Tag Archives: Peter Gibbons

BLOG TOUR – Excalibur by Peter Gibbons – (The Arthurian Chronicles Book 1)

Today we kick off the blog tour for Excalibur by Peter Gibbons!

Here’s the blurb

The sword has the power of Britain in its steel, men will follow and fight for whoever wields it…

Dark Age Britain. A legendary hero rises to unite a divided and threatened land…

A country left in ruins after the fall of the Roman Empire is plundered and broken. Saxon hordes have invaded and conquered the East coast of Britain in a blood-soaked Great War which tore the old kingdoms apart. From Bernicia to Kent, land and kingdoms are now under Saxon rule. But these new conquerors want more…

Britain’s remaining kingdoms are jaded by the constant threat of war, their Kings old, alliances fickle and frayed. It seems Britain must fall enslaved to the brutal and marauding conquerors from across the sea.

But no one counted on a new and fearsome warlord. A warrior granted power by the druid Merlin through the mighty sword Excalibur. A man with no Kingdom but a quest to unite the country and fight back against the baying Saxon warriors? He is known as the legendary Arthur.

The compelling, fast-paced start of a brand new series from bestselling writer Peter Gibbons. Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwall.

Praise for the series:

‘Epic, brutal action’ – Matthew Harffy

‘Bloody and brutal, Peter’s vivid writing really brings the story to life.’ – Donovan Cook

‘A superbly atmospheric tale of redemption that pitches the English against Viking raiders and resounds with the fierceness of battle-hardened warriors’ – MJ Porter

‘Thunderously atmospheric! Gibbons once again proves himself a master of Viking & Dark Age lore.’ – Gordon Doherty

‘Absolutely cracking. The best Viking saga I’ve read in years. A joy to pick up again.’ – Ross Greenwood

Review

To say Peter Gibbons has fast become a favourite of mine is an understatement. The author and publisher Boldwood, have been killing it in the historical fiction genre recently so when I learnt a new series was starting you can imagine the excitement I felt.

The Arthurian Chronicles tells us about one of the most fascinating characters in history in my opinion – Arthur. From a young age Arthur held a lot of interest to me.. mainly because no one could say one way or another if he existed but the whole idea of Arthur and the sword Excalibur excited me! for me it’s a risk going for Arthur as you need to get that excitement level right to match the myths, and the reader is going to have high expectations.

Did Gibbons deliver? Of course he did!! Gibbons knows his craft and most certainly knows his audience. We have what I’ve come to expect…the wonderful, dark and gruesome gore that any battle loving fan needs but the story is wonderfully weaved with fact and fiction.. I think that’s what makes Gibbon’s writing so exciting to read as his topics always allow some leeway for events to play out and you can really see the effort put into the tale to make the pieces come together.

The author isn’t afraid of detail either, setting the scene.. the ensemble cast too with many a familiar name, each play a part in the development and flow of the tale but in typical Gibbon’s style nothing Is forced in there, its done in what feels like such an effortless way, but I know must have took quite some time to write.

Book 1 is all about laying the foundations but that doesn’t mean you don’t have excitement and you can tell towards the end of the book that a battle is brewing.. but there’s still time for the author to keep the reader on their toes too leaving the reader fulfilled..but at the same time in silent shock.

I know I bang on about pace and flow.. probably way too much… but Peter Gibbon’s gets it.. the mix is so perfect it builds the excitement from the 1^st page to last..

Don’t just take my word for any this either.. just look at the praise for the author.. Harffy, Cook, Porter and Doherty.. all household names in my book and certainly authors who are keeping my bookshelves full.

I did want to say there’s a downside but there isnt.. I’m always keen to crack on with the next book..luckily I won’t need to wait long with the next instalment already up for pre-order for release later in the year!

A very impressive read and after enjoying a lot of the authors books of late I feel like it’s also something new and fresh allowing Gibbon’s to further cement himself as one of the best authors out there!

A wonderous 5* read.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/excalibursocial

My thanks go to Rob Sinclair, 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 adding a paperback to the permanent collection

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Peter is the winner of the 2022 Kindle Storyteller Literary Award, and an author based in Kildare in Ireland, with a passion for Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and of course writing! Peter was born in Warrington in the UK and studied Law at Liverpool John Moores University, before taking up a career in Financial Services and is now a full time author. Peter currently lives in Kildare Ireland, and is married with three children. Peter is an avid reader of both Historical Fiction and Fantasy novels, particularly those of Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, David Gemmell, and Brandon Sanderson. His books include the Viking Blood and Blade Saga and the first novel in his new Saxon Warrior Series entitled Warrior & Protector was released on 31st October 2022 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B45MMSBV . You can visit Peter’s website at www.petermgibbons.com .

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petergibbonsauthor

Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorGibbons

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/petermgibbons/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/PeterGibbonsNews

Bookbub profile: Peter Gibbons Books – BookBub

BLOG TOUR – Sword of Vengeance by Peter Gibbons

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Today is my stop on the blog tour for Sword of Vengeance by Peter Gibbons

Here’s the blurb

In the aftermath of the great battle of Maldon, justice is demanded and vengeance will be served!

992AD

King Aethelred’s the Unready’s army has been defeated at the historic Battle of Maldon by Viking invaders led by Olaf Tryggvason and King Sweyn Forkbeard.

The strategic turning point of the battle was when Godric, an East Saxon Thegn, fled the battlefield taking with him the Saxon army, leaving behind his brothers to be massacred in a welter of blood and Norse axe blades.

Saxon warrior Beornoth emerges from the ashes of defeat with his heart aflame with vengeance and when King Aethelred sends for Beornoth with orders to punish those traitors responsible for the crushing defeat, he heeds the king’s call.

With a small band of loyal warriors, Beornoth embarks on an unforgiving journey across the perilous landscape to seek out Godric and exact his bloody revenge. They must fight their way through a world teeming with political intrigue, shifting alliances and the ever-present threat of the Vikings.

Can Beornoth triumph over insurmountable odds in this pulse pounding quest for retribution

If you enjoyed The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell, you’ll love Beornoth’s Quest for Vengeance!

Review

Following the events of book 3 we pick up in the aftermath of the bloody Battle of Maldon.

Beornoth is in a bad way and Brand must do everything he can to keep him alive.

I felt this was a very poignant and pivotal start to the story as Brand must face loss, the battle was brutal and it plays heavy on the mans heart. It’s moving but also shows the characters strength as he battles on despite the hurt he will be feeling. This depth really made the beginning on the book scream out to me and I felt myself re-reading sentences just to really take in the emotion, to give it justice..just beautifully written guttural strength and determination.

Beornoth survives but it’s touch a go really.. you always hoped he would but nothing lasts forever.

God that man deserves a rest but do you think he’s going to get one? No chance.

We see the true politics of war play out.. it’s time to decide if the fight is to continue or do they sacrifice their pride and pay the enemy to leave their shores…There’s always going to be the danger that they will return even if they do leave.

We continue to see the real depth of emotion infused by the author as we see Beornoth and his wife battle their inner demons.. they have to confront the past, his wife’s pain stems from being brutally assaulted and ended with the death of those closest to them.. it’s a wound that runs deep for both of them and Beornoth can’t see any way to seal the hole the loss has created.

The latest battle really does seem to be a pivotal moment in their relationship as retribution plays on both their minds heavily… but Beornoth is honour bound..can he do what’s needed to please all?

To forge for peace or to fight.. there’s no easy choice but what the author did so well was really set the scene.. the characters.. it’s emotive and you can’t help feel for them and it really does make you see how lucky we are… but what would you do if someone murdered your children.. took the light from your wife’s eyes.. it’s a real emotional roller-coaster.

For the gore fans there’s plenty of action to keep the blood pumping for sure but it’s so much more than you’d expect and the author continues to infuse the historical detail with a gripping, gut-wrenching plot as Beornoth sets out to bring the cowards and traitors from the battle to justice. It really puts the time period into perspective and you really feel for the innocents caught up in the mess..

Pace is something I always like to talk about but this time there’s nothing I can say.. I didn’t even notice the chapter length..the details were a blur as I was so engrossed with the plot itself. A pure joy to read.

Boldwood and Peter Gibbons are a match made in heaven.

5/5 Stars.

My thanks go to @rararesources for having me on the tour, as well as the author and publisher for supplying an ARC to aid my review. As usual though… I’m buying the book too my book shelve deserves a copy 🙂

Fancy grabbing a copy? – Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/swordofvengeancesocial

Why not follow the tour?

Author Bio –

Peter Gibbons is a financial advisor and author of the highly acclaimed Viking Blood and Blade trilogy. He comes to Boldwood with his new Saxon Warrior series, set around the 900 AD Viking invasion during the reign of King Athelred the Unready. The first title of the new series, Warrior and Protector, will be published in October 2022. He originates from Liverpool and now lives with his family in County Kildare.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petergibbonsauthor

Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorGibbons

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/petermgibbons/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/PeterGibbonsNews

Bookbub profile: Peter Gibbons Books – BookBub

BLOG TOUR – Storm of War by Peter Gibbons

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Today is release day for Storm of War by Peter Gibbons, book 2 in The Saxon Warrior Series.

I’m very lucky to be kicking off the blog tour today to celebrate the release!

Here’s the blurb!

The fight for a torn Kingdom rests in the hands of a few brave men…

990AD.

King Aethelred II, who men will one day call The Unready, rules over a land divided by the shadowy spin of his mother Queen Ælfthryth and the sprawling power of the Church.

The Viking Warlord, Olaf Tryggvason smelling the Kingdoms weakness brings the vicious Jomsvikings to the Saxon coastline ravenous for war and plunder.

Together Lord Byrthnoth, Ealdorman of the East Saxons and Beornoth his Saxon Thegn lead a force of oath sworn Viking killers, every bit as brutal and war-skilled as the Norse invaders to protect the Kingdom against enemies both from within, and from the cruel seas. They are pushed to the very limits of their bravery and endurance in a desperate fight for the very existence of the Saxon Kingdom.

In a riveting story of trachery, betrayal, vengeance and war, can Beornoth defeat his enemies and protect the Kingdom from destruction?

Review.

I’m fairly new to the authors work but after reading Warrior and Protector last year I was eagerly awaiting this release and god damn it packs a punch!

King Aethelred is weak, and the Vikings know it. The King’s mother and the bishops have too much say in his rule and even some thought loyal are of Viking blood and wish to see the return to Norse rule.

Lord Byrthnoth and Thegn Beornoth stand in their way! Pillars of Saxon might!

Ah I loved the whole ensemble of characters, but these two just outshine even the brightest star. Byrthnoth is a good and fair lord, strong and wise and leads his men from the front.. he’s not afraid of battle and when the King doesn’t seem to want to stand in the way of the Viking invasion he’s not going to stand by and watch.. he’s a man of action..but his temperament means he’s wise and weighs up his options.. unlike Beornoth.. Beornoth has suffered pain like no one should.. his children murdered by Vikings and his wife left to die, only to survive a broken woman.. He’s fuelled by anger and that anger sees him get into some sticky situations but it’s also what the Saxons need.

The Vikings are brutal.. they have no honour and leave a trail of destruction.. the sight would turn anyone stomach. Beornoth use’s that anger and brings vengeance upon his enemies.

The main issue is the battle is on many fronts, how do they see off this threat with so little men at their disposal?

Without a shadow of doubt this book is one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading, the plot, character development, the detail setting the scene … wow. I almost felt I was aboard the Viking ship as Beornoth puts a risky plan into action!

Usually when I read a book one aspect stands out as the thing I loved the most.. not this time..everything is just woven perfectly together, you get depth and raw guttural anger and bloodshed.. there’s real hurt and some of the most brutal scenes I’ve read.. every slice jumping from the page.

In one word to sum up – Mesmerising!

5/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

My thanks go to @rararesources for having me on the tour, as well as the author and publisher for supplying an ARC to aid my review. As usual though… I’m buying the book too 🙂

Why not follow the tour?