Book Review: “Crown and Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II” by Tracy Borman

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England’s history is centuries old, full of colorful characters and change galore. What truly defines the history of England is the monarchy, which has lasted over a thousand years. Over 40 kings and queens left their distinct marks on the history of this proud island nation. While some could maintain the crown with no issues, others had to fight to earn the crown, and a few even died for the crown. While there has been a plethora of books and novels written about individual monarchs and their impacts on the history of England, only a select few have chosen to take the arduous task of telling the story of the British Monarchy from its origins to the modern-day. One such historian who has chosen the latter is Tracy Borman in her book, “Crown and Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.”

I have been a fan of Tracy Borman and her writing for many years now. She has a way of making history come alive, so when I heard about this book, it was something I knew I wanted to read. I usually don’t read books like this because in the past, I have not been interested in the Stuarts and Hanoverians, but as I have begun to dive more into the Stuarts, I think it was the perfect time to read this book.

Borman begins with a brief introduction to the early kings of England, the Anglo-Saxon kings, to show how different it was from the Norman kings. She has divided the book into sections to highlight the different dynasties; Norman, Plantagenet, Lancaster, York, Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian, and Windsor. Within each section is a mini-biography of each ruler during that dynasty. While there is not a whole lot of new information, it does give the reader a taste of what each reign was like.

As someone who usually reads about the Normans, Plantagenets, and Tudors, it was a nice review of the basic facts of the kings and queens during this span of history. Reading about the Stuarts, Hanoverians, and Windsors was something different for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me interested in studying the Stuarts and the Windsors, but I am on the fence about the Hanoverians. What is remarkable about the story is that the monarchy of England could have toppled at any point and did for a few years before it was restored, and continues to this day for over a thousand years.

Overall, I found this an interesting introductory read into the different dynasties that have shaped the English monarchy and the history of England. If you want new research about the individual monarchs, this might not be the book for you. However, if you want a great introductory book on the history of the British monarchy, I highly suggest you read, “Crown and Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II” by Tracy Borman.

Guest Post: “Research of the Locations Featured in Sword Brethren” by Jon Byrne

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I am pleased to welcome Jon Byrne to my blog today to share information about his research for the locations in his novel Sword Brethren.  I would like to thank The Coffee Pot Book Club and Jon Byrne for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.

Detailed research is important for all writers – but for those writing historical fiction, it is vital. While much can be gained by researching information on the internet or reading books on the subject, one of the best things for me is the chance to visit the locations depicted in the book. Sometimes it is only by going to a place that you can really get a feel for how it might have been. Having said that, all of the places depicted in Sword Brethren have changed so much over the last 800 years that it is still difficult to imagine how a location would have looked so long ago, especially as there is so little remaining from this period. 

The story begins in Cranham, a fictional village in East Anglia in England, located somewhere between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford. I traveled the area a few years ago, visiting the local castles like Framlingham and Orford, as well as the village of Lavenham – one of the best-preserved medieval villages in England. This helped to get an idea of what the area might have been like in the High Middle Ages, but even here most of the buildings date from the late medieval and Tudor periods.  

One of the places that I found particularly helpful was Eye Castle – originally a motte and bailey fortress built during the reign of King William I. This is even earlier than the timeframe of the book, which made it far more relevant, but the castle is ruined, and a house was built on the motte in 1844, which has since decayed and collapsed. Nevertheless, the fictional village and castle of Cranham would not have been dissimilar. 

Lübeck, in northern Germany, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location for approximately a third of the book. I spent a very satisfying weekend walking the cobbled streets and visiting the historical sites it has to offer – made considerably easier for me because at the time I lived in Berlin, which is only 280 km (approx. 170 miles) away.  

  

Caption: The Holsten Gate in Lübeck (built between 1464 to 1478). On the right can be seen some of the buildings of the Salzspeicher – a row of historic salt warehouses. On the left, the spires of St Mary’s Church (Marienkirche) pokes above the trees. 

Founded in the mid-12th century, Lübeck became known as the Queen of the Hanseatic League (originally a powerful trading network of merchant communities in Northern Germany) and was the main point of departure for the Northern Crusades. Unfortunately, most of the late medieval buildings that the city is famous for – the Holsten Gate (Ger. Holstentor), St Mary’s Church (Ger. Marienkirche), St Peter’s Church (Ger. Petrikirche), the Salzspeicher (salt warehouses) and the famous brick-built gable houses – were not constructed at the time of this book. Only the cathedral that still stands (Ger. Dom zu Lübeck) existed in the early 13th century, and it was under construction, although it has been modified many times since and was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War. Much of the half-island that today makes up the old town was undeveloped and prone to flooding in the period of the book. The Holstenbrücke (Holsten Bridge) was first mentioned in 1216 but it is conceivable that a bridge existed beforehand. This would have been constructed from wood. 

One of the highlights of researching Sword Brethren was a week-long trip I spent in Latvia with my family. We were based in Riga, which is a fascinating city that I would recommend anyone visit. Again, most of the architecture is later than the events in my book. In the early 13th century, Riga was made almost entirely of wood (including the churches), and despite being the largest city in the eastern Baltic at this time, it was little more than a village when compared to cities in Western and Central Europe. 

One of the first buildings made of stone in Riga was the original St George’s Castle, the first headquarters of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, an order of warrior-monks, similar to the Knights Templar, who were formed to protect the fledgling German colony. It is the oldest surviving stone building in Riga. The only part still surviving is the chapel, now used by the Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design. 

(Wikimedia Commons):  

Caption: St George’s Chapel – the oldest stone building in Riga and the original headquarters of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.  

Outside of Riga, the only buildings that still remain from the period of the book are the stone castles built by the Brothers of the Sword and the Livonian Order of the Teutonic Knights that followed them. Most of these are either ruins or in various states of repair. Many of these castles were built on the banks of the River Daugava (Ger. Düna) by the German settlers and crusaders, using the river to improve their defenses. Sadly, today many are submerged beneath the waters of the Daugava that engulfed them when the Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant was built. 

Nevertheless, two castles that remain in good condition lie northeast of Riga, only 23 miles or so from each other. The first is at Sigulda (Ger. Segewold), which was first constructed in 1207 and later rebuilt into a convent-type fortress. From its elevated position on a steep slope above the Gauja River, you can see another castle at Turaida across the water, built on the remains of an old pagan hillfort. It is a beautiful location, with the thick forest around it, and it gives a good flavor of how it might have felt to live here in the early 13th century. 

 

 Turaida castle (Ger. Treiden) (taken by author):  

Caption: The view from Sigulda castle. 

The second castle, one of the best preserved in all of Latvia, is at Cēsis (Ger. Wenden). This is a huge castle, much of it still complete, with several relatively intact towers and walls. This is the castle that later became the main seat of the Brothers of the Sword and the Teutonic Order afterward. It is an impressive fortress that features more in the next book of the series, Soldier of Christ. 

 (taken by author):  

Caption: Cēsis castle – probably the best-preserved castle in Latvia from the early 13th century 

However, it is only possible to learn a certain amount from visiting sites in the book personally. The bulk of research – for me at least, is reading some of the excellent books and research papers concerning the Northern Crusades. 

The principal first-hand source is The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia, which was written by a priest, Henricus des Lettis, probably around 1229. The chronicle deals with events in the eastern Baltic between 1180 to 1226. Hardly surprisingly, it is written from the German point of view and describes the role of the Latin Church in colonizing and spreading Christianity to the local pagan tribes.  

His chronicle is a highly detailed account, rich in human history, and he provides eye-witness testimony of the events at this time, depicting not only the military campaigns but interesting facts about the local people themselves. This is particularly valuable as there is practically no other first-hand evidence of the events of the early Christian settlement in what is now Latvia and Estonia. 

Blurb:

1242- After being wounded in the Battle on the Ice, Richard Fitz Simon becomes a prisoner of Prince Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod. Alexander, intrigued by his captive’s story, instructs his scholar to assist Richard in writing about his life. 

Richard’s chronicle begins in 1203 when his training to be a knight is disrupted by treachery. He is forced to flee England for Lübeck, where he begins work for a greedy salt merchant. After an illicit love affair, his new life is thrown into turmoil, and he joins the Livonian Brothers of the Sword as they embark on imposing the will of God on the pagans of the eastern Baltic. Here, he must reconcile with his new life of prayer, danger, and duty – despite his own religious doubts, with as many enemies within the fortified commandery as the wilderness outside. However, when their small outpost in Riga is threatened by a large pagan army, Richard is compelled to make a crucial decision and fight like never before. 

Buy Links:  

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

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sword-brethren-jon-byrne/1146519606?ean=2940184429601 

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/sword-brethren/jon-byrne/9781835740798 

Author Bio: 

Jon Byrne, originally from London, now lives with his German family by a lake in Bavaria with stunning views of the Alps. As well as writing, he works as a translator for a local IT company and occasionally as a lumberjack.  

He has always been fascinated by history and has studied the Medieval world for over twenty years, building up a comprehensive library of books. In his research, he has traveled to all of the locations mentioned in the book (East Anglia, Bremen, Lübeck, Latvia, etc).  

Sword Brethren (formerly Brothers of the Sword) made it to the shortlist of the Yeovil Literary Prize 2022 and the longlist of the prestigious Grindstone International Novel Prize 2022. It is the first book in The Northern Crusader Chronicles. 

Author Links: 

Website: https://www.jonbyrnewriter.com/ 

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Jon-Byrne/author/B0DJC6PL8D 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52458339.Jon_Byrne  

 

 

Book Review: “Henry VIII and His Rabbis: How the King Relied on Jewish Law to End His First Marriage – and Why He Failed” by Jerry Rabow

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The Great Matter was a defining event in the lives of King Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, and Anne Boleyn. One of the world’s messiest divorces, it saw Henry VIII trying everything in his bag of tricks to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon to marry his new infatuation, Anne Boleyn. While we know that the basis for his argument that he should be able to divorce Catherine comes from the book of Leviticus in the Bible, we often see Henry’s debate through the Catholic and Protestant lenses. However, Henry relied on another group of people who had not been on English soil for centuries, the Jews. What does Jewish law bring to the discussion of the Great Matter and did it help Henry? Jerry Rabow examines this often overlooked aspect of Henry’s road to divorce in his book, “Henry VIII and His Rabbis: How the King Relied on Jewish Law to End His First Marriage- and Why He Failed.”

I want to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. Obviously, as a Tudor nerd, I am very familiar with the Great Matter, but when I saw that it was focusing on Jewish law and how it pertained to this case in particular. I have some knowledge of theological debates from college, so I wanted to see how in-depth Rabow would go.

Rabow begins by exploring the phenomenon known as Tudormania before diving into a brief history of the Jewish people in England before Henry VIII’s reign. He then takes the time to provide background information about the Great Matter, including discussing the Leviticus Prohibitions, which would be the base of Henry’s argument for his divorce. I have to say that the way Rabow covered the Tudor portion of this book felt like he oversimplified things or made assertions about their characters that felt generic.

When it comes to the main topic, Rabow spends a bit of time explaining Jewish law and the different Jewish traditions. This foundation is important because different Jewish traditions understand the Leviticus Prohibitions in different ways. One tradition believes in a levirate marriage, which allows a brother to marry his sister-in-law if his brother dies without an heir. So essentially what happened when Henry married Catherine after Arthur died. To say Henry was not thrilled with this branch of Jewish tradition would be an understatement. Rabow shows his audience how Henry VIII relied on Jewish scholars in Italy to help defeat the Pope’s gridlock on the matter.

I think the theological matters and the history of the Jewish people and scholars were interesting in this book. Where it fell short for me was when Rabow entered the Tudor court. Overall, it was an interesting book with a unique twist on the story of the Great Matter. If you want a book that explores the Great Matter with a twist, I suggest you read, “Henry VIII and His Rabbis: How the King Relied on Jewish Law to End His First Marriage- and Why He Failed” by Jerry Rabow.

Guest Post: “Spotlight for ‘The Rune Stone’ by Julia Ibbotson”

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I am pleased to welcome Julia Ibbotson to my blog to share the blurb for her novel, “The Rune Stone.” I want to thank Julia Ibbotson and The Coffee Pot Book Club for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.

Blurb: 

A haunting time-slip mystery of runes and romance 

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

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

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

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

Praise for Julia Ibbotson:

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

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

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

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

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

Buy Link: 

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

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. 

Author Bio: 

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

Julia read English at Keele University, England, specializing in medieval language/ literature/ history, and has a PhD in sociolinguistics.  

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

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

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

Author Links: 

Amazon Author page:  Author.to/JuliaIbbotsonauthor 

Author website & blog: www.juliaibbotsonauthor.com 

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JuliaIbbotson 

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

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

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

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

Book Review: “The Shadow on the Bridge” by Clare Marchant

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Have you ever had an incident that was so impactful that it defined your entire life from that moment on? For Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, it was the death of her younger brother, George. She vows vengeance against those who were behind his untimely demise. In the present day, Sarah must return to her godmother’s home, which holds a lot of memories, mostly painful. It is in the halls of this ancient house that Sarah meets Anne through a book of poetry. Can these two women find peace or will the truths bring even more disasters? Clare Marchant tells the stories of these two women, the tragedies and the poetry that unite them, in her latest novel, “The Shadow on the Bridge.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I liked the cover and when I read the description, it caught my eye. I have had Clare Marchant on my blog for a guest post, but I have yet to read her novels, so I decided to take a chance. I was not familiar with the story of Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, so I was excited to read her story.

We begin with Anne Howard, born Anne Dacre, and her family at Barnhamcross Hall. She takes care of her young brother George, who is supposed to become the 5th Baron Greystoke. However, tragedy strikes when George falls from his rocking horse. It seems like a tragic accident, but Anne soon discovers that it was done deliberately. While Anne is married to Philip Howard, she secretly plans revenge against her father-in-law, the Duke of Norfolk. Anne Howard is known for her poetry, so she uses her skills with a quill to uncover a plot a bit closer to home.

Sarah, in the modern day, is a woman full of remorse and guilt. She has accepted to visit her godmother Cordelia at her home of Barnhamcross Hall, which holds many secrets and sorrows. Sarah knows what it means to lose a loved one as she lost her sister, Emily. Her parents blamed her, and they are no longer in her life. Cordelia is dying, and she wants to leave her home to Sarah. Sarah agrees to stay and help with organizing the estate, and while doing so, she finds a book of poetry from the past. It is through the story of Anne and George that Sarah finds the strength to confront her past.

This was a delightful read full of discovery, suspense, and healing. It was very well-balanced and gave a new perspective to the Howard family. It was such a gripping read that I want a sequel with the same characters because I became attached to them. I am looking forward to reading more novels by Clare Marchant. If you want a fun dual timeline escape that explores a lesser-known Tudor woman, I highly recommend you read, “The Shadow on the Bridge” by Clare Marchant.

Book Review: “Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Yore” by Catherine Nappington

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For centuries, man’s best friend has been the dog, but don’t tell your feline friends that. In ancient times, cats were revered as idols, but something changed during the medieval period. For a thousand years, from 500 to 1500, cats were vilified and believed to be working with witches and the devil—a harsh assessment for small, fluffy cats, which we consider pets nowadays. So how were cats portrayed in medieval art and literature? Catherine Nappington hopes to give her readers a glimpse of feline art and literature in her book, “Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Yore.”

I want to thank Ten Speed Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have been a cat owner most of my life; my current cat is an orange tabby named Colby, so when I saw this book title and subject, I thought it might be a light-hearted read.

Since this book is relatively short, I will keep this review short. In essence, this is a picture book full of illuminated manuscripts, witty sayings, and some interesting facts. While I did find the images interesting, the captions tended to be a bit distracting, and the fact that it was not in chronological order irked me (a personal pet peeve).

Overall, it was a fun read. I feel like it’s not really a nonfiction book that you are used to, but it would make a great gift for a medievalist who is a cat lover in your life. If this sounds like you or a loved one, I would suggest you read, “Medieval Cats: Claws, Paws, and Kitties of Yore” by Catherine Nappington.

Book Review: “Fools and Mortals” by Bernard Cornwell

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When we think about live theater, we often think about big actors, elaborate sets, and glittery costumes. The world of the Tudor theater, especially during the reign of Elizabeth I, was similar in some ways, but there was an element of danger. Richard Shakespeare, an actor in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company and a former thief, knew the dangers of Tudor theater life better than anyone. When a manuscript is stolen, suspicion lands squarely on Richard’s shoulders. Can Richard clear his name, or will it be his final curtain call? Bernard Cornwell tells the story of Richard Shakespeare and the debut of A Midsummer’s Night Dream in his novel, “Fools and Mortals.”

This is one of those books that I found while going used book shopping. I did not know that Cornwell wrote a novel about Elizabethan England, so I knew I wanted to read it. I wanted to see how well Cornwell could write an Elizabethan novel.

Our main character is Richard Shakespeare (based on the historical figure), the estranged younger brother of William Shakespeare. He is an actor himself, primarily with small roles and women roles, but as he gets older, he wants more prominent male roles. Richard is not exactly thrilled about his brother William’s rising star as William is kind of a jerk in this novel. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men are given a grand opportunity to perform at the wedding of Lord Hundson’s daughter. William has decided to premiere a brand new play called A Midsummer’s Night Dream, which means this novel is full of actors trying to figure out this new production in time.

To top it off, one of William’s newer plays was taken by a disgruntled player to curry favor with another playhouse. William thinks that Richard stole his manuscript, so Richard must do everything in his power to get the play back and restore some semblance of a relationship with his brother. Along the way, he encounters a maid named Silvia, who he falls in love with, and hardcore Protestants who believe that players are sinners in the eyes of the Lord. To top it all off, it seems like William has a book in his possession that is considered dangerous and makes the thugs think he is Catholic. Richard has to focus on getting the manuscript back and rehearsing the new play and try not to get killed.

Richard Shakespeare is one of those characters that is a little rough around the edges, but once you get to know him, he is a loveable person. Cornwell created such a colorful world of the Elizabethan theater that any Tudor or Shakespearean nerd will love. If you want a delightfully unique take on Elizabethan England and the life of the players in the early stages of the English theater, I would suggest you read “Fools and Mortals” by Bernard Cornwell.

Guest Post: “Book Blast for ‘The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance’ by Arianwen Nunn”

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Today, I am pleased to welcome Arianwen Nunn to my blog to share the blurb for her book “The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance.” I want to thank The Coffee Pot Book Club and Arianwen Nunn for allowing me to participate in this book tour. 

Blurb: 

It is 1109, and the Welsh warrior and firebrand Owain ap Cadwgan abducts Princess Nest from the castle she shares with her children and her husband, Gerald of Windsor. King Henry of England, furious that Nest, also his lover and mother of his son, begins a manhunt to find Owain and return Nest to her husband. In Gwynydd, King Gruffydd ap Cynan and his wife risk everything to hide them and get them to safety in Ireland despite the efforts of Gronwy ap Owain, Angharad’s vicious brother, who would like to see Gruffydd and Owain dead. 

King Henry uses Bishop Richard to start kinship warfare in Wales, then declares war against the Welsh, determining to exterminate them all. Can Gruffydd and his family survive the greatest army ever led against Wales? 

Buy Link: 

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bWkZq7  

Author Bio: 

Arianwen Nunn was born in Wales but now lives in Australia and writes historical fiction based on the Welsh kingdoms in the Middle Ages.  

Arianwen has written a series of three books, ‘The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter’, ‘The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance’, and ‘Bards Sing of Love and War’, which follow the lives of King Gruffydd ap Cynan, his wife Angharad, and their family.  

She has also written two children’s books, ‘The Welsh Warrior’s Wonder’ and ‘Where Dragons Still Roar’. 

 

Author Links: 

Website: www.arianwennunn.com 

Twitter: https://x.com/Arianwen_Nunn  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091729185630  

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Arianwen-Nunn/author/B0C69H8RFN  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/35601482.Arianwen_Nunn  

Book Review: “The Queen and the Countess” by Anne O’Brien

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Medieval wars were not just fought on the battlefield. They also fought in court through marriage alliances and politics. While we often think about wars and men, we should also consider the women who played their parts either in exile or glistening palaces. We often think about medieval queens like Margaret of Anjou as these strong women who fought in their ways, but we have to consider the wife of Richard Neville Earl of Warwick, known as the Kingmaker; her name was Anne Beauchamp Countess of Warwick. The relationship between Margaret of Anjou and Anne Beauchamp has not been discussed much until now. Anne O’Brien tells the stories of these two women and the wars that bound them together in her latest novel, “The Queen and the Countess.”

I want to thank Orion Publishing and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. What attracted me to this novel was the cover at first and then the description. I love reading novels about the Wars of the Roses, so when I saw it was a novel featuring both Margaret of Anjou and Anne Beauchamp Countess of Warwick, it was a must read for me.

We begin in the year 1480 as both Margaret and Anne reflect on their lives while they are in exile. Then, we get a flashback to the famous Love Day “celebration” of 1458, when members of the Lancaster and York families joined hands as a way to try to mend the rift that was bound to tear the country apart. It is the idea of King Henry VI that his wife, Margaret of Anjou, joins hands with the Duke of York. It is a complete and utter failure as the Wars of the Roses kick off in full force. Since the King is very weak, it is Margaret who must take the reigns of government to protect the Lancaster family and the throne for not only her husband but also for their only son, Prince Edward.

On the other side of the conflict is Anne Beauchamp Countess of Warwick, the wife of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, also known as the King Maker. She is the mother of two daughters, Isabel and Anne, but she desires a son. Being on the rebellious Yorkist side means that Anne is directly an enemy of Margaret of Anjou, but something remarkable happens: the two women form a thorny friendship. For over twenty years, the relationship between Anne and Margaret ebbs and flows as the crown passes from Henry VI to Edward IV like a ping-pong ball. Both Anne and Margaret understand what it means to lose their husbands and children whom they love; they know the glory of victory, the terror of defeat, and the uncertainty of being in exile.

I enjoyed this novel very much. It gave more depth and heart to the conflict as a whole, as well as a better understanding of both women. Anne O’Brien was able to create such dynamic characters and a thrilling novel that any fan of medieval novels will enjoy. If you are a fan of novels set during the Wars of the Roses featuring strong women, I highly suggest you read, “The Queen and the Countess” by Anne O’Brien.

Guest Post: “New Release Book Blast for ‘Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon’ by Helen Hollick with Kathy Hollick”

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I am pleased to welcome Helen and Kathy Hollick to my blog today to share a blurb for their book Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon. I want to thank The Coffee Pot Book Club and Helen and Kathy Hollick for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.

Blurb: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

cover design: Avalon Graphics
cover artwork: Chris Collingwood 

Buy Link:  

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

This title will be available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bios: 

ABOUT HELEN HOLLICK 

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

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

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

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

ABOUT KATHY HOLLICK 

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

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

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

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

Authors’ Links: 

Helen: 

Website: https://helenhollick.net/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenHollick 

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

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

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

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

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

Monthly ‘newsletter’: Thoughts from a Devonshire Farmhouse.  

https://thoughtsfromadevonshirefarmhouse.blogspot.com/ 

Kathy:  

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

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