Wednesday 31 March 2021

Welcome to Day #8 of the blog tour for Ropewalk; Rebellion. Love. Survival (The Ropewalk series) by H D Coulter #HistoricalFiction #Ropewalk #BlogTour @coulter_hd

 


March 22nd – April 2nd 2021

Publication Date: 23rd November 2020
Publisher: Independently Published 
Page Length: 243 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

The North of England, 1831. 

The working class are gathering. Rebellion is stirring, and the people are divided. 

Beatrice Lightfoot, a young woman fighting her own personal rebellion, is looking for an opportunity to change her luck. When she gains the attention of the enigmatic Captain Hanley, he offers her a tantalising deal to attend the May Day dance. She accepts, unaware of the true price of her own free will. 

Her subsequent entanglement with Joshua Mason, the son of a local merchant, draws all three into a destructive and dangerous relationship, which threatens to drag Beatrice, and all she knows into darkness. 

Now, Beatrice must choose between rebellion, love and survival before all is lost, and the Northern uprising changes her world forever. 

We are stopping over on two fabulous blogs today. 

Our first stop is over on The Magic of Wor(l)ds where you can have a sneak-peek between the covers.

Click Here.

Our second stop of the day is over on Oh look, another book! for a wonderful review:

Click Here.

Tour Schedule





#BookReview - Northern Dawn (Northern Wolf Series Book 4) by Daniel Greene #HistoricalFiction #AmericanCivilWar

 





Publication Date: 15th September 2020
Publisher: Rune Publishing 
Page Length: 303 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

War takes guts and luck to survive...but will it be enough?

Wolf's been promoted. He's helped bring down one of the South's greatest generals. Yet his country still has more to ask of him and the costliest war in America's history rages on.

Sheridan's cavalry raids west to destroy Confederate infrastructure and divert attention from Grant's movement south of the killing fields of Cold Harbor. Yet Wade Hampton and his rebel forces have something else in store for the Union Cavalry Corps.

Wolf quickly finds himself in the hot seat of the largest all-cavalry battle of the war near Trevilian Station. Isolated and surrounded can they survive the coming Southern storm? Or will they be overrun and annihilated, a mere footnote in history?



“…in this war, Death played the fiddle and armies danced to his tune.”

Lieutenant Johannes Wolf had conned his way into the 13th Michigan Calvary, but that seemed like a lifetime ago now. The war had changed him. It had changed them all.

Wolf has risen from the ranks—he is always “one shot away from a promotion”. He has escaped the horrors of Libby Prison and has seen things he wishes he could unsee and done things he wishes could be undone. But the war was not over for him, yet. Now he must face a fight not only for his life, but for the lives of those in his regiment, his general, and the future of his country…

Daniel Greene has again demonstrated why I am so committed to the story that he has to tell. Northern Dawn (Northern Wolf Series, Book 4) was everything I was expecting and then a bit more.

The most salient element of the narrative, especially in this storys case, is courage. Not only does Greene define the very nature of the word, but through his characters we witness how courage goes hand-in-hand with the utmost desire to stay alive. If courage falters, all is lost, and everything that both sides have fought for would have been for naught, which was why the armies of both sides of the conflict needed generals such as Custer and Hampton.

Greene’s depiction of Union Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer has fascinated me from the beginning of this series. The war had turned the boy general into a man, but still a somewhat reckless one. He willingly exposes himself to danger in this novel by staying mounted upon his horse, so that his men could see that he was not afraid. I could not decide if I admired him for his courage or for his pig-headed determination to have his own way, despite the dangers and despite Alger pointing out that “You cannot inspire men from the grave.” But while men fell around him, and horses died underneath him, Custer somehow survived. There is a morbid sense of invulnerability about him, as there was with the historical man. Was he reckless with his men’s lives? Greene argues in this story, no, but there is a sense of admiration for the man and despite his faults, he inspired his troops and they would willingly ride through Hell knowing that he would ride alongside them. I thought Greene’s depiction of Custer was sublime.

Greene also explores the relationship between courage and reputation. Reputations were built and destroyed upon the battlefield. The respect of their peers, and indeed the enemy, is at the forefront of many an officer’s mind. This respect, I guess one might call it rivalry, is played out beautifully between Custer and his best friend from West Point, Thomas Rosser. Despite being on opposing sides, the two are torn between wanting their regiments to meet and not wanting them to meet. They have no desire to kill each other, but they both would like the opportunity to boast, especially on Rosser’s part, that one had bested the other.

When it comes to the courage of the soldiers, their most desperate desire is to stay alive. But Greene shows how many were conflicted—they wanted to stay alive, but at same time they did not want to kill. Likewise, through characters such as Wolf and Wilhelm, we witness how seasoned soldiers deal with the horrific injuries and deaths of their comrades-in-arms—it does not get any easier losing friends. This novel also depicts a deplorable act of revenge, and although Greene has fictionalised the way one of Hampton’s sons dies, he does remind the reader that an eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind.

Greene’s depiction of the terrain, the weather, the life of both Union and Confederate soldiers, and of the almost unbearable toll on both man and beast in each regiment, is drawn with an intuitive understanding of this era. If a horse went lame they immediately shot it rather than allow it to rest, which shows the desperation of the situation. Neither army could afford to slow down. This callous attitude to life, be that towards man or beast, demonstrates the horrors, but more importantly, the realities of warfare during this period. The soldiers bravely engage the enemy, knowing that here, in this place, at this time they could die, meaning that Yankee Doodle becomes not only the soundtrack that the soldiers march to when they are ordered to advance, but it also becomes the requiem for the dying and the dead.

I thought the depiction of The Battle of Trevilian Station was masterfully portrayed. The fear, the hope, and the desperate desire for more coffee, really illustrated the true horror of fighting a war on all fronts. There is an edge of almost hysterical fear that is kept in check by the officers and acts of bravery on both sides. But Greene has also given his readers the opportunity to experience the battle at a more personal level. Having read the other books in the series, Wolf is a character that I have really come to care about, and thus to see his determination, his resolve to serve, not just his country, but his friends, means that he is a protagonist that a reader cannot help but connect with, and it is because of this connection that we can experience what it must have been like to charge headlong into the enemy camp, while praying that your luck would hold and your horse would not be shot out from under you. Greene has rendered this battle, and the lives of the officers and soldiers, as authentically as possible. I could feel the terror of both the cavalry and their horses, I fancied I could smell the blood and hear the cries for help. This novel is hauntingly beautiful because of its realism.

What I like about this series is that you are privy to both sides of the war, and although the majority of this novel is spent with the Union Army, Greene has also explored what life was like in the Confederate Army as well. The skill of the generals, the sacrifice of the men, and the gratuitous loss of life becomes almost intolerable, especially for men such as Hampton. And although Greene has used a little creative licence in the depiction of the death of Hampton’s son, he does not gloss over the devastating impact of his death on his father. As in John Jakes' North and South series, Greene allows his readers to sympathise with the consequences of the war, and the sacrifices made, as well as reminding the readers, through characters such as Eliza, what they were fighting for to begin with. But this war was not just about emancipation, it was about keeping together a union, a nation, a people.

To get the most out of this series, you really need to start with Book 1, Northern Wolf. This series maps the progress of the American Civil War in a way that I have not come across before. This series is, quite simply brilliant.

Northern Dawn (Northern Wolf Series, Book 4) by Daniel Greene is an utterly enthralling book which, along with the rest of the books in this series, is deserving of a place on your bookcase.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club












Daniel Greene is an award-winning and best-selling multi-genre author. He made his debut in the post-apocalyptic genre and quickly became known as a must read with his award-winning and best-selling hit The End Time Saga. His deep passion for history has inspired him to tackle the historical fiction genre with launch of the best-selling Northern Wolf Series.

 

He is an avid traveler and physical fitness enthusiast. He fulfilled a quest of iron by worshipping at the shrine of Arnold Schwarzenegger, in Graz, Austria, an experience he will never forget. If he isn’t working on his next book, you can find him training to survive the impending rise of the dead. 

 

He is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society. Although a Midwesterner for life, he’s lived long enough in Virginia to call it home. 

 

Connect with Daniel:

 Website • Facebook •  Goodreads.







Have a sneak-peek between the covers of Justin Newland's fabulous novel — The Coronation #HistoricalFantasy @matadorbooks

 



Publication Date: 28th January 2020
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Co.
Page Length: 276 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy

It is 1761. Prussia is at war with Russia and Austria. As the Russian army occupies East Prussia, King Frederick the Great and his men fight hard to win back their homeland. 

In Ludwigshain, a Junker estate in East Prussia, Countess Marion von Adler celebrates an exceptional harvest. But it is requisitioned by Russian troops. When Marion tries to stop them, a Russian captain strikes her. His lieutenant, Ian Fermor, defends Marion’s honour and is stabbed for his insubordination. Abandoned by the Russians, Fermor becomes a divisive figure on the estate.

Close to death, Fermor dreams of the Adler, a numinous eagle entity, whose territory extends across the lands of Northern Europe and which is mysteriously connected to the Enlightenment. What happens next will change of the course of human history… 



This excerpt is from Chapter 19: A Servant of the Adler (which is German for eagle). 
It’s from the point of view of Marion Countess (or Grafin) von Adler


Marion fell into a deep sleep.
 
There was another knock on her door. This time she got up to see who it was.

“That you again, Ursula?” 

As she approached the door, it seemed to swing open of its own accord.

“Fermor? What do you want?” 

Ian Fermor held a lantern low down, like Ursula had done. It lit his face, accentuating his curved, aquiline nose, high cheek-bones and thin, pointed chin.   

“Come with me,” he said. It was odd, because without a second thought, she did exactly that. She also wondered why she didn’t seem to have any choice in the matter. That was not what frightened her most though. She followed him out of the door, along the gallery corridor and down the spiral staircase. She noticed that her feet didn’t seem to touch the ground. She glided like an eagle, like when they were hovering in the sky and had an eye for their prey. As she walked, she tried to hear the sound of her own footsteps. There was none. She was walking on thin air. That was what frightened her the most.   

“What’s happening? Where… are we going?” 

“Are you hungry?” 

“Yes, of course, we’re all hungry, but –.”

“Then follow me,” Fermor’s voice was hoarse; like he had a heavy cold or a sore throat. “I’ll satisfy your hunger,” he added, which to her sounded more like a threat than a promise. Again she felt fearful of this man’s ambiguous intent and his essential power over her will. She could do nothing to alter it and drifted along after him.  

The lantern lit the way ahead; the tranche of light followed Fermor like it was coming from his face, like his face was the light. 

He led her out of the north-facing door. Snow was falling from the sky like milk white diamonds, sparkling in the palpable stillness of the night. They travelled – or floated, she wasn’t quite sure what they were doing – along the front of the Schloss until they reached the two barns where the supplies of wheat, seed and corn were stored. 

Alexander was hunched in a corner of a doorway. Some guard he was, his snoring would have woken the dead, if there had been any around. None of that seemed to matter, because she noticed she was still wearing her night gown and wondered why her feet and hands didn’t feel the biting cold. Now she came to think about it, she didn’t feel anything. No cold, no warmth, no sensations at all. It was even more curious that Fermor, leading the way, left no footprints in the snow. 

He eased them towards a narrow alley that ran between the walls of two barns. Despite the protection afforded it from the elements, the snow storm had deposited a light dusting in the alleyway. It was secluded. She hesitated. What might he do to her? 

“No, stop. I can’t go any further,” she said. “Tell me what this is about.”

“I told you, I’ll satisfy your hunger,” he said, turning to speak to her. His face resembled a great bird, his hook-nose and large staring eyes lending him the appearance of a hawk, no, it was more like an eagle. 

“Why are you doing this?”

“You helped me, Your Excellency. I want to help you,” he replied. “You are one of us.”

“One of ‘whom’?”

“A servant of the Adler, the eagle, the twin-headed eagle.”

“I’m an Adler and the twin-headed eagle is on my husband’s coat of arms. Is that what you mean?”

“If you believe that’s all there is to it, go back to your warm bed,” he said. “If you have an inkling of a greater purpose, follow me. Higher service is always a matter of free will.”

He glided on without waiting for an answer, leaving her alone and swathed in the night. She felt compelled to follow. Besides, the Adler had encouraged her in the Columbine Inn. 

Fermor held the lantern out in front of him; its light seemed to shine through him, like he was transparent or made of air. Either way, it was easy for her to see the way ahead. When they were about two-thirds down the alley, he stopped and said, “I’ve brought you here so you can see it for yourself. You need to remember this place.” 

He pointed to the ground and added, “This is it, see here.”

“See what?”

“This patch of grass.”

“What of it?” she asked. 

“It has no snow on it.” 

“I can see that. And?”

Before he could reply, the end of the alley from which they had come was filled with a swishing light and shouts of alarm. “Oi! Who’s that? Is someone there? Show yourselves! Or I’m coming to get you!”

Alexander had woken up.

“Quick,” Fermor said. “Follow me.” And he floated up into the air, above the barns, and over the snowy landscape as if it were the most natural thing in the world to hover around in a body lighter than air. She glided through the walls of the Schloss (Castle) and was soon drifting into the safe confines of her bedroom. Somewhere along the way, Fermor must have slipped away into the night and she found herself back in her body and in her body. 







Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers - that’s history with a supernatural twist. His stories feature known events and real people from history which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural. He was born three days before the end of 1953 and holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. 

His novels speculate on the human condition and explore the fundamental questions of our existence. As a species, as Homo Sapiens Sapiens – that’s man the twice-wise – how are we doing so far? Where is mankind’s spiritual home? What does it look or feel like? 

Justin Newland's Books



Connect with Justin:










Have a sneak-peek between Toni Mount's fabulous book - The Colour of Evil #HistoricalFiction #Excerpt #BlogTour @tonihistorian @wendyjdunn @tonihistorian @ADarnGoodRead

 



March 29th – April 2nd 2021

Publication Date: 25 March 2021
Publisher: Madeglobal.com
Page Length: 334 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery

‘The Colour of Evil’

Every Londoner has money worries, and talented artist and some-time sleuth, Seb Foxley, is no exception.

When fellow craftsmen with debts to pay are found dead in the most horrid circumstances, fears escalate. Only Seb can solve the puzzles that baffle the authorities.

Seb’s wayward elder brother, Jude, returns unannounced from Italy with a child-bride upon his arm. Shock turns to dismay when life becomes more complicated and troubles multiply.

From counterfeit coins to deadly darkness in London's worst corners. From mysterious thefts to attacks of murderous intent, Seb finds himself embroiled at every turn. With a royal commission to fulfil and heartache to resolve, can our hero win through against the odds?

Share Seb Foxley’s latest adventures in the filthy streets of medieval London, join in the Midsummer festivities and meet his fellow citizens, both the respectable and the villainous.


We are once again stopping over on three fabulous blogs:



Tour Schedule







Welcome to Day 3 of the blog tour for A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, The Aragon Years by Judith Arnopp #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @JudithArnopp

 


17th March – 19th May 2021


Publication Date: February 2021

Publisher: Feed a Read

Page Length: 335 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


‘A king must have sons: strong, healthy sons to rule after him.’


On the unexpected death of Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, his brother, Henry, becomes heir to the throne of England. The intensive education that follows offers Henry a model for future excellence; a model that he is doomed to fail.


On his accession, he chooses his brother’s widow, Catalina of Aragon, to be his queen. Together they plan to reinstate the glory of days of old and fill the royal nursery with boys. 

But when their first-born son dies at just a few months old, and subsequent babies are born dead or perish in the womb, the king’s golden dreams are tarnished.


Christendom mocks the virile prince. Catalina’s fertile years are ending yet all he has is one useless living daughter, and a baseborn son.


He needs a solution but stubborn to the end, Catalina refuses to step aside.


As their relationship founders, his eye is caught by a woman newly arrived from the French court. Her name is Anne Boleyn.


A Matter of Conscience: the Aragon Years offers a unique first-person account of the ‘monster’ we love to hate and reveals a man on the edge; an amiable man made dangerous by his own impossible expectation


We are stopping over on two fabulous blogs today!


The first stop is over on The Whispering Bookworm for a sneak-peek between the covers.


Click Here.


The second stop of the day is over on B for Book Reviews for a fabulous interview.


Click Here.


Tour Schedule







Welcome to Day 6 of the #audio blog tour for State of Treason (Book 1, William Constable Spy Thrillers) By Paul Walker, Narrated by Edward Gist #HistoricalFiction @PWalkerauthor

 



February 24th - April 28th 2021
Publication Date: February 2021

Publisher: Audible Studios

Page Length: 317 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction
Amazon Audio


London, 1578


William Constable is a scholar of mathematics, astrology and practices as a physician. He receives an unexpected summons to the Queen’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham in the middle of the night. He fears for his life when he spies the tortured body of an old friend in the palace precincts.


His meeting with Walsingham takes an unexpected turn when he is charged to assist a renowned Puritan, John Foxe, in uncovering the secrets of a mysterious cabinet containing an astrological chart and coded message. Together, these claim Elizabeth has a hidden, illegitimate child (an “unknowing maid”) who will be declared to the masses and serve as the focus for an invasion.


Constable is swept up in the chase to uncover the identity of the plotters, unaware that he is also under suspicion. He schemes to gain the confidence of the adventurer John Hawkins and a rich merchant. Pressured into taking a role as court physician to pick up unguarded comments from nobles and others, he has become a reluctant intelligencer for Walsingham.

Do the stars and cipher speak true, or is there some other malign intent in the complex web of scheming?


Constable must race to unravel the threads of political manoeuvring for power before a new-found love and perhaps his own life are forfeit.
Head over to Ruins & Reading and listen to a fabulous audio excerpt.Click Here.
Our second stop of the day is over on CelticLady Reviews where State of Treason is in the SPOTLIGHT!
Click Here.
Tour Schedule