Rogues & Kings Book Blast

Rogues & Kings
A Gritty Robin Hood Retelling in 13th Century England
By Charlene Newcomb|

Deadly secrets. Hidden identities. A true enemy.
Silence is the only shield.

It is an absolute thrill to welcome back Charlene Newcomb to my blog and to introduce her newest book, Rogues & Kings. A reimagining of the Robin Hood legend. I had read her first book in the Robin Hood origin story Rogue, which you can read here if you missed it. Charlene’s retelling of a well-known character is refreshing and a great read, and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

Blurb

The year is 1216 and civil war rages in England. King John ravages the countryside against rebellious barons and a French invasion. Unbeknownst to him, his newest squire, Richard, is in fact the son of a man the king would hang without a second thought. A man the common folk call Robin Hood.

For years, Robin has lived as a knight in exile. But when his son is ensnared in the treachery of the royal court, Robin is forced out of the shadows, aided by his outlaw friends in the Hood.

There is no question for Richard where his loyalties lie but it’s more than his own life at risk. He has the trust of a dangerous king. Can he serve the Hood better from within John’s inner circle, or will schemes against the crown unravel?

Rob from the rich, give to the poor takes on a whole new meaning.

Rogues & Kings is a sweeping tale of courage and betrayal in a kingdom on the edge of ruin, of a boy coming of age in the midst of war, and of legends being born.|

Buy link: https://books2read.com/RoguesKings

Author Bio
Charlene Newcomb, aka Char, is a retired librarian, a U.S. Navy veteran, mom to 3 amazing humans, and grandma to 3. She writes historical fiction and science fiction. Her award-winning Battle Scars trilogy is set in the 12th century during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Her writing roots are in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (aka Legends) where she published 10 short stories in the Star Wars Adventure Journal, and published the original novel Echoes of the Storm. Char returned to medieval times with Rogue and her latest novel Rogues & Kings, both in her Tales of Robin Hood series.

Find Char
Website: https://charlenenewcomb.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/CharleneNewcombAuthor
Substack: https://charlenenewcomb.substack.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/charnewc
Bluesky: https://charnewcomb.bsky.social/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/charnewcomb/

Here’s an excerpt:
Henry reached for Marian, but she stepped back.
Robin should be telling her this…
“Robin and our friends are following the king’s army.”
“And you call me mad for coming here.” Marian bristled. “Why would Robin…? He’s with the rebels? Spying on King John?”
Henry sighed. “Please sit.”
“I will not.”
If only Marian had stayed in Yorkshire, the Hood would have retrieved Richard and she’d never need to know or worry that much more for her family.
He met her eyes. “The king has insisted on Richard’s service.”
“Now? With him?” Marian paled, her fist clenching. “Oh dear God.”
Henry tried to offer her a steadying hand but she’d have none of it. “He does not know Richard is Robin’s son.”
Her dark eyes narrowed and flicked from one end of the room to the other. The morning sun reflected a hardness there.
“Richard was with Little John when they encountered the king. He ordered Little John to deliver his son to show his honor, his loyalty.”
Marian finished the wine in her cup, her cheeks flushing and not from the drink. She stared at the jug on the sideboard. Henry swore she was about to throw it at the wall.
“Little John lied…” Marian pressed her palms to her eyes.
“He did what was necessary, for everyone, but mostly for Richard. The king will never learn his enemy’s son is a squire in his own household unless Richard divulges it himself,” Henry said. “And why would he? He knows to keep Robin’s true name tucked in his heart and not on his lips.”
Marian regarded him with icy eyes. “You cannot tell me you’ve never seen a man taunted by his companions, plied with drink, who boasts or reveals his deepest secrets and desires.”
In truth, Henry had seen too many men like that, including those who buried their pain in drink. If Richard spoke out their lives were forever changed.
“Think of your eldest—Robert. He’s kept your secret all these years.”
Marian nodded. “And that even when he and Robin had harsh words for each other.”
“You’ll be pleased to know they are on good terms now.” Henry offered her a smile, glad to see a hint of one on her face. “Hearing from Robin’s friends softened Robert’s heart, and Joanna wouldn’t stand for him to argue with his father. Her own father would never have accepted Robert if there was bad blood with Robin.”
Marian shook her head. “Joanna?”
Henry hesitated. It seemed so wrong for him to share this news, but he couldn’t avoid it now. “Your son should be telling you this.”
“Tell me what?”
“Joanna Miller. She and Robert were handfasted in Sherwood three days past.”
“Married?” Marian sat hard in the chair by the window. “More wine. Please.”
“You will like Joanna,” he said, refilling her cup. “She’s a lot like you.”
A hint of a smile caressed Marian’s lips. “In that case my son may have his hands full.”

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