Elizabeth St.John

I changed up my schedule last week, and instead of heading straight for my computer at 5:30 (my normal getting up time) I decided to spend time on the couch reading first. And was that a great idea! I escaped with The Girl from Oto, a beautiful dual narrative of Renaissance and modern times, set in the French Pyrenees.  Here’s my review, and I’m excited to share that Amy’s joining me for Author Chats on Friday. Do come back and spend some time with us!
The Girl From Oto Goodreads

I’m thrilled that Mary Anne Yarde joins me today on Author Chats to talk about her new release, The Du Lac Curse, the fifth in her brilliant series set in England of King Arthur’s time. Discover where she gets her inspiration, why Cornwall is so important to her, and what makes her happy. And, be sure to check out The Du Lac Curse. I was lucky enough to receive an Advance Copy…and I couldn’t put it down.

Mary Anne Yarde | New Release | The Du Lac Curse

Today, my guest on Author Chats is Vivenne Brereton, discussing her debut novel of Thomas Howard, A Phoenix Rising. Opening at the dazzling court of Henry VIII, Vivienne’s first book in her Tudor series “The House of the Red Duke” is a page-turner from start to finish. And what comes next…I can’t wait to discover. Find out about Vivienne’s early inspiration for all things Tudor, why it was useful that she lost her son in the maze at Hampton Court, and why Gone with the Wind will always make her cry.

Vivienne Brereton | For the Love of Tudors

Congratulations to Mary Anne Yarde on the exciting release of Book 5 of the Du Lac Chronicles! Today, while Mary Anne is racing around the blogosphere launching her new book, we have a treat of an excerpt. And next week, a terrific interview and Author Chat about her fascinating Du Lac series.

The Du Lac Curse: Book 5 of The Du Lac Chronicles
God against Gods. King against King. Brother against Brother.
Mordred Pendragon had once said that the sons of Lancelot would eventually destroy each other, it seemed he was right all along.
Garren du Lac knew what the burning pyres meant in his brother’s kingdom — invasion. But who would dare to challenge King Alden of Cerniw for his throne? Only one man was daring enough, arrogant enough, to attempt such a feat — Budic du Lac, their eldest half-brother.
While Merton du Lac struggles to come to terms with the magnitude of Budic’s crime, there is another threat, one that is as ancient as it is powerful. But with the death toll rising and his men deserting who will take up the banner and fight in his name?
Amazon UK
Amazon US

Please enjoy this excerpt:

“My mind is not troubled,” Garren insisted.
“Of course not. You are a du Lac. The world can throw anything at you, and you will survive it. You are more like your father than you know.”
“I always found it strange when people who had never met my father, compared us.”
“Lancelot’s reputation always went before him. Alden knew you went to Wessex,” Santo stated, changing the subject. “He knew you met with Cerdic. He knew that the two of you chartered a boat to Brittany.”
“And I have a good reason for that, but it is not what you think…”
The door opened, and Chesten walked in with a steaming bowl of pottage in one hand and a spoon in the other.
“I thought ee might be ’ungry,” Chesten said, handing the bowl to Santo.
“Thank you, Chesten. That was very thoughtful of you.”
“Everyone, apart from me husband, knows that I be a thoughtful person. Well, I…” she smiled. “I’ll leave ee two to it. Looks like yer got a lot of talking to do. Call if yer der need me.”
“Thank you,” Santo said again.
Both men waited until Chesten had shut the door firmly behind her.
“Tell me what happened,” Garren pleaded. “I need to know.”
Santo sat down on the floor and dipped the spoon into the pottage. Garren watched as the healer raised the spoon to his mouth and sampled the best that this God-forsaken tavern had to offer.
“I had heard it said that when Lucifer was thrown to earth from Heaven, a third of God’s angels went with him. I never held much faith in that statement. Stars. Angels. The Bible can be interpreted any way if it serves your purpose, I suppose.” Santo sighed deeply.
“What has this got to do with—”
“Alden was betrayed by his knights,” Santo stated almost matter-of-factly.
“He was what?” Garren gasped the question for he had not been expecting Santo’s words. “Rozen said it was Josephine.”
“The child is right. I don’t know what she did. Or what she promised the knights. But they forsook Alden without a second thought. I would like to say that I saw through that woman from the first moment I met her, but I too fell for her story. We all did.”
“Merton didn’t. He didn’t,” Garren stated with anger — not at Merton but himself.
“Merton is always one step ahead of everybody else, but I think even Merton was blind to this. The wine was poisoned. Alden…” Santo frowned as he dipped his spoon back into the bowl. “Josephine set fire to the Queen’s Hall, and during the confusion, I managed to slip away unnoticed.”
“You left my brother—”

About Mary Anne Yarde
Mary Anne Yarde is the multi award-winning author of the International Bestselling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Britain and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.
Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.
Connect with Mary Anne:
Website: https://www.coffeepotbookclub.com/
Blog: https://maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryanneyarde
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryanneyarde/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

I was supposed to be at Lydiard these coming weeks, so it’s really hard not to miss the arrival of spring and the beautiful bluebell woods. Instead, I go there in my imagination (which is really good for my next writing project!) and visit the Friends of Lydiard Website, where I can take a virtual tour of the house and grounds. Scroll down on the home page to activate the video, or take a stroll through “Lydiard Outdoors” and enjoy the swans and their cygnets.

Homepage

Today I’m delighted to welcome Susan Margaret Cooper to Author Chats. A long-time friend and fellow 17th-Century enthusiast, Susan shares her love of researching obscure details of secondary historical characters, what it was like to touch Samuel Pepys’ diary, and why no drink is complete without a custard cream.

Susan Margaret Cooper | Historical “Faction” Author

This week The Lady of the Tower powerhoused into the #1 Bestseller categories on Amazon and Kobo in Australia and Canada, thanks to a Bookbub promotion in those countries. After four years out in publication, I am so delighted that new readers are still discovering the story of Lucy St.John and the rest of my 17th Century family. I took a bit of a break from writing the past four months, and I must admit the excitement generated a sudden urge to revisit them all, so I started a new Counterpoint novel this week. More details as the draft comes together! Today, however, a huge thank you to everyone who has participated in the success of The Lydiard Chronicles, and Lucy’s topping the charts.
Amazon: https://geni.us/MyBookLOTT
Everyone else: https://books2read.com/u/b6kgzJ

Drema Drudge’s powerful first novel Victorine not only gives this determined and gifted artist back to us but also recreates an era of important transition into the modern world. Join Drema on Author Chats, where she reveals why Thomas Hardy’s Dorset countryside is so influential, the research that revealed “the real” Victorine Meurent, and the secrets she has hidden in her novel.

Drema Drudge | New Release: Victorine