Today we kick off the blog tour for the newly released Eagle of Mercia by M.J. Porter.

Here’s the blurb

A mercy mission in the heart of Wessex is beset with deadly, bloody dangers.

Tamworth AD831

Icel’s profile continues to rise. Lord of Budworth and warrior of Mercia, he’s acknowledged by King Wiglaf and his comrades to keep Mercia safe from the ravages of Wessex, the king-slayer of the East Angles, and the Viking raiders.

But, danger looms.  Alongside Spring’s arrival comes the almost certain threat of the Viking raiders return.

When Lord Coenwulf of Kingsholm is apprehended by a Viking and held captive on the Isle of Sheppey in Wessex held Kent, Icel is implored by Lady Cynehild to rescue her husband.

To rescue Lord Coenwulf, Icel and his fellow warriors must risk themselves twice over, for not only must they overpower the Viking raiders, they must also counter the threat of Mercia’s ancient enemy, the kingdom of Wessex as they travel through their lands.

Far from home and threatened on all sides, have Icel and his fellow warriors sworn to carry out an impossible duty?

Review

Eagle of Mercia is book 4 in the now well established Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. I feel like it was only yesterday I read the first book but so much has happened since.

Icel is a fully fledged warrior now with his days as a healer gone.. but never forgotten. I really loved how the author give little nods to past events, these are perfect reminders for those familiar with the series but also allow new readers to catch up quickly and to understand motivations.

I really felt the depth of Icel in the instalment, you can see he is starting to grow older and sees the world in a different light.

There’s also a dash of secrecy to the tale. Icel still does not know much about his family but he learns he is linked to an old king in some way.. but Icel doesn’t want power or fame, he really just wants to get on with his life, but will people let him? And what’s the connection.. is there more to it than what he is being told.

If that wasn’t enough stress for Icel he’s also torn romantically, unsure of his feelings toward a lady that can never be his.

As you can see from the blurb there’s more at stake than Icel’s difficulties.. Lord Coenwulf is taken hostage by the Viking’s and a rescue attempt must be mounted. These are savagely strong warriors, how can they possibly get Lord Coenwulf back safely?

Add to that the men of Wessex are marching but why, and who is really behind it all…There’s a lot of political intrigue around certain motivations and Icel’s is sort of caught in the middle at times with no rock to hide behind.

What really works well is the balance between character driven plot and the wider plot, it’s a nice way to break up events for the reader but also helps you feel for the characters, I need the realness, to see Icel’s weaknesses as well as his strengths really made me fall in love with the character and this series.

Eagle of Mercia is packed full of adventure, action, hate, lust, intrigue.. the list goes on but safe to say it ticks all the boxes and more. A resounding 5/5 star success!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

My thanks go to M.J. Porter, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I only accept ARCs to aid timely reviews but this will certainly be add a paperback to the permanent collection soon.

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Why not follow the tour?

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Author Bio –

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. They were raised in the shadow of a building that they believed housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia – so their writing destiny was set. The first novel in their new Anglo-Saxon series for Boldwood Son of Mercia was published in February 2022.

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