Pam Lecky's Blog, page 5
July 22, 2024
Lucy Lawrence and the Blue Velvet Sapphires of Kashmir
No Stone Unturned, is the first in my Victorian mystery series featuring Lucy Lawrence. As I began my research, I stumbled across the story of the famous Kashmiri sapphires. I could not believe my luck. It is a fascinating story and got me thinking: what would a scurrilous Victorian rascal do if he got his hands on some of these previous stones…
Kashmir Landscape: Photo Credit Nick Kent-BashamTreasure in the Hills: A mountainous region of Kashmir, known as Padar, held a fabulous secret. It is a remote region high in the Himalayas, well off the beaten track. Various stories abound as to how it finally revealed its treasure-trove; some say a landslide, others that hunters or travellers came across the first stones lying on the ground. Not knowing what they were, the gems were traded for salt and other supplies in Delhi. Eventually, they were sold on to someone who recognised they were rough sapphires. Many transactions followed until they eventually turned up in Calcutta.
The news of this transaction got back to the maharajah in Kashmir, who discovered the sapphires had originated in his area. Extremely annoyed, he went to Calcutta and demanded them back. Every single transaction in the long train had to be undone. Each man who had sold the sapphires gave back what he paid, and so it went through many towns, until at Delhi, a merchant received back a few bags of salt (not his lucky day!).
Still miffed, the Maharajah of Kashmir sent a regiment of sepoys to take control of the mines to ensure no more precious stones went astray. During the life of the mines, the yield was disappointingly low and commercial mining ceased early in the 20th century. Their rarity and the fact they are exceptionally beautiful, with a texture like velvet, has led them to be the most prized and expensive sapphires in the world.
Victorian 4.3 carrot Diamond and Kashmir Sapphire RingBuy Link: https://geni.us/715-al-aut-am
July 10, 2024
A Conversation with Andrew James Greig
My first published book, Whirligig, was written in 2019 and was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime as well as being listed for the CWA New Blood Dagger Award. I’ve since written more books in the tartan noir category, with The Girl In The Loch just announced for the McIlvanney longlist for this year. I’ve also had a climate change fiction published – A Song of Winter – in which a young family face an ice age and have to survive against all the odds.
Prior to becoming a published writer I alternated between electronic and software engineering for major aerospace companies and providing the sound for acts as diverse as Ravi Shankar to The Fall.
Now living in Scotland, I spend my time writing and enjoying the wonderful mountains and islands of my home.
Which genre do you write in and what draws you to it?I mostly write tartan noir – fairly hard-hitting crime books set in Scotland, often with a hint of Celtic mythology woven through the storyline. Living in this wild and rugged landscape provides much of the inspiration for my stories and I can blame a literary agent at a book festival for encouraging me to write crime.
Are you an avid reader? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?I read like someone possessed from an early age, soon exhausting my local London library’s supply of junior Science fiction and I had to hit the harder stuff in the adult section. Only once did I suffer the indignity of the librarian censoring my pile and removing titles she considered too ‘mature’ for a sensitive young mind. Now I read across all genres although my read rate has dropped considerably since I’ve started writing myself.
Are you a self-published/traditional or hybrid author?Initially I self-published on the Amazon platform. When I’d completed my first attempt at writing in 2018 (One is One) I sent the MS to a batch of agents and waited patiently for a response. To be honest, it was probably overly ambitious to expect a story about 13th Century Thomas the Rhymer set in the modern day to be an instant best seller. Factor in that his mind is mostly gone and he could dance between dimensional worlds and I can see their reluctance. It did win a Silver Reader’s Award and when I have time I’ll edit it and write the next two in the series – whether the world’s ready for Fairy Tartan Noir or not!
Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?There are many authors who continue to inspire me. Classical writers such as Robert Louis Stevenson or Jane Austen; modern writers like Iain Banks and Margaret Atwood; more experimental authors such as Jess Kidd and Everett Percival. I’m always trying to improve my writing, hopeless though that task appears, but in the end I write for myself and try to create something of which I’m proud.
Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?Living in Scotland there is inspiration at every turn – from the gritty cities to the wild western islands. How can anyone not be inspired by such a beautiful landscape?
What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?I’m a pantser, I freely admit. More often than not I start writing with a mind as blank as the computer screen. Beginning is easy, the ending is tricky but manageable, the middle is hell. By the time I’m a third of the way in the doubts have started – is this absolute rubbish; how is this all meant to make sense; nobody will ever want to read this, will they? The struggle is real, each step is laborious, the slightest distraction is enough to encourage me away from the keyboard (social media a prime example)! It can only ever be overcome by forcing myself to write. When the words are on the page they can be dealt with – improved, re-written, deleted as needs be. If the words aren’t there, nothing can happen.
What was the best piece of writing advice you received when starting out?Write for yourself. Not for the critics, or to make money, or to appease reviewers. Write whatever makes you happy, words that mean something to you. You’ll never please everyone so please yourself.
Do you have a favourite time of day to write?Mornings are generally best. My mind has had a chance to dream up the next few chapters and I’m fresh enough to look at the previous chapters and edit as I go. There’s no hard and fast rule, sometimes I write at night – it’s a random process.
If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?Travelling. I’ve worked hard my entire life and am fortunate not to need to work anymore. There’s a huge and wonderful world out there to explore – I’d love to see more of it before we destroy it altogether.
If a movie was made of one of your books, who would you like to play the lead roles?Any actors who can identify with the characters and portray them so they are believable.
If you could live the life of an historical figure for one day, who would you choose and what would you get up to?I’d like to live the life of a plains Indian before their way of life was destroyed forever. If I could see the herds of buffalo, the flowers and insects and be at one with nature instead of against it. Could I stay for some of the night as well? I can only imagine how the night sky would have appeared.
If you could travel back in time, what era would you go to? What draws you to this particular time?Sometime prior to the asteroid that destroyed the dinosaurs would be good – dangerous – but incredible to experience the world so long ago. It may be a short-lived trip but worth it.
You have been chosen as a member of the crew on the first one-way flight to Mars – you are allowed to bring 5 books with you. What would they be?This question is impossible to answer and I’d have already changed my mind 100 times since taking off. There’d definitely be at least one collection of poetry which would be essential when faced with such an arid and deadly planet.
Please tell us about your latest published work.
My latest book is Silent Ritual, released 28th June 2024.
An ear-shattering scream pierces the quiet Glasgow street as a mother stands frozen in her doorway, groceries strewn at her feet. Her son holds a bloodied knife while his father lies dead before him.
As Logan Martin begins his prison sentence for the brutal murder of his father, the eighteen-year-old’s aunt hires private investigator Teàrlach Paterson. She believes Logan is innocent and wants Teàrlach to uncover the truth.
Teàrlach’s visit to the Martin family home yields two disturbing discoveries: a pentagram etched under the carpet in Logan’s sister’s bedroom, and a link to the sinister deaths of their elderly neighbours—a journal with the same ominous symbol lies in the couple’s home.
While ritualistic murders plague the city, bodies placed precisely on an occult pentagram, bound in intricate knots, Teàrlach and his team unearth the sinister inspiration behind the killings in a mysterious ancient map.
Then, two young women are reported missing, and Teàrlach fears the worst. He’s inching closer to a killer who is weaving a complex web of murder rooted in Glasgow’s pagan past. But can Teàrlach stop the twisted soul from carrying out another cruel ritual? This time, one of his own is about to be in grave danger.
Buy Link: https://geni.us/488-po-fbo-am
If you’d like to know more about Andrew, check out his social media links below:
Andrew James Greig
CWA New Blood Dagger Longlist 2020
McIlvanney Best Scottish Crime Novel Finalist 2020
https://www.instagram.com/andrew_james_greig/
https://twitter.com/AndrewJamesGre3
https://andrewjgreig.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/
June 27, 2024
Under A Lightning Sky: The Inspiration
It was while researching the Sarah Gillespie espionage series, that I came across a fascinating book on crime in Britain during World War 2, The Secret History of the Blitz [Joshua Levine; ISBN: 978-1-4711-3102-8]. It’s a fascinating read, but one story in particular caught my eye: The Dobkin Murder.
The Dobkin marriage was a troubled one from the very beginning. Within days of their arranaged marriage, Rachel Dobkin threatened suicide. Harry Dobkin walked out and joined Cunard (the shipping company) as a steward, sailing off to New York. However, when he eventually returned, Rachel had given birth to a son. Harry was summoned for wife desertion and made to pay maintenance, but he scarpered back to sea within weeks. Rachel’s family even paid him money to return but he soon disappeared off again. This pattern continued throughout their marriage.
Then in April 1941, the couple met in London to ‘make peace’. Harry was now a firewatcher for a business in Kennington. According to Harry, Rachel left the cafe on Kingsland Road in Hackney after their chat and caught a bus home. However, Rachel never showed up and was reported missing by her sister soon after. The family told police that Rachel had gone to meet Harry, but they were concerned for her safety because of Harry’s past violence. When police checked their records, they found many instances of domestic assault.
Five days after Rachel’s disappearance there was a fire in the blitzed ruins of the Baptist church next to where Harry worked. Harry did not report the fire and when questioned he said, rather strangely, that he had not caused the fire. Some days later, he wrote to the police volunteering his movements after Rachel’s disappearance. This was also odd as he was denying guilt even before it had been suggested. However, without a body, the police case went cold and Rachel was deemed merely missing.
Rachel DobkinOver a year later, a demolition team cleared the debris from the site of the Baptist church. However, on lifting some paving stones, a worker found a decapitated body. The lower arms and legs were also missing, it was partly burned and there was no identifying facial tissue. Initially, it was assumed the body was a victim of the bombing.
The remains were taken to Southwark Mortuary, and then to the forensic lab at Guy’s Hospital where it was examined by the famous pathologist Dr Keith Simpson. He immediately spotted that the body was not a Blitz victim as he found evidence of strangulation. The remains were covered in lime, but the killer had used the wrong sort of lime, thinking it would speed up the decomposition of the body; in fact what he used had preserved it. Simpson was able to estimate that she had died twelve to eighteen months earlier. When police checked their records the description they had of the body (height, age, gender, and dental records) strongly matched the description they had of the missing Rachel Dobkin.
Harry was arrested and charged, and his trial at the Old Bailey was a sensation. Dobkin was considered a cruel and callous killer, attempting to conceal his crime amid the chaos of the Blitz. In the end, it only took twenty minutes for the jury to find Harry guilty. He was hanged at Wandsworth Prison in January 1943.
The use of the Blitz to cover a crime really intrigued me. Under A Lightning Sky is not a re-telling of the famous Dobkin case, but the murderer does use the German bombing of London to hide their actions. What is initially assumed to be an unfortunate woman, caught out in her kitchen during a bombing raid, is subsequently revealed to be a murder victim. Luckily, an eagle-eyed pathologist discovers the truth and soon DI Jamie Barton, New Scotland Yard, is on the case. With the help of his DS, Bill Lyle, and the victim’s sister, Penny, Barton does his best to solve the murder. But with few clues and a compromised crime scene, the odds are stacked against him.
Under A Lightning Sky will be published on July 4th by Avon Books UK, and will be available in ebook, paperback and audio in all good bookshops and online.
Buy Link: https://MyBook.to/UALSky
June 26, 2024
Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine: The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour
Today on my blog, I’m delighted to welcome back Nancy Jardine for the book blog tour for Novice Threads, part of her Silver Sampler Series. Nancy has kindly provided an excerpt for you to enjoy (see below).
You can follow the full tour here:
https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/04/blog-tour-novice-threads-by-nancy-jardine.html
Novice Threads by Nancy JardineA thirst for education. Shattered dreams. Fragile relations.
1840s Scotland
Being sent to school is the most exhilarating thing that’s ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her newly-acquired education on her best friend, Jessie Morison, till Jessie is spirited away to become a scullery maid. But how can Margaret fulfil her visions of becoming a schoolteacher when her parents’ tailoring and drapery business suddenly collapses and she must find a job?
Salvation from domestic drudgery – or never-ending seamstress work – comes via Jessie whose employer seeks a tutor for his daughter. Free time exploring Edinburgh with Jessie is great fun, but increasing tension in the household claws at Margaret’s nerves.
Margaret also worries about her parents’ estrangement, and the mystery of Jessie’s unknown father.
When tragedy befalls the household in Edinburgh, Margaret must forge a new pathway for the future – though where will that be?
Buy Links:
This title is available to read on #Kindle Unlimited.
Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/NTsss
An Excerpt from Novice ThreadsTo The Asylum
“We needed to get her out of the house. Kate told me that Doctor Oliver and that other specialist doctor, the one who visited last Monday, are coming back around now with other reinforcements.”
Margaret stared at Jessie, suppressing both her horror and elation. “Reinforcements as in strong-armed helpers?”
Jessie nodded. “Helen Duncan is being removed this afternoon to a special hospital facility.”
“Oh, goodness!” Margaret was shocked but knew it had been long in coming.
“The Master was anticipating that Helen wouldn’t go quietly from their bedroom, so he wanted Rachel elsewhere for a while. It’s just as well the weather is in our favour this afternoon.”
After a few minutes of silence from all three of them, Margaret looked to Jessie. “Was the errand a little white lie?”
Jessie’s grin was a forced one. “I couldn’t bear to see that lunatic being carted out. I might have strangled her in the corridor before they even managed to get her downstairs.”
Rachel was still asleep when they returned almost an hour later.
“You go in the basement stairs, Margaret, and see what’s going on. I’ll take Rachel around to Tom’s and wait for news.”
Margaret wasn’t sure if it shouldn’t be the other way around, though she complied. At the kitchen door, she peeked in. Kate was at the table her head in her hands and she was sobbing her eyes out.
“Oh, Kate!” Margaret bent down and hugged the housemaid’s shoulders. “Was it so awful?”
Kate raised her head, nodded, and gulped down her tears. “You’ve never heard the likes of the wailing when they all but dragged her down the stairs. Mister Duncan didn’t quite make it out of the front door behind them all. He was sick on the doorstep. If Robert hadn’t been next to him, I swear he would have swooned and fallen down the steps. He was so torn up by the whole affair.”
Margaret squeezed Kate’s shoulder. “Is it safe to bring Rachel back inside?”
Kate jumped up, furiously wiping away her tears and back to her organised self. “I’ll help you and Jessie. Tom’s away, driving the carriage to take the Master and Robert to the Edinburgh Royal Asylum. We don’t have much time to get Rachel settled before the others come home from school.”
Margaret felt Kate clutch at her hands.
“Jessie and I have been asked not to tell them anything till the Master returns, but how we do that I don’t know!”
Author Bio:
Nancy writes historical and contemporary fiction. First Century Roman Britain is the setting for her Celtic Fervour Series. Victorian and Edwardian history has sneaked into two of her ancestry-based contemporary mysteries, and her current Silver Sampler Series is set in Victorian Scotland.
Her novels have achieved Finalist status in UK book competitions (People’s Book Prize; Scottish Association of Writers) and have received prestigious Online Book Awards.
Published with Ocelot Press, writing memberships include – Historical Novel Society; Romantic Novelists Association; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Alliance of Independent Authors.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.nancyjardine.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nansjar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJardinewrites/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-jardine-a919b03a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nansjar2023/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nansjar23.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nanjar/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nancy-jardine
Amazon Author Page: viewauthor.at/findmybookshere
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5139590.Nancy_Jardine
June 25, 2024
A New Book and a New Look! The Lucy Lawrence Mystery Series
The Lucy Lawrence Mystery Series (Books 1-3)
Publisher: Storm Publishing (Previously Independently Published)
Publication Date: 25th July 2024
***
The Lucy Lawrence Mystery SeriesWhen No Stone Unturned was published back in 2019, I couldn’t have predicted the series’ popularity. Now, so many years later, the series has found a new home with Storm Publishing and, hopefully, lots of new readers will discover Lucy and Phin’s adventures.
Initially, Lucy Lawrence was only supposed to be a supporting character in Phineas Stone’s world. But her voice grew in strength to the point I had to rewrite the entire book from her point of view… And the Lucy mysteries were born!
Depending on their class, women in the Victorian era faced strict rules and lived a highly restricted life. I wanted to explore how a young woman, with a strong personality and high intelligence (but poorly educated – parents bothered little if you weren’t the heir), would cope within the confines of a troubled marriage. Would she accept her lot or chafe at the bit? But in Lucy’s case, with no money and estranged from her family, she could not walk away. Doing so would result in social ruin. However, when circumstances finally release her (her husband’s sudden death), she struggles to find her way. Almost every man in her life so far has betrayed her on some level for their own ends. As a result, Lucy finds it difficult to trust her fate to any man.
There is a pivotal point in No Stone Unturned when Lucy realises she must take her destiny into her own hands and she sets out on a dangerous adventure in pursuit of the truth about her late husband and his less than legal activities.
Another theme, which emerged as I explored Lucy’s story, was the strong reliance on female friendship. I suspect this is what sustained many Victorian women, finding themselves in similar circumstances to Lucy. As the plot unfolds, Lucy comes to rely more and more on her maid, Mary, who also begins to shine with talents hitherto unknown, namely a penchant for spying and intrigue. And when trouble does strike, it is often her friends, Judith and Sarah, Lucy turns to.
Combining my two great loves – Victorian adventure with a feisty heroine and ancient Egypt – the second book in the series, Footprints in the Sand, will resonate with me the longest. My research included Amelia Edwards’ book, A Thousand Miles Up The Nile (1873). I cannot deny that the Egypt described presented countless possibilities for mischief to a mystery writer. Her descriptions of Cairo and the many sites she visited transported me back to Victorian Egypt like none of the other dry contemporary sources did. My heroine shared some of Miss Edwards’ qualities of curiosity and determination and so Footprints in the Sand quickly transformed from a vague plot idea into a novel.
In the third book of the series, The Art of Deception, Lucy is back in London. You might think she is about to settle down, but, of course, that would be no fun at all. And as Lucy admits to Phineas, trouble seems to follow her. However, when Lucy’s ‘help’ in an art theft case triggers a murder, and Phineas becomes the chief suspect, Lucy must use her wits to save him.
The fourth book in the series, A Pocketful of Diamonds, is a brand new murder mystery, set on beautiful Lake Como in Italy. It is slated for release by Storm Publishing in September 2024 and will be available for preorder very soon.
***
No Stone Unturned (Book 1) London 1886: A suspicious death, stolen gems and an unclaimed reward: who will be the victor in a deadly game of cat and mouse?
Lucy Lawrence stared down at her husband, his once handsome face now a twisted mask of death. His life had held so many secrets, and now his sins were hers to bear…
In the flickering gaslights of Victorian London, 28-year-old Lucy Lawrence‘s future hangs in the balance. Her husband’s murder has left her reputation in tatters. But when the handsome investigator Phineas Stone enters her life, Lucy finds herself drawn into a web of deceit that leads right back to her marriage and a deadly conspiracy that could undo them all.
Beneath the polished veneer of London’s high society, danger is as common as in the city’s darkest alleys. As the stakes rise, Lucy discovers that the key to unravelling the mystery may lie in a cryptic note left behind by her late husband… a note that may either secure her innocence or seal her fate at the hands of a ruthless killer.
Pre-Order/Buy Link: https://geni.us/715-al-aut-am
Footprints in the Sand (Book 2) Cairo 1887: A melting pot of jealousy, lust and revenge. Who will pay the ultimate price?
After scandals in London, young widow Lucy Lawrence seeks a fresh start in Cairo, agreeing to fund an archaeological dig led by the charismatic Frenchman Armand Moreau. Enticed by Egypt’s ancient mysteries, Lucy dreams of making a spectacular discovery. But her hopes turn to dread when Moreau is found brutally murdered in the Great Pyramid. The only clue is the ceremonial dagger buried in his heart – a relic of Moreau’s own past.
As mysterious thefts plague the expedition, Lucy becomes ensnared in a plot reaching from lost desert tombs to Cairo’s stylish avenues. With Phineas Stone far away in London, Lucy must rely on her own wits to uncover the truth behind Moreau’s death. Pitted against corrupt officials, rival archaeologists, and a foe determined to silence her, can Lucy unmask the killer… or will she become the next unlucky victim herself?
Pre-order/Buy Link: https://geni.us/717-al-aut-am
The Art of Deception (Book 3)London 1888: Stolen art and a vicious murder. Can Lucy Lawrence save Phineas Stone from the gallows?
When a brutal murder occurs at her engagement party, Lucy Lawrence finds herself pulled into a new investigation. All evidence points to a mysterious syndicate of thieves known only by a cryptic calling card left at the scene of their crimes: Apollo. With the police eager to pin the murder on an easy target, Lucy and Phineas Stone must unravel a tangled web of lies and misdirection to uncover the truth before the case ruins them.
From glittering Mayfair ballrooms to the deadly rookeries of London’s East End to a remote Scottish island, they follow the trail of secrets and deception. As the danger mounts, Lucy realises the key to solving the case might lie in a simple painting.
A cunning adversary is intent on destroying all who learn their secrets… can Lucy save the man she loves, and expose a deadly killer before it’s too late?
Pre-order/Buy Link: https://geni.us/719-al-aut-am
June 10, 2024
Frances – Tudor Countess: New Release from Tony Riches
Today, I am delighted to host Tony Riches and to spotlight his fabulous new release – Frances – Tudor Countess, Book five in his Elizabethan Series.
“A thrilling portrait of a remarkable woman who witnessed the key events
of Elizabethan England.”
Based on extensive research, original letters and records of the Elizabethan Court, this new account explores the life of Frances Walsingham, the only surviving child of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘spymaster’ Sir Francis Walsingham. Better educated than most men, her father arranges her marriage to warrior poet Sir Philip Sidney. After Philip is killed in battle, Frances becomes Countess of Essex, and is banished from court after her husband Sir Robert Devereaux’s rebellion against the queen. Can she marry for love, if it means turning her back on her faith and all she knows?
The story which began with the Tudor trilogy follows Frances, Countess of Essex and Clanricarde, from her first days at the Elizabethan Court to the end of the Tudor dynasty and the rise of the Stuarts.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D1YQYL8G
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1YQYL8G
#Elizabethan #Tudors #HistoricalFiction
Author Bio
Tony Riches is a full-time UK author of Tudor historical fiction. He lives with his wife in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the lives of the early Tudors. As well as his new Elizabethan series, Tony’s historical fiction novels include the best-selling Tudor trilogy and his Brandon trilogy, (about Charles Brandon and his wives). For more information about Tony’s books please visit his website tonyriches.com and his blog, The Writing Desk and find him on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter @tonyriches.
June 4, 2024
The Lost Women of Mill Street: The Coffee Pot Book Club Tour
Today, I am delighted to host Kinley Bryan for her book blog tour for The Lost Women of Mill Street.
You can follow the full tour here:
The Lost Women of Mill Street by Kinley Bryan1864: As Sherman’s army marches toward Atlanta, a cotton mill commandeered by the Confederacy lies in its path. Inside the mill, Clara Douglas weaves cloth and watches over her sister Kitty, waiting for the day her fiancé returns from the West.
When Sherman’s troops destroy the mill, Clara’s plans to start a new life in Nebraska are threatened. Branded as traitors by the Federals, Clara, Kitty, and countless others are exiled to a desolate refugee prison hundreds of miles from home.
Cut off from all they’ve ever known, Clara clings to hope while grappling with doubts about her fiancé’s ambitions and the unsettling truths surrounding his absence. As the days pass, the sisters find themselves thrust onto the foreign streets of Cincinnati, a city teeming with uncertainty and hostility. She must summon reserves of courage, ingenuity, and strength she didn’t know she had if they are to survive in an unfamiliar, unwelcoming land.
Inspired by true events of the Civil War, The Lost Women of Mill Street is a vividly drawn novel about the bonds of sisterhood, the strength of women, and the repercussions of war on individual lives.
Buy Link:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/lostwomenofmillstreet
Author Bio:
Kinley Bryan’s debut novel, Sisters of the Sweetwater Fury, inspired by the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 and her own family history, won the 2022 Publishers Weekly Selfies Award for adult fiction. An Ohio native, she lives in South Carolina with her husband and three children. The Lost Women of Mill Street is her second novel.
Author Links:
Website: https://kinleybryan.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kinleybauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KinleyBryanWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinleybryanauthor/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kinley-bryan
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kinley-Bryan/author/B09J5GWDLX
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21892910.Kinley_Bryan
April 26, 2024
A Splendid Defiance by Stella Riley: The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour
Today, I am delighted to host Stella Riley for the book blog tour for A Splendid Defiance, part of the Roundheads & Cavaliers Series. Stella has kindly included a excerpt for you to read (please see below).
Special Tour Price: Ebook £1.95 / US $1.95 (and equivalent) for the duration of the tour!
You can follow the full tour here: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/03/blog-tour-a-splendid-defiance-by-stella-riley.html
A Splendid Defiance by Stella Riley
Audiobook performed by Alex Wyndham
For two years England has been in the grip of Civil War. In Banbury, Oxfordshire, the Cavaliers hold the Castle, the Roundheads want it back and the town is full of zealous Puritans.
Consequently, the gulf between Captain Justin Ambrose and Abigail Radford, the sister of a fanatically religious shopkeeper, ought to be unbridgeable.
The key to both the fate of the Castle and that of Justin and Abigail lies in defiance. But will it be enough?
A Splendid Defiance is a dramatic and enchanting story of forbidden love, set against the turmoil and anguish of the English Civil War.
Buy Link:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bPzVNd
Excerpt from A Spendid Defiance:News from the NorthWaving Cornet Anderson back into his seat, Sir Willliam said, ‘You’ve been at York with the Prince?’
‘Yes, sir.’ The boy squared his shoulders. ‘He’ll be marching south again soon. There – there’s nothing else to do. York is lost.’
Incredulity and incomprehension registered in varying degrees on the faces before him. Then Lieutenant-Colonel Greene said, ‘Lost? Irretrievably?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘How? Didn’t Rupert get there in time?’
‘Oh yes, sir. He did – and he relieved the city,’ said Cornet Anderson quickly. ‘He made one of his fast marches round to the north and we got to York while the enemy must have thought us still at Knaresborough. Only…’
‘Yes?’ prompted Sir William.
The boy stared down at his hands.
‘Well, the rebels had us heavily outnumbered but everyone was saying that they wouldn’t attack because of the York garrison.’
‘And did they? Were you taken by surprise?’
‘No – at least, not then. But the Prince said that we must engage them early next day and my Lord Goring went into York to tell Lord Newcastle to bring his men out to rendezvous with us. Only they were late and the whole morning went by and the Prince was fretting at the delay.’
‘I’ll wager he was,’ said Justin Ambrose grimly. ‘Cursing all creation, was he?’
‘I don’t know, sir. He marched us to Long Marston and deployed us for battle before the York men came up. But by that time there was a storm brewing so His Highness said we could stand down and get something to eat. It must have been nearly seven o’clock and, after all the delay and everything, it seemed he’d decided not to attack … and it didn’t look as if the enemy would because they’d been manoeuvring as if they expected us to strike south again.’ He paused and his hands suddenly tightened on each other. ‘And then all hell broke loose. They attacked and the storm came all at once. The Prince was riding up and down the lines through the rain like a man possessed. It wasn’t even his own horse.’ He stopped again and then said wearily, ‘It was horrible. The Prince’s cavalry just broke and scattered. And Lord Newcastle’s men kept refusing quarter until – until they were all lying there in the mud.’
This time the silence seemed to close around each one of them like a fist.
‘So York could not be held and the North is lost,’ said the Lieutenant-Colonel at last, voicing all their thoughts. ‘What is Prince Rupert doing?’
‘Rallying the men, sir. Lord Newcastle,’ added the boy on a perceptible note of contempt, ‘is taking ship for France.’
‘And what of Rupert himself?’ asked Justin. ‘It’s his first real defeat. How has he taken it?’
‘It’s hard to say,’ came the slow response. ‘But they killed his dog, you know … and that must have been near as bad as everything else.’
Author Bio:
Winner of four gold medals for historical romance and sixteen Book Readers’ Appreciation Medallions, Stella Riley lives in the beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.
She is fascinated by the English Civil Wars and has written six books set in that period. These, like the 7 book Rockliffe series, the Brandon Brothers trilogy and, most recently The Shadow Earl, are all available in audio, performed by Alex Wyndham.
Stella enjoys travel, reading, theatre, Baroque music and playing the harpsichord. She also has a fondness for men with long hair – hence her 17th and 18th century heroes.
Author Links:
Website: https://stellarileybooks.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RileyStella
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellariley.books
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellarileybooks/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/riley9631/stella-riley-books/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/stella-riley
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stella-Riley/e/B0034PB7UU/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40487661-a-splendid-defiance
March 8, 2024
West of Santillane by Brook Allen: Book Spotlight
Today, is publication day for Brook Allen’s latest release, West of Santillane. Congratulations Brook! And isn’t that cover just gorgeous?
I was lucky enough to read an ARC copy of this novel and can highly recommend it. I have to admit I knew next to nothing about early American history and I found this book fascinating. To celebrate the release I am posting a recent interview with Brook, below.
West of Santillane by Brook Allen
Desperate to escape a mundane future as a Virginia planter’s wife, Julia Hancock seizes her chance for adventure when she wins the heart of American hero William Clark. Though her husband is the famed explorer, Julia embarks on her own thrilling and perilous journey of self-discovery.
With her gaze ever westward, Julia possesses a hunger for knowledge and a passion for helping others. She falls in love with Will’s strength and generous manner, but, like her parents, he is a slave owner, and Julia harbors strong opinions against slavery. Still, her love for Will wins out, though he remains unaware of her beliefs.
Julia finds St. Louis to be a rough town with few of the luxuries to which she is accustomed, harboring scandalous politicians and miscreants of all types. As her husband and his best friend, Meriwether Lewis, work to establish an American government and plan to publish their highly anticipated memoirs, Julia struggles to assume the roles of both wife and mother. She is also drawn into the plight of an Indian family desperate to return to their own lands and becomes an advocate for Will’s enslaved.
When political rivals cause trouble, Julia’s clandestine aid to the Indians and enslaved of St. Louis draws unwanted attention, placing her at odds with her husband. Danger cloaks itself in far too many ways, leading her to embrace the courage to save herself and others through a challenge of forgiveness that will either restore the love she shares with Will or end it forever.
Amazon Link: https://amazon.com/dp/B0CVD66J2J
Author InterviewBrook, you are very welcome onto my blog. Please introduce yourself.
Hello, readers! I’m Brook Allen and I have a passion for history. My Antonius Trilogy is a detailed account of the life of Marcus Antonius—Marc Antony, which I worked on for fifteen years. I’m a member of the Historical Novel Society and I attend conferences as often as possible to study craft and meet fellow authors.
Brook AllenIn 2019, my debut novel Son of Rome won the Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Award. In 2020, it was awarded a silver medal in the international Reader’s Favorite Book Reviewers Book Awards and also won First Place in the prestigious Chaucer Division in the Chanticleer International Book Awards, 2020.
My newest project, West of Santillane spotlights U.S. history. It’s the story of Julia Hancock, who married famed explorer, William Clark. Each character was researched throughout southwest Virginia and into Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. It launches in March of 2024.
Though I graduated from Asbury University with a B.A. in Music Education, I’ve always loved writing. I teach full-time as a Music Educator in a rural public-school district near Roanoke, Virginia. My personal interests include travel, cycling, hiking in the woods, reading, and spending downtime with her husband and big, black dog, Jak. We three live in the heart of southwest Virginia in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.
Which genre do you write in and what draws you to it?
I’ve always loved historical fiction. There’s something about old things—antiques, historical sites, even cemeteries—that lure me into a curious passion to learn about the people who may have lived in particular places at particular times. I tell people whenever I’m doing an author talk that history is never boring. In fact, I tend to believe that if you take history as it is, there’s more drama and excitement there than Hollywood should bother adding!
Are you an avid reader? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?
I love to read! Yes, I’m mostly drawn to historical fiction, but occasionally, I crack open a good mystery or thriller.
Are you a self-published/traditional or hybrid author?
I’m self-published and have discovered that I may never be the best fit for traditional publishing. Traditional publishing often dictates what an author must write about—period, subject matter, etc. Since I’m independent, I’m able to write whatever I want in whatever period that interests me. That’s a huge draw, in my opinion.
What was the best piece of writing advice you received when starting out?
Probably the old “write what you know”. But since I published Son of Rome, I had the chance to hear famed American author Jeff Shaara speak at an HNS conference. His parting words were, “Write what you want.” I’m making that my goal.
The Antonius Trilogy by Brook AllenBuy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/The-Antonius-Trilogy/dp/B08KWCSMDX
Do you have a favourite time of day to write?
Whew!I still have a day job, that really gets in the way of my writing! Because of that, I’m the beggar who can’t always be the chooser. Whatever time lands in my lap in which there’s no responsibility or time constraint—that’s the time I grab. That being said, I’m not a morning person, so when I have a preference, I do my best work in the afternoon or at night. Someday, once I retire, I can’t wait to stay up writing or reading until 2am! That will be pure Heaven!
If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?
Haha! I’d be up to a lot more yard-work and housecleaning!
You have been chosen as a member of the crew on the first one-way flight to Mars – you are allowed to bring 5 books with you. What would they be?
A Bible, an unread Sharon Kay Penman novel, two research books on whatever I’m writing on at that time, and a how-to-operate- a-rocket manual. That last one might really come in handy.
Please tell us about your latest published work.
My new release is West of Santillane, and it’s the story of Julia Hancock, who became explorer William Clark’s wife. I live in Virginia, and Julia was a proud Virginian who loved her family and found herself pioneering to the wild and rowdy frontier of St. Louis in 1808. It was a town of fur-trappers, drunken sailors, and loose women. However, Julia made it home, alongside Clark, who had been sent there by Thomas Jefferson to begin an American government, with his friend Meriwether Lewis, Governor of the Territory. It’s a heartwarming tale, oft-times with excitement and tragedy. I hope you’ll consider giving it a read!
WEBSITE: https://www.brookallenauthor.com/
X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/1BrookAllen
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Historical.FictionWriter
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/brookallen54/
February 14, 2024
Roses for the Dead by Jenny O’Brien: Book Spotlight
A very happy Publication Day to my good friend and fellow Irish author, Jenny O’Brien. Book 2 in the Alana Mack Irish detective series, Roses for the Dead, is out today. The Puppet Maker, book 1, was super, so I’m dying to get stuck into this next instalment.
A Little Bit About the Book …Roses for the Dead by Jenny O’BrienPublication Date 14th February 2024 – Publisher: Storm Publishing
10am: A mother rushes for a train after dropping her daughter at school but is reported missing when she doesn’t return to pick her up.
2.47pm: The same train causes the death of a young woman; her body bound and placed on the tracks.
When Detective Alana Mack discovers the missing mother has vanished from the same train that claimed the life of the young woman, she fears the worst.
A killer is on the loose, targeting women and leaving their broken bodies scattered across Dublin’s Dart train line. The victims appear to have no connection to one another, but their murders bear the same chilling hallmark – identical single red roses left at each of their crime scenes. And that’s not all…
Every trace of the women’s lives has been extinguished from their homes. Their bedding replaced with pristine white sheets, photos of loved ones and precious keepsakes all eradicated.
With little to go on in the sterile environments left by the killer, Alana and her team must desperately try and uncover the link between the women. But when another body is found, this time with a different, rare variety of rose, Alana’s instincts tell her this tiny clue could crack the case open and lead them to the twisted individual.
Then Alana receives a chilling message: ‘Roses are red. Blood is too. One and two are on me. Number three and four are on you.’ The killer is hiding in plain sight and playing a sick game with her. If she doesn’t find them soon, more innocent lives will be taken.
A heart-stopping thriller that will keep fans of Angela Marsons, Ann Cleeves, and Patricia Gibney glued to the pages and racing through Roses for the Dead in one sitting.
Buy Link: https://t.co/JzvPbthdpP
Book 2: Alana Mack SeriesA Little Bit About Jenny …Born in Dublin, Jenny O’Brien moved to Wales and then Guernsey, where she tries to find time to write in between working as a nurse and ferrying around 3 teenagers.
In her spare time she can be found frowning at her wonky cakes and even wonkier breads. You’ll be pleased to note she won’t be entering Bake-Off. She’s also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
Jenny is represented by Nicola Barr of The Bent Agency and published by Storm Publishing and HQ Digital (Harper Collins).
You can find out more about Jenny and her books on her blog:
Book 1: Alana Mack Series
