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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

When Jessica Bryant pesters her wealthy parents to allow her to have a dog as a pet, the answer is a resounding "No"; but they soon come to regret their decision when thier home is broken into one evening whilst they are out and their daughter kidnapped and held for ransom. The kidnappers, in the form of four seedy and incompetent characters wearing Disneyland-type masks, take her hostage and keep her incarcerated in a place from which there appears to be no escape. However, they reckon without the resourcefulness of our heroine, and the courage of a wonderful stray dog who comes to her aid and whom she names 'Murdo'. And so begins an exciting and humurous accounting of the couples' adventures together as they consistently foil and outwit the abductors whilst on the run together. This is a lovely story of the friendship between a girl and a dog, bringing out themes of responsibility, camaraderie, redemption, salvation and self-sacrifice. It includes some wonderful dialogue sequences as Jessica teaches her new four-legged friend how to communicate with her, with additional delightful conversations between the animals when a rabbit and a sparrow join forces with them in an effort to outwit the kidnappers and restore Jessica safely back to her parents' home.

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

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