Book Two in The Storyteller series
May, 1368. Geoffrey Chaucer, a vintner’s son and valet to Prince Lionel at the court of King Edward the Third, is a drunk and a translator, with ambitions to compose in English and become court poet, the role held by his nemesis, the French-speaking Jean Froissart, pet of Queen Philippa.
King Edward longs for an English champion and encourages the underdog Chaucer to compete in a puy, a storytelling competition, and Chaucer manages to win over the audience. But thanks to Froissart’s machinations, Chaucer loses the puy, his job and his reputation.
By the third and final puy in Milan, he comes to learn the responsibility of the storyteller, and the power of reputation. He must choose which story to tell: one that will appease the ruthless ruler, bringing fame and gold. Or one that speaks truth to power, bringing sure vengeance and death. A choice of fear or courage – and the reputation that will follow him to his grave.
The Storyteller’s Reputation was a finalist at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Writing Contest.