MASTER OF WAR: SCOURGE OF WOLVES by David Gilman published in ebook today!

Lovers of action-packed historical fiction can rejoice – the fifth instalment of David Gilman’s acclaimed MASTER OF WAR series is released in digital form by Head of Zeus today, just in time for Christmas, with the hardback set to follow in February 2018. Gilman’s series featuring Thomas Blackstone (English stonemason turned archer and knight) has received widespread praise, with Robert Fabbri (author of the Vespasian series) describing it as ‘A gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty.’ Sharon Penman described Blackstone as ‘an incredibly appealing and sympathetic character’ and declared herself ‘bedazzled’.

SCOURGE OF WOLVES continues Blackstone’s story in the winter of 1361. After two decades of conflict, Edward III has finally agreed a treaty with the captive French King, John II. In return for his freedom, John has ceded vast tracts of territory to the English. But for five long years mercenary bands and belligerent lords have fought over the carcass of his kingdom. They will not give up their hard-won spoils to honour a defeated king's promises.

If the English want their prize, they'll have to fight for it.

As he battles to enforce Edward's claim, Thomas Blackstone will see his name blackened, his men slaughtered, his family hunted. He will be betrayed and, once again, he'll face the might of the French army on the field. But this time there will be no English army at his back. He'll face the French alone.

The MASTER OF WAR series has sold in Brazil, the Czech Republic, Spain and Hungary, with MASTER OF WAR hitting #23 in the German Top 50 Bestseller charts. David’s riveting standalone novel THE LAST HORSEMAN, set during the Boer War, was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 2017, with Smith commending the novel for being ‘A gripping ride through a memorable period of history.’

Praise for David Gilman’s MASTER OF WAR series

'The 100 Years' War is the new Rome for historical adventure novels.' – Ben Kane

'I'm totally bedazzled. I'd never thought that another writer could rival Bernard Cornwell when it came to dramatizing battles, but David is giving him a real run for his money. The battle scenes are so realistic it is almost like time-traveling, though definitely not for the faint of heart. Thomas is an incredibly appealing and sympathetic character. And the level of suspense is ratcheted up to a truly brutal level, for it is impossible for a reader to predict what will be coming next.' – Sharon Penman

‘His words strike like a bodkin point straight to the torso, the clangour of battle and the suspense of intrigue immersive and visceral, and all wrapped up in some of the most evocative prose that you will ever discover.’ — Ruadh Butler, author of the INVADER series

‘A thrilling, fast-moving, engaging tale, with unexpected twists, beautiful prose, excellent characterisation and dialogue, human sentiment and motivation, and graphic descriptions of war… Move over Bernard Cornwell. … Historical fiction at its best.’ – Historical Novel Society

‘Adjectives like action-packed, exciting and wonderfully researched are a given. Yet only the qualities of the work stay the same; the story is as fresh and shock-filled as each of its predecessors.... Do please treat yourself if you haven't read MASTER OF WAR by David Gilman or any of the series that came afterwards.’ – Ani Johnson, The Bookbag

‘Book Four in the MASTER OF WAR series and the bone-crunching intensity of this series shows no signs of abating. ... A truly excellent book and part of an excellent series.’ – Parmenion Books

 'The fourth novel in David Gilman’s powerful and uncompromising chronicle of the Hundred Years War … VIPER’S BLOOD is an exciting, bloody and well-written tale of Europe at a time of terrible crisis. ... A fine addition to a series that continues to bring these cruel years to life in such rich and meticulous detail.' – For Winter Nights

About David Gilman

David Gilman has had many careers, including firefighter, soldier and photographer, before turning to writing full time. He is an award-winning author and screenwriter.

Visit David’s website.

Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Another gripping addition to the Campbell and Carter series ROOTED IN EVIL is published in paperback tomorrow!

ROOTED IN EVIL, the fifth book in Ann Granger’s tantalising Campbell and Carter murder mystery series is published tomorrow in paperback by Headline after its initial hardback release in June. Crime enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in the latest novel when Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter are called to investigate a suspicious death in the Cotswolds.

Carl Finch is a desperate man who needs money urgently. Cut out of his stepfather's will, he is heavily in debt and unless he can persuade his stepsister Hattie to bail him out, he'll be in even more trouble. Hattie's husband Guy has never liked Carl and wants his wife's inheritance for his own use, so Hattie agrees to meet Carl in secret to discuss his predicament.

Little does she realise that when she arrives at their meeting point in Crooked Man Wood she'll find Carl's dead body...

Earlier this year Ann signed a two-book deal with Headline for a brand new Inspector Ben Ross mystery and the sixth Campbell and Carter novel. Fans of Ann’s earlier work will recognise familiar faces as the next Campbell and Carter will feature the return of beloved detectives Mitchell and Markby.

The Mitchell and Markby and Fran Varady detective series have received international acclaim, entering the Top 5 German Bestseller list with each novel. Ann has also contributed to several short story volumes licensed internationally. Headline has published 29 of her crime novels, and the Campbell and Carter series has been translated into five languages.

Ann Granger has lived in cities all over the world. For many years she worked for the Foreign Office and received postings to British embassies as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. She is now permanently based in Oxfordshire.

Visit Ann Granger's website 

Follow Ann on Twitter

Praise for Ann Granger

‘Characterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent’ — The Times

‘The plot is neat and ingenious, the characters rounded and touchingly credible ... a pleasure to read’ — Ham and High

‘Highly entertaining and frequently witty bit of sleuthing.’ — Manchester Evening News

‘The maturity of her writing is evident: the style is witty, the setting picturesque, and the characters vivid and colorful.’ — Mystery News

‘One of the most reliable practitioners of the crime fiction genre.’ — Good Book Guide

‘Ann Granger has shown she can sustain a series… it's worth investing.’ — Rich Westwood, EuroCrime

‘You can always count on Ann Granger! …Those craving for some nice, English crime-entertainment will be served well.’ — Kölner Express

‘Ann Granger creates suspense and interesting characters. Quirky ladies, cranky farmers and incompetent policemen…Pitchforks and drug traffic – Granger’s extremes are told with wit and humour.’ – Neue Presse

‘Solidly written, well plotted and always entertaining.’ – Frankfurter Rundschau

Sheila O’Flanagan’s CHRISTMAS WITH YOU reaches #4 on the Irish bestseller lists

Sheila O’Flanagan’s festive short story collection CHRISTMAS WITH YOU, published by Headline in October, has reached #4 on the Irish bestseller lists. Her previous titles have enjoyed similar chart success this year, with WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT going straight to #2 in the Irish bestseller charts and THE MISSING WIFE hitting #1 on the Kindle list in June.

Tucked away in the Irish countryside, the Sugar Loaf Lodge is opening its door for the festive season. With snow falling on the mountains outside and warm fires roaring inside, it's the perfect place for guests to celebrate the happiest time of the year. But what if you've just had your heart broken? Or discovered that the man you're married to has lied to you? What if a secret from your past has finally come back to haunt you?

For some of the guests arriving at the Sugar Loaf Lodge, Christmas is looking far from tranquil. But can they find the magic and romance of the season within the walls of this beautiful hotel?

CHRISTMAS WITH YOU is the perfect festive read for fans of Veronica Henry, Carole Matthews and Marian Keyes. These enchanting closely-linked short stories from the No. 1 bestselling author bring to life one unforgettable Christmas full of surprise twists, life-changing moments ... and love. CHRISTMAS WITH YOU was previously published as A SEASON TO REMEMBER, but the re-issue features two poignant new stories and a Q&A feature with Sheila.

Sheila O’Flanagan is the award-winning author of over twenty novels, including MY MOTHER’S SECRET, IF YOU WERE ME, ALL FOR YOU (winner of the Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year Award) and BAD BEHAVIOUR, as well as the bestselling short story collections DESTINATIONS and CONNECTIONS.

Sheila was awarded the prestigious Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Award in 2003, and currently lives in Dublin with her husband. Her books have sold over 6.5 million copies in English alone.

See more on Sheila’s website.

Follow Sheila on Twitter

Praise for WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT

‘A fabulous tale with refreshingly inspiring heroines ***** (5 stars)’ – Sarah Hughes, Heat

Praise for THE MISSING WIFE:

‘Another first class bestseller. I read the book in one sitting as it was so enjoyable, full of romance and kept you riveted until the last page. A must for all Sheila's fans.’ – Woman's Way

‘A lovely book that will keep you guessing right up until the end.’ – Bella

‘Insightful, witty and full of fun... This is touching, tense and clever writing.’ – Irish Independent

‘This GONE GIRL-esque novel will have you gripped until the very end ****.’ – Look

Problemski Hotel by Steve Hawes opens in 30 French cities tonight

Last night's press night was a triumph for Steve Hawes and co-writers as the award winning PROBLEMSKI HOTEL opened to rave reviews.

This unusual Christmas story follows a cross-frontier migrant's life 'within the system' - an endless, featureless, futureless round of queues – which becomes even bleaker in December. Bipul doesn't want to admit it, but the arrival of Lidia, a Russian girl makes a difference. Hope? Surely not! A future? Get real! December is also the ninth month of Martina's pregnancy. But, just when the situation seems hopeless, help is at hand.

Quotes from reviews:

« Poétique et envoûtant. » Télérama  (“Poetic and spellbinding”)

« Une maîtrise sans faille. » Libération (“Faultless mastery”)

« Kafkaïenne métaphore sur un monde en perdition. » Positif  (“A Kafkaesque metaphor for a world in perdition”)

« Le cinéaste montre l’absurdité, la poésie ou la drôlerie qui affleurent dans l’expérience migratoire. » Polka  (“ The film-maker shows the absurdity, the poetry the humour that flourish among migrants”)

« Problemski Hotel parvient avec une indéniable virtuosité à mettre en balance le désespoir et la légèreté, Kafka et Tati. » Culturopoing (“…undeniable virtuosity in finding the balance between despair and lightness, Franz Kafka and Jacques Tati.”)

« Un charme indicible. » Le Journal du Dimanche  (“Unutterable charm.”)

Gregory Evans’ SHIRLEYMANDER rehearsed reading at the Playground Theatre

A rehearsed reading of SHIRLEYMANDER by Gregory Evans is taking place at the brand new Playground Theatre this Thursday 30th November, ahead of a full run planned for May 2018.

The play was previously adapted for radio to critical acclaim ‘a vividly impressionistic play… brutally comic, unexpectedly sad.' Daily Telegraph, 'An atmosphere of poisonous paranoia ... Excellent fun.' The Times, broadcast on Radio 4, with esteemed actress Tracy-Ann Oberman playing the lead. This is the first time the play will be performed on stage as it was originally conceived, and Tracy will be reprising her lead role. The reading will also feature Patrick Ryecart and Michael Simkins.  

SHIRLEYMANDER tells the story of Dame Shirley Porter, leader of Westminster Council from 1983 to 1991. Bullying, autocratic, possessing boundless energy and vast wealth yet riddled with insecurities, Porter turned the Conservative flagship borough into a mire of paranoia, fear and skullduggery, as she pursued secret, illegal policies that destroyed communities, reputations, lives hopes… and finally herself.

The play’s venue, the brand new Playground Theatre, has special significance in regards to SHIRLEYMANDER’s subject matter, as it is a stone’s throw from Grenfell Tower, drawing parallels on how past and present governments have played a role in social housing crises. It is these similarities that have led the Playground Theatre’s co-artistic director Anthony Biggs to select the play as its first production.

You can find The Observer’s article on the upcoming production here.

You can follow Gregory on Twitter here.