Gentlemen of Pitchfork by Kamil Gruca

Publication Date: July 13, 2014

eBook; 258p

Translator: Pawel Brzosko

Genre: Historical Fiction

The year is 1415. France is weakened by the recently ended Civil War between the factions of Burgundians and Armagnacs. The young and belligerent King Henry V Lancaster decides to pay the French a neighbourly visit. With him - the flower of the English knighthood.

Among them – Sir Arthur, the Baron of Pitchfork, an ideal of all chivalric virtues - his uncle, Sir Ralph, a veteran soldier with a taste for women and bitter humour - and his cousin, Sir Robert, a young and romantic would-be scholar who will have his first taste of war, sieges, duels, betrayal and intrigue but also love and practical philosophy.

Together they ride as secret envoys of their King to meet Burgundian emissaries. But the Armagnacs’ spies keep their eyes open for any sign of treason on the part of their political opponents and three powerful French armies are gathering to cross King Henry’s way.

My Review

Four Stars

Copy received from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for an honest review.
Since I know very little about French history, although I love France, I found "Gentlemen of Pitchfork" by Kamil Gruc to be not only a wealth of information but also a captivating story about this time period.  I'm constantly captivated by the tension and danger that the Knights faced in their duties to whomever they served.  The characters were memorable and the pace of the story was engaging.  Anyone that enjoys learning about Knights and France will enjoy this wonderful story.

Interview with Kamil Gruca

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About the Author

Kamil Gruca is a Polish writer born in 1982 in Warsaw. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Warsaw University.

Kamil is also an active knight who confirmed his battle prowess by winning the Polish National Knights League in 2006 under the alias of Sir Robert Neville. He has studied medieval swordsmanship for over 15 years hence his novels are full of dynamic and realistic swordplay.

Being an avid re-enactor and a passionate history geek Kamil moved to France for two years to study documents unavailable in other countries that would add to the feel and realism of the book on multiple levels.

His first novel “Panowie z Pitchfork” was published in 2009 by a major publishing house Rebis. Receiving a warm welcome from Polish critics, readers and fellow writers, the first part of the adventures of the young and keen Sir Robert was soon followed by a sequel “Baron i Lotr”, published by another publishing house Znak, bringing closure to the major plot.

Currently Kamil lives in Warsaw with his family and is working on another series of historical novels focused around one of Poland's most famous knights - Zawisza Czarny - and his not so famous yet equally interesting brothers.

For more information about the book please visit http://gentlemenofpitchfork.blogspot.com or http://facebook.com/gentlemenofpitchfork. You can contact Kamil at Gruca.Kamil@gmail.com.

If you want to learn more about how Kamil trains medieval swordsmanship please visit HAM-Historyczna-Akademia-Miecza on Facebook (Site in Polish), as well as http://draby.pl (Site in Polish).

Gentlemen of Pitchfork Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 8
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, December 9
Spotlight at Literary Chanteuse
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Friday, December 12
Review at Bookramblings

Saturday, December 13
Review at Book Nerd

Monday, December 15
Review at Dab of Darkness

Tuesday, December 16
Excerpt at The Never-Ending Book

Wednesday, December 17
Review at Boom Baby Reviews
Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection

Thursday, December 18
Interview at Dab of Darkness
Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More

Friday, December 19
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book