About
I am a writer of dark fantasy from rural Mississippi, currently living a suburban life with my family. "Act of Redemption" is the first of the four-part "Gastar Series," published in 2009. The second of the series, "Children of Discord" is upcoming in the next few weeks. I am an Indie writer, and a history buff, most notably WW1.
The Sons of Godwine: Part Two of The Last Great Saxon Earls
Description
<p>Emerging from the long shadow cast by his formidable father, Harold Godwineson showed himself to be a worthy successor to the Earldom of Wessex. In the following twelve years, he became the King's most trusted advisor, practically taking the reins of government into his own hands. And on Edward the Confessor's death, Harold Godwineson mounted the throne—the first king of England not of royal blood. Yet Harold was only a man, and his rise in fortune was not blameless. Like any person aspiring to power, he made choices he wasn't particularly proud of. Unfortunately, those closest to him sometimes paid the price of his fame.<br /><br />This is a story of Godwine's family as told from the viewpoint of Harold and his younger brothers. Queen Editha, known for her Vita Ædwardi Regis, originally commissioned a work to memorialize the deeds of her family, but after the Conquest historians tell us she abandoned this project and concentrated on her husband, the less dangerous subject. In THE SONS OF GODWINE and FATAL RIVALRY, I am telling the story as it might have survived had she collected and passed on the memoirs of her tragic brothers.<br /><br />This book is part two of The Last Great Saxon Earls series. Book one, GODWINE KINGMAKER, depicted the rise and fall of the first Earl of Wessex who came to power under Canute and rose to preeminence at the beginning of Edward the Confessor's reign. Unfortunately, Godwine's misguided efforts to champion his eldest son Swegn recoiled on the whole family, contributing to their outlawry and Queen Editha's disgrace. Their exile only lasted one year and they returned victorious to London, though it was obvious that Harold's career was just beginning as his father's journey was coming to an end.<br /><br />Harold's siblings were all overshadowed by their famous brother; in their memoirs we see remarks tinged sometimes with admiration, sometimes with skepticism, and in Tostig's case, with jealousy. We see a Harold who is ambitious, self-assured, sometimes egocentric, imperfect, yet heroic. His own story is all about Harold, but his brothers see things a little differently. Throughout, their observations are purely subjective, and witnessing events through their eyes gives us an insider’s perspective.<br /><br />Harold was his mother's favorite, confident enough to rise above petty sibling rivalry but Tostig, next in line, was not so lucky. Harold would have been surprised by Tostig's vindictiveness, if he had ever given his brother a second thought. And that was the problem. Tostig's love/hate relationship with Harold would eventually destroy everything they worked for, leaving the country open to foreign conquest. This subplot comes to a crisis in book three of the series, FATAL RIVALRY.</p>
Story Behind The Book
I began writing as a creative outlet following the death of my sister due to a domestic violence episode. While I didn't consciously include my sister, myself, or any members of my family while writing "Act of Redemption" input from my readers pointed out that the character Shevata is "stuck" in a curse as a teenager, unable to move on with her life. The series follows her journey to regain her humanity.
I agree that when my sister died, I was in shock and, like the readers noted, was 'stuck' for a long time, unable to accept that she was gone. But faith, family, friends, and creativity enabled me to find closure and the inner peace I needed.
As part of my initial ad campaign for "Act of Redemption," I attempt to increase awareness of domestic violence, as anyone of any age, gender or background can fall victim to it.
Reviews
www.kidzworld.com/.../21615-act-of-redemption-book-review<br />www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=4228<br />www.sheknows.com/health-and.../domestic-abuse-dealing-with-death<br />www.hotindienews.com/2009/07/20/105350<br />www.goodreads.com/author/show/4056757.Thomas_C_Stone<br />www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/nov_09.htm<br />www.amazon.com/First...Act-Redemption/.../1434379329
