Blood Debt
(Honour Bound Book 1)
By Adam Staten
(Honour Bound Book 1)
By Adam Staten
Publication Date: 15th February 2024
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Page Length: 198 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
'Staten weaves a tale that bounds along with relentless energy, leaving you drained and exhausted on the blood-soaked battlefield at Hastings.' Paul Bernardi, author of Thurkill's Revenge
1064.
Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, sails for Normandy where he seeks the release of his kinsmen from captivity in Duke William’s court. in his company is Cadman, an untested, young warrior who hungers for glory.
The price of freedom for Harold’s relatives is that he join William on his campaign against Brittany. There, amidst the blood and fury of siege and battle, Cadman proves his worth.
Oath sworn now to Harold, Cadman fights alongside the Earl when his own brother, Tostig Godwinson, rises in rebellion.
After the death of King Edward, with England facing threats from all sides, it falls to Harold as the most powerful man in England to secure the crown.
Cadman enters the dangerous world of the royal court where he contends with the hatred of Stefan de Longueville, the man who killed his father and stole his birthright. A ruthless Norman knight who was close to the dead king, de Longueville's loyalty to England is now in question.
As Harold prepares for invasions from Harald Hardrada and William of Normandy, wealth and renown are within Cadman’s reach, but his life is torn apart as de Longueville conspires against him and drives him into exile.
When Harold and William finally face each other on the battlefield of Hastings, and the fate of England hangs in the balance, Cadman returns to fight for honour and revenge.
De Longueville waits for him. A debt must be repaid.
Pick up your copy of
Blood Debt
Adam Staten
Adam Staten studied medicine at Cambridge University before serving as a medical officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He now works as a GP and writes both fiction and non-fiction. His first novel, Steadfast, was published in 2023 and was based on his experiences serving in Afghanistan. Blood Debt is the first book in the Honour Bound Trilogy.
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This book looks good. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt really does sound good.
DeleteI really enjoy books set during this era. I have added Blood Debt to my reading list, which seems to be getting longer each day thanks to you two, Mary Anne and Ellie! I think what you do here is amazing. I have read so many books that you have recommended that I would never have read if I had not seen them on your blog. I do have a question for Adam, why did you chose to write about this era?
ReplyDeleteYou are more than welcome, Jamie.
DeleteHi Jamie,
DeleteI’m glad the book appeals to you. Like you, I find this era fascinating. I guess the idea of setting a book in this era had been in the back of my mind for a few years - ever since i learned more about Harold godwinson’s trip to Normandy in the years leading up to the battle of Hastings. The fact that he and William the conqueror probably fought alongside each other well before they fought against each other I found too hard to resist putting into a book and the plot grew from there.
It is such a fascinating era and so complicated. I do wonder what Harold's reign would have been like if he had not lost the war. The history of England would have certainly looked very different.
DeleteI have picked up a copy of your book on Kindle Unlimited. I am really looking forward to reading it.
DeleteThanks Jamie, hope you enjoy it.
DeleteI love reading books set in this era. I will certainly be checking this one out. Is it on audio?
ReplyDeleteSadly it’s not out on audio at the moment. Adam
DeleteCongratulations, Adam, on your new book.
ReplyDeleteAnother book added to my to-read list. I will be 150 years old by the time I get through it! But joking aside, Blood Debt sounds really good.
I am a viking girl at heart and that is my usual go to reads, so I am fascinated by Harald Hardrada's life, and yes, I have visited Gefeoht æt Stanfordbrycge!
To quote George R.R. Martin - 'A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.'
DeleteThink of how many lives we readers live!!!
I was in that part of the world about 15 years ago. I did see the sign to Stanford Bridge village, but I was doing the Outlander tour which, I have to say, was really good. I would love to go back up that way again sometime, I would like tovisit Standford Bridge.
Harald Hardrada is such an interesting character, I think a series of books about his life would be brilliant. Adam
DeleteI love that quote from George R.R. Martin. I can't say I am a fan of Game of Thrones, but that quote certainly rings true.
DeleteI love this era, and I am looking forward to reading this book. It sounds amazing and I really like the cover as well.
ReplyDeleteIt really does sound like a good read and I agree, the cover is very striking.
DeleteThank you for sharing this book, as everyone else has said, it does sound like it is a good reads and thats all us readers could ask for.
ReplyDeleteAdam, congratulations on your new book release, I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete