The following is a sneak-preview excerpt from my upcoming novel, Legacy of Truth. It should be out July 6th, and up for pre-order any day now. It’s a prequel to Legacy of Hunger, which was released in October, 2015.
Follow the life of Esme, a young woman living on a farm in County Donegal, Ireland, around 1800. Her life is turned upside down when her parents decide to emigrate to America. She must find a new life in a new place, all while holding on to her true self.
*****
Hobbling around on his crutch, Brian did his best to clear the main part of the room and place chairs and stools around the edge. The big wood-block table in the middle would hold all the food, and there were a couple of stools near the hearth for musicians. It wouldn’t be a grand party, by any stretch of the imagination, but it wasn’t every day twins turned eighteen.
Esme rushed to help her father with a chair he had knocked over.
“Da, you still aren’t supposed to be doing much. We can help with this. You needn’t do anything. Sit!” Meekly, Brian sat in his normal chair, very much a father’s chair, with threadbare upholstery stuffed and re-stuffed over the years.
“I am going mad with nothing to do, Esme. Give me something.”
“Here, have some rushes. You can braid them into Brigid’s Crosses.”
“Brigid’s Day was six weeks ago.”
“So we’ll have some made for next year.”
“You remind me of my mother when you do that, Esme.” Caitriona O’Malley Doherty had died before the girls were born, but Esme had always been told she was a spitfire of a woman. She had plenty of backbone, but it must have skipped a generation. Even without a broken leg, her father hadn’t been able to do much around the farm.
She turned to open the door just in time for Níaṁ and Bridey to barrel in, hugging her about the waist. Esme turned to see the door open and reveal Seán and his parents, Oisín, and Ciara. They were jolly, full of optimism. Everyone enjoyed their company, except Eithne.
Her sister had seemed distracted lately, and Esme got strange feelings through the twins’ connection. She was a young woman and therefore moody and sullen in swings. But she had become withdrawn and secretive, more than ever. Esme wished she could find out what she was up to. Oisín had brought a huge bowl of turnips, a flitch of bacon and spring onions to add to the feast. He also brought his fiddle and Bridey clapped at the sight of it. Alan arrived with a huge basket of bread left over from the day’s batch at the bakery. Shona and Eithne arrived behind him, and they began the birthday celebration.
Éamonn was supposed to have come, but he hadn’t arrived yet, so they set aside food for him and started anyhow.
Her father told the story of Grainne O’Malley, the pirate queen of Ireland while they ate.
“She lived over two hundred years ago and had a fleet of pirate ships. Her father was a shipping merchant, so she inherited all his ships and trade. But she turned this business into a mighty empire of marauders and pirates. It is said she owned over a thousand head of kine and horses.
“When her sons and brother were taken captive by the English governor of Connacht, she went straight to the top, taking her appeal to Queen Elizabeth herself. Can you imagine such a meeting, between two such strong women?”
Eithne rolled her eyes, and their father shot her a look. She ignored him and played with the half-eaten turnip on her plate. Níaṁ and Bridey were still entranced by the story and he continued.
*****
I write historical fantasy novels, mostly set in Ireland, and a contemporary romance based on my parents’ 30-year search for true love. Don’t miss information on Celtic myth and history, as well as practical travel planning tips, and hidden places, in my travel books.
– Better To Have Loved – Contemporary romance based on the true story of my parents’ 30-year search for love
– Legacy of Hunger – Historical fantasy set in 1846 Ireland
– Legacy of Truth – Historical fantasy set around 1800 Ireland. Prequel to Legacy of Hunger, due out July 6th, 2016!
– Stunning, Strange and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland
– Mythical, Magical, Mystical: A Guide to Hidden Ireland
More info at Green Dragon Artist :: Home ,
Christy Jackson Nicholas, Author , and
Tirgearr Publishing – Christy Nicholas
Celtic Fairies, Fables, and Folklore! Bestselling author (top #100 Amazon Canada, #1 in Paranormal Fantasy, Amazon Canada) Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon, is an author, artist and accountant. After she failed to become an airline pilot, she quit her ceaseless pursuit of careers that begin with 'A', and decided to concentrate on her writing. Since she has Project Completion Disorder, she is one of the few authors with NO unfinished novels. Christy has her hands in many crafts, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real life, she's a CPA, but having grown up with art all around her (her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected her, as it were. She wants to expose the incredible beauty in this world, hidden beneath the everyday grime of familiarity and habit, and share it with others. She uses characters out of time and places infused with magic and myth. Combine this love of beauty with a bit of financial sense and you get an art business. She does local art and craft shows, as well as sending her art to various science fiction conventions throughout the country and abroad. Facebook: www.facebook.com/greendragonauthor Homepage: www.greendragonartist.com Blog: www.greendragonartist.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/greendragon9
Historical fantasy, time travel adventure, and urban fantasy 
As a Scots poet and author of some 25 years experience, I found myself standing in the very same room, looking upon the characters as the words, that were woven from life’s fabric, lead me into that opening scene.
Takes the reader back in time…as if we were there……. Creativity in the literary sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the kind words! The pre-order of the book just went up on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1Vg6HMf
LikeLike