Book Spotlight: Sword Brethren by Jon Byrne

 

1242. After being wounded in the Battle on the Ice, Richard Fitz Simon becomes a prisoner of Prince Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod. Alexander, intrigued by his captive’s story, instructs his scholar to assist Richard in writing about his life.

Richard’s chronicle begins in 1203, when his training to be a knight is disrupted by treachery. He is forced to flee England for Lübeck, where he begins work for a greedy salt merchant. After an illicit love affair, his new life is thrown into turmoil, and he joins the Livonian Brothers of the Sword as they embark on imposing the will of God on the pagans of the eastern Baltic. Here, he must reconcile with his new life of prayer, danger and duty – despite his own religious doubts, with as many enemies within the fortified commandery as the wilderness outside. However, when their small outpost in Riga is threatened by a large pagan army, Richard is compelled to make a crucial decision and fight like never before.

 Buy Links:

 Universal Ebook Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/boVKlV

 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sword-brethren-jon-byrne/1146519606?ean=2940184429601

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/sword-brethren/jon-byrne/9781835740798

 

Jon Byrne, originally from London, now lives with his German family by a lake in Bavaria with stunning views of the Alps. As well as writing, he works as a translator for a local IT company and occasionally as a lumberjack.

He has always been fascinated by history and has studied the Medieval world for over twenty years, building up a comprehensive library of books. In his research, he has travelled to all of the locations mentioned in the book (East Anglia, Bremen, Lübeck, Latvia, etc).

Sword Brethren (formerly Brothers of the Sword) made it to the shortlist of the Yeovil Literary Prize 2022 and the longlist of the prestigious Grindstone International Novel Prize 2022. It is the first book in The Northern Crusader Chronicles.

 Author Links:

 Website: https://www.jonbyrnewriter.com/

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jon-Byrne/author/B0DJC6PL8D

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52458339.Jon_Byrne

 

 

Book Spotlight: The Absolution of Mars by T.F. Troy

 

Politics, Friendship, or Greed? Which of these was the true author of the Confederate conspiracy to decapitate the Union? 

 

The Absolution of Mars by T.F. Troy is a masterful blend of historical fiction, human drama and moral exploration. Set against the backdrop of a racially fraught period in American history, the story does not back away from the harsh realities or racial biases of the day. 

 

The narrative introduces Jemm Pender, a former slave with a superior intellect, who rises to become a key agent in the National Detective Police Force. Jemm is tasked to trace the movements of J. W. Boyd, a Confederate spy working out of Canada.

 

From its intriguing opening scene, where playful dialogue among children hints at deeper mysteries, the story captivates with a blend of vivid detail and emotional depth. Jemm's quest intertwines with his wife Marnie and Aunt Cordelia, both blessed with remarkable capabilities that are being lost to the scientific thought of the day.

 

Troy tackles difficult topics with honesty and precision, creating moments that are as painful as they are profound. The prose is rich and evocative, with dialogue that breathes life into the characters and their struggles. The Absolution of Mars is a poignant, thought-provoking exploration of history, identity, and humanity, recommended for readers seeking depth and nuance.

 Buy Links:

 Universal Buy Links:

 Paperback - https://geni.us/2mZBsc

Hardcover - https://geni.us/SwELJ

Ebook -  https://geni.us/K5DUX

A student of the American Civil War, T.F. Troy has an award-winning journalism career spanning more than 40 years. He currently serves as Executive Editor of Cleveland Magazine’s Community Leader as well as the Editor of Ohio Business Magazine. He also writes features for Northern Kentucky Magazine and Dayton Magazine, among other regional publications. His work with those publications has won him numerous awards, taking first, second and third place in Ohio for Magazine Feature Writing. Troy’s work has appeared in major metropolitan daily newspapers including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

In addition to the previously mentioned publications, Troy also held positions as a Senior Editor for both ABC/Capital Cities and ICD Publications in New York. His work has appeared in numerous national consumer and trade periodicals throughout his career. In his first book Cleveland Classics: Great Tales from the North Coast, Troy interviewed local and national Cleveland celebrities such as: Jim Brown, Bob Feller, Patricia Heaton and Arsenio Hall among others. The Absolution of Mars, set just after the Civil War, is his first novel, but third book.

Author Links:

Author Page on Publisher Website: https://www.historiumpress.com/t-f-troy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terry.troy2

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/terence-troy-2648a110

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troy.tf/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tftroy.bsky.social

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/T-F-Troy/author/B0DT4P4C16

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/187283019-tf-troy

 

Pre-order alert! The AnaRose Chronicles Featuring: AnaRose and the Templar’s Quest, AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold, AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse

 

The AnaRose Chronicles

 Featuring: 

AnaRose and the Templar’s Quest, AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold, AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse

 Join AnaRose Preston on a thrilling odyssey through the hidden corridors of history. In her relentless quest, she unearths mysteries that defy the known world. Each discovery is a dance with destiny, a battle against shadowy foes vying for power. AnaRose’s journey is a beacon of defiance, lighting the way for those brave enough to follow. Her saga is not just about the relics she seeks but the timeless tales they tell and the indomitable spirit needed to protect such legends from those who misuse them.

 AnaRose and the Templar’s Quest: Museum curator and expert in antiquities AnaRose Preston embarks on a perilous journey to uncover a long-lost Christian relic hidden within the hilt of a legendary dagger. Traversing the breathtaking landscapes of modern-day France, she must unravel an ancient enigma while evading the relentless pursuit of a shadowy secret society. With her life on the line, AnaRose fights to secure the sacred artifact before it falls into darkness.

 AnaRose and Pharaoh’s Gold: AnaRose races against time to intercept a priceless Egyptian artifact before it vanishes into the black market’s shadows. The Cult of Apophis, relentlessly pursuing, vows to reclaim the relic that cradles its deity’s soul. With the balance between modern chaos and ancient evil at stake, AnaRose confronts the cult’s ruthless tactics head-on, determined to thwart its plan to unleash hell on earth. 

AnaRose and Medusa’s Curse: In her latest adventure, AnaRose faces the chilling legend of Medusa. As she delves into the myth’s origins, she discovers a pendant that holds the key to unimaginable power. Battling against time and dark forces, AnaRose must prevent the curse from being released upon the world.

 

Don’t miss out on these thrilling adventures! Order your copy of The AnaRose Chronicles today and dive into a world of mystery, danger, and excitement.

Universal Purchase Link

https://books2read.com/u/3197kv

 

Book Spotlight: The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance by Arianwen Nunn

 

It is 1109 and the Welsh warrior and firebrand, Owain ap Cadwgan abducts Princess Nest from the castle she shares with her children and her husband, Gerald of Windsor. King Henry of England, furious that Nest, who is also his lover and mother of his son, begins a manhunt to find Owain and return Nest to her husband. In Gwynydd King Gruffydd ap Cynan and his wife risk everything to hide them and get them to safety in Ireland despite the efforts of Gronwy ap Owain, Angharad's vicious brother who would like to see Gruffydd and Owain dead.

 King Henry uses Bishop Richard to start kinship warfare in Wales then declares war against the Welsh determining to exterminate them all. Can Gruffydd and his family survive the greatest army ever led against Wales?

 

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bWkZq7

 

Arianwen Nunn was born in Wales but now lives in Australia and writes historical fiction based on the Welsh kingdoms in the Middle Ages.

Arianwen has written a series of three books, 'The Welsh Traitor's Daughter', 'The Welsh Warrior's Inheritance' and 'Bards Sing of Love and War' which follow the lives of King Gruffydd ap Cynan and his wife Angharad and their family.

She has also written two children's books, 'The Welsh Warrior's Wonder' and 'Where Dragons Still Roar'.

Author Links:

Website: www.arianwennunn.com

Twitter: https://x.com/Arianwen_Nunn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091729185630

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianwen_nunn

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Arianwen-Nunn/author/B0C69H8RFN

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/35601482.Arianwen_Nunn

Celebrating Creativity: The Artistry of Maria Jones-Phillips

 

Maria Jones-Phillips - Self-Portrait

With almost half a century of artistic practice, Maria Jones-Phillips has cultivated a diverse range of styles and skills that grant her remarkable freedom in her work. Over the years, she has explored various mediums and processes, though her current focus is on traditional two-dimensional art. Her expansive knowledge and skillset continue to enrich her contemporary creations.

Maria’s journey in art began at the tender age of two when her father, a jobbing artist, introduced her to the magic of mixing paint colors. This moment ignited a lifelong passion for art in all its forms. She lives and breathes art, constantly creating and appreciating it in myriad ways.

 Maria is also a natural synaesthete. Her unique fusion of senses shapes and colors her perception of the world, fundamentally influencing her artwork. This curious condition, which she discovered in her late twenties, forms an integral part of her artistic identity. For Maria, expressing art is inseparable from her lived experience.

Her academic background in Fine Art, 3D Art and Design, and Visual Semiotics, combined with her distinct sensibilities and vision, allows Maria to create works that evoke deep emotional connections. Every piece she crafts tells a compelling story.

Specializing in realism and portraiture, Maria primarily works with oil, water-media, and graphite. However, her broader body of work spans a range of styles and mediums, from abstracts to high-realism. She believes in embracing her full creative potential without being confined to a single style.

Beyond painting, Maria is a photographer, costume and jewelry designer, certified silversmith, musician, writer, and polyglot. She occasionally ventures into sculpture on small-scale projects.

Currently residing in the USA, Maria boasts a rich heritage of British and Afro-Judeo-Iberian origins. Her diverse racial background inspires her to celebrate and reflect it in her work. She is committed to promoting equality and equity through her art, championing the unsung heroes of history and everyday life. In-depth research into her subjects and their histories is a crucial aspect of her creative process.

Explore Maria’s website, where she shares articles on her artistic journey and subjects of interest. Discover the stories behind her captivating works and gain insight into her creative process.

 Discover more about Maria HERE