Book Review: The Orphan from Verona, by Siobhan Daiko

Available from 

Amazon UK and Amazon US

Verona, 1944. When an air raid strikes Elisa's home, she is left with nothing but the clothes on her back, the teddy bear clutched in her arms and her beloved older brother. Traumatised into silence, six-year-old Elisa can no longer speak and relies on Robi to guide her through this war-torn world.

Siobhan Daiko’s The Orphan from Verona balances human drama with an atmospheric sense of a city steeped in history. Set against the lingering shadows of the past, the novel offers an immersive exploration of identity and family secrets.

At the heart of the novel is a cast of compelling, related characters, and their journey through grief and personal awakening. Their relationships are portrayed with sensitivity, capturing the tension between desire and duty.

I particularly liked the details of life in occupied Verona, the counterpoint of past and present storylines and interwoven character arcs. The gradual revelation of secrets keeps readers guessing, as the plot unfolds at an engaging pace, weaving together intimate, character-driven moments with elements of mystery. 

The Orphan from Verona is a well-paced, memorable novel with a sophisticated narrative that explores the complexities of human resilience. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Siobhan Daiko is a British historical fiction author. A lover of all things Italian, she lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese dog and a Siberian cat. Siobhan was born of English parents in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in Australia, and then moved to the UK — where she taught modern foreign languages in a Welsh high school. She now spends her time writing page-turners and living the dolce vita sweet life near Venice. Her novels are compelling, poignant, and deeply moving, with strong characters and evocative settings, but always with romance at their heart. You can find more about her books on her website www.siobhandaiko.org and follow her on Facebook and Twitter @siobhandaiko

Book Review: Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: The Real Kat Ashley by Rosemary Griggs

Available for pre-order from

Amazon UK and Amazon US

Some of the most intriguing people in Tudor history are those who stood outside the spotlight. Katherine 'Kat' or Kate Ashley is one of these. Best known as the governess and confidante of Queen Elizabeth I, she played a pivotal role in the future queen's life, yet is overshadowed by more famous figures around her. 

In Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: The Real Kat Ashley, Rosemary Griggs sets out to change that with a thoroughly researched and engaging biography.

I particularly liked the extracts from letters and contemporary accounts, as researching someone like Kat Ashley is a real challenge. Much of her life has to be inferred from the correspondence of others. It takes persistence and an historian's instinct to piece together fragments into a convincing narrative.

The structure of the book reflects those challenges. The first part sets the scene, exploring on the Tudor world and the Ashley family, providing some context for a woman whose early life remains largely undocumented. Part two picks up the pace as Kate enters Princess Elizabeth's household. 

Rosemary Griggs paints a convincing and nuanced portrait of a woman who was more than a governess. Kate Ashley was a teacher, mentor, protector and trusted companion, remaining loyal through some of the most dangerous years of Elizabeth's life. The chapters covering the Thomas Seymour affair are well handled, presenting the available evidence with balance.

The last part of the book shifts gear again as Elizabeth becomes queen. Kate Ashley appears less frequently in the surviving records, but Rosemary Griggs demonstrates how her influence remained significant.

This biography serves as a reminder of how people behind the scenes often shaped events in ways that are easily overlooked. Rosemary Griggs deserves credit for the painstaking research that underpins this book, as well as for producing a narrative that remains accessible throughout.

Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: The Real Kat Ashley is recommended for anyone interested in Tudor history. More importantly, it allows Kate Ashley the recognition she deserves, transforming her from a familiar name in the footnotes into a remarkable woman whose influence on England's greatest queen must not be underestimated.

Tony Riches

I would like to thank the publishers, Pen and Sword History, for providing a review copy of this book.

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About the Author

Author and speaker Rosemary Griggs has been researching Devon's sixteenth-century history for years. She has discovered a cast of fascinating characters and an intriguing network of families whose influence stretched far beyond the West Country. She loves telling the stories of the forgotten women of history — the women beyond the royal court; wives, sisters, daughters and mothers who played their part during those tumultuous Tudor years: the Daughters of Devon. Her novel A Woman of Noble Wit tells the story of Katherine Champernowne, Sir Walter Raleigh’s mother, and features many of the county’s well-loved places. The Dartington Bride, published March 2024, is the extraordinary tale of Lady Gabrielle Roberda Montgomery who travelled from France to Elizabethan England to marry into the prominent and well-connected Champernowne family. Rosemary creates and wears sixteenth-century clothing, a passion which complements her love for bringing the past to life through a unique blend of theatre, history and re-enactment. Her appearances and talks for museums and community groups all over the West Country draw on her extensive research into sixteenth-century Devon, Tudor life and Tudor dress, particularly Elizabethan. Out of costume, Rosemary leads heritage tours of the gardens at Dartington Hall, a fourteenth-century manor house and now a a historic visitor destination, events venue and thriving community of businesses, colleges and more. You can find out more on Rosemary’s website:  https://rosemarygriggs.co.uk/ and follow her on Bluesky and Twitter @RAGriggsauthor

Blog Tour Book review: The Making of Marigold McGrath: A Novel of London in the Second World War, by Carrie Hayes

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

New York City, 1937. Seventeen-year-old Marigold McGrath is coming undone. Her mother is dead. Her father is drawn to dangerous politics. The only place she feels joy is behind a camera — where she can frame the world on her own terms. After a series of her own missteps, she reinvents herself in London. She falls in love with Joop, a charming Dutch student, and shrugs off the war gathering around her.

Readers could be forgiven for thinking there isn’t much more to say about London during the Blitz, yet Carrie Hayes’s The Making of Marigold McGrath is a fresh and sometimes moving story.

Seventeen-year-old Marigold McGrath leaves New York to make a new life as a photographer in London. She tries to frame the world on her own terms, documenting the arrival of Kindertransport children, but the beginning of the devastating Blitz forces her to choose what kind of observer she is going to be.

I particularly like Carrie Hayes’s engaging character development, and the London setting is well researched and authentic. Marigold’s journey from a privileged teenager to a wartime photographer is convincing and often poigniant.

If you like original WW2 historical fiction, this is a story of survival and resilience that I am happy to recommend.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Carrie Hayes lives with her husband and two spoiled dogs in a rambling Victorian house just outside of New York City. Her previous historical Fiction novels deal with the suffragist movement. Find out more at www.carriehayeswrites.com and find Carrie on Facebook and Instagram

Book Review of Two Graves (REVENGE Book 3) by Terry Tyler

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Two novellas. Two lives changed forever by the need for retribution.

Terry Tyler continues to impress with compelling Story telling and talent for building psychological suspense in Two Graves, the third instalment of her REVENGE series.

 
This double novella delivers two different stories, yet both explore the dark consequences of obsession, betrayal and the desire for retribution with remarkable insight. The series is built around standalone tales of revenge, each examining how seemingly ordinary people can be driven to extraordinary actions.

I particularly liked the believable, flawed characters whose motivations feel authentic, even when their choices become increasingly disturbing. The tension builds steadily, drawing the reader deeper into lives where every decision carries unforeseen consequences.

The novella format suits Terry Tyler's writing perfectly, and the pacing is superb throughout. Both stories are tightly plotted, with enough twists to keep you guessing without feeling contrived. Just when you think you know where events are heading, the narrative changes direction, delivering endings that are satisfying and thought-provoking.

Two Graves is another excellent addition to the REVENGE series, and I look forward t0 wjhat comes next. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Terry Tyler lives in the North East of England with her husband, where she goes for long walks with camera in hand, feeds birds and tries to grow stuff, as well as ploughing through her TBR list and writing books.  She loves history, particularly Saxon, Plantagenet and Tudor, and is still waiting for the zombie apocalypse. You cna find Terry on Twitter @TerryTyler4, Instagram @terry__tyler  and Bluesky @terrytyler.bsky.social

Book Review: Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor, by Nathen Amin

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The third book in Nathen Amin's Henry VII trilogy shines a spotlight on the (often ignored) Welsh lineage of Henry Tudor, going back into the lives of his ancestors for eight generations. 

Described by historians as 'ground breaking', this comprehensive book is now the definitive account of the people and events which led up to the founding of the Tudor dynasty.

Nathen Amin shows how this context is so important for understanding our history. I was aware of how the Welsh used referred to Henry Tudor as the 'Son of Prophecy' of the title, but never thought about how deeply rooted this idea was in Welsh culture - or quite how long they had been waiting to see the prophecy fulfilled.

I have stood on the shingle beach at Mill Bay, close to my home in West Wales, where Henry and his small army made landfall, and recommend this book to anyone who wants a richer understanding of why he took such a great risk - and succeeded. 

Tony Riches 

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About the Author

Nathen Amin grew up in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, and has long had an interest in Welsh history, the Wars of the Roses and the early Tudor period. His first book Tudor Wales was released in 2014 and was well-received, followed by a second book called York Pubs in 2016. His third book is a full-length biography of the Beaufort family. He is the founder of the Henry Tudor Society and has featured discussing the Tudors on BBC radio and television, as well as in print and online media across the UK. He has a degree in Business and Journalism and now lives in York, where he works as a Technical Writer. Find him on Twitter @NathenAmin.

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Book Review: Anne Boleyn's First Love: The Life of Henry Percy, by Jan-Marie Knights

Available from Amazon UK

and pre-order from Amazon US

In the Tudor court, love blossomed when Henry Percy met Anne Boleyn. However, their romance was abruptly torn apart by Cardinal Wolsey, who chastised Percy, an earl’s son, for choosing to marry the daughter of a mere knight. Despite a spirited defence, Percy was ordered 

to no longer see her.

Much has been written about the story of Anne Boleyn, but history often relegates the men who loved her to the footnotes. In Anne Boleyn's First Love: The Life of Henry Percy, Jan-Marie Knights takes one of the most enigmatic figures of the Tudor era out of the shadows and places him in the spotlight. The result is a moving, meticulously researched, and compelling biography that breathes life into a well-trodden era.

To most Tudor enthusiasts, Henry Percy, the 6th Earl of Northumberland, is remembered as the young man who betrothed himself to a young Anne Boleyn - only to have his plans ruined when Cardinal Wolsey and King Henry VIII intervened.

 
Jan-Marie Knights proves Percy’s life was more complex, tragic, and influential than this single, thwarted romance. The book recreates the youthful affair between Anne and Henry, proposing a genuine affection that threatened Wolsey’s political scheming.

Henry Percy was banished into the dangerous world of border politics as Lord Warden of the Marches, defending England against Scottish raids while battling illness and financial ruin. In a cruel twist a broken Percy was later forced to sit on the jury that condemned Anne Boleyn to death.

This book achieves a balance between historical fact and narrative empathy as we explore the life of a man caught between duty, a tyrannical king, and an unforgettable love. Accessible yet rich with interesting detail, drawing heavily on contemporary letters, we glimpse a deeply human Henry Percy, a man flawed, physically ailing, yet loyal to his family’s legacy despite what might have been.

I recommend Anne Boleyn's First Love for anyone who appreciates an empathetic look at the human collateral of the Tudor court. Jan-Marie Knights has given the earl the dignified biography he has long deserved.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Jan-Marie Knights is an ex- editor and journalist who has worked on many newspapers and magazines and is a keen researcher of local and Tudor history.

Book Review: Queen of Shadows, by Anna Belfrage

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun. Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.

In Queen of Shadows, Anna Belfrage brings warmth and vulnerability to the perilous and centuries-old scandal of the relationship between Alfonso XI and Leonor de Guzmán. 

King Alfonso is charismatic and astute. Beneath the armour of kingship is a man burdened by expectation and loneliness his relationship with Leonor is the emotional refuge that steadies him amid the brutality of court politics.

 
Leonor de Guzmán emerges as an intelligent and emotionally resilient figures who understands the dangers surrounding her position. Every privilege granted by Alfonso’s devotion carries with it the threat of ruin, yet her strength is in her  refusal to surrender her dignity in a political storm.

What makes Queen of Shadows especially compelling is the tension between tenderness and danger. Every exchange between Alfonso and Leonor unfolds beneath the shadow of suspicion and looming betrayal. Anna Belfrage sustains this atmosphere, ensuring that the quietest moments shimmer with unease.

 
The supporting cast deepen the emotional complexity, particularly through the characters of Alma and Rodrigo. Alma brings a grounded emotional perspective, offering moments of compassion, insight, and wisdom that counterbalance the ruthlessness of the court.

 
Rodrigo embodies the tensions of loyalty and survival in a fractured kingdom. His presence adds another layer to this exploration of the personal sacrifices demanded by power. Together, these characters ensure the narrative extends far beyond the royal couple at its centre.

Queen of Shadows succeeds because the characters are shaped by desire and ambition, yet doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of the time. The result is a historical novel of epic scale which leaves the reader with a sense of the humanity behind the legends of history.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. Anna has just released the final instalment, Their Castilian Orphan,  in her other medieval series, The Castilian Saga ,which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has recently released Times of Turmoil, a sequel to her time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding. . .  Find out more from Anna's website  www.annabelfrage.com  and find her on Facebook, Bluesky and Twitter @abelfrageauthor

Sign up to Anna’s newsletter to keep up with new releases, give-ways and other fun stuff: http://eepurl.com/cjgatT

Book Review: HEROICA by Alison Morton

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Even the strongest state is vulnerable to its past: Three stories of the women of the Mitela family, descendants of the founders of Roma Nova, bound by blood and courage.

Alison Morton’s latest book HEROICA is a masterclass in alternative history and grounded world-building, a sweeping epic that serves as an entry point for new readers and a welcome return for long-time fans of her Roma Nova series.

In HEROICA, Alison explores three eras to highlight the enduring spirit of her fictional nation. Each of these stories and could have formed part of a trilogy, but the economy of storytelling is effective and compelling.

What makes HEROICA insightful is its exploration of continuity. For me, the the central idea is that while  technology and fashions evolve, the core values of a society, such as loyalty and resilience are the threads that endure.

Whether you prefer Alison Morton's meticulously researched Roman culture or a well-paced mystery, HEROICA delivers an entertaining narrative. This is a world that feels like it should have existed.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her twelve-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but use a sharp line in dialogue. She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history. Alison lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes For the latest news, subscribe to her newsletter at https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter/ and receive 'Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’ as a thank you gift.  Connect with Alison on her World of Thrillers site: https://alison-morton.com and Alison’s writing blog https://alisonmortonauthor.com/. You can find Alison on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky @alisonmorton.bsky.social and Twitter/X: @alison_morton

Book Launch Review: Roman Life on Hadrian’s Wall by Claire Millington

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

With a fascinating selection of images and thoughtful insights, this book will inform and change how you think about everyday Roman life at this remote frontier, the most-visited Roman remains in Britain.

Claire Millington’s Roman Life on Hadrian's Wall is a refreshing look at one of the most iconic frontiers in history. While many texts focus heavily on the battles fought and the stones laid, Claire shifts the focus to the lived experience of the people who called Hadrian's Wall home.

The strength of this book is its inclusivity. Claire Millington talks about the entire community, and shows how Hadrian's Wall became like a string of connected ‘villages’. By synthesizing archaeological evidence with a narrative flair, she reveals a bustling world of families and camp followers, including the women and children who lived in the vici (civilian settlements) outside the forts, and merchant traders who kept the frontier supplied.

l particularly liked the stories of the "small finds", such as discarded shoes, personal letters and household pottery. These fragments of the past are transformed from museum exhibits into entry points for understanding Roman anxieties, celebrations - and mundane routines.

Whether you are a Roman historian or a casual reader interested in British heritage, this book is accessible, with an engaging narrative. An essential addition to any history lover's bookshelf. Claire Millington reminds us the grandeur of Rome wasn't only built on conquest, but on the quiet, resilient lives of individuals stationed at the edge of the known world.

Tony Riches

(A review copy was kindly provided by Amberley Publishing)

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About the Author

Dr Claire Millington is a Roman archaeologist, academic and writer. She has written fiction, non-fiction and poetry ever since winning the BBC Jackanory poetry competition aged 6 ½. Her love of Roman archaeology was sparked during a posting to Rome for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, after which she undertook a master’s degree through the Open University. Her PhD is from King’s College London where she is a Visiting Research Fellow.  She is a huge public archaeology fan so she was thrilled to work on the Time Team excavations of Broughton Roman villa (2021 and 2022), as well as surveying and recording foreshore archaeology as a volunteer with the Museum of London Archaeology Thames Discovery Project, and excavating Roman forts at Vindolanda. Find out more at https://clairemillington.com/ and follow Claire on Bluesky @clairemillington.bsky.social

Book Review: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest, by Sharon Bennett Connolly

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England’s enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest explores the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it. 

Here’s a good question for when it’s a bit quiet in the pub: Who was the first royal princess? One of the many interesting things I learned from Princesses of the Early Middle Ages was ‘Princess’ was the general title ‘Princess’ wasn’t used for daughters of the monarch until 1642, when King Charles I created the title "Princess Royal" for his eldest daughter, Mary.

Having read Sharon Bennett Connolly ‘s earlier book I was surprised by this slim volume, but then found this is ‘part one of two’, with the ‘sister’ book, Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets to follow.

Highly readable and entertaining, this is the sort of history book I wish I had as a boy. It can’t have been easy to navigate the often obscure details of the early Anglo-Saxon princesses, yet this is Sharon Bennett Connolly’s specialist area. The result is one of the most comprehensive accounts you will find.

I challenge anyone with an interest in medieval Britain to not find something they will learn from this book, and I look forward to the next instalment. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

(I would like to thank the publishers, Pen & Sword History, for prividing an advance review copy/)

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About the Author

Sharon Bennett Connolly is the best-selling author of historical non-fiction. Her latest book, Scotland’s Medieval Queens, will be published on 30 January 2025. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, she also writes the popular history blog, www.historytheinterestingbits.com and co-hosts the podcast A Slice of Medieval with historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Sharon regularly gives talks on Women's History; she is a feature writer for All About History, Tudor Places and Living Medieval magazines and her TV work includes Australian Television's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' You can find out more about Sharon's books on Amazon and follow her on Facebook, Twitter/X and Bluesky

Book Review: The Queen's Painter, by Wendy Holden

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

When the brilliant young Holbein arrives at the Tudor court, Anne Boleyn is among his first patrons. As she rises to the top, Hans rises with her. Courtiers clamour for his portraits of life-like accuracy; pictures which tell the truth about their subjects.

Readers could be forgiven for thinking there is nothing much left to write about the sad end of Anne Boleyn – then along comes a fresh perspective to make them think again.  Wendy Holden’s new novel, The Queen’s Painter, tells her story through the perceptive eyes of an unexpectedly relatable Hans Holbein the Younger.

Ann Boleyn’s presence haunts the narrative, whispering in Holbein’s ear and recurring flashbacks. 

I particularly liked the way the truth about the mysterious woman Jennet is revealed – a masterclass in holding back character details while offering subtle clues for best effect. 

Wendy Holden surprises the reader by having her characters use occasional modern language. This helps bring the key players to life, such as her version of a devious Thomas Cromwell, a worldly-wise Thomas Wyatt, and a king who reminds Hans Holbein of ‘a decaying whale, huge, stinking and stranded, looking at Hans with nasty little blue eyes.’  

I also enjoyed the well-researched details of Holbein’s paintings and techniques. I doubt I will ever look at one in quite the same way again.

2026 marks the 500th anniversary of Holbein's arrival in England, so this is the perfect time to become better acquainted with the artist. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Wendy Holden's books have sold over 3m copies in 14 languages worldwide. Born in Yorkshire, Wendy read English Literature at Girton College, Cambridge and spent fourteen years as a journalist on the Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, Harpers & Queen and Tatler before becoming a novelist.  Her experience on glossy magazines was the inspiration for her debut, the smash-hit comedy Simply Divine. Wendy then pivoted to historical fiction with the bestselling Windsor Trilogy. The Governess was about Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford, the young Scottish teacher who brought fun and normality to the childhood of Elizabeth II. The Duchess explored the incredible rise of Wallis Simpson whilst The Princess traced the young Diana Spencer’s extraordinary path to the altar.  Find out more at Wendy's website 

https://www.wendyholden.net/about_me.php

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

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

Blog Tour Book Review: The Enemy’s Wife (Survivors of War, Book 2) by Deborah Swift

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

1941. When Zofia’s husband Haru is conscripted into the Imperial Japanese Army, she is left to navigate Japanese-occupied Shanghai alone. Far from home and surrounded by a country at war,  violence tightens its grip on the city, she seeks shelter with her American employer, but the horrors of war and Haru’s absence begin to reshape Zofia’s world – and her heart.

The second instalment of Deborah Swift’s Survivors of War series delivers a powerful and often harrowing exploration of love, loyalty, and moral courage amid the devastation of what became the longest battle of the Second World War.

Set amid the authentic chaos of wartime Shanghai, the atmosphere is tense and claustrophobic. Threaded with moments of unexpected tenderness, Deborah Swift's storytelling is intimate yet cinematic in scale. I particularly liked the nuanced and layered characters, and how even minor players reveal unexpected back stories.

The protagonist Zofia’s internal conflict, torn between duty, survival is handled with sensitivity. Deborah Swift presents wartime choices as morally fraught, and deeply human. The relationships at the heart of the story are shaped as much by hope as fear and loss.

The Enemy’s Wife is an absorbing, compassionate novel with emotional depth and ethical complexity. It is a testament to resilience in the darkest of times—and a reminder that even in war, humanity and kindness endure. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

See also Review of Last Train to Freedom, Book One of the  Survivors of War series 

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About the Author

Deborah Swift lives in North Lancashire on the edge of the Lake District and worked as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV. After gaining an MA in Creative Writing in 2007 Deborah now teaches classes and courses in writing and provides editorial advice to writers and authors. Find out more at Deborah's website www.deborahswift.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter @swiftstory

Blog Tour Review: Fool: A Tudor Jester's Reckoning in the Court of King Henry VIII, by Mary Lawrence

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Appearances are not what they seem... Kronos is a fool in the court of King Henry VIII. Jeered for his dwarfism, lauded for his juggling...and discreetly desired by noble ladies. One dangerous moment of eavesdropping nearly costs him his life. Brutally maimed and abandoned, he is rescued by an apothecary and nursed back to health. When his rescuer learns of Kronos's import, he contrives to make himself a rich man.

Mary Lawrence’s latest novel, ‘Fool’ is an epic journey from being abandoned as a malformed infant on a midden heap to the court of King Henry VIII.  Told mostly in retrospect, our unreliable narrator is named ‘Kronos’ by his rescuers, with typical irony. 

I enjoyed the well observed details of his early life at a monastery, although it is hard to think of a character less well suited to monastic discipline.

This story builds on the author’s excellent ‘Bianca Goddard Mystery’ series, exposing the harsh and dangerous realities of life for the lower levels of Tudor society. I also liked the inventive use of language, enough to convey an authentic sense of time and place.

Not for the squeamish, there are some disturbing details of cruelty and injustice, yet these are plausible and typical of the period.

I hope Mary Lawrence will consider a sequel, as like all the best stories, ‘Fool’ leaves the reader wanting to know more. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Mary Lawrence lives in Maine and is the author of five Bianca Goddard Mysteries set in Tudor London featuring a cast of commoners. Bianca uses her wits and a smattering of alchemy to solve murders in the slums of Southwark. Suspense Magazine named The Alchemist’s Daughter and The Alchemist of Lost Souls "Best Books of 2015 and 2019” in the historical mystery category and each mystery has been a top 100 best-selling historical mystery. Her articles have appeared in several publications most notably the national news blog, The Daily Beast. Fool is a standalone Find out more at www.marylawrencebooks.com and find her on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky @marylawrence.bsky.social

Book Review: The Turncoat’s Revenge (Lord's Learning Book 3) by Eleanor Swift Hook

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Spring 1628: England is at war with France as the rest of Europe consumes itself in increasingly bitter conflict. n Dunkirk, Philip Lord, disgraced adventurer, has a new ship and through it the chance to gain enough from his privateering to follow his guiding star. But when he must risk everything to rescue a fellow Dunkirker at sea, he and the ever-loyal Jorrit are thrown into mortal danger.

The Turncoat’s Revenge continues the ‘Lord's Learning’ prequel to Eleanor Swift Hook’s ‘Lord’s Legacy’ series. exploring the consequences of divided loyalty. From several points of view we examine what it means to navigate duty and desire when the stakes are high and the path forward is anything but clear.

Although this is a work of historical fiction, I was impressed by the skill with which real historical figures and events are seamlessly woven into the tapestry of the story. As well as grounding the narrative with immersive period detail, these reak events provide the characters with a compelling context.

Having read the ‘Lord’s Legacy’ series, I also enjoyed the layers of back story which continue to be revealed. At times brutal and even shocking action reminds readers of the challenges of the era, and make this boo a real ‘page turner.’ Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Eleanor Swift-Hook enjoys the mysteries of history and fell in love with the early Stuart era at university when she re-enacted battles and living history events with the English Civil War Society. Since then, she has had an ongoing fascination with the social, military and political events that unfolded during the Thirty Years' War and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. She lives in County Durham and loves writing stories woven into the historical backdrop of those dramatic times. You can find out more about the background of Lord's Legacy on her website www.eleanorswifthook.com and find her on Twitter @emswifthook

See Also:

Book Review: The Mercenary's Blade (Lord's Legacy Book 1)

Book Review: Dynasties: The Noble Families of England by Patrick Coleman

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

With origins in the powerful earldoms of the Saxon period, the aristocracy is woven into the fabric of England. Going from Tudor and Stuart courtiers to Georgian and Victorian magnates, the noble families more recently suffered a decline before their rise from the ashes as guardians of heritage

Patrick Coleman focuses on the stories and myths behind the families who shaped English history from the medieval period to modern times, so the book is more like a collection of historical narratives than a reference guide.

The author admits in his introduction that his selection of families and stories is subjective, but I found the chapters on some of the less well-known families interesting. The book also examines how the fortunes of these ‘Dynasties’ related to events in British history. 

There is also some discussion of how their estates still shape popular ideas of British aristocracy, from Longleat Safari Park to TV dramas like Downton Abbey.

Dynasties: The Noble Families of England is an informative introduction to the world of the English aristocracy for anyone interested in the powerful families who helped shape the country’s past.

Tony Riches

I would like to thank the publishers, Amberley, for providing a review copy.

Book Review: Missing... Rose Malone, by Linda Huber

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Josiane Kent is worried. Her friend Rose has posted zero photos on social media all week, despite being on holiday in Edinburgh, the most photogenic city ever. Not only that, she isn’t answering her phone. Something isn’t right. Josiane, along with Rose’s on-off boyfriend Matt and Val, Rose’s boss, starts investigating.

Linda Huber’s new thriller Missing… Rose Malone is a psychological suspense mystery with emotional depth – and a steadily tightening sense of unease. 

The story is full of clues to keep readers guessing, and explores how a single traumatic event ripples through interconnected lives and relationships. 

Strong characters and authentic realism strengthen the impact, as readers become invested in the outcome of the mystery and the personal arcs within the narrative.

Missing… Rose Malone is an engaging and well-constructed thriller that will appeal to readers who appreciate character-driven mysteries with strong psychological elements. Does it end with a surprising twist? You will have to read it to find out.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Linda Huber grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged twenty-two, and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and schools for handicapped children, and teaching English in a medieval castle. Linda’s writing career began in the nineties, when she had over fifty feel-good short stories published in women’s magazines. Her newest project is a series of feel-good novels set in her home area on the banks of Lake Constance in N.E. Switzerland. She really appreciates having the views admired by her characters right on her own doorstep! Find out more at Linda's website https://lindahuber.net/ and find her on Facebook, Twitter @LindaHuber19 and Bluesky @lindahuberauthor.bsky.social