Welcome to Uncaged! Knight of Darkness, the first book in a series called The Knights of the Anarchy will release on February 8. What can you tell us about this book and the series?
Thank you for having me today. The idea of my Knights of the Anarchy series was sitting inside my head for years before I finally took the time to get the first story onto my computer. Knight of Darkness features the first of three brothers, Wymar Norwood, who is determined to see Empress Matilda placed on England’s throne. He hopes that in return for his service to the Empress, that she will restore his lands and title that was taken from him during a siege by King Stephen. My heroine, Lady Ceridwen Ward of Norwich, has her own plans to prove herself worthy to defend her own lands and the Empress. She’ll plunge herself and the guardsmen who followed her from Norwich into the Battle of Lincoln where she’ll meet Wymar.
What are you working on next that you can tell us about?
I have two books I am currently working on. The first is Knight of Havoc, Book Three in The Knights of the Anarchy series. It continues the story with the youngest brother, Reynard, while he continues his quest to see Empress Matilda on England’s throne. The second is another story for Dragonblade Publishing in their Lyon’s Den Connected World. I’m really enjoying writing in this world with secondary characters I had from some of my other Regency era stories.
What is the most difficult scene for you to write? What is the easiest?
The most difficult scene for me to write is usually the opening paragraph of any book. Any author wants to grab the reader’s attention with that very first line and sometimes it takes me several tries before something finally clicks. After that, I let my characters drive the story. The easiest scene for me usually happens with my time travels. There’s something about having my modern-day women travel back in time to my Knights of Berwyck. They each have their own individual way they slip back and find themselves in a difficult position of fitting into a medieval world.
How do you come up with names for your characters?
When I first starting writing my very first manuscript back in 2008, I asked my daughter for names of characters. Over the years, she’s become the Queen of Names and I go to her often for her input. It’s been a thing between us ever since and I like to think gives her some buy in for my stories.
Do you read reviews? What do you take away from them?
I do read my reviews. I feel that if a reader has taken the time to write a review on one of my books, the least I can do is read what they thought about it. I take into account that I can’t please everyone but even a bad review will usually have something I can take away from it and possibly improve my next book. I appreciate my readers and am thankful when they reach out to me to tell me how much they enjoy my writing. Their praise is what drives me to write another page!
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below
Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. An award-winning and bestselling author, she writes historical & time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist. You can learn more about Sherry and her books on her website where a new adventure awaits you on every page at
www.SherryEwing.com
Knight of Darkness
Sherry Ewing
Historical Romance
Sometimes finding love can become our biggest weakness…
Wymar Norwood understands responsibility. His two brothers have been in his care since his parent’s death. With his title and lands stripped from him by the usurper Stephen, he aligns himself with the Empress Matilda, the rightful Queen of England. If he can win her favor and become her champion knight, he prays all will be returned to him.
Lady Ceridwen Ward of Norwich is out to prove not only to herself but the Empress that she is more than capable of protecting those she loves. She hides herself in the guise of a knight and follows along with her men to Lincoln to raise her sword for the Empress’s cause. But life can become complicated, especially after your identity is revealed.
But Wymar and Ceridwen have a common enemy who is bent on revenge. They will need to search their souls and overcome grief in order for their love to survive life’s greatest test.
Excerpt
Finally arriving on the outskirts of Lincoln, the lights of a distant inn flickered in the dusk of night. ’Twas and were like a beacon calling him to enter its warmth for a mug or two of ale. He was unsure ’twas a good idea to tarry and yet he had a mighty thirst to quench after hours in the saddle. Rain dripped from his hair and clouded his vision leaving him no doubt as to his decision for a brief respite from the weather. Between the rain and those who had arrived before them, they would be hard pressed to find a place to pitch their tents for the upcoming battle.
He pulled on the reins of his horse causing Aries to whinny. “Theobald! Reynard!” he bellowed above the sound of the storm. Wymar pointed to the inn before covering his face when clumps of mud were flung in his direction after his brothers took off in a full gallop. ’Twas as if they were only awaiting word they could seek their comfort for a few hours of the night and they would apparently not take the chance that Wymar would change his mind.
“I highly doubt the inn will have any available rooms at this hour. Your brothers care only for their immediate desires and think not of what must needs still be accomplished before they rest their weary heads,” Richard Grancourt said, coming abreast of Wymar.
“Aye, but can you blame them?” Wymar replied with a toss of his head as rivulets of water streamed down his brown hair. Wiping the water from his eyes, he turned in his saddle to take in the condition of the rest of the half dozen men who followed him.
Wymar had known Richard for most of his life and did not question his loyalty. Wymar also recognized some of the men who continued to follow him after attending one tourney or another together. He could not claim the same with the others he had met on the open road. He only was aware that they, too, went to fight for the Empress. Their number continued to grow the further down the road they went. Wymar often wondered during their travels exactly how loyal, in truth, they were. Most mercenaries of his acquaintance would change sides faster than Theobald could down a mug of mead if this meant more coins for their purse or a bit of land to call home.
Mayhap one day he would learn for himself if they could be trusted and until then he would continue to be on his guard. He did not relish the idea of seeing one of them coming at him with blade in hand in an attempt to gain authority of their group… not that Wymar ever claimed to be their leader. The men just assumed he was the one to look to for their orders. After years of battles or tournaments to earn more monies, they would not be the first to attempt to kill him. Wymar was certain they would not be the last and only time itself would prove their worth.
Some of the knights who followed him knew the strength of Wymar’s sword and had labeled him the Knight of Darkness after witnessing him fight on several occasions. He could not say he was particularly fond of such a nickname, yet he would not complain if his reputation became elevated because of it. Mayhap even the Empress would learn he would fight to the death for her cause.
“I shall see to finding a place to pitch our tents,” Richard stated, interrupting Wymar’s musings. “I assume you have no further need of me this night and your brothers will be capable of watching your back?”
Wymar nodded. “I shall be grateful, Richard, for your assistance in seeing to the camp. At this stage of the war, let us hope we can find a spot far enough away from the battlefield to ease our comfort when we are able.”
Read the rest of this excerpt in the issue below
