Anna Chant's Blog

A Daughter Scorned – the story of Adela of Hamaland and the latest in the Women of the Dark Ages series is available now in Kindle format. Free if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Set against the backdrop of the Ottonian Empire, A Daughter Scorned is the tale of one of the empire’s most ruthless and formidable women. With her father dividing his wealth unfairly between Adela and her pious sister, Liutgard, Adela embarks on a prolonged and often violent struggle to get what she feels she is entitled to. And no one, not bishops, kings, regents, or even emperors can be allowed to stand in her way!

Readers of any of my previous Ottonian books The Saxon Marriage and God’s Maidservant will have the chance to meet some old friends, although it is absolutely not necessary to have read either of those books to enjoy A Daughter Scorned as Adela’s story very much stands in its own right.

And if you have read Three Times the Lady – the story of Judith of Flanders, you will enjoy meeting Judith’s great, great granddaughters in this book. Interestingly Judith was another heroine who had problems with her father.

A Daughter Scorned will make a great read for the holiday season. You could also add it to a kindle you are giving or send direct to the kindle or kindle app of a loved one as a fabulous gift!

My WIP is now in its final stages of checks and should release in the next few weeks. A Daughter Scorned is the story of Adela of Hamaland and the latest in the Women of the Dark Ages series. If you’ve read the other books in the series, prepare for a heroine with a difference! The others, whatever their flaws, were basically nice people. But Adela? She is one of history’s wicked women. Whether she deserves that title, I shall leave you to decide!

History is not always about good men, so why should it be about good women?

After the death of her mother and brother, Adela, the daughter of Count Wichman of Hamaland feels an outsider in the family. A spirited, outspoken young woman, she is continually compared unfavourably to her pious younger sister, Liutgard.

When dividing his wealth between his daughters, Wichman leaves more to his younger daughter, including Adela’s beloved home, Elten Castle – now to be transformed into an abbey for Liutgard to preside over. Although furious, Adela tries to reconcile herself to a life of marriage and motherhood as a countess in the Ottonian Empire.

But when tragedy strikes, Adela can no longer tolerate the injustice. She is determined to fight Liutgard for her rightful inheritance and nobody, not bishops, regents, kings, or even emperors, can be allowed to stand in her way…

This is a standalone novel and it is not necessary to have read any of my previous books to enjoy this one. But if you want to immerse yourself in the Ottonian world Adela inhabits, The Saxon Marriage – the story of Eadgyth of Wessex (who is a kinswoman of Adela) and God’s Maidservant – the story of Adelaide of Italy are well worth a read and some of the characters, both major and minor from those books, make appearances in this one.

The Stannary Dragon is now available in kindle book and is free on Kindle Unlimited.

Across Dartmoor’s desolate hills, tin miners live and work in stannaries as their forefathers have done for centuries.

But for one stannary, the future looks bleak. Their tin stream is almost exhausted and their master tinner has been executed for cheating the King. To make matters worse, they welcome Peter, a runaway serf to their stannary, not realising that the man is a thief, intent on stealing their tin. Ingratiating himself with the tinners, his eye alights on young widow, Alina thinking her the perfect companion to while away the summer.

With King John’s stannary wardens determined to see results, only a new tin stream can save them. The nearby O Brook should be the perfect spot. But that is a place none dare tread. Years before a boy ventured in, never to be seen again; a victim, they believe, of the ferocious creature said to dwell there.

With Alina proving impervious to his charms, Peter is keener than ever to steal sufficient tin to make his escape, desperate enough to ignore the warnings and follow the babbling waters of the O Brook to discover the truth of the stannary dragon.

Inspired by a real Dartmoor legend, read this medieval tale of mystery, adversity and romance today!

The Stannary Dragon is Book 2 of the Mysteriously Medieval series of standalone historical fiction novels that are spooky, fantastical or unexplained. Paperback version is coming soon! Book One: Call of the Viking Dead is available in ebook and paperback.

Book 2 of the Mysteriously Medieval series will be coming soon. Come to the end of the 12th century where King Richard has just issued the first stannary charter, regulating the tin mining of Dartmoor…

Across Dartmoor’s desolate hills, tin miners live and work in stannaries as their forefathers have done for centuries…

But for one stannary, the future looks bleak. Their tin stream is almost exhausted and their master tinner has been executed for cheating the King. To make matters worse, they welcome Peter, a runaway serf to their stannary, not realising his intentions are far from honest. Resenting the tough life of the moors, he is there to steal tin for smuggling, continually worrying he will be tracked down by his manor lord. As he ingratiates himself with the tinners, his eye alights on young widow, Alina, thinking her the perfect companion to while away the summer.

A new tin stream would ease their worries and the nearby O Brook should be the perfect spot. But that is a place none dare tread. Years before a boy ventured in, never to be seen again; a victim, they believe, of the ferocious creature said to dwell there.

With Alina proving impervious to his charms, Peter is keener than ever to steal sufficient tin to make his escape, desperate enough to ignore the warnings and follow the babbling waters of the O Brook to discover the truth of the stannary dragon…

Summer is coming and the weather certainly feels like it is headed that way at last. May saw my birthday – another year older, probably not another year wiser! Maybe a coincidence, but I’m noticing an increase in age in my characters. Often the heroines at least have been in their teens when the book starts and only in their twenties when it finishes. But my main WIP sees a heroine in her mid-twenties, while the next Women of the Dark Ages book will follow a woman from her late teens through to her 60s!

Birthday celebrations

Progress report

Lots of good progress to report on all books this month. The next Mysteriously Medieval is onto its edits. It will soon be time to think about the cover & title reveal. Meanwhile I am creating a plan for the book that will come next in the series. This series is proving to be one rich in inspiration as I have yet another idea to add to my list for future books.

The next in the Women of the Dark Ages is at over 26,000 words and yet I feel the story has barely begun. I have long assumed it will take two books to properly tell her story. I’m now wondering if it might be three. This could be problematic as there is a natural break in her story that slots it easily into two. I’m not sure how I will break it up if it takes three.

Tales of the Wasteland book 3 is now at 30,000 words. Slow and steady and will get there in the end!

Bargains

Beat the cost of living crisis and get your holiday reads for less. As always several of my books are on a Kindle Countdown Deal this month. Just click on the titles to find out more.

Rising from the Ruins 27th May – 3rd JuneCall of the Viking Dead 4th – 11th JuneThree Times the Lady 12th – 19th JuneDawn of the Franks 20th – 27th JuneFisher King 28th June – 5th July

Teasers!

With Mysteriously Medieval bk2 coming on so well, perhaps it’s time to start to hint at what’s in it. Earlier this week I paid a visit to the location where it is set…

Looks like an idyllic spot, doesn’t it? But perhaps all is not as it seems…

It’s feeling a bit cold and damp here, so hard to believe that as I write this, May starts tomorrow. May is my birthday month so very much a time for me to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. I hope everyone had a good April. For me April included a trip to Dunwich, the Suffolk setting of The Girl from Brittia. For anyone who has not been, this City Lost to the Sea is well worth a visit. Although maybe in better weather than in some of the pictures!

Progress Report

All projects have made good progress throughout April. The second draft of the next Mysteriously Medieval book is almost finished – just a few chapters remaining. After that it will be rested for a while so I can look at it again through fresh eyes. But as I am not expecting any significant rewriting to be needed, the endless rounds of edits can soon begin! The third book in the series is still being researched and it will soon be time to start planning the story.

The next in the Women of the Dark Ages series is over 13,000 words at the moment and I am delighted to see some old friends in the form of Otto and Adelheid. As predicted, Adelheid doesn’t like Adela. But does Otto?

The next in the Tales of the Wasteland has reached 26,000 words. It seems to have reached a point I feel far more confident writing about. What that means for the beginning is too soon to say as I find it important to finish the first draft before attempting any rewriting.

May Bargains

Perhaps you’re looking for some holiday reads or just something to while away a rainy weekend. Regardless, it’s always good to pay less. As always a selection of my books can be found for only 99p or 99 cents throughout the month. Just click on each title to find out more.

The Girl from Brittia 2nd – 9th MayPeril & Plunder 3rd – 10th MayThe Saxon Marriage 11th – 18th MayKenneth’s Queen 19th – 26th MayRising from the Ruins 27th May – 3rd June

The Coronation

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles III ascended to the throne and 6th May will be his coronation. I approach this with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it is a moment of history full of symbolism that I am curious to watch. On the other hand, should a 21st century country really have this medieval pageant and system of government, not as a re-enactment but as a genuine part of our modern life? Is an accident of birth really a good way to base how a head of state is chosen? God’s anointed is full of significance to the medieval mind, but should it still be so significant today? And regardless of whether or not you like the system of monarchy, is it really right to spend so much parading a fabulously wealthy man when so many systems in this country are struggling? Could that money be better spent on the health service or in our schools? Is it right to spend so much on a golden coach and fancy chairs when there are people in this country struggling to afford to eat?

Coronations do of course feature frequently in my books and if nothing else, this coronation is throwing up plenty of hashtags great for promoting my books. #NotMyKing – perfect for the Anglos-Saxons rebelling against the Norman Conquest in the Quest for New England series. #StoneofDestiny – ideal for Kenneth’s Queen.

For those looking forward to the coronation, I hope you enjoy the show and for those in the UK, enjoy another long weekend!

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Due to some of us being away, we’re holding our Easter Egg Hunt a couple of days early. I like to do a themed hunt and this year, with the coronation of King Charles III just a few weeks away, this year’s hunt is based on Kings called Charles!

If you fancy a royal-themed hunt, feel free to use these clues, adapted for your own home!

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Easter 2023

In honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles the III (salute, bow, stand to attention, sing the national anthem while standing on one leg or whatever it is you plebs are supposed to do), the 2023 Easter Egg Hunt is based around kings called Charles. (Anyone thinking that’s easy because there have only been two kings called Charles faces instant disqualification for your heathen Anglo-centric views)

Google is permitted. And will probably be essential. All answers tell you where to find your next clue. Please stick to the order!

1: This man was not a king, but he ruled Francia & gave his name to the Carolingian dynasty. Perhaps he’s the reason we have kings called Charles. Find an implement he would like.

Charles Martel – means the hammer. I’ve used a steak mallet but could be any hammer

2:Emperor Charles I, Karl der Gross, Carolus Magnus, (Charlemagne to his friends) was the Father of what?

Father of Europe. I used an EU flag. Could use a map

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3: Charles III of UK is not the only King Charles alive today. Which country is on King Charles XVI? Is there a shop he likes? And do we have anything from that shop?

Sweden. We have an Ikea cabinet!

4: Charles II of Spain was given a name. Can you find something he might like to read?

The Enchanted. Any book about magic would do!

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5: Find something that Charles II of West Francia/France & Emperor doesn’t need?

Charles The Bald (father of the heroine of Three Times the Lady!) Clue beneath a hair brush.

6: Find something that Charles IX of France might have needed on Saint Bartholomew’s Day.

The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. I put the clue with the kitchen knives.

7: This would not have helped Charles I of England, Scotland & Ireland.

He had his head chopped off! Helmets traditionally protected heads, but wouldn’t have helped him!

8: Where might Charles IV of France have looked?

The Fair. And where does the fairest of them all look? Yes, a mirror!

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9: Emperor Charles III had a less than flattering soubriquet. Perhaps he had too much of something.

The Fat! Clue hidden in a biscuit tin

10: What should Charles VII of Sweden’s number really be?

Sweden jumped straight to that number, so should have been I. Find a one somewhere. Ours is on a dart board.

11: Let’s keep it easy for Charles III of West Francia/France.

The Simple. Hide next clue beneath a young child’s toy or book.

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12: Charles IV Spain was known as the what? As well as a weapon, find something else that might be useful.

The Hunter. I put the clue by a pair of binoculars.

13: Charles VIII of France was known as the Affable. But what should he have looked out for?

He died after hitting his head on a door frame.

14: Emperor Charles VII was a patron of the arts. Do we have anything he might like?

Next clue placed on top of a painting.

15: Is there something we could give Charles V of France?

The Wise. I used a science book.

16: Perhaps we have already had Charles III in the UK. What was the song he inspired?

Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Skye Boat Song. I put the next clue in a mug with a boat picture.

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17: Find something to give Charles VII of France.

The Victorious. A trophy or medal would be good!

18: Charles II of England, Scotland & Ireland was restored to the throne after the interregnum. Did too much of something give him his name?

The Merry Monarch! Perhaps too much wine?

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19: Charles VI of France was known as the Beloved. But he had another name & at one point thought his body was what?

Charles the Mad is said to have thought he was made of glass.

20: King Charles/Carol of Romania did not have a golden crown. What was it made of? Find something of the same material.

Steel. Our clue is in the cutlery.

21: I don’t suppose you’re ever going to be summoned to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles III. But where can you see him?

This one might be tricky for those not in the UK! But the king’s head will be on the coins. Our easter Egg stash was put by the coin pot.

Happy Easter!

Here in the northern hemisphere, spring should be well underway and walking around new places can be a more leisurely experience. Wherever you walk, signs of our past are never far away, mingling with the more modern. Sometimes they are obvious and sometimes the signs are more subtle, but the history is always there. I recently went to Bristol and among the modern buildings I came across the shell of a medieval church built originally by the Knights Templar. It has a leaning spire which arose during construction in the fourteenth century. They paused construction for a while but when it started up again, the lean increased. To be on the safe side the top is constructed from lighter materials. Whatever they did, those medieval builders knew what they were doing as centuries later, the tower still stands!

Mysteriously Medieval

Editing on book 2 of the mysteriously Medieval series is well underway. My editing process starts by simply reading through my work and leaving notes on what needs to be changed. often these notes are quite simple such as ‘rewrite’ by a paragraph. or ‘milk this’ is another common note as far too often in a first draft I’ve skipped through a dramatic moment and not done it justice. My first drafts are for the most part little more than a long, detailed set of instructions for my characters as we sort out the story. But it’s in the second draft that those clumsy, stilted paragraphs turn into novel. There’s still a long way to go after that but I usually find that the story does not substantially change after the completion of the second draft.

I have also started some preliminary research for what I am hoping to be Book 3 in this series. Although I do have another Devon story in mind, I want to broaden the reach of this series so the next Devon story can wait a while. Instead Book 3 will probably be set in Scotland.

Women of the Dark Ages

I like to have one book at the editing stage, one at the writing stage and one at the research stage. And so completing the first draft of the Mysteriously Medieval book meant that I could at last get started on another of my Women of The Dark Ages. When I took a break from that series in the summer of 2018 I intended to be back as soon as I had finished the Quest for New England books. But other ideas happened. However I always planned to write more and was delighted to learn about my latest woman Adela of Hamaland. No, don’t google her! Well, you can but I sometimes think the joy of reading novels about lesser-known figures is that you don’t know what is going to happen. This makes it a different experience from, for example, a book on Anne Boleyn where I don’t think many are surprised at the ending! But I will say that Adela is a fascinating and formidable woman and I think she could probably have eaten all my other women (and their menfolk) for breakfast! Even the spirited Judith of Flanders whose descendant she was. Even the powerful Empress Adelheid, who she presumably met. And presumably didn’t eat for breakfast… although I can’t imagine that Adelheid liked her very much!

The next in my Tales of the Wasteland series too is making progress, but for now it remains on a back-burner. I aim to add a few hundred words a few times a week, so it will be finished eventually!

April Bargains

Books make great gifts and so why not give one of these bargains instead of chocolate to a book lover this Easter. Or as well as chocolate. Chocolate and books are a great combination! As always, just click on the title for more information.

Fisher King 31st March – 7th AprilGod’s Maidservant – the story of Adrlaide of Italy 8th – 15th AprilTyrant Whelp 16th – 23rd AprilCourage of the Conquered 24th April – 1st May

April Fools Day

I hope no tricks were played on you this morning or if there were, that they were funny ones! If you’d like to hear about some medieval tricks, there are two in Kenneth’s Queen possibly based on true stories or more probably the stuff of legend. One is funny and distinctly fishy. The other more bloodthirsty,

Happy Easter

April 9th is Easter Sunday and however you celebrate it, if you celebrate it, I hope it is a good one. If nothing else, here in the UK it is a long weekend with two bank holidays so plenty of time for a good book or two!

Come over to the fabulous blog of historical fiction author Tony Riches where my guest post has just dropped. Find out more about the inspiration behind Call of the Viking Dead, info on what I’m working on next and why Fisher King was sometimes difficult to write.

While you’re there, check out Tony Riches’ fabulous Tudor novels from Owen Tudor to Sir Francis Drake!

https://tonyriches.blogspot.com/2023/03/special-guest-interview-with-anna-chant.html

And this week Call of the Viking Dead is only 99 cents or 99p in ebook form!

Welcome to March! Flowers are springing up, the days are definitely longer and hopefully soon they will be warmer. if February sometimes feels like a month to be endured, March is a time to look forward, to start planning the rest of the year. To all my Welsh followers, I wish you a very happy St David’s Day!

Mysteriously Medieval

Well, I did it! First draft of the second book in this series is completed. At the beginning of the month I thought this was going to be my shortest book. But that is not the case. The final word count of my first draft is 85,470 words. And as I generally find I elaborate in subsequent drafts, I fully expect that word count to grow. So, the editing will start soon and I look forward to sharing details of the story.

I hope everyone is enjoying Call of the Viking Dead. I am very much enjoying my exploration of the myths, legends, folklore and superstitions of the medieval era. And I already have ideas for at least another six books in the series. But why stop there? Let me know any curious tales you hear about medieval sites near you. I love hearing about them!

Tales of the Wasteland

Book three in the Tales of the Wasteland too has made progress, albeit at a much slower pace. It currently stands at over 20,000 words, so maybe it’s around a quarter complete. Work will continue over the next month, but this one is a standalone novel and so you can read the other two books in the series without feeling like you’re having to wait for the ending.

Women of the Dark Ages

With the first draft of the Mysteriously Medieval book completed, I’m now free to get started on my next woman and I can’t wait! The more I read about her, the more I’m keen to get to know her better. This week is a bit of a busy one, but perhaps by the weekend I can open up a new document and type those words “Part one, chapter one…” It’s always a bit daunting when starting a book when your think of all the pages that need to be written. But it’s also exciting as although I do plan my stories, I never know what might happen during the writing process that changes everything.

March Bargains

Books don’t have to be expensive, particularly if you are reading them in ebook form. And for my readers in the Uk and US, there are always several Kindle Countdown deals each month that make reading them even cheaper! Click on each title to find out more.

Kenneth’s Queen 25th Feb – 4th MarchCall of the Viking Dead 6th – 13th MarchThree Times the Lady 15th – 22nd MarchDawn of the Franks 23rd – 30th MarchFisher King 31st March – 7th April

Special days

It’s already been noted that March the 1st is Saint David’s Day but the 8th march is the feast day of another British saint: Saint Constantine of Dumnonia, a man previously the King of Dumnonia. Can this holy man be the same as my character, Custennin of Dumnonia, the man known as Tyrant Whelp? Surely not! But judge for yourself!

March 19th is Mothering Sunday in the UK. Traditionally associated with the mother church, it is now mostly celebrated as our Mother’s Day. So for all you mothers out there, I hope it is a good one! And if you are looking for a gift for your mum, remember – books make great gifts!