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Alan J. Garner

Alan J. Garner

About

I am science fantasy novelist Alan J. Garner, published by SynergEbooks. Check out my Chosen Trilogy (The Chosen One, Chosen Too & Three Times Chosen) as well as Wizards' Goal, the first volume in my Terrath series.

Godwine Kingmaker: Part One of The Last Great Saxon Earls

Godwine Kingmaker: Part One of The Last Great Saxon Earls

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Description

<p><span><span>Harold Godwineson, the Last Anglo-Saxon King, owed everything to his father. Who was this Godwine, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.</span></span></p>

Story Behind The Book

My wife encouraged me to become a novelist. Up until then I was unsuccessfully writing and illustrating children picture books, all unpublished. But I had a hankering to sink my teeth into more meatier writing, resulting in The Chosen One. Michelle, my greatest advocate and critic, perused the first draft and commented that it was &quot; a bit of a dry read&quot;. Drawing upon my cartooning roots, I rewrote the book and injected my own brand of wit. And so, through the traditional working process of trial and error, I discovered and developed my style as a Science Fantasy humorist.

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Reviews

<em>&quot;</em>The Chosen One<em> by Alan J. Garner is traumatic, dramatic, and enjoyable to read...I have only good things to say about his novel.&quot;<br /><br /></em>Book Reviews by Crystal Adkins<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><em>&quot;I thoroughly  enjoyed this novel...</em>The Chosen One <em>is good fun and well written.&quot;<br /></em><br />Iain Duffy, The Northern Advocate<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em><br />&quot;Local author Alan Garner has a wicked sense of humor. Garner's skilful blend of fact and fiction will hold your attention.&quot;<br /></em><br />Dave Pope, HB Today<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><em>&quot;...intelligent, enjoyable, very readable book.&quot;</em><br /><br />Reviewed by Smith for Aukon's Science Fiction Book Corner<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em>&quot;From the outset </em>The Chosen One <em>lets you get lost in the fantasy of make believe and is very compulsive reading; a hard book to put down.&quot;<br /></em><br />Bruce Le Grange<br />Mornington, Australia<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em>&quot;I have read</em> The Chosen One <em>and enjoyed it very much. I thought it was</em> <em>well written and well crafted.&quot;<br /></em><br />C.D. Weyland<br />Auckland, New Zealand<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em>&quot;I honestly recommend</em> The Chosen One<em> as well worth reading and look forward to further books from this author.&quot;<br /></em><br />Mrs. P. Fuller<br />Queensland, Australia<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em>&quot;Wonderful descriptions from a skilled wordsmith. A well written book with a glossary full of explanations for the younger reader.&quot;</em> <br /><br />G.Woollett<br />East Sussex, England<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em>&quot;A really good read, roll on the movie!&quot;</em> <br /><br />B.Overend<br />Hastings, New Zealand<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em>&quot;...is a well written novel about the life and death struggles of a group of prehistoric animals. It is an unusual mix of prehistory, fantasy, and science fiction all rolled into one.<br /><br />Alan has a great sense of imagery and wordsmiths it seamlessly into a book that is hard to put down.&quot;<br /><br /></em>Michael Holderness<br />Auckland, New Zealand<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><em>&quot;An intriguing tale, combining fact and fiction, past and future, skilfully woven together.<br /><br />With the computer graphics now available, this story is the ideal vehicle for an animated film. Hopefully, someone with foresight will do so.&quot;<br /></em><br />V. Horton<br />Hawke's Bay, New Zealand<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------