Review & Giveaway: Confessions of a Sheba Queen by Autumn Bardot

Confessions of a Sheba Queen by Autumn Bardot

Publication Date: March 10, 2019

Cleis Press

eBook & Paperback; 384 Pages

Genre: Historical/Erotica

With a host of unforgettable characters and unbridled sensual escapades, Confessions of a Sheba Queen is a triumphantly erotic retelling of an indomitable woman prevailing in a man’s world.

During a raging sandstorm along a riverbed in the ancient lands of Saba, a powerful jinni born of smokeless fire gives birth to a half-human daughter. Bilqis does not inherit her mother’s magical abilities, but the fire of her jinni blood does imbue her with other powerful gifts. As she undergoes her rites of womanhood and her insatiable sexual hunger is awakened, it becomes clear—this is the key to her “great destiny” prophesized at her birth. But it could also lead to her total undoing.

Bilqis comes to understand that her supernatural talents have the power to make men, and women, and nations prostrate themselves in utter devotion to her. When tragedy strikes, she leaves her home to seek revenge against the tyrannical god-king whose reign is a plague upon his land and people. Armed with only her body, courage, and wits, she quickly masters the art of seduction, all the while resisting the mind-consuming call to stay locked in an endless cycle of carnal passion.

Destiny soon intervenes, and what began as a quest for vengeance becomes a mission to heal the land of Saba from a twisted, corrupt regime and to see it become the wealthiest kingdom in all the land. Yet, it is only after meeting the already legendary and wildly attractive King Solomon that Bilqis discovers her greatest battle is not with others, but with herself.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Phew! Is it hot in here? Because that was one sexy read! Wowza!

I am a huge fan of Autumn Bardot's books. She chooses the most badass women from history to write about and I'm always inspired and fascinated by them. With Confessions of a Sheba Queen we meet Bilqis, also known in history as The Queen of Sheba. Her mother was a full jinni and knows her daughter is destined for greatness. To help prepare her she teaches her how her sex can be used for power as well as pleasure. She also hires tutors to help her learn, though at that time education was for the men only. Bilqis is only a half-jinni but witnesses her mother's power when growing up.

When Bilqis' life changes tragically she takes it upon herself to exact revenge and sets out to find the men responsible and to confront the man who ordered it. Her journey takes unexpected twists and turns and when she is finally face to face with King Soloman she must use all of her talents to fulfill her great destiny.

This was another phenomenal book from Autumn Bardot! I absolutely cannot wait for her next one to see who she is writing about next.

If you like to read about strong women who overcome adversity to create their own destiny, you should definitely pick this book up. If you aren't a fan of sex in your reading then you may want to steer clear because it's a hot, hot read!

About the Author

Autumn Bardot writes historical fiction and historical erotica. Her debut historical fiction is THE IMPALER'S WIFE. Her debut historical erotica is LEGENDS OF LUST.

Autumn, a pen name, has worked as an educator for more than sixteen years. She teaches literature, writing, and the magic of words. She has a passion for history and a special affinity for the unsung courageous females that history has neglected. Or misunderstood. Autumn lives in Southern California with her husband and ever-growing family. She wishes she was one-tenth as brave as the women she writes about.

Historical Fiction
~ The Impaler's Wife
~ Dragon Lady
~ The Emperor's Assassin

Historical Erotica ( Cleis Press)
~ Legends of Lust, Erotic Myths from around the World
~ Confessions of a Sheba Queen

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, March 10
Review at Broken Teepee

Wednesday, March 11
Review at Books and Zebras

Thursday, March 12
Feature at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Friday, March 13
Review at @bookishbellee

Monday, March 16
Review at YA, It's Lit

Tuesday, March 17
Feature at Donna's Book Blog

Wednesday, March 18
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Friday, March 20
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Monday, March 23
Feature at I'm All About Books

Wednesday, March 25
Review at Nursebookie

Thursday, March 26
Review at Jessica Belmont

Friday, March 27
Feature at Curling up by the Fire

Monday, March 30
Review at Historical Graffiti

Tuesday, March 31
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, April 1
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a copy of Confessions of a Sheba Queen! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on April 1st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Confessions of a Sheba Queen

Review & Giveaway: The Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr

The Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr

Paperback Publication Date: February 18, 2020

Atria Books

Hardcover & eBook; 336 Pages

Genre: Historical/Gothic/Mystery

Now available in paperback! A post-mortem photographer unearths the dark secrets of a famed poet’s marriage in this “sensual, twisting gothic tale…in the tradition of A.S. Byatt’s Possession, Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale, and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights” (BookPage).

When famed Byronesque poet Hugh de Bonne is found dead in his bath one morning in 1850, arrangements are left to his estranged cousin, historian turned postmortem photographer Robert Highstead. De Bonne’s will instructs that he should be buried in a stained glass chapel set on the Shropshire moors, built to house the remains of his beloved wife and muse, Ada. It has since been locked to all outsiders—especially the rabid, cultlike fans of de Bonne’s final book, The Lost History of Dreams.

Only Ada’s grief-stricken niece, Isabelle, holds the key, but she refuses to open the chapel unless Robert agrees to her bargain: Before he can lay Hugh to rest, Robert must record the real story behind her aunt’s ill-fated marriage to the poet over the course of five nights—a story that is both love story and ghost story.

Blurring the line between the past and the present, truth and fiction, and ultimately, life and death, The Lost History of Dreams is “a surrealist, haunting tale of suspense where every prediction turns out to be merely a step toward a bigger reveal” (Booklist).

“Waldherr writes that ‘love stories are ghost stories in disguise.’ This one, happily, succeeds as both.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There's nothing better than snuggling up at night with a creepy Victorian gothic story during a Global pandemic. Well, that's certainly a sentence I never thought I would write, but here we are. Seriously though, reading The Lost History of Dreams was the best way to escape the craziness of the day and be transported back in time.

This is the kind of book that you want to read slowly and savor. Waldherr's writing is powerful and lush and she sets the scene so well it's like a movie playing in your mind.

Robert is a post-mortem photographer who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife, Sida, when his estranged brother reaches out to him and asks him to photograph their cousin, Hugh, who just passed away. Upon arriving Robert meets Isabelle, who has inherited Ada and Hugh's home, and she isn't keen on the idea of allowing Robert to enter Ada's Folly, a glass chapel that was built for Ada and is said to be her burial place. Isabelle makes a deal with Robert that if she allows him to do that he must write down Ada's life story. Over the course of 5 days, Isabelle reveals more about Ada's life to Robert, but in doing so more questions arise. Is Isabelle who she says she is? Is Ada really dead?

The beginning starts off a little slow but once Isabella begins telling Ada's story I was captivated! I was turning the pages so fast because I just HAD TO KNOW!

If you like dark, haunted Victorian novels with tales of tragic love, a mystery or two, and ghosts then I highly recommend The Lost History of Dreams!

Praise for The Lost History of Dreams

“Scheherazade-like … haunting… Waldherr writes that ‘love stories are ghost stories in disguise.’ This one, happily, succeeds as both.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“An unexpected delight that grows steadily more compelling as its pages fly by.” —Booklist

“A sensual, twisting gothic tale that embraces Victorian superstition much in the tradition of A.S. Byatt’s Possession, Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.”—BookPage

“Eerily atmospheric and gorgeously written, The Lost History of Dreams is a Gothic fairy-tale to savor.” – Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of THE ALICE NETWORK and THE HUNTRESS

“The Lost History of Dreams is a dark, shimmering gem of a novel, glittering with love lost, secrets kept, and long-buried truths revealed. Wonder, memory, death and passion haunt every page of Kris Waldherr’s powerhouse Gothic debut.” – Greer Macallister, bestselling author of THE MAGICIAN’S LIE and WOMAN 99

“Brooding, romantic, and thoughtful, The Lost History of Dreams is a rare bird in that it shines throughout with wit. I loved every page of it.” – Erika Swyler, bestselling author of THE BOOK OF SPECULATION and LIGHT FROM OTHER STARS

“With luminous prose, stunning poetry and a fascinating cast of characters, Waldherr weaves a wonderfully atmospheric tale. Not to be missed!” – Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME and THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER

“A riveting, addictive read. Sarah Waters fans will be entranced. – Mary Sharratt, author of ECSTASY and DAUGHTERS OF THE WITCHING HILL

“A novel of haunting mystery and passion reminiscent of Wuthering Heights and Byatt’s Possession.” – Crystal King, author of FEAST OF SORROW and THE CHEF’S SECRET

“An atmospheric tale of lost love, family secrets, and an inquiry into how our own histories define us, I relished every poetic page.” – Heather Webb, international bestselling author of LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS and THE PHANTOM’S APPRENTICE

"With beautiful prose and poetry, Waldherr weaves a darkly seductive Gothic tale of love, art, death, and obsession. You’ll want to keep reading this one late into the night.” – Alyssa Palombo, author of THE SPELLBOOK OF KATRINA VAN TASSEL

“A sumptuous feast for all the senses.” – Clarissa Harwood, author of IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS and BEAR NO MALICE

About the Author

Kris Waldherr’s books for adults and children include The Lost History of Dreams, Bad Princess, Doomed Queens, and The Book of Goddesses. The Lost History of Dreams received a Kirkus starred review and was called "an unexpected delight" by Booklist. The New Yorker praised Doomed Queens as “utterly satisfying” and “deliciously perverse.” The Book of Goddesses was a One Spirit/Book-of-the-Month Club’s Top Ten Most Popular Book. Her picture book Persephone and the Pomegranate was lauded by the New York Times Book Review for its “quality of myth and magic.” Her fiction has won fellowships from the Virginia Center of the Creative Arts, and a works-in-progress reading grant from Poets & Writers.

As a visual artist, Waldherr is the creator of the Goddess Tarot, which has a quarter of a million copies in print. She has had illustrations published as greeting cards, book covers, and in calendars and magazines. Her art has been exhibited in many galleries and museums including the Ruskin Library, the Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Kris Waldherr works and lives in Brooklyn in a Victorian-era house with her husband, their young daughter, and a very vocal Bengal cat.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, March 13
Review at A Bookish Affair
Review at Tales from the Book Dragon

Saturday, March 14
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Monday, March 16
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, March 17
Review at Clarissa Reads it All

Thursday, March 19
Review at YA, It's Lit
Review at Older & Smarter

Friday, March 20
Review at Donna's Book Blog

Sunday, March 22
Review at Historical Graffiti

Tuesday, March 24
Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Wednesday, March 25
Interview at Jorie Loves A Story

Thursday, March 26
Review at Books and Zebras

Saturday, March 28
Review at Nurse Bookie

Monday, March 30
Review at Jorie Loves A Story

Tuesday, March 31
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

To celebrate the paperback publication of The Lost History of Dreams, Kris is offering an exclusive blog tour giveaway of some of her most popular publications! The collection includes an autographed copy of The Lost History of Dreams paperback, a Goddess Tarot deck, a Sacred World Oracle deck, a hardcover of Bad Princess, and a teaser booklet of Doomed Queens. Retail value $75. Giveaway ends 4/30/2020. US only.

To enter the giveaway, click HERE.

Review & Giveaway: The Bridled Tongue by Catherine Meyrick

The Bridled Tongue by Catherine Meyrick

Publication Date: February 1, 2020

Courante Publishing

Paperback & eBook; 342 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

England 1586

Alyce Bradley has few choices when her father decides it is time she marry as many refuse to see her as other than the girl she once was--unruly, outspoken and close to her grandmother, a woman suspected of witchcraft.

Thomas Granville, an ambitious privateer, inspires fierce loyalty in those close to him and hatred in those he has crossed. Beyond a large dowry, he is seeking a virtuous and dutiful wife. Neither he nor Alyce expect more from marriage than mutual courtesy and respect.

As the King of Spain launches his great armada and England braces for invasion, Alyce must confront closer dangers from both her own and Thomas's past, threats that could not only destroy her hopes of love and happiness but her life. And Thomas is powerless to help.

'People never forget. When the fancy takes them, they bring the old stories out and embroider them further.'

Available on Amazon

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's 1586, Queen Elizabeth I is on the throne with Mary Queen of Scots and the King of Spain nipping at her Royal heels. Alyce Bradley is returning home after being a Lady's maid, turned servant, to a noblewoman where her parents sent her for the last 12 years. In her youth, she had a reputation for being unable to bide her tongue and speak her mind. A thing quite un-womanly or un-Godly even, in those days. And of course, it being the 16th century she is expected to only yearn for marriage and a family, but Alyce isn't like most women. She wants to find a true love and someone that will respect her intellect.

Thomas Granville, known locally as a womanizer, is a privateer and has fought and sailed with Sir Francis Drake. When he hears that Alyce's father is looking for a husband for her he suggests himself. he's intrigued by her and her dowry also helps his new venture. It's a marriage of convenience though both Alyce and Thomas aren't entirely displeased with the situation. It's a slow-burner of a romance but those are the ones I enjoy the best. I'm not an Insta-love kind of reader.

I absolutely adored Alyce! She was clever, sassy, and sweet. I'm not one to hold my tongue either and have gotten into lots of trouble by not keeping my mouth shut so I could relate to her.

In addition to Alyce and Thomas' story, the book touches on the troubled relationship between Alyce and her sister, Isobel, as well as accusations of witchcraft against Alyce.

Meyrick's writing is outstanding. I was hooked from the first page and completely invested in Alyce's life. And Thomas is definitely swoon-worthy! The Bridled Tongue was the perfect book I needed right now to escape these crazy and scary times and I'm so grateful to Catherine for sharing a copy with me. I didn't get a chance to read her other book yet, Forsaking All Other, so I will be picking that up soon. If you're looking for a great historical with romance and a little danger, you should certainly pick this one up!

About the Author

Catherine Meyrick is a writer of historical fiction with a particular love of Elizabethan England. Her stories weave fictional characters into the gaps within the historical record – tales of ordinary people who are very much men and women of their time, yet in so many ways not unlike ourselves.

Although she grew up in regional Victoria, Australia, she has lived all her adult life in Melbourne. She has worked as a nurse, a tax assessor and finally a librarian. She has a Master of Arts in history and is also a family history obsessive.

For more information, please visit Catherine Meyrick's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 16
Review at Nursebookie
Interview at Let Them Read Books

Tuesday, March 17
Review at Books and Zebras

Wednesday, March 18
Review at YA, it's Lit
Excerpt at I'm All About Books

Thursday, March 19
Review at Historical Romance Lover

Friday, March 20
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Saturday, March 21
Review at Historical Graffiti
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Sunday, March 22
Review at A Darn Good Read

Monday, March 23
Review at Carole's Ramblings
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Tuesday, March 24
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Wednesday, March 25
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Thursday, March 26
Review at Jessica Belmont
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two paperback copies of The Bridled Tongue! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on March 26th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Bridled Tongue

Book Blast: Her Side of History by Claudia Severin

Today on the blog I am excited to share this feature on Claudia J. Severin's new book, Her Side of History. Please check it out and if you're looking for some reading entertainment during your social distancing time, you can pick it up in eBook or paperback!

Her Side of History by Claudia J. Severin

Publication Date: February 24, 2020

Pella Road Publishing

Paperback & eBook; 303 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Author Claudia J. Severin took things into her own hands when her genealogy research seemed limiting. Follow her foremothers, four mothers plucked from her family tree. She reimagines the lives of ancestral families in this anthology. Ina, the tragic suffragette, traded her college degree and teaching career for a loving husband and children in the 1910s, in the shadow of the Great War, but things did not work out as she planned. Mary, a German immigrant, finds love with an Iowa farmer, and crosses the state in a covered wagon with his entire family to become a homesteader on the Nebraska plains in 1869. She didn’t know that Indian encounters, prairie fires and locusts would threaten her and her rapidly growing family. Nellie fell for the bad boy, the Good Time Charley who didn’t let a little thing like Prohibition stand in his way. She tries to control his drinking and spending, while supporting her family in times of calamity in the 1920s and 1930s traveling from Nebraska to Kansas and back again. Katie finds herself the sole heir to her father’s farm in southeastern Nebraska decades after the Homestead Act took most of the land ownership out of play. She enjoys playing the flirtatious games learned from her older half-sisters. But are her suitors interested in her or her inheritance?

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Claudia Johnson Severin lives with her farmer husband on a southeastern Nebraska farm that was homesteaded in 1869 by her husband’s great-grandparents, a setting for a portion of her anthology. At one time, the farm was home to dairy cows and chickens, as well as children. The cows, chickens, and children have all moved on, along with her day job. She spent a year researching many branches of her family tree but decided the facts she uncovered did not leave enough to the imagination. She applied imagination to the facts and came up with this book.

When she is not writing, she is constructing one-of-a-kind play structures for her grandchildren. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Journalism and a Cornhusker football fan.

Website | Facebook

Book Blast Schedule

Thursday, March 19
Books In Their Natural Habitat

Friday, March 20
The Book Junkie Reads

Sunday, March 22
Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Monday, March 23
Passages to the Past

Tuesday, March 24
100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, March 25
Historical Graffiti

Thursday, March 26
Robin Loves Reading

Friday, March 27
Donna's Book Blog

Sunday, March 29
Gwendalyn's Books

Interview & Giveaway: Mercedes Rochelle's A King Under Siege

Hello, dear readers! Today on the blog I am hosting Author Mercedes Rochelle on the final day of her blog tour for A King Under Siege! I have a fabulous interview with her and a chance for you to win a copy of her book! Enjoy!

Hello Mercedes and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about A King Under Siege!

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

I’ve been writing historical fiction even before I realized it was a genre. Back in my college days, I thought of this kind of fiction as the nineteenth-century novel. It wasn’t until I discovered Sharon Penman in the ‘80s that I realized this was something we could do today. Years as a reenactor taught me many things I now take for granted: costuming, hand combat, period food. My fascination with pre-conquest England inspired my first four novels, and now I’ve jumped into the world of the Plantagenets. Both of these periods were inspired by Shakespeare—first Macbeth, then Richard II.

What inspired you to write A King Under Siege?

The first time I saw Shakespeare’s Richard II was back in the late ‘70s, when the BCC was producing their incredible RSC series for public television. I saw Derek Jacobi as Richard, who I knew absolutely nothing about. It didn’t matter! I was smitten with this character and I carried him around with me all those years in between, while I got Harold Godwineson out of my system. It didn’t sink in that Shakespeare’s play only covered the last two years of Richard’s life until I started doing research. The back story was every bit as fascinating as his end, and I saw that it would take two novels to cover Richard’s life.

What research did you undertake when writing A King Under Siege?

Thank goodness for the internet. In the old days, you were limited to books you could find at the local library, and then you were limited to how much you could read in a sitting. Now, I’ve discovered a whole new world of academic journals at my fingertips. Aside from the two full shelves’ worth of books I’ve purchased on the internet (and read completely through), the academic journals bring my research to a “microscopic” level. These scholars go deeply into particular aspects of the story that the broader histories gloss over; they have provided insight into the most problematic passages in my book and shine a light on Richard’s motivations.

What would you like readers to take away from reading A King Under Siege?

Just like Richard III, I believe that Richard II has been largely villainized by the usurper and his sycophantic chroniclers. The winners dictate the history. Richard II was no angel, but I want the reader to see what he was up against and how his enemies pushed him past the breaking point. No wonder he wreaked revenge in my upcoming release, THE KING’S RETRIBUTION. Without reading this first book in the series, there’s no way to understand what brought Richard to such a pass.

What was your favorite scene to write?

Wat Tyler, the guy on the cover about to lose his head, was a colorful figure. He was the main leader of the Peasants’ Revolt, and his word was law. Early on, during the revolt, the rebels went after John of Gaunt’s famous palace of Savoy. They totally destroyed it—building bonfires, throwing treasures into the Thames, and having an all-around good time—until someone tossed a barrel of gunpowder into the flames. Kaboom! I don’t know why I took such pleasure in destroying the Savoy. I was just one of the gang at the time.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

It was very hard for me to write the Parliament scenes. There’s not a lot of action here—much like a courtroom drama. You’ve got a bunch of people arguing with each other. How does one keep the interest going? Fortunately, stakes were high and we were talking life-and-death situations, and a lot of unfair, despicable behavior went on. But I really sweated these passages out.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Can I count the time I was a kid and fell in love with Black Beauty? I told my mother I wanted to be a writer and she pooh-poohed me. That was the end of that. Subsequently, the first time the light went on in my head was due to my fifth-grade teacher, who recognized something different about me and gave me special assignments. Though I really didn’t take my writing seriously until I went to college and became an English major. The nineteenth-century novel captured my attention (back to the first question!) and I fortunately read every historical novel I could get my hands on.

