Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Christine Young Presents Uneasy Lies the Crown


Please welcome N. Gemini Sasson author of Uneasy Lies the Crown.

N. Gemini will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift certificate to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a a $20 Amazon gift certificate to a randomly drawn host.

Don't forget to leave a comment.




Uneasy Lies the Crown, a novel of Owain Glyndwr
by N. Gemini Sasson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

For centuries, the bards have sung of King Arthur’s return, but is this reluctant warrior prince the answer to those prophecies?

In the year 1399, Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndwr is living out a peaceful gentleman’s life in the Dee Valley of Wales with his wife Margaret and their eleven children. But when Henry of Bolingbroke, the Duke of Lancaster, usurps the throne of England from his cousin Richard II, that tranquility is forever shattered. What starts as a feud with a neighboring English lord over a strip of land evolves into something greater—a fight for the very independence of Wales.

Leading his crude army of Welshmen against armor-clad columns of English, Owain wins key victories over his enemies. After a harrowing encounter on the misty slopes of Cadair Idris, the English knight Harry Hotspur offers Owain a pact he cannot resist.

Peace, however, comes with a price. As tragedies mount, Owain questions whether he can find the strength within himself not only to challenge the most powerful monarch of his time, but to fulfill the prophecies and lead his people to freedom without destroying those around him.



Excerpt:

Owain shook her, his voice full of anger. “Damn it! Let him burn this house. Let him level every stone for miles. I will not have you all dead or taken captive.” All at once, the harsh lines in his face went soft. “Tudur and Rhys came not an hour ago directly from Ruthin. Grey’s forces were gathering there. Far more men than he had sworn to limit himself to bringing here. And I doubt he was headed back to Scotland anytime soon. We are all in grave danger. I haven’t the means to keep him from taking this place, if that is his intent.”

“Then we shall all go to Wrexham,” Margaret pleaded. “John and Phillip will help us. You can plead your case with the king or... or some other great lord. Surely there is one who will support you?”

“And put your brothers’ lives at risk? Henry cares not one whit for my case. He has already proven that. Grey is his pet who may take whatever scraps he can wrest from us as reward for his loyalty. No, we must save ourselves first. Save the children.”

Margaret shook her head. The reality was too bitter to accept, the implications too far-reaching, the future too uncertain. “What then? When will I see you again? Where will you go?”

“I... I don’t know when. And as for where, perhaps it’s best you don’t know.”

He pressed her hands together between his and then kissed the ends of her fingers.

Margaret stood as motionless and mute as a cairn battered by a terrible storm. Minutes passed before she realized that Owain had walked off and her children and servants were scurrying past her, urging her to hurry.

“Lady Margaret?” Iolo touched her back from behind. “It’s time. Sir Owain is outside waiting for you.”

Waiting to say farewell. For how long? A few days? Months? Longer? 




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

N. Gemini Sasson is the author of six historical novels set in 14th and 15th century Scotland, England and Wales, including The Bruce Trilogy and Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer (2011 IPPY Silver Medalist in Historical Fiction). Her latest release is Uneasy Lies the Crown, A Novel of Owain Glyndwr. Long after writing about Robert the Bruce and Queen Isabella, Sasson learned she is a descendant of both.

Links:

Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/Uneasy-Crown-Novel-Glyndwr-ebook/dp/B00A27A1UA

Amazon.co.uk - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uneasy-Crown-Novel-Glyndwr-ebook/dp/B00A27A1UA

Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/uneasy-lies-the-crown-n-gemini-sasson/1113730727?ean=2940015940381

Smashwords – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/252017

Web site – http://www.ngeminisasson.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/NGeminiSasson

Blog – http://ngeminisasson.blogspot.com


19 comments:

Lyra L7 said...

I very much enjoyed what I've already read of this novel.

lyra.lucky7 at gmail dot com

Mary Preston said...

Another excerpt that says MUST READ for me.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting today.

Gala said...

I love great quotes from books. Do you have a favorite scene of quote from your book that you could share?

galaschick78(at)gmail(dot)com

N. Gemini Sasson said...

Wow, I thought I was getting here early, but I see a few of you have already beat me to the party!

Gala - thanks for the question. Yes, there's one scene towards the end where Owain tells Margaret he has to leave to muster help. Realizing they don't know how long this parting will last or even if Owain will be successful in his task, they set aside their differences and reflect on all they've shared. It shows that true love isn't made in a moment of passion, but over many years and trials.

N. Gemini Sasson said...

And thanks for hosting this stop, Christine!

Lena said...

Diffrent timezones, it's late afternoon here :)

I agree with you about true love or even a good friendship is something that is build over the years and trials.



lennascloud(at)gmail(dot)com

MomJane said...

This excerpt is exceptionally good. I think you fell in love with this era.nd

Christine Young said...

Welcome to my blog. I hope you have a great tour.

Rita Wray said...

Very good excerpt, thank you.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

Emiliana25 said...

Do you like the legend of King Arthur and how much did it influence your book?

emiliana25 at web dot de

N. Gemini Sasson said...

Hi Emiliana! What's intriguing to me are all the interpretations on the King Arthur legend. In this story, the prophecy that King Arthur will return and deliver Wales comes into play, but even Owain takes some convincing that he is the legend reborn. I think his humility is a big part of his appeal.

Jennifer said...

You do very well putting across the danger and fears loved ones go through in turbulent times - I almost cried!

Anonymous said...

I really love to know how you pronounce Glyndwr. Lol. Thanks for sharing.

chrysrawr@yahoo.com

Ami said...

I really liked Owain, he isn't narcistic, in the Merlin series Arthur is more of an arrogant prat.

shadowrunner1987(at)gmail(dot)com

N. Gemini Sasson said...

Hi Ami. You're right. Nothing narcissistic about him. I saw him as a sort of reluctant hero who took up a cause so others wouldn't have to suffer the same injustices.

Christine - The Anglicized version of his name would be Owen Glendower. In Welsh though, a 'y' is often pronounced like a short 'i' and 'w' is said like 'oo', as in 'boon' or 'croon'.

Oh Jennifer... thank you! He went through a lot, didn't he?

bn100 said...

Thanks for the excerpt.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anas said...

I like it if the hero doesn't have it too ease, where would be then fun in that? ;)

moonsurfer123(at)gmail(dot)com

laurie said...

Very good excerpt, thank you.

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com