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.

Marvelous, Mystical, Murderous

Black Sea Gods

(Book 1 of the Chronicles of Fu Xi) 

by Brian Braden

This epic fantasy raises the bar for Historical Fantasy to new heights.

I usually know after reading the first paragraph whether or not I will like a book. With Black Sea Gods, I knew after the first sentence that the writing itself would be good. Well, I was wrong. It is GREAT!

The story is pure fantasy that is not bogged down by still disputed ancient timelines, nor even real places. Yet I "smelled" the salt-water marshes, "saw" the homes tilting above the lagoon, "heard" the incoming tide rush against the pilings, and kept worrying about the fate of the Lo-tribe.

Interestingly, there are two different story-lines: One follows the arduous journey of an intrepid people; the other, the Chronicles of Fu Xi, tells of the birth, death and re-birthing of the gods. The marvel is how the two are fused into an "Aha-moment."

Black Sea Gods is a novel to be enjoyed on several levels: For the sensitivity and beauty of the writing itself (I still demand that in what I choose to read); for the astounding imagination it took to write a story of those early tribes and gods (with the initial unfamiliarity about names quickly being overcome); and lastly for the vivid descriptions.

Writing historical fiction myself, I often stopped to ask myself "how did the writer come up with this?" And then I had to check that, indeed, this is written by a male author (sorry guys, but it is that delicately sensitive in places, yet so vividly strong in others, with some brutal scenes thrown in).
A resounding "Highly Recommended."

Brian Braden is a founder and assistant editor for Underground Book Reviews www.undergroundbookreviews.com, an online magazine featuring the best new indie lit.

He is also the author of the novelette CARSON'S LOVE, and a contributor to FLYING TOASTERS, an anthology of short stories. 

He can be reached at brian_l_braden@yahoo.com 

or 

you can visit his website at www.blackseagods.com

Also,

Check out Brian's FB page for his plans of a grand launch of Book 2 of the Chronicles of Fu Xi: 

Tears of the Dead 

There will be games, prizes, and gift books by many participating writers.

https://t.co/ay9RyGkXoy

Guest at BigAl's Books and Pals

BigAl's Books and Pals do an outstanding job of reading and reviewing Indie books, all to introduce Indie writings to a wide audience.

This morning, BigAl featured my guest post about my own experience of researching historical fiction - notably for KHAMSIN, The Devil Wind of the Nile.

If you like, you can read the entire blog post here - and laugh at my silly hat to boot.

BigAl's Books and Pals: The Minefield of Writing Ancient Egyptian Fiction, a guest post by Inge H. Borg

New 5 Stars for AFTER THE CATACLYSM

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a Dirk Pitt novel...only better. July 15, 2014

By Joseph the evilcyclist

Format:Kindle Edition

After the Cataclysm: Legends of the Wing Scarab #3 by Inge Borg is the third in the series and the second book to feature the same main characters. The first book takes place in predynastic Egypt and the next two books in contemporary times. This book can stand alone, but rides nicely after the second book.

A short time has passed since the end of the second novel. The story revolves around the interactions of three groups of people. Egyptologist Naunet and husband Jonathan Wilkins are living in New England. Former Director Jabari El-Masri, fleeing from Egypt, thought to have died escaping is arranging his future with Lorenzo Dominguez a rich South American art “collector.” Jabari is trading the fifty pitch covered gold tablets for his safety and a new life.

To make matters interesting the super volcano in Yellowstone erupts, not only bring down American society and the Northern Hemisphere in a volcanic “nuclear winter,” but also affects the entire world with the loss of the only superpower. The world order and international law are now a thing of the past without a willing enforcer. Naunet and Jonathan are bunkered down in Jonathan's family home trying to weather out the natural disaster and protect their property. With no internet or phone service ham radio becomes the method of long distance communications. Jonathan receives a message from Jabari to meet him at a set of coordinates in the Caribbean.

The story moves quickly and will hold the reader’s attention. There is plenty of nautical information as most of the story takes place on a boat and ship. Woven into the adventure is the story of the fifty golden, engraved tablets, a curse, and possibly closure for all the characters. Even with the natural disaster and the collapse of the United States the plot stays focused on the story at hand.

I have read and reviewed the previous two books for Author Alliance (www.authoralliance.net) and a reading the third book, on my own, because I enjoyed the previous two books and enjoyed the story and characters. After the Cataclysm lives up to the quality of the previous two books. Borg pays attention to the details in all her books and that is part of what makes them interesting. She combines real and convincing elements into her story and leaves the reader a bit more educated at the end of the book. For action/adventure books this series rates high on my list.

* * *

I love the Dirk Pitt novels; but to be termed "even better" by this well-seasoned reviewer from AuthorAlliance is outstanding (Sorry, Mr. Cussler).

Made my day!

FREE Ride for Bad Boy Edward

Since this bad boy has somehow weaseled his way into several of my novels, I thought I'd give him away FOR FREE to wet your whistle for his further machinations.

In Sirocco, Storm over Land and Sea, he only kidnaps my lovely protagonist Naunet. Oh, I just remembered, he is also an accomplice to murder.

In After the Cataclysm, he lurches about on board the ghost ship scaring the heck out of Naunet once again.

And, by the way, in Shadow Love, he is also briefly remembered by Monika as the lousy con he turned out to be. 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BQZ1JY

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/236867

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/edward-con-extraordinaire-inge-h-borg/

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/edward-con-extraordinaire

KHAMSIN on HNS Award Short List

In August of 2012, 

Khamsin

was enthusiastically reviewed and

selected as an Editor's Choice

by the prestigious

Historical Novel Society;

that was quite thrilling.

(I  have since changed the cover, eliminated quite a few pesky "nits" and formatting issues in the print version, and shortened several of my "Germanic" convoluted sentences.)

But not until I received an e-mail from the organizers of the First Annual Historical Fiction Indie Award did I realize that my 'beloved' Ancient Egyptian novel had been placed on their short list of nine books for their award.

They actually asked if I "wanted to participate" .... 
Well, duh! I posthaste complied with a few additional requirements - and now am gnawing on my knuckles. It is all up to the judges now who will reveal the winner in September - at their London Conference (I do so wish I could be there).

Competition is an awesome array of offerings - and you can check me on this here:
http://tinyurl.com/oyssz78

I also hope that, maybe, it will encourage my HF writer-friends to seeks reviews from the Society; they are a tough bunch, but a nod from them goes a long way.

 While it may not do much for increased sales - 

it surely is balm on the solitary writer's heart.