04 Apr Book Review Godwine Kingmaker Mercedes Rochelle #AngloSaxon #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @authorRochelle @cathiedunn

FEATURED AUTHOR: MERCEDES ROCHELLE

I am pleased to host Mercedes Rochelle again as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between January 3rd — March 7th, 2023. Mercedes Rochelle is the author of the Historical Fiction novel, Godwine Kingmaker (The Last Great Saxon Earls), released by Sergeant Press on April 4, 2015 (351 pages)

Below are highlights of Godwine Kingmaker, Mercedes Rochelle’s author bio, and my review of her novel.

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HIGHLIGHTS: GODWINE KINGMAKER

Godwine Kingmaker

(The Last Great Saxon Earls)

by Mercedes Rochelle

Blurb:

They showed so much promise. What happened to the Godwines? How did they lose their grip? Who was this Godwine anyway, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask.

He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine’s best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn.

Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.

Buy Links:

The book is available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link     Amazon UK     Amazon US     Amazon CA     Amazon AU     Audio

LAST GREAT SAXON EARLS SERIES

This series is available on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon UK     Amazon US     Amazon CA     Amazon AU    

AUTHOR BIO: MERCEDES ROCHELLE

Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it’s coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.

Born in St. Louis, MO, she received HER BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!

Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

Social Media Links:

Website     Twitter     Facebook     Book Bub     Amazon Author Page     Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW: GODWINE KINGMAKER

Godwin Kingmaker by Mercedes Rochelle is a historical saga about Godwin, Earl of Wessex, during the tumultuous 11th Century when King Canute ruled over the vast empires of England, Denmark, and Norway. The story begins in 1016 AD when Godwin finds Ulf, a Danish commander and the son-in-law of Canute, wandering the woods after a battle at Sherstone. A son of a disgraced Saxon aristocrat, Godwine decides to seek his fortune with the influential Dane. As a result, Godwine meets and becomes a trusted advisor to Canute. After Canute seizes the English throne, Godwine rapidly rises and becomes Earl of Sussex. Between 1019 and 1023 AD, Godwine accompanies Canute on an expedition to Denmark, where he distinguishes himself and marries Ulf’s sister.

However, everything changed for Godwine in 1035 AD when King Canute died. Godwine is swept into the disputes of Canute’s sons, each vying for the English throne. Godwine must choose loyalty between the ruling king and his family’s survival. He secures the marriage of his daughter to the last surviving son of Canute, King Edward. Ultimately, Godwine’s son, Harold, succeeds him as Earl of Wessex and is destined to become the king of England, setting the stage for the Norman invasion and Battle of Hastings.

Author Mercedes Rochelle deftly navigates Godwine’s life-long saga against the backdrop of political upheavals of Saxon and Danish kings. The historical detail in the story is evidence of the author’s meticulous research of the period. The culture and daily life of people in the Middle Ages are brought to life. Universal themes of love, the quest for power, betrayal, and redemption are explored.

The story is told from the perspective of various characters, which could shift from one to another in a scene. However, the narrative is most engaging from Godwine’s point of view. It provides insight into his meteoric rise in power and his delicate balance of demonstrating loyalty to various factions while safeguarding his family’s legacy. One of the tragedies in the story is how Godwine’s family is splintered from his sons’ rivalries with each other.

For those who enjoy learning more about medieval England or have watched the Vikings: Valhalla series, I suggest reading Godwin Kingmaker. which sheds light on historical figures who changed the course of history in northern Europe.

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