It’s been a while since we’ve been in the saddle with Coelwulf and his foul-mouthed fellow warriors. I’ve missed them, and I think others have as well. I thought it would be a good idea to offer a brief recap. I know I had to reread The Last Seven to make sure everything was as it should be.
So, readers, let us return to the year 875.
It seems a bit crazy, but somehow, the first seven books in the series take place in a period of no more than a year. but it’s been a pretty hectic year. For those who’ve not read the books, read on at your peril.
Our sweary-mouthed hero, Coelwulf, has been proclaimed king of Mercia, through the connivance of his aunt, Lady Cyneswith (who isn’t a historical individual, but she does appear in both the Coelwulf and the Icel books), and Bishop Wærferth of Worcester (who is historical). Why has he become king? Because King Burgred, long-term ruler of Mercia, has done a deal with the Viking raiders based at Repton. In order to live, he had to give up his right to rule. He’s now hiding away in Rome, with his wife, the sister of King Alfred.
Also, Coelwulf (although we don’t know all the details from the historical record) is descended from Coelwulf, the first of his name, who ruled in the 820s, and his brother, Coenwulf, who ruled from 796 to 821. Burgred either had no children, or his sons didn’t fancy ruling after his father left.
My character, Coelwulf, is no shrinking wall flower. Oh no. He might not want to be king, but he is determined to fight the enemy to keep hold of Mercia. And so we follow him, and his loyal warriors as they combat the enemy, first at Repton, then at Torksey, Gainsborough, on the borders with the Welsh, at Northampton and at Grantabridge. They don’t get much respite.
Alas, the end of book seven, somewhat jokingly called The Last Seven, when I started work on it, and a title which stuck, sees a terrible tragedy, and now, in The Last Viking, King Coelwulf must decide if that tragedy is to define him, or if he still plans to fight. (I think we can all guess what the answer might be.) I promise there will not be such a big gap between book 8 and book 9. Indeed, you can find book 9 available for preorder.
Check out some previous release day posts for earlier titles in the series
The Last Enemy with Rudolf
The Last Enemy with Lady Cyneswith
Enter the HUGE competition. Win an ebook copy of every book in the series, including the prequel short story collection (worldwide). If I can, I will also send signed bookplates. For those in the UK, I will offer a copy of every single paperback edition. (I know, it’s a bonkers prize). To take part, simply sign up for my newsletter (you will receive a free ebook short story collection).
All current subscribers will be entered automatically. The competition will run throughout March 2024. I will contact the winners on 1st April 2024. Good luck.
Here’s the blurb:
Can one man win Mercia’s freedom from the Viking raiders?
Jarl Guthrum has been captured after the terrible events in Grantabridge. King Coelwulf knows exactly what he’d like to do to him, but those with calmer heads have other ideas.
Baptised and having taken the name of Æthelstan, Guthrum is Mercia’s prisoner, and in the wake of that, Mercia must rebuild.
But Jarl Guthrum is far from the only Viking raider who wishes to subdue Mercia. Coelwulf and his allies, grief-stricken, must still fight for her survival while those around demand their help in defeating the enemy.
Once more, the warriors of Mercia are obliged to do all they can to ensure the kingdom’s survival.
books2read.com/The-Last-Viking
( available in ebook, paperback and hardback)
Click this link to find out the title for book 9 and preorder the kindle version.
MJ Porter 