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 It's always a pleasure to introduce a new Australian author... and here with her debut novel THE STATIONMASTER'S COTTAGE is Phillipa Nefri Clark. “Decades old family secrets, a rundown cottage with heartbreaking history and a spectacular coastal locale is at the heart of intriguing romance, The Stationmaster’s Cottage. Weaving the love stories of two women, separated by time but forever tied together by lineage, it will delight readers who enjoy unravelling secrets of the past.” 5 star review About THE STATIONMASTER'S COTTAGE Betrayed, heartbroken, proud... she ran into a deadly storm. Christie Ryan’s life is everything she hoped for. An exciting job, exotic travel, a waterfront home and a fiancé, Derek, are the pieces that make it almost perfect. Finally she has the stability and love she craved throughout her childhood. But the death of her estranged grandmother threatens everything. Christie finds herself in an abandoned cottage in a small seaside town, uncovering a family mystery through old love letters. She seeks help from reclusive artist Martin Blake, but their aims clash. As the secrets of the past begin to unravel, however, so does Christie’s safe world. The Stationmaster’s Cottage is a rich and beautiful romance set in two eras. Its unforgettable characters weave a story of fiercely protected secrets, courage, redemption, and everlasting love.  About Phillipa Nefri ClarkPhillipa Nefri Clark lives in regional Victoria, Australia with her husband, two sons, and a gorgeous black Labrador. Animals, art, gardens, music and family are amongst her greatest loves.
Her published work includes many non-fiction expert pieces about dogs, three international specialist dog yearbooks, newspaper articles, and science fiction fanzine stories. The inspiration for The Stationmaster’s Cottage came from the real life cottage nearby, a childhood spent in coastal towns, and the poignant reunion with her sister after a lifetime apart. Phillipa is a member of Romance Writers of Australia. To connect more with Phillipa and her writing, visit https://www.stationmasterscottage.com. 
This is a shout out for the release of the 'boxed set' (the digital box!) of the three Guardians of the Crown books: BY THE SWORD, THE KING'S MAN and EXILE'S RETURN.
The three books span the 'Interregnum' (the years 1650-1660) and concern the fates of three young men, bound by a friendship born on the battlefield of Worcester (3 September 1651). They will pay a heavy price for their loyalty to the King, Jonathan Thornton (BY THE SWORD) will be a hunted man in his own country, Kit Lovell (THE KING’S MAN) will sacrifice his honour to save someone he loves and his brother Daniel (EXILE’S RETURN) will endure years of imprisonment, torture and slavery. Their only hope is the restoration of a monarchy. And of course… the women who love them… Kate (BY THE SWORD), torn by her loyalties to the parliamentary cause and the man she loves, Thamsine (THE KING’S MAN) abandoned, penniless and friendless on the streets of London and Agnes (EXILE’S RETURN) whose love for her sister’s children will drive her to risk everything to save them. To read more about the 3 books... click HERE​​ GIVEAWAY
If you would like to explore this fascinating period in history, I am offering a copy of my time travel romance SECRETS IN TIME to any readers who wish to sign up to my newsletter. The offer remains open until 30 June. Just click the button below!
Finally... I have posted this before... but it really goes to the heart of my stories and may go some of the way to explaining why I love these books so much...
Walking Worcester with my imaginary friends...
The 3rd September marked the 364th anniversary of the Battle of Worcester, the defining event of the Guardians of the Crown series which begins with the battle itself (BY THE SWORD).
My family has had a long, long association with Worcester, most notably boasting a High Sheriff of Worcester (my great grandfather) and a well respected MP and County Councillor (my grandfather) and my father served under the colours of the now defunct Worcestershire Regiment.
In May this year I returned (or, in a sense, went home) - on a canal boat (a whole other story!). My last visit to Worcester had been some twenty plus years ago when I was researching a little story I was writing about the Battle of Worcester. That little story became BY THE SWORD... which flowed on to THE KING'S MAN and on to Book 3, EXILES' RETURN (which comes out next February). I wanted to write about a group of friends/comrades and what this seminal battle of the English Civil War meant to them and their families.
We moored our canal boat below the Sidbury Lock within spitting distance of The Commandery and the site of what was once the Sidbury Gate through the walls of the old city (now long since gone). Having an afternoon free, I abandoned my travelling companions and stepped down on to the tow path of the canal (which had not been there in 1651). They were waiting for me - Jonathan Thornton, Giles Longley, Kit Lovell and his brother Daniel, the Guardians of Crown, my companions from the past and they would be my guides for the afternoon.
We began with The Commandery (that was its name long before the events of 1651). In its past it had been a merchant's house, a hospital and in 1651 became the Headquarters for Charles II.
(Jonathan) attended the meetings at the Commandery and concluded the house had been wrongly named. He saw precious little evidence of command taking place within its walls...In the endless councils that took place in the hall the young King found himself assailed from all sides by conflicting advice. (BY THE SWORD)
From The Commandery we set off up the hill to Fort Royal where a royalist battery had been established to defend the approach to Worcester along the Sidbury road. I won't go into the details of the battle itself (I've written about it elsewhere...click HERE). Suffice to say that while the royalists held Fort Royal, Cromwell had taken Red Hill and Perry Hill. The king himself led an attack on Red Hill but was driven back to the city. Fort Royal fell, the royalist defenders slaughtered to a man and the guns turned on the city itself.
My American readers may be interested to know that it was on this hill that an oak tree was planted in commemoration of a visit by Thomas Jefferson who is quoted as reminding all Englishmen that it was at Worcester that the concept of Liberty was fought for... you can read his quote on the plaque below...
My companions led me back down the hill toward Sidbury Gate...
The Parliament guns had been brought to bear on the gate, turning the retreat into
wholesale slaughter. Amidst the screaming of man and beast, the carnage of blood and guts and with shot pounding into the walls and the city, the King managed to get back through the gate. Jonathan followed through the confusion, scrambling over an overturned oxen cart to reach his King. (BY THE SWORD)
 No trace of the gate or walls remain today (destroyed for the building of the canal in the 1760s), just one small plaque on a wall marks its existence. We turned into the city and down one of the last remaining authentic city streets - Friar Street (curse those 70s redevelopments!). Still lined with half timbered houses, it is only here one can still get a feeling for 17th century Worcester.
Wilmot pulled at Jonathan’s arm and they both ran up Friar Street, toward the King’s lodging. Jonathan took only one look back to see Giles, fighting like a virago, a small defence against the mass of red-coated soldiers who now flooded into the city from all gates except one: St Martin’s Gate stood close by the King’s lodging and remained as yet unbreached. (BY THE SWORD)
It was here in Friar Street that Jonathan, Giles, Kit and Daniel lodged in a house that may have looked a little like Greyfriars (now a National Trust property). Here they played cards on the night before the battle.
Another evening at the Commandery had ended in bickering and Jonathan trudged wearily back up Friar Street to his billet ... In the downstairs parlour of the large, half-timbered house, Giles played cards with Kit Lovell, who had recently rejoined them. They were both fiendish card players, with a tendency to cheat, and Jonathan declined their invitation to join them. (BY THE SWORD)
Further up Friar Street we came to the building now known as The Charles II house (and rather ignomiously - a pie shop) which
 had been the King's Lodgings and from which he escaped.
They found the King within his lodgings, watching uncomprehendingly as Buckingham burned papers on a hastily lit fire.
‘We must go, Your Majesty,’ Wilmot said.
The King looked up at his old friend and advisor. ‘Leslie will come,’ he insisted. ‘We will rally again.’
‘No, Your Majesty,’ Buckingham spoke. ‘It’s too late. Leslie has failed us, Hamilton is fallen. We must away while we still have breath in our bodies.’
The noise of the fighting, drawing closer up the street, brought the King to his feet. With the Parliament’s soldiers at the front door of the house, the King and his party left by the back. Taking the nearest horses they fled, at a hard gallop, through St Martin’s Gate, the gate that led the way to the north. (BY THE SWORD)
Here we parted company, my imaginary friends returning to the past, and I trudged back through the streets of Worcester to meet my real friends at the Worcester Porcelain museum (in what had been a thriving factory on my last visit).
If you have enjoyed my Guardians of the Crown trilogy (out now as a boxed set... click HERE) set in the years of the 'Interregnum" 1650-1660, then you are going to love Traitor's Knot by Cryssa Bazos.
Many former royalists were forced to take the road as highwaymen (James Hind being a great example) and it's against this background that Cryssa has set this story that begins in 1650. Highwaymen, royalists... what's not to love! (And I have a serious case of cover envy...) As I do with all my guests I asked Cryssa to share an interesting snippet she found in research and here she is to talk about literacy and news... Spreading the news in the 17th Century...
People in 17th century England weren’t as illiterate as you would expect. By the end of the century, it was thought that just under half of all men could read and over a quarter of women. Amongst the middle class, the majority was literate. This is the century when diary writing became a fad, and we’re still benefiting from their self-expression. But these estimates might not reflect what was really happening on the ground.
The significant increase in literacy over the previous century correlates with the explosion of printed material that floods the market in the mid-century. Broadsheets, newspapers and ballad sheets were all being turned out in record numbers. In fact the first newspapers, (e.g. Mercurius Politicus), were propaganda machines that helped fuel the civil war. Royalist and Roundhead each had their own publications pushing their agenda and that shaped public opinion. Really no different than today. The explosion in print occurred not only because of the advances in print technology (cheaper, faster presses), but an increased consumer demand for it. Not just any consumer— looking at what was being printed, one could see that the lower to middling classes were now the new consumer. For example, following the Battle of Worcester the authorities captured the famous highwayman Captain Hind and accused him of helping Charles II escape. Leading up to his trial, Londoners were snapping up stories about him faster than publishers could produce them. One publication, the English Gusman, depicted Hind as a Robin Hood figure whose exploits could appeal to the common man. Since the lower classes were the target market for these hot new publications, it’s a safe bet that more of them could read or had access to those who could read it for them.
About TRAITOR'S KNOT
England 1650: Civil War has given way to an uneasy peace in the year since Parliament executed King Charles I.
Royalist officer James Hart refuses to accept the tyranny of the new government, and to raise funds for the restoration of the king’s son, he takes to the road as a highwayman. Elizabeth Seton has long been shunned for being a traitor’s daughter. In the midst of the new order, she risks her life by sheltering fugitives from Parliament in a garrison town. But her attempts to rebuild her life are threatened, first by her own sense of injustice, then by falling in love with the dashing Hart. The lovers’ loyalty is tested through war, defeat and separation. James must fight his way back to the woman he loves, while Elizabeth will do anything to save him, even if it means sacrificing herself. Traitor's Knot is a sweeping tale of love and conflicted loyalties set against the turmoil of the English Civil War.
Read an excerpt...
Elizabeth Seton browsed the household stalls, strolling at her leisure. James walked towards her, his eyes fixed firmly on the prize. She hovered over a collection of linens, and her fingers brushed over the cloths, but she did not linger beyond a curious moment. James kept a discreet distance, ever narrowing the gap. One slim hand held her skirts, raising them slightly to avoid a muddy puddle before she continued on her way.
He halted his progress when she became rooted at the bookseller’s. While fancy ribbons and laces had not attracted her interest, a stack of pamphlets and chapbooks made the difference. She struck up a conversation with the bookseller, laughing at something he said. James rubbed his chin, engrossed. An unusual maid, he thought, and drew closer. Leaning over the small collection, her head tilted to peer at the titles. Hair secured in a sedate knot, a wayward tendril escaped its constraint. The wind lifted and teased the stray lock, contrasting to the paleness of her nape. James fought the urge to reach out and twist the strand in his fingers. He bent forward and addressed her in a low tone, “Are you looking to improve your mind, or to seek instruction?” Elizabeth started in surprise. Her eyes widened, and for the first time, he realised how blue they were. Almost immediately they narrowed, as though she wasn’t sure how to respond to his boldness. He knew he was being forward, but he had never won a thing without pressing his advantage. “I am looking for a book on good manners, sir. I would not expect you to recommend one.” Meet Cryssa Bazos..
Cryssa Bazos is an award winning historical fiction author and 17th century enthusiast with an oddly paired interest in both the English Civil War and romantic fiction. Her absolute favourite books are romantic adventures steeped in history. Traitor's Knot, her debut novel published by Endeavour Press, placed 3rd in the 2016 Romance for the Ages Ancient/Medieval/Renaissance) contest.
Connect with Cryssa through:
Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/cbazos/) Twitter (@cryssabazos) Instagram: cryssabazos https://www.instagram.com/cryssabazos/ Website: https://cryssabazos.com Last week I introduced you to Anna Belfrage and her latest book set in the world of Edward II - UNDER THE APPROACHING DARK. (Click HERE to go to the post) I have invited Anna back this week to talk a little bit more about the research behind her fabulous books, because all historical writers have a wealth of knowledge that may only make it into the story as a passing mention. I enjoyed seeing how Anna used it in her book. Anna has chosen to share some interesting, and little known facts, about the medieval monarchs' predilection (or not) for the occasional bath... A Good Medieval Wallow...It is strange how some myths become so cemented in the popular imagination they take on the character of truths. Mind you, in this day of alternative facts, such things are no longer surprising—they are merely irritating. When it comes to life in medieval times, there is this preconception that people never washed—one purportedly serious site about life in castles even goes so far as to state that “until Victorian times cleanliness was considered ungodly”. Hmm. As I researched my latest book, I encountered multiple indications this is wrong. Very wrong, even. It has always been my firm opinion that most people—throughout the ages—have preferred being clean to being dirty. In many of the preceding periods, being clean was also an indication of wealth as it required a not inconsiderable amount of servants and firewood to prepare a nice hot bath in medieval times. But even those who could not afford a bath, or to change their clothes regularly, did wash face, hands and privates. Those who could afford it, went all out on cleanliness. Medieval banquets often started by the guests being offered basins of clean water in which to wash their hands. Medieval ladies and lords changed their linen frequently, and they most definitely bathed. King John is supposed to have taken a bath every two weeks, and clearly his descendants shared his fondness for lounging in hot water while someone scrubbed their backs. How else to explain the fact that Edward II had his bathrooms tiled and then complained the floors were too cold so he ordered bathroom mats to increase his comfort? Or that in 1351 Edward III ordered hot and cold water taps for his recently refurbished bathroom? I’m telling you, those medieval magnates liked a good wallow—and smelling of roses afterwards! About UNDER THE APPROACHING DARK Adam de Guirande has cause to believe the turbulent times are behind him: Hugh Despenser is dead and Edward II has been forced to abdicate in favour of his young son. It is time to look forward, to a bright new world in which the young king, guided by his council, heals his kingdom and restores its greatness. But the turmoil is far from over… After years of strife, England in the early months of 1327 is a country in need of stability, and many turn with hope towards the new young king, Edward III. But Edward is too young to rule, so instead it is his mother, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who do the actual governing, much to the dislike of barons such as Henry of Lancaster. In the north, the Scots take advantage of the weakened state of the realm and raid with impunity. Closer to court, it is Mortimer’s increasing powers that cause concerns – both among his enemies, but also for men like Adam, who loves Mortimer dearly, but loves the young king just as much. When it is announced that Edward II has died in September of 1327, what has so far been a grumble grows into voluble protests against Mortimer. Yet again, the spectre of rebellion haunts the land, and things are further complicated by the reappearance of one of Adam’s personal enemies. Soon enough, he and his beloved wife Kit are fighting for their survival – even more so when Adam is given a task that puts them both in the gravest of dangers. Under the Approaching Dark is the third in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife. Read an excerpt...It was well after nightfall before Kit could claim her husband for herself. Once Meg had been properly greeted, once he’d held both Ned and Harry, he’d done the rounds in the household, spent hours with William reviewing the state of his property, and had then presided over dinner, a loud affair in the main hall that had only ended when the afternoon seeped into dusk. William had insisted they all attend chapel, but when he suggested that Adam and he repair yet again to review the accounts, Kit put her foot down. “Not tonight.” She held out her hand to Adam. “I have a bath prepared for you.” Besides, she wanted to do a thorough inspection, disconcerted by the new scars on his face. Stephen added the last of the hot water to the tub just as they entered the solar. Steam rose in wisps, filling the room with the scents of lavender and roses. Kit shooed the page out, closed and barred the door, and turned to look at her husband, already disrobing in front of the hearth. She moved towards him, couldn’t resist the urge to touch him, to splay her fingers wide as she set her hands to his chest, just over his heart. Beneath her palm, she felt his heartbeat, above her fingers was a new scar, pink and hairless. “What’s this?” “A lance.” He sounded offhand, undoing his braies. “A lance?” Adam sighed. “I was jousting against Lord Roger.” She listened in silence as he told her about the steel-tipped lance and how he was convinced the intention had been to kill Lord Roger. “Kill him? By your hand?” She slid an arm up to his shoulder, followed the contours of his muscled arm downwards. “And this?” She set her other hand to his face, tracing the scar along his nose, the other below his ear. “Same incident.” He hooked a finger into her neckline. “Aren’t you joining me?” “It’s the small tub.” “We will fit, sweeting.” Deft hands on her laces, and soon enough they were in the tub, she enfolded in his arms and legs. His hands slid up to cup her breasts. “William said it was a difficult birth.” “It was.” Kit’s stomach tightened in recollection. She craned her head back to look at him. “But it was worth it.” This her third son was an easy child, eating like a horse at regular intervals, in between which he either slept or regarded the world around him with wide-open eyes—grey eyes. “A beautiful son.” He kissed the top of her head. “Thank you.” IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO ENTER ANNA'S CONTEST TO WIN A COPY OF UNDER THE APPROACHING DARK... click the button below and scroll to the end of the post! 
It is a pleasure to welcome my friend Anna Belfrage today. If Anna is a 'new to you' author, then you have been missing out. Best known for a time travel series to rival Outlander, Anna has now moved to the Middle Ages. UNDER THE APPROACHING DARK is third in The King's Greatest Enemy series set in the time of Edward II.
Anna is giving away a copy of Under the Approaching Dark. Please enter via the Gleam form below. In my next post, Anna will be back to talk about an aspect of her research for this book... medieval bathing habits. Click HERE to go to that post. 
Under the Approaching Dark by Anna Belfrage
Publication Date: April 28, 2017
Matador
eBook & Paperback; 424 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
"The writing is impeccable. The story has everything. Under the Approaching Dark is just perfect in every sense" - Sharon Bennett Connolly, History The Interesting Bits
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Chapters | IndieBound | Kobo
About the AuthorAnna was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result she's multilingual and most of her reading is historical- both non-fiction and fiction. Possessed of a lively imagination, she has drawers full of potential stories, all of them set in the past. She was always going to be a writer - or a historian, preferably both. Ideally, Anna aspired to becoming a pioneer time traveller, but science has as yet not advanced to the point of making that possible. Instead she ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for her most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career Anna raised her four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive… For years she combined a challenging career with four children and the odd snatched moment of writing. Nowadays Anna spends most of her spare time at her writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and she slips away into her imaginary world, with her imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in her life pops his head in to ensure she's still there. Other than on her website, www.annabelfrage.com, Anna can mostly be found on her blog, http://annabelfrage.wordpress.com – unless, of course, she is submerged in writing her next novel. You can also connect with Anna on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.Blog Tour ScheduleMonday, May 1 Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book! Tuesday, May 2 Interview at Let Them Read Books Spotlight at What Is That Book About Wednesday, May 3 Review at A Book Drunkard Thursday, May 4 Review at A Holland Reads Friday, May 5 Spotlight at The Reading Queen Monday, May 8 Review at So Many Books, So Little Time Tuesday, May 9 Review at Just One More Chapter Wednesday, May 10 Review at A Bookaholic Swede Thursday, May 11 Review at Pursuing Stacie Friday, May 12 Spotlight at Passages to the Past Monday, May 15 Review at Historical Fiction Obsession Tuesday, May 16 Review at Back Porchervations Guest Post at Ms. Stuart Requests the Pleasure of Your Company Wednesday, May 17 Spotlight at A Literary Vacation Thursday, May 18 Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views Friday, May 19 Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog Monday, May 22 Review at CelticLady's Reviews Tuesday, May 23 Review at A Chick Who Reads Review at The Muse in the Fog Book Reviews Wednesday, May 24 Excerpt at Jo's Book Blog Spotlight at The Paperback Princess Thursday, May 25 Review at Broken Teepee Friday, May 26 Spotlight at Laura's Interests Sunday, May 28 Review at Bookramblings Review at Books and Benches Monday, May 29 Guest Post at Yelena Casale's Blog Tuesday, May 30 Interview at Dianne Ascroft's BlogGiveawayTo win a copy of Under the Approaching Dark by Anna Belfrage, please enter via the Gleam form below. Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on May 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open internationally. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Under the Appraoching Dark
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Alison StuartAlison writes historical romances and short stories set in England and Australia and across different periods of history. Archives
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