Royal Interlude: Book II of the Adventures of William Howard and Hugh Fitzalan in Fifteenth Century England

Publisher Marketing: Second in the series, Royal Interlude is the sequel to Troubled Times. Will Howard and Hugh Fitzalan, although yearning to return to their beloved Arundel Castle in Southern England, still find themselves embroiled in the trouble and chaos of war-torn France during the waning years of the Hundred Years War. While they continue to advance their skills as young warriors and esquires, and often find themselves in real combat battling the French, their Homeland struggles for a solution to endless war -- Victory or Peace? One potential solution, perhaps, is for the young and eligible Henry VI of England to wed a suitable French Princess. Charles VII has eligible daughters. But will the canny King of France allow Henry to wed one? And at what price? While plots and intrigues ensue at the highest levels of both realms, Will and Hugh find themselves tasked with discovering the secret of arguably the most powerful man in England, Sir William de la Pole, fourth Earl of Suffolk. King's Steward, and the King's best friend, confidant, and chief negotiator, Suffolk struggles to hang on to the reins of power in a teetering world. What is he willing to sacrifice for King and Realm? His own power, position, or wealth? Amidst the pomp and pageantry of royal marriage negotiations, betrothels, and weddings, Will and Hugh uncover greed, corruption, and self-interest. But will they also find treason? Contributor Bio:  Baumgaertner, Gene Gene Baumgaertner holds two engineering degrees from the University of Maryland. He has worked in transportation for over 30 years as a Professional Engineer, and is a former Ronald Reagan presidential appointee. But his interests are many and varied. In addition to this well-researched novel on dinosaurs, he has also written a reference work about the twentieth century, and two history books about fifteenth century England. He is presently working on a historical novel about the Wars of the Roses, and a quasi-autobiographical book about growing up in the second half of the twentieth century. He was lived in Kentucky, New York, Maryland, and Georgia. He presently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his lovely wife, Kathy.