Lords of the Greenwood Blog Tour & Giveaway


Lords of the Greenwood by Chris Thorndycroft

Publication Date: January 16, 2018
eBook; 469 Pages
ASIN: B07958RTQS

Genre: Historical Fiction/Medieval


Nottinghamshire, 1264.

England is on the brink of civil war. The barons are in revolt against King Henry III. Such times suit Roger Godberd, sergeant in the garrison at Nottingham Castle. After throwing in their lot with the barons who embark on a bloody campaign for control of England, Roger and his companions are betrayed and seek refuge in Sherwood Forest. There they begin their new lives as outlaws evading their old enemy, the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.

Yorkshire, 1320.

Wrongfully accused of murder, young Robert Hood of Wakefield finds himself outlawed with only his bitter enemy Will Shacklock for company. Taking to the woods of Barnsdale, Robert and Will agree on an uneasy truce and begin recruiting a band of robbers fleeing the chaos of the Earl of Lancaster’s rebellion against King Edward II. Eventually drawing the attention of the king himself, Robert and his band are given a choice; be hanged as common criminals or enter the king’s service as agents of the crown…

Blending real history with medieval ballads this is the entwined saga of two men, separated by a generation, united by legend, who inspired the tales of England’s famous hooded outlaw.

Amazon | Smashwords

About the Author

Chris Thorndycroft is a British writer of historical fiction, horror and fantasy. His early short stories appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Dark Moon Digest and American Nightmare. His first novel under his own name was A Brother's Oath; the first book in the Hengest and Horsa Trilogy. He also writes under the pseudonym P. J. Thorndyke.

For more information, please visit Chris Thorndycroft's website. You can also find him on Twitter and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, March 30
Excerpt at Let Them Read Books

Saturday, March 31
Feature at Passages to the Past

Monday, April 2
Guest Post at What Cathy Read Next

Tuesday, April 3
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, April 4
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Friday, April 6
Guest Post at Katie's Book Cave

Monday, April 9
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, April 11
Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Friday, April 13
Excerpt at Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Monday, April 16
Review at Katie's Book Cave

Wednesday, April 18
Review at WS Momma Readers Nook

Friday, April 20
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of Lords of the Greenwood! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Lords of the Greenwood


Blog Tour Wrap-Up: The Revolutionst by Robert Tucker

It's the last day of The Revolutionist Blog Tour and in case you missed any of the posts, you can still check them out here:

Review & Excerpt at Locks, Hooks and Books

"Once I picked it up, I did not want to put it down until I was done reading the whole book. It is full of suspense, adventure, action, mystery and intrigue. I give The Revolutionist a well deserved 5 stars and hope to read more by this author in the future."

Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog

Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Excerpt at What Is That Book About

It's also the last day to enter to win an eBook, so be sure to see the giveaway at the end of this post!


The Revolutionist by Robert M. Tucker

Publication Date: December 3, 2017
Wise Words Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback & eBook; 600 Pages

Genre: Historical/Action Adventure


Two different families escape from the political tyranny of their respective homelands, the Josephsons from Sweden and Matias and Kurt Bauman, brothers from Germany and Austria Hungary, with the aid of a Viennese opera diva, Sophie Augusta Rose, and Jean Guenoc, a former Jesuit priest, family friend and protector and partisan of the French underground.

Their journey brings them to America in the throes of the industrial revolution during the 1890s and early 1900s. Ingrid and Olaf Josephson settle on a small wheat farm in North Central Minnesota to raise their children, Newt and Julie.

Among the Jewish entrepreneurs forced to leave Germany and Austria-Hungary, Matias and Kurt Bauman re-establish their transportation company in Chicago, Illinois.

In search of a secret list of insurgent social democrats, the bounty hunter assassin, Luther Baggot, tracks his victims to the American heartland. Following the murder of their mother and father, Newt, Julie, and their friends, Aaron and Beth Peet, hide from the killer in a Northern Minnesota logging camp. Believing the children have taken possession of the list, Luther tracks them down.

Fleeing to a central Minnesota town, the four young people come across a remote business location of Bauman Enterprises and meet Matias Bauman, who had been a friend and former political collaborator with Newt’s and Julie’s parents. He takes them all to Chicago where a different world opens up to them as they are thrust into the turmoil and violence of an urban society and economy careening into the new century.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound


About the Author

Rob is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and received his graduate degree in communications from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Rob worked as a business and management consultant to advertising, corporate communications, and media production companies as well as many others. Now retired, he resides with his wife in Southern California where he devotes much of his time to writing.

He is a recipient of the Samuel Goldwyn and Donald Davis Literary Awards. An affinity for family and the astute observation of generational interaction pervade his novels.

His works are literary and genre upmarket fiction that address the nature and importance of personal integrity.

For more information, please visit Robert Tucker's website. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, March 1
Feature at Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Monday, March 5
Excerpt at What is That Book About

Wednesday, March 7
Feature at WS Momma Readers Nook

Sunday, March 11
Interview & Excerpt at T's Stuff

Thursday, March 15
Feature at A Bookaholic Swede

Monday, March 19
Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Friday, March 23
Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog

Monday, March 26
Review & Excerpt at Locks, Hooks and Books

Tuesday, March 27
Feature at A Literary Vacation

Wednesday, March 28
Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Thursday, March 29
Wrap Up at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of The Revolutionist! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

The Revolutionist


Interview with Suzanne Zewan & Giveaway of Shadow by the Bridge

Good morning, dear readers! Today I am so excited to be hosting an interview with Suzanne Zewan, author of Shadow by the Bridge! Shadow by the Bridge is a historical mystery based on real life events that happned in Linden, New York in the 1900s. It's a fabulous book, so be sure to enter to win a copy at the end of this post.


To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and Shadow by the Bridge?

I have been an educator for 23 years. My career in education started in the inner city of Rochester, NY. Two years later, I landed my dream job teaching Marketing/Fashion Merchandising where I utilized my experience working in retail management in Boston, MA. When the fashion program closed, I became a work experience coordinator at the career and technical center.

About 6 years into my teaching career, my inner desire to write began to gnaw at me more than ever before. It was then that I ended up sharing my desire with an English teacher who I worked with, and she encouraged me to just start writing. To learn more, I started taking some courses at Writers and Books in Rochester, NY where I began to connect with other writers who were working on the craft.

How did you hear about the Linden murders that inspired the book?

Not long after I began to work on the writing craft, I was having a conversation with a secretary at work about Western New York’s local history. The secretary told me about the Linden murders. I thought the unsolved murders sounded like an intriguing story.

What inspired you to write Shadow by the Bridge?

When I began working on the writing craft, I didn’t have a lot of experience formulating stories on my own, at least that were worth reading, so I was looking for an idea for a story. And when I heard about the Linden murders, I knew immediately that was the story I was looking for.

What type of research did you do for the book?

The first step, I read the non-fiction book The Linden Murders Unsolved by Bill Brown to learn exactly what happened between the years 1917 and 1924.

The next step, I spent many hours at the Genesee County History Department reading the court documents, newspaper articles, and viewing photographs of the crime scenes.

I also spent a lot of time researching the time period to ensure I was being historically accurate.

What was the hardest scene to write?

I would have to say the triple murder scene was the hardest scene to write because it was so emotionally charged. I’ll never forget how I felt the two weeks I spent writing those two chapters. It was upsetting, nerve wracking, and intense. To make sure I was describing the murder scene accurately, I even visited the Genesee County History Department once again to view the photos.

What was your favorite scene to write?

The scene near the bridge when Fritz kisses Valerie for the first time. It was sweet, and I think everyone can relate to their first love and their first kiss.

What would you like readers to take away from reading Shadow by the Bridge?

The ideas of love, survival, and resilience.

In the end, life must go on, but realizing that our experiences change us.

How much of Shadow by the Bridge is fiction and how much is based on fact?

The setting and the events of the crimes are all based on fact. All the characters are based on the people who resided in Linden at the time, but Fritz Reynolds and his family are all fictional characters. I did change their names of the residents of Linden because they are my fictionalized version of them. Although, through my research, I did come across information about them, so I did use some of the information to develop my idea of them.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I think I always knew. As a young girl, I always wrote in a journal. Then when I read, the Flowers in the Attic series, I knew that someday I would write a novel.

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer?

Writing is hard… And I tend to get distracted by other types of art mediums that do not seem as hard or time consuming. Sometimes, I even tell myself that I quit writing. However, it doesn't last long, and the next thing I know, I am inspired by something and then next thing I know, I am formulating another story in my mind.

Have you been able to overcome it?

My imagination seems to force me to go back along with the compelling feeling to write.

Who are your writing inspirations?

V.C. Andrews, Jennifer Donnelly, and Willa Cather.

What was the first historical novel you read?

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, which was also based on an actual murder that happened in the early 1900s.

What is the last historical novel you read?

A Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters.

If there was a soundtrack for your novel, what songs might we find on it?

Being that I like to keep to the authenticity of the time period, I would say music that was popular back then. I know that it was a lot of Jazz. However, the music would have to fit the mood of the scenes.

What are three things people may not know about you?

I’ve been to 36 states in the US.

I met Ozzy Osbourne in my early twenties.

I’ve always been intrigued by the unexplained and the paranormal.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

I write in more than one genre. However, I’m drawn to historical fiction because I view the “olden days” as a simpler time when the world was so much less complicated.

What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?

I’m drawn to the Victorian Era.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

My family and I do a lot of traveling. I also make jewelry, and I am thinking about blending painting and photography with a process I recently came up with that was inspired by a famous photographer and the work of a painter located in Asheville, NC.

Lastly, what are you working on next?

I am working on a young adult paranormal thriller. I hope to finish the draft in the next month or two. However, I just read an amazing story in our Daily News, and it grabbed me like the story of the Linden murders did. As I read the article, I could feel the woman's emotions of what she must have gone through as a young girl. I am planning to contact her. So I might have to finish the draft of my paranormal thriller and table it for a little while which was totally not my plan. But I fell in love with the woman's story!

