Mary Anne Yarde's Blog: The Coffee Pot Book Club , page 206

#bookreview ~ The Rogue of Islay Isle #Highland #Romance @HMcCollumAuthor

The Rogue of Islay Isle
(Highland Isles Series)
By
Heather McCollum


Cullen Duffie, a Highland warrior and charming rogue, is the new chief of Clan MacDonald. Determined to prove he’s not his father, Cullen works to secure his clan against the English. When a woman washes onto Islay’s shores, Cullen protects her from his uncles’ schemes.
Waking up not knowing who she is or where she comes from, Madeleine is at the mercy of the man who found her. Unable to speak from the swelling around her throat from a rope tether, she learns as much as she can about the new world around her and the powerful, sword-wielding Highlander who has sworn to protect her.
Through dreams and flashes of her past, Madeleine begins to rebuild her memories. But the more she recalls about the horror she escaped, the more she realizes the jeopardy she is bringing to Islay, Clan MacDonald and the Highlander who has captured her heart.

What did I think of the book? 

How far would you go to save the woman you love?
Being the chief of Clan MacDonald brings with it prestige and great responsibility. Cullen Duffie feels like he is balancing on the edge of a sword as he tries to shoulder the responsibility of leadership. Not only that but there is a silent threat of war between England and France. If there is even a whisper of Clan MacDonald swearing allegiance to the French cause, then King Henry will not be forgiving.  The last thing Cullen wants is to be found harbouring a mysterious French woman who was washed up on the beach. But harbour her he must, for she is in desperate need of refuge and he can not, in good conscience, turn his back on her.
Oh, I did enjoy this book. The Rogue Of Islay is one of those books where you want to shut out the world, curl up under a blanket and just read!  Heather McCollum transported me back to 16th Century Scotland, and for a while, I was more than happy to stay there!
Madeleine "Rose" came across as a very strong heroine, despite all the terrible abuse that she has had to endure. She tries desperately hard to piece together her memories, even though she fears what she might discover about herself when she remembers. I thought her character was beautifully drawn and very real in the telling.
Likewise, Cullen was drawn with great skill. He has to do right by his clan, but he also has to do right by the woman that he has rescued. Cullen is honourable and not one to be swayed by persuasive arguments. It would have been very easy for him to abandon Rose, but he would never do something like that. So despite great opposition from his uncles, he stays steadfast in his decisions. He has promised Rose his protection, and that is the end of the matter.
The romance between Rose and Cullen was tender at times, passionate at others. Their love story is wonderful to read about and, more importantly, convincing!
The plot really speeds up so much towards the end of the book that it was simply unputadownable.
If you are looking for your next Highland Romance, then look no further than The Rogue Of Islay by Heather McCollum. You won't be disappointed.
I Highly Recommend.
Available for Pre-order
Amazon US
Amazon UK
About the author


Heather McCollum is an award winning, historical and contemporary YA paranormal romance writer. She earned her B.A. in Biology from the University of Maine, much to her English professor's dismay. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and was a 2009 Golden Heart Finalist. Ms. McCollum has four full length historical, paranormal romances released in both electronic and digital formats. She also has one short novella released in electronic format.

When she is not busy writing and answering calls of "Mom", she can be found educating women about ovarian cancer. She is a teal warrior herself and just finished slaying the ovarian cancer beast.

She currently resides with her very own Highland hero and three spirited children in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast.

More information about Ms. McCollum and her books can be found at www.HeatherMcCollum.com

#newrelease ~ The Shadow Queen #Historical #histfic @anne_obrien

Today I am delighted to announce the release of…The Shadow Queen The Shadow Queen is the story of Joan of Kent, a tale of treachery, power-hungry families and legal subterfuges, in which Joan, a woman of considerable charm and beauty, played a central role at the Plantagenet Court.‘What would enhance the pattern of my life further? One word slid into my mind. A seductive word. A dangerous word, perhaps, for a woman. Power.’From her first clandestine marriage Joan of Kent’s reputation was one of scandal and rumour.  Her royal blood made her a desirable bride, but her ambition and passion could become a threat to the stability of the Plantagenet dynasty.Joan knew what she must do to survive, the political games to play, the alliances she must make, even if one man will always own her heart.  But would her ambitions bring her happiness?A dramatic story of love and loyalty and of the cost of personal ambition, this is the story  of the woman who would ultimately seek power as the mother to the ten year old King Richard II, from the shadows of the throne.

The Shadow Queen breathes life back into this remarkable medieval woman, Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent of Kent.


Links for PurchaseOn sale in Waterstones, WHS and all good bookshops a well as on Amazon
About the author


Anne O’Brien was born in West  Yorkshire. After gaining a BA Honours degree in History at Manchester University and a Master’s in Education at Hull, she lived in East Yorkshire for many years as a teacher of history.She now lives with her husband in an eighteenth-century timber-framed cottage in the depths of the Welsh Marches in Herefordshire, on the borders between England and Wales, where she writes historical novels.  The perfect place in which to bring medieval women back to life.
Visit me.Website: https://www.anneobrien.co.ukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/anneobrienbo... @anne_obrien

#bookreview ~ Mer-Charmer (World of Aluvia #2) #YA #Fantasy @AmyBearce

Mer-Charmer(World of Aluvia Book 2)By Amy Bearce



Fourteen-year-old Phoebe Quinn is surrounded by magic, but she can’t muster any of her own. Her sister is a fairy keeper. Her best friends are merfolk. And all she does is dishes and housework.

When Phoebe finds out a terrible sea creature is awakening that preys upon the peace-loving merfolk, she becomes determined to help them, even though it means going with Tristan and Mina to their home deep in the sea.

Beneath the waves, Phoebe learns she’s more like her sister than she realized. The merfolk are drawn to her, and she can sense the magic of the sea all around her. Magic is finally at her fingertips, but that’s precisely why the stirring dark power under the waters decides it wants her most of all.

Now she must not only help the peaceful merfolk escape this ancient enemy, she must master her out-of-control powers. If she fails, she will die and darkness will rise and enslave the merfolk once more. But embracing her full power could cost her the very people she loves the most. 
What did I think of the book?
Sometimes you just need to pretend to be brave…
Time heals, it is said, but four years on after her escape from the clutches of the evil Brentwood, Phoebe is still experiencing flashbacks which grip her in a blinding terror. The only place Phoebe feels at home is in the sea with her beloved friends, Tristan and Mina.
But this is no ordinary friendship for Tristan and Mina are merfolk. Magic is everywhere, but Phoebe feels like an outsider, for she does not possess any magic. The only thing she knows is that merfolk are drawn to her, as is an ancient evil that is awakening in the Abyss of the ocean. This evil threatens the lives of those she loves the most. What she does not realise is that magic does indeed flow through her veins and if she wants the merfolk to survive, she must embrace that magic, fight her fears, and help them.
Wow! What a wonderful journey Amy Bearce has taken me on. Bearce knows how to make characters jump off the page, but not only that she makes them very human. When bad things happen it affects her protagonists, they don't just brush themselves off and get on with it, they suffer, which makes them so real in the telling. Phoebe's development through this book was wondrous to behold. She went from a child who had been locked up and beaten, to this incredibly strong young woman who would do absolutely anything to keep her friends safe, even if that meant sacrificing herself. I really liked her.
The attention to detail has to be commended. Bearce's magical world not only came alive but it breathed. I was completely drawn into the story and the world. It is fantastic escapism.
There is a tender love story throughout this story, which pulled at my heartstrings. Phoebe is so terrified that Tristan only likes her because, like all merfolk, he is drawn to her. What she doesn't realise is that Tristan affections are so much deeper than the strength of her magic. She just needs to have the courage to trust her heart.
This is a fabulous story and one I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. For those who love magical creatures and an alternative world, then this book ticks all the boxes. I loved it.
I Highly Recommend
Links for Purchase
Amazon US
Amazon UK About the author
Amy Bearce writes fantasy stories for tweens and teens. Her debut, FAIRY KEEPER, is an upper-middle grade fantasy and is the first book in the World of Aluvia series. MER-CHARMER (World of Aluvia, Book Two) released May 9, 2016. Book Three, Dragon Redeemer, is scheduled for release May 23, 2017. She is a former reading teacher who now has her Masters in Library Science. As an Army kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they’re raising two daughters and are currently living in Germany, though they'll be heading home to Texas this summer.

Author’s Inspiration – Paul Bennett #HistFic #Historical @hooverbkreview

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome Historical Fiction author, Paul Bennett onto the blog to talk about his inspirations behind his latest book…
Clash of EmpiresA Novel of the French Indian War (The Mallory Saga Book 1)

 In 1756, Britain and France are on a collision course for control of the North American continent that will turn into what can be described as the 1st world war, known as The Seven Year’s War in Europe and The French and Indian War in the colonies. The Mallory family uproots from eastern PA and moves to the western frontier and find themselves in the middle of the war. It is the story of three siblings, Daniel, Liam and Liza and their involvement in the conflict and the emotional trauma they endure. The story focuses on historical events, such as, the two expeditions to seize Fort Duquesne from the French and the fighting around Forts Carillon and William Henry and includes the historical characters George Washington, Generals Braddock, Forbes and Amherst. The book also includes the event known as Pontiac’s Rebellion in which the protagonists play important roles. Clash of Empires is an exciting look at the precursor to the events of July 1776; events that will be chronicled in the second book as I follow the exploits and fate of the Mallory clan. “Clash of Empires swept me along into a brutal frontier war of honor and vengeance… ”  Rob Hagar Bayliss – author of The Sun Shard and The Dead Gods “Bennett shows understanding and sympathy for a disappearing world in this tale of war-torn frontier America…” SJA Turney – author of the Marius Mules series, The Ottoman Cycle and Tales of the Empire
“A storming triumph – war, love, honor, betrayal and loss, Clash of Empires has it all”! C.R. May – author of Sorrow Hill, Nemesis and Fire & Steel
Author’s InspirationThe inspiration to write was, in the beginning, merely to see if I could do it.  I had written short pieces over the years but to tackle a full blown novel was a daunting prospect.  Once the seed was planted I came up with a rough idea of telling the story of three siblings living somewhere in colonial America.  Choosing that general locale was a natural fit for me as I’ve been a lifelong student of American history and I felt that if I was going to write a historical fiction novel, it might be prudent to choose a subject I knew a little about. I picked The French and Indian War as the starting point for what was now becoming a possible series of books that would follow the Mallory clan through the years.  That war intrigued me and I saw a chance to tell the story through the eyes of the Mallory family.  It also provided me with the opportunity to tell the plight of the Native Americans caught up in this conflict.  The French and Indian War paved the way for the colonies to push further west into the Ohio River area.  It also set the stage for the events of the 1770’s.  Britain incurred a huge debt winning that war and looked to the colonies for reimbursement in the form of new taxes and tariffs.  Well, we all know how those ungrateful colonists responded.  An inspiration for the last couple of chapters in Clash came about because I grew up in Detroit, MI. the site of Pontiac’s Rebellion.  When France lost, the tribes that sided with them found themselves under the thumb of the British, a situation that became intolerable due to the harsh methods of Jeffrey Amherst.  A coalition of tribes arose under the Ottawa chief Pontiac so even though the war was over, conflict continued.  That was too good a setting to ignore so I made sure my protagonists were part of the action.As to the name Mallory – I have a photo hanging on my living room wall of my great grandfather, Harry Mallory.  I got to know him when I was a young boy and was always glad when we visited him.  He lived a good portion of his life in western Pennsylvania which is where much of Clash of Empires takes place.  So, as a gesture to my forebears, Mallory became the name of the family.  Now that Clash is complete I am at work on the second book in the series, Sundering of Empire – Dissension.  This one will cover the years 1767-1776.  The third book will cover the war years and the making of a government.  I’m also working on a set of three short stories; one each for the three siblings that give a little more insight into their characters.  The stories are interconnected and cover the 3 days following Liza and Henry’s wedding.A word of thanks for encouraging me to do the deed must go out to the many friends I have come to know via the Net; among them, but certainly not all, Simon Turney, Martin Lake and Gordon Doherty were unbelievably helpful in the creation of Clash.  Also, I cannot thank my editor, Marguerite Walker II, enough for her hard work in making me a better writer.
Links for PurchaseAmazon USAmazon UKB&NKobo
Paul’s education was of the public variety and when he reached Junior High he discovered that his future did not include the fields of mathematics or science.  This was generally the case throughout his years in school as he focused more on his interest in history; not just the rote version of names and dates but the causes.Paul studied Classical Civilization at Wayne State University with a smattering of Physical Anthropology thrown in for good measure.  Logically, of course, Paul spent the next four decades drawing upon that vast store of knowledge working in large, multi-platform data centers, and is considered in the industry as a bona fide IBM Mainframe dinosaur heading for extinction.  Paul currently resides in the quaint New England town of Salem, Massachusetts with his wife, Daryl.  The three children have all grown, in the process turning Paul’s beard gray, and have now provided four grandchildren; the author is now going bald. 
You can find Paul:Facebook TwitterEmail: mallorysaga@gmail.com

