Michael Stolle's Blog, page 4
June 18, 2017
The Duke and the Imposter
Started writing the 5th sequel of the French Orphan series today. Wonderful weather, time on hand - I had no more excuse :)
As I'm sitting here typing, Pierre and Armand come to life again and they're as adventurous as ever.
But as England is sinking into the chaos of Civil War, life can't be idyllic for Pierre anymore.
As I'm sitting here typing, Pierre and Armand come to life again and they're as adventurous as ever.
But as England is sinking into the chaos of Civil War, life can't be idyllic for Pierre anymore.
May 10, 2017
time moves on...
As King Charles is losing his battle (and his faith) against Cromwell and his cronies, our heroes in France and England face their own problems - challenges, tragedies and adventures.
I'm quite excited.... started working on the next sequel and thanks to all of you who support me during this wonderful journey through the 17th century.
Stay in touch - and tell your friends!
cheers,
I'm quite excited.... started working on the next sequel and thanks to all of you who support me during this wonderful journey through the 17th century.
Stay in touch - and tell your friends!
cheers,
April 23, 2017
free book
one of my favourite crime stories is available for free today on Amazon kindle
enjoy!
enjoy!
February 10, 2017
Turning the Pages -free book
I received a fabulous review from this blog and as a 'thank you' to Turning The Pages, I'll put my book up for free this week-end on Amazon Kindle, watch out and enjoy!
February 4, 2017
January 31, 2017
Passages To The Past
I recently discovered this wonderful blog and got into contact with Amy who's a wonderful person - she really is.
Amy offered me to participate in a blog tour. I didn't even know that this existed..... you may deduce from my words that I'm not very social media savvy.
To my defense, these kinds of skills weren't really in high demand in the 17th century....
So..... I'm quite excited - it's an entirely new experience for me.
Amy offered me to participate in a blog tour. I didn't even know that this existed..... you may deduce from my words that I'm not very social media savvy.
To my defense, these kinds of skills weren't really in high demand in the 17th century....
So..... I'm quite excited - it's an entirely new experience for me.
January 10, 2017
Trumpery & Brexit
Thousands of pages have been filled with comments about the impending Brexit. Why not add one more? You're tired of it? I understand...
But for a writer of historic novels it's a fascinating subject. What's intriguing me is - of course- drawing parallels with the past. The Brits have always defended a legacy of being an unruly lot, Julius Cesar was the first to get a feel of this. He didn't like it and returned to the warmer shores of Italy.
Henry VIII split with Rome and the reactions have been the same as we get to hear them today. He was threatened with excommunication (we call it nowadays 'loss of access to the single market' ) - but a powerful combination of lust (yes, young and beautiful Anne was waiting in the shadows) and greed (getting hold of the church's well filled coffers was a dream come true...) made it happen.
But in my humble opinion, there was a big difference between now and then. Whereas King Henry most probably didn't really understand the implications of his decisions his capable ministers - just to name Thomas Cromwell - certainly did, they had a master plan. Most certainly fed by their own greed and convictions - not really for the well being of Henry's loyal subjects.
Where's the master plan now? Looking at Britain today we seem to travel back to medieval times - where powerful dukes were battling with the Crown and chaos reigned. Did those dukes care for the peasants or burgers of their cities - they did not!
Today those new dukes are the Duke of High Street, the Prince of the Internet, the Duke of Tabloids, the Duke of Finances, the Duke and the Prince of Public Manipulation - just to name a few. They lust for money, titles and influence. Do they truly care for the normal citizen?....
Well, better answer this question yourself.
Let's see if a new Thomas Cromwell will be born and will have the guts to create something good out of this chaos.
Haven't seen him/ her yet though....therefore better fasten seat belts as the years to come might prove to become a bit bumpy.
Why do parallels with the present situation in America suddenly come to my mind? Must be the effect of the deformed brain of a Historian...
But for a writer of historic novels it's a fascinating subject. What's intriguing me is - of course- drawing parallels with the past. The Brits have always defended a legacy of being an unruly lot, Julius Cesar was the first to get a feel of this. He didn't like it and returned to the warmer shores of Italy.
Henry VIII split with Rome and the reactions have been the same as we get to hear them today. He was threatened with excommunication (we call it nowadays 'loss of access to the single market' ) - but a powerful combination of lust (yes, young and beautiful Anne was waiting in the shadows) and greed (getting hold of the church's well filled coffers was a dream come true...) made it happen.
But in my humble opinion, there was a big difference between now and then. Whereas King Henry most probably didn't really understand the implications of his decisions his capable ministers - just to name Thomas Cromwell - certainly did, they had a master plan. Most certainly fed by their own greed and convictions - not really for the well being of Henry's loyal subjects.
Where's the master plan now? Looking at Britain today we seem to travel back to medieval times - where powerful dukes were battling with the Crown and chaos reigned. Did those dukes care for the peasants or burgers of their cities - they did not!
Today those new dukes are the Duke of High Street, the Prince of the Internet, the Duke of Tabloids, the Duke of Finances, the Duke and the Prince of Public Manipulation - just to name a few. They lust for money, titles and influence. Do they truly care for the normal citizen?....
Well, better answer this question yourself.
Let's see if a new Thomas Cromwell will be born and will have the guts to create something good out of this chaos.
Haven't seen him/ her yet though....therefore better fasten seat belts as the years to come might prove to become a bit bumpy.
Why do parallels with the present situation in America suddenly come to my mind? Must be the effect of the deformed brain of a Historian...
December 20, 2016
Pop stars of the 17th century
Some readers are asking why a castrate boy is one of the leading characters in the Italian episode of the French Orphan. Some find it scandalous.
They all forget that a historic novel is about history...... and that ethic values then were very different to ours.
Today the idea of selling and castrating young boys to preserve their angelic voices is appalling and totally disgusting - I think we all agree. Many of those victims didn't survive the brutal slaughtering, most were maimed and marked for their entire life.
We therefore can't imagine that those who did survive were the pop stars of their time, priceless possessions of the kings, cardinals and popes who could afford to acquire and keep them - the Justin Biebers of their time.
Society ladies would faint when they started singing, trying to drag the adult castrates into their boudoirs.
It's all beyond today's imagination but it's a fact, the most famous composers wrote pieces that only could be performed by those stars.
Some people think all was better in the past, trust me, it wasn't!
They all forget that a historic novel is about history...... and that ethic values then were very different to ours.
Today the idea of selling and castrating young boys to preserve their angelic voices is appalling and totally disgusting - I think we all agree. Many of those victims didn't survive the brutal slaughtering, most were maimed and marked for their entire life.
We therefore can't imagine that those who did survive were the pop stars of their time, priceless possessions of the kings, cardinals and popes who could afford to acquire and keep them - the Justin Biebers of their time.
Society ladies would faint when they started singing, trying to drag the adult castrates into their boudoirs.
It's all beyond today's imagination but it's a fact, the most famous composers wrote pieces that only could be performed by those stars.
Some people think all was better in the past, trust me, it wasn't!
November 19, 2016
The Queen's Maid of Honour
Watch out - this book is soon to appear for free download on kindle!
It's a must for all lovers of romance and adventure - and those who appreciate a zest of humour.
You'll travel back to England in the 17th century, a country torn apart by religious fervour and civil war.
This is my special thank you for all readers who went through the effort of rating my books and giving me valuable feed-back.
As today the mark of 200 ratings was reached by Goodreads members, time to celebrate a little.
The Queen's Maid of Honour
