Draca Wards Saga

Draca Wards Saga

Friday, February 14, 2014

And now, a 'glimpse' of Book 4!

 Pun very much intended…

Here is the cover to my next book. I was very excited to see this. And I was given permission to share, so here it is.

Glimpses of Destiny is the fourth installment of the Draca Wards Saga. And it’s coming soon, so catch up and read the first three novels. And if you have read them, go ahead and read them again.

My publisher, Silver Leaf Books, has reduced prices on most of its books. Here is the link to the page for Familiar Origins: http://www.silverleafbooks.com/Books_FamiliarOrigins.htm

You can read a sample chapter of Book 1 here: http://www.dracawards.com/Familiar%20Origins_BPine_Ch1.pdf

My illustrator is one of my biggest fans.  Here is the link to her blog. http://eimipinero.blogspot.com/
 
I will blog a little bit about the saga in my next few posts.

B.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Happy Birthday!

One of the main characters in my fantasy series is a very young princess who is first in line to her father’s throne. Of the five main characters in my first two book of the series, she is my favorite, and I am trying to develop her into a well-rounded Queen of the likes of Charlemagne or Alexander. I do not know if I will succeed, but so far I really like the way she is turning out.
Pulcheria_(fresco)
To help flesh out this character, I researched several female warriors and rulers. This is how I stumbled upon Pulcheria, a Byzantine princess. She was the Empress of the East when the western part of Rome fell, and the first, and probably only, female ruler that Rome recognized prior to its fall. Pulcheria first intrigued me because we share the same birthday. But as I learned more about her, I realized that her story is quite unique, and a little controversial.

AELIA PULCHERIA
Aelia Pulcheria was the daughter of Theodisius I and Eudoxia, and the older sister of Theodisius II. She had two or three other sisters but they are not relevant here. There is confusion on whether Plucheria had an older sister or not. By the time Pulcheria was nine and young Theodisius was seven, both their parents had died. The young boy became Emperor Theodisius II and the Prefect Anthemius became his regent.
Anthemius seemed to be a good choice for a regent, since not only did he take good care of the empire, he also doted over the young Emperor and protected the princesses by having them raised and educated by Joannite women. There was also another guardian, Antiochus, who either was second regent or a tutor to young Theodisius (I have seen varying accounts on this).
As soon as Pulcheria turned fifteen she took over her brother’s guardianship and was declared ‘Augusta’. It is difficult for me to explain the significance of this title in a few sentences. It goes beyond the title of Empress, and holds great reverence in both Roman and Christian aspects. Now this title, and the powers behind it, would have to be blessed by the Senate. Very few details seem to be available as to how exactly this came about, but one can only imagine how much a fifteen-year- old girl must have impressed these men to entrust her with the reins of the Empire. But the Senate seemed to have good instincts, because Pulcheria did a heck of a job.

THE VIRGIN EMPRESS
There does not seem to be any record of Pulcheria’s appearance. As Augusta, her face was struck on coins, but 5th century Byzantine coins seem to be stereotypical effigies, not the lifelike portraits the earlier Roman coin artisans seem to have strived for. I have not seen any mention of her beauty, or lack of. Her name means ‘beautiful one’, and her mother was a striking beauty, but her father was ugly. Her brother was known to be good looking, so how attractive she was perceived at the time is anyone’s guess. It was likely a moot point with historians and scribes, since Pulcheria adopted an austere lifestyle and probably scoffed at any trappings or embellishments that would enhance her looks.
Pulcheria was a devout Catholic, and when she was proclaimed Augusta she took a vow of virginity. She seemed to have wanted to become a nun, but her future as the Emperor’s right hand killed that opportunity. So her vow was likely seen as the next best thing. But she probably had an ulterior motive as well.
Anthemius at one time seems to have pushed for one of his grandsons to marry either Pulcheria or one of her sisters. This arrangement, at a time when women were rarely educated and relegated mostly to the home and household, illustrates how any man who took a lady of means as a spouse usurped whatever power she had. And Anthemius seems to have impressed this fact early in Pulcheria’s life by trying to pull a move like this. This was something the young girl did not take to at all, even late in her life. So the chastity vow also served to keep her from marrying and handing over her power like a dowry offer.
The first thing she did as Augusta was boot Antiochus and focus the next several years on training her brother to be Emperor. She did her best to turn him into a model God-fearing ruler, but by the time Theodisius II came of age, he dismissed most of Pulcheria’s grooming. That is not to say he ignored her in all matters. The younger Theodisius is described as a nice, smart guy who loved to read and write, but he was a bit shallow compared to his sister, and preferred to let her do all the hard work when it came to running things, which she did very well. During her brother’s reign, Constantinople became a thriving city worthy of its status as ‘the Rome of the East’. She was also competent in foreign matters. By foreign matters, I mean that she was not afraid to wage war, and she did, or at least she convinced her brother to do so, against the Persians.
Pulcheria took her religious responsibilities seriously as well. The poor were cared for by charitable alms she arranged. Physicians received stipends to care for the residents, so everyone had free health care available. Food was doled out in areas where people would submit wooden tickets called tessera. A grand university was founded. She made many great contributions to the church and defended the Theotokos (Virgin Mary as Mother of God) against Nestor and his belief that Mary should be regarded as the Christotokos (Mother to the human Christ rather than the divine). Sadly, her generosity and philanthropic gestures cannot hide or erase the fact that she was very intolerant of other religions, particularly Judaism and paganism, and was known to seize property and make life difficult for these groups.
Pulcheria was a strong, intelligent woman who clearly had a lot of charisma. Keep in mind that this princess was raised in extravagant finery by a weak-willed father and decadent mother. Despite all this, she grew to become a clever, competent leader who was deeply pious and generous. Her brother the Emperor relied on her judgement and advice. Her sisters followed her example and remained virgins. The Senate loved her. She held sway over Pope Leo I. But not everyone seems to have been a fan of hers.

THE SISTER-IN-LAW
When the time came for Theodisius to consider a wife, Pulcheria wanted to know what he wanted in a mate. For the Emperor, the woman’s lineage was not as important as her looks. He told his sister that if she was not pure and comely, he would not have her.
Then along comes a young Greek lady named Athenais to Pulcheria’s court to fight her two brothers for her share of their father’s inheritance. That alone reveals how much gumption Athenais has, but not only does this girl have substance, she is a hottie as well. Pulcheria has found her brother a bride. So she takes young Athenais under her wing, grooms her, gets her baptized, and presents this lovely package to the Emperor. Theodisius and Athenais fall in love. Mission accomplished. But despite stories of Athenais (renamed Eudocia at her baptism) and her selfless, forgiving nature, Pulcheria’s choice came back to haunt her, since a rivalry sprouted between these two kickass women. The struggle for power between the two Empresses reached a point where Pulcheria moved out of the palace. But Pulcheria was not the loser in this tug-of-war. Eudocia eventually gets herself in big trouble with her husband over an apple. But that is another story.

EMPRESS REGNANT
Due to the clashes with her sister-in-law and the smear campaign of a controversial bishop, Pulcheria’s influence as Augusta began to wane. But then her brother dies after falling from a horse. Eudocia is in disgrace, and the Emperor’s only child Eudoxia cannot assert her right to succession, so guess who is slated to take over?
I have read different accounts about Pulcheria’s transition to ruling Empress. She had to get married. So her marriage was either a dying request of Theodisius when he named her his successor, or a compromise with the Romans, who did not recognize female succession. Or maybe Pulcheria, after decades of ruling behind the scenes, just did not feel like reigning by herself. In any case, one month after assuming her brother’s throne, Pulcheria announced to everyone’s delight that she would wed Marcian, a Roman senator/ex-soldier who would protect her and the state. Even the Catholic Church approved of this union, spinning the marriage by announcing the approval of Christ of this platonic arrangement which would maintain her virgin status. Marcian had to abide by other terms as well, mostly revolving around his status as Emperor in name only. After Pulcheria died in 453, Marcian reigned alone for four more years until his death in 457.
Pulcheria was made a saint after her death, along with her husband. Although revered by the Church and the Eastern Roman empire, this formidable woman is not without her flaws. But you have to respect her disciplined approach to life and her many accomplishments.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A book award and a bad review

Yay! This weekend I will be in Miami at the 2013 Readers’ Favorite Awards! Familiar Origins has won an Honorable Mention award in the Fantasy Fiction category, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be able to attend the ceremony and meet other authors.



2013-honorable




This will be my third award. Familiar Origins also won two first place Royal Dragonfly Awards in 2012.
Yeah, I know. They are crooked.
Yeah, I know. They are crooked.

It’s a great feeling to be recognized. Readers’ Favorite has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years, so I realize this Honorable Mention could very well be a big thing. The book has not received mainstream attention, but so many readers love the story, and that really makes the long nights worthwhile. I also realize that Familiar Origins is not for everyone. Here is one reviewer who did not like the story at all:


http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/6334/1/Familiar-Origins-The-Draca-Wards-Saga-Book-1-Reviewed-By-Namta-Gupta-of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html#.UhTSvX8aM48


However, There is a positive side. The reviewer liked my next two books much more, so it is easier to swallow the criticism.


http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/6356/1/Plights-The-Draca-Wards-Saga-Book-2-Reviewed-By-Namta-Gupta-of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html#.Uh4rP38aM49

http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/6357/1/Coming-of-Age-The-Draca-Wards-Saga-Book-3-Reviewed-By-Namta-Gupta-of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html#.Uh4rtn8aM49


And so I am off to prepare for my trip.


B.

P.S. — If you are reading this through my Writing Fantasy blog, please visit my Author Website at www.bpinestories.com. It is not complete yet, but I am adding things little by little. Thanks!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Galen

Opheliona is on a roll! I just love the way she put Galen up in a tree. Here she is, sporting Morgan's version of the Espies haircut.


Thanks again, Morgan. I can't wait to see what you do with the boys!

B.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Cover Reveal! Book 3 of the Draca Wards Saga

Okay, I know that cover reveals are usually anticipated events that authors should be counting down and heralding. So forgive me for just throwing this out at everyone, but I can't wait to show it off!

Coming of Age- Book 3 of the Draca Wards Saga:





I will keep you guys in suspense with the release date, though. :-)  

Okay, I'll give you a bit of info. It will be available this year.  Actual release date coming very soon.

B.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Opheliona's Jania

It is so cool to glimpse my characters through a reader's eyes. Morgan sent me this portrait of Jania:

By Morgan Welch- http://opheliona.deviantart.com/
I really appreciate what you have done, Morgan. I know how much time and work it takes to do something like this. It shows how much you enjoyed the story and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you.

B.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

A few pics

Last week I did a signing at Acorn Books store and a speaking event at Kent County Library:

Acorn Books, March 9th

The library made a dragon display in my honor!
Thank you to Friends of Kent County Library for the bag.
I had a great time at both events and met some great people. I wish I had time to go into details.

The Kent County Public Library in Delaware is having an Authors and Audiences event on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Due to my impending move, I had to bow out of the event. <sniff>  But if you are from the Baltimore/Delmarva area, please drop by.  There was a great group of authors and artists last year, and I am sure it will be even better this year. If you are interested, you can visit their Facebook page for more information.  https://www.facebook.com/KCPLibrary


Happy St. Patrick's Day!

B.