Mary Anne Yarde's Blog: The Coffee Pot Book Club , page 17

Welcome to Day #7 of the blog tour for A Sword Among Ravens (The Long-Hair Saga) by Cynthia Ripley Miller #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #Excerpt @CRipleyMiller

 

 

March 8th – March 19th 2021

Publication Date: 9th December 2020
Publisher: BookLocker
Page Length: 267 Pages
Genre: Romantic Historical Mystery
Amazon UK • Amazon US • Barnes & Noble
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.

We are stopping over on three amazing blogs today.
Our first stop is over on Brook's Journal! for a sneak-peek between the covers.
Click HERE!
Our second stop is over on Elizabeth St.John's Official Blog for an exclusive interview.
Click HERE!
Tour Schedule

Welcome to Day #1 of the blog tour for Forsaking All Other by Catherine Meyrick #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #BlogTour @cameyrick1 @authorrochelle

16th March – 18th May 2021

Publication Date: 16th March 2018
Publisher: Courante Publishing
Page Length: 308 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance
England, 1585.
Bess Stoughton, waiting woman to the well-connected Lady Allingbourne, has discovered that her father is arranging for her to marry an elderly neighbour. Normally obedient Bess rebels and wrests from her father a year's grace to find a husband more to her liking.
Edmund Wyard, a taciturn and scarred veteran of England’s campaign in Ireland, is attempting to ignore the pressure from his family to find a suitable wife as he prepares to join the Earl of Leicester’s army in the Netherlands.
Although Bess and Edmund are drawn to each other, they are aware that they can have nothing more than friendship. Bess knows that Edmund’s wealth and family connections place him beyond her reach. And Edmund, with his well-honed sense of duty, has never considered that he could follow his own wishes.
With England on the brink of war and fear of Catholic plots extending even into Lady Allingbourne’s household, time is running out for both of them.
Love is no game for women. The price is far too high.
Our first stop of the tour is over on The Historical Fiction Blog where you can have a sneak-peek between the covers.
Click HERE!
Tour Schedule

Join me in conversation with #HistoricalFiction author, Mark Turnbull. Mark's fabulous novel, The King's Spy, is only 0.99 on #Kindle for a Limited Time @1642Author @SharpeBooks

 

Publication Date: 4th February 2021Publisher: Sharpe Books Page Length: 125 PagesGenre: Historical Fiction
Leicestershire.
14th June 1645.
The Battle of Naseby is set to decide the outcome of the civil war in England.
The armies of King Charles I face those of Parliament and its untested New Model Army. Yet amidst the carnage, an intensely personal battle takes place between two men.
Captain Maxwell Walker is a royalist cavalry officer, widower and father. Loyal and brave, but haunted by his grief, Maxwell thirsts for revenge. His life has never been the same since his encounter with the parliamentarian Gervase Harper, a man whose ruthless streak sees him prosecute the war with vigour. Harper cuts down anyone who gets in his way. Maxwell’s wife was no exception.
The outcome of Naseby sends causes Maxwell to be tasked with a royal rescue mission. The King’s most personal possession must be retrieved. His cypher would allow Parliament to decode captured royal correspondence and that would deal a major blow in the propaganda war.
The soldier must play the spy.
His actions, however, earn him the enmity of both sides. The hunter becomes the hunted.
Facing a murder charge, as well as a great siege, Maxwell makes a discovery that might just save himself and the King’s remaining cavalry.
However, all of this rests upon his next encounter with Gervase Harper.

Mary Anne: A huge congratulations on your new release, The King's Spy, could you tell us a little about your series and what inspired you to write it?

Mark Turnbull: The King’s Spy is the first book in my new Rebellion series and follows Captain Maxwell Walker, a royalist cavalryman. It is set in the latter part of the War of the Three Kingdoms and opens at the Battle of Naseby in 1645. Much of what I’d read described the outcome of Naseby - a resounding royalist defeat - as the end of King Charles I’s cause, but in actual fact the royalists could have turned the defeat around within the 12 weeks following the battle. That crucial time, in which the King attempted to march his ‘Oxford army’ north, to link up with his Scottish forces, was full of action, adventure and politics. I couldn’t resist this backdrop and getting into the midst of it through my writing. There’s also the notorious capture of the royal correspondence at Naseby, which was a propaganda defeat for the King, and this forms part of the plot. Books two and three will give me the opportunity to move into the period around the King’s surrender in 1646 and the peace negotiations and political chaos that followed, which are quite overlooked aspects of the conflict. 

Mary Anne: What drew you towards the English Civil War in which to set your book?

Mark Turnbull: I have had a love of history from a young age, but my fascination with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms was sparked when I was 10 years old and my parents took me to Helmsley Castle, North Yorkshire. Like most children, I couldn’t wait to explore the gift shop and bought a pack of cards that displayed images of the monarchs of England on one side, and some details about their lives and reigns on the other. Some of the early monarchs and their grey tombstone effigies were rather dull, but above all others, the card relating to the life and times of King Charles I stood out. The portrait was Van Dyck’s Charles I at the Hunt and I was immediately struck by the King’s image, the artistry, clothing and colours. When I found out that he had been executed, it really did spur me on to learn more. It was like a historical whodunnit and I was eager to discover how and why something so monumental had happened. 

Not long after this I stumbled across the film, Cromwell, starring Sir Alec Guinness and Richard Harris. Although it isn’t historically accurate in many respects, I immediately recognised this newfound era and was captivated as it was brought to life on screen. 

Part of my quest to get closer to the history naturally led me to re-enactments. Whilst on holiday we visited events organised by The Sealed Knot and The English Civil War Society and these battle displays fired my imagination. The sight and smell of them was – and still is – very atmospheric and the re-enactors do a sterling job. When I was seventeen, I joined The Sealed Knot (the Marquis of Newcastle’s Whitecoats) as a pikeman. The sight of having cavalry ride straight at us, of being able to look down the length of my pike at the faces of oncoming opponents, the exertion, smoky confusion and blur of action, were all priceless experiences. 

Mary Anne: What were the challenges you faced in researching this period of history and were there any unexpected surprises?

Mark Turnbull: The beauty of researching this period is that I love doing it and find it so fascinating! One of the more challenging aspects that I researched was in relation to tunnelling and mining during siege warfare, and specifically discovering the finer details and techniques of counter-mining. Wistow Hall, in Leicestershire, which is where some of the book is set, still stands today, but because the building has been altered over the centuries and the route of roads changed, I had to strip these away so that I could visualise the 17th century house and the landscape around it. 

The most unexpected surprise by far was the life of Sydenham Poyntz. Commander of Parliament’s Northern Association armies, he features as a character in the book. I could not find any portraits of Sydenham, but I did find an online copy of his reminiscences about his time in Europe during the Thirty Years War. There was so much adventure and tragedy in his life - enough that it could make an excellent novel in itself! He ran away from his apprenticeship in London aged sixteen (when, he admitted, ‘youth and rashness are of affinitie’) and enlisted in Lord Vaux’s English regiment that was fighting alongside the Spanish. He was captured by the Turkish army and spent six years being a slave to Turkish masters. His wife and son were later killed by French soldiers and then he returned to England and fought in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Perhaps poignantly, his end remains shrouded in mystery, as he simply vanished after the surrender of Barbados to the English Commonwealth. 

Mary Anne: What do you think is the most challenging aspect of writing Historical Fiction?

Mark Turnbull: One part I find tricky, like a lot of other authors, is time. I have a full-time job, so I have to plan my research and writing time as much as possible, though I don’t set targets for how much or how little I write in each session as that would be stifling. At the moment, many authors are juggling home schooling too and lockdown also prevents visits to any integral historical locations. 

But in terms of the writing itself, the accuracy of sources and any confliction between them can prove a challenge when it comes to piecing the history together and weighing it up - especially so if you are exploring what occurred during a battle. But that said, working my way through obstacles and resolving them is simply part of the process of producing historical fiction and adds to the overall enjoyment (if not at the particular moment!).

Mary Anne: What advice do you have for aspiring Historical Fiction authors?

Mark Turnbull: Write, write and then write some more. Not just your book, but articles, blog posts – anything. I find that the more I write about the War of the Three Kingdoms, the more I learn about writing itself and the period. It really helps me develop my writing style and gives me variety. 

Engage with all those who share your passion for history; readers, fellow authors and publishers. Share your journey, support others, discuss the era, join groups, set up a website and social media accounts. Be a part of the book world and keep up with news, new releases and opinion. Collaborate and make friendships. 

Keep going. If you want to write and publish your first book, you need to remain focussed but also enjoy the writing and publishing process, however hard and challenging it can be. Look at every step as a learning curve. Don’t give up.

Maxwell was almost out of the woodland, so he finally drew rein and stopped. The furious motion of the ride and rhythmic thudding of his horse’s hooves continued to affect his exhausted body and mind, even when he had dismounted. His face was numb, eyes and mouth dry, and his head ached. Upon sight of the golden sunset rippling across a puddle, he dropped to his knees and began to sup at the water in desperation. His horse followed his lead. The surface soon swirled with an earthy brown tint, but nevertheless, it was balm to his jagged throat, if only temporarily. 
“Good, eh?” he gasped and looked at his steed. If he’d had the energy to laugh, he would have done so. Probably manically, at that. 
Maxwell had stopped to partake of the remains of a freak downpour before it was siphoned away by the gnarled tentacles of the oak trees that lined his route. He looked at the tangled criss-cross of branches lit up by the fiery glow of the evening sun, which gave the appearance of a hundred burning eyes watching him. Wistow Hall was not far, or so he kept telling himself. But rather than mount up, he paused out of sheer fatigue. The cannons, gunshot and pounding hooves that had incessantly rang in his ears were now banished by bird song; a few glorious chirps silenced his mind for just a moment. A soft breeze wafted the sweet scent of the undergrowth. It had been enlivened by the rain, droplets of which were left studding leaves like quicksilver, and this neutralised the pungent remains of gunpowder. Maxwell was alive. He had survived.
“You smell that?” He asked as his horse lifted its head and snorted.
However, the faint noise of hooves soon began to return to Maxwell’s hearing. A soft repetition started to build within his mind, relentlessly creeping up on him once more, and he cursed the way that battles would haunt him. He didn’t know if he could cope with it any longer, nor whether it would drive him insane, for in the past such trauma had always been eased by his beloved Catherine. Now every single day without her was a battle in itself. He cursed himself for being weak. Lonely. Self-absorbed.
In his battered state he tried to block all else out by covering both ears, and although the sound abated a little, something deep inside prompted him to remove his hands. He held his breath and listened. The hoof-falls were like a heartbeat. He felt connected to the woodland floor and could have been mistaken for thinking he had sensed the faintest of tremors. Then his mare adjusted her footing. Maxwell squeezed his eyes closed; the sound was real and there were, indeed, horsemen getting closer by the second.
“In the name of Christ!” 
He led his horse off the road and down an incline, tethered her to a tree and then hurried some distance from it. Crouching behind an oak, whose cracked bark was like a dragon’s scaly skin, he loaded his carbine and wound the wheel lock. The nearing riders caused a rustle from the leafy canopies overhead as birds fled, yet Maxwell had no option but to stay deathly still, coming to the certainty that there were only two horses. At this moment, he wished he was back on the field of Naseby, where he at least had his comrades for support.
Praise the Lord! Maxwell looked up to feel the pitter-patter of another rain shower, which seemed to bring the entire forest to life. Their leaves tremored and rustled from a calm breeze as if heralding the visitors. Two cavalrymen, one with an orange sash, rode by. The raindrops played out a tune on Maxwell’s ribbed helmet as he watched the troopers continue along the route and towards the end of the forest. They slowed, however, just before vanishing. It was as if the trees had united and closed behind the pair like a phalanx of pikeman and Maxwell hurried across the cushioned undergrowth to catch a glimpse of where they were headed. The woodland opened onto a field full of vibrant grass, which he soon heard the horses munching at while the two men talked. They had stopped to rest. Maxwell hid behind a sturdy oak and peered through the foliage, holding his carbine to his chest like a baby and protecting the gun from any droplets of rain.


The King's Spy is only 0.99 on #Kindle for a Limited Time:Amazon UK • Amazon USRead for FREE with #KindleUnlimited subscription.


After a visit to Helmsley Castle at the age of 10, I bought a pack of cards featuring the monarchs of England. The card portraying King Charles I captured my interest straight away. Van Dyck’s regal portrait of the King and the fact that he was executed by his own people were the beginnings of my passionate interest in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms that has lasted ever since. In the absence of time travel, I thoroughly enjoy bringing this overlooked period to life. I have written articles for magazines, newspapers and online educational sites and have also re-enacted battles with The Sealed Knot. My fascination with this part of history has led me to producing a podcast dedicated to the Wars of the Three Kingdoms called 'CavalierCast - The Civil War in Words'.
Connect with Mark:Website • Twitter • Facebook

Welcome to Day #6 of the blog tour for Widow’s Lace by Lelita Baldock #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery @BaldockLelita @Beatric09625662

 

March 8th – March 19th 2021

Publication Date: 23 March 2020
Publisher: Independently Published
Page Length: 242 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery
Amazon UK • Amazon US • Barnes & Noble

A hundred year old mystery, the widow left behind, a fallen soldier, the abandoned fiancée, an unnamed body and the young student determined to find the truth.
In 1886 famous English poet Edward Barrington moves from Derbyshire, England to a farm on the Finniss River, in South Australia. Two years later he disappears.
25 years later Archie Hargraves abandons his fiancée Clara and travels from England to meet with Edward’s widow, Rosalind. He plans to write a biography and make a name for himself, independent from his wealthy father. Returning to England in 1914 he abandons his work to join the war in Europe. His journal of notes from Australia is never released.
Ellie Cannon, a young PhD candidate at Sydney University, is writing a thesis on one of Barrington’s last known poems, The Fall. It’s not going well. Struggling with her relationship with her mother and loss of her father, Ellie is on the brink of failure.
Then a body is found by the Finniss River, 130 years after Edward’s disappearance. Could it be the famous poet?
The discovery draws Ellie into the worlds of Edward, Archie and Clara, taking her across Australia and England in her search for the truth.
Covering life in remote South Australia, the social pressures of 1900s Britain and the historical role of women, Widow’s Lace is an historical fiction, mystery cross-over dealing with themes of obsession, fear, love, inner-secrets and regret. But also the hope that can come from despair.

We are stopping over on two blogs today. 
Head over to B for Book Review for for an interview:
Click HERE! 
Our second stop of the day is over on Candlelight Reading for a fabulous review.
Click HERE!


Tour Schedule 

Welcome to Day #6 of the blog tour for A Sword Among Ravens (The Long-Hair Saga) by Cynthia Ripley Miller #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #Excerpt @CRipleyMiller @MaddieS39950549 @linneatanne

  

 

March 8th – March 19th 2021

Publication Date: 9th December 2020
Publisher: BookLocker
Page Length: 267 Pages
Genre: Romantic Historical Mystery
Amazon UK • Amazon US • Barnes & Noble
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.

We are stopping over on three amazing blogs today.
Our first stop is over on Oh look, another book! for a sneak-peek between the covers.
Click HERE!
Our second stop is over on Linnea Tanner’s Official Blog for a sneak-peek between the covers.
Click HERE!
Tour Schedule

Welcome to Day #1 of the blog tour for The Test of Gold by Renee Yancy #HistoricalRomance #TheTestOfGold #BlogTour @YancyRenee @CraftygasheadZo @Igotlostinaboo1

 

Join The Coffee Pot Book Club on tour with...

The Test of Gold

By Renee Yancy

March 15th – March 26th 2021

Publication Date: 15 March 2021

Publisher: Vinspire Publishing

Page Length: 335 pages

Genre: Historical Romance

Raised in the shadow of a mother who defied convention, but won’t allow her own daughter the right to make the same choices, heiress Evangeline Lindenmayer has been groomed since childhood to marry into the British aristocracy. 

When Lindy challenges her mother’s long-laid plans by falling in love with a poor seminary student, the explosion is bigger than the Brooklyn Bridge fireworks on Independence Day.

We are starting this tour off with two reviews!

Head on over to Zoe's Art, Craft & Life to read the first one!

Click HERE!

Check out I got lost in a book to find the second review!

Click HERE!

Tour Schedule

Welcome to Day #6 of the blog tour for Len Maynard's fabulous book — A Dangerous Life (DCI Jack Callum Mysteries Book 2) #HistoricalFiction #Crime @len_maynard

February 8th – April 12th 2021

Publication Date: 28th July 2020Publisher: Sharpe BooksPage Length: 287 PagesGenre: Historical Crime Fiction
Amazon UK • Amazon US
1959
A body of a man wearing theatrical make up is found hanging from a tree on Norton Common in Hertfordshire. He has been tortured and his throat has been cut.
DCI Jack Callum, a veteran policeman with his own rules for procedure, heads the investigation into this puzzling crime. The clues lead him close to the answer, but the solution remains elusive.
Why was the man killed?
What were the victim’s links to London’s gangland bosses?
When an unsolved murder is uncovered that appears to be connected to the case, Jack realises he must use his team to their full strength to separate the innocent from the guilty.
Jack also faces a challenge he never expected as he is accused of an improper relationship with a young Detective Constable on his team, Myra Banks.
In a breathless climax, Myra puts her own life on the line to deal with a figure from Jack’s past, who has now become a lethal threat in the present.
Head on over to B for Book Review to find an interview with Len Maynard!
Click HERE!

Follow the tour:

Welcome to Day #7 of the blog tour for The Bridled Tongue by Catherine Meyrick #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @cameyrick1 @BritonandDane

1st February – 5th April 2021
Publication Date: 1st February 2020Publisher: Courante PublishingPage Length: 358 pagesGenre: Historical Fiction/Women’s Fiction
England 1586. Alyce Bradley has few choices when her father decides it is time she marry as many refuse to see her as other than the girl she once was--unruly, outspoken and close to her grandmother, a woman suspected of witchcraft. 
Thomas Granville, an ambitious privateer, inspires fierce loyalty in those close to him and hatred in those he has crossed. Beyond a large dowry, he is seeking a virtuous and dutiful wife. Neither he nor Alyce expect more from marriage than mutual courtesy and respect.
As the King of Spain launches his great armada and England braces for invasion, Alyce must confront closer dangers from both her own and Thomas's past, threats that could not only destroy her hopes of love and happiness but her life. And Thomas is powerless to help.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Head on over to Let Your Words Shine... to find out five fun things about Catherine Meyrick!
Click HERE!

Welcome to Day #1 of the blog tour for The Importance of Pawns by Keira Morgan #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour @KJMMexico @maryanneyarde @jroberts1324

 

Publication Date: 10th March 2021Publisher: French Historical Fiction/ Fiction de la renaissance FrançaisePage Length: 380 pagesGenre: Historical Fiction
Based on historical events and characters in sixteenth-century France, this timeless tale pits envy, power and intrigue against loyalty and the strength of women’s friendships. 
The French court dazzles on the surface, but beneath its glitter, danger lurks for the three women trapped in its web. The story begins as Queen Anne lies dying and King Louis’s health is in declines. Their two daughters, Claude and young Renée, heiresses to the rich duchy of Brittany, become pawns in the games of power. 
Countess Louise d’Angoulême is named guardian to both girls. For years she has envied the dying Queen Anne, the girls’ mother. Because of her family’s dire financial problems, she schemes to marry wealthy Claude to her son. This unexpected guardianship presents a golden opportunity, but only if she can remove their protectress Baronne Michelle, who loves the princesses and safeguards their interests. 
As political tensions rise, the futures of Princess Renée and Baronne hang in the balance, threatened by Countess Louise’s hidden plots. Timid Claude, although fearful of her mother-in-law, must untangle the treacherous intrigues Countess Louise is weaving. Claude and her friends encounter one roadblock after another as they contrive to outflank the wily countess. Their goal is to protect young Princess Renée. 
In the end, faced with frightening consequences, will Claude find the courage to defend those she loves?

We are kicking this tour off over on The Books Delight with a sneak-peek between the covers!
Click HERE!

Welcome to Day #3 of the blog tour for Harvest Moon by Jenny Knipfer #HistoricalFiction #HarvestMoon #BlogTour @JennyKnipfer @maryanneyarde @ViviMackade

 

March 1st - May 3rd 2021

Publication Date: 23rd November, 2020 Publisher: Independently PublishedPage Length: 291 PagesGenre: Historical Fiction / Christian Historical Fiction
In the wilds of 19th century Ontario, Maang-ikwe, a young Ojibwe woman, falls into a forbidden love, breaks her father’s honor, and surrenders her trust to someone who betrays it. The abuse she suffers divides her from her tribe and causes her to give up what she holds most dear. 
Niin-mawin must come to grips with his culture being ripped away from him. Brought up in a “white man’s” school, he suffers through an enforced “civilized” education and separation from his family. When a man he respects reveals a secret about Niin-mawin’s past, he embarks on a search for the person he hopes can mend the part of his heart that’s always been missing. 
Both Maang-ikwe and Niin-mawin wonder how a harvest of pain and sorrow will impact their lives. Will they find the blessings amongst the hardships, or will they allow the results of division and abuse to taint their hearts forever?
Fans of historical fiction, Native American fiction, Christian historical fiction, clean romance, and literary fiction will be moved by this deep, heartfelt novel.

Head over to Viviana MacKade's Official Blog to find out about an historical aspect of this fabulous book, and to have a sneak peek between the covers!
Click HERE!