Welcoming Andrew Richardson Talking About His New Release: The Footholder's Tale

As always, I am delighted to welcome Andrew Richardson to talk about his latest Celtic fantasy release The Footholder's Tale. I had the privilege of reading this book from the first draft and was captivated in the first chapter. The novel has all of Andrew's typical hallmarks: vivid settings, exquisite period detail, and an imaginative rendering of myth and legend.

The metaphorical twists begin in the first pages as Math, suffering from his wounds, returns to comfort his former lover during her last days in a bittersweet scene that haunts me to this day--and has inspired me in many romantic scenes I have since written. And at the conclusion of the plot's twists and turns, one's imagination will be captivated by the blend of mysticism and magic in this unique historical romantic fantasy.

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Math, King of Gwynedd will die without a maiden’s magic to soothe his battle-injured foot. In a court rife with envy, greed and cunning, Math must choose a successor. His nephew falls in obsessive love with the beautiful new Footholder and he and his scheming brother plot to win her and at the same time ruin her – a plan which could mean the King’s death.

Will the maiden’s bonding with the king cost her life or can she overcome treachery and save both king and kingdom from being torn apart?

Set in mythical Wales, The Footholder’s Tale, Andrew Richardson’s historical fantasy captures the mystical elements of the times and combines intrigue and classic romance, based on Celtic legends.

Andrew and Carole in Salisbury, UK,  2014

Andrew, how did you come to write this tale?

I’ve always been passionate about Welsh myths, ever since I heard them as a child.  I found them absorbing, and even as a young age I appreciated their subtlety compared with the more traditional English and continental fairy tales I was used to.

My all time favourite story is the tale of King Math of Gwynedd, who must keep his foot in the lap of a maiden, or he will die.  That premise is unpromising, but beneath is a stunning story of love, power, and war.  The story was an obvious one for me to write, and I was delighted when ‘The Footholder’s Tale’ was accepted for publication by Rebel ePublishers.

I decided at an early stage of planning, that the current footholder, Goewin, would be central to my story.  In the legend, Goewin eventually becomes Math’s queen.  So, what do we know about her?
Well, not a lot.  Goewin plays a minor role in the Welsh story so isn’t really ‘fleshed out’.  All we really know about her is that she was the daughter of an otherwise unknown man called Pebin from the Nantlle Valley, was a maiden (obviously), and was the most beautiful woman in Gwynedd.
A few experts in Welsh literature have tried to fill in some of the void, to speculate for example that because her name means ‘strength’ she portrays the strength of womanhood.

In summary, though, Goewin is a shadowy character.  For a writer wanting to write her story that gave me a lot of blanks to fill in, and so a lot of mouth watering possibilities. I decided on a Goewin who was quiet on the outside – maybe even intimidated by her role amid royalty – but with an inner strength.  That made her shy and insecure when she first started holding the king’s foot, but willing to stand up for herself against bullying.  As her character develops and her confidence increases she gains the confidence to shape her own destiny – and at the same time, that of the kingdom.  That’s enough for me in any heroine, and Goewin was a very satisfying one to write.

And for anyone who has not read Andrew's work, his writing is all about those brave, intrepid heroines, this being no exception. 

Good luck with the release. 

Visit Andrew's Amazon Author Page

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Disclaimer: I have not received any renumeration other than an advance review copy.

Welcome Cathy McRae Talking About The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride

Shortly after joining Soul Mate Publishing, I met Cathy McRae. She's here to talk about her new book The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride, which is Book 3 in The Highlander’s Bride series. Check out this beautiful cover.

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Cathy enjoys weaving tales of romance in the Highland mists. Her stories feature strong heroes and feisty heroines in pursuit of their happy-ever-afters in medieval Scotland. 

When not writing, Cathy can be found curled up in a chair with a book or enjoying the outdoors with her corgis and newest member of the family, Freki. A member of RWA and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, she is currently working on another Highland romance novel and planning her next trip to Scotland.

Set in the Highlands of Scotland in the late 1300’s, The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride brings together two young people from different clans who risk everything for a chance to love.

Returning home after a ten-year absence, Ryan Macraig falls for a fiery, red-haired lass from the wrong side of the firth. He can’t ignore his need to see her again, even knowing she must be a hated Macrory. Gilda Macrory trespasses Macraig land, but haunting memories of the young man she once met there draw her to the forbidden place. Learning he is Laird Macraig’s son threatens her dreams, for her father would never agree to a marriage between his daughter and their enemy’s son.
With pirates raiding the coast, bad blood between the Macraig and Macrory clans could cost Ryan and Gilda their love—and their lives.

Here's an excerpt:

Even in the moonlight, Ryan saw the deepening shade on her cheeks and knew she blushed.
She lifted her chin. “Ye ogled my legs!”
Ryan nodded his head in agreement. “Ye have verra pretty legs.”
Gilda drew back with a hiss of breath. “Ye are a rogue, Ryan Macraig!”
“We have already agreed on this, aye?”
“This meeting tonight ‘twas for the clansmen to decide what to do about the pirates, not for ye to seek me out in my home.” Gilda crossed her arms beneath her breasts, shoving them to the squared neckline.
Ryan mumbled the first response that came to his suddenly awkward tongue. “I dinnae know ye would be here.” His tone remained reasonable even as he fought the dryness in his mouth.
“Dinnae stare at me like that.” Gilda dropped her hands as she spun away, and Ryan’s concentration returned with a snap.
“I dinnae know how to act around ye, Gilda Macrory. I know our parents are nae likely to agree for us to meet, but I am willing to ask. To do this right.”
Gilda slowly turned, lifting her gaze to his. “To do what right?”
“To talk to ye. Listen to ye laugh. Watch yer eyes change color when I vex ye.”
Gilda’s quick grin told him he’d scored a point and he smiled. “I am good at vexing ye, aye?”
“Aye.” Her expression remained puzzled. “Do ye like to be around me? No’ just to ogle my legs?”
This time Ryan laughed. “I will ogle yer legs any chance I get. I cannae lie to ye. But, aye. I like being around ye.”

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Wow, that sounds like a great read. I love the way you've woven the accent into the dialogue. I know how difficult that can be--especially when you're editing! Thanks for stopping by.

Check out Cathy's website for information about the two other books in the series that look pretty interesting to me, updates, writing and author posts, and her thoughts on gardening and dogs. You can also follow her on Facebook.  She would love to hear from you!