WIND SONG is available!

Launch day is here!

WIND SONG (Book #2: The Kingdom of Northumbria) is now available for purchase on all the Amazon stores.

Friends to lovers, unrequited love, a romance between two people from warring kingdoms and different worlds—this novel has it all!

Meet Hea and Bridei. She's a low-born flower seller and herbalist, the daughter of a seer who has inherited her mother's gift. He's a cocky Pictish prince, sent to foster at the Northumbrian stronghold of Bebbanburg. What begins as a childhood crush for Hea, develops into something much more serious when she and Bridei meet again after eight and a half years apart.

Here's what two of my Advance Reviewers thought of the novel (the full reviews are on Goodreads):

"The details of Jayne Castel's historic Iron Ages novels flow by like a river. Before you know it, you are immersed in another world ..."

"The plot was exciting, intriguing, and very well written. I enjoyed the romance of the story ... I very highly recommend this book and thoroughly enjoyed it."



Buy your copy of WIND SONG here:

amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
amazon.com.au
 

---

Get a copy of THE WHISPERING WIND for just 99 cents

To celebrate the launch of WIND SONG, I'm doing a special offer on Book #1 of the Kingdom of Northumbria series. Usually priced at US$3.99, THE WHISPERING WIND (Kindle edition) is available at 99 cents for a limited time only— don't miss out! 

She depends on him for survival ... while he is her reluctant protector. But neither of them expected to find love.


Get your 99 cent copy of THE WHISPERING WIND here:

amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
amazon.com.au

What inspired my Kingdom of the East Angles series?

Sutton Hoo ... a window into Dark Ages Britain.

Check out this replica of the Sutton Hoo helmet. The real one is at the British Museum, London.

The Anglo-Saxons buried their once rich and powerful dead, with treasures for the after-life. Sometimes the burial included a warrior’s horse, or even a ship. A wonderful example of this is at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk. There are 18 burial mounds, with barrows for Anglo-Saxon East Anglian royalty. The most famous of all, is the barrow for King Raedwald of East Anglia, who was buried in 625 with a huge hoard of riches, including his ship and this magnificent helmet.

After visiting Sutton Hoo (which is located near Woodbridge, Suffolk, where my mother's family still live), I decided to write a novel set in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England.

My Dark Ages Historical Romance, Dark Under the Cover of Night (currently free on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks and Barnes and Noble) is set around the last year of the life of King Raedwald. It's a love story, but I did a lot of research to make sure the story's historical background 'feels' authentic.

East Anglia was extremely powerful during early 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England. Recently archaeologists discovered the remains of an Anglo-Saxon settlement in Suffolk during the development of a wind-farm.

Watch a BCC video about the find.

Historical background to WIND SONG (Book #2: The Kingdom of Northumbria)

I'm now hard at work on Book #2 of The Kingdom of Northumbria. This novel is a Historical Romance, but like all my others set in 7th Century Britain the story is based on real historical events and historical figures.

WIND SONG – to be released later this year – is set in the later period of the 7th Century – when the Northumbria King, Ecgfrith (Oswiu’s son) takes on the Picts, and loses.

First up, here's a few facts about the Kingdom of Northumbria, to give some historical context:

• Northumbria – ‘Northanhymbre’ in Old English – has always been a frontier land. The Romans built Hadrian’s Wall there to mark the northernmost edge of their empire, for they were never able to conquer the Picts. The Anglo-Saxons after them had similar difficulty in ruling the wild lands to the north.
• Northumbria was one of the most important kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England, lying north of the River Humber. 
• During its most flourishing period it extended from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, between two west–east lines formed in the north by the Ayrshire coast and the Firth of Forth and in the south by the River Ribble, or the Mersey, and the Humber.
• Its military strength was greatest in the 7th century, when the supremacy of three of its rulers, Edwin (616–632), Oswald (633–641), and Oswiu (641–670), was recognized by the southern English kingdoms. 
• Northumbria was formed from the coalition of two originally independent states—Bernicia, which was a settlement at Bamburgh on the Northumberland coast, and Deira, lying to the south of it. 
• The kingdom probably reached the west coast by the mid-7th century, and it also rapidly expanded northward, at one time extending as far as the River Tay. To the south, the power of Mercia checked further expansion of the kingdom.

WIND SONG is focused on a pivotal historical event: the Battle of Dun Nechtain – the Picts vs the Northumbrians

• The Battle of Dun Nechtain (or Battle of Nechtansmere as it was known in Old English), marked a turning-point between the Picts and the Anglo-Saxons. The battle ended with a decisive Pictish victory which severely weakened Northumbria's power in northern Britain.
• The battle was fought between the Picts, led by King Bridei mac Beli and the Northumbrians, led by King Ecgfrith on 20 May 685. Relations between the two kings had been worsening for years, especially since Ecgfrith saw the Pictish king as a sub-king rather than an independent ruler. During the battle, the Picts pretended to retreat and drew the Northumbrians into a bloody ambush at Dun Nechtain near the lake of Linn Garan.
• Ecgfrith was killed in battle, along with the greater part of his army. The Pictish victory marked their independence from Northumbria, who never regained their dominance in the north.

Bridei mac Beli is the hero of WIND SONG. Here are some facts about him:

• Bridei mac Beli – Bridei son of Beli was king of the Picts from 672 until 693. He ruled the Kingdom of Fortriu, in Southern Pictland (today southern Scotland).
• His father was Beli, King of Alt Clut, and his mother was an Angle – possibly a daughter of King Edwin of Deira. 
• Bridei spent most of his childhood living at Bebbanburg, under the charge of the Northumbrian king
• Bridei would have left Northumbria as a young man and returned to his father’s lands
• He was based at Dundurn, a hilltop fortress in southern Fortriu.
• Bridei was an expansionary and active king – he led violent campaigns throughout Pictland, claiming new lands and taking back old ones for Fortriu.
• The relationship between Bridei and King Ecgfrith of Northumbria was strained – Ecgfrith likely saw Bridei as a ‘sub-king’ rather than an independent ruler, and Bridei would have chafed under what he saw as the yoke of an Angle overlord
• Their worsening relationship led to the famous Battle of Dun Nechtain in 685, in which the Anglo-Saxon army of Ecgfrith was annihilated
• Bridei's death is recorded as the year 693.

There are no records as to whether Bridei married, or had any children, so in my story (WIND SONG: Book #2: The Kingdom of Northumbria – to be released later this year), I create a romance between him and a young Anglo-Saxon woman, Hea. Bridei and Hea are childhood friends during his time fostering in Bebbanburg. However, when they meet again years later, their relationship changes dramatically…

Find out more about WIND SONG: www.jaynecastel.com/coming-soon 

Take a tour across 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England

My current 'work in progress' (THE WHISPERING WIND —Book #1 of The Kingdom of Northumbria) is now with my editor. 😊

I've been stuck into writing over the past couple of months—with two manuscripts on the go—but have wanted to write a blog post to give some background about the setting of my upcoming novel.

In THE WHISPERING WIND my characters do a lot of travelling! 

Aelfwyn and Leofric set off from the northeast of England and travel down the Yorkshire coast to Whitby and then on to Lincolnshire. They finally travel back into Yorkshire to what is now York. Only the towns, villages and landmarks they visit are nothing like modern, or even medieval, England—as such the photos below only depict what these places look like now!

Britain in Anglo-Saxon times

So far, I've written six novels and a novella set in Britain's exciting 7th Century. My novels have focused on three kingdoms in particular (East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria) but others such as Powys, Kent and the East Saxons also crop up in the stories. The Anglo-Saxon place names I use in my novels are far different to the modern names of towns, villages and landmarks. Not only that but the spelling varied hugely. For example, the Anglo-Saxon name for York was spelled Eoforwic, Eoferwic or Eoforīc—depending on the source.

Let's take a look at what England looked like all those years ago...

The tour: from Bebbanburg to Eoforwic

Bebbanburg (Bamburgh)

Today the mighty red stone fortress of Bamburgh looks out to sea from a high rocky headland. In the 7th Century it was called Bebbanburg—named after Bebba, the wife of the Northumbrian king, Æthelfrith.

In the period of my novel (mid 7th Century), Bebbanburgh looked nothing like today's fortress. Instead it would have been a great fort, built mainly in wood with gate houses at each corner. Inside the fort there would have been a large village of timber and wattle and daub dwellings, workshops and stables.

 'My' Bebbanburg (which first makes an appearance in Book #2 of The Kingdom of Mercia - Darkest before Dawn), also has a 'great tower' made of the same red stone as the rock upon which the fort stands. There's no evidence to suggest that Bebbanburg had a 'great tower'—however when I visited Bamburgh Castle I discovered that these great towers were precursors to Medieval keeps. So I decided to include one in Bebbanburg.

Lindisfarena (Lindisfarne)
Holy Island as it's now known has long been a setting I've wanted to include in one of my books. There's something incredibly mystical about this windswept island that's only accessible via a tidal causeway.

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. 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.

I deliberately set this book at this time so that I could include Prior Cuthbert in the novel. Saint Cuthbert is one of the most important saints of Medieval England. After his death many miracles were attributed to him. Cuthbert only appears for a handful of chapters, I really enjoyed bringing him to life.

Read more about what Lindisfarne would have been like in my recent blog post.

Streonshalh (Whitby)

In 657 AD, King Oswiu of Northumbria (the father of the king in my upcoming novel) founded the abbey at Streonshalh. Today this location is the beautiful seaside town of Whitby. At the time, the abbey would have perched on the cliffs above a tiny fishing village.

Like the buildings in the locations above, the abbey would have looked very different to the ruins visible today. It would have had a wooden perimeter filled with a collection of buildings that included a great hall, a refectory, a weaving shed, the abbess's lodgings, an orchard—as well as a collection of huts where the nuns lived. Also, in early Anglo-Saxon times, monks as well as nuns dwelt at Streonshalh—the division of the sexes did not come till a bit later in history.

THE WHISPERING WIND begins around 13 years after Streonshalh Abbey's founding, at the time when Abbess Hilda (or Hild) lived there. She was the founding abbess and, like Cuthbert, was one of Medieval England's most important saints.

Lincylene (Lincoln)

I was born near Lincoln (in the market town of Louth) so this setting is very close to my heart. Lincoln was founded as a Roman fort called 'Lindum Colonia'.

Lincylene was the seat of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Lindesege (Lindsey). The King of Lindesege in THE WHISPERING WIND is called Eatta. He appears in the list of Anglo-Saxon monarchs for the kingdom although I could find no details about what kind of man he was. As such, my depiction of him comes entirely from my own imagination.

The settlement I describe in my novel is surrounded by a surviving town wall that was constructed by the Romans. The spot which currently has Lincoln's magnificent cathedral, housed the king's Great Hall and an early church built of wood and stone.

Eoforwic (York)

This town was an important hub during Anglo-Saxon England. Sitting on the confluence between two rivers: the Ouse and the Foss, Eoforwic was accessible by river to the coast (something the raiding Vikings later found very useful).

Like Lincoln, York has Roman origins. The city was founded in 71 AD, when the Ninth Legion conquered the Brigantes and constructed a wooden military fortress on flat ground above the River Ouse close to its confluence with the River Foss. Later it was resettled by the Angles in the 5th Century.

High wooden ramparts would have surrounded the town and there would have been a number of boat building and fishermen's huts along the banks of the Ouse. Like Lincoln, I placed the Great Hall and the town's church at the highest point overlooking the town. And like Bebbanburg, I created a low gate—through which you enter the town—and a high gate that houses the Great Hall.

________________________________________________________

Looking forward to immersing yourself in these settings?

I should have a release date for THE WHISPERING WIND soon—so watch this space! 😊

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.

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).

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.

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.

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)

Guest author post at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee pots

I'm over at Mary Anne Yarde's blog today, as a guest author. 

Mary asked me to write about the inspiration behind my latest novel: DARKEST BEFORE DAWN.

Check out the blog post.

Mary writes historical fiction in a time period very close to my own. Her debut novel: THE DU LAC CHRONICLES has just been released!

BOOK TRAILER: DAWN OF WOLVES

Work on my next novel, DAWN OF WOLVES (Book #3 The Kingdom of Mercia), is steaming ahead. It's the last installment of the series...and an exciting finale!

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.

Wulfhere of Mercia and Ermenilda of Kent were an actual couple who lived in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England... and there are a few legends and stories centered around them.

However, this version of their love story is entirely my own.

Watch this new book trailer to find out more about DAWN OF WOLVES.

Delving into the Dark Ages - setting novels in Anglo-Saxon Britain

It was a time of kings, battles, blood-feuds and sagas - a time when fate ruled men's lives and swords had names. Welcome to Anglo-Saxon Britannia.

I adore writing novels set in the Anglo-Saxon period. This era has a mystical quality and is steeped in myth, legend and conflict. It emerged from nearly five hundred years of Roman occupation and ended with the Norman Conquest in 1066. Along the way, the face of the British Isles changed forever.

A growing market for Anglo-Saxon historicals

Of course, Bernard Cornwall's The Last Kingdom series, and the recent TV series, has really put this era on the map. However, Cornwall is not the only author out there. Outstanding novels like Hild and The Circle of Ceridwen have also helped popularize this period.

I published my first novel in 2012 (Dark Under the Cover of Night), and since then have noticed an increasing number of those who write in the 'Dark Ages'. There's great fodder for stories in the Anglo-Saxon period - from tales of heroic warriors, forbidden love, battles for power, and kings and queens who must make terrible choices. This is the world that many fantasy writers base their imaginary worlds upon. It all started with Tolkien, whose Middle Earth was largely influenced by the language, culture and people of Anglo-Saxon England.

Showcasing authors

To celebrate this exciting period of British history, and to give you a taster of the talent that's out there - I will be inviting some other authors over to my blog over the next week or so. These talented writers will explain why they love writing in this period, and what inspires them.

First up, is Mark Noce on Wednesday 9 March 2016 - so put it in your diary and we'll see you there!

Note: If you are an author of novels set in the Anglo-Saxon period, and would like to be featured on my blog - please get in touch!

Free on Amazon Kindle for five days only - DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT

With a new book about to launch (DARKEST BEFORE DAWN is now ready for pre-order: out on 1 February 2016), I thought I'd run a giveaway of the novel that started it all: DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT.

The Amazon free book giveaway will be running from 26-30 January 2016 - so make sure you grab yourself a Kindle copy!

DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT was never meant to be the first of many books (nearly five so far... and counting!). It was merely a story I felt compelled to write!

I write epic fantasy novels under another name but felt drawn to Anglo-Saxon England. I didn't want to write a traditional historical novel, but nor did I want to write a traditional historical romance. The result is a blend of the two: a well researched setting and a story that doesn't shy away from the realities of life in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England; and a realistic, uplifting love story about men and women the reader can identify with.

I had so much fun writing DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT that I felt compelled to keep writing, and to develop it into a series of three standalone books, resulting in THE KINGDOM OF THE EAST ANGLES. And, not content to stop there, I then embarked on the next series, THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA. I also have a KINGDOM OF NORTHUMBRIA series in the pipeline, so watch this space!

I adore this period of English history so much that I realize I now have a life-time's worth of stories to tell. I'm slowly making my through the 7th Century but there are plenty of exciting events coming up in the 8th Century that I can't wait to write about - namely the reign of King Offa of Mercia.

But, it all started with DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT. The story of a king's daughter, Raedwyn, who falls in love with the son of her father's bitterest enemy. Here's a bit more about the story:

The year is 624 A.D, and Raedwyn - daughter of King Raedwald of the East Angles - has just been handfasted to one of her father's ealdorman. Although highborn women wed to strengthen political alliances, rather than for love, Raedwyn still hopes for a happy marriage like that of her parents'. But, her optimism is shattered on her wedding night.

Raedwyn's life shifts unexpectedly when outlaws ambush her new husband's party on their journey back to his long ship. She finds herself captive of a bitter, vengeful warrior - Ceolwulf the Exiled. He has a score to settle with King Raedwald and Raedwyn is his bargaining tool. 

Caelin, Ceolwulf's enigmatic son, follows his father on his quest for revenge. Fiercely loyal to her own father, Raedwyn isn't prepared for her wild attraction to Caelin - or for its consequences. In a world where to go against a king's word means death, Raedwyn must decide what matters more: love or duty.

Grab yourself a free Kindle copy on Amazon while the giveaway lasts!

--
Sign up to Jayne's monthly newsletter and receive a FREE copy of NIGHT SHADOWS (PDF format). Newsletter subscribers will also get sneak previews of upcoming novels, behind the scenes 'extras', snippets about Anglo-Saxon England, from Jayne!

Email Address

DARKEST BEFORE DAWN - available for pre-order soon!

DARKEST BEFORE DAWN, Book 2 in the Kingdom of Mercia series now has a publication date! 31 January 2016 is the big day - although the novel will be available for pre-order in the next couple of days.

What's the novel about?

Princess Alchflaed of Northumbria is a spirited young woman who wishes to choose her own path. Unfortunately, highborn women in Anglo-Saxon England have no say in their choice of husband, and her father promises his daughter to the son of his bitterest enemy.

This attempt at ‘peace weaving’ is not what is seems. Alchflaed’s father orders her to murder her new husband. Charged with this treacherous task, she journeys south to her new home in Mercia.

Maric – a seasoned warrior with a dark past – leads her escort. Princess and warrior find themselves strongly drawn to each other, but they must deny their feelings. Both bound by loyalty, neither can choose their own fates. Alchflaed’s father has given her a terrible choice: to earn her freedom, she must kill a king.

***

DARKEST BEFORE DAWN opens in 653 A.D. - thirteen years after the first book in the series, THE BREAKING DAWN.

So far, I've written five novels and one novella set in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon England, and this the first one to feature an actual historical figure as the heroine (I've featured plenty of famous men in my previous books). Alchflaed was the daughter of Oswiu of Bernicia, a 7th Century king of Northumbria. The historical records about her are sketchy but there were enough details for me to build an exciting story around her.

However, I will say nothing more about Alchflaed's story at this stage, otherwise I'll risk spoilers...

If you like realistic love-stories set in the dark ages - full of history, intrigue and adventure - then you should really enjoy DARKEST BEFORE DAWN!

During the pre-launch period I will be posting up more details about the book, as well as some teasers - so make sure you watch this space!

--
Sign up to Jayne's monthly newsletter and receive a FREE copy of NIGHT SHADOWS (PDF format). Newsletter subscribers will also get sneak previews of upcoming novels, behind the scenes 'extras', snippets about Anglo-Saxon England, from Jayne!

Email Address

Available now! The Kingdom of the East Angles: The Complete Series

Great news! THE KINGDOM OF THE EAST ANGLES is now available as a complete series for US$6.99 on Amazon (Kindle format)

Here's what this 'epic read' contains:

Follow the stories of four incredible women - Raedwyn, Freya, Saewara, and Cynewyn - and their search for love and freedom in a world dominated by the warrior and the sword.

The Kingdom of the East Angles is a series of historical romance novels set in 7th Century Anglo-Saxon East Anglia, England.

These are stand-alone novels set around the lives of actual East Anglian Kings: Raedwald, Sigeberht and Annan, and spanning eight years, from 624-631 A.D - at a time when the East Anglian kingdom's power was beginning to wane under the threat of Mercia.

DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, the first story in the series, begins in 624 A.D. The novel takes place at the end of King Raedwald reign (the king thought to be buried in the Sutton Hoo longship), and is the story of Raedwyn and Caelin: lovers who are kept apart by feuding fathers.

NIGHTFALL TILL DAYBREAK, takes place five years after the first story. This novel is centered around King Raedwald's stepson, Sigeberht, who returns to Britannia from exile in Gaul to take back the East Anglia throne for the Wuffinga family. This is the tale of Freya and Aidan, a slave and a warrior, and of the king who rules their fates.

THE DEEPENING NIGHT is the final story in this series. This tale begins in the spring of 630 A.D., and is the story of Annan - the proud East Anglian king who must 'bend the knee' to Mercia - and Saewara, the sister of Annan's enemy.

FREE BONUS!
Night Shadows (a novella)
The prequel to the Kingdom of the East Angles series. This novella begins in 609 A.D. Cynewyn, an ealdorman's daughter, spurns Wildfrid, one of her father's spearmen. Ten years later, they meet again - only now both their circumstances are very different. Wilfred no longer believes in love. Cynewyn no longer believes in happy endings.

Buy a copy now from Amazon (Kindle format).


--
Sign up to Jayne's monthly newsletter and receive a FREE copy of NIGHT SHADOWS (PDF format). Newsletter subscribers will also get sneak previews of upcoming novels, behind the scenes 'extras', snippets about Anglo-Saxon England, from Jayne!

Email Address

THE DEEPENING NIGHT: free for two days only!

