Debut Author Nicole Zoltack & Women Knights-for real

My guest author today is Nicole Zoltack, a very young woman to already be a published author! I met Nicole on GoodReads where I noticed her book which struck me as a perfect fit for my blog theme. Here's Nicole:

"Aislinn, the heroine in Woman of Honor, is a lot like Queen Esther. Queen Esther loved her people, the Jews. When an evil man plotted the death of her cousin and the rest of her people, Queen Esther asked the Lord for courage and sought an audience with her husband even though going before the king uninvited could mean death. The king did not kill her, listened to her, and spared her people. Esther was a woman of faith, of goodness, devotion and courage. In short, she was a woman of honor.

My heroine, Aislinn, is also a brave woman, ready to lay down her life for her kingdom. When her older brother, a knight, died, Aislinn wanted to step outside the norm of society and asked her king for a chance to take her brother’s place and to train as a knight. The king was struck by her unusual request and granted Aislinn a probationary period. Aislinn proved herself time and again. Aislinn is willing to give up everything for her kingdom – her childhood, her life, even her heart. When Aislinn petitions the king, she has history on her side, real history.

In the 1100s, females protected and guarded their small town in Spain from Moor attack. These brave women were knighted and a new order formed – the Order of the Hatchet. Called dames, these female knights were given many boons including precedence over men in assemblies and exemption from taxes. Aislinn mentions these women when she asks to become the first lady knight in the land.

I first learned about the Order of the Hatchet while doing research on female knights in the Middle Ages. The story of courageous women who fought seasoned warriors to defend their homeland struck a chord within me, and I knew I would one day write a story about a female knight, strong in mind, body, sword and faith. Woman of Honor is that story. Woman of Honor: Aislinn of Bairbhe dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother. To her mother's horror, King Patrick grants Aislinn's wish and she begins her long years of training.

Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparring classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love.

The threat of war with the Speicans is a constant threat, and one that grows more frightening as she and Caelan train toward their eventual knighthood. Aislinn has committed herself to serving Arnhem, and has promised herself as King's Champion when Caelan claims the throne. She is willing to give up everything... her childhood, her life, even her heart for Arnhem. No matter the pain it brings."--Nicole

Thanks, Nicole. Your book sounds like a winner and I wish you every success!--Lyn

Nicole’s website: http://www.NicoleZoltack.com

Nicole’s blog: http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com

Nicole’s author page at Desert Breeze: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/NicoleZoltack/Page.bok

Woman of Honor page at Desert Breeze http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-58/%3Ci%3EKingdom-of-Arnhem-Book/Detail.bo k