Jean M. Roberts's Blog, page 24
October 27, 2022
Liberty Bell and The Last American by James Stoddard
LIBERTY BELL ANDTHE LAST AMERICANbyJames Stoddard
Alternative History / Science FictionPages: 347 pagesPublication Date: April 4, 2021
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Americans love their Constitution. In seventeen-year-old Liberty Bell’s era it has become a myth. Centuries after the Great Blackout obliterates the world's digitized information, America's history is forgotten. Only confused legends remain, written in The Americana, a book depicting a golden age where famous Americans from different eras lived and interacted with one another during the same time.
Raised on the stories and ideals from The Americana, Liberty Bell joins secret agent Antonio Ice on a quest for her country. But in the Old Forest, forgotten technologies are reawakening. Historic figures such as Albert Einstein, Harriet Tubman, and Thomas Jefferson are coming to life.
The source of their return, a mystery hidden since before the apocalypse, lies waiting for Liberty. Her knowledge of The Americana holds the key to unraveling the riddles of the past.
Will the American continent return to the freedom of Liberty’s forefathers? Or will it descend into a dark age of tyranny? The choices she makes will determine its fate. For, as The Americana says, “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it—and forfeit all coupons, discounts, and travel miles.”
Filled with quotations from exceptional Americans, here is a humorous and poignant celebration of America and its Constitution.
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THE BATTLE OF YORK
From Liberty Bell and the Last American
by James Stoddard
This is my original short story, which is part of the mythology of The Americana, later used in my novel, Liberty Bell and the Last American. The novel is written in a much different style.
Three thousand years have elapsed since the passing of America. Though scholars have uncovered multitudes of valuable archaeological evidence, little written literature exists from that era. It is indeed unfortunate that books made of paper were replaced by magneto-optical storage by the middle of the twenty-first century. The world-wide magnetic field disaster of the last decades of that century did more than herald a new Dark Age—it erased the literature and history of the world, even as the accompanying geological disruptions obliterated cities and landmarks.
Fortunately, near the end of the twenty-fourth century, an unknown scholar passed through the American regions, collecting the stories and legends we now call “The Americana.” Though we can expect little accuracy from a people dependent on electronic data storage rather than oral tradition, we believe there is always a grain of truth concealed within the tales. But to quote one of the figures from the Americana itself: “When the Legend becomes fact, print the Legend.”
***
Young General Washington rode alone on his white stallion through the vast forest of Yoosemitee. His battle-axe, Valleyforge, hung glistening from the pommel of his saddle, the blood fresh-scrubbed from its edge. He had slain too many soldiers in the war against the Gauls and American Natives, and was glad to be going home.
I will never fight again, he thought, but will return to the Mount of Vernon to become a surveyor and farmer. There was no pursuit more important to any country than to improve its agriculture and its breed of useful animals. How he longed for the simple cares of a husbandman.
He brooded on the horrors of war, his dead comrades, and the American Native maid, Pocahontas, whom he had loved. He loved her still, though she had betrayed him to the Gauls.
In his people’s language his name, General, meant pertaining in common to all, and that was what he had become, a leader to the American tribes in Virginia. As a youth, an enchantment had been laid on him by the Wise Woman, Betsee Ross, the Star Weaver, that he could never tell a lie. Because of this, some called him “Honest Gen.”
As the last rays of twilight turned the ancient American forest golden with dust and sent the shadows streaming east, he heard the cry of the hawk and the distant howls of wolves. He shivered uneasily. The sequoias rose all around, hundreds of feet tall, the trees the American Natives called the Silent Giants. His men had accompanied him through most of his journey, until he had chosen to shorten his trip by going through the woods. Even the bravest had refused to follow him then, for the forest was said to be haunted. At the time he had thought it just as well; he had wanted to be alone, to try to forget. He had intended to pass through the woods and into the safety of Virginia before nightfall, but weariness had overtaken both him and his mount, and in his brooding he
had dawdled.
He dared ride no farther that night for fear of losing his way. Already shapes grew gray and indistinct. The howling of the wolves sounded nearer.
If I continue, I will lame Silver, he thought. He stroked the stallion’s neck, then reined him to a stop. He dismounted, then led him forward a few paces, intending to make camp beneath one of the great trees. The shadows seemed to close around him.
The hoot of an owl overhead startled him. “My nerves are frayed,” he murmured.
General removed Silver’s bridle and saddle and let him go free. He was unconcerned about the stallion wandering off; the horse was loyal as a hound. Silver nickered uneasily, as if he too distrusted the woods.
“Easy, boy,” General murmured automatically. Though he preferred traveling unseen through Yoosemitee, he needed to start a fire to ward off the wolves. Picking up twigs and dead limbs, he soon had enough wood to last the night.
He knelt with flint and steel. Sparks flew and a tiny flame sprang up. Before he could fan it into a full fire, Silver nickered again.
General looked up, then stood, his hand to Valleyforge. A spectral green light haloed the enormous tree trunk. Washington crept around it and looked across the forest floor.
A man approached, a tall, inhumanly broad figure carrying a lantern that glowed with an unearthly luminance. Washington felt his mouth go dry; his heart pounded against his chest, for he thought he recognized the intruder. He wanted to hide, but there was nowhere to go if the Pilgrim sought him. He drew Valleyforge and held it close.
The figure paused a few feet from Washington. The lantern light spread at General’s feet, turning the ground emerald and olive.
“General Washington,” the figure said, his voice a deep drawl. “I am Waynejon. Some call me the Pilgrim.”
“Have you come for me?” General asked. Despite his best effort, his voice trembled.
The Pilgrim rumbled a laugh. “I’m not Death, if that’s what you mean. I’m a man. I put my pants on one leg at a time.”
Washington remained unconvinced. According to legend, the Pilgrim had died many times, but death could not keep him, for he was cursed to walk the earth until the end of the age because of an ancient wrong. He stood a head taller than Washington, who was a tall man himself, and wore a square, black hat with a buckle at its front, a black cloak, and ebony riding chaps. A black eyepatch covered one eye and a rooster stood on his left shoulder. He carried an ancient blunderbuss.
Click to read the rest of the short story
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James Stoddard's short fiction has appeared in science fiction publications such as "Amazing Stories" and "The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction." "The Battle of York" was included in Eos Books' Years Best SF 10, and "The First Editions" appeared in The Year's Best Fantasy 9 from Tor Books. His novel, "The High House" won the Compton Crook Award for best fantasy by a new novelist and was nominated for several other awards. He lives with his wife in a winding canyon in West Texas.| Website | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads |
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10/25/22
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10/25/22
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10/26/22
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10/26/22
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10/27/22
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October 25, 2022
The Godmother's Secret by Elizabeth St. John
Welcome to a stop on the Coffeepot Book Tour for Elizabeth St. John’s latest book, The Godmother’s Secret. I read it and it’s marvellous, chockfull of great history and with an interesting twist on a century’s old mystery.
The Details:
Book Title: The Godmother’s Secret
Author: Elizabeth St.John
Publication Date: 4th October, 2022
Publisher: Falcon Historical
Page Length: 350 pages
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction / Historical Mystery
Blurb:
What if you knew what happened to the Princes in the Tower. Would you tell? Or would you forever keep the secret?
November, 1470: Westminster Abbey. Lady Elysabeth Scrope faces a perilous royal duty when ordered into sanctuary with Elizabeth Woodvillewitness the birth of Edward IV’s Yorkist son. Margaret Beaufort, Elysabeth’s sister, is desperately seeking a pardon for her exiled son Henry Tudor. Strategically, she coerces Lancastrian Elysabeth to be appointed godmother to Prince Edward, embedding her in the heart of the Plantagenets and uniting them in a destiny of impossible choices and heartbreaking conflict.
Bound by blood and torn by honour, when the king dies and Elysabeth delivers her young godson into the Tower of London to prepare for his coronation, she is engulfed in political turmoil. Within months, the prince and his brother have disappeared, Richard III is declared king, and Margaret conspires with Henry Tudor to invade England and claim the throne. Desperate to protect her godson, Elysabeth battles the intrigue, betrayal and power of the last medieval court, defying her husband and her sister under her godmother’s sacred oath to keep Prince Edward safe.
Were the princes murdered by their uncle, Richard III? Was the rebel Duke of Buckingham to blame? Or did Margaret Beaufort mastermind their disappearance to usher in the Tudor dynasty? Of anyone at the royal court, Elysabeth has the most to lose–and the most to gain–by keeping secret the fate of the Princes in the Tower.
Inspired by England’s most enduring historical mystery, Elizabeth St.John, best-selling author of The Lydiard Chronicles, blends her own family history with known facts and centuries of speculation to create an intriguing alternative story illuminating the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower.
Buy Links:
This title is on #KindleUnlimited.
Universal Link: https://geni.us/GodmothersSecret
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9YM4JF5
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9YM4JF5
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B9YM4JF5
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0B9YM4JF5
Author Bio:
Elizabeth St.John spends her time between California, England, and the past. An acclaimed author, historian, and genealogist, she has tracked down family papers and residences from Lydiard Park and Nottingham Castle to Richmond Palace and the Tower of London to inspire her novels. Although the family sold a few country homes along the way (it's hard to keep a good castle going these days), Elizabeth's family still occupy them— in the form of portraits, memoirs, and gardens that carry their legacy. And the occasional ghost. But that's a different story.
Having spent a significant part of her life with her seventeenth-century family while writing The Lydiard Chronicles trilogy and Counterpoint series, Elizabeth St.John is now discovering new family stories with her fifteenth-century namesake Elysabeth St.John Scrope, and her half-sister, Margaret Beaufort.
Social Media Links:
Website: 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/profile/elizabeth-st-john
Amazon Author Page: https://geni.us/AmazonElizabethStJohn
Goodreads: https://geni.us/GoodreadsElizStJohn
My Review:
The Godmother’s Secret
The short reign of King Richard III in intriguing for so many reasons, but I suppose the question most historians would love the answer to is what happened to the princes in the tower?
When King Edward IV died, he left behind two sons, Edward and Richard. Edward, his heir was twelve years old. The two boys were taken to the tower and never seen again. Richard, their uncle, had himself crowned instead. His rule was short and he was killed at the battle of Bosworth by the future King Henry VII.
In her telling of this story, Elizabeth St. John weaves an intricate plot around her ancestor Elizabeth Scrope and her scheming sister, the formidable Margaret Beaufort. Despite the fact that Elizabeth’s family held for the Lancaster King, she was asked to attend Edward’s queen during the latter days of her pregnancy and stand as godmother to the child, the future king.
Elizabeth takes this role seriously and comes to regard the young prince as one of her own and he in turn loves her and her husband. After the death of the king, Elizabeth is drawn into plots even as she fights to save the boys.
Well researched this inventive story will have you wringing your hands. At times the melodrama threatened to overwhelm the narrative but I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you for stopping by. If you are interested in seeing more about this book, I’ve provided a link below. Be sure to check out all the dates on this stop and read excerpts and more!
October 24, 2022
Audiobook Pop-Up: The Covey Jencks Mysteries by Shelton L. Williams
THE COVEY JENCKS MYSTERIES:
LOVE AND MURDER DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
byShelton L. WilliamsNarrated by: Stephen E. Lookadoo Jr.
Mystery / Amateur Sleuths / West Texas
Listening Length: 17hrs, 44 minutesPublication Date: July 27, 2022
Shelton Williams's book The Covey Jencks Mysteries: Love and Murder Deep in the Heart of Texas is more than a collection of mysterious tales of murder and investigation. By bringing to life these characters, the author has highlighted the global issues of racism, drug abuse, political extremism, and women trafficking. In the midst of it all is our protagonist, hell-bent on finding out what secrets he may find out if he stepped into the dark shadow of Odessa.
This omnibus edition of the Covey Jencks Mysteries includes newly edited versions of Covey Jencks, Covey and JayJay Get Educated, and The Chinese Murder of Edward Watts. It also includes a new preface from the author and foreword by Charles E. Morrison.
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Shelton L. Williams (Shelly) is founder and president of the Osgood Center for International Studies in Washington, DC. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and he taught for nearly 40 years at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He has served in the US Government on 4 occasions, and he has written books and articles on nuclear proliferation. In 2004 he began a new career of writing books on crime and society. Those books are Washed in the Blood, Summer of 66, and now the three books in the Covey Jencks series. All firmly prove that he is still a Texan at heart.| Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter |
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! THREE WINNERS:Each receives an audiobook edition of THE COVEY JENCKS MYSTERIES:LOVE AND MURDER DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 10/31/22.)
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October 19, 2022
Review: Concrete Evidence by DiAnn Mills
CONCRETE EVIDENCE byDiAnn Mills
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Pages: 416 pages
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Categories: Christian Fiction / Mystery & Thrillers
Scroll down for a giveaway!
Bestselling and award-winning author DiAnn Mills delivers a heart-stopping story of a faulty construction job, the discovery of a dead body, and a sinister plot.On the family’s Brazos River Ranch in Texas, Avery Elliott helps run her grandfather’s commercial construction business. Raised by Senator Elliott, Avery has never doubted her grandfather is the man of integrity and faith she’s always believed him to be …. until the day she finds him standing with a gun over the body of a dead man. To make matters worse, Avery’ just discovered a billing discrepancy for materials supposedly purchased for construction of the Lago de Cobre Dam.
Desperate for answers, Avery contacts FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins for help. As Marc works to identify the dead man Avery saw, threats toward Avery create a fresh sense of urgency to pinpoint why someone wants to silence her. With a hurricane approaching the Texas coast and the structural integrity of the Lago de Cobre Dam called into question, time is running out to get to the bottom of a sinister plot that could be endangering the lives of not only Avery and her loved ones but the entire community.
Praise For CONCRETE EVIDENCE
“* VERDICT Mills . . . delivers another action-packed novel that offers intrigue and an adventurous ride. Recommend to fans of Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason, and Carrie Stuart Parks.” – LIBRARY JOURNAL, Shondra Brown
“The confident plotting keeps the mysteries coming, and red herrings will have readers guessing the culprit through to the satisfying conclusion. Fans of Colleen Coble and Susan Sleeman will savor this thrilling standalone.” – PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY
PURCHASE LINKS FOUND AT: https://diannmills.com/books/concrete-evidence
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. You can download a list of her published titles by clicking here.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a former director of Blue Ridge Christian Writers, and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She shares her passion for helping other writers be successful by teaching writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
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Blog Posts ║ Facebook ║ Instagram ║ YouTubePinterest ║ Goodreads ║ LinkedIn ║ BookBub ║ Twitter__________________________________________________
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Avery Elliot, who runs a large commercial construction company, sees her beloved Grandfather, a retired state senator, standing over a dead man. He has a gun in his hand. He soon disappears and urges her to do the same. Someone is out to get them. Avery goes into hiding but after several attempts on her life, she decides to fight back. With the help of FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins, she attempts to piece together her grandfather’s disappearance and its connection to the construction of a dam, now threatened by a raging hurricane.
This is the second murder mystery thriller I’ve read by author Diann Mills and it did not disappoint. Tightly plotted with a strong female protagonist it’s a real page turner. The narrative explores family dynamics and has a strong Christian theme. Mills kept me guessing and threw in some great red herrings. Just when you’re certain you know who did it, you find out you’re wrong!
I enjoyed the story and getting to know Avery and her family, as well as Marc and his relationship with his estranged father. The story has a sweet romance with a satisfying outcome.
I recommend this book to readers of murder mysteries/thrillers. Readers who appreciate a 'clean' narrative with a positive Christian message will also enjoy this book.
I rate this book 4 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! FOUR WINNERS:Each receives a $25 eGift card to their choice of Amazon or B&N.(US only; giveaway ends midnight, 10/28/22.)
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October 12, 2022
Review: Beasts of the Earth by James Wade
BEASTS OF THE EARTHBYJAMES WADE Categories: Literary Fiction / Crime FictionPublisher: Blackstone PublishingBlackstone Facebook Twitter InstagramDate of Publication: October 11, 2022Number of Pages: 350 pages
SCROLL DOWN FOR A GIVEAWAY!
James Wade, whose first two novels were praised as “rhapsodic” and “haunting,” delivers his most powerful work to date—a chilling parable about the impossible demands of hate and love, trauma and goodness, vividly set in the landscapes of Texas and Louisiana.
Beasts of the Earth tells the story of Harlen LeBlanc, a dependable if quiet employee of the Carter Hills High School’s grounds department, whose carefully maintained routine is overthrown by an act of violence. As the town searches for answers, LeBlanc strikes out on his own to exonerate a friend, while drawing the eyes of the law to himself and fending off unwelcome voices that call for a sterner form of justice.
Twenty years earlier, young Michael Fischer dreads the return of his father from prison. He spends his days stealing from trap lines in the Louisiana bayou to feed his fanatically religious mother and his cherished younger sister, Doreen. When his father eventually returns, an evil arrives in Michael’s life that sends him running from everything he has ever known. He is rescued by a dying poet and his lover, who extract from him a promise: to be a good man, whatever that may require.
Beasts of the Earth deftly intertwines these stories, exploring themes of time, fate, and free will, to produce a revelatory conclusion that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
PRAISE FOR BEASTS OF THE EARTH
“Wade’s pitch-perfect, personality-driven dialogue sings in the voice of life, and his ability to meld existential thought, situational metaphor, and cinematic setting is a full-bodied experience…A soul-deep exploration of a wounded man in crisis, James Wade’s Beasts of the Earth…secures his position as an author of extraordinary merit.” —New York Journal of Books
“James Wade writes a terrific story, but that isn’t what makes him so good. Wade is a craftsman. His books should be read slowly, to luxuriate in his word choices, his sentence structure, his character revelation. That is why he is a joy to read.” —James L. Haley, Spur Award–winning author of the Bliven Putnam Naval Adventures
“I found myself rooting for the characters throughout their near-Biblical tribulations, and the storyline kept me turning the pages, desperate to find out what would happen next. Here we have a novel that blends realism with existentialist philosophy to redefine contemporary Southern fiction. Don’t miss this tour de force of modern literature.” —David Heska Wanbli Weiden, Spur and Anthony Award–winning author of Winter Counts
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Thank you to James Wade for providing a copy of his book Beasts of the Earth for my review.
Michael Fischer is a young boy living hand to mouth with his mother and younger sister, Doreen. Forbidden from attending school so he can provide food for the family, Michael risks his life to steal fish from a neighbor's traps. He and his sister share a mattress in their house in the swamp. His life goes from bad to worse when his father returns from a stint in prison, doing time for raping a young girl. When forced to commit a soul-crushing act, Michael flees his home.
Harlen Leblanc is a mild-mannered man with the simplest of lives. A maintenance man at the local high school, he lives in an almost empty duplex with any of the niceties of life. But he has a keen eye for those who are in need and goes out of his way to spread kindness. When a high school girl is found murdered on campus, his young co-worker is accused. Harlan’s attempt to help the boy backfires and he finds himself questioned for the crime and suddenly shunned by those he’d help, as if all his good works were wiped away in an instant.
The two stories intersect in a painful, heart-rending finale. For Harlan, the psychological scars of an abusive, cruel childhood are impossible for him to overcome. After a lifetime of battling his demons, he gives in to them, understanding fully what he is, what he will always be. He realizes that the man Michael becomes was forged by the evil fire of his father and once tempered cannot change.
To say that this book is a difficult read is no exaggeration. Wade scrapes together the worst of human behavior: rape, murder, child abuse, pedophilia, and prostitution and spins a gritty, painful tale. But his prose is lyrical, almost poetic. His languorous descriptions of a wide Texas sky or a hot Louisiana swap juxtaposed with the violent narrative gives the book a seductive duality that is hard to put down. How does beauty co-exist with the ugliness in the world? What makes a man good, what makes him evil and can those traits live inside the same person?
"Beasts of the Earth is a beautiful gut-punch of a novel.” —Stacey Swann, author of Olympus, Texas
James Wade lives and writes in the Texas Hill Country with his wife and daughter. He is also the author of River, Sing Out and All Things Left Wild, a winner of the prestigious MPIBA Reading the West Award for Debut Fiction, and a recipient of the Spur Award for Best Historical Novel from the Western Writers of America.◆
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!TWO WINNERSTwo winners each receive an autographed copy of Beasts of the Earth.(US only. Ends midnight, CDT, October 21, 2022)
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October 9, 2022
The Conjuror's Apprentice by GJ Williams
The Details
Book Title: The Conjuror’s Apprentice
Series: The Tudor Rose (Book 1)
Author: G.J. Williams
Publication Date: October 6th 2022
Publisher: RedDoor Press
Page Length: 320 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Blurb
Born with the ability to hear thoughts and feelings when there is no sound, Margaretta Morgan’s strange gift sees her apprenticed to Doctor John Dee, mathematician, astronomer, and alchemist. Using her secret link with the hidden side and her master’s brilliance, Margaretta faces her first murder mystery. Margaretta and Dee must uncover the evil bound to unravel the court of Bloody Mary.
The year is 1555. This is a time ruled by fear. What secrets await to be pulled from the water?
The Conjuror’s Apprentice takes real people and true events in 1555, into which G J Williams weaves a tale of murder and intrigue. Appealing to readers of crime and well researched historical fiction alike, this is the first in a series which will follow the life, times, plots and murders of the Tudor Court.
Trigger Warnings:
Descriptions of bodies and the injuries that brought about their death.
Threat of torture; description of man who has been tortured.
Buy Links:
AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conjurors-Apprentice-G-J-Williams/dp/1915194199
Waterstones
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-conjurors-apprentice/g-j-williams/9781915194190
RedDoor
https://www.reddoorpress.co.uk/products/the-conjurors-apprentice?_pos=1&_sid=30c68d694&_ss=r
Author Bio
After a career as a business psychologist for city firms, G.J. Williams has returned to her first passion – writing tales of murder, mystery and intrigue. Her psychology background melded with a love of medieval history, draws her to the twists and turns of the human mind, subconscious powers and the dark-side of people who want too much.
She lives between Somerset and London in the UK and is regularly found writing on a train next to a grumpy cat and a bucket of tea.
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/gjwilliams92
Excerpt
As Margaretta retreated through the stables, she passed a stall with the name Jonas carved into the cross beam. Inside was a truckle bed, neatly covered with a blanket and, on the floor, a leather bag. She banged the stable door closed without stepping out. It was only five quiet steps back to Jonas’s bed space, where she huddled down in the black of the shadows.
The voice of Father Thomas started in a rhythm of prayer and blessing. Then Luke, his voice strained and urgent, like all men who are trying to stop their emotions spilling out of their mouths.
‘I cannot just sit here and do nothing, Father. Jonas was like a son to me… and…’
The priest’s response was low and firm. ‘Luke. We have spoken of this before. Lord Cecil will not let this rest until the killer has been found.’
‘Killers. Jonas was a strong lad. It would take more than one to hold him down and do those things to him.’ Luke’s voice was tinged with anxiety now, like a child whose pleading is being dismissed. ‘Have you told Lord Cecil what I told you? Did you tell him that Jonas spoke of someone called the Shepherd? Did you tell him that Jonas said he was in a flock?’
Then banging followed by a whimper. It was Luke beating his fists on the timbers of the stable. The priest was telling him to calm himself, that there was nothing he could do. Luke almost shouted: ‘Jonas was afeared the night before he disappeared. In church that morning he was praying like he had never done before. Flock be damned. He was a lamb to the slaughter.’
‘Did he say who he feared?’
‘No. But he had a bruise on his cheek a few days before. When I asked him who did it he claimed a few street boys battered him…that a woman called…called…something I cannot recall…had helped. That she was good no matter what others said.’
The priest snapped. ‘What woman? You did not tell me of this before.’
Luke’s intake of breath was audible. ‘Tell truth, father. My mind has been full of witnessing the lad’s body. Memories are sneaking back.’
‘You must tell me everything, Luke. How can I pass the information to Lord Cecil if you do not? Now, what was the woman’s name?’
‘I cannot recall.’
‘You must.’ The voice was hard now, like a teacher with an errant child. ‘I will return in half of an hour for the name.’
There was a rustle as the priest turned, his long black coat sweeping hay along the floor. His tread was heavy, determined as he made towards the stable door. Then he stopped. From the shadow on the floor it was obvious he was looking into Jonas’s sleeping area. Margaretta held her breath. The cleric muttered something low under his breath as he peered into the gloom. It was not English. He stepped forward. Then a shout from outside. ‘Father. Are you here?’
With a grunt, he turned for the door and walked away. The only sound was the chomping of the horse in the stable opposite and the moaning from Luke. She was listening to a
heart break.
____________________________________________________________________
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October 7, 2022
Review: Folly Park by Heidi Hackford
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The Details:
Folly Parky by Heidi Hackford
Published: 15 November 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press
Genre: Southern Fiction
Pages: 312
Available: ebook, paperback
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of her book for review.
Temple Preston descends from four storied families with roots anchored deep in the red clay of the South, plantation-owning families whose luxurious lives were built on the backs of their enslaved workers. Temple feels the weight of her ancestry every day as she works to keep alive her ancestral home, Folly Park, now a tourist destination, and honor her heroic great grandfather, General Thomas Smith. But it’s not that simple.
In Temple, author Hackford creates a character who struggles with her guilt and pride in equal measure. When a new intern arrives, seemingly with an agenda that may mar the reputation of Caroline Smith, the General's wife, Temple’s eyes are opened to the deep character flaws in her family. The more she delves into the ugly secrets of the past, the more her perspective shifts from those who owed the land to those who were forced to work it. At the same time, Temple fights to free herself from her overbearing father. Threaded through the story is a sweet but subtle romance.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. It reads like a dual time line through the use of letters and diary entries. Hackford brings alive the prewar days of the American Civil War and the lives of key characters General Thomas and Caroline Smith, their cousin Jane, an abolitionist from Boston, and King, and enslaved man. With great skill, she peels back the protective layer of time, rubs at the protective veneer of ancestor worship, revealing their darkest deeds and the heartbreaking tragedies that formed their lives. The ending of both the modern day and the past narrative left me completely surprised.
More than just an entertaining story, through Temple’s struggle the book explores issues of family dynamics and race relations, and questions how to deal with the ugliness of the past, especially in the American South.
I rate this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here is a link to see more about the book:
September 24, 2022
Review: The Drums of War by Michael Ward
Details:
The Drums of War by Michael Ward
Publisher:
Published: August 2022
Genre: Historical fiction/ historical mystery
Series: yes, book three of The Thomas Tallant Mysteries
The Reviewer thanks author Michael Ward for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
My Review:
Thomas Tallant returns in this third installment of the Thomas Tallant Mystery series, The Drums of War by Michael Ward. I have read all three and enjoyed them immensely.
Thomas is a spice merchant with a penchant for investigative trouble. He loves Elizabeth, a most unusual young woman, a pipe smoking, intellectual who loves to exercise her brain.
In this installment, London is preparing for war with King Charles who has fled the city. Parliamentary forces are training for war and Thomas joins one of the train bands. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is investigating a series of jewel thefts that plague the city. Thomas, known for his sleuthing, is asked to find a shipment of gunpowder that is bound for the king’s arm. Their cases lead Thomas and Elizabeth in different directions and both see first hand the results of war.
As always, the history is intriguing, the setting meticulous and the story engaging. This book seems to place more emphasis on Thomas and his role as a soldier than his investigation but I enjoyed it just the same.
Well written and fast paced, you’ll be disappointed when it comes to an end. I highly recommend not only this book, but all the books in the series.
I give this book: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
See this book now on Amazon:
September 20, 2022
Win a new Kindle Paperwhite loaded with Historical Fiction!
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Enter to win a new Kindle loaded with amazing historical fiction. American Historical Novels Facebook Group is giving away one Kindle Paperwhite. What's the catch? You have to register for our monthly newsletter. Our FB group is centered around American Historical novels. It is a promo free site so you won't be bombarded with 'buy my book' posts. We offer monthly interviews with best-selling authors via zoom and Facebook live. Interact with your favorite author and win a copy of their latest book! Post are about writing/reading historical fiction. Please join us today.
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September 10, 2022
Cavern of the Veil Queen by Michael Scott Clifton
CAVERN OF THE VEIL QUEEN
Conquest of the Veil, Book 4byMichael Scott CliftonIllustrated by Nancy E. DurhamFiction / Fantasy / Action / Sword & SorceryPublisher: Book LiftoffPages: 342 pagesPublication Date: July 27, 2022
SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY
The Empire of Meredith has waged war against the Veil Queen for over a thousand years. However, the struggle is unequal. Protected by the Veil, an impenetrable boundary of magic, the Veil Queen preys on the Empire’s citizens. The ceaseless raids have allowed her to build an enormous army of melds, monstrous creatures who are a fusion of humans and beasts.
Then a way is found through the magical partition. An invasion is launched to defeat the Dark Queen. But she’s had centuries to plot treachery. Is the open portal real or a misdirection, another of her evil schemes?
Alexandria’s new husband, Prince Tal, has wielded his formidable magic repeatedly in the struggle. But the key to victory may not lie with his power, but with Alex’s wild and unpredictable magic. If she can discover a way to control it, they have a chance to end the war and destroy the Veil. It requires only two things.
Find the Veil Queen…and kill her.
CLICK TO PURCHASE!
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Book four in the Conquest of the Veil series, Cavern of the Veil Queen is an epic action-packed, young adult fantasy with hints of Lord of the Rings and the Cinderella story.
In book one, a guardian angel offers lonely, bullied and unattractive Mona Parker a new life in the technology-free world of Meredith. There, she was transformed into the beautiful Alexandria, daughter of a duke. Alex’s world is one of magic, flying horses, gnomes, wizards and magic. In this fourth installment, she is married to Prince Tal, heir to the Kingdom of Meredith. Prince Tal wields a powerful magic, as does Alex, although hers is wild and untamed. In Cavern of the Veil Queen, the battle with their evil enemy comes to a head. Alex and Tal must defeat her or lose everything.
With a quick pace, this high fantasy story zips along. Much of the narrative is taken up with battles and the occasional timeout for Alex and Tal to ‘work’ on their relationship. It’s a fun, adventurous story with lots of imaginative characters and creatures. The main characters are engaging and straightforward; the ending is a foregone conclusion, but the fun is in the getting there. It’s well written with wonderful descriptions that bring the world of Meredith alive. If you enjoy high fantasy with fantastic world building, lots of mythical creatures and epic battles, you’ll love this book.
I gave this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Multi award-winning author Michael Scott Clifton, a longtime public educator, currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie. An avid gardener, reader, and movie junkie, his books contain facets of all the genres he enjoys—action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novels, The Janus Witch, The Open Portal (Book I in the Conquest of the Veil series), and Escape from Wheel (Book II), all received 5-Star reviews from the prestigious Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews. The Open Portal has also been honored with a Feathered Quill Book Finalist Award. In addition, Edison Jones and the Anti-Grav Elevator earned a 2021 Feathered Quill Book Award Bronze Medal in the Teen Readers category. Two of his short stories have won Gold Medals, with Edges of Gray winning the Texas Authors Contest, and The End Game winning the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization Contest. Professional credits include articles published in the Texas Study of Secondary Education journal. | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube || Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Website |
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! FIVE WINNERSOne Winner: Signed Paperback of Cavern of the Veil Queen and bookmark;One Winner: Complete Conquest of the Veil Series eBooks;Three Winners: eBook of Cavern of the Veil Queen.(US only; ends midnight, CDT, September 17, 2022.)
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