Diana By The Moon

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~ Details ~

~ Outline ~

~ Reviews ~

~ Excerpt ~

~ Author’s Note ~

~ Also of Interest ~

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Details

HISTORICAL ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

He is Arthur’s man. His duty is his life. She fears and mistrusts him. The only way they will survive is to work together.

• Romantic Times “Top Pick” of the month
• Frankfurt E-book Award nominee
• Finalist, Emma Darcy Award.

Published by Cerridwen Press

Now Available.

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Outline

Diana — a fiery kitten of a Roman woman, who hides a terrible past, and struggles to lead her people on a desparate quest for survival against famine and Saxon raids, unable to trust anyone.

Alaric — proud Celtic warrior and trusted lieutenant to the upstart British leader, Arthur, who must overcome his hatred of Romans if he is to fulfill Arthur’s ambitions in the north.

A haunting tale of two lives touched by the coming of King Arthur, and two hearts & souls struggling to come together against odds as great as those against Britain itself. Only together will they survive, or else be sundered…forever.

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Reviews

This novel drew me in so completely, so thoroughly, time just simply faded.  Diana by the Moon is a work of written art. Tracy Cooper-Posey has penned a beautiful story; of one woman’s courageous journey of self discovery amidst turbulent times.

What I think appealed to me most, was how the author timed the dramatic elements in the plot. If you haven’t read Cooper-Posey’s books, I’m highly recommending this one. I’m familiar with several of her sub-genres, and her adaptability and range as a writer is impressive. … This novel will appeal to romance readers, anyone who reads historicals, and those who like romantic suspense. If you enjoyed the (1998) movie Merlin with Sam Neill, or Sir Walter Scott’s book Ivanhoe. A must read if you enjoy myths, legends, and lore.

Susan S for Love Romance Passion

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Diana By The Moon, full of struggles, conflicts, underhanded dealings of a bishop, and the innate need to love and be loved, captures the reader’s attention and heart. When it looks like all is lost for Diana, she gambles that a culture she has no real knowledge of will help her save the villa and help her realize her hope of having control of her estate, her life, and her freedom. In her gamble, she gains a love that surpasses all she’d ever dreamed of.

Tracy Cooper-Posey is a superb story teller and creates realist scenes of life and the struggles of that age. But her scene of Alaric seeing Diana in the snowy clearing in the forest enchants, as do many others, one of which is the ceremony with the Priestess of the Moon that is pure magic. Spellbinding imagery makes the story sparkle. When Alaric comes to fully understand and met Diana’s needs, the love scene is breathtaking.

Diana By The Moon lifts up hope for humanity and shows a remarkable, giving love that fills the heart with happiness. GOOD READING!

Camellia for Long and Short Reviews

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Reviews For the Previous Edition:

Diana by the Moon is a fast-paced emotional story that will warm your heart and fire your blood. Gripping characters and descriptive writing makes this a book that you will want to read all over again. Diana is a strong, yet emotionally scarred woman who is so unwavering in her hatred for Celts that she fails to see the damage such feelings can cause. Alaric has an equally damaging abhorrence for Romans that he must learn to control. Together they find the healing and love needed to bring their people and themselves peace. This reviewer had trouble putting this book down and found myself with tears in my eyes. A wonderfully gifted writer, Ms. Cooper-Posey has found a new fan in this reviewer. This is a highly recommended read!

Kathi for Fallen Angel Reviews

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Diana by the Moon is a riveting, incredibly gripping and spell binding novel of suspense, drama and romance. It is a well written story with characters the reader cannot help but adore. The emotion that flows from the characters enters the reader’s heart. The book is carefully researched and contains an amazing amount of detail to the time period. The author has penned a delightful tale that is never boring and flows smoothly. Diana by the Moon is one book this reviewer will never get rid of. Very highly recommended and definitely a must read for historical romance lovers. Ms Cooper-Posey truly deserves this 5 rose rating in this not-to-be-missed romance. This reviewer looks forward to reading more from this author.

Penny for Love Romances

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Tracy Cooper-Posey has put a bit of a different twist to the Arthurian legend. This tale takes place before the Knights of the Round Table existed and tells of how Arthur began to control the Kingdom of Britain by battling the Saxons. Even though Arthur is not present in this story until the very end of it, he is very much felt by Verus’ and Alaric’s loyalty to him. This is rather a story of Diana and Alaric, a Roman and a Celt and how they came to see each other as a man and woman. Diana by the Moon gives us a look into the society of the times, with Celts and Romans despising each other. If you have an interest in Arthurian lore, Diana by the Moon is a must.

Chere for The Romance Studio

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Tracy Cooper-Posey captures not only romance of the times but the romance between the hero and heroine in a compelling and wonderful drama. What makes this book a good read is that the author has breathed such life into her characters. Unlike most classic romances, the protagonists are not portrayed in ‘ideal’ terms. What comes across most strongly is the internal beauty and integrity of the characters. Nor are they struck by lightning attraction when they meet. The romance blossoms slowly and naturally, in a most believable way. As an historian, I can attest that the historical background and ongoing story is quite plausible and well constructed. The reader gets a tangible feel for the kinds of issues and hardships facing the people of the time, without it overshadowing the main drama or the romance.

Jenny Brassel for Sharpwriter.com

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Highly Recommended.

…it’s Alaric’s deep sense of honor and goodness that makes this sensitive tale so appealing. Diana by the Moon is an Arthurian story with a twist; readers won’t meet Arthur until close to the end. His presence is felt, most particularly by Alaric’s dedication to what Arthur stands for, and Alaric’s wish to convey his leader’s goodness to Diana. While there are several important secondary characters, this is Diana and Alaric’s story. It’s a beautifully written novel with a distinctly different plot than most Arthurian books. Although it’s more an adventure than a romance, Diana by the Moon contains one of the most sensitively written, sensuous love scenes I’ve read in a long while. I highly recommend Diana by the Moon. It’s well researched with two very strong and appealing lead characters.

Jani Brooks for Romance Reviews Today

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Diana by the Moon is more a historical romance than a fantasy. Britain’s mixed cultural heritage, and the inevitable conflict, add color to this tale of fear and passion. Diana and Alaric are both haunted by memories of violent loss. Somehow, they must overcome their antagonism and work together for Arthur’s ideal: a united, well-defended Britain. This book presents a modern tale of passion against a historical backdrop of battle, honor, and chivalry. Ms. Cooper-Posey has a deft touch.

Jeanette Cottrell for eBook Reviews Weekly

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I adored it. It was truly an excellent book. I loved this story. The characters are all convincing, the setting is real, and the conflict between cultures is sharp and unrelenting. The love story between Alaric, captain of Arthur’s new army, and Diana proud Roman, is well done and compelling. The story is believable, the ending satisfactory, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Jenny, for LouiseBrown.net

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This is a well-written story set in an untraditional time.This is a very good read.

Sam for Timeless Tales.

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Read in one sitting with no inclination to take a break from it.

Emma Darcy, author of over 80 romances.

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Diana by the Moon easily ranks as one of the best historical romances I have read this year. Tracy Cooper-Posey deftly blends historical detail with heart-touching romance, a beautifully rendered plot and compelling characters that will haunt you for days after you read the last page. Highly recommended for lovers of historical romance.

Lee Padgett, for The BookNook and Compuserve Romance Reviews

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Very highly recommended.

Fans of Tracy Cooper-Posey’s diverse and unique work will be delighted to read her newest release, Diana by the Moon. With the consummate skill readers have come to expect, Cooper-Posey presents a memorable tale of a woman’s evolution. Tracy Cooper-Posey has a remarkable narrative voice that lends itself perfectly to whatever genre she chooses. In her romantic tale Eyes of a Stranger, her voice was smooth, silky with an underlying sensuality that bordered on decadence. Her Sherlock Holmes tale is almost appropriately British in tone; that is, very proper, logically articulate, and methodical. With this marvelous tale she perfectly captures the strength of her incredible heroine in prose which is distinctive, sharp, crisp and yet powerfully feminine. This reviewer can hardly wait to see what genre this talented author tackles next; indeed, it seems nothing is beyond her pen’s capacity.

Cindy Penn for Wordweaving

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Excerpt

Rhys turned his back so the woman and all those ranked behind her would not hear. “Sir,” he addressed Alaric. “You can’t deal with a woman over a matter like this!”

“Why not?”

Rhys looked surprised. “She’s a woman!” he said, as if that was explanation enough.

Alaric suppressed a smile. “You heard her as well as I. Her father is dead and there are no older brothers. She is clearly in control of the people here. So it is she I must deal with.”

Rhys’ craggy face looked troubled.

Alaric shrugged. “Do you wish to return to Caer Leon? Will you explain to Arthur that you failed to follow his orders because you would not deal with a woman?”

“There are other hills!” Rhys protested

“Not on the direct line from Eboracum that we need. This one is perfect.”

Rhys’ unhappiness deepened and Alaric patted his shoulder. “Cheer up!”

“It’s not right,” Rhys grumbled.

Alaric moved around Rhys to where the woman stood waiting, her arms crossed tightly. “My lady,” he acknowledged.

“Diana will do,” she said coolly, lifting the sharp chin to look at him. She was tiny. Her head barely reached his breast and the people who stood behind her were all taller than her, yet she was clearly their leader.

Her defiance was surely bravado. She seemed too delicate to defend herself. Her figure under the manlike garb was small and her face was finely proportioned. The lifted chin and high well-defined cheekbones emphasized narrow, hollow cheeks and a high forehead. She was all bone. The impression of fragility was increased by her hair— pulled back tightly behind her head so that no locks strayed and the shape of her small head was clearly outlined.

But her intelligent expression and the gleam of quick thought in her odd eyes gave lie to her less than substantial appearance. She had no trouble looking him straight in the eye. Her own eyes had dark smudges underneath them. That was the product of long-term exhaustion and lack of sleep, he judged. But she had her full wits about her.

Behind her, the reassembled members of her household stood watching his every move, suspicion and wariness emanating from them like a wave of heat.

Romans. Alaric gave a mental sigh.

“What do you want here?” she demanded, surprising him.

“My name is Alaric,” he began, attempting to ease her into a more cooperative frame of mind. “I am an officer in the army of Arthur, the Pendragon.” He meant simply to establish his identity but the effect was the same as if he had said he was a barbarian from the east. Her face grew stony, the nostrils flared and her jaw rippled under the tightly drawn skin. For a moment hurt flickered in her eyes before it was washed away in a flood of fury.

“Then you have no business here.” Her voice was low, controlled.

“On the contrary. Arthur charged me with establishing a line of signal beacons between Lindum and Aberach and—”

“Aberach? You mean Eboracum?”

Alaric mentally cursed. Merlin had warned him the Romans were apt to take offense at the British version of their city’s name.

“My apologies—I do mean Eboracum. I am here to set up beacons and to establish a cavalry outpost in this area.”

“And what have I to do with your orders?” When she was not controlling her tone, her voice was naturally low pitched and mellow. Surprisingly pleasant to his ear.

“I have set the beacons from Lindum to here. I have one last beacon to set before Eboracum itself. The hill behind this villa is the hill I need.”

“No.” Her response was quick, without consideration.

“There are no other suitable summits in the area. This hill has a clear line of sight to the next beacon.”

From behind Diana a tall, deeply tanned middle-aged woman carrying a suckling infant stepped up close to Diana’s shoulder. “There has been a beacon atop the hill since Constantine’s time,” she said, her voice slow, placid. Deceptively placid, Alaric realized. The woman’s eyes were shrewd.

Diana shook her head. “No.”

Puzzled, he tried again. “We would not interfere with the day-to-day workings of the estate. It is only the summit we need. There would be two men there at all times—”

“I said no!”

At her exclamation, Alaric’s men’s heads lifted from the tight circle they had gathered into. They’d started a dice game.

He turned back to Diana. There were two angry lines slashing between the arched brows and her jaw was tight. She would not prove easy to coax.

He wanted that hill! The beacon was strategically vital. There was no other way to send an alarm across Britain in a matter of moments. They had learned in the last four years of campaigning against the Saxon invaders that mobility and speed were their crucial advantages.

One last time. He gathered his patience. “We must have the hill, my lady. It is important to Arthur’s campaign against—”

“I don’t care,” Diana interrupted. “Why should I?”

“He fights for all of Britain,” he said truthfully.

“Then where was he when we needed that force?” Diana’s mouth twisted with bitterness. “Your Pendragon is good at calling men to his banner but he takes them from where they are needed most. Find yourself another hill, warrior. You are not welcome here.”

Alaric stared at her, flummoxed. “Romans,” he said at last, with a snort of disgust. They were impossible to reason with.

Her face tightened even more, the eyes narrowing. The people behind her stirred, muttered.

“Leave here at once,” she said. Her tiny frame was vibrating with anger. She glanced down at his waist then drew herself up straight, in direct challenge. Behind her the tall, tanned woman stepped another protective pace closer.

Alaric realized that he was convulsively clutching the hilt of his sword. He forced his hand to loosen and drop to his side. Taking the hill by force was against every tenet that Arthur fought for. They would be no better than the Saxons they were trying to rid from the land. Or the Romans who had taken what they wanted at the point of a sword too.

He took a step back, placating, then turned and strode back to his horse and calling for Rhys and Griffin to gather the men. He climbed onto his horse and wheeled its head for the gate, careful not to look back.

Romans! He growled under his breath. Damn her!

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Diana did not move while the soldiers filed through the gateway.

“Was that wise, Diana?” Sosia asked from her place just behind Diana’s shoulder. “They could provide a little protection for us while they man their beacon.”

“The Pendragon’s men?” Diana recalled the moment when they had learned that Verus had deserted them during the night to go to his precious Arthur, leaving them alone and helpless. “They don’t deserve our cooperation.”

“Where do you think they’ll go now?”

“Eboracum.” Diana felt a laugh squeeze itself past her anger and let it out. It felt good. “Eboracum,” she repeated, amused. “He’ll find even less joy there.”

The thought was deeply satisfying.

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Author’s Note

I love this book. I love all my books, but Diana by the Moon sits up near the top of the list. I can’t explain why it has such a pull for me. It was the first book where I managed to exactly capture the mood and emotion that I wanted. All the elements worked together — setting, character, plot — it just jelled, without fighting back. Diana and Alaric came alive…it was a joy to write.

This was the first book I wrote in my new country, Canada, and I wrote it hunched over an old 486 PC on a tiny desk in a corner of the shoe-box sized lounge with kids fighting behind me. We were dirt poor, on one income, and going through the high-stress immigration process, but while I was writing the book, all that disappeared.

And who said writers have a tough life?

Diana by the Moon has been sold once more, this time to Cerridwen Press, who will be bringing it back into publication in mid 2010, with a fabulous new cover.  I’m thrilled that it will be once more available to all the readers who continually ask where they can buy copies.

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Also of Interest

Diana by the Moon is now available.  It is set in northern Britain, in the late 5th century, which is the Roman British period when — if there really ever was a King Arthur — he would have been actively working to hold back the rising threat of Saxon incursions and invasions.

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