Friday, 24 November 2023

HISTORICAL STORIES of EXILE - with Amy Maroney

graphic by Marian L Thorpe

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HISTORICAL STORIES 
of 
EXILE
A collection of short stories by thirteen (non-superstitious) 
award-winning authors

in order of appearance

Annie Whitehead, J.G. Harlond, Helen Hollick, Anna Belfrage, Elizabeth Chadwick, Loretta Livingstone, Elizabeth St.John, Alison Morton, Charlene Newcomb, 
Marian L Thorpe, Amy Maroney, Cathie Dunn, Cryssa Bazos
 with an introduction by Deborah Swift

Join an inspiring Anglo-Saxon Queen of Wales, a courageous Norwegian falconer, and a family fleeing back in time to escape the prospect of a ruthless future. Defy the law with the legendary Doones of Exmoor, or defy the odds with two brave WWII exiles. Meet a Roman apprehensively planning exile to preserve the 'old ways', and a real Swedish prince forcibly expelled in heart-wrenching circumstances. Thrill to a story based on the legend of Robin Hood, sail with a Queen of Cyprus determined to regain her rightful throne; escape religious persecution, discover the heart-rending truth behind the settlement of Massachusetts and experience the early years that would, eventually, lead to the founding of Normandy. Experience the stirring of first love, and special guest author, Elizabeth Chadwick, reveals a tale about the 12th century’s heiress, Isabelle de Clare, and the Greatest Knight of all time – William Marshal.

With an introduction by multi-award-winning author Deborah Swift, enjoy these tales of exile across the ages. Some are hopeful, some sad, some romantic, some tragic, but all explore the indomitable spirit of resolute, unforgettable characters.

TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT

LAST HOPE FOR A QUEEN
by Amy Maroney

Exiled from her homeland of Cyprus, all Queen Charlotta wants is the aid to get her crown back...

read a snippet:

ISLAND OF RHODES, GREECE, AUTUMN 1461

Queen Charlotta strode down the broad corridor leading to the grand master’s great receiving hall, sweeping past guards and other attendants with barely a glance, her mind fixed on the challenge ahead.

No matter what happens, you’re here to save your crown.

She halted in front of the double doors and drew in a long breath. Her translator, Estelle de Montavon, leaned close.

“You are the queen of Cyprus.” The Frenchwoman’s calm voice was reassuring, as always. “The knights will give you the respect you’re due.”

“I must have the truth. Don’t try to protect me.”

Estelle held her gaze. “Never. I always give you the words as I hear them, not as I wish them to be."

read the full story in HISTORICAL STORIES of  EXILE





ABOUT AMY MARONEY
Amy Maroney studied English Literature at Boston University and worked for many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction. She lives in Oregon, U.S.A. with her family. When she’s not diving down research rabbit holes, she enjoys hiking, dancing, traveling, and reading. Amy is the author of The Miramonde Series, a bestselling historical mystery trilogy about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern-day scholar on her trail.
Amy’s award-winning historical adventure/romance series, Sea And Stone Chronicles, is set in medieval Rhodes and Cyprus.

An enthusiastic advocate for independent publishing, Amy is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors and the Historical Novel Society.

“Amy Maroney has a gift of making the past come to life in a way that is relatable and engaging.” Historical Novel Society Review

Buy Amy’s books on Amazon:
Amy Maroney

(Also available from other online stores or order from any bookshop)

https://www.amymaroney.com/

A broken promise. A bitter conflict. And a woman’s elusive chance to love or die.

1458. Young Frenchwoman Estelle de Montavon sails to Cyprus imagining a bright future as tutor to a princess. Instead, she is betrayed by those she loves most—and forced into a dangerous new world of scheming courtiers, vicious power struggles, and the terrifying threat of war.

Determined to flee, Estelle enlists the help of an attractive and mysterious falconer. But on the eve of her escape, fortune’s wheel turns again. She gains entry to Queen Charlotta’s inner circle as a trusted scribe and interpreter, fighting her way to dizzying heights of influence.

Enemies old and new rise from the shadows as Estelle navigates a royal game of cat and mouse between the queen and her powerful half-brother, who wants the throne for himself.

When war comes to the island, she faces a brutal reckoning for her loyalty to the queen. Will the impossible choice looming ahead be Estelle’s doom—or her salvation?
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Thursday, 23 November 2023

HISTORICAL STORIES of EXILE - HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY with Marian L Thorpe

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(or order from any bookstore)


graphic by Marian L Thorpe
Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a USA celebration, but we all have something to be thankful for, whether it be small or large, personal or wider-spread. For myself, I am thankful for the ability to read - and the abundance of books available from the local library, a bookstore or at the touch of a one-click button.

Fiction and the characters within novels were my friends during the years of growing up, those years when I had few real friends or the confidence to find them. Stories took me to new lands, new adventures, new worlds, new eras - and rarely let me down... they still do these things, of course, except now I am also discovering my own characters and their worlds.

I am thankful for the joy of writing - and reading. Thankful for the readers who delve into the stories I write, and thankful for the expanse of imagination that has been gifted to me me - and to all writers of fiction. Where would we be without stories and wonderful readers or listeners to share them with?

Thank you, therefore, to you all!
Helen Hollick

HISTORICAL STORIES 
of 
EXILE
A collection of short stories by thirteen (non-superstitious) 
award-winning authors

in order of appearance

Annie Whitehead, J.G. Harlond, Helen Hollick, Anna Belfrage, Elizabeth Chadwick, Loretta Livingstone, Elizabeth St.John, Alison Morton, Charlene Newcomb, 
Marian L Thorpe, Amy Maroney, Cathie Dunn, Cryssa Bazos
 with an introduction by Deborah Swift

Exile: a risky defiance, a perilous journey, a family’s tragic choice – or an individual’s final gamble to live. Exile: voluntary or enforced, a falling-out between friends, a lost first love, a prejudiced betrayal – or the only way to survive persecution?
In this historical fiction anthology thirteen authors (they are not superstitious!) have written exclusive short stories on the theme of exile.

Some are based on true history, others are speculative fiction. All mine the depths of human emotions – fear, hope, love, and the fortitude to survive.

TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT

ON SHINING WINGS
by Marian L Thorpe

A grandfather is reminiscing with his grandchildren about his younger days and the time when he found a special falcon... 

read a snippet:

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, 1265

“Tell us again,” my oldest grandchild begs. Outside, the snow is falling, but it is tolerably warm close to the hearth. Winters are for stories, and while they’ve heard this one many a time, I’ll do as he asks. He is English, this boy and his brothers and sisters. I am too, I suppose, but once I wasn’t.
“The voyage came first,” I begin. “Cold it was, and dangerous. Waves that drenched us, and wind so strong the oarsmen couldn’t keep us on course.”
“Were there sea monsters?” The middle boy’s eyes are huge in the firelight. 
“Ja, of a sort. Hvalir. Whales. Bigger than the ship.” I spread my arms wide. “Enormous! And when they surfaced beside us, ahh, the smell of their breath!”
The children giggle as I pretend to gag. Across the hearth, my son smiles, but at his children’s amusement. He’s heard this story so many times he could tell it himself. 
“It took us five days to reach Iceland.” I resume the story. “And more to travel along the coast to the north, where the falcons are.”
In my mind I am there again, seventeen, thinking myself a man. My father chose me to accompany him on this task for King Haakon...

read the full story in HISTORICAL STORIES of  EXILE

AUTHOR’S NOTE

The title On Shining Wings is taken from the song King of Rome by Dave Sudbury. If you don’t know it, it’s about another working man and the bird he loves – in his case a homing pigeon. A true story, while it didn’t inspire my story here, it shaped how it was told, and it’s well worth listening to.


On Shining Wings - The King of Rome


ABOUT MARIAN L THORPE
Taught to read at the age of three, words have been central to Marian’s life for as long as she can remember. A novelist, poet, and essayist, Marian has several degrees, none of which are related to writing. After two careers as a research scientist and an educator, she retired from salaried work and returned to writing things that weren’t research papers or reports.
Marian’s first published work was poetry, in small journals; her first novel was released in 2015. Her award-winning Empire’s Legacy series is historical fiction of another world, based to some extent on northern Europe after the decline of Rome.
In addition to her novels, Marian has read poetry, short stories, and non-fiction work at writers’ festivals and other juried venues.
Her other two passions in life are birding and landscape history, both of which are reflected in her books. Birding has taken her and her husband to all seven continents, but these days she's mostly content to move between Canada and the UK.

This is (alternative) historical fiction at its best; a credible story, believable characters and a superb consistency of setting and action.' Northern Reader Reviews


Buy Marian’s books on Amazon: https://relinks.me/MarianLThorpe
 
(Also available from other online stores or order from any bookshop.)

https://marianlthorpe.com

Lena of Tirvan has a choice to make: in the face of invasion, does she help defend her country, or choose banishment with her lover? Women have never fought in Lena's world: they farm and fish, make cheese and wine, and raise children. All men and boys, from the age of seven, are part of the military. But when the Emperor asks women to defend their villages against the catboats of Leste, Lena must decide where her loyalties lie. A unique blend of historical and speculative fiction, Empire's Daughter can be read as a standalone, or as an introduction to the epic saga of Empire's Legacy.
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(or order from any bookstore)


all graphics, unless otherwise stated 


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