Anna Chant's Blog, page 7
June 9, 2019
Meet Father Leofwine and Hilda
[image error]Peril & Plunder will be released on June 12th 2019 and is currently available for pre-order at the bargain price of 99c or 99p.
Father Leofwine was introduced in Rising from the Ruins as the former Bishop of Lichfield who was driven from office after the Conquest because he was married. He is based on a real Bishop of Lichfield who did indeed resign his office in the 1070s because of his marriage. The fate of the real bishop is not known, but retirement to an abbey is the most likely outcome.
In Peril & Plunder we learn that Leofwine has joined the voyage with his wife, Hilda [image error]and his two sons, Edmund and Edwin. Having held the office of bishop, Leofwine is very aware of his own importance and considers his rank to be at least as high if not higher than the three eorls who command the fleet. With his arrogant attitude irritating Siward, the two clash, making any friendship between Oswyth and Hilda increasingly difficult. Hilda is devoted to her husband and sons and only too aware of how it was her existence which led to Leofwine losing the office he loved.
With Leofwine determined to cause trouble, what will this mean for the success of their voyage?
And what exactly lies behind Leofwine’s unchristian behaviour?
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June 8, 2019
Meet Thord
[image error]Peril & Plunder is now available for pre-order at the bargain price of 99c or 99p and will go live on 12th June 2019.
Many of the characters of this story were properly introduced in Rising from the Ruins. Siward of Gloucester and his wife, Oswyth of course return as the central protagonists. Bridwin, Frebern, Father Colman, Dunstan and Wulfric were also well introduced in Book one. But other characters were only briefly introduced or did not appear at all.
Thord is one of those. He appears only at the end of Rising from the Ruins as the experienced sailor, appointed by Siward to guide the fleet.
Thord is an Anglo-Dane and a seasoned sailor. He loves the sea and knows it well, making him more familiar with the route than any other in the fleet. Through experience and cunning, he has successfully navigated the treacherous waters the English must pass through.
As a man of great experience, he knows what he can achieve and is confident in guiding the fleet. A fair-minded man, he resents criticism from those of less experience. But mostly he is proud to be the one in charge of the fleet.
Hang on – Thord is in charge of the fleet? Isn’t Siward in charge?
Does that mean trouble ahead?
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June 7, 2019
Peril & Plunder available to pre-order
Peril & Plunder is now available to pre-order at the bargain price of just 99 cents or 99p. The price will go up once the book goes live on 12th June 2019.
Peril & Plunder (Quest for New England Bk2) picks up shortly after Rising from the Ruins ends and we find the bunch of English exiles floundering in the Bay of Biscay…
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The English exiles, under the command of Siward of Gloucester, sail into the Mediterranean, where there are wonders awaiting them and treasures ripe for the taking. Braving storms and Saracens, they sail on undaunted, their spirits higher than ever.
But as they settle on the Island of Sicily, they find their old enemies, the Normans are already there and discover the wounds of the past are not as healed as they had hoped. When Siward realises the ghosts he thought he had left in England are waiting for him on the island, his fear of failure returns with a vengeance.
Consumed by terror, he struggles to maintain authority over his men, finding even his old friends, Bridwin and Frebern no longer support him. With his behaviour spiralling out of control, Oswyth tries desperately to help her husband until their love too is stretched to breaking point. With Siward no longer appearing to care if he drives everyone away, she is left broken-hearted, convinced her marriage is in tatters.
As it seems Siward will lose both the leadership and everyone he loves, he draws strength from a surprising source. But with Bridwin preparing to take command, has that help come too late to save either his marriage or his friendships?
And as the Norman threat lingers, will Siward’s quest for New England end as just one more broken dream?
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May 17, 2019
Kindle Countdown Deal on The Girl from Brittia
The Girl from Brittia is just 99c or 99p until May 23rd 2019.
Based on an account by the Byzantine historian, Procopius, the tale of the Island Girl has sometimes been called Britain’s first historical romance, as it tells the story of an unknown Angle princess and her relationship with Prince Radigis of the Varni.
Set during the 530s it takes place during an event of global catastrophe which has been dubbed the worst year to be alive.
Will Edlin, the Island Girl, survive it?
Available on Amazon in ebook and paperback.
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For more on this book see Edlin’s land today
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May 7, 2019
God’s Maidservant at a bargain price
To commemorate the death of Otto the Great who died on this day (7th May) in 973, God’s Maidservant the story of his second wife, Adelheid of Burgundy/Italy is just 99p or 99c for one week (until 14th May)
Otto’s life story is an eventful one, but that of Adelheid is perhaps even more so…
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For more on Adelheid and Otto see The wives of Otto the Great
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May 3, 2019
Five stars for The Saxon Marriage
The Latest five-star The Saxon Marriage review for reads
Wonderfully Saxon
“I loved it. It was easy to read and fall in love with the characters.”
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Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews my books!
If you want to fall in love with these characters, The Saxon Marriage is just 99c or 99p until 7th May 2019
Available in eBook and paperback on Amazon
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April 30, 2019
The Saxon Marriage – just 99c or 99p
The Saxon Marriage is on a Kindle Countdown Deal from 30th April to 7th May, for just 99p or 99 cents.
[image error]Otto the Great
Set in the tenth century it tells of the union of two royal Saxon dynasties. Eadgyth of Wessex is of the ancient West-Saxon line, boasting a pedigree which goes back to St Oswald and Cerdic. Otto of Saxony’s father is the first non-Frank to become king of East Francia (Germany). For King Athelstan of the English and King Henry ‘the Fowler’ of Germany, the match has huge advantages.
But with danger lurking far closer than they realise, will the union be a happy one for Eadgyth and Otto?
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For more on Eadgyth and Otto see The wives of Otto the Great
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April 19, 2019
Cover reveal: Peril & Plunder
Coming soon! Quest for New England – Book two – Peril & Plunder
There’s still time to read Book one – Rising from the Ruins to see how this epic voyage begins.
[image error]Book two picks up shortly after Book one ends…
The English exiles, under the command of Siward of Gloucester, sail into the Mediterranean, where there are wonders awaiting them and treasures ripe for the taking. Braving storms and Saracens, they sail on undaunted, their spirits higher than ever.
But as they settle on the Island of Sicily, they find their old enemies, the Normans are already there and discover the wounds of the past are not as healed as they had hoped. When Siward realises the ghosts he thought he had left in England are waiting for him on the island, his fear of failure returns with a vengeance.
Consumed by terror, he struggles to maintain authority over his men, finding even his old friends, Bridwin and Frebern no longer support him. With his behaviour spiralling out of control, Oswyth tries desperately to help her husband until their love too is stretched to breaking point. With Siward no longer appearing to care if he drives everyone away, she is left broken-hearted, convinced her marriage is in tatters.
As it seems Siward will lose both the leadership and everyone he loves, he draws strength from a surprising source. But with Bridwin preparing to take command, has that help come too late to save either his marriage or his friendships?
And as the Norman threat lingers, will Siward’s quest for New England end as just one more broken dream?
Peril & Plunder is coming soon!
For a few hints on the story see Teasers for Book Two!
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April 16, 2019
Three Times the Lady – 99p 99c Bargain
Three Times the Lady is on a Kindle Countdown Deal for just 99p or 99c until 23rd April.
It tells the story of Wessex Queen, Judith of Flanders. Judith was just a teenager when she married King Aethelwulf of Wessex, a man old enough to be her grandfather. It was not a long marriage. But while his life was almost over, hers was just beginning in a remarkable true story of scandal, heartbreak, imprisonment and a desperate journey across medieval Europe as Judith emerges into a courageous young woman, determined to take control of her own destiny.
Will her formidable father, Charles the Bald, allow it?
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For more on Judith of Flanders see Judith of Flanders – the Wessex years and Senlis and the romance of Judith of Flanders
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April 10, 2019
Women of the Dark Ages turns three!
Wow! It’s hard to believe it’s now three years since I hit publish on Kenneth’s Queen and unlike last year I am actually on time to say
Happy Birthday Women of the Dark Ages!
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This last year has seen one new addition to the family in Basina of Thuringia, whose story I told in Dawn of the Franks. After the very historical novels I had told in the previous two books, this was a new direction which took me right back to the beginning of the era. With some supernatural elements, it also took me further into fiction than any previous book, although I leave it up to my readers to decide how much they wish to believe and how much is simply a combination of a superstitious people and a fair dose of hallucinogens!
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Although sales are now the norm, as opposed to the handful I sold in my first few months as an author, I remain grateful for each and every one. Many thanks also to those who have taken the time to leave reviews. Every one puts a smile on my face for the rest of the day! One I was particularly pleased to get this year is a five star recommended read from author and historian J B Richards author of the Jeshua and Miri series and the Indie Helping Indies Book Review Project.
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So, what will happen this next year for Women of the Dark Ages? Unless I work very quickly there are unlikely to be any new books for this series. At present I am working on Book two of the Quest for New England series, Peril & Plunder. This should be released fairly soon – expect a cover reveal and blurb in the next few weeks! Book three is currently at a very rough first draft, written only to make sure there was nothing to contradict Book two. Once Book three nears completion it will be time to consider the next stage. Perhaps this will be another Woman of the Dark Ages, but at present I do not know. I never forget the women I write about were real people and I am grateful that they share their stories with me. The next book will depend on who next wants their story told!
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