Mary Anne Yarde's Blog: The Coffee Pot Book Club , page 57
November 5, 2020
Welcome to Day #4 of the blog tour for Anke: The Beginning by Anas Hamshari and Caroline Snodgress #HistoricalFiction #ShortStories #CoffeePotBookClub @ExoticReads @loup_dargent
Anke: The Beginning
By Anas Hamshari and Caroline Snodgress
October 15th – December 17th 2020
Publication Date: September 16th 2020
Publisher: Exotic Reads
Page Length: 111 eBook / 170 paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction
Living in the city of Mechelen, just south of once-prosperous Antwerp, in the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War, Anke Verhaegen, an ambitious nineteen-year-old, is determined to make the most of her life.
When her brother Johan suggests crossing the Atlantic to New Netherland, Anke knows this is her destiny. Together, the two set about attempting to secure passage across the sea.
Before long, their plans are in motion, and hopes are high. Yet, with vengeful enemies, secrecy, and danger on the high sea waiting to be faced, will Anke really be able to secure a better life for herself?
Today we are over on LoupDargent.info for a guest post about the seventeenth century in Northern and Western Europe!
Click HERE!
Welcome to Day #3 of the blog tour for Bright Helm (The Byrhtnoth Chronicles: Book 4) by Christine Hancock #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @YoungByrhtnoth @authorrochelle
BRIGHT HELM(THE BYRHTNOTH CHRONICLES: BOOK 4)BY CHRISTINE HANCOCK
OCTOBER 22ND – 24TH DECEMBER 2020AMAZON UK • AMAZON US
Separated by anger and unanswered questions, Byrhtnoth and Saewynn are brought together by a tragic death.
Re-united, they set out on an epic voyage to discover the final truth about his father.
The journey takes them far to the north, to Orkney, swathed in the mists of treachery, and to Dublin’s slave markets where Byrhtnoth faces a fateful decision.
How far will he go, to save those he cares for?
Head over to The Historical Fiction Blog where ,Christine Hancock is talking about how the Orkney Island’s inspired her fabulous
Click HERE!
November 4, 2020
Welcome to Day #5 of the blog tour for A Feigned Madness by Tonya Mitchell #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @tremmitchell @ElizStJohn @JennyKnipfer
A Feigned Madness
By Tonya Mitchell
October 6th — December 8th 2020
Publication Date: 6th October 2020Publisher: Cynren Press
Print Length: 392 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller
The insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island is a human rat trap. It is easy to get in, but once there it is impossible to get out. —Nellie Bly
Elizabeth Cochrane has a secret.
She isn’t the madwoman with amnesia the doctors and inmates at Blackwell’s Asylum think she is.
In truth, she’s working undercover for the New York World. When the managing editor refuses to hire her because she’s a woman, Elizabeth strikes a deal: in exchange for a job, she’ll impersonate a lunatic to expose a local asylum’s abuses.
When she arrives at the asylum, Elizabeth realizes she must make a decision—is she there merely to bear witness, or to intervene on behalf of the abused inmates? Can she interfere without blowing her cover? As the superintendent of the asylum grows increasingly suspicious, Elizabeth knows her scheme—and her dream of becoming a journalist in New York—is in jeopardy.
A Feigned Madness is a meticulously researched, fictionalized account of the woman who would come to be known as daredevil reporter Nellie Bly. At a time of cutthroat journalism, when newspapers battled for readers at any cost, Bly emerged as one of the first to break through the gender barrier—a woman who would, through her daring exploits, forge a trail for women fighting for their place in the world.
We are visiting two fabulous blogs today. Our first stop is over on Elizabeth St.Johns Official Blog for an exclusive interview with Tonya.
Click HERE!
We are also stopping over on Jenny Knipfer's Official Blog for a fabulous review.
Click HERE!
Welcome to Day #2 of the blog tour for - Three Monkeys (DCI Jack Callum Mysteries Book 1) by Len Maynard #HistoricalFiction #Crime @len_maynard @authorrochelle
Three Monkeys(DCI JACK CALLUM MYSTERIES BOOK 1)BY LEN MAYNARD
OCTOBER 28TH – DECEMBER 30TH 2020AMAZON UK • AMAZON USPublication Date: 22nd July 2020
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Page Length: 270 Pages
Genre: Historical Crime
1958.
A girl’s body is found in Hertfordshire.
Her eyes and mouth have been sewn shut. Candle wax has been poured into her ears to seal them.
DCI Jack Callum, policeman and dedicated family man, who cut his teeth walking the beat on the violent streets of London, before moving his family away from the city, to a safer, more restful life in the country, leads the investigation into this gruesome crime that shatters the peace of the sleepy English town.
Images of three monkeys are sent to the police to taunt them: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Something more sinister than a mere isolated murder seems to be going on as more victims come to light.
Who is doing this and why?
At the insistence of the first victim’s father, a local dignitary, officers from Scotland Yard are brought in to bring about a speedy conclusion to the case, side-lining Jack’s own investigation.
In a nail-biting climax, one of Jack’s daughters is snatched. Before she can become the next victim, Jack has to go against the orders of his superiors that have constantly hampered his investigation, and risk his own career in an attempted rescue at the killer’s own home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Len Maynard was born in North London in 1953.
In 1978, a book of short ghost stories, written in collaboration with Michael Sims, was published by London publisher William Kimber. For the following forty years the pair wrote ten more collections of ghost stories before moving into novels in 2006, completing over thirty more books, including the successful Department 18 series of supernatural/crime crossover novels as well as several standalone novels and novellas in the supernatural and crime genres. Always a keen reader of crime novels, and with a passion for the social history of the twentieth century it was fairly inevitable that, when he decided to branch out and write under his own name, some kind of combination of these two interests would occur. The six DCI Jack Callum Mysteries were the result of several years of total immersion in the world he created for Jack Callum, his family, his friends (and enemies) and his work colleagues. He has also written a trilogy of adventure thrillers set in the Bahamas (also available from Sharpe Books) He is currently at work on the seventh book in the DCI Jack Callum series.
Today we are over on the Historical Fiction Blog for a book spotlight!
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Welcome to Day #4 of the virtual blog tour for The Brittle Sea by Tom Kane #HistoricalFiction #TheBrittleSea #Titanic @TigerBites @CraftygasheadZo
THE BRITTLE SEABY TOM KANE
OCTOBER 14TH – DECEMBER 16TH 2020AMAZON (KINDLE) • AMAZON (PAPERBACK) Publication Date: 19th June 2020
Publisher: TigerBites
Print Length: 295 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Titanic disaster is the catalyst that sparks a bloody feud between two families in early 20th century America.
Magda Asparov is travelling from her home in the Ukraine to be the chosen bride of American businessman Matthew Turner III. But the ill-fated voyage of the unsinkable ship has far reaching consequences for her and her savior.
Magda has lost her memory and a new personality, Maggie, has taken hold. The Captain of her rescue ship, Richard Blackmore, has fallen for Maggie.
A mental illness, betrayal, murder, and corruption destroy Blackmore's life until all that remains is for him to seek revenge.
Today we're stopping over on Zoe's Art, Craft and Life for a sneak-peak between the pages of The Brittle Sea.
Click HERE!
November 3, 2020
Have a sneak-peek between the pages of Vivienne Brereton's fabulous book — The House of the Red Duke (A Phoenix Rising Book #1) #HistoricalFiction #Tudors @VivienneBreret1
The House of the Red DukeA Phoenix Rising, Book #1LOVE & WAR AT THE CANDLELIT COURTS!By Vivienne Brereton
Publication Date: July, 2019Publisher: Yuletide PressPage Length: 372 pagesGenre: Historical Fiction
LOVE & WAR AT THE CANDLELIT COURTS!
Be dazzled by the dancing, drama and display in Tudor England, Stewart Scotland, Valois France, and The Habsburg Empire.
Heady places of power, intrigue and lovers’ trysts. Where plans are equally likely to be drawn up for a bloody war, as for an extraordinary event such as the fabled 1520 Field of Cloth of Gold.
Meet Thomas Howard. Soldier. Statesman. Courtier. Head of one of the most powerful families in England. A phoenix rising from the ashes at the magnificent court of Henry VIII.
“If I have anything to do with it, we Howards will live forever.”
After a calamitous period of disgrace, Thomas’s family is once more riding high at court due to his intelligence and perseverance, and the part played by his middle son, Edward, a royal favourite known for his good looks, swagger and charm.
Thomas is a keeper of secrets on both sides of the Narrow Sea separating England from France. Mystery swirls around the lives of Tristan, Cecily, Valentine, and Nicolas.
But there are no secrets that time does not reveal….
“Nicolas laid his lute to one side, hardly bothering to stifle a yawn of boredom. Nevertheless, he couldn’t escape the fact that he’d agreed to take on a new wife.”
Excerpt
‘Demoiselle Cécile’s related to the Governor of Picardy by marriage. Through his Cornish wife.’
Related to Guy d’Ardres? <<Related to Tristan d’Ardres>> who just happened to be the Admiral’s godson. Nicolas knew he would be hard pushed to decide which of the two deserved his contempt more. However, as usual, the honour would have to go to Tristan. Even with all this Cécile’s other failings (apart from having a name, Cecily, so close to the French, he was able to pronounce it with ease), Nicolas couldn’t think of anything less appealing than an affiliation with Tristan. It was already bad enough she was from Cornwall, a place that was almost like a separate country from England. He was still smarting from the loss of one of his best ships, ‘Le Nicolas’, off the Cornish coast, this past Christmas Day. Even though the cargo had been worth half a king’s ransom, and to his great regret, his crew had probably all met their end in a watery grave, most of all he mourned the loss of the gold and ruby necklace, priceless in worth and sentiment, presumably now adorning the seabed far beneath the Celtic Sea.
“Sunk without trace,” he’d been informed, when first told of the fate of ‘Le Nicolas’.
<<Damned Cornish thieves!>> Notorious for their skills as pirates, they either captured their prey on the high seas, or weaved in and out of secret inlets in their vessels along the perilous, seventy-mile Cornish coastland. They worked in tandem with local smugglers, waiting to catch out an innocent ship with a false beacon shining its light onto the treacherous black rocks - instead of leading the vessel to the safety of harbour. Then they would pounce, stripping the ships of their entire cargo with the efficiency of a dog picking a bone clean. Nicolas had no idea what had happened to his ship but guessed that pirates and smugglers had far more to do with it than the ferocious December storm, mentioned in a cursory note that had arrived for him a couple of months later. At the time, he’d found it a little strange that Bonnivet, as Admiral of France, in charge of all things maritime, was never informed of such a major incident, or taken any interest in the loss of a French vessel in English waters.
“You win some games, you lose some,” was the only comment he’d made, while giving a shrug. “With your skill at chess, you should know that by now.” His amusement had been palpable. “It seems not even the patron saint of seafarers with whom you share your name was able to intercede on your behalf.” The Admiral had finished off with a remark so irksome Nicolas felt tempted to punch him: “I’ve heard there’s a prayer used on the southern coast of England that goes something like this: ‘Oh Lord, protect ships at sea from the storm…but if they have to run aground, please let it be on our shore.’”
* * *
Sitting up straighter in his chair, Nicolas started mulling things over in his mind. He’d been about to refuse point-blank to take on the Cornish girl when a different possibility presented itself. What sweet revenge on Tristan to have power over this cousin of his. His mind made up, he picked up a bright red cherry from the small Venetian glass bowl next to him and popped it into his mouth, thinking how apt this luscious fruit was associated with virginity, ripe to be plucked. He turned towards the Admiral in the manner of one who meant business. ‘I would expect to become a baron for my pains. And receive a sum of one hundred and fifty thousand livres tournoi, to be paid on the day of the wedding.’
The look on Bonnivet’s face was a picture of outrage, his pale cheeks flushing, and his eyes watering with emotion - as if in pain. ‘A baron! Wasn’t a seigneury enough? Or being chosen as a Chevalier of Saint-Michel. Or your most recent appointment as Master Falconer.’
<<So he still hasn’t forgiven me for the past>>
Nicolas knew for a fact that Bonnivet had stood in his way of receiving anything higher than a seigneury, convincing the King he’d already been more than generous. What pleasure then to keep the other man dangling for a little while longer, before tugging on the rope. ‘Unfortunately, honoured as I am to have received these titles, I fear my future bride will be less than impressed with a husband who is merely entitled to wear a crimson hood and a gold chain around his neck. After all, if I’m to be married to an Englishwoman who, according to you, will own most of Cornwall one day, for the sake of appearances - and French pride - I have to at least appear her equal. A lieutenancy and a seigneury won’t be enough.’
<<Checkmate!>>
* * *
To his disgust, the Admiral’s face reflected his defeat. They both knew Nicolas had won again. But didn’t he always? This time would be no different. Although he felt tempted to ape Bonnivet’s taunting words about “losing some games” back to him, he resisted the urge.
Now the matter had been settled to his satisfaction, he reached out for his lute and began idly strumming - after he’d wearily sworn to keep the plan secret from the rest of the world until the day itself. He let the remainder of the Admiral’s drearily fulsome, obviously false description of his future bride, and details of the magnificent wedding feast, float over his head. Why would he give a fig that the chapel at the forthcoming ‘Field of Gold’ would be lit with candlesticks brought over from Westminster Abbey in London. Or that he and his bride would sip wine from gold chalices, also transported from the Abbey.
Pick up your copy ofThe House of the Red DukeAmazon UK • Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon AUAdd The House of the Red Duke to your 'to-read' list on
GoodreadsVivienne Brereton
Born between historic Winchester and Southampton in the UK, Vivienne has been passionate about the Tudors for as long as she can remember. This led to a degree in Medieval History at university, and the growing desire to write a novel.
However, life took over somewhat and only after stays - short and long - in six countries she called home did she finally settle down to finish her novel.
Words have always played an important part in her life, whether it's been writing, editing, teaching English, or just picking up a good book.
Having three sons came in very handy when she had to write about squabbles between the male characters in her novel. Not so handy when she took her boys to Hampton Court and one of them got lost in the maze!
Seeing 'A Phoenix Rising', the first book in the series 'The House of the Red Duke', in print for the first time, was a moment of great joy for her. She hopes anyone reading it will enjoy the end result as much as she enjoyed writing it.
Connect with Vivienne:Website • Twitter • Instagram
#BookReview — Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy, Book 1 by Craig R Hipkins #MiddleGrade #HistoricalFiction @CraigHipkins
Clement
Boy Knight of Normandy, Book 1
By Craig R Hipkins
Clement is no ordinary thirteen year old boy. He lives in a castle in 12th century Normandy. After helping Adalbert on his quest to find a long lost treasure, Clement and his friend Dagena return for another adventure. This time, Clement must overcome the evil ambitions of his wicked uncle, Sven the Terrible! Prepare yourself for some medieval action and excitement that you will not soon forget. This is the first book in a planned trilogy.
Clement and Dagena first appeared in the novel Adalbert.
“It is my uncle Pepin’s, the Benedictine friar of Evreux. He has come to tell me how I shall live my life, who I shall marry, who I shall pay homage too, and perhaps even to tell me how to lace my boots proper!”
Clement, the twelve-year-old Count of la Haye, is not quite ready to let his uncle Pepin have his way in everything. Young, he may be, but he still knows his own mind, and he knows who he is going to marry, and it certainly is not going to be Lady Alice de Mowbray. Unfortunately, the opportunity to argue his case is brutally snatched away from him, for he is about to be thrown into a terrible war, which no one saw coming—although many may have been able to predict it if they had but looked for the warning signs.
Torn between duty to his people, protecting his friends, and saving his own life, Clement must grow up and do so quickly. Alone, he and his friends do not stand a chance against his other uncle, Sven the Terrible. But who would follow a boy towards a battle where the odds of winning were two to one…?
A group of friends in peril and an enemy that would happily kill them all to get his hands upon what he wants—and all that happens in the opening chapters! Craig R Hipkins has penned a spellbinding adventure in his fabulous new book, Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy, Book 1.
The poetic writing and the crystalline prose make this book a perfect introduction for a young reader’s first romp into the world of Historical Fiction. The language that Hipkins uses is straightforward and concise, although he sometimes does throw in a few dost’s and thou’s, reminding the reader that this story is set in the past. There is also some fairly modern terminology used for the benefit of the reader. Although such terms would not have been in use during this period in history, they work well in the context of this book and, therefore, it is not something I am going to pull the author up on. I think such minor details can be readily forgiven because of the intended audience. This novel is also the perfect length for a child who has been introduced to chapter books but now wants something marginally longer to read. Hipkins has evidently wanted to pen a book that entertains, and Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy certainly does this.
This novel is centred around three children, Clement, Dagena and Olaf. At the start of this novel, the children enjoy training and learning how to use the weapons of war, but it is still very much a game to them. As the story progresses, they have to use the skills they learnt to stay alive. Their childhood is, therefore, cruelly interrupted by those who see Clement as an opponent who would be easy to overthrow. The fact that it is Clement’s own uncle who would see him dead makes it all the more sobering.
Clement is a protagonist that will undoubtedly appeal to children. He is brave, funny, and more importantly, he knows his own mind. He is also exceptionally loyal, which I think makes him incredibly appealing. Clement has a quiet intelligence and is always trying to find a solution to whatever dilemma they find themselves in. But at the same time, he can also be an extremely awkward twelve-year-old boy, who is desperately trying to hold it all together and give the impression that he is in control at all times. His constant reassurance to Dagena and his feigned confidence that everything will turn out alright in the end made for an extremely delightful read.
Dagena was one of my favourite characters in this book because she is just so stubborn and feisty. Dagena is a girl that will appeal to a younger audience. Although of low birth, Dagena knows how to look after herself and those around her. I thought Dagena was a wonderful protagonist, and she is also one that a young reader can get behind and root for. Likewise, Olaf was a character that I came to care about. His loyalty and his love for his friends made him genuinely likeable. Several adults in this story do help the children survive, but very often the children find themselves on their own as they face a truly terrible foe. Nevertheless, all three of them are extremely pragmatic about the situations they find themselves in, and they face each hurdle with determination and a seemingly unquenchable optimism.
The antagonist of this story is Sven the Terrible. Sven is determined to get what he wants and if he has to kill his nephew to achieve that aim, then he will. Despite the threat that Sven presents to Clement and his friends, the menace that such a character would usually envisage is not so apparent in the text. Yes, he is a bad man, and he is feared, but the detail of his atrocities are not dwelled upon. Hipkins is cautious when it comes to the language that he uses, because this book is meant to be enjoyed. This book is not a history lesson, nor is it one that glorifies death and destruction, although there might be an unexpected skeleton and a few mean men. This book is for children and Hipkins never loses sight of that and although there are a few violent scenes, this violence is contained to such an extent that there is nothing unsuitable or upsetting for Hipkins' intended audience. There is also a heavy dose of cheerfulness in this book that lets the reader know that everything is going to be okay, and everyone will survive to tell the tale. I thought Hipkins struck a delicate balance between the story he wanted to tell and the audience he wants to entertain.
Although this book is set in a historical world, it does not feel too foreign. The characters are relatable, as is the world that they live in.
Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy, Book 1 by Craig R Hipkins, will appeal to both boys and girls, and the non-stop action will assuredly keep them turning those pages. I thought it was a brilliant book from beginning to end. It is perfect either for children to read on their own, or to be enjoyed as a bedtime story.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne YardeThe Coffee Pot Book Club.
Pick up your copy ofClement: Boy Knight of NormandyAmazon UK • Amazon US Add Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy to your 'to-read' list on
GoodreadsCraig R Hipkins
Craig R. Hipkins was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He currently lives in North Carolina.
Craig published his first book, “Fireballs: A History of Meteors and other Atmospheric Phenomena” in 2009. Adalbert is his first novel. It is the sequel to the novel Astrolabe written by his late twin brother Jay S. Hipkins (1968-2018)
He is an avid long distance runner. He also enjoys astronomy and reading history in his spare time.
Connect with Craig:
Series: Boy Knight of Normandy, Book 1
Author: Craig R Hipkins
Publication Date: September 19th 2020
Publisher: Bowker
Page Length: 274 Pages
Genre: Children's Fiction / Historical Fiction
Review By: Mary Anne Yarde, The Coffee Pot Book Club
Welcome to Day #7 of the blog tour or The Sign of the Blood (A Dangerous Emperor, Book #1) by Laurence O'Bryan #BlogTour #HistFic @cathiedunn @ADarnGoodRead @LPOBryan
THE SIGN OF THE BLOOD(A DANGEROUS EMPEROR, BOOK #1)BY LAURENCE O'BRYAN
SEPTEMBER 22ND – NOVEMBER 24TH 2020
AMAZON
Publication Date: 22nd November 2018
Publisher: Ardua
Print Length: 469 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
The first Christian emperor faces ruthless enemies on his journey to power.
Cool mist settles over the legion advancing toward the Persian army. Constantine, the son of an emperor, the Roman officer leading the attack, tells his men to halt - something is wrong.
Before long, the battle rages. He frees a slave named Juliana. She is half Persian and half Roman. As they are pursued to Britannia over land and sea, he learns that she can see the future - his future.
It is 306A.D., long before Constantine the Great converted to Christianity and became the first Christian emperor.
To ensure he survives, he must eliminate his enemies. But who must die first? The priestess, Sybellina, who joined them in Rome and practices dark and seductive magic? Or the brutal legion commanders who surround his father? Or, as Juliana suspects, are those who want him dead even closer?
A gripping historical novel about Constantine’s bloody rise to power, the woman who helped him, and the real reason he supported a persecuted Christian minority, a decision which changed the world into the one we know.
We are visiting two fabulous blogs today!
Head over to A Darn Good Read for a sneak peak between the covers of The Sign of the Blood.
Click HERE!
And if you would like an extra sneak between the covers head over to Cathie Dunn writes... for another excerpt.
Click HERE!
Welcome to Day #7 of the blog tour or The Sign of the Blood (A Dangerous Emperor, Book #1) by Laurence O'Bryan #BlogTour #HistFic @ADarnGoodRead @LPOBryan
THE SIGN OF THE BLOOD(A DANGEROUS EMPEROR, BOOK #1)BY LAURENCE O'BRYAN
SEPTEMBER 22ND – NOVEMBER 24TH 2020
AMAZON
Publication Date: 22nd November 2018
Publisher: Ardua
Print Length: 469 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
The first Christian emperor faces ruthless enemies on his journey to power.
Cool mist settles over the legion advancing toward the Persian army. Constantine, the son of an emperor, the Roman officer leading the attack, tells his men to halt - something is wrong.
Before long, the battle rages. He frees a slave named Juliana. She is half Persian and half Roman. As they are pursued to Britannia over land and sea, he learns that she can see the future - his future.
It is 306A.D., long before Constantine the Great converted to Christianity and became the first Christian emperor.
To ensure he survives, he must eliminate his enemies. But who must die first? The priestess, Sybellina, who joined them in Rome and practices dark and seductive magic? Or the brutal legion commanders who surround his father? Or, as Juliana suspects, are those who want him dead even closer?
A gripping historical novel about Constantine’s bloody rise to power, the woman who helped him, and the real reason he supported a persecuted Christian minority, a decision which changed the world into the one we know.
Head over to A Darn Good Read for a sneak peak between the covers of The Sign of the Blood.
Click HERE!
November 2, 2020
#BookReview — His Majesty's Grand Conceit by Robert Barclay #HistoricalFiction
His Majesty's Grand Conceit
By Robert Barclay
The story is told through firsthand accounts by the dramatis personae of all the machinations, plots, subterfuges, craft and wiles undertaken in bringing about His Royal Highness King George II's firework spectacle of April 27, 1749 to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. This was the great firework extravaganza for which Handel wrote his 'Musick for the Royal Fireworks.' A wooden temple 410 feet in length was erected in the Green Park in London to act as the launching pad for several tons of rockets, mortars and fountains. French and Italian designers were employed, along with English artillerymen, and the resultant international friction almost led to disaster. The event was widely lampooned and criticized, and it was only through the relentless determination of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu that it was brought off at all. History records the event as a fiasco, but there are other sides to the story as told here. If it didn't happen exactly as reported here, it ought to have.
“These months since the king first sprung this thing upon me had been the busiest and most ill organised of my life.”
John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, may be a man of many talents, and one that prides himself on his diplomatic skills, but he had never envisaged the utter fiasco that was to come. As Master-General of Ordnance, the responsibility for the grand firework display to celebrate the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle lay very firmly upon his shoulders.
However, the time frame for this spectacle that His Majesty King George II has insisted on staging is uncommonly short, and there is not the skill in England’s pleasant pastures to pull it off without help. To achieve the impossible, they would have to employ the skills of Giovanni Niccolò Servandoni, the famed Italian architect, and the equally talented pyrotechnician, Signor Gaetano Ruggieri. It goes without saying that Handle would supply the music—as long as he does not include any of those damned fiddles in his composition. But this was to be a strictly English affair with no outsiders’ influence. John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, must never forget that fact…
A rich symphony of colours accompanied by a resounding crash of drums and not forgetting the fanfare of trumpets that hurtled everything towards a dramatic crescendo that would either signify glory or failure, His Majesty’s Grand Conceit by Robert Barclay is the beguiling behind-the-scenes story of King George’s firework celebrations of 1749.
With a vast cast of characters, His Majesty’s Grand Conceit is a book that demands your attention. Initially, I did struggle with keeping up with all the different points of view, but there is a promise of brilliance at the beginning of this book, much like King George’s imaginations for this sensational event, which kept me turning those pages, and I am so glad I did. This novel illuminates not only the preparations and the delivery of this grand event, but it also shines a sparkling light upon the era itself—its splendour as well as its squaller. This is not just the story of the aristocracy, but it is also the story of those who worked so hard, at significant risk in dangerous conditions, to bring to fruition a king’s fancy. The depiction of what everyday life was like for the lower class was wonderfully portrayed.
The hours of research that have gone into this book are immense. Barclay’s knowledge of not only this era and the characters that grace the pages but also the property of gunpowder and how fireworks were made in the 18th Century has to be admired. Barclay’s explanations of things that the reader needs to know are done with one eye on the accuracy of what he is explaining and the other on what makes for an entertaining read. I undoubtedly know a little more about what went into making fireworks during this era thanks to this book!
Likewise, Barclay also has a clear understanding of the political climate of the time. While a nation watched a king’s fortune go up in smoke, the deprivation and the poverty of his subjects were mostly ignored. The king does have his moments when he is incredibly generous with his wealth, most notably when he witnesses a man who, due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, is grievously injured, but he does not think to call a halt to the proceedings. He is a man determined and a man disconnected from the subjects that he ruled.
Another extremely interesting aspect that Barclay portrayed was how the nobility, especially in the case of the Duke of Montagu, used their position to make money for themselves. Barclay suggests that corruption was widespread, and there was a lot of money to be made by fiddling the books. I thought that Barclay balanced the history with the story most admirably. This novel is certainly backed up by confident research.
There are some very fascinating characters in this book, each with a wonderful story and insight into the events of the months leading up to the spectacular show of wealth. But I am going to focus on a few of my favourite characters.
John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, is a man who is responsible for making the impossible, possible. He is entrusted with a job that initially he really wanted, but by the end of it, he probably wished he had never heard of! John is a shrewd man in this novel, who thinks very highly of himself. He is determined to profit for his troubles, and as the king’s purse is wide open, he is resolved to take advantage of that—although things do not always go the way he wants them to. But those who dare to hoodwink him are in for a nasty surprise, for Montagu has a flare for the theatrical, which means that no one ever knows precisely how he will wreak his revenge. The Duke of Montagu was a character that I enjoyed getting to know. He is, as we British would say, full of it, but in an exceedingly charming way. I thought his depiction was brilliant from start to finish.
Another character who I enjoyed reading about was George Frideric Handel. Handel was commissioned to provide the music for this spectacular event. When a king's will and a composer’s ingenuity clash, then there is bound to be fireworks. As infuriated as Handel became with the king’s dogged determination to have things his way, the more amusing it became for the reader. I sympathised with Handel immensely. His sometimes bemused, but usually highly aggrieved reactions to the king’s demands and his inability to do anything but obey, made for some enthralling reading.
An impossible task leads to a clash of personalities especially when an Italian and an adopted Frenchman is brought into the fold to give guidance! I simply adored Giovanni Niccolò Servandoni. As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, I knew he was going to be something of a handful for his English counterparts. His flamboyant personality and his utter indignation when the English dared to try to tell him what to do were especially compelling. I thought Giovanni brought an awful lot to this story.
If you are looking for your next explosive read that will entertain you from the opening sentence to the final full stop, then look no further. His Majesty’s Grand Conceit by Robert Barclay is a tautly gripping, incredibly impressive story that I found next to impossible to put down. There is no doubt in my mind, His Majesty’s Grand Conceit is a monumental work of scholarship, and it is a real treat for lovers of quality Historical Fiction.
I Highly Recommend
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
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Robert Barclay
I'm the author of several books on the history, development and conservation of historic musical instruments. I am a maker of historic-model trumpets after 17th and 18th century originals, and I teach workshops in trumpet-making. After a long career of writing factual technical material, I decided it was time to start telling lies. Nevertheless, my fictional works all embody elements of truth because, I argue, the news these days is so unbelievable that "you couldn't invent this stuff!" In addition to writing, I enjoy driving around in my 1920 Morgan three-wheeler, which I restored from a heap of bits. Also, I'm not averse to picking up a paintbrush: waiting forever for a publisher to produce a cover for 'Jacob the Trumpeter', I got impatient and decided to paint the cover picture myself. I knew the character much better than any artist could anyway, and the result is not bad. I won't give up my day job, though.
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Book Title: His Majesty's Grand Conceit
Author: Robert Barclay
Publication Date: September 25th 2020
Publisher: Loose Cannon Press
Genre: Historical Fiction
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