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Curse of the Templar Seal
In 1504, after he and his 100 comrades are deserted by their allies, Duarte Elissalde, Heir of the Templar Seal, is the only thing standing between his men and 60,000 members of the Muslim-backed forces. Only Duarte's knowledge of the ocean's tidal secrets can save his men from annihilation.
Read Curse of the Templar Seal and discover one of history's little-known turning points that changed the face of Asia.
Read Curse of the Templar Seal and discover one of history's little-known turning points that changed the face of Asia.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2023
2 people want to read
About the author
C. Wayne Dawson
4 books13 followersC. Wayne Dawson writes for The Williamson County Sun and has written for History Magazine, Focus On Georgetown, and SAFVIC Law Enforcement Newsletter. In 2012, he founded Central Texas Authors, a collaborative literary group.
He was an Adjunct Professor of History for ten years at Mt. San Antonio College where he created the Chautauqua program. There, he enlisted scholars, government officials and activists to discuss and debate social policy before the student body and the media.
In 2009, the students of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society honored him with the Glaux Mentor Teacher Award for bringing the Chautauqua program to Mt. SAC.
He currently lives in Georgetown, TX with his wife and two dogs.
He was an Adjunct Professor of History for ten years at Mt. San Antonio College where he created the Chautauqua program. There, he enlisted scholars, government officials and activists to discuss and debate social policy before the student body and the media.
In 2009, the students of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society honored him with the Glaux Mentor Teacher Award for bringing the Chautauqua program to Mt. SAC.
He currently lives in Georgetown, TX with his wife and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 20, 2024
In 1291, Mamluks slaughter many of the Templar knights defending the Acre Fortress in Palestine. One of those who escapes is Gilen Elissalde, who is tasked with guarding the Templar Seal. As he departs by sea, he vows, “The man who inherits this seal will avenge the evil you have done to the Templars and bring ruin to your kingdom. You will reap what you have sown.” (19)
More than two centuries pass before Duarte Elissalde is old enough to learn the truth about what happened that fateful day and begin his journey along the path that will lead him to fulfill that prophecy. Several steps are required first, one of which is to select a future wife. This he does, but he and his uncle soon find themselves involved in a wager that could result in a total loss of honor and fortune for the Elissaldes when his bullying cousin also seeks the same girl’s hand.
Another step for Duarte to accomplish is to become a squire and a member of the Order of Christ, one of the successors of the Knights Templar in Portugal. (His cousin, of course, is to join the Order of Santiago, and neither can be trusted because of the rivalry and animosity that exists between the two orders and the two cousins.) Before either can be accomplished, Venetian thieves steal the Templar Seal. They are in the employ of a Mamluk known as the Cheetah. Duarte also discovers that betrayal lies at the heart of the theft, but pursuit of the thieves and recovery of the seal, as well as restoration of family honor, must wait.
A secret and lengthy mission demand that Duarte put aside his desires of vengeance and marriage in favor of joining a special voyage at the behest of the Portuguese king. Captain-Major Pedro Cabral leads a second expedition to India to establish a pepper trade agreement that removes the Mamluks from the equation. Although the way to India involves sailing south and east, Cabral sails west and Duarte’s curiosity is aroused. The voyage that follows is one rife with danger and intrigue, as well as opening his eyes to new worlds and cultures. It is a journey that will take years to accomplish and the risks are great, for even before they are halfway to their destination, five ships are lost. Nor do the dangers and problems go away upon reaching Calicut; instead, the stakes become greater and it isn’t long before murder and abandonment, as well as survival, play greater roles in shaping Duarte into the man he will become.
Curse of the Templar Seal is a well-researched, absorbing tale of treachery, jealousy, politics, religion, empire-building, superstition, sacrifice, and murder. The characters are well-drawn and their adventures span four years. A fair portion of the story takes place on land, but several pivotal parts involve ships and oceans. Navigation is also key as the route Cabral follows leads to the discovery of the Southern Cross, and the connection between tides and moon plays a strategic role in the Siege of Cochin. This culminating event in this first book of the series pits Duarte and 8,000 soldiers and sailors against a bloodthirsty, no-holds-barred army of 80,000, as well as the deadly Cheetah. Fans of Emilio Salgari should enjoy this historical novel.
(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-hist...)
More than two centuries pass before Duarte Elissalde is old enough to learn the truth about what happened that fateful day and begin his journey along the path that will lead him to fulfill that prophecy. Several steps are required first, one of which is to select a future wife. This he does, but he and his uncle soon find themselves involved in a wager that could result in a total loss of honor and fortune for the Elissaldes when his bullying cousin also seeks the same girl’s hand.
Another step for Duarte to accomplish is to become a squire and a member of the Order of Christ, one of the successors of the Knights Templar in Portugal. (His cousin, of course, is to join the Order of Santiago, and neither can be trusted because of the rivalry and animosity that exists between the two orders and the two cousins.) Before either can be accomplished, Venetian thieves steal the Templar Seal. They are in the employ of a Mamluk known as the Cheetah. Duarte also discovers that betrayal lies at the heart of the theft, but pursuit of the thieves and recovery of the seal, as well as restoration of family honor, must wait.
A secret and lengthy mission demand that Duarte put aside his desires of vengeance and marriage in favor of joining a special voyage at the behest of the Portuguese king. Captain-Major Pedro Cabral leads a second expedition to India to establish a pepper trade agreement that removes the Mamluks from the equation. Although the way to India involves sailing south and east, Cabral sails west and Duarte’s curiosity is aroused. The voyage that follows is one rife with danger and intrigue, as well as opening his eyes to new worlds and cultures. It is a journey that will take years to accomplish and the risks are great, for even before they are halfway to their destination, five ships are lost. Nor do the dangers and problems go away upon reaching Calicut; instead, the stakes become greater and it isn’t long before murder and abandonment, as well as survival, play greater roles in shaping Duarte into the man he will become.
Curse of the Templar Seal is a well-researched, absorbing tale of treachery, jealousy, politics, religion, empire-building, superstition, sacrifice, and murder. The characters are well-drawn and their adventures span four years. A fair portion of the story takes place on land, but several pivotal parts involve ships and oceans. Navigation is also key as the route Cabral follows leads to the discovery of the Southern Cross, and the connection between tides and moon plays a strategic role in the Siege of Cochin. This culminating event in this first book of the series pits Duarte and 8,000 soldiers and sailors against a bloodthirsty, no-holds-barred army of 80,000, as well as the deadly Cheetah. Fans of Emilio Salgari should enjoy this historical novel.
(This review first appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-hist...)
December 1, 2023
Thrilling adventure in the Age of Discovery. Vivid, historically accurate descriptions!
This epic, entertaining coming-of-age adventure begins with an exciting prologue, (not to be skipped!), set at the Acre fortress in 1291 when Templar Gilen Elissalde declares the Templar’s curse after Mamluk troops slaughter his comrades. Immediately, the reader will be drawn in by the action, the emotions, and the historical accuracy.
The travails of Gilen’s descendant, Duarte Elissalde—heir to the Templar seal and the young man destined to end the curse—begin in Portugal, 1499. Duarte sets off on one daring adventure after another involving the likes of real historical figures such as Vasco da Gama, the explorer and admiral; Master John Faras, astronomer and physician to King Manuel; and the Samudri of Calicut, Lord of Malabar, to name a few. Duarte’s original motivation to break the curse and avenge the slaughter at Acre by the Mamluks is driven by his love for a young woman in his hometown. He feels that acquiring a position as a knight with the Order of Christ will aid his chances of winning her hand in marriage. Yet after five years in the service of the Portuguese which had taken him around the globe—to Brazil then to India to aid in wresting control of the Indian pepper trade from the Mamluk—he finds a new love in the Indian woman, Sulochana, that drives him to save her life while continuing on his mission to avenge the Templar slaughter.
I commend the author for the in-depth historical research that enlivens each scene and will thrill those interested in nautical and military life during the Age of Discovery. Vivid descriptions to set off the senses fill the pages and bring the 15th century to life through the eyes of a young man dedicated to honor. I especially love the use of Duarte’s lessons with Heitor as a way to reveal many mysteries and new discoveries, building Duarte’s knowledge and opening his mind to even more questions.
This epic, entertaining coming-of-age adventure begins with an exciting prologue, (not to be skipped!), set at the Acre fortress in 1291 when Templar Gilen Elissalde declares the Templar’s curse after Mamluk troops slaughter his comrades. Immediately, the reader will be drawn in by the action, the emotions, and the historical accuracy.
The travails of Gilen’s descendant, Duarte Elissalde—heir to the Templar seal and the young man destined to end the curse—begin in Portugal, 1499. Duarte sets off on one daring adventure after another involving the likes of real historical figures such as Vasco da Gama, the explorer and admiral; Master John Faras, astronomer and physician to King Manuel; and the Samudri of Calicut, Lord of Malabar, to name a few. Duarte’s original motivation to break the curse and avenge the slaughter at Acre by the Mamluks is driven by his love for a young woman in his hometown. He feels that acquiring a position as a knight with the Order of Christ will aid his chances of winning her hand in marriage. Yet after five years in the service of the Portuguese which had taken him around the globe—to Brazil then to India to aid in wresting control of the Indian pepper trade from the Mamluk—he finds a new love in the Indian woman, Sulochana, that drives him to save her life while continuing on his mission to avenge the Templar slaughter.
I commend the author for the in-depth historical research that enlivens each scene and will thrill those interested in nautical and military life during the Age of Discovery. Vivid descriptions to set off the senses fill the pages and bring the 15th century to life through the eyes of a young man dedicated to honor. I especially love the use of Duarte’s lessons with Heitor as a way to reveal many mysteries and new discoveries, building Duarte’s knowledge and opening his mind to even more questions.
February 14, 2024
:: Like a pack of orcas swarming a blue whale, a dozen paraus surrounded the Concepcao unleashing waves of arrows and musket fire:
This book was amazing!
Duarte is the heir of the Templar Seal. It's his job to guard it with his life, for his fallen brothers who's promise to be avenged still illuminates from it and he wants to make a life for himself to have a family until he is called to battle with his brothers. There is a girl he likes and eveything seems to be coming together until one night the Templar Seal which his Uncle wears around his neck as a symbol of honour to his family, faith, order and brothers is stole at knife point.
It is Duarte's job to find the person responsible and make they pay. He needs to restore honour to his family.. Without it he won't win the girl of his dreams... and so his adventure begins.
The knights Templar has always been shrouded in mystery for thousands of years. But C. Wayne Dawson brought characters alive from a time that is not easy to mimick in a story or portray from an OC character.
It was clever and well thought out and I loved every second of it. I read it through twice.
Thank you Netgalley and C. Wayne Dawson (plus all other parties involved to make this happen.) for allowing me to read this beautiful book.
#netgalley #CurseOfTheTemplarSeal #historicalfiction #KnightsofTheTemplarSeal
This book was amazing!
Duarte is the heir of the Templar Seal. It's his job to guard it with his life, for his fallen brothers who's promise to be avenged still illuminates from it and he wants to make a life for himself to have a family until he is called to battle with his brothers. There is a girl he likes and eveything seems to be coming together until one night the Templar Seal which his Uncle wears around his neck as a symbol of honour to his family, faith, order and brothers is stole at knife point.
It is Duarte's job to find the person responsible and make they pay. He needs to restore honour to his family.. Without it he won't win the girl of his dreams... and so his adventure begins.
The knights Templar has always been shrouded in mystery for thousands of years. But C. Wayne Dawson brought characters alive from a time that is not easy to mimick in a story or portray from an OC character.
It was clever and well thought out and I loved every second of it. I read it through twice.
Thank you Netgalley and C. Wayne Dawson (plus all other parties involved to make this happen.) for allowing me to read this beautiful book.
#netgalley #CurseOfTheTemplarSeal #historicalfiction #KnightsofTheTemplarSeal
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews