Monday, April 23, 2012

Shawn Lamb
Author of The Huguenot Sword



Ever played Three Musketeers with your brother using rulers or wooden spoons? Today I'm introducing Shawn Lamb, author of The Huguenot Sword. Shawn is an award-winning screenwriter and author of historical fiction. She lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and daughter, and a history of en guarde moments. Here's the blurb for The Huguenot Sword.

For Faith. For Friendship. For Freedom. In the time of Louis XIII, when being a Protestant could mean death, The Huguenot Sword roamed the streets of Paris by night, defending those faithful to the young heretical religion. The nobility scorned them as ruffians, to the oppressed Protestants they were saviors, but to the Cardinal Guards they were a pestilence needing to be terminated. The situation becomes desperate when those in power launched a bold plan to destroy the group. One wrong move can be fatal. But the ordeal of Paris pales in comparison to the possible annihilation of their faith and people at the battle of La Rochelle.

Welcome Shawn. Tell us about your family. I’ve been married to my best friend and most wonderful husband for 27 years. God blessed us with fantastic daughter, Briana. Rob and I used to work in children’s animation in Los Angeles. Rob also worked on Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids. Wow, that's really cool! Fat Albert was one of my favourite TV shows. 

How did you come to write this book? The Huguenot Sword began as a tribute to the swashbuckling movies I adored as a kid and historical fiction books I devoured. I wasn’t the typical girl playing with dolls or house. No, I ran about with a stick pretending to be D’Artagnan or Scaramouche. In fact, I studied fencing and was even cast as the fencing stunt-double for Bo Derek in a pirate movie in the early 1980s. A stunt double for Bo Derek! Now that's not a detail you read about every day! 

What’s the most fascinating thing you discovered in your research for this book? One character, who made the most impact on me is Rohan. In a time when political and religious allegiances changed as easy as set of clothes, Rohan could not be bought or cajoled or threatened. He embraced his beliefs and, though not perfect, was a man of integrity in the time where switching sides for advancement in station and political expediency was commonplace. He sounds like a great hero.


I can tell you love interesting locations. Have you been to Australia? No, my only travel outside the U.S. was to England, Scotland and Wales. I’d like to visit Australia. Only they would have to sedate me  – I have a fear of flying, and 13 to 14 hours over mostly water would make me a wreck! I hear you. I'm no fan of long haul flights either. 

What's on the horizon for Shawn Lamb? I continue to write. I’m not just the author of historical fiction, but also the YA fantasy series, Allon. I began writing it at the request of my daughter when she was in high school. She doesn’t like anything too dark, more along the lines of old fashion fantasies like Lewis and Tolkien, so that’s what I did. Two of the Allon series are scheduled for release this year, along with a new historical fiction. Congratulations! What a busy writer. 

Where can we find you on the internet? My website's http://www.allonbooks.com. There, you'll find my daughter Briana, as one of my characters, Shannon. She designed her costume, and featured in the photo shoot with Shannon's companion, a real wolf. A real wolf! That's some photo shoot!

For your chance to win a free Kindle version of Shawn's book, please leave a comment below. The winner will be announced on Friday, but in the meantime, here's a peek at The Huguenot Sword.

  Chapter One

A large man of twenty-three years, dressed in black doublet, breeches and cloak stood by the door. He peeked out the small opening of the door into the dark night. Standing several inches over six feet, he had to peer down through the opening. He shrugged the cloak over his shoulder to move for a better view. The black gloves he wore were stretched to the brink of ripping in an attempt to cover his massive hands. Thick sable hair hung like a wavy mane about his face. On the table in the center of the room were a large black hat and mask.
Beside the table stood a young man of roughly the same age, only a head shorter and thirty pounds lighter. His black outfit was almost identical to his companion and he wore the black mask. He held his hat, fingers nervous in clenching the brim. Even with the mask, his blonde hair and mustache were in marked contrast to his dark disguise. The lamp on the table burned low, yet danced in his hazel eyes, which changed shades with his mood. His focus shifted from a hallway leading further into the house to the door.
Dominic,” he hissed to get the attention of the other. “Any sign of the Cardinal’s men?”
No.” Dominic turned from his vigil to glance down the hall. “What of Arsène?”
Nothing yet, and they should be ready to leave.”
Both became alert at hearing running feet coming down the hall and a harsh call, “Make ready!”
Dominic slammed the opening shut and moved to stand beside his companion.
Arsène,” he said to Dominic upon recognizing the voice.
A third young man dressed in identical clothes appeared, only with black hair, clean-shaven, handsome features and blue eyes illuminated by the candlelight. He removed his hat, tossed it onto the table and withdrew a mask from his doublet pocket to put on.
They mimicked Arsène in donning the masks and placing their hats securely on their heads.
De Lacy?” Arsène asked Dominic.
No. Maybe we succeeded in thwarting the traitor.”
Whether we did or didn’t, does not change what must be done. Philipe, the west route,” he said to the blond man then held out his right arm. “For faith.”
For friendship,” said Philipe, taking hold of Arsène’s arm.
For freedom,” said Dominic, adding his hand to make a triangle of clasped arms.