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Kim Rendfeld
66 ratings | 44 reviews | avg rating:4.65

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Kim Rendfeld

Goodreads Author


Born
in The United States
Website

Genre
Historical Fiction

Influences
J.R.R. Tolkien, Mary Stewart, Roberta Gellis ...more

Member Since
May 2012

URL


A lifelong fascination with fairy tales and legends set Kim Rendfeld on her quest to write fiction.

She grew up in New Jersey and earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. A former journalist, Kim spent almost twenty years in public relations for universities before her retirement. She has also written four novels set in early medieval times.

Kim, a member of the Historical Novel Society, lives in Illinois with her husband and their spoiled cats. The couple has a daughter and four grandchildren.

For more about Kim, visit www.kimrendfeld.com.
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Popular Answered Questions

How do you get inspired to write?
Kim Rendfeld I blame it on a legend I heard on a family vacation in Germany. To avoid introducing a spoiler to anyone who has yet to read "The Cross and the Dragon…moreI blame it on a legend I heard on a family vacation in Germany. To avoid introducing a spoiler to anyone who has yet to read "The Cross and the Dragon," I won't go into detail, other than to say this story about the origin of Rolandsbogen on the Rhine has lovers separated by a lie.

I had dabbled in writing fiction before, but this tale refused to let me go until I sat at my computer and started writing, never mind I knew little about the Middle Ages and had only heard of Charlemagne in middle school. But once I studied the history, I was hooked. (less)
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Kim Rendfeld Usually, my struggle is finding time to write, and I often come home from the day job full of ideas. When I do get stuck, I step away from the compute…moreUsually, my struggle is finding time to write, and I often come home from the day job full of ideas. When I do get stuck, I step away from the computer and take a pencil and piece of paper with me. Then I do something routine with my hands such as tending the garden, loading the dishwasher, or doing laundry while I puzzle out the problem. When the muse speaks up, I scribble something on the paper - and hope I can read my own writing later.(less)
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Combine Editions

Average rating: 4.07 · 151 ratings · 60 reviews · 7 distinct works • Similar authors
The Cross and the Dragon
4.05 avg rating — 59 ratings — published 2012 — 6 editions
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The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar
4.13 avg rating — 40 ratings — published 2014 — 6 editions
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Queen of the Darkest Hour
3.91 avg rating — 32 ratings — published 2018 — 3 editions
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Betrothed to the Red Dragon
4.08 avg rating — 12 ratings
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Duchess of the New Dawn
4.50 avg rating — 6 ratings — 2 editions
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Madame Noir
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings
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The Cross and the Dragon - ...
0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
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More books by Kim Rendfeld…

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Kim Rendfeld's Blog

Charles Martel’s Complicated Birth Family

Charles Martel, the father of my heroine, Chiltrude, in Duchess of the New Dawn (forthcoming, June 16) had a complicated family life from the very beginning, one that spilled over into politics and war.  

His father, Pippin of Herstal, had children by at least two women, Plectrude and Charles’ mother, Alpaida. We don’t know if Pippin was married to the two women at the same time or if he set Plectr

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Published on May 26, 2026 03:05
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Kim is Currently Reading

Queen of Shadows
Kim Rendfeld is currently reading
by Anna Belfrage (Goodreads Author)
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Jun 09, 2026 08:52PM

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Kim Rendfeld is currently reading
Queen of Shadows by Anna Belfrage
Queen of Shadows
by Anna Belfrage (Goodreads Author)
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Jun 09, 2026 08:52PM  ·   ·  preview book
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Missed Connections by Aimie K. Runyan
Missed Connections
by Aimie K. Runyan (Goodreads Author)
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May 24, 2026 08:21PM  ·   ·  preview book
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The Hope Keeper by Heather Webb
The Hope Keeper
by Heather Webb (Goodreads Author)
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May 24, 2026 08:06PM  ·   ·  preview book
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Margery and Me by Maryka Biaggio
Margery and Me
by Maryka Biaggio (Goodreads Author)
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May 07, 2026 06:52PM  ·   ·  preview book
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The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau
The Blue (Genevieve Planché #1)
by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)
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Apr 20, 2026 09:15PM  ·   ·  preview book
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Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb
Rogues & Kings: A Gritty Robin Hood Retelling in 13th Century England (Tales of Robin Hood)
by Charlene Newcomb (Goodreads Author)
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“Rogues & Kings” gives the reader a unique interpretation of Robin Hood and the Merry Men, while keeping Robin and company true to “Rob from the rich. Give to the poor.” It is the core moral value that drives our hero, a middle-aged, married former s ...more
Mar 23, 2026 11:18AM  ·   · see review ·  preview book
Kim Rendfeld is currently reading
The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau
The Blue (Genevieve Planché #1)
by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)
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Mar 22, 2026 09:15PM  ·   ·  preview book
Kim Rendfeld and 2 other people liked Olga Miret's review of Duchess of the New Dawn:
Duchess of the New Dawn by Kim Rendfeld
"I write this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team (author, check here if you are interested in getting your book reviewed) and thank her and the author for this opportunity.
This novel is historical fiction with emphasis on ‘fiction’ as the " Read more of this review »
Mar 22, 2026 03:28PM  · see review
Kim Rendfeld finished reading
Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb
Rogues & Kings: A Gritty Robin Hood Retelling in 13th Century England (Tales of Robin Hood)
by Charlene Newcomb (Goodreads Author)
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Mar 12, 2026 09:23PM  ·   ·  preview book
Kim Rendfeld started reading
Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb
Rogues & Kings: A Gritty Robin Hood Retelling in 13th Century England (Tales of Robin Hood)
by Charlene Newcomb (Goodreads Author)
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Feb 21, 2026 09:11PM  ·   ·  preview book
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53412 Historical Info for Historical Fiction Readers — 1558 members — last activity Aug 11, 2022 01:41AM
Information about eras past in different parts of the world. Help for readers who may feel lost in an unfamiliar historical setting, may not understan ...more
22454 Historical Fictionistas — 16254 members — last activity 49 minutes ago
Welcome to Historical Fictionistas! We want to experience all different kinds of HF with all different kinds of people. The more diverse, the better. ...more

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