Giveaway, Twilight of Avalon and Dark Moon of Avalon by Anna Elliott

"She is a healer, a storyteller, a warrior, and a queen without a throne. In the shadow of King Arthur's Britain, one woman knows the truth that could save a kingdom from the hands of a tyrant...

Ancient grudges, old wounds, and the quest for power rule in the newly widowed Queen Isolde's court. Hardly a generation after the downfall of Camelot, Isolde grieves for her slain husband, King Constantine, a man she secretly knows to have been murdered by the scheming Lord Marche -- the man who has just assumed his title as High King. Though her skills as a healer are renowned throughout the kingdom, in the wake of Con's death, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery threaten her freedom and her ability to bring Marche to justice. Burdened by their suspicion and her own grief, Isolde must conquer the court's distrust and superstition to protect her throne and the future of Britain.

One of her few allies is Trystan, a prisoner with a lonely and troubled past. Neither Saxon nor Briton, he is unmoved by the political scheming, rumors, and accusations swirling around the fair queen. Together they escape, and as their companionship turns from friendship to love, they must find a way to prove what they know to be true -- that Marche's deceptions threaten not only their lives but the sovereignty of the British kingdom.

In Twilight of Avalon, Anna Elliott returns to the roots of the legend of Trystan and Isolde to shape a very different story -- one based in the earliest written versions of the Arthurian tales -- a captivating epic brimming with historic authenticity, sweeping romance, and the powerful magic of legend".

"She is a healer, a storyteller, and a warrior. She has fought to preserve Britain’s throne. Now she faces her greatest challenge in turning bitter enemies into allies, saving the life of the man she loves . . . and mending her own wounded heart.

The young former High Queen, Isolde, and her friend and protector, Trystan, are reunited in a new and dangerous quest to keep the usurper, Lord Marche, and his Saxon allies from the throne of Britain. Using Isolde’s cunning wit and talent for healing and Trystan’s strength and bravery, they must act as diplomats, persuading the rulers of the smaller kingdoms, from Ireland to Cornwall, that their allegiance to the High King is needed to keep Britain from a despot’s hands.

Their admissions of love hang in the air, but neither wants to put the other at risk by openly declaring a deeper alliance. When their situation is at its most desperate, Trystan and Isolde must finally confront their true feelings toward each other, in time for a battle that will test the strength of their will and their love.

Steeped in the magic and lore of Arthurian legend, Elliott paints a moving portrait of a timeless romance, fraught with danger, yet with the power to inspire heroism and transcend even the darkest age".

The Rules

The giveaway is open to US and Canada.

What is up for grabs? One paperback copy of "Twilight of Avalon" and one paperback copy of "Dark Moon of Avalon".

For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.

For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you for following my blog, and please let me know in the comments. You're eligible for the extra entry as well.

For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

Giveaway will end on December 10th at midnight. 

I will draw one winner who will win both books using Random.org 

Good luck to everyone!

Book Review: DARK MOON OF AVALON by Anna Elliott

Book two in the Trystan and Isolde trilogy by Anna Elliott recently hit bookstores everywhere. I loved the first book “Twilight of Avalon”, “Dark Moon of Avalon was a wondrous complement to the first book. I am really bereaved I will have to wait until the final book “Sunrise of Avalon” comes out, which is slated for publication in September of 2011. That is such a long way away but I am sure it will be well worth the wait.

One thing about this read that irritated me was how the second book did not immediately pick up where the first book left off. Instead it fast forwarded to five months or so ahead and then gave up the info in bits of flashbacks.  I have to admit that once I got past that part it was fantastic. I love it when the feel of the first book carries over into the second book.

Isolde once high queen now only Lady of Camelerd found that her future was interlaced with her sworn enemy the dredged Lord Marche King of Cornwall. He was a nasty self-serving man that was impeached as high king and was on the run after Isolde unfolded his treasonous plots to hand Brittan over to the Saxons.  Not to mention the harm he did to Isolde personally. In book one he forced her into marriage and almost got her killed on trumped of charges of being a witch.  Since she had him on the run things took a big turn when Marche decided to make new allies with the Saxon King Octa of Kent. Both men were vile and both had one goal in mind and that was to invade Brittan. Their plan was to pillage and kill anyone and everything that stood in their way.

Isolde had to put a plan into action; since she now shared this weird uncontrollable link with Marche. She could see him in the waters and using her gift of sight she just might be able to stop him. Trystan had sought out Isolde right when everything was about to go down because his companion and Isolde’s friend Hereric was gravely hurt and Trystan had no one else he could count to help him. Isolde was the only hope for saving him and Trystan knew it. It was joining of fate that the two of them just happened to cross paths when they did because it was the time that they both needed each other more than they wanted to admit even to themselves. Brittan’s only hope lay with Isolde making an alliance with King Cederic of Wessex but that meant trudging through enemy territory with Trystan. Her only soul desire was to protect Brittan from the invading Octa and Marche but when overwhelming emotions surface for Trystan Isolde finds herself not only trying to save Brittan but the other half to her soul; Trystan.

4/5 liked it, enjoyed it and cannot wait for the last one because everything went down in this one. I can only imagine what is to come in the next one. This one was way more romantic than the first one which I enjoyed but I have to admit the first one is my favorite so far. I do have to add though that Trystan is now on my list of hot historical fiction men.  Would defiantly recommend read both books back to back.

Amazon