In the reader letter, I answer these questions and more and prove that, just as the narrator stated in the opening lines of Braveheart, history is written by those who've hanged heroes. Perhaps that is the case for Vlad Draculea III of Wallachia.
Most boys, Wallachian and European, turned
while under Turkish (Ottoman) rule and became Janissaries, or members of an
army of foreign boys loyal to the Turkish cause.
Vlad’s younger brother, Radu the Handsome,
was imprisoned along with Vlad. Not long after their arrival, Radu became a favorite
of the Sultan, Mehmed II, and shifted his loyalty to the side of the Turks,
leaving Vlad to endure the hellish captivity and experiences on his own, with
only his Catholic faith to lean on. Vlad’s experiences while in Ottoman
captivity that are detailed in this book, while fictionalized, are based on
real events detailed by Vlad and historians alike. When Vlad’s captivity was
over, he held fast to his Catholic faith and left his little brother, now a
lover of the Sultan and a practicing Muslim, in Turkey.
That's it, folks! I hope you enjoyed this week's excerpt from my reader letter!
Come on over to my website to check out more of my work, including paranormal thrillers and Amish romances!
I think I missed it--is this a WIP? I am SO hooked, already. I really want to read this book.
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent snippet!
Thanks Teresa! This is a completed MS currently looking for a home and first in a trilogy!
DeleteInteresting history indeed! Thanks for sharing all of this...
ReplyDeleteThanks Veronica!
DeleteA different take on Dracula's history. Can't wait until you get to the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane!
DeleteI know very little about the real Dracula, but all of this is quite believable to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed! This man lived a fascinating life, to say the least!
DeleteIt's fascinating to learn the history of Vlad, this must have taken a lot of research!
ReplyDeleteYes! Joining scholastic Dracula research groups was quite fun! And eye catching on the website . . . "Romance Writers of America . . . Writes Amish Fiction . . . Transylvanian Society of Dracula . . ." haha
DeleteI think this is so interesting. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine!
DeleteInteresting background. As a reader, the line of based on actual events intrigued me. Made me wonder if the facts would be indeed true or if the narrator would turn out unreliable. I’ve read too many suspense books! Anyway that line really caught my attention and made me motivated to continue reading.
ReplyDeleteKeep smiling,
Yawatta
Thanks Yawatta!
DeleteLove the history! Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen!
DeleteI've read a lot of Dracula history, but I've never read one that focused on his catholic faith. I'll be interested to read your take on it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexis!
DeleteExcellent job, Sara. Look forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeff!!
DeleteHe had an interesting history for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate!
DeleteOh yes! Historical accounts of Vlad are always fascinating.
ReplyDelete