N. Gemini Sasson
 

Welcome to the web site of 
N. Gemini Sasson

Hello and welcome!  This web site will expand as I have more news to tell you about my writings (I'm currently working on a story about Queen Isabella, wife of Edward II of England).  Until then, have a seat and stay a while.

My obsession with history and historical fiction began with a book called The Three Musketeers, by 19th century French novelist Alexandre Dumas.   Then, it was Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe  that drew me irretrievably into the world of medieval kingdoms and knights.  When I couldn't find a good historical novel to lose myself in, I had my nose buried in a history book or encyclopedia.  How many teenagers do you know who do that to pass the time?  

For a brief while as an adolescent, I thought about becoming a writer, but I was told you can't make money doing that (I think my parents had visions of me living at home as a 40-year old - but I don't, so hah!) and so I gave it up for what was expected of me - academic studies in biology and then a brief and unfulfilling career as an environmental engineer.  

For many years I put aside thoughts of writing.  My first published work was actually in scientific journals while I was a graduate student in biology.  Later (and still) I did many articles for dog magazines.  Over the years, I have worked as a research assistant (also known as a 'lab rat') in an aquatic toxicology laboratory, a hazardous waste site investigator for the EPA doing environmental risk assessment (pushing papers and collecting mud), a dog grooming shop owner and a substitute teacher (yes, that can be a harrowing experience on certain days).  For now, I enjoy coaching track and cross country at the local school.  Running was my first love.  I don't think I'd have developed the patience to write page after page if I hadn't first learned to log mile after mile. 

Later on, it was a trip to see Braveheart at the movies that rekindled my long-buried passion for history.  Within a week, I sat down and began writing.  My first attempts were, well, little more than good practice in dedication and developing a writing routine.  To gather confidence, I wrote a number of dog articles for Australian Shepherd publications.  After a while I began to run out of things to say.  In the meantime, my stories were building momentum on their own.   Gradually, I began to find my writing voice.  The ideas came.  The words went into the computer and years, yes years, later there were complete stories on paper. 

If you've seen Braveheart, there is an entire untold story beyond William Wallace's rebellion - that of Robert the Bruce and the men that fought with him against Edward I (Longshanks) and Edward II.  All these tales are packed with plenty of historical battle scenes, narrow escapes, betrayal, murder, political intrigue and yes, some romance :   

• The Crown in the Heather, is about Robert the Bruce, who became King of Scotland after William Wallace began the fight against Edward I of England (aka "Longshanks").  A vassal of King Edward I's, Robert secretly began to plot his path to the throne. It took a murder to put him there.  He is aided by the unlikely brilliance of the soft-spoken young nobleman, James Douglas.

• The second Robert the Bruce story is entitled The Road to Stirling and leads up to the Battle of Bannockburn.  Robert learns that he not only has to rid Scotland of the English, but he must also win over his own countrymen.  Meanwhile, Edward II wars against his own barons to preserve both his grip on power and the life of his dearest friend, Piers de Gaveston.  

• The third and final story in the Robert the Bruce trilogy, Carry My Heart, is about Robert the Bruce's final years  and Edward II's tragic decline.  James' loyalty to Robert is put to the test as he struggles to find meaning in his life beyond the endless battles and raids.

• In the meantime, I often contribute articles to the Aussie Times and the Australian Shepherd Annual and have an article about medieval Wales in History Magazine's Oct./Nov. 2005 issue: "The Last Welsh Prince of Wales: Owain Glyndwr".

EXCERPTS FROM THE ROBERT THE BRUCE TRILOGY, BY N. GEMINI SASSON:

One day, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, you'll be able to visit your local bookstore to find them and read all of them in full.  History is full of stories waiting to be told.  My  job is to dig them up and share them.  Thanks for visiting and I'll post updates on my writings here whenever they occur.

All the Best,

N. Gemini Sasson