Read an excerpt from The Witch of Godstow Abbey by Lady Harriet and Dr. Peter Stephenson #HistoricalMystery #MurderMystery #theladyandthedoc #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn

The Witch of Godstow Abbey

By Lady Harriet and Dr. Peter Stephenson

A widowed academic investigating strange historical practices gets drawn back in time and into the year 1299 in Oxford. Join a cast of compelling characters-nuns, novices and outsiders-as they battle the forces of darkness. Enter their struggle against evil, clandestine organizations. Join their life-threatening fight to protect each other, be willing to die for each other, and occasionally fall in love.

Will heroic love and righteous pursuit of justice triumph? Will the horror-inducing villain be found out and overthrown? Or will the courageous troop of those fighting for what is good be overpowered and taken captive?

Set in Oxford, England, in the year 1299, a struggle takes place between the sisters of the local convent and a strange, terrifying local evil society. They discover a secret organization of men who perform unspeakable deeds. The lives of several sisters are in danger.

Join Mother Alice, Sister Agnes and Isabel, along with Lady Beatrix and Lady Harriet, as they confront and do battle with an evil, secret society intent on attacking them, taking over the convent and sacrificing a young woman.

If you love stories that keep you turning pages while imparting fascinating accounts of the past, this latest mystery in the "Murders in the Abbey" series will tingle your spine.

Praise for The Witch of Godstow Abbey:

'Richly atmospheric and quietly gripping, "The Witch of Godstow Abbey" is a worthy addition to your bookshelf.'

~ Yarde Book Promotion, 5* Editorial Review

Publication Date: 18th October 2025

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 246

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

EXCERPT

From Chapter 5 - A Summoning by the Abbess

“Sisters… Mother… there is a man without,” she stammered, her breath coming in quick gasps. “His robes—they mark him as a man of high station. He demands… he demands an audience with you, Mother… and with you, Sister Agnes.”

She scarce finished before a tall figure darkened the threshold, stepping into the chambers unbidden. Clad in the stark robes of a Dominican friar, he was a man of formidable presence—broad-shouldered, silver-gray hair, his face lined with purpose.

His long white tunic, bound at the waist with a simple belt, stood in stark contrast to the heavy black cappa that draped his form. With a slow, deliberate motion, he cast back his hood, revealing a tonsured pate.

His keen gaze swept the chamber, lingering on each woman in turn. The weight of the Church had arrived.

Then, in a voice that tolerated no contradiction, he spoke, addressing only Mother Alice.

"By order of His Holiness, Pope Boniface, Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pontiff, I am bid to speak with you at once regarding matters of grave concern to Holy Mother Church. I am his emissary, Friar Thomas de Glanville, a Dominican inquisitor in disciplina. (Inquisitor charged with matters of Church discipline.)

“Mother Alice de Gorges, this abbey stands at the pleasure of His Holiness. Should these whispers that have reached the ears of His Holiness bear truth, Holy Church may strip you of your charge, excommunicate you, and name you among the heretics.”

A silence fell over the chamber, heavy as the stones that framed its walls.

Lady Harriet holds the legal title “Lady of the Manor,” as defined under English law, and traces her ancestry to Charlemagne’s royal line.

As she puts it: “I’m old enough for Medicare, but not quite old enough to get a birthday card from King Charles—were I a Brit.”
The Witch of Godstow Abbey, written in partnership with Dr. Peter Stephenson, marks her first (but certainly not last) foray into historical fiction. With photography, she creates books of images; with storytelling, she creates images made of words.

A lifelong reader and devoted genealogist for nearly fifty years, Harriet has always had a passion for stories, whether they are buried in the past or found in the pages of a good book. She is the co-author of We Are Manx, a self-published family saga that explores her Manx heritage and the history of the Isle of Man in rich detail.

She’s also a photographer who prefers being behind the lens, a word lover addicted to word games, and a fan of wooden jigsaw puzzles. She has traveled extensively, with a deep appreciation for history, diverse cultures, and the unexpected joys that can be found away from home. Her career spanned volunteerism, real estate, and systems administration, but now she happily devotes her time to more creative pursuits.

Dr. Peter Stephenson has written or contributed to over twenty books, all but one of which are non-fiction technical books. He has published over 1,000 papers in technical journals, technical trade journals, and peer-reviewed legal journals. One of his peer-reviewed papers has over 15,400 downloads.

In addition to writing, Dr. Stephenson has been playing blues and Americana music for 70 years. It is through that performing, and after earning a PhD from Oxford Brookes University, that he was given the appellation “Doc” by the owner of one of his performance venues.

Having visited Oxford several times and being employed by a UK company in nearby Malvern, it was only natural that he would set his tales in Oxfordshire. His academic experience in Oxford town sealed the deal and resulted in his first historical novel, The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey—Book 1 in the “Murders in the Abbey” series—which reached the Amazon Kindle bestseller list and won a Pencraft award for literary excellence in the winter of 2025. He now writes with his collaborator and writing partner, Lady Harriet.

Dr. Stephenson lives with two Savannah cats on a pond in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Starting a “new” career at the age of 80, Doc reckons that he has only about the next 20 years to finish the series and retire – again – perhaps this time to Oxford.

Website • Facebook • Instagram • GoodReads • Lady Harriet at Historium Press • Dr Peter Stephenson at Historium Press • Amazon Author Page Lady Harriet • Amazon Author Page Dr. Peter Stephenson

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Have a look at The Radiance of Grace by Margaret Cotton #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction @RABTBookTours

The Radiance of Grace

By Margaret Cotton

Before the First Amendment, three courageous women helped shape its soul.

The Radiance of Grace is the powerful, true story of Mary Dyer, Katherine Scott, and Anne Hutchinson—three extraordinary women whose faith, friendship, and moral courage challenged the rigid Puritan authority of 17th-century New England.

More than 150 years before the American Constitution, these Boston women stood for freedom of religion, conscience, and speech, refusing to surrender their personal relationship with God to institutional control. Their activism—rooted in scripture, compassion, and community—sparked social and political reform at a time when women were expected to remain silent.

Leading Bible studies attended by more than 150 people each week, they became influential voices within their communities. When Puritan leadership responded with harassment, exile, and public punishment, the abuse meant to silence them instead strengthened their resolve. Their lives intertwined with men who admired them, men who despised them, and families who endured the cost of conviction.

Drawing from **extensive historical research—including journals, court records, letters, and firsthand accounts—**and woven together with informed imagination, Margaret Cotton brings these overlooked women vividly to life. Their story reveals the deepest roots of American liberty and challenges modern readers to consider:

● What does it mean to live faithfully under unjust authority?

● How far are we willing to go for freedom of conscience?

● What is the personal cost of standing for truth?

The Radiance of Grace is an intimate, inspiring historical narrative for readers of:

● Women’s history

● Early American and colonial history

● Faith-based and Christian nonfiction

● Social justice and religious freedom

● Readers drawn to untold stories that shaped the foundation of America

These women were nearly erased from history—but their legacy still calls us to courage, purpose, and grace.

It is time to hear their true story.

Genres: Historical Novel / Literary
Pages: 388

Grab a copy HERE!

Margaret Cotton is an author and lifelong storyteller who writes books she longs to read—stories of compelling characters facing complex moral choices. The Radiance of Grace is her first historical narrative. It is an invitation for readers to engage with history, conscience, and transformation. Margaret describes her writing process as both surrender and gratitude—a deep immersion where research, imagination, doubt, and discovery converge until clarity emerges.

Her writing journey is rooted in both scholarship and wonder. A recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant for Independent Study, Margaret spent years researching female faith activism in 17th-century New England—a topic that would eventually become The Radiance of Grace. Although she attempted the story earlier, she paused for two decades, trusting that the time was not yet right.

Her confidence grew during the writing of her first book, Raised!, a true miracle memoir that revealed an uncanny alignment between informed imagination and the creative flow of unexpected truth. With advice from a seasoned New York editor and an evolving sense of purpose, Margaret subsequently returned to this historical work—where, she says, “The story finally developed as it was meant to be told and at the right time.”

Margaret Cotton was a featured presenter at reading and writing workshops, professional conferences, and continuing education events in multiple states and Central America. Her copyrighted educational materials emphasize the value of a cognitive conversation between the writing and comprehension processes for middle grade students. She is equally comfortable speaking to book clubs and historical societies.

As a Certified Professional Photographer (PPA), Margaret photographed more than 250 weddings, including international venues—an experience that deepened her understanding of human connection, resilience, and the deep longing for story within all cultures. She lives with her husband of over fifty years, is the mother of two, grandmother of seven, and believes that curiosity, faith, and purpose only deepen with time.

Website

Read my review of Heidi Eljarbo's #NewRelease Whispers in the Snow (Heartwarming Christmas) #HistoricalMystery #HistoricalRomance #BlogTour @HeidiEljarbo @cathiedunn

Whispers in the Snow

(Heartwarming Christmas)

By Heidi Eljarbo

Of course, a young woman in Norway during the late nineteenth century can be a successful amateur sleuth, and goodness knows, Cornelia’s days are always more exciting when she can devote her time to resolving a local mystery.

Cornelia Gran is a dedicated daughter, friendly and kind; although, she has an exorbitant amount of curiosity. She devours Arthur Conan Doyle’s magazine articles and tries to follow the fictitious Sherlock Holmes’s investigative examples, but her fascination with solving puzzles always gets her into mischief.

Each morning, Cornelia reads the newspaper, looking for a conundrum to solve. Searching for clues—and then chronicling her discoveries—thrills her. She certainly finds those activities more entertaining than taking her grandmother’s advice and attending one Christmas ball after another in search of a husband.

But chaos and danger turn Cornelia’s quiet days upside down when her attempt to find information about the owner of a nearby abandoned cottage takes her into dangerous territory. As winter winds rattle the windows and swirl snowdrifts against the doors, she faces off with a ghost, gets in trouble with the police, and finds herself staring down danger without thinking of the consequences. In the middle of it all, she meets Simon and is captivated by his charm, good looks, and personality.

Meanwhile, a real killer is after her, and he won’t stop until he gets information she doesn’t have! Christmas, with all its cheery festivities, hygge, and family traditions, has never been more threatened. Cornelia must call on all her investigative skills, not only to stop the ruination of her family’s holiday, but also to make certain Simon and his aunt keep what belongs to them. And maybe, just maybe, the amateur sleuth will discover the meaning of true love.

Set in a fictitious town in Norway in 1891, this cozy historical mystery is perfect for those who enjoy curious and determined women sleuths, clean and wholesome romance, and the discovery of buried secrets in an abandoned house.

Publication Date: 27th January, 2026

Publisher: independently published

Pages: 140 (PDF)

Genre: Historical romance mystery

Grab a copy HERE!

MY THOUGHTS

Cornelia Gran loves a good mystery, but never seems to be able to find one as interesting as she’d like. Absorbed by stories of Sherlock Holmes, she can’t help but want to follow in the footsteps of the character she so clearly admires. Scouring the paper every morning reaps the potential reward of the mystery she has so desperately sought – an abandoned house. Who owned it? Why did they abandon it? Could she find the original owners before the authorities took possession of the house and tore it down?

Cornelia is a wonderfully intriguing character to follow. She is highly spirited, and loves to get stuck into a mystery, even when those around her are not overly keen on her doing so. But once she gets an idea in her head, she can’t simply walk away, and so the yellow house on Hasselveien becomes her sole waking purpose. Finding the owner before it is destroyed, or simply learning why they abandoned it, is prevalent so she can write a big ‘case closed’ on her notes. But finding that truth would take her down a long winding road of mystery and danger.

As she begins to investigate, the plot thickens. Not only does she want to learn the truth about the house, as she begins to take more of an interest in the house and the property around it, she begins to notice things. A footprint in the snow, a candle flickering in a window. Could it be that there is more to the story than the owners simply moving away and leaving their house behind? The intricacies of the mystery unfold themselves beautifully, and as Cornelia gets sucked into the mystery, so did I. It very quickly becomes a high stakes read, wherein you find yourself on the edge of your seat, trying to read as quickly as possible to find the truth, while secretly hoping the book never ends. With it being a novel on the shorter side, it is very easy to read in one sitting, I read the whole thing in a single evening, and I loved every second of it. 

With it being a shorter story, there is not a massive amount I can talk about without giving away the story, and this is the kind of book that you absolutely have to read knowing nothing about the story, so you revel in the mystery alongside Cornelia. But, on the other hand, this is the kind of book I could easily talk about for ages! Some notable characters certainly included Simon, who is an absolute gentleman, and very quickly captures Cornelia’s attention, and not only because of his involvement in her mystery. Also those needing a mention are Dordie and Carl. Although they work for Cornelia’s father, he spent a lot of his time working away, and so Dordie and Carl became like family to Cornelia. They are almost like a second set of parents, or at the very least an aunt and uncle, who care about her very deeply and worry about her wellbeing. They added a wonderfully loving ray of light to the story, and I loved every single one of the characters.

I can’t go too much more into the story without giving it away, but all I can say is that I thoroughly recommend you give this story a read, because it is utterly enthralling and I loved every moment of reading it!

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Website • Twitter / X • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest • BookBub  • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

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Read my review of Tattoo Thief by Heidi Joy Tretheway #ContemporaryRomance #NewAdult #RomCom @heiditretheway

Tattoo Thief

By Heidi Joy Tretheway

The white-hot front man for the band Tattoo Thief trashed his penthouse, abandoned his dog and fled the country.

Now New York newbie Beryl Sutton is stuck with his mess.

As his house sitter, she must pick up the pieces, but a fragile connection drives her to uncover the real man behind the mic. Why is he running? And what can bring him back?

Genres: Romantic Comedy / New Adult Romance

Pages: 318

Grab a copy HERE!

MY THOUGHTS

Unexpectedly running into her dad’s best friend, Dan, brings with it an unprecedented turn of events for Beryl. She has spent her life stuck in the town she grew up in, working soul-destroying jobs to make ends meet, and never taking the kind of risks that can lead to adventure. When Dan offers her a job, which comes with a move to New York City, she sees an opportunity, a chance to finally escape, to get out into the world, and make memories that will otherwise be lost to her.

The job is not exactly what she expected, though. New York brings it’s own challenges, but Gavin’s apartment is a different story. She knew the job involved looking after the houses of rich clients while they are away, doing menial tasks like restocking their fridges and collecting and organising their post. What she didn’t expect was the state of Gavin’s apartment when she first walked into it. The whole place is completely trashed, and he has left for an undeterminable amount of time. With a dog boarding company keen for some contact with someone in charge, Beryl finds herself, not only with the apartment of a rockstar to clean up, but also his dog in tow.

As Beryl starts to settle into her role, she finds herself taking on new challenges. Moving to New York was a fresh start for her, and although she doesn’t necessarily take all the changes in her stride, she does embrace the challenge. She is keen to try new things, to step out of her comfort zone, and finds herself doing so on a regular basis. Beryl is a great character, as she is not only realistic, but also kind, despite being flawed. She does sometimes fall a little too far into the mindset of trying new things, and puts herself in some difficult situations, but these only make her seem more real.

As Beryl tries to find out just what Gavin wants her to do with his apartment, they begin to talk more over message. Gavin is a deeply troubled man, running from his emotions and problems, and leaving behind the mess. However, taking time away from his everyday life has given him new perspective, and as his messages with Beryl begin to occur more frequently, his mindset begins to shift. There is no doubt that Beryl was good for Gavin, that she helped him to work through a difficult time. The revelation of what the breaking point was, making Gavin leave, is somewhat disturbing though, and certainly brings into question Gavin’s humanity. Just how much is he truly willing to use others to push himself forwards? Gavin is a questionable character, and although he does seem pleasant, and is kind of Beryl, I couldn’t bring myself to truly like him.

There are some points of this story in which forgiveness is given freely and easily, and it does seem at times like it is given too easily. One thing in particular that was slightly disturbing is Beryl making the decision to wear a dress that belonged to Gavin’s recently deceased girlfriend on a date with him. The decision to do such a thing in itself is rather disturbing to consider, but the outcome seemed almost anti-climatic. Surely Gavin would have found such a thing incredibly concerning, and make more of a deal out of it? Especially considering he specifically asked her to throw away the clothes before he got home. 

The story itself is good, and it’s the kind of book you can read quickly, but truly connecting with the characters is a little difficult at times, and certain situations do come across as wildly unrealistic. It’s a good read if you are after a hot rockstar romance, but the story and events are not necessarily overly emotionally investing. 

Heidi Joy Tretheway writes steamy romantic fiction. Her first career as a journalist took her behind the scenes with rock stars, chefs, and politicians … all of whom inspire her novels.

She also has an alter ego.

As Heidi Tretheway, she writes squeaky-clean business nonfiction. With 20-years as a B2B marketing executive, Heidi is an authority on marketing, branding, and organizational effectiveness.

Heidi also narrated the No. 1 true crime podcast "Happily Never After: Dan & Nancy" from Wondery. 

Away from the keyboard, you’ll find Heidi snorkeling, refereeing soccer, and salmon fishing. She loves French carbs and plane tickets. Heidi lives in southwest Washington with her soccer-obsessed family and calls Berlin her second home. 

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Read an excerpt from Red Anemones: A story of struggle, resistance, and hope - by Paula Dáil #HistoricalFiction #FamilyLegacy #JewishHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn

Red Anemones

A story of struggle, resistance, and hope

By Paula Dáil

Moving among generations of a German-Jewish-American family, Red Anemones is a poignant exploration of the intricate bonds, untold secrets, and unspoken legacies our ancestors bestow upon us. 

Natalie Barlow's journey of self-discovery begins when her estranged mother's sudden death releases a storm of unrevealed family secrets reaching back to pre-WWI Germany.

As Natalie navigates the complexities of her newly discovered Jewish identity and her ancestral heritage, she comes face-to-face with the early 20th-century German immigrant experience, which included strong anti-German sentiment and deep antisemitism that prevailed across America.

Through diaries and letters her mother saved, Natalie learns of the personal costs this ugly reality extracted from generations of her own family. Ultimately, she must confront the question of her own identity.

Like Israel's red anemones carpeting the western Negev and Dvira Forest of the Judean foothills year after year, Natalie is determined, no matter the personal costs, to find the courage, resiliency, and passion to embrace the changes that bring new beginnings. Inspired by a true story.

Praise for Red Anemones:

“"Red Anemones" by Paula Dáil weaves a powerful narrative inspired by a gripping true story, infusing the text with authenticity and emotional resonance. This book is an absolute must-read for fans of the genre, as it expertly blends enthralling storytelling with fully realised characters and a rich plot.”

~ Yarde Book Promotion, Editorial 5* Review

“Poignant, disturbing, and historically and dramatically riveting.”

~ Kirkus Reviews

“As I read, I found myself utterly taken by Dáil’s writing. Her prose has rhythm and patience, tight, deliberate, and quietly powerful. She writes with tenderness but never sentimentality, allowing emotion to rise naturally from her characters’ choices. I could almost feel the weight of Nathalie’s conflict between family duty and self-determination, between love and freedom. The language is lived-in, grounded, and full of quiet heat.”

~ Literary Titan, 5* Review

Publication Date: 17 October 2025

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 449

Genre: Historical fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

EXCERPT

An hour later, after exchanging my wet clothes for dry ones, I notice that the sun has broken through the heavy overcast and is shining directly onto my desk, inviting me to sit down and begin the laborious, one word at a time task of translating a letter, written in the tiniest possible handwriting by someone named Irina.

Our Dearest Rachael,

I am sorrowfully writing with sad news. Your mother’s brother, who is also my husband and your Uncle Levi, and your cousin, my dear son Avram, have been taken by Hitler’s Gestapo. They came in the night, but we had been expecting this, so were not sleeping soundly. Levi told them he is an old man so they could have him and did not put up a fight. Avram fought back and was beaten without mercy. Washing his blood from our rug is impossible. Still, some remains.

Since Kristallnacht, which I have already written you about in the best details I can offer, more and more Jews are being shot in the streets or put on trains to what they call work camps. Many more are starving. No one who has been taken away has ever returned, and the rumors about what happens to them all end in death. Isaac says now his brother is taken, he is fighting back, says not to worry, then kisses me goodbye and leaves. I hear nothing from him since… and expect to know nothing of Levi or Avram for a long time. They will come for our Lazar soon, and then Jacob, as he is now old enough to cause trouble. When he goes, all my beloved sons are gone from me.

Your cousin Minna, born to me when I was too old, is slow and clumsy, yet a loving comfort to me. There are rumors the Reich is making lists of those who are in some way afflicted, both Jews and non-Jews, and will take them away to what they call rehabilitation camps. If this is true, Minna will certainly be on that list. There is a convent of Catholic nuns near Hannover willing to take in children, and am sending her there, hoping money you have sent is enough they will not refuse her because she is a Jew. Otherwise, I am unable to protect her, and she cannot survive on her own like the rest of us might be able to do, if G-d wills it be so.

I give to you the yellow star from Levi’s coat because I have other things to remember him by. I keep my son’s star for myself. If we never see them again, which Lazar thinks we won’t, or if we all perish, which is more likely each day, you must bear witness that we once lived and were faithful Jews brave in the face of hatred we don’t understand. If it is the Jewish destiny to suffer, we have no choice but to accept this life sentence.

I stop translating as the reality of my relationship to the letter’s writer vice-grips my stomach and I can barely breathe. I put on my winter coat and wrap my longest wool scarf around myself, then leave my apartment in the direction of the lake shore. After nearly an hour of wandering aimlessly along the waterline, the biting wind begins forcing clarity into the foreign words I never thought I would be reading, much less hold such profound personal meaning to me. Obviously, my mother was the product of a German-Jewish heritage that barely survived its face-to-face encounter with evil in an era I am vaguely aware of but also apparently deeply connected to and, from this moment forward, will be impossible to dismiss, bury, or ignore. I have no idea how to think about this, or how what I have just learned will change my life, but have no doubt that it will. 

I never saw this coming… I tell myself.

A native Californian, Paula Dáil is an emerita research professor of social welfare and public policy and award-winning author. Widely published in the social sciences, she has also been recognized for her non-fiction and fiction writing, both under her own name and her pen name, Avery Michael. 

She is the recipient of first or second place Readers Favorite, Reader’s Choice, Independent Publisher, Bookfest and Literary Titan awards, a Booklist Starred Review and several other five-star reviews, including Goodreads, The Book Commentary, and Independent Book Review. Two of her books received the Non-fiction Book of the Year Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers. She holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and lives with her husband and dog in the Great Lakes Region of the Upper Midwest. 

Red Anemones is her tenth book.

Website • Facebook • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

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Read an excerpt from Catherine Hughes NEW RELEASE, Therein Lies the Pearl #HistoricalFiction #MedievalHistory #AngloSaxonHistory #EarlyMedieval @cathiedunn

Therein Lies the Pearl

By Catherine Hughes

Normandy, 1064  

Celia Campion, a girl of humble background, finds herself caught in a web of intrigue when Duke William commands her to work as his spy, holding her younger sister hostage. Her mission: to sail across the sea to Wilton Abbey and convince Margaret, daughter of Edward the Exile, to take final vows rather than form a marriage alliance with the newly crowned king to the North, Malcolm III of Scotland. Preventing a union between the Saxons and Scots is critical to the success of the Duke’s plan to take England, and more importantly for Celia, it is the only way to keep her sister alive.  

In this sweeping epic that spans the years before and after the Conquest, two women from opposite sides of the English Channel whisper across the chasm of time to tell their story of the tumultuous days that eventually changed the course of history.  As they struggle to survive in a world marked by danger, loss, and betrayal, their lives intersect, and they soon come to realize they are both searching for the same thing--someone they can trust amidst the treachery that surrounds them.  

Together, their voices form a narrative never before told. 

Publication Date: January 19, 2026

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 474

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

EXCERPT

She kept her mind on other things so that she did not become too consumed with the physical task she was performing. But no matter how many times she tried to distract herself by thinking about sewing or fishing or cooking, she could not liberate herself from her current labor. Her thoughts always returned to how awful it was to dig a grave. 

A gravedigger suffered a double form of anguish. First, there was the spiritual upheaval and debilitating grief that ensued after having lost a loved one, and second, there was the physical misery of having to complete such an onerous task. In her case, she set aside her emotional connection to what she was doing and tried to simply

perform the job while commanding her mind to wander into regions far from this location. After intense effort, she was now about an arm’s length deep into the soil where, thankfully, the dirt had softened a bit and broke apart more easily than at first. 

Just a few months ago, she had been at this same spot, only it was not her hand that grasped the handle but Simon’s. At the time, her father had shown no sign of understanding what was required of him, so it was her friend Simon who had come to dig the resting place that would house her mother’s body. Back then, Celia took no part in the digging. The hole stood empty and wide, fully completed by the time she, Papa, and Philippe had arrived with the cart trailing behind them. Only now with the sweat trickling down the back of her neck and

along the column of her spine did she realize just how exhausting an endeavor it was. Her arms ached with strain and fatigue. Her lower back pinched and tensed each time she tossed the next batch of dirt over her shoulder. Even switching her grip and alternating sides did nothing to alleviate the pain.

An arm’s length was not deep enough to keep the scavengers away. She needed to make certain that the hole went down far enough to be beyond the reach of hungry foragers. Some small measure of dignity had to be preserved, especially since there was no ceremony or funeral to commemorate her father’s passing. He deserved that at least.

Pausing to wipe her brow with the back of her grimy hand, Celia’s eyes rested on the cart she had pulled by herself to this newly sanctioned family cemetery. The wagon made her think of Simon and of how he was still helping her despite being miles and miles away. And after a deep intake of breath and an even longer exhalation, she pointed her shovel back toward the ground and continued to deepen the trench. 

She recalled the strangeness of his house. She knew it would be spartan. After all, he was a serious minded man whose time was spent dealing only in practicality and necessity. She had expected that. What was odd though was that there was no trace, no touch, no evidence that a woman had ever shared that space with him. No

spindle, no comb, no brush, no clothing, no trinket, no craft, no indication at all that Giselle was once his wife. Perhaps Simon had gotten rid of all of her possessions so that no reminders of her were left behind to haunt him. Perhaps he had bartered them to find compensation for his loss. Whatever the manner with which he disposed of her belongings, it was clear he had chosen to wipe away Giselle’s entire history.

As Celia pulled more and more earth from the ground, she tried to recall Simon’s words when they had last spoken about her father’s impending death and Giselle’s prior passing. What was it that he said? Something about her wanting to leave this world because she could not abide being in it with him there too. Well, if a woman felt that way about her husband, is it any wonder then that he would want to erase everything about her from his mind? And what better place to begin than by removing all things associated with her presence? If

all the physical reminders disappear, then it is only a matter of time before the mental pictures fade as well. So did he do this out of grief because of her aversion to him, or did he do this out of rage because of her rejection of him? 

Was it sorrow or was it fury that drove him? Even though her task was far from done, Celia paused. Deep inside the rectangular pit she stood, cold and unmoving. But why would a woman—one who was with child—set out upon a boat during a storm? Was she trying to escape to start a new life on her own, or had she been put there against her will for someone to end it...?

Was his house empty because he was heartbroken over her death, or was it empty because he was guilty of causing it?

There are some questions that are better left unanswered, just as there are some secrets that are better left buried. The dead find release, but life remains a filthy business for the ones who are left behind. Celia readjusted her grip and plunged her spade once again into the dirt, deepening and widening the plot with each thrust.

Award winning writer, Catherine Hughes is a first-time author who, from her earliest years, immersed herself in reading. Historical fiction is her genre of choice, and her bookshelves are stocked with selections from ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Europe as well as those involving New England settlements and pioneer life in America. After double-majoring in English and business management on the undergraduate level, Catherine completed her Master's degree in British literature at Drew University and then entered the classroom where she has been teaching American, British, and World Literature at the high school level for the last thirty years.

Aside from teaching and reading, Catherine can often be found outdoors, drawing beauty and inspiration from the world of nature. Taking the words of Thoreau to heart, "It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful," Catherine sets aside time every day to lace up her sneakers and run with her dog in pre-dawn or late afternoon hours on the beaches of Long Island. When her furry companion isn't busy chasing seagulls or digging up remnants of dead fish, she soaks in the tranquility of the ocean setting, freeing her mind to tap into its deepest recesses where creativity and imagination preside.

In Silence Cries the Heart, Hughes’s first book, received the Gold Medal in Romance for the Feathered Quill 2024 Book of the Year contest, the Gold Medal for Fiction in the 2024 Literary Titan competition, and the 2024 International Impact Book Award for Historical Fiction. In addition, the Historical Fiction Company gave it a five star rating and a Silver Medal in the category of Historical Fiction Romance. The book was also featured in the February 2024 Issue 31 of the Historical Times magazine and was listed as one of the Best Historical Fiction Books of 2024 by the History Bards Podcast. Therein Lies the Pearl is her second venture into the world of historical fiction.

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