Linnea Tanner's Blog, page 28
April 11, 2022
Nadine Kampen The Brantford Wagers Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiction #RegencyRomance #TheBrantfordWagers #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @cookiebuxton @maryanneyarde
It is my pleasure to welcome Nadine Kampen, the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between April 11th – April 15th, 2022. Nadine Kampen is the author of the Historical Fiction/Regency Romance, The Brantford Wagers (The Brantford Series, Book 1), which was released by Birdsgate Publishing on 20th January 2022 (358 pages).
Below are highlights of The Brantford Wagers, Nadine Kampen’s author bio, and an excerpt from her book.
To follow the blog tour, CLICK Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: THE BRANTFORD WAGERS
The Brantford Wagers
(The Brantford Series, Book 1)
By Nadine Kampen
Is Clara Vincent ready to risk it all for love?
Clara Vincent is “the artful dodger” when it comes to marriage, especially when her father is bent on match-making. Will her attitude change when she meets two eligible suitors and is drawn into the lives of intensely competitive families? Clara falls unexpectedly in love, but when fortunes are reversed and relationships up-ended, she needs to decide whether to trust James Brantford, who is seeking retribution, or accept the love of the man everyone else believes is her ideal match.
As the Brantford wagers unfold and lay bare the history of past relationships, will Clara be able to learn the truth and finally follow her heart?
Buy Links:
Universal Link (Amazon) 
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In her début novel, The Brantford Wagers, Nadine Kampen draws on her passion for stories that bring a smile and warm the hearts of the reader. The author immerses the reader in the fictional world of traditional historical romance, set in the memorable Regency England period, sharing the hopes, schemes, and antics of her characters.
Prior to her career as an author, Nadine served as a regional marketing manager with an international consulting firm and as a communications and marketing director on university campuses. Earlier in her career, she worked in public relations and journalism, and was co-author and project lead for five non-fiction books comprising The Canadian Breast Cancer Series, published in 1989.
A resident of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, Nadine loves relaxing with family and friends, reading and walking, playing tunes on her 1905 Bell piano, and gardening.
Social Media Links:
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From Chapter 15 – The Seton Ball
The fact that these were Mr Brantford’s guests, while not being the best of news, was somewhat reassuring. It would be natural, thought Clara, for Mr Brantford to remain with them. She craned her neck a little and saw him approaching across the length of the hall, coming towards her. When he addressed her, she felt completely confused.
‘Miss Vincent,’ he said, ‘Would you be so kind as to dance this next set with me?’
‘Oh,’ she blushed. ‘Are you certain?’
‘Completely, yes, of course. Is that a yes, or a no?’
‘Thank you, yes,’ she said, recovering her composure.
There is nothing else that James Brantford could have done to engage the interest of almost everyone in the room than to arrive with Miss Westcott and dance first with Miss Vincent. For her part, beautiful Miss Westcott expected to hold his attention for as long as she wanted it, and was denied that option. Miss Vincent, beginning to understand the nature of her feelings, longed for his attention, and gained it. Both results, one wanting, one getting, were entirely positive from the man’s position, or so one might assume.
Was Mr Brantford aware of this? He was not lacking powers of observation. It is improbable that he was unaffected by his guest’s good looks. Yet he did not stay by her side; he came first to enjoy the company of Clara Vincent. In his view, the impression Clara created when he first met her was as indelible, in an altogether different way, as that made by Miss Westcott this evening. Miss Vincent had shown courage and poise, two qualities he greatly admired, and he cherished his memory of meeting her at the river.
Brantford stayed at Clara’s side, waiting for the dance to begin, and she shyly received his attention. She could not recall when she had looked forward to dancing more, and with such a partner.
Their conversation began easily enough while they waited to dance. ‘I was wishing that I could speak with you at length someplace else—perhaps in the middle of a field, or on the bridge where we met that day. Do not you wish, Miss Vincent, that two people could have a conversation, on any point of interest, without attracting everyone’s attention?’ He looked with disdain at people straining to listen. Clara saw how closely they were being watched. ‘You do realise,’ he said seriously, ‘that all discussions in Finstead are attended on three sides; or four, if you come by the toll road.’
‘I have noticed that, yes.’
‘By noon tomorrow, every matron shall know who danced with whom, how many times, and more to the point, exactly what was said.’
‘Not that, surely!’
‘They will hear most of it in confidence, and if the source is insufficient, it shall be invented.’
‘I see how you hold members of my sex.’
‘And they will know—in this case, without a single word from either of us—that Mr Brantford found Miss Vincent to be extremely fine company, and an excellent dancer, and that he wanted her to know how lovely she looked this evening, and how he wished to know her better, but that circumstances have arisen to prevent him spending as much time with her as he wishes.’
He noticed Mrs Drinscol hovering nearby, trying to overhear their conversation. He pulled Clara towards him, nodding politely, and smiled as he skilfully moved Clara away from the older woman.
The dance commenced, and they moved for some moments in silence. After this surprising speech, Mr Brantford looked resigned, and his expression unreadable. Clara, puzzled, could only suppose he had intended his remarks as some form of light-hearted flattery. He had, after all, been the one to bring guests, one of whom was an attractive woman staying on his property. She could not understand him and felt taken aback. In the pause between sets, not knowing how best to continue their conversation, Clara, mentioned the recent steeplechase race and his first-place finish.
‘My cousin John told us that you won a good horse from Mr Ashton. That is a quite the prize. Is racing a common pass-time in this region?’
‘Not serious racing, no, but Ashton holds an event every year or two with his friends.’
‘You are accustomed, I suppose, to winning horses.’
‘I cannot say that I am. That is a fairly high purse. Mr Ashton put up the filly this year to entice a few of us to race again.’
‘What shall he do for an encore, do you suppose?’
‘Seton Manor, I should think,’ he replied, looking archly at her. Clara felt colour surging into her cheeks.
‘You have an open countenance, Miss Vincent. Your friends must love to play opposite you at the tables.’
‘I never gamble, Mr Brantford.’
‘Women purportedly never do. It is said to be a man’s sin entirely, and one heavily active in this county, I cannot deny. Tell me, do women truly believe they take no risks? Is Mrs Drinscol not gambling this evening—and playing high stakes at that?’
Clara followed his look towards the bare-shouldered Miss Drinscol, standing nearby.
‘Women would benefit from two basic lessons every boy learns at his father’s knee: never bet unless you have some chance of winning, however small; and be prepared to accept the consequences of your wager. Some people mistake their odds entirely. You, Miss Vincent, I would suggest, have a risk-taking nature; I witnessed this first-hand. You only need some outlet for it within the confines of our social norms and you will outshine us all.’
‘Pray, do not believe it, sir. I do not approve of gambling. I have seen entire fortunes lost by it. My own aunt, who came to live with us, had her world crumble in an instant. A few farthings at Loo—that is merely playing games—but gambling on horses and property is another thing entirely! I wonder that men can court ruin for such fleeting pleasure and no certainty of gain.’
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April 10, 2022
Andrea Matthews Shake Loose the Border Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalRomance #TimeTravelRomance #ScottishHistoryRomance #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @AMatthewsAuthor @maryanneyarde
It is my pleasure to welcome Andrea Matthews again as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between April 11th and April 15th, 2022. Andrea Matthews is the author of the Historical Time Travel Romance, Shake Loose the Border (Thunder on the Moor, Book 3), which was released by Inez M. Foster Publisher on 22nd November 2021 (356 pages).
Below are highlights of Shake Loose the Border, the author bio for Andrea Matthews, and an excerpt from her book.
To follow the blog tour, CLICK Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: SHAKE LOOSE THE BORDER
Shake Loose the Border
(Thunder on the Moor, Book 3)
By Andrea Matthews
With Will and Maggie’s wedding just a week away, the last thing they need to stumble upon is Johnnie Hetherington’s dead body tied to a tree, especially one that’s so close to their cottage. Recognizing it as a sure sign that Johnnie has betrayed the family once too often, Sergeant Richie Carnaby gathers Will and his family together for questioning, though it seems obvious only a fool would kill a man on his own land. Then who did murder the rogue, and why?
Feeling confident it wasn’t any of the Fosters, Richie allows Will and Maggie’s wedding to proceed, but the couple has barely exchanged vows when the Armstrongs attack in force. Geordie is determined to rescue his niece from the clutches of Will Foster, whether she wants to go or not. And if he happens to make her a widow in the process, so be it. Will senses the danger and implores Dylan to get Maggie away to safety, no matter where — or when — that may be.
Though Maggie protests, Will assures her he will follow as soon as he is able. Yet how can that be possible when Dylan whisks her back to the twentieth century? Sharing her fears about Will, and unable to forget his own love, Annie, Dylan attempts to return to the past one last time despite his growing concerns over the disintegrating amulet stone. But will he make it in time to rescue Will, or will the villainous Ian Rutherford, who has already killed in cold blood once, win the ultimate battle and see Will and Maggie separated forever?
Trigger Warnings:
Sex and violence
Buy Links:
Available on #KindleUnlimited.
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AUTHOR BIO: ANDREA MATTHEWS
Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science, and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen hundred-year-old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century. Andrea is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.
Social Media Links:
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EXCERPT: SHAKE LOOSE THE BORDER
Father Michael smiled cautiously as he gazed out to the congregation. “If there be anyone here knowing of just cause or impediment why these two shouldna be joined together, speak now or forever hold thy peace.” All eyes searched the horizon while the Foster men and their kin gripped the hilts of their weapons. What if Johnnie Hetherington had gotten word to her family? They could ambush with hardly any warning, and the Fosters’ with nothing more than their swords by their sides.
Maggie’s heart pounded as she scanned the crests of the gentle fells. How peaceful they looked, and yet . . . Will could die there in her arms. She could be a widow before she ever really became a bride. Still, all seemed quiet.
“So be it, then.” Father Michael leaned over and kissed Will on the cheek.
Maggie thought that a bit odd. Wasn’t Will supposed to kiss her? Will must have seen a look of confusion on her face, for he bent toward her and whispered. “’Tis a sign that he’s blessed our union and declared us husband and wife.”
“Well, go on, then, lad,” the priest said. Will didn’t hesitate. He took her in his arms, and at long last, their lips touched once more.
Maggie clasped her arms tightly around his soft collar, never wanting to let him go, but a horde of young men who had been standing off to the side snatched her from his embrace. They pushed and shoved one another, plucking at her garters and ribbons and ripping them from her body. Maggie screamed, her temper flaring. Though she tried to shove them away, she was nearly knocked to the ground. Two rowdy boys reached up her skirts, triumphantly capturing blue garters, while three others tore the ribbons from her arms.
Terrified about what they might try to take next, she looked to Will, but he didn’t seem in the least bit bothered. He just stood there, watching it happen, and that made her even more furious. If they ripped her dress, she’d have them drawn and quartered, each and every one of them. She kicked wildly as one young man even had the nerve to run his hand along her thigh.
At long last, Will and Betty came to her rescue, shooing the boys away. Taking her hand, Will led her into the church, where they would attend Mass for the first time as husband and wife. Maggie could barely control her anger. It must have showed, for Annie took her aside to help straighten her clothing.
“What is it that’s upsetting ye so, Maggie?”
“What is it? I was just accosted by those little reprobates, and nobody seemed to care, not even Will! Do you know where one of them put their hand?”
“He only wanted a garter, Sister. Do they no’ do that where ye come from?”
Maggie could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, but this time it was from embarrassment. Of course, it was just another silly custom, and like it or not, if she was going to live in the sixteenth century, she had better get used to them.
@coffeepotbookclub
April 7, 2022
Jenny Knipfer Under the Weeping Willow Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiction #shelteringtreesseries #christianhistoricalfiction #womensfiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub
It is my pleasure to welcome Jenny Knipfer again as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between April 4th through April 8th, 2022. Jenny Knipfer is the author of the Historical Fiction / Women’s Fiction / Christian Historical Fiction / Split Timeline Fiction, Under the Weeping Willow (Sheltering Trees: Book Two), which was released by the author on 21st October 2021 (346 pages).
Below are highlights of Under the Weeping Willow, Jenny Knipfer’s author bio, and excerpts from her book.
To Follow the Blog tour, CLICK Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: UNDER THE WEEPING WILLOW
Under the Weeping Willow
(Sheltering Trees: Book Two)
By Jenny Knipfer
A HISTORICAL NOVEL ABOUT A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER AND THE SECRET SHAPING THEIR ROCKY RELATIONSHIP
1918:
Just as Robin Holcomb settles into married life with her husband, Willis, on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Wisconsin, WWI calls Willis away. With an unknown future and a child on the way, Robin makes the best of life among people she barely knows.
After the birth of her child, Robin struggles with depression and battles to overcome her inner demons before despair and hopelessness drive her to attempt to take her own life. Will Robin survive her dive into postpartum depression, let alone see Willis again?
1983:
Enid Fenton clears out her Mother’s house and puts the family farm up for sale, trying to not be consumed by guilt for installing her mother into the county nursing home.
Reading through some of her mother’s diary entries, Enid uncovers a secret that helps her make sense of the unnamed point of division that has always soured their relationship.
Can Enid reconcile with her mother before the ravages of Alzheimer’s claim her?
Readers of historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, literary fiction, and women’s fiction will be moved as this novel takes them from the depths of a person’s psyche and grief to the pinnacle of long-hoped-for peace.
Praise:
“Knipfer has created a story that crosses many genres and will appeal to those who love poignant epics about complex characters, engrossing plots, relatable situations, and a satisfying ending.” Tammy Ruggles for Readers’ Favorite, five-star review
“A sensitive and well-crafted drama unpacking issues of mental health, layers of grief, societal expectations, and the instability of memory, this novel is touching on the surface, but subtly and profoundly layered with meaning.” Self-Publishing Review ★★★★★
“A heart-rending, emotionally packed love story between a mother and daughter, Under the Weeping Willow is a journey of loss and brokenness coupled with forgiveness and healing. This time-split novel captured my heart and didn’t release it until the final page. Beautiful and haunting, Robin and Enid’s story swept me to another era. These characters lived, and I loved watching them find their way to each other. Keep the tissues handy. You don’t want to miss this story!” ~Candace West, Selah award finalist and author of the Valley Creek Redemption series
Trigger Warnings:
Postpartum depression, attempted suicide, Alzheimer’s
Buy Links:
Available on #KindleUnlimited
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AUTHOR BIO: JENNY KNIPFER
Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.
Spending many years as a librarian in a local public library, Jenny recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability. Her education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions.
All of Jenny’s books have earned five-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite, a book review and award contest company. She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Wisconsin Writers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, and Independent Book Publishers Association.
Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set.
She deems a cup of tea and a good book an essential part of every day. When not writing, Jenny can be found reading, tending to her many houseplants, or piecing quilt blocks at her sewing machine.
Her new historical fiction, four-part series entitled, Sheltering Trees, is set in the area Jenny grew up in, where she currently lives, and places along Minnesota’s Northern Shore, where she loves to visit. She is currently writing a four-part novella series entitled: Botanical Seasons.
Keep current with Jenny by visiting her website at https://jennyknipfer.com. Ways to connect with Jenny via social media, newsletter, and various book sites can be found on her website.
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EXCERPTS: UNDER THE WEEPING WILLOW
Excerpt #19
“God says that ‘every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights.’ This child is a good and perfect gift. Trust God; He will equip you for this role of motherood, which He has called you to.”
Excerpt #20
Thinking of that summer makes me remember the one before. I don’t recall what I had for lunch or what I watched on TV this afternoon, but I remember the day I tried to free myself from my sorrows under the weeping willow and the following summer among the flowers. Why is this so fresh and real of late? I don’t know. Maybe something I learned during that time will help prepare me for this journey into forgetfulness—the path I’m forced to walk on. Time is stealing my memories.
@maryanneyarde
April 5, 2022
Donovan Cook Son of Anger Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiction #Vikings #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @DonovanCook20 @maryanneyarde
It is my pleasure to spotlight Son of Anger by featured author, Donovan Cook, as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between April 4th − April 8th, 2022. Son of Anger is the first book in the Vikings Historical Fiction series, Ormstunga Saga. The book was independently released by the author on 12th November 2020 (347 Pages)
Below are highlights of Son of Anger and Donovan Cook’s author bio.
To follow the blog tour, CLICK Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: SON OF ANGER
Son of Anger
(Ormstunga Saga, Book 1)
By Donovan Cook
“Norse warriors, gods and all things epic. This tale of vengeance is nothing short of exciting.” Reedsy Review
Ulf is like a storm, slowly building up its power, he grows more dangerous with each passing moment. And like all storms, he will eventually break. When he does, he will destroy everything in his path.
Ulf is one of a long line of famous Norse warriors. His ancestor Tyr was no ordinary man, but the Norse God of War. Ulf, however, knows nothing about being a warrior.
Everything changes when a stranger arrives on Ulf’s small farm in Vikenfjord. The only family he’s ever known are slaughtered and the one reminder of his father is stolen — Ulf’s father’s sword, Ormstunga. Ulf’s destiny is decided.
Are the gods punishing him? All Ulf knows is that he has to avenge his family. He sets off on an adventure that will take him across oceans, into the eye of danger, on a quest to reclaim his family’s honour.
The gods are roused. One warrior can answer to them. The Son of Anger.
Buy Links:
Available on #KindleUnlimited.
Amazon UK 
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Even as a young child, Donovan loved reading stories about Vikings and other medieval warriors fighting to defend their homeland or raiding in distant lands. He would often be found running around outside with nothing other than a wooden sword and his imagination.
Now older, he spends his time writing about them. His novels come from his fascination with the Viking world and Norse Mythology and he hopes that you will enjoy exploring this world as much as he did writing about it.
Born in South Africa but raised in England, Donovan currently works as an English tutor and when he is not teaching or writing, he can be found reading, watching rugby, or working on DIY projects. Being born in South Africa, he is a massive Springboks fan and never misses a match.
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Instagram: @coffeepotbookclub
April 4, 2022
Heidi Eljarbo Secrets of Rosenli Manor Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @HeidiEljarbo @maryanneyarde
It is my pleasure to welcome Heidi Eljarbo again as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between April 4th through April 8th, 2022. Heidi Eljarbo is the author of the Historical Fiction/Historical Mystery, Secrets of Rosenli Manor (Mysteries of the Modern Ladies’ Society, Book 1), which was independently released on 29th March 2022 (160 pages).
Below are highlights of Secrets of Rosenli Manor, Heidi Eljarbo’s author bio, and an excerpt from her book.
To follow the tour, CLICK Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: SECRETS OF ROSENLI MANOR
Secrets of Rosenli Manor
(Mysteries of the Modern Ladies’ Society, Book 1)
By Heidi Eljarbo
Betrayal and trust go hand in hand in the first book of Heidi Eljarbo’s new turn-of-the-century series.
It’s 1898, and Lilly has spent most of her life motherless and living with a father who never looks for a silver lining. When her great-aunt Agatha passes, Lilly’s existence takes a drastic turn. She packs her few belongings and moves into the old lady’s magnificent estate, Rosenli Manor.
In the days that follow, Lilly tries to understand who Agatha really was, and hidden secrets slowly rise to the surface. Her great-aunt’s glamorous legacy is not quite what Lilly had imagined. She must trust in newly forged friendships, and to her surprise, she discovers what it means to truly fall in love. But not everyone is happy about the new mistress of Rosenli.
Intrigue, mystery, and a touch of romance in the Norwegian countryside fill the pages of Secrets of Rosenli Manor.
Buy Links:
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Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don’t want to go near.
Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.
Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.heidieljarbo.com/newsletter
If you would like to know more, please visit:
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The gardens were quiet. The whispers of winter were fading away. No icicles pointing toward the frozen ground. No sparkling crystals in kaleidoscope patterns on blankets of white. The snowfall earlier had turned into sleet, and it appeared as if the promise of spring was slowly approaching. There was still no rustling of leaves in the breeze, but the barren branches would soon wake up. In a few days, the parkland would be filled with the cheerful sound of busy birds building nests. But at this moment, even the fountain was peacefully sleeping.
Just silence.
A plump bullfinch sat on the pale branch of a birch. His black cap made him look rather strict, but the cheerful red chest and cheeks brightened up the otherwise colorless landscape. The bird bobbed his head as she walked by, as if acknowledging her presence.
Lilly brushed the wet snow off a white-painted wooden bench by the fountain and sat down. What a lovely view. As a young girl, she’d probably never noticed. The road below wound across a sloping field toward the village. Smoke rose from the chimneys of neighboring houses, swirling upward to the already gray sky.
Did she belong here? The manor had been in the Strand family for several generations. Aunt Agatha was her kin, but Lilly knew nothing about the old lady’s past. Who was her husband? Were they happy here in the enormous house with a vast garden overlooking the village? Why did they not have any children?
Thoughts of how it must have been filled Lilly’s head. Not that she wanted to pry into someone else’s life, but she was curious. And now Aunt Agatha had bequeathed everything to her—a young woman at the beginning of her career as an accountant. Why? It was as if she stood on hallowed ground, not knowing the whole story, but with a strong desire to understand.
The last time Lilly was here, Mother and Aunt Agatha had sat on the bench while Lilly had played with a kitten. While the women discussed the fragrances of flowers and herbs, Lilly had rubbed her fingertips against the lavender plants with their sweet, delicious scent.
Lilly must have enjoyed listening to the ladies’ chatter about the garden. As an adult, she spent her weekends outside in the small backyard of her father’s house, arranging amicable groups of her favorite peonies in similar color schemes, rows of lilies in front of bushes of hydrangea, and fragrant sweet pea in pink and purple hues.
Every summer, Father complained about the abundance of blossoms. “What a waste. I have little room left to sit and read my newspaper.”
He wasn’t all gruff, and she hadn’t given up hope that his heart contained a hidden corner that took delight in the lovely things in life. Although, she had yet to see that sentiment surface.
