historical fiction

Let us shine the light on Penda of Mercia – or more correctly, on author MJ Porter.

Today, I am hosting a stop on MJ Porter’s Coffee Pot Book Club tour featuring her book, Pagan King. We’re thrown back into the seventh century, a time when mighty (and Christain-ish) Northumberland is challenged by pagan Mercia and its capable ruler, Penda. Last time they clashed, Penda won. Will history repeat itself? Well, let …

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Caledon awakens – a blog tour post

Today I welcome Virginia Crow and her book, Caledon to my blog as part of her ongoing tour, arranged by The Coffee Pot Book Club. Caledon makes me think of an airline I travelled a lot with when I was a child, British Caledonian, but airplanes do not figure in Ms Crow’s book. Nope. Not …

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Welcoming a Viking and rugby aficionado! Meet Donovan Cook, author of Son of Anger

Today, I am pleased to welcome Donovan Cook to my blog as part of hos Coffee Pot Book Club tour. Donovan is a South African with a passion for rugby and Vikings. A rather good combo, IMO, as I believe my Viking forebears woud have thrived on the rugby field. Still, one can’t help but …

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The Fortune Keeper – intrigue in Renaissance Italy!

Today, I am hosting a stop on Deborah Swift’s Coffee Pot Book Club tour, featuring her book The Fortune Keeper.  This isn’t the first time Deborah visits. No wonder, as she and I share a passion for the 17th century, plus she is an intriguing lady, who has various other interests. Me, I am mostly …

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“Oh, a pirate’s life is a wonderful life” – maybe not, but Helen’s pirate Jesamiah is deffo wonderful!

I have waited. And waited. I have come with heavy-handed hints to Helen Hollick, telling her we (read me) need more Jesamiah. ASAP. And now, FINALLY, Helen has published the sixth book about Jesamiah, pirate extraordinaire and his white witch wife, Tiola. Did I like Gallows Wake? Read my review further down. Now, Helen isn’t …

“Oh, a pirate’s life is a wonderful life” – maybe not, but Helen’s pirate Jesamiah is deffo wonderful! Read More »

Escaping to the Island of Dreams – of an upcoming release

Today, I am happy to welcome Harry Duffin and his upcoming release Island of Dreams to my blog as part of his Coffee Pot Book Club tour. Mr Duffin’s book is set in Cuba, and for many many peeps it was, in fact an island of dreams and future hopes, welcoming people desiring to start …

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The hidden past – in which Christina Courtenay follows in the steps of the Vikings

Lately, my reading has included several books set in the 9th to 11th century, a period of time that comes to us as vague echoes through the mists of time. One of my recent reads is Hidden in the Mists, Christina Courtenay’s excellent dual time line book (more of that below) Her book made me …

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When Poppa met Rollo – Cathie Dunne gives us an insight into 9th century politics

Some weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of reading Cathie Dunne’s book about Poppa of Bayeux and her hubby Hrolfr, a.k.a. Rollo (To us Swedes, he is Gånge-Rolf, so named because he was so big and strong no horse could carry him, hence he had to walk. Gånge means walker) Anyway: I realised I …

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On ancient Roman roads – a guest post celebrating Ms Morton’s new release Julia Prima

One of the joys of having writer friends who share my fascination with history is diving down their rabbit holes. As long as I’ve known Alison, she’s been fascinated by maps (well, aren’t we all!) and how people travelled back in the good old days – more specifically in Roman times. It is therefore a …

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The case of the swelling narrative – or how one book becomes three. Or four. Or ten.

My mother always used to say that concentrating your words to a succinct few was the hallmark of a good speaker—or writer. I’m guessing she’s sighing heavily wherever she is whenever she takes a peek at my work, because dear peeps, it seems to me abbreviation is a skill I am not good at. I …

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