The Bleeding Land

England. 1642. War is coming. The rift between King and Parliament has widened and armies muster, ready to fight for their religious and political ideals. Nothing is so destructive as civil war, and for the Rivers family, the raising of the King's standard heralds a conflict that threatens to tear them apart. As a knight and friend of King Charles, Sir Francis Rivers' loyalty is beyond question, and so should be that of his family. However another Royalist, Lord Henry Denton, imprisons a suspected Catholic priest and in so doing makes an enemy of Sir Francis's youngest son, Tom. For Tom is betrothed to Martha Green, the imprisoned man's daughter. In desperation, Martha pleads with Denton to free her father. He agrees, but on one condition: she must give herselft to him. In the event, Denton reneges and Martha watches her father hang. Heartbroken, unable to live with her shame, Martha takes her own life and Tom, burning with hatred for Denton - and his father for not interceding - turns his back on his home and family. In London he falls in with a crowd of men eager to fight for Parliament for, in the prospect of war, Tom sees his chance for vengeance. But Sir Francis Rivers' eldest son, Mun, is for the king, and joins a troop of horse commanded by the dashing Prince Rupert. Sir Francis rides in the King's Lifeguards as the first battle of the war looms. But whilst men fight and die at Edgehill, the Rivers women, Lady Mary and her daughter, Bess, must also fight to survive as the family home, Shear House, is besieged. A novel of honour, vengeance, courage and love, The Bleeding Land brings England's civil war to life in all its terrible glory.