Second Son Chronicles

"A fine-grained and emotionally satisfying medieval adventure." –Kirkus Reviews A quiet life of service is all he desires. But when peace becomes tenuous, his commitment to duty leads him to deadly danger... 14th century. Lord Alfred is content with his mundane destiny. Too far removed from the throne to ever ascend and more interested in scholarship, he still willingly accepts his kingly grandfather's charge to execute a secret mission. But when his bid to protect the heir leaves him captive to a dangerous man, the young lordling fears he'll see death before his family will pay any ransom. Tormented by visions of never meeting his unborn child, a weary Alfred is forced to march farther and farther from home as his hope of escape grows desperate. So when he senses time running out, the modest noble girds himself to seize one last chance at freedom. Can Alfred slip his bonds and survive a harrowing struggle towards all he holds dear? Second Son is the historically inspired first book in the Second Son Chronicles of Renaissance fiction. If you like bracing adventures, heroes with a love of learning, and intricately detailed settings, then you'll adore Pamela Taylor's complex tale.

"Written in elegant prose, with an intricate storyline that is woven together like a fine medieval tapestry." -Authors ReadingGet ready to embark on an unforgettable journey with the highly anticipated second installment of the Second Son Chronicles by bestselling author, Pamela Taylor!In My Father, My King, the new king, Alfred, must navigate the treacherous waters of leadership as he grapples with his own unique style and penchant for action. But that's not all - his brother John is about to do something truly outrageous that will exceed the bounds of royal decorum.As the world around them changes faster than anyone expected, Alfred must rise to the occasion and create a role for himself that lives up to his grandfather's vision of his destiny. But looming in the shadows is Ralf, still seeking vengeance for his father and determined to bring down Alfred at any cost.Full of action, suspense, and drama, My Father, My King is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and adventure novels. Don't miss out on this thrilling sequel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end!

"...deceptions, triumphs, passions and bloodshed will grip readers from the first page to the last page." -Authors ReadingGet ready for a thrilling adventure in the highly-anticipated third installment of the Second Son Chronicles by bestselling author, Pamela Taylor.In Pestilence, Alfred's worst nightmare comes true when his brother John ascends to the throne, plunging the kingdom into chaos and uncertainty.As traditional allegiances crumble and a new style of rule emerges, Alfred is forced to confront his duty to both his personal honor and the kingdom he loves. With danger lurking at every turn, Alfred must navigate treacherous waters to protect everything he holds dear.In this heart-stopping page-turner, Taylor weaves a masterful tale of duty, loyalty, and sacrifice, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Don't miss out on the most dangerous years of Alfred's life as he fights to uphold his family's legacy and save his kingdom from destruction. Order your copy of Pestilence today!

"A perfect read for those who enjoy stories such as Game of Thrones, Vikings and The Tudors." -Pacific Book ReviewComing to his senses in a place he's never seen before, Alfred discovers he has survived the deadly sickness sweeping the land and has also managed, quite by accident, to find his family. But he's also a traitor to the Crown for desertion on the field of battle, so he and his family must live in complete seclusion in a remote corner of Gwen's homeland. Avoiding all contact with the outside world lest the king's spies discover their whereabouts, they have no idea what is happening with the war, if the king has turned on the lords for dissolving the kingdom, or if they will ever be able to return home.When horsemen are spotted in the forest one wintry morning, the chill that runs through the cottage has nothing to do with the temperature outside.

"A fine-grained and emotionally satisfying medieval adventure." -Kirkus ReviewsIsabella wants to come home - a rather innocuous request - unless you're the king and Isabella is the aunt whose mental instability led her own father to banish her from the kingdom. Her arrival, unbidden, on the steps of the castle opens old wounds and forces Alfred to examine his grandfather's decision.As diplomacy with former enemies begins to bear fruit, new dangers loom on the horizon. The bellicose Teutons, discord among the nobles in the Kingdom Across the Southern Sea, and Isabella's continuing machinations all conspire to threaten the peace and security of the realm.Alfred's mettle will be tested as never before. And a startling revelation will lead him first to troublesome doubts and eventually to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a king.

"The Weight of the Crown represents Historical Fiction at its pinnacle." -Pacific Book ReviewNow that the destructive force of black powder has been unleashed, Alfred must reinforce his alliances in a world where the nature of conflict has been changed for all time. Against this backdrop, he faces the daunting task of finding a suitable match for his eldest daughter, knowing he must balance the needs of the kingdom against his vow to ensure the happiness of the child whose anticipated arrival kept him alive during his ordeal in captivity.When the Teutons take advantage of the ongoing civil war in the Kingdom Across the Southern Sea by seizing its southeastern province, the stakes are ratcheted up yet again. Does Alfred hold the trump card to subdue the ambitions of the Teutons and find a new equilibrium in a constantly changing world?

"Taylor creates a tale redolent of the best of political drama, alliances, annexation, betrayal, and intrigue." -Pacific Book ReviewAfter three long years of war and disruptions, Alfred hopes for a time of peace and tranquility. A time to devote his energy to bettering the lives of his people, to focus on what the future holds for his children, to nurture his alliances, and to see his previous endeavors bear fruit. But even the home front has bumps in the road. The campaign to suppress Teuton aggression has been costly, Lord Meriden's threat to disrupt the kingdom shows no sign of abating, and Nerrick's growing negativity casts a shadow over the mutual defense plans with the Territories. Against this domestic backdrop, Alfred can't forget his obligation to support the fledgling reign of young King Denis, whose kingdom is an essential buffer against Teuton ambitions.The threat to peace and tranquility, when it comes, arises from an entirely unexpected quarter and puts Alfred in the unfamiliar position of being completely dependent on others to find a resolution. Could his grandfather have been wrong about his special destiny?

Geoffrey, Alfred's heir, and Denis, King of the Kingdom Across the Southern Sea. Two young men soon to come of age. One, having doubts as he comes to grips with the enormity of what his future holds; the other, eager to end the regency and rule in his own right. Both relying on Alfred's guidance as each birthday marks another milestone in the lives they're destined to lead.Meanwhile, as Alfred's commanders wrestle with the inadequacy of traditional defenses against cannon warfare, they must also solidify their plans to support King Denis if he comes under attack from the Teutons. But daily life goes on, even as a long-forgotten person reappears in the kingdom, and the peace holds for now.So why can't Alfred shake the visceral feeling that something ominous lurks just out of sight?

"The King has summoned you," for the Second Son Chronicles book #9, The Burden of Choice, from International Bestselling author Pamela Taylor.Convinced that the prizes in his long game-the riches of Aleffe Province and King Denis's great port on the Southern Sea-are now within his grasp, the Teuton king has finally shown his cards. He's confident Denis's youth and inexperience mean he'll be no match for the might of the Teuton army, especially if he can be isolated. To that end, the Teuton has already taken steps to prevent Denis's ally in the south from joining the fray. All that's left is to neutralize Alfred-and the Teuton is certain he's found the perfect way to do that.Refusing to be lured into a false choice, Alfred must nonetheless defend his realm. But as the number of lives lost in the conflict continues to mount, he finds himself troubled by the senselessness of the sacrifices brought on by one man's ambition. And he faces excruciating decisions about how to preserve his legacy and how to end the bloodshed.Will the Teuton king's strategy turn out to be brilliant or a serious miscalculation?

Book #10 in the Second Son Chronicles takes you back to the beginning.When 16th-century printers Henri and Bertrand Dubois find a stack of letters among their grandmother's memorabilia, they realize their lives are about to change, for in those missives is incontrovertible proof that the legend of the lost chronicles of King Alfred is no legend at all. Publishing those chronicles would be the coup of a lifetime, elevating not only the brothers' prestige among publishers in two kingdoms but also their position in society. But first, they have to find them.Leaving Henri at home to run the business, Bertrand sets out on the quest. Where should he start, and who can he trust for help without exposing their plans? The skeptical scholar? The royal chamberlain? A mysterious stable master? Will the fact that the chronicles are believed to be a myth serve as protection or hindrance? And when a seemingly innocuous reference leads Bertrand to search for an even older chronicle, what will he find?