Every author has their favorite novel. Mine (so far...) is THE DEEPENING NIGHT. 

Each novel develops its own personality, its own uniqueness - and I love all the books I've published. However, THE DEEPENING NIGHT is the one with a special place in my heart. The novel has an emotional power that made it a joy to write.

It's the story of an arranged marriage between two strong-willed individuals. The tale of incredible love. Annan and Saewara captivated me from the beginning of their story. They are from warring kingdoms, and have every reason to hate each other - but, they are both more alike then either realize.

As a Christmas present to all my readers, who have not yet read this novel, I am offering THE DEEPENING NIGHT on Amazon Kindle for free, for two days only: 18-19 December 2016.

Here's what readers have said about THE DEEPENING NIGHT so far:

"I enjoyed this book way too much. So much that I was lost to my family until I was finished. It was an emotional roller coaster. The action was intense and the love is unforgettable. A heroine that proves herself in a man's world and a hero that can handle a strong woman. A battle for freedom and a battle to understand that love comes when we least expect it. This story has everything and the only disappointing thing about it was that it ended."

"Such an amazing book. Surely the best book I read this year and one of the best I've ever read. Beautiful story and I could sense the sadness and the happiness of the characters. I cried while reading, which always makes a book better for me! Loved it!"

Intrigued? 

Here's a bit more about the novel:

Spring, 630 A.D... 

Annan of the Wuffingas is now King of the East Angles; following the kingdom's humiliating defeat to Mercia six months earlier. 

He is attempting to make a new start for himself, and his people, when he receives an order from Penda of Mercia - the king he has sworn to bend the knee to. 

He must marry Penda's sister - the recently widowed, Saewara of Tamworth. 

Saewara, free of one bullying husband, only to be promised to another, is filled with despair at the news. 

Both Annan and Saewara are embittered by the sacrifice they must make for their kingdoms: Annan had been planning to wed another, a maid now promised to his brother; while Saewara, numbed by life, had planned to become a nun. 

Wyrd, fate, has other plans for Annan and Saewara. 

What begins as a forced marriage, develops into a battle of wills, and slow-burning passion between Annan and Saewara; two proud individuals, who must come to terms with more than an unwanted marriage. THE DEEPENING NIGHT is a tale of adventure, love and courage that will change, not just their lives, but the course of history.

Want to know more?

Here's a sneak preview of one of my favorite scenes from the book:

Saewara blinked back tears and forced herself to raise her chin and walk with what little dignity she still possessed onto the dance floor. Fortunately, Annan did not look her way. His hand was warm and strong in hers. She did not want to admit it, but his warmth suffused her hand and forearm, and gave her strength. Her fingers tingled from contact with him; a sensation she had never felt when taking her late husband's hand.

He had spoken to her harshly but there had been no roughness in the way he had pulled her to her feet. Despite all that had happened, Saewara felt a strange kinship with her betrothed. They were both humiliated by her brother's continuing delight in making sport of them in front of his ealdormen and thegns.

There would be no respite until they left the Great Tower of Tamworth.

Saewara took her place, opposite Annan at the end of the row of dancers and fixed her gaze upon the center of his chest - easier than raising her chin to look him in the eye as he towered above her.

The bone whistle and lyre, which had halted while Penda pressured them to dance, resumed their tune with renewed vigor. The watching feasters cheered and whistled. Ribald comments rose above the cheering and Saewara's cheeks burned even hotter at some of the filth her brother's men shouted out at them.

How I loathe this place, she thought, grinding her teeth in fury. She might have been going to a new home, one where she would be reviled, but the knowledge that she would only have to spend one more night under her brother's roof gave her a grim satisfaction.

The dancers exploded into movement, and Saewara had no more time to think on her humiliation, for suddenly, Annan had taken both her hands and was pulling her toward him.

Saewara's stomach dipped; an odd, dizzying sensation.

I should not have drunk so much mead.

It had been years since she had danced. Egfrid had hated dancing, and once the obligatory courtship rituals had been taken care of, he had never taken part in dancing on feast days, or even at Beltaine or Yule. It had been just as well, since he had been a poor dancer, and his brutality that started soon after they were wed, made her loath to touch him.

A strange thrill went through Saewara when Annan's hand rested on her waist for an instant. Then, he twirled her away from him. Saewara's heart pounded against her ribs. The heat of his hand had reached her skin, even through the thick fabric of her tunic.

Remembering the steps she had been taught as a girl, she dipped and curtsied before her partner, before circling coquettishly around him.

The hall roared around her, but Saewara ignored them all, concentrating on the dance. She stepped back toward Annan, and he took hold of both her hands. Together, they ran down the archway of raised arms to the end, before raising their own arms together, while the next couple began their dance.

Breathing heavily, Saewara finally raised her gaze to her betrothed's face. His gaze snared hers and for a few moments, under the privacy of their raised arms, they stared at each other.

Saewara stood, transfixed. A wave of need consumed her; a hunger that took her breath away. She had never experienced a sensation like it before in her twenty-five winters - the intensity of it frightened her.

***

Download your free copy of THE DEEPENING NIGHT now!

Book review: The Hall of Tyr Book #4 of The Circle of Ceridwen Saga by Octavia Randolph

A fantastic conclusion to the best series I've read in years. The Circle of Ceridwen Saga had it all - coming of age, adventure, romance, intrigue and survival. 

The Hall of Tyr takes place on the Island of Gotland, where Ceridwen and Sidroc have made their home together. We follow their new life, and their deepening love in a richly drawn setting. However, their happiness is overshadowed by the past, and the people they left behind in Angle-land. 

This novel adopts a slightly different narration style to the rest of the series. Ceridwen is our narrator throughout the books, except for some chapters in this one, where we return to Four Stones, and to the people Sidroc and Ceridwen have left behind. These chapters are told by Aelfwyn, who must deal with the grief of losing her husband and best friend. She must also face Godric - Ceridwen's jealous and controlling brother-in-law - who will see Ceridwen returned to Kilton at any cost. 

I really enjoyed reading from Aelfwyn's point of view - and can envisage another series with her as the main character (hint, hint!).

A great series, and well worth getting lost in.

Five stars! *****

Buy a  copy of this book on Amazon.

Bringing Sutton Hoo to life in fiction

Nearly 1,400 years ago, a king was buried in a treasure-filled longship on the banks of the River Deben in Suffolk, England. Welcome to Sutton Hoo - one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries ever made.

Many historians believe it is the burial site of Raedwald, the charismatic king of the East Angles. But, the truth is, we will never know for sure who was buried among the treasures of Sutton Hoo. 

When I visited Sutton Hoo over ten years ago. As I wandered over the gently undulating land under the wide East Anglian sky, the seed for a story took root in my mind. I imagined the tale of a great Anglo-Saxon King, and a series of events that took place during the last year of his life. The premise for my first novel set in Anglo-Saxon England, Dark Under the Cover of Night was born.

Today, you can view the Sutton Hoo treasures in the British Museum.

Watch the story of the discovery and subsequent restoration of the Sutton Hoo treasure.

Live the history of Sutton Hoo

A king's daughter, the son of his sworn enemy - and a reckoning...

Discover the stories of the men and women who lived in 7th Century Britannia, through the eyes of Raedwyn - King Raedwald's headstrong daughter. 

Dark Under the Cover of Night (Quarter Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, 2013 - Romance Category), will be available for free on Amazon, for 3 days only, from 12-14 November 2015.

Download your Kindle edition of this historical novel while the free book promotion lasts!

Heroine on the run: Deleted scene #2 DARKEST BEFORE DAWN

Nearly every one of my novels has a scene where I have the heroine running away.

It's a strong theme throughout my historical romances set in Anglo-Saxon England. My heroine is either escaping from danger, running in defiance, fleeing towards freedom, or running to someone's aid.

In a world where men ruled and woman had little say in their fate, often escape was the only way a woman could show her defiance.

In DARK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, Raedwyn escapes an outlaw who is using her to blackmail her father. In NIGHTFALL TILL DAYBREAK, Freya tries to escape a life of slavery by running away from her new master, the King of the East Angles. In THE DEEPENING NIGHT, Saewara runs away from her domineering brother, Penda of Mercia, who is forcing her to marry the enemy. And in THE BREAKING DAWN, Merwenna runs away from her parents' home twice – first, in search of her betrothed, who went off to war and never returned, and then to warn the Prince of Powys about a plot to assassinate him.

