Fiction Vixen is pleased to welcome author Claire Ashgrove today. 
I’ve been asked a lot about my research for Immortal Hope, and finding an answer for this is never particularly easy. There was an entire year of research put into the idea before I ever penned a single word – be that in outline or in story.
In large part, the Knights Templar were the easy part. I went into the concept possessing a strong understanding of the Templar history. I’ve been fascinated with it for decades – and not the “What happened” part. But the architecture they built, the mark they left on Europe in such a short span of time. In a way, the amount of information that’s out there worked against me. I had to reinvent several histories… which makes IMMORTAL HOPE a great deal of speculative fiction. Then it was a matter of picking through events that worked with my concept and structuring the plot so everything tied in appropriately.
The Result:
The Curse
In 1119, nine knights rode with Hughes de Payens to the Holy Land, becoming the Knights Templar. All were bound by marriage or by blood. Eight were recorded over time. The ninth vanished into history.
Beneath the legendary Temple Mount, the knights uncovered holy relics, including the Copper Scroll—a document written by Azazel’s unholy hand. For their forbidden digging, the archangels exacted a sacrifice. The knights would spend eternity battling the demons of Azazel’s creation, but with each vile death they claimed, a portion of darkness would enter their soul. In time, they would transform into knights of Azazel, warriors veined with evil, destined to fight against the Almighty.
Yet an ancient prophecy remained to give them hope. When darkness raped the land, the seraphs would return. Female descendants of the Nephilim would carry the light to heal their dying souls.
Centuries have passed. Azazel’s might grows to intolerable limits. With the acquisition of eight holy relics, he will gain the power to overthrow the Almighty.
Six Templars stand above the rest in duty, honor, and loyalty. But each is haunted by a tragic past, and their darkened souls rapidly near the end. As they battle both the overwhelming power of evil and the nightmares of lives they left behind, the seraphs are more than tools to victory.
They are salvation.
While it may seem surprising, what gave me the most difficulty was the angelic aspect. I’m Christian, but I have never spent a great deal of time studying Christian mythos. I had to spend a lot of time researching angels. The Nephilim, the Seraphim, archangels, fallen angels – I knew the basics, but I needed details for the plot to come alive. Most particularly, I needed details so I could make it different than atypical themes of Satan trying to take over the world.
That led me to demon research and demonology. Coincidentally, there was a show on one night about demonologists, and that helped me click a few things into place.
The relics that I chose throughout the series were a heck of a lot of fun. There are so many different relics someone could choose from, and playing with ideas on how each one could correlate to the other, entertained me for days. Digging deeper, tracing rumors of particular finds, to what was actually found and what is actually documentable – all just one big excursion that entertained this history buff for weeks, if not months.
Last but not least, metaphysical and paranormal powers… I have a great deal of friends who possess paranormal gifts in one way or the other. So this area too was one I didn’t have to spend a great deal of time researching. A lot of it was just inherent knowledge I’ve gleaned over the years. I won’t spoil it, but the line that Gabriel gives Anne at the climax of IMMORTAL HOPE, where they are discussing her gift to see into the future by touch, is a theme that is dominant in the metaphysical and clairvoyant worlds. When I finally stumbled onto that link in my plot, that dominant factor, everything else managed to click together in this area.
Oh, and I’m forgetting swords, armor, and fighting. Military history is a close second to Ancient Civilizations in my list of passions. So this was an area I very much enjoyed researching. I spent hours studying what armor was available in the particular period my Knights transformed into immortal beings.
Then I spent days watching video after video of SCA-Style fighting. Battle-ready weaponry. In fact, so much so, after my beta readers got hold of IMMORTAL HOPE, I had to go back and ‘dumb down’ a lot of my technical descriptions and zap a lot of extemporaneous detail. Without meaning to, I turned several areas into “technical manuals”. Now I’m waiting for the day I can get out there and physically learn to fight myself. I have a sword. It’s not the one I ideally want, but hey, it’s a starting point right?
What about you – have any of you had the opportunity to hold a sword in-hand and spar? What’s it like?
~Claire
Claire Ashgrove || Tori St. Claire || Twitter
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CENTURIES AGO,
Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of the seraphs.
Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As he struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.
Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she’s destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.
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Claire will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a second $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate to a second randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour. Be sure to leave a comment here at Fiction Vixen and then follow the tour; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning! Click the Blog Tour badge for a complete list of blog stops.
About Sophia (FV)
No the only hand to hand fighting was with my 2 sisters! LOL I am the oldest and they kicked my butt!
But really I would love to learn how it’s almost like dancing, you have to be so in tune with your opponents.
Bernadette
Laugh! I can imagine what that was like. My boys give me previews daily
No, I’ve never held a sword let alone spar with one.
Stupid moment confession for me, I read a little of the blog post then jumped over to read the book reviews on Amazon. I liked what I saw in the reviews and then popped back over to the blog to see if it was a chance to win the book. I was actually disappointed for a minute that it was a gift card to Amazon rather than the book. I think I need a bit more coffee to wake up my brain this morning
Awww. But but! You can use the gift card to buy the book. Grin
I’ve had three cups of coffee and my brain is still asleep.
I own 2 swords but I’ve never trained with them. As a matter of fact I just use them for home defence. A lot of people have baseball bats, pepper spray or guns. I decided on swords for some reason.
Oooh what kind? I have a very dull, second-rate, japanese-style I picked up somewhere. I’m not terribly fond of it, but it hangs about on display. I want a cutlass and a broadsword.
No sword holding, but think it would be cool. I don’t know if I could hold a sword for very long. Maybe I could learn to fence. Those are a little lighter. Think it would be a fun thing to learn.
This book looks great and would love to win and read. Claire is a new author for me and always looking for new books to check out.
Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve considered fencing, and I think I’d do it — I certainly wouldn’t refuse an offer of teaching — but my heart is set on the more hardcore, real swordsmanship with heavier blades. Lol!
Nope, never sparred and have no desire to do so. Would love to read about though. Your book is so rich in historical detail that it’s on the top of my TBR list.
mcv111 at hotmail(dot)com
It’s definitely blended in throughout. That’s kinda where I found my “niche” in paranormal — tying it to the historical. I have a lot of fun with it!
I have held swords several times but never spared with them. They were old military swords. One was a sword my step-father took off a downed German officer during WWII. Another one was from the Revolutionary War. It belonged to some distant relative that actually fought in the war.
Thank you for the giveaway.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh wow. You just gave me chills. I’m so jealous!!
I’ve never held a sword but my son took classes years ago and I was kind of scared when you see the actual width, length and weight of the. Now I’m more used to them since he started collecting swords a few years ago and they hang on his wall.
Laugh. I have visions of my picking up that broadsword I want, swinging it, and swinging myself onto the floor.
@Benie’s response cracked me up! Too funny! No, I’ve never participated in any sword fighting. I have puny little arms that are waaaay too weak to lift a sword, much less wield it properly. I’m a wimp.
I’m investing in spinach first, Rebe, for the same reasons
That’s a lot of research for one book, a year. Wow. I have never held a sword or sparred with one. Sounds dangerous (and sexy depending on who has the sword). Can’t wait to read this book.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I usually don’t research anywhere near that long. This one I just had a very specific idea about and wanted to ‘do it right’. I did write while I was doing the research, just not on IMMORTAL HOPE.
Claire, that was a really interesting and informative post; I enjoyed reading it. i learn something new every day!
I have never held a sword but would love to learn how to handle a rapier!
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Rapiers I could do too. Very nice little blade there. (And I’m trying to keep you entertained on this blog tour by talking about something different each stop.)
Your book sounds so detailed and full of historical information, can’t wait to read it. No never held a sword but have always been interested in fencing, would love to learn how to do that, but probably too old now.
skpetal at hotmail dot com
Jean, shame on you
Age is only in your head. Grin.
You could fence, you could age another 25-30 years, and then you could make the news.
I love all things Medieval, so I always wanted to learn fencing, but so far I was never able to do that. I own a duplicate of Frodo’s sword Sting from Lord of the Rings.
Oooh you lucky dog. What a beautiful sword! I’m jealous of that too. Very jealous indeed as I’m a huge LOTR fan!
Me, too. I am counting the days till The Hobbit will be released. I can hardly wait to see the movie.
I have never had the opportunity to hold a real sword. Considering how clumsy I am, that is probably a good thing, lol. I do have a wooden sword but no real ones.
The closest I have probably held was a machete. My brother used to have one, and luckily I did not do any lasting damage or injure myself or anyone else.
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Clumsy, June?
Oh, you’ll like book two, Immortal Surrender
I’m curious how the author comes up with her character names
They’re very unique and kind of hard to pronounce 
email: cruz042 at cougars.csusm.edu
In this particular case, Arianne, or any situation where I’m using historical fact/foundings for my writings, I will dig into historical record and look at common names during the era, and/or names that are formulated like names in that era.
For instance, MacNeill (Declan) and de Clare (Farran) were both popular surnames for the early medieval period. du Loire, was not, but the naming conventions at that time predominantly related to point of origin. Merrick’s point of origin was on the Loire river valley, hence du Loire.
(just like in the eras immediately previous you’ll see names that relate to description, such as “the bearded” “the strong”, and so forth. That’s also somewhat evident in this series too, because they hadn’t fully switched over to the surnames as we understand them now. There’s a couple of knights who follow that naming convention too.)
The first names, are all early British / English first names for the most part.
Ive never had the oportunity to weild a sword and spar .I think it would be realy cool though I d love to try it .Immortal Hope sounds like a great read its a must read for me .
flanagan@mebtel.net
I hope you enjoy it, Wanda.
I find it a little odd — there’s a large percentage of folks who would “like to”, myself included. You’d think there would be more outlets to do so or to learn than what’s present (at least in my neck of the woods.)
When we were on a family trip in Portugal (Lisboa) we went inside a huge shop there was everything: from the finest porcelain to antique guns. My little sister and I we goofed around taking the huge Scottish-looking battle axe and exquisite katanas and posing for photos and even doing some moves far from each other. It was quite otherworldy wielding a katana… I always love reading about behind the scenes info regarding authors and how their novels came to life, thanks for sharing your interesting story Claire!
You’re most welcome, Stella! Those photos, have got to be priceless to you. I know they would be to me — sounds like it was a great stop on the trip.
I enjoyed learning a little through your research article and I can imagine how the excitement of learning poured into your book making it look like a textbook.
Yes, I have held and wielded a sword. I did not do it long because it was heavy and I could do damage to myself and others without the proper training. My brother has a sword collection and keeps wooden practice swords for learning to hold and use a sword. I felt very relieved when he handed me a practice sword when he worked a little with me.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
sophiarose1816@gmail.com
Okay, I’m invading your brother’s house
Lucky you to have a resource that close. Very, very envious, Sophia Rose!
I use a sword Dao and a straight sword all the time in Tai Chi class. We have a couple of sword forms, open hand forms and a fan weapons form that we practice 3 times a week. I have done hand to hand with batons in class. Does that count??? My husband I collect swords and use them for decoration. We have two claymores, a kitana, a straight sword, a couple of daggers. Yep, we’re kinda different! LOL!
Oh how fun! Susan, I was talking with a martial arts instructor friend who’s specialized in (I’m so wrong on the technical accuracy) “Japanese style” weaponry. He says there’s a lot of difference between those and the English type of swordsmanship with the claymores, shorts and broads. Do you concur?
This book sounds very interesting. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I hope you enjoy it!
I think I’d rather watch than wield. Swords always looks so heavy & dangerous.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Since this discussion has started, Mary, I keep seeing myself picking up a broadsword and falling face-first. The visual is a hoot. I’d probably be better suited to watching as well, but what can I say… I’m stubbornly determined!
I would love to read this book. it sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Thank you, Victoria! You’re entered by commenting.
I have never held a sword in my life. I am even scared to hold knives as they magically seem to find a way to cut me even when I hold them by the handle. I did want to know what was the best source you found for information on the Knights Templar.
Renee,
I wish I could point you in one direction, but what I have now is a notebook that contains all the little pieces from the bigger pieces that I collected.
Some of the more unique and interesting Templar Histories can be found via History Channel International documentaries, and, ironically, their series The Naked Archaeologist, who’s always stumbling onto Templar ruins in his quest to prove the Old Testament.
There is just something sexy about a man who knows how to use a sword…
Even though I have never held one, and most likely never will, I still love them. Wish I could take lessons.
A whole year of research, wow. But I could see how you can get immersed in this subject. So much information. Love the sound of your book, good luck with it!
Thanks, Lexi! Yeah, it was intensive, but there were so many little details. And since a large part of Immortal Hope depends on speculative fiction, I was looking specifically for loopholes in all the areas I was studying.
I have a post on the 21st that goes into Fact vs. Fiction in Immortal Hope, that will correspond with a new website page. So if that interests you, be sure to check it out!
I will definatley be checking that out! Thanks for the heads up!
And hmmm…loopholes? Sounds intriguing =)
My DH has a sword collection. And while I have held one and swung it around a little, I have never sparred with one. I have sparred with some plastic toy swords.
beckerjo at verizon dot net
In the ten or so years i spent working for a gaming company and designing a fantasy RPG, I met some people who have some fantastic sword collections… I really admire those, and the people who own them. Some are breathtakingly beautiful, others are designed so true to period they can give me the chills.
No haven’t held a sword and sparred, but if given the opportunity I would be all over it!
Would love to read more about these Templar knights… definitely adding this one to my wishlist!
yadkny@hotmail.com
Thanks, Yadira! I am committed to learning swordsmanship first-hand before this is all over. Laugh! One way or the other… it must happen.
Never used/held/sparred with a sword , but it sounds kick but! I read Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy books, and the characters fight with swords, If sounds fun in a terrifying deathly sort of way…Maybe someday I will learn!
Yep, got a sword…
miniature though… blunt as hell… and mainly used as letter openner 