I’ve been doing some surfing, and found the “The Doe and the Dragon’s” first listing – at Manic Readers. They’ve got my name a bit wrong, but I assume that’s a database error that will soon be rectified.
Here’s the link: http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=bookdetail&bookid=12033
‘The Doe and The Dragon’ continues to near publication. I’ve sent final edits back to Rogue Phoenix Press, and I assume the next stage is to await a publication date.
The novel is set in fifth-century north Wales, and the hero is the semi-historical Einion Yrth (‘The Impetuous’). But who was Einion Yrth? And how have I treated him?
According to the myths, Cunedda was a minor kingt who came down from the north of England to settle in north Wales to help fend off Irish raids. He had numerous sons who travelled with him, and Einion later became king of the region, despite being the youngest. (Sadly for romantics, historians are trending to the view that the story and sons are made up to give the dynasty a history and provide names for sub-kingdoms.)
We know little else about Einion, but his title ‘Yrth’ has led some to suggest he might have been the original Uther Pendragon (Arthur’s father, of course).
I had to make Einion heroic because he must be worthy of being a leader. But I also wanted him vulnerable, to make him sympathetic. So, I have him self-confident, and of course impetuousness, and quick to anger. But I gave him a flaw – an inability to deal with beautiful women.
It is this shyness that I have tried to play up in the story; he loves Breena, the beautiful Irish woman he meets, but does not know how to woo her. This isn’t a story about heroism or good against evil, or about history, although they all play an important part. It is about Einion’s almost blundering efforts to win the hand of the woman he loves.
Fellow Eternal Press author Gianna Bruno has invited me to join her ‘Spotlight Day’ at Coffee Time Romance this Thursday, 10 February.
We’ll be talking about writing from the viewpoint of the opposite sex, and I’ll also give an update of where we are with getting ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ and ‘The Well’ published.
Please come and join us!
At this time of year the world seems to be full of reviews of 2010, so I though I’d do a brief one, too.
In terms of output, the year was a slightly disappointing one. A mixture of computer problems, Junior needing the main PC for exam work, and family illnesses meant several periods of inactivity. Not only did that mean less writing, but also problems of continuity – it’s not easy to remember the detail of what characters are doing when I haven’t been able to work on them for a week!
I did finish one novel, though, which is due to go through Critters in the next week or so. I do think the various breaks have had an impact, but I’ll know soon whether Critters agree.
I’ve not had any new publications, but acceptances for ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ and ‘The Well’. Both are due for release in 2011.
It’s also been a good year for writing friends. Gianna Bruno has had ‘Hot Chocolate Kiss’ and ‘The Journey’ released. Phil McCormac has continued with his line of westerns, and has also seen his first crime novel published. Congratulations to you both.
I’ve had some good news, that my horror/adventure novella, ‘The Well’, has been accepted for publication. As usual, I’ll refrain from naming the publisher until contracts have been signed.
The story concerns an heiress who wakes up at the bottom of a well, and a college nerd who is stuck up a tree.
The story is very much in the vein of my literary hero, the late, great Richard Laymon, and I like to think of ‘Well’ as a tribute to him, with some of the elements he sometimes included. I’ve got a feisty blond heroine, a slightly nerdish hero, and the type of plot that I hope Laymon might have used. I only hope readers think it’s a fraction as good as the great man’s work.
Released by Eternal Press, 7 December 2010
They don't hang witches in Salem anymore, but Milena's punishment is being shunned. When her lover Thomas' ship is lost at sea, she fears he perished with the rest of the crew leaving her alone in a town bracing for a war over slavery, but still rife with an older form of prejudice.
Milena travels into the Forest and Sea Otherworlds to search for him, paying the fairies for her passage with bodily pleasures. Circe, the evil mermaid holding Thomas hostage, demands even more. She faces off against Circe in her underwater lair, endures the wrath of a colony of escaped slaves, and learns the terrible truth of what led to the shipwreck that left Thomas as its only survivor.
On the long journey, Milena learns to use her powers in ways she never imagined and discovers surprising truths about her own past. Left questioning everything she has ever believed, she must make the choice whether to return home with Thomas or stay in the Otherworlds forever.
“The journey is not about the destination, but rather overcoming the obstacles along the way.”
So says the tag for Gianna Bruno’s new novella, ‘The Journey’, which will be released by Eternal Press on 7 December. The story is about more than destinations or obstacles, though. It is about a woman who will do anything, and go anywhere for the man she loves. As such, it is very much a story about an impressively drawn character.
Milena’s lover Thomas is lost as sea shortly before the War Between the States. ‘The Journey’ follows Milena’s quest to find her love and takes her over much of the US’s eastern seaboard and beyond – so far beyond, in fact, that her travels take her to the Otherworld itself.
The plot is well thought through, and enough to keep the reader gripped on its own. The story’s highlight, though – as with Gianna’s previous Eternal Press release, ‘Hot Chocolate Kiss’ – is the strength of the main character. Milena is totally committed to her man. Not in any wimpish way, but with the sort of love and passion that makes her a strong heroine.
It might have been easier to have written this as an adventure story. Gianna shows everything through Milena’s eyes, which gives the tale an additional strength. Throughout, the reader wants to know what will happen to Milena, and whether she will ever live happily ever after with Thomas.
The story begins just before the outbreak of the American Civil war, and in particular highlights the misery of the slave trade. The prejudices and beliefs of the time are well illustrated, in particular, the villagers’ attitude toward Milena – a witch. The heroine’s sense of desolation at being shunned at a time when her man is missing, and she most needs a friendly face, is soon magnified by the plight of escaped slaves she meets.
Even to one unfamiliar with the period Gianna writes with a confidence that assures the reader of its historical accuracy.
‘The Journey’ is an erotic romance – and rightly comes with a high heat rating. Gianna doesn’t pull any punches with this aspect, and writes the sex scenes with the same confidence as the story’s other elements. The erotic element is all in context, though, and fits seamlessly into the story.
In all, this was an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
And, finally, Gianna will be giving away a copy of ‘The Journey’ to one reader who leaves a comment below.
The front cover for ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ has been finalised – here it is! Thank you again, Genene, for your work on it.
The release is likely to be in Spring 2011.
