Cathie Dunn writes...

Today, I'm delighted to present you a heart-warming novel that you shouldn't miss on your winter reading list: The Flame Within by Liz Harris .  Discover more about The Flame Within on a range of blogs seen below during its blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources !  The Flame Within From award-winning author of The Dark Horizon, Liz Harris, comes the second in a sweeping saga set between the wars, which tells the story of the Linfords, a family simmering with secrets, lies and betrayal. London, 1923 Alice Linford stands on the pavement and stares up at the large Victorian house set back from the road—the house that is to be her new home. But it isn’t her house. It belongs to someone else—to a Mrs Violet Osborne. A woman who was no more than a name at the end of an advertisement for a companion that had caught her eye three weeks earlier. More precisely, it wasn’t Mrs Osborne’s name that had caught her eye—it was seeing that Mrs Osborne lived in Belsize Park, a sh...

Today, I’m delighted to share a promotion for Counterpoint: Henry, the King’s Cavalier , by historical fiction author, Elizabeth St.John , as part of her blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club .  If you’re into the history of 17th-century England, the Stuarts, and the English Civil War, Elizabeth’s fascinating and well-researched  The Lydiard Chronicles series is for you. Counterpoint: Henry, the King’s Cavalier is a linked short story.  COUNTERPOINT:  Henry, the King’s Cavalier  (The Lydiard Chronicles: 1603-1664) By Elizabeth St.John Blurb: A man may think his life is only measured by battles fought for the king. Until he meets a woman worth fighting for. Henry Wilmot. Cavalier. Seasoned soldier. Grieving widower. On the eve of battle he is sent by the king to requisition arms. What he did not expect was that the supplies were a gift from a feisty and attractive widow who was hiding her own Royalist beliefs in plain sight. E...

I'm so thrilled to share that I brought Dark Deceit across to Ocelot Press . “Layered with authentic detail that will delight any historian, Dark Deceit is a well-written tale of romance, intrigue and dastardly machinations.” ~ 5* review, Suzanne Rogers, author   The novel began life at a small train station in south Wales where I lived at the time. In early 2012, it was published through  Crooked Cat  where it stayed until late 2019.  The sequel is as yet unfinished (I know – and I apologise for the continuing delay), but I hope to get it done (yesss!) by the summer. This coming summer, 2020, to be precise. Watch this space! “Ms Dunn brings the era to life.” ~ 5* review, Sue Barnard, author But in the meantime, if you haven't yet read Dark Deceit , maybe I can entice you to do so. Find the blurb and a teaser below!  A blend of murder mystery and romance, Dark Deceit takes you to medieval England and Normandy. The time was called the...

I’m delighted to take part in another fabulous book blog tour. Today’s review is for a fabulous romance novel called, The Lord’s Inconvenient Vow by Lara Temple .  Many thanks, again, to Rachel’s Random Resources for letting me take part. My review: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. It begins in Egypt, where Lady Samantha meets Lord Edward Edgerton again, after many years. The incredible backdrop of ancient historic sites sets the scene beautifully, and it immediately hooked me. As the days go by, their flirty banter hides deeper feelings neither are ready to explore. When Edge announced his engagement to Dora, Sam is distraught and withdraws from him, to follow her mother to Venice for the season. Eight years later, widowed after a disappointing marriage, Sam returns to Egypt, only to stumble across Edge again. He’s searching for his brother who has been leading him on a wild-goose chase. Sam realises that if h...

It has been a long time coming, I know. But finally – finally! – I’m about to get started on the sequel to Dark Deceit . And I can’t wait to get stuck in and meet my characters again. It will be set a few years after DD, beginning in Normandy, where Geoffrey and Alleyne have settled into his family home, but also taking us to other exciting places, and not just England! So, as expected, it requires much historical research into the movements of my characters – Geoffrey in particular! As the struggle for the throne continues in England, his presence is also required elsewhere by his liege lord. Again, he must choose which path to follow, whilst not forgetting to keep an eye on Will who still keeps hold of Alleyne’s manor. Poor Geoffrey can’t be in all places at all times, can he? As NaNoWriMo is approaching, I’ve begun to plot their movements, but writing the basic first draft will be my task during November, and I’m determined to reach the magical 50,000 word mark. Of course...

I'm trying to ignore the miserable Scottish summer. If you are too, I might have some fabulous reads for you... Dark Deceit , my romantic medieval murder mystery, is featured on Crooked Cat Books this week, together with two other intriguing (and highly recommended!) novels. It's also available at 99p/c for the duration.  Originally entitled, A Norman Legacy, Dark Deceit  began life at a South Wales train station during a time when I was active in a medieval re-enactment group which gave me great insight into life 'back then'.  Having visited the rolling Gloucestershire countryside, I spotted a tiny hamlet with a small Norman church. It was perfect for the setting of Bellac Manor. And on a holiday in Normandy, I found the real 'home' for the story, the picturesque area of Perche, then a county in its own right, but as part of the duchy of Normandy. Falaise Castle, Normandy, France In the 1140s, England and Normandy were wrecked by two r...

I'm over on the Inkslingers blog today, revealing my favourite bits of research. Come on and join us! We don't bite! Researching Historical Tidbits See you there! :-)

I'm thrilled to welcome back fellow romance author, Nancy Jardine , just ahead of her latest release, The Beltane Choice . Set in Celtic Britain, it is a tale of Celtic tribes and their fate at the hands of the expanding Roman Empire. At the same time, the fate of two enemies is at stake. Can enemies unite against the mighty Romans? So, to find out more about this rather elusive time, I've asked Nancy to pull some background information together for us. It's fascinating! Listen up! Why Selgovae and Brigante tribes for The Beltane Choice ? Many aspects of the Roman invasion, of the island they named Britannia, fascinate me. The varied successes, and failures, in what was the outer fringe of their massive Roman Empire make wonderful reading. The failure of the Roman might to completely subdue the northern Britannic tribes, and keep them suppressed, holds particular appeal. What were the circumstances that made them conquer inhospitable territory in northern and easte...

Silent Deception , my Victorian romantic novella, is * FREE*  on Amazon for two days only: 2nd & 3rd August 2012! A romantic, slightly paranormal story with a dash of mystery, set in remote Cornwall in the 19th century, Silent Deception tells of a young heiress who uncovers a dark family secret with the help of a visiting earl. But making this secret public might cost her dearly. Download your free e-copy of an "enjoyable" historical read now: Blurb: Having inherited a family estate she’d never heard of, Minerva Goodridge travels to Cornwall to take charge of her new home. But fatal memories lurk in the shadows of Trekellis Manor. As the locals keep away from the house, Minnie accepts the help of a stranger. Can she trust him? Gideon Drake, 8th Earl of Rothdale, is on a mission to uncover a family secret linked to Trekellis Manor. But the arrival of Minerva, the new owner, disrupts his investigation. Attracted to the headstrong heiress, he decide...

Woohoo! ~happy dance~ Today,  Dark Deceit , the first in The Anarchy Trilogy, is released through Crooked Cat Publishing !  I began the story in late 2003, and finally it sees the light of day. It had numerous versions, with critiques partners in different places along the way. It survived my Novel Writing modules during my Creative Writing studies, endured 3 years in a drawer while I wrote & released Highland Arms, and finally was taken apart - and re-assembled - with the help of my wonderful critique partners. My big thanks goes to them!  Win a Copy! Comment below to win an electronic copy!  Make sure to leave your email addy... Dark Deceit is now available on  Amazon UK ,  Amazon US  &  Smashwords ! Blurb: On his return from battle at Lincoln, Geoffrey de Mortagne, under-sheriff of Gloucester and spy for the Empress Matilda, assists a dying knight caught in an ambush. Promising to look after the welfare of the ...