Today, Christian Devotions Speak Up host, Scott McCausey, interviewed me for his internet radio show. He asked about how I came to know Christ, about writing historical fiction in the time of St. Patrick, about my travels, and about my latest novel, The Bonfires of Beltane.
You can hear the 30-minute show at this link:
The Bonfires of Beltane, a Tale of Ancient, Celtic Ireland.In this post, Christian author Mark Fisher offers a preview of The Bonfires of Beltane, a tale of ancient, Celtic Ireland with St. Patrick as a main character.
Monday, June 20 is the day that my novel, The Bonfires of Beltane, will be released. Have you enjoyed hearing about St. Patrick, early medieval Ireland, druids, ringforts, and early Celtic society? Would you like to read a book of historical fiction that takes you deep into this ancient world? If so, then I suspect you’ll enjoy my tale, one that brings to life this little-known era.
But don’t listen to me. Listen instead to two of my early endorsers, Aaron Gansky, author of The Bargain, The Hand of Adonai Series, and Firsts in Fiction:
“Mark Fisher’s meticulous research comes to life in these pages. He depicts a struggle both for life and for spirit. The ancient kingdoms of Britain and Ireland appear in vivid detail. With high stakes, intrigue, suspense, and even romance, Fisher weaves a tale worthy of reading and rereading.”
Then there’s what Cindy Thomson, author of Brigid of Ireland and Pages of Ireland, has to say about it:
“An inspiring adventure through the wild landscape of ancient Ireland, this tale brings to life the remarkable journey of Ireland’s earliest Christians. Highly entertaining and engaging.”
And here’s what we’re putting on the back cover:
“Since before anyone can remember, Taran’s Celtic, island people have sacrificed children to Crom Cruach, the dread sun god. His whole clan accepts this atrocity, but in his heart he knows it’s wrong.
“Now, Taran is about to be inducted into his clan’s circle of leaders. He promises Laurna, his betrothed, he’ll hide his doubts. But at the ceremony beside the bent idol of gold, he can’t help but question the druids’ rule. He blames the clan’s miserable fortunes on Crom Cruach, calling it a demon.
“As a result, the druids order his banishment. Instead of a wedding with Laurna, he faced a tearful parting. As a storm darkens the horizon, Taran paddles his wee craft into a vast, raging sea. Thus begins Taran’s adventure in A.D. 432.
“Beyond the sea lies ancient, Celtic Ireland. There wait the Roman evangelist, Patrick, and two kingdoms ruled by powerful kings and their druid advisors. It’s a proud land where tradition is everything and travel through the wild can mean slavery or death. The druids will stop at nothing to remain in power and prevent Patrick and his followers from changing their ancient ways.
“Will Taran find the spiritual truth he desperately seeks? Can he escape wrathful kings and conniving druids? Will he ever be able to return home and rejoin his beloved Laurna?”
This book has been in the making since 2012. It’s why I write this blog. Many publishers and agents have told me that many readers of Christian historical fiction are interested only in England’s Victorian era, or the American West, but not ancient, Celtic Ireland. But how narrow a view is that? Help me prove them wrong by spending a few dollars on this debut novel about a culture and a story few know little about.
If you have enjoyed hearing in my blog about the ancient Irish, then I promise, you won’t be disappointed. This page will take you to the Amazon or Heritage Beacon sites to learn more or to purchase: https://markfisherauthor.com/marks-books
Next week, we’ll look at the bog roads and bog men of ancient Ireland.
I just learned yesterday from my agent that Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas has offered me a contract for “The Epic Tale of Taran Mac Teague”. (New title is “The Bonfires of Beltane”.) The target date for book release is June 2016. Stay tuned…