Garreth didn’t plan for Essie to stay any longer than it took her to decipher the pictograph. Instead, he finds himself falling in love for the first time in his very long life. Now the Lord of Llys y Gwalch must find a way to attain the heart of his soul mate and keep her safe from the dangers that threaten them both.
First Fun Fact: Court of the Hawk has its origins in an ancient legend surrounding the lost Kingdom of Llys Helig in Wales. Because of forbidden love and the murder that results from the desire of a commoner to win the hand of his lady love, the entire Kingdom, ruled by King Helig, was swallowed by the sea in the sixth century BC. If you want to learn more about the myth, you can see my post regarding the same here: http://debbie-peterson.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-legend-of-llys-heligand.html.
As I thought about this fascinating legend, and other stories of similar nature, Court of the Hawk began to take shape in my mind. I thought What If such a kingdom still exists today and What If that kingdom’s people were still alive and well? What if a modern woman, with the skill to decipher ancient writing, was desperately needed to solve the riddle of an ancient pictograph for the very survival of the people? What if that woman fell in love with the ancient prince who hired her in the hope she could do what her predecessors could not…
Having the original myth take place in Wales also satisfied my desire to write a story that takes place in Wales. Why? Because I love genealogy and family History. Extensive research has proven that I have several ancestral lines in Wales which are filled with daring knights, bold kings and lovely queens. One such line, the Jenks line to be precise, begins with my grandmother, Leatha Jenks. The Jenks line is of ancient Welsh origin and traces back to John Jenks born in the year 1350, his father, Jenkyn Cambrae, born in the year1326, his father, John ap Rhys, born in 1298 and finally his father, Rhys ap Daffyd, born in the year 1274. It is from this ancestor that our hero in Court of the Hawk— Garreth ap Daffyd—gets his surname. Did you follow all of that? I could keep going for several generations but we’ll leave the Jenks line here. I have also used a few other Welsh family names along the way as well. You will find them sprinkled though out the book.
Then we have the Tylwyth Teg or the Fair Folk of ancient Welsh legend. These are a race of beings that are far different in description than most fairies and I used that description in the book. I have carried a fascination for these beings, as well as their King, Gwynn ap Nudd for quite some time now. It pleased me to finally find a place to use them, in my own creative way, in this novel.
One final fun fact: I really had a lot of fun writing this story that veered way off my normal path of ghostly heroes and the mortal women they come to love. For those who choose to read Court of the Hawk, I hope you have as much fun when you suspend belief and immerse yourself in the book!
As I thought about this fascinating legend, and other stories of similar nature, Court of the Hawk began to take shape in my mind. I thought What If such a kingdom still exists today and What If that kingdom’s people were still alive and well? What if a modern woman, with the skill to decipher ancient writing, was desperately needed to solve the riddle of an ancient pictograph for the very survival of the people? What if that woman fell in love with the ancient prince who hired her in the hope she could do what her predecessors could not…
Having the original myth take place in Wales also satisfied my desire to write a story that takes place in Wales. Why? Because I love genealogy and family History. Extensive research has proven that I have several ancestral lines in Wales which are filled with daring knights, bold kings and lovely queens. One such line, the Jenks line to be precise, begins with my grandmother, Leatha Jenks. The Jenks line is of ancient Welsh origin and traces back to John Jenks born in the year 1350, his father, Jenkyn Cambrae, born in the year1326, his father, John ap Rhys, born in 1298 and finally his father, Rhys ap Daffyd, born in the year 1274. It is from this ancestor that our hero in Court of the Hawk— Garreth ap Daffyd—gets his surname. Did you follow all of that? I could keep going for several generations but we’ll leave the Jenks line here. I have also used a few other Welsh family names along the way as well. You will find them sprinkled though out the book.
Then we have the Tylwyth Teg or the Fair Folk of ancient Welsh legend. These are a race of beings that are far different in description than most fairies and I used that description in the book. I have carried a fascination for these beings, as well as their King, Gwynn ap Nudd for quite some time now. It pleased me to finally find a place to use them, in my own creative way, in this novel.
One final fun fact: I really had a lot of fun writing this story that veered way off my normal path of ghostly heroes and the mortal women they come to love. For those who choose to read Court of the Hawk, I hope you have as much fun when you suspend belief and immerse yourself in the book!
“How old are you?” She held her breath and waited. In fact, she waited so long she wondered if he’d answer the question at all.
Finally, he dropped his gaze and returned a slow nod. He made the gesture more in response to an inner resignation than directing it toward her. “First, if I might ask, what gave rise to your curiosity?”
She combed the windblown hair away from her face and shrugged. “Does it make any difference as to how you’ll respond?”
He considered that for a time before he spoke. “No, I suppose it doesn’t. Still, I’d like to know.”
“All right, I don’t have a problem giving you the answer.” She cleared her throat. “The quake disturbed several portraits hanging along the hallways. I found one of them on the floor after leaving my room. So, I picked the antiquated thing up with every intention of replacing it, but the subject stole my attention. You see, if asked under oath in a court of law, I would swear you posed for the portrait at least two, maybe even three centuries ago.”
“And you didn’t stop to consider whether or not the man in the painting might be a distant ancestor to whom I bear a great resemblance?” he asked.
She extended a finger to his face, gently traced the scar that did naught but enhance his looks, and shook her head. “Not when the artist painted him with this.”
Finally, he dropped his gaze and returned a slow nod. He made the gesture more in response to an inner resignation than directing it toward her. “First, if I might ask, what gave rise to your curiosity?”
She combed the windblown hair away from her face and shrugged. “Does it make any difference as to how you’ll respond?”
He considered that for a time before he spoke. “No, I suppose it doesn’t. Still, I’d like to know.”
“All right, I don’t have a problem giving you the answer.” She cleared her throat. “The quake disturbed several portraits hanging along the hallways. I found one of them on the floor after leaving my room. So, I picked the antiquated thing up with every intention of replacing it, but the subject stole my attention. You see, if asked under oath in a court of law, I would swear you posed for the portrait at least two, maybe even three centuries ago.”
“And you didn’t stop to consider whether or not the man in the painting might be a distant ancestor to whom I bear a great resemblance?” he asked.
She extended a finger to his face, gently traced the scar that did naught but enhance his looks, and shook her head. “Not when the artist painted him with this.”
When she is not busy conjuring her latest novel, Debbie spends time with the members of her very large family within the lovely, arid deserts of southern Nevada. She also pursues her interests in family history, which she also teaches, mythology, and history.
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ReplyDeleteDo you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
ReplyDeleteHello Mai! So nice of you to drop by! My lovely editor at the Wild Rose Press goes over the story with a fine tooth comb a couple of times, as do I. Once we're finished, the book goes to the copy editor. After she has her turn, the book travels to galleys and then a final look over. All of this is to ensure the book is just as error free as humanly possible!
DeleteWhat fun! Thanks for hosting me today Lauren!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! You are welcome here anytime, Debbie!
DeleteI liked the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita! I'm so glad you stopped by!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway! I like the fun facts and excerpt. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you enjoyed them Cali! Thanks for taking time to drop me a note, I appreciate it!
DeleteHi Debbie, Wheres your favorite place to write?
ReplyDeleteHello Amanda! I'm so excited you're here! When I have the opportunity I like to write outside, surrounded by trees, flowers, grass and lovely skies! However, I enjoy sitting at my desk too, where the window can provide "almost the same atmosphere..." (Of course if you asked me "where I would LIKE to write if I could, I would choose an ancient castle that overlooks the sea...)
DeleteI really loved this excerpt. Sounds like an awesome book.
ReplyDeleteThanks MomJane! This book was a lot of fun for me to write! And, I'm so happy you stopped by!
DeleteI have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute pleasure and thank you for the comment Patrick!
Deleteinteresting legend
ReplyDeleteThanks BN! Nice to see you!
ReplyDeleteI loved everything about this book. It was something really different. I don't know where you keep coming up with all these fun stories but I enjoy all of them. I could see you sitting in a castle writing too. ..lol.Thanks for the adventure.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks Tammy! You always say the nicest things!
DeleteThe cover grabs your attention and then the excerpt reels you in! Thank you for the great post and contest!
ReplyDeleteHello Betty! The cover was designed by the very talented Debbie Taylor, graphic artist for The Wild Rose Press. She is phenomenal! Thanks for the visit and for the kind words! They are appreciated.
DeleteOMG! This book sounds so good! And it's even in my favorite genre spectrum. :D
ReplyDeleteWell thank you so much for that Becky! And thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt! sounds like a really good book, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHello Eva! You're so sweet! Thanks for the lovely comments!
DeleteThanks for sharing the excerpt with us
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome Shannon!
DeleteMy pleasure Shannon!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying following this tour, thank you!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you for following!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome Cass! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove the Cover!!! This tour is off to a great start. This post was fun to read, I especially enjoyed reading the fun facts, it's always cool to see how the story starts to come together. I look forward to the future stops of this tour. And I must say that it just started at the right time... I just started reading the book. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for all of the sweet comments Mysti! I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book once you finish reading it!
DeleteCourt of the Hawk sounds great. I love old castles. I enjoyed the fun facts and the excerpt. Blessings & Thanks to all.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much and I love old castles too...wished I owed a couple....even one would do! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI enjoyed reading the fun facts and the excerpt. This book sounds like a very interesting read!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ally!
DeleteSounds intriguing and entertaining, will have to read soon. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you Patrick! Thank you for the comments! Good Luck on the Giveaway...
DeleteI enjoyed the entire post! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad ou enjoyed it Ree! I always have so much fun on these book tours! I meet the nicest people!
DeleteGreat post! I enjoyed reading the excerpt - thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome Victoria! I love your name....one of these days I'm going to have a Victoria for a heroine of mine...
DeleteThx for sharing & for the giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Angel! I wished I could leave all of you a gift!
DeleteI like the cover
ReplyDeleteMy cover was created by the very talented Debbie Taylor, graphic artist for The Wild Rose Press. She is also responsible for creating the cover for "Spirit of the Knight," and I hope she'll be designing my newest novel on contract, "Bound by Oath and Honor."
Deletegreat blog post!
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway! gotta love amazon gift cards!!
I've never won one myself, but I'm quite happy to give one as a gift! Thanks for stopping by Bethany!
Deletethanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAbigail
Thank you so much for the contest!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!
ReplyDelete