There are powers at play that continue to seek amalgamating Scotland to England – powers from the past and powers from the future.
It’s the late 1800s and Queen Victoria wants more than mere access to the Scottish retreat at Balmoral Castle. But King Henry I of Scotland, direct descendent of Queen Mary Elizabeth I, the time traveling royal daughter of Mary Queen of Scots, is determined to keep Scotland free and independent and a powerful, progressive nation in its own right.
The struggle to protect what is his by birthright becomes a battle that must be fought in the past, the present and the future and in other parts of the world. And, in the midst of each battle, there are choices to be made. Very difficult choices.
An avid gardener, artist, musician and writer, Emily-Jane Hills Orford has fond memories and lots of stories that evolved from a childhood growing up in a haunted Victorian mansion.
Told she had a ‘vivid imagination’, the author used this talent to create stories in her head to pass tedious hours while sick, waiting in a doctor’s office, listening to a teacher drone on about something she already knew, or enduring the long, stuffy family car rides. The author lived her stories in her head, allowing her imagination to lead her into a different world, one of her own making. As the author grew up, these stories, imaginings and fantasies took to the written form and, over the years, she developed a reputation for telling a good story.
Emily-Jane can now boast that she is an award-winning author of several books, including King Henry’s Choice (Clean Reads 2019), Mrs. Murray’s Ghost (Telltale Publishing 2018), Mrs. Murray’s Hidden Treasure (Telltale Publishing 2019), Queen Mary’s Daughter (Clean Reads 2018), Gerlinda (CFA 2016) which received an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, To Be a Duke (CFA 2014) which was named Finalist and Silver Medalist in the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and received an Honorable Mention in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and several other books.
A retired teacher of music and creative writing, she writes about the extra-ordinary in life and her books, short stories, and articles are receiving considerable attention. For more information on the author, check out her website at: http://emilyjanebooks.ca
Long Excerpt #1:
Henry
caught the piercing gaze and held it with one of his own, equally piercing. “I
do dare, Madam!” He snapped back. “This is my realm. Not yours. And it never
shall be yours!” He almost spat out the last few words. He was adamant to make
his point: Scotland, his country, would remain free and independent, for now
and forever, as his countryman’s rallying cry firmly stated.
“Then
Isabel comes home to London with me.” The English queen sniffed in a deep
breath, feigning a sense of pride being wounded. “It’s where she belongs.”
“I think
not!” Henry held his ground, glancing first at his wife then at the English
queen.
“Why ever
not, Henry?” Bertie gently challenged Henry. “She is obviously not wanted
here.”
“Bertie’s
right, Henry.” Isabel finally spoke between sniffles and catching little
coughs, feigning an upset constitution. “I should return with my English
cousins. London is my home. It always has been. Not this barren, cold north
land.”
“No!” He glared at both women, then at Bertie
who had moved closer to his mother during the interchange. “The last time a
Scottish queen sought refuge in England under the protection of the English
queen, the Scottish queen lost her head.”
Character Casting
I always have difficulty with this question, as I'm not really current on Hollywood's who's who. However, given the 2018 release of another Mary Queen of Scots movie, I do have some ideas.
2 Comments
Thanks for hosting me and my book, "King Henry's Choice".
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! :)
DeletePlease try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.