The Friday 56 + Book Beginnings: Lady of the Forest by Jennifer Roberson

I have been looking for an interesting Friday meme to do on the blog. I like sharing more about what I am currently reading and stumbled across Book Beginnings. I also use to post Friday 56 and instead of choosing between the two I thought I would just post them together like some other bloggers do.

Book Beginning hosted by Rose City Reader is where I share the first sentence (or so) of the book I am currently reading, along with my initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Darkness. Silence. The weight of solitude. Each was a weapon meant to break her, to drive her into humiliation out of defiant self-possession; to goad her into surrender, into pleas for mercy, for compassion, for understanding.

MY THOUGHTS

 The opening sentence above pulls me in. It is dark and ominous.  

The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice. The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find any sentence, or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

 "Can't they see I am king in all but name? Kings need money."

ABOUT THE BOOK

via Kensington Publishing

With her king a captive and her coffers drained, England is left in turmoil during the Crusades. After the death of her father in the Holy Land, Lady Marian of Ravenskeep finds herself alone--and at the mercy of men vying for her lands and her beauty. Thrust into games of political intrigue, the sheltered knight's daughter soon learns to trust no one...

Afforded a hero's homecoming, Sir Robert of Locksley returns from the Crusades a shattered man. In a country he barely recognizes, one torn apart by treachery and betrayal, he finds in Marian a kindred soul. Their quest for justice will take them into the depths of Sherwood Forest, where the dream of a new England will be born...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

via Kensington Publishing

Since 1984, Jennifer Roberson has published 20 solo novels, among them thirteen best selling fantasy novels: the 8-volume "Chronicles of the Cheysuli", about a race of shapechangers and a divine prophecy; and the 4-volume "Sword-Dancer" saga the author describes as "Conan the Barbarian Meets Gloria Steinem." Other novels include three mainstream historicals from Kensington: LADY OF THE FOREST, an award winning reinterpretation of the Robin Hood story emphasizing Marian's role in a story of how the legend came to be; a sequel, LADY OF SHERWOOD, continuing the adventures of Robin and Marian; and LADY OF THE GLEN, the documented story of 17th-century Scotland's Massacre of Glencoe, similar in theme to the films "Rob Roy" and "Braveheart". She has also written THE GOLDEN KEY, a DAW Books fantasy collaboration with Melanie Rawn and Kate Elliott, which was nominated for the World Fantasy Award in 1997.

Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Northern Arizona University, with an extended major in British history. She spent her final semester in England at the University of London, which enabled her to do in depth research at museums, great homes, and cathedrals of England, as well as, Scotland's Edinburgh, Loch Ness, and Glencoe. Prior to becoming a full-time writer in 1985, Jennifer was employed as an investigative reporter for a morning daily, and as an advertising copywriter for a major marketing company. Jennifer Roberson grew up in Arizona and used to compete in amateur rodeos. Her primary hobby now is the breeding, training, and exhibition of Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Labrador Retrievers in the conformation, obedience, and agility rings of AKC dog shows and trials, she was the Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed columnist for the AKC GAZETTE for six years, and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America. She lives near Phoenix with (currently) six dogs and two cats.