Cherie Reich - Author: historical

Showing posts with label historical. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Between Two Fires by Mark Noce #historical #review

Saxon barbarians threaten to destroy medieval Wales. Lady Branwen becomes Wales’ last hope to unite their divided kingdoms when her father betroths her to a powerful Welsh warlord, the Hammer King.

But this fledgling alliance is fraught with enemies from within and without as Branwen herself becomes the target of assassinations and courtly intrigue. A young woman in a world of fierce warriors, she seeks to assert her own authority and preserve Wales against the barbarians. But when she falls for a young hedge knight named Artagan her world threatens to tear itself apart. Caught between her duty to her people and her love of a man she cannot have, Branwen must choose whether to preserve her royal marriage or to follow her heart. Somehow she must save her people and remain true to herself, before Saxon invaders and a mysterious traitor try to destroy her.

“A spirited ride through a turbulent slice of Welsh history!” – Paula Brackston, NYT Bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter

“A fast-paced read that has a wonderfully visual style and some memorable characters. Mark Noce combines Welsh history with a touch of folkloric magic in this promising debut novel. Lady Branwen is a strong and engaging narrator and the turbulent setting of early medieval Wales makes a fine backdrop for an action-packed story.” – Juliet Marillier, Bestselling author of Daughter of the Forest and Wolfskin

Release Date: August 23, 2016

Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also met his beautiful wife. By day, he works as a Technical Writer, having spent much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. In addition to writing novels, he also writes short fiction online. When not reading or writing, he’s probably listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening with his family.

His debut novel, Between Two Fires, is being published by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin's Press and Macmillan). It is the first in a series of historical fiction novels set in medieval Wales.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Mark's Between Two Fires. Here is my review:

Lady Branwen may often feel like a pawn, but even a pawn may stop a king in Mark Noce's Between Two Fires. The time of King Arthur may have passed, but the time of Lady Branwen has come. Branwen exudes a wisdom beyond her years and balances the traditions of the Old Tribes with the new Christian religion. She still makes plenty of mistakes, but she blossoms into a strong woman worthy of the Welsh people. The romance between her and Artagan is a bright spot in the novel. I couldn't help but want Branwen to be happy. Noce's lush descriptions transported me to the late sixth century Wales. An intriguing mystery of who wants Branwen dead weaves throughout the scenes and kept me guessing. Between Two Fires by Mark Noce combines complex political intrigue of sixth century Wales with sweet romance and a page-turning mystery.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Two Excerpts from Catherine Stine's Witch of the Cards #historical #fantasy #witches

“Oh, Ivy?” Mr. Dune implored. He grabbed a card deck from a basket on a shelf. In three long strides, he was in front of me, looking as imposing and dashing as he had when we’d entered his establishment. “I want you to have this.” He held it out.

One of his illustrated Tarot decks wrapped in cellophane! A hot flush of pleasure and embarrassment shivered up my neck. “Oh, I couldn’t, really.” I didn’t even know him. Why would he do this? “It doesn’t seem right. I can’t pay you.”

“I insist.” He held it out further, the light glinting off his silver fox-head ring.

***

“Have you always had a talent for the unseen?” Peter asked me.

“Whatever do you mean? It was you who saw things that weren’t there.” I had to right myself because I was swooning and swaying so much I nearly fell into his lap.

“But it was you who eked it out of me.”

“Little old me?” I giggled.

Fiera was born a sea witch with no inkling of her power. And now it might be too late.

Witch of the Cards is historical, supernatural romantic suspense set in 1932 on the Jersey shore. Twenty-two year-old Fiera has recently left the Brooklyn orphanage where she was raised, and works in Manhattan as a nanny. She gets a lucky break when her boss pays for her short vacation in Asbury Park. One evening, Fiera and her new friend Dulcie wander down the boardwalk and into Peter Dune’s Tarot & Séance, where they attend a card reading.

Fiera has always had an unsettling ability to know things before they happen and sense people’s hidden agendas. She longs to either find out the origin of her powers or else banish them because as is, they make her feel crazy. When, during the reading, her energies somehow bond with Peter Dune’s and form an undeniable ethereal force, a chain of revelations and dangerous events begin to unspool. For one, Fiera finds out she is a witch from a powerful sea clan, but that someone is out to stop her blossoming power forever. And though she is falling in love with Peter, he also has a secret side. He’s no card reader, but a private detective working to expose mediums. Despite this terrible betrayal, Fiera must make the choice to save Peter from a tragic Morro Cruise boat fire, or let him perish with his fellow investigators. Told in alternating viewpoints, we hear Fiera and Peter each struggle against their deep attraction. Secrets, lies, even murder, lace this dark fantasy.

One $40 gift card, two hand-painted heart-boxes (by Catherine) with secret treasure inside, one signed paperback of Dorianna by Catherine Stine, one signed paperback of Witch of the Cards by Catherine Stine, one brand new collector Tarot deck along with an envelope full of special swag!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I had the honor of meeting Catherine in person on Saturday, April 2 at the Roanoke Author Invasion. It was awesome to meet her, and I'm looking forward to reading my signed copy of Witch of the Cards soon.

Friday, September 23, 2011

#fridayflash "Adrift"

*Well, I thought you might be getting tired of the future within the Last Trilogy, so I decided to turn toward a pirate novella WiP titled Heart's Plunder. This character in this flash scene isn't one of the main characters, but he starts the adventure for the female protagonist of the story. And, yes, I know I'm being vague. ;) *

Adrift

The devil storm had ended hours ago, or was it days? Sunlight baked my head, dulling my senses. I shifted upon the broken boards. My make-shift raft dunked me under the ocean before we bobbed to the surface. I coughed and sputtered the water. Salty air filled my nostrils and I snorted it away.

I closed my eyes but refused to sleep. Sleep meant death in a watery grave. I had no attentions of meeting Davy Jones any time soon.

"Madre de dios, ayúdame." My fingers rubbed against the damp wood like prayer beads.

I was so tired. Hungry. Thirsty. In a sea filled with life, I floated toward death.

My eyelids peeled apart. Sunlight shimmered upon the waters and distorted my vision. I wanted to think of my family, but their faces wouldn't surface. I could only call on Our Lady for help.

"Madre de dios, escúchame."

I slipped lower on the raft and scrambled back up it. Slower this time. My strength shrank when I needed it. I clung to the boards, to my faith. My eyes closed again against my will. I was a weak man.

I'd once been a soldier for the Spanish Armada.

I didn't know if I would survive until night.

Water surrounded me chest-high. I swallowed and winced at my raw throat. I longed for my family.

What did they look like?

Now just my upper body held onto the boards. I breathed in, struggling to open my sealed-shut eyes.

"Madre de dios, por favor..."