Avenge
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This is a summary of this action adventure novel ~
Violence rages in 1853, as marauding men roam the lawless border of Mis-souri in the historical novel, Avenge. Bent on looting and killing, they raid Curtis Sommer’s farm, which sets the young man on a journey seeking justice while confronting brutal enemies and nature's fury. One after another, the out-laws are brought to account.
Veeko, a cunning villain with two missing fingers, is the last and most elusive. After he brutally takes the innocence of a young girl, the Sommer family is in a turmoil, leading to startling twists of fortune and an epic battle of wits between the farmer-turned-reaper and the outlaw.
The setting for Avenge is the broad untamed wilderness of the American frontier, spanning across Missouri to Texas, then to early pioneer trails crossing Nebraska Territory.
This is a summary of this action adventure novel ~
Violence rages in 1853, as marauding men roam the lawless border of Mis-souri in the historical novel, Avenge. Bent on looting and killing, they raid Curtis Sommer’s farm, which sets the young man on a journey seeking justice while confronting brutal enemies and nature's fury. One after another, the out-laws are brought to account.
Veeko, a cunning villain with two missing fingers, is the last and most elusive. After he brutally takes the innocence of a young girl, the Sommer family is in a turmoil, leading to startling twists of fortune and an epic battle of wits between the farmer-turned-reaper and the outlaw.
The setting for Avenge is the broad untamed wilderness of the American frontier, spanning across Missouri to Texas, then to early pioneer trails crossing Nebraska Territory.
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The first tale is entitled "Blood Tax." It takes place in the late 1500's with a Turkish raid on Kostel, a fiefdom located along the Kupi River (the present-day national border between Slovenia and Croatia).
Research for these historical adventure books has been extensive. The Ottoman Empire's practice, named "devsirme," the Turkish word for collecting (but referred to as the blood tax by the serf population), abducted young children, mostly Christian, to serve the empire as white slaves.
The young ones converted to Islam, learned the language, and, if selected, schooled for years until maturity. Males had three possible paths--warrior (Janessary), clergy in the Orthodox Church, or government administration. Females became servants, caretakers, staff in the harem, or concubines. Devsirme began in the 14th century and lasted to the 19th century. At its height, scholars estimate that there were over 100,000 white slaves in the Ottoman Empire, including over 30,000 warriors.
Much literature and history is available about this powerful nation and the period. Writings tend to give lip service, in my view, to the horrible and abhorrent practice of child abduction. Rather, comparisons are made to the difficult lives of peasants in a feudalistic system (very true), in contrast to opportunities with the abductors. Still, consider the heart-wrenching experience it was for parents, relatives, and friends of the children (generally ages 5-10).
While the three novels cover different periods over the centuries, all center on the Klobucar family. In a paternalistic society, the lead characters are all strong willed women—family matriarchs. Characters necessarily change given the differing times; still, the location, setting, family, and basis in history remain.
I'm excited about this project and have spent more than a decade, slowly accumulating the background material and visiting locations. The writings will give readers a strong sense of a different way of life and one that maybe new.
I hope the period, location, child kidnapping, or other elements of this project touches your interest. Your thoughts are welcomed.