Archive | June 2026

The Queen’s Sister

Book Title: The Queen’s Sister

Series: n/a

Author Name: Carol McGrath

Publication Date: 4th June 2026

Publisher: Headline Accent

Pages: 300

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: none

Twitter Handles: @carolmcgrath @cathiedunn @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles: @carol.mcgrath.58 @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #TudorFiction #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour #NewRelease

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog-tour-the-queens-sister-by-carol-mcgrath.html

Book Title and Author Name:

The Queen’s Sister

by Carol McGrath

Blurb:

A mother, a wife, a woman of substance…

At nineteen, Elizabeth Seymour is already a mother, has been recently widowed, and seen her Queen, Anne Boleyn, lose her life. Against the wishes of her father, she heads North, away from Wulf Hall and the court in London to Yorkshire, determined to establish a new beginning as a landowner and business woman. As her family in Wiltshire curry favour with King Henry, aided by Thomas Cromwell, Elizabeth makes Kexby Manor her home, finding loyalty among her people there.

Soon, news comes to Elizabeth of the King’s desires for her sister, Jane and while her brother, Edward, encourages her own betrothal to Gregory Cromwell, son of Thomas. It is a happy second marriage for Elizabeth, but it brings unwanted involvement in the dark plots and secrecy of the court, while in the wider country, changes in religious practice threaten to alter the traditions and values of all she has known…

THE QUEEN’S SISTER vividly imagines the story of the woman possibly portrayed in Hans Holbein’s beautiful painting ‘Portrait of a Lady,’ and is a colourful, meticulously researched novel of Tudor life behind the scenes.

What readers say about Carol McGrath’s novels:

Another beautifully crafted, well-researched work of historical fiction from Carol McGrath’

‘Brimming with intrigue, tension and adventure, The Lost Queen is a powerful Medieval tale full of atmosphere, danger and emotion and transports the reader to another world’

Excerpt 4 – The Queen’s Sister:

Accompanied by Madeleine, wearing large cloaks and carrying baskets so we look like a merchant’s wife and her servant, we hasten to the Cathedral to pray for Queen Anne’s soul and for the souls of the men who were accused with her and died. Their heads brutally struck from their bodies, those handsome proud courtiers once gorgeously clothed in colourful velvets and silks are no more.

Often people gather in the Cathedral to discuss news as well as pray. The columned nave is busy today. As we make our way through throngs in the main aisle, faces carved on pillars stare down on us with menacing grins. Stone monkeys appear as if they want to leap upon us, sculptured dogs snarl with glaring open mouths ready to snap.  We weave our way through to seek solitude in a peaceful side chapel dedicated to the Virgin.  When we rise from our knees and exit the chapel, I overhear lewd talk.

A tall, severe faced woman, her hair concealed under a dark French hood, stands amongst a group gathered around her. She’s saying in a low voice, ‘That Bullen whore would hide her musician in a cupboard and call out for marmalade when it was safe for him to come out of his hiding place and attend her. My husband heard it in London last week.’

Another woman retorts, as we slip past, ‘Never, by the cross, has there been such a scandal in England,’ I wrinkle my nose not just at her vicious gossiping manner but because she smells of vinegar as sour as her face. ‘Did your Nick hear anything else?’ she adds nastily.

‘The King is well rid of her.It’s said down in London she bewitched the King andpoisoned good Queen Katherine who died in January. Anne Bullen was a witch as well as being a whore.’

Despite the heat of the day, I draw my cloak closer and whisper to Madeleine, ‘Do not listen to them. It’s an evil pack of lies.’

‘Indeed. Wicked gossiping but ‘tis best we get back to the peace and quiet of Kexby away from these nests of ill-wishers.’

I say firmly. ‘This very afternoon. William does not need me here for cloth deals. These, he can handle himself.’

But it is not over. My sister and King Henry are wed. Throughout the land bells ring again, this time joyously and light, sounding for the King’s new marriage. On the second day of June, a long letter from Edward arrives. With a heavy heart, I climb the staircase to my bedchamber and sink into my armed chair by the window wondering at my sister’s wisdom in marrying a King who set one wife aside and killed another.

Buy Links:

Universal Ebook Link: https://books2read.com/u/bzExAq

Universal Paperback Link: https://geni.us/queenssister

Author Bio:

Following a first degree in English and History at QUB, Carol McGrath completed an MA in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, followed by an MPhil in English from University of London. She is published by Headline.

The Handfasted Wife, first in a trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAs in 2014. The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a best-selling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, was republished by Headline in 2020. The Silken Rose, first in a Medieval She-Wolf Queens Trilogy, featuring Ailenor of Provence, saw publication in April 2020. This was followed by The Damask Rose. The Stone Rose was published April 2022. The Stolen Crown 2023 and July 2024 The Lost Queen about Berengaria of Navarre and The Third Crusade. The Queen’s Sister, sequel to Mistress Cromwell sees publication in June 2026.

Carol writes historical non-fiction as well as fiction. Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England was published in February 2022 by Pen & Sword. She speaks at Conferences and gives interviews.

Find Carol on her website: www.carolcmcgrath.co.uk.

Subscribe to her newsletter via her website (use the drop down on her web-site Home Page).

Author Links:

Website: www.carolcmcgrath.co.uk

Twitter / X: https://x.com/carolmcgrath

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolMcGrathAuthor1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carol.mcgrath.58/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/swanneck.bsky.social

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-mcgrath

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Carol-McGrath/author/B00D0K5YI0 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6942793.Carol_McGrath

This entry was posted on June 11, 2026. 2 Comments

Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder

Book Link

From Amazon:

It’s a birthday weekend with the gift of murder.

Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic, small town Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.

Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.

Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third
murder?

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5 out of 5 stars

Great mystery

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2026

Format: Kindle

Verified Purchase

I found this book a great read. I liked how the sisters kept up a tradition for their weekend birthdays. Dulce sounds incredible. Love is about and you can catch that in places. Murder hits not once but twice, and attempted murder does the same. Add in an art show and an amorous woman who owns the Dulce and has a thing for all nice looking men and the story was born!

Rise of the Pale Moon

Book Title:  RISE OF THE PALE MOON

Series:  N/A

Author Name: Patricia Brandon

Publication Date: October 15th, 2024

Publisher:  Palmetto Publishers

Pages: 262

Genre: Historical Fiction

Twitter / X Handles:  @pgaddisbrandon @cathiedunn @maryanneyarde @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles:  @pbrandonauthor @thecoffeepotbookclub @yardereviews

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #SCHistoricalFiction #USRevolution #ReaderReach #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub #YardeBookPromotions

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/05/blog-tour-rise-of-the-pale-moon-by-patricia-brandon.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Rise of the Pale Moon

By Patricia Brandon

Blurb: 

Forced to navigate complex relationships with each other and the master’s family in colonial South Carolina, three young women (an indentured servant, a chattel slave, and a Catawba Indian) must choose between remaining in servitude or risk a dangerous escape that could change their lives – and the course of the Revolution.

Unlikely Allies: Three Diverse Women Navigate Tumultuous Times, Risking All Amidst Revolutionary Woes. A Tale of Hope, Love, and Triumph Over Adversity.

In the heart of coastal South Carolina, during the Revolutionary War era, a profound narrative unfolds in Rise of the Pale Moon. This captivating tale is set on a plantation, where three young women of strikingly different backgrounds are held captive – a humble indentured servant from London, a resilient chattel slave, and a resourceful Catawba Indian. Their lives are intertwined, bound by the chains of their circumstances, and deeply impacted by the Master and his family.

These women, each bearing a unique perspective, must learn to navigate their relationships with each other and their captors. As they grapple with their brutal reality, their courage is put to the ultimate test. Will they risk a daring escape, knowing full well that it could result in their demise? Or will they remain, hoping to influence their fate and possibly alter the course of the war in the American South?

Rise of the Pale Moon explores the intricacies of loyalty, sacrifice, and love amidst harsh adversity. The characters’ relentless pursuit of hope is a testament to their determination and resilience, offering an inspiring portrayal of human spirit. As the birth of a new nation unfolds around them, their journey reveals the transformative power of unity and friendship.

This riveting narrative is more than just a historical fiction; it is a timeless exploration of the human condition, capturing the essence of shared struggles, shared dreams, and the shared determination to survive. The characters’ journey serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of times.

Rise of the Pale Moon is a captivating read, that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you with a renewed perspective on life, love, and the power of resilience. The story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the courage to fight for freedom. A must-read for anyone who appreciates a compelling historical narrative laced with poignant life lessons.

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3197yD

Author Bio:

Patricia Brandon is a winner of a Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award (South Carolina Writers’ Association).

Her first novel, THE CENTER OF GRAVITY, earned a Coffee Pot Book Club (UK) “Highly Recommended” 5-Star Award. It recently was awarded a bronze medal (fiction-mystery-historical category) in the Readers Favorite International Book Contest.

Her second novel, A RULE OF LIFE, was selected as a gold medal (YA, Historical Fiction category) 2021 Book of the Year by The Coffee Pot Book Club. It also was recently selected as a bronze medal (YA Mystery category) winner in the Readers Favorite International Book Contest.

RISE OF THE PALE MOON was selected as a finalist for the American Writing Awards 2025.

All novels have gleaned several excellent editorial reviews.

Check out Patricia’s interview at Meet The Author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7wk0myvCk0

Author Links:

Website:  https://patriciabrandon.com/

Twitter / X:  https://x.com/pgaddisbrandon

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/patriciabrandonauthor/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pbrandonauthor/

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patricia-Brandon/author/B07DLGBJV4 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/17558288.Patricia_Brandon

This entry was posted on June 9, 2026. 2 Comments

Five Days Left to Hit My Goal!

Countdown Starts Today!! Thank you! Book number 64 hit number ONE! To celebrate, I have a challenge for you. I need to sell as many paperback copies as possible between June 7th – 13th. If you buy a paperback, take a screenshot and you will be entered into a drawing that includes a new Chrome book and gift cards ranging from $10 to $100!!! I’m working towards becoming a USA Today Best Selling Author! Email me the screenshot at this link: https://whenangelsfly.net/contact-us/

Universal link for paperback is https://mybook.to/ELH26Paperback Thank you so very much! $16.99 Are you prepared? “Earth’s Last Hope” by Mary L. Schmidt is a really fascinating sci-fi disaster book that takes a total left turn halfway through the plot. It starts off feeling like a traditional prepper story, but quickly escalates into a deep-state military thriller. I appreciated the grounded, everyday tone the author uses to show what life would actually be like inside an underground bunker. I especially loved the focus on training the teens to take over complex operations because it adds a smart, long-term layer to the survival strategy, showing that the community is actively planning for the future instead of just waiting around. The casual, easy-flowing dialogue makes it feel like you are overhearing genuine families navigating a global disaster. By blending the harsh truths of an environmental collapse with uplifting, relatable moments, the book actually transforms into an unexpectedly touching story of survival. It’s an engaging read that avoids a ton of tech jargon while keeping the stakes high. I recommend it to fans of military sci-fi, intense environmental doomsday stories, or anyone who loves a good government conspiracy twist. #Yellowstone#Colorado#Denver#DenverFederalCenter#DEN#NORAD#military#scifi#newrelease#bookblogger#bookstoread#mustread#BooksWorthReading#romance#bookgiveaway#bookrecommendations#bookstagram#booktok#amreading#bookworm#thriller#PsychologicalThriller#Suspense#booktok

Countdown Starts Today – This Week Only!

Countdown Starts Today!! Thank you! Book number 64 hit number ONE! To celebrate, I have a challenge for you. I need to sell as many paperback copies as possible between June 7th – 13th. If you buy a paperback, take a screenshot and you will be entered into a drawing that includes a new Chrome book and gift cards ranging from $10 to $100!!! I’m working towards becoming a USA Today Best Selling Author! Email me the screenshot at this link: https://whenangelsfly.net/contact-us/

Universal link for paperback is https://mybook.to/ELH26Paperback Thank you so very much! $16.99 Are you prepared? “Earth’s Last Hope” by Mary L. Schmidt is a really fascinating sci-fi disaster book that takes a total left turn halfway through the plot. It starts off feeling like a traditional prepper story, but quickly escalates into a deep-state military thriller. I appreciated the grounded, everyday tone the author uses to show what life would actually be like inside an underground bunker. I especially loved the focus on training the teens to take over complex operations because it adds a smart, long-term layer to the survival strategy, showing that the community is actively planning for the future instead of just waiting around. The casual, easy-flowing dialogue makes it feel like you are overhearing genuine families navigating a global disaster. By blending the harsh truths of an environmental collapse with uplifting, relatable moments, the book actually transforms into an unexpectedly touching story of survival. It’s an engaging read that avoids a ton of tech jargon while keeping the stakes high. I recommend it to fans of military sci-fi, intense environmental doomsday stories, or anyone who loves a good government conspiracy twist. #Yellowstone#Colorado#Denver#DenverFederalCenter#DEN#NORAD#military#scifi#newrelease#bookblogger#bookstoread#mustread#BooksWorthReading#romance#bookgiveaway#bookrecommendations#bookstagram#booktok#amreading#bookworm#thriller#PsychologicalThriller#Suspense#booktok

Daughter of Mercia

Name: Julia Ibbotson

Book Title: Daughter of Mercia

Series: Dr Anna Petersen Mysteries, book #1

Publication Date:  June 6th, 2025

Publisher:  Archbury Books

Pages:  301 pages

Genre:  medieval dual-time mystery romance

Any Triggers: n/a

Twitter Handles: @JuliaIbbotson @cathiedunn @maryanneyarde @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles: @julia.ibbotson @thecoffeepotbookclub @yardereviews

Hashtags: #DaughterOfMercia #BookBirthday #medieval #dualtime #timeslip #BlogTour #ReaderReach

Tour Schedule Page:  https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog-tour-daughter-of-mercia-by-julia-ibbotson.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Daughter of Mercia

by Julia Ibbotson

Blurb:

Echoes of the past resonate across the centuries as Dr Anna Petersen, a medievalist and runologist, is struggling with past trauma and allowing herself to trust again. When archaeologist (and Anna’s old adversary) Professor Matt Beacham unearths a 6th century seax with a mysterious runic inscription, and reluctantly approaches Anna for help, a chain of events brings the past firmly back into her present. And why does the burial site also contain two sets of bones, one 6th century and the other modern?

As the past and present intermingle alarmingly, Anna and Matt need to work together to solve the mystery of the seax runes and the seemingly impossible burial, and to discover the truth about the past. Tensions rise and sparks fly between Anna and Matt. But how is 6th century Lady Mildryth of Mercia connected to Anna? Can they both be the Daughter of Mercia?

For fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley and Christina Courtenay.

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://myBook.to/DOMercia

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bio:

Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of time. She is the author of historical mysteries with a frisson of romance. Her books are evocative of time and place, well-researched and uplifting page-turners. Her current series focuses on early medieval time-slip/dual-time mysteries.

Julia read English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language / literature / history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics. After a turbulent time in Ghana, West Africa, she became a school teacher, then a university academic and researcher. Her break as an author came soon after she joined the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme in 2015, with a three-book deal from Lume Books for a trilogy (Drumbeats) set in Ghana in the 1960s.

She has published five other books, including A Shape on the Air, an Anglo-Saxon timeslip mystery, and its two sequels The Dragon Tree and The Rune Stone. Her latest novel is the first of a new series of Anglo-Saxon dual-time mysteries, Daughter of Mercia, where echoes of the past resonate across the centuries.

Her books will appeal to fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, and Christina Courtenay. Her readers say: ‘Julia’s books captured my imagination’, ‘beautiful story-telling’, ‘evocative and well-paced storylines’, ‘brilliant and fascinating’ and ‘I just couldn’t put it down’.

Author Links:

Website: https://juliaibbotsonauthor.com

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/@juliaibbotson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaIbbotsonauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia.ibbotson

Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/juliaibbotson.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/juliai1

Amazon Author Page: https://Author.to/JuliaIbbotsonauthor

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/juliaibbotson

This entry was posted on June 5, 2026. 4 Comments

The Agincourt King

Book Title: The Agincourt King

Series: The Plantagenet Legacy Volume 5

Author Name: Mercedes Rochelle

Publication Date: April 8, 2024

Publisher: Sergeant Press

Pages: 260

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: no

Twitter Handles: @authorRochelle @cathiedunn @maryanneyarde @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles: @thecoffeepotbookclub @yardereviews

Hashtags: #HenryV #Agincourt #Lancaster #ReaderReach #BlogTour

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/05/blog-tour-the-agincourt-king-by-mercedes-rochelle.html

Book Title and Author Name:

The Agincourt King

by Mercedes Rochelle

Narrated by Kevin E. Green

Blurb:

From the day he was crowned, Henry V was determined to prove the legitimacy of his house.

His father’s usurpation weighed heavily on his mind. Only a grand gesture would capture the respect of his own countrymen and the rest of Europe. He would follow in his great-grandfather Edward III’s footsteps, and recover lost territory in France. Better yet, why not go for the crown?

Poor, deranged Charles VI couldn’t manage his own barons. The civil war between the Burgundians and Armagnacs was more of a threat to his country than the English, even after Henry laid siege to Harfleur.

But once Harfleur had fallen, the French came to their senses and determined to block his path to Calais and destroy him. By the time the English reached Agincourt, they were starving, exhausted, and easy pickings. Or so the French thought.

Little did they reckon on Henry’s leadership and the stout-hearted English archers who proved, once again, that numbers didn’t matter when God was on their side.

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mq70Ze

Audiobook Buy Links:

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0Cg66ye2wFqfteVEYMZXUE

Chirp: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/the-agincourt-king-by-mercedes-rochelle

This series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bio:

Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing.

Her first four books cover eleventh-century Britain and events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. The next series is called The Plantagenet Legacy about the struggles and abdication of Richard II, leading to the troubled reigns of the Lancastrian Kings. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.

Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!

Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

Author Links:

Website: https://mercedesrochelle.com/

Twitter / X:  https://x.com/authorrochelle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedesrochelle.net

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/authorrochelle.bsky.social

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mercedes-rochelle

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mercedes-Rochelle/author/B001KMG5P6

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1696491.Mercedes_Rochelle

This entry was posted on June 4, 2026. 2 Comments

Countdown is FIVE More Days!!

Countdown is FIVE More Days!!

Book number 64 hit number ONE! To celebrate, I have a challenge for you. I need to sell as many paperback copies as possible between June 8th – 13th. If you buy a paperback, take a screenshot and you will be entered into a drawing that includes a new Chrome book and gift cards ranging from $10 to $100!!! I’m working towards becoming a USA Today Best Selling Author!

Universal link for paperback is https://mybook.to/ELH26Paperback
Universal link for eBook is https://mybook.to/ELH26

Thank you so very much! $16.99 Are you prepared? “Earth’s Last Hope” by Mary L. Schmidt is a really fascinating sci-fi disaster book that takes a total left turn halfway through the plot. It starts off feeling like a traditional prepper story, but quickly escalates into a deep-state military thriller. I appreciated the grounded, everyday tone the author uses to show what life would actually be like inside an underground bunker. I especially loved the focus on training the teens to take over complex operations because it adds a smart, long-term layer to the survival strategy, showing that the community is actively planning for the future instead of just waiting around. The casual, easy-flowing dialogue makes it feel like you are overhearing genuine families navigating a global disaster. By blending the harsh truths of an environmental collapse with uplifting, relatable moments, the book actually transforms into an unexpectedly touching story of survival. It’s an engaging read that avoids a ton of tech jargon while keeping the stakes high. I recommend it to fans of military sci-fi, intense environmental doomsday stories, or anyone who loves a good government conspiracy twist.

Yellowstone #Colorado #Denver #DenverFederalCenter #DEN #NORAD #military #scifi #newrelease #bookblogger #bookstoread #mustread #BooksWorthReading #romance #bookgiveaway #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booktok #amreading #bookworm #thriller #PsychologicalThriller #Suspense #booktok #bookboost #BookTok #IARTG

What the Ocean Brings

Book Title: What the Ocean Brings                       

Series: No

Author Name: Tonya Ulynn Brown

Publication Date: June 4, 2026

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Pages: 346

Genre: Historical Romance

Any Triggers: No

Twitter / X Handles: @MrsBrownee2U @cathiedunn @maryanneyarde @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles: @tonyaubrown @thecoffeepotbookclub @yardereviews

Hashtags: #WhatTheOceanBrings #HistoricalRomance #SecondChanceRomance #ReaderReach #BlogTour

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog-tour-what-the-ocean-brings-by-tonya-ulynn-brown.html

Book Title and Author Name:

What the Ocean Brings

by Tonya Ulynn Brown

Blurb:

Quebec, Canada, 1847.

While trying to escape the Potato Famine, shipwrecked Irish immigrant Breanna Clarey awakens injured and alone on an unfamiliar beach. To make matters worse, she has been separated from her family, and her friend, Crow, is lying dead at her feet. But when Dawson Roberts, a reclusive fisherman with a guarded past and big dreams for his future, finds Breanna, he puts his plans on hold to offer her shelter and help find her family.

But life for an Irish immigrant isn’t easy. Facing a deadly quarantine station, dangerous immigration officials, and grief over her missing family, Breanna struggles to exert her independence and navigate her new world. While Breanna confronts an unknown future, Dawson is plagued by a painful past. They each must determine their own course, even if it means ignoring the pull they have on each other.

When the future takes an unexpected turn, only the ocean that has brought them so much devastation can help them find their way back to where they belong.

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mYjg2G

Author Bio:

Tonya Ulynn Brown is an award-winning historical romance author who writes emotionally rich tales of ancient castles, treacherous plots, and forbidden love. With a deep passion for the turbulent histories of England and Scotland, she brings the past vividly to life through stories where danger and desire walk hand in hand.

Tonya holds a master’s degree and teaches Reading and Writing at the elementary level. Fueled by iced coffees, beautiful books, and an enduring obsession with Mary, Queen of Scots, she fills her days writing, teaching, and researching the lives of long-dead monarchs and other historical figures. Most of all, she loves spending time with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled French bulldog.

Author Links:

Website: www.tonyaubrown.com

Twitter / X: www.twitter.com/MrsBrownee2U

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tonyaubrown

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonyaubrown

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tonyaulynnbrown/what-the-ocean-brings/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tonya-ulynn-brown

Threads: www.threads.com/tonyaubrown

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tonyaubrown

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tonya-Ulynn-Brown/author/B08B6C9VFD

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20396608.Tonya_Ulynn_Brown

This entry was posted on June 3, 2026. 4 Comments

Meet Richard Foster

Please welcome Richard Foster to my blog. Hello Richard, shall we chat as we drink our afternoon tea?

1. Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

I’m Richard Foster, author of “STOP, POLICE!” a memoir about growing up in Rochdale, my time in uniformed policing stationed at Portsmouth for a decade and then collapsing on duty while working in serious and organised crime, surviving a sudden brain haemorrhage that changed everything. I now live on the south coast in the UK and split my time between writing, cybersecurity work, and raising awareness of AVMs and brain haemorrhage recovery.

2. Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?

I’ve always loved storytelling, from telling stories around campfires at scout camps to family get-togethers. But I didn’t seriously consider writing a book until after my brain hemorrhage. That experience forced me to slow down and reflect on the life I’d lived, the policing years, the people I’d met, the humour, the trauma, and the resilience. I wanted my children to know who I was (other than dad) when they got older. I also realised I had a story worth telling, not just for family but for anyone who’s interested in true crime, policing or whoever has had to rebuild their life.

3. How difficult was it to write your first book?

It was both cathartic and challenging. Reliving certain moments, especially the medical emergency and some of the tougher policing experiences wasn’t easy. But the writing itself flowed once I committed to being honest. It only took 4 years! I was helped greatly by my editor in creating a polished book that would be enjoyable to read. It became enjoyable towards the end. I wanted the finished product to feel like I was having a chat with someone in the pub. I wanted it to feel relaxed and personal.

4. Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

Yes, more than once. Imposter syndrome is real, especially for first‑time authors. What stopped me was remembering why I started: to leave something meaningful behind for my children, to show others that recovery is possible, and to honour the people who shaped my life and career.

5. Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

My biggest supporters have been Janet, my wife. She has always had my back and my editor David Meikle, also a Sunday Times bestselling author who totally believed in the project from the start. Their encouragement kept me going when the self‑doubt crept in.

6. Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thank you to everyone who bought the book. Genuinely it is lovely to read every message, review or shared photo.

7. What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

The best advice I received was simply: read lots of books before writing your own. It wasn’t said by one single person, more a message repeated by writers I admire. Immersing myself in other people’s stories, their rhythms, humour, and craft. This helped shape the way I approached my own memoir. It reminded me that good writing starts with being a good reader.

8. What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

My book speaks to readers who enjoy true stories, policing memoirs, resilience narratives (especially medical), and honest accounts of life-changing events. I write with humour, openness, and a very human perspective, something that resonates with people who want authenticity rather than a polished, heroic version of events. Most of the book is set in the 1980s-1990s, and it became apparent that so much has changed since then. So, it also appeals to those who like a bit of 90s nostalgia!

9. Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

I am very lucky that Chris Stone, my brother-in-law, is a well-established graphic designer. I provided a brief that was to create a cover that captured both the policing world and the personal journey behind it, so the cover includes iconic landmarks from my life such as, Rochdale Town Hall, The Twin Towers in NYC, The Tricorn centre and Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth.

10. What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

I’m currently working on promoting the book. Writing the book is the easy bit! 😂 I do have outlined plans for a series of fiction books, all with a policing theme, but it is still very early days.

11. Any last words before we wrap things up?

Thank you for inviting me to chat with you on your blog. I really appreciate it and that people like yourself are here, trying to help new authors be heard and helping readers find great books to read! Also, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported STOP, POLICE! so far. Being a first‑time author is daunting, but the response has been overwhelming in the best way. I hope readers continue to find something meaningful, funny, or comforting in the book.

About the author

Richard grew up in Rochdale, near Manchester. In the early 1990s he became a police officer in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Richard loves storytelling. He has discovered, over the years, that people love finding out what it is like to be a police officer. Richard is an experienced public speaker at commercial events, universities and smaller community organisations. He delivers talks on cybercrime and ransomware as well as his own incredible experiences and fascinating details about policing history.

Author page, https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0GTPNS4PY/about?ingress=0&visitId=7c47d95e-d607-4a8d-9253-b0a99dab2963

website, https://www.richard-foster.net

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/richardfosterauthor/

Twitter, https://x.com/RichF_book

Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/197414143-richard-foster

Amazon, https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1068292407

My book link, https://mybook.to/stoppolice 

TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@richardfosterauthor  

Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/richardfoster_author/

Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/richardfosterbooks.bsky.social

Pinterest, https://uk.pinterest.com/fosterauthor/

YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@RichardFoster-Author