The Crown of Rosemund by Michele Ashman Bell #booktour #giveaway #medievalfiction

The Crown of Rosemund by Michele Ashman Bell

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Medieval  Fiction/Romance

Source:  Received to Review

Book Description: Anduron, 1498

The king and queen are dead, murdered by one who will stop at nothing to rule. But the young princess—Rosemund—has survived, spirited deep into the forest by her parents’ most trusted advisor. There, she finds refuge in a small cottage and a new life, one in which she must play a role that will ensure her survival. Soldiers are combing the countryside searching for the lost princess, and they will not rest until she is found—and eliminated.

Rosemund’s strength grows as she trains for battle and endures the hardships and dangers of peasant life. When chance brings Maxwell, a young man from the nearby village, into her life, Rose finds in him an ally and a friend. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, the time has come for Rose to reclaim her birthright, and in a court controlled by a vengeful new ruler, she must play a deadly game of politics in order to seize the throne that is rightfully hers. 

My thoughts: Books containing political intrigue have always interested me.  This story is set in the 1400s in a fictional kingdom.  One man will stop at nothing to obtain the throne.  His obstacle is a Princess named Rosemund.

Rosemund was spirited away by her father's loyal advisor, Jacob.  Her parents were murdered by a man they should have been able to trust.  Jacob takes her away to a remote village and raises her to be a warrior.  The catch is that she has to pose as a lad.  The danger is always near and one false step would cause their plans to come to naught and allow a villain to rule the country.

Rose undergoes intensive training and is joined by two young men from the village, Maxwell and Ricker.  The friendship and camaraderie they share were wonderful. Both believe that they are training with a boy. Their friendship helps propel the story to a satisfactory conclusion.

I enjoyed the story.   I loved Rosemund's transformation from victim to Queen. The Crown of Rosemund had a few surprise moments.  There were things revealed that I did not see coming.  Overall, this is a very satisfying book to read.  The main characters are young, it would be appropriate as a young adult book.

Source:  I received a complimentary copy.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book * Seagull Book

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About the Author: What can I say, I'm a mother of four and grandmother of seven, who, after ten years of hard work, perserverance and a lot (and I mean A LOT!) of rejection letters, finally got a book published. As a young girl I was a devoted journal keeper.  I would express my most personal thoughts and feelings in my journal in a way I could never express them verbally.  Coupled with my great love for reading it only seemed natural to become a writer.During the course of having and raising my children, as a beginning writer, I spent any free time I had writing and learning the craft.  I attended workshops and conferences, joined critique groups (I have the scars to prove it) and sent many of my stories and novels off to magazines and publisher, only to receive rejection after rejection.  I came close a few times, but something wasn't quite right.Still to this day I wonder why I didn't give up.  You'd think after ten years of rejections I'd finally get the message.  Actually I know why I kept writing, I couldn't not write.  It's in my blood.  When I get cut, ink comes out.  There's something so wonderful and fulfilling about the creative process of developing characters and storylines and pouring your heart out on paper that can't be matched by anything else.  I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to write.  And I want to encourage anyone who has the desire to write to never give up on their dream.  If you want it bad enough and are willing to work hard enough, you will become published.  I believe that with all my heart because that's exactly how it worked for me. I grew up in St. George, Utah, where a lot of my family still lives, but now reside with my husband and family in the Salt Lake City area.  My favorite thing to do is support my kids in their many interests.  Between basketball, ballet and piano lessons we squeeze a lot into a week, but I wouldn't have it any other way.If you have any questions you'd like me to answer, please feel free to email me.  And thanks, for all your support. 

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