The Glass Dagger
Description
When Giam Bellini designed a revolutionary type of glass, he never expected his reward to be three years as a galley slave!
Martyn Bedford, Award winning author of Never Ending, Houdini Girl and creative writing tutor had this to say about the book:- "a fascinating, original historical context...the insight into the world of glassmaking is interesting...the backdrop of the story's setting - Venice and London - and the times will also be a key part of its appeal to readers"
Giacomo (Giam) Bellini ignored Venetian societies unwritten rules for a nobleman and like his grandfather, became a glassmaker. His precocious talent brought him to the notice of Maria Morisini, the daughter of a prominent senator, gives a special goblet made from Giam's innovative Cristallo glass, as a birthday present for her father.
Adrian Ragazoni, an arrogant and ruthless Senator from one of the oldest families in Venice, tries to steal Giam's invention and pass it off as his own, only to be humiliated in front of the cream of Venetian society. Following his confrontation with Adrian, Giam's designs become the most popular in Venice and his blossoming romance with Maria, sets in motion a chain of events that changes their lives forever. Adrian, a love rival, formulates a devilish plot that leads to a false charge of treason against Giam. After a corruptly obtained conviction, Giam is sentenced to five years as a galley slave.
Giam is injured in a fight with pirates and is close to death. His friends smuggle him into England, Giam, now recovering well, changes his name to Jacob Bell. In London, his talent brings him acclaim and he aspires to the title of The Queen's Glassmaker.
Adrian Ragazoni, newly appointed Venetian Ambassador to England, has tricked Maria into marrying him. In London, Ragazoni becomes the ringleader of a plot to kill the Tudor Queen, Elizabeth I and put the Scots Queen on the throne. Jacob's real identity is revealed in front of the Queen, but Maria warns the Queen about the plot to kill her. Jacob, striving to clear his name from the treason charges, must defeat Adrian and his assassins, to save his love Maria and the Tudor Queen.
"Well developed characters, crisp dialogue, detailed research bringing Venice and London of the sixteenth century alive...the plot races along...an excellent début novel" Staff writer, Peoples Friend Magazine.
More details
Person
I was born and raised in the county of Derbyshire and matured in Yorkshire, England, where I spent a lot of my working life as a Chief Clourist, a Senior Manager in both the textile and chemical industries, a Science teacher and a University lecturer among other things.
A well-known speaker on the Elizabethan era and the history of English glassmaking, I now spend my time writing historical novels, of which to date, comprises of four novels in The Tudor Queen's Glassmaker Series. The books are fast paced adventure stories with a strong love interest.
Martytn Bedford, Award winning author of Houdini Girl desribed them as having a fascinating original historical context with an interesting insight into the world of glassmaking. The backdrop of the story's setting, Venice and London and the 16th century times will be a key part of its appeal to readers.
Recently, inspired by my background in textiles, I began a new series about the Industrial Revolution in the cotton spinning industry. The first cotton spinning mills in the World, were built in the Derwent Valley of Derbyshire in England. The imortance of these mills is reflected in their World Heritage status. The second mill built at Belper, Derbyshire by William Strutt, is the earliest examplke of a fire proof construction.
The first book of the fictional series is provisionally title Revolution, Amber Miils. I hope to have thiis rewady for puplication later in 2016 or ealy next year.
