Get the FREE Jayne Castel Starter Library

Looking for something to read over the festive season?

Get my FREE Starter Library. Two Historical Romance full-length novels and one 30,000 novella that kick off THE KINGDOM OF THE EAST ANGLES series. Immerse yourself in Dark Ages Britain—when men were warriors and women had to be strong to survive.

The Kingdom of the East Angles gets a facelift

I've rebranded the covers on my two series of historical romances set in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England. I wanted to make them moodier, more atmosheric - and more obviously romance.

Here the new covers for THE KINGDOM OF THE EAST ANGLES - just back from the designer!

99 cent promotion for NIGHTFALL TILL DAYBREAK

The second book in my Kingdom of the East Angles series NIGHTFALL TILL DAYBREAK (Book #2: The Kingdom of the East Angles) is currently enrolled in a Kindle Countdown deal from 1-8 December 2016 (US and UK customers only).

NIGHTFALL TILL DAYBREAK was a quarter finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Award 2014 - Romance Category. Although its second in a series that follows the reign of three East Anglian kings, this novel can also be read as a standalone romance.

Here's what a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY reviewer had to say about the novel:

Historical romance takes on a new dimension in this novel set in a different period, the early 600s A.D. Young Freya enjoys her life of isolation deep in the woods of Britannia with her mother -- until they are both summoned to the side of the usurper king. Taken hostage, Freya must navigate her new life as a young woman thrust into the role of slave, first to the pretender to the throne, and then to the rightful heir, King Sigeberht. Along the journey, she encounters Aiden, commander of Sigeberht's armies and incorrigible flirt. The pair grow alongside each other as significant changes impact their lives, drawing them to each other and away from those they love, and deeper into the territorial and religious wars plaguing the land. Filled with stark, compelling details about the atrocities of battle, the masterful storytelling flows naturally from one scene to the next. History comes alive in each breathtaking detail for a fully immersive experience. Character development is excellent and the author brings them to life on the page.

Get your Kindle copy of NIGHTFALL TO DAYBREAK for 99 cents on Amazon!

Cover reveal: THE WHISPERING WIND

I have been 'rebranding' my historical romance covers in an effort to make them more atmospheric, moody and sensual. 

The Kingdom Mercia has been redone, and I've just sent The Kingdom of the East Angles off to the designer as well.

Here's the new cover for THE WHISPERING WIND - the first book in my new series: The Kingdom of Northumbria. It's just back from the designer - what do you think?

THE WHISPERING WIND
Book #1: The Kingdom of Northumbria
(Due for release in early 2017)

He is her savior.
She is his salvation.

The day Leofric finds a young woman washed up on a windswept shore his life changes forever. 

A monk upon the island of Lindisfarne, Leofric is living in exile after shaming his family. The girl he saves is Aelfwyn. Once handmaid to a queen, she is now fleeing from a cruel king.

Thrown together by circumstance, Aelfwyn and Leofric escape the north and begin again—only neither is prepared for the bond that builds between them. He helps her heal, while she gives him a chance at redemption.

All too soon, the outside world puts their fragile happiness together at risk. Eventually, they understand that in order to escape their past, they must face it.

_______________________________________________________________

Would you like the chance to read THE WHISPERING WIND before anyone else?

Join my review crew!

Here's how it works. During the pre-launch period (early in 2017), I'll email you out a free e-book of THE WHISPERING WIND via Book Funnel—all I ask in return is an honest review on either Amazon or Goodreads (or both!).

Just email me at contact@jaynecastel.com to be added to the list - and write the following into the subject line: REVIEW CREW: HISTORICAL

Update on THE WHISPERING WIND

I'm well into the first draft of  THE WHISPERING WIND (Book #1 The Kingdom of Northumbria) now - around 60% through. The novel is steaming along and I'm really excited about it.

The new cover is at the designer so I will be able to reveal it soon!

THE WHISPERING WIND is the tale of Aelfwyn and Leofric. She's a handmaid to a queen and he's the disgraced son of an ealdorman. Their paths cross on a windswept beach and are then entwined.

He is her savior
She is his salvation

Here's how I envision Aelfwyn.

Innocent and gentle-hearted, and handmaid
to the Queen of Northumbria, Aelfwyn soon
 learns that if she wants to survive, she'll need
 to face life's harsh realities.

Here's how I see Leofric.

Cocky and reckless, Leofric has spent his life
pleasing himself - until a thoughtless comment
 sees him exiled to Lindisfarne Island, and 
life as a monk.

The story brings two very different characters together - a selfish young man and a sheltered young woman who are ultimately meant for each other. This romance is about the redemptive power of love. It can heal us, strengthen us - and redeem us.

More details on THE WHISPERING WIND coming soon - including details about the novel's various locations: Bamburgh, Lindisfarne, Whitby, Lincoln and York (which all had very different names in Anglo-Saxon times).

99 Romances for 99 Cents - November only

During November, Amazon is promoting DAWN OF WOLVES on its 99 Romances for 99 Cents. Click on the banner below to get yourself a copy of this Kindle Scout winner!

The Kingdom of Mercia gets a 'new look'

Covers are a hot topic for indie authors. Some of us don't worry enough about them, while others obsess about getting them right.

I suppose I fall into the second category! The longer I self-publish, the more I realize just how important cover design is.

Coming up with ideas for my covers, mocking up the design on www.canva.com and sending them on to my designer is easily one of my favorite parts of the self publishing process. However, I have discovered that my choice in cover design has been determined by what I like, and not necessarily what the audience who reads my books is looking for.

My historical romance novels are a case in point.

Although they are more historically-based than traditional historical romances, they are still romances. It's the love story that drives the plot forward. My current (soon to be old!) covers are much more 'historical' rather than romance. I'm not sitting here wringing my hands over it—as lovers of historical fiction have also enjoyed my books—but I sense a lot of historical romance readers are glossing over my covers on the virtual bookshelves of Amazon and Goodreads because they don't scream romance.

That said, here are my new covers for THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA series:

Here are my old covers. I like them—they're soft and romantic in their own way—but there's not a lot of sensuality in them.

Are you a historical romance fan—but like your romance with a good dose of realism and historical fact?

Find out more about the KINGDOM OF MERCIA series!

Researching monastic life on Lindisfarne

I'm now 35% in to my latest novel—THE WHISPERING WIND, Book #1 of the Kingdom of Northumbria—and loving this story.

Of course, I love them all but what's great is how each novel I write takes on its own unique tone—and this one is no exception.

This one is a tale of forbidden love. A monk, a maid and their struggle to put their pasts behind them. The first half of the novel is set in Bebbanburg (the castle we now know as Bamburgh) and the island of Lindisfarena (known now as Lindisfarne).

I've really enjoyed researching into Lindisfarne—which also goes by the name of 'Holy Island'. Accessible to the mainland via a tidal causeway, the island is one of the Farne islands, an archipelago off the north-east coast of Northumbria. There's something mystical and special about Lindisfarne—for years I've wanted to use it as a setting for a novel and now I have the chance!

Lindisfarne is one of the United Kingdom's most iconic spots of religious pilgrimage—and the place the Vikings first came ashore.

Lindisfarne priory was founded in 635 AD by King Oswald (who met a grisly end at the Battle of Maserfield in 641 AD—an event I highlighted my novel, THE BREAKING DAWN). My current story takes place in 670 AD, so around 35 years after the priory was built. The monastery became the religious heart of the Kingdom of Northumbria until the Vikings sacked it in 793 AD. After that, the surviving monks fled and the monastery wasn't rebuilt until 300-400 years later.

My research led me to a fascinating website, Digventures, which had some little known facts about Lindisfarne priory and how it would have looked in Anglo-Saxon times. My hero spends time  as a monk on the island, and I wanted to ensure the setting was authentic.

Digventures are currently doing an archaeological dig on Lindisfarne and unearthing remains from the pre-medieval priory, so it's an excellent time to be researching this time and place!

Monasteries in Anglo-Saxon England bore little resemblance to Medieval ones. 

The Digventures blog post I discovered pointed out that monasteries in the 7th Century wouldn't have had cloisters; were built closer to nature, taking advantage of the natural features of the land (such as cliffs, hillsides and coastlines); were more sprawling than later complexes; and were made largely of wood.

Interestingly, there were no actual religious orders at that time (the Benedictines and friars didn't appear in England until the 13th Century). Also, there would have been less segregation between men and women in those times—there are records of monks and nuns living at the same site during the Anglo-Saxon period.

What Anglo-Saxon monasteries did have in common though with later ones though was the use of stained-glass windows, the wearing of habits, and the 'monastic' lifestyle, which focused on hospitality, prayer and farming.

Read more about this at Digventures.

The Kindle Scout Journey - Part #2

I thought it was time for another Kindle Scout update. My novel, DAWN OF WOLVES, was selected for publication by Kindle Press back in June, and then released on August 23, 2016.

In my first post about my Kindle Scout experience, I outlined how my campaign went and the editing and pre-publication process. It's now been just over a month since publication—so how have things been going.

During the first days of publication—during which Amazon places the book on the 'new release' lists—I sold 36 books (23-31 August). Most of these were in the US, with a handful in the UK and Australia. I just got my royalty statement for August (which is why I have the exact numbers) so don't know how many books I've sold in September yet.

Most days, the book sits at around 50,000 on the Amazon rankings—which is okay, not stratospheric but it's ticking along at a couple of copies a day. I've heard the real promotion starts 90 days after publication, so watch this space!

The power of the back-list

The biggest advantage of having DAWN OF OF WOLVES published by Kindle Press, is the effect it's had on my back-list. The book is #3 in The Kingdom of Mercia series. Although the novels follow on historically, each one can be read as a stand alone story. Winning Kindle Scout has given the whole series a boost. Readers are discovering THE BREAKING DAWN and DARKEST BEFORE DAWN, which I'm delighted about.

Reaching my audience

So far, I've found the whole Kindle Press experience a positive one. It's been given me a confidence boost and helped my historical romances find their audience—not easy in a crowded market-place.

As my novels are set in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England, I write in quite a niche—few writers set romances in this era. As such, my books can be too gritty to appeal to some mainstream romance readers and too 'love-story' focused for those who like 'straight' historicals. That said, I've discovered there are many readers out there who are looking for historical adventure stories, set in the Dark Ages, with a strong romance element.

I'm grateful that Kindle Scout is allowing me to reach them!

Goodreads giveaway for DAWN OF WOLVES

Enter for a chance to win one of two paperback copies of DAWN OF WOLVES (Book #3: The Kingdom of Mercia).

Set in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England, DAWN OF WOLVES is about a forced marriage and its devastating consequences. The novel was a Kindle Scout winner back in June and has now been published by Kindle Press. The contest is running from 1-9 September 2016 - click on the widget below to enter!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dawn of Wolves

by Jayne Castel

Giveaway ends September 09, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Here's an excerpt from the book - one of my favorite scenes - for you to enjoy!

***

Ermenilda squared her shoulders and marched through the crowd of milling men and horses. She strode purposefully toward the front of the column. Aware of the men's stares as she walked among them, Ermenilda kept her gaze fixed upon her destination: the King of Mercia.

Wulfhere had just dismounted from his stallion and was saying something to Werbode. The dark-haired warrior spied Ermenilda first. He watched her for a moment, his gaze traveling the length of her in a way that made her boiling temper rise even further. Then, he lazily turned to Wulfhere.

"Milord, it appears your betrothed wants a word."

Wulfhere turned, his limpid gaze settling upon Ermenilda. The impact of their gazes meeting nearly caused her step to falter. Resisting the sudden impulse to turn and flee, she pressed on.

"Lady Ermenilda," he greeted her. "How can I be of service?"

"I would speak to you for a moment," she replied, stopping a few feet away from him. "Alone."

Wulfhere raised an eyebrow, while around them a few men sniggered.

Werbode gave a low whistle."She's forward, this Kentish princess . . ."

Ermenilda threw him the coldest, most imperious look she could muster, but Werbode merely returned her gaze with a boldness that made her skin crawl. Suddenly, she felt like a lamb in a den of wolves. The anger that had propelled her off her palfrey and up to the head of the column was beginning to subside. She was starting to feel vulnerable.

"Come, milady." Wulfhere cast Werbode a censorious look before he gently took hold of Ermenilda's arm and steered her away from his men. They reached the crest of the hill, a few yards away from the others, and halted. Behind them, to the north, Ermenilda could see the gentle folds of grassy downs stretching away to a cloudy horizon like a rumpled blanket.

Wulfhere turned and faced her. The look of thinly veiled amusement on his face made Ermenilda's ire rise once more.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I demand an apology," she replied, folding her arms across her chest as she faced him.

His amusement faded. "An apology . . . for what?"

"For your behavior."

Wulfhere stared at her, stunned. When he replied, his voice held a warning. "I had every right to be angry, Ermenilda. I had just learned of your mother's treachery, and I believed you to be part of it. I am still yet to be convinced that you are entirely innocent."

"My word should be enough," she countered angrily. "Yet, that is not what I seek an apology for. You took advantage of a moment alone with me. You humiliated me."

His eyes widened. "A kiss is not humiliation. You are my betrothed--I have a right to kiss you. Even if I had taken you last night in your tent, it would have been my right."

Anger exploded within Ermenilda. She unfolded her arms and balled her fists at her sides.
Wulfhere observed her temper and raised an eyebrow.

"Definitely not the ice maiden I took you for. Do you wish to strike me?"

***

Enter the Goodreads Giveway contest.

Buy a Kindle copy of DAWN OF WOLVES from Amazon.

Kindle Countdown promotion for THE BREAKING DAWN

Book #1 of The Kingdom of Mercia - THE BREAKING DAWN - is now 99 cents for 6 days only from Aug 18-23, 2016.

This novel tells the unfolding love story between Merwenna and Cynddylan: a Mercian Village girl and a Welsh prince. Set against a backdrop of war, treachery and ambition, this epic romance is about two people from different worlds, the power of destiny, and an unforgettable love.

Get your copy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk before the promotion ends!

Please note: this promotion is only available only to Amazon customers in the US or UK - no idea why!

The Kingdom of Mercia - three kings, three love stories

During the 7th Century, three kingdoms vied for dominance in Britannia: East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria.

The Kingdom of the East Angles was dominant at the beginning of the century, followed by the Kingdom of Mercia. After that, the Kingdom of Northumbria rose into power, bringing this fascinating century to a close.

The KINGDOM OF MERCIA series follows the reigns of three Mercian kings: Penda and his two sons, Paeda and Wulfhere. It's a three book series (which can be read as stand-alone novels), spanning 17 years (641-658 AD).

Penda of Mercia - my favorite villain

The Kingdom of Mercia became a dominant power due to the efforts of one man: King Penda of Mercia.

He ruled from around 626 until his death in 656 AD. No one had heard of Mercia until Penda took the throne but that was soon to change. Not content to live within his borders, he began campaigns against his neighbours shortly after becoming king.  Northumbria, East Anglia, Wessex and Gwynedd - none of them escaped him. He was also Britain's last resolutely pagan king.

Penda appears in four of my novels (Nightfall till Daybreak, The Deepening Night, The Breaking Dawn, and Darkest before Dawn). A ruthless, cold man who will do anything for power - he never fails to steal any scene he appears in. His only saving grace is the love he bears his wife, Cyneswide. No one except her sees his softer side - not his sister, his daughters, nor sons.

Penda made a complex, fascinating villain and I was sad to finally see him go in Darkest before Dawn (Book #2 of The Kingdom of Mercia).

The series in a nutshell

The Breaking Dawn is Book #1 in the series. This is the story of Merwenna, a Mercian village-girl, and Prince Cynddylan of Wales. It follows the burgeoning love between a man and woman from different worlds, set against the backdrop of the Battle of Maes Cogwy in 641 AD - which saw Powys (Wales) and Mercia unite against Northumbria.

Darkest before Dawn is Book #2 in the series. It starts in 655 AD, a year before the Battle of Winwaed, in which Northumbria defeated Mercia. It's the tale of Alchflaed, a Northumbrian princess, and Maric, a Mercian warrior. Duty and deception separates them. Alchflaed's father has given her a terrible choice: if she wants to choose her own path, she must marry the son of his bitterest enemy - and then murder him.

Dawn of Wolves is Book #3 in the series (and a Kindle Scout Winner). This is the story of Ermenilda and Wulfhere. She's a Kentish princess determined to take the veil. He's an exiled Mercian prince. She wants to live out her days as a nun, in peace and solitude. But he wants her for his wife - at any price.

Special promotion: get Book #1 in THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA series for just 99c!

To celebrate the completion of the series - and the upcoming release of Dawn of Wolves (Aug, 23 2016) - the novel that starts the series, The Breaking Dawn, will be discounted to 99c (from $2.99) for 6 days only - from 18-23 August 2016.

Not only do you get a full-length novel but the prequel novella to the series, Night Shadows, is also included in the Kindle Edition - a really good deal!

Get your 99c Kindle copy of The Breaking Dawn from Amazon! (Note: Kindle Countdown deals are only available to Amazon US and UK customers)

The Wolf and the Lamb

I was a guest on the English Historical Fiction Authors blog a couple of days ago (I've been away at the amazing RWNZ conference, so only just catching up now!)

My blog post is about Wulfhere and Ermenilda - the real historical couple my new novel (Dawn of Wolves - released date Aug, 23) is about.

In the post I delve into the historical background to 'the wolf and the lamb' - although my version is quite different and (being a romance) is far less grim!

Read the story at English Historical Fiction Authors.

DAWN OF WOLVES - release date announced!

DAWN OF WOLVES (Book #3, Kingdom of Mercia) now has a release date!

Published by Kindle Press, the novel will be available to purchase on Amazon (Kindle and paperback versions) on August 23, 2016.

However, if you voted for the novel on Kindle Scout, you should already have received your Kindle copy!

Pre-order your Kindle copy from Amazon now.

The novel tells Wulfhere and Ermenilda's story. He's an ambitious Mercian prince and she's a pious Kentish princess. Actually, they were a real historical couple - a marriage between a wolf and a lamb - although this telling of their story is entirely my own.

Want a taster?

Here's the Prologue for you to enjoy.

Prologue

The Winter Meeting

Cantwareburh, the Kingdom of the Kentish, Britannia

Winter, 657 AD

Ermenilda watched the snow fall. The delicate flakes fluttered down from a darkening sky like apple blossoms caught by a gust of wind. An ermine crust covered the garden’s gravel paths and frosted the plants that had not died away over the winter.

Damp, gelid air stung Ermenilda’s throat, and her fingers were numb, but still she lingered. As always, she was reluctant to leave her refuge. She circuited the path between the high hawthorn hedge and the frosted sage and rosemary, her boots sinking deep into the snow.

Despite the cold, she had ventured out here to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the king’s hall, which was full of greasy smoke and the reek of stale sweat. Outdoors, the air tasted like freshly drawn cider. Better yet, she did not have to listen to the prattle of women, the booming voices of men, and the squeals of children bored with being cooped up indoors.

Ermenilda loved this secret spot; it was her sanctuary. Her father had told her the Romans built this garden, and that it was a crumbling ruin when he had first come to live in Cantwareburh. Since then, his wife had poured her energy into restoring the secluded space. As soon as she could walk, Ermenilda accompanied her mother to the garden, as did her younger sister. Even over the winter, the three women spent most afternoons out here—the garden was a passion they all shared.

At the far end of the garden, Ermenilda paused. There, she admired the snowy branches of her mother’s prized quince tree. As she gazed upon it, a veil of melancholy settled over her.

Soon, I will have to leave this place.

Nervousness fluttered just under her ribs, replacing the sadness, before giving way to a lingering excitement.

Ermenilda had heard that Eastry Abbey also had a magnificent garden. Once settled there, she would no longer miss this one. She was hoping that her father would let her take her vows at Eastry in the spring. He had been noncommittal whenever she raised the idea, but she had time to convince him yet.

Dusk closed in, but still Ermenilda lingered. It was only when a shadowy figure emerged from the arbor, at the opposite end of the garden, that she realized she had been missed. Cloaked head to foot in fur, her younger sister hurried down the path toward her, her face rigid with purpose.

“I was beginning to think you had frozen to death out here! Come inside, Erme!”

Ermenilda sighed, irritated that her sister had shattered her solitude.

“I’ll come in soon enough,” she replied, waving Eorcengota away.

“You must come now,” her sister insisted, her eyes shining. A mixture of cold and excitement had flushed Eorcengota’s impish face. “We have guests this evening, and Fæder insists we join them for supper!”

“Guests?”

Ermenilda’s irritation grew. She hated it when strangers arrived at her father’s hall—especially if they were ealdormen, for she did not like how some of them leered at her.

“Yes, an exiled prince from Mercia,” Eorcengota enthused, virtually hopping up and down on the spot with eagerness. “He and his men are stabling their horses as we speak. Fæder wants us indoors to greet him!”

A knot of apprehension formed in Ermenilda’s belly. Unlike her silly goose of a sister, she did not like the sound of this visitor. Her father would be delighted of course; they rarely hosted royalty from Britannia’s other kingdoms. The Kingdom of the Kentish often appeared of little importance in the wars, politics, and intrigue among the others who ruled.

Ermenilda reluctantly fell into step with Eorcengota, following her out of the garden and through the apple orchard. The trees were naked this time of the year, their bare, spidery branches dark against the swirling snow. Ahead, the outline of the Great Hall loomed. A high, timbered structure with a straw-thatched roof, it sat raised above the surrounding garden, orchard, and stables on great oak foundations. The hall cast a long shadow in the gathering dusk.

Shaking snow off her cloak, Ermenilda climbed the wooden steps to the platform before the doors. She nodded to the spearmen guarding the entrance and pushed the heavy oaken door open. Then she entered, with Eorcengota following close at her heels.

Just inside the door, she almost collided with a group of men who were in the process of removing their cloaks and weapons. Ermenilda realized with a jolt that these must be the Mercians. They were dressed for traveling in thick fur cloaks, leather jerkins, woolen tunics, and heavy boots. It appeared they had tended to their horses swiftly and entered the hall just ahead of the princesses.

Fæder will be cross.

Ermenilda feigned calm, shrugged off her fur cloak, and handed it to a waiting servant, aware that curious male gazes had settled upon her. She did not want to look their way but, against her own will, felt her gaze drawn to one of the men.

He stood near to her, little more than an arm’s length away. The moment their eyes met, her breath rushed out of her—as if she had just tripped.

She had never seen a man so striking, so coldly beautiful. His eyes, ice blue, held her fast. His face was so finely drawn it appeared chiseled, and his long, white-blond hair fell over his broad shoulders. He was a big man, and she had to raise her chin to meet his gaze. The newcomer was dressed in leather armor and had just finished unbuckling a sword from around his waist, which he handed to a servant.

“Good eve, milady,” he murmured.

The sound of his voice, low and strong, stirred something in the pit of Ermenilda’s belly—a sensation she had never felt before—an odd kind of excitement mingled with fear.

“Wes þū hāl,” she responded formally, trying to ignore the fact that her breathing had quickened. The man’s gaze remained boldly upon her face, an arrogant smile curving his lips. Her father’s booming voice saved her from having to converse with him further.

“Ermenilda!”

King Eorcenberht of Kent strode across the rush-strewn floor, sending servants scattering in his wake. He was a huge man, in both height and girth, a great fighting man in his youth. A thick beard, the color of hazelwood, covered his face—the same shade as the unruly mane, streaked through with gray, that flowed over his broad shoulders. Physically, his daughters—both slender and blonde like their mother—bore no resemblance to Eorcenberht.

“Apologies, Lord Wulfhere,” Eorcenberht called as he approached. “My daughters were supposed to be here to greet you.”

The blond man tore his gaze from Ermenilda and favored the Kentish king with a cool smile.

“And they are, Lord Eorcenberht. I have just been welcomed by one of them.”

Something in the way the man spoke the words made Ermenilda feel flustered, as if she had done something wrong.

“Sorry, Fæder,” she murmured before quickly sidestepping the Mercian lord. “I was in the garden and lost track of time.”

“Join your mother,” the king grumbled, “and help pour mead for our guests.”

“Yes, Fæder.”

Glad to be free of the Mercian’s penetrating stare, Ermenilda cast her gaze downward and hurried away.

As always at this hour, the king’s hall bustled with activity. A handful of servants were finishing preparations for the light evening meal—a supper of griddle bread, pickled onions, salted beef, and cheese—as the household ate their largest meal at noon. The servants had put out long tables where the king’s thegns would take their meal, while the king and his kin dined upon the high seat.

Eorcengota caught up with her sister. They made their way toward a long worktable next to the nearest of the two fire pits.

“That must be Prince Wulfhere of Mercia,” she whispered. “He’s handsome, don’t you think?”

“No,” Ermenilda lied.

They joined their mother, Queen Seaxburh, upon the high table where she was pouring mead into cups.

“Fæder’s guests are here,” Ermenilda announced. She picked up another clay jug and began helping her mother.

“Yes, so I’ve seen.”

There was no missing the acerbity in their mother’s voice. Ermenilda saw her glance in the direction of the newcomers and glimpsed a flash of hostility in her mother’s usually serene eyes.

“Mōder, what is it?”

“I have no wish to dine with Penda’s whelp,” the queen replied, her attention returning to her task. “Penda killed my father and brother. I would rather not break bread with his son.”

Ermenilda glanced back at the blond man, who was now making his way across the floor. He appeared to be listening attentively while her father talked to him. She knew that her grandfather—King Annan of the East Angles—and her uncle, Jurmin, had both fallen three years earlier in battle against the Mercians. It had taken place in the marshes at Blythburgh, in the borderlands between Mercia and East Anglia. Her mother, who adored her father, had been inconsolable when she learned the news.

Seeing the look on her face now, Ermenilda saw that the grudge her mother bore Mercia ran deep. Not that Ermenilda blamed her. She cast a dark look at Prince Wulfhere and prayed her father send him quickly on his way.

Ermenilda had listened to many a tale about ruthless King Penda around the fire pit at night. The violent pagan, who would stop at nothing to expand his borders, had died in battle against Northumbria two years earlier, but that had not stopped the stories about him.

At least Fæder will not wed me to a pagan, Ermenilda assured herself as she finished filling the cups. Eorcenberht was a god-fearing man who, just a year earlier, had overseen the destruction of all the pagan idols in Cantwareburh. He also had insisted that the town observe Lent, the period of fasting after Ēostre.

Ermenilda sneaked a glance at the Mercian prince as he stepped up on the high seat. Frankly, despite his good looks and charisma, this man frightened her. He was different from her father, who was loud, bluff, and easy to read. The prince appeared to be a man who said little and thought much—she did not trust such men.

Taking a seat at the table upon the high seat, to the left of her mother, Ermenilda was disconcerted to see that their guest had sat down at her father’s right—the spot usually reserved for his eldest son, Ecgberht. Prince Wulfhere was sitting directly opposite her, and she realized there would be no escaping his gaze during the meal.

Servants placed wooden boards, piled high with food, upon the table. Ermenilda watched Prince Wulfhere help himself to a generous serving of bread, cheese, and salted pork. The king watched him, smiling.

“I am glad you have come to dine at our table, Lord Wulfhere.”

“And I am thankful for your hospitality,” the Mercian replied. “You welcome an exiled prince into your hall on a cold night. For that, I am grateful.”

Ermenilda stole a glance at her mother. The queen sat still and silent, hardly touching her food. The joviality on her husband’s face was absent upon Seaxburh’s.

“Not exiled for much longer, if I have anything to do with it,” Eorcenberht replied, raising his cup high into the air.

The prince fixed him with a cool, level gaze.

“So you will help me regain the Mercian throne?”

“Aye, I have no wish to have Northumbrians preying upon my borders. Mercia has always been good to the Kentish people. I will not abandon you now.”

The queen visibly paled at this, her grip on her bronze cup tightening. Ermenilda had never seen her mother so incensed. Yet, the king appeared oblivious to it. Heedless, he continued.

“I will gift you one hundred Kentish spears—my bravest warriors—to help you retake Tamworth.”

The prince nodded and smiled.

“You are generous, Lord Eorcenberht.”

Ermenilda watched their conversation with a growing sense of unease. She knew that the Northumbrian king, Oswiu, had held control over the Mercian stronghold of Tamworth for the past year. The Northumbrians had controlled southern Mercia ever since the murder of King Paeda, last Ēostre. It dismayed her to hear that her father was now involving himself in matters that did not concern him. If this exiled prince failed to retake the Mercian throne, there would be consequences for Kent.

Still, a woman’s opinion mattered little when it came to politics, so she kept silent. Likewise, the queen held her tongue, although Ermenilda could see it cost her to do so.

The meal progressed, and the conversation shifted to other things. The king complained about the bitter winter that lay upon them and then asked the prince about his exile.

“How have you managed to escape capture?” he asked.

“I have been living in the woods of southern Mercia,” Wulfhere replied, “and gathering men loyal to me. Local folk have been only too happy to hide me.”

“My men tell me you arrived here with a white wolf?”

The prince smiled at this. It was the first truly warm smile that Ermenilda had seen him give.

“Her name is Mōna. I’ve left her in the stables while I’m here. She will trouble no one as long as she is left in peace.”

“So the wolf travels with you?”

“She does. Mōna is my shadow.”

Ermenilda suppressed a shudder; this man was most definitely a pagan. There was something wild—dangerous—about him. As if sensing her reaction, Prince Wulfhere looked at her. Their gazes met for an instant, and Ermenilda saw his naked interest.

Heart pounding, she looked away and stared down at the remains of her supper.

“Your eldest daughter is quite lovely,” Wulfhere commented. “Is she betrothed yet?”

“Not yet,” the king replied. “She wishes to take the veil, but although I would like one of my daughters to serve god, I would prefer my eldest married well.”

Ermenilda glanced up, shocked by her father’s admission. She had been sure he would agree to let her join the nuns at Eastry. Of the two sisters, she was far more suited to such a life. Eorcengota was too spirited and silly to enjoy life as a nun, whereas Ermenilda craved quiet and solitude.

“Would you consider wedding her to me then?” Wulfhere asked.

Ermenilda watched her father’s face and knew the offer had delighted him. However, he did not reply immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and fingered the elaborately carved armrests while he mulled the request over. She glimpsed a shrewd glint in his eye and realized he was calculating something.

“It depends on two things, Lord Wulfhere,” he replied eventually.

The Mercian put down his cup of mead and returned the Kentish king’s gaze, his expression unreadable.

“And what are they?”

“The first is you must be baptized, renounce the old gods, and destroy all traces of them at Tamworth. I cannot wed my daughter to a pagan.”

“And the second?”

“You must win back the Mercian throne before you and Ermenilda can be handfasted. Once you are the King of Mercia, she is yours.”

Ermenilda slowly let out the breath she had been holding. Her father’s conditions had made her relax slightly.

Wulfhere’s father had flatly refused to be baptized, and she wagered that his son was cut from the same cloth. Plus, taking back Tamworth from the Northumbrians sounded like a difficult task at best. Perhaps a life at Eastry was not lost to her after all.

Unfortunately, Wulfhere’s next words shattered her hopes. He glanced first at Ermenilda and smiled, although his eyes were hungry. Wulfhere’s gaze met the king’s once more.

“I agree to your conditions,” he replied firmly. “I will accept your god and take Tamworth back for my people . . . and then . . .”

His gaze flicked back to Ermenilda, and she wilted under the heat of his stare.

“I will come to claim your daughter.”

Pre-order your Kindle copy from Amazon now. 

The Kindle Scout Journey - Part #1

Back in June, my latest novel, DAWN OF WOLVES, was a Kindle Scout winner. The novel (Book 3 of The Kingdom of Mercia series) is now in production to be published by Kindle Press soon.

Since everyone's experience of getting published is slightly different, I thought I'd thought I'd share my own journey in a couple of blog posts. Hopefully, this will help others thinking about submitting a novel to Kindle Scout, or currently going through the process!

How I got started

DAWN OF WOLVES is my sixth historical romance - I published all the others on Amazon KDP.  I love the independence and creative freedom of indie publishing. I like being able to say what goes on the cover and polishing the final version of the manuscript for publication. However, the down-side of self-publishing is that it can be an uphill struggle to get noticed. Especially when millions of others are doing exactly the same thing as you!

I'd seen Kindle Scout advertised on Amazon KDP, and a few other writers in my local writing group had spoken highly about it - so I decided to give it a try with DAWN OF WOLVES. I already had a cover ready to go and a blurb, so I just had to get my manuscript ready for publication, as I usually would, before submitting to Kindle Scout.

How my campaign went

It started off pretty slow. Sure, I initially shared the link to my campaign page on social media, sent a note out to my mailing list and wrote a blog post about it, but that was the sum total of my promotion. I was initially worried that, since it the campaign appeared voting based, that it would end up a popularity contest - i.e. the person with the most mates to vote for them get published. I've never been very good at those - not the world's greatest self-promoter!

However, I soon got a surprise.

DAWN OF WOLVES had 246 page views (which I see is quite on the low side) but the book spent 56 hours - the last period of its campaign - in 'hot and trending'. Then, seven days after my campaign ended I got the 'congratulations, your book has been selected' email.

I was delighted, especially since it appeared that my novel had been selected on its merits by the Kindle Press team, not just on how popular it was with 'scouts'. So, if you're not into pushing your own barrow and begging people to vote for you, don't despair - Kindle Scout isn't about that!

The polishing and editing process

Once your book is selected, Kindle Press asks you to do one final polish of your manuscript before submitting the final version. After that, I received an email to let me know my novel had been assigned to an editor and that I would hear back before 1 August.

I heard back from the editor a few days before the deadline and was pleased to discover that the editor had no structural changes at all - just a few formatting, grammar and punctuation corrections. I was impressed on his professional job, and the polish he'd given my novel. Really impressed. I have also enjoyed the clear and well organised approach that Kindle Press have toward the whole process - they've been great to deal with.

Where I'm at now

So after accepting the editor's changes and going through the novel one last time, it is now back with Kindle Press. I'm waiting to hear back about the publication date - and then I will start formatting the paperback version (which I hold the rights for) on Createspace.

It's been an exciting journey so far, and I'm looking forward to see how DAWN OF WOLVES does once it's out.

I'm really grateful that the book got selected and that Kindle Press offers this type of 'hybrid' publishing deal for indies. It's a great time to be a writer!

Watch this space for updates!

--
DAWN OF WOLVES is a historical romance set in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England. Want to know more?

Take a look at the novel's Kindle Scout campaign page.

The importance of journeys in fiction

I realized something recently. Nearly all of my books include the main character going on a journey. 

In some novels, the journey is relatively short, while in others it can take up a large chunk of the story. One thing remains the same, the journey is always a metaphor for growth, change.

I've always loved stories where a journey is the central part of the plot. Ever since I read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, I was hooked on journeys. There's something incredibly engrossing about going on a journey with fictional characters. You see the world through their eyes, but even more than that, you see how their own characters develop.

The best journeys are both physical and internal. In fantasy, the journey is often one of 'coming of age', or 'finding courage', both of which are themes that I enjoy. However, in my historical romance novels, the journeys are all slightly different. Sometimes it's about the developing relationship between the hero and heroine; others, it's about the heroine 'growing' as a person, or getting the strength she needs to deal with what lies ahead.

The Kingdom of the East Angles series

NIGHT SHADOWS (novella): the journey is a chance for Cynewyn and Wil to admit their passion for each other, after ten years' apart.
DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT: the journey is an escape, Raedwyn runs from danger, right into the arms of Caelin, the son of the man she's trying to get away from.
NIGHTFALL TILL DAYBREAK: the journey shows Freya bringing her injured lover, Aidan, to safety, after she saves his life. The journey reveals just how much she loves Aidan, and her determination to be with him.
THE DEEPENING NIGHT: Saewara journeys from Mercia to East Anglia with her arranged husband-to-be, Annan, and along the way discovers she actually wants him - only he doesn't appear to share the sentiment. Saewara must prepare herself mentally for what she believes will be a love-less marriage.

The Kingdom of Mercia series

THE BREAKING DAWN: there are a lot of journeys in the book. The first, shows Merwenna taking fate into her own hands and going in search of her betrothed, a young man who marched off to war and never came back. The second, shows her discovering her courage and independence, as she tries to return home, unescorted. In the third, she travels to Wales with Prince Cynddylan, a man she has just defied her family to help - only he doesn't appear that grateful and seems to resent her presence. In this journey, she has to come to terms with the decisions she's made, and gather the courage to face an uncertain future.

DARKEST BEFORE DAWN: Part One of this book has a long journey, in which Alchflaed travels from Northumbria to Mercia, to marry a man whom her father has ordered her to assassinate. This journey shows her growing anxiety and fear of what lies ahead, and reveals her growing connection with Maric - the warrior who leads the Mercian escort.

DAWN OF WOLVES: In the first section of the book, Ermenilda travels from Kent to Mercia with her betrothed, Wulfhere. During this journey, she struggles with an overwhelming attraction for a man she despises. Half-way through the journey, she must face her own mother's treachery.

____________________________________________________________

There you have it - many journeys, all with a strong inner-purpose!

Do you enjoy stories with journeys in them? Please feel free to share/recommend any that you loved!

DAWN OF WOLVES selected for Kindle Scout!

Recognise the cover on the far left?

Just over a month ago I submitted DAWN OF WOLVES (Book #3: The Kingdom of Mercia) in Kindle Scout. This morning I received an email from Kindle Press to let me know the novel had been selected for publication!

Exciting times, I'm delighted to be selected and am really looking forward to working with the Kindle Scout team.

A huge thank you to everyone who voted for the novel!

Find out more about the novel, and read the first 5,000 words here!

Jayne xx

My next story is in your hands

Discover the next great story... it could be mine

My next novel, DAWN OF WOLVES (Book #3 The Kingdom of Mercia), is now ready for publication... however, this time I'm doing things a little differently.

Usually, I self-publish my Historical Romances on Amazon. But this time around, DAWN OF WOLVES is available for nomination on Kindle Scout for the next 30 days.

What's Kindle Scout?
It's a campaign run by Amazon that gives readers the chance to preview never before published books, nominate their favorites, and receive free copies when their picks are published!

Anyone with an Amazon account can vote! 

At the end of the 30 day period, if DAWN OF WOLVES has enough reader nominations, it will be published. Then, you'll get a free copy!

If the novel isn't selected, I will be self-publishing it on Amazon, as usual, once the period ends (so don't worry - either way, you'll get to read it!).

Take a look at DAWN OF WOLVES' Kindle Scout campaign page. Here, you can find out about the story, and about what inspired me to write it. You can also read the first 5,000 words, and - if you like it - you can nominate it!

What's DAWN OF WOLVES about?
This story tells of a marriage between two seemingly incompatible people: a ruthless young king and a pious princess who wishes to devote her life to god. This novel is about the power love wields over us all - and how it can change us for the better.

Watch the book trailer on YouTube to find out more about the story.

Excited about reading this novel?

Go ahead, and nominate DAWN OF WOLVES!

Thank you so much for your support!

Best wishes,
Jayne x