Blood stains her Celtic home and kingdom. The warrior Druid princess will do anything to retake her kingdom.
Although Catrin is the rightful heir to the Celtic throne in Britannia, she is lucky to be alive. After witnessing the slaughter of her family at the hands of her half-brother, who was aided by the Romans, she is enslaved by a Roman commander. He disguises her as a boy in the Roman Legion with the belief that she is an oracle of Apollo and can foretell his future. The sole bright spot in her miserable new life is her forbidden lover Marcellus, the great-grandson of the famed Roman General Mark Antony.
But Marcellus has been wounded and his memories of Catrin and their secret marriage were erased by a dark Druidess. Though Marcellus reunites with Catrin in Gaul and becomes her ally as she struggles to survive the brutality of her Roman master, he questions the legitimacy of their marriage and hesitates to help her escape and retake her kingdom. If their forbidden love and alliance are discovered, her dreams of returning to her Celtic home with Marcellus will be shattered.
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About the Author
Award-winning Author Linnea Tanner weaves Celtic tales of love, magic, adventure, betrayal, and intrigue into historical fiction set in Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology which held women in higher esteem. Of particular interest are the enigmatic Celts who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids. Linnea has extensively researched ancient and medieval history, mythology, and archaeology and has traveled to sites described within each of her books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. Books released in her series include Apollo’s Raven (Book 1), Dagger’s Destiny (Book 2), and Amulet’s Rapture (Book 3). Skull’s Vengeance (Book 4 Curse of Clansmen and Kings) is anticipated to be released in late October 2022. A Colorado native, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Fort Collins with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren. To learn more about the author and her books, you can visit her website https://www.linneatanner.com/ and find her on Twitter @linneatanner
AD 434 – Caer Legion, Western Britain A heinous crime is perpetrated against the druids of Britain and a grief-stricken Bellicus suddenly finds his world changing in ways he never expected. Before he can begin to make sense of things the terrible news that the Picts have allied with the Saxons and now march on Dun Breatann together spurs the warrior-druid into action, and soon he and his companions
are racing homewards.
The Vengeance of Merlin – challenges of writing a series!
In 2018 I published the first book in my Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles – The Druid. It told the tale of Bellicus, a young druid (with shaved head and no beard, not at all like the stereotypical Merlin we see so often in books and movies) from Northern Britain who goes on a quest to rescue a little girl abducted by Saxon warriors.
I set that first novel in AD 430 – post Roman Britain, specifically so I could explore the changing landscape of Britain at the time. Christianity was just beginning to get a foothold on the island although the pagan gods still held sway, some Roman soldiers were still living there, and the culture that came with the legions still lingered although it was beginning to disintegrate and the people were reverting to living in hillforts and the like as new invaders (the Saxons) took advantage of the new power vacuum in Britain.
I had a great time researching and writing The Druid and it sold extremely well, as did the sequels, Song of the Centurion, The Northern Throne, The Bear of Britain, and Wrath of the Picts. The latter was the last novel I published in the series in 2022 because I signed a deal with Canelo, one of the UK’s fastest growing publishers, to write a trilogy about King Alfred the Great. For the past two years I worked on those novels starting with The Heathen Horde, onto Sword of the Saxons and, in February 2025 the third and final book King of Wessex will be published.
When my deal with Canelo finished I knew I had to write more Warrior Druid of Britain novels – my readers had waited two years to find out what happened with Bellicus and, honestly, I was missing the big druid myself! However, this is where I realised just how difficult it can be to switch from one series to another after a long time away from it.
I’d spent two long years researching the Anglo-Saxons and England around AD880 – more than four hundred years after my Warrior Druid series is set. I had been writing about new characters, inventing many of them myself, new locations, new enemies, new technologies, new kingdoms, and a completely different religious, political, and cultural landscape. Perhaps most jarring of all – the Saxons, enemies and “baddies” in my Druid series, were now the heroes in my Alfred the Great trilogy.
What all this meant was that when I finally got around to starting work on my sixth Warrior Druid of Britain novel my head was simply not in the right place. My memories of the people, events, and places in the previous novels had faded and it was a pretty frightening situation to be in!
I know some authors keep huge files filled with all sorts of information about their books – character descriptions with biographies, location details, plot events, future plans etc. I had a list of character names with a short description and, well, that was about it. I was pretty much lost, like a dark age druid wandering into a medieval Christian church and trying to join in with Mass!
Now, obviously I managed to find my way again. I’m promoting The Vengeance of Merlin after all, book 6 in the Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles. We authors often find ourselves terrified that something just isn’t going the way we hoped and it seems at that moment like our career is over forever.
Maybe we simply can’t come up with a good idea for a new book, or the book we’re halfway through writing seems like total garbage in our minds, or someone else publishes a book with the same idea as the one we’ve been working on. I’ve heard these stories so many times from authors I’ve interviewed on the podcast I co-host with Matthew Harffy, Rock, Paper, Swords!
When something like that happens it’s frightening, but we always manage to overcome it. The idea we so desperately need just pops into our heads one day, or we read our WIP and discover it’s nowhere near as bad as we thought, or we realise the book that’s just come out that seemed so similar to our own WIP looks at the themes through a totally different lens. Or, in my most recent case, I realise that I CAN remember my previous series without spending weeks feverishly reading all five previous novels, and things fall into place, thank the old gods!
There’s a piece of software called AEON TIMELINE which had been recommended to me (we actually did an episode of Rock, Paper, Swords! discussing this and other technology like SCRIVENER and SCAPPLE that authors use to make life easier, check it out HERE). Aeon Timeline lets you note down every event in your book/series in as much detail as you like. You can colour code things to make it easier to navigate, and you can use it to keep track of not only your previous books but also to help you plot out new books.
Essentially, it’s rather like having dozens of post it notes, or notepad pages, but instead of having them scattered all about your house they’re right there in one handy screen. I won’t go into all the details of the app but it allowed me to easily look back at my previous Warrior Druid of Britain novels, note down every significant event and character, take it all in when I was finished and suddenly I knew where the series stood. The Vengeance of Merlin no longer seemed so difficult to approach, and I ended up writing it faster than any of my previous novels.
I hope this little blog post gives you hope if you’re an author struggling with writing your first, fifth, or fiftieth novel. I know the same fears assail us all at times, no matter how experienced we are. Things have a way of working out though, so stick at it. And, if you’re a reader, these are the trials we go through to get that polished novel into your hands and why we appreciate it so very much when you leave a nice review and we realise that people are enjoying the results of all our hard work (and terror)!
Steven McKay
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About the Author
Steven A. McKay was born in Scotland in 1977. He says, 'I enjoyed studying history – well, the interesting bits, not so much what they taught us in school. I decided to write my Forest Lord series after seeing a house called “Sherwood” when I was out at work one day. I’d been thinking about maybe writing a novel but couldn’t come up with a subject or a hero so, to see that house, well…It felt like a message from the gods and my rebooted Robin Hood was born. My current Warrior Druid of Britain series was similarly inspired, although this time it was the 80’s TV show “Knightmare”, and their version of Merlin that got my ideas flowing. Of course, the bearded old wizard had been done to death in fiction, so I decided to make my hero a giant young warrior-druid living in post-Roman Britain and he’s been a great character to write. I was once in a heavy metal band although I tend to just play guitar in my study these days. I’m sure the neighbours absolutely love me.' Find out more at his website https://stevenamckay.com/ and find him on Twitter @SA_McKay.
In a stunning work of feminist historical fiction for readers who loved Dawn Tripp’s Georgia and Whitney Scharer’s The Age of Light, Jude Berman brings painter Angelica Kauffman to life.
Accused of dressing as a boy to study in the prestigious galleries of eighteenth-century Italy, child prodigy Angelica Kauffman has set high goals for herself. She is determined to become a history painter, a career off-limits to women. To ensure her success, she has vowed never to marry.
When a new patron invites her to London, Angelica befriends famous artists, paints portraits of Queen Charlotte and other royalty, and becomes a founding member of the Royal Academy. While still in London, an alluring but mysterious Swedish count makes her an offer that may be too tempting to resist. Then, upon returning to Italy, she meets Wolfgang von Goethe.
Time and time again, Angelica faces the insurmountable obstacles and great personal sacrifices that come with being an independent woman. The vows she makes, big and small, are repeatedly challenged. Will she break free from the traditional male/female binary and the many oppressive social dictates of her time and learn to “paint with her soul” . . . or is a vow of a different sort necessary if she is to answer the deepest call of her heart?
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About the Author
Jude Berman has a BA in art from Smith College and an EdD in cross-cultural communication from UMass Amherst. After a career in academic research, she built a freelance writing and editing business and ran two small Indie presses. She lives in Berkeley, CA, where she continues to work with authors and write fiction. In her free time, she volunteers for progressive causes, paints with acrylic watercolors, gardens, and meditates. Visit judeberman.com for more information about Jude’s books.
A tragic accident...a bitter betrayal...a baffling mystery. If the truth is denied...an identity is hidden... a trust is eroded and a shocking betrayal ensues... can love truly blossom?
I'm pleased to welcome author Susan Gray to The Writing Desk:
Tell us about your latest book?
My latest book is called Blossoming of Truth and it’s my second novel. The setting is Northeast England in the 1920’s. I endeavour to entwine the genres of romance and mystery. I live in this area, but the place names are fictitious. It is the first book of what I hope to be a trilogy. When an attractive young woman seeks refuge in Tom’s home during a snowstorm, he is struck with a déjà vu feeling - convinced they have met before. As their romantic liaison develops, Tom’s life code is threatened by her persistent, mysterious, denial of their former connection. Then his brother dies in tragic circumstances, and he is arrested for causing the accident. Is it possible for love to blossom when he is betrayed, and the truth is denied?
What is your preferred writing routine?
I try to write every day. I’m an early riser and find I can write for a couple of hours before the distractions of the day begin. I’m retired, so the amount of writing done each day depends on the stage I’m at in a novel. I often take a walk and chat through my ideas, to myself. During warmer days I use a summerhouse in our garden – it becomes my writing retreat. In the winter I snuggle up beside a radiator on the landing, but once my head is ‘in the book’, I’m caught up in the story, wherever I’m sitting!
What advice do you have for new writers?
Link with other writers either, physically or through social media. It’s such an encouragement to hear other writers are experiencing the same problems you are having. Don’t give up – accept discouragement as part of the process – it’s usually only temporary.
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?
Talking about my books – library events, book fairs, book blogs, group talks, book signings and social media – Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter). I love meeting people face to face, telling them about my books.
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research?
I set my books in the 1920’s and I was amazed how advanced they were in those days. Testing was being done on televisions; fridges and gramophones were household items and women were entrepreneurial, starting businesses.
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
The 1920’s court room scene in Blossoming of Truth was challenging. Most of my knowledge concerning courtrooms was derived from contemporary scenes from TV or films. I was constantly asking myself…would they have done or said that a hundred years ago?
What are you planning to write next?
I have almost finished editing the sequel to Blossoming of Truth which I hope to publish next Spring. A third book is knocking at the door – I already have ideas for it! This would make it a trilogy, if it happens.
Susan Gray
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About the Author
‘Never too old to follow your dreams’ has become Susan Gray’s mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her novels in the early Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England – setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by ‘life’ and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to ‘people watch’ and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written six novels, and you can find her on Facebook and Twitter @SusanGray275384
A haunting medieval time-slip (#2 in the Dr DuLac series, sequel to A Shape on the Air, but can be read as a stand-alone)
Echoes of the past resonate through time and disturb medievalist Dr Viv DuLac as she struggles with misfortune in the present. She and Rev Rory have escaped to the island of Madeira on a secondment from their posts, yet they are not to find peace – until they can solve the mystery of the shard of azulejo and the ancient ammonite.
Viv’s search brings her into contact with two troubled women: a noblewoman shipwrecked on the island in the 14th century and a rebellious nun at the island convent in the 16th century. As Viv reaches out across the centuries, their lives become intertwined, and she must uncover the secrets of the ominous Dragon Tree in order to locate lost artefacts that can shape the future.
For fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, Christina Courtenay.
