Elizabeth St.John

Rousing Norse Historical Adventure from Donovan Cook

Today, a special treat – an excerpt from Anna Belfrage’s fabulous historical fiction novel Her Castilian Heart. I read and reviewed this excellent book a few weeks ago, and I’m thrilled to welcome Anna back to share her wonderful writing as part of the Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour. Enjoy, and load up your kindle for some immersive holiday reading as Anna takes us back to medieval Europe and the magical world of Noor and Robert.

Enjoy an Excerpt from Her Castilian Heart | Brilliant Historical Fiction by Anna Belfrage

I‘m thrilled to welcome Helen Hollick to my blog today. I’m a huge fan of both her historical fiction and her cosy mystery novels, and I’m delighted to be a port of call for her latest phenomenal release, Gallows Wake. Join Helen as she picks an excerpt and whisks us away with the irresistible Jesamiah Acorne on the Sea Witch!
Read my Five Star Review “Sheer Magic” 
Read the Gallows Wake Spotlight and Excerpt

Excited to be signing copies of The Godmother’s Secret at Warwick’s Bookstore in La Jolla from 12-2 today! Stop by and say hi – and it’s a perfect chance to get a start on your holiday book list at this wonderful independent book store! I know I won’t leave empty-handed. And if you can’t make it to the store, drop me an email and I can send you a personalised bookplate if you’re ordering your paperbacks directly. Available at Warwicks, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones and, of course, Amazon.

Fabulous New Tudor Dual Timeline from Nicola Cornick

Coffee Pot Book Club Spotlight | Squire’s Hazard by Carolyn Hughes

On this day 552 years ago, my ancestress, Elysabeth St.John Scrope, was in Sanctuary within Westminster Abbey with the deposed queen, Elizabeth Woodville. My Elysabeth had been ordered there by King Henry VI to attend Elizabeth “late calling hir Quiene” to witness the birth of her child.
Writing historical fiction is all about finding facts and weaving imaginary thoughts, dreams and conversations around known actions.
When I discovered the warrant within the National Archives, this fired my imagination to wonder what Elysabeth Ladie Scrope’s life was like. How she felt when she was ordered into captivity with her enemy. And if she felt she was betraying her own family when she was forced to join the opposition as godmother to the young prince.
Free thinking, letting thoughts wander, inhabiting another’s world, expressing emotions and dreading outcomes are all part of a writer’s process.
From this single fragile and ancient fragment of parchment, which has survived almost six centuries of war, political strife, and frankly, tidying out filing drawers, I created a medieval world and turned it into a novel of 126,000 words.
I am so grateful I get to do what I love, and share my passion with other history lovers too.

Transcription:
Henry by the grace of god king of Englande and of Fraunce and lorde of Irlande. To the Tresorer and Chamberldine of oure Eschequier greting. We wol and charge you that unto oure right trusty and Welbeloved Elizabeth ladie Scrope for hir attendance by oure co(m)maundment by thavis oure counsail aboute Elizabeth late calling hir Quiene ye do paie of oure Tresore the somme of x li To have of oure yefte by waye of Rewarde for the cause abovesaid Yeven under o(ur) prive seal at Westm(inster) the xxx daye of Octobre The xlix yere from the begynnyng of oure Regne and of the readepcion of oure Roiall power the furst yere
Langport

I’m on the road – but not out of the office – with The Coffee Pot Book Club Book Tour. Check out my stops, along with interviews, excerpts, posts and reviews!

Tudor Historical Murder Mystery | An Exciting New Release by G.J. Williams