An evening's conversation about the differences
between historical fiction and fantasy
With stunningly panoramic prose, Anne Leonard’s debut novel, MOTH AND SPARK is simply an unforgettable tour de force. Set in the land of Caithen, a country on the brink of invasion by a vicious people, this breathtakingly imaginative fantasy packs every punch -- intrigue, war, sorcery and magic, dragons, and forbidden romance.
Recruited by the Firekeepers, Prince Corin has been given a futile task—to free the dragons from their bondage to the Empire, though no one, not even the dragons or their riders, understand the bonds which hold them. Given their power, but none of the knowledge to use it, Corin is torn between his new quest and his royal duty to defend his country from the Sarian invasion.
Before arriving in Caithen for Summer Court, Tam, the unassuming daughter of a well-respected doctor, has no idea she was born a Seer, someone gifted with visions. After a rainy afternoon leads Prince Corin and Tam to a chance encounter in the palace library, they meet for dinner where sparks fly, but it’s not all happily ever after. Never mind that the prince isn’t allowed to marry a commoner, Caithen is falling to the Sarians. When an attack on the capital forces the lovers to flee, Corin and Tam must figure out how to master their newly discovered powers in order to save Caithen and themselves. With the help from a village of secret wizards and a rogue dragonrider, they might just pull it off.
Game of Thrones fans -- Diana Gabaldon fans: you're going to find this compelling and elegant!
Anne Leonard lives in Northern California. She has degrees from St. John’s College, the University of Pittsburgh, and Kent State University. Leonard began MOTH AND SPARK while attending the University of California-Hastings College of Law (where she graduated cum laude) eking out a few hours on weekends or a half hour on the bus, or wherever she had the chance. After 3 years, she had a draft, but ultimately decided to practice law first. At last readers will be introduced to the deadly harsh steppe lands of Sarian, to the white-barked tree-lined streets of Caithenor.
Discussing the differences between historical fiction and fantasy with
Anne is Patricia Bracewell, whose Shadow on the Crown is the story of Emma of Normandy. Set in 11th century England, her tale follows 15-year-old Emma, the daughter of a powerful Norman Duke, who crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older Æthelred, King of England. The marriage is part of an alliance forged to keep the Danish king, Swein Forkbeard, from raiding the defenseless English shore villages. But Emma finds herself at once Queen of England and trapped in a
loveless marriage...Drawn from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, one of the few written records to survive from the period, the protagonists, and antagonist, move through a land inhabited by warring factions of Anglo Saxons and Vikings, rife with ghosts, prophecies, evil spirits and curses. Bracewell taught literature and composition before embarking upon her writing career. She has always been fascinated by English history and holds an MA in English literature. Her historical research has taken her to Britain, France and Denmark.
