At long last, an update on the Bradamante and Ruggiero Series

At long last, an update on the Bradamante and Ruggiero Series

Release of Fate of the Saracen Knight, Volume II in a trilogy

 

 

For my longtime blog readers, I apologize for the long period of time where I did not update this blog. At a certain point, I was trying to limit or eliminate distractions from my forward progress in writing my sequel. Blogging was one of the aspects of my life that went the wayside. Today, as I post an update for the first time in four years, I went through and tested all the links in my blogroll. Those that no longer worked were purged.

So to begin with the good news that Volume II in my trilogy is released, I thought I should share with my readers how I began writing this series. Back in 2003, I read my first epic poem. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was a life changing experience for me. I had intended on only reading a few cantos of Orlando furioso and used an online English translation of it because it was free and readily available. It was confusing, and so I switched to reading Barbara Reynolds’ two-volume set. I became entranced by the epic story with an expansive cast of larger than life characters and multiple interweaving plotlines. The love story of Bradamante and Ruggiero became the one plot thread that captivated my attention most of all and I found myself skimming ahead until I found their storyline resumed. I was astonished at the idea that 500 years ago there was a brave warrior maiden in literature sent on a quest to rescue her beloved. I felt cheated that I had never heard of Bradamante before.

Two years later, I made the decision to adapt two of the largest contributions to the legends of Charlemagne into novels for modern day audiences. I wanted others to know about these fantastic characters and their incredible storyline. I knew from the outset it would be an ambitious project, but I had confidence I had the talent and stamina to complete it. As I embarked on my literary journey to adapt Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto and Orlando inamorato by Matteo Maria Boiardo, I naïvely thought that it would not take me as long to complete my task as it took the poets to write their masterpieces. Now, thirteen years later, I am proud to announce the publication of Fate of the Saracen Knight, volume two in my trilogy.

According to the Encyclopedia of Italian Studies, Boiardo began his work on Orlando innamorato in 1478. The first edition of his poem was published in 1483. Boiardo died in 1494, leaving his poem unfinished. He wrote his poem for sixteen years. 

Ariosto was later given the task of finishing Boiardo’s poem and his work began in 1505. The first publication of Orlando furioso was in 1516, taking only eleven years. A further expansive version of his epic poem was published in 1532, sixteen years later, for a total of thirty-two years spent on his magnum opus.

The focus of my work is on the love story of Bradamante and Ruggiero, so I am not attempting to adapt the entirety of both poems. That was part of my hubris in thinking my adaptation wouldn’t take as long as it did the poets to write their stories. Thirteen years later, and I’m not finished yet.

I began this work not having been a devotée of the Medieval period. However, I have a Masters Degree as an Historian of Science from Sonoma State University and was mentally prepared for the challenge. I plunged in the deep end, learning as much as I could about medieval life, medieval history and Charlemagne. Part of my research included my husband and I traveling to France to see the places I was writing about and museums. On subsequent trips, we visited Aachen, Germany to see Charlemagne’s seat of power and to Ferrara, Italy where the patrons of Boiardo and Ariosto lived.

I have enjoyed meeting Medievalists and lovers of courtly literature. There is a definite passion for the ideals of chivalry and telling tales to entertain and inspire.

To help celebrate the launch of my second volume, both volumes are discounted during the month of December. Here are links for the ebooks of Quest of the Warrior Maiden  Fate of the Saracen Knight from Amazon.com, and the trade paperbacks of Quest and Fate. The books are available on other Amazon outlets throughout the world, but availability of trade paperbacks depends on the country. The prices will go up in January.

Some of you may know Dr. Richard Scott Nokes, Professor of Medieval Literature from Troy University. Here is what he had to say about my writing. “Readers will be gripped by the epic sweep of the Bradamante & Ruggiero Series. This second book ratchets up the narrative tension and leaves the reader emotionally invested not just in the Fate of the Saracen Knight, but the fates of all the characters.”

Please consider giving the gift of reading this holiday season for yourself or for others, and supporting an independent author who shares your passion for the Medieval period.

Thank you and may you have a fabulous holiday season,

Linda C. McCabe

My website can be found at www.LindaCMcCabe.com
 

Celebrating Ludovico Ariosto's 540th Birthday

Statue of Ludovico Ariosto in the Piazza Ariostea, Ferrara, Italy

Ludovico Ariosto was born September 8, 1474

"Of ladies, cavaliers, of love and war,
Of courtesies and of brave deeds I sing..."
-Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando furioso
(translated by Barbara Reynolds)


 Last year I spent three weeks in Italy in research for my writing. The highlight of my trip was spending an entire day in Ferrara. I walked miles that day searching for sites associated with Ludovico Ariosto, Matteo Maria Boiardo and the noble house of d'Este. Having spent years adapting Ariosto's masterpiece into a series of novels for modern day audiences, I wanted to surround myself in the beauty and charm of Ferrara and to visit the places where Ariosto wrote. It was an inspirational trip and I look forward to returning to Italy, hopefully in 2016 to help commemorate the 500th anniversary of the original publication of Orlando furioso.

To help celebrate Ariosto's 540th birthday, my novel Quest of the Warrior Maiden will have a special discount price during his birthday week.  The regular sale price is $4.99 for the ebook and $16.99 for the trade paperback. For this week the e-book is only 99 cents at Amazon.com and the trade paperback at $12. The discounted price will be available until Sunday, September 14th.

Here are some links for my international friends to access a similar discount at foreign Amazon outlets.
Australia ebook
Brazil ebook
Canada ebook
France ebook trade paperback
Germany ebook trade paperback
India ebook
Italy ebook  trade paperback
Mexico ebook
Spain ebook trade paperback
United Kingdom ebook trade paperback

Please share this information with your students, friends, colleagues, anyone who enjoys epic tales of chivalry.

I am also happy to share with you some good news about my book with the following glowing review and mention of awards it has won.

"In Quest of the Warrior Maiden, author Linda McCabe reveals an undeniable talent for creating a truly memorable and epic fantasy saga incorporating memorable characters, cliff hanger suspense, magic and Arthurian romance of the first order. Quest of the Warrior Maiden is enthusiastically recommended reading and a first rate selection for community library Science Fiction/Fantasy collections." - Julie Summers, Reviewer - Midwest Book Review

AWARDS

• Winner - Best Historic Fantasy by the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA)

• Honorable Mention for Genre-Based fiction by the Hollywood Book Festival







For those wondering about the progress of the sequel, I am about a third of the way through. I am currently writing about Aistulf (Astolfo) chasing the Harpies into the Underworld.

My goal is to have the sequel finished in time for the 2016 Medieval Congress and all of the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary publication year of Orlando furioso.

Until then, buona fortuna!

Linda C. McCabe

http://lcmccabe.blogspot.com/2014/09/celebrating-ludovico-ariostos-540th.html