Today Sharon reviews Swords of the King by Charlene Newcomb, Book 3 of her wonderful Battle Scars series, which follows 2 knights in the service of King Richard the Lionheart. And there is a wonderful giveaway too!

Charlene has kindly offered the ebook boxset of the all 3 books in the series to one lucky winner. To be in with a chance of winning this magnificent prize, simply leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. Good luck!

Normandy, March 1196 King Richard has their loyalty.The French would have their lives.And John, the king’s brother, will never forget how they betrayed him.
The kidnapping of the king’s former sister-in-law sets off a chain of events that entangle the knights Henry de Grey and Stephan l’Aigle in politics and intrigue, treason . . . and murder.
What begins as escort duty for the knights becomes a chase through the Norman countryside on the trail of her son, the young duke Arthur. Assassins want him—and the knights—dead.
If assassins’ blades don’t kill them, King Richard’s war to recover his continental domains from France just might. Former enemies, like the king’s brother, are now allies. Can they be trusted?
Warriors. Heroes. Traitors. Spies . . . Lovers.
Henry and Stephan will risk their honor and the trust of the king to protect Duke Arthur. They will fight treachery and brave bloody battles, see war in all its horror, and fight their fears of losing each other, all the while keeping their forbidden love secret.
With Swords of the King, Charlene Newcomb follows up her award-winning novel For King and Country (Battle Scars II) amidst the turbulent final years of the reign of Richard I of England, the Lionheart. This epic adventure furthers an original Robin Hood origins story and will captivate fans of historical fiction and anyone who likes romance—forbidden romance—with their history.

Swords of the King  is the third instalment of Charlene Newcomb's magnificent Battle Scars series which has followed Sir Henry de Grey and Sir Stephan de l'Aigle from the third Crusade to northern France in the service of King Richard the Lionheart of England. In Men of the Cross, we saw Henry and Stephan meet and get to know each other whilst experiencing the horrors of the Third Crusade. In For King and Country they were back in England, trying to thwart the evil machinations of Prince John whilst King Richard was stuck in a German prison. In Swords of the King, the two heroes are back together again, this time fighting in France alongside King Richard, with enemies within and without.

The story revolves around Plantagenet family crises and the machinations of Philip II of France and his attempts to disrupt Richard I's policies and tactics. While many of characters have their own agenda, they must also work to implement King Richard's; not an easy task when the French and enemies closer to home are ready to thwart you at every turn.

Aimery rose and disappeared up the stairs with the serving girl. Robin yawned and sat back in his chair, long legs stretched out towards the fire. Hay-colored hair brushed his broad shoulders and framed his face. Eyes closed, his chin fell to his chest, but a smile curled his lip as Henry drew next to him.

"A good thing we both serve the king." Robin snorted. He cracked his eyes, scrutinizing Henry's muddy boots and ruddy cheeks.

"A good thing," Henry said with a quick smile. "Does John have anyone watching you whilst you meet with his man?"

"Not on this day. Tomorrow, who knows? Join me for an ale. Aimery will be occupied the rest of the night." Robin swallowed his drink. "You've been sitting across the room for a while and not on my account, so what brings you here? Is Stephan with you?" 

Henry's cheeks colored. He could recommoiter enemy territory to track French troops, but put him in a tavern? He had let his guard down, and chose not to make excuses. "I've been on the road near a fortnight. Headed back to Rouen." he straddled the bench across from Robin and lowered his voice. "Stephan better be there when I arrive."

Chuckling, Robin's gaze flicked to the stairs. "Aimery has just come from Rouen. If Stephan is with the king, he'll be there."

"What did Aimery steal to share with John?" Henry asked.

Robin tapped his sleeve where the parchment was hidden. "Aimery claims this is one of a dozen messages to be delivered to King Richard's barons throughout the kingdom, but not one meant for John. I was hoping  you might tell me what it contains. Spring campaigns against the French? The king's plan to defy the archbishop and build that castle on the Rock? I'd prefer no surprises when I hand this to John." 

This entire series has been a new and refreshing take on warfare in the reign of King Richard the Lionheart. Charlene Newcomb has retold the art of warfare with brutal honesty. The battle scenes are vivid, fierce and frighteningly vicious. However, she has also considered the effect such constant warfare has on her leading characters and although PTSD was an unnamed condition in twelfth century Europe, that does not mean that it did not exist and did not affect the lives of the sufferers and those around them. The scenes where Henry has to face  the horrors of war, replaying over and over in his dreams, are some of the most touching and thoughtful you may ever see in historical fiction.

Where Charlene Newcomb also breaks new ground is in the love affair between Henry and Stephan. A love that, in those days, could not be spoken or acknowledged, but which gives each character his major strengths and weaknesses. It also acknowledges another fact that gets brushed over or avoided in history, that homosexuality is not a twenty first century phenomenon, but it was something people have had to live with throughout history, in much less enlightened times than our own. The author deals with the subject thoughtfully and sensitively, but head on, which makes for an interesting and enlightening read.

The characters in Swords of the King are a mixture of real, imaginary and legendary and they are the ral strength of the story and of the entire Battle Scars series. The fictional Henry and Stephan are dropped into the lives of King Richard and his family. Charlene Newcomb weaves them into the fabric of the story so well, that it is hard to tell the invented from the historical fact. And the magnificent Robin Hood appears again, with his band of men scattered throughout the book. My favourite character in the book, however, is one I have written about several times and a woman whose strength and tenacity saved England from the French in 1217: Nicholaa de la Haye. Charlene does an excellent job of including Nicholaa in the story, and depicts the amazing castellan of Lincoln Castle much as I would have imagined her; strong, practical and not easily fazed.

In short, this has been a fabulous series to read. Full of action and adventure, it gives the reader a real sense of the times in which it is set, and the complexity of the people involved, whether combatants or those who wait at home for news. Charlene Newcomb has given a voice and a face to heroes who are otherwise long-dead and forgotten. The Battle Scars books have been an exciting series to read from beginning to end, leaving the reader on the edge of their seats. 

Will there be a fourth? I hope so, it would be interesting to see where Henry, Stephan and Robin Hood go next!

About the author: Charlene Newcomb is the author of Men of the Cross and For King and Country, two historical adventures set during the reign of King Richard I, the Lionheart, though her writing roots are in a galaxy far, far away. She has published 10 short stories in the Star Wars universe and written one contemporary novel. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and a contributor and blog editor for English Historical Fiction Authors. Charlene lives, works, and writes in Kansas. She is an academic librarian by trade, a former U.S. Navy veteran, and has three grown children. When not working at the library, she is still surrounded by books and trying to fill her head with all things medieval. She loves to travel, and enjoys quiet places in the mountains or on rocky coasts. But even in Kansas she can let her imagination soar. 

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About the Reviewer:

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 over 3 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 vailable in hardback in the UK from both Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK and from from Amazon US in the USA, and worldwide from Book Depository
Her second book, Silk and the Sword: the Women of the Norman Conquest is due for release in the UK on 15 November 2018, and can be pre-ordered in the UK from Amazon UK and Amberley Publishing and worldwide from Book Depository.

Sharon can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Sharon reviews Blood of the Wolf

The author is giving away a signed copy of the book to one lucky winner. To be in with the chance of winning this fabulous novel, simply leave a comment below or on our Facebook page.

The winner will be drawn on 10th November 2016. Good Luck!

 ROBIN HOOD RETURNS! And this time the legendary wolf’s head is working for the sheriff... After winning his freedom in Rise of the Wolf, Robin – with his faithful lieutenant John Little at his side – now spends his days travelling around northern England dispensing King Edward II’s justice. When a new band of outlaws appears in Barnsdale, Sheriff Henry de Faucumberg sends Robin and John to deal with them. Before the lawmen can track them down though, Will Scaflock is attacked and another of their old companions murdered in his own home by the outlaws whose leader seems to have only one thing on his mind: Bloody vengeance! Will Robin’s reunited gang be enough to defeat this savage new threat that seeks to wipe them out one by one? Or will another old foe provide the final twist that sees England’s greatest longbowman dead and buried?

With Blood of the Wolf, Steven A McKay has definitely saved the best to last! The fourth and concluding part of his fabulous Forest Lord series sees Robin and his band of Merry Men reunited and embarking on one final adventure together, facing a most formidable foe; a new and particularly vicious band of outlaws. This book has everything: suspense, action and enduring friendships that are tested to their limits. Old and new enemies make the reader eager to see Robin win through, and a few surprises along the way make this a thoroughly entertaining and gripping novel.
It leads you on a desperate chase through  the forests, in the halls of the Sheriff's castles and into the villages of England in the time of Edward II.

The story develops quickly and Robin and his men, pardoned by the king three years ago, soon find themselves outlaws again - and facing the nastiest outlaw imaginable. The easy camaraderie of Robin's merry men in previous books is lacking at the beginning and a great part of the story and atmosphere of the book depends on the men rebuilding their relationship.

Robin knew he needed to make a statement here, so , when they locked arms, straining against one another, he wasted no time in the usual staring-out contest that started such a fight. With lightning speed, he brought his hands inside Arthur's grip and broke it, knocking the other man's arms away, then he simply stepped past Arthur, set his foot, and used his shoulder to trip the smaller man.

"Wahey!" someone cheered and there were a few laughs but Arthur rolled and jumped back to his feet instantly. He was breathing harder than he should have been though and Robin could see his opponent really did need practise. He'd never have been winded at this stage of a wrestling match four years ago.

Without waiting for that "come on, then" gesture, Robin came forward again, and again, they grabbed hold of one another. This time Arthur was more careful, and also even more irritated, and he tried to spin around Robin so he could lock his arms around him and haul him down but, as he moved, Robin grabbed his hand and twisted. The move ended with Arthur's arm locked agonisingly behind his back.

Normally, Robin would have left it at that and let his opponent tap to concede but not this time.

Pulling up even further on his arm, he forced Arthur onto his knees on the grass and held him there for longer than was really needed.

He was sending a message though, wasn't he?

"Enough," Arthur shouted through gritted teeth, trying to offset his humiliation by laughing through the pain. "I yield. You win!"

Still Robin held him and turned to stare at the onlooking men. They looked back at him and he was sure they understood what was happening.

They remembered why he was their leader....

The first book in the series, Wolf's Head, recounted the story of the young and adventurous, 18-yeear-old Robin Hood. Rise of the Wolf and The Wolf and the Raven continued the adventures of Robin and his band. By Blood of the Wolf Robin is older, wiser and a little more jaded by time and experience. But, deep down, he still has a sense of adventure and a desperate desire for justice. Robin is still the flawed hero, driven by his sense of justice and a love for friends and family. Although a little more cynical, Robin's relationship with Little John is constant and solid, but in Blood of the Wolf other friendships are strained and Robin has to work hard to repair the damage done by recent actions and the passage of time. Will Scarlet is as headstrong as ever, but approaching middle age, it takes him a while to get back to his old feisty self. But once they're working as a team again, it's the bad guys who have to watch out! As for the Sheriff of Nottingham - well, you'll have to read the book....

While the action is never-ending, it is the underlying story of personal relationships and friendships that make the book; they dictate the actions and reactions of the main characters and give this novel a deeper story than its predecessors.
Set in Barnsdale Forest during the reign of Edward II, Steven A. McKay's Forest Lord series have been a refreshing new take on the Robin Hood legend and Blood of the Wolf  continued this fabulous idea. At the end of the day, Robin has to face old and new adversaries, and in the dark woods of Barnsdale Forest and the desperate poverty of its surrounding villages he has to face the fight of his life.
The book is incredibly well written, the fight scenes expertly choreographed and the storyline exquisite, with several twists and turns along the way, leaving the reader entranced to the very end.

Steven McKay was born in 1977 near Glasgow in Scotland. He live in Old Kilpatrick with his wife and two young children. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree with the Open University he decided to follow his life-long ambition and write a historical novel.

He plays guitar and sings in a heavy metal band when they can find the time to meet up.
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Sharon Bennett Connolly has been a Review reviewer for over a year. She writes a popular history blog entitled History...the Interesting Bits and is currently working on her first book, Heroines of the Medieval World, which will be published by Amberley in the summer of 2017. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

The Wolf and The Raven

The Wolf and The Raven 

by Steven A. McKay

Scottish author Steven A. McKay first came to my attention with his version of the Robin Hood legend in his excellent and hugely entertaining book Wolf's Head: The Forest Lord, which put a wonderfully refreshing spin on the classic tale by relocating the outlaw from Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire to Barnsdale Forest in Yorkshire and has breathed new life into an old story.

The first book ended with Robin and his band of outlaws being offered the chance to earn a pardon for their crimes which would allow them to reclaim their former lives, a prospect they are all keen to grasp with both hands. The attractions of sleeping rough week after week far from home and loved ones had paled, and with Robin's young wife Matilda (not Maid Marion) heavily pregnant with their first child he is desperate to cast off his mantle of outlaw and return home to create the family life he craves. This book, The Wolf and The Raven, continues that story.

From the very first line the reader is plunged headlong into the carnage and chaos of medieval warfare as Robert and his men (lovers of the legend can rest assured that they will find all the regular characters here: Little John, Will Scarlet, Friar Tuck, Much the Millar's son et al.) find themselves fighting for their lives in the service of Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster at the battle of Boroughbridge on the 16th of March 1322. The battle, part of a rebellion of various Marcher Lords led by Lancaster against King Edward II, ends in disaster for the rebels and Robin and his band are forced to flee for their lives once more. Back in the forests they are forced to face the realisation that their hoped for pardons are gone like chaff on the wind while Edward II takes his bloody revenge on those who dared challenge him.

That revenge is not only focused on those who were in command but extends to take in the poor serfs and tenants who were forced to take part in war through circumstance and fealty to various landowners. To find and crush these broken men Edward calls on the services of a man who will become Robin's nemesis. His name: Sir Guy of Gisbourne.

The Gisbourne of this book quickly becomes one of the great villains of fiction: a man of twisted desires and dreams who has suffered heartbreak and betrayal himself through the actions of his adulterous wife. Her betrayal coupled with his childhood fascination with the tales of King Arthur have convinced him he is almost the reincarnation of Lancelot and while he is a brutal, ruthless killer you can't help but feel that there is a weird sort of chivalry at the dark heart of everything Gisbourne does. Women are to be protected (despite his wife's adultery) while the enemies of the king can be killed without thought or mercy!

As though the worry of being pursued by this sinister figure, quickly nicknamed The Raven by intimidated commoners for his black clothing and armour, wasn't enough of a problem, Robin and his men also have to deal with other bands of broken men who haunt the forest and create fresh worries for them by preying on the villagers which they depend upon for support and supplies. Indeed Robin has to spend as much time fighting these bands as he does the king's men! Blood is spilled on all sides and not everyone will emerge unscathed from the carnage which ensues. Add to this the constant risk of betrayal and you have a tense atmosphere which pervades the whole book.

One aspect of this book which I particularly enjoyed is that the author allows the scope to spread beyond the narrow confines of the outlaw camp to take in aspects of the lives of both the common folk in the villages and also those who live in castles. Indeed, a large part of the book is taken up with the story of Robin's friend and ally Sir Richard-at-Lees who, along with his loyal sergeant Stephen, become larger characters who bring fresh breadth to the tale. Sir Richard, besieged by Royalist forces, sends Stephen to the head of his Hospitaller order at Clerkenwell for assistance but any notion of loyalty between these knights of the Black Cross is in vain. Foul murder is ordered and carried out only for the killer to be betrayed by the very man who gave the order. Everyone, it becomes clear, is looking after number one and the lives of friends and brothers in arms can be thrown away to protect dark secrets. I have a feeling these dark secrets may play a further role in future books. I hope so as I do want to see the Grand Prior of Clerkenwell on the end of something sharp!

While The Wolf and The Raven can be at times a dark and violent read with language which some may find a little strong, it is not without humour, such as the barber/surgeon in the village of Penyston who may have just invented Buckfast (a drink much beloved by modern day serfs and villiens in today's broken Britain) and Friar Tuck's unusual suggestion on the best way to distract guards on a city gate! The humour is welcome as Robin faces his darkest fears and feels crushed by self doubt after an awful experience at the hands of Gisbourne while prisoner in Nottingham Castle. This is as close as our hero will ever come to absolute despair and self pity, which threatens to drag the entire band of outlaws down into his malaise with him. It is only tough love from old friends which forces Robin to face the future and regain his old heart and courage. He will need both before the end.

The climatic scene of this book is almost Arthurian itself as Robin faces Gisbourne, a self-created modern Black Knight in single combat on a bridge. Blood will be shed and the result is not what most will hope for but does leave things wide open for the story to continue in book three. 

This is a recommended read for all those who enjoy a grown-up tale of adventure and daring-do with an unflinching approach to medieval life and death.

Personally I cannot wait to discover what delights Steven A. McKay will deliver next time.

Steven A. McKay

His second book, The Wolf and the Raven, was released on April 7th, at the London Book Fair where he was part of the Amazon KDP/Createspace/ACX stand. His debut novel, Wolf's Head, was also released the same day as an audiobook.

He was born in 1977, near Glasgow in Scotland. He lives in Old Kilpatrick with his wife and two young children. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree he decided to follow his life-long ambition and write a novel.

Historical fiction is his favourite genre, but he also enjoys old science-fiction and some fantasy.

Bernard Cornwell's King Arthur series was the biggest influence in writing Wolf's Head, and now The Wolf and the Raven, but he has also really enjoyed recent books by guys like Ben Kane, Glyn Iliffe, Douglas Jackson and Anthony Riches.

Steven plays lead/acoustic guitars (and occasional bass/vocals) in a heavy metal band when they can find the time to meet up.

Stuart Laing is the author of the Robert Young of Newbiggin Mysteries.

Update: We are thrilled to announce there will be a freebie copy of The Wolf and the Raven to be gifted to a reader whose name is drawn at random. To get your name in the hat, please comment below or at our Facebook thread here. Readers who commented below or at the FB thread before the announcement are automatically entered. 

The Best of The Review: Favorite Posts From the First Half Year (Volume IV)

Wolf's Head by Steven A. McKay~~

We all know of Robin Hood; the archetypal swashbuckler in Lincoln green, from the Hollywood sanitised Errol Flynn to the family friendly recent BBC TV series; although personally, being a bit of an aging hippy, I’ll always have a love of the 1980’s Michael Praed series… besides, do you remember Maid Marion back then? Wow! But I digress… Robin Hood was a Wolfshead, an outlaw, living in brutal times on the periphery of feudal society. Chivalry, the concept to curb the blood lusty excesses of the nobility, would not apply to the outlaw. Outlaws would be desperate men, forced into theft and murder in order to survive. Therefore for, gutsy realism, my first choice will be Stuart’s excellent review of Wolfs Head, from the talented pen of Steven A McKay. Perhaps this intro is a bit long but it's true about Lady Marion…*sigh* ~~Rob

When you take such a well known and well loved tale as Robin Hood and his Merry Men it would be only too easy to go down that well trodden path so familiar to all who know the legend. "Hail fellow and well met!" greetings between rosy cheeked outlaws who dress in green tights and short tunics like medieval tranvestites while swinging through Sherwood Forest laughing like giddy schoolboys. It was therefore a delight to read this book and find that Steven A. McKay has taken the legend, given it a good shake and let this thoroughly enjoyable version fall out.

From the very first page you find yourself in Yorkshire rather than Nottinghamshire, in the village of Wakefield rather than Loxley. Here Robin is a common man who through a moment of anger is forced into fleeing his home, his family and his love Mathilda. These changes add a genuine fresh twist to the tale which adds so much to the book. 

His travails in the wild woods as he is forced into seeking the company of a band of outlaws in order to survive allows the author to introduce some well known names while fleshing out their characters and giving them a background history which makes them feel like real people. What all these outlaws have in common is by and large they have been forced into a life of theft and murder through forces beyond their control. Rich landlords, royal officials and sheriffs are the villains of the piece here and there are plenty of stand-out scenes which allows you to cheer on Robin and his friends as they battle the forces of oppression.

Click to continue reading…

Lorri Covers It: Steampunk Cover Review~~

You can’t judge a book by the cover, but you can get an inkling of what it’s about. For lovers of Steampunk, that subgenre of Sci-Fi set in a Victorian world, the imagery is important. Lorri’s analysis is superb and the covers featured are stunningly beautiful.~~Rob

The Affinity Bridge by George Mann,
Tor Books

For the uninitiated, Steampunk is a subgenre of Sci Fi, and one that has many explanations. My take on this quirky and slightly wonderful “thing” is to imagine the console of the Tardis, add the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and plonk it all into a late Industrial Revolution setting (London or the Wild West). I think the best summing up of it comes from The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, who state “if Jules Verne or H.G. Wells were writing their science fiction today, it would be considered “steampunk”.

When I first looked at this genre, I had trouble getting it – much like the first time I picked up a Terry Pratchett book, but I have since become a convert, and I am now considering an entire wardrobe change as a result. Reviewing Steampunk book covers has also proved more difficult than the other genres; mainly because there is no right or wrong. Steampunk continues to evolve, and so therefore does reader taste and the art associated with it. To that end, I have decided that there are no bad Steampunk covers – just lots of different ones. Here are some to whet your appetite.

Click to continue reading...