A Kingdom to Claim
As a gentle love story set in tumultuous 9th-century Wessex, this vibrant novel teems with life. It tells the fictional tale of Aisley, a young Saxon noblewoman who is a healer, and Brecc, a Saxon warrior who has sworn his steadfast and loyal fealty to King Alfred. They live in a land riven with ongoing warfare between the Saxons and the invading Vikings that threatens their very way of life. From holiday celebrations to market places to battlefield scenes, Aisley’s and Brecc’s worlds intersect regularly and often in dangerous circumstances. When plots and betrayals threaten to rip them apart, they both remain staunchly and bravely loyal to Wessex and to each other.
This novel is filled with memorable characters who surround our intrepid couple. They include fictional characters such as a jesting male friend who defends them both with his own life, a fiercely loyal stable hand, and a courageous fishmonger, among others. They include real historical figures who have been brought to life, such as King Alfred as a man who is wise in both warfare and Christian humility, and Guthrum, a Danish invader who made his own mark on English history.
The familial, political, and military crises that tie all these characters together bind them in a tapestry that masterfully displays the times in which they live. The sights, smells, and textures of Wessex in 878 come fully alive in this fast-paced, entertaining, informative, and inspirational novel. Well worth reading!
