15 September 2024
Book Launch: Birth of the Red Dragon: Wales and the Wars of the Roses, by Stephen David
14 September 2024
Book Review: The Last Bookshop in Prague, by Helen Parusel
12 September 2024
New in Paperback: A Court of Betrayal: The gripping new historical novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author Anne O'Brien
Soon Johane finds herself swept up in a world of treacherous court politics and dangerous secrets as her husband deposes Edward II and rules England alongside Queen Isabella.
Yet when Roger is accused of treason, she is robbed of her freedom and must survive catastrophic events in her fight for justice - with her life, and her children's, hanging in the balance...
Will she pay for her husband's mistakes, or will she manage to escape from a terrible fate?
About the Author
Anne O’Brien was born in West Yorkshire. After gaining a BA Honours degree in History at Manchester University and a Master’s in Education at Hull, she lived in East Yorkshire for many years as a teacher of history. She now lives with her husband in an eighteenth-century timber-framed cottage in the depths of the Welsh Marches in Herefordshire, on the borders between England and Wales, where she writes historical novels. The perfect place in which to bring medieval women back to life. Find out more at Anne's website http://www.anneobrien.co.uk/ and find her on Facebook and Twitter @anne_obrien
11 September 2024
Book Launch Guest Post by Deborah Swift, Author of Operation Tulip
The Oranjehotel – Prison of The Resistance
Originally constructed in the late 19th century, the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague was a large fortress-like building used as a standard prison for convicted criminals. However, during the Second World War the Nazi occupiers repurposed it as a prison for political objectors, resistance fighters, and those accused of anti-Nazi activities.
Who was held at the Oranjehotel?
Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite priest and professor, was one example. He was a man who vocally opposed Nazi ideology and worked to maintain the freedom of the Catholic press. Arrested in 1942, he was held in the Oranjehotel before being transferred to Dachau concentration camp, where he eventually died. Brandsma's courage and faith in the face of persecution have made him a revered figure in Dutch history.
Many people were imprisoned for small misdemeanours, the so-called ‘anti German activities.’ Women formed 11% of the population. One of the best-known people imprisoned there was Corrie ten Boom, who survived the war to tell people about Ravensbrück concentration camp. Many like her were tortured during interrogation then sent on to other prisons or camps.
Life inside
The prison was renowned for its harsh conditions, brutal treatment, and the atmosphere of constant fear. The cells were frequently overcrowded, with many prisoners crammed into small, poorly ventilated spaces. Interrogation sessions were frequent and brutal. The Gestapo used beatings, psychological torture, and deprivation as common tactics. Despite this, many prisoners, driven by a deep sense of duty and loyalty to their cause, resisted giving up any information that could endanger their comrades.
Waalsdorpervlakte is an area in the dunes near the Oranjehotel which was used by the Germans for firing squad executions. Over 250 members of the Dutch resistance were executed there. This meant the psychological strain of imprisonment was immense. Prisoners faced constant uncertainty about their fate, knowing that execution could come at any moment.
Despite the oppressive environment, the spirit of resistance persisted within the walls of the Oranjehotel. Prisoners found ways to communicate, support each other, and even continue their resistance activities from behind bars. Messages were smuggled in and out of the prison through various means, including hidden notes in laundry, and food deliveries. This was an aspect I used in the novel, where my character Nancy, along with her colleagues, uses the laundry delivery to try to rescue a Resistance worker from inside.
Legacy
10 September 2024
Book Review: Birth of the Red Dragon: Wales and the Wars of the Roses, by Stephen David
Stephen David's Birth of the Red Dragon: Wales and the Wars of the Roses is a compelling and fresh perspective on one of the most tumultuous periods in English history. By focusing on Wales's pivotal role in the conflict, this book sheds new light on the Wars of the Roses, revealing how the Principality's strategic importance and complex political landscape shaped the course of the dynastic struggle.
The narrative seamlessly integrates Welsh history within the broader context of the Wars of the Roses, and explores the complex and shifting relationships and allegiances between the English crown, Welsh lords, and the Welsh people.
One of the book's strengths is its ability to challenge conventional interpretations of the Wars of the Roses. Stephen David argues that Wales was not a passive player in the conflict, but an active and influential force. He highlights the contributions of Welsh soldiers, the importance of Welsh resources, and the strategic value of Welsh territory in determining the outcome of the dynastic struggle.
Birth of the Red Dragon is a meticulously researched and will appeal to both historians and general readers interested in the Wars of the Roses. David's engaging prose and insightful analysis make this book a valuable addition to the literature on this fascinating period in English history.
Tony Riches
5 September 2024
Book Review: Operation Tulip, by Deborah Swift
It is a long time since I read a book with such a chilling sense of inevitability, as the pebble thrown into the pond right at the start creates ripples endangering the lives of everyone.
Operation Tulip by Deborah Swift is a gripping historical fiction novel and follows undercover British agent Nancy Callaghan as she navigates the treacherous waters of Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II.
Deborah Swift weaves a tale of love, espionage, and the resilience of the human spirit's. Nancy's mission, code-named Operation Tulip, is to infiltrate the Dutch SS and gather vital intelligence. Her courage and determination are unwavering, even as she faces the constant threat of discovery and betrayal.
I was struck by the paradox at the core of this book, that to defend moral standards, it is sometimes necessary to sacrifice them.
Deborah Swift avoids the danger of the SS commanders being stereotypes by occasional glimpses of their humanity, but ultimately their crimes are too great for any sympathy.
The novel offers an unexpected glimpse into the the chaos and division between the competing factions of the Dutch resistance, and the vivid descriptions of the war-torn landscape and the hardships endured by the Dutch people are poignant and often harrowing.
One of the strengths of Operation Tulip is the development of its characters. Nancy is a compelling protagonist, her strength and vulnerability making her relatable and endearing. The supporting cast, including her lover, Tom, and her resistance contacts, are well-drawn, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
While Operation Tulip is a thrilling read, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought against tyranny. It is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure hardship and hope for a better future. Highly recommended.
Tony Riches
3 September 2024
Special Guest Post by Giles Keating, Author of Anne of Athelhampton and the Riddle of the Apes (The Anne of Athelhampton Trilogy Book 1)
2 September 2024
Special Guest Post by Tracey Warr, Author of of Love’s Knife (Trobairitz Sleuth series 1)
Writers and artists have been secondary characters in all my previous novels, but they take centre stage in this new novel. As a musician and poet, Beatriz is always listening to the sounds around her. Her friend Anna has a different sensory experience of events. She cannot hear sounds but she can lipread and is a keen observer. There is also a sculptor in Love’s Knife, who is working on the grand new pilgrim church being built in Toulouse – Saint-Sernin – and he plays an important role in the story.
I had a number of key starting points for the novel:
- A writing residency I undertook in the high village of Farrera in the Catalan Pyrenees, where I first started imagining Beatriz and her story and saw the frescos of the Master of Pedret in one of the tiny mountain chapels
- A portrait painting of Alice Butts by Whistler, which gave me Beatriz’s face and some of her characteristics
- A silver triple-pin disc brooch from the Middle Ages in the British Museum
- Memories of my grandfather, who was deaf.
I live in southern France, near Toulouse, so I am surrounded by inspirations for the story. I also travelled to several places that Beatriz goes to in pursuit of the murderer, including Poitiers, Conques and Aigues-Mortes. You can see more on my research for the novel on my Substack: https://traceywarr.substack.com
Tracey Warr
Tracey Warr was born in London, lived in southwest Wales and now lives in southern France. The castles and landscapes of Wales and France inspire her historical fiction. She is the author of six historical novels set in medieval Europe and centred on strong female leads. She draws on old maps, chronicles, poems and objects to create fictional worlds for readers to step into. Her writing awards include an Author’s Foundation Award, a Literature Wales Writer’s Bursary, and a Santander Research Award. Before becoming a full-time writer she worked as a contemporary art curator and art history academic. Tracey is part of the group organising author launch interviews for the Historical Novel Society website. She is also part of the team organising the next Historical Novel Society UK conference at Dartington Hall in Devon 6–8 September 2024. Find out more at https://meandabooks.com and follow Tracey on Facebook and Twitter @TraceyWarr1. You can sign up for the Meandering quarterly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/ifTA_P