The Traitor’s Son Blog Tour

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Book Title and Author Name:  

The Traitor’s Son

Wendy Johnson

Blurb: 

Caught between a king and a kingmaker, young Richard Plantagenet knows he’ll have to choose…

1461: Richard Duke of York, King by Right, has been branded a traitor and slain by his Lancastrian foes. For his eight-year-old son—Richard Plantagenet—England has become a dangerous place.

As the boy grapples with grief and uncertainty, his elder brother, Edward, defeats the enemy and claims the throne. Dazzled by his glorious sibling, young Richard soon discovers that imperfections lurk beneath his brother’s majestic façade. Enter Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick—cousin, tutor, luminary—whose life has given him everything but that which he truly craves: a son. A filial bond forms between man and boy as they fill the void in each other’s lives. Yet, when treachery tears their world asunder, Richard faces an agonizing dilemma: pledge allegiance to Edward—his blood brother and anointed king—or to Warwick, the father figure who has shaped his life and affections.

Painfully trapped between duty and devotion, Richard faces a grim reality: whatever he decides will mean a fight to the death.

In “The Traitor’s Son”, Wendy Johnson weaves a tapestry of loyalty, love, and sacrifice against the backdrop of England’s turbulent history. Through the eyes of a young Richard III, readers are transported into a world where every choice is fraught with peril, and the bonds of kinship are tested to their limits. 

Perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel, Annie Garthwaite and Sharon K. Penman.

Praise for The Traitor’s Son:

“Exquisitely written. An evocative and thoughtful retelling of the early life of Richard III.”

~ Philippa Langley, MBE

“Sometimes the perfect use of the written word takes my breath away. Not very often but this book is it. A wonderful story written so beautifully that I shall not forget it for a long time. Everything to my mind is perfect. The language, the story, the pacing. Just wonderful.”

~ Kindle Customer, 5* Amazon Review

“Wonderfully woven story of a young Richard III. Woven with a sure knowledge of the history and a realistic telling of a story about a young boy finding his way through tragedy and triumph, uncertainty and a legacy he cannot escape.
Brilliant debut which promises more and more.”

~ Cris, 5* Amazon Review

“I loved this novel, it was beautifully written, extremely atmospheric, the characters’ personalities came through perfectly, can’t wait for the next instalment.”

~ Linda Hayward, 5* Amazon Review

“Really enjoyed this book. Holds the reader enthralled from the first paragraph to the last. The next volume can’t be released soon enough.”

~ J.M. Henderson, 5* Amazon Review

Excerpt 2:

June 1468: Fifteen-year-old Richard of Gloucester, brother of Edward IV, accompanies their sister, Margaret, to the coast where she will take ship for the Low Countries and her husband-to-be, Charles of Burgundy. However, treachery is afoot within the family of York, and in this scene, Margaret begs Richard to smooth the waters as their brother, George, and cousin, the Earl of Warwick, seem set to rebel against the king.

Dusk consumes the abbey of Stratford Langhorne. Candles extinguished, the monks have withdrawn; pale smudges shuffling towards the night stairs. Enveloped by the scent of dying smoke, the congregation splinters into factions as each seek out familiars.

Richard rises from his knees, his sister’s hastily penned note crushed in his fist. Margaret wants to see him privately, there’s something she would have him do, and he’s determined not to let her down. The claustral walk, she suggests, after Compline.

He picks her out amongst her growing entourage. Resplendent in grey silk, she’s a young dove smothered by pecking, cooing, mother birds who fuss and flap, straightening her skirts, smoothing them down. With a swift gesture, Margaret excuses herself, slipping through the throng towards the south door. Richard makes to follow. They’ll have to be quick. Her women won’t leave her alone for long.

Easing himself through the tarrying worshippers, he plunges into the dim cloister, pausing in the half-light, ears cocked for George’s creeping footfall. It would be just like their brother to retrace his steps, to pry, to satisfy himself as to Richard’s true intent. But the passing moments yield nothing, save the eager call of chirruping birds, the thud of a door in the bowels of the abbey. Unfolding Margaret’s letter, he squints at the florid script. Whatever she seeks from him, he prays it will be within his power to accomplish.

‘I knew you’d come.’ Shadows dissolve, relinquishing his sister. 

‘How could I not? You have a task for me?’

Margaret glances swiftly about her. ‘We may not have long, so I’ll speak plainly. George and Cousin Warwick. They must make their peace with the king before this business goes any further. And you are aptly placed to act as diplomat to both sides.’

A cynical laugh escapes him. ‘If you believe that, sister, then you overestimate me. My influence is not so great that either our cousin, or the king, would pay me any heed. And as for George—’

Margaret snatches his hand. ‘Please, Richard. I’m afraid of what may happen if things continue. I saw George and the earl enter the church, deep in conversation. Don’t shake your head. You know as well as I, that they’re not passing time together to speak idly of my wedding celebrations. Things are occurring, there have been rumours—’

Footsteps. The slap and scrape of leather soles. Margaret tenses, then sags with relief as one of the abbey’s boy servants hobbles into view. They sink into silence, allow him to pass, but as he moves into the failing light, they see the boy is lame; each movement slow and seemingly painful. At sight of them, he pauses, unsure.

Richard nods. ‘May God give you good night.’

It’s clear the boy is unused to being acknowledged, still less addressed. Stammering his gratitude, he makes a clumsy bow. ‘And to you, my lord.’

Richard watches him lumber towards the abbey church; south door groaning as the boy wrenches it open and limps inside.

Margaret senses his anger. ‘What is it, Richard?’

‘The poor boy should be free to partake of God’s grace with the rest of them, not forced to steal into church after prayer, simply because he’s malformed.’

Surprised by Richard’s sudden fury, Margaret squeezes his hand. ‘I’m sure we all pity such unfortunates, but please, my women will not allow me my freedom for long. You must listen. I’m afraid of what might happen to George if he and our cousin continue to oppose Edward.’

‘Our brother is old enough to take care of himself.’

‘Richard, I’m afraid.’ Margaret, wrapped in her own private despair, closes in on herself, becomes a tight, defensive bundle.  

He fumbles for her hand. ‘Sister. Forgive me.’

‘I need to rely on someone—to know that our family will not be damaged beyond mending. I’d not have us divided. Not because of a woman we all despise, but whom we must endure for Edward’s sake. If George is drawn into treason—’

‘Treason?’ He steers her into the shadows. ‘I doubt he’d go that far. That either of them would. Our cousin isn’t stupid. Howsoever Edward has chosen to wed, we each of us owe him our loyalty.’

‘Then tell them. Tell George.’ Margaret’s whispers grow in force, her fingers locking around his wrist. ‘I’ve always been able to contain him, to control his rashness. But you must know that it’s only a matter of time until his dissatisfaction spills over. I need to be able to rely on you to do as I would. To stop him – them – from making a fearful mistake.’

‘Perhaps if I spoke to Mother.’

Margaret closes her eyes, damp lashes fusing. ‘Mother is scrupulous, discreet, but her anger is still raw. Even now, if she thought that between them George and Cousin Warwick could force Edward to cast the queen and her family aside, then she’d encourage it. You know she would.’

‘Yes.’

‘I have only you, Brother. Can you give me your word? Can you?’

Her solemn grey eyes, demanding, beseeching, pierce Richard’s soul. ‘Of course.’

‘Speak to Edward, too, if you can. Speak well to him of George. For my sake.’

He nods as his sister swipes her face with her hand, composes her features.

‘Do I have your promise, Richard? In the name of all that is holy?

‘So I have said. You have my promise.’

‘Thank God.’

‘Come,’ he links his arm through hers, ‘let’s walk.’

Waning light traverses the cloister, bleeds onto the smooth stone paving along which their shadows glide, black and elongated in the sanguine glow.

‘You spoke of rumours,’ Richard says, voice hushed. ‘If you’ve heard aught which may harm our cousin, you must tell me.’

A patter of feet, a swish of silk, announces the arrival of her women.

‘You’ve given me your word,’ Margaret says, as they bear down upon them. ‘Don’t forget.’

Richard bows, watching with regret as his sister is gathered up, like a bundle of laundry, and spirited away.   

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link:    https://books2read.com/u/mdJqL5

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bio:  

Wendy Johnson has a lifelong passion for medieval history, its people, and for bringing their incredible stories to life. Her specific areas of interest are the fifteenth century, the Wars of the Roses, and Richard III in particular. She enjoys narratives which immerse the reader in the past, and tries faithfully to recreate the later Middle Ages within in her own writing. She has contributed to a number of historical anthologies and was a runner up in the Woman and Home Short Story Competition 2008.

Wendy is also a founder member of Philippa Langley’s Looking for Richard Project, which located the king’s lost grave in 2012. She co-authored Finding Richard III: the Official Account of Research by the Retrieval and Reburial Project in 2014, and in 2019 received the Richard III Society’s Robert Hamblin Award. 

THE TRAITOR’S SON, volume one in a Richard III trilogy, is Wendy’s debut novel and she is currently working on the sequel.

Author Links:

Author’s Page on Publisher’s Website: https://madeglobal.com/authors/wendy-johnson/

Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/p/Wendy-Johnson-Author-61558759768505/

Book Bub:       https://www.bookbub.com/authors/wendy-johnson-cf3f97f7-3a8e-46d9-8394-c5a08caa594d

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0D14SQJP3

Goodreads:                   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208871994-the-traitor-s-son