Princes & Kings A Rose in a Thorn Bush by Sydney Williams

 Please welcome Sydney Williams author of Princes & Kings A Rose in a Thorn Bush

Sydney Williams will be awarding $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Princes & Kings

A Rose in a Thorn Bush

by Sydney Williams

 

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GENRE: Historical Fantasy

 

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INTERVIEW:

1.    What or who inspired you to start writing?

Ever since I was a child, I have always loved how you can disappear into another world through a story and I knew that I wanted to create worlds of my own one day. 

 

2.    What elements are necessary components for this genre? 

The basic elements in any historical fiction novel are plots based on a historical event or character some time at least 50 years or more in the past.

 

3.    How did you come up with your idea for your novel? 

I was introduced to my main character during a history class in grade 12 and loved his story so much that I knew I would write about him one day. 

 

4.    What expertise did you bring to your writing?? 

I was on the B honour roll all through high school in both English and History, both things being essential for writing historical fiction.

 

5.    As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

Princes and Kings is only book one in the three part series I am writing about the life of my main character as ruler of Gwynedd Wails. After this series is finished I plan to continue to write, starting with book one in the next series I plan to write about five different historical women warriors; each book being about a different woman warrior. 

 

6.    If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

I think if I could be any of the characters in this book it would have to be my main character, Llywelyn. He was noble, loyal, strong and loved his family and his people. He also knew how to use a sword and a bow and I love both of those things. 

 

7.    Can you give us a sneak peek into this book? 

 

It was a cold, damp afternoon. In the town of Aberfraw Castle, all of Gwynedd wails as a procession of finely dressed people carried the coffin of of the late king of Gwynedd, Llywelyn, the Great, through the streets. From all over the land, Gwynedd’s subjects arrived: they came to look upon the face of their dead king and to mourn his passing. The cobbles, slippery from a powerfull rainstorm the night before, hamppered the procession of nobles as the prepaired to lay him to rest. The sky was still overcast with clouds that  promiced more rain as if nature  was mourning for the great man. Filthy street urchins roughly shoved through the crowds of people, trying to catch a glimpse of the nobles while more fortunate children sat upon the shoulders of  their father to see the royal party in their fine outfits. 

 

8.    When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I had wanted to write  my main character’s story ever since I was  introduced to him by my  grade 12 history teacher, but  I had always had a  hard time starting the process. Then I met someone through a business course that I did a little while back who encouraged me to start writing the story and who helped me through the writing process.

 

9.    Do you outline your books or just start writing?

When I was younger I used to just start writing from what I had in my mind, but with this book being a historical fiction novel,  I was encouraged to make an outline to organise the historical notes I was using to write my book. I am so happy I did it as well. It really helped in the writing process and I am doing so for each and every historical fiction novel I write from now on. 

 

10. How do you maintain your creativity?

This is an interesting question. I am not just an author, I am also an artist and musician and I find that by mixing things up from time to time I am able to keep my mind free and am able to stay creative. If I have been writing for a while I will stop and work on some art or maybe some music. I will also take breaks and watch a show or listen to some music to clear my mind before continuing to write. 

 

11. Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?

This is a hard question. I like so many of my characters. But I suppose if I had to say who my top favorite character is it would have to be my main character Llywelyn. He is what I consider a true warrior. He knew how to use a sword and bow and he had the ability to put his emotions aside and do what needed to be done. 

BLURB:

 

In the year 1240 AD, the land of Gwynedd Wales found themselves without a leader when their king, Llywelyn the Great, died at a ripe old age. The natural successor to the king was his son Dafydd, who took on the job of ruler after his death. Soon after taking on the job he was forced to sign a treaty with the king of England and send his brother Gruffudd and his nephew Owain to England to be imprisoned in the Tower of London in exchange for keeping his land and title. His other nephew, Llywelyn, became the new head warrior after his father's imprisonment, travelling the country and patrolling the borders to the north and the south. After four years imprisonment in the Tower of London, Gruffudd died while attempting to escape from his tower cell, and his son Owain was released by the king himself. He wanted Owain to help him start a civil war in Gwynedd. Meanwhile, after finding out about his brother's death from a letter sent by his nephew Owain, Dafydd declared war on England, prompting Owain to escape Winchester Castle, where he had been recovering from his time in prison to find his brother Llywelyn and help him in the war between England and Gwynedd. During the course of the war, Dafydd was killed in battle, leaving the Welsh army without a leader. Being the brave and noble man that he was, Llywelyn called the men to him and, with his leadership, they managed to send the English packing. With the new weight of responsibility thrust upon his shoulders, Llywelyn rode home at the head of the army to find that his world had changed. Now not only was his father gone but his mother as well, and the land of Gwynedd was once again without a leader. It became clear that the best man for the job was Llywelyn himself, and he decided that there was nothing else to do but become the new ruler. He would do anything to keep his people safe, even if that meant taking on a responsibility that he felt he was too young for. He would never abandon his people for anything and let the English take everything from him.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Chapter 1: A Funeral to Remember 

 

The town of Aberfraw Castle in the Valley of Clwyd Snowdonia, Gwynedd, Wales in the year 1240 AD 

 

It was a cold, damp afternoon. In the town of Aberfraw Castle, all of Gwynedd wails as a procession of finely dressed nobles carried the coffin of the late King of Gwynedd, Llywelyn, the Great, through the streets. From all over the land, Gwynedd’s subjects arrived: they came to look upon the face of their dead King and to mourn his passing. The cobbles, slippery from a powerful rainstorm the night before, hampered the procession of nobles as they prepared to lay him to rest. The sky was still overcast with clouds that promised more rain as if nature was mourning for the great man. Filthy street urchins roughly shoved through the crowds of people, trying to catch a glimpse of the nobles while more fortunate children sat upon the shoulders of their father to see the royal party in their fine outfits. 

 

Leading the royal procession were the King’s two sons, Dafydd ap Llywelyn and Gruffudd ap Llywelyn. Gruffudd, the King’s younger and illegitimate son, had no claim to the throne. He didn’t mind; he had never wanted to be a ruler. Gruffudd preferred being the head warrior of the royal army, protecting the people of the land in that way. It gave him a sense of freedom somehow that he felt being ruler would not. He was resplendently dressed as any noble should be in a thick green wool tunic, wool leggings tucked at the knee with high leather boots. His height and physique gave him an air of command and respect, both on the battlefield and off it, and gained him a lot of respect with the people of the land. 

 

Gruffudd’s wise gray eyes turned towards his wife, Senana, who walked beside him with her head held high, giving her an air of great confidence. She felt him looking at her and caught his eye with a loving smile. Smiling back, he felt blessed to have such a woman by his side. From the moment they first met, he had known that she was the woman he would marry. Her light brown hair fell in the way that he liked, in a single braid that snaked down the back of her dress. Her dark-green silk skirt complimented his tunic and set off her deep blue eyes nicely. Such eyes any man in love could easily get lost in. 

 

The heavy air wasn’t helping his somber mood. Instead, Gruffudd felt like it weighed heavily down on his heart, finding it hard to breathe. He had loved his father very much and would miss him terribly. He felt the loss of his father like a dagger to the heart. But he would not cry. He told himself that he had to stay strong for his children who must also be feeling the loss of their grandfather. He felt blessed that he had at least been able to say goodbye to him.

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Sydney has a big imagination and has been writing and performing from a young age. After going blind from Leukemia at the age of three, she found release from the medical part of her life through her music and her writing. In high school she excelled in English and history and after she left school she continued to write and to create her music. She formed her band, The Undercurrents with her best friend and drummer, Alex Nacci at the age of 22 and has been playing music with the band ever since.

 

Her book, Princes and Kings, is her first professional novel and it is book one of the historical fiction series she is writing titled, A Rose in A Thorn Bush about the last king of Wales. She was introduced to her main character in high school and with the encouragement of her Business Abilities coach she finely decided to write his story. Splitting the story into three books. Sydney has always enjoyed reading historical fiction and has found it an interesting genre to write in. After her series is finished she plans to continue writing about different historical British characters for as long as she can. Being Welsh on her father's side and Scottish and English on her mother's Britain is a place that interests her greatly and she has enjoyed writing about one of its characters. Giving her a chance to explore her heritage in a fun and exciting way and she looks forward to sharing her passion for the genre and the history of the British Isles with the world.

 

CONNECT WITH SYDNEY

 

 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21888149.Sydney_Williams

Website: http://sydwilliamsauthor.com/

 

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/princes-and-kings-sydney-williams/1140023042

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CMYGZKW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect

 

PURCHASE LINKS       

 

            

AMAZON.COM 

https://amazon.com/dp/0228863457

KINDLE

https://amazon.com/dp/B09CMYGZKW

INDIGO CHAPTERS

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/princes-and-kings/9780228863472-item.html

BOOK DEPOSITORY

https://www.bookdepository.com/Princes-and-Kings-Sydney-Williams/9780228863458

RAKUTEN KOBO

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/princes-and-kings       

SMASHWORDS 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1099246

APPLE BOOKS

https://books.apple.com/us/book/princes-and-kings/id1581434633

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Sydney Williams will be awarding $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3936