NEWS                                  25 July 2010.

A Long Road

A lot of lucky folks have recently enjoyed the latest Waterloo battle re-enactment, thousands of bright and intelligent people having summer fun remembering high times in Belgium; pity the poor scribe who has to wait five years to get there! Our books are still back in 1810, telling the tale...

Just now the series is about to see its characters watching the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, battling at Busaco, and falling back to the famous Lines of Torres Vedras, fighting and loving all the way. There is also a rather generous dollop of politics, espionage and skulduggerry.

When the Ties of Blood stories join up, they will run to a lot more pages the "War and Peace" and will certainly feature more characters and more history. The idea isn't to out-do that nice Mr Tolstoy but, year on year, to tell the gripping story of what happened in the Peninsula during those extraordinary times. It's a lovely job for a writer - and no one's done it like this before!

French Connection

The new book "A Different Kind of War" is nearing completion, ready for publication in August on the anniversary of the extraordinary fall of Almeida (27 Aug). Why different?

'Well, I'm certainly not going to give the plot away,' Peter laughs, 'but the new book is cerainly a little different to the first two in the respect that I've introduced some French characters, quite a few actually, so we get a bit more of their side of the tale.'

'There are other new characters, plus old friends and interesting "real" individuals who played major roles in the drama. But the mix of fictional actors performing in front of a strongly factual backdrop has been well-received so far, and that isn't going to change!'

Bits and Light Bobs

Writing has being going well on the new book for Peter, plus thinking on the one after that. He still plans to publish as near as possible to the EXACT 200th anniversary of each chosen event.

Of couse, this is tricky for the writer and trying for the reader - there is a long pause before the next story arrives (August 2010) then a short gap before the one following (early spring 2011). YOU get a long wait, then the writer-chap get a short panic...
We'll manage, I imagine.

Various kind people have added links to their sites - this is greatly appreciated and always reciprocated, if suitable to our subject.

Magazines, newspapers, radio stations, podcasts and websites have been generous and positive in pushing the books. Also just kind individuals, willing to get interested. It's hugely well-received and helps get the word out that the stories are there and the website is growing! 

Sign of the Times

Peter is happy to sign your copy of the book/s. If you order online, you can ask for a dedication when you visit the Buy the Book page on this site.

There are plans for a new edition of the series in 2011/12, so the signed first first editions will certainly be collector's items!

Capital Notion

In December Peter combined a research visit to the National Army Museum with enjoying a talk by writer Carole Divall on the Siege of Badajoz. It's a couple of years before our Ties of Blood characters will get to that disturbing episode, but Carole's lecture gave plenty of food for thought. And the museum is well worth a visit in its own right - lots of good stuff on our period, as well as fascinating general exhibits and a fine bookshop.

A word too for the Royal Engineers Museum at Gillingham - a great day out for kids of all ages and fascinating for those following our sapper hero, Tom Herryck.

Brisk Engagement

Last autumn Peter made his first visit to one of the Napoleonic Association's events - the weekend gathering at the elegant Kingston Maurward House near Dorchester, 3/4 October.

Hundreds of re-enactors entertained the public with living history displays and exhibitions of military skills. The weather was kind and good numbers came to enjoy the fun. Peter was able to sign some books. He has since been to a similar event at Lord Byron's Newstead Abbey during the spring and gave a talk at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey in July.

'It is always good to meet readers and to make some new friends. The events themselves were very enjoyable and I hope to go along to one or two more.'

New Blood !

"The Colour of Blood" was officially launched at Nottingham Castle on 28 July 2009, the bicentenary of the Battle of Talavera. The Castle is the home of the Sherwood Foresters Museum.

The 45th Nottinghamshires featured throughout the Peninsular War (winning their nickname "Old Stubborns" at Talavera) and their successor regiment is now serving with distinction in Afghanistan.

It was a great do, with about fifty kind souls in attendance, supping Port and eating Stilton. 

The 45th starred at the melancholy triumph of Badajoz in 1812. Maybe back at the Castle in 2012...?

FESTIVE CHEER

Online buyers who purchased either book during 2009 received "The Bird-Swindler's Friend", the first in a new series of special Ties of Blood stories just in time for  Christmas - ABSOLUTELY FREE ! 

That offer is now closed. 

However...

Anyone buying one of the three books available during 2010 and supplying an email address will similarly receive a new story "A Right of Passage" as a present for next year's festive season.

No Such Thing As...

The books sell exclusively online, remember - we can't afford bookshops! Various newspapers, radio stations and magazines have included reviews and interviews and Peter's first podcast is due in December, but it's still necessary to put the word out.

Please tell your friends, put a link yourself to the website, tweet away, get it on your blog, lobby your MP or Senator - have a tattoo, hire a plane with a streamer or send a carrier pigeon! To be talked about is - well, what did that Oscar Wilde know about publicity...

ALL HELP GRATEFULLY RECEIVED - AND HONOURED ! 

Well Worth A Look

Birthday Time

“Alone With Glory” – the first of the Ties of Blood series – was published in October 2008, picking up on the 200th anniversary of the Corunna campaign and is selling well. The second story, “The Colour Of Blood” is now out (launched on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Talavera, July 2009). 

“A Different Kind Of War” follows shortly,  with "The Hardest Fight" coming along in Spring 2011.

We'll try to hit the 200th anniversaries of the/a major incident in each story.

Food for Thought

There has been a lot of interest in the food and drink mentioned in the books. We have added a "Food" button for the site, with info on local dishes, the English country house table, and the food the soldiers ate. Yes, we've even had a go at tripe!!!

More recipes will follow as our hungry friends eat their way about the Peninsula!

You could also check out "Lobscouse and Spotted Dog" by Grossman and Thomas (pub. Norton). This has recipes for what the sailors ate at the same time, inspired by the books of Patrick O'Brian. It includes dishes such as Dog's Nose, Drowned Baby and (honest) Boiled Shit, as well as more well-known delicacies...

1812 Overture

Peter has been approached by a couple (er, update, quite a few) Canadian readers to consider expanding the Ties of Blood stories to include the War of 1812. Tricky one this, with the needs of His Majesty's forces in Europe. But the history is compelling, and with such good true stories to look at.

Never say never...