Today on Author Chats we venture into new territory with Cynthia Ripley Miller and her fascinating historical thriller set in the 5th century Holy Land. Thanks for coming, Cynthia. I really enjoyed chatting!
A Sword Among Ravens
(The Long-Hair Saga)
In a grave, on the edge of a Roman battlefield, an ancient sword has been discovered. Legend claims it belonged to King David of Israel and carries a curse—those who wield it will tragically die—but not the chosen.
AD 455. Arria Felix and her husband, Garic the Frank, have safely delivered a sacred relic to Emperor Marcian in Constantinople. But now, Arria and Garic will accept a new mission. The emperor has asked them to carry the sword of King David of Israel to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem where Arria will dedicate it in her murdered father’s memory.
As Arria and Garic travel into the heart of the Holy Land, they face many challenges and dangers. Their young daughter is missing then found in the company of a strange and suspicious old monk. A brutal killer stalks their path. And a band of cold-blooded thieves is determined to steal the sword for their own gains. But when Arria confronts the question of where the sword should truly rest—old friendships, loyalties, and her duty are put to the test like never before. At every turn, Arria and Garic find themselves caught in a treacherous mission wrapped in mystery, murder, and A Sword Among Ravens.
Let’s talk about your inspiration as a writer, Cynthia!
What is the first book that made you cry?
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I was touched by the heroic sacrifice of Sydney Carton.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
In college, I studied English Literature and read many great works from English authors and authors across the world. What sticks in my memory as a powerful piece of language was the satirical essay A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift. Written in 1729, it addressed the political conflict between and economic exploitation of the Irish by the English. It proposed that excess Irish children, due to over-population and belonging to parents who could not provide for them, be sold to wealthy aristocrats as food. I felt it took a clever wit and courage to write such a controversial piece.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
The genre novel, Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice. I found it a fascinating story with psychological, moral, and human themes beneath the surface of Rice’s gripping prose and gothic world.
Specific to your newest release:
When you did your research, did it change your plot or your characters significantly?
In my first two books, there were a few things that I discovered that influenced my plot. For example, by the 5th century AD, Europe was Christianized, including the barbarian groups, except for a few tribes, including the Germanic Franks. My hero, Garic, is a Frank warrior and First Counsel to his tribe. The Franks were Germanic pagans with gods similar to the Scandinavian gods (Wodan was the equivalent to Odin). My heroine, Arria, is a Roman senator’s daughter and a Christian. This religious difference between hero and heroine added an extra layer of tension to the clash between their cultures, making it even more difficult for them to be together. However, I viewed this difference as an added conflict for the characters that would enhance the plot.
In my third book, A Sword Among Ravens, a portion of the story takes place in Jerusalem. I discovered in researching the history for this part of the Roman Empire that the Jewish people were banned from Jerusalem due to revolts and conquests that stretched back to Emperor Hadrian in 130AD. They were only allowed to enter the city once a year on ‘the ninth of Ab,’ a Jewish holy day. But I intended to bring back a Jewish character from book one. At first, I viewed this historical reality as a definite obstacle. It affected the plot because my character, Samuel, needed free access to the city. After thinking about it for a few days, I realized there was a solution to this dilemma, reaching back to book one. In the end, an even stronger plotline emerged that provided additional tension and drama.
What would you want readers to think when they reach “the end.”
Wow! That was a well-crafted historical adventure with mystery, suspense, and an unexpected twist. I wish it didn’t end. (You asked. :-))
Quick Q & A
Tea or Coffee
Coffee
Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark Chocolate
When were you the happiest?
When I backpacked through Europe and Asia Minor, and when my children were little.
Favourite Children’s Book
Heidi
Favourite Adult Novel
Jane Eyre
In a grave, on the edge of a Roman battlefield, an ancient sword has been discovered. Legend claims it belonged to King David of Israel and carries a curse—those who wield it will tragically die—but not the chosen.
AD 455. Arria Felix and her husband, Garic the Frank, have safely delivered a sacred relic to Emperor Marcian in Constantinople. But now, Arria and Garic will accept a new mission. The emperor has asked them to carry the sword of King David of Israel to the
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Cynthia Ripley Miller is a first-generation Italian-American writer with a love for history, languages, and books. She has lived in Europe and traveled world-wide, holds two degrees, and taught history and English. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthology Summer Tapestry, at Orchard Press Mysteries.com, and The Scriptor. She is a Chanticleer International Chatelaine Award finalist with awards from Circle of Books-Rings of Honor and The Coffee Pot Book Club. She has reviewed for UNRV Roman History, and blogs at Historical Happenings and Oddities: A Distant Focus and on her website, www.cynthiaripleymiller.com
Cynthia is the author of On the Edge of Sunrise, The Quest for the Crown of Thorns, and A Sword Among Ravens, books 1-3 in her Long-Hair Saga series set in Late Ancient Rome, France, and Jerusalem. Cynthia lives outside of Chicago with her family, along with a cute but bossy cat.
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