It’s another new to me author to stay in with on Linda’s Book Bag today. I’m so enjoying meeting so many new books and their authors and R.L. Bartram is no exception, especially as I’m rather fond of historical novels.

If you’re an author who’d also like to stay in with me and tell me about one of your books, please click here for more details.

Staying in with R.L. Bartram

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Robert. Thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

Hello Linda. It’s a great pleasure to be here with you this evening. Tonight, I’ve brought my new novel Whippoorwill. This is my second novel. It’s an Historical Romance set against the background of the American Civil War. It’s been published by Troubador on Nov 28^th, 2017 and is available in both paperback and Kindle editions. There’s an undeniable romance that surrounds the old south, which still exists today, to some extent. It fascinates me. I’ve used it to add atmosphere to my novel and I’d like to share it with your readers.

(Sounds great.) 

What can we expect from an evening in with Whippoorwill?

Quite a lot. A passionate, spicy love affair. Life changing events. Broken hearts, intrigue, betrayal, adventure, espionage. And much more. Let me tell you a little bit about it.

(Oh, please do.)

Barely fourteen, Ceci Prejean is a tomboy running wild in the hot Louisiana summer. After breaking the nose of a local boy, her father decides to enlist the aid of Hecubah, a beautiful creole woman, with a secret past, who takes Ceci in hand and turns her into a lady.

Now eighteen, Ceci meets and fall passionately in love with handsome young northerner, Trent Sinclaire. Trent is a cadet at the West Point military academy. They begin a torrid affair, even as the southern states begin to secede from the Union.

Only weeks before their wedding, the civil war begins. Trent is called to active service in the north, leaving Ceci heartbroken in the south.

Swearing vengeance on the Union, after the untimely death of her family at the fall of New Orleans, Ceci meets with infamous spy master, Henry Doucet. He initiates her into the shadowy world of espionage.

Infiltrating the White House, Ceci comes face to face with Abraham Lincoln, a man she’s sworn to kill. Forming a reckless alliance with the actor John Wilkes Booth, she is drawn deeper into the plot to assassinate the President of the United States. A Confederate spy in love with a Union officer, her next decision will determine whether she lives or dies.

I’m pleased to say that Whippoorwill recently received its first five-star review.

“I absolutely loved this book. Enthralling, engaging and really enjoyable. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre of reading.”

Hopefully there’ll be more to come.

(I notice there already are! Deservedly so as Whippoorwill sounds such a good read Robert. Congratulations.)

What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

I’ve brought the photo of myself that’s associated with the book promotion. My sister took it with her new camera. It’s merely to remind me never to have a picture taken in a hurry.

(I think you look quite distinguished actually!)

Moving rapidly along, I’ve also brought a nice bottle of Shiraz and a big box of vanilla fudge. I also have a song. “I’m a good old rebel” by Hoyt Axton. Every time I listen to this it always reminds me of my heroine, Cecile Prejean. It really encapsulates her character. She’s a rebel in every way.

Now, with fudge on the agenda you’re welcome back ANY time to Linda’s Book Bag Robert! Thanks so much for staying in with me and telling me about Whippoorwill. 

It’s been good chatting to you. I hope you like the book. I’ll leave what’s left of the wine and fudge with you. Enjoy.

I will!

Whippoorwill

Barely fourteen, Ceci Prejean is a tomboy running wild in the hot Louisiana summer. After breaking the nose of a local boy, her father decides to enlist the aid of Hecubah, a beautiful Creole woman, with a secret past, who takes Ceci in hand and turns her into a lady.

Now, eighteen-year-old Ceci meets and falls passionately in love with a handsome young northerner, Trent Sinclaire. Trent is a cadet at the West Point military academy. He acts as if he knows Ceci. They begin a torrid affair, even as the southern states begin to secede from the Union.

Only weeks before their wedding, the Confederate army attacks Fort Sumter and the civil war begins. Trent is called to active service in the north, leaving Ceci heartbroken in the south.

Swearing vengeance on the union, after the untimely death of her family at the fall of New Orleans, Ceci meets with infamous spy master, Henry Doucet. He initiates her into the shadowy world of espionage.

After her failure to avert the catastrophe at Gettysburg, Ceci infiltrates the White House. There, she comes face to face with Abraham Lincoln, a man she’s sworn to kill. Forming a reckless alliance with the actor, John Wilkes Booth, she is drawn deeper into the plot to assassinate the President of the United States. A Confederate spy in love with a Union officer, her next decision will determine whether she lives or dies…

Whippoorwill is published by Matador and available for purchase through the publisher links here.

About Robert Bartram

With Historical Romance as his preferred genre, Robert has continued to write for several years. Many of his short stories have appeared in various national periodicals and magazines.

His debut novel Dance the Moon Down, a story of love against adversity during the First World War, gained him considerable critical praise, being voted book of the month by Wall to Wall Books.

His second novel Whippoorwill tells of a passionate affair between a young southern woman and a northern man at the beginning of the American Civil War.

He is single and lives and works in Hertfordshire.

You can find Robert on Facebook and Goodreads.