More Indie Authors
More indie authors
In my quest to feature indie authors, I have broadened my horizons and occasionally tackle genres that I normally avoid, one of which is Historical Fiction. The reason for this is, I suspect, having had my fill of history studying ‘A’ level in that subject. The two novels I feature in this blog are proof that my prejudice has been misguided and I am glad to return to the fold.
As this series develops, it will become clear that I love all the books I feature. I have no desire to rubbish someone else’s work, so if I come across one of the rare books that I don’t enjoy, it will not appear in my blog.
The first novel, The Woman in the Painting bounces between 1645 and 2019, whereas the second Ashes on the Tongue is set in more recent times – 1957, but includes attitudes that seem to come from so long ago, it is sad this date is almost in my lifetime.
The Woman in the Painting by Amanda Roberts
Published - Hickory Press
Cover – William North and Stuart Hubbard
‘1645: A widow of nearly two years, Catherine is content with a quiet life looking after her young daughter, until she catches the eye of a wealthy Royalist. He gives her a unique, engraved ring as a talisman for good luck, but these are turbulent times, and as she is drawn into a secret relationship she finds herself pitted against his family and her own father, caught in a deadly battle of wills driven by the ambitions of men, from which no-one can emerge victorious.
2019: When Hannah finds the ring buried in her garden, she is fascinated and intrigued. Who had owned it and how had they lost it? Focused on peeling back the layers of history, Hannah doesn’t realise that a web of deceit is tightening around her. Then a series of events threaten her security and warn her that she may not be the only one interested in the ring.
The Woman in the Painting is a novel about human relationships, a heart-breaking tale of love and loss, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Barbara Erskine.’
I had a slow start with this one, due to outside pressures and was itching to get the time to focus on it. Today, I did, and was able to read the to-ings and fro-ings between the past and the present in peace. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, discovering how the two eras were linked and the element of mystery kept me hooked until the end.
Paperback available from www.amandarobertsauthor.co.uk
Kindle and KU from Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Woman-Painting-Amanda-Roberts-ebook/dp/B0CDCSY8T3/
Ashes on the Tongue by JJ Grafton
Cover – JJ Grafton
‘In 1950s Northern Ireland, two families are connected by a history steeped in secrecy, violence and betrayal. Ruby and Victor Crozier are Protestants, with one daughter, Fen, still at home. When Victor forces Fen out of school and into work in a linen mill, she begins to learn about the darkness in her family’s history.
Rose and Dermot Quinn are Roman Catholics and parents of fifteen children. Their eldest son, John Joe, has just come home from England where he works and sends home much needed money.
When Fen and John Joe unwittingly witness an atrocity, they are drawn into a web of danger emanating not only from within their own homes but also from the violent campaign for a unified Ireland. In fear of reprisals, they each make decisions which will have far-reaching consequences and change their young lives forever.’
I had to pace myself with this book to allow time to digest each new heartbreak for Fen. It’s a challenging and heartbreaking read for so many reasons and I don't think anyone could say they 'enjoyed' it, having been beaten up by casual domestic violence and sectarian terror. Brilliantly written.
Available from Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashes-Tongue-JJ-Grafton-ebook/dp/B094ZZK1XP/