Showing posts with label The Coffee Pot Book Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Coffee Pot Book Club. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Book Spotlight: Secrets in the Woods by Susan D. Levitte

 

On October 8, 1871, fire turned night into a living hell. 

 

While Chicago's blaze claimed the headlines, a fiercer and more devastating inferno swept across Wisconsin's Green Bay peninsula-obliterating farms, forests, and families in its path.

 

Here, among immigrant settlers carving new lives from the wilderness, survival came down to split-second choices: to run, to hide, to fight the flames. Mothers shielded children with their bodies, fathers vanished into smoke, and neighbors faced the firestorm with nothing but faith and will.

 

Inspired by forgotten accounts and newspaper fragments, Secrets in the Woods brings to life the untold human drama of one of America's most harrowing nights-a story of resilience, loss, and the fragile hope that rises from the ashes.

 


 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: books2read.com/u/4AB0oA

  

Susan was born and raised as the fifth generation to live on the family land in Northeast North Dakota (nearly Canada). She moved to Wisconsin in 1997, living in Door and Manitowoc County, and now resides in the pastoral Kewaunee County. Married to Quentin, they share their home with Olive and Penny, their silly Labrador retrievers, and Gil, their ever-lazy cat.

As a devoted reader of historical fiction and nonfiction, she brings her passion for history and desire to educate readers into her work. With twenty-five years of experience in global advertising and marketing, she holds a master’s degree in communications and currently contributes her expertise to the Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.

Author Links:

Website: https://1871fireproject.com/

Author’s Page at Historium Press: https://www.historiumpress.com/susan-levitte

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577020965043

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ads2art/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ads2art/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/2510908841

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-D-Levitte/author/B0FTZXPBZZ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2602548-susan

 


 

 

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Book Spotlight: A Theory in Vienna by Heidi Gallacher

 

‘I bring to light a truth, which was unknown for many centuries with direful results for the human race.’ – Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis.

Imagine youd discovered something. Something that could save hundreds of thousands of lives. But they wouldn’t let you tell anyone. Wouldn’t it drive you mad?

Young Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis uncovers the real reason thousands of young women are dying after childbirth. Yet, in mid-19th century Europe, his simple methods are ridiculed. Semmelweis faces the battle of his life to convince others that the cause is simple…

Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, A Theory in Vienna brings the remarkable story of this man to life.


Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/47aKa7

The Book Guild Buy Link: https://bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/historical/a-theory-in-vienna


Heidi was born in London in the Sixties. She grew up in South Wales, UK and moved to Paris as a young adult where she taught English for two years. She currently lives in Switzerland and recently completed an MA in Creative Writing.

Her first short story was published in Prima magazine (UK) in 2018. Heidi now writes historical fiction. Her first novel, Rebecca’s Choice is set in Tredelerch – an old house in Wales that belonged to her family generations ago. This novel won an award from The Coffee Pot Book Club in 2020, Debut Novel Bronze Medal.

Her second novel, A Theory in Vienna, is set in 19th century Vienna and Budapest. It tells the incredible story of unsung hero Ignaz Semmelweis, whose life-saving discovery was ridiculed at the time.

Heidi enjoys travelling (the further North the better!), singing and writing songs, and spending time reading and writing at her Swiss chalet, where the views are amazing.  

Author Links:

Author Page on Publisher’s Website: https://bookguild.co.uk/our-authors/heidi-gallacher

Twitter / X: https://x.com/heidigallacher

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

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

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@gallacherauthor

Pinterest: https://pin.it/6KRlgRXOb

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Heidi-Gallacher/author/B08192R91P

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/86827681



Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Book Spotlight: The Deserter – a Tale of the Foreign Legion by Wayne Turmel

 

Algeria 1908.

Gil Vincente is a Boer War veteran, broken and adrift on the rough streets of Marseille. Desperate, he seeks discipline and renewed purpose in the unforgiving ranks of the French Foreign Legion. At first, he finds it, but not for long. When a treacherous soldier frames him for murder, it forces the new legionnaire to run for his life.

Now Gil must fight to clear his name while pursuing the real killer through the rugged Atlas Mountains. With the Legion on his heels and time running out, will he find justice or be forever branded a coward and deserter?

Praise for The Deserter:

The Deserter evokes classic blood-and-sand adventures like Under Two Flags and Beau Geste. With meticulous research and compelling characters, Turmel has brought the desert saga back to thrilling life.”

~ Frank Thompson, author, The Compleat Beau Geste

“A two-fisted historical adventure that weaves visceral action, rugged landscapes, and raw emotional depth into a haunting tale of honor, betrayal, and the elusive hope of redemption."

~ David Buzan, bestselling author of In the Lair of Legends


 

Buy Links:

 Universal Ebook Buy Link: to follow February 17th!

 Amazon US paperback link: https://www.amazon.com/Deserter-Tale-Foreign-Legion/dp/0982037783/

Amazon UK paperback link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deserter-Tale-Foreign-Legion/dp/0982037783/

This title will be available on #KindleUnlimited.

 


Wayne Turmel is a Canadian ex-pat now living and writing in Las Vegas.  He’s the author of seven novels, the latest is The Deserter – a Tale of the Foreign Legion. His short stories have earned critical acclaim, including nominations for the prestigious Pushcart Prize.

Turmel's longer works delve into the rich tapestries of history and the thrilling depths of urban fantasy, inviting readers into meticulously crafted worlds. At times humorous, sometimes dark, but always with a careful eye for dialogue and detail.

He lives with his wife, The Duchess, and Mad Max, most manly of poodles.

Author Links:

 Website: www.WayneTurmel.com

Twitter / X: https://x.com/WTurmel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayne.turmel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turmel.wayne/

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

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/wayne-turmel

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wayne-Turmel/author/B00J5PGNWU

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14980039.Wayne_Turmel

 


 

 

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Book Spotlight: The Witch of Godstow Abbey by Lady Harriet and Dr. Peter Stephenson

 


A widowed academic investigating strange historical practices gets drawn back in time and into the year 1299 in Oxford. Join a cast of compelling characters-nuns, novices and outsiders-as they battle the forces of darkness. Enter their struggle against evil, clandestine organizations. Join their life-threatening fight to protect each other, be willing to die for each other, and occasionally fall in love.

Will heroic love and righteous pursuit of justice triumph? Will the horror-inducing villain be found out and overthrown? Or will the courageous troop of those fighting for what is good be overpowered and taken captive?

Set in Oxford, England, in the year 1299, a struggle takes place between the sisters of the local convent and a strange, terrifying local evil society. They discover a secret organization of men who perform unspeakable deeds. The lives of several sisters are in danger.

Join Mother Alice, Sister Agnes and Isabel, along with Lady Beatrix and Lady Harriet, as they confront and do battle with an evil, secret society intent on attacking them, taking over the convent and sacrificing a young woman.

If you love stories that keep you turning pages while imparting fascinating accounts of the past, this latest mystery in the "Murders in the Abbey" series will tingle your spine.

Praise for The Witch of Godstow Abbey:

'Richly atmospheric and quietly gripping, "The Witch of Godstow Abbey" is a worthy addition to your bookshelf.'

~ Yarde Book Promotion, 5* Editorial Review


 Buy Link:

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

 


Lady Harriet holds the legal title “Lady of the Manor,” as defined under English law, and traces her ancestry to Charlemagne’s royal line.

 A lifelong reader and devoted genealogist for nearly fifty years, Harriet has always had a passion for stories, whether they are buried in the past or found in the pages of a good book. She is the co-author of We Are Manx, a self-published family saga that explores her Manx heritage and the history of the Isle of Man in rich detail.

She’s also a photographer who prefers being behind the lens, a word lover addicted to word games, and a fan of wooden jigsaw puzzles. She has traveled extensively, with a deep appreciation for history, diverse cultures, and the unexpected joys that can be found away from home. Her career spanned volunteerism, real estate, and systems administration, but now she happily devotes her time to more creative pursuits.

As she puts it: “I’m old enough for Medicare, but not quite old enough to get a birthday card from King Charles—were I a Brit.”

The Witch of Godstow Abbey, written in partnership with Dr. Peter Stephenson, marks her first (but certainly not last) foray into historical fiction. With photography, she creates books of images; with storytelling, she creates images made of words.

 


Dr. Peter Stephenson has written or contributed to over twenty books, all but one of which are non-fiction technical books. He has published over 1,000 papers in technical journals, technical trade journals, and peer-reviewed legal journals. One of his peer-reviewed papers has over 15,400 downloads. 

 In addition to writing, Dr. Stephenson has been playing blues and Americana music for 70 years. It is through that performing, and after earning a PhD from Oxford Brookes University, that he was given the appellation “Doc” by the owner of one of his performance venues.

 Having visited Oxford several times and being employed by a UK company in nearby Malvern, it was only natural that he would set his tales in Oxfordshire. His academic experience in Oxford town sealed the deal and resulted in his first historical novel, The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey—Book 1 in the “Murders in the Abbey” series—which reached the Amazon Kindle bestseller list and won a Pencraft award for literary excellence in the winter of 2025. He now writes with his collaborator and writing partner, Lady Harriet.

 Dr. Stephenson lives with two Savannah cats on a pond in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Starting a “new” career at the age of 80, Doc reckons that he has only about the next 20 years to finish the series and retire – again – perhaps this time to Oxford.

 Author Links:

 Website:   https://murdercanbefun.net/

Historium Press author pages:

Lady Harriet https://www.historiumpress.com/lady-harriet

Dr. Peter Stephenson https://www.historiumpress.com/peter-stephenson

Facebook: The Lady and The Doc   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577829971728

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

Amazon Author Page: Lady Harriet: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lady-Harriet/author/B0FVTKJ8D2  

Dr. Peter Stephenson: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peter-Stephenson/author/B0B5LXPG15  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52609869.Peter_Stephenson 



 

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Book Spotlight: Whispers in the Snow by Heidi Eljarbo


Of course, a young woman in Norway during the late nineteenth century can be a successful amateur sleuth, and goodness knows, Cornelia’s days are always more exciting when she can devote her time to resolving a local mystery.

 Cornelia Gran is a dedicated daughter, friendly and kind; although, she has an exorbitant amount of curiosity. She devours Arthur Conan Doyle’s magazine articles and tries to follow the fictitious Sherlock Holmes’s investigative examples, but her fascination with solving puzzles always gets her into mischief.

 

Each morning, Cornelia reads the newspaper, looking for a conundrum to solve. Searching for clues—and then chronicling her discoveries—thrills her. She certainly finds those activities more entertaining than taking her grandmother’s advice and attending one Christmas ball after another in search of a husband.

 

But chaos and danger turn Cornelia’s quiet days upside down when her attempt to find information about the owner of a nearby abandoned cottage takes her into dangerous territory. As winter winds rattle the windows and swirl snowdrifts against the doors, she faces off with a ghost, gets in trouble with the police, and finds herself staring down danger without thinking of the consequences. In the middle of it all, she meets Simon and is captivated by his charm, good looks, and personality.

 

Meanwhile, a real killer is after her, and he won’t stop until he gets information she doesn’t have! Christmas, with all its cheery festivities, hygge, and family traditions, has never been more threatened. Cornelia must call on all her investigative skills, not only to stop the ruination of her family’s holiday, but also to make certain Simon and his aunt keep what belongs to them. And maybe, just maybe, the amateur sleuth will discover the meaning of true love.

 

Set in a fictitious town in Norway in 1891, this cozy historical mystery is perfect for those who enjoy curious and determined women sleuths, clean and wholesome romance, and the discovery of buried secrets in an abandoned house.

 


Buy Links:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/47a5Lj

 This title is available on #KindleUnlimited.

 


HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

 

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

 

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.heidieljarbo.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/HeidiEljarbo

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

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

Pinterest: https://no.pinterest.com/heidieljarbo/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/whispers-in-the-snow-a-charming-and-suspenseful-victorian-historical-romance-mystery-heartwarming-christmas-by-heidi-eljarbo

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Heidi-Eljarbo/author/B073D852VG

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245467367-whispers-in-the-snow

Newsletter: https://www.heidieljarbo.com/newsletter



Friday, January 23, 2026

Book Spotlight: Showboat Soubrette by Brodie Curtis

 


FROM STAR SHOWBOAT SINGER
TO PIRATE PREY ON THE WICKED RIVER!

Showboat singer Stella Parrot’s star rises in the Antebellum South with every sold-out performance along the lower Mississippi River. When a river pirate viciously assaults her, new friends Toby Freeman and John Dee Franklin foil the attack. However, the pirate’s family is bent on revenge.

Stella, Toby, and John Dee escape their riverboat with able assistance from young cub pilot Sam Clemens, only to be pursued by the notorious Burton Gang. As the trio runs for their lives, mortal perils await at every turn: a fierce storm, high-stakes gambling confrontations, deadly combat, and a cotton boat up in flames. Stella, a Cherokee Indian, and Toby, a free Black man, and their friend White man John Dee endure relentless racial prejudices and injustices in the gritty underbelly of the Wicked River while fleeing to New Orleans—where the Burtons will be waiting!

SHOWBOAT SOUBRETTE’s fast-paced lower river adventure chase features romantic showboat scenes and is unsparing in its exploration of the bigoted and sometimes lawless riverboat era.


Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/boPV81

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. 

 

Raised in the Midwest, Brodie Curtis was educated as a lawyer and left the corporate world to embrace life in Colorado with his wife and two sons.

Curtis is the author of THE FOUR BELLS, a novel of The Great War, which is the product of extensive historical research, including long walks through the fields of Flanders, where much of the book's action is set. His second novel, ANGELS AND BANDITS, takes his protagonists into The Battle of Britain. Curtis’ third novel is set on a Mississippi Riverboat prior to the Civil War.

A lover of history, particularly American history and the World Wars, Curtis reviews historical fiction for the Historical Novels Review and more than 100 of his published reviews and short takes on historical novels can be found on his website: brodiecurtis.com. 

Author Links:

Website: www.brodiecurtis.com

Twitter / X: https://x.com/BrodieCurtis4

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

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

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brodie-curtis

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brodie-Curtis/author/B07QSCF8Z1

Goodreads: Showboat Soubrette by Brodie Curtis | Goodreads

 


Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Book Spotlight: Therein Lies the Pearl by Catherine Hughes


 

Normandy, 1064 

Celia Campion, a girl of humble background, finds herself caught in a web of intrigue when Duke William commands her to work as his spy, holding her younger sister hostage. Her mission: to sail across the sea to Wilton Abbey and convince Margaret, daughter of Edward the Exile, to take final vows rather than form a marriage alliance with the newly crowned king to the North, Malcolm III of Scotland. Preventing a union between the Saxons and Scots is critical to the success of the Duke’s plan to take England, and more importantly for Celia, it is the only way to keep her sister alive. 

In this sweeping epic that spans the years before and after the Conquest, two women from opposite sides of the English Channel whisper across the chasm of time to tell their story of the tumultuous days that eventually changed the course of history.  As they struggle to survive in a world marked by danger, loss, and betrayal, their lives intersect, and they soon come to realize they are both searching for the same thing--someone they can trust amidst the treachery that surrounds them. 

Together, their voices form a narrative never before told.


Buy Link:

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

 


Award-winning writer Catherine Hughes is a first-time author who, from her earliest years, immersed herself in reading. Historical fiction is her genre of choice, and her bookshelves are stocked with selections from ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Europe as well as those involving New England settlements and pioneer life in America. After double-majoring in English and business management on the undergraduate level, Catherine completed her Master's degree in British literature at Drew University and then entered the classroom where she has been teaching American, British, and World Literature at the high school level for the last thirty years.

Aside from teaching and reading, Catherine can often be found outdoors, drawing beauty and inspiration from the world of nature. Taking the words of Thoreau to heart, "It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful," Catherine sets aside time every day to lace up her sneakers and run with her dog in pre-dawn or late afternoon hours on the beaches of Long Island. When her furry companion isn't busy chasing seagulls or digging up remnants of dead fish, she soaks in the tranquility of the ocean setting, freeing her mind to tap into its deepest recesses where creativity and imagination preside.

 In Silence Cries the Heart, Hughes’s first book, received the Gold Medal in Romance for the Feathered Quill 2024 Book of the Year contest, the Gold Medal for Fiction in the 2024 Literary Titan competition, and the 2024 International Impact Book Award for Historical Fiction. In addition, the Historical Fiction Company gave it a five star rating and a Silver Medal in the category of Historical Fiction Romance. The book was also featured in the February 2024 Issue 31 of the Historical Times magazine and was listed as one of the Best Historical Fiction Books of 2024 by the History Bards Podcast. Therein Lies the Pearl is her second venture into the world of historical fiction.

 Author Links:

 Website: www.catherinehughesauthor.com

Publisher's Website:   https://www.historiumpress.com/catherine-hughes 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.hughes.5036

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyhughes22/

Amazon Author Page:  

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Catherine-Hughes/author/B0CJT8MXR6

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49501263.Catherine_Hughes




Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Book Spotlight: Dance of the Earth by Anna M Holmes


From world stages to theatres of war, Dance of the Earth is a sweeping family saga.

Set against the backdrops of London’s gilded Alhambra music hall, Diaghilev’s dazzling Ballets Russes, and the upheavals of the First World War, Rose and her children, Nina and Walter, pursue their ambitions, loves, and dreams. Dance and music shape their identities, helping each to find their place in the world.

Spanning the years 1875 to 1921—an era of profound artistic and social change—fact and fiction interweave in this tapestry of birth, sacrifice, and renewal. Art—both serious and comic—is at the story’s beating heart.


Buy Link:

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

  


Stories with big themes written as page-turners are Anna M Holmes’s speciality.

With an extensive background in dance and theatre, Dance of the Earth is a story she has longed to write. Her novels—The Find, Wayward Voyage, and Blind Eye—are all typified by deep research.

Anna worked as a radio journalist before embarking on a career in arts management. Originally from New Zealand, she now lives in South-West London.

 Author Links:

 Website: https://www.annamholmes.com

Twitter / X: https://x.com/AnnaMHolmes_ 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMHolmesWriter 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annamholmeswriter/ 
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/annamholmes.bsky.social 

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@annamholmes_

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B08R23BX34/about

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21436051.Anna_M_Holmes

 



 

Monday, January 19, 2026

Book Spotlight: Red Anemones, A story of struggle, resistance, and hope by Paula Dáil

 


Moving among generations of a German-Jewish-American family, Red Anemones is a poignant exploration of the intricate bonds, untold secrets, and unspoken legacies our ancestors bestow upon us.

Moving among generations of a German-Jewish-American family, "Red Anemones" is a poignant exploration of the intricate bonds, untold secrets, and unspoken legacies our ancestors bestow upon us.

Natalie Barlow's journey of self-discovery begins when her estranged mother's sudden death releases a storm of unrevealed family secrets reaching back to pre-WWI Germany.

 

As Natalie navigates the complexities of her newly discovered Jewish identity and her ancestral heritage, she comes face-to-face with the early 20th-century German immigrant experience, which included strong anti-German sentiment and deep antisemitism that prevailed across America.

 

Through diaries and letters her mother saved, Natalie learns of the personal costs this ugly reality extracted from generations of her own family. Ultimately, she must confront the question of her own identity.

 

Like Israel's red anemones carpeting the western Negev and Dvira Forest of the Judean foothills year after year, Natalie is determined, no matter the personal costs, to find the courage, resiliency, and passion to embrace the changes that bring new beginnings. Inspired by a true story.

 

Praise for Red Anemones:

"Red Anemones" by Paula Dáil weaves a powerful narrative inspired by a gripping true story, infusing the text with authenticity and emotional resonance. This book is an absolute must-read for fans of the genre, as it expertly blends enthralling storytelling with fully realised characters and a rich plot.

~ Yarde Book Promotion, Editorial 5* Review

Poignant, disturbing, and historically and dramatically riveting.

~ Kirkus Reviews

As I read, I found myself utterly taken by Dáil’s writing. Her prose has rhythm and patience, tight, deliberate, and quietly powerful. She writes with tenderness but never sentimentality, allowing emotion to rise naturally from her characters’ choices. I could almost feel the weight of Nathalie’s conflict between family duty and self-determination, between love and freedom. The language is lived-in, grounded, and full of quiet heat.”

~ Literary Titan, 5* Review


 Buy Links:

 Universal Buy Links:

 Ebook:  https://geni.us/m6lqq

Paperback:  https://geni.us/oZtRC



A native Californian, Paula Dáil is an emerita research professor of social welfare and public policy and award-winning author. Widely published in the social sciences, she has also been recognized for her non-fiction and fiction writing, both under her own name and her pen name, Avery Michael.

She is the recipient of first or second place Readers Favorite, Reader’s Choice, Independent Publisher, Bookfest and Literary Titan awards, a Booklist Starred Review and several other five-star reviews, including Goodreads, The Book Commentary, and Independent Book Review. Two of her books received the Non-fiction Book of the Year Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers. She holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lives with her husband and dog in the Great Lakes Region of the Upper Midwest.

 Red Anemones is her tenth book.

 Author Links:

 Website: www.paula-dail.com

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paula-W.-Dail/author/B005W7EZ34

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/737907.Paula_Dail 

  


Thursday, January 15, 2026

Book Spotlight: Storks in a Blue Sky by Carol Anne Dobson


 

A historical romance played out between the wild coast and moors of North Devon and the mountains and river-crossed plain of Alsace.

The beautiful, red-haired Sarah Durrant is an uneducated servant who takes the place of her mistress when she suddenly dies at Lynmouth as they are travelling across the remote wilderness of 18th century Exmoor. Her origins are a mystery. She only knows she is illegitimate and possesses a gold locket which contains a miniature of a woman who resembles her.

North Devon at first proves a sanctuary from the violence of her past but then the French aristocrat, Jean Luc de Delacroix, a soldier and a scientist, arrives from the New World; the local activities of smuggling and wrecking surface; her life becomes a tangle of love, deception and fear.


Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/312lD6

 This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

  


Carol Anne Dobson is a qualified teacher and librarian with a B.A. in English, French and Russian. She has lived in Devon for most of her life, and North Devon provides the setting for much of Storks in a Blue Sky.

Alsace in France came to be a second home when her daughter lived there for six years, and it is this Germanic region of France that also features in the novel.

In 2009, Storks in a Blue Sky won the David St John Thomas Fiction Award.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.carolannedobson.info/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolanne.dobson.5

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Carol-Anne-Dobson/author/B0034NYKP6

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6851252.Carol_Anne_Dobson