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Advance reviews for BATTLEGROUNDS

November 10, 2022 by Steve Carter

“Historian, teacher and master storyteller Stephen A. Carter takes readers across turbulent seas, through twisting, hidden passageways, and over the bloody historic battlefield of the siege of Fort Sumter in the first instalment of a series that will change the way readers think of the months leading up to the US Civil War.

“…BATTLEGROUNDS dives headfirst into the hidden motivations, betrayals and dubious morals behind the war. Carter portrays both the benevolence and the controversy behind figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Allan Pinkerton. More importantly, the book honors the unsung heroes from the period via protagonist Marcus Brown, a Black man who plays an important part in uncovering subsequent plots against the nation and his fellow men.”

Read the full review

– Michael Ferry, author of Taking Two so She Can Too, The Legend of Vanessa Mann

 

“BATTLEGROUNDS, the first installment in a four-book series by Stephen A. Carter, offers readers an immersive and captivating tale set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. The novel opens with John Saxton, heir to a prominent shipping company, setting sail with his mentor and friend, Marcus Brown, a former slave. Together, they uncover a horrifying atrocity while intercepting a slave ship, which compels John to become a fervent supporter of the abolitionist cause. As the Civil War erupts, John and Marcus find themselves pitted against the captain of the slave ship, who is now attempting to smuggle weapons into the Confederacy. This initial conflict leads to a web of political intrigue and espionage that is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

“Carter masterfully blends historical accuracy with thrilling action scenes, creating a superb example of historical fiction. While the pacing of the novel can slow at times due to the inclusion of political intrigue and plotting, these elements contribute significantly to the story’s overall engagement, underscoring the high stakes and making each action sequence even more meaningful. The author’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the realistic portrayal of characters and settings, lending a palpable sense of authenticity to the narrative. The numerous illustrations included in the book serve to aid the reader’s visualization of the characters and settings.

“Overall, BATTLEGROUNDS is a vividly imagined and captivating work of historical fiction. Carter expertly brings to life the dangerous and fascinating era of American history through engaging and fully fleshed-out characters, many of whom are based on real historical figures. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in thrilling stories of political intrigue and espionage set against the backdrop of the perilous time leading up to the Civil War.”

– Thomas Anderson, Editor, Literary Titan

 

“They don’t write men’s adventures any more. Well, so I thought. But I was wrong. Steve Carter has embarked on a series of adventures that bring to mind author H. Rider Haggard, as the style is old-fashioned, but highly readable, and laced with humor and poignancy.

“The first in the series, BATTLEGROUNDS, relates John Saxton’s coming of age. Sax is aided and abetted by his mentor, Marcus Brown – a Maasai warrior and friend of the family. This is the age of trade clippers and slavers, the early days before the Civil War, and it’s great to meet a young honorable man who fights for what is right and good against self-seeking and greedy men. Carter’s creation of Marcus Brown is a worthy successor to Umslopogaas.”

– Robin Moreton, aka Nik Morton,
author of
A Last Act of Charity, The Prague Papers,
No Prisoners and his latest, Rogue Prey

“BATTLEGROUND by S. A. Carter is a historical novel, the first in a series dealing with the political and other burgeoning problems that plagued the pre-Civil War period with special emphasis on that of slavery and the wide schism between the two sides. The story is one of many of the era, but can be an interesting addition. The settings are authentic, the equipment/armament correct, the general plot, or plots, are worthwhile, the characters empathetic, and the approach engaging.

“To summarize: BATTLEGROUNDS is a fascinating addition to the library of the American Civil War, and one that quite deftly describes the hypocrisy of those dealing with ‘the racial issue’, as well as providing interesting characters with whom the reader easily can empathize.”

– John H. Manhold, award winning fiction/non-fiction author

“Having read all four books of the MATARI series, I must say that Book One sets a standard of excellence for all historical/fiction writers who delve into the US Civil War and especially the role of Black Americans who were involved in it before, during and after the event.

“Book One, BATTLEGROUNDS, is a literary blockbuster of major proportions wherein characters both fictional and factual collide on a political and societal stage ever shifting and unpredictable. Mr. Carter’s extensive research provides realism of the first order. The essence of the times (1854-61) comes alive through the use of colloquial language and illustrations of the day.

“An unrelenting tension comes in many forms through conflicts not only evident in “white” but also in Black societal circles. Throughout there are pauses for comic relief that adds a welcome respite. Therefore, my overall impression as a female African American author is that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Book One, finding it to be an incredible page turner the likes of which compares favorably to ROOTS by Alex Haley.

Veronica Dale Owens, author of No Intermission

Filed Under: Reviews

Battlegrounds

November 5, 2022 by Steve Carter

Book 1 of the Matari Series

A young John Saxton looks on helplessly as brutal slavers on the slave ship Wanderer throw their human cargo overboard to avoid capture by the American Naval Patrol. From then on, the Boston shipping heir and his giant Maasai mentor Matari (Marcus Brown) become implacable abolitionists.

A supporting cast of unforgettable characters are caught up in a web of murder, dark secrets and political intrigue. Arrayed against them are two arch villains: Horatio Garrow and his hapless henchman Harley Blackstone.

Saxton and his beautiful black bride Virginia survive in a dangerous milieu of Confederate espionage, high treason and the siege of Fort Sumter, all brought to the fore by one man… President Abraham Lincoln.

Battlegrounds is the first of four books in the Matari Series. Though historical fiction, this adventure action series uses the period 1854-84 as the stage for seminal events concerning black Americans before, during and after the US Civil War.

Book One has many surprising themes, such as how the Black community in Boston was racist, especially in its Black churches. The church in question opposed the marriage of a rich white man to a poor black undertaker’s daughter. That President Lincoln was a devious, conniving racist before the Civil War started. That Britain, though anti-slavery, was trading arms for cotton and other goods with slave states before the war began – and continued thereafter. That the abolitionist movement in America was divided along racial lines, as was the Congress of the United States.

These and other events in this series are not new. But due to how the figures involved have usually been portrayed, they are controversial and explosive, to say the least.

Filed Under: Homepage Book

Carousel

August 12, 2020 by Steve Carter

The boem* Carousel is not only unique in format, but a page turner as well. The story begins in northern France and ends in Paris. With one unexpected turn after another, a cast of unforgettable characters including ten flying carousel horses and a French poodle named Bayol bring fantasy to life. The story explores many themes such as child abuse both physical and sexual, the futility of World War I and its attendant horrors, and the pervasive greed of the church and state. These all dramatically combine to make life for carousel carver Abraham Garneau and his two adopted orphans, Alphonse and Angeline, fraught with deadly challenges.

Carousel is not just a story about villains but about love, courage and loyalty as expressed not only by the protagonists but by the carousel horses and a lovable dog as well. Added to the mix is a king on the run, a psychopathic Algerian deserter, an ace detective, an assortment of bureaucratic misfits along with a Catholic priest, nun, Bishop and Cardinal. Taken altogether, the chase the trio endure is riveting and filled with suspense.  And as in all good stories, it is action-packed wherein the good guys lose some but win in the end and two young lovers have a happy ending.

Snippets of French are used along with humour to add that special ambience to a story well told.

*book-poem

 

Filed Under: Homepage Book, Uncategorized

Stephen A. Carter

October 29, 2015 by Steve Carter

Photo by Katherine Newcastle

Author Stephen A. Carter was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Upon graduating from the University of British Columbia in 1968, he taught high school history and geography for 21 years before touring Canada as a pen & ink artist. Thereafter he retired to draw, invent, play slo-pitch baseball and write prose and poetry.

Although a proud Canadian, over the past 25 years he has “wintered” in the southern states of America. It was there that his interest in American history grew and flowered.

A stage 4 cancer survivor, he currently lives in New Westminster BC. He, writes, cycles, reads and spends quality time with his fiancé.

After touring the Southern states twice coupled with ten years of research and editing, he has written MATARI, a series of four contiguous novels set in the turbulent American period of 1854-84. Although there are many themes, the primary emphasis of the series deals with African-Americans and their involvement before, during and after the ‘great schism’ or US Civil War.

He has published a high school primer of 100 short poems, pictures and 200 word intros on Americana entitled AMERICANS R US. Unpublished works include two books of poetry and four stage plays. In 1985 he illustrated the world’s best selling fly-fishing book entitled ‘THE GILLY’. Recently he has completed 33 screenplays/film treatments for a TV series and or a movie trilogy for Hawkspurr Productions out of New Zealand. He began his writing career by writing travel articles for a local magazine. His website is OBAAT.CA.

Filed Under: About the Author

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