Friday, 31 January 2025

Sleight of Hand: An Alewives of Colmar Mystery (The Alewives of Colmar) by Elizabeth R. Andersen



Sleight of Hand: 
An Alewives of Colmar Mystery
(The Alewives of Colmar)
By Elizabeth R. Andersen


Author: Elizabeth R. Andersen
Narrater: Ella Lynch
Publisher: Haeddre Press
Publication Date: 24th January 20250
Series: The Alewives of Colmar, #2
Listening Time: 8 hours, 1 minute
Edition description: Unabridged


In the spring of 1354, all was well in the town of Colmar - until Efi Kleven discovered a hand in her pot of new ale…a hand that was not attached to a body.

Now, Gritta, Appel, and Efi, the three alewives of Colmar, must solve the mystery of the severed hand before suspicion falls on them. While they attempt to keep their fledgling brewery afloat, more bodies turn up outside of town - along with more suspects.

With few allies and several powerful men working against them, the alewives find themselves flummoxed: How did the hand of a man from Vogelgrun end up in a cooking pot in Colmar? Why were none of the victims local? And would this most inconvenient ingredient get in the way of Efi's plans to find herself a new husband?

Book 2 in The Alewives of Colmar mystery series, Sleight of Hand follows the three alewives as they confront life after the Black Death with bravery and wicked humor, showing resourcefulness and determination in the face of poverty, misogyny, and murder.

Praise

"Sleight of Hand is an incredibly clever murder mystery, with quirky characters, a fascinating historic location, and intriguing plot lines. The immersive narrative and local, medieval terminology gives you a real sense of time and place. Fans of medieval murder mysteries and cosy 'whodunits' will thoroughly enjoy reading Sleight of Hand. Highly Recommended." 

The Coffee Pot Book Club

"In addition to telling a gripping story of mystery and survival, Andersen honors the tenacity of women who successfully negotiated the difficulties of a society that frequently opposed their independence and intelligence. For lovers of historical mysteries and anybody curious about the untold histories of the past, this book is a must-read."

 The Historical Fiction Company

Pick up your digital copy of
Sleight of Hand
HERE!

Elizabeth R. Andersen


Elizabeth R. Andersen's debut novel, The Scribe, launched in July of 2021. Although she spent many years of her life as a journalist, independent fashion designer, and overworked tech employee, there have always been two consistent loves in her life: writing and history. She finally decided to put them both together and discovered her true love.

Elizabeth lives in the Seattle area with her young son and energetic husky. On the weekends she usually hikes in the stunning Cascade mountains to hide from people and dream up new plotlines and characters.

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A Sword Among Ravens (The Long-Hair Saga Book 3) by Cynthia Ripley Miller

 




A Sword Among Ravens 
(The Long-Hair Saga Book 3)
By Cynthia Ripley Miller


Publication Date: 9th December 2020
Publisher:  BookLocker.com, Inc.
Page Length: 281 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance

In a grave, on the edge of a Roman battlefield, an ancient sword has been discovered. Legend claims it belonged to King David of Israel and carries a curse—those who wield it will tragically die—but not the chosen.   

AD 455. Arria Felix and her husband, Garic the Frank, have safely delivered a sacred relic to Emperor Marcian in Constantinople. But now, Arria and Garic will accept a new mission. The emperor has asked them to carry the sword of King David of Israel to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem where Arria will dedicate it in her murdered father’s memory.

As Arria and Garic travel into the heart of the Holy Land, they face many challenges and dangers. Their young daughter is missing then found in the company of a strange and suspicious old monk. A brutal killer stalks their path. And a band of cold-blooded thieves is determined to steal the sword for their own gains. But when Arria confronts the question of where the sword should truly rest—old friendships, loyalties, and her duty are put to the test like never before. At every turn, Arria and Garic find themselves caught in a treacherous mission wrapped in mystery, murder, and A Sword Among Ravens.

Pick up your copy of
A Sword Among Ravens 
HERE!


Cynthia Ripley Miller


Cynthia Ripley Miller is a first-generation Italian-American writer with a love for history, languages, and books. She has lived, worked, and traveled in Europe, Africa, North America, and the Caribbean. As a girl, she often wondered what it would be like to journey through time (she still does), yet she knew it could only be through the imagination and words of writers and their stories. Today, she writes to bring the past to life. 

Cynthia holds two degrees and has taught history and teaches English. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthology Summer Tapestry and The Scriptor. A Chanticleer International Chatelaine Award finalist for her novel On the Edge of Sunrise, she has reviewed for UNRV Roman History and blogs at Historical Happenings and Oddities: A Distant Focus and on her website. 

Cynthia has four children and lives with her husband, twin cats, Romulus and Remus, and Jessie, a German Shepherd, in a suburb of Chicago. On the Edge of Sunrise is the first in the Long-Hair Sagas; a series set in late ancient Rome and France and published by Booklocker.

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A Phoenix Rising: Passion & power at the Tudor court (The House of the Red Duke Book 1) by Vivienne Brereton

 


A Phoenix Rising:
Passion & power at the Tudor court 
(The House of the Red Duke Book 1)
By Vivienne Brereton


Publication Date: 8th July 2019
Publisher: Yuletide Press
Page Length: 374 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

Thomas is a respected statesman, soldier, and diplomat with valuable inside knowledge of the powerful courts of Europe.

But he knows the stakes are extraordinarily high. One false step in these glittering, candlelit places of love, knightly display, dancing, dining, and desire, can be costly … even fatal.

The shadowy corridors of power aren’t for the faint of heart, being inhabited by exotic creatures, as likely to pounce on their prey as to preen.

Above all, Thomas is loyal to the death to any crowned king of England, whether a Lancastrian, Yorkist or Tudor. He wears his fidelity close to his heart like a badge of honour.

He vows to create a powerful family dynasty, using strong sons and beautiful daughters to play a part in his grand scheme.

But little by little, the deeds of the past begin to collide with those of the present.

What will happen if all the family secrets are finally revealed?

Pick up your copy of
A Phoenix Rising

Vivienne Brereton


Born in historic Winchester, England, Vivienne has been passionate about the Tudors for as long as she can remember. This led to a degree in Medieval History and a growing desire to write a historical novel. Words have always played an important part in her life, whether writing, editing, teaching English, or just picking up a good book.

In preparation for her Tudor series, she did an enormous amount of research: reading, visiting historic buildings, art galleries, with the odd joust or two thrown in! She even mastered several Tudor recipes which are included in her novel. Seeing 'A Phoenix Rising', Book One of 'The House of the Red Duke' in print for the first time was a moment of great joy for her. She hopes that anyone reading it will enjoy the end result as much as she enjoyed writing it.

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Thursday, 30 January 2025

Blog Tour - THE USURPER KING by Mercedes Rochelle

 


THE USURPER KING by Mercedes Rochelle
Book 4 of The Plantagenet Legacy


Publication Date: 5th April 2021
Publisher: Sergeant Press 
Page Length: 305 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

From Outlaw to Usurper, Henry Bolingbroke fought one rebellion after another.

First, he led his own uprising. Then he captured a forsaken king. Henry had no intention of taking the crown for himself; it was given to him by popular acclaim. Alas, it didn't take long to realize that that having the kingship was much less rewarding than striving for it. Only three months after his coronation, Henry IV had to face a rebellion led by Richard's disgruntled favorites. Repressive measures led to more discontent. His own supporters turned against him, demanding more than he could give. The haughty Percies precipitated the Battle of Shrewsbury which nearly cost him the throne—and his life.

To make matters worse, even after Richard II's funeral, the deposed monarch was rumored to be in Scotland, planning his return. The king just wouldn't stay down and malcontents wanted him back.

Pick up your copy of
THE USURPER KING 

THE ACCURSED KING by Mercedes Rochelle
Book 5 of The Plantagenet Legacy


Publication Date: 18th April 2022
Publisher: Sergeant Press 
Page Length: 301 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

What happens when a king loses his prowess?

The day Henry IV could finally declare he had vanquished his enemies, he threw it all away with an infamous deed. No English king had executed an archbishop before. And divine judgment was quick to follow. Many thought he was struck with leprosy—God's greatest punishment for sinners. From that point on, Henry's health was cursed and he fought doggedly on as his body continued to betray him—reducing this once great warrior to an invalid.

Fortunately for England, his heir was ready and eager to take over. But Henry wasn't willing to relinquish what he had worked so hard to preserve. No one was going to take away his royal prerogative—not even Prince Hal. But Henry didn't count on Hal's dauntless nature, which threatened to tear the royal family apart.

Pick up your copy of
THE ACCURSED KING

Mercedes Rochelle


Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it's coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers.

Her first four books cover eleventh-century Britain and events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Her new project is called “The Plantagenet Legacy” taking us through the reigns of the last true Plantagenet King, Richard II and his successors, Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story. 

Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the University of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to "see the world". The search hasn't ended!

Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

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The Bowes Inheritance by Pam Lecky

 

The Bowes Inheritance 
By Pam Lecky


Publication Date: 10th July 2015
Publisher: Independently Published
Page Length: 313 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

Dublin 1882

When determined but impoverished Louisa Campbell inherits a large estate in the north of England, it appears to be the answer to her prayers. Her younger sister, Eleanor, is gravely ill, and believing the country air will benefit her, they take up residence at Bowes Farm. However, they soon realise all they have inherited is trouble. Their mysterious benefactor’s reputation leaves the young women battling to gain acceptance in polite society, especially with Nicholas Maxwell, their handsome neighbour and local magistrate. Louisa unearths secrets from their family’s past that threaten their future and she must dig deep to find the courage to solve them before their lives are destroyed. But most importantly of all, can she trust and love the man who is surely her sworn enemy? 

Pick up your copy of
The Bowes Inheritance 

Pam Lecky


Pam is an Irish historical fiction author with Avon Books UK and Storm Publishing. She is represented by Therese Coen at Susanna Lea Associates Literary Agency, London. Pam is a member of the Historical Novel Society, The Crime Writers' Association and the Society of Authors.

Her Secret War, her Irish WW2 thriller, was released in October 2021, gaining a best seller badge in the US. The sequel, Her Last Betrayal, was released in April 2022 and also gained bestseller status. The third book in the series, The Last Letter from London, was published in August 2023. Her standalone police procedural/murder mystery, Under a Lightning Sky, set during the Blitz in London, was published on July 4th 2024.

Early in 2024, Pam was delighted to announce that Storm Publishing have bought the rights to her popular Victorian mystery series, The Lucy Lawrence Mysteries. The first three books were re-launched in July 2024, with a new fourth book slated for publication in September 2024.

The Bowes Inheritance, her debut novel, was awarded the B.R.A.G. Medallion; was shortlisted for the Carousel Aware Prize 2016; made 'Editor's Choice' by the Historical Novel Society; long-listed for the Historical Novel Society 2016 Indie Award; and chosen as a Discovered Diamond in February 2017.

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Poetic Justice (The Publius Ovidius Mysteries Book 1) by Fiona Forsyth


Poetic Justice
(The Publius Ovidius Mysteries Book 1)
By Fiona Forsyth


Publication Date: 30th November 2023
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Page Length: 283 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

9 CE.

Rome’s celebrated love poet Ovid finds himself in exile, courtesy of an irate Emperor, in the far-flung town of Tomis.

Appalled at being banished to a barbarous region at the very edge of the Empire, Ovid soon discovers that he has a far more urgent - and potentially perilous - issue to address. A killer is at large in Tomis.

Somebody is slaughtering animals in a parody of ritual, and the Governor’s advisor Marcus Avitius is under pressure to apprehend the perpetrator.

Romans are held in low esteem by the local populace, however, and assistance is hard to come by. When the killer progresses from animal to human victims, Avitius reluctantly allies himself to the mercurial, tipsy Ovid.

It seems that Ovid has an inexplicable link to the murderer too, with his poetry providing the timetable by which the killer works.

After a secret visit from the elite Praetorian Guard, Ovid realises he is in mortal danger in Tomis. If he doesn’t follow the Emperor’s line, more than just his freedom is at risk.

With Avitius distracted by the demands of the Governor, Ovid becomes a target for dark forces at work in Tomis - and in Rome.

Pick up your copy of
Poetic Justice

Fiona Forsyth


I will never fully understand the Romans, and that is the challenge. 

I have loved the ancient world since I read my first Greek myth, Theseus and the Minotaur. After reading Classics at Oxford, I taught at a boys’ public school for twenty-five years, but then my family moved to Qatar. There wasn’t much call for Latin teachers, so I wrote, and now I am back in the UK, all the questions I have asked myself about the Romans over the years are turning into novels. 

I was once accused by a slightly indignant teenager of being in love with Cicero. This is not strictly true…

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The Godmother's Secret: The Mystery of the Missing Princes in the Tower by Elizabeth St.John

 

The Godmother's Secret:
The Mystery of the Missing Princes in the Tower
By Elizabeth St.John


Publication Date: 4th October 2022
Publisher: Falcon Historical 
Page Length: 443 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction 

If you knew the fate of the Princes in the Tower would you tell? Or forever keep the secret?

May 1483: The Tower of London. When King Edward IV dies and Lady Elysabeth Scrope delivers her young godson, Edward V, into the Tower of London to prepare for his coronation, she is engulfed in political turmoil. Within months, the prince and his brother have disappeared, Richard III is declared king, and Elysabeth’s sister Margaret Beaufort conspires with her son Henry Tudor to invade England and claim the throne.

Desperate to protect her godson, Elysabeth battles the intrigue, betrayal and power of the last medieval court, defying her Yorkist husband and her Lancastrian sister under her godmother’s sacred oath to keep Prince Edward safe. Bound by blood and rent by honour, Elysabeth is torn between the crown and her family, knowing that if her loyalty is questioned, she is in peril of losing everything—including her life.

Were the princes murdered by their uncle, Richard III? Did Margaret Beaufort mastermind their disappearance to usher in the Tudor dynasty? Or did the young boys vanish for their own safety? Of anyone at the royal court, Elysabeth has the most to lose–and the most to gain–by keeping secret the fate of the Princes in the Tower.

Praise

This novel captured the very essence of this era and was simply unputdownable. In all ways, this book is an absolute triumph.

Mary Anne Yarde, Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

"An extremely well-written book with depth and complexity to the main characters. The author says she wanted to write a book about family love and tolerance, and a woman's loyalty and courage. She has done so. This is the best book I've read in ages!" 

The Ricardian Bulletin - Richard III Society

"The authenticity and historical research displayed within this story is immense and exquisite. Ms. St. John is sure to be a newfound favorite for fans of not only this fractious time in English history, but of all historical fans who adore rich, immersive prose.

 Historical Fiction Company 2022 Book of the Year

Pick up your copy of
The Godmother's Secret
HERE!

Elizabeth St. John


Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.

Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.

Elizabeth's works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a trilogy set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother's Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley's perilous quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden discovery of the princes' bones. In Charles II's court of intrigue and deceit, Franny must decide what she’ll risk—for England’s salvation, her family's safety, and her own happiness.

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Wednesday, 29 January 2025

The World Turned Upside Down by Seth Irving Handaside


 

The World Turned Upside Down 
By Seth Irving Handaside 


Publication Date: 30th November 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 287 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

"The World Turned Upside Down" takes readers on an exhilarating journey through one of history's most transformative periods.

This masterful work of historical fiction follows the audacious British-American colonists, known as the Founders, as they boldly rise against the mightiest empire of their time: England. Their unprecedented struggle challenged the status quo and reshaped the foundation of global politics and human rights, ushering in the era of democracy. As the narrative unfolds with rich, immersive detail and dynamic characters, the story poses a profound question: after securing their hard-won liberty, could they preserve and nurture the fragile promise of a new world?

This compelling tale captures the spirit of revolution and the enduring quest for freedom.

Pick up your copy of
The World Turned Upside Down 

Seth Irving Handaside


Growing up in Putnam County in the town of Putnam Valley, named after General Israel Putnam, Seth Irving Handaside walked its roads.

He explored the hills and valleys that American rebels tread. But, he often thought, what would have done when the head of the state, King George III of England, ignored his rights and the rule of law?

Would he have marched to the tune of the revolution and been in a regiment commanded by General Putnam or sided with the loyalists?

Fascinated by American history since elementary school, politics runs in his veins. He has spent the last ten years researching and reading about the founding fathers and settled on six men, three boys not yet twenty, and three Virginians who risked having their necks stretched to make the American dream a reality.

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