Deborah Swift's Blog, page 6

Past Encounters by Deborah Swift #WW2

Past Encounters, the first book I ever wrote which is set in WW2  features the filming of Brief Encounter in 1945.  The site of the wartime filming on Carnforth station is close to my home, and the Heritage Centre there has a wealth of information about the film and its stars. The Heritage Centre has been featuring a free season of David Lean’s films. Lean’s many credits include quintessentially classic cinema experiences  – from Dr Zhivago to The Bridge over the River Kwai, from A Passage to India to Hobson’s Choice. And of course Brief Encounter.

By Apparent screencapture., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...

From Filmsite: Brief Encounter (1946) is director David Lean’s brilliantly-crafted, classic British masterpiece. It is one of the greatest romantic tearjerkers/weepers of all time, with a very downbeat ending. Lean’s film is a simple but realistically-honest, unsentimental, self-told social melodrama of the quiet desperation involved in an illicit, extra-marital love affair between two married, middle-class individuals over seven weekly meetings, mostly against the backdrop of a railway station. The romantic couple includes a wife/mother (stage actress Celia Johnson) looking for escape from her humdrum life and sterile marriage, and a dashing doctor (Trevor Howard in his third film). (Characteristics of film noir also abound within the film – unglamorous locations, rain-slicked streets, dimly-lit interiors and dark train passageways in a tale of doomed, unfulfilled and frustrated love.) The Guardian says attempts to parody Brief Encounter have failed:

Brief Encounter has survived such threats, because it is so well made, because Laura’s voiceover narration is truly anguished and dreamy, because the music suckers all of us, and because Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard are perfect.

The Radio 4 feature says that the timing of it, when so many men were returning from war, made the last few lines, ‘Thank you for coming back to me,’ particularly poignant. Do take a listen to the programme, it’s only half an hour but very informative if you love the film.

In my novel Past Encounters, first written under the pseudonym of Davina Blake, but now re-released under my other pen name,  I explore and echo the same themes as in the film. In my book, my female character, Rhoda, has her own interior monologues. Peter, her fiance, is told with more distance as he fights for his survival in a German POW camp. Both endure emotional and physical hardships during their separation during the long years of WWII. Like the film I was looking for a certain restraint in the writing.And if you are interested in my novel, here it is. Past Encounters is the winner of a BRAG medallion for excellence in independent fiction, and a BookViral Millennium Award for best novel of the era.About ‘Past Encounters’From the moment Rhoda Middleton opens one of her husband’s letters and finds it is from another woman, she is convinced he is having an affair. But when Rhoda tracks her down, she discovers the mysterious woman is not his lover after all, but the wife of his best friend, Archie Foster. There is only one problem – Rhoda has never even heard of Archie Foster.Devastated by this betrayal of trust, Rhoda tries to find out how and why her husband, Peter, has kept this friendship hidden for so long. Her search leads her back to 1945, but as she gradually uncovers Peter’s wartime secrets she must wrestle with painful memories of her own. For if they are ever to understand each other, Rhoda too must escape the ghosts of the past.Taking us on a journey from the atmospheric filming of Brief Encounter, to the extraordinary Great March of prisoners of war through snow-bound Germany, this is a novel of friendship, hope, and how in the end, it is the small things that enable love to survive.The post Past Encounters by Deborah Swift #WW2 first appeared on Deborah Swift.

The Curse of Maiden Scars by Nicolette Croft #Gothic #Historical #CoffeePotBookClub

The Curse of Maiden ScarsMaiden, Mother, Crone Trilogy A Yorkshire orphan struggling for opportunity against 18th-century odds reluctantly transforms into a Venetian courtesan during the Empire’s last days.Sixteen-year-old Renna Covert toils away in the shadows of a Yorkshire workhouse, her days filled with the mundane task of shelling cotton and the dangerous duty of scouting for punters. One fateful night, she crosses paths with two sailors and finds herself thrust into the heart of a chilling encounter at the local asylum.These harrowing experiences catalyze Renna’s journey, promising newfound opportunities and revealing long-buried family secrets. Yet, at every turn, powerful forces conspire to thwart her quest for truth, forcing her to abandon her scullery work and embark on a daring escape to Venice alongside her steadfast companions.In the labyrinthine alleys of Venice, Renna’s fate takes yet another twist. She is ensnared by a cunning Madam who trains her as a Venetian courtesan. But beneath the veneer of luxury lies a world fraught with danger, where Renna must rely on her wits and resilience to navigate the treacherous waters of deceit and betrayal.Set against the backdrop of Venice’s tumultuous Napoleonic invasion of 1797, this is a tale of a girl’s struggle for survival. It is a story of resilience, defiance in the face of adversity, and, ultimately, one young woman’s determination to reclaim her identity.

EXTRACT: The Curse of Maiden Scars

My story must have begun before life as a stray waif, but I didn’t know the tale. The cotton house takes in children as little as three—the unwanted offspring of criminals, crazies, and the contagious. By sixteen, we were expected to make room for younger sprogs and pursue meaningful work. It was weeks until my sixteenth birthday, and I didn’t have a plan. Choices for a girl like me were limited, so Camilla told me. I had some learning and hoped I might find a maid’s position. Whatever I was to become, I didn’t want it to include lurking about the seedy, dank Yorkshire streets like a wet cur.

A cackle of laughter echoed from inside the Inn that stood open behind me. A woman’s mound of blond hair tied in red, pink, blue, and black ribbons appeared in the window’s waving candlelight. She tossed her head back and let out a bright, spirited laugh as a burly man with a beard kissed her neck. I envied their intimacy. I longed to know such love and care.

Deep shivers tightened my sodden dress over my back, and a cough rattled through me. I was prone to illness. My lungs had never been strong. And the wetness only made things worse. I stuffed my head between my knees and swooned in lightheadedness. I closed my eyes and wished myself someplace warm and safe, dreaming of a small bed in a quiet room free of mold, surrounded by soft blankets, the amber light of candles, and a stack of leather-bound books with stories waiting for me to discover. Such a wish was only a fantasy to me—nothing in my real life resembled it.

Boot heels sounded beside me, ripping me out of my daydream. I lifted my head too quickly, and my vision faded darkly. Panic grew from the depths of my belly. Had I missed the opportunity to signal the workhouse strumpets, giving them time to sell their comfort for a copper?

A passerby kicked me and shot, “street rat.” He poured ale over my head and rolled with laughter. There was always laughter. I’d have kicked his feet out from under him if I hadn’t felt weakened from illness. I was accustomed to this sort of abuse, having scouted for culls since the age of eight, and wasn’t afraid to fight back if needed.

BUY THE BOOK  Universal Buy LinkAbout Nicolette CroftNicolette Croft can’t remember a time when she was not creating imaginary worlds inspired by her Hungarian and American ancestors. As a neuro-divergent learner, however, putting those stories to paper proved more challenging than imagining them. Because her determination would not allow her to settle, she pursued an English B.A. to improve her writing.Young motherhood also brought unexpected challenges, which motivated her to pursue graduate work in twice-exceptional learners and education. She would later add an M.A. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in neurodivergent people, trauma, and grief. Nicolette uses her natural gift of storytelling as an exploratory method for her clients.The Curse of Maiden Scars is also an outgrowth of her personal journey and marks her first publication as a novelist, having previously published short fiction. When not at her counseling practice or researching historical facts for her latest story, Nicolette shares treasured time with family, friends, and her husband. Whether writing, cooking, traveling, or learning, the act of creation is always at the center of her colorful life.Author Links:Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram  Amazon Author Page • Threads • Goodreads The post The Curse of Maiden Scars by Nicolette Croft #Gothic #Historical #CoffeePotBookClub first appeared on Deborah Swift.

Trouble in Assissi by Heidi Eljarbo #CoffeePotBookClub #HistoricalMystery

Assisi, 1973.

On art historian Fabiola Bennett’s first day in Assisi, a local gentleman takes her aside to ask for advice about a painting that has wondrously appeared in the basilica’s bell tower.

So much for enjoying relaxing days filled with dining on pasta and gelato.

Soon, Fabiola and her besties, Pippa and Cary, are thrown into a shrouded mystery and caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue, theft, lies, and attempted murder, all of which overshadows the postcard-like charm of the small, historic town.

Rome, 1511.

Life is going well for Teodoro Nicoletti. Since he was a young man in Florence, he has worked and learned alongside the most-favored artist Raphael.

When Pope Julius II commissions Raphael to paint several frescos in the reception rooms of the Vatican Palace, Teodoro follows his master to Rome and discovers firsthand the admiration and rivalry between Raphael and two other reigning artists: Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

But the prickliest thorn in Teodoro’s side is his beloved Elisabetta’s father. The old man is determined to keep his youngest daughter from becoming Teodoro’s wife.

This is the second book in a new dual timeline series by Heidi Eljarbo—an intriguing spin-off from the much-loved Soli Hansen Mysteries.

Fans of Lucinda Riley, Rhys Bowen, Kathleen McGurl, Kate Morton, and Katherine Neville will love this cozy historical dual-timeline art mystery.

This title will be available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

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About Heidi Eljarbo

Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.heidieljarbo.com/newsletter!

Author Links:

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest

BookBub • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

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New Release! Frances, Tudor Countess by Tony Riches @tonyriches #Elizabethan

I’m delighted to highlight a new book in Tony Riches’ acclaimed Elizabethan Series.

“A thrilling portrait of a remarkable woman who witnessed the key events of Elizabethan England.”

Based on extensive research, original letters and records of the Elizabethan Court, this new account explores the life of Frances Walsingham, the only surviving child of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘spymaster’ Sir Francis Walsingham. Better educated than most men, her father arranges her marriage to warrior poet Sir Philip Sidney. After Philip is killed in battle, Frances becomes Countess of Essex, and is banished from court after her husband Sir Robert Devereaux’s rebellion against the queen. Can she marry for love, if it means turning her back on her faith and all she knows?
The story which began with the Tudor trilogy follows Frances, Countess of Essex and Clanricarde, from her first days at the Elizabethan Court to the end of the Tudor dynasty and the rise of the Stuarts.

 BUY THE BOOK
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D1YQYL8G
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1YQYL8G
#Elizabethan #Tudors #HistoricalFiction

About Tony

Tony Riches is a full-time UK author of Tudor historical fiction. He lives with his wife in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the lives of the early Tudors. As well as his new Elizabethan series, Tony’s historical fiction novels include the best-selling Tudor trilogy and his Brandon trilogy, (about Charles Brandon and his wives). For more information about Tony’s books please visit his website tonyriches.com and his blog, The Writing Desk and find him on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter @tonyriches

The post New Release! Frances, Tudor Countess by Tony Riches @tonyriches #Elizabethan first appeared on Deborah Swift.

Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine #CoffeePotBookClub #Scotland #Victorian

 

A thirst for education. Shattered dreams. Fragile relations. 1840s ScotlandBeing sent to school is the most exhilarating thing that’s ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her newly-acquired education on her best friend, Jessie Morison, till Jessie is spirited away to become a scullery maid. But how can Margaret fulfil her visions of becoming a schoolteacher when her parents’ tailoring and drapery business suddenly collapses and she must find a job?Salvation from domestic drudgery – or never-ending seamstress work – comes via Jessie whose employer seeks a tutor for his daughter. Free time exploring Edinburgh with Jessie is great fun, but increasing tension in the household claws at Margaret’s nerves.Margaret also worries about her parents’ estrangement, and the mystery of Jessie’s unknown father.When tragedy befalls the household in Edinburgh, Margaret must forge a new pathway for the future – though where will that be?ReviewIf you enjoy historical fiction set in Scotland and stories with working class backgrounds then you will enjoy this novel. Set in the mid-Victorian period, It is about a young woman’s battle to get herself an education and to move up in life.The novel begins when Margaret is a child and follows her from a small town to Edinburgh over the course of the novel. The cadence of the language and uniqueness of Scottish dialect is reflected in the writing.  I was impressed with the level of detail that the author used in her depiction of the locations, and by the finely-drawn relationship between Margaret and her young friend Jessie, who plays a part later in the book. I also enjoyed the fact that every generation was present, including the grandparents, and that these seemed to jump off the page like real people. Care is taken to explore the community’s relationship with the ‘Kirk’ and how religion plays a part in every day lives.Once she is at school, Margaret is desperate to learn as much as she can, and at one point vows she will learn ‘every single word in the world.’Nancy Jardine manages the protagonist’s transition into adulthood with aplomb. When Margaret arrives at the Duncan household as a tutor to the disabled daughter, Rachel, the reader senses the tensions in the household immediately, with the cold imperious welcome she receives from Mistress Duncan, and the discovery that all her correspondence will be read and that her duties are not just tutoring, but also housework.The relationship between Margaret and Rachel is a pivotal part of the book, and unearths secrets about Jessie that I shan’t reveal here!This is the first in a series of books, and Margaret is a character who is easy to love. Novice Threads will appeal to lovers of family sagas and Scottish history, and anyone who enjoys a slice of working class life.Find  Nancy Jardine here::WebsiteXFacebookThe post Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine #CoffeePotBookClub #Scotland #Victorian first appeared on Deborah Swift.

The Skeleton Army by Alis Hawkins #Review #HistoricalFiction #CrimeFiction

About The Skeleton Army

Why should the devil have all the best tunes?

Themes of inequality, forbidden love and personal responsibility weave through a fast-paced narrative in which the location plays a key part. Nation Cymru

The Salvation Army has come prancing and singing from the slums of London to the poorest quarters of Oxford, but along with its red hot gospel preaching and music hall songs it brings a prohibition message which sparks immediate opposition and violence.

An Army soldier – an ex-drunk – is brutally killed and a note suggests that the Salvation Army’s shadowy enemy, the Skeleton Army, is responsible.

With the police unwilling to come between the two forces, Non Vaughan, aspiring journalist and great hope of the Oxford women’s college movement, and Basil Rice, Jesus College fellow and union-sanctioned guardian of the dead man’s family, are compelled to investigate.

But as the threats from both sides escalate, resulting in a second death, Non and Basil realise that they must stop the fighting before it results in an outright war. For with the University’s annual commemoration week fast approaching, the entire city could be engulfed in fire and blood.

Members of the Salvation Army being pursued by the Skeleton Army with its distinctive skull and crossbones banner c. 1882

Review

This is the second book in this series of Oxford Mysteries featuring the independently-minded Non, and Basil, a fellow of Jesus College. I really enjoyed the first book A Bitter Remedy, and the second one is just as interesting. I say interesting because I love history and this book is thoroughly researched with a level of detail that truly immerses the reader in Victorian Oxford. I knew nothing about the Salvation Army’s beginnings, and the fact that it was so much more militant than it is now – I suppose the clue is in the word ‘army’! But the fact it had an opposing faction – The Skeleton Army – was one I didn’t know. The clash of these two groups forms a great background for a murder mystery, with all the excitement of religious ‘glory fits’, the descending of the white dove of the Holy Spirit, and the opposite which is the spirits relied on by the Brewers who fear for their livelihood and are intent on closing down the whole shenanigans.

The second thread of the story is about Non’s attempt to batter her way into the male echelons of Academia, and again this is fascinating history. The lengths that women had to go to for acceptance as men’s intellectual equals, are carefully drawn in this novel. Basil’s struggle with his hidden homosexuality and how that affects his day to day dealings with the college and the crime create another layer to the novel, which is not only a murder mystery but a book about class, about the various freedoms we take for granted and how hard they were fought for and won.

Like all good murder mysteries, the plot keeps the reader guessing as to whodunnit, and there are several twists and turns along the way before the satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.

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The Jan Christopher Mysteries by Helen Hollick – A Memory of Murder #CosyMystery

A Memory of Murder – a new  cosy murder mystery to solve –  along with library assistant Jan Christopher, her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Laurie Walker and her uncle, Detective Chief Inspector Toby Christopher.

Set in the 1970s this easy-read cosy mystery series is based around the years when Helen was a north-east London library assistant, using many of her remembered anecdotes, some hilarious – like the boy who wanted a book on Copper Knickers. (You’ll have to read the first book, A Mirror Murder to find our more!)

The mysteries alternate between Jan’s home town, and where Laurie’s parents live – North Devon, (where Helen now lives.)

In this fifth episode, there’s a missing girl, annoying decorators, circus performers, and a wanna-be rock star to deal with. But who remembers the brutal, cold case murder of a policeman?

Easter 1973.

The North London library where Jan Christopher works is in upheaval because the decorators are in to spruce the place up, but there is more for her policeman uncle, DCI Toby Christopher and her fiancé, DS Laurie Walker, to worry about than a few inconvenient pots of paint.

An eleven-year-old girl has not returned home after school, and strange ‘gifts’ are being surreptitiously left for the detective chief inspector’s family to find. Could these items have anything to do with the unsolved murder, fifteen years ago, of Jan’s policeman father?

Buy Link:

Amazon universal: https://mybook.to/AMemoryOfMurder

Reader’s comments:

“Jan is a charming heroine. You feel you get to know her and her love of books and her interest in the people in the library where she works. She’s also funny, and her Aunt Madge bursts with character – the sort of aunt I would love to have had. I remember the 70s very well and Ms Hollick certainly gives a good flavour of the period.” Denise Barnes (bestselling romance author Molly Green)

“A delightful read about an unexpected murder in North East London. Told from the viewpoint of a young library assistant, the author draws on her own experience to weave an intriguing tale” Richard Ashen (South Chingford Community Library)

“An enjoyable novella with a twist in who done it. I spent the entire read trying to decide what was a clue and what wasn’t … Kept me thinking the entire time. I call that a success.” Reader’s Review

ABOUT HELEN

First accepted for traditional publication in 1993, Helen became a USA Today Bestseller with her historical novel, The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK) with the sequel, Harold the King (US: I Am The Chosen King) being novels that explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy is a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she writes a nautical adventure/supernatural series, The Sea Witch Voyages. She has also branched out into the quick read novella, ‘Cosy Mystery’ genre with her Jan Christopher Mysteries, set in the 1970s.

Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales and Life of A Smuggler. She is currently writing about the ghosts of North Devon for Amberley Press, and another, Jamaica Gold for her Sea Witch Voyages. 

She lives with her family in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon with their dogs and cats, while on the farm there are showjumper horses, fat Exmoor ponies, an elderly Welsh pony, geese, ducks and  hens. And several resident ghosts.

Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/helen.hollick

Blog: promoting good authors & good reads https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

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Berlin Duet by S W Perry #Review #WW2 #Berlin

UNITED BY WAR. DIVIDED BY A SECRET.

From silent era Hollywood and the nightclubs of pre-war Vienna to the ruins of Soviet Berlin, discover a moving, ambitious story of an enduring love amidst the devastation of war . . .

In 1938, English spy Harry Taverner and Jewish photographer Anna Cantrell spend the night dancing at Berlin’s most elegant hotel. Anna is married to another man, the Nazi shadow is rising over Europe and neither expects to ever meet again.

But once peace is declared, they reunite in the ruins of Berlin, where Anna is searching for her missing children. With the blockade tightening and the Soviets set on conquest, Harry and Anna walk a treacherous line between love and duty, integrity and survival, loyalty and betrayal. And as the Cold War dawns, they are bound together by a secret that will only be revealed decades later, when Berlin finds itself on the cusp of another transformation…

Berlin Duet is a sweeping, unforgettable historical epic from the Kindle-bestselling author of The Angel’s Mark. Perfect for fans of Sebastian Faulks and William Boyd.

REVIEW

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this from Corvus Books.

This is a novel spanning two time periods, both of which are convincingly drawn by S W Perry. The story is told partly by Harry Taverner looking back on his life and describing events of WW2 to his daughter Elly. The past contains a secret and to discover it, we have to go back and hear Anna’s story.

Anna Campbell is a photographer working as a kind of war correspondent, and through her eyes and through her lens we are able to experience the events of the past, including her disastrous marriage to Ivo, a man who turns out to be totally self-serving, and intent on his own advancement. In Germany in the 1930’s this means joining the Nazi Party, even though Anna has a Jewish background.

Stand-out parts of the book for me were Anna’s portrait of post-war Berlin, of the divisions between the sectors, and the difficulty of navigating a country divided. There are genuinely moving moments in this section, and in the one that follows as Anna searches the ruins for her children.

I was completely gripped by this story which has all the ingredients of the best WW2 fiction – believability, tension and a twist in the ending to satisfy the reader. I found myself thinking about the characters for days afterwards – they had become real – surely the sign of an excellent book.

Readers of historical and literary fiction will find this an unforgettable novel that sticks with them. Very highly recommended.

BUY THE BOOK UKThe post Berlin Duet by S W Perry #Review #WW2 #Berlin first appeared on Deborah Swift.

A Rose in the Blitz by Ann Bennett #CoffeePotBookClub #WW2

Escape into the dramatic world of London during the Blitz in this sweeping family saga of love, war and betrayal.

Northamptonshire: 1980: Wealthy landowner, Hadan Rose, is dying. His daughter, May, rushes to his country estate, Rose Park, with her daughter, Rachel, to nurse him through his final days.

In the afternoons, while Hadan sleeps, May tells Rachel about her wartime experiences.

In 1940, Three of the four Rose sisters leave Rose Park to serve the war effort. May, the youngest is left behind. But she soon runs away from home to join an ambulance crew in London. She experiences the horrors of the Blitz first-hand but what happens to her there has remained secret her whole life.

In 1980, at Rose Park, Rachel wanders through the old house, looking at old photographs and papers, uncovering explosive family secrets from ninety years before. Secrets that her grandfather wanted to take to his grave.

At the local pub, Rachel meets Daniel Walters, a local journalist and musician who takes an interest in her. But can she trust him, or does he have an ulterior motive for seeking her company?

As the secrets of the past gradually reveal themselves, both Rachel and May realise that their worlds are forever changed.

Fans of Lucinda Riley, Dinah Jeffries and Victoria Hislop will love this escapist wartime saga, Book 1 in the Sisters Of War series.

(Previously published as A Kiss from a Rose)

Praise for A Rose In The Blitz:

“Brilliant book… I couldn’t put it down.”
Amazon Reviewer

“I absolutely loved this book…”
Amazon Reviewer

“Fascinating dual time-line novel…”
Amazon Reviewer

“The tumultuous WWII period of Britain was deftly and poignantly rendered. The time lines were beautifully woven together and the tempo of the book was perfect.”

Amazon Reviewer

“This is a fast-paced plot with unexpected twists, fascinating characters, and a fresh look at life in London during the Blitz. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more about the Rose sisters.”

Goodreads Reviewer

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

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About  Ann Bennett

Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter’s Quest, was inspired by researching her father’s experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own travels in South-East Asia. Since then, that initial inspiration has led her to write more books about the second world war in SE Asia.

Bamboo Island: The Planter’s Wife, A Daughter’s Promise, Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Planter’s Club, The Amulet and her latest release The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu are also about WWII in South East Asia. All seven make up the Echoes of Empire Collection.

Ann is also the author of The Lake Pavilion, The Lake Palace, both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, both set in French Indochina. The Runaway Sisters, bestselling The Orphan House, The Child Without a Home and The Forgotten Children are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture.

Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. For more details please visit www.annbennettauthor.com.

Find Ann

Website • Twitter • Facebook Author Page

Instagram • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

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A Splendid Defiance by Stella Riley #CoffeePotBookClub #17thCentury #Extract

I’m delighted to welcome Stella Riley today with an extract from her English Civil War novel, A Splendid Defiance.

Visit from a prince

Justin spent the afternoon in the Globe Room at the Reindeer Inn. It was a pleasant room but, as far as Justin was concerned, it might as well have been a coal cellar.  He sat broodingly in a corner and found a sardonic enjoyment in the wary glances accorded him by the other customers.

He did not, however, get drunk and this was fortunate because, at just past five o’clock, the door was flung wide to admit the King’s nephew.  Silence engulfed the room.

Rupert strode across to push Justin unceremoniously back into his seat with a curt, ‘Are you sober?’

‘Yes, sir.  I can’t afford to be anything else.’

With a derisive grunt, the Prince threw himself inelegantly into a chair and waved the pot-boy aside.

‘Then it’s not a completely ill-wind that keeps our pay in arrears.  And at least you have boots.  Two of my fellows were actually sharing a pair at one point.  The whole army is living off the country and discipline is going to the dogs.’  He scowled at this thought for a moment and then looked back at Justin.  ‘They told you I was coming?’

‘Yes.  In order that we might ‘nurture our vices together’ was, I think the exact expression.’  Justin paused and then, with a brief, contemptuous gesture, ‘They think so, at any rate.  Or is it that they’ve finally recognised you?’

‘Who cares?’ Rupert’s indifferent gaze skimmed the room and sent at least three stalwarts edging towards the door.  ‘If I took to the bottle every time filth was thrown at me, I’d never be less than half-cut.’

‘No, sir.  Point taken.’

‘I hope so.’  The dark eyes examined him shrewdly. ‘Do you want me to take you out of here?’

The blood rose under Justin’s skin and he said flatly, ‘There’s nothing I’d like better.  But I’d be no use to you, sir.  I can’t hold a sword yet, or even stay in the saddle more than a few hours.  And I know the pace you set.’

‘Needs must,’ shrugged Rupert.  ‘But when the Parliament fields their new army, I’ll need all my best captains – so get yourself fit.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Justin stared into his ale-cup.  ‘What will you do now that Shrewsbury has fallen?’

‘Use Ludlow.’ Rupert scowled again.  He’d depended on his brother Maurice to hold Shrewsbury and its loss was a sore point.  He said tersely, ‘I’ve some news for you.  Your father died at the end of last month.’

A muscle moved in Justin’s jaw.  Then his eyes hardened and he said, ‘I see.  Thank you for telling me.’

‘Well, no one else is in a position to, are they?’ observed the Prince trenchantly.  ‘What will you do?’

A strange smile crossed the chiselled features.

‘The same as I’ve done these last ten years, Your Highness.  Absolutely nothing.  I won’t even get drunk.’

 

About  A SPLENDID DEFIANCE

For two years England has been in the grip of Civil War.  In Banbury, Oxfordshire, the Cavaliers hold the Castle, the Roundheads want it back and the town is full of zealous Puritans.

Consequently, the gulf between Captain Justin Ambrose and Abigail Radford, the sister of a fanatically religious shopkeeper, ought to be unbridgeable.

The key to both the fate of the Castle and that of Justin and Abigail lies in defiance.  But will it be enough?

A Splendid Defiance is a dramatic and enchanting story of forbidden love, set against the turmoil and anguish of the English Civil War.

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About Stella Riley

Winner of four gold medals for historical romance and sixteen Book Readers’ Appreciation Medallions, Stella Riley lives in the beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.She is fascinated by the English Civil Wars and has written six books set in that period. These, like the 7 book Rockliffe series, the Brandon Brothers trilogy and, most recently The Shadow Earl, are all available in audio, performed by Alex Wyndham.Stella enjoys travel, reading, theatre, Baroque music and playing the harpsichord.  She also has a fondness for men with long hair – hence her 17th and 18th century heroes.

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