Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice - Iceni Book 1 - Historical Fiction - and a Giveaway #Fiction #HistoricalFiction #Giveaway

Stephen D Owen is here to tell us about Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice, Iceni Book 1, historical fiction.

There's also a great giveaway.

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The revolt of Queen Boudica and the Iceni against the might of Rome has echoed down the centuries. Nearly 2000 years ago, during the early years of Roman Britain, Boudica, a victim of Roman injustice, raised the Iceni tribe in rebellion against Rome.

Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice

Iceni Book 1

by Stephen D Owen

Genre: Historical Fiction

Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice is the first thrilling instalment in this historical trilogy.

 

60 AD. The death of Prasutagus, the Iceni king, leaves his kingdom divided between Rome and his daughters. The Roman Procurator Catus Decianus seizes the entire territory and brutalizes Boudica and her family.

Driven by vengeance, Boudica rallies the Iceni tribe and allies including the Trinovantes, Coritani, and Catuvellauni. As Roman forces are preoccupied in the north, Boudica's rebel army advances on Camulodunum, the Roman provincial capital, where a vastly outnumbered Roman defence struggles to hold.

With the fate of Roman Britannia hanging in the balance, the epic tale of sacrifice, rebellion, and fierce determination unfolds.

 

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Stephen D Owen, an enthusiast of Roman Britain and the Iceni Revolt, wished to bring the dramatic story of Queen Boudica, a druid priest and the Iceni Revolt to life in his debut novel, Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice.

Stephen explains: “The revolt of Queen Boudica and the Iceni against the might of Rome has echoed down the centuries. Nearly 2000 years ago, during the early years of Roman Britain, Boudica, victim of Roman injustice, raised the Iceni in rebellion against Rome.

On 1st of August 1984, millennia later, a mysterious link with the drama of the Iceni Revolt may have been uncovered. The remnants of a male peat body were found at Lindow Moss Wilmslow Cheshire, England.

At first the peat body was thought to be a murder victim, yet in time the body was proven to be far older. As old as the Iron Age in Britain at the time of the Roman Conquest.

Known as Lindow Man, or Pete Marsh, archaeologists and experts were called in. A theory was put forward, Lindow Man was in fact a high-born sacrificial victim. A druid priest, perhaps close to Boudica herself, who was a witness and key to the Iceni revolt.

The discovery of Lindow Man inspired me to write Iceni: The Year of Sacrifice. Was this man a priest?

Fundamental to the fate of Boudica and the Iceni? Although my version is fictional, I decided a good challenge would be to write my version of what could have happened, but I would encourage any reader to look into the history to form their own opinions!”

 

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Cinematic Destinies - Romance - FREE ebook to First 7500 Readers Entering Rafflecopter - and a Giveaway of One $150 Amazon GC #Romance #FreeEBook #GC

Patricia Leavy is here to tell us about her romance Cinematic Destinies.

There's also a great giveaway.

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Patricia Leavy is giving away copies of CINEMATIC DESTINIES, her upcoming romance from She Writes Press. How to get yours? It's easy... just complete the Rafflecopter below and you'll receive one from the author! Plus, one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card!

So, what's the book about? Here's the info:

For fans of Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace, Cinematic Destinies is a feel-good, contemporary romance about a trio of adult children searching for love and beauty in the shadow of their parents’ legendary Hollywood fairy-tale romance.

Legendary actor Finn Forrester and his wife philosopher Ella Sinclair Forrester met on the location shoot for Jean Mercier’s film Celebration. The world has been captivated by their fairy-tale romance since Finn famously proposed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. As the couple now prepares to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary, they wonder if their children will ever find love.

Eldest daughter Betty is excelling in a medical residency program in New York City—and has convinced herself that distancing herself from emotions is the path to success. Youngest son Albert, a recent college graduate, is trying to find his footing in Boston as he struggles with his identity. Free-spirited Georgia, her mother’s spitting image and an actress following in her father’s footsteps, has been cast in Jean Mercier’s final film, mysteriously titled Beauty. When she arrives on set in Iceland and meets her costar, sparks fly. Is history repeating itself? How has growing up in the shadow of the world’s most iconic love story affected each of the Forrester children?

Reviews

“If you’re a romantic with a brain and a heart, this is your jam . . . I closed the book with a full heart and a goofy grin.” Literary Titan, 5-star review

“Cinematic Destinies is a stunning and poignant celebration of romance, the magic of movies, and life itself. The exotic Icelandic film set, well-drawn characters, and smart writing make this book impossible to put down . . . This is a gorgeous novel.” —Laurel Richardson, author of Lone Twin

“Overall, the writing, the characters, the little nods of sizzle, and the brilliant family dynamic make this book a winner. Very highly recommended.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review

“Leavy’s latest must-read novel features a trio of romantic storylines about the quest for love and identity in the shadow of a Hollywood fairy tale . . . Cinematic Destinies is a spellbinding ode to love, art, and what it means to live.” —Mary E. Weems, author of Blackeyed

About the Author:

Patricia Leavy is an award-winning, best-selling author. Formerly Associate Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College, she has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book honors. Her most recent novel, Shooting Stars Above, was featured on People “10 Romance Books to Read After Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.” She has also received career awards from the National Art Education Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, and other organizations. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” In 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established “The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cinematic-Destinies-Novel-Carpet-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DWNGNM1Z/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

Patricia Leavy will award a free digital copy of her upcoming book CINEMATIC DESTINIES to the first 7500 people who enter the Rafflecopter and one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card.

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The Chronicles of the Troop - Epic Fantasies - and a Giveaway #EpicFantasies #Giveaway

Colin Darney is here to talk about The Chronicles of the Troop, epic fantasies.

There's also a great giveaway.

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Magic is feared.

The truth is forgotten.

But the silence – it still remembers. 

Resthaven

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 1

by Colin Darney

Genre: Epic Fantasy

A divine war once shattered the world. Now, it begins anew—unnoticed, and bathed in blood.

Tommy is the son of a fisherman in a quiet lakeside village, where nothing truly dangerous has happened in generations. But when monstrous warriors descend from the woods, slaughtering everything he’s ever known, Tommy is thrown into a world of violence, prophecy, and secrets his father spent a lifetime hiding.

Fleeing across the inland sea, the survivors carry more than trauma—some carry buried power. Among them, an elven woman with a hidden past, a dwarf whose grief burns hotter than his forge, and a boy who isn’t just a boy – he’s something more. As rumors of more attacks spread and refugees flock to safe havens, it becomes clear the ondilaan are not just raiding.

They’re hunting.

But why?

As Tommy struggles to survive, love, and grow into the man the world might need, forces far older than any kingdom turn their gaze toward him. And the hidden power is watching.

Resthaven is the first entry in The Chronicles of the Troop, an epic fantasy saga that blends brutal war, divine judgment, and philosophical weight with real human stakes.

A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, Minor swearing, Adult themes, No sex.

 

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Silverlake

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 2

The troop survived Resthaven. But survival was just the beginning.

Donnor leads his ragtag force of villagers, conscripts, and outsiders deeper into the southern reaches of the Serensea. Their mission: find and defend the last remaining settlements from the ondilaan. But the enemy has changed—and so has the troop.

As Tommy comes into his own as both a mage and a chronicler, he wrestles with the burden of power, the scars of war, and the discovery of a lineage that shakes his identity. Beside him, Arisaylia’s magic deepens beyond her control, while Donnor is haunted by a loss he cannot afford to repeat.

In the villages, foothills, and the ruined fields of the south, the troop finds not only battles—but betrayals, hard choices, and the truths that threaten everything they thought they understood.

Silverlake is the second book in The Chronicles of the Troop, a philosophical epic fantasy saga blending tactical war, elven lore, deep character bonds, and the high stakes of ancient memory … for readers who crave stories where victory costs something real.

A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.

 

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Windyspring

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 3

The enemy grows bolder. Allies grow silent. And the gods remain lost.
 
The troop is scattered, wounded, and shaken by betrayal from within and without. What began as a mission to protect the southern villages of the Serensea now threatens to unravel the fragile balance between kingdoms, clans, and divine history.
 
As Tommy's power blooms into something ancient—and dangerous—Arisaylia confronts truths about the elves that could fracture her people forever. Donnor, haunted by war and his family's fate, must hold together what remains of their fragile alliance before the flames of conflict spread beyond control.
 
Meanwhile, far from the troop's journey, in the Endless Plains power stirs. Civilizations long dormant move once more, as kingdoms make secret pacts and old races return to claim what was once theirs.
 
Windyspring is the third volume of The Chronicles of the Troop, a sweeping epic of war, memory, and magic—where loyalty is tested, identities unravel, and the true cost of power begins to reveal itself.

A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.

 

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Harper’s Creek

The Chronicles of the Troop Book 4

The dead have been buried. Silence is broken. And secrets refuse to stay where they lay.

As the troop pushes east toward Harper’s Creek, the weight of their survival in Windyspring lingers—along with a growing fear of what lies ahead. Tommy’s power evolves beyond even the elves’ understanding, and Arisaylia begins to question whether the path she and her son will walk was ever theirs to choose.

Back in Redtail Hold, Sella finds herself drawn into a role far greater—and more dangerous—than her songs alone. Her rising influence in the eyes of the elves threatens the balance of the Hold, and the line between duty and desire grows thinner and thinner.

But war isn’t fought only with weapons. As old alliances fray and ancient eyes turn towards the Serensea, both soldier and singer must decide who and what they are—before the tide of history swallows them before their new fate is born.

Harper’s Creek is Book Four of The Chronicles of the Troop, where fantasy meets philosophy, and where battles of the heart are as perilous to everyone involved as those of sword and hidden sorcery.

A note to readers: Fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.

 

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In a world where gods are silent and magic is feared, Colin Darney writes stories about people who still fight forward. A veteran, trauma nurse, and lifelong student of human resilience, Colin’s fantasy series—The Chronicles of the Troop and the follow-up The Book of Ghaan—explore what it means to survive, to love, and to hold on to hope when the world says you shouldn’t.

Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you'd actually hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experience. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.

The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.

 

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Sherlock Holmes & Irene Adler Historical Mysteries - Romances - and a Giveaway #SherlockHolmes #IreneAdler #HistoricalMysteries #Romances #Giveaway

KD Sherrinford is here to tell us about her Sherlock Holmes & Irene Adler Historical Mysteries-Romances.

There's also a great giveaway.

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The jaw-dropping, exciting follow-up to The Hound of The Baskervilles will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Hold onto your hats; it's going to be a bumpy ride.

The Whistle of Revenge

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 4

by KD Sherrinford

Genre: Historical Mystery Romance

Sometimes, our deepest fear is not the darkness but the light that blinds.

If you loved Conan Doyle’s, The Hound of the Baskerville, prepare to be enthralled by KD Sherrinford’s captivating follow-up, The Whistle of Revenge.

The deadly antagonist, Jack Stapleton, makes a spectacular return to the city of Milan in pursuit of his old nemesis, the celebrated Detective Sherlock Holmes.

Adopting the enigmatic persona of Janus, a vengeful Stapleton, along with the Italian mafia, wreak havoc on the Italian horse racing fraternity and fledgling car manufacturing industry, and kidnapping Holmes’s beloved son as part of their evil and well-executed master plan—Operation Whistle.

Will Holmes, Irene Adler, and their trusted ally, Inspector Romano, crack the code, rescue the boy, and unmask the deadly Janus?

Set against the backdrop of modern Milan, mind games and misdeeds of the highest order play out as the story reaches its thrilling and memorable conclusion.

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Meet Me in Milan

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 3

The deepest secrets are often to be found out in the open, if you only know where to look.

While her husband, Sherlock Holmes, is off playing detective in London, Irene Adler finds herself having to turn investigator when her friend Renata becomes the prime suspect in the attempted murder of her husband, Luigi Amato. How can she refute the testimony of a credible eyewitness, even though her heart tells her that Renata is innocent? What she needs is tangible evidence, and she’s willing to do what she must to obtain it.

When Sherlock finally arrives on the scene, Irene seeks his counsel, and he agrees to assist with her investigation. However their relationship is called into question by Irene’s dear friend Sophia, who is not overly fond of Irene’s husband nor approving of the way in which they conduct their marriage. Will Irene be able to prove her friend Renata’s innocence, or is there a more tangled web of deception at play? And will Sophia’s misgivings regarding her marriage bear unfortunate fruit?

 

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Christmas at the Saporis

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 2

First place, and best in category at the Chanticleer International Book Awards for Shorts and Novellas

What will the Saporis find under the tree this year—Christmas presents, or family skeletons?

In the spirit of the holiday and a wish for familial harmony, Irene Adler persuades her detective husband to invite his brother Mycroft to Christmas luncheon. Holmes had cut ties with his brother when he discovered the machinations Mycroft employed that drove Sherlock and Adler apart for four years. He isn’t really sure this reunion is a great idea, but he can deny his wife nothing.

Of course, they can’t tell the children what Mycroft is to them, as that would entail learning that their father is the celebrated detective when they know him simply as Lucca Sapori. And just when they think things may be going better than expected, ghosts of the past crop up in unexpected ways and threaten to ruin the holidays for everyone. 

 

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Song For Someone

Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 1

Finalist at The Chanticleer International Book Awards for Romantic Fiction- The Chatelaine— Proud Recipient of The Editors Gold Seal.

Love is the aria of the soul.

Charlotte Sapori has led a wonderful life, safely tucked in the bosom of her family. Her mother, Irene Adler, is a renowned opera singer, while her father, Lucca Sapori, does important government work that frequently takes him away from them. Charlotte is close to her older brother, Nicco, and they are both doted on by their parents. All is well until her mother receives an unexpected diagnosis which shakes the family to its core.

Knowing herself to be dying, Adler confesses to Charlotte things that have long been kept from her, telling her to find and read her diary. A distressed Lucca Sapori tells his daughter to read his as well. And by the way, Lucca Sapori is not his real name. In fact, she may have heard of him—he is actually the world-famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.

Charlotte finds both diaries and plunges into the hidden world of Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes as she discovers what brought them together, and how they managed to stay together for thirty years despite having to battle the odds.

 

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KD Sherrinford is a multi-award-winning International author. She was born and raised in Preston, Lancashire, and now lives on the Fylde Coast with her husband, John and their two children—an avid reader from an early age. KD loved the mystery writers Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie was her favourite. She read the entire Conan Doyle canon by age 13.

KD had a varied career, working with thoroughbred horses and racing greyhounds. To mix things up, she joined Countrywide and became a Fellow of The National Association of Estate Agents. Retirement finally allowed KD the time to write her multi-award-winning debut novel, " Song for Someone." KD got the idea for the story after a visit to The Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street in 2019; KD has always wanted to write about the iconic character Irene Adler. A talented pianist from age six, the music from some of KD's favourite composers, Beethoven, Wagner, and Stephen Foster, all feature strongly in her writing. ." Song for Someone "was awarded The Editors Choice Gold Seal Medal in 2022 and received critical acclaim from Book Viral, Readers Favorite, Literary Titan and The Historical Fiction Company, which described" Song for Someone" as an evocative masterpiece and a book that stands out in contemporary literature. The novel was a recent Finalist at The Chanticleers International Book Awards- The Chatelaine. " Christmas at The Saporis" was published last December. The third book, " Meet Me In Milan", went live on the 29th of September 2023. This thrilling Trilogy was Shortlisted for The CIBA's Series Book Awards in Genre Fiction.KD Sherrinford is a member of The CWA, the RNA and the LWA. Her short, cosy mystery " A Bit of a Do" was published in Marla Breeden's Limited Edition Anthology, entitled " Malice Matrimony and Murder "On the 13th of November 2023. Twenty-five original short, cosy mysteries from international authors, including Deringer and Agatha Finalists, CWA members, and recipients of The Editors Gold Seal, KD is very proud to be a part of this fabulous collection. Book four of the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysters, the much anticipated " The Whistle of Revenge" was just released in 2025. You can reach KD on her Facebook author page.

 

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Through the Woods - Short Story Anthology Vol. 2 - Fantasy - Horror - Paranormal - and a Giveaway #Anthology #ShortStory #ShortStoryAnthology #Fantasy #Horror #Paranormal #Giveaway

DM Million is here to tell us about Through the Woods, a short story anthology, vol. 2, fantasy, horror, paranormal.

There's also a great giveaway.

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Through the Woods

D. M. Million, R. M. Carpus

(A Short Story Anthology, Vol. 2)

Publication date: September 9th 2025

Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal

Welcome to Thorn Valley, where the dead make the rules and the living follow them.

Everyone knows what goes on at the Thorn Valley Cemetery. The locals never stray from the three sacred rules.

Don’t speak when you enter through the gate.

Never visit at night.

Never visit alone.

Seems simple enough, but in this town, nothing is simple, and no place is safe. Don’t let the white picket fences and cozy shops on Main Street fool you. Here, the dead don’t sleep, and they’re always in charge.

Escape to the small, eerie town of Thorn Valley in this fresh collection of spine-tingling tales from the much anticipated next installment of THROUGH THE WOODS.

Goodreads / Pre-order

SNEAK PEEK:

Then I see where I’m standing, at the edge of an ivy-covered gate, black iron, sharp-toothed rods I recognize well, even in the damp, cold night. The entrance to the Thorn Valley Cemetery. My freezing fingers lace tighter around Eva’s, and I look down at my bare, mud-caked feet. I’m in my blue satin nightgown, half-sheathed by my lace ivory bathrobe. Gasping, I cover myself and whirl around in the damp cold, searching the night for signs of life

or reason.

“Why am I here? What are we doing here?”

Eva releases my hand but keeps her eyes locked on mine as if I might disappear. She shakes as she tugs the quilt from her shoulders to wrap me in its warmth. “You had another spell,” she says, still trembling as she guides me away from the gate. “You were trying to climb up and over. Your sister called me and said you were gone, that your bedroom window was open, the curtains pulled wide. She woke up to make tea because she couldn’t sleep and had a feeling

she should check on you.”

“Another dream.”

“Yes.”

“They’re getting worse.”

“I know.”

“I was . . . on the coast.” Dizzy and dazed, I pause for a beat to get my bearings. Eva stalls too, waiting patiently for me to find my balance. “The sea was coming for me, it wanted to drown me. I was running, then climbing . . . trying to climb toward the sky.” I can feel Eva’s horror, her pupils like frozen, black saucers stunned as they study my face.

“There was so much sun, so much blue, an unwavering stillness on land. But the sea . . . it roared, it wouldn’t stop reaching for me. I felt an earthquake, an imminent tsunami in the distance, even in the stillness. I couldn’t let it have me, I just couldn’t—” Eva takes hold of my shoulders, carefully turning me toward her. I know in that moment my eyes are tinged with a ripple of madness, and that she sees it, too. “This is going to stop.”

-“Night Fever,” Thorn Valley – R. M. Carpus

Author Bio:

DM Million: I grew up in southern New Jersey, reading fantasy and paranormal books. I love anything that whisks me away to another world, and I wanted to create my own worlds for readers like myself to enjoy. I believe reading is not only an escape from our real-world problems, but a way to expand our minds, keep us sharp, and bring us joy. What I love about books is that we can use our imaginations to "see" what the author sees. When we watch TV or a movie, we can turn off our creativity and mindlessly view what the creators intended for us. But reading requires the engaging of our creative minds. I hope that you will enjoy my stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

R. M. Carpus is the author of THE CITY WIFE and co-founder of Wraith House. Born in Philly and raised in sunny Southwest Florida, her nomadic spirit has carried her all over the U.S. She now resides in the moody Pacific Northwest, where she dwells with ghosts of the bygone grunge era, always on the lookout for Eddie Vedder, killer whales, and inspiration for the next book. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s engrossed in ’90s music and reruns, catching a film at SIFF, or hiding away in the San Juan Islands or the Olympic Peninsula. She loves animals, the ocean, and spooky season.

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The Blood Queen Chronicles - Historical Fantasy - and a Giveaway #Fantasy #HistoricalFantasy #Giveaway

David H. Millar is here to tell us about The Blood Queen Chronicles, historical fantasy.

There's also a great giveaway.

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Blood is the link between humans, demigods, and demons

—and is the Blood Queen’s domain.

Brianag

The Blood Queen Chronicles Book 2

by David H. Millar

Genre: Historical Fantasy 

Three childhood friends meet in the Scottish Highlands. Two hold secrets. One may be a monster.

 

As Gràinne reached for the still warm heart, tendrils of the red mist preceded her. When they touched the heart, she felt power drawn from the blood. She steeled herself and bit into the organ. Such was the curse of the Blood Queen.

 

Brianag is the sequel to The Blood Queen. It is 384 B.C. Ten years have passed since Sidheag’s execution. Gràinne Ni Fearghal, the Blood Queen, has ruthlessly consolidated her grip on the eastern tribes and reigns as High Queen. Meanwhile, her daughter imprisoned in a gilded cage grows in beauty and power and terrifies her guardians—the demigods of the Aes Sídhe. She must escape. Her grandma, the powerful Sídhe, Mongfhionn, agrees.

Brianag trembles at two questions: how will her mother receive her, and can she be redeemed?

 Sidheag, was not the only Blood Drinker. Two others, Áine and her daughter, Leannán want vengeance for Sidheag’s death. Both claim to be Sidheag’s mother. Yet is Sidheag dead?

 Can Cassán, Dùn Brion’s king, control his temper and work with the demigods to defeat the Blood Drinkers? Will the beast known as the Hound destroy every living being with three barks or will the ancient Cait People awaken and intercede?

  

Content warning: Brianag: The Blood Queen Chronicles contains scenes of sex and violence appropriate to the time it is set in (400 B.C.). It is not recommended for readers under 16 years of age without parental agreement.

  

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A ‘Bhanrigh Fuil

The Blood Queen Chronicles Book 1

"It is a king's decision," said Brion.
"It will not be you who deceives and delivers the lamb to the butcher's block," retorted Eimhir.

True evil is a persistent and tenacious beast. Its desire for existence is eternal and insatiable. It needs to infect only one mind for its insidious philosophy to take root and spread.

It is 394 B.C. At a remote loch in the highlands of Northern Albu, a priest sacrifices nine innocents. Below the water's surface, a shape feeds on their blood and begins to take form. Soon, it becomes sentient and begins to hunt. Sidheag has risen.

Humans cannot defeat the abomination. Neither can Mongfhionn, the powerful demi-goddess of the Aes Sídhe.

The only remedy is the Blood Queen, and Gràinne is the reluctant heir to that throne. Will the Blood Queen stand alongside Mongfhionn to confront Sidheag? The cost for Gràinne may be too much—unless her daughter, Brianag, is in jeopardy.

Passions, always near the surface of the Gaels, burst into flames in The Blood Queen, where father is pitted against son, mother against daughter, sister against sister, brother against sister, and father against daughter.


The Blood Queen contains scenes of sex and violence and uses language appropriate to the period it is set in, i.e., 400 B.C. It is not recommended for those under 16 without parental consent.

5/5 ★★★★★
Genre: Fantasy, Historical fiction
Review by Jan Foster/History Quill: Last updated Jun 12, 2023

A must-read Celtic ‘Game of Thrones meets Bernard Cornwell’, blending history with dark fantasy and a truly terrifying villain. The Blood Queen will keep you turning the pages deep into the night.

The Blood Queen is a dark fantasy nominally set in 400 B.C. Scotland, wherein a misguided priest sacrifices innocents in the hope of bringing forth an entity that will do his bidding. This starts a tale of ‘be careful what you wish for’, as the entity – Sidheag – forms a corporeal being and a consciousness complete with dark desires for domination. No one can resist Sidheag’s allure and subsequent enslavement, and few will survive her rampage across the land as she builds an army to fulfil her calling.

Aside from the descriptive prose and the brilliant battle scenes, the equality of the sexes feels genuine rather than a nod to political correctness. Women rule, fight, murder and fornicate as violently and passionately as the men and the female characters are badass!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Blood Queen, even at its most uncomfortable. The historical accuracy of weapons and battle strategies blended perfectly with the epic and fantastical storyline. I loved the tiny moments of humanity within the bleakest moments. Reading the novel felt like watching a horror movie unfold, compelling you to turn the pages in the hope that somehow, against the odds, humanity will win.

 

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Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, internationally published and award-winning author David H. Millar is the founder, owner, and author-in-residence of A Wee Publishing Company—a business formed to promote Celtic authors and literature.

David is the author of the five-volume, ancient Celtic-based Conall series and the spin-offs The Dog Roses, The Dog Roses: Resolution, The Blood Queen and Brianag: A Blood Queen Novel.

David resides in Houston, Texas, with his family and two recent family members, tuxedos Beau and Stiletto.

 

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