Vienna's Last Jihad by C. Wayne Dawson (Book Tour)

Brash and brilliant, twenty year old Mathis Zieglar, Professor of Languages, faces an agonizing choice: should he fight the Turks who take his family hostage and move to destroy Vienna? Or should he betray his army to save his kin? 

Vienna’s Last Jihad is a historical novel set against the 1683 siege of Vienna.

Europe is balanced on a knife’s edge while Mathis, the man who holds its fate in his hands, struggles against powerful enemies: Father Sistini, a Jesuit who brands him a heretic and drags Mathis’ fiancée off to the Inquisition; a xenophobic city mob, who wants him dead for protecting a Hungarian soldier; but most dangerous of all, Captain Tyrek, a Muslim chieftain who will kill Mathis’ family unless he spies against his own army. One by one, Tyrek’s agents murder Mathis’ closest associates in an attempt to isolate him. As 138,000 Turks grind down Vienna’s 11,000 defenders with no relief in sight, Mathis’ only chance to save family and country is to use his wits, the ability to speak Tartar and the knack he learned as a child to leap, whirl, and strike.

Publication Date: October 20, 2013
Katy Crossing Press
Paperback; 334p

Again another part of history that I know (knew) nothing about.  The author has written a book that was a real eye opener for me as to what happened in Vienna during the 1683 siege.  Between the Inquisition, the Muslim's, protecting his family and the love of his life, Mathis was on the go constantly here.  There were times that didn't connect like I was hoping to, but was totally able to grasp the motives behind the actions.  There was definitely a lot of action in this book and cleanly it was very well researched.  Yes there was violence, but then again this book is about a fierce battle, though I am not complaining, but might not appeal to the faint of heart.

I liked the authors writing style, it was easy to get lost in this book.  I learned a great deal from this book, which is one of the reasons historical fiction is my favorite genre.  This is C. Wayne Dawson's debut and I look forward to what is in store for the future.  One of my favorite things to read when I finish HF is the author notes at the end, this book was lacking that and I missed it.

This book will appeal to those that like historical fiction that is off the beaten track (by that I mean away from England, Rome and France).

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About the Author

C. Wayne Dawson writes for The Williamson County Sun, and has written for History Magazine, Focus On Georgetown, The Georgetown Advocate, and SAFVIC Law Enforcement Newsletter. In 2012, he founded Central Texas Authors, an author’s marketing collective.

He was an Adjunct Professor of History for ten years at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, where he created the Chautauqua program. There, he enlisted scholars, government officials and activists to discuss and debate social policy before the student body and the media.
In 2009, the students of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society honored him with the Glaux Mentor Teacher Award for bringing the Chautauqua program to Mt. SAC.
He currently lives in Georgetown, TX with his wife and two dogs.

For more information please visit C. Wayne Dawson’s website. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, February 24
Spotlight & Giveaway at History & Women
Wednesday, February 26
Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Monday, March 3
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Tuesday, March 4
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Thursday, March 6
Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection
Tuesday, March 11
Interview at Layered Pages
Wednesday, March 12
Guest Post at Flashlight Commentary
Thursday, March 13
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Friday, March 14
Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Thursday, March 20
Review at Just One More Chapter
Friday, March 21
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee