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Delve into a tumultuous and pivotal era in American history with Richard Buxton's Shire's Union Trilogy. The author generously shares an excerpt from book two of the trilogy, The Copper Road . " Whirligig is a magnificent novel, epic in scale!"– Gill Thompson, Author of 'The Child on Platform One.' About Whirligig by Richard Buxton Shire leaves his home and his life in Victorian England for the sake of a childhood promise, a promise that pulls him into the bleeding heart of the American Civil War. Lost in the bloody battlefields of the West, he discovers a second home for his loyalty. Clara believes she has escaped from a predictable future of obligation and privilege, but her new life in the Appalachian Hills of Tennessee is decaying around her. In the mansion of Comrie, long hidden secrets are being slowly exhumed by a war that creeps ever closer. The Shire’s Union  trilogy is at once an outsider’s odyssey through the battle for Tennessee, a touching story of impossible love, and a portrait of America at war with itself. Self-interest and conflict, betrayal and passion, all fuse into a fateful climax. Written by award winning author Richard Buxton, the Shire’s Union trilogy begins with Whirligig , is continued in The Copper Road , and concludes with Tigers in Blue . Buy the Books Whirligig | The Copper Road | Tigers in Blue Don't miss the rest of the Shire's Union trilogy 'Highly recommended for readers who feel all the great war stories have already been written.' —Historical Novel Society Enjoy an Excerpt from The Copper Road by Richard Buxton Comrie – February 1864 It was a poor day for grave digging. The ground was frozen after two clear nights. Shire could feel the topology of the smallest ridge or runnel through his boots. He stamped his feet on the hard ground but failed to generate any warmth, just a fizzy numbness that slowly dissolved to leave them achingly cold. Clara stood beside him, made all the paler by the low gray sky that had eased over the hills as they’d climbed up here at first light. Why was she doing this? What purpose could it possibly serve? She made no entreaty to warmth other than to work each ungloved hand tightly over the other. She’d been doing that more and more as the week had gone on, inside or out. She wore only a gray shawl over a black dress while she watched the gravediggers at work. He thought to take off his army coat and wrap her, play the chivalrous soldier, but any approach he’d made this morning had been ignored or curtly dealt with. Best to leave her be. She’d ridden off yesterday, late in the afternoon. No one knew where she was going. She’d refused to wait for Shire to get a horse tacked up to go with her. It was after dark when she’d returned and Mitilde had ragged on her like she was a truant child and steered her to the fire in the den. After she’d made Clara eat, Mitilde had laid into Shire. ‘You so lame that you can’t stop this girl from ridin’ off? What you here for if not to mind her?’ It was useless to tell Mitilde that it had never been that way. Clara had picked at her food and calmly told them that men would arrive early in the morning. A father and son she’d found in Ocoee who would come up and move the body since everyone here refused to do it. Mitilde had looked horrified and clutched at the doorframe. When she’d steadied herself, she said, ‘I’ll tell Moses to be ready.’ Then she left. ‘We won’t need Moses,’ Clara had called after. Now, before Shire in the cold morning, the father and son chipped away at the frozen ground, the wiry older man doing most of the work. He talked all the while. ‘Miss, I’d be obliged if you would leave us to it. Or at least let this boy walk you away while we get the leavings out. It ain’t a sight a lady should see, and there’s no casket you say.’ Clara gave no sign of having heard a word. Shire assumed he was the boy referred to, as Moses – usually an ‘old boy’ - was back in the trees gathering dead branches. There were a few other graves up here on account of this boy, he thought. The crosspiece had fallen from the crude grave-marker sometime during the winter, so all that identified the grave was a broken chair leg taken from one of the two long huts nearby. Lined up next to it were five unmarked low mounds, waiting on their first spring to gain so much as a blade of grass. The gravediggers decided to take a different tack. They asked where they could find water to soften the ground. It was a long way back down to the house, too far to make it practicable, but Clara and Shire didn’t know where the water was up here. They all walked over to Moses who’d emerged from the woods and was busy dragging what dry wood he’d found up to the walls of the huts. He pointed the men to a trickle-creek that hatched somewhere in the pass above and they went to find it. Moses had been ready and waiting first thing in the yard at Comrie. He hadn’t asked if they needed help but just slotted in behind Clara as they started up the long steep path to the grave. It was slow going as the gravediggers had to manhandle the pine casket along the narrow path. Moses had been agitated. He chivvied along close behind Clara and tried to persuade her no good would come of this. Clara had ignored him until he got so worked up he jumped in front and stood in her path. Shire bunched up behind. Clara took a moment to catch her breath. ‘Go home, Moses, you don’t have to watch this.’ ‘Then let me move him, not these folks.’ ‘I wouldn’t ask that. You don’t owe him any loyalty.’ ‘I ain’t sayin’ I do.’ ‘Go then.’ Moses stood his ground. ‘Guess I’ll come witness.’ ‘Alright. Maybe it’s time to burn the huts too. You could do that.’ Now Moses sullenly prepared for the fire while the gravediggers poured pail after pail over the grave until the three-inch frost was softened enough for them to take up their shovels again. The minutes played out. Thinking of words that might offer comfort or distraction was beyond Shire. It wasn’t a deep grave. The diggers were surprised to hit metal. By degree they unearthed a thick link of chain and the father decided it was easier to pull on it than to dig it out. Shire turned to Clara. ‘There’s nothing to be gained by watching this.’ She struck away his hand and stepped past him; spoke through clenched teeth while staring toward the grave. ‘Nothing for you perhaps, but I will look on him and see he is rotted and gone.’ Several feet of chain came away easily but then it pulled taut and would only give up a stubborn link at a time. The boy stepped over and gripped the chain like his father and leaned his weight away from the grave. The ground stirred and finally gave way. Both arms, half-rotted but with enough sinew to hold the yellow bones in place, lifted from the ground like a sinner’s first earnest prayer to God. End of Excerpt ©Richard Buxton. 'A compelling historical saga packed with unforgettable characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended!' — The Wishing Shelf Book Awards Meet Richard Buxton Richard lives with his family in the South Downs, Sussex, England. He completed an MA in Creative Writing at Chichester University in 2014. He has an abiding relationship with America, having studied at Syracuse University, New York State, in the late eighties. He travels extensively for research, especially in Tennessee, Georgia and Ohio, and is rarely happier than when setting off from a motel to spend the day wandering a battlefield or imagining the past close beside the churning wheel of a paddle steamer. Richard’s short stories have won the Exeter Story Prize, the Bedford International Writing Competition and the Nivalis Short Story Award. His first novel, Whirligig (2017) was shortlisted for the Rubery International Book Award. It was followed by The Copper Road (2020) and the Shire’s Union trilogy was completed by Tigers in Blue (2023). To learn more about Richard’s writing visit www.richardbuxton.net . Follow/Find the Author Online Website: www.richardbuxton.net/ Twitter: twitter.com/RichardBuxton65 Facebook: facebook.com/ShiresUnion Instagram: instagram.com/richardbuxton63 Book Bub: bookbub.com/profile/richard-buxton Amazon Author Page: amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B06XV3FYQF/about Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/16673953.Richard_Buxton Click to View Book Details Book Title: Trilogy consisting of: Whirligig (Book 1) The Copper Road  (Book 2) Tigers in Blue  (Book 3) Series: Shire’s Union Author: Richard Buxton Publication Date: WG = 22/3/2017 TCR = 26/7/2020 TIB = 8/12/2023 Publisher: Ocoee Publishing Genre: Historical Fiction Like what you've read? We hope you'll share the bookish joy with others! Thank you for visiting Books & Benches and supporting the authors.

Inspired by true events of the Civil War, a coming-of-age survival tale about two sisters and the harrowing journey that will change their lives forever… We're delighted to have historical Fiction author Kinley Bryan visiting with an excerpt from her beautiful second novel, The Lost Women of Mill Street .  About the Book 1864: As Sherman’s army marches toward Atlanta, a cotton mill commandeered by the Confederacy lies in its path. Inside the mill, Clara Douglas weaves cloth and watches over her sister Kitty, waiting for the day her fiancé returns from the West. When Sherman’s troops destroy the mill, Clara’s plans to start a new life in Nebraska are threatened. Branded as traitors by the Federals, Clara, Kitty, and countless others are exiled to a desolate refugee prison hundreds of miles from home. Cut off from all they've ever known, Clara clings to hope while grappling with doubts about her fiancé’s ambitions and the unsettling truths surrounding his absence. As the days pass, the sisters find themselves thrust onto the foreign streets of Cincinnati, a city teeming with uncertainty and hostility. She must summon reserves of courage, ingenuity, and strength she didn’t know she had if they are to survive in an unfamiliar, unwelcoming land. Inspired by true events of the Civil War, The Lost Women of Mill Street is a vividly drawn novel about the bonds of sisterhood, the strength of women, and the repercussions of war on individual lives. Buy The Lost Women of Mill Street Kindle | Amazon Paperback | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play "[A] powerful book about a not-often-seen perspective during the Civil War written with care and vivid detail." — Book Review Crew Enjoy an Excerpt from The Lost Women of Mill Street A wisp of cotton blew over loom number two and landed on Clara’s brow. The lint, one of countless pieces that fluttered about the mill in a sweltering snowfall, stuck to her damp skin. She brushed it away absentmindedly, keeping the fibers from her nose and mouth, haunted by the news that had spread through the factory that morning fast as a cotton fire: Marietta had fallen. Not that any of the mill hands could claim surprise. Sherman’s advance through North Georgia had been steady as a heartbeat, certain as one day turns into the next. And now Johnston’s army would retreat again, this time leaving but sixteen miles of roadway between Sherman’s troops and the weave room where Clara and her sister Kitty tended their looms. Most townspeople with the means to leave had done so weeks earlier. When the Federals reached Cassville, thirty miles to the northwest, the “Roswell Royalty” had fled, their wagons piled high with furniture and trunks, cooking utensils and linens. But for a house slave left to stand watch, their grand homes now stood empty: Barrington Hall, Dunwoody Hall, Primrose Cottage (which was a cottage in the same way the last three years was a “neighborly spat”). It had been unnerving, watching them all leave. Clara had been reassured when the Roswell Manufacturing Company president boldly declared he would remain in town until the Yankees set a torch to his home. Despite his bravado, he, too, had left for locations further from Federal gunfire, leaving the mill workers to defend his property from the Yankee torch. He’d emptied the company store of its provisions, about two months’ worth, and parceled them out among the workers. An act of charity toward his laborers or a means to keep food from the Federals, depending on whom you asked. Either way, Clara, Kitty, and four hundred others, mostly women and children with neither the means to leave nor a place to go, remained. Paid in company scrip, what wages they’d saved after rent and food were useless beyond town limits. Clara shook the advancing army from her thoughts. Tried to, at least. There was nothing to be done. And losing your focus near the machines could be tragic, deadly even. The oppressive July heat, combined with the fetid broth of oil, sweat, and lint, seldom failed to make her lightheaded. She stopped one of her power looms to remove the shuttle and replace the bobbin, which had run out of weft. Within seconds she’d threaded the new bobbin through the hole in the shuttle, putting her mouth to it to suck the thread through, and placed the shuttle in the box. From there, the shuttle would speed back and forth between the warp threads, simultaneously over and under the lengthwise strands of yarn. She’d made it into a game for herself, how fast she could replace the bobbin. Her homespun dress clung to her sweaty skin, errant strawberry-blond curls to her temples. Though it was summer, she saw little more of the sun than she did in winter. Like all the mill workers but the slave men in the pickers room, her skin was pale as parchment year-round from working twelve-hour days, six days a week. But the sun’s summer rays baked them all inside that factory, the mill like a giant brick oven, and they loaves of bread. The glazed windows remained closed lest any breeze break delicate threads. A stocky figure appeared in the doorway a few feet from Clara. The Frenchman. He surveyed the weave room as if taking a measure of its activity. One hundred twenty power looms beat a frenetic, deafening rhythm. There were twenty rows of looms, three pairs of looms per row, each mill hand working a pair. An aisle between each pair of looms stretched the room’s length. Clara, in the first row, faced the door as she worked. She regarded the Frenchman, the temporary superintendent. This was a rare appearance, and no doubt had something to do with Marietta. Mr. Roche walked down her aisle, his chest puffed and his lips pressed together as if he were holding his breath, which he most likely was; you could get all stopped up from the lint if you weren’t used to breathing it. Clara exchanged a glance with her younger sister, who worked two looms across the aisle. Kitty playfully puffed out her chest and pursed her lips, mimicking the temporary superintendent. Clara smiled indulgently at her sister but shook her head. They had to be careful. Though their work was drudgery and the conditions poor, there were no better options for two unmarried women in Roswell, Georgia, three years into the war. Kitty hunched over, barking out a deep cough. Clara’s stomach pitted. When Benjamin returned, he would take them far from here. In the West, they would work on their own, better land and breathe fresh air. Kitty wouldn’t suffer noxious mill fumes, they wouldn’t be baked alive in these brick factories, and they would be free. Clara imagined cool autumns, and summers that didn’t bring crushing heat. In the winter, when the fields lay quiet, she might make hats to sell in town in the spring. She glanced over her shoulder. At the far end of the expansive weave room, Orton, the overseer, sat at his elevated desk. He rose as Mr. Roche approached. The temporary superintendent said something, and Orton nodded subserviently. Then he frowned. The superintendent gestured toward the front of the weave room and wagged a finger. Yes, sir, Orton said. She could tell by the movement of his lips. No one knew how many days they had left at the mill. No one knew if the Federals would raid the town. It was the not knowing that kept Clara up at night. End of Excerpt. © Kinley Bryan "The novel illuminates a lesser-known corner of history, through the eyes of an appealing protagonist...Details about the process of hat-making are fascinating without being overwhelming." — BlueInk Review Meet Author Kinley Bryan Kinley Bryan's debut novel, Sisters of the Sweetwater Fury, inspired by the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 and her own family history, won the 2022 Publishers Weekly Selfies Award for adult fiction. An Ohio native, she lives in South Carolina with her husband and three children. The Lost Women of Mill Street is her second novel. Find the author on her website at kinleybryan.com . Follow Online - Click for Author Links Website: https://kinleybryan.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kinleybauthor   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KinleyBryanWrites Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinleybryanauthor/   Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kinley-bryan Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kinley-Bryan/author/B09J5GWDLX Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21892910.Kinley_Bryan "Well written with a steady pace...An engaging survival story set during the American Civil War." — The Book's Delight Book Title: The Lost Women of Mill Street Series: n/a Author: Kinley Bryan Publication Date: May 7, 2024 Publisher: Blue Mug Press Page Count: 300 Genre: Historical Fiction

Anna Belfrage visits Books & Benches for a Q&A on the beautiful fourth installment in her Castilian series, Their Castilian Orphan . It is 1294 and Eustace de Lamont is back in England after five years in exile. He will stop at nothing to ruin Robert FitzStephan and his wife, Noor d’Outremer. Robert’s half brother, Eustace de Lamont, has not mellowed during his absence. He is more ruthless than ever, and this time he targets Robert’s and Noor’s foster son, Lionel. Lionel is serving King Edward as a page when Eustace appears at court. Not only does Lionel become the horrified witness to Eustace’s violent streak, Eustace also starts voicing his suspicions about Lionel’s parentage. The truth about Lionel’s heritage is explosive—should King Edward find out, all would be lost for Robert and Noor. In October of 1294, Wales rises in rebellion. Robert must leave his family unprotected to fight the Welsh rebels on the king’s behalf, comforted only by the fact that Eustace too is called to fight. Except that Eustace has no intention of allowing his duty to his king—or a mere rebellion—come between him and his desire to destroy Robert FitzStephan . . . Buy the Book This title is available to read on KindleUnlimited . Kindle  • Paperback “Ms. Belfrage does it again! She drags you down – willingly, of course – into the past and immerses you. She is a master at it: from the places and time, sights and sounds, the reader is there. Her historical research is impeccable and her characters – both the fictional (especially Robert, Noor, and Lionel) and the actual historical figures – have compelling stories to tell.” — CS, Amazon review Discover The Castilian Saga Q&A with Anna Belfrage I dare you not to want to travel through time in Their Castilian Orphan after reading these behind-the-scenes tidbits in a Q&A with author Anna Belfrage. Enjoy! If you were on a pilgrimage in Their Castilian Orphan , what would you want to see first? What would you want to show a time-traveling companion from the present day first? Not quite sure if there would be any pilgrimage involved in Their Castilian Orphan —beyond the fact that King Edward has made himself right comfortable in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s residence in Kent, seeing as said archbishop is in Rome, awaiting papal confirmation to his see. Now, if I were to end up in 1294 with a time-travelling companion, I think the first stop would be London—and a somewhat horrifying and smelly experience that would be—before insisting we visit Westminster Abbey just to take in what a riot of colour the abbey was back then. After that, I’d suggest we ride off to inspect Portsmouth, where King Edward’s troops are mustering for his planned invasion of Gascony. (B&B: The great thing about reading your books is they can experience all of that without the smelly part!) Which character in Their Castilian Orphan would you most likely be friends with in real life? What about them makes you think so? I think Father Alain and I would get on like a house on fire—even if we would have to agree to disagree on religious matters. Father Alain is educated, has travelled and seen quite a bit of the world. He has his own painful baggage, has never quite forgiven himself for sins committed, which makes him a man of substantial complexity. Imagine digging into all that over a goblet or two of red wine. French wine, of course, as Father Alain would scoff at anything else. . . What are three historical tidbits from your research that did not end up in the book? Well, I had planned to have a confrontation between Edward I and the Welsh rebel leader, Madog ap Llewellyn, the confrontation when Madog (to his relief) realises he will not be hanged, drawn and quartered while to his despair realising he will be locked up for life. I also toyed with the idea of having Edward’s physician recommend a baked owl for his gout (I found this listed as a medieval remedy for gout) but decided not to use it, because it sounds a bit insane, and Edward’s physician gave me a most disgruntled look when I suggested it. “Idiotic fancies,” he said. I also ended up totally derailed by a post from a Spanish blogger describing medieval underwear for women in Spain. Seeing as my protagonists aren’t in Spain in this book, I decided not to use that. 😊 (B&B: But how interesting that would have been! 😊) Do you ever add any of your family’s own history or ancestry into your writings? If so, what from your own genealogy inspires your writing? No. But I have a draft WIP where one of hubby’s ancestors—the first Belfrage to arrive in Sweden from Scotland back in the 17th century—plays a role. Not that I paint him particularly favourably. . . (B&B: That sounds like the makings of a fantastic tale.) What is your most-loved trait about Robert? Noor? I think what I like the most about both Robert and Noor is how loyal they are to each other. Those two will always stand at each other’s side, even when they do not entirely agree with what their spouse might have said/done, they will always be there for them. (B&B: I adore fictional couples who can get past differences and remain devoted to each other. They sound wonderful.) “A haunting and poignant elegy to war, and those left behind, worthy of its Welsh heritage, Their Castilian Orphan is one of the most memorable novels I have read recently. Anna Belfrage is a favourite historical author; her narrative voice and powerful research combine for an immersive, melodic reading experience.” — HF Reader, Amazon review Meet Anna Belfrage Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. Anna has also published The Wanderer , a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. Anna has recently released Times of Turmoil,  the sequel to her 2021 release, The Whirlpools of Time . Here she returns to the world of time travel. Where The Whirlpools of Time  had Duncan and the somewhat reluctant time-traveller Erin navigating the complexities of the first Jacobean rebellion in Scotland, in Times of Turmoil  our protagonists are in Colonial Pennsylvania, hoping for a peaceful existence. Not about to happen—not in one of Anna’s books! All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards. Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com . Website  • Twitter  • Facebook  • Instagram Amazon Author Page  • BookBub  • Goodreads Love great books? Share with your friends and spread the book love! Book Title: Their Castilian Orphan Series: The Castilian Series Author: Anna Belfrage Publication Date: 23 March 2024 Publisher: Timelight Press Page Count: approx. 400 Genre: Historical Fiction, Romantic Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

Escape into the dramatic world of London during the Blitz in this sweeping family saga of love, war and betrayal. A Rose in the Blitz by Ann Bennett Northamptonshire: 1980: Wealthy landowner, Hadan Rose, is dying. His daughter, May, rushes to his country estate, Rose Park, with her daughter, Rachel, to nurse him through his final days. In the afternoons, while Hadan sleeps, May tells Rachel about her wartime experiences. In 1940 , Three of the four Rose sisters leave Rose Park to serve the war effort. May, the youngest is left behind. But she soon runs away from home to join an ambulance crew in London. She experiences the horrors of the Blitz first-hand but what happens to her there has remained secret her whole life. In 1980 , at Rose Park, Rachel wanders through the old house, looking at old photographs and papers, uncovering explosive family secrets from ninety years before. Secrets that her grandfather wanted to take to his grave. At the local pub, Rachel meets Daniel Walters, a local journalist and musician who takes an interest in her. But can she trust him, or does he have an ulterior motive for seeking her company? As the secrets of the past gradually reveal themselves, both Rachel and May realise that their worlds are forever changed. Fans of Lucinda Riley, Dinah Jeffries and Victoria Hislop will love this escapist wartime saga, Book 1 in the Rose Park Chronicles. This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited . Kindle | Paperback Author Ann Bennett Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter's Quest , was inspired by researching her father's experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own travels in South-East Asia. Since then, that initial inspiration has led her to write more books about the second world war in SE Asia. Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife , A Daughter's Promise , Bamboo Road: The Homecoming , The Tea Planter's Club , The Amulet  and her latest release The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu  are also about WWII in South East Asia. All seven make up the Echoes of Empire Collection. Ann is also the author of The Lake Pavilion , The Lake Palace , both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda  and The Lake Villa , both set in French Indochina. The Runaway Sisters , bestselling The Orphan House , The Child Without a Home  and The Forgotten Children  are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture. Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. For more details please visit www.annbennettauthor.com . BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter/X | Instagram

Released April 30, 2024! Dive back into the gripping, frontier chaos. Snarling Wolf is the fourth adventurous installment in the Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series. The famed Snake River marks the point the wagon master claims that all the greenhorns turn loco. After twelve hundred grueling miles and four relentless months on the trail, the expedition teeters on the brink. Frayed nerves, exhausted patience, and the specter of doom cast a dark cloud over the travelers. At every turn, new dangers emerge. A young man who is like a brother to Dorcas Moon is ravaged in a mountain lion attack. A heat wave grips the dusty, barren plains and spreads sickness. The wolves that lurk in the shadows edge closer. Even the rattlesnakes seem emboldened. Dorcas' daughter, Rose's descent into madness can no longer be ignored. What began as an eerie preoccupation with death takes a shocking turn when Rose reveals her truths. Dorcas is thrust into a realm of disbelief, and her worst fears about Rose's mysterious suitor become a stark reality. As weary emigrants yearn for respite, tales of murderous outlaws spread like wildfire across the prairie. Passing strangers share the latest terrifying news. It's only a matter of when, not if, the notorious highwaymen will strike. Which bend of the mighty snake shelters the feared outlaws? Grab your copy of Snarling Wolf now and unveil the next chapter in Dorcas Moon's relentless saga. Sink your teeth into this tale of survival, madness, and the unyielding spirit of those who brave the treacherous migration. ••• This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited . Buy the Book ••• Discover the Rest of the Series ••• Meet the Author David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society. Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level. Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses. Website | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads   Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Linktree Book Title: Snarling Wolf Series: Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail, Book 4 Author: David Fitz-Gerald Publication Date: April 30th, 2024 Publisher: David Fitz-Gerald Page Length: 229 Genre: Western, Historical Fiction

“Larimore's ability to engulf a reader into a tale... is brilliantly done.” — 5-star Highly Recommended Award of Excellence ~ Historical Fiction Company Separated by miles, connected by the stars, two healers forge their destinies in a quest for a brighter tomorrow. Inspired by a true story, this refugee's tale of sacrifice, separation, and abiding love unfolds in the Cévennes Mountains of Languedoc, France, 1697. A sweeping adventure during the time of Louis XIV's oppressive rule and persecutions, this compelling narrative follows the intertwined destinies of two remarkable protagonists, Amelia Auvrey, a mystic holy-woman healer, and Jehan BonDurant, an apothecary from a noble Huguenot family, in a riveting tale of enduring love, faith, and the search for light in the darkest of times.   Amelia and Jehan are fierce champions of tolerance and compassion in their cherished Cévenole homeland, a region plagued by renewed persecution of Huguenots. The escalated danger forces their paths to diverge, each embarking on their own dangerous journey toward survival and freedom. The Knights Hospitaller provide protection and refuge for Amelia and her ailing sage-femme grandmother, even as they come under suspicion of practicing witchcraft. And, to avoid entanglement in a brewing rebellion, Jehan joins a troupe of refugees who flee to the Swiss Cantons seeking sanctuary—a journey that challenges his faith and perseverance. Jehan arrives to find things are not as he expected; the Swiss have their own form of intolerance, and soon immigrants are no longer welcome. The utopian Eden he seeks remains elusive until he learns of a resettlement project in the New World.  During their time apart, Amelia and Jehan rely on a network of booksellers to smuggle secret letters to each other—until the letters mysteriously cease, casting doubt on their future together. Jehan is unclear if Amelia will commit to joining him, or if she will hold fast to her vow of celibacy and remain in the Cévennes. Seemingly ill-fated from the start, their love is tested to its limits as they are forced to navigate a world where uncertainty and fear threaten to eclipse their unwavering bond. As a stand-alone sequel to the award-winning The Muse of Freedom , a bestseller in Renaissance Fiction, Find Me in the Stars is based on true events in the life of Jean Pierre Bondurant dit Cougoussac--an unforgettable adventure where love and light endure against all odds. This title will be available on #KindleUnlimited. Get the Book Meet the Author Jules Larimore is the author of emotive, literary-leaning historical fiction with a dose of magic, myth, and romance to bring to life hopeful human stories and inspire positive change. She is a member of France’s Splendid Centuries authors’ collaborative, a board member of the Historical Novel Society of Southern California, and lives primarily in Ojai with time spent around the U.S. and Europe gathering a rich repository of historical research in a continued search for authenticity.   Website | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest Book Title: Find Me in the Stars Series: a Cévenoles Sagas novel - Book Two in the Huguenot Trilogy Author: Jules Larimore Publication Date: March 20th, 2024 Publisher: Mystic Lore Books Page Length: 328 Genre: Renaissance Historical Fiction / Women’s Fiction PRAISE FOR THE MUSE OF FREEDOM Book One in the Huguenot Trilogy “AN ENGROSSING STORY about fiercely independent people... This ABSORBING TALE of religious strife creates a vivid world that will draw readers in... ” ~ Kirkus Review "BRILLIANTLY TOLD. A story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page. FRESH AND COMPELLING. As relevant now as it was then." ~ Janet Wertman, author of the Seymour Saga trilogy "Larimore's LUSH, VIBRANT PROSE and SHARP EYE FOR HISTORICAL DETAIL at once transported me back to Occitan haunts and castles. A must-read for anyone who loves novels set in that alluring region of southern France." ~ Glen Craney, author of The Fire and the Light "This story WILL CAPTURE YOU and not let go. History and DEFTLY-CRAFTED STORYTELLING rolled into one." ~ Rozsa Gaston, author of the Anne of Brittany Series “WONDROUS FIRST NOVEL. Jules is an alchemist, drawing on the poetic power of words, assembling a colorful combination of characters to authentically explore the landscape of the human heart; its yearnings, boundaries, expectations and limitations.” ~ Elijah Alexander, actor (Atticus Aemillius on The Chosen TV series) CHARACTERS ARE WELL-DEVELOPED AND LIKABLE, forming easy connections with the reader, and the structure... FLOWS BRILLIANTLY, providing a well-defined combination of history and escape... themes of love and acceptance stream through, along with a very enjoyable depiction of noble and rural life in 17th century France. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ~ Historical Fiction Company, five star award of excellence “COMPELLING CHARACTERS... thought-provoking themes of religious freedom, love and loyalty, incredible fortitude, and courage in the face of persecution.” ~ Reader’s Favorite five-star review

Follow independent, resilient, and feisty women and the loyal families who work and live on a Loire Valley wine estate during the French Revolution. "An empowering and dramatic story…with a fearless female lead. From the novel’s bold opening line to the heartwarming final proposal, this book is carefully crafted by a master of relationships and emotional tension, making this revolutionary novel a tight, heart-pounding twister of a tale." The Independent Review of Books Her Own Legacy: A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts Determined to inherit her family’s vineyard, Countess Joliette de Verzat defies society’s rules, only to learn of her illegitimate half-brother, the rightful heir.  Her Own Revolution: A Woman Forges a Treacherous Path to Save Hundreds from the Guillotine If Geneviève Fouquier-Tinville had the same rights as a man, she wouldn’t have to dress like one. A suspenseful page-turner led by a renegade heroine whose compassion for innocent people leads to both loss and love. Buy Her Own Legacy | Buy Her Own Revolution "Breathtakingly complex and intriguing, the novel [ Her Own Revolution ] delivers in spades." The Prairies Book Review   Enjoy an Excerpt Her Own Revolution , Paris, July 30, 1794 Geneviève attempts to escape arrest At dawn, I brushed the white dust from my skirts and peeked out from the cellar. I ran through alleys to the back entrance of the Châtelet, crept up the servants’ steps, crossed the hall to the clerk chamber, and stopped to gather my wits. Please, God, help me find the papers I copied. If I could present them to the Tribunal, they would be forced to release Papa. I edged myself around the doorway and stepped back to see the clerks already at work. Instead of copying, they were sorting documents into piles lining a table before the fireplace where Imberton stood, straight as a pike.  Armand held up a paper. “Roland?” He lifted another. “And Delignon?” Imberton indicated two piles. Armand deposited the papers and returned to his desk where a stack of documents teetered. I wished Armand had already sailed for America.  Denis, holding folders, called out, “Widow Capet.” Imberton pointed at the tallest pile.  Denis deposited the folders and hurried to my father’s office. Denis’s twins were four now, and his wife with child. I hoped he would be safe. Imberton noticed me. His face reddened as he pointed and shouted, “Guards! Arrest her! My heartbeat thundered.  “Guards!” Imberton shouted. I ran for the servants’ stairs. My legs shook so hard, I careened off the walls as I clambered down the steps. Where could I go that was safe? The château, but I’d be stopped at the city barrier. I could no longer use my father’s name—the day I’d dreaded since the first time I used it as protection had arrived. The only way past the barriers was through the tunnels. My skin felt too tight, like it was suffocating me.  I stood panting at the side door. Once I opened it, I’d be exposed. But if I went through the side exit, I could make it to the square and blend in with the market people. I would have to walk past the morgue. The tunnel was dark, lit only by holes in the ceiling protected by metal grates embedded in the streets above, which I had stepped over a hundred times. I’d never traveled the passage, but I’d no better choice. I wrapped my shawl around my face, took a deep breath, and ran. The moans from prisoners in the dungeon echoed along the stone passage. The air was thick with the stench of blood and death. I shoved open the wooden door, not caring who was on the other side. Stopping in the alley scattered with rags stained with blood, I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders and forced myself to walk calmly. I peered around the corner. The square wasn’t much longer than the copying room. I inhaled, stood tall, and headed for the biggest knot in the crowd. Rioters swarmed the arched entrance, raising pikes and screaming. Men and women wearing red caps charged across the square. A woman pounded the closed main doors.  “Give me back my husband!” I tottered and pressed my feet to the cobbles. “Join your victims, you man-eater!” yelled a man, wielding a sword. A rotund man, his beard and hair wiry and disheveled, bellowed, “Send Tinville to hell! Let him wallow in the blood he has shed!” I fell back. They were screaming revenge against my father. I bent over, nauseated and dizzy. Clutching the building, I forced myself to stand straight.  A guard came out of the entryway and yelled, “He’s at la Conciergerie!” The crowd of red-capped sans-culottes turned and flowed like a stream of blood across the square and over the bridge toward the prison. I could get Papa out, like LaGarde. I just needed men’s clothing, a place to hide, and a plan. I forced myself to breathe calmly, descend the steps, and intermingle with the crowd, while trying to remember the tunnel entrance nearest the prison. The flower seller stood at the edge of the market. I headed straight for her and hoped I could make it without anyone recognizing me. A powerful hand grabbed my arm, pulled me to the bulk of a man, his warmth penetrating my sleeve. I opened my mouth, but his other hand covered it. The square spun around me. End of Excerpt. © Debra Borchert.  ••• Soups of Château de Verzat A Literary Cookbook & Culinary Tribute to the French Revolution ••• Meet the Author Debra’s the author of the Château de Verzat series that follows headstrong and independent women and the four-hundred loyal families who protect a Loire Valley château and vineyard, and its legacy of producing the finest wines in France during the French Revolution. Her Own Legacy published 2022, Her Own Revolution published 2023, and Her Own War will be published in 2024. A passionate cook, she also wrote a companion cookbook to the series: Soups of Château de Verzat, A Culinary Tribute to the French Revolution , 2023. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she weaves her knowledge of textiles and clothing design throughout her historical fiction. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and standard poodle, named after a fine French Champagne.  Website | Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub Twitter /X | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest Her Own Legacy (Book 1) Her Own Revolution (Book 2) Series: Château de Verzat Author: Debra Borchert Publication Date: HOL: 9/1/22 HOR: 7/14/23 Publisher: Le Vin Press Genre: Historical Fiction

After a devastating tragedy, Dorcas Moon faces brutal choices in the unforgiving wilderness. An unsolved hometown murder casts a foreboding shadow over the journey. Mounting responsibilities weigh heavy on Dorcas' shoulders while navigating the trail along the Platte River. Family, friends, and neighbors can't seem to get along without her help. The gruesome trail exacts a heavy toll. A sweeping grass fire blazes across the prairie. A doomed wagon careens down a treacherous hill. A fellow traveler is gored to death while hunting buffalo. Each disaster pushes the pioneers to the brink. Amidst the chaos, Dorcas grapples with the realization that she must dump her precious cook stove and her husband's massive safe. The oxen can no longer haul the heavy weight of unnecessary cargo. When her daughter mysteriously disappears while the wagons are at Fort Laramie, Dorcas Despairs. She is desperate to help her daughter when the troubled youth is found in the arms of a Brulé man in Spotted Tail's village. Secure your copy of Lighten the Load and delve into an unforgettable saga of empowerment, sacrifice, and the haunting echoes of the American frontier. Rejoin Dorcas Moon on the adventure of a lifetime as she confronts the challenges that shape her destiny. ••• This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. Kindle | Paperback ••• Discover the Rest of the Series ••• Meet the Author David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society. Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level. Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses. Website | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads   Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Linktree Book Title: Lighten the Load Series: Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail (Book 2) Author: David Fitz-Gerald Publication Date: January 31, 2024 Publisher: David Fitz-Gerald Page Length: 203 Genre: Western, Historical Fiction

Books and Benches is pleased to welcome author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard to the blog and to share an excerpt of her historical mystery suspense novel set in the Edwardian Era, The Beauty Doctor . Scroll down for a look. “ The Beauty Doctor is a compelling historical novel steeped in mystery with strong elements of a medical thriller.”— Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, 5 stars The Beauty Doctor by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard A Bone-Chilling Mystery-Suspense-Thriller Set in the Edwardian Era Finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award "Beauty is power," Dr. Rome told her. "And with enough power, one can achieve anything." Straightening noses, trimming eyelids, lifting jowls . . . In the year 1907, his revolutionary beauty surgery is considered daring, perhaps dangerous. Still, women want what Dr. Rome promises. Neither is his young assistant Abigail Platford immune to Dr. Rome's persuasive charm. Abigail once dreamed of becoming a doctor, though of a much different sort. That dream ended with her father's tragic death from a medical error for which she holds herself responsible. Dr. Rome, who proudly displays his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, seems to believe in her. If he were willing to act as her mentor, might there still be a chance to realize her dream of someday becoming a doctor serving New York City's poor? But something feels terribly wrong, as though an insidious evil is closing in. Broken promises, lies, and intrigues abound. The powerful are threatening to destroy the weak, and a doctor's sacred duty hangs in the balance. Abigail no longer knows who to believe; but with Dr. Rome now her mentor and her lover, she desperately wants to trust him. Even when she discovers that one of their patients has mysteriously disappeared. From bestselling author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, a suspenseful work of historical fiction grounded in the social and moral issues of the Edwardian era in America. Second Edition with Author's Preface. Genre: Historical Mystery Suspense Amazon | BookShop | Barnes & Noble At the time of this posting, this title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited . “It kept me reading and did not disappoint.” — Historical Novel Society Book Reviews An Excerpt from The Beauty Doctor On the chance Dr. Rome was still attending to Mr. Kilroy, she lay in wait. He was clearly surprised to find her loitering in front of the Kilroys’ townhome. She explained that she was calling off her engagement and needed to find employment. He seemed interested. It wasn’t until they were sitting across from each other at Café Le Jour on Forty-sixth Street that Abigail began to think she’d made yet another terrible mistake. “You are a very beautiful young woman,” he said, smiling at her over his coffee cup. “I suppose people tell you that all the time.” “Not so often, actually.” That he had begun on such a personal note, and with the same overabundance of charm he’d displayed at the Hennessys’ banquet, had an unsettling effect on her. As did his gaze, which was direct and insistent. “I’m sure you’re only being modest, but you need not be around me. I appreciate beauty for what it is and for the entitlements it brings to those lucky enough to have it.” \“I’ve never been one to think much about entitlements. I was taught that if you desire something, you work for it. Which is why I wanted to speak with you—” “There are lots of women who work very hard at being beautiful and still they can’t hold a candle to you. I’d even go so far as to say that you, Miss Platford, are the embodiment of everything I hope to achieve for my patients. That’s why you may actually be the perfect one to assist me with my new practice. You see, what I really need,” he said, the excitement in his voice building, “is a foil. A stunningly beautiful foil.” “A foil?” She wasn’t sure what the word meant, but didn’t like the way it sounded. “Yes. Someone to make the rounds with me at parties and events, anywhere we can meet women—the kind of women with both the desire and the means to avail themselves of my services.” This was not what she’d expected, nor was it a welcome development. Her purpose in approaching Dr. Rome was a far more serious one than his words implied. She had imagined herself working at his side, much as she had done with her father, helping to put patients at ease, assisting with their care. And though it was not her favorite duty, she would readily have consented to manage his schedule and fulfill the required paperwork if he were to ask her. But this business of attending parties and events—what did it have to do with doctoring? “You speak of meeting women in need of your services, but surely you plan to take care of men as well. Mr. Kilroy is your patient, isn’t he?” “For the moment, yes—though that was only a favor. But let me explain.” He took a hasty gulp of his coffee and set down the cup. “I’m about to embark on a new facet of my career, a new field. Transformative surgery. Have you heard of it?” “I don’t believe I have.” “Some call it beauty surgery.” She instantly recalled splashy advertisements she’d seen in the newspapers for practitioners who claimed to specialize in straightening noses, pinning back ears, and plumping up wrinkles with paraffin. At best, such solicitations had struck her as tasteless. At worst … might Dr. Rome be nothing more than a charlatan? “Oh—you’re a beauty doctor.” The inflection in her voice no doubt came across as somewhat disparaging. She dipped her head, hoping to obscure the visual evidence of her skepticism beneath the plethora of ostrich feathers on the brim of her blue velvet hat. “Just imagine it for a moment, Miss Platford,” he said, seeming not to have found anything disturbing in her reaction. “Your mere presence by my side would stimulate, in any average woman, an intense longing for beauty; then, arising quite naturally from that, a burning curiosity. With just a hint, she would be eager to learn what I offer in the way of beautifying procedures. That’s how one goes about building a thriving beauty practice. Stimulate the need, offer the solution. Or, if you prefer, think of it this way: You would be helping to enlighten women about advances that can greatly enhance their lives. No different from selling a product. A product that people would certainly buy if they only knew its benefits.” So, he wanted her to help him sell the concept of beauty surgery to other women? That was not what a doctor does! To take part in such activities would compromise everything she believed in. “Your idea is to use me as a sort of walking advertisement?” “I wouldn’t put it like that.” “Forgive me for being blunt, but are you really a doctor?” He shoved aside his coffee cup, almost knocking it over. “Would I call myself a doctor if I wasn’t one?” “I don’t mean to offend you. It’s just that I don’t know any other doctors who are engaged in your kind of work.” “Because no medical school in this country has the foresight to embrace transformative surgery. That’s why it was necessary for me to receive advanced training in Europe. I returned from Paris only recently.” “But you did train in medicine? Here in America?” “Certainly, but the typical doctor’s training only goes so far. The medical establishment is very set in its ways. It resists anything that might challenge the status quo. And that is exactly what transformative surgery does. The social implications are immense. It represents possibly the greatest force for the empowerment of women in all of human history.” “Empowerment of women?” Despite her disappointment, she had to smile. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see what your transformative surgery could have to do with the movement for women’s rights.” “Maybe you’ve never thought of it this way, but beauty is power,” Dr. Rome said, with the calm certainty of a man who knows he speaks the truth. “And with enough power, Miss Platford, a woman can achieve anything.” End of Snippet. Excerpt © Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard. “A fantastic work of historical fiction. If I could score it higher than five stars, I would.” — Readerreviews.com Meet Author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is the author of bestselling historical novels. Her 2023 release, Sisters of Castle Leod , is an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller (Historical Biographical Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction), winner of the 2023 Maxy Award for Historical and Adventure Fiction, and an Editors’ Choice of the Historical Novel Society. Her biographical novel Temptation Rag (2018) was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “resonant novel . . . about the birth and demise of ragtime . . . in which romance and creative passions abound.” Elizabeth’s 2017 historical mystery-suspense-thriller, The Beauty Doctor , was a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award. The book’s re-release (Jan. 4, 2024) features a stunning new cover and an Author Preface with insights into social and moral issues of the Edwardian era that frame this shocking fictional story set in the early days of cosmetic surgery. Before becoming a full-time author, Elizabeth was executive editor of an international aesthetic surgery journal, and senior consultant to the National Cosmetic Network in conjunction with Johns Hopkins University’s plastic surgery educational program. Learn more about Elizabeth and her books at www.EHBernard.com . WEBSITE | GOODREADS  | AMAZON FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends.

Books and Benches is pleased to welcome author Milana Marsenich to the blog and to share a snippet of her historical novel set in Butte, Montana, Beautiful Ghost . The 1918 Pandemic left devastation worldwide in its wake, and in this book, the author brings to life the impact it had on a small Montana mining community. Scroll down for a look. “Marsenich doesn't just describe the place and times, she conjures it up like time travel.” ~ Amazon Review by Ellen Leahy Howell Beautiful Ghost by Milana Marsenich During the fall of 1918, the influenza pandemic crosses the nation and reaches the mining town of Butte, Montana. Marika Jovich, who wants to go to school to become a physician, works menial tasks for Dr. Fletcher. She feels useless as she tries to save friends and neighbors from the ravages of the flu. In the midst of the pandemic, she watches the town shut down, young and old perish, and her medical dreams all but evaporate. Kaly Monroe used to be a half-good woman of the night. She left that life to raise her daughter, Annie, and live and work with her long-lost mother, Tara McClane. Kaly waits for her husband, Tommy, to return from the war. Word from the east is that soldiers are dying of influenza and she prays that Tommy is not one of them. When an out-of-town woman named Amelia suddenly dies in Dr. Fletcher's office, both women try to learn more about the mysterious woman and the circumstances regarding her death. Is she another casualty of the pandemic, or the victim of manmade foul play? Who is this stranger, and is her demise a portent of the fate that awaits the residents of Butte? Genre: Historical Fiction Amazon | BookShop | Barnes & Noble “ Beautiful Ghost is an exceptional depiction of life in Butte, Montana, during the flu pandemic of 1918. In this sequel to Copper Sky , Milana Marsenich captures the details of this unsettling time in history against the backdrop of a gritty western mining city. ” — Lolo Peak, Amazon Review A Snippet from Beautiful Ghost Marika But today was a new day with Michael at her side, tall dark-haired Michael, with his wide flat nose and strong broad forehead. He took long easy strides and sent her heart a shiver. He was about as fine a man as any woman could want for a husband, if a woman wanted a husband, which Marika hadn’t. Nevertheless, here she was, married, and better for it. He pulled her hand close to his chest. She swooned at the simple gesture, her desire growing with their closeness. If they weren’t careful, Mama would be getting those grandbabies, and Marika would be looking for sitting services so that she could still work at the clinic. But she was careful. They’d been careful, her passion overruled by logic most of the time. Most was a terrible word. End of Snippet. Excerpt © Milana Marsenich. Read more great content at the author's blog. “You might be wondering who the beautiful ghosts are? There are a few, but I’ll keep you in suspense. Find out as you read your copy! High praise for this beautiful novel!” — Susan S., Amazon Vine Voice Meet Author Milana Marsenich Award winning author, Milana Marsenich lives in Northwest Montana near Flathead Lake at the base of the beautiful Mission Mountains. She enjoys quick access to the mountains and has spent many hours hiking the wilderness trails with friends and dogs. For the past 20 years she has worked as a mental health therapist in a variety of settings. As a natural listener and a therapist, she has witnessed amazing generosity and courage in others. She first witnessed this in her hometown of Butte, Montana, a mining town with a rich history and the setting for Copper Sky , her first novel. Copper Sky was chosen as a Spur Award finalist for Best Western Historical Novel in 2018. Her second novel, The Swan Keeper , was a Willa Award finalist in 2019. Her short story, "Wild Dogs", won the Laura Award for short fiction in 2020. She has an M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. She has previously published in Montana Quarterly, Big Sky Journal, The Polishing Stone, The Moronic Ox, BookGlow, and Feminist Studies. She has three published novels, Copper Sky, The Swan Keeper , and Beautiful Ghost , and one popular history book, Idaho Madams . Her upcoming novel, Shed Girl: A Juliet French Novel , will be released January 2024. Her popular history book, Mary MacLane: Butte’s Wild Woman and her Wooden Heart , will be out sometime in 2025. You can find her books and blog posts at https://milanamarsenich.com/ . WEBSITE | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS  | AMAZON FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends.

Ready for a warm and cozy historical Christmas? We are (always)! Books and Benches is pleased to welcome author Heidi Elbarjo to the blog as we spotlight Twelfth Cake House . We want to know two things: Will there really be cake? And, are we invited? “The kind of light Christmastime story that warms the heart and soul. Grab a steaming cup of your favorite drink and curl up in a cozy spot with this novella, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spark of magic in your heart.” -Jenny Knipfer, bestselling Christian historical fiction author on Fair Mountain Christmas Twelfth Cake House by Heidi Eljarbo A Charming Holiday Novella in the author's Heartwarming Christmas Collection Even a clever matchmaker may need a push in the right direction if she’s to find true love. When she’s asked to find a match for herself, it proves to be the most difficult task she’s ever undertaken. Mid-December 1796. Sixty-year-old spinster Miss Jemima Thurgood has three weeks to finish the preparations for her annual Twelfth Night party. In her position as a matchmaker, for over forty years she has assumed a grave responsibility. Luckily, she’s a shrewd observer of people, and many happy reunions have come about due to her exceptional talent for nudging kindred hearts in the right direction. Every year, Jemima invites twelve carefully selected men and women to her festivity, and each guest is assigned a dinner partner. The days before the merrymaking are constantly disrupted by one unforeseen event after another. Jemima must work hard to be ready in time, and more importantly, to provide the kind of celebration her chosen guests deserve. But this year, what Jemima doesn’t know is that her life is about to take a sudden change of course—one she could not have predicted or planned for. As the days pass, several gentlemen indicate they are interested in becoming better acquainted with her, but only a very special man can charm a matchmaker. Publication Date: December 15, 2023 Genre: Historical Romance/Heartwarming Romance/Christmas Available in eBook At this posting, this title is available to read with #KindleUnlimited . More of Heidi's Heartwarming Christmas Novellas “The story of this friendship growing and changing is one of hope and love that can only come from open trust and sharing life. It is a beautiful story.” — Lori H., Amazon Review on The Warmth of Snow Meet Author Heidi Elbarjo Heidi Eljarbo is the award-winning author of dual-timeline historical fiction with heartwarming clean romance, wit, and adventurous mystery. Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and never imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, danced on the BYU Ballroom Dance Team, and still sings in choirs. After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, and fifteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier. Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter. Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical. Sign up for Heidi’s newsletter ! Connect with Heidi Website  • Twitter  • Facebook  • Instagram  • Pinterest BookBub  • Amazon Author Page  • Goodreads Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends.

Books and Benches is pleased to welcome author Marcia Clayton to the blog and to share a snippet of her historical novel set in North Devon, England, Millie's Escape . Even the title invites intrigue and adventure! Scroll down for a look. “I’m a huge fan of the Hartford Manor Series and Millie’s Escape is a wonderful addition to the Victorian Saga. Just like the rest of the series, I thoroughly enjoyed Millie’s Escape and I’m looking forward to what comes next. Highly recommended!” — Tracey G., Amazon Review Millie's Escape by Marcia Clayton Book Four of The Hartford Manor Series 1885 North Devon, England It is winter in the small Devon village of Brampford Speke, and a typhoid epidemic has claimed many victims. Millie, aged fifteen, is doing her best to nurse her mother and grandmother as well as look after Jonathan, her five-year-old brother. One morning, Millie is horrified to find that her mother, Rosemary, has passed away during the night and is terrified the same fate may befall her granny, Emily. When Emily’s neighbours inform her that Sir Edgar Grantley has also perished from the deadly disease, the old woman is distraught, for the kindly gentleman has been their benefactor for many years, much to the disgust of his wife, Lilliana. Emily is well aware that Sir Edgar’s generosity has long been a bone of contention between him and his spouse, and she is certain Lady Grantley will evict them from their cottage at the first opportunity. As she racks her brain for a solution, Emily remembers her father came from Hartford, a seaside village in North Devon and had relatives there. Desperate and too weak to travel, she insists Millie and Jonathan leave home and make their way to Hartford before the embittered woman can cause trouble for them. There, she tells them, they must throw themselves on the mercy of their family and hope they will offer them a home. With Emily promising to follow as soon as possible, the two youngsters reluctantly set off on their fifty-mile journey on foot and in the harshest of weather conditions. Emily warns them to be cautious, for she suspects Lady Grantley may well pursue them to seek revenge for a situation that has existed between the two families for many years. Publication Date: 2 November 2023 Sunhillow Publishing Genre: Historical Fiction/Family Saga/Women’s Literary Fiction Available in eBook and Paperback | Barnes & Noble At this posting, this title is available to read with #KindleUnlimited . All the books in The Hartford Manor Series can be ordered from any bookshop. “I love the authors style of writing. Every book compels you to keep turning the page. As always,there are so many lovable characters and a heartbreaking tale to tell. Well done Marcia, another highly recommended read!” — SE, Amazon Review Enjoy a Snippet from Millie's Escape Living in Pengelly Court was quite an eye-opener for Millie and Jonathan, but they were well-treated, given enough to eat, and not harmed. The women tended to rise late in the mornings, for they knew there would be little trade early in the day, and they usually needed to sleep off the effects of the alcohol and drugs they relied on to cope with their sordid life. They would leave the house late in the morning and then come home around tea time for their main meal before going out again to work the night shift. Millie and Jonathan were fascinated by Fanny Prowse, the landlady of the house. No one knew how old Fanny was or how she had come to own the place, but she was quite a character. Her plump face was lined with wrinkles and fine red lines, and her large, slightly purple nose was a testament to her life of alcoholism. She had wispy white hair, thinning on the top and barely hiding her shiny scalp. She was seldom seen outside the house without her faded yellow bonnet tied with ribbons under her chin. A prostitute herself in her younger days, three of the girls were her daughters, and she did her best to keep them as safe as possible. Fanny knew enough muscle around the town to frighten off any men with ideas of becoming the girls’ pimp, and few would dare to cross her. At first, Millie and Jonathan were frightened of this formidable lady, for her language was ripe, with every other word an obscenity, but one day when Jonnie was suffering from an earache, she mixed up a potion to ease the pain, then cuddled him on her lap until he fell asleep. She was the same with all the youngsters, and Millie thought the old lady loved them more than their mothers. End of Excerpt. Excerpt © Marcia Clayton “ Millie's Escape by Marcia Clayton is another hit in her Hartford Manor series. Marcia has a way of pulling all her characters together and giving each one a specific personality. Love and caring is a major theme in this story, but hatred and revenge play their part to add to the adventure.” — Amazon Review Meet Author Marcia Clayton Marcia Clayton is the author of five books in The Hartford Manor Series, a heart-warming family saga stretching from the Regency period to Victorian times. A sixth book is to be released in 2024. Marcia was born in North Devon, a rural and picturesque area in the far South West of England. When she left school, Marcia worked in a bank for several years until she married her husband, Bryan, and then stayed at home for a few years to care for her three sons, Stuart, Paul and David. As the children grew older, Marcia worked as a Marie Curie nurse caring for the terminally ill and later for the local authority managing school transport. Now a grandmother, Marcia enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She’s a keen researcher of family history, and this hobby inspired some of the characters in her books. A keen gardener, Marcia grows many of her own vegetables. She is also an avid reader and enjoys historical fiction, romance, and crime books. WEBSITE | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS  | AMAZON FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends.