First of all, I want to assure all of those who follow the ongoing story that I have not left it hanging, or abandoned it! Nor have I given up on the Dunvegan Castle building! I just felt a need to take a step back and give myself a slight break from it. I just need a bit of down time from the intensity of all that the story entails! It takes an immense amount of time and energy to do all of the creative work that goes along with the story and occasionally, as any writer can attest to, one needs to step away from it in order to clear your thoughts, re-energize and re-focus on the writing process!
While I take these breaks from the story, my mind is always still working on various concepts, ideas and historical research. Much of that inspiration and those ideas come from reading as much historical background as possible along with reading works from other writers who have been so successful in weaving history and time travel together. Recently, I discovered one such author and I want to acknowledge her work here. Sarah Woodbury has taken the time travel concept and woven it into a highly detailed, well told account of Welsh history while also creating an interesting what if premise along with the factual account of the history.
Before I started this series, I knew very little about the history of Wales and what little I did know was always presented from the English perspective of the history. Sarah’s books tell the history from the Welsh perspective of the last years of Wales as an independent country. The series deals with Wales in the late 1200’s and their last attempts to remain free of English conquest and rule. It centers around Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last sovereign of Wales as he battles to hold on to his country and it’s freedom. The time travel and what if premise is woven into the story with the appearance of a young woman from the 20th century who is thrown back in time and falls in love with Llywelyn. I will be honest in admitting that I felt the time travel mode was a bit contrived and iffy? That is really my only complaint about the books! Another thing that some might not view as so favorable with the series is that it’s not really so much of a romance novel but weighs far heavier on the historical content. For me, this was a plus! While there is of course romance, it is not definitely not graphic, detailed or in any way explicit. I will also admit that now as I am through the pre-quell, and the first two books, I am wishing for just a little more detail and depth to the relationships and a wee bit more of romance? I do understand that there is a war going on and that is what the main focus of everyone in the stories is on, I am just saying, a touch here and there, a few more allusions and references to physical relationships wouldn’t hurt, would it? Other than that rather minor issue, the books are filled with intrigue, mystery, historical facts and enough what ifs to keep me interested in going on with the series! I am anxious to find out more about the past of Wales, and how they possibly change the future of the country. I did find it extremely interesting in the second book, Prince of Time, that we discover they are not necessarily changing their own timeline, but that of some other parallel time line! That aspect will keep me going to see how it all plays out!
Ohhhh, there is one last detail of the books that has sparked my continued interest! In book two, Sarah brings out the references to Arthur… that has pretty much sealed the deal for me on finding out more? Of course, now I must indeed find out more!
Daughter of Time is the pre-quell to the Series and although it was written after the other books, I would highly suggest you read this one first!
A medieval man with an uncertain destiny, Llywelyn, the Prince of Wales, faces treachery and deceit at the hands of friends and foes alike …
A modern woman with a troubled past, Meg’s life is in tatters when she slips through time and into medieval Wales …
Only by working together can Meg and Llywelyn navigate the shifting allegiances that threaten the very existence of Wales–and create their own history that defies the laws of time. Other books in the series include Footsteps in Time, Winds of Time, Prince of Time, Crossroads in Time, Children of Time, Exiles in Time, Castaways in Time, and Ashes of Time.
Footsteps in Time is Book 1 of the series. In December of 1282, English soldiers ambushed and murdered Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the Prince of Wales. His death marked the end of Wales as an independent nation and the beginning of over seven hundred years under the English boot.
Footsteps in Time is the story of what might have happened had Llywelyn lived. And what happens to the two teenagers who save him.
Footsteps in Time is the first book in the After Cilmeri Series. Other books include a novella, Winds of Time, and eight novels: Daughter of Time, Prince of Time, Crossroads in Time, Children of Time, Exiles in Time, Castaways in Time, Ashes of Time, and Warden of Time.
Prince of Time is Book Two in the After Cilmeri Series:
David and his man-at-arms, Ieuan, find themselves alone and on the run from a company of English soldiers who’ve sworn vengeance for the recent death of their king. Meanwhile, Llywelyn lays on his deathbed, wounded by a traitor’s arrow. And once again, it is David and Anna, and all that they represent, that holds the key to the survival of Wales.
Prince of Time is the second book in the After Cilmeri series. Other books include a novella, Winds of Time, and eight novels: Daughter of Time, Footsteps in Time, Crossroads in Time, Children of Time, Exiles in Time, Castaways in Time, Ashes of Time, and Warden of Time.
Time Slips 