Read an #excerpt from The Brantford Wagers (The Brantford Series, Book 1) by Nadine Kampen #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub #RegencyRomance @cookiebuxton @maryanneyarde

 

The Brantford Wagers
(The Brantford Series, Book 1)
By Nadine Kampen

Publication Date: 20th January 2022. Publisher: Birdsgate Publishing. Page Length: 358 Pages. Genre: Historical Fiction/Regency Romance.

Is Clara Vincent ready to risk it all for love?

Clara Vincent is “the artful dodger” when it comes to marriage, especially when her father is bent on match-making. Will her attitude change when she meets two eligible suitors and is drawn into the lives of intensely competitive families? Clara falls unexpectedly in love, but when fortunes are reversed and relationships up-ended, she needs to decide whether to trust James Brantford, who is seeking retribution, or accept the love of the man everyone else 

believes is her ideal match. 

As the Brantford wagers unfold and lay bare the history of past relationships, will Clara be able to learn the truth and finally follow her heart?

Excerpt 

From Chapter 16

A Memorable Composition

If Clara anticipated anything at all of Andrew Hill’s music, it was heaviness and fury. She fully expected him, in fact, to bang his hands down onto the ivories. What she heard instead completely startled her. The first sounds were full, sweet notes in the upper octaves. The music began in lightness and rapid motion, the melody beginning in the higher tones and echoed in an enchanting counter-movement in the bass.

‘How beautiful!’ she said quietly, tingling with excitement. Brantford smiled and nodded.

On the man played to his company, phrase after phrase taking shape under his capable hands. Clara watched his wrists and saw how his hands hovered, moving with such speed, caressing the keys. He came at length to a variation on his opening melody but played now with authority and power. The melody held more weight this time, more maturity, almost. The passage was mournful rather than sweet, resolving in a manner that was utterly satisfying and complete.

They remained still at the end of it, shocked by what they had heard. It was as though he had placed a spell on them. What an extraordinary composition. Lifting her daughter from her lap, Jenny Hill moved silently to her husband’s side. Mr Brantford and Clara looked to one another. Mr Hill rested, absolutely still. His wife lifted one of her husband’s massive hands to her tear-stained face, kissed the tips of his fingers, and pressed his hand to her cheek.

The husband had played for his wife alone. Clara understood that and looked away. Brantford, watching her, pressed his handkerchief into her hand, and she took it gratefully.

Mr Hill stood up and bowed, smiling at no one in particular. He knew the value of his work and he knew he had played brilliantly. When he did finally look towards his guests, it was in triumph and pride.

Brantford rose to his feet. ‘It is outstanding. All England shall thank you for it.’

‘What a privilege it is to hear your music. I was deeply moved. Thank you for inviting me to stay.’ Clara would have said more, but he had heard enough of praise. Mr Hill fixed his attention upon his daughter.

‘What say you, daughter? Do you like it?’

‘Yes, Papa, except the middle is noisy. The ending is splendid; that is the best part.’

‘I see. You were glad when it was over.’

The child pursed her lips and blinked back tears, hurt at being misinterpreted.

‘It has a happy ending,’ she explained.

He hugged Angelina and gave his wife a tender smile that lit up his tired features.

Clara looked away once more. This was all so private, these emotions and hidden feelings. She yearned to leave, and expressing her appreciation once more, bid the couple farewell. Mr Brantford, saying he would follow her in a moment, asked her to wait for him. Outside, she felt a wave of emotion sweeping over her. She could name the feeling, had anyone asked her: it was loneliness, and it seemed to fill her lungs, leaving her breathless. Hearing of Jenny’s estrangement and listening to the husband’s music made her heart hurt, and it brought a flood of memories, of the loss of her loved ones and her own isolation as an outsider. Even gaining the affection of the wrong man—she realised that now—brought a sense of emptiness, and she felt overwhelmed. Happiness had some future date written upon it; it was not to be claimed any time soon. Every note of that song had resounded inside her chest, and her heart was pounding.

Mr Brantford soon joined her, and they sat beside one another on a low stone wall.

‘His music is so very memorable. My father commissioned this piece and has secured a buyer in London, which will help considerably. The timing could not be better.’

‘Truly? I am glad to hear it.’

‘Miss Vincent, you mentioned at our last meeting that your brother-in-law enquired after my stables. I confess, it caught me by surprise, but I would be pleased to show you some of our horses. They are not all here at Middlegate, but you are welcome to see them. Feel free to come by when it suits you.’

‘I should like that immensely. Perhaps I could return at the end of October, then, since the day of your picnic will be rather busy for you,’ she suggested, pleased by his offer.

Brantford nodded and smiled happily. ‘You need only name the date.’

Clara, confused by his attention and friendly demeanour, felt exhausted from trying to rein in her natural warmth. The effort must have shown on her expressive features.

‘Are you tired? Let me see you home. I am ashamed I let you walk home from the river that day, when you so badly needed rest. I shall not be guilty a second time. Wait here while I collect my grandmother, and I will take you home.’

‘Your grandmother is here with you?’

‘Yes, on a rendez-vous with some acquaintances, enjoying tea. I shan’t be long.’ True to his word, he returned promptly with Mrs Brantford already settled in the carriage, and they journeyed the few miles to Stancrofts’ in comfort and ease.

On arrival, Mr Brantford declined Mrs Stancroft’s invitation to stay for refreshments. Clara was grateful he was leaving. She wanted and needed time to be alone. The music she had heard was still playing through her mind, and her enjoyment of Mr Brantford’s company on the ride home had given her much to think about. She escaped to her own room, lay down on her bed, and closed her eyes. Stretched out on her back, arms under her head, she replayed the sounds and scenes over and over to her heart’s content while tears trickled down her cheeks.

You can pick up your copy of this book from the following online stores: Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, Chapters-Indigo.ca

In her début novel, The Brantford Wagers, Nadine Kampen draws on her passion for stories that bring a smile and warm the hearts of the reader. The author immerses the reader in the fic-tional world of traditional historical romance, set in the memorable Regency England period, sharing the hopes, schemes, and antics of her characters. 

Prior to her career as an author, Nadine served as a regional marketing manager with an interna-tional consulting firm and as a communications and marketing director on university campuses. Earlier in her career, she worked in public relations and journalism, and was co-author and pro-ject lead for five non-fiction books comprising The Canadian Breast Cancer Series, published in 1989.

A resident of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, Nadine loves relaxing with family and friends, reading and walking, playing tunes on her 1905 Bell piano, and gardening. 

Social Media Links:

Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook Author Page, Instagram, Amazon Author Page, BookBub, Goodreads

Tour Schedule

Read an #excerpt from Under the Weeping Willow (Sheltering Trees: Book Two) by Jenny Knipfer #HistoricalFiction #christianhistoricalfiction @JennyKnipfer @maryanneyarde

 

Under the Weeping Willow 
(Sheltering Trees: Book Two)
By Jenny Knipfer

Author: Jenny Knipfer. Publication Date: 21st October 2021. Publisher: Jenny Knipfer—Author. Page Length: 346 Pages

A HISTORICAL NOVEL ABOUT A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER AND THE SECRET SHAPING THEIR ROCKY RELATIONSHIP

1918:

Just as Robin Holcomb settles into married life with her husband, Willis, on his aunt and un-cle’s farm in Wisconsin, WWI calls Willis away. With an unknown future and a child on the way, Robin makes the best of life among people she barely knows.

After the birth of her child, Robin struggles with depression and battles to overcome her inner demons before despair and hopelessness drive her to attempt to take her own life. Will Robin survive her dive into postpartum depression, let alone see Willis again?

1983:

Enid Fenton clears out her Mother’s house and puts the family farm up for sale, trying to not be consumed by guilt for installing her mother into the county nursing home.

Reading through some of her mother’s diary entries, Enid uncovers a secret that helps her make sense of the unnamed point of division that has always soured their relationship.

Can Enid reconcile with her mother before the ravages of Alzheimer’s claim her?

Readers of historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, literary fiction, and women’s fiction will be moved as this novel takes them from the depths of a person’s psyche and grief to the pinnacle of long-hoped-for peace.

Praise:

“Knipfer has created a story that crosses many genres and will appeal to those who love poign-ant epics about complex characters, engrossing plots, relatable situations, and a satisfying end-ing.” Tammy Ruggles for Readers’ Favorite, five-star review

“A sensitive and well-crafted drama unpacking issues of mental health, layers of grief, societal expectations, and the instability of memory, this novel is touching on the surface, but subtly and profoundly layered with meaning.” Self-Publishing Review ★★★★★

"A heart-rending, emotionally packed love story between a mother and daughter, Under the Weeping Willow is a journey of loss and brokenness coupled with forgiveness and healing. This time-split novel captured my heart and didn't release it until the final page. Beautiful and haunting, Robin and Enid's story swept me to another era. These characters lived, and I loved watching them find their way to each other. Keep the tissues handy. You don't want to miss this story!" ~Candace West, Selah award finalist and author of the Valley Creek Redemption series

Excerpt

Maybe our separation early on is why Enid and I hardly ever seem to understand one another. Rare moments sparkle like sunspots, and I can say, “She’s my daughter.” However, most of our interactions leave me wondering where she came from.

Excerpt

Is there anything worse than not to be known for who you are? Maybe not knowing who you are.

You can pick up your copy of this book at:

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones and Bookshop.org This novel is available to read on #KindleUnlimited

Jenny Knipfer lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.

Spending many years as a librarian in a local public library, Jenny recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disa-bility. Her education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions.

All of Jenny’s books have earned five-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite, a book review and award contest company. She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers As-sociation, Wisconsin Writers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, and Inde-pendent Book Publishers Association.

Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set.

She deems a cup of tea and a good book an essential part of every day. When not writing, Jen-ny can be found reading, tending to her many houseplants, or piecing quilt blocks at her sewing machine.

Her new historical fiction, four-part series entitled, Sheltering Trees, is set in the area Jenny grew up in, where she currently lives, and places along Minnesota’s Northern Shore, where she loves to visit. She is currently writing a four-part novella series entitled: Botanical Seasons.

Social Media Links:

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest • BookBub • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads • Book Trailer 

Tour Schedule

Read an #excerpt from Secrets of Rosenli Manor (Mysteries of the Modern Ladies’ Society, Book 1) by Heidi Eljarbo #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @HeidiEljarbo @maryanneyarde

 

Secrets of Rosenli Manor

(Mysteries of the Modern Ladies’ Society, Book 1)

By Heidi Eljarbo

Publication Date: 29th March 2022. Publisher: Independently Published. Page Length: 160 Pages. Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Mystery

Betrayal and trust go hand in hand in the first book of Heidi Eljarbo’s new turn-of-the-century series.

It’s 1898, and Lilly has spent most of her life motherless and living with a father who never looks for a silver lining. When her great-aunt Agatha passes, Lilly’s existence takes a drastic turn. She packs her few belongings and moves into the old lady’s magnificent estate, Rosenli Manor.

In the days that follow, Lilly tries to understand who Agatha really was, and hidden secrets slowly rise to the surface. Her great-aunt’s glamorous legacy is not quite what Lilly had imagined. She must trust in newly forged friendships, and to her surprise, she discovers what it means to truly fall in love. But not everyone is happy about the new mistress of Rosenli.

Intrigue, mystery, and a touch of romance in the Norwegian countryside fill the pages of Secrets of Rosenli Manor.

Excerpt

ROSENLI MANOR SAT bathed in a pleasant glow when Lilly arrived early the following day. Rays of sunshine sprayed the few snowy spots left on the ground, and two sparrows flittered between the bare branches of birches and hazelnut trees.

She’d only attended two funerals. The first one was for her beloved mother, then Uncle Alfred had passed a few years later.

A whiff of freshly baked goods met her as she opened the main door and stepped across the threshold. Maids were buzzing around an immensely long table set up in the middle of the grand entry hall, smoothing the linen tablecloth, and hurrying to and from the kitchen carrying trays and baskets of cakes and sweet rolls.

Gertrude came toward her. “Oh, there you are, love. The reception is being prepared according to Agatha’s wishes. I hope you are pleased.”

“It looks wonderful. Are you expecting a large crowd?”

“The townsfolk. Your great-aunt was much loved.”

“I’m glad they can come.”

“You know, Agatha always held an open hand for people in need and shared what she had. Today, we’ll celebrate that goodness by inviting people inside the manor for a bite to eat. They’ll sing hymns, enjoy the food, and speak kind words about Agatha before they follow the wagon with her casket to the church cemetery.”

“I’ve never heard of such devotedness before, only with celebrities or perhaps royalty.”

“One may think Agatha was just an ordinary woman, but there was nothing common about her. What she taught me through her example is that anyone can do extraordinary things with their life. One can choose to be good, charitable, or kind…even when others may not deserve to be treated well. There’s always a choice.” She wiped her hands on her apron and rearranged a couple of the cake trays. “There. That’s better.” Touching Lilly’s arm, she said, “As you learn more about her and become acquainted with her life, you’ll understand what I mean.”

“But—”

“Patience, dear. All in good time.” She gave Lilly a quick hug. “I’m so pleased you are here.” Her skirt swooshed as she rushed back down the hall toward the kitchen.

John came carrying a large tray. Steam rose from the cups, and the aroma of mulled blackcurrant toddy reached Lilly.

“Mornin’, Lilly,” he said. “Can I do anything for you?”

“I’d like to help.”

“Go to the kitchen and ask what you can do. We’ll invite people into the grand hall as soon as we have everything on the table.”

Lilly made her way to the scullery, moving out of the way as two maids hurried by.

“What can I do?” she asked Gertrude.

“Every plate and basket on that table needs to go out. We’re almost ready now.”

Lilly picked up a serving plate with lefse and carried it into the hallway. The softened potato flatbread rolled up with butter, sugar, and cinnamon was one of her favorite treats. She hurried back a few more times until the long table was packed full of delicacies. Cakes and open-faced sandwiches, buns and sweet rolls, dried apples, and cold and warm drinks filled every available space.

Gertrude gave John a nod, and he turned to Lilly.

“Shall we?” he asked.

Lilly smiled, not knowing what to expect. “Yes, John. Please invite the neighbors in.”

John flung open the double doors, and young and old dressed in what seemed like their finest clothes streamed inside. At first, they stood to the side, waiting and peeking shyly at the table and taking in the beauty of the hallway with its portraits on one wall and lovely mirrors on the other. A rope hung at the bottom of the staircase to prevent people from entering the private rooms upstairs.

Children stared at the delicacies then pulled at their mothers’ skirts, looking up with pleading eyes.

“Go ahead,” Gertrude said, smiling at the youngsters.

With their mothers in tow, the children hurried to the table. Chairs were set out along both sidewalls, and Lilly grabbed a basket and offered sweet raisin rolls to older people who’d found a seat. Menfolk stood talking, mugs of warm toddy in one hand and a sandwich or two in the other.

Gertrude handed Lilly a mug. “One of Agatha’s favorite drinks when the weather cooled off. She always asked for a cup when returning from walks outside.”

The juice had the same rich deep-red color as the pelargonium Lilly remembered hanging from the balcony planters on the backside of the manor.

“Thank you, Gertrude.”

Lilly carefully blew on the hot juice then took a sip. The flavor was delicious, like an aromatic blend of berries, spices, and everything sweet.

You can pick up your copy of this book at the following bookstores: Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon AU

Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near.

Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.

Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.

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

Social Media Links:

Website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, BookBub, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads

Tour Schedule 

Look who is in the SPOTLIGHT - The Feathered Nest (The Thornton Mysteries, Book 4) by Ellen Read #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #SuspenseFiction @ellenreadauthor @maryanneyarde

 

The Feathered Nest
(The Thornton Mysteries, Book 4)
By Ellen Read

Publication Date: 14th March 2022. Publisher: Crimson Cloak Publishing. Page Length: 372 Pages. Genre: Historical Fiction / Cosy Murder Mystery 

Murder comes to Norfolk Island, but is the killer after Alexandra Archer’s Tahitian black pearl or a lost illustration of the rare Green Parrot?

The Thorntons, along with a small team of people, mount an expedition to Norfolk Island, a small island in the South Pacific, to study the Green Parrot and set up research programmes to help protect it and other endangered birds.

As a birthday surprise, Alexandra’s father tells her she is to be the official photographer for the expedition. Her father gives her a black pearl brooch that Alexandra’s great-grandfather had bought off a merchant in Hong Kong in the 1850s. The pearls are Tahitian black pearls.

Before they depart Melbourne, they learn that Norfolk Island has had its first murder. It sends ripples of unease through Alexandra. She hoped she could escape murder on this small island paradise.

Alexandra is astonished to learn that the main inhabitants of Norfolk Island are descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives. Once on the island, she wonders if this is why her Tahitian black pearl brooch causes such interest.

A chain of events is set in motion, commencing with a threat on the life of one of their expedition members, followed by intrigue surrounding bird smuggling and a lost illustration of the Green Parrot. Then two of their team are murdered.

 Alexandra is determined to find the answers and nearly loses her life in the process.

You can pick up your copy of this book at Amazon (and #KindleUnlimited).

Ellen Read

Ellen Read is the author of The Dragon Sleeps, The Inca’s Curse and The Amber Trap—historical murder mystery romance novels.

Ellen was born in Queensland, Australia. 

She loves to read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She particularly loves history and stories of ancient myths and legends. Authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and Victoria Holt, the latter of whom wrote gothic mystery/romances, have influenced her own work.

Other interests include photography, painting, music and musical theatre, and dance. Ellen was a ballroom dancing teacher for many years and has also worked in Performing Arts administration. 

Social Media Links:

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest,  

BookBub, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads 

Tour Schedule 

Book Review - Waking Up Lost – A Mystical Fantasy Adventure (The Adirondack Spirit Series) by David Fitz-Gerald @AuthorDAVIDFG @maryanneyarde

 

Waking Up Lost – A Mystical Fantasy Adventure
(The Adirondack Spirit Series)
By David Fitz-Gerald

Publication Date: December, 2021. Publisher: Outskirts Press. Page Length: 263 Pages. Genre: Historical Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Traveling without warning. Nights lost to supernatural journeys. Is one young man fat-ed to wander far from safety?

New York State, 1833. Noah Munch longs to fit in. Living with a mother who communes with ghosts and a brother with a knack for heroics, the seventeen-year-old wishes he were fearless enough to discover an extraordinary purpose of his own. But when he mysteriously awakens in the bedroom of the two beautiful daughters of the meanest man in town, he realizes his odd sleepwalking ability could potentially be deadly.

Convinced that leaving civilization is the only way to keep himself and others safe, Noah pur-sues his dream of becoming a mountain man and slips away into the primeval woods. But after a strong summer storm devastates his camp, the troubled lad finds his mystical wanderings have only just begun.

Can Noah find his place before he’s destroyed by a ruthless world?

Waking Up Lost is the immersive fourth book in the Adirondack Spirit Series of historical fic-tion. If you like coming-of-age adventures, magical realism, and stories of life on the American frontier, then you’ll love David Fitz-Gerald’s compelling chronicle.

Trigger Warnings:
Rape, torture, cruelty to animals, sex, violence.

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

Waking Up Lost 

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. 

I Highly Recommend it.

I always love coming back to a series, as you know what to expect, and you know that you will enjoy it before you even start reading. Out of this series, I have only read the prequel, The Curse of Conchobar, and what I got in this book is not at all what I was expecting! Not only is it an entirely different cast of characters, it is also set much (much) later. Then again, I did assume The Curse of Conchobar was a stand-alone novel, so I shouldn’t have expected this book to be too similar.

Noah Munch has grown up in a family where being normal makes you different. His mother and brother both have ‘gifts’, supernatural abilities. His mother talks to ghosts, and his brother has, annoyingly, an affinity to be a hero. Noah, though, is normal, and that makes him stand out. His brother overshadows him, and Noah doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. 

Although, when Noah starts sleepwalking far away from home, waking up miles away, things start to change. No longer is he the odd one out in his family, but his gift isn’t helpful and gets him into more trouble than he was getting into before. Especially so when he wakes up in the bedroom of the girl he has a crush on, whose father would kill him first, and ask questions later. 

Noah gets into plenty of sticky situations in this book, the kind of situations that, when reading, you are certain he will never be able to get himself out of them, and that this is where his life comes to an end. But, his story continues, until the next time you’re on the edge of your seat, waiting to see if he will make it out this time. Noah is a very easy character to like, and he goes through so much, it is impossible not to feel sorry for him. But, there’s always the hope of a happy ending!

I loved how Noah’s gift, as well as his mother’s and brother’s, are portrayed, and how the historical setting mixes with it. This book is completely unputdownable, for you are left wondering what is going to happen next, and you simply have to pick it back up and find out. 

You can find this novel over on Amazon.  if you have #KindleUnlimited, then this novel is free to read with your subscription.

David Fitz-Gerald

David Fitz-Gerald writes fiction that is grounded in history and soars with the spirits. Dave en-joys getting lost in the settings he imagines and spending time with the characters he creates. Writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. He loves to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance, and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the hope of transporting the reader to another time and place. He is an Adirondack 46-er, which means he has hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so it should not be surprising when Dave attempts to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes in his writing.

Social Media Links:

Website, Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, BookBub, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads, Link Tree

Tour Schedule

Look who is in the SPOTLIGHT!!! The Virgin of the Wind Rose: A Conspiracy Thriller by Glen Craney #HistoricalThriller #HistoricalMystery #BlogTour @glencraney @maryanneyarde

 

The Virgin of the Wind Rose: A Conspiracy Thriller

By Glen Craney

Publication Date: January, 2014. Publisher: Brigid's Fire Press. Page Length: 407 Pages. Genre: Historical Mystery-Thriller

A Templar cryptogram has confounded scholars for centuries.

Is it a ticking cipher bomb just hours away from detonating a global war?

Rookie State Department lawyer Jaqueline Quartermane was never much good at puzzles. But now, assigned to investigate a ritual murder of an American in Ethiopia, she and a shady stolen-art hunter must solve the world's oldest palindrome—the infamous SATOR Square—to thwart a religious conspiracy that reaches back to the Age of Discovery and an arcane monastic order of Portuguese sea explorers.

Separated by half a millennium, two espionage plots dovetail in this breakneck thriller, driven by history's most elusive mystery....

... the shocking secret that Christopher Columbus took to the grave.

Praise

"If you love Steve Berry, Dan Brown or Umberto Eco, you may have a new author favorite in Glen Craney." -- BESTTHRILLERS.COM

"An exciting journey across time, with more twists and turns than a strawberry Twizzler." -- QUARTERDECK MAGAZINE

You can pick up your copy of this book at the following bookstores: Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon CA,  Amazon AU, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play

A graduate of Indiana University School of Law and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Glen Craney practiced trial law before joining the Washington, D.C. press corps to write about national politics and the Iran-contra trial for Congressional Quarterly magazine. In 1996, the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences awarded him the Nicholl Fellowship prize for best new screenwriting. His debut historical novel, The Fire and the Light, was named Best New Fiction by the National Indie Excellence Awards. He is a three-time Finalist/Honorable Mention winner of Foreword Magazine’s Book-of-the-Year, a Chaucer Award winner, and a Military Writers Society of America Gold Medalist. His books have taken readers to Occitania during the Albigensian Crusade, the Scotland of Robert Bruce, Portugal during the Age of Discovery, the trenches of France during World War I, the battlefields of the American Civil War, and the American Hoovervilles of the Great Depression. He has served as president of the Southern California Chapter of the Historical Novel Society.

Social Media Links:

Website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, BookBub, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads

Tour Schedule

Read my #BookReview of The Coronation by Justin Newland #HistoricalFantasy #BlogTour #BookReview @matadorbooks @maryanneyarde

 

The Coronation

By Justin Newland

Publication Date: 28th January 2019. Publisher: Matador. Page Length: 216 Pages.Genre: Historical Fantasy, Supernatural Thriller.

It is 1761. Prussia is at war with  Russia and Austria. As the Russian army occupies East Prus-sia, King Frederick the Great and his men fight hard to win back their homeland. 

In Ludwigshain, a Junker estate in East Prussia, Countess Marion von Adler celebrates an ex-ceptional harvest. But it is requisitioned by Russian troops. When Marion tries to stop them, a Russian captain strikes her. His lieutenant, Ian Fermor, defends Marion’s honour and is stabbed for his insubordination. Abandoned by the Russians, Fermor becomes a divisive figure on the estate.

 

Close to death, Fermor dreams of the Adler, a numinous eagle entity, whose territory extends across the lands of Northern Europe and which is mysteriously connected to the Enlightenment. What happens next will change of the course of human history… 

Book Rating:

📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million

📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.

📚📚 = It was okay.

📚 = Um...! 😕

My Review

The Coronation

📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.

Historical fantasy, especially when grounded in a historical fiction world can sometimes be very hit and miss, and for that reason, I am always a little wary about reading a historical fiction novel with an edge of fantasy to it. But the blurb of this novel was very enticing and I thought, why not?!

This novel’s opening was captivating. What started out as an innocent celebration ends with a frightening encounter with the Imperial Russian cavalry that leaves a man fighting for his life. And it is in this moment that all the fates of the main characters in this novel became carefully interwoven. Set during the Seven Year War and the period that became known as the siècle des Lumières (the century of Enlightenment) this novel depicts a time when, despite the terrible war, there was a sort of revolutionary development where reason, instead of religious ideology, became central to many lives. And this book touches upon this. The depiction of the two-headed eagle, the Adler, represents a different future, a coronation, it is a "what if?" idea which I found incredibly appealing.

There are several characters in this novel that caught my eye, but I thought Marion Gräfin von Adler was a wonderfully drawn character, who despite her aristocratic heritage, is incredibly down to earth. Her defiance in the face of huge odds, and her compassion, and fear for those who are under her care made her the kind of character that was very easy to like. Likewise, I thought the depiction of Ian Fermor was also wonderfully depicted.

I am so glad I took a chance with this novel. I think it will appeal to an audience who enjoys quality historical fantasy.

You can pick up your copy of this book at the following bookstores: Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon AU,  Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, Kobo, Author Website (buyers can enter a dedication to be signed by the author), Publisher’s Website, Wordery (UK), Bookswagon (India), Booktopia (Au), Saxo (Dk), Exclusive Books (SA)

Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers - that’s history with a supernatural twist. His stories feature known events and real people from history which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural. He gives author talks and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Bristol’s Thought for the Day. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. 

His Books

The Genes of Isis is a tale of love, destruction and ephemeral power set under the skies of Ancient Egypt. A re-telling of the Biblical story of the flood, it reveals the mystery of the genes of Isis – or genesis – of mankind. ISBN 9781789014860.

“The novel is creative, sophisticated, and downright brilliant! I couldn’t ask more of an Egyp-tian-esque book!” – Lauren, Books Beyond the Story.

The Old Dragon’s Head is a historical fantasy and supernatural thriller set during the Ming Dynasty and played out in the shadows the Great Wall of China. It explores the secret history of the influences that shaped the beginnings of modern times.  ISBN 9781789015829.

‘The author is an excellent storyteller.” – British Fantasy Society. 

Set during the Great Enlightenment, The Coronation reveals the secret history of the Industrial Revolution. ISBN 9781838591885.

“The novel explores the themes of belonging, outsiders… religion and war…  filtered through the lens of the other-worldly.” – A. Deane, Page Farer Book Blog.

His latest, The Abdication (July, 2021), is a suspense thriller, a journey of destiny, wisdom and self-discovery. ISBN 9781800463950.  

“In Topeth, Tula confronts the truth, her faith in herself, faith in a higher purpose, and ulti-mately, what it means to abdicate that faith.” 

V. Triola, Coast to Coast.

Social Media Links:

Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads

Tour Schedule