Wulfric is one of these candidates (so the title is a bit of a misnomer), and as such is burdened by his sense of responsibility to his people, which includes marrying the daughter of another powerful Goth chieftain. King Alaric is at death’s door, and the potential candidates for the succession are sizing each other up. Even as the Visigoths make their way south down the Italian peninsula, there are political intrigues brewing. But, of course, there are factors working against them. Julia is disturbed by her attraction to Wulfric, even as she finds herself more at home amongst the Goths than she ever did in Rome. Our titular virgin is highborn Julia Livia Rufa, who is rescued from looters by Visigoth warrior Wulfric, who then promptly takes Julia as his slave and rides off with her to the Goths’ encampment. The plot is a fairly standard captive romance. Unfortunately, that’s about the only thing I’d give this book kudos for. How often do you see that as the setting for a romance novel? So the author definitely deserves kudos for choosing a setting that’s well-known, yet at the same time, comparatively obscure. That alone had me picking it up for snark purposes, but I was also genuinely interested in the setting: the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths in AD 410, and their subsequent movements. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden. I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside. With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past.
My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle. I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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