The Lost Books – Romance and Adventure in Tudor Times

by Mo Conlan

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Pub Date May 17 2023 | Archive Date Nov 19 2023

Atmosphere Press

Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction

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Description

In a scheme to pay for his endless wars and lavish court, Henry Tudor seizes England's rich monasteries and convents. Thousands of illuminated manuscripts are stolen and destroyed.

Squire Henry Truelove of Cornwall, hero of this novel, has simpler ambitions: to win the hand of his reluctant ladylove, Morwenna. But life takes a bad turn for the squire when his family's estate faces ruinous taxation. Truelove and his friends form a band of "holy pirates" to bring down the corrupt taxman, and to rescue the precious lost books.

This tale of tumultuous Tudor times will especially please readers who enjoy little known histories and interesting language. The narrative is often lighthearted, with amusing repartee. The mission of the Holy Pirates, though, is vital and dangerous — to save the precious books and their own skins.

In a scheme to pay for his endless wars and lavish court, Henry Tudor seizes England's rich monasteries and convents. Thousands of illuminated manuscripts are stolen and destroyed.

Squire Henry...

A Note From the Publisher

Mo Conlan began her career as a writer when she became a story gobbler at an early age. She began reading through the entire children’s section of the local library.

She worked for more than 30 years as a journalist wearing various hats on her hometown daily newspaper—reporter, copy editor, columnist and features editor. “That was when it was still thrilling to be in newspapers, working with a bunch of idealists and word nerds,” she said.

One of the highlights she recalls, during her stint as Books Editor, was riding in the back seat of a car interviewing author Tom Wolfe. “He wore his crumpled white linen suit. When he got over being shy, the wit just poured out of his mouth.”

Since leaving newspaper work, Mo has been writing poetry and fiction and editing books. She also is an artist and was recently Featured Artist in the Poetry East magazine.

Mo has a close extended family. Some of her siblings still call her Maureen, reminiscent of the days when she was a quiet mouse in starched white blouse and uniform being scared by the nuns at Catholic School. “That kind of upbringing almost guarantees you will become a writer.”

Mo Conlan began her career as a writer when she became a story gobbler at an early age. She began reading through the entire children’s section of the local library.

She worked for more than 30...

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A Note From the Publisher

Mo Conlan began her career as a writer when she became a story gobbler at an early age. She began reading through the entire children’s section of the local library.

She worked for more than 30 years as a journalist wearing various hats on her hometown daily newspaper—reporter, copy editor, columnist and features editor. “That was when it was still thrilling to be in newspapers, working with a bunch of idealists and word nerds,” she said.

One of the highlights she recalls, during her stint as Books Editor, was riding in the back seat of a car interviewing author Tom Wolfe. “He wore his crumpled white linen suit. When he got over being shy, the wit just poured out of his mouth.”

Since leaving newspaper work, Mo has been writing poetry and fiction and editing books. She also is an artist and was recently Featured Artist in the Poetry East magazine.

Mo has a close extended family. Some of her siblings still call her Maureen, reminiscent of the days when she was a quiet mouse in starched white blouse and uniform being scared by the nuns at Catholic School. “That kind of upbringing almost guarantees you will become a writer.”

Advance Praise

"An exuberant fairy-tale homage with sly commentary about gender, class, church, and state." -Kirkus

"A pleasant romance and an exhilarating adventure infuse Conlan’s roaring novel...clever and intricate." -BookView Review

"An engaging and humorous read, particularly for those who are captivated by narratives set in the Tudor era." -Literary Titan

"Mo Conlan writes in beautiful prose, spicing the narrative with humor, which balances the pathos that occasionally moves the story. This novel is a historical adventure locked inside a well-crafted romance and a place that charms — heart-blistering and utterly engaging tale." -The Book Commentary

"Libraries interested in choosing historical novels for genre readers that hold the rare potential to reach into a wider audience will find The Lost Books – Romance and Adventure in Tudor Times especially attractive for its lively characters and a sense of purpose and humor that makes the times come to life in unexpected ways. Simply delightful!" -Midwest Book Review

"An exuberant fairy-tale homage with sly commentary about gender, class, church, and state." -Kirkus

"A pleasant romance and an exhilarating adventure infuse Conlan’s roaring novel...clever and...