THE KING’S FALCON – update
I am delighted to announce that The King’s Falcon is now available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Kobo has finally followed suit.
It will be released on October 3rd.
I must begin by saying how thrilled I am to be releasing my first new title in twenty years. Inevitably, there have been times when I wondered if it would ever be done … but finally, here it is and I hope none of my loyal readers will be disappointed.
A little about the book, then. Lengthwise, it’s about the same as Madonna and Garland which means that, in paperback format, it would run to some 650 pages. The other similarity is that, being a long book, the romance element is on a very slow burn; but trust me – it’s very much there!
In a series of novels set against the English Civil Wars, it is impossible not to look at the 3rd and final battle in some detail. Charles ll led the Worcester campaign of 1651 in person and it was the Royalists’ last military stand. I’ve written the actual battle from the perspective of Ashley Peverell and Francis Langley (fighting for Charles) and Eden Maxwell, now a Colonel in the New Model Army. For the Cavaliers, defeat left no option but flight and a long, impoverished exile … and it is what happens during that exile that forms the bulk of The King’s Falcon.
Like the King, Ashley (The Falcon) Peverell and Francis Langley escape to Paris where their paths cross with that of Athenais de Galzain, leading lady of the Theatre du Marais.
For the rest, suffice it to say that The Falcon continues to undertake covert assignments; Francis (literally!) embraces the Arts; and Eden’s estranged wife, Celia, sets her heart upon obtaining a divorce. As for the lovely Athenais and her redoubtable friend, Pauline … well, you’ll just have to read the book.
Two final thoughts. For those of you wondering about Eden, he’s there too – working for the intelligence service and happier than he’s been for a while. And for anyone who found the political complexities of Garland a little over-whelming – be of good cheer. The King’s Falcon is a whole different ball game.
