Historical adventure fiction

Book SynopsisThe call of the republic, the weight of destiny. A new legend takes to the seas.'A thrilling new adventure series that rivals the immortal Patrick O’Brian' Angus Donald1793. The infant French republic is assailed on all sides, by enemies within and the combined might of the great European monarchies without. A fanatical regime has taken power in Paris.In the midst of these upheavals, Philippe Kermorvant, son of an English aristocrat and a French nobleman, arrives in Brittany, his father’s homeland, for the first time in his life. He gained experience of brutal warfare as a young officer in the fledgling United States, and Russian, Navies. Now he has three reasons for making his new home in France: his fervent belief in the ideals proclaimed by the new French Republic, his desire to revive the ancient estate of his family, and his wish to fight against those whom he has always regarded as his enemy… The English.But with the core of the French fleet on the verge of mutiny and the horrors of ‘Madame Guillotine’ at their peak, Philippe will have more than warfare, politics and family entanglements to contend with.From a toxic homecoming welcome to an arbitrary spell in gaol, Philippe’s loyalty to the republic will be tested to breaking point. Everything will come to a head in a life-or-death battle on the high seas, which will leave him with an impossible choice. One that will change his life forever…The thrilling introduction to the newest star of Napoleonic naval fiction, Philippe Kermorvant, from award-winning naval author and historian J. D. Davies, perfect for fans of C. S. Forester, Patrick O’Brian and Julian Stockwin.

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Book SynopsisLegendary warriors, devastating sea battles, and a chance, finally, for vengeance.After a daring escape from a British prison, Philippe Kermorvant returns to France and gains command of a frigate in the Mediterranean, where France is trying to rebuild its decimated fleet.Facing overwhelming odds, the fleet is forced to flee for refuge to a fortified bay. The prospect of an interminable blockade looms, but Philippe is given leave from his command to meet an enigmatic young general, who has a mission for him.What follows is a shocking murder, a siege, a whirlwind romance and a duel to the death on the high seas, as Philippe contends with threats from every side. And amidst all this chaos, a terrible face from his past threatens to uproot everything that he has built for himself.A fascinating naval adventure of the Age of Sail told from the French perspective, perfect for fans of Hornblower and Sharpe.

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Book SynopsisRose Wallace thought her time-travelling adventures were over. Jane Austen is about to prove her wrong.After becoming trapped in present-day Bath due to a mishap with her time-travelling charm, Jane Austen is safe and sound back in the 1800s thanks to Rose’s help. Now, Rose is ready to focus on her fledgling romance with dreamy Dr Aiden Trevellyan.But when Jane reappears in the present, it looks like Rose and Aiden have no choice but to follow her back to 1813…Staying in the Austen household, Rose and Aiden are introduced to a number of interesting figures from the past, including Jane’s eccentric – and surprisingly modern – neighbour. Suddenly Rose’s life is in need of a re-write as she discovers some unexpected ties to Jane Austen's world and her past.The sequel to The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen is perfect for fans of Victoria Connelly's Austen Addicts series and The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler.Praise for The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen:"The mix of historical fiction, romance and time travel works perfectly and this novel is entertaining and unputdownable." 5* Reader review"It felt as if I had been let into the home of Jane Austen herself and was allowed glimpses of how her life would have been lived. A fabulous and well-written read." 5* Reader review"This book was as entertaining and funny as the first book ... It was full of historical tidbits about the properties surrounding Jane’s home in Chawton village. It made me want to pay it a visit!" 5* Reader review"This was even better than the previous book. It was written so well and the pace of the story was perfect. A must read book." 5* Reader review "I absolutely adored this book. Rose’s budding romance with Aiden kept me smiling while her emerging past kept me crying. Read it if you like Jane Austen, if you like to laugh and cry with the characters." 5* Reader review"The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen is a perfect sequel to book one, the characters develop and relationships are tested. Rose is a wonderfully inviting character and the book exudes warmth, surprise and toil in spades." 5* Reader review“I really loved reading this, as much as the first in the series. The characters are well developed, the plot is interesting and the minor cliffhanger makes me hope for a third book in this series. The book is also hilarious at times and I did laugh out loud.” 5* Reader review

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Book SynopsisWill Britain take him in... or mark him as its enemy?'A brilliantly realised world of Imperial ambition and native resistance' Simon Scarrow'Wonderful, distinct characters' Conn IgguldenFaustus Valerianus is the son of a Roman father and a British mother, a captive sold among the spoils after Claudius’s invasion.Now both parents have died within a month of each other, and so he sells the family farm and enlists, joining legendary general Agricola’s campaign to conquer the entirety of the British Isles culminating in a devastating battle amongst Caledonia's dark mountains.But Faustus will have to contend with more than ferocious British warriors and whip-cracking elements. For the bonds of blood can weigh heavy on one’s soul. The call of his mother’s true people. His father’s restless shadow. Faustus must carry them with him…A deeply moving, gripping, epic historical drama, perfect for fans of Rosemary Sutcliff, Ben Kane and Simon Scarrow.Praise for Shadow of the Eagle 'Faustus is a fascinating character and it’s a treat to see how he negotiates the challenges he faces. His duties in the service of Rome comprise a truly Faustian pact!' Simon Scarrow'I adored Faustus and Constantia in particular. Great sense of humour throughout. This is a terrific read' Conn Iggulden'I only need one word to describe this stunning novel: masterful' Anthony Riches, Sunday Times bestselling author of Wounds of Honour‘Blood, steel, honour, and a deep and gripping tale of the Roman army on the frontier of the empire. Hunter has created an instant classic' S J A Turney, author of the Marius' Mules series'A haunting, historical epic' Gordon Doherty, author of Sons of Rome'Enthralling and authentic historical roman fiction, that brings the period alive and keeps you turning the page' Alex Gough, author of Emperor's Sword

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Book Synopsis'Finch has written a blood-soaked historical epic to rank with the best' Anthony Riches, author of Storm of WarThe throne of England is under threat, but one lad’s battle is much closer to home.Storm clouds gathering at England’s shores…Autumn, 1066. Saxon England, a realm at peace for fifty years, unknowingly enjoys its last peaceful harvest. For a Viking horde, led by the dreaded Harald Hardraada, circles off the north-eastern coast, while William of Normandy, a wolf in human guise, waits in the south, greedily sizing up the wealthy kingdom.…will change a young man’s future…Seventeen-year-old Cerdic, as second in line to the earldom of Ripon in northern England, is being trained for a future in the Church. But croziers and catechism do not fire Cerdic’s soul. He longs instead to be a warrior, like his brother Unferth, and ride to battle in defence of his lands.…and unseat his whole worldBut as the invasion fleets sail, Cerdic finds himself caught in a maelstrom that will utterly reshape the life he used to know. A catastrophic war is coming to England, and Cerdic’s wish for battle looks set to come true…Sunday Times bestselling author Paul Finch’s first historical novel is an edge-of-your-seat coming-of-age adventure in early medieval England, perfect for fans of David Gilman and Bernard Cornwell.Praise for Usurper 'Usurper is an action-packed, coming-of-age, adventure set against the upheaval and battles of 1066. Finch gives us Cerdic, a troubled hero thrown into the maelstrom of events outside of his control, and we follow him breathlessly as he deals with brutal Vikings, familial rivalries, unrequited love, invading Normans and more!' Matthew Harffy, author of the Bernicia Chronicles'Usurper propels the reader from the very first page through a dark and desperate age when Britons fought for their survival. Fearsome battles, believable characters, uncommon valour. A relentless page turner' David Gilman, author of the Master of War series'The grim world of Anglo Saxon England is brought evocatively to life by master storyteller Paul Finch as he thrusts the reader deep into the cold and mud and blood of a country teetering on the brink of a devastating war for survival. Usurper is a must-read for any lover of history, capturing all the rich detail of a turbulent time and stitching it through with powerful emotion' James Wilde, author of the Hereward Chronicles'An authentic and vivid depiction of life in England in 1066, and a brutal, blood-soaked thriller that will be loved by fans of Cornwell's Last Kingdom' Alex Gough, author of the Imperial Assassins series'Finch brings 1066 to life in new and vivid ways. Packed with blistering battle scenes and believable characters, this is a superb historical novel' Steven A. McKay, author of the Druid series

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Book SynopsisWho was the man that would become Caesar's lieutenant, Brutus' rival, Cleopatra's lover, and Octavian's enemy?When his stepfather is executed for his involvement in the Catilinarian conspiracy, Mark Antony and his family are disgraced. His adolescence is marked by scandal and mischief, his love affairs are fleeting, and yet, his ambition is vast.Antony's path to prosperity leads him to an education in Athens, a campaign for a seat in the Senate, and a position of military command. Undeterred by his baptism of fire on the battlefields of Judaea and Egypt, he climbs the ranks to become the right hand man of Rome’s most famous general, Julius Caesar.The first of an epic new four book series, Caesar’s Soldier brings to life the world of one of history’s greatest warriors and romantics, as he becomes an integral part of the Roman Republic in its moment of glory and crisis. Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.Praise for Caesar's Soldier:'A bold and exciting recreation of the Roman world' Harry Sidebottom, author of the Warrior of Rome series'A compelling and admirably detailed opening act to what promises to be a truly epic saga.' Ian Ross, author of the Twilight of Empire series'Roman fiction has a new master in Alex Gough.' S. J. A. Turney, author of the Marius' Mules series'Caesar’s Soldier puts flesh on the historical bones of Marcus Antonius... The first in a series, Caesar’s Soldier leaves us eagerly awaiting the next volume' Amanda Cockrell, author of The Borderlands Books'A tour de force from a master of Roman fiction' Gordon Doherty, author of the Rise of Emperors series'A fascinating account of a complex and compelling man' Ruth Downie, author of the Medicus Series'Another thrilling Roman read from Alex Gough, sparkling with life' Alison Morton, author of the Roma Nova Thrillers

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Book SynopsisThe battle for England is over. The fight for Wulfbury has just begun.AD 1066. Cerdic is a prisoner of war. Captured after the Battle of Hastings, his fate is in the hands of the victorious Norman count Cynric, who is in no mood to feed and look after worthless Englishmen as the army moves inland. His survival depends on his ability to convince them of his value.Cerdic’s sole bargaining chip is his lordship of Wulfbury, a small stronghold in Northumberia, following the deaths of his father, its earl, and elder brother in the invasions. If he can entice them with the lure of this fiefdom, he may yet survive.But the fortress is held by a ferocious band of Vikings, who will not give it up without a fight. Will Cerdic be able to convince the Norman knights to let him live, or will his fate be the same as so many other Englishmen lying on the battlefield of Senlac Ridge?A gripping historical adventure perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and David Gilman.

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Book SynopsisA clash of crowns pits brother against sister in the battle for ultimate powerAn ambitious kingSpring, AD 777. Sigurd Hring, new King of the Svear, is summoning all the greatest warriors of the North to his banner, promising them riches and glory. He invites Bjarki Bloodhand, the famous berserkr who can summon the fury of a wild bear in battle, to swear an oath of fealty to him. But Bjarki has already sailed away to rescue a beautiful Saxon princess.A reluctant shield maidenTor Hildarsdottir, sister of Bjarki, now oath-bound to a powerful Svealand jarl, finds herself unwillingly enrolled in Sigurd’s mighty army. When Sigurd Hring arrogantly rejects the overlordship of Siegfried, King of the Dane-Mark, red war is inevitable.The battle to end all battlesThe two sides agree to meet on the field of honour at Norrkoping on the Svealand border. But Bjarki has sworn an oath to Siegfried and joined his Danish host, while Tor must fight for her lord and homeland. So the siblings will face each other over the shield-rims in a battle to end all battles to decide who shall be… King of the North.The epic fourth volume in the Fire Born saga, perfect for fans of Giles Kristian and Matthew Harffy.

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Book SynopsisFor whatever we lose, it is our self we find in the sea.‘The best swashbuckler of the year ... There are echoes of Horatio Hornblower in Nightingale’s introspection and doubts. The gay love story is beautifully written and the evocation of life on board the Scylla is equally good’ The Times ‘An extraordinary work, absolutely breathtaking ... it beggars belief’ Conn Iggulden, New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author‘Achingly beautiful. A delightful, romantic, queer historical adventure’ Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling authorCaptain Hiram Nightingale is a veteran of the wars which have raged throughout Europe and the Americas. But a grand victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 comes at a devastating cost. Plagued by wounds both physical and mental, he attempts to recover by accepting command of HMS Scylla. His task is to hunt down a mutinous ship and bring the crew to justice.However, it soon becomes clear that the mission is just one danger in an immense web. Nightingale finds himself in the middle of a network of secrets that will affect everyone onboard the Scylla. He has to battle against the perils of the war-torn seas, a crew who he fears does not accept him, and meddling, powerful figures from his past.And in the centre of all this, his new lieutenant, the popular Arthur Courtney, stirs up long repressed feelings. On his journey, Nightingale must confront his own demons. For it seems, during his dangerous adventure, his greatest enemy might just be himself.A deeply poignant tale of naval warfare, political intrigue and a love between two men that stands tall in an unaccepting world. Perfect for fans of Hornblower, Sharpe and Outlander.Praise for Leeward ‘There is a weight of human insight here that is quite dazzling. A story told with such panache deserves a bestseller mass audience’ Conn Iggulden‘One of the best debut novels I have read in many years. A magnificent, compelling read’ Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author‘Profound, intricate, artful. A truly original story of forbidden love and adventure. I urge you to sail into the storm!’ A. J. West, Sunday Times bestselling author‘A stunning book. In an utterly authentic voice, Katie Daysh brings to life the terrifying power of the sea, and the bonds of both love and duty that tie a captain to his ship’ Damion Hunter, author of Shadow of the Eagle

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Book SynopsisThe wolves of Odin escort a Norman noblewoman to her wedding in France, but there are plenty who object to the union, and will not hold their peace…AD 1044. All eyes are on the marriage of Beatrix de Hautville to Armand de Mortain. The union could calm a tense political situation in Normandy: a young, illegitimate nobleman called William is vying for the ducal throne, and making plenty of enemies along the way.One of these is Beatrix’s elder brother, Serlo, and it is hoped the joining of the two families will cool his anger.Halfdan and the wolves of Odin are bound for stormy political seas. Will they be able to navigate the currents, or will they be drawn into a brutal family feud?Packed with political machinations in the pursuit of power, this adventure is perfect for fans of Giles Kristian.

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Book SynopsisThe call of the republic, the weight of destiny. A new legend takes to the seas.'A thrilling new adventure series that rivals the immortal Patrick O’Brian' Angus Donald1793. The infant French republic is assailed on all sides, by enemies within and the combined might of the great European monarchies without. A fanatical regime has taken power in Paris.In the midst of these upheavals, Philippe Kermorvant, son of an English aristocrat and a French nobleman, arrives in Brittany, his father’s homeland, for the first time in his life. He gained experience of brutal warfare as a young officer in the fledgling United States, and Russian, Navies. Now he has three reasons for making his new home in France: his fervent belief in the ideals proclaimed by the new French Republic, his desire to revive the ancient estate of his family, and his wish to fight against those whom he has always regarded as his enemy… The English.But with the core of the French fleet on the verge of mutiny and the horrors of ‘Madame Guillotine’ at their peak, Philippe will have more than warfare, politics and family entanglements to contend with.From a toxic homecoming welcome to an arbitrary spell in gaol, Philippe’s loyalty to the republic will be tested to breaking point. Everything will come to a head in a life-or-death battle on the high seas, which will leave him with an impossible choice. One that will change his life forever…The thrilling introduction to the newest star of Napoleonic naval fiction, Philippe Kermorvant, from award-winning naval author and historian J. D. Davies, perfect for fans of C. S. Forester, Patrick O’Brian and Julian Stockwin.

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Book SynopsisIn a world of gunpowder, smoke and blood, two men's love will rise above the chaos.''An absorbing follow-up to the brilliant Leeward'' The TimesIn 1802, The Treaty of Amiens brings the French Revolutionary Wars to an end. After the drama of the past few years, Lieutenant Arthur Courtney returns home to England where he hopes to spend a blissful summer with his close friend, Hiram Nightingale.But within weeks, HMS Loyal goes missing en route to Malta. She carries a French and British diplomat, Hugo Baptiste and Sir William Haywood. Their disappearance, in this tentative time of peace, may be enough to prematurely ignite war between France and Britain once more.Both Courtney and Nightingale, Sir William's son-in-law, receive a position on HMS Lysander, tasked with tracking down the missing frigate. But as their mission grows ever more d

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Book SynopsisIn a world of gunpowder, smoke and blood, two men's love will rise above the chaos.''An absorbing follow-up to the brilliant Leeward'' The TimesIn 1802, The Treaty of Amiens brings the French Revolutionary Wars to an end. After the drama of the past few years, Lieutenant Arthur Courtney returns home to England where he hopes to spend a blissful summer with his close friend, Hiram Nightingale.But within weeks, HMS Loyal goes missing en route to Malta. She carries a French and British diplomat, Hugo Baptiste and Sir William Haywood. Their disappearance, in this tentative time of peace, may be enough to prematurely ignite war between France and Britain once more.Both Courtney and Nightingale, Sir William's son-in-law, receive a position on HMS Lysander, tasked with tracking down the missing frigate. But as their mission grows ever more d

