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| Enter to win an eBook by answering a question, plus lots more in this week's Medieval Musings |
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We had a spate of warm weather this week, warm enough that we walked outside in shorts, which I can assure you is rare in Canada. Naturally, this got us thinking of spring, so we decided it was time to cut the grass for the first time this season.
We dutifully plugged in the batteries to charge, preparing to use them the next day, only for the cold weather to return. It appears there was still some snow to fall, though thankfully, nothing hung around.
So now we wait, batteries charged, for our next warm day!
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The Inspiration for my first book
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We just watched Seven Kings Must Die, the concluding movie to the Netflix series, The Last Kingdom. (Which, in turn, is based on the books by Bernard Cornwell). The movie ends with the Battle of Brunanburh, which established England as a united country.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle describes the events in a poem and relates that never before had so many people died in battle yet fails to mention where it happened. Even the date is in question, although it’s generally acknowledged that it occurred sometime in October of 937.
As for the location, there are several contenders, but the movie chose Bromborough on the Wirral, which is on the west coast of England, close to the northern Welsh border.
Unfortunately, these particular characters won’t be seen again as the series is over. Having said that, they are working on Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles, an Arthurian epic!
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WOW! So many of you like to share your books. Over 50% of you recommend a book because you couldn't put it down yourself. Congrats to Terry for winning last week's giveaway. Thanks to everyone who replied to my question.
Answer the question below to be entered into the eBook giveaway.
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| Do you like maps in your books |
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| Thank you |
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| You are now entered to win a free ebook of your choice |
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I’ve written before about the composition of the Mercerian Army, but I haven’t discussed its size. Compared to European history, the armies in my books are relatively small, more akin to the early medieval period or even pre-Norman England.
To put things into perspective, the Battle of Wandermere, detailed in Shadow of the Crown, involves an army under Gerald’s command coming to the rescue of King Leofric. In this conflict, the combined allied army numbered 1750, while the enemy's forces were close to 2400.
By the time of the final assault on Summersgate, in Triumph of the Crown, Merceria assembled an army of almost three thousand.
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First four books in the Heir to the Crown Series
On Sale - 99¢
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"Great immersive fantasy with action & intrigue!"
For as long as he can remember, Alric dreamed of being a hero,
of defeating a dragon and saving the princess.
From fighting unknown creatures to defending the life of a royal, he discovers becoming a hero is much more dangerous than he ever imagined. No matter what the outcome, his life will never be the same.
If you like dramatic fight scenes, compelling characters and a captivating story, you will love this tale of a prince who desires greatness.
~~~~~
"A real page-turner"
"This jaw-dropping continuation is well worth the read."
"Another great book, full of great characters and fascinating situations."
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I’ve been busy creating a map for Carlingen, the city where the lion’s share of Torrent unfolds. In between that, I’ve been working on the outline for the final book in the series, Cataclysm. I mentioned that in last week’s newsletter, but I thought it only right I update you on my progress.
The map is about half done, mainly because filling in those buildings is time-consuming. As for Cataclysm, there’s still a lot of work to yet. The overall storyline is in place, but many details have yet to be worked out. Inevitably, there will be minor changes once I start writing it, but that happens with all my stories.
Now, I must get back to finishing Torrent!
~~~~~
Here's yet another peek at Torrent!!!
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“Precisely," agreed Natalia. "We’ll spend a week or two in Carlingen until Kargen and Shaluhk arrive, then head back to Runewald. Think of it as a nice vacation.”
Athgar tilted his head to the side. “Vacation? What in the name of the Gods is a vacation?”
“The wealthy of the Continent often go on a trip to get away from the politics at court.”
“Like a pilgrimage?”
“More or less,” said Natalia, “but not necessarily for religious reasons.”
“Why would someone want to leave their home and family?”
“Not everyone is as pleased with their lives as we are. Don’t you sometimes feel being High Thane is a burden?”
“Yes, but I’m not the sort of person who runs away and hides. The only reason we left Runewald was to get the family off our backs.”
Captain Grazynia appeared on deck, the sun glinting off her armour.
“Expecting trouble?” asked Athgar.
“We are off the coast of Carlingen,” she replied, “and our ships have not sailed this area for some months. We must be ever vigilant.”
“Your ship is clearly well-named.”
The captain merely stared back.
“I don’t think she quite understood the jest,” whispered Athgar.
“Oh, I understood it,” replied the Temple Knight, “but this is not the time for such things.” Her gaze swept over the water, paying particular attention to the distant shoreline. Then she grunted, her entire demeanour changing from alertness to relaxation. “Fishing boats,” she said. “A good sign. Were there pirates in the region, they wouldn’t be out.”
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Impatiently waiting for Torrent?
Give one of these authors a try!
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They are coming for her, but he’ll do anything to protect her.
Isolated, ill, and with no recollection of her past, Susy is kept captive in a facility where her only friend is her doctor,
Before finding a cure, Susy’s doctor disappears, leaving behind a necklace with a key. Her curiosity takes her to a room where she unlocks a drawer to uncover something strange—a love poem.
A man grabs her as she runs away from her prison, and asks her to trust him. For some unknow reason, she feels can trust him.
On the run from those who imprisoned her, Suzy tries to ignore her growing feelings for her travelling companion, until she remembers everything about who she is and what she needs to do to stop the death of billions.
When love and duty collide, will Susy be able to use her powers and intelligence to outsmart her enemies and escape their control?
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Jason “Key” Rokku has just been released from prison after 10 years.
Dumped on Izanami, the moon of his origin planet, he struggles to make it back into a society where no one is willing hire an ex-convict. Except Apollus Tuck, a businessman who owns a few restaurants across the resource rich moon who offers Key a position as a bodyguard when he prevents a kidnapping.
Tuck's political ambitions are in jeopardy when a former friend blackmails him with an embarrassing tape of a drunken Tuck at a party. Tuck sends Key to retrieve the tape, but the opposing political party is also after the tape in the hopes they can end his campaign before it starts.
They hire a Freelancer from the infamous Empire-free VokGuild to mediate with Tuck's ex-friend and safely courier the tape to them. Key will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to get the tape before it’s too late.
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Balance the magic, bring down the wall, don’t die, and definately don’t fall in love. No pressure, Kaidyn.
Kaidyn answers her friend’s plea for help and returns to Evirness.
Struggling with the guilt and anger over how she left, battling her feelings for Reid that threaten her resolve, Kaidyn throws herself into closing gateways and chasing Keystone, the fabled realm of the Keepers, where she hopes to gain answers to all the unresolved questions about Keepers and her magic.
A portal hitchhiker sends everything into chaos and delays her mission, raising more questions about her magic and future.
When skirmishes erupt at the wall, Kaidyn is pulled into a finely spun web of deceit. But there may be more than one spider holding her captive, and she isn’t sure which one to fear more.
One thing is certain; she will not get away unscathed.
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Enter a world of magic and prophecy, where twin sisters are destined to shape the fate of two kingdoms.
Twin sisters, one prophesied as light and one as dark, are thrown into a dangerous game of power and love.
Niomi, the dark sister, is kidnapped by the Dark King of the Unseelie court, who intends to make her his wife to save his kingdom. Despite his initial cruelty, Niomi discovers that Callan's heart is good and that he is fighting to save his people.
As they work together to stop a war between the Seelie and Unseelie courts, Niomi and Callan grow to care for each other, proving that appearances can be deceiving.
With the fate of two kingdoms in their hands, the forbidden love between the Dark King and the dark sister will be tested in this epic tale of magic, power, and love. Niomi and Callan must help both sides see the truth to save the ones they love before it's too late.
Order your copy now and join the twin sisters as they shape the fate of the kingdoms!
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A quest to stop the black bane.
An adventure unfolds in this epic fantasy short story of wondrous creatures, clashing cultures, a mysterious evil force, and four distinct races fighting against an unknown enemy determined to destroy them all.
During the previous full moon, the ancient salvus trees prepared to display their fall colors and stood sentry over the Florix tribes who lived in the branches below. But, as fast as storm clouds rolling in, a fatal black sludge attacked the plant life, poisoned the water, and left the forest people sick and dying.
Painful black boils appeared on farmers’ and herb-gatherers’ hands and arms, and in mere days the killing disease spread to entire families. Within a month, the bane decimated entire villages. Nothing would stop the spread of death. Not even their healer’s magic.
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One woman’s perilous journey to save The Forbidden.
Rebaa’s adopted tribe lies slaughtered behind her while her lover, Juran, lays down his life for hers. Now she must use all her cunning and extraordinary powers to survive the inhospitable wilderness alone, ensuring Juran’s sacrifice was not in vain.
But Rebaa’s battle for survival has only just begun...
Hunted by savage predators and the nightmarish Eldrax, a murderous chieftain who will stop at nothing to possess Rebaa’s mysterious powers for his own, her very existence becomes a life or death chase in the pursuit and quest to reach the one place that offers salvation and a safe haven she can call home.
But what haven could possibly exist for one who bears... The Forbidden?
Will Rebaa find her salvation, or will crushing loss, hardship and the burden of carrying The Forbidden, first destroy her from the inside out?
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Here are some great stories just for you!
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Extra Book Deals & Giveaways
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| "Every review I receive inspires me to write more!" |
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Paul J Bennett,
Author of Epic Fantasy.
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