Lilly closed her eyes and lingered a while longer in the memories of childhood. One day, a parcel had arrived at the end of summer. She must have been five years old and had stood by the kitchen table, watching her mother untie the cotton string and fold the brown paper aside.
Inside had been a small wooden box.
“Open it, Mother. Hurry.”
Mother had lifted the lid and had pulled out two linen sachets bound with ivory lace and ribbons. She’d held one of the pouches close to Lilly’s face. “A gift from your Aunt Agatha. Smell it. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Can I hold one?” Lilly had placed the pouch under her nose and had let the scent take her away to fields of lavender, where she imagined herself running between rows of blossoming purple, through meadows of color and fragrance.
Mother had put the sachets in her armoire where the perfume lingered and seeped into her clothes.
Father had rolled his eyes. “Ridiculous. What do we need smelly pouches for? Why couldn’t that old woman give us a bag of gold instead?”
Bittersweet memories from that day, long in hibernation, now surfaced. Lilly wiped her wet cheeks and bent down, pretending to pick one of each of the beautiful flowers, carefully bunching them together, arranging the colors as she thought Aunt Agatha would have. Warm, rosy shades, and flourishing textures of tender softness.
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March 28, 2022
GOLDEN AGE OF CELTS #Celt #CelticHistory #CelticWarrior #LeTenePeriod #CelticFeast
The whole race [Celts] is made for war. High-spirited and quick to battle.
— Strabo, Greek Historian
Below is an article on the Golden Age of the Celts that I previously posted in 2014. It is my goal to post weekly on Tuesday regarding historical research I’ve done in support of my historical fantasy series, Curse of Clansmen and Kings.
Status-Building in BattleDuring the Golden Age of the Celts (Le Tène Period), cattle thievery, slave raiding, and vendettas between clans and tribes formed the basis of low-intensity warfare that permeated the Celtic society. Such conflicts were a starting point for a young warrior to demonstrate his bravery and skills in weapon handling. In a society that took personal courage for granted, something more was required to establish a reputation.
One way was to serve as a mercenary in many of the various armies during the classical period. Renowned Celtic mercenaries served Hannibal during his invasion of Italy in the Second Punic War. The Celtic invasion helped establish Rome’s image of Celts as fierce warriors. They also fought in Greek armies and successor kingdoms following the break-up of Alexander’s empire in Egypt.
Statue of Dying Celtic Warrior
A distinct group of Celtic mercenaries called the Gaesatae joined the Cisalpine Gauls in the battle of Telemon against the Romans. These mercenaries were outside the normal social structure of the clan and tribes. The Celtic word geissi—bonds, taboos, or sacred rule of conduct—suggests these warriors had a strong spiritual aspect to their life, which will be further examined in later posts. It was the custom of Gaesatae to fight naked in battle as a ritual act.
Location of Battle of Telemon
Clearly, many Celts looked for fame and a future in the lucrative Mediterranean world with the hope of returning home with their reputations established. Mercenary service also removed young warriors from the tribe when their drive to achieve high status was at its most intense. Control of imported goods, especially gold coins and Italian wine, also guaranteed a large following.
Celtic Horned Helmet Found at River Thames Date 150-50 BC
PotlachTrade with the nations near the Mediterranean Sea had a significant impact on Celtic society. Nobles rewarded warriors and other clients with foreign luxuries, the value of which was measured by the influence it could command by giving it away. This method of redistributing prestigious items to increase status is called a potlatch.
The 1st Century BC Greek historian, Poseidonius, writes that Lovernius, a Celtic noble who attempted to win popular support by driving his chariot across his territory and distributing gold and silver to those who followed him. Moreover, a noble set up separate enclosures one and one-half miles on each side. He filled vats with expensive liquor and prepared food for all who wished to feast—an important social gathering that was not unlike today’s celebrations. The feasts were usually wild and drunken, but strict ritual rules were obeyed.
Celtic Roundhouse for Assembly
Wild Celtic FeastsStrict ceremonial rules were observed for seating participants according to rank and prowess. Poseidonius describes the arrangement as follows:
“…they sit in a circle with the most influential man in the center, whether he is the greatest in warlike skill, was the nobility of family or wealth. Beside him sat the host, and on either side of them were others in order of distinction. Their shield bearers stood behind them while the spearmen were seated on the opposite end. All feasted in common with their lords.”
Central Hearth in Celtic Roundhouse
Also in attendance were bards who sang praises of their patrons’ lineage, bravery, and wealth. Their songs could praise and satirize their patron, thus encouraging nobles and warriors to be even more generous during the feast. Strangers could also share the meal before they were asked their name and business.
Celtic Swords Displayed at British Museum
Everyone had a piece of meat according to their status. Traditionally, the greatest warrior had the choicest cut, consisting of the thigh. When the hindquarters were served, another warrior could claim it and fight in single combat to the death against the champion to elevate his status. Others sought to reinforce their status through mock battle engagement that might escalate into more serious violence, possibly death. Poseidonius writes:
“The Celts engage in single combat at dinner. Assembling in arms, they engage in mock battle drills and mutual thrust and parry. Sometimes wounds were inflicted, and the irritation caused by this may even lead to the killing of the opponent unless they were held back by their friends.”
Celtic Shield Retrieved from Thames River
ConclusionsAccording to Caesar, the bravery of the Celts sprang from their lack of fear of death. This was because the Celtic believed the soul does not die. The classical authors, Caesar, Lucan, and Diodorus Siculus, in particular, emphasized the Celtic belief in metempsychosis. At death, the soul passes from one body to another in reincarnation. This belief may, in part, explains why Celts felt it was important to establish their status in preparation for the journey to the Otherworld.
