✧ Book Spotlight ✧ The Absolution of Mars by T.F. Troy

 

The Absolution of Mars
By T.F. Troy

Politics, Friendship, or Greed? Which of these was the true author of the Confederate conspiracy to decapitate the Union? 

The Absolution of Mars by T.F. Troy is a masterful blend of historical fiction, human drama and moral exploration. Set against the backdrop of a racially fraught period in American history, the story does not back away from the harsh realities or racial biases of the day. 

The narrative introduces Jemm Pender, a former slave with a superior intellect, who rises to become a key agent in the National Detective Police Force. Jemm is tasked to trace the movements of J. W. Boyd, a Confederate spy working out of Canada.

From its intriguing opening scene, where playful dialogue among children hints at deeper mysteries, the story captivates with a blend of vivid detail and emotional depth. Jemm's quest intertwines with his wife Marnie and Aunt Cordelia, both blessed with remarkable capabilities that are being lost to the scientific thought of the day.

Excerpt

Before the men could even grab Boyd, the sergeant is on him, searching his pockets, pulling out a billfold with more than $1,000 dollars in it, a red journal, and three newspaper clippings. 

The other two soldiers grab Boyd by the armpits, his legs dangling and dragging behind him, unconcerned about favoring the leg in the splint. 

Boyd sees red, then white. As they lift him up, he comes to and feels his neck bend awkwardly to one side. Nothing is working.

 

Boyd sees red then white. As the soldiers pull him up the steps to Garrett’s porch, he comes back once again. He tries to spit up the blood and phlegm gurgling in his throat, but is unsuccessful. He starts to choke. 

Boyd sees red then white. He coughs up blood and wakes. His breath gurgles, as he continues to spit blood and phlegm from his mouth. The lieutenant stands over him. 

“The wound looks fatal,” he says to Boyd. “Do you wish to make a last statement.” 

Boyd looks at him, realizing his situation, and tries to nod head but is not successful. 

“Smith, Smith is, paid...paid companion,” Boyd says, as blood flowed from the corners of his mouth. His eyes roll back in his head. “Not a part of this.” 

Boyd sees red, then white.

One of the two soldiers who had carried him, speaks up. “Corbett grabbed some personal belongings,” he says.

“True,” says the sergeant. “Lookey here, what we got. More than $1,000 in U.S bills, plus some clippings here.” 

“Garrett, I need some brandy, a sponge,” the lieutenant says. “I want a final confession.” 

Richard Garrett dutifully steps inside the house, his frightened family and man servant still on the porch as the first pink and grey slivers of dawn can be seen on the horizon. 

Boyd sees red, then white. 

“Anything else?” the lieutenant asks the sergeant as Garrett steps inside, but the sergeant ignores him.

 

“I said anything else sergeant!” lieutenant shouts louder, bringing Boyd back to consciousness. 

“Journal. My journal,” Boyd says, passing out again. He comes to as Garrett applied the brandy to his lips. “Journal explains,” he says, as his eyes rolled back in his head. “Bell, Bell.” 

“Ask Not for Whom the Bell tolls,” the lieutenant says, quoting John Donne’s immortal poem and hoping to give a man he saw as an actor a great last line.

 

“He musta dropped that journal in the barn,” the sergeant says.

 

Boyd tries to shake his head and coughs. Blood begins flowing freely from the corners of both lips.

 

Boyd sees red, then white. 

His brother comes down the steps of his home in Maryland and smiles at him. His mother comes out from the kitchen, a concerned look on her face. “Why?” she asks, as Boyd is jolted back to consciousness. 

Boyd sees red, then white. A sharp pain comes from the base of his neck, as he opens his eyes and sees the lieutenant. 

“Tell my mother I died for my country,” Boyd says. “Raise my hands. Please raise my hands, that I may see them one last time” he pleads. 

The soldier that helped carry him to the porch raises his hands up to Boyd’s gaze, and Boyd shakes his head slightly. 

“Other, other side,” he gasps.

 

The soldier turns Boyd’s palms toward him, and the man known to the Garrett family as Captain Boyd whispers his last words on earth. Words that would be later used to confirm his identity. 

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 T.F. Troy

A student of the American Civil War, T.F. Troy has an award-winning journalism career spanning more than 40 years. He currently serves as Executive Editor of Cleveland Magazine’s Community Leader as well as the Editor of Ohio Business Magazine. He also writes features for Northern Kentucky Magazine and Dayton Magazine, among other regional publications. His work with those publications has won him numerous awards, taking first, second and third place in Ohio for Magazine Feature Writing. Troy’s work has appeared in major metropolitan daily newspapers including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

In addition to the previously mentioned publications, Troy also held positions as a Senior Editor for both ABC/Capital Cities and ICD Publications in New York. His work has appeared in numerous national consumer and trade periodicals throughout his career. In his first book Cleveland Classics: Great Tales from the North Coast, Troy interviewed local and national Cleveland celebrities such as: Jim Brown, Bob Feller, Patricia Heaton and Arsenio Hall among others. The Absolution of Mars, set just after the Civil War, is his first novel, but third book. 

Author Links:

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✧ Book Spotlight ✧ The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance by Arianwen Nunn

 

The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance 

By Arianwen Nunn

It is 1109 and the Welsh warrior and firebrand, Owain ap Cadwgan abducts Princess Nest from the castle she shares with her children and her husband, Gerald of Windsor. King Henry of England, furious that Nest, who is also his lover and mother of his son, begins a manhunt to find Owain and return Nest to her husband. In Gwynydd King Gruffydd ap Cynan and his wife risk everything to hide them and get them to safety in Ireland despite the efforts of Gronwy ap Owain, Angharad's vicious brother who would like to see Gruffydd and Owain dead.

King Henry uses Bishop Richard to start kinship warfare in Wales then declares war against the Welsh determining to exterminate them all. Can Gruffydd and his family survive the greatest army ever led against Wales?

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bWkZq7 

Arianwen Nunn

Arianwen Nunn was born in Wales but now lives in Australia and writes historical fiction based on the Welsh kingdoms in the Middle Ages. 

Arianwen has written a series of three books, 'The Welsh Traitor's Daughter', 'The Welsh Warrior's Inheritance' and 'Bards Sing of Love and War' which follow the lives of King Gruffydd ap Cynan and his wife Angharad and their family. 

She has also written two children's books, 'The Welsh Warrior's Wonder' and 'Where Dragons Still Roar'.

Author Links:

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✧ Book Spotlight ✧ The Many Lives & Loves of Hazel Lavery by Lois Cahall

 

The Many Lives & Loves of Hazel Lavery

By Lois Cahall

In the heart of tumultuous times, amidst the grandeur of Victorian opulence, there existed an American socialite whose influence altered the course of the Anglo-Irish treaty:

Lady Hazel Lavery

Boston-born Hazel ascended from her Irish roots to become the quintessential Society Queen of Chicago, and later London, where she lived a delicate dance between two worlds: one with her esteemed husband, Sir John Lavery, a portrait artist to royalty, and the other with Michael Collins, the daring Irish rebel whose fiery spirit ignited her heart. Together, they formed a love triangle that echoed through the corridors of power at 10 Downing Street, London.

Hazel's wit and charm touched on the lives of the who's-who of England including Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw and Evelyn Waugh. The image of her memorable face graced the Irish note for close to half-a-century.

Excerpt

The next afternoon John was painting a Lady Somebody-or-another who wanted her portrait to hang beside a Gainsborough in her husband’s ancestral hall. On the final day of the finished portrait, the Lady arrived with her husband who examined the portrait closely. His eyes roamed the canvas beginning at the head, then with his hand he traveled downward across the painting.

The husband finally spoke, “I pass the forehead and the eyes.”

“Very good,” said John, nodding.

“I pass the nose, the mouth, and the chin.”

“Excellent!” said John.

But then the man roamed his hands lower over the painting around his wife’s throat until he came upon her chest. “What is this flat-chested modernity that I see?”

“Pardon?” asked John.

“Where is the snowy amplitude of Her Ladyship?”

The man’s wife interjected. “I will not have an eighth of an inch added! I refuse!”

On cue I walked into the studio to interrupt, moving toward the painting but not before making eye contact with the husband. “So sorry, I think it’s quite lovely. Just as is,” I said to the man. “It captures her stunning beauty, her adoration of the man she’s gifted the painting to... you.” I let loose a big toothy smile and he smiled back.

“Well, if Lady Lavery thinks it’s fine...”

“I do... think it’s fine,” I said. “More than fine.” And I moved toward the wife. “Look at how beautiful she is and look how beautifully John has captured her… ah, sexuality ever so discreetly.”

“Yes,” said the man, inspecting the painting again. “By George, I think she’s right!”

And at that, everyone shook hands, and the deal was done. Off went the painting and the couple.

Left alone with John, I cornered him. “Sit, love, here.” And I pointed to the two chairs.

“Yes, my love,” said John, his tone suggesting he knew something was coming.

“It was lovely of you to paint Sir James Barrie last week. And it was so darling of him to gift me an autographed copy of his most treasured Peter Pan...”

“Yes, Hazel,” said John, wondering where this was all going.

“And I love when Sir Barrie dines with us. He’s always such a fan of my duck sauce.”

“Undoubtedly your biggest fan. Most certainly in the top ten of male admirers.”

“Right,” I said. “And I adore him.” I paused for effect, moving forward, and taking John’s hand in mine, the sun streaming through on various canvases and catching my expression just so.

“And he so loved when you did that portrait of him as a favor to me... the one where you made him pose as if working on that wooden bench, with the bench in semi darkness to camouflage his height. Would you say he’s about five feet?”

“Five foot, yes, dear,” assured John.

“And when I suggested we might donate the painting to the National Gallery of Scotland, well, he was thrilled and...”

“Hazel. What is the point?”

“The point is Mr. Barrie would love to meet Mr. Collins.”

“Mr. Collins?!” questioned John with sarcasm in his tone. “Is that what we’re calling that Renegade these days, Mr. Collins?”

“Well, it is his name,” I said, with sarcasm. John said nothing, only huffing under his breath. 

“Oh, Johnnie,” I begged, “please paint Michael Collins and the others from Ireland.” John eyed me up and down, the look on my pleading face not budging. “Just for historical reasons.”

“It would be fine, my love, except I have so many commissions lined up. And now I’m training Winston to paint, good God. Now they’re calling him my pupil.”

“Which, of course, is highly flattering,” I interrupted. “But you know it was me who taught him to paint. It’s how he got the bug to be an artist.”

“Yes, you certainly did,” said John. “And how you ever convinced him to paint a still life of an empty bottle of spirits and a crystal bowl of fruit...”

“Well, he was a lovely student,” I said.

“Oh, Poppet,” sighed John, using his pet name for me, then pulling back his hand from mine he

rested it in his lap with a deep sigh. “Darling, I just don’t know that I have the time...”

“Yes, but time does not count where a masterpiece is at stake,” I said, scanning his many portraits. “So, you will, won’t you Johnnie? Won’t you...”

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/boVGBp

Lois Cahall

Lois Cahall began her writing career as a columnist for Cape Cod newspapers and local periodicals, including Cape Cod Life. She spent a decade writing for national magazines (Conde Nast/Hearst). Her articles have been published in Cosmo Girl, Seventeen, SELF, Marie Claire, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, Reader’s Digest, Men’s Journal, and Bon Appetit. In the UK she wrote for RED, GQ, Psychologies, and for The Times. In addition, Lois wrote profiles for The Palm Beach Post. 

Lois’s first novel, Plan C: Just in Case, was a #1 bestseller in the UK, where it remained in the top three fiction for the year before selling into foreign translation markets. In July of 2014, her novel hit #1 on the Nook “Daily Deal” in America. Her second novel, Court of the Myrtles, was hailed as “Tuesdays with Morrie on estrogen” by Ladies Home Journal. Her latest novel, The Many Lives of Hazel Lavery, is a work of bio-fiction (January 2025) 

Lois is the former Creative Director of Development for JPE/James (Jim) Patterson Entertainment. She credits her friend, Jim, the world’s most successful bestselling author, with teaching her the importance of children’s love of reading. As a result, she founded the Palm Beach Book Festival in 2015, an annual event bringing in NYT bestselling and celebrity authors. The event is for book lovers, nurturing the written word for the children and adults of southern Florida. 

In 2024 Lois also founded The Cape Cod Book Festival, an annual autumn event that promises to be a new cultural footprint in Massachusetts. It will be for locals and ‘washashores’ alike – a magical place where charitably minded readers can rub elbows with great writers and thinkers.  

Lois divides her life between New York and Cape Cod, although her spiritual home is London. But most importantly, Lois can do the Hula Hoop for an hour non-stop and clear a Thanksgiving table in just under ten minutes.

Author Links:

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✧ Book Spotlight ✧ The Fires of Gallipoli by Barney Campbell

 

The Fires of Gallipoli 

By Barney Campbell

The Fires of Gallipoli is a heartbreaking portrayal of friendship forged in the trenches of the First World War.

 

‘In this vivid and engaging novel of war and friendship, Barney Campbell shows us once again that he is a natural writer. This is a novel of men at arms of the highest quality.’ 

~ Alexander McCall Smith

Edward Salter is a shy, reserved lawyer whose life is transformed by the outbreak of war in 1914. On his way to fight in the Gallipoli campaign, he befriends the charming and quietly courageous Theodore Thorne. Together they face the carnage and slaughter, stripped bare to their souls by the hellscape and only sustained by each other and the moments of quiet they catch together.

Thorne becomes the crutch whom Edward relies on throughout the war. When their precious leave from the frontline coincides, Theo invites Edward to his late parents’ idyllic estate in Northamptonshire. Here Edward meets Thorne’s sister Miranda and becomes entranced by her.

Edward escapes the broiling, fetid charnel-house of Gallipoli to work on the staff of Lord Kitchener, then on to the Western Front and post-war espionage in Constantinople. An odd coolness has descended between Edward and Theo. Can their connection and friendship survive the overwhelming sense of loss at the end of the war when everything around them is corrupted and destroyed?

 

The Fires of Gallipoli is a heartbreaking, sweeping portrayal of friendship and its fragility at the very limits of humanity.

Excerpt

Everywhere was screaming and vicious, animal grunting. Edward seemed for a moment to have been put there artificially, a spectator to some alien carnage, enclosed entirely by the night and cut off from everything outside. He had no idea who else was alive, where Rossi was, if the battalion understood what was happening, on how wide a frontage the Turkish assault was. Then there was a gap in the flares going up and for ten seconds the trench seethed in complete darkness, no one knowing what on earth they were shooting or hacking at before another one came up and the sickly light resumed.

Edward could hear Thorne’s voice through the din. ‘Keep at it, men! Keep at it! Man the line, man the line, stand to, stand to!’ he screamed, shoving men up to the firestep. He reached down to one prostrate figure, shouting, ‘Get up, man, get up there or I’ll kill you myself,’ and then, realising he was dead, dropped him to the floor.

Edward started to follow his lead, realising that the immediate danger was over and the first Turkish attack had withered. Now they had to ensure a second one wouldn’t get nearly as close. He peered over the parapet, the first time he had dared to do so, seeing the yellow lights of the dropping flares swirling in the interplay with the darkness. In the trench the screams of the fight started to give way to shouts of military order, instructions being barked, ammunition being called for.

And then the Turks came again.

The night passed. It passed in hideous technicolour, it passed in clinical, anodyne black and white. It passed in unearthly screams, tense silence, tears of grief and primal howls. It passed in calm commands, stentorian bellows and soft whispers into ears urging the dying to go well. Tracers bouncing off rocks faded like shooting stars into the sky and over Achi Baba. Bullets flew, sometimes dully into sandbags and sometimes ricocheting angrily off metal or bone. Shrieks of artillery covered first a Turkish withdrawal and then set the foundations for a new attack at midnight, throwing earth up in great plumes, bursting eardrums and shredding nerves.

Splintered images heaped up in Edward’s brain, his blinks a camera shutter that burned the scenes onto his mind. A Turk thrown bodily in the air by a shell to land, impaled, on a barbed wire post. Marks appearing down the line, his arm hanging shredded by his side, to tell Edward matter-of-factly that Rossi had been killed, shot in the chest, in the first wave of the assault, before he, in turn, collapsed. Baffle on the firestep firing round after round into each new wave. A wounded Turk on the floor of the trench striking a grenade as Cradley tried to stem the bleeding from his chest, its blast riddling him with metal slivers as he died in blinded screams some glacial minutes later. Thorne walking up the line with his revolver, encouraging the men on. Haynes-Mattingly white and in shock after taking a bullet in the calf and his hand livid with a burn from the barrel of a Turkish rifle which he had grabbed to push away from him before shooting his attacker. He would be out for weeks with those wounds, Edward thought dispassionately.

The fighting finally ceased at around three o’clock. At the arrival of the grainy half-light before dawn, the true scale of the night was laid bare for them all to see: dead men looking as though they were sleeping and those left alive moving as if they were dead.

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4XkEq6

Barney Campbell

Barney Campbell, author of The Fires of Gallipoli, was brought up in the Scottish Borders and studied Classics at university. He then joined the British Army where he commanded soldiers on a tour of Helmand Province, Afghanistan at the height of the war there.

That experience inspired him to write his first novel Rain, a novel about the war, which was published by Michael Joseph in 2015. The Times called it ‘the greatest book about the experience of soldiering since Robert Graves’s First World War classic Goodbye To All That’.

Barney has walked the length of the Iron Curtain, from Szczecin in Poland to Trieste in Italy. He currently works and lives in London.

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✧ Book Spotlight ✧ Murder on West Lake by I. M. Foster

Murder on West Lake

By I. M. Foster

A scream shattered the tranquil air, echoing off the ice-covered lake, and Daniel's heart froze. He knew that voice all too well.

After a pleasant afternoon of ice skating on the frozen waters of West Lake, local librarian Kathleen Brissedon stumbles across a gruesome sight in the nearby gazebo. It only takes a moment for her beau, assistant coroner Doctor Daniel O'Halleran, to determine that the victim was murdered.

To protect Kathleen from the ghastly sight of the man’s slashed throat, Daniel insists she return home while he examines the body further. Though the immediate cause of death appears obvious, he fears the subsequent autopsy will uncover more questions than answers, and it's clear that he has his work cut out for him if he's going to find the person responsible.

Kathleen has no intention of remaining demurely at home, not when there's a murder to solve. Slipping back to the scene, she conducts her own investigation. Though her discoveries prove interesting, Daniel is too concerned about her safety to stifle his annoyance, especially after the killer makes a second attempt closer to home. But as the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place and Daniel starts closing in on the truth, the killer sets their sights on him.

With the danger increasing, Kathleen intent on assisting in the investigation, and his family descending on Patchogue to spend the Christmas holidays, Daniel has his hands full. 

Will he and Kathleen be able to put their heads together and discover who is behind the attacks, or will the killer continue to plague the tranquil South Shore village unhindered?

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mlO8vq

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

I. M. Foster

I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth-century archaeologist.

Inez is a historian and librarian, who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys doing the research almost as much as she does the actual writing of the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, the Historical Novel Society, and Sisters in Crime.

Author Links:

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✧ Book Spotlight ✧ Lalji’s Nairobiy Nitin Nanji

 

Lalji’s Nairobi

By Nitin Nanji

Publication Date: 30th August 2023

Publisher: Self-published

Pages: 282 

Genre: Historical Fiction

British Gujarat, 1905.

Despairing of the social injustices and crippling taxes under the British Raj, Lalji, 19, flees to British East Africa hoping to build a better life using his natural business skills and acumen. But he soon finds unexpected dangers in his new home- turbulent politics and war with German East Africa- as well as some surprising opportunities. A combination of luck, coincidence, and his flair for commerce lead to early success. 

Then, just as he is at his most vulnerable, a new threat emerges from where he least expects: from within his own family. 

Can Lalji beat overwhelming odds to fulfill his hopes and ambitions?

A story about survival, faith, ability, humanity, and a deep desire to succeed.

Excerpt

When Lalji reached home, there were three ladies present from the Mandir. 

One was in the kitchen making tea and boiling water and another was in the bedroom, with Janki who was in labour. The third lady was scuttling from kitchen to bedroom and responding to orders given. Husnara was at Janki’s side holding her hand and assisting. She saw Lalji come in and take off his black hat before sitting down on an armchair. 

 “The baby is on its way,” she blurted out to Lalji in a panicked voice. “The water broke this afternoon.”

 “What’s broken? Shall I get it fixed?”

Husnara stared at him blankly, then realised Lalji had no clue and burst out laughing. The other ladies caught on and soon everyone, including Janki, were laughing. Lalji realised it was to do with childbirth and what he said must have sounded ridiculous. He too saw the funny side and started to laugh. Nizar, who had followed Naran, volunteered to go to Dr Shah’s dispensary to inform him. 

Late in the night, the sound of a baby chocking and crying out angrily replaced the shrieks of Janki. Lalji and Nizar, seated in the living room looked at each other and smiled. The lady who had been doing the running and fetching came out with tears rolling down her cheeks, announced to Lalji that it was a girl. 

When Lalji was finally handed his daughter, he held her tight and felt a mix of emotions welling up inside. 

“Please don’t squeeze her so tight, Laljibhai,” the lady was telling him. But he was lost, staring at his newborn daughter, oblivious of all around him. He saw how perfectly she was formed, red-faced and flat-nosed, with a thick growth of hair. He sat and enjoyed his sense of awe while Nizar went to inform Bhasker and Khimji.

Realising his absent mindedness he asked, “How is Janki?”

 “She is fine, Laljibhai. Tired and needs to sleep. She just fed the baby. Give us a little time while we give her a wash and make her comfortable. Meanwhile, you are in charge of your little Laxmi!”

Lalji realised how bizarre it sounded to refer to a delicate baby as Laxmi, the powerful Goddess. He felt a strong desire to protect the baby. Lalji handed the baby to Nizar when he returned with the other two partners. The three men then started to fuss over the new-born who had fallen asleep.

Lalji went to see Janki when he was allowed. He kissed her forehead, held her hands in his and sunk his forehead between them. Both started to cry.

*The ebook will be free to download on Kindle from February 4th – 8th, 2025*

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mgoPW6 

This title is available to read on #Kindle Unlimited.

Nitin Nanji

Historical novelist of Indian parentage, born and raised in Kenya, educated in England, writing about India and East Africa under the British Empire.

Nitin has come to writing his debut novel after retiring as a doctor. Born in Kenya before its independence he came to England at the age of fifteen. His parentage is Indian, his grandfather having moved during the British Raj from Gujarat in India to Colonial East Africa as an economic migrant.

'Lalji's Nairobi' is set in the early part of the last century, inspired by the stories of Indian migrants who settled in East Africa. A 'rags to riches' story of the experiences of Lalji as a determined young businessman who grapples with the challenges of living in the new colony.

Within the backdrop of a racist administration, Nitin immerses the reader into the times and norms of colonial society and shows how Lalji achieves rapid success despite difficult odds, leading a team of four compatriots from his village.

The novel is well-researched and retains the undertones of the era. Nitin's intimate knowledge of the three cultures of the colony (British, Indian, and African) succeeds in making this an enjoyable and authentic read.

'Lalji's Nairobi' is now an award-winning novel that recently won acclaim from the prestigious New Generation Indie Book Awards as a 'Finalist'. It also earned Five Stars and the 'Highly Recommended' award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company, which has recently also awarded the book with a silver medal in the Blixen Africa Category.

Author Links:

Website ✧  BookBub ✧  Amazon Author Page ✧ Goodreads 

✧ Book Spotlight ✧ The Lotus House by Ann Bennett

 

The Lotus House
By Ann Bennett

Publication Date: 9th October 2024
Publisher: Andaman Press
Pages: 337 
Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance / Historical Asian Fiction

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. 

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, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Reduced to 0.99 for a limited time!*
Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/lotushouse 
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Ann Bennett

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.

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