This week, we're pleased to again welcome author TONY RICHES with his latest release, OWEN - BOOK ONE OF THE TUDOR TRILOGY. One lucky visitor will get a free copy of Owen. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments of today's author interview for a chance to win. Winner(s) are contacted privately by email. Here's the blurb.
England 1422: Owen, a Welsh servant, waits in Windsor Castle to meet his new mistress, the beautiful and lonely Queen Catherine of Valois, widow of the warrior king, Henry V. Her infant son is crowned King of England and France, and while the country simmers on the brink of civil war, Owen becomes her protector.
They fall in love, risking Owen’s life and Queen Catherine’s reputation—but how do they found the dynasty which changes British history – the Tudors?
This is the first historical novel to fully explore the amazing life of Owen Tudor, grandfather of King Henry VII and the great-grandfather of King Henry VIII. Set against a background of the conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York, which develops into what have become known as the Wars of the Roses, Owen’s story deserves to be told.
England 1422: Owen, a Welsh servant, waits in Windsor Castle to meet his new mistress, the beautiful and lonely Queen Catherine of Valois, widow of the warrior king, Henry V. Her infant son is crowned King of England and France, and while the country simmers on the brink of civil war, Owen becomes her protector.
They fall in love, risking Owen’s life and Queen Catherine’s reputation—but how do they found the dynasty which changes British history – the Tudors?
This is the first historical novel to fully explore the amazing life of Owen Tudor, grandfather of King Henry VII and the great-grandfather of King Henry VIII. Set against a background of the conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York, which develops into what have become known as the Wars of the Roses, Owen’s story deserves to be told.
**Q&A with Tony Riches**
Tell us about your most recent novel
My latest novel is OWEN – Book One of The Tudor Trilogy. Set in England 1422, Owen, a Welsh servant, waits in Windsor Castle to meet his new mistress, the beautiful and lonely Queen Catherine of Valois, widow of the warrior king, Henry V. Her infant son is crowned King of England and France, and while the country simmers on the brink of civil war, Owen becomes her protector.
They fall in love, risking Owen’s life and Queen Catherine’s reputation—but how do they found the dynasty which changes British history – the Tudors?
This is the first historical novel to fully explore the amazing life of Owen Tudor, grandfather of King Henry VII and the great-grandfather of King Henry VIII. Set against a background of the conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York, which develops into what have become known as the Wars of the Roses, Owen’s story deserves to be told.
What has been your favourite part of the book publishing journey?
It’s great to have feedback from readers all over the world. I like to know all the hard work of researching, writing and editing has been worthwhile, particularly if I can help raise awareness of men like Owen and Jasper Tudor.
What inspires you?
I have always enjoyed reading historical fiction – a way to travel back in time and understand what it must have been like to live in the past. My first novel, Queen Sacrifice, was inspired by the idea of bringing a real chess game to life, with the whole of Wales as the ‘chessboard’ and thirty-two characters, kings and queens, bishops, knights and pawns, each with an interesting back-story. (I actually had to invent a few wives and female relatives, as there are of course only two female roles on a chess board.) The Tudor Trilogy was inspired by living close to Pembroke Castle and learning about Jasper Tudor, who once lived there.
What is your favourite book?
I first read Alice in Wonderland as a child and still think it has a special magic that few books achieve - although I didn’t really understand it then and am not sure I do now!
Who is your favourite author?
I read widely so it is almost impossible to pick a single author, although I’m currently reading Lamentation from The Shardlake Series by C. J. Sansom. For anyone new to historical fiction, Sansom is a great place to start, as he weaves fascinating historical details into his stories and really brings the medieval world to life. Another of my favourite authors is Anne O’Brien. I admire the way she evokes a real sense of time and place and it was Anne who sparked my interest in the fifteenth century, so I always look out for her new books.
What is your advice for other writers/authors?
I often hear writers complain that they don’t have the time to write a book. My advice is to remember that if you only write one page a day, that’s a book a year!
About the Author
Tony Riches is a UK historical fiction author living in Pembrokeshire, Wales. You can find out more on Tony’s blog ‘The Writing Desk’ at www.tonyriches.co.uk and find him on Twitter @tonyriches. Owen – Book One of the Tudor Trilogy is now available in eBook and paperback on Amazon and all formats on Smashwords. There is a short trailer for the book on YouTube http://youtu.be/ELH4IU5pxds
