Author Spotlight: Colin Falconer and "The School of Night"

Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Cool Gus Publishing
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 168
Series: The William Shakespeare Detective Agency
Genre: Historical Mystery




"My name is William Shakespeare. No, not that Shakespeare; and no jests please, I’ve heard them all. I’m the other one, the ne’er do well cousin, the loafer, known to family and friends as the dunce, the one who could not recite Cicero or Horace, who could never be as good as his clever cuz, the one who has just come to Bishopsgate from Stratford with silly dreams in his head and a longing to make something more of himself than just a glover’s handyman.”

What he finds in London is Lady Elizabeth Talbot, who is willing to pass a few shillings to this blundering brawler if he will help her find her husband. Poor William does not realize the trail will lead to the truth behind the death of Shakespeare’s great rival, Christopher Marlowe - or to a lifelong love affair with a woman far above his station.

Each book tells the story of William’s adventures as England’s first gumshoe, set against turbulent Elizabethan politics; of his romantic pursuit of the impossible Elizabeth Talbot; while charting the career of his up and coming dramatist cousin, the bard of Stratford, but just Will to his family.

Buy the Book

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
IndieBound

About the Author

Born in London, Colin first trialed as a professional football player in England, and was eventually brought to Australia. He went to Sydney and worked in TV and radio and freelanced for many of Australia’s leading newspapers and magazines. He has published over twenty novels and his work has so far been translated into 23 languages.

He travels regularly to research his novels and his quest for authenticity has led him to run with the bulls in Pamplona, pursue tornadoes across Oklahoma and black witches across Mexico, go cage shark diving in South Africa and get tear gassed in a riot in La Paz.

He currently lives in Barcelona.

For more information please visit Colin Falconer’s website. You can also find him on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

The School of Night Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 16
Interview & Giveaway at View From the Birdhouse

Tuesday, March 17
Excerpt at I Heart Reading
Spotlight at Genre Queen

Wednesday, March 18
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes

Thursday, March 19
Interview at Becky on Books
Spotlight at What Is That Book About

Friday, March 20
Spotlight at To Read, or Not to Read

Monday, March 23
Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection

Tuesday, March 24
Review at It's a Mad, Mad World

Thursday, March 26
Review at Quirky Book Reviews

Friday, March 27
Review at Griperang's Bookmarks

Tuesday, March 31
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Author Spotlight and Giveaway: Anna Castle and "Murder by Misrule"

HF Virtual Book Tours proudly presents Anna Castle's Blog Tour & Book Blast for Murder by Misrule, the first book in her Francis Bacon Mystery Series. Please join her as she tours the blogosphere from June 2 - July 4.


Publication Date: June 8, 2014 Formats: Ebook, Paperback



A Kirkus Indie Books of the Month Selection for July.

Francis Bacon is charged with investigating the murder of a fellow barrister at Gray's Inn. He recruits his unwanted prot?g? Thomas Clarady to do the tiresome legwork. The son of a privateer, Clarady will do anything to climb the Elizabethan social ladder. Bacon's powerful uncle Lord Burghley suspects Catholic conspirators of the crime, but other motives quickly emerge. Rival barristers contend for the murdered man's legal honors and wealthy clients. Highly-placed courtiers are implicated as the investigation reaches from Whitehall to the London streets. Bacon does the thinking; Clarady does the fencing. Everyone has something up his pinked and padded sleeve. Even the brilliant Francis Bacon is at a loss ? and in danger ? until he sees through the disguises of the season of Misrule.

The Francis Bacon Mystery Series

This series of historical mysteries features the philosopher-statesman Francis Bacon as a sleuth and spymaster. Since Francis prefers the comfort of his own chambers, like his spiritual descendent Nero Wolfe, he sends his pupil, the handsome young Thomas Clarady, out to gather information. Tom loves the work, not least because he meets so many interesting people, like Lord Burghley, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Christopher Marlowe. Murder by Misrule is the first book in the series.

Praise for Murder by Misrule

"Though the plot keeps the pages turning, the characters, major and minor, and the well-wrought historical details will make readers want to linger in the 16th century. A laugh-out-loud mystery that will delight fans of the genre." - Kirkus Starred Review

"Murder by Misrule is a delightful debut with characters that leap off the page, especially the brilliant if unwilling detective Francis Bacon and his street smart man Tom Clarady. Elizabeth Tudor rules, but Anna Castle triumphs." - Karen Harper, author of Mistress Shakespeare

"Well-researched... Murder by Misrule is also enormously entertaining; a mystery shot through with a series of misadventures, misunderstandings, and mendacity worthy of a Shakespearean comedy." - M. Louisa Locke, author of Bloody Lessons

"Historical mystery readers take note: Murder by Misrule is a wonderful example of Elizabethan times brought to life." -D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Buy the Book

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

About the Author

Anna Castle has been a waitress, software engineer, documentary linguist, college professor, and digital archivist. Historical fiction combines her lifelong love of stories and learning. She physically resides in Austin, Texas, and mentally counts herself a queen of infinite space.

For more information please visit Anna Castle's website and blog. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, June 2
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Book Blast at Mari Reads

Tuesday, June 3
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection

Wednesday, June 4
Book Blast at The Musings of ALMYBNENR

Thursday, June 5
Book Blast at Our Wolves Den

Friday, June 6
Review at Book Nerd
Book Blast at The Mad Reviewer
Book Blast at A Dream Within a Dream

Saturday, June 7
Book Blast at Kelsey's Book Corner

Sunday, June 8
Review at Carole's Ramblings

Monday, June 9
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Tuesday, June 10
Book Blast at West Metro Mommy

Wednesday, June 11
Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Book Blast at Literary Chanteuse

Thursday, June 12
Review at Curling Up By the Fire

Friday, June 13
Book Blast at Cheryl's Book Nook

Monday, June 16
Book Blast at Closed the Cover
Book Blast at To Read or Not to Read

Tuesday, June 17
Review & Giveaway at 100 Pages a Day
Book Blast at A Book Geek

Wednesday, June 18
Book Blast at CelticLady's Reviews

Thursday, June 19
Review at Bibliotica
Book Blast at Historical Fiction Obsession

Friday, June 20
Review at A Bibliotaph's Reviews
Interview at All Things Girl

Saturday, June 21
Book Blast at Griperang's Bookmarks

Monday, June 23
Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story
Book Blast at So Many Books, So Little Time

Tuesday, June 24
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, June 25
Book Blast at Susan Heim on Writing

Thursday, June 26
Review at A Bookish Girl
Review at Layered Pages
Review at Kinx's Book Nook

Friday, June 27
Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes

Monday, June 30
Book Blast at Historical Tapestry

Tuesday, July 1
Interview at Starting Fresh

Wednesday, July 2
Review at Kincavel Korner

Thursday, July 3
Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict
Guest Post & Giveaway at Bibliophilia, Please

Friday, July 4
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Author Spotlight: Jenny Barden and "The Lost Duchess"

Please join author Jenny Barden as she tours the blogopsphere for The Lost Duchess from May 26-June 20.

 
Paperback
Publication Date: June 5, 2014
Ebury Press Paperback; 448p

   

 An epic Elizabethan adventure with a thriller pace and a high tension love story that moves from the palaces of England to the savage wilderness of the New World. Emme Fifield has fallen about as far as a gentlewoman can. Once a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, her only hope of surviving the scandal that threatens to engulf her is to escape England for a fresh start in the new America where nobody has ever heard of the Duchess of Somerset. Emme joins Kit Doonan's rag-tag band of idealists, desperados and misfits bound for Virginia. But such a voyage will be far from easy and Emme finds her attraction to the mysterious Doonan inconvenient to say the least. As for Kit, the handsome mariner has spent years imprisoned by the Spanish, and living as an outlaw with a band of escaped slaves; he has his own inner demons to confront, and his own dark secrets to keep... Ever since Sir Walter Raleigh's settlement in Virginia was abandoned in 1587 its fate has remained a mystery; 'The Lost Duchess' explores what might have happened to the ill-starred 'Lost Colony' of Roanoke.

Buy the Book

Amazon (AUS) Amazon (UK) Book Depository

About the Author

I've had a love of history and adventure ever since an encounter in infancy with a suit of armour at Tamworth Castle. Training as an artist, followed by a career as a city Jenny (Portrait 2)solicitor, did little to help displace my early dream of becoming a knight. A fascination with the Age of Discovery led to travels in South and Central America, and much of the inspiration for my debut came from retracing the footsteps of Francis Drake in Panama. The sequel centres on the first Elizabethan 'lost colony' of early Virginia. I am currently working on an epic adventure during the threat of invasion by the Spanish Armada. My work has appeared in short story collections and anthologies and I've written for non-fiction publications including the Historical Novels Review. I am active in many organisations, having run the 'Get Writing' conferences for several years, and undertaken the co-ordination of the Historical Novel Society’s London Conference 2012. I am a member of that organisation as well as the Historical Writers' Association, the Romantic Nevelists' Association and the Society of Authors. I'll be co-ordinating the RNA's annual conference in 2014. I have four children and now live on a farm in Dorset with my long suffering husband and an ever increasing assortment of animals. I love travelling, art, reading and scrambling up hills and mountains (though I'm not so keen on coming down!).

Author Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Jenny Barden's Blog
English Historical Fiction Authors Blog

Also by Jenny Barden

Publication Date: June 20, 2013 Ebury Press
Formats: Paperback, Ebook

   

Mistress Cooksley may be a wealthy merchant's daughter, but she blushes at my words and meets my eyes look for look. Yet I cannot hope to court her without fortune, and a dalliance with a pretty maid will not hinder me from my path. Captain Drake's endeavour might bring me gold, but I, Will Doonan, will have my revenge. The Spaniards captured my brother and have likely tortured and killed him. For God and St George, we'll strike at the dogs and see justice done. I thought I'd left Mistress Cooksley behind to gamble everything and follow Drake, and here she is playing the boy at the ends of the world. She's a fool with a heart as brave as any man's. Yet her presence here could be the ruin of us all...

Virtual Tour and Book Blast Schedule

Monday, May 26 Review & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books Book Blast at Reading the Ages Book Blast at Literary Chanteuse Book Blast at Bibliophilia, Please
Tuesday, May 27 Review at A Bibliotaph's Reviews Book Blast at Flashlight Commentary Book Blast at To Read or Not to Read
Wednesday, May 28
Review at Carole's Ramblings and Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
Thursday, May 29
Book Blast at The Maiden's Court, Book Blast at Cheryl's Book Nook, Book Blast at Book Reviews & More by Kathy
Friday, May 30
Review at WTF Are You Reading?, Book Blast at The Mad Reviewer, Book Blast at Curling Up by the Fire
Saturday, May 31
Book Blast at From L.A. to LA, Book Blast at Gobs and Gobs of Books
Sunday, June 1
Book Blast at Lily Pond Reads, Book Blast at So Many Books, So Little Time
Monday, June 2
Review & Giveaway at The Tudor Enthusiast, Book Blast at The Bookworm, Book Blast at CelticLady's Reviews
Tuesday, June 3
Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book, Book Blast at West Metro Mommy, Book Blast at bookworm2bookworm's Blog
Wednesday, June 4
Review at The Wormhole, Interview at Oh, For the Hook of a Book, Book Blast at Kelsey's Book Corner
Thursday, June 5
Book Blast at Books and Benches, Book Blast at Book Lovers Paradise
Friday, June 6
Interview at Dianne Ascroft Blog, Book Blast at Kincavel Korner, Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes
Saturday, June 7
Book Blast at Royal Reviews, Book Blast at History Undressed
Sunday, June 8
Book Blast at Book Nerd
Monday, June 9
Review at A Chick Who Reads, Book Blast at The Musings of a Book Junkie
Tuesday, June 10
Review at She Reads Novels, Book Blast at Just One More Chapter, Book Blast at History From a Woman's Perspective
Wednesday, June 11
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession, Book Blast at Books in the Burbs
Thursday, June 12
Book Blast at Big Book, Little Book, Book Blast at Historical Fiction Notebook
Friday, June 13 Review at Susan Heim on Writing, Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Saturday, June 14 Book Blast at Hardcover Feedback, Book Blast at One Book at a Time
Sunday, June 15 Book Blast at Passages to the Past
Monday, June 16 Review at Layered Pages, Review at Starting Fresh, Review at Ageless Pages Reviews Tuesday, June 17 Review at The Lit Bitch, Book Blast at Griperang's Bookmarks
Wednesday, June 18 Review & Giveaway at Luxury Reading, Book Blast at Princess of Eboli
Thursday, June 19 Review at A Bookish Affair, Review at Little Reader Library, Book Blast at Girl Lost in a Book
Friday, June 20 Review at Broken Teepee, Review at Jorie Loves a Story, Review at The Musings of ALMYBNENR, Guest Post & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair

Review: "Dark Aemilia" by Sally O'Reilly

Hello folks!

I know it's been awhile since I have brought you a review, so apologies are in order. I've been either sick and/or recuperating from surgery for most of this month, so I've only been doing minimal posting.

Today I bring you a brief review of Dark Aemilia by Sally O'Reilly. I should preface this by saying that I stopped reading about 3/4 of the way through. It's not because it wasn't a good book. But I was thoroughly disturbed by a chaotic section of the novel involving black magic. The description of the novel mentioned that the main character would end up dabbling in the dark arts, and so I expected this to some extent. I did not expect how uneasy it would make me. So if you are a sensitive reader you may want to skip this one.

If you're not, then read on! The first 3/4 of this novel were very interesting and amusing. O'Reilly does a superb job of capturing the waning years of Elizabethan England and rise of William Shakespeare. Readers will think they have entered a Shakespearean play complete with all the saucy language and hilarious retorts of the period. The author does not shy away from discussing the realities of life from the period. With glossy romances and big screen movies depicting the age as one of immense beauty, it's easy to forget the conditions that most people, even the wealthy ones, lived in.

The novel essentially opens with Aemilia Bassano the bastard orphan of a former court musician and his paramour (later wife) is making her way through Queen Elizabeth's court. She has been a fixture there since she was a child but after her parents' deaths, she becomes the mistress of a wealthy and powerful lord. He treats her well and she is satisfied to some extent. It is a run-in with William Shakespeare that sets her down a much different path. After turning up pregnant by the emerging poet and playwright, Aemilia must marry a silly man in order to keep her child. Her son becomes her whole world, definitely to his detriment as he is a horrid little thing, and when his life is imperiled by the plague, she turns to black magic to save him. This is where I stopped, but the main gist was that Aemilia struck a deal with the devil to save her son. In recompense she is to write a play that eventually become famous for its hard hearted "heroine" and the presence of witches: MacBeth. Some presence apparently consumes her as prior to this, she had tried to write and publish poems and pamphlets for years without success. I imagine that the remainder of the novel is about how the play comes to be credited to Shakespeare and whether or not Aemilia becomes permanently reconciled to him (they quarreled over her pregnancy).

At the end of the day, if you're not at all freaked out by black magic, I recommend you read this novel. Lovers of the period will definitely enjoy this romp through Old England.

Dark Aemilia will be available May 27, 2014 from Picador.

Disclaimer: I received this novel through Netgalley (and the publisher) in exchange for a fair review.