Tuesday, 14 July 2026

My Coffee Pot Book Tour Guest: Cynthia Ripley Miller - The Quest for the Crown of Thorns

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 Quest for the Crown of Thorns

Series: The Long-Hair Saga

Author Name: Cynthia Ripley Miller

Publication Date: October 29th, 2018

Publisher: BookLocker

Pages: 278

Genre: Romantic Historical Mystery

Any Triggers: Sensual Sexuality

AD 454. Three years after the Roman victory over Attila the Hun at Catalaunum, Arria Felix and Garic the Frank are married and enjoying life on Garic’s farm in northern Gaul (France). Their happy life is interrupted when a cryptic message arrives from Arria’s father, the esteemed Senator Felix, calling them to Rome. At Arria’s insistence, but against Garic’s better judgment, they leave at once.

On their arrival at Villa Solis, they are confronted with a brutal murder and a dangerous mission. The fate of a profound and sacred object—Christ’s Crown of Thorns—rests in their hands. They must carry the holy relic to the safety of Constantinople, away from a corrupt emperor and old enemies determined to steal it for their own gain. But a greater force arises against them—a secret cult who will commit any atrocity to capture the Crown. All the while, the gruesome murder and the conspiracy behind it haunt Arria’s thoughts.

Arria and Garic’s marital bonds are tested but forged as they partner together to fulfill one of history’s most challenging missions, The Quest for the Crown of Thorns.

Buy Link:

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

Author Bio:

Cynthia Ripley Miller is a first-generation Italian-American writer with a love for history, languages, and books. She has lived in Europe and traveled worldwide, holds two degrees, and taught history and English. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthology Summer Tapestry, at Orchard Press Mysteries.com, and The Scriptor.

She is a Chanticleer International Chatelaine Award finalist with awards from Circle of Books: Rings of Honor and The Coffee Pot Book Club. She has reviewed for UNRV Roman History, and blogs at Historical Happenings and Oddities: A Distant Focus and on her website, www.cynthiaripleymiller.com

Cynthia is the author of On the Edge of Sunrise, The Quest for the Crown of Thorns, and A Sword Among Ravens, books 1-3 in her Long-Hair Saga series set in Late Ancient Rome, France, and Jerusalem. Cynthia lives outside of Chicago with her family and a cute but bossy cat. Also connect with Cynthia on: Twitter:@CRipleyMiller

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthiaripleymiller/

Author Links:

Website:

http://cynthiaripleymiller.com

Twitter / X:

https://x.com/CRipleyMiller

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/cynthiaripleymiller/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/cynthiaripleymiller/

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/cripleymiller/

Amazon Author Page:

amazon.com/author/cynthiaripleymiller.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13703566.Cynthia_Ripley_Miller

Follow the tour:

Twitter Handles: @CRipleyMiller @cathiedunn

Instagram Handles: @cynthiaripleymiller @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #History #Mystery #Romance

Tour Schedule Page:

https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/06/blog-tour-the-quest-for-the-crown-of-thorns-by-cynthia-ripley-miller.html

Bsky: @cathiedunn.bsky.social

(Helen might not have read this title yet)

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You might also like books written by Helen Hollick

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!

Monday, 13 July 2026

My Coffee Pot Book Tour Guest: Justin Newland - The Spirit of the Times

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 Spirit of the Times

Author Name: Justin Newland

Publication Date: 28 July 2026

Publisher: Troubador Publishing

ISBN: 9781806344154

Pages: 264

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: The story touches on the thorny and controversial subject of slavery. I felt it needed to be included, mainly because I wanted the story to be authentic, and slavery was a common feature in the 14th Century.

From a land of milk,

And a Road of Silk,

To a ring of roses,

And a dance of posies,

Comes the tale of the spirit of the times!

In fourteenth-century Central Asia, Karia is a young woman living under the yoke of Mongol occupation. But she’s different. She’s a fighter with supernatural powers. She could use them to keep the Black Plague at bay and solve the mystery of the purple skies at dawn – if only she could overcome her self-doubt.

Travelling in caravans on the Silk Road, she faces dangers seen and unseen – from sandstorms and slave traders to the desert djinn and folk who believe she’s a witch. She fears losing Abi, her little cousin, who’s fascinated by roses and the dance of the Whirling Dervishes of Bukhara.

When Karia falls in love with an English sailor fleeing the Knights Hospitaller, they sail to England with Abi to unravel the meaning of the purple skies, a dance, a posy tree, and a ring of roses.

The Spirit of the Times is part history, part fiction and part speculation: on the origin of disease; the power of innocence; the unfortunate aspects of custom and dogma; and humanity’s ability to respond to the governing influence or spirit of the times.

Buy Links:

Universal Paperback Buy Link:

https://mybook.to/thespiritofthetimes

Author’s Website:

The Spirit of the Times - PREORDER, RELEASE JULY 2026 £9.99 - Justin Newland - Author of secret history thrillers

Publisher website:

https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/historical/the-spirit-of-the-times

Waterstones:

The Spirit of the Times by Justin Newland | Waterstones

TG Jones:

The Spirit of the Times: Justin Newland: 9781806344154: TGJones

Coles Books:

The Spirit of the Times by Justin Newland 9781806344154 Coles Books

Shakespeare & Company: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/the-spirit-of-the-times

iMusic: https://imusic.co/books/9781806344154/justin-newland-2026-the-spirit-of-the-times-paperback-book

Author Bio:

Justin Newland’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres, from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism.

Undeterred by the award of a doctorate in mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies. Next came The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

The Coronation (Matador, 2019) features the Great Enlightenment and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution. The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

At this point in his writing career, after four self-published books, Justin was offered a part-funded contract with the Book Guild.

The Mark of the Salamander (Book Guild, 2023) is the first in a two-book ‘The Island of Angels’ series. It tells the epic tale of England’s coming of age during the Elizabethan era. The second in the series, The Midnight of Eights (Book Guild, 2024), charts the uncanny coincidences of time and tide that culminated in the repulse of the Spanish Armada.

His latest novel, The Spirit of the Times (Matador, 2026), is to be published in July. It tells the story of a young Kyrgyz woman’s journey westwards along the Silk Road. With purple skies at dawn, and a supporting cast of Genghis Khan, the Black Plague, a perplexing rhyme, a ring of roses, it explores the greatest mystery of all – the spirit of the times.

Justin’s enduring passion is to explore the origins of our current time. This prompted a broad research into what we’ve inherited from history – encompassing Egypt, China, Prussia and Tudor England. He also writes entertaining talks which he gives to the WI, U3A, Probus, Rotary and local historical associations. Please visit his website for a current list of the talks.

Alongside the talks, Justin promotes his work with regular book signings at TG Jones (ex. WH Smith) high street stores, selling over 3,500 books since 2019. He has sponsored over 40 UK and US blog tours, given frequent radio interviews and penned many guest posts.

His current book signing motto is: Enjoy, Imagine, Discover.

As a member of the Society of Authors, he has Public and Products Liability Insurance.

Born in Essex, England, three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his lady in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

Author Links:

Website:

https://www.justinnewland.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/drjustinnewland/

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/author/justinnewland

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/jnewland

read an excerpt

CHAPTER 23

Fireflies and Treachery

On the Silk Road to Khiva and Beyond

July 1341

… As they got closer, Abi danced and spun, whistled and hummed. “I like it,” she said. “It’s my place.”

“How is it your place, Abi?” Karia asked.

“The mountain speaks to me. It says it’s a sleeping tigress. Me, I’m a tigress too,” she said with a roar.

“Yes, it does,” Karia cooed. “And yes, you are.”

“She’s a wise one,” Nazar said. “Because the mountain resembles a Sphinx, a sleeping lion. Sher Kala is Persian and means Lion’s Castle.”

That night, they camped in the shadow of the Sphinx in the company of a clutch of saxaul shrubs. Before setting off the next day, Karia announced, “Today is your birthday, Abijiya. Congratulations. You’re three years old.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Abi said, and she gave her a big hug.

In the late afternoon, Azat set up the caravanserai near a bay of the Caspian.

“What would you like to do for your birthday?” Karia asked.

“I want to see the sea,” Abi said, pointing to the bay.

“Then that’s where we’ll go,” Karia answered. With Nazar’s contrivance, she borrowed a camel and headed off to the Caspian. Abi loved the camel ride, and soon they were standing on the shore, the still waters, blue as the sky, stretching out in front of them.

Abi splashed the waves, play-acting like a fish, gurgling and humming with joy, splashing water over Karia’s clothes. Enjoying this rare moment of privacy, Karia took them off and bathed in the mildly salty, brackish water. She didn’t mind, and her soul loved it, filling her with a rich well-being.

They sat on a rock, their clothes drying in the rays of the ebbing sun.

“Here we are, Abijiya, you and I,” she said. “We may appear to be alone, but we’re not, because look, there are the pebbles on the shoreline, the eternal blue sky and your mountain, the mysterious Mount Sherkala. This is the Caspian Sea. Remember this moment. It’s your birthday treat. It’s special because it’s the first time you’ve seen a large body of water and paddled in the sea. When I was younger, I loved to bathe in Lake Issyk Kul. At dusk, like now, the surface of the water was as smooth as a mirror. You left the Chuy Valley before you saw the lake. That’s why we’re going back there.”

“I like it here, Mother. I don’t want to go back.”

“Why, Abi? I thought you’d like to see where you were born.”

Abi ignored her and splashed her hands in the water, making waves. As the sun descended into the western sky, the birds on the shoreline gathered to roost in the trees. Fireflies circled around Abi’s head, glowed and promptly disappeared. Then the lights, like tiny sparks in the air, came back and disappeared again. They flashed like sequins in the gathering dusk.

“Look at the lights. They’re here to wish me happy birthday,” Abi cried, pointing at them with great animation.

Even the camel glanced at their dance. Each of the fireflies was host to a tiny light, a flame, just like the human temple was custodian to a spiritual fire. Even a creature as humble as a firefly had the privilege of being a custodian to the fire, albeit a little one. As the wings of dusk drew in, Karia left Abi and sneaked off to get dressed.

On returning, she found Abi on the rock staring at the fireflies. The swarm had settled on the rock next to her, while the rest flitted and buzzed around above it. Wearing a huge smile, Abi jabbed her finger at them.

Karia looked, and what she saw took her breath away. The fireflies, still showing their flickering lights, had settled on the rock as … a lithe, living, ringed rosette. Just like the ones on the snow leopard. When Abi pointed at them, the fireflies seemed to respond, as if she acted as the orchestrator, the fireflies as the performers.

Karia’s mouth dropped open because the rosette no longer seemed to be composed of fireflies. It appeared as a swirling mass of sequins of silver light in the shape of a volatile, mobile rosette. Abi was as thrilled as if it were a game, like youth itself. Her eyes sparkled with childish awe and wonder. Remarkably, her niece wore no surprise on her face. Instead, the little girl seemed to know in advance what was going to happen and that the fireflies, in obediently performing the dance of the rosette, simply enacted a predetermined moment in the greater theatre of Abi’s life. Was this scene part of her unfolding destiny?

Is Abi’s destiny tied up with the rose? Karia wondered.

I confess I'm not sure about this one. The story was enjoyable, the characters delightful, the research detailed. (I'm assuming, accurately, as I know little about this period and even less about the Silk Road.) The blend between 'reality' and 'magic' was skilfully done - the magical elements were not contrived or unbelievable in any way. The differences between Christian and Muslim sensitively handled - as was the issue of slavery. Although that is one of my two 'buts'.

Was there really a need for a 'trigger warning' about the content including slavery? This is a historical-based novel. Surely anyone reading about the Silk Road in the 1300s would be perfectly aware that slavery was a part of the scenery as much as camels, sandstorms and star-studded skies. I am not knocking the author here - just the (in my opinion) rather senseless expectations by readers for these annoyingly unnecessary warnings.

The touch of romance when Karia meats with her desperate sailor was ...well, delightfully romantic. And the entirety of Karia and Abi's journey was absorbing - but here's the 'but' and my reason for 'not sure': it all seemed far too condensed. There wasn't enough of it!

The story covers many years of travel, adventure, experiences and journeying - actual and mental, and in the unravelling of several mysteries, which has resulted in so much being left out, lost or passed over. I almost felt that the author was hurrying to get to the great reveal and the story's conclusion, so skipped the background bits... but it's the background bits in a novel which drive the character development. Without the background you run into the danger of simply getting 'and then this happened, then this and then this.' The only exception would be for a Young Adult (pre 14s?) novel, where the story itself is more important than the detail.

Personally, I think there would have been enough here to have at least made a duology ... but a trilogy would have been far better, and I think the author has more than enough skilled talent to have written it as such.

all the same, **** 4 stars