Published August 2014 by Fireship Press
Can love triumph over war?
772 AD: Charlemagne’s battles in Saxony
have left Leova with nothing but her two children, Deorlaf and Sunwynn. Her
beloved husband died in combat. Her faith lies shattered in the ashes of
Irminsul, the Pillar of Heaven. The relatives obligated to defend her and her
family sell them into slavery instead.
In Francia, Leova is resolved to protect
her son and daughter, even if it means sacrificing her own honor. Her
determination only grows stronger as Sunwynn blossoms into a beautiful young
woman attracting the lust of a cruel master, and Deorlaf becomes a headstrong
man willing to brave starvation and demons to free his family. Yet Leova’s most
difficult dilemma comes in the form of a Frankish friend, Hugh. He saves
Deorlaf from a fanatical Saxon and is Sunwynn’s champion — but he is the
warrior who slew Leova’s husband.
Set against a backdrop of historic events,
including the destruction of the Irminsul, The
Ashes of Heaven’s Pillar explores faith, friendship, and justice. This companion
to Kim Rendfeld’s acclaimed The Cross and the Dragon tells the story of an
ordinary family in extraordinary circumstances.
Advance Praise for The Ashes of
Heaven’s Pillar
“Carolingian Europe comes alive in Kim Rendfeld’s sweeping story
of family and hope, set against the Saxon Wars. Her transportive and triumphant
novel immerses us in an eighth century world that feels both mystical and
starkly real.” - Jessica Brockmole, author of Letters from Skye
“A captivating historical filled with rich detail, compelling
characters, and a well-paced plot that keeps the pages turning to its very
satisfying end. A true delight for fans of historical fiction. I couldn’t put
it down.” — Susan Spann, author of the Shinobi Mysteries
“The Ashes of Heaven’s Pillar is refreshingly set in a less
familiar medieval period – soon after Charlemagne has conquered a portion of
today’s Germany and its people. The characters are refreshing also, common folk
instead of the lords and ladies who are the usual inhabitants of historical
novels, and how they adjust to their new condition is fascinating. Altogether,
this book was absorbing from start to finish.” – Roberta Gellis, author of The
Roselynde Chronicles
It was with some trepidation that I agreed to review this book, mainly because the genre doesn't appeal to me at all. Then why would I choose to read it? I wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone, simply I love all books and the craftmanship and skill that goes into writing them.
The amount of research that has gone into writing this book is not even in question, it must have been a painstaking task. That being said I personally struggled with this one. It is most certainly a case of it being me and not the book. I so badly wanted to be converted to loving historical fiction, so many of my friends and fellow bloggers do. Sadly that hasn't happened, the story was easy to follow and not as difficult to read as I had anticipated.
Please I urge you, don't be put off by me. I am sure that this book will deservedly hold great appeal to lovers of historical fiction everywhere, it tackles some interesting issues.
I would like you to have a look at a review by my friends Josie and Jaffa here, who have kindly allowed me to link their review: Jaffareadstoo - Review
Check out the other stops on the tour:
http://www.fireshippress.com/virtual_book_tours/the-ashes-of-heavens-pillar-by-kim-rendfeld-on-tour-august-28-september-30.html
Kim Rendfeld has a lifelong fascination with
fairy tales and legends, which set her on her quest to write The Cross and the
Dragon.
She grew up in New Jersey and attended Indiana University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English, with a minor in French. If it weren't for feminism, she would be one of those junior high English teachers scaring the bejesus out of her students, correcting grammar to the point of obnoxiousness. Instead, her career has been in journalism, public relations, and now fiction.
Kim was a journalist for almost twenty years at Indiana newspapers, including the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, The Muncie Star, and The News and Sun in Dunkirk, and she won several awards from the Hoosier State Press Association. Her career changed in 2007, when she joined the marketing and communications team at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She gets paid to agonize over commas and hyphens, along with suggesting ways to improve writing, and thoroughly enjoys it. She is proud to have been part of projects that have received national recognition.
Kim lives in Indiana with her husband, Randy, and their spoiled cats. They have a daughter and three granddaughters.
She grew up in New Jersey and attended Indiana University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English, with a minor in French. If it weren't for feminism, she would be one of those junior high English teachers scaring the bejesus out of her students, correcting grammar to the point of obnoxiousness. Instead, her career has been in journalism, public relations, and now fiction.
Kim was a journalist for almost twenty years at Indiana newspapers, including the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, The Muncie Star, and The News and Sun in Dunkirk, and she won several awards from the Hoosier State Press Association. Her career changed in 2007, when she joined the marketing and communications team at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She gets paid to agonize over commas and hyphens, along with suggesting ways to improve writing, and thoroughly enjoys it. She is proud to have been part of projects that have received national recognition.
Kim lives in Indiana with her husband, Randy, and their spoiled cats. They have a daughter and three granddaughters.
To read the first chapters of either novel or learn more about Kim, visit kimrendfeld.com. You’re also welcome to visit her blog Outtakes of a Historical Novelist atkimrendfeld.
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