Review: Time and Chance

Time and Chance is the second book in my trilogy about Henry II of England and his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. I see the three books as morning, noon, and nightfall in their remarkable saga. Time and Chance focuses upon the productive partnership years of their marriage, when Henry was redefining the role of medieval kingship and Eleanor was giving him the sons she'd not given the French king, heirs to a dynasty that would rule England for the next three hundred years. But if it was a productive period in their history, it was not peaceful. They faced war with the Welsh, battles with Eleanor's aggrieved first husband, the French king...and the chaos loosed by Henry's disastrous decision to name his friend and confidant, Thomas Becket, as Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry saw the urbane, ambitious Becket as the ideal ally, never expecting that the arch-bishop would repudiate his own worldly past, putting aside silks for a hair-shirt as he embraced his new role as defender of the Faith. The results would be tragic for all concerned, ending in murder and Christendom's greatest scandal.

I would stress the timelessness of Henry and Eleanor's story. Henry was one of England's greatest kings and Eleanor was the only woman to wear the crowns of both England and France. But they were one of history's most dysfunctional families. As parents, they blundered badly, and their sons grew up in an environment that fostered intense rivalry and a competitiveness that would have done Cain and Abel proud. As husband and wife, they brought a rare quality to a royal union: passion. Unfortunately, they were both strong-willed and quick-tempered, and passion proved to be a dangerous element, too combustible for the survival of their marriage.

I also think that the Church-State conflict remains very timely. Eight centuries after Henry and Becket, we are still attempting to strike the right balance between God and Caesar, arguing over the boundary lines and the role of faith in a secular society.

There are several organizations that would be particularly interested in the publication of Time and Chance: The Richard III Society. The Society for Creative Anachronism. The numerous societies of Welsh-Americans. The Welsh-American newspaper, Ninnau. I have an on-line fan club and there is an on-line historical fiction appreciation society.. There is also a historical fiction newsgroup, but I think they frown upon on-line publication notices.

Time and Chance would appeal to anyone with an interest in history, particularly medieval history. A good part of the action is set in Wales, so the above-mentioned groups would be worth approaching. Many of my readers seem to be very computer-savvy; I get a lot of e-mail from my website. So I think there is an internet audience for advertising and interviews. Although Time and Chance is not a mystery, I have written two mysteries, and it is possible that mystery publications or websites might be receptive. For example, I was invited to do a reading for Chance at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale. I have a database of readers from my website and I plan to e-mail them about the book's publication and my upcoming tour. In the past, they've traveled amazing distances to attend one of my readings and often approach their local bookstores on my behalf. When it comes to readers, mine are the best, bar none!

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, From The Author

Book Review: Time and Chance