Please join me in welcoming Jill Bray to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, A Brotherly Devotion.

YORK 1224: On a hot July night, Brother Clement is savagely murdered when returning from administering to Lady Maud de Mowbray.

Simon de Hale, Sheriff of Yorkshire, is in his office when Abbot Robert visits to inform him of the murder, and request that he take responsibility for investigating the killing.

Simon is unsure whether the murder is a crime against the Abbey, or if it is a more personal matter against the monk.

Commencing their investigation, Simon and his deputy, Adam, ride out to see Lady Maud de Mowbray at Overton – the last person to see Brother Clement alive. When they encounter her son, Roger de Mowbray, they both take an instant dislike to him.

Lady Mowbray reveals to Simon that she intends to leave her money to the Abbey, and Simon can see this being a motive for the monk’s murder, if her son was aware of this.

The investigation gathers pace and a murder weapon is found.

A banquet is held at the castle to honour the Royal Justice – during which, one of the guests is exposed as the murderer and apprehended. But that will not be the end of the story for Simon and his family.

Jill has shared an extract from A Brotherly Devotion with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

*****beginning of extract*****

This extract is taken from Chapter 5 when Alexander visits Simon to ask for Katherine’s hand in marriage, only to be told that Simon has already promised her to Lord Fitzwarren and has received the King’s approval for the match.

*****

“Alexander, it is good to finally meet you. My daughter Katherine has told me about you.”

Alexander looked up expectantly and a little surprised. “So, you know why I am here then?”

Simon nodded. “Katherine spoke with me last evening.” He was about to continue when Alexander interrupted.

“So, you will know that I love her very much.”  He began eagerly, his blue eyes sparkling and clearly nervous. “I have spoken with my own father, and he is agreeable to the marriage. I can assure you that I will take care of her and provide for her. After we are married, we will live with my family to start with, but in time I am hoping to renovate one of the properties on my father’s estate.”

Simon admired Alexanders’ enthusiasm, but he held up his hand to stop him from continuing. He had to put an end to this now, before it went too far. The last thing he wanted was to lead Alexander into thinking there was any chance of him marrying Katherine.

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