A handful of historical authors brave the wilds of unusual settings, times, and characters to create distinctive, exciting novels just outside of the mainstream. Join us as we chronicle the trials and rewards of our quest - from research and writing to publication and establishing lasting careers.
Contact Miriam to give her your address. The book must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought! Congratulations!
Lindsay Townsend received a B review from Dear Author for her Egyptian-set historical, BLUE GOLD. Jayne wrote: "It's not often that ancient Egypt is the setting for novels so I don't want to miss any of them."
Jennifer Mueller's A RUINED SEASON was also reviewed on Dear Author. "...For readers searching out something other than the standard 'yet another Duke hero,' A Ruined Season is a nice change." The site then hosted a contest to give away a copy of Jennifer's Regency-set story, which garnered over 130 comments in 24 hours. Congratulations, Jennifer!
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Join us Sunday when Harlequin Historical author Stacey Kayne will be here to talk about her latest westerns, STETSONS, SPRING & WEDDING RINGS and MOUNTAIN WILD!
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We'll also draw the winner of Miriam Newman's SPIRIT AWAKENED. Join us then!
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If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Please help me welcome Dark Castle Lords author Miriam Newman as she celebrates the release of her novella, SPIRIT AWAKENED!
In a pre-medieval land recently torn by war, a woman with no speech and no memories struggles to survive. Drawn to a small farm, she encounters a man equally in need, though for different reasons. They are each other's only hope, and the future for their land. In a time of spiritual awakening, can they and their country survive? Or will the twin enemies of fear and persecution triumph?
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What led you to write this book?
The book originated with a mental image of a girl who is pregnant, unable to speak or remember, but who knows that she is in a dangerous, war-torn place. Thrown back upon basic instinct, she barely manages to survive until the birth of her child and then, despite her fears, has to find a way to ensure both of them will live.
What makes this book so unusual?
One of the things that made it such a challenge is that it's 46,000+ words about someone who never regains her memory or much speech. Personal influences shaped my ability to even write a book, which has no dialogue for the first three chapters! After a serious head injury in my late teens, I suffered from amnesia. Subsequently, when I worked in various aspects of psychiatric social work and was employed by a home health care agency, I had occasion to work with clients who suffered from receptive and/or expressive aphasia--that is, they were unable to understand speech and/or to process speech in order to reply. It is an extremely challenging condition. Next I had to imagine a man who would be able to deal with this in a pre-medieval society. And then I had to get him down on paper!
Sounds like a challenge! How long did it take you to write this?
The draft was finished in approximately 90 days, and then a brave lady from my writers' group critiqued the whole thing. She did that in the course of about six weeks. I started to have members of another critique group go over it, too, but by then I had spilled the beans to my publisher and she wanted to read it.
How long did it take her to accept it?
One day.
Wow--a lady who knows her own mind!
She certainly does.
Did it require much research? Ninety days isn't a lot of time!
No, it isn't, but another unusual thing about the book is that it's a fantasy historical. Even though aspects of pre-medieval Europe are recognizable, they are mixed with elements of world-building that characterize fantasy. I have created my own world, containing the European influences I have mentioned, but laced with lore from the Golden Horde of Genghis Khan, Tibetan and Native American myth and custom. And those are areas in which I was already well-read.
Have you done this before?
Yes. My "Chronicles of Alcinia"--The King's Daughter and Heart of the Earth--are also fantasy historicals. For those, I drew heavily on of Romano-British, Celtic and Viking history, myth and legend. And I wrote them while I was in Ireland, which was a vast and incredible influence on the books.
Any such plans for your future books?
I honestly don't know. When I sit down with the idea for a book, I never know if that's what is actually going to come out on the keyboard. It's like some inner force starts typing and sometimes I don't even get the book I had in mind. Talk about a pantser!
Do you have forthcoming releases?
Two. Sometime later in the summer I should be announcing a release date for Scion: House of Bardin. It's a futuristic in which you will not have to look far for the influences of Ancient Rome, even though it is set on another planet.
And then in November, Dark Castle Lords will release a Christmas anthology titled Season of Love. I have joined three other DCL authors in a sampler of contemporary, paranormal and science fiction romance. My story there is titled "Peace on New Earth," and I didn't actually realize until I had finished it that American Colonial history was at work in that one. It's a light romance, sort of Pilgrims meeting natives on a far distant planet. Unfortunately, the pilgrims have infected their hosts with a nasty, deadly virus. So peace for anyone may be very short-lived, because these natives aren't going without a fight.
Any plans beyond that?
I don't know, but the year 1066 keeps rolling around in my mind...
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Thanks for stopping by today, Miriam. Best of luck with your work!
Readers, are you curious about SPIRIT AWAKENED? If so, leave a question or comment for Miriam. I'll draw a winner at random next Sunday. Best of luck!
Not too many announcements this week, as Carrie is on vacation. Check back soon! But here's what's coming up on the weekend...
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Join us Sunday when Dark Castle Lords author Miriam Newman will be here to talk about her latest release, SPIRIT AWAKENED, a fantasy historical novella set in pre-medieval Europe!
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We'll also draw the winner of Sarah Parr's RENEGADE. There's still time to leave a comment for your shot at winning!
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Have a good weekend! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Thursdays on Unusual Historicals mean excerpts! This week we're featuring a sample of Dark Castle Lords author Miriam Newman's latest release, SPIRIT AWAKENED, a fantasy historical novella! Miriam will be joining us on Sunday for a Q&A, where we'll be offering the chance to win a free copy. Be sure to stop back!
In a pre-medieval land recently torn by war, a woman with no speech and no memories struggles to survive. Drawn to a small farm, she encounters a man equally in need, though for different reasons. They are each other's only hope, and the future for their land. In a time of spiritual awakening, can they and their country survive? Or will the twin enemies of fear and persecution triumph?
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In the twilight, Caln hunkered on his thighs perhaps ten feet from the girl, feeding her pieces of beefsteak that she picked off his knife. Usually he had venison, but a brainless young heifer had broken a leg and he had been forced to cut her throat. For the moment, he had rare and precious beef which he cut into pieces from a platter on the ground beside him. He would not give the platter to the girl, but made her stay, dependent on him for each bite. It was a subtle lesson. He would feed her, but only on his terms.
She had pretty eyes, not the usual blue or gray of Westenian girls. There was barely enough to light to see that hers were hazel-green, the color of growing things, and watched him warily.
"You shouldn't try to go up the cliff in the dark," he said, feeding her. Although she gave no indication that she could understand him, he was convinced that she did. Why she didn't answer was another matter. But he was satisfied just to have someone to talk to and he laughed gently at her look of discomfort.
"Yes, I know you live in the cave," he confirmed. "We all know you're there, but unless you steal from the other farms, they won't trouble you. I don't care if you steal from me. I have enough. But the others are very poor. If they catch you, they'll abuse you and take you downriver to the town where your people are living. It's not a nice place. You should stay close to here. Tonight, you may sleep in the barn. I will give you a blanket. You can go when you want to."
"Or you can sleep in the cabin if you like," he added, oh, so off-handedly. She gave him such a wry look that he knew then she understood his speech. She understood everything.
"I know men have hurt you," he admitted. "I wouldn't hurt you."
The girl sat with her back against the tree, regarding him steadily. Chica, beefsteak, the offer of a blanket...and a bed. She had finished the steak and she stood up, in a defensive posture.
Lindsay Townsend received a B review from Dear Author for her Egyptian-set historical, BLUE GOLD. Jayne wrote: "It's not often that ancient Egypt is the setting for novels so I don't want to miss any of them." 
Jennifer Mueller's A RUINED SEASON was also reviewed on Dear Author. "...For readers searching out something other than the standard 'yet another Duke hero,' A Ruined Season is a nice change." The site then hosted a contest to give away a copy of Jennifer's Regency-set story, which garnered over 130 comments in 24 hours. Congratulations, Jennifer! 
Join us Sunday when Harlequin Historical author Stacey Kayne will be here to talk about her latest westerns, STETSONS, SPRING & WEDDING RINGS and MOUNTAIN WILD!
Join us Sunday when Dark Castle Lords author Miriam Newman will be here to talk about her latest release, SPIRIT AWAKENED, a fantasy historical novella set in pre-medieval Europe!