Not only did Celtic men fight bravely in battle, but historical accounts and mythology provide evidence that women held equal standing to men and often fought in battles and served as military and spiritual leaders. Additional details will be discussed in future posts.
References:John Davies, The Celts: Prehistory to Present Day; 2005. United States: Sterling Publishing Co., New York.
Stephen Allen, Celtic Warrior: 300 BC-AD 100; 2001. Osprey Publishing LTD., Westminster, MD, USA.
Julius Caesar, translated by F. P. Long, 2005. The Conquest of Gaul; United States: Barnes & Noble, Inc.
©Copyright February 25, 2014, by Linnea Tanner. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
March 27, 2022
Ellen Read The Feathered Nest Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour#HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #SuspenseFiction #HistoricalRomance #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @ellenreadauthor @maryanneyarde
It is my pleasure to welcome the featured author, Ellen Read, as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between March 28th – April 1st, 2022. Ellen Read is the author of the Historical Fiction/Cosy Murder Mystery, The Feathered Nest (The Thornton Mysteries, Book 4), which was released by Crimson Cloak Publishing on March 14th, 2022 (372 pages).
Below are highlights of Thee Feathered Nest and Ellen Read’s author bio.
To follow the blog tour, CLICK Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: THE FEATHERED NEST
The Feathered Nest
(The Thornton Mysteries, Book 4)
By Ellen Read
Murder comes to Norfolk Island, but is the killer after Alexandra Archer’s Tahitian black pearl or a lost illustration of the rare Green Parrot?
The Thorntons, along with a small team of people, mount an expedition to Norfolk Island, a small island in the South Pacific, to study the Green Parrot and set up research programmes to help protect it and other endangered birds.
As a birthday surprise, Alexandra’s father tells her she is to be the official photographer for the expedition. Her father gives her a black pearl brooch that Alexandra’s great-grandfather had bought off a merchant in Hong Kong in the 1850s. The pearls are Tahitian black pearls.
Before they depart Melbourne, they learn that Norfolk Island has had its first murder. It sends ripples of unease through Alexandra. She hoped she could escape murder on this small island paradise.
Alexandra is astonished to learn that the main inhabitants of Norfolk Island are descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives. Once on the island, she wonders if this is why her Tahitian black pearl brooch causes such interest.
A chain of events is set in motion, commencing with a threat on the life of one of their expedition members, followed by intrigue surrounding bird smuggling and a lost illustration of the Green Parrot. Then two of their team are murdered.
Alexandra is determined to find the answers and nearly loses her life in the process.
Buy Links:
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Ellen Read is the author of The Dragon Sleeps, The Inca’s Curse, and The Amber Trap—historical murder mystery romance novels.
Ellen was born in Queensland, Australia.
She loves to read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She particularly loves history and stories of ancient myths and legends. Authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and Victoria Holt, the latter of whom wrote gothic mystery/romance, have influenced her own work.
Other interests include photography, painting, music and musical theatre, and dance. Ellen was a ballroom dancing teacher for many years and has also worked in Performing Arts administration.
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March 21, 2022
David Fitz-Gerald Waking Up Lost Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #WakingUpLost #adirondackspiritseries #CoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour @AuthorDAVIDFG @maryanneyarde
It is my pleasure to welcome the featured author, David Fitz-Gerald, as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between January 25th – March 29th, 2022. David Fitz-Gerald is the author of the Historical Fantasy/Historical Fiction, Waking Up Lost – A Mystical Fantasy (The Adirondack Spirit Series), which was released by Outskirts Press on December 2021 (263 pages).
Below are highlights of Waking Up Lost – A Mystical Fantasy, David Fitz-Gerald’s bio, and a fascinating post on what inspired David to write his novel.
To Follow the Blog Grou, CLICK Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: WAKING UP LOST – A MYSTICAL FANTASY ADVENTURE
Waking Up Lost – A Mystical Fantasy Adventure
(The Adirondack Spirit Series)
By David Fitz-Gerald
Traveling without warning. Nights lost to supernatural journeys. Is one young man fated to wander far from safety?
New York State, 1833. Noah Munch longs to fit in. Living with a mother who communes with ghosts and a brother with a knack for heroics, the seventeen-year-old wishes he were fearless enough to discover an extraordinary purpose of his own. But when he mysteriously awakens in the bedroom of the two beautiful daughters of the meanest man in town, he realizes his odd sleepwalking ability could potentially be deadly.
Convinced that leaving civilization is the only way to keep himself and others safe, Noah pursues his dream of becoming a mountain man and slips away into the primeval woods. But after a strong summer storm devastates his camp, the troubled lad finds his mystical wanderings have only just begun.
Can Noah find his place before he’s destroyed by a ruthless world?
Waking Up Lost is the immersive fourth book in the Adirondack Spirit Series of historical fiction. If you like coming-of-age adventures, magical realism, and stories of life on the American frontier, then you’ll love David Fitz-Gerald’s compelling chronicle.
Buy Waking Up Lost to map out destiny today!
Trigger Warnings:
Rape, torture, cruelty to animals, sex, violence.
Buy Links:
Available on #KindleUnlimited.
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David Fitz-Gerald writes fiction that is grounded in history and soars with the spirits. Dave enjoys getting lost in the settings he imagines and spending time with the characters he creates. Writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. He loves to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance, and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the hope of transporting the reader to another time and place. He is an Adirondack 46-er, which means he has hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so it should not be surprising when Dave attempts to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes in his writing.
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Website: https://authordavidfitzgerald.com/ also https://www.itsoag.com/
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POST: INSPIRING WAKING UP LOST
by David Fitz-Gerald
I like to write fiction that is grounded in history and soars with the spirits. I use that phrase like a mission statement. My Adirondack Spirit Series is an epic, multi-generational family saga. Each book stands alone. What they have in common are ancestry, the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, surviving in nature, and supernatural tendencies that just seem to run in the family. The common ancestry includes the Native American people that inhabited New York state before colonization.
When I finished writing Wanders Far, I immediately began writing a book with the same characters, set a few years later. About twenty thousand words into that project, I found I was more drawn to the backstory, so I set that project aside. The backstory was one of an ancient ancestor who left a legacy in stone. When I finished writing She Sees Ghosts, I returned to the story I left behind because I felt compelled to breathe life into this ancient mason.
Waking Up Lost is part of the Adirondack Spirit Series, but despite its supernatural elements, this book is, first and foremost, a work of historical fiction. I took an elective class called The Novel as History when I was in high school, a long time ago. I loved that class, and I think it was my only “A” that year. Many years later, that inspiration has become a passion for writing historical fiction.
Maybe I’m gullible or highly open to suggestions. If there is a case to be made, I’m likely to believe. I am happy to entertain the possibilities, whether it is the Loch Ness Monster, aliens, Bigfoot, portals, ESP, or ghosts. In Waking Up Lost, you’ll find a character that discovers he possesses a myriad of uncanny abilities. This book is linked to its series mates by notions of reincarnation.
I find that the older I get, the more I believe in the possibility of supernatural phenomena. Perhaps it stems back to the belief that I saw a ghost―the ghost of my grandfather. He visited me in the 1980s, and I haven’t stopped thinking about that encounter after all of these years. It was just a moment. I don’t think he was expecting me to be in his study. It was a very peaceful visitation, yet it scared me to the core. I’m still not sure I’m open to being visited by spirits now, but I am always intrigued by supernatural and paranormal possibilities. Who says these concepts can’t stand alongside proven historical facts?
Some years ago, I read the book, Flipside: A Tourist’s Guide on How to Navigate the Afterlife, by Richard Martini. The inspiration behind what happens to the characters in my books after they die, comes from this book. In Waking Up Lost, Noah goes through many difficult situations before discovering his connections to previous lifetimes near the end.
Waking Up Lost is the story of a young man raised by a single mother in a newly formed woodland town in 1833. One morning, he wakes up miles from home at an isolated lake where his mother met his father. A few nights later, he is transported in his sleep to the bedroom of the meanest man in town’s daughter. Another night, Noah awakens in a storm on the peak of a mountain. Just when Noah thinks that he has solved his problem, he awakens on a depraved scow, and its captain forces him to lead mules along the banks of the Erie Canal.
I love it when I’m working on a story. Usually, the inspiration for characters and storylines comes to me as I lie awake, getting ready to fall asleep. I often email myself, so I won’t forget when I wake up. As a writer, I always like to have a story percolating in my head. I think readers feel the same way. We always want to have a book that we’re in the process of reading.
What inspires me most as a writer is the hope of creating something that readers will love. When someone told me that I was her favorite author, I was blown away. Did you ever read a book that you couldn’t get off of your mind, even months after you were done reading it? I want to write books like that.
I think many people rediscovered reading as a cherished pastime activity during the pandemic. As life returns to “normal,” and people recommence their regular activities, I hope they will also continue to enjoy getting lost in fiction. When I think of all the books that have inspired me, it is hard to imagine what I would have missed if I hadn’t read them.
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March 12, 2022
Two Faces of Janus Free Limited Time #HistoricalFiction #ShortStory #Ancient Rome #Kindle #RRBC @TwBookClub @RRBC_Org
I am delighted to announce that the e-book of Two Faces of Janus: A Short Story of Ancient Rome is being offered for free for a limited time on Sunday, March 13th, 2022 at Amazon. It will be featured as the Book of the Day at the Online Book Club.
The historical fiction is a short story about Lucius Antonius. The story provides the background for Lucius’s fervor to restore the legacy of his grandfather (Marcus Antonius) and father (Iulllus Antonius) in the historical fantasy series, Curse of Clansmen and Kings. Some of what is revealed in the short story will play out as a twist in Book 4: Skull’s Vengeance which is anticipated to be released in Fall 2022.
I wrote this short story, in part, as a challenge to enter the Rave Reviews Book Club (RRBC) 2021 Alpha / Omega 90-day short story writing contest in which I was awarded the Grand Prize. RRBC is a virtual book club comprised of supportive authors and readers around the world of which I am a member.
Two Faces of Janus: A Short Story of Ancient Rome
by Linnea Tanner
A young nobleman confronts a specter from the past that could threaten his family’s legacy.
A brash young aristocrat, Lucius Antonius anticipates Emperor Augustus Caesar will support his lofty ambitions to serve as a praetor in the Roman justice system in 2 BC Rome. As the son of the distinguished politician and poet, Iullus Antonius, Lucius prays to Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings, to open the door for him to rise politically. But he is unaware of the political firestorm ready to erupt in the imperial family.
Augustus must confront evidence that his daughter, Julia, has behaved scandalously in public and that Iullus is her lover. The prospect that Julia might want to marry Iullus—the only surviving son of Marcus Antonius—threatens to redirect the glory from Augustus to his most hated rival beyond the grave. Caught in the political crossfire, Lucius must demonstrate his loyalty to Augustus by meeting all of his demands or face the destruction of his family’s legacy and possibly his own life. Will Lucius ultimately choose to betray and abandon his disgraced father?
For a free copy, CLICK Amazon
Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes,
Linnea Tanner
March 10, 2022
Juliane Weber Under the Emerald Sky Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #Ireland #IrishHistory #GreatFamine #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @Writer_JW @maryanneyarde
It is my pleasure to welcome the featured author, Juliane Weber, as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between January 14th – March 18th, 2022. Juliane Weber is the author of the Historical Fiction/Historical Romance, Under the Emerald Sky (The Irish Fortune Series, Book 1), which was independently released on 23rd October 2020 (468 pages).
Below are highlights of Under the Emerald Sky, Juliane Weber’s author bio, and an excerpt from her book.
To Follow the Tour, Click Tour Schedule Page
HIGHLIGHTS: UNDER THE EMERALD SKY
Under the Emerald Sky
(The Irish Fortune Series, Book 1)
By Juliane Weber
He’s come to Ireland to escape his past. She’s trying to run from her future.
It’s 1843 and the English nobleman Quinton Williams has come to Ireland to oversee the running of his father’s ailing estate and escape his painful past. Here he meets the alluring Alannah O’Neill, whose Irish 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. Finding herself drawn to the handsome Englishman, Alannah offers to help Quin communicate with the estate’s Gaelic-speaking tenants, as much to assist him as to counter her own ennui. Aware of her controlling brother’s hostility towards the English, she keeps her growing relationship with Quin a secret – a secret that cannot, however, be kept for long from those who dream of ridding Ireland of her English oppressors.
Among the stark contrasts that separate the rich few from the plentiful poor, Under the Emerald Sky is a tale of love and betrayal in a land teetering on the brink of disaster – the Great Famine that would forever change the course of Ireland’s history.
Trigger Warnings:
Violence, sexual content.
Buy Links:
This novel is available to read for free with #KindleUnlimited subscription.
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Juliane is actually a scientist. She holds degrees in physiology and zoology, including a PhD in physiology. During her studies she realised, however, that her passion lay not in conducting scientific research herself, but in writing about it. Thus began her career as a medical writer, where she took on all manner of writing and editing tasks, in the process honing her writing skills, until she finally plucked up the courage to write her first historical novel, Under the Emerald Sky. The book is the first in The Irish Fortune Series, which is set in 19th century Ireland around the time of the Great Famine.
Juliane lives with her husband and two sons in Hamelin, Germany, the town made famous by the story of the Pied Piper.
Social Media Links:
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“Cha deoch-slàint, i gun a tràghadh.”
“Ah…,” Quin stammered, looking quizzically at Bryan, the elderly groom, who was peering down into Quin’s glass with some consternation.
“Drink…drink,” Bryan said encouragingly, motioning vigorously with one hand lest Quin not understand what he meant. “No health…if glass…full,” he stammered in his broken English, staggering slightly, having clearly partaken generously of the wedding fare himself. Quin caught the old man by the arm before he should fall onto the scattering of edibles that remained on the table, eyeing him with some amusement.
[…]
Quin took a healthy gulp from his glass, making Bryan break into a wide grin that revealed the three or so yellowed teeth that were all that remained of his dentition.
“I suppose the lack of teeth does encourage one to focus one’s efforts on drink,” Quin said merrily under his breath, feeling not a little intoxicated himself. He had no idea how much he’d actually had to drink, as the level of the contents of his glass seemed never to subside, someone always appearing to add “just a little more”. Fortunately, it seemed that the guests were starting to depart—the room being mostly empty—so his forcible alcohol ingestion was likely to be nearing its end.
Bryan nodded energetically, clearly not having heard or understood what Quin had said. Screwing up his eyes in concentration and making an obvious effort to wrap his tongue around the words he was about to utter, he said something that sounded like, “shlucht shlachta ar shlucht bur shlachta,” before turning precariously on his heel and tottering off.
“With the number of times I’ve heard that today, the house will be teeming with children in no time.”
Quin turned smilingly towards Alannah, who had come up next to him. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her and he inclined his head towards her.
“Is that so?” he asked, leaning in to her and looking deep into her eyes, which seemed even bluer than usual above her light blue dress.
“Ah…yes,” she stammered, plainly flustered by his penetrating look. She cleared her throat and dropped her eyes for a moment before looking back up at him with renewed assurance. “It means, ‘may there be a generation of children on your children’s children’…more or less.” She cocked her head to one side and smiled mischievously, before adding, “It’s better than the gem offered by Mr Moore.”
“Oh?”
“Socraichidh am pòsadh an gaol.—Marriage takes the heat out of love.”
Quin laughed, making her laugh in turn.
“Did he really say that to you?” he asked with a grin.
“No,” Alannah answered with a mirthful shake of the head. “He was imparting this piece of wisdom to a few of the other tenants as I happened to pass by them. When he saw me looking at him and realised I must have heard him, Mr Moore went bright red in the face and the other men looked terribly abashed.”
“What did you do?”
“I smiled innocently at them, pretending that I hadn’t heard, and continued on my way.—But I doubt any of them will be repeating the saying within hearing of a woman again any time soon.”
“Well, let us hope that we can disprove the wisdom of Mr Moore!” Quin said with a chuckle. “I have been on the receiving end of a good few proverbs myself.—Let’s see now, those well-wishers who were kind enough to translate for me wish for me never to be sent to the gander paddock and hope that you will do your knitting for the infants after dark.” He gave Alannah a confused look, having no idea what the latter could possibly mean. “Oh, and my favourite,” he continued cheerfully, “I was reminded that whoever burns his backside must himself sit upon it.”
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