"... a rich and fascinating tapestry of love, loss, loyalty, betrayal, and deceit. Fans of Dorothy Dunnett's sweeping historical sagas should not miss The Sixth Surrender and its sequel, The Serpent's Crown." —C.P. Lesley, New Books Network; listen to the podcast conversation
"... a sweeping historical novel with the flavor and complexity of a Dorothy Dunnett tale ..." —Julianne Douglas, Writing the Renaissance
“It is clear that Norton did her research, basing her story on actual events, but that does not stand in the way of her wonderful writing and storytelling, which bring 13th-century Cyprus to life. … An intriguing story and a good read.” —Bryan Dumas, Historical Novels Review
"… a stunning examination of how history is forged through the relations between husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings and every configuration of blended families … Samek Norton's prose is vibrant and evocative. … The sumptuous descriptions of food and the fleshing out of time, of locales, of palaces, of Mediterranean sunlight, provide an exquisite backdrop for the action of the novel.” —Carrie Meehan, Chanticleer Reviews
In the Holy Land, an assassin waits to strike down Aimary de Lusignan, King of Jerusalem and Cyprus. He belongs to a clan of ambitious and rebellious Poitevin barons, reviled and admired from France to the Holy Land, rumored to be descended from the legendary half-serpent Lady Mélusine.
In Poitou, her years spent as a novice hardly prepared the plain and pious Juliana de Charnais to become the wife of Guérin de Lasalle, the Lord of Parthenay. A former mercenary with a formidable pedigree, Lasalle is a man singularly averse to conventions secular and spiritual.
When a messenger arrives from the Holy Land, enticing Lasalle back into a life he had abandoned, Juliana embarks on a perilous journey, only to find herself trapped in intrigues as byzantine as they are deadly between the Lusignans and the Ibelíns, two related and bitterly rival families. On Cyprus, the island of Aphrodite, Juliana and Lasalle find that loyalty, like love, comes in many guises, and that duty and honor require of them a terrible sacrifice.
ISBN 978-1-944453-00-8
eISBN 978-1-944453-01-5
$9.99
Gripping and passionate…a tale of dangerous intrigue that tests the bounds of loyalty, love, and honor.
—Julia London, author of A Courtesan’s Scandal
Rich in medieval detail…a seductive mystery-romance with a cleverly designed plot.
—Historical Novels Review
Vividly brought to life…a captivating novel from first page to the last.
—Midwest Book Review
Hana Samek Norton grew up in the former Czechoslovakia exploring the ruins of castles and cloisters where she became captivated by history and historical fiction. After immigrating to Canada, and later moving to New Mexico, she earned history degrees from the University of Western Ontario and the University of New Mexico. She currently lives in the Land of Enchantment, is married to an Englishman, works as a consultant, and occasionally teaches. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society which gives her a chance to meet her favorite authors and fans of the genre, enjoys spending time with her husband, travel, gardening, and chasing down obscure references. The Serpent’s Crown is her second novel.
www.hanasameknorton.com
