{THE HISTORIES OF SPHAX 2}: THE WINTER OF WINTERS.

 Having been delighted to have participated in the Book Tour for the first book in The Histories Of Sphax series, The Walls Of Rome, 

I'm proud to be one several bloggers who over 7 days will be in this Blog Tour (the full list of which can be found in the Schedule at the bottom of the post). Today {the final day of the Tour) its my pleasure to be sharing my thoughts on  ... 

THE WINNTER OF WINTERS by ROBERT M KIDD. 

GENRE: Historical Fiction set in ancient Rome

PUBLICATION DATE:  21st May 2021

STANDALONE BOOK IN A SERIES

ESTIMATED PAGE COUNT: 325

218 BC. Hannibal’s exhausted army staggers down from the last Alpine pass like a rabble of half-starved savages, the remnants of a once magnificent army that had set out from the Rhodanus with such hope. Now there is no way back. With the legions of Consul Publius Scipio closing fast, Carthage needs its Gaulish allies like never before. But where are the Insubres? Where are the Boii? Where are the thousands of warriors pledged by solemn oath?

In the maelstrom of battle, Sphax, nephew of Hannibal, forges a reputation as the scourge of Rome. But will his ingrained recklessness and quest for honour set him at odds with the forbidding genius of his uncle? Only one thing is certain in this winter of winters, a great battle is coming that will decide the fates of Rome and Carthage. {Synopsis}

Sphax stared at the Roman cavalry forming up half a mile away.{First Sentence, Chapter One}

'Dasius derived an unhealthy pleasure from looking upon the nakedness of women. It pleased him, yet sent him into paroxysms of impotence and frustration. I confess to indulging his obsession ... occasionally. It proved to be the only power I exercised over him, so you can hardly blame me for tormenting him so.'{Memorable Moment, Page 182}

MY THOUGHTS ... A novel that it is possible to read as a standalone read but, honestly, in order to get the best out of it I strongly suggest readers begin with book one, The Walls Of Rome.

The research that has gone into the books, the attention to detail, the way the author weaves together fact and fiction, that he brings events to life in such a way is exceptional.

That whilst this, the second book in The Histories Of Sphax series, had ample of the battles, battle strategies and weaponry to keep those who enjoyed them in The Walls Of Rome happy there were less of them {and what there were were less lengthy} AND, what's more ...

Hurrah! For readers such of myself who were left longing for a well written, strong, feisty character there was Corinna.

Ah! Corinna. 

After the previous book which lacked such female characters, thank goodness for the inclusion of a female character who, totally believable, though 'feminine' was able to give Spax 'a run for his money' ... and on occasion did so ... quite literally. 

ABOUT ROBERT M KIDD ... When Cato the Censor demanded that ‘Carthage must be destroyed,’ Rome did just that. In 146 BC, after a three year siege, Carthage was raised to the ground, its surviving citizens sold into slavery and the fields where this once magnificent city had stood, ploughed by oxen. Carthage was erased from history.

That’s why I’m a novelist on a mission! I want to set the historical record straight. Our entire history of Hannibal’s wars with Rome is nothing short of propaganda, written by Greeks and Romans for their Roman clients. It intrigues me that Hannibal took two Greek scholars and historians with him on campaign, yet their histories of Rome’s deadliest war have never seen the light of day.

My hero, Sphax the Numidian, tells a different story!

When I’m not waging war with my pen, I like to indulge my passion for travel and hill walking, and like my hero, I too love horses. I live in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

FOLLOW ROBERT M KIDD 

BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE ... ~ 25th June: ramblingmads.com ~ sharon beyond the books ~ Nicki`sLifeOfCrime ~ 26th June: Four Moon Reviews ~ Snowphiethebookworm ~ Historical Fiction with Spirit ~ 27th June: Jessica Belmont ~ BooklyMatters ~The Magic Of Wor(l)ds ~ 28th June: Jera's Jamboree ~ @the.b00kreader (insta) ~ B for bookreview ~ 29th June: Al-Alhambra ~ BabyBackBooks ~ David's Book Blurg ~ 30th June: Chez Maximka ~ Books Lattes & Tiaras ~ Ellesea Loves Reading ~ 1st July: Curled Up With A Good Book ~ Felicity Grace Terry ~ PuzzlePaws ~