Book Spotlight: The Du Lac Chronicles (Book 1 of The Du Lac Chronicles) by Mary Anne Yarde

 

A generation after Arthur Pendragon ruled, Briton lies fragmented into warring kingdoms and principalities.

Eighteen-year-old Alden du Lac ruled the tiny kingdom of Cerniw. Now he half-hangs from a wooden pole, his back lashed into a mass of bloody welts exposed to the cold of a cruel winter night. He’s to be executed come daybreak—should he survive that long.

When Alden notices the shadowy figure approaching, he assumes death has come to end his pain. Instead, the daughter of his enemy, Cerdic of Wessex, frees and hides him, her motives unclear.

Annis has loved Alden since his ill-fated marriage to her Saxon cousin—a marriage that ended in blood and guilt—and she would give anything to protect him. Annis’s rescue of Alden traps them between a brutal Saxon king and Alden’s remaining allies. Meanwhile, unknown forces are carefully manipulating the ruins of Arthur’s legacy.

Trigger warnings:

Torture, Warfare

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Mary Anne Yarde

 

Mary Anne Yarde is a multi-award-winning and bestselling author of Historical Fiction, as well as an award-winning blogger. She studied History at Cardiff University and went on to study Equine Science at Warwickshire College.

Mary Anne is a passionate advocate for quality Historical Fiction and founded The Coffee Pot Book Club in 2015 and became a professional Editorial Reviewer in 2016.

Mary Anne's award-winning series, The Du Lac Chronicles, is set a generation after the fall of King Arthur. The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Britain and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical facts, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury—the fabled Isle of Avalon—was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.

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Book Spotlight: The Du Lac Curse: Book 5 of The Du Lac Chronicles by Mary Anne Yarde

God against Gods. King against King. Brother against Brother.

Mordred Pendragon had once said that the sons of Lancelot would eventually destroy each other, it seemed he was right all along.

Garren du Lac knew what the burning pyres meant in his brother's kingdom — invasion. But who would dare to challenge King Alden of Cerniw for his throne? Only one man was daring enough, arrogant enough, to attempt such a feat — Budic du Lac, their eldest half-brother.

While Merton du Lac struggles to come to terms with the magnitude of Budic's crime, there is another threat, one that is as ancient as it is powerful. But with the death toll rising and his men deserting who will take up the banner and fight in his name?

Excerpt

   

It had been a long time since Guinevere had last ridden a horse. She had loved galloping with the wind in her hair when she was a young girl, but youth was far behind her now. And yet, when she had first looked upon Alden du Lac, the years had rolled away and she was that shy young girl again, looking into the face of the man she had once loved. Alden looked so much like his father that it hurt her eyes and broke her heart to look upon him. Sister Agatha had once told her that time heals all wounds. But that was not true… A heart, once broken, can never be mended. You just learned to live with the pain.

Fate had been cruel, but Guinevere had tried her best not to become bitter. She had been made to marry a Pendragon, but her heart had always been faithful to the House of Du Lac. “Lancelot,” she whispered the name of the only man she had ever loved under her breath. Alden was what she had foolishly once imagined her own son would look like. Only there had been no son, just as there had been no future with the man she had loved. In the end, it was the Church that had saved, not only her life, but also her sanity. No one could stop her from loving God, and God would never stop loving her, no matter what.

And yet, here she was once again choosing Lancelot over God — choosing Lancelot over everything. The child whimpered, and she held onto him a little tighter.

“Shh, be brave,” she soothed.

“I want my Mother,” Jowan, Alden’s six-year-old son and heir, said as he sniffed back his tears.

“I know you do.” Guinevere wanted to reassure the child, tell him that he would see his mother soon. But she would not lie to him. She had been lied to as a child. She had been told that her mother had gone away for a few days, and then when her mother had not returned, she had been told that her mother had been delayed. Only she had not been delayed. She was dead. Guinevere may have been young, but she would have rather been told the truth from the start than to live a lie for two years before her father thought her old enough to understand.

Guinevere kicked the horse on again, and the child fell silent. Guinevere knew what she had to do, but that did not mean she did not have grave misgivings. Guinevere did not know how she would be received, but for the sake of Lancelot’s grandson, she would put aside their differences and ask… No, she would get down on her knees and beg this knight for help. It was the only thing she could do. It was that, or run away. Guinevere had been running for too long. She had been running from her past for years. It was about time she stopped.

Where to Buy

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About the Author

Mary Anne Yarde is the multi award-winning author of the International Bestselling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Britain and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.

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Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots: Book Review – The Briton and the Dane (The Briton ...

Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots: Book Review – The Briton and the Dane (The Briton ...: The Briton and the Dane (The Briton and the Dane #1) By Mary Ann Bernal King Alfred the Great has thwarted the Viking th...

King Alfred the Great has thwarted the Viking threat against his kingdom of Wessex. Signing a treaty with the formidable Danish King Guthrum, he succeeds in pushing the heathen army back to the rolling fens of East Anglia.

An uneasy peace holds sway: The King establishes a standing army under Lord Richard, who takes command of the citadel at Wareham.

Richard and his army are accompanied by his daughter, Gwyneth, an impetuous and reckless young woman – at once striking, intellectually gifted, but dangerously vain and imprudent.

While Richard broods on the Viking threat, Gwyneth falls in love with an enemy prince - only to discover that she has been betrothed to a Saxon warrior twice her age.

Refusing to countenance her grim fate, she flees the fortress, but is soon kidnapped by a Viking warrior and taken to the camp of King Guthrum while Saxon search parties scour the land.

In captivity, a hostage to fortune, and the focus of political intrigue, Gwyneth is submerged in a world of expediency, betrayal and black treachery. Slowly, she realizes the truth is suspect, nothing is what it appears and her reality cannot be trusted.

And all the time, against this background, she desires nothing more than to be reunited with her dashing Danish prince.

“Do you not see the men and women who seek the protection and safety of these walls? Do you not see their fear? Does this not prove that the Norsemen are raiding again?”

It was only a matter of time before the Norseman once again began to raid the rich and fertile land of Britannia. However, such things, were of no concern to Gwyneth of Wareham as she listened to the sea crash upon the shore. However, that fateful night, which hinted not at the events that were to unfold, would change the course of her life forever.

When Gwyneth saw a shadowy figure stumbling towards the surf, she felt compelled to follow him — instantly dismissing any danger she might have found herself in. When this mystery man collapses in front of her, Gwyneth feels compelled to help. It was only then that Gwyneth saw the arrow sticking out of his shoulder.

Who was this stranger? What had he done? What did he intend to do? As Gwyneth nursed the warrior back to health, there was only one thing that she knew for sure — she could fall in love with a man like this.

Alas, this was a man’s world, and Gwyneth was her father’s daughter. She must marry where he tells her, even if her heart does belong to someone else.

Erik of Esbjerg had not expected to fall for his would-be rescuer, but he did, and now he has to fight if he wants to keep her. It is that, or watch her marry a man that is not him.

With a sweeping elegance, I soon found myself utterly enchanted with The Briton and the Dane by Mary Ann Bernal. Gwyneth was a character that I immediately loved. She is young, feisty, and something of a free spirit. She cannot be tamed. Her wilfulness, often bordering on defiance made her a fascinating protagonist and one I enjoyed reading about, although I did feel sorry for the monks, whose patience Gwyneth put to the test on more than one occasion! Gwyneth’s story was also a lovely reminder of the joyful experience of first love.

The Briton and the Dane has a large cast of characters. There is not one but three romance stories within the cover of this book. Gwyneth’s brothers, the lovable David and the serious Stephen all have rather complicated love interests — David in particular! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about these supporting characters, and they helped to give the story depth. I especially enjoyed Stephen and Elizabeth’s story.

Bernal has a very engaging narrative and style, which held my attention throughout the course of this book. The political intrigue and the threat of war between King Guthrum and King Alfred (later to be known as The Great) gave this novel a sense of urgency. Peace was fragile, and war was on the horizon, add to that the complicated romance plot of our young intrepid protagonists, made The Briton and the Dane unputdownable.

I have read three books in The Briton and the Dane saga, and I have enjoyed them all. Bernal is a natural storyteller and writes fabulous escapism fiction.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

Pick up your copy of 

The Briton and the Dane

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Featured Author - Mary Anne Yarde

Mary Anne Yarde

 Author of the best selling Du Lac Chronicles series. 

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury--the fabled Isle of Avalon--was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood. 

At nineteen, Yarde married her childhood sweetheart and began a bachelor of arts in history at Cardiff University, only to have her studies interrupted by the arrival of her first child. She would later return to higher education, studying equine science at Warwickshire College. Horses and history remain two of her major passions. 

Yarde keeps busy raising four children and helping run a successful family business. She has many skills but has never mastered cooking--so if you ever drop by, she (and her family) would appreciate some tasty treats or a meal out!

Five things you didn’t know about me!!

I am scared of heights.

 When I was seven, my school thought it would be fun if we dressed up as nursery rhyme characters for ‘Book Week.’ I dressed up as Mary Had A Little Lamb — I know, how original! I did however bring a real life lamb with me — no one else thought of doing that, did they?! It meant I spent the day in the school playing field, as the lamb was not allowed inside the school building. So if you ever want to get out of school, I recommend bringing a sheep with you, it works every time!

  I once slept in an aircraft hanger ~ don’t ask!

  I once slept on the floor of a convent ~ again, don’t ask!

  I got married at Gretna Green.

Novels

 The Du Lac Chronicles

 A generation after Arthur Pendragon ruled, Briton lies fragmented into warring kingdoms and principalities.

 Eighteen-year-old Alden du Lac ruled the tiny kingdom of Cerniw. Now he half-hangs from a wooden pole, his back lashed into a mass of bloody welts exposed to the cold of a cruel winter night. He’s to be executed come daybreak—should he survive that long.

 When Alden notices the shadowy figure approaching, he assumes death has come to end his pain. Instead, the daughter of his enemy, Cerdic of Wessex, frees and hides him, her motives unclear.

 Annis has loved Alden since his ill-fated marriage to her Saxon cousin—a marriage that ended in blood and guilt—and she would give anything to protect him. Annis’s rescue of Alden traps them between a brutal Saxon king and Alden’s remaining allies. Meanwhile, unknown forces are carefully manipulating the ruins of Arthur’s legacy.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

The best-selling Du Lac Chronicles continues:

 War is coming to Saxon Briton.

 As one kingdom after another falls to the savage might of the High King, Cerdic of Wessex, only one family dares to stand up to him — The Du Lacs.

 Budic and Alden Du Lac are barely speaking to each other, and Merton is a mercenary, fighting for the highest bidder. If Wessex hears of the brothers’ discord, then all is lost.

 Fate brings Merton du Lac back to the ancestral lands of his forefathers, and he finds his country on the brink of civil war. But there is worse to come, for his father’s old enemy has infiltrated the court of Benwick. Now, more than ever, the Du Lac must come together to save the kingdom and themselves.

 Can old rivalries and resentments be overcome in time to stop a war?

 The Du Lac Devil is a standalone novel and has a recommend reading age of 16+

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