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Author

K. M. Ashman

K. M. Ashman writes fast-moving historical fiction across Roman Britain, medieval warfare, dynastic conflict and the crusading world.

K. M. Ashman is the pen name of Kevin Ashman, a South Wales author whose work spans historical fiction, science fiction, horror and dystopian fiction. He began writing seriously in 2011 and, after building a growing readership, left full-time employment in 2014 to become a professional author. He has worked with publishers in Britain and overseas while also continuing to release independently published books.

Ashman’s historical fiction covers a broad chronological range. His Roman novels explore the conquest of Britain and resistance associated with figures such as Caratacus and Boudicca, while the Medieval, Blood of Kings and Road to Hastings books move through conquest, divided kingdoms and struggles for the English throne. The Brotherhood sequence uses the Knights Templar, the Crusades and battles such as Hattin and Acre as the basis for military adventure, and the India Summers Mysteries connect modern investigations with historical secrets. His books are particularly suited to readers who prefer direct plots, battlefield action and long-running series spanning Roman and medieval history.

Periods and events

Ancient Rome Imperial Rome Julio-Claudian Dynasty Industrial Revolution in Britain Victorian Era Roman Conquest of Britain Medieval Period High Medieval Crusades Third Crusade Crusader States Fourth Crusade Sack of Constantinople (1204) The Anarchy

Series

Series by K. M. Ashman (7 series)

Dark Eagle in Order

by K. M. Ashman 12 books 4.5

The Dark Eagle series follows the Occultum, a fictional Roman covert unit modelled loosely on the scouts, informants and reconnaissance personnel used by imperial armies. Beginning during the reign of Claudius, the sequence sends small teams beyond normal military support into Germania, Britannia, Egypt, Africa, the eastern Mediterranean…

Dark Eagle

4.4

Dark Eagle II

4.5

Dark Eagle III

4.5

Dark Eagle IV

4.6

Dark Eagle V

4.6

Dark Eagle VI

4.6

Dark Eagle VII

4.6

Dark Eagle VIII

4.6

Dark Eagle IX

4.6

Dark Eagle X

4.7

Dark Eagle XI

4.7

Dark Eagle XII

The Children of Black Water Valley in Order

by K. M. Ashman 3 books 4.7

The Children of Black Water Valley follows nine young people in the fictional Welsh mining village of Bryn-du between 1878 and 1880. The pit, chapel, terraced streets and extended families shape lives in which childhood responsibilities arrive early and industrial danger is never distant. Across three novels, migration,…

Coaldust and Candlelight

4.7

Sunlight and Shadows

4.7

Darkness and Daffodils

The Brotherhood in Order

by K. M. Ashman 7 books 4.5

The Brotherhood follows the fictional Templar Thomas Cronin through the wars of the Crusader states and the political consequences of the Fourth Crusade. The sequence begins under Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, when Saladin's growing power threatens the remaining Christian territories. Montgisard, Jacob's Ford, Hattin, the siege of Acre…

Templar Steel

4.4

Templar Stone

4.5

Templar Blood

4.5

Templar Fury

4.5

Templar Glory

4.6

Templar Legacy

4.5

Templar Loyalty

4.6

The Blood of Kings in Order

by K. M. Ashman 5 books 4.2

The Blood of Kings follows Welsh royal families as they resist Norman marcher expansion from the late eleventh into the early twelfth century. Gruffudd ap Cynan's attempts to recover Gwynedd provide the centre of the opening novels, while captivity, political marriage and rival dynasties carry the story into…

A Land Divided

4.0

A Wounded Realm

4.2

Rebellion’s Forge

4.4

The Warrior Princess

4.3

The Blade Bearer

4.5

Road to Hastings in Order

by K. M. Ashman 3 books 4.5

Road to Hastings traces the political rise of the Godwin family and the decisions that produced the English succession crisis of 1066. Beginning with Edith of Wessex's marriage to Edward the Confessor, the trilogy follows Earl Godwin and Harold Godwinson through exile, restoration, diplomacy and the growing influence…

The Challenges of a King

4.3

The Promises of a King

4.5

The Fate of a King

4.5

Roman Chronicles in Order

by K. M. Ashman 3 books 4.4

The Roman Chronicles follow the fictional friends Prydain and Cassus as the invasion of AD 43 divides their loyalties and carries them through the first generation of Roman conquest. Their personal conflict unfolds alongside the campaigns of Claudius, Caratacus and Roman governors in Britain. The trilogy advances from…

The Fall of Britannia

4.3

The Rise of Caratacus

4.4

The Wrath of Boudicca

4.4

Medieval Sagas in Order

by K. M. Ashman 4 books 4.2

The Medieval Sagas follow the Welsh brothers Garyn and Geraint from the last Crusader campaigns in the Holy Land to Edward I's conquest and occupation of Wales. Family secrets, captivity and mercenary service connect distant warfare with the struggle for political survival at home. The later novels move…