Helen Hollick, A Lady Wearing Many Hats

Helen Hollick

wears many hats not only when it comes to her novels, 

but in her endeavors to bring the best Indie Authors 

to the fore of the reading public.

I knew right away that we had several things in common – and I am not just talking about stylish hats. She loves animals and ships as much as I do.

Her novels--too numerous to picture here--are of kings and queens (British, of course), pirates, damsels, and wonderful old ships sailing the high seas in the 18^th Century when a lady was a lady (at least, in public) and a boy became a man quickly, or died trying.

Check out her many interesting novels:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Helen-Hollick/e/B000APLJJQ

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Helen-Hollick/e/B000APLJJQ

As far as wearing all those proverbial hats, no one evokes the old saying “Give a busy person a task and it will be done” more than Helen. Not only a prolific author, she is also the Managing Editor of the Historical Novel Society’s Indie Reviews: 

http://historicalnovelsociety.org/

As such, she has become a great champion of the Indie Author. Throughout the year, she accepts submissions, collates them, and sends them out to be reviewed by her UK team. In the US, her colleague Steve Donoghue does the same.  (I was fortunate enough to have my KHAMSIN not only reviewed by him, but chosen as his Editor’s Choice for that month)

http://tinyurl.com/l5zehvx

This year, Helen brought to life and organized the judging of the First Indie Award at the Society’s London Conference. If was something she had to fight for as the conference organizers wanted to stick with trad-published books.

It takes really dedicated people to choose, read, and select the best from among hundreds of the outstanding offerings. Eight novels wound up on the short list. From those, four finalists were chosen. (Khamsin was NOT among those, although it did make the original shortlist of eight out of quite a few books, I was consoled. Still, it is something I am proud of and thankful for.)

Did Helen swipe us four aside like pesky has-beens? Certainly not. On the contrary. She graciously featured each of us among the four finalists on her blog. This will give especially the four of us who didn’t make it into the finals added exposure (being somewhat on the prissy side, that’s one type I don’t blush about one bit).

Be sure to follow Helen’s entertaining and informative blog on many subjects; where you’ll get to know some awesome authors: http://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.co.uk/

I am not just happy to feature another interesting novelist, animal lover (and let’s not forget fearless hat-wearer), but this is my way of a much too small Thank You to a tireless champion of the Indie Author.

Thank you, Helen,

as well as your team members of intrepid reviewers.

We Indies appreciate you all

Be sure to read more about Helen and her books on her website and connect with her through her social sites:

Website: www.helenhollick.net
Main Blog: www.ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com
Leaning on the Gate – Devon Diary: www.leaningonthegate.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenHollickAuthor
Twitter: @HelenHollick
Newsletter : www.h2unews.blogspot.co.uk

KHAMSIN and SIROCCO Featured

KHAMSIN, The Devil Wind of The Nile,

is being featured at 

eBookSoda - 

http://www.ebooksoda.com/ebook-deals/
as their Historical Fiction selection 
on SUNDAY, August 17

For readers who have not come across this new site:
They'll be sent ebook recommendations tailored to their taste, 
check out  www.ebooksoda.com
you might find it a great free resource for your reading pleasure, and might want to join.

SIROCCO, Storm Over Land and Sea

is being featured at

The Fussy Librarian - 
http://www.thefussylibrarian.com/for-readers/books/

as their Action & Adventure selection on

SUNDAY, August 17.

Readers:
Join for free and find your perfect literary match.

Poor old CATACLYSM -- needs two more reviews to be featured --

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IT70KCE

Any kind souls out there who have read--and hopefully liked--it?

Can't be featured unless it has 10 reviews...ghost ship, rats, another bad storm and - of course - the Ancient Golden Tablets.

"Like a Dirk Pitt novel, only better..." wrote a reviewer...

So, how about it, friends?
Want to read it for free and review it? 
Just contact me.

Great Story about Pocahontas

Today, I am so pleased to acquaint you with a brand new novel by my
historical fiction writer-friend, 

Libbie Hawker

TIDEWATER is a story about a woman who has captured our imagination for a few centuries now, mostly with myths and legends overshadowing reality. In her novel, Libbie did not shy away to let the truth be known; and therefore instill in us even more admiration for this extraordinary life.

Don't you just love this hauntingly beautiful cover?

Here is what Libbie shares with us about 

researching and writing her novel:

Many people, especially women, are acutely aware of how few women are represented by the annals of history. When our deeds and contributions are recorded by historians, it's often in the context of how we related to the men of our times. Women are frequently given "supporting roles" in history, acting as motivation or reward for the men who move the world.

But of course, women have always played an equal part in shaping politics, culture, and history. It's our status as second-class citizens that relegates us to the sidelines of history. How much more extreme is this effect for non-white women in European and North American history, who are remembered not only for their relationships to men, but to white men specifically?

The Pocahontas myth is one that is hugely beloved by many people around the world, especially in the USA. But I knew that Pocahontas was a real woman with a true history, and that the story of her life probably had little or nothing to do with a tempestuous love affair with a white man. I became interested in writing a novel about Pocahontas's life years ago, and as I researched the true history of this woman and the changing world she lived in, I found that the real story was even more exciting, moving, and awe-inspiring than the familiar myth.

I worked hard to portray Pocahontas and her people as accurately as I could. I hope that Tidewater will give readers a clearer idea of what life was like for the people of the Powhatan Confederacy as the sun began to set on their empire. I hope, too, that seeing Pocahontas in her own light, outside of the requisite context of her supposed "love" for a famous white man, will make her more real to everybody who reads her story.

She was an exceptionally intelligent person with many talents, a charming personality, and a generous heart. She and her family shaped history in such incredible ways that the influence of the Powhatans is still evident in American culture and in the English language to this day.

Without Pocahontas, the history of the United States would have been very different for both Europeans and Native Americans... for good or ill.

* * *

So hot off the press it is still steaming, TIDEWATER is available in Kindle format for right now, but Libbie is working on the print version to be available soon.

Libbie Hawker's Amazon Author Page 
(which also includes her acclaimed Egyptian series, written as L. M. Ironside)
http://www.amazon.com/Libbie-Hawker/e/B00CCRAKWM

Also, make sure to visit Libbie Hawker's web site: http://libbiehawker.com

And the Winner Is ...

Brian Braden, author of BLACK SEA GODS and TEARS OF THE DEAD, and organizer of his great Book Launch, just informed me of the WINNER of my event offering.

Congratulations! 

But as I am a rather discreet person, I am not going to bandy someones name about without their permission. All I can say is that a knowledgeable lady in the UK answered my trivia question correctly and won the print copy of SIROCCO, Storm over Land and Sea (to arrive at her house by approx. August 12, Amazon-UK promised).

Brian also told me that my little riddle took the longest time to be solved--geesh, someone needs to read more Historical Fiction or love maps as much as I do.

I had asked the Name of the best-known ancient caravanserai located in present-day Mali?

Answer: Timbuktu - (also correct are Timbuctoo or Tombouctou).

If someone ever told you to "go to Timbuktu," it was a sure indication that your presence wasn't quite appreciated.

Anyway, the event is still in full swing on FB through tomorrow. So check it out and answer a few question to win some great books:

https://www.facebook.com/events/870116096349702/

JOIN THIS EXCITING EVENT

TEARS OF THE DEAD,

the exciting  sequel to BLACK SEA GODS,

debuts August 8th

Brian Braden is hosting a Facebook debut party, with dozens of authors and several businesses giving away over 100 e-books, paperbacks and audio books. Joining the event gives you a chance to win.

The winning starts August 7th -

and continues through August 9th.

  

For this even, Brian has invited dozens of authors to celebrate with him – and I am among one of the lucky ones. Participating authors are contributing lots of books to be won.

Visit the Chronicles of Fu Xi Facebook Page for series updates.

Thursday, August 7 – Starting Mid-Afternoon (US Central Time)

“Join” the event by logging into Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/events/870116096349702/

YES, YOU CAN WIN PRIZES!

On the right-hand side you’ll see buttons that say “JOIN, DECLINE, MAYBE.” Click on JOIN and you’re in.

After that, the event will be listed under the Events tab on the left-hand side of your FB screen.

If you don’t have a Facebook account, but know someone who does, you can simply email the link. They can use it to join the event.

I will be giving away a print copy of SIROCCO, Storm over Land and Sea, Book 2 of the Legends of the Winged Scarab (US/Canada/UK only).

Now, go and do a lot of "liking" and even more "sharing,"

and answer a few trivia questions

to win bunches of great Indie Books.

Check out Brian Braden’s First Novel here: www.blackseagods.com

He also reviews books here: www.undergroundbookreviews.com

Black Sea Gods, Brian's Book 1 of the Chronicles of Fu Xi

See my review of this great novel in my previous post.