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
To find oneself alone in the sunset years for whatever reason, puts male or female in the same boat--- getting on, but not dead yet. In this situation, some welcome the opportunity to be on their own; others feel the need of companionship, but are left high and dry having few options for meeting potential partners. However, nowadays, there is the online dating world.
Suspicion and disdain that has often been associated with this venue is beginning to evaporate. In the twenty-first century, placing an ad for the perfect partner is on the cusp of becoming a widespread singles’ phenomenon although it is not without its pitfalls
Nevertheless, young people these days, take to it like a duck to water. Using the web to find what they need is second nature. Plane tickets, books, eBay items and household goods among other things are obtained online; why not dates?
The concept is a little more difficult for an older person, but not impossible for computer savvy, senior singles. Why should the young have all the fun? The pursuit of happiness is a universal phenomenon.
Grandma discovers that it is never too late to play the relating game.
Reviews
<p>"I finished your book in three sittings. It's fabulous and totally mesmerizing." Freda</p>
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<div>"I thoroughly enjoyed it (couldn't put it down); the book is thought provoking, humorous,caring, challenging and a "must read". Thanks so much for writing it" Luanne</div>
<div>"Whether you are familiar with online dating or not, you will be surprised and amused at the length a determined lady will go through to find romance. It seems that age is no impediment and may in truth add to the mystique as Kayla embarks on her "quest" for the right partner. Who knew that ladies in their seventies could be so sexy?" Jules</div>
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