- Jul 11

SPOTLIGHT: Courage of the Conquered

Home sweet home.

As much as I love traveling, there's nothing like having one's own shower, bed, and surroundings. We arrived home this past week and now it's time for me to start getting deeper into research for my next project and begin its outline.

I am trying to teach myself the basics of a wonderful tool for authors: Scrivener. It's basically a step up from WORD, developed especially for novelists and screenplay writers. As always, my author friends are encouraging me and helping me with tutorials, as there is a bit of a learning curve at first. So here's to new challenges and hopefully, a firmer grip on organizational skills when it comes to outlining and fleshing out my manuscripts.

While working on some of these author-oriented things, I'm hoping to continue to recommend good reading to all of you and perhaps share more about some of the intriguing aspects of West of Santillane, my latest work. Please continue to enjoy the ride with me and in the near future, I'll share more about my upcoming project.

This week, I'm thrilled to have a new, first-time guest for a book spotlight. If you are entranced by chivalry and the Middle Ages, then be sure to read this quick blurb and bio on Anna Chant's Courage of the Conquered. And welcome to Brook's Journal, Anna! May this be the first of many visits!

ALL ABOUT THE BOOK

All the wonders of the Mediterranean have not prepared the English for the splendours of Constantinople. As Siward of Gloucester settles into the city, he is grateful to have finally found what he was looking for: A fine, god-fearing lord he is proud to serve and a safe place where he and Oswyth can await the birth of their child.

But as the months pass, doubts creep in. Emperor Michael proves to be a weak ruler, continually threatened with rebellion. Determined to keep the English army close, his promises of reward grow increasingly vague.

With tension in the city rising, Siward and his friends are caught up in the power struggle. While Bridwin maintains his loyalty to the emperor and Siward continues to trust in the friendship of the cunning Alexios Komnenos, Frebern grows close to John Bryennios, a man whose ambitions may include the imperial throne itself. With the friends drawn in different directions, Siward fears they could find themselves fighting on opposing sides.

Desperate to escape, he renews his efforts to find the home the English have so long craved. But the beauty of Constantinople conceals dangers that go far beyond Siward’s fears as sordid secrets and ruthless betrayal stalk the lives of those he holds dear.

As the English prepare for battle yet again, will Siward’s quest for New England end in heart-breaking tragedy?

ALL ABOUT ANNA

Anna Chant grew up in Essex, with her first home a tiny medieval cottage. Aged 18 she moved to Yorkshire to study history at the University of Sheffield. In 2015, inspired by her love of medieval history and her Scottish ancestry, Anna started writing her first book with Kenneth’s Queen, the tale of the unknown wife of Kenneth Mac Alpin, published the following year. Taking inspiration from both history and legend, she particularly enjoys bringing to life the lesser known people, events and folklore of the past. When not writing, Anna enjoys walking the coast and countryside of Devon where she lives with her husband, three sons (if they’re home) and a rather cheeky bearded dragon.

CONNECT WITH ANNA

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads