Chanticleer Book Reviews

The Rabbi’s Knight by Michael Cooper, winner of the 2025 Overall Grand Prize CIBA Award!

“Knight Templar Jonathan St. Clair bears two messages for Rabbi Samuel of Baghdad, one of mortal treachery and another of mystic wonder. In The Rabbi’s Knight by Michael J. Cooper, they journey across the Holy Land to Jerusalem while divisions of faith portend the bloody conclusion of the Crusades.” – Chanticleer Book Reviews

Sometimes you meet an author, whether in person or “between the covers,” and you just know their books are going to fit just fine in your collection. This is what I felt during my first conversation with Michael Cooper, the winner of the Overall Grand Prize CIBA Award for Best Book of 2026 for his latest novel, The Rabbi’s Knight!

Cooper’s topics come to us during one of the world’s most tumultuous periods when the old empires transformed into new alliances, new boundaries, and new dangers leading up to World War I. Having been a pediatrician in the Holy Land during his professional career, Cooper’s wealth of knowledge about the area and it’s history offers a broad canvas for his characters to be painted upon.

I encourage you to take a look at author Michael Cooper’s books. You won’t be disappointed!

Four book covers by Michael J. Cooper: 'The Rabbi's Knight,' 'Wages of Empire,' 'Crossroads of Empire,' and 'Foxes in the Vineyard.'

Author Interview: Erin Lark Maples, Author of A Circle of Stars

We have another fabulous interview for you today, with author Erin Lark Maples! Her book A Circle of Stars: Four Crowns Series Book 1 took home the Chanticleer 2024 CIBA Grand Prize Award in the Ozma Division.

Erin Lark Maples is a lover of fountain pens and the trail they leave behind. She is the author of the Four Crowns contemporary fantasy series and the companion web serial, Weir Walker. Her work is highly praised for its heart and snark as well as her knack for breathing magic into the everyday.

Find out more about this interesting author and her imaginative fantasy novels here.

A Critical Time in History, the Keeper of Royal Secrets – Tsarina’s Jewels by Jerena Tobiasen

It’s 1918. Simon Temple has returned to England with his new wife, Mary-the once Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna. Having only narrowly escaped the grim fate of the Romanov family, together they seek to put Mary’s past behind them and settle into a comfortable, uneventful life.

“Tsarina’s Jewels, the second novel in Jerena Tobiasen’s heart-stopping series, The Nightingale and Sparrow Chronicles, invites readers into the heart of Turkey’s national history during the Turkish War of Independence between 1919 and 1924. It is a rollercoaster of political upheaval, breathtaking romance, family drama, shocking personal redemption, and good old-fashioned revenge.” – Chanticleer Book Reviews

Read more here.

Book Review: Chasing Czars by Tina Sloan

Cleo Gallier is Chasing Czars across the slopes of St. Mortiz. But the enigmatic oligarch Sergei comes with treacherous secrets which sweep up Cleo’s family.

In Tina Sloan’s latest book in the Cleopatra Chronicles series, Cleo Gallier is Chasing Czars across the slopes of St. Mortiz. But the enigmatic oligarch Sergei comes with treacherous secrets which sweep up Cleo’s family.

Read the full review

The Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC) and International Book Awards (CIBA) are Back in 2026!

Chanticleer’s annual conference and awards banquet is an author’s opportunity to learn, network, and celebrate the best books of the year!

It’s my favorite time of year! April is the month when Chanticleer holds it is annual writers conference and the CIBA awards. My employer, Chanticleer Book Reviews, has held this conference for fourteen years. It’s a weekend filled with informative classes, valuable connections, and an awards banquet that inspires as much as it awards.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Chanticleer, both for my daily work and for developing a writing career. One of the best things about my job is meeting other writers, and I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends in only three weeks!

Click here to learn more about CAC26 & the CIBA awards.

What Does It Take to Write Great Historical Fiction?

One of my favorite genres is historical fiction. It acts as a time portal that can lift you up and transfer you years into the past. With vivid details and sometimes language of the time, you get to experience a world that was well-known to our ancestors but is only a blurred image in our minds today.

A large, open book with miniature knights on horseback emerging from its pages, surrounded by greenery, set against a backdrop of bookshelves.

I recently discussed a few tips to writing historical fiction in a post I wrote for Chanticleer Book Reviews. If you are interested in writing historical fiction, or just want to learn more about how your favorite authors can conjur up the past, I invite you to read my article; “Three Rules for Writing Historical Fiction That Will Transport Readers Back in Time.”

Financial Advisor and Award-winning Author Jacqui Clarke Helps you to Stop Worrying About Money

Jacqui Clarke, financial advisor and award-winning author of Stop Worrying About Money, gives us sage advice about money management and writing in the latest Chanticleer 10-Question Interview Series.

Tax season is upon us and many of us are fighting the urge to bury our heads in the sand as we look at the costs of, well, everything. I recently interviewed Australian financier Jacqui Clarke about how she merges her business life with her writing life.

Book Review: Success With Hydrangeas by Lorraine Ballato

Success With Hydrangeas by Lorraine Ballato is the perfect guide for anyone wanting to upgrade their landscape with this big, beautiful flowery bush.

Springtime is the right time for planning a beautiful summer garden, and one of the most popular garden shrubs is the colorful and hearty Hydrangea. I recently reviewed Success With Hydrangeas and fell in love with this beautiful flowering shrub.

With several colors to choose from, these bountiful flowering bushes add a bright spot to anyone’s yard. They also handle weather well, so you don’t have to worry about them during turbulent spring weather.

Professional horticulturist and CIBA award-winning author Lorraine Ballato’s Success with Hydrangeas: A Gardener’s Guide offers a comprehensive collection of information and photos for one of the world’s most popular flowering plants. With her sage advice, she helps gardeners “make your hydrangeas thrive” in gardens and landscapes to share their beauty.

“As well as describing varying hydrangea types in minute detail, accompanied by dazzling photography, Ballato describes the processes of fertilization, soil testing, and the crucial issue of water, presenting specific examples of such treatments needed for differing varieties.”

-Chanticleer Book Review-

If you are planning on upgrading your landscape this spring, consider adding hydrangeas to your yard and help them reach their full bloom with this informative guide.

Read the full review here…

Shami Stovall – An Award-Winning Author Inspired by the Stars

Step into the world of urban fantasy as we welcome award-winning author Shami Stovall!

A person smiling while holding the book 'Time-Marked Warlock' by Shami Stovall in front of a bookshelf.

Shami’s novel Time-Marked Warlock—a thrilling blend of mystery, magic, and time-bending adventure—took home the 2024 Chanticleer Shelley Grand Prize for its imaginative storytelling and unforgettable characters. In this insightful conversation, she shares her journey from tabletop games to award-winning author, her creative process, and the inspirations behind her storytelling. Get ready to discover how life, gaming, and magic collide on the page.

Ruth Amanda: An Interview with the Illustrator and Author of Award-Winning Childrens Books

Author Interview with Ruth Amanda, the CIBA Grand Prize Winning Author in the
Little Peeps Division!

Get to know the creative force behind the beautifully illustrated childrens books by author and illustrator Ruth Amanda!

A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a striped shirt, holding a ginger cat on her lap, sitting at a desk with art supplies and a beach-themed painting in the background.

I recently had the opportunity to interview the award-winning author and illustrator Ruth Amanda, whose picture book Island Moon won the 2024 CIBA Grand Prize in the Little Peeps Division for its evocative storytelling and stunning art.

A collage of six illustrated children's book covers by Ruth Amanda, featuring whimsical animal designs and colorful artwork. Titles include 'Puffin Lullaby', 'Geckos in the Garden', 'There's a Buzzard on the Balcony', 'ESS-CAR-GO!', 'There's a Seagull on My Sailboat', and 'Where are you, Hugh MacCoo?'.

From her early inspirations to her imaginative creative process, Ruth shares insights into how she crafts stories that delight young readers and celebrate the beauty of everyday wonder. Whether you’re a fan of children’s literature, a fellow author, or just curious about her journey, you’ll enjoy this fun and lively conversation with Ruth Amanda.