The Current: A Battle of Seduction ~ #Free on #Kindle #Romance #Viking @sarahdahl13

Hey, I have great news, The Current: A Battle of Seduction is #free on #Kindle. Scroll down and be in with a chance to win some great Viking Glass Beads. Don't miss out...
The Current: A Battle of Seduction (A Tales of Freya short story)

 
The "Tales of Freya" is a collection of sensual short stories set in the Viking age –and it opens with "The Current – A Battle of Seduction"!
Viking warrior Aldaith meets his real match only after the battle:
Marked from the latest battle, Aldaith wants to recover by a stream. But instead of finding solitude, he stumbles on the fearless shield maiden Nyssa. The fierce beauty invites Aldaith into the water to engage in a very different kind of battle -- one for which his training leaves him unprepared.
"Sarah Dahl brings a crisp, contemporary voice to an ages-old world of battle, bloodshed and primal indulgences. Her refreshing style not only draws the reader back into ancient times; it brings the characters to us, allowing us to meet in the middle for a vibrant and accessible experience.From two ravaged warriors reaping the spoils of war to the sensuality of a medieval menage, Ms. Dahl has a way of making scars sexy and luring out the vulnerability in the invulnerable." J.D. Lexx, author of The Crimson Confessions
"With her unique writing style and in-depth knowledge of this bygone era, she brings the world of clashing swords, dashing warriors, and strong, independent shield maidens to life.Brutality turns into sensuality in an instant, leaving the reader satisfied, yet craving more. Her writing is addictive, and every story in this brand new and exciting series is sure to thrill and delight."Elaine Coetzee, author of Runo's Curse
"A clever concept, focusing not on the chieftains and knights, but the very people battling to love and survive. Very naughty in concept, steam and steel meet in harmony in the imagination." Chris Cherry, author of the Bestselling Love and War novels

Links for Purchase
FREE on all platforms
Pronoun (for all major retailers)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Giveaway  
If you, too, are fascinated by the ages-old beauty of the historic Viking glass beads and how they are brought back to shiny new life, and if you liked the story (and my story “The Current” ;-)) attached to this this special bead I'm giving away, all you have to do is go to my giveaway on my Sarah Dahl-Facebook page.
Enter here
AND: Everyone on my Book Alert mailing list (see link below) receives a second entry from me, as a thank-you for your trust!
Please have fun, and I have fingers and toes crossed for you that soon this fascinating little Viking gem will grace your own jewellery, or otherwise will conjure up images of Vikings and the ancient times – maybe even the Vikings I invented for your entertainment.
About the author  Sarah Dahl lives on the edge of the rural German Eifel and writes historical fiction (novels and short stories) primarily set in the Viking age. She also works as an editor, translates, and coaches new writers in German and English. She is interested in everyday life in bygone centuries and the human stories that may have occurred behind the hard, historical facts. Her author page is: sarah-dahl.com
Useful Links Author homepage and blog Mailing list Book Alert FacebookTwitter Publisher Pronoun  Goodreads Amazon.com author page Amazon.co.uk author page

The Current – A Battle of Seduction Publication date: April 24, 2017Published by: PronounSeries: Tales of FreyaGenre: Historical fiction

Ambrosius: Last of The Romans ~ #Arthurian #Histfic @timwalker1666

Great News, Arthurian Historical Fiction author, Tim Walker, has just announced that his books are now available in both ebook and paperback!!



Abandoned!(A Light In The Dark Ages Book 1)
Britannia lies shocked and exposed by the sudden departure of the Roman legions in the year 410. A hero arises - Marcus Aquilius - to protect the town of Calleva from an invading Saxon army. The townsfolk must decide if their town and way of life is worth fighting for, or if they should flee to the forest and revert to a tribal lifestyle. Marcus knows he must embrace change and makes his own personal journey to emerge as Marcus Pendragon.
Ambrosius: Last of the Romans(A Light In The Dark Ages Book 2) 
Britannia lies open to barbarian invasions as it slowly adjusts to life after Roman rule. Cruel high king Vortigern has seized control and chosen to employ Saxons in his mercenary army. But who is the master and who the puppet?

Enter Ambrosius Aurelianus, a Roman tribune on a secret mission to Britannia. He is returning to the land where, as a child, he witnessed the murder of his noble father and grew up under the watchful eyes of an adoptive family in the town of Calleva Atrebatum. He is thrown into the politics of the time, as tribal chiefs eye each other with suspicion whilst kept at heel by the high king.

Ambrosius finds that the influence of Rome is fast becoming a distant memory, as Britannia reverts to its Celtic tribal roots. He joins forces with his adoptive brother, Uther Pendragon, and they are guided by their shrewd father, Marcus, as he senses his destiny is to lead the Britons to a more secure future.

Ambrosius: Last of the Romans is an historical fiction novel set in the early Dark Ages, a time of myths and legends that builds to the greatest legend of all – King Arthur and his knights

Links for PurchaseAbandoned!(A Light In The Dark Ages Book 1)  Amazon
Ambrosius: Last of the Romans(A Light In The Dark Ages Book 2)  Amazon
About the author  
Tim Walker is an independent multi-genre author based near Windsor, in the UK. This book, Ambrosius: Last of the Romans, is part two in a three-part historical fiction series under the series title, A Light in the Dark Ages. Part one, Abandoned!is available from Amazon, with part three, Uther’s Destiny, soon to follow.
He has also written and published a children’s book, The Adventures of Charly Holmes, co-authored with his daughter, Cathy; a book of short stories, Thames Valley Tales, and a dystopian thriller, Devil Gate Dawn.Useful LinksWebsiteAmazon Author PageFacebook Twitter

Author’s Inspiration ~ Henry (Book #3 Of The Tudor Trilogy) #HistFic #Tudors @tonyriches

  It is with the greatest of pleasures that I welcome the International Bestselling author, Tony Riches, back onto the blog to tell us all about the inspiration behind his latest book… Henry
(Book Three of The Tudor Trilogy) 

The final book in the best-selling historical fiction Tudor Trilogy, this is the story, based on actual events, of Henry Tudor, who changes the history of England forever.
Bosworth 1485:
After victory against King Richard III, Henry Tudor becomes King of England. Rebels and pretenders plot to seize his throne. The barons resent his plans to curb their power and he wonders who he can trust. He hopes to unite Lancaster and York through marriage to the beautiful Elizabeth of York.
With help from his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, he learns to keep a fragile peace. He chooses a Spanish Princess, Catherine of Aragon, as a wife for his son Prince Arthur. His daughters will marry the King of Scotland and the son of the Emperor of Rome. It seems his prayers are answered, then disaster strikes and Henry must ensure the future of the Tudors.



Author’s Inspirations 

I was born in the sleepy Welsh town of Pembroke and have always been fascinated with the life of King Henry VII, the first Tudor king, who was born in Pembroke Castle in 1457.
There were plenty of non-fiction books about Henry but I realised there were no novels offering a full account of his life – and I began what became over four years of detailed research.
My travels took me down the ‘secret’ tunnels deep under the streets of Tenby, from where Henry escaped the Yorkists. I also followed him to Vannes and found the chateau deep in the wilds of Brittany where he spent many years in exile.
Château de Largoët I visited the desolate cove of Mill Bay, where Henry landed with his surprisingly small army to take on the might of King Richard III – and the impressive re-enactment of the Battle of Bosworth Field.
  Mill Bay
Bosworth 2016
I’d soon collected far too much material for one book, and decided to write it as a trilogy, with Henry being born in the first book, ‘coming of age’ I the second and becoming King of England in the third.
I’m pleased to say the trilogy has become an international best seller, topping the Amazon charts in the US and Australia, as well as the UK. I’m now looking forward to June 10th, when a life-sized bronze statue of Henry is being unveiled outside Pembroke Castle, to ensure he will never be forgotten.


Although the Tudor Trilogy is now complete, I’m continuing to write about the next generation - Henry’s youngest daughter Mary Tudor. Other authors have not always taken the trouble to ensure accuracy regarding Mary’s life (in the TV series The Tudors she is called Margaret and married to the wrong king!) so I’m determined to make this new book the definitive account.
Tony RichesPembrokeshire Wales.

Links for PurchaseAmazon UK  Amazon US 

About the author 

Tony Riches is a full time author of best-selling historical fiction. He lives in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the fifteenth century, with a particular interest in the Wars of the Roses and the lives of the early Tudors. For more information about Tony’s other books please visit his website tonyriches.com and his popular blog, The Writing Desk and find him on Facebook and Twitter @tonyriches.

#bookreview~ The Shadow Queen #Historical #histfic @anne_obrien

The Shadow Queen

by

Anne O'Brien  The Shadow Queen is the story of Joan of Kent, a tale of treachery, power-hungry families and legal subterfuges, in which Joan, a woman of considerable charm and beauty, played a central role at the Plantagenet Court.‘What would enhance the pattern of my life further? One word slid into my mind. A seductive word. A dangerous word, perhaps, for a woman. Power.’From her first clandestine marriage Joan of Kent’s reputation was one of scandal and rumour.  Her royal blood made her a desirable bride, but her ambition and passion could become a threat to the stability of the Plantagenet dynasty.Joan knew what she must do to survive, the political games to play, the alliances she must make, even if one man will always own her heart.  But would her ambitions bring her happiness?A dramatic story of love and loyalty and of the cost of personal ambition, this is the story  of the woman who would ultimately seek power as the mother to the ten year old King Richard II, from the shadows of the throne.

The Shadow Queen breathes life back into this remarkable medieval woman, Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent of Kent.


What did I think of the Book?


From the opulence and grandeur of court life to the damp and crumbling manor of the Holand estate, journey back in time to the reign of Edward III and see things through the fresh and young eyes of Joan, The Fair Maid of Kent.
Joan of Kent can want for nothing. With a proud lineage, this Plantagenet princess can look forward to a bright future. Wealth, respectability, jewels, land, power, and position, are all hers for the taking. Joan knows what is expected of her. She is to marry well.
Joan's mother, Margaret Wake, 3rd Baroness Wake of Liddell, brings her the most wonderful news. Joan is to be given in matrimony to her childhood friend, William Montacute, the son of the first Earl of Salisbury. This marriage has every advantage and comes with the King's approval. But there is a problem, for Joan is already married to someone who did not look at her and count how much money she would bring to the wedding bed. Instead, she married a man who loved her. She just didn't tell anyone about the wedding! Her husband, Thomas Holland, is away fighting for the King and Joan finds herself in a precarious position. She has no allies to turn to in the face of her mother's ambition. Joan will marry William Montacute, even if it is the last thing she ever does.
Anne O' Brien brings us another captivating story of seduction, scandal, and the most heart-breaking tale of a woman who dared to go against convention and instead, followed her heart. The Shadow Queen was so vivid in its detail that I found myself completely immersed in the story. Time ticked on and yet I didn't notice as each turn of the page brought more drama, more heartache, and a desperate hope that this protagonist, this brave and courageous young woman, would find happiness.
The Shadow Queen is told in the first person, from Joan's perspective. Joan really struggles with who she is, and it was a joy to watch her mature. Her relationship with Ned was portrayed as the pinnacle moment of her life, not just because Ned was who he was, but because this was a real grown-up relationship for her. It came with problems, but they loved each other. Joan sometimes came across as incredibly self-serving, but she really blossomed as a character when she married Ned.
I have to say I was deeply moved by the portrayal of Edward, 'Ned,' The Black Prince of Wales.  He was so real in the telling that despite knowing beforehand how his life was to be cut cruelly short, this story, the way O’Brien portrayed him, made me wish for an alternative ending. I didn’t want him to die.
The Shadow Queen is not just a great work of literature; it is more than that, it shows the courage that these remarkable women had. We have all heard about how brave these noblemen were, but the stories of their wives are even more compelling. They all lost so many loved ones in a time where plague and war were rampant. How terrible it must have been for these women who waited patiently at home, hoping never to hear that their husband had died in battle. Such thoughts bring tears to my eyes even now. Life was precarious; there was simply not the time for wasted moments. Their stories—Joan's story—certainly deserves to be told. The Shadow Queen has left a lasting impression on me.
I Highly Recommend.    
  I received an ARC of this book from the Publishers, via NetGalley, for review consideration.
 Links for Purchase
Publication date: 4th May 2017 Pre-order
 Amazon UK
About the author


Anne O’Brien was born in West  Yorkshire. After gaining a BA Honours degree in History at Manchester University and a Master’s in Education at Hull, she lived in East Yorkshire for many years as a teacher of history.She now lives with her husband in an eighteenth-century timber-framed cottage in the depths of the Welsh Marches in Herefordshire, on the borders between England and Wales, where she writes historical novels.  The perfect place in which to bring medieval women back to life.
Visit me.Website: https://www.anneobrien.co.ukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/anneobrienbo... @anne_obrien

Author’s Inspiration #BlogTour #giveaway ~ The Varangian #HistFic

Blog Tour ~ Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tour Presents...
 
The Varangian
By Bruce MacBain


The third volume of Odd Tangle-Hair’s Saga finds our hero in Golden Miklagard (Constantinople), posing as an ambassador from the Grand Prince of Rus. But his real mission is to assassinate his former master, Harald the Ruthless, who has now risen high in the Emperor’s Varangian Guard. Odd is dazzled by the brilliance of the Byzantine capital and its beating heart–the Great Palace, with the astonishing Throne of Solomon that levitates above the heads of kneeling courtiers.
Here, Odd will meet Constantine Psellus, an ambitious young bureaucrat who mentors him in the ways of the court. He will be drawn into an intrigue that involves the Empress Zoe, who spends her days brewing vats of perfume, and John the Guardian of Orphans, the powerful and sinister eunuch who schemes to advance his family. And Odd will fall in love with Selene, an alchemist’s daughter, who supports herself by gambling in the waterfront taverns.
Finally, after a hard-fought campaign against the Saracens in Sicily and the overthrow of an Emperor, Odd reaches the pinnacle of power and believes he has vanquished his enemy Harald once and for all.Then disaster overwhelms him.
                                                                
Praise for The Varangian
“Thoroughly effective at explaining the intriguing and highly complex circumstances of the time period, Macbain’s (The Ice Queen, 2015, etc.) book shines in a way that only historical fiction can. Who needs King Jon Snow in Game of Thrones when one can get a glimpse of the historically real and undeniably sinister John the Guardian of Orphans? Even the most terrifying dragon pales in comparison to the sheer horror of a society so comfortable with castration. As the story ventures outside of Constantinople, the reader is treated to a plot that can only be described as epic … a highly entertaining Viking adventure.” – Kirkus Reviews
“This is the third and final of Macbain’s Odd Tangle-Hair novels. All three have been spellbinding in their storytelling, though this one may be the best. Odd’s journey takes us around the Mediterranean and eastern European world, and all the way north back to Iceland. The characters are wonderful, the story intriguing, the combat real but never superfluous, and Odd makes for the perfect protagonist. Highly recommended.” – Historical Novel Society
“Written by a historian with deep understanding of the cultures, peoples, and languages of this world, The Varangian speaks with an authoritative and compelling voice that can equally present naval battles decided by Greek Fire and court intrigue culminating in advancement to lucrative rank or in mutilation and blinding. This is a masterfully written and suspenseful tale that weaves fictional characters into the dramatic story of eleventh-century Byzantium and ambitious women and men, some home grown and some drawn from afar, who aimed to profit from an empire of legendary wealth and splendor.” – Emily Albu, Professor of Medieval and Byzantine Studies, UC, Davis
“The Varangian is the third and final volume of Bruce Macbain’s Odd Tangle-Hair’s Saga, and like the first two entries, it is as compelling and wild a ride as historical fiction offers. Macbain brilliantly weaves in his vast knowledge of 11th century Viking and Byzantine life with a great storyteller’s ability to drive the plot forward, a plot filled with intrigue, violence, betrayal, and lust.” – Barton Kunstler, author of The Hothouse Effect
“Detailed and vivid writing.” -Albert Noyer, author of the Getorius and Arcadia Mysteries


Author’s Inspiration
  I was trained as a Classicist, my first two novels are set in ancient Rome, I love the Mediterranean, I hate ice and snow and suffer through Boston winters with gritted teeth. How then do I happen to be writing about Viking Age Scandinavia?
It all goes back to Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur, that wonderful comic strip written and drawn by Hal Foster from 1937 until the mid-1970’s.
On any Sunday morning of my youth you would have found me lying on the living room rug with the comic section of the New York Journal American spread open before me. It must have been a dozen pages thick, or so it seems to me now. Those of you too young to remember the golden age of comics have no idea what you’re missing. Let me just recite the names. Flash Gordon, Tarzan, The Phantom, Terry and the Pirates, Blondie, Lil’ Abner, Dick Tracy, Joe Palooka, Barney Google, Smokey Stover…and I could go on, but a tear is coming to my eye. What a loss that we don’t have these anymore, or anything to compare with them!
Above them all, though, was Prince Valiant. He had a page boy haircut, smooth cheeks, an ageless face; he lived in Ultima Thule with his blond wife, Queen Aleta, and a whole cast of Vikings and Arthurian knights. He fought barbarians, and occasionally dragons (though these appeared less often as the strip aged). Yes, it was all silly—but the art work! Foster was an amazing draughtsman. No one could render castles or misty vistas or storms at sea or swirling battle scenes the way he could in those big panel illustrations. You could (and I did) spend long minutes studying every small detail of them, drawn into the world he created.



I never met him but my father once did and got from him an autographed drawing, which I reproduce here. I’ve had it for sixty-some years and it now hangs on the wall above my computer monitor. I look at it often as I create my own Vikings, my own Ultima Thule.



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Giveaway

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  About the author

Bruce Macbain holds degrees in Classics and Ancient History and was formerly an Assistant Professor of Classics at Boston University. He decided to stop writing scholarly articles (which almost no one read) and turn his expertise to fiction—a much more congenial medium. His previous novels include two mysteries set in ancient Rome (Roman Games, The Bull Slayer) and the first two novels in the Odd Tangle-Hair series (Odin’s Child, The Ice Queen).For more information, please visit Bruce MacBain’s website. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Goodreads.




The Varangian by Bruce MacBainPublication Date: November 29,2016
Blank Slate Press
eBook & Print; 341 PagesSeries: Odd Tangle-Hair Saga, Book Three
Genre: Historical Fiction

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