What does your daily writing routine look like?

I think of writing as a seasonal task. After all, nobody really cares when my next book is coming out. When the weather is gorgeous, I go outside and work in my garden. During bad weather (like all winter), I stay inside and put my nose to the grindstone. It works for me! I don’t have a daily routine. I sell Real Estate for a living, so my schedule varies according to my work load.

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?

Back when I wrote my first novel (around 1990) I acquired an agent and thought I was on my way. I didn’t realize that she would only query the publishers she did business with. After a couple of tries, she returned my manuscript with a curt note that there was no market for that kind of book (historical fiction). I was so devastated I put it on the shelf and gave up writing for the next 20 years. No kidding. I started my own business and pretended I was channeling my creative impulses through my business. It didn’t work. When I was ready to try again, the whole market had changed! I found a small press who was willing to take a risk on me (same book). Then I tried my hand at indie publishing and I’m much happier.

Who are your writing inspirations?

I still go back to my nineteenth century authors! I adore Alexandre Dumas, Sir Walter Scott and Arthur Conan Doyle. They keep me on track.

What was the first historical novel you read?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I didn’t recognize it as historical fiction at the time, but I got the idea! Then I discovered Sir Walter Scott and Ivanhoe. The rest is history, as they say!

What is the last historical novel you read?

I just finished “The First Actress” by C.W. Gortner (about Sarah Bernhardt). It was delicious. I couldn’t help myself; I jumped right into “Marlene”, which I am reading now. I do love biographical historical fiction.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

I find that a good history is much more interesting than fiction. As the expression goes, “you just can’t make this stuff up”. The things I uncover in my research sometimes make my spine tingle. It’s up to me to translate it into good historical fiction by adding dialogue, color, and motivations which are often missing from the history books.

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

I love the high middle ages. This might have a lot to do with my years as a reenactor; I feel that I understand what’s going on. I like the pre-gunpowder era, when people must get up close and personal in warfare. Everything seems more immediate to me.

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

I love my gardening. This takes up much of my time when the weather is with me!

Lastly, what are you working on next?

I am just finishing book two of The Plantagenet Legacy which takes us through Richard II’s abdication; it’s called THE KING’S RETRIBUTION. This covers the same period as Shakespeare’s play, but with much more explanation. Then I’ll be moving forward to Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. So I have at least three books ahead of me, depending on how much I uncover during my research. After all, those last three kings died young. Still, Henry IV’s story is already more complicated than I first thought. Half the fun is piecing together the various characters and how they interact.

A King Under Siege by Mercedes Rochelle

Publication Date: January 5, 2019

Sergeant Press

eBook & Paperback; 310 Pages

Series: The Plantagenet Legacy, Book One

Genre: Historical Fiction/Biographical

Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants' Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost. Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding. The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless. He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects. Richard's inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.

"This story is rich in historical detail. It has so obviously been meticulously researched. I cannot but commend Rochelle for this exceptional work of scholarship. A King Under Siege: Book One of The Plantagenet Legacy is one of those books that once started is impossible to put down. This book is filled with non-stop action. There are enough plots and conspiracies to satisfy any lover of historical fiction. This is storytelling at its very best." Mary Anne Yarde from Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots Blog

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Born and raised in St. Louis MO, Mercedes Rochelle graduated with a degree in English literature from the University of Missouri. Mercedes learned about living history as a re-enactor and has been enamored with historical fiction ever since. A move to New York to do research and two careers ensued, but writing fiction remains her primary vocation. She lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, February 27
Review at A Darn Good Read

Saturday, February 29
Excerpt at Books, Dreams, Life
Excerpt at Passages to the Past

Monday, March 2
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, March 4
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Friday, March 6
Review at Books and Zebras

Tuesday, March 10
Review at Nurse Bookie

Thursday, March 12
Feature at I'm All About Books

Friday, March 13
Review at bookramblings
Review at Impressions In Ink

Monday, March 16
Review at Broken Teepee

Wednesday, March 18
Interview at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 5 paperback copies of A King Under Siege! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

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

A King Under Siege

Review & Giveaway: The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

Publication Date: March 3, 2020

Flatiron Books

Genre: Historical Fiction

In Poland, as World War II rages, a mother hides with her young daughter, a musical prodigy whose slightest sound may cost them their lives.

As Nazi soldiers round up the Jews in their town, Róża and her 5-year-old daughter, Shira, flee, seeking shelter in a neighbor’s barn. Hidden in the hayloft day and night, Shira struggles to stay still and quiet, as music pulses through her and the farmyard outside beckons. To soothe her daughter and pass the time, Róża tells her a story about a girl in an enchanted garden:

The girl is forbidden from making a sound, so the yellow bird sings. He sings whatever the girl composes in her head: high-pitched trills of piccolo; low-throated growls of contrabassoon. Music helps the flowers bloom.

In this make-believe world, Róża can shield Shira from the horrors that surround them. But the day comes when their haven is no longer safe, and Róża must make an impossible choice: whether to keep Shira by her side or give her the chance to survive apart.

Inspired by the true stories of Jewish children hidden during World War II, Jennifer Rosner’s debut is a breathtaking novel about the unbreakable bond between a mother and a daughter. Beautiful and riveting, The Yellow Bird Sings is a testament to the triumph of hope—a whispered story, a bird’s song—in even the darkest of times.

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have you ever sat down to start a new book, only planning to read for an hour or so and ended up devouring the entire thing in one sitting? That happened to me the other night with The Yellow Bird Sings. I literally could not put it down. There is no way my review will do justice to just how incredible this book it.

The Yellow Bird Sings is an emotional & heartbreaking read. It follows the life of a Jewish woman Roza and her young daughter as they hide from the Nazis. At a time when people are turning in their Jewish neighbors for a bag of sugar, they are lucky to have a sympathetic neighbor family to help them. Though it does come at a price. They spend their days in absolute silence, not daring the make even the slightest noise to alert others to their presence, hiding in a pile of hay in the attic. Their only entertainment are the stories that Roza tells her daughter Shira about their family, their shared love of music and the little yellow bird that Shira has with her.

When the opportunity comes for Shira to escape to a better life with people that help Jewish children, her mother Roza must make the most difficult decision in her life to either let her go or stay together and hope for the best.

The author's writing is phenomenal and the book instantly grabs you. It's not an easy read but an important one and it's one that I know I will never ever forget.

Have tissues at the ready because you're gonna need them!

Giveaway

I have one copy of The Yellow Bird Sings up for grabs! 

To enter, just leave a comment! 

Giveaway is open to US only. Ends on March 20th.

Review: The Lights of St. Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford

The Lights of St. Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford

Publication Date: March 5, 2020

Corvus

Genre: Historical Fiction

A sweeping novel set on the Scottish island of St Kilda, following the last community to live there before it was evacuated in 1930.

When Fred Lawson takes a summer job on St Kilda in 1927, little does he realise that he has joined the last community to ever live on that desolate, isolated island. Only three years later, St Kilda will be evacuated, the islanders near-dead from starvation. But for Fred, that summer is the bedrock of his whole life...

Chrissie Gillies is just nineteen when the researchers come to St Kilda. Hired as their cook, she can't believe they would ever notice her, sophisticated and educated as they are. But she soon develops a cautious friendship with Fred, a friendship that cannot be allowed to develop into anything more...

Years later, to help deal with his hellish existence in a German prisoner of war camp, Fred tells the tale of the island and the woman he loved, but left behind. And Fred starts to wonder, where is Chrissie now? And does she ever think of him too?

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

"So it is, we fall in love with the impossible, break our hearts pining for a dream."

A beautifully written story of love and heartbreak set on the remote islands of St. Kilda, Elisabeth Gifford sweeps you away with her lyrical writing and captivating tale in The Lights of St. Kilda.

I spent a glorious weekend reading this exquisite novel and I have zero regrets! I was captivated from start to finish.

The book alternates between 1927 and 1940 and follows the lives of Chrissie, who lives on the island of Hirta, which is the main island in the chain, and of Fred, a student who visited the island to do a geological survey for a project for Cambridge.

In the 1940 timeline, Chrissie recounts her life on the island to her daughter Rachel while Fred talks about his experience there to pass the time while he was a prisoner in a German prison camp. Chrissie now lives on the mainland and listens to the radio every day, desperate for news of Fred. Thoughts of Chrissie are the only thing keeping Fred going as he escapes from his captors and fights his way home. Will he ever see her again?

"It was your face that had stayed with me as we fought in France. It was you who'd sustained me when we were hungry and without sleep for nights as we fought the retreating action back towards the Normandy coast."

I loved, loved, love this book and cannot wait to pick up more from Elisabeth Gifford! Highly recommended.

About the Author

Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University. Her bestselling novel, Secrets of the Sea House, was shortlisted for the Historical Writers' Association's Debut Crown for Best First Historical Novel in 2014. She is married with three children, and lives in Kingston upon Thames.

Review & Giveaway: The Road to Delano by John DeSimone

The Road to Delano by John DeSimone

Publication Date: March 10, 2020

Rare Bird Books

Hardcover; 320 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Jack Duncan is a high school senior whose dream is to play baseball in college and beyond―as far away from Delano as possible. He longs to escape the political turmoil surrounding the labor struggles of the striking fieldworkers that infests his small ag town. Ever since his father, a grape grower, died under suspicious circumstances ten years earlier, he’s had to be the sole emotional support of his mother, who has kept secrets from him about his father’s involvement in the ongoing labor strife.

With their property on the verge of a tax sale, Jack drives an old combine into town to sell it so he and his mother don’t become homeless. On the road, an old friend of his father’s shows up and hands him the police report indicating Jack’s father was murdered. Jack is compelled to dig deep to discover the entire truth, which throws him into the heart of the corruption endemic in the Central Valley. Everything he has dreamed of is at stake if he can’t control his impulse for revenge.

While Jack’s girlfriend, the intelligent and articulate Ella, warns him not to so anything to jeopardize their plans of moving to L.A., after graduation, Jack turns to his best friend, Adrian, a star player on the team, to help to save his mother’s land. When Jack’s efforts to rescue a stolen piece of farm equipment leaves Adrian―the son of a boycotting fieldworker who works closely with Cesar Chavez―in a catastrophic situation, Jack must bail his friend out of his dilemma before it ruins his future prospects. Jack uses his wits, his acumen at card playing, and his boldness to raise the money to spring his friend, who has been transformed by his jail experience.

The Road to Delano is the path Jack, Ella, and Adrian must take to find their strength, their duty, their destiny.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Road to Delano is set between the 1930's and the 1960's in California.

When Sugar Duncan travels down the road to Delano in his Model T, he leaves behind his life in Vermont to become a farmer in California. After winning enough money to buy his land and build a new home with his true love he finally settles down and leaves gambling in the past. He becomes a leader in the community and a prosperous farmer.

After Sugar fails to return home from a business trip his wife and son, Jack, learn that he had died under mysterious circumstances. Flash forward years later and Jack is now a teenager and popular baseball player. An old friend of his fathers shows up one day and tells Jack that he has more information on how his father died and who was responsible. He and his mother are on the cusp of losing their farm after a long-time feud with their neighbors over land and water rights, so Jack must figure out a way to keep their home, in addition to finding out why his father was killed.

I haven't read many books set during this time period so it was fascinating to read about the issues facing the people of the town. Disputes between the farmers, growers, and teamsters and themes on immigration, migration, and racism are touched on in the book.

Jack was a great character and I liked how the author included wonderful secondary characters, especially his friend Adrien who is Mexican which gave the readers another viewpoint of how migrants were treated then. It's definitely something that we still talk about today, so it just goes to show you that racism and power-hungry people will never truly be eradicated.

Poignant and insightful, I found The Road to Delano to be a fabulous historical and I truly hope you will check it out.

About the Author

John DeSimone is a published writer, novelist, and teacher. He’s been an adjunct professor and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University. His recent co-authored books include Broken Circle: A Memoir of Escaping Afghanistan (Little A Publishers), and Courage to Say No by Dr. Raana Mahmood, about her struggles against sexual exploitation as a female physician in Karachi. His published novel Leonardo’s Chair published in 2005.

In 2012, he won a prestigious Norman Mailer Fellowship to complete his most recent historical novel, Road to Delano. His novels Leonardo’s Chair and No Ordinary Man have received critical recognition.

He works with select clients to write stories of inspiration and determination and with those who have a vital message to bring to the marketplace of ideas in well-written books.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, March 3
Review at Passages to the Past
Feature at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Wednesday, March 4
Feature at I'm All About Books

Thursday, March 5
Review at Tales from the Book Dragon

Sunday, March 8
Review at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings

Monday, March 9
Feature at Donna's Book Blog

Wednesday, March 11
Review & Interview at Nursebookie

Thursday, March 12
Review at Books and Zebras

Friday, March 13
Review at YA, It's Lit

Saturday, March 14
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Monday, March 16
Review at Chronicles of The Boozy Reader

Tuesday, March 17
Feature at Broken Teepee
Guest Post at Historical Graffiti

Wednesday, March 18
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Friday, March 20
Review at Jessica Belmont
Review at Oh, The Books She Will Read

Monday, March 23
Guest Post at Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, March 24
Review & Excerpt at Robin Loves Reading

Wednesday, March 25
Feature at What Is That Book About

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a copy of The Road to Delano! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on March 25th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

The Road to Delano

Book Blast & Giveaway: Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl

Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl

by Christina Boyd, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Adams, Karen M. Cox, J. Marie Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland, Beau North, Joana Starnes

Publication Date: March 2, 2020

The Quill Ink, LLC

Genre: Historical Romance

“Obstinate, headstrong girl!”

For over two hundred years, the heroine of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Elizabeth Bennet has enchanted and inspired readers by being that “obstinate, headstrong girl” willing to stand up to the arrogance and snobbery of her so-called betters. Described by Austen as having a “lively, playful disposition,” Elizabeth embodies the perfect imperfections of strong-willed women everywhere: she is spirited, witty, clever, and loyal.

In this romance anthology, ten Austenesque authors sketch Elizabeth’s character through a collection of re-imaginings, set in the Regency through contemporary times. In ELIZABETH: OBSTINATE, HEADSTRONG GIRL, she bares her most intimate thoughts, all the while offering biting social commentary about life’s absurdities. Elizabeth overcomes the obstacles of others’ opinions, not to mention her own flaws, to find a love truly worthy of her—her Mr. Darcy—all with humor and her sparkling charm. “I think her as delightful a character as ever appeared in print…” wrote Jane Austen in a letter to her sister Cassandra, January 1813―and we think so too!

Foreword by NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare.

Stories by: Elizabeth Adams, Christina Boyd, Karen M Cox, J. Marie Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland, Beau North, and Joana Starnes.

Available on Amazon

Praise

"A wonderful collection for Elizabeth Bennet admirers everywhere." --Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author

"The Quill Ink has done it again, in a splendid anthology of new stories reimagining the most delightful creature ever to appear in print." --Devoney Looser, author, editor, Guggenheim Fellow

"Austen fans, you are in for a treat." --Marilyn Brant, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of According to Jane and The Knight Before Christmas

"...enjoy following one of Jane Austen's favourite heroines as she is superbly portrayed across a selection of tales set from the Regency era to the present day." --Cass Grafton

"...all beautifully written. Each one feels true to the time in which it is set...a fun and interesting collection of stories that take a different look at characters we all know and love." --Readers' Favorite

"Edited by Christina Boyd, Elizabeth, Obstinate Headstrong Girl is an endearing and spunky anthology of short stories by a group of fine writers whose understanding of Elizabeth shines. Readers will fall in love with our obstinate, headstrong girl in all her many avatars including suffragette, a football expert and speech pathologist in training, a stage actress breaking into films at Pemberley Pictures, a teenage Elizabeth looking for love in the wrong places as well as much older and wiser Elizabeth who muses on the love of her life, Mr. Darcy. A cozy and heartwarming read, Elizabeth, Obstinate Headstrong Girl is a worthy companion to Boyd's earlier anthology The Darcy Monologues." --Soniah Kamal, award winning author of the novel Unmarriageable, Pride and Prejudice in Pakistan

From Christina Boyd

This Dream Team of authors--Elizabeth Adams, Karen M Cox, J. Marie Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland, Beau North, and Joana Starnes--joined me on another adventure with no promise of success but countless hopes. Like many journeys, we encountered unexpected turns, and even a few disappointments, but "it was our business to be satisfied" and prefer to "think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure." I am forever indebted for their creativity, inspiration, great suggestions, and adherence to schedule. And for bolstering my own offering of an Elizabeth story. I can easily count you all as my friends. I am really proud of their work and how well this collection of stories came together.

In my previous anthologies, we were blessed to have such stellar Austen academics like Dr. Claudine DiMuzio and Dr. Devoney Looser write our forewords, and it was doubly important to find someone who really understood Austen, especially Elizabeth Bennet, for this project as well. I had heard that New York Times and USA Today bestselling Regency romance author Tessa Dare had once upon a time written Jane Austen fan fiction. When author Beau North suggested we ask her to write the foreword, there was a resounding "Yes!" You might say we were audacious to even ask but, in the temperament of Lizzy Bennet, our "courage always rises..." When she ardently accepted, you can imagine us: "What delight! What felicity!"--well, more like fangirl squeals! Tessa's love of Elizabeth Bennet and her deft understanding for the scope of this anthology left me wholly gratified, knowing we asked the right person to introduce this fifth anthology of the QuillCollective series.

We hope this homage to one of Jane Austen's best-beloved heroines will not disappoint, especially those that suggested an "Elizabeth" anthology back in 2017. Like Darcy, we "had never been so bewitched by any woman" and writing this collection has been diverting/gratifying/delightful. Please accept these stories in the same affectionate spirit they were written. Elizabeth:Obstinate Headstrong Girl is dedicated to "the Elizabeth Bennet in all of us" because I'd like to think she resides in our hearts, even if but a little spark of courage, wit, loyalty--and whether we reveal her to the outside world or not, she is there inspiring us to find our own felicity and dignity. --Christina Boyd, editor

Follow the Authors

Elizabeth Adams https://eadamswrites.com
Christina Boyd https://www.thequillink.com
Karen M Cox https://karenmcoxauthor.wordpress.com
J. Marie Croft https://jmariecroft.wixsite.com/j-marie-croft
Amy D’Orazio https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100030788056041
Leigh Dreyer https://m.facebook.com/authorleighdreyer
Jenetta James https://m.facebook.com/jenettajameswriter
Christina Morland https://christinamorland.wordpress.com
Beau North http://beaunorthwrites.com
Joana Starnes http://www.joanastarnes.co.uk/news
Tessa Dare https://tessadare.com

Book Blast Schedule

Monday, March 2
Passages to the Past

Tuesday, March 3
Bookish Rantings

Wednesday, March 4
YA, It's Lit
@momfluenster

Thursday, March 5
Historical Graffiti
What Is That Book About

Friday, March 6
Nursebookie
View from the Birdhouse

Saturday, March 7
Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Sunday, March 8
Journey in Bookland

Monday, March 9
Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, March 10
Bookfever

Wednesday, March 11
andreajanel_reads

Giveaway

#OmgItsOHG (as in Oh-my-gosh, it’s Obstinate Headstrong Girl)

One book (e-book, paperback, or Audiobook of your choosing) from EACH of the eleven authors’ backlist are up for grabs. Ends March 31.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

2020 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge: March Reviews

Welcome to the March link page for the 2020 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. This is the page where you will enter the links to your reviews during the month of March 2020.

Reading Challenge Instructions...

• Add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review). A direct link to your Goodreads review is also acceptable

• Any sub-genre of historical fiction is accepted (Historical Romance, Historical Mystery, Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, etc.)

• Don't forget to look some of the other links that are present. You never know when you will discover new blogs or books!

There's still time to sign up for the 2020 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge! Sign Up Here.

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.