05 December, 2008

Paths of Exile - coming in 2009



Paths of Exile will be published by Quaestor2000 Publishing in early 2009. Paperback and large print editions, available from Amazon and through bookshops.

More information will appear on my website, the publisher’s website, and here as it becomes available.

About the novel:
Northumbria, Britain, 605 AD. The Roman Empire in the West has faded into memory, replaced by a colourful mosaic of competing kingdoms. The changing times bring great opportunities - and great dangers.
Eadwine is the youngest son of the king of Deira, guardian of a neglected frontier and the faithful ally of his eldest brother and hero Eadric. His ambition is to be a worthy lord to the frontier district, a good husband to his betrothed, and a reliable second-in-command to his brother. All these hopes are swept away when Deira is invaded by its powerful and predatory neighbour Bernicia. Eadwine reaches the capital just ahead of the invaders, having fought a fierce rearguard action, only to find that Eadric is already dead, shamefully murdered by a unknown assassin.
Eadwine survives the subsequent disastrous defeat, and now finds himself on the run for his life. The fearsome King of Bernicia, Aethelferth, has sworn an oath to the gods to kill Eadwine as thanks for the victory, and no king will dare to defy Aethelferth by offering Eadwine refuge. Eadwine must evade Aethelferth's relentless pursuit, identify and take vengeance on his brother's murderer, and rescue his betrothed. Along the way, he will lose his heart to another woman and discover a shattering secret that challenges all the ideals he holds dear.


"Carla Nayland pulls the curtain back on the little known period of seventh century Britain to reveal the fascinating world of Eadwine. Filled with unforgettable characters and wonderful historical detail, Paths of Exile is historical fiction at its most intriguing."
--Michelle Moran, bestselling author of The Heretic Queen

“Paths of Exile” is an epic tale of battle, honour, loyalty and betrayal that is at once exquisitely entertaining and utterly convincing. Carla Nayland's prose is irresistible, luring the reader from the comforts of the 21st century into the harsh and often bloody reality of Saxon England. A triumphant debut that demands a sequel”
--Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix

... an exciting, tautly-plotted tale that's action-packed thriller, murder mystery, tragedy and romance all rolled into one and set in an authentic landscape I can see and touch and feel. But it's much more than that, mainly because the author has peopled her story with flesh-and-blood-characters who are both convincingly of their own time and yet, with all their fears and hopes, not at all alien to us.
--Sarah Cuthbertson (full review here)

13 comments:

Kathryn Warner said...

Many congratulations, Carla. Terrific news!

Kit moss said...

Such wonderful news! This is indeed a fine, fine novel, and it deserves a broader following!

Nan Hawthorne
Author: An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England
www.shield-wall.com

Marg said...

I did say congrats over at HFO, but I will say it again now!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Carla. Anglo-Saxon England is a fascinating time period. It's great to know publishers are taking more notice of it.

Nicola Griffith said...

Excellent! And those are great blurbs.

Carla said...

Thank you, everybody!

Margaret D, you might want to update your website to say the free download is no longer available. If you're interested in Anglo-Saxon England, you might like to look out for Quaestor's other books; The Whispering Bell by Brian Sellars is set in the same period.

Unknown said...

Congratulations

Christina said...

Congratulations! This is definitely one for my wish-list! Northumberland seems to be filled with so many untold stories and it is wonderful that you have set your novel there!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!:-)

Meghan said...

Congratulations!!! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you. Anglo-Saxon England is a great topic and I look forward to reading it. :D

Carla said...

Thank you, everyone!

Rick said...

Great news!

Carla said...

Rick - thanks!