Defender of the Crown

Defender of the Crown parallels Heart of the Crown in a couple of ways. While both deal with a diplomatic journey to a foreign realm, the results are far different. In Heart, Anna was a young girl, a pawn of King Andred in a game of politics. Despite this disadvantage, she completes a very successful mission. In Defender, however, she is now queen, a far cry from the young girl that travelled to Weldwyn. The court of Merceria remains weakened due to the events that took place in Burden of the Crown, and there is still much opposition to the queen’s policies. Anna, now faced with another diplomatic challenge, must decide who will rule the kingdom in her absence. Despite obvious villains who plot and connive, this time, some of her most stalwart supporters balk at the thought of the queen travelling into the heartland of Norland, their traditional enemy. Ultimately, though, this tale is about people. Heir to the Crown now has a large cast of characters, and inevitably, some will receive a little less attention than others. In Defender of the Crown, the emphasis is on Hayley as she struggles to deal with her newfound responsibilities, both as High Ranger and as the queen’s steward. It also delves into magic in more detail, giving Aubrey a more prominent place. After reading this book, some questions are still left unresolved. With a foreign army threatening Eastwood, the military might of Merceria, now bolstered by its allies, must repel this force and then take the war to Norland territory. All this, while a new threat demands that Gerald and Anna march again in Fury of the Crown. I could not have completed a work of this magnitude without the help and support of my loving wife, Carol. These stories, indeed all my books, are due in large part to her tireless efforts in editing, promoting and inspiring these tales. I would also thank Christie Kramburger for once again providing us with an outstanding cover, along with Stephanie Sandrock and Amanda Bennett, for their encouragement and support. Though their characters do not appear as often in this tale, I must thank Brad Aitken, Jeffrey Parker and Stephen Brown for their inspirations. My BETA reading team continues to provide valuable feedback, as usual, catching plot holes and inconsistencies. Their assistance in the editing process is very much appreciated. Thanks to Rachel Deibler, Tim James, Stuart Rae, Michael Rhew, Phyliss Simpson, Don Hinkey, James McGinnis, and Shelley Heddings for giving of your time! And a quick shoutout to Dianna-Lynn (Dee) Lundgren and Cody Anne Arko-Omori, who, after Carol is finished with the manuscript, give it that final polish! Lastly, I must thank you, the reader, who has made this series a success. Your emails and book reviews continue to inspire me on this quest.