David Blixt

"Her Majesty's Will is a heady, silly romp that works " - Chicago Tribune "I loved Her Majesty's Will, a delightful romp through Elizabethan England. The fun is non-stop, an irresistible mix of suspense, surprises, and humor. I just home we get to see this zany team again." - Sharon Kay Penman, The Sunne In Splendour and Lionheart "I LOVE this book. I'm laughing and on the edge of my seat and turning e-pages so fast, I'm gonna fry my iPad." - C. W. Gortner, The Tudor Conspiracy and The Queen's Vow Before he was famous, he was a fugitive. Before he wrote of humanity, he lived it. Before he was the Bard of Avon, he was a spy. A very poor spy. England, 1586. Young William Shakespeare is hiding from the law in rural Lancashire, languishing as a simple school master. Christopher Marlowe is living the high life as a spy for the Crown. When a dastardly plot to assassinate the Queen draws these two unforgettable wits together, Will is swept up in a world of intrigue, treachery, and mayhem in an adventure that will define the rest of his life - if he can only manage to survive it. Chased by rebels, spies, his own government, his past, and a bear, he demonstrates his loyalty and genius, proving himself to be - Her Majesty's Will. This irreverent comedy imagines Shakespeare's "lost years" as a rousing romp through the streets and across the stages of Elizabethan London. Combining the whimsy of William Goldman's The Princess Bride with the swashbuckling panache of Raphael Sabatini, and inspired by the Hope/Crosby Road Movies, this rollicking novel takes solace in knowing that these events surely never happened, while secretly hoping that they did. Praise from readers: ★★★★★ - "Anyone who enjoys the down-to-earth aspects of Shakespeare will love this book, the puns, bon mots, double entendres, and witticisms fly fast and furious throughout. His Majesty's Will is a book worth savoring more than once."★★★★★ - "Her Majesty's Will is an Elizabethan buddy comedy/drama/romance/adventure. Like ya do. It's Hope and Crosby meets Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks. It belongs on the shelf alongside The Princess Bride."★★★★★ - "David Blixt is on the top of his game with this romp. A rollicking good read."

"New readers, beware Once you start reading one of David's books, real life comes to a screeching halt until you finish it." - Sharon Kay Penman, Here Be Dragons and The Sunne In Splendour Some stories are part of a grand narrative. Others are small, insular, intimate, yet no less deserving to be told. Taken together, these pieces form a tapestry of life, love, and longing in early Renaissance Italy. At their heart of these stories are the false faces people wear to hide their true selves. Like the Venetian Carnivale masks, they are hardened, often grotesque, always mischievous. These are the Varnished Faces. Collected here are fourteen short stories from the acclaimed Star-Cross'd series, set both within Verona and the world outside its wall. Join Dante's son and Shakespeare's most mercurial creation as they seek their hearts' ease, wending their way through the lives and loves that will one day tear Verona apart. Filled with swashbuckling adventure, unrequited love, and brutal treachery, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett. Praise for the Star-Cross'd Series: "A novel of intricate plot, taut narrative, sharp period detail and beautifully realized characters." - Publishers Weekly"Intricate plotting, well-staged scenes, and colorful descriptions enhance head-spinning but lively entertainment." - Kirkus Reviews"A delightful romp through the backstory of 'Romeo & Juliet.'" - Chicago Sun-Times"Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it." - Historical Novel Society "David Blixt bursts onto the historical fiction scene with this masterful tale of adventure, love, and intrigue -- this is high adventure at its best, an epic novel filled with the breathtaking feats and evanescent beauty of the early Renaissance." - C. W. Gortner, The Last Queen and The Tudor Secret "Shakespearean actor David Blixt traces the genesis of the famous feud between the Montagues and Capulets in this sharp, arresting novel that is completely impossible to put down." - Michelle Moran, Nefertiti and Madame Tussaud "Dante's Italy and the internecine, blood-feuding struggle of the dominant families of the northern city states. This story of corruption and the quest for power is as compelling as Mario Puzo'sGodfather and as thrilling as any of Rafael Sabatini's historical adventures." - Peter Tremayne, The Chalice Of Blood

The night before his assassination at the hands of conspirators, Julius Caesar attended a feast. With him were Brutus, Cassius, and Antony. During the meal, Caesar was asked what he thought was the best way to die. Caesar answered, 'What does it matter, so long as it's quick'Based on history and the works of Shakespeare, Eve Of Ides reveals the unexplored relationship between the main players of the age - Caesar, Brutus, and Antony. History was never so alive.

Italy, 1326. While the brilliant and wily Cesco is schooled in his new duties at the hand of a hard master, Pietro Alaghieri travels to Avignon, current seat of the Papacy, to fight his excommunication. He doesn't know an old foe has been waiting to ruin his life and seize control of Verona itself. Back in Verona, separated from everyone he trusts, Cesco must confront his ambitious cousin, a mysterious young killer, and the Holy Roman Emperor himself. A harrowing series of adventures reveal a secret long hidden, one that threatens Cesco's only chance for true happiness. The third novel in Blixt's acclaimed Star-Cross'd series, Fortune's Fool combines Shakespeare's Italian plays, the poetry of Dante and Petrarch, and the brutal intrigue of Renaissance Italy to create a story of heartbreaking adventure, exploring the capricious whims of lady Fortune, who has her favorites - and her fools. Praise for the Star-Cross'd Series: "A novel of intricate plot, taut narrative, sharp period detail and beautifully realized characters." - Publishers Weekly"Intricate plotting, well-staged scenes, and colorful descriptions enhance head-spinning but lively entertainment." - Kirkus Reviews"A delightful romp through the backstory of Romeo & Juliet." - Chicago Sun-Times"Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it." - Historical Novel Society

Rome under Nero is a dangerous place. His cruel artistic whims border on madness. Any man who dares rise too high has his wings clipped, with fatal results. For one family, Nero's whims mean either promotion or destruction. While his uncle Vespasian goes off to put down a rebellion in Judea, Titus Flavius Sabinus struggles to walk the perilous line between success and notoriety as he climbs Rome's ladder. When Nero is impaled on his own artistry, the whole world is thrown into chaos and Sabinus must navigate shifting allegiances and murderous alliances as his family tries to survive the year of the Four Emperors. This second novel in the Colossus series brings the tumultuous events of 69 A. D. to life, as Blixt explores the destruction of temples, the merging of religions, and the origins of Christianity as a political force. Praise for David Blixt's novels: "Historical fiction at its best." - S. J. A. Turney, author of Caligula and Marius' Mules "New readers, beware Once you start reading one of David's books, real life comes to a screeching halt until you finish it." - Sharon Kay Penman, Lionheart, Here Be Dragons"Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it." - Historical Novel Society

"Historical fiction at its best." - S. J. A. Turney, author of Caligula and Marius' MulesJudea, AD 66. A Roman legion suffers a catastrophic defeat at the hands of a band of Hebrews. Knowing Emperor Nero's revenge will be swift, they must decide how to defend their land against the Roman invasion. Caught in the turmoil is Judah: a mason who now finds himself rubbing shoulders with priests, revolutionaries, generals and nobles, drafted to help defend the land of Galilee. Denied the chance to marry, he turns all his energy into defending the besieged city of Jotapata. But with a delusional general, friends falling each day, and the Roman army at the walls, Judah must brave a nightmare to save those he loves and preserve his honor. Praise: ★★★★★ - "In David Blixt's hands, history comes to bright, blazing life."★★★★★ - "This novel has it all: political and personal intrigue, loyalty, love, betrayal, riveting action. Few novelists write such compelling action sequences - it's like watching them on film."★★★★★ - "Captures vividly the tumult and tragedy of the struggles between the Romans and the Hebrews in ancient Judea. A wonderful read."

"New readers, beware Once you start reading one of David's books, real life comes to a screeching halt until you finish it." - Sharon Kay Penman, Lionheart, The Sunne In Splendour Italy, 1325. Eight years after the tumultuous events of The Master Of Verona, Pietro Alaghieri is living in exile in Ravenna, enduring the loss of his famous father while secretly raising Cesco, bastard heir to Verona's prince, Cangrande della Scala. But when word of Cangrande's death reaches him, Pietro must race back to Verona to prevent Cesco's rivals from usurping his rightful place. But young Cesco refuses to be anyone's pawn. Willful and brilliant, he defies even the stars. While far behind the scenes, a mastermind pulling the strings, one who stands to lose - or gain - the most. Born from Shakespeare's Italian plays, the poetry of Dante, and the events of history, Voice Of The Falconer explores the danger, deceit, and deviltry of early Renaissance Italy, and the terrible choices one must make just to stay alive. Filled with swashbuckling adventure and unrequited love, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett. Praise for the Star-Cross'd Series: "A novel of intricate plot, taut narrative, sharp period detail and beautifully realized characters." - Publishers Weekly"Intricate plotting, well-staged scenes, and colorful descriptions enhance head-spinning but lively entertainment." - Kirkus Reviews"A delightful romp through the backstory of 'Romeo & Juliet." - Chicago Sun-Times"Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it." - Historical Novel Society