Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Alcuin Letter by Jeff Raymond, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Alcuin Letter
Series: International Intrigue Series #2
Author: Jeff Raymond
Publisher: Winged Publications
Release Date: July 11, 2024
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense
What price success?
When a tragedy sparked by a medieval letter brings Matt and Camilla together in London, they never could have imagined the death and peril that would accompany their search for answers. The letter, rumored to lead to a relic of Biblical importance, holds ancient clues that others are also desperate to uncover.
Amidst the pressure and danger of the hunt, Matt and Camilla must confront their past heartbreaks and battle their inner doubts and beliefs. But even if they are successful, what will it mean for their faith? And what will it mean for their budding relationship?
From a quaint antique shop in Frankfort to a grand cathedral in Geneva to a secluded Swiss abbey, the pursuit of answers takes the pair on a harrowing ride. With success in their grasp, the journey culminates with a decision that will test their convictions.
Enhanced with historical figures, locations, and facts, The Alcuin Letter is a gripping tale that will entertain while prompting readers to examine their own faith. Come and join Matt and Camilla on their exciting journey.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Guest post from Author Jeff Raymond
While my books are set in modern times, the primary mystery involved with each plot finds its roots in history. I attempt to use many historical facts and weave them in throughout the novel.
The Alcuin Letter begins in the year 799 and highlights an interaction between Pope Leo III and Charlemagne, The King of the Franks. Later, readers discover that Alcuin played a vital role in the plot and his newly found letter—written when he was near death in 804—sets the stage for the novel.
Here are just a few of the fascinating things I discovered while doing research for
The Alcuin Letter:
1. Pope Leo III suffered an attack by his enemies in 799 and took refuge with Winigis, the Duke of Spoleto. The Pope then traveled to meet with Charlemagne in Paderborn (Germany) later that year and Charlemagne’s support helped to reestablish Leo’s position as the Pope. On Christmas, 800, Pope Leo anointed Charlemagne as the first Holy Roman Emperor.
2. Charlemagne himself was a fascinating character who helped unite most of Western Europe and laid the foundation of what would become the countries of France and Germany. Often called the Father of Europe, Charlemagne also prompted the Carolingian Renaissance; a time of increased focus on learning and education, including reading, art, and architecture. In addition to these efforts, Charlemagne made policies that led to reforms in the church. The standards for clergy rose dramatically, and many liturgical practices were standardized.
3. With the need for educated people to help administer his kingdom, Charlemagne convinced Alcuin of York, among several others, to join his court. Alcuin revamped the palace school and helped establish schools in the cathedrals around the kingdom, bringing in the liberal arts and improving the overall quality of education. His liberal arts curriculum would be the foundation for education for several centuries. Alcuin College is part of York University in the United Kingdom.
4. Charlemagne received many gifts from various places during his reign, none more unique than an elephant from Harun Al-Rashid. Even though the two rulers never met, Charlemagne and Al-Rashid had a unique relationship as rulers representing the East and the West, Christian and Muslim. Much like Charlemagne, Al-Rashid had a great love of learning. He established the House of Wisdom near Bagdad, which grew to be one of the world’s largest libraries and most important educational centers.
5. The Golden Jug of Charlemagne, which serves an important purpose in the novel, does exist and is displayed at the Abbey of Saint Maurice in Switzerland. The story of Saint Maurice and his martyrdom with his Theban Legion outlined in the book is true, along with the practice of Laus Perinnis, or continual prayer, which took place at the Abbey of Saint Maurice for almost 300 years. The other treasures of Saint Maurice described in the novel are also real, as is the fact that some of the treasures were on loan in 2014 to the Louvre in honor of the 1500th anniversary of the Abbey of Saint Maurice.
The historical facts play a part in
The Alcuin Letter, but they are simply a vehicle to tell a story that I hope takes readers on an interesting and thought-provoking journey. We all come to faith differently. For some, it’s an easy, natural process. For others, it can be a matter of finding faith through the struggles of life.
The Alcuin Letter features two imperfect people who have faced immense challenges, but continue down the path toward a faith in God. Along the way, they must decide if something precious and priceless in the world’s eyes can be a catalyst to increase faith or is better left unrevealed.
More Books in This Series
About the Author
Jeff Raymond comes from a publication-oriented family, as both his father and older brother had accomplished careers in the newspaper business. He has had numerous articles published and has won awards for both writing and publication design. His debut novel, The Medici Quest, was honored with a Pencraft Award for Best Christian Fiction Book in the summer of 2024. Raymond graduated from Taylor University in Indiana, where he was a member of the track team. He also spent a year writing for the university newspaper and worked as a color commentator for basketball broadcasts. He went on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. In addition to writing, Raymond has an interest in history, including Biblical history and the origins of the Bible. He has a growing collection of Olympic Games memorabilia, is a member of his church’s Worship Team. His interest in travel has allowed him to visit several international locations, both as a tourist and as part of short-term mission trips.
Connect with Jeff by visiting
jeffraymondfiction.com to follow him on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a print copy of each book in this series - The Medici Quest & The Alcuin Letter!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 26, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 2, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Enter Giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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