The Turncoat

The Rebels and Redcoats Saga, Book 3

By: T.J. London

Narrated by: Kale Williams, Tara Langella, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young, Adam Gold, Connor Crais, Dane Anderson, James Cheatham, John Hartley, Samantha Brentmoor, Shayna Small, Nicholas Boulton

Length: 22 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Spy. Redcoat. Traitor.

After Captain John Carlisle’s dance with death, he’s retreated to the serenity of the Oneida village with his beloved Dellis McKesson to hide from the inevitable truth that war is coming to the Mohawk River Valley. When duty calls, and John’s expertise is needed to negotiate a treaty with the Six Nations of the Iroquois and the Crown, he’ll once again be forced to decide between his conscience and his king.

But many secrets have yet to be revealed, and a deal with the Devil made in desperation threatens to ruin Dellis and John’s love. As ghosts of the past resurface and a bitter family rivalry exposes betrayal from those closest to her, Dellis is dragged down a devastating path to the truth of her parent’s murders.

The die is cast as St. Leger and his native allies lay siege to Fort Stanwix. The British are planning a secret attack that will force the Rebels and the Oneida into a bloody battle at Oriskany, further dividing John’s loyalties and leaving him on the precipice of a decision: Rebel or Redcoat?

This book contains violence and graphic depictions of war.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Violence, Time Period Appropriate Language

©2023 T.J. London (P)2023 T.J. London

Intense Drama and Drastic Choices for All

Rich in historical detail and true to this volatile and bloody period in history- the opening notes of the Revolutionary War, the gritty and intense, Rebels and Redcoats saga has many intriguing characters, but the spotlight has mostly been on British soldier and spy, John Carlisle.

John and Dellis’ story has always been a struggle not only of their own making, but there are plenty of people surrounding them, like her evil Uncle James McKesson, shady cousin, and the grasping woman who wants John Carlisle for herself, Celeste Allen, who work to maneuver the pair. TJ London can dazzle with her complex villain characters as much or more so with her heroes and heroines.

John has managed to keep his status as spy from Dellis until now and I was on baited breath for when she and the others knew all. I’ve enjoyed seeing John’s personal strength and character grow throughout the series so that he’s dealing with his previous choices and mistakes against a greater situation. This was the finale of John and Dellis’ part of the story as the main pair so things crescendo to a series of big moments saturated with brutal and tragic loss, but also hot and tempestuous romance.
And, when I say brutal, I will warn future readers/listeners that there are dark notes when London pulls no punches and paints a stark, brutal reality all through this series some related to war and others to people are just evil toward one another.

As to the full cast, the former narrator for John’s voice was replaced, but I’ve already enjoyed Kale Williams’ work so I had no doubts with him coming on board. He is joined by the rest of the familiar and fabulous cast-Tara Langella, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young, John Hartley, James Cheatham, Nicholas Boulton, Shayna Small, Samantha Brentmoor, Adam Gold, Connor Crais, and Dane Anderson- who make a sensational story more sensual and riveting so that I wouldn’t miss the audio version for worlds.

The Turncoat had me in its grip and left me emotionally wrung out. I can’t praise these enough so if you love deep, tumultuous historical saga fiction, snap up the Rebels and Redcoats saga in audio.

Epic!

I had a great time with this book! I jumped at the chance to listen to this audiobook because I was extremely eager to experience the next chapter in John and Dellis’s story. At this point, I feel like I have been through a lot with these characters and I hoped that they could find the happily ever after that they deserve. This story had all of the drama and action that I had hoped to find and I found myself glued to my headphones.

John and Dellis are great characters and it is obvious just how much they care for each other. If ever there was a pair that deserved to be together, it is these two. It seems that the world often conspires against them as they faced one roadblock after another on their quest to be happy together. I enjoyed catching up with this well-developed cast of characters and loved the fact that the author was able to work a few surprises into the story.

The full-cast narration of this audiobook expertly brought this story to life. This cast of narrators did such a fantastic job with the narration so I almost felt like a movie was playing in my head. I thought that all of the narrator’s voices complemented each other very well and I found myself wanting to listen to the book for hours at a time. I do believe that the best way to experience this story is through the audiobook because the narration elevates the story to the next level.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to others. This is a series that does need to be read in order since each book builds on the events from the previous installment. This was incredibly entertaining and I cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work.

I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from the author/publicist.

Best Audio of 2023

This story carries on with the Rebels and Redcoats saga. I've read both the original and revised versions and I'm amazed every step of the way. We continue with the story revolving around John and Dellis, although so many of the characters are richly developed for a full immersion experience into this story. Once again John and Dellis and torn apart and brought back together through the circumstances of war, lies, and betrayal. There is so much in this book, but I don't want to spoil it all here, I will say that not everything is as it seems. Always pay attention to the secondary characters, they aren't there for show, they all have a purpose.
The last 1/3 of this book had my emotions on high alert, I was so invested in all of the characters and their relationships that their heartaches became my heartaches. I cannot recommend this entire series enough.
Now that I’ve listened to the audio… I wish I could rate it higher. Hearing this acted out by 12 different narrators was outstanding, best audio of 2023. Each character was so perfectly matched with the narrator that each scene just flowed into the next and you were swept away on this journey with them all. The emotions I felt while reading the book were so elevated by the electric, often subtle, but always spot on performances, that it became an entirely new experience from reading the book on the page.
I cannot recommend this book and this series enough. Whether you prefer on the page or in your ears, I would encourage you do do both!

Excellent Story of American History

The Turncoat is the 3rd book in The Rebels and Redcoats Saga, but technically the 4th book as there is a full length prequel. It is really important that you read or listen to these books in order. The Turncoat has adventure, danger, passion (steam), family issues, war/battles, revenge, greed, power and more. The story is set in 1777 when there is war between the tribes brought on by siding with either the rebels or the redcoats during the American Revolution. John and Dellis have not had and easy road to romance, but they have gotten married in Dellis’ Oneida Village. He also wants to get married in the church and plans are being made, but, there are people who want John either dead, in prison, on a ship back to Scotland or married to someone else and things get out of hand. You need to read or listen to this one to find out what happens to John, Dellis and their friends.
The Redcoat is historical fiction and T.J. London does a great job mixing the two. A lot of what happened in history to women and the native people is hard to read, but it is realistic. Women were possessions or they were something to be used, Native people were expendable savages and there are some difficult scenes to read. I haven’t read a lot about the American Revolution especially where the native people were involved and I have learned a lot. Although Independence was declared in 1776, there were still a lot of things happening that come to closure in this book. I enjoyed the fictional part with several characters and their relationships adding to this story. I can’t say enough about the narration of this book and series. They have a full cast of characters and they do an amazing job. I’m not going to list them all here, but suffice it to say, if you enjoy historical fiction, especially American History before, during and after the American Revolution, then I recommend you listen to this series, you won’t be disappointed.

Fantastic listen!!

This series is one I look forward to listening to! TJ London masterfully pulls together history and fiction, creating a story with fabulous characters that I love and love to hate, with love, family, deception, betrayal, you name it and she has it in this incredible saga. We continue to hear of Dellis and John. So many twists and turns with unexpected characters popping in with lies and greed! So much detail, with incredible imagery and engaging conversations, it's not a story that you want to be interrupted while reading! Definitely read the saga in order, as while this could be a standalone, it does build from book to book and it's absolutely one of the best series I have listened to.

With a full cast duet narration, this is like a vivid movie in my mind. Tara Langella, Kale Williams, Patrick Zeller and Marnye Young return with their characters, with spot on acting adding the familiarity I love. They are this series, and each brings a richness to the story. Plus the many secondary characters with performances by Adam Gold, Connor Crais, Dane Anderson, James Cheatham, John Hartley, Samantha Brentmoor, Shayna Small and Nicholas Boulton, it's an experience! I love identifying some of my favorites when I hear them, and each person was perfectly cast. This is one that should not be missed!

AMAZING SERIES!!

This is the third book in The Rebels and Redcoats Saga, an outstanding Historical Romance. John and Dellis’s adventures continue where the second book left off. They are both amazing characters. There is a lot going on in this installment. The storyline is enthralling, and entertaining, filled with danger, lies, secrets, and intrigue. I liked the suspense, the action, and the twists and turns. The supporting characters are intriguing. The full cast of narrators did an outstanding job with the narration (Kale Williams, Tara Langella, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young, Adam Gold, Nicholas Boulton, John Hartley, Samantha Brentmoor, Connor Crais, Dane Anderson, James Cheatham, and Shayna Small). The audio quality is perfect. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to listening to The Rebel, the next book in the series. I HIGHLY recommend this series! #CaffeinatedPR

5 stars

This is a continuing series and must be read in publication order.
This one sure had quite a few turns in this latest installment in the The Rebels and Redcoats Saga. John and Dellis are married through her village (although John would like an official church one so she has rights due to her if anything happens to him). Poor Dellis on having to suffer another heartbreaking event. I hope her and John will get their miracle. Celeste, she just keeps on trying to tear them apart.

TJ has eloquently weaved multiple storylines that I wouldn't do them justice. Just know she did an excellent job with her research to stay true to the period but also they are ones readers would enjoy.

Last 35? %ish scenes get pretty battle heavy and even with few unexpected deaths. Then set up for the next book for Will and Alexei, because whoa Alexei just may be a softy under his exterior. It will sure be torture to wait until next summer to listen to Wilhemina and Alexei's story!!!! I highly recommend this entire series on audiobook. The cover is great too.

The cast of narrators in this major duet narration: Kale Williams-John Carlisle, Tara Langella-Dellis McKesson, Patrick Zeller-James McKesson, Roger DeLancie, Marnye Young-Celeste Allen, John Hartley-Major Tomlinson, Gavin Carlisle Jr, James Cheatham- Joseph and various voices, Nicholas Boulton-Dane McKesson, Shayna Small-Agnes, Samantha Brentmoor-Lady Wilhelmina Tomlinson, Adam Gold-Alexei McKesson, Connor Crais-Eagle Eyees, Dane Anderson- Patrick Armstrong.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Best book and audio of 2023

Tj London knows how to write an epic saga.

The turncoat is the continuation of Dellis and John story. I fell in love with this characters since the beginning. What I love about this book is how Tj incorporated real history to her story and how the characters evolve and grow in each book and thia one is not different. You can feel the turmoil John is going through...choosing the love of his life or his king. I read the book a while ago but it didn't hit as deeply in the feels to me anyway until I listened to the audio. I laughed, giggled, blushed, cried and got mad oh boy I got mad...all that because of the amazing performance of all 12 actors. Soo looking forward for more in the next book of this incredible saga.

Great historical fiction coupled with action

I've listened to all the books in this series and they sure draw you in. JT London has done a outstanding job with that. Truly enjoy historical fiction that ties and shares tid bits that we might not have otherwise gleaned from other stories. The different narrators were superb , where over time you begin to develop a picture of the different personalities and what they might look like. :) This will definitely make a great period piece and limited series for TV.

A genre I normally avoid and yet easily a favorite

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I am always excited to get a new audio from this author. It's weird because I don't read much historical fiction other than fantasy. So far I have avoided looking up what really happened with this series but after this one I couldn't resist. I think The Turncoat takes place during the summer of 1777. The actual battle at Fort Stanwix happened the first days of August 1777. The Revolutionary War is one of my favorite time periods to read and most of the characters are not real people other than the leaders of the armies. However, I do wonder about who the native Americans supported and what happened to them. Obviously, the Americans won eventually and did not treat natives well.

The previous books have focused on John Carlisle, a captain in the British army. He is estranged from his family. He is not perfect but works and tries so hard to do the right things. It is heartbreaking to see how others use him and how often he is injured. His wife, Dellis is in the Oneida tribe, and he joins when he marries her. She runs hot and cold on John which is another stress for him. Her tribe decides to fight with the Americans (against the British) as her cousin, Alexei has been doing.

Alexei's father, James McKesson has long been stealing from Dellis and really anyone he can cheat. He wants to see his brother, Dane dead. He's not a fan of his son, Alexei either. I hate James with a passion and I've not been overly fond of Alexei. Another horrid character is Mrs. Allen who wants John in her bed and as an investor in her brothel again. John has no interest. She courts many different British gentlemen and officers, including McKesson. She manipulates everyone for information to find investors and information she can sell or trade.

There were many horrific fights and battles which it is shocking people survived with the medicine in that time period. I was so afraid my loved characters would not survive. And there are those who don't survive.

An emotional story with lots of action, military strategy, and some very hot and steamy interludes, The Turncoat is an excellent addition to the Rebels & Redcoats Saga . At the end of this audio, was a brief clip from the next audio, The Rebel being released in 2024. It features Alexei's story and begins in April 1777 about four months before the end of this book.

Narration:
I really enjoyed all the narration of a full cast. I do know that one of my favorite narrators, Steve West, was replaced here by Kale Williams. I was a little apprehensive because I don't always do well when that happen. Kale Williams did an excellent job and I really appreciated his performance. The narrator for Mrs. Allen, Maryne Young, is also perfect and I hate her with all my passion. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.