Read my #BookReview of After Gáirech by Micheál Cladáin #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @Phil_Hughes_Nov @maryanneyarde

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When I was asked if I would like to read an ARC of After Gáirech by Micheál Cladáin I jumped at the chance. Irish mythology has always fascinated me, especially when it comes to The Ulster Cycle (a heroic Irish saga), but this is the first time I have come across a recent fictional retelling that delivers a plausible and enjoyable story based upon the ancient myths and the 'historical" heroic characters from that era.

 The Five Kingdoms (it does sound like a Tolkien novel, but unlike Tolkien, Cladáin depict's the real Middle Earth) is a land of brave warriors, pagan worship, and unfortunately, political instability. It is a land at war, a land where wealth was measured in cattle. This time is so vastly different to our own, that it reads like fantasy, and in a way, I guess that is what it is, but underneath these legendary characters, one hopes for a gain of truth. I thought Cladáin breathed life back into these long-dead heroes and I really enjoyed reading about his interpretation of events.
 
I thought this book had a lot to offer and it was a thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to end. As one would expect from a violent time, violence is depicted, but there are also lighter, more amusing moments, much like in The Ulster Cycle, which made the story more rounded and believable.
 
I have no hesitation in recommending this novel. I was enthralled from the beginning to the very end, and it is certainly a novel that I can see myself reading again.

 

The battle of Gáirech is over; the armies of Connachta, Lagin, and Mumu are destroyed! Survivors are ravaging The Five Kingdoms of Ireland!

 

While working to resolve the Kingdoms’ issues and bring peace, Cathbadh is murdered, dying in his son Genonn’s arms. Genonn vows to avenge the death of his father.

 

For his revenge to work, he needs Conall Cernach and the Red Branch warriors of Ulster. But Conall is gone, searching for the head of Cú Chulainn. Genonn sets out to find him, aided by the beautiful Fedelm, the capricious Lee Fliath and the stalwart Bradán.

If you would like to read this book then you can head over to Amazon (UK, US, CA, AU) to find your copy. This book is also free to read if you have #kindleUnlimited subscription.

 

 

 Micheál Cladáin studied the classics and developed a love of ancient civilizations during those studies. Learning about ancient Roman and Greek cultures was augmented by a combined sixteen years living in those societies, albeit the modern versions, in Cyprus and Italy. As such, Micheál decided to write historical fiction, trying to follow in the footsteps of such greats as Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. Because of his Irish roots, he chose pre-Christian Ireland as his setting, rather than ancient Italy or Greece.

 

Micheál is a full-time writer, who lives in the wilds of Wexford with his wife and their border terriers, Ruby and Maisy.

 

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT! Wall of Stone by Heather Robinson #HistoricalFiction #AncientRome #CoffeePotBookClub @HevRob1 @maryanneyarde

 

 

Wall of Stone

By Heather Robinson

 

In AD121 the Twentieth Legion of Rome stands at the northern frontier of Britannia. Forgotten, neglected and dour in spirit, they must still do their duty for an Empire whose meaning is becoming lost to them.

 

As the lives of the local Teviot family intertwine with the legion, relationships of love and bitter anguish unfurl. Will the invading army push north? Will the disputing native tribes unite in an uprising? Can Marcus be with Jolinda?

 

When peace is fragile, friendships count for everything...

 

If you would like to read this book you can find it at your nearest Amazon store for your country. This book is also available on #KindleUnlimited

 

 

Heather Robinson is a novelist and short story award winner from Wiltshire, UK.  Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree with most of her working life spent as an Administration Manager locally.  She is also a qualified and experienced radio presenter, hosting a weekly show for Warminster Community Radio.  Proud parents of two boys, Heather and her husband Graham share a passion for live music, hiking and motorcycling.

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT!!! The Amber Crane by Malve von Hassell #HistoricalFiction #Timeslip #WWII @MvonHassell @maryanneyarde

 

 

The Amber Crane 

By Malve von Hassell

 

Chafing at the rules of the amber guild, Peter, an apprentice during the waning years of the Thirty Years’ War, finds and keeps a forbidden piece of amber, despite the risk of severe penalties should his secret be discovered.

 

Little does he know that this amber has hidden powers, transporting him into a future far beyond anything he could imagine. In dreamlike encounters, Peter witnesses the ravages of the final months of World War II in and around his home. He becomes embroiled in the troubles faced by Lioba, a girl he meets who seeks to escape from the oncoming Russian army.

 

Peter struggles with the consequences of his actions, endangering his family, his amber master’s reputation, and his own future. How much is Peter prepared to sacrifice to right his wrongs?

 

You can pick up your copy on your favourite online bookstore!

 

Malve von Hassell

 

Malve von Hassell is a freelance writer, researcher, and translator. She holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the New School for Social Research. Working as an independent scholar, she published The Struggle for Eden: Community Gardens in New York City (Bergin & Garvey 2002) and Homesteading in New York City 1978-1993: The Divided Heart of Loisaida (Bergin & Garvey 1996). She has also edited her grandfather Ulrich von Hassell's memoirs written in prison in 1944, Der Kreis schließt sich - Aufzeichnungen aus der Haft 1944 (Propylaen Verlag 1994). She has taught at Queens College, Baruch College, Pace University, and Suffolk County Community College, while continuing her work as a translator and writer. She has self-published two children’s picture books, Letters from the Tooth Fairy (2012/2020) and Turtle Crossing (2021), and her translation and annotation of a German children’s classic by Tamara Ramsay, Rennefarre: Dott’s Wonderful Travels and Adventures (Two Harbors Press, 2012). The Falconer’s Apprentice (namelos, 2015) was her first historical fiction novel for young adults. She has published Alina: A Song for the Telling (BHC Press, 2020), set in Jerusalem in the time of the crusades, and The Amber Crane (Odyssey Books, 2021), set in Germany in 1645 and 1945. She has completed a biographical work about a woman coming of age in Nazi Germany and is working on a historical fiction trilogy featuring Adela of Normandy.

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT! Redemption (The Hacker Chronicles, Book 2) by Philip Yorke #HistoricalFiction #EnglishCivilWar #BlogTour @yorkeauthor @maryanneyarde

 

Redemption

(The Hacker Chronicles, Book 2)

By Philip Yorke

 

Saturday, the second day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1644, will be a day long remembered by the men and women committed to ending the reign of a tyrannical King. For on this day, the forces of Charles the First were crushed on the bloody fields of Marston Moor.

 

The calamitous defeat forces the increasingly desperate Royalists to intensify their attempts to bring about the immediate demise of their Parliamentarian enemies. This includes devising an audacious plan to assassinate the man they believe is key to the war’s outcome.

 

With the plotters ready to strike, Francis Hacker, one of Parliament’s most loyal soldiers, becomes aware of the conspiracy. With little time to act, he does everything in his power to frustrate their plans. But, alas, things start to unravel when brave Hacker finds himself pitted against a ruthless and cunning mercenary, a man who will resort to anything to achieve a ‘kill’.  

 

If you would like to read this book, you can find it on Amazon. This novel is available with #KindleUnlimited subscription.

 

 

Philip Yorke is an award-winning former Fleet Street journalist who has a special interest in history. His Hacker Chronicles series, to be told in five fast-paced historical fiction novels, tells the story of Parliamentarian soldier, Francis Hacker.

 

Redemption, the second book in the series, is set during the period 1644-46 (during the first English Civil War), when events take a significant turn in favour of Parliament.

 

Philip is married, and he and his wife have five children. He enjoys relaxing to classical music, reading the works of Nigel Tranter, Bernard Cornwell, Robyn Young and CJ Sansom, and supporting Hull City FC and Leicester Tigers RFC.

 

He lives in Leicestershire, England.

 

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Book Review!! Bloody Dominions (The Conquest Trilogy, Book 1) by Nick Macklin #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @NMacklinAuthor @maryanneyarde

 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Action and adventure, the desperate fight for survival and freedom. The Roman Empires' shadow darkened the lives of those who tried to escape it. 

 

This book, in my opinion, had a bit of a slow start. I was confused, I didn’t know who the characters were and I found there was little explanation of their roles. However, I am reluctant to let that affect my review and rating of this book, as when it picked up and the characters found their places in my mind, this story really took off and the flight was a strong and steady one. There are three protagonists in this story and they each brought something fresh and vivid to the story.

 

If you want to live battles, find friends among soldiers, and spend the entirety of a book perched precariously on the edge of your seat, this book is the one you need to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I thought everything had been depicted with such incredible penmanship that I would have no qualms with reading this book again and again, and I am definitely looking forward to book 2!

Journey with those at the heart of the conflict as Caesar embarks on the tumultuous conquest of Gaul 58-51 BC. Book One 58-56 BC.

As Caesar’s campaign begins, tests of courage and belief will confront the three protagonists, shaping them as individuals and challenging their views of the world and each other:

Atticus – an impetuous but naturally gifted soldier, whose grandfather served with distinction in the legions;

Allerix – a Chieftain of the Aduatuci, who finds himself fighting both for and against Caesar; and

Epona – a fierce warrior and Allerixs’ adopted sister.

Experiencing the brutalities of conflict and the repercussions of both victory and defeat, Atticus, Allerix and Epona will cross paths repeatedly, their destinies bound together across time, the vast and hostile territories of Gaul and the barriers of fate that have defined them as enemies. In a twist of fate, Atticus and Allerix discover that they share a bond, a secret that nobody could ever foresee…

 

If you would like to read this novel then head over to your favourite online bookstore. You can also pick up your copy of this novel at Waterstones and WHSmith.

 

 

A history graduate, Nick enjoyed developing the skills that would stand him in good stead during the extensive research he conducted prior to writing his novel. Whilst the ancient world unfortunately didn’t feature to any extent in his history degree, (the result of failing miserably to secure the A level grades that would have permitted greater choice) he maintained a lifelong and profound interest in ancient history and especially the Roman Empire, continuing to read avidly as he embarked on a career in HR. Over the next 30 years or so Nick occupied a variety of Senior/Director roles, most recently in the NHS. Unsurprisingly, writing in these roles was largely confined to the prosaic demands of Board papers but Nick never lost the long-harboured belief, motivated by the works of writers such as Robert Fabbri, Robyn Young, Anthony Riches, Simon Scarrow, Matthew Harffy and Giles Kristian, that he too had a story to tell. When he was presented with a window of opportunity c3 years ago he took the decision to place his career on hold and see if he could convert that belief into reality.

Nick always knew that he wanted to set the novel against the backdrop of a significant event/period in Roman history. Looking to narrow that down to something offering the potential for meaningful character and plot development, but that hadn’t already received exhaustive coverage, he settled on Caesars tumultuous occupation of Gaul. Spanning 8 years, the prolonged clash of cultures offered ample opportunity for the kind of dual perspective from which he was hoping to tell the story, whilst the violent conflict provided a wealth of exciting material to explore the changing fortunes of war and its impact at a personal level. The switching of allegiances, nations fighting for and against Rome also provided the potential for some intriguing plot lines. As his research unfolded, he was also struck by just how heavily the Roman psyche during this period was influenced by the scare they had received 50 years earlier when Germanic tribes invaded their territories and defeated their legions. Seeing references to the veterans of that war watching their sons and grandsons enlist for a similar campaign, he started to think about developing that link on both sides of the conflict. And so, the idea for the Conquest Trilogy was born.

In Bloody Dominions Nick has sought to produce a novel in which unfolding events are experienced and described from the perspective of protagonists on both sides of Caesar’s incursion into Gaul.  Conscious that the role of women in Roman fiction, Boudica aside, is largely confined to spouse, prostitute or slave, Nick wanted to ensure that one of his lead characters was female and a prominent member of the warrior clan of her tribe. The novel is driven by these characters but the framework against which their stories unfold is historically accurate, featuring actual participants in Caesar’s campaign and drawing on real events as they occurred. As such Nick is genuinely excited about his characters and the story they have to tell.

 

Nick lives in Exeter with his two daughters and is currently juggling work as an Independent HR Consultant with writing the second novel in the Conquest Trilogy, Battle Scars.

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