The Witch of Godstow Abbey (Murders in the Abbey, Book #2) by Lady Harriet & Dr. Peter Stephenson

The Witch of Godstow Abbey

(Murders in the Abbey, Book #2)

By Lady Harriet & Dr. Peter Stephenson

Publication Date: October 18th, 2025

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 246

Genre: Historical Mystery / Medieval Mystery

A widowed academic investigating strange historical practices gets drawn back in time and into the year 1299 in Oxford. Join a cast of compelling characters-nuns, novices and outsiders-as they battle the forces of darkness. Enter their struggle against evil, clandestine organizations. Join their life-threatening fight to protect each other, be willing to die for each other, and occasionally fall in love.

Will heroic love and righteous pursuit of justice triumph? Will the horror-inducing villain be found out and overthrown? Or will the courageous troop of those fighting for what is good be overpowered and taken captive?

Set in Oxford, England, in the year 1299, a struggle takes place between the sisters of the local convent and a strange, terrifying local evil society. They discover a secret organization of men who perform unspeakable deeds. The lives of several sisters are in danger.

Join Mother Alice, Sister Agnes and Isabel, along with Lady Beatrix and Lady Harriet, as they confront and do battle with an evil, secret society intent on attacking them, taking over the convent and sacrificing a young woman.

If you love stories that keep you turning pages while imparting fascinating accounts of the past, this latest mystery in the "Murders in the Abbey" series will tingle your spine.

Praise for The Witch of Godstow Abbey:

'Richly atmospheric and quietly gripping, "The Witch of Godstow Abbey" is a worthy addition to your bookshelf.'

~ Yarde Book Promotion, 5* Editorial Review

Excerpt

From Chapter 5 - A Summoning by the Abbess

“Sisters… Mother… there is a man without,” she stammered, her breath coming in quick gasps. “His robes—they mark him as a man of high station. He demands… he demands an audience with you, Mother… and with you, Sister Agnes.”

She scarce finished before a tall figure darkened the threshold, stepping into the chambers unbidden. Clad in the stark robes of a Dominican friar, he was a man of formidable presence—broad-shouldered, silver-gray hair, his face lined with purpose.

His long white tunic, bound at the waist with a simple belt, stood in stark contrast to the heavy black cappa that draped his form. With a slow, deliberate motion, he cast back his hood, revealing a tonsured pate.

His keen gaze swept the chamber, lingering on each woman in turn. The weight of the Church had arrived.

Then, in a voice that tolerated no contradiction, he spoke, addressing only Mother Alice.

"By order of His Holiness, Pope Boniface, Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pontiff, I am bid to speak with you at once regarding matters of grave concern to Holy Mother Church. I am his emissary, Friar Thomas de Glanville, a Dominican inquisitor in disciplina. (Inquisitor charged with matters of Church discipline.)

“Mother Alice de Gorges, this abbey stands at the pleasure of His Holiness. Should these whispers that have reached the ears of His Holiness bear truth, Holy Church may strip you of your charge, excommunicate you, and name you among the heretics.”

A silence fell over the chamber, heavy as the stones that framed its walls.

Doesn't this book sounds amazing? You can grab your copy at your favourite bookstore!

Lady Harriet

Lady Harriet holds the legal title “Lady of the Manor,” as defined under English law, and traces her ancestry to Charlemagne’s royal line.

A lifelong reader and devoted genealogist for nearly fifty years, Harriet has always had a passion for stories, whether they are buried in the past or found in the pages of a good book. She is the co-author of We Are Manx, a self-published family saga that explores her Manx heritage and the history of the Isle of Man in rich detail.

She’s also a photographer who prefers being behind the lens, a word lover addicted to word games, and a fan of wooden jigsaw puzzles. She has traveled extensively, with a deep appreciation for history, diverse cultures, and the unexpected joys that can be found away from home. Her career spanned volunteerism, real estate, and systems administration, but now she happily devotes her time to more creative pursuits.

As she puts it: “I’m old enough for Medicare, but not quite old enough to get a birthday card from King Charles—were I a Brit.”

The Witch of Godstow Abbey, written in partnership with Dr. Peter Stephenson, marks her first (but certainly not last) foray into historical fiction. With photography, she creates books of images; with storytelling, she creates images made of words.

Dr. Peter Stephenson

Dr. Peter Stephenson has written or contributed to over twenty books, all but one of which are non-fiction technical books. He has published over 1,000 papers in technical journals, technical trade journals, and peer-reviewed legal journals. One of his peer-reviewed papers has over 15,400 downloads.

In addition to writing, Dr. Stephenson has been playing blues and Americana music for 70 years. It is through that performing, and after earning a PhD from Oxford Brookes University, that he was given the appellation “Doc” by the owner of one of his performance venues.

Having visited Oxford several times and being employed by a UK company in nearby Malvern, it was only natural that he would set his tales in Oxfordshire. His academic experience in Oxford town sealed the deal and resulted in his first historical novel, The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey—Book 1 in the “Murders in the Abbey” series—which reached the Amazon Kindle bestseller list and won a Pencraft award for literary excellence in the winter of 2025. He now writes with his collaborator and writing partner, Lady Harriet.

Dr. Stephenson lives with two Savannah cats on a pond in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Starting a “new” career at the age of 80, Doc reckons that he has only about the next 20 years to finish the series and retire – again – perhaps this time to Oxford.

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Lady Harriet at Historium Press • Dr Peter Stephenson at Historium Press

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The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo

The Relic Keeper
By Heidi Eljarbo

Publication Date: 18th November 2025

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length: 162

Genre: Historical Fiction

Italy, 1620.

Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo.

Angelo knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. When he loses his master, his livelihood is shaken. Tozzo’s plunder is hidden in a safe place, but what will happen if someone comes after Angelo to get their hands on the stolen relics? More than that, he feels threatened by words he’s heard too many times; that he’ll always remain unforgiven and doomed.

One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about the hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them.

With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy—an artistic and audacious tale that crosses paths with art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani and the powerful Medici family.

The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo — a book that casually stole my heart and then refused to give it back.

I went into The Relic Keeper thinking I’d read a few chapters, get cosy, and be a productive human the next day.

Narrator’s voice: She was not productive.

This book has that sneaky kind of magic where you think you’re just enjoying a nice little read, and then suddenly you’re emotionally attached, wildly invested, and whispering “okay but WHAT happens next?” at 1 a.m.

Eljarbo has a real gift for atmosphere. Everything feels rich, textured, and alive — like you could reach out and touch the world she’s created. There’s mystery, heart, longing, quiet tension, and that delicious sense that every object, every moment, and every choice matters.

And the characters? I cared. A lot. The sort of caring that makes you pause mid-chapter just to emotionally process. The sort of caring that makes you slightly cross with a book for making you feel things — and then immediately grateful it did.

The writing is the kind that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re calmly reading, the next you’re far too emotionally invested and wondering how this book got permission to make you care this much. It’s smooth, engaging, and dangerously easy to read “just one more chapter” until you realise it’s somehow the middle of the night.

This is the kind of story that lingers. The kind that leaves a soft ache when it’s over because you’re not quite ready to let go yet.

Five stars, no hesitation. Would happily lose sleep again.

***

I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book which you can find on Amazon. And get this, if you have #kindleunlimited subscription then you can read for free. So what are you waiting for?

***

Heidi Eljarbo

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Social Media Links:

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Book Review of The Unquiet Spirit (Spirited Encounters Book 1) by Penny Hampson

Oh dear… I thought I was signing up for a cosy blog tour. Instead, I’m wandering into a house that smells of rosemary, slams doors for fun, and might just be haunted. Welcome to The Unquiet Spirit — where mischief, and a dash of romance are served up with every creak and whisper.

The Unquiet Spirit 

(Spirited Encounters Book 1) 

By Penny Hampson

Publication Date: 17th October 2025

Publisher: PP&M Publishing

Page Length: 245

Genre: Paranormal Ghost Romance

Triggers: emotional abuse by partner

She wasn’t home alone...

With her love life in tatters, Kate Wilson needs a fresh start, and where could be better than the old Cornish house that had belonged to her godmother?

There’s just one problem – it comes with a ghost as a sitting tenant.

Her grumpy new neighbour, the broodingly handsome Tom Carbis, is another fly in the ointment – he seems to turn up wherever Kate goes. His dog might be friendly, but he’s definitely not.

Then the discovery of a hidden diary points Kate to a romantic mystery with links to both Tom’s family and her house’s past – a mystery that might explain the reason for her spectral lodger.

The downside? Kate needs Tom’s help to solve it and has to convince him that she is not his foe.

But working with Tom to unravel long-buried secrets has unexpected consequences, and Kate discovers far more than she bargained for.

The Unquiet Spirit is a spooky, suspense-filled, enemies-to-lovers romance.

Oh no, here we go again. I signed up to a blog tour thinking, “Sure, why not?” and next thing I know I’m clutching my cardigan, sniffing rosemary in a house that definitely has opinions, and jumping every time a door slams shut for no good reason. Kate Wilson’s new home is loud, spooky, and completely unbothered by her desire for peace. Honestly, it’s like the house has its own personality — a dramatic, melencolony one that keeps you on your toes.

Kate is trying to start over after heartbreak, bless her. All she wants is a fresh start and maybe a cup of tea that stays warm for more than five minutes. Instead, she gets whispers from the past, hidden secrets in every nook, and doors slamming. And naturally, I’m leaning in, muttering at the book like I can actually help her figure it all out. Classic.

And then there’s Tom. Oh, Tom. The grumpy neighbour with just enough charm to make you sigh and enough mystery to make you wonder if you should be worried for Kate. Their slow-burn relationship is painfully, delightfully awkward — the kind of thing where you want to shout at them, cheer them on, and occasionally swoon all at once. Honestly, I spent half the book rolling my eyes and the other half quietly approving every little interaction.

And yet, for all the bumps, whispers, and slamming doors, there’s humour and warmth threaded throughout. Hampson balances the supernatural and the human perfectly, so you’re never too scared to keep reading. I found myself laughing, sighing, and occasionally whispering “oh no, not again” as Kate navigated the increasingly chaotic house — and I loved every second of it.

In short, The Unquiet Spirit is a perfect cocktail of mystery, romance, and supernatural experiences. If you like your ghosts a little dramatic, your love interests awkward but charming, and your stories full of atmosphere and mischief, this is definitely your kind of book.

Brilliant, entertaining, and I may or may not be petitioning the ghosts for a spare room! I really want to live in Kate's house!

***

I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book, which you can find on Amazon. And get this — if you have a #KindleUnlimited subscription, you can read it for free. So… what are you waiting for?

***

Penny Hampson

Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now four novels in the series, with the latest, An Adventurer’s Contract, released in November 2024. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past? The Unquiet Spirit, a spooky mystery/romance set in Cornwall, is the first in the Spirited Encounters Series. Look out for A Plethora of Phantoms coming soon.

Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).

If you’ve enjoyed any of Penny’s books please leave a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads, and let other readers know!

Social Media Links:

Website • Instagram • Twitter / X • Facebook • Bluesky •  BookBub • Goodreads 

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