#Bookreview ~ Flock, The Gathering of The Damned #HistFic #ASMSG @AuthoJana

Flock, The Gathering of The Damned 

 (The Flock Trilogy Book 3) 

 By

Jana Petken

 Flock, The Gathering of The Damned, from the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of The Errant Flock, The Guardian of Secrets, Dark Shadows: Mercy Carver, and Swearing Allegiance.

The Sagrat militiamen suspend their hunt for Alejandro and return to Valencia to discover that they have become the prey.

When Rafael Perato is abducted at the Inquisitor’s funeral, he finds himself facing a new and dangerous enemy. What his captor wants with him is unclear, but as the days turn to weeks Rafael is plunged deeper and deeper into a web of deceit and betrayal.

David Sanz is marked for death after he uncovers a deadly secret and must choose between his duty to find Rafael Perato and his need to evade capture.

What did I think of the Book?

Conspiracies and intrigue in 16th Century Spain...

This is one of my most hotly-anticipated books of the year. Rich in historical detail with a story line that is simply unputadownable, Flock, The Gathering of the Damned, is an example of historical fiction at its very best.

Book 3 in The Flock Trilogy picks up where Book 2 left off, and I found myself immediately thrown back in the thick of the action.

This isn't a standalone book, you do need to read the other two books to appreciate how wonderfully compelling this story is. Set in 16th century Spain, during the Spanish Inquisition, Flock, The Gathering of the Damned, is full of conspiracies and plots. No one is safe, and everyone has their secrets.

Jana Petken is not only a master storyteller, but her attention to the historical detail of the era has to be commended. It is very obvious that Ms Petken has spent many hours researching this period and this comes across in her writing.

As before, I found the characters very well drawn. It was great to meet up with old friends, such as David, but Ms Petken has brought new characters into the story, and they slipped in as if they had always been there.

Reading this book was effortless, it was like watching a movie, and I didn't notice the time pass by while I was reading.

I cannot recommend this series, or this book, enough. Fabulous, rich storytelling that will leave you wanting more.

I Highly Recommend.

Links for Purchase

 

Amazon US

Amazon UK

About the author

Jana Petken is a multi award winning, bestselling historical fiction novelist. She served in the British Royal Navy, was a bodyguard, and a member of British Airways cabin crew.

She turned to writing after an accident on board an aircraft, and has become critically acclaimed as a gritty, hard hitting author who produces bold, colourful characters and riveting storylines.

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#Bookreview ~ Echo in the Wind by Regan Walker #HistFic #Romance @RegansReview

Echo in the Wind

(Donet Trilogy Book 2)

 By

Regan Walker

 England and France 1784

Cast out by his noble father for marrying the woman he loved, Jean Donet took to the sea, becoming a smuggler, delivering French brandy and tea to the south coast of England. When his young wife died, he nearly lost his sanity. In time, he became a pirate and then a privateer, vowing to never again risk his heart.

As Donet’s wealth grew, so grew his fame as a daring ship’s captain, the terror of the English Channel in the American War. When his father and older brother die in a carriage accident in France, Jean becomes the comte de Saintonge, a title he never wanted.

Lady Joanna West cares little for London Society, which considers her its darling. Marriage in the ton is either dull or disastrous. She wants no part of it. To help the poor in Sussex, she joins in their smuggling. Now she is the master of the beach, risking her reputation and her life. One night off the coast of Bognor, Joanna encounters the menacing captain of a smuggling ship, never realizing he is the mysterious comte de Saintonge.

What did I think of the Book?

Love on the High Seas...

Lady Joanna West cannot abide to see the poverty around her, but instead of attending organised charity events by like-minded members of the ton, Joanna embarks on a far more dangerous pursuit to raise some money — she becomes a smuggler.

Her path crosses with the dashing French, Comte de Saintonge. What she doesn't realise is that the Comte is also the captain of one of the smuggling ships that she trades with.

The Comte de Saintonge, appears to be fearless, but that is not so. He fears to fall in love again. Can Lady Joanna help him conquer this fear?

Oh, what is not to like about this book? Set in the year 1784, Regan Walker transports her readers back to pre-revolution France in this most wonderful tale of love, honour and smuggling!

Echo in the Wind grabbed me from the very first page and did not let go of me until I had finished. I was swept away by Ms Walker's descriptive prose. The attention to historical detail in this book is outstanding. Ms Walker has brought this era to life. Kudos, Ms Walker.

I adored the characterisation of both Lady Joanne and Donet. They were both superbly well drawn and believable. As was their love story.

I really can't praise this book enough. A sublime read.

I Highly Recommend.

* I received a copy of this book from the Publishers, via Netgalley for review consideration. *

Links for Purchase

Amazon US

Amazon UK

About the author

Regan Walker is an award-winning, #1 Amazon bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romances. She writes historically authentic novels with real historical figures along with her fictional characters. She wants her readers to experience history, adventure and love. She has six times been featured on USA TODAY's HEA blog and her novels have won numerous awards.

You can sign up for her newsletter on her website and get the "Readers Extras" there, too. Regan loves to hear from her readers.

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#bookreview ~ Running Scarred (Scarred Series Book 1) #Military #Romance @wackyjackyful

Running Scarred

 (Scarred Series Book 1)

 By

Jackie Williams

He once had it all, but for three years retired special services expert, Patrick Reeves has hidden himself and his terrible war wounds from the world.

But when a bright, beautiful woman buys the ruined château and estate on which his own home stands, it is more than Patrick’s unerring control can bear. For her to flinch from his injuries would be terrible, but for her to pity him would be the final insult. His only option is to make sure she never sees him at all. 

Ellen doesn’t give a damn what Patrick looks like. With one glimpse of his shaded figure, one touch of his work roughened hands, and one hint of his masculine scent, she is his. Forever. 

Buying the abandoned French château had been a dream, her only desire since her brother was blown up in Afghanistan, if she could only capture the elusive Patrick, her world will be complete. 

But Patrick is hiding from far more than himself. 

Devastated when her wounded hero abandons her for a flame haired beauty, and terrified when her selfish ex fiancé reappears, Ellen discovers that she might not only lose her lover but also her life. 

Can Patrick escape in time to save the woman who loves and accepts him exactly as he is, or will she be lost to him forever while he has been Running Scarred for far too long?

What did I think of the Book?

Finding love after war…

When Ellen heard the devastating news that her brother had received life-changing injuries during his tour in Afghanistan, she knew that she would do anything and everything she could to help him and his comrades.

She dreams of buying a property which she could renovate into a luxury hotel for injured veterans. Luckily her new found inheritance can go a long way in making her dreams come true.

After months of searching she finds a ruined château in France which will be perfect for her hotel.

A chance encounter with a mysterious man in the château's grounds, gives Ellen the push to finally end her longterm relationship with a man who is only interested in her money. It also means she is free to get to know this mysterious man who makes her heart flutter just by speaking!

Patrick has hidden away from the world. He cannot stand to be looked on with pity or disgust, for the wounds he received during his tour of duty have left their scars. But Ellen has captivated his heart. Dare he take the risk of rejection when Ellen sees his shattered face?

I LOVED this book! It was wonderful to have the protagonist portrayed with a disability, and I really wish there were more romance books like this one. Running Scarred (Scarred Series Book 1) is up there with my all-time favourite romance reads. It was superb. Jackie Williams has treated her characters disability with great skill and compassion. Patrick is not defined by his disability, although when strangers and family alike look at him, that is how he is treated — they see the disability, not the man. I felt heartbroken when he hid away from the world because he could not face the reactions of people when they looked into his face. Ellen is a real breath of fresh air, who does not see the scars, but sees the man behind them — if only there were more people like Ellen.

The love story is sweet and realistic. This is the kind of romance book I would be more than happy for my teen to read. The plot is fast-paced, and I read the book in one sitting.

Make no mistake Running Scarred (Scarred Series Book 1) is a sit-down-and-finish book. It is definitely one I will be coming back to again.

I Highly Recommend.

Links for Purchase

Amazon US

Amazon UK

About the author

I was born in Essex England during the mid sixties but I missed all the fun. Being only young I assumed that all Beatles were six legged creatures and Flower Power was something to do with the vigorous way my mother kneaded the bread dough.

My wonderful parents brought me up with a huge love of books. We read anything and everything. Bedtime stories were a treasured time of adventure and mystery. My sister and I sat wide eyed in wonder and to this day I worry about Dinah and Dorinda being pricked with pins because they grew so fat, and I never pull faces at the a waning moon (or was it a waxing one?) just in case my chops stay that way . (The Wind On The Moon)

I began reading romance while still at school. The fuel for many a teenage fantasy leapt from between the covers of wildly romantic books and my passion still lingers now for all those dark haired heroes.

My own beautiful teenage daughter persuaded me to write my first romance. She was only fourteen at the time and between books for children and adults. She couldn’t find anything that ticked all her numerous and particular boxes and so she asked me to write a book, with all the exact ingredients just for her. Though not just a book for teens, she enjoyed the resulting tale so much that she shared it with her friends and I eventually published A Perfect Summer as an ebook on amazon.

But I have discovered that writing is not easily stopped once you start. It has turned into a grand passion that I just cannot hold back. The fingertips start tapping the keys and ideas suddenly come flooding, far too many for just one book and so I began another and then another. Nine books later I am still nowhere near done. Book ten is on its way and only just the other night I woke from a wild and wonderful dream with book eleven fully formed in my head.

Romance will always be my first love but recently I was so influenced by a tiny polished plaque on a sea wall that I gave paranormal romance a try. (Echo Beach) Mixing the two genres was a real challenge for me but I was delighted with the result. Historical romance is going to be my next genre. All those fabulously titled and passionate men are impossibly hard to resist.