Tag Archives: historical fiction

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ARC Review: The Irish Yankee, book one in The Dawn of America series, by Regan Walker

#historicalfiction #histfic #historicalromance #romance

Book Blurb

June 1775, amid the Revolutionary War’s early stirrings, Irish Yankee Jeremiah O’Brien, seizes a British armed schooner off the Maine coast to thwart the cargo of lumber she was escorting from reaching British forces in Boston. Inspired by this daring victory, Jeremiah abandons his lumber business to command privateer vessels, relentlessly pursuing British merchant ships across dangerous waters.

Defying the British navy’s tightening grip on the Massachusetts coast, he risks his life and his ships to capture many prizes. Yet his greatest battle may lay onshore: winning the heart of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, a fiercely independent woman who loves the freedom he fights for. Only a man worthy of the title “the hero of the Lexington of the Sea” could earn her love and prove himself worthy of her strength.

My Review:

In Pursuit of Love and Liberty –  a captivating start to a new series: 5 stars

The Irish Yankee is the first book in Regan Walker’s The Dawn of America series, which features lumber businessman turned privateer Jeremiah O’Brien and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick who has recently moved from Nova Scotia to his hometown of Machias in Maine. The read combines romance with danger and suspense and expertly explores the impact of the Revolutionary war on individuals and communities.

I particularly enjoyed the realistic portrayal of hardships endured by the colonists and how they come together with fortitude and tenacity to fight and ultimately defeat the representatives of the British crown who have ruled and exploited them. The scenes where the revolutionaries gather in the local taverns, places of worship and within their homes, to unite against the British rule and ultimately overcome them were particularly evocative, as were the descriptions of the skirmishes and battles at sea carried out by Jeremiah and his fellow privateers. I now have an understanding of just how important the American privateers were in seizing British merchant ships and disrupting their supply lines during the Revolutionary war.

I appreciated how the author once again features scenes with key historical figures such as General Washington. The book gives and insight into how the general and those in his circle interacted with and supported the privateer Jeremiah and the small community which he represented.

As for Jeremiah and Elizabeth, they are well matched in their strength and determination to defeat the British, and both become key players in the local community. The development of their romance is a gentle one, but it is clear from the start that they were destined for each other. There are a number of scenes which I found extremely moving as the conflict impacts on their life together.

This page turning read is well paced as it explores the themes of loyalty, bravery and honour and the growing love between a strong man and an independent woman. It is recommended to lovers of historical fiction and historical romance alike.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of the book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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*ARC REVIEW* – The Strongest Heart (The Clan Donald Saga #3), by Regan Walker

#historicalfiction #saga #Scotland #ScottishHistory

Book Blurb

Set in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, this is the story of Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles, the grandson of both Angus Og Macdonald, whose story is told in book 2, and King Robert II. Donald was a man strong of faith, character and heart who would lead the clan into battle before seeing the Kingdom of the Isles destroyed by an ambitious man who would be king.

In the late 14th century, the Kingdom of the Isles was under assault from the ambitious Albany Stewarts, who were taking advantage of Scotland’s empty throne to increase their power. Jealous of the Macdonald lordship to the west, the ruthless Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, thwarted Donald, Lord of the Isles, at every turn.

A man of keen intelligence, strategy and faith, educated at Oxford and a frequent guest of England’s kings, Donald did not intend to allow a traitorous royal thug to rob him of his legacy. The Earldom of Ross was the buffer he needed to keep the Isles safe. Not unmindful of all that was at stake, he took as his bride Mariota Leslie, heiress to the Earldom of Ross.

What he could not achieve through diplomacy or marriage, Donald was prepared to claim by right of the sword. In the greatest battle Scotland has ever seen, he would demonstrate the power of the Isles to become the Hero of Harlow.

My Review

A powerful tale of honour, loyalty and fortitude, penned by a gifted storyteller – 5 stars

The Strongest Heart is the third book in the Clan Donald Saga by Regan Walker. Spanning the late 14th and early 15th centuries, it chronicles key events in the life of Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles. I found the book to be another character-driven and insightful foray into the history of the dynasty. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend the previous novels in the series, Summer Warrior and Bound by Honor, to gain more understanding of the period.

I was entertained throughout by this powerful read – Regan Walker is a talented storyteller, whose words conjure up a vivid sense of place and time. The domestic scenes and the dialogue between Donald, his wife and those closest to him give the reader an insight into his character and motivations, as do his interactions with his contemporaries. It is evident that the author has paid great attention to the historical sources available. Donald’s relationship with the Kings of England and his allies in Ireland illustrate the strength of the MacDonald clan at that point in history.

The book contains a substantial amount of personal and political intrigue as Donald deals with rebellion from within his own ranks and the ever-present threat in the guise of the Albany Stewarts. Throughout Donald is portrayed as a man who is just, loyal, and fair, not to mention well educated and skilled at diplomacy. He is also a man who does not shy away from making difficult decisions. I enjoyed learning how these traits permit him to both conserve and strengthen the MacDonald legacy and protect the lives of his kin. 

The book is populated by a number of engaging characters, not least that of Mariota, his wife, who is portrayed as wise and devoted. I found her to be a worthy companion for Donald and enjoyed reading about their courtship and their life together. 

Recommended for readers of historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in the  history of Scotland, Ireland and England.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

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Regan Walker

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*REVIEW* ~ A Discarded Son (The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book 3) by Lorna Peel

#historicalfiction #histfic #romance #victorian #ireland

Book Blurb

Can Will and Isobel right the wrongs of the past without hurting those closest to them?

Dublin, Ireland, 1881. Isobel Fitzgerald’s mother, Martha, marries solicitor James Ellison but an unexpected guest overshadows their wedding day. Martha’s father is dying and he is determined to clear his conscience before it is too late. Lewis Greene’s confession ensures the Ellisons’ expectation of a quiet married life is gone and that Isobel’s elder brother, Alfie Stevens, will be the recipient of an unwelcome inheritance.

When a bewildering engagement notice is published in The Irish Times, the name of one of the persons concerned sends Will and Isobel on a race against time across Dublin and forces them to break a promise and reveal a closely guarded secret.

My Review

An emotional and well-crafted family saga ~ 5 stars

This is the third instalment of Lorna Peel’s excellent series The Fitzgeralds of Dublin. The author transports the reader effortlessly to Victorian Ireland and I quickly settled into the read.

Will and Isobel, once again at the centre of the story, continue to do their utmost to do the very best for themselves and their extended family and friends as they are confronted with numerous surprises, good and bad. It was a pleasure to follow them all as they endeavour to adapt and survive what life throws at them.

It is evident that the author has meticulously researched her subject material, from the day to day domestic endeavours of middle class families, to medical practices and the treatment of those with learning difficulties, the law and the wider social and political situation in Ireland at the time.

Will and Isobel are a couple whose lives I have followed since reading A Scarlet Woman and A Suitable Wife (click on book titles for reviews). I enjoyed reading how their love and mutual respect for each other continue to deepen as their relationship develops. I have also enjoyed reading about the other characters in their extended family and circle of friends, which the author develops further within this novel.

The read is perfect for readers who are looking for a rich and authentic work of historical fiction, one with elements of romance, family loyalties and commitment.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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*REVIEW* ~ A Suitable Wife (The Fitzgeralds of Dublin #2), by Lorna Peel

#historicalromance #historicalfiction #Dublin


Blurb

The lives of the Fitzgerald family are about to change forever…

Dublin, Ireland, 1881. Will and Isobel Fitzgerald settle into number 30 Fitzwilliam Square, a home they could once only have dreamed of. A baby is on the way, Will takes over the Merrion Street Upper medical practice from his father and they are financially secure. But when Will is handed a letter from his elder brother, Edward, stationed with the army in India, the revelations it contains only serves to further alienate Will from his father.

Isobel is eager to adapt to married life on Fitzwilliam Square but soon realises her past can never be laid to rest. The night she met Will in a brothel on the eve of his best friend’s wedding has devastating and far-reaching consequences which will change the lives of the Fitzgerald family forever.

My Review

A stirring and heartfelt read with colourful characters – 5 stars

I just loved this latest release from Lorna Peel! A Suitable Wife, set in 1881, continues the story of the Dublin doctor Will and his wife Isobel who we first meet in A Scarlet Woman (click on title for my review). The book can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend that you pick up the first book to get the most of this most emotional and page turning read.

The book delves deeply into relationships between the sexes and between social classes  – not solely the relationship between the couple, but those between other family members and wider society. All is seen through the eyes of Will and Isobel whose love manages to hold everything together despite all of the many difficulties that come to pass – cue you will need a handkerchief! Isobel in particular is one strong character and the couple are well matched in terms of wisdom and strength. I have read a number of this author’s books and she excels at interweaving deep characterisations with an emotional and stirring plot line.

The revelations which come to light after the tragic death of his brother Edward in India throw a huge curveball into the lives of Isobel, Will and his family and lead to a great deal of soul searching for the family. This puts more stress on the relationship between Will and his father. Isobel’s past is difficult for some to accept but it is surprising what goes on behind the closed doors of others. Other characters have their own secrets and I enjoyed how the author weaved further revelations into the story which is full of twists and turns.

There are certainly some eye opening scenes concerning the couple, their relatives and social circle and the author has clearly carried out a great deal of research into medical issues and social mores of the time, research which helps make the book such  compelling read,

The read totally sucked me in and transported me into the late Victorian era within Dublin, a time when women clearly played second fiddle to men and where appearances and perceived if not actual social mores are all important. Will and Isobel really go through the wringer, but their strength and love shine through and the read is above all an uplifting and life affirming read with a satisfying conclusion.

Recommended to readers who enjoy historical fiction with romance and strong characterisations and which gets to the heart of the social issues of the day.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

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*Cover Reveal* Madame Lilly, WICKED (Vol. 4) by Dormaine G

cover reveal banner

Madame Lilly, Wicked (Vol. 4)

By Dormaine G

Genre: Historical Fiction, Horror, Dark Fantasy

Madame Lilly, WICKED (EBOOK)

Book description

It’s 1890 in New Orleans, a time of rich white men, sprawling plantations, Voodoo, high class parties and the unspoken Placage. Amidst the thick heat, magic and sorrow, a beautiful Creole woman exists in this cruel world. Although born free, she never knew life without the call of a ‘Master’ – until now.

Blessed with an ancient power, Madame Lily has an agenda that has galvanized her into the deepest reaches of High Society and to the darkness that is swirling with Voodoo.

Elijah is a First Made Protector tasked to guard and cleanse the world of the evils that roam. He spent millennia with only goodness in his heart until cursed – one meant to corrupt his very soul with love, obsession and infatuation… for Madame Lily, a woman that should rightfully be his adversary.

Drawn together by fate and magic, these two forces face off and sparks fly. A love that never should have been is born – a love that may change everything for both of them.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorDormaineg/?ref=hl
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http://www.dormaineg.com/

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1N4Biox

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**AUTHOR INTERVIEW/COVER REVEAL** ~ Fire and SteeI Anthology (books 1-5 of The Soldier Chronicles), by David Cook

David Cook, Author of Historical Fiction

Fire and Steel Final eBook Cover Large (2)

Today we welcome historical novelist David Cook to our blog. David has just released the anthology Fire and Steel, which brings together books 1-5 of The Soldier Chronicles for the first time. I love to lose myself in a historical read and I therefore jumped at the opportunity to pose some searching questions on the anthology and find out more about David’s novels and his writing career. The e-book is now available to purchase on Amazon and we are delighted that David has permitted us to share the gorgeous cover of the the forthcomomg print version, which you can find below. The book will be available in print from December 1st.

The novellas take the reader from the 1798 Irish Rebellion to the British struggles on the continent against the French army under Napoleon, to his return from exile and the fateful battle of Waterloo. The content has been revised and the series and dialogue expanded. Indeed, David bills the collection as ‘one big book of non-stop action, adventure, intrigue, but all set against real historical events.’

Scroll down to find out more about David and the collection. Tina ❤

Author Interview

David cook

1. Welcome David and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to tell us more about Fire and Steel and your love of the past and writing.You clearly have a passion for this tumultuous period of history. What inspired your love of this period and what is it about it and its military history in particular that appeals to you?

It all came from my father. He hand-painted his own model army and gave it to me. It’s wonderful and a testament to one man’s devotion to painting, military research and war gaming. My love of history all comes from him too.

2. I expect that you spent many hours devoted to research to enable you to write the books in the series. How do you carry out your research? Is it mainly internet and or archive based or do you also visit the places and battlefields portrayed in the stories?

I’d love to visit all the places I write about, some I have, some not so. I think it’s important to. I will attempt that when I have time and money. However, I search online for images of the place, use my reference books and visit museums and libraries to fill in the missing gaps.

3. I have to ask this as I love to watch historical re-enactors! Are you a member of a re-enactment society or have you considered joining one? Have re-enactors helped or inspired your writing? 

I’m not a member, but it’s always exciting to meet people who are. You feel their love of what they do and do learn from them. They are the best educators. I learned a lot of what happens on the battlefield from re-enactors, not films. The gun smoke, the noise, the commands, the visuals. It has been very inspiring to watch the bicentenary battles of Waterloo back in June. I have hours of cavalry and infantry manoeuvring and battling on video from then, it was a fantastic experience.

4. Your books are full of individuals who perform heroic deeds. Are any of the fictional characters in them based on real life historical figures you have come across in your research?

No, I’ve not based any of the characters on real people. But there are many people who I admire from history, Duke of Wellington, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare, Sir Winston Churchill, Marie Curie…

5. Have you got a favourite character out of the five books that comprise Fire and Steel? 

No, I haven’t a particular favourite. To me, they are all my beloved.

6. What is your writing process like? Do you plan your books and develop character profiles in detail before beginning a new book in earnest or do your stories and characters take on a life of their own?

Research is never-ending. I enjoy it, but writing is the best part. I sketch out a rough idea what the story will be and let the characters take over. Sounds chaotic? Well, I’ve known authors who plot everything down the smallest detail. I’ve never been able to. I just let the writing flow. It seems to work.

7. How long have you been writing and would you like to tell us about other books you have written or are working on?

I first started to write when I was 16, then through my twenties, but it was in 2006 that i sat down and started to write my first novel. It’s called The Desert Lion and is about the British liberation of Egypt, 1801. From there I wrote The Wolfshead, a story of Robin Hood. I have written two novella’s following the events of The Wolfshead, a Richard III story, but they are all unpublished. I am working my way through them as I type, hoping to try the traditional publishing route for The Desert Lion.

8. How do you fit writing in around everything else and do you write every day?

At the moment it’s a hobby. I’ve released 5 novella’s, a free collection of short-stories and now Fire and Steel as a novel, but my goal is to reach readers and get word of mouth. It’s not about money for me, it’s purely pleasure. My dream is to be published. One day…. 

9. What do you like most about being an author and what do you find the most challenging? 

The fact that I can just sit and write about my characters and history. The challenging part is the research and the marketing of the work, the exciting bit is the writing. I find it thoroughly relaxing. I love connecting to readers.

10. Social media – love it or loathe it, it appears to be here to stay. Do you view it as your friend or foe or a double-edged sword for today’s authors?

For me it’s a necessary tool. I don’t think I use it to its full potential though. It’s useful and I couldn’t live without it, but I don’t spend hours on it.

11. Have you a message for readers?

I hope you enjoy my work. As a fledging indie author I really do appreciate it when readers leave me a comment about my work or a review. Reviews on Amazon and Goodreads really do help. Thank you for investing your time reading something of mine.

Thank you David for taking time out to tell us about Fire and Steel and share your experiences with us. We wish you the very best with your writing career.

Fire and Steel Anthology

(books 1-5 of The Soldier Chronicles) 

Fire and Steel Print Book

Book Blurb

Fire and Steel is a compilation of the first 5 books of The Soldier Chronicles historical series. The stories; all novella’s, are snap-shots of life as a different soldier in the period of long war 1793-1815. All fiction, but very much based on actual events. The kindle version is out now, the paperback will be out 1st December from Amazon:

Liberty or Death
It is the height of the 1798 Irish Rebellion and someone is murdering Protestants and Catholics indiscriminately. As Ireland burns, Major Lorn Mullone must find out the truth and apprehend the killer before it’s too late.

Heart of Oak
Meet Captain of Marines Simon Gamble, once seen in battle, never forgotten. A professional soldier, daring and brave, but he is certainly no gentleman. He leads a fearsome company marines who have been tasked to capture a formidable fortress held in enemy hands.

Blood on the Snow
Holland, 1794, and all hope is lost. Disease, famine and a winter of unrivalled malice has punished the small retreating British Army as it follows the long road home. But freedom for the survivors doesn’t come easy, because between them and the ports, the enemy waits.

Marksman
Rifleman Arthur Cadoc, stranded in the chaos of war, now fights for the Spanish guerrilleros. With only his training, wits and his trusty Baker rifle, Cadoc proves that he is not only a daring and a deadly marksman, but a man born for fighting against the odds.

Death is a Duty
June 1815, and Napoleon Bonaparte has returned to plunge Europe into war once again. During the course of the campaign, Regimental-Sergeant Major Adam Bannerman of the 42nd Royal Highlanders uncovers a dark tale of murder, and must use his wits to survive not only the French assaults, but men on his own side who want him dead.

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*Book Blitz* Girl in the River by Patricia Kullberg

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perf5.250x8.000.inddTitle: Girl in the River

Author: Patricia Kullberg

Genre: Historical Fiction With Feminist Leanings

Date released: August 20th, 2015

Published by: Bygone Era Books, Ltd.

Length: 340 pages

Blurb: Her pimp wants her dead, a hooker wants her heart, and the DA just wants her …

On the eve of World War II, Portland, Oregon, battles corruption as the city falls into the hands of gangsters. Newly orphaned, Mae Rose wanders the rain-stained streets alone, on the lam from a knife-wielding pimp and mustering her own worst impulses to survive. As Mae rises to power in Portland’s gritty sex industry, she’s pursued by a district attorney who seeks to snare her for more personal reasons. In the city’s smoky nightspots, the glamorous Dr. Ruth Barnett turns heads, but by day she operates a wildly successful abortion service. At war’s end, both Mae and Ruth are caught in the crosshairs of Portland’s anti-vice crusade. The women’s survival, as well as any chance at lasting love, depends on their allegiance to each other and their abilities to outsmart the cops and politicians who no longer protect them. This novel, based in part on the true story of Dr. Ruth Barnett, takes an unflinching look at the power dynamics of sex and post-war assaults on reproductive rights.

About the Author

Patricia KullbergA family physician, Patricia Kullberg, MD, MPH, devoted her career to serving persons living with physical, mental and addiction disorders at a clinic for the homeless. She has written many award-winning articles about health and medicine, but Girl in the River is her first novel. Kullberg and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, where she facilitates writing workshops for marginalized women and tends a large garden.

Website: http://patriciakullberg.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.kullberg.author?fref=ts

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1idLvpK