Mary Anne Yarde's Blog: The Coffee Pot Book Club , page 63
October 15, 2020
#BookReview — The French Orphan by Michael Stolle #HistoricalFiction #France @MichaelStolle16
The French Orphan
By Michael Stolle
The year is 1640, and Louis XIII is on the French throne. However, as far as you’re concerned, this is all pretty meaningless. After all, as a teenage orphan living in a monastery school in Reims, all you have to worry about is dodging the unpleasant advances of a few unsavoury monks and looking forward to a life of penniless and celibate servitude in a religious order.
“So the game can commence…And we shall make sure that there will be onl y one winner our Holy Mother, the Church…”
Cardinal Richelieu may well be as poisonous as a snake, but one cannot help but admire his obstinate determination to get the job done. But, be warned, when that determination is focused upon you, then it might be wise to start thinking about ordering your own tombstone.
Locked away in one of the most prestigious schools in France, Pierre’s most pressing concern is how to avoid the unwanted advances of the vile Brother Hieronymus. Pierre knows nothing of his past or his parents. He is resigned to the fact that he will spend the rest of his life in a monastery, like his best friend, Armand de Saint Paul. But unlike Armand, he will probably remain a lowly Brother, for he does not have wealth or privilege to expect anything more.
Armand, however, is not convinced by Pierre’s humble status. If Pierre was just another poor orphan boy, then how did he end up here? This is the school where the French nobility send their sons. Determined to discover the truth, Armand seeks answers, but what he finds will change the course of Pierre’s life and his own, forever…
From a conniving Cardinal to the grandeur of the French court of Louis XIII, The French Orphan by Michael Stolle is a book that swept me away in all of its brilliance.
With a vast cast of characters, a dramatic backdrop of two very different countries, and enough political intrigue to keep a reader turning those pages long into the night, The French Orphan has an awful lot to recommend it. This is a novel that captured my imagination in the prologue and continued to hold it right until the last full stop. Stolle has written a story in which realism is almost tangible. I did not read this book—I lived it. I was a part of it. I witnessed it. I lost track of time while I read this novel. I forgot where I was, who I was, even. When historical fiction is written in such a way, there is certainly no such thing as too much.
As I have already mentioned, there is a huge cast of characters in this novel, and Stolle even allows us to glimpse into the minds of some seemingly inconsequential members of the cast. When there are so many characters, so many points of view, it can be very easy for a reader to lose the thread. I always think it is a gamble to write in this way, but in this case, Stolle’s gamble has undoubtedly paid off because it made this novel all the richer. It also clearly demonstrates that Stolle has a novelist’s understanding of human nature—both the dark side and the light.
This novel is a tale of two kingdoms. In France, it is the Church who holds the reins, but in England, there is a battle brewing between the anointed king and his parliament. These troubled and conflicting times are the perfect setting in which to place Pierre and his friends. Coming from a closeted and controlled world to discovering freedom for the first time is a liberating experience for Pierre, and yet he does not stray from claiming what is legitimately his. Pierre is a young man of great honour, and yet there are moments when he stumbles, when he gets swept away by the events that are happening around him, which I thought made him realistic in the telling. But his inherent goodness makes him immensely likeable. Pierre is the kind of protagonist that a reader can easily get behind and root for. I thought Pierre’s portrayal was absolutely fabulous.
17th Century France—a time of romance, musketeers, and Cardinal Richelieu. Alexandre Dumas may well have immortalised the Cardinal in Les Trois Mousquetaires as a seemingly unstoppable villain, but there is so much more to the historical Cardinal Richelieu. The Red Eminence was a man who consolidated royal power and transformed France into a strong centralised state, but he was not, as I am sure he wished he were, infallible. Stolle introduces us to a Cardinal who is dying, but one who is determined to continue to hold the strings of those he wants to control and influence. The fear and the hatred that this man inspired, especially from the French aristocracy, is very easy to understand as this novel progresses. Still, his capability to govern, even when he was so ill, cannot be overlooked. I thought Stolle’s depiction of Cardinal Richelieu was brilliant—and it was precisely how I imagined him to be. He was someone who could manipulate events any way he wanted, and he always made sure that he, and the Church, came out on top, no matter what the outcome. To pen a good antagonist takes a great deal of skill and diligence, which is something that Stolle most certainly has. I really enjoyed reading about the Cardinal.
With one eye on the historical controversy of the era and the other on what makes an enthralling read, Stolle has presented his readers with an unashamedly impressive book. Add to this the historical detail, the political uncertainly, and the influence of the Church during this period means that this novel is something very special indeed. The confident use of word building, the crystalline prose and the vibrant storytelling brought this era back to life in all of its splendour and, of course, its ugliness. France and England were two very different kingdoms—one had unwittingly submitted to Cardinal Richelieu, and the other found herself facing a battle with her own parliament. King Louis may have been happy to hand over the reins to Richelieu, King Charles, however, was not so easily persuaded by his parliament. The contrast between these two countries could not be more apparent, from the way it was governed, to the way the houses were furnished. I thought Stolle had captured the era and the fashions of both these countries during this time. The historical detailing of this book has to be not only commended but admired. The hours of research that have gone into this book are evident throughout.
As The French Orphan is the first book in the series, do not expect a tidy ending, for there is obviously far too much story to fit into one book. Thankfully, the following four books in the series are already published!
The French Orphan by Michael Stolle is an emotionally driven story that is not only bold in its delivery but extraordinarily successful. I cannot wait to get my hands on Book 2, so I can continue this incredible adventure with Pierre and his friends.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
Pick up your copy of
The French Orphan
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Michael Stolle
Born and educated in Europe, Michael has always been intrigued by the historical setting and the fact that what makes us human was as true in the 17th century as it is now.
He has been reading and writing about history for longer than he cares to recall...
Connect with Michael:
Book Title: The French Orphan
Series: The French Orphan, Book 1
Author: Michael Stolle
Publication Date: 8th December 2013
Edition: 2nd Edition
Publisher: Independently Published
Genre: Historical Fiction
Welcome to Day #1 of the blog tour for Anke: The Beginning by Anas Hamshari and Caroline Snodgress #HistoricalFiction #ShortStories #CoffeePotBookClub @ExoticReads @Beatric09625662
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?
The first stop of the tour is over on Candlelight Reading where you can have a sneak-peek between the covers of Anke: The Beginning.
Click HERE!
Welcome to Day #4 of the blog tour for His Castilian Hawk (The Castilian Saga, Book 1) by Anna Belfrage #Medieval #HistFic #CoffeePotBookClub @abelfrageauthor @LombardEmma @LisaReadsBooks
His Castilian Hawk
(The Castilian Saga, Book 1)
By Anna Belfrage
October 12th – October 23rd 2020
Publication Date: September 28, 2020
Publisher: Matador (paperback) & Timelight Press (ebook)
Page Length: 396 pages (paperback) 335 pages (ebook)
Genre: Historical Fiction
For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.
Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.
Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply.
Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert’s bed for years. Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.
Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?
We are stopping over on two fabulous blogs today. First head over to Emma Lombard's Official Blog for a sneak-peek between the covers of His Castilian Hawk.
Click HERE!
Then why not head over to Madwoman in the Attic where you can check out a wonderful review.
Click HERE!
October 14, 2020
#BookReview — The Herald of Day (The Boar King’s Honor, Book 1) By Nancy Northcott #AlternateHistory #TimeTravel #RichardIII @NancyNorthcott
The Herald of Day
(The Boar King’s Honor, Book 1)
By Nancy Northcott
A wizard’s fatal mistake
A king wrongly blamed for murder
A bloodline cursed until they clear the king’s name
In 17th-century England, witchcraft is a hanging offense. Tavern maid Miranda Willoughby hides her magical gifts until terrifying visions compel her to seek the aid of a stranger, Richard Mainwaring, to interpret them. A powerful wizard, he sees her summons as a chance for redemption. He bears a curse because an ancestor unwittingly helped murder the two royal children known as the Princes in the Tower, and her message uses symbols related to those murders.
Miranda’s visions reveal that someone has altered history, spreading famine, plague, and tyranny across the land. The quest to restore the timeline takes her and Richard from the glittering court of Charles II to a shadowy realm between life and death, where they must battle the most powerful wizard in generations with the fate of all England at stake.
It was hard to have magical powers when those around you executed such people. Miranda Willoughby tried her best to blend in, not to be noticed, to pretend she is something that she is not. To pretend she is ordinary. Always pretending. It might have been different if her mother had lived. Unfortunately, her mother had been accused of witchcraft—her life had been cut cruelly short on the end of a rope.
