Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury! by Judith Arnopp - blogtour

 

I am delighted to be bringing you an extract of Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury! by Judith Arnopp. The book is the story of Marguerite of Anjou and it is a cross between historical and biographical fiction.

The Blurb

Marguerite: Queen of England

 Her enemies impede her role as the king’s consort and when Henry sinks into apparent madness, her bid to become regent is rejected. Marguerite must fight, not only for her own position but to maintain Henry’s possession of the crown. 

The ambitious Duke, Richard of York, seizes control of the country, thrusting Marguerite aside and inflating the mutual hatred between the houses of York and Lancaster. But the queen refuses to relinquish power and fights determinedly for the rights of her son, Edward of Lancaster.

The long and bitter civil conflict, that has come to be known as the War of the Roses, commences.

The Extract

Marguerite is in exile and has reluctantly agreed to an alliance with her old enemy the Earl of Warwick against Edward of March, who is now wearing her husband’s stolen crown.

July 1470

I know what is required of me. I must welcome the Earl of Warwick and forgive the numerous injuries he has inflicted on me and mine. To gain my heart’s desires I must embrace him as a friend and ally. It sounds a simple cure. Just one small spoonful of vile medicine to relieve years of discomfort but, by God, the pain of the remedy almost supersedes any other I have felt. I am not sure I can swallow it. 

I try to refuse, find another way, but all my advisers urge me to conceal my pride and look beyond this moment and concentrate on the image of my son, his handsome face topped with the crown of England.

My glory.

Reluctantly, I agree to try.

Jasper and Exeter wait with me for the earl to arrive. My stomach is full of snakes that writhe and burn. I want to run. I want to vomit up this idea of a union between my son and the earl’s daughter. Oh, how I wish we had impaled Warwick’s head alongside York’s on the Micklegate Bar when we had the chance.

We can only do what we can do.

The world outside the chamber stirs, I hear footsteps, confident and masculine – determined. My determination quails as the doors are thrown open and I hear the sound of heels on marble. I raise my head and open my eyes, steeled for the sight of Satan as he comes slithering into my presence. 

And there he is.

He swirls his cloak behind him, his hand on his sword hilt as he makes an overly extravagant bow. Does he mock me? I do not move. I keep my eyes fixed on the far wall. Long moments pass before the arrogant swine realises he should be on his knees. As I hear him lower himself to the ground, I cannot resist looking as he bows his disgusting head in fealty to me. It is something I never thought to see.

“Your Grace. I am honoured and gratified that you agreed to discuss this matter.” 

He is indeed a prince of falsehoods. For all my faults, I have never been less than honest. I would trust him more were he to admit his detestation for me. I can work to the same ends with a man who hates me. I see no need for lies. 

Unable to bring my lips to form amiable words, I merely stare at the back of his lowered head. 

If I had a sword, I would use it.

Edward stirs beside me, nudges me to respond, but it is as if I am trapped in this moment. I should speak, I should bid him rise, allow him to kiss my fingers, and let the negotiations begin, but I cannot. 

The faces of all those I have lost, those Warwick killed, rise like smoke before my eyes. Somerset, and his son Harry, are at the head. This man before me has stolen not just my friends but my peace of mind too. Because of him, I will never now be the woman I could have been, should have been. 

Jasper clears his throat. I glance up and discover Exeter is also urging me to speak. I turn back to the toad of Warwick and hope his knees are aching.

I wait. They wait, in awkward silence while the all-powerful scourge of England kneels in supplication to me, his queen. I want to kill him. I want to watch him suffer agonies, but I need him. I am in a cleft stick and since I cannot have his head, I will use him to my own ends. 

This time, Warwick will be the puppet and I will work his strings.

Less than two weeks later, at the Chateau d’Amboise, my son pledges to marry Anne Neville, but the union is not to be sealed until Warwick has performed his part and restored my husband to the English throne.

Book Details

ISBN:  979 8286235018

Publisher:  Independently published

Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  426 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English / Creative Writing and a Masters in Medieval Studies. She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for her novels set in the Medieval and Tudor period, focussing on the perspective of historical women but recently she has written a trilogy from the perspective of Henry VIII himself.

 Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria which is when and why she began to experiment with sewing historical garments. She now makes clothes and accessories both for the group and others. She is not a professionally trained sewer but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly historically accurate clothing. A non-fiction book about Tudor clothing, How to Dress like a Tudor, was published in 2023 by Pen and Sword.

 She runs a small seaside holiday let in Aberporth and when she has time for fun, likes to garden and restore antique doll’s houses. 

You can also find X at:

Author Website

Author Blog

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Her novels include:

A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York

The Beaufort Chronicle: the life of Lady Margaret Beaufort (three book series)

The Henrician Chronicle: comprising of:

A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years (Book One of The Henrician Chronicle)

A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix (Book Two of The Henrician Chronicle)

A Matter of Time: Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light (Book Three of The Henrician Chronicle)

The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn

The Winchester Goose: at the court of Henry VIII

Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr

Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace

The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England

Peaceweaver

The Forest Dwellers

The Song of Heledd

The Book of Thornhold

A Daughter of Warwick: the story of Anne Neville, Queen of Richard III

(media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club )

(all opinions are my own)

Nothing Proved by Janet Wertman - #excerpt #extract #blogtour

I am so pleased to be part of the blog tour for this book, and to be sharing an extract. Nothing Proved is the first in the Regina series and looks well worth delving into.

The Blurb

Danger lined her path, but destiny led her to glory… 

Elizabeth Tudor learned resilience young. Declared illegitimate after the execution of her mother Anne Boleyn, she bore her precarious position with unshakable grace. But upon the death of her father, King Henry VIII, the vulnerable fourteen-year-old must learn to navigate a world of shifting loyalties, power plays, and betrayal. 

After narrowly escaping entanglement in Thomas Seymour’s treason, Elizabeth rebuilds her reputation as the perfect Protestant princess – which puts her in mortal danger when her half-sister Mary becomes Queen and imposes Catholicism on a reluctant land. Elizabeth escapes execution, clawing her way from a Tower cell to exoneration. But even a semblance of favor comes with attempts to exclude her from the throne or steal her rights to it through a forced marriage.  

Elizabeth must outwit her enemies time and again to prove herself worthy of power. The making of one of history’s most iconic monarchs is a gripping tale of survival, fortune, and triumph.

The Extract

May 24, 1553

The minister raised his arms for the concluding prayers. “Take us and use us to love and serve you, and all people, in the power of Your Spirit and in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Elizabeth barely remembered the shock she had experienced when she first returned to worship at St. Ethelreda’s after Edward’s reforms stripped the nave of decoration. She was now accustomed to the whitewashed walls, though she did still miss the music.

With the service ended, she stood with her ladies to leave, smiling to the other congregants and exchanging wishes of peace as she did every week, conscious of the example she set.

Just outside the church, a burly, somewhat familiar, fellow came to address her. His canvas doublet was not expensive enough to make him a merchant, but he might be a craftsman or journeyman. His reluctant posture suggested he had been prodded to approach her. “Might you attend the archery competition, Your Grace? We are shooting against the village of Stanborough, up the road.” His voice held a nervous tremor. “We will set a special place for you.”

“How kind,” Elizabeth said. “But are these the champions who bested us last year?”

"We have all been practicing for months,” the man said. “Much as a Sunday afternoon begs for a well-earned nap, we have used our days of rest to work hard.” A sudden wide smile revealed a lacking front tooth, and she recognized the glover’s assistant. “At least until the pub opens.”

Elizabeth infused warmth into her voice, to show she was teasing. “What? On the Lord’s Day?”

“When you have only one day to yourself, you have to make the most of it,” he said. “And the extra pastimes help me praise God all the more for His grace.”

Elizabeth smiled at his good nature. “Your name is Harry, as I recall?” She had a fantastic memory for faces and used it whenever possible for the effect it had on people.

Sure enough, his chest puffed with pride. “Yes, Your Grace. Harry, after your father.” He grabbed the woman just behind him and pulled her forward. “And this is my wife Lissa, after your grandmother.”

Despite the woman’s grey hair, her nimble step suggested she was not much past twenty, like Harry.

“We have that in common,” Elizabeth said.

Lissa curtsied low. “Thank you, Your Grace, and may I say it is good to see you recovered. We were worried about you.”

“Worried?”

“When you did not attend the weddings. We feared you were ill.”

Elizabeth felt her eyes narrow. “Weddings?”

“Three of them at the Duke of Northumberland’s estate. His son to Jane Grey, his daughter to the son of the Earl of Huntingdon. And Katherine Grey to the son of the Earl of Pembroke.”

A huge celebration from which Elizabeth had been excluded. Powerful alliances cemented in the face of the King’s purported relapse. Her mind turned over the facts like a locksmith picking at a tumbler. “Ah, yes,” Elizabeth lied. “I was sorry to miss them. But how do you know about them?”

“One of the sellers on market day had just come from London, from the market near Durham House, with no asparagus left because it was all taken for the feast. The Duchess was so grateful for his spears that she let him onto the grounds to watch. Lots of others too. She must not have planned well.”

“That must have been quite exciting.” Elizabeth kept her voice light. “Was he close enough to see the bride and groom? Or, rather, brides and grooms.”

“He saw them all arrive, and said it was as many dukes and duchesses and earls and countesses as Christmas at court. Even Ambassadors – they say the French one came with a horse as a gift. No one was missing but the King.” She broke off and curtsied, embarrassed. “And of course you, Your Grace. And the Lady Mary. I pray she is healthy as well.”

All the highest people, even ambassadors. A rushed state occasion without the King or the next heirs. Why had Northumberland not waited? And why had he snubbed her after courting her friendship so diligently? Most important, how sick was Edward that he did not attend?

As always when fearful things happened, Elizabeth felt ill. She added one or two questions, silly ones about jousts and dances, as if that was all that mattered. “When does the archery tournament begin?” she asked.

“In about an hour, once Stanborough has arrived.”

“Alas, I cannot tarry. But I will pray for your victory now and plan to attend next year,” she said, taking off for home as soon as she could. Walking calmed her and she needed calming right now.

As soon as Elizabeth and her entourage were far enough away not to be overheard, bedlam 

broke out. “What the devil is Northumberland doing?” Catherine asked.

“He’s up to no good, marrying a son into the line of succession,” Blanche said.

Elizabeth snorted. “And two more matches besides.”

Only Parliament could change the succession, and they had not been called. This was likely Northumberland seeking to protect himself in case Edward worsened. But why exclude Elizabeth? Something felt off.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1735491189

Publisher:  Janet Wertman

Formats:  e-books, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages:  376

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

By day, Janet Wertman is a freelance grantwriter for impactful nonprofits. By night, she writes critically acclaimed, character-driven historical fiction – indulging a passion for the Tudor era she had harbored since she was eight years old and her parents let her stay up late to watch The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth R. 

Her Seymour Saga trilogy (Jane the Quene, The Path to Somerset, The Boy King) took her deep into one of the era’s central families – and now her follow-up Regina series explores Elizabeth’s journey from bastard to icon.

Janet also runs a blog (www.janetwertman.com) where she posts interesting takes on the Tudors and what it’s like to write about them.

You can also find Janet at:

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Bluesky

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(media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

(all opinions are my own)

10 Ten Exciting New Releases in June 2025

 The midyear month is fast approaching and with it a whole host of brand new book releases.

Here are just ten that have caught my eye, all of which I would love to read.

The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor

Daisy McCrae’s life got off to a rocky start. Abandoned by a mother she never really knew, she was adopted into a family she’s never truly felt a part of. Thirty years later, her life is just as rocky. Between losing her job and her boyfriend, she’s lost all sense of self.

Now Daisy is back where it all began: the Union Street Bakery. She’s resigned to living in the bakery’s attic, learning the family business, and saving it if she can. But patching up the holes in her relationship with her sisters is another story.

So, too, is the century-old journal she inherits. Written by an enslaved girl named Susie, the weathered pages offer Daisy a glimpse into a past that has everything to do with her present.

As Daisy learns more about Susie, the town, and her family, she starts to see who she’s been and who she wants to be―and realizes that maybe, no matter how much you’ve lost, there’s always something more to find.

Preorder Link

The Heirloom by Julie Brooks

A surprise inheritance. A hidden past.

Brisbane, 2024 Barista and budding artist Mia Curtis is shocked to receive a package all the way from England informing her she's the heir to her late grandmother's cottage. Feeling lost in her own life, Mia travels across the world to claim her inheritance, where she begins to unravel the secrets passed down through the generations of women in her family.

Sussex, 1821 Philadelphia Boadle wakes to find her husband, the tailor Jasper Boadle, dead. As the daughter of the local cunning woman, Philadelphia is soon accused of murder by witchcraft. Her future and that of her own daughter is at stake, unless she can convince the village she's done no wrong.

Preorder Link

All Change at Harbour House by Fenella J. Miller

Wivenhoe May 1940

A moment that changes everything...

The war continues to rage, but for now, Harbour House continues to keep the Roby family safe from harm. Not so for new lodger Richard Stoneleigh. As one of the few men who can captain a ship, Richard is called to help with the dangerous evacuation of troops from Dunkirk – it’s a perilous voyage that almost costs Richard his life…

Housemaid, Annie Thomas, initially disliked Richard and his hoity toity ways, but after his heroic return she sees a changed man. Richard seems to know the value of life and is eager to grab every day and make it count. And Annie, recently widowed and feeling slightly adrift in life, finds him compelling.

As their friendship develops, so too do their feelings for one another. But Annie knows that she can never truly be with a man like Richard – he is far above her own lowly class.

But war changes everything and with the fear of imminent invasion hanging over everyone, Anne and Richard decide that perhaps it’s time that they change too…and take a chance together?

Will they overcome the social divides between them and find love in the darkest of times?

Preorder Link

The Woman Who Laughed by Simon Mason

In the first months of 2020 there was a spate of murders of Black sex workers in northern cities. One of them was Ella Bailey, last seen talking to a punter in an alley in Sheffield city centre, and although no trace of her was ever found, the punter, Michael Godley, soon confessed to all three murders.

Five years later, as another sex worker is murdered in the same district, the bag Ella had been carrying with her reappears, hanging on the door handles of a café, and a local vagrant claims to have seen Ella sitting on a bench in a churchyard near the site of the murder. South Yorkshire Police call in the Finder.

So begins a search that takes him back to the strange days of the pandemic, to talk to those who knew Ella best, such as her wayward girlfriend 'Loz', abusive boyfriend Caine Poynton-Smith and respectable foster-parents still struggling to come to terms with Ella's life. How did their intelligent, strong-willed daughter - bright student and national schoolgirl athletics champion - end up in that alley?

As fear grips the city, our Finder must court danger to discover the truth.

Preorder Link

Troubled Times at Harpers by Rosie Clarke

Trouble’s brewing and times are changing. If you play with fire you may just get burnt!

London 1929

Torn between the love of his family life in London and a deathbed promise to an American relative, Ben Harper makes a fatal decision that may change the course of many lives.

Honour-bound, Ben remains in New York to investigate who is responsible for the suspected fraud and corruption and the department store's failings. His findings point towards organised crime and shadowy gangsters who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Meanwhile Sally Harper and their children return home to safety and to oversee the smooth running of their thriving Harpers Emporium. With the help of Beth Burrows, Kitty Wilson, and Ruby Rush, Sally plans for an ever-changing future with the cards she’s been dealt.

Will Ben heed the deadly warnings before it’s too late or will his honourable promise bring despair to those he loves?

A tale of hope, dreams and survival set against an ever-changing era.

Preorder Link

The Forever Cottage by Jill Steeples

The start of Jill Steeples's uplifting Lower Leaping series, set in the beautiful English Cotswold Countryside

It's never too late to change your story...

Tess Alexander lives an enviable life with her husband Charles, at Hollyhocks Cottage in the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping. Dreaming of their early retirement, Tess’s plans are dashed when Charles shares some devastating news and suddenly she’s left alone with only Barney, her adorable Beagle dog, for company.

Facing an uncertain future, Tess tries to reconnect with her old self. She begins to transform the neglected garden office into a beautiful retreat, the perfect spot for her to indulge in her long-forgotten creative passions.

However, a chance encounter with charming but down on his luck, Rob Templeton, soon puts pay to her plans, when she offers him the place to stay instead, sensing a kindred spirit.

With the support of old friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must now step out of her comfort zone and embrace a different way of life, one that is filled with secrets, possibilities and second chances, if only Tess is prepared to take them.

With so many demands on her attention, will Tess find a way to follow her heart and discover her own happy ending?

A wonderfully warm story of hope, friendship and second chances.

Preorder Link

A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant

Death has come to her doorstep . . .

Retired nurse, avid gardener, renowned cake maker and fearless sleuth Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet Birmingham suburb, since she emigrated from Jamaica in 1960. She takes great pride in her home, starching her lace curtains bright white, and she can tell if she's been short-changed on turmeric before she's even taken her first bite of a beef patty. Thirty-five years of nursing have also left her afraid of nobody - be they a local drug dealer or a priest - and an expert in deciphering other people's secrets with just a glance.

Miss Hortense uses her skills to investigate the investments of the Pardner network - a special community of Black investors, determined to help their people succeed. But when an unidentified man is found dead in one of the Pardner's homes, a Bible quote noted down beside his body, Miss Hortense's long-buried past comes rushing back to greet her, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life, one which her community has never let her forget.

It is time for Miss Hortense to solve a mystery that will see her, and the community she loves, tested to their limits.

Preorder Link

Named by Camilla Balshaw

What’s in a name? Everything we carry, and everything we are.

Our names are a shadow we carry around with us. They are part of who we are. Our names are a marker of our self-identity and our sense of self. Our names have the power to shock. They have the power to heal, and they have the power to trigger conversations around race, class, social mobility and belonging. But what is a name? What do our names tell us about ourselves? And why do they matter?

Named is a fascinating exploration of names, global naming conventions and identity politics woven into a moving, personal narrative about the finding of family and self. At the intersection of memoir and social and cultural history it is a truly fascinating book about the seemingly ordinary and every day.

The author's own narrative about her estrangement from her Nigerian father, the grapples with her Jamaican mother and her journey towards identity is woven through the chapters making it an engaging and intimate investigation of what makes us who we are.

Preorder Link

The Island of Hopes and Dreams by Kate Frost

The All-NEW escapist read from bestselling author Kate Frost as she transports us to the beautiful island paradise of Sardinia.

When the beginning of the end is just the start…

Newly single Lola Wild has had her fill of well-intentioned matchmaking friends. Her best friend Mirabel’s hen weekend highlights all that’s wrong with Lola’s life and she knows something has to change.

With Mirabel’s luxurious wedding in Sardinia fast approaching, Lola is looking forward to switching off, spending time with her friends and keeping her non-existent love life off everyone’s agenda.

Meanwhile, fellow wedding guest Rhys Strickland has his own problems. So when a chance encounter brings Rhys and Lola together they decide to help each other out.

To the idyllic backdrop of white sand beaches and azure bays, they bond over shared heartache, and friendship blossoms as they attempt to navigate the hurt and hard truths of past relationships.

Opening up their hearts and embracing change might be the last thing they expected, but what if a holiday of make-believe can turn into something real?

A heart-warming and uplifting story of vulnerability, self-renewal and finding love when you least expect to.

Preorder Link

Power Couples of the Tudor Era by Jo Romero

Step into the dazzling yet perilous world of Tudor England, where power was often a shared endeavour, and the most influential players were not always those who stood alone. In Power Couples of the Tudor Age, Jo Romero uncovers the remarkable stories of the dynamic duos whose partnerships shaped the course of English history. From the legendary marriage of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, which set the stage for England's religious transformation, to the political machinations of Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, these couples navigated the treacherous waters of court intrigue, international diplomacy, and personal ambition. Some stood together against the rising tides of reform, while others united to end wars and forge new dynasties. These couples wielded their influence in ways that changed not only their own lives but the future of the realm. Their stories reveal the intricate dance of love, power, and survival. Power Couples of the Tudor Age brings to light the incredible contributions of these figures, offering a fresh perspective on the partnerships that forged a nation.

Preorder Link

(all opinions are my own)

(bookshop.org affiliated)

The House of Echoes by Alexandra Walsh - #blogtour #bookreview

 

‘The Brandon blood is dark with lies and treachery and as it flows through my heart, my vow is this: they will all pay.’

***

The Blurb

Hampton Court Palace 1530s

Anne Brandon has always understood the power of a king’s patronage and, though the court of Henry VIII is a dangerous place for women, as the daughter of the king’s best friend, Anne feels safer than most. But Anne’s husband Lord Powis is tiring of her childlessness and when Henry VIII begins plotting to rid himself of a queen in his quest for an heir, suddenly Anne’s life is in danger. And as whispers of the name of her friend Anne Boleyn get ever louder, there is peril in every loose word, every forbidden conversation.

Pembrokshire Present Day

Caroline Harvey has spent years helping her grandfather, the reclusive bestselling novelist Dexter Blake, hide from his legions of fans in his home on the Pembrokshire coast. After his death, the vultures begin to circle Dexter’s fortune. When Caroline’s ownership of the house she has inherited is called into question, her research into its history reveals it was once owned by Anne Brandon who had sought refuge there. Intrigued, Caroline is determined to discover why Anne fled the court of Henry VIII.

Two women divided by centuries but joined by secrets and courage. And when a twist in their histories threatens them both with the same fate – losing the man they love – their revenge will be the same too. Because there’s no one mightier than a woman underestimated or more powerful than the need to save those they love.

Bestseller Alexandra Walsh is back with a compelling, captivating insight into the Tudor court through the eyes of a woman who had only her guile to keep her alive. Perfect for all fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory, Anne O’Brien and Elena Collins.

My Review

I love a dual timeline novel. It provides me with the perfect reading combination - historical fiction and contemporary. This book is set in the present day and in the 16th century. 

The earlier part is set during the reign of Henry VIII. I really enjoyed reading this familiar period of history told from a different perspective. Anne Brandon was the daughter of Charles Brandon, the once exiled father who married the King's sister Mary without first seeking the permission of His Majesty, but who was later accepted back at court. She was also a friend to Anne Boleyn, and we see a slightly different woman through Anne Brandon's eyes.

The contemporary aspect of the novel follows Caroline who is the granddaughter of the famous author, Dexter Blake. There are secrets to uncover in this part of the novel and it was fascinating to read how the reader ties up the stories of the past and present.

The book moves seamlessly between the two time periods, and as I read I found myself excited to get back to the other. The writing was compelling to read and the story was fascinating. The author writes well and I look forward to reading some of her other novels.

The characters were well portrayed, and the author does a great job in depicting these two strong women who are separated by centuries. 

If you enjoy books about strong women and appreciate novels which are set in both contemporary and historical periods, particularly during the time of the Tudors, then you will love this book as much as I did. I highly recommend it.

Book Details:

ISBN:  978 1804159651

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  400 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

About the Author:

Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries. Formerly a journalist, writing for national newspapers, magazines and TV, her first book for Boldwood will be published in Spring 2023.

You can also find Alexandra at:

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(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

A Scottish Island Summer by Julie Shackman - #blogtour #bookspotlight

 I am delighted to be shining the spotlight on this book today. It is wonderful to look at the cover of this book and think of summer. I can't wait.

The Blurb

When ambitious city girl, Darcie Freeman is sent to the Isle of Skye to conduct research for a travel guide, she’s horrified. The prospect of having to travel to a remote island in the Scottish Highlands leaves her wondering what she’ll do.

Step in Logan Burns. Gorgeous and adventurous, he lives and breathes the island, and along with his sister Iona, who owns a rather haphazard PR company, they’re going to show Darcie everything she needs to know about Skye.

As Darcie swaps her designer shoes for her walking boots and her faux fur jacket for her raincoat, will she learn there’s more to life than the picture-perfect presence she shares on social media, or will it be the case that Skye is the limit…

Book Details

ISBN:  978 0008614355

Publisher: One More Chapter

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  384 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. 

As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. 

She is married, has two sons and adopted a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper. 

A Scottish Island Summer is Julie's twelfth novel.

You can also find Julie at:

Author Website

Twitter / X

Instagram

Facebook

Blue Sky

(media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

(bookshop.org affiliated)

Souk to Table: Vibrant Middle Eastern Dishes for Everyday Meals by Amina Al-Saigh - #bookreview

 

I wish I could start this introduction by saying that I am finally fulfilling my life-long dream of writing a cookbook. That ever since I was a little girl, I was in the kitchen, cooking and dreaming of one day sharing my food with the world. But that's not my story at all...

The Blurb

Enrich your weeknight meals with 100 easy-to-make, traditional and modern Middle Eastern dishes filled with bold spices and exquisite flavors.

 In Souk to Table, popular food blogger Amina Al-Saigh (@hungrypaprikas) is here to help you figure out dinner for your family with her easy, quick, and accessible Middle Eastern recipes, inspired by her heritage and using flavors she knows and love. She understands how busy life can get and how sometimes cooking Middle Eastern dishes can be overwhelming, but with the right know-how and the right recipes, you can serve up delicious and bold flavors and not spend all day in the kitchen!​

This homestyle cookbook gathers the best of the region—dips, condiments, salads, sides, mains, soups, stews, desserts, and drinks—using easy-to-find, fresh ingredients and delicious Arabic spices.​​ In Souk to Table, you'll find:

 100 easy-to-make and delicious recipes from Amina’s homeland of Iraq, as well as Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, and beyond​

Dinners that can be made in under an hour for easy weeknight cooking, as well as traditional dishes "worth the effort" for weekend cooking​ and hosting

A simpler approach to Middle Eastern cooking without sacrificing any of the authentic flavors​

A stunning photo accompanying every recipe​

How to stock your Middle Eastern kitchen

Adventure across the Middle East every night of the week through accessible recipes with Souk to Table as your guide. 

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1631069765

Publisher:  Rock Point

Formats:  e-book and hardback

No. of Pages:  256 (hardback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Waterstones

My Thoughts

It is difficult to write anything about the Middle East at the moment, with even a hint of positivity. Every time we switch on our televisions, radio or news apps we are confronted with the awful situation that is playing out over there. 

However, I am delighted to be able to tell you about this book of Middle Eastern cookery is joyful to read. I encourage you to peruse the gorgeous photographs and indulge in the aromas and flavours that the author describes.

The book begins with her telling us of her childhood in Iraq and Libya, before moving with her family to Canada. She paints an evocative picture of the foods which her mother would produce for the family. What the author does in this book is to take those dishes and make them suitable for producing in the busyness of the modern world.

There are sections in the book which take either thirty or sixty minutes to produce. There are also chapters on condiments and dips, desserts and drinks, salads and sides, soups and stews, as well as a chapter on recipes that are worth spending extra time over. She also details what can be found in her Middle Eastern pantry.

As a fan of Middle Eastern food, there are so many recipes in this book that I cannot wait to try. There is a wonderful Sheet-Pan Chicken Shawarma recipe in the 30 minute section, Kofta Bil Tahini (Baked Kofta with Tahini) in the 60 minute section and in the Dessert chapter Iraqi Churag (Sweet Buns.) At the time of writing this review I am not at home. However, once I am back in my own kitchen I shall be trying out these recipes.

About the Author

Amina had a career as a engineer before giving it up to devote time to her food blog https://www.hungrypaprikas.com/. From this grew this book, Souk to Table. Amina currently lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(author media courtesy of Hungry Paprikas)

(all opinions are my own)

(bookshop.org affiliated)

Witchcraft: A Graphic History: Stories of Wise Women, Healers and Magic by Lindsay Squire - #bookreview

 

'Every witch uses her magic differently. I use mine to heal people, while others ...'

'What do the others do!? Are there many different types of witches!?'

'Oh yes! Many ...'

The Blurb

Join Lindsay, a young and curious 19th-century lass, as she meets Biddy Early, the famous 'wise woman of County Clare', and learns all about the magickal arts – from which plants can be used to make healing poultices and potions, to how people dealt with the social and political stigma of practising witchcraft.

Biddy Early, who lived from 1798–1874 in Ireland, was by no means the first-ever witch, but she was the first to appear on the historical record. Before her, fears and superstitions surrounding practitioners of 'the nameless art' were too strong. It is said that Biddy took an apprenticeship with the 'good folk', sidhe or faeries, when she was very young, and it was from them that she learnt her skill as a healer.

Never one to accept monetary payment for the help she offered, Biddy would often swap home-brewed alcohol for her services, which in turn made her ramshackle cottage in Feakle a hub for the local community. When her little corner of the county drew the attention of the Catholic Church and the local authorities, things became very difficult for this unusual woman…

Encompassing self-empowerment, feminism, dealing with stigma and eco-spirituality, as well as plant magic, traditions, and green wisdom, Witchcraft: A Graphic History is a fresh take on an endlessly fascinating subject.

***

My Review

I read a graphic novel for the first time in 2022 and surprised myself by how much I enjoyed the format. I am more of a words person and have always enjoyed reading prose. I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something a little different. At the time I wanted to read more graphic novels, but I had not found anything that sufficiently caught my attention until now.

This book has much to commend it. It tells the story of Biddy Early, a well known witch in the west of Ireland who was born in County Clare in 1798. The book does a great job of chronicling her life through words and illustrations and I could hardly put it down.

Not only does it focus on Biddy's life but also explains about the origins and history of witchcraft and its connection to nature and the world around us. Through Biddy we learn about the patriarchal society in which she lived and the stigma attached to those who used plants to heal others. We read of the rituals associated with Biddy's craft along with the persecution of the wise and cunning folk.

The book has been beautifully illustrated by Lisa Sausi in a lovely base colour palette of greens and orange.

This would make a fantastic introduction to the history of witchcraft for both adults and young people who want to learn more of its history through the story of Biddy Early. I enjoyed reading this very much and highly recommend it.

If you are wondering which graphic novel it was that I was referring to reading in 2022 it was The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman. You can read my review by clicking on the title.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 0711295254

Publisher: Leaping Hare Press

Formats:  e-book and hardback

No. of Pages:  128 (hardback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Quarto Publishers

Bookshop.org

Waterstones

About the Author:

Lindsay Squire is a practitioner of eclectic Witchcraft and is the Witch behind the popular Instagram account, @thewitchoftheforest. She has been walking her own spiritual path for over a decade, and is passionate about helping and empowering Witches at the beginning of their Witchcraft journeys.

She is the author of The Witch of the Forest's Guide to... series:  Natural Magick, Astrology Magick, Natural Magick, Earth Magick, Tarot Magick, and Folklore Magick;  The Witch’s Book of Spells; and two magickal decks including The Witch of the Forest’s Tarot Magick Deck.

Lindsay lives in her home county of Yorkshire, UK with her mischievous cats, Luna and Merlin.

Lindsay can also be found at TikTok: thewitchoftheforest1

The Illustrator Lisa Salsi, can be found at Instagram: Lisa Salsi

(author photo courtesy of Tik Tok)

(all other media courtesy of Quarto)

(all opinions are my own)

(bookshop.com affiliate)

Seven Perfect Days by Francesca Vespa - #bookpromo

 

It was my cousin who did it.

Well, kind of...

***

Sometimes your friends break your heart the most.

Maggie missed the most horrific moment of her life, but her eccentric best friend Alex is a constant reminder of it. High school is over, and she would give anything to clean up the mess left behind: lie… cheat… betray… kill… although… maybe not kill… That's a bit dramatic.

Things look grim, until she meets Adam Moon, a handsome foreign student and sweet, kind soul, who is just as messed up as her. Only now, he is missing, and nobody knows what happened to him. A strange offer from an old high school acquaintance to go abroad might just be what she needs. New sights and sounds may help get her mind off it, but the past has a way of catching up with her, and so does Alex.

She might get her man, but it might be at the worst possible time for both of them.

***

ISBN: 978 1923133006

Publisher:  Bronte-Arges

Formats: e-book, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages: 383 (hardback)

***

About the Author:

Francesca is based in South Australia, and she works in heavy industry. She lives away from the major centres, so gets to enjoy the great outdoors and go hiking when she has time. She has not studied creative writing but studied linguistics for a year at university. She is a bookworm, and enjoys writing books so much she wants to make it a full time job. She would also love to live somewhere where she could swim every day. She is currently working on her first proper romance called “My Stars in the Night Sky”. It’s set partly in Kosovo and she has never been more happy with one of my novels.