Mediaeval Romantic Suspense - "Hostage of the Heart"

[Linda Acaster]

Giving this sweet Mediaeval romp an airing. It's available as an ebook @ $2.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MNH4BA and as an 8 hour mp3 download for $9.99 http://www.audiolark.com/books/hostage-of-the-heart/

Here's part of a 4* review:
...This story is definitely a romance, but is a very sweet one without all of the overtures and exaggerations of emotion and physical attraction you find in the typical run of the mill romance novels. The hero and heroine come off as real people, and both of them nestle their way into your heart. Some of the secondary characters are interesting as well, and by the end of the book I was surprised at the revelation that was made...

Thanks for reading.

[Linda Acaster]

Here's a review for Hostage of the Heart

“Wars are fought on many fronts. Dena’s peaceful existence is shattered when marauding Welshmen arrive to reclaim their stolen domains. But the distant struggle for the English crown spreads to the border lands and Dena’s captor Rhodri is himself taken hostage. Dena must now fight for her love in the unfamiliar world of the court, facing intrigue, spite, jealousy and treachery. Linda Acaster has written a cracking romance set in a cataclysmic period of English history.” – Madeleine McDonald, author of ‘Enchantment in Morocco’.

If you like your Romances "sweet" rather than "sweaty" this could be for you!

[Linda Acaster]

Take a young Saxon woman, naive due to her cushioned life, and thrust her into the warring borderlands of mediaeval Wales.
Take a young man made cynical and distrustful by experience.
Set them on a trek through misty glades where they learn to melt at the other's touch.
Bring that war to the threshold of their blossoming love.
Make them choose.

Kindle USA http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MNH4BA
Kindle UK  http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B003MNH4BA

[Linda Acaster]

Since Hostage of the Heart came out as an mp3 download from Audiolark [ http://www.audiolark.com/books/hostage-of-the-heart/ ] there has been a small flurry of downloads for the ebook. So I'd like to thank all my readers, especially those who bought both the mp3 *and* and ebook. Good on yer!

[Linda Acaster]

Off for a break and want to relax with a sweet historical romance? Look no further - Hostage of the Heart.

[Linda Acaster]

Read an excerpt from Hostage of the Heart at http://www.kindleboards.com/book/?asin=B003MNH4BA

Review: "..Dena is a sympathetic, active, compassionate heroine and Rhodri is a felling, idealistic, striving hero. Each is well suited to the other and I followed their many trials with total attention..."

[Linda Acaster]

Praise for Hostage of the Heart:

"...the secondary characters are interesting as well, and by the end of the book I was surprised at the revelation that was made (I'm usually able to weed those out while I read). All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys European history, a heartwarming romance and a good dose of intrigue..." Amazon review

[Linda Acaster]

Hostage of the Heart - Mediaeval sweet romance

Brought to the Welsh Marches to make a good marriage, kinship and fealty are forgotten when the Lady Dena is taken as a battle hostage. Had she been sent on her errand of mercy as bait?

[Linda Acaster]

This novel came out of a lot of book research, won a prize and was accepted for publication...then I went to Wales to do some field-walking research into the layout of Iron Age hillforts. A bit backwards way on, I'm sure you'll agree, but at the time it couldn't be avoided. But it is such a good feeling when you realise you've got it right.

[Linda Acaster]

I've updated the cover - the font to be precise - and already seen a bit of a jump in sales, which is satisfying. Still on the lookout for a better pair of lovers, but this is a sweet romantic suspense, not erotica, so I'll hang on to them for the time being.

[Linda Acaster]

Here's part of a 4* review:
"...This story is definitely a romance, but is a very sweet one without all of the overtures and exaggerations of emotion and physical attraction you find in the typical run of the mill romance novels. The hero and heroine come off as real people, and both of them nestle their way into your heart..."

[Linda Acaster]

When she gives Rhodri ap Hywell her heart, the young Lady Dena believes naively that it will be secure forever. But one decision, one uttered phrase...

[Linda Acaster]

The steward Wybert is older, stronger, patient. He is solicitous towards the young Lady Dena, making her laugh, explaining the workings of the household.

So why is he in the brewing house with the sharp-tongued wise-woman when the Welsh are burning the valley?

[Linda Acaster]

Response from a satisfied customer (don't you just love 'em):

"...a sweet romance and a gripping historical tale combined, set in the Welsh borderlands and Anglo-Saxon Northern England in medieval Britain. If you are looking for romance and adventure this is a good story to lose yourself in."

[Linda Acaster]

An excerpt from the sweet romantic suspense,Hostage of the Heart:

The tables have turned: the Lady Dena is free to walk while the Welsh nobleman, Rhodri, is the battle hostage. But where has he been taken?


