Month: March 2016

The Archer’s Tale – By Bernard Cornwell

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The set of books I have decided to look at this week is Bernard Conwell’s Grail Quest novels, which starts with The Archer’s Tale.  For these novels, Cornwell has chosen a fascinating period of history: The One Hundred Year’s War that raged through the fourteenth and early fifteenth century between England and France.  What is unusual about these novels is they follow the story of a young archer on the English side.  Why is this unusual?  Well, normally in any form of novel, be it historical, fantasy, or Sci-Fi we expect to follow the story of someone fighting to protect their homeland, livelihood, or some other righteous cause.  But by following the English, who were undoubtedly the aggressor during this long conflict in France, he has departed from this usual convention.  At the start of the novel we meet our hero – Thomas of Hookton – as the English coast is attacked by French raids.  I’m not sure whether Cornwell was trying to suggest that these raids may have led to the century of warfare …

10 books that will teach you to read like a writer. Guest Post by Kory M. Shrum

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What are the first steps we take to become writers?  The most important starting point, is to love books ourselves, and to be avid readers.  Kory M. Shrum The successful author of the Jesse Sullivan fantasy series, who has well over 300 Amazon reviews for her  novel Dying for a Living has taken this a step further and explains in this insightful guest post how a writer should read.  She has given strong examples to support her case and shows how much we can learn from other masters of the craft.  So I will pass you over to Kory… Thomas M D Brooke 10 books that will teach you to read like a writer. Before I tell you about the books, let me answer this question: Why SHOULD you read like a writer? It’s important to read like a writer for a couple of reasons.  A reader who is reading like a reader does so for pleasure mostly. Or to be informed about a certain topic or idea. Contrastly, a writer reads to study to the craft. A writer will be …

Blood Ties – Mixing Modern With Old, Guest post by Hazel B. West

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Today,  I have a guest post from the highly successful author Hazel B. West.  Hazel currently has five published novels out, and today she is discussing her latest novel Blood Ties.  I have posted a description of the novel, and it is followed up by a fascinating post by Hazel on how she has managed to combine her love of history with her fantasy writing.  I have also posted a link to Hazel’s website at the bottom of this post where you have a chance to win a signed copy of Blood Ties.  So over to Hazel… Thomas M D Brooke Blood Ties by Hazel B.West In an Ireland that mixes high kings, faeries, and modern warriors who drive fast cars, Ciran, a descendant from the famous warrior Fionn Mac Cool, bands together with a company of young warriors from the legendary order of Na Fianna to go on a quest to recover their missing family members who were captured by the Goblins in a shaky peace between the two kingdoms. Ciran and his companions must …

The Reaper Realm. Guest post by K. A. Lentz.

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I am delighted to share a guest post today, from a fantasy author who has created a world, The Reaper realm, where she sets her novel Threads of Compassion. You can read about the novel in a short description below, followed by a intriguing insight into K.A. Lentz’s writing process and the inspiration behind the novel.  What is so interesting about this post was how important the characters became to her, and how she developed them.  It shows how strong the bond becomes between the writer and her characters.  I’ll pass you over to K.A. Lentz now… Thomas M D Brooke The Reaper Realm: Threads of Compassion Dominated by displaced, malevolent beings enjoying their cosmic game of cat and mouse, the realm is home to a host of unconventional elves, inventive creatures, and intriguing characters. Fantastical friends and foes alike join the group or jostle the ride in this colorfully painted world. Join Thistle, Miach, and a host of companions as they embark on a journey of love and war, discovery and loss, hoping to set right …

Women who took their husband’s throne…

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Sometimes women in literature are portrayed as the power behind the throne, the silent partner who advises from the shadows, or from the other side of the pillow, cleverly controlling the king by their side.  However for some women in history, this arrangement hasn’t been enough to fulfil their ambitions, and they have felt moved to take the throne themselves.  This is the case for the following four remarkable women, all who have seized the crown themselves.  What is interesting about all four figures, is the different motives and methods that each used to achieve power. Cleopatra used her sexuality to manipulate the most powerful men of her age, whilst Margaret of Anjou’s motives were one of a protective mother and guardian of her enfeebled husband.  Isabella of France was so angered by her treatment by her husband and his mismanagement of his realm that she felt she had no choice but to act, whilst Catherine the Great took control so that reason, science, and the arts could hold sway in her adopted land of Russia.  …