** Blog Tour ** Drumbeats- Julia Ibbotson

I’m thrilled to be today’s final stop on the blog tour for ‘Drumbeats.’

It’s 1965, and 18 year old Jess escapes her stifling English home for a gap year in Ghana, West Africa. But it’s a time of political turbulence across the region. Fighting to keep her young love who waits back in England, she’s thrown into the physical and emotional dangers of civil war, tragedy and the conflict of a disturbing new relationship. And why do the drumbeats haunt her dreams?

This is a rite of passage story which takes the reader hand in hand with Jess on her journey towards the complexities and mysteries of a disconcerting adult world.

This is the first novel in the acclaimed Drumbeats trilogy: Drumbeats, Walking in the Rain, Finding Jess.

For fans of Dinah Jefferies, Kate Morton, Rachel Hore, Jenny Ashcroft.

Purchase Link – https://books2read.com/Drumbeats1

Author Bio –

Award-winning author Julia Ibbotson herself spent an exciting time in Ghana, West Africa, teaching and nursing (like Jess in her books), and always vowed to write about the country and its past. And so, the Drumbeats Trilogy was born. She’s also fascinated by history, especially by the medieval world, and concepts of time travel, and has written haunting time-slips of romance and mystery partly set in the Anglo-Saxon period. She studied English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language, literature and history, and has a PhD in linguistics. She wrote her first novel at age 10, but became a school teacher, then university lecturer and researcher. Her love of writing
never left her and to date she’s written 9 books, with a 10th on the way. She’s a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, Society of Authors and the Historical Novel Society.

Social Media Links –

Author website: https://juliaibbotsonauthor.com/

Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaIbbotsonauthor

Twitter: @JuliaIbbotson https://twitter.com/JuliaIbbotson

Pinterest page: includes boards with pics and images that inspired each book https://www.pinterest.co.uk/juliai1/

Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/juliaibbotson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia.ibbotson/

RNA (Romantic Novelists Association) website author page https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/rna_author/julia-ibbotson/

Review-

After taking part in the triple cover reveal for the Drumbeats series, I was eagerly anticipating reading this first novel and was immediately drawn into the story.

I confess to not knowing much of Ghana’s history, either during or following the British Empire rule but became fascinated by the depiction of the uprising and civil war through the eyes of central character Jess.

It’s no surprise that the author spent time in Ghana herself, both teaching and nursing, as the descriptions of the setting, its people and its culture and customs are brought alive in the pages. This is a real strength of the narrative and had me yearning to visit their myself to witness the landscape and the contrasts between city and village life.

I loved Jess’ character and how her inner turmoil between being true to herself and representing her family’s Quaker beliefs was portrayed. Equally, I loved seeing her grow in confidence and self belief through her varied experiences on her ‘gap year’.

I thought the mystery surrounding Jim was perfectly executed, giving the reader the same dilemma as Jess. Does she know enough about him to trust him? What isn’t he telling her? However, he was also immensely likeable in his treatment of Jess and his obvious affection for her.

I found the ending slightly abrupt but, given this is the first of a trilogy, I suppose it’s only right that the reader is left with many unanswered questions. I’m certainly looking forward to reading the second instalment to discover what’s in store for Jess next.

This was a novel I didn’t want to put down and I’m already eager to read more so it comes highly recommended from me!

With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Earlier stops can be found here:

Giveaway-

Giveaway to Win a Signed paperback copy of Drumbeats (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494572/

** Blog Tour ** From the Ashes- Melissa Addey

I’m thrilled to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘From the Ashes.’

They called it the Flavian Amphitheatre. We call it the Colosseum. Let the Games begin.

Rome, 80AD. A gigantic new amphitheatre is being built. The Emperor has plans for gladiatorial Games on a scale no-one has ever seen before.

But the Games don’t just happen by themselves. They must be made. And Marcus, the man in charge of creating them, has just lost everything he held dear when Pompeii disappeared under the searing wrath of Vesuvius.

Now it will fall to Althea, the slave woman who serves as his scribe, to ensure the Colosseum is inaugurated on time – and that Marcus makes his way out of the darkness that calls to him.

Can a motley crew comprising a retired centurion, slaves, a prostitute and an ex Vestal Virgin pull off the greatest gladiatorial Games ever seen? Or will they fail and find themselves in the arena as
punishment?

Time is running out to deliver an unforgettable spectacle.

From the Ashes is the first, fast-paced novel in the gripping new Colosseum series. Follow the quick- witted and fiercely loyal backstage team of the Colosseum through the devastation of Pompeii, plague and fire. This is historical fiction at its most captivating: both action-packed and tender.

Take a front row seat at the Colosseum’s inaugural gladiatorial Games.

Buy From the Ashes today.

Trailer Link – https://youtu.be/CbM54gjiT20

Purchase Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashes-Colosseum-Book-1-ebook/dp/B08W1TJWXH

https://www.amazon.com/ashes-colosseum-book-1-ebook/dp/B08W1TJWXH

Author Bio –

Melissa Addey writes historical fiction set in Ancient Rome, medieval Morocco and 18th century China. She is a fulltime self-published author and runs workshops for authors wanting to be entrepreneurial.

Her books have been selected for Editor’s Choice by the Historical Novel
Society and won the inaugural Novel London award. She has been the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library, has a PhD in Creative Writing and works with the Alliance of Independent Authors on their campaigns.

If you’d like to try her writing, visit http://www.melissaaddey.com to pick up a free novella, The Cup.

Social Media Links –

https://www.melissaaddey.com where readers can get a free novella that starts another series (medieval Morocco).

https://www.facebook.com/MelissaAddeyAuthor

https://twitter.com/MelissaAddeyg

Review-

This was something of a departure from my usual reads, but I’ve always been fascinated with the story of Pompeii and so the synopsis immediately caught my attention.

I’m so glad it did! This is an exceptional tale; brilliantly told and worthy of many plaudits.

Written in a thoroughly engaging style but with a definite sense of historical accuracy, author Melissa Addey has created a piece of historical fiction that will live long in the memory.

I loved the fact that this was so much more than a recount of the building of the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum) in Rome. It is a tale of loyalty, heartache, respect and integrity, whilst at the same time offering a perspective into some of the lesser known elements of Roman society at that time.

The portrayal of such strong female characters in Althea and Fausta, was particularly fascinating, supported by the seemingly forward-thinking for the time Marcus, who enabled them to flourish despite their perceived places in society as a slave and prostitute.

The detail surrounding the planning of the amphitheatre and the hundreds of civilians involved in bringing the ideas to fruition, as well as the description of the pestilence that threatened to scupper the endeavour was especially interesting and added a real human element to what is usually a glorified topic.

I note that this is penned as the first in a Colosseum series. I will certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for future releases!

With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** A Very Modern Marriage- Rachel Brimble

I’m really pleased to be one of today’s stops on the final day of the blog tour for ‘A Very Modern Marriage’.

He needs a wife…
Manchester industrialist William Rose was a poor lad from the slums who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, but in order to achieve his greatest ambitions he must become the epitome of Victorian respectability: a family man.

She has a plan…
But the only woman who’s caught his eye is sophisticated beauty Octavia Marshall, one of the notorious ladies of Carson Street. Though she was once born to great wealth and privilege, she’s hardly respectable, but she’s determined to invest her hard-earned fortune in Mr Rose’s mills and forge a new life as an entirely proper businesswoman.

They strike a deal that promises them both what they desire the most, but William’s a fool if he thinks Octavia will be a conventional married woman, and she’s very much mistaken if she thinks the lives they once led won’t follow them wherever they go.

In the third instalment of Rachel Brimble’s exciting Victorian saga series, The Ladies of Carson Street will open the doors on a thoroughly modern marriage – and William is about to get a lot more than he bargained for…

Author Bio –

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of over 25 published novels including the Ladies of Carson Street series, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin).

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt

Social Media Links –

Website: https://rachelbrimble.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbrimbleauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/?hl=en

Review-

This is the third novel in the Ladies of Carson Street series and is equally as engaging a read as the previous two. It can be read as a standalone, although I’d heartily recommend reading the others if you haven’t already simply because they are that good!

In ‘A Very Modern Marriage’ the narrative centres around Octavia and her desire to distance herself from her life as a prostitute and set up her own business. Having seen close friends Louisa and Nancy forge a new path for themselves, it only serves to bolster her own resolve to do the same.

She enlists the help and support of William Rose, a mill owner from Manchester and it soon becomes apparent that both of them have feelings for each other which stretch beyond their business arrangement.

As always, author Rachel Brimble captures the essence of the Victorian era perfectly and in this novel, we once more discover the sights and sounds of Bath, but also the contrast of industrial Manchester.

Brimble writes in an easy style with engaging characters that the reader can’t help but root for. The dynamics and interactions between the main characters add depth to the plot and we get a real insight into Octavia’s personality and how previous struggles and family trauma have impacted on the way she deals with her current situation.

A highly recommended read!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources, NetGalley and Head of Zeus/ Aria Fiction for the opportunity to participate in the tour. Further stops can be found here:

Giveaway to Win £15/$15 Amazon Gift Certificate (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494473/?

My reviews of Rachel’s previous books in the saga can be found here:

** Blog Tour** The Widow’s Vow- Rachel Brimble

**Blog Tour** Trouble for the Leading Lady- Rachel Brimble