Just then a scream echoed in the
forest. Drawing their swords, Linet and Boudicca charged towards the
sound. By the time they reached the source all that could be seen was
Prasutagus, his blood spilling into the ground – as if a year-king killed as an
offering to the gods for his people. Prasutagus looked up, his eyes
blurring, “Boudicca?”
Boudicca knelt, weeping, the
blood from his chest wound soaking her dress, “I am here.”
“A Roman – scout – I – surprised
him.” gasped Prasutagus, trying in vain to tell his wife what happened, knowing
the moment he died rage would fill her – rage against Rome.
Boudicca kissed him tenderly, “My
love, do not leave me!” Prasutagus kissed her repeatedly, his eyes fixed
on hers until they saw no more. Feeling his spirit leave his body,
Boudicca wept, as if her entire life suddenly passed with him – at least for
this moment. Finally, she rose, helping Linet carry him to their
chariot. With a gentle nudge of the reigns the horses turned for home and
the sad work ahead.
---------------
Welcome to RomanceFest 2015!
I hope all month long you've discovered many amazing books from some of
the top independent authors in the world.
My contribution to RomanceFest is
a bit different. Rather than offering you the thrilling paranormal
science fiction romance of the Peers of Beinan Series, I decided to take a
different, much more risky approach. I decided to make my RomanceFest
books CREATIVE NON-FICTION HISTORY for young readers and family audiences.
In the excerpt you just read
above and audio
excerpt you just heard
on the youtube video, you experienced the powerful love between King Prasugasus
of the Iceni and his wife, Queen Boudicca. Boudicca is remembered every
year in King's Cross London for destroying the Roman cities of Camulodunum
(originally the capital of the Trinovantes, the southern neighbour to the Iceni
in what is now Essex), Londonium, and Saint Albans in the year 61 CE.
Typically she is portrayed as a vengeful shrew getting back at the Romans
for publicly flogging her and raping her two daughters (aged 10-12 years old).
I took a different approach with the biography, one intensely grounded in
archaeology and one taking a broader look at the cultures of ancient Britain.
Boudicca: Britain's Queen of the Iceni is creative non-fiction history for
young readers and families at its absolute finest, one benefiting immensely
from the dynamic artistry of British voice artist and actor Richard Mann
(easily the best English actor you probably never heard of -- yet!).
Now I would like to introduce you
to Queen Catherine de Valois. Shakespeare immortalized Catherine in
"Henry V," a play very much taking King Henry's point of view.
The real Henry and the real Catherine were very different. In my
biography for younger readers and families, you meet the real Catherine de
Valois: bright, educated, and religiously devout. You see her in her
historical context as she navigates her father's mental illness, the French
civil war between house Valois and the Duchy of Burgundy, and her brother Charles'
struggles to become king of France -- with a little help from Joan of Arc.
But more importantly, you explore
her relationships with King Henry V of England, their son King Henry VI, and
the true love she found in Owen Tudor. It is a beautiful, romantic tale
to inspire generations of girls and women.
I am pleased to announce that in
May or June 2015 Richard Mann and I will release the audio edition of Catherine
de Valois on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. So take a listen to the above
audio book excerpt, then download your copy of Catherine de Valois on Amazon.com, Barnes/Noble, Smashwords,
or Ibookstore.
Make sure to check out the other authors in the blogfest!!!
I like your approach!
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