Monday, March 23, 2026

Review of The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven (The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy) by Jennifer Ivy Walker



The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven
(The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy)
By Jennifer Ivy Walker


In this paranormal fantasy adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, the rightful heir to the Irish crown must flee the wicked queen, finding shelter with a fairy witch who teaches her the verdant magic of the forest. Fate leads Issylte to the otherworldly realm of the Lady of the Lake and the Elves of Avalon, where she must choose between her life as a Celtic healer or fight to save her ravaged kingdom from the ruthless Black Widow Queen.

Tristan of Lyonesse is a Knight of King Arthur's Round Table who must overcome the horrors of his traumatic past and defend his kingdom of Cornwall against a Viking invasion from Ireland. When he becomes a warrior of the Tribe of Dana, a gift of Druidic magic might hold the key he seeks.

Two parallel lives, interwoven by fate. Haunted and hunted by the same Black Widow Queen.

Can their passion and power prevail?

A Five Star Read

I was quickly drawn into The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven, a richly imagined tale that blends Arthurian legend, Celtic magic and courtly intrigue into a story full of danger, destiny and hidden power. From the very beginning the atmosphere feels lush and dramatic, moving between royal courts, shadowy forests and the mystical pull of Avalon. The story unfolds at a steady pace, revealing a world where ancient magic and political ambition are constantly colliding.

The characters carry much of the emotional weight. Princess Issylte grows from a sheltered royal into someone discovering her own strength and purpose, while Tristan’s journey from warrior-in-training to a knight tested by betrayal gives the story a strong heroic thread. Around them swirl rivalries, alliances and darker ambitions, creating a sense that every decision has consequences.

What makes this book especially engaging is how it reimagines familiar Arthurian elements through a Celtic lens. Healing magic, prophecy and the pull of the Celtic goddess traditions and the mystical legacy of the Tuatha de Dana weave naturally through the narrative, giving the story a mystical undercurrent that feels both timeless and fresh.

*An immersive blend of Arthurian legend and Celtic fantasy

*Characters shaped by loyalty, betrayal and fate

*A vivid world of courts, forests and hidden magic

A promising opening to a sweeping romantic adventure series



This book is available in the following formats:


Jennifer Ivy Walker


Jennifer Ivy Walker is an award-winning author of medieval Celtic, Nordic, and paranormal romance, as well as contemporary romance, historical fantasy, and WWII romantic suspense.

A former high school teacher and college professor of French with an MA in French literature, her novels encompass a love for French language, literature, history, and culture, including Celtic myths and legends, Norse mythology, Viking sagas, and Nordic lore.

Connect with Jennifer Ivy Walker:


Publication Date: 1st May 2025
Publisher: Green Mermaid Publications
Print Length: 522 Pages
Genre: Arthurian Fantasy / Historical Romance Fantasy / Paranormal






Friday, March 13, 2026

Review of Quetzalcoatl: Time Stones Book II by Ian Hunter

 



Jessie Mason lives with her nose in the pages of history. But she is discovering that the past is a dangerous place where she doesn't belong, and knowledge alone is not going to save her.

Jessie’s life has become a series of terrible challenges. Now she must lead her friends in the hopeless task Grandfather set them: hunt down and destroy the Time Stones. But her leadership has already failed. Tip has left them and Abe has simply disappeared, while she and Kes are trapped in the heart of an ancient empire in turmoil.

Thrust into a fractured, threatened Mexica nobility, Jessie is immersed in a way of life, fascinating and disturbing in equal measure, yet powerless before the approaching Conquistadors and the impending clash of cultures.

Even as the fabulous city of Tenochtitlan descends into savage violence, Jessie’s determination to succeed is undiminished. But with world history taking a new, bloody direction before her, she is finally forced to decide which is more important: continuing the task or simply surviving.

A Five Star Read

I really enjoyed this second instalment of the Time Stones series, which builds confidently on the first book. The story moves into more complicated territory, exploring the consequences of time travel and the growing responsibility that comes with the stones.

The characters continue to carry the story, and I liked how their relationships don’t settle into anything easy or predictable. Jessie, Tiponi, Kesejowaase and Abe are all changed by what they face, and the pressure of events pushes them in different directions. The tension this creates feels believable, and it adds emotional weight without ever taking over the adventure.

The balance of history, magic and tension is handled thoughtfully, making this a strong and engaging continuation and a well-deserved five-star read.

 * A confident continuation that deepens the story and raises the stakes

* Strong character development shaped by consequence and responsibility

* An effective blend of time travel, history and restrained magic

* A steady sense of tension that keeps the story moving


This book is available on 
 #KindleUnlimited

Ian Hunter


Books have been an important part of my life as long as I can remember, and at 54 years old, that’s a lot of books. My earliest memories of reading are CS Lewis’, “The Horse and His Boy” – by far the best of the Narnia books, the Adventures series by Willard Price, and “Goalkeepers are Different” by sports journalist Brian Glanville. An eclectic mix. My first English teacher was surprised to hear that I was reading, Le Carré, Ken Follett, Nevil Shute and “All the Presidents’ Men” by Woodward and Bernstein at the age of 12. I was simply picking up the books my father had finished.

School syllabus threw up the usual suspects – Shakespeare, Chaucer, Dickens, Hardy, “To Kill a Mockingbird” – which I have reread often, and others I don’t immediately recall. By “A” level study, my then English teachers were pulling their hair out at my “perverse waste of talent” – I still have the report card! But I did manage a pass.

During a 35 year career, briefly in Banking and then in IT, I managed to find time, with unfailing family support, to study another lifelong passion, graduating with an Open University Bachelors’ degree in History in 2002. This fascination with all things historical inspired me to begin the Time Stones series. There is so much to our human past, and so many differing views on what is the greatest, and often the saddest, most tragic story. I decided I wanted to write about it; to shine a small light on those, sometimes pivotal stories, which are less frequently mentioned.

In 1995, my wife, Michelle, and I moved from England to southern Germany, where we still live, with our two children, one cat, and, when she pays us a visit, one chocolate labrador. I have been fortunate that I could satisfy another wish, to travel as widely as possible and see as much of our world as I can. Destinations usually include places of historic and archaeological interest, mixed with a large helping of sun, sea and sand for my wife’s peace of mind.

Ian's Social Media Links:






Thursday, March 5, 2026

Review of Love Lost In Time by Cathie Dunn



A reluctant daughter. A dutiful wife. A mystery of the ages.

Languedoc, France, 2018

Historian Madeleine Winters would rather research her next project than rehash the strained relationship she had with her late mother. However, to claim her inheritance, she reluctantly agrees to stay the one year required in her late mother’s French home and begins renovations. But when she’s haunted by a female voice inside the house and tremors emanating from beneath her kitchen floorboards, she’s shocked to discover ancient human bones.

The Mediterranean coast, AD 777

Seventeen-year-old Nanthild is wise enough to know her place. Hiding her Pagan wisdom and dutifully accepting her political marriage, she’s surprised when she falls for her Christian husband, the Count of Carcassonne. But she struggles to keep her forbidden religious beliefs and her healing skills secret while her spouse goes off to fight in a terrible, bloody war.

As Maddie settles into her rustic village life, she becomes obsessed with unraveling the mysterious history buried in her new home. And when Nanthild is caught in the snare of an envious man, she’s terrified she’ll never embrace her beloved again.

Can two women torn apart by centuries help each other finally find peace?

Love Lost in Time is a vivid standalone historical fiction novel for fans of epoch-spanning enigmas. If you like dark mysteries, romantic connections, and hints of the paranormal, then you’ll adore Cathie Dunn’s tale of redemption and self-discovery. 


A Four Star Read

Love Lost in Time crept up on me. It starts off quietly, then slowly tightens its grip until you realise you’re far more emotionally invested than you expected to be. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t rush, but instead settles in and stays with you.

I really liked how the two timelines work together. The medieval side feels tough and grounded, while the modern storyline starts out familiar before things begin to feel unsettling. When the past starts bleeding into the present, the emotional impact really lands.

* A quiet, emotional story that builds slowly

* Strong use of dual timelines

* Grounded historical elements

* Haunting moments that linger after reading


This book is available in the following formats:
#KindleUnlimited

Praise

"From the richness of Charlemagne's court and the regret of a daughter, as she stands over her mother's grave, to the realisation of an enemy and a skeleton under the kitchen floor, Love Lost in Time: A Tale of Love, Death and Redemption by Cathie Dunn is the unforgettable story that traverses two very different times."

The Coffee Pot Book Club, 5* Editorial Review


"The narrative is ripe with emotions as two independent women are pulled in unexpected directions... Both landscapes are beautifully penned for readers to easily get lost in. Additionally, the storylines are engaging, and each helped bring a satisfying conclusion to the other. An enjoyable tale about love, sacrifice, and self-discovery."

Historical Novel Society


"The historical details are beautiful, and a book which could easily feel oppressively sad is cleverly lightened with the use of romance and a satisfying ending. Well written and easy to read, the historical side may be a little more compelling, but the contemporary details add a layer that cannot be ignored!" 

In'DTale Magazine

"In Love Lost in Time, Ms Dunn creates a fascinating balance between a tragic love story set in the Visigoth empire of the eighth century, and a very modern historian on a quest to find her own personal history in picturesque Languedoc...

Thoroughly researched and beautifully told, both stories complement each other in narrative power and colourful scene-setting; and in the dual narrative the main characters are compelling - each a product of destiny and following their fate, regardless of the cost.
Fans of Kate Mosse will relish this book..."

Discovering Diamonds Reviews

Cathie Dunn


Cathie is an Amazon-bestselling author of historical fiction, dual-timeline, mystery, and romance. She loves to infuse her stories with a strong sense of place and time, combined with a dark secret or mystery – and a touch of romance. Often, you can find her deep down the rabbit hole of historical research…
 
In addition, she is also a historical fiction book promoter with The Coffee Pot Book Club, a novel-writing tutor, and a keen reviewer on her blog, Ruins & Reading.
 
After having lived in Scotland for almost two decades, Cathie is now enjoying the sunshine in the south of France with her husband, and her rescued pets, Ellie Dog & Charlie Cat. 

She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Richard III Society, the Alliance of Independent Authors, and the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Social Media Links:








Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Review of Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure by Cliff Lovette



Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure 
By Cliff Lovette


Soviet circus performers arrived in America hoping to build cultural bridges. Instead, they became unwitting pawns in a Cold War game of international intrigue.

When the first privately owned Soviet circus arrived in 1990 in America as the Soviet Union disintegrated, its elite performers expected to build cultural bridges through spectacular shows. Instead, this prestigious troupe faced a perilous journey through Cold War America.

Circus director Yuri had to navigate treacherous waters where American mobsters, Soviet agents, and political forces circled like predators. Young aerialist Anton dreamed of becoming a clown against his family’s wishes, while forbidden romances and unexpected connections bloomed between Soviet performers and Americans who saw past the ideological divide. As high-stakes conspiracies threatened to tear the circus family apart, they had to choose between the authoritarian chains of home and the uncertain promise of freedom.

As the Ringmaster reminds us, “The best Soviet stories are like vodka—they burn with suffering, intoxicate with conflict, keep you stewing in reflection, and yearning for your heart’s desire.” This genre-bending tale explores whether human connection can transcend ideology—and whether storytelling can bridge the divides that separate us.

 A Five Star Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this opening act of the Circus Bim Bom story — a striking blend of Cold War tension, cultural collision and big-top spectacle that held my attention from start to finish. A Soviet circus arriving in America might sound whimsical, but the book quickly reveals deeper stakes as performers chase freedom, love and identity under the glare of the spotlight.

The characters feel real and vulnerable, their bonds forged through shared danger and ambition. Moments of awe in the ring sit alongside unease backstage, where politics and personal desires threaten to upend everything.

What makes the book truly unusual is its interactive touches: scattered links and scannable codes let you hear the very music that fuels the dances and acts, turning the story into something you can almost see and hear, not just read.

*A compelling mix of history, drama and circus magic


*Believable characters caught between duty and desire


*A vivid, atmospheric journey across two very different worlds

*Innovative musical links that bring the performance to life


 

This book is available in the following formats;

Kindle 

Paperback

Join Bim Bom Book Club 

 https://bimbombookclub.com/

Members receive:

✨ Discounts on Gifts and Merch

✨ Exclusive glimpses into the self-publishing journey

✨ Previews of historical curiosities about Soviet circus life that didn't make it into the book

✨ Exclusive "Rabbit Hole" bonus stories and other literary surprises

✨ A front-row seat to the book's development and launch

✨ Sign up for Free



What Makes This Novel Different

Circus Bim Bom offers an innovative multimedia reading experience. The novel includes 45+ YouTube links to period music, historical speeches, and cultural moments embedded throughout—readers can listen to the actual songs characters dance to as they waltz, and watch Reagan's Brandenburg Gate speech as it's referenced in the text.

The companion website (www.bimbombookclub.com) extends the story beyond the page:
Character Avatars: 25+ talking video introductions where characters speak directly to readers
Re-Imagined Circus Posters
Book Club Experience: Interactive forums, live chat, and community discussions
Historians Room (under construction): A space for Cold War history buffs to fact-check the novel, explore primary sources, and debate historical accuracy

Cliff is offering an Author's Edition of the paperback at https://books.by/bim-bom-books/   The Author's Edition comes with a signed replica Circus Bim Bom circus admission ticket, a Circus Bim Bom circus poster you choose, and charter membership to bimbombookclub.com, with exclusive access to over 12 'rabbit hole' chapters!

Cliff Lovette


Father, storyteller, and dog lover living in Sandy Springs, Georgia, with London curled at his feet. Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure is the first book in his debut duology, followed by Circus Bim Bom: The Great Escape.

Connect with Cliff Lovette:


Publication Date: 1st March 2026
Publisher: Bim Bom Books
Print Length: 478 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romantic Adventure /  Political Intrigue

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Review of Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings Book 2) by Jennifer Ivy Walker

 



Named after the Norse God of the Sea, Njörd grew up sailing, swimming, and fishing the fjords of Norway. Endowed with extraordinary senses, speed, and strength, he became known as Wolf of the Nordic Seas, leading lucrative Viking raids from the Baltic shores to the Black and Caspian Seas. When a Viking völva foretells his future through a seidr vision, Njörd learns that his fate and his mate—the siren with the sea goddess eyes—lie on the alabaster coast of Normandy in the distant Land of the White Chalk Cliffs.

Elfi Thorfinnsdóttir is a skilled shieldmaiden who seeks vengeance against the ruthless Frankish count who killed her brother and abducted her father in an attempt to seize her clifftop castle. But rather that submit to the count’s relentless demand for her hand in marriage, Elfi allies with Richard the Fearless—the Viking Duke of Normandy— and the Danish Jarl of Ribe known as the Wolf of the Nordic Seas.

As Elfi and Njörd discover startling secrets about their respective pasts, they find that the three Norns have entwined the threads of their fates not just as political allies, but as mates destined to fulfill a divine prophecy.

Wolf of the Nordic Seas— book 2 of the Valiant Vikings series set in tenth century Normandy— is a sizzling, scintillating blend of historical fiction, Norse mythology, paranormal fantasy, and steamy Viking romance!


A Five Star Read

A sweeping, character-driven Viking romance in which fate and free will collide along the white cliffs of Normandy. Njörd, the feared Wolf of the Nordic Seas, and Elfi, a determined shieldmaiden seeking justice, are bound by prophecy, loss, and undeniable attraction. Their journey blends history, Norse mythology, and passion into a powerful tale of destiny shaped by courage and choice.

• Strong, vividly drawn protagonists

• Rich blend of historical detail and Norse myth

• Emotionally charged, fated-mates romance

• High-stakes conflict that heightens tension



This book is available in the following formats:
#KindleUnlimited

Praise

“This thrilling tale promises to sweep readers off their feet and take them on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Viking lore.” Five Stars

Yarde Book Promotions

“…Walker's textured history and atmosphere, whether it is a sacred grove or ethereal caves, create a world that feels both mystical and real, pulling readers into another unforgettable journey. Very highly recommended.”

Readers’ Favorite


Jennifer Ivy Walker


Jennifer Ivy Walker is an award-winning author of medieval Celtic, Nordic, and paranormal romance, as well as contemporary romance, historical fantasy, and WWII romantic suspense.

A former high school teacher and college professor of French with an MA in French literature, her novels encompass a love for French language, literature, history, and culture, including Celtic myths and legends, Norse mythology, Viking sagas, and Nordic lore.




Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Review of Quillan Creek and the Little War: Time Stones Book I by Ian Hunter

  


Quillan Creek and the Little War: 
Time Stones Book I 
By Ian Hunter


Publication Date: 3rd August 2018
Publisher: MVB Marketing-und Verlagsservice des Buchhandels
Print Length: 281 Page
Genre: Historical Fantasy 

Jessie Mason lives with her nose in the pages of history. But she is about to discover that the past is a dangerous place where she doesn't belong, and knowledge alone is not going to save her.

In Jessie’s troubled life her aunt is the only constant and comfort she has. But when she inexplicably disappears, and Jessie uncovers her mother's Time Stone, that unhappy life turns unreal and terrifying.

She is summoned to a world in crisis, 250 years in her past, to three unlikely companions, and the aged Onondaga shaman, Nishkamich, who promises an education in the powers of the stones which they each possess.

Over one glorious summer, Jessie reluctantly settles to village life and the developing bond with her prickly friends, until they are forced to accept that their stones are being hunted through history.

But in the depths of winter, their friendship, their wits, and the very limits of their endurance, will be tested by an unforgiving Nature as war finally erupts around them.

A Five Star Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this opening instalment of the Time Stones adventure — it’s a gripping blend of time travel, history and magic that held my attention from beginning to end. Jessie’s sudden fall into the past sets the story in motion, bringing her into the lands of the Haudenosaunee where danger, wonder and ancient power wait in equal measure. The journey balances moments of awe and reflection with an ever-present threat from those who would seize the stones for themselves, creating a tale that feels both exciting and meaningful.

*A compelling mix of time travel, frontier history and mysticism

*Strong, believable characters who grow through shared danger

*A vivid Haudenosaunee setting rich in atmosphere and detail

*A tense pursuit by a ruthless antagonist that raises the stakes throughout

The book is available in the following formats
Paperback
#KindleUnlimited

Ian Hunter


Books have been an important part of my life as long as I can remember, and at 54 years old, that’s a lot of books. My earliest memories of reading are CS Lewis’, “The Horse and His Boy” – by far the best of the Narnia books, the Adventures series by Willard Price, and “Goalkeepers are Different” by sports journalist Brian Glanville. An eclectic mix. My first English teacher was surprised to hear that I was reading, Le Carré, Ken Follett, Nevil Shute and “All the Presidents’ Men” by Woodward and Bernstein at the age of 12. I was simply picking up the books my father had finished.

School syllabus threw up the usual suspects – Shakespeare, Chaucer, Dickens, Hardy, “To Kill a Mockingbird” – which I have reread often, and others I don’t immediately recall. By “A” level study, my then English teachers were pulling their hair out at my “perverse waste of talent” – I still have the report card! But I did manage a pass.

During a 35 year career, briefly in Banking and then in IT, I managed to find time, with unfailing family support, to study another lifelong passion, graduating with an Open University Bachelors’ degree in History in 2002. This fascination with all things historical inspired me to begin the Time Stones series. There is so much to our human past, and so many differing views on what is the greatest, and often the saddest, most tragic story. I decided I wanted to write about it; to shine a small light on those, sometimes pivotal stories, which are less frequently mentioned.

In 1995, my wife, Michelle, and I moved from England to southern Germany, where we still live, with our two children, one cat, and, when she pays us a visit, one chocolate labrador. I have been fortunate that I could satisfy another wish, to travel as widely as possible and see as much of our world as I can. Destinations usually include places of historic and archaeological interest, mixed with a large helping of sun, sea and sand for my wife’s peace of mind.

Ian's Social Media Links:



Thursday, February 5, 2026

Review of The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo

 



Italy, 1620.

Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo.

Angelo knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. When he loses his master, his livelihood is shaken. Tozzo’s plunder is hidden in a safe place, but what will happen if someone comes after Angelo to get their hands on the stolen relics? More than that, he feels threatened by words he’s heard too many times; that he’ll always remain unforgiven and doomed.

One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about the hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them.

With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy—an artistic and audacious tale that crosses paths with art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani and the powerful Medici family.


A Five Star Read

The Relic Keeper is a character-driven historical story where Angelo, a young orphan, navigates a harsh world under the control of the cruel Tozzo. With the calm, steady guidance of Padre Benedetto and the wonder of new experiences in Rome, Angelo’s journey becomes one of hope, moral growth, and quiet triumph. Eljarbo delivers an engaging, heartfelt read that balances struggle, compassion, and small victories.

• Tender, realistic characters

• Heartfelt and emotionally rich

• Immersive historical atmosphere

• Villainous figures that heighten tension


This book is available in the following formats



Heidi Eljarbo


HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.


Social Media Links:









Review of The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven (The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy) by Jennifer Ivy Walker

The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven (The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy) By Jennifer Ivy Walker In this paranormal fantasy adaptation of th...