I recently finished my NetGalley copy of Alison Weir's fabulous new novel JANE SEYMOUR: THE HAUNTED QUEEN. Wow, what a fantastic story. I've always thought of Jane Seymour as a mousy, quiet woman. A woman who was the antithesis of Anne Boleyn. The calm after the storm. Well, this book throws all my preconceived ideas out the window. I have no doubt she was the calm after the storm that was Anne Boleyn, but she was no shrinking violet, either. The Jane Seymour portrayed by Alison Weir (one of THE BEST historical novelist I've ever read), is a calm, but highly intelligent young woman. One who happened to catch the eye of Henry. The only woman who was able to give him the son and heir he required and craved. She was full of life and joy, but the title tells it all. She was haunted. There is an element of the supernatural in this book. She is haunted by a dark figure; she feels partly responsible for the death of ...
PUBLICATION cation Date: April 1, 2014
Lion Fiction
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: The Northumbrian Thrones (Book 1)
Debut historical fiction series vividly recreating the rise of the Christian kings of Northumbria, England.
In 604 AD, Edwin, the deposed king of Northumbria, seeks refuge at the court of King Raedwald of East Anglia. But Raedwald is urged to kill his guest by Aethelfrith, Edwin's usurper. As Edwin walks by the shore, alone and at bay, he is confronted by a mysterious figure--the missionary Paulinus-- who prophesies that he will become High King of Britain. It is a turning point.
Through battles and astute political alliances Edwin rises to power, in the process marrying the Kentish princess Aethelburh. As part of the marriage contract the princess is allowed to retain her Christian faith. But, in these times, to be a king is not a recipe for a long life.
This turbulent and tormented period in British history sees the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon settlers who have forced their way on to British shores over previous centuries, arriving first to pillage, then to farm and trade--and to come to terms with the faith of the Celtic tribes they have driven out.
The dramatic story of Northumbria's Christian kings helped give birth to England as a nation, English as a language, and the adoption of Christianity as the faith of the English.
Chapter 1 Audio Excerpt
Read by the author's wife, Harriet Whitbread, with music from Flos Harmonicus.
[audio mp3="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Edwin-chapter-1-extract.mp3"][/audio]
Praise for Edwin: High King of Britain
ìIn the first installment of the Northumbrian Thrones, a new historical fiction series, Albert launches readers into the tumultuous world of 7th century Northumbria. Edwin, the deposed king of the region, forges political alliances, is betrayed, and fights critical battles that form the arc of his rise and fall as High King of Britain. As he ages, he fears for the future of his kingdom, and war has simply become a necessary evil. His shifting worldview leads to conversion to the Christian faithóa slow process given special attention by Albert. But it is not a clear path, and sometimes Edwin and his subordinates doubt the validity and the power of the Christian God, as opposed to the pagan deities they have left behind. Albertís focus on the religious element does not detract from the political and dramatic aspects of the history he is portraying. Rather, it lends an extra dimension of psychological turmoil, because characters must deal with the problem of not only individual identity but also the beginnings of a national identity related to religion. Albertís offering is a highly entertaining and refreshing work of historical fiction thanks to his emphasis on the precarious intersection of religion and identity.î ñPublishers Weekly
ìA splendid novel that leaves the reader wanting more.î ñBernard Cornwell, New York Times bestselling author
ìA fast-paced and gripping tale of the great Northumbrian King Edwin, reclaiming one of our great national figures from the shadows of history.î ñJustin Hill, author of Shieldwall
Buy the Book
Amazon US
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Book Depository
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About the Author
Edoardo Albert is a writer of Sri Lankan and Italian extraction based in London. The best response to his writing was when he reduced a friend to helpless, hysterical, rolling-on-the-floor-holding-his-stomach laughter. Unfortunately, the writing in question was a lonely hearts ad. He hopes to produce similar results in readers, without inadvertently acquiring another wife.
For more information, please visit Edoardo Albert's website. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.
Edwin: High King of Britain Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, August 25
Review at Princess of Eboli
Review at 2 Book Lovers Reviews
Tuesday, August 26
Review at Just One More Chapter
Review & Giveaway at Unshelfish
Wednesday, August 27
Review at Dab of Darkness
Thursday, August 28
Interview & Giveaway at Dab of Darkness
Monday, September 1
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Review at Queen of All She Reads
Tuesday, September 2
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, September 3
Review at The Writing Desk
Review at The Mad Reviewer
Friday, September 5
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Monday, September 8
Review at A Book Geek
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Tuesday, September 9
Review at Book Nerd
Wednesday, September 10
Review & Giveaway at 100 Pages a Day - Stephanie's Book Reviews
Interview & Giveaway at Thoughts in Progress
Friday, September 12
Review at A Bibliotaph's Reviews
Monday, September 15
Review & Giveaway at Words and Peace
Tuesday, September 16
Review at Layered Pages
Thursday, September 18
Review & Giveaway at Beth's Book Reviews
Friday, September 19
Review at Book Drunkard
WE ARE HOSTING A GIVEAWAY OF ONE COPY OF EDWIN: HIGH KING OF BRITAIN.
Open to residents of US, just include your email under comments and you are entered to win!!
my thoughts
A fantastic story about a 7th century ruler.
The story begins with Edwin's exile, he's at the kingdom of a supposed 'friend'. Well, with friends like Raedwald, he doesn't need enemies. Raedwald sells him out to his arch enemy, Aethelfrith, the very man who took Edwin's kingdom away from him. Yes, the names take some getting used to. I'll admit, I began this book with the list of 'dramatis personae' or cast of characters at my side, however, once I was into the story, these characters became easy to identify.
Edwin and his family are characters a reader can enjoy. The characters are interesting without being over the top. You want battles? This book has battles. You want gore? Well, there's a little of that, too. This book has everything a historical fiction lover could want.
I enjoyed reading this novel, in fact, I read it in only one sitting.
This well written well researched book follows Edwin's rise to power and his conversion to christianity. The god the king worships becomes the god of the masses.
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