Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb

13 Mar

The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour

I’m really excited to introduce Rogues & Kings by Charlene Newcomb today, as it’s just my era! King John, the Baron’s Revolt, the French invasion (everything I’m covering in the third book in my Nicola de la Haye trilogy).

And then I dicovered when I read the extract below that it mentions Nicola de la Haye!!!

So you can imagine how excited I was to see this book! And it features Robin Hood, too!

Yay!

It’s a must read, and straight onto the TBR pile. 😃

So what’s it about, I hear you say… And are you providing an excerpt? Yes, and yes.

Book Description

Deadly secrets. Hidden identities. A true enemy. Silence is the only shield.

The year is 1216 and civil war rages in England. King John ravages the countryside against rebellious barons and a French invasion. Unbeknownst to him, his newest squire, Richard, is in fact the son of a man the king would hang without a second thought. A man the common folk call Robin Hood.

For years, Robin has lived as a knight in exile. But when his son is ensnared in the treachery of the royal court, Robin is forced out of the shadows, aided by his outlaw friends in the Hood.

There is no question for Richard where his loyalties lie but it’s more than his own life at risk. He has the trust of a dangerous king. Can he serve the Hood better from within John’s inner circle, or will schemes against the crown unravel?

Rob from the rich, give to the poor takes on a whole new meaning.

Rogues & Kings is a sweeping tale of courage and betrayal in a kingdom on the edge of ruin, of a boy coming of age in the midst of war, and of legends being born.

The Excerpt (Number 4 on the blog tour)

“If you’re to see Lady Nichola, Henry, let’s make this official,” Allan said. “Assume the king will make for Lincoln.” He retrieved his saddle bag. Vellum, a quill, a jar of ink, and a small leather pouch were spread on his blanket, and then he began to write.

When he finished, he dusted a small handful of dirt over the vellum to dry the ink and shook it off. He handed his masterpiece to Henry. “This will get you past the castle gates.”

John, king of the English to Lady Nichola de la Haye, castellan of the castle at Lincoln. We command that you prepare for our return no later than the 28th day of September. All those in Lincolnshire who have returned to our fealty and are in our grace would be welcome at a Michaelmas feast in Lincoln. —At Scotter, the twenty-fifth day of September.

Having seen a number of the king’s messages over the years, Henry knew Allan’s expert work would not be questioned—at least not by a castle guard. His time as clerk to the castellan at Nottingham provided lessons he used to this day.

Henry folded the vellum and let Allan add the final touch, retrieving two items from the small pouch. The king’s seal—he’d stolen it when John stayed at Nottingham Castle last Christmastide—and wax. He softened it between his palms, laid it on the fold, and pressed the seal to it.

Robin walked toward the fire pit, kicking at the dirt. Brow furrowed, he glanced back at Henry. “Are you certain meeting with the Lady Nichola is wise?”

For a moment Henry considered telling Robin the debate he’d had with himself. His convictions hadn’t changed. Lady Nichola hadn’t seen him in years and had no knowledge of his work with the Hood.

“She won’t turn me over to the king,” Henry said. “I’m not a traitor to the crown—not that they know.” Henry poked his finger toward Allan. “It’s you he wants.” He cocked his head at Robin. “But I must admit I’d like to see his face when he learns you’re alive and well.”

Robin chuckled. “Mayhap we can arrange that before this is all over.” He lifted his hand. “Offer him a salute as we charge out of his camp with Richard.”

“Forget I suggested that,” Henry said.

Curled up under a blanket near the campfire, Little John sat up and groaned. “What Henry said, Robin.”

Author Bio

‍Charlene Newcomb, aka Char, is a retired librarian, a U.S. Navy veteran, mom to 3 amazing humans, and grandma to 3. She writes historical fiction and science fiction.

‍‍Her award-winning Battle Scars trilogy is set in the 12th century during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Her writing roots are in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (aka Legends) where she published 10 short stories in the Star Wars Adventure Journal, and published the original novel Echoes of the Storm.

‍Char returned to medieval times with Rogue and her latest novel Rogues & Kings, both in her Tales of Robin Hood series.

‍‍‍Author Links:

‍‍Website: https://charlenenewcomb.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/CharleneNewcombAuthor

‍Substack: https://charlenenewcomb.substack.com/

‍Instagram: https://instagram.com/charnewc

‍Bluesky: https://charnewcomb.bsky.social/

‍Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/charnewcomb/

‍Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/charlene-newcomb

‍Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Charlene-Newcomb/author/B00APY2H16

‍Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5782281.Charlene_Newcomb

Historical FictionBlog Tour

Rachel Elwiss Joyce

Rachel Elwiss Joyce, Author of Historical Fiction.

Exploring power, loyalty, and love in turbulent medieval England.

Rachel came to novel writing later in life, but she has always been passionate about history, storytelling, and the forgotten voices of women. She writes meticulously researched, immersive historical fiction that brings overlooked heroines into the light.

She started inventing tales about medieval women living in castles when she was just six years old—and never stopped. But when she discovered the extraordinary story of Nicola de la Haye, the first female sheriff, who defended Lincoln Castle from a French invasion and became known as ‘the woman who saved England’, Rachel knew she had found a heroine worth telling the world about.

Lady of Lincoln is her debut novel, the first book in her Nicola de la Haye Series, with sequels to follow.

https://rachelelwissjoyce.com