historical fiction

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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Out of the mists of ancient myths – The Du Lac Chronicles

Today’s guest has visited with me before. I featured Mary Anne Yarde in my series about indie authors some years ago (see the post here) and she was also part of my Medieval mayhem bloghop, talking about where myth and history meets (see more here )  Mary Anne is a very generous writer, happy to …

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With perseverance comes results – meet Louise Rule and her latest book!

Louise and I have been virtual friends for close to ten years. We’va actually met IRL as well, several years back, but these last few years our contact has become increasingly sporadic, for various reasons. Several years ago, I read Louise’s book Future Confronted, which is a deeply personal and harrowing read about losing a …

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Welcome to Cragside – let’s hope you emerge alive!

I like it when authors step outside their comfort zone, testing the waters in new areas. This may be why I was drawn to MJ Porter’s book, Cragside: A 1930s murder mystery. After all, Ms Porter tends to write books set in the distant past – like very distant – but here she is, presenting …

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