Category Archives for Historical

7Can she keep her world from falling apart?

Cousins to the King of Navarre, the Cleves sisters witness the glamor and danger of the French royal court firsthand. Middle sister, Henriette, sits at the apex of the royal court, wife to one of King Henri III’s most trusted advisors
In a country torn apart by religious war, things can change in an instant, and no one in France is safe. Henriette is desperate to hold onto her life, and hand it on to the next generation. To do so, she must have an heir, something that she has so far failed to do.

Based on a true story
Henriette has to fight to hold onto everything that she holds dear, but war can sweep up even the most innocent. So don’t wait, scroll up and grab your copy today. You’ll instantly be front and center at the world of the Valois court, and all of the danger and splendor of Renaissance France!
Led by the ever-vigilant Catherine de Medici, Queen Mother of France and a force of nature, the members of the court shaped the political and religious future of France of the Sixteenth Century. In the trilogy, you’ll meet the often- derided Charlotte, Madame de Sauve, and enough royal mistresses to satisfy your need for scandal.

About the Author

With a graduate degree in History from Middle Tennessee State, writing historical fiction was a natural fit for me. Before I became a writer, I worked as an archivist and museum collections manager.

The history books remember her as Empress Mathilda, but her path to sovereignty began when she was just a girl named Maud. Engaged, estranged, and crowned by the age of twelve, this is her story . . .

As the firstborn legitimate child of King Henry I of England, Princess Maud is faced with the fiercest crisis of her eight-year-old life when she learns that she will be sent to Germany to marry the Holy Roman Emperor. To make matters worse, her husband-to-be is in the midst of a disagreement with the Pope, and the threat of civil war continuously rages. Thrust into the middle of the greatest political controversy in Europe, Maud must learn to navigate the turbulent political waters while also managing her own transition from girl to woman.

Students of history will know the ending: Maud will successfully become Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, Queen of Germany, Queen of Italy, and the sole legitimate heir to the English throne. But The Girl Empress invites readers to join Maud on the journey of a lifetime, experiencing the depths of her hopes and dreams, her anxieties and strengths, her successes and failures. The history books haven’t done her justice.

The nameless first person narrator travels from India to Europe on the ocean liner Oceania in 1912. One night, during a walk on deck, he meets a man who, disturbed and scared, avoids any social contact on the ship. The following night the narrator meets this man again. Although intimidated at first, the man soon begins to trust the narrator and tells him his story. When the first person narrator offers to help the doctor, the latter categorically turns down the offer, disappearing to be never heard of again. Only at the arrival in Naples, the narrator learns about a mysterious accident that happened while the cargo was being discharged: when the lead coffin with the woman’s remains was being unloaded, the doctor threw himself onto the coffin that was fastened to ropes, thereby dragging both the coffin and him down to the bottom of the sea. Neither could the person running amok be saved nor could the coffin be recovered.

#1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR

“Engaging . . . well-researched.” —Kirkus Reviews

Stranded in a besieged fortress, can a strong refugee woman survive and fight for her true love? Canadian Author Frieda Watt transports us into the barbaric world of 18th century colonial America where treachory, murder, and rival armies fight violent turf wars in Volume One of her epic new series, The Displaced: Fall of a Fortress.

In 1744, the mortar in the walls of Louisbourg fortress is still wet as Britain advances to conquer this new French city, its citizens both protected and imprisoned by its massive stone ramparts.

Torn between clashing empires and contentious families, Marie Lévesque fights to find a place in the unforgiving frontier of Canada. As a young woman, her life is just beginning. Her friendship with Pierre promises of something more. But their lives and the doomed fortress of Louisbourg are caught in the cross-hairs of the British navy, who promise to annihilate not only them but also their very way of life.

As empires collide, Marie and Pierre are catapulted into a world they do not understand—a world of spies, treason, and revenge. They must fight not only to survive the war, but also to stay together despite the forces that threaten to tear them apart forever.

This beautifully written, epic work of historical literary fiction, with the same feel as Outlander, is a must-read for any lover of historical fiction. The Displaced: Fall of a Fortress tells the story of ordinary people as they try to survive as French rule crumbles in Canada.

Poland, 1939.

A country, torn by the occupation of two unlikely allies – Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
On the border of this newly divided territory, a young Wehrmacht Unteroffizier, Werner and a Soviet Military Interpreter, Kira meet and fall in love against all odds.
Both forced into the military against their will, they wish for one thing only – a peaceful life together. Everything is set for Kira to defect and marry Werner…
But the German army invades the Soviet Union, and now the two lovers are forced to fight against each other on the opposite sides of the frontline; trying to keep their humanity as more and more atrocities are committed by both armies. They have to decide if their love is stronger than the devastation surrounding them or succumb to the hate as sworn enemies should.

Partially based on true events, this novel will take you on the unforgettable journey through war-torn countries, where hope can be lost in no-man’s-land, and one will have to go to great lengths not to lose sight of it.

An ancient highlander who’s never been allowed to love. A modern woman who keeps men at arm’s length. Can their passion overcome their pasts?

Althea Jarden’s botanical fieldwork keeps her happily busy, but it has kept her from relationships as well—by design. Because deep passions can overwhelm her, she concluded long ago that a conventional life was not for her. She’s learned to depend on herself. But all the self-reliance in the world can’t prepare her for being taken to ancient Scotland and what she finds there.

Chieftain Brennus Skaraven would like nothing better than to remain dead, his legendary clan buried and forgotten. Anything would be preferable to suffering the manipulations of the druids. But when a strange lass comes crashing into his life, he discovers more than a reason to live. He finds the one thing that had always been denied to him and his kind—love.

Brennus is the first book in the Immortal Highlander Clan Skaraven series. If you love hard-bodied heroes, a mythic world, and a brave heroine, then you’ll love this sizzling series. Join the romantic realm of the Immortal Highlanders by picking up a copy of this book today. Mature readers comfortable with dark themes only please.

An Amazon Top 100 Bestseller with 50,000 copies sold and over 1,100 “Five Star” reviews.

The rumblings of war in distant countries mattered little to Danny McClain. Growing up in Chicago, his world revolved around after-school jobs, a rescued beagle, his pen pal in Holland, and the Cubs’ chance to go to the World Series. Then, in December of 1941, during his first year at Northwestern University, news of the attack on Pearl Harbor hit much too close to home. After a series of unexpected events over the next couple of years, Danny found himself in the co-pilot seat of a B-17, stationed with the 390th Bomb Group in Framlingham, England.

Anya Versteeg had been just a teenager when Hitler’s troops invaded her homeland of Holland in May of 1940. Forced to grow up much too fast, the feisty preacher’s daughter eagerly immersed herself in the Dutch Resistance and its many efforts to thwart the enemy. Certain that God had turned His back on Holland, she closed her heart and did whatever she had to do to save her country before it was too late.

By 1945, the people of Occupied Holland were starving. Cut off from the outside world in retaliation for their failed attempt to oust the Germans invaders, the Dutch had no food, no electricity, no fuel, and little hope of surviving. Thousands were dying every day. Then, just days before the war ended, help came to The Netherlands like manna from heaven.

Operation Chowhound held special meaning for Lieutenant Danny McClain. Somewhere below in the battered land of tulips and windmills was the girl who needed rescuing–after rescuing so many others. And he would move heaven and earth to find her.

Lady Samantha Coburn has been ruined!

The only way to repair her reputation is to marry well.
Yet sadly, even for a woman of her beauty, the task is hard.

After being coerced into being a dowager’s companion for the Season, Samantha finds herself pulled into a scheme laden with death and danger.

How fortunate that her knight happens to be very acquainted with the dark.

Nash Smith is far from a gentleman.
From an orphanage to time served in prison, he’s far from the suitor any man would wish for his daughter.

Using his own rage as energy, he’ll run the villains that lurk in the dark, saving Samantha’s life along the way…
Like the ruffian he’s known to be…

He will steal her heart along the way.

Samantha will have to choose between love and a restored reputation.
What will she choose?
And is love enough to keep these two very different people together?

Eadwulf is back in the Sea Eagle with Bjorn and his crew in a quest to discover if Eadwulf’s father, King Beorhtwulf of Mercia, is still alive after twenty years as a slave. Bjorn’s great dragonship carries them down to the searing June temperatures and strict laws in the Moorish lands of al-Andalus. But searching for Beorhtwulf proves more difficult than they’d expected, causing them more trouble than they bargained for…

In Wessex, King Aethelred is now dead, leaving his twenty-one-year-old-brother, Alfred, to succeed to the throne. Though his succession was agreed by the witan, Alfred must now prove himself worthy of the kingship, or lose it. But Wessex is in turmoil, besieged by Viking Danes intent on subjugating the kingdom – and knowing that the new king is young and inexperienced. Alfred must use all his wiles if he is to outthink and outmanoeuvre Guthrum, the Dane who nearly becomes his nemesis.

Alfred’s victories and defeats take him on a journey of learning, during which he gains experience and strength. We share his highs and his lows and how he rises from the depths of despair to save his beloved kingdom from total conquest.

And at his side at his greatest time of need, is his new ally and friend, Eadwulf of Mercia.

Marisal. A villa on a sleepy Spanish island. A place that time had forgotten. A place of long ago summers, sun-kissed memories and one terrible betrayal …

When Charlotte’s husband James tragically dies, he leaves her an unexpected gift – her grandmother’s beautiful villa, Marisal, on the Spanish island of Formentera.

As she begins to explore her new home, and heal her broken heart in the warm golden sunshine, Charlotte discovers that her grandmother Alba has been keeping secrets about her life on the island. Intrigued by her family’s hidden history, Charlotte uncovers a devastating love affair that put many lives at risk and two sisters torn apart by loss.

Can the heart-breaking truth of the island’s dark history finally be laid to rest? Or will the secrets of the past shake the new life and love that Charlotte is close to finding?

What readers are saying about The Island Villa:

‘I was hooked… a beautiful story… absolutely amazing!… truly beautiful… even though I did spend most of the time blubbering into my tissues!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘Gorgeous; reminding me of a Kate Morton novel… I had a difficult time wanting to put down this book most nights; staying up into the wee hours of the morning… this stunning book was a perfect summer read, and I relished every page.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 Stars

‘I simply adored The Island Villa … This book is beautifully written and I devoured it in a couple of days. A fantastic plot line with strong characters, I can highly recommend it.’ Goodreads Reviewer, Five Stars.

‘I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but after the first page, I was hooked! … I loved the chapters going from past to present. This has family relationships, love and just beautiful imagery in it, you will enjoy every single second! I highly recommend this book, great book to take to the beach this summer!’ Goodreads reviewer, Five Stars.

‘Once you start reading this book, you’ll want to keep reading it! you’ll instantly be transported to the Spanish island … it’s a book you won’t be able to put down until you finish it! Be sure to add this one to your Summer reading list!’ Bless Their Hearts Mom, Five Stars.

‘This book was a real treat! I read it in two days’. The Princess and the Pen, Five Stars.

‘This book is up there with my favourites… the descriptions of the rambling paths, streets, coves and markets are wanderlust igniting… It was gripping, dramatic and uplifting, perfect for a holiday/beach read… It’s a sign of a great book when you are left wanting more.’ Beereader Books, Five Stars.

‘… I rarely say a book should be longer but bizarrely it would have worked for this particular storyline, I simply wanted to know more. Think of the dual narrative works of Kate Morton or Lucinda Riley, books you can lose yourself in. I did lose myself in this book because I was transported to the island and the sun, the sea, the heat what more could you ask for in a summer read?’ The Book Jotter.

‘Beautiful and moving! This is a stunning tapestry of a book, the various strands beautifully and expertly woven into a tantalising, absolutely perfect, masterpiece of a story. I loved it from start to finish.’ Renita D’Silva, Five Stars.