The Coffee Pot Blog Tours present: Who She Left Behind by Victoria Atamian Waterman

 

Book Title:   Who She Left Behind

Author: Victoria Atamian Waterman

Publication Date: October 17, 2023

Publisher: Historium Press

Page Length: 230 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

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WHO SHE LEFT BEHIND

Victoria Atamian Waterman

“Who She Left Behind” is a captivating historical fiction novel that spans generations and delves into the emotional lives of its characters. Set in various time periods, from the declining days of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey in 1915 to the Armenian neighborhoods of Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the 1990s, the novel completely immerses its reader in a lesser-known era and the untold stories of the brave and resilient women who became the pillars of reconstructed communities after the Armenian Genocide.

It is a story of survival, motherhood, love, and redemption based on the recounted stories from the author’s own family history. The narrative is framed by a mysterious discovery made almost six decades later of a pair of Armenian dolls left at a gravesite.  

Read an Excerpt

The village slept uneasily if it slept at all. Even the dogs were quiet, tails and ears low as they slunk along the sidewalks, hoping for scraps from the Turkish soldiers. 

Further from the village center, the Karadelian house stood pale in the moonlight. The night was mild, the scent of light rain in the air, but Victoria’s palms were clammy where they lay flat against her sheets. Her next-youngest sister Yegsabet had crawled into bed with her an hour before, but Victoria was sure she wasn’t sleeping, either. She heard nine-year-old Mariam crying, her middle sister likely woken by baby Shenorig wailing in the night, and their mother’s steps in the hallway to comfort her. Mariam had already cried herself to sleep once that night. Two-year-old Lucine would sleep through it all, as she always did. She was too little even to be frightened. 

Earlier that day, when the soldiers came to draft the men and boys for a special project, they’d pushed their way inside to scour the house for anything the family might have used to defend themselves. 

Victoria heard warnings from the soldiers of insurgents and enemies of the state, but she didn’t understand how it applied to a prosperous cloth merchant whose shawls were the envy of every nearby village. She couldn’t understand why her family would need to defend themselves.  

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Victoria Atamian Waterman is an Armenian American storyteller and speaker who draws inspiration from the quirky multigenerational, multilingual home in which she was raised with her grandparents, survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Her empowerment of today’s women and girls makes her voice ideal for telling the little-known stories of yesterday’s women leaders. Her TED Talk, “Today’s Girls are Tomorrow’s Leaders” has been seen by thousands of viewers. When she is not writing and speaking, she is reading, puzzle-making and volunteering.

Victoria lives in Rhode Island and is enjoying this next chapter of life with her husband, children, and grandchildren. “Who She Left Behind” is her first novel.  

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The Coffee Pot Blog Tour presents: Times of Turmoil by Anna Belfrage

Book Title: Times of Turmoil

Author: Anna Belfrage

Publication Date: September 29th, 2023

Publisher: Timelight Press

Page Length: 382 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction / Time Travel Romance

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Times of Turmoil

by Anna Belfrage

It is 1718 and Duncan Melville and his time traveller wife, Erin, are concentrating on building a peaceful existence for themselves and their twin daughters. Difficult to do, when they are beleaguered by enemies.

Erin Melville is not about to stand to the side and watch as a child is abused—which is how she makes deadly enemies of Hyland Nelson and his family.

Then there’s that ghost from their past, Armand Joseph Chardon, a person they were certain was dead. Apparently not. Monsieur Chardon wants revenge and his sons are tasked with making Duncan—and his wife—pay. 

Things aren’t helped by the arrival of Duncan’s cousin, fleeing her abusive husband. Or the reappearance of Nicholas Farrell in their lives, as much of a warped bully now as he was when he almost beat Duncan to death years ago. Plus, their safety is constantly threatened as Erin is a woman of colour in a time and place where that could mean ostracism, enslavement or even death.

Will Duncan and Erin ever achieve their simple wish – to live and love free from fear of those who wish to destroy them?

Excerpt 4 – Times of Turmoil

Erin had her arms deep in one of the hives, a cloud of irritated bees around her, when the distinctive high voice of her housekeeper called her name. Erin winced. Even when draped in layers of sheer veils with an old hat pulled down low over her head, Mrs Andersson’s agitated voice tore at her poor ears. 

“Mistress Erin!” Klara Andersson came trotting towards her, her face bright red, her hand pressed to her heaving chest. 

“Wait!” Erin ordered. The bees around her buzzed, swarming round her head. She pulled out the last of the honeycombs and placed them in the large bucket beside her. She always felt like a thief doing this, but once they’d calmed down, the bees would turn their industrious nature into building new combs on the clean wooden bars she’d inserted into the basket hives to replace the ones she’d lifted out.

She grabbed hold of the buckets and made her way towards where Mrs Andersson was waiting for her. 

“Best hurry,” she said. 

“Why?” Erin pulled off the heavy leather gloves she’d been wearing, took off her hat and shook out her hair before bundling up the veils. She undid the worn coat she used as yet another protective layer and added it to the pile. 

“Mr Lloyd,” Klara Andersson said. 

“He’s here?” Erin gestured for Tim to pick up the full buckets. The boy just nodded, a lock of fair hair tumbling over his forehead. “Thank you,” she said, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. He stiffened. He always did when anyone touched him, even if it was getting better. 

“Quite the harvest,” Mrs Andersson commented. 

“Yes.” Had someone told Erin three years ago that one day she’d be puffed up with pride on account of her beekeeping efforts, she’d have laughed out loud. Not her, no, not Erin Barnes, newly minted journalist with her eyes set on one day winning a Pulitzer. Instead, life had thrown her the mother of all curveballs, which was how she’d ended up here, in Colonial Pennsylvania several decades before the American Revolution. Joseph Pulitzer wouldn’t be born for another hundred years and some. 

She tugged at her sleeve. There were days when she wanted nothing more but to wake up back in her own time and find that these last three years were nothing but a complex dream. She’d thought a lot about her lost life over the last few months, the incidents with the Nelsons leaving her with nightmares and a permanent sense of insecurity. Not that she’d be much safer in the twenty-first century: there was a reason she’d ended up here, and that reason was Jacqueline Wilkes and her determined efforts to kill Erin Barnes. She shivered.

“And hopefully we’ll get as much come autumn,” Mrs Andersson said. “Such industrious creatures, our little bees.” 

“Yeah,” Erin said, rubbing at a bee sting. The honey and the beeswax candles brought in a nice little extra income. Not that they truly needed it, but she enjoyed contributing so directly to the household. Her other private income—the proceeds of the two ships Duncan had bought on her behalf—never felt as hers: the investment had been financed by the generous gift Duncan’s uncle, David Graham, had given them after they’d saved him from dying in the Scottish Highlands. Duncan had insisted she should consider that money her dowry—his way of trying to redirect society’s focus from the colour of her skin to her purported wealth. Didn’t always work, the Nelsons being case in point.

“Mistress?” 

Erin straightened up, jolted out of her thoughts by Mrs Andersson’s voice. “Yes?”

“I was just saying that Mr Lloyd seemed somewhat agitated.”

“Well, if he’s hoping for Duncan to help him . . .” Erin began.

“He wanted to see you.” 

He did? Erin gnawed her lip. That sounded ominous. Usually, the very busy Lloyd would ride out to their home from Chester, greet her politely and drag Duncan off into his study, there to spend hours discussing legalities. 

“Let’s hope his business won’t take too long,” Erin said. “Daniel is coming over later.”

Mrs Andersson’s face clouded. “Hmph!”

“He’s bringing me some new tools,” Erin went on, suppressing a little grin at Mrs Andersson’s responding grimace.

“It’s not seemly,” the housekeeper said, stooping to collect Erin’s makeshift beekeeper outfit. “For a woman to dabble in carpentry . . .”

“I enjoy it,” Erin replied. 

“Carpentry is men’s work!” Mrs Andersson said.

“Is it? And where exactly does it say that?”

“Hmph! The Lord himself was a carpenter, and he was a man, not a woman!”

“He was? I thought he was a preacher,” Erin said, mainly to get a rise out of her. Mrs Andersson was a devout member of the Lutheran Church and would make her way to Chester at least every other Sunday to listen to the weekly sermon and join her voice to the mandatory singing of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” 

“He started out as a carpenter. His earthly father taught him the trade,” Mrs Andersson said. She narrowed her eyes. “But I have never heard of a female being apprenticed to a carpenter. Never!”

“I wasn’t apprenticed. My grandfather taught me,” Erin said. Dangerous ground, this, because it was so easy to forget she couldn’t share just who her grandfather had been. A black US Army veteran who’d married a British half-Afghani and proceeded to build a good life with her, including a handsome son who’d fathered Erin and died four years later. She shivered: a bad, bad death at the hands of Jacqueline Wilkes.

“. . . sewing,” Mrs Andersson said.

“Eh?” Erin asked.

“I said, it would be better if you set a good example to your two little girls by practising your sewing instead of covering yourself in sawdust and wood-shavings.”

“I don’t like to sew,” Erin said.

Mrs Andersson snorted. “That’s not true. You don’t know how to sew, which in itself is a right mystery: what woman grows up without knowing how to make a shirt?” 

“One that spent her time with her carpenter grandfather?” she retorted.

This title is available on #KindleUnlimited.

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Author Bio:

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England.  

Anna has also published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. 

More recently, Anna has been hard at work with her Castilian series. The first book, His Castilian Hawk, published in 2020, is set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love. In the second instalment, The Castilian Pomegranate, we travel with the protagonists to the complex political world of medieval Spain, while the third, Her Castilian Heart, finds our protagonists back in England—not necessarily any safer than the wilds of Spain! The fourth book, Their Castilian Orphan, is scheduled for early 2024.

Anna has recently released Times of Turmoil, the sequel to her 2021 release, The Whirlpools of Time. Here she returns to the world of time travel. Where The Whirlpools of Time had Duncan and the somewhat reluctant time-traveller Erin navigating the complexities of the first Jacobean rebellion in Scotland, in Times of Turmoil our protagonists are in Colonial Pennsylvania, hoping for a peaceful existence. Not about to happen—not in one of Anna’s books!  

All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com  

Author Links:

Website: www.annabelfrage.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abelfrageauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabelfrageauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/annabelfrageauthor

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-belfrage

Amazon Author Page: http://Author.to/ABG  or  http://amazon.com/author/anna_belfrage    

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6449528.Anna_Belfrage

The Coffee Pot Blog Tour presents: The Merchant's Dilemma by Carolyn Hughes

Book Title: The Merchant’s Dilemma, a Meonbridge Chronicles Companion Novel

Series: The Meonbridge Chronicles

Author: Carolyn Hughes

Publication Date: 20th September 2023

Publisher: Riverdown Books

Page Length: 232

Genre: Historical Fiction

Tour Schedule Page:

The Merchant’s Dilemma

By Carolyn Hughes

1362. Winchester. Seven months ago, accused of bringing plague and death from Winchester, Bea Ward was hounded out of Meonbridge by her former friends and neighbours. Finding food and shelter where she could, she struggled to make her way back to Winchester again.

Yet, once she arrived, she wondered why she’d come.

For her former lover – the love of her life – Riccardo Marchaunt, had married a year ago. And she no longer had the strength to go back to her old life on the streets. Frail, destitute and homeless, she was reduced to begging. Then, in January, during a tumultuous and destructive storm, she found herself on Riccardo’s doorstep. She had no plan, beyond hoping he might help her, or at least provide a final resting place for her poor body.

When Bea awakes to find she’s lying in Riccardo’s bed once more, she’s thankful, thrilled, but mystified. But she soon learns that his wife died four months ago, along with their newborn son, and finds too that Riccardo loves her now as much as he ever did, and wants to make her his wife. But can he? And, even if he can, could she ever really be a proper merchant’s wife?

Riccardo could not have been more relieved to find Bea still alive, when he thought he had lost her forever. She had been close to death, but is now recovering her health. He adores her and wants her to be his wife. But how? His father would forbid such an “unfitting” match, on pain of denying him his inheritance. And what would his fellow merchants think of it? And their haughty wives?

Yet, Riccardo is determined that Bea will be his wife. He has to find a solution to his dilemma… With the help of his beloved mother, Emilia, and her close friend, Cecily, he hatches a plan to make it happen.

But even the best laid plans sometimes go awry. And the path of love never did run smooth…

The Merchant’s Dilemma is a companion novel to the main series of MEONBRIDGE CHRONICLES, and continues the story of Bea and Riccardo after the end of the fourth Chronicle, Children’s Fate. It is a little more romantic and light-hearted than the other Chronicles but, if you’ve enjoyed reading about the lives of the characters of Meonbridge, you will almost certainly enjoy reading The Merchant’s Dilemma too!

EXCERPT 3 FROM THE MERCHANT’S DILEMMA

 

From Chapter 1

 

Many more days passed before Bea felt strong enough to leave the bed. It occurred to her that, although this was Riccardo’s bed, he wasn’t sleeping in it.

 ‘Where does Riccardo rest his head at night?’ she said to Mistress Collyton, and the old woman grinned.

 ‘Across the way,’ she said, pointing to the door. ‘The master bought a new bed for the front chamber.’

 The other upstairs chamber had not been furnished with a bed when she lived here before.

But, then, no one came to stay. If they had, she supposed Riccardo would have provided pallets. ‘So, it’s now a proper bedchamber?’ she said.

 ‘The bed’s not as fine as this one, but good enough…’

 Bea sat up. ‘Perhaps I should sleep there now, so Riccardo can have his own bed back?’

 Mistress Collyton let out a hoot. ‘You can be sure the master’ll not hear of such a thing. You’re to have the best of everything, young mistress…’ Coming forward, she began straightening the rumpled bedding, but Bea reached out to touch her arm.

 ‘No need to do that,’ she said. ‘I think I might get up today.’

 The old woman clapped her hands. ‘Oh, that’s good to hear! The master’ll be so pleased.’

 Bea flipped back the covers and, gently swinging her legs sideways, she placed her feet upon the floor. The wooden boards were chilly and she grimaced. Mistress Collyton noticed and hurried to one of the chests standing by the wall. She lifted up the lid and, pulling out a pair of soft slippers and a woollen mantle, brought them over and put them on the bed.

 ‘These are for you,’ she said. ‘Shall I ’elp you wi’ the slippers?’

 ‘No, no, I can manage.’ The poor old thing could scarcely bend low enough to help her. Bea wriggled her feet into the slippers, and beamed. ‘A perfect fit,’ she said, then took the mantle, which was thick and warm, and wrapped it about her shoulders.

 ‘’Course, if you want to go downstairs,’ said the housekeeper, ‘there’s a couple of gowns for you to wear.’

 Bea wondered if they were new. Or had they belonged to Riccardo’s wife? She hoped not. Nonetheless she nodded. ‘But I think I’ll stay up here for now, till my legs are working properly.’

 ‘Why don’t you take a few turns about the room,’ said Mistress Collyton, ‘whilst I go and bring you some hot broth?’ She stepped towards the door. ‘’Less you need my help?’

 ‘I’m sure I can manage, thank you.’

 By turns, she circled the chamber’s floor and sat in the chair the housekeeper had dozed in whilst she’d been sound asleep. Her legs felt weak, not quite able to sustain her. But she had been in bed for weeks, following several months of hunger and mounting frailty, so it was unsurprising they needed time to regain their strength. She would take things steadily for a day or two, yet she was longing to see the rest of the house. Longing too to spend time with Riccardo. Of course, he visited her up here in the bedchamber, but it wasn’t the same as sitting together by the fire in the hall, or dining side by side at the long table. But, to do that, she had to be able to dress properly, and it might be a while yet before she had the vigour to pull a gown over her head.

 

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

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Carolyn Hughes has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.

Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!

Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she’d be able to both learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.

Six published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…

Carolyn has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Portsmouth University and a PhD from the University of Southampton.

You can connect with Carolyn through her website www.carolynhughesauthor.com and social media.

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Meet Valerie Green, author of The McBride Chronicles

 

I am delighted to welcome Valerie Green to the blog today to introduce herself and her books. Thank you for joining us, Valerie.

FROM FACT TO FICTION

By

Valerie Green

(Hello from Canada!)

I have always been passionate about historical fiction, even though for many years as a writer in England where I was born and educated. and in Canada where I now live, I have written mostly non-fiction, true crime, and books on social issues. All my necessary research for those topics has provided me with a good foundation for delving into historical fiction in more recent years.

I also am passionate about reading so I am always on the search for new historical fiction writers, having read and enjoyed most of the books by Philippa Gregory, Rosamund Pilcher, Edward Rutherford, Hilary Mantel, M.M. Kaye, Margaret Mitchell, Ken Follett, and Colleen McCullough—to name just a few. And of course, I have not neglected the classics by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Charlotte Bronte.

I was delighted, therefore, to recently discover books by another historical fiction writer, U.K. author Judith Arnopp, and I soon became hooked on her Tudor and Beaufort series. Henry VIII was always my favourite character in school and Judith manages to show her readers many new sides to his very complex character. Fascinating! I was thrilled when she asked me to be a guest on her blog today.

I grew up in England and for a few years we lived in an 18th century farmhouse. I loved all the nooks and crannies of that old house that we discovered had once also been a bakery. Maybe someone had died eating the homemade bread because we also had a resident ghost. At one time or another, my parents, my older sister, and I had all been aware of his/her presence. I think those were the years when I became hooked on history and the seeds of many later stories I would write were born.

I am currently working on a four-book historical fiction series entitled The McBride Chronicles. The first three books – Providence, Destiny, and Legacy – are already released. I’m currently working on Book 4 – Tomorrow. The series starts in the 1840s in England and Scotland and travels to the New World where my two main characters, Jane Hopkins (an orphan) and Gideon McBride (the son of a poor fisherman in Scotland) finally meet in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. and start a family dynasty. The future books about their descendants take the story from the 1870s to present day.

If you decide to read The McBride Chronicles, best to begin with Providence and I hope you will enjoy the story enough to leave a review. All the books can be found on my website: www.valeriegreenauthor.com which will connect to my publishers’ website www.hancockhousepublishers.com where the books can also be purchased.

The books, both paperback and kindle, are also available on Amazon, and you can follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/valerie.green3 

Find me on Instagram – at valeriegreen8382

And on Twitter (X).  @valgreenauthor 

And, if you have time, check me out at #greenonhistory too where many of my articles can be found.

 I always love to hear from readers at hello@valeriegreen.com

Thank you, Judith, for the opportunity to be here today on your blog. So much fun to talk to people in the United Kingdom. Now I look forward to having you on my blog as a ‘visiting author’ soon. I’m sure readers in Canada would love to hear more about your books.

 

About the Author

Valerie Green’s love of history and writing about the past and travel began when she was a child in England. After graduating from journalism school in London, she worked as a cub reporter on a local newspaper. She also worked briefly at Foyles Bookstore in London and at the War Office (MI5) before becoming a legal secretary. Freelance writing was not very lucrative!

In 1968, she moved to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and met her future husband. After marrying in England, they returned to Canada and raised a son and a daughter together. Valerie continued to pursue a career as a freelance writer, columnist, and author of over 20 historical nonfiction books set in the Pacific Northwest.

She also branched out into true crime books, including one set in Colorado: Gamblers, Gunmen and Good-Time Gals. Her most famous true crime book is Vanished: The Michael Dunahee Story, the tragic story of a child abduction that occurred in Victoria in 1991 and still remains unsolved.

She has also written one audio fiction (mystery-suspense) story, one ghostwritten book about caring for a handicapped child, and a caregiver’s story, Embrace the Journey, to help those taking care of family members at home. In addition, she has edited many books, including Mental Aerobics by Nancy Lewthwaite, now widely used in medical circles.

Valerie belongs to the Professional Writers of Canada, the Federation of BC Writers, and the Writers’ Union of Canada and is a past director on the board of the Saanich Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee, the Saanich Heritage Foundation, and the Saanich Legacy Foundation.

Passionate about heritage and heritage homes, Valerie wrote two books devoted to Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island heritage houses: If These Walls Could Talk and If More Walls Could Talk. The recently released Dunmora: The Story of a Heritage Manor House on Vancouver Island continues this theme.

Her lifelong dream of writing a definitive historical novel set in British Columbia comes to fruition in her debut novel Providence, part one in the McBride Chronicles series, to be published soon. Destiny, the second in the series, will follow later.

Today, in semi-retirement, Valerie still lives in Greater Victoria, British Columbia. She and her husband enjoy making short road trips around the province and watching their two beloved grandsons grow up.

https://www.valeriegreenauthor.com/

Drumbeats by Julia Ibbotson

Book Title: Drumbeats

Series:  The Drumbeats Trilogy (Book #1)

Author:   Julia Ibbotson

Publication Date: re-published June 21st, 2023

Publisher: self-published / Archbury Books

Page Length: 230

Genre: Historical Romance / Historical Mystery (20th Century)

Tour Schedule Page: 

Drumbeats

 Julia Ibbotson

It’s 1965, and 18 year old Jess escapes her stifling English home for a gap year in Ghana, West Africa. But it’s a time of political turbulence across the region. Fighting to keep her young love who waits back in England, she’s thrown into the physical and emotional dangers of civil war, tragedy and the conflict of a disturbing new relationship. And why do the drumbeats haunt her dreams?

This is a rite of passage story which takes the reader hand in hand with Jess on her journey towards the complexities and mysteries of a disconcerting adult world.

This is the first novel in the acclaimed Drumbeats trilogy: Drumbeats, Walking in the Rain, Finding Jess.

For fans of Dinah Jefferies, Kate Morton, Rachel Hore, Jenny Ashcroft

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

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Award-winning author Julia Ibbotson herself spent an exciting time in Ghana, West Africa, teaching and nursing (like Jess in her books), and always vowed to write about the country and its past. And so, the Drumbeats Trilogy was born. She’s also fascinated by history, especially by the medieval world, and concepts of time travel, and has written haunting time-slips of romance and mystery partly set in the Anglo-Saxon period. 

She studied English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language, literature and history, and has a PhD in linguistics. She wrote her first novel at age 10, but became a school teacher, then university lecturer and researcher. Her love of writing never left her and to date she’s written 9 books, with a 10th on the way. 

Julia is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, Society of Authors and the Historical Novel Society.

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The Coffee Pot Blog Tour presents: The King's Command by Rosemary Hayes

Book Title: The King’s Command: For God or Country

Author: Rosemary Hayes

Publication Date: July 3rd, 2023

Publisher: Sharpe Books

Page Length: 415

Genre: Historical Fiction

Twitter Handle: @HayesRosemary @cathiedunn

Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub

Tour Schedule Page:  

The King’s Command: For God or Country

Rosemary Hayes

Blurb: 

16 year old Lidie Brunier has everything; looks, wealth, health and a charming suitor but there are dark clouds on the horizon. Lidie  and her family are committed Huguenots and Louis XIV has sworn to stamp out this ‘false religion’ and make France a wholly Catholic country. Gradually Lidie’s comfortable life starts to disintegrate as Huguenots are stripped of all rights and the King sends his brutal soldiers into their homes to force them to become Catholics. Others around her break under pressure but Lidie and her family refuse to convert. With spies everywhere and the ever present threat of violence, they struggle on. Then a shocking betrayal forces Lidie’s hand and her only option is to try and flee the country. A decision that brings unimaginable hardship, terror and tragedy and changes her life for ever.

‘One of the very best historical novels I have ever read’ - Sandra Robinson, Huguenot Ancestry Expert

This title is available to read with #KindleUnlimited.

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Rosemary Hayes has written over fifty books for children and young adults. She writes  in different genres, from edgy teenage fiction (The Mark), historical fiction (The Blue Eyed Aborigine and Forgotten Footprints), middle grade fantasy (Loose Connections, The Stonekeeper’s Child and Break Out)  to chapter books for early readers and texts for picture books. Many of her books have won or been shortlisted for awards and several have been translated into different languages.

Rosemary has travelled widely but now lives in South Cambridgeshire. She has a background in publishing, having worked for Cambridge University Press before setting up her own company Anglia Young Books which she ran for some years. She has been a reader for a well-known authors’ advisory service and runs creative writing workshops for both children and adults.

Rosemary has recently turned her hand to adult fiction and her historical novel ‘The King’s Command’ is about the terror and tragedy suffered by the French Huguenots during the reign of Louis XIV.

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The Coffee Pot Blog Tour presents: The Ghost of Greyson Hall by MK McClintock

Book Title: The Ghost of Greyson Hall

Series: British Agents Series, Book #4

Author: MK McClintock

Publication Date: October 3rd, 2023

Publisher: independently published

Page Length: 169

Genre: Historical Romance Mystery

Tour Schedule Page: 

The Ghost of Greyson Hall

British Agents Series, Book #4

MK McClintock

Once a year, an ancient secret walks the corridors of Greyson Hall, a place shrouded in mystery and whispered legend.

When Devon Clayton inherited the stately mansion in England’s wild north from his uncle, he never imagined what secrets lurked within its walls, hidden for centuries. When his friends and brothers join him for the holiday, the British Agents and their families discover that their most unusual case will bring new meaning to Christmas spirit.

They must now unravel a century-old mystery if they are to break the curse and save a love that transcends time.

A long novella set in Northumberland in December 1782 and 1892.

The Ghost of Greyson Hall

by MK McClintock

 

He stood an inch taller than the bay Clydesdale’s withers, over which he smoothed a gloved hand. His long legs carried him on a smooth stride to the animals’ heads, where he whispered to the front pair and rubbed the white markings on their faces.

From where she stood at the window, peering down from the second-level bedroom, Grace watched his every move, her eyes transfixed on the Highlander. Lingering fog, not yet burned off from the morning cold, curled around his trew-clad legs. The leather-trimmed trousers molded what she could see of him beneath his plaid.

Brice Maclean, the only guest from north of Edinburgh on her husband’s list of notables he expected to attend. This one held neither title nor lineage of consequence, a rarity among Spencer Canterbury’s preferred company.

No other passenger alighted from the gilded four-in-hand coach, a stately and expensive conveyance for a single man of no distinction. Wealth, however, forgave many sins, including a lack of title and position. Grace often believed her husband—contrary to his claims—valued wealth above all else.

The Highlander, Spencer had informed her when she read his name on the guest list, would arrive for business earlier than the other travelers. What enterprise such a man would have with Lord Canterbury of Northumberland remained a mystery, and her husband quelled further inquiry.

Their guest only gave his attention to the earl after speaking with the driver and watching the team drive away toward the stables. Grace wished she knew of what they spoke or read the movements of their lips, but they did not turn their faces upward enough. Only when the earl invited him inside did the Highlander raise his face to gaze upon the stones. A breeze blew his dark hair away from a strong face partially covered in an unfashionable light beard. His eyes pierced her quickly and without apology.

Grace could not credit what kept her at the window with the curtain pulled back, allowing Mr. Maclean to witness her spying upon them. His gaze flitted over her once, then a second time, before leaving her view and entering the house. Under normal circumstances, she would have been downstairs to greet him. However, she quickly discovered nothing about Brice Maclean’s arrival was commonplace. 

Excerpt from The Ghost of Greyson Hall copyright © MK McClintock

Also Available:

• Alaina Claiborne

• Blackwood Crossing

• Clayton's Honor

Note: The British Agent series books are written to be read as stand-alone novels. However, they each have cross-over characters, meaning characters from each book will appear in the others. The only reading order is chronological, but each title can still be read as stand-alone.

***

Praise for the British Agent Series:

"Ms. McClintock succeeds in masterfully weaving both genres meticulously together until mystery lovers are sold on romance and romance lovers love the mystery!" 

—InD'Tale Magazine on Alaina Claiborne

"This book was perfectly-paced with mystery, romance, adventure, and so much more. I am definitely recommending that everyone who loves historical fiction in general read this book. I cannot wait to start reading the next book in this series."

—Dreams Come True Through Reading on Blackwood Crossing

"MK McClintock has spun an enchanting tale deeply entrenched in the lands of Scotland and England that will leave you riveted to your chair until you turn the last page." —My Life, One Story at a Time on Blackwood Crossing

"Clayton's Honor by MK McClintock is a clean historical romance that will keep your heart beating and your palms sweating. This is definitely a novel that is going on my 'read again' shelf! A really good and smooth read!" —Readers' Favorite 

Universal Buy Link: Barnes & Noble:  BookBub: 

MK McClintock is an award-winning author who writes historical romantic fiction about chivalrous men and strong women who appreciate chivalry. Her stories of romance, mystery, and adventure sweep across the American West to the Victorian British Isles with places and times between and beyond. 

Her works include the following series: Montana Gallaghers, Crooked Creek, British Agents, Whitcomb Springs, and the stand-alone collection, A Home for Christmas. She is also the co-author of the McKenzie Sisters Mysteries.

MK enjoys a quiet life in the northern Rocky Mountains. Visit her online home at www.mkmcclintock.com, where you can learn more about her books, explore extras, and subscribe to receive news. 

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The Coffee Pot Blog Tour presents: King's Warrior by James Gault

Book Title: King’s Warrior

Series: The Owerd Chronicles, Book #3

Author: James Gault

Publication Date: 18 July 2023

Publisher: Independent

Page Length: 294 pages

Genre: Historical fiction

Twitter Handle: @ozjimg @cathiedunn

Instagram Handle: @ozjimg @thecoffeepotbookclub

Tour Schedule Page:  

King’s Warrior

The Owerd Chronicles

James Gault

In 11th Century England, King William has achieved almost total domination of the Englisc and turns his attention to Scotland. Owerd, possibly the last of the Britons to be deemed ‘lord’, faces powerful enemies from all quarters. He seems to hold the king’s favour by a thread, which only serves to encourage others to try and bring him down. 

Treachery abounds as he tries to juggle multiple roles and prove himself and his men worthy warriors for the Norman king. But will his lust for a woman finally prove his undoing?

Read an Excerpt 

There was a relaxed but thoughtful gathering over an evening meal of fresh bread, trout and eel with piles of root vegetables in the castle that evening. The men had been joined by Edward’s wife Matilda and that ensured the conversation did not descend into any excessive male-oriented humour or politics. Regardless, the events of the day concerning the Mint could not be avoided.

‘We have ourselves a mystery’, said Edward. ‘All the signs are of some wrongdoing but the means, the offences themselves and the offenders, other than our prisoner Tomas and his woman Joan, are yet undiscovered’.

‘I agree’, said Owerd, ‘although the woman has convicted herself by attacking and wounding one of my men. It is the possible villainy concerning the coinage that has me most concerned. If the minting process is controlled and the weights are correct, I fail to see what can be amiss, though I am cert that something is. Without good evidence we are at an impasse and moving against the moneyer on mere suspicion could make us look both foolish and put us in way of the king’s wrath’.

Cadoc had been quiet during the meal but listening attentively. ‘Could we not search the moneyer’s dwelling on some pretext? That could bring to light any other stolen goods or suchlike’.

Owerd thought upon that for a few moments, considering the risks of being seen to overstep his authority for no good reason. The image of the fleeing Joan then came to mind.

‘Cadoc, kindly take yourself down to our prisoner. If he is to show he is truly cooperating he will tell you where he believes that Joan woman will flee to. Make no promises but you could suggest that I am in a merciful mood’.

The meal was interrupted again after Cadoc had left by a retainer with word that a monk awaited at the door seeking audience with Owerd. He was duly brought in and Owerd rose from the table in delight at recognizing his friend, the warrior monk and intelligencer Brother John.

‘My apologies for the lateness of my arrival, Sir Owerd, but I went seeking you first at the manor in Wilton before being told you would possibly be here. I have news but I would not disturb others with it, though a share of your bread would not go astray. I have not eaten all day’.

Brother John sat eating quietly, enjoying much more than bread alone, as Cadoc returned to announce the village of Grateley as the fugitive’s likely destination.

‘I believe that our man Alard has his residence near there’, mentioned Edward.

‘That settles it’. Owerd shrugged off the torpor brought on by the plentiful food and wine and became brusque and businesslike. ‘Cadoc, kindly have Cuthbert arrange for a messenger to ride to Winchester at first light. I will have three missives for him: one for the king, another for the Sheriff of Hampshire and one for the king’s moneyer who he should find at the Winchester Mint. Tell Cuthbert also to have most of the men ready to ride at the same time. We will go hunting our female thief. Edward and Matilda please excuse me for a little while I have some letters to write’.

As he rose, Brother John did so also and followed him into the ante-room where they could converse privately as Owerd wrote.

‘I thought it best to give you advance notice, Owerd, the angels of darkness are gathering and seek your blood’. John’s manner was easygoing but his message was chilling. ‘You are accused by Sheriff Roger of Gloucester of gathering a large force of soldiers and threatening to burn Gloucester Castle. He complained to Bishop Odo, who placed that before the king, adding his own complaint about you attacking a delegation of his to Wilton Abbey that was seeking contributions for the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral. Odo’s brother Count Robert has added his own accusation to the pile asserting that you lied to the king when you said you had no personal motive in stealing that woman from Trematon Castle and killing his sergeant-at-arms. The king has his mind elsewhere just now over disturbing reports from the north but I suspect he will feel forced to act upon these multiple accusations. Gird your loins my friend for a trip to Winchester yourself and meanwhile stay out of dark alleys’.

‘Those accusations are all nonsense of course’, said Owerd as he looked up from his writing, ‘but I thank you for taking the trouble to let me know. I will be prepared’.

‘I have other news, perhaps of a better nature, Owerd. I know how you value your new ships of war so I called in there at Gosport to see how matters lie. The men there seem to be in good spirits and have made many a capture of pirate vessels of late. Sir Godric I cannot recall meeting before but he seems a competent man and mentioned that should I see you he recommends an early visit. He said you should take a good escort. Why he suggested that I know not but that is something I would recommend anyway, things being as they are’.

‘I must admit John, that these duties as sheriff take up such of my time as to prevent me paying proper attention to the business of being the king’s Sea Lord. I shall make a point of visiting there very soon. Meanwhile, let us go and enjoy a few more cups of the castle’s quite palatable wine and we shall find you a bed for the night’.

The next morning’s weather was not conducive to leaving the warmth of one’s bedding. The sky was a dark glowering grey and a harsh northern wind knocked the already-frigid air another few degrees colder. Owerd was thus delighted to see Cadoc holding his horse ready as he left the castle keep and he could just sight his men gathering their mounts in the outer bailey. Cuthbert stood alongside Cadoc with another housecarl.

‘Ralph here is ready for your messages, my lord’.

Owerd handed over three tightly wrapped pieces of parchment and a small purse.

Note from the author:

11th Century men and women were just as complex beings as we are today. Owerd, the main character in these chronicles is no different. In “King’s Warrior”, the third book of the series, he goes from violence (“…the air was filled with the clash of swords, angry shouts, and screams of the injured”) to compassion (“… Owerd had rarely, if ever, made love as tenderly as he did with Runa that night”) in the space of a day.

Happiness, fear, disgust, anger, pride and jealousy all play their part in Owerd’s character but what comes to the fore is courage, with perhaps a helping hand from fate – “wyrd” if you will.

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This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

James is a semi-retired Naval Captain with an abiding interest in storytelling and history. He has written a few contemporary fiction stories and a history text but lately has concentrated on historical fiction. He lives in a small coastal town in SE Australia – which provides quite a challenge when addressing medieval England with the aid of an old school atlas.

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