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Lion Hearts
Set during the Third Crusade, Lion Hearts began life as a set of love letters and essays (written in the period between the winter of 2012 and the beginning of 2014). As well as spawning a novel (by Maree Ward Russell - trailer here) and a series of poems by myself, Lion Hearts also brought about a series of tours - trailer here).
Lion Hearts remains a huge part of my life as it continues to be the work I am most remembered for. In 2022 I began work, adding a series of new essays to the ongoing saga, to be published in 2025 as a book (Lion Hearts Origin).
Title | Collection | Format | Publication Date | Notes | Series Number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redemption | Lion Hearts | Essay | February 3, 2013 | A direct sequel to "Battle". Merek stands in the bloody fields of the fallen and laments all that has been. But he also finds strength in love and feels his lady near. | 13 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/redemption/ |
Breath | Lion Hearts | Essay | February 6, 2013 | Merek replies to a letter received from Lilly reaffirming his love. He appeals to her to meet him in Elsewhere and reassures her that soon he will return and they will meet once more at the cottage on the The Fell. | 14 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/breath/ |
Another Letter to Lilly | Lion Hearts | Essay | March 9, 2013 | A love letter from Merek to his true love. | 15 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/another-letter-to-lilly/ |
Merek, in Muse of Love | Lion Hearts | Essay | March 12, 2013 | Merek writes of love, musing of the many feelings and emotions it may conjure along with the many ways it may be felt. | 16 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/merek-in-muse-of-love/ |
In Visit of Elsewhere | Lion Hearts | Essay | May 2, 2013 | Merek describes Elsewhere and explains how he is able to get there. Originally published as content exclusive to Lion Hearts Crusade Members, it is no longer available online, but is included in the book Lion Hearts Origin (Published 2022). | 17 | http://Not available Online |
A Letter to Lilly (Of Autumn) | Lion Hearts | Essay | September 1, 2013 | Still separated by miles and the continuous marching of the Crusade, Merek writes to Lilly and speaks of the misery he feels in missing her. | 18 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2013/09/01/a-letter-to-lilly-of-autumn/ |
A Letter to Lilly (The deception of marriage) | Lion Hearts | Essay | January 11, 2014 | Merek learns that his worst fears have now been realised when a messenger brings word of Lilly's marriage (having been "promised" since birth by her father, as means of bringing two estates together). Merek now writes, reassuring his lady that his love remains strong and true - while Lilly is locked into a covenant with a cold natured man twice her age. | 19 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/a-letter-to-lilly-the-deception-of-marriage/ |
The Fell (Part I) | Lion Hearts | Essay | December 22, 2012 | Set several hundred years after the Lion Hearts story and set around the cottage on the fell (where Merek and Lilly would once meet). A Victorian style ghost story delivered as diary entries. Was originally published as a two part Christmas special for Lion Hearts readers. | 20 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2012/12/22/the-fell-part-i/ |
The Fell (Part II) | Lion Hearts | Essay | December 25, 2012 | Set several hundred years after the Lion Hearts story and set around the cottage on the fell (where Merek and Lilly would once meet). A Victorian style ghost story delivered as diary entries. Was originally published as a two part Christmas special for Lion Hearts readers. | 21 | https://avbarber.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/the-fell-part-ii/ |
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