Kaye Manro introduces a Medieval Hero. Giveaway included!

TAKE A TRIP INTO THE PAST WITH KAYE MANRO TO MEET A MEDIEVAL HERO!

Usually, as an SFR author you'll find me flying around the galaxies with heroes and heroines from other planets. But this Holiday season I'm delving into the past with a historical tale that really is no time travel.

The hero from my short book, A Medieval Yule has had his share of relationship problems. He's agreed to talk with me. I'm stepping into the pages of A Medieval Yule to visit Marcus of Windom. I can say he is one of the most chivalrous knights I've ever met. So come along and join me on a journey into the 12th century…

Marcus waits in the Great Hall of Castle Windom.

As I enter, the aromas of roasting meats and delectable spices permeate the air. It must be close to a Twelfth Night celebration. The servants have decorated the Great Hall with holly, ivy and mistletoe. I see him standing by the central fire. I walk toward him and the fresh dried rushes covering the floor crunch under my feet. He's dressed in finery, wearing a lengthy emerald green tunic with gold trim. A leather double wrapped belt holds his scabbard and long sword. He's such a handsome sight with his angular face and hair and beard the color of an autumn sunset streaked in gold.

Marcus smiles when he sees me and bids me to sit with him at the High Table.

"So, tell me Marcus, what's castle life like?"

He shrugs. "As you so well know I live in a fortress made for war, what can I say?"

"I do understand that in the 12th century castles were actually built as fortress against warring factions, and not a pretty place to find romance. Since I'm not from here, can you talk a little about what is going on in your century?"

"Of course. This is a turbulent time as we are in the midst of a civil uprising. The pretender Empress Maude is trying to usurp Steven, the rightful King. My knights and I are duty bound to protect him and the sovereign boundaries."

"So you must be gone from Castle Windom frequently?"

"Aye, I am often called away by the king."

"Is it true that Lady Liana left you while you were away on one of the King's errands?"

He looks to the rafters and shakes his head. "'Tis true.  When I returned home with a special gift for her, I found her gone."

"That must have been terrible. What did you do for the Yule season after she left?"

"I celebrated naught. I decreed to all of Castle Windom there would be no Yuletide without Lady Liana."

He pauses and turns to me. Almost as an afterthought or maybe to change the subject, I'm not quite sure. He asks, "Would you like a drink?"

"I would love to try your spicy mulled wine."

He motions for a servant who brings us each a mug.

As I sip the fragrant wine it reminds me of Christmas. "Weren't you and Lady Liana wed during the Yule season?"

"Aye, we wed on Twelfth Night."

"What was it like, your wedding?"

I see him brighten as a faraway look glistens in his brown eyes. "'Twas a celebration to end all celebrations! The Abbot came to Chapel to perform the rites, and even King Steven attended to bless our union. The feasting continued for days and even past Twelfth Night. The food and drink imported from far away lands was bountiful. When I saw Lady Liana standing there in her bejewel emerald green gown and her long flaxen braids entwined with silken ribbons, my breath left me."

"Then would you say it is romantic living in a castle in your time, even when turbulence abounds?"

He laughs low. "Aye, it can be.  But only if it is shared with the love of your life."

Marcus rises from his chair. "I must take my leave from you now."

"Where are you going?"

He doesn't answer and I watch as he walks away.

I slip quietly from the pages of A Medieval Yule hoping this chivalrous knight will again find his love.

EXCERPT: A MEDIEVAL YULE

As he warmed himself by the central fire, Marcus remembered Christmastides past. Castle Windom fairly bustled with kindled fires and crowded activity. The merriment echoed inside the walls and hid in dark rafters along side the pained memories of his Liana.

Marcus downed a tankard of ale and held back the sentiment threatening to pour forth from him. A lonely Twelfth Night neared. Unbidden thoughts of Liana nudged him. Haunted as he was by the sensuous way her lithe body pressed into his naked skin, the touch of her hand slipping down to caress him, her eyes as they darkened when she opened and took him inside her.

But no more…

When I began research on all things medieval for my SFR/Time Travel books, The Quantum Portal Series, I also wrote A Medieval Yule. Unlike the series, this isn't SFR. It is purely a short historical romance. A Medieval Yule is also from the hero's point of view.

Thank you for journeying with me into the past to meet my medieval hero, Marcus. And thanks to Jessica for inviting me to share in 'Light Up The Holidays!'

Giveaway!!

Leave a comment and tell me where you think Marcus was going and you could win a PDF download of A Medieval Yule.

Buy Link: http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?products_id=1146

Kaye's Blog: http://kayemanro.blogspot.com/

Kaye's Website: http://www.kayemanro.com/index.htm

Note: Research says that Twelfth Night is a festival marking the coming of the Epiphany and concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is defined as the evening of January 5th. It is the last day of the Christmas festivities and is observed as a time of merrymaking..