The Lotus House

Jan28

Book Title: The Lotus House

Series: Echoes of Empire

Author: Ann Bennett

Publication Date: 9th October 2024

Publisher: Andaman Press

Pages: 337

Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance / Historical Asian Fiction

Any Triggers: description of battle scenes and harrowing scenes of treatment of US prisoners by Japanese soldiers. One love scene, but not explicit. No swearing.

Twitter Handles: @annbennett71 @cathiedunn @MaryLSchmidt

Instagram Handles: @annbennettauthor @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #AsianHistoricalFiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/12/blog-tour-the-lotus-house-by-ann-bennett.html

Book Title and Author Name:

The Lotus House

by Ann Bennett

Blurb:

A gripping, emotional drama of love and courage set in the Philippines during WW2.

1960: Nancy Drayton, an American nurse living on Lake Sebu, is visited by a stranger who hands her some faded letters, given to her by a dying man. Reading them transports Nancy back to the terror of the war years.

1941: When Nancy’s world is blown apart by the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, she volunteers to travel to the Philippines to serve at the front. She soon finds herself working in a field hospital on the Bataan Peninsula in the thick of the fighting, experiencing the horrors of war first hand.

When tending to some wounded men, she meets Captain Robert Lambert, and they become close. But the Japanese are closing in on Bataan, and when the US surrenders, they are driven apart.

As Robert struggles to survive the horrors of the Bataan Death March and the brutality of captivity in a prison camp, Nancy too finds herself a captive, fighting for her life. Will they survive to find one another again or will the forces of war keep them apart?

If you enjoy compelling historical fiction, you’ll love this sweeping story of love and war.

Perfect for fans of Kristen Hannah, Dinah Jeffries and Victoria Hislop.

Praise for Ann Bennett:

‘What an amazing read!!! I didn’t expect this to be a roller coaster of emotions, suspense, and mystery but it was everything!!… The characters were amazing, the story will keep you wanting more and more until the end.’

~ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So captivating, I was on edge while flipping through the pages as fast as I could… Truly heartwarming… Emotional, heartbreaking … I loved this… A must read… Amazing.’

~ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Buy Links:

*Reduced to 0.99 for a limited time!*

Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/lotushouse

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bio:

Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter’s Quest, was inspired by researching her father’s experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own journey to uncover his story. It won the Asian Books Blog prize for fiction published in Asia in 2015, and was shortlisted for the best fiction title in the Singapore Book Awards 2016.

That initial inspiration led her to write more books about WWII in Southeast Asia – Bamboo Island: The Planter’s Wife, A Daughter’s Promise, Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Planter’s Club, The Amulet, and The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu. Along with The Lotus House, published in October 2024, they make up the Echoes of Empire Collection.

Ann is also the author of The Oriental Lake Collection – The Lake Pavilion and The Lake Palace, both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, set in French Indochina during the same period. A Rose in the Blitz – the first in the Sisters of War series and set in London during WWII, was published in March 2024.

The Lake Pagoda won a bronze medal for historical fiction in Asia in the Coffee Pot Book Club, Book of the Year awards 2022. The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu won a silver medal for dual-timeline historical fiction, and A Rose in the Blitz won bronze in the historical romance category in the Coffee Pot Book Club, Book of the Year awards 2024.

The Runaway Sisters, USA Today bestselling The Orphan House, The Child Without a Home and The Forgotten Children are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture. Her latest book, The Stolen Sisters, published on 29th November 2024 is the follow-up to The Orphan List (published by Bookouture in August 2024) and is set in Poland and Germany during WWII.

A former lawyer, Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. For more details, please visit www.annbennettauthor.com.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.annbennettauthor.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/annbennett71

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-bennett-42092559/

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

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ann-bennett

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Ann-Bennett/author/B00D21SJ7A

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1951323.Ann_Bennett

This entry was posted on January 28, 2025. 2 Comments

Heart of Evergreen!

Jan27

Book Link

New Review From Literary Titan

Heart of Evergreen by Mary L. Schmidt is a psychological thriller that masterfully delves into the unraveling life of Kim Dailey. A devoted wife, Kim’s seemingly perfect marriage takes a chilling turn when she discovers her name linked to a hit list on her husband Steve’s laptop. This revelation propels her into a whirlwind of doubt and fear, where every moment becomes a high-stakes journey to uncover the truth. As Kim confronts the possibility that her husband may be a covert assassin, the narrative explores themes of deception, resilience, and the lengths one will go to protect their family.

One of the novel’s standout strengths is its seamless blend of suspense, mystery, and romance. Schmidt crafts a deeply personal and intimate story, grounding the tension with the raw, emotional depth of her protagonist. Kim’s love for Steve, even amidst her mounting suspicion, and her compassionate observations of him as a father figure to her children, create a poignant duality that resonates. A particularly haunting moment arises when Dmitry’s death is contemplated—a scene so viscerally portrayed that it lingers long after reading. Schmidt juxtaposes the brutal finality of loss with the tenderness of grief, making it both heartrending and unforgettable. The story’s backdrop is a festive celebration overshadowed by the threat of an unseen assassin that creates gripping tension, while the richly layered characters bring authenticity and nuance to the narrative. The novel’s exploration of human relationships is deeply resonant, capturing moments of heartbreak, love, and hope with equal finesse. A notable strength lies in its portrayal of women’s resilience. Whether navigating life-altering choices or enduring harrowing trials, the women in Heart of Evergreen shine as embodiments of strength and grace. Balancing its weighty emotional themes are heartwarming glimpses of Kim’s moments of joy, particularly with her children. These scenes lend a warmth that counterbalances the darker aspects of the plot, offering moments of reprieve amidst the tension. The crescendo of the narrative, the poignant demise of Dmitry stands out as a masterfully written moment, weaving hope and heartbreak into an unforgettable climax.

Heart of Evergreen is an evocative tale that will captivate readers who enjoy romantic family sagas infused with elements of crime, desire, and emotional complexity. Fans of Ian McEwan’s Atonement will be drawn to its layered storytelling and profound exploration of the human spirit. This is a novel that lingers in the mind, leaving readers both moved and reflective.

Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0DR69LRC2 ~ Literary Titan

Meet JP MacDougall

Jan27

Please welcome JP MacDougall to my blog. Hello James. James wrote the Pangean Chronicles series. Shall we chat about this series?

Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hi, I’m James MacDougall from the UK and I am the author of the Pangean Chronicles series. Over the past twenty years I’ve written the Pangean Chronicles series which is made up of five books: A main trilogy and then two prequels.

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

I always loved creative writing as a child and it was always a strength of mine at school. It wasn’t until I was about 19 and I was going through a bad patch and went off the rails a little – the writing really kicked in then and it acted as a coping mechanism. To begin with I just wrote poetry (really badly!) but then this idea started to form and I just started writing what would later become Awakenings, which is the first of the Pangean Chronicles. For the past 20 years I have dipped in and out of the story, adding things, changing things and it became a hobby that never left. I don’t think I was aware that this was going to be my first book and I certainly never imagined that it would be published!

How difficult was it writing your first book?

I didn’t find it difficult – or maybe I did – it took twenty years for the main trilogy to be in any state where I was happy for other people to read them. I think I would have moments when I just ran out of ideas and so I’d park it and sit on it for a few years before coming back to it again. But really, the whole writing process is so pleasurable and rewarding and as I said it also helped with times when my mental health was not as good as it should have been.

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

No, I’ve never wanted to give up writing. Even when I got to a point where the ideas weren’t flowing, I always knew that something would come to me eventually – I was never in a rush to get it finished.

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

My wife is amazing and it was she who told me a few years ago that I should get my stories published. She is very patient as well – I tend to disappear off into my own little world and she handles that very well. My dad has also been an incredible supporter, he has read all my books and always gives me very honest feedback!

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

Be patient! I am the most impatient and knee jerky person and the whole publishing game is designed for very patient people. I made some silly mistakes at the beginning of this whole thing purely down to my impulsiveness, but I think I have learnt some lessons and have accepted that things just don’t happen overnight!

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

My writing is quite fast paced and there is always something going on. I’ve always felt that it would appeal to tweens and teens but I know a number of older readers who have also very much enjoyed the stories.

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

For Awakenings I had a cover designer working with me to come up with the front cover and it was her idea to have a character on the front cover. I’m really pleased with the result people say it is quite an enticing front cover. I think I only began thinking about the front cover when I was close to publishing – it’s a bit corny but the writing has always been my priority.

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

Having now finished the Pangean Chronicles series, I am now working on an origins series. Throughout the five books, there are loads of references and back stories to my version of the time of Pangea and I thought it would be great to write that story. So, I’m beginning from the very beginning and am planning to chart the story of the Dark Lord’s first rise and the fall of Pangea into Darkness. I’m about three quarters of the way through the first one at the moment and hopefully will have that complete by March. There is a second part as well which I am scribbling away on my note pad!

Any last words before we wrap things up?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say hello! If you are ever considering writing a book… Do it and do it for yourself above everything else. I am not sure where I would be without my writing, it certainly picked me up when I was in some very dark places.

BIO:

James started writing at the age of 19, just 3 years after his dyslexia diagnosis. Refusing to allow his dyslexia to define him, James always had a great imagination for stories and found an endless source of inspiration through the works of J.R. Tolkein, Ian Fleming and Stephen King. It has been a 20 year labour of love to combine these genres in his own series of books, ‘The Pangean Chronicles’, which were written while working as a full time teacher in the south east. As a devoted father to three young children, James also enjoys practicing the skill of oral storytelling, a skill he credits to helping him overcome the challenges of being a dyslexic author. When he is not writing, teaching or telling stories, James loves to be outdoors, promoting outdoor learning, working in his own garden or walking on the Ashdown Forest with his family.

Author Page: www.thepangeanchronicles.com

Twitter: https://x.com/PangeanChrons

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095127045157&locale=en_GB

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

BlueSky: @pangeanchronicles.bsky.social

Tiktok: @pangeanchronicles

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48899277.JP_MacDougall

Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones

Jan26

Book Link

From Amazon:

Creepy Underground Catacombs!

Bubba and Squirt are back for another rousing quest as they travel through the mysterious vortex to Paris, France. It’s another wild adventure as they track down art thieves, encounter terrifying monsters, and discover the whereabouts of their missing father.

Will they make it out alive or join the rest of the skeletons in the City of Bones?

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars What an adventure!

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025

Verified Purchase

I loved this book! Ellis used facts and her imagination in writing this novel for kids. Any child would be enamored in this tale that leaves, fats, truth, fiction, magic, and pure imagination in this mystery/adventure book for kids. Kudos to the author. The action is non-stop and takes the reader on an adventure across Paris as they chase after a thief and find his stash of stolen priceless art stolen from museums in Paris. The catacombs certainly can be scary, and landing in it under Paris after going through a portal is scary, but not too scary for kids. What an adventure, indeed!

Pencraft Winter Book Awards 2025!

Jan25

We are proud to announce that your book, Her Alibi, has been selected as a winner of the 2025 PenCraft Seasonal Book Award Winter Competition. This recognition celebrates your outstanding achievement in crafting a work that not only resonates deeply with readers but also exemplifies exceptional literary quality. It acknowledges your ability to create compelling narratives, vivid characters, and thought-provoking themes that leave a lasting impact on your audience. Winning a PenCraft Seasonal Book Award is a testament to your unwavering dedication, boundless creativity, and refined expertise as an author. It reflects the countless hours, persistence, and passion you have poured into your craft. We hope this honor not only brings you pride but also serves as a powerful source of inspiration, motivating you to continue exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of your writing in future endeavors. The PenCraft Seasonal Book Awards were created to celebrate books that embody exceptional literary quality, artistic merit, and a meaningful connection with readers. Your book, “Her Alibi”, exemplifies these qualities, earning its well-deserved recognition as a winner in the Non-Fiction – Relationships genre. Book Link

We hope that receiving this award will further propel your writing career, helping you reach new heights and connect with an even broader audience. Your dedication and talent have been evident in every piece you create, resonating deeply with readers and leaving a lasting impression. Your work has made a meaningful impact, inspiring others and contributing to important conversations. We are confident that this recognition will not only celebrate your achievements but also open new doors of opportunity, allowing you to share your voice and vision with even more people around the world. The full list of winners is now available on the PenCraft Book Award website, where your achievement is proudly showcased. Furthermore, all winners will be highlighted in an upcoming national press release, set to be distributed in the next few weeks. This provides an excellent opportunity for even greater exposure and recognition of your exceptional work. Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!

The World Turn’d Upside Down

Jan24

Book Title: The World Turn’d Upside Down

Series: Volume 2 of 4 of Creating a Republic the American Way

Author: Seth Irving Handaside

Publication Date: November 30th, 2024

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 287

Genre: Historical Fiction

Triggers: n/a

Twitter / X Handle: @cathiedunn @MaryLSchmidt

Instagram Handles: @themenwhochooseliberty @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #AmericanRevolution #UnitedStateHistory #FoundingFathers #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/12/blog-tour-the-world-turnd-upside-down-by-seth-irving-handaside.html

Book Title and Author Name:

The World Turned Upside Down

by Seth Irving Handaside (aka Neal Friedman)

Blurb:

“The World Turned Upside Down” takes readers on an exhilarating journey through one of history’s most transformative periods.

​This masterful work of historical fiction follows the audacious British-American colonists, known as the Founders, as they boldly rise against the mightiest empire of their time: England. Their unprecedented struggle challenged the status quo and reshaped the foundation of global politics and human rights, ushering in the era of democracy. As the narrative unfolds with rich, immersive detail and dynamic characters, the story poses a profound question: after securing their hard-won liberty, could they preserve and nurture the fragile promise of a new world?

This compelling tale captures the spirit of revolution and the enduring quest for freedom.

Excerpt 2:

Howe, with his legions came,

In hopes of wealth and fame.

What has he done?

All day, at Faro play’d

All night, with the whores he laid,

And with his bottle made,

Excellent fun.

General Howe set sail for New York with a convoy of 110 down the blue Atlantic, “their tall masts piercing the sky before the swoosh of the wind.

Reaching the rendezvous off Sandy Hook in Monmouth County, New Jersey, he dropped Anchor and waited for the stragglers to catch up.

Anticipating an attack, General Washington ordered his soldiers to “lay on their arms in their tents and quarters.

“They must be ready to turn out at a moment’s warning,” he told an aide, “as there is a great likelihood of it.”

On July 2, Howe moved his armada inside the bay and landed on Staten Island without opposition.  A glimmer of amusement crossed his face as he watched the soldiers, who had been cooped up on shipboard since March 17, leaping, wrestling, running races, and rolling on the turf.

Delegations of loyal Tories flocked to General Howe’s headquarters.  Sixty men from New Jersey carrying muskets reported that five more men would follow the Crown’s services.

“They tell me,” a delegate said while drinking coffee, “the Tories want peace;” Howe listened with one ear as he was anxious for the arrival of his brother, Admiral Howe.

Soon after the coming of Admiral Howe, General Henry Clinton returned from Charleston with 2000 men after an unsuccessful attempt against the town.

Shifting his feet, Howe winced at the news.

“What will be your fighting force?”

Howe took a satisfying breath.  “10,000 seamen and a land force of over 32,000.  They are well-armed, well-found, well-fed, well-clothed, and well-trained, but my brother and I want to offer reconciliation with General Washington.”

“I want to make real concessions to the colonies if they will lay down their arms,” said Howe, “I am fighting for peace.”

The delegate seemed impressed.

“I must do much damage before the enemy considers my terms.  But if I completely suppress the rebellion, it will cost England more to garrison troops here and keep them suppressed than the colonies are worth.”

Plenty more ideas circled Howe’s mind with arguments for and against his plan.

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://geni.us/HkQfWs

Historium Press Links:

Paperback: https://geni.us/fEnY

Hardcover: https://geni.us/vfmydM

Author Bio:

Growing up in Putnam County in the town of Putnam Valley, named after General Israel Putnam, Seth Irving Handaside walked its roads.

He explored the hills and valleys that American rebels tread. But, he often thought, what would have done when the head of the state, King George III of England, ignored his rights and the rule of law?

Would he have marched to the tune of the revolution and been in a regiment commanded by General Putnam or sided with the loyalists?

Fascinated by American history since elementary school, politics runs in his veins. He has spent the last ten years researching and reading about the founding fathers and settled on six men, three boys not yet twenty, and three Virginians who risked having their necks stretched to make the American dream a reality.

Author Links:

Website: https://themenwhochooseliberty.com/

Publisher Website: https://www.historiumpress.com/seth-irving-handaside

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

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Seth-Irving-Handaside/author/B0BN6HS9NB

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23050981.Seth_Irving_Handaside

This entry was posted on January 24, 2025. 2 Comments

Would You Die For Her

Jan23

Book Link:

From Amazon:

A chilling psychological suspense by New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Linda S. Prather. takes you on a journey into the twisted mind of a serial killer and the tortured mind of victim, Dakota Dale.

The gruesome discovery of Angelina Clark’s body, painted, gutted, and hanging from a tree in Savannah, Georgia, brings back troubling questions and resurfaces dark thoughts in Dakota Dale’s mind. Deep down, she knows that Christian Salyer is still out there, alive and seeking more victims. Victims like her that would be subjected to unimaginable torture, covered in paint from head to toe, disemboweled and left to suffer on a tree until their last breath.

The doctors had carefully mended her broken body, but the true damage was done to her mind, fractured and scattered like shards of glass. Memories clawed their way to the surface, some real and others distorted by trauma. But one memory remained clear and constant – the feeling of a small, warm body against her chest, the intoxicating scent of baby powder and milk. Christian had stolen her precious daughter from her, and she had crawled out of hell itself to find her.

My Review:

What a great book! This is more than a murder/mystery/thriller/psychotic and more book. This one is on a whole new level! The heroine suffered tragically to the point that her brain split into more than one person. The main antagonist is totally unglued mentally. What transpires with this cover will have you reeling with each new twist and turn. The ending is unbelievable and the pure evil in those who are terribly mentally ill is chilling.

Polly Goes To Australia

Jan21

Book Link

From Amazon:

Polly is off on another learning expedition. In this series, she visited Australia’s continent and the beautiful city of Canberra. A lot is happening in Australia. The King, or queen of the United Kingdom, is also the Head of State for Australia. There is also a lot going on in the United Kingdom, a new Monarch will be crowned. This voyage is one that Polly will not only cherish,but she will be more informed about her world.

My Review:

This children’s book is packed full of interesting cultures, wildlife, and history regarding Australia. Polly finds out the most interesting things about the great barrier reef, the fish, millions of fish, the government portion of Canberra, the road sign meanings on the drive to Sydney, and much more. The book needs serious editing.

When Darkness Falls

Jan17

Book Link

From Amazon:

Are serial killers mad or evil?
Follow the amazing journey of Tracy Bennett, an average, middle of the road woman working in a make-up counter in a York department store.But Tracy is not who she wants you to believe….“I was unable to put it down as the character is so driven, ghoulishly fascinating and wickedly humorous.””Kathleen Harryman’s portrayal of a mind warped horribly out of shape is a compelling plunge into the abyss.”Kathleen Harryman’s When Darkness Falls is a gripping account of a psychopathic killer. Written from the killer’s perspective, the story’s intent is perfectly compelling and holds the reader enthralled. Make assumptions, draw your own conclusions and then find your theories debunked as the story unfolds. When Darkness Falls is a book that you will not be able to put down until the last page is turned. A testament to the human fascination with the criminal mind. Get your copy!

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder most bloody

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025

Verified Purchase

Oh, Tracy. So misunderstood. This story blew my mind. The psychology behind the main character just exploded with more twists and turns than I had any idea of. I won’t write spoilers, though. Suffice it to say that the novel is deep and the one who murders has a penchant for using knives in an artistic manner as the person has the notion they create a masterpiece as they cut and design creations in the victims skin, deep or not, and they especially loved the creations of blood spatters on the walls and such. Don’t get me wrong, this book is not all about gore at all. The substance of real friends and people are just as important as the one who commits the heinous acts.