Book review ~To the Edge of the Sky: A Story of Love, Betrayal, Suffering, and the Strength of Human Courage, by Anhua Gao

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

This is one of the most touching, memorable and remarkable books I've read in a long time. My knowledge of life in communist China was the typical western mix of Chairman  Mao's little red book and atrocities in Tiananmen Square, until I read Jung Chang's story,  Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China. 

Anhua Gao's To The Edge of the Sky is an equally vivid first-hand account of one woman's struggle to against impossible odds. For me, the examples of cruel injustice and betrayal by her own family and colleagues were the most shocking aspects of her story. 

Amazingly, Gao and others learn to forgive, and there are many touching examples of people risking their own lives to protect others. In particular, she is helped by a senior judge, who could have so easily have turned his back but instead saves her life, and most probably that of her young daughter.

Gao's story is a 'must-read' for anyone who wishes to understand modern China. For the first time, I was able to see how the communist regime was able to develop and thrive. I also feel I have an insight into how anyone could live under such extreme oppression. I admire Gao's strength in adversity, although there were times when I wondered how she could possibly survive.

I'd like to end with a quote from Gao's book:  

'It is difficult for me to describe adequately the horrors of the cultural revolution. All I can do is write what I know to be true. You will have to imagine the terror for yourself.'

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Anhua Gao (her name means Tranquil Flower) was born in 1949, the year that Mao Tse Tung declared the foundation of the People's Republic of China.  Her parents were highly respected in China but by the time she was eleven years old both had died leaving her to face the challenges of communism with her remaining family. Eventually escaping to a new life in Britain (her mother once pointed out the island country to her on a Chinese world map, located on the far left "on the edge of the sky"), she has become a best-selling author.

Tudor Book Launch: The Scandal of Christendom (Above All Others; The Lady Anne Book 4) by G. Lawrence

New on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Autumn, 1530: Cardinal Wolsey has fallen. 

The notorious Cardinal and Chancellor is gone. But even with the death of her greatest enemy, Anne Boleyn finds herself no closer to her goal to become Queen and marry the man she loves. Katherine of Aragon is still Queen of England, Rome and the Emperor Charles of Spain stand against Henry's wish to place Anne on the throne, and there is increasing dissent in England. Armed with words and deeds, Anne must fight on. She has allies and friends, but as her path to the throne becomes increasingly controversial, she finds many foes too... including Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas More.

Believing the King must be pushed into a radical mind-set, Anne, along with Cromwell and Cranmer, work through Parliament, the Church and court, attempting to make their King into both Pope and Emperor within England. Henry will rule over a Church of England, as the temporal and spiritual leader of his people, and with that title will come the break from the shackles of Rome.

In a war against the Church, against slander, sedition, and many enemies, Anne struggles on, yet even as the dawn of her new life arrives, it does not come easily. And as she toils, Anne becomes aware that the fight for her throne is transforming her into a different person; one who is isolated, volatile, and at times, cruel. Reasurring herself that when she becomes Queen, all will be well, Anne strides ahead, but will the love that has sustained her for so long endure under such pressure? And will the people of England ever accept her as their Queen?

The Scandal of Christendom is book Four in the series Above All Others: The Lady Anne, by G. Lawrence

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About the Author

Gemma Lawrence is an independently published author living in Cornwall in the UK. She studied literature at university says, 'I write mainly Historical Fiction, with an emphasis on the Tudor and Medieval periods and have a particular passion for women of history who inspire me'.Gemma can be found on Wattpad and Twitter @TudorTweep.

Guest Post by John Bell, Author of The Circumstantial Enemy: An astounding, based-on-true-events WW2 thriller

Available on Amazon UK, Amazon US

and Amazon CA

On the wrong side of war, there is more than one enemy… When Croatia becomes a Nazi puppet state in 1941, carefree young pilot Tony Babic finds himself forcibly aligned with Hitler’s Luftwaffe. Unbeknownst to Tony, his sweetheart Katarina and best friend Goran have taken the side of the opposing communist partisans. The threesome are soon to discover that love and friendship will not circumvent this war’s ideals.

“If you don’t write it, Grandad’s story will be lost forever.” My daughter had said this to me almost 20 years ago. I still remember the yearning in her eyes. Grandad was 80 at the time. The family had heard his war stories repeatedly. Harrowing tales of tribulations. As a young air force pilot, he was coerced onto the wrong side of WWII with the German invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941. 

The Germans dispatched him to the Russian front – from there to scouting the Adriatic Sea where he would parachute into the frigid waters with 3 bullets lodged in his body – after that, unsanitary Italian hospitals, North African detention centers, and finally POW camps in Illinois and Louisiana where he would spend the rest of the war. His troubles were far from over. Upon repatriation, he became an enemy of the state in Tito’s newly-created communist regime. 

The circumstance for nodding to my daughter’s request for a biography was compelling. Following months of research and interviews with Grandad, I self-published enough copies for the family and a few generations to come. I thought I was done with writing. But then another circumstance hit me in the solar plexus. My career as a corporate CEO of a Fortune 500 organization came to a sudden end with the sale of the company. 

On my back as I bailed from the corner office was another type of parachute, a golden one. Though financially secure, I was too young to retire; I decided to reinvent myself as a corporate strategy consultant. With that career shift came plenty of travel and lonely nights in hotel rooms.

How would I use all of that down-time? I began blogging about leadership, strategy, and branding on my website CEOafterlife.com – pumping out weekly blogs. Three years and 150 blogs later, I thought back to Grandad’s story. Could I fictionalize it into a thrilling novel? Maybe. After penning a few chapters of what would become The Circumstantial Enemy, 

I was struck by my naivety. I knew zilch about fiction-writing. I didn’t write another word for a year having thrown myself into self-help books on how to write fiction. My next mistake was penning a manuscript of 225k words. People said it was too long; I cut it back to 180k. Then another 200 pages went into landfill before literary agent Eric Nelson agreed to help.

Though Eric loved the story, he thought I needed better structure and focus. He also said he was shifting his own focus to the lucrative business book market. I said that I could write a business book for him. Nine months later, Do Less Better: ThePower of Strategic Sacrifice in a Complex World was released by Palgrave Macmillan USA.

Do Less Better was an easy transition from blogging. Writing fiction was not. Composing historical fiction was to become the biggest challenge of my professional life. I had the first draft of The Circumstantial Enemy complete in 2 years. I needed another 3 years for rewriting and editing as well as checking the historical facts and all those little details of the 1940s that had to be error-free. And then there was another 3 years of fine-tuning while I tried to persuade bona-fide publishers to take on the project. In the end, my persistence paid off.

Twenty-four years have passed since I left the corner office. It seems like half that long. Much has changed, including me. Somehow, I reinvented myself. Transformation is never easy. Reinvention never happens without passion, determination and hard work. At 71, I am a rookie historical novelist. More importantly, I’m just another an everyday guy getting out of life what he’s putting into it.

John Bell

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About the Author

John R. Bell was born in Chigwell, UK and now resides in British Columbia, Canada. Before becoming an author of business books and historical fiction, he was a CEO, global strategy consultant, and a director of several private, public, and not-for-profit organizations. A prolific blogger, John's musings on strategy, leadership, and branding have appeared in various journals such as Fortune, Forbes and ceoafterlife.com. His business book, Do Less Better. The Power of Strategic Sacrifice in a Complex World was published in 2014 by Palgrave Macmillan USA. His historical novel, The Circumstantial Enemy was released by Endeavour Press UK in 2017. Find out more at John's website www.ceoafterlife.com and find him on Facebook and Twitter @JohnRichardBell

Spotlight on LEGACY The Reunion, by Michelle E. Lowe

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Legacy-The Reunion is a fast-paced adventure story, chock-full of memorable characters living in a world of magic and machines.

Britain's most notorious thief of the 19th century, Pierce Landcross, has been captured by the royal guards and is being taken back to London to face trial. Along the way, Lieutenant Darius Javan informs Pierce that his parents, Nona and Jasper, are imprisoned at Newgate.

Evening arrives, and the soldiers make camp. In the dead of night, they're attacked by a vampire who frees Pierce. Remembering his parents, Pierce flees to London to seek help from an old smuggling boss of his, Juan Fan. After hashing out a plan, Pierce goes into the prison disguised as a guard. Everything goes like clockwork until he discovers that a young Russian woman named Taisia Kuzentsov has also been arrested with his parents, and they refuse to leave without her. 

After a daring escape, everyone regroups at Fan's opium den where Pierce is told that his folks had come to London to see about an inheritance left to them by Nona's late brother. Pierce goes to the lawyer, Christopher Ainsworth, to collect the money only to find out that to gain the inheritance he must first follow a series of clues through the Netherlands to its location. Pierce and Taisia leave together to search for it. Meanwhile, the lawyer sends a dangerous bounty hunter, Rupert Swansea, to follow them so to take the inheritance for himself.

With every clue Pierce and Taisia find, they uncover untold secrets about his family and soon learn there is more to the journey than initially believed.

Michelle Lowe

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About the Author

A Georgia born native, Michelle Lowe has spent most of her life near the Atlanta area before pulling up stakes and moving clear across the country with husband, Ben, and their two daughters. She's a big nerd at heart who loves reading science-fiction and fantasy stories and enjoys watching old B horror films. She also gets a kick out of playing classic Atari video games and does oil painting as a hobby.  Michelle's works include several published novels such as The Warning, Cherished Thief, Atlantic Pyramid and Children's books, Poe's Haunted House Tour, and The Hex Hunt series. Her latest published escapade is her steampunk/fantasy novels, titled Legacy, and Legacy-The Reunion, the first two out of a six-part series. Find out more at Michelle's website: www.michellelowe.net and find her on Facebook and Twitter @MichelleLowe_7

Blog Tour ~ Guinevere: The Dawn of Legend, by Cheryl Carpinello

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

"Think before acting," her father always warned. But Princess Guinevere is ruled by her heart. Her betrothal to King Arthur has not changed this. When Guinevere and Cedwyn's latest adventure takes a dangerous turn, they find themselves embroiled in a life-or-death struggle as foretold by Merlyn's Goddess of the Stones.

Today I would like to welcome author Cheryl Carpinello:

Tell us about your latest book

Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend is the 2nd book in what is now my Guinevere trilogy. At the Dawn of Legend is really Cedwyn's Story, Guinevere's loyal friend. Back in 2007, when I first conceived the idea of a story about Guinevere as a young girl, I never intended on writing a sequel. Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend introduced my young readers to this not-so-simple princess and gave them a glimpse into that mystical world of Arthurian Legend which was my intention.

Through the intervening years since Guinevere's publication, a small voice kept bouncing around in my head. Nothing could silence it. Finally one day, I gave in and listened. As I suspected, it was Cedwyn, Guinevere's friend. He insisted that I keep my promise-made in On the Eve of Legend-and make him a knight. Still I resisted and repeated that I never intended to write a book two. Finally, in 2015, I gave in. And so, in book 2, amid all the adventure and danger, Cedwyn gets to be a knight, but not in any way he ever imagined.

Oh, I also agreed to write one more book to complete the trilogy and give Guinevere and Cedwyn their closure.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I usually only have three days a week that I can actually sit down and write. On those days, I compose with pen and paper. When I do put my writing into the computer, it gives me an opportunity to do an edit that I'd miss otherwise. When I can't physically write, I work in my head. This involves sorting out plotting details, characters' actions, and seeing whether what I plan on doing will work. It sounds a little crazy, but it works for me.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

First, Read: Read other authors who write what you want to write to get an idea of what's out there. Read from the classics whose authors made words work for them and their audiences. Read books on the craft of writing as an author should always be learning.

Second, Write: Write without worrying about what you are writing. Save the critique for later after that first draft is finished. Write as often as you can.

Third, Stay Positive: Don't get discouraged. Writing is not easy. It takes time, patience, and thick skin!

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

My audience is obviously too young to buy on line. My target audience are parents and their kids (ages 9-14). I do a ton of school fairs, Christmas markets, and Spring Fairs as well as the Colorado Medieval Festival held each year in Loveland CO. I also do Medieval Writing Workshops in elementary schools across the Denver area. I'd love to try Skype visits.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

Having taught Arthurian Legend at the high school level for 25 years, very little research was needed. My husband and I also spent 3 weeks over in the UK a year before I started the book, so I was familiar with the settings. The research I did have to do was related to the distances a rider could cover on horseback and in a wagon. The site I used as my reference was http://www.speedofanimals.com, if anyone is interested in the information.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

I didn't have trouble with my scenes but with my timeline. At one time, I had three sets of characters that I needed to track and match with the others' movements. Even at the end of my writing, I still struggled with this. I spent one entire day (8 hours) on my living room floor with chart paper, speed charts, and the individual chapters laid out working to make sure it all synced. I actually had it down to the hours and minutes!

What are you planning to write next?

I've just finished up a small work of short stories and excerpts from my Arthurian Tales, Guardian of a Princess & other shorts. My second picture book Grandma's Tales 2 went to my production/layout specialist just after Valentine's Day.

I have a couple of projects in the wings. I need to get more research done for Guinevere Book 3 as this takes her and Cedwyn into Gaul (Medieval France). I'm also working on the basics for another book in my Young Knights of the Round Table Series.

However, the first draft of Book 1-The Atlantean Horse-in my Feathers of the Phoenix series is nearly completed. Rosa, from Sons of the Sphinx, is the lead character there along with a new character, her cousin Jerome. Rosa will again bring her ability to hear the dead, while Jerome has a special ability he's just unlocked. Book 1 reveals the family secret behind those abilities as well as a jaw-dropping discovery for Rosa and Jerome as well as my readers.

Cheryl Carpinello

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About the Author

Cheryl Carpinello is a retired high school English teacher. She says, 'My profession introduced me to writings and authors from times long past. Through my studies and teaching, I fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, I hope to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through my Tales and Legends for Reluctant Readers set in these worlds-Ancient Egypt, Medieval Wales, and coming soon, a hair-raising adventure through ancient worlds in search of 5 rare Phoenix Feathers.' Find out more at Cheryl's website www.beyondtodayeducator.com and find her on Facebook and Twitter @ccarpinello

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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Book Launch ~ Sexuality & Its Impact on History: The British Stripped Bare

New on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Learn of the scandals and romance that shaped Great Britain. This provocative collection of essays depicts the cultural and societal kinks of the British, from the Anglo-Saxons, Medieval, Tudor, Regency, and Victorian eras. Discover the ménage that changed the course of the Anglo-Saxon throne, go undercover to explore Courtly Love, learn about the business of Tudor and Regency marriages.

Read of a possible dalliance involving Queen Anne Boleyn, and the controversial marriages of Mary, Queen of Scots. Peek into the bedrooms of Victorian prostitutes. Each story provides shocking detail about what was at the heart of romance throughout British history. Would you swig a magic potion or plot to kill your husband in order to marry your lover?

These are just two of the many romantic and sexual customs from British history that you will explore when seven authors take us through the centuries, revealing that truth is stranger than fiction when it comes to love. From bizarre trivia about courtly love, to techniques and prostitution, you’ll encounter memorable nuggets of provocative info that you'll want to share with friends and co-workers.

It's all here: Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom, ménage a trois, chastity belts, Tudor fallacies, royal love and infidelity, marriage contracts (which were more like business arrangements), and brothels, kept women, and whorehouses. Take a peek at what really happened between the sheets. Each story provides you with shocking detail about what was at the heart of romance throughout British history.

The Impact of Sexuality in History: The British Stripped Bare chronicles the pleasures and perils of the flesh, sharing secrets from the days of the Anglo-Saxons, medieval courtly love traditions, diabolical Tudor escapades—including those of Anne Boleyn and Mary Queen of Scots—the Regency, and down to the ‘prudish’ Victorian Era. This scholarly yet accessible study brings to light the myriad varieties of British sexual mores.

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About the Authors

Emma Haddon-Wright is from Plymouth UK and a lover of all things macabre & mysterious. She has a BA (Hons) Medieval to Modern European History. She is devoted to her family, history and is thrilled to be included in Sexuality & Its Impact on History: The British Stripped Bare! You can find her on Twitter @RedLunaPixie

Annie Whitehead spends her life researching and writing about Anglo-Saxon history; the kingdom of Mercia in particular. She is an editor for English Historical Fiction Authors, the winner of the Historical Writers' Association/Dorothy Dunnett Award, and is a member of the Royal Historical Society. She's written three novels set in Mercia, blogs at Casts Light upon the Shadow, and was a previous Independent Author Network Book of the Year Finalist. She is currently writing a history of Mercia to be published in the autumn of 2018. Find her online at http://anniewhiteheadauthor.co.uk/ on Facebook and  Twitter @ALWhitehead63

Jessica Cale is a romance author, editor, and historian based in North Carolina. Originally from Minnesota, she lived in Wales for several years where she earned a B.A. in History and an MFA in Creative Writing while climbing castles and photographing mines for history magazines. She kidnapped (“married”) her very own British prince (close enough) and is enjoying her happily ever after with him in a place where no one understands his accent. She is the editor of Dirty, Sexy History at www.dirtysexyhistory.com and can be found on Facebook and Twitter @JessicaCale

Maryanne Coleman lives in the English countryside and can be found mainly digging in archives, or her garden. Her passions are King Arthur, Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe. She has many degrees, mainly in English Literature, Tudor History, and Elizabethan Theatre. She isn’t online, so no need to look for her. Although she may often be found at Heathrow Airport waiting on a flight to the French Riviera.

Judith Arnopp’s life-long passion for history eventually led her to the University of Wales where she gained a B.A. in English and Creative Writing, and a Masters in Medieval History. Her first novel, Peaceweaver was published in 2009, quickly followed by two others. Her best-selling Tudor novel, The Winchester Goose lead her to create five more novels covering the lives of Anne Boleyn, Katheryn Parr and Elizabeth of York. The King’s Mother is the third book in The Beaufort Chronicles a trilogy following the fascinating life of Margaret Beaufort. She is researching her eleventh novel. Judith’s non-fiction work has been published in various historical anthologies and she is active online at  www.judithmarnopp.com and at Facebook  and Twitter @juditharnopp

Gayle Hulme was born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland and after many years of soaking up island life in Jersey, Channel Islands she returned to Scotland via historic Warwickshire, England. Back in bonnie Scotland she now enjoys hanging out with husband Paul, son Jamie and two silly, but adorable dogs, Millie and Spot. Weekdays are spent motivating women as a group fitness instructor. She spends weekends travelling the UK investigating dusty corners of historical castles, palaces and museums. Her passions and fascinations are hugely diverse. In the morning she could be reading about her favourite royal heroine Queen Anne Boleyn and by the afternoon she might be at Ibrox Stadium cheering on the Glasgow Rangers FC. By evening she could be away with the fairies or learning about ancient Hawaiian wisdom. Find her at https://anneboleynreflections.wordpress.com/

Dr. Beth Lynne is a freelance editor and author. She has a Bachelors in English (SUNY Albany), Masters in Elementary Education, Special Education (LIU/CUNY Queens), Education Administration, and a doctorate in Education Leadership (Rowan University). Originally from New York, Beth worked as a teacher in the New York City Public Schools before moving to New Jersey, where she worked teaching social studies, science, math, and English to a variety of grade levels. She decided to pursue her passion and self-published four books on Amazon. During this time, she discovered her forte was editing. Thus, BZ Hercules, named after her pets at the time, was born! Beth devoted herself to the art of examining the work of others, creating e-books and print books. This venture has been so successful it enabled her to retire from teaching in 2017. Beth currently lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and several pets. Contact her at www.bzhercules.com on Facebook and Twitter @bzhercules1

Hunter S, Jones is passionate about the history of romance, science and music, a.k.a. sex, drugs and rock & roll. She has a popular history blog, and is a historian for Past Preservers Casting. When she isn’t writing, talking or tweeting about kings, queens and rock stars, she’s living the dream in Atlanta, Georgia with her Scottish born husband. Find out more at her website www.huntersjones.com  and follow her on Facebook  and Twitter @HunterS_Jones

Historical Fiction Spotlight ~ Once a Queen: A Story of Elizabeth Woodville (Plantagenet Embers), by Samantha Wilcoxson

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Elizabeth Woodville is tormented by impossible choices.

Her husband is dead, and her sons have disappeared. Should she gamble her future upon her daughter, Bess, and a Tudor exile? Or should she trust her brother-in-law who has stolen the throne from her son?

Faced with events she cannot control, Elizabeth is forced to trust others in a way she never has before, sometimes with tragic consequences. She was once a queen, but now she is at the mercy of Fortune's Wheel, which seems to be turning at the beckoning of her enemies.

Elizabeth's story is a poignant tale of love, loss, and betrayal during the birth of the Tudor dynasty.

Once a Queen is a Plantagenet Embers novella and companion to 'Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen: The Story of Elizabeth of York'. Now, read Elizabeth Woodville's side of the story.

'Wilcoxson is BRILLIANT at capturing Elizabeth. She wrote Elizabeth with amazing complexity: one one hand fragile and tender and tormented while being cold and cruel and hard as nails on the other. I don't know how she created that balance, but it's perfection.' ~ Author Stephanie Churchill

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About the Author

Samantha Wilcoxson is an American writer and history enthusiast. She has written three novels and works as a freelance writer. Living with her husband on a small lake in Michigan with three kids, two cats, and two dogs, Samantha has plenty of writing inspiration. 'Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen' has been named an Editors' Choice by the Historical Novel Society. Find out more at https://samanthawilcoxson.blogspot.co.uk/ and find Samantha on Facebook and Twitter @carpe_librum