Celts and Kings: The story behind the mystifying disappearance of the Celtic Earls in 1607. The story of a lost love and Celtic Spirituality. The story of a forbidden love going back 400 years. The story steeped in Irish history, Celtic lore, and Irish tradition. See below in Short Stories for the Prologue and the first three chapters.  READERS'COMMENTS: “Great story -- really gets the issues out there through the voices of compelling characters. As an educator myself, the pressure on the protagonist to change a grade for the wealthy benefactor's son really got my blood boiling!” Beth Bruno, Editor, President, Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association “From the very first sentence I was captivated.…a mix of history and fiction.” Patrick o'Dochartaigh, Inishowen Genealogy Center “I loved the subject, the setting and the mood.” Danielle Svetcov, Freelance writer, editor, “It’s an intriguing premise.” Kate Lee, International Creative Management “I enjoyed the manuscript very much…I congratulate you on producing a readable novel with several interesting plot twists. That is quite an achievement! I also enjoyed what Irish history you went into. … You have written an excellent book, and I thank you for … the opportunity to read it. Your ideas on the Stone of Destiny are original and quite convincing. I would bet that is what happened to the stone. You put life in your characters and made the reader quite concerned with their fates … go raibh maith agat” (Thank you in Irish) Ray Green, Irish historian, seanchaí and retired college lecturer “Your novel offered a great look at the politics in the ivory tower. I enjoyed reading it and identified with your main character closely.” Anne Marie Vedda “This is a very ambitious novel—it certainly covers a lot of ground.” Kathy Green, Kathryn Green Agency “Your writing is strong and the topic intriguing.” Judy Heiblum, Brickhouse Agency “Research on the subject and the description of the book are both impressive.” Eric Lasher “It is highly inventive.” Broo Doherty, Wade and Doherty “There is much of value in the material.” Evan Marshall, Author, Toasting Tina, TheNovelist.com “I found the material very interesting.” Ashley Kraas Kraas Agency “I read the prologue and three chapters (you sent me). I want more. I'm hooked, wondering what's going to happen next. Interesting theory.” Terry Tillman, 227 Company “This could become a best seller!....” JR “Great Job Mel.” Norwood Coleman            Excerpt Chapter Forty-Five The Gulfstream spiraled downward. Michaels grabbed an oxygen mask and placed it over his mouth and nose. He checked to seee that Megan had done the same.Reed and Stenneck were tossed to the downward side of the plane and stumbled over the seats opposite Michaels and Megan.

Professional Reviews
Celts and Kings
Book Review


Celts and Kings by Melvin C. Hathorn (2006, 258 pp., pb: publ. Aventine Press, San Diego, Calif., ISBN 1-59330-411-01)

What better time to read a historical novel about Ireland than close to St. Patrick’s Day? The protagonist, John Michaels, has been fired from his job (how familiar is that!) and is taking a holiday in Ireland to find his roots. Naturally, he crosses paths with an attractive young graduate student and the attraction is mutual. Behind it all is an event that took place in 1607—known to history as the Flight of the Earls, the unexplained departure of the Celtic Earls from the Auld Sod—and the story of a forbidden love that goes back 400 years. If you want a pleasant way to catch up on Irish history and to understand the problems facing modern Ireland, this is the book to read!

Tom Elliott
Book Review Editor
Mensa Bulletin
Feb 2007


Great Story!
Celtic Tale Unravels Famous Historical Mystery, Revealing a 400-year-old Romance

Melvin Charles Hathorn's latest novel "Celts and Kings" offers an intriguing explanation for the Irish Flight of the Earls in 1607, with an enthralling story of kidnapping, murder, art theft and forbidden love.

Cromwell, Conn (PRWEB) October 15, 2007 -- Imagine waking up one morning to find that the 99 most powerful men in your country had disappeared without a trace overnight, leaving their families and lands completely abandoned, vulnerable to a powerful and greedy nation across the sea. This nightmarish situation was a reality for Ireland in 1607, when 99 Earls -- the cream of Irish nobility -- deserted their wives, children and homes mysteriously, an act that remains unexplained to this day.

Melvin Charles Hathorn provides a plausible explanation for the Flight of the Earls, confronting the event's unanswered questions in his compelling and romantic historical fiction novel, "Celts and Kings" (ISBN 9781593304119, Aventine Press, 2006). "Celts and Kings" is set in modern-day Ireland, where college professor John Michaels is searching for his identity, estranged from his father and recently fired from his job.

John Michaels is a happily married husband and father, known for his integrity and uncompromising stance on his principles, but when he encounters Megan O'Rourke, a graduate student researching the Flight of the Earls, the attraction between them is almost mystical, and profoundly undeniable. The reason for their powerfully intuitive connection reaches 400 years back in history, to a forbidden romance that played a crucial role in the Celtic Earl's mysterious disappearance.

Together, John and Megan piece together the mystery of the Flight of the Earls -- what they find illustrates the deep differences between the English and the Irish and sheds light on the problems facing contemporary Ireland. As John becomes familiarized with the Celtic mindset, values and religion, he discovers he may have an alternative in the search for his true identity, but he must make an important choice first. What he decides will impact himself, his family, his father and ultimately the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and England.

Steeped in history, Celtic lore and Irish tradition, "Celts and Kings" is the story of a violent and passionate 400-year-old mystery, a must read for anyone who wants to understand the past secrets and the rich history underlying Ireland's biggest issues today.

About the Author
Melvin Charles Hathorn resides in Cromwell, Conn. He is a nationally recognized facilitator with over 20 years experience in the training field. He is a former educator, behavioral therapist and college instructor who has traveled extensively across the United States, Europe, the former Soviet Union and Central Asia. He is also the author of "The Castlereagh Connection," a dramatic political thriller centering on globalization.

"Celts and Kings" (ISBN 9781593304119, Aventine Press, 2006) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.authorsden.com/mel. Publicity contact: www.readerviews.com. Review copies available upon request.

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Intriguing Plot
Celts and Kings
Melvin Charles Hathorn
Aventine Press (2006)
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (9/07)

The disappearance of the Celtic Earls in 1607 became known as the Flight of the Earls. Questions still go unanswered regarding this sudden and mysterious exodus. The question as to why the Earls, the cream of Irish nobility, left Ireland, still intrigue the Irish. “Celts and Kings” explores some possibilities and uncovers a creative speculation on the “Stone of Destiny.”

John Michaels, a college professor, known for his integrity and uncompromising stance on principles finds himself out of a job after refusing to change a student’s grade. The student was the son of a powerful, intimidating contributor to the school’s alumni association. Samuel Reed made it a personal matter of revenge to ruin John Michael’s career. In an effort to meet the requirements for teaching in England, John visits Ireland and to find his ancestry to qualify for dual citizenship which meets the requirement for teaching in European schools. While in Ireland, Michaels bumped into Megan O’Rourke, a former graduate student from his school. Although a happily married man, Megan and John feel powerfully drawn together in a strong mystical attraction.

Together they become involved in trying to resolve the mystery of the Flight of the Earls. They soon find themselves involved in a conspiracy that involves an underground world of stolen art. As he gets more deeply involved in the plot John is faced with a choice which might compromise his whole value system in a way that would impact his family, his estranged father, and even the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and England.

John Michaels was influenced by the Calvinistic teachings of his minister father, and is faced with the consequences that shaped his life as he developed a wrong belief about God. During a visit to the Sligo Abbey, John becomes fascinated with the mission statement of Celtic Christianity.

Hathorn has used a unique approach in his dialog to convey historical background, high tech security systems, and environmental issues. He gives insights into Celtic culture, customs, traditions, and religion. Hathorn’s background as a college professor comes through as he challenges the individual reader to be honest in examining his belief system, bias, business ethics, prejudices, and extremes in politics, and religion.

This is a book for anyone looking for Celtic lore, and Irish tradition. “Celts and Kings” is a story for all who want a glimpse into the past to see how this impacts the contemporary problems facing Ireland today. Melvin Charles Hathorn has done his research and written a creative, believable historical novel filled with intrigue, adventure, and romance.

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