Bookbuzzr flipper - The is the title of the book

Sponsors

Amazon

About

I've spent some 34 years researching the life of Simon de Montfort and the 13th century to write my four volume series, Montfort. During that time I also wrote plays, screenplays and radio plays on historical subjects from Columbus and the Borgias to, "Johnny!" on the early 20th century labor leader John Mitchell. Many of my plays were commissions: The New York City Historic House Trust for "An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe," Celeste Holm for a 13 episode PBS series "The Washingtons" (not made when Celeste became ill shooting "Promised Land"); "Johnny! was a prize commission for the "Year 2000 Celebration of American Labor." I was born in Hollywood, where my father, Fredric Frank, was a staff writer for Cecil B. deMille. My kindergarten bus left me off at Paramount where Jerry Lewis and I used to bark at the Dobermans in the iron kiosk by the main gate.

Description

After centuries of religiously motivated war, the world has been split in two. Now the Blessed Lands are ruled by pure faith, while in the Republic, reason is the guiding light—two different realms, kept apart and at peace by a treaty and an ocean. Children of the Republic, Helena and Jason were inseparable in their youth, until fate sent them down different paths. Grief and duty sidetracked Helena’s plans, and Jason came to detest the hollowness of his ambitions. These two damaged souls are reunited when a tiny boat from the Blessed Lands crashes onto the rocks near Helena’s home after an impossible journey across the forbidden ocean. On board is a single passenger, a nine-year-old girl named Kailani, who calls herself “the Daughter of the Sea and the Sky.” A new and perilous purpose binds Jason and Helena together again, as they vow to protect the lost innocent from the wrath of the authorities, no matter the risk to their future and freedom. But is the mysterious child simply a troubled little girl longing to return home? Or is she a powerful prophet sent to unravel the fabric of a godless Republic, as the outlaw leader of an illegal religious sect would have them believe? Whatever the answer, it will change them all forever… and perhaps their world as well.

Story Behind The Book

Back in 1977 I was writing another book, a fantasy about fairies actually, with episodes that took place in England in 1258, the year of the consecration of Salisbury Cathedral. I thought I should know what was happening then so I hauled out my Britannica. The encyclopedia's article told of The Barons' War, led by Simon de Montfort. I looked up the article on Montfort -- and was rather stunned by what I took to be curiously bitter negativity. I was surprised by my reaction for I knew nothing of this person -- who was I to criticize the Britannica? A couple of weeks later, attending the reopening of my local public library, my very nearsighted gaze was drawn to a distant set of books in green bindings. Without looking at the title I took one of the books off the shelf and let it fall open where it would. The book was Greene's History of England, and the open page described Simon's death at Evesham -- from the point of view of a writer who thought well of him. I shut the book, determined that exploring the truth of Simon's life would be my next project. I had no idea that project would span 34 years.

Reviews

Montfort The Early Years: Ashe presents a jousting first installment of a four-volume fiction on the deeply contentious founder of parliament, Simon de Montfort… If the novel is thoroughly researched as Ashe’s is—from descriptions of medieval latrines and houseboys called “Garbage” to the decadence of Europe’s emperors—it is all the more thoroughly imagined. Kirkus Ashe has done an amazing job researching the life of Simon de Montfort and the 13th century. Her speculation about Edward’s paternity is based on an interpretation of King Henry’s recorded comments following Queen Eleanor’s first confession after Edward’s birth. It will be interesting to see how Ashe works this premise into the rest of the tale.  This is a thoroughly engaging narrative of the life of Simon de Montfort and I look forward to reading the next volumes. Debra Spidal. Historical Novel Society ReviewIn a tale crammed with romance, deceit,rampant ambition, failures and triumphs galore, readers will get all they hoped for in this deeply researched and well-told historical narrative. Jane Geniesse, author, Passionate Nomad“A marvelous work of literature and a great story you have here.” Bill Jaker, “Off the Page” WSKG Public Radio “A great read… an marvelous, almost cinematic epic.” Erika Funke, “Art Scene” WVIA Public Radio

Sponsors

Sponsors

Katherine Ashe

About

The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky

Description

Story Behind The Book

Media Links

Reviews