Oh wow, that sounds like an exciting new project! Thanks so much for spending time with us today!


Shadow by the Bridge by Suzanne Zewan

Publication Date: November 1, 2017
No Frills Buffalo
eBook & Paperback; 368 Pages
ISBN-13: 9780998881188

Genre: Historical Mystery


11-year-old Fritz Reynolds recalled his father telling him that man is the only creature who can find amusement in killing. Little did he realize that those words would become the theme for his teenage years growing up in the rural hamlet of Linden, New York. In this coming-of-age story, Fritz takes us back to a simpler time when neighbors gathered at the general store to listen to radio shows, drank barrel-aged cider, and worshiped at the Baptist church every Sunday. All was picturesque in his close-knit farming community until terror was unleashed on them.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

About the Author

Suzanne is coordinator at Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and is an adjunct professor at Buffalo State College. She has a M.A. in English and Creative Writing and a M.S.Ed. in Career and Technical Education. Other publications include a poem in Jigsaw (2014), a short story and two poems in Jigsaw (2016), and a short story in Amaranth Review (2016).

For more information, please visit Suzanne Zewan's website. You can also find Suzanne on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 19
Feature at Beth's Book Nook Blog

Thursday, February 22
Interview at The Book Junkie Reads

Tuesday, February 27
Feature at A Literary Vacation

Thursday, March 1
Excerpt at What is That Book About

Saturday, March 3
Interview & Excerpt at T's Stuff

Wednesday, March 7
Review & Excerpt at WS Momma Readers Nook

Friday, March 9
Feature at So Many Books, So Little Time

Tuesday, March 13
Excerpt at My Reading Corner

Thursday, March 15
Review at Donna's Book Blog

Tuesday, March 20
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Thursday, March 22
Excerpt at Buried Under Books

Friday, March 23
Review at Broken Teepee

Monday, March 26
Interview at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, March 28
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Friday, March 30
Review & Excerpt at A Chick Who Reads

Saturday, March 31
Review at Cup of Sensibility

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two paperback copies of Shadow by the Bridge to one lucky winner! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 31st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Shadow by the Bridge


Guest Post by Carol M. Cram & Giveaway of The Muse of Fire


Behind the Scenes of The Muse of Fire by Carol M. Cram

The Muse of Fire tells the story of a young woman stepping into a career on the stage in early 19th century London. The respectability of the theater as a profession for a woman was improving during this period. Some women—most notably tragic actress Sarah Siddons and comic actress Dora Jordan—were hugely famous for their work on the stage. Opportunities for women were slowly opening up at the same time as social upheaval made the early 19th century a particularly fraught era for the theater.

Following is an overview of the historical context for The Muse of Fire.

The novel takes place between 1808 and 1809, a time of great social and political upheaval in Britain. The red circle on the current map of London shows the extent of the city during the novel.

Source: The London Evolution Animator
King George III was on the throne, but his days were numbered. In 1811, just two years after the time of the novel, King George was declared mad and forced to abdicate in favor of his son.

Source: Picture Alliance
The Prince Regent, fondly nicknamed Prinny, took over from his father and presided over the Regency period until he was crowned King George IV following the death of his father in 1820. The Prince Regent was known as quite the bon vivant and was often caricatured. For more information and pictures, check out this article in the Telegraph.

During the time of the novel, the Napoleonic Wars were raging and the practice of press-ganging men into the Navy was rampant. A press gangs was essentially a group of state-sanctioned bullies who scoured the taverns in port cities such as London, Bristol, and Liverpool, got unsuspecting young men drunk, and then knocked them out and dragged them to ships waiting at anchor in the harbor. By the time the poor men woke up, there were out at sea and serving—whether they wanted to or not—in the King’s Navy. In The Muse of Fire, press-ganging plays an important role in the fate of one of the main characters. Here’s a caricature of the press gang in 1780.

Source: Press-Ganging
Britain was nervous in the aftermath of the French Revolution that had taken place just a few decades earlier. Poverty and inequality were rife in England and the government feared insurrections and republicanism. The Industrial Revolution had created a huge demand for labor, even child labor. Conditions were dreadful. The first effective laws to restrict child labor wasn’t passed until 1833, which meant that children as young as five often worked long hours at terrible jobs. Living conditions in the cities such as London where the novel takes place were dreadful, particularly for the poor, which made up a large percentage of the population. Streets were very often unpaved and not cleaned. Rubbish was not collected and allowed to accumulate in piles in the streets.

On the up side, this was also the period of graceful architecture. Here’s the beautifully-proportioned colonnade built along one side of the Piazza at Covent Garden where the novel takes place.

Source: Covent Garden Colonnade
This was also the period during which Jane Austen was writing and a woman could become a star.
The Muse of Fire completes my themed trilogy about women in the arts – painting in The Towers of Tuscany, music in A Woman of Note and the theater in The Muse of Fire. I was intrigued that one of the only ways in which a woman could become rich and famous during the early 19th century was to go on stage as an actress or a performer.

At my presentations of The Muse of Fire, I ask audiences to call out the names of famous and influential woman of today. Always, without exception, I hear the names of women who are famous because of their work in show business or the arts – Oprah, J.K. Rowling, Madonna . . . I’ve yet to hear anyone say the name of a female politician or a woman known in a realm outside of entertainment. While the status of women has certainly improved since 1809, we still have a fair way to go in terms of influence!

The Muse of Fire takes place at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, the largest theater in London and one of only two theaters licensed to produce Shakespeare plays and other serious drama. A recurring concern in the novel is how the growth of the physical theater during this period led to the production of bigger and more elaborate spectacles and melodramas. People were always lamenting the demise of “real drama.”

Here is a painting of the interior of the Theater Royal at Covent Garden.

Source: Covent Garden Theater: 1809
The pit consisted of benches where mostly young men-about-town went to see and be seen. Three tiers of private boxes ringed the auditorium. Many people objected to these boxes because they were extremely expensive and also sometimes used to entertain ladies of the evening. Above the top layer of boxes was the gallery where regular people who did not wish to sit in the pit were seated. Finally, the arched cubbyholes at the very top of the massive theater were called pigeon holes and were frequented by laborers and servants.

People seated in the pigeon holes could only see the legs of the actors.

The design of the theater—and people’s objections to it—plays an important role in The Muse of Fire.

Some of the most famous actors and actresses took to the stage during the period of the novel—and several of them make cameo appearances. One of the most famous actresses is Sarah Siddons. Known as The Tragic Muse, Mrs. Siddons was a tall, striking figure who dominated the stage with her powerful and emotional acting. She was particularly known for her performances as Lady Macbeth. In her lifetime, Sarah was incredibly famous – the rock star of her day. She did well financially, but unfortunately her husband was in charge of her money and was constantly losing it so she was often strapped for cash and obliged to perform benefits to raise money.

Another very famous actress was Dora Jordan who was considered the greatest comic actress of her time. She was particularly known for her performances in breeches parts such as Rosalind in As You Like It. Dora Jordan was also the mistress of the Duke of Clarence with whom she had 10 children. Her fame and her relationship didn’t help her in the end. The Duke of Clarence – who was the brother of the Prince Regent and went on to become William the IV, Queen Victoria’s uncle—was not permitted to marry Mrs. Jordan. He took custody of the children and Mrs. Jordan died in poverty in 1816.

The most famous male actor of the period was John Philip Kemble, the brother of Mrs. Siddons. Mr. Kemble plays a major role in The Muse of Fire, which weaves the stories of fictional characters into real life events. Mr. Kemble was also the manager of Covent Garden theater and was known for being very stern and unbending.

A key event in The Muse of Fire is the burning down of Covent Garden theater on September 20, 1808. The theater was flattened and 22 people killed. Fast forward a year. Many things happened to the characters in The Muse of Fire during that time culminating in the opening of the new theater on September 18, 1809 with a production of Macbeth. Here’s the playbill for the performance starring Mr. Kemble as Macbeth, his brother Charles Kemble as Macduff and his sister Sarah Siddons as Lady Macbeth.


Prior to opening night, the ticket prices for the New Theatre, Covent Garden, were increased, leading to one of the most explosive opening nights in British theatrical history.

For the full story, check out The Muse of Fire.


The Muse of Fire by Carol M. Cram

Publication Date: December 26, 2017
eBook; Kindle Press
Paperback; New Arcadia Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction


Abandoned at birth, the grandly christened Edward Plantagenet rises from London’s Foundling Hospital to take charge back stage at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, only to be blind-sided when he rescues Grace—a young woman escaping an abusive father.

Grace finds an outlet for her passions as a Shakespearean actress, becoming ensnared by intrigues and setbacks that mar the pathway to stardom she craves.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Old Price Riots of 1809, Grace and Ned find common purpose in a quest that threatens to tear both their worlds apart.

"Meticulously researched and with an atmosphere so rich that one can almost smell the face powder, The Muse of Fire is another triumph for Carol M. Cram. The irresistible story at its heart is impeccably woven into the tapestry of British theatrical history with such precision that Grace and Ned might have stepped from the pages of the Georgian gossip sheets and straight into fiction. The Muse of Fire will linger long after reading. It’s not to be missed!" – Catherine Curzon, author of Queens of Georgian Britain, Life in the Georgian Court, and Kings of Georgian Britain

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

About the Author

Carol M. Cram is the author of A Woman of Note (Lake Union Publishing, 2015) and The Towers of Tuscany (Lake Union Publishing 2014). In addition to writing fiction, Carol has enjoyed a great career as an educator, teaching at Capilano University in North Vancouver for over twenty years and authoring forty-plus bestselling textbooks on business communications and software applications for Cengage Learning. She holds an MA in Drama from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Carol is currently focusing as much of her attention as she can spare between walks in the woods on writing historical novels with an arts twist and sharing her Nia practice as a Nia teacher. She and her husband, painter Gregg Simpson, share a life on beautiful Bowen Island near Vancouver, Canada.

For more information, please visit Carol M. Cram's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.


Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 26
Review at Peppermint Ph.D.
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, February 27
Interview at Donna's Book Blog
Feature at View from the Birdhouse

Thursday, March 1
Review at Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Friday, March 2
Review at A Bookaholic Swede
Feature at A Literary Vacation
Excerpt at Locks, Hooks and Books

Monday, March 5
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Thursday, March 8
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, March 9
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Wednesday, March 14
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective

Monday, March 19
Review at Books of a Shy Girl
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books

Tuesday, March 20
Review at Clarissa Reads it All

Thursday, March 22
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away three paperback copies of The Muse of Fire! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US and UK.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

The Muse of Fire


Robin F. Gainey's Light of the Northern Dancers Blog Tour & Giveaway


Light of the Northern Dancers by Robin F. Gainey

Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Untreed Reads Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook; 396 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


Fiery aristocrat, Eden Rose, uprooted from her native Scotland, has tended a foundering marriage and failing ranch at the corner of Crazy Woman Creek and the Powder River for a decade. Best friend, backwoods spitfire Maddie True, has her own woes a few miles away: widowed with a passel of young children, and caretaker to her addled father. Abandoned by her husband during the height of Wyoming Territory’s worst drought in history, Eden depends on her inept brother, Aiden, to see her through the coming winter. But when he disappears into the wild Bighorn mountains, she shuns Maddie’s fearful cautions, teaming with enigmatic Lakota holy man, Intah, to find her brother before the wicked snow holds them all hostage.

Light of the Northern Dancers is optioned and currently in development for a limited television series.


Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise

“Light of the Northern Dancers is a powerful novel of a woman’s journey, thought-provoking and unsettling in its authenticity and unflinching honesty. Its exploration of the depths of heartbreak is unblinking, yet ultimately, this is a celebration of joy, possibility, and transformation. Robin Gainey’s writing illuminates the past in all its brutality and beauty, and the humanity that binds us all together. This story underscores the power of endurance to heal and inspire hope. An unforgettable read that will live in your heart long after the final page is turned.” —Susan Wiggs, NYT Bestselling Author

“Half of what happens to us may have reason, the rest is chaos. Somewhere down the line, chaos itself may find reason, as Nietzsche said, That which doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. Robin F. Gainey’s second novel, LIGHT OF THE NORTHERN DANCERS, has this brand of existentialism. It’s real and it doesn’t let go!” — Tom Skerritt, Award Winning Actor, Writer, Director

“Brutal and beautiful, unflinching and hopeful, Robin Gainey’s LIGHT OF THE NORTHERN DANCERS reveals the triumphs and hardships of pioneer life in the Wyoming Territory in a powerful story of two women surviving against all odds. Gainey’s prose is as lush as her story is gripping—a literary page turner!”— Lisa Alber, award-winning author of Whispers in the Mist and Path Into Darkness


About the Author

Robin F. Gainey partnered in creating California’s Gainey Vineyard; presided over their culinary programs; and, with Julia Child, founded Santa Barbara’s American Institute of Wine and Food. She also oversaw the breeding and showing of champion Arabian Horses begun by the Gainey Family in 1939. She’s lived in California, Colorado, Washington, and Rome, Italy. She returned to her hometown, Seattle, to find her heart in writing. Active trustee of the acclaimed, Pacific Northwest Ballet, she enjoys reading, cooking, horseback riding, skiing any mountain, and spending three months every year cruising the wild Canadian Inside Passage aboard her boat—mostly alone. Light of the Northern Dancers, her second novel, is optioned and in development for a limited TV series.

For more information, please visit Robin F. Gainey's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of Light of the Northern Dancers by Robin F. Gainey! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Light of the Northern Dancers Blog Tour


The Revolutionist by Robert Tucker - Guest Post & Giveaway


From Author Robert Tucker...

The Revolutionist chronicles powerful social, political, and economic forces at the turn of the 20th Century that affect the lives of all the characters in various ways and provide the foundation for the novel. From the very beginning and throughout her story, the protagonist, Julie Josephson, encounters situations where she must make difficult choices and react in various ways to survive. As you read the book, identify at what point in the novel she realizes she does not have to be a victim, but can resist and fight against those forces. What are the circumstances and what does she do to change her life?

How does the conclusion of the novel provide a sense of hope and redemption?

Find out the answers to these questions when you pick up a copy of The Revolutionist! You can enter to win an eBook at the bottom of this post! 


The Revolutionist by Robert M. Tucker

Publication Date: December 3, 2017
Wise Words Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback & eBook; 600 Pages

Genre: Historical/Action Adventure


Two different families escape from the political tyranny of their respective homelands, the Josephsons from Sweden and Matias and Kurt Bauman, brothers from Germany and Austria Hungary, with the aid of a Viennese opera diva, Sophie Augusta Rose, and Jean Guenoc, a former Jesuit priest, family friend and protector and partisan of the French underground.

Their journey brings them to America in the throes of the industrial revolution during the 1890s and early 1900s. Ingrid and Olaf Josephson settle on a small wheat farm in North Central Minnesota to raise their children, Newt and Julie.

Among the Jewish entrepreneurs forced to leave Germany and Austria-Hungary, Matias and Kurt Bauman re-establish their transportation company in Chicago, Illinois.

In search of a secret list of insurgent social democrats, the bounty hunter assassin, Luther Baggot, tracks his victims to the American heartland. Following the murder of their mother and father, Newt, Julie, and their friends, Aaron and Beth Peet, hide from the killer in a Northern Minnesota logging camp. Believing the children have taken possession of the list, Luther tracks them down.

Fleeing to a central Minnesota town, the four young people come across a remote business location of Bauman Enterprises and meet Matias Bauman, who had been a friend and former political collaborator with Newt’s and Julie’s parents. He takes them all to Chicago where a different world opens up to them as they are thrust into the turmoil and violence of an urban society and economy careening into the new century.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound


About the Author

Rob is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and received his graduate degree in communications from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Rob worked as a business and management consultant to advertising, corporate communications, and media production companies as well as many others. Now retired, he resides with his wife in Southern California where he devotes much of his time to writing.

He is a recipient of the Samuel Goldwyn and Donald Davis Literary Awards. An affinity for family and the astute observation of generational interaction pervade his novels.

His works are literary and genre upmarket fiction that address the nature and importance of personal integrity.

For more information, please visit Robert Tucker's website. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, March 1
Feature at Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Monday, March 5
Excerpt at What is That Book About

Wednesday, March 7
Feature at WS Momma Readers Nook

Sunday, March 11
Interview & Excerpt at T's Stuff

Thursday, March 15
Feature at A Bookaholic Swede

Monday, March 19
Guest Post at Passages to the Past

Friday, March 23
Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog

Monday, March 26
Review & Excerpt at Locks, Hooks and Books

Tuesday, March 27
Feature at A Literary Vacation

Wednesday, March 28
Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Thursday, March 29
Wrap Up at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of The Revolutionist! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

The Revolutionist


Anna Belfrage's The Cold Light of Dawn Blog Tour & Giveaway


The Cold Light of Dawn by Anna Belfrage

Publication Date: February 16, 2018
Matador & TimeLight Press
eBook & Paperback; 434 Pages

Series: The King's Greatest Enemy, Book #4
Genre: Historical Fiction


After Henry of Lancaster’s rebellion has been crushed early in 1329, a restless peace settles over England. However, the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents’ puppet, no matter that neither Queen Isabella nor Roger Mortimer show any inclination to give up their power. Caught in between is Adam de Guirande, torn between his loyalty to the young king and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer.

Edward III is growing up fast. No longer a boy to be manipulated, he resents the power of his mother, Queen Isabella, and Mortimer. His regents show little inclination of handing over their power to him, the rightful king, and Edward suspects they never will unless he forces their hand.

Adam de Guirande is first and foremost Edward’s man, and he too is of the opinion that the young king is capable of ruling on his own. But for Adam siding with his king causes heartache, as he still loves Roger Mortimer, the man who shaped him into who he is.

Inevitably, Edward and his regents march towards a final confrontation. And there is nothing Adam can do but pray and hope that somehow things will work out. Unfortunately, prayers don’t always help.

The Cold Light of Dawn is the fourth in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord and his king.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble



About the Author

Anna was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result she’s multilingual and most of her reading is historical- both non-fiction and fiction. Possessed of a lively imagination, she has drawers full of potential stories, all of them set in the past. She was always going to be a writer – or a historian, preferably both. Ideally, Anna aspired to becoming a pioneer time traveller, but science has as yet not advanced to the point of making that possible. Instead she ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for her most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career Anna raised her four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive…

For years she combined a challenging career with four children and the odd snatched moment of writing. Nowadays Anna spends most of her spare time at her writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and she slips away into her imaginary world, with her imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in her life pops his head in to ensure she’s still there.

Other than on her website, www.annabelfrage.com, Anna can mostly be found on her blog, http://annabelfrage.wordpress.com – unless, of course, she is submerged in writing her next novel. You can also connect with Anna on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 26
Review at Historical Fiction Reviews

Tuesday, February 27
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books

Wednesday, February 28
Review at A Holland Reads

Thursday, March 1
Feature at What Is That Book About

Friday, March 2
Review at Book Drunkard

Monday, March 5
Review at A Bookaholic Swede

Tuesday, March 6
Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog

Wednesday, March 7
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Friday, March 9
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Monday, March 12
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Tuesday, March 13
Guest Post at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!

Thursday, March 15
Feature at Passages to the Past

Friday, March 16
Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog

Monday, March 19
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Wednesday, March 21
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Feature at A Literary Vacation

Thursday, March 22
Review at Back Porchervations

Friday, March 23
Feature at Button Eyed Reader

Monday, March 26
Review at Just One More Chapter

Wednesday, March 28
Review at Broken Teepee
Review at Impressions In Ink

Friday, March 30
Review at Bookramblings

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a complete set of The King's Greatest Enemy series to one winner & two winners will win a paperback copy of The Cold Light of Dawn! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

The Cold Light of Dawn


Review: In Spite of Lions by Scarlette Pike


In Spite of Lions by Scarlette Pike


Publication Date: December 12, 2017
Sweetwater Books
eBook & Paperback; 272 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

How does a young lady of means escape her high society fate? By booking passage on the first ship to Africa and promptly tossing her petticoats overboard! Now Anna's trading London's luxuries and restrictions for the wild unknown. Of course, shedding her old life would be much easier without the disapproving looks of a handsome sea captain and the demons in her past haunting her from worlds away.

My Review

4 Stars.

It's been a great year for reading already and my streak of fabulous reads continues with Scarlette Pike's In Spite of Lions! My goal this year was to read more books set outside the US and UK and more books featuring Bad Ass Women and this book met both criteria.

In Spite of Lions will take you on a wonderful adventure from London to Africa. Our protagonist is running away from her life and boards a ship, not knowing what the ultimate destination is. Nor does she want to know. Despite the warnings, she is determined to make a new life for herself, on her own terms, in Africa. We learn more about her past and why she left London as the novel progresses, in flash backs and memories.

Pike's writing is exceptional. I thought that she did a fabulous job with the descriptions and setting, and the characters were fleshed out well. I loved our main Bad Ass Woman - she was tough and brave, and it was fun to see her break from social norms (and seeing the reactions to that).

I thoroughly enjoyed In Spite of Lions and I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction, those interested in Africa, and readers of strong female leads.

Thanks to Scarlette Pike and Cedar Fort Books for my review copy. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I am giving away a paperback copy of this book on my Facebook Page! Click HERE to enter!

About the Author


Scarlette Pike grew to lackluster maturity on the banks of the Virgin River in Southern Utah. After her fair share of wandering she realized that historical fiction had always been in her suitcase. Following a desperate prayer and a simple idea, she began to write a historical fiction novel. She was drawn to African explorers David and Mary Livingstone and David's one and only convert: Chief Sechele. The mix of Victorian etiquette and African survival inspired her and she wrote "In Spite of Lions" in a tiny, tiny apartment in central freezing Utah. She plans on writing the sequel in a real grownup house with better heat.

For more information on Scarlette, you can visit http://www.scarlettepike.com.


Interview with Author C.J. Adrien + Giveaway {Blog Tour}

Good morning, dear readers! Today I have a great interview with C.J. Adrien, author of Viking historical novels, The Line of His People and The Oath of the Father, and a chance for you to win a copy!


Hello C.J. and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about your Viking Historical novels, The Line of His People and The Oath of the Father!

To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your Viking series?

My books take place mostly on the island of Noirmoutier — known as L’isle D’Herr in the medieval period, and Herius in Latin — which was the site of the first Viking attack on the Frankish empire in 799 A.D. It also happens to be where I grew up.

Noirmoutier was a key strategic location for the Vikings who launched raids into the Loire Valley and down the coast of France to Spain. Historical sources mention that “men of Vestfold” used the island as their base during the summer. It is from this historical narrative that I constructed the stories for my books.

As for me, I am someone who has always been fascinated by the past. I attended school to study history, and after my studies, I went on to be a history teacher. As a teacher, I specifically wrote my books with school-age children in mind, to inspire young people to access, enjoy, and further pursue history.

Have you always been fascinated with Vikings?

No. Although the lore about the Vikings was everywhere on the island of Noirmoutier when I was growing up, it remained little more than an odd curiosity in my mind. I wanted to be a Chevalier, a knight, and I was far more impressed with castles and armor and trebuchets than I ever was with the Vikings. When I studied history, I began with the High Middle Ages, working my way from the Norman conquest of England to Joan of Arc. At the same time, I studied Medieval Japan, which shares many parallels with Medieval Europe, particularly in regards to the warrior culture.

My focus on the Vikings developed later when I began a two-year exploration of early Medieval Russia. It began with the Rus, a tribe of Swedes who were the embodiment of what it was to be a Viking. Through the Rus, I became aware of how far the Vikings had spread out around the world, and the more I learned the more I fell in love. Further studies brought me back to the island of my childhood where, as it turns out, the Vikings did a lot more than simply plunder.
What type of research did you do for the books?

The research I used for the first book was actually conducted for a doctoral program in history I applied to in 2009. Unfortunately, that year was a big year for budget cuts in the U.S. university system, and at my university, the professor I had hoped would serve as my program advisor was let go. Thus, I withdrew my application, and I joined a different program to pursue teaching. The research, however, was still there.

I furthered my research over the years through my own endeavors. Between 2006 and 2014, my grandfather served as president of the historical association of the island of Noirmoutier, called Les Amis de Noirmoutier. Through him, I was given open access to everything they had to offer, which filled in the gaps of what I had done in school. I interviewed noted historians on the subject, including Louis Delhommeau, and had the privilege of reading ancient documents written on lambskin! For any researcher, the key to success is obtaining access. From there, it’s all passion.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The Battle of the Haralds: two of my major characters, both a protagonist and an antagonist, and both named Harald, face off in an epic sea battle. Keeping them straight was a definite challenge.

What was your favorite scene to write?

