The Hanse Rival - Book I

My latest novel, The Hanse Rival, after more than three years of research and writing, and countless drafts, has been published.


From the jacket blurb:

"In 14th century Flanders, Ajit from South Asia battles bigoted French kings, murderous Teutonic Knights, and Machiavellian business rivals from the Hanseatic League.*

The Hanse Rival - Book I [Purchase here]

--
["The Hanseatic League was a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe. Growing from a few North German towns in the late 1100s, the league came to dominate Baltic maritime trade for three centuries along the coasts of Northern Europe. Hansa territories stretched from the Baltic to the North Sea and inland during the Late Middle Ages, and diminished slowly after 1450.

Merchant circles established the league to protect the guilds' economic interests and diplomatic privileges in their affiliated cities and countries, as well as along the trade routes which the merchants used. The Hanseatic cities had their own legal system and operated their own armies for mutual protection and aid. Despite this, the organization was not a state, nor could it be called a confederation of city-states; only a very small number of the cities within the league enjoyed autonomy and liberties comparable to those of a free imperial city." Wikipedia]

New Mystery: The Geisha Hummingbird, by Jeffrey Perren

The latest Jeffrey Perren mystery is now available. Adventure, humor, mystery, and a dash of philosophy await the intrepid reader.

Free eBook versions to the first five requests. All I ask in return is a review of at least 100 words (two short paragraphs).

Merry Xmas!

The Geisha Hummingbird, Amazon

“Magar stood over her suitcase wishing Carl were dead.

An instant later she drew back the wish, knowing it was unkind, even unjust. 

She had no reason to hate Carl. The Chairman of Steuben Shipping had done nothing to annoy her except ask her to marry him.”

A proposed marriage of convenience soon turns into the most inconvenient period of this brilliant ship designer’s life when Carl fails to show at the London airport on her arrival.

Has he been kidnapped? Is he in hiding from enemies who want to kill him and take over his business? Is he just marriage shy?

But a delayed wedding instantly becomes the least of her problems as she sets off around the UK to track down the elusive millionaire. And in short order Magar morphs from hunter to the hunted.

Accompanied by ex-college-flame Phillip – who is equal odds either hired assassin or savior – the beautiful marine architect is beset on all sides.

Her trek may cost her an inheritance, even her life. Or, at the very least, her independence as the shadows of her past return to threaten her future.

“Buckle up Jeffrey Perren fans for a travel mystery that races along at superhighway speeds in swingin’ ‘60s England, Scotland, and Wales.”

The Hanse - Another Research Tidbit

Another item from my research on the new novel about the Hanseatic League:

"If a citizen gives his daughter or niece in marriage to a man [from another city], and another man comes and says that she is his lawful wife, but cannot prove it, he shall be beheaded."

Ouch. Now, that is over the line, surely.

The Hanse - A Tidbit of Research

In happily researching my new novel, revolving around the Hanseatic League - merchants of North Germany in the 13th-15th centuries - I came across this interesting item.

Among the many things agreed to by adopting the 'law of Lübeck', as part of joining the Hanseatic League, we find this:

"If any man marries a woman in one city, and another woman from some other city comes and proves that he is her lawful husband, he shall be beheaded." Tough, but fair, I'd say....

Tellen Song, or the education of Wilhelm Tell, released Christmas, 2015.

Publishing the story of the William Tell — part legend, part history — was something of a Christmas gift to myself.

I happened across an article some years ago that tried valiantly to outline how much was myth and how much true story. An heroic attempt but one that didn’t succeed entirely, nor do I think the author thought he would. Too much is lost in the mists of time. It has been over 700 years after all.

Yes, the Battle of Morgarten, one of the precipitating events to the founding of Switzerland, occurred in November, 1315 AD. That’s certainly a verifiable event. (Though, even here there is some controversy among historians.) And yet, there is so much that is ill-known about how the country we now call Switzerland came to be.

That shouldn’t be surprising. It was a very long time ago, and in an area where written records were not the norm. But there are other reasons, some of which are possibly of interest to an English-reading audience, most of whom pay little attention to Switzerland (like most of the world).

One major factor in that uncertainty is the sheer complexity of German politics of the period. The late 13^th-early 14^th centuries were a time of an array of mind-boggling competition among power-lusting individuals, families, and factions.

That extended from north, east, and west of what is now Switzerland down to Lombardy (northern Italy) and beyond. The rulers of the badly-named Holy Roman Empire had been messing about not only in central and south Europe for generations but all throughout Italy, too.

You’d think the Alpine mountain ranges would’ve cut them off at the pass, but the St. Gotthard and others helped open up Italy not only to trade but to the usual rapine from men who want want others have produced.

And that brings us back to Tellen Song, which covers a great deal of this history, grasping and factional fighting, and a fair amount of more personal events — both real and invented.

Give it a few minutes exploration, please. Read the blurb. Download and read the sample. Let me know what you think — good, bad, or otherwise.

And thank you.

Kindle version:

http://www.amazon.com/Tellen-Song-education-Wilhelm-Tell-ebook/dp/B019T7A388

Paperback:

https://www.createspace.com/5959471

Clonmac's Bridge by Jeffrey Perren, On Sale Father's Day 2015

Celebrate Father's Day with a novel - Clonmac's Bridge - on sale for 99 cents in the U.S. and £0.99 in the UK. Sale starts June 17th, ends June 21.

Kindle format, Amazon

“Jeffrey Perren’s skills as a wordsmith are high caliber. 

“He seems as if he would be comfortable on an archeological dig. He also knows his medieval Irish history and a good bit of the politics of the early church.” 

Linda's Reading Lounge

—

“This book is an excellent and engrossing historical tale. 

Seamlessly told through the eyes of those in the 9th century and modern day, it was a real pleasure to read. 

The style of writing really grabbed me from the first few pages to the end.”
Ali, A Woman’s Wisdom

Cossacks In Paris, Goodreads Giveaway

In honor of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Paris, fought March 30-31, 1814, ClioStory Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway of Jeffrey Perren’s “Cossacks In Paris.”

The giveaway for a free, autographed copy of Cossacks In Paris, runs from March 30, 2014 to April 20, 2014. The Battle of Paris began on March 30, 1814 and, after abdicating, Napoleon left France for exile on the island of Elba on April 20th. It would be more than nine months before his return, which began the 100 days leading up to his final defeat at the famed Battle of Waterloo.

“Rebellious engineer Breutier Armande is drafted into Napoleon’s Grande Armeé on the eve of the 1812 Russian campaign. On a spying mission to St. Petersburg he meets Kaarina, daughter of the counselor to Tsar Alexander I.

The pair soon fall in love — but Kaarina is betrothed to Agripin, a brooding Cossack and a favorite of the Tsar. When she refuses him, Agripin kidnaps her, sowing a showdown to the death between the two young men.

Risking a firing squad, Breutier deserts Napoleon's army during the war. Dodging the vengeance of the world's most powerful rulers catapults him onto a perilous quest to hunt down his greatest enemy.”

Cossacks In Paris, Goodreads Giveaway

Clonmac's Bridge, Now in Paperback

"Clonmac's Bridge" is now available in paperback.

If you choose to buy in that format, please consider using this Amazon-affiliated link:

Clonmac paperback, CreateSpace eStore

For those who might prefer the regular Amazon website page/link (where you can also get the Kindle version):

Clonmac paperback, Amazon

(Either way, the delivery process is the same.)

 From a Goodreads review:

“Fascinating, detailed and complex, an investigation that takes us from the present day back to 9th century Ireland. An involved plot admirably probed by Griffin Clonmac and Mari his Peruvian assistant; an absorbing, mysterious archaeological thriller.” - Lili

“A maritime archaeologist raises a medieval monastery span from the mud of the River Shannon, sunken for 1,200 years... and finds it perfectly preserved.

What could account for this astounding longevity? Why are his colleagues, the Irish government, and the Church so desperate to prevent him learning the secret? And why is his consummate lover his greatest enemy?

Griffin Clonmac will go through hell to find out.

He won’t go alone. Inspired by a real discovery, Clonmac’s Bridge shifts between contemporary times and 9th century Ireland. It tells the story of two men who struggle against envy and mediocrity — a millennium apart — aided only by a loyal helpmate and an unconquerable will.

An archaeological thriller, a love story, and a pensée on society then and now, Jeffrey Perren fans are sure to find this latest novel his best yet.”


Get your copy at Amazon today.

Clonmac's Bridge Raised

Clonmac's Bridge has been unearthed!

 From a Goodreads review:

“Fascinating, detailed and complex, an investigation that takes us from the present day back to 9th century Ireland. An involved plot admirably probed by Griffin Clonmac and Mari his Peruvian assistant; an absorbing, mysterious archaeological thriller.” - Lili

“A maritime archaeologist raises a medieval monastery span from the mud of the River Shannon, sunken for 1,200 years... and finds it perfectly preserved.

What could account for this astounding longevity? Why are his colleagues, the Irish government, and the Church so desperate to prevent him learning the secret? And why is his consummate lover his greatest enemy?

Griffin Clonmac will go through hell to find out.

He won’t go alone. Inspired by a real discovery, Clonmac’s Bridge shifts between contemporary times and 9th century Ireland. It tells the story of two men who struggle against envy and mediocrity — a millennium apart — aided only by a loyal helpmate and an unconquerable will.

An archaeological thriller, a love story, and a pensée on society then and now, Jeffrey Perren fans are sure to find this latest novel his best yet.”


Get your copy at Amazon today.

Clonmac's Bridge, March 22

My latest novel, Clonmac's Bridge, will be available in paperback and Kindle formats on March 22.


“A maritime archaeologist raises a medieval monastery span from the mud of the River Shannon, sunken for 1,200 years... and finds it perfectly preserved.

What could account for this astounding longevity? Why are his colleagues, the Irish government, and the Church so desperate to prevent him learning the secret? And why is his consummate lover his greatest enemy?

Griffin Clonmac will go through hell to find out.

He won’t go alone. Inspired by a real discovery, Clonmac’s Bridge shifts between contemporary times and 9th century Ireland. It tells the story of two men who struggle against envy and mediocrity — a millennium apart — aided only by a loyal helpmate and an unconquerable will.

An archaeological thriller, a love story, and a pensée on society then and now, Jeffrey Perren fans are sure to find this latest novel his best yet.”
  

Enjoy!

Upcoming Novel: Clonmac's Bridge

Clonmac's Bridge is nearing the final stages. Combining historical fiction, mystery, and romantic adventure, it promises... Well, read for yourself:

"Maritime archaeologist Griffin Clonmac recovers Ireland's oldest bridge near Clonmacnoise Monastery - only to find it intact after 1,200 years underwater.

What could account for this astonishing longevity - and why are his colleagues, the Irish government, and the Church so desperate to stop him finding out?

Griffin will go through hell to find out."


Look for the release in a few weeks.


Clonmac's Bridge on Goodreads

Cossacks In Paris Featured at Virtual Bookcase

"Cossacks In Paris" is featured at The Virtual Bookcase by proprietor Glynis Smy. 

Give it a look!

Death Is Overrated, Now In Paperback

Great Day!

The paperback version of Death Is Overrated, a mystery set in romantic Wales, is now available on Amazon.

(It's also available as a Kindle eBook, with other formats coming soon.)

Death Is Overrated, on Amazon

Professor Thomas Payne didn't intend to wind up dead on his caving vacation to Wales, and in truth he wasn't the victim. But proving his identity to the police becomes tricky after they pull his passport off the body and conclude the deceased is Dr. Payne, no doubt.

Things go from bogus to baffling when a mysterious phone call at the crime scene leads to the arrest of the young scientist. His fate seems sealed when the victim's fingerprints match the professor's work visa and his employment records disappear altogether.

A tart-tongued American with no identity looks like a pretty good patsy to the detectives eager to close the case. Being accused of killing himself presents the brooding inventor with an interesting puzzle, but taking time to solve it from jail will threaten his deadline to file a patent worth millions.

Intervention by the smitten police captain's sculptress daughter frees Thomas to search for clues to prove his innocence before his invention goes up for grabs. So, it's off around the UK with Terri, one jump ahead of the authorities — and his estranged sociopathic father, a lapsed Quaker who may be the real killer. One slip and claustrophobia will be the least of his problems.

Thomas' journey soon becomes as much about healing his troubled past as recovering his present self. Along the way, he'll battle betrayals by his envious staff, romance the rebellious artist, and suffer harrowing misadventures at historic sites in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Travel — even to find yourself — was never so perilous.

New novel, "Death Is Overrated," Now on Amazon

My latest published work, Death Is Overrated (a mystery set in romantic Wales), is now available on Amazon in Kindle eBook format. (Paperback edition coming soon...)

Professor Thomas Payne didn't intend to wind up dead on his caving vacation to Wales, and in truth he wasn't the victim. But proving his identity to the police becomes tricky after they pull his passport off the body and conclude the deceased is Dr. Payne, no doubt.

Things go from bogus to baffling when a mysterious phone call at the crime scene leads to the arrest of the young scientist. His fate seems sealed when the victim's fingerprints match the professor's work visa and his employment records disappear altogether.

A tart-tongued American with no identity looks like a pretty good patsy to the detectives eager to close the case. Being accused of killing himself presents the brooding inventor with an interesting puzzle, but taking time to solve it from jail will threaten his deadline to file a patent worth millions.


Intervention by the smitten police captain's sculptress daughter frees Thomas to search for clues to prove his innocence before his invention goes up for grabs. So, it's off around the UK with Terri, one jump ahead of the authorities — and his estranged sociopathic father, a lapsed Quaker who may be the real killer. One slip and claustrophobia will be the least of his problems.



Thomas' journey soon becomes as much about healing his troubled past as recovering his present self. Along the way, he'll battle betrayals by his envious staff, romance the rebellious artist, and suffer harrowing misadventures at historic sites in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Travel — even to find yourself — was never so perilous.

"Cossacks In Paris" Gets Rave Review

A recent review of Cossacks In Paris posted on Amazon says:

When reading Tolstoy's War and Peace, although stylistically brilliant in many respects, one gets an overwhelming sense of the lack of purpose. The lead characters drift aimlessly through the trials and tribulations of the Russian aristocracy, seemingly destined to a fate outside the control of their individual decisions.

Cossacks in Paris covers the same historical period, but adds a sense of purpose that breathes life into the drama. Breutier Armande, the protagonist intent on reshaping the future with his engineering perspicacity, finds his ambitions thwarted by Napoleon's grandiose - and ill-fated - designs to expand his power by conquering Russia.

But all is not lost for Breutier. During Napoleon's march to Moscow, Breutier meets a beautiful Finnish Countess, Kaarina, on a scouting trip to St. Petersburg. Timing proves once again a double-edged sword for Breutier, as his chance encounter with the woman of his dreams clashes with Alexander's plans for the young beauty - to marry her off to a brutal Cossack adept at war named Agripin.

Alexander discovers a ready accomplice in Agripin whose Rousseauian lust motivates him to have Kaarina - by any means necessary.

The struggle of Breutier and Kaarina to be together against the backdrop of war machinations and a barbarous foe provide a central purpose that is lacking in novels like War and Peace. As Metternich remarks after having seen a confrontation between Breutier and Agripin:

"Those rulers [Napoleon and Alexander] are merely fighting over a continent. The two young men over a woman. I daresay the latter will always be more passionately pursued than the former, much as it defies logic."

It may defy logic for somebody like Metternich who is embroiled in political deceptions and a cunning pursuit of power, but it does not defy logic for those who seek the rational goal of a fulfilling romance.

Indeed, the reader finds himself tightly gripping the pages as the union of Breutier and Kaarina is constantly undermined by the political calculations of rulers, the switching allegiances during the uncertainty of war, and a Cossack intent on winning the prize, even though the prize has no desire to be his bloodlust trophy.

Mr. Perren's economical style moves one quickly from page-to-page while leaving little for interpretation, and everything to purposeful conquest.

And the reader is driven by one overriding question: will a man's passionate pursuit of a woman prove more powerful than a ruler's quest for an empire?

If you enjoy that review, please click the Yes button on Amazon.

Cossacks In Paris, Published

Cossacks In Paris is available at Amazon.

Synopsis:

Rebellious Breutier Armande, a rising young civil engineer in Paris, is drafted into the Grande Armeé on the eve of Napoleon's 1812 Russian campaign.

On a scouting mission in St. Petersburg he meets Kaarina, a Finnish mathematician and daughter of the counselor to Tsar Alexander I. The pair soon fall in love. But Kaarina is betrothed to Agripin, a vicious Cossack and a favorite of the Tsar.

When she refuses him, Agripin kidnaps her, aided by Kaarina's envious twin sister, Kaisa. At a time of Europe's brief, uneasy truce Breutier deserts Napoleon's army and the Tsar's employ to reclaim Kaarina. Dodging the vengeance of the world's most powerful rulers sends Breutier on a perilous quest to hunt down the era's most ruthless Cossack.

Interweaving the characters' personal dramas with the epochal events of the following two years forms the core of the story. Historically accurate, the novel climaxes at the moment when, for the first time in 400 years, foreign armies invaded France, leaving behind Cossacks in Paris.

Upcoming novel: Cossacks In Paris

Cossacks In Paris will be available at Amazon soon.

Synopsis:

Rebellious Breutier Armande, a rising young civil engineer in Paris, is drafted into Napoleon's Grande Armeé on the eve of the 1812 Russian campaign.

On a scouting mission in St. Petersburg he meets Kaarina, a Finnish mathematician and daughter of the counselor to Tsar Alexander. The pair soon fall in love. But Kaarina is betrothed to Agripin, a Cossack and a favorite of Tsar Alexander.

When she refuses him, Agripin kidnaps her, aided by Kaarina's envious twin sister, Kaisa. At a time of Europe's brief, uneasy truce, Breutier deserts Napoleon's army and the Tsar's employ to reclaim her. Dodging the vengeance of the world's most powerful rulers sends Breutier on a perilous quest to hunt down the era's most ruthless Cossack.

Interweaving the characters' personal dramas with the epochal events of the following two years forms the core of the story. Historically accurate, the novel climaxes at the moment when, for the first time in 400 years, foreign armies invaded France, leaving behind Cossacks in Paris.