Tessera

It's nearly time... 757, the first book in the brand new series, The House of Mercia, will be with readers in July 2026. Here are some photos from my visit to Repton's crypt #fiction #TalesOfMercia #MJPorter #HistoricalFiction #SaxonEngland #VikingAge #AngloSaxonHistory #BernardCornwel

Image of the crypt at Repton Image of the crypt at Repton Image of the crypt at Repton Image of the crypt at Repton Image of the crypt at Repton Image of the crypt at Repton Image of the crypt at Repton Here’s the blurb for 757 This is Mercia. The year is 757. A king will fall. A king will rise. But first, civil war will rage. King Æthelbald’s forty-year vice-like rule over Mercia has been rigid. But he lacks a legitimate heir despite his insatiable bedchamber antics. Offa must stand hostage to his family’s good behaviour, when his father missteps in removing his mother from Æthelbald’s bed. Shockingly, his younger sister now replaces her. But the king isn’t finished with his denigration of Offa’s noble House. When his parents are traitorously killed, Offa’s resentment grows, compounded by the ridicule heaped on him by King Æthelbald’s oathsworn warriors. With the king’s health deteriorating, the matter of the succession becomes paramount. There are plenty who share a claim to the kingship. Discord threatens to fracture the mighty realm, and those with sword and shield, seax and spear are prepared to risk it all to be the future king of Mercia. books2read.com/757 Or buy a signed copy direct from me Join my Boldwood newsletter to receive a free prequel short story, written exclusively for the the release of The House of Mercia series. https://BookHip.com/MKSKVRX Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Blighter is Bumped Off-#bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader Blog Tour · book review · Cozy Mystery · murder mystery · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m welcoming the Wordsmith’s Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue by Elizabeth M Hurst to the blog #blogtour #nonfiction #writingadvice Blog Tour · book review · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources · writing I’m welcoming Andrea Goyan and her new book, The Catalyst, to the blog, with an inspiring post for all those writers out there #blogtour #scifi #writersadvice Blog Tour · Rachel’s Random Resources · Sci Fi I’m welcoming The Dowager’s Grand Triumph by Susanne Dunlap to the blog #blogtour #RegencyRomance Blog Tour · book review · historical fiction · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources

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I'm delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Blighter is Bumped Off-#bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader @rararesources

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Blighter is Bumped Off-#bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader

I'm delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Blighter is Bumped Off-#bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader @rararesources

mjporterauthor.blog

I'm welcoming the Wordsmith’s Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue by Elizabeth M Hurst to the blog #blogtour #nonfiction #writingadvice @rararesources

I’m welcoming the Wordsmith’s Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue by Elizabeth M Hurst to the blog #blogtour #nonfiction #writingadvice

I'm welcoming the Wordsmith’s Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue by Elizabeth M Hurst to the blog #blogtour #nonfiction #writingadvice

mjporterauthor.blog

I'm welcoming Andrea Goyan and her new book, The Catalyst, to the blog, with an inspiring post for all those writers out there #blogtour #scifi #writersadvice @rararesources

I’m welcoming Andrea Goyan and her new book, The Catalyst, to the blog, with an inspiring post for all those writers out there #blogtour #scifi #writersadvice Thank you for inviting me to write a guest blog. I’m delighted to be here with you and your readers. My post today directly relates to writers, but I think anyone who navigates risks, rejections, or affirmations will relate on some level because I we all face similar angels and demons. “Thank You for Sharing Your Work with Us. Unfortunately…” —Random Editor Ouch. These or similar words of rejection litter every writer’s email inbox. If you’re submitting work, receiving lots of them is part of the deal. I want to recognize that sending stories (or anything) out into the world is an act of courage. Opening ourselves up for criticism or rejection risks bruising souls and fragile egos. It is not easy. But the need to be seen and heard—read—keeps most of us in the game. “Thank You for Sharing Your Work with Us. We’d be delighted to publish…” —Favorite Random Editor Yes! These are the emails we live for. But as fabulous as those acceptances, encouragement, and love are, those joyful feelings are fleeting. Fairy dust that blows away with the first breeze. The need for more, more, more feels akin to an addiction. “Can you help us out?” —Magazine Editor When I started submitting short stories to small markets seriously, I was thrilled that the online process was loads easier than the old-fashioned, snail-mail way. Faster, easier, less wasteful, but as nerve-wracking as ever. And rejections…ugh. Each one stung like a blade slipped between my ribs, touching my heart. I commiserated with other fiction writers, weeping onto my keyboard. Wondered why or if I should continue. The game seemed impossible. But I did continue, and a funny thing happened. I met a ton of other writers, and my writing community grew. I watched how other writers managed their submissions, and found that the more I submitted, the less precious any one submission became, and its rejection hurt less when I had other pieces out for consideration. Every successful writer I know submits all the time. They look like they’re accepted and published by everyone, but they still get tons of rejections. It’s a numbers game. The more pieces out, the more potential, the more noes, and the more yeses. More visibility led editors to ask for my help. I accepted, and I learned some surprising things along the way. Some of my most valuable insights came from being a slush reader for a magazine and serving as a judge for a few contests. The positions were different, but the similarities showed me how random a lot of editorial decisions are. They aren’t only about if the story is good, tons of great stories are rejected—I’ve rejected some. There are ineffable lists of criteria beyond any writer’s control. I found a lot of peace in that knowledge, and it made the rejections less personal—of course, they’d never been personal. They simply felt that way. “Your work is more important than how you feel about it.” —Claudette Sutherland, Mentor She’s retired now, but those words were like a mantra for Claudette. Her students oohed and ahhed whenever she said them, while I secretly wondered what the hell she meant. What I felt mattered to me and still does. It took me years to understand she wasn’t attacking my feelings. I believe she wanted us to get out of our own way. Stop whining about all the reasons we didn’t do and just do. Stop editing our work and push forward. Tell our egos to take a back seat for a while and set our creativity free. “I can do this.” —Me, circa 2025-26 This past year, while I’ve been continually working on The Catalyst, I’ve been too busy to worry about rejections. Too busy to send out many submissions either. The novel’s deadlines were fast and unrelenting, and they forced me to move. To do. Always stepping forward and outside of my comfort zone. I met the challenges and learned that what really matters, what really heals my bruised ego and feeds my soul, is the work itself. Not how other people receive it. It’s the act of creating, the spark, the fire that burns until it’s consumed at its source, leading to words on the page. Creating the thing, whatever that thing is. That’s the only thing I can hold onto and call my own. What anyone else feels about it belongs to them. Thank you for sharing such a fab post:) And yes, rejection is part of the game, but the act of creating, and the joy it brings, is why we keep on keeping on! Here’s the blurb When human bodies are found with scales and tails, DNA specialist Kat Crocker is assigned to uncover the cause of the mutations and stop them before they spread. But her growing visibility makes her a target. As attacks escalate, the trail leads her to a newly released VR game powered by impossible genetics—and to one man: the mentor who taught her everything, the father she buried years ago. Purchase Link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catalyst-Kat-Crocker-Book-ebook/dp/B0H67WYZ8N/ https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Kat-Crocker-Book-ebook/dp/B0H67WYZ8N/ Meet the author Andrea Goyan is an award-winning author and an avid animal person who grew up being called Goat-Girl and Raccoon-Mama. She is a grateful part of a flock of collaborative Magpie Poets whose first collection, An Illegal Feast, was released in 2025. Andrea also co-hosts MetaStellar Magazine’s “Long-Lost Friends” and “Storytime.” In her spare time, she walks her dogs and loves to paint, especially animal portraits. Many of her stories are available for free on her website. Facebook Bluesky Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming Andrea Goyan and her new book, The Catalyst, to the blog, with an inspiring post for all those writers out there #blogtour #scifi #writersadvice Blog Tour · Rachel’s Random Resources · Sci Fi I’m welcoming The Dowager’s Grand Triumph by Susanne Dunlap to the blog #blogtour #RegencyRomance Blog Tour · book review · historical fiction · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m welcoming Fables & Lies: A World War II Novel Based on a True Story by Elizabeth Storrs to the blog #FablesAndLies #HistoricalFiction #WW2Fiction #enemiestolovers #darkfamilysecrets #undercoveragent #truestory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · WW2 I’m sharing my review for a delightful cozy mystery, set in France, The Fatal Farandole by Ana T Drew #cozymystery #bookreview historical fiction

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MJ Porter @mjporterauthor.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I'm welcoming The Dowager's Grand Triumph by Susanne Dunlap to the blog #blogtour #RegencyRomance @rararesources

I’m welcoming The Dowager’s Grand Triumph by Susanne Dunlap to the blog #blogtour #RegencyRomance

I'm welcoming The Dowager's Grand Triumph by Susanne Dunlap to the blog #blogtour #RegencyRomance @rararesources

mjporterauthor.blog

I'm welcoming Fables & Lies: A World War II Novel Based on a True Story by Elizabeth Storrs to the blog #FablesAndLies #HistoricalFiction #WW2Fiction #enemiestolovers #darkfamilysecrets #undercoveragent #truestory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @elisabethstorrs @cathiedunn @elisabethstorrsauthor

I’m welcoming Fables & Lies: A World War II Novel Based on a True Story by Elizabeth Storrs to the blog #FablesAndLies Excerpt 4: Chapter Eighteen Klosterheide, December 1939 Freyja climbed the stairs behind the matron, peering into rooms where wintry sunlight poured through arched windows. Chubby toddlers and preschoolers sat on miniature railed wooden chairs at a bench. They ate from steel bowls, guarded by Brown Sisters pouring milk from pitchers into beakers. Freyja inhaled the aroma of freshly baked bread, amazed to see steamed vegetables and jacket potatoes heaped on the platters. The abundance was startling. Berliners struggled to find fresh produce with the British blockade squeezing supply lines. ‘For all this, we must thank the Führer,’ said the matron. ‘And Reichsführer Himmler believes in the best nutrition for these children.’ ‘Tante!’ Siggi waved from the far side of the room then ran towards her. Clipping a chair leg, he fell heavily. Blood spurted from his nose. Before she could reach him, a nurse yanked him to his feet, barking at him to stop whining. Matrone Hildegarde gripped Freyja’s wrist with blunt fingers. ‘Leave him. We’re making soldiers here, not encouraging cry-babies.’ She tried to break from her, but the woman held firm and growled an order to take the child to the infirmary. Dismayed, Freyja watched her sobbing nephew dragged away. Hildegarde glowered. ‘Siegfried has been coddled by his mother. Frankly, Hauptsturmführer von Erlbach and his wife should adopt him. Or he should be given to another deserving SS couple. It’s highly unusual to let a Lebensborn mother raise a child.’ She headed for another flight of stairs. Freyja hesitated, unsure whether to search for Siggi but doubted she’d find him in the maze of corridors. She hurried up the stairs behind the retreating figure of the matron. She was sickened by the threat to Volla. Her sister’s greatest fear was Otto giving her sons to his wife. Freyja prayed von Erlbach would never betray her. The air reeked of ether and ammonia on the next floor. Freyja saw a tiled operating theatre. The delivery bed looked forbidding, with a huge arc lamp suspended over it. A portable stand with two empty drips stood nearby. Poor Volla. Instead of giving birth with Mutti to assist her, she’d been tended by cold-hearted fanatics. The mewling of a baby drew her attention to a nursery next door. Brown Sisters moved between dozens of cribs with lace valances and flowered blankets. Babies in identical knitted caps lay in each. Blue or pink name tags were attached to the infants’ wrists, illustrated with either a boy or girl baby holding the trident-shaped Lebensrune symbol. Freyja stood aghast at the production line. ‘How many babies are here?’ ‘There are one hundred beds available in this clinic,’ said the matron. ‘Modest compared to Home Steinhoring in Munich. Nine homes have been established across Germany and more are planned. Any valuable Aryan girl who finds herself in trouble to a good German soldier can be admitted to a Lebensborn home. Of course, a high racial standard is required. Every mother of good blood must be holy.’ A Brown Sister approached, carrying a baby. The infant was shrieking, tonsils and tongue ululating. ‘It’s time for him to be fed, Matrone.’ Hildegarde claimed the child. ‘I’ll drop him off.’ ‘Where’s his mother?’ asked Freyja, aware she’d seen no women other than Brown Sisters. ‘In the maternity ward. It’s best to keep maternal contact to a minimum given the children will be adopted.’ Freyja imagined the girls’ distress. ‘It must be hard for them to give up their babies.’ The matron frowned. ‘Individual needs must be subordinated to the State, Fräulein. These women are doing their duty for the Vaterland. Reichsführer Himmler says eliminating abortions and saving unborn boys will lead to more than two hundred regiments of soldiers in twenty years’ time. Add girls, and in two decades we could have half a million additional decent Germans. We must outnumber the offspring of those vile Jewish refugees who’ve flooded in from the East.’ Freyja hid her disgust as she scanned the rows of bassinets. ‘Which one is my nephew?’ Here’s the blurb Under a brutal regime, what price must be paid to preserve truth, treasure and love in a world built on lies? WWII Berlin. Freyja Bremer, a patriotic museum assistant, marries Kaspar Voigt, an ambitious SS scholar, to protect her father. Yet she is unaware her husband is instrumental in Himmler’s twisted quest for Aryan supremacy. As she strives to safeguard the priceless Priam’s Treasure from air raids, Freyja falls in love with Darien Lessing, an archaeologist who exposes the moral decay beneath the Regime’s myths. Her awakening drives her into perilous resistance — aiding a Jewish doctor and his wife, Darien’s sister — while uncovering Kaspar’s role in the SS’s darkest programs, which subvert history to justify invasion, abduction and murder. As Berlin collapses into chaos and bloodshed, Freyja, caught between duty, deception and desire, must risk everything to preserve truth in a world built on lies. A heartbreaking yet triumphant love story, Fables & Lies shines light on lesser-known aspects of the Nazi Regime. It gives voice to the complex moral struggles of German women, the forgotten resistance of Gentiles married to Jews, the dangers of contested history, the evils of Himmler’s racial studies program and the unsung bravery of German museum curators who saved their nation’s treasures. Perfect for readers of Kelly Rimmer, Anthony Doer and Laura Morelli. Any Triggers: The book contains offensive Nazi ideology together with graphic war imagery (including rape) still birth and bereavement. Praise for Fables & Lies: “A heartrending story of a young woman caught in the machinations of the Third Reich and in the web of a regime-compliant family. The novel is meticulously researched and emotionally resonant, sure to delight readers who love a hearty feast of history in their fiction.”~ Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of The Ragged Edge of Night “A powerful and heartbreaking story set in war-torn Berlin, FABLES & LIES charts the slow dawning horror of a young woman as she realises all she has been taught about Hitler and the Third Reich is a lie. Impeccably researched and sensitively rendered, Elisabeth Storrs has shone a light on little-known aspects of life in Germany under the Nazi regime.” ~ Kate Forsyth, bestselling author of Bitter Greens “Written from the little explored German viewpoint, FABLES & LIES is a gripping account of the quest to save the world’s great antiquities during WW2 and an ode to those women and men who risked all for freedom. A beautifully written novel. I’ve never read anything like it.” ~ Nicole Alexander, author of The Limestone Road “Elisabeth Storrs has indeed broken the mould by writing ‘from the other side’. Evocative, detailed and heart-rending as the heroine journeys through disillusion and danger in the Third Reich.” ~ Alison Morton, author of the Roma Nova series “A chilling and meticulously researched journey into the shadow world of the Ahnenerbe. Blending historical rigor with gripping fiction, FABLES & LIES reminds us of the devastating consequences when history is twisted to serve power.” ~ Leah Kaminsky, author of The Hollow Bones Buy Link https://books2read.com/fablesandlies * Goodreads Giveaway * https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/442105-fables-lies-a-wwii-novel-based-on-a-true-story Meet the author Elisabeth Storrs has a great love for history and myths. She is the award-winning author of A Tale of Ancient Rome trilogy which was endorsed by Ursula Le Guin, Kate Quinn and Ben Kane. Now her obsession lies with Trojan treasure and twisted Germanic prehistory in her new release, Fables & Lies: A World War II Novel. Elisabeth is also the founder of the Historical Novel Society Australasia and the $155,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She lives in Sydney with her husband in a house surrounded by jacarandas. https://www.elisabethstorrs.com Instagram Facebook Pinterest TikTok Amazon Goodreads X https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elisabeth-storrs Follow the Fables & Lies by Elizabeth Storrs blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming Fables & Lies: A World War II Novel Based on a True Story by Elizabeth Storrs to the blog #FablesAndLies #HistoricalFiction #WW2Fiction #enemiestolovers #darkfamilysecrets #undercoveragent #truestory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · WW2 I’m sharing my review for a delightful cozy mystery, set in France, The Fatal Farandole by Ana T Drew #cozymystery #bookreview historical fiction I’m sharing my review for Death of a Fugitive, the second book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview Elizabethan · historical fiction · Historical Mystery · murder mystery · Mystery I’m welcoming Nicola Harris to the blog with her new novel, Infidel #InfidelTheDaughtersOfAragon #NicolaHarris #CatherineOfAragon #HistoricalFiction #TudorHistory #BookTour #BlogTour #YardeBookPromotions biographical historical fiction · Blog Tour · Yarde Book Reviews

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MJ Porter @mjporterauthor.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I'm sharing my review for a delightful cozy mystery, set in France, The Fatal Farandole by Ana T Drew #cozymystery #bookreview @rararesources

I’m sharing my review for a delightful cozy mystery, set in France, The Fatal Farandole by Ana T Drew #cozymystery #bookreview Here’s the blurb The Fatal Farandole is a cozy mystery full of plot twists and small-town secrets. It’s perfect for fans of character-driven crime novels with emotional depth. A beloved Provençal festival. A murderous conspiracy. A bullfighter who knows too much. When two local chefs are killed within a week, shockwaves ripple through the region’s tight-knit culinary world. Suspicion lands squarely on baker Julie Cavallo. As whispers turn to accusations, her eccentric family closes ranks, and her loyal friends rally to her side. But Julie’s running out of time. Her pastry shop is at risk. Her love life is unraveling. The gendarmes are tracking her every move. Julie can’t afford to wait for the official investigation to uncover the truth. Her instincts go into overdrive. Dots connect. Patterns appear… Can Julie make it through this case, when asking the right questions has already gotten others killed? Purchase Links https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F749KMMK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F749KMMK My Review The Fatal Farandole is the latest release in this cozy mystery series. As it’s book 9, it did take me a while to get to know the characters. And although I’m never one to say you have to read a series in order, perhaps on this occasion, it might help to start with the first book, especially as the new mystery is so good. We begin straight away with our character in a tricky situation and the story unfolds quickly from there, as we learn what’s happening, alongside our main character. There is much discussion of food and mysteries and I look forward to going back to the beginning with this engaging and well-written mystery. Meet the author Ana T. Drew is the evil mastermind behind a recent string of murders in the fictional French town of Beldoc. A first-place winner of the Chanticleer MYSTERY & MAYHEM Awards, her books have been released in several languages, both independently and through traditional houses, including HarperCollins France and Straarup & Co. When she’s not plotting mysteries, Ana can be found perfecting her low-carb cookie recipes or watching The Rookie to cope with the void left by Castle. Ana lives in Paris with her husband and their dog, but her heart resides in Provence. https://www.ana-drew.com Facebook Goodreads Giveaway to Win a boxset of the three books in the Provence Mysteries Series (Open INT) Win a boxset of the three books in the Provence Mysteries Series (Open INT) https://gleam.io/W5YAJ/win-a-boxset-of-the-three-books-in-the-provence-mysteries-series-open-int *Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box below. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize. Posts Stay up to date with the latest from our blog. I’m sharing my review for a delightful cozy mystery, set in France, The Fatal Farandole by Ana T Drew #cozymystery #bookreview historical fiction I’m sharing my review for Death of a Fugitive, the second book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview Elizabethan · historical fiction · Historical Mystery · murder mystery · Mystery I’m welcoming Nicola Harris to the blog with her new novel, Infidel #InfidelTheDaughtersOfAragon #NicolaHarris #CatherineOfAragon #HistoricalFiction #TudorHistory #BookTour #BlogTour #YardeBookPromotions biographical historical fiction · Blog Tour · Yarde Book Reviews I’m reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · book review · historical fiction · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources

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I'm sharing my review for Death of a Fugitive, the second book in John Pilkington's Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview @boldwoodbooks

I’m sharing my review for Death of a Fugitive, the second book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview Here’s the blurb A BRAND NEW instalment in a gripping Tudor mystery from bestselling author John Pilkington. Perfect for fans of Andrew Taylor and S. J. Parris. This Ward, Cutler… it seethes, does it not? 1595, Bishopsgate Ward, London. Matthew Cutler, constable for the parish of Spitalfields, prides himself on always being on the side of justice. So when a young man on the run, whose only ‘crime’ was protesting about high prices and corruption, hides out in Bishopsgate, not for the first time Cutler finds his duties as constable at odds with his gut feeling. He feels compelled to help him, and not just because his daughter Jane is smitten with the plucky lad… Meanwhile there is trouble in Bishopsgate as fake coins keep turning up, convincing enough to fool many. Tensions rise and people are in fear of a brutal yet shadowy figure: the ‘coiner’ Thomas Gunnell, who seems to have eyes everywhere. Cutler must once again fall back on his skills of disguise, and risk his own life to root out Gunnell’s gang before they bring chaos to Bishopsgate Ward – and danger to everything he holds dear. Purchase Link https://amzn.to/4u5JErw My Review Death of a Fugitive is the secod book in the Bishopsgate Ward Mysteries, and I have read book 1. Like the first book, our main character is Matthew Cutler, although he is assisted by a number of collegues (if such they could be called). The story unfolds mostly through his eyes, as he pieces together events that have occured during a short absence from the ward. Quite a lot of time has elapsed since the first book – his oldest daughter is married, and his wife’s aunt is being pursued by a suitor, while his own fledgling love affair is largely absent in this book, aside from a few odd mentions. No sooner has he settled in the local tavern, than the mystery begins to unravel. Is there someone passing off fake coins in the area and how are they doing it? Cutler is resolved to finding out. Like the first book, Death of a Fugitive is filled with information about the late Tudor era. It is also written in a slightly archaic way, (purposefully), but once you get used to it, it doesn’t distract from the story, which rumbles along at a decent enough pace, although I found some elements a little slow. That said, this was a very enjoyable mystery and Cutler does once more, place himself in terrible danger in order to bring the enemy to justice, making some rather tricky decisions along the way. Check out my review for book 1 in the series, Death of a Stranger. Meet the author A writer for over forty years, John Pilkington was born in Lancashire and worked at many jobs including laboratory assistant, farm worker, weaver, shipping clerk, picture frame-maker and cabaret musician before taking a degree in Drama and English and finding his true 2 vocation. He has since written plays for radio and theatre, television scripts for a BBC soap, a short-lived children’s series and numerous works of historical fiction, concentrating now on the Tudor and Stuart eras. He also ventured into speculative fiction with his biography of Shakespeare’s famous jester, Yorick. He now lives in a village on a tidal estuary in Devon with his long-term partner Elisabeth; they have a son who is a psychologist and musician. When not at the desk he walks, swims, listens to music and tinkers with d.i.y. projects, and is enjoying being a grandfather. Connect with the author Bookbub profile: @jpscript Posts Stay up to date with the latest from our blog. I’m sharing my review for Death of a Fugitive, the second book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Matthew Cutler #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview Elizabethan · historical fiction · Historical Mystery · murder mystery · Mystery I’m welcoming Nicola Harris to the blog with her new novel, Infidel #InfidelTheDaughtersOfAragon #NicolaHarris #CatherineOfAragon #HistoricalFiction #TudorHistory #BookTour #BlogTour #YardeBookPromotions biographical historical fiction · Blog Tour · Yarde Book Reviews I’m reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · book review · historical fiction · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m delighted to welcome Vicky Adin and her new book, Sarah’s Destiny, to the blog, #HistoricalFiction #VictorianWomen #workingclasswomen #enduringlove #Bristol #widows #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · New Release · writing

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It's happy release day to The Eagle Will Rise, the first book in The Sundered Kingdom Series. Listen to me talk about why I wrote this book #newbook #historicalfiction #Mercia

I’m introducing The Eagle Will Rise and reading the first chapter. Enjoy. Here’s the blurb The king is dead; for Mercia to survive, another must take his place. Coelwulf, Mercia’s last king, is dead. His legacy and right to rule Western Mercia have been claimed by Alfred of Wessex, but all know Alfred was never to have Mercia. Neither were the Viking raiders, who now command the eastern-most parts of Mercia and the former kingdom of the East Angles. Icel, the bastion of Mercia’s wars against Wessex and the Viking raiders, lies dying, but he refuses to abandon his beloved kingdom to her long-standing enemies. Rudolf, the once-young ally of King Coelwulf the second, is summoned by Icel to attend upon him. Grudgingly, he arrives at Budworth, the task laid before him, audacious to say the least; rescue Coelwulf’s acknowledged heir, Æthelred, from Wessex, where he’s held prisoner by King Alfred. To do so, Rudolf must prevail upon the dispersed oath-sworn warrior band of King Coelwulf, and all of them, aside from him, have ignored Icel’s increasingly furious demands to attend upon him. If they won’t obey Icel, then why should they listen to Rudolf? The fate of Mercia’s survival rests in the hands of a man who should long have been in his grave, and Rudolf, a boy who’s become a man in the most trying of circumstances. They must forge Æthelred into the emblem of Mercian survival. Or die trying. But first, they must rescue Æthelred from someone who’s always pretended to be Mercia’s ally, and is anything but. https://amzn.to/3PqbUGb (Kindle – it will be in KU as soon as I tick the correct button). Also available in paperback, large print and hardback. Check out The Sundered Kingdom Series Page on the blog Posts It’s happy release day to The Eagle Will Rise, the first book in The Sundered Kingdom Series. Listen to me talk about why I wrote this book #newbook #historicalfiction #Mercia May 7, 2026 Storm of Mercia is now available. This is also known as ‘the one on the ship.’ #histficbook #newrelease #authorinspiration April 5, 2026 Storm of Mercia is now available. Let’s talk about Wynflæd #histficbook #newrelease #characterinspiration April 4, 2026 Introducing Mercia: A Companion Guide to the Tales of Mercia April 2, 2026 It’s happy release day to Storm of Mercia. Return to the world of young Icel in the ninth book in the Eagle of Mercia Series. #histficbook #newrelease #HadPossessionOfThePlaceOfSlaughter April 1, 2026 It’s (nearly) happy release day to Storm of Mercia. Return to the world of young Icel in the ninth book in the Eagle of Mercia Series. #histficbook #newrelease March 25, 2026 The Secret Sauce is now available in audiobook format #histfic #historicalmystery March 24, 2026 Introducing The Ultimate Pantsers Writers’ Notebook by yours truly March 23, 2026 The Dark Age Chronicles might be complete, but I imagine my readers still have questions. Check out this blog post about what comes before (and what came after) #TheDarkAgeChronicles#MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic February 14, 2026 Introducing 757, the first book in the brand new series, The House of Mercia #fiction #nonfiction #Mercia February 12, 2026 It’s cover reveal time for Storm of Mercia. Return to the world of young Icel in the ninth book in the Eagle of Mercia Series. #coverreveal #preorder #histficbook February 7, 2026 It’s happy release day to Lords of Iron, the third and concluding book in the Dark Age Chronicles Trilogy. Let’s talk about battle standards #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic January 5, 2026 It’s happy release day to Lords of Iron, the third and concluding book in the Dark Age Chronicles Trilogy. Watch and listen to a short recording about the research books I used #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic January 5, 2026 It’s nearly happy release day to Lords of Iron, the third and concluding book in the Dark Age Chronicles Trilogy. Let’s talk about Wærmund, warrior of the Gyrwe #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic January 4, 2026 It’s nearly happy release day to Lords of Iron, the third and concluding book in the Dark Age Chronicles Trilogy. Here are the original (very long) historical notes for Men of Iron #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic January 3, 2026 It’s nearly happy release day to Lords of Iron, the third and concluding book in the Dark Age Chronicles Trilogy. Let’s talk about Meddi , the seeress of the Eorlingas #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic January 2, 2026 2025 – A Writing Year in Review January 1, 2026 The inspiration for The Barrage Body, book 4 in The Erdington Mysteries (and why this isn’t quite the book I thought it would be) #histfic #mystery December 16, 2025 It’s happy release day to The Barrage Body, book 4 in The Erdington Mysteries #histfic #mystery November 30, 2025 The Secret Sauce is on blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources hosts. Check out the reviews, blog posts and Q & As below #histfic #historicalmystery November 19, 2025 Shield of Mercia is now available. Return to the world of young Icel, and listen to me rabbiting on, again #newrelease #histfic #TheEagleofMerciaChronicles #audio October 5, 2025 It’s happy release day to Shield of Mercia. Return to the world of young Icel. I attempt to summarise all the books in just 20 seconds each. #newrelease #histfic #TheEagleofMerciaChornicles October 3, 2025 Letter writing in the Eleventh Century, how I recreated Lady Estrid’s connections with her vast family. #non-fiction #histfic September 20, 2025 What languages were being spoken in Post-Roman Britain? #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #histfic September 17, 2025 The Saxon Settlement of Tamworth in the 800s July 16, 2025 It’s happy release day to Warriors of Iron, the second book in the Dark Age Chronicles Trilogy #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #histfic July 13, 2025 Warfare during the Saxon period. What we know and what we don’t about the battle of Hædfeld. #GodsAndKingsTrilogy #histfic May 25, 2025 It’s happy release day to Betrayal of Mercia, so I’m sharing a post about Crime and Punishment in Saxon England January 5, 2025 It’s happy release day to Betrayal of Mercia, so I’m sharing a post about Mercia’s alleged ‘Bad Queens.’ January 5, 2025 It’s happy release day to The Last Deceit, book 10 in The Last King series, so I’m sharing a blog post about my decision to include a fictional character December 26, 2024 MJ Porter’s Saxon Stories Order and Series Pages | Infographic July 27, 2024 The Royal Women Who Made England: The Tenth Century in Saxon England. But who were these royal women? January 29, 2024 I’m welcoming Nicola Harris to the blog with her new novel, Infidel #InfidelTheDaughtersOfAragon #NicolaHarris #CatherineOfAragon #HistoricalFiction #TudorHistory #BookTour #BlogTour #YardeBookPromotions May 6, 2026 I’m reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview May 5, 2026 I’m delighted to welcome Vicky Adin and her new book, Sarah’s Destiny, to the blog, #HistoricalFiction #VictorianWomen #workingclasswomen #enduringlove #Bristol #widows #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub May 5, 2026 I’m reviewing the new book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Italian Mysteries, Murder in Rome by TA Williams #BookReview #BlogTour #CosyCrime #ContemporaryCrime May 2, 2026 I’m welcoming Maryka Biaggio and her new book, Margery and Me, to the blog #MargeryandMe #historicalfiction #realpeople #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour April 30, 2026

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I'm welcoming Nicola Harris to the blog with her new novel, Infidel #InfidelTheDaughtersOfAragon #NicolaHarris #CatherineOfAragon #HistoricalFiction #TudorHistory #BookTour #BlogTour #YardeBookPromotions @maryanneyarde @yardereviews @maryanneyarde.bsky.social

