The Hammer of the Scots: Edward I and the Scottish Wars of Independence, by David Santiuste

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US 

Known to posterity as Scottorum Malleus - the Hammer of the Scots - Edward I was one of medieval England's most formidable kings. This book offers a fresh interpretation of Edward's military career, with a particular focus on his Scottish wars. 

In part this is a study of personality: Edward was a remarkable man. His struggles with tenacious opponents - including Robert the Bruce and William Wallace - have become the stuff of legend. But David Santiuste also explores the wider context of Edward's Scottish campaigns. He describes the effects on people at all levels of society, providing a richly detailed portrait of the British Isles at war.

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About the Author

David  Santiuste is a historian of medieval England and Scotland. Edward IV and the Wars of the Roses is his first book. Other publications include contributions to 'Medieval Sexuality: A Casebook' and 'Medieval Warfare'. David's interest in history was first inspired as a child, visiting castles and battlefields with his family. He went on to study at the University of St Andrews, earning a master’s degree with distinction. He currently teaches history at the Office of Lifelong Learning, University of Edinburgh.. David is the creator, with Rae Tan, of the website 'Reflections of the Yorkist Realm' (www.yorkistrealm.com). This is a project devoted to the history and heritage of Yorkist England, featuring a selection of Rae's photographs with complementary text. Follow David on Twitter @dbsantiuste.

Potholes on Memory Lane (Or So It Seems) by Robb Lightfoot

Available on Amazon US and Amazon UK

Humor is watching a sailboat sinking... when it belongs to Robb Lightfoot. Here's a collection of short, family-friendly humor about living in the country, having brain fade, rebooting a road trip, and trying to make your kids do their homework.

    About the Author

Robb Lightfoot is a humorist who teaches, writes and performs in Northern California. His work can be sampled on his website at www.robblightfoot.com or read weekly in his trademarked column, "Or So It Seems." He's married to Karin, his partner for more than 31 years. Follow Robb on Twitter @robblightfoot 

Historical Fiction Spotlight ~ Médicis Daughter: A Novel of Marguerite de Valois, by Sophie Perinot @Lit_Gal

New on Amazon US and Amazon UK

It's the winter of 1564 and the beautiful young Princess Margot is summoned to her mother's household, where her true education begins in earnest. Known across Europe as Madame la Serpente, Queen Catherine is an intimidating and unmoving presence in France, even as her country recovers from the first of many devastating religious wars. Among the crafty nobility of Queen Catherine's royal court, Margot learns the intriguing and unspoken rules she must live by to please her manipulative family.

Eager to be an obedient daughter, Margot embraces her role as a pawn to be married off to the most convenient bidder. Despite her loyalty, Margot finds herself charmed by the powerful and charismatic Duc de Guise and falls for him even as she is promised to another. Finally setting aside her happiness for duty, Margot leaves the man she loves for Henri of Navarre, a Huguenot leader and a notorious heretic. Yet Queen Catherine's schemes are endless, and Margot's brother plots vengeance in the streets of Paris. Forced to choose between her family and what's right, Margot at last finds the strength within herself to forge her own destiny.

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About the Author

Sophie Perinot writes historical fiction. Her debut novel, The Sister Queens was set in 13th century France and England and wove the captivating story of sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens. Ms. Perinot has both a BA in History and a law degree. She left the practice of law to pursue artistic interests, including writing. An avid reader, especially of classic literature, and life-long student of history, it seemed only natural that Sophie should write historical fiction. As someone who studied French abroad and a devotee of Alexandre Dumas, French history was a logical starting point. An active member of the Historical Novel Society, she has attended all of the group's North American Conferences and served as a panellist multiple times. When she is not visiting corners of the past, Sophie lives in Great Falls Virginia with her three children, three cats, one dog and one husband. To learn more about Sophie and her work, visit http://www.sophieperinot.com and find her on Twitter @Lit_Gal.

How to murder a king – the mysterious death of King Henry VI

I would like to sincerely thank all the readers around the world who have made Owen – Book One of The Tudor Trilogy an Amazon best seller. I am now close to completing the first draft of Jasper – Book Two of the Tudor Trilogy and have been taking a closer look at the untimely death of Owen’s stepson, Jasper Tudor’s half-brother, King Henry VI.

Imagine, for a moment, you are Edward of York, returned to the throne of England for the second time – and determined to learn from mistakes which nearly cost your own life. Having placed the devout but confused King Henry in the Tower of London (and captured and imprisoned his troublesome wife, Queen Margaret) you must worry just a little that he will become at best a martyr to Lancaster, at worst the focus for a new rebellion.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Place your ambitious younger brother (Richard of York) in charge of the Tower where the king is held – and make sure nobody sees you wink when you tell him to make sure he takes care of him.
2. Make sure you have a good alibi for the night of the 21^st May 1471, and avoid the Tower of London or any discussion of the former king’s health or lack of it.
3. Profess great sadness when you learn the king had died of grief and melancholy in the night and issue a proclamation (press release) to make sure everyone knows the official story.
4. Put the late king’s body on public display in St Paul’s cathedral to stop any rumours that he is actually alive and well and just waiting to be rescued.
5. Arrange to be crowned the next day, as if nothing has happened.

I think it would be trickier these days. When King Henry’s body was put on display, only his face was visible, instead of his whole body, the normal custom. People turning up to pay their respects were also alarmed to see a pool of blood on the pavement but were reassured when told this was simply proof the king had died of his grief.

Sir William St John Hope
Assistant Secretary of the
Society of Antiquaries

When Henry’s tomb was opened by curious (but unqualified) investigator Sir William St John Hope in 1910, the back of his skull was found to be shattered, as could be caused by a blow from a heavy object such as a sword or poleaxe. They also noted that some hair remained, which seemed to be matted with a dark substance that looked like dried blood.

There are still arguments about who might have inflicted the horrific wound, although the list of suspects is rather short. 

Tony Riches

Historical Fiction Spotlight ~ The Edge of the Fall, by Kate Williams @KateWilliamsme

New on Amazon UK and Amazon US

From New York Times bestselling author Kate Williams, the story of Celia and her family, started in The Storms of War, continues. In the aftermath of the Great War, the de Witt family are struggling to piece together the shattered fragments of their lives.

Rudolf and his wife Verena, still reeling from the loss of their second son, don't know how to function in the post-war world. Stoneythorpe Hall has become an empty shell with no servants to ensure its upkeep.

Celia, the de Witt's youngest daughter, is still desperate to spread her wings and see more of the world. To escape Stoneythorpe and the painful secrets that lie there, she moves to London and embraces life and love in the Roaring Twenties.

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About the Author

Kate Williams studied her BA at Somerville College, Oxford where she was a College Scholar and received the Violet Vaughan Morgan University Scholarship. She then took her MA at Queen Mary, University of London and her DPhil at Oxford, where she received a graduate prize. She also took an MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway. She now teaches at Royal Holloway.  

Follow Kate on Twitter @KateWilliamsme  and visit her website

Book Launch Guest Post ~ Kindling Volume II: A Writer's Edit Anthology

New on Amazon US and Amazon UK

Writer’s Edit is an online literary magazine and independent press, all about supporting and celebrating writers worldwide. From our supportive editorial team to the hundreds of articles featuring insightful writing advice, we seek to empower. We’re also on a mission to bring more beautiful books into the world.

The online literary magazine houses hundreds of fantastic articles about writing, industry news, tips on getting published and inspiration. As tea-loving bookworms and writers we understand the ups and downs of the writer’s life. Therefore, everything you see on the website seeks to provide advice, support and encouragement. We’re a platform for the writers, by the writers.

We try to make our editorial process as supportive, helpful and constructive as possible. Feedback from trusted fellow writers is an indispensable part of the writer’s life, journeying from novice to experienced wordsmith. We believe the writer’s life, though at times confusing and challenging, is rewarding and not necessarily one of solitude.

It’s our digital format that grants us the perfect environment to establish and cultivate a thriving online writing community. With new articles published weekly, there’s always more to enjoy! The strong social presence of our editorial team, contributing writers and readers also helps to cultivate conversations and a sense of community.

In 2014 we also becamean independent press. Our first book, Kindling Volume I, features inspiring works of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Since the inception and publication of our proudest achievement, a number of our authors have gone on to release full-length books and win literary awards. We’re thrilled to be a part of their journey from pen and paper to publication.

This year, we decided to continue the Kindling legacy. On November 18^th 2015 we’ll be launching our 2nd volume of Kindling, another literary feast of fantastic short stories, nonfiction essays, poetry and writing advice. Kindling is our way of bridging the gap between the modern digital world, and the traditional roots of writing – the print book.

Earlier this year, we launched two additional initiatives to celebrate the best of emerging talent: the Short Story of the Month and Poem of the Month. Winning submissions are published on our site, drawing in avid readers to incredible authors. Every piece is a testament to the endless talent of Australian and international writers. Without these inspiring individuals, Writer’s Edit wouldn’t be the creative online space it is today.

We also love to host regular giveaways, often featuring giftcards to Amazon and similar retailers. The writer’s life is by nature one of reading, so we’re always looking to spread the book love.

Writer’s Edit offers writers from all walks of life a supportive community and a platform for publication. If you’re ready to embrace an online space devoted to writers and created by writers, then it’s time to join the Writer’s Edit community. All writers, whether young or old, local or international, emerging or established, are welcome.

Bernadette Mung

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About the author:

Bernadette Mung is an Editorial Assistant at Writer’s Edit. She currently studies a Bachelor of Communications (Creative Writing) at the University of Technology, Sydney, and plans to complete a postgraduate degree in Editing and Publishing. Most of her days begin with a cup of earl grey tea. Since first reading Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree as a child, Bernadette has fallen all the more in love with the art of storytelling. Most days will find her reading and writing short fiction, though future plans involve several novels and a flourishing blog. You can find Bernadette on Twitter @BernadetteMung and also follow @WritersEdit.

Historical Fiction Spotlight ~ Le Temps Viendra: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, by Sarah Morris

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Anne is a young, 21st century woman in the midst of a life-long love affair with the 16th Century and the enigmatic Anne Boleyn. Whilst indulging her secret passion on an exclusive 'Anne Boleyn Connoisseurs' Weekend', she is taken seriously ill at Hever Castle. 

Falling into a deep state of unconsciousness, Anne becomes ensnared in a time portal that transports her back in time to England, 1527. She awakens to find herself in the body of her heroine, Anne Boleyn; at the time, a young woman on the brink of an historic love affair with the mighty King Henry VIII. 

Anne finds herself at the centre of Henry's world, yet increasingly vulnerable as the figurehead of the emerging and evermore powerful Boleyn faction. Whilst she learns what it is to walk in the footsteps of the woman who would change English history, she is also engulfed in mixed emotions and only too aware of how her relationship with Henry mirrors that of her 21st century relationship with Dan, her married lover.

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Find out more at www.anneboleynbook.co.uk and find Dr Sarah A. Morris on Facebook and Twitter @LeTempsViendra