Land of Shadow by Miriam Newman
Excerpt:
Brittania, 60 A.D.
The boy knew Moire was dying. For some time now she had lain on her cot, not eating, barely drinking, complaining of a pain in her side like a beast trying to claw its way out. She was skeletal because she did not eat even when he brought her food, and stank because she could no longer clean herself. It was the same with the animals when they grew old and their time had come—their coats matted, their eyes grew dim. He knew death when he saw it.
It was a sad thing for animals to die so they could be eaten, but why people should die was a mystery. He had often wondered, but had to be content with the Druids’ explanation that they would be taken up by the Tree of Life, to come again. He needed a Druid.
He knew that Moire had hoarded coins in a small box beneath her cot against such an eventuality. Bound by honor, he had never filched a single coin even when he would have liked a sweetmeat to relieve his tedious diet. She did feed him and he had some gratitude for that. He was not a slave, but yet was not her family, so his position had always been tenuous. He supposed she hadn’t been obligated to offer him anything, so he had been honest and worked hard for his keep. But finally, this day, she told him to take out her pathetic horde.
“When I am gone,” she said, “boil the eggs.”
“Boil the eggs?” he repeatedly dumbly. It was the kind of remark that always infuriated her. They had lived together, widow and foundling, for all of his eleven years since his mother had come into the village, far along in labor and claiming no kin. The women had helped her out of kindness, but understood her predicament when she said the baby she delivered came from rape by a Roman. Such a child could be exposed if she wished it, but Moire had asked to have him, pointing out that she had no husband or children to care for her in her old age. And so she had brought him up after a fashion, but they had never understood each other.
“They will keep in the shell if you do not crack them,” she said, more patient than usual. “Take care of the animals and then wrap the eggs and some oatcakes. When I am gone, take them and go to Cloin the Druid. Give him my money and tell him I need burial. Then go south.”
“South?” He was completely confused.
“To the Romans,” she said. “You look like one of them. They may take you.”
***From The Author***
Gimme the Scoop
I was right in the middle of writing a science fiction romance when the pandemic hit.
It was stranger than any science fiction. The local municipal building where I worked shut down, boom, for two weeks. Well, OK, I thought. It was a good time to finish the book.
It was, but not a good time for my country. Not a good time for the world. Like everyone, I watched with growing anxiety as events unfolded and the death toll rose. It wasn’t as much of a lifestyle change for me as it was for many people, since by design my writing keeps me at home and isolated from the world for much of the time. I didn’t miss the social interaction the way many people did, because I hadn’t had much anyway. As time went on and I elected to stay at home because I was at high risk if I caught the virus, I did miss my paycheck and I was also concerned that public service is—well—public. It’s hard to serve the public when you’re not there. Like so many agencies and businesses, we coped by phone and email, and then Zoom meetings. But it wasn’t the same.
Ultimately, I went back to work for two days a week, then four as the Governor’s lockdown ended. There’s where I have stayed, giving four days a week to my job and three to writing. I have written more this year than ever before in my life, but I am not unaware. I know four people who have had the virus, two of whom died. I had a scare myself after returning to work, when I had an illness with a fever, which was not Covid but still required a doctor’s visit, a Covid test and a 10-day unpaid quarantine. That’s small potatoes compared to what many people are enduring.
Next week and then another two weeks hence, I’ll be having cataract surgery that is not without risk, but an author who can’t see her computer monitor is severely hampered, to say the least. Fortunately, things were already in place to have my current book, Land of Shadow, released. After that, I will be self publishing an ancient times romance called Sannah and the third printing of my fantasy historical romance, The Chronicles of Alcinia.
I wonder, of course, how authors and readers have fared during the pandemic, and would love to hear your comments. Here is wishing everyone safe and well!
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Fantasy poetry driven by myths and legends has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I was published in poetry before catching the romance writing bug. I bring that background to my writing along with a lifelong addiction to horses, an 18 year career in various areas of psychiatric social services and many trips to Ireland, where I nurture my muse. My published works range from contemporary fantasy romance to fantasy historical, futuristic, science fiction and historical romance. Currently I live in rural Pennsylvania with a “motley crew” of rescue animals. You can see my books at www.miriamnewman.com.
LAND OF SHADOW: PURCHASE LINK -
https://www.amazon.com/Miriam-Newman-ebook/dp/B08CCJN7Z5
Website: http://miriamnewman.com
Website: http://thedarkcastlelords.net
Blog: http://miriamnewman.com/blog
Blog: http://thecelticroseblog.blogspot.com
Email: mrmireland@aol.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMiriamNewman
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/miriamnewman
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/miriam-newman-cf7ca8bf-caab-4b7e-a6f2-7db5490d9215
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3146550.Miriam_Newman
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/38ED8hG
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Miriam Newman will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving information about your book and having a giveaway, very nice
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing cover and synopsis, this sounds like an exciting read. I am not very familiar with this period of history and am wondering how much research did you have to do for your backstory?
ReplyDeleteIn this case, although I nailed down a timeline with the help of historical research, I knew much of the rest from my family. My paternal grandmother was from a long line of Irish ancestors whose name literally meant "Son of the Druid. My childhood was full of the tales of ancient Ireland, Celtic lore and myth. Domi's Celtic half was not hard for me to write. Similarly, my mother's Jewish family was intimately familiar with the history of Jerusalem, its destruction, and the subsequent tragedy at Masada--both of them written into this book.
DeleteThat's awesome! You have a really rich history of your own and that obviously reflects in your stories. I'm sure that will only make the text that much more vibrant. My paternal grandmother regaled me with stories of how one of our ancestors died on the Trail of Tears. She was half Irish and half Cherokee
DeleteEverything says read - especially the time period.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover. It sets the tone for the book.
ReplyDeleteI love historical reads and enjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for visiting and for your interest in the book.
ReplyDeleteThis historical sounds captivating and unforgettable. Your books are fascinating. Being Jewish your books are meaningful and unforgettable.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. This has just been a horrible year for everyone. Good luck with your surgery.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get your ideas for your stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for stopping by. I dream and/or daydream a surprising number of my books. Sometimes, too, an especially intriguing photo or historical passage, or a fantasy read, will start the writing train rolling. I enjoyed this one and, thankfully, am halfway through my surgeries and feeling so much better! Seeing the keyboard makes it so much easier to write, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI encourage reading so having a family who loves to read I sure support.Thanks for sharing your terrific read with us.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDelete