The White Deer of Kildare by Christy Matheson #FairyTales #Fantasy @GoddessFish

The White Deer of Kildare

By Christy Matheson

There's a deer sorting Christmas decorations in Maura's kitchen...

All Maura wants is a peaceful winter holidays in her dilapidated Irish castle, but her ex is threatening her with family court, and her second grader has invited a strange--completely unclothed--friend, to spend the holidays with them. Oh. And the friend’s dog, which is not actually a dog but probably one of the white deer of Celtic myth.

Maura distracts herself from her husband’s threats by trying to discover why a Fae deer is in her kitchen, when the two women accidentally end up in the Ireland of ancient myth. The White Deer was the human queen of this castle, but it appears she has husband trouble too. Perhaps...the deadly sort of trouble.

Can Maura rescue her new friend — or is Maura herself so tangled in the White Deer's fate that she won't make it home to her children alive?

This novella will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy, ancient history, Irish folklore, and uplifting stories about motherhood and found family.

Genre: Time-slip Fantasy

Pages: 105

Grab a copy HERE!

GUEST POST

EXCERPT

Human Saba is slightly taller than I am, very upright, her eyes very round and brown. Her skin is white—not a euphemistic “white” like mine, but white like a piece of paper or bleached linen. It is startling; slightly inhuman. Glancing around the room, a couple of the others have a complexion like hers, a few are fair and blond in the Saxon style, and most are either Black like Oisín, or olive-skinned and black-haired. As a historian, I am fascinated; I suppose this is a period when the different waves of migration are all present. 

As a mother…this is not good. Not good at all. Still holding Saba’s hand, I twist and look all around both of us, but Kaylee’s pompom garland is nowhere to be found. I sip my tea. It tastes like the Mandarin Orange Spice I was drinking before, but it does not transport me back to the 21st-century.

“Saba?” My voice comes out half-choked.

She turns to me, her face lighting up with a smile. “Maura, dear! Aren’t you excited? My husband and his men will be back in time for the Solstice!”

I understand her, and I am vastly relieved. Whatever language they are speaking here, it is just as clear to me as Saba’s grasp of everything we said in modern English.

“Do you remember me?” I ask. “Do you remember why we are here?”

Christy Matheson writes award-winning fiction about friends, family, and finding one’s place in an ever-changing world. 

She is the author of "The Castle in Kilkenny: Fairy Tales" novella series. Each one sets a traditional Irish fairy tale within a modern blended family, perfect for readers wanting a cozy family adventure. 

Christy's regular historical work (sans fantasy elements) can be found in the award-winning "Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women," of which she is also an editor. Her Regency novels are represented by Kristina Sutton-Lennon and have won pre-publication awards for women’s fiction. 

Christy is also an embroidery artist, classically trained pianist, and sews all of her own clothes. She lives in Oregon, on a country property that fondly reminds her of a Regency estate (except with a swing set instead of faux Greek ruins), with her husband, five children, three Shelties, one bunny, and an improbable quantity of art supplies.

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Read an interview with Elizabeth St.John, author of The Lydiard Chronicles #HistoricalFiction #EnglishCivilWar #FamilyHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn

The Lydiard Chronicles:

The Lady of the Tower (Book #1)

By Love Divided (Book #2)

Written in Their Stars (Book #3)

By Elizabeth St.John

Duty, passion, and power collide in The Lydiard Chronicles, a gripping trilogy inspired by true events. Follow three courageous women—survivors, strategists, and storytellers—who defy the constraints of society to shape their family’s fate and England’s future. Their voices echo through time. Their legacy changed a nation.

The Lydiard Chronicles is an award-winning, best-selling historical family saga which brings to life the remarkable true stories of the St.John family. Spanning three compelling novels—The Lady of the Tower, By Love Divided, and Written in Their Stars—the series follows the legacy of resilient and intelligent women who lived as spies, courtiers, and diarists during England’s most turbulent century, navigating the quicksand of love and war, political upheaval, and personal sacrifice. 

Bound by fierce family loyalty and unforgettable love, the women of The Lydiard Chronicles defy the limits of their time with passion, courage, and unshakable independence. They endure captivity in the Tower of London, exile in the Louvre Palace, and the heart-wrenching divisions of the English Civil War—fighting not just for survival, but for their beliefs, their families, and the right to choose their own fate. Meticulously researched and vividly told, this epic saga reveals how these women created history from the shadows, leaving a legacy of resilience, defiance, and enduring influence.

Rooted in original diaries, letters, and family papers, The Lydiard Chronicles offers an intimate, biographical portrait of women who moved behind the scenes of power. Serving as trusted secret agents, military wives, and confidantes of kings, they were deeply engaged in the political and religious conflicts of their time. Through tragedy and triumph, the women of The Lydiard Chronicles shape their destinies—and the fate of a nation—in this richly researched and vividly told historical epic. 

Publication Date: 2016-2020
Publisher: Falcon Historical
Genre: Historical Fiction

Grab a copy HERE!
This novel is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.

INTERVIEW

Writing Interview Questions!

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


I didn’t choose the era—the era chose me! I discovered Lucy St.John, my 17th-century ancestor, while researching our family history. When I learned she lived in the Tower of London as the Keeper’s wife and cared for political prisoners during one of the most volatile periods in English history, I was hooked. The personal letters, memoirs, and portraits gave me a vivid picture of a woman navigating war, plague, and political intrigue. I knew I had to tell her story.

Did you find researching this era particularly difficult?


Not difficult—more like endlessly fascinating! The hardest part was narrowing it down. That said, finding women's voices from the era can be challenging. Many records focus on men’s political and military accomplishments. But I was fortunate—my ancestors left memoirs, recipe books, and court records. The most surprising discovery was that parliamentarian Lucy Hutchinson’s memoirs were saved from destruction by her royalist cousin, Nan Wilmot. One cousin wrote the story, the other made sure it survived.

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


There’s a deep emotional thread of sisterhood and divided loyalty running through the books. Luce Hutchinson, Nan Wilmot and Frances Apsley were cousins—one a Parliamentarian, the other two  Royalist. I was fascinated by how their love for each other endured despite being on opposite sides of a brutal civil war. That’s what really makes the story resonate: the tension between public conflict and private loyalty.

If you had to describe your protagonists in three words, what would they be and why?


Resilient, Intelligent, Compassionate.


Each woman in the series—Lucy, Luce, Frances, and Nan—demonstrates incredible emotional strength. They made impossible choices, often without support. Their intelligence guided them through complex political landscapes, and their compassion grounded them in humanity.

What was the most challenging part about writing your book?


Staying true to historical fact while shaping a compelling narrative. These were real people, and I felt a deep responsibility to portray them with accuracy and empathy. Balancing documented events with dramatic storytelling took time and many drafts.

Was there anything you edited out of the book that would have drastically affected the story?


I had a storyline involving Frances Apsley that took her deeper into court intrigue than I could ultimately justify with the historical record. It was dramatic—but unsubstantiated. In the end, I chose to remove it. It would’ve made a good subplot, but it didn’t feel authentic.

What are you currently working on?


Officially, I’m taking the summer off. But I am following an intriguing research thread about the theft of Queen Anna of Denmark’s jewels – just when my family were in the thick of the Jacobean Court. I’ve just published a short story about it in the anthology FATE – and if people like it, I may have to write a dual timeline story that ties a modern-day historian into Lucy’s world!

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


Doubt is part of the process—but it’s not a stop sign. You don’t have to be perfect to start. You just have to begin. Write what excites you. Write for your own personal growth. Be curious. And remember, your voice matters. You never know who might need your story.

Personal Interview Questions!

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


I spend time in my garden—digging in the dirt clears my mind and inspires ideas. Long walks with my dog on the beach. Cosy reads on the couch with my cat on my lap. I also love genealogy,  traveling to research locations, and, of course, poking around archives and old churchyards. And precious family time always anchors my life.

What did you want to be when you grew up?


An archaeologist or a historical fiction writer. I’m so lucky I get to do a blend of the two—I get to dig up the past and tell real stories through the lives of my characters.

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


Probably something sensible like grilled salmon and greens. But I’d rather be having a candlelit feast in a Jacobean manor house—roast duck, spiced pears, marchpane fancies, and a goblet of claret.

What would be a perfect day?


A misty morning walk, time writing uninterrupted with my dog at my feet and my cat on the desk, a surprise research breakthrough, and a homemade dinner with friends and family. If there’s a fire in the hearth and a new book waiting before I go to bed, even better.

What is the best part of your day?


Early morning, before the world wakes up. That quiet moment with a notebook, a fresh mind, and the scent of something blooming outside.

Either or!

Tea or coffee: A pot of coffee to kickstart the day, and tea throughout to refresh and sustain

Hot or cold: Hot—nothing like cupping a warm mug and staring into space…


Movie or book: Book


Morning person or Night owl: Morning person


City or country: Country


Social Media or book: Book


Paperback or ebook: Paperback for pleasure, ebook for travel, hardback for research

Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.

Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.

Elizabeth's works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a family saga set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother's Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley in the treacherous court of Charles II as she risks everything to uncover the dangerous truth behind the discovery of the princes’ bones.

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Follow the tour HERE!

Read an interview with B.T. Polcari, and an excerpt from Lucky Secrets #YoungAdult #CosyMystery @GoddessFish @btpolcari

Lucky Secrets

By B.T. Polcari

College student Sara Donovan is in the homestretch of graduating when a mysterious package arrives with an invitation to an exclusive contest. One that will drastically change the winner’s life. Included are unsettling photographs from forgettable chapters in her life and a threatening note strongly suggesting she participate.

With no good options, Sara enters the contest and finds herself at a fabulous mansion up against eight formidable opponents, each with a dark secret and all racing to solve seven levels of riddles and puzzles.

After a contestant’s body is discovered, Sara contemplates dropping out when another package arrives, its chilling contents making clear she’s at the center of a dangerous game with deadly consequences if she quits. But what it doesn’t say is—what happens if she wins?

Genre: Young Adult Cozy Mystery
Pages: 367

Grab a copy HERE!

INTERVIEW

Writing Interview Questions.

What inspired you to write this book?

When I set out to write the book, since it is the third in the Mauzzy & Me Series, I wanted to continue with maturing Sara Donovan (the protagonist), and by the end of the book, position her for life after the University of Alabama (note I didn’t say after she graduates – sly wink). I also wanted to do the same with the plot—put Sara into a new, extremely high-risk situation where she is dealing directly with dubious people and the stakes are the highest ever for her. With those goals in mind, I went through my voluminous files full of articles about interesting true crimes and mysterious happenings until I hit on 3-4 stories that showed promise. Then I spent several months researching these angles, which led me down various rabbit holes and put me onto even more intriguing stories. 

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

This is really tricky. The safest thing to say is Lucky Secrets is a multi-layered mystery and that there is much more than what meets the eye. As Kirkus Reviews noted in their review: “An enjoyable, complexly plotted series installment that promises more mysteries and thrills to come.” Kirkus also wrote: “Our Verdict. Get it.” This is about the most I can say without revealing too much. Sorry.

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

Determined, observant, different. 

Sara is her own person and sees the world differently than others. She does her own thing, regardless what others might think, which is admirable. Readers have called her quirky. She is determined and can be stubborn to a point, but it is also an inner resilience that keeps her going when things get darkest. Sara is also highly observant, and although at times it has gotten her into trouble, she calls it her super power.

What was the most challenging part about writing your book?

Laying out the plot. I am an extreme plotter, and the Lucky Secrets plot is very involved and complex. There is a lot going on so it took some time for me to fully develop the plot and make sure everything worked. For every book I write, I first put together a document I call the blueprint. It is a 40- or 50-page document that includes the premise, backstory, character inventory, plot twists and red herrings, the first 3-4 chapters sketched out in detail, etc. After the blueprint, I lay out every chapter in a document I call the chapter timeline. I use the 3-act structure in my books, so in the chapter timeline I identify where each act, where the plot twists and pinch points need to occur, when the climax needs to start, etc. Then I drop the chapter numbers with thumbnail descriptions into a calendar so I can see the whole book on 2-3 pages and make sure the timeline works. At this point, I am ready to start writing the book. 