I’m welcoming Nicola Harris to the blog with her new novel, Infidel Guest post by Nicola Harris My research for Infidel began long before I ever thought of writing a novel about Catherine of Aragón. It began on a beach in Tenerife, years before tourism transformed the island. To a child, it felt like another world. The light, the heat, the colours, the food, the rhythm of life. I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time with a Spanish family who welcomed me into their home and their culture year after year. They taught me fragments of their language and, more importantly, the stories that shaped their history. Through them, I first encountered the world of Muslim Spain and the Catholic warrior monarchs who fought to reclaim it. It was impossible not to be fascinated. Catalina’s mother, Isabella of Castile, stood out immediately. She was disciplined, relentless, and utterly convinced of her divine purpose. She was also a mother raising her children in a kingdom defined by conflict. That tension between power and vulnerability became the foundation of my interest in Catalina’s early life. Before she was a queen, she was a child shaped by siege warfare, political ambition, and the expectations of a dynasty that demanded strength from its daughters. As I began to research more deeply, I found myself drawn to the wider world that touched Catalina’s childhood. I have always been captivated by the fall of Constantinople and the Turkish Sultan Mehmed II’s audacious plan to take the city. On a trip to Turkey a few years ago, I spoke with a Turkish waiter about his view of the sultan. His pride and respect for Mehmed stayed with me. It reminded me that history is never simple. Every figure we study has another side, another story, another set of loyalties and beliefs. That conversation helped me approach the period with a wider lens, aware that the Christian and Muslim worlds were not simply enemies but complex civilisations with their own brilliance and contradictions. Juana of Castile, Catalina’s older sister, became a vital part of the novel for this reason. She is often reduced to the label Juana the Mad, but she was far more than that. In Infidel, Juana allows me to explore the moral questions surrounding the Muslim wars and the Inquisition. She is outspoken, intelligent, and unwilling to accept cruelty as the natural cost of faith. Through her, I could give voice to the discomfort a modern reader might feel when confronted with the punishments and persecutions of the age. Without revealing too much, Juana’s own journey takes her far from home, and the emotional cost of that distance shapes her view of the world. Her brother Juan was married to Margaret of Austria, who is frequently remembered for educating Anne Boleyn. What is less often acknowledged is that long before Anne ever entered Margaret’s household, Catalina was already connected to Margaret by family. In Infidel, those family connections matter. It reminds us that Catalina did not exist only in relation to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She belonged to a wider European network of women whose lives, loyalties, and alliances shaped the courts that Anne would later enter. There is a great deal of sadness in this story, because there was a great deal of sadness in Catalina’s early life. She lost people she loved. She witnessed the brutality of war. She learned to read cyphers and how to read hearts. She watched her parents arguing over her father’s love affairs. She learned to stand firm even when everything around her was shifting. Her childhood was not soft or sheltered. It was an ordeal. She came face to face with native Americans who were snatched from their land and brought to the palace. I wanted to understand what forged her, what hardened her, and what gave her the strength she carried into England. Her resilience did not appear by magic. It was earned. Infidel grew from all these threads: my early love of Spain, my fascination with the fall of Constantinople, my respect for the complexity of the period, my interest in the overlooked connections between women like Catalina and Margaret of Austria, and my desire to show Catalina not as a symbol but as a girl shaped by fire. She was fierce, vulnerable, determined, and unforgettable long before she became a Tudor queen. I wanted to bring that girl to life. I wanted to show the sisters who stood beside her, the world that formed her, and the dynasty that demanded so much from its daughters. Here’s the blurb Born in the glittering courts of Castile and Aragon and forged in the shadow of war, Catalina de Aragón grows up surrounded by queens, rebels, and explorers. She is her mother’s last daughter, the final jewel of a dynasty built on conquest and faith, and the one child Isabella of Castile cannot bear to lose. But destiny has already claimed Catalina. Promised to Prince Arthur of England since childhood, she is raised to bind kingdoms, soothe old wounds, and carry the hopes of an empire across the sea. Yet, Spain fractures under rebellion, grief, and the ruthless zeal of its own rulers. From the burning streets of Granada to the storm‑lashed Bay of Biscay, Catalina and her sisters must navigate a treacherous path shaped by ambition, betrayal, and the dangerous love of men who fear the power of queens. She learns to read cyphers, to read hearts, and to stand unbroken even as her childhood is stripped from her piece by piece. And when she finally sails for England armed with her mother’s lessons, her father’s steel, and the ghosts of the Alhambra at her back, Catalina steps into her fate not as a girl, but as a force. A princess. A survivor. A daughter of Aragon. Infidel is the story of a young woman raised for greatness and destined to reshape the fate of nations. This is Catalina, as she has never been seen before. She is fierce, vulnerable, and unforgettable. A sweeping, intimate portrait of sisterhood, survival, and the making of a dynasty, Infidel reveals the hidden lives of a woman whose courage shaped the Tudor world. Any Triggers: Grief, mild peril, the Spanish Inquisition, enslaved people, death in childbirth and miscarriage. https://books2read.com/u/4AZDEJ Read with #KindleUnlimited Meet the author I’ve always been a writer, but it was only when illness forced me to stop everything that I finally had the time to write a novel. After decades of misdiagnosis, I learned I was born with a serious genetic condition, not rare, but profoundly misunderstood. The clues were there from birth, and suddenly, a lifetime of struggle made sense. Writing became my lifeline: a way to step beyond my pain, to shape my experience into a story, and to find meaning where there had once been only endurance. I have a lifelong love of children, Counselling, and Psychotherapy Theory and history. Instagram Facebook Bluesky Pinterest Amazon Goodreads X https://nicolaharrisauthor.com/ Follow the Infidel by Nicola Harris blog tour with Yarde Book Promotions Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming Nicola Harris to the blog with her new novel, Infidel #InfidelTheDaughtersOfAragon #NicolaHarris #CatherineOfAragon #HistoricalFiction #TudorHistory #BookTour #BlogTour #YardeBookPromotions biographical historical fiction · Blog Tour · Yarde Book Reviews I’m reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · book review · historical fiction · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m delighted to welcome Vicky Adin and her new book, Sarah’s Destiny, to the blog, #HistoricalFiction #VictorianWomen #workingclasswomen #enduringlove #Bristol #widows #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · New Release · writing I’m reviewing the new book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Italian Mysteries, Murder in Rome by TA Williams #BookReview #BlogTour #CosyCrime #ContemporaryCrime Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · murder mystery · Mystery · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources

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I’m reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview I'm reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview…

I’m reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview

I'm reviewing Harbour of Thieves by Richard Cullen, a brand new 19th century tale of smugglers and North Yorkshire #historicalfiction #bookreview @boldwoodbooks @wordhog

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I'm delighted to welcome Vicky Adin and her new book, Sarah's Destiny, to the blog, #HistoricalFiction #VictorianWomen #workingclasswomen #enduringlove #Bristol #widows #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn @thecoffeepotbookclub.com

I’m delighted to welcome Vicky Adin and her new book, Sarah’s Destiny, to the blog, #HistoricalFiction #VictorianWomen #workingclasswomen #enduringlove #Bristol #widows #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

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I'm reviewing the new book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Italian Mysteries, Murder in Rome by TA Williams #BookReview #BlogTour #CosyCrime #ContemporaryCrime @rararesources @boldboodbooks

I’m reviewing the new book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Italian Mysteries, Murder in Rome by TA Williams #BookReview #BlogTour #CosyCrime #ContemporaryCrime

I'm reviewing the new book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Italian Mysteries, Murder in Rome by TA Williams #BookReview #BlogTour #CosyCrime #ContemporaryCrime

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I'm welcoming Maryka Biaggio and her new book, Margery and Me, to the blog MargeryandMe #historicalfiction #realpeople #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour @cathiedunn @thecoffeepotbookclub

I’m welcoming Maryka Biaggio and her new book, Margery and Me, to the blog #MargeryandMe #historicalfiction #realpeople #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour Here’s the blurb In the 1920s, Margery Crandon captivated both Boston society and psychic researchers with her astonishing seances. At her gatherings, her deceased brother Walter regularly appeared, entertaining the circle with his witty and cheeky remarks. Margery’s abilities earned her the admiration of luminaries, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and William Butler Yeats. But one man stood in opposition: Harry Houdini, the legendary magician, who was determined to expose her as a fraud. Margery and Me tells the true story of the medium who mystified scientists, challenged skeptics, and sparked a sensation across America and Europe. As Houdini and Margery clashed in a battle of wits and wills, the question remained: Could the master illusionist unmask her, or would her extraordinary powers be enough to convert even the most resolute of doubters? Buy Link https://books2read.com/u/4Xy5re Meet the author Maryka Biaggio is a psychology professor-turned-novelist who brings forgotten lives back into the light. Specializing in historical fiction inspired by real people, she crafts emotionally resonant narratives anchored in careful research. Her debut novel, Parlor Games (Doubleday, 2013), launched a distinguished career that includes Gun Girl and the Tall Guy and Margery and Me. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the Willamette Writers Award, Oregon Writers Colony Award, Historical Novel Society Review Editors’ Choice, La Belle Lettre Award, and a Publishers Weekly pick. Biaggio is celebrated for illuminating overlooked historical figures with psychological depth and narrative grace. Facebook Pinterest TikTok Amazon Goodreads https://marykabiaggio.com https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maryka-biaggio Follow the Margery and Me by Maryka Biaggo blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming Maryka Biaggio and her new book, Margery and Me, to the blog #MargeryandMe #historicalfiction #realpeople #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour historical fiction I’m welcoming John Anthony Miller and his new book, Another Soul Saved, to the blog, #BlogTour #HistoricalFiction #WWIIFiction #HolocaustFiction #WomenInHistory #YardeBookPromotions historical fiction · Women In History · Yarde Book Reviews I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Enemy’s Wife, to the blog #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub #TheEnemysWife #HistoricalFiction #WW2 #Shanghai Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · New Release · Womens Fiction I’m welcoming JP Reedman and Bride of the Devil to the blog #medieval #HistoricalFiction #Norman #WomenInHistory #BiographicalFiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub historical fiction

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I'm welcoming John Anthony Miller and his new book, Another Soul Saved, to the blog @authorjamiller @maryanneyarde @yardereviews @maryanneyarde.bsky.social #BlogTour #HistoricalFiction #WWIIFiction #HolocaustFiction #WomenInHistory #YardeBookPromotions

I’m welcoming John Anthony Miller and his new book, Another Soul Saved, to the blog Research required to write the novel Another Soul Saved An author’s goal in writing a novel is to create an imaginary world with make-believe characters that keep the reader immersed in the story. When writing historical fiction, the story is usually grounded in fact—actual places, events, or historical accounts. To keep the reader fully engaged, the author needs to mimic the every-day life of people who lived during that time. Details lend credibility to the narrative, and details require research. Another Soul Saved is my nineteenth published novel, and I typically approach each one from the same perspective. Usually, I start by choosing a location and time period, or a world event that drives the plot. Once I have the basic concept underway, I start the research. I begin with the names of the characters. Another Soul Saved is set in Vienna, Austria, in the early days of WWII. Assuming the characters are around thirty years old, and the book takes place in 1941, I searched online for popular Austrian baby names in 1910 – the year around when the characters would have been born. I use a legal pad and make three columns: female names, male names, and surnames. Then I match them based on my image of the character. I actually spend a lot of time on names because I want them to flow, especially for the main characters. Next, I researched the city of Vienna, where the book takes place. I have been to Austria, but not the neighbourhood where the book is set, so I used Google Earth—it has a dropdown feature where you can actually “walk the streets.” It helps me describe buildings and use actual street names. Since some of the book takes place in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, I had to find the floor plans, including those of burial crypts in the basements, which are used in the novel to hide escaping Jews. To create the right atmosphere, I had to understand the city of Vienna as it existed in 1941. Ninety-nine percent of the residents supported the policies of Adolf Hitler, but my novel uses the voice of the one percent who didn’t—those risking their lives to save others, knowing that friends, neighbors, and even family members could betray them. I had to create the underlying tension so the reader felt the same fear that the main characters lived with. I read books about the Austrian Resistance movement and the nation’s policies and treatment of the Jewish population, so I understood what their lives were like. Another Soul Saved tells the story of Monika Graf, a wealthy woman who risks everything to rescue Jewish children, with no recognition or reward, betraying both her country and her husband. Unable to have children of her own, she impulsively rescues two Jewish children from the Nazis, which starts a whole underground movement. To realistically portray the process, I had to research real-life events. How did Jewish children escape the Nazi regime in Austria? A limited number were permitted to emigrate. What process was followed to get them out of the country? Many more children posed as Catholics, sheltered by the church in orphanages, convents, and seminaries. How was this accomplished? Other children were hidden on farms where it was easy to blend in with the farmer’s family, with much less exposure to soldiers or citizens who supported them. Topics specific to the novel that I had to research included train travel, a nearby concentration camp, the workings of St. Stephen’s Cathedral—how many priests and what duties were they assigned, food rationing, the Gestapo presence in Vienna—headquarters and processes, and a timeline for the Jews in Vienna. And lastly, I conducted research common to any historical novel: clothing worn during the time period, women’s hairstyles, local foods, and popular automobiles. My goal as an author is to blend the different levels of research into a world the reader doesn’t want to leave. Here’s the blurb Vienna, 1941 Monika Graf, the wife of a wealthy Austrian military commander, steals two Jewish girls from the Nazis—a crime often punishable by death. With soldiers in rapid pursuit, a homeless Jew named Janik, a mysterious man who lurks in the shadows, helps her escape. Unable to have children of her own, she finds a new purpose in life—rescuing Jewish children from the horrendous Nazi regime. She asks the Swiss for help, trading military secrets she gleans from her husband for the lives of Jewish children. With Janik’s continued support, she also enlists Father Christoff, a priest at St. Stephen’s Cathedral coping with unexpected emotions and doubting his commitment to God. Monika quickly forms bonds that can’t be broken, feelings exposed she never knew existed. Relentlessly pursued by Gestapo Captain Gustav Kramer, Monika combats continuing risk to her clandestine operation. When her husband, a rabid Nazi, returns from the battlefield severely wounded, she gets caught in a cage that she can’t crawl out of. Wrought with danger, riddled with romance, Another Soul Saved shows humanity at both its best and worst in a classic struggle of good versus evil. Any Triggers: Holocaust storyline; Nazi characters https://books2read.com/u/49YQy8 This book is available on #KindleUnlimited Meet the author John Anthony Miller writes all things historical—thrillers, mysteries, and romance. He sets his novels in exotic locations spanning all eras of space and time, with complex characters forced to face inner conflicts—fighting demons both real and imagined. He’s published twenty novels and ghostwritten several others, including Another Soul Saved. He lives in southern New Jersey. Instagram Facebook Amazon Goodreads X https://www.bookbub.com/authors/john-anthony-miller https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/jamjam57/ Follow the Another Soul Saved by John Anthony Miller blog tour with Yarde Book Promotions Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming John Anthony Miller and his new book, Another Soul Saved, to the blog, #BlogTour #HistoricalFiction #WWIIFiction #HolocaustFiction #WomenInHistory #YardeBookPromotions historical fiction · Women In History · Yarde Book Reviews I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Enemy’s Wife, to the blog #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub #TheEnemysWife #HistoricalFiction #WW2 #Shanghai Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · New Release · Womens Fiction I’m welcoming JP Reedman and Bride of the Devil to the blog #medieval #HistoricalFiction #Norman #WomenInHistory #BiographicalFiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub historical fiction I’m delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse’s Tribune and the Sword #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra ancient rome · book review · fiction · historical fiction · New Release

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I'm delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Enemy's Wife, to the blog #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub #TheEnemysWife #HistoricalFiction #WW2 #Shanghai @swiftstory @cathiedunn @deborahswiftauthor @thecoffeepotbookclub

I’m delighted to welcome Deborah Swift and her new book, The Enemy’s Wife, to the blog #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub #TheEnemysWife #HistoricalFiction #WW2 #Shanghai

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I'm welcoming JP Reedman and Bridee of the Devil to the blog #medieval #HistoricalFiction #Norman #WomenInHistory #BiographicalFiction #BlogTour @stonehenge2500 @cathiedunn @jpreedmanhistorical @thecoffeepotbookclub #TheCoffeePotBookClub

I’m welcoming JP Reedman and Bride of the Devil to the blog #medieval #HistoricalFiction #Norman #WomenInHistory Here’s the blurb She is a great heiress; he is the wickedest man in Normandy. Known to men far and wide as ‘The Devil,’ Robert de Belleme terrorises France alongside his equally fearsome mother, Mabel the Poisoner. But even a Devil needs an heir, and Mabel chooses the wealthy heiress Agnes of Ponthieu to be her son’s bride. The marriage is unhappy, though the longed-for son and heir is eventually born…but when Robert is away on one of his military campaigns, Agnes flees back to her father’s castle. She is not safe; her young son William is not safe. The Devil will seek to claim his own. Buy Link mybook.to/nNxi This series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. Meet the author J.P. Reedman was born in Canada but has lived in the U.K. for over 30 years. Interests include folklore and anthropology, prehistoric archaeology (neolithic / bronze age Europe; ritual, burial & material culture), as well as The Wars of the Roses and the rest of the medieval era. Novels include the popular I, Richard Plantagenet series about Richard III, The Falcon and the Sun (featuring other members of the House of York), and Medieval Babes, an ongoing series about lesser-known medieval queens and noblewomen. Facebook Instagram X Threads Bluesky Pinterest TikTok Amazon Goodreads https://stone-lord.blogspot.com/ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-p-reedman Follow the Bride of the Devil by JP Reedman blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming JP Reedman and Bride of the Devil to the blog #medieval #HistoricalFiction #Norman #WomenInHistory #BiographicalFiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub historical fiction I’m delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse’s Tribune and the Sword #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra ancient rome · book review · fiction · historical fiction · New Release I’m sharing my review for Sacrilege by Keith Moray, a brand new historical mystery set in 1361 #bookreview #blogtour #newrelease Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · book review · Crime Fiction · historical fiction · murder mystery · Mystery · New Release I’m sharing my review for Operation Berlin by Michael Ridpath #blogtour #bookreview historical fiction · Historical Mystery · Rachel’s Random Resources

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I'm delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse's Tribune and the Sword, #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra #boldwoodbloggers @BoldwoodBooks @AdamPLofthouse @rararesources

I’m delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse’s Tribune and the Sword #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra

I'm delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse's Tribune and the Sword, #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra #boldwoodbloggers @BoldwoodBooks @AdamPLofthouse @rararesources

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I'm sharing my review for Sacrilege by Keith Moray, a brand new historical mystery set in 1361 #bookreview #blogtour #newrelease #boldwoodbloggers @BoldwoodBooks @KeithMorayTales @rararesources #Sacrilege

I’m sharing my review for Sacrilege by Keith Moray, a brand new historical mystery set in 1361 #bookreview #blogtour #newrelease

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I'm sharing my review for Operation Berlin by Michael Ridpath #blogtour #bookreview #OperationBerlin #boldwoodbloggers @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources @michaelridpathauthor

I’m sharing my review for Operation Berlin by Michael Ridpath #blogtour #bookreview Here’s the blurb In a city rebuilding from war, truth can be the most dangerous weapon of all. Berlin, 1930. Historian Archie Laverick, scarred mentally and physically by the Great War, travels to Berlin to research a famed Prussian general. His quiet study is shattered when he crosses paths with Esme Carmichael, a spirited young American intent on making her name as a foreign correspondent. When a shooting at a Saxon castle leaves a young Jewish woman accused of murder, Archie and Esme are drawn into a perilous hunt for the truth. Their investigation cuts through the glittering façades and lingering scars of a nation still reeling from war – where resentment simmers, political alliances shift, and the first shadows of a new conflict fall across Europe. Amid whispers of blackmail and betrayal, the pair must navigate intrigue and danger to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight. A tense, atmospheric mystery set in a world between wars – perfect for fans of Philip Kerr’s Berlin Trilogy, Robert Harris’s Fatherland, and Alan Furst’s spy novels. Purchase Link https://mybook.to/operationberlinsocial My Review Operation Berlin wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but if anything, that’s a good thing. I was expecting a somewhat taut thriller, but instead was pleasantly surprised to read something with more of a cosy crime feel, though deeply steeped in the era’s events. Archie and Esme are entertaining characters, both with their own backstories, and while the storyline engages with the social mores of the time, it is far from shocking in this day and age. I also enjoyed the addition of Moses and hope he might appear in future books. I very much enjoyed Archie’s quest to track down information on the general he’s researching, as it meant I was educated on more than just 1930s Berlin. Overall, a very pleasant surprise. I imagine I will try more of Michael’s books in the future. Meet the author Michael Ridpath is the bestselling author of over 20 crime novels and thrillers. His first novel, after a career in finance, was Free to Trade, a No 2 bestseller about the murky world of bond trading which was translated into over thirty languages. He is currently writing the Foreign Correspondent series of murder mysteries set in the capitals of Europe in the 1930s. He splits his time between London and Massachusetts. Facebook Instagram Newsletter Sign Up Bookbub profile: @MichaelRidpath Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m sharing my review for Operation Berlin by Michael Ridpath #blogtour #bookreview historical fiction · Historical Mystery · Rachel’s Random Resources It’s always fun to help reveal a new book cover. Introducing Love Always Lindisfarne by Kimberely Adams historical fiction Today, I’m delighted to welcome NL Holmes and her new book, A Taste of Honey to the blog, with an excerpt #AncientHistoricalFiction #AncientEgyptianMystery #CozyHistorical #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · New Release Storm of Mercia is now available. This is also known as ‘the one on the ship.’ #histficbook #newrelease #authorinspiration Boldwood Books · historical fiction · M J Porter · New Release

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