A Man Assured of Honour

Anyone who can take me through the tempestuous waters of Elizabethan England and leave me with clearly identifiable characters has my vote. This is as fascinating to me as 'Wolf Hall' was. This is the way to teach and write history, it really lets the reader absorb the spirit of the times. Patrick Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

Historical Fiction has to have accuracy, or at least appear to have it, but also to stand alone as a story in its own right. No problem here, on either count. Diligent research and fine writing, I'm lost in admiration. On my shelf accompanied by stars in great profusion.
Jake.

I found this to be an immensely well written and enjoyable story. You are capturing these historical people and making them come alive for me. I have read a great deal...and if I had this as a book in my hand...today I would do nothing but read.

Anna, you have single-handedly converted this reader to a love of first-person narrative... one in present-tense, to boot! You have inhabited Elizabeth Throckmorton-Ralegh, and not only take readers on a richly guided tour of Tudor England, the Court, its populace in all its finery, wit and cats-paw cattiness, but given us the very soul and mind of one of England's greatest seafarers wife. A woman hitherto unknown, yet here she is, large as life and her soul awaiting historical acknowledgement. As for poor Shakespeare... Alas, poor Will, I knew him, Anna...and of his private education, we speculate still. You've given us a worthy contender for his immortal crown, it must be said.

The detail is rich, right down to the emerald Elizabeth/Bess hides from Queen Elizabeth - a rather current fascination given our future Queen's ring! The Court of Queen Elizabeth 1 would've had a fine time with this upstart - perhaps it IS having such a time!

This is a great work of historical fiction, worthy of sitting alongside *Wolf Hall* and outselling it and its ilk. The voice is unique, as if Elizabeth Ralegh is speaking from the grave - as indeed her husband spoke from the Tower (1603 until reprieve and ultimate commuting of his terrible sentence), and you have quoted that voice at the beginning. (And I, for one, like your use of parenthesis - another conversion you've influenced!) Your Elizabeth will live on, as will, I suspect, an uproarious debate in the world of books, the world at large.

Six-starred with applause from beyond the Royal Box, and a place on the shelf of this commoner.

Kay
(Waystation to Prosperity Street)

An absolute delight. The opening was brilliant and as far as I can tell, it is historically accurate and detailed. The characters are fully brought to life. Excellent. Book shelf at my next shuffle.
Andrea
the de Amerley Affair

Every time I come back to read this book I am impressed by a rich tapestry of characters and plot, and a writing style that is superior to many books I have read in book stores. I am surprised this book doesn't have more backers. Excellent title and book cover by the way. Elizabethan times have been preciously captured in this book, a reader can't fail to be entertained now matter how many chapters they read. I can't add any more stars to the ones I previously gave all those months ago. All the best with A Man Assured of Honour, Anna.

Claire, The Snare of the Fowler

Anna, publish with a flourish!
I'm so deeply impressed by your extensive research and by your rich imagination in recreating the characters and the Court in the unique Elizabethan world of "Merrie England".
As a schoolboy I sang in the chorus in a production of Edward German's opera of that name. Sir Walter, Bess. and Q.E, were all there, playing their much-romanticised parts. Your story opens up Pandora's box. It brings everything out in the open, so convincingly - and so intimately, in Bess's personal musings.
Incidentally, you can have no qualms about flawless prose. Her natural expression is simply her own, while the contemporary diction is straight out of any Elizabethan comedy.(Not to mention Shakespeare's!)
Highest stars and already on my Shelf.
David Grant,
"Pompey Chimes"

Hi Anna. Interesting! Love history, marriage, murder tales...nice! Would make a terrific movie. On WL for now.

blessings,
jim

One of the very very very BEST books on authonomy !

Alison Butler

Dear Anna the words not only tell the story but slowly slip the reader into the right epoch.

Panos

Excellent effort. Research is impeccable, writing is tight. Needs more support, and deserves it.

Still probably my favourite book on the site.

A Man Assured of Honour.
by Anna Rossi.

Have read and backed your book in the past.
I'm pleased to come back to it again all the same.
Anna, you are a truly excellent writer.
Your description of the period is quite staggering, you paint a picture for the reader of a colourful time in English History,and do it well, immediately captivating them to read on.
You are an experienced, very capable writer,your profile shows that.
I found your writing to be far above what I expected even with this in mind.
'A Man Assured of Honour', is a beautifully written,captivating read. It deserves to be published.
Pleased to star rate it the highest and will shelve it again when I can.

