The literary landscape welcomes a new historical fiction series with the release of C.D. Nelson's debut novel, A Common Hearth. The book, now available for purchase, marks the first installment in a planned saga set against the volatile backdrop of the 9th and 10th centuries. It targets adult readers with an appetite for gritty, character-driven narratives set in the Early Middle Ages.
The story centers on two protagonists from opposing worlds: Asa, a fierce Norse warrior woman, and Aedelric, a loyal Saxon Thane of Wessex. Their lives become intertwined by the forces of war and fate, leading them across diverse landscapes from Scandinavian fjords and mead halls to the battle-scarred woodlands of England. The core narrative explores the profound challenges of survival, leadership, and building trust in an environment where such trust seems not only improbable but dangerous.
Nelson's approach moves beyond romanticized depictions of heroism, instead aiming for raw emotional and psychological realism within the historical context. The novel is characterized by its richly layered worldbuilding and cinematic prose, designed to capture the harsh beauty of the period. Central themes addressed include loyalty, deep-seated cultural conflict, and the multifaceted costs of war, which the author presents as having enduring relevance for contemporary readers.
The book is categorized within the genres of historical fiction, military saga, and adventure. It is positioned as an ideal read for fans of epic tales and stories centered on warrior cultures, particularly those featuring the classic enemies-to-allies dynamic. The narrative premise is encapsulated in the thematic line: "She should've killed him. He should've feared her. But the storm had other plans."
As the inaugural entry in a series, A Common Hearth establishes a foundation for exploring shifting alliances and human resilience across the different cultures and societies of the era. The novel's release contributes to the historical fiction genre by offering a meticulously researched, emotionally charged perspective on a formative period in European history. For readers interested in acquiring the book, it is currently available for purchase on major online platforms, including Amazon.