“The idea of being able to ‘feel’ what happened in the past is enticing … The sense of the island is really wonderful … Julia brings it to life evocatively.” ~ Joanna Barnden
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About the Author
Dr Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of time. She is the author of historical mysteries with a frisson of romance. Her books are evocative of time and place, well-researched and uplifting page-turners. Her current series focuses on early medieval time-slip/dual-time mysteries. Julia read English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language / literature / history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics. After a turbulent time in Ghana, West Africa, she became a school teacher, then a university academic and researcher. Her break as an author came soon after she joined the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme in 2015. Find out more from Julia's website https://juliaibbotsonauthor.com and find her on Facebook and Twitter @JuliaIbbotson
When her world shatters, she dares to trust a pirate. Will she survive what comes next?
The Pirate's Physician is the story of Giuliana Rinaldi, a student at Salerno's famed medieval medical school, whose lifelong dream of becoming a physician crumbles when her uncle and mentor dies suddenly.
Faced with an unwanted marriage to a ruthless merchant, Giuliana enlists the help of a Basque pirate and flees home for the dangers of the open sea.
Will she make it to Genoa, where her only remaining relative awaits? Or will this impulsive decision seal her own doom?
A delightful seafaring adventure packed with romance and intrigue, The Pirate's Physician is a companion novella to the award-winning Sea and Stone Chronicles series of historical novels by Amy Maroney: Island of Gold, Sea of Shadows, and The Queen's Scribe
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About the Author
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, an award-winning historical fiction trilogy about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern-day scholar on her trail. Her new historical suspense series, Sea and Stone Chronicles, is set in medieval Rhodes and Cyprus. Find out more from Amy's website: https://www.amymaroney.com/ and find her on Facebook and Twitter @wilaroney
A biography of a daring and an unprecedented decade: the 1650s
Events moved fast in the 1650s. Something cataclysmic happened every year, something that would thrust the newly formed republic, its people, and its eventual ‘Lord Protector’ Oliver Cromwell, in an entirely new direction.
It was a time of bewildering change and uncertainty, but it was also a time of innovation and opportunity. And, for the men and women who lived through these years, this period was certainly not an ‘interregnum’. The restoration of Charles II in 1660 was not inevitable, nor was it welcomed by everyone.
England’s unique republican experiment – imposed on Scotland and Ireland, too – may have been shortlived, but it has had a lasting impact on British monarchy, politics, religion and culture, and on the story the British continue to tell about themselves.
It is a period that, for a long time, history chose to forget, or recalled as a failure. Here, in thrilling detail, Alice Hunt brings the republic and its extraordinary cast of characters, from politicians to poets and prophets, back to life.
Alice Hunt brilliantly reanimates this most extraordinary decade. It is a gripping tale of political and cultural crisis but also one of joy and hopeful innovation, told with eloquence and passion.' MALCOLM GASKILL
'A magisterial, compelling and eye-opening biography of Britain's great and extraordinary experiment.' SUZANNAH LIPSCOMB
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About the Author
Alice Hunt is an Associate Professor of English at Southampton University and the author of The Drama of Coronation (Cambridge University Press, 2008). She is also the co-editor, with Anna Whitelock, of a book about Mary I and Elizabeth I, co-author of the Rough Guide to Royals (2012), and has contributed to several television programmes, including BBC2’s ‘Fit to Rule’. Before becoming a full-time academic in 2006, Alice was a senior editor at Atlantic Books. Alice lives in Winchester with her husband, the writer James McConnachie, and their children. You can find Alice on Twitter @amm_hunt
Award-winning Author Linnea Tanner weaves Celtic tales of love, magic, adventure, betrayal, and intrigue into historical fiction set in Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology which held women in higher esteem. Of particular interest are the enigmatic Celts who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids. Linnea has extensively researched ancient and medieval history, mythology, and archaeology and has traveled to sites described within each of her books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. Books released in her series include Apollo’s Raven (Book 1), Dagger’s Destiny (Book 2), and Amulet’s Rapture (Book 3). Skull’s Vengeance (Book 4 Curse of Clansmen and Kings) is anticipated to be released in late October 2022. A Colorado native, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Fort Collins with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren. To learn more about the author and her books, you can visit her website https://www.linneatanner.com/ and find her on Twitter @linneatanner
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