Genre: historical

Sword of the Legion Series

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Sword of the Legion Series
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57 B.C., Gaul – Marching with Caesar’s legions against the defiant Belgic tribes, legionary Lucius Domitius narrowly survives an attempt on his life. He is shocked to discover that someone in the higher ranks wants him dead. Unable to trust even his oldest comrades,
Lucius must expose his assailant before the murderer tries again. But as Lucius begins to unravel the plot, he learns that he is just a pawn in a much grander scheme – a scheme to betray the proconsul, Gaius Julius Caesar, and the entire Roman army, to the savagery of the enemy.
All of their fates converge on the banks of a lazy river in the Belgic lands, where the stalwart legions are attacked by an army of spear-wielding, axe-swinging warriors twice their number in the epic Battle of the Sabis.
4 books :

Rome: Fury of the Legion- 57 B.C.

Rome: Defiance of the Legion – 54 B.C

Rome: Tempest of the Legion – 49-48 B.C.

Rome: Sword of the Legion – 48 B.C.

 

The Fort: A Novel of the Revolutionary War

The Fort: A Novel of the Revolutionary War
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From New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell—one of the greatest yet little-known skirmishes of the Revolution: the Penobscot Expedition, a battle that would reveal the true character of a legendary Revolutionary hero.

This new novel takes place during the very early days of the rebellion, or the War of Independence, in 18th century Massachusetts before Washington and before the organization of a colonial army. A small British fleet with a few soldiers on board had sailed in to be met, to their surprise, with an overwhelming strength of local militia.

Cornwell tells the story on both sides of the conflict, based largely on real figures, including of course Paul Revere (famous from the much later poem).

Harlequin: The Grail Quest (The Archer’s Tale)

Harlequin: The Grail Quest (The Archer's Tale)
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The year is 1342. The English, led by Edward III, are laying waste to the French countryside. The army may be led by the King, but it is the archers, the common men, who are England’s secret weapon. The French know them as Harlequins.

Thomas of Hookton is one of these archers. But he is also on a personal mission: To avenge his father’s death and retrieve a stolen relic.

Thomas begins a quest that will lead him through fields smeared with the smoke of fires set by the rampaging English, until at last the two armies face each other on a hillside near the village of Crécy.

Scaramouche

Scaramouche
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Scaramouche: A Romance of the French Revolution by Rafael Sabatini is a historical novel set during the tumultuous period of the French Revolution.

The story follows the adventures of André-Louis Moreau, a young lawyer and fencing master. After a personal tragedy, André-Louis becomes embroiled in the revolutionary fervor and assumes the identity of Scaramouche, a roguish and quick-witted character.

As he navigates the political upheavals of the time, André-Louis becomes a key player in the revolutionary events, encountering love, betrayal, and the complexities of justice.

The novel skillfully blends historical events with swashbuckling action, providing a thrilling and engaging tale against the backdrop of one of history’s most dramatic periods.

sequel : Scaramouche the King-Maker

The Serpent Sword: The Bernicia Chronicles

The Serpent Sword: The Bernicia Chronicles
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AD 633

Beobrand is a young man with a shadowy past. As an outsider in the kingdom of Bernicia, he is compelled to join his brother, Octa, as a warrior in the household of King Edwin. He must learn to fight with sword and shield to defend the war-ravaged kingdoms of Northumbria.

In a period of great upheaval for Dark Age Britain, all he finds is death and war. Men and women strive to seize control of their destinies in a time of despair, and the land is rife with danger as warlords vie for supremacy and dominion. Amongst the blood and the betrayals, Beobrand learns of his brother’s near-certain murder. Inexperienced but ruthless, Beobrand must form his own allegiances and learn to fight as a warrior with sword and shield.

Driven by a desire for vengeance and a relentless pursuit of his enemies, he faces challenges which transform him from a boy to a man who stands strong in the clamour and gore of the shieldwall. As he closes in on his kin’s slayer, can Beobrand mete out the retribution he craves without sacrificing his honour… or even his soul?

short novella in the same universe : Kin of Cain

Praise for Matthew Harffy:
‘Nothing less than superb… The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page’ Historical Novel Society

‘Beobrand is the warrior to follow’ David Gilman

‘A tale that rings like sword song in the reader’s mind’ Giles Kristian

‘A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!’ Christian Cameron

‘A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning’ Toby Clements

‘Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure’ Simon Turney

The Scarlet Thief: Battle of the Alma, 1854 (Jack Lark Book 1)

The Scarlet Thief: Battle of the Alma, 1854 (Jack Lark Book 1)
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INTRODUCING JACK LARK: SOLDIER, LEADER, IMPOSTER.

The first book in the compelling military adventure series for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and Matthew Harffy.

‘Brilliant’ Bernard Cornwell

‘Quite simply do yourself a favour and read these books’ S.J.A. Turney

‘Nobody writing today depicts the chaos, terror and brutality of war better’ Matthew Harffy

1854: The banks of the Alma River, Crimean Peninsula.

The men of the King’s Royal Fusiliers are in terrible trouble. Young officer Jack Lark has to act immediately and decisively. His life and the success of the campaign depend on it. But does he have the mettle, the officer qualities that are the life blood of the British Army?

From a poor background in London’s East End, Lark has risen through the ranks by stealth and guile and now he faces the ultimate test…

Wolf of Wessex

Wolf of Wessex
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AD 838. Deep in the forests of Wessex, Dunston’s solitary existence is shattered when he stumbles on a mutilated corpse.

Accused of the murder, Dunston must clear his name and keep the dead man’s daughter alive in the face of savage pursuers desperate to prevent a terrible secret from being revealed. Rushing through Wessex, Dunston will need to use all the skills of survival garnered from a lifetime in the wilderness.

And if he has any hope of victory against the implacable enemies on their trail, he must confront his past – becoming the man he once was and embracing traits he had promised he would never return to. The Wolf of Wessex must hunt again; honour and duty demand it.

Outlaw (Outlaw Chronicles)

Outlaw (Outlaw Chronicles)
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When he’s caught stealing, young Alan Dale is forced to leave his family and go to live with a notorious band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest.

Their leader is the infamous Robin Hood. A tough, bloodthirsty warrior, Robin is more feared than any man in the county. And he becomes a mentor for Alan; with his fellow outlaws, Robin teaches Alan how to fight – and how to win.

But Robin is a ruthless man – and although he is Alan’s protector, if Alan displeases him, he could also just as easily become his murderer….

From bloody battles to riotous feast days to marauding packs of wolves, Outlaw is a gripping, action-packed historical thriller that delves deep into the fascinating legend of Robin Hood.

A Time for Swords

A Time for Swords
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When the Vikings attack, a novice monk’s life is changed forever in Matthew Harffy’s new historical adventure.

Lindisfarne, AD793. There had been portents – famine, whirlwinds, lightning from clear skies, serpents seen flying through the air. But when the raiders came, no one was prepared.

They came from the North, their dragon-prowed longships gliding out of the dawn mist as they descended on the kingdom’s most sacred site.

It is 8th June AD 793, and with the pillage of the monastery on Lindisfarne, the Viking Age has begun.

While his fellow monks flee before the Norse onslaught, one young novice stands his ground. He has been taught to turn the other cheek, but faced with the slaughter of his brothers and the pagan desecration of his church, forgiveness is impossible.
Hunlaf soon learns that there is a time for faith and prayer… and there is a time for swords.

Praise for Matthew Harffy:

‘Harffy is a master of the Dark Age thriller… A Time for Swords is a bold opening to yet another enthralling series. It promises to be one heck of a ride’ Theodore Brun, author of A Mighty Dawn

‘Terrific white-knuckle action, absolutely gripping storytelling… Can’t wait for the next one. Highly recommended!’ Angus Donald author of Robin Hood and the Caliph’s Gold

‘The gripping novel evokes the turbulence and violence of the first onslaught of the Vikings. I couldn’t put it down!’ Christian Cameron author of Hawkwood’s Sword

‘Nothing less than superb… The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page’ Historical Novel Society

Sons of Rome (Rise of Emperors Book 1)

Sons of Rome (Rise of Emperors Book 1)
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‘A page turner from beginning to end… A damn fine read’ Ben Kane.
Four Emperors. Two Friends. One Destiny.
As twilight descends on the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire is but a shadow of its former self. Decades of usurping emperors, splinter kingdoms and savage wars have left the people beleaguered, the armies weary and the future uncertain. And into this chaos Emperor Diocletian steps, reforming the succession to allow for not one emperor to rule the world, but four.

Meanwhile, two boys share a chance meeting in the great city of Treverorum as Diocletian’s dream is announced to the imperial court. Throughout the years that follow, they share heartbreak and glory as that dream sours and the empire endures an era of tyranny and dread. Their lives are inextricably linked, their destinies ever-converging as they rise through Rome’s savage stations, to the zenith of empire. For Constantine and Maxentius, the purple robes beckon…

Praise for Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney:

‘A page turner from beginning to end… A damn fine read’ Ben Kane, author of Lionheart

‘The Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction. Doherty and Turney each breathe life into their respective characters with insight and humanity’ Matthew Harffy, author of Wolf of Wessex