15 May MJ Porter Pagan King #PaganWarrior #TalesOfMercia #TheSeventhCentury #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @coloursofunison @cathiedunn

FEATURED AUTHOR: MJ Porter

I am pleased to host MJ Porter again as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour that is being held between March 14th — May 16th, 2023. MJ Porter is the author of the Historical Fiction/Action and Adventure novel,  Pagan Warrior (The Seventh Century), released by MJ Publishing on 25^th May 2015 (new cover from January 2022) [294 pages].

Below are highlights of Pagan Warrior, MJ Porter’s author bio, and my 5-star review of her novel. 

Tour Schedule Page:  https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/02/blog-tour-pagan-warrior-by-mj-porter.html

HIGHLIGHTS: PAGAN WARRIOR

Pagan Warrior

(The Seventh Century)

by MJ Porter

Audiobook narrated by Matt Coles

Blurb:

From bestselling author, MJ Porter comes the tale of the mighty pagan king, Penda of Mercia.

Britain. AD632.

Penda, a warrior of immense renown, has much to prove if he is to rule the Mercian kingdom of his dead father and prevent the neighbouring king of Northumbria from claiming it.

Unexpectedly allying with the British kings, Penda races to battle the alliance of the Northumbrian king, unsure if his brother stands with him or against him as they seek battle glory for themselves, and the right to rule gained through bloody conquest.

There will be a victor and a bloody loser, and a king will rise from the ashes of the great and terrible battle of Hædfeld.

Book Buy Links:

Universal Link     Amazon UK     Amazon US     Amazon CA     Amazon AU

Barnes and Noble     Waterstones     Kobo     iBooks     Bookshop.org

Audio Buy Links:

iTunes     Audio

AUTHOR BIO: MJ Porter

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, as well as three twentieth-century mysteries. Being raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.

MJ Porter Social Media Links:

Website     Twitter     Facebook     LinkedIn     Instagram     Pinterest

BookBub     Amazon Author Page     Goodreads     Linktr.ee     Tiktok

Narrator, Matt Coles Social Media Links

Instagram     Tiktok     Website

BOOK REVIEW: PAGAN WARRIOR

Pagan Warrior by MJ Porter is a 7th Century novel of political intrigue between various factions leading up to the Battle of Hæðfeld in 732 AD Northumbria. It is told in first person point of view by major historical figures that fought in the battle, including Penda of Mercia, King Cadwallon of Gwynedd, and King Edwin of Northumbria. The story begins three years earlier when King Edwin defeats King Cadwallon in battle but fails to pursue and kill him. A deadly mistake.

Exiled, King Cadwallon convinces the renowned warrior, Pendra, to ally with him. Together, they scheme which allies to win over and find ways to lure King Edwin into a disadvantageous battlefield. Meanwhile, spies inform King Edwin of King Cadwallon’s intent to war with him again. Both kings form fragile alliances with other kings and influential commanders in preparation for the final battle that will decide who rules the various regions. Treachery abounds, where family ties are tested. It is not revealed until the final battle who will betray the other and rise to power.

Author Porter has written a unique historical fiction told in the present tense from the perspective of eight rulers, each having the potential to gain power and wealth after the final battle. This plot-driven book provides insight into each character’s motivations and an overview of battle tactics and fighting methods used by the various clans. It explores how Christian and pagan religions further incite division among the kings and within their families. The theme of how abuse of power corrupts absolutely is highlighted in raw detail and with relatable modern-day language. The climactic battle packs a punch. Vivid, riveting fight scenes project the brutality of battle.

It is difficult to navigate the novel’s beginning, with so many characters telling the story. However, the tale unfolds seamlessly as one narrator switches to another in the next chapter. Access to each character’s internal thoughts and motivations yields a greater impact in the climactic battle scenes where betrayals are revealed and when medieval justice is ultimately served.

For those who enjoy reading about the political machinations of British rulers and the great battles fought in the Dark Ages, I recommend Pagan Warrior for its realistic depiction of warrior kings vying for power and seeking vengeance.

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