Blog Tour: When the Stones Held by David E. Owen

When the Stones Held

By David E. Owen

Yarde Book Promotions Blog Tour

19th – 23rd October 2026

Yarde Book Promotions is delighted to be organising the Blog Tour for David E. Owen’s historical novel, When the Stones Held, from 19th – 23rd October 2026.

Inspired by the remarkable true story of Welsh stonemason William Edwards, When the Stones Held takes readers into eighteenth-century Wales and the extraordinary story behind the bridge that would give birth to the town of Pontypridd.

Publication Date: 16th May 2026
Publisher: Independently Published
Print Length: 331 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction 

When The Stones Held is an unforgettable historical novel inspired by the true story of William Edwards, the self taught Welsh stonemason who built one of the greatest bridges of the eighteenth century.

Born into poverty in the remote valleys of South Wales, William grows up in a world shaped by hard labour, dangerous rivers, and communities struggling to survive. Education is rare. Opportunity is rarer still. Yet from childhood, William becomes fascinated by stone, by balance, and by the dream of building something that will outlive him.

As the coal trade begins transforming Wales and merchants demand safer routes through the valleys, William sets himself an impossible task, to build a bridge across the fierce River Taff where others have failed. Floods destroy his work. Rivals mock him. Powerful men try to break him. Each collapse threatens his reputation, his livelihood, and the people he loves.

Set against the harsh beauty of eighteenth century Wales, When The Stones Held is a story of ambition, resilience, love, grief, and determination. It brings to life the people, language, and struggles of a forgotten world while telling the remarkable true story behind the bridge that gave birth to the town of Pontypridd.

Perfect for readers who enjoy rich historical fiction, Welsh history, and stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.

Pick up your copy of 

 When the Stones Held

HERE

Read with #KindleUnlimited

David E. Owen

After decades spent teaching around the world—from the UK to the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East—I came to writing fiction later in life. I started with fantasy before finding my voice in fast-paced, real-world spy thrillers. My stories are grounded in current issues like corruption, gender bias, and power, but always emphasise pace, surprise, and character-driven tension.

I’ve visited over 80 countries, worked as a radio host in Abu Dhabi, directed Shakespeare for African audiences in the bush, and even survived a flash flood in Mali and an armed hold-up. I was arrested for drug-smuggling in Nigeria but was eventually released when I refused to pay off the police captain, and I was boat-wrecked alone on a desert island in the Arabian Sea (but no tree) and rescued through a police search. Now retired from teaching, I split my time between writing, photography, and trying to get fit (thanks to a stubborn rowing machine). My latest novel, Hate Machine, tackles misogyny and gender radicalisation — not typical thriller territory, but I like a challenge.

Blog Tour Schedule

19th – 23rd October 2026

The full tour schedule will be announced soon.

Join us as we follow When the Stones Held around the book-blogging community, with reviews, guest posts, excerpts and more.

Tour Schedule to Follow...

Follow the Tour

Follow Yarde Book Promotions throughout the week and discover what our wonderful tour hosts have to say about When the Stones Held.

#WhenTheStonesHeld #DavidEOwen #HistoricalFiction #WelshHistory #BookBlogTour #YardeBookPromotions