For Lucky Secrets, since the plot is so complex and includes a multi-level contest full of riddles and puzzles, for me to keep things straight I also had to use a 2-page spreadsheet that I referred to constantly as I wrote the book. Trust me, writing the book was way easier than plotting it out.

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

No. The biggest thing I cut was a full chapter (44) toward the end of the book. It would have affected the story had I not addressed it with the first paragraph of the new Chapter 44 where the protagonist briefly recounts what happened in the scene I deleted.

What are you currently working on?

I have several projects in various stages of development. One is a YA mystery for boys after an agent expressed an interest in me giving it a shot. I also have the next Sara book fully plotted and ready to write – I just need to decide how I want to go about it (yes, I understand, this is intentionally vague – another sly wink). I am also in the early stages of fleshing out a spinoff with Mrs. Majelski – she is a fan favorite of my readers, my editors, and myself. The enigmatic old lady is such a blast to write into my stories, so why not write a story with her as the main character??

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

Write every day, even if for only an hour. Writing consistently builds momentum and if you’re writing every day, there is no way you won’t improve. There is a reason for the adage, “Practice makes perfect.” 

Find a writer’s critique group. When I started writing in 2013, I honed my skills in critique groups on Wattpad. I learned a lot from some talented people in a certain “by invitation only” group on the site. Accept criticism in these groups for what it is intended to do – make you a better writer. But if the feedback isn’t supportive and instead just mean or rude, then simply find another group. There are plenty out there online and likely in your own town.

Imposter Syndrome is very real, more common than you think, can be debilitating to your writing if you don’t address it, and it can be overcome. Highly recommend this Imposter Syndrome post.   

If you are attempting to write a book, know that writing a book is hard. Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress (paraphrasing Churchill). Get the first draft written – don’t agonize over every sentence or the wording – there will be plenty of time later for editing, which is when good becomes great.

Personal Interview Questions.

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

I really enjoy my daily 3–4-mile walk among beautiful trees, walking paths, and a winding creek. It’s very peaceful and a perfect way to clear my head for the day. I also keep up with the news as it often leads to research for my next book. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was 10, I wanted to be—an author. 

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

Elbow macaroni with ground beef, green peppers, Vidalia onion, and fire-roasted tomatoes. I would rather be eating Chinese takeout. Mmmm.

What would be a perfect day?

Sitting by myself watching the final day of one of Golf’s major championships eating Chinese takeout. Or watching the NFL on any given Sunday while my fantasy football team scores 200 points. But THE best day every year for me is watching all the games on the first Thursday of college basketball’s March Madness (the NCAA tourney). And the second-best day is the first Friday of March Madness. 

If it isn’t obvious, I enjoy sports – both playing and watching.

What is the best part of your day?

Drinking my morning coffee and reading the news, and also unwinding in my chair in the late afternoon after my walk and before dinner. 

Either or!

Tea or coffee: strong black coffee

Hot or cold: cold

Movie or book: movie

Morning person or Night owl: morning

City or country: country

Social Media or book: book

Paperback or ebook: paperback

EXCERPT

Winston forced a smile. “The founder imparted to me that every contestant was personally selected because each of you has a secret that absolutely must remain—a secret. Especially from law enforcement.” He glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. “Since the winner of the contest will become fabulously wealthy, it would seem, everyone is here because of a potentially—lucky secret.”

Zoe’s head whipped toward me. With eyes wide, she mouthed law enforcement. I threw her a little headshake, even as my body exploded in tingles. I have no such secrets—anymore. I think. A picture popped in my head of the open safe-deposit box with the gold artifact, gold bar, and emeralds. With my name on the signature card. Somebody obviously manufactured a secret for me. But why? And is it the same for all the contestants? Were they also blackmailed into coming for something they didn’t do? Or were they…

B.T. Polcari is a graduate of Rutgers College of Rutgers University, an award-winning mystery author, and a proud father of two wonderful children. He’s a champion of rescue pups (Mauzzy is a rescue), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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Read an interview with Allie Cresswell, author of The Standing Stone on the Moor #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction #Yorkshire #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn

The Standing Stone on the Moor 

By Allie Cresswell

Yorkshire, 1845.


Folklore whispers that they used to burn witches at the standing stone on the moor. When the wind is easterly, it wails a strange lament. History declares it was placed as a marker, visible for miles—a signpost for the lost, directing them towards home.


Forced from their homeland by the potato famine, a group of itinerant Irish refugees sets up camp by the stone. They are met with suspicion by the locals, branded as ‘thieves and ne’er-do-wells.’ Only Beth Harlish takes pity on them, and finds herself instantly attracted to Ruairi, their charismatic leader.


Beth is the steward of nearby manor Tall Chimneys—a thankless task as the owners never visit. An educated young woman, Beth feels restless, like she doesn’t belong. But somehow ‘home’—the old house, the moor and the standing stone—exerts an uncanny magnetism. Thus Ruairi’s great sacrifice—deserting his beloved Irish homestead to save his family—resonates strongly with her.


Could she leave her home to be with him? Will he even ask her to?


As she struggles with her feelings, things take a sinister turn. The peaceable village is threatened by shrouded men crossing the moor at night, smuggling contraband from the coast. Worse, the exotic dancing of a sultry-eyed Irishwoman has local men in a feverish grip. Their womenfolk begin to mutter about spells and witchcraft. And burning.


The Irish refugees must move on, and quickly. Will Beth choose an itinerant life with Ruairi? Or will the power of ‘home’ be too strong?

Publication Date: 20th June 2025

Publisher: Allie Cresswell Limited

Pages: 531

Genre: Historical Romance

Grab a copy HERE!

INTERVIEW

Writing Interview Questions.

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

The Standing Stone on the Moor is set in 1845. The time period was dictated by the fact that this book is part of a saga, although each book can be read as a standalone. I wrote the books out of time order. Tall Chimneys, the final book in the series, was written first, and covers the century 1910 – 2010. The House in the Hollow followed, set in the Napoleonic era, and The Lady in the Veil came next, set in 1835. So, I needed to fill the gap between The Lady in the Veil and Tall Chimneys.

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

I read widely and enjoy historical fiction, so I am fairly familiar with the manners, idiom and culture of the times, but I knew nothing about how coal mines were constructed or operated, and so I had to do a lot of research about that, which was surprisingly hard.

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

The theme of the book is displacement, and how it feels to be out of your natural place or to feel that you don’t quite belong. There is a sub-plot in the book which isn’t mentioned in the blurb, but which very much contributes to this theme. Herbert is the son of a newly rich colliery owner, educated as a gentleman and set to inherit great wealth, but he hasn’t the family history or traditions that go with his position; he is a fish out of water. He meets Rose, the daughter of the local vicar, who is Indian, though he has lived in England for thirty years. Like Herbert, Rose’s ethnicity sets her slightly apart. Their differences draw them together, though their love story isn’t necessarily a smooth path.

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

Beth (also known as Betsey) is conflicted—about her place in the world and her feelings for two potential love-interests.

She is courageous—facing storms, the mounted guard and a mutinous mob.

She is an empath—by which I mean she connects deeply on an emotional, physical and spiritual level with others and with the past.

What was the most challenging part about writing your book?

The same thing it always is—starting! Because I don’t plan out my plots and never know the end from the beginning, just setting out is a huge challenge. It’s like beginning a hike in an unfamiliar landscape with a bunch of strangers (my characters) who may—or may not—turn out to be reliable.

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

Not this time. There have been occasions when I have been working on other books that I have written scenes or episodes that I realise contribute nothing to the plot or to the characters’ development, or that I have written just for fun as a self-indulgence. They have to come out. But I didn’t stray into that territory this time.

What are you currently working on?

I generally spend the summer reading, and supporting other Indies with beta-reads and on ARC launch teams. We have a large veggie patch so there is lots of harvesting, pickling and jamming to be done too! But my mind is already planning my next book, which will be another in the Talbot saga, this time going back to the beginning …

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

Practice makes perfect! Write! Write! Write! And read! Read classics. Read the best-sellers in your genre, and in other genres. Make a conscious decision to evaluate why they’re great—or not. Then apply that to your own work.

Personal Interview Questions.

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

I read. And I garden. We converted an unloved apron of lawn into a cottage garden last year, and I love pottering it that. I have five grandchildren, who are a joy to spend time with. I knit, usually things for babies. Unlike many women, I really enjoy the company of my husband.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

An actor. That took me to a drama degree where I discovered within about two weeks that acting was not for me.

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

Polyphenol ruby-red coleslaw with baked sweet potatoes topped with cheesy labneh! Didn’t expect that, did you? My cooking and eating regimes have been revolutionized recently by a cookery book by a lady GP who won Masterchef a few years ago. From dreary shepherd’s pies and lacklustre lasagnes, every day is now a thrill with new recipes with spices and ingredients I hadn’t even heard of. We hardly eat any meat, and use our own veggies from the garden where we can.

What would be a perfect day?

It would be autumn. Blustery, with rain in the air that doesn’t fall. Fast-scudding clouds. A lazy start with tea. A shower. A cup of proper coffee made from grounds with hot, frothy milk. A video chat with my daughter and/or my son and their kids. A walk on the beach with the dogs. An afternoon by the fire with a book and more tea, perhaps with crumpets. A good gin and tonic at 5.30pm. Then a quick change and an evening at our favourite restaurant, which is a tapas bar, with friends. 

What is the best part of your day?

I’m not a morning person really, but getting up and opening the kitchen door to be greeted by the dogs is just the best. They are always so pleased to see me!




Either or!

Tea or coffee: Oh dear. Tea, I suppose.

Hot or cold: Cold.

Movie or book: Book.

Morning person or Night owl: I’m an afternoon animal.

City or country: Country.

Social Media or book: Book.

Paperback or ebook: Ebook, but only because it’s more portable.

Allie has been writing fiction since she could hold a pencil. She has a BA and an MA in English Literature, specialising in the classics of the nineteenth century.

She has been a print-buyer, a pub landlady, a bookkeeper and the owner of a group of boutique holiday cottage but nowadays she writes full time.

She has two grownup children, five grandchildren and two cockapoos but just one husband, Tim. They live in the remote northwest of the UK.

The Standing Stone on the Moor is her sixteenth novel. 

Website • Facebook • Instagram • Threads • BookBub • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE!

Have a look at FATE: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic, a new release! #Anthology #ShortStories #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #HistoricalFantasy @HelenHollick @cathiedunn

FATE: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic

By Annie Whitehead, Jean Gill, Marian L Thorpe, Helen Hollick, Alison Morton, Elizabeth St.John, R. Marsden, Anna Belfrage, J. P Reedman, Debbie Young

If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?


Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three. Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.

Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.) 

The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!

Publication Date: 16th June 2025

Publisher: Taw River Press 

Pages: 244

Genre:  anthology: short stories of history, mystery and magic

Grab a copy HERE!

This novel is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.

Authors!

IN THE SHADOW OF GHOSTS BY HELEN HOLLICK

Does the fate of those who survive linger forever?

About Helen:

Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen’s historical fiction, nautical adventure series, cosy mysteries – and her short stories – skilfully invite readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between fact and  fiction blend together.

Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was initially published in 1993 in the UK with her Arthurian Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which, The Forever Queen (USA title – A Hollow Crown in the UK) became a USA Today best-seller. Her Sea Witch Voyages are nautical-based adventures inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy. She also writes the Jan Christopher cosy mystery series set during the 1970s, and based around her, sometimes hilarious, years of working as a North London library assistant.

Her 2025 release is Ghost Encounters, a book about the ghosts of North Devon.

Helen and her family moved from London to Devon after a Lottery win on the opening night of the London Olympics, 2012. She spends her time glowering at the overgrown garden, fending off the geese, helping with the horses and wishing the friendly, resident ghosts would occasionally help with the housework...

Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

A FATEFUL ENCOUNTER BY ALISON MORTON

When time turns in the wrong direction, fate will always step in…

About Alison:

Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her eleven-book Roma Nova thriller series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue.

Six years’ military service, a fascination with ancient Rome and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction have inspired her writing. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history. She lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her latest three contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit, and Double Stakes. 

Website: https://www.alison-morton.com

Amazon Author Page: https://Author.to/AlisonMortonAmazon

FOLLOWING FATE BY ELIZABETH ST.JOHN

A Lost Portrait, a Hidden Conspiracy, and a Second Chance at Love

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth St.John’s acclaimed historical fiction brings to life her ancestors – remarkable women linked to England’s royalty – offering unique insights into Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and historic sites like Lydiard Park and the Tower of London, her novels include The Lydiard Chronicles, The Godmother’s Secret, and The King's Intelligencer, exploring the English Civil War and the mystery of the Princes in the Tower.

Website: www.elizabethjstjohn.com

Amazon Author Page: https://geni.us/AmazonElizabethStJohn

THE BLACK ONYX BOX BY R. MARSDEN

The Bluffer’s Guide to Becoming a Famous Alchemist

About R. Marsden:

R. Marsden is an author and musician, passionate about the Middle Ages. He plays the gittern, a beautiful medieval stringed instrument, ancestor of the guitar; and a thirteenth century recorder, a replica of one which was excavated from medieval ruins in modern-day Poland. He also plays the piano, and there’s nothing medieval about that!

Tales of Castle Rory are Medieval Fantasy Adventures, in which the demesne of Lord Rory of Hambrig is brought to life. Set in the latter part of the thirteenth century, these stories have adventure, mystery and magic at their heart. You’ll also find relationships, romance, friendship and the forging and breaking of ties between people and nations. Running through the Tales are themes of family, loyalty, trust and resilience, together with the other sides of those coins: abandonment, betrayal, loss and disempowerment.

Website: https://talesofcastlerory.co.uk/

Amazon Author Page: https://mybook.to/TalesOfCastleRory

BEWARE THE CROWS  BY ANNA BELFRAGE

Beware the consequences of hatred. Revenge can take many forms…

About Anna:

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing.

Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, which is set in 14th century England, and The Castilian Saga, which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has also published a time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and its sequel Times of Turmoil,  and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding...

All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Readers’ Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

Website: www.annabelfrage.com  

Amazon Author Page: http://Author.to/ABG

DAME FORTUNE’S WHEEL BY J.P. REEDMAN

Fate can be in the hands of others – or held within your own...

About J.P. Reedman:

J.P. Reedman lives in Wiltshire near to Stonehenge. Born in Canada, she has had a lifelong interest in ancient and medieval history, and is often found lurking around prehistoric sites, ruined castles and abbeys, and interesting churches with camera in hand. She became a full-time writer in 2018.

Series include I, Richard Plantagenet, five books chronicling Richard’s life from childhood to Bosworth, and Medieval Babes, a set of standalone novels about lesser-known medieval queens and noblewomen.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRichardPlantagenet/

Amazon Author Page:  http://author.to/REEDMANHISTFIC

SAINTS ALIVE BY DEBBIE YOUNG

When children are not quite the saints we’d like them to be!

About Debbie:

Debbie Young is the author of three series of cosy mystery novels set in the Cotswolds. The Sophie Sayers series starts with Best Murder in Show; the Gemma Lamb series begins with Dastardly Deeds at St Bride’s; and the Cotswold Curiosity Shop series kicks off with Death at the Old Curiosity Shop. She sometimes sends characters from one series to visit those in another.

She also writes short fiction, not all of it crime-related, set in the same world, e.g., Christmas with Sophie Sayers. Her novels are published by Boldwood Books in English, by DP Verlag in German, and by Antonio Vallardi in Italian.

Debbie has recently written her first murder mystery play for performance by her village amateur dramatic group. She is a frequent speaker at events for writers and readers, a course tutor for Jericho Writers, and the founder and director of the Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival.

She lives in a Victorian cottage with her Scottish husband, her student daughter, and three cats, and she writes in a little hut at the bottom of her garden.

Website: www.authordebbieyoung.com

Links to buy Debbie’s books:

https://authordebbieyoung.com/books-2/

Follow the tour HERE!

Read an excerpt from Keeping the Countess by Lille Moore #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction @XpressoTours

Keeping the Countess

By Lille Moore

In this first installation of the DAMSELS IN DISGUISE series, a passionate clergyman on a mission to steal an earl’s secrets finds himself captivated by a cunning and courageous countess.

Charismatic curate Jonah Sinclair survived the deadly streets of south London with two well-trained fists and divine intervention. He will let nothing—not his vocation, nor his yearning to find love—stop him from pursuing the criminals who killed his father. When he learns the notorious Earl of Rochford could hold the key to retribution for his family, he seizes on the chance to become tutor to the earl’s young ward. But the only trace of Rochford he discovers at the mysterious Ravenglass Hall is his abandoned countess, a woman whose fierce strength stirs a forbidden temptation.

Faith Trenton, Countess of Rochford, is on the brink of ruin. Betrayed and abandoned by her husband, she disguises herself as a man to defend her estate from an embezzling steward. Jonah’s arrival threatens her carefully constructed masquerade, and despite the irresistible spark between them, she must send him packing, or risk having him expose the dangerous secrets she keeps hidden. But when a succession of attacks threatens everything that Faith has fought to protect, she’s forced to place her trust in Jonah, and pray he won’t unravel the truth, or her heart.

Helping Faith could sabotage Jonah’s mission. Loving her might cost him everything.

Publication date: June 24th 2025
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance 

Grab a copy HERE!

EXCERPT

Sinclair lifted his head and sharp blue eyes met hers. “Lady Rochford, upon my honor to make your acquaintance.”

The assessing way he studied her, and the desk she took refuge behind, undermined the politeness of his greeting. If she wasn’t careful, this attentive man would see right through her, and the deceptions she’d constructed.

“Would you like a refreshment, Mr. Sinclair?” She gestured to the miniature glasses next to the crystal decanter filled with amber liquid.

He acknowledged the offer with another polite tilt of his head and crossed the room, giving wide birth to the crackling fireplace. After offering her a glass, he raised his in salutation and sipped slowly, drawing her attention to his well-shaped mouth.

She had an appalling sense of what those full lips were capable of, beyond reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

“Lady Rochford?”

Faith blinked. “You were saying?”

“Madeira. It’s unusual to serve it as an apéritif.”

“Heavens, I hope we haven’t caused a scandal.” 

“Only if generosity is considered outside of the rules of good society.” A charming grin spread across his face. “This is a very old Madeira, and you do any guest a great privilege in sharing it.”

Pretty words. Delivered with an even prettier smile. She may have overestimated his intelligence if he believed such insipid overtures would lower her guard.

“Are you a connoisseur of spirits?” she asked. “I thought most members of the clergy frowned on imbibing.”

“You’ll find that I subscribe to more liberal views.”

An understatement if ever she heard one. The man was overly familiar in his manner. She suspected his liberal views were the reason he wasn’t ensconced in a parish of his own.

“Madeira is a favorite of mine,” Sinclair added. “My father was a merchant, and it was his primary trade route.”

“It must have disappointed him that your calling prevented you from following in his footsteps.”

“Fortunately, he didn’t live long enough for that particular disappointment. He died when I was young.”

His tone was teasing, but the tightness in his eyes felt weighty to her.

“My sincere condolences,” she murmured.

“Am I correct in understanding that you once called the island home?”

It never was home, she almost confessed, rattled that he was so well-informed. Had the bishop prepared him, or did he have other sources? Surely, the scandal sheets weren’t still writing about her missing husband.

No, she’d wager he’d done his own research. Throughout their conversation, Sinclair had scrutinized the room as if he was compiling a mental inventory. But his focus was divided; his gaze kept sliding back to hers. Likely, because she’d inhaled a little too much Madeira, a little too fast, for it not to be scarring her cheeks with heat.

She couldn’t recall the last time an attractive man had paid her such attention.

“It was a long time ago,” she eventually responded to his question. “And very far from Cumbria. But so is London.”

“The journeys are comparable,” he replied with mock solemnity. “And I must get used to leaving London. My orders will take me to Manchester soon. Unless, of course, you find my services indispensable here.”

He flashed another brilliant grin, which did nothing to assuage her flush. His presumption that such a flirtation might have an effect on her made her more self-conscious.

The man had to leave. Immediately.

Lille Moore writes romance with a twist on time-honored tropes and tales. Her first career in public diplomacy and strategic communications took her across five continents and six of the Seven Seas and spurred a lifelong love affair with uncovering new worlds through storytelling. She lives with her spouse in Texas

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