I'm reviewing the new book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Italian Mysteries, Murder at the Duomo by TA Williams #BookReview #BlogTour #CosyCrime #ContemporaryCrime

I’m delighted to welcome Brodie Curtis and his book, Showboat Soubrette, to the blog with a guest post. Guest Post SHOWBOAT SOUBRETTE is my third historical novel set in the riverboat era on the lower Mississippi River prior to the Civil War. To learn about the period, I dug into a variety of research sources that are listed below. I truly got energized to tell my story by taking a drive along the Big Muddy, from Hannibal down to Natchez, stopping frequently at historical sites, and along the river itself. Had to feel it! Brodie Curtis Looks Upriver from Natchez UNDERSTANDING THE ANTEBELLUM DEEP SOUTH: Romanticism of the Antebellum American Deep South could be found in the pageantry of the attire worn by the privileged, and in the heady adornment of passenger-hauling riverboats that paddle-wheeled the Mississippi. But the period exhibited almost unbelievable cruelty in its institution of slavery and in the bigoted attitudes of the times. And in its violence. Perhaps the first title listed below, Olmsted’s The Cotton Kingdom illuminates these contradictions best. Olmsted, F. (1861). The Cotton Kingdom: A Traveller’s Observations on Cotton and Slavery in the American Slave States 1853-1861.  McDermott, J. (“Edited with an Introduction and Forward”) ( 1968). Before Mark Twain: A Sampler of Old, Old Times on the Mississippi. Stowe, H.B. (1852). Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Northup, S. (1853). 12 Years a Slave. Devol, G. (1894). Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi. J ones-Rogers, S. (2019). They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South. James, D.C. (1968). Antebellum Natchez. Kelleher Schafer, J. (2009). Brothels, Depravity, and Abandoned Women: Illegal Sex in Antebellum New Orleans. Sharp, A. and Sharp, G. (2009). Antebellum Myths and Folklore: A Search for the Truth. Grant, R. (2020). The Deepest South of All: True Stories from Natchez, Mississippi. RIVERBOATS: Is there a more majestic image than a multi-decked steamboat gliding on the river, smoke billowing from its stacks while water clicks over its paddles? Yet idyllic portraits belied the dangers, from collisions and boiler explosions to snags, sandbars, fire and ice and other in climate conditions. Thousands of boats ended up at the bottom of the river. Mark Twain’s memoir of his cub pilot days and old images in many of the sources below sparked my imagination. Twain, M. (1883). Life on the Mississippi.  Powers, R. (2005). Mark Twain: A Life. Brodie Curtis took in the Mark Twain Attractions in Hannibal MO Shapiro, D. (2009). Historic Photos of Steamboats on the Mississippi. Graham, P. (1951). Showboats: The History of an American Institution. Allen, M. (1990). Western Rivermen, 1763-1861: Ohio and Mississippi Boatmen and the Myth of the Alligator Horse. Lloyd, J. (1855). Lloyd’s Steamboat Directory, and Disasters on the Western Waters. Hawkins, V. (2016). Smoke up the River: Steamboats and the Arkansas Delta. Berger Erwin, V. and Erwin, J. (2020). Steamboat Disasters of the Lower Missouri River. Sandlin, L. (2010). Wicked River: The Mississippi When it Last Ran Wild. Buck, R. (2023). Life on the Mississippi: An Epic American Adventure. Here’s the Blurb FROM STAR SHOWBOAT SINGER  TO PIRATE PREY ON THE WICKED RIVER! Showboat singer Stella Parrot’s star rises in the Antebellum South with every sold-out performance along the lower Mississippi River. When a river pirate viciously assaults her, new friends Toby Freeman and John Dee Franklin foil the attack. However, the pirate’s family is bent on revenge. Stella, Toby, and John Dee escape their riverboat with able assistance from young cub pilot Sam Clemens, only to be pursued by the notorious Burton Gang. As the trio runs for their lives, mortal perils await at every turn: a fierce storm, high-stakes gambling confrontations, deadly combat, and a cotton boat up in flames. Stella, a Cherokee Indian, and Toby, a free Black man, and their friend White man John Dee endure relentless racial prejudices and injustices in the gritty underbelly of the Wicked River while fleeing to New Orleans—where the Burtons will be waiting! SHOWBOAT SOUBRETTE’s fast-paced lower river adventure chase features romantic showboat scenes and is unsparing in its exploration of the bigoted and sometimes lawless riverboat era. Praise: “Captivating characters? A fast-paced storyline? Cameos from historical figures? Brodie Curtis checks all the boxes in his novel set along the Mississippi River on the eve of the Civil War. Well done.” Tim Wendell, author of CASTRO’s CURVEBALL and REBEL FALLS “SHOWBOAT SOUBRETTE is a novel that transcends a simple river chase, unfolding instead as a richly textured portrait of time and place where beauty and brutality are forced to coexist. Brodie Curtis has crafted a story that entertains without simplifying, thrills without trivializing, and ultimately delivers a powerful testament to courage and solidarity on the margins of history…For readers who crave historical fiction with pace and teeth, this novel will be a compelling and unforgettable ride.” THE HISTORICAL FICTION COMPANY “This was an unputdownable read for me!…It’s an optimistic picture of a shocking time in American history….SHOWBOAT SOUBRETTE is ideal for fans of historical adventure fiction, especially fans of Twain himself and Percival Everett’s JAMES.” Ruth F. Stevens, author of STAGE SEVEN and THE SOUTH BAY SERIES Books 1 and 2 “Readers of historical fiction will love SHOWBOAT SOUBRETTE…a river adventure down the great Mississippi to New Orleans in the 1850s when racial tension is ripe in the Old South…an adventure worthy of Mark Twain’s pen… Curtis is a master of description and atmosphere.” Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD and award-winning author of THE MYSTERIES OF MARQUETTE “(E)xtensive research draws the reader in and carries them along on this fast-paced adventure, blending interesting historical facts with compelling fictional characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and recommend this voyage down the mighty Mississippi.” Kris Abel-Helwig, author of THE HERO SERIES and the upcoming RULE OF ODDS. Buy Link Universal Link: This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited Meet the Author Raised in the Midwest, Brodie Curtis was educated as a lawyer and left the corporate world to embrace life in Colorado with his wife and two sons.  Curtis is the author of THE FOUR BELLS, a novel of The Great War, which is the product of extensive historical research, including long walks through the fields of Flanders, where much of the book’s action is set. His second novel, ANGELS AND BANDITS, takes his protagonists into The Battle of Britain. Curtis’ third novel is set on a Mississippi Riverboat prior to the Civil War. A lover of history, particularly American history and the World Wars, Curtis reviews historical fiction for the Historical Novels Review and more than 100 of his published reviews and short takes on historical novels can be found on his website: brodiecurtis.com.   Connect with the Author Link X Facebook Instagram Link Amazon Goodreads Follow the Showboat Soubrette blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club

Here’s the blurb Two best friends. Two one-way tickets. And a future that might just surprise them. Bex and Amy are best friends and total opposites. Bex is cynical, Amy is romantic. Bex is chaotic, Amy is organised. With the prospect of turning 34 just around the corner, neither is where they expected to be at this point in their lives. Bex is exploring her sexuality and has a string of failed relationships, while Amy is newly single and desperate to fall in love. Armed with a photographic vision board of the future, Bex and Amy put their trust in ‘The Universe’ and fly from London to Bali, then on to Australia in search of adventure, cocktails on the beach and maybe even love. Almost immediately, Amy finds someone who is the perfect fit for her dream life. While Bex is stuck playing double dates with his best friend, the most pompous man she has ever met, but also one of the hottest. Travelling via white sand beaches, lush rainforests and road trips through idyllic scenery, the images on their vision board begin to transform into reality. However, people are not always what they seem, and first impressions are not always accurate. Add in a queer, charismatic love interest and a vindictive ex-girlfriend, and the path of true love begins to get a little more complex. When ‘The Universe’ has its own agenda, is it possible to manifest a happy ever after? An Enemies to Lovers destination romance with a sprinkling of Pride and Prejudice vibes. Purchase Link https://amzn.eu/d/7RHRCoc Meet the author Siobhan Murphy is a writer and photographer based in the UK. She writes (and reads) both light-hearted romantic comedies and contemporary women’s fiction/Bookclub fiction.  Her writing hours are sponsored by Earl Grey tea, chocolate bars several glasses of wine. When she is not writing, reading, or working in her photography day job, her hobbies are eating haribo sweets, talking nonsense and walking into rooms wondering why she is there. She loves to travel, laugh at the absurdity of life, and enjoy a glass of wine with good friends. She loves a good TV binge session, especially shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Virgin River, Emily in Paris, or This is Us. She can be an emotional wreck who often runs out of tissues and when she was a child, her dad had to constantly reassure her that programmes on the TV weren’t real. The upside of this is that she can legitimately class her habit of binge-watching RomCom films as ‘research.’ Siobhan loves to escape into books and live in other worlds. Like most writers, she has been an avid reader from the second she hurtled into the world (well perhaps a little bit after that). Over the years she’s drifted around the world in search of adventure, hoping to figure out what to do with her life. She is not sure if she has the answer yet but writing certainly comes close. Though she suspects her long-suffering family, and her liver might not agree.  She’s impulsive and easily bored, so she’s turned her hand to many jobs over the years. She’s worked in places as diverse as the High Commission in Nairobi; a market stall selling cheese in the UK and an 80ft racing yacht in Australia. Been a secondary school English teacher and a Barista with no discernible talent for making coffee. She’s done admin work for a number of businesses but discovered that offices aren’t really for her. Her favourite job was as a bookseller for Waterstones, she loved recommending books to customers and applying those 3 for 2 stickers that people find so hard to remove. For the last 19 years she’s been a professional photographer, taking portraits of humans – often the really, really small ones.  Instagram Facebook Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming The Vision Board by Siobhan Murphy to the blog #romance #blogtour Blog Tour · New Release · Romance I’m delighted to welcome Heidi Eljarbo and her new book, Whispers in the Snow,to the blog #HistoricalMystery #RomanticMystery #HistoricalRomance #SweetRomance #BlogTour #NewRelease #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · Historical Romance · Mystery · New Release I’m delighted to share my review for Mrs Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse by Martin Davies, an intriguing Holmes-esque mystery #bookreview #mystery #HistoricalFiction book review · Cozy Mystery · historical fiction · murder mystery · Mystery · New Release I’m delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse’s Wolf and The Crown, which is released today #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra #WallOfHadrian ancient rome · book review · fiction · historical fiction · New Release

I’m delighted to welcome Heidi Eljarbo and her new book, Whispers in the Snow, Heartwarming Christmas Series, to the blog. Here’s the Blurb Of course, a young woman in Norway during the late nineteenth century can be a successful amateur sleuth, and goodness knows, Cornelia’s days are always more exciting when she can devote her time to resolving a local mystery. Cornelia Gran is a dedicated daughter, friendly and kind; although, she has an exorbitant amount of curiosity. She devours Arthur Conan Doyle’s magazine articles and tries to follow the fictitious Sherlock Holmes’s investigative examples, but her fascination with solving puzzles always gets her into mischief. Each morning, Cornelia reads the newspaper, looking for a conundrum to solve. Searching for clues—and then chronicling her discoveries—thrills her. She certainly finds those activities more entertaining than taking her grandmother’s advice and attending one Christmas ball after another in search of a husband. But chaos and danger turn Cornelia’s quiet days upside down when her attempt to find information about the owner of a nearby abandoned cottage takes her into dangerous territory. As winter winds rattle the windows and swirl snowdrifts against the doors, she faces off with a ghost, gets in trouble with the police, and finds herself staring down danger without thinking of the consequences. In the middle of it all, she meets Simon and is captivated by his charm, good looks, and personality. Meanwhile, a real killer is after her, and he won’t stop until he gets information she doesn’t have! Christmas, with all its cheery festivities, hygge, and family traditions, has never been more threatened. Cornelia must call on all her investigative skills, not only to stop the ruination of her family’s holiday, but also to make certain Simon and his aunt keep what belongs to them. And maybe, just maybe, the amateur sleuth will discover the meaning of true love. Set in a fictitious town in Norway in 1891, this cozy historical mystery is perfect for those who enjoy curious and determined women sleuths, clean and wholesome romance, and the discovery of buried secrets in an abandoned house. Buy Link Universal Link: This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited Meet the Author HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries. After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter. Heidi’s favorites are her family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical. Connect with the Author Link X Facebook Instagram Pinterest Link Amazon Goodreads Link Follow the Whispers in the Snow blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club

Here’s the blurb An evil stalks London, blown in from the tropics. Stories of cursed giant rats and malign spirits haunt the garrets of the East London neighborhood of Limehouse. A group of merchants are dying one by one. The elementary choice to investigate these mysterious deaths is, of course, the team of Holmes and Dr. Watson. But the unique gifts of their housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, and her orphaned assistant Flotsam, will also be needed to solve the case. Can she do it all under the nose of Sherlock himself? Purchase Link https://amzn.to/3ZxKAXW My Review Mrs Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse is an intriguing Holmes-esque tale where Sherlock Holmes is perhaps not the sharp observer of human nature we might expect, because that role goes to Mrs Hudson, his shadowy but exceedingly well-connected housekeeper. She has Flottie as her assistant, and Flottie has her own story running concurrently with the mystery brought to Holmes’ door. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It has a very Sherlock Holmes mystery to solve, and no end of obfuscation to contend with, while adding an ever greater element of grimy, Victorian London, and its denizens, to the mix through Mrs Hudson’s many connections with the mighty and the lowly.. That said, I did feel as though the resolution to all the mysteries were a little too elongated, although the final chapter, with Dr Watson bringing his accounting of the case to Mrs Hudson for her thoughts, did have me smiling once more. A fine mystery, very Holmes-esque but with another side to it, that of Mrs Hudson. Meet the author Martin Davies is a writer and media consultant based in the UK. He is the author of nine novels, including international bestseller ‘The Conjuror’s Bird’ which was a Richard and Judy Book Club selection, and which sold over 100,000 copies in the UK alone. ‘The Unicorn Road’ was chosen as one of The Times/WHSmith top paperbacks of the year, and ‘Havana Sleeping’ was shortlisted for an Historical Dagger award by the Crime Writers’ Association. Martin is also the author of a series of mystery stories about Sherlock Holmes’ housekeeper. Martin Davies has travelled widely, including in the Middle East and India; substantial parts of ‘The Unicorn Road’ were written while travelling through Sicily, and his plan for ‘The Conjuror’s Bird’ was put together on a trekking holiday in Greenland. When circumstances allow, he chooses to write in cafes or coffee shops, and often works in longhand on first drafts. Martin Davies’ books have been translated into ten languages. Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m delighted to share my review for Mrs Hudson and the Spirits’ Curse by Martin Davies, an intriguing Holmes-esque mystery #bookreview #mystery #HistoricalFiction book review · Cozy Mystery · historical fiction · murder mystery · Mystery · New Release I’m delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse’s Wolf and The Crown, which is released today #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra #WallOfHadrian ancient rome · book review · fiction · historical fiction · New Release Today, I’m so excited to share my review for Flaming Murder by Simon Whaley (I loved this book) #cosycrime #humour #bookreview #blogtour Blog Tour · historical fiction · murder mystery · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources · writing I’m delighted to welcome Karmen Špiljak and her new short story collection, Dark Chronicles, to the blog #blogtour #shortstories #bookreview Blog Tour · book review · murder mystery · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources

I'm delighted to share my review for Adam Lofthouse's Wolf and The Crown, which is released today #historicalfiction #bookreview #RomanEra #WallOfHadrian

Today, I'm so excited to share my review for Flaming Murder by Simon Whaley (I loved this book) #cosycrime #humour #bookreview #blogtour

Here's the blurb Careful what you wish for. In Dark Chronicles, wishes have teeth. Ten speculative tales brimming with twisted humour and delicious menace: a pepper that lets you in on other people’s thoughts, a radio show that predicts your fate, and a blood-thirsty ghost who refuses to let go. Award-winning author Karmen Spiljak delivers a chilling and razor-sharp mix of twists and dark suspense, perfect for readers who like their stories to unsettle and linger.

