The Writing Desk

Book Review of Two Graves (REVENGE Book 3) by Terry Tyler

2026-07-08T16:18:20.846+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Two novellas. Two lives changed forever by the need for retribution.

Terry Tyler continues to impress with compelling Story telling and talent for building psychological suspense in Two Graves, the third instalment of her REVENGE series.

This double novella delivers two different stories, yet both explore the dark consequences of obsession, betrayal and the desire for retribution with remarkable insight. The series is built around standalone tales of revenge, each examining how seemingly ordinary people can be driven to extraordinary actions.

I particularly liked the believable, flawed characters whose motivations feel authentic, even when their choices become increasingly disturbing. The tension builds steadily, drawing the reader deeper into lives where every decision carries unforeseen consequences.

The novella format suits Terry Tyler's writing perfectly, and the pacing is superb throughout. Both stories are tightly plotted, with enough twists to keep you guessing without feeling contrived. Just when you think you know where events are heading, the narrative changes direction, delivering endings that are satisfying and thought-provoking.

Two Graves is another excellent addition to the REVENGE series, and I look forward t0 wjhat comes next. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Terry Tyler lives in the North East of England with her husband, where she goes for long walks with camera in hand, feeds birds and tries to grow stuff, as well as ploughing through her TBR list and writing books. She loves history, particularly Saxon, Plantagenet and Tudor, and is still waiting for the zombie apocalypse. You cna find Terry on Twitter @TerryTyler4, Instagram @terry__tyler and Bluesky @terrytyler.bsky.social

Historical Fiction Spotlight: The Versailles Formula (The Genevieve Planche Mysteries Book 3) by Nancy Bilyeau

2026-07-06T06:06:23.712+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Genevieve Sturbridge thought she’d left danger behind in London. Now she lives a quiet life in the countryside with her husband and son. But an invitation to dine at Sir Horace Walpole’s eerie Gothic estate pulls her back into a deadly world of deception, espionage and murder.

A missing formula. A deadly secret. A race against time that could alter the fate of nations. In the simmering unrest of 18th-century Europe, Genevieve Sturbridge is thrust into a perilous mission—one she never imagined but cannot refuse.

A formula for a dazzling shade of blue has resurfaced, one tied to alchemy, espionage and a power that could tip the balance between France and England. Some will kill to possess it. Others will kill to keep it buried.

As revolution stirs and shadows lengthen in the ornate drawing rooms of Paris and the back alleys of London, Genevieve must navigate treacherous alliances and a past that refuses to stay hidden. The formula’s secrets could bring untold wealth—or unimaginable destruction.

With time running out, Genevieve must unravel the mystery before the Versailles Formula falls into the wrong hands — because this time, the price of failure is more than just her own life.

‘A masterful work . . . the reader treads a thrilling path which keeps you on the edge of your seat.’ - Bestselling historical novelist Griff Hosker

‘A plucky heroine, intriguing mystery, and rich, well-researched historical background. Nancy Bilyeau has found the winning formula!’ - Eva Stachniak, author of The School of Mirrors

‘A compelling adventure replete with spies, political intrigue, gorgeous gothic manor houses, romance, impeccably researched history.’ Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope series

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About the Author

Nancy Bilyeau is the author of the Joanna Stafford trilogy: The Crown, The Chalice, and The Tapestry. The series was published in the UK, North America, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Denmark. Orion Publishing is re-issuing The Crown and The Chalice in the UK with new covers for the paperback. In North America, the Joanna Stafford trilogy is available in ebook, paperback, hardback and audio formats here. Nancy lives with her family in the Hudson Valley in New York. Find out more at Nancy's website, NancyBilyeau.com and find her on Facebook, Twitter @Tudorscribe and Bluesky @nancycb.bsky.social

Visiting Elizabeth Castle: Jersey's Island Fortress

2026-07-02T09:44:00.403+00:00

Elizabeth Castle is in St Aubin's Bay, just off the coast of St Helier on the island of Jersey. This historic fortress has been watching over the island for more than four centuries, and getting there is part of the adventure. You can risk the winding causeway at low tide or take a ride on one of the amphibious castle ferries.

I first explored the history of Elizabeth Castle when researching my book, Raleigh Tudor Adventurer. Walter Raleigh was appointed Governor of Jersey in 1600, and with typical flattery named the castle after the queen, calling it 'Fort Isabelle Bellissima' (Elizabeth the Most Beautiful).

Elizabeth Castle is a collection of fortifications with a rich history and hidden corners spread across a rocky tidal islet. Every section has its own story.

Sir Anthony Paulet, who handed over

governorship to Raleigh in 1600

The castle was built in the late sixteenth century after the invention of gunpowder made Jersey's older fortress, Mont Orgueil, less effective as a defensive stronghold. The new castle was designed to protect the island and its harbour, and over the centuries served as a military base, a prison and a refuge during times of conflict.

Most people remember Walter Raleigh as the adventurer who searched for the mythical city of El Dorado, but few know he served as Governor of Jersey between 1600 and 1603.

Sir Walter recognised the strategic importance of Jersey and took a genuine interest in strengthening the island's defences. During his time as Governor, he inspected the fortifications and encouraged improvements to the castle's military capabilities.

His influence can still be felt today. As well as establishing hte lucrative Newfoundland fishing industry with a Jersey fishng fleet, he formalised the Jersey land register. This remains the basis of Jersey's property conveyancing system and is one of the oldest land registries in Europe.

Standing on the ramparts and looking across St Aubin's Bay, it's easy to imagine Walter Raleigh considering how best to defend this small but important outpost of the English Crown. He is also credited with saving Mont Orgueil Castle from destruction when others suggested it be dismantled to provide materials for Elizabeth Castle.

Another of Elizabeth Castle's significant events came several decades later during the English Civil War. While England was torn apart by fighting between Parliament and the Royalists, Jersey remained loyal to the Crown - and Elizabeth Castle became one of the last Royalist strongholds.

In 1646, a young Prince Charles arrived in Jersey after his father, King Charles I, suffered a series of military defeats. At just sixteen years old, the future Charles II found himself living in exile. For several months, Elizabeth Castle became his home and a place of relative safety while events unfolded across the Channel.

It's strange to think that the man who would eventually reclaim the English throne once walked these same stone paths, looking out across the sea and wondering what the future held. Life in exile could not have been easy, but Jersey's loyalty provided an important sanctuary during one of the darkest periods in Royal history.

Visitors can still see the room in the Governor's House, which overlooks the castle's Parade Ground, and is traditionally associated with Charles II's stay. While it has naturally been restored over the centuries, standing inside offers a tangible connection with those turbulent years.

Eventually, after years in exile across Europe, Charles II returned to England in 1660 as part of the Restoration, reclaiming the throne and ending the republican Commonwealth. Jersey's support was remembered, and the island retained a reputation for loyalty to the monarchy.

Elizabeth Castle is one of those rare places where the setting is every bit as memorable as the history. You arrive expecting an old fortress, but you leave having walked through centuries of stories involving explorers, kings, sieges and survival.

Whether you're interested in Sir Walter Raleigh's efforts to strengthen the island's defences or the remarkable tale of a teenage prince finding refuge before becoming Charles II, the castle brings history to life in a way that few attractions manage.

If Jersey is on your travel list, make sure Elizabeth Castle is too. It isn't just somewhere to tick off an itinerary. It's a place where every stone seems to have a story, and where the island's remarkable past is never far from view.

Tony Riches

Discover the real story of adventurer, courtier, explorer and poet, Sir Walter Raleigh, who has been called the last true Elizabethan: https://mybook.to/Raleigh

Special Guest Post by Namita Kumari, Author of The Serpent's Longing: The Naga Princess And The Himalayan Yogi

2026-06-27T05:23:19.442+00:00

Available from Amazon UK,

Amazon US and Amazon India

For eleven stolen days, in the warm green dark at the edge of the world, a man and a woman who were each meant to be alone forever are simply, quietly, secretly happy. She has worn a thousand shapes and never wanted to keep a single one. He crossed a sea with nothing but a dream of her, having given everything else away, and arrived wanting only the woman the dream had promised. In the hours they steal together — talking late, laughing like fools, learning the shape of each other in the firelight — they find the one thing neither of them was ever built to survive: being truly known,

and not wanting to be anywhere else.

The Love Story Nobody Told: How a Research Grant Became My Debut Novel

It began as scholarship, not storytelling.

A few years ago, I was awarded a research project (book) by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts — India's premier institution for cultural research, under the Ministry of Culture — to study the ancient cultural links between India and Cambodia.

The project was academic in intent: to trace the threads of mythology, art, architecture, and civilisational exchange that connected these two worlds across centuries of maritime trade and cultural contact. The outcome of this research (book) will also come in late 2026.

What I did not expect was to find a love story.

Deep in my research into the founding myths of Cambodia, I encountered a legend preserved in 3rd-century Chinese chronicles and in Cambodian oral tradition: an Indian Brahmin named Kaundinya arrived by sea on the Cambodian coast. He carried a magic bow.

When a Naga princess named Soma — daughter of the king of the deep waters — paddled out to meet his vessel, he shot an arrow into her boat. She agreed to marry him. Her father, the Naga king, drank up the great waters and drained a swamp to give them a kingdom. Together, Kaundinya and Soma founded Funan — one of the earliest recorded kingdoms of the Mekong delta, the civilisation that preceded the Khmer and eventually gave rise to Angkor Wat.

Cambodia still remembers this as the origin story of the Khmer people. Cambodian children learn it. It is woven into their cultural identity, retold in temples and oral tradition, living in the country's memory as the moment of their civilisational beginning.

And yet — as I travelled deeper into my research, I made a discovery that astonished me.

This myth is almost entirely unknown in India. It was from this country that Kaundinya set sail. It was from this civilization's mythology that Cambodia obtained its founding story.

Most Indians have not heard of Funan; they know nothing about Kaundinya; and they are unfamiliar with Soma, the naga princess who stands at the root of Khmer identity. Outside of India and Cambodia, this legend has no significant presence—unknown in the West; lacking in the canon of world mythology; and never told as fiction in English.

A story so important, so lovely, so full of life to one country and so completely forgotten by another—it deserves a literary work that will give it the kind of exposure it should get.

As I continue to work with primary sources, I realize that the chronicles provide us with the foundation of the kingdom but do not provide us with the woman. Her name appears. Her lineage is listed. Her consent to marry is documented.

And then she disappears into the founding narrative which like so many other founding narratives, is really the story of the man who arrived, and the kingdom he created. She is the woman whose waters he entered; whose father's sea he drained; and whose land became the kingdom—her footnote in her own story.

I couldn't leave her there.

Soma is a naga princess. What does that mean? In Indian and Southeast Asian mythology it means someone extraordinary. Not a human woman playing a mythological role—she is a shapeshifter of deep waters.

A being capable of holding any shape you want her to take on and choosing none permanently. Ancient like rivers are ancient. Here is this yogi arriving from the Himalayas—a man who spent years mastering the art of wanting nothing—asking her to become one thing forever.

That tension between infinite freedom and singular love—is the novel.

I have written The Serpent's Longing": The Naga Princess And The Himalayan Yogi around my teaching schedule at my College in Delhi University. It is not invented—the mythology is real, documented, ancient. I just gave it a voice it has been missing.

What I didn't expect to find when I started reading the mythology against today was how much of a role it still plays today in Cambodia. It is not just history. The founding legend of Funan lives—today it is in temples and in conversations. This is a part of the cultural identity of people who have survived extreme devastation and yet remember where they come from.

The serpent's Longing reached #1 on Amazon India in Mythology & Folk Tales (for a short time above palace of illusions & Alchemist) with a 4.9-star readers' ratings. It also reached #3 on Amazon India in Fantasy. It is free on Kindle Unlimited. My next book will return to the same ancient Indian-Southeast Asian tradition.

To new writers, I would say this: sometimes the most important story you will ever tell will arrive disguised as a research question. Pay attention to these moments when scholarship becomes personal. If you think about that footnote every day—then probably that is the book you always intended to write.

Namita Kumari

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About the Author

Namita Kumari is an Assistant professor at SPM College, Delhi University with a PhD from the University of Trento, Italy. Her research on the ancient cultural links between India and Cambodia was supported by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, Government of India. A previously published author of a work on women entrepreneurship, her debut novel The Serpent's Longing: The Naga Princess and the Himalayan Yogi reimagines the founding legend of Funan — the myth that created the Khmer civilisation — as a fantasy romance rooted in 3rd-century Chinese chronicles and Cambodian oral tradition. The book reached #1 in Mythology & Folk Tales on Amazon India. Her second book is due in September 2026. which is also set in the same ancient world of SEA. Find her at on Instagram and amazon.in

Blog Tour Excerpt: Book Title: Queen of Shadows, by Anna Belfrage

2026-06-24T05:29:09.082+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun. Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.

Excerpt:

Alma felt safer the moment she entered her city. One of the guards at the city gate recognised her and asked her to give his regards to her mother. She slowed her pace along the familiar streets, passed by the huge cathedral just as the bells in the Giralda rang out the noon hour, and came to an abrupt stop at the sight of her childhood home. The gates stood wide open, people spilling out from the courtyard within to stand in the street. She pushed her way through, her initial fear that something bad had happened assuaged by the laughter, the loud voices.

The small patio was crowded with people, and sitting on a chair in the centre was Ramona, her cheeks flushed.

“Alma!” Abuela greeted her with a hug. “How propitious that you should come today. We are celebrating.”

One of the women present broke out in song. Several others fell in, some clapping out the rhythm. A song of love, of marriage and future babes, and Alma turned to blink at Ramona, who gave her a smug look.

“You’re getting married?” Alma asked.

“I am. The contracts were signed earlier today. I come with an adequate dowry, so Mamá has arranged a good marriage for me.” Ramona smirked. “Not much left for you. Or Nuria.”

For the first time ever, Alma felt a twinge of jealousy. Not because Ramona was to wed, but because she, Alma, would never have anything to offer someone like Rodrigo.

“Is he handsome?” she asked.

Ramona shrugged. “I have not met him. Mamá says he is.” She lowered her voice. “He’s a widower, father of three.”

“Ah.” Whatever jealousy she’d felt dissipated. “Is he from Sevilla?”

“No.” Ramona frowned. “He is from Cádiz.”

So far away!

“Have you been there?” Ramona asked.

She had, some years back when Doña Leonor had instead on accompanying the king when he set out to visit both Cádiz and Tarifa, central locations for his plans to one day retake Gibraltar from the Marinids.

“Mamá says it is a good place to live.” Ramona snorted. “How would she know? She’s never been further away than the Sierra Morena.”

“It benefits from the sea,” Alma said. “It is never as hot as Sevilla because there is always a breeze.” And it was also very small compared to Sevilla, the protective walls resulting in cramped conditions, but she did not think Ramona needed to hear this. “Is your future husband a caballero?”

“Sí. He now serves the king as a tax collector,” Ramona replied. “Before that, he served the local adelantado for years. He commanded men at the siege of 1333 but was grievously wounded and can no longer ride to war.” She cocked her head. “Mamá says the king should have persisted until he won.”

“Mamá knows nothing of what it is to be king.” Alma knew, from listening to Doña Leonor, that the king had every intention of retaking Gibraltar, but then, back in 1333, he’d had to break the siege to handle Juan Manuel and his cohorts, who had been happily raiding their way through Castile. Outlaws and renegades the lot of them! Since then, Juan Manuel had been reined in—until last year, when he’d allied himself with Portugal.

“No, I suppose she doesn’t. Just as she doesn’t know anything about living in Cádiz.” Ramona sighed. “I won’t know anyone.”

“You will make friends soon,” Alma told her. “Your husband will be so proud of you and will likely parade you round every plaza, every church.”

Ramona gnawed her lip. “You truly think so?”

“You are very pretty.” And also very young, only a year older than Alma. Her husband-to-be had to be at least twice her age if he’d held command in 1333. She dug into her basket and found the pair of ivory hair combs she’d intended to give Mamá. Of Moorish origin, they were old but beautiful. “Here. For the bride-to-be.”

Ramona gaped. And then she threw her arms around Alma.

“I bought them for you,” Alma said much later to her mother. “But Ramona—”

“You did the right thing,” Mamá said. “You made her very happy.”

Anna Belfrage

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About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. Anna has just released the final instalment, Their Castilian Orphan, in her other medieval series, The Castilian Saga ,which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has recently released Times of Turmoil, a sequel to her time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding. . . Find out more from Anna's website www.annabelfrage.com and find her on Facebook, Bluesky and Twitter @abelfrageauthor

Historical Fiction Book Launch: Massawa: a Tale of Espionage, Love, and Illusion, by Pam Webber

2026-06-23T05:35:48.764+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

1942: During the height of World War II, Wild Bill Donovan, the director of the United States' first spy agency, believes women are the key to winning the intelligence battle with the Nazis.

To that end, he partners fledgling agent Kit Thomas with British MI6 agent Mark Williams and sends them to one of the most perilous places in the world - Massawa, Eritrea - to investigate the theft of millions of military payroll dollars.

In Massawa, Kit and Mark discover a conspiracy by Nazi sympathizers, known as the Vichy, to shut down the only Allied naval base on the Red Sea - which is an essential resource in stopping the Nazi invasion of North Africa. As they work to reveal the conspirators, Kit and Mark engage in a dangerous and tempestuous dance of trust versus mistrust.

“With empathy and care, Webber brings to life the hidden world of ‘The Wiregrass’ in the 1960s. This is a coming-of-age story that will move you profoundly.” Susan Breen, author of “The Fiction Room”

“‘Moon Water’ is a flood of love and tragedy. There is intense action and humor, soul satisfying courage and redemption, and throughout, Webber's knowing, authoritative hand with setting and character.” David L. Robbins, New York Times-bestselling author

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About the Author

Pam Webber is a bestselling second career novelist, and was honored to be a panelist at Virginia Festival of the Book, the Library of Virginia, and James River Writers. Pam is also an internal medicine nurse practitioner and former nursing educator. She and her husband, Jeff, live in the beautiful Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Find out more Learn more at: www.pamwebber.com and find Pam on Facebook, Twitter: @PamWebber1 and Instagram: @PamWebber1

Special Guest Interview with Elisabeth Storrs, Author of Fables & Lies

2026-06-19T05:44:05.397+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Under a brutal regime, what price must be paid to preserve truth, treasure and love

in a world built on lies.

I'm pleased to welcome author Elisabeth Storrs to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

Thanks so much for hosting my book on your blog. Fables & Lies: A World War II Novel features Freyja Bremer, a patriotic museum assistant, raised on Nazi dogma. Through her love affair with Cambridge educated archaeologist, Darien Lessing, her eyes are opened to the rot beneath the Regime’s lies, as they both strive to protect their nation’s antiquities, in particular, Priam’s Treasure from Troy.

Intertwined is Freyja’s forced marriage to Kaspar Voigt, a scholar from Himmler’s research institute, the SS Ahnenerbe. As such, Freyja’s safekeeping efforts and her journey to enlightenment form the spine of the novel, with her quest to learn about her husband’s twisted research threaded through the narrative. In this way, I explore the bravery of German museum curators as well as Himmler’s promulgation of the ‘Aryan Myth’ to justify invasion, dispossession and genocide.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I am quite disciplined with my writing so I sit down at my desk from around 10 am to 6.30 pm on my allocated writing days. However, I usually find my imagination really fires up in the afternoons so I tend to deal with research or structuring in the morning.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Perseverance and practice! I believe in ‘bum glue’. You won’t finish a novel if you don’t schedule a time in your diary and actually sit down to write. It’s amazing what you can achieve in even a few hours per week.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

This is an interesting question because there is a difference between marketing and publicity. Word of mouth among bloggers, reviewers and fellow authors is really important in raising ‘brand’ awareness but sales only really flow from free or discount promotions for short bursts of time. This helps with visibility on Amazon in various sub-categories. I’m lucky that my publisher is prepared to use this strategy but it’s important to set a budget and track return on investment if you are an indie author.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

Fables & Lies arose from my fascination with the archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann, who not only proved the ancient city of Troy existed but also discovered Priam’s Treasure. Schliemann smuggled the trove out of Turkey then ‘bequeathed’ it to the German people. During WWII, the treasure was kept in the Pre and Early History Museum in Berlin in a street then known as Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse (now Niederkirchnerstrasse).

The museum was housed at No. 7 in an amazing building known as Martin Gropius Bau. When I visited Berlin I was astounded to find the building was next to Gestapo HQ at No.8 (an ominous address). As a result, Martin Gropius Bau was under constant threat of becoming collateral damage. Freyja risks her life packing the collections while watching the museum take hit after hit.

Niederkirchnerstrasse stands today as a time capsule for various eras in Berlin’s history. No.8 has been razed. A museum known as ‘The Topography of Terrors’ has been established to serve as a reminder of the oppression of the Regime. The street also holds echoes of misery from the German Democratic Republic as a section of the Berlin Wall that ran down the middle of the road remains.

Next to this wasteland, Martin Gropius Bau rises in its splendour. The West Germans reconstructed it in 1978 with further renovations occurring after reunification. It is a delight to behold – one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Berlin – well worth a visit.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

Given the novel is set in wartime, there were many scenes I found harrowing to write as I highlight the suffering experienced by Berliners under Allied blockbuster bombs. I also deal with dark episodes of Himmler’s research programs. However, one scene I found difficult to write was early in the novel when Freyja is swept off her feet by Kaspar who has gained fame as an explorer on an expedition to Tibet.

Himmler sent such scholars to the Himalayas to find traces of ‘Proto-Aryans’ who had survived the sinking of Atlantis. The theory was Germans were descendants of these super-humans who had spread throughout the world to seed all great civilisations. This partially underpinned the concept of the ‘Aryan Myth’. As such German-Nordic people were supposedly part of the ‘Master Race’. I knew I was spouting dangerous rhetoric but it was important to demonstrate how Freyja had been indoctrinated throughout her schooling by such ideology so readers can appreciate her journey to enlightenment.

What are you planning to write next?

After the battle of Berlin, Soviet Trophy Brigades stole Priam’s Treasure and transported it from Germany only to claim it had been lost in transit to Moscow in the post-war chaos. The whereabouts of the gold was unknown for 50 years until the Russians admitted in the 1990s they had hidden it in a secret room in the Pushkin Museum.

I am currently writing the ‘companion’ novel to Fables & Lies entitled The Pinocchio Door. Spanning 4,000 years, I tell the journey of Priam’s Treasure through the eyes of four women with their own secrets: Annitti, a Trojan goldsmith; Sophia, the wife of archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann; Safinova, a Soviet Trophy Brigade Major; and Freyja’s granddaughter, Mia, who seeks to solve the mystery of the gold’s disappearance.

Elisabeth Storrs

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About the Author

Elisabeth Storrs has a great love for history and myths. She is the award-winning author of A Tale of Ancient Rome trilogy which was endorsed by Ursula Le Guin, Kate Quinn and Ben Kane. Now her obsession lies with Trojan treasure and twisted Germanic prehistory in her new release, Fables & Lies: A World War II Novel. Elisabeth is also the founder of the Historical Novel Society Australasia and the $155,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She lives in Sydney with her husband in a house surrounded by jacarandas. Find out more at https://www.elisabethstorrs.com and find Elisabeth on Twitter / X: @elisabethstorrs, Instagram and Facebook

Book Launch Spotlight: The Queen's Painter, a new take on the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of the Tudor court's painter. by Wendy Holden

2026-06-18T05:34:42.031+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

When the brilliant young Holbein arrives at the Tudor court, Anne Boleyn is among his first patrons. As she rises to the top, Hans rises with her. Courtiers clamour for his portraits of life-like accuracy; pictures which tell the truth about their subjects.

When his beloved Anne is beheaded on false evidence, Hans is heartbroken and enraged. And he's not alone. Poet and diplomat Thomas Wyatt is agonised at his own unwitting part in her tragedy. He and Hans join forces and vow revenge on the person they blame for Anne's downfall: Thomas Cromwell, the king's ruthless chief minister.

But what can a poet and painter do against the most powerful man in England? The answer comes when Henry VIII seeks a fourth wife. Cromwell turns to Holbein and Wyatt, his trusted artist and envoy, to travel across Europe to find and paint a new bride. Cromwell's position depends on a portrait of someone young and beautiful, painted with Hans' trademark truth. Anything less could bring the whole court crashing down.

It's the opportunity they've been waiting for...

Praise for The Queen's Painter:

'A thrilling tale of danger and revenge' Literary Review

'InThe Queen's Painter, Wendy Holden brings a well-known piece of history to life with a fresh and vivid perspective. Utterly gripping and portrayed in exquisite detail, this is a story to lose yourself in entirely.' Elizabeth Lee

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About the Author

Wendy Holden's books have sold over 3m copies in 14 languages worldwide. Born in Yorkshire, Wendy read English Literature at Girton College, Cambridge and spent fourteen years as a journalist on the Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, Harpers & Queen and Tatler before becoming a novelist. Her experience on glossy magazines was the inspiration for her debut, the smash-hit comedy Simply Divine. Wendy then pivoted to historical fiction with the bestselling Windsor Trilogy. The Governess was about Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford, the young Scottish teacher who brought fun and normality to the childhood of Elizabeth II. The Duchess explored the incredible rise of Wallis Simpson whilst The Princess traced the young Diana Spencer’s extraordinary path to the altar. Find out more at Wendy's website

https://www.wendyholden.net/about_me.php

Historical Fiction Spotlight: No Ordinary June By L. N. Jacobs

2026-06-18T05:12:45.993+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Miss June Fairmont, second daughter to Baronet Fairmont, believes in true love. Gregory Kendall, Earl of Kendall, believes in practical arrangements.

One dance. That's all it took for Gregory to decide June would make an adequate Countess of Kendall. The next morning, she overhears him presenting her father with a marriage proposal—complete with a list evaluating her suitability. When she bursts into her father's study, fury barely contained, Gregory has the audacity to look amused.

Worse, he offers a wager. He'll give her one Season to find her perfect romantic match. When she inevitably fails to find this "true love"—and he's clearly certain she will—she'll accept his practical proposal.

June agrees instantly—let him watch her prove that love conquers logic. But Gregory proves an insufferable shadow throughout her Season, offering his pragmatic assessment of every swooning poet and debt-ridden rake. Somewhere between his dry observations and brutal honesty, June makes a horrifying discovery: she's starting to enjoy his company. His wit makes her laugh. That insufferable smirk becomes almost... attractive.

One Season. One wager. And a growing suspicion that the real danger isn't losing the bet—it's winning it.

Filled with sharp banter, a wager that changes everything, swoony kisses, and one insufferably pragmatic earl, "No Ordinary June" is the witty Regency romance you've been waiting for. A closed-door enemies-to-lovers where the tension is in every glance, and the slow burn will leave you breathless.

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About the Author

L. N. Jacobs is an Italian paediatrician living in Sweden, where she's perfected the art of balancing hospital shifts, family chaos, and an unhealthy obsession with happy endings. By day, she wrangles tiny patients and their worried parents. By night (and early mornings, and lunch breaks), she writes emotional romances about imperfect people finding love in the messiest, most unexpected ways. Her stories blend the high-stakes drama of medical life with sizzling chemistry, sharp banter, and characters who feel like friends you'd text at 2 AM. Think ER meets happily-ever-after, with a hefty dose of wit and a side of Swedish fika. When she's not writing or saving lives, you'll find her devouring romance novels, hoarding chocolate like it's currency, plotting her next adventure, or convincing her family that "just one more chapter" is a valid excuse for everything. Follow the author at Instagram and Bluesky: @luby-writes-books.bsky.social

Book Launch Spotlight: Courage: Tales of History, Mystery and Hope, by Judith Arnopp, Anna Belfrage, Derek Birks, Cathie Dunn, Patricia Furstenberg, Jean Gill, Kathy Hollick-Bater, Helen Hollick, Carolyn Hughes, Amy Maroney, Alison Morton, Elizabeth St.John, Marian L Thorpe, Antoine Vanner, Annie Whitehead. With an introduction by Lorna Fergusson.

2026-06-17T05:22:52.956+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Fifteen historical short stories, covering eras from Roman to present-day by Judith Arnopp, Anna Belfrage, Derek Birks, Cathie Dunn, Patricia Furstenberg, Jean Gill, Kathy Hollick-Bater, Helen Hollick, Carolyn Hughes, Amy Maroney, Alison Morton, Elizabeth St.John, Marian L Thorpe, Antoine Vanner, Annie Whitehead. With an introduction by Lorna Fergusson.

The lion has long been a symbol of courage, loyalty, and hope. A creature of power and, in some traditions, of the divine. We imagine it unflinching, unafraid. Yet the truest bravery is not found in the open, but within, where the lion lies hidden, waiting to be called upon. In moments of uncertainty or grief. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to face it. It is the moment when we would rather flee, but instead, find a strength we did not know we possessed.

These powerful and often emotional stories follow men, women, and children as they face profound adversity, the resilience to endure, cling to hope for the future, and the courage to change their lives forever.

Join these ordinary people as they uncover extraordinary strength and emerge, in their own way, lion-hearted.

The Stories – in appearance order: (collated by Helen Hollick)

THE SENTRY by Alison MortRoman province of Noricum, AD 395. When danger strikes and you are on your own with only fear as a companion

THE SAXON by Derek Birks. Southern Britain, the frontier between the Belgae and the Atrebates. AD 471. When escape means more than just running for your life

THE PHOENIX by Marian L Thorpe. Ésparias, a fictional country bordering the western sea circa AD 900. A mother’s dilemma? To keep them safe – or let them go?

SIFLEDE by Judith Arnopp. London, October 1066. When the Normans come, Southwark’s residents need to fight, flee, hide or die

DAISY CHAIN by Annie Whitehead. England, 1141. A mother’s love. A mother’s grief

STEPPING BETWEEN by Anna Belfrage. Ludlow Castle, England, 1308. When all you can do is to endure

CONFRONTING PLAGUE by Carolyn Hughes. England, 1361. When courage must survive in the face of history’s cruellest plague

KATE’S LETTER by Patricia Furstenberg. Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary, 1478. One letter, sealed in dragon’s wax

THE PORTRAIT’S SECRET by Amy Maroney. Paris, 1536. When a woman holds a secret, does she keep it, or share it?

LEGACY by Jean Gill. Tudor England, 1558. When a man loses everything, what is his legacy?

A TALETELLER’S TALE by Helen Hollick. Somewhere in the Caribbean, 1709. When the only sound is the song of the sea, do you listen? Or do you drown in the embrace of a mermaid?

THE GATE by Elizabeth St.John. London, 1900 . When courage costs everything

DARKNESS RISING by Cathie Dunn. Venezia, June 1923. Can the mystery of a secluded island, and a murder, be solved before time runs out?

A SACK OF POTATOES by Antoine Vanner. Groenhorst, outskirts of Amersvoort, The Netherlands. November 11th, 1954. Courage meant survival for many – but others relied on greed

GRUMPY OLD GRANDFATHER by Kathy Hollick-Bater. Anywhere, Present-day. It takes courage to fight the memory of fear

Book Review: Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor, by Nathen Amin

2026-06-16T16:12:28.812+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The third book in Nathen Amin's Henry VII trilogy shines a spotlight on the (often ignored) Welsh lineage of Henry Tudor, going back into the lives of his ancestors for eight generations.

Described by historians as 'ground breaking', this comprehensive book is now the definitive account of the people and events which led up to the founding of the Tudor dynasty.

Nathen Amin shows how this context is so important for understanding our history. I was aware of how the Welsh used referred to Henry Tudor as the 'Son of Prophecy' of the title, but never thought about how deeply rooted this idea was in Welsh culture - or quite how long they had been waiting to see the prophecy fulfilled.

I have stood on the shingle beach at Mill Bay, close to my home in West Wales, where Henry and his small army made landfall, and recommend this book to anyone who wants a richer understanding of why he took such a great risk - and succeeded.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Nathen Amin grew up in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, and has long had an interest in Welsh history, the Wars of the Roses and the early Tudor period. His first book Tudor Wales was released in 2014 and was well-received, followed by a second book called York Pubs in 2016. His third book is a full-length biography of the Beaufort family. He is the founder of the Henry Tudor Society and has featured discussing the Tudors on BBC radio and television, as well as in print and online media across the UK. He has a degree in Business and Journalism and now lives in York, where he works as a Technical Writer. Find him on Twitter @NathenAmin.

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Blog Tour Excerpt: The Queen's Sister: A vivid historical novel of a life among the wives of King Henry VIII. by Carol McGrath

2026-06-12T05:45:37.269+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

At nineteen, Elizabeth Seymour is already a mother, has been recently widowed, and seen her Queen, Anne Boleyn, lose her life. Against the wishes of her father, she heads North, away from Wulf Hall and the court in London to Yorkshire, determined to establish a new beginning as a landowner and business woman.

Prologue

I am Elizabeth Seymour, sister to the Queen. My second marriage to Gregory Cromwell is barely a month old, yet to my surprise, my portrait has already been commissioned by my father-in-law. As Lord Privy Seal, Thomas Cromwell has both affluence and influence; it is the celebrated Master Hans Holbein who is to paint me. He enjoys King Henry’s patronage and has recently completed a likeness of my sister.

‘Master Holbein,’ I say, after he arrives at Mort Lake, and I am looking at a selection of drawings he has displayed on a table in the great parlour.

‘I do believe you truly capture the humanity of your subject.’ I look up at his eager round face and thoughtful brown eyes. ‘This is all I ask for, since I wish to appear human and not merely portrayed as a stiff poppet in her best gown.’

One by one, I lift sketches he had drawn of my sister Queen Jane before painting her. These are fine drawings and capture her serenity. I consider them for some minutes. ‘They look like Jane but there is something intangible and sad too. She looks as if she will never reveal her true feelings.’

‘Her mystery,’ the painter says. ‘Everyone has secrets, and their public face can guard that which is unknown. I hope my work permits a glimpse of the sitter’s soul.’

I hold the sketches at arm’s length to study them closely again and tilt my head enquiringly. ‘My sister, does she have secrets, for I think her guileless?’

I smile, but my gaze is steady. Holbein returns my smile. ‘My lady, your sister is the perfect Queen. Besides she is with child and very happy,’ he says. ‘Her secret is her awareness of her responsibility as Queen, and she was hopeful for the future when I painted her. Women are by nature lovely and mysterious creatures. The Queen was confident that she would conceive the King’s child. And now, the good Lord has granted her wish.’

I nod, my face composed and serious. ‘Yes, Master Holbein, and I am to be aunt to a future prince or princess of England. That is a responsibility too. So, Master painter, I give you carte blanche. You have my trust.’ I replace the drawings of Jane on top of the polished walnut table.

‘These drawings have truth. I see a sister who is dignified, human, guarded and calm.’

Yet also, I cannot forget the shy, timid young woman Jane was before she won the King’s heart.

‘Queen Jane remains reserved rather than diffident and I see that you are too, my lady. You seem serious minded and educated, noble and patient, practical, yet creative and you are already a mother. You are a clever handsome woman and, in your portrait, I hope to capture the keen intelligence behind your bright eyes.’

I’m flattered by Master Holbein’s recognition of me as an intelligent woman and I warm to him. ‘Come next week, Master Painter, and you can begin your sketches,’ I say. ‘But mind, my sister will go into seclusion by the calends of September so I cannot sit for you after that.’

‘We can at least make a beginning, my lady,’ he says, bows and gathers up his drawings.

Carol McGrath

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About the Author

Following a first degree in English and History, Carol McGrath completed an MA in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, followed by an MPhil in English from University of London. The Handfasted Wife, first in a trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAS in 2014. The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a best-selling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, was republished by Headline in 2020. The Silken Rose, first in a medieval She-Wolf Queens Trilogy, featuring Ailenor of Provence, saw publication in April 2020. This was followed by The Damask Rose. The Stone Rose was published April 2022. Carol lives in Oxfordshire, England and in Greece. Find our more from Carol's website: www.carolcmcgrath.co.uk and find her on Facebook, Twitter @CarolMcGrath and Bluesky @swanneck.bsky.social

Book Launch Spotlight: Caesar's Nemesis (The Mark Antony Series) by Alex Gough

2026-06-11T06:20:26.119+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A hero will fall. An emperor will rise.

Mark Antony is Caesar's successor, victor over Caesar's murderers Brutus and Cassius, and the most powerful man in the world.

Yet he cannot be complacent. Octavian, Caesar's heir, is ambitious, intelligent and ruthless. Antony must prove himself with a great military victory to hold onto his position, and marches against Rome's old foe: the Parthian empire. But this is a formidable opponent; the bones of many legions lie on the battlefields of the East. And with the beguiling Cleopatra distracting him, can Antony come out on top?

Antony's final years are a whirlwind of shifting alliances, betrayals and war. In the end, the Battle of Actium will decide the fate of the empire, and set the course of history for the next two thousand years.

From Alexandria to Actium, this clash established a dynasty and struck down one of Rome's greatest heroes.

# # #

About the Author

Alex Gough has a decades long interest in Ancient Roman history, and the Carbo Series (Watchmen of Rome, Bandits of Rome and the short story collection Carbo and the Thief) is the culmination of a lot of research into the underclasses of Ancient Rome. His second series, The Imperial Assassin, is set in the reign of the Severan dynasty which is a very under-examined period of Roman history. His latest series is based on the larger than life character of Mark Antony, the warrior, the commander, the politician and the lover. I would love to interact with readers. Find out more at history www.romanfiction.com and find Alex on Twitter/X @romanfiction and Bluesky @alexgoughauthor.bsky.social

Blog Tour Interview with Ellen Rachlin, Author of Enheduanna's Song From The Sands

2026-06-10T05:27:05.797+00:00

Available for pre-order from

Amazon UK and Amazon US

Discover the untold story of Enheduanna, the world’s first named author, as she navigates power, betrayal, and divine destiny in ancient Mesopotamia. A mesmerizing fusion of history, myth, and female leadership that challenges how we see the past—and ourselves.

I'm pleased to welcome author Ellen Rachlin to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your book.

It’s about a little-known ancient world that lasted for about 2,000 years, a high priestess who happens to be the world’s first named author, a life-or-death struggle that shaped the course of literature, and revenge.

Enheduanna is one of the most notable historical figures of ancient Mesopotamia. She wielded a great deal of power, but paid a steep price for assuming such authority. She was the daughter of Sargon the Great, a prominent high priestess, and the world’s first named author. There is attestation in one of the hymns attributed to her that she was forced into exile by a rebel king, but later reinstated. That’s all we know. My story imagines her rise to power, her fall, and her restoration.

The remarkable works attributed to her make her extraordinary, whether or not she was their actual author. We don’t know which is true, but both possibilities help explain why she stands out as one of the most memorable figures of this long chapter in ancient history. That uncertainty gave me the freedom to create a rich narrative around an extraordinary woman’s life.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I enter a state of slight panic that I can’t channel my characters deeply enough. That’s when I’m most alert. Then I calm down and write, ideally every day.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Study with teachers who know what they are doing. Learn craft first. Without structure, it’s much more difficult to communicate your story. Without knowing the basic elements, it’s impossible to know how the rules can be changed, if one chooses to do so. Then keep studying and reading. I’m still learning.

After that, focus on the story you wish to tell and on creating it. There’s a more commercial approach in which a writer studies the market and embraces where readership is concentrated. If one can write quickly, I suppose that’s a viable process, but tastes change, and it takes a long time to bring a book to readers.

If you write what you are passionate about, you’re more likely to make your characters come alive.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

There are so many outlets. I don’t think anyone knows what works best. Writers I know try everything, and there are lots of people willing to help. But at the heart of raising awareness is the author’s willingness to stand behind their work and champion it. Authors are the best spokespeople for their work.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

Ancient Mesopotamian myths echoed mortal life experiences. Their gods were neither solely good nor solely evil, but complex beings possessing elements of both. They were subject to errors in judgment, human-like weaknesses, accountability for their actions, and judgment by other gods. This is quite different from modern notions of divinity.

Because of these qualities, the myths offered natural parallels to the Enheduanna of my imagination. She is a woman of remarkable agency for her time. She is also targeted by rebels and even by her own brothers. She is victimized, but refuses to be a victim. At first, this makes her ruthless, just as the gods can be in the myths. Yet, as in the myths, power has its price.

The myths themselves became my inspiration, along with Enheduanna’s mysterious and largely unknown life.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

Every scene has challenges; the most difficult one in Enheduanna’s Song From the Sands was the first chapter. I couldn’t tell her story without telling her father’s story. Enheduanna didn’t make enemies; she inherited generational ones. Sargon’s story needed to be told without interruption, so I began there rather than with Enheduanna. Slowing down and choosing to open with Sargon as a young cupbearer (one responsible for food and drink for a king) was a difficult choice.

What are you planning to write next?

At the moment, I’m writing a literary novel set in modern times, but I plan to return to ancient Mesopotamia, as there are so many figures from that era who fascinate me. By then, I hope that more readers will be curious about ancient Mesopotamia.

Ellen Rachlin

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About the Author

Ellen Rachlin’s poetry has appeared in American Poetry Review, Comstock Review, Granta, Court Green, Literary Imagination, and various anthologies. She has published two collections of her poems, Until Crazy Catches Me (Antrim House, 2008) and Permeable Divide (Antrim House, 2017), winner of the 2018 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award. She is also the author of two chapbooks, Waiting for Here (Finishing Line Press, 2004), a finalist in the New Women's Voices series, and Captive to Residue (Flarestack Publishing, 2009). She received her MFA from Antioch University. She serves as Treasurer of The Poetry Society of America and is a partner at Blue Leaf Ventures. Other writing genres include numerous textbook and journal articles on the subject of finance and investing with various publishers including Wiley. Find out more at Ellen's Website: https://www.ellenrachlin.com/ and find her on Facebook and Instagram

Blog Tour Spotlight: Rise of the Pale Moon, By Patricia Brandon

2026-06-09T05:59:45.960+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Forced to navigate complex relationships with each other and the master’s family in colonial South Carolina, three young women (an indentured servant, a chattel slave, and a Catawba Indian) must choose between remaining in servitude or risk a dangerous escape that could change their lives – and the course of the Revolution.

In the heart of coastal South Carolina, during the Revolutionary War era, a profound narrative unfolds in Rise of the Pale Moon. This captivating tale is set on a plantation, where three young women of strikingly different backgrounds are held captive - a humble indentured servant from London, a resilient chattel slave, and a resourceful Catawba Indian. Their lives are intertwined, bound by the chains of their circumstances, and deeply impacted by the Master and his family.

These women, each bearing a unique perspective, must learn to navigate their relationships with each other and their captors. As they grapple with their brutal reality, their courage is put to the ultimate test. Will they risk a daring escape, knowing full well that it could result in their demise? Or will they remain, hoping to influence their fate and possibly alter the course of the war in the American South?

Rise of the Pale Moon explores the intricacies of loyalty, sacrifice, and love amidst harsh adversity. The characters' relentless pursuit of hope is a testament to their determination and resilience, offering an inspiring portrayal of human spirit. As the birth of a new nation unfolds around them, their journey reveals the transformative power of unity and friendship.

This riveting narrative is more than just a historical fiction; it is a timeless exploration of the human condition, capturing the essence of shared struggles, shared dreams, and the shared determination to survive. The characters' journey serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of times.

# # #

About the Author

Patricia Brandon is a winner of a Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award (South Carolina Writers’ Association). Her first novel, THE CENTER OF GRAVITY, earned a Coffee Pot Book Club (UK) “Highly Recommended” 5-Star Award. It recently was awarded a bronze medal (fiction-mystery-historical category) in the Readers Favorite International Book Contest. Her second novel, A RULE OF LIFE, was selected as a gold medal (YA, Historical Fiction category) 2021 Book of the Year by The Coffee Pot Book Club. It also was recently selected as a bronze medal (YA Mystery category) winner in the Readers Favourite International Book Contest. Fibd out more at https://patriciabrandon.com/ and find Patricia on Twitter / X, Facebook and Instagram

Patricia’s interview at Meet The Author:

Special Guest Interview with Sam F Hutchins, Author of Boudica’s Shadow

2026-06-06T05:38:43.203+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

61AD: After Keara and her sister, Caitlyn, are brutally attacked by Roman officers in their own home, their mother's rage knows no bounds. Queen Boudica of the Iceni raises an army of oppressed Britons

who will defy Rome.

I'm pleased to welcome author Sam F Hutchins to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

Boudica’s Shadow is a Roman Britannic adventure set in 61AD. Full of action, mystery, vivid characters and a dash of romance, it tells the story of Boudica’s revolt through the eyes of her youngest daughter, Keara.

After Boudica and her two daughters are brutally attacked by Roman officers in their own kingdom of the Iceni, Boudica raises an army of oppressed Britons to fight against the Roman occupant.

Facing them is the governor-general, Suetonius, an experienced military leader who proves to be a formidable and shrewd master.

But, despite, the well-armed legions by his side, and an efficient information system, he loses Colchester, London, St Albans, and … all of Britannia’s gold.

He also has the well-trained, obedient but enigmatic Mauretanian tribune, Titus working for him. As the soldier battles across tribal lands to capture Keara the reader wonders what his past holds and if he will follow Roman orders when he finally confronts her?

After heavy fighting the two sisters finally find themselves trapped and have to make heart-wrenching decisions. Caitlyn, the humiliated Iceni queen, chooses to stay and protect her people. Keara will search for the missing Iceni gold and… the man responsible for the attack on her family. She starts a journey that leads her to the edges of the Roman Empire.

What makes Boudica’s Shadow different from the countless other novels written about Boudica?

The story of queen Boudica is an ancient British tragedy: following the death of her husband of the Iceni tribe (present-day Norfolk) Boudica and her two daughters are abused by Roman officers: she is whipped and her daughters raped. It is always said that Boudica’s rebellion began after this.

However, the question never answered is how such treatment of the Iceni royal family could have happened in the first place? As a client-kingdom of Rome they held Roman citizenship and would initially have been treated with respect.

For questions of rebellion though, they would have been executed. Under Roman law, however, Roman virgins could not be executed. Is it possible that such a punishment was a warning shot after early signs of disturbance?

Without giving any spoilers, and without info-dropping, despite doing a PhD for my research, my story gives the legal framework to the uprising, and continues the narrative after the rebellion, as Boudica’s daughter, Keara embarks on her quest for revenge and restitution.

What was the inspiration for your story?

Of course, as a young child in London I learnt the nursery rhyme of ‘London’s burning, London’s burning.’ And at school we learnt that London burnt down - twice in fact: once in 1666 with the Great Fire of London, and also in 61AD when Boudica’s army destroyed the newly founded Roman trading centre of Londinium. I was curious.

I was also inspired by the statue of Boudica and her two daughters standing in their spike-wheeled chariot with two horses rearing in opposite directions outside the Houses of Parliament on the River Thames. I always thought it was such an ironic paradox that this statue represents the power of the British Empire yet the woman herself had fought against the colonial power of a foreign empire, that of Rome. And had burnt down London.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Believe in yourself, but never be arrogant. If it is something you are passionate about then don’t give up. Even when you are criticised and rejected by publishers, agents, other readers, listen to them, then pick yourself up and try again… and again.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

Social media. Though I am not good at marketing I had to learn the hard way. I once published a terrible picture of me holding my book. A friend used AI for it, and I was ruthlessly attacked. I don’t know if it helped sales but it did provoke 1,000 comments!

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

Boudica’s propaganda and marketing value. During Elizabeth I’s reign she began her ascent as a feminist, supporting Elizabeth as a defender of England and the people, but during James I’s reign she was attacked as the complete opposite: an unnatural mother and wicked queen.

Later, she went on to inspire authors, poets, song writers and marketing campaigners (selling cars to business women, supporting women in politics, selling video games). In fact, I was astonished by Boudica’s global reach.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

It was the rape scene. The action is a pivotal moment in Boudica’s decision to rebel, so it could not be glossed over in a few short words. It had to show the cruel reality of rape, and empathy with the victims, without sensationalising it for the reader. It was very difficult and I had to rewrite it a great number of times.

What are you planning to write next?

The sequel is already written: Cartimandua’s Shadow. It is coming out in the next few months and relates the events in 69AD. Set during Cartimandua’s reign over the Brigantian confederation in Yorkshire, a client kingdom of Rome, the story unfolds of Keara’s continued resistance against the advance of the Roman line into the British Isles during the political instability of Rome – the year of the four emperors.

Sam F Hutchins

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About the Author

Sam F. Hutchins was born and grew up in London. She studied archaeology, ancient history and cultural studies at Exeter University, and has worked as a journalist, archaeologist and teacher. She is now a senior lecturer in English literature and creative writing at Orléans University, France. She has published non-fiction work, Boudica’s Odyssey in Early Modern England (Samantha Frénée-Hutchins, Ashgate, 2014), and a number of articles and short stories. Boudica’s Shadow is her first historical novel. The sequel, Cartimandua’s Shadow will be out soon. She is married with three daughters. Find Sam on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X @SamFHutchins and Bluesky @samanthafrenee.bsky.social

Historical Fiction Spotlight: Daughter of Mercia, A haunting Anglo-Saxon dual time novel (Dr Anna Petersen Mysteries, book #1) by Julia Ibbotson

2026-06-05T05:16:39.014+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Echoes of the past resonate across the centuries as Dr Anna Petersen, a medievalist and runologist, is struggling with past trauma and allowing herself to trust again.

When archaeologist (and Anna's old adversary) Professor Matt Beacham unearths a 6th century seax with a mysterious runic inscription, and reluctantly approaches Anna for help, a chain of events brings the past firmly back into her present. And why does the burial site also contain two sets of bones, one 6th century and the other modern?

As the past and present intermingle alarmingly, Anna and Matt need to work together to solve the mystery of the seax runes and the seemingly impossible burial, and to discover the truth about the past.

Tensions rise and sparks fly between Anna and Matt. But how is 6th century Lady Mildryth of Mercia connected to Anna? Can they both be the Daughter of Mercia?

# # #

About the Author

Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of time. She is the author of historical mysteries with a frisson of romance. Her books are evocative of time and place, well-researched and uplifting page-turners. Her current series focuses on early medieval time-slip/dual-time mysteries. Julia read English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language / literature / history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics. After a turbulent time in Ghana, West Africa, she became a school teacher, then a university academic and researcher. Her break as an author came soon after she joined the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme in 2015, with a three-book deal from Lume Books for a trilogy (Drumbeats) set in Ghana in the 1960s. Find out more from Julia's website: https://juliaibbotsonauthor.com and follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Bluesky ‪@juliaibbotson

Book Launch Spotlight: The Queen's Sister: A vivid historical novel of a life among the wives of King Henry VIII. by Carol McGrath

2026-06-04T05:13:21.028+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A mother, a wife, a woman of substance...

As her family in Wiltshire curry favour with King Henry, aided by Thomas Cromwell, Elizabeth makes Kexby Manor her home, finding loyalty among her people there.

Soon, news comes to Elizabeth of the King's desires for her sister, Jane and while her brother, Edward, encourages her own betrothal to Gregory Cromwell, son of Thomas.

It is a happy second marriage for Elizabeth, but it brings unwanted involvement in the dark plots and secrecy of the court, while in the wider country, changes in religious practice threaten to alter the traditions and values of all she has known...

# # #

About the Author

Historical Fiction Spotlight: What the Ocean Brings, by Tonya Ulynn Brown

2026-06-03T05:38:24.749+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Quebec, Canada, 1847. While trying to escape the Potato Famine, shipwrecked Irish immigrant Breanna Clarey awakens injured and alone on an unfamiliar beach. To make matters worse, she has been separated from her family, and her friend, Crow, is lying dead at her feet.

But when Dawson Roberts, a reclusive fisherman with a guarded past and big dreams for his future, finds Breanna, he puts his plans on hold to offer her shelter and help find her family.

But life for an Irish immigrant isn't easy. Facing a deadly quarantine station, dangerous immigration officials, and grief over her missing family, Breanna struggles to exert her independence and navigate her new world.

While Breanna confronts an unknown future, Dawson is plagued by a painful past. They each must determine their own course, even if it means ignoring the pull they have on each other.

When the future takes an unexpected turn, only the ocean that has brought them so much devastation can help them find their way back to where they belong.

# # #

About the Author

Tonya Ulynn Brown is an award-winning historical romance author who writes emotionally rich tales of ancient castles, treacherous plots, and forbidden love. With a deep passion for the turbulent histories of England and Scotland, she brings the past vividly to life through stories where danger and desire walk hand in hand. Tonya holds a master’s degree and teaches Reading and Writing at the elementary level. Fueled by iced coffees, beautiful books, and an enduring obsession with Mary, Queen of Scots, she fills her days writing, teaching, and researching the lives of long-dead monarchs and other historical figures. Most of all, she loves spending time with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled French bulldog. Find out more at www.tonyaubrown.com and follow Tonya on Twitter / X @MrsBrownee2U, Facebook and Instagram

Guest Interview with Eric Fisher, Author of Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt

2026-06-02T06:33:29.357+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Through the immersive and daunting story of the near-fatal accident, the author shows how challenging circumstances can shed light on strategies for dealing with life's challenges. Through an intense story about survival and recovery, you'll gain practical suggestions that will help you find increased awareness, fortitude, and direction.

I'm pleased to welcome author Eric Fisher to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

My latest book is called Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself From the Dirt. The book tells the true story of my father being accidentally buried alive during an expedition to find Native American artifacts, narrated from the perspectives of the three men present on that fateful day.

I transcribed the three interviews I conducted in 2005 nearly word-for-word, presenting their three perspectives. I interweave self-help concepts applicable to that situation and to real-life issues we face, such as grief, shame, regret, and depression. The book discusses how we can cultivate resilience even through the most difficult situations, showing that pulling ourselves out of the metaphorical dirt is possible with focus, determination, support, and tools.

The chapters alternate between excerpts from the interviews and the self-help sections, showing how these suggestions can be applied to real life. I was also able to follow-up with my dad 24 years later for an interview that is also included in the book. The four self-help sections cover finding balance in life, the CIA acronym (curiosity, introspection, and agency), the importance of connection and community, and a mysterious "W" concept for approaching life's challenges.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I generally prefer to write as consistently as possible, yet sometimes that can be easier said than done! I'm usually writing in the evening time and don't usually have music going simultaneously. If I do have music, the tracks don't have vocals; I listen to ambient, electronic, and atmospheric bands like Hammock. I don't set a specific amount of time for writing. I start when I start and stop when I stop without much structure for duration.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Don't be afraid to kill off your darlings. A Hollywood agent gave me this advice when I was pursuing screenwriting. This means not feeling married to any material. Believe that you can remove material if the story is better served by removing it.

Just as some friends come and go, so too can material be removed from a book. That's a harsh statement regarding friends, yet you may have experienced people leaving our lives after a short time, perhaps because one or both of us moved away, due to personality differences, a conflict, etc. The same happens with book content: sometimes the material doesn't resonate the same way it did in a previous draft.

I've seen the same with the screenplays I've written where I really wanted to keep a piece of dialogue. In the end, I realized the scene was better suited with the dialogue taken out completely or trimmed. The same can be seen with books.

I would also say don't be afraid to follow your gut with a plot point, characterization, character motivation, ending, etc. Sometimes the gut gives us information that our analytical brain would not. Also, congratulate yourself on finishing a first draft. Even though more work may be needed to achieve the final manuscript, most people don't even complete that first draft.

Celebrate the completion of that first draft! Go out with a partner and/or friends to a nice restaurant, go bowling, take a hike in the outdoors, or have coffee and a pastry with a friend at a new coffee shop. Life is too short to look only for the next draft to be done. Savor the accomplishments that come and build on those wins, whether you see them as small, large, or in-between the extremes.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

I'd say podcasts help. General conversation and word of mouth are also beneficial. The person I speak with may then mention the book to someone else, and awareness grows along that line. Posting on social media also helps, which can involve collaborating with other local authors to help raise awareness for their book and vice-versa. I collaborated with one local author and it was a great experience.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

One of the chapters in my recent book involves a discussion on the impacts of social media. In the second quarter of 2023, over three billion active users were documented as having Facebook accounts. Wow. I was astounded. That's approaching half the world's population!

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

A heartfelt letter to a baby my wife and I experienced as a miscarriage, whom we named Eden. That was tough and brought back painful memories.

What are you planning to write next?

I have a book that's recently been edited and I'm going through the final changes right now. It's my last non-fiction book, at least for now. The book details my experiences as a seasoned mental health counsellor and what I've learned along the way.

As for my next book, it will be historical fiction with some sci-fi and action elements. To many Christians, parts of it will be considered non-fiction because of certain biblical scenes. As a Christian myself, writing a book outside the self-help subgenre that includes biblical themes has been an interesting process. I'm using the blueprint of a screenplay I wrote many years ago, so the story structure was already laid out and I'll be adding to and refining the story as I go on.

Eric Fisher

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About the Author

Eric Fisher is a certified counsellor based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He has over 13 years of experience working in outpatient and inpatient treatment settings in the US and Canada. Eric is a master practitioner of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are evidence-based treatments for trauma. Eric's private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves individuals, couples, and families locally and remotely. He also works as an associate for local clinics in the surrounding area. In the past, Eric has supervised master's-level graduate students and counsellors early in their careers. Additionally, Eric has a black belt in two martial arts styles: American Kenpo and Wadō-ryū. Eric enjoys hiking and riding his bike outdoors, trying new foods, travelling near and far, and meeting people. You can find Eric on Instagram

Special Guest Interview with Filippo Iannarone, Author of The Toscanini Conspiracy

2026-05-29T09:13:53.698+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A brutal murder in a quiet Tuscan village. A world‑famous maestro under a cloud of suspicion. A wounded war hero ordered to uncover the truth—before history writes the wrong man into infamy.

I'm pleased so welcome Filippo Iannarone to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

The story told in this novel lay locked away for years in a drawer, alongside memories, images, and tales gradually accumulate over time. The idea had captivated me from the very first accounts I heard— everything from the descriptions of the protagonists' renown to the unfolding of their story.

The timeline of my novel deals with two different timeframes: the 1930s and the post-war years.

These were delicate periods in Italian history and extremely interesting: the 1930s for its portrayal of the absolute evil of dictatorial regimes, restriction of freedom, repression of principles, values, and ideas; and the postwar revival period for the bravery to start over again, to repair the evils suffered, to build a better world with courage and a commitment to liberty.

In post-war Rome, Colonel Luigi Mari—a wounded Resistance officer—is tasked by the President of the Republic with discreetly reopening a 1935 cold case: the brutal murder of Alberto Rinaldi, doctor, and friend of the legendary Arturo Toscanini, in a small village in Tuscany.

Further investigation delves into the mysteries of past criminal trials, explores unexplored hypotheses, and reveals how the regime's justice bent the truth, the law, and art itself.vThe character of Colonel Mari was inspired by the real life of Major General Michele Iannarone—my uncle, and my beloved storyteller throughout my childhood and later my youth. This applies equally to his wife, Iolanda: a woman of indomitable courage, endowed with grace and beauty no less than with the uncommon gifts of intuition and intellect.

Many minor figures appear throughout the story: Maurizio Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, General Mark Wayne Clark, Italia Garibaldi, Prince Boncompagni Ludovisi, the pianist Vladimir Horowitz husband of Wanda Giorgina Toscanini, Artur and Alina Rodzinski, Lucilla Whitman, Ossip Gabrilowitsch and his wife Clara Clemens—daughter of Mark Twain—Umberto Nobile, the tenor Isidoro Fagoaga, and many others.

What is your preferred writing routine?

As I´m a historical novelist, my work unfolds in two main phases.

The first is an in-depth historical investigation based on bibliography and archives, period press, radio broadcasts and films, and on-site visits.

The archival research regarding “The Toscanini Conspiracy” was complicated: the archives of the Criminal Court of Brescia—where the trial took place—had been severely damaged, and it was impossible to locate the case file. Fortunately, I discovered a copy of a booklet written by a court reporter at the Archiginnasio Library in Bologna; thus, I was able to complete my research.

For this novel I also had the fortunate opportunity to speak with an eyewitness to the murder of Dr. Rinaldi in 1935: Argentina Rinaldi—his niece and the daughter of the doctor's brother.

The second phase is the creation of the historical narrative, designed to delight and engage readers. I am incredibly careful to use the language of that historical period, as well as the linguistic nuances of the characters.

As a rule, I prefer to write during the second half of the day—ideally in the evening hours, and late into the night.

What advice do you have for new writers?

I prefer to limit my advice to authors of historical fiction.

History can be told by what I like to call “memory stories” which are fundamental within the context of the contemporary socio-cultural structure and provide answers to fundamental human questions. Our past makes us what we are today and without it we cannot build our future. In an age of algorithm ethics, I recommend to hold as a guide the immortal words of Cicero, “historia vero testis temporum, lux veritatis, vita memoriae, magistra vitae, nuntia vetustatis”, which we can understand to mean “history is the witness of time, the light of truth, the lifeblood of memory, the teacher of life, the messenger of antiquity.” This universal principle is valid in any culture, expressed in any language, immortal to all humanity and the values of humanism.

That´s why an author must never sacrifice historical truth to narrative imagination—nor the daily practice of writing.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

Do not miss any opportunity to communicate personally—just like right now. I wish to seize every opportunity to communicate with readers—offering them my interpretations of historical events and that real people—is also one of the great opportunities of our time, thanks to social media and the internet.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

How profound, intense, and important was the cultural exchange between the Anglo-Saxon and Italian worlds, despite the oppression of the Fascist regime. The relationships between artists and journalists in Europe and the Americas were fantastic, as was the expansion of artistic culture in music and theater thanks to the widespread use of radio.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The action scenes during the Nazi-Fascist occupation of Rome—too many sad memories for my family: one of the Nazis' final acts of reprisal in Rome was to blow up a tank in front of the main entrance of the building where my grandfather—a high-ranking officer and anti-fascist—lived. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, only minor injuries among his family members.

What are you planning to write next?

After several years of research, I´m ready to publish soon another true story: the untold truths about Liberation Day in April 1945 and Mussolini's mysterious escape.

Filippo Iannarone

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About the Author

Filippo Iannarone was born in Rome. After taking a degree in Law, he continued his studies and historical research at the School of Paleography, Diplomatics and Codicology located at the Vatican Archives. He then went on to work as an expert in industrial relations for a national energy company, to establish a law firm, and to become an entrepreneur in the hospitality business. n the hospitality business. He attended “The Holden School” a creative writing school in Turin directed by Alessandro Baricco. He lives in Germany, in Bad Honnef on the Rhine.

Book Review: Anne Boleyn's First Love: The Life of Henry Percy, by Jan-Marie Knights

2026-05-26T06:09:21.223+00:00

Available from Amazon UK

and pre-order from Amazon US

In the Tudor court, love blossomed when Henry Percy met Anne Boleyn. However, their romance was abruptly torn apart by Cardinal Wolsey, who chastised Percy, an earl’s son, for choosing to marry the daughter of a mere knight. Despite a spirited defence, Percy was ordered

to no longer see her.

Much has been written about the story of Anne Boleyn, but history often relegates the men who loved her to the footnotes. In Anne Boleyn's First Love: The Life of Henry Percy, Jan-Marie Knights takes one of the most enigmatic figures of the Tudor era out of the shadows and places him in the spotlight. The result is a moving, meticulously researched, and compelling biography that breathes life into a well-trodden era.

To most Tudor enthusiasts, Henry Percy, the 6th Earl of Northumberland, is remembered as the young man who betrothed himself to a young Anne Boleyn - only to have his plans ruined when Cardinal Wolsey and King Henry VIII intervened.

Jan-Marie Knights proves Percy’s life was more complex, tragic, and influential than this single, thwarted romance. The book recreates the youthful affair between Anne and Henry, proposing a genuine affection that threatened Wolsey’s political scheming.

Henry Percy was banished into the dangerous world of border politics as Lord Warden of the Marches, defending England against Scottish raids while battling illness and financial ruin. In a cruel twist a broken Percy was later forced to sit on the jury that condemned Anne Boleyn to death.

This book achieves a balance between historical fact and narrative empathy as we explore the life of a man caught between duty, a tyrannical king, and an unforgettable love. Accessible yet rich with interesting detail, drawing heavily on contemporary letters, we glimpse a deeply human Henry Percy, a man flawed, physically ailing, yet loyal to his family’s legacy despite what might have been.

I recommend Anne Boleyn's First Love for anyone who appreciates an empathetic look at the human collateral of the Tudor court. Jan-Marie Knights has given the earl the dignified biography he has long deserved.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Jan-Marie Knights is an ex- editor and journalist who has worked on many newspapers and magazines and is a keen researcher of local and Tudor history.

Book Review: Queen of Shadows, by Anna Belfrage

2026-05-25T06:19:13.315+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In Queen of Shadows, Anna Belfrage brings warmth and vulnerability to the perilous and centuries-old scandal of the relationship between Alfonso XI and Leonor de Guzmán.

King Alfonso is charismatic and astute. Beneath the armour of kingship is a man burdened by expectation and loneliness his relationship with Leonor is the emotional refuge that steadies him amid the brutality of court politics.

Leonor de Guzmán emerges as an intelligent and emotionally resilient figures who understands the dangers surrounding her position. Every privilege granted by Alfonso’s devotion carries with it the threat of ruin, yet her strength is in her refusal to surrender her dignity in a political storm.

What makes Queen of Shadows especially compelling is the tension between tenderness and danger. Every exchange between Alfonso and Leonor unfolds beneath the shadow of suspicion and looming betrayal. Anna Belfrage sustains this atmosphere, ensuring that the quietest moments shimmer with unease.

The supporting cast deepen the emotional complexity, particularly through the characters of Alma and Rodrigo. Alma brings a grounded emotional perspective, offering moments of compassion, insight, and wisdom that counterbalance the ruthlessness of the court.

Rodrigo embodies the tensions of loyalty and survival in a fractured kingdom. His presence adds another layer to this exploration of the personal sacrifices demanded by power. Together, these characters ensure the narrative extends far beyond the royal couple at its centre.

Queen of Shadows succeeds because the characters are shaped by desire and ambition, yet doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of the time. The result is a historical novel of epic scale which leaves the reader with a sense of the humanity behind the legends of history.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Historical Fiction Spotlight: The Toscanini Conspiracy, by Filippo Iannarone

2026-05-22T04:39:19.438+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A brutal murder in a quiet Tuscan village. A world‑famous maestro under a cloud of suspicion. A wounded war hero ordered to uncover the truth—before history writes the wrong man into infamy.

In the autumn of 1935, celebrated country doctor Alberto Rinaldi is found savagely beaten outside his home in the village of Piazze. The investigation collapses into chaos: evidence muddled, witnesses coerced, and rumor elevated above reason. An aging miller is convicted, but whispered doubts linger for years.

Fourteen years later, as Italy struggles to define its fragile new Republic, former resistance officer Colonel Luigi Mari is summoned to Rome. His mission is as delicate as it is dangerous: quietly reinvestigate the Rinaldi murder to protect the reputation of a towering national figure—Maestro Arturo Toscanini, Rinaldi’s most illustrious patient and, according to one buried Carabinieri report, a possible presence at the crime scene that fatal night.

Mari and his young aide, Lieutenant Vinicio Barbetti, descend into a labyrinth of forgotten testimonies, political interference, fascist‑era secrecy, and lives shattered by war. Each revelation deepens the mystery: a doctor whose miraculous cures drew the world to his humble door, a village transformed by fame and undone by violence, and a conspiracy that reaches far beyond Tuscany.

As past and present collide, Mari must navigate truth, loyalty, and the shadows of a regime that never fully died—before the real story vanishes forever.

Filippo Iannarone’s The Toscanini Conspiracy is a sweeping blend of postwar intrigue, courtroom echoes, and musical legend that is a haunting pursuit of justice where genius, loyalty, and the long shadow of dictatorship collide.

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About the Author

Book Launch guest Post by Anna Belfrage, Author of Queen of Shadows

2026-05-21T06:02:17.245+00:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Back in 2016, I wrote a post about Alfonso XI and his lady love, Leonor de Guzmán. The consequences of this liaison were to be painful for the people of Castile, resulting in over a decade of civil war, but when Alfonso first met Leonor he was around seventeen, she a year or so older. Neither of them were probably thinking beyond a flare of attraction; after all, Alfonso was a king required to marry dynastically, and Leonor might be gorgeous, witty, high-born and rich, but he needed more in a wife. Which is why he married Maria of Portugal.

But Alfonso just couldn’t forget Leonor. He needed her, loved her. And so Leonor became the beloved mistress while Maria became the spurned wife.

The post I wrote stayed with me. Here was a very juicy story, and I wanted to tell it. So, since 2016, I have been working on the story of Alfonso, Leonor and Maria, but it has been a tortuous journey—especially because of my POV challenges.

POV – point of view – characters are the drivers of the story. They offer the subjective perspectives on the unfolding narrative, and a smart writer ensures the POV characters see things from different perspectives. In romance, there is often a he and she POV character, to ensure the reader experiences both sides of the love story.

In my case, I started writing with Alfonso and Leonor as POV characters. 12 000 words in, I realised this wouldn’t work. Not that they saw eye to eye on everything, but Alfonso and Leonor were essentially on the same side. Then I tried using Leonor and Maria as my POV characters, but it made me lose the overall historical context. Gah! I left Alfonso, Leonor and Maria to stew and wrote other stuff instead, but all the time, they were in the back of my head.

Some years ago, I sat down in front of my laptop and wrote :

The first time Alma saw Doña Leonor de Guzmán, the woman was half-naked and screaming invectives to the high heavens
“Normal,” Cesaria, Alma’s mother, said. “It hurts to give birth.”
Alma stared at the woman squirming on the bed and decided there and then to never, ever have any children.

And just like that, I had a new POV character that came with the added benefit of being invented and very observant. After eight years of wrestling with the story, the pieces began fitting together, with the equally invented Rodrigo becoming as close an observer to the king as Alma was of Leonor.

In Queen of Shadows, both Leonor and Maria get a voice—but it is Alma and Rodrigo that carry the story, all the way from that December day in 1332 to an August day in 1351.

“It’s not fair,” Don Alfonso grumbles. “Surely I should have had a voice in my own story?”

I pat his hand (figuratively: the man is dead since like seven hundred years!) “It still gets told,” I say. And what a messy story it is…

Anna Belfrage

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About the Author