Lovely first reviews, and fun first reading at London Book Fair

After (very happy) years of writing and editing, and months of preparation, it was really exciting to get The Bitter Trade out earlier this month. It’s been getting some lovely early reviews from Amazon readers, and I’m very happy that plenty of copies are circulating around book groups and seventeenth century enthusiasts. [Do use the Contact form if you would like a review copy for your book group, Civil War reenactment regiment or publication/website]

We got print copies just in time for the London Coffee Festival and London Book Fair - it’ll be fun to do readings in independent coffeehouses, in raucous 1688 style. The Bitter Trade got its first public reading at the ALLi event at the Book Fair - the photo is me trying not to laugh as some of the crowd got the giggles at the word “scrofula”. Who knew that a disfiguring disease was also a double entendre? Hilarious.

FIRST REVIEWS FOR THE BITTER TRADE!

Jury Statement - PEN Factor

The Bitter Trade won the PEN Factor at The Literary Conference. Jury Chair Rebecca Swift (Author, Poetic Lives: Dickinson) said: “The Pen Factor jury selected The Bitter Trade based on the quality of writing, the engaging plot, and the rich and unusual historical context. Dazzling and playful!”

Larry Finlay, MD, Transworld

Dan Franklin, Head of Digital, Random House

Gordon Wise, Senior Literary Agent, Curtis Brown

Jennifer Custer, Senior Literary Agent, AM Heath

Piers Blofeld, Literary Agent, Sheil Land

NetGalley Reviews

**** A Swashbuckling Adventure During the Glorious Revolution - Nancy Famolari’s Author Spotlight

If you enjoy historical novels, this is a good choice. Calumny is an engaging character. He begins the novel as a disappointed adolescent, but he has a deep seated loyalty to his father and the people he loves that tests his mettle and forces him to make choices between what he knows is right and his dreams of wealth.

Unlike anything I have read before - Cindy Rogers, NetGalley Reviewer

This novel was unlike anything I have read before. The plot had many unpredictable twists and turns. The characters and settings were vivid… Sight, smell, touch. I could not put it down.

Amazon Reviews

***** Fantastic debut novel - Chris99

This is a superb novel. The characters are totally believable and three-dimensional. The descriptions of London in the 17th century are so vivid that you can almost smell the rivers, and the populace! The plot is neither too simple and boring nor too convoluted and hard work. This is the author’s first novel, and it has already won awards. I’m already looking forward to his next.

***** Engaging, dramatic and believable - Chapscat

Calumny Spinks makes a determined, cocky protagonist and simultaneously gains the reader’s pity and admiration. He is the first of many believable and well described characters in this colourful story. An extremely visual book whose qualities would make an intriguing film, the reader is sucked into the 1600s through descriptive prose conjuring up the smells, sights and sounds of London.The plot is thorough with delightful twists and endless and often disturbing surprises.
A believable insight into the grimness of the 17th century and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

***** Brilliant, engaging read - PL Stevens

This book and the characters within are both believable and engaging..it ended too soon! the best read I have had for a good while. I await the next installment with ill concealed impatience.