Book of the MONTH - November

Book of the Month

November

They called it the Flavian Amphitheatre. We call it the Colosseum. Let the Games begin.

Rome, 80AD. A gigantic new amphitheatre is being built.The Emperor has plans for gladiatorial Games on a scale no-one has ever seen before. But the Games don’t just happen by themselves. They must be made. And Marcus, the man in charge of creating them, has just lost everything he held dear when Pompeii disappeared under the searing wrath of Vesuvius.

Now it will fall to Althea, the slave woman who serves as his scribe, to ensure the Colosseum is inaugurated on time – and that Marcus makes his way out of the darkness that calls to him.

Can a motley crew comprising a retired centurion, slaves, a prostitute and an ex Vestal Virgin pull off the greatest gladiatorial Games ever seen? Or will they fail and find themselves in the arena as punishment? Time is running out to deliver an unforgettable spectacle.

From the Ashes is the first, fast-paced novel in the gripping new Colosseum series. Follow the quick-witted and fiercely loyal backstage team of the Colosseum through the devastation of Pompeii, plague and fire. This is historical fiction at its most captivating: both action-packed and tender.

Pages:  322

Genre: Historical Italian Fiction

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Cover of the MONTH - November

Book Cover of the Month

November

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HUGE thanks to  Designer, Cathy Helms at Avalon Graphics for selecting this month's cover of the Month.

All books receiving a Chill with a Readers' Award in October will automatically be considered for Book Cover of the Month.

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Podcast - Chill Awardee Helen Hollick

 Today, on Celebrating Success, I have the wonderful Helen Hollick. Helen is an international award winning author, Helen likes nothing better than to talk pirates… from time to time! So please  help yourself to a glass of bubbly and settle down to learn about pirates. This podcast is read from Helen’s post on my Blog on the 30^th Nov

 

 

 I hope you have enjoyed listening to Helen’s post on her pirate adventures and it has given you a thirst to set sail on the high seas.

   You can listen to all my podcast at https://paulinebarclay.podbean.com

The Fern Keepers by Sara Sartagne

The Fern Keepers

by

Sara Sartagne

has RECEIVED a

A PREMIER Readers’ Award

Premier Readers’ Award is honoured to books that receive exceptional high evaluations from Chill Readers.

This book is shortlisted for Book of the Month.

Damaged. Defiant. Renewed.

2022: Finally free from a controlling relationship, author Cat Kennedy moves into her aunt’s old house. Rapidly running out of cash, she desperately needs to recreate the success of her first novel.

When she discovers a Victorian diary buried in the garden, she’s inspired by the story of Emily, Lady Cleveland, and begins to rebuild her confidence – and the fernery.

But somebody is watching Cat and they want to see her fail.

First, it’s anonymous text messages that grow darker and more threatening. Then a carefully-designed campaign of intimidation that rapidly escalates. Is Cat’s life in danger?

1862: Grieving the loss of her new-born son and suffocated by society’s expectations, Emily Cleveland flees from London and the manipulative Dr Schenley, who she holds responsible for the death of her longed-for baby.

Designing the fernery in the peace of Cleveland House gives Emily new purpose, helping her recover the spirit and self-assurance she had when she was first married.

But even from a distance, Dr Schenley’s insidious influence over Emily’s husband, James, threatens not just her rediscovered independence, but her very liberty.

As Emily fights to convince James of her sanity, and Cat battles an unseen enemy, both women need to find reserves of courage they never thought they possessed.

The Fern Keepers is a compelling dual timeline suspense novel, perfect for readers of Susanna Kearsley and Barbara Erskine. It is a standalone book.

Pages: 308

Genre:  Historical Literary Fiction

The Fern Keepers

  was read and evaluated by THREE Chill's readers against the following...

Were the characters strong and engaging?
 Was the book well written?
Did the story / plot have you turning the page to find out what happened next?
Was the ending satisfying?

Would you recommend to someone who reads this kind of story?

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Submissions Temporarily Suspended

 

Due to an overwhelming demand, I am sorry to announce, but for now, submissions are suspended.

A notice will be posted here once submissions are open again. Alternatively, you can email to go on the waiting list.

 If you would like to read for Chill Awards, then please get in touch via the contact form.

Lake of Echoes by Liza Perrat

Lake of Echoes

by

Liza Perrat

has RECEIVED a

Chill with a Book READERS’ Award

A vanished daughter. A failing marriage. A mother’s life in ruins.

1969. As France seethes in the wake of social unrest, eight-year-old Juliette is caught up in the turmoil of her parents’ fragmenting marriage.

Unable to bear another argument, she flees her home.

Neighbours joining the search for Juliette are stunned that such a harrowing thing could happen in their tranquil lakeside village.

But this is nothing compared to her mother, Lea’s torment, imagining what has befallen her daughter.

Léa, though, must remain strong to run her auberge and as the seasons pass with no news from the gendarmes, she is forced to accept she may never know her daughter’s fate.

Despite the villagers’ scepticism, Léa’s only hope remains with a clairvoyant who believes Juliette is alive.

But will mother and daughter ever be reunited?

Steeped in centuries-old tradition, against an enchanting French countryside backdrop, Lake of Echoes will delight your senses and captivate your heart.

Compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery and women’s fiction for Kelly Rimmer and Kristin Hannah fans.

“A testament to female resilience, depth and strength, this is a universal story set in a changing world.” JJ Marsh, author of The Beatrice Stubbs Series.

Pages:  360

Genre:   Historical French Fiction

  

Lake of Echoes was read and evaluated by THREE Chill's readers against the following...

Were the characters strong and engaging?

 Was the book well written?
Did the story / plot have you turning the page to find out what happened next?
Was the ending satisfying?

Would you recommend to someone who reads this kind of story?

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Podcast - Chill Awardee Elizabeth St John

 

Today, on Celebrating Success, I am heading over to San Diego in the States to talk my wonderful guest, Elizabeth St John. Elizabeth is better known  as an international, award winning author, but what you might not know is that, Elizabeth’s family seat is Lydiard Park in Swindon. One of her distant relations, Sir John St John goes back to the 17^th Century. Throughout the centuries, Elizabeth’s ancestors have brushed shoulders with monarchs and the titled, please welcome the lovely, Elizabeth St John.

You can listen to all my podcast at https://paulinebarclay.podbean.com and you are more than welcome to share my podcasts with all your family and friends. Why not sign up on for my podcasts so you never miss an episode.

From the Ashes by Melissa Addey

From the Ashes

by

Melissa Addey

has RECEIVED a

A PREMIER Readers’ Award

Premier Readers’ Award is honoured to books that receive exceptional high evaluations from Chill Readers.

This book is shortlisted for Book of the Month.

They called it the Flavian Amphitheatre. We call it the Colosseum. Let the Games begin.

Rome, 80AD. A gigantic new amphitheatre is being built.The Emperor has plans for gladiatorial Games on a scale no-one has ever seen before. But the Games don’t just happen by themselves. They must be made. And Marcus, the man in charge of creating them, has just lost everything he held dear when Pompeii disappeared under the searing wrath of Vesuvius.

Now it will fall to Althea, the slave woman who serves as his scribe, to ensure the Colosseum is inaugurated on time – and that Marcus makes his way out of the darkness that calls to him.

Can a motley crew comprising a retired centurion, slaves, a prostitute and an ex Vestal Virgin pull off the greatest gladiatorial Games ever seen? Or will they fail and find themselves in the arena as punishment? Time is running out to deliver an unforgettable spectacle.

From the Ashes is the first, fast-paced novel in the gripping new Colosseum series. Follow the quick-witted and fiercely loyal backstage team of the Colosseum through the devastation of Pompeii, plague and fire. This is historical fiction at its most captivating: both action-packed and tender.

Take a front row seat at the Colosseum’s inaugural gladiatorial Games. Buy From the Ashes today.

Pages:  322

Genre:    Historical Italian Fiction

From the Ashes

  was read and evaluated by THREE Chill's readers against the following...

Were the characters strong and engaging?
 Was the book well written?
Did the story / plot have you turning the page to find out what happened next?
Was the ending satisfying?

Would you recommend to someone who reads this kind of story?

Amazon co uk

Amazon com

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The Fisherman's Wife by T N Traynor

The Fisherman's Wife

by

T N Traynor

has RECEIVED a

Chill with a Book READERS’ Award

1727. A wife with an oppressive husband. A pirate trapped by circumstance. Together they must face their fears and make a break for freedom.

When Connie’s parents died, rather than become homeless she accepted a proposal from a fisherman known for his temper. After seven years of marriage and still childless, she is labeled cursed. Her drunken husband brutally punishes her for her failings and Connie retreats into a world of her own.

Seeking his fortune, Eddie finds himself becoming an unwilling pirate. With no way out of Captain Hawkins’ clutches, he concentrates on amassing funds to one day buy his freedom. A harsh life takes its toll on a gentle spirit, and he begins to lose himself in the bloodthirsty life of a pirate.

A violent tempest throws hope into both their lives when Eddie is shipwrecked in the fishing bay of Bigbury-on-Sea and ends up on Connie’s beach. Will the two of them take their chance at happiness, and if they do, can they outrun the men who want them dead?

A thrilling historical romance novel, The Fisherman’s Wifeis a gripping atmospheric love story!

Pages:  231

Genre:  Gothic Romance 

  

The Fisherman's Wife was read and evaluated by THREE Chill's readers against the following...

Were the characters strong and engaging?

 Was the book well written?
Did the story / plot have you turning the page to find out what happened next?
Was the ending satisfying?

Would you recommend to someone who reads this kind of story?

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The Godmother's Secret by Elizabeth St John

The Godmother's Secret

by

Elizabeth St John

has RECEIVED a

Chill with a Book READERS’ Award

If you knew the fate of the Princes in the Tower would you tell? Or forever keep the secret?

May 1483: The Tower of London. When King Edward IV dies and Lady Elysabeth Scrope delivers her young godson, Edward V, into the Tower of London to prepare for his coronation, she is engulfed in political turmoil. Within months, the prince and his brother have disappeared, Richard III is declared king, and Elysabeth’s sister Margaret Beaufort conspires with her son Henry Tudor to invade England and claim the throne.

Desperate to protect her godson, Elysabeth battles the intrigue, betrayal and power of the last medieval court, defying her Yorkist husband and her Lancastrian sister under her godmother’s sacred oath to keep Prince Edward safe. Bound by blood and rent by honour, Elysabeth is torn between the crown and her family, knowing that if her loyalty is questioned, she is in peril of losing everything—including her life.

Were the princes murdered by their uncle, Richard III? Did Margaret Beaufort mastermind their disappearance to usher in the Tudor dynasty? Or did the young boys vanish for their own safety? Of anyone at the royal court, Elysabeth has the most to lose–and the most to gain–by keeping secret the fate of the Princes in the Tower.

Inspired by England’s most enduring historical mystery, Elizabeth St.John blends her family history with known facts and centuries of speculation to create an intriguing story about what happened to the Princes in the Tower.

Pages:  370

Genre:   Religious Historical Fiction

  

The Godmother's Secret was read and evaluated by THREE Chill's readers against the following...

Were the characters strong and engaging?

 Was the book well written?
Did the story / plot have you turning the page to find out what happened next?
Was the ending satisfying?

Would you recommend to someone who reads this kind of story?

Amazon co uk

Amazon Com

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