It's always a little sad to write the last book in a long series.
I've been working on the Curse of the Lost Isle medieval fantasy series
for twenty years, off and on, and Book 8, ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN, will be the
last one, bringing Melusine's curse to its conclusion.
In
the historical chronology, this book takes place before Beloved
Crusader and Damsel of the Hawk (portraying the other two sisters and
set during the Crusades), but it is the most well known legend of
Melusine, the myth scholars have been studying for centuries...
particularly in Europe.
This
book is set in Lusignan, the town Melusine created according to legend.
Lusignan is also the name of the family she started in Aquitaine.
Melusine is first featured in Book 2, PAGAN QUEEN, as a child. She
reappears in Book 3 SEDUCING SIGEFROI, Book 4 LADY OF LUXEMBOURG, and
Book 5 CHATELAINE OF FOREZ.
Previously, from her Luxembourg
family, after marrying Sigefroi, she gave birth to a line of kings and
emperors who lived in Germany, Flanders and Austria. In Forez, however, her
initial success was later crushed by religious cleansing.
In
Lusignan, she gives birth to a powerful family. Her descendants Guy of
Lusignan and his brother became kings of Jerusalem and Cyprus during the
Crusades. Another descendant of hers is the famous and infamous Eleanor
of Aquitaine, twice queen, and mother to powerful kings and princes. King Richard mentions more than
once the stain upon his family, his evil ancestress through the
centuries, the cursed one. That was Melusine.
But
beyond the myth and the legend, I wanted to find the heart of these
characters. Remembering that history is always written by the victors,
and Paganism was crushed by Christendom. So it made sense that the
Pagans of the time would be reviled and presented in a negative light,
even accused of horrible deeds.
In my
research, I strive to peel the layers of superstition to find the truth
of these fascinating characters, and bring them to life in a favorable
light, with their hopes and struggles. I hope you will enjoy reading
their story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
HAPPY READING!
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
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