Saturday, 28 March 2026

Ascent: A story of danger, adversity, and love (House of Normandy Book 1) by Cathie Dunn

 


If you enjoy immersive historical fiction set in the Viking Age, ASCENT by Cathie Dunn is a novel well worth discovering. Bringing to life the story of Poppa of Bayeux—the handfasted wife of Rollo the Viking—this richly imagined tale blends history, drama and emotion, offering readers a compelling glimpse into a world of conquest, power and survival.


✔️ A young noblewoman forced into a Viking alliance
✔️ A fierce Northman torn between power and loyalty
✔️ A marriage that threatens to destroy everything
✔️ A love tested by ambition, faith, and betrayal
✔️ A clash between pagan past and Christian future





Check out the blurb:

A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty
– the House of Normandy

Neustria, Kingdom of the West Franks
AD 890

Fourteen-year-old Poppa’s life changes when Northmen land near Bayeux. Count Bérengar, her father, submits to them, and she is handfasted to Hrólfr, the Northmen’s heathen leader, as part of their agreement.

To her relief, Hrólfr leaves immediately in search of further conquest, only returning to claim her years later. In the face of retaliating Franks, they flee to East Anglia, where she gives birth to their son and daughter.

When Hrólfr and Poppa return to reclaim Bayeux, his new campaign strikes at the heart of Frankish power, and King Charles of the West Franks offers him a pact he cannot refuse. In exchange for vast tracts of land in Neustria, Hrólfr must convert to Christianity and accept marriage to Gisela, the king’s illegitimate daughter.

Poppa’s world shatters. She remains in Bayeux, with her daughter, Adela. When Gisela arrives one day, demanding she hand over Adela, to be raised in Rouen, Poppa’s patience is at an end. But Gisela makes for a dangerous enemy, and only one woman will survive their confrontation high up on the cliffs.

Will Poppa live to witness the dawn of a new era?


Don’t miss the opportunity to discover this compelling story—purchase your copy of ASCENT HERE.


Cathie Dunn
is an Amazon-bestselling author of historical fiction, dual-timeline, mystery, and romance. She loves to infuse her stories with a strong sense of place and time, combined with a dark secret or mystery – and a touch of romance. Often, you can find her deep down the rabbit hole of historical research…
 
In addition, she is also a historical fiction book promoter with The Coffee Pot Book Club, a novel-writing tutor, and a keen reviewer on her blog, Ruins & Reading.
 
After having lived in Scotland for almost two decades, Cathie is now enjoying the sunshine in the south of France with her husband, and her rescued pets, Ellie Dog & Charlie Cat. 

She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Richard III Society, the Alliance of Independent Authors, and the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Connect with Cathie: 



Friday, 27 March 2026

Blossoming of Truth: A gripping, emotional story of love, mystery and betrayal. A 1920s romantic suspens. by Susan Gray

 


Today in the spotlight is Susan Gray’s fabulous novel, Blossoming of Truth—a story of hidden truths, shattered trust, and a love that may be as dangerous as it is irresistible.


✔️ A chance meeting during a blizzard 

✔️ A mysterious woman hiding the truth

✔️ A connection that may not be what it seems

✔️ A tragic accident with devastating consequences

✔️ Trust pushed to its breaking point

✔️ A life turned upside down

✔️ Love tested by secrets and betrayal


Check out the blurb:

If the truth is denied...an identity is hidden...

a trust is eroded and a shocking betrayal ensues...
can love truly blossom?

A tragic accident...a bitter betrayal...a baffling mystery.

When an attractive young woman seeks refuge in his home during a blizzard, Tom Smallwood is convinced they have met before.

As their friendship develops, her persistent denial of their previous connection threatens to shake the bedrock of Tom's 'life code'.

A tragic accident robs Tom of his beloved brother, leaving him devastated.

His world implodes further when he is arrested...

HIS ONLY CRIME WAS TO FALL IN LOVE.

Can Tom's strong pillars of truth and integrity hold fast and enable him to win the heart of the woman he adores?


Discover the truth—grab your copy of Blossoming of Truth HERE!


Susan Gray

'
Never to old to follow your dreams' has become Susan Gray's mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her novels in the early Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England, setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by 'life' and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to 'people watch' and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written six novels. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel and is now joined by another standalone novel BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH. 

Connect with Susan:






Thursday, 26 March 2026

Secrets in the Woods by Susan D Levitte



If you love historical fiction that shines a light on forgotten moments in history and the ordinary people who lived through extraordinary events, then this is a book well worth adding to your TBR list.


✔️ Inspired by real historical events

✔️ A lesser-known American tragedy

✔️ Richly atmospheric and immersive

✔️ Stories of courage, loss, and survival

✔️ A powerful reminder of human resilience







Check out the blurb:


On October 8, 1871, fire turned night into a living
hell. 

While Chicago's blaze claimed the headlines, a fiercer and more devastating inferno swept across Wisconsin's Green Bay peninsula-obliterating farms, forests, and families in its path.

Here, among immigrant settlers carving new lives from the wilderness, survival came down to split-second choices: to run, to hide, to fight the flames. Mothers shielded children with their bodies, fathers vanished into smoke, and neighbors faced the firestorm with nothing but faith and will.

Inspired by forgotten accounts and newspaper fragments, Secrets in the Woods brings to life the untold human drama of one of America's most harrowing nights-a story of resilience, loss, and the fragile hope that rises from the ashes.


If you enjoy historical fiction that uncovers overlooked history and focuses on the strength of ordinary people in the face of unimaginable disaster, this is a book that deserves your attention.


Secrets in the Woods is available on Kindle, paperback, and hardback — buy here.


Susan D Levitte was born and raised as the fifth generation to live on the family land in Northeast North Dakota (nearly Canada). She moved to Wisconsin in 1997, living in Door and Manitowoc County and now resides in the pastoral Kewaunee County. Married to Quentin, they share their home with Olive and Penny, their silly Labrador retrievers, and Gil, their ever-lazy cat. As a devoted reader of historical fiction and nonfiction, she brings her passion for history and desire to educate readers into her work. With twenty-five years of experience in global advertising and marketing, she holds a master’s degree in communications and currently contributes her expertise to the Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Code of Honour (Soldier Spy, Book #3) by Rosemary Hayes







Code of Honour
(Soldier Spy, Book #3)
By Rosemary Hayes


Publication Date: February 2nd, 2026
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Pages: 251
Genre: Historical Fiction


'A first-rate historical thriller, full of period detail, fascinating characters, unexpected twists, mystery, intrigue and action.
~ Peter Tonkin


1812


Britain’s war against Napoleon continues.


Will Fraser and Duncan Armstrong have served their country well as spies, exposing traitors and rescuing betrayed royalists.


Now they are asked to support military operations in the Peninsular War. The French are using a new code which is proving impossible to decipher. Will and Armstrong must work with Spanish guerrillas to intercept messages between French Commanders and pass them to Wellington’s codebreakers.


Will is reluctant, however. Portugal was where he was falsely accused of cowardice and desertion and forced to leave the army. And Captain Harcourt-Browne, the jealous and vengeful officer who caused his downfall, is still serving there.


But Will is given a compelling – and personal – reason to carry out the operation. If he does so, there’s a slim chance he could be reinstated.


Enemy agents are soon on their trail; agents who want them dead. Somehow Will and Armstrong must evade them and join the guerrillas in a daring attempt to uncover Napoleon’s battle plans.


But Will’s troubled past catches up with him. Four years ago he lied to protect the woman he loved. Now he must own up to that lie to save himself.


Rosemary Hayes has written over forty books across different genres, from historical fiction to chapter books for early readers and texts for picture books.


Praise for Rosemary Hayes:


Rosemary Hayes' Soldier Spy is a first-rate historical thriller, full of period detail, fascinating characters, unexpected twists, mystery, intrigue and action. It reminds me of Berrnard Cornwell's brilliant, Regency-set Gallows Thief. I am pleased to see that it is the first of a trilogy and look forward to reading more about the dashing Will Fraser.
~ Peter Tonkin, author of The Richard Mariner thrillers


One of the very best historical novels I have ever read.
~ Sandra Robinson, Huguenot Ancestry Expert


An absorbing tale told with sensitivity. The forgotten struggles of Huguenot refugees come to moving, heartrending life.’ 
~ Steven Veerapen, author of A Dangerous Trade



Soldier Spy Series Universal Buy Links:


Book 1 – Traitor’s Game

Book 2 – The King’s Agent

Book 3 – Code of Honour

This series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.


Rosemary Hayes


Rosemary Hayes has written over fifty books for children and young adults. She writes  in different genres, from edgy teenage fiction (The Mark), historical fiction (The Blue Eyed Aborigine and Forgotten Footprints), middle grade fantasy (Loose ConnectionsThe Stonekeeper’s Child and Break Out) to chapter books for early readers and texts for picture books. Many of her books have won or been shortlisted for awards and several have been translated into different languages.

Rosemary has travelled widely but now lives in South Cambridgeshire. She has a background in publishing, having worked for Cambridge University Press before setting up her own company Anglia Young Books which she ran for some years. She has been a reader for a well known authors’ advisory service and runs creative writing workshops for both children and adults.