Publisher: Sapere Books
ebook and paperback
Genre:Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis
How do you solve a murder when you are one of the suspects?
1664, London. Life should be good for Major Thankful Russell and his new bride, Thomazine. Russell, middle-aged and battle-scarred, isn’t everyone’s idea of the perfect husband for an eligible young woman but the moment Thomazine set eyes
on her childhood hero, she knew they were destined for one another. But Russell, a former Roundhead, now working for the King’s intelligence service, was never going to have a simple life in Restoration London.
Unable to shake suspicions of his Parliamentarian past, someone seems hell-bent on ruining his reputation — and his life. Whispers about his sister’s violent murder follow him and accusations of treason abound. When more deaths occur Russell finds himself under suspicion. He is ready to escape from the capital, but Thomazine is determined to find the truth and clear the name of the man she loves.
But who is the real killer and why are they so keen to frame Russell? More importantly, will they succeed? And has Thomazine’s quest put them all in mortal danger?
My Thoughts
This is the first book in a new series featuring husband and wife, Thankful and Thomazine (Zee) Russell, who have stepped out of M.J. Logue’s Uncivil War series, which I’ve yet to read, into their very own. This mismatched pair are a delightful couple, in love and not afraid to show it, much to the amusement of their friends and foes. Both would prefer a simple life away from the intrigue of London but unfortunately rumours threaten to tarnish Thankful’s reputation, one of them being that he is responsible for the death of his sister. Together they are determined to clear his name. Thomazine proves to be a formidable force in this quest although her misplaced trust will cause dire consequences for them both.
The opening of the novel is dramatically enticing and the subsequent chapters proceed at a steady pace revealing the newlyweds’ relationship and their backstories. Thomazine is introduced to London and some of Thankful’s friends and acquaintances, in particular members of the Merry Gang, a group of libertines. Samuel Pepys puts in an appearance, as does Prince Rupert, Thankful’s old nemesis. All this leads to an exciting conclusion, where Thankful and Thomazine must fight for their lives, with help coming from an unexpected source.
An Abiding Fire is an excellent start to a new series. It has a colourful cast of characters, historical and fictional and, while being an entertaining tale, is also informative about the early years of the Restoration, which encompassed the Anglo Dutch Wars. I'm looking forward to Thankful and Thomazine's next adventure.
Thank you to Sapere Books for the invitation to participate in this blog tour and for a complimentary copy of the book. The ebook can be purchased here.
Meet the Author
Thirty-something years later she is still writing, although horses only come into it occasionally these days. Born and brought up in Lancashire, she moved to Cornwall at the turn of the century (and has always wanted to write that) and now lives in a granite cottage with her husband, and son, five cats, and various itinerant wildlife.
After periods of employment as a tarot reader, complaints call handler, executive PA, copywriter and civil servant, she decided to start writing historical fiction about the period of British history that fascinates her – the 17th century.
Her first series, covering the less than stellar career of a disreputable troop of Parliamentarian cavalry during the civil wars, was acclaimed by reviewers as “historical fiction written with elegance, wit and black humour” – but so many readers wanted to know whether fierce young lieutenant Thankful Russell ever did get his Happy Ever After, that the upcoming series of romantic thrillers for Sapere Books began.
She can be found on Facebook, Twitter @Hollie_Babbitt, lurking on the web at asweetdisorder.com, and posting photos of cake, cats and extreme embroidery on Instagram as asweetdisorder.
Blog Tour Schedule
While it isn't the type of book I usually read, it does sound good.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy it. Thankful and Thomazine are unusual protagonists.
Delete