Historical Fiction and Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, Book Reviews and ruminations on life
5
Oct
Here another fantastic sketch by Gill Pearce of Hellion’s Art brings to life a dramatic fight in The Last Seal. The avatars had reached Ben, and as the leading three circled round to his right, the other three flew by on his left, threatening to surround him. Sweating with fear, his pulse racing, he wondered […]
Tags: Character Sketch, The Last Seal
3
Sep
About four o’clock in the morning, my Lady Batten sent me a cart to carry away all my money, and plate, and best things, to Sir W. Riders at Bednall-greene. Which I did riding myself in my night-gowne in the cart; and, Lord! to see how the streets and the highways are crowded with people […]
2
Sep
Here by ye permission of heaven, hell broke loose upon this Protestant city. Original Engraving on the Great Fire Mounment Jane called up about three in the morning, to tell us of a great fire they saw in the City. So I rose, and slipped on my night-gown and went to her window, and thought […]
31
Aug
What was England like in 1666 by Richard Denning This article was originally posted as a guest post on Above Average Below Special. This post is part of a blog tour celebrating the release of my historical fantasy novel, The Last Seal which is set during the Great Fire of London in 1666. The fire was a great […]
Tags: 17th Cent, 17th Century, England, The Last Seal
30
Aug
As he saw the horror revealed, Ben stepped back and cried out in terror. Scene from The Last Seal. Sketch is by Gill Pearce of Hellion’s Art “Both of you will stop right there and turn around slowly,†ordered Gymer, “and you, Doctor, will drop that pistol to the ground and-†He never completed the sentence. With […]
Tags: book excerpt, The Last Seal
24
Aug
Character sketch from The Last Seal. Sketch is by Gill Pearce of Hellion’s Art Powerful and evil demon bound by the Praesidum who seeks release through the efforts of the Liberati. More Info: Ancient demon imprisoned three […]
23
Aug
Why did the Great Fire happen? What was England like in 1666? Why write a historical fantasy set during the fire? Follow the Blog Tour for The Last Seal to find out. To celebrate the launch of the new Paperback edition of The Last Seal I have organised a blog tour. From August 28th until early October there […]
Tags: Blog Tour, The Last Seal
19
Aug
The Return of the King General Monck acts: After Oliver Cromwell died in 1658 his son, Richard tried to govern as Lord Protector but he possessed none of the force of will of his father nor his support in the army and he was deposed. The Rump parliament tried to rule but itself was dismissed […]
Tags: Decade a week, The Last Seal
17
Aug
Character sketch from The Last Seal. Sketch is by Gill Pearce of Hellion’s Art Gymer is King Charles’ Spymaster who suspects Ben and his friends are foreign agents and conspirators. More Info: Ruthless and cynical, Gymer is King Charles’ Spymaster whose primary concern is the safety of […]
5
Aug
A world turned upside down! The 1640s are the decade when England would be torn apart by a Civil War which would kill a higher % of its population than even the first and the second world war. A king would fall and by the end of the decade the nation was a republic. It […]