EXPERIENCE Dorset like never before in a brand new book series exploring the county in the 17th century.

The Dorset Chronicles are a thrilling range of novels following the emergence of England as we know it today, written by Chris Oswald who lives in Fiddleford, near Sturminster Newton. Incorporating a mix of history and adventure, the books will take readers on a journey through blood, tears, ambition, kindness, love and hate.

The first in the series, A New Lease on Freedom, follows the story of a brother and sister from a Dorset Presbyterian family, who go in search of their missing friend, Lady Merriman. At the same time, The Duke of Monmouth lands in the county, seeking to depose his uncle, James II. The siblings find they cannot escape the rebellion surrounding them, and soon find themselves embroiled in the war. Through battle, captivity and deceit, they finally come home in the aftermath of failed rebellion, forced to face up to all that means for Dorset and the rest of the country.

The first book is succeeded by It Takes a Rogue, a story set in 1688 when England is on the brink of something terrible. Will James II's dictatorial policies lead to invasion by William of Orange?

Chris lived and worked in America and Scotland before moving to Dorset, where he began writing The Dorset Chronicles. Chris is also the author of novels including 2024: A History of the Future, and The Stuff of Heroes.

The Dorset Chronicles can be purchased from Amazon.