The Blood of Princes by Derek Birks

Today Sharon reviews The Blood of Princes by Derek Birks, the latest in the Scars From the Past series. Derek has kindly offered paperback as a giveaway.

To be in with the chance of winning a copy of this fabulous novel, simply leave a comment below or on our Facebook page.

The winner will be drawn on 11th April 2018.

Good luck!

A savage tale of love, treason and betrayal.
A bloody struggle for power at the heart of the royal court.

In April 1483, the sudden death of King Edward IV brings his 12 year old son to the throne.
Restless young lord and ex-mercenary John Elder is newly-appointed to the service of Edward, Prince of Wales, and charged with the boy’s safety. His first task, escorting the new king to London for his coronation, seems a simple one but the accession of a boy king raises concerns among the leading noblemen of the land.
As old jealousies and feuds are rekindled, the new king’s uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, seizes control and plunges the kingdom into crisis. But is Gloucester young Edward’s enemy, or saviour?
While John, outlawed and trapped, must wait to see how events unfold, other members of the battle-scarred Elder family are drawn, one by one, into his conspiracy. Soon they are mired so deep in the murky underbelly of London society, that there seems no hope of escape from the tangle of intrigue and murder.
In the end, all lives will hang upon the outcome of a daring incursion into the Tower of London itself.

John Elder has taken on the mantle of head of the Elder family and finds himself at the centre of English politics in 1483, with Richard III taking the throne and his nephews secured in the Tower of London.

I have followed the adventures of the Elder family since Feud, the first book in the Rebels & Brothers series; and each book just gets better and better. These are tales of loyalty, love, honour and betrayal that have you sat on the very edge of your seat from the first page to the last. You never know how it is going to end - Mr Birks is not afraid of killing off a lead or much-loved character when the story demands it. And the difference between success and failure is a very fine line. But that's what makes these books so addictive. The hero doesn't always get the girl and not everyone lives happily ever after - it is always enjoyable waiting to find out who makes it through into the next book!


And I have to say, Derek Birks has done it again! The Blood of Princes is a masterpiece of adventure and intrigue. A wonderfully woven story set in 1483, at the heart is the mystery disappearance of the Princes in the Tower. There is a suitably despicable villain - several, really - and John Elder must find some way to thwart the bad guys and save the princes.

There are no full scales battles in this book, but plenty of skirmishes, and plenty of intrigue. In The Blood of Princes John has to play a more subtle game than he is used to, but rises to the challenge. The plotting and scheming take place within the heart of London, in the palaces, churches and ghettoes, where the rich and famous rub shoulders with the lowest of the low and Derek Birks does a fabulous job of taking the reader into the murky underworld of the city.


Fans of the era will love the authenticity of Derk Birks' novels. The sword fights are vicious, the politics are murky and sometimes lethal and justice - and injustice - is swift and brutal. The action is, as always, frenetic, the energy of previous books as evident as ever.

He made his way back down the stairs and went to stand beside Bear once more.

"It's quiet, lord," murmured the giant.

"Aye, what are they about, do you think?"

"I don't see them, lord."

"God rot their souls!" cried John. "Where in God's name are they?"

As Bear opened the door a little wider, John half expected a missile of some sort to fly through the gap. None did, so Bear went out, closing the door firmly behind him. The others crowded forward and together they waited: their throats dry as they held their breath for what seemed a very long time. Finally John opened the door to peer out but could see nothing. He was just closing it again when Hal and Bear pushed through it together.

"Gone!" announced Hal.

John's head jerked up. "Gone? What do you mean gone?"

"They've gone," repeated Hal. "Bear took Martin and Gregory on way around the wall and Tom and I scouted the other way. There's no-one for a hundred yards either way. No men - mounted or on foot."

 "But how? Why? They had us trapped in here!" John shook his head. "Why in Go
d's name did they follow us so far just to leave us?"

My favourite character is - and always has been - the inimitable Eleanor Elder. And although she is not so prominent in this book, that does not stop her getting into trouble - and out of it the only way she knows how - to come out fighting. She steals every scene she appears in. The best line in the book has to be Lizzie's musings of 'What would Eleanor Elder do?' And the answer, of course, is to come out fighting and keep fighting while there is breath left in her body!

There is an authenticity about these books that draws a reader in and gets them addicted to the story, to the characters and the era. Not every character will come out of the story unscathed. They will each have their scars to bear into the next story - if they survive. But that is one of the great things about these books - not everyone survives, you cannot guarantee a 'happily ever after', but you cheer if there is some kind of closure. All of which gives you a sense of realism for the characters and the Wars of the Roses themselves.

Derek Birks is a master storyteller, his novels get better with each one - and the first one was fabulous! His books are on a par with the best storytellers historical fiction has to offer. When one ends, you desperately want to move on to the next. The waiting is torture!

This is some of the best historical fiction I have ever read.


About the author:

Derek Birks was born in Hampshire in England but spent his teenage years in Auckland, New Zealand where he still has strong family ties.
For many years he taught history in a secondary school in Berkshire but took early retirement several years ago to concentrate on his writing.
Apart from writing, he spends his time gardening, travelling, walking and taking part in archaeological digs at a Roman villa.

Derek is interested in a wide range of historical themes but his particular favourite is the later Medieval period. He aims to write action-packed fiction which is rooted in accurate history. His debut historical novel, Feud, is set in the period of the Wars of the Roses and is the first of a four-book series entitled Rebels & Brothers which follows the fortunes of the fictional Elder family.
The other books of the series are (in order): A Traitor's Fate, Kingdom of Rebels and The Last Shroud.

The first book of a brand new series, Scars From the Past, is now out in both kindle and paperback.
His books are available on Amazon in the UK and US.
You can find Derek at;
 Amazon
Blog
Facebook
Twitter 

 About the Reviewer:
About Sharon Bennett Connolly

Sharon has been fascinated by history for over 30 years.She has studied history at university and worked as a tour guide at several historic sites. She has lived in Paris and London before settling down back in a little village in her native Yorkshire, with husband James and their soon-to-be-teenage son.
Sharon has been writing a blog entitled 'History...the Interesting Bits' for a little over 2 years and has just finished her first non-fiction work, 'Heroines of the Medieval World'. The book looks at the lives of the women – some well known and some almost forgotten to history – who broke the mould; those who defied social norms and made their own future, consequently changing lives, society and even the course of history.

Sharon can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Heroines of the Medieval World,  is now available in hardback in the UK from both Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK and worldwide from Book Depository. It is also available on Kindle in both the UK and USA and will be available in Hardback from Amazon US from 1 May 2018.

Heroines of the Medieval World - Nicholaa de la Haye

Heroines of the Medieval World
Today our very own Sharon Bennett Connolly stops by The Review on her 2-week long blog tour for Heroines of the Medieval World, with a signed, hardback copy of the book to give away. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this wonderful book, simply leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. 

The draw will made on Wednesday 15th November.
Good luck! 

It's a pleasure to drop in at the Review on what has been a hectic - but fun - two-week blog tour. I thought I would share an extract from the book for this post, but couldn't decide which. So  Diana came to my rescue and chose her favourite heroine: Nicholaa de la Haye, who just happens to be my favourite too.

Nicholaa was a wonderful character whose lifetime spanned the reigns of Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, King John and Henry III . As castellan of Lincoln Castle, she withstood not one, but three sieges in her career. In the first, when she held the castle for Prince John against William Longchamps, Richard I's justiciar, she held out for 40 days before the siege was lifted after John's other castles at Nottingham and Tickhill were taken. In 1216 she prevented a second siege by paying off a rebel army, led by Gilbert de Gant, who had occupied the city of Lincoln.

An here's an extract from the end of King John's reign, when Nicholaa was castellan of Lincoln Castle, leading up to the third siege:

 "Nicholaa de la Haye and her husband are among the few barons who stayed faithful to John throughout his reign. Gerard de Canville died in 1215, but Nicholaa was able to retain Lincoln Castle. King John had managed to upset practically every baron in England, with his despotic and heavy-handed ways. In 1215 open rebellion was thwarted when John signed Magna Carta, a long, detailed document dealing with the barons’ particular grievances, but touching the whole system of government and including arbitrary fines and the exploitation of wardship. John ‘had broken the spirit of kingship’. John was soon writing to the pope to have Magna Carta annulled and England was plunged into rebellion. The barons even invited the French dauphin, Louis, to join them and make a play for the throne. Louis was the son of John’s erstwhile friend Philip II Augustus, King of France, and the husband of his niece Blanche, who was the daughter of his sister Eleanor, Queen of Castile. Louis and his men had landed on the Isle of Thanet on 14 May 1216. Louis advanced through Kent and took Canterbury before moving onto Winchester. John seems to have been undecided as to how to act; he sent his oldest son Henry to safety at Devizes Castle in Wiltshire. Dover Castle, under the command of Hubert de Burgh, held out against the French and rebel forces, as did Windsor and Lincoln. The northern barons ‘were defeated in their attempts to take Lincoln. A certain lady called Nicola, who was the custodian’s wife, freed herself from this siege with a money payment.’

Even John’s loyal barons were now beginning to turn on him, including his cousin the Earl of Warenne. John moved north, devastating the Isle of Axeholme ‘with fire and sword’ before arriving at Lincoln in September 1216, just days after the besieging army had departed with their payment. Nicholaa met the king at the eastern postern gate of the castle. She offered the keys of the castle to the king, claiming she was unable to continue with the office of castellan due to her great age. John is said to have replied, ‘My beloved Nichola, I will that you keep the castle as hitherto until I shall order otherwise.’When Nicholaa spoke of her ‘great age’ she wasn’t exaggerating. She was probably around sixty years old at the time, a great age in those days, but John still had great confidence in her and just a few days before his death, John granted Nicholaa the position of Sheriff of Lincoln in her own right, despite the fact her son Richard was now a grown man and able to inherit the position. As King John moved on from Lincoln, he contracted a violent fever and died of dysentery at Newark on 19 October 1216. The new king was now John’s nine-year-old son, Henry III, with the famous and redoubtable William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, acting as reluctant regent.

Support began to fall away from Louis, who returned to France to recoup his strength. In early 1217 he returned to continue the fight. An armed force under the Comte de Perche moved on Lincoln. He took the town, which was unprepared for attack, and laid siege to the castle, still in Nicholaa’s charge. Louis himself travelled to Lincoln to request the surrender of the castle, promising Nicholaa there would be no reprisals, no one would be hurt. Nicholaa refused and settled in for another long siege. Despite the French army outside her walls, she may have been quietly confident; this was, after all, her third siege and no one had ever managed to breach the walls. Lincoln Castle is a rather large fortress, sitting opposite the impressive cathedral and perched on the top of a bluff – the hill going down to the town is not named Steep Hill for nothing. However, this siege was going to last longer than the others. From March through to May, Louis’ forces battered the walls of Lincoln Castle. The French prince had brought impressive siege engines, leaving them at Perche’s disposal when he returned to London, fully expecting to hear of Lincoln’s capitulation within weeks, if not days.

However, he did not count on the tenacity of Nicholaa and her deputy, Sir Geoffrey de Serland, who rallied their troops and resisted the combined Anglo-French forces of the Comte de Perche, and awaited reinforcements."

If you would like to catch up on the rest of the Heroines of the Medieval World Blog Tour, which includes extracts, reviews and articles, just follow the links:
 Tony Riches' The Writing Desk; extract on St Julian of Norwich
 Annie Whitehead; review and extract on Aethelflaed
 The Henry Tudor Society; article, All For Love, comparing the love stories of Katherine Swynford and her granddaughter Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scotland.
 Sarah Bryson; article, Heroines Without a Sword, discussing the lives of St Margaret of Scotland and Maud de Braose.
 Susan Higginbotham's History Refreshed; an extract on Joan, Lady of Wales.
 Medieval Archives; an extract on Hildegard of Bingen.
 Kristie Dean; a review and extract on Anne of Kiev, queen of France.
 Stephanie Churchill; an interview with Sharon.
 Lil's Vintage World; a You Tube video review of Heroines of the Medieval World.
 Sara Hana-Black;
Amy Licence;
SJA Turney;
Medievalists.net;

Sharon Bennett Connolly has been fascinated by history for over 30 years.She has studied history at university and worked as a tour guide at several historic sites. She has lived in Paris and London before settling down back in a little village in her native Yorkshire, with husband James and their soon-to-be-teenage son.
Sharon has been writing a blog entitled 'History...the Interesting Bits' for a little over 2 years and has just finished her first non-fiction work, 'Heroines of the Medieval World'. The book looks at the lives of the women – some well known and some almost forgotten to history – who broke the mould; those who defied social norms and made their own future, consequently changing lives, society and even the course of history.

Sharon can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Heroines of the Medieval World,  is now available in hardback in the UK from both Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK and worldwide from Book Depository. It is also available on Kindle in both the UK and USA and will be available in Hardback from Amazon US from 1 May 2018.

Heroines of the Medieval World by Sharon Bennett Connolly: a brief review by Diana Milne

Since its beginning, I have been an avid reader of Sharon Bennett Connolly's blog, 'History - the Interesting Bits', in which the author finds and explores little known people and situations throughout history and blogs knowledgeably about them. 

When I heard that she was writing a book showcasing the lives of women throughout history, women who have rarely been heard of and never had a voice of their own, I was delighted, not just because I genuinely felt that this author would do an exceptional writing job, but also because the role of a woman as a subject in history is so rarely covered and they, as gender, played major roles in so many situations, not just here in Britain but on the wider world stage, often changing the course of history very much from behind the scenes. 

So many people never look behind the men folk of these ages and consider that the lives and actions of medieval women were totally restricted by the men who ruled the homes, countries and world in which they lived. It is so easy to think that all women from this era were downtrodden, retiring and obedient little housewives, whose sole purpose was to give birth to children (preferably little boys) and serve their husbands. In this groundbreaking book, Heroines of the Medieval World, the author looks at the lives of the women who  defied social mores and made not just their own future, but the future of nations, changing lives, society and even the fate of nations.

Some of the women are famous, like the Maid of Orleans, but others I had never heard of and have now become fascinated by, Maud de Braose, for example and Ms Bennett Connolly's own favourite, Nicholaa de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the name of King.

As the author says, ''Heroines come in many different forms, and it is no less true for medieval heroines. They can be found in all areas of medieval life; from the dutiful wife and daughter, to religious devotes and to warriors and rulers. What makes them even more unique and heroic, compared to those of today, are the limitations placed on them by those who directed their lives; their fathers, husbands, priests and kings. Women have always been an integral part of history, although when reading through the chronicles of the medieval world, you would be forgiven if you did not know it. We find that the vast majority of written references are focussed on men. The chronicles were written by men and, more often than not, written for men. It was men who ruled countries, fought wars, made laws and treaties, dominated religion and guaranteed the continued survival of their world. It was the men, if anyone, who could read, who were trained to rule and who were expected to fight, to defend their people and their country.''

The book is written in a friendly, easily readable style that belies the impact and interest of the words, each of which has been carefully considered to ensure that the meaning is clear to any reader of any level and maintain its academic importance and integrity. Whilst primarily it is a book aimed at adults, a child interested in history would also benefit greatly and find it an enjoyable read that could be dipped in and out of and also kept as a valuable reference book. The book is carefully referenced and indexed and I can see this being a valuable ‘go to’ book for school projects as well as being an enjoyable read with its well defined concept and clear, convincing language. 

The author has not just attempted to strike out from the pack with something different and new, she has succeeded with this trail blazing book.

Such is the popularity of the author and the subject, that the first run of books sold out on the first day, a major achievement for any author. The presses are working overtime now to fill all orders. Buy this book! You will not be disappointed.

😇

Ms Bennett Connolly has been fascinated by history for over 30 years and studied history academically and just for fun – she even worked as a tour guide at historical sites - and is a keen contributor to many online history groups. Her passion for the subject shines through in every word she writes, together with her extensive knowledge for the history of the Mediaeval and Renaissance eras.  

She is currently working on her second non-fiction book, Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest, which will be published by Amberley in late 2018.

A fluent linguist, Bennett Connolly was born in Yorkshire, and studied at University in Northampton before working in Customer Service roles at Disneyland in Paris and Eurostar in London.She is now having great fun, passing on her love of the past to her son, hunting dragons through Medieval castles or exploring the hidden alcoves of Tudor Manor Houses.

© Diana Milne September 15th 2017

Heroines of the Medieval World, by Sharon Bennett Connolly: a blog and review by guest blogger Karrie Stone.

Today I welcome guest blogger Karrie Stone to The Review Blog. At The Review we have all been waiting anxiously for today, 15th September 2017, the day that sees the release of the Review's very own Sharon Bennett Connolly's book Heroines of the Medieval World, a master piece of short biographies of the long overlooked women who altered the course of history.

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There is deep deep truth in the quote within Sharon Bennett Connolly's book where it says:

'Heroines come in many forms and it is no less true for medieval heroines'.

The difference then, as opposed to now, is the strict limitations put upon them by the male of the species, be it King, Father, Brother, Husband or a combination of those; the religious guidelines on how women were perceived and should behave was often laid down by Priests too.

Bearing in mind these were Monks and that their perception of womanhood in its 'purest form ' was somewhat askew when placed next to a living breathing intelligent woman, one cannot as a 21st century woman, begin to conceive or imagine the determination required to be seen and heard as a valuable human being not just a chattel .

It is true too, that when reading history, it is often written by the victor ...'To The Victor The Spoils' springs to mind , but for women it was also not really deemed necessary or that relevant to write about their achievements in detail even if a Queen. Certainly to write about their true personality, needs, mores, fears , etc was not relevant or so it seems to us now.

Regardless , women were for procreating, furthering the lineage, be it high or low, for making sure that the home was indeed their lords castle even if a farm or hovel and to be run smoothly.

However ,we do it seems, have more written information on the Nobility than we do on women further down the scale in class or status within that time....Or at least that's how it appears until one truly starts to delve as Sharon has.

When Sharon Bennett Connolly first begun her blog 'History - The Interesting Bits' I was immediately hooked by the women she wrote about , true there were the more famous or infamous ones such as the indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine who introduced so much into the culture and running of not just her homeland but also Britain. She was a force of nature in a man's world .

But Sharon's quest has been to unearth with painstaking research the lesser known women. Lesser known but no less important to history. For history helps shape the world.

Maude de Braose who spoke out against the ubiquitous King John, I was slightly more aware of , but with Maude, Sharon has filled in the blanks effortlessly.

This book's Chapters are beautifully set out to lead us through the variations of the perception of a Medieval Heroine.

We have the Religious, the Scandalous, The Mistress, Disinherited, Pawns, Captive, Warriors, Rulers, Literary and one of my personal favourites, The Survivors.

One such for me is Anne of Stafford, granddaughter of Edward lll and Phillippa of Hainault, daughter to their son, Thomas of Woodstock . She had the most incredible twists and turns in her life which was seemingly a sort of footnote to history. She was married at age eight or nine to Thomas Earl of Stafford who was fifteen years her senior, then, after his death,  married to his younger brother Edmund at age nineteen.

Her father Thomas was arrested personally by the King Richard ll, only to die in captivity not long after. Possibly smothered. Thus began further losses of the family fortune, then the death of her mother Eleanor de Bohun and her unmarried sister Joan. Anne's only surviving sister Isabel took the veil and ultimately therefore Anne became the greatest heiress of the Kingdom at that time.

I could go on but this is Sharon's book and there is no doubt in my mind that once you pick this up you won't be able to stop reading about these women until the last chapter. Truth is definitely stranger and more fascinating than fiction within these lives.

Sharon has a wonderful way of writing, it appears effortless, easy and utterly fascinating.

I've been a staunch fan of history for all my life but Sharon has, in my humble opinion, truly reached the core of what really was the backbone and making , even in the seemingly quiet lives of these many ladies, of Medieval Times.

It is a book well overdue. Her research is thorough and painstaking. She took time to truly explore where these women lived where possible and the photographs are a beautiful adornment to this book.

Thank you Sharon I've learnt a lot about women I knew nothing of, gained so much insight.

So as they say dear reader, it's your turn to pick up this book, settle in and read on.

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If you wish to read the Diana talks interview with Sharon, you can find it here
Diana talks to Sharon Bennett Connolly

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About Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Sharon Bennett Connolly, has been fascinated by history for over 30 years now. She has studied history academically and just for fun – and even worked as a tour guide at historical sites, including Conisbrough Castle.

Born in Yorkshire, she studied at University in Northampton before working in Customer Service roles at Disneyland in Paris and Eurostar in London.

She is now having great fun, passing on her love of the past to her son, hunting dragons through Medieval castles or exploring the hidden alcoves of Tudor Manor Houses. 

For Christmas 2014, her husband gave her a blog as a gift – History ... the Interesting Bits , allowing her to indulge in that love of history. Sharon started researching and writing about the lesser-known stories and people from European history, the stories that have always fascinated. Quite by accident, she started focusing on medieval women. And in 2016 she was given the opportunity to write her first non-fiction book, Heroines of the Medieval World, which was published by Amberley in September 2017. She is currently working on her second non-fiction book, Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest, which will be published by Amberley in late 2018

Regarding the new book,  'Silk and the Sword' ...

Thank you Sharon Bennett Connolly and Karrie Stone 

Sharon Reviews The King's Daughter by Stephanie Churchill

Today Sharon Bennett Connolly reviews The King's Daughter, the latest novel by Stephanie Churchill, a fascinating historical adventure. The author has kindly offered an ebook as a giveaway. To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous story, simply leave a comment below of on our Facebook Page.

The winner will be drawn on Sunday 3rd September. Good luck!

In this gripping sequel to The Scribe's Daughter, a young woman finds herself unwittingly caught up in a maelstrom of power, intrigue, and shifting perceptions, where the line between ally and enemy is subtle, and the fragile facade of reality is easily broken.

Irisa's parents are dead and her younger sister Kassia is away on a journey when the sisters’ mysterious customer returns, urging Irisa to leave with him before disaster strikes. Can she trust him to keep her safe? How much does he know about the fate of her father? Only a voyage across the Eastmor Ocean to the land of her ancestors will reveal the truth about her family’s disturbing past. Once there, Irisa steps into a future she has unknowingly been prepared for since childhood, but what she discovers is far more sinister than she could have ever imagined. Will she have the courage to claim her inheritance for her own?

The King's Daughter is Stephanie Churchill's second novel and a 'sister' story to her first book, The Scribe's Daughter. Not exactly a sequel, it tells the parallel story of Irisa, sister of Kasia, the heroine of The Scribe's Daughter. It is a unique concept and The King's Daughter pulls it off beautifully. The advantage of such an idea is that, although the books are in a series they are also, each, a standalone. You do not have to have read The Scribe's Daughter - though I recommend you do - to understand, read and enjoy The King's Daughter and vice versa.

The basic theme running throughout both books is that two daughters who grew up in poverty and obscurity discover their family's past and each makes their own journey to find out who they are and what they should be, with very different outcomes for each of them. The King's Daughter is a fabulous tale of love and court intrigue, with vivid, wonderful characters who dominate the page and your mind. Irisa and Casmir, the central characters and love interest of the story, are a wonderful combination, struggling to get to know each other, and their respective roles, in what is, essentially, an arranged match. With their blossoming love comes political intrigue, danger and potential disaster which could just as easily destroy their relationship as it could strengthen it.

Written as if a historical fiction it transports you to a medieval world entirely of the author's creation, but so close to historical fact that you feel almost able to identify with the different towns and countries. I found myself thinking, 'ooh this landscape could be Italy' and 'that sounds a little like France'. The King's Daughter is a whole new world, a creation of the author's mind, with landscapes, cities, laws and traditions all meticulously devised and described. The detail is wonderful and the new societies are fascinating to encounter.

I pulled away from him and turned towards the shelves, running a hand along the neat piles. I had chosen this aisle at random so had no idea what was even to be found. Casmir watched with curiosity as I perused, but I hadn't gone far when I stopped and removed a tome of philosophy to show him. "Do you know it?" I asked, unable to hide my eagerness.

"I have likely read it, yes, but ..."

"And what do you think of it?" I broke in, unable to hide my enthusiasm.

He pulled the bound work from my hand and replaced it. "It seems as though my Adonia has her head turned by philosophy before the poets ..."

I didn't let him finish, had already brushed passed him to continue my search. "There is another treatise on governance ..." Feeling suddenly self-conscious, I glanced over my shoulder and found him watching me with an expression I could not read. "What is it? Why do you look at me so?"

"I am trying to imagine one of my sisters speaking about such matters the way you just did. You could almost rival Grand Master Lito for your passion."

"You mean they don't share a similar enthusiasm?"

I had been so used to a scholar's way of life from my father that I never realized our tutelage had been unconventional. It never occurred to me to consider that other noble ladies wouldn't have had my same experience.

Stephanie Churchill has created some wonderful, colourful characters, both evil and honourable around whom the story of the kingdom revolves. Those who were minor characters in The Scribe's Daughter are fleshed out and given major roles in The King's Daughter. The heroine, Irisa, is given a depth of character that makes her intriguing and endearing, with  a survival instinct that rivals that of her sister, Kasia. The story itself develops wonderfully, with the idea of a former coup effecting the actions and opinions of the new generation; it cleverly portrays the bias and prejudice of people on both sides of the argument - and the extents to which they will go for the sake of a crown.

It is a beautifully written story, and entirely different from The Scribe's Daughter, with only glimpses of the first book appearing in the second, creating an invisible thread between the two stories. This thread enhances and highlights the lives of the two sisters and makes you want to read on, even after the book is long finished. I love the premise of the story and the idea of a mirror/sister novel, as oppose to the traditional sequel, is extremely refreshing.

The King's Daughter is, above everything, a wonderful adventure. Full of suspense and action it is completely engaging, immersing the reader in a wonderful world that you may never want to leave.

About the Stephanie Churchill: I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, and after attending college in Iowa, moved to Washington, D.C. to work as an antitrust paralegal.  When my husband and I got married, I moved to the Minneapolis metro area and found work as a corporate paralegal.  While I enjoyed reading, writing was never anything that even crossed my mind.  I enjoyed reading, but writing?  That’s what authors did, and I wasn’t an author. One day while on my lunch break, I visited the neighboring Barnes & Noble and happened upon a book by author Sharon Kay Penman.  I’d never heard of her before, but the book looked interesting, so I bought it.  Immediately I become a rabid fan of her work. In 2007, when Facebook was very quickly becoming “a thing”, I discovered that Ms. Penman had fan club and that she happened to interact there frequently.  As a result of a casual comment she made about how writers generally don’t get detailed feedback from readers, I wrote her an embarrassingly long review of her latest book, Lionheart.  As a result of that review, she asked me what would become the most life-changing question: “Have you ever thought about writing?”  And The Scribe’s Daughter was born. When I’m not writing or taxiing my two children to school or other activities, I’m likely walking Cozmo, our dog, or reading.  The rest of my time is spent trying to survive the murderous intentions of Minnesota’s weather.

Stephanie's book, The Scribe's Daughter, is available from Amazon Us, and Amazon UK as is her next book, The King's Daughter will be available from Amazon US and Amazon UK in September. 

Stephanie can be found on her website, Facebook and Twitter

About the The Reviewer: Sharon Bennett Connolly has been fascinated by history for over 30 years.

She has studied history at university and worked as a tour guide at several historic sites. She has lived in Paris and London before settling down back in a little village in her native Yorkshire, with husband James and their soon-to-be-teenage son.
Sharon has been writing a blog entitled 'History...the Interesting Bits' for a little over 2 years and has just finished her first non-fiction work, 'Heroines of the Medieval World'. The book looks at the lives of the women – some well known and some almost forgotten to history – who broke the mould; those who defied social norms and made their own future, consequently changing lives, society and even the course of history. It is due to be published by Amberley on 15th September 2017. It is now available for pre-order from Amberley, Book Depository and  Amazon.

Sharon can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Sharon Reviews The King's Jew. Book Two: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 by Darius Stransky

Today Sharon reviews In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 book 2 of The King's Jew series by Darius Stransky. The author has very generously offered one paperback giveaway to a UK winner and 3 e-book prizes to the rest of the world. To be in with the chance of being 1 of the 4 lucky winners, simply leave a comment below, or on our Facebook page. The draw will be made on Wednesday 12th April. Good luck!!!

 As Cristian Gilleson keeps vigil for his dead king (Edward the First) in Westminster Abbey on Friday, October 27th 1307, his enemies, Edward Secundus and Piers Gaveston, still plot his downfall.

In the aftermath of The Baron’s War and the Battle of Evesham in 1265, Lord Cristian Gilleson and his companion Lord Edward (the future king, Edward the First) have some pockets of resistance to clear up.

Cristian’s lady, Dulcea, wonders if they will ever marry but can a Jew marry a Christian?

The unfaithful Earl of Gloucester (Gilbert de Clare) occupies London and must be ousted.

Earl Gilbert seeks Cristian’s death and their long running feud continues.

Lord Edward takes the cross and leaves for Outremer to wage war on the Sultan Baybars. Will this Ninth Crusade be successful?

All the while the agents of Gilbert de Clare plot the perfect murder in a foreign land.

A few years ago I read and devoured The King's Jew by Darius Stransky, so when I got the opportunity to read and review its sequel, The King's Jew Book 2: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274, I jumped at the chance. It follows the story of Cristian Gilleson, a knight in the service of Henry III's son and heir, the Lord Edward. Book 1 told the story of Cristian's early life and his friendship with Edward, ending with the Battle of Evesham and the destruction of the rebel army under Simon de Montfort. Book 2 picks up immediately where the first left off.

Edward I

The King's Jew Book 2: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 takes us on a journey that incorporates the aftermath of Evesham, the Crusades and Edward's accession to the throne itself. Told in flashback, from Westminster Abbey, where Cristian is holding vigil at Edward I's bier on the night before his funeral, the story unfolds with the sense of danger ever present, both in 1307 and in the preceding years. Cristian's enemies are determined to see him destroyed, as much for the secrets of his birth as for his actions in support of Edward since they first became friends. Being a friend of Edward I set him against the king's successor, Edward II and favourite, Piers Gaveston.

There are so many aspects of this novel that make it both interesting and enjoyable.  Although the story centres on the relationship between Cristian and Lord Edward, there are other issues which claim Cristian's attention.

His long-running feud with Gilbert de Clare, the vengeful Earl of Gloucester, not only puts Cristian Gilleson in danger, but threatens those he loves. However, de Clare is a powerful noble and Cristian has to curb his lust for revenge as de Clare is protected by Edward, who sees de Clare as a powerful ally. The animosity between the two lords lingers in the air, the atmosphere in the book permeating into the reader's mind.

"You wish to read this, Lord Edward?" asked Burnell proffering the missive.
"That, my dear Robert is why you sserve me. You are my eyes at such times as this. Return it to Cristian's chosen man. Sir Juste?"
Juste moved with a low bow.
"There is no case to answer. You may leave us."
Suppressing any further comment Juste turned on his heal to leave but not before casting an angry glance at Cristian who immediately laid a hand on his shoulder saying, "There is something deeper behind your part in this affair. I feel the soft breath of enmity here. You serve de Clare and bear witness against me. Falseness and vengeance are the traits of your master, Earl Gilbert, who would do anything to bring me down. When next you see him be sure to let him know that I am wise to his guile. The truth of a man will be seen by his actions and like not the machinations of de Clare or those who serve him."
"Let him go, Cristian," ordered Edward. "I would have peace between you and Earl Gilbert."
"Peace?" fumed Cristian. "The man makes war on the defenceless. Caused you to be imprisoned and made a vow to kill me. There can be no peace between us. Look how he slaughtered the Jews in Canterbury. Gilbert de Clare is as untrustworthy as a wild dog and ..."
"Yet he is my dog," interrupted Edward, "and I am the leopard who controls him. I can ill-afford this feud between you two. Let it rest; now!"

The characters are wonderfully colourful, credible and believable, forming a collision of the worlds in which Cristian lives; those of the court, the battlefield and the Jewish community to which he half belongs, through birth and marriage. The author demonstrates a deep understanding of the fine line which the  Jews had to walk in those times, suffering discrimination and suspicion.

And then there is Cristian's household itself, his loving wife and loyal retainers; and a traitor in their midst. All the characters in the book play their roles to perfection. This novel is full of excitement, intrigue and betrayal, leaving the reader on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last.

From English castles, to the busy thoroughfares and underworlds of London and Dover and the sweeping deserts of the Holy Land, the author never fails to set the scene, the landscapes becoming an integral part of the story. The evokes a tense atmosphere with a wonderful narrative which doesn't slow down from the first page to the last.

Although I would recommend reading Book 1, simply because it is fabulous, it is certainly not necessary simply to enjoy Book 2. Many books that form part of a series claim to be able to stand alone, but this is one of the few that I have read that lives up to that claim. As it is told in a series of flashbacks, so too, is the background story, leaving the reader with the impression that they have missed nothing, even if they have not read The King's Jew Book 1.

Darius Stransky is an expert storyteller; with the frenetic action intermingled with suspense, betrayal and ... tender moments The King's Jew Book 2: In the shadow of the king. The middle years. 1265 to 1274 is impossible to put down.




About the Author:

Darius Stransky wrote weekly columns and articles for UK top media groups for many years. One day he realised that he’d had enough words published (and paid for) to fill five or six full-length novels.

Darius had nurtured an interest in medieval history for quite some time and eventually his literary eye fell on the events of thirteenth-century England with a special reference to the life and times of King Edward the First (1239 to 1307).

A year later he began work on the first book in “The King’s Jew” quartet (It had originally started off as a single novel but how can you do justice to a ‘Great and Terrible King’ in just 400 pages?)

The King’s Jew book one was published in 2015. Book two in 2016 and the other two are well under construction.

Darius still undertakes freelance work for various newspapers and magazines but his main emphasis is completing the quartet. He lives in Northern England (a gloomy rain-swept place) with his cat, two computers, many notebooks and lots of reference works. 

Links: Website; Facebook; Author Page; Buy the Book.

About the The Reviewer: Sharon Bennett Connolly has been fascinated by history for over 30 years. She has studied it at university and worked as a tour guide at several historic sites.
Sharon has been writing a blog entitled 'History...the Interesting Bits' for a little over 2 years and has just finished her first non-fiction work, 'Heroines of the Medieval World', which looks into the lives of some of the most fascinating women from medieval history and will be published by Amberley in September 2017. It is now available for pre-order from Amazon.