“A spirited ride through a turbulent slice of Welsh history!” – Paula Brackston, NYT Bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter
“A fast-paced read that has a wonderfully visual style and some memorable characters. Mark Noce combines Welsh history with a touch of folkloric magic in this promising debut novel. Lady Branwen is a strong and engaging narrator and the turbulent setting of early medieval Wales makes a fine backdrop for an action-packed story.” – Juliet Marillier, Bestselling author of Daughter of the Forest and Wolfskin
Synopsis of Between Two Fires
Saxon barbarians threaten to destroy medieval Wales. Lady Branwen becomes Wales’ last hope to unite their divided kingdoms when her father betroths her to a powerful Welsh warlord, the Hammer King.
But this fledgling alliance is fraught with enemies from within and without as Branwen herself becomes the target of assassinations and courtly intrigue. A young woman in a world of fierce warriors, she seeks to assert her own authority and preserve Wales against the barbarians. But when she falls for a young hedge knight named Artagan her world threatens to tear itself apart. Caught between her duty to her people and her love of a man she cannot have, Branwen must choose whether to preserve her royal marriage or to follow her heart. Somehow she must save her people and remain true to herself, before Saxon invaders and a mysterious traitor try to destroy her.
Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also met his beautiful wife. By day, he works as a Technical Writer, having spent much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. In addition to writing novels, he also writes short fiction online. When not reading or writing, he’s probably listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening with his family.
His debut novel, Between Two Fires, is being published by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan). It is the first in a series of historical fiction novels set in medieval Wales.
Here’s something about why he chose this period to write about. It’s very interesting.
Hi Lee, thanks for having me here today!
Writing Between Two Fires of course begs the question, why write about a story set in early medieval Wales?
I’m fascinated by any “dark age” period of history. Not just a tale about civilization collapsing or backwards technology, but eras that have largely been lost to the modern historical record. We know very little about Wales around the year 600 AD aside from a few ruins, a handful of rare texts, and some oral legends.
As an author, I feel that historical fiction allows us a way to bridge the gap and extrapolate a little further than historians can comfortable go.
This is a double-edged sword of course, giving me both freedom as another author to create a compelling narrative, but it also comes with a responsibility to make a believable, even probably setting in which my characters inhabit.
We’ve literally lost the names of some of the kingdoms and kings who ruled during this period, let alone the happenings of the common people. To me, that’s too much of a mystery to resist, and I have to admit, I had a lot of fun researching and coming up with the early medieval world for my protagonist, Branwen.
I sincerely hope you enjoy it!
And did I say August was HOT? Yes, I did. So many new books out, and I’m pleased to say that Sign of the Green Dragon is launched. Thanks again to all who helped me out and continue to lend a hand. It has some great reviews for which I am always very grateful.
Three plucky sleuths. A crumbling skeleton. Buried treasure.
This book has more twists than a dragon’s tail.
AMAZON
The Quote of the Week: “If you’re creative, you get busier as you get older.” Tony Bennett. And he should know.
I’ll be around to see everyone, but I’ll be a little late in some cases. I have some family things to do this week. And then there’s always the garden that takes more time this month.
Happy release month. I have an ARC of Mark's book and look forward to reading it.
This looks very intriguing, and I will definitely check it out! I know how murky this period of Welsh history is. I did my own research on this place and time while trying to chase down King Arthur legends.
Congratulations to Mark! I love the cover.
I've been fascinated by the Middle Ages since taking a Medieval History class my junior year of university (taught by a visiting British professor from Harvard). Till then, I'd dismissed the Middle Ages as a backwards, ignorant, anti-Semitic period, instead of realizing there was so much wonderful literature, artwork, and architecture, really setting the stage for the Renaissance. Someday I hope to write some historicals set during the High and Late Middle Ages, though the Early Middle Ages are a very fertile ground as well.
Sounds like a fascination story. I have been seeing the cover around and I am intrigued. I love a good HF novel. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Congrats again on your release. 🙂
~Jess
I think a lot of people are fascinated with dark ages. We have so much access to history that, when it's lacking, we feel a desperate need to know what happened, and to fill in the holes. Being an author definitely gives license to explore.
