Book Spotlight: The Cameo Keeper by Deborah Swift. Audiobook read by Diana Croft.

 

Rome 1644: A Novel of Love, Power, and Poison

 

Remember tonight... for it is the beginning of always ― Dante Alighieri

 

In the heart of Rome, the conclave is choosing a new Pope, and whoever wins will determine the fate of the Eternal City.

 

Astrologer Mia and her fiancé Jacopo, a physician at the Santo Spirito Hospital, plan to marry, but the election result is a shock and changes everything.

 

As Pope Innocent X takes the throne, he brings along his sister-in-law, the formidable Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, known as La Papessa – the female Pope. When Mia is offered a position as her personal astrologer, she and Jacopo find themselves on opposite sides of the most powerful family in Rome.

 

Mia is determined to protect her mother, Giulia Tofana, a renowned poisoner. But with La Papessa obsessed with bringing Giulia to justice, Mia and Jacopo's love is put to the ultimate test.

 

As the new dawn of Renaissance medicine emerges, Mia must navigate the dangerous political landscape of Rome while trying to protect her family and her heart. Will she be able to save her mother, or will she lose everything she holds dear?

For fans of "The Borgias" and "The Crown," this gripping tale of love, power, and poison will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

 

Praise:

 

'historical fiction that is brisk, fresh and bristling with intrigue' 
~ Bookmarked Reviews ★★★★★

 

 Buy Link:

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

 

Deborah Swift is the author of twenty novels of historical fiction.

Her Renaissance novel in this series, The Poison Keeper, was recently voted Best Book of the Decade by the Wishing Shelf Readers Award. Her WWII novel, Past Encounters, was the winner of the BookViral Millennium Award and is one of seven books set in the WWII era.

Deborah lives in the North of England, close to the mountains and the sea.

 Author Links:

Website: www.deborahswift.com

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

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/swiftstory

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/deborahswift1/

 

 

Book Spotlight : The Herb Knot by Jane Loftus. Audiobook Narrator: Matt Addis.

 

The Hundred Years' War comes to life in this spellbinding tale of love, betrayal and conspiracy … 

 

A quest born on the battlefield will change a young boy’s destiny… 

 

Rafi Dubois is five years old when his mother is murdered after the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Alone and lost, Rafi is given a token by the dying Englishman who tried to save his mother’s life: a half-broken family seal which he urges Rafi to return one day to Winchester. 

 

Years later, when Rafi saves a wealthy merchant’s wife from a brutal robbery, he is rewarded with the chance to travel to England, taking the seal with him. 

 

But when he reaches Winchester, Rafi finds himself in a turbulent world full of long-held allegiances, secrets and treachery. His path is fraught with danger and with powerful enemies working against him, Rafi falls in love with Edith, a market apothecary. But in doing so, Rafi unleashes a deadly chain of events which threatens to overwhelm them both… 

 

The Herb Knot is a sweeping and passionate novel set in one of the most tumultuous times in English history, from a powerful new voice.

 

 

Buy Link: 

  Universal Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/bzN6Z2

  

 

Jane Loftus gained a degree in 16th Century European and British history from Surrey before taking a postgraduate degree in modern political history. As a lone parent, she worked in Winchester Waterstones before returning to IT once her son was older.

 

Hugely passionate about the Middle Ages, she drew inspiration for this novel from the medieval layout of Winchester, which has been painstakingly documented.

 

Jane is originally from London but has lived in Winchester for over twenty years. When not writing, she is usually out walking or watching costume dramas on Netflix - the more medieval the better. She also plays far too many RPGs.

 

  

Author Links: 

  

Website: https://janeloftus.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577760507961

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

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0F3Q52X9Y

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29357528.Jane_Loftus

 

Unplugged & Unfiltered – Scribbler Tales Volumes One – Five by Mary Ann Bernal Now Available in Audiobook Format

 Scribbler Tales Volumes One - Five

By: Mary Ann Bernal

Narrated by: Virtual Voice using cutting-edge technology

Length: 5 hours 19 minutes

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 06-01-25

Language: English

Publisher: Whispering Legends Press

 A Deceptive Discovery. A Sinister Secret. A Menacing Mystery.

 Scribbler Tales offers a collection of gripping tales that whisk readers into a world where the extraordinary disrupts the ordinary. Cloning experiments gone wrong, haunted graveyards, star-crossed lovers, pacts with darkness, and childhood reflections are just the beginning. The series unravels a web of vigilante justice, covert operations, spectral hauntings, and life-altering accusations. It navigates through chilling kidnappings, ancestral curses, forbidden passions, and the quest for truth in a maze of deception. Each volume is a gateway to suspenseful adventures, where the only promise is the unpredictability of fate. As the saga unfolds, it’s clear that the most captivating stories exist beyond the edge of reality.

 Listen to a Sample HERE

Amazon Link

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Curses, Secrets & Shadows—Scribbler Tales Volume Two by Mary Ann Bernal, Narrated by Roberto Scarlato

 

Scribbler Tales (Volume Two)

By: Mary Ann Bernal

Narrated by: Roberto Scarlato

Length: 1 hr and 7 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 02-10-15

Language: English

 

A Vengeful Verdict. A Hidden Horror. A Cursed Claim.

In a world where promises shatter easily, a woman grapples with her heart’s yearnings and the unyielding demands of the law. Shadows become the stage for justice as an avenger quietly rights the unpunished wrongs. A harrowing truth unravels from a hidden research enclave, sending ripples through the halls of governance. A man’s life unravels, ensnared by deceit and false accusations. And from the whispers of history, a formidable spirit seeks to intertwine with the living, merging the present with echoes of a haunting legacy. Each narrative weaves a tapestry of intrigue, where the stakes are as high as the price of truth.

 Listen to a sample HERE  

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Forbidden Love, Dark Bargains & Witching Hour Terror—Scribbler Tales Vol. One by Mary Ann Bernal, Narrated by Roberto Scarlato

 

Scribbler Tales (Volume One)

By: Mary Ann Bernal

Narrated by: Roberto Scarlato

Length: 1 hr and 29 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 11-18-14

Language: English

 A Cloning Catastrophe. A Haunted Challenge. A Feared Reckoning.

In a world where science pushes the boundaries of ethics, a woman’s trust shatters as she uncovers a cloning experiment’s catastrophic failure. Two souls brave the wrath of an ancient witch’s coven in the shadows of an accursed graveyard. Defiance fuels a man’s heart, challenging the iron will of his family to claim a love deemed forbidden. A desperate soul bargains with darkness, sealing a fate intertwined with survival. Echoes of a military upbringing haunt a lone figure as memories of a transient childhood resurface. Each story, rich with pivotal choices, weaves a complex tapestry of human experience, where every decision casts long shadows over their destinies.

 

 Listen to a sample HERE

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Intrigue and Adventure Await in The Briton and the Dane: Timeline – A Captivating Audiobook by Mary Ann Bernal, Narrated by Michele Lukovich

 

The Briton and the Dane: Timeline

By: Mary Ann Bernal

Narrated by: Michele Lukovich

Series: The Briton and the Dane, Book 5

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 09-03-14

Language: English

Publisher: MaryAnn Bernal

 

A dark secret. A fierce battle. A shrouded destiny.

 A historian’s link to a medieval nobleman’s portrait uncovers a fortress and a conspiracy reaching William the Conqueror. Flung into the Dark Ages, her newfound alliance leads a defense against encroaching invaders. Facing a web of deceit, her choice is critical: rescue him to alter destiny or observe as history unfolds. Her verdict could forever shift the legacy of the past, entwined with love and truth.

 Listen to a sample HERE

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Epic Conflict and Unbreakable Alliances: The Briton and the Dane: Concordia – An Audiobook by Mary Ann Bernal, Narrated by Sebastian Lockwood

 

The Briton and the Dane: Concordia

By Mary Ann Bernal

Narrated by: Sebastian Lockwood

Series: The Briton and the Dane, Book 4

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 02-01-16

Language: English

 A Captive’s Cunning. A Thrilling Chase. A Hidden Truth.

 In a time of prosperity in Ninth Century Britain, a noblewoman bound to a warrior seeks the thrill of the unknown. Captivated by the allure of distant lands, she persuades her husband to set sail for Rome. Pirates abruptly end their voyage, and she finds herself a captive. Amidst the splendor of a Saracen court, a chance for escape emerges. Caught in a labyrinth of deceit and desire, she must use her cunning to outwit her captors and reclaim her freedom from the exotic lands of Muslim Hispania.

Listen to a sample HERE

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Fresh Off the Studio—Forgiving Nero by Mary Ann Bernal: Now in Audiobook Format

 

Forgiving Nero

By: Mary Ann Bernal

Narrated by: Virtual Voice using cutting-edge technology

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 04-30-25

Language: English

Publisher: Whispering Legends Press

 A Tyrant’s Rise. A Hero’s Challenge. A Destiny Unfolding.

 In a Rome weakened by decadence, Nero, Caligula’s infamous heir, ascends to power. Determined to restore the glory of the Senate and his legions, he must outmaneuver the treachery that surrounds him. Trusting in Traian, his Praetorian confidant, Nero seeks to solidify his rule. But when Traian’s secret marriage to Vena, a captive with her own tale, emerges, it ignites a conflict that could topple an empire teetering on the edge of history.

Listen to a sample HERE

Audible link

 https://www.audible.com/pd/Forgiving-Nero-Audiobook/B0F725KN8G

 Amazon Global Link

 http://mybook.to/ForgivingNero

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

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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

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Book Spotlight: Diomedes in Kyprios by Gregory Michael Nixon

 

This is a historically-based novel with authentic, mythic, and fictional characters interacting across the extraordinary panorama after the Fall of Troy and the Hittite Empire during the Bronze Age Collapse. Diomedes leads his Akhaians (Achaeans) to the Isle of Kyprios (now Cyprus) to meet his lost love, Lieia, the ex-queen of the Hittites. Kyprios is where the Peoples of the Sea have gathered before their final assaults on Canaan and Aigyptos (Egypt).

But Diomedes unexpectedly meets the avatar of the Goddess Aphrodite at her Temple in Paphos, the city of her birth. Will she take him from Lieia? Will his wanderings end, or will he head back to sea to seek redemption from the past in the further unknown? Aphrodite must also deal with the beautiful, impetuous youth, Adonis, who swears he would die for her.

The Bronze Age Collapse was a time of such chaos that empires fell, royalty was overthrown, palaces and temples were destroyed, and the hierarchy of the gods was doubted, yet people's self-reliance emerged like never before, and the ancient Great Goddess of the Cycles of Time, who had been suppressed, began to regain her former dominance.

 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://geni.us/BEGKASr

 Links to Historium Press 2^nd Edition:

 Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Diomedes-Kyprios-Gregory-Michael-Nixon/dp/1962465713

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Diomedes-Kyprios-Gregory-Michael-Nixon/dp/1962465705

Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Diomedes-Kyprios-Gregory-Michael-Nixon-ebook/dp/B0DM2QWNL6

Audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Diomedes-Kyprios-Diomedeia-Book-2/dp/B0DHLR8YN4

 

 

Gregory M. Nixon is a retired university professor who, after spending his professional years publishing academic papers, was pleased to discover he still had an active imagination. He moved alone to a nice cottage overlooking magnificent Okanagan Lake in western Canada to create his mythico-historical novels set after the Trojan War and the fall of the Hittite Empire during the Bronze Age Collapse. Nigel, an outdoor cat, also sometimes lives with him.

 Author Links:

 LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/doknyx

Website: https://authorgregorynixon.com/

Twitter / X: https://x.com/doknyx73

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doknyx86/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gregory-michael-nixon

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B8YCWGLV/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22640377.Gregory_Michael_Nixon

Discover Your Next Favorite Read This Christmas!

As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better time to dive into a new book. Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction, contemporary short stories, action-packed adventures, or thrilling sci-fi, we have something for everyone. Check out our diverse collection of titles and find your perfect holiday read!

Our Titles:

The Briton and the Dane: Five tales of historical intrigue and romance.

Crusader’s Path: A journey of faith and valor in medieval times.

 Forgiving Nero: A gripping tale of redemption and forgiveness.

 Scribbler Tales: Contemporary short stories that capture the essence of modern life.

 AnaRose Action Adventure Novellas: Non-stop action and heart-pounding suspense.

 Planetary Wars: Sci-fi battles that will take you to the edge of the universe.

 Don’t miss out on these captivating stories! Visit https://www.maryannbernal.com/ today. Happy reading!

 

Book Spotlight: Courting the Sun: A Novel of Versailles by Peggy Joque Williams. Audiobook narrated by Mallory Fuccella.

 

“A rich journey through 17th century France in all its aspects—its bucolic countryside, the still-unmatched splendor of the court of Louis XIV, and the struggling French colony in Canada.”
~ Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth I, The Autobiography of Henry VIII & The Memoirs of Cleopatra

France, 1670. On her sixteenth birthday, Sylvienne d’Aubert thinks her dream has come true. She holds in her hands an invitation from King Louis XIV to attend his royal court. However, her mother harbors a longtime secret she's kept from both her daughter and the monarch, a secret that could upend Sylvienne’s life.

In Paris, Sylvienne is quickly swept up in the romance, opulence, and excitement of royal life. Assigned to serve King Louis's favorite mistress, she is absorbed into the monarch's most intimate circle. But the naïve country girl soon finds herself ill-prepared for the world of intrigue, illicit affairs, and power-mongering that takes place behind the shiny façade of Versailles.

This debut historical novel from Peggy Joque Williams captures the vibrancy and quandaries of 17th century life for a village girl seeking love and excitement during the dangerous reign of the Sun King.

 Buy Links:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mqk0r9

 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/courting-the-sun-peggy-joque-williams/1144842024?ean=9781685134129

 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/96858/9781685134129

 Black Rose Writing: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/historicaladventure/courtingthesun 

 This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

  

Peggy Joque Williams is the author of Courting the Sun: A Novel of Versailles and co-author of two mystery novels, On the Road to Death’s Door and On the Road to Where the Bells Toll, written under the penname M. J. Williams. She is an alumnus of Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A retired elementary school teacher and avid researcher, Peggy's fascination with genealogy and her French-Canadian, European, and Native American ancestry inspires her historical fiction. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Author Links:

Website: https://peggywilliamsauthor.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggywilliams7/

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

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

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

Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/peggy-joque-williams

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peggy-Joque-Williams/author/B0CV7S8M24

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4900279.Peggy_Joque_Williams  

 

 

Book Spotlight and audio excerpt: The Curse of Maiden Scars by Nicolette Croft and narrated by Liz May Brice

 

A Yorkshire orphan struggling for opportunity against 18th-century odds reluctantly transforms into a Venetian courtesan during the Empire's last days.

Sixteen-year-old Renna Covert toils away in the shadows of a Yorkshire workhouse, her days filled with the mundane task of shelling cotton and the dangerous duty of scouting for punters. One fateful night, she crosses paths with two sailors and finds herself thrust into the heart of a chilling encounter at the local asylum.
 
These harrowing experiences catalyze Renna's journey, promising newfound opportunities and revealing long-buried family secrets. Yet, at every turn, powerful forces conspire to thwart her quest for truth, forcing her to abandon her scullery work and embark on a daring escape to Venice alongside her steadfast companions. 
 
In the labyrinthine alleys of Venice, Renna's fate takes yet another twist. She is ensnared by a cunning Madam who trains her as a Venetian courtesan. But beneath the veneer of luxury lies a world fraught with danger, where Renna must rely on her witts and resilience to navigate the treacherous waters of deceit and betrayal.
 
Set against the backdrop of Venice's tumultuous Napoleonic invasion of 1797, this is a tale of a girl's struggle for survival. It is a story of resilience, defiance in the face of adversity, and, ultimately, one young woman's determination to reclaim her identity. 

THE CURSE OF MAIDEN SCARS is a coming-of-age, women's fiction novel with gothic flair set in the tradition of Victoria Mas' THE MADWOMAN'S BALL, and Sarah Dunant's IN THE COMPANY OF THE COURTESAN, with the sensuality of LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER.

 

 Buy Links:

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

 Audible US Buy Link: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Curse-of-Maiden-Scars-Audiobook/B0D9R4BCHX

 Amazon US Audiobook Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/The-Curse-of-Maiden-Scars/dp/B0D9R32NN9/

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AUDIO EXCERPT

SOUNDCLOUD

Nicolette Croft can’t remember a time when she was not creating imaginary worlds inspired by her Hungarian and American ancestors. As a neuro-divergent learner, however, putting those stories to paper proved more challenging than imagining them. Because her determination would not allow her to settle, she pursued an English B.A. to improve her writing.

 Young motherhood also brought unexpected challenges, which motivated her to pursue graduate work in twice-exceptional learners and education. She would later add an M.A. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in neurodivergent people, trauma, and grief. Nicolette uses her natural gift of storytelling as an exploratory method for her clients.

 The Curse of Maiden Scars is also an outgrowth of her personal journey and marks her first publication as a novelist, having previously published short fiction. When not at her counseling practice or researching historical facts for her latest story, Nicolette shares treasured time with family, friends, and her husband. Whether writing, cooking, traveling, or learning, the act of creation is always at the center of her colorful life.

 Author Links:

 Website: https://www.nicolettecroft.com

Twitter: https://x.com/croft_nicolette

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolette-croft-a6744929a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolettecroft22/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@nicolettecroft22

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nicolette-Croft/author/B0D3KPG536

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49634836.Nicolette_Croft