by Robert Thier
Robert Thier is a German historian and writer of historical fiction. His particular mix of history, romance, and adventure, always with a good deal of humour thrown in, has gained him a diverse readership ranging from teenagers to retired grandmothers. For the way he manages to make history come alive, as if he himself lived as a medieval knight, his fans all over the world have given him the nickname ‘Sir Rob’.
For Robert, becoming a writer followed naturally from his interest in his-tory. ‘In Germany,’ he says, ‘we use the same word for story and history. And I've always loved the one as much as the other. Becoming a storyteller, a writer, is what I've always wanted.’
Besides writing and researching in dusty old archives, on the lookout for a mystery to put into his next story, Robert enjoys classical music and long walks in the country. The helmet you see in the picture he does not wear because he is a cycling enthusiast, but to protect his literary skull in which a bone has been missing from birth. Robert lives in the south of Germany in a small village between the three Emperor Mountains.
Other Books by Robert Thier
Storm and Silence
Freedom - that is what Lilly Linton wants most in life. Not marriage, not a brood of squalling brats, and certainly not love, thank you very much!
But freedom is a rare commodity in 19th-century London, where girls are expected to spend their lives sitting at home, fully occupied with looking pretty. Lilly is at her wits’ end - until a chance encounter with a dark, dangerous and powerful stranger changes her life forever…
The award-winning first volume of the Storm and Silence series! Winner of the People’s Choice Award and Story of the Year Award 2015.
ISBN-10: 3000513515
ISBN-13: 978-3000513510
In the Eye of the Storm
Egypt… land of romance, mystery, and exploding camels. Lilly Linton thought she’d be ready for anything after one month of working for her boss - cold, calculating businessman Rikkard Ambrose. But when they embark on a perilous hunt through the desert, she has to face dangers beyond anything she has encountered before: deadly storms, marauding bandits, and worst of all, a wedding ring!
Can the desert’s heat truly be enough to melt the cold heart of Britain’s richest financier?
The long-awaited second volume of the acclaimed Storm and Silence series.
ISBN-10: 3000513515
ISBN-13: 978-3000513510
The Robber Knight
When you are fighting for the freedom of your people, falling in love with your enemy is not a great idea.
Sir Reuben, the dreaded robber knight, has long been Ayla’s deadliest enemy. She swore he would hang for his crimes. Now they are both trapped in her castle as the army of a far greater enemy approaches, and they have only one chance: stand together, or fall. Welcome to "The Robber Knight"—a tale full of action, adventure, and romance.
Special Edition with secret chapters revealed and insights into Sir Reuben’s mysterious past.
ISBN-10: 1499251645
ISBN-13: 978-1499251647
The Robber Knight’s Love
Ayla has uncovered a terrible secret: the man she loves is in fact her worst enemy. As a mighty army gathers to destroy her and her people, she must ask herself: will he join them to destroy her? Must she cut him out of her heart to survive?
Or is there another way—a way to forgiveness and…love?
Special Edition with secret chapters revealed and insights into Sir Reuben’s mysterious past.
ISBN-10: 3000536590
ISBN-13: 978-3000536595
WARNING! Fairy Tales
WARNING! Please be advised that this is not a bedtime story about sparkly fairies and pink unicorns. This book may contain graphic descriptions of poisoned apples and witches' ovens. It is not appropriate for supernatural beings under the age of 377 (excluding vampires and werewolves).
DISCLAIMER: Wicked Witches Inc. and Evil Stepmother Enterprises are not responsible for any maiming, mass murder or permanent insanity resulting from the reading of this book.
The first volume of Robert Thier’s WARNING! Fairy Tales series.
ISBN-10: 3000547118
ISBN-13: 978-3000547119
WARNING! Fairy Tales 2
WARNING! Please be advised that big bad wolves, wicked witches, and harmless-looking little girls are roaming the pages of this book. It may contain graphic descriptions of wolf teeth and grandmothers with big ears. This book is not appropriate for supernatural beings under the age of 388 (excluding anyone wearing a red hood).
DISCLAIMER: Wicked Witches Inc. and Evil Stepmother Enterprises are not responsible for wolf bites, vampirism or witch curses incurred during the reading of this book.
The second volume of Robert Thier’s WARNING! Fairy Tales series.
ISBN-13: 978-3962600013
Upcoming Titles
At present (2017), the titles listed above are Robert Thiers’s only books published in English. However, book three of the Robber Knight Saga, The Robber Knight’s Secret, as well as his latest project, Black Diaries, are being edited for publication. Keep updated about the books’ progress on the internet.
Website: www.robthier.com
Facebook profile: www.facebook.com/robert.thier.161
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheSirRob/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thesirrob
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/6123144.Robert_Thier
Copyright © 2017 Robert Thier
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.
The cover of this book was created by the author using various licensed images.
Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com
Disclaimer:
This work is a work of fiction. All names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real names, businesses, places, events and incidents, or to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
This book is also available in print book format. More information on this and any other subject connected with Robert Thier’s books on: www.robthier.com
Endnotes
[1] A British slang term for ‘prison’.
[2] A one-pound coin, called so because of the picture of the country’s sovereign on it.
[3] In case you are wondering, these passages are actual quotes from the diary of Queen Victoria. This is not made up.
[4] There is quite a bit of historical fact in this. Prince Albert waged a small war against the servants of Buckingham Palace because they apparently weren’t very good at their jobs.
[5] Yes, it really is true: during the Victorian Era, the official polite term for sex was ‘congress’. I bet you are never going to see a congressional debate with the same eyes after this.
[6] The tradition of the pinky swear did indeed already exist in Victorian times, as attested by this mid-19th-century rhyme:
Pinky, pinky bow-bell,
Whoever tells a lie
Will sink down to the bad place
And never rise up again
The origins of the practise are unclear, but some sources point to Japan, where the tradition usually involved having your pinky cut off if you broke the promise. For some reason, the rather more squeamish Western cultures did not include this aspect of the custom when they adopted it, however.
[7] These views did not spring from my imagination. An article in the Hull Packet, only a few years after this story takes place, asserted practically the exact same message. Several phrases are actually quoted from this article.
[8] This procedure is highly historically accurate, including the job names of the different crew members and every action they perform. Loading a cannon was a complicated business that involved lots of people with different tasks to do.
[9] The
currency of Argentina.
[10] Halt! Who goes there?
[11] Hey, Costa! Who have you got there?
[12] Prisoners. The colonel told us to take them to the cells.
[13] Poor bastards. Their lives ain’t worth shit now.
[14] Yes, they're the prisoners' horses. Do you think they'd just be left to stand around idle? We've been told to bring them to the battalion out east.
[15] May Allah forgive me for the lie and restore the innocence of my eyes!
[16] ‘The little death’ - Victorian expression for a certain nocturnal interaction between male and female.
[17] An Arabic term, literally ‘Concealer of the Truth’, but usually translated as ‘unbeliever’, which is used by Muslims to refer to non-Muslims. It is a matter of debate in the Islamic community whether Christians and Jews should be considered unbelievers, since they do actually believe in God / Allah, but simply worship him in a different way.
[18] A Victorian word for a lady’s breasts.
[19] Corinthians 14:34-35, King James Version of the Bible: ‘Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.’
[20] I am aware of the fact that nowadays, ‘Indian’ or even ‘native’ are not exactly considered to be polite terms for the original inhabitants of the American continent, and that ‘indigenous people’ is the politically correct word. However, back in the 1850s, political correctness towards indigenous populations was not exactly high on anyone’s agenda, and the two former terms were much more common. Therefore, I use them here in an effort to maintain historical accuracy.
[21] We are looking for a place. A secret place, hidden in the jungle. We need someone to guide us on safe paths. Can you do that?
[22] No. There are men following us. Dangerous men. They want to kill us and take what we seek.
[23] I see.
[24] What are you offering?
[25] I appreciate your sense of humour. However, if you do not want to end up hanging upside down from a tree with a dead snake stuffed up your ass, I suggest you refrain from jokes like this in the future.
[26] The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, is a British horse race open to three-year-old horses. It was established in 1779 and named after Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby.
[27] Every one of those three expressions is a Victorian euphemism for ‘having sex’.
[28] Another nice little Victorian euphemism for getting hot and sweaty with someone.
[29] ‘Penny dreadful’ was a name during the Victorian era for cheap stories (i.e. available for a penny) that were not very refined (i.e. dreadful). They were often printed as cheap leaflets and were the literature of the working masses. One of the most (in)famous and successful penny dreadfuls was a supernatural story called Varney the Vampire.
[30] Old British slang for ‘goodbye’.
[31] Victorian-era name for RLS (Restless legs syndrome).
[32] Most people know El Dorado as the name of the mythical, fantastically rich city in the South American rain forest. However, it is also the name of the ruler of this mythical city, a man who supposedly covered his skin regularly in gold dust, and thus slowly collected a coating that made him the most valuable individual in the world.
[33] Just so you know - back then, the income tax was at about three per cent.
