Hi, everyone! I’m so happy to be a part of Book Brew. I grew up in a family of storytellers, and so it seemed only natural to write them. Perhaps like many of you here today, I’ve also been an avid reader most of my life. However, when I came across the Outlander series, I thought I found a story that covered my thirst for romance, history, and intrigue. I wanted to write in this romantic historical tradition, but stay close to my historical roots, so late ancient Rome became the setting for my novel On the Edge of Sunrise. It’s a story of love, hate, betrayal, and redemption set in a falling empire with a heroine and hero who must have each other at all cost. I’ve included a short story synopsis and an excerpt. In addition, I’m offering a free ebook to a winner selected from those who comment. If you have questions or thoughts, please feel free to participate.
Duty calls Arria Felix. A young widow and Roman senator’s daughter she’s been raised unconventionally. She’s as well versed in politics and diplomacy as any man “¦ but with special skills of her own. When the emperor sends her as an envoy to the barbarian tribes in Gaul, Arria is honored. She must persuade these warriors to help Rome stop the savage warlord, Attila the Hun, from sweeping down on the empire. When she faces a brutal kidnapping, a mysterious riddle and a barbarian warrior vowing to conquer her love, her world is turned upside down.
Garic, a Frank barbarian noble, traveling to the Assembly of Warriors has saved a feisty, Roman envoy from the brutality of a renegade warrior. Garic’s instant attraction to Arria weighs on him and defies his tribal beliefs. He’s the First Counsel to his chieftain and Romans are not to be trusted. Yet, he cannot resist her. With his first glance, Arria has captured his heart and now he must win hers.
EXCERPT:
ASSEMBLY OF WARRIORS-GAUL (France): Luthgar’s Camp
Gaul, land of rich pastures and grapes, forests and cool rivers, was in danger of being overrun by Huns. Garic, first counsel to his tribe of Salian Franks, loved this land. Roman rule was bitter enough to bear, but the prospect of a Hun master was intolerable. The Romans were anxious to create an alliance with the Franks. Gaul under Attila’s control would threaten the Roman Empire. Emperor Valentinian had sent envoys to strike an alliance with the barbarians, and Garic knew Valentinian needed them to fight Attila.
This autumn day, the Assembly of Warriors was to meet. Garic entered the council chamber prepared for a verbal battle wrapped in the mantle of diplomacy. Tensions were high between the Franks and Romans, but Attila was converging on their land. He looked around and sought a seat among the Franks. Wooden planks creaked beneath his doeskin boots as he slid onto a bench facing a low burning brazier. The Romans, newly arrived from Cambria, sat across the center fire, facing them. Garic swiped a few long strands of hair behind his right ear and brushed his knuckles over his chin. He was lost in thought when he heard a woman’s voice, cool like the waters where Freya, goddess of love, croons to her lover. Garic looked around. The Roman woman, Arria, the daughter of the respected Senator Quintus Felix, was among the Roman envoys and seated beside Tribune Drusus. She greeted a newly arrived representative on her left.
Intrigued, Garic stared. Arria was more striking than beautiful. Her almond-shaped, sea green eyes shone. He watched as she conversed with her fellow envoy. An unconsciously seductive quality lived in her smile and direct gaze. Like many Roman women, she was shapely, with round breasts and curving hips. Captivated, Garic gazed at hands adorned with jeweled rings; and thick chestnut hair coiled in an intricate style bound with gold ribbons. Arria glanced in his direction. Their eyes met, then she looked away.
Garic’s heart quickened and he envisioned her in his arms, imagined kissing her full soft lips. She whispered his name as his touch carried them to a place beyond circumstance, beyond time “¦. A servant addressed Garic, and the fantasy vanished like morning mist.
“First Counsel, may I bring you some refreshment? First Counsel?”
“Ja,” Garic answered staring at Arria. Had she felt anything when she had looked at him? Anything at all?
“First Counsel?” the servant repeated and stood waiting.
Garic glanced toward the servant.
“What shall I bring you, my lord?”
“Mead,” he replied tersely, gazing at Arria. His instincts warned him. He was Garic, First Counsel in Luthgar’s tribe of Salian Franks and a warrior of reputation. Most women came to him when he wanted, and he took a woman when it pleased him. In his twenty-five years no woman had ever captured his heart. Yet, Arria awakened a longing deep within him, a desire he barely understood. But a liaison with a Roman woman was unthinkable. Although a noble, he was a barbarian and uncivilized to Romans. His pride told him to reject anything belonging to Rome””including its women. But his heart demanded Arria. A sudden hand on his shoulder startled him.
“Garic, how goes it?”
Luthgar, chieftain of his tribe, interrupted his thoughts. “You seem transfixed. I hope I haven’t disturbed your thoughts.”
“I was considering our terms for discussion at today’s forum,” Garic lied. He watched as Luthgar sat beside him, his long black hair trailing the sides of his face.
“I understand your concern,” Luthgar offered. “These damn Romans want all they can get and give little in return.”
Garic’s voice lowered. “Yes, and may Wodan be with us. The price we pay to keep this land could be costly. Attila is a great leader. With help from the Ostrogoths and Gepids, he will be a formidable force. We have no choice but to join with the Emperor Valentinian and his Master of the Soldiers, Aetius.”
“What if we chose neutrality?” interjected Luthgar. His brown eyes held a speculative look. “Would not the Huns look upon that as a favor to them?”
Garic shifted in his seat and gave a sidelong glance in Arria’s direction. She was looking at him. Their eyes locked and he saw a blush rise in her face. She turned toward Drusus.
Garic looked at Luthgar. “Ja, maybe so, but much depends on King Theodoric and his Visigoths. If Theodoric unites with Rome against the Huns, then I say we align with them. Theodoric tolerates the Romans and they him, but he will bow to no man and neither will his son Thorismund. We’re small in relation to the Romans, but together we have a chance against the Huns. We know the Romans, know their ways. We’ve held our ground against them, and from them learned many things.”
“King Meroveus honors Aetius. He will want the Franks and other tribes to support the general in battle,” interjected Luthgar.
“Of course,” Garic replied. “We are at peace with the Romans. This is good. But, what if the Huns were to win? Can Franks live under a worse tyrant?”
Luthgar stroked his beard. “As always, your counsel is sound. I’m in agreement. I will inform the Assembly of Warriors that it would be wiser to unite with the Romans than try to remain neutral. We would be crushed between Hun and Roman forces, killed and enslaved. As soon as we reach equitable terms with the Roman Council, I will order the preparations for battle.”
Garic and Luthgar noticed that others were moving to their places. Luthgar leaned toward Garic and said, “It seems we’ll soon begin. I will go and inform the rest that we’re of one mind. If any of the noble warriors should differ in their opinion, we’ll ask for a recess to confer.”
“Oh, and Garic?” Luthgar smiled, then whispered, “Arria Quintia, the beauty who fascinates you, is betrothed to Drusus. Be careful, my friend.”
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