My historical novels are speculative. Who burned the Crystal Palace in 1936? What if the stories of King Arthur were generated by a real person who lived in the fifth century? These questions come from understanding our past, and our past often feels like today.
‘Crystal‘ is a speculative novel set around the historical upheavals of the Jarrow hunger march, the Battle of Cable Street sparked by Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts and the burning of the Crystal Palace, all of which happened within two months of each other, in 1936. The novel explores themes of truth, propaganda and how ordinary people can be drawn by extremism. The central character is Crystal, a young single mother who builds radios and seeks comfort in her routines. She is forced to confront dangerous fascists who threaten her friends and daughter. The story concludes with the great fire that destroyed the Crystal Palace.
You can find the ebook of ‘Crystal‘ at:
https://books2read.com/u/balG7y
‘Resister‘ is the sequel to ‘Crystal.’ The central character, Crystal Harte, is a woman of strong moral convictions who is challenged by the extreme pressures of war. The novel explores how war forces change on people and how far some will strive to resist. It starts with the Military Intelligence in Bletchley Park and ends with undercover survellience and front line action in occupied Brittany.
You can find the ebook of ‘Resister‘ at:
https://books2read.com/u/3RdykY
‘Pendragons‘ is a retelling of the Arthurian legend. An Afro-Celtic Arthur and a young woman as his first knight who set out to meet the chaotic mix of people who called themselves Britons after Roman occupation. Searching through the poems and tales told by early medieval Celts, I discovered a different Arthur, not a king, but a warrior of mixed Roman and Celtic blood. The Roman Empire had covered most of Europe and North Africa, so it is only a small step to suggest that Arthur was born of an African princess and a Celtic warlord. Then, as now, the British embraced a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, so who better to protect them?
You can find the ebook of ‘Pendragons‘ at:
https://books2read.com/u/mer9PV
490AD. The Uthyr Pendragon must protect the Britons and Arthwys is the youngest man to hold the title. He holds a fearsome reputation as the bear-man, instilling fear in friends and foes alike. His anger and superstition deepen while he suppresses grief for those he has lost.
Breton firebrand Lailoceen-the-Lance is his foster sister and right-hand warrior. When Arthwys’ rage threatens to divide his allies, she is the only one who dares confront him. That confrontation turns into a deadly feud and threatens the peace of the realm. Uthyr Pendragon is the sequel to Pendragons, the Arthurian legends of Dark Age Britannia.
You can find the ebook of ‘Uthyr Pendragon‘ at: