'Queen Emma & Earl Godwin' by Stephen Grant is Released

Melbourne, Australia

In the annals of medieval history few women were as successful as Queen Emma of England. She was able to hold her own and prosper in an age dominated by powerful men and Viking incursions. In "Queen Emma & Earl Godwin" author Stephen Grant creates a novel based on the real-life historical figures of Queen Emma of England and Earl Godwin of Wessex.

"Emma was the daughter of a duke of Normandy, wife of two kings of England and mother of two more, she was one of the most remarkable women in medieval history. Her quick wit, courage, and cunning, inherited from her Viking forbears, allowed her to overcome many cruel twists of fate and ultimately succeed in a world dominated by men. Godwin, nine years Emma's junior, shared her tenacious ambition and rose from the ranks of minor nobility to become earl of Wessex. Godwin's intelligence and political astuteness sees him survive civil wars, hostile rulers, and foreign invasions. For nearly thirty years, he was the most powerful man in England, after the king. As a young boy, Godwin witnessed the marriage of Emma, then a sixteen-year-old virgin, to King Ethelred, a widower with a dozen children and a kingdom under constant attack from Viking invaders, and fell in love. A love that he had to keep secret because of Emma's position and a love that endured until they died.

This highly engrossing story is historical fiction at its best with a highly realistic description of the lives and times of medieval England.

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About the Author

Stephen Grant was born and raised in England, he now lives in Australia. Although majoring in history as a student, his career has been in the business world. His ability to innovate has enabled him to establish and run a company making hand-knitted sweaters and selling them to leading fashion stores around the world, he was also Global Brand Director of UK retailer Laura Ashley and a Managing Director of the TAC, an Australian world leader in road safety advertising and in delivering support to people injured in road accident. He currently sits on the board of some major charities and devotes much of his time to his passion, writing.

Queen Emma & Earl Godwin* by Stephen Grant
Power, Love and the Vikings in Medieval Europe
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Trade Paperback; AU$29.00; 434 pages; 9781493135424
Trade Hardback; AU$50.00; 434 pages; 9781493135424
e-book; AU$4.28; 9781493135431
Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at 1-800-455-039. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (02) 8088 6078 or call 1-800-455-039.

Xlibris books can be purchased at Xlibris bookstore. For more information, contact Xlibris at 1-800-455-039 or on the web at http://www.Xlibris.com.au.