New Book Release: Between Two Fires by Mark Noce!

Hey, guys! A special friend of mine (and a longtime resident of the blogosphere) has debuted a book, and I am honored to share this with you on release day! Happy book birthday, Mark Noce. If you're in the mood for an excellent historical fiction tale set in medieval Wales, you're in for a treat. Here's more information. Read all about it!

Between Two Fires by Mark Noce

Saxon barbarians threaten to destroy medieval Wales. Lady Branwen becomes Wales’ last hope to unite their divided kingdoms when her father betroths her to a powerful Welsh warlord, the Hammer King.

But this fledgling alliance is fraught with enemies from within and without as Branwen herself becomes the target of assassinations and courtly intrigue. A young woman in a world of fierce warriors, she seeks to assert her own authority and preserve Wales against the barbarians. But when she falls for a young hedge knight named Artagan her world threatens to tear itself apart. Caught between her duty to her people and her love of a man she cannot have, Branwen must choose whether to preserve her royal marriage or to follow her heart. Somehow she must save her people and remain true to herself, before Saxon invaders and a mysterious traitor try to destroy her.

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About the Author:

 

Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also met his beautiful wife. By day, he is a Technical Writer, having spent much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. In addition to writing novels, he also writes short fiction online. When not reading or writing, he’s listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening with his family.

His debut novel, Between Two Fires, is published by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin's Press and Macmillan). It is the first in a series of historical fiction novels set in medieval Wales. 

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Congrats again, Mark! I've been able to read the first few chapters, and all I can say is WOW! Mark did his research, and the story flows very well in this setting. I'm looking forward to finishing this.

What historical fiction titles have you found that you enjoyed? Has this piqued your interest? Will the lady tame the Hammer King?

I'm David, and if you look hard, there's a little Welch inside me!

IWSG: Back To Basics and Balance and Books, Oh My!

It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it's time to get insecure! Special thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating/hosting the Insecure Writer's Support Group, a monthly forum for writers to share insecurities without fear of reprisal.

Hello, friends! It's been a while.

If you've been following along you'll know that this year has been one adventure after another for myself and those close to me. There's still no signs of this of letting up in the foreseeable future, but I've come to grips with it. Things had become so wound up and convoluted, I had to press the proverbial reset button on some things, leading to a few sacrifices. The hardest of them? Disbanding from critique group, all but disappearing from social media, and of course, not updating this blog often enough. I'll throw writing regularly into the mix.

The cause of this? More or less being distracted by a host of good news and curve balls. Finding out that I'm a best seller in another country, throwing my back out (getting better), getting accepted into the college program I've been working on all year, washer and A/C breaking down--heck, I even won a pool table. How random is that?!

But the biggest of all is ... well, I'm sworn to secrecy on that. Maybe in another month I'll spill the astrobeans, but it's all good news and not writing related. Then again, it could be writing related. Later on. You never know about these things. Let the speculation begin!

Well, friends. That's all from me for now. Hopefully I can get as much writing in as I can before school starts in a few weeks. And I'll be sure to keep this place updated, if only once a month or so. The last thing I want to do it sever ties with this community that I love, who has done so much for me. Thank you. Wish me luck on this venture!

Anyone else going back to school this year? When life gives you roller coasters, how do you not spill the lemonade?

I'm David, and I'll be at Salt Lake Comic Con next month!