Linnea Tanner's Blog, page 17
October 3, 2023
MK McClintock The Ghost of Greyson Hall #HistoricalRomanceMystery #HistoricalMystery #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub #CPBC @cathiedunn
I’m pleased to introduce the featured author, MK McClintock, in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between October 2nd – 6th, 2023. MK McClintock is the author of the Historical Romance Mystery, The Ghost of Greyson Hall (British Agents Series, Book #4), independently published by the author on October 3rd, 2023 (169 pages).
Below are highlights of The Ghost of Greyson Hall, MK McClintock’s author bio, and an excerpt from her book.
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/08/blog-tour-the-ghost-of-greyson-hall.html
HIGHLIGHTS: THE GHOST OF GREYSON HALL
The Ghost of Greyson Hall
(British Agents Series, Book #4)
By MK McClintock
Blurb:
Once a year, an ancient secret walks the corridors of Greyson Hall, a place shrouded in mystery and whispered legend.
When Devon Clayton inherited the stately mansion in England’s wild north from his uncle, he never imagined what secrets lurked within its walls, hidden for centuries. When his friends and brothers join him for the holiday, the British Agents and their families discover that their most unusual case will bring new meaning to Christmas spirit.
They must now unravel a century-old mystery if they are to break the curse and save a love that transcends time.
A long novella set in Northumberland in December 1782 and 1892.
***
Also Available:
Alaina Claiborne
Blackwood Crossing
Clayton’s Honor
Note: The British Agent series books are written to be read as stand-alone novels. However, they each have cross-over characters, meaning characters from each book will appear in the others. The only reading order is chronological, but each title can still be read as stand-alone.
Praise for the British Agent Novels Series:
“Ms. McClintock succeeds in masterfully weaving both genres meticulously together until mystery lovers are sold on romance and romance lovers love the mystery!”—InD’Tale Magazine on Alaina Claiborne
“This book was perfectly-paced with mystery, romance, adventure, and so much more. I am definitely recommending that everyone who loves historical fiction in general read this book. I cannot wait to start reading the next book in this series.”—Dreams Come True Through Reading on Blackwood Crossing
“MK McClintock has spun an enchanting tale deeply entrenched in the lands of Scotland and England that will leave you riveted to your chair until you turn the last page.” —My Life, One Story at a Time on Blackwood Crossing
“Clayton’s Honor by MK McClintock is a clean historical romance that will keep your heart beating and your palms sweating. This is definitely a novel that is going on my ‘read again’ shelf! A really good and smooth read!” —Readers’ Favorite
Buy Links:
Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon AU • Amazon CA • Barnes & NobleAUTHOR BIO: MK MCCLINTOCK
MK McClintock is an award-winning author who writes historical romantic fiction about chivalrous men and strong women who appreciate chivalry. Her stories of romance, mystery, and adventure sweep across the American West to the Victorian British Isles with places and times between and beyond.
Her works include the following series: Montana Gallaghers, Crooked Creek, British Agents, Whitcomb Springs, and the stand-alone collection, A Home for Christmas. She is also the co-author of the McKenzie Sisters Mysteries.
MK enjoys a quiet life in the northern Rocky Mountains. Visit her online home at www.mkmcclintock.com where you can learn more about her books, explore extras, and subscribe to receive news.
Author Links:
Website: www.mkmcclintock.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MKMcClintockBooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkmcclintock/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mkmcclintock/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mk-mcclintock
Mailing List: https://www.mkmcclintock.com/subscribe
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MK-McClintock/author/B006UV5PPI
EXCERPT: THE GHOST OF GREYSON HALL
Candlelight danced near the shadows within while a tempest wailed beyond the stone walls. Flames fluttered, and the subtle scent of beeswax mingled with the rosewater Grace favored after a bath. The white muslin shift clung to her skin across the shoulders where drops of water remained.
She twined the string of pearls she wore at their evening meal, momentarily focused on the gentle clack they made against the vanity’s wooden surface. Dinners were always a formal affair at the insistence of the earl, her husband of two years. Night after night, she dressed in the finest silks, sipped Madeira wine, and listened to her husband turn the plight of the Revolutionary War onto himself, where he suffered for the colonials’ impudence.
“Alexander is returning home. Perhaps as early as Christmas. This letter is dated three months past.”
Grace peered into the dressing-table mirror and watched her husband pace as he read the misplaced letter, delivered into his hands only this evening. “You have missed him.”
“You will like him, my dear. Upon his return, we will host a grand reception here at Greyson Hall.”
Grace turned to face her husband. “Spencer, dear, Christmas is but a fortnight hence, and it is a dangerous journey to this part of England in such weather. Perhaps in the spring.”
“You would deny Alexander the celebration he is due? He fought for England, our interests, and our son’s future.” Her husband approached from behind, watching her through the mirror rather than looking directly at her. His hands slid over her bare shoulders and brushed aside the heavy locks of fair hair, tickling the base of her neck. “It is what I desire, dear one.”
Grace faced the mirror and met Spencer’s dark eyes. How did they not burn a hole through the glass and into her skin? His smooth fingertips caressed the sides of her throat and gently turned her face to his. She accepted the press of his warm lips against hers and caught the exhale of his breath before he eased his head, then his body away.
“See it is done.” Spencer turned on his heel and walked to his adjoining dressing room.
He expected her to be ready for him, waiting as she always did. “A marriage of happy possibilities,” her father once promised before he succumbed to a weak heart one month after her wedding. Too despondent to live as a widow, her mother followed soon after. Whispers among society wondered if Grace’s mother realized the ice had not fully formed over the pond that took her life or if she chose that warm winter day to surrender her demons.
Excerpt from The Ghost of Greyson Hall copyright © MK McClintock
Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
September 12, 2023
Book Review The Traitor Beside Her Mary Anna Evans #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @maryannaevans @cathiedunn
It is my pleasure to introduce Mary Anna Evans as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour that is being held between August 2nd — October 4th, 2023. Mary Anna Evans is the author of the Historical Mystery novel, The Traitor Beside Her (The Justine Byrne Historical Mysteries), released by Sourcebooks on June 6, 2023 (346 pages).
Below are highlights of The Traitor Beside Her, Mary Anna Evans’ author bio, and my review of her novel.
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-traitor-beside-her.html
The Traitor Beside Her
(The Justine Byrne Historical Mysteries)
By Mary Anna Evans
Audiobook narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell
Blurb:
“Evans’s characters are vividly drawn, elevating this story and its revelations about women’s little-celebrated contributions to the war effort.”— Washington Post
“An exciting read with historical tidbits, a hint of danger, and a touch of romance.”— Kirkus Reviews
The Traitor Beside Her is an intricately plotted WWII espionage novel weaving together mystery, action, friendship, and a hint of romance perfect for fans of The Rose Code and Code Name Helene.
Justine Byrne can’t trust the people working beside her. Arlington Hall, a former women’s college in Virginia has been taken over by the United States Army where hundreds of men and women work to decode countless pieces of communication coming from the Axis powers.
Justine works among them, handling the most sensitive secrets of World War II—but she isn’t there to decipher German codes—she’s there to find a traitor.
Justine keeps her guard up and her ears open, confiding only in her best friend, Georgette, a fluent speaker of Choctaw who is training to work as a code talker. Justine tries to befriend each suspect, believing that the key to finding the spy lies not in cryptography but in understanding how code breakers tick. When young women begin to go missing at Arlington Hall, her deadline for unraveling the web of secrets becomes urgent and one thing remains clear: a single secret in enemy hands could end thousands of lives.
“A fascinating and intelligent WWII home front story.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author for The Physicists’ Daughter
Buy Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/4XwxG1
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Traitor-Beside-Her-Novel/dp/1464215588
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGYPLMTH
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Traitor-Beside-Her-Novel/dp/1464215588
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Traitor-Beside-Her-Novel-ebook/dp/B0BGYPLMTH
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-traitor-beside-her-mary-anna-evans/1143344440
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-traitor-beside-her/mary-anna-evans/9781464215582
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-traitor-beside-her
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-traitor-beside-her-mary-anna-evans/18743820
Audio Buy Links:
Audiobooks.com: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/672506/
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Traitor-Beside-Her-Audiobook/B0BVDLCL7J
AUTHOR BIO: MARY ANNA EVANS
Mary Anna Evans is an award-winning author, a writing professor, and she holds degrees in physics and engineering, a background that, as it turns out, is ideal for writing her Justine Byrne series, which began with The Physicists’ Daughter and continues with her new book, The Traitor Beside Her. She describes Justine as “a little bit Rosie-the-Riveter and a little bit Bletchley Park codebreaker.”
Mary Anna’s crime fiction has earned recognition that includes two Oklahoma Book Awards, the Will Rogers Medallion Awards Gold Medal, and the Benjamin Franklin Award, and she co-edited the Edgar-nominated Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.maryannaevans.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/maryannaevans
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAnnaEvansAuthor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-anna-evans-a7642810/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannaevans/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-anna-evans
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Anna-Evans/author/B001JP9ZY2
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12395.Mary_Anna_Evans
BOOK REVIEW: THE TRAITOR BESIDE HER
The USA’s secret program of cryptoanalysis in Virginia toward the end of WWII is explored in The Traitor Beside Her by Mary Anna Evans. A physicist’s daughter, Justine Byrne plays a dangerous game of espionage. On the surface, she has been recruited to decode communication from various Axis powers as Allied forces advance on the front lines toward Germany. However, her primary objective is to find the traitor among the brilliant decoders at Arlington Hall who are deciphering German codes that could steer the course of the war. She cannot trust anyone as she investigates who could be the potential spy. One woman on site has already been killed and others have gone missing. The suspense builds as she hones on potential suspects, risking her life.
Mary Anna Evans has written a unique, smoothly-written novel with elements of suspense, romance, and friendship. The story offers the unique perspective of a young, somewhat naive woman thrust into the midst of espionage with minimal training. The story is told primarily from Justine’s perspective, but other points of view are used to move the story forward. Justine can only confide in Georgette, her best friend and fluent speaker of Choctaw, who is suddenly brought into the mission. Nora is another intriguing, eccentric character who can see the colors of the music she composes and plays.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is to learn about the secret decoding processes that could impact the war as much as the military forces on the battlefield. Each suspect has an interesting backstory that could explain why he or she chooses to betray his/her country. However, the pacing sometimes slows down when the story delves into romance and everyday conversations of women living at Arlington Hall.
Readers who enjoy learning more about covert operations that supported the behind-the-scenes war effort of Allies during WWII should enjoy reading The Traitor Beside Her, told from the perspective of a precocious, young woman thrown into the jaws of espionage.
Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
September 4, 2023
Catherine Kullmann The Husband Criteria #RegencyRomance #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub@CKullmmannauthor @cathiedunn
I am pleased to introduce Catherine Kullmann as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour held between August 29th – September 19th, 2023. Catherine Kullmann is the author of the Regency Romance, The Husband Criteria (The Lorings, Book #3), published by Willow Books on 24th August 2023 (297 pages).
Below are highlights of The Husband Criteria, Catherine Kullmann’s author bio, and an excerpt from her book.
Tour Schedule Link: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-tour-husband-criteria-by-catherine-kullmann.html
HIGHLIGHTS: THE HUSBAND CRITERIA
The Husband Criteria
(The Lorings,
Book #3
)
By Catherine Kullmann
(Blurb)
London 1817
The primary aim of every young lady embarking on the Spring frenzy that is the Season must be to make a good match. Or must it? And what is a good match? For cousins Cynthia, Chloe and Ann, well aware that the society preux chevalier may prove to be a domestic tyrant, these are vital questions. How can they discover their suitors’ true character when all their encounters must be confined to the highly ritualised round of balls, parties and drives in the park?
As they define and refine their Husband Criteria, Cynthia finds herself unwillingly attracted to aloof Rafe Marfield, heir to an earldom, while Chloe is pleased to find that Thomas Musgrave, the vicar’s son from home, is also in London. And Ann must decide what is more important to her, music or marriage.
And what of the gentlemen who consider the marriage mart to be their hunting grounds? How will they react if they realise how rigorously they are being assessed?
A light-hearted, entertaining look behind the scenes of a Season that takes a different course with unexpected consequences for all concerned.
Buy Links:
Universal Link: https://mybook.to/criteria
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Catherine Kullmann was born and educated in Dublin. Following a three-year courtship conducted mostly by letter, she moved to Germany where she lived for twenty-five years before returning to Ireland. She has worked in the Irish and New Zealand public services and in the private sector. Widowed, she has three adult sons and two grandchildren.
Catherine has always been interested in the extended Regency period, a time when the foundations of our modern world were laid. She loves writing and is particularly interested in what happens after the first happy end—how life goes on for the protagonists and sometimes catches up with them. Her books are set against a background of the offstage, Napoleonic wars and consider in particular the situation of women trapped in a patriarchal society.
She is the author of The Murmur of Masks, Perception & Illusion, A Suggestion of Scandal, The Duke’s Regret, The Potential for Love, A Comfortable Alliance, and Lady Loring’s Dilemma.
Catherine also blogs about historical facts and trivia related to this era. You can find out more about her books and read her blog (My Scrap Album) at her website. You can contact her via her Facebook page or on Twitter.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.catherinekullmann.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CKullmannAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherinekullmannauthor
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/catherine-kullmann
Amazon Author Page: http://viewauthor.at/ckullmannamazonpage
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15549457.Catherine_Kullmann
Chapter Eleven
Cynthia had been intent on their discussion but now she saw that they were being subjected a great deal of covert glances from the assembled ton. She smiled at Chloe who sat in the barouche-landau with Rosa opposite old Lady Loring and Lord Swanmere. They had drawn up beside another carriage containing another old lady and Lady Benton. Chloe said something and all heads turned towards Marfield’s curricle. The lady beside Lady Benton beckoned imperiously.
Marfield groaned. “My grandmother, the dowager Marchioness of Martinborough. She who will not be gainsaid. I cannot pull up beside them; would you object to our drawing in here at the side and walking the few steps back to them? Tom will stay with the horses.”
“No, of course not.” In fact, Cynthia would have preferred not to be presented in such a public manner, but she could not refuse. She sat quietly, admiring the skill with which he eased his equipage into what seemed a very tight space indeed. He jumped down and came round to assist her alight, then offered her his arm and led her through a gap in the rails that separated the lawn from the carriages and horses jostling on the ride.
Tom and Bob among the Pinks in Rotten Row. Antique engraving from the author’s private collection
“You know my mother, of course,” he said as they walked back to the Martinborough carriage.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting Lady Benton several times,” Cynthia agreed. She was relieved to see that the Swanmere carriage had moved on.
Marfield stopped beside the barouche and bowed. “Good day, Grandmother, Mother. Grandmother, may I have the honour of presenting Miss Glazebrook?”
“Good day, my ladies.” Cynthia sketched a curtsey—anything more would be too extravagant here in the Park.
“Of course I know Miss Glazebrook,” Lady Benton said with a friendly smile. “I am happy to see you again, my dear.”
Her mother inclined her head a scant inch. She must be at least as old as Great-Grandmamma, Cynthia thought, noting the dowager’s sharp eyes and wrinkled face surmounted by a pile of carefully arranged silver curls protected by a green silk calash bonnet lined with pale pink and tied with green and pink ribbons. She clutched an ornate lorgnette, which was aimed balefully at the newcomers.
“Don’t just stand there, giving me a crick in my neck,” she snapped, gesturing to the seat opposite her. “Sit down. You too, Marfield.”
Cynthia felt rather than heard him sigh.
“Just for five minutes,” he said as he handed her up. “I cannot keep the horses standing for longer than that.”
“You gentlemen—your horses are always more important to you than anyone else. Why have you not called on me?”
“I was not aware that you were in town, ma’am. When did you come up?”
“Yesterday,” the dowager retorted.
Cynthia bit her lip to repress her smile.
Lady Martinborough turned her magnified gaze on Cynthia. “Glazebrook. Are you related to the Nabob Glazebrook?”
“He is my grandfather, ma’am.”
“Hmm. And your mother? Who are her people?”
“She was Miss Raven.”
“Raven? Ransford’s daughter.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The dowager snorted but before she could say anymore, Marfield intervened. “Enough, Grandmother. You will put me to the blush if you subject Miss Glazebrook to any further inquisition.”
“It would take more than that to put you to the blush, you scapegrace. Don’t you agree, Miss Glazebrook?”
“Now how am I to answer that?” Cynthia said. “Reluctant as I must be to contradict a lady of such advanced years and standing, you cannot expect me to agree with your characterisation of your grandson; I have always found him most gentleman-like.”
“Well said, Miss Glazebrook,” Lady Benton said. “I should like to talk more, but we mustn’t keep the horses standing any longer.” She held her hand out to Cynthia. “Goodbye, my dear. Pray come and call on me.”
Cynthia touched the proffered fingers. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Marfield rose. “We’ll take our leave of you, ladies.” He hopped down and held his hand out to Cynthia.
She placed hers in it, made a half-bow and with a polite “My ladies”, gratefully stepped down onto the lawn.
Another bow and a wave, and they were able to depart.
“Ooof!” Marfield let out a long breath. “I am so sorry; I had no idea she would go for you like that.”
“I was beginning to wonder would she demand to see my teeth and run a hand down my calf,” Cynthia said.
“You handled her very well. I liked your reference to her advanced years and standing. She couldn’t really take umbrage at being called old in that manner.”
“Thank you for drawing her fire. Still, there is one thing we may be grateful for.”
“And that is?”
“You saw the carriage that was drawn up beside hers earlier? Lady Swan-Loring and Miss Loring were in it.”
“Yes?”
“The old lady sitting opposite them was my great-grandmother, Lady Loring. Just imagine if they were still there when we reached your grandmother.”
“Good heavens! It would have been lorgnettes at dawn, you think?”
“It is very likely.”
© Catherine Kullmann 2023
Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
August 21, 2023
The Shadow Earl Stella Riley #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalMystery #BlogTour #The CoffeePotBookClub @RileyStella @cathiedunn
I’m pleased to introduce the award-winning author Stella Riley to The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour held between August 22nd – 24th, 2023. Stella Riley is the author of the Historical Romance, The Shadow Earl, independently published on 15th July 2023 (433 pages).
Below are highlights of The Shadow Earl, Stella Riley’s author bio, and an excerpt from her book.
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-tour-shadow-earl-by-stella-riley.html
HIGHLIGHTS: THE SHADOW EARL
The Shadow Earl
By Stella Riley
Audiobook narrated by Alex Wyndham
Blurb:
At the end of his Grand Tour, somewhere between Athens and Constantinople, Christian Selwyn, the young Earl of Hazelmere, vanished – seemingly without a trace.
Time passes. In London, his uncle and cousin move into his home … while his unofficial fiancée, Sophia, is left desolate and in limbo. Finally, his friends – loyal and close as brothers – set out to search in person.
Christian’s startling re-appearance at a grand ball takes society by storm and fuels endless speculation. Where has he been during these three missing years? What happened to him?
And more importantly, how did it happen?
Only one thing is clear. The earl who left England five years ago, has returned a changed man. A man with secrets.
Buy Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/meqpeZ
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Earl-Stella-Riley-ebook/dp/B0C6VMXVTC/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Earl-Stella-Riley-ebook/dp/B0C6VMXVTC/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Shadow-Earl-Stella-Riley-ebook/dp/B0C6VMXVTC/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Shadow-Earl-Stella-Riley-ebook/dp/B0C6VMXVTC/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shadow-earl-stella-riley/1143607582?ean=2940166065582
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-shadow-earl
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1401655
AUTHOR BIO: STELLA RILEY
Winner of four gold medals for historical romance (Readers’ Favourite in 2019, Book Excellence Awards in 2020, Global Book Awards in 2022 and Book Excellence Award in 2023) and fifteen B.R.A.G. Medallions, Stella Riley lives in the beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.
She is fascinated by the English Civil Wars and has written six books set in that period. These, like the 7-book Rockliffe series (recommended in The Times newspaper!) and the Brandon Brothers trilogy, are all available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.
Stella enjoys travel, reading, theatre, Baroque music, and playing the harpsichord. She also has a fondness for men with long hair – hence her 17th and 18th century heroes.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://stellarileybooks.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RileyStella
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellariley.books
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellarileybooks/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/riley9631/stella-riley-books/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/search?search=Stella%20Riley
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stella-Riley/e/B0034PB7UU
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/171405852-the-shadow-earl
EXCERPT: THE SHADOW EARL
Kit & Sophia’s first private meeting after his return.
Their reunion ought to be have been joyful, Sophia thought. Instead, anger was simmering inside her and Kit was behaving like a silent stranger.
Christian wondered how she’d react if he told her that his skin no longer seemed to fit him; that sometimes he felt like a shadow, observing the world but not part of it. Instead, he said baldly, ‘Had I not reappeared, would you have gone ahead with your betrothal to Basil?’
The question hit her like a punch. ‘Yes. What else was I to do?’
He nodded. ‘If you still wish to do so, I will not stand in your way.’
And without warning, her anger boiled over. Rising, she said, ‘If I still wish to marry Basil? How dare you ask that! I never wished it. Does the fact that I waited five years for you tell you nothing?’
Since she was standing, he did so too. ‘I was merely asking if – ’
‘You shouldn’t have needed to ask – you should have known! But since you didn’t … this last year, I’ve lived with a litany of it being my duty to marry before Papa dies and leaves us all virtually penniless. And you – you were never c-coming back because you were d-dead.’
Christian looked back at her, his face white. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘So you’ve said – so you should be.’ Pressing her lips together and spine very straight, Sophia looked him in the eye. ‘If your feelings have changed, say so.’
He walked away to the window, groping for words that might make sense.
‘During my time … away … I couldn’t allow myself to think about you or home or any of the things I might never seen again. I couldn’t afford those … emotions. But now I’m free, I’m battered by feelings – none of them the ones I shut away. Those seem lost. The truth is that I scarcely recognise myself any more.’
Her anger fell away. She wasn’t the only one who was hurting. He was, too – and perhaps in worse ways. She said softly, ‘How long is it since Lord Wendover and Mr Shelbourne rescued you – if rescue is the right word?’
‘It is. And it’s been eleven weeks.’
Behind him, Sophia’s hand crept to her mouth. Eleven weeks? After three years of captivity? No wonder he’s still in emotional turmoil. How could he not be?
Instagram Handles: @thecoffeepotbookclub
August 18, 2023
Aug 19 Westminster, CO Barnes & Noble Book Fair #Corado #Books #Gifts #Weekend #BookReaders #AuthorEvent @judithbriles @BNBuzz
Join me and other local authors for the Westminster Barnes & Noble BookFair on Saturday, August 19th at 9370 Sheridan Blvd. from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Any books and other store merchandise purchased by visitors at the B&N store that day will generate a donation to the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame.
I’ll be there with other Colorado authors to sign, sell books, and support the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame and its scholarship opportunities for writers. Barnes & Noble is a generous supporter of Colorado Authors and the AuthorYOU community in conjunction with Dr. Judith Briles. Any books and other store merchandise purchased by visitors at the B&N store on either day will generate a donation to support the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame.
Come meet us and preview our award-winning fiction and nonfiction authors of all genres: adult, YA, juvenile, and children’s books.
August 14, 2023
Esperanza’s Way Cindy Burkart Maynard #HistoricalFiction #Spain #womansjourney #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @LgmtBird @cathiedunn
Please welcome Cindy Burkart Maynard to The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour held between August 14th – 18th, 2023. Cindy Burkart Maynard is the author of the Historical Fiction, Esperanza’s Way (The Seekers Series, Book 2) released by Historium Press on June 30th, 2023 (262 pages).
Below are highlights of Esperanza’s Way, Cindy Burkart Maynard’s author bio, and an excerpt from her book.
Blog Tour Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-esperanzas-way.html
HIGHLIGHTS: ESPERANZA’S WAY
Esperanza’s Way
(The Seekers Series, Book 2)
by Cindy Burkart Maynard
Blurb:
Motivated by the memory of her mother dying in her arms, Esperanza resolves that she will one day walk the halls of the Scola Medica at Salerno and train to become a healer. Fate brought Amika, a talented herbalist, into her life and helped Esperanza take her first steps toward gaining the knowledge that would fulfill her dream. Unfortunately, a tragic accident forced Esperanza to flee Amika’s home. Her journey toward finding the path to success is littered with stumbling blocks, some more difficult to avoid than she expected.
Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon AU • Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble • KoboFINDING THE WAY
Finding the Way
(The Seekers Series, Book 1)
by Cindy Burkart Maynard
AUTHOR BIO: CINDY BURKART MAYNARD
Cindy Burkart Maynard is passionate about history, and the natural world, a passion that adds rich detail and context to her historical fiction novels. Her characters come to life on the page as they portray what it was like to live in another time and place. She weaves compelling, dramatic stories based on strong characters facing daunting challenges. She has co-authored two nonfiction works about the Colorado Plateau and the Desert Southwest and contributed articles to Images and Colorado Life Magazines. She has been a Volunteer Naturalist for Boulder County for more than twenty years, and served as a Docent at the Sonora Arizona Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ.
Awards:
Colorado Authors League Award Winner for Western Literature
Women Writing the West Award Finalist
WILLA Literary Award finalist for soft cover fiction.
Readers’ Favorite Five Star Author
Winner of the Marie M. Irvine Award for Literary Excellence
Professional Affiliations:
Historical Novel Society of North America
Lighthouse Writers
Women’s Fiction Writers Association
Colorado Authors League
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Authors Guild
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.cindyburkartmaynard.com/bio
Publisher author page: https://www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/cindy-burkart-maynard
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lgmtbird
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CindyBurkartMaynardAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmaynardre/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cindy-Maynard/author/B07NLKS41B
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14235001.Cindy_Burkart_Maynard
EXCERPT #5: ESPERANZA’S WAY
The city of Napoli shimmered in the late season sunshine. The desperate, cloying heat of summer had abated from a full boil to a subtle simmer. Ships and vessels of all sorts crowded the harbor, bobbing on the sun-drenched sea. Hulking cogs, like Ibrahim’s ship, rested their flat bottoms on the harbor’s soft seabed, their square sales furled tightly against their masts. Sweating men groaned under heavy loads as they descended the gangway. The sounds of shouting in many languages were like lyrics of a song in which the creaking boards of ships provided the bass notes, and seagulls shrieking above sang soprano. The triangular sails of dhows hung limp after their voyage from the Red Sea and eastern Arabia to Napoli’s bustling port. . .
A hand on Esperanza’s shoulder startled her back into reality. A robust man in a short, royal blue tunic and finely woolen hose loomed over her. Around his neck hung a thick gold chain with gold fleur de lis pendant. The footman’s firm hand gently steered her toward an ornate carriage. This can’t be happening, she thought as it jerked forward, propelled by four strong horses. Curiosity overcame anxiety as they climbed higher up the slopes of Vesuvius, the sleeping volcano. Deep green olive groves gave way to aromatic lemon trees and fields of rye and barley.
The peasant cottages, though simple, were not hovels, and many of their occupants paused, leaning on their hoes, to watch them pass by. They looked healthy, with ruddy complexions and leathery skin from laboring under the powerful Neapolitan sun. She did not stop gaping at the scenery until they slowed to a halt at an imposing stone tower that marked the entrance to the small village adjoining the villa. A lone guard swung open a wrought iron gate and Esperanza’s carriage rolled into the village.
The carriage jostled its way over the cobblestones, through the village square, and down a narrow street to a stone tower, identical to the one through which they just passed, to the far side of town. As they rumbled along, townspeople called to the driver.
“Hey, Paolino! What are you delivering to the Signore today? Is she as beautiful as the last one?”
“Ciao, Paolino, your family will expect you at eight bells. Don’t be late like you were the last time.”
“Paolino, you devil,” A saucy black-eyed beauty tossed her abundant wavy tresses over her shoulder as she cast him a provocative sidelong glance. “Later, si?”
Paolino didn’t respond to any of them, just kept his eyes focused on the tower gate. Once outside the walls of the village Esperanza caught sight of the villa, perched on the volcano’s flanks, a short distance above town on a well-traveled trail.
“And this,” he said, gesturing to the elegant edifice, “is where you will live.” Inside, a bustling town square, a church, and a scattering of shops, and residences huddled in the midday sun.
Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
August 8, 2023
Marta Moran Bishop Dinky: The Nurse Mare’s Foal #horses #nursemarefoals #animal @moranbishop
I’m excited to feature Marta Moran Bishop, award-winning author of Dinky: The Nurse Mare’s Foal (Classic Literature & Fiction). I had the opportunity to interact with Marta at some author events and became intrigued with the premise of her book. The book, told from the first-person perspective of Dinky, is about the plight of a foal taken away from his mother a few days after he is born. In essence, Dinky is a throwaway foal whose mother must nurse another thoroughbred mare’s foal.
For me, the story has a universal coming-of-age theme that each of us can relate to. Despite our circumstances and who we are, we all want “to be part of the herd” and be accepted for whom we are. The biggest honor for me was to receive a “hoof-signed” book from Dinky, telling me that I am now part of his herd.
The book was originally released by Crowe Press on 13th January 2013 (216 pages). Narrated by Bridget Thomas, the audiobook was released on 28th February 2019 (4 hours 10 minutes).
Below are highlights of Dinky: The Nurse Mare’s Foal, Marta Moran Bishop’s author bio, a post that gives the background of the real-life Dinky, and an excerpt from the book. There is an extra bonus of photos taken of Dinky throughout his life.
HIGHLIGHTS—DINKY: THE NURSE MARE’S FOAL
Dinky: The Nurse Mare’s Foal
By Marta Moran Bishop
Narrated by Tom Sleeker
Blurb
“Dinky: The Nurse Mare’s Fal is a moving tale that will rip your heart in half and then stitch it back up. Told from the perspective of Dinky, a little foal that was ripped away from his mother, the story opens the reader’s eyes to the pain, fear, and heartbreak that many horses face in the cruel world of animal marketing.” —NY Times Best-Selling Author, Beth Hoffman.
“Dinky was born to a nurse mare, a horse mated for the sole purpose of supplying milk for high-dollar foals. The foal was taken from his mother and denied a normal upbringing for the sake of profit. It’s a heartbreaking tale of humans exploiting horses and the aftermath. Steeped in drama and harsh realities, the story makes you rethink horses, humans, and humanity in general.” — Jade Lazlow AuthorWinnie
Award Winner at the Equus Film Festival. Best Equine Rescue book.
Dinky: The Nurse Mare’s Foal is the story of one little foal’s fight for survival after being taken from his mother within hours of his birth. Dinky takes us on a poignant trip through the heart and mind of an animal, who was born for the sole purpose of producing milk in the mare. In the elite world of horses, Dinky was considered a by-product, a ‘junk foal.’ Dinky’s story will resonate with animal lovers, as well as anyone who has adopted. Although a horse, his story has been called an adoption story. The reader can follow him through the heartbreak, cruelty, loneliness, and finally to happiness in his forever home. His story is based on true events. Each event from the moment the author met Dinky actually happened, though it is the author’s interpretation of what he might have been thinking and feeling during the occasions described in his story. His early life which is unknown has been fictionalized by the author and constructed through research and imagination.
There are many wonderful animal rescue leagues, many are very empathic to these young animals, though some are not. Since Ms. Bishop has no knowledge of Dinky’s early days she used the latter to enhance the strength of his story.
It will break your heart, open your eyes, lift you up, and teach you much about horses.
It is suitable for all ages.
Book Buy Links:
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon CA Amazon AU Barnes and Noble
Buy Links Audiobook
Marta Moran Bishop walks in the shoes of her characters and weaves the tapestry of their lives with the threads of her dreams.
Ms. Bishop is an award-winning and prolific writer with over 37 books and stories for sale. She writes in multiple genres and continues to stretch herself and her craft.
Her newest novel Whispers on the Wind is a time-travel romance with a brutal war with Atlantis as its backdrop. It takes us on an adventure to the mythical civilization of Lemuria during the last days of the civilization.
Currently, she lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, three horses, cats and a conjure parrot named Jack. They help her remember to view the world through a child’s innocence and keep her young and imaginative.
Social Media Links:
Goodreads Amazon Author Page BookBub
BACKGROUND—DINKY: THE NURSE MARE’S FOAL
Dinky and Lucky Huddling Together
My husband and I first met Dinky at the Bolton Fair. He was tiny, skinny, and very crabby. The day was so hot, and Dinky and Lucky were standing for hours in the sun. It was the first time either of us had ever heard of nurse mare foals, and we were horrified that it was an actual thing. After adopting him, we worked with him, loved him, and tried to help him learn how to be a horse.
Our vet told us we’d have to double worm him, that it would either kill or cure him, but if we didn’t he wouldn’t live, as he hadn’t been properly wormed at the stable where we adopted him from. He also told us how big he would get and that he would turn white as he aged. This information I included (as if his mother had told him) in the book. The stable had told us he wouldn’t ever be big enough to ride, but that turned out to be false.
His beginning days were based on research, but from the moment we met him, everything else was written from his point of view as I watched him go through things. He is intelligent, curious, and has a love of life. Dinky finds joy in many things, though sometimes still has issues feeling as if he is unsure of his place or if he belongs. That is usually when talking to him or working with him helps the most.
Dinky Learning How to Be Part of the Herd
His book won an award at the EQUUS Film Festival in 2015 and has been read all over the world.
Dinky’s book was written to tell not only his story but to shine a light on the practice of nurse mare foals.
An Introduction to a Nurse Mare Foal
The elite of the horse world are the high-dollar mares. They are show animals or racing animals, bringing high dollars for their foals because they have a history of excellence and winning. For them, time is money and it’s important that the mare be kept busy birthing instead of spending weeks nursing her offspring. That job is given to a nurse mare.
Much like the old-time wet nurse employed by wealthy mothers throughout history, the nurse mare is of uncertain or unimportant bloodlines and incapable of bringing substantial income to her owner. In order to nurse the important foal, she must have recently given birth and produce the necessary milk. The question is: What becomes of the nurse mare’s foal
By many called a “junk foal,” this unfortunate newborn is considered a necessary evil, a disposable byproduct. The cost of trying to nurse this foal until it is weaned is high, so often the “junk foal” is killed outright and disposed of. Sometimes it’s shipped off to auction and bought by manufacturers who use its hide to make expensive bags or shoes. Whatever its fate, the nurse mare’s foal is considered an unimportant nuisance.
The nurse mare’s foal is usually taken from its mother anytime from one day to a week after birth instead of the ten to twelve weeks that foals commonly nurse. The times vary, depending on when the high-dollar mare foals. Generally the nurse mare is shipped off to the farm to nurture and foster the high-priced foal.
The horse industry benefits from this barbaric practice because the high-dollar mare gets back in shape more quickly, so she can show well and invite more offers for her offspring. While some stables allow the mare three to four weeks to recuperate after giving birth, many are sent to the stallion for rebreeding within seven to ten days of giving birth.
There are Equine Rescue Leagues that have spent their time, energy, and money to help the rejected foals. Without them, more of these small lives would be lost. Most of the rescuers are knowledgeable, but there are a few well-intentioned people who want to save the newborns without any knowledge of horses. In some cases, these organizations succeed almost by accident, and in others they make matters worse for the animals in their care. Unfortunately, these groups sometimes rely on unscrupulous people, self-proclaimed experts who have their own hidden agendas.
The lucky foal is adopted by people who know and love horses or who go out of their way to learn the needs and care of this fragile baby animal. Too many are adopted by men and women who know little or nothing about horses, let alone the unique care these foals require, and the new owners soon become overwhelmed. As a result, some foals are bought and sold several times before they reach maturity. Others die from lack of proper nutrition and proper parasite control. The nurse mare’s foal unfortunate enough to fall into the wrong hands usually grows up with multiple deformities and bone development problems. Some have social development issues, never learning how to be a horse or understanding the role of a horse with a human companion.
This book is the story of one nurse mare’s foal and its fight for survival.
Marta Moran Bishop
EXCERPT—DINKY: THE NURSE MARE’S FOAL
“The men are here, son,” she said. As they came closer, I saw the two-legged creatures were enormous. The closer they came, the smaller Mother became. Her fur was all puffed up and her ears were back. She smelled of terror and determination, which frightened me.
The men reeked of strange smells—meat, cigarettes, and coffee mixed with last night’s beer—and walked awkwardly on their two legs. Still they came closer and closer. One of them was carrying something long and black.
“Please, let me keep this one. He is really exceptional, and I believe he will be my last baby,” Mother said as she ran at them screaming.
Hearing one of the men yell, “Drug her,” my whole world narrowed into darkness. The light of the new day, the smell of the grass, and the song of the birds disappeared. A loud horrific noise filled the early morning air, and I turned to flee. For a moment, it felt as if Mother was with me, but realizing she wasn’t, I turned just in time to watch her legs wobble and see her fall slowly to the ground.
Trembling with fear, I started to make my way back to her. Was she dead? No, her chest still rose and fell. Something that looked like a bird feather stuck out of the side of her neck.
She was whimpering a desperate goodbye and gazing at me with love and grief, “I tried, son. Remember I will be with you always.”
Something grabbed me and pulled so tightly I could hardly breathe. It was choking me and I fought to get away. One of the men held me tightly with a rope around my neck. He pulled me away from Mother. I could smell his sweat along with the stink of him. There was no tenderness or mercy in his hands. The other man was talking into the small black thing he held in one of his hands. Curtly he said, “Come in. We are ready.”
Still I struggled to get away and watched as a monster came into view over the horizon. It made a loud growling noise. It didn’t walk on two legs or four, nor did it fly like the birds or crawl on the ground like the worms and the bugs. It rolled on six wheels. It stank of smoke, fear, and death, and it was coming closer. I didn’t know how to puff up and rear. I was too small to fight. I couldn’t protect us. I just sobbed.
“Joe, grab his back end.” One of the men said as they picked me up and tossed me into the back of the trailer. Before the door closed, scared and alone, I watched Mother get slowly to her feet, crestfallen, and head hanging low. As the men slammed the door and locked me into the box, I screamed, “Mama.”
Terrified for my life, I was flung to the floor and against the walls so many times by the movement of this box I was trapped in. I was afraid to try standing again, so I cowered in the corner. On the floor of the trailer was a bed of soiled straw. I lay there watching the sunlight crawl across the dirty brown walls. The shadows from the sun hitting the bars in the window looked like enormous fingers coming to get me as they crept across the walls of the trailer.
No longer was I able to see the grass, the sky, or Mother. I lay there trembling and alone with no one to love or cuddle me—just this large space all around me that smelled of old manure, urine, fear, and death. Some of the smell was my own fright. The stench was so strong it made me sick. Where were they taking me? Without Mother to protect, nuzzle, and teach me, how would I survive? I felt so helpless.
My misery and my deep need to belong and feel loved were so strong, the solitude of my mind wandered back to the same questions. What would happen to me? Who would teach me? Would I get a chance to live as she promised? “Remember her words,” I told myself.
“Hold your head up, son, you must be strong.”
With every fiber of my being, I held on to her voice in my mind. It helped to ease the apprehension, the hunger, and the throbbing from my bruises.
August 2, 2023
The Lady of the Tower Elizabeth St.John #HistoricalFiction #PrincesInTheTower #Audiobook #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @ElizStJohn @cathiedunn
Please welcome Elizabeth St. John again as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Audiobook Blog Tour held August 1st – 3rd, 2023. Elizabeth St. John is the author of the Historical Fiction, The Lady of the Tower, released by Falcon Historical (print) on 28th January 2016 (395 pages). The audiobook, narrated by Bridget Thomas, was released on 8th May 2018 (14 hours 40 minutes).
Below are highlights of The Lady of the Tower, Elizabeth St. John’s author bio, and a snippet and link to a clip of her audiobook.
Blog Tour Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-lady-of-the-tower-audiobook.html
HIGHLIGHTS: THE LADY IN THE TOWER
The Lady of the Tower
By Elizabeth St.John
Narrated by Bridget Thomas
Blurb:
“Elizabeth St John has brought the Stuart Court vividly to life. She weaves together the known facts of Lucy’s life with colourful scenes of fictional imagination, drawing on innocent romance and bleak deception to create a believable heroine and an intriguing plot.” Historic Novel Society Book Review
“The Lady of the Tower is a beautifully produced novel with a well-crafted story that will keep you both engaged and entertained. A joy to read. Thank you for sharing your world with us.”
Writers Digest 24th Annual Book Awards
London, 1609. When Lucy St.John, a beautiful highborn orphan at the court of King James, is seduced by the Earl of Suffolk, she never imagines the powerful enemy she creates in his beloved sister, the Countess of Rochester. Or that her own sister Barbara would betray her and force Lucy to leave the court in disgrace. Spirited, educated, and skilled in medicine and precious remedies, Lucy fights her way back into society, and through an unexpected love match, becomes mistress of the Tower of London.
Living inside the walls of the infamous prison, she defies plague, political intrigues and tragic executions to tend to aristocratic prisoners and criminals alike. Now married into the immensely powerful Villiers family, Barbara unites with the king’s favorite, the Duke of Buckingham, to raise the fortunes of Lucy and her family to dizzying heights. But with great wealth comes treachery, leaving Lucy to fight for her survival—and her honor—in a world of deceit and debauchery.
Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed debut novel tells the true story of her ancestress Lucy through her family’s surviving diaries, letters, and court papers. Lucy’s personal friendships with historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh and the Stuart kings brings a unique perspective to the history of seventeenth century England.
Buy Links:
The ebook is available to read on Kindle Unlimited.
Universal Buy Link:
Audiobook Buy Links:
Available on BookBub Chirp for only $3.99 during August:
https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/the-lady-of-the-tower-by-elizabeth-st-john
On all other platforms from $7.99 or FREE with an Audible subscription:
AUTHOR BIO: ELIZABETH ST.JOHN
Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England’s kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.
Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.
Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.
Elizabeth’s books include her trilogy, The Lydiard Chronicles, set in 17th Century England during the Civil War, and her newest release, The Godmother’s Secret, which explores the medieval mystery of the missing Princes in the Tower of London.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.elizabethjstjohn.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizStJohn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethJStJohn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethjstjohn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethjstjohn/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-st-john
Amazon Author Page: https://geni.us/AmazonElizabethStJohn
Goodreads: https://geni.us/GoodreadsElizStJohn
AUDIO LINK & SNIPPET : THE LADY IN THE TOWER[image error] 
Audio clip to go with this Snippet: https://youtu.be/8ZMMZauG_CE
Chapter Eight
Whitehall
Barbara got up from Frances’s side and walked across the room to me. Under the pretense of an embrace, she whispered clearly.
“’Struth, Lucy, if you intend to pursue this road with Theo, judge your odds and be prepared to wager the stakes, for those who aim high can also fall far. Do not look to me for aid, for you choose your own path, and if ruin is the outcome, I shall publicly disown you.”
I stepped back involuntarily.
“What have I ever done to make you hate me so much?” I asked. “I don’t understand why you are this way to me.”
“Not hate. Indifference. I do not see what others see in you. And my plans will not be compromised by your foolishness. Straighten your gown — you reveal too much.” She pulled the soft muslin across my reddened skin, kissed my cheek as though she were Judas, and left.
“Theo . . .”
I turned to him for reassurance, but he was gone. Drawn into Carr’s circle, he was loudly joking and drinking steadily from a goblet of wine. As I stared at him, trying to reconcile this frivolous courtier with the man I loved, he shrugged, laughing at his situation, and turned back to his friends. The musicians, who sounded so glorious when I first arrived, now rang discordant. I sickened of the entire confusing visit to White Hall and wished myself back in the peace of Lydiard.
“But you know this is the way of the court.”
The night lay between us, and we met at the Stone Gallery again during the afternoon promenade. The pavement reflected a cold light; falling snow continued to swathe the palace in gauze, softening the angles of the roofs and chimneys, and settling on charcoal-etched branches. A woman in a crimson cloak hurried across the privy garden, a daub of color in a black-and-white landscape. I wondered whose arms she was seeking, so swiftly, in such inclement weather. All my thoughts turned first to lovers now.
I touched Theo’s arm to bridge the distance.
“I know, I am not stupid. Anne has told me of her years at court where she witnessed firsthand the deceptions and lies, the flattery and untruths. It just does not sit right with me to see you in that world.”
“Ah, Lucy, it’s just a game. Seize the opportunity to know us better, and you will find this amusing. As long as you do not take yourself seriously, there is no harm in playing these subtleties.”
“Is that what last night was?”
“No, that was no game, for you have captured my heart and enchanted my soul, Titania.” He pulled me to him, ignoring the glances of those around us. “Learn the ways of White Hall, and enjoy courtly love.”
Instagram handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
July 31, 2023
Book Spotlight Buccaneer: The Early Life and Crimes of Philip Rake Chris Thorndycroft #Pirates #Caribbean #Swashbuckling #NavalFiction #BlogTour #NewRelease #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cthorndycroft @cathiedunn
I am pleased to spotlight the book, Buccaneer: The Early Life and Crimes of Philip Rake (The Molucca Star Quartet Book 1) by Chris Thorndycroft in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour. The author newly released this Historical Action and Adventure novel (232 pages) today, 1st August 2023.
Below are highlights of Buccaneer: The Early Life and Crimes of Philip Rake and Chris Thorndycroft’s author bio.
Blog Tour Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-buccaneer-early-life-and-crimes-of-philip-rake.html
HIGHLIGHTS — THE EARLY LIFE AND CRIMES OF PHILIP RAKE
Buccaneer: The Early Life and Crimes of Philip Rake
(The Molucca Star Quartet Book 1)
By Chris Thorndycroft
Blurb:
Bristol, 1713. When Philip Rake, pickpocket, smuggler and scoundrel is arrested and thrown in jail, he assumes he has a short walk to the gallows. But his father, a wealthy merchant who has remained a figure of mystery throughout his life, throws him a lifeline; become an indentured man on an expedition to the East Indies led by his friend, Woodes Rogers.
Woodes Rogers is looking for Libertatia – the fabled pirate kingdom of the legendary buccaneer Henry Avery – and the hoard of treasure rumoured to be hidden there. But Philip wants his freedom and when he learns that there are men onboard who once sailed with Henry Avery and plan to take the treasure for themselves, he jumps ship and embarks upon a career of piracy.
Philip’s story takes him from the backstreets of Bristol to the sun-baked hills of Madagascar and on to the tropical islands of the Caribbean in a thrilling tale of adventure in which he rubs shoulders with some of the most notorious pirates of the age, including Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
Buy Links:
This title will be available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Universal Link: https://mybook.to/Buccaneer
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/
AUTHOR BIO: CHRIS THORNDYCROFT
Chris Thorndycroft’s writing career began with short horror stories which appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Dark Moon Digest and American Nightmare.
His first novel under his own name was A Brother’s Oath, book one in the Hengest and Horsa trilogy, which deals with the beginning of Anglo-Saxon England. He has always had a passion for historical fiction, kindled at the age of six when he first saw Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). His books are deeply grounded in real history but often reimagine legends such as King Arthur and Robin Hood, weaving them in with historical events.
He currently lives in Norway with his wife and two kids.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://christhorndycroft.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cthorndycroft
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisThorndycroftAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christhorndycroft/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christhorndycroft
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chris-Thorndycroft/e/B015EQARZM
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8130216.Chris_Thorndycroft
Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
July 19, 2023
Book Spotlight Under the Emerald Sky Juliane Weber #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #Ireland #BlogTour #BookBlast #TheCoffeePotBookClub @Writer_JW @cathiedunn
I am pleased to spotlight the book, Under the Emerald Sky: A Tale of Love and Betrayal in 19th Century Ireland by Juliane Weber in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour. The author released this Historical Fiction / Historical Romance novel on 23 October 2020 (465 pages).
Below are highlights of Under the Emerald Sky and Juliane Weber’s author bio.
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-irish-fortune-series-by-juliane-weber.html
HIGHLIGHTS: UNDER THE EMERALD SKY
Under the Emerald Sky: A Tale of Love and Betrayal in 19th Century Ireland
The Irish Fortune Series Book 1
by Juliane Weber
Blurb:
“Under the Emerald Sky reaches another level in storytelling, the kind where the characters remain with you long after you have closed the book.” – The Historical Fiction Company
It’s 1843 and the Englishman Quinton Williams has come to Ireland to oversee the running of his father’s ailing estate and escape his painful past. There he meets the Irishwoman Alannah O’Neill, whose family is one of few to have retained ownership of their land, the rest having been supplanted by the English over the course of the country’s bloody history. Seeing the injustices of Victorian Ireland, Alannah’s brother Kieran has learned to hate the English and imperialism. Aware of Kieran’s hostility towards the English, Alannah keeps her growing relationship with Quin a secret – but it’s a secret that can’t be kept for long from those plotting to end England’s oppression of the Irish people. As Quin and Alannah seek happiness in the face of hate and revenge, an action-packed romance ensues.
But all the while, disaster looms – the Great Famine that would forever change the course of Ireland’s history. With repeated failure of the potato harvest upon which most Irish families depend, thousands will go hungry, with sickness and starvation sweeping through Irish farms, decimating poor populations for years to come.
Can Quin and Alannah find happiness in a land teetering on the brink of disaster?
Buy Links:
This series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Under the Emerald Sky (Book 1)
ebook discounted to $0.99 / £0.99
Beneath the Darkening Clouds (Book 2)
Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon AU Amazon CA
Irish Fortune Series
Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon AU Amazon CA
AUTHOR BIO: JULIANE WEBER
Juliane Weber is a scientist turned historical fiction writer, and author of the Irish Fortune Series. Her stories take readers on action-packed romantic adventures amid the captivating scenery and folklore of 19th century Ireland.
Under the Emerald Sky, the first book in the Irish Fortune Series was awarded bronze medals in The Historical Fiction Company 2021 Book of the Year Contest and The Coffee Pot Book Club 2022 Book of the Year Contest. The second book in the series, Beneath the Darkening Clouds, was awarded a bronze medal in The Historical Fiction Company 2022 Book of the Year Contest.
Juliane spent most of her life in South Africa but now lives with her husband and two sons in Hamelin, Germany, the town made famous by the story of the Pied Piper.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.julianeweber.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_JW
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulianeWeberAuthor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianeweber/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliane._.weber/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/juliane-weber
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Juliane-Weber/e/B08M3DYY22/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21207265.Juliane_Weber
Instagram handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
