Looking for an intriguing historical fiction novel? If so, you would enjoy A Farrier’s Tale, first known as The Lionheart Cross, co-written by Mrs. Deborah Hensel, the BYMS English Language Development teacher, and Mrs. Tanya Hazelton. The novella was written in about 18 months, not including editing afterwards.

This novel is available at Borders and Amazon. Mrs. Hensel and Mrs. Hazelton are autographing and selling their books at an upcoming book fair this weekend on Saturday, March 26, from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. at The Lab. The Lab is located at 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

“Historical fiction is an exciting genre. If you read it carefully, you will often find a blank space where your character can have an adventure,” Mrs. Hensel stated.

The two main characters of A Farrier’s Tale are Clare of Rouen, a girl who delivers her family’s trained horses to the Templars disguised as her brother, and Owen St. Clair, a young Scotsman who fights for the Templars in the eastern Mediterranean and also fights alongside William Wallace for Scottish independence on his return to Scotland.

Throughout the novel, the authors mentioned some references to people who actually lived during the time that the story took place. Some of these people are King Philip V (The Fair),  and several popes and men in charge of the Templar organization. All these people had a very important part in the development of the story.

A Farrier’s Tale is set in the Middle Ages about the gifted, young farrier Clare of Rouen. Clare disguises herself as her brother to become a Knights Templar squire when her family is killed by the king’s marauders. Clare travels to Jerusalem where she watches Christendom’s Holy City fall to Islam. She travels there because she is trusted with important letters for the grand master of the Paris preceptory. Along with other squires and knights instructed by the new grand master, they transport sacred artifacts to keep them safe.

“When writing a historical novel, you need to take time to research the period carefully.  In order to make the story credible it is important to examine all elements that you will be using in your story,” stated Mrs. Hensel.

“Accurately writing about the clothing of the era, food, weapons of the time, housing, and the events happening in the world around your character are vital for continuity,” added Mrs. Hensel.

“The novel I am currently writing is set in the time of the English Civil War. The king of England, Charles I, is executed by Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell then is on the hunt for the heir to the throne, Charles II,” Mrs. Hensel said.

“Charles II disappears for several months. He never tells anyone how he managed to travel from England’s war torn countryside to Fontainebleau, France, where his mother was living in exile.  Here is the blank space where my characters can work alongside a historical figure,” Mrs. Hensel added.