In my current novel, DARKEST BEFORE DAWN, my heroine is possibly the most strong-willed and feisty of any woman I've written about so far. Alchflaed is actually based on a real historical figure – a 7th Century Northumbrian princess who was married to the King of Mercia in order to weave peace between the two warring kingdoms.

On the journey south from Northumbria to Mercia, I originally wrote a scene in which Alchflaed escapes her Mercian escorts, and the man she is helplessly attracted to – Maric – in an attempt to ride north and seek aid from her mother's kin in Rheged. However, after realizing that this wasn't going to sit well with her confrontational character, I have deleted it. Alchflaed will try to resolve her problems in other ways...

Here's the scene – enjoy!

***

Alchflaed peeked her head out of her tent and glanced up at the sky. A full moon rose above the tree tops to the east, casting a silvery veil over the world. She noted that the moon had a shimmering halo around it – a sign that bad weather was coming.

Hopefully, I will be on my way to Rheged before it arrives.

It had been an agonizing wait. Alchflaed was so tense that she could feel her pulse beating in her ears. Still, she had made herself be patient. She needed to make sure that the men slumbered deeply before making her move. There would be warriors taking their turn at the night’s watch, but the later she waited the better.

With the glowing moon cresting high into the night sky, Alchflaed stepped out of her tent and wrapped her woolen cloak about her shoulders. It was a chill night, so none would question her bringing it with her while she relieved herself. She had left all her other belongings behind, except for her seax at her waist, and her slingshot looped next to it on her belt.

Alchflaed forced herself to shuffle, as if half-asleep, towards the edge of the encampment. The fire pit had burned down to glowing embers, although a few pitch torches burned around the perimeter. A shadow in the darkness, Alchflaed moved towards where the horses had been tied up for the night.

“Milady?”

The man’s voice close by nearly made Alchflaed cry out in fright; her nerves were stretched taut and it took all her will not to let fright show on her face. A warrior, a tall, bald man with a craggy face stepped forward, bearing a torch.

“Where are you off to?”

“I drank too much ale with supper,” she replied, feigning an embarrassed smile. “There are some trees behind the horses, I won’t be long.”

“Aye,” he grunted, appearing satisfied by her response. “Make sure you aren’t.”

Alchflaed continued on her way, her heart now skittering against her ribs. She had seen the warrior’s shrewd expression; he would be awaiting her return. She would have less time than she had hoped, for he would be the first to go looking for her when she did not re-emerge from the shadows.

Stepping out of the circle of torchlight, she headed to the line of horses. Her pony was the last in the line, she had deliberately tied it at the end so that it would be easy to find in the darkness. Ahead, she spotted the outline of a man’s form; another warrior who had been posted to watch over the horses. He would have to be dealt with, but Alchflaed had come prepared.

She could have used the seax her father had gifted her, but she had no wish to kill a man in order to escape. Instead, she withdrew a heavy stone from inside the lining of her cloak. She had dug it out of the ground inside her tent using her knife.

Holding her breath, Alchflaed crept forward. She moved swiftly towards the guard – the man never saw his assailant coming. Alchflaed clubbed him hard, on the back of his head and he fell like a sack of barley to the ground. She had judged the blow carefully – just hard enough to knock out, not hard enough to kill. Over the years, she had watched her father’s men spar enough times to know the difference.

Not wasting a moment, Alchflaed skirted around the fallen man and rushed to the end of the line of horses. The beasts sensed a disturbance and some of them shifted nervously, while others snorted, the whites of their eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

Fortunately, Alchflaed’s pony was not of nervy temperament. It nickered a soft welcome, recognizing her scent immediately. Moving as quickly as she could without making a noise, Alchflaed undid the rope that tied her pony and looped it over the beast’s neck, tying the other end to the rope halter the pony wore. There was no time to saddle her mount, she would have to ride north bareback.

Alchflaed sprang lightly up onto the pony’s back and reined it away towards the trees. She sucked in a deep breath upon reaching the deeper shadows under the towering ruins of the Roman fort. 

I did it.

Away from the torchlight, she had only the moon to guide her.

It would be enough.

A grin spread out over Alchflaed’s face then, and excitement ignited in the pit of her belly. This was who she was – brave and free. Beholden to no man. By morning she would be far from here.