Short history/bio on each of the main characters:
Our main heroine is Adalira Mortimer who is the illegitimate daughter of Edward, the Prince of Wales’ with his unclaimed bride, Malinda. At 18, she knows she doesn’t want to just sit around and wait to take a husband and live a privileged life. She’s not like other girls and prefers weapons, battle, and hard word as opposed to dresses and holding herself to the same standards as all other women that she’s accustomed to. Earning her place and making her own mark on the world are her goals.
Adalira’s companion, Nyota, comes from an African tribe who was sold into slavery. After Adalira rescued her from her captors, she was made a free woman by the Mortimer family, but she chose to live with and work for the family out of love and respect. She is often Adalira’s sounding board for stress and sidekick for handling it as well.
Bastian Kyros is the son Duke Kyros of Winchester. At 24 years old, his family is starting to wonder if he will ever get married, settle down, and do what is right as the heir to his family’s throne. Business and running lands isn’t what entices him, battle does. He simply wants to be useful with his sword and mind and not be tied down.
Bastian’s right hand man, Iason, is a snarky, tawdry fellow who is both brave soldier and suave businessman. For a 24 year old man, he forgets that he has responsibilities ahead of him as well. He tends to keep Bastian from creating more problems than necessary for himself and is the peacekeeper of the family. Though not born of blood, they are brothers by choice.
Bastian’s “left hand man” is also like a brother. They fought many battles together and formed a solid bond. Ryland is the exact opposite of Iason in every way and tries to talk Bastian into following his heart instead of plotting the destruction of mankind. He’s the definitive angel to Iason’s devil side.
Series- Lady & Knight Chronicles #1
By- C.L. Foster & E.R. Rada
Publication Date- June 6th, 2014
Genre- Historical Romance
Blurb-
The Hundred Years War rages around Adalira Mortimer's life and country, but she is not what is expected of a Lady; instead of dresses and tea, she dreams about weapons and war.
Bastian Kyros is not typical royalty. Being a warrior is in his blood, not paperwork and peace-keeping.
Tradition drives their families. She is expected to don her manners and win a worthy husband, and he is expected to drop his sword and do what's right for the sake of his family's name, land, and future.
Their chance meeting at the party of the season may offer them both the chance to find what they desire. Brought together by their longing for battle, their greatest fight may be in winning over their families and conquering their own pride.
A lull in battle does not mean there is peace. The greatest of wars are fought in the heart.
Links-
Excerpt
"Dare I say you are enjoying yourself, your Grace?"
"I've only arrived a moment ago and am ready to leave already. Does this appear enjoyable to you?"
Bastian's droll stare made Iason chuckle. "You can pretend all you like, but I can see your amusement."
"I am amused at the lengths people will go to in order to snare themselves a worthy spouse." Bastian smiled and straightened his clothes. His new red tunic made his tanned skin look even richer. The silver trim accented in a way he didn't expect before. He was thoroughly impressed with the pieces when they were presented to him. When he saw them hanging in the woman's shop, he scoffed and commented on how they were too dainty and girly. She merely waved him off and told him to try them on. The moment the fine silk slid across his skin, he sighed. None of his battle clothes felt that way. The pants fit just right as well. He felt slightly out of place with such finery on, but he could admit that he wasn't hating the clothes.
"Yes, well, some people enjoy the finery more than others." His knowing smile made Bastian huff an annoyed breath.
"I couldn't very well come in here looking like I just slayed a dragon, now could I?"
"That doesn't work for most women, no," Iason agreed. He reached up and straightened Bastian's silver mask. "The red gems on this thing look terribly sparkly, your Grace. Are you sure you aren't feeling girly yet?"
Bastian swatted his hand away. "Unless you are making certain my face remains covered, step away. You're blocking my view."
"Your view of what?" Iason asked excitedly as he turned and took a step back so he was standing with Bastian.
"There," Bastian nodded his head to the right, "a group of matching clothing. Why do people dress to match as if they have no personality or thought process of their own? It seems silly to me."
"You mean the flock of green down there beside the dance floor? Yes, I agree. That does look a bit overly dramatic when they all do it, though I find it endearing when couples do it. Even when it's slight. Almost announcing that they planned to arrive together and are, in fact, together. It's beautiful."
Bastian rolled his eyes. "What a romantic you are. I'm sure your wife will one day enjoy that terribly."
"I don't plan to marry."
"No?" Bastian asked. He kept his question light and his attention on the people.
"I mean, I would love to have a family one day; some sons, a beautiful wife that I can worship properly, a place that is only mine, but I don’t think that life is meant for people like us."
"Like us?" Bastian kept his eyes wandering over the crowd. "You plan to worship your wife? That is something I could never do."
"You know, we are warriors. All of this," Iason waved his hand in a gesture to include everyone and everything in the room, "isn't us. I mean, it's you and your people, but I'm just a regular man." He chuckled then continued, "Worship is the right word. Have you seen the female form? It is certainly something to dedicate some time to, sir. You should try it sometime. You'd be a lot less stressed and stern all the time." He elbowed his friend playfully.
"It's not for me either. The only reason I would agree to marry is to protect my family name. I have no interest in all of that."
"I have lots of interest in it. It appeals to me on many levels, but I don’t know if my lifestyle and standing will allow for it. I hope it does, though." Iason looked around and then slapped Bastian's arm. "Look, there. The brunette with the purple gown. Tell me you wouldn't love to roll over and see her every morning."
"Aye, she's a fine lady, I'm sure," he nodded tightly. "but as you can see, she has two gentleman callers already and certainly wouldn't want to roll over and see my face every morning. That is where the problem lies."
Please share your idea of the perfect soundtrack to ‘Heart of War’ with us.
E.R. and I have a very eclectic balance of music in our repertoire. One moment we can be listening to Vivalid, the next Daft Punk, and then Alter Bridge. Truly, one could never guess what will come on next if we have things on random.
For this book, we each decided to go mostly with instrumental soundtracks with epic highs and lows so fuel our creative juices and, man, did it EVER work! We listened to mostly the Lord of the Rings soundtracks/scores, Lindsey Stirling songs, and a lot of Piano Guys. Music truly breathes life into my world and I want it to always do the same for my work. I certainly hope that shines through.
Some specific instrumental/dubstep/amazing songs we both liked while writing were:
Guardians at the Gate - Audiomachine
the Narnia Battle song
Desert Symphony - Piano Guys
Moonlight (Electric Cello) - Piano Guys
Beautiful - Apocalyptica
Everyday - Carly Comando
About the Authors-
C.L. Foster-
CL is eclectic, geeky, positive, nature-loving and completely non-"normal" (just the way she likes to be). She has been a fan of literature since she was a small child and finally decided to take her dreams (both waking and sleeping!) and do something positive with them.
CL has lived all over the world and has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, minoring in Psychology and Forensics. Which means you don't want to cross her because she knows how and where to hide a body so it's never found! She proudly admits to hearing voices in her head, but at times, her characters' impromptu visits can be rude and annoying. Thankfully, she has adequate patience for their shenanigans and can out ninja them any day of the week.
CL's voice is boisterous, sassy, and not finished yet! Stay tuned!
Links-
E.R. Rada-
E.R. Rada is a NY native who's mind is in a constant battle with reality and fiction. He's been penning his tales while expressing his inner most demons and heartfelt wishes since he was able to rhyme.
Poetry and fantasy are his weapons of choice as his inner-most wish to be a dragon-riding, sword-wielding warrior has yet to come to fruition. E.R. knows there is no time limit on greatness, so he continues to float on his constant state of flux; learning, growing, and improving as time goes on.
E.R. is a battle worn soldier who will quickly compare apples and oranges, simply because he's told he can't. Never one to conform, he embraces his nerdy/geek tendencies and is well known for creating new and interesting ways to do things (see: stubborn/the hard way). In doing things his own way, he has earned his way through life with plenty of battle scars, knowledge, and memories.
Links-
Please share your Top Ten Favorite Authors
CL Foster
1 ~ Starla Huchton
2 ~ Alexadre Dumas
3 ~ JRR Tolkien
4 ~ Sherrilyn Kenyon
5 ~ Maggie Shayne
6 ~ Gena Showlater
7 ~ JR Ward
8 ~ Mary Balogh
9 ~ JK Rowling
10 ~ Brother’s Grimm :)
ER Rada
1 ~ Steven Brust
2 ~ CL Foster (yes, I’m serious)
3 ~ JRR Tolkien
4 ~ CS Lewis
5 ~ Ann McCaffrey
6 ~ Christopher Paolini
7 ~ Isaac Asimov
8 ~ George RR Martin
9 ~ Brothers Grimm
10 ~ Dr. Seuss
Heart of War by C.L. FosterMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
First, I would like to thank the authors C.L. Foster & E.R. Rada for giving me this book for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The characters are well developed and written. The story-line is really good. I am hoping this is the start of a series. The authors did a great job working together writing this book. I look forward to reading more from them.
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