Mary Anne Yarde's Blog: The Coffee Pot Book Club , page 204

Author’s Inspiration ~ M.T. Magee #Historical #Fantasy #Romance @Mtmagee1013M

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome Historical Fantasy author, M.T. Magee onto the blog. Ms. Magee is going to share with us a little insight into her book today.
Child of the Kindred (The Rinefield Chronicles: Book 2)ByM.T.Magee   Their world is changing and a new era has begun. Princess Laurel finds her kingdom of Gwenlais, torn and shattered from a bloody siege. Her people now looking to her, to help them rise above the ruin and misery inflicted upon their once peaceful and sheltered realm. Laurel and her beloved Prince Caleb, must find a way to unite their kingdoms, as never before. The enemy from a distant land makes a bold and savage attempt, to thwart the unity of the two kingdoms of Gwenlais and Heathwin. The odds have never been greater against the realms or the two lovers that hold the kingdoms together. Will their people and their love survive all they have lost? Will new life rise from above the ruins? The award winning epic historical fantasy saga continues. Enter the realm of Rinefield, where love, danger, adventure and romance awaits you.  
Author’s Inspiration                                 Gork anyone?  
What exactly is gork? It is a mythical creature in my historical fantasy series, which resembles a wooly pig, and quite the delicacy. So, no, it’s not something you can try. Since the backdrop for the fantasy realm of Rinefield, is based on Scotland and Ireland, I went on a culinary journey into some of the classic fare. 


One of the things I enjoy as a writer, is giving my characters memorable moments, many of which are centered around a meal, whether a romantic intimate setting, family gatherings, wedding feasts, or political matters. The food is not only reflective of the cultural background and settings but also the mood of the scene. Tolkien did this, throughout his epic saga. The meals often symbolizing the characters’ feelings, wellbeing, and general mood, in which the setting placed them in. The thing I found the most interesting aspect was not only the vivid descriptions, be it feast of meager rations, it was always based on the classic food of the UK or Ireland. 


I wanted to fully appreciate how my characters would feel when sitting down to a meal. The sexy Leprechaun (aka the hubby) and I, researched as many authentic recipes as we could find, and actually cooked or purchased what the characters would be eating. I am not a big meat eater, but I still found it very interesting as well as tasty, the dishes we decided to explore. The famous stout stew, which features Guinness cooked with cubed beef, potatoes, carrots, and we added mushrooms and turnips, was amazing.  This inspired me to create for my books, the famous venison stew served at the Standing Bear Pub, highly favored by Fergus, the King of Heathwin.
My favorite dish was, the rich potatoes and cabbage combination of Colcannon. I could not get enough of it, and make at least once a week.The smoky, salty succulent Scottish style smoked salmon, has always been a treat. The hearty and satisfying bubble and squeak, as much fun to say as it is to eat. The lovely pasties, that I baked with or without meat. Of course, the soda bread, filled with sweet moist raisins, and let us not forget the shortbread. Even something as common as butter and cheese, took on a whole new perspective, as we tried Irish style butter and various cheeses from Ireland and Scotland. The beautiful but satisfying simplicity of boiled potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and kale, dressed in butter and a bit of salt. Beans on toast is now something we have with breakfast several times a week. 


We also enjoyed having traditional tea time. Not always the dainty finger sandwich type tea. Though this was fun, we relished the idea of the more hearty fare, which I loved incorporating in my books. The smoked salmon, the oat scones with clotted cream or lemon curd.  The rich flaky pasties, served with various pickled vegetables, sliced apples and cheese, were a delight.  We tried and fell in love with Irish hard ciders, both apple and pear. All of these wonderful culinary experiences, made us respect and appreciate our Scottish and Irish heritages even more. It also helped me to create a more in depth and vivid world for my characters to dwell in. By using not only the rich and passionate history of our forebears, but exploring the ways they ate and showed hospitality, made me value so much more where we come from. It helped me to have a better understanding of how important sharing a meal was, either with family or associates.  The warmth and heartiness of the meals served, the earthiness and comfort the food gave, added much to the history of these beautiful and majestic places. Experiencing the joy of cooking these meals, gave me a wonderful sense of family, of belonging. It was something I will always treasure, and was honored to implement in my books and will continue to.
Now what of Haggis? Well, I am not that brave. Though I did promise myself if I ever have the privilege to go to Scotland, I will try the “real” stuff. I do however make mention of it, with all due respect, in my books. Though for now, it will remain as fantastical and mystical as gork. 

Links for PurchaseTreasure of Gwenlais ~ Book #1Amazon USAmazon UK    Child of the Kindred ~ Book #2Amazon USAmazon UKAbout the author My name is M.T.Magee I write bestselling YA Historical Medieval Fantasy that is beautifully romantic with whispers of Gaelic legend. On Mar. 31st The Treasure of Gwenlais received the 2015 Silver Medal Winner of Ireland's Drunken Druid Award Finalist for IAN Book of the Year Award 2016 for First Novel on Aug. 31st. On Sept.1st 2016 I received the Finalist Award for Readers' Favorite Book Awards Voted #1 On Listopia's Best Fantasy Romance (not urban).
I live in New England on our small farm with my husband and son. We raise an assortment of silly goats, quiet rabbits, far too many ducks and chickens, and a high strung Border Collie cross named Gronk.

Useful Links 
Website 
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

#blookblast ~ Where Rainbows End #HistFic @hfvbt @choclituk @annemariebrear

Book Blast ~ Historical Virtual Book Tour Presents....    Where Rainbows End By AnneMarie Brear


It’s 1850 and the Noble family have travelled to the other side of the world to start a new life after scandal drove them from their native England.
Pippa Noble is determined to reclaim their honour by making her father’s plan for an outback farm reality, although her ambition is frowned upon by a society that has very set ideas about a woman’s place…Pippa learns the hard way about the unforgiving nature of the bush, sometimes with devastating consequences. And when unfortunate circumstance leads to Pippa tending the farm alone, it is the friendship of neighbouring estate owner Gil Ashford-Smith that helps her through.Then an unexpected visitor from England arrives, putting Pippa’s dreams in jeopardy. But she refuses to let go. She will hold onto her family’s land, even if it means losing everything else…
“A compelling story of a headstrong woman who defies the traditional female role and forages a successful life through hard work and a strong vision. Excellent descriptions of the outback and the hardships of life in Australia in the 1850’s.”  Amazon Review
Links for Purchase
Amazon
Barnes & Noble   Chapters
Google Play
iBooks
Kobo


About the author

AnneMarie has been a life-long reader and started writing in 1997 when her children were small. She has a love of history, of grand old English houses and a fascination of what might have happened beyond their walls. Her interests include reading, genealogy, watching movies, spending time with family and eating chocolate – not always in that order!
AnneMarie grew up in Australia but now lives in the UK.
Useful Linkswebsite FacebookTwitterGoogle+ Goodreads.
Where Rainbows End by AnneMarie Brear Publication Date: May 23, 2017Choc LiteBook; ASIN: B071P7KBH6
Genre: Fiction/Historical/Romance/Western

 

Excerpt Blitz ~ Duke with Benefits (Studies in Scandal) #Regency #Romance @MandaCollins @SMPRomance

Duke with Benefits(Studies in Scandal)byManda Collins
 
LADY + DUKE = TRUE LOVE?
Lady Daphne Forsyth is a brilliant mathematician with a burning passion for puzzles. When she learns that the library belonging to her benefactress houses the legendary Cameron Cipher—an encrypted message that, once solved, holds the key to great riches—Daphne is on the case. Unfortunately, her race to unlock the cipher’s code is continually thwarted by a deliciously handsome distraction she hadn’t counted on . . . and cannot resist.
Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland, is curious as to why Daphne is spending so much time snooping around his aunt’s bookshelves. He’s even more intrigued by her bold yet calculating manner: She is unapologetic about her secret quest . . . and the fiery attraction that develops between them both. But how can they concentrate on solving a perplexing enigma once the prospect of true love enters the equation?
Duke with Benefits is the second in Manda Collins' Studies in Scandal series set in Regency England.

Book Except
“There you are, my dear,” said the Earl of Forsyth with a beaming smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.Maitland saw at once that Daphne favored him. Her green eyes were the same shade as his, though there were lines of dissipation bracketing the earl’s. And though his expertly cropped blond hair was shot through with silver, what remained of its original color was the same shade as hers. But whereas Daphne’s gaze was focused off to the left of whomever she conversed with, like a bird hovering just over a branch, Forsyth’s speared one with cold calculation. As he did to Daphne now.“You are looking well, Daphne,” the earl continued, stepping forward to embrace his daughter, who looked as uncomfortable with the contact as Maitland had ever seen her. “The sea air agrees with you. As I knew it would.”“The sea is very beautiful,” Daphne replied woodenly. “Why are you here, Father?”“Is that any way to greet your Papa?” the earl chided, stepping back from her and wandering farther into the room, standing to stare out at the gardens below through the window. “I’ve traveled all the way from London to see you. And this lovely estate. I must admit that when I first learned of your inheritance, I thought it was all some sort of trick. But you would have your own way and leave the loving bosom of your family no matter what I said. Now that I’m here, though, and see it in person, I must admit that it’s a lovely spot. And your chaperone, Lady Serena, is quite beautiful, isn’t she? A widow, I take it?”His jaw clenched at the man’s mention of Serena, and Maitland thought perhaps it was time to announce himself. Daphne seemed not to realize he’d followed her in, and the earl was too busy waxing rhapsodic over the beauties of Beauchamp House.“I don’t believe we’ve met, Forsyth,” he said forcefully, stepping up to stand side by side with Daphne. He gave a slight bow, perhaps not quite as deep as was warranted, but not caring. “The Duke of Maitland. I am a friend of your daughter’s, you might say.”What he meant by that last, he could not say, but the man made every bit of protective instinct within him go on the alert. He was her father, but all the same Maitland knew that Daphne was no safer with him than she would have been with Sommersby if he still lived.At the sound of the duke’s voice, Lord Forsyth turned with almost comical haste from the window and stared. For the barest flicker, he looked angry. Well, if he were upset at the knowledge that his daughter was not without friends, then he would simply have to swallow it. Because Maitland was damned if he’d leave her alone with the fellow.“Duke,” Lord Forsyth said with a tilt of his head, “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I was a friend of your father’s, and had little notion I’d be meeting you here. He was a good man, your father.”His father had been nothing of the sort, but Maitland was hardly going to discuss it with Forsyth.“I am here visiting my sister, Lady Serena,” Maitland said coolly, letting the other man know in tone rather than words that he had not appreciated the older man’s speculative words about her earlier. “And of course my cousin, Kerr. He only recently married another of the heiresses here, and resides here with her.”Forsyth’s eyes narrowed at the implication that Daphne was well protected should her father wish to cause trouble. At least that was the message Maitland was endeavoring to send. And by the looks of it, Forsyth read him loud and clear.“Capital, capital,” the earl said with false cheer. “A merry party you must all make here. I had no idea you were in such fine company here, Daphne. No notion at all.”“Because we have not spoken since I left,” Daphne said, looking from her father to Maitland then back again, as if wondering what went on between them. “And now, father, I really must ask you to leave. I have a great deal of work to do and . . .”“Don’t be absurd, Daphne,” her father said with a shake of his head. “I only just arrived. And there is something very important I must speak to you about.” He turned to Maitland with a raised brow. “I’m sure you’ll excuse us, Duke. I’m afraid what I need to tell my daughter is private family business.”Maitland was opening his mouth to tell the man he would leave Daphne alone with him when hell froze over, when Daphne did it for him.“Maitland stays,” she said, reaching out to grasp him by the arm. It was as much of a cry for help as he’d ever thought he’d see from her. Wordlessly, he slipped her arm into his, as if they were about to promenade round the room. He covered her hand with his, keenly aware of the thread of tension in her.Once more, the earl’s eyes narrowed, and he turned an assessing gaze on Maitland, perhaps realizing for the first time the threat coming at him from that direction.His jaw clenched, Forsyth said grimly, “Very well. If you wish your friend to witness our dirty linen, so be it.” As if needing to be in motion in order to speak, the earl began to pace the area between the window and the fireplace. “You know, Daphne, you left me without any obvious means of recouping what I lost from years of paying that tutor of yours, old man Sommersby.”“You agreed to pay him,” Daphne said tightly. “After I threatened to expose . . .”Hastily, Forsyth continued, “And I am currently in need of funds. As such, I must insist you return to London with me for the time being and meet a particular gentleman who has expressed interest in marrying you. Though his birth is not as high as yours, he’s quite wealthy and will make you a good husband, I trust. He’s assured me he has no concern about your odd ways, if you’re as beautiful as your portrait.”Before Maitland could burst out with the string of invectives the other man’s pronouncement inspired in him, Daphne said, “I cannot marry this person. I’ve never even met him. You promised me that I would not have to marry someone for money as long as I won enough at the tables. I did so. You promised me, father.” “I never actually promised, Daphne.” Forsyth said with a shake of his head. “If you chose to interpret it as such, that is not my fault. Now, go pack your things.”Daphne’s hand on Maitland’s arm gripped him tightly. And before he even knew what he was doing, he said, “I’m afraid that’s impossible, Forsyth. Daphne is staying here.”“I don’t know who you think you are, Maitland,” said the earl through clenched teeth, “but I am her father, and I am well within my rights to take her back to London. Now, kindly take your hands off of her and let her go pack.”“It might once have been your right, Forsyth,” Maitland said coldly, “but Lady Daphne is my betrothed now and as such, she will remain here. With me.”Copyright © 2017 by Manda Collins and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Press.
Links for Purchase
Amazon
B&N
BAM
iBooks
Indiebound
Kobo
Powells
About the author
Manda Collins is the author of several books, including Ready Set Rogue and The Lords of Anarchy series. She spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. When she’s not writing, she’s helping other people use books, as an academic librarian.
Useful LinksManda’s Social Links:Twitter: @MandaCollins
Facebook: @MandaCollinsAuthor
http://www.mandacollins.com/
SMP Romance Social Links:
Twitter: @SMPRomance
Facebook: @SMPRomance
http://smpromance.com/

#newrelease ~ Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile #histfic @inkjunkie1984

Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile  By  Jennifer Wilson

The bestselling Kindred Spirits series continues...

Along Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, royalty and commoners – living and dead – mingle amongst the museums, cafés and former royal residences. From Castle Hill to Abbey Strand, there is far more going on than meets the eye, as ghosts of every era and background make their home along the Mile.

Returning to the city for her annual visit, Mary, Queen of Scots, is troubled by the lacklustre attitude of her father, King James V of Scotland, and decides to do something about it, with the aid of her spiritual companions. More troubling, though, is the arrival of a constant thorn in her side: her second husband, Lord Darnley.

Can Mary resolve both her own issues and those of her small, ghostly court?
Author’s Inspiration
Hi Mary, and thank you so much for inviting me back onto your blog, to talk about my second novel, Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile, released today by Crooked Cat. Have you ever thought about what the dead get up to when we’re not looking? Not in a terrifying, trying to drive you out of your house sort of way, just in a ‘getting on with their own lives’ sort of way? Following the release of Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, published in October 2015, I started thinking about where my ghostly eavesdropping could take me next, but really, there was only ever one choice – wherever I went, it had to involve Mary Queen of Scots, one of my favourite historical characters. Yes, I usually stop reading the novels and biographies once she heads off to England (a bit like stopping The Sound of Music once the wedding finishes!), but after a childhood stalking her historical footsteps, she was the obvious star. I started thinking again about the friendships and feuds which she might have got into over the centuries since her death, and who might now form her inner circle in the city which was her capital for a relatively short time, given her fame in Scottish and British history. I started writing a host of scenes, exploring the various historical sites up and down the Mile, and reading up about who might be ‘hanging about’, as it were, and gradually, the cast and plot fell into place….Along Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, royalty and commoners – living and dead – mingle amongst the museums, cafés and former royal residences. From Castle Hill to Abbey Strand, there is far more going on than meets the eye, as ghosts of every era and background make their home along the Mile.

Returning to the city for her annual visit, Mary, Queen of Scots, is troubled by the lacklustre attitude of her father, King James V of Scotland, and decides to do something about it, with the aid of her spiritual companions. More troubling, though, is the arrival of a constant thorn in her side: her second husband, Lord Darnley.

Can Mary resolve both her own issues and those of her small, ghostly court?If you’d like to find out more about the book and its settings, as well as partake in some excellent virtual food, drink and entertainment, then I’d love you to attend the online launch party - click here for more information. There’ll also be a couple of book-related competitions, and the chance to win a Mary Queen of Scots themed duck. How could you possibly resist? Hope to see you there!
 Links for PurchaseAmazon USAmazon UK
About the author
Jennifer is a marine biologist by training, who spent much of her childhood stalking Mary, Queen of Scots (initially accidentally, but then with intention). She completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Hull, and has worked as a marine environmental consulting since graduating. Enrolling on an adult education workshop on her return to the north-east reignited Jennifer’s pastime of creative writing, and she has been filling notebooks ever since. In 2014, Jennifer won the Story Tyne short story competition, and also continues to develop her poetic voice, reading at a number of events, and with several pieces available online. She is also part of The Next Page, running workshops and other literary events in North Tyneside. Jennifer’s debut novel, Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, was released by Crooked Cat Books in October 2015, and Kindred Spirits: Royal Mileis coming June 2017. She can be found online at her website, on Twitter and Facebook, as well as at The Next Page’s website.

Author’s Inspiration ~ Lisa Dawn Walder #timetravel #Romance #Historical @lisadawnwadler

  It is with great pleasure that I welcome the Award Winning, Time-Travel Historical Romance, author, Lisa Dawn Walder, onto the blog. Lisa is going to tell us all about the inspiration behind her latest book….

The Draig’s Woman


Rescuing the man tied to a tree seemed like a rational decision. Claire is a smart, capable bookkeeper who happens to work at a martial arts academy. She has no idea the door she walked through to save the bound man would leave her trapped in 13th century Scotland. She is unable to regret the night of passion shared with Ian, even though it happened with the threat of death just outside the door. She pretends to be content with Ian’s friendship, knowing his people must come first. Compelled by honor and tormented by desire, is being his woman, while he marries another, enough?
Ian, Laird of the Draig Clan, is a man trapped by fate. Forced by necessity to marry a woman he has never met, her dowry is essential to save his clan. However, he is in love with the woman who saved his life and then spent one night in his arms. Duty prevents Ian from being able to marry Claire as custom, honor, and his heart demand. Drawn to her, believing they share the same desires and dreams in life, he finally offers her the only option available, a place by his side and in his bed.
Claire and Ian are bound together in love and then ripped apart by deception and a plot to destroy the Draig clan. Facing the final battle alone and unarmed, Claire saves them all. The ultimate challenge is forgiving Ian for sending her away.


Author’s Inspiration

The question of inspiration for the story involves a personal journey into becoming stronger. Roughly six years ago I began taking martial arts with my kids, at first to make them happy and then because it made me feel strong and capable. While working with an instructor - a fourth degreed black belt, complete with a shaved head and loads of tattoos - I was learning how to escape a hold and then flip the opponent onto the floor. When I actually managed to do the move correctly, I reached down to help him up and he called me a bad ass. I will never be able to explain how much that single compliment filled me; how it tapped into a place I never knew I had inside. Seriously, I’m a middle-aged mom…

Later that night, after the kids were in bed, I settled in to continue reading my historical romance book. The heroine had found herself in a precarious situation and was being held virtually the same way I had been in class. In my head, I saw her escape from the threat, but in the book she had to wait for the hero to come save her. It left me disappointed - I wanted her to be physically strong. Unable to find an historical romance book that filled this need, I sat down to attempt to write one.As a huge fan of historical romance, I wanted to see physically capable heroines within my beloved genre. Having read multiple time travel romances, I knew this would be how I placed martial arts trained women into a world where women weren’t expected to be able to save the day or themselves. To shake it up a bit more, my heroines are the true heroes of each story. They save the day and the Laird, while finding their happily-ever-after.
In my second book, Time of the Draig, I explain my version of what makes time travel possible. No magic or mysterious fogs. The door that leads to medieval Scotland in each of The Draig books comes from a science fiction foundation.
Book three, The Draig’s Wife, will be released 5/31/17. Don’t worry about what order you read the books, it’s a stand-alone series.

Links for Purchase
Amazon US
Amazon UK  Goodreads

About the author

Lisa began writing after reading yet another romance novel where the heroine needed a man to rescue her from physical harm. While a firm believer in the strong alpha-male hero in any story, she wondered what would happen if that hero met a woman who was able to take care of herself physically. Using her several years of Tae Kwon Do training and mixing in time travel, her multi-award winning debut novel, The Draig’s Woman was born.
Lisa lives in the Chicago suburbs and is married to her high school sweetheart. They have two children and one very spoiled dog. And yes, she finally earned her black belt 3/17!
Useful Links
Join me on Facebook and Twitter where I focus on physically and emotionally strong women
Lisa Dawn Wadler Facebook
Lisa Dawn Wadler TwitterIt is with great pleasure that I welcome the Award Winning, Time-Travel Historical Romance, author, Lisa Dawn Walder, onto the blog. Lisa is going to tell us all about the inspiration behind her latest book….

#bookreview ~ Child of the Kindred: The Rinefield Chronicles: Book 2 @Mtmagee1013M #fantasy

Child of the Kindred(The Rinefield Chronicles: Book 2)By M.T. Magee
 
Enter the realm of Rinefield, where love, danger, adventure and romance awaits you. Their world is changing and a new era has begun. Princess Laurel finds her kingdom of Gwenlais, torn and shattered from a bloody siege. Her people now looking to her, to help them rise above the ruin and misery inflicted upon their once peaceful and sheltered realm. Laurel and her beloved Prince Caleb, must find a way to unite their kingdoms, as never before. The enemy from a distant land makes a bold and savage attempt, to thwart the unity of the two kingdoms of Gwenlais and Heathwin. The odds have never been greater against the realms or the two lovers that hold the kingdoms together. Will their people and their love survive all they have lost? Will new life rise from above the ruins?

What did I think of the Book?

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and sometimes war is inevitable...
Princess Laurel is being held captive by the cruel and wicked, Warrick. Her beloved kingdom, Gwenlais, has been overcome with Warrick's men. There is blood on the street as Warrick's army plunders the kingdom. Laurel's only hope is that her husband, Prince Caleb, will bring the army of Heathwin to liberate Gwenlais. But time is running out for Laurel. Her life is in Warrick's hands, and Warrick is not in a merciful mood.
Well, M.T. Magee certainly kept us waiting for the second part of The Reinfield Chronicles, but boy, was it worth the wait!!
Filled with drama, war, love and hate, Child Of The Kindred did not disappoint. With elegant prose and characters that jumped off the page, this is a world that is very easy to get lost in.
Although both Gwenlais and Heathwin are fantasy kingdoms, it doesn't feel that foreign. I could envisage the grandeur of the Highlands of Scotland and the beauty of Ireland as I read. It is certainly a magnificent backdrop for a compelling read.
The characters are fresh and very real in the telling. Like before, with book 1, I loved the characterisation of Aiden, who despite being a secondary character is so much fun to read about. He is definitely my favourite character in this series thus far. I also adored Queen Alana. She is beautifully portrayed.  Queen Alana is a very loving, but strong woman. I liked her.
What I really liked about Child Of The Kindred is the realism, despite it being a fantasy world. When something bad happens to one of the characters they don't just brush themselves off and act like it never happened, they suffer, and sometimes it takes a long time to get over the event. I thought this especially applied to Laurel, Marina and the children. But despite the suffering their is also much humour in this book. I found myself crying and laughing almost at the same time! Not many books can pull that off! Well done, Ms. Magee.
If you are looking for escapism with a heavy dose of romance, then this is the series for you. Although on the blurb the author states this isn't a standalone, I think it wouldn't take a reader much to catch up with the story. But saying that, I do recommend starting with book one because it would be a shame to miss out on such truly unforgettable characters.
I Highly Recommend.
Links for Purchase
Amazon US
Amazon UK

About the author My name is M.T.Magee I write bestselling YA Historical Medieval Fantasy that is beautifully romantic with whispers of Gaelic legend. On Mar. 31st The Treasure of Gwenlais received the 2015 Silver Medal Winner of Ireland's Drunken Druid Award Finalist for IAN Book of the Year Award 2016 for First Novel on Aug. 31st. On Sept.1st 2016 I received the Finalist Award for Readers' Favorite Book Awards Voted #1 On Listopia's Best Fantasy Romance (not urban).
I live in New England on our small farm with my husband and son. We raise an assortment of silly goats, quiet rabbits, far too many ducks and chickens, and a high strung Border Collie cross named Gronk.
 

And the award goes to…The Du Lac Devil #Historical #Fantasy

Chill With A Book Award I am celebrating on the blog today ~ The Du Lac Devil has been awarded a ‘Chill With A Book Award.’Yay!! 
  Chill With A Book has a five point criteria when evaluation books and thankfully The Du Lac Devil ticked all the right boxes!
 1. Were the characters strong and engaging?2. Was the book well written?3. Did the plot have you turning the page to find out what happened next?4. Was the ending satisfying?5. Would you tell your friends?
A big thank you to all the reviewers at Chill with a Book who thought The Du Lac Devil worthy of such an honour 
 
Links for Purchase
 Amazon US
Amazon UK

Author’s Inspiration ~ Glen Craney #HistFic #Historical @glencraney

Please give a warm Coffee Pot welcome to historical fiction author, Glen Craney. Glen is going to tell us all about his inspiration behind his fabulous books...


The Fire and the Light: A Novel of the Cathars In medieval France, heretics protect an ancient scroll that holds shattering revelations about the Roman Church. Swept up by the Albigensian Crusade, a charismatic noblewoman defies a powerful pope and champions her persecuted Cathar faith in this epic of religious intrigue, troubadour valor, and star-crossed love.* Foreword Magazine Book-of-the-Year Finalist/Honorable Mention Winner for Historical Fiction* Nautilus Silver Award Winner* IPPY Silver Award Winner* NIEA Award Winner for Best New Fiction

The Spider and the Stone: A Novel of Scotland's Black Douglas
As the 14th century dawns, the brutal King Edward Longshanks of England schemes to steal Scotland. But a frail, dark-skinned boy named James Douglas, inspired by a headstrong lass from Fife, defies three Plantagenet kings and champions the cause of his wavering friend, Robert the Bruce, to lead the armies to the bloody field of Bannockburn. A thrilling historical saga of star-crossed love and heroic sacrifice during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
Chaucer Award First-Place Category Historical FictionForeword Magazine Book-of-the-Year Award FinalistindieBRAG Medallion Honoree

The Virgin of the Wind Rose: A Christopher Columbus Mystery-Thriller
While investigating the murder of an American missionary in Ethiopia, rookie State Department lawyer Jaqueline Quartermane stumbles upon the infamous Templar Word Square, an ancient Latin puzzle that has eluded scholars for centuries. To her horror, she soon discovers the palindrome has been embedded with a cryptographic time bomb. Separated by half a millennium, two global conspiracies dovetail in this historical mystery-thriller to expose the world's most explosive secret: The real identity and mission of Christopher Columbus.
Books & Benches Scéal Book of the Year FinalistindieBRAG Medallion Honoree
Author’s Inspiration
Readers are fascinated by how authors find the ideas for their historical novels. When I tell them my characters choose me, they assume I’m speaking metaphorically. I’m not.
Inspiration for my books often comes in dreams—not the usual mishmash of subconscious dross, but in lucid sleep visions that are vivid in color, rich in emotional feeling, and studded with symbols, names, and images. The experience is like having one’s brain downloaded with a compressed digital file that must be unzipped to decode its message.

The first time this happened, I had an intense dream of a robed woman walking toward me across the ruins of a mountain castle. I heard the word “crusade” chanted while around the woman’s feet sprouted dozens of crosses that shifted between possessing two and three horizontal beams. These crosses seemed to mark the location of forgotten graves. I was struck by their resemblance to the logo used by the American Lung Association in its modern crusade against tuberculosis. The woman, bathed in a lucent white radiance, beckoned me with outstretched arms and pleaded, “Peace, child, let the Light.”



This dream launched me into weeks of research. I learned that the triple cross was a watermark used by the medieval Cathars, a sect of pacifist healers. Although raised a Roman Catholic, I had never been told of the Albigensian Crusade, the 13th-century war of extermination sanctioned by the Church. As my investigation into these pacifist Christians deepened, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my mysterious muse had brought a warning for our own time, plagued as it is by religious intolerance and terror.
Months later, I was climbing the heights of Montsegur in the Ariege region of southwestern France. That desolate mount and its haunting castle ruins looked strikingly similar to the landscape in my dream. And that encounter would be only the first of many déjà vu experiences in Cathar country. The Fire and the Light: A Novel of the Cathars was the result of my quest. 

In another dream, I was a mounted knight caught in a death struggle along a stream with a black-robed hag who attacked me with a sickle. The scene then shifted to a celebratory photograph of seven knights standing around a seated monarch. Below this tableau, a caption appeared: “Americans Aid the King at Bannockburn.”
I wrote this down, even though it made no sense. If I had heard of the Battle of Bannockburn, its significance had long since been lost to my school days. And the caption under the photograph was particularly baffling. Robert the Bruce, after all, won his unlikely Scot victory against the English in 1314, nearly five hundred years before the United States was even an idea. 



Two months after that dream, I was in Scotland walking along the burn of Bannock with Stirling Castle looming in the distance. That stream looked similar to the one in my dream. I realized that I had been given another writing assignment. Eventually, I deciphered the meaning of the dream’s intimation that Americans aided King Robert at the battle. That experience led to The Spider and the Stone: A Novel of Scotland’s Black Douglas.

A few years later, I awoke from an extended dream that consisted of a single word repeated through the night: SATOR. My first thought was of the Japanese word for wisdom, Satori. Yet as I dug deeper into its etymology, I discovered the existence of an infamous magic word square, a Latin palindrome often called the SATOR Square. As I worked to solve its message that has eluded scholars for centuries, one clue after another led me to write my dual-period historical thriller, The Virgin of the Wind Rose: A Christopher Columbus Mystery-Thriller.



I’ve learned to pay careful attention to these inspirational dreams. Now, if only the muses would write the books, I’d have it easy. But, alas, that remains the toil of we mere mortals.


Links for purchase
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Kobo
iTunes 


About the author

Glen Craney is a novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. He holds graduate degrees from Indiana University School of Law and Columbia University School of Journalism. He practiced trial law before joining the Washington, D.C. press corps to cover national politics and the Iran-contra trial for Congressional Quarterly magazine. The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences awarded him the Nicholl Fellowship prize for best new screenwriting. He is also a three-time indieBRAG Medallion Honoree, a Chaucer Award First-Place Winner, and a three-time Foreword Reviews Book-of-the-Year Award Finalist. His debut novel, The Fire and the Light, was recognized as Best New Fiction by the National Indie Excellence Awards. His books have taken readers to Occitania during the Albigensian Crusade, to the Scotland of Robert Bruce, to Portugal during the Age of Discovery, to the trenches of France during World War I, and to the American Hoovervilles of the Great Depression. He lives in southern California.
Useful Links
Author website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

#Newrelease ~ Child of the Kindred: The Rinefield Chronicles: Book 2 @Mtmagee1013M

Child of the Kindred(The Rinefield Chronicles: Book 2)ByM.T.Magee  
Their world is changing and a new era has begun. Princess Laurel finds her kingdom of Gwenlais, torn and shattered from a bloody siege. Her people now looking to her, to help them rise above the ruin and misery inflicted upon their once peaceful and sheltered realm. Laurel and her beloved Prince Caleb, must find a way to unite their kingdoms, as never before. The enemy from a distant land makes a bold and savage attempt, to thwart the unity of the two kingdoms of Gwenlais and Heathwin. The odds have never been greater against the realms or the two lovers that hold the kingdoms together. Will their people and their love survive all they have lost? Will new life rise from above the ruins?
The award winning epic historical fantasy saga continues. Enter the realm of Rinefield, where love, danger, adventure and romance awaits you.  

Links for Purchase
Amazon US
Amazon UK
About the author

My name is M.T.Magee I write bestselling YA Historical Medieval Fantasy that is beautifully romantic with whispers of Gaelic legend. On Mar. 31st The Treasure of Gwenlais received the 2015 Silver Medal Winner of Ireland's Drunken Druid Award Finalist for IAN Book of the Year Award 2016 for First Novel on Aug. 31st. On Sept.1st 2016 I received the Finalist Award for Readers' Favorite Book Awards Voted #1 On Listopia's Best Fantasy Romance (not urban).
I live in New England on our small farm with my husband and son. We raise an assortment of silly goats, quiet rabbits, far too many ducks and chickens, and a high strung Border Collie cross named Gronk.

King Arthur is awesome ~ he pulled a sword out of the stone after all! #Arthurian #kingarthur

“Whoso Pulleth Out This Sword of this Stone and Anvil,is Rightwise King Born of all England” Thomas Malory


What a romantic thought. No one can take the sword from the stone unless he is the rightful heir to the throne. It beats spending hours looking at a patent of nobility and then going to war if you don't agree with the outcome.
Arthur, the unlikely warrior, if Disney is to be believed, pulls the said sword from the stone. Yes!





Arthur is the King. Fantastic. But it gets better because Arthur is the best King in the history of Kings. He is the best King in the future of Kings. No on can be better him. This is it. He is it. Hazar!



 "What right do you have to the throne of England?"
"I pulled this sword out of a stone."
 "Oh, well, if that is the case..."

Arthur wasn't just a king. He was a king with a vision. Perhaps his vision was ahead of its time, or maybe it was before it. It is so confusing. He certainly wouldn't fit in nowadays, would he? Can you imagine…?

"Good man, I need a Round Table, a large one. And find me some Knights, the noble kind."
"The noble kind, Sire?"
"Yes. The kind who ride around the countryside and rescue maidens, battle dragons and do other noble things."
"Right, I'll just get on my bike then."
"You do that good man. I shall wait here in my castle that I have named Camelot."

Arthur believes in equality. He has a Round Table commissioned for goodness sake. He wants his knights to have a say in how the country is run. It is like parliament, only better, because the Knights are trying to outdo each other in chivalry. They all want to be seen as heroic and honourable. There is no corruption at Arthur's court. No backhanders. No claiming for expenses, unless it involves the Armourer because we all know how much he charges. Oh, and don't forget the livery of the horses, that comes to a pretty penny too. But apart from that...Oh hang on, we are forgetting about the Christmas parties ~ they need to be paid for. But perhaps we can get the Green Knight to pay for it this year. He did make a heck of a mess of the Hall last year with his ridiculous Beheading Game.



And so Arthur sat down with his knights. Life was perfect. There was no scandal, nothing for the Sun to get their hands on and put on the front page for everyone to read over their cup of tea at breakfast. Everyone is happy. The country is at peace. Those pesky Saxon's have been put in their place. Everything as Lego would say, "is awesome!"





Oh come on, this isn't much of a story.

Bring on the drama. Bring on the war.

Maybe Arthur's golden court is not that different after all. I mean Arthur's best friend ran off with his wife. That caused a bit of a scandal. And then there was the dramatic rescue were Lancelot rode into the courtyard like an avenging angel and rescued Guinevere from the pyre ~ as if Arthur was really going to let his wife go up in flames ~ Lancelot should have had more faith. And to make matters worse, while Arthur is away trying to restore his honour by going to war with Lancelot, his nephew, Mordred takes control of the kingdom.


Stop! Rewind back to the beginning....



That was the abbreviated and rather tongue-in-cheek version of King Arthur's life. It was the gilded version of Arthur's life. Let's be honest, the fictitious version of Arthur's life.

So how did this fantasy come about?
Arthur's story is so ingrained in the collective imagination of a nation that we believe what we are told. In fact when Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote his great work in the 12th Century, his every word was taken as fact. Well, when I say that, not by all. The 12th-century historian, William of Newburgh wrote.

"…It is quite clear that everything this man wrote about Arthur and his successors, or indeed about his predecessors from Vortigern onwards, was made up, partly by himself and partly by others…"


But for the most part, Newburgh was ignored. Our ancestors liked this version of events, and you know what, so do we, whether we like to admit it or not. Arthur wouldn't be the same without his Round Table and his Knights. We want Arthur to be this formidable warrior but also a genuinely nice person. He is the best. No, he is better than best, he is...I can't think of a word...ummm...He is just awesome!