Here's the blurb Careful what you wish for. In Dark Chronicles, wishes have teeth. Ten speculative tales brimming with twisted humour and delicious menace: a pepper that lets you in on other people’s thoughts, a radio show that predicts your fate, and a blood-thirsty ghost who refuses to let go. Award-winning author Karmen Spiljak delivers a chilling and razor-sharp mix of twists and dark suspense, perfect for readers who like their stories to unsettle and linger.

I’m delighted to welcome Paula Dáil and her book, Red Anemones, a story of struggle, resistance and hope, to the blog with an excerpt. Excerpt 1 Elyria, Ohio January 1971 If you aren’t who I think you are, then who are you? “Dad – what are we doing here?” I ask my father, while shivering in a bitter wind, insistently spitting snow at us. We are standing side by side in a place neither of us has ever heard of, can’t pronounce, and never expected to find ourselves. As I speak, I stare at a pile of partially hidden, freshly dug dirt. Fifty yards away, gigantic chunks of frozen water crashing onto Lake Erie’s shore sound like ice cubes stuck in a meat grinder.” “I told you – we’re here to bury your mother,” my father answers through chattering teeth. He moves closer, linking his arm through mine, seeking to share each other’s warmth as we move toward a synthetic grass tarp, obscenely green against the dormant ground beneath it. A slowly moving hearse becomes visible from the left. “I think we’re in the wrong place. This headstone says Rachael Rebekkah Rosenblum Barlow, and my mother’s name was Charlotte,” I point out. “Until forty-eight hours ago, I thought her name was Charlotte, too. Apparently, we were both wrong,” my father replies in a barely audible whisper punctuated by a deep sigh. “Look at the headstones next to hers. Mikael Jacob Weiss and Sarah Rebekkah Michal Weiss, with no dates and an inscription, ‘May their memories be for a blessing.’ Another says Nathalie Avigail Weiss Rosenblum d.1934 and Eitan Noem Rosenblum d.1938. Do you know who any of these people are?” “No idea.” The two-word answer rides on a deep exhale and a slight shake of my father’s head. We pass the time waiting for the hearse by staring out across the partially frozen lake, mesmerized by the icebergs floating rhythmically back and forth, until a wave hurls them toward the shore. An idling backhoe, partially hidden behind a large, dormant tree downslope from the hill where we stand, hums a steady dirge. “According to her lawyer, your mother, Charlotte Rose Barlow’s legal name was Rachael Rebekkah Rosenblum Barlow. These others must be related to her somehow; otherwise, there’s no reason for her to want to be buried in this godforsaken place, and she was very insistent about it,” my dad explains as the hearse pulls up. He takes my hand, and together we walk closer to the tarp. The driver and another solemn-faced man get out and walk toward us, putting on gloves. They peel back the artificial turf, exposing the hole underneath, then walk back to the hearse, where two men wearing black overcoats and fedoras are extracting a wooden, sarcophagus-shaped coffin. A small nameplate is affixed to the flat top. “That can’t have been easy to find,” I remark, referring to the European-style box containing my mother’s remains. “Your mother was very specific about what she wanted.” Here’s the Blurb Moving among generations of a German-Jewish-American family, Red Anemones is a poignant exploration of the intricate bonds, untold secrets, and unspoken legacies our ancestors bestow upon us.  Natalie Barlow’s journey of self-discovery begins when her estranged mother’s sudden death releases a storm of unrevealed family secrets reaching back to pre-WWI Germany. As Natalie navigates the complexities of her newly discovered Jewish identity and her ancestral heritage, she comes face-to-face with the early 20th-century German immigrant experience, which included strong anti-German sentiment and deep antisemitism that prevailed across America. Through diaries and letters her mother saved, Natalie learns of the personal costs this ugly reality extracted from generations of her own family. Ultimately, she must confront the question of her own identity. Like Israel’s red anemones carpeting the western Negev and Dvira Forest of the Judean foothills year after year, Natalie is determined, no matter the personal costs, to find the courage, resiliency, and passion to embrace the changes that bring new beginnings. Inspired by a true story. Praise for Red Anemones: ““Red Anemones” by Paula Dáil weaves a powerful narrative inspired by a gripping true story, infusing the text with authenticity and emotional resonance. This book is an absolute must-read for fans of the genre, as it expertly blends enthralling storytelling with fully realised characters and a rich plot.” ~ Yarde Book Promotion, Editorial 5* Review “Poignant, disturbing, and historically and dramatically riveting.” ~ Kirkus Reviews “As I read, I found myself utterly taken by Dáil’s writing. Her prose has rhythm and patience, tight, deliberate, and quietly powerful. She writes with tenderness but never sentimentality, allowing emotion to rise naturally from her characters’ choices. I could almost feel the weight of Nathalie’s conflict between family duty and self-determination, between love and freedom. The language is lived-in, grounded, and full of quiet heat.” ~ Literary Titan, 5* Review Buy Link Universal Link Paperback Meet the Author A native Californian, Paula Dáil is an emerita research professor of social welfare and public policy and award-winning author. Widely published in the social sciences, she has also been recognized for her non-fiction and fiction writing, both under her own name and her pen name, Avery Michael.  She is the recipient of first or second place Readers Favorite, Reader’s Choice, Independent Publisher, Bookfest and Literary Titan awards, a Booklist Starred Review and several other five-star reviews, including Goodreads, The Book Commentary, and Independent Book Review. Two of her books received the Non-fiction Book of the Year Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers. She holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lives with her husband and dog in the Great Lakes Region of the Upper Midwest.  Red Anemones is her tenth book. Connect with the Author Link Facebook Amazon Goodreads Follow the Red Anemones blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m delighted to welcome Paula Dáil and her book, Red Anemones, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #FamilyLegacy #JewishHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · Jewish Historical Fiction I’m delighted to welcome Catherine Hughes and her new book, Therin Lies the Pearl, to the blog #HistoricalFiction #NormanConquest #MedievalHistory #AngloSaxonHistory #EarlyMedieval #StMargaret #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Anglo-Saxon · Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · Medieval · New Release · Norman Conquest I’m delighted to be reviewing The Locked Room by Holly Hepburn #histfic #cosycrime #1930s #bookreview #BakerStreet Boldwood Books · book review · fiction · historical fiction · murder mystery · New Release I’m delighted to welcome Francesca Capaldi and her new book, Celebrations at the Beach Hotel to the blog. Francesca is introducing us to the characters #blogtour #histfic #saga Blog Tour · fiction · historical fiction · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources · Romance

I’m delighted to welcome Catherine Hughes and her new book, Therin Lies the Pearl, to the blog with an excerpt. Excerpt 3 Her voice lifted in confusion. “Father?” Margaret had been breathing in the musky smell of the woodlands and the flowering anemone that lined their path when she saw her father’s body, as it was positioned in the saddle, tilt further and further toward the side. That morning the family had left the inn and began traveling toward Favreshant, following a path made fragrant by the flowers and plants newly opened for spring. The weather did much to improve Margaret’s spirits as the sun shone brightly upon them from a clear, blue-domed sky. An occasional puffy cloud floated across the heavens but never did it linger long enough to diminish the warmth that embraced her. Walking with a bemused smile upon her face, Margaret surrendered to the charms of the countryside, relishing in the way the light accentuated the many shades of green that colored the leaves, the bushes, and the flower stems. A random look toward the front of the cavalcade snapped her pleasant daydream when she noticed the rider near the head of the train—her father—was about to fall. Abandoning her usual sauntering walk, she broke into enormous strides trying to close the gap between her father and herself. The rapid turnover of her feet upon the soil alarmed the flock of yellowhammers who had been flitting about the blossoms. To escape the disruption, they rose higher and hovered above, waiting for the tumult to settle. “Father!” Her shout coincided with the loud thud of his body landing on solid ground, his head coming to rest in a patch of wildflowers. Before Margaret reached him, she could see Gerhard was already there. He had carefully removed young Edgar from the saddle and then ran toward Edward, dropping to his knees for closer inspection. Margaret skidded to a halt and took the same posture on the other side of her father’s fallen body. Hesitantly, she repeated again, “Father…?” His lips parted but no sound issued forth. After a quick glance in her direction, Gerhard moved closer to Edward, placing one hand beneath his master’s neck and bringing his own closer. “Edward! Edward, can you hear me?” Nothing. “Blink your eyes if you can hear me.” Gerhard’s voice cracked with worry, his usual composure gone. Because Gerhard had leaned so closely over her father’s head, Margaret had to slide further up toward his shoulder to be able to see whether or not her father had comprehended Gerhard’s words. To her relief, she saw his eyelashes flutter—he understood! He was still there, he was still with them! Gerhard continued. “Can you move your legs, my lord? Your arms? Just blink to let me know if you still have some control over your limbs.” The words hung in the air as other people soon gathered around the group of three upon the ground. Margaret heard Edgar sniffling somewhere outside the circle and felt Harold, the priest, and his two brothers glaring down upon them from their seats. None of them had dismounted; instead, they surrounded the trio like a band of highwaymen waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting victim. To Margaret’s dismay, her father’s eyelids did not flicker. She studied Gerhard and watched the changing color of emotion move across his face—from confusion to concern, from fear to speculation, from suspicion to anger. When they both noticed the parting of her father’s lips, their hopes lifted. Together, she and Gerhard leaned in closer. Her father’s eyes remained open but unfocused, and he whispered gently, more so to the air than to them. “No … feeling …my legs. My feet… cannot feel them… cannot move them… nothing there.” Gerhard was about to respond but stopped when he saw Edward gather his breath once more. Unable to inhale deeply, he spoke in shallow exchanges. “Dizzy … since morn…could not get… legs…to keep hold … of the horse… chest feels … full… crushed.” He paused here for a lengthier break.  Margaret could feel her eyes welling up, her lashes wet with moisture.  “Cannot… take …. in … air.” With his gaze still focused at some point in the far distance, he whispered in a hushed tone, “Twas… foul… play.” Silence and he moved no more. Margaret felt tears stinging her eyes. They burned her skin as they tumbled down her face until they left small, individual droplets of water on her father’s tunic. She watched as Gerhard placed his hand over Edward’s face, his fingers gently extending to close each eyelid. Tiny bright-blue flowers with yellow centers formed a soft, decorative pillow where his sleeping head lay. Reminded of Jesus’ promise when he created these delicate blossoms, Margaret trusted that the Blessed Virgin would watch over her father’s soul. And she also knew that her father—like the flower itself—was urging her to “forget-me-not.” Here’s the Blurb Normandy, 1064  Celia Campion, a girl of humble background, finds herself caught in a web of intrigue when Duke William commands her to work as his spy, holding her younger sister hostage. Her mission: to sail across the sea to Wilton Abbey and convince Margaret, daughter of Edward the Exile, to take final vows rather than form a marriage alliance with the newly crowned king to the North, Malcolm III of Scotland. Preventing a union between the Saxons and Scots is critical to the success of the Duke’s plan to take England, and more importantly for Celia, it is the only way to keep her sister alive.   In this sweeping epic that spans the years before and after the Conquest, two women from opposite sides of the English Channel whisper across the chasm of time to tell their story of the tumultuous days that eventually changed the course of history.  As they struggle to survive in a world marked by danger, loss, and betrayal, their lives intersect, and they soon come to realize they are both searching for the same thing–someone they can trust amidst the treachery that surrounds them.   Together, their voices form a narrative never before told.  Buy Link Universal Link: Meet the Author Award winning writer, Catherine Hughes, is a first-time author who, from her earliest years, immersed herself in reading. Historical fiction is her genre of choice, and her bookshelves are stocked with selections from ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Europe as well as those involving New England settlements and pioneer life in America. After double-majoring in English and business management on the undergraduate level, Catherine completed her Master’s degree in British literature at Drew University and then entered the classroom where she has been teaching American, British, and World Literature at the high school level for the last thirty years. Aside from teaching and reading, Catherine can often be found outdoors, drawing beauty and inspiration from the world of nature. Taking the words of Thoreau to heart, “It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful,” Catherine sets aside time every day to lace up her sneakers and run with her dog in pre-dawn or late afternoon hours on the beaches of Long Island. When her furry companion isn’t busy chasing seagulls or digging up remnants of dead fish, she soaks in the tranquility of the ocean setting, freeing her mind to tap into its deepest recesses where creativity and imagination preside. In Silence Cries the Heart, Hughes’s first book, received the Gold Medal in Romance for the Feathered Quill 2024 Book of the Year contest, the Gold Medal for Fiction in the 2024 Literary Titan competition, and the 2024 International Impact Book Award for Historical Fiction. In addition, the Historical Fiction Company gave it a five star rating and a Silver Medal in the category of Historical Fiction Romance. The book was also featured in the February 2024 Issue 31 of the Historical Times magazine and was listed as one of the Best Historical Fiction Books of 2024 by the History Bards Podcast. Therein Lies the Pearl is her second venture into the world of historical fiction. Connect with the Author Link Facebook Instagram Amazon Goodreads Follow the Therein Lies the Pearl blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club

I'm delighted to be reviewing The Locked Room by Holly Hepburn #histfic #cosycrime #1930s #bookreview #BakerStreet @rararesources #TheLockedRoom @theboldookclub #boldwoodbloggers @BoldwoodBooks @HollyH_Author

I'm delighted to welcome Francesca Capaldi and her new book, Celebrations at the Beach Hotel to the blog. Francesca is introducing us to the characters #blogtour #histfic #saga

Here’s the blurb Human beings are flawed creatures, and humor is the perfect means to exploit the endless fodder of our shortcomings. This multi-genre collection of twenty-one short satirical stories will leave you smirking, chuckling, scratching your head, and maybe even muttering to yourself “WTF is this?”  From the award-winning author of the acclaimed short story collections “Core Truths” and “Passageways: Short Speculative Fiction” comes something a little bit irreverent and a whole lot of weird. Ketchup-covered chiropractors on Mars. Wealthy vigilante housewives battling coffee-addicted aliens. Cheerleaders protesting unrestricted access to cupcakes. Canine doulas. Hallucinating marine biologists. No one is immune from the absurdity. Purchase Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/Treatise-Martian-Chiropractic-Manipulation-Satirical-ebook/dp/B0G5K8XG2W/ https://www.amazon.com/Treatise-Martian-Chiropractic-Manipulation-Satirical-ebook/dp/B0G5K8XG2W/ My Review This is an intriguing and often fun collection of short stories by Lisa Fox. Some of them are very short, and some are much longer, but they all offer something a little different. Readers will enjoy learning about Martian Chiropractic techniques as well as following the loyalty card storyline, which will have us all thinking about just how much information these companies do hold about us (hint, it’s a lot). If you love short story collections, do check this one out. It’s varied, thought-provoking and sometimes, just plain fun. Meet the author Lisa Fox loves to ask questions. By day, she’s a pharmaceutical market researcher. By night, she channels that same inquisitive spirit into writing short fiction, building worlds and characters that explore the meaning of life, the universe, and everything in between. She survives, and sometimes thrives, in the chaos of suburban New Jersey with her husband, two sons, and quirky Double-Doodle dog. Lisa is an award-winning author of two short story collections: Core Truths and Passageways: Short Speculative Fiction. Website: lisafoxiswriting.com  Twitter/X: @iamlisafox10800  Facebook: lisafoxiswriting X Facebook Instagram Bluesky www.lisafoxiswriting.com  Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m delighted to share my review for A Treatise on Martian Chiropractic Manipulation and Other Satirical Tales by Lisa Fox #blogtour #bookreview #fantasy #shortstories Blog Tour · fantasy · fiction · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources The blog tour for Lords of Iron has finished. A huge thank you to all the hosts. Here’s what they had to say about Lordsof Iron #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic Blog Tour · Boldwood Books · fiction · historical fiction · M J Porter · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m welcoming Jill Bray, and her historical mystery, A Brotherly Devotion, to the blog with an extract #blogtour #historicalmystery Blog Tour · historical fiction · murder mystery · Mystery I’m delighted to welcome Carol Anne Dobson and her book, Storks in a Blue Sky, to the blog #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction #Devon #Alsace #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · Historical Romance

The blog tour for Lords of Iron has finished. A huge thank you to all the hosts. Here's what they had to say about Lordsof Iron #newrelease #MenOfIron #WarriorsOfIron #LordsofIron #histfic

This extract is taken from the start of Chapter 18 after Lord Fitzwarren has been found to be the killer of Brother Clement. Katherine found it difficult to believe that, in a short space of time, her whole world had changed once again. She had known the facts and the evidence that was put against Lord Fitzwarren, but she hadn’t given much thought as to how it would end. It was only yesterday that she had started to suspect him, and then earlier today, when she had journeyed with her father to speak with Edward; she had known for certain that he was the one who had so viciously murdered Brother Clement. The banquet in the hall now felt quite surreal. She looked around at the rest of the guests, who had gone back to feasting and drinking at their tables, as though nothing had just happened. Yet, for her, everything had changed once more. Just a couple of days ago, she had been expecting to run away with Alexander in order to avoid marrying Lord Fitzwarren; and, up until yesterday, she had intended to keep to that plan. She had come to terms with having to give up everything; to lose contact with her sister and to disobey her father, in order to be with the man she loved. After sitting back down at the table next to her sister, she felt quite light-headed and reached out to pour herself a goblet of wine. She needed to consider, just what she was going to do next. “Well, that wasn’t what I expected!” Angharad exclaimed, leaning over to her sister. “You knew, didn’t you?” She questioned Katherine. “Not everything, and not finally until earlier today,” she admitted. “But even then, I couldn’t tell you. I hope you understand. Father needed to keep everything quiet, so that Lord Fitzwarren wouldn’t get to know.” “This explains why you have been so distant. I still can’t believe that the man you were due to marry was a murderer. That’s quite a revelation.” Angharad leaned back in her chair. “So, why did it happen here tonight, at the banquet?” “We went to Lord Fitzwarren’s manor earlier today to get Edward to safety and for father to arrest Lord Fitzwarren; but he wasn’t there,” Katherine told her. “Father didn’t want to raise any suspicion. And, as he knew Lord Fitzwarren would be here tonight, he agreed with Sir Robert that this evening would be a good opportunity to present the case against him.” “Did father know before then, that Lord Fitzwarren had killed the monk?” Katherine thought about it carefully. “He had spoken with Peter Beaumont and found out about Lord Fitzwarren’s sister, so I think he had his suspicions. But he had no proof, and that was the main thing.” Katherine took a drink of wine and relaxed back into her chair with a sigh of relief. “None of us were certain, until yesterday when I met Edward, and he showed me the dagger. Up until then, it was just a story father had been told by Peter Beaumont, who was a close friend of Hughs. One about how William’s devotion to his sister had been so consuming; and how she had taken her own life rather than live without the man she loved. That man was Hugh de Glanville, who became Brother Clement when he took Holy Orders. In Lord Williams eyes, the church took away his adored sister and then denied her a burial in consecrated ground. His grief and anger must have festered away inside him ever since her death and become sort of twisted. Then last week, and quite by chance; he came upon the man who had been the cause of all his sadness.” She took another sip of wine before continuing. “It was an accidental encounter as, from what father has told me, I don’t believe Brother Clement left the walls of the Abbey much. Lord Fitzwarren must have thought it was divine intervention, and he was being given a chance to mete out his own kind of justice.”  “So, he killed him?” Angharad stared at her. “Yes, in order to avenge his sister.” Then, Katherine added more thoughtfully. “Such was his devotion to her.” “And to think you were so nearly his wife.” Here’s the blurb YORK 1224: On a hot July night, Brother Clement is savagely murdered when returning from administering to Lady Maud de Mowbray. Simon de Hale, Sheriff of Yorkshire, is in his office when Abbot Robert visits to inform him of the murder, and request that he take responsibility for investigating the killing. Simon is unsure whether the murder is a crime against the Abbey, or if it is a more personal matter against the monk. Commencing their investigation, Simon and his deputy, Adam, ride out to see Lady Maud de Mowbray at Overton – the last person to see Brother Clement alive. When they encounter her son, Roger de Mowbray, they both take an instant dislike to him. Lady Mowbray reveals to Simon that she intends to leave her money to the Abbey, and Simon can see this being a motive for the monk’s murder, if her son was aware of this. The investigation gathers pace and a murder weapon is found. A banquet is held at the castle to honour the Royal Justice – during which, one of the guests is exposed as the murderer and apprehended. But that will not be the end of the story for Simon and his family. Purchase Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brotherly-Devotion-Murder-Most-Foul-ebook/dp/B0FH16K5F8/ https://www.amazon.com/Brotherly-Devotion-Murder-Most-Foul-ebook/dp/B0FH16K5F8/ Meet the author Jill lives on the Island of Guernsey now, but is originally from Yorkshire. She has a love of early medieval history which led her to study the subject at Huddersfield College in the 1980’s. Working in Leeds at the time, meant that she had access to the Yorkshire Archaeological Society on their late night opening and following research, she wondered what the lives of the people she read about were actually like. This started a love of writing historical fiction, but her initial stories were never sent to a publisher. Life and work then intervened and writing was put to one side. It was only following a workshop held by the Guernsey Literary Festival in 2024 on writing historical fiction, that her love of writing was reignited. Her first novel ‘A Brotherly Devotion’ was published in July 2025. Facebook X https://www.jillbray.co.uk Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m welcoming Jill Bray, and her historical mystery, A Brotherly Devotion, to the blog with an extract #blogtour #historicalmystery Blog Tour · historical fiction · murder mystery · Mystery I’m delighted to welcome Carol Anne Dobson and her book, Storks in a Blue Sky, to the blog #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction #Devon #Alsace #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · Historical Romance I’m excited to share an excerpt from RJ Verity’s new historical fiction novel, Poole of Light #blogtour #historicalfiction Blog Tour · Coming Of Age · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m so excited to be sharing my review for The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting by Naomi Kuttner #blogtour #cozycrime #bookreview Blog Tour · book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · Rachel’s Random Resources

I’m delighted to welcome Carol Anne Dobson and her book, Storks in a Blue Sky, to the blog with an excerpt. Excerpt He was introduced plainly as Jean Luc de Delacroix, a member of the Royal Society, whose studies were following in the path already trodden by Mark Catesby. She was aware of a ripple of anticipation going through the audience, which had become so numerous that people were having to stand at the back. She realised it was now too late to escape and sat in resignation, angry at her own recklessness.  His voice was strong and clear and, in spite of her agitation, she felt herself drawn almost hypnotically into the world he was describing; his years of travelling distilled into an eagle’s eye view of a vast, river- scored land, lake-jewelled and mountain-ridged. A tree-quilted countryside; spruce, firs and pines, dark green against glittering ice and snow; woods of sweet gum, cedar, red oak, maple and walnut; red, white and black mangroves sinuously emerging from brackish, southern swamps; and everywhere embroidered with flowers, whose very names were colour-rich; black eyed Susans, purple fringed orchids and golden rod.  She saw flocks of passenger pigeons, so numerous they blackened the sky, blotting out the sun, making oak tree boughs break under their weight. She saw the wood bison in the Appalachian forests and felt the earth shudder beneath migrating herds of caribou. Exotically plumed birds flew around her and she marvelled at the Carolina parakeet and the pintera, a wood pecker with a beak like ivory. Rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins, scorpions and tarantulas made her shiver, and the sing-song quality of native words like ‘Cherokee,’ ‘Okeechobee’ and ‘Pahayokee,’ all added to the beauty and strangeness of the picture in her mind. He spoke quickly, almost without pausing for breath, often looking in her direction, and she noticed that his clothes appeared to have taken on a life of their own. His cravat was askew, his coat hung oddly, his hair had escaped from its tie and was hanging, dark and thick, onto his broad shoulders. She felt an over-riding urge to straighten his garments and present him, perfectly attired, to this gathering of sombrely dressed men, every one of whom was wearing the customary wig.  “And now may I show various specimens of plants to you from the New World, and one very special creature,” he concluded his talk and watched as footmen carried in plants in tubs of earth and a small crate.  “Can I ask how many men died in your travels? Was it a very dangerous undertaking?” a man enquired.  “We did have to take many risks in the wilderness, it’s true, but no one died as a result. Two men were killed in battle and another man died from the smallpox.”  At the suggestion that he and his men had been engaged in fighting, she noticed that the room grew quiet. She could feel the hostility directed towards him that she had encountered at the Vinnicombe’s and suddenly understood her naivety. He had been fighting on the wrong side, she realised. He was partly French and had been fighting against the English. She was horrified and her spirit was almost at one with the general sentiment in the room. He, however, completely ignored any undercurrent in the gathering and walked over to her. “Madam, I hope I have entertained you. May I now reveal my surprise.”  He held out his arm and she was forced to accompany him to the wooden crate. He carefully opened the side and she looked in amazement at the largest spider she had ever seen. Its eyes were protruding, its segmented legs were long and hairy and it could only be described as indescribably ugly.  Speechless, she stared at the monster, which was about the size of a sparrow.  “Do you like it?” he asked, smiling like a father at his new-born child. “I thought you might.”  “Yes,” she murmured, unable to take her eyes off the fascinating creature. People crowded round, jostling and pushing. Gasps of astonishment could be heard, followed by a hushed silence.  She had a vision of Miss Vinnicombe and the snake, and in a moment of premonition knew exactly what was going to happen. The next second, several ladies, and one gentleman, screamed so piercingly that the windows rattled. Pandemonium ensued. Handkerchiefs were frantically flapped to give air to the hysterically affected ones and in all the commotion she saw the black boy sidle up to the crate, then poke its occupant with a jewelled pin he extracted from his turban.  “No!” she shrieked, but it was too late, as the spider was propelled out of his home and landed awkwardly on the floor. People dashed out of its way, opening a path for it, somewhat in the manner of Moses and the Red Sea. Jean Luc lunged forwards, but it skittered sideways through peoples’ legs, making a clattering noise as it ran over the wood floor.  She had never seen a room in such an uproar and she looked crossly at the black child, who had taken refuge behind his master. The obese lady had fallen to the ground and lay twitching, her canary-yellow stomach protruding like a mountain, high above the rest of her body.  She ran to the door as that had seemed to be the direction in which the spider had been heading. The air was cool and fresh on her face and she gulped it in gratefully. A quick scrabbling movement of black by the sheep pen attracted her attention and she thought she could see the spider. Then, to her amazement, one of the blond horsemen who had accompanied them and who was standing by the wicker fence, gave a strong kick with his booted foot and sent the object flying among the sheep.  She ran up to him. “What have you done!” she screamed, beside herself with anger. “How dare you!”  He looked insolently down at her and she realised that Jean Luc de Delacroix might well be the only person in his entourage who was happy to travel with snakes, spiders and raccoons. His iron-grey eyes looked familiar. His strong, large body blocked her view of the sheep pen and it suddenly came to her that she was looking at a younger version of Heinrich Scheyer. Her fear of him made her wary of challenging the man any further. She pushed past and with a complete disregard for her silk dress, plunged into the mud-caked, evil smelling flock of sheep who scattered in panic and huddled against the far side of the pen.  In the earthen space now left bare, she could see the forlorn, trampled on body of the spider. It was clearly dead. Its legs were twisted oddly and it had lost an eye. She picked it up, cradling it in her hand and left the enclosure, glaring at the Alsatian soldier as she did so.  Here’s the Blurb A historical romance played out between the wild coast and moors of North Devon and the mountains and river-crossed plain of Alsace. The beautiful, red-haired Sarah Durrant is an uneducated servant who takes the place of her mistress when she suddenly dies at Lynmouth as they are travelling across the remote wilderness of 18th century Exmoor. Her origins are a mystery. She only knows she is illegitimate and possesses a gold locket which contains a miniature of a woman who resembles her. North Devon at first proves a sanctuary from the violence of her past but then the French aristocrat, Jean Luc de Delacroix, a soldier and a scientist, arrives from the New World; the local activities of smuggling and wrecking surface; her life becomes a tangle of love, deception and fear. Buy Link Universal Link: This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited Meet the Author Carol Anne Dobson is a qualified teacher and librarian with a B.A. in English, French and Russian. She has lived in Devon for most of her life, and North Devon provides the setting for much of Storks in a Blue Sky.  Alsace in France came to be a second home when her daughter lived there for six years and it is this Germanic region of France which also features in the novel. In 2009 Storks in a Blue Sky won the David St John Thomas Fiction Award. Connect with the Author Link Facebook Amazon Goodreads Follow the Storks in a Blue Sky blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club

INTRO In this scene, ten-year-old Jem Poole glimpses a world far beyond Spennymoor for the very first time. The newly built Grand Electric Hall has not yet opened to the public, but Jem and his friend Daisy slip inside, drawn by curiosity and the muffled sound of music. What Jem witnesses there – moving pictures – ushers in a moment of wonder that will quietly shape the rest of his life. This extract captures that first spark: the awe, the innocence, and the sense that something extraordinary has just entered his world. EXTRACT  As they turn into Cheapside, an old rusty lorry rumbles to a stop outside a new brick building, where a group of workmen are fixing enormous block capitals above a clock. Daisy tilts her head to read, eyes squinting as if the letters might tell her something important. Jem watches on, but says nothing. ‘What does ARCA mean?’ she asks. ‘I don’t think it means anything.’ ‘Oh.’ Below the clock, white lettering proudly displays the words “GRAND ELECTRIC HALL”. ‘What’s a grand electric hall?’ He sighs, keeping his eyes on the workmen. He’d overheard Pa talking to his colliery mates about a new theatre opening in town – something with moving photos, he’d said. Of course, Jem knows what a photo is – like the one of Ma on the mantelpiece – but how she could suddenly come to life is beyond him. He can’t picture her like that, not walking and talking like Pa or Daisy. ‘Come on,’ he says.  They slip past the workmen and into the foyer of the new building. Jem’s steps are deliberate and measured – he’s determined to take everything in. Daisy skips beside him, light on her feet. Crates, half-unpacked, litter the space – paper and straw spilling in all directions. The warm smell of fresh wood hits first, then something sharper, chemical, that scratches the back of his throat. Wall sconces flicker with a quiet expectancy, casting lively patterns across the floor. Music drifts from somewhere beyond – muffled, unfamiliar, pulling at Jem’s chest like a thread. He follows the sound toward the back of the building and beckons for Daisy to come. She stands looking at him, eyes wide, as if to say: This isn’t a good idea. ‘You don’t have to … if you don’t want to,’ he tells her. She pouts but trails after him anyway.  As they draw closer, the music grows clearer – a dramatic piano tune with heavy bass and a scatter of quick, racing notes. Jem glances to his right and sees a bright shaft of light dancing across the passageway. He creeps forward, heart thumping, until his face and jacket are lit up. It feels like sunlight through the church window on a Sunday morning – only sharper, more vivid.  His shoulder brushes against a soft curtain, but his eyes stay fixed ahead, his breath deeper. For there, on a stage, is a beautiful young woman. Her face is white – like the colour of Pa’s eyeballs after a shift down the pit – only clean, and somehow otherworldly. Big curls of hair, piled high, fall to her shoulders. She’s wearing the fanciest frock he’s ever seen. A man walks beside her, and they cross the road together. Behind them, tall buildings rise, taller than any furnace chimney in all of County Durham. Jem’s heart beats faster as the music quickens. Then a passenger train rushes into view and vanishes just as quickly. Jem doesn’t move. He hardly blinks. How can a train be on a road? How can buildings scrape the sky? How can people float across a screen like that? Most of all – how can everything be black and white and still feel more alive than the world he knows? ‘Moving photos.’ He can’t help but say the words out loud. Daisy tugs at his arm. ‘Jem!’ she cries. But before he can turn, he feels a sudden blow to his temple. ‘What have we here?’ booms a voice behind him. Jem stumbles sideways, hand to his pounding head. He’s looking down at a pair of black polished boots … dark overalls … then a round sweaty face, breathing loud, and steaming with anger. ‘Sorry, sir,’ says Jem, trying to steady himself. ‘We don’t mean no bother.’ ‘No bother?’ the man sneers. ‘No, sir. We just want to see moving photos.’ The man gives a snort. ‘Moving pictures, boy. They’re called moving pictures.’ He crouches down, his small black eyes level with Jem’s. ‘And have you got thruppence between the two of you?’ Jem glances at Daisy, then back at the sweaty round face. ‘No, sir.’ ‘Then you’ll have to go without, won’t you? Go awn.’ He stamps his foot. ‘Gan! Afore I call police!’ The children bolt down the passageway, back into the foyer, and past the workmen hauling a giant letter ‘D’ above their heads.  Outside, the street is already black with night. ‘The park!’ Jem shouts as they run.  They turn the corner onto Dundas Street, where lamplight is scarce, and shadows swallow the pavement. His feet slide on icy sludge as he dodges night soil boxes piled up like traps. Daisy’s steps are fainter now – she must be slowing down. He tries to stop, but it’s too late – too fast – and his footing falters. His chest jerks forward. Arms fling out for balance, too wide, too desperate, and his whole body launches through the air. In the half-second before Jem crashes down, he sees the jagged boxes, the filth inside them, and he twists every muscle to avoid them. His body slams into the ground, splinters flying and muck exploding in all directions. Here’s the blurb A coal-mining town. A flicker of light. A boy who dreams of more. Spennymoor, 1913. When ten-year-old Jem Poole sees a moving picture for the first time, it ignites a spark. Raised in a northern coal-mining town marked by grief and hardship, he begins to dream of more than soot and survival. He dreams of light. Through war, reinvention, and the golden age of British cinema, Jem rises to national success, building a legacy of silver screens and stories that define a generation. But when a figure from his past reappears, long-buried memories resurface, and he must confront the truth of the life he has built – and the memories that never let go. Set against the backdrop of twentieth-century Britain, Poole of Light is a richly layered historical debut about ambition, identity, and the stories that shape us. Perfect for readers who enjoy: Character-driven historical fiction with emotional depth Coming-of-age novels set in 20th-century England Themes of legacy, reinvention, and quiet redemption Authors like Jo Baker, Kristin Hannah, Amor Towles and Anthony Doerr Book One in The Poole Legacy — a literary historical trilogy exploring ambition, identity, and legacy across generations. Also available as an eBook: Bright Light, a companion short story set during the events of this novel. Purchase Link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poole-Light-Book-One-Legacy-ebook/dp/B0FJ6BDBSH https://www.amazon.com/Poole-Light-Book-One-Legacy-ebook/dp/B0FJ6BDBSH Meet the author RJ Verity grew up in Yorkshire and studied at King’s College London before spending more than twenty years in financial services across Asia. She now lives in Guernsey with her endlessly patient husband and their spirited ten-year-old Labradinger. When she’s not writing or reading, she can often be found exploring the island’s rugged coastline. She is currently working on The Poole Legacy, her debut trilogy of historical novels. The first book in the series, Poole of Light, is out now. Facebook Instagram Bluesky Pinterest Goodreads X Amazon The map The book club kit https://www.rjverity.com/blog  Giveaway to Win a limited edition print of Poole of Light book (gold foil, high quality paper) (Open to UK Only) https://gleam.io/2aNya/win-a-limited-edition-print-of-poole-of-light-gold-foil-high-quality-paper-open-to-uk-only *Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize. Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m excited to share an excerpt from RJ Verity’s new historical fiction novel, Poole of Light #blogtour #historicalfiction Blog Tour · Coming Of Age · New Release · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m so excited to be sharing my review for The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting by Naomi Kuttner #blogtour #cozycrime #bookreview Blog Tour · book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m delighted to welcome Lisajoy Sachs and her book, Bright One, to the blog #BrightOne #HistoricalFiction #WWII #JewishHistoricalFiction #Holocaust #FamilyHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · Family History · historical fiction · Holocaust · Jewish Historical Fiction · WW2 Fellow writers, lets minimise the stress around getting those words on the page #writingadvice historical fiction

Here’s the blurb Assassin. Gardener. Reluctant cat adoptee. All Dante wants is to be left alone in the small New Zealand town no one’s heard of. No drama. No bodies. No questions. But then, of course, the orchid convention comes to town, and Dante is knee deep in suspects, intrigue, and red herrings. On top of all this, Dante must navigate a mysterious woman from his past, cat issues, and the terrifying prospect of a first date. And he has to do it while fighting his instinct to solve problems the old-fashioned way: permanently. The ‘Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting’ is a cosy paranormal mystery with found family, ghosts, a grumpy assassin and a sunshine gardener. Come for the murder, stay for the cat, the gardens, and the chaos. Purchase Links https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DWVD5XRM https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0DWVD5XRM My Review The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting is a fabulous, extremely entertaining mystery, with a wealth of engaging, funny, and quite quirky main characters. This is the second book in the series. I have since gone back and read book one, where we first meet the characters. It is also very good, but I do think the characters are much more fully formed in this second book (which makes a lot of sense). That said, I would probably still advise you to start with book one, because if you read book two first, you’re going to know a lot about the first mystery they solve. Dante, our retired assassin, is often unintentionally funny as he endeavours to live his life as ‘normal’ i.e. not as assassin’s do. I laughed out loud a few times. He is joined by Charlie, our gardener who also sees and can talk to ghosts (so the paranormal bit) and Eleanor a retired art thief, I think, she’s very mysterious. And then on top of that we have our crime to be solved, all while the delightfully quirky orchid convention is taking place in the local town. This mystery is a lot of fun, and very engaging. The storyline manages to do a great deal with our characters, with the beautiful New Zealand countryside, with quirky local town inhabitants, and all without ever feeling ‘overdone.’ If you love a quirky, funny mystery book, this is for you. If you love a small town mystery, this is for you. If you love a hint of the paranormal, then this is for you as well. I highly recommend it, but do yourself a favour, and read the first book first. It’s not quite as brilliant as this second offering, but it will certainly get you hooked on Dante, his cat, and his two friends, in this New Zealand setting. Meet the author Naomi is a writer living in New Zealand. When not busy writing or raising her twin son and daughter, she spends her free time (ha!) surfing, kitesurfing, and retrieving her shoes from Max the dog. Goodreads Facebook Instagram https://naomikuttner.com/ Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m so excited to be sharing my review for The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting by Naomi Kuttner #blogtour #cozycrime #bookreview Blog Tour · book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · Rachel’s Random Resources I’m delighted to welcome Lisajoy Sachs and her book, Bright One, to the blog #BrightOne #HistoricalFiction #WWII #JewishHistoricalFiction #Holocaust #FamilyHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · Family History · historical fiction · Holocaust · Jewish Historical Fiction · WW2 Fellow writers, lets minimise the stress around getting those words on the page #writingadvice historical fiction I’m delighted to welcome Jennifer Wizbowski and her book, Poinsettia Girl, to the blog #PoinsettiaGirl #HistoricalFiction #RenaissanceFiction #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · renaissance fiction

I’m delighted to welcome Lisajoy Sachs and her book, Bright One, Book 1 in the Bright One Series, to the blog with an excerpt. Excerpt 5 “You must remember this,” Yosef continued, his voice low and steady, his eyes holding theirs. “History doesn’t begin or end with one moment. It’s like a slow avalanche, with pressure building over time until it all comes crashing down. And when you look at the world around you now, with the current events happening right here in our town, look at the posters, the speeches, the violence that’s creeping into everyday life here in Romania… we can feel the ground shifting again. Even though it is a different time, it holds the same tensions.” Here’s the Blurb When desperate choices mean the difference between life and death. Inspired by true events, Bright One tells the story of Jetti Finkelthal, Lisajoy Sachs’ great-grandmother. In Czernowitz, Romania, this young Jewish mother is forced to face impossible choices as the world begins to collapse around her. As antisemitism tightens its grip and war edges ever closer, Jetti holds fast to her daughter, Berta, with the fragile belief that love and courage might still carve a way through the darkness. Heartened by her grandmother Berta’s letters, photographs, and family oral histories, Sachs revives a story both intimate and universal—stitched with the fabric of daily life, the pull of memory, and the quiet heroism of women who refused to yield to despair. Told with vivid, sensory detail, the novel unfolds as if you are walking beside the characters, witnessing what they see and sharing in what they feel. Through Jetti’s resilience and sacrifices, Bright One reveals the enduring strength of family ties and the shadow of trauma that lingers across generations. It is a story of survival, of loss, and of the unbreakable connection between mother and child. For readers captivated by historical fiction that lingers long after the final page, Bright One offers a profoundly human portrait of love tested by history’s darkest hours. Buy Link Universal Link Meet the Author Lisajoy Sachs is a dedicated writer and advocate for the preservation of history and culture through storytelling. Born and raised on Long Island and in the Catskills Mountain region of New York, Lisajoy’s early years were shaped by the picturesque landscapes of mountains and the sea. Growing up, she embraced her family’s deep connection to community and tradition. Her professional journey is as dynamic as her personal interests. With a diverse career spanning Fine Arts, Interior Design, Metal Smithing, Lapidary, and the craft beer and hospitality industries, she has cultivated a deep and varied understanding of her many fields of interest. Ms. Sachs holds several prestigious degrees and certifications, including a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the City University of New York, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University, and an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) certification from the Gemological Institute of America. She is also a graduate of the Hop and Brew School at Yakima Chief Hops and holds a CiceroneCertified Beer Server© credential, underscoring her expertise and passion for the craft beer industry. As a writer, Lisajoy’s work spans a variety of themes, from beer culture and community engagement to her most prized projects in historical fiction. Her writing reflects a profound appreciation for history, particularly focusing on how personal stories intertwine with larger cultural narratives. She has published multiple articles celebrating the craft beer industry’s ability to foster diversity and unity and continues to explore new ways to inspire her readers through her storytelling. A deep passion for history, coupled with a fascination with family ancestry and vivid storytelling, is reflected in Lisajoy’s creative projects. Her fiction often delves into richly detailed settings and explores characters navigating the complexities of their times. Whether writing about the harrowing journey of her family in pre-WWII Europe or capturing the resilience of individuals in the face of change, Lisajoy brings depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance to her narratives. Outside of her professional life, Lisajoy is an avid cyclist and skier, often traveling in her camper van with her partner and standard poodle Hops exploring new adventures. She has recently relocated to the Catskills Mountains, a decision influenced by her desire to embrace a balanced, family and community-focused lifestyle. Lisajoy’s dedication to her craft, her community, and her passions makes her a multifaceted creative force. Through her writing and professional endeavors, she continues to bridge the gap between history, culture, and the shared human experience. Connect with the Author Link X Facebook Instagram Threads TikTok Amazon Goodreads Follow the Bright One blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m delighted to welcome Lisajoy Sachs and her book, Bright One, to the blog #BrightOne #HistoricalFiction #WWII #JewishHistoricalFiction #Holocaust #FamilyHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · Family History · historical fiction · Holocaust · Jewish Historical Fiction · WW2 Fellow writers, lets minimise the stress around getting those words on the page #writingadvice historical fiction I’m delighted to welcome Jennifer Wizbowski and her book, Poinsettia Girl, to the blog #PoinsettiaGirl #HistoricalFiction #RenaissanceFiction #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · renaissance fiction 2025 – A Reading Year in Review Action and adventure · Anglo-Saxon · Audio book · Boldwood Books · book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · Elizabethan · English History · fantasy · fiction · historical fiction · Historical Romance · M J Porter · murder mystery · Mystery · New Release

Fellow writers, lets minimise the stress around getting those words on the page #writingadvice

I’m delighted to welcome Jennifer Wizbowski and her book, Poinsettia Girl, to the blog with an excerpt. Excerpt 2 Margarita closed the door to her bedroom and entered the hall with some of her spunk back in her step. She needed those afternoon naps more than she had in all her years in the Pietà. Every day, when early afternoon came, she’d feel her shoulders slumping and her patience waning, ready to shut out the worries around her and blow her bedside candle out. She would never admit that to anyone. It would make her sound old, and then there would be all their fussing. While her schedule no longer consisted of classes, private lessons, or choral rehearsals, it was as full as the girls in new lace collars. She still had hers, that lacy shawl, a little more cream than stark white- one could never stop the cycle of aging. She would wear it when special occasions called for it: a full choir for a dignified guest or a celebration, but mostly, it hung in her closet, a trophy of her femininity, not the public image of virginal and ethereal but the honest image: persevering, unruffled and wise. The Pietà took careful measures in recording the names, titles, entrances, and exits of every woman who spent any time behind its protective walls. Some listings were short, poor, sick babes that only lasted a night or diseased women who spent their final days cared for with the dignity society did not give them—others, like herself, whose decades were sub- marked by all her different roles in the Pietà. The path was different for everyone. Some women did not possess the musical predisposition to train for the Coro, which is why they tested every foundling’s aptitude by the age of eight. The less musically inclined girls trained in textile arts or medicine, with the potential of working in the Pietà’s ground-floor ventures in their later years. The hospital administered vaccines and cared for the unwanted, while the textiles area had a successful laundering and hat-making business. In her current assignment, she was listed as Discrete, a nice way of inferring: a retiree with no more obligations to the Coro—and as Margarita internally joked, whom they decided to keep around a bit longer instead of shipping off to a convent. Indeed, she was worth more than the average old woman slippering around. Here’s the Blurb Poinsettia Girl is based on the story of Agata de la Pieta, an orphan musician of the Ospedale de la Pieta. Ten-year-old Agata’s world is shaken at the sudden death of her mother. Left only with her egregious father, a working musician in Venice, her ailing grandmother sends her to the well-known orphanage, hidden from everything she’s ever known. Agata auditions for the conservatory style music school where music is both salvation and spectacle. Hidden behind ornate metal grates, adorned with poinsettias in their hair, the singers are veiled in mystery, their ethereal music drawing noble audiences, including gilded young men who see them as treasures-not only for their sound but as coveted marriage prizes. Just as she reaches the height of her musical journey, a marriage proposal from someone outside the audience tempts her with the promise of a new life-a return to the old neighborhood she’s longed for and a home she barely remembers.  Torn between the music that has defined her and the hope of belonging to a family, Agata must confront the most profound question of her life: is her purpose rooted in the music that shaped her, or in the love that might free her? Buy Link Universal Link Meet the Author Jennifer Wizbowski spent her childhood days lost among the spines of her favorite books. Inspired by the daffodil fields of Wordsworth and the babbling brooks of Shakespeare, she earned her bachelor’s in English literature, a minor in music, and a secondary teaching credential, then wrote freelance for local business journals, taught in classrooms, and authored a Teen and Tween column for a parent magazine—all while raising her family. As those years ended, she knew it was the right time to pursue her lifelong aspiration of bringing her own books to life. She now devotes herself to illuminating everyday women’s stories often lost in the shadows of history, revealing how they became heroines of their own time and place. Portrait by Valentina Photography at Macardi Images Connect with the Author Link X Facebook Instagram Bluesky Pinterest Link Amazon Goodreads Follow the Poinsettia Girl blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club Posts Stay up to date with the latest from the blog. I’m delighted to welcome Jennifer Wizbowski and her book, Poinsettia Girl, to the blog #PoinsettiaGirl #HistoricalFiction #RenaissanceFiction #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour Blog Tour · Coffee Pot Book Club · historical fiction · renaissance fiction 2025 – A Reading Year in Review Action and adventure · Anglo-Saxon · Audio book · Boldwood Books · book review · Cozy Mystery · Crime Fiction · Elizabethan · English History · fantasy · fiction · historical fiction · Historical Romance · M J Porter · murder mystery · Mystery · New Release I’m reviewing The Bookseller of Inverness by SG MacLean #historicalfiction #bookreview #highlyrecommended historical fiction I’m sharing my review for The Ruffler’s Child, the first book in John Pilkington’s Elizabethan mysteries featuring Thomas Finbow #histfic #historicalmystery #bookreview #blogtour historical fiction