Book Spotlight: Oscar’s Tale by Chris Bishop

 

Oscar’s Tale is that of a Saxon boy who sets out to find and rescue his father who has been taken by Viking slavers.

The story begins in 877, just prior to the Viking attack on Chippenham in which King Alfred was routed. Against this backdrop, Oscar is obliged to set out on his all but impossible quest and quickly becomes embroiled in all that’s going on in Wessex at this turbulent time, culminating in him playing a small but important part in the battle at Edington.

But this is not just a story about blood thirsty battles and fearsome warriors, it’s about a boy struggling to live up to his father’s reputation as a warrior and trying to find his place in a dangerous and uncertain world. For that, he is forced to confront many dangers and earn the respect of others who are far above his station. Along the way he also finds love – albeit at a cost far higher than most would have been willing to pay.

‘For is it not the wish of every man that his son will achieve more in life than he did?’

 Buy Link:                                         

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bwQQ99

Chris was born in London in 1951. After a successful career as a Chartered Surveyor, he retired to concentrate on writing, combining this with his lifelong interest in Anglo-Saxon history.

His first novel, Blood and Destiny, was published in 2017 and his second, The Warrior with the Pierced Heart, in 2018 followed by The Final Reckoning in 2019 and Bloodlines in 2020.  Together they form a series entitled The Shadow of the Raven, the fifth and final part of which - The Prodigal Son – was published in 2023.

Chris has published numerous blogs about various aspects of Anglo-Saxon history and is a member of the Historical Writers’ Association.

 Author Links:

 Website: www.chrisbishopauthor.com

Twitter: https://x.com/CBishop_author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/207271.Chris_Bishop

 

 

 

Book Spotlight: The Ballad of Mary Kearney by Katherine Mezzacappa

 

‘I am dead, my Mary; the man who loved you body and soul lies in some dishonorable grave.’ In County Down, Ireland, in 1767, a nobleman secretly marries his servant, in defiance of law, class, and religion. Can their love survive tumultuous times?

‘Honest and intriguing, this gripping saga will transport and inspire you, and it just might break your heart. Highly recommended.’ Historical Novel Society

'Mezzacappa brings nuance and a great depth of historical knowledge to the cross-class romance between a servant and a nobleman.' Publishers Weekly.

The Ballad of Mary Kearney is a compelling must-read for anyone interested in Irish history, told through the means of an enduring but ultimately tragic love.

 

 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3yxPpJ

Katherine Mezzacappa is Irish but currently lives in Carrara, between the Apuan Alps and the Tyrrhenian Sea. She wrote The Ballad of Mary Kearney (Histria) and The Maiden of Florence (Fairlight) under her own name, as well as four historical novels (2020-2023) with Zaffre, writing as Katie Hutton. She also has three contemporary novels with Romaunce Books, under the pen name Kate Zarrelli.

 

Katherine’s short fiction has been published in journals worldwide. She has in addition published academically in the field of 19th century ephemeral illustrated fiction, and in management theory. She has been awarded competitive residencies by the Irish Writers Centre, the Danish Centre for Writers and Translators and (to come) the Latvian Writers House.

 

​​Katherine also works as a manuscript assessor and as a reader and judge for an international short story competition. She has in the past been a management consultant, translator, museum curator, library assistant, lecturer in History of Art, sewing machinist and geriatric care assistant. In her spare time she volunteers with a second-hand book charity of which she is a founder member. She is a member of the Society of Authors, the Historical Novel Society, the Irish Writers Centre, the Irish Writers Union, Irish PEN / PEN na hÉireann and the Romantic Novelists Association, and reviews for the Historical Novel Review. She has a first degree in History of Art from UEA, an M.Litt. in Eng. Lit. from Durham and a Masters in Creative Writing from Canterbury Christ Church. She is represented by Annette Green Authors’ Agency.

 Author Links:

 Website: https://katherinemezzacappa.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mezzacappa-09407815/

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

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/katherinemezzacappa

 

 

 

 

Book Spotlight: White Feathers by Susan Lanigan

 

"Anti-war and anti-patriarchy without ever saying so - a bravura performance of effortless elegance" - Irish Echo in Australia

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROMANTIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015

In 1913, Irish emigrée Eva Downey receives a bequest from an elderly suffragette to attend a finishing school. There she finds friendship and, eventually, love. But when war looms and he refuses to enlist, Eva is under family and social pressure to give the man she loves a white feather of cowardice. The decision she eventually makes will have lasting consequences for her and everyone around her.

Journey with Eva as she battles through a hostile social order and endeavours to resist it at every turn.

 

Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4APnB0

 

Susan Lanigan’s first novel White Feathers, a tale of passion, betrayal and war, was selected as one of the final ten in the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2013, and published in 2014 by Brandon Books. The book won critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the UK Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2015. This edition is a reissue with a new cover and foreword.

Her second novel, Lucia’s War, also concerning WWI as well as race, music and motherhood, was published in June 2020 and has been named as the Coffee Pot Book Club Honourable Mention in the Modern Historical Book of the Year Award.

Susan lives by the sea near Cork, Ireland, with her family.

 Author Links:

 Website: https://susanlanigan.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028262426042

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@susan_lanigan

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

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-lanigan

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B00MTKLNLO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4181196.Susan_Lanigan

 

 

 

Book Spotlight: Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon by Helen Hollick with Kathy Hollick

 

Everyone assumes that ghosts are hostile. Actually, most of them are not.

You either believe in ghosts or you don’t. It depends on whether you’ve encountered something supernatural or not. But when you share a home with several companionable spirits, or discover benign ghosts in public places who appear as real as any living person, scepticism is abandoned and the myth that ghosts are to be feared is realised as nonsense.

It is a matter for individual consideration whether you believe in ghosts or not, but for those who have the gift to see, hear or be aware of people from the past, meeting with them in today’s environment can generate a connection to years gone by. Kathy and Helen Hollick have come across several such departed souls in and around North Devon and at their 18th-century home, which they share with several ‘past residents’.

In GHOST ENCOUNTERS: The Lingering Spirits Of North Devon, mother and daughter share their personal experiences, dispelling the belief that spirits are to be feared.

Ghost Encounters will fascinate all who enjoy this beautiful region of rural South-West England, as well as interest those who wish to discover more about its history... and a few of its ghosts.

(Includes a bonus of two short stories and photographs connected to North Devon)

cover design: Avalon Graphics
cover artwork: Chris Collingwood

 

 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/GhostEncounters

 This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

 HELEN HOLLICK

Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen might not see ghosts herself, but her nautical adventure series, and some of her short stories, skilfully blend the past with the supernatural, inviting readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur.

In addition to her historical fiction, Helen has written several short stories, further exploring themes of historical adventure or the supernatural with her signature style. Whether dealing with the echoes of the past or the weight of lost souls, her stories are as compelling as they are convincing. Through her work, she invites readers into a world where the past never truly lets us go.

Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in the UK with her Arthurian Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which, The Forever Queen (USA title – A Hollow Crown in the UK) became a USA Today best-seller. Her Sea Witch Voyages are nautical-based adventures inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy. She also writes the Jan Christopher cosy mystery series set during the 1970s, and based around her, sometimes hilarious, years of working as a North London library assistant.

Helen, husband Ron and daughter Kathy moved from London to Devon in January 2013 after a Lottery win on the opening night of the London Olympics, 2012. She spends her time glowering at the overgrown garden and orchard, fending off the geese, helping with the horses and, when she gets a moment, writing the next book...

 KATHY HOLLICK

Diagnosed as severely dyslexic when she was ten, Helen pulled Kathy out of school at fifteen to concentrate on everything equine.

When not encountering friendly ghosts, Kathy's passion is horses and mental well-being. She started riding at the age of three, had her own Welsh pony at thirteen, and discovered showjumping soon after. Kathy now runs her own Taw River Equine Events, and coaches riders of any age or experience, specialising in positive mindset and overcoming confidence issues via her Centre10 accreditation and Emotional Freedom Technique training. EFT, or ‘tapping’, uses the body’s pressure points to aid calm relaxation and to promote gentle healing around emotional, mental or physical issues.

Kathy lives with her farmer partner, Andrew, in their flat adjoining the main farmhouse. She regularly competes at affiliated British Showjumping, and rides side-saddle (‘aside’) when she has the opportunity. She produces her own horses, several from home-bred foals.

She also has a fun diploma in Dragons and Dragon Energy, which was something amusing to study during the Covid lockdown.

 

Authors’ Links:

Helen:

Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenHollick

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.hollick

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

Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/helenhollick

Blog: supporting authors & their books https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

Monthly ‘newsletter’: Thoughts from a Devonshire Farmhouse.

https://thoughtsfromadevonshirefarmhouse.blogspot.com/

Kathy:

Website: https://www.white-owl.co.uk/

Facebook: North Devon - Taw River Equine Events https://www.facebook.com/groups/1491518561152309

 

Reader's House Editor’s Choice Award of Literary Excellence Awarded to Mary Ann Bernal

At Reader’s House magazine, we are committed to recognising and celebrating the exceptional talent and creativity of authors who grace our pages. The Editor’s Choice Award of Literary Excellence is a testament to our appreciation for the dedication and passion that authors pour into their craft.

This prestigious award is bestowed upon a select number of esteemed authors who have made significant contributions to the literary community. Each recipient is chosen based on the impact of their work, the quality of their writing, and their commitment to storytelling.

The Editor’s Choice Award of Literary Excellence serves as a symbol of our admiration and gratitude for the outstanding achievements of these talented individuals. It is our way of acknowledging their unique voice, captivating narratives, and ability to inspire readers around the world.

As we continue to champion literary excellence, we are honoured to showcase the recipients of the Editor’s Choice Award of Excellence and celebrate their contributions to the world of literature.

Join us in applauding these exceptional authors and their remarkable literary achievements.

https://readershouse.co.uk/about-the-editors-choice-award-of-literary-excellence/

 

Book Launch: 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! Get 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 Tudor Queens’ Midwife by Brigitte Barnard

 

In the glamorous, glittering and dangerous court of king Henry VIII and his queen Katherine of Aragon, the desperate desire for a healthy male heir overshadows all. Plagued by a series of miscarriages the queen is left grappling with the weight of her singular duty to provide a son for the Crown. Amidst this turmoil the queen turns to Sarah Menendez, the most highly skilled midwife in England. Sarah, exiled from her homeland and concealing her true identity must serve the queen and battle her deepest fears. As Sarah strives to save the queen from the perils of childbirth, the specter of her own past threatens to unravel the carefully crafted identity Sarah has created for herself and her young daughter.

 

  In a world where power, politics and religion collide, Sarah finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and deadly danger. The fate of the queen’s unborn child, the survival of the midwife and her daughter, and the stability of the kingdom hang in the balance. Sarah Menendez must employ all of her skills, cunning and courage to protect those she holds dear as well as the life of the queen and her unborn child.

 

The Tudor Queens’ Midwife is a gripping tale of secrecy, sacrifice and religious turmoil amongst the most opulent court the world has ever seen. 

 

Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4jzxyk

 

Brigitte Barnard is an amateur historian of Renaissance English history and an author of the trilogy The Tudor Queens' Midwife, of which the first book in the series is available. She is currently writing a non-fiction book about Tudor midwifery for Pen and Sword Publishing House.

 

Brigitte is a former homebirth midwife who lives at home with her husband and four children. She also raises Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

 Author Links:

 Website: http://thetudormidwife.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/TheTudorMidwife

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

Winds of Betrayal: The Briton and the Dane: Legacy by Mary Ann Bernal. Narrated by Sebastian Lockwood.

Author Mary Ann Bernal
Narrator: Sebastian Lockwood
Series: The Briton and the Dane, Book 3
Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-17-18
Language: English

 A Foreboding Omen. A Looming Storm. A Shattered Alliance.

