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“…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 Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl Each anthology in the Quill Collective series is a stand-alone book. “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. Amazon | Audible | Add to Goodreads The variety of narratives offers something for Austenites of all stripes, and the authors’ enthusiasm for Elizabeth and Darcy’s sparring romance is infectious. Pride and Prejudice fans should take note. — Publishers Weekly Q&A with the Narrator Elizabeth Grace Please, tell us a little about this anthology. “Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl” is a beautifully curated anthology of short stories following our original herione Elizabeth Bennet. The stories see Elizabeth move across time and space and imagine Jane Austen’s characters in new worlds, previously unseen as well as at home in Regency England. The book serves to remind us of Elizabeth’s unique character, created so perfectly by Austen all that time ago. We remember how modern and relatable she is and can completely fall in love with her all over again. I loved narrating this book and discovering how the authors bring their own personalities to each story while remaining true to the charaters we know so well from Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to listeners what they want? I find it so important for audiobooks that while you input your own style, that it isn’t too jarring for the listeners. My job is to bring the story to life in an authentic way so listeners can switch off and enjoy what they are hearing. If I do or say something in a way that seems out of place or too unexpected, I risk jolting the listener out of the story and making them think, “huh, that didn’t seem right.” As a narrator, I obvisouly have no control over where the story is going but I believe it is important, as in a script, to ensure I understand the motives of the characters and apply this knowledge to the tone in which they speak. When we read, we will make this decision on our own but in an audiobook that choice is given to me so I need to make that as believeable as possible. In summary, I don’t think it is about giving the listeners what they want but more like what they need to immerse themselves in the world I am presenting for them. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? When I am beginning a book there is a certain amount of research I need to do on how I am going to give the characters voice – including the narrator. I need to know where the story is set and when so I can immediately set the right scene. This can come down to accents which will take more research if it is one that I am not as familiar with. In which case, I will be looking at sources on YouTube and sometimes also podcasts by people from that place to immerse myself in the sounds. Do you share any personality traits with Elizabeth? Let’s say we don’t just share a name! I feel like Elizabeth is very relatable to so many women, simply because she was so ahead of her time. She behaves in “Pride and Prejudice”, I think, how we would all like to think we would act in the given circumstances. She questions all the expectations put upon her by society, she thinks hard about what she wants from life and doesn’t fall in line because she has to but because she wants to. Like Miss Bennet, I am very determined and opinionated. I am loyal to those I love and will stand up for myself and them when I need to. At my wedding, my dad’s speech mentioned him feeling like my new husband had many Darcy traits (though not as stoic, I like to think!) and he said, “I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.” How long on average does it take you to narrate a book? So for me, I narrate and edit all my audiobook recordings myself. On average, it takes me around five to six hours to complete one finished hour of audiobook. As you can imagine in this regard my time is very precious within that so it is important I am working as efficiently as possible and tracking my time effectively to review once I am finished. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an actress! Having starred in a few musical productions and joining a drama club outside of school, I was obsessed from around the age of 9/10. I was a huge show off as a kid and loved the idea of being the star! Into my teens, I allowed the dream to fade somewhat and took the sensible route. I went to uni, got a job in the city and focused on my career, always with the itch to do something more creative. When I came to move roles in 2018, I would discuss my career with the people around me who would ask, “So what would be the dream job” and I always said I wanted to be an actress. I felt silly saying it, like everyone has a pipe dream, right? Apparently not. So I joined an acting school again and eventually quit my job to give it a real shot. To date (Corona aside) I have started making real headway in audiobooks thanks to the wonderful group of authors in the JAFF (Jane Austen fan fiction) community who have promoted me and supported my work of late. I am also continuing my acting classes, albeit online now and have booked a range of screen projects from short films to webseries with VO work in between. 10-year-old me is buzzing about this, and I am really excited to see what the next 12 months will hold. Books & Benches: Thank you so much for sharing a narrator's perspective. It sounds it would have been a fun project, and we're excited to be sharing it with our readers. A Word from the Editor 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 Enjoy an Audio Excerpt Meet the Narrator Originally from the East Midlands in the UK, Elizabeth Grace now lives in South London (via two years in Amsterdam). She is a full time actor, voice over artist, and narrator. Elizabeth began her professional performing career a little later in life and has been studying at Identity School of Acting in London since 2019. Prior to that, she had a career agency side in Marketing which explains her penchant for client services. Since 2019, she has been growing her professional portfolio on top of the amateur theatre work she began in her formative years. She has now been a part of many projects from short films and web series to audio dramas and audiobook narration. Learn more at elizabethgraceofficial.com . Follow the Authors Elizabeth Adams - eadamswrites.com Christina Boyd - thequillink.com Karen M Cox - karenmcox.com J. Marie Croft - jmariecroft.wixsite.com/j-marie-croft Amy D’Orazio - m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100030788056041 Leigh Dreyer - m.facebook.com/authorleighdreyer Jenetta James - m.facebook.com/jenettajameswriter Christina Morland - christinamorland.wordpress.com Beau North - beaunorthwrites.com Joana Starnes joanastarnes.co.uk/news Tessa Dare - tessadare.com Genre: Regency through Contemporary Publisher: The Quill Collective Narrator: Elizabeth Grace Audiobook Publication Date: August 31, 2020 Publisher: The Quill Ink, LLC Type: Anthology Content Note: 2 Hearts View our rating system During the blog tour, the author is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on October 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Enter Giveaway 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 using one of the easy share buttons at the end of this post.

Regan Walker's, Summer Warrior , the first book in her series, The Clan Donald Saga. Summer Warrior Somerled’s parentage was noble, of the Kings of Dublin, the royal house of Argyll and the great Ard Ri, the High Kings of Ireland. But when the Norse invaded Argyll and the Isles, his family’s fortunes fell with those of his people. When all hope seemed lost, he rose from the mists of Morvern to rally the Gaels, the Scots and the Irish. Sweeping across Argyll and the Isles like a fast-moving storm, brilliant in strategy and fearless in battle, Somerled began retaking his ancestral lands, driving away the invaders and freeing the people from the Norse stranglehold. In doing so, he would win the title Somerle Mor, Somerled the Mighty, Lord of Argyll, Kintyre and Lorne and, eventually, Lord of the Isles. This is the unforgettable saga of his path to victory that birthed the Kingdom of the Isles and won him the heart of a Norse king’s daughter. Amazon | Add to Goodreads Enjoy an Excerpt from Summer Warrior The Village of Drimnin, Morvern, Argyll, late summer 1136 A.D. SOMERLED SMELLED THE SMOKE before he reached the village. A small community nestled around a crescent bay on the western shore of Morvern, everyone who lived in Drimnin was related either by blood or marriage. The villagers made a good life raising cattle and reaping the bounty of the sea. Somerled had passed this way only once, and then he had approached from the Sound of Mull in his galley. He remembered the villagers’ humble but generous hospitality. Today, he and his men had traveled on foot along the coast, wending their way through the pine woods in search of the Norse rumored to be raiding the shores of Morvern, hoping to catch them before they could strike. His ships were still too few to take them on the water. He stepped out of the trees, lush with ferns at their base, his hand on his sword hilt, prepared to fight. A ghastly sight met his eyes, sickening his stomach. Too late. Bodies were sprawled upon the grass between the shore and the woods, struck down while trying to flee. Dreadful wounds revealed some had fallen to axes. Acrid smoke rose from the cottages still burning, the flames leaping from the dry thatched roofs. He could see no longships pulled up on shore but the raiders could not have been long gone. Aghast at what he saw, he was suddenly aware there were no birds to be heard, save the hooded crows pecking at the blood-soaked bodies. “See if any live,” he said to Domnall and started forward. “Aye,” said his cousin and swung his arm in silent command, pointing to the fallen. The men hastened to obey. Both old and young had been killed by the merciless Norse. Seeing the women who had been violated, Somerled ground his teeth. Their tunics had been ripped from their bruised bodies before they were killed. “Cover them,” he said to one of his men. “Cover them all with whatever you can.” The men closest to him hurried to accomplish the task. He walked through the village, assessing the carnage. The doors of the burning cottages stood open. Goods, taken in haste, had been discarded like so much rubbish. So, too, had the Norse raiders considered the lives of the people. He knew they would see judgment in the next life but Somerled wanted justice in this life. He did not hate the Norse. How could he when his mother was one of them? But these were lesser men, ruthless pirates, some ostracized from their own people to prey on others. When his men returned with reports that none lived, Somerled faced the woods and in Gaelic said in a gentle voice, “If you live, come to us or make a sound. We will help you.” Two boys staggered out of the woods, their fearful expressions and tear-stained cheeks bearing witness to what they had seen. From the look of them, they were brothers, close in age, both with dark brown hair and wide eyes. To them, Somerled’s sun-gilded fair hair would mark him more Norse than Gael. Kneeling before them, he said, “I am Somerled, a man of Argyll, and these are my men. You will be safe with us.” When he saw relief on their faces, he said, “We will return to bury the dead but now we must go in haste to exact vengeance on those who did this. Do you come with us?” The boys shared a glance and the older one nodded. “We will come.” Somerled gave them into the care of a MacInnes man who stepped forward and offered to raise the boys with his own children. As they started to go, the older one said, “They took our sister and another girl.” It was clear from the boy’s haunted eyes he had an idea of the girls’ fate. Likely he had already witnessed the rape of the village women, including his own mother. Somerled’s eyes narrowed as his heart hardened within his chest. “We will see them avenged.” A short way down the coast, one of Somerled’s men scouting ahead had spotted dragonships offshore. They approached the top of the rise and Somerled signaled his men to stay low. A field of yellow wildflowers bloomed where he crouched behind a boulder, observing the Norse longships. He counted five, three just pulling up at the water’s edge, their sails doused, their dragon-carved stems boding ill for the people who lived farther down the coast. Counting shields, he saw they numbered nearly three hundred. The sea was calm, as if nature herself was unaware a massacre had just taken place to the north. Somerled’s heart burned within him, a furnace of rage. He wanted the waters to roar, to cry for vengeance on the heathen dogs. Behind him were the forests in which he had hunted. Gathered around him was his group of one hundred men, MacInneses from Morvern, archers from Argyll and Irish mercenaries from Antrim, who had heard of his plan to retake Argyll and joined the cause. They were stout-hearted men yet still too few to take on so many Norsemen clad in mail and conical helms and armed with swords, axes and spears. The Highlanders and Islesmen wore tunics of linen or wool over tight-fitting trews or hosen, their tunics secured at their waists with a belt. On their feet were soft leather boots. Around their shoulders, some wore woolen cloaks. A few, like Somerled and his brother, also wore leather armor. None wore mail. It was expensive and rare in these parts. All carried weapons but not all had a steel sword at their waist. No matter the odds against them, Somerled wanted those ships and he wanted justice for the lives cut short at Drimnin. Excerpt Copyright © 2020 Regan Walker "An enjoyable and satisfying read. Page turning and a never a dull moment storm that sweeps across your heart as you turn the pages with characters your love. Brilliantly written, unpredictable and carefully written to entice and beguile the reader. A must read!!" — April, Goodreads Meet the Author Regan Walker is an award-winning, #1 Amazon bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romances. She writes historically authentic novels with real historical figures along with her fictional characters. Among the awards she has won are the International Book Award for Romance Fiction, the San Diego Book Award for Best Historical Romance, the RONE Award for her medievals and the Gold Medal Illumination Award. You can sign up for her newsletter on her website and get the "Reader Extras" there, too. Regan loves to hear from her readers. Author website: reganwalkerauthor.com Facebook Readers' Group: facebook.com/groups/ReganWalkersReaders Facebook: facebook.com/regan.walker.104 Historical Romance Review Blog: reganromancereview.blogspot.com Twitter: @RegansReview Pinterest: pinterest.com/reganwalker123 Genre: Historical Fiction Series: The Clan Donald Saga, book 1 Release Date: October 7, 2020 Type: Novel Content Rating: PG-13 View our rating system 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 using one of the easy share buttons at the end of this post.

“Lush, evocative, and sizzling-hot.” —Ann Major, USA Today bestselling author "I loved the characters. They are very well described, and each has a unique personality. The conversations are realistic, and the various personalities often clash with interesting results. I found the pace to be perfect, allowing for the characters to grow to know each other and fast enough to make it a page turner. If you haven’t read this series, I urge you to give it a try. My regards to author Cynthia Breeding, thank you for a thrilling and heartfelt novel." — The Reading Cafe Highland Renegade Emily, the Dowager Countess of Woodhaven, has received title to lands in the Highlands—MacGregor lands—and after surviving an abusive marriage, she’s determined to make a new start…without a man. She just has to win over the handsome Scottish laird whose family has lived there for centuries. How hard could it be? When Ian MacGregor heard that the Sassenach countess was actually laying claim to his lands, he figured to scare the aging widow away by showing her the hardships of living in the Highlands. She’d leave before the first snowflake fell. But he never imagined that the widow was young and beautiful and more territorial than a she-wolf. No matter, he’ll prove that a fragile, London woman like her would never survive life without her servants…and if he happens to give her the coldest and most remote rooms, all the better. Despite his best efforts to freeze her out, things between them heat up. But Highlanders hate the Sassenach, so Ian faces a dire choice—his clan or the irresistible English aristocrat who seems to have taken not only his lands, but also his heart. Amazon | Google | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Add to Goodreads In the author's words . . . Q&A with Cynthia Breeding Give us a little tease about Highland Renegade . Highland Renegade is the first of a trilogy about Clan MacGregor who were outlawed by Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1563. She awarded authority to John Campell of Argyll to oust MacGregors by fire and sword. In 1589, her son James VI, renewed the sentence and added that any clan giving aid to MacGregors would be met with the same fate. The king further banned their clan name in 1603. In 1625, Charles I renewed the statue. Charles II restored their name in 1660, only to have William III reinstate the condemnation in 1688. The clan became known as “Children of the Mist” for their ability to escape the Crown’s forces by blending in with their surroundings. It wasn’t until 1774, that their rights were fully restored and that is when this novel takes place. Do you remember the moment when you first considered yourself a writer? I wrote my first “novel” at age eleven about a girl and her horse. I was a completely horse-crazy child. Interestingly, when I was cleaning out my mother’s house several years ago, I came across my hand-written version. Thinking it would be fun to see what my child mind conceived, I was pleasantly surprised to find it did have an actual plot. I played around with it and did some revisions and finally had it published by Highland Press under author name Cynthia Roepke. The title of that book became Nostalgia Road and was the first of a trilogy which I set in the Sixties. What is your favorite motivational phrase? I attended a workshop years ago put on by (Stephen) Covey Leadership Center based on his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People . I was always impressed with Habit # 2: “Begin With The End In Mind.” I use that when I begin an outline for a new book. Besides, the obvious HEA of the romance genre, how do I want the story to end? What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? I love history so I’m always doing research of a sort. It’s on-going and I keep notes on index cards. Generally, I find an interesting period that I want to write about and then come up with the characters and situation that can be turned into a story. I developed a love for the Arthurian legends when I taught them to high school sophomores. For fun, I started researching the origins of the legends—the non-fictional theories—as well as reading nearly every version of fiction. I accumulated approximately 300 books on the subject over the course of five years. At some point, I decided it would be interesting to do a book based on Gwenhwyfar’s point-of-view. Nearly all fiction blames her for the breakup of the Round Table and the downfall of chivalry, so why not take a completely different stance? The result of that was my first published novel Camelot’s Destiny , which went on to become an award-winning romance. What appeals to you most about writing romance? What I most like about the romance genre is that there is always a happy ending, just like the faerie tales we read as children. Too often life gives us lemons that cannot be made into lemonade. If we live long enough we all encounter personal tragedies, turmoil, and trouble. (Case in point: 2020 has been devastating to so many of us and seems like a year lost.) I think what most writers of any genre enjoy is being in control of the story. In romance, we are also in control of the ending which is always an uplifting one. Books & Benches: Thank you so much for a glimpse into the interesting history behind the book and your writing. "A great story with well-developed characters, a chemistry-laden romance, and an intriguing mystery, Highland Renegade is the perfect story for lovers of historical romance." — One More Book Meet the Author An avid reader of anything medieval, Cynthia Breeding has taught the traditional Arthurian legends to high school sophomores for fifteen years. She owns more than three hundred books, fictional and non-fictional, on the subject. More information on Arthur, Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot can be found on the Historical Account link. In addition, she has won numerous awards including the Holt Medallion, Beacon Contest, Barclay Gold, More Than Magic and Ancient City Romance Authors. Cynthia lives on the bay with her Bichon Frise and enjoys sailing and riding on the beach. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Genre: Historical Romance Publisher: Entangled Amara Series: Children of the Mist, Book One Release Date: September 21, 2020 Type: Novel Content Note: 4 Hearts View our rating system During the blog tour, the author is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on October 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored and hosted by the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

This series of murder and mayhem is written in a modern noir style with charming, witty, deliciously clever soft-boiled sleuths. Dead in That Beach House Once we had arrived in the Hamptons, settled in and I felt comfortable, I began to add small amounts of poison to the evening cocktails. It was from the oleander flowers. I had planted them carefully behind the barn in Ames. After only weeks, they were falling ill, listless, crying to go back to Ames. They felt too sick at the beach house. It was simple. I know you must think I’m a monster. But, really, they felt very little when I strangled them to death thanks to the poison in their system. When they were dead, I filled my library with books about murder and witchcraft. The note I leave for whomever might find them might explain what happened... The Senior Sleuths, Dick and Dora Zimmerman, much like Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man series, and their cozy group of interesting, quirky friends take on crooks and murderers while dealing with an outrageous case of elder abuse. Later: “Shall we say invitations are mandatory?” “Absolutely, dear. We wouldn’t want anyone to miss the fun” “They’re either belligerent, arrogant, or simply annoyed,” Zero whispered to Cloud as the so-called guests arrived. They were all murderers and those who had committed crimes against the elderly. Amazon | B&N | Kobo Add to Goodreads Enjoy an Excerpt from Dead in That Beach House For over a century the Hamptons had been a magnet for artists and writers. The views, the sea, the sunsets drew them into natures web. But, The Sunset Development Group didn’t care about any of that. They were aggressively attempting to buy up numerous parcels of prime land facing those views. For years THAT Beach House they wanted stood alone on slightly over an acre of land, isolated behind sand dunes where it had been built for a fraction of a cost of what it was worth today. For the last dozen years the law firm of Gibbons and Corbett, told them, “No, it is not possible to buy it until the 99 years is up as stated in the owners trust and will.” The original owners and law firm had been left a substantial amount of money for yearly taxes and minimal upkeep on the outside of the property, but it was clearly decaying inside. It really didn’t matter if the house rotted and was reduced to rubble. It was the land that was worth a fortune to developers. *** The house had originally been built by Lily’s great, great uncle, James Sinclair. “I never met him. My uncle Willie said he was not a very nice man. I never knew what they meant by that.” It would be discovered one of the decaying bodies found was his wife. The other two skeletons, two female were found by the police were in an upstairs bedroom on top of a tattered beige lace bed cover. They were his wife’s sisters. All three 100-year old murder victims were proven through the coroner’s examination to have been strangled to death after first being poisoned. Aunt Alice and Uncle Willie Not that being shot in the head at close range was any less despicable. End of Excerpt. Copyright © M. Glenda Rosen Learn more by visiting the author's website. Dead in That Beach House released August 22, 2020 from Level Best Books. Meet the Author Marcia Rosen (aka M. Glenda Rosen ) is author of ten books including The Senior Sleuths and Dying To Be Beautiful Mystery Series and The Gourmet Gangster , Mysteries and Menus (with her son Jory Rosen), published by Level Best Books. Marcia is also author of The Woman's Business Therapist and award winning My Memoir Workbook . She was owner of a successful national marketing and public relations agency in New Mexico and New York, and has worked with many author clients. To that end she has given classes, workshops and guest lectured on topics such as Encouraging the Writer Within You, Getting Published, Now What? (Book Marketing), Writing Mysteries...Not A Mystery, Writing From Your Soul and The Gangster's Daughter. She has published numerous articles and is a member of Sisters In Crime Los Angeles and Albuquerque, Central Coast Writers, Public Safety Writer's Association and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Marcia presently lives in Carmel, California and is planning on moving back to Albuquerque early 2021 or end of 2020. She has author clients in New York City, Atlanta, Albuquerque, Long Island, the Hamptons and Vancouver. Facebook: @MarciaGRosen Twitter: @WriterMysteries Instagram: @mglendarosen Pinterest: marciaglendarosen www.creativebookconcepts.com www.theseniorsleuths.com Title: Dead in That Beach House Author: M. Glenda Rosen Publisher: Level Best Books Pages: 160 Genre: Cozy Mystery Giveaway M. Glenda Rosen will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and Goddess Fish Promotions. Last day of the blog tour is October 9, 2020.

Can a sister who’s lied to everyone find truth with the wrong man? A Bride for Heddwyn Secrets are everywhere… From the moment she met her sisters in a Qu’Appelle Valley orphanage, Oriole has rewritten her past to protect her present. Now Lark is married, Wren is lost, and Oriole is on a mission to find Wren before their cruel and controlling troupe manager does. In order to succeed, she must cling to her lies and evade the only man she ever let come close, the fast-talking Llewellyn brother who deserted her without a word. Second chances are few… From the moment he first heard Oriole sing with her sisters in a Cheyenne saloon, notoriously scatterbrained Heddwyn Llewellyn’s desire to change gained focus. Until tragedy struck. To protect his brothers and sister, Heddwyn turned his back on love and the only woman who’d ever riveted his attention—all while refusing to talk to him. Now, after two years apart, Oriole’s finally back in his life and so is a shot at redemption. The Songbird Sisters’ quest for freedom may have reunited Oriole and Heddwyn, but it’s also tearing them apart. Her sadistic troupe manager is more than happy to maim and murder to get his money-making musicians back. Can two hearts always on the run finally stand still long enough to save each other and their love too? A note about story links: A Bride for Heddwyn is the second book in my Songbird Junction series. It includes characters (such as reader-favorite Grandpa Gus Peregrine) featured in my Noelle, Colorado, Christmas stories: The Calling Birds (set in 1876) and Robyn: A Christmas Bride (set in 1877). All of these stories are Western historical romances with a dash of mystery and a heap of adventure. SONGBIRD JUNCTION SERIES Book 1 - A Bride for Brynmor Book 2 - A Bride for Heddwyn Book 3 - A Bride for Griffin (coming 2021) Welcome to Songbird Junction, where Welsh meets West in Colorado 1878. The journey to find a forever home and more starts here. Brynmor, Heddwyn, and Griffin Llewellyn are three Welsh brothers bound by blood and a passion for hauling freight—in Denver where hard work pays. Lark, Oriole, and Wren are three Irish-Cree Métis sisters-of-the-heart bound by choice and a talent for singing—in any place that pays. Amazon Meet the Author Fall in love with a new Old West... where the men are steadfast & the women are adventurous. You'll find Wild West scouts, spies, cardsharps, wilderness guides, and trick-riding superstars in my stories. Those are my heroines. Wait till you meet my heroes! My love for historical romance adventures with grit and passion came from watching Western movies while growing up on a cattle farm in northern Canada. I've been nominated for over 20 awards and won the RWA® Golden Heart® & the Laramie® — but my best reward is hearing from readers who have enjoyed my stories. Follow me on Amazon to be the first to hear about new releases. Visit my website ~ www.JacquiNelson.com ~ and subscribe to my newsletter to receive a FREE STORY and be the first to hear about exclusive bonus content. DO YOU LOVE HISTORICAL WESTERN ROMANCES? Then why not join historical western romance authors and readers on the Pioneer Hearts Facebook group and share your favorite stories, photos, and all things Old West? www.facebook.com/groups/pioneerhearts Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel

"This cast and their narration are stellar. I eagerly look forward to the next story in the saga." — Audible Review "Narrated by 4 voice actors, the story is brought to life. Shane East, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young and Tara Langella are fantastic storytellers and together brought out the essence of this story. Each character its own voice, inflections and nuances drawing out the frustrations, fear and emotions. This is an amazing cast of narrators and they brought me hours of entertainment." — Audible Review The Tory His King or His Conscience…which will he choose? It is the winter of 1776, and Captain John Carlisle, one of His Majesty’s not-so-finest, has gone back to the scene of the crime to right a wrong so dark it left a permanent stain on what was once an illustrious career and left a man broken, defeated, in search of justice… In an effort to win back his commission, he must discover the true nature of the relationship between the Six Nations of the Iroquois and the Colonial Army. Undercover as a war profiteer, John travels to the treacherous Mohawk River Valley and infiltrates local society, making friends with those he’s come to betray. But a chance meeting with a beautiful half Oneida innkeeper, whose tragic history is integrally linked to his own, will provide him with the intelligence he needs to complete his mission—and devastate her people. Now, as the flames of war threaten to consume the Mohawk Valley, John has the chance to not only serve King and country, but to clear his name. When the truth he uncovers ties his own secrets to those in the highest positions of the British military and threatens the very life of the woman he’s come to love, he will be forced to make a choice… ***This book contains graphic content and depictions of war*** Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Add to Goodreads "Let me tell you this, I was absolutely blown away by the audio performance. Coming into this audio, I had heard prior performances by only one of the 4 narrators. I knew the caliber to expect from one of them, but the others were new to me. Every single one of them was outstanding! They all were able to bring T.J.'s characters to life. Trust me, you're gonna want to buy this audiobook." — Audible Review Q&A with Author T.J. London What makes The Tory special or unique to you? Can you give us a little story behind the story? The answer to your question is: It’s a loooooooooooong story, but for the sake of brevity I’ll try to make it short. I always dabbled in writing; as a matter of fact, I wrote an early version of The Tory —which my husband threw in a dumpster after we got into a huge blowout twenty years ago when I was in college working on my PhD. (Never let it be said that the Revolutionary Author is not a forgiving soul, cuz he has all his limbs, anatomical parts vital to being male, and he’s still my DH.) Now, where was I? Oh, yes, writing The Tory . I actually started writing as part of counseling. Two very catastrophic events happened simultaneously; one was the onset of my father’s manic depression and me having to commit him, and the other a harassment case at my place of work which forced me to leave my beloved job. As everything spiraled downwards, I went to a terrible place and started counseling. When I would sit with my counselor every day (yes, every day, as I was not well), I would start crying, have a panic attack, and never resolve my problems. We tried meds, we tried all different techniques, but things were just getting worse and worse. So, Lorrie, my beautiful and wise counselor, suggested I write. Hence, I pulled on old inspiration, the original version of The Tory , and started re-writing it. Each appointment, I’d come to her office and read to her what I wrote the night before, and we’d talk through it. Why does John Carlisle drink? Why does he hate his life? Why is Stuart schizophrenic? Why is Dellis’s father dead? All of that was mirroring aspects of my life, actually, down to some of the genuine dialogue. As Lorrie and I discussed the story, I slowly unraveled what was going on my life and got the courage to face my pain and speak my truth. When the book was done, it was actually called The Traitor (what one of my work colleagues called me when I exposed the harassment situation at my place of work). My counselor then told me she wanted me to let someone read the book. So, I did. It was crude, but my few readers really liked the story and thought it was compelling. With a bit of coaxing, I went to some writing conferences and met with several editors and publishers, but found many naysayers who panned the story. I did eventually hook up with Kathe Robin, my concept editor, and she loved it and believed in it from the get go. Together, we split The Traitor into two books, and I decided to go independent. After that, I found my copy editor, Jo Michaels, and now she’s my indispensable guru of writing. That’s a very, very abridged version of the story, but it’s the indisputable truth, and I’m happy to say I’m still in therapy, I have a new job, Dad went to Heaven, and I now have 4 books under my belt (and a very proud counselor). That being said, I think this makes The Tory very unique! What story are you working on next, and what inspired it? I’m working on book #5, The Rebel , and book #6, The Renegades , as we speak. For those two books, we’re going to pick up alongside The Traitor and then after The Turncoat , but Alexei McKesson is going to lead the saga for a little while. This story is about: are we doomed to become our parents, and it really explores that overarching theme. Again, it comes from my personal counseling, and my own demons I’m struggling to overcome. What is something about your hero or heroine that only you know? If I told it here, then it wouldn’t be a secret. HAHAHAHA! And there are some things about my characters that are uniquely mine, and I don’t wish to share. I’m very covetous of my characters, because Dellis and John are both based on me. That being said, some of the lines they speak come directly from my counseling, and some of the events they live through are based on my own life experiences. What those are, well, that’s a secret. Are any of your characters based on real people you know? John and Dellis are both based on me and my life as I was writing The Tory . John was me in my harassment case, and Dellis was me in the personal issues I’d long suppressed. They were far too easy to write because they were warring in my head day in and day out. They were me, yes, steeped in lots of history, fiction, and drama, but the core of their story comes from my life, some of which is too personal to discuss here. Do you believe in the concept of a muse? What is yours like? Ahh… my muses. LOL. If only I could control this part of the process. Some of my muses are strong, and they demand every bit of my attention, i.e. John Carlisle in The Tory . He never stops talking. I could write twenty books about him and Dellis alone because he’s so wonderfully present, and he speaks with such bravado and humor I can’t help but indulge him. Merrick, from Man of War , was much harder, more subtle, honorable, and respectful, often waiting his turn until John shut up. LOL. Just like Merrick reads in Man of War . Eventually, as the character and I worked together through scenes, his personality shined through, and in the end, we created the brave, charismatic, slightly broken, devilish warrior that is Merrick McKesson. India is a mix of characters because she’s going through a serious trauma in her life. The ideas for her personality came from my talks with women who’d lived through domestic violence and similar events, coupled with my own personal vision for her. She comes to us broken, defeated, a woman who’s seen a lot of stuff and has learned a few lessons, and she’s not afraid to fight for what she wants. B&B: What a great Q&A, T.J., thank you. You've done a fantastic job channeling all your real-life experiences into a series of great books. Enjoy an Audio Excerpt from The Tory “A story to captivate your mind, The Tory is phenomenal. T.J. London takes us on a journey in the winter of 1776. Captain John Carlisle is undercover to clear his name. Posing as a war profiteer, he meets Dellis an Oneida Innkeeper. These two have the most interesting relationship, both intellectual and slow burn romantic. She introduces John to people to sell his goods and lets him gain trust and support of those around him. With unfortunate circumstances, dangerous characters, and intriguing partners, John takes us on an adventure. London’s descriptive writing lets us visualize each scene as it unfolds and experience the story as if we were there. It’s an amazing story, and I can’t wait to find out where John takes us next.” — Goodreads Review Meet the Author T.J. London is a rebel, liberal, lover, fighter, diehard punk, and pharmacist-turned-author who loves history. As an author her goal is to fill in the gaps, writing stories about missing history, those little places that are so interesting yet sadly forgotten. Her favorite time periods to write in are first and foremost the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolution, the French and Indian War, the Russian Revolution and the Victorian Era. Her passions are traveling, writing, reading, barre, and sharing a glass of wine with her friends, while she collects experiences in this drama called life. She is a native of Metropolitan Detroit (but secretly dreams of being a Londoner) and resides there with her husband Fred and her beloved cat and writing partner Mickey. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Genre: Historical Fiction Series: The Rebels and Redcoats Saga, Book #1 Narrated by: Shane East, Tara Langella, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young Audiobook Release Date: August 31, 2020 Type: Novel - Paperback & Ebook - 517 pages Audiobook Length: 15 hrs and 15 mins Content Note: R - This book contains graphic content and depictions of war View our rating system During the blog tour, the author is giving away an audiobook + paperback copy of The Tory by T.J. London to one lucky winner! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on October 2, 2020. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is hosted by the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

Voting is now open for the October 2020 book cover contest. View the finalists and c ast your vote on the cover contest page.

Congratulations to Dorothy Wiley, author of Buckskin Angel , winner of the September 2020 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! This was a close one, with lots of entries coming in the last week, so thank you to all those who participated and voted. Vote in the new contest .

" Lord Shallow delivers an enjoyable journey of romance with a touch of intrigue. A quest for truth will carry you away to Wales with faeries, lore, and legends. A delightful read." — Books & Benches Book Description No woman could touch his heart . . . To all of London, Sebastian Traherne is a pretentious fop who prizes his tailor over his dukedom. In truth, he’s an obsessively rational fellow protecting a secret marriage. When a prickly Welsh miss arrives at his crumbling castle one gloomy night, she upends his world—and every principle he holds dear. Worse, she believes in a silly fairy tale known as True Love. Gwynna Owen might be the last true Princess of Wales, but she needs this very English duke to claim her legacy and vanquish a tyrant. When Sebastian quickly sees through her boy’s disguise, she must plead her case with only a rusty dagger—and sapphire eyes that conjure what he most wishes to avoid. AUTHOR'S NOTE: One early surprise may be a deal breaker for some romance fans. If you’re looking for classic Regency historical that fits a formula, Lord Shallow may not be your cup of tea. Yet character will out. Here you’ll find a man who is so much more than he seems and a woman who’s finding her voice after years of having it suppressed. Their struggle as they make their way to one another is this story’s truth. About Maitland's Rogues: Andrew Maitland's group of daring English rogues risk all for their country. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them... Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Google Add to Goodreads Enjoy an Excerpt from Lord Shallow Gwynna had prepared herself to face an old man who might wish to set things right in the twilight of his years. Instead, she had this aloof aristocrat. Pretentious fop or no, the Duke of Claremont was something else as well: Beautiful. As handsome a man as Gwynna had seen. Moreover, he was immense. Measuring him with her Welshwoman’s eye, which could judge at a glance whether there was meal in the larder to last the month, Gwynna decided he was nearly half a foot taller than any man she knew. Yet his eyes held a cool intelligence. He was no one’s fool. Despair swept her. She might have faced down an old man preparing to meet his Maker, but she’d never persuade this too-perceptive aristocrat—whose features had only hardened since discovering her gender—that she was a member of his family. Still, she was an Owen. He was but an Englishman. Welsh did not give way to English. “I am the daughter of Megan Glendower Owen of Anglesey,” Gwynna said. "It’s an island off North Wales. It’s there William and my mother met. They fell in love.” His gaze narrowed. “How the devil do you know that?” That was the rub. She had no proof. The duke looked down that patrician nose. “You Welsh are storytellers, are you not? Doubtless you felt compelled to put a lovely bow on something sordid—” “It was love,” Gwynna insisted. “A man with your lofty self-regard cannot possibly fathom how passion can sweep all else aside." He stiffened. "You know nothing of me." A frisson of uneasiness swept her. They were all but alone in this dreadful castle. His gaze hardened. "There’s no reason to believe a word of your tale, especially since you’ve been engaged in pretense from the first.” “I pretended to be a boy because I couldn’t travel alone as a woman.” “Those ruffians were on the verge of unmasking you.” “I would have prevailed. Owen was with me.” The duke frowned. “The only person I saw at your side was your terrified friend. Owen, whoever he may be, was nowhere —” “Owen is Prince of Wales.” He blinked. “If I recall correctly, England already has a Prince of Wales. Just the one, mind you, and his name isn’t Owen. Moreover, he would be the last person to rush to any woman’s defense.” “You refer to the Regent—English royalty,” Gwynna said. “I do not regard him. Owen was the last true Prince of Wales. I am his blood descendant.” “Ah. He would be dead, then?” She glared at him. “His spirit lives. I’ll have what I’m due by rights, Englishman. And while I am certain every woman in England finds you a catch, I have no use for puffed-up peacocks." End of Excerpt. Copyright © Eileen Putman Learn more by visiting the author's website. Lord Shallow released May 20, 2020 from Anglesey Press. Praise for the Maitland's Rogues series “This is a wonderful book by a great author who is truly talented. Her writing his lyrical and the romance weaves through the narrative seamlessly.” – Kindle Reader “The story was very well written and has a nice, smooth pace. It was consistent and had no dangling plots. The characters were well developed. I heartily recommend this books. It is definitely a 5 star read.” –Mary Gallo, on Netgalley “Guess what I love almost as much as chocolate? An exquisitely written regency romance. Lord Shallow was an amazing reading experience. It was a start it at 10 PM, wait, it's 2 AM and I'm still reading experience. Because I could not put it down until I finished.” – Kindle Reader Meet the Author Eileen Putman is the author of a dozen British historical and Regency romances. Her love of England's Regency period (1811-1820) has inspired her research trips to England, Ireland, Wales, France and other countries -- there being no substitute for stepping on the soil that Beau Brummell and his champagne-polished Hessians once trod. Visit her at eileenputman.com Twitter: twitter.com/eileen_pu Title: LORD SHALLOW (Maitland’s Rogues Book 2) Author: Eileen Putman Publisher: Anglesey Press Pages: 364 Genre: Regency Historical Romance Heat Level: 5 Hearts View our rating system

"Gwynna is on a quest, and like on all good quests, she cannot reach the end alone." A Reader's Opinion A woman in search of a truth and a man in search of what, he does not yet know. This is how the author endeared Sebastian and Gwynna to me. Lord Shallow tells the story of two people of great strength. One of them hides behind a carefully-erected façade while the other embraces heritage and hope. Sebastian and Gwynna stand beautifully as individuals who learn to respect one another, and even as a reluctant friendship unfolds, the chemistry is undeniable. Gwynna is on a quest, and like on all good quests, she cannot reach the end alone. Five others' fates will be tested during this quest, until the last thread unravels to place everyone on the path they were always meant to walk. The author transported me to Wales, a place I know little about, yet I found myself walking through castles, among ruins, and around spirits and stones alongside Gwynna as she told her fascinating tales and we wandered through history. When her heart ached, mine ached. When Sebastian's uncertainty clouded his thoughts, I longed for him to see the truth. There is another story line in this book between two others, and while I found it filled with fluttering hope, it was Sebastian and Gwynna who drew me into their hearts and let me experience their love and adventures. Sebastian and Gwynna are helped along by a man who waits in the background and acts out of . . . some may say arrogance, while others will be left questioning motives. I believe there is more to be seen from them all, and the true pleasure of the book may not be discovered without looking beneath the surface. Lord Shallow delivers an enjoyable journey of romance with a touch of intrigue. A quest for truth will carry you away to Wales with faeries, lore, and legends. This book is a delightful read that kept me awake hours past my bedtime. Note from reader: I did not read the first book in the series prior to reading this one. Lord Shallow read nicely as a stand-alone book. Lord Shallow No woman could touch his heart . . . To all of London, Sebastian Traherne is a pretentious fop who prizes his tailor over his dukedom. In truth, he’s an obsessively rational fellow protecting a secret marriage. When a prickly Welsh miss arrives at his crumbling castle one gloomy night, she upends his world—and every principle he holds dear. Worse, she believes in a silly fairy tale known as True Love. Gwynna Owen might be the last true Princess of Wales, but she needs this very English duke to claim her legacy and vanquish a tyrant. When Sebastian quickly sees through her boy’s disguise, she must plead her case with only a rusty dagger—and sapphire eyes that conjure what he most wishes to avoid. AUTHOR'S NOTE: One early surprise may be a deal breaker for some romance fans. If you’re looking for classic Regency historical that fits a formula, Lord Shallow may not be your cup of tea. Yet character will out. Here you’ll find a man who is so much more than he seems and a woman who’s finding her voice after years of having it suppressed. Their struggle as they make their way to one another is this story’s truth. About Maitland's Rogues: Andrew Maitland's group of daring English rogues risk all for their country. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them... Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Google Add to Goodreads Regency Romance | Pub: May 20, 2020 | 364pp | Anglesey Press Format Read: E-book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher via blog tour This book was on tour with Pump Up Your Book: Virtual Book Publicity Tours Content Rating: 5 Hearts* | Read by: MK *As of Aug 2020, we no longer give ratings to books, except for content. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A weak king, a rebellious baron. A kingdom on the brink of civil war, an adulterous wife and an ambitious royal favourite. A blackmailed bride and an honourable knight, torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his wife and his future king. Welcome to the world of Adam de Guirande! "In the Shadow of the Storm is an epic story. Its villains are dark and heartless and its heroes are valiant. The character development is impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The proof is in the fact that I was left wanting more at the end." — Readers' Favorite Book I: In the Shadow of the Storm Adam de Guirande owes his lord, Roger Mortimer, much more than loyalty. He owes Lord Roger for his life and all his worldly goods, he owes him for his beautiful wife – even if Kit is not quite the woman Lord Roger thinks she is. So when Lord Roger rises in rebellion against the king, Adam has no choice but to ride with him – no matter what the ultimate cost may be. England in 1321 is a confusing place. Edward II has been forced by his barons to exile his favourite, Hugh Despenser. The barons, led by the powerful Thomas of Lancaster, Roger Mortimer and Humphrey de Bohun, have reasons to believe they have finally tamed the king. But Edward is not about to take things lying down… Adam fears his lord has over-reached, but Adam has other matters to concern him, first and foremost his new wife, Katherine de Monmouth. His bride comes surrounded by rumours concerning her and Lord Roger, and he hates it when his brother snickers and whispers of used goods. Kit has the misfortune of being a perfect double of Katherine de Monmouth – which is why she finds herself coerced into wedding a man under a false name. Domestic matters become irrelevant when the king sets out to punish his rebellious barons. The Welsh Marches explode into war, and soon Lord Roger and his men are fighting for their very lives. When hope splutters and dies, when death seems inevitable, it falls to Kit to save her man – if she can. In the Shadow of the Storm is the first in Anna Belfrage’s new series, The King’s Greatest Enemy , the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife. Amazon | Audible | Kobo | GooglePlay | iTunes | Read an Excerpt "It is an historical novel that is so believably real you can almost feel that you are there watching intently as the lives, loves and fears of these characters unfold. This is what all historical fiction should be like. Superb." — Historical Novel Society Book II: Days of Sun and Glory Adam de Guirande has barely survived the aftermath of Roger Mortimer’s rebellion in 1321. When Mortimer manages to escape the Tower and flee to France, anyone who has ever served Mortimer becomes a potential traitor – at least in the eyes of King Edward II and his royal chancellor, Hugh Despenser. Adam must conduct a careful balancing act to keep himself and his family alive. Fortunately, he has two formidable allies: Queen Isabella and his wife, Kit. England late in 1323 is a place afflicted by fear. Now that the king’s greatest traitor, Roger Mortimer, has managed to evade royal justice, the king and his beloved Despenser see dissidents and rebels everywhere – among Mortimer’s former men, but also in the queen, Isabella of France. Yet again, Kit and Adam are forced to take part in a complicated game of intrigue and politics. Yet again, they risk their lives – and that of those they hold dear – as Edward II and Mortimer face off. Once again, England is plunged into war – and this time it will not end until either Despenser or Mortimer is dead. Days of Sun and Glory is the second in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy , the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife. Amazon | Matador | Read an Excerpt "Anna Belfrage is a born storyteller, and she obviously has done exceptional research, adding to the credibility of the facts within this novel. Under the Approaching Dark is commendable, highly recommended historical fiction. You’ll want to read her other works, which are just as magnificent!" — Historical Novel Society Book III: Under the Approaching Dark Adam de Guirande has cause to believe the turbulent times are behind him: Hugh Despenser is dead and Edward II is forced to abdicate in favour of his young son. It is time to look forward, to a bright new world in which the young king, guided by his council, heals his kingdom and restores its greatness. But the turmoil is far from over. England in the early months of 1327 is a country in need of stability, and many turn with hope towards the new young king, Edward III. But Edward is too young to rule, so instead it is his mother, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who do the actual governing, much to the dislike of barons such as Henry of Lancaster. When it is announced that Edward II has died in September of 1327, what has so far been a grumble grows into voluble protests against Mortimer. Yet again, the spectre of rebellion haunts the land, and things are further complicated by the reappearance of one of Adam’s personal enemies. Soon enough, he and his beloved wife Kit are fighting for their survival – even more so when Adam is given a task that puts them both in the gravest of dangers. Under the Approaching Dark is the third in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife. Amazon | Matador | Read an Excerpt "The book not only tells you a story, but awakens your feelings and takes you on an emotional journey as well as a literary one. I enjoy reading – I always have – but I rarely come across a book, or series of books, that bring out all the emotions and will have me laughing and smiling in places, heart in my mouth in other places and leave me with tears streaming down my face at times. The action and excitement are constant, the dangers ever-present." — Book Corner Book IV: The Cold Light of Dawn After Henry of Lancaster’s rebellion has been crushed early in 1329, a restless peace settles over England. However, the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents’ puppet, no matter that neither Queen Isabella nor Roger Mortimer show any inclination to give up their power. Caught in between is Adam de Guirande, torn between his loyalty to the young king and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer. Edward III is growing up fast. No longer a boy to be manipulated, he resents the power of his mother, Queen Isabella, and Mortimer. His regents show little inclination of handing over their power to him, the rightful king, and Edward suspects they never will unless he forces their hand. Adam de Guirande is first and foremost Edward’s man, and he too is of the opinion that the young king is capable of ruling on his own. But for Adam siding with his king causes heartache, as he still loves Roger Mortimer, the man who shaped him into who he is. Inevitably, Edward and his regents march towards a final confrontation. And there is nothing Adam can do but pray and hope that somehow things will work out. Unfortunately, prayers don’t always help. Amazon | Matador | Read an Excerpt Had Anna Belfrage been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three 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. (Medieval knight was also high on Anna’s list of potential professions. Yet another disappointment…) With Jason and Helle, Anna has stepped out of her historical comfort zone and has loved doing so. Find out more about Anna by visiting her website,  www.annabelfrage.com , You can also connect with Anna on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Amazon , and  Goodreads . Genre: Medieval Historical Romance Type: Novel Content Note: R - Descriptive Sex and Violence View our rating system

"Truly a major novel"  — Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award recipient, author of Claude And Camille: A Novel Of Monet “In Into the Unbounded Night , Mitchell Kaplan offers a rich rendering of war and humanity in first century Rome — of tradition and loss, and the transformative power of healing and collective memory to find one’s way home.” – Nichole Bernier, Boston Globe Bestselling author of The Unfinished Work Of Elizabeth D Into the Unbounded Night When her village in Albion is sacked by the Roman general Vespasian, young Aislin is left without home and family. Determined to exact revenge, she travels to Rome, a sprawling city of wealth, decadence, and power. A “barbarian” in a “civilized” world, Aislin struggles to comprehend Roman ways. From a precarious hand-to-mouth existence on the streets, she becomes the mistress of a wealthy senator, but their child Faolan is born with a disability that renders him unworthy of life in the eyes of his father and other Romans. Imprisoned for her efforts to topple the Roman regime, Aislin learns of an alternate philosophy from her cellmate, the Judean known today as the Apostle St. Paul. As the capital burns in the Great Fire of 64 AD, he bequeaths to her a mission that will take her to Jerusalem. There, Yohanan, son of Zakkai, has been striving to preserve the tradition of Hillel against the Zealots who advocate for a war of independence. Responding to the Judeans’ revolt, the Romans—again under the leadership of Vespasian—besiege Jerusalem, destroying the Second Temple and with it, the brand of Judean monotheism it represents. Yohanan takes on the mission of preserving what can be preserved, and of re-inventing what must be reinvented. Throughout Into the Unbounded Night , Aislin’s, Faolan’s, Vespasian’s, and Yohanan’s lives intertwine in unexpected ways that shed light on colonization and its discontents, the relative values of dominant and tyrannized cultures, and the holiness of life itself—even the weakest of lives. Regal House Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound In the author's words . . . Q&A with Mitchell James Kaplan Give us an insight into your main character. What does she do that is so special? She survives. In the process, she has to adjust and modify some of her basic assumptions about the world. She changes as she learns more about the complexities and nuances of that world. Do you believe in the concept of a muse? What is yours like? Very much so. I don’t know where my story will take me. It has to be a journey of discovery, or where’s the fun? Do you consider your books plot-driven or character-driven? I don’t think in these terms. In my view, a good novel is an organic whole, like the world itself. The characters and the story should be equally compelling. And the writing—its musicality and connotative power—should be no less exciting. What does literary success look like to you? When I talk with a reader who experienced the novel—these same scenes, these same lives and emotions, that filtered through my mind and ultimately arrived on paper, and from there into that reader’s eyes and mind—that is success. What advice would you give to your younger self? It will not happen the way you expect. But it will happen. “Kaplan’s prose is so rich and agile I felt I was breathing the air of these ancient places, and his evocation of character is no less palpable. Fully embodied and driven by ambition, grief, the clear-eyed desire for truth, and fierce maternal love, these characters plunge, march, and stumble toward their fascinating and entangled destinies.” —Marisa de los Santos, New York Times bestselling novelist of I’ll Be Your Blue Sky and award-winning poet Enjoy an excerpt from Into the Unbounded Night The bard who has appeared at their gate, a huge man with a wild beard and untamed hair, is dressed in a yellow leine and a plum-colored outer garment. All sixty-seven villagers gather around him as he raises his hands and lowers them in a circular motion, creating an airy orb in which his characters will dwell while his words breathe life into them. “Greetings from the court of King Togodumnus,” he thunders, and the elders, together with their children and their children’s children, listen captivated as he embarks upon a long, convoluted tale of warriors wandering, curses acquired and shed like ill-fitting garments, and princesses’ hearts bursting with sadness and gratitude. He speaks of a wild man who hoards balms of healing; of a heartbroken knight who has forged a pact with the Companions, only to discover that he has been cheated; of a spinster who, after her death, contrives to burn down the castle of the prince who has spurned her. As the sun sets and a storm brews, the bard sits on a boulder, reels in the far-flung fibers of his story, and knots them into a loose net that traps his listeners’ imaginations. “Our lives are nothing but tales, my friends,” he concludes. “Interlocking yarns that form a great epic whose outer edges we can never behold. Like all good stories our lives twist and turn; you think it’s about this but then it’s about that. Trails appear to lead one way but take you somewhere else. Patterns shift under our gaze like a stick on a bush that moves and becomes an insect. “At night, look up at the heavens. Look at the constellations, the legends they relate. And consider this: another girl, another boy, a thousand days’ journey distant, is gazing up at those same stars. They are telling him and her stories, too. Not the same stories. Entirely different ones. But they are the same stars.” He waves toward the horizon. “I must warn you. You will slog through many a muddy field before you happen upon the open, green landscape that causes your heart to soar. And I shall not hide it from you: you will see much tumult. Battles will be won and lost, loved ones will die and others be born. The sun may turn black but even in that murk, if you keep your eyes open, you will discern a glimmer.” He lowers his voice. “Always keep in mind, the verities of the heart are the center, around which all revolves.” Although he has spoken these words a hundred times, he infuses them with such quiet, intimate passion that they sparkle like flecks of gold in a rushing stream. He possesses the ability to look all the children in the eyes at once. “And now I defer to you to bring this magical afternoon we have spent together to a suitable conclusion. Form a circle under that tree yonder and thank our Companions for the inscrutable wonders of this existence that the universe has bequeathed to us for no reason we can hope to learn.” The children spread out under the gnarled, weeping trunk of the great yew, their hair unfurled, their faces upturned to the sky, and chant a prayer. Rain falls crimson in the sunset. Lightning streaks their eyes. Excerpt Copyright © Mitchell James Kaplan Learn more about the book at the author's website . Meet the Author Mitchell James Kaplan graduated with honors from Yale University, where he won the Paine Memorial Prize for Best Long-Form Senior Essay submitted to the English Department. His first mentor was the author William Styron. After college, Kaplan lived in Paris, France, where he worked as a translator, then in Southern California, where he worked as a screenwriter and in film production. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with his family and two cats. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS Genre: Literary/Historical Publisher: Regal House Publishing Release Date: September 1, 2020 Type: Novel - Paperback & Ebook - 231 pages Content Note: R - Descriptive Sex and Violence View our rating system During the blog tour, we are giving away 2 copies of Into the Unbounded Night ! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on September 25th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.