My beloved author Diana Norman aka Ariana Franklin

Here is a little tidbit that I heard, which makes me very Happy...               

                                         (Diana, daughter Samantha, husband, Barry and daughter Emma)

Diana Norman's last novel will be called Winter Siege written under her pseudonym Ariana Franklin

Winter Siege is a stand-alone historical novel started by the late Diana Norman under her pseudonym Ariana Franklin. It has been completed by her daughter Samantha Norman  (Ariana Franklin aka Diana Norman )

It's 12 Century England and the civil war between Queen Matilda and King Stephen is raging. But life in the fens carries on as usual. Until the mercenaries ride through, and a small red-haired girl named Em is snatched and carried off. After the soldiers have finished with her they leave her for dead. But fenland girls are not easy to kill. Although she has lost all memory of her past life including her name, Em survives and teams up with Gwyl a Breton archer who has almost completely lost faith in humanity. Together Gwyl and his new protege--now crop-headed and disguised as a boy--travel through the countryside giving archery exhibitions. But there is one man who hasn't forgotten the little red-haired girl. He has some unfinished business with her and he is determined to finish it. And one freezing winter in a castle completely besieged, he might well get his chance...

Hardcover, 432 pages

Expected publication: January 2nd 2014 by Bantam 

(first published January 1st 2014)

ISBN0593070615 (ISBN13: 9780593070611)