Curling Up With A Good Book: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, Interview, & Giveaway: Red Fury Revolt (J.F. Ridgley)

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Publication Date: January 31, 2015
R Pride Publishing
eBook; 412p
ASIN: B00QJJFCYK

Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Book One, The Agricola Series

Something keeps drawing G. Julius Agricola to Britannia again and again…
This is where it starts… book one, Red Fury…Revolt
A.D. 60…
Camulodunum! Londinium! Verulaneum!
Three towns writhe under the Iceni queen’s wrath, as she leads her warriors intent on destroying all things Roman – be it Roman temples, Roman villas, or entire families sympathetic to Rome. At stake is Suetonius Paulinus’s reputation. With only 80,000 legionaries, will he destroy Boudica or will he endure the disgrace in Rome for losing–to a woman?
Julius Agricola-Rome’s tribune, and Rhianna-Boudica’s youngest daughter, become ensnared in this horrific historical revolt against Roman injustice. Just as Julius and Rhianna reveal their love to each other, they are hurled back into the harsh reality of their differing worlds that are determined to destroy each other.
Who will survive?

Book two in the Agricola series, Red Fury Rebellion, coming 2016!

Praise for Red Fury Revolt

“…Ms. Ridgley has done very well at telling her story, while being respectful to the events that devastated Britannia, and even shook the Roman Empire itself, in 60 to 61 A.D.” - James Mace, Author of ‘Soldier of Rome – The Artorian Chronicles’

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About the Author

Ms Ridgley loves the ancient world. Even after years of researching and many trips to the sites of her stories, she is still fascinated by what she can use for her next story. One thing she does enjoy more is bringing this world to life in her award-winning stories of power, greed, violence, and love.
Be sure to stop by her website to discover her books and novellas available on Amazon.com. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter to stay up with her next book or her next giveaway!
You can also connect with JF Ridgley on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+.

What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

I was meandering through a used bookstore in Annapolis, MD, and discovered a book with an amazing woman who took on the might of Rome. Her name then was Boudicca. Today, it’s spelled Boudica. But no one knows how to spell her name, because it was never written down. That was eighteen years ago.

Who is your favorite character in the book?

Gn Julius Agricola. You would have thought it would be Boudica, and it is a toss-up. Both Julius and Boudica are historical. Julius was ‘in country’ when the tax collector pissed off the Iceni queen Boudica and had her daughters raped. My question was were both raped? Could things have been a bit different than that? This presented the possibility of Julius and Boudica’s daughter. And what brought Julius back to Britannia tour after tour, which became his entire career? What drove him to take Rome’s legions farther north than ever before and never again? Julius was an amazing man and a dynamic leader.

Which came first, the title or the novel?

Oh definitely the novel. The title has changed a few times over the years and since the focus of the story shifted from Boudica to Julius.

What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

The final confrontation between the 200,000 Britanni warriors and the 80,000 Roman soldiers. I really got to play with my legions and order them around, as well as, make the warriors deal with Roman strategy. I don’t mind saying it hurt. I love my Britanni warriors as much as my Romans. I also got to confront Rome’s accusation that this strong woman Boudica committed suicide after running away. I really doubt that she did, not after I learned about her.

Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

The first reality was, as Ann Lamont says, the first draft is shitty. It really is, especially mine. Then I had to learn to accept being critiqued, which has changed my life. I’ve learned that other people’s opinions of me and my writing is exactly that…opinion. I now can easily assess these matters and determine if I wish to change it…after all it is my life and my story. But I do listen because there usually is a nugget of gold to consider changing.

What do you like most about the cover of the book?

The Iceni medallion. That was handcrafted by Genevieve Flynn, a master metalsmith, especially for my Agricola series. This exquisite brooch will be on every book cover in the series and in the entire series either around Julius’s neck or on Calgacus’s wool drape. I also have one to wear, which feels delicious, and one to give away as a very unique prize worth $85.00. (So be sure to sign up for my newsletter for the drawing.)this is an optional line to include. Can be deleted

What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016?

Does she have the right years here??????

I have a few. First is a story I thought would be a ‘bonbon’ to write. I should know by now that no book is an easy write. But it took on a special meaning and priority when Spike died of liver cancer. I had the idea for 18Wheeler for a few years, but never knew how to write it since I knew very little about the world of trucking Spike, being a trucker, put the meat in this mature contemporary romance between a widow and a widower. Is love sweeter the second time around? Then I have the second book in my Vulcan’s Wrath set called Pompeii’s Plague, set in ancient Pompeii when Vesuvius erupts and buries the city. This historical romance is twelve years in the making and is written, but needs lots of ‘opinions’ as yet. And of course the second book of Julius’s return to Britannia Red Fury Rebellion. It too is written butis in need of lots of ‘opinions.’ So 2015 is going to be a tough year, so we’ll see which story makes it into 2016.

What was your favorite book in 2015?

Of course, I love historical fiction, and I have to say James Mace has my attention right now. Not only does he handle the legion like a pro he also has his book- 'Soldier of Rome: Reign of the Tyrants' - coming out during the same year AD 69 as Red Fury Rebellion.

What’s up next for you?

Oh my. Lots. Not only the three books mentioned above, but trying--and I do mean trying-- to learn and keep up with social media. And continue to enjoy my family and a wonderful relationship with my hubby for another 44 years. As much as I love writing and discovering that this is truly a business profession, I’m a mother and wife first, which doesn’t make it easy.

Is there anything that you would like to add?

Suggestions? Hobbies? Travel? Being an Indie? Can you think of more I could share.