S.M. Davies
ALLi Author Member
Location: United Kingdom
Genres: Historical Fiction
I was born and grew up in Swansea, South Wales. I read English at Cambridge, where I discovered my love for medieval literature, the legends which inspired it, and the history beneath. After graduating I worked as a professional indexer for leading publishers, mostly on historical texts. Since then I have spent my working life on the Gower Peninsula, first as a farmer, then a hotelier, and finally as a pub and nightclub owner. During these years, I wrote the first draft of the High King series, set in 5th Century Britain. I still live on the edge of Gower, close to my children and their families, and share my home with two sheepdogs.
S.M. Davies' books
Genres: Historical Fiction
Victory in the North is sealed. The High King and his greatest ally, Kerin Brightspear, returen home in triumph with the women they love. Summer stretches ahead with its promise of uncomplicated happiness. But their fragile peace is shattered on Midsummer's Eve, when Vortigern's rivals proclaim his oldest son Rufus as king, firing a brutal civil war. Kerin, now known to all as 'the King's Right Arm', rallies old friends and new allies as Rufus draws a huge force of fanatics and mercenaries to his stronghold in Glevum. Determined to oust his father and destroy what he sees as the forces of heresy and evil, Rufus boasts of weapons which his enemies cannot hope to withstand. But Vortigern's warriors have a scret weapon of their own; a thing of mystic power, concealed for centuries by the druids. They have the Carnyx. Kerin alone believes that the ancient war horn could...
Genres: Historical Fiction
Book 2 in the High King series. The wheel of power has turned. King Constans lies dead in St Alban’s chapel. Now Vortigern wears the crown; High King at last. Beside him stands a young warrior who has earned a new name – ‘The King’s Right Arm’. Kerin Brightspear, the king-maker, Vortigern’s devoted companion, has proved himself to the man who saved his life. But as they confront the Picts at Hadrian’s Wall, enemies within are already plotting the High King’s downfall. Mercenary captain Hengist and his Jute warriors have sworn allegiance, but will they betray him too? Amidst chaos and bloodshed, Kerin faces his greatest test as the family of the woman he loves plot to seize Vortigern’s power, pushing the kingdom to the edge of civil war.
Genres: Historical Fiction
Book 1 of a 4-book Historical Fiction series entitled HighKing. Set in Britain in the 5th Century - the 'Dark Age' - it is the story of Vortigern, who becomes king at one of the most dangerous moments in the country's history. Abandoned by the Romans and facing slaughter by raiding Picts and Saxons, Britain is leaderless and broken. Vortigern's adopted name means High King, but he is an outsider from the far west, despised by the establishment and opposed by jealous rivals. His greatest ally is young warrior Kerin Brightspear. Bound by oath and love to Vortigern, who saved his life as an abandoned child, Kerin yearns to prove his worth to the man he idolises. But time is running out. Beyond the borders, enemies are growing stronger by the day. Can Kerin seize the chance to repay his debt as Vortigern bids to become all that his name...