Deadly secrets. Hidden identities. A true enemy.
Silence is the only shield.
The year is 1216 and civil war rages in England. King John ravages the countryside against rebellious barons and a French invasion. Unbeknownst to him, his newest squire, Richard, is in fact the son of a man the king would hang without a second thought. A man the common folk call Robin Hood.
For years, Robin has lived as a knight in exile. But when his son is ensnared in the treachery of the royal court, Robin is forced out of the shadows, aided by his outlaw friends in the Hood.
There is no question for Richard where his loyalties lie but it’s more than his own life at risk. He has the trust of a dangerous king. Can he serve the Hood better from within John’s inner circle, or will schemes against the crown unravel?
Rob from the rich, give to the poor takes on a whole new meaning.
Rogues & Kings is a sweeping tale of courage and betrayal in a kingdom on the edge of ruin, of a boy coming of age in the midst of war, and of legends being born.
Chewing on the smoky cheese Richard wandered to the open tent flap. Cooks at the fires nattered on, laughter peppering their words. A squire sat outside Marshal’s tent cleaning boots and two others polished saddles by the stables. No one else was in sight. And no Godfrey…
Richard still had to set the camp stools, benches, and trestles up. “Let’s to it.” Before he started he swiped another piece of cheese, his gaze caught on coffers lining the tent wall behind the king’s ornate chair on the dais. The one by the sideboard held the king’s good wine—he’d seen that yesterday. But these three chests had chains and locks, one hanging loosely from a metal clasp…not secured.
Richard’s gaze flicked to the open tent flap. Noises sounded from near the cooks’ fires. And the king’s clerks—his eyes turned to the trestle—they’d left their work sitting out. Surely they’d return at any moment. No guards, no priests, no squires…
He hopped back onto the dais. The boards creaked and coins rattled as he stepped close to the chests.
Holding his breath, Richard lifted the unsecured lid a hand’s width. Metal straps and the chain on it chinked. He tipped the lid back. Coin had spilled from a leather pouch. More than he’d ever seen. Rubies, too, and gold rings and jewel-studded necklaces.
Rob from the rich…
Charlene Newcomb, aka Char, is a retired librarian, a U.S. Navy veteran, mom to 3 amazing humans, and grandma to 3. She writes historical fiction and science fiction.
Her award-winning Battle Scars trilogy is set in the 12th century during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Her writing roots are in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (aka Legends) where she published 10 short stories in the Star Wars Adventure Journal, and published the original novel Echoes of the Storm.
Char returned to medieval times with Rogue and her latest novel Rogues & Kings, both in her Tales of Robin Hood series.
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Thank you so much for hosting Charlene Newcomb today, with an intriguing excerpt from her riveting Robin Hood adventure, Rogues & Kings. Your support is much appreciated.
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Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Thank you for sharing Rogues & Kings on your blog today!
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