I have the great pleasure today of introducing an amazing book and author to you all. Eire’s Captive Moon, by Sandi Layne, a glorious and sweeping historical saga, first in a trilogy. Read on for my review, for a special look at how the author researched for this novel—she even gets me to want to do research, something that has never interested me—and for info about Sandi and how to get your copy of the book! And, there just might be a chance to win a free copy.
Book Review
Eire’s Captive Moon
By Sandi Layne
I love grand historical fiction, with strong characters, with details of life as it was then, with romance and drama and delving into a world so unlike my own. And it doesn’t get any better than this book!
The place is what we know as Ireland, moving to the land of the Vikings. Charis is a healer to her people. Cowan, the son of a king, returning home. Agnarr, a Norseman, looking for adventure, slaves and wealth before returning to his home to marry his betrothed. When the Vikings raid the villages along the Irish coast, no people can withstand against them, no gate can keep them out. Everyone is swept away, to death or captivity. History, and that’s where the story begins.
What did I love? Better to ask what I didn’t love, and the answer would be, I loved everything. I’m all about characters. If I don’t like the characters I don’t like the book. Sandi Layne created people about whom I cared deeply. I ached for them, hoped for them, cheered for them. I was fascinated by the details of life, in both lands we visit. Some of it I’d read before in other books, but many details were new, making me want to learn more.
The very best thing was that Sandi Layne kept me guessing to the very end. When Charis had a choice to make, I honestly could not guess which way she would go. I knew what I wanted to happen, but I was not sure Charis wanted the same thing. Few authors can keep me wondering to the very end of the book. I almost always figure things out before it’s answered in the story. I found myself thinking, come on, come on. What is she gonna do? Holding my breath, and feeling absolutely delighted that I did not have a clue! This book is not like the typical historical fiction romance, and that’s one of the many reasons I loved it so much!
If you love historical fiction and romance do not miss the chance to read Eire’s Captive Moon. It’s the first in a trilogy, and I can hardly wait for the next. It’s a long time since a book like this captured my heart and mind so completely.
Have I got you interested yet? Can you tell how much I love the book? Read on to hear from Sandi.
Guest Post from Sandi Layne
On Finessing Google and Other Forms of Research
Once upon a time, I had the crazy idea to write a romance novel set shortly after the time of Saint Patrick on the island of Éire. At that time, I had a preschool-aged son, no internet, and no car since my husband had to use our family car for work. And though I considered myself widely read, I wasn’t so much so that I could even imagine I could do a credible job on the era without research.
Back in that “once upon a time,” I went to the local library, after having arranged for a day away and all that. It was a productive day. Early research is often as much about finding what you want to know as anything else. I recommend researching as soon as you have a general idea about what the plot of the story might be about, as a matter of fact. Sometimes, research will tickle your imagination and send your story on a whole new course. It’s far easier if this happens before you’ve written a substantial amount in a different direction.
I really didn’t get rolling for the detailed part of the research for the book that became Éire’s Captive Moon until about 2002. I think we were still on dial-up modem, then, but the databases available to me were so much more comprehensive than I had had before that I wallowed in information for an incredible amount of time.
Research, as many authors will confess, can be addictive.
Initially, I went seeking herbals—resources for Charis’s craft. At the time I first began the research, many of these listings and treatments were connected to belief systems of Wiccans or other pagan traditions. The challenge was finding (a decade ago, remember) sites that just discussed the plants. I found one of my best resources to be something I had had for long years: The Earth’s Children® series by Jean M. Auel. Moral of the moment: works of fiction can be excellent resources for other works of fiction.
After I had a fair idea of how to apply the herbals, I went to research the laws that pertained to the society I was writing about, as well as the poetry and mythos of the time I was thinking to visit. I found wonderful information about the Brehon and their laws, as well as the early church’s different interpretations of scripture in the society, but. . .
I also discovered at this juncture, once I had a headspace for Charis and the people with whom she lived, that I couldn’t write the kind of story I wanted to in that time. A decade ago, I needed a bigger conflict, something huge and encompassing. It will come as no surprise that my imagination went to the Vikings. So I researched their history regarding raids in Ireland only to find that the earliest incursions took place centuries after my desired timeframe.
Which is why I now recommend doing more research before you start getting too heavy into a plot.
I chose to use the Norwegian Vikings and concentrated my research there. For this, I first sought where the Vikings came from by poking online for references to artifacts that could be dated to approximately the early 9th Century. Then, I looked at the art and craftsmanship for this era and looked into their belief systems, which led me to a better understanding of Northvegr, or The Northern Way.
Though I am a Christian myself, I wanted to make sure to portray the other beliefs represented in Éire’s Captive Moon with respect and as well-rounded a comprehension as I could, that I would utilize in characterizations and society-building. My personal background in theology and ecclesiastical history came into play as I determined the kind of Christianity my Christian characters would have practiced as well as how they might have shared their faith with others, as the story touched on these matters.
Some people ask me how I find what I find, when I’m researching. Well, as with anything, the key is to know how to look. For Google (and other search engines, I’m sure) you need to narrow your parameters so that the results you obtain are useful to you. Type in Vikings and there are more than 54,000,000 results—some of which have nothing to do with the fearsome invaders. Ask the engine to search for “vikings ninth century” however, and your results are pared down to barely over 2,000,000. Okay, still a lot, but this just illustrates that specificity is the key. By the time I asked for “Vikings ninth century raiding Ireland” there were 800,000+ results, less than 1/6th of the original search. The front page is thus much more productive.
Once upon a time, I wanted to write an historical romance novel that involved my favorite Celtic themes. Through research, I discovered a whole new world, with vibrant people far beyond my original notions of “hero” and “heroine.” I immersed myself in a time and place previously unknown to me.
I’m still there.
Book release and purchase info and Autho Bio
Purchasing info:
Eire’s Captive Moon is available for pre-order on the TWCS site (link below)
or iTunes. It will be available in paperback and ebook on Amazon, iTunes,
B&N.com and TWCS site on January 10th.
Link to purchase book: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/80
Author Webpage: http://sandyquill.com/
Author Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandi-Layne-
Author/115692828503745
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2264252.Sandi_Layne
Author Bio:
Having been a voracious reader all her life, Sandi never expected to want to
write until the idea was presented in a backhanded manner. Once the notion
occurred to her, though, she had to dive in the deep end (as is her wont) and
began by writing historical fiction. She has since written more than twenty
novels—most of which will never see the light of day.
Sandi has degrees in English and Ministry, has studied theology, spent years
as an educator, has worked in escrow and sundry other careers, but research is
her passion. She won an award for Celtic Fiction in 2003, but as well as
history, she is also fascinated with contemporary research and has self-
published several novels in the Inspirational Romance genre.
She has been married for twenty years to a man tolerant enough to let her go
giddy when she discovers new words in Old Norse. Her two sons find her amusing
and have enjoyed listening to her read aloud—especially when she uses funny
voices. A woman of deep faith, she still finds a great deal to laugh at in the
small moments of the everyday and hopes that she can help others find these
moments, too.
Now back to me, Sherry:
If you want to enter your name in a drawing to win a copy of this book, send an email with the words
Giveaway, Eire’s Captive Moon
In the subject line and your name and email address in the body of the message. Send this to [email protected]
But whatever you do, rush to get this book the day it is released!