Book Review: The Runaway: a gripping family drama by Linda Huber

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Bad things happen in threes – or so it seems to Nicola. The death of her mother-in-law coincides with husband Ed losing his job and daughter Kelly getting into trouble with the police. Time to abandon their London lifestyle and start again by the sea in far-away Cornwall.

This fast paced psychological thriller is the perfect weekend read, with a great location which I knew well, and believable characters with complicated back stories. 

The subject is any parent's nightmare, and the sense of helplessness is convincing. I guessed the harrowing outcome early in the book, but then couldn't wait to find out if I was right. I particularly liked the way Linda Huber teases the reader by nearly resolving the mystery - then backing off to keep you guessing. 

Another great book from an accomplished author, which would make a great TV thriller. Recommended. 

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Linda Huber is an ex-physiotherapist who grew up in Glasgow but has lived over half her life in Switzerland, where she writes psychological suspense novels as Linda Huber as well as feel-good novellas under her pen name Melinda Huber. The inspiration for her books comes from everyday life - a family member's struggle with dementia, the discovery that a child in her extended family drowned in the 1940s, and more. Find out more at Linda's website https://lindahuber.net/ and find her on Facebook, Twitter @LindaHuber19 and Bluesky @lindahuberauthor.bsky.social

Special Guest Post by By Deb Stratas, Author of The Unseen Rider, The Bletchley Chronicles Book 2

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

February 1942. Still mourning the devastating loss of her young brother during the Blitz, spirited Fern Grey is determined to do her part for Britain’s war effort. When she receives her call-up papers for the Women’s Royal Naval Service, she plunges into the rigours of WREN training. Posted as a driver in Portsmouth, Fern forms unlikely friendships with shy Daphne Neagle and the aristocratic Cressida Talbot. Then she meets Canadian RCAF navigator Benjamin Lewis, whose quiet charm begins to capture her heart. But as the war tightens its grip, love proves as uncertain as the future.

Tell us about Fern Grey, the heroine of The Unseen Rider 

Fern is Violet Grey’s younger sister. You met Violet in The Unquiet Translator, The Bletchley Park Chronicles Book 1. Fern has always felt in the shadow of her brainy and beloved elder sister. After all, Violet was at university studying languages when she was recruited to work as a German translator at the secret Bletchley Park. Fern bided her time working at an animal kennel, impatiently waiting for her 19th birthday so she could join up for the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENs). 

Outwardly bubbly and confident, Fern still felt inferior to Violet and second-best in her parent’s esteem. Gaining independence at basic training, she made fast friends with shy Daphne, as they both struggled to connect with snobby Cressida. When Fern and Daphne were posted together as drivers in the busy naval hub Portsmouth, they were thrilled to test out their new skills and make a wartime life together in a Wren-filled billet. 

Fern faced her share of obstacles including a crushing breakup and unwanted attentions from a naval officer. This only made her stronger, especially after she met the gentle Canadian RCAF navigator, Ben. Separated by war, Fern takes up motorcycle dispatch riding, which she masters with her usual energy and enthusiasm. Time and again, she proves herself to be courageous, loyal, and caring. Finally, she sees that she belongs in the Grey family and is cherished just for herself. All that’s left is waiting for Ben to return from a harrowing imprisonment as a German prisoner of war in Italy for her to find her forever happiness. 

Why give Fern a role as a motorcycle dispatch rider? 

I continue to be passionate about raising up the stories of brave women in WWII England. Through my Kingston Sisters series, I explored roles in the WVS (Women’s Voluntary Service), anti-aircraft gunners, ambulance drivers, and Y-service message takers. From all my research, I’ve consistently found that the women who performed roles like during WWII never thought they did anything special. In their own words, they just “got on with it.” I beg to differ! I think these women were extraordinary, and I’m determined to keep telling stories of these dangerous wartime roles.

When I visited Bletchley Park a couple of years ago, I was captivated by the display of a real WWII motorcycle with the accompanying information about what women did as riders and message deliverers. These women drove all over England facing awful weather, poor roads and maps, bombs dropping, and so much more as they delivered important messages almost always on their own. So brave! I knew I had to feature a motorcycle dispatch rider in my Bletchley Park series. 

What has been the response to The Unquiet Translator and The Unseen Rider?

I’m thrilled with the response to both books. Readers are connecting with these brave young women and the difficult working conditions of Bletchley Park. Imagine signing the Official Secrets Act and NEVER being able to talk about your work – ever – to your parents, your friends, your future spouse or children? Or working a never-ending cycle of day, afternoon, and evening shifts year-round with few breaks? Or having to regularly work extended hours at critical times? 

Did you know that by the end of the war, almost 9,000 people worked at Bletchley Park – most of them women – and no one ever gave away the secrets of the home of the codebreakers? Amazing. Winston Churchill, then Prime Minister, called the workers “the geese who laid the golden eggs, and never cackled.”  

Hearing from my readers is the most satisfying part of my job as a writer, and just recently I heard from a reader in New Zealand. She had just finished The Unseen Rider, and sent me glowing comments about it, asking when the third book in the series would be coming out. In thanking her, I had to tell her that I had just released this book and hadn’t even started the next one yet, so it will be some months before a new book launch. It’s heartwarming to have such loyal fans enjoying my books. 

What’s next for the Bletchley Park Chronicles?

Well, the third book in the series has a title and a heroine. The Unnoticed Photographer tells Isabelle Grey’s story. She is Violet and Fern’s cousin, who lives next door and is under the thumb of a controlling mother. She has eyes on the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force but has been too young to enlist. She finally turns eighteen in early 1944, and can’t wait to start her independent life as an Aircraftwoman. 

I’m still researching at the moment, but I’m hoping to announce a release date later this year. You can sign up for my free newsletter at debstratas.com to receive book launch news, highlights of my research trips, and author spotlights. And you can get a free copy of my prequel novella, The Kingston Sisters, Before the War. 

Deb Stratas

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About the Author

Deb Stratas writes well-researched, emotionally rich stories about strong women navigating extraordinary times. Her novels transport readers to the past while inspiring them to live courageously in the present. Deb’s bestselling Kingston Sisters series comprises four books: The War Twins of London, A Burning London Sky, The Code Girl from London, and Christmas with the Kingstons which have been read by thousands of WWII historical fiction lovers. Deb is a first-round judge for the Historical Novel Society’s First Chapter competition, and is a member of the HNS, The Writer’s Union of Canada, and The Writer’s Circle of Durham Region.  Deb lives in Oshawa, Canada, and when not writing or researching, she enjoys time with her two grown children, their wonderful spouses, and two wonderful grandchildren. Find out more at https://www.debstratas.com/ and find Deb on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky @debstratasauthor.bsky.social

Book Launch: The Gift of Belonging: An historical fiction tale of love, war, and finding your way (The Wise Women series Book 3) by Cheryl Burman

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Taken from the arms of the river nymphs as an infant and raised by a woman with ancient healing gifts, Rose learned early she is different. But when told the brutal truth of her birth, her brittle sense of belonging shatters.

Rejected by her blood family and unable to fully claim the life she was given, Rose determines to remake herself.

As the winds of the Great War reshape the world, she finds purpose in nursing in the field hospitals of war-torn France. Amid the suffering and sacrifice, Rose discovers her own strengths of compassion and healing.

But love—complicated, fragile, and hard-won—comes when she least expects it, threatening everything she has built: her future, her hard-won independence, and her fragile sense of self.

Torn between past and future, duty and desire, Rose must decide who she is, what she is willing to fight for, and where she truly belongs.

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About the Author

Cheryl Burman lives in the Forest of Dean, UK with her husband. She is a multi-genre author with several books to her name including middle grade fantasy, women’s fiction and historical fantasy. Her flash fiction, short stories, and whole or parts of her novels have won various prizes. Find out more at Cheryl's website https://cherylburman.com/ and find her on Facebook, Twitter @cr_burman and Bluesky @cherylburmanauthor.bsky.social

Book Launch Interview with Richard Woulfe, Author of Master Secretary: Robert Cecil - A Life in Fiction

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In this richly imagined sequence of eighteen interlinked stories, Cecil’s voice is joined by those of his family, allies, and adversaries―Elizabeth I,  Anthony and Francis Bacon, Walter Raleigh, Ben Jonson, Arbella Stuart, and nameless spies and commoners whose lives brushed against his. From court intrigue to tavern gossip, from the grandeur of the Somerset House Peace Conference to a humble Limerick shop, these tales weave fact and fiction into a vivid portrait of one of history’s most remarkable political survivors.

I'm pleased to welcome author Richard Woulfe to The Writing Desk:

Tell me about your latest book

This is a cradle to almost-grave collection of stories relating to Robert Cecil, Secretary of State from 1586 to 1612, a role his father William Cecil had previously occupied. It begins on the day he was born, when William Cecil is trying to get home for news of the birth but is delayed by Queen Elizabeth and others, and ends with Robert discussing the design of his tomb with its sculptor. 

It covers the Lopez execution, the Essex Rebellion, the transfer of power from the Tudors (Elizabeth 1st) to the Stuarts (James 1st) and the Gunpowder Plot. Also included are Francis Bacon (Cecil's first cousin), Ben Jonson, Walter Raleigh, Arabella Stuart. Other female voices include Cecil's wife, Anne Bacon, Elizabeth Ist on her deathbed, an intelligencer, as well as the wife of a Limerick shop owner who had only vaguely heard of Robert Cecil.

What is your preferred writing routine? 

I am definitely a morning person. And start almost immediately after getting out of bed. I have this routine, which by and large I stick to: the first hour going over the previous day’s writing, followed by five hours of 200 words each. Now, 200 words does not take up a whole hour but the remainder is spent with housework, eating, brushing my teeth etc, anything that does not require much mental thought.  I try not to go on the internet (not always successfully). And after four days I take a day off, the next day should be revision only, and the day after that thinking and researching about what to write next. Then the weekly cycle begins again. I read that Anthony Trollope wrote 250 words every 15 minutes for 2 1/2 hours (with a stopwatch beside him) thus writing 2,500 words per day. No way could I match that.

What advice do you have for new writers? 

Keep going. it takes time but slowly you’ll see the number of your words rise. And that gives you the impetus to continue. You will get there eventually. Then comes the rewrite. And the next rewrite. And rewrite after that.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books? 

I don’t have much experience on this but have found fellow historical writers on Instagram to be a great help. Like we are one big club – one writer helping another. I am not very tech savvy – only joining Instagram late last year – but am hoping to learn a lot from this book.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

I had always imagined Shakespeare explaining frantically before Robert Cecil and the Privy Council why he had allowed a special performance of Richard II to be enacted. After all, the staging of the play was a way of bolstering support for the Earl of Essex, Cecil’s enemy, just before the Essex Rebellion. But then I found out that Shakespeare was not there. No, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men sent an actor/manager, Shakespeare merely being the writer. While the poor actor/manager could only offer meek apologies at first, the table turned on Cecil when Elizabeth I requested a court performance of Richard II on the day before Essex’s execution.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing? 

I briefly studied Latin at school, still know my amo, amas, amat but had to delve in deeper as Robert Cecil’s son had to learn his verbs as part of his homework set by his father. Robert Cecil had no difficulty with Latin, could almost be described as a child prodigy, but his son William no matter how hard he tried just couldn’t remember those conjugations, nor could he see why he needed to know them. Robert later wishes to be kind to his son, so asks him what he considers easy questions. William keeps making basic mistakes, getting Robert to accuse him of deliberately not trying to learn. This indicates the enormous gulf between father and son.

What are you planning to write next? 

Richard II is someone who has fascinated me for ages. He became king at the age of 10, had little guidance, was briefly deposed by the Lords Appellant, gained his revenge on them years later, before being dethroned at the age of 32. Chaucer was writing in that time, so when better to write some tales.

Richard Woulfe

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About the Author

Richard has had two radio plays produced: one by RTE Radio based on James Joyce's/Nora Barnacle's time in Trieste, the other a Victorian drama by the Wireless Theatre Company. Stage plays of his have also been performed, and short stories published. Richard is from Limerick, and now lives in London. He can be found on Instagram and X on @woulfewriter

Special Guest Post by Gemma Morris-Conway, Author of The Wolf of Whitehall (Murder in the Tower)

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In the shadow of Henry VIII’s final years, ambition burns fiercely — and desire proves more dangerous than loyalty. The Wolf of Whitehall plunges into the heart of a court still reeling from the brutal fall of Thomas Cromwell, where power is fragile, alliances are fleeting, and no one is beyond suspicion.

Why I Wrote The Wolf of Whitehall

History rarely ends neatly. It shifts, reshapes itself, and leaves behind echoes that demand to be followed. When I finished writing The Reflection in the Mirror, I found myself unable to step away from the world I had entered. The fall of Thomas Cromwell may have marked the close of one chapter in Tudor history, but it opened the door to another—one defined by uncertainty, ambition, and the fragile balance of power at the court of Henry VIII.

The Wolf of Whitehall was born from that moment of transition.The Tudor court in the early 1540s was not a place of stability. It was a court still reeling from Cromwell’s execution, where alliances were shifting and new figures were rising to prominence. Among them were the Seymour brothers, Edward and Thomas—men whose ambitions would shape the future of England in ways both profound and dangerous. Their ascent, set against the backdrop of a volatile court, provided a compelling continuation of the story I had begun.

At the heart of this period stands Catherine Parr, a figure often underestimated by history. Too frequently remembered only as Henry VIII’s final wife, she was in truth a woman of remarkable intellect, resilience, and quiet strength. In writing The Wolf of Whitehall, I wanted to explore her not as a footnote, but as a central force within a court that could be both glittering and lethal. Her stoic nature, her ability to navigate the complexities of Henry’s court, and her role in shaping the future of the young Edward VI offered a rich and deeply human perspective through which to tell this story.

What drew me most strongly to this period, however, was its sense of anticipation. There is a tension that runs through the final years of Henry VIII’s reign—a feeling that the old order is beginning to fracture, even as it clings to power. The question of succession looms large, and with it, the fate of the realm. In this atmosphere, every decision carries weight, every alliance matters, and every misstep can prove fatal.

The death of Henry VIII does not bring resolution. Instead, it ushers in a new and uncertain era: the reign of Edward VI. In The Wolf of Whitehall, I sought to capture the moment at which power begins to shift into new hands, and the consequences that follow. The rise of Edward Seymour as Lord Protector, and the growing influence of his brother Thomas, mark the beginning of a new chapter in Tudor history—one that is no less fraught with intrigue and danger than what came before.

For me, writing historical fiction is about more than recounting events. It is about stepping into the lives of those who lived through them—understanding their fears, their ambitions, and the choices they made in moments of great uncertainty. The Tudors, perhaps more than any other dynasty, offer a stage upon which these human dramas play out with extraordinary intensity. Yet behind the grandeur and the pageantry lie individuals navigating a world that is as precarious as it is powerful.

The Wolf of Whitehall continues the journey that began with The Reflection in the Mirror, carrying the reader forward into a court transformed by loss, ambition, and the ever-present question of what comes next. It is a story of survival, of shifting loyalties, and of the enduring struggle for power in a world where nothing is ever truly secure. And yet, as with all history, this is not an ending.

The story moves forward once more in the next instalment of the saga, Royal Reflections, where the consequences of these early decisions begin to unfold in full. The Tudor world continues to evolve, shaped by those who dared to seize power—and those who were forced to live with the consequences.
For me, the journey through this period has been one of discovery as much as creation. Each book reveals new layers, new perspectives, and new questions. And it is those questions that continue to draw me onward, deeper into the past, where the echoes of history are never truly silent.

I hope you enjoy both novels.

Gemma Morris-Conway

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About the Author

Gemma Morris-Conway is a British historical writer and campaigner focused on late-medieval and Tudor history. She is the author of The Reflection in the Mirror and The Wolf of Whitehall, the first two novels in the Murder in the Tower saga, both available on Amazon. A third instalment in the series is due for release this summer. Alongside her writing, she leads the Murder in the Tower initiative, which seeks to secure DNA testing of the remains believed to be those of Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, with the aim of a Christian reinterment alongside their parents. More information and petition details can be found at: www.murderinthetower.london and you can follow Gemma on Bluesky @gemma2.bsky.social

Book Review: Infidel: The Daughters of Aragon (Six Tudor Queens) By Nicola Harris

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A princess. A survivor. A daughter of Aragon.  Born in the glittering courts of Castile and Aragon and forged in the shadow of war, Catalina de Aragón grows up surrounded by queens, rebels, and ghosts. She is her mother’s last daughter, the final jewel of a dynasty built on conquest and faith, and the one child Isabella of Castile cannot bear to lose. But destiny has already claimed Catalina.

Nicola Harris’s Infidel: The Daughters of Aragon offers a compelling and emotionally resonant portrayal of Catherine of Aragon’s early life in Spain.  Known as 'Catalina', this intimate focus on her formative years offers a deeper understanding of the values, pressures, and cultural influences that would define her as Queen of England.

Catalina's upbringing within the formidable court of Ferdinand and Isabella explores how deeply her early life steeped in discipline, education, and expectation would have shaped her sense of purpose and unwavering faith.

I liked the depiction of Catalina as a curious, intelligent, and perceptive young girl, navigating the tension between innocence and responsibility. Even her moments of familial warmth and personal aspiration are overshadowed by the weight of her destiny, made more poignant by witnessing the sad fate of her brother and sisters.

Well researched historical detail supports the narrative, and the rituals, landscapes, and spiritual intensity of the Spanish court adds immersive depth to the story. Ultimately, Infidel succeeds in reframing Catherine of Aragon not as a historical figure defined by her marriage and its dissolution, but as a woman shaped by a complex and deeply influential early life. 

I am happy to recommend Infidel to anyone interested in historical fiction and Tudor history, and hope to one day read Nicola’s sequel, covering the rest of Catherine’s troubled life.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Nicola Harris has been a lifelong enthusiast of Tudor history, with a particular fondness for castles, queens, and the emotional undercurrents of court life.  Before illness changed her path, she worked with children as a Nursery Nurse. Nicola was an Aid worker in Romania for the BBC's Blue Peter Appeal in the early 1990s, Writing became a lifeline when she became seriously ill and was diagnosed with a genetic disability. Although she will  never “get better,” Nicola has completed three novels with a fourth in the pipeline. She lives in England with her husband and has two adult children—none of whom share her historical obsession, but who have endured countless castle visits with admirable patience (and the occasional ice cream bribe). Find out more at Nicola's website: https://nicolaharrisauthor.com and find her on Twitter @harris_nic59544 and Bluesky @nicolaharrisauthor.bsky.social

Historical Fiction Spotlight: Woden's Vengeance (The First Kingdom Book 3) By Donovan Cook

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

450AD Britainnia: The war has begun - a war feared by both men and gods.

But will the old give way to the new?

Prince Vortimer has imprisoned his father, King Vortigern – The High King of Britain. With Woden's spear, Vortimer believes God has chosen him to lead an army south to banish the Jutes once and for all from Britain's shores. Triumphant after the first battle, Prince Vortimer lays siege to the Jutes, but the war is far from over.

In a desperate fight for survival, Octa and the Jutish warlords, Hengist and Horsa, are trapped on Thanet, their island home, as Prince Vortimer’s army surrounds them. With dwindling numbers, their only hope is to send for reinforcements, but winter is upon them, and the journey will be perilous.

In a race against time and his own wishes, Octa leads the expedition to recruit Saxon and Jutish warriors. But will they follow young Octa the Coward? To prove himself, Octa must confront his past and seek vengeance on those who wronged his family, all while being mindful of Woden's wrath.

Can Octa stand strong as the fires of war rage around him?

And will warriors pledge their allegiance to a man known as Octa the Coward?

Praise for Donovan Cook:

'Woden’s Spear is yet another shield crunching epic from Donovan Cook. Any reader who loves battle, Saxons, warriors and adventures won’t be disappointed! A spell binding tale of early Britain certain to keep pages turning and readers entertained.' - Peter Gibbons

'Cook gives you thunderous action in a tightly woven plot. An epic adventure from a crumbling empire to a mysterious mist strewn land. Not one to be missed for fans of Cornwell and Kristian.' - Adam Lofthouse

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About the Author

Donovan Cook was born in South Africa but raised in England, and currently works as an English tutor. He is the author of the Ormstunga Saga, which includes his debut novel Son of Anger and the follow up, Raid of the Wolves. His novels come from his fascination with the Viking world and Norse Mythology and he hopes that you will enjoy exploring this world as much as he did writing about it. When Donovan is not teaching or writing, he can be found reading, watching rugby, or working on DIY projects. Being born in South Africa, he is a massive Springboks fan and rarely misses a match. Find out more at Donovan's website https://www.donovancook.net/ and follow him on Facebook, Twitter @DonovanCook20 and Bluesky @donovancook.bsky.social