Kind regards,

Neville . The Secrets of the Forest - The Time Zone.

I loved this and would buy when published, I just need to tell you of a couple of things that didn't jel, they were in chapter one - paragraph 2 - should not 'sow' be 'sew'? Also in this same paragraph there is a 'flowing' problem when you tell us about your character's problem with water - should it not be - causing me to come down with... or and I came down with... And then I found your liberal use of adverbs a little off putting and not needed.

These points are only meant to help. Other points are, you have the voice so perfect it felt as though i was there, your knowledge of the era shines out. You are a writer of exceptional quality and talent. You bring history alive, you draw your reader in, but for the nits above this would be my first 6*, as it is it is a 5* and will go onto my shelf where is will sit with pride. Good luck, best wishes, love Mary

Well I think most certainly that I would like to add a comment even though I get the distinct impression that you've gone or abandoned the site. (In some ways I can hardly blame you) - The book represents in many ways all that I abhor in the terms of the ruling classes, the Crown, monarchy, (I cannot even abide buying Duchy products at Waitrose) and yet it is captivatingly written. I mean even with my limited knowledge of this period I can realise the well thought out means/ways of expression, the implementation of plots and sub-plots, tittle-tattle, small details of dress, manners, and dance that were relevant to the times. In my minds eye I may even have seen such scenes in the many productions of this nature both on British TV and film. I do like this also for the disturbing underbelly of blood and gore that is really beneath all of the fake smiles, frills, spills, and silks - the one true driving force in those times (indeed all times) I suspect was wealth, greed, and power all of which you have captured in what little I have read - Wilfred (He was a Most Peculiar Man)

Hi Anna!

Since you haven’t been to Authonomy for a while, I hope it’s okay that I’m sending this through your book comment:

I’d like to thank you for backing BRAINRUSH (a Thriller) last year. Because of you it hit the Authonomy Number-1 slot, attracted an agent, and landed a film option. Now that’s a brain-rush! The formal book launch is September 1st and the sequel will be released in December. None of this would have been possible without your help. So, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
Richard Bard, BRAINRUSH

PS. If you want a good laugh, check out the temporary book-trailer video on the BRAINRUSH website. It’s there as a placeholder for the upcoming professional video. The current one features children and it’s guaranteed to make you smile! And yes, the younger kid on the screen is really me. You can see the video at www.RichardBard.com. The link is also on my Authonomy profile page. Special offer for former Authonomy backers between now and the formal launch on Sept 1st: If you would like to receive a “Review” copy of the eBook (plus 2 FREE thrillers from the Kindle Top-20 PAID Bestseller list – yes, really), go to the website, click the “Contact” button, and leave a message that includes your Authonomy username and the secret code words “I Feel the Rush!” Details of this promo will be emailed to you. Thanks!

Hello Anna Rossi , you have, without doubt, caught the flavour of Elizabethan England , without anachronism or long-windedness and of course ,this is especially impressive as you are an American (i.e. not a native) - very , very good indeed.The epigraph I found extremely perturbing and very true , as I try to remind myself every morning - yes, actually , literally, There are some wonderfully authentic phrases here e.g. 'telling some long-winded rigmarole which makes them all laugh.'perfect - how do you do it? Immersion , observation , powers of mimicry ,in telligence - it must be things like that. Research. Would you be kind enough to take a look at my novel 'A Buccaneer' which is an historical,adventure romance set in the 17th century and includes Pirates ,lost love, Cambridge University , Greek Scholarship,the Great Plague of London, Spanish Ladies and much more , with best wishes, Strachan Gordon

A MAN ASSURED OF HONOUR
Anna Rossi

Dear Anna. You have taken a man out of history and breathed life into him. I feel as if I have danced along with your Bess as she relates her experiences in the world of such heady happenings. For her to be so close to the Queen of those times and to have the love of a man so well positioned to ride into history with glory, it is engrossing. I wonder at his demise and what has led up to that unfortunate ending. I have read through chapter five and will continue on. Your writing is so entertaining to read, I could not do otherwise.

Congratulations on such an intricate accomplishment.

I will back this with enthusiasm just as soon as I can make room on my shelves.

Sincerely,

Mary Enck
A King in Time

From the perspective of Bess Throckmorton this tale certainly fleshes out some of history's more fabled characters and it does that with a genuine affection for the people and the times that is all too lacking in 'matter of fact' fiction that only seeks to dryly inform. I liked these nine chapters and I hope that you will be able to upload more. Best of luck.
'A man Assured of Honour' is also assured of readers. RT

Hello Anna, you have captured a real atmosphere here - beautifully evocative writing. At first I thought you were overusing parentheses, but when I got used to them, and your style of writing, I liked them. All I would say though, if you do want comments, is watch the dialogue tags, you may be able to cut some of them. The structure and pov of this really does work, and I am enjoying reading it very much. Good luck, Val

Despite some obvious editing that needs to be done with some incomplete sentences, I believe you have a good start. Is the main character supposed to be Sir Walter Raleigh or Sir Walter Ralegh? Since it is throughout the book it must not be a novel surrounding the life of Sir Walter Raleigh. You develop your characters well, and your dialogue embraces the reader. Best of luck in your future writing of this book to completion.
-author of December Gold

There's risk and adventure in your writing. Greatly admired what i read of this.

Anna,
Served with the appetizer of seeing someone's head roll off the chopping block, I had no choice but to seek out the why's and wherefore's. Effective start for "A Man Assured of Honour." I found Mrs. Ralegh to be a sympathertic character with all the foibles of being human, certainly warm-blooded, if not passionate. Your descriptive prose carried me along, and the vernacular in your dialogue was engaging. Thank you so much for the exquisite read.

Kenneth Edward Lim
The North Korean

Eloquently written in impeccable style. You craft your verbiage so beautifully and skillfully that I feel like a spectator watching the scene rather than merely reading it. I haven't yet read as much as I intend, since my goal is to read everything you have posted here.

I like the way she shows disdain early on, but disdain with keen interest in Raleigh. It works greatly into the development of the character for her feelings to be so intense from the onset. The descriptiveness of the settings and the apparel brings the text alive. You are an amazing wordsmith Ms. Rossi! I adore your work.

Best regards, Lisa
LJ Rutledge, Shadow Puppet

I became thoroughly immersed in the richness of description, the great eye to details of the period. I want to curl up somewhere, switch off the phone and enjoy a long, long read of your book.

A pleasure to back your book which I will do for a good while but I will eventually make space for someone else however, do remind me when you get close to the top five and I will definitely back you for an additional period.
Lorraine
Mannn Boy

Anna, nothing I can say other than, exceptional writing, exceptional reading, and that I thoroughly enjoyed your style of writing and this engaging story. Well done! Highly rated and backed.
Michael Croucher (Bravo's Veil)

I very much like historical novels, and you have captured an extraordinary wealth of detail and seemingly authentic Elizabethan flavour in A Man Assured of Honour. But I do think the first chapter suffers by being over-burdened with detail: names, relationships -- almost to the point of being an info-dump -- before we have got to know the major players and can feel at ease with them.

I'd also suggest that, in the first paragraph, you replace "the eve of his execution" with "the eve of Walter's execution". It saves the reader from having to hold an as yet unidentified male in his or her mind for several paragraphs, which could leach away reader concentration at a critical time.

Good luck with this.

I'd buy this, Anna.

Alas, my shelf is full but I shall place this there come March 1. Fascinating detail, perhaps a tad slow in pacing, but nicely drawn characters and atmosphere.

Anna,
Ooh, I do like your protrayal of Lady Ralegh. This is quite fun. I marvel at the spirit that you've breathed into her and that buzzes in your prose. My brother, John Campbell, pointed me in your direction, recommending your book. I'm glad he did. WL'd and highly starred, and I aim to come back for chapters 5-9 at my soonest opportunity.
Regards,
Bea

"A Man Assured of Honor" - Anna Rossi. I read chapter 1 and skimmed chapter 2 and several comments. A delightful read that captures the time and politics (I admit to refreshing my history of the time before reading). Well written. Bookshelf and stars for sure.

One thought - this site adds an extra line after each paragraph that makes for double spacing between paragraphs on the site - suggest you do as I did and delete the normal space between paras before uploading to site. Hope this helps!

Gideon
"Thrill Writer's Remorse"

The popularity of your book, visible on so many shelves, and then finding such insightfulness in your comments to others, induced a measure of awe in me before a read a chapter. I have never researched this era, but it is totally believable. I thoroughly enjoyed the first few chapters, liking the edginess of Morgen/Lady Ralegh. I can see why your work holds such promise. I hope to reach such a standard myself some day. Best wishes.
John B Campbell (Walk to Paradise Garden)

interesting theory and perspective on historical events

Lynne Ellison

The Green Bronze Mirror

Anna, I love historical novels -- the best way to learn history-- and you have a great one here. You make the reader feel and even smell the surroundings.
I found a minor error - Chapter one she reminds me often should be capitalized or connected to the quotation with a comma. Any other small technical errors will have to be found by a professional. I was too caught up in the story to pay attention to such mundane things.
Great work. Good luck. I will book and rate your excellent novel.

Jeanne Meeks
Rim to Rim--Death in the Grand Canyon

A Man Assured of Honor - I haven't read a lot of historical fiction, but I think your use of 1st present is genius in this case. I might be slightly prejudice since i often write in the same, but I don't think so. This is just excellent work. I haven't come across anything to offer in the form of constructive criticisms-I'll return with further comments after reading more if I find anything I feel is worth a mention. On WL with high stars until I move to my shelf - sometime before the end of the month.

G
Einstein's Road Trip I would be very interested in seeing your take on Einstein [offbeat lit fiction/magical realism] if your time allows. Thanks.

A MAN ASSURED OF HONOUR

Dear Anna,
This reads like the wind. Well done.
Starred *****
a zoomer

A Brilliantly portrayed book. I read almost all you have on here and look farward to reading the rest! Very good luck and I hope you make the editor's desk.
O U Crew.

A Brilliantly portrayed book. I read almost all you have on here and look farward to reading the rest! Very good luck and I hope you make the editor's desk.
O U Crew.

Beautifully written and a fantastic take on the usual Shakespeare theory. A fascinating ride through and back in time.
Villiger

Really has the flavour of historical fiction ... that ability to make the reader feel like they're in another time without it being laborious. Other than a few missing periods and possibly a few too many commas in some places ... very well done. I've placed on my watchlist to compare with those already on my backed list ...

Anna, thank you for brightening a very dull afternoon at work. I picked this out at random, and I'm really glad I did. It's very good indeed. You can really write, the prose flows well, the dialoge is natural and funny, 'nuff said. Elizabethan England is not my strong subject - I have no idea what a "sprightly galliard" or "farthingales" are, although they sound wonderful - so I can't comment on the authenticity, or otherwise, of this work (although I don't think the word "boring" was in use at the time, although I may be wrong...) But I can say that I loved it! Colourful characters, treachery, beheadings, poisonings, deflowerings in shrubberies...If I were reading this in a bookshop, I would buy it.
More, I want more!
Mark Engineer (A Room Full of Ghosts)

Beautifully written. This captures history in a unique way.

I'll back your book and star rate it for good measure. I hope it does well. So close now.

Francene. Still Rock Water.

A fascinating and very English read, You transport us to the time and give us an intimate perception of Water's sudden rise, of the blessed-curse of his talents. You make it readily understandable how he can be at once the most popular and the most disliked of men, exciting love and loathing in equal measure. Perhaps it is the way for anyone who steps outside the mean avreage. The religious stresses and the romantic hypocrisy of those at court are well captured. And, with the realm up to its ankles in snow and ice, the start of the story mayd apt reasing. The notion of her being in his church by visiting the theatre was the best part for me.
Ron WATCHING SWIFTS. Backing to follow when space appears on my shelf. Will read on for pleasure. Meanwhile, 'listed.

A real book with all the texture, color and atmosphere of the period it relates to. The language is authentic without being archaic; its characters portraits and not caricatures of their times. I'm envious.
Jim Coplin
Bite Mark

Dear Anna, Scanning the site for a good read, I hit on the name Throckmorton. It caught my eye because I used to date two Throckmorton girls in Maryland. Do you suppose they descended from your character's family? It's unimportant, except that it drew me to "A Man Assured of Honor," which I'm now reading with delight and admiration. (You might want to mention the castle I saw on the island of Jersey, said to be a gift to Raleigh from the Queen.) You have a flair for breathing new life into history. Tonight I'll fill a place on my shelf with your sparkling novel.

Could I ask you to take a look at "The Doctor of Summitville"? It has little in common with your book except that it's a love story set against a real historical background--in this case, the Great Depression of the 1930s. Though stalled in the ranks, it has received glowing comments. I believe it will interest you. Truly, Bill

which bears no resemblance to your book

Sublime -- as always. There's nothing more to say.
(Except that I wish you would re-post Black Damask!)

Irene

Truly wonderful and a worthy read. good to see it doing so well.
Aaaron

It is difficult to provide consturctive comment on a work as well written and interesting as this book. The language alone is enough to draw readers into the work. Chuck

Anna,

Had a chance to read more today. Wow ... I knew this book was a killer! I'm sticking with ya kiddo. Gonna keep this thing on the shelf from here on out.

What strikes me more than anything about your writing is the way you describe detail. Somehow you capture the essence of how to do just enough at a given time and move along. A unique skill indeed.

You explain the time in this book so well it makes me feel I am there. I've always thought this to be the biggest single factor in why I would afraid to even attempt to write "out of time" era myself. You have done your homework girly. That is most certainly for sure!!!

Furthermore, you have nailed the language of the characters in the time era. Just freaking NAILED it! I think you are really a reincarnated maid servant or something from the Elizabethan era...that's it! I knew it!

On a serious note. I like the first person narrative in this instance. I usually don't care for attempts to do this with historical fiction as it must be done in a certain way and raises the degree of difficulty when doing so. One must be as well tuned in as you were about the era to have done this well.

As I mentioned to you in a past note, Sir Walter Ralegh is a favorite of mine. When I was a kid, my mother would play a card game with me called "Authors" and it led me to have an interest in the ones included in the game when I got older and would spend time in the library during school "Study Hall". I loved learning the many things I did not know about him and of the other characters. I especially liked the part about the way the Queen reacted to the execution of Mary. Gripping stuff! There are so many parts of this book I could go on and on about.

My dear, if I had your skill I wouldn't ever leave the house. I would simply write and write, then I would read it back to myself.

Sincerely,

Emmett
(E M Delaney)
--THE VIRUS

Coming Soon:
MIRACLE IN THE SWAMP

This is quite simply the very best of historical fiction; in fact it is a very long time since I have read anything half as good, on or off authonomy. Clarity of writing, originality and in depth knowledge of the period, enable it to stand out from competing works and fully justifies its meteoritic rise through the ratings. The reader is treated to not just a taste of a bygone age, but is transported – wormhole like – to experience the essence of life in Tudor society, feel the fear, uncertainty and back-stabbing within the Elizabethan Court. Through the diary entries (such a clever ploy) the reader shares with the central character all her emotional highs and lows. I can find only one word which does its excellence justice– awesome!

Backed A Man Assured of Honour. This is wonderful! It captures the time perfectly. Really one of the best reads I have encountered on Authonomy.
CC Brown
Dark Side

Anna, I was surfing through Authonomy last night looking for both readers for my book and interesting reading material. It seemed that every shelf I saw had your book on it, so I read chapter one. If this book doesn't end up on the editor's desk, the system is really broken! You story line is intriguing, your characters are well-drawn, and you writing is flawless. The only reason I don't read the other chapters right now is that duty calls. My shelf is full at the moment, but I'll give you lots of stars and put you on my watch list for the first possible opening. Best of luck.
Blessings,
Linda Brendle
A Long and Winding Road, RVing with Mom and Dad

Hi Anna. I haven't had an opportunity to read more until now. I write in the first person as you do, and am really starting to enjoy your story. Your character development, especially, is slow but beautiful.. You paint a great picture and a believable world. I'm not very technical, but I do knoow what I like - and this is a good one.

Old Bob
A PLACE IN LIFE

Truly wonderful. A joy to read. I'll back as soon as I can ... approach" my shelf without getting dinged. :)
Lenore
Surviving the Seaweed