AN ARMY veteran based in Conwy is to release his debut novel next month.

Charles Cordell will release “God’s Vindictive Wrath”, published by Myrmidon, on Tuesday, July 12.

He will then be signing copies of the book in Waterstones, Llandudno on Saturday, July 16, where he will be joined by re-enactors from Sir John Owens Regiment of Foote dressed and equipped as soldiers of the British Civil Wars.

“God’s Vindictive Wrath” is a story set during the first weeks of the English Civil War, reflecting the sort of tribalism, “culture war” and extremism not uncommon today.

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It has already received high praise from literary, military and living history experts, including best-selling historical fiction writers Ben Kane and Michael Arnold, Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, and Jeremy Ravenshaw Fowler, Adjutant General of the Sealed Knot Society.

Charles has served as a career soldier and diplomat on the ground in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa.

His novel draws both on time spent on the fraying margins of civilisation and studies of the great political and religious crises of 17th-century Europe.

He said: “This story is not based on a single hero. It does not take sides. Its voices, ordinary men and women, face each other in the chaos of Britain in civil war.

“Hardship, inequality, injustice, scar each character.

“Each faces the brutal reality and human emotions of war, the bloodiest in British history - a war fought in our towns, villages and fields, a war that forged the United Kingdom and many political divisions that persist today.

"One of the characters is a Denbighshire herdsman-turned-musketeer from Cyfylliog. The role that North Wales played in the Civil Wars was huge.

"The book also includes some Welsh dialogue and song."

The re-enactors from Sir John Owens Regiment of Foote joining Charles at his book signing are members of the Sealed Knot – the largest living history organisation in Europe – dedicated to re-creating the battles of the British Civil Wars.

Charles has also pledged that two per cent of all royalties from the sale of “God’s Vindictive” Wrath will be donated to Armed Forces charities.

This will include the Royal British Legion Industries programme for homeless veterans, a cause close to his heart.

In March, Charles raised more than £1,000 for homeless veterans by taking part in the “Great Tommy Sleep Out” along with fellow veteran Marcus Williams (ex-Royal Welsh).

This UK-wide, month-long fundraiser challenge involved participants braving the cold for one night to support the roughly 6,000 military veterans living on the streets in the UK.

For more information about the book, visit: www.waterstones.com/book/gods-vindictive-wrath-2022/charles-cordell/9781910183311.

For more on Charles, go to: facebook.com/CharlesCordellAuthor.