Have a look at Lucy by Vicky Adin #dualtimeline #historicalfiction #LucyTheSuffragist #WomensRights #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @vickyadin @cathiedunn

Lucy 

By Vicky Adin

Emma’s curiosity is piqued by a gutsy young climate change campaigner with an antique trinket box full of women’s rights badges, but tracing their history pushes her to her limit. 

Struggling to recover from Covid-19, Emma is terrified of developing a chronic and incurable condition and becoming a burden. She tries to ignore her fears and keeps working. She has clients who rely on her. Paige is a spirited environmentalist whose wealthy father tries to curb her enthusiasm. But she is intent on making her mark on the world in spite of him. Emma is torn between untangling the mysteries of Paige’s legacy or saving herself when exhaustion threatens everything she cares about.  

In 1892, twenty-one-year-old Lucy, a dedicated suffragist is determined women shall win the right to vote this time. Since her mother died, she has grown up in the glow of her father’s benevolence. Winning the franchise has become her raison d'être, greater even than her love for Richard. She goes canvassing and is ambushed by a man who undermines her confidence. Conflicted between winning the vote or safeguarding those she loves, she redoubles her campaign efforts. But a moral dilemma puts her future in jeopardy. 

A compelling tale of Lucy the suffragist and the courageous women who fought for their right to vote (Book 3 in The Art of Secrets series, dual-timeline sagas about finding your roots).

Publication Date: 14 May 2023
Publisher: AM Publishing NZ
Page Length: 327
Genre: Dual-timeline historical fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

Vicky Adin’s passion is writing inter-generational sagas inspired by early immigrant women’s stories in New Zealand, linked by journals, letters, photographs, and heirlooms.

As a genealogist and historian, Vicky has combined her skills to write heart-warming novels weaving family life and history together in a way that makes the past come alive.

Delve into the new dual-timeline series, The Art of Secrets, family sagas about finding your roots… or

Become engrossed in The New Zealand Immigrant Collection, suspenseful family saga fiction uncovering the mysteries, the lies and the challenges of the past.

Vicky Adin holds a MA(Hons) in English and Education. She is an avid reader of historical novels, family sagas and contemporary women’s stories and loves to travel. 

Website • Twitter • Facebook • LinkedIn • Pinterest • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

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Read my review of Shy Girls Can't Date Frienemies (Shy Girls Sweet Romances) by Milly Rose #YoungAdult #ContemporaryRomance #NewRelease

I am so happy I was able to receive and read a copy of Shy Girls Can't Date Frienemies before it's release! It is out now, so read my review and then go and get yourself a copy!

Shy Girls Can't Date Frienemies
(Shy Girls Sweet Romances)
By Milly Rose

Falling for my best friend's twin brother was not part of the plan...

At my fancy private school, I’m the poor girl.

I’m also a lousy student, jeopardizing my scholarship.

Even worse, my soccer coach benches me until my grades improve.

My only hope is mind-numbing tutoring sessions with nerdy Milo.

While we study, his cologne wafts my way. I fixate on his hands. Soon, his voice lulls me into fantasy.

It’d horrify my best friend to know I’m crushing on his twin brother, whom we agreed is the enemy.

This attraction must stay a secret. But when Milo leans in with those kissable lips, deep down, I know what I want.

This is a standalone romance book with a HEA. It is part of the Shy Girls Sweet Romances series, which can be read in any order.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Page Length: 403

Grab a copy HERE!

MY THOUGHTS

Jamie is your typical tomboy – she roller-skates, plays football, hangs out with the boys and beats them at video games. And yet, there is another side to Jamie, one she hides from everyone. She secretly wants a movie romance, longs for someone to come along and sweep her off her feet. But how could she ever get that when she’s friends with all the boys?

When she starts to fall behind at school, and with the threat of her scholarship being taken away hanging over her, Jamie has no choice but to be tutored by her best friend’s brother. And although Milo has always been the brunt of her’s and Kai’s jokes, she can’t help but like him. Perhaps a little too much. There is a connection there, and one that Jamie didn’t necessarily want to have happen with Milo of all people – but even she can’t deny the fluttering of her heart.

Once again, Milly Rose has knocked it out of the park with another swoon-worthy romance fest! I couldn’t stop reading this book, and stayed up much too late reading it, and ended up falling asleep reading it once or twice because I simply refused to go to sleep! 

I absolutely loved Jamie’s character. She is not flawless, she is struggling in school, is quick to anger, and finds it impossible to talk to other girls, but she is incredibly likeable. Her dedication, when she finally puts her mind to something, is admirable, and her passion for football is lovely to read about. She is an incredibly strong-willed person, and is not afraid to fight against injustice, or things she doesn’t feel are right. While I loved Jamie, I absolutely adored Milo. If only book boyfriends could exist in real life! Milo is so incredibly caring and kind, considerate about others, and ready to do anything he can to help out. He is all round an incredibly lovely guy. 

I wouldn’t particularly call this an enemies to lovers story, as Jamie and Milo were never technically enemies. Jamie is very close with Kai, Milo’s twin brother, but Milo is the one with the brains and the capability to tutor Jamie and ensure she gets the grades she needs to stay in Ashworth Academy. For a while, Jamie barely tolerates the tutoring, but I think that was more to do with the fact that she was being forced to do homework, rather than because she had to spend time around Milo. Personally, I think they had simply never had a reason to grow close before Jamie’s grades started to fall. Milo and Jamie’s romance is a particularly beautiful one. Jamie has longed for a fairytale romance for so long, and it just took Milo to arrive and sweep her off her feet to get what she so desired. Their relationship doesn’t progress too quickly, they take the time to get to know each other properly, but find themselves falling for each other very soon. 

There is the added drama in this story of Jamie’s past, for her mother has a dark backstory that has been mostly hidden since her disappearance. Things start to reveal themselves as the story progresses, and there is a twist at the end of the book that allows things to fall into place regarding what truly happened to Jamie’s mother, and the truth behind secrets that were kept for far too long. While this isn’t a central part of the story, it does keep the whole story very realistic, and adds a certain depth of drama that makes you keep reading as you wait impatiently to find out the truth.

I think one of the things I love most about this series is that all the stories happen within the same school, so throughout all the books you get a glimpse into the other characters, and how they’re doing with their lives and relationships. In particular, we get to see Ash and Christie from Shy Girls Can’t Date Billionaires in this story, as Jamie and Milo spend some time with the couple. The interlocking storylines make the whole thing seem so much more three-dimensional, and giving a much greater depth to the story. Slowly, throughout the series, we learn more about the school, the areas around it, and the people who attend it, and I love meeting new people with each story. 

I absolutely love reading Milly Rose’s books, and know I will be impatiently awaiting the next one. If you’ve never read one of her books before, get started now! There are three in this series so far, just sat out there waiting for you to pick one up and start reading!

Milly Rose is an animal-loving romance enthusiast with a swoon-inducing book formula. Shy girl + hot guy + first kisses. Her YA sweet romance books will have you falling in love every instalment. Milly Rose is the quintessential shy girl, who you can contact via her mailing list and reply to her monthly email blasts! Milly spends her days vying for her cat’s affection, dreaming up her next book boyfriend, and writing a fun meet-cute under candlelight with a lovely brewed cup of tea.

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Read my review of The Devil’s Glove by Lucretia Grindle #HistoricalFiction #Salem #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn

The Devil’s Glove 

By Lucretia Grindle

Northern New England, summer, 1688.

Salem started here.

A suspicious death. A rumor of war. Whispers of witchcraft.

Perched on the brink of disaster, Resolve Hammond and her mother, Deliverance, struggle to survive in their isolated coastal village. They're known as healers taught by the local tribes - and suspected of witchcraft by the local villagers.

Their precarious existence becomes even more chaotic when summoned to tend to a poisoned woman. As they uncover a web of dark secrets, rumors of war engulf the village, forcing the Hammonds to choose between loyalty to their native friends or the increasingly terrified settler community.

As Resolve is plagued by strange dreams, she questions everything she thought she knew - about her family, her closest friend, and even herself. If the truth comes to light, the repercussions will be felt far beyond the confines of this small settlement.

Based on meticulous research and inspired by the true story of the fear and suspicion that led to the Salem Witchcraft Trials, THE DEVIL'S GLOVE is a tale of betrayal, loyalty, and the power of secrets. Will Resolve be able to uncover the truth before the town tears itself apart, or will she become the next victim of the village's dark and mysterious past?

Praise for The Devil’s Glove:

“From its opening lines this historical novel from Grindle (Villa Triste) grips with its rare blend of a powerfully evoked past, resonant characters, smart suspense, and prose touched with shivery poetry.” 

~ BookLife Reviews Editor’s Pick

Publication Date: May 1, 2023

Publisher: Casa Croce Press

Page Length: 346

Genre: Literary Historical Fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

This novel is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.

MY THOUGHTS

Resolve and her mother, Deliverance, changed their names when they moved to the New World, hiding their pasts to fit in with the English and ensure there was no suspicion directed at them. They are healers, using herbs to help keep the habitants of the small village in good health, and are very good at what they do. But they are often called to the most difficult of cases, and the patients do not always survive. Especially when they have been poisoned. 

The death of Avis Hobbs was a tragedy, and by the time Resolve and Deliverance reached the house, there was nothing that could be done. But the town has its suspicions against the two healers, and while they keep their friendliness with the local tribes hidden, there are those in the village who would happily call them both ‘savage’ or have them strung up for witchcraft. For an entire village plagued with fear on the edge of war, mass hysteria is only one small step away. 

I absolutely loved Resolve, she is kind, and fiercely loyal to her mother, but not afraid to do what she feels is right. She has what seems to be a relatively peaceful life, collecting herbs, looking after the cow and goats, and spending time telling stories and gossiping with her best friend. That is, when she is not being accused of one thing or another, and trying to avoid people in the village. 

A character I found incredibly interesting was Abigail Hobbs, Avis’s daughter. She is a child many adore, for she looks angelic, but some of her actions come across as exactly the opposite. A beautiful young child, seemingly possessed by a dark spirit and made to do wicked things. For a town so quick to pass judgement on evil, their obsession over, and protection of, a child who seems incredibly troubled is strange, and further shows how Resolve and Deliverance are ostracised from the village. Abigail might come across as infinitely more ‘evil’ than Resolve and her mother, but Abigail was born in the village, and Resolve joined it. No matter how important she and her mother may be, they are still outsiders. I don’t want to give away spoilers, for Abigail is central to a lot of the plot in this book, but I definitely followed Resolve’s opinion of her throughout the book. In a way, this also made me like Resolve a lot more, for I found myself relating to her way of thinking. 

The fear of witchcraft was, indeed, a plague that spread across the world. One wrong move and you could be accused, and there is not much you could do to change anyone's mind after they had decided on it. Even something as simple as being able to swim – for everyone knows that witches float. Fear can be deadly, and with a threat of war against the ‘savages’, the finger is pointed at anyone who might be responsible for the evil doings happening around them. Traitors inside the village could be everyone’s downfall, so sympathisers must be rooted out. No matter that Resolve and Deliverance had saved many lives within the village, that very fact was enough to bring suspicion down upon them.

There are hints throughout the story that Resolve may not entirely fit into the village, as she finds herself with strange dreams, visions, and cryptic messages from Yellow Bird, a member of one of the native tribes. With a hint of witchcraft wafting through the air, you only think of one thing as she explains what she is experiencing, and it is something that made me incredibly afraid for her safety as I read. While these themes were not overly explored in this book, the ending definitely geared the story up for them to develop and become a more integral part of the story in the next book. 

I feel as though I did not read this book, but instead experienced it. The author has done a wonderful job with bringing the characters and time period to life, and I became engrossed in the words and felt the emotions as though I were in the village with Resolve, and fearing for the safety of those I, too, cared about. The characters may only breathe among the pages, but as I read, they came to life. A good book is one you cannot put down; a great book is one you can’t escape, and this book was definitely the latter. I absolutely recommend you read this book, it was amazing!

Lucretia Grindle grew up and went to school and university in England and the United States. After a brief career in journalism, she worked for The United States Equestrian Team organizing ‘kids and ponies,’ and for the Canadian Equestrian Team. For ten years, she produced and owned Three Day Event horses that competed at The World Games, The European Games and the Atlanta Olympics. In 1997, she packed a five mule train across 250 miles of what is now Grasslands National Park on the Saskatchewan/Montana border tracing the history of her mother’s family who descend from both the Sitting Bull Sioux and the first officers of the Canadian Mounties.

Returning to graduate school as a ‘mature student’, Lucretia completed an MA in Biography and Non-Fiction at The University of East Anglia where her work, FIREFLIES, won the Lorna Sage Prize. Specializing in the 19th century Canadian West, the Plains Tribes, and American Indigenous and Women’s History, she is currently finishing her PhD dissertation at The University of Maine. 

Lucretia is the author of the psychological thrillers, THE NIGHTSPINNERS, shortlisted for the Steel Dagger Award, and THE FACES of ANGELS, one of BBC FrontRow’s six best books of the year, shortlisted for the Edgar Award. Her historical fiction includes, THE VILLA TRISTE, a novel of the Italian Partisans in World War II, a finalist for the Gold Dagger Award, and THE LOST DAUGHTER, a fictionalized account of the Aldo Moro kidnapping. She has been fortunate enough to be awarded fellowships at The Hedgebrook Foundation, The Hawthornden Foundation, The Hambidge Foundation, The American Academy in Paris, and to be the Writer in Residence at The Wallace Stegner Foundation. A television drama based on her research and journey across Grasslands is currently in development. THE DEVIL’S GLOVE and the concluding books of THE SALEM TRILOGY are drawn from her research at The University of Maine where Lucretia is grateful to have been a fellow at the Canadian American Foundation. 

She and her husband, David Lutyens, live in Shropshire.

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Read an excerpt from Quest of Awakening by Daniel Dickson #Fantasy #YoungAdult @XpressoTours

Quest of Awakening

By Daniel Dickson

‘Eragon’ meets ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’ in this queer YA fantasy that will leave you breathless until the last page.

With war threatening to shatter Ivearth’s 500 years of peace, Prince Xavier embarks on a perilous quest to the mystical isle of Hom to claim a dragon and secure his place as king. But a dragon can only bond with someone true to themselves, forcing Xavier to confront his deepest fears. His truth, if revealed, could destroy the monarchy, the kingdom and the faith he serves.

Accompanied by a newly-heartbroken magical creatures expert, and a fearless steamboat captain, Xavier braves mermaid-infested waters and faces off against fearsome dragons. But the trio soon learns Hom calls on them to confront the obstacles that lie within. For Xavier, dangerous feelings for someone unexpected becomes the trigger to confronting all he has suppressed.

Will Xavier be successful in his mission? Or will his journey lead him down a different path, one that could alter the course of history forever?

Publication date: May 19th 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult 

Add to Goodreads!

Grab a copy HERE!

EXCERPT

“Xavier, have you made your mind up?” Father asked. Why did the vagueness of his question send shivers down my spine? “Have you decided what kind of dragon you would like?” he clarified.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I hadn’t thought about that in a while. I had been busy debating which queen I was supposed to choose.

“Well, I’m not sure. Each of the six dragon types has its advantages. I suppose a green dragon like yours would be good. Bernard is quite powerful; he can move Earth with his mind. Purple dragons with psychic and poison abilities don’t really appeal to me. Blue ice dragons have never followed a king off the island. Yellow dragons can fire currents of lightning, but again, they are notoriously elusive. Still, Agui has always had powerful red fire dragons, and I know communication with them has been fraught. Perhaps Prince Rueban and I could bond over our fire-breathing dragons? But I’m not sure. Each one is appealing in some way.”

“Well, that narrows it down,” Laurence said sarcastically.

Marieanne had been unusually quiet. She normally joked around with the others, but she’d kept her gaze firmly on the table.

“Marieanne, do you have any thoughts on this subject?” I asked, looking across at her. 

She shifted in her chair. “My Prince, I apologize if I’m not able to articulate my excitement for your special day. It is just that I . . . I’m not quite sure how to say this.”

“Try just spitting it out, woman,” Laurence said. 

I gave him an unfriendly look.

“Well . . . I have some upsetting news from Agui,” she said carefully. 

My father slammed his hands on the table. Even the mention of Agui triggered him these days. “What the hell is wrong with Agui now? A month ago that slimy rat King Rueban was here asking to amend a 500-year-old treaty, threatening us with war. Surely, he’s not stupid enough to take us up on that.”

Marieanne gripped the pearls around her neck. “Well, it would seem Prince Rueban has expressed deep dissatisfaction that we, along with Divinum, are unwilling to amend the treaty. Our contacts say he is planning to pull Agui out of the treaty against our wishes. We don’t know what he is planning next, but our contacts are gathering information now.”

Father sank into his chair. I looked at him, expecting him to say something, to lead and command.

Laurence spoke first. “Does King Rueban understand the severity of breaking a 500-year treaty? He is jeopardizing the age of peace. This will bring civil war to the Protected Kingdoms!”

Father slammed his fists on the table. “Our men are not equipped for war!” 

I had been silent. Despite everyone’s eyes fixed on their king, it was me in this chair now, and our kingdom, it seemed, was on the brink of war for the first time in 500 years. What was I supposed to say? I searched the room for inspiration. My eyes landed on the mandarin gemstone fixed in Marieanne’s ring.

“An orange dragon.” They looked at me in confusion. “I don’t know what will happen with Agui. All I know is our kingdoms are fractured and something needs to change. An orange dragon can heal the wounded. Only Divinum has ever had healing dragons before, but their power is craved by the sick and dying the world over.” I took a breath, “For me to come home with a healing dragon will show that I, Xavier Nobleturn, am dedicated to healing the rupture in our Protected Kingdoms. And when I return, I will personally travel to Agui to forge a new friendship between Agui and Ivearth.”

I turned to my father, who looked at me with the same pride he had this morning. At least for the time being, I had made them believe I was worthy of their praise.

 

Daniel Dickson is a Glasgow-based author and cognitive behavioral therapist with a passion for impactful storytelling. With formal education in various aspects of professional writing, psychology, and counseling, he strives to help people find self-love and thrive through his writing and clinical practice. In his free time, he enjoys practicing meditation, taking walks in nature with his rescue dog Willow, reading books across a range of genres especially fantasy and sci-fi, and traveling to explore new cultures. His favorite book is Humans by Matt Haig, and he's a film buff with a particular fondness for the movie Donnie Darko. As a spiritual person with influences from Buddhism, Eastern and Western philosophy, and psychology, Daniel believes his stories can promote acceptance and contribute to creating a more peaceful and unified world.

His debut novel, Quest of Awakening, is a queer YA fantasy that follows the journey of a young prince as he navigates his identity and embarks on a dangerous quest to save his world. With a diverse cast of characters and themes of self-discovery and acceptance, this book is sure to capture the hearts of readers.

Join Daniel on a thrilling adventure that will keep you turning pages and inspire you to embrace your true self. Get your copy of Quest of Awakening on Friday, May 19th.

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Have a look at Alternate Endings: A Short Story Anthology of Historical What Ifs #HistoricalFiction #anthology #ShortStories #AlternateHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @HistWriters @cathiedunn

Alternate Endings

A Short Story Anthology of Historical What Ifs

By Salina B Baker, Stephanie Churchill (Foreword), Sharon Bennett Connolly, Elizabeth Corbett, Virginia Crow, Cathie Dunn, Karen Heenan, Michael Ross, and Samantha Wilcoxson

We all know the past is the past, but what if you could change history?

We asked eight historical authors to set aside the facts and rewrite the history they love. The results couldn’t be more tantalizing.

What if Julius Caesar never conquered Gaul?

What if Arthur Tudor lived and his little brother never became King Henry VIII?

What if Abigail Adams persuaded the Continental Congress in 1776 to give women the right to vote and to own property?

Dive in to our collection of eight short stories as we explore the alternate endings of events set in ancient Rome, Britain, the United States, and France.

An anthology of the Historical Writers Forum.

Publication Date: November 1st, 2022
Publisher: Historical Writers Forum
Page Length: 360
Genre: Alternate History

Grab a copy HERE!

This novel is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.

Samantha Wilcoxson is an author of emotive biographical fiction and strives to help readers connect with history's unsung heroes. She also writes nonfiction for Pen & Sword History.

Samantha loves sharing trips to historic places with her family and spending time by the lake with a glass of wine. Her most recent work is Women of the American Revolution, which explores the lives of 18th century women, and she is currently working on a biography of James Alexander Hamilton.

Website

Historian Sharon Bennett Connolly is the best-selling author of five non-fiction history books, with a new release coming soon.

A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Sharon has studied history academically and just for fun – and has even worked as a tour guide at a castle. She writes the popular history blog, www.historytheinterestingbits.com. 

Sharon regularly gives talks on women's history; she is a feature writer for All About History magazine and her TV work includes Australian Television's 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

Website

Cathie Dunn writes historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The focus of her historical fiction novels is on strong women through time.

She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites.

Cathie's stories have garnered awards and praise from reviewers and readers for their authentic description of the past.

Website

As an only child, Karen Heenan learned early that boredom was the enemy. Shortly after she discovered perpetual motion, and has rarely been seen holding still since.

She lives in Lansdowne, PA, just outside Philadelphia, where she grows much of her own food and makes her own clothes. She is accompanied on her quest for self-sufficiency by a very patient husband and an ever-changing number of cats. 

One constant: she is always writing her next book.

Website

Salina Baker is a multiple award winning author and avid student of Colonial America and the American Revolution. 

Her lifelong passion for history and all things supernatural led her to write historical fantasy. Reading, extensive traveling and graveyard prowling with her husband keep that passion alive. 

Salina lives in Austin, Texas.

Website

Virginia Crow is an award-winning Scottish author who grew up in Orkney and now lives in Caithness.

Her favourite genres to write are fantasy and historical fiction, sometimes mixing the two together. Her academic passions are theology and history, her undergraduate degree in the former and her postgraduate degree in the latter, and aspects of these frequently appear within her writings.

When not writing, Virginia is usually to be found teaching music. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of music, especially as a tool of inspiration, and music is often playing when she writes. Her life is governed by two spaniels, Orlando and Jess, and she enjoys exploring the Caithness countryside with these canine sidekicks.

She loves cheese, music, and films, but hates mushrooms.

Website

Elizabeth K. Corbett is an author, book reviewer, and historian who has recently published a short story, “Marie Thérèse Remembers.” She is currently working on her debut novel, a gothic romance set in Jacksonian America.

When she is not writing, she teaches academic writing, something she is very passionate about. She believes in empowering students to express themselves and speak their truth through writing. Additionally, she is a women’s historian who studies the lives of women in eighteenth and nineteenth century North America. Mostly, she is fascinated by the lives of the lesser known women in history.

A resident of gorgeous coastal New Jersey, she takes inspiration from the local history to write her historical fiction. She is an avid reader who adores tea and coffee.

Website

After serving time as a corporate paralegal in Washington, D.C., then staying home to raise her children, Stephanie Churchill stumbled upon writing, a career path she never saw coming.

As a result of writing a long-winded review of the book Lionheart, Stephanie became fast friends with its New York Times best-selling author, Sharon Kay Penman, who uttered the fateful words, “Have you ever thought about writing?” 

Stephanie’s books are filled with action and romance, loyalty and betrayal. Her writing takes on a cadence that is sometimes literary, sometimes genre fiction, relying on deeply-drawn and complex characters while exploring the subtleties of imperfect people living in a gritty, sometimes dark world.

She lives in the Minneapolis area with her husband, two children, and two dogs while trying to survive the murderous intentions of a Minnesota winter.

Website

Best selling author Michael Ross is a lover of history and great stories.

He's a retired software engineer turned author, with three children and five grandchildren, living in Newton, Kansas with his wife of forty years. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, and still loves Texas.

Michael attended Rice University as an undergraduate, and Portland State University for his graduate degree. He has degrees in computer science, software engineering, and German. In his spare time, Michael loves to go fishing, riding horses, and play with his grandchildren, who are currently all under six years old. 

Website

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Read an interview with Tanaz Bhathena, author of Of Light and Shadow #Fantasy #Romance #YoungAdult @XpressoTours

Of Light and Shadow

By Tanaz Bhathena

When they don’t give us our birthright, we steal it.

Roshan Chaya is out for justice. Abandoned by her parents at birth and adopted by the kingdom of Jwala’s most notorious bandit before his brutal murder, she is now leader of the Shadow Clan, a gang of farmers-turned-bandits impoverished by the provincial governor’s atrocities and corruption. Roshan’s goal: to avenge her adoptive father and earn back rights and dignity for her people.

Prince Navin has always felt like an outcast. Second in line for the throne, he has never been close to his grandmother, Queen Bhairavi of Jwala. When a night out drinking with friends leads to his capture by the infamous Shadow Clan, Navin schemes to befriend Roshan and use her as a means to escape. His ploy, however, brings Navin closer to the corruption and poverty at the heart of Roshan’s province, raising questions about its governor and Navin’s own family.

To further complicate things, the closer Roshan and Navin get, the harder it becomes to fight their growing attraction. But how can they trust each other when the world as they know it starts to fall apart?

Set in a magical world inspired by the badlands of 17th century India, this standalone epic fantasy novel by Tanaz Bhathena is packed with political tensions, dangerous schemes, and swoon-worthy romance that asks the age old question: can love conquer all?

Publication date: May 23rd 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult 

Add to Goodreads!
Grab a copy HERE!

INTERVIEW

Top 10 favourite things about writing (with commentary)

1. Examining the world. (write what you know)

2. Creating new worlds. (write what you don’t know)

3. Delving deep into character motivations. (the messier the better)

4. When the plot takes a turn and you write an unexpected scene. (a plot twist…or a plot hole that you’re scrambling to cover up)

5. When a character takes over and tells you their story. (why yes, characters are real people)

6. Surprising realities found through research. (a reminder that truth is often stranger than fiction)

7. Banter between two main characters. (which may or may not lead to a romance)

8. The rush of being in the thick of the story, when everything feels more real than the world around you. (it’s not; remember to eat and drink at regular intervals)

9. The satisfaction of finishing a first draft. (until it’s time to revise said draft)

10. Uncovering parts of yourself by fiction in ways that you would not be able to in real life. (the cheapest form of therapy)

Tanaz Bhathena is an award-winning Zoroastrian author of contemporary and fantasy fiction. Her books include Of Light and Shadow, Hunted by the Sky which won the Ontario Library Association’s White Pine Award and the Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, and The Beauty of the Moment which won the Nautilus Award for Young Adult Fiction. Her acclaimed debut, A Girl Like That, was named a Best Book of the Year by numerous outlets including The Globe and Mail, Seventeen, and The Times of India. Born in India and raised in Saudi Arabia and Canada, Tanaz lives in Mississauga, Ontario, with her family.

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