I enjoy writing all my books, of course, but this one in particular made me look forward to getting up in the morning and heading for my desk.
Although it was a logistical nightmare to plot and write!
Now we’re getting further into the saga, many of the characters you’ve heard of before are starting to appear — Ector, Bedivere, Lancelot, Cai, Tristan, among many others, and including, of course, Arthur himself.
Because I inherited a cast of thousands and then must add my own onto the top of that cast, it requires huge amounts of planning and juggling to make sure everyone appears when they should and where they should. Even the original Welsh myths interwove family trees and relationships, so that keeping track of who is related to who, and how, requires charts and maps.
Unusually, I spent nearly as long plotting this book as I did writing it, because there was that much information to manage.
But it is done now, and I’m pretty pleased by the end result.
Here’s a flash-short snippet for you:
“Look, that one over there, uner the Corneus banner,” Emrys said softly, so his voice didn’t travel.
“That’s Duke Bedrawd,” Cai replied, for he was better at shields and banners and family lineage than her or Emrys. Neither of them had considered memorizing shields and names worth the time, while Cai had unquestioningly obeyed Steffen and had painstakingly learned the devices and family of every single king and duke and count and lord that looked to Uther as High King.
Now Rhiannon could appreciate why knowing such things might be useful. Cai was a font of information about the people all around them.
“Not the old man,” Emrys said dismissively. “The other two.”
“Bedivere and Lucan,” Cai said instantly. “I don’t know which is which, though. They both look the same age. Bedivere is the oldest of the two, by just over a year.”
“And the girl with the white hair?” Emrys said, his tone interested.
“Mair, their sister,” Cai supplied. “She’s a fighter, too,” he added.
“The sword at her hip did not tell me that, of course,” Emrys said, laughing.
“You shouldn’t laugh. You know what they say about the house of Corneus,” Cai said pedantically.
“No, what do they say?”
“They are the house of perfect knights. They live and breathe discipline. That’s why their sister is a fighter, too. Poor thing probably had no choice but to become one.”
Rhiannon cracked open one eye, to glance at the white-haired girl standing with the two brown-haired men. The men looked to be about their age. “She looks too young to fight.” She closed her eyes.
Emrys nudged the foot of her boot. “So do you,” he teased.
Rhiannon wrinkled her nose at him. It was too warm and pleasant in the sun to stir herself to answer.
He is not the enemy she came to fight.
Idris the Slayer is the champion of the northern kings. Undefeated in battle, the dark, lone warrior who rides to war with a black wolf at his side spreads fear before him, even among those counted his allies.
When Rhiannon of Galleva rides to her first battle with Emrys and Cai, she expects to fight the Saxon hoards pouring into Britain. She is not braced to defend herself against Idris’ incursion into her heart.
He is a dangerous man to be drawn to, for his allegiance lies with king Lot of Orkney, who holds no love for Uther, the aging High King. Rhiannon’s parents, Anwen and Steffan, are loyal to the High King, as is Count Ector, Cai’s father. Rhiannon’s association with a northern man tears open secrets that have brewed for a generation, forcing Uther and his commanders to fight enemies on two fronts.
This novel is part of the ancient historical romance series, Once and Future Hearts, set in Britain during the time of King Arthur.
1.0 Born of No Man
2.0 Dragon Kin
3.0 Pendragon Rises
4.0 War Duke of Britain
5.0 High King of Britain
6.0 Battle of Mount Badon
7.0 Abduction of Guenivere
8.0 Downfall of Cornwall
9.0 Vengeance of Arthur
10.0 Grace of Lancelot
11.0 The Grail and Glory
12.0 Camlann
Readers have described Tracy Cooper-Posey as “a superb story teller” and her ancient historical romances as “written art”. Get your copy of War Duke of Britain today!
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Praise for the Once And Future Hearts series
It takes me back to the magic I felt when reading Mary Stewart’s stories of Merlin. Tracy Cooper-Posey has written another winner!
As a long time, self proclaimed Arthurian Legend junkie I couldn’t wait to dive into Tracy Cooper Posey’s new series. Tracy once again proves to be a master story teller as she weaves the delicate threads of this beloved legend into her own.
Oh my goodness. Of course I was not sure what to expect with this but what I got was a wonderful story set in the time just before King Arthur. Invading Saxons, Romans, Kings, princesses, mysteries, Merlin, and romance? Wonderful beginning to a new series and I cannot wait to read more.
I also love the fact that her female characters are definitely not boring, whiny or TSTL.
Tracy Cooper Posey is brilliant at weaving stories with individuals that are completely believable in their thoughts and dialogue.
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War Duke of Britain is now available for pre-order everywhere but Amazon. If you pre-order directly from me, you will receive your copy a week earlier than any other bookseller. Also, while on pre-order, the price is reduced to 50% of the full retail.
Click here to read another excerpt and check out War Duke of Britain
Cheers,
.
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