My Five Favourite Female Writers
1) Lynn Flewelling - Fantasy
I discovered Lynn Flewelling by accident at the local library, who had a copy of The Bone Doll's Twin. They didn't have any other books and because most of them were with American publishers, they couldn't get them either. Needless to say it was a trip to the internet and I've since bought every book she's put out and pre-ordered the most recent one. He fantasy worlds are so extensive and her characters are amazing. I just adore Alec and Seregil from the Nightrunner Series. It was one of the first set of mainstream books I've read where gay and bisexual characters were the main protagonists.
3) Elizabeth Chadwick – Historical
I have quite a few bookshelves devoted to Elizabeth Chadwick. Her medieval historicals are amazing. You really get a sense of the time and place, yet at no point do any of the books turn into a history lesson. You might learn some history as you read, but everything flows so well within the stories and her characters are so vivid that the books just sweep you away.
3) Carol Berg - Fantasy
Another fantasy author whose worlds and characters are just awe-inspiring. Her Song of the Beast is one of the most original fantasy novels I've ever read and I was left gobsmacked by the end. I just didn't guess what was coming at all.
4)J.K. Rowling - Fantasy, Contemporary and Mystery
We'd gone to a special midnight screening of the first Harry Potter film and quite enjoyed it, so later on that year for my birthday my husband bought me the books that were out, four at the time I think. I devoured them all and was anxiously waiting for the next installments. The Order of the Phoenix is still one of my all time favourites, with Deathly Hallows a close second. The books were just such a rip-roaring adventure, I loved them. My poor husband didn't know what he started - I am quite a Harry Potter fanatic these days. You don't even want to know how many times I've read the books and watched the films :)
5) Sarah Rayne - Psychological Thrillers
This is how much I love this author - years ago she wrote fantasy under the pen name Bridget Wood and horror under the name Frances Gordon. I had every Bridget Wood and Frances Gordon book on my bookshelves before I realized it was the same author :) Her style is wonderful, a complex mix of lyrical descriptions and down-to-earth prose and characters. All of the books seem to have a twist and, unusually for me, I never guess it.
About the Author
Annette Gisby grew up in a small town in Northern Ireland, moving to London when she was seventeen. Being a very small town there were no bookshops and a small library. When she'd devoured every book she could get her hands on in the library, she started writing her own stories so she would always have something to read later.
When not writing she enjoys reading, cinema, theatre, walks along deserted beaches or wandering around ruined castles (great places for inspiration!) New Zealand is her favourite place and she hopes to travel back there one day. She's a fan of Japanese Manga and Anime and one day hopes to learn Japanese.
She currently lives in Hampshire with her husband, a collection of porcelain dolls and stuffed penguins and enough books to fill a small library. It's diminishing gradually since the discovery of ebooks but still has a long way to go.
About the Book
Ebook
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Paperback
The neighbouring kingdoms of Oscia and Arcathia have been at a tentative peace for three years after centuries of warfare. Prince Severin of Arcathia has been brought up to put duty before all else and as the only son of the King and Queen, it is his duty to marry and produce an heir. His parents want him to marry an Oscian princess to cement that tentative peace. Unfortunately Severin isn't interested in princesses. Now, if he had his pick of princes that would be another matter.
Havyn has been a slave all his life. When his aptitude for wizardry is discovered, he finds himself purchased and freed by Prince Severin and apprenticed to the royal wizard, Ildar. His duty is to stay chaste to keep his powers strong, but his feelings for Severin sorely test his resolve.
With kingdoms at war, the throne hanging in the balance, magic in the air , and outside forces trying to keep them apart, can the two men find happiness together, or is duty more important than love?