Love her name! Your book sounds quite intriguing and I love it that you chose that era and didn't concentrate on Arthur even though I love that story and feel that man, some version of him, did exist. There is so little known about that era and I would love it if they find the "mother load" one day
To me learning about history through fiction is the only way to go. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Happy to see Mark's book Between Two Fires here. Its such a racy read, once you start reading, it doesn't let you go until you reach the end.
Thanks, Rachna! 🙂
I love the name Branwen. And I'm fascinated by eras that we know little to nothing about.
Sounds awesome! Congrats
Congratulations on your book, Mark. The story sounds fascinating. An interesting interview too. Thanks for a great interview. Historical fiction is one of my favorite subjects. Best of luck to you.
I'm so happy that your latest book is out too, Lea. It's a winner.
Mark's story is a really good read. You'd like it. Thanks for your help in getting Dragon out there.
Love your covers–both. It's amazing how interesting a cover can make a book seem.
Covers are very important. I pick up a lot of books based on them. Thanks for the visit, Jacqui.
Huge congrats to both Mark and you for your new releases! Yay!
Hi Lexa! Thanks. I think we're all on the same track just following each other.
As always, when a blog features a book, thank you and drat you. I am never going to get my unread towers to reasonable levels.
And hooray for cross genre reading.
Congratulations and thank you Mark and Lee.
It is a love-hate thing, isn't it? I've added three books to my list today. Good grief! I'll have to live until I'm a thousand at this rate.
I think that the dark ages, and the mysteries that are inherent because of our lack of records from that time, makes them the perfect time period for historical fiction.
Congrats, Mark!
And congrats again, C.Lee!
Thanks, Tyrean! 🙂
Taking liberties with history and giving it a twist is why I write historical fantasies. As Alex says, so long as you did research, you tried your best. Besides the winners write the historical record. No one really knows the truth of the distant past. 🙂
How right you are about distant history. Even more modern history is filtered through the historian and often tweaked for political purposes. What is the truth anyway? You've approached that subject many times, Roland. 🙂 Keep at it.
I do want to try reading more historical fiction! Have a great week.
I think you'll enjoy Mark's book.
Medieval Wales is a fascinating time period and a great sett8Ling for a story.
It was a different and very exciting setting. You know how much I appreciate those settings that work.
Wonderful post Lee. Congrats to Mark and your good self on wonderful books.
Loved the quote.
Yvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne. Always appreciate your kind words.
So much research is involved in writing. I bow down to those who write historical fiction.
Yes. It takes a lot of work before the work begins!
Thanks so much for having me here today, Lee! 🙂
My pleasure.
I always enjoy a good historical story, and this one sounds very good!
Congratulations, Mark and Lee!
I must just say how much I enjoyed your post over at Bish’s blog.
Great to see you here, Barbara. I love visiting your blog with all those beautiful books you feature.
When one doesn't know most of what occurred, sure can play with the past indeed.
I suppose that's what can be said for the future as well. You can make it up as you go.
Congratulations, Mark. The book sounds fascinating and the cover is amazing. Medieval times are intriguing.
Lee, continued success with your Green Dragon!
Thoughts in Progress
and MC Book Tours
Waving at you Mason. Thanks for all your support as always.
Congrats all on new releases.
Wishing you much success,
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Thanks, Juneta.
Ooooo, I like a good historical novel and one set in Wales sounds particularly intriguing. Congratulations, Mark!
You're up on my blog this week, Lee! I hope your dragons keep soaring!
Hi Bish! Thanks for your good wishes. I look forward to Mark's post on your blog.
I love the medieval times. Sounds so fascinating. Congrats on your book, Mark. Love your cover too.
It is an interesting and mysterious time.
Mark, as long as you did your research, some liberties are allowed. After all, who is going to know?
Taking liberties is what makes novels so exciting. A switch up on reality. Well, historians and politicians do that all the time, too.