MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 480

December 30, 2012

The Briton and the Dane: Concordia

 The Briton and the Dane: Concordia - available early 2013 http://youtu.be/yDPaiQqmaIs
Travel back in time to late Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon Britain where Alfred the Great rules with a benevolent hand while the Danish King rules peacefully within the boundaries of the Danelaw.  Trade flourishes, and scholars from throughout the civilized world flock to Britannia's shores to study at the King's Court School at Winchester. Enter Concordia, a beautiful noble woman whose family is favored by the king.  Vain, willful, and admired, but ambitious and cunning, Concordia is not willing to accept her fate. She is betrothed to the valiant warrior, Brantson, but sees herself as far too young to lay in the bedchamber of an older suitor.  She wants to see the wonders of the world, embracing everything in it; preferably, but dangerously, at the side of Thayer, the exotic Saracen who charms King Alfred's court and ignites her yearning passions. Concordia manipulates her besotted husband into taking her to Rome but her ship is captured by bloodthirsty pirates, and the seafarers protecting her are ruthlessly slain to a man.  As she awaits her fate in the Moorish captain's bed, by sheer chance, she discovers that salvation is at hand in the gilded court of a Saracen nobleman. While awaiting rescue, Concordia finds herself at the center of intrigue, plots, blackmail, betrayal and the vain desires of two egotistical brothers, each willing to die for her favor.  Using only feminine cunning, Concordia must defend her honor while plotting her escape as she awaits deliverance, somewhere inside steamy, unconquered Muslim Hispania.   Cover design by Steven Novak, Novak Illustration



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Published on December 30, 2012 06:53

History Trivia


December 30 39 Titus was born. He was Roman emperor from 79-81 and during his reign the Coliseum was completed.  1370 Pope Gregory XI elected pope. Gregory attempted to foster peace between England and France during the Hundred Years' War, defeated Florence in its war against the Papal States, and returned the papacy to Rome from Avignon. 1460 The Lancastrians routed the Yorkists at the Battle of Wakefield, and executed Richard, Duke of York.
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Published on December 30, 2012 04:43

In the Midst: Book Review: Cowboy by Staci Stallings

In the Midst: Book Review: Cowboy by Staci Stallings: Staci Stallings is acclaimed to be a best selling author with 23 books under her belt since 2005. I have read two of her books with t...
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Published on December 30, 2012 04:31

In the Midst: Underneath by Michael Cargill

In the Midst: Underneath by Michael Cargill: Click  here  to see The Examiner article! My Review on Amazon: Underneath is the first novel that I have read from this author and I...
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Published on December 30, 2012 04:27

December 29, 2012

Being Normal Is So Overrated: The Forgotten Ones

Being Normal Is So Overrated: The Forgotten Ones: When tragedy strikes, such as the shootings of 12/14/2012, everyone automatically thinks of the families and loved ones and what they can do...
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Published on December 29, 2012 10:57

History Trivia


December 29 1170 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered while at vespers in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights of King Henry II. Acting on the frustrated outburst of King Henry II, four knights entered the Cathedral and struck down the Archbishop. The knights fled.  Henry would later do public penance for his ill-considered words that ultimately ended the quarrel between one-time friends.
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Published on December 29, 2012 05:23

December 28, 2012

History Trivia


December 28418 Boniface I became Roman Catholic pope. 1065 Westminster Abbey in London, built under the auspices of Edward the Confessor, was consecrated. The Benedictine monastery had been re-endowed and enlarged under the oversight of Edward the Confessor, but the King had been too ill to attend the consecration ceremonies. He was buried in the abbey after his death on January 4, 1066.   
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Published on December 28, 2012 05:13

December 27, 2012

History Trivia


December 27

418 Etalius began his reign as Catholic Pope. 

537 The Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom of God), one of the world's greatest architectural masterpieces, was dedicated in Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian. This was the third Cathedral, the previous two having been destroyed by fire.

1390 Anne de Mortimer, Countess of Cambridge, and the mother of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and grandmother of King Edward IV and King Richard III, was born. 



Richard III


 
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Published on December 27, 2012 05:12