Saturday Historical Review: “Conspiracy of Lies” by Kathryn Gauci

Conspiracy of Lies

Just when you thought everything had been written about WW2 already, you read a book like this, so inspired and well thought-through.

In 2001 a letter causes Claire Bradshaw to suffer a heart attack. Recently divorced daughter Claire decides not to let sleeping dogs lie and starts investigating Claire’s past.
Mother and daughter eventually go on holiday to France together where Claire tells her story within the French resistance from 1939 onwards: Love, torn loyalties, resistance work, lies, cover lies, betrayal and personal sacrifices.
Gauci does a marvellous job at depicting the personal within the context of the wider picture, the immense risks taken by individuals for the greater good, the complexity of the resistance operations and the dangers of that particular area of WW2 (Brittany).
Plenty of fascinating historical facts and family dramas are woven into this complex story; a very clever plot that comes to a stunning denouement.
Moving, eye-opening and very impressive. I liked this very much.

The book on Amazon US and Amazon UK

Official blurb:

From the author of The Embroiderer comes a powerful account of one woman’s struggle to balance her duty to her country and a love she knows will ultimately end in tragedy.

1940. With the Germans about to enter Paris, Claire Bouchard flees France for England. Two years later she is recruited by the Special Operations Executive and sent back into occupied France to work alongside the Resistance. Working undercover as a teacher in Brittany, Claire accidentally befriends the wife of the German Commandant of Rennes and the blossoming friendship is about to become a dangerous mission.

Knowing that thousands of lives depended on her actions, Claire begins a double life as a Gestapo Commandant’s mistress in order to retrieve vital information for the Allied Invasion of France, but ghosts from her past make the deception more painful than she could have imagined.

Part historical, part romance and part thriller, Conspiracy of Lies takes us on a journey through occupied France, from the picturesque villages of rural Brittany to the glittering dinner parties of the Nazi Elite, in a story of courage, heartbreak and secrecy.

Publisher	Ebony Publishing
Paperback	9780648123507
	GB£11.99
	AU$34.95
	352 pages
Ebook	9780648123521
	£4.56

 

Here is a link to my interview with Kathryn

About the Author

Kathryn Gauci was born in Leicestershire, England, and studied textile design at Loughborough College of Art and later at Kidderminster College of Art and Design where she specialised in carpet design and technology. After graduating, Kathryn spent a year in Vienna, Austria before moving to Greece where she worked as a carpet designer in Athens for six years. There followed another brief period in New Zealand before eventually settling in Melbourne, Australia.

Before turning to writing full-time, Kathryn ran her own textile design studio in Melbourne for over fifteen years, work which she enjoyed tremendously as it allowed her the luxury of travelling worldwide, often taking her off the beaten track and exploring other cultures.The Embroiderer is her first novel; a culmination of those wonderful years of design and travel, and especially of those glorious years in her youth living and working in Greece – a place that she is proud to call her spiritual home.

Buy The Embroiderer

The Embroiderer is a beautifully written novel spanning the 19th and 20th centuries, set against the backdrop of the Greek War of Independence. It was published on 5th November 2014 and is available to buy in paperback and as an ebook.

You can order from all good bookshops and online retailers.

Purchase directly from the publisher here:www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk

Published by SilverWood Books Ltd.

Cornucopia is the award-winning magazine for connoisseurs of Turkey.
The Embroiderer can also now be purchased from the Cornucopia web site.

Cornucopia: Turkey for Connoisseurs

Website: http://www.kathryngauci.com

Twitter: @Kathryn Gauci

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/people/Kathryn-Gauci/100006545417928

Review: “The Curse of Time – Book 1: Bloodstone” by MJ Mallon

This fantasy novel is full of deep and lurical metaphores, snippets of ancient and modern wisdom and owes much to psychology, self-development, poetry and introspectoion.

In the book 13-year old Amelina basically travels to a mystical cottage outside Cambridge. She is aided by enigmatic puzzles / invitations and several intriguing side characters, pets and fantasy creatures.

If you’re into new age, fantasy, crystal healing and have an appetite for spiritual development, then this is certainly for you as it ticks all those boxes. Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.

As Amelina struggles to reach the cottage, magical powers and creatures help her but it is them or her personal growth and her learned insights that interact with them?
A clear labour of love, this should appeal to young adults as much as to older readers.
The first in a series, this is a very promising debut.

Blurb:

On Amelina Scott’s thirteenth birthday, her father disappears under mysterious circumstances. Saddened by this traumatic event, she pieces together details of a curse that has stricken the heart and soul of her family.

Amelina longs for someone to confide in. Her once carefree mother has become angry and despondent. One day a strange black cat and a young girl, named Esme appear. Immediately, Esme becomes the sister Amelina never had. The only catch is that Esme must remain a prisoner, living within the mirrors of Amelina’s house.

Dreams and a puzzling invitation convince Amelina the answer to her family’s troubles lies within the walls of the illusive Crystal Cottage. Undaunted by her mother’s warnings, Amelina searches for the cottage on an isolated Cambridgeshire pathway where she encounters a charismatic young man, named Ryder. At the right moment, he steps out of the shadows, rescuing her from the unwanted attention of two male troublemakers.

With the help of an enchanted paint set, Amelina meets the eccentric owner of the cottage, Leanne, who instructs her in the art of crystal magic. In time, she earns the right to use three wizard stones. The first awakens her spirit to discover a time of legends, and later, leads her to the Bloodstone, the supreme cleansing crystal which has the power to restore the balance of time. Will Amelina find the power to set her family free?

A YA/middle grade fantasy set in Cambridge, England exploring various themes/aspects: Light, darkness, time, shadows, a curse, magic, deception, crystals, art, poetry, friendships, teen relationships, eating disorders, self-harm, anxiety, depression, family, puzzles, mystery, a black cat, music, a mix of sadness, counterbalanced by a touch of humour.

A short bio: 

I am a debut author who has been blogging for three years: https://mjmallon.com. My interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. I write Fantasy YA, middle grade fiction and micro poetry – haiku and tanka. I love to read and have written over 100 reviews: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-of-my-book-reviews/

My alter ego is MJ – Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheros! I was born on the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit,) second child and only daughter to my proud parents Paula and Ronald. I grew up in a mountainous court in the Peak District in Hong Kong with my elder brother Donald. My parents dragged me away from my exotic childhood and my much loved dog Topsy to the frozen wastelands of Scotland. In bonnie Edinburgh I mastered Scottish country dancing, and a whole new Och Aye lingo.

As a teenager I travelled to many far-flung destinations to visit my abacus wielding wayfarer dad. It’s rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six foot hunk of a Rock God husband, and my two enchanted daughters. After such an upbringing my author’s mind has taken total leave of its senses! When I’m not writing, I eat exotic delicacies while belly dancing, or surf to the far reaches of the moon. To chill out, I practise Tai Chi. If the mood takes me I snorkel with mermaids, or sign up for idyllic holidays with the Chinese Unicorn, whose magnificent voice sings like a thousand wind chimes.

Links:

My Amazon UK Author Page

My Amazon US Author Page

My Amazon Canada Author Page

My blog – for information about new releases, photos of main characters/character interviews, book reviews and inspiration: https://mjmallon.com

My New Facebook Group #ABRSC: Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook:

Instagram:

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and Twitter: @curseof_time

Facebook: Facebook: m j mallon author

Tumblr: Tumblr: mjmallonauthor

I have devoted the past few years to writing over 100 reviews on My Goodreads Review Account, and on my blog to help support traditional and indie writers.

Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds: “The Boy Who Wanted Wings: Love in the Time of War” by James Conroyd Martin

The Boy Who Wanted Wings by James Conroyd Martin

 

Amazon UK £2.35 £23.05

 

Amazon US $2.99 $26.80

Amazon CA $33.52

Review originally published on:
https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/the-boy-who-wanted-wings-by-james.html

Military – 17^th Century – Europe

This is a very well researched and authentic-feeling novel set in 17th century Europe. A unique perspective comes via the hero, Aleksy, being of Tartar descent but having been raised with a Polish family. As the Turks lay siege to Vienna (culminating in the battle of September 11 1683) he finds his military and amorous wings.

The author impressed me with the detailed depiction of warfare, military operations and equipment, class, culture and societal norms. While such details can be distracting in other novels, here they were spot on and served their purpose well. I learned a lot about the era, about Poland, the Tartars and the siege of Vienna.

The characters with their unique situations, individual ambitions and the obstacles they need to overcome provide a solid base for the plot: Love at first sight, lovers against the obstacles, political turmoil and war – it sounds like a stereotype but all feels real and comes together perfectly in a gripping, educational and enjoyable novel.

© Christoph Fischer

Workshop in Carmarthen and Cardiff: Self Publish with Confidence

For those of you in Cardiff or Carmarthen: 

Self Publish with Confidence is a one-day workshop, where you’ll learn:

·         How to plan your book or ebook, whether fiction or non-fiction 

·         How to create an author platform

·         What to use to format your book

·         Tips and techniques for book marketing: social media, website, creative approaches

·         How to make your own personalized Self Publishing Blueprint, which you’ll take home with you

Delivered by two authors, Christoph Fischer and Philippa Davies, who between them have published 22 titles ( both traditionally and indie published). They’ve reached over 150,000 downloads,  with titles serialized by The Times and made into an S4C Film, which won two Welsh BAFTAS.

Christoph is the founder of Llandeilo Litfest and Philippa has over 4000 writing students on her best selling Udemy writing course, online. 

This workshop will be fun and highly participative with guest speakers Helen Reynolds, author of cartoon book ‘Work It Out With A Pencil’ and Karin Mear, co-author of the Brecon Legends colouring book.

So if your inner author is longing to burst out into the world, please let us know and book yourself onto this workshop… and we look forward to working with you here. 

Dates: October 7th in Cardiff and October 14th in Carmarthen

Booking links: Cardiff https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/self-publish-with-confidence-tickets-36638814681

Carmarthen: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/self-publish-with-confidence-tickets-36639060416

Review: “The Yanks are Starving: A Novel of the Bonus Army” by Glen Craney

“The Yanks are Starving: A Novel of the Bonus Army” by Glen Craney is a large and complex novel covering so much more than only the Bonus March from the title – which in itself is a truly inspired and appreciated choice. The protest march by WWI veterans is not widely known about and this fills the gap in my knowledge not only with a sharp focus on the events. Crabey goes back to the beginning of the century and to several locations to show how interconnected worldwide events are and how individual fates and personalities perceive and contribute to the event. The characters may seem unusual choices at times but all makes sense once you reached the end of this loaded novel.
As European it was rather fascinating to see the American perspective, especially since there are various well chosen characters and strands of narrative.
This truly is an outstanding historical novel that works on so many levels. Brilliant.

Website

http://www.glencraney.com

Twitter

glencraney

Glen Craney is a novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. He holds graduate degrees from Indiana University School of Law and Columbia University School of Journalism. He practiced trial law before joining the Washington, D.C. press corps to cover national politics and the Iran-contra trial for Congressional Quarterly magazine. The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences awarded him the Nicholl Fellowship prize for best new screenwriting. He is also a three-time indieBRAG Medallion Honoree, a Chaucer Award First-Place Winner, and a three-time Foreword Reviews Book-of-the-Year Award Finalist. His debut novel, The Fire and the Light, was recognized as Best New Fiction by the National Indie Excellence Awards. His books have taken readers to Occitania during the Albigensian Crusade, to the Scotland of Robert Bruce, to Portugal during the Age of Discovery, to the trenches of France during World War I, and to the American Hoovervilles of the Great Depression. He lives in southern California.

During the Great Depression summer of 1932, the United States teeters on the brink of upheaval. A charismatic hobo leads 20,000 desperate World War I veterans into the nation’s capital, sparking the only violent clash ever waged between two American armies under the same flag.

2015 Chaucer Award Finalist 
Foreword Book-of-the-Year Finalist in Historical Fiction 
2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree

The remarkable events depicted in this sweeping historical novel are unfolded through the eyes of eight individuals who come together on a tense July day to determine the nation’s fate:
— Herbert Hoover, the beleaguered president.
— Douglas MacArthur, the ambitious West Point general.
— Pelham Glassford, the compassionate District of Columbia police chief.
— Walter Waters, the troubled leader of the Bonus veterans.
— Floyd Gibbons, the war correspondent and famous radio broadcaster.
— Joe Angelo, the banty Italian-American who serves as George Patton’s orderly.
— Ozzie Taylor, the street musician turned Harlem Hellfighter.
— Anna Raber, the Mennonite nurse.

This timely epic leads the reader across a memorable panorama of American history, from the Boxer Rebellion in China to the Plain of West Point, from the persecution of conscientious objectors to the horrors of the Marne, and from the Hoovervilles of the heartland to the pitiful Anacostia encampment in the bowels of the nation’s capital.

Here is the shocking but little-known story of the political intrigue and government betrayal that culminated in the rout of the Bonus Army.

Discovering Diamonds Review: “In a Gilded Cage” by Suzanne Appleyard

“In a Gilded Cage” by Suzanne Appleyard is a skilful attempt at portraying the famous Empress Sisi / Elizabeth of Austria, from the days before she meets her husband in the mid-1800s until his inauguration. Sisi is a figure that has always inspired writers, historians and even film makers; the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I, and thus Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Queen consort of Croatia and Bohemia.
Appleyard’s book is among the more serious and factual of them, less romanticised and more influenced by the consistent rumours and darker sides of Sisi, as well as putting her life in the wider political context as the personal circumstances of her upbringing and life at Vienna’s court.
Having grown up in Bavaria with the Sisi movies as regular fixture in the TV programming, I found much of Appleyard’s portrayal plausible, explaining the parts of Sisi’s life that don’t seem to add up with the public perception in a well-researched and documented fashion.
As a consequence, the style sometimes is closer to a biography than a novel. Use of language and descriptive detail is very pleasing and historically this is of great value. It also managed not to spoil my love for the romantic versions of the story by showing Sisi in a sympathetic light. A great effort.

Blurb:

This book has been honoured as a B.R.A.G. Medallion winner by IndieBrag. Elisabeth (Sisi) enjoyed a carefree lifestyle in the hills of Bavaria until she was chosen by Emperor Franz Josef of Austria to be his wife. At the age of sixteen, she moved into the imperial palaces of Vienna, where a hostile court despised her for her low birth and strict protocol ruled her every act. She had no other purpose than to adorn the emperor’s arm on ceremonial occasions and to make babies who were taken from her at birth to be raised by her domineering mother-in-law. Of too sensitive a spirit, she was often ill and anorexic and had to flee the court to distant places in order to heal. She struggled to find a place for herself in this alien environment until she found a cause into which she could pour her heart and soul: Hungary. Like Sisi herself, Hungary struggled to find a place for itself where it would not be subsumed by a soulless empire. Having found her salvation, she also found a man she could love in the great patriot, Count Andrassy.

The book on Amazon

Website 

https://susanappleyardwriter.wordpress.com/

Twitter

Susan_Appleyard

I was born in England where I learned to love English history. Now I live in Canada in the summer with my three children and three grandchildren. In winter I flee the cold for Mexico where I enjoy the sun and sea, restaurants on the beach and Happy Hours with my friends.
I don’t think I have a particularly unique writing method. I always write in the mornings in a place where I can work relatively undisturbed. I never read over what I’ve written until the manuscript is finished so I can approach it with a fresh eye.

September 6th – a special day

 

 

 

 

 

Historical Saturday: New Release: “An American Candidate” by M J Lee

Some of you may remember my blogpost last week about M J Lee’s first  book “Death in Shanghai” 

You can imagine my delight when I found out that his latest book has been released this very week, so I had to tell you about it.

Here is the universal buy link:
https://t.co/AY022KsBYv

“An American Candidate” by M J Lee

In her most dangerous case yet, Jayne Sinclair investigates the family background of a potential candidate to be President of the United States of America.
When the politician who commissioned the genealogical research is shot dead in front of her, Jayne is forced to flee for her life. Why was he killed? And who is trying to stop the American Candidate’s family past from being revealed?

Jayne Sinclair is caught in a deadly race against time to discover the truth, armed only with her own wits and ability to research secrets hidden in the past.

The American Candidate is the third gripping mystery in the Jayne SInclair series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Find out more about the author at the website:
http://www.writermjlee.com/ 

Martin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another. As a University researcher in history, he wrote pages of notes on reams of obscure topics. As a social worker with Vietnamese refugees, he wrote memoranda. And, as the creative director of an advertising agency, he has written print and press ads, tv commercials, short films and innumerable backs of cornflake packets and hotel websites.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai, winning awards from Cannes, One Show, D&AD, New York and London Festivals, and the United Nations.
When he’s not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, researching his family history, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
He can be contacted at writermjlee.com, on Facebook at writermjlee, on twitter, you guessed it, writermjlee. He’s nothing if not original with his internet domains.

---