1066 What Fates Impose by E.K.Holloway Review and Giveaway!

Please join G.K. Holloway on he tours the blogosphere for 1066: What Fates Impose, from April 14 - May 2.

Publication Date: March 4, 2013 Matador Publishing

King William then utters the following words to the room: ‘I appoint no one as my heir to the Crown of England, but leave it to the disposal of the Eternal Creator, whose I am and who orders all things. For I did not attain that high honour by hereditary right, but wrested it from the perjured King Harold in a desperate bloody battle.’ England is in crisis. King Edward has no heir and promises never to produce one. There are no obvious successors available to replace him, but quite a few claimants are eager to take the crown. While power struggles break out between the various factions at court, enemies abroad plot to make England their own? There are raids across the borders with Wales and Scotland. Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, is seen by many as the one man who can bring stability to the kingdom. He has powerful friends and two women who love him, but he has enemies will stop at nothing to gain power. As 1066 begins, England heads for an uncertain future. It seems even the heavens are against Harold. Intelligent and courageous, can Harold forge his own destiny – or does he have to bow to what fates impose?

Buy the Book

Amazon UK Amazon US Book Depository iTunes Troubador Publishing Waterstones

About the Author

I have been interested in history since I was a boy, which I suppose explains why, when I came across a degree course in History and Politics at Coventry University that looked tailor made for me, I applied right away. In my first year at Coventry I lived in the halls of residence within a stone’s throw of the Leofric Hotel. In the opposite direction, just a short walk from my halls, is the bell tower that houses a clock, which when its bell chimes the hour, produces a half size model of naked Lady Godiva riding a horse for the titillation of tourists. Above her, Peeping Tom leans out of a window for a better view. In all of the three years I was there, it never once occurred to me that I would one day write a book featuring Earl Leofric and his famous wife, as key players. After graduating I spent a year in Canada before I returned to England to train as a Careers Officer in Bristol. Later, I lived and worked in Gloucestershire as a Careers Officer and then in Adult Education as an Education Guidance worker. After I met my wife, I moved back to Bristol to live and I worked at Bath Spa University as a Student Welfare Officer for a number of years. It was about this time I read a biography about King Harold II which fascinated me so much I read more and more about the man and the times. I found the whole pre-conquest period of England so interesting I couldn’t understand why no one had written a novel about it. So, I decided to write one myself. Now, after many years of study and time spent over a hot keyboard, I have finally produced that novel. 1066: What Fates Impose is the result of all that study and hard work and is the first book I’ve written. I am now working on a sequel.

My Thoughts
The Norman conquest of 1066 between Duke William II of Normandy Duke and Anglo Saxon King Harold II was a pivotal time in English history. King Edward left no successor to the throne of England so the crown went to Harold Godwinson but there were other contenders to the throne, his brother Tostig, William of Normandy and Harald III of Norway. This contention led to many skirmishes and other battles across England which culminated in the Battle of Hastings on October 14th, 1066. 

I was a bit apprehensive at first about the book, I knew about the Battle of Hastings but had not read a lot about it. I enjoy historical fiction but I don't usually care for a book that is full of bloody battles. This book is a bit different though,sure it has a lot of characters and battles, but it also has an element of romance between Harold and the two women who love him which gives the novel life. The author has written a very readable depiction of the time leading up to this important event.Some novels written in this genre are like reading a boring history book. Not so with this one. If you enjoy reading historical fiction then you should give this one a try.

Virtual Tour and Book Blast Schedule

Monday, April 14 Book Blast at Kincavel Korner Book Blast at Historical Fiction Connection Tuesday, April 15 Book Blast at Passages to the Past Book Blast at Let Them Read Books Wednesday, April 16 Review at Svetlana's Reviews and Views Book Blast at To Read or Not to Read Thursday, April 17 Book Blast at Closed the Cover Book Blast at Historical Tapestry Friday, April 18 Book Blast at Time 2 Read Book Blast at The Bookworm Monday, April 21 Review at Flashlight Commentary Book Blast at Griperang's Bookmarks Tuesday, April 22 Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee Interview at Flashlight Commentary Wednesday, April 23 Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book Interview at The Maiden's Court Thursday, April 24 Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book Book Blast at Reading the Ages Friday, April 25 Review at Impressions in Ink Book Blast at Ink Sugar Blog Book Blast at The Mad Reviewer Monday, April 28 Review at Kinx's Book Nook Book Blast at Just One More Chapter Tuesday, April 29 Review at CelticLady's Reviews Book Blast at Historical Readings and Reviews Wednesday, April 30 Review at Historical Tapestry Book Blast at Book Nerd Thursday, May 1 Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes Friday, May 2 Review at Curling Up By the Fire Review at Confessions of an Avid Reader Book Blast at A Book Geek Book Blast at Layered Pages

Giveaway 

   

 To win a copy of 1066: What Fates Impose please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on May 2nd. You must be 18 or older to enter. Winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter on May 3rd and notified via email. Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway