Mary Anne Yarde's Blog: The Coffee Pot Book Club , page 93

#BookReview — Naked Truth or Equality, the Forbidden Fruit by Carrie Hayes #HistoricalFiction

Naked Truthor Equality, the Forbidden FruitBy Carrie Hayes

From Washington Heights to Washington D.C. comes a true American Herstory. Filled with intrigue, lust, and betrayal, this is the fight for sexual equality.

1868, on the eve of the Gilded Age: Spiritualist TENNESSEE CLAFLIN is smart, sexy, and sometimes clairvoyant. But it’s her sister, VICTORIA WOODHULL, who is going to make history as the first woman to run for President of the United States.

It starts with the seduction of the richest man in America. Next, they'll take New York City and the suffragist movement by storm, because together, Tennessee and Victoria are a force of nature. Boldly ambitious, they stop at nothing, brushing shoulders with Harriet Beecher Stowe and Susan B. Anthony, using enough chutzpah to make a lady blush.

That is, until their backstabbing family takes them to court, and their carefully spun lives unravel, out in public and in the press.


“We are equal. Women are equal to men. There is nothing to stop us from saying our piece…”
The world moves… But not fast enough for the Claflin sisters.  Trapped in a man's world, Tennessee Claflin and her sister, Victoria Woodhill, are determined to make their voices heard.  While Victoria encourages women to rise en-masse and demand their emancipation, Tennessee desperately tries to come to terms with a life-changing illness. However, this illness, no matter how awful, will not shake Tennessee from her sister's side. With passion as her muse and a dogged determination to be heard, Victoria sets her sights on the highest prize of all — despite women not having the vote, she is determined to become the next President of the United States. No matter what they say, how they mock, the Claflin sisters will stand firm against all adversaries… From humble beginnings to desperate scandal, Naked Truth or Equality, the Forbidden Fruit by Carrie Hayes is the unforgettable story of the Claflin sisters as they fight for the right to be heard. Naked Truth or Equality, the Forbidden Fruit is astoundingly ambitious. It is a story rich in historical controversy, and it is also one that once started is very difficult to put down. Hayes has penned a novel that is as enthralling as it is shocking. There is a darkness in the world that the Claflin sisters inhabit, but there is also a strive for goodness, for justice, for equal opportunities. It is the story of two women who dared stand up and say No — this ends today. They dared to say what other women were thinking but did not have the courage to say out loud, and they were abused because they threatened the very order of things. The extreme acts that people were willing to go to, to discredit the sisters say a great deal about how society was run during this time, and I think that is what makes this book so incredibly successful. Hayes has a novelist eye for the human detail in all of its glory and its ugliness. 
Victoria is a woman on a mission. She is immensely passionate about woman's suffrage. She is a fabulous public speaker and comes across as a very strong, very determined woman, which I am sure intimated many of the men and indeed women, who heckled her and set out to discredit her. Hayes shows us this courageous public figure, but she also depicts the nerves before a speech, the insecurities, the doubt of a woman who was daring to rush in where angels feared to tread. Victoria was taking on the establishment — she ran for the presidency when women didn't even have the vote – how can you not respect that? It is an impressive portfolio, but she was also a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. Victoria grew up in a dysfunctional household, and yet somehow she rose above it. I thought Hayes' depiction of Victoria was sublime. 
The other protagonist in this tale is Tennessee, Victoria's sister. Tennessee fascinated me. She is blighted by ill-health — she fears the worst and tries to hide it. Her clairvoyant abilities give her insight into things that she did not really want to know. She is also someone who is used — by her family, by friends and by foe alike. She sees things that she wishes she could unsee, and she questions herself. Tennessee suffers terribly in this book, but like her sister, she is unrepentant in her belief that women should have the same rights as men and that they should be treated as equal citizens, and that they should be paid equally. I adored Tennessee, there are some things she does which might make a reader cringe, and many of the scenes she is in are quite shocking, but at the same time, Hayes has depicted a woman who feels very deeply and is hurt by those she trusts.
Hayes gives her readers an intimate insight into not only the Claflin's sisters point of view but also the secondary characters in this story as well. Initially, I was slightly concerned that this would make the story confusing and so fast-paced that it would be difficult to keep up. However, I soon found a rhythm to this story, and the numerous voices employed in telling this tale gave the narrative a richness that would have been very difficult to obtain through a single perspective.
The historical detail of this book has to be commended. Hayes has obviously devoted uncountable hours to research the lives of these two incredibly fascinating, yet very controversial women who lived in a time where respectability was everything and a hint of scandal could ruin not only your good name but also your business, your family, everything. By using diary entries, speeches and newspaper articles from the time, within the story, Hayes has given her fictional retelling of the sisters a sense of authority and realism. Some of the things that the sisters stood for were indeed very radical. When they spoke of Free Love, it was taken out of context and exploited by those who could. When they spoke of women's emancipation, they were heckled, and there were those who were determined to undermine them, to ridicule them and to smear them and thus end any thought of a political career. Hayes does not portray either sister as an innocent woman, she has not brushed over the scandal, but what she has done is given her readers a more pragmatic insight into who these women were and what they stood for. This book is a tremendous work of scholarship and one that Hayes should be justly proud of. 
Naked Truth or Equality, the Forbidden Fruit by Carrie Hayes is a candid story that, at times, is difficult to read because of the things that happen to the protagonists. But that is what makes this book so very special. I thought this novel was brilliant from start to finish. It is fresh, it is vibrant, and the story is one that has been waiting to be told.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.The Coffee Pot Book Club. 
Pick up your copy ofNaked Truth or Equality, the Forbidden FruitAmazon UK • Amazon US
Carrie Hayes
Carrie Hayes was born in New York City. She comes to writing as a result of the joy and passion derived from being a lifelong, avid reader. Carrie resides in New Jersey with her family. Naked Truth is her first book.
Connect with Carrie: Website • Amazon Author Page.

Check out Ivan Rudolph's fabulous new book — Your Origin and Destiny: Explore the Meaning of Life, Time and Creation #NewRelease

Your Origin and Destiny:Explore the Meaning of Life, Time and CreationBy Ivan Rudolph


“This book contains one of the most logical explanations of man’s purpose in the universe that I have ever read!” Rev. Dave Smethurst, international evangelist, Chaplain to Olympic Games, and founder of many orphanages in Eastern Europe. Your Origin and Destiny  explores the meaning of Life, Time, Evolution and Creation. Do you ever wonder who you are and why you’re on this Earth? Harnessing science and faith, Ivan Rudolph, author of Living Beyond: Making Sense of Near Death Experiences (2015), offers unique revelations and research that will lead to you expanding your own perspectives in all these areas, even if you have thought them through in the past. You’ll find that Time itself is different and far beyond our assumptions and experiences. Finding answers to life’s most pressing questions will leave you touched, satisfied and excited. Have you ever wondered whether the fundamental Evolution vs. Creation disagreements can be resolved? They can, and Rudolph analyzes why our own beginnings are entrenched in this issue, and how the confusion and distress of this redundant debate has caused many to abandon belief in an eternal God and an afterlife.  This easy-to-read book, Your Origin and Destiny, is a unique and poignant approach to life’s most important questions. You will be inspired by your fresh understanding and vision to pursue a fulfilling life of purpose and love, leading you into an eternal future. Most importantly, you will see yourself in a vibrant new light that will follow you long after the last page.
Covid-19 encourages us to ask ourselves “What is my life REALLY all about? Where did I REALLY come from, and what is my destiny up ahead?” Ivan’s book provides genuine answers to these questions, new answers, ones you have never seen or heard before but which will thrill you. It has been endorsed by prominent readers who agree that Ivan has made a significant breakthrough regarding these vital issues

Excerpt
A childhood question we never quite found the answer to in the playground, in school, or at home was “Who am I?” Later it likely became lost in the noise of life without ever being answered fully. Nowadays, with numbers of fine Scientists and leaders in industry and technology becoming increasingly alarmed by developments in artificial intelligence (AI), the question starts to puzzle and challenge us again, “Who  really  am I? How fundamentally superior am I to a sophisticated robot?” Robots can already invent their own private language and share information with other robots. They express awareness, logic, feelings, and independence. 

It may shock us, but Science does not actually know the answer to man’s superiority, nor to the essence of Time, Consciousness, Energy or Love, vital though these are to our existence. Check them out on the internet “what is Energy really?” and so on. For example—we know a huge amount how one form of energy converts into another, and how to measure it, how it travels and other characteristics, but what it truly is eludes us. The same is true for Consciousness and Time. In addition, we experience and value Love without being able to pinpoint it either. Our Universe runs with elegant Physics and Chemistry laws, but mankind is ignorant of their origin. We are babes in the woods of existence, whatever existence is. 

Conceptually, humanity is in trouble. Can these mysteries be solved in time for us to face some of our greatest challenges ever that loom ahead? 

This book can and should help.  
Pick up your copy ofYour Origin and DestinyAmazon UK • Amazon US • Barnes and Noble



Ivan Rudolph

Ivan is an Australian author coming originally from Africa, where one of his early books was turned into a movie. He has recently signed another movie contract for “John Flynn”, the heroic Australian founder of the famous Royal Flying Doctor Service. This latest book, and his previous one “Living Beyond: Making Sense of Near Death Experiences” are themed books dealing with many true life events and not suitable for another movie, BUT “Living Beyond” has already helped many readers who have sent Ivan emails of thanks – and this book will be no different. Ivan is happily married to Brenda. They have four super children and now six grandchildren and counting. Connect with Ivan: Website • Facebook • Amazon Author Page.

#BookReview — To Weave A Highland Tapestry (A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights) by Mary Morgan #HistoricalRomance #TimeTravel @m_morganauthor

To Weave A Highland Tapestry(A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights)By Mary Morgan

Patrick MacFhearguis, hardened by battles won and lost, desires what he can never have—peace within his heart and soul. Yet, the ever-meddling Fae weave a new journey for him to conquer—a task this Highlander is determined to resist.

When skilled weaver, Gwen Hywel, is commissioned to create a tapestry for the MacFhearguis clan she embraces the assignment. While seeking out ideas, she finds herself clutching the one thread that can alter the tapestry of her heart and life.

A man conflicted by past deeds. A woman with no family of her own. Is it possible for love to unravel an ancient past in order to claim two badly scarred hearts? Or will the light of hope be doused forever?




“Do not remove it unless ye are prepared for the other path.”
Gwen Hywel should have paid more heed to young Jamie’s warning, but she had felt drawn to the piece of thread embedded into the yew tree. Gwen was a weaver, perhaps that was why she had felt drawn to the thread, or maybe it was something else, something not of this world. Nevertheless, she had removed the thread, tumbled through time and found herself in the 13th century.
Patrick MacFhearguis longed for the impossible— a wife, someone to love. But such things were not to be because of the Leòmhann curse. And yet, he feels inexplicitly drawn to the mystery woman, despite her strange clothes and odd words.
Lost and alone, Gwen despairs of ever going home. But as Patrick begins to weave himself into the patterns of her heart, Gwen has to decide what the word home, really means for her…
From a frightening trip back in time to the discovery of true love, To Weave A Highland Tapestry (A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights) by Mary Morgan is the absolutely enthralling story about two lost souls finding love in each other’s arms.
Oh, it was so good to be back with those Dragon Knight boys! Morgan captured my imagination with The Dragon Knight series and the spin-off series, Legends of the Fenian Warriors. I was so excited when I learnt that Morgan was creating another series called A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights. I have grown to love so many of the characters in these books, and it was wonderful to be immersed in yet another story about them. To Weave A Highland Tapestry captivated me from the opening sentence and did not let go of me to the last full stop.  Morgan writes fabulously detailed and emotionally charged stories that capture a reader’s heart. The historical detail in this book has to be commended. Morgan has depicted the essence of 13th century Scotland. This was a very turbulent time in history, and although this is very much in the background of this novel, Morgan has portrayed the rising tensions between King John and King William fabulously. Add to the equation the magical realm of the Fae, and Morgan has presented her readers with a book that is not only bold but fabulously successful. The romance is swoon-worthy, the prose is crystalline, and the narrative is fast-paced. Time flew by as I lost myself within the pages of this remarkable book.
The heroine of this tale, Gwen Hywel, is a very caring, very loving woman who is, through no fault of her own, alone in the world. She is passionate about her job — she is a skilled weaver, and she can see, as so many artists can, the beauty of the world around her. When Gwen travels through time, her disorientation, which later turns to panicked disbelief, was beautifully described, as was her growing feelings towards Patrick. I adored everything about Gwen. She is brave, funny, kind, and so very lonely. She is unsure of herself and the feelings that she has for Patrick, and she tries desperately hard not to fall in love with him. But she is battling against fate, and one can never win when the odds are stacked so highly against you.
Patrick MacFhearguis — Oh. My. Days! He is the kind of hero one can fall head-over-heels in love with! Patrick fears his growing feelings for Gwen. He is terrified of the Leòmhann curse and what it means for him, and so he really fights his attraction to Grace for he is terrified of losing her. He fears bringing her to Leòmhann would only lead to sorrow. Patrick is the epitome of a romantic hero. He is a brave warrior who will not stand aside when he sees injustice. He is also the most loyal of men. His depiction made my heart flutter. Bravo, Ms Morgan.
There are a host of secondary characters in this novel, and fans of Morgan’s books will be pleased to learn that you will be reunited with the Dragon Knights. All of the secondary characters bring something fresh and vibrant to the story. They are all marvellously depicted.
Morgan’s stories are as unique as they are brilliant. They are compelling, bold, and so very successful. To Weave A Highland Tapestry (A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights) was everything I had hoped it would be and then some.
If you love a good Historical Romance with elements of the paranormal, then To Weave A Highland Tapestry (A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights) by Mary Morgan is the book for you. Although part of an extended series, To Weave A Highland Tapestry stands very firmly on its own two feet. However, I must issue a warning— for once you have read this book, you will most certainly want to go back and read the others. Your To Read list is going to go through the roof!
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.The Coffee Pot Book Club.

Pick up your copy ofTo Weave A Highland TapestryAmazon UK • Amazon US Mary Morgan Award-winning Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return. 
Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling by writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.
Connect with Mary:Website/Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Author Page • Pinterest • Instagram • BookBub • Linkedin • Audible Author Page.

 

In the Shadow of the Storm by Anna Belfrage is now available on #audio #HistoricalFiction #Giveaway @abelfrageauthor

In the Shadow of the StormBy Anna Belfrage

Adam de Guirande owes his lord, Roger Mortimer, much more than loyalty. He owes Lord Roger for his life and all his worldly goods, he owes him for his beautiful wife – even if Kit is not quite the woman Lord Roger thinks she is. So when Lord Roger rises in rebellion against the king, Adam has no choice but to ride with him – no matter what the ultimate cost may be.England in 1321 is a confusing place. Edward II has been forced by his barons to exile his favourite, Hugh Despenser. The barons, led by the powerful Thomas of Lancaster, Roger Mortimer and Humphrey de Bohun, have reasons to believe they have finally tamed the king. But Edward is not about to take things lying down, and fate is a fickle mistress.Adam fears his lord has over-reached, but at present Adam has other matters to concern him, first and foremost his new wife, Katherine de Monmouth. His bride comes surrounded by rumours concerning her and Lord Roger, and he hates it when his brother snickers and whispers of used goods.Kit Courcy has the misfortune of being a perfect double of Katherine de Monmouth – which is why she finds herself coerced into wedding a man under a false name. What will Adam do when he finds out he has been duped?Domestic matters become irrelevant when the king sets out to punish his rebellious barons. The Welsh Marches explode into war, and soon Lord Roger and his men are fighting for their very lives. When hope splutters and dies, when death seems inevitable, it falls to Kit to save her man – if she can.
Anna says: “During 2019, I had the pleasure of working closely with Greg Patmore to convert my book babies into audiobooks. Greg is an extremely talented narrator—but I quickly came to understand that a good narrator is also something of a creator. After all, Greg does his own interpretation of the characters, weaving his voice into mine, so to speak.”Find out more about Greg Patmore on his website.
***Anna is giving away one Audiobook copy of In the Shadow of the Storm.To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below!***
In the Shadow of the Storm in audio format is available on:Audible • Amazon • Downpour • GooglePlay • Kobo. 

Anna Belfrage
Anna Belfrage combines an exciting day-job as a board of director in various listed companies with her writing endeavours. When she isn’t writing a novel, she is probably working on a post or catching up on her reading. Other than work and writing, Anna finds time to bake and drink copious amounts of tea, preferably with a chocolaty nibble on the side. And yes, now and then she is known to visit a gym as a consequence…Find out more about Anna by visiting her website, www.annabelfrage.com or her Amazon page. You can also find her on Facebook or Twitter.

The Coffee Pot Book Club is proud to be working alongside #BooksGoSocial to bring you some fabulous promotional deals. Get Amazon Ads That Will Sell Your Book! Book Today and save $30.00 on all Amazon Ad Packages. @LPOBryan

GET AMAZON ADS THAT WILL SELL YOUR BOOK!​THE COFFEE POT BOOK CLUB IS EXCITED TO BE WORKING ALONGSIDE BOOKSGOSOCIAL TO OFFER YOU SOME FABULOUS MARKETING DEALS.​Our Amazon Ads “Done For You” service is a breakthrough for authors. No more time wasted getting it all to work. Get our experts to boost your royalties. We have data from over 7,500 Amazon ad campaigns and know what works and what doesn’t with Amazon ads.​We use a proven Laser Targeting system to get you book sales at a low cost.​Prices start at $275.00​Let the experts at BooksGoSocial boost your royalties today.


Let the experts at BooksGoSocial boost your royalties today.

To find out more, click HERE!
Remember to type in
flash30
at the checkout to claim your discount.


Who are BooksGoSocial?


Books Go Social (BGS) is a highly respected Author Promotion service — you may have already heard of them. The founder of BGS, Laurence O’ Bryan is dedicated to helping authors showcase their books. He knows what works and what does not. This is why I am so excited to be working with him on this fantastic deal.

The Du Lac Curse: Book 5 of The Du Lac Chronicles by Mary Anne Yarde is only 0.99 on Kindle for a Limited Time #NewRelease #Arthurian #HistoricalFiction

The Du Lac Curse Book 5 of The Du Lac ChroniclesBy Mary Anne Yarde

“A truly fascinating tale that will grip you from page one.” Ellie Midwood, USA Today Bestselling author
God against Gods. King against King. Brother against Brother.
Mordred Pendragon had once said that the sons of Lancelot would eventually destroy each other, it seemed he was right all along.
Garren du Lac knew what the burning pyres meant in his brother's kingdom — invasion. But who would dare to challenge King Alden of Cerniw for his throne? Only one man was daring enough, arrogant enough, to attempt such a feat — Budic du Lac, their eldest half-brother.
While Merton du Lac struggles to come to terms with the magnitude of Budic's crime, there is another threat, one that is as ancient as it is powerful. But with the death toll rising and his men deserting who will take up the banner and fight in his name?

Excerpt
The air inside of the church smelled of myrrh, as well as the frightened sweat of the nuns and the monks who were knelt with their heads bowed in desperate prayer. Outside this sacred building, the Evil One played, but here there was only God.
Sister Helena lit the altar candles, her fingers shaking. She stood back for a moment and watched the tiny flames as they fought against the darkness that threatened to consume them all.
A child whimpered but was quickly shushed. It would not do for the child to be discovered, for Sister Helena knew that the Evil One had no respect for the sanctuary of this church or any church for that matter. He only needed an excuse to rip the door off its hinges and violate this sacred place with his foul presence.
Outside, a man screamed, and a horse whinnied in terror. The smell of smoke drifted through the tiny gap at the bottom of the doors and mingled with the scent of the myrrh. Someone hammered on the door, but the nuns and the monks paid it no heed and continued to pray. Only Sister Helena turned to look.
They had barricaded the doors as best as they could. But the barricade would only last for so long. And if those outside really wanted to get in, then there was not an awful lot they could do to stop them. They had no weapons — not that they would have known how to use them if they did. They would be slaughtered. Sister Helena knew this for she had seen such things before. She had lived through such things before. But this time it was different. Very different. Tonight there was an evil moon, which looked down from an indifferent sky. Many would die. Perhaps they all would.
The child whimpered again as she hid under Sister Mary-Sarah’s habit. If the child were discovered, then she too would be killed, for that was what happened to the children of a king who had been usurped. But Rozen had only just turned four, and she did not understand what was happening. How does one go about telling a child that her father had been poisoned and her mother, who had so daringly tried to reach her children, had been taken prisoner? The soldiers must not find this little one. It was bad enough that her younger baby brother had been taken captive. Sister Helena knew only too well what his fate would be. She just prayed that Jowan, Alden du Lac’s eldest son and heir, would make it to safety. But even if he did, he would still be hunted. No son of Alden’s would ever be allowed to live. For the boy would be a great threat when he grew up and sought revenge. And he would seek it.
Pick up your copy ofThe Du Lac CurseAmazon UK • Amazon USCatch up with the rest of the series for FREE with

Mary Anne Yarde
Mary Anne Yarde is the multi award-winning author of the International Bestselling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Britain and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.
Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.
Connect with Mary Anne: Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads.

#BookReview — The King's Retribution (Book Two of The Plantagenet Legacy) by Mercedes Rochelle #Medieval #HistoricalFiction @authorrochelle

The Coffee Pot Book Club Book Award

The King's Retribution(Book Two of The Plantagenet Legacy)By Mercedes Rochelle



If you read A KING UNDER SIEGE, you might remember that we left off just as Richard declared his majority at age 22. He was able to rise above the humiliation inflicted on him during the Merciless Parliament, but the fear that it could happen again haunted him the rest of his life. Ten years was a long time to wait before taking revenge on your enemies, but King Richard II was a patient man. Hiding his antagonism toward the Lords Appellant, once he felt strong enough to wreak his revenge he was swift and merciless. Alas for Richard, he went too far, and in his eagerness to protect his crown Richard underestimated the very man who would take it from him: Henry Bolingbroke.



"When I was young and powerless, they saw fit to manipulate Parliament to achieve their selfish ends. Those days are over. It's my turn, now. I mean to bring the Crown back to the splendor and magnificence it possessed in the days of Edward I—when the Crown ruled Parliament, not the other way around..."
They had demanded pardons, and he had given them for there had been no other choice. But things were different now. The son of Edward, The Black Prince, would see justice served. Richard II would have his revenge, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.
At least, Richard II had thought there was no one to stand in his way. But the Wheel of Fortune was forever turning, and fate was not done with Richard yet...
From the death of Queen Anne to the utter despair of a vanquished king, The King's Retribution: Book Two of The Plantagenet Legacy by Mercedes Rochelle is the story of the tyranny of Richard II and his subsequent fall from grace.
Confident in his newfound power, Richard is determined to right an injustice. He may have given those involved in the Lords Appellants' rebellion their pardons, but he has not forgotten such a gross betrayal. And now was the time to right that wrong. Besieged with paranoia, Richard travels along a path that will ultimately end in his demise. With her enthralling narrative, Rochelle has given us a Richard who is determined to assert his personal will upon the baronial challenges that plagued his early reign. But in doing so, Richard abuses his divine powers which leads to dire retribution seemingly from the heavens. Why did Richard do this? Rochelle goes some way to explain. Richard is left totally undone by the death of his beloved wife — he loses the one person who understands his fears and can console him. Beset with grief and desperate to gain a sense of control in his life, Richard forgoes the fragile peace that was so hard-won in order to consolidate his power. Rochelle does not give us a Richard who has lost his mind, as some historians argue, but instead one who is governed by fear which leads him down a road of forced confessions and even the murder of his uncle, Gloucester.  
But that is not his only crime. Richard is seemingly out of touch with the common people, and he mismanages the country's finance. He is also apt at creating friction between the nobles, but especially between members of his family. This Rochelle describes in all its glorious yet sometimes ugly detail.
As Richard loses control over his country and his own destiny, Rochelle presents her readers with a despairing king. Richard's desperate attempts to hold onto his honour and dignity despite Henry's efforts to humiliate him was masterfully drawn. One could only feel sympathy for this dejected King as he is betrayed by almost everyone around him. And yet, with quiet dignity, Richard endures the hecklers on the streets as he is ushered into a world of uncertainty and despair.
Rochelle presents two very different sides to Richard — the paranoid statesman whose own personal bodyguard, the Chester Archers, causes disquiet and concern, but also Rochelle depicts a devoted husband. I thought Rochelle's depiction of Richard II was utterly sublime, and his desperation really drove this story forward and made it unputdownable. 
They had been childhood playmates, friends. Henry Bolingbroke had even been elevated from Earl of Derby to Duke of Hereford despite his participation in the Lords Appellants' rebellion against the King. In hindsight, Richard should have executed him. What a great king hindsight would make... 
Rochelle has portrayed Henry as a man who had been cruelly used. In the beginning, it seems that Richard exiled Henry for his safety with a promise that he would soon be able to return, but the truth soon becomes apparent when Henry's father, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, dies. The issue with Henry's inheritance is one that is often debated between historians — was Richard being obscenely insensitive in his handling of the inheritance? Or, was his intentions that of a monarch desperately trying to fill his coffers? Rochelle, does not paint Richard as an unsympathetic monarch to Henry's situation — it was Richard that saved Henry's life by sending him into exile in the first place — but at the same time, Richard completely misinterprets the anger that his action would cause. Why else would Richard ride off to war with Ireland if he knew how Henry would act upon hearing the news of his inheritance? What was to follow, must have come as quite the shock to Richard, and this Rochelle depicts in all its desperate disbelief. 
Rochelle has portrayed Henry as a man who not only succeeds in returning from his exile when the King is otherwise occupied but also one who obtains the loyalty of Richard's most faithful noblemen. On top of this, he wins the love of the common people. Like with Richard, I thought Rochelle's portrayal of Henry was absolutely fabulous. With carefully constructed dialogue Rochelle demonstrates how Henry so easily won over the nobles to his cause. Henry insisted he did not seek the throne, but at the same time, he paves the way for his coronation! The difference between Richard and Henry is as different as night is to day. I thought the distinction between the King and the man who would be king was masterfully portrayed.
The King's Retribution: Book Two of The Plantagenet Legacy is a richly detailed and emotionally-charged tale. There is a strong sense of time and place in Rochelle's writing and an authenticity to the historical detail. The hours of research that has so obviously gone into this book is staggering, but the end result is a novel that is as enthralling as it is poignantly beautiful. 
If you are looking for a new historical series about a king who unfortunately has been much maligned by history, then look no further than The Plantagenet Legacy by Mercedes Rochelle. 
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.The Coffee Pot Book Club.
  Pick up your copy ofThe King's RetributionAmazon UK • Amazon US


Mercedes Rochelle
Born in St. Louis MO with a degree from University of Missouri, Mercedes Rochelle learned about living history as a re-enactor and has been enamored with historical fiction ever since. A move to New York to do research and two careers ensued, but writing fiction remains her primary vocation. She lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Connect with Mercedes: Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter.

Check out Mary Ann Bernal’s fabulous #NewRelease — Crusader’s Path #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction @BritonandDane

Crusader’s PathBy Mary Ann Bernal

From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and Avielle find themselves drawn by the need for redemption against the backdrop of the First Crusade.
Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.
Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.
Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.
Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?
Excerpt
At first light, Avielle headed to the Bishop’s residence. She had not requested an audience and was surprised to receive such a command. She wondered why the Bishop wanted to see her. Perhaps, to change her mind about joining Duke Robert’s Army? Or he might wish to thank her for serving the Lord’s flock all these months or having the foresight to build the new hospital or both?
Unless I still require the Bishop’s approval for joining His Holiness’s campaign?
The Bishop rarely stayed in his assigned quarters at the Abbey, preferring to conduct church business on the grounds given to him by the Emperor. The small fortification was not far from the royal palace and was guarded by soldiers who had sworn their allegiance to him and not to the ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
Avielle paced herself, a long journey on foot, shorter if she had a donkey, faster if she had a horse. She pulled back her hood as the sun rose in the morning sky, regretting having worn the cloak at all once the heat of the day warmed the land. As Avielle reached the palace gates, she noticed soldiers holding the reins of six horses. She stopped when she saw the red flag with two leopards hanging listlessly on a lance. Should she stay, hoping to see the knight who had caught her eye or continue on her way? One did not keep the Bishop waiting!
At that moment, Duke Robert and his men crossed the courtyard. They mounted the horses in silence, riding slowly into the street. Etienne moved with his animal, as if they were one, riding on the side of the road where Avielle stood. She looked up, her face glowing when their eyes locked. A brief moment without words, a memory to reflect upon in the night, when unable to sleep. Avielle did not move, watching the knights returning from whence they came, and holding her breath when Etienne turned around, not once but twice before disappearing from her view.
If he is Duke Robert, he posed no threat, but if not?
A soldier Avielle had tended to at the hospital found her and offered to be of service.
“The Bishop expects me at his residence; I must not keep him waiting.”
“Ride with me,” the soldier said. “I am driving a cart filled with supplies for the Bishop’s kitchens.”
During the short journey, Avielle questioned the unsuspecting soldier about the leader of the Army encamped in the fields. She mentioned seeing six knights and could he identify any of them.
“I know only one name other than the ducal lord. A favored knight, who is called Etienne. They leave soon for the Holy Land.”
Etienne, is that who you are? Why do you haunt my thoughts?
Pick up your copy ofCrusader’s PathAmazon
Mary Ann Bernal
Mary Ann Bernal attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business Administration.  Her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009.  In addition to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of contemporary short stories in the Scribbler Tales series. Her latest endeavor is a science fiction/fantasy novel entitled Planetary Wars  Rise of an Empire. Originally hailing from New York, Mary Ann now resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska.
Connect with Mary Ann: Website • Whispering Legends Press • Twitter.

Check out Clay Cormany's fabulous book — Fast-Pitch Love #YoungAdult #Romance @Speechwriter2

Fast-Pitch LoveBy Clay Cormany

Can you mix romance with softball? Jace Waldron hopes so. That's why he's volunteered to assist the girls’ softball team his mom coaches. But Jace has some surprises coming as well as some lessons to learn about discovering inner beauty.

Excerpt
The next three Dragons went down on a pop-up, a fielder’s choice, and an easy grounder back to Corey’s glove, giving the Valkyries their first win.
Parents cheered while their daughters created a mob scene at the pitcher’s mound, giving hugs and lifting each other into the air. Some of the players’ younger siblings got involved, including one little girl who did cartwheels and somersaults. Jace joined the celebration. He hugged Corey and Heather, patted Lauren on the back, and even gave Phoebe’s shoulder a quick squeeze. He was about to herd the team off the field when Sylvia bumped into him. She threw her arms around his neck.
"We won, Jace! Doesn’t it feel great to win?"
"Yeah, it sure –"
Before he could finish his sentence, Sylvia planted her lips on his slightly open mouth and gave him a kiss that made his head spin. The sight of their two assistant coaches kissing brought a chorus of giggles from the girls around them.
"Wow, look at the lovebirds," quipped Heather.
Sylvia broke off the kiss and took a step back.
"Oh, I’m sorry, Jace," she blurted, her face reddening, "I guess I got carried away."
He took a step back and caught his breath. "Maybe we better line the girls up," he said. "There’s probably another game here after ours."
As he and Sylvia watched their players slap hands with their defeated foes, it occurred to Jace that he wasn’t the least bit sorry Sylvia kissed him. And another more impudent thought also bullied its way into his mind. Maybe the mouthy coach’s description of Sylvia as a "hot chick" was not so far from wrong.

Pick up your copy ofFast-Pitch LoveAmazon

Clay Cormany
Clay Cormany is the author of two YA books. The first, Fast-Pitch Love (Clean Reads, 2014), combines the angst and thrill of teenage romance with softball competition. The second, The Bullybuster (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2019), examines not only the harm of bullying but also the consequences of revenge. His shorter creative works have appeared in the Columbus Dispatch and Spring Street, Columbus State Community College’s literary magazine. Cormany has also edited numerous books. Among these are a three-volume biography of Christopher Columbus and A Death Prolonged by Dr. Jeff Gordon, which received coverage in the New York Times and on PBS.
Outside of his writing, Cormany enjoys bicycling, running, and spending time with his grandchildren. He is a strong supporter of literary organizations in his community, including Thurber House and the Ohioana Library.
Connect with Clay: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads • Amazon Author Page.

#BookReview — A Devil of a Time by Gretchen Jeannette #HistoricalFiction #AmericanRevolution @GAJeannette

A Devil of a TimeBy Gretchen Jeannette

Captain Niall McLane might think he has survived the worst that could happen to any man, but as the bloody American Revolution draws to a close, he finds his troubles are just beginning. When Niall becomes a suspect in a grotesque murder, his reputation as a merciless Indian fighter and scalp hunter turns the public against him. Worse, the real killer has only begun to rampage, his sights set on those close to Niall.

Now the hunt for evil is on. Niall's only allies are Andrew Wade, a hopeless drunkard tormented by his act of cowardice, and Andrew's young wife, Clarice, a woman of mettle who captivates Niall's heart. After another murder occurs, Niall manages to stay out of jail, but can he protect Clarice from the formidable creature prowling in their midst?

From the mysterious forests of Kentucky to a graceful Virginia plantation, from the fevered heat of battle to the hope and struggle for renewal, A Devil of a Time weaves a tale of courage, betrayal, and forbidden love, of three men grappling with the demons of their past, and the remarkable woman destined to change all their lives forever.


“He no longer remembered what he was like before The Wolf was spawned…”
Some people hear their inner voice with great clarity — for some, it drives them crazy. If Captain Niall McLane is to have any semblance of a normal life, then he must silence his inner wolf. But, in the heat of battle, that is easier said than done.
Niall has not known peace since the day the Shawnee took him and his father captive. But as he looks into the eyes of his best friend’s wife, Niall feels the foreign sensation of finally coming home. And for a time, the wolf inside of him is silent.
However, The Wolf will not be silenced for long, and if Niall no longer heeds his demand for blood then The Wolf will find another to command…
From a desperate battle between the American Rebels and the Shawnee on the Ohio Frontier to a shocking discovery of the identity of a murderer, A Devil of a Time by Gretchen Jeannette is in all ways a Historical Fiction triumph.
A Devil of a Time is a luxuriantly detailed and emotionally charged portrayal of a battle that changed everything. The sprawling, stirring narrative found me reaching for the tissues on more than one occasion. This is the kind of story that demands your attention and will undoubtedly earn your respect.
Jeannette gives her readers an intimate insight not only to her protagonists’ thoughts, feelings, fears, and hopes for the future but also an insight into the secondary characters and the antagonist as well. The numerous voices employed in telling this story gives the narrative a richness that would have been very difficult to obtain through a single perspective. By using multiple points of view, Jeannette has also created a sense of sinister foreshadowing, and as the novel progresses, there are hints of the tragedy that is about to unfold. The brutal prologue immediately makes the reader ask themselves how will Lieutenant Andrew Wade, a brave yet inexperienced officer, survive a war when the enemy uses nature to conceal their positions and does not follow the rules of war? How will Andrew endure not only the physical injuries he received at the hands of the Shawnee but also the psychological damage that would, in the future, plague the life of not only Andrew but everyone around him?
The psychological damage of warfare is an element that Jeannette explores very thoroughly in this book. Andrew, in his desperate desire to vanquish his demons, finds comfort at the bottom of a bottle. Whereas Niall McLane tries a different approach. Andrew’s tragic fall from grace, his inability to get through the day without being drunk, is in stark contrast to Niall’s who is desperate to calm the beast inside of him — the beast that the Shawnee have named Swift Wolf Seizing Prey. Niall recognises the beast that he has become, and he fights this demon inside of him with the same relentlessness as he did the Shawnee. Andrew, on the other hand, makes excuses and apologies, which do nothing to address the underlying problem. I thought the depiction of both Andrew and Niall was sublime and both of them stirred my sympathy, especially because this book is set in an age where Post Traumatic Stress Disorder did not even have a name let alone any sense of understanding.
The heroine of this story is Clarice Wade, Andrew’s wife. Clarice endures, not because she wants to, but because if she allows her emotions to overcome her, then all is lost. Her story is especially tragic because she is so loving and so forgiving. But as she watches Andrew slip away from her, the only person she can turn to is Niall, Andrew’s best friend. Clarice’s depiction was wonderful. This is a woman who comes across as very strong, very capable, but underneath the façade is a woman who is as lost as her husband. Her own private grief she has to bear alone, and her desperate desire to bring joy back into her household is thwarted by her husband’s inability to get through an evening without disgracing himself. The man she married was not the man who came back from war, which in itself was utterly heartbreaking, but to be so coldly rebuked made her story all the more heartrending. If it were not for Niall, I doubt Clarice would cope with her desperate situation. He unwittingly becomes her rock, her refuge. Clarice and Niall’s story is one born of despair but also hope — hope that things will get better and that this unbearable suffering shall, one day, pass.
The historical detailing in this novel is staggering. However, what this book is not is a balanced account of what became known as the Western Theater of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). By not portraying the desperation of the Shawnee to hold onto their ancestral land actually gives this book a sense of authenticity. History tells us that the Shawnee did not support the American Rebels, and they did clash with them, and this Jeannette has portrayed in all its horrifying detail. The Shawnee are the enemy to the characters in this book. They are also the cause of much suffering, so to paint them in a light other than the way Jeannette has, would have defeated the point of the story. If anything, this novel confirms the fact that history is never simple, but it is, instead composed of a complicated network of truths and lies. Putting the depiction of the Shawnee to one side, the description of what life was like in a Virginian tobacco plantation in the late 1700s is masterfully portrayed. There is a strong sense of time and place in this novel, which has to be commended.
The graphic depiction of battle and the brutal, almost ritual, murders that occur throughout this novel are explicit. There are scenes that some readers will find very distressing. Some passages deal with issues such as adultery, rape, and injustice. This is a novel that will shock, but at the same time, it is a story that one cannot turn away from. I had to keep reading. I had to know how this book was going to end. It is an enthralling read, from start to finish.
The tone of the narrative and the novel’s extraordinarily complex psychological exploration gives this book an air of desperation, an air of menace. However, once started this novel is impossible to turn away from. The pages practically turned themselves as I watched in helpless surrender as the protagonists are hurtled towards a destination which demands a sacrifice. There are no winners in this story, only survivors. The characters are also the product of their time — adultery is not only frowned upon but punishable. However, domestic abuse is something that is brushed under the carpet. A Devil of a Time was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. I loved the tangled web of lies and subterfuges and the unquenchable passion between two very lonely souls who find comfort in each other’s arms. 
If you are looking for your next enthralling Historical Fiction read then look no further than A Devil of a Time by Gretchen Jeannette. You won’t be disappointed.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.The Coffee Pot Book Club.

Pick up your copy of A Devil of a Time Amazon UK • Amazon US

Gretchen Jeannette
Gretchen Jeannette was born in 1955 in Wilmington, Delaware. She lives and works in Chester County, Pennsylvania, an area rich in Revolutionary War and Colonial American history. Her enduring interest in 18th Century America began at a young age, inspired by the novels of Dale Van Every and Allan Eckert, whose timeless tales of adventure and romance capture the essence of early American lore. Eager to read more such stories, to her disappointment she had trouble finding them on bookshelves, so she decided to write one of her own. Thus began a journey fueled by her passion for breathing life into history through believable characters, authentic historical details, and plots woven with adventure, romance and suspense.
Connect with Gretchen: Website • Twitter • Goodreads.