Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisAD 69...as this most dramatic year draws to a close, now is the time to choose a definitive side... Whilst Vitellius enjoys the trappings of power around him, machinations are afoot. In the East, Vespasian has his eye on the throne, but he needs help preparing Rome for his plans and, for his teenage son Domitian, protection from Vitellius' agents. With her characteristic flair, and lashings of skulduggery, sex, brutality, and humour, L. J. Trafford brings her Roman quartet, tracing the Year of the Four Emperors, to a spectacular conclusion.

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Book SynopsisA gripping novel exploring the lives of three Carmaelite nuns seen through the eyes of an eccentric psychoanalyst in the early 1900's set across Paris, Africa and Spain. Spain, 1920s. The lives of three Carmelite nuns intersect and develop through a period of intense experience. In their personal histories there is great contrast, from the artistic exuberance of Paris in 'La Belle Epoque' to slavery in Africa, but a past element is shared that has deeply affected each one. William Rose adeptly guides the narrative through Africa, Spain and France in the early decades of the 20th century, as the characters reveal their histories and discover the destinies that await them. This novel is a striking exploration of personal history aided by the spirited observations of an eccentric French psychoanalyst. It is also an emotive reflection upon the agony of maternal loss and betrayal, and upon love.Table of ContentsPART ONE: CAMILLE CHAPTER ONE A dream of feathers CHAPTER TWO From an essay on J and his work CHAPTER THREE Camille and Sister Africa CHAPTER FOUR Camille in her cell CHAPTER FIVE From an essay on J and his work. Eros and Psyche CHAPTER SIX Camille with her Sisters CHAPTER SEVEN The Great Silence PART TWO: SISTER AFRICA CHAPTER EIGHT Sister Africa's story CHAPTER NINE The spirit of the cheetah PART THREE: ISSOIRE CHAPTER TEN From an essay on J and his work. A letter from the Prioress of Cordoba CHAPTER ELEVEN The journey to Issoire CHAPTER TWELVE From an essay on J and his work. J continues: Saint Teresa PART FOUR: GENEVIÈVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN Mother Geneviève's story CHAPTER FOURTEEN The young heiress CHAPTER FIFTEEN La Belle Époque CHAPTER SIXTEEN The ball CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Marriage PART FIVE: PRINCESS MARIE BONAPARTE CHAPTER EIGHTEEN From an essay on J and his work. An evening with Marie Bonaparte CHAPTER NINETEEN From an essay on J and his work. Continuing the evening with Marie Bonaparte CHAPTER TWENTY The sacrament of marriage PART SIX: CAMILLE AT ISSOIRE CHAPTER TWENTY ONE A dreamless sleep CHAPTER TWENTY TWO From an essay on J and his work. The sleep of Psyche CHAPTER TWENTY THREE Camille and Geneviève CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR A letter from the Prioress of the Carmel, Cordoba, to the Prioress of Issoire CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE Awakening PART SEVEN: THE THREE CHAPTER TWENTY SIX Sister Julia CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN From an essay on J and his work. J is missing CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT The gardener CHAPTER TWENTY NINE From an essay on J and his work. A letter from Issoire ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Book SynopsisA gripping novel set in Sri Lanka that explores the trauma of a family and a nation caught at a moment of transition Colombo, September 1964. As the newly independent island nation of Ceylon struggles with racial divides, Greta van Buuren faces both the upheaval of her future and the re-emergence of her past. Greta and her family are Ceylonese Burghers, a group of mixed racial origin, whose privileged position in society is coming to an end. Soon she must decide whether to stay, or to leave Ceylon forever. A Different Kind of Madness explores the madness of a family and a nation caught at a moment of transition, neither knowing how or whether they will survive the change. 'A truly wonderful novel, rich with understanding and written with the simple clarity of genius. A Different Kind of Madness is surely destined to become a classic. It is the most satisfying novel I've read for a very long time.' - ALEX MILLER, novelist, and twice winner of the Miles Franklin Award 'Schokman writes in an unselfconscious way even as her descriptions are remarkable for their precision of detail; each character is presented in a way that elicits compassion. This is a book not to be missed.' - THOMAS H. OGDEN, author of The Parts Left Out and The Hands of Gravity and Chance

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Book SynopsisDebauchery. Depravity. Decadence. Just everyday life at the imperial palace. Whilst Emperor Nero plays with his new water organ and a cross-dressing eunuch, his wily secretary Epaphroditus manages affairs of state. But dissent and rebellion are growing across the empire, and Nero is soon to discover playtime is over. Praetorian prefect Nymphidius Sabinus, disgusted by the moral degeneracy, secretly plots the overthrow of Nero's court. Motivated by the traditional Roman values of valour and nobility, yet blinded by his own righteousness, Sabinus is ignorant of what he has unleashed - The Year of the Four Emperors. Palatine is the first in an enthralling four-book series about the tumultuous 'Year of the Four Emperors' which will appeal to fans of Lindsey Davis and George R. R. Martin.Table of ContentsThe Imperial Family Emperor Nero* Empress Statilia Messalina* The Staff—Freed or Freeborn Tiberius Claudius Epaphroditus—the emperor’s private secretary* Tiberius Claudius Philo—the emperor’s private secretary’s secretary Calvia Crispinilla—mistress of the wardrobe* Phaon—head of the messenger section* Ofonius Tigellinus—Praetorian prefect (the drunk one)* Nymphidius Sabinus—Praetorian prefect (the sober one)* Felix—head of slave placements and overseer The Staff—Slaves Artemina (Mina)—keeper of the towel Alexander (Alex)—messenger Sporus—part time empress* Straton—an overseer of exceptional skills Lysander—announcer Daphne—a seamstress Erotica—a girl of obvious talents In Spain Galba—would-be emperor* Titus Vinius—Galba’s second in command* Cornelius Laco—Galba’s second, second in command* Icelus—Galba’s freedman* Marcus Salvius Otho—a skilled courtier* *Historical personages

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Book SynopsisDuplicity. Degeneracy. Destruction. One Empire. Two Emperors. Only one can survive. Rome, AD 69. Having spectacularly grabbed the imperial throne by way of a very bloody coup, new emperor Otho is horrified to discover another emperor already declared. Aulus Vitellius is relaxing in Germania, and his two generals, the twisted Valens and the handsome but dim Caecina, are marching colossal armies to Rome to claim his prize. Hopelessly outnumbered, all looks doomed for Otho, until a series of unexpected victories bring hope.Meanwhile, a former palace slave, Antonia Caenis, returns from Judaea with plans of her own...Table of ContentsRome—Palatine Hill Marcus Salvius Otho—the emperor* Salvius—the emperor’s nephew* Tiberius Claudius Epaphroditus—the emperor’s secretary* Onomastus—the emperor’s dwarf* Marcus Celsus—a valuable military advisor* Servius Sulpicius Lysander—the emperor’s announcer Statilia Messalina—professional empress* Sporus—empress-in-waiting* Artemina (Mina)—the empress’ bodyguard Cassandra—the empress’ secretary Brutus—a star gladiator Honoratus*, Proculus, Lucullus, Paulus—a collection of Praetorians Rome—Elsewhere Flavius Sabinus—city prefect* Titus Flavius Domitian—Flavius’ nephew* Antonia Caenis—a former imperial secretary* Tiberius Claudius Philo—an imperial freedman Teretia—his wife Pompeia Minor—his mother-in-law Verenia—Teretia’s cousin Claudia Aphrodite—Epaphroditus’ estranged wife Nymphidia Sabina—a grieving mother* Elsewhere in the Empire Aulus Vitellius—the other emperor* Fabius Valens—the other emperor’s commander (the cruel one)* Caecina Alienus—the other emperor’s other commander (the handsome one)* Asiaticus—the other emperor’s freedman* Gwencalon—a wise woman Salonina—Caecina’s paramour* *Historical personages

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Book SynopsisRome 68 AD. Slaughtering hundreds of civilians at the gates of Rome is hardly the best introduction for new Emperor Galba to his city. However the aged ruler is determined to get on with clearing up the mess Nero left. Assisting him are his three men: Vinius, Laco and Icelus. Also in his entourage one Marcus Salvius Otho. Jovial, charming and fatally reckless Otho is armed with a killer idea: Wouldn't it be marvellous if the childless Galba adopted him as his heir? Appointing old pal Epaphroditus as his campaign manager, Otho sets about winning hearts and minds in his own unique cheery way. For Epaphroditus it is a harmless way of enlivening his post Nero retirement; either Galba makes Otho his heir, or he doesn't. What could possibly go wrong? For once the former Palace manipulator has fatally miscalculated. These are paranoid times and Otho's 'harmless' plan is about to bring Rome to its knees.

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