Writers are strange people. They live in the Middle Ages, Ancient Rome, sometimes in Victorian India, on the high seas, during the Age of Enlightenment or just down the road at number 24. I count myself lucky to know some remarkable ones who’ve been kind enough to provide endorsements for RETALIO.

Matthew Harffy is the author of The Bernicia Chronicles, a series of action-packed historical fiction books set against the backdrop of the clash between peoples and religions in Dark Ages Britain.

The Historical Novel Society says, “Matthew Harffy’s tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb.” And that was only the first book in the series!

Matthew has gone on to greater glory and the fourth book, Killer of Kings, is out on 1 June 2017. So he seemed a natural choice to read RETALIO…

Matthew says:
“Alison Morton’s RETALIO is an international thriller, full of intrigue and espionage, set against an imaginative retelling of a history that feels authentic and real. The fight-back for Roma Nova has begun, and what an entertaining ride it is!”

Thank you, Matthew!

JJ Marsh is about to launch her sixth Beatrice Stubbs European crime mystery, Bad Apples, at the beginning of June. That’ll be a treat for anybody who likes an intelligent crime story.

JJ, who’s part of  Triskele Books, and I met in a distanced way on Facebook – we both belong to the Alliance of Independent Authors – but when she and I were selected alongside each other as indie Editor’s Choices in prestigious UK publishing trade magazine ‘The Bookseller’, I decided I needed to investigate further.

We’ve now met several times and I was invited to take part in last year’s Triskele Lit Fest on the historical fiction panel. She has a good eye for a devious plot and loves a heroine who drives the action in a story.

JJ says:

“Tense, thrilling and incredibly timely, this is what happens when women fight back. When a progressive society is taken over by an egomaniacal despot, women can succumb or retaliate. Morton shows alarming prescience. RETALIO is a terrific concept engendering passion, love and loyalty. I actually cheered aloud.”

High praise from a crime writer!

When I read the first of LJ Trafford’s Four Emperors series, I laughed and cried at the same time. She writes about the dark side of Rome in a semi-flippant gossipy way, featuring the unelevated members of Nero’s court who are merely trying to survive. Sometimes they don’t make it.

She conveys the grimness and sheer fear of living under Nero and his successors with a deft touch. A thorough Roman. Her next book Otho’s Regret is out in July and I’ll be in the queue for that.

L J says:
“RETALIO is an engrossing read from the very first page with a cast of characters who grapple with their situation and loyalties. Aurelia is a tough but principled heroine you’ll root for over the course of every twist and setback she faces as she heads towards the finale and a meeting with her arch nemesis. An exciting, gripping and page turning read.”

What a terrific review!

Having your peers think you can scribble a few decent words in a reasonable order is very supportive. When writers of the calibre of these three do, then that’s treasure indeed.

And here’s my thanks to Douglas Jackson.

Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers INCEPTIO, PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO, AURELIA and INSURRECTIO. The sixth, RETALIO, came out in April  2017. Audiobooks now available for the first four of the series

Get INCEPTIO, the series starter, for FREE when you sign up to Alison’s free monthly email newsletter. You’ll also be first to know about Roma Nova news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways.