After helping his best friend Zora secure her crown and the kingdom of Tarshish, Sundiata is summoned once more by young Queen Zora. Only this time, it is not the kingdom of Tarshish that is in trouble, it is Princess Tahtahme and the far away kingdom of Nok that desperately needs his help…
Norris Bloom is a retired school teacher and basketball coach. She taught 5th and 6th grade in the United States before relocating to Upper Basildon, England for 6 years where she developed a love of the English countryside and its people. Additionally, she traveled extensively throughout Europe, feeling a kindred spirit to the long ago kings and queens that once roamed the castles dotted throughout Europe. Crowns and Kingdoms is her first series showcasing her love of middle school aged children and medieval folklore. Norris currently lives in San Francisco, Ca with her husband Ken and her dog Mojo. