England

The Book of Alys by Alan Gold

This was an interesting historical fiction set during the reign of King Henry II. It focuses on a young French princess, Alys, who arrived in King Henry’s court at the age of 8 years old betrothed to Henry’s son, Prince Richard. Alys suffered constant cruelty from Richard and was ignored by Henry and his wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Alys made it through Eleanor and Henry’s son’s rebellion unscathed, becoming Henry’s mistress shortly thereafter.

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July 26, 2023 0

To Swoon and To Spar (The Regency Vows, #4) by Martha Waters

This is a cute, flirty historical fiction romance set in Regency England. This is book 4 in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. There is enough back story to give you context regarding the side characters that support the main characters and story.

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April 27, 2023 0

A Most Intriguing Lady by Sarah Ferguson

This is a fun historical fiction mystery/romance set during the Victorian era. Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott has spent years creating a mousy persona that allows her to go overlooked and underestimated. This allows her to use her keen intellect and power of observation to discreetly assist her peers with matters they want to keep secret. During a dinner party in her family’s Scottish home she quietly works to help a friend, but runs into trouble when the handsome war veteran Colonel Walter Trefusis (Tre) sees her partaking in a dangerous adventure during dinner. Mary tries to do damage control and finds herself drawn to the Colonel. As the duo get to know each other they find their purposes intertwined and help each other out.

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March 19, 2023 0

King of Kings (The Brunanburh Series) by M.J. Porter

I’m excited to feature 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 by 𝗠.𝗝. 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿, one of my favorite Medieval England writers. The book is out now and I urge you to pick up a copy. I’m halfway through the book and enjoying this detailed account of the battle to unite the kingdoms of England. If you like character driven stories with plenty of court intrigue and battles, this is the book, and author, for you.

In the battle for power, there can be only one ruler.

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February 15, 2023 0

A Time for Swords by Matthew Harffy

This is a rousing historical fiction set in northern England in AD793. On June 8, AD793 Vikings pillage the monastery on Lindisfarne, and the Viking Age has begun. While Vikings kill and rape monks and villagers as they try to run from danger, a young monk named Hunlaf runs toward danger. Despite never swinging a sword before, he takes up a weapon and kills his first man. And so begins Hunlaf’s journey from monk to warrior, and his quest for vengeance.

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December 26, 2020 0

The Darkest Evening (Vera Stanhope #9) by Ann Cleeves

This is a good Mystery set in small village in snowy Northumberland. DI Vera Stanhope sets off for home, but gets lost in a blizzard. She comes across a car abandoned at the side of the road with the door open. Upon inspection she finds a baby strapped into a car seat in the back seat.

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September 11, 2020 0