Tag: reviews

Shield of Mercia has been out for a week. Here’s what the blog tour hosts had to say about the latest book featuring young Icel #newrelease #histfic #TheEagleofMerciaChronicles #audio

Shield of Mercia has been out for a week. Here’s what the blog tour hosts had to say about the latest book featuring young Icel #newrelease #histfic #TheEagleofMerciaChronicles #audio

A huge thank you to Rachel and the blog hosts.

Here are the links to the complete reviews.

Being a reviewer is a lot of fun, it’s also a lot of work and takes a great deal of planning. I’m always so grateful to those who take a chance on my books. It can sometimes be a step into the unknown.

Helen Hollick’s blog

Blog Tour Review: Shield of Mercia – M. J. Porter
Shield of Mercia by M J Porter Blog Tour – Review
M J Porter – Shield Of Mercia
BLOG TOUR – Shield of Mercia by MJ Porter

Ruins and Reading

Shield of Mercia by MJ Porter is a vivid and immersive read
Shield of Mercia by MJ Porter | Book Review

Here’s the blurb

Mercia is triumphant. Her king is safe. But Wessex was never Mercia’s only enemy. 


Tamworth, AD836

Following a brutally cold winter, King Wiglaf of Mercia is in the ascendancy. Even Wessex’s Archbishop of Canterbury extraordinarily ventures to Mercia to broker a religious accord. But, can the hard-won peace prevail?

Viking raiders threaten Wessex. These blood-thirsty warriors are fast, skilful and have no reticence about killing those who stand in their way. Their aim isn’t to rule but to overwhelm, slaughter and take ill-gotten wealth.

King Wiglaf is no fool. As the Vikings push to overwhelm Wessex, Mercia’s lands look insecure. King Wiglaf needs the shields of Mercia’s warriors to prevent the overwhelming advancement of their deadliest enemy yet.

To save Mercia, Icel must first prevail over the two men who mean to end his life; King Ecgberht of Wessex and his son, Æthelwulf of Kent and only then the marauding Viking army for whom boundaries have no meaning.

https://amzn.to/4lg5sLP

Check out the Eagle of Mercia Chronicles series page and see the cover for Storm of Mercia. You will also find links to the other release day posts for Shield there, too. Or below.

My attempt at a Saxon poem

The Book of Healing

My 20-second summary of each book (this took a lot of attempts)

The audiobook

Sign up to my Boldwood Books newsletter to keep up to date with all things Icel… https://bit.ly/MJPorterNews

Or, you can order a signed paperback copy directly from me. Check out my bookstore.

Posts

Shield of Mercia is now available. Return to the world of young Icel, and listen to me rabbiting on, again #newrelease #histfic #TheEagleofMerciaChronicles #audio

Shield of Mercia is now available. Return to the world of young Icel, and listen to me rabbiting on, again #newrelease #histfic #TheEagleofMerciaChronicles #audio

Me doing a bad job of introducing the new book

In my defence, I am frantically trying to finish another title!

I have mentioned elsewhere that my publisher are now publishing what are known as ‘trade paperbacks’ for their titles. This is the format most of my indie titles are published in, and you can find this ‘new’ size here.

Here’s the blurb

Mercia is triumphant. Her king is safe. But Wessex was never Mercia’s only enemy. 


Tamworth, AD836

Following a brutally cold winter, King Wiglaf of Mercia is in the ascendancy. Even Wessex’s Archbishop of Canterbury extraordinarily ventures to Mercia to broker a religious accord. But, can the hard-won peace prevail?

Viking raiders threaten Wessex. These blood-thirsty warriors are fast, skilful and have no reticence about killing those who stand in their way. Their aim isn’t to rule but to overwhelm, slaughter and take ill-gotten wealth.

King Wiglaf is no fool. As the Vikings push to overwhelm Wessex, Mercia’s lands look insecure. King Wiglaf needs the shields of Mercia’s warriors to prevent the overwhelming advancement of their deadliest enemy yet.

To save Mercia, Icel must first prevail over the two men who mean to end his life; King Ecgberht of Wessex and his son, Æthelwulf of Kent and only then the marauding Viking army for whom boundaries have no meaning.

https://amzn.to/4lg5sLP

Check out the Eagle of Mercia Chronicles series page and see the cover for Storm of Mercia. You will also find links to the other release day posts for Shield there, too. Or below.

My attempt at a Saxon poem

The Book of Healing

My 20-second summary of each book (this took a lot of attempts)

The audiobook

Sign up to my Boldwood Books newsletter to keep up to date with all things Icel… https://bit.ly/MJPorterNews

Or, you can order a signed paperback copy directly from me. Check out my bookstore.

Posts

It’s time for a new Bradecote and Catchpoll historical mystery. I’m reviewing Feast for the Ravens by Sarah Hawkswood #historicalmystery #bookreview

It’s time for a new Bradecote and Catchpoll historical mystery. I’m reviewing Feast for the Ravens by Sarah Hawkswood #historicalmystery #bookreview

Here’s the blurb

Worcestershire, September 1145: A Templar knight is found dead in the Forest of Wyre, clutching a bloodstained document naming a traitor. Undersheriff Hugh Bradecote, Serjeant Catchpoll, and Underserjeant Walkelin must uncover whether the killing was personal, political, or the work of outlaws. They are surprised to find that the locals believe the killer to be the Raven Woman, a mythical shape-shifter said to haunt the woods. Then the knight is identified as Ivo de Mitton – believed to have long ago murdered his own kin – and the mystery deepens.

As the trio dig through legend and lies, they must determine the truth and bring a cunning killer to justice.

Purchase Link

My Review

Sarah Hawkswood’s medieval mysteries are some of my favourite books. I wish I could savour them when they’re released once a year, but I find myself reading far too quickly.

Her main characters, Bradecote, Catchpoll and Wakelin are determined and intrepid in their desire to solve each mystery presented to them, and the same applies for Feast for the Ravens.

When our dead man is found in the woodlands, it seems impossible that any will recognise him, but slowly a devastating tale of treachery, revenge and cunning is revealed as our intrepid investigative trio work hard to determine who is being truthful, and who less so. The tale quickly turns quite dark and is filled with peril, although not, thankfully, for our sleuthing threesome. All the usual characters benefit from a brief mention, and this tale is firmly grounded in the political conspiracy of the reign of King Stephen and Empress Matilda. A great deal is at stake if the truth is not discovered.

I adore this series. I have long grown used to the author’s decision to have her characters speak and think in ‘ye olde worlde’ way, and it enhances the atmosphere of these books.

If you’ve not started the series, then you can start with this book, but I would highly recommend stepping back a few titles, if not to the very beginning of the series (which I think you can enjoy when you know the characters better) to fully immerse yourself in this twisty, dark and perilous medieval mystery.

Check out my reviews for other books in the series (I have read them all)

Too Good To Hang

A Taste For Killing

Wolf At The Door

Litany of Lies

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It’s time for a new Bradecote and Catchpoll historical mystery. I’m reviewing Litany of Lies by Sarah Hawkswood #historicalmystery

Here’s the blurb

Midsummer, 1145. Walter, the steward of Evesham Abbey, is found dead at the bottom of a well pit. The Abbot, whose relationship with the lord Sheriff of Worcestershire is strained at best, dislikes needing to call in help. However, as the death appears to have not been an accident, he grudgingly receives Undersheriff Hugh Bradecote, Serjeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin.

The trio know to step carefully with the contentious undercurrents at play. As the sheriff ‘s men investigate the steward’s death, they discover that truth is in short supply. With the tensions between the Abbey and the local castle guard reaching boiling point, another killing will force the investigation down a dangerous path.

Purchase Link

My Review

It’s a joy to be back with our ‘boys’, Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin.

Another murder needs solving, and we know Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin won’t rest until they find the culprit. This is a particularly twisty tale of long-standing grievances and newer ones as well. I didn’t guess the culprit, and I always appreciate a mystery where I can’t work out who ‘did it.’

I love this series. I came to it late, and I’ve now taken myself back to the first books, and they are also a true delight. If you’re looking for a new historical mystery series, I highly recommend this one set in the mid-twelfth century in England. I always appreciate the maps at the beginning of the books.

Check out previous reviews for the series.

Too Good To Hang

A Taste For Killing

Wolf At The Door

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