SHADOWS OF VALOR, a medieval romantic fiction by Elsie Park

Deceit, greed, inner struggle, betrayal, and love—this is the foundation and driving force for Shadows of Valor, Elsie Park’s debut novel.

Shadows of Valor is an outstanding historical fiction with substantial romantic elements. Blurring the psychological haze between justice and revenge, Shadows of Valor brings new meaning to the Dark Knight. As the legendary shadow of Graywall is summoned to protect the spawning deceit of the kingdom, the reader is taken on a chivalric adventure through the muddy and mired streets of medieval England, where evil is as inescapable as the shadow that lurks behind its walls.

See the trailers on Youtube: 

Trailer 1
Trailer 2
One Brave Knight (ballad featured in the book)
Original trailer by Yelena Baykova

Full Synopsis:

On the surface, Graywall is content and booming. Lord Shaufton, who presides over the city, is a fine ruler. The poor are well-cared for, the area is popular, and morale is high—but within Graywall’s roots, something dark is stirring. This darkness threatens to overpower the once-peaceful town, until a mysterious figure appears: The Shadow.

As much a figure of fear to the unruly as legend to the innocent, The Shadow is an enforcer of justice and aid to the King. Due to an outrageous export tax set by King Edward, smuggling has tainted the kingdom, so The Shadow is sent to hunt the smugglers down. Contrary to legend, The Shadow is simply a man known as Sir Calan who, although talented and just, struggles to keep his dark thoughts of revenge from becoming ruthless action.

Due to sheer coincidence, The Shadow learns of a deadly plot against Lord Shaufton on a journey to Graywall. Now, he must enter a pseudo courtship with Lord Shaufton’s daughter under his original guise of Sir Calan, all while old emotions are stirred by the lovely Elsbeth, Lord Shaufton’s niece. Elsbeth, it seems, is the only woman who can heal his troubled soul, but she has a story of her own. What transpires is a glorious tale full of deceit, greed, inner struggles, betrayal, and most of all—love.

Purchase here:
Barnes and Noble Paperback
Barnes and Noble NOOK
Amazon Paperback
Amazon KINDLE
Indigo Kobo
Or any other bookstore

About the Author

From a student of piano, botany, zoology and criminal justice to a wildland firefighter, police officer and currently a wife and mother of four beautiful girls, Elsie has worn many hats. It was only a matter of time before she wrote a novel (or two). While on an LDS mission to Italy, Park was inspired by the history surrounding the country, especially enjoying the many castles and ancient Roman structures found throughout the beautiful landscape. She felt it radiate through her soul and slowly, yet surely, a story was born. 
Blog: elsiepark.blogspot.com
Facebook: authorelsiepark
Twitter: elsiepark1

Medieval-style Tunics for Book Launch

So I ordered myself a cute medieval-style tunic top with bell sleeves for my book launch and subsequent signings for SHADOWS OF VALOR from the internet company “Holy Clothing” (the name playing on the term “Holy Cow!” I believe). Tunic pictured below:

My cute little girls, when they saw what I’d ordered, yelled, “We want one, too!” Hmm, the top was a little too pricy for ordering three more, not to mention they didn’t come in kids’ sizes. What to do?

I went through my costume patterns and picked out a pattern for a medieval dress with bell sleeves that I planned to shorten, making it into a shirt (instead of the long dress the pattern was for), but I would have to make each one from scratch, something I could do, but that would take considerable time.

Then the thought hit me: Why not get some pre-made modern dresses and simply modify them to what I wanted. Brilliant! So off we went to the local thrift store and found some dresses for $5 apiece and a gold-colored bed sheet for $2 for the bell sleeves on one of the dresses. I set to work and got the projects done within a few hours.

The girls modeled their new tunics for me and I got some cute shots. We’re ready for the book launch on September 7, 2013!

My First Book Giveaway!

I'm excited to announce my first signed ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) giveaway for SHADOWS OF VALOR, hosted by Goodreads.com. It's open to the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Australia! You go to the link I've provided - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/59708-shadows-of-valor - and simply enter for free (you might have to create a profile on Goodreads, though, before you do, unless you already have one). The dates run for only four weeks (July 21 - Aug 17), afterwhich, Goodreads picks a winner, sends me the winner's mailing address, and I sign the ARC and send it to that lucky person ALL BEFORE MY BOOK IS NATIONALLY RELEASED! Cool, huh!? So go forth! Enter to win. I've provided ONE copy for this giveaway. If I have a good response, I'll do another giveaway after the first one ends.

My Interview on Tayla Durham's blog!

Hey everyone, my sweet, young writer friend, Tayla Durham, is having me as a guest on her blog! SO WONDERFUL! I answered 10 interview questions she came up with about myself and SHADOWS OF VALOR. Here's the link if you're interested: http://twistedviolinist.blogspot.com/2013/07/interview-with-elsie-park.html

Rachel K. Johnson: Interview with Elsie Park

Rachel K. Johnson: Interview with Elsie Park: I'm here introducing Elsie Park, a debut author and a friend whose book Shadows of Valor  is coming out September 7, 2013. ...

Same Title, Two Different Books

Some have already been confused by the fact that there are TWO books out there holding the same title of SHADOWS OF VALOR. When ordering my book or looking it up on the internet, especially on Barnes and Noble or Amazon, be careful not to confuse my medieval fiction SHADOWS OF VALOR by ELSIE PARK with the sci/fi fantasy e-book by Patricia Hamill. It is not the same book nor is Patrica Hamill my pen name - I do not write under a pen name. That being said, I wish all the best to Patricia Hamill for her book, too.

Simple Healthy Banana Milkshake

I've rediscovered the simple joy of a banana milkshake. I don't like eating ripe bananas alone. I prefer them a little green. So I can only do three things with ripe bananas: 1) Use them in banana bread, muffins, or pancakes, 2) freeze them to use in icy smoothies, or 3) put them in a blender with some almond milk (or other milk) and puree it into a delicious, frothy shake. Mmmm. So good! And so healthy. I don't add any sugar and my kids love it that way. Bananas are packed full of sugars anyway. ENJOY!

Shadows of Valor Cover Reveal!

Here it is! The cover to my medieval fiction, Shadows of Valor. I LOVE IT! My heroine, Elsbeth, is at the top (gorgeous) and my hero, The Shadow, is in the bottom right corner (so handsome and mysterious). LOVE IT!!! Though Jolly Fish Press' executive editor, Christopher Loke, and his design team touched up the photos and designed the awesome cover, it was Yelena Baykova who shot the pictures of cover models Paulina Baykova and Brady Knighton who portrayed my main characters, Elsbeth and Sir Calan/The Shadow. Thank you all for working together to create a beautiful and striking cover for SHADOWS OF VALOR! GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY! Release date September 7, 2013!

Below is the Facebook banner for Shadows of Valor (wonderful cover models!)

I've seen Shadows of Valor book cover!

I've seen it! The cover to Shadows of Valor, and it's AWESOME! I'll plaster it all over the internet as soon as it officially gets released from Jolly Fish Press (hopefully this week). I'm so dang excited. My story has a FACE *smile*! EEEEEE!