Awards
The Book Excellence Awards is an international book awards competition dedicated to helping authors and publishers increase their visibility, credibility and book sales. Authors who have entered our awards program have been featured in media such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Forbes, the Huffington Post and more.
I am delighted to announce that Cadenza has been awarded the Book Excellence Award for 2021 in the category of Romance.
Cadenza – Romance (bookexcellenceawards.com)
Click on the B.R.A.G. Medallion for a 
complete list of awards or the covers below to the individual books.
B.R.A.G. (Book Readers Appreciation Group) brings together a large group of readers located throughout the United States and in ten other countries around the globe in search of talented self-published authors and help their work achieve the recognition it deserves.
And 2019 Readers’ Favorite Gold Award for: Cadenza
Readers’ Favourite, a fast-growing book review and award contest site, has earned the respect of renowned publishers such as Penguin, Random House and Harper Collins. It has won “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors and is fully accredited.
About Me
I wrote my first novel, Lucifer’s Champion, to find out if I was actually capable of writing a book . It turned out that I was … but that I had a lot to learn. Consequently, by the time poor Lucifer was finally published, it had been through so many incarnations it was neither fish nor fowl – which is why I will never re-issue it.
After Lucifer, came The Marigold Chain. The version currently available, is not the 1983 original. It was an early work and changes were needed so I used the opportunity to make them.
Next came A Splendid Defiance – the first of my Civil War novels and possibly, still, the one dearest to my heart. Banbury made the perfect backdrop – a town full of Puritans and a castle held by the Cavaliers for four years and through an epic fourteen-week siege. It was a wonderful opportunity to tell the true story of just one English castle and the real men who defended it.
Inevitably, Defiance led to my Roundheads & Cavaliers series:-
The Black Madonna, Garland of Straw, The King’s Falcon and Lords of Misrule.
The series begins in 1639 and, by the end of Misrule, has reached 1655. There may be one more book to come, featuring Toby Maxwell and the Restoration … but only time will tell.
Part-way through writing the R&C books, I decided I needed a change of pace – hence The Parfit Knight and The Mésalliance.
So why the mid-Georgians rather than the Regency?
I could be flippant and say I’ve a fondness for men with long hair … which would be true but isn’t by any means the whole story. I find the period more robust and less constrained; and the fashions in general – but particularly for the men – were much more flamboyant and, in my opinion, sexier. The Rockliffe series has grown with the addition of The Player , The Wicked Cousin , Hazard, Cadenza
Along the way, I decided to venture into the world of audio books. As a result, all seven Rockliffe books and also A Splendid Defiance and The Marigold Chain are all available in audio, narrated by superbly talented Alex Wyndham.
All titles are available in paperback and e-versions can be purchased from Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, and i-Tunes.
Happy reading!
Stella,
Just thought I’d drop in and say a quick ‘thank you’ for the painstaking research you do for your books (though I suspect you enjoy the research as much as the writing!). I’ve spent the last two weeks reading the Rockcliffe series and the first in the Roundheads and Cavaliers series, and I am so thrilled to have found a new (to me, anyway) author with whom I can spend all of the time I should be spending on grading essays and cleaning my house. I had exhausted my known reservoir of books that pass the ‘dude’ test (i.e., if I can replace the words ‘my lord’ with ‘dude’ at any time and it doesn’t sound anachronistic, I stop reading–very low standards indeed as the well runs dry), so I was more than a little pleased to have found your deliciously long, meticulously researched, exquisitely written novels. Your books are such a great escape, and the characters you create are welcome specters that take a good long while to fade from my psyche.
Cheers!
Hi April
Your extremely kind comments have improved what began as a less-than-promising day immeasurably. Thank you! You seem to be one of only handful of my readers who has enjoyed both the Rockliffe series and the Civil War novels. Most people like one or the other – usually finding one too light and the other too heavy. Since you are clearly a very literate lady, if you cared to post a review on any of the books you’ve read so far, I’m sure that would be great help to other readers – not to mention being enormously appreciated by myself as I struggle dementedly through the very early stages of Eden Maxwell’s story.
With regard to your remarks about the difficulty, despite the huge number of books available, of finding something that satisfies rather than irritates – that is a feeling I know only too well and have recently been reduced to re-reading old favourites.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to get in touch.
Just finished Garland of Straw. So. Good. My favorite so far, in fact. The trial of King Charles…fantastic! I left a more coherent (I think) review on Amazon. Thanks again!
Hi April
Sorry for the delay in replying to you – I’ve been on holiday for the past week. Thank you for your comments. I’m glad you enjoyed Garland and will look forward to reading your review.
I just finished The Player & really enjoyed it. Will Nicholas get his own book?
Hi Diane
Yes, there’s a possibility that Nicholas will get his own book – if and when I finally finish the frequently requested happy ever after for Eden Maxwell. I’m pleased that you enjoyed The Player. Perhaps you’d care to review it?
Hi Stella – thanks for writing such great books; I have now read all of them. As an Australian, it sparked my interest in the English Civil War, a sadly neglected part of my history education – we did the Tudors to death. TO DEATH. I was so interested I bought the “By the Sword Divided” TV series, which I thought was really well done for the time (acting and sets have improved since!), and went on to read all of Pamela Belle’s books, scrounged from eBay. I reguarly check back on this forum and saw “The Way to the Lantern” was mentioned – naturally I bought it and I LOVED IT. So funny! What a find! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before. Thanks so much for the tip. While we’re all waiting for the next installment, would you consider posting up a link to your methadone list of all-time favourite books to read in the interim???
Hi Stephanie
Thank you for getting in touch and I’m glad you have enjoyed my books. You’ve obviously been on a bit of a Civil War ‘binge’ as a result. Like you, I did the Tudors for A level but the 17th century is a much livelier period with a fantastic cast of characters. My favourite books of all time? Well, you’ve already read one of them and, for the rest, I’ll have to think about it. Working along similar lines, I was considering putting something on this site asking readers to vote for whichever of my heroes they liked best – but since I suspect Eden Maxwell will win hands down, it hardly seems worth it.
Hi Fiona
Writing something like The Player is obviously much easier and quicker than writing one of the Civil War books – so it was almost like a little holiday. I’m glad you enjoyed it and are now in the happy position of choosing between Ashley and Francis. If you have the time, a brief review of either book is always greatly appreciated.
Hi Stella – it took me less than a day to read “The Player”, and I think I enjoyed it the most of the Rockcliffe series, perhaps because Adrian seems more modern in his ideas than, for example, Rockcliffe himself. Although I like this series, and I can understand why you like writing something a little lighter, I’m really looking forward to Eden’s story. I’m currently rereading “King’s Falcon”, and falling in love all over again with Ashley and Francis!
Like Alexis, I am a new fan. I recently saw a reference to one of your books on a blog and decided to try it. That led me to read all your eBooks currently available from Amazon and WOW. I loved every one of them. I especially love how well the secondary characters come to life. I am looking forward to The Player and Eden’s story. I just finished The Marigold Chain and was wondering if you had ever written or considered writing a story for Giles Beckwith? If you have written his story, will that book ever be available in eBook format? Will there be other stories from your backlist available in the future? Thank you so much.
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your kind remarks. To answer your last question – I’ve now released as many titles from my back-list as I intend to. The only one lurking in obscurity – and destined to continue doing so – is Lucifer’s Champion which, as you’ll see from earlier responses, presents too many problems to be worth the trouble. With regard to Giles – I’ve no plans in that direction but wouldn’t rule it out as anything is possible. At the moment, of course, the priority it Eden’s story – and that will take some time to complete. I hope you enjoy The Player. There will be a piece on it at Romantic Historical Reviews on Saturday, followed later on by a full review.
Hi Stella! I’m a recent addition to your fans and have just arrived back into the world of the living after binging badly for a couple of days on your kindle republications. I still have books 2/3 of the civil war series to go, but I’m just here to gush about you. A lot. I haven’t read books of this caliber, and in this setting, in a long, long, LONG time. Really I can’t thank you enough for writing these books (also for the dashing Justin and Luciano), and my heart just took a flying thump when I realized that you are writing Eden’s book too. I’ve been procrastinating (for days!) on my assignments by reading your books, so I promise to leave reviews on GR after I’m done – but mostly I hope that you’re inspired to keep writing.
Hi Alexis,
It’s always a pleasure to hear from a ‘new’ reader and I’m delighted that you are enjoying the books. I worry about your heart’s ‘flying thump’ in respect of Eden’s story because, at present, that book is still in the planning stages and will be some time coming – though hopefully not another twenty years! Meanwhile, if you exhaust the Civil War series and don’t mind something a little lighter (and shorter) you could try my Rockliffe series. Book 3 – The Player – is due for release very soon.
As for you posting reviews – these are always welcome, so thank you.
Hi Stella, have just found out about the new ebooks! Will you be adding Lucifer’s Champion in this format?
Sorry – no. I’ve been asked this quite a few times but remain convinced that there are too many problems with Lucifer to make it worthwhile. I hope The Player will make up for any disappointment!
My first read was The Marigold Chain which is now a tatty paperback having been read so many times.I then borrowed others from the library. I thought you had stopped writing so I am delighted that you have a new book. I will have to read the others again to refresh my memory before ready the new one. Great news
Hi Sylvia,
I did stop writing for quite a long time and, when I started again, it was really only with the intention of re-publishing my back-list. However, once that was done, feedback from readers such as yourself gave me the nudge I needed to carry on and write the long-delayed third part of my Roundheads & Cavaliers series. As for The Player … the idea for that has been lurking at the back of my brain since I re-worked The Mesalliance. I hope you enjoy it – and thanks for getting in touch.
Hello Stella, that all makes perfect sense to me – I too tend to read around a subject, individual biographies and specific incidents interesting me most. All historical, of course – late medieval to early 20th century mostly.
Regards
Kate
Thank you so much, Kate. I had fun with The Player – just something a little different. Eden, of course, it another matter and at the moment it’s just a slog through some fairly heavy and detailed books. About a dozen of them, to be precise. Until I have the history firmly laid out in my head, I can’t begin to construct the story … if that makes sense?
Hello Stella, I had discovered The Player was available and have consequently pre-ordered it, and started reading the Parfait Knight again! Am really looking forward to Eden’s story though, best of luck with the research.
I would just like to thank you for the hours of pleasure I have had whilst reading your books. I particularly enjoy the characterisations of the protaganists in all your books and love the way you draw all the strands together.
Regards
Kate
Hi Kate,
No, I hadn’t heard anything about a new museum – so thanks for telling me. As you say, Newark is an appropriate location what with Rupert’s famous relief of the place when it was under siege and also the King fleeing there when Oxford was under threat etc.
The Player is now available for pre-order. Hope you enjoy it.
Hello Stella – I am so glad you are writing another book in the Rockcliffe series, I very much enjoyed the Parfait Knight and Mesalliance and look forward to more.
Just as an aside I caught a news item in the East Midlands about a Museum due to be opened this ‘spring’ in Newark dedicated to the civil wars (1603-1688). I wondered whether you had heard about it? It seems appropriate really as Bolsover Castle is not far away which was home of the Earl of Newcastle.
Sorry the tablet ate one clause… Why did Charles ll award the first Duke of Rockcliffe a dukedom… And was the first duke the one who had the dark lady as his duchess…
These are very good questions – to which I have no answer whatsoever! As I’ve just said to Vivienne, the Rockliffe books are my way of taking it easy yet still writing something.
Another book in the Rockliffe series (or indeed any new book)… whoopee!
Thanks Vivienne. I hope you enjoy it. To be honest, I turned to Rockliffe for a bit of light relief before tackling Eden Maxwell – for which I’m just starting the research now.
I get the impression that your own books are doing pretty well – congratulations.
Thank you, Stella, for your kind words about my own writing.
And I’m sure I’ll enjoy the Rockcliffe light relief, even as I eagerly await the return of Eden Maxwell (a distant, if imaginary, kinsman perhaps?).
Thank you Stella that too is good news. I enjoyed both of the earlier ones immensely, though the period detail is much lighter. A prequel is what I want in this series… Just who was the fascinating and exotic lady who passed her night dark eyes and raven locks on to her descendants and since Tracy was the fourth duke, just why did Charles ll ward him a dukedom…
Hi Stella I was having a poke about on Amzon and discovered you were there after all these years. I leaped off the sofa shouting Calloo Callay oh frabjous day, and then bought all of them. My copies of the. Black Madonna, The Garland of Straw and A Splendid Defiance are in the nearly read to death category. I did once manage to get the library to locate A Parfit Knight, but the others were Not Available , not even on ABE Books. I too never allowed my precious paperbacks off my bookshelf. I have some others like that… Ira J Morris’s The Troika Belle and The Fortune Hunter both of which turned up in the Hospice Shop and Speculation Miss by Francesca Martin. Elizabeth Goudge is also beginning to appear.
Welcome back. I couldn’t. be more thrilled. And there is another on the way… Hurray. I would love to hear more of Luciano and Kate…my favourite characters.
Hi Anne-Marie,
Thank you for your kind remarks. As you are probably aware, the original print versions have undergone some revision and/or extension during the course of their transformation into e-books. This is particularly true of The Mesalliance which was cut to the bone in it original incarnation. You will notice changes to the other titles as well – and I hope you enjoy them. If you do, a brief review is always both helpful and welcome.
I understand exactly what you mean about never letting books that will be difficult to to replace out of the house. I once loaned someone my copy of The Way To The Lantern by Audrey Erskine-Lindop, didn’t get it back and spent years trying to acquire another. Now I have two of them!
The next book in the Rockliffe series will be available for pre-order quite soon. I’ll be announcing exactly when and giving further information on this website.
Hi Stella
have just finished reading the Kings falcon on my new kindle (Christmas present). So glad you are back writing again. I had just been re-reading your other books prior to Christmas. Enjoyed the Falcon but since i have both Garland of straw and Black Madonna ( the latter picked up while on holiday in Australia) I still think of Tobias and Tabitha as Felix and Felicity. i loved Francis and Pauline combo.
Are you going to write another about Eden Maxwell… I want to know what happens to him and his family ????
Perhaps would have liked a few more links back to England in the Falcon .
A good read The Kings falcon ..look forward to hearing more from you
Lis Key
New Zealand
Hi Lis
Thank you for getting in touch and for your various comments. I’m glad you enjoyed Falcon and particularly liked the relationship between Francis and Pauline. Those parts of the book were good fun to write – and also amazingly easy. Yes,I do plan to write Eden’s book – though this will take some time as I’ll have to do the research (1653 to 1656/7) before I can begin it.
Enjoy your new Kindle and best wishes for the New Year.
Stella
Of course I remember you! After all the additional help you gave me, how could I not? Also, there are some teachers who are extra-special and you were definitely one of those.
I’m sorry to hear about Mr Haslam. He is another teacher I always think of with affection.
I hope you are well and enjoying retirement and am delighted you got in touch.
I’m glad you remember me. I own two books, The Marigold Chain and The Black Madonna (signed by you) and have borrowed others from libraries. And yes I have read them. You may not know that Mr Haslam died last year. But I am still keeping an eye on you!!
.
Glad you are still using your talents to good effect.
Good Evening, Sir,
It’s so nice to hear from you. I wouldn’t imagine that any of my output is particularly your cup of tea – but have you read any of them? This is the point where I have to pay tribute to Mr Haslam. No doubt you remember him? He’s the man responsible! The many things I learned from you came in handy when I was teaching and even handier on the amateur stage.
Stella
I have just finished reading The King’s Falcon and I, too, have left a review on Amazon. I was thrilled when I discovered you had written a sequel to Black Madonna and Garland of Straw. It was a brilliant read and impossible to put down. Such a fascinating period of history that you have brought vividly to life and such wonderful characterisation – especially Francis and Pauline. Thank you so much for bringing me so much pleasure.
Hi Jill,
I’m glad you enjoyed Falcon and thank you for posting a review. I was particularly pleased that you liked Francis and Pauline because they took on a completely unexpected life of their own during the creation process and I had a lot of fun going along for the ride as they wrote their own scenes.
Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed ‘Falcon’ – and even more for leaving a review and recommending my work to others. Not being a very high-profile author, this kind of appreciation means a lot. I’m currently working on something new but think I’d better wait a while longer before revealing what it is.
Hi Stella
Thank you for The Kings Falcon, I loved it. It has been a real treat to have something new from you to lose myself in for the last few days, familiar in one way with the characters, the style of writing and period detail but new and exciting at the same time.
I have left a review on Amazon and am always telling my friends to discover you.
Since I found you again, I read A Splendid Defiance when it was first published, I have thoroughly enjoyed The Marigold Chain (love Chloe) and The Mésalliance as eBooks.
I do hope you write another story and thank you again for coming back!
Jo
Hi Meg,
Thank you for your kind comments. The image of anyone padlocking tatty copies to the shelf made me smile – but I know what you mean. I once loaned and never got back a copy of possibly my favourite book ever (The Way To The Lantern by Audrey Erskine Lindop), since which time I’ve picked up no less than 3 second hand copies which are never let out of the house.
If you’ve read the Kindle editions of my back-catalogue, you’ll have noticed some changes which I hope you found added rather than detracted. I hope you enjoy ‘Falcon’. I certainly enjoyed writing it. And if you cared to post a brief review for any of my books, it would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Stella, I grew up reading your books – they’ve been the subject of much book thievery between myself and my sisters over the years, with each of us practically padlocking our precious, much read and tattered copies of the Black Madonna, Garland of Straw, Parfit Knight and the Marigold Chain to our bookshelves, jealously guarded. I can’t tell you how delighted I was to see them come out on kindle. I’ve re-read every one and now to find a NEW Stella Riley book – it’s a dream come true! Can’t wait to read the King’s Falcon, it’s my treat of 2014. Please do keep writing!!!
Hi Susana
Thank you for your kind remarks – and also for your review on Amazon. The latter not only helps other potential readers but gives me tremendous encouragement to continue writing. I am working on something else at the moment but it’s too early to say just what!
Hi Stella,
Thank you for a wonderful book, I have left a review in amazon and now I can’t wait for the next story. Although I love the georgian books ( I am re reading The Parfit Knight ) i would love to see Eden Maxwell’s story …. but I’ll read anything you do next. Hope to see your next book in Amazon soon. Thanks again.
Thanks, Kate.
I’m glad you enjoyed ‘Falcon’ and really appreciate your posting a review as this not only helps promote the book but also maintains my morale.
I chose to follow the court-in-exile rather than keep the story in England for several reasons. I like each book to be a little different; I don’t believe the early post-Worcester years-in-exile have been done; and I particularly didn’t want to get involved in endless politics (as in ‘Garland’) or tackle the 1st Dutch War, having already done the 2nd one in ‘The Marigold Chain’.
Obviously, when we come to book 4, it will be back to England for Eden’s story. Like most people, you’re probably thinking ‘And about time, too.’
Thank you again for your message. Although hard work and fairly time-consuming, ‘Falcon’ was a pleasure to write – so I’m delighted that people like you also find it a pleasure to read.
Eden heading for Yorkshire !! Bliss!!
I’m not saying you’re wrong but .. you think so?
Just hoping……
Hi Stella
Like others above I have just finished reading King’s Falcon – it was well worth the wait and I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with characters like Eden and Francis, Will and Nick could be useful in future instalments! (not that I want to put ideas into your head). I have left a review on Amazon for you and I like the way the story panned out, it is sometimes hard to remember that during this period it is not just the three kingdoms that are important but also the impoverished Court in Exile. I do hope we don’t have to wait too long for Book 4, but do understand that you may want time to plot the storyline.
Many thanks for giving me many hours of enjoyment and look forward to more as I re-read the whole series.
Hi Stella I have just finished reading “King’s Falcon” and thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are entrancing, and it was good to read “the bit in the middle”, by which I mean the period between the execution of Charles I and the restoration of his son. I remember studying the period of the Fronde at A level, but I had forgotten most of it. It’s probably a little soon to ask, but I’m looking forward to number 4!
Hi Fiona
I’m glad you enjoyed Falcon – I suspect reactions to it may be a bit mixed but only time will tell. I moved the story into the early part of Charles ll’s exile because it was a natural progression after Worcester and also because I’m not aware of any other author tackling that period. There again, in the technical sense the civil wars in England were finished.
Number 4 will be along at some point but I’m making no promises as to when. As regards Falcon, if you wished to offer encouragement by way of a brief review, I would sincerely appreciate it.
Stella. Finally got my iBooks copy of The King’s Falcon and finished it in one sitting. The long wait was worthwhile, meeting favourite characters again is always lovely. As others have said really love your books, I have them all having bought them when first published and also have the e versions you have published. My favourite is Splendid Defiance.
Hi Hilary
Thank you for reading Falcon and I’m glad you enjoyed it – though I’m not surprised that Defiance is your favourite. I have a very soft spot for that one myself.
If you feel so inclined and can spare the time, it would be very helpful (not to mention encouraging!) if you could post a brief review on Amazon or wherever you purchased the book from. You’ll appreciate that, as a new title with no previous reviews, it will take time to gather momentum.
Dear Stella, A Splendid Defiance is my favourite book of all time. I bought it in a motorway services on a holiday in 1985 and have read it so many times that it is now falling apart. I have just gone onto Amazon to buy a new copy and I cannot tell you how excited I am to find out that there is a series! I always wondered what happened to Justin and Abby. Thank you for all those hours of happy reading.
Thank you, Claire – I’m so glad that Justin and Abby have remained favourites for so long. I’m also amazed that the original print edition didn’t drop apart sooner!
The book you’re buying from Amazon is, in effect, a new edition. You’ll notice a few changes, most of them minor, but one near the end rather more significant. Truthfully, when given the opportunity, authors will always see something they could have done better. But in the case of Defiance, the extra resources available to me when I was preparing it for republication on Amazon provided the answer to a question that had always bothered me; that of the exact day on which the Banbury garrison marched out. As I had long suspected (but originally couldn’t prove so therefore couldn’t use) Will Compton led his people out one day later than my original source had said. This extra day makes a lot of sense in many respects. But adding it to the book meant the insertion of an additional scene. Knowing the book as you do, I realise that any change will probably come as a bit of a shock. But I hope you’ll bear with me … and Justin and Abby, of course. Let me know how you get on if you wish.
Stella, I have just discovered your books (as e-reads on Amazon), and I am so glad that I did. I read the The Parfait Knight, adored it, and will be starting The Mesalliance tonight. I can’t wait to read Rock’s story. Thank you for hours of enjoyment.
I’m glad you enjoyed The Parfit Knight and suspect you may like The Mesalliance even better. Of the two, it’s my personal favourite and I enjoyed greatly extending the e-version.
Book 3 of my Civil War series, The King’s Falcon, is due for release on October 3rd but, although a stand-alone story, is very much part of a series. If you consider trying these, I’d advise you to begin with The Black Madonna. If you liked Rock, you’ll love Luciano.
Like your other fans, I was thrilled to find more of your books that I could buy on my Kindle. The first book of yours that I read was The Mesalliance and I still love it. I can’t remember now where or when I got it.
Any chance of Lucifer’s Champion being available as an ebook? I can’t find it in a library anywhere in California and it’s out of print–right?
Looking forward to The King’s Falcon.
Beth
Hi Beth
You’re not the first person to ask this question but sadly, despite that, I don’t have any plans to re-release Lucifer’s Champion. It’s a bit of a hybrid and, rather than spend time trying to fix it, I prefer to turn my efforts to something new. Sorry. The good news is that The King’s Falcon is now completely written and should be ready for release in the next 4 or 5 weeks.
Hi, sorry to bother you, I am a primary school teacher and in Sept will teaching a topic on the Civil War for the first time in twenty years. Someone has recommendedThe Black Madonna to run alongside the topic and do a novel study. It’s proving difficult and costly to secure. Before I buy a copy on the off chance, could you comment on its suitability and readability for Y5 (9 & 10 yr olds) please?
Many thanks
Ian Beecroft
Hi Ian
The Black Madonna contains a great deal of detail about the Civil War but all of it is contained/related to the fictional story so it isn’t a complete over-all picture. Also, the book is far too weighty and long for the age group you mention – as an ex-primary teacher myself, I know this. You yourself might find it a good starting point to get a feel for the period – it’s not an essentially female book – but it’s not a book for kids.
Best of luck with your project – I’m all for teachers covering this period as so few of them do. Maybe your class will not grow up thinking the whole thing was engineered and prosecuted by Cromwell!
Hi, many thanks for that! I, too, love the period – it’s only just coming back into the primary curriculum after being banished for too long – I last taught it on third year TP …. oh too many years ago, now! I will seek it out for myself though, after all, the holiday are almost upon us!
All the best,
Ian Beecroft
I am inquiring about another outstanding novel LUCIFERS CHAMPION, and if that book will be available as well electronically?
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent.
Hi Debby
No, I’m afraid I have no plans to re-release Lucifer’s Champion in e-format. I’m glad that you like it but – since it was a first novel and hugely messed about with during the publication process – it now falls well below the quality line and would require more work [and therefore time] than I think it’s really worth.
Also, as you’ll probably know, I’m currently working hard to get The King’s Falcon ready for release in the autumn and can’t really think beyond that at the moment. But, once that’s done, I have been vaguely considering the possibility of taking a break from the Roundheads & Cavaliers to write a third novel in the Parfit Knight/Mesalliance series.
Thank you for your interest.
Hi Stella, I purchased The Black Madonna a few years ago in a library sale and its been one of my favourite books. Def one I read every year. I have found a few others in second hand shops (here in New Zealand) Having just completed a reread of Garland, I thought I would pop on the internet to see what other books might be about! Very excited to see that thry are available through Kindle. I remember a few years back considering purchasing some off Ebay at a ridiculous sum and also feeling the loss of not being able to afford them. I actually kept a search on NZ version of Ebay so that when your books came up I would get a notification. Anyway looking forward to reading the others very much now!!
Hi Rebecca
Thank you for your comments and for getting in touch. I apologise for the delay in replying but I am currently on holiday in Turkey and don’t check my mail every day. I also hate typing on an I-pad!
You may or not be aware, but the e-format editions have all been revised/extended. You can also read the opening chapters of my new book, The King’s Falcon, here on my blog site. I hope to release it around November time.
Best wishes,
Stella
I was looking through my bookshelves today, and decided to reread The Marigold Chain, for what may be the 20th time, when I thought to go onto Google and to see whether Stella Riley had written any other books. To me excitement, she had. I then checked Amazon, and have now all available eBooks downloaded to my Kindle. What bliss!! I am now 66% through A Splendid Defiance, and loving it. I, too, prefer paper books, but love my Kindle for travel, and for instant gratification, as I don’t have to search for titles. Tricia Burton
Hi Tricia
I gather from your remarks that you had previously only read The Marigold Chain [I’m delighted that you enjoyed it enough to read several times!] and that my other titles are new to you. With the 3 civil war titles currently available, you will discover that, though A Splendid Defiance is a completely separate novel, it is linked to The Black Madonna and Garland of Straw in that our hero, Justin, makes further appearances. I hope you enjoy Defiance as much as Marigold – it’s probably my personal favourite, with The Mesalliance [completely different in content] running a close second. Since you’ve found this website, presumably you’ve seen that I’ve loaded the first couple of chapters of the book I’m currently writing – The King’s Falcon and which I hope to make available around the end of November.
If you cared to post a few kind words on Amazon, this would be greatly appreciated!
I discovered “The Marigold Chain” years ago, and have subsequently found all the remainder of your books-some as they were printed, some from second hand bookshops- they have travelled with me all the way around the world. I read and reread them over the years as I love the characters and the details of the history-I am really glad to see a favorite author writing again, please keep it up, I am really looking forward to your new book.
Hi Jenni
Thank you for your kind remarks – this kind of encouragement is always appreciated!
I should probably say – though you may already have realised this – that The King’s Falcon will not be appearing in print, only in e-format. I’m enjoying writing again and wish to go on doing so – and self-publishing is the best way to ensure this.
I have actually repurchased all your the books on kindle – so now have each in hardcopy and e-format-(i live on a small island, and with the increased restrictions in luggage weight on flights, the kindle has been a life saver for me). I’m delighted that self-publishing has enabled you to keep writing and reaching readers. Jenni
So pleased that one of my favourite authors is still around 🙂 I first read A Splendid Defiance as a teenager from my local library in South Wales, and spent years looking for it in the shops, finally spending £30 on Amazon for a ‘rare’ book, so it’s fantastic I can get this and others online now. I reread the book often, and I look forward to any more.
Hi Gillian
I’m glad you enjoyed Defiance – it’s probably my own personal favourite – and hope you like my other titles as much. I realise some sellers on Amazon have been asking silly money for my books so I’m pleased to be able to offer them in e-format at more realistic prices. I still hold some remaindered stock of Garland of Straw which I’ve never got round to disposing of – and now, with a house-move in view – wish I had!
I went to see the Cheapside Hoard very recently and thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition. I had in mind the “Garland of Straw” all the way round. I was amazed by the workmanship in the collection and staggered by the fact that the actual jewels came from so far away from London in days when travel was so difficult. Hope you have had a chance to see the latest museum arrangement.
Hi Claudia
No, I haven’t seen the increased exhibition yet – though I did see the previous one some years ago. My husband and I are about to exchange Shropshire for Kent so, once the house-move is complete, it will be much easier to get into London. The Hoard is one of the things at the top of my list to visit.
I have been re reading The Mesalliance and am hoping that you will write more books from this era, I can see evidence of back stories (‘The Unknown’ in Paris) that I assume were meant to lead on to other plots.
Yes – you’re quite right. I did set up the so-called unknown actor in Paris with a view to writing a third book in the series. Hopefully, this will happen one day. At the moment, however, I’m still working on The King’s Falcon – which, coincidentally, also has a strong Parisian theatrical feel although the period is different, of course. You don’t say if you’re reading the old print version or the revised e-format. If the former, you will find the e-book a vast improvement – longer and more in-depth.
I had the civil war stories in paper back but came back to you when I saw you were on kindle (you sort of disappeared for a bit and I couldn’t afford the second hand prices for your books) so I am a recent convert to other eras in your books, though like many ‘The Splendid Defiance’ remains my favourite I suspect that The Mesalliance will run a very close second. I am looking forward to a new book from you, hopefully followed by many others.
By the by, I also bought a Kindle on the back of seeing you were publishing again via e books, so you are responsible for also converting me to another form of modern technology where you are not the only author re publishing books that have gone out of print and are difficult to find, so thank you for that.
I have just bought a kindle on the back of discovering you’re back! I have had Splendid Defiance since I was a teenager and in recent years bought Black Madonna, and Garland of Straw from Amazon. I re-read them every now and again as they are such wonderful stories.
I also want to thank you for educating me on such a key part of our history which is still overlooked…why is it not in our national curriculum? I never learnt about the civil war at school and neither will my children by the looks of it.
I’m so looking forward to your next novel but for now have downloaded Marigold Chain to my brand new kindle.
Jo x
Hi Jo
Thank you for your kind remarks – and I hope you enjoy your new Kindle. Since I acquired mine, I have discovered authors I would never have found otherwise – some of them outstanding. [My current favourite is Laura Kinsale. I particularly recommend Flowers from the Storm, The Prince of Midnight and Seize the Fire.] Since you’ve found me on this site, I’m presuming you’ve read the first 2 chapters of my next book which is still very much under construction. Like you, I was never taught the English Civil War at school and I despair that such a key period continues to be overlooked.
Of my other, non-civil-war novels, you might like The Mesalliance. In some ways, it follows The Parfit Knight but is much stronger than that and is a stand-alone story. Actually, it’s a favourite of mine.
Thanks again for getting in touch – and drop in any time.
Hi Stella, I discovered your books over Christmas – I downloaded one for a flight, and loved it so much that when I arrived, I got all the other ebooks and swallowed them all down, one after the other – I’m so excited to hear you’re now writing the next book, as I’m desperate to know what happens next! I’ve totally fallen in love with the characters you’ve created, and I love the historical detail. They’ve drawn me into the civil war era, which I knew very little about, but am now reading into. Thank you for your wonderful books, and please do keep writing!
Hi Jo
It’s always especially nice for me when I hear from a new – and, in your case, very appreciative, reader. As you’ll see from many of the other messages, quite a few of my readers discovered my books when they were originally published. Obviously, their loyalty [not to mention their memories!] makes this extremely flattering but it’s encouraging to know that I’m also reaching a new audience. The King’s Falcon won’t be available for some time yet – at present, I’ve only written about a third of it and can expect to lose some work time over the next few weeks in order to move house. But I do thank you most sincerely for your comments – and hope you had a good time wherever it was you were flying to. Out of interest, did you stick to the Roundheads & Cavaliers series – or did you try the Georgian ones as well?
It’s really interesting to read your own thoughts on Lucifer’s Champion. It was the last of your books I read, and I was – sorry! – so disappointed in it that I wrote to you to tell you so. Perhaps fortunately your publishers wouldn’t forward the letter. Then I reread it a couple of years ago, and – while it still reminds me forcibly of bits of Georgette Heyer – I enjoyed it much more on its own terms. No, it’s not as individual as your other books, but I don’t think it’s as awful as you make out!
Kind of you to say so, Georgiana, but I still think it’s pretty bad. Certainly, I don’t feel up to doing a thorough revision of it. And, if I ever finish with the Roundheads & Cavaliers series -which won’t happen any time soon – I’ve an idea for a third in the Parfit Knight, Mesalliance family. I sewed bits of information into them when I did the revisions in the hope I might get round to it eventually. But only time will tell.
I have a very battered copy of Black Madonna, the poor thing has been read to death, I managed to find a copy of Garland & Defiance a few years ago & hoped against hope that you would complete the series, to that end I’ve Googled you for ages, then suddenly there you were. I gave a huge whoop of joy & have now read Mesalliance, Parfait Knight & Marigold Chain. I love them all. I am about to get all the others, I can only thank you & beg you tyo go on writing. The English Civil War is one of my favourite periods & I can’t get enough of your work.so thanks again.
Hi Carol
You don’t need to thank me – though it’s nice of you to do so. I’m just pleased that you like my books. If you felt inclined to post brief reviews on Amazon or Smashwords or wherever you bought the e-editions, it would be incredibly helpful – but don’t feel obliged to do so. As you may imagine, I’m now working on my first new novel in twenty years and feeling more than a little daunted. However, so far, Falcon is progressing reasonably well and will hopefully strike a slightly lighter note than Garland.
Wow
I am so pleased you are not dead! My favourite book has been A Splendid Defiance ever since I read it in the mid eighties and I have had copies of some of your others since they were originally published. I tried to track you down in the early nineties a couple of years after A Garland of Straw was published to find the third book in the quartet, even writing to your publisher who didn’t know what had happened to you (or perhaps couldn’t tell me). I don’t know why I suddenly looked up you name on the web today but I so pleased you are back into writing and I look forward to your next offering. I shall certainly be obtaining the books I am missing on my Kindle as I haven’t read them in more years that I care to remember.
Hi Lucy
As you’ll have seen, I’ve been ‘back’ for a while now. The e-format editions have all been revised/extended in some way, though not fundamentally changed. The only one that is substantially longer [and better!] than the print edition is The Mesalliance – on which I did a great deal of work to repair the damage caused to it by Robert Hale. I’m currently working on The King’s Falcon and, all being well, hope to publish it towards the end of this year.
Hi Stella
Thank you for your comments – I too think Tobias would be useful in another book as something other than Eden’s younger brother. I hope you pick up the threads for Phoebe too!
Happy New Year
Hi Kate
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m delighted that you are enjoying the revised e-format editions.
With regard to your query about Felix & Felicity turning into Tobias & Tabitha … I did it because it seemed possible that, in the future, I might need Felix as more than Eden’s younger brother and I didn’t want to be stuck with a lead character called Felix. Tobias is more hero-like, I think.
I changed the christian name of the Marquis of Amberley in The Parfit Knight from Denzil to Dominic for similar reasons – and have received some flak from a certain American reader as a result!
As you’ll have seen from my responses to previous messages, I hope to complete The King’s Falcon before the end of this year but can’t predict a likely date.
Happy New Year to you and everyone else who has joined me here on WordPress.