Blog Tour ~ An Argument of Blood, by J.A. Ironside and Matthew Willis

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US William, the nineteen-year-old duke of Normandy, is enjoying the full fruits of his station. Life is a succession of hunts, feasts, and revels, with little attention paid to the welfare of his vassals. Tired of the young duke’s dissolute behaviour and ashamed of his illegitimate birth, a group of traitorous barons force their way into his castle. While William survives their assassination attempt, his days of leisure are over. He’ll need help from the king of France to secure his dukedom from the rebels. This fresh look at the life led by William 'The Conqueror' when he was merely a young (and not particularly successful) duke  becomes a real 'game of thrones' as the chapters alternate between events in Normandy and those on the the other side of the English Channel. The star of this book proves not to be William but instead the unlikely ten-year-old Ælfgifa, sister of Harold Godwinson. All the characters in this book have their flaws but  Ælfgifa takes it to a whole new level and steals every scene and is a character who would fit in any George R. R. Martin novel. The writing partnership of Jules Ironside and  Matthew Willis works well, with a fast pace and enough historical accuracy to prevent it becoming fantasy. There is savagery readers should expect of the period but also some insights into what it might have been like to live in such a world. An Argument of Blood also passes the test of making me want to learn more about the real history behind the events of 1066. The first of two novels of the Oath and Crown duology, I can't wait to read the second - highly recommended. Tony Riches # # # About the Authors J.A. Ironside (Jules) grew up in rural Dorset, surrounded by books - which pretty much set he up for life as a complete bibliophile. She loves speculative fiction of all stripes, especially fantasy and science fiction, although when it comes to the written word, she's not choosy and will read almost anything.  She writes across various genres, both adult and YA fiction, and has had several short stories published in magazines and anthologies, as well as recorded for literature podcasts. Books 1 and 2 of her popular Unveiled series are currently available with the 3rd and 4th books due for release Autumn/ Winter 2017.She also co-authored the sweeping epic historical Oath and Crown Duology with Matthew Willis, released June 2017 from Penmore Press. Jules now lives on the edge of the Cotswold way with her boyfriend. Find out more at her website www.jaironside.com and find her on Facebook and Twitter @J_AnneIronside Matthew Willis is an author of historical fiction, SF, fantasy and non-fiction. In June 2017 An Argument of Blood, the first of two historical novels about the Norman Conquest co-written with J.A. Ironside, was published. In 2015 his story Energy was shortlisted for the Bridport short story award. Matthew studied Literature and History of Science at the University of Kent, where he wrote an MA thesis on Joseph Conrad and sailed for the University in national competitions. He subsequently worked as a journalist for Autosport and F1 Racing magazines, before switching to a career with the National Health Service. His first non-fiction book, a history of the Blackburn Skua WW2 naval dive bomber, was published in 2007. He now has four non fiction books published with a fifth, a biography of test pilot Duncan Menzies, due later in 2017. He currently lives in Southampton and writes both fiction and non-fiction for a living. Find out more at his website airandseastories.com and find him on Facebook and Twitter @NavalAirHistory Blog Tour Schedule Monday, January 15 Review at Jaffa Reads Too Tuesday, January 16 Feature at Passages to the Past Wednesday, January 17 Review at Historical Fiction Reviews Friday, January 19 Feature at A Bookaholic Swede Monday, January 22 Review at Broken Teepee Tuesday, January 23 Review at Pursuing Stacie Friday, January 26 Feature at Let Them Read Books Monday, January 29 Review at Locks, Hooks and Books Tuesday, January 30 Feature at What Cathy Read Next Wednesday, January 31 Feature at Just One More Chapter Thursday, February 1 Feature at The Lit Bitch Friday, February 2 Review at Bookramblings Review at Impressions In Ink Monday, February 5 Review at Back Porchervations Tuesday, February 6 Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views Wednesday, February 7 Review at The Writing Desk Review at Donna's Book Blog