For centuries, the bards have sung of King Arthur’s return, but is this reluctant warrior prince the answer to those prophecies?
In the year 1399, Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndwr is living out a peaceful gentleman’s life in the Dee Valley of Wales with his wife Margaret and their eleven children. But when Henry of Bolingbroke, the Duke of Lancaster, usurps the throne of England from his cousin Richard II, that tranquility is forever shattered. What starts as a feud with a neighboring English lord over a strip of land evolves into something greater—a fight for the very independence of Wales.
Leading his crude army of Welshmen against armor-clad columns of English, Owain wins key victories over his enemies. After a harrowing encounter on the misty slopes of Cadair Idris, the English knight Harry Hotspur offers Owain a pact he cannot resist.
Peace, however, comes with a price. As tragedies mount, Owain questions whether he can find the strength within himself not only to challenge the most powerful monarch of his time, but to fulfill the prophecies and lead his people to freedom without destroying those around him.
Excerpt
Owain
leaned against the bedpost, gazing at Margaret, who was swept away in a sea of
exhaustion. For a long time he studied her, worshipful of her, thankful and yet
gripped with a fear that paralyzed him. Lamplight flickered upon her face, pale
and sparkling with perspiration like a fine dusting of crystal. He glanced at
the physician, who was packing his instruments and washing his hands as if
there were nothing more he could do.
His
voice tremulous, Owain probed, “Will she... will she be well soon?”
“More
likely so than not,” the physician said. He was a Jew named Abraham that Owain
had brought to Sycharth from London
to attend to his large family. He wiped his hands on a cloth and then gathered
the bag that contained his mysterious tools. “But there were complications. If
she were to deliver another child, she could die. Do you understand?”
The
strong cries of his new son and daughter filled his ears with the assurance
that they had gained their place in the world and were not letting go.
Owain
nodded dully. Then he knelt beside his love and wrapped his large hands around
one of hers. He kissed her knuckles, and then pressed them to his whiskered
cheek. “Marged, the children need you. I need you.” And he buried his face in
the sea of down coverings that surrounded her and wept more tears than he had
ever in his life shed.
N. Gemini Sasson is the
author of six historical novels set in 14th and 15th century Scotland, England
and Wales, including The Bruce Trilogy and Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella
and Sir Roger Mortimer (2011 IPPY Silver Medalist in Historical Fiction). Her
latest release is Uneasy Lies the Crown, A Novel of Owain Glyndwr. Long after
writing about Robert the Bruce and Queen Isabella, Sasson learned she is a
descendant of both.
Links:
Barnes and Noble –
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/uneasy-lies-the-crown-n-gemini-sasson/1113730727?ean=2940015940381
Smashwords –
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/252017
Web site –
http://www.ngeminisasson.com
Facebook –
http://www.facebook.com/NGeminiSasson
I know you may get tired of hearing this as the week goes on, but I am behind, so a review will be coming.
N. Gemini will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift certificate to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a a $20 Amazon gift certificate to a randomly drawn host. Be sure to check out the entire tour for more chances to win.
Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting this stop on my tour! I look forward to hearing from your readers. Good luck to everyone in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the excerpt, the book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
I haven't read many historical novels and this one, I would love to read.
ReplyDeleteHistorical reads are my absolute favorite. Great reading ahead here.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
The book sounds fabulous. i do so like gemini's books, i really do hope i win because with me not being able to work it will be a while till i can get it
ReplyDeleteparisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Nice excerpt.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Wonderful excerpt!
ReplyDeleteemiliana25(At)web(Dot)de
I love detailed historical novels and I enjoy reading the excerpts and interviews from your tour.
ReplyDeletelennascloud(at)gmail(Dot)com
Sorry for the late post. I’m playing catch-up here so I’m just popping in to say HI and sorry I missed visiting with you on party day! Hope you all had a good time!
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com