Aurora Rescue: Book Tour: King Henry's Choice

There are powers at play that continue to seek amalgamating Scotland to England – powers from the past and powers from the future.

It’s the late 1800s and Queen Victoria wants more than mere access to the Scottish retreat at Balmoral Castle. But King Henry I of Scotland, direct descendent of Queen Mary Elizabeth I, the time traveling royal daughter of Mary Queen of Scots, is determined to keep Scotland free and independent and a powerful, progressive nation in its own right.

The struggle to protect what is his by birthright becomes a battle that must be fought in the past, the present and the future and in other parts of the world. And, in the midst of each battle, there are choices to be made. Very difficult choices.

~ Universal Amazon Link ~

An avid gardener, artist, musician and writer, Emily-Jane Hills Orford has fond memories and lots of stories that evolved from a childhood growing up in a haunted Victorian mansion.

Told she had a ‘vivid imagination’, the author used this talent to create stories in her head to pass tedious hours while sick, waiting in a doctor’s office, listening to a teacher drone on about something she already knew, or enduring the long, stuffy family car rides. The author lived her stories in her head, allowing her imagination to lead her into a different world, one of her own making. As the author grew up, these stories, imaginings and fantasies took to the written form and, over the years, she developed a reputation for telling a good story.

Emily-Jane can now boast that she is an award-winning author of several books, including King Henry’s Choice (Clean Reads 2019), Mrs. Murray’s Ghost (Telltale Publishing 2018), Mrs. Murray’s Hidden Treasure (Telltale Publishing 2019), Queen Mary’s Daughter (Clean Reads 2018), Gerlinda (CFA 2016) which received an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, To Be a Duke (CFA 2014) which was named Finalist and Silver Medalist in the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and received an Honorable Mention in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and several other books.

A retired teacher of music and creative writing, she writes about the extra-ordinary in life and her books, short stories, and articles are receiving considerable attention. For more information on the author, check out her website at: http://emilyjanebooks.ca

~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~
~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Blog ~

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page

King Henry’s Choice, is a follow-up of an earlier book by this author, Queen Mary’s Daughter, although it reads well as a stand-alone. The book is well-written, and a pleasure to read.

I enjoyed the characters in this book, as well as the fast action and intrigue. King Henry I of Scotland is a contemporary of Queen Victoria of England—most of the time. This time-travel adventure takes the reader both back in time as well as forward. This is also an alternative history book, with Scotland having maintained its independence and achieved a place of world dominance. Does this strong, independent king and his nation stay strong and keep his nation free from being combined and subjected to England? Only time and time-travel will tell.

This is definitely a great story for young adults and adults, especially those who enjoy history. There is nothing like getting a taste of how things would have been different if – a big “what if” – there had been but a few changes to the history we know. I can highly recommend this book.

Excerpt #1:

Henry caught the piercing gaze and held it with one of his own, equally piercing. “I do dare, Madam!” He snapped back. “This is my realm. Not yours. And it never shall be yours!” He almost spat out the last few words. He was adamant to make his point: Scotland, his country, would remain free and independent, for now and forever, as his countryman’s rallying cry firmly stated.

“Then Isabel comes home to London with me.” The English queen sniffed in a deep breath, feigning a sense of pride being wounded. “It’s where she belongs.”

“I think not!” Henry held his ground, glancing first at his wife then at the English queen.

“Why ever not, Henry?” Bertie gently challenged Henry. “She is obviously not wanted here.”

“Bertie’s right, Henry.” Isabel finally spoke between sniffles and catching little coughs, feigning an upset constitution. “I should return with my English cousins. London is my home. It always has been. Not this barren, cold north land.”

“No!” He glared at both women, then at Bertie who had moved closer to his mother during the interchange. “The last time a Scottish queen sought refuge in England under the protection of the English queen, the Scottish queen lost her head.”