   The area before the hall’s main doors was as tightly packed with people as before. The heavy gates built into the stone defence wall lay wide open, the narrow harvested fields beyond beckoning better grazing than ever could be scratched within the enclosure, but the people were so afraid for their safety that hardly any had taken advantage of it. It was madness to think Gwylan might even consider attacking such a stronghold.
   Dena mingled with the people, seeking faces she knew among the crowd. Everyone seemed to be a stranger. Regardless, she asked for Wybert among them, but few knew the name. None knew where Edwulf’s people sat. It was a discouraging task, but she was determined to find someone who knew where Wybert could be found, even if it took her all day.
   ‘Is it me you are searching for?’
   Dena turned at the familiar voice, and found herself looking into the wild eyes of Mildthryth. She stepped back with a start, her mind filling with images of the brewing-house where she’d last seen the old woman pounding the poisonous herbs to be added to the ale barrels. Mildthryth had known the plan. Mildthryth had advised Wybert to send her to the north tun, knowing what would happen.
   ‘Is it me you are searching for?’
   Dena remembered herself and stood straight-backed and aloof. The old woman was of no standing and she should not feel intimidated by her presence, no matter what rumours surrounded her.
   ‘No.’
   Mildthryth seemed disappointed.
   ‘I need to see Wybert. Do you know where he can be found?’
   Mildthryth shook her head, as an indulgent nurse might to a wilful child.
   ‘You do not wish to see Wybert. What use would it serve?’
   ‘I must speak to him. Do you know where he is?’
   ‘No,’ she answered at last. ‘But I know where he is not.’
   Hardly able to believe that the old woman should choose such a time to play with riddles, Dena looked at her in bewilderment. Mildthryth cocked her head to one side in a strangely tantalising manner and grinned widely to show the remnants of her dark and broken teeth.
   Dena forced down her rising irritation. ‘I have no mind for these games. Where is he not?’
   ‘He is not with the Welshman.’
   ‘Rhodri?’ His name slipped between Dena’s lips like a breath of night air. ‘Do you know where he’s being held?’
   Mildthryth nodded. ‘I can take you, but I cannot gain you entrance. Only you can do that, if you care to. I have my bag.’
   She pointed to a battered rawhide case at her feet. The yellow paint on its surface had almost faded, as had the runic lettering round the base. It was said to have been bestowed on her by her dying grandmother, and contained all manner of charms to ward off illness, as well as jars and bottles of medicinal potions for man and beast alike. Dena paled as the inference became apparent.
   ‘Have you seen him?’
   Mildthryth shook her head and bent to pick up the bag. ‘No, but I heard him. All night I heard him.’
   Dena shuddered and closed her eyes, catching her hands together before her breast. ‘Most merciful God—’
   ‘Prayers be no use,’ scolded Mildthryth. ‘Come.’


Thanks for reading!

[Linda Acaster]

Isn't it lovely when a reader sends you a direct response...

"...I really, really enjoyed the story. It was obviously well-researched and would be defined as a "page-turner" by anyone's standards.  I loved those Welch [sic] names..."

A happy New Year, indeed.

[Linda Acaster]

"...a cracking romance set in a cataclysmic period of English history..."

[Linda Acaster]

"...Rhodri, a fighting man as much as he is a lover, will find a place in the hearts of women readers with his strength, recklessness, courage and sheer male magnetism. Those who enjoy historical romance will find this book easy to pick up and difficult to put down..."

[Linda Acaster]

Who should Dena trust when no one speaks the truth?

Her own heart.

[Linda Acaster]

The sweet taste of a Mediaeval Romance set in the wild Welsh landscape.

[Linda Acaster]

A sweet special for Valentine's Day. Forget the flowers. Curl up with an adventure of Mediaeval Romance. Wine optional, but preferred.

[Linda Acaster]

Thanks to all those who purchased this sweet historical for a romantic read last week.

[Linda Acaster]

What dark secrets does Rhodri ap Hywell hold close that makes him shun the Welsh royal courts?

[Linda Acaster]

A Mediaeval romantic suspense of fair maids and dark knights whisks you back to the English/Welsh borderlands of 1066 when a man's word was his bond - and "truth" was a commodity to be bartered.

It's Read An Ebook Week! Until 10th March this ebook can be bought for your Kindle, or any other ereader, for 50% off. What can be better?
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/14120

[Linda Acaster]

Just picked up on an Amazon review for Hostage of the Heart... "Overall I liked this story. Sweet, headstrong heroine and a good guy hero. But there were several things that annoyed me...." and the reviewer goes on to explain. Oh dear. And then I glanced up at the stars - it was given three stars, so despite the annoyances the story got a good thumbs up.

This, I think, is as much about reader expectation as what the story is designed to deliver. However, an interesting point was raised that has been raised before... "I am really curious as to Rhodri's very interesting past!" Perhaps I need to write that prequel.

Anyway, JanT, if you're reading, thanks very much.