I'm an author of historical fiction (Early English/Saxon, Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest, as well as three 20th-century mysteries) and fantasy (Viking age/dragon-themed).

I was born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point since 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building, told from a very young age that it housed the bones of long-dead kings of Mercia and that our garden was littered with old pieces of pottery from a long-ago battle, it's little wonder that my curiosity in Early England ran riot. I can only blame my parents!

I like to write. You've been warned!

Find me at www.mjporterauthor.com and @coloursofunison on Twitter. https://linktr.ee/MJPorterauthor

Not sure where to start your journey through Saxon/Early England?

If you're new to Saxon England, then Son of Mercia, book 1 in Eagle of Mercia Chronicles, is perhaps where you should start. And then follow on with Wolf of Mercia and Warrior of Mercia and the continuing books in the series.

King of Kings, book 1 in The Brunanburh Series, is the story of the build-up to the greatest battle on British soil you've probably never heard about, Brunanburh. 'An epic story of kingsmanship that will set in motion the pivotal, bloody Battle of Brunanburh where allies have to be chosen wisely.'

If you like action adventure with a heavy dose of violence, foul language, and good old camaraderie - The Ninth Century series is for you, starting with The Last King. And fans of The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles will find a familiar face. Or The Seventh Century, starting with Pagan Warrior, has a little more politics to go with the set-piece battles.

If you like stories about the forgotten women of history, then the Tenth Century series, starting with The Lady of Mercia's Daughter, is a good place to begin. Or, The First Queen of England, with a little more romance.

If you're interested in the last century of Early England (before 1066) then The Earls of Mercia series is for you.

If you want to read it all, then you can read in chronological order or mix it up. The series wasn't written in chronological order (I have a tendency to move backwards through time).

If you're as interested in the ancient kingdom of Mercia as I am, then the loosely connected, The Tales of Mercia is for you. The individual series can be read in this order.

1) Gods and Kings starting with Pagan Warrior.

2) The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles starting with Son of Mercia.

3) The Ninth Century books starting with The Last King

4) A detour to The Lady of Mercia's Daughter and A Conspiracy of Kings, from the Tenth Century series

5) The Earls of Mercia series starts with The Earl of Mercia's Father.

If you're interested in fantasy with a Viking twist, then try The Dragon of Unison books or The Innkeeper standalone novel.

If you're interested in my 20th-century mysteries, then The Custard Corpses and The Automobile Assassinations are the books for you. And Cragside, a standalone 1930s murder mystery set at the beautiful North Northumberland estate.