old rivalries and resentments be overcome in time to stop a war?

Amazon 

The Du Lac Princess

(The Du Lac Chronicles, #3) 

 

The ink has dried on a Amandine's death warrant. Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.

Amazon 

The Du Lac Prophecy

(The Du Lac Chronicles, #4)

Two Prophesies. Two Noble Households. One Throne.

Distrust and greed threaten to destroy the House of du Lac. Mordred Pendragon strengthens his hold on Brittany and the surrounding kingdoms while Alan, Mordred’s cousin, embarks on a desperate quest to find Arthur’s lost knights. Without the knights and the relics they hold in trust, they cannot defeat Arthur’s only son – but finding the knights is only half of the battle. Convincing them to fight on the side of the Du Lac’s, their sworn enemy, will not be easy.

If Alden, King of Cerniw, cannot bring unity there will be no need for Arthur’s knights. With Budic threatening to invade Alden’s Kingdom, Merton putting love before duty, and Garren disappearing to goodness knows where, what hope does Alden have? If Alden cannot get his House in order, Mordred will destroy them all.

Amazon

All that is left for me to say is that I hope you have a happy and a successful year, and once again thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

All the best,

Mary Anne xxx

Mary Anne Yarde

Mary Anne Yarde is the multi award-winning author of the International Bestselling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Britain and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Mary Anne is the founder of The Coffee Pot Book Club. She has been a professional reader since 2016 and in this time Mary Anne has reviewed many books for the big and small publishing houses, as well as books penned by her fellow indie authors. Mary Anne is also an editorial reviewer for The Coffee Pot Book Club. Mary Anne has been a judge for a prestigious Historical Fiction Book Award for the last three years, as well as being a Top Reviewer on Netgalley. 

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.

You can contact Mary Anne by email:

author@maryanneyarde.com

If you would prefer to chat on social media, then you can find Mary Anne on Twitter and Facebook.