Böcker av James Vella-Bardon

A LAST STAND AGAINST INSANE ODDS. Charismatic Spanish sea captain and Armada castaway Francisco de Cuéllar has hardly been rescued by Santiago and Muireann, when terrible tidings reach the Irish kingdom of Dartry at the start of a winter that is harsh beyond memory. Queen Elizabeth's viceroy has left Dublin, leading an army of two thousand strong across Ireland. As one rebel chieftain after another is crushed in his path, the English commander's destination appears to be Santiago's hideout in Dartry. The tribe's sufferings are set to greatly worsen as they are forced to withdraw to the frosty mountains with their herds and belongings. They leave behind them nine Spaniards led by the brash Captain de Cuéllar, sworn to defend the island fort of Rossclogher. As the viceroy's army gathers about the tower-house, Santiago must fight a lost cause of his own making. Vile betrayal worsens the odds faced by the defenders, who must choose between fatal surrender and a heroic last stand. Remember the name of rising author James Vella-Bardon - Reader's Digest Encyclopaedic knowledge of the times - The London Economic Chomping at the bit to read more Vella-Bardon - The Pigeonhole online book club

"Vella-Bardon has what it takes to become a literary giant" - Yorkshire Evening PostA historical thriller, a gripping tale that you will not put aside until it is finished. Scotland, 1306 - after slaying his lifelong rival to the throne in a chapel, Robert the Bruce is crowned king of Scotland at Scone. Yet even his own wife and countrymen laugh at his foolishness, calling him Mad King Robin. For the murder of the Bruce's rival in a chapel has enraged the English king in London, who views himself as Scotland's rightful ruler. An English army is sent north and through an act of deception, the Bruce's forces are destroyed at Methven. After the Bruce's narrow escape, his wife, daughter and sisters are captured by the English. The Bruce suddenly finds himself an excommunicated outlaw within his own realm, fleeing both his English and Scottish enemies with a mere handful of loyal men. For eight years since Methven, the Bruce's wife Elizabeth de Burgh, daughter of the most powerful man in Ireland, has hated every day of her captivity by the English. The walls of Rochester castle are a seemingly eternal prison, while rumour and gossip reaches her that the Bruce is out of hiding, and incredibly reclaiming castle after castle in Scotland. Yet word has also reached her that the English king is marching north, at the head of the largest English army ever assembled. All Elizabeth can do is cling to mad hopes of freedom, while her captors urge her to abandon her fealty to her husband. Yet 1314 is indeed the year when the Bruce, long emerged from hiding, has crushed his enemies and taken every castle in Scotland except Stirling. His rise, inspired by a mere spider, is scarcely believable. But even the Bruce privately fears the incredibly large English force marching north to crush him, which is more than twice the size of his own army. It will take all of the Bruce's ingenuity and insane bravery to attempt to end the English hold on Scotland once and for all. The last fight for his people's future beckons along the Bannockburn, but can the Bruce's army overcome impossible odds to win freedom? Mad King Robin is a wonderful, riveting page turner, which tells the stirring tale of a nation's desperate struggle against a much larger, brutal oppressor.

Winner of the ''best novel'' and ''best historical fiction'' categories at the international Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2019.Abel de Santiago is a man on the run. Once a famous sniper, Abel finds himself a survivor of the Spanish Armada shipwrecks in 16th C Ireland. Following his capture by a brutal sheriff, Abel flees torture and death with a priceless emerald ring. Dozens of English troopers hunt the Spaniard across the Irish wilds, beating every last bush in a desperate attempt to find him.Muireann is a revered Irish poetess enjoying the hospitality of a neighbouring tribe. Tragedy strikes when the sheriff''s men kill her husband during a violent night raid, with her life barely saved by the fugitive Abel. Newly widowed and shocked by her loss, Muireann must somehow reach the distant lands of her tribe, where she can be reunited with her only son.Both runaways form an unlikely bond as they flee across a strange and stunning land, pushed to the edge of their wits and endurance. Yet unknown to Muireann, the ring Abel carries bears far-reaching consequences beyond Irish shores. Can the unlikely, desperate pair escape a ruthless sheriff who will never give up the chase?"a feverishly-paced historical adventure populated with memorable characters. A finalist and highly recommended" - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019Accolades for ''The Sheriff''s Catch''Winner in the ''Best Novel'' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2019Winner in the ''Best Historical Fiction'' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2019Winner in the ''Best Cover Design'' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2019Finalist in the ''Book Trailer'' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2019Finalist - The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards, 2019Finalist - The Eric Hoffer Awards, 2019Finalist in the ''Outstanding Historical'' category - The Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards, 2019Winner in the ''Best Cover Design'' category - The e-book Cover Design Awards, November 2018Nominee in the ''Best Trailer for a Book or Novel'' category - Golden Trailer Awards, 2018