The Tsar's Locket by Ken Czech Book Tour + Giveaway! {Ends 11/14/20}

The Tsars Locket by Ken Czech
Publisher:  Fireship Press (April 30, 2020)
Category: Action/Adventure, Historical Romance, and Historical Thriller
Tour dates: Sept 30-Nov 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1611792775
Available in Print and ebook, 303 pages
Description Tsars Locket by Ken CzechWhen Duty, Honor, and Love Collide
Julian Blunt, a former sea captain and a despised Catholic, is stunned when Queen Elizabeth proposes that he help carry a betrothal locket to Tsar Ivan the Terrible in Moscow. It means an alliance between England and Russia is brewing, and the queen warns that should the locket fall into the hands of the Pope or his minions, it could mean war.
Julian joins the queen’s messenger, the lofty and spirited Jessandra Calcross, in a perilous voyage across the Baltic Sea and into the very heart of Russia. When a papal assassin determined to prevent the royal marriage strikes, Jess turns to Julian as the only man she can trust. Although at odds over religion and station, a slender emotional bond grows. Stalked by the relentless murderer, Julian is soon torn between abandoning his mission so he can better safeguard Jess, and fulfilling his vow to the queen. If he fails the queen he’ll never captain a ship again. But if he and Jess continue on to Moscow, they face a darker peril in the mercurial and sinister Tsar Ivan–a peril that will drive courage and dawning love to the breaking point.Buy Tsars Locket by Ken Czech
Buy  Links: Barnes&Noble  ~ IndieBound  ~ Amazon

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REVIEW By LAWonder10:
          Julian had been devoted to Her Majesty, Queen  Elizabeth, even though he joined the Roman Catholic Church in order to marry, Katie. While he was in service to the Queen, his Katie died of an illness. He returned a torn, broken-heartened man, only to lose his captaincy since he refused to deny his Catholic religion. He was fortunate he didn't lose his head link many were sentenced to. Why could Elizabeth not see that one could become Catholic without betraying their loyalty to her and England?
            Julian, was astounded as the one who took over his captaincy smirked at Julian's new assignment. He was to act as a translator to the Russian tzar, after accompanying a member of the Royal Court, over a vast, dangerous ocean voyage. He only consented to, because of the promise his dead wife would receive a better serviced grave with a decent headstone, and he would get his captaincy back. Little did he know how his journey would be met with the repeated threat to his and his charges' safety.
              The reader is constantly kept guessing and under suspense throughout the book.
            This is a tale based on factual history. he author has taken a few undetermined events and twisted them into possibilities, adding flair and suspense to the facts.
            The characters are very believable and realistic. The events are vividly and graphically portrayed in a way it is easily visualized.
                The Title and the Cover is simply stated, yet colorful, and eye-catching.
               Reader Beware: There is some Brief profanity and a brief, non-explicit,  sexual situation
                 I offer a Four and a Half Stars literary rating
             This book was gifted me without pressure to give a positive review. This is my honest review.

Praise Tsars Locket by Ken Czech!
“The vivid descriptions of the European cities, including Moscow and the Tsar’s palace, transport us to that era. An exciting and informative novel. Highly recommended.”–Waheed Rabbani, Historical Novel Society
“There were twists and turns throughout, but the climactic twist at the end really caught me off guard. If you love a really good story with action, suspense and romance, then I recommend this novel.” --Lesley Jones for Reades’ Favorite
“The historical backdrop to the tale is … fleshed out with gorgeous details and cinematic style descriptive work, enabling author Ken Czech to show off some real knowledge and a true sense of atmosphere about the period. Add to this the real excitement of a perilous journey across the sea, well-developed villains, a political versus religious thematic arc and some authentic yet accessible dialogue, and you have a truly excellent novel that readers will simply devour.” --K. C. Finn, author of the Caecilius Rex series
“I enjoyed the setting, the play-by-play of action, and the chemistry between Jess and Julian was off the charts. This is an astonishing story that had me hooked from the beginning …” --Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite

  GUEST POST!

Where do you get your ideas from?
        That's a wonderful question. I write historical novels, so my plot lines and ideas come from actual events in history. I try to choose incidents less familiar to readers so they have a sense of learning something new despite the work being fiction. For instance, The Tsar's Locket has a setting that begins in Elizabethan England and ends in Russia.
        When I was teaching at university, I came across details of Tsar Ivan the Terrible's interest in marrying a member of Queen Elizabeth's court. This time period was filled with religious and political tension, so I built my story around the concept of a betrothal locket being sent to Russia and all the dangers such a mission would face. Jess Calcross and Julian Blunt, the main characters, must cross the dangerous Baltic Sea and wend their way through war torn Estonia before reaching Moscow to deliver the locket.
       In Last Dance In Kabul, I chose a British military disaster that few readers have heard of—the destruction of 15,000 soldiers and civilians at the hands of Afghan fighters in 1842. One British army physician managed to escape. I read firsthand accounts written by two members who were taken hostage earlier in the conflict, and used their experiences and observations to create the scenario wherein Reeve Waterton and Sarah Kane, my main characters, also escape.
        Years ago, I read the books penned by British explorer Sir Samuel Baker about his quest to discover the source of the Nile River. On his way to Africa, he purchased a slave girl and tried to set her free. She refused to leave him, ended up joining him on his journey, and much later becoming his wife. Never once did Baker mention her name
         (Florence) in his books, always referring to her as F. In Beyond The River Of Shame, I tried to imagine what their relationship was like, especially during the stodgy Victorian era.
         History is full of stories and vignettes waiting to be explored. I find it especially exciting to create the interaction and emotions of the characters against a true historical backdrop.

ABOUT Ken Czech
About Ken CzechHistory has been his passion since award winning author, Ken Czech was a wee lad. After retiring from a career of teaching history at both secondary and higher education levels, He turned that passion to writing historical novels. His stories combine fiction with actual events and actors taken from the past.  He lives with his wife Mary on an abandoned granite quarry in Minnesota where they enjoy the wildlife and the changing seasons. That’s where his writing happens.
His latest book THE TSAR’S LOCKET has received Five Stars from Reader’s Favorite. His previous novels BEYOND THE RIVER OF SHAME and LAST DANCE IN KABUL have also received very favorable reviews.
Website: https://www.kennethczech.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100019397558582

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Giveaway... Tsars Locket by Ken Czech
This giveaway is for 1 print copy for 2 winners, open to the U.S. only.
This giveaway ends November 14, 2020,midnight pacific time.

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