Some games are played for mortal stakes.
Gwenna, heir to Ésparias, is summoned by the Empress of Casil to compete for the hand of her son. Offered power and influence far beyond what her own small land can give her, Gwenna’s strategy seems clear – except she loves someone else.
Nineteen years earlier, the Empress outplayed Cillian in diplomacy and intrigue. Alone, his only living daughter has little chance to counter the Empress's experience and skill. Aging and torn by grief and worry, Cillian insists on accompanying Gwenna to Casil.
Risking a charge of treason, faced with a choice he does not want to make, Cillian must convince Gwenna her future is more important than his – while Gwenna plans her moves to keep her father safe. Both are playing a dangerous game. Which one will concede – or sacrifice?
Grab a copy HERE!
This novel is free to read with #KindleUnlimited subscription.
INTERVIEW
Writing Interview questions.
Why did you choose to write your book in this era?
That goes back to the first book of the series. I wanted to explore the effect of massive societal change, specifically the requirement of women to be part of the defence of their land, reflecting my own mother’s (and aunt’s) requirement to join the army in WWII in Britain. But I didn’t want to write a straight historical, plus I also wanted a non-heteronormative society, but one that just was – not something controversial. I’ve always thought one of the roles of speculative fiction is to ask questions about society but in a way that is slightly distanced from reality, to make ideas less threatening and perhaps open some eyes and minds, and that’s what I was hoping to do. So I set it in a iron-age world that looks a lot like Europe after the decline of Rome, but has some significant societal (and geographic) differences. My protagonist of that book (and the next two), Lena, chooses to learn to fight to defend her land, setting her on the journey that has become the Empire’s Legacy series.
What is the most surprising thing you discovered while you were researching this era?
I’d been immersed in it for nearly forty years, as an interest and hobby, but relatively recent DNA and other research that shows the extent of trade and migration and global connections between Europe and India and even China has been enlightening, and a welcome challenge to what I was taught in school.
Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb?
Half of one of the chapters – the first half of Chapter 53 – was inspired by Leonard Cohen & Sharon Robinson’s haunting song, Alexandra Leaving.
If you had to describe your protagonist, in three words, what would those three words be?
The book has two protagonists, but I’ll choose Gwenna: young, confused and determined.
What are you currently working on?
Research for the next two books in the series, Empress & Soldier, which is a side story which eventually intersects with the last third of Empire’s Exile, and Empire’s Passing (working title) which will be the final book in the story of Lena and her family, and will return to Lena as the primary narrator and protagonist.
Personal Interview questions.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
In the summer, I bike, and read – and I used to go to a lot of films, prior to the pandemic. In the cooler months, it’s the same, except I substitute walking for biking. And regardless of season, there are birds to watch.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Three things: a teacher, a scientist, and a writer. I managed all three.
What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?
Chicken wings, sweet corn and green beans. What would I rather be eating? Well, that’s pretty good….but pizza. Always pizza.
Either or!
Tea or coffee: Coffee
Hot or cold: Cold
Movie or book: Book
Morning person or Night owl: Morning
City or country: Country
Social Media or book: Book
Paperback or ebook: Paperback
Essays, poetry, short stories, peer-reviewed scientific papers, curriculum documents, technical guides, grant applications, press releases – if it has words, it’s likely Marian L Thorpe has written it, somewhere along the line. But nothing has given her more satisfaction than her novels. Combining her love of landscape and history, set in a world reminiscent of Europe after the decline of Rome, her books arise from a lifetime of reading and walking and wondering ‘what if?’ Pre-pandemic, Marian divided her time between Canada and the UK, and hopes she may again, but until then, she resides in a small, very bookish, city in Canada, with her husband Brian and Pye-Cat.
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE!
Such a great interview!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting today's tour stop. We really appreciate all that you do.
Mary Anne
The Coffee Pot Book Club