Dawnflight


Pls RT 5* DAWNFLIGHT by @KimHeadlee historical Arthurian Legends romance #MFRWOrg #ASMSG #IARTG #BYNR #BZBooks


TITLE – Dawnflight, 2nd Edition
SERIES –The Dragon's Dove Chronicles, vol. 1
AUTHOR – Kim Iverson Headlee
GENRE – Historical Military Fantasy Spiritual Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – March 2015
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 415 pages/130K words
PUBLISHER – Pendragon Cove Press
COVER DESIGNER – Natasha Brown
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR – Dorothy Dickson

Second Edition, 1st  printing: Lucky Bat Books, 2013
First Edition: Sonnet Books, Simon & Schuster, 1999
 

BUY LINKS
Digital:

Print:

AWARDS

  • 4 ½ stars and a Top Pick from Romantic Times (1st edition), November 1999
  • Winner (tie), 1999 Blue Boa Award for Excellence in Romantic Fiction, Historical category
  • Romantic Times Nominee—Best Innovative Historical Romance of 1999
  • Honorable Mention in SF Site’s Readers’ Choice Best SF & Fantasy Books of 1999
  • Finalist, 2000 Golden Quill, Historical category
  • Finalist, 2014-2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (2nd edition), Religious Fiction category

 SYNOPSIS

Gyan is a Caledonian chieftainess by birth, a warrior and leader of warriors by training, and she is betrothed to Urien, a son of her clan’s deadliest enemy, by right of Arthur the Pendragon’s conquest of her people. For the sake of peace, Gyan is willing to sacrifice everything...perhaps even her very life, if her foreboding about Urien proves true.

Roman by his father, Brytoni by his mother, and denied hereditary rulership of his mother's clan because of his mixed blood, Arthur has followed his father's path to become Dux Britanniarum, the Pendragon: supreme commander of the northern Brytoni army. The Caledonians, Scots, Saxons, and Angles keep him too busy to dwell upon his loneliness...most of the time.

When Gyan and Arthur meet, each recognize within the other their soul’s mate. The treaty has preserved Gyan’s ancient right to marry any man, providing he is a Brytoni nobleman—but Arthur does not qualify. And the ambitious Urien, Arthur’s greatest political rival, shall not be so easily denied. If Gyan and Arthur cannot prevent Urien from plunging the Caledonians and Brytons back into war, their love will be doomed to remain unfulfilled forever.

But there is an even greater threat looming. The Laird of the Scots wants their land and will kill all who stand in his way. Gyan, Arthur, and Urien must unite to defeat this merciless enemy who threatens everyone they hold dear.

Review tour: July 3-Aug. 3, 2019.
Includes option to review books 2 (Morning's Journey)
and 3 (Raging Sea) too.
Click here to sign up!

Narrated book trailer with older cover by Joe Calkins:

Dawnflight social media links:

BeeZee Books | BookBub | BookBzz | BooksGoSocial | 
 Booksyeah! | Captive Reads | Indie Book Discovery | 
The Midlist |
Character interview of Arthur on Romance Lives Forever |
Character interview of Gyan on Love My Kindle | 
Indie Book of the Day (11/18/2013) 
Wednesday Sampler (12/02/2015) on Venture Galleries
Audiobook Trailer (Prologue) | Video of blurbs & excerpts |
My original Dawnflight page

LATEST REVIEWS (most recent first)
  • All customer reviews on Amazon.com (currently 4.4 of 5 in 56 reviews)
  • Poinsettia of Long and Short Reviews—4.5* "I truly enjoyed reading Dawnflight. Ms. Headlee’s version of the Arthurian legend is unique, and Arthur and Gyan’s romance is timeless."
  • The Archaeolibrarian—5* "Filled with interesting characters and places, [Dawnflight] is a book to be savoured."
  • Bri of Natural Bri - Pursuits of Life—"The characters, just like the world, were written with enough detail and emotion to really bring them to life."
  • Laura of Laura's Interests—"Kim Iverson Headlee takes this legend in a new direction sure to become a classic."
  • Bambi of Bambi Unbridled—"I really liked this version of Guinevere."
  • The Voluptuous Book Diva—4.5* "Well researched, well written, fast paced story with strong characters and beautiful world building. You do not want to pass this book or author by."
  • Romantic Renay of The Romantic Fanatic—4* "Such a wonderful page turner!"
  • Patricia of Room With Books—5 Cups: "What a beautiful look at the old legend of Arthur and Guinevere from Guinevere’s viewpoint as a warrior chieftainess."
  • Dianne of Tome Tender 5*—"By using Celtic words, blending fact with fiction and the skill of a great story teller, Ms. Headlee will satisfy Arthurian fans, historical romance fans and even those who love a good sword fight!"
  • Arthurian Romances 5*—"I promise you'll be picking up the sequel, Morning's Journey."
  • Addiction to Reading 5*—"All I can say is WOW."
  • Wanda Loves Books—"I could not put this book down!"
  • girlygirlbookreviews—"I loved it!"
  • Paranormal Romance Authors That Rock (PATR) 4.5 out of 5—Dawnflight offers a "great twist on an old love story that is widely known."
  • A Bibliophile’s Thoughts on Books —"I really enjoyed this book immensely and I can't wait to read the next one in the series." ~ Christina the Bibliophile
  • Bibliophile Book Reviews (4 stars out of 5) —"DAWNFLIGHT takes you into a world headlong and makes you almost forget about your own. Her characters and settings are so well-rounded, you feel as if you've been there yourself... A definite read for fantasy lovers." ~ A.C. Haury
  • Book Boyfriend Reviews (3.5 hearts out of 5) —"I liked the fact that Gyan is a warrior, she kicks arse. ...I enjoyed the book." ~ Sandie of Book Boyfriend Reviews
  • The Caffeinated Diva book reviews (3.5 mugs out of 5)—"Headlee’s retelling speaks of possible reality, rather than the fairy tale versions we all know. It is, at its heart, still a love story, but told in an entirely new, and sometimes gritty, way." ~ Kim the Caffeinated Diva
  • CS fantasy reviews (8 out of 10)—"This Arthurian tale is set across the backdrop of Britain in the fifth century and everything from the languages, cultures and religions is vividly portrayed. The various forms of foreshadowing were used to good effect and infused the tale with a real tension. Overall Dawnflight does a fantastic job of combining a coming of age tale with a vivid backdrop." ~ Craig Scott
  •  USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog spotlight in the "I’m currently reading" section of staff reviewer Jessie Potts —"Dawnflight by Kim Headlee is the first book in the Dragon's Dove Chronicles and centers on Gyan and Urien and Arthur. It’s a book filled with legends, enemies and a bunch of intrigue. So far it’s intense, very in-depth and will be a favorite for Arthurian lovers."
  • I Am, Indeed (4 stars out of 5)—“A reworking of Arthurian legend unlike any I have ever read, Headlee has managed to incorporate research, a compelling story and characters that breathe life into their ancient traditions. ...the ending was perfectly positioned and has me anxious to read the next book.” ~ Gaele Hince
  • Kate’s Copy book reviews (5 doves out of 5)—"What I loved absolutely the most about Dawnflight was the fact that I didn’t even realize the story was about Arthur and Guinevere until half way through the book. ... That in and of itself freed me up to enjoy the story as a piece of literature without the expectations I’ve come to have about an Arthur story. By the time I realized what I was really reading, I’d been sucked in to Team Gyan, ready to declare my loyalty to her and her clan. ... I believe I am looking at a work of sheer brilliance." ~ Kathleen Foley
  • The Arthurian reference book, The Mammoth Book of King Arthur, states that Dawnflight is "...one of the more original of the recent historical re-creations" ~ Mike Ashley, editor
  • Niki’s Book Corner (5 butterflies out of 5)—"Great debut book for Kim Headlee, I so enjoyed it and look [forward] to more stories from her." ~ Niki Mattes
  • Zigzag Timeline audiobook review—"Dawnflight was an enjoyable read, especially with Dorothy Dickson's narration bringing it to life (I credit her with saving me from road rage, as I was listening to this audiobook while stuck in rush hour traffic on the NJ Turnpike). This book will appeal to lovers of Arthurian retellings, fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley, and those hungry for romance." ~ Mary Fan
  • For reviews of the 1999 edition of Dawnflight, click here.


    • EXCERPT



    They circled for what felt like half an eon. He appeared to be inviting her to attack first. She noticed him favoring his left leg a wee bit, as though troubled by an old wound. Bearing full weight seemed to be a problem reflected not only in his gait but occasionally in his eyes too. A clever warrior might feign such a weakness to trick his opponent into doing something foolish.

    There was only one way to find out.

    She lunged toward that side. He parried the blow with ease and answered with a counterattack so forceful, it was all she could do to block the bone-jarring blows. Injury or no, the Pendragon knew his craft. And she was half dismayed yet half pleased to recognize that, unlike in her matches with Urien, Arthur was holding nothing back. As the ache in her arms and shoulders mounted, she knew she had to devise some other tactic, or this would become the shortest bout on record.

    After parrying one of his lighter blows, she spun away to disengage, catch her breath, and collect her thoughts. Sword cocked, she resumed circling him, relieved that he didn’t seem anxious to reengage. Briefly, she noticed a crowd forming along the rail; soldiers, mostly, gesturing and shouting words she couldn’t understand, nor did she wish to. She blotted them out to open all her senses to her opponent, even down to the huskiness of his breathing and the tangy odor of his sweat, trying to think of anything that might work to tip the balance in her favor.

    An image flashed to mind of a bout with her father, fought on the eve of Urien’s arrival at Arbroch. Inspired by the outcome of that fight, she swiftly formed a plan. It carried high risk and no guarantee of success. She never would have attempted such a move in combat. Here, the only danger if she lost would be to her pride. But if she won…she bit her lower lip to keep her face from betraying her intent.

    She let Arthur initiate the attack. While advancing to meet the blow, she stumbled, fell, and rolled to her stomach. As expected, he quickly moved in to claim the victory. The crowd cheered. But before she could feel the prickle of his sword on her neck, she twisted aside and hooked his legs with hers. Luck favored her; with a startled yelp, and equally startled noises from their audience, he went down. She scrambled to her feet and pinned him under the point of her sword. Amid the overall roar of disappointment, she could pick out phrases like “Trickery!” and “Not fair!” But the taunts didn’t bother her; victory had never tasted sweeter! Her only regret was that Ogryvan and Per and the rest of her clan couldn’t savor it with her.

    Studying Arthur for a reaction, her grin soured. For several seconds, he stared at the sky as though stunned; whether physically or mentally, she couldn’t tell. Her concern rose as she wondered if she had injured him. Finally, he shook his head and attempted to sit up, but her sword barred his way.

    “I concede the match, Chieftainess.” He released his sword and waved his open hand. “I won’t try anything unique. You have my word. Thank God my enemies aren’t half as devious as you are.” His grin could have stopped the sun in its course…and it was having an arresting effect on Gyan’s heart as well. “But I wouldn’t advise using that move in battle. Much too risky.”

    “Oh. Yes, I—I know.” Chiding herself for how silly she must sound, she sheathed her sword and thrust out her hand. He tugged off his gloves and accepted her unspoken offer, gripped her forearm, and hauled himself up.

    Pain stabbing her arm forced a strangled gasp from her throat. He shifted his grip to her hand and gently turned her arm to expose the underside. A long cut lay perilously close to one of the veins, seeping blood. He traced the vein lightly with a fingertip.

    “When did I do this?” His voice was a hoarse whisper.

    Staring at the cut, she wondered the same thing. Probably during their initial clash, though she really had no idea. She shrugged. Even that motion made her wince.

    “Chieftainess, I didn’t mean to—” A stricken look shattered his bearing. He squeezed her hand. “God in heaven, Gyanhumara, I am so sorry.”

    She wanted to reassure him that she’d be all right; the wound looked clean and wasn’t much deeper than a scratch. In fact, it was the least of her concerns. Enchanted by the sound of her name on his lips and mesmerized by his gaze, she felt the world seem to collapse to just the two of them. His face hovered over hers, his lips a handspan away. The warmth of his nearness had an intoxicating effect. She was acutely conscious of the tugging of her heart, as though it was trying to pull her closer to him. It wasn’t an unwelcome idea.



    OLDER COVERS:

    2nd Edition, designed by Joe J. Calkins, 2013



    1st Edition, designed by Dave Flowers for Sonnet Books (Simon & Schuster), 1999



    Pls RT 5* DAWNFLIGHT by @KimHeadlee historical Arthurian Legends romance #MFRWOrg #ASMSG #IARTG #BYNR #BZBooks

4 comments:

Scribble a note on the wall of the Maze so you can find your way out again... ;-)

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