Howl of Blades
Page 30
I hope you are really getting into Sons of Iberia because the series has some way to go still. After all, the 2nd Punic War lasted fourteen years and Carthaginian resistance to Rome continued in the Cisalpine for a few years after Hannibal’s defeat in Africa. While in Hispania, the Romans got it very wrong and took two hundred years to subdue the Iberians.
You may have seen and read the first prequel to Sons of Iberia, Rise of the Spears, which I released in 2018. My thinking is that there are great backstories to some of the characters you encounter in Sons of Iberia. The prequels are short novellas that tell of these characters’ lives before Sons of Iberia. In this way, you will be able to explore the ancient past and enjoy the excitement, love and danger of a world untamed by man. I foresee at least twelve prequels, but there could be many more. The first, Rise of the Spears, centers on Dubgetious, a Bastetani warrior who made an appearance in Gladius Winter. It also features Hamilcar Barca and his famous son, Hannibal.
I am an indie author and self-publish all my titles. I am aware that my grammar, spelling and formatting may not be perfect, and I apologize for any mistakes you may have noticed that I failed to edit. I assure you that I am working hard to improve with every page, chapter and book and to this end, I recently joined the Alliance of Indie Authors.
As yet, there is no offer to adapt Sons of Iberia for TV and since I don’t have a publisher or agent, no active plan in place to secure such a deal. If you think Sons of Iberia would make great viewing on Netflix or Amazon, please let me know. Or better yet, if you know the right person, let them know. I guess that is a bit of a cheeky ask, but I am an indie author because I love writing and baulk at the idea of all the writing time burned up trying to convince agents, publishers and studios that I have a winning tale.
For the same reason, I don’t have a Patreon profile through which to solicit monthly subscription payments from readers for all kinds of added bling. I prefer to focus my creative output on the actual material you want and enjoy. All I ask is that you leave an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads for the titles you have read and recommend my books to your reader friends.
That is all from me until the next title. Oh, if there is a character whose backstory you would enjoy reading in a prequel, let me know via a message on any of my social media accounts or by emailing me at j.glennbauer@gmail.com.
Also by J. Glenn Bauer
Warhorn
Sons of Iberia
Warriors streamed from the hillsides in ever greater numbers, filling the shore and plunging into the muddy river, spears and shields held high. Warhorns echoed and men bellowed their challenges, confident the young Carthaginian general would end his days on their spears.
After avenging the murder of his family in a raid, Caros’ attempt to return to a life of peace is tragically shattered, leaving him wounded in body and spirit.
Young and bold, Hannibal Barca has begun to mass his mercenary army and rumors of war abound. When he defies an old treaty and besieges the pro-Roman city of Sagunt, Caros joins his army, seeking comradeship and a new life.
From the banks of the Tagus to the battlements of Sagunt; ride with Caros as he learns the way of war and discovers the price of victory.
Maharra
Sons of Iberia
Blades drawn and arrows nocked, a seething mass of Volcae warriors howled and capered, determined to cut down every man that crossed the Rhone.
Tasked with persuading the warrior-like mountain tribes north of the Ebro river to allow Hannibal’s army to pass, Caros faces new challenges and dangers. He must use all his wits to negotiate treaties and quickly discovers others are inciting the tribes to resist Hannibal’s advance.
Battles between hardy mountain tribesmen. An encounter with a beautiful Oracle. Revenge against a traitor and a bloody battle against ferocious tribesmen on the Rhone
Maharra is the dramatic follow-on to bestselling Warhorn and ideal for fans of historical fiction who enjoy tales of the ancient past.
Gladius Winter
Sons of Iberia
In the winter of 218 BC, even as Hannibal stormed the Alps to invade the Italian peninsula, a Roman fleet landed 20,000 legionaries in the far north of Iberia. Opposing them were the warrior tribes of Iberia, united under the Barcas of Carthage and a young Iberian hero.
Before Caros returns home from the army of Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general entrusts him with a vital order for his commanders in Iberia.
Evading and fighting Romans across a wild and untamed land, Caros learns just how deadly Rome’s legionaries are. He arrives home to discover that the Romans have already arrived.
As powerful chieftains in Iberia clamor to attack the Romans, Caros works to restrain them and the Carthaginians until more warriors can arrive. He uses the time gained to prepare his warriors to face the Romans, knowing that failure may well result in a battle that loses the entire war...
Gladius Winter is a non-stop whirlwind of adventure, adversity and brutal battle.
Perfect for fans of historical fiction who enjoy tales of the ancient past. Of times when warriors lived and died by the sword and heroes were men and women raised up by their deeds and honor.
Prequels to Sons of Iberia
Rise of the Spears
With the death cries of his fellow villagers still ringing in his ears, Dubgetious is forced to serve in Hamilcar Barca’s army where he must learn to survive amongst hardened mercenaries as Hamilcar marches them deep into enemy lands.
Lyda vows to free her son from the Carthaginians and to do so she is prepared to kill or be killed until she meets Chalcon who poses an impossible choice.
When an opportunity to defeat Hamilcar arises, both Dubgetious and Lyda must choose between honor and blood.
Rise of the Spears is a prequel to the Sons of Iberia series set during the later 2nd Punic War between Carthage and Rome
Other titles by the author
The Runeovex Secret
From beyond the mountains, a bloodthirsty Celt warband invades the land of the Illergete. In a night of terror, the son of a coward finds himself fighting back to save the lives of those who scorned him and the girl he loves.
Orphaned when just a young boy and victimized by his fellow villagers as the son of a coward, Cullha must learn to fend for himself.
When the Celts overrun the village, Cullha leads a handful of survivors to safety while keeping hidden the secret knowledge that will change the balance of power.
A dramatic tale of adversity, battle and love set in the ancient past of Iberia.
About the author
As a child, my playground was the wide-open veldt with the blue African sky above. Jungle gyms grew naturally from seed and the pet store was just beyond the garden gate. I wore shoes under protest and then only to school and church. I absolutely needed a bath every night.
After high school, I served as an operational medic for two years and treated everything from massive trauma to deadly disease. I've swum in the crocodile-infested Okavango and seen entire villages succumb to malaria. I have tracked poachers and listened from my sleeping bag to hunting lions prowling beyond the firelight.
Life is tamer now. I live onboard a boat in the heart of England, enjoying the garden-like rural landscape. Fortunate to have the life-experience I have, I draw greedily on it when writing of the lives of men and women in a very much wilder Europe.