Review Tour and Giveaway: Raven's Hill by Garth Pettersen

 RAVENS HILL

Garth Pettersen

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:  Historical Mystery

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

When Harald, the second son of King Cnute, returns from fighting the king's enemies in Northern Wales, he expects his life to return to normal⸺farming in the Midlands, overseeing his few tenants, evening walks with his beloved Selia⸺an idyllic life, far from the power-mongering of King Cnute's court. But the king has other plans for Harald and his wife—he grants them a large landholding, a gift they cannot refuse.

 

On arriving at their new holding, Ravens Hill, Harald and Selia receive a tepid welcome⸺from belligerent housecarls, a conniving steward, an uncompromising abbess, bitter at not adding their estate to her abbey lands, a priest with roaming hands, and a grieving daughter of the previous landholder, who has entered the nunnery.

 

Harald and Selia wish to improve the lot of their tenant farmers but they face obstacles at every turn, and Harald’s generosity is seen as weakness. They also learn the lands come with an unexpected millstone—an unsolved murder.

 

And then the trouble begins.

 

Fans of Bernard Cornwell will love Ravens Hill—part of the award-winning Atheling Chronicles series.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT:

Making no sound, Udele closed the door to her father’s house and stepped out into the moonlight. She scanned the collection of buildings to see if anyone was stirring—she knew her father’s housecarls slept like bearns—even when on watch—and if they rose at all, it would be just to piss onto the scattered rushes that covered the hall’s floor. The two hounds Cyning and Cwēn padded over, seeking attention. She stroked their heads but said nothing. Udele made her way to the horsefold where she bridled her favorite gelding. Bats flittered above her, catching flying insects, and though the night was warm, her body gave a shiver. She wore a tunic and long-sleeved under-tunic, a cæppe to cover her head, and a mantle over the shoulders. Udele scanned the broad valley, saw the shadows of clouds crossing the moon travel over the fields of wheat and barley. She remembered her purpose and hurried. He would be waiting.

 

Udele led her horse down the track from Ravens Hill, and only mounted when she was well away from the large steading. When she thought it safe, Udele urged the horse into a controlled canter, the road visible in the moonlight. The small hamlet of Déorfald lay but a mile distant and their meeting place was not far from there. Déorfald was a small place with mill, bakehouse, and smithy near cottages with small holdings. The place she and Aloc met secretly lay downstream on a wooded clay bank above where cliff swallows burrowed. The thought of Aloc waiting made her heartrate quicken. He was the miller’s son, tall and handsome, and though not of the thegn class like herself, he would make a fine husband. Her father would come to the same conclusion in time. Poor Aloc fretted over Thegn Wulfrun’s disapproval and sometimes he would despair of ever marrying her. But Udele knew she would have him in time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Garth Pettersen is a Canadian writer living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, BC. When he's not writing, he is riding horses or working on his acreage. Garth's short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies and in journals such as Blank Spaces, The Spadina Literary Review, and The Opening Line Literary 'Zine. His story, River's Rising, was awarded an Honourable Mention for the Short Story America 2017 Prize, his fantasy novella River Born, was one of two runners-up for the Windsor Editions (UK) Short Fiction Prize, and his novel The Sea's Edge won a first place Incipiere Award in 2024. Garth Pettersen's historical fiction series, The Atheling Chronicles is published by Tirgearr Publishing and is available on most online outlets (The Swan's Road, The Dane Law, The Cold Hearth, and The Sea's Edge). The fifth book, Ravens Hill, will be released in April, 2025. Print editions are available on Amazon.

 

Buy Links:

Tirgearr Publishing:    http://www.tirpub.com/gpettersen

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Hill-Atheling-Chronicles-5-ebook/dp/B0DZPGNVXZ

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/author/garth-pettersen/id1292516225

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ie/en/series/the-atheling-chronicles

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Garth%20Pettersen

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/gpettersen

 

Website:  https://www.garthpettersen.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/writeandride/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/garpet011

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY:

Garth Pettersen will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

MY REVIEW:

I have loved reading Garth Pettersen's The Atheling Chronicles series and was honored to have the chance to read the fifth installment, Ravens Hill. Harald and Selia's story was one of action, adventure, and danger. The author's historical details made me feel as though I was transported back in time seeing this tale unfold in real time. I thought this was a fabulous read.

I am going to give Ravens Hill a very well deserved five plus stars. I would give it one hundred if I could. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read historical fiction, particularly set during the Anglo Saxon era. I am hoping that there are more to come from The Atheling Chronicles series in the future.

I received a digital copy of Garth Pettersen's Ravens Hill from the author, but was not required to write a review, nor a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Review: Ravens Hill by Garth Pettersen

Ravens Hill by Garth Pettersen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

In 1030 C.E. — When Harald, the second son of King Cnute, returns from fighting the king's enemies in Northern Wales, he expects his life to return to normal. He's surprised when he's granted a large landholding—an idyllic life, far from the power-mongering of King Cnute's court, farming in the Midlands, evening walks with his beloved Selia. It’s a gift they cannot refuse, but the king has other plans for Harald and his wife.

On arriving at their new holding, Ravens Hill, Harald and Selia receive a tepid welcome from tenants—belligerent housecarls; a conniving steward; an uncompromising abbess, bitter at not adding their estate to her abbey lands; a priest with roaming hands; and a grieving daughter of the previous landholder who has entered the nunnery.

Harald and Selia wish to improve the lot of their tenant farmers, but they face obstacles at every turn, and Harald’s generosity is seen as weakness.

Trouble brews when they learn the lands come with an unexpected millstone—an unsolved murder.

My Review: 

I have loved reading Garth Pettersen's The Atheling Chronicles series and was honored to have the chance to read the fifth installment, Ravens Hill. Harald and Selia's story was one of action, adventure, and danger. The author's historical details made me feel as though I was transported back in time seeing this tale unfold in real time. I thought this was a fabulous read.


I am going to give Ravens Hill a very well deserved five plus stars. I would give it one hundred if I could. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read historical fiction, particularly set during the Anglo Saxon era. I am hoping that there are more to come from The Atheling Chronicles series in the future.


I received a digital copy of Garth Pettersen's Ravens Hill from the author, but was not required to write a review, nor a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

View all my reviews

Review: The Sea's Edge by Garth Pettersen

 

The Sea's Edge by Garth Pettersen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

1030 C.E.: Harald, the second son of King Cnute—ruler of Engla-lond, Danmark, and Norvegr—with his wife Selia, attempt to live as landholders in Mercia, away from the constraint and intrigues of his father's court.

However, on a rare visit, Cnute tells Harald he's being sent to the Kingdom of Dublin to meet with their Norse-Irish allies. Harald’s mission is to coordinate an invasion of the northern Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd to replace King Rhydderch who is growing too powerful on England’s borders.

Harald is reluctant to be involved in his father-king's affairs of state, and not just because his beloved wife, Selia, is unwell. Harald cannot refuse to go and assures Selia he will not have to take part in the fighting.

Once on his journey, Harold is not drawn to his Norse-Irish allies but comes to respect the foe he must kill.

Will Harald carry out his father-king’s commands to unseat a strong and just rule, or will he tread a more righteous road, which will destroy the life he and Selia have built together?

My Review: 

The Sea's Edge is a great addition to Garth Pettersen’s The Atheling Chronicles series. I have greatly enjoyed the previous three books and this one does not disappoint. I was once again travelled back in time and meeting Harald, the second son of King Cnute. I found myself immersed in this journey with him. The historical details made me feel as though I was part of his world. Overall, a fabulous read.

I am giving The Sea's Edge five stars. I highly recommend it for fans and lovers of historical fiction, particularly from ancient Britain. I advise readers to not miss out on the previous books from The Atheling Chronicles series, as well. As always, I will be eagerly awaiting the next read from Garth Pettersen.

I received a digital copy of Garth Pettersen’s The Sea's Edge from the author, but was not required to write a review, nor a positive one. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

View all my reviews

Review Tour and Giveaway: The Cold Hearth by Garth Pettersen

The Cold Hearth

by Garth Pettersen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE:  historical fiction, Vikings

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

"The sons of Cnute are dead men." The dying words of his brother's assailant travel across the North Sea to the English Midlands.

Harald, the king's second son, receives the warning while rebuilding a hall where he hopes to farm and lead a peaceful life with Selia, his Frisian wife. But as the hall nears completion, they learn the family who lived there before them all perished in a single night of bloodshed. Could the grounds be cursed?

Now the threat of unknown enemies casts a long shadow. Should they distrust the brooding Saxon neighbor or the two weapon-bearers they hired for protection? Should they suspect either of the two women they have taken on with the other hirelings? Only their Jewish warrior friend, Ravya ben Naaman, seems above suspicion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Sleep would not come to Kjeld Madsson. Rain pattered and ran without ceasing from the turf roof of his hall, a sound that always reminded him of a downpour in a forest. He lay on his back under a fur robe, trying to let the rhythm of the rain lull him. The layers of dried and bound grasses under him gave no discomfort, but even so, his eyes would not close. His wyf, Ditte, muttered in a dream and rolled over, pressing her backside against his warmth. The cooking fire had burned down to glowing yellow-red charcoal, giving just enough light to reveal the roof beams above and the gray smoke that lingered before escaping out the smoke hole. The snoring and heavy breathing of his children, brothers, a sister and her child, and a cluster of thralls, blended with the din on the roof. 

Today he’d had words with that Saxon cur, Bordan. Enemies they had been until Cnute had become king of lands north and south of the River Tamesas, all which could be called the realm of Engla-lond now. Bordan had fought for Edmund Ironside, now dead, and his father, Æthelred the Ill-advised— both dying in the same year, 1016. Three years ago. Three years of relative peace. Cnute had dealt with those who would not bow to his will. “Heavy-handed” a few would say. “Brutal, heartless dog” only fools would speak aloud. Kjeld knew Cnute, had fought for him and for his father, Sweyn Forkbeard. For his service, the king had given him this choice piece of land, as good as any in Danmark. 

But old grievances burn and ache like old wounds, and both plagued neighbor Bordan. Today they had exchanged words over the trees Bordan’s men felled for rendering tar— on Kjeld’s land. He had cursed and insulted Bordan before his kinsmen and thralls, had threatened to bring the matter before the Hundred when the families next met. But Bordan had taken his slights and given little back— and Bordan was not one to swallow an affront. 

A pocket of pitch burst from the glowing fire. Kjeld started at the sound, throwing back the furs and sitting up. Amid the rain sounds, he heard a horse whinny. Another answered. He reached for his skeggox. Finding the battle æx, he stood, listening. In his own skittishness, had he imagined the horse calling? Careful not to step on the sleepers, the Dane made his way to the double doors that served as the hall’s entrance.

Stroking his long hair back from his ears, he bent and listened at the join of the two doors. 

Falling rain. Nothing more. 

He unhooked the latch of the small peek-hole cover and held two fingers up to the hole— better to lose a fingertip than an eye— before braving a look. All was blackness and storm. 

Kjeld slipped out the stout pole that locked the doors in place. Still holding his skeggox, he grasped the handles and pushed the doors open. The cold, wet air swirled hair across his eyes. He tossed his head to see better. The clean, fresh smell of wet earth and green plants. The night alive with the sounds of wind in the dark shapes of trees and

raindrops splashing in puddles of the rain’s own making. Was that a hushed whisper he heard? His ears strained to discern the patter of running feet spattering and slapping in mud.

Too late to bar the doors, Kjeld Madsson turned to raise the alarm, heart racing. The sudden awareness of another body close to him and then the jarring, cutting blow to his neck, the erupting shock of pain. Dazed, he fell back through the doorway, vaguely aware of his life’s blood pumping from the wound, of striking the rush-strewn floor, the shouting battle cries of warriors pounding and leaping over him, the screams of women, the answering roars from the men of his household. 

From where he lay face down, one eye beheld the slaughter of all those he held dear; his nose, surprisingly sensitive, smelled the coppery tang of blood sprayed into the air— until his vision clouded and all his senses faltered, and the lifeblood of Kjeld Madsson and his kindred nourished the soil floor of his own hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Garth Pettersen is a Canadian writer living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, BC. When he's not writing, he is riding horses or working with young disabled riders. Garth's short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies and in journals such as Blank Spaces, The Spadina Literary Review, and The Opening Line Literary 'Zine. His story River's Rising was awarded an Honourable Mention for the Short Story America 2017 Prize, and his fantasy novella River Born, was one of two runners-up for the Windsor Editions (UK) Short Fiction Prize. Garth Pettersen's historical fiction series, The Atheling Chronicles is published by Tirgearr Publishing and books one and two are available at most online outlets (The Swan's Road and The Dane Law) and book three, The Cold Hearth, is now available.

Links:

Buy Links: http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Pettersen_Garth/the-cold-hearth.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Hearth-Atheling-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B084PZR3WW/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cold-hearth-garth-pettersen/1136409269

Website: https://www.garthpettersen.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/writeandride/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/garpet011

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY:

Garth Pettersen will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND COMMENT

ON EACH STOP TO EARN MORE ENTRIES TO WIN!

April 22: Locks, Hooks and Books

April 29: Long and Short Reviews

April 29: Fabulous and Brunette

May 6: Our Town Book Reviews

May 13: Iron Canuck Reviews and More

May 13: Beyond Romance

My Review

Garth Pettersen has once again written a fascinating read in his third installment from his The Atheling Chronicles series, The Cold Hearth. I have enjoyed this series and this one is probably my favorite book to date. I am becoming a huge fan of the early English historical fiction and I have Mr Pettersen for that. 

I am giving The Cold Hearth five plus stars. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy ancient English history. 

I have received this book from the publisher. This review is 100%  my own honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email

Review Tour and Giveaway: The Swan's Road by Garth Pettersen

The Swan's Road

by Garth Pettersen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Historical fiction, Vikings

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

In the eleventh century, Cnute, the Viking king of England and Scandinavia, sails with his son Harald, and his shield brothers to Rome.

Thrown off course by a storm, they follow the route up the Rhine.

When Harald hangs back to assist Selia, a beautiful Frisian woman, his path turns perilous. New found enemies, retainers of Robert the Devil, Duke of Normandy, pursue them. Harald, Selia, and their companions fail to rendezvous with King Cnute and are forced to travel cross country on horseback. If Duke Robert's plan to assassinate Cnute succeeds, an invasion of England will follow. Can Harald and Selia reach Rome in time to warn the king?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

The prow of our longship broke the waves, the salt spray stinging my eyes. My legs bent and my feet shifted naturally at the rise and fall of the sea. Always it was the same. When the unfurling sail caught the wind and the ship surged forward. Like when you put heels to horse and she runs. The same. My spirits rising. The sun glistening off the surface of the sea.

This was more to my liking than learning the ways of the realm, for surely my royal Danish blood was many parts seawater.

I turned and watched my father, King Cnute, standing with his back to the mast. At forty years, Cnute was past his prime now, though he still maintained the strength of his sword arm, and the force of his will could not be broken. With his red cloak wrapped around him and the bronze circlet on his brow, my father looked out toward the other longships, as if his gaze alone were enough to gather them in, to keep the wolf pack together. Four drakkars or longships, sixty men, and a string of horses, an adequate force for a raid, but a mere fighting band in a battle.

At that moment, he saw me watching him.

"Harald my son," he called. A broad smile lit up his face. I could tell the wind and waves had ripped the weight of kingship from him. "It's a fine day to be a Dane." He laughed in that way of his, tossing his head back so his long mane of gray-blonde hair blew in the wind.

I left the prow and walked the pitching deck to join him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Garth Pettersen is a Canadian writer living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, BC. When he's not writing, he is riding horses or working with young disabled riders. Garth's short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies and in journals such as Blank Spaces, The Spadina Literary Review, and The Opening Line Literary 'Zine. His story River's Rising was awarded an Honourable Mention for the Short Story America 2017 Prize, and his fantasy novella River Born, was one of two runners-up for the Windsor Editions (UK) Short Fiction Prize. Garth Pettersen's historical fiction series, The Atheling Chronicles is being published by Tirgearr Publishing and books one and two are available at most online outlets (The Swan's Road and The Dane Law). Book three, The Cold Hearth, will be available for pre-order by February 2020.

Links:

Website: http://www.garthpettersen.com/Tirgearr 
Book Page: http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Pettersen_Garth/the-swans-road.htm

https://bit.ly/2CALZ74

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/writeandride/

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/garpet011

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY:

Garth Pettersen will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND COMMENT

ON EACH STOP TO EARN MORE ENTRIES TO WIN!

February 4: Historical Graffiti

February 4: Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

February 11: Long and Short Reviews

February 18: Iron Canuck Reviews and More

February 25: Locks, Hooks and Books

February 25: Viviana MacKade

My Review

The Swan's Road is the second installment from Garth Pettersen’s exciting series, The Atheling Chronicles. I am becoming a huge fan of the time period in historical fiction. I think Mr Pettersen did a fantastic job bringing Cnute and Harald to life. The book is rich in historical details and love his vision of what it was like in that time. 

I am giving The Swan’s Road a very well deserved five plus stars. I am looking forward to the other books in The Atheling Chronicles series. I am curious as to see where else this Harald will go. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy early English and western Europe history. 

I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email