27 Sep Nick Macklin Bloody Dominions Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @NMacklinAuthor @maryanneyarde

FEATURED AUTHOR: NICK MACKLIN

I am delighted to feature Nick Macklin as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held from September 20th  – October 1st, 2021. Nick Macklin is the author of the Historical Fiction, Bloody Dominions (The Conquest Trilogy, Book 1), which was released by Troubador Publishing on 28th June 2021 (368 pages).

Below are highlights of Bloody Dominions, Nick Macklin’s author bio, and an excerpt from his book.

Click Tour Schedule to follow the blog tour for Nick Macklin.

HIGHLIGHTS: BLOODY DOMINIONS

Bloody Dominions

(The Conquest Trilogy, Book 1)

By Nick Macklin

Journey with those at the heart of the conflict as Caesar embarks on the tumultuous conquest of Gaul 58-51 BC. Book One 58-56 BC.

As Caesar’s campaign begins, tests of courage and belief will confront the three protagonists, shaping them as individuals and challenging their views of the world and each other:

Atticus – an impetuous but naturally gifted soldier, whose grandfather served with distinction in the legions

Allerix – a Chieftain of the Aduatuci, who finds himself fighting both for and against Caesar

Epona – a fierce warrior and Allerixs’ adopted sister.

Experiencing the brutalities of conflict and the repercussions of both victory and defeat, Atticus, Allerix and Epona will cross paths repeatedly, their destinies bound together across time, the vast and hostile territories of Gaul and the barriers of fate that have defined them as enemies. In a twist of fate, Atticus and Allerix discover that they share a bond, a secret that nobody could ever foresee…

Trigger Warnings:

Violence, attempted rape.

Buy Links:

Universal link  ♦  Amazon UK  ♦  Amazon US ♦  Amazon CA  ♦  Amazon AU  ♦  Barnes and Noble  ♦  Waterstones  ♦  Kobo  ♦  iBooks

Google Play  ♦  WHSmith

AUTHOR BIO: NICK MACKLIN

A history graduate, Nick enjoyed developing the skills that would stand him in good stead during the extensive research he conducted prior to writing his novel. Whilst the ancient world unfortunately didn’t feature to any extent in his history degree, (the result of failing miserably to secure the A level grades that would have permitted greater choice) he maintained a lifelong and profound interest in ancient history and especially the Roman Empire, continuing to read avidly as he embarked on a career in HR. Over the next 30 years or so Nick occupied a variety of Senior/Director roles, most recently in the NHS. Unsurprisingly, writing in these roles was largely confined to the prosaic demands of Board papers but Nick never lost the long-harboured belief, motivated by the works of writers such as Robert Fabbri, Robyn Young, Anthony Riches, Simon Scarrow, Matthew Harffy and Giles Kristian, that he too had a story to tell. When he was presented with a window of opportunity c3 years ago he took the decision to place his career on hold and see if he could convert that belief into reality.

Nick always knew that he wanted to set the novel against the backdrop of a significant event/period in Roman history. Looking to narrow that down to something offering the potential for meaningful character and plot development, but that hadn’t already received exhaustive coverage, he settled on Caesar’s tumultuous occupation of Gaul. Spanning 8 years, the prolonged clash of cultures offered ample opportunity for the kind of dual perspective from which he was hoping to tell the story, whilst the violent conflict provided a wealth of exciting material to explore the changing fortunes of war and its impact at a personal level. The switching of allegiances, nations fighting for and against Rome also provided the potential for some intriguing plot lines. As his research unfolded, he was also struck by just how heavily the Roman psyche during this period was influenced by the scare they had received 50 years earlier when Germanic tribes invaded their territories and defeated their legions. Seeing references to the veterans of that war watching their sons and grandsons enlist for a similar campaign, he started to think about developing that link on both sides of the conflict. And so, the idea for the Conquest Trilogy was born.

In Bloody Dominions Nick has sought to produce a novel in which unfolding events are experienced and described from the perspective of protagonists on both sides of Caesar’s incursion into Gaul.  Conscious that the role of women in Roman fiction, Boudica aside, is largely confined to spouse, prostitute or slave, Nick wanted to ensure that one of his lead characters was female and a prominent member of the warrior clan of her tribe. The novel is driven by these characters but the framework against which their stories unfold is historically accurate, featuring actual participants in Caesar’s campaign and drawing on real events as they occurred. As such Nick is genuinely excited about his characters and the story they have to tell.

Nick lives in Exeter with his two daughters and is currently juggling work as an Independent HR Consultant with writing the second novel in the Conquest Trilogy, Battle Scars.

Social Media Links:

Twitter  ♦  LinkedIn  ♦  Goodreads  ♦  BookBub

EXCERPT 3: BLOODY DOMINIONS

Watching from the edges of the hall, she had found the ceremony as moving as always, despite her inner turmoil. Wearing their polished mail and finest cloaks, her father and the members of the Royal Guard looked resplendent as they stood, swords drawn, in a wide arc around Cottabus and Ambilo. She knew the sacred oath by heart and had recited it as each of them was called forward by Epomedius to kneel and swear allegiance to her father. They had then run the dagger he offered across their palms and sealed their oath in blood. Failure to honour that oath would bring forth punishment from the gods, although she doubted any member of the Guard would see fit to delegate that task if one of their number failed to do their duty. Usually, the ceremony would be followed with a period of feasting but this time that would have to wait. Preparations were being made for her father’s departure tomorrow. No doubt a beaker or two of ale would be taken in lieu of the feast but she would leave them to it. Epomedius’ voice boomed out as she tried, unsuccessfully, to sneak away.

“Epona! Stop skulking in the shadows. The king requires your presence.”

Slightly surprised by the formality of the reference to her father, she turned and made her way across the hall. Her father, Allerix and Epomedius came forward to meet her, leaving the rest of the Guard, now supplemented by its two new members, in situ. She inclined her head deferentially.

“Father.”

He gave her a smile but it was Epomedius who addressed her.

“Your father knows that if war is declared, you would commit to fighting in the ranks. He would expect nothing less. None of us would. But he cannot allow it. It would be inappropriate.”

She struggled to make sense of what she was hearing. Surely her father wouldn’t deny her that right? He couldn’t. She looked at him plaintively but he remained stony-faced and unmoved. Her mind was filled with a multitude of angry questions. They hadn’t formed any sort of coherent argument but that wasn’t going to stop her protesting. She took a step forward. As if he had been anticipating her response, Epomedius raised his hand; his stern look a warning that she should stave off any outburst. Dejected but conscious of the many others in the room, she bit her lip and stepped back. She could feel her hands gripping the edges of her tunic but she kept her gaze fixed defiantly on Epomedius.

“It would be inappropriate because you do not best serve your king in that way. I would gladly welcome any other warrior possessing your level of skill and bravery into the Guard, as would your father. The king rides to Samarobriva tomorrow and the full Guard will accompany him. Only the Guard is not yet full.”

Filled with a rising sense of excitement and hope, she looked quizzically at her father.

“Father? What is he saying?”

He smiled.

“That we have one more oath of allegiance left to swear, if you would wish it so?”

Of course, she would wish it so! She couldn’t ever recall feeling so happy. Or so proud. All she wanted to do was shout her acceptance but, overwhelmed, she simply smiled and nodded her head. Allerix laughed.

“Well. That’s a first. I never thought anything would render you speechless.”

She quickly recovered her composure.

“Bastard! Did you know?”

He smiled.

“Of course. And a little more respect please for another member of the Guard.”

“She is not yet a member,” Epomedius interjected.

Her father nodded and gestured that Allerix and Epomedius should return to their places. She reached for her father’s arm.

“Are you sure? Won’t the elders be displeased that you have broken with tradition?”

Her father shrugged.

“Some of them, but I have spoken with enough. Besides, it’s my Guard. Why would I not have the most able in my service? That is the tradition we should uphold, I think. I am sure. Now, go.”

He set off to retake his position at the centre of the hall. Still scarcely able to believe what was happening, she hurried over to join Epomedius.

“You know the oath.”

“I do.”

“Then kneel and swear fealty to your king.”

Trembling slightly, she lowered her knee to the ground. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“In the presence of my kin and before Taranis, I offer this sacred oath to faithfully serve my king, to never desert his service and give my life for his protection. This much I swear.”

Rising to her feet, she took the dagger from Epomedius, flinching as she ran the blade across her palm. But the pain was nothing compared to the sense of pride and honour that she was now feeling. She watched the blood trickle from her upturned hand onto the dagger. It was done. She was a member of the Guard. She had some unexpected arrangements to make for their departure tomorrow but perhaps she would stay for that ale after all.

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