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Book SynopsisFor whatever we lose, it is our self we find in the sea.‘The best swashbuckler of the year ... There are echoes of Horatio Hornblower in Nightingale’s introspection and doubts. The gay love story is beautifully written and the evocation of life on board the Scylla is equally good’ The Times ‘An extraordinary work, absolutely breathtaking ... it beggars belief’ Conn Iggulden, New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author‘Achingly beautiful. A delightful, romantic, queer historical adventure’ Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling authorCaptain Hiram Nightingale is a veteran of the wars which have raged throughout Europe and the Americas. But a grand victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 comes at a devastating cost. Plagued by wounds both physical and mental, he attempts to recover by accepting command of HMS Scylla. His task is to hunt down a mutinous ship and bring the crew to justice.However, it soon becomes clear that the mission is just one danger in an immense web. Nightingale finds himself in the middle of a network of secrets that will affect everyone onboard the Scylla. He has to battle against the perils of the war-torn seas, a crew who he fears does not accept him, and meddling, powerful figures from his past.And in the centre of all this, his new lieutenant, the popular Arthur Courtney, stirs up long repressed feelings. On his journey, Nightingale must confront his own demons. For it seems, during his dangerous adventure, his greatest enemy might just be himself.A deeply poignant tale of naval warfare, political intrigue and a love between two men that stands tall in an unaccepting world. Perfect for fans of Hornblower, Sharpe and Outlander.Praise for Leeward ‘There is a weight of human insight here that is quite dazzling. A story told with such panache deserves a bestseller mass audience’ Conn Iggulden‘One of the best debut novels I have read in many years. A magnificent, compelling read’ Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author‘Profound, intricate, artful. A truly original story of forbidden love and adventure. I urge you to sail into the storm!’ A. J. West, Sunday Times bestselling author‘A stunning book. In an utterly authentic voice, Katie Daysh brings to life the terrifying power of the sea, and the bonds of both love and duty that tie a captain to his ship’ Damion Hunter, author of Shadow of the Eagle

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Book Synopsis'Fierce, vivid and richly detailed' Daily Mail'Gripping. Fans of Shogun will love it' Conn Iggulden'A necessary tale that’s been masterfully told' Femi Kayode, author of GaslightThe incredible story of the slave who became a Japanese samurai.In 1579, a Portuguese trade ship sails into port at Kinchotsu, Japan, loaded with European wares and weapons. Also aboard is an East African slave. Taken from his village as a boy, sold to mercenaries and forced to fight in Indian wars that meant nothing to him, he is a young but experienced soldier.Serving as the protector for a high-ranking Italian priest, the young man joins an expedition pushing inland towards the capital city of Kyoto.There they meet Oda Nobunaga, the most powerful warlord in Japan, who is preparing a campaign to unify the country after more than a hundred years of civil war. Under the tutelage of Nobunaga, the young African soldier becomes the great warrior Yasuke, Japan’s first foreign samurai, and the only one ever of African descent. His preoccupation is not a question of power, as it is for Nobunaga, but one of freedom.A timeless, epic story, a magnificent reconstruction and moving study of a lost historical figure, and a truly enthralling narrative, thrilling in its dramatization of the making of modern Japan, from which rises the most unlikely of heroes.Praise for The African Samurai 'Breathtakingly visual with dialogue that’s filled with insights and wisdom … Written with compassion and an authenticity brought on by painstaking research, Shreve is the rarest of writers: one who can evoke varied emotions in the reader with few words and attention to detail. I experienced sixteenth-century Japan like never before despite being a huge fan of the novels of Eric Van Lustbader and the seminal Shogun by James Clavell. Yet, it is Yasuke’s journey that pulls me fully and completely into that world, with a sensitivity that’s unparalleled and which will most certainly guarantee The African Samurai’s stellar position in the literary space.'Violent, raw, visceral, incisive and deftly plotted, Shreve has given us a hero we did not know we needed. He has given voice to someone who has been silenced throughout history, and in the process he has offered us (the reader) hope. In Yasuke, we have found a hero as broken as he is brave and as strong as he is flawed.'A necessary tale that’s been masterfully told, and an essential read for lovers of great literature' Femi Kayode, author of Gaslight'Shreve tells an extraordinary story with dramatic intensity, sensitivity, and consummate imagination. Like all the best historical novels, it feels relevant and even essential to our present moment. Of the many admirable things about this novel, perhaps the greatest is Shreve’s feat of breathing life into Yasuke, its central character, and rescuing this remarkable man from obscurity' David Bezmozgis, award-winning author of Immigrant City and The Betrayers'A complex and deeply moving story . . . that powerfully resonates with our current times. The deftly drawn characters of European, Asian and African origin inhabit a sometimes frightening but ultimately hopeful story due to Shreve’s immense skills at illuminating the power of the human spirit' Jeffrey Colvin, award-winning author of Africville'A sweeping historical epic anchored by one man's fight for survival and the search for a home and identity ripped away. Fearlessly told and painstakingly crafted, The African Samurai explores rare literary territory and tells a singular, visceral tale of discovery and endurance' — Kevin Hardcastle, award-winning author of In the Cage and Debris

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Book SynopsisWith the men missing in action, can the Bomber Girls find a way to bring them home?Pearl, Thea and Jenny fling themselves into making Fenthorpe as festive as it can be, looking forward to the Christmas dance. Disaster strikes when Pearl's husband, Greg, crashes behind enemy lines and is reported missing. Pearl and Thea's grandmother, Deedee, immediately travels to Lincoln to support her granddaughter. But Deedee has a surprising - and troublesome - connection to Fenthorpe. Can the girls uncover her secrets to help their grandmother find new romance?And can Greg evade capture and survive in enemy-occupied Holland to make it home for Christmas?It's never too late to fall in love in this heartwarming Second World War saga, perfect for fans of Soraya Lane, Kate Thompson and Lizzie Page. Praise for Christmas for the Bomber Girls A lovely festive read' ????? Reader reviewIt felt like rejoining old friends slipping into this book! Compelling I couldn't put the book down' ????? Reader revi

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Book SynopsisTwo kingdoms clash in one of the greatest battles of the Hundred Years War.September 1356. Martin Kemp and his troop of archers ride with the Black Prince's army as it burns and plunders its way across France. When they find all the bridges across the Loire are destroyed, however, their hopes of uniting with the Duke of Lancaster's army are dashed, and a hasty retreat is the order of the day.But a French army is closing in fast and Kemp's old foe, Sir Geoffroi de Chargny, rides with it, now honoured with the duty of bearing the Oriflamme: the sacred war banner of France.Cut off, outnumbered and running out of supplies, the weary English realise their only hope is to risk everything on a pitched battle, and hope the tricks they used ten years earlier at Crécy will pay off a second time, in a field just a few miles outside of PoitiersA climactic moment in history expertly told by a master of the genre, perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and Dav

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Book SynopsisA powerful new novel set in the fourth-century Roman Empire by critically acclaimed historical novelist Simon Turney, Para Bellum will delight fans of Scarrow, Kane and Cornwell. AD 381. Five years have gone by since a Roman governor ordered the deaths of a Gothic king and his attendants at a feast in their honour. This disastrous act led to warfare in the Roman Empire and the death of the Emperor Valens. The Empire is now at peace, but the powerful brother of the murdered king has sworn revenge on the regicides, and will not rest until they are hunted down. For the eight legionaries who carried out the killings, the bloodshed is only just beginning. Flavius Focalis is one of those legionaries. After narrowly surviving an attempt on his life, Focalis seeks to warn his former comrades, for he knows their enemy is implacable. So begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across the Empire, with far more than eight lives at stake. For war is coming – and the only question is: do they die now, or die later? 'You should be reading Simon Turney' Anthony RichesTrade Review'A blistering desert epic, brimming with tension, mystery and adventure!' Gordon Doherty 'First-rate Roman fiction' Matthew Harffy 'A vivid, historically authentic Roman military thriller, with non-stop action and excitement that keeps you turning the pages.' Alex Gough 'A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read.' Ben Kane

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Book SynopsisPREORDER SIMON TURNEY'S THRILLING NEW ROMAN EMPIRE NOVEL, AGRICOLA: WARRIOR, NOW!An empire on the edge. A scheme for glory. A plan to control the greatest river in the world. 61 AD. Under Emperor Nero, Rome is rich and powerful, but dissatisfaction is rife. The emperor himself schemes avidly to increase his wealth and indulge his pleasures - and slaughter his many enemies - but also seeks glory. The great River Nile, life-giver to the Egyptians, the Kushites, and many other kingdoms through the African continent. Nobody from the Roman Empire has ever tracked the Nile to its source... but if it can be done, mastery of the greatest waterway in the known world - and with it, the control of friend and foe alike - may be possible. But the price of obtaining such knowledge will be terrible. Those soldiers selected to command and serve on the mission will be at risk the moment they pass beyond the Roman borders of Egypt. Kingdoms and tribes hostile to Rome, vast swathes of desert, fierc

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Book SynopsisAn empire on the edge. A scheme for glory.A plan to control the greatest river in the world.61 AD. Under Emperor Nero, Rome is rich and powerful, but dissatisfaction is rife. The emperor himself schemes avidly to increase his wealth and indulge his pleasures - and slaughter his many enemies - but also seeks glory.The great River Nile, life-giver to the Egyptians, the Kushites, and many other kingdoms through the African continent. Nobody from the Roman Empire has ever tracked the Nile to its source... but if it can be done, mastery of the greatest waterway in the known world - and with it, the control of friend and foe alike - may be possible. But the price of obtaining such knowledge will be terrible. Those soldiers selected to command and serve on the mission will be at risk the moment they pass beyond the Roman borders of Egypt. Kingdoms and tribes hostile to Rome, vast swathes of desert, fierce beasts... and the price of failure hanging over their heads, for Nero is not an easy man to please.A gripping historical adventure featuring many historical figures from the classical era, Terra Incognita is perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.

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Book SynopsisIn a world of war and ruin, men and gods collide.436 AD. The Burgundars are confident of destroying Rome''s legions. Their forces are strong and they have beaten the Romans in battle before. But they are annihilated, their king killed, his people scattered. Their fabled treasure is lost. For Rome has new allies: the Huns, whose taste for bloodshed knows no bounds. Many years later, the Huns, led by the fearsome Attila, have become the deadliest enemies of Rome. Attila seeks the Burgundars'' treasure, for it includes the legendary Sword of the War God, said to make the bearer unbeatable.No alliance can defeat Attila by conventional means. With Rome desperate for help, a one-eyed old warlord from distant lands and his strange band of warriors may have the answers... but oaths will be broken and the plains of Europe will run with blood before the end.Drawing on Norse mythology and European history, Sword of the War God is an epic histori

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Book SynopsisTHE EPIC HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE YEAR - READERS LOVE SWORD OF THE WAR GOD!''Tim Hodkinson has created a fascinating and undeniably epic tale... Highly recommended!'' Theodore Brun''A relentless tale from start to finish that will leave you breathless for more.'' Richard CullenFeaturing breathtaking battles, fearsome foes, and vehement vows of vengeance, SWORD OF THE WAR GOD is a thrilling adventure set amongst the blood and tumult of fifth-century Europe, where the dying Roman Empire, the mighty Huns, and heroes from Norse mythology vie for power. In a world of war and ruin, men and gods collide.436 AD. The Burgundars are confident of destroying Rome''s legions, for the Empire is weak. Their forces are strong and they have beaten the Romans in battle before. But they are annihilated, their king killed, his people scattered. Their fabled treasure is lost. For Rome has new allies: the Huns, wh

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Book SynopsisHunlaf battles peril and intrigue on a dangerous voyage to Muslim Spain.AD 796. Sailing in search of an object of great power, Hunlaf and his comrades are far from home when they are caught up in a violent skirmish against pirates.After the bloody onslaught, an encounter with ships from Islamic Spain soon sees them escorted under guard to the city of Qadis, one of the jewels of the Emirate of Al-Andalus and the true destination of their voyage.Hunlaf believes the Emir''s lands hold the key to his search, but there are dangerous games at play. To achieve his goal, Hunlaf and his allies must walk a difficult path where friends and enemies alike are not always what they seem - and where a weapon deadlier than any yet seen could change the future of all the kingdoms in Europe.The third thrilling historical adventure in the A Time for Swords series by Matthew Harffy, perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwell.<

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Book SynopsisA thrilling historical western set in 1890s Oregon, from the author of the critically acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles. An English soldier turned police officer escapes to the American West for a new life, but things in Oregon prove far harder than he expected.A man can flee from everything but his own nature.1890. Lieutenant Gabriel Stokes of the British Army left behind the horrors of war in Afghanistan for a role in the Metropolitan Police. Though he rose quickly through the ranks, the squalid violence of London''s East End proved just as dark and oppressive as the battlefield. With his life falling apart, and longing for peace and meaning, Gabriel leaves the grime of London behind and heads for the wilderness and wide open spaces of the American West. He soon realises that the wilds of Oregon are far from the idyll he has yearned for. The Blue Mountains may be beautiful, but with the frontier a complex patchwork of feuds and felo

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Book SynopsisA thrilling historical western set in 1890s Oregon. An English soldier turned policeman escapes to the American West for a new future, but life on the frontier proves far harder than he ever imagined...''Slipping into Dark Frontier is like pulling on a comfortable pair of old cowboy boots. Matthew Harffy knows how to write a real western.'' C.J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three-Inch Teeth''A modern western with grit in its teeth. A European soldier and man of the world finds the Wild West to be wilder than he might have expected. Much to the reader''s delight.'' Joe R. LansdaleA man can flee from everything but his own nature.1890. Lieutenant Gabriel Stokes of the British Army left behind the horrors of war for a role in the Metropolitan Police. Though he rose quickly through the ranks, the squalid violence of London's East End proved just as dark and oppressive as the battlefield. With his life falling apart, and longing for peace and meaning, Gabriel leaves the grime of London behind and heads for the wide open spaces of the American West. He soon realises that the wilds of Oregon are far from the idyll he has yearned for. The Blue Mountains may be beautiful, but with the frontier a complex patchwork of feuds and felonies, and ranchers as vicious as any back alley cut-throat in London, Gabriel finds himself unable to escape his past and the demons that drive him. Can he find a place for himself on the far edge of the New World?''An incredibly satisfying novel.'' Theodore Brun''The best adventure novel I have read all year in any genre.'' Angus Donald''Harffy breathes new life into the Western genre with all the sureness of a maestro. Dark Frontier is set to become an instant classic.'' Richard Cullen''What a terrific read this is! Well-written and well-paced.'' Griff Hosker''A phenomenally well-written and twisty fusion of classic western and tense Victorian detective thriller, with a bit of Jack Reacher thrown in.'' Mark Knowles

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Book SynopsisThe thrilling new instalment in the action-packed Bernicia Chronicles from Matthew Harffy. Warlord Beobrand travels to holy Rome... but sinister plots and bloody conflict line his path once more.AD 652. After surviving dark intrigues at the Merovingian court of Frankia, Beobrand is finally able to undertake the mission his queen set him: to escort a party of pilgrims to the holy city of Rome.But Beobrand''s life is never easy. His party includes a scheming novice churchman whose ambition is boundless, and a mysterious envoy from Frankia.Entering the lands of the Langobards, Beobrand discovers unexpected similarities to his native Northumbria in their speech and customs... and their willingness to spill blood.The roads heading south are filled with danger. Meeting other pilgrims who have been attacked and robbed, Beobrand soon finds himself reluctantly responsible for their safety. Confronting brigands and robbers at every turn, they press on to

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Book SynopsisThe thrilling new historical adventure from Matthew Harffy. Warlord Beobrand's mission to Rome proves perilous as sinister plots are underway.

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Book SynopsisA king, old and frail. A challenger filled with vengeance. A kingdom's fate at stake.Sven the Boar is Jarl of Ribe once more. He and Charles try to settle into their new lives, but trouble and treachery are never too far away.Tormented by recent events, Charles struggles to adapt to life amongst the heathens that mock his Christian God and the arrival of a priest from the south only makes things worse.Meanwhile, Sven is burdened with the responsibilities of being Jarl again and protecting his grandson from those hunting him.When forced into an alliance with King Horik’s nephew who is raising an army to challenge his uncle for the throne of Denmark, Sven makes an important decision.As the threat of war becomes real, Sven rides to fight a battle that will change the destiny of Denmark.But whilst he fights, will Charles remain safe or are other games in play that threaten him?Praise for The Charlemagne's Cross Series'Donovan Cook’s Charlemagne’s Cross series has everything I look for in a tale of the Dark Ages. Adventure and gritty action set against the backdrop of clashing religions and the collision of kingdoms. Great stuff!' - Matthew Harffy'A fabulous Norse tale of family secrets, betrayal and conflict right up until the very last page - I loved it!'- MJ Porter'An action-packed scintillating thriller. Pacy, raw, violent fayre, with a cast of characters you'll swiftly loathe or admire - you'll think you're in the shield wall' - Ross Greenwood'5.0 out of 5 stars For fans of historic fiction you’ll love this, action packed with perfect mix of development to suit' - Reader Review'I really can’t wait for the next book in the series, I thought it a riveting read. I’m so tired now, I couldn’t put it down until about 4am. Read it, you won’t be disappointed.' - Reader Review'Another brilliant story by the Author! Cannot wait for the next book, each one seems to just get better and better. Brilliant story line.- - Reader Review

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Book SynopsisBY THE AUTHOR OF THE 2021 BOOKER PRIZE-SHORTLISTED AND 2022 WOMEN'S FICTION PRIZE-SHORTLISTED GREAT CIRCLE'The same chilling brilliance of Daphne du Maurier's most unsettling short fiction' FINANCIAL TIMES'Has an innate charm of its own. Beautifully realised' DAILY MAIL'It's a rare writer who can create a world as convincingly over a few pages as in a 600-page novel; Shipstead's fluency in both forms is testament to the skill she modestly casts as a work in progress' Stephanie Merritt, GUARDIAN'Maggie Shipstead combines cinematic scope with a poet's attention to detail' THE TIMESA collection of sparkling award-winning stories from Maggie Shipstead, epic storyteller and astonishing chronicler of the daring and the damaged. Diving into eclectic and vivid settings, from an Olympic village to a deathbed in Paris to a Pacific atoll, and illuminating a cast of unforgettable characters, Shipstead traverses the ordinary and extraordinary with cunning, compassion, and wit.Meet the silent cowgirl and horse wrangler escaping an ugly home life, only to fall into a decade-long triangle of unrequited love; a male novelist who is just reckoning with his own pretentiousness as his debut novel goes to print; a honeymoon couple's time in the hills of Romania builds into a moment of shattering tragedy. In the title story, a famous child actress breaks away from a religious cult, as she tells - with brittle candour - her tale of childhood damage and the dark side of fame.Exuding both tenderness and bite, Shipstead exposes complicated truths in this dazzling collection sealing her reputation as an astonishingly versatile master of fiction.---------------------'Shipstead is a writer who can vividly summon whatever she chooses, taking the reader deep inside the world she creates' FINANCIAL TIMES'Shipstead observes people beautifully' THE TIMESTrade ReviewThe same chilling brilliance of Daphne du Maurier's most unsettling short fiction * FINANCIAL TIMES *It's a rare writer who can create a world as convincingly over a few pages as in a 600-page novel; Shipstead's fluency in both forms is testament to the skill she modestly casts as a work in progress * Stephanie Merritt, GUARDIAN *Shipstead observes people beautifully * THE TIMES *Has an innate charm of its own. Beautifully realised * DAILY MAIL *Shipstead's prose is lovely. Precise, vivid, vital * DAILY EXPRESS *

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Book SynopsisA THE TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARLONGLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTIONSHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 'Immersive and beautiful' The Times 'A rollicking, page-turning wild west adventure' Guardian'Thrilling' New Statesman 'I can't recommend it enough' Rachel Joyce'Paddy Crewe has a 24-carat gift' Sebastian BarryYip Tolroy and his fiery Mama run the general store in Heron's Creek, Georgia. An uneventful life, until gold is discovered nearby and Yip is caught up in a bloody, grievous crime forcing him to flee. On the run, friendless and alone, he meets Dud Carter a savvy but unlikely companion. Together, they embark on a journey that thrusts them unwittingly into a world of menace and violence, of lust and revenge. And, as Yip and Dud's odyssey takes them further into the unknown - via travelling shows, escaped slaves and the greed of gold-hungry men - the pull of home only gets stronger. But what will they find there if they ever return?Trade ReviewThis is violent, anarchic American history with echoes of Sebastian Barry's Days Without End, but Paddy Crewe's take is startlingly original... Yip's tale is immersive and beautiful in unexpected places. On the strength of this sensational debut, you will be hearing a lot more about Paddy Crewe. * The Times, Historical Fiction Book of the Month *Paddy Crewe's ambitious, cinematic debut novel set during Georgia's gold rush in a semi-mythic American south that recalls both Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses and Faulkner's Light in August... A rollicking, page-turning wild west adventure, populated by a cast of arresting grotesques, with luminous imagery and an unforgettable protagonist... A remarkably vivid and energetic debut novel; a consummate linguistic performance. * Guardian *Recalls the first-person conjuration of Peter Carey's True History of the Kelly Gang and the brutality and lyricism of Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses... A thrilling bildungsroman adventure, full of reversals of fortune and getaways. * New Statesman *Bold and impressive... This is a book with a distinct rhythm. The timbre of Yip's voice and the constant movement of characters through desolate landscapes creates an energy that seduces the reader. Crewe is an author of huge imaginative range. * Literary Review *My Name is Yip is so utterly itself and vivid. I haven't read anything quite like it. A mesmeric and rollicking adventure told by a narrator like no other - one who beguiles, moves, delights and also had me so worried for him, I was on the edge of my seat. Bold, thrilling, beautifully conceived and deeply atmospheric. I can't recommend it enough. Superb to the last full stop. * Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry *Mute but eloquent, Yip comes thrillingly into our midst to unfurl his singular and singing book of revelations. Murder, gold, lost fathers... Paddy Crewe has a 24-carat gift * Sebastian Barry, author of Days Without End *Magnificent. My Name is Yip is a sheer joy. What a voice, what a story. Yip is an incredible character, up there with Owen Meany and Holden Caulfield for sheer unforgettableness. It's a glorious novel. * Donal Ryan, author of Strange Flowers *Yip Tolroy may not speak, but his voice soars off the page in Paddy Crewe's terrific debut novel. Both an entertaining tale of gold, murder and the impulse for revenge, and a tender coming-of-age story amid the lawlessness of the American frontier. * Paul Howarth, author of Only Killers and Thieves *I love the compelling narrator, somehow a cross between Charles Dickens's David Copperfield and Charles Portis's Mattie Ross. And like True Grit, Yip takes us on a wild ride. * Michael Punke, author of The Revenant and Ridgeline *My Name is Yip accelerates into a wild gallop. There are pleasures (and horrors too) in this picaresque of a plot, but its real power lies in Yip's distinctive voice. From his first words he springs from the page, entirely himself and impossible to resist. An exuberant and original debut. * Clare Clark, author of Savage Lands *What a marvel this novel by Paddy Crewe is, what an unlooked-for firecracker of fury and beauty and rage and hope. My Name Is Yip is a tremendous novel, one that both harks back and burns the way forward, that is built of sentences that sing and roar. * Laird Hunt, author of Neverhome *My Name is Yip is a thrilling adventure story brim-full of humour, strangeness and charm * Ian McGuire, Booker Prize longlisted author of The North Water *A rollicking picaresque... This memorable string of adventures reads like a one-of-a-kind mash-up of Charles Dickens and Cormac McCarthy. * Publishers Weekly *Paddy Crewe takes us on Yip's epic journey with meticulous skill. Told in a voice both idiosyncratic and poetic, this is a moving novel from a talented new writer. * Daniel Wiles, author of Mercia's Take *Unforgettable: rich with imagery, distinctive and convincing * The Times ‘Best Books To Read This Summer’ *Crewe has created a memorable hero - one who cannot speak, but in nonetheless an eloquent voice on the page. * Sunday Times 'Best Historical Fiction Books of 2022' *In this inventive spin on the classic western, the hero Yip is small, mute and hairless. He lives quietly in smalltown Georgia, where his feisty Mama runs the local store. Everything changes when gold is discovered nearby. Yip witnesses a murder and is forced to go on the run with his friend, Dud Carter. The classic buddy tale is revitalised by Paddy Crewe in this dazzlingly original debut. * The Times 'Best Paperbacks for March 2023' *I loved it. At times I thought I was reading Cormac McCarthy; such is the author’s literary power and understanding of the human condition. This is a unique tale, colourfully, evocatively, wonderfully told. -- Giles Kristian * Historia *

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Book SynopsisYour journey is about to begin! Get ready to set sail, soar through the air, climb mountains and blast into space. We are following in the footsteps of history''s most adventurous explorers. Are you ready to start your own amazing adventure?

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Book SynopsisA loyal brother sets out with his tenacious younger sister to avenge her mother's death at the jaws of a mountain lion in 19th-century Texas.

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Book SynopsisThe old ways are dying, and a mighty empire is reaching out across the sea.Brittania, 42AD. The wild island at the fringe of the known world is in chaos.Cunobelin, High King of the Britons, is dead. His heirs, warrior princes Togodubnos and Caratacos, have spurned the careful alliances that kept the irresistible might of the Roman Empire from Britannia's shores for so long.In this land of warriors, druids and kings, riven by conflict, orphan boy Cullen must fight for survival within a tribe he despises. Captured by the Catuvellauni after a brutal raid on his own Atrebates tribe, he must find his purpose swiftly if he is to avoid the murderous attentions of the chief druid.As the Britons turn inward, jostling for dominion, avaricious eyes look on from across the Narrow Sea. The mighty legions gatherThis is the epic story of Britain on the cusp of the Roman conquest, of a clash of civilisations and the last cries of resistance from a doomed way of life.

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Book SynopsisA land of druids and kings teeters on the cusp of Roman invasion

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Book SynopsisFinding Endurance is beautiful, thrilling, heroic and kind, a ripping yarn and a generous and humane reflection on this business of being human. Since the discovery of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance on the bed of the Antarctic ocean, the world has been enthralled anew by one of the greatest stories of all time. Acclaimed South African writer Darrel Bristow-Bovey, himself a Shackleton aficionado, revisits this dramatic event, which managed to sweep the tide of anger and rancour off the timelines and front pages of the world. He asks how so many ordinary people, who don't know a nunatak from a barquentine, were so moved at the finding of a small wooden ship once sailed by a half-forgotten Irishman? In re-examining the story and its players, he presents new details and a new understanding of the courage and hardship of the Endurance voyage, and reminds us of how extraordinary humans can be. Not all is lost, and what has been lost can be regained: the ocean has given us something back. What's more, we are reminded that miracles still happen: human miracles, performed by flawed people in helpless situations. AUTHOR: Darrel Bristow-Bovey is a prize-winning screenwriter and travel writer and a newspaper and magazine columnist. He's the author of six books which have been translated into seven languages, including Spanish, Estonian and Portuguese. He was born in South Africa, studied under JM Coetzee and Andre Brink, and currently divides his time between Cape Town, the UK and a hillside on the Greek Peloponnese.Trade ReviewFinding Endurance is beautiful, thrilling, heroic and kind, a ripping yarn and a generous and humane reflection on this business of being human. -- Claire Robertson, author of The Spiral House, winner of the 2014 Sunday Times Fiction PrizeTender, heartfelt and lyrical. -- Petina Gappah, author of Out of Darkness, Shining LightEngaging, absorbing and crammed with marvellous stories, Finding Endurance is a tale about exploring the cold, told with much warmth * Mick Herron *I was held spellbound by this recounting of one of the world's great adventure stories. But beyond the gripping polar ordeal, I was moved to the core by tender insights - into love, home, fathers and sons, and the long game of life - that emerge like veins of bright and dark water through the ice. Bristow-Bovey shares a deep knowledge of his subject with great style - and more than a touch of Shackleton's own verve and heart. An exhilarating read. * Henrietta Rose-Innes, author of Green Lion *A wonderful, thoughtful account of the Endurance expedition and its fabled boss: as Darrel Bristow-Bovey points out in these pages, "We should indeed all be such failures as Shackleton." In weaving in a personal story - his father claimed to have sailed south on Endurance - Bristow-Bovey reveals ways in which "the human heart has space for opposite things". I thoroughly enjoyed this book. -- Sara Wheeler, travel writer and biographerWith elegiac considerations of subjects including time, hope, and ice, Finding Endurance is a grace-filled memoir about a father and a resilient Antarctic legend ... complemented by beautiful elements of nature writing, biography, and the heroics of polar exploration ... a tender tribute to family. -- Karen Rigby * Foreword *

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Book SynopsisValour and Petrichor are esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin’s guild tasked with keeping order in the rough city of Vinterstock. Plucked from the streets as children and raised to compete for their guild’s approval, Valour uses her brawn to survive, while Petrichor strives to be a gentleman assassin. When they’re given their biggest job yet—to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city''s illegal magic trade—it’s a recipe for disaster. If they can quell their rivalry long enough, the reward will be enough to settle their debts with the Order and start new lives. If this job wasn’t dangerous enough, Valour is saddled with protecting the aristocrat, Ingrid Rytterdahl. Valour finds her dangerously attractive, but Petrichor can’t wait to be rid of them both. He begrudgingly accepts Ingrid’s knowledge and connections as they navigate the city’s criminal underbelly in pursuit of Brandquist. As secrets bubble to the surface, the duo must outwit the thugs on their tail, keep Ingrid alive, and—hardest of all—work together without murdering each other.

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