Hawker and the King's Jewel: 1 (The Swords of the White Rose series)

'Great storytelling' David Gilman

August 1485. The eve of the Battle of Bosworth. King Richard III summons his loyal and grizzled retainer, Sir John Hawker, and charges him with one final mission. After the battle, he must return a priceless ruby - one of the mysterious Tears of Byzantium - to its giver, the Doge of Venice. Richard believes the jewel has brought ill luck to his family, and wants rid of it before anything else can go wrong. Hawker is also sworn to protect Richard's newly knighted bastard son, an arrogant youth unaware of his true parentage. But Richard's commands are overheard by a Tudor spy.

When the king falls in battle, Hawker, his royal bastard, and another lost knight make common cause and flee the field with Tudor agents in hot pursuit of both the ruby and the potential Plantagenet heir. Not knowing who to trust and with England falling under the grip of Henry VII, Hawker and his small Yorkist band take the only course left open: Venice, with all its conspiracies - and the love Hawker left behind there...

The first novel in a captivating new series of intrigue and adventure set in the twilight of the Wars of the Roses. Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Christian Cameron and Alison Weir.

'A brutal, brilliant tale, told with verve and pace. Hawker is a terrific creation' Bernard Cornwell

'Bale takes the reader from the terror of battle where a crown is lost and won to the sparkling jewel that is Venice, teeming with intrigue and treachery. Great storytelling' David Gilman, author of the Master of War series

'An absolute gem of a novel. I was taken aback by Bale's skill and talent. Meticulously researched, with a totally authentic medieval feel, the novel fizzes with action, romance and intrigue. A gripping yarn' Angus Donald, author of the Outlaw series