So it turns out that the 3rd selected (non-repeat) ebook for today was
actually a stealth repeat from the Flying Spaghetti Monster only knows when.
And therefore I will indulge myself by posting this marvelous backlist treat, which certainly deserves its own thread, IMHO.
Blood and Sand by Rosemary Sutcliff (
Wikipedia,
ISFDB), of whom if you are an historical fiction-reading anglophone from the Commonwealth and have not already heard, well then there's just no helping you, is her 1989 Hodder & Stoughton-published Napoleonic Wars-era historical biographical adventure novel based on the amazing true story of a captured Scottish soldier who rose to become the governor of an Islamic holy city (
Wikipedia) in the Ottoman Empire.
This is brought to us free via the KDP Select exclusivity program, for anywhere up to the next 5 days, courtesy of re-publisher Endeavour Press @ Amazon
main,
UK,
AU,
CA,
DE,
ES,
FR,
IT, and anywhere else they've set up shop.
Description
Egypt 1807.
Thomas Keith of the 78th Highlanders has been thrown in battle against the Turks.
He is far away from Scotland in the harsh desert.
Defeated and lying wounded and imprisoned in a village headman’s house, he is just one of a handful of survivors. And he awaits his fate with dread.
Little does he know that Ahmed Ahga, a feared and powerful Ottoman general wants Thomas for his private guard.
With little choice in the matter, Thomas agrees, without realising that it is the start of an extraordinary series of adventures that will lead him to new friends, a new way of life and eventually see him rise to become Emir of the holy Islamic city of Medina.
Based on a true story, Rosemary Sutcliff’s magical and enthralling historical novel brings to life all the mystery savagery and the beauty of the Arab world.
Might as well mention a few more KDP backlist freebies while I'm at it (mostly repeats from years back):
The Night of Knives by Canadian Arthur Ellis Award-winner (this is our major mystery/crime prize, akin to the Edgar Awards) Jon Evans (
Wikipedia), originally Hodder & Stoughton 2007. ETA: Ooh, actually a FeedBooks freebie and the author
has put up more.
A Witness Above, 1st in Frank Pavlicek PI mystery series by Andy Straka (
Wikipedia) (says he is Anthony, Agatha nominee, Shamus winner), originally Signet 2001. Actually free via Smashwords and therefore probably price-matched in many other stores.
City Wars by Dennis Palumbo (
ISFDB), near-future urban dystopia action thriller originally from Bantam 1979
The Hunt (aka 27) by William Diehl (
Wikipedia), WWII espionage action thriller, originally Ballantine 1991
Chasing the Wind by Robert Elmer, 5th in Christian YA historical adventure thriller series set in WWII occupied Denmark, originally Bethany House 1996
Agent Provocateur by Faith Bleasdale, chick-lit love-triangle revenge comedy, originally Hodder & Stoughton 2004
Heart of the Home by Gwen Kirkwood, a contemporary Scottish romantic drama, originally Severn House 2011
Happy reading if you spotted anything you think you might like*.
*
Especially if researched historical novels based upon a true story involving the intersection of two major world cultures during a time of great global upheaval and the personal effects thereof upon the people who get swept up in it by a master author make you clap your hands like a demented baby fur seal in glee†.
†
Well okay, maybe that's just me.