To the Fair Land by Lucienne Boyce

I always know I've got a good book when I forget that I am reading for review and just enjoy the story. The Fair Land is one such book. The story is set at the end of the eighteenth century when there was great interest in the voyages of Captain Cook and the hunt for the Great Southern Continent. Lucienne Boyce has clearly researched the period in great detail and she evokes beautifully the sights and sounds of the time. Her narrative style is intelligent and flows easily and I especially enjoyed the descriptive passages - unusual for me as I am generally in the 'just get on with the story' camp.  The story was gripping and definitely a page turner. Especially pleasing to me was the fact that I did not guess the plot twists and turns. This is the point at which I would normally find something negative to say but I could not find any. Highly recommended.

The Owl of the Durotriges by Yassmin Sanders

Set in the Iron age, The owl of the Durotriges is an engaging story told in the first person from the point of view of each of the main characters. Yassmin Saunders is a history scholar and it shows. The story is clearly well researched and I found it absorbing from the first page. Each of the characters was well drawn and I loved the way the author explored their back stories to explain why they acted the way they did.
It has to be said that my heart sank when I saw that it was written in the present tense. I think that the present tense can be a useful tool in short fiction or to separate different passages in a novel. If used sparingly it can add atmosphere and immediacy. To have a novel written entirely in the present I find hard to read. Had I not been reading it for review, I might not have picked it up off the shelf. That would have been a pity because it is a very enjoyable novel. I am very happy to recommend it.

The Written by Ben Galley

When I am reading books for reviewing purposes, I sometimes find that I have to persevere where otherwise I would have given up. Not so with The Written, the first book in the Emaneska fantasy series. I was completely involved in the story from the very first page. In fact from the moment I looked at the cover I was hooked. Many of the elements of a good story (whatever the genre) were here. An honourable, but flawed hero, the fight between good and evil, forbidden love, loyalty and betrayal, and my personal favourite, an unexpected ending. The writing was confident and believable. Occasionally I was irritated by the constant use of the 'the mage did this' or 'the tired mage did that' where just 'he' or 'Farden' would have been fine but it was just a minor point in what was a very enjoyable read. Dead Stars, the two part conclusion to the series is now available in e-book and paperback and I cannot wait to read it.

Spirit of Lost Angels by Liza Perrat

When I was much younger I read the Scarlet Pimpernel books and fell in love with all things French Revolution. I was pleased when I saw that Spirit of Lost Angels was set in this period of history especially as the story is told from the point of view of the poor and peasant classes. This is a beautifully written and researched novel. The heroine, Victoire Charpentier is a strong and likeable woman and we watch her character develop as she suffers through horrendous circumstances. The story is fiction, but there are cameo appearances by real people of the time which is cleverly done. I felt that I learned something as well as enjoyed the story and as I have written before, that is the test of a good historical novel. I am very happy to recommend it. A real Indie Gem. 

Ripples in The Sand by Helen Hollick

I was delighted to renew my acquaintance with Captain Jesamiah Acorne and his wife Tiola Oldstagh, the heroes of Helen Hollick's excellent Sea Witch series. In Ripples in the Sand, the fourth novel of the series, the couple return to England for the first time.  Jesamiah is persuaded to take Sea Witch to Spain where he soon finds himself in danger of losing his fidelity, his freedom and mabe even his life. Meanwhile Tiola fights her biggest battle yet with Tethys the sea spirit.  It is set at the time of the Jacobite rebellion and there is a wealth of nautical and historical information which is informative but never detracts from the story. And it is a good story which had me hooked from the first page to the last and of course left me wanting more. I am very happy to recommend it.

I am also very happy that as part of her 2012 blog tour, Helen Hollick agreed to answer a few questions for me.

When writing about a real historical character you have to keep to the facts, but with your own fictional characters you can do anything you like with the plot. Which do you prefer?

Definitely the made-up plots! Having said that, by using real facts the ‘plot’ is already there, dates, times, events if making these up everything has to be thought out. I think I have the best of both worlds with my Sea Witch Voyages, though, because I base the adventure around real events which gives me a foundation to build upon.

In Ripples In The Sand, for instance, the story took hold from the true fact of the 1719 Jacobite Uprising. The Spanish really did organise an armada in an attempt to place James (III as he should have been) on the English throne. History repeated itself from the more famous Elizabethan Armada when a storm destroyed the fleet.

I enjoy slotting Jesamiah Acorne into the reality of what happened – Bring It Close, the third Voyage is a good example. The villain of the story is Blackbeard. We know a lot about his demise because the remainder of his crew were tried (and hanged) in Williamsburg, Virginia, and therefore, there were court records of the trial, plus Naval log books of the battle at the Ocracoke.

In my story, Jesamiah led that raid – but he very clearly states that he did not want his name mentioned. Which is why you do not find him there in any of the records!

Having decided not to have magic in your Arthurian novels, what made you write the Sea Witch novels as fantasy?

I emphatically did not want any magic or supernatural in my Arthurian Trilogy because I set out to write the what might have really happened story – in which case, no knights in armour, no holy grail, no Lancelot or Merlin. Instead, a man who had to fight hard to gain his kingdom, and fight even harder to keep it. For the Sea Witch Voyages, though, I wanted to write a good sailor’s yarn – a nautical adventure that was fun to research and write, and as much fun to read. And let’s face it, most sailor’s yarns are not meant to be believed!

Do you have your future Sea Witch novels planned or does each one lead to the next?

I have a vague plot planned.

For Ripples In The Sand I knew I was going to use the attempted 1719 Jacobite Rebellion, that Tiola was going to ‘travel’ back in time, and I knew the ending (which I will not reveal here). Beyond that, the story unravelled as I wrote it.

For the next Voyage, On The Account, I already know that Jesamiah is going to be accompanied by a mysterious Nightman, called Mahadun, in a search for a highly valuable wooden casket (mentioned in Pirate Code.) There will be misunderstandings, fights, romantic scenes and lots of high-action adventure …. What other secrets Jesamiah intends to reveal to me as I write, I have no idea!

What is next for you after you have finished the Sea Witch series?

I hope to write a couple of books about Madoc the Horseman. The first one is to be called Foals of Epona. They are set during the late 5^th Century and will be a spin-off from my Arthurian Trilogy. And one day I must write a follow-up to Harold the King (UK title) I am the Chosen King (US title)

Who are your own favourite novelists?

Elizabeth Chadwick, hands down – her books are so beautifully written and you can rely on her research. I also enjoy Suzanne McLeod’s Spellcrackers.com series, and Dick Francis. I also love finding the gems that are among the indie published Historical Fiction that are sent to me for review (I am the UK editor for the Historical Novel Society)

What would your advice be to anyone who is thinking of publishing with an independent publisher?

Think quality and professionalism.

It is often easy to spot an Indie book because the font and layout is incorrect. The cover is probably created by a relative and looks somewhat amateurish. More often than not there are typos and errors because there has been no professional edit – so if you are going Indie, then do so, but do it properly. Which costs money, but you are investing in yourself – aren’t you worth every penny?

Having said all that, my first Indie published experience broke all those rules (apart from the editing – although even then there were missed typos!) I learnt from my mistakes and now have a trusted editor and a proof reader, a professional graphics designer for the covers and I use a reliable and 100% trustworthy publishing company to produce my books (Silverwood Books UK)

Mind you, there are still typos…. I am convinced that gremlins put them all back in as books go to print!

Finn's Fate by Michael Wills

Finn's Fate is the story of three brothers who, when their homestead is burned, set out on a journey to the land of the Danes in search of adventure and a better life. I enjoyed the fact that we are seeing this part of history from the Viking point of view as we are used to the stereotype of an invading force interested only in rape and pillage. There is, of course a certain amount of violence but Finn and his brothers are very human and we grow to know and like them. The novel is very well researched and detailed. Maybe at times there is too much detail. I did find that in places I was so bogged down with the intricate minutae of shipbuilding or working in a forge that, though interesting it read more like a history book.  I found myself skipping through sections to find out what happened next. That said, the story is compelling and the characters are well drawn. I especially liked the fact that the ending is quite unexpected. Finn's fate therefore, ticked both the boxes for a historical novel. It told a good story and left me better informed.

Becoming Lola by Harriet Steel

Becoming Lola is the story of Lola Montez who having been born Eliza Gilbert to a British Family in India in the 1820s went on to become a famous dancer, notorious throughout Europe. She was one of the most famous women of her time. The writing and dialogue are more assured in the first part of the novel than later, but it is clearly very well researched and well presented.This was a difficult review to write because Lola is not a likeable heroine, however, her story is so interesting, especially in its historical context that I was compelled to read on. So much so that when I finished reading the novel I looked up Lola on the web to find out what happened to her next. Hopefully, Harriet Steel has a sequel in the making because Lola's story does not end here.