We have a new theme for Medieval Mondays and a new way of sharing our excerpts.
The theme is Villains so join us to find some of the nastiest, most ruthless bad guys who ever plagued our heroes and heroines.
Rather than share a whole excerpt in one go each of us is hosting a shorter snippet on our blogs with a link to where the next instalment can be found. You’ll be able to track the story on its tour from blog to blog and there will be a new excerpt from a different author to read on our own blog each week.
We’re all starting off with our own stories. My excerpt comes from chapter one of my newest release The Saxon Outlaw’s Revenge.
Cheshire, 1068
After a failed uprising, Constance Arnaud is forced to watch the execution of Saxon rebels at the hands of her brother-in-law, Norman nobleman Robert de Coudray.
‘Open your eyes and watch how those who would threaten your King die, girl,’ Robert commanded in an undertone. ‘Don’t shame me before these Saxon savages or I’ll whip the skin from your back.’
Constance raised her head obediently and forced herself to watch as man after man was lifted high alive and cut down a corpse. Some resisted as the knots were pulled tight, one or two looked on the verge of weeping; others walked with dignity to their deaths. Without exception all spat towards the dais where Robert’s household sat, fixing any Norman who met their eye with a loathing that made Constance shiver with fear.
Their deaths were not quick or easy, but if the uprising had not been prevented and they had joined with those in other counties, how slow and degrading would her death at their hands have been? She’d heard the tales of what had happened elsewhere, of children speared in their beds and women shared between the rebels until they begged for death. Even a twist-footed cripple like Constance would not be spared the degradation. Jeanne was right, it was relief she should feel, not pity.
Blurb
At the mercy of her enemy!
Abducted by Saxon outlaws, Constance Arnaud comes face to face with Aelric, a Saxon boy she once loved. He’s now her enemy, but Constance must reach out to this rebel and persuade him to save her life as she once saved his…
Aelric is determined to seek vengeance on the Normans who destroyed his family. Believing Constance deserted him, he can never trust her again. Yet, as they are thrown together and their longing for each other reignites, will Aelric discover that love is stronger than revenge?
To be continued next Monday on Jenna Jaxon’s blog
https://jennajaxon.wordpress.com
Come back next week to find out whose villain I’ll be sharing.
In the meantime you can check out the other authors here to find how their excerpts start.
Lane McFarland ~ Rue Allyn ~ Sherry Ewing ~ Jenna Jaxon ~ bambilynnblog~ Ashley York ~ Mary Morgan ~ Barbara Bettis ~ Laurel O’Donnell ~ Cathy MacRae ~ Ruth A. Casie
We’ll be tweeting locations using #medievalhop so you can find out who is where and when.