But then the visions came—frightening in their intensity. Due to her mother’s premature death, Miranda does not possess the skills needed to interpret these visions. She needs help. She needs the knight in her vision—the knight who will fight the red dragon and defend the white boar.
Sir Richard Mainwaring, Earl of Hawkstowe, knew all about keeping secrets. For years his family had hidden their true allegiance—Loyalty binds me. They had fought under the banner of the white rose, not the red. However their family had also been cursed. It was a curse which Richard had long given up hoping would ever be lifted. However, the appearance of the dragon and the incomprehensible wrongness in the air warned of a threat yet known, let alone understood. Richard had no choice but to obey the dragon. He would go to the Golden Swan Inn and present himself to this serving maid, whoever she was. Little did he know that Miranda was more than a witch whose talents had yet to be explored. She also saw the future, a future which cannot be allowed to come to pass.
It soon becomes apparent that someone is going back in time and manipulating events. But who was it, and what did they want? Only together will Richard and Miranda find the answers they are seeking…
There are books, and then there is Herald of Day (The Boar King’s Honor Trilogy, Book 1) by Nancy Northcott. Do you like historical fiction? This book will tick that box. Do you like alternate history? Sorcery? The paranormal? Romance? Good versus evil? I could go on. The Herald of Day ticks every single box. It is a monumental work of scholarship, but above everything else, it is one of the most successful novels that I have ever read.
The narrative is enthralling—this is quite a long book, but time ceased to matter because I was completely captivated by this story. It is immensely readable and, more importantly, very enjoyable. Northcott has a novelist’s intuition for what makes history worth reading. And on top of that, there is enough adrenaline in this book to keep a reader up all night. I cannot even begin to describe how brilliant this novel is.
The amount of planning that has gone into this story has to be commended. I have read my fair share of alternative historical fiction, but this novel is in a league of its own, and I don’t say that lightly. Northcott begins by presenting her readers with a very realistic 17th Century setting with all the key players in the English court in place, and then her antagonist goes back in time and changes history and only those who are gifted notice the devastating consequences of the antagonist’s actions. By changing time, there are historical people as well as fictitious ones who are alive who should be dead and vice versa. Events that should have happened no longer have, and events that should not have happened, do. This story is a complicated web of what-ifs and maybes, running alongside actual historical fact. Northcott takes 191 years of English history, the reign of nine monarchs, as well as the Commonwealth, into account as she penned this remarkable book. The attention to the historical fact, and not forgetting the attention to the alternative historical detail, is staggering. This book isn’t some romantic dream of a different historical reality where the hero lives and the villain dies, which is so often the case with such books. The delivery of this story is somehow plausible. This alternative history has credibility. It comes across as authentic in the telling. The what-if becomes why not? I cannot think of another author who has written an alternative history novel with such skill and diligence. Bravo, Ms Northcott, for your time and attentiveness has undoubtedly paid off.
Miranda is a character that I instantly connected with. She is a very humble young woman who has been dealt a cruel hand and, to top it all, she is all alone in the world. Miranda is gifted, but she lacks the training. The controversial and terrifying realities of the witch hunts that stain the Stuart's reign is played out in all of its darkness and misunderstanding in this tale and Miranda is at the very centre of it. At the very beginning of this book, Miranda watches a woman executed for witchcraft—a woman who Miranda knows is not a witch. She desperately wants to help, but by doing so, she would expose herself for who she really is, and that is someone who is incredibly gifted with magic. To stand there and not be able to do anything is torture for someone who is overflowing with empathy. This opening scene sets the tone for this character. Her compassion is perhaps a greater gift than her magic.
Miranda goes on quite a journey in this novel, and she faces many dangerous situations. But it is her relationship with Richard that fascinated me the most. Richard shows her a world that she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams. He also challenges her, and Miranda rises to that challenge every time. She is an inspirational character who I adored.
Richard, oh my goodness, he is the epitome of a very heroic, courageous person. His self-sacrifice and his desperate desire to right any wrongs make him extremely likeable. But he is no caricature. He is no fairy-tale knight. He is fallible—he makes mistakes, which I thought made his character all the more appealing. I thought his depiction was absolutely fabulous, and he really drove this story on.
The magical composition of the prose makes this a book that is not only utterly compelling but also wholly unforgettable. This is a novel that keeps on giving. Add to that the paranormal and you suddenly find yourself reading a story that is next to impossible to put down. This is a book that I could not wait to get back to. I loved everything about it.
The Herald of Day (The Boar King’s Honor Trilogy, Book 1) by Nancy Northcott is one of the top five books that I have read this year. I could have happily read another thousand pages of this book, and I would not have grown weary of it. It is absolutely brilliant from beginning to end—a priceless masterpiece that deserves a place on your bookshelf and in your heart.
I Highly Recommend
Review by Mary Anne YardeThe Coffee Pot Book Club
Pick up your copy of
The Herald of Day
Add The Herald of Day to your ‘to-read’ list on
Nancy Northcott
Nancy Northcott’s childhood ambition was to grow up and become Wonder Woman. Around fourth grade, she realized it was too late to acquire Amazon genes, but she still loved comic books, science fiction, fantasy, history, and romance.
Nancy earned her undergraduate degree in history. Her favorite part of her course work was a summer spent studying Tudor and Stuart England at the University of Oxford. She has given presentations on the Wars of the Roses and Richard III to university classes studying Shakespeare’s play about that king. In addition, she has taught college courses on science fiction, fantasy, and society.
The Boar King’s Honor historical fantasy trilogy combines Nancy’s love of history and magic with her interest in Richard III. She also writes traditional romantic suspense, romantic spy adventures, and two other speculative fiction series, the Light Mage Wars paranormal romances and, with Jeanne Adams, the Outcast Station space mystery series.
Reviewers have described her books as melding fantasy, romance, and suspense. Library Journal gave her debut novel, Renegade, a starred review, calling it “genre fiction at its best."
Connect with Nancy:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads.
Publication Date: 20th May 2020
Publisher: Falstaff Books
Page Length: 356 pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy / Time-Travel
Pick up your copy of Nancy Jardine 's fabulous book, Beathan The Brigante, for FREE on #Kindle for a Limited Time #HistoricalFiction @nansjar
Beathan The Brigante
(Book 5 Celtic Fervour Series)
By Nancy Jardine
AD 85 Roman Empire
How can Beathan of Garrigill – held hostage by General Agricola and dragged in chains to Rome – escape and wreak vengeance on his enemies? Torrin is a strong-minded Brigante warrior-woman who forges her own future. She willingly takes care of Beathan in a time of need, but her own plans are paramount.
Agricola's career is in tatters. Attempts on his life are plentiful, having lost favour with Emperor Domitian. His gods have abandoned him, though assistance comes from a surprising source.
Will Beathan gain his freedom to return to his kin in Caledonia? Will Torrin be by his side? And how will Agricola survive without the emperor's benevolence?
Beathan the Brigante is the fifth in the bestselling Celtic Fervour series.
In the highly-interlinked Celtic Fervour Series, the warrior clan from the Brigante Hillfort of Garrigill do everything they can to evade domination by the occupying Ancient Roman legions. Pitched battles, guerrilla warfare, raids, undercover spying activity– the clan use every tactic to thwart their Roman usurpers. Unfortunately, the Roman foe proves too powerful and Beathan of Garrigill (almost 13 years old) is captured after a huge pitched battle at Beinn na Ciche in Taexali Territory, north-east Caledonia (Book 3).
Beathan The Brigante (Book 5) continues Beathan’s story after capture and depicts the interweaving of Beathan’s life with that of the Ancient Roman general, Gnaeus Iulius Agricola. Emperor Domitian has ordered Agricola to return to Rome and on the way the general collects his high-ranking hostages from Caledonia – Beathan included. Agricola has plans for them though success depends on fickle Emperor Domitian whose interest in the whole of Britannia has waned.
On the long trek to Rome, chained to a wagon or to his fellow captives, Beathan finds that Agricola has inexplicable enemies. Meanwhile, Agricola recognises something out-of-the-ordinary in young Beathan. In Beathan The Brigante the reader finds themes which recur throughout the series: fortitude; tenacity; and a dogged desire to escape danger and gain vengeance over the enemy. Loyalty manifests itself in strange ways and different forms of love abound – though not all of a sexual nature.
Escape doesn’t come easily but back in Britannia, Beathan gains ultimate revenge at Vindolanda Roman Fort. It’s taken four years though it’s fitting that by then he’s closer to a reunion with his family, and that romance has also lightened his heart.
Excerpt
Beathan is used as a general house slave when Agricola spends time at his country estate in Gallia Narbonensis (southern France), before the last part of their journey to Rome. Beathan’s suspicions are immediately raised when he witnesses something unusual. Agricola’s wife, the Lady Domitia, normally has at least one of her female attendants in tow, yet he sees her without any and in conversation with a seedy looking character…
Beathan snatched another glimpse. They were speaking in the local Gaulish version of the common tribal language, Domitia’s words ringing around, tight and angry.
“I told you, my husband is not to be disturbed. Not by anyone!”
She was attempting to remove her arm from the man’s tight grip, but failing.
“And you are not listening to me. You will take me to him, now!”
The visitor was thick-set and brawny, his actions more of a demand than his words, when he used both hands to imprison her.
Beathan ducked back, hopeful the person had not seen him spying since Domitia’s body partially obscured his view. Unlike the slaves of the estate, he owed Agricola’s wife no allegiance, but the man pinning her arms posed a threat to a defenceless woman.
Realising that making his presence known from his present position would do no good at all, he sped all the way around the storehouse. He stopped short of the far corner, forced himself to take stock, and adjusted the burden of the amphora he was still clutching.
“By Jupiter’s Balls!” The oath came through gritted teeth. “You bit me!”
When Beathan peered around this time, Domitia had staggered back a couple of paces, her alarm fixed on the man’s fist reaching up to his belt. Before the thin blade could be slicked free from its sheath, Beathan launched himself around the corner. His two hands firmly on the handles of the clay amphora, he swung it aloft and brought it crashing down on the man’s head.
Jumping on top of the prostrate, but still wriggling, figure he had no thought to whom he was issuing orders. “Sound the alarm down at the villa! There is no guard nearby.”
The Lady Domitia needed no urging. She ran for the end of the building screeching and bawling much better than he ever could have. Her higher tones disturbed the birds in the nearby olive trees and set them up in a panicked flight, easily seen from a distance.
The attacker bucked and writhed beneath him, attempting to free himself from the tight neck grip that he had on the man’s tunic, some of the backwards punches and lunges powerful enough to give him sound bruising. Beathan could not match the man’s brawny stature, but he had the advantage of length and all but covered the assailant.
Grabbing fistfuls of hair, he banged the man’s forehead on the ground, enough times to ensure no further resistance – an exhausting business that drained his strength, till one last muffled squelch emitted from below him. Unable to move, Beathan hoped the totally slack body beneath him was not dead. He preferred to meet an enemy in face-to-face combat, but decided he was not really too concerned, even when a trickle of blood began to seep out.
He heard a swarm of people converging around the corners, the many feet of guards and field workers. Raising his head slightly, he groaned and flopped back down. The soldier who had recently been polishing his gladius near the villa was skidding to a halt, the point of his shiny, sharp blade thrusting menacingly towards him.
“No! Not the Brigante!” the lady Domitia cried from a few paces behind. “The man beneath him is the one who threatened me.”
Pick up your copy of Beathan The Brigante For FREE on Amazon #Kindle for one day only (15th October 2020)Amazon UK • Amazon US
Read the rest of the series for Free with #KindleUnlimited subscription.
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GoodreadsNancy Jardine
Nancy Jardine writes historical fiction, time travel historical adventure and contemporary mysteries. Research, grandchildren, gardening and reading novels easily fill up non-writing time. Currently, Covid 19 restrictions have interrupted the fun she has signing and selling her novels at public events. Similarly, author presentations on her novels and on Ancient Roman Scotland await a restart! She’s a member of the Historical Novel Society; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Romantic Novelists Association; and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She’s self-published with Ocelot Press.
Connect with Nancy:
Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter • Amazon Author Page.
Book Title: Beathan The Brigante
Series: (Book 5 Celtic Fervour Series)
Author: Nancy Jardine
Publication Date: 20th August 2020
Publisher: Nancy Jardine with Ocelot Press
Page Length: 307 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Have a sneak-peek between the covers of Sam F. Hutchins' fabulous book — Boudica’s Daughter #HistoricalFiction @SamFHutchins
Boudica’s Daughter
By Sam F. Hutchins
In 60 AD, Roman Britannia is a world of shifting alliances and imperial control in which three women feel the full weight of Roman greed and desire. Following the death of the Iceni king, the royal family is divested of power: its lands become imperial estates, the queen is publicly whipped and her two daughters are raped by Roman soldiers.
Seeking revenge, Voada is named the Boudica, the military leader of the resistance movement. She and her daughters, Caitlyn and Keara, hold together a mixed band of disenchanted Britons who cross the boundaries of their lands burning, killing, destroying, as they seek the Roman enemy and its collaborators.
Suetonius, the Roman general is an experienced military leader fighting for his life, and his honour. He proves to be a formidable and calculating master.
Titus, a mysterious Mauretanian cavalryman in the Roman army, follows his grim orders, but seems to have his own agenda.
On this journey through war Keara has to unmask the enemy and face some terrifying truths.
Praise for Boudica’s Daughter
‘Sam Hutchins manages to turn the pivotal nightmare on which much of the drama is based into a kind of measure of the delicacy of emotions behind the central love story.’
Irina Hale, author.
Excerpt
Keara rolled onto her back. ‘He doesn’t look very Roman.’
Galdus turned onto his side and gazed at his cousin. His eyes were a little dilated as he smiled at her. ‘Which one doesn’t?’
‘The decurion.’
‘That’s Titus. It’s because he’s not Roman. He’s a barbarian like us. They say he’s from the Middle Atlas Mountains and part of the wild Baquates tribe, but was given to Rome as a hostage, as tribute to keep the peace between the Baquates and the Roman occupied lands of Mauretania on the North African Coast.’
‘Like my brother you mean?’
‘Yes.’ Both thought of the child, Taranis who had been sent to Rome to be educated in the Roman ways and to do his military service in the legions. He would have returned home as a Romanised adult to take over the administrative rule from his father, had he not died before of the fever. Galdus thought of his own position and spoke aloud, ‘But your brother, you and your parents were given Roman citizenship. Titus doesn’t have it. He will receive it when he finishes his service in the army. I am not a Roman citizen.’
‘You are not a political hostage either,’ Keara smiled; ‘We are your foster family. We are meant to educate you. Not much success there though!’ she laughed.
Galdus pulled Keara’s hair slowly out of its knot and gave her a broad grin. ‘But you have educated me in the ways of our enemy; that was always my father’s plan.’ He pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.
There was the sound of a twig snapping and Galdus was immediately on his feet. Keara rose more slowly and looked in the direction of the river. Titus stood there, a broken twig in his hand. How long he had been standing there neither of them knew. The sun lay behind him so that his face was in shadow. He was shortly joined by Marius who gave Keara an appreciative smile. ‘So you have found us some Iceni spies,’ he drawled.
‘We’re no spies,’ Keara cried and was about to add more when Galdus stopped her. He had no weapon on him but a hunting knife beneath his shirt. Even so, he knew they were no match for a cavalry detachment.
‘Say no more.’ He spoke in Caledonian. ‘We just say we are going to King Prasutagus’s funeral.’ He repeated this in Latin.
‘Must be true,’ Marius said; ‘This one is too beautiful to be a peasant girl and they both speak Latin despite the boy’s bad accent. They wouldn’t be travelling on their own though.’ He looked at them both. ‘Where are your companions and your mounts?’
‘We are Icenian and don’t have far to go. We are on our own and our ponies are behind those trees,’ Galdus replied. Both men turned in the direction of the trees and saw two ponies tethered beneath the hanging branches of a willow. They also saw a huge, golden fawn dog standing to one side, alert and watchful. Keara raised one hand flat towards her dog and called, ‘Stay, Sapho, stay.’ The dog lay back on its haunches relaxing once again.
‘What is it?’ There was a cry from the Roman road. It was Catus who was trying to remount his horse and had to stand on a stool that a slave had placed on the ground for him. ‘We must get on.’ He saw the two Icenians standing between Marius and Titus and called out, ‘What are you doing with those peasant children? Leave them now. Marius, come by me. Titus…’. But one look at the frown on Titus’s face and he stopped. He muttered instead and gathered up his reins. ‘When you’re ready then, Titus.’
‘I want your names,’ Titus said in a low, cold voice that carried sharply on the air.
Keara stepped forward, speaking firmly, almost defiantly, as she responded to the command of the Roman soldier, ‘I am the Princess Keara, second daughter to King Prasutagus of the Great Iceni. And this is Prince Galdus, first son to King Corbreid of the Caledonian confederation. You are travelling to my father’s funeral and are now in Iceni territory. As such, you are our guests and we will be there to welcome you when you arrive in your two hours.’ She turned and walked swiftly to her pony with Galdus on her heels.
‘Are you mad?’ he cried. ‘Do you want to provoke them?’
‘He asked for our names; I told him. These Romans will do nothing against us on our land. We are allies after all, and they are going to Venta Icenorum for my father’s funeral. I want to be home before they arrive.’ She leapt into the saddle and, calling her large mastiff to her side, she was off. She didn’t even look back to see the dark look on Titus’s face as he contemplated, not only the horsemanship of the two departing youngsters, but also the size of Keara’s four-legged companion which was almost as big as her pony.
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Sam F. Hutchins
Sam F. Hutchins was born and grew up in London. She studied archaeology and cultural studies at Exeter University, and has worked in journalism, archaeology and teaching. She is now a lecturer in English literature at Orléans University, France. She has published non-fiction work, a book called Boudica’s Odyssey in Early Modern England (Ashgate, 2014), and a number of articles.
She is married to an archaeologist. They have three daughters and live near Paris.
Connect with Sam:
Publication Date: May 20th 2020
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Page Length: 255 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Welcome to Day #3 of the blog tour for His Castilian Hawk (The Castilian Saga, Book 1) by Anna Belfrage #Medieval #HistFic #CoffeePotBookClub @abelfrageauthor @m_morganauthor
His Castilian Hawk
(The Castilian Saga, Book 1)
By Anna Belfrage
October 12th – October 23rd 2020
Publication Date: September 28, 2020
Publisher: Matador (paperback) & Timelight Press (ebook)
Page Length: 396 pages (paperback) 335 pages (ebook)
Genre: Historical Fiction
For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.
Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.
Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply.
Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert’s bed for years. Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.
Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?
Head over to Mary's Tavern where Anna Belfrage is chatting about the travails of a medieval queen.
Click HERE!
Welcome to Day #1 of the virtual blog tour for The Brittle Sea by Tom Kane #HistoricalFiction #TheBrittleSea #CoffeePotBookClub @TigerBites
The Brittle Sea
By Tom Kane
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.
Our first stop of the tour is over on
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Welcome to Day #9 of the blog tour for Drake: Tudor Corsair #HistoricalFiction #SirFrancisDrake #BookReview @tonyriches @hooverbkreview
Drake - Tudor Corsair
(The Elizabethan Series Book 1)
By Tony Riches
1564
Devon sailor Francis Drake sets out on a journey of adventure.
Drake learns of routes used to transport Spanish silver and gold, and risks his life in an audacious plan to steal a fortune.
Queen Elizabeth is intrigued by Drake and secretly encourages his piracy. Her unlikely champion becomes a national hero, sailing around the world in the Golden Hind and attacking the Spanish fleet.
King Philip of Spain has enough of Drake’s plunder and orders an armada to threaten the future of England.
Check out what the Historical Fiction Book Reviews has to say about Drake - Tudor Corsair
“An engaging tale of discovery and survival on the high seas, Drake navigates the sometimes turbulent oceans, and the always tricky life at the court of a Tudor Queen..."
Read the full review HERE!
Welcome to Day #9 of the blog tour for Drake: Tudor Corsair #HistoricalFiction #SirFrancisDrake #BookReview @tonyriches @authorrochelle
Drake - Tudor Corsair
(The Elizabethan Series Book 1)
By Tony Riches
1564
Devon sailor Francis Drake sets out on a journey of adventure.
Drake learns of routes used to transport Spanish silver and gold, and risks his life in an audacious plan to steal a fortune.
Queen Elizabeth is intrigued by Drake and secretly encourages his piracy. Her unlikely champion becomes a national hero, sailing around the world in the Golden Hind and attacking the Spanish fleet.
King Philip of Spain has enough of Drake’s plunder and orders an armada to threaten the future of England.
Find out about Sir Francis Drake - the man behind the myth, over on Let the words shine...
Click HERE!
Check out what the Historical Fiction Blog has to say about Drake - Tudor Corsair
“Tony Riches gives us the accurate story of this famous figure, a bit less dramatic than the myths but much more believable… This Drake was totally relatable, flawed as most famous men really are, and quite likeable. I took away a much clearer vision of the Spanish/Elizabethan conflict, which was much broader than the typical “heroic queen” story we are fed in the movies.”
Read the full review HERE!
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