The Never - Ending Book: HFVBT - Presents: Sara Turnquist on Blog Tour for The Lady Bornekova - July 6 -31

Thursday, July 9, 2015

HFVBT - Presents: Sara Turnquist on Blog Tour for The Lady Bornekova - July 6 -31 - Spotlight and Excerpt

The Lady Bornekova - Spotlight and Excerpt

Publication Date: July 14, 2015 (tentative)

Publisher: Clean Reads (formerly Astraea Press)

Format: eBook

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

The red-headed Karin is strong-willed and determined, something she inherited from her father. She tries to keep her true nature a secret to avoid being deemed a traitor by those loyal to the king. Karin and her father butt heads over her duty to her family and the Czech Crown. She is then sequestered to the Royal Viscount’s hunting lodge.

Not aware of everything that is happening, she becomes the target of an individual with murderous intent. Her heart soon becomes entangled though her father intends to wed her to another. The turmoil inside Karin deepens and reflects the turmoil of her homeland, on the brink of the Hussite Wars.

Excerpt

Sara resides with her family in Middle TN. Though she has enjoyed her career as a Zoo Educator, Sara's great love of the written word has always drawn her to write. An avid reader, she has been, for many years, what she terms a “closet writer”. Her travels and love of history have served to inspire her to write Historical Fiction. Sara has made several trips overseas to the Czech Republic for short stints in the summer over several years. Her time among the Czech people and the landscapes of the country inspired her and greatly influenced her work on her debut novel, The Lady Bornekova, set in the Czech town of Hradec Kralove.

“There is something I need to speak to you about before I leave, Karin.” He then shifted to catch her gaze. His eyes were serious.

“Yes, Father?” She held his eyes, letting him know he had her full attention.

“I have something to return to you.” He reached into his cloak and pulled out a leather-bound book, wrapped with a string.

The color drained from Karin's face. It was her journal.

The journal had been rifled through, and some of the pages had been torn out. Karin was relieved to have it back but horrified her father had found ...

"You can imagine my disappointment at what I discovered hidden in these pages," he said. A darkness came over his countenance.

She lowered her eyes and turned away.

"I thought we had been through all of this." His voice was harsh. "I thought you understood that pursuing the teachings of a heretic could ruin our family."

Yes, they had had this discussion before — many times. Karin had been exposed through some of her acquaintances to the teachings of Jan Hus, a man who opposed some of the practices of the Catholic Church. If the king's brother, Sigismund, was not so adamantly opposed to Hus, her parents may not have had the need to tear her away from her home, friends, and all she knew. She might not find herself in such isolation from any "corrupting influences", as they put it. But she would not be able to convince her father. This did not, however, keep her from speaking up.

"I don't understand, Father," she said, her voice finding a strength she didn't feel. "What you call 'heresy', I believe to be truth. How can the truth hurt me?"

Petr’s features hardened. “What Jan Hus speaks of could bring dissention to the church. You know how fragile a thing unity can be. And the church must be unified to bring stability to the monarchy. Even you must realize that the monarchy and the church are irreversibly intertwined.”

“But Jan Hus only speaks of ...” Karin started.

"You are young, Karin," he said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand. "And you have much to learn ... much you don't understand. This man, this Jan Hus and his teachings, will not last to see the next king take the throne. To be found supporting such a heretic could ruin our family! Since you refuse to see it, I will help you. It is for your own good." His voice had gotten louder, and he had risen to his feet. "I believed we had rid you of these devious teachings before. Finding that you have hidden them from us disappoints me and obliterates any trust I have in you. You will remain here while your room is searched. And that will be the end of the matter."

Petr didn't give her a chance to respond before he rose and moved to leave. He paused and turned back toward her, his voice softer. "Please know, Karin, this is for your own good."

Then he walked away from her and out of sight.

It was then she realized the tears she fought to hold back had broken through. Laying her face in her hands, she sobbed, uncaring of where she was or who might hear. Who was there to hear her or even care? She was truly isolated.

The Lady Bornekova Available at

Amazon

About the Author

Sara is originally from Clarksville, TN. After a short stint in Memphis, TN where she earned a degree in Biology and began a career as both a Zoo Educator and a Sleep Technician, she then followed a dream to work for a large zoo in Orlando, FL as an Educator. Once she and her husband started their family, they moved back to Clarksville. However, they still spend a portion of their year in Orlando, FL where she still works seasonally with the same zoological institution.

Sara and her husband now enjoy a full life with their three beautiful and very active children. Sara enjoys many creative outlets – singing, piano, drawing, drama, and organizing anything. And even though she has enjoyed her career as a Zoo Educator, Sara’s great love of the written word continued to draw her to write.

She has always been an avid reader and, for many years, has been what she terms a “closet writer”. Her travels and love of history have served to inspire her to write Historical Fiction. Sara has made several trips overseas to the Czech Republic for short stints in the summer over several years. Her time among the Czech people and the landscapes of the country inspired her and greatly influenced her work on her debut novel, The Lady Bornekova, set in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

For more information please visit Sara Turnquist’s website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

The Lady Bornekova Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 6

Spotlight & Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, July 7

Spotlight at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Wednesday, July 8

Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection

Friday, July 10

Spotlight & Excerpt at The Never-Ending Book

Sunday, July 12

Review at Carole's Ramblings