The opening sequence was, I think, the most fun because I had played the scene in my mind many times over many years before committing it to paper. Once I got it onto the page, it felt like the start of a new chapter in my life, both literally and figuratively.

What would you like readers to take away from reading your novels?

My goal has always been to inspire others to learn more about history.

What was the first historical novel you read?

Ken Follett’s Pillar of the Earth.

What is the last historical novel you read?

I just finished Justin Hill’s Shield Wall, and am moving on to his Viking Fire novel this week.

If there was a soundtrack for your novel, what songs might we find on it?

I listen to soundtracks when I write; they help me get into the flow of the story. For my first book, I listened to the Skyrim soundtrack by Jeremy Soule, and the song I would consider my main character’s theme song is called Unbroken Road.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

I find the challenge of world-building to be particularly appealing. In recreating the world as it may have been, I must immerse myself in research and imagination to create a compelling blend for my readers. It is an endeavor that, at times, is all-consuming.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

I enjoy exercising both indoors and outdoors, and I particularly enjoy attending local discussion groups on a variety of subjects, including history, arts, science, tech, and entrepreneurship.

Lastly, what are you working on next?

My next book will be a first-person exploration of the Viking exploits in the Brittany region of France through the eyes of a well-documented historical figure known as Hastein. He is thought to have been present at the sack of Nantes, and subsequently the sack of Paris; he ended his career with the reputation as the scourge of the Somme and Loire.

Oh wow, that sounds fascinating! Thanks so much for spending time with us today, C.J.!


The Line of His People by C.J. Adrien

Publication Date: September 1, 2013
Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, AudioBook

Series: Kindred of the Sea, Book #1
Genre: Fiction/Historical/Vikings


France, 799 A.D. The Northmen sacked the monastery at dawn, before anyone had awakened. They burned the village and slaughtered all who stood in their path. The relics of Saint Philbert were lost, and the island was abandoned by those who once dwelled there.

Years later, the monk Abriel - survivor of the same attack as a young boy - is sent to recover the relics to help restore the reputation and legitimacy of Saint Philbert. What he discovers on his journey changes his life forever.

Northmen had colonized the island in the absence of the monks. They hold the key to finding the relics, but they have greater plans for Abriel, plans that will take him to the North to find his destiny.

"Adrien's novel is a well thought out, deeply researched narrative that marries history with young adult fiction. In a time where females are popular among the young adult sector, this male focused novel is a welcome reprieve and appeals to a need for an action packed novel." - Portland Book Review

"A well-written tale with vividly imagined characters." - Trevor Schmidt, author of The Corsair Uprising series.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound



The Oath of the Father by C.J. Adrien

Publication Date: March 1, 2015
eBook & Paperback

Series: Kindred of the Sea, Book #2
Genre: Fiction/Historical/Vikings


Coast of Brittany, 822 A.D.

King Abriel Haraldsson is a man on the run.

Injured in combat, his warriors take him to a nearby monastery to find a healer. The monks accept to care for him, but fake his death and steal him away to a distant island to be reconverted to their faith.

Believing the king of Herius to be dead, suitors from the north descend upon the island kingdom with the intent to marry Queen Kenna to usurp her husband's lands and wealth. Most terrifying among them is the fierce warlord Turgeis -- known for his prowess in battle and lust for blood -- who sets his sights upon the queen.

When a messenger from afar returns with news that Abriel survived his injuries, Turgeis sets sail to ensure the king will never return.

Thus began the hunt.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

About the Author

C.J. Adrien is a French-American author of Viking historical fiction with a passion for Viking history. His Kindred of the Sea series was inspired by research conducted in preparation for a doctoral program in early medieval history as well as his admiration for historical fiction writers such as Bernard Cornwell and Ken Follett.

C.J. Adrien’s novels and expertise have earned him invitations to speak at several international events, including the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds.

For more information, please visit C.J. Adrien's website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, January 29
Kick Off at Passages to the Past

Thursday, February 1
Review at Donna's Book Blog (The Line of His People)

Monday, February 5
Review at Pursuing Stacie (The Line of His People)

Wednesday, February 7
Feature at A Bookaholic Swede

Monday, February 12
Review at The Writing Desk (The Line of His People)

Tuesday, February 13
Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Thursday, February 15
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books

Friday, February 16
Feature at Broken Teepee

Monday, February 19
Review at Laura's Interests (The Line of His People)

Tuesday, February 20
Review at Donna's Book Blog (The Oath of the Father)
Feature at A Literary Vacation

Friday, February 23
Review at Cup of Sensibility

Monday, February 26
Review at Pursuing Stacie (The Oath of the Father)

Thursday, March 1
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books (The Line of His People)

Monday, March 5
Review at Laura's Interests (The Oath of the Father)

Tuesday, March 6
Review at WS Momma Readers Nook (The Line of His People)

Tuesday, March 13
Tour Wrap Up at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a set of The Line of His People & The Oath of the Father! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

C.J. Adrien Blog Tour


Related Posts with Thumbnails
 

Passages to the Past
All rights reserved © 2013

Custom Blog Design by Blogger Boutique

Blogger Boutique