Read an excerpt from Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh #YoungAdult #Dystopian #FantasyRomance #Excerpt @haley_cavanagh @RABTBookTours

Shadowed Skies

By Haley Cavanagh

River - He’s the last of his kind, a winged warrior hidden in the mountains. River Shaw has lost everything: his sanctuary, the only shield from a world that fears and hunts him. When Delene, another of his kind, crash-lands into his life, wounded and on the run, his solitude is shattered. Delene - She’s a fugitive with a secret, escaping the clutches of dark forces that took everything from her. Delene Fairborne’s flight to freedom leads her to River and the spark of a bond neither can deny. In a landscape scarred by betrayal and danger, River and Delene must navigate their growing feelings and the sinister scientist who will stop at nothing to harness their power. Shadowed Skies is where love takes wing, hope soars, and destiny entwines. Dive into a world where every heartbeat is a rebellion, every glance a promise, and every flight a taste of freedom.

Genres: YA Dystopian Fantasy Romance

Pages: 208

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EXCERPT

I wake to a muscular, silent figure looming over me, his wings
casting unnerving shadows. Intelligent dark eyes scrutinize
me from his smooth, brown face framed by cropped black hair
and raven quills. He’s been around the block.


My guard shoots up. I’d stand, but my body’s too weak from
the climb. “Your nest, huh? Sorry, I didn’t see your name on it.”


“It’s carved right over there.” He points past me to the
rockface. My eyes travel over the stone, where he’d etched River
in craggy letters. The carved name is so tiny I didn’t notice.


“Now you’re supposed to tell me your name. That’s how this
goes.”


I blink. “Delene Fairborne. Listen, would you mind if I––
ow,” I scrape against the wall and suck air through my teeth. I
clamp my eyes shut.


“Are you okay?”


I shrug the blanket off, and my injured wing flops lamely
near my shoulder. River’s eyebrows lower, and he comes closer.
“Let me look.”


He stows his serrated hunting knife, presents empty hands,
and crouches to examine my injury. “Relax. I won’t hurt you.
Let’s see the damage.” He’s gentle, avoiding the wound and
handling my feathers softly. He lightly touches the bandage.


“Dr. Lytle runs the Stockade, the underground bunker and
lab where the humans imprison and experiment on our kind.
His men hunted me down and shot me with a crossbow as I tried
to escape. The wound is still healing––I changed the bandage
earlier, but without a spare set of clothes, I had to tear strips off
my pants to re-dress it.”

“Hmm.” He examines the back with a frown. “There’s an
exit wound.”


“Yeah, I pulled it out.”


“Well, that was stupid of you. You could have died if those
goons pierced a blood feather.”


My temper flares. “Oh, as opposed to leaving it in. I’d rather
take my chances, thanks.” My voice is hostile, though I’m
grateful for his help. I still don’t know who he is or what he
wants, and my mother warned me to be on my guard.


River sits back on his haunches, sighs, and meets my eyes.
“Doesn’t look good. How long have you been here, kid? A day
or so?”


“I’m no kid. I’m seventeen.”


“Well, I’m eighteen. So, you’re a kid.”


“By what, a few whole months?” I snicker. “Okay. If a kid
free-climbed in the pitch-black up a hundred-foot cliff to get
here, I guess I’m a kid.”


After examining the wound, he says, “The damage looks
fixable. Let’s clean this well to prevent infection.”


“I’ve cleaned the wound.”


“Clean deeper,” he admonishes. “I don’t have antibiotics, but
I’ll try to get some. Or at least honey. Honey heals.”


He hesitates before retrieving water, then takes a rag from
his pouch and soaks the cloth. With the knife still in hand, he
comes closer.
“Look … You seem all right, but I’m a lone wolf. I operate
solo. You have a target with a big ‘X’ on your back. I feel bad for
you. I do. But you know how it is with our kind.” He gives me
a blatant look, so here’s your cue to leave.


“Gee, I’d kindly vacate the premises, but I can’t fly.”
He rubs the back of his neck, agitated. “The valley’s full of
drones. And they’ve got at least a dozen soldiers combing the
forest.”

“I’m sorry.” I shift my eyes down. “You never asked for any
of this.”


“None of us did,” he waves me off. “The soldiers are here.
I’m screwed either way.” He pauses and assesses me. “Stay the
night. Then after that, I’m sorry, but you need to find somewhere
else to hide.”


The night might be all I need. “Thank you.”

Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is a multiple award-winning and best-selling author and the two-time recipient of the League of Utah Writers Silver Quill Award in 2020 and 2024. Haley is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.

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Read an excerpt from Sister Rosa's Rebellion (The Sixth Meonbridge Chronicle) by Carolyn Hughes #MedievalFiction #HistoricalFiction #Meonbridge #TheCoffeePotBookClub @writingcalliope @cathiedunn

Sister Rosa's Rebellion

The Sixth Meonbridge Chronicle

By Carolyn Hughes

How can you rescue what you hold most dear, when to do so you must break your vows?

1363. When Mother Angelica, the old prioress at Northwick Priory, dies, many of the nuns presume Sister Rosa – formerly Johanna de Bohun, of Meonbridge – will take her place. But Sister Evangelina, Angelica’s niece, believes the position is hers by right, and one way or another she will ensure it is.

Rosa stands aside to avoid unseemly conflict, but is devastated when she sees how the new prioress is changing Northwick: from a place of humility and peace to one of indulgence and amusement, if only for the prioress and her favoured few. Rosa is terrified her beloved priory will be brought to ruin under Evangelina’s profligate and rapacious rule, but her vows of obedience make it impossible to rebel.

Meanwhile, in Meonbridge, John atte Wode, the bailiff, is also distraught by the happenings at Northwick. After years of advising the former prioress and Rosa on the management of their estates, Evangelina dismissed him, banning him from visiting Northwick again.

Yet, only months ago, he met Anabella, a young widow who fled to Northwick to escape her in-laws’ demands and threats, but is a reluctant novice nun. The attraction between John and Anabella was immediate and he hoped to encourage her to give up the priory and become his wife. But how can he possibly do that now?

Can John rescue his beloved Anabella from a future he is certain she no longer wants? And can Rosa overcome her scruples, rebel against Evangelina’s hateful regime, and return Northwick to the haven it once was?

Publication Date: 4th April 2025

Publisher: Riverdown Books

Pages: 446

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

This novel is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.

EXCERPT

Edgar scuttled across the courtyard towards the chapel, his dark hood pulled close about his face, to keep off the rain but also to defy detection. Not that anyone else was out of doors on this wild and wretched evening. Soon, the sisters would arrive for Compline – which he was, the Lord be praised, not obliged to attend – but of course they would take the night stairs from the dorter to the transept, and not have to face this foul weather. On evenings such as this, how he wished his lodgings were inside the priory and not across a dark, unevenly-cobbled courtyard.

He pushed open the heavy chapel door and slipped inside. Candles had been lit at Vespers, and he could move quickly across the nave towards the tiny chamber where he kept his vestments and sometimes composed his sermons. Evangelina used it too, as the priory’s sacrist, and it was here she had bid him come. Here, she said, they could find the privacy so rarely found inside the priory, as she wanted to discuss a matter of great importance.

The door of the little chamber was ajar, and a light flickered within. Eva was already here and she had lit one of his own precious candles. He pressed his lips together. Why could she not have chosen to meet him during the day?

He pushed the door open a little further and stepped into the room.

‘Ah, brother,’ said Evangelina, her eyebrow raised. ‘I thought perhaps you weren’t coming.’

Edgar breathed in deeply. ‘And why might you think that? You specified an hour after Vespers, and that is precisely now.’

She clicked her tongue, and pointed to the rickety stool he kept in a corner. She was settled in his chair, and evidently had no intention of vacating it. He decided not to quibble and, pulling the stool forward, eased himself onto it carefully.

‘Well,’ he said, ‘what do you wish to talk about? I trust it is important, to justify dragging me out here on such a noisome night.’

‘Of the utmost importance,’ she said, and leaned back against the cushion he had provided to give comfort to his own back. ‘Our aunt is close to death.’

‘I know,’ he said. ‘I attended her this afternoon. I warrant she has only a few days remaining.’ He never thought of Mother Angelica as his familial aunt, even though she was the older sister of his and Eva’s mother. Moreover, although he recognised Angelica’s gentleness and wisdom, he had never held her in particular affection. But she was the head of this priory, the priory where he was employed. Not that his aunt had either enabled, or approved of, his appointment…

‘And when she dies,’ continued Eva, with remarkable dispassion, ‘there’ll be an election…’

‘Of course. A new prioress. A position, I imagine, you presume is yours?’

‘It should be. It’s my birth right.’ Her voice rose slightly. ‘I’ve been waiting many years for this moment to arrive.’

‘The moment when our aunt dies?’

She puckered her lips. ‘Of course not, Edgar. I meant the moment when I have my chance to rule at Northwick.’

When Eva was first sent to Northwick, at the age of fifteen, it was assumed that, in due course, she would replace their aunt as prioress. The Godeffroys had been major benefactors of the priory since the end of the last century, and had exclusively provided the prioresses in all those intervening years. Angelica was probably forty when Eva came, and Eva might have expected to wait twenty years or so before her turn came. But, despite a period of frailty some years ago, Angelica had proved much more robust than any of her predecessors – or indeed than most people of her age. Thus, she had survived to eighty and was only now on her way to meet her maker, at a point when Eva was older than she might have hoped to be when her chance for power came.

‘What then is the problem?’ he said.

‘The election,’ she said with emphasis, then pouted. ‘Because, if there is an election, I shan’t win it.’

‘Whyever not? Do you have a rival?’

‘Of course I do! The blessed Sister Rosa…’ She spat out the name. ‘The favourite of the older nuns…’

Ah, yes, of course. Sister Rosa. When he was made priest-in-charge here ten years ago, Rosa had been at Northwick seven years, and was by then acting as an assistant to Mother Angelica. She had effectively become Angelica’s subprioress, though that was not a title she had been given or assumed. At the time, Angelica thought she herself was dying, but it turned out to be just some early symptoms of old age, an old age she then managed to prolong for another fifteen years. Rosa, meanwhile, blossomed into a cheerful, energetic, if deeply pious woman, whom everyone in the priory adored, apart of course from Eva. Edgar knew very well how much Eva resented Rosa’s seeming advancement, yet she seemed unable to lighten her own stern demeanour and win more favour with the other nuns.

Given her position, Sister Rosa would almost certainly stand in an election and, in Eva’s view, would win. He could not but agree with her. If he had a vote in such an election, he would not choose his sister. In striking contrast to Rosa – and indeed to their aunt – Eva was sour-faced, brusque and overbearing. It was most unlikely the nuns would choose her to replace the kindly and warm-hearted Angelica.

Carolyn Hughes has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.

Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!

Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she could learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.

Seven published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…

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Read an interview with Eliza Hampstead, author of A Code of Knights and Deception #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #TimeTravel @GoddessFish

A Code of Knights and Deception
By Eliza Hampstead

Outlander meets Black Mirror in this sizzling dark time travel romance.

She thought it was real. She was wrong.

When Sophia wakes up in 15th-century England, she expects hardship—but nothing prepares her for this brutal, unforgiving world. Lost, alone, and desperate to return to her husband and son, she vows to find a way home. But as the days turn into months, Sophia begins to build a new life, finding unexpected kinship and purpose in this strange land.

After a violent attack, she takes fate into her own hands, disguising herself as a man to train under Henry, the castle’s enigmatic master-at-arms. As steel clashes and their connection deepens, forbidden desire ignites. 

Yet Henry is not who he claims to be. His real name is Ethan, and this is the least of the lies he tells her. Falling for Sophia was never part of the plan—but the closer they become, the more he realises how wrong it is to keep her in the dark.

As danger closes in and the lines between reality and deception blur, Sophia must uncover the truth about Henry—and herself—before she runs out of time.

*Warning: strong language, steamy scenes, and graphic violence inside. Mention/Description of, but not limited to, abduction, blood, death, amputation, childbirth, death, sexual assault, suicide, violence against children, rape, and torture.*

The book is the first in a duology and ends with a cliffhanger.

Genre: Historical Time Travel Romance
Pages: 542

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INTERVIEW

Writing Interview questions.

Why did you choose to write your book in this era?

I’ve always been fascinated by medieval England—the castles, the politics, the way people lived. It’s a time period that feels so far removed from modern life, yet the struggles, ambitions, and emotions of people back then aren’t so different from our own. Most time-travel romances focus on Scotland in the 18th century, but I wanted to do something fresh, something that truly captured the brutal yet intriguing reality of the 15th century.

Did you find researching this era particularly difficult? What was the hardest thing to find out, and did you come across anything particularly surprising?

Researching medieval England was both fascinating and overwhelming. I devoured countless books on medieval life, castle structures, warfare, and the daily duties of castle inhabitants. I may have enjoyed it too much—I initially packed the book with historical details, only to realise I had to cut many of them to keep the story flowing. Finding precise information about everyday life, especially for women, was tricky since history tends to focus on battles and nobility. One surprising discovery? Just how much of medieval life revolved around strict routines and social hierarchy—every action had its place, and breaking the rules could be dangerous.

Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb?

The blurb focuses a lot on the romance and time travel, but one thing it doesn’t touch on is the emotional struggle of identity. Sophia isn’t just trying to survive—she’s torn between two lives. The longer she stays in the past, the harder it is to hold on to the idea of returning to the future. What if she belongs here?

If you had to describe your protagonist(s), in three words, what would those three words be and why?

Sophia: Determined, logical, lost. She’s incredibly smart and resourceful, but she’s also struggling to make sense of her new reality.

Ethan: Secretive, loyal, conflicted. He hides so much from Sophia, but everything he does is driven by a deeper sense of duty—and a growing love for her that he never expected.

What was the most challenging part about writing your book?

Balancing historical accuracy with storytelling. I wanted the world to feel immersive and real, but I also didn’t want to overwhelm the reader with too much detail. And, of course, the romance had to feel natural while keeping true to the time period’s expectations and restrictions.

Was there anything that you edited out of this book that would have drastically affected the story, should it be left in?

I originally had a subplot that gave Sophia more interactions with a particular historical figure, but it slowed the pacing too much. Cutting it meant streamlining the story, but it also removed a deeper layer of historical immersion. It was a tough call!

What are you currently working on?

The sequel! I can’t say too much, but let’s just say Sophia’s journey isn’t over, and the stakes are about to get even higher.

What would you tell an aspiring author who had some doubts about their writing abilities?

Write the story you want to read. It’s easy to doubt yourself, but the only way to grow as a writer is to keep writing. No one’s first draft is perfect—editing is where the magic happens. If you’re feeling uncertain, remember that every author started somewhere. I recommend books like The Emotion Thesaurus and Understanding Show, Don’t Tell by Janice Hardy. These resources helped me immensely in improving my writing and honing my craft. And remember, no step is too small—just keep going!

Personal Interview questions.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Reading (no surprise here!), visiting historical sites, and spending time with my family. I also love medieval fairs and anything related to sword fighting. And I love diving!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

An archaeologist! I wanted to be like Indiana Jones, uncovering lost history. That love for the past never went away, which is probably why I ended up writing historical fiction.

What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?

We’ll go for dinner—probably pasta, as my son loves Italian food (and eats not much else).

What would be a perfect day?

A quiet morning with coffee and writing, an afternoon exploring a medieval castle, and an evening curled up with a book.

Or: Waking up in a beach house, enjoying breakfast with a view of the ocean, and going diving. In the evening, sitting with a cocktail and watching the waves roll by.

What is the best part of your day?

Curling up with a book in the evening.

Either or!

Tea or coffee: Morning: coffee, Afternoon: tea

Hot or cold: Hot

Movie or book: Book

Morning person or Night owl: Morning person

City or country: London or anywhere that is warm with a beach where I can go diving with turtles.

Social Media or book: Book

Paperback or ebook: I love both

Award-winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she’s always planning her next adventure.

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Read my review of White Feathers by Susan Lanigan #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #IrishHistoricalFiction #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn

White Feathers 
By Susan Lanigan

"Anti-war and anti-patriarchy without ever saying so - a bravura performance of effortless elegance" - Irish Echo in Australia

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROMANTIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015

In 1913, Irish emigrée Eva Downey receives a bequest from an elderly suffragette to attend a finishing school. There she finds friendship and, eventually, love. But when war looms and he refuses to enlist, Eva is under family and social pressure to give the man she loves a white feather of cowardice. The decision she eventually makes will have lasting consequences for her and everyone around her.

Journey with Eva as she battles through a hostile social order and endeavours to resist it at every turn.

Publication Date: 21/3/2025

Publisher: Idée Fixe Press

Pages: 398

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grab a copy HERE!

MY THOUGHTS

When Eva Downey receives a more than generous inheritance from Lady Elizabeth Jenkins, whom she had once written an article for, her life changes forever. However, her family are not happy about the inheritance, as her step-sister can’t go to finishing school because of money troubles, but the inheritance would allow Eva to go. 

Leaving her family behind and making her own way in life, Eva finds herself finally finding friendship, finding love. Even still, her situation isn’t secure. She is never truly free from her family’s manipulation and her situation becomes more desperate when she meets Mr Shandlin, her teacher. As a person in a position of authority Mr Shandlin, should have left Eva alone, but he finds himself drawn to her. However, it is difficult to figure out whether or not he truly does love Eva, for he appears to care for her, but his inability to control his emotions, choosing to blame things on her, made me very conflicted on whether or not to like him. Eva is such a lovely person, she is so easy to fall in love with while you read, and it is heartbreaking how much she puts up with because she doesn’t know any better. All you want to do is to protect her, but rather, you have to sit back and let her find her own way, and cross your fingers that it will all be okay.

I did really like Sybil. She becomes Eva’s friend at finishing school, and almost becomes like a sister to Eva. She is very kind, and helps to lead Eva through social situations she doesn’t understand. When Eva needs someone, Sybil is always here, and together they seem able to face anything. Like Eva, Sybil finds herself in an abusive relationship. The theme of trying to move past abusive people crops up time and again in this book, and the characters doing so appear so strong to be able to pick themselves up and keep trying. It is a difficult topic, but this book handles it well. It does break your heart to read about though, especially since Eva and Sybil are such lovely people, you don’t want anything bad to ever happen to them.

This book is set during the first world war, and after finishing school, Eva becomes a nurse, looking after the soldiers injured in battle. For many, their outcomes seem bleak, especially since those who do start to recover are sent back to duty, even before they are able. If they were lucky enough to survive the first injuries, their luck surely couldn’t hold out a second time. This is another matter where your heart breaks while reading for those involved, lying in the beds wondering if they are going to die or be sent back again. The horrors those soldiers have faced is atrocious, and the men in charge of where they will be sent next truly don’t understand just how horrific the things these men have seen really are, have never felt that fear, for they are not alongside them, fighting in the trenches. 

The white feather is an interesting addition to this story – of course it is an important one, being the book’s title. To be handed a white feather is to be labelled a coward, and it is certainly used for more than that. It is used for blackmail, emotional manipulation, for no one wants to be called a coward, and handing someone a feather is an incredibly simple thing to do. It doesn’t take much for the title to be bestowed upon you. This certainly helps to drive the story forwards, as in a time of war, to be a coward is to be shunned, and many would do anything to make sure they are never handed a white feather.

Although a very emotional story, making a box of tissues a necessity while reading, this is an incredibly captivating read. You truly feel like you are in the story with the characters, and it is very easy to fall in love with them. I haven’t read many World War One books, but this book certainly makes me want to read more.

Susan Lanigan’s first novel, White Feathers, a tale of passion, betrayal and war, was selected as one of the final ten in the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2013, and published in 2014 by Brandon Books. The book won critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the UK Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2015. This edition is a reissue with a new cover and foreword.

Her second novel, Lucia’s War, also concerning WWI as well as race, music and motherhood, was published in June 2020 and has been named as the Coffee Pot Book Club Honourable Mention in the Modern Historical Book of the Year Award.

Susan lives by the sea near Cork, Ireland, with her family.

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