Publication Date: July 15, 2014
Endeavor Press
Formats: eBook, Paperback; 200P
Series: The Highway Trilogy
Genre: Historical Fiction/YA (14+)
May 1651. England has been in the midst of a civil war for nearly ten years. The country has been torn in two, and the King is getting ready to make his last stand against Cromwell’s New Model Army.
Abigail Chaplin, a young mute girl, has lost her father to the parliamentarian cause. But with her family now in reduced circumstances, she is forced to work as a servant at a royalist household - the estate of Lady Katherine Fanshawe.
Abi is soon caught up in a web of sinister secrets which surround the Fanshawe estate. The most curious of which is the disappearance of Lady Katherine late at night.
Why are her husband’s clothes worn and muddy even though he hasn’t been home for weeks? How is she stealing out of the house late at night when her room is being guarded? And what is her involvement with the robberies being committed by the mysterious Shadow on the Highway?
‘Shadow On The Highway’ is based on the life and legend of Lady Katherine Fanshawe, the highwaywoman, sometimes known as ‘The Wicked Lady’. It is the first book in ‘The Highway Trilogy’.
Praise for Deborah Swift
"There is no greater compliment than 'Give me more!'" - Author Susanna Gregory"realistic dialogue, an author’s obvious love for history, and characters that leap off the pages" - Romance Reviews Today
"genuinely engrossing… with characters you can get interested in" - The Mum Website
Buy the Book
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My Thoughts
This book is truly a case of "What the mistress doesn't know...the servants will never tell her."
The story of young Abigail, and her time of service to Lady Katherine Fanshawe,
is engrossing from word one.
While it is true that Abigail's being deaf does serve to tie one to her in a rather protective fashion early in the read; Abigail soon proves herself so capable of surmounting the challenges put before her, that her deafness becomes little more than a detail.
What does stand out however, the oppressed nature of Lady Katherine's existence. Living as little more than a well kept prisoner, and in constant fear of the return of her husband and sadistic father-in-law. Katherine cuts quite the sympathetic figure in spite of her escapades and "lady of the manor" airs.
It is no wonder that when the opportunity is afforded her to masquerade as Kate, a simple ladie's maid; she all but jumps at the chance.
As much as her deception and the resulting romantic entanglement with Abigail's brother, Ralph, is painful to watch. It is equally as gratifying to see Kate/Katherine take her place in the fight of the common man.
When one later learns that Lady Katherine, has herself been the victim of the unscrupulous practices of her husband's hired overseer, Mr. Grice, the point that tyranny is no respecter of person, is most eloquently made.
This book is a wonderful look into the life of one young woman. Part drama, part edge of your seat action, and part historical hodgepodge. Shadow On The Highway is a read that is sure to entertain, intrigue, and inspire.
About The Author
Deborah Swift used to work in the theatre and at the BBC as a set and costume designer, before studying for an MA in Creative Writing in 2007. She lives in a beautiful area of Lancashire near the Lake District National Park. She is the author of The Lady’s Slipper and is a member of the Historical Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the Romantic Novelists Association. For more information, please visit Deborah’s website. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Shadow on the Highway Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, August 25
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Tuesday, August 26
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Book Blast at Princess of Eboli
Wednesday, August 27
Guest Post at Reading the Past
Book Blast at Broken Teepee
Thursday, August 28
Review at WTF Are You Reading?
Book Blast at Peeking Between the Pages
Friday, August 29
Book Blast at Passages to the Past
Book Blast at What Is That Book About
Monday, September 1
Review at The Maiden's Court
Book Blast at Reading Lark
Tuesday, September 2
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, September 3
Review at A Bookish Affair
Friday, September 5
Book Blast at Curling Up By the Fire
Saturday, September 6
Book Blast at A Book Geek
Monday, September 8
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession
Tuesday, September 9
Review at Brooke Blogs
Book Blast at CelticLady's Reviews
Wednesday, September 10
Review at Unabridged Chick
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time
Thursday, September 11
Review & Guest Post at Just One More Chapter
Interview & Giveaway at Unabridged Chick
Book Blast at Luxury Reading
Friday, September 12
Review at The Musings of ALMYBNENR
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Monday, September 15
Review at Historical Tapestry
Book Blast at A Bibliophile's Reverie
Giveaway
To win a Paperback or eBook of Shadow on the Highway please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Five copies of each are up for grabs. Giveaway is open internationally.
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on September 15th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on September 16th and notified via email.
Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on September 16th and notified via email.
Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
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