KNIGHTS OF THE SWAN by C.C. Wiley …..and the Happiness of Romance Reading
I started reading romance when I was a teenager. Many nights I read contemporary romance under the blanket, armed with a flashlight and my hunger for more. Then I moved on to historical romance and discovered these stories had the ability to carry me to far off times and places; to the land of chivalry, adventure, love, and the happy ever after.
I’d always had a fascination with historical places that resonated with the energy from the past. There was a hill on our family farm that allowed me to see a great distance. I’d sit and listen to the wind whispering nature’s secrets, and would swear I’d hear relatives returning through time.
Historical museums and estates have the same effect on me. Time would turn back, if only briefly, and draw me into that space.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to travel to England, and while touring through Bath and Bristol, I stopped at a cathedral. Once again the sights and sounds, the scents, and richness of history came to life. I noticed a knight and his lady, their effigy caught in stone, were laid side-by-side for eternity. I couldn’t help wondering of the strength in their relationship. Did they love each other? Was it a love match? My imagination took hold, and I had to know more about medieval knights and the women who captured their hearts.
I like research. I adore a story that brings together, love, history, and adventure. Even if I have a story outline I am still researching while I write. The desire to learn more has the power to carry me down one path and then another. The ‘What if’ list continues to grow. Over the years I’ve had to rein in myself with the promise of keeping notes of what interests me. You never know. It might be that one idea that takes off.
And it’s during my research that “Knights of the Swan” series came about. But in the end, I believe it is still the characters’ personal story that is most important.
In KNIGHT SECRETS, Sir Ranulf, Lord of Sedgewic, is a member of a secret brotherhood, Knights of the Swan. I think of them as Henry V’s Secret Service of the Middles Ages. Ranulf fears he has seen and done too many things in the name of his king to be worthy of love. His fate is to be a lonely Knight of the Swan. Like Rapunzel, the emotionally abused Lady Clarice Margrave dreams of being rescued by a knight who vows to love and respect her. But those dreams are shattered and are nothing more than broken fairy tales. Her quest for the truth plunges into the world beyond the Margrave walls and forces her to look closely at what she truly wants. To love and be loved at least once.
KNIGHT SECRETS: KNIGHTS OF THE SWAN by C.C. Wiley
Sworn to protect the crown, a Knight of the Swan must never surrender—not even to love . . .
England, 1415. Ordered never to leave the lonely tower on her family estate, Lady Clarice Margrave is suddenly set free when her home is plundered. Now she is determined to discover the truth behind her father’s alleged treason. But an act of daring only propels her into a new prison, with the very knight who destroyed her home as her keeper. Sir Ranulf, Lord of Sedgewic, is ruthless in his inquisition, though there is a searing tenderness in his touch. Is it possible her bold jailor is the Red Wolf of whom her father spoke—and the one man she might be able to trust?
As a knight, Ranulf never questions his troth, but his beautiful prisoner stirs his heart and mind like no other. Clarice is achingly vulnerable—and extremely closed-mouth about her possible ties to the plot against the king. Duty demands he keep his distance, though he yearns to take her to his bed and adore her until he discovers what lies within her heart. And he would—if he weren’t in danger of losing his own . . .
You can purchase KNIGHTS SECRETS at:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Secrets-Knights-Swan-Wiley-ebook/dp/B01HWKNJEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489533939&sr=8-1&keywords=9781516101009
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/knight-secrets
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/knight-secrets/id1153379728?mt=11
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781516101009&c=books
About The Author:
C.C. Wiley is a longstanding member of the Romance Writers of America, and a published author with Samhain Publishing. She lives in Salt Lake City with her high school sweetheart of over 35 years and their four wacky dogs. When given a choice, she prefers a yummy, well-written, historical or contemporary romance that is chock-full of hope, love and a Happy Ever After. She believes there are wonderful courageous characters waiting for someone to tell their story. It’s her hope that each adventurous romance she writes will touch the reader and carry them away to another place and time, where hopes and dreams abound.
Author Links:
Website: ccwiley.com
Twitter: @AuthorCCWILEY.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CCWileyAuthor