A king overcomes a vast enemy, but peace is fleeting as war drums echo. A sea invasion, spurred by betrayal, leads to a naval clash. The king, facing Viking threats, must protect his realm in a decisive battle where the nation’s destiny hangs in the balance. Amidst the chaos, a woman’s desperate attempt to forge peace backfires, sealing the doom of countless souls in the icy embrace of the sea. In this struggle, a weary ruler, beset by the specter of Norse conquest, rallies his people. With the fate of his kingdom at stake, he faces the invaders, driven by vengeance and the promise of Valhalla’s glory. The clash of wills and steel will determine the future of a nation, forever altering the course of history.

 Listen to a sample HERE

Purchase Links

Audiobooks

Audible US

Audible UK

Audible CA

Audible AU

iTunes

Digital and Print Universal Link

 https://books2read.com/u/bWGOvz

 

 

 

 

Book Spotlight: Viva Violetta & Verdi by Howard Jay Smith

 

A Love Affair Inspiring the World's Most Unforgettable Operas:

Experience the intense, lifelong love affair between Giuseppe Verdi and Giuseppina Strepponi, the brilliant and seductive soprano who shaped his legacy. As his muse, lover, and wife, Strepponi was the inspiration behind Verdi's most iconic works, including La Traviata and Aida. Her influence was pivotal, as she became the architect of his creative triumphs and the heart of his operatic genius.

Set against the backdrop of Italy's Risorgimento, this sweeping novel intertwines their turbulent relationship with the nation's fierce struggle for independence. Through the heartbreak of three brutal wars, Verdi and Strepponi's passion, betrayal, and artistic ambition come alive, mirroring the era's fiery spirit.

Rich with themes of love, power, food, wine, and unrelenting passion, Viva Violetta & Verdi is an unforgettable exploration of art, resilience, and the enduring bond that transformed both an artist and a nation.

Praise for Violetta & Verdi:

"A stunning, significant book...that is rich, lush and drenched in knowledge. It is nothing less than a gift." - Sheila Weller

"Smith's historic drama embraces universal themes of class and religious persecution, and weaves gorgeous language with an intimate knowledge of Italian food, music, and political hypocrisy that contemporary readers will find irresistible." - ​Jessica Keener

"Viva Violetta & Verdi is a well-researched love letter to Verdi; fans are sure to love." - Leslie Zemeckis

"Perfection. You are right there, inhaling and breathing in the words, the smell, and each piece of music. Bravo. It is both a love song and a love letter to the irrefutable power of Verdi's muse, Violetta." - Amy Ferris

 

 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bxyr2d

 

 Howard Jay Smith is an award-winning writer from Santa Barbara, California.

VIVA VIOLETTA & VERDI, is his third novel in his series on great composers, including BEETHOVEN IN LOVE; OPUS 139 and MEETING MOZART: FROM THE SECRET DIARIES OF LORENZO DA PONTE.

His other books include OPENING THE DOORS TO HOLLYWOOD (Random House) and JOHN GARDNER: AN INTERVIEW (New London Press). He was recently awarded a Profant Foundation for the Arts Fellowship for Excellence in Writing.

Smith is a former two-time Bread Loaf Scholar and three-time Washington, D.C. Commission for the Arts Fellow, who taught for many years in the UCLA Extension Writer’s Program and has lectured nationally. His articles have appeared in the Washington Post, American Heritage Magazine, the Beethoven Journal, Horizon Magazine, Fig Tree Press, the Journal of the Writers Guild of America, the Ojai Quarterly, and numerous trade publications. While an executive at the ABC Television, Embassy TV, and Academy Home Entertainment he worked on numerous film, television, radio and commercial projects.

He serves on the board of directors of the Santa Barbara Symphony and is a member of the American Beethoven Society.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.historiumpress.com/howard-jay-smith

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009914652603

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Howard-Jay-Smith/author/B072FL7Y6P

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14208462.Howard_Jay_Smith

 

 

 

Book Spotlight: The Midnight of Eights by Justin Newland

 

1580.

Nelan Michaels docks at Plymouth after sailing around the world aboard the Golden Hind. He seeks only to master his mystical powers – the mark of the salamander, that mysterious spirit of fire – and reunite with his beloved Eleanor.

After delivering a message to Francis Walsingham, he’s recruited into the service of the Queen’s spymaster, where his astral abilities help him to predict and thwart future plots against the realm.

But in 1588, the Spanish Armada threatens England’s shores.

So how could the fledgling navy of a small, misty isle on the edge of mainland Europe repulse the greatest fleet in the world?

Was the Queen right when she claimed it was divine intervention, saying, ‘He blew with His winds, and they were scattered!’?

Or was it an entirely different intervention – the extraordinary conjunction of coincidences that Nelan’s astral powers brought to bear on that fateful Midnight of Eights?

 Buy Links:

 Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/TheMidnightofEights

 Author Website (where buyer can enter a dedication): https://www.justinnewland.com/the-midnight-of-eights~193

 Wordery (for free UK delivery): https://wordery.com/the-midnight-of-eights-justin-newland-9781835740330  

 Barnes and Noble (US): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-midnight-of-eights-justin-newland/1146325263?ean=2940185990643

 Waterstones (UK): https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-midnight-of-eights/justin-newland/9781835740330

 Kobo (International): https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-midnight-of-eights

Saxo (DK): https://www.saxo.com/dk/the-midnight-of-eights_bog_9781835740330

 Kindle Unlimited:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Eights-Justin-Newland-ebook/dp/B0D9Y7YRDG  

 

Justin Newland’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism.

Undeterred by the award of a Maths Doctorate, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (ISBN 9781789014860, Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

His second book, The Old Dragon’s Head (ISBN 9781789015829, Matador, 2018), and is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

 Set during the Great Enlightenment, The Coronation (ISBN 9781838591885, Matador, 2019) speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

The Abdication (ISBN 9781800463950, Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

The Mark of the Salamander (ISBN 9781915853271, Book Guild, 2023), is the first in a two-book series, The Island of Angels. Set in the Elizabethan era, it tells the epic tale of England’s coming of age.

The latest is The Midnight of Eights (ISBN 9781835740 330, Book Guild, 2024), the second in The Island of Angels series, which charts the uncanny coincidences of time and tide that culminated in the repulse of the Spanish Armada.

His work in progress is The Spirit of the Times which explores the events of the 14^th Century featuring an unlikely cast of the Silk Road, Genghis Khan, the Black Plague, and a nursery rhyme that begins ‘Ring a-ring a-roses’.

Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin gives talks to historical associations and libraries, appears on LitFest panels, and enjoys giving radio interviews. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

 

Author Links:

Website: https://www.justinnewland.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/JustinNewland53

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-newland-b393aa28/

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

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/justin-newland

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jnewland

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Justin-Newland/author/B06WRQVLT8

 

 

 

Echoes of Valor: The Briton and the Dane Birthright by Mary Ann Bernal. Narrated by Sebastian Lockwood.

 

Author: Mary Ann Bernal
Narrator: Sebastian Lockwood
Series: The Briton and the Dane, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-02-16
Language: English

 A Usurper’s Rise. A Fierce Struggle. A Vicious Siege.

 In the aftermath of triumph, England’s peace teeters on a knife-edge. A wronged Norseman steps from the mists, his ambition fixed on the throne from which he was denied. Gathering a host of forsaken warriors, he prepares for a confrontation. The ruler, whose dominion spans from Kent’s shores to Northumbria’s untamed lands, senses the impending challenge. On the silent plains of Thetford, a pivotal battle looms, one that will etch itself into history. The whimsical gods of war stand ready to cast their fateful dice, deciding the legacy of a throne rooted in Viking valor.

 Listen to a sample HERE

 

Purchase Links

Audiobook

 Audible US

Audible UK

Audible CA

Audible AU

iTunes

 Digital and Print Universal Link 

https://books2read.com/u/mKwOOZ

 

 

Historical Epic Unveiled: The Briton and the Dane by Mary Ann Bernal. Narrated by Sebastian Lockwood.

Author: Mary Ann Bernal

Narrator: Sebastian Lockwood

Series: The Briton and the Dane, Book 1

Length:11 hrs and 30 mins

Release Date: August 21, 2014

Language: English

 A lurking shadow. A whispered secret. A veiled betrayal.

In a realm shadowed by the looming threat of Norse conquest, a young woman finds herself the linchpin in a perilous game of dominion. Her capture, far from being a mere twist of fate, casts her into the depths of a world rife with cunning and treachery. Amidst the echoes of a hundred scheming voices, truth becomes a chameleon, shifting its hues with each whispered plot. As the specter of the Norse menace draws ever nearer, she must navigate through a sea of deceit where allies are indistinguishable from foes. In this maelstrom of betrayal, her heart aches for the love of a prince from the ranks of her kingdom’s adversaries—a love that stands as her sole beacon amidst the encroaching darkness of war.

Listen to a sample on SoundCloud HERE

 

Purchase Links

Audiobook

Audible US

Audible UK

Audible CA

Audible AU

iTunes

Digital and Print Universal Link

 https://books2read.com/u/baGOOQ

 

 

 

Book Spotlight: The Rune Stone by Julia Ibbotson

 

A haunting time-slip mystery of runes and romance

When Dr Viv DuLac, medievalist and academic, finds a mysterious runic inscription on a Rune Stone in the graveyard of her husband’s village church, she unwittingly sets off a chain of circumstances that disturb their quiet lives in ways she never expected.

She, once again, feels the echoes of the past resonate through time and into the present. Can she unlock the secrets of the runes in the life of the 6^th century Lady Vivianne and in Viv’s own life?

Again, lives of the past and present intertwine alarmingly as Viv desperately tries to save them both, without changing the course of history.

For fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, Christina Courtenay.

Praise for Julia Ibbotson:

(for A Shape on the Air) “In the best Barbara Erskine tradition …I would highly recommend this novel” -Historical Novel Society

(for the series) “Julia does an incredible job of setting up the idea of time-shift so that it’s believable and makes sense” – book tour reviewer

(for The Rune Stone) “beautifully written”, “absorbing and captivating”, “fully immersive”, “wonderfully written characters”, “a skilled story teller” – Amazon reviewers

“Dr Ibbotson has created living, breathing characters that will remain in the reader’s mind long after the book is read … The characters are brought to life beautifully with perfect economy of description … fabulous!” – Melissa Morgan

“A rich and evocative time-slip novel that beautifully and satisfyingly concludes this superb trilogy. The story is woven seamlessly and skillfully between the past and the present, and the reader is drawn deeply into both worlds.  Her portrayal of the 6^th century and its way of life are authoritative, vivid and memorable.” – Kate Sullivan

 

 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link:  https://myBook.to/TRS

 This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

 

 

Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of time. She is the author of historical mysteries with a frisson of romance. Her books are evocative of time and place, well-researched and uplifting page-turners. Her current series focuses on early medieval time-slip/dual-time mysteries.

Julia read English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language/ literature/ history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics.

After a turbulent time in Ghana, West Africa, she became a school teacher, then a university academic and researcher. Her break as an author came soon after she joined the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme in 2015, with a three-book deal from Lume Books for a trilogy (Drumbeats) set in Ghana in the 1960s.

She has published five other books, including A Shape on the Air, an Anglo-Saxon timeslip mystery, and its two sequels The Dragon Tree and The Rune Stone. Her work in progress is a new series of Anglo-Saxon mystery romances, beginning with Daughter of Mercia, where echoes of the past resonate across the centuries.

Julia’s novels will appeal to fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, and Christina Courtenay. Her readers say: ‘Julia’s books captured my imagination’, ‘beautiful story-telling’, ‘evocative and well-paced storylines’, ‘brilliant and fascinating’ and ‘I just couldn’t put it down’.

Author Links:

Amazon Author page:  Author.to/JuliaIbbotsonauthor

Author website & blog: www.juliaibbotsonauthor.com

Facebook (author):  https://www.facebook.com/JuliaIbbotsonauthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JuliaIbbotson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia.ibbotson

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/juliai1/

Goodreads author page:  https://www.goodreads.com/juliaibbotson

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