Dark Child by Miriam Newman

GENRE: Romance

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BLURB:

Born at a royal banquet for King Conor MacNessa of Ulster, Deirdre is predicted by Conor’s own druid to be blessed and cursed with a beauty that will make kingdoms contest over her. He names her “Deirdre of the Sorrows” and urges the king to slay her. But Conor, unwilling to murder a babe, takes her under his protection only to fall prey to the curse when she is nearly grown. Captivated by her youth and beauty, the aging king will go to any extreme to possess her.

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Excerpt:

On the fairest of summer days, Naisi sat beneath a tree on a hillock making music yet more fair. It

was that which pulled Deirdre in, of course. She could no more resist it than a trout does the lure and when she saw the sheer, pure beauty of the man making it, that drew her more strongly yet, for she knew him from her dreams.

Still, Leabhar had raised her to be circumspect, so no word did she say. Instead she only passed Naisi, eyes downcast like any modest maid’s so that no evil could be said of her. But beauty speaks for itself and Naisi, seeing it, was struck to the heart and he spoke: “How fair a doe my music has called.”

“What use to be a fair doe where there are no bucks?” she responded.

Now the son of Usna was no fool, being himself a chief in Ulster though a young one. He had heard of Felim’s daughter secreted in a fortress of the king and suspected this must be the girl, so he tested her, saying, “I think you have the prize buck of this land.”

“Yet if I were to choose,” Deirdre persevered, “I choose the young buck.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Fantasy poetry driven by myths and legends has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I was published in poetry before catching the romance writing bug. I bring that background to my writing along with a lifelong addiction to horses, an 18 year career in various areas of psychiatric social services and many trips to Ireland, where I nurture my muse. My published works range from contemporary fantasy romance to fantasy historical, futuristic, science fiction and historical romance. Currently I live in rural Pennsylvania with a “motley crew” of rescue animals. You can see my books at www.miriamnewman.com.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073C4KSZW
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-child-miriam-newman/1126646912 www.thecelticroseblog.blogspot.com
 Miriam Newman Author
 twitter@miriam newman

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION: Miriam will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: 

The myths and legends of Ireland are many - and this one is one of the most tragic. When Deirdre of the Sorrows was born, a prophecy said she would be so beautiful she would bring war and misfortune to all - but the king decided he would marry her when she was grown, so he hid her in a fortress, with no one but a nurse and a servant. 

If the story reminds you of a certain "Sleeping Beauty", you will be right - Dierdre grows up to be as beautiful as prophesied, and the king looks forward to his wedding. But Dierdre has no wish to marry an old man, and she meets a young warrior in the forest, she runs away with him. Deeply in love, the young couple flee, but the king, mad with fury, swears he will have his Dierdre in the end.

I loved this retelling of the tale of Diedre of the Sorrows. Even though the tragedy of the tale is well known, I still enjoyed this version - the writing was good, there was action and romance, the characters came alive for me, and I recommend this novella highly!