Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours
Presents…
A
Conspiracy of Wolves
By Candace
Robb
When a prominent
citizen is murdered, former Captain of the Guard Owen Archer is persuaded out
of retirement to investigate in this gripping medieval mystery.
1374. When a member of one of York’s most prominent families
is found dead in the woods, his throat torn out, rumours spread like wildfire
that wolves are running loose throughout the city. Persuaded to investigate by
the victim’s father, Owen Archer is convinced that a human killer is
responsible. But before he can gather sufficient evidence to prove his case, a
second body is discovered, stabbed to death. Is there a connection? What
secrets are contained within the victim’s household? And what does apprentice
healer Alisoun know that she’s not telling?
Teaming up with Geoffrey Chaucer, who is in York on a
secret mission on behalf of Prince Edward, Owen’s enquiries will draw him
headlong into a deadly conspiracy.
Excerpt
For a while they had traveled behind a group of players
who serenaded them with songs and japes, a felicitous arrangement, though he
hoped that his eight-year-old daughter Gwenllian would forget the bawdier
lyrics. Now that the players had moved on, the monotonous rattle of the cart
and horses was punctured occasionally by sounds of reapers and gleaners in the
fields, though not as many as on their journey to Freythorpe. Harvest was
almost over. Adding to the monotony, his companion droned on and on about
something – Owen had stopped listening to Geoffrey a while back. Chaucer was
shaping one of his poems aloud, replete with mythical palaces, gods,
fantastical creatures, which might be entertaining but for his pauses to play
with language, trying a phrase this way and that. Owen was perhaps to blame,
having insisted that Geoffrey not address the mission that had brought him to
York until they returned to the city. He’d hoped the man might ride in silence,
but he’d know that was too much to ask of the chattering jay.
In her wisdom, Magda Digby might have found a way to
delay Geoffrey’s departure. Thou art needed in the city, she had told
Owen as they sat beneath an oak the previous evening, drawing down the day. Depart
in the morning.
But Lucie . . .
Agrees with Magda. She has readied the
children.
How do you know?
Not the question, Bird-eye. She had turned to him, pressing her
forefinger to the spot between his eyes. Open thine eyes. Trust thyself. The
wolves circle their prey. Thou hast the sight to see what awakens.
He’d questioned the wolves. They came only in winter, the
wolves that the steward of the Forest of Galtres swore no longer bided in the
land.
What do folk see when they see a wolf,
Bird-eye? The animal? Think again.
Magda Digby, his guide, his tormentor. In his
mourning for John Thoresby, Owen had sought her out, confided in her all that
was in his heart. Long she listened, holding his hands, looking into his eye. Open
thine eyes, she repeated, and corrected him when he argued that he had but
one. He did not understand, and she did not explain. Her last words to him on
departing Freythorpe, Trust thyself, Bird-eye. Thou art called.
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour,
we are giving away a Hardcover copy of A Conspiracy of Wolves by Candace Robb! You
can enter HERE!
Giveaway Rules
• Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 15th. You must
be 18 or older to enter.
• Giveaway is open to the US only.
• Only one entry per household.
• All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any
suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and
entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Pick
up your copy of
A
Conspiracy of Wolves
Candace Robb
I’m Candace Robb, a writer/historian engaged
in creating fiction about the late middle ages with a large cast of characters
with whom I enjoy spending my days. Two series, the Owen Archer mysteries and
the Kate Clifford mysteries, are set in late medieval York. The Margaret Kerr
trilogy is set in early 14th century Scotland, at the beginning of the Wars of
Independence. Two standalone novels (published under pseudonym Emma Campion)
expand on the lives of two women in the court of King Edward III who have
fascinated me ever since I first encountered them in history and fiction.
I am a dreamer.
Writing, gardening, walking, dancing, reading, being with friends—there’s
always a dreaming element.
Connect with Candace:
We appreciate the blog tour support! Thank you for hosting Candace & her blog tour!
ReplyDeleteAmy
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