A stand-alone short story in the multi-award-winning Troubadours Quartet epic medieval thriller series 1157: Aquitaine. The wolves are coming! At midnight on Christmas Eve, while the blizzard blasts snow through every crack in the castle walls, Nici the Shepherd's Dog stands guard in the sheepfold. Beside him as usual are his pack and the flock they protect but this night is not usual at all. A small boy braves the snowy night, seeking the protection of his great friend while he is banned from his parents' quarters in the castle. Nici recalls other times and other dangers, his trials and failures, the reasons why he ran away with a young girl, now the little boy's mother. He would still give his life in a heartbeat for Lady Estela. And yet, on this snowy night, he cannot help her. So, while he waits and comforts Estela's son, he tells his own puppies the story of a dog's life. 'One just wants to sit down with Nici as he shares his story in that cozy sheepfold while the cold winds rage outside on Christmas Eve.' 5***** Award Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
A short story. Venice , August 1576 Historical Novel Society Short Story Winner 2018 The fate of Venice’s greatest artist depends on a plague doctor with a grudge. Award-winning author jean Gill, the master of historical intrigue, walks the plague-ridden streets of medieval Venice with Death at her side.
Top Pick Award from Litpick Student Reviews. By IPPY and Global Ebook Award Winning author. 'Jean Gill has captured the innermost thoughts of this magnificent animal.' Les Ingham, Pyr International A dog's life in the south of France. From puppyhood, Sirius the Pyrenean Mountain Dog has been trying to understand his humans and train them with kindness. How this led to their divorce he has no idea. More misunderstandings take Sirius to Death Row in an animal shelter, as a so-called dangerous dog learning survival tricks from the other inmates. During the twilight barking, he is shocked to hear his brother's voice but the bitter-sweet reunion is short-lived. Doggedly, Sirius keeps the faith. One day, his human will come.
Like 'Game of Thrones' with real history. The complete set of four award-winning books: Historical Fiction series The Troubadours Quartet Set in the period following the Second Crusade, Jean Gill's spellbinding romantic thrillers evoke medieval France with breathtaking accuracy. She captures the soul of the age and the characters who lived in it. The characters leap off the page and include amazing women like Eleanor of Aquitaine and Ermengarda of Narbonne, who shaped history in battles and in bedchambers. Four Discovered Diamonds Awards; Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice Three out of three: Readers Favourite 5* Awards; Winner of the Global Ebooks Award for Best Historical Fiction Book 1 Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence On the run from abuse, Estela wakes in a ditch with only her lute, her amazing voice, and a dagger hidden in her underskirt. Her talent finds a patron in Eleanor of Aquitaine and more than a music tutor in the Queen's finest troubadour and Commander of the Guard, Dragonetz los Pros. Meanwhile, their enemies gather, ready to light the political and religious powder-keg of medieval Narbonne. Book 2 Bladesong: 1151 in The Holy Land Estela, the troubadour, is following the destiny of her beautiful voice. Dragonetz, her passionate knight, has a dangerous mission to fulfil. Divided by the times they love in, they fight to be together. Imprisoned in Damascus, Dragonetz suffers the mind games inflicted by his anonymous enemies, as he is forced to remember the traumatic events of the crusade, two years earlier. Instead of remaining safely at home, Estela is desperate to rescue Dragonetz at all costs. She sets out for the Holy Land, never realising that the person she thinks will be her knight's saviour might actually be his doom. Can Estela get him out alive, despite Nur-ad-Din, the Muslim Atabeg; Mélisende, the Queen of Jerusalem; and an avenger from the past? Will she still want to, when she knows what they've done to him? Book 3 Plaint for Provence: 1152 in Les-Baux-de-Provence The Troubadours, Estela and her lover, Dragonetz, are embroiled in two rival claims for power as their feuding liege lords gather in Provence. If the peace fails, Dragonetz' sword will decide the winner and friends will die. Dragonetz weaves a precarious path through the rival factions at court where an uneasy truce prevails behind the chivalry of hunt and tournament. Meanwhile, Estela faces her own demons. Confronted with her childhood abusers, threatened and attacked, she confides in her friends. Tragically, one of those friends is Dragonetz' worst enemy and Estela has no idea of what he is capable. In this third volume of the Troubadours Quartet, Jean Gill, the 'master of historical intrigue', continues to weave the gripping adventures of Dragonetz and Estela seamlessly into real historical events. Medieval France comes alive in all its facets, from healing with leeches to training a goshawk. Book 4 Song Hereafter: 1153 in Hispania and the Isles of Albion Dragonetz has failed Eleanor of Aquitaine once. Now that she plans to be Queen of England he could make amends. Although prepared to risk his own life on an impossible quest, a knight should protect his lady, or so say the troubadour songs. His lady, however, plays to a different tune and she wants partnership, not protection. Estela and Dragonetz fight their enemies, both on the battlefield and in the courts of Christendom, from the sophistication of Zaragossa to the wilds of Wales. Can they win through to song hereafter, together? Or have they broken one rule too many?
A boxset of six inspirational, entertaining, moving books based on true stories from an award-winning author, photographer, beekeeper, mad dog lady, cat breeder, literacy expert and mother. Jean Gill's truth takes many forms and the reader's journey through these books is as rich in discovery as her life has been to date. Someone To Look Up To: A dog's life in the south of France, from the dog's point of view. 'Jean Gill has captured the innermost thoughts of this magnificent animal' Les Ingham, Pyr International From puppyhood, Sirius the Pyrenean Mountain Dog has been trying to understand his humans and train them with kindness. How this led to their divorce he has no idea. More misunderstandings take Sirius to Death Row in an animal shelter. Doggedly, Sirius keeps the faith. One day, his human will come. How Blue is My Valley: A memoir. Jean Gill's first year living in Provence, a laugh-out-loud accountof following your dream and adopting a new country. 'Such a vivid picture of the fields of lavender, sunflowers and olive trees that you could almost be there with her.' Living France Magazine With Double Blade: Poetry so sharp it hurts when you laugh. '...the humour frequently has the effect of pointing up the stark reality with which she writes.' - Ted Griffin, Pause Magazine From Bedtime On: Poetry that hits home. Finalist in the 2018 Kindle Book Awards These new editions contain the 'stories behind the poems', adding the personal context to the work for which Jean Gill was first known as an author. One Sixth of a Gill: Short stories, blogs and poetry. An emotional roller-coaster with people you'll never forget. 'A fantastic array of wonderful prose, from bee-keeping to Top Tips on Dogs! A FINALIST and highly recommended.' The Wishing Shelf Awards Faithful Through Hard Times: A WW2 biography. Malta: Four years, 3 million bombs, Zero Hour Food approaching.The true story from a Scottish soldier's eye-witness account written at the time in a secret diary, a diary too dangerous to show anyone, and too precious to destroy. 'The diary was kept secret because it had to be. Taylor knew he would be in trouble if it were found. There is no censor in the diary.' The Scottish Association for the Teachers of History
The Troubadours: like Game Of Thrones with real history Estela de Matin would give anything to be a troubadour. She becomes a pawn in a perilous game of queens, reliant on her golden voice and a dagger hidden in her underskirt. Scarred by the crusades, Dragonetz los Pros now fights with sword and song for a more enlightened world, where faith has no colour. When he meets the runaway girl in a ditch, the whole world changes. Winner of the Global Ebooks Award for Best Historical Fiction 1150: Provence Death on her heels, Estela runs towards a new identity. Her life depends on singing true for Aliénor of Aquitaine but her heart cares more for her tutor’s judgement. Dragonetz knows he must not love this troublesome student but their duet makes its own demands. Will their secrets kill them both? Dragonetz and Estela are an explosive combination, which their powerful enemies intend to blast into smithereens. Set in the period following the Second Crusade, Jean Gill's spellbinding romantic thrillers evoke medieval France with breathtaking accuracy. The characters leap off the page and include amazing women who shaped history in battles and in bedchambers. Book 1 of the award-winning Historical Fiction series The Troubadours Quartet 'Believable, page-turning and memorable.' Lela Michael, S.P. Review 'Historical Fiction at its best.' Karen Charlton, the Detective Lavender Mysteries Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Awards and the Chaucer Awards
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A yarn fit for a Norse saga. Full of action, poetry and heart; a thrilling voyage through the vibrant world of the twelfth century." Matthew Harffy EDITOR'S CHOICE - The Historical Novel Society "Stunningly authentic." The Booklife Prize 1150: The Whale Road. An epic medieval adventure, set in the Viking world of 12th century Orkney. To change their doom, Skarfr and Hlif must pay the price. Warrior-poet Skarfr embarks on a death-defying pilgrimage with his ruler, Jarl Rognvald, from the wind-whipped shores of Orkney to the Holy Land. He is one of the few men trusted by the Jarl, whether facing sea-monsters or murder. Fifteen ships sail on the ‘whale road’ in the pilgrims’ fleet. The only woman among the ‘sea wolves’, Hlif is respected as much for her practical skills as for her mystical gifts. Yet beneath her indomitable façade lies a secret – she is handfasted to Skarfr, their love forbidden by the Jarl’s decree. As tensions rise, Skarfr is torn between fealty to his Jarl and devotion to Hlif. One oath must be broken but which one? How can he steer a course between loyalty and love without losing his honour? Book 2 in The Midwinter Dragon series, from an award-winning writer, Among Sea Wolves is perfect for fans of Madeline Miller's mythic storytelling, Bernard Cornwell's gritty realism, and Matthew Harffy's visceral medieval sagas. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Made me want to read on... just one more chapter... and then another, and another. Late into the night!" B A Morton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Top quality literary historical fiction; a cracking story with action and adventure based on real events, plus a touch of magic. Highly recommended." J.G. Harlond
Four misfit friends and 50,000 bees against the might of the Citadel. 2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Award Winner. Exiled in the Forest, Mielitta, Queen of the Warrior Bees, could be happy but for her responsibilities to the very people who think her a freak and a traitor. Her hopes for change in the Perfect society of the Citadel rest on one man. Trapped in a society he loathes and fears, Mage Smith Kermon's mission becomes a test of survival. Can he remain loyal to Mielitta in the double life he leads as her spy in the Citadel? He is quickly embroiled in deceit and subterfuge, forcing him into actions that make him doubt himself and everything he values. Nobody can be trusted. Least of all the Mages bound to Mielitta's treaty by blood oath. When the dead don't stay dead, a broken oath could be Mielitta's doom. Block Nature out and she'll force a way in. Book 2 but stands alone, in an award-winning series. 2020 Kindle Book Awards Finalist, 2019 Wishing Shelf Awards Finalist 'Jean Gill's Natural Forces series offer a rich, strange, and alluring adventure that buzzes with intrigue and nature.' The Booklife Prize 2020 'An epic fight for nature,' Deb McEwan, the Afterlife series
Block Nature out and she’ll force a way in. The climax to an award-winning series. Royal Dragonfly Award Winner. 2020 Kindle Book Award Fantasy Finalist. Mage Kermon struggles to stay loyal to Mielitta, the Queen of the Warrior Bees, in the ongoing war between the oppressive Citadel and the vibrant Forest. His secret dual role in the Citadel is threatened when his students trespass into the mysterious world beyond the walls and, in the back-stabbing climate of Citadel politics, he’s the sacrifice everyone is prepared to make. Little do those around him know that the future of both Forest and Citadel depends on his survival. Mielitta has always relied on Kermon in her fight to restore harmony with Nature and now he needs her help. But to save him and the lives of his two young rebels, the bee-shifter must face the evil that lurks in the Citadel walls. Her natural forces tested beyond human endurance, she discovers that evil can wear a friend’s face and that to keep one promise, Kermon must break another. This gripping conclusion to the acclaimed Natural Forces trilogy takes the reader on a wild flight into the unexpected as Mielitta learns why she was born. Can she fulfil her destiny? ‘Jean Gill's Natural Forces series offer a rich, strange, and alluring adventure that buzzes with intrigue and nature.’ The Booklife Prize ‘Fabulous world-building and spellbinding intrigue,’ Karen Inglis
Thrilling conclusion to an award-winning series. Global Ebooks Award for Best Historical Fiction. FINALIST in The Wishing Shelf and the Chaucer Awards. The Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice. Dragonetz and Estela: the troubadours. They thought they knew each other but they didn't even know themselves. Dragonetz has failed Eleanor of Aquitaine once. Now that she plans to be Queen of England he could make amends. Although prepared to risk his own life on an impossible quest, a knight should protect his lady, or so say the troubadour songs. His lady, however, plays to a different tune and she wants partnership, not protection. Estela and Dragonetz fight their enemies, both on the battlefield and in the courts of Christendom, from the sophistication of Zaragossa to the wilds of Wales. Can they win through to song hereafter, together? Or have they broken one rule too many? Mystery, intrigue, romance and adventure fill the pages of this magnificent conclusion to an epic series sure to delight fans of KenFollett, Elizabeth Chadwick, Bernard Cornwell and Kristin Hannah. Jean Gill captures the soul of the age and the characters who lived in it. ' Evocative and thoroughly riveting. A vividly-written, historical saga.' The Wishing Shelf 'Historical Fiction at its best.' Karen Charlton, the Detective Lavender Mysteries
