Let us Talk of Many Things; of Books and Queens and Pirates, of Mystery and Kings...

Tuesday, 13 October 2026

OCTOBER 14th - The Road to 1066...

On 14th October 1066 King Harold II of England fought

to defend his realm against Norman invasion...

image © Robin Jacob
Battle of Hastings re-enactment. Battle, Sussex

An enjoyable way to discover the past is through well-written (and researched)
Historical Fiction.

The recent TV drama flop King and Conqueror, was complete fiction,

inaccurate throughout, not well-written, and poorly acted - so

Delve into what might have really happened in the 11th century...

try some (or all!) of these novels!

Godwine Kingmaker (The Last Great Saxon Earls Book 1)

by Mercedes Rochelle

Book 1 of 3

Harold Godwineson, the Last Anglo-Saxon King, owed everything to his father. Who was this Godwine, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask. glory.

Buy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Godwine-Kingmaker-Great-Saxon-Earls-ebook/dp/B0BRQJPDNV/

Or how about 'what if'?

by various authors

Buy from Amazon

or my own novels

same book different publisher

Amazon UK

Amazon US

(note UK publisher now changed)

*
about the women...

Emma of Normandy

The Forever Queen (US title) https://viewBook.at/ForeverQueen

A Hollow Crown (UK title) https://viewBook.at/HollowCrown

Amazon UK

Amazon US

The year is 1001 and England is under threat. The air off the southern coast hangs heavy, thick with the fear of Viking sea raids.

Currently moving to a new publisher, so temporarily out of print

- but highly recommendedonce available again

Paul Bernardi

amazon author page UK

< Previous Post

More reading suggestions

Are you a VIP READER?

(of course you are!)

start the series of themed reading suggestions...

...HERE

"Amazing stories written by highly skilled writers"

Smorgasbord Book Magazine

https://mybook.to/COURAGE-Anthology

You might also like books written by Helen Hollick

Personal Website: https://blog.helenhollick.net/

Amazon Author Page:

https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

cosy mysteries : historical fiction
nautical supernatural adventure

1066 : King Arthur
ghosts : non-fiction

anthologies

2025 annual award winner

THANK YOU!

The Coffee Pot Book Club Christy Matheson- The Bonnet Brigade

Welcome to my Blog!
Wander through worlds real and fictional,
meet interesting people, visit exciting places
and find good books to enjoy along the way!

About the Book

Book Title: The Bonnet Brigade

Series: The Bonnet Brigade, book #1

Author Name: Christy Matheson

Publication Date: July 11, 2026

Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing

Pages: 447

Genre: Regency Romance

Any Triggers:

- The book examines serious issues facing women in the time period.

- Death, including child death, mentioned off page.

- Attempted assault.

She needs a husband. He cannot offer his hand. Together, they may lose everything—or find the future they never dared hope for.

When the fortune supporting Celia Westhaven and her cousins disappears overnight, she knows she must secure their future. The spirited Irishwoman needs an income, a home—and, by necessity, a husband. Since the one gentleman she truly wants insists he cannot marry her, she is prepared to wed anyone willing to provide for her family.

Peter Alcott was preparing to propose to Celia when anonymous threats against his sister changed everything. A former military strategist now entangled in dangerous intelligence work, he cannot risk bringing Celia into his uncertain life. To protect both his sister and the woman who secretly holds his heart, Peter must devise the most important strategy of his life.

As pressure mounts from an increasingly determined suitor, Celia's prospects—and her cousins' futures—grow more precarious by the day. Over tea and iced biscuits, Celia and her cousins form The Bonnet Brigade. With a self-appointed Madam General at the helm, they devise a plan to outmaneuver the London marriage mart before financial ruin strikes—or Celia's unwanted suitor makes his next move.

But as danger closes in and society's expectations tighten their grip, Celia and Peter must decide whether duty demands their sacrifice—or if love is worth risking everything.

Devour The Bonnet Brigade, a swoon-worthy Regency romance perfect for fans of Bridgerton's intrigue and Little Women's sisterly devotion. Featuring a secret spy, determined heroines, found family, and a slow-burn romance that sparks into passion, this charming tale of courage, loyalty, and love will capture your heart.

Praise for The Bonnet Brigade:

"The romantic line has excellent chemistry and tension. The surrounding events and characters create a vivid backdrop. The character building is strong. But what really brings this into 5-star territory for me is the writing, which is outstanding."

~ 5* Amazon Review

"Carefully crafted and well researched, which is refreshing and appreciated."

~ 5* Amazon Review

"The Bonnet Brigade is a wonderfully layered Regency Romance."

~ 5* Amazon Review

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/gvo9k1b7s5

This title is available to read on Kindle Unlimited.

Author Bio:

Women who solve problems, men who fall first and fall hard… and endings that are more than a sugar rush.

When Christy Matheson is not throwing ordinary characters into fairy tales, she is busy raising five children. (Very busy.) She writes character-driven historical fiction with and without romance and fantasy elements, and her “fresh, smart, and totally charming” stories have won multiple awards.

Christy is also an embroidery artist, classically trained pianist, and sews all of her own clothes. She lives in Oregon, on a country property that fondly reminds her of a Regency estate (except with a swing set instead of faux Greek ruins), with her husband, five children, three Shelties, one bunny, and an improbable quantity of art supplies.