Judith Arnopp's Blog, page 13
April 27, 2023
Delighted to welcome Amy Maroney with news of her new book, The Queen's Scribe
The Queen’s Scribe
by
Amy Maroney
Queen Charlotta of Cyprus, a forgotten monarch
While researching the Sea and Stone Chronicles, a collection of novels about ordinary people living under the rule of the Knights Hospitaller in medieval Rhodes, I stumbled across a woman of power whose story captivated me. Her name was Queen Charlotta, and she ruled the Kingdom of Cyprus for a moment in time during the exact era of my research.
Just what the Kingdom of Cyprus was, I had no idea. So, like any overzealous historical novelist, I dove down an exhilarating research rabbit hole in search of more details.
I was astonished by my findings. The Kingdom of Cyprus, Jerusalem, and Armenia (the latter two designations were purely titular) was ruled by the French Lusignan dynasty for hundreds of years. Its zenith came in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. By 1458, when the fifteen-year-old, widowed Queen Charlotta ascended the throne, the Lusignan dynasty was hobbled by war and debt, and poisoned from within by corruption and betrayal.
Queen Charlotta therefore faced a formidable set of complications when she donned her crown. She not only accepted the challenge, she exhibited tremendous ambition and courage. Less than two years after taking the throne, she moved her courtiers to the seaside fortress of Kyrenia, where they survived a massive siege by her power-hungry half-brother, Jacco. Then, when her second husband Louis of Savoy proved a weak leader, she left him in Cyprus and sailed around the Mediterranean entreating allies to help save her crown.
Clearly, this courageous queen’s story had to be told. So I resolved to bring her to life with a novel, The Queen’s Scribe.
KYRENIA FORTRESS, WHERE QUEEN CHARLOTTA RESISTED A SIEGE BY HER HALF-BROTHERThough her father, King Jean, was a Frenchman born into the Lusignan dynasty, Charlotta’s mother, Eleni Palaiologina, was a proud Greek woman who defied the “Latin” influence of her husband’s court. Charlotta grew up a Greek girl in her mother’s apartments, and never learned much French.
But when Charlotta was married to Prince João of Portugal at fourteen, she was suddenly required to communicate in French (their common language). Her need for trusted interpreters would only grew stronger as time went on and she was forced to seek assistance from Western allies such as the Knights Hospitaller, the Pope, and the king of France. This is how I developed the concept of a fictional heroine serving the queen as a skilled interpreter and scribe.
ST. HILARION CASTLE, WHERE THE ROYAL FAMILIES OF CYPRUS RETREATED FOR LEISURETIME PURSUITSAfter the 1457 murder of her husband, Prince João, Charlotta faced a new betrothal. This time, her fiancé was her first cousin, Louis of Savoy. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, the marriage of first cousins doomed the bride and groom to hell. Charlotta’s mother naturally opposed the union. But as soon as she died, the marriage was on.
Fortune’s wheel turned again when King Jean died just a few months after his wife (whether it was due to natural causes or poison was a matter of dispute). Teenaged Charlotta ascended the throne, her father’s council members whispering in her ear just as they had done with her father. Meanwhile, her half-brother, Jacco, vowed he would seize the kingdom. His plan: gain the favor of the Sultan of Egypt, raise an army, and attack Cyprus. Charlotta would spend the rest of her life fighting to preserve her throne.
I chose to tell Queen Charlotta’s tale through the eyes of fictional Estelle de Montavon, daughter of a French falconer. I first wrote a story starring her in an anthology a few years ago, and she plays a minor role in my novel Island of Gold.
In The Queen’s Scribe, Estelle—a talented scribe and linguist—becomes as valuable as gold when the royal court retreats to Kyrenia Fortress and civil war looms between the queen and Jacco. As Queen Charlotta voyages across the Mediterranean Sea beseeching French-speaking allies for help, Estelle is at her side, witnessing every triumph and disaster along the way.
MURAL OF A WEALTHY FIFTEENTH CENTURY FAMILY IN A CYPRUS CHURCH, WHICH SHOWS HOW PEOPLE DRESSED IN THAT TIME AND PLACEThis extraordinary queen’s ambition and courage burned brightly, but all too briefly. Like so many other women who deserve a place in history books, her story has been relegated to the shadows. I hope that The Queen’s Scribe plays a role in bringing Charlotta of Lusignan’s story back into the light.
Amy Maroney studied English Literature at Boston University and worked for many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction. She lives in Oregon, U.S.A. with her family. When she’s not diving down research rabbit holes, she enjoys hiking, dancing, traveling, and reading. Amy is the author of The Miramonde Series, an award-winning historical fiction trilogy about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern-day scholar on her trail. Her new historical suspense series, Sea and Stone Chronicles, is set in medieval Rhodes and Cyprus.
The Queen’s Scribe is on Kindle Unlimited and is available worldwide from Amazon: https://mybook.to/QueensScribe
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.amymaroney.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/wilaroney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amymaroneyauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/amymaroneywrites/
April 26, 2023
Alison Morton celebrates the tenth anniversary with INCEPTIO 10th Anniversary Hardback Edition
Book Title: INCEPTIO (10th Anniversary hardback)
Series: Roma Nova
Author: Alison Morton
Publication Date: 28 March 2023 (original ebook and paperback 1 March 2013)
Publisher: Pulcheria Press
Page Length: 390
Genre: Thriller
Twitter Handle: @alison_morton @cathiedunn
Instagram Handle: @AlisonMortonAuthor @thecoffeepotbookclub
INCEPTIO
Alison Morton
“It's about Roman blood, survival and money. Mostly yours."
In an alternative New York, Karen Brown is running for her life. She makes a snap decision to flee to Roma Nova - her dead mother's homeland, the last remnant of the Roman Empire in the 21st century. But can Karen tough it out in such an alien culture? And with a crazy killer determined to terminate her for a very personal reason?
Stifled by the protective cocoon of her Roma Novan family, deceived by her new lover, she propels herself into a dangerous mission. But then the killer sets a trap - she must sacrifice herself for another - and she sees no escape.
A thriller laced with romance and coming of age, this first in series is Roman fiction brought into the 21st century through the lens of alternative history and driven by a female protagonist with heart and courage.
This 10thAnniversary hardback edition includes bonus content: Three character ‘conversations’, two short stories and the story behind INCEPTIO.
Buy links:
INCEPTIO 10th Anniversary special edition hardback:
International Buy Link: Barnes & Noble: Book Depository:
Your local bookshop or library All other formats (ebook, paperback, audio)
When I saw this at the top of your website, Judith, I couldn’t help nodding strongly in agreement:
“History was recorded by monks, men to whom women were largely irrelevant, and as a result women were not given sufficient space on the record. This has robbed them of a historical voice, they are left on the side lines, playing a supporting role to the men who dominated their world.”
I would substitute ‘elite men’ for ‘monks’, but yes, all the way.
In my thriller novels, Roma Nova is governed by women. The Ancient (‘real’) Romans had a very interesting way of viewing women: they were granted the status and respect, but had no public rights or (officially) a say in their world. In law, women were viewed more or less as disposable property belonging to the family. How then do I reconcile the view of the ‘real’ Romans (the ancient ones) with the 21st century Romans in my Roma Nova alternative timeline?
If they were free-born, women in most of Ancient Rome’s recorded periods were citizens – an important status in a world where a hefty proportion of the population was slave. Towards the later Imperial period in particular, women gained much more freedom to act, trade, own property and run businesses of all types. But they still held no direct political power. Producing the next generation, running complex households and contributing to social, religious and cultural life, while important, were not activities valued at the same level as men’s roles, status and actions.
Nevertheless, women from wealthy or powerful Roman families could and did exert influence throughout Rome’s history: Cornelia Africana, mother of the Gracchi; Livia Drusilla, wife and councillor of Augustus; the later, the Severan Julias; and Galla Placidia, daughter, wife and mother of emperors towards the end of the Roman Empire.
In my Roma Nova novels, the first of which – INCEPTIO – I’m celebrating today as a 10th Anniversary hardback, women rule, but men are not disadvantaged. Life there is much more nuanced than that! Roma Nova survived through the centuries by changing its social structure. As men constantly fought to defend the new colony, women took over the social, political and economic roles on the home front, weaving new power and influence networks based on family structures.
So far, only a few, if significant, steps away from the traditional Roman cultural pattern…
But given the unstable, dangerous times in Roma Nova’s first few hundred years, especially during the Great Migrations in Europe, Roma Nova ran out of young and older men to put in the front line. Fit and tough as pioneers tend to be, daughters and sisters put on armour and hefted weapons to defend their homeland and their way of life. Fighting danger side by side with brothers and fathers reinforced women’s roles. And they never allowed the incursion of monotheistic paternalistic religions. So I don’t think that it’s too far a stretch for women to have developed leadership roles in all parts of Roma Novan life over the next sixteen centuries.
My female protagonist Karen’s story starts in INCEPTIO in a 21st century Western style society, although with some differences from ours. When she’s compelled to flee to her dead mother’s homeland in Europe, she finds the Roman-infused culture unnerving; Roma Novans live to a tough ethic of self-sufficiency, and an ingrained sense of duty to their state – core Roman values which have been crucial to their survival down the centuries. The strong female characters surrounding Karen – her grandmother, cousin, female colleagues and friends – are the result of this and form the pattern for her. Of course, we see political intrigues and conspiracies to overthrow governments – Roma Nova is a Roman society in every way. Enter the heroines…
And the biggest challenge when writing about strong women in a historical context? Plausibility.
You can’t jump from a passive, protected fragile flower to super-heroine, even if she passes through one or several formative traumatic events. Writers need to give early hints about resilience, integrity and an ability to develop confidence as well as physical abilities. Undoubtedly, a strong female character must have an equally strong will and a passion to drive through what she believes in.
An avid reader of spy, thriller and crime stories from childhood and a life-long devotee of all things Roman, I yearned to write a Roman thriller with a true-hearted heroine imbued with Roman virtue but a tendency to go off-piste. Lindsey Davis does this beautifully with Flavia Albia, Falco’s daughter, in the first century AD and to a certain extent with Helena Justina, Falco’s wife. But although sparky and often going beyond the expectations and constraints of their time, both (mostly) accept the prevailing values and social mores.
However, I wanted women in my New Rome to run things at every level. Yes, I had also read a lot of science fiction including wonderful stories by Anne McCaffery where women were equal and often leading their society. But I didn’t want to write space opera. I wanted to stay in the Roman mindset so brought my Roman stories with its women at the fore up to the 21st century.
***
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her ten-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue. INCEPTIO starts the adventure…
She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading historical, crime and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.
Six full-length Roma Nova novels, including INCEPTIO, have won the BRAG Medallion, the prestigious award for indie fiction. SUCCESSIO, AURELIA and INSURRECTIO were selected as Historical Novel Society’s Indie Editor’s Choices. AURELIA was a finalist in the 2016 HNS Indie Award. The Bookseller selected SUCCESSIO as Editor’s Choice in its inaugural indie review. The Historical Novel Society recently selected JULIA PRIMA, the first Foundation story set in the 4th century, the accolade of Editors’ Choice.
Alison lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity and Double Pursuit. Oh, and she’s writing the next Roma Nova story.
Social media links:
Connect with Alison on her Roma Nova site: https://alison-morton.com
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AlisonMortonAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alison_morton
Alison’s writing blog: https://alisonmortonauthor.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisonmortonauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5783095.Alison_Morton
Alison’s Amazon page: https://Author.to/AlisonMortonAmazon
Newsletter sign-up: https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter/
April 24, 2023
Coffee Pot Blog Tours present Pagan Warrior by MJ Porter
Book Title: Pagan Warrior
Series: The Seventh Century
Author: MJ Porter
Publication Date: 25th May 2015 (new cover from January 2022)
Publisher: MJ Publishing
Page Length: 294
Genre: Historical fiction/Action and adventure
Pagan Warrior
MJ Porter
Audiobook narrated by Matt Coles
From bestselling author, MJ Porter comes the tale of the mighty pagan king, Penda of Mercia.
Britain. AD632.
Penda, a warrior of immense renown, has much to prove if he is to rule the Mercian kingdom of his dead father and prevent the neighbouring king of Northumbria from claiming it.
Unexpectedly allying with the British kings, Penda races to battle the alliance of the Northumbrian king, unsure if his brother stands with him or against him as they seek battle glory for themselves, and the right to rule gained through bloody conquest.
There will be a victor and a bloody loser, and a king will rise from the ashes of the great and terrible battle of Hædfeld.Excerpt inwhich Penda and his brother, Eowa, have one of their very enlighteningdiscussions. Two brothers, both desiring the same kingdom to rule.
Chapter 14
AD631 -Eowa of Mercia – The lands of the Hwicce
This is it. My brother watches me with an openexpression. By the end of today, we’ll either be enemies or allies. I reallydon’t know which way the conversation will turn.
We’rewithin my hall in the kingdom of the Hwicce, and I’m the king here, not him.Not that Penda doesn’t want to be. I know he wants it. I could share it withhim, make him my sub-king, a prince of the Hwicce as opposed to its king, but Idon’t know if I want to do that. Penda’s a powerful man in his own right. He’smade himself invaluable to King Cadwallon of Gwynedd instead of myself.
I have afledgling alliance with King Edwin of Northumbria. He’s made it clear to me, bysending his son Osfrith to me, that if I intend to keep the alliance, I have toturn Penda away from Cadwallon. Either that or my brother and I must become enemies.If I weren’t already so unsure of him, I might be offended, but as I’m uneasyabout Penda’s intentions, I can understand Edwin’s desires.
Neither isPenda doing himself any favours. He’s swaggered into my hall, filthy and dirtyfrom wherever he’s been, and he’s not instructed his men to leave their weaponsat the doorway. Neither has he led by example.
He’swearing war clothing of byrnie and helm, his weapons belt filled with bladesand edges. He stinks of sweat and metal.
Pendabristles with aggression and anger. I could almost laugh at him if he weren’tso bloody dangerous.
I wish Ihad half his skill in battle.
“Brother,speak your mind to me,” Penda demands, leaning forward and helping himself to adecent piece of beef from the table. I try not to notice that it’s the pieceI’d been considering eating. He’s always known to take what I want.
“Brother,”I respond, rolling the word around my mouth.
He meets myeyes, waiting for me to say something further, but I still haven’t decided whatI want to say.
“Tell meabout King Cadwallon,” I finally mouth, and he quirks a smile at me.
“Tell meabout King Edwin,” his immediate response. He’s blunt. His weapons are sharp,his mind is sharp, but he’s blunt. He’s bloody deadly.
“King Edwinis a Christian king, keen to share his experiences.”
Penda roarswith laughter at my response. His eyes sparkle with delight.
“Don’t tellme. He did actually try to convertyou, didn’t he?”
I feel agrin tugging my lips. And that’s the other thing about Penda. He makes men happy.
“He askedBishop Paulinus to speak to me. I agreed to listen to his words, but I didn’ttake it any further than that,” I respond defensively.
He’s stillsmirking.
“Is thisthe great Bishop Paulinus that all new Christians speak about?” His tone isanything but respectful. The use of the word ‘great’ slides from him easily,but it’s not what he means when he says it.
“Yes, itis,” I retort. I wish I could tell him everything about my trip, say to himthat King Edwin is as smug as Penda believes, that he does think more ofhimself than he should, and that his elder sons all hate him and want him dead.But I can’t. My brother is my enemy, not my friend. At least not yet.
“Tell me ofhim?” Penda demands, but I shake my head.
“No, youtell me of your travels. Rumour has it you’ve been far and wide.”
He chucklesagain. He expects me to keep track of him. It’s arrogant of him, and yet I do,so he’s correct.
“I’ve been surveyingthe land, yes. But not for any great purpose.”
Now it’s myturn to splutter with amusement as I help myself to the second tastiest pieceof beef from before us both.
“You needto work on that,” I say, and he growls as he eats. It’s hard to keep secretsfrom brothers.
I take amouthful. He does the same. I’m trying to decide what to say next, but he’sfirst to speak, as always.
“KingCadwallon says that King Edwin isn’t to be trusted. Ever.”
“King Edwinsays King Cadwallon’s not to be trusted,” I respond.
“I toldKing Cadwallon not to trust you,” Penda replies. I arch an eyebrow at him,unsure how to interpret his tone.
“I toldKing Edwin the same about you.”
“So no oneis to trust anyone else, even brothers.” Again, Penda beats me to the heart of thematter.
“No, noteven brothers,” I agree, a little sadly. That’s what it comes down to with us.He is my brother. I’d happily split the known world with him if I could, butit’s not just him and I. And we don’t yet govern the world. If I want to get tothat point, then I will have to make some difficult decisions first, andthey’ll be to the detriment of my brother.
“So we’renot going to call on our family alliance?” he asks. He’s far too accepting ofthis.
“You don’tseem surprised?” I demand. Did he come to tell me this, or have I forced hishand? Was he thinking along the same lines as me?
“We bothwant the same thing. We can’t both have it. At some point, we have toacknowledge that and deal with the consequences.”
“And that’sall right with you?” I query. I know we’re no longer close, but I had expectedsomething more from him.
He’s stilleating and drinking the food from my table as I watch him suspiciously.
“None ofthis is acceptable to me, but until you acknowledge that I’m the superiorwarrior and war leader and that I should be king here, there’s little you or Ican do.”
I’mspitting at his audacity. He simply winks and reaches for more of my best beef.I put my hand out to clamp down on his questing fingers. He glares at me withhis deep blue eyes. Gods, I’d forgotten how strong he is. Even with all mystrength, he’s still able to move forward and claim my beef. I can’t stop him.I hope it’s not a portent of things to come. I don’t want him always to be thetougher one.
I wonderhow much of what he says he means. Does he genuinely think that he’s the betterman than me? Does he just toy with my nervousness?
“When Ileave here tomorrow, we’ll officially be working apart, not enemies, but notallies. We’ll be family, nothing more. We’ll not be honour bound to do anythingother than enforce our familial bonds. If King Edwin,” and Penda grins at thisshowing me his strong, white teeth. “Kills you, then I’ll be able to kill himin retaliation or take your blood price.”
I breathedeeply before I respond. How does he know to get under my skin so quickly?
“Likewise,if King Cadwallon kills you, I’ll be able to do the same.”
Pendachuckles. “You can try. King Cadwallon won’t take too kindly to youraccusations.”
“I’m notgoing to argue about that. The point remains. We won’t be working towards acommon goal, but we can still avenge each other, should the need arise.”
My smug brotheris still grinning at me. Not for a moment does he think he’ll be dying anytimesoon. Clearly, Penda believes I might be.
“What doyou want, Penda?” I ask him. I’m curious to uncover what drives him. I’vealways thought that I knew, but now I’m not sure.
“I wanteverything,” he says, still chuckling. “From one side of the island to theother. I want it to be mine, but for now, I’ll be happy to be King Cadwallon’sally and see where that takes me. Now, brother, what is it that you want?”
I wish Icould downplay my heart’s desire as well as he does.
“I wantMercia,” I say roughly. There, I’ve said it. His eyes dangerously flash as theyscan the hall before him. He grew up here. This was his home. Beneath theblackened rafters, we played as children and dreamed of our future together.He’s distanced himself from the place because I’m the older brother. I’m itsking and war leader.
“And I wantyou to have it,” Penda says flatly, his humour fled. I think he does mean it.
I wish Iunderstood my brother better.
Universal Link: Barnes and Noble: Waterstones: Kobo: iBooks: iTunes: Audio: Bookshop.org:
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to
Eleventh-Century England, as well as three twentieth-century mysteries. Being raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author's writing destiny was set.
Website: Twitter: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: Pinterest: BookBub: Amazon Author Page: Goodreads: Linktr.ee: Tiktok:
Narrator, Matt Coles:
April 12, 2023
Helen Hollick celebrates her 30 year publication anniversary of The Kingmakng AND a very special birthday!!
Special 30th Publication Anniversary and 70th Birthday Celebration!
Book Title: The Kingmaking
Series: The Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy (Book #1)
Author: Helen Hollick
Publication Date: March 2023 (new editions, excl. US/CA)
Publisher: Taw River Press
Page Length: 570
Genre: Historical Fiction / Arthurian Fiction
Twitter Handle: @HelenHollick @cathiedunn
Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #KingArthur #30YearAnniversary #70thBirthday #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
The Kingmaking
Helen Hollick
New Editions for 2023
(sadly, this edition is not available in USA/Canada)
The Kingmaking: Book One
Pendragon’s Banner: Book Two
Shadow of the King: Book Three
The Boy Who became a Man:
Who became a King:
Who became a Legend... KING ARTHUR
There is no Merlin, no sword in the stone, and no Lancelot.
Instead, the man who became our most enduring hero.
All knew the oath of allegiance:
‘To you, lord, I give my sword and shield, my heart and soul. To you, my Lord Pendragon, I give my life, to command as you will.’
This is the tale of Arthur made flesh and bone. Of the shaping of the man who became the legendary king; a man with dreams, ambitions and human flaws.
A man, a warlord, who united the collapsing province of post-Roman Britain,
who held the heart of the love of his life, Gwenhwyfar
- and who emerged as the most enduring hero of all time.
A different telling of the later Medieval tales.
This is the story of King Arthur as it might have really happened...
"If only all historical fiction could be this good." Historical Novels Review
"... Juggles a large cast of characters and a bloody, tangled plot with great skill. " Publishers Weekly
"Hollick's writing is one of the best I've come across - her descriptions are so vivid it seems as if there's a movie screen in front of you, playing out the scenes." Passages To The Past
"Hollick adds her own unique twists and turns to the familiar mythology" Booklist
"Uniquely compelling... bound to have a lasting and resounding impact on Arthurian literature." Books Magazine
(contains scenes of an adult nature)
The Kingmaking is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Universal Link: Amazon UK: new edition Amazon AU: Amazon US: Amazon CA: Barnes and Noble: US edition
Helen Hollick is celebrating her 70th birthday and thirty years as a published author. Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy, a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, was accepted for traditional publication in April 1993 by William Heinemann (Random House UK) a week after her 40th birthday. The Trilogy has been widely acclaimed since then – and gone through several different editions.
Helen moved from Random House UK in 2006 and went ‘Indie’, now in 2023 to celebrate she has brought out her own fabulous new editions! (The Trilogy is published mainstream by Sourcebooks Inc in USA/Canada. The publisher was offered the new cover designs for free, but declined.)
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.
She writes a nautical adventure/fantasy Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Sea Witch Voyages and has also branched out into the quick read novella, 'Cosy Mystery' genre with her Jan Christopher Murder Mysteries, set in the 1970s, with the first in the series, A Mirror Murder incorporating her, often hilarious, memories of working as a library assistant.
Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales and Life of A Smuggler. She lives with her family in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon with a variety of pets and horses.
Website: Twitter: Facebook: Newsletter subscription: Blog: Amazon Author Page: Goodreads:
April 11, 2023
Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tours present: The Last Great Saxon Earls series by Mercedes Rochelle
Book Title: Godwine Kingmaker
Series: The Last Great Saxon Earls
Author: Mercedes Rochelle
Publication Date: April 4, 2015
Publisher: Sergeant Press
Page Length: 351
Genre: Historical Fiction
THE LAST GREAT SAXON EARLS
GODWINE KINGMAKER
THE SONS OF GODWINE
FATAL RIVALRY
by
Mercedes Rochelle
Blurb:
They showed so much promise. What happened to the Godwines? How did they lose their grip? Who was this Godwine anyway, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask.
He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn.
Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.
This series is available on Kindle Unlimited
Universal Link: Amazon UK: Amazon US: Amazon CA: Amazon AU: Audio:
Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it’s coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.
Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!
Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Website: Twitter: Facebook: Book Bub: Amazon Author Page: Goodreads:
EXCERPT:Duel between Canute and Edmund Ironside
The isle of Olney was little more than along sandbank with willow trees growing unsteadily on its shore. The two Kingsand their followers disembarked on opposite sides at the same time. They made theirway to the center, where an enclosure was quickly roped off.
Godwine was even more impressed byEdmund's great size from close up, and he understood Canute's reluctance tomeet him in single combat. The man was intent—nay, grim—and there was no evidenceof any softness or weakness about him. Edmund's mouth was set and his blackeyes were steady as he scrutinized his antagonist, looking for shortcomings. Hemotioned with his head for the man beside him to step forward.
Tearing his eyes from Edmund, Godwineassumed he was facing Eadric who walked to the center, acknowledging bothopponents with a glance and a nod, as though he ruled the assembly. Godwine wassurprised at the man's ugliness; his bulging blue eyes so pale they seemedempty. For just a second Eadric's eyes met with Godwine's, and the Saxoncouldn't suppress a shudder; how could such a loathsome creature inspire suchconfidence?
And then Eadric spoke, clearing up thelittle mystery. His voice was so melodic that it was a delight just to listento him. Godwine had heard that Eadric was of common ancestry and had risen inAethelred's favor by way of his own abilities. It was no wonder, hethought to himself. One could get lost in that man's voice.
"We are gathered here," Eadricwas saying, "to decide the fate of the kingdom by single combat. Canuteclaims the crown by right of his father, Swegn Forkbeard." He bowed to theDane.
"And Edmund Ironside claims thekingship by right of his inheritance from King Aethelred." He bowed to theSaxon. "Both men have good and valid claims; and yet, it stands to reasonthat the misery wrought on our good country should come to an end. Let God inheaven make the decision for us, and grace the rightful King with a victorythis day."
Pleased with this little speech, Eadricmoved back, waving for the assembled to give the combatants more room.
Canute and Edmund moved into the centerof the clearing, their eyes locked. The Saxon was armored in chain mail likeCanute, his choice of weapon broadsword and shield against the Dane's axe andshield.
No one in the crowd made a sound.
The two Kings circled, each looking foran opening, then suddenly they both dashed together, shattering the silencewith a deafening crash of steel against wood. Both men had aimed a blow for thehead; both easily stopped the blade with their shield.
Canute was transformed by the firstencounter. He lost all of his uncertainty when the fighting began. Crouching sothat Edmund had a smaller target, Canute began concentrating on the Saxon'stiming, and forgot about his overwhelming size.
Edmund followed quickly with a series ofwell-aimed blows—first high, then low—and pushed forward, trying to overcomehis enemy with brute force.
Quickly recognizing Edmund's reliance onhis strength, Canute began to weave and duck, cutting in and out of hisopponent's range. He struck quickly, more to weaken Edmund and draw blood thanto maim him; Canute realized that one solid blow from the Saxon could easilyfinish him.
The chain links began to burst and flyoff Edmund's armor, displaying Canute's skill. Edmund was forced backmomentarily and stopped, gasping for breath. The Dane straightened up, seeinghis difficulty, and said in a loud voice, "Edmund, you are tooshort-winded."
Stung, the Saxon jumped forward,responding with a stunning wrap-around blow to Canute's head; the Dane fell tothe ground.
"Not too short-winded if I canbring so great a King to his knees.”
Smiling grimly, Edmund stood back for amoment, allowing his opponent to recover; then he moved in again, chopping soheavily at the Dane's shield that huge splinters flew in every direction.
Canute stepped back, then again, andrealized that he was not going to hold up much longer. His shield arm wasgrowing numb; frenziedly defending himself, he couldn't return any of theblows.
Then, with a gasp, the Dane was forcedagain to one knee. "Bravest of youths," he cried out, "whyshould either of us risk his life for the sake of a crown?"
Edmund stopped his hammering and stoodback, waiting for Canute to continue.
"Let us be brothers byadoption," Canute went on, staying on one knee, "and divide thekingdom, governing so that I may rule your affairs, and you mine."
The Saxon looked at Canute with loweringbrows; he seemed unconvinced.
"Even the government of Denmark Isubmit to your disposal."
These last words came out morereluctantly; they cost Canute dear. Edmund knew that. He dropped his shield,passed the sword to his left hand, and gave Canute his right, helping him up.
"I hope he knows what he isdoing," Ulf growled to Godwine. "This is more than the rest of usbargained for."
Godwine glanced at Ulf, worried at histone.
King Edmund ceremoniously held Canute atarm's length, then gave him the kiss of peace; as though they were brothers,the Dane returned his gesture, amid the cheers of the Saxons. Canute'sfollowers were less vociferous in their enthusiasm, but out of regard for theirchief, they raised no objection.
Edmund seemed to have come prepared;releasing Canute, he motioned for his scribes to advance, and record all thatwas to be decided. It seemed that the division was going to take place in thatvery spot.
"He must want witnesses,"Godwine said, nodding, "so that there will be no questions later. It seemsthat Edmund wants to be rid of our presence at the soonest."
Canute did not react to this hastygesture, nor did he give any indication that he suffered humiliation from hisdefeat. His first demands were for the Danish fleet to be paid a certain amountof money, as a matter of course. Edmund agreed without demurring, so habitualwas this method of dealing with the Danes. Then, the actual division wasdecided upon. Edmund was to have all the land south of the Thames: the earldomof Wessex. In addition to this, East Anglia, Essex, and London. Canute wasagreeable. "Done. Those last belong to you anyway, even with my troops allover them. Wessex has always been yours."
Canute was to have all of Mercia andNorthumbria: a sizable portion of England, if somewhat less populous. It wasagreed that each would succeed to the territories of the other in case ofdeath; Edmund's two children were very young, and therefore given littleconsideration for the moment.
Both Kings appeared content, thoughGodwine wondered how deep that satisfaction went. But when all was finished andCanute came nearer, an angry glint in his eye gave the Saxon his answer.
However, Ulf didn't seem to notice."Why did you do that?" the Jarl said angrily. "You should nothave included Denmark in the bargain."
Canute turned on him furiously."What business is it of yours, what I do with my kingdom?"
Ulf stepped back, but he was toocommitted to stop now. Nor did he want to. "It is very much my business.Do not forget the rest of your Jarls. Without our support, where would yoube?"
Canute's face tuned red, but herestrained his temper. He said icily, "I would watch what I say, if I wereyou."
His manner made Godwine more nervousthan if he were to explode in anger. But still Ulf did not heed his wrath."You had just better watch yourself, Canute. We will have no foreign kingtelling us what to do."
"You will do as I say!" Canuteturned to the field, observing the last of the Saxons. When he looked at Ulfagain, his eyes were shuttered, his voice even. "Do not worry, Ulf. Whatyou fear will never happen." Then he spun on his heels and strode off,motioning for his Danes to follow.
April 2, 2023
The Coffee Pot Blog tour for The Scots of Dalriada by Rowena Kinread
Book Title: The Scots of Dalriada
Author: Rowena Kinreead
Publication Date: January 26th, 2023
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Pages: 287
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Scots of Dalriada
By Rowena Kinread
THREE BROTHERS
Fergus, Loarn and Angus, Princes of the Dalriada, are forced into exile by their scheming half-brother and the druidess Birga One-tooth.
THREE FATES
Fergus conceals himself as a stable lad on Aran and falls helplessly in love with a Scottish princess, already promised to someone else. Loarn crosses swords against the Picts. Angus designs longboats.
TOGETHER A MIGHTY POWER
Always on the run the brothers must attempt to outride their adversaries by gaining power themselves. Together they achieve more than they could possibly dream of.
Fergus Mór (The Great) is widely recognised as the first King of Scotland, giving Scotland its name and its language. Rulers of Scotland and England from Kenneth mac Alpín until the present time claim descent from Fergus Mór.
Full of unexpected twists and turns, this is a tale of heart-breaking love amidst treachery, deceit and murder.
Read an Excerpt:
When they return from Brodick, Bethaccompanies them. The two women, best of friends, have been through muchtogether. Rhianna talks of the loss of Eòghann. Beth is certain that there hasbeen foul play, but she cannot imagine how or what. She doesn’t speak out; shedoesn’t want to agitate Rhianna.
When Rhianna realises she is with child again,she frets and cannot sleep.
“I’m worried Beth, I’m terrified thebaby might have some inexplicable disease and die again.”
“The monk said you needn’t be worried;you have two healthy children.”
“I can’t help myself, I brood on it,day and night.”
“Well how about some distraction? Todayis market day, shall we walk down to town?”
“That is a good idea.”
The two women wander along the rows ofmarket stalls, selling everything from foodstuffs and live animals to ribbonsand knives. In one corner of the market, they see an old lady with just onesmall table and a few cheeses. She has a crooked back and is dressed in rags.Rhianna nudges Beth.
“The poor dear, we should buy a cheesefrom her.”
They approach her table. She hasprepared a plate with small pieces of cheese for people to taste before buying.She holds the plate out towards Rhianna and Beth, her hand shakes with theeffort.
Will you try a piece of wildgarlic cheese, my Ladies?” she asks.
Rhianna notices she has only one toothleft in her mouth.
They both take a small piece and chewit carefully. “Why it is absolutely delicious,” Rhianna compliments the woman.“We must buy one, Beth.”
Beth agrees and starts to pick a cheeseup from the table.
“No,” the woman says, reaching downbelow the table and retrieving a cheese from a box. “It has been in the sun,take this one!”
Beth puts the cheese in her basket andthe women continue on their way. Birga-One-tooth keeps a sharp eye on them.Once they are out of view, she packs her things up quickly, and goes to theharbour where a boat is waiting for her.
“I told you Rhianna would come to themarket sooner or later,” she tells Cartan.
They had come to the market for fiveweeks running and today finally been rewarded with Rhianna’s presence.
“I hope that the whole family eats fromit,” Cartan replies. “Soldiers hiss the sails! We must depart quickly.”
Back at the castle, Rhianna and Bethput their basket of shopping on the table. Rhianna cuts some bread, whilst Bethpours them two mugs of ale.
They sit down and have just begun toeat, as Lisanda runs in screaming, “Mother, Mother come quickly, the boys arefighting again!”
Rhianna sighs, stands up and follows her.Tudwal is pulling Domangart’s hair and Domangart is kicking Tudwal.
“Stop it, the two of you, stop it atonce!” she tells them off. Suddenly an agonising pain rips through her body.She grips her stomach and falls to the floor.
“Mother!” The children stop fightingand run out of the room to find help, a monk, a healer, an adult, anyone.Racing through the kitchen they see Beth lying on the floor in a pool of vomit.They hold their breath a second, then run outside screaming.
Rhianna drifts in and out ofconsciousness. Sometimes she thinks she hears someone speaking to her. Shetries to open her eyes, but her vision rotates and her head thumps.
Fergus holds her hand.
Will she recover?” he asks the monktending to her. Rhianna has lost her baby and has a high fever. She has beenhallucinating for two days now.
“If we can reduce her fever, yes. Ihave tried to give her elderberry juice, just a drop at a time, but she cannothold it down.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. Luckily, she didn’t eat asmuch of the cheese as Beth.”
“And it was poisoned with lily of thevalley?”
“It might have been an accident; the leavesare very similar to those of wild garlic.”
“My men questioned every stallholder. Nobodyknows who the woman is, she had only just started selling her cheeses at themarket. But the strange thing is that she hasn’t been seen since.”
“It is lucky no one else has beenharmed.”
“That is what makes mesuspicious.”
Rhianna’s eyes flutter open. “Fergus?”she asks.
“Yes, I’m here, I’m with you,” he says.
“I’m thirsty,” she says.
The monk gives her a sip of water. Shekeeps it down.
Universal Link: Amazon CA: Amazon AU:
Rowena Kinread grew up in Ripon, Yorkshire with her large family and a horde of pets. Keen on travelling, her first job was with Lufthansa in Germany.She began writing in the nineties. Her special area of interest is history. After researching her ancestry and finding family roots in Ireland with the Dalriada clan, particularly this era.
Her debut fiction novel titled “The Missionary” is a historical novel about the dramatic life of St. Patrick. It was published by Pegasus Publishers on Apr.29th, 2021 and has been highly appraised by The Scotsman, The Yorkshire Post and the Irish Times.
Her second novel “The Scots of Dalriada” centres around Fergus Mór, the founder father of Scotland and takes place in 5th century Ireland and Scotland. It is due to be published by Pegasus Publishers on Jan.26th, 2023.
The author lives with her husband in Bodman-Ludwigshafen, Lake Constance, Germany. They have three children and six grandchildren.
Website: Twitter: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram:
March 30, 2023
The Coffee Pot Blog Tour presents: The Hartford Manor Series by Marcia Clayton
Book Title: The Rabbit’s Foot
Series: The Hartford Manor Series: Book Three
Author: Marcia Clayton
Publication Date: 18 November 2021
Publisher: Sunhillow Publishing
Page Length: 352
Genre: Historical Fiction, Family Saga, Romance
Twitter Handle: @MarciaC89111861 @cathiedunn
Instagram Handle: @marciaclayton97/ @thecoffeepotbookclub
Hashtags: #romance #FamilySaga #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
The Rabbit’s Foot
The Hartford Manor Series
Marcia Clayton
1885 North Devon, England
Mr Edward Snell was more than a little curious when Robert Fellwood, the heir to Hartford Manor, and Lady Margery, his elderly aunt, begged an audience on a Saturday morning. However, being such valued clients, the solicitor was happy to oblige. As his clerk showed the visitors in, he was intrigued to see them followed by an old man who, though respectably dressed, had something of a vagrant about him. The crisp suit in which he was attired could not disguise his weather-beaten face or his missing teeth.
Robert introduced his Uncle Sam and explained he had come to claim his inheritance. The solicitor was old enough to remember the extensive search for Thomas Fellwood when his father, Ephraim, died in 1840. However, that was some forty-five years ago, and the young man had never been found. Yet here was Sam, who claimed to be Thomas Fellwood’s son, and even more surprising, was the fact that the Fellwood family appeared to have accepted him as such.
“The Rabbit’s Foot” is an intriguing and compelling novel with many unexpected twists and turns. Set in the small seaside village of Hartford, it tells the tale of how an old man, who has spent his life with barely a penny to his name, suddenly finds himself rich beyond his wildest dreams. However, there is only one thing that Sam Fellwood truly wants, and that is to be reunited with his son, Marrok, whom he abandoned at the age of five. Will Sam find the happiness that has eluded him for so many lonely years?
An Excerpt from The Rabbit's Foot
Theresa grabbed wildly as a vicious gust of wind seized her hat. Abe made a lunge for it, almost losing one of the oars and upsetting the boat, but he missed, and the wind tossed the hat around until it blew over the bridge and out of sight.
“Oh no, what a nuisance. That was my new hat, and I was so proud of it.”
“Yes, it is a shame. Never mind, I’ll buy you another one sometime. Anyway, we’d better turn back now and return the boat, or I’ll be charged double.”
“Yes, all right. I enjoyed our trip on the river, but it’s quite chilly. I won’t be sorry to get off and warm up.”
Abe skilfully secured the boat and helped Theresa to disembark. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll take you for a walk around the town, and then we’ll call in at my mum’s house for a cup of tea, and we can get warm. She’s been wanting to meet you because I’ve told her all about you. She’ll be disappointed if you don’t come, and I think she’s even baked a cake, especially for you.”
“I’m not sure. It’s gone half-past three now and I mustn’t be late getting back.”
“Come on, it’s not far, and I promise I’ll have you home by five o’clock.”
Abe took her arm and led her through the park. When they came to a deserted copse of trees, he pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his, running his hands all over her body. Trying to resist the temptation to enjoy his attention, she pushed him away.
“Abe, no. You mustn’t do that, especially here where we are alone.”
“You can’t tell me you didn’t enjoy that. Your body told me a different tale, and we could hardly do that where there are people.” He reached for her again, but she pulled away.
“It makes no difference whether I enjoyed it or not, it’s not right. Let’s walk on, or I’m going home.”
Seeing she was determined; the man took her arm, and they headed towards a part of the town Theresa had not visited before. The farther they walked, the more anxious she became, for the relatively respectable area she was familiar with, gave way to dark alleyways where barefoot children, dressed in rags, ran through the filth.
“Abe, take me home, please. I don’t like this part of town. Surely, this is not where you live?”
“Oh, sorry, this area is a bit run-down, but in a few minutes, we’ll come into a more prosperous street. I shouldn’t have brought you this way because it isn’t exactly pleasant. I wasn’t thinking. Mind out.”
Abe pulled her to one side as a man pushing a barrow trundled past, shouting, “four pennies for a watch and chain, just four pennies for a watch and chain. Fill your children’s bellies, four pennies for a watch and chain.”
Looking at the offal on the barrel and the many flies swarming all over it, Theresa felt sick.
“What on earth is he talking about a watch and chain for? All he’s got is some disgusting rotting meat.”
“It’s easy to tell you’re not from around here. A watch and chain are the lights, liver, heart, and kidneys of a sheep; it makes a tasty meal when you have nothing else. Come on, not far now.”
They rounded a corner and safely negotiated their way around a brawl that was taking place in the street.
“Here we are; The Tucker’s Arms. This is where I live. Come in, and say hello to my mum.”
Theresa glanced around her in horror, for this area was no better than where they had been walking for the last half an hour or more.
“No, I’ll come another day, Abe. It’s time I was getting home, or Francis will be worried. Tell your mum I’ll see her next time. Now please take me home.”
“Look, I promised her she would see you today because I’ve been telling her all about you. We won’t stay long, and I’ll take you back a different way which will be quicker. Come on.”
Taking her hand, he pulled her across the street and into a yard. A tired, emaciated donkey was tethered in one corner, and there was a strong smell from the pigsty which ran the length of the yard.
“Hello, Mum, I’ve brought Theresa to meet you like I promised.”
The room they entered was dingy and none too clean, but Theresa had little time to survey her surroundings before she was hugged by a large fat woman. The stench of stale sweat emanating from the woman made Theresa all but gag, as she struggled to free herself from the embrace.
“I’m pleased to meet you, ma’am, but I was just telling Abe, I must get home. My brother will be worried.”
“Now, you sit yourself down and have a quick cup of tea. Your hands are frozen. What are you thinking of Abe, keeping the young lady out in the cold for so long?”
The kettle was already boiling on the hearth, so Theresa decided it would be easier to accept the tea and then leave as soon as possible.
“I took Theresa out in a rowing boat on the River Taw, Mum. That’s how we got so cold, and then her hat blew away.”
“Oh dear, that is a pity. Well, you get that hot cup of tea down you, my dear, and then Abe will see you home. We can’t have your brother worrying, or he won’t let you come to see me again. Would you like a piece of cake?”
“No, the tea is fine, thank you.”
“Just as you like. Abe tells me your brother has opened a shop in the town. Is it doing well?”
“Yes, we’ve been busy, thank you. Perhaps you would like to visit it sometime.”
“Yes, I must do that. I don’t venture to that side of town often, but I could do with a few new clothes.”
Theresa hurriedly drank the hot liquid, not enjoying the taste, but wanting to leave the house as soon as possible. Suddenly, she felt faint, and the room began to spin.
“Abe, I don’t feel too good.”
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited
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All the books in The Hartford Manor Series can be ordered from any bookshop.
Marcia Clayton was born in North Devon, a rural and picturesque area in the far South West of England. She is a farmer's daughter and often helped to milk the cows and clean out the shippens in her younger days.
When Marcia left school she worked in a bank for several years until she married her husband, Bryan, and then stayed at home for a few years to care for her three sons, Stuart, Paul, and David. As the children grew older, Marcia worked as a Marie Curie nurse caring for the terminally ill, and later for the local authority managing school transport.
Now a grandmother, Marcia enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She’s a keen researcher of her family history, and it was this hobby that inspired some of the characters in her books. A keen gardener, Marcia grows many of her own vegetables. She is also an avid reader and mainly enjoys historical fiction, romance and crime books.
Website: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: Book Bub: Amazon Author Page: Goodreads:
March 28, 2023
The Coffee Pot Blog Tour presents: Pagan King by MJ Porter
Book Title: Pagan King
Series: The Seventh Century
Author: MJ Porter
Publication Date: 21st April 2016 (new cover from January 2022)
Publisher: MJ Publishing
Page Length: 300
Genre: Historical fiction/Action and adventure
Twitter Handle: @coloursofunison @cathiedunn
Instagram Handle: @m_j_porterauthor @thecoffeepotbookclub
Hashtags: #TalesOfMercia #TheSeventhCentury #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
Pagan King
MJ Porter
Audiobook narrated by Matt Coles
From bestselling author, MJ Porter comes the tale of the mighty pagan king, Penda of Mercia.
The year is AD641, and the great Oswald of Northumbria, bretwalda over England, must battle against an alliance of the old Britons and the Saxons led by Penda of the Hwicce, the victor of Hæ∂feld nine years before, the only Saxon leader seemingly immune to Oswald's beguiling talk of the new Christianity spreading through England from both the north and the south.
Alliances will be made and broken, and the victory will go to the man most skilled in warcraft and statecraft.
The ebb and flow of battle will once more redraw the lines of the petty kingdoms stretching across the British Isles.
There will be another victor and another bloody loser.
Amazon UK: Amazon US: Amazon CA: Amazon AU: Barnes and Noble: Waterstones: Kobo: iBooks: iTunes: Audio:
MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to
Eleventh-Century England, as well as three twentieth-century mysteries. Being raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author's writing destiny was set.
Website: Blog: Twitter: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: Pinterest: BookBub: Amazon Author Page: Goodreads: Linktr.ee: Tiktok:
Matt Coles – audiobook narrator:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcolesvoiceovers/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattcolesvoiceovers
Website: www.mattcolesvoiceover.com
March 8, 2023
The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tours present: The Delafield and Malloy Investigations by Trish MacEnulty
First Book Title: The Whispering Women
Series: Delafield & Malloy Investigations
Author: Trish MacEnulty
Publication Date: 09/06/22
Publisher: Prism Light Press
Page Length: 387
Genre: Historical Mystery, Women’s Fiction
The Whispering Women, Book #1, A Delafield & Malloy Investigation
The Burning Bride, Book #2, A Delafield & Malloy Investigation
Secrets and Spies, Book #3, A Delafield & Malloy Investigation
by Trish MacEnulty
"Richly drawn characters, the vibrant historical setting, and a suspenseful mystery create a strong current that pulls readers into this delightful novel. But it's the women's issues—as relevant today as they were in the early 1900s—that will linger long after the last page."-- Donna S. Meredith, The Southern Literary Review
Can two women get the lowdown on high society?
“Two powerless young women must navigate a soul-crushing class system and find the levers of power they wield when they combine their strengths. These women may have been taught to whisper, but when their time comes, they will roar.”– 5 Star Amazon Review
Louisa Delafield and Ellen Malloy didn’t ask to be thrown together to bring the truth to light. But after Ellen witnesses the death of a fellow servant during an illegal abortion, Louisa, a society columnist, vows to help her find the truth and turn her journalistic talent to a greater purpose.
Together, these unlikely allies battle to get the truth out, and to avenge the wrongful death of a friend.
What will our heroes do when their closest allies and those they trust turn out to be the very forces working to keep their story in the dark? They’ll face an abortionist, a sex trafficking ring, and a corrupt system determined to keep the truth at bay.
“If you like historical fiction and if you like mysteries, this one is for you!”– 5 Star Amazon Review
Was change possible in 1913?
To find out, read THE WHISPERING WOMEN today!
Excerpt from The Burning Bride by Trish MacEnulty
The problem was she didn’t have the right shoes. Louisa had managed to find a splendid lace and chiffon evening gown by French designer Jeanne Hallée at a broker’s shop in the garment district. It had been purchased by a Rothschild who had subsequently decided she didn’t like the color — a pale blue — so she sent it to a discreet dress broker for resale. The dress was a steal, but looking through her wardrobe, Louisa realized she didn’t have shoes to go with it, and the wedding was in an hour. She sank to the floor in despair. The door knocker resounded from downstairs. A moment later she heard footsteps on the stairs followed by a knock on her bed-room door.
“Come in, Ellen,” Louisa said. No one besides her assistant and friend, Ellen Malloy, would show up at the front door and be sent immediately upstairs.
Ellen, windblown, her red hair burnished with the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window, wore her usual sensible cotton frock and toque. She looked at Louisa on the floor in her silk chemise.
“What’re ya doing on the floor, girleen?” Ellen asked.
“I have no shoes to wear to Hugh Garrett’s wedding,” Louisa said, holding up a worn lace-up boot with a broken sole.
“I should think you’d have more important things to worry about than that scoundrel’s wedding after what he did to my friend Silvia,” Ellen said. Hugh Garrett was Ellen’s previous employer, and she would never forgive him for sending a young servant off to have an abortion that killed her. His wealth and status had insulated him from any repercussions.
“I despise him as much as you do, but that ‘scoundrel’ is still one of the wealthiest men in the city and therefore I have no choice but to attend the wedding,” Louisa said. In spite of her feel-ings about Hugh Garrett, Louisa’s job was to observe and comment on New York society, a job she took seriously, not least because in some ways she was still one of them. She was a Dela-field, after all, no matter how meager her bank account.
“Well, I pity the poor girl who marries him,” Ellen said and dropped a magazine on the floor beside her. “Take a look at this.”
“What is it?”
“An article that slanders you,” Ellen said.
Louisa took up the paper and skimmed the article.
“L. Byron? That’s rich, isn’t it? Does he think this drivel is poetry?” she said. “He calls me a sycophant. That’s a big word from such a little mind. And apparently he’s not an art lover.” She tossed the article aside. “No one reads these anarchist magazines anyway.”
She peered into her wardrobe again as if, magically, the perfect pair of shoes would simply ap-pear like Cinderella’s glass slippers.
“Anarchists read them, and they’re a dangerous lot,” Ellen said. She shooed away the ginger cat curled up on cushioned chair, sat down at Louisa’s vanity, and took off her hat. The wind had pulled strands of hair out of her bun, which stuck out like red wires.
“They aren’t a danger to me,” Louisa objected. “Maybe to Rockefeller. There was that attempt on his life recently.” She rose from the floor and shut the door to her wardrobe before the cat could leap in it and get trapped inside as had already happened several times. She didn’t have time before the wedding to go shopping, and she couldn’t bear the humiliation of not looking perfectly put together for Hugh’s wedding. She hoped marriage would rehabilitate Hugh.
“The older or the younger Rockefeller?” Ellen asked, as she unpinned her hair, brushed it out, and then coiled it into a thick red rope, which she neatly fastened on the back of head.
“The younger, which is ridiculous,” Louisa said, taking up the dress she’d laid out on the bed and pulling it over her head.
Ellen came over and buttoned up the back, smoothing the lace overlay so Louisa looked as if she’d just stepped out of a Paris salon. Louisa clasped a pearl necklace around her neck, glad that her mother had held onto it through the days when they struggled so for money. She gazed at herself in the full length mirror and continued, “I can understand why the anarchists hate the elder but Junior is a philanthropist. He’s too busy giving away his father’s money to oppress anyone.”
“Except for the miners,” Ellen said.
“Are you one of them now?” Louisa asked. She knew Ellen had no love lost for the wealthy, but anarchism seemed melodramatic.
“A miner?” Ellen asked.
“An anarchist.”
“I’m not sure,” Ellen said with a shrug.
The books in this series are available to read on Kindle Unlimited.
Universal Link: Amazon UK: Amazon US: Amazon CA: Amazon AU: Barnes and Noble:
Trish MacEnulty is a bestselling novelist. In addition to her historical fiction, she has published novels, a short story collection, and a memoir. A former Professor of English, she currently lives in Florida with her husband, two dogs, and one cat. She writes book reviews and feature articles for the Historical Novel Review. She loves reading, writing, walking with her dogs, streaming historical series, cooking, and dancing.
Website: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: Book Bub: Amazon Author Page: Goodreads:
March 3, 2023
New Release!! A Matter of Faith, the Days of the Phoenix. Book Two of The Henrician Chronicle!!
I have taken far too long to write A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix, Book two of the Henrician Chronicle. I haven't been lazy though. The truth is that not only was I writing a non-fiction book for Pen and Sword at the same time, I was also fighting brain fog, fatigue and the general 'erk' that follows Covid. I'm a little better now although still not the full ticket. I am not sure I ever will be. HOWEVER, I have overcome it and the book is due for release on 20th March 2023. You can pre-order it now and really help give it a boost up the charts. The more I sell the longer I will be able to continue writing. Book three is already underway.
Scroll down for more on A Matter of Faith or read An excerpt from A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years.
January 1530
The year opens, a slow creaking door, giving way to the new and the fresh. As the festivities draw to an end, I resolve that this year I shall be merrier, my court will be joyous again. There shall be a new beginning.
I will throw off the trivial traditions that bind me to the wife I abhor. I shall play and sing and joust, for life is for living. From now on I will cease to envy the sons of other men and concentrate on begetting my own.
Ignoring a papal edict that I acknowledge her as my queen, I no longer admit Kate into my company. While she keeps her own dull court, in my part of the palace, I surround myself with young, energetic companions.
Although I lack their youth, there is still not one that can best me on the tennis court or in the saddle. We hunt all day, dance all night and create an atmosphere that is brittle with joy. If life with Anne lacks the warmth I knew with Kate, it makes up for it with delight.
To all intent and purpose, Anne is my queen already. It is she who sits beside me at the feast, she who orders the entertainments, and she is the lady I lead onto the floor to open up the dancing.
My advisors whisper that I should be content with that. I have the woman I love at my side, why not let matters lie? There is no need for an annulment. Let Kate rot in her apartments like some forgotten cat. There are few who will care.
But I want more than that. I want to show Anne off as my wife, my queen and besides … she continues to refuse me the pleasures of her bed. Sometimes it is not easy for her to refuse but she is strong; her will so much more determined than mine.
I am so eager for her that I often overstep the boundaries. It is clear from the way her heart patters beneath my hand that she wants me too. When she allows me close and my lips graze her skin, she groans and writhes with wanting. But we go only so far. We both recognise the moment we must draw back for there is more at stake than the sating of our lust. We need a son, but he must be born in wedlock, there can be no question as to his legitimacy.
Wolsey continues to fumble his way through the meeting of the privy councillors. Norfolk, who has ever looked down on him, smirks beneath his hand, shuffles his feet noisily beneath the table, coughs loudly to further interrupt the cardinal’s flow.
“What can you expect of a butcher’s boy,” I hear him remark as Thomas quits the room when the meeting is done. “It isn’t the king he works for. His paymaster sits in Rome…”
I rest my chin in my hand and tell them to go. I watch as, one by one, they take leave of me. When the room is empty, Norfolk’s words repeat in my head. His opinions of Wolsey’s low beginnings and compromised loyalty echo Anne’s. It is the only thing she and her uncle agree on.
At first, I wonder if he sowed the seed in her mind or contrariwise but then news comes from Francis Bryan whom I’ve sent to Rome on my behalf. He too believes Wolsey and his cardinals have done me a great disservice. He reports that abroad it is widely believed that had the matter been properly dealt with, I’d have been free of the queen long ago.
These findings make sense. When all is said and done, Wolsey is a Cardinal, and as such he must carry out the wishes of the pope. He also has little love for Anne and, if I am successful in ridding myself of the queen, would sooner see me wed to France.
I am at a loss; without dependable advisors I can trust. Brandon can no longer be relied on, his hatred for Anne is surpassed only by his love for Kate. I mourn the days when our friendship was carefree, and I could confide anything to him.
What can I do about Wolsey?
I’ve trusted him since my youth, yet he has failed me; his loyalty is conflicted. He cannot serve both the pope and his king, that is …that is premunire – a crime against the crown.
If I were to take him down, strip him of his titles, his positions, remove his properties, not only could I elect a more trustworthy advisor, but my coffers would be the fatter for it.
I have long envied his palace at Hampton. It is wasted on Wolsey; it needs a woman like Anne to grace its elegant halls. It should be mine. What right has a subject to own possessions that outshine the king’s?
I call a secret meeting with the few I trust … or perhaps, those I know who crave Wolsey’s fall.
Norfolk, scratches his long nose, addresses me without making eye contact.
“Of course, the cardinal is in pay of the pope, and so is Campeggio who is no doubt sneaking from the country as we speak with his baggage full of incriminating papers.”
I look up sharply.
“He has embarked?”
“Not as far as I know, Your Majesty.”
I snap my fingers at a scribe who stands ready with a sharpened pen.
“Order Campeggio stopped, order his baggage searched, order that he is not to leave until every cranny of his luggage has been investigated.”
“But what of the Cardinal?” Norfolk is eager, his face wolverine. “He is a traitor, Your Majesty. He has deceived you and England by putting Rome before the good of our realm.”
For a long moment, I stare into a corner, haunted by the wraith of my younger days, when I was newly king. I recall walking with Wolsey in the gardens, he laughed at my jokes, praised my skills, and make little of my failures. He was my friend, my mentor, the first one I’d turn to when matters of state seemed overwhelming. What happened to sway his allegiance? Was it me? Was it Anne? Or was his eye always on the higher prize?
I remember joking once that he would be pope one day. I recall the way his laughter had faded, how he’d peered into the distance as if imagining it was so. Perhaps he has never loved me for myself, but only for what I could provide!
And hasn’t he risen high at my expense? Without me, he’d still be gutting rabbits at his father’s butcher shop. I thump the table so hard pain shoots up my arm, then I stand up, my chair tipping to the floor.
“Strip him of his diplomatic position,” I say before storming from the room in search of Anne.
Even as I hover on the edge of despair, she soothes me, her honeyed voice salving my pain, erasing the inner fear that I am running headlong down the wrong path. I cannot stop it now. I try not to think of him, Thomas my friend...
Against my will, I imagine the guard approaching him. I envision how he will turn, surprise turning to horror as he realises why they have come. He will drop his bundle of papers, throw up his hands, cry out a protest and beg an audience with his king but …they will not listen.
His day is done. His fate is sealed.
I wonder what Kate will say when she hears of it.
“You must take Hampton for yourself,” Anne says, running her hands down my chest, tweaking the buttons on my doublet as though she intends to loosen it. “I have always thought it too grand for Wolsey. The gardens are wonderful. When you travel along the river and come upon the palace suddenly from the water, it takes one’s breath away.”
“There is no need. He has made a gift of it.” I answer distantly.
Events are running away with me. I try to turn my mind from the enormity of what I am allowing to happen. I must concentrate on the here and now, the future with Anne. I can never go back to how things were before … even if I wanted to.
“I will need a new chancellor. I will ask Thomas More – I trust him. He is a good fellow.”
She sits up, pouting, her prettiness marred by a frown.
“He has little liking for me. He is Catherine’s man.”
She never gives Kate the title ‘Queen’ and although I shouldn’t, I always find I resent it a little.
“He loves me. He is my man. He will always be my good servant.”
“Hmm.”
She turns to me, her dark eyes glinting in the shadowy light. “You should speak with Thomas Cranmer. I find him very eloquent, very wise. He believes there is no need for you to beg permission for an annulment from the pope at all. He says there is no reason you cannot just put Catherine aside and marry me at once …”
She sits up, yawns and stretches so the fabric of her gown is pulled tight to her body. I yearn to undress her. One day, one day very soon, I will do so. I will lie naked with her in my bed and I will get a son on her. Every inch of her body screams of fertility. I can smell it in her hair, in the musky sweetness of her neck. I know, the first night that we finally lie together, I will get her with child.
If you haven't read book one yet, it is on sale at the moment. You can get your copy here: mybook.to/amoc
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
Judith Arnopp
'Superbly inventive insight into the mind of one of our most famous monarchs' -
Deborah Swift: award winning author
Finally free of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII is now married to Anne Boleyn, and eagerly awaits the birth of his son. In a court still reeling from the royal divorce and amid growing resentment against church reform, Henry must negotiate widespread resentment toward Anne. But his lifelong dreams of a son to cement his Tudor bloodline are shattered when Anne is delivered of a daughter.
Burying his disappointment, Henry focuses on getting her with child again, but their marriage is volatile and, as Henry faces personal bereavement and discord at court, Anne’s enemies are gathering. When the queen miscarries of a son, and Henry suffers a life-threatening accident, his need for an heir becomes vital. Waiting in the wings is Jane Seymour, a lady-in-waiting, who offers the king respite from Anne’s fiery passions.
But, when Anne falls foul of her former ally, Thomas Cromwell, and the king is persuaded that Anne has made him a cuckold, Henry strikes out and the queen falls beneath the executioner’s sword, taking key players in Henry’s household with her.
Jane Seymour, stepping up to replace the fallen queen, quickly becomes pregnant. Delighted with his dull but fertile wife, Henry’s spirits rise even further when the prince is born safely. At last, Henry has all he desires, but even as he celebrates, fate is preparing to deliver one more staggering blow.
The virile young prince is now a damaged middle-aged man, disappointed in those around him but most of all in himself. As the king’s optimism diminishes, his intractability increases, and soon the wounded lion will begin to roar.
The story concludes in Book Three: A Matter of Time, Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light coming in 2023.
"Riveting. This is Henry from beyond the grave in all his passionate complexity " Elizabeth St John - author of The Godmother's Secret
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