I have enjoyed discovering and reading your work since the newly published “The Winter King” made me aware of your very existence and from then I was off backtracking what I might have already missed. Since then I have pretty much been on the lookout, as it were, for whatever I could lay my hands on (sans the Sharpe series as I’m a pre-firearms kind of fan). Medieval history is a bit of a hobby of mine and I’ve read the likes of Sharon Penman (before her romance novel phase which she now seems have left behind with the upcoming “Lionheart”), Morgan LLywelan, Sile Rice, Richard Kluger and others. I very much enjoyed your “Agincourt.” I’ve always been fascinated by that particular battle. I’m very fond of your writing style. Obviously we can never know how a historic person truly thought, spoke, felt in their hearts, yet your characters are believable to me and often stay with me in reflection of what you wrote. You do not turn the battles into glorious notions, or religious fervor; instead you describe them as what they would have truly been- bloody, violent, sadly graphic. I have some small skill with a sword and taught Martial Arts for many (MANY) years. I’m an ex Marine and Army Military Intelligence. As suggested above, I discovered your Saxon stories (books) quite by accident with “The Burning Land” and have fairly devoured it. I see the 6th book is imminent, however I must read them in order and am frustrated that I found 5 before the others, believing it an independent plotline. Oh well, the quest goes on I suppose. There is no point to this missive; perhaps appreciation of your work is enough. My own first novel was published in 2007, relating to my childhood growing up in Brooklyn during the 60’s (if you wish to call it a childhood). I had to find the publisher I could being a first time novelist during a bleak and imposing recession and although I am not SELF published I have nowhere near your credentials and doubtless never will. My second book is a compilation of short stories, emotional faux pas and flights of fancy and speculation. I write because I must. I believe you do as well, so perhaps that is the point of this letter. Thanks for writing. Chris Lay