AUTHOR’S NOTE

There is usually some basis of fact in my books and this one is no exception. During my studies of the Wars of the Roses in medieval England, I learned about the mystery of Perkin Warbeck and how he claimed to be one of the lost princes murdered by Richard III. Because this story is set in an alternate universe in which Richard III won the battle instead of Henry VII, I thought it would be even more interesting to explore how Warbeck’s claim to the throne would be received by the uncle who purportedly murdered him. It created some great tension for the story and some guidance on the plot. For those interested in learning more, I’d recommend Ann Wroe’s book The Perfect Prince: The Mystery of Perkin Warbeck and His Quest for the Throne of England. One of the elements of the book that has haunted me was what happened to the child of Perkin and Lady Katherine, the Earl of Huntley’s daughter. Historians don’t really know. Why is it that we authors are attracted to such mysteries?

I’ve mentioned many times a fondness for middle books. I don’t know if I will be able to say that about this one because I’ve never cried as an author as much as I did writing the concluding chapters of this book. If you feel you’ve been put through some form of emotional torture, I have been there right alongside you. I’m deeply involved in the lives of the characters.

There is a story told about the sculptor Michelangelo. As he was chiseling the statue David out of a huge marble block, a young boy asked him, “How did you know he was in there?” For me, writing books is a similar process. It feels sometimes like I am bringing to life a story that has always existed. This was part of the story that needed to be told. In our lives, we don’t always get what we deserve or what we want. But how we deal with those misfortunes mold our character.

As with this second book, time will leap-frog again into the future for book three, where the ramifications of the decisions made here will play out. You will also learn more about the mysteries that have been eluding Owen for so long. Get ready for some surprises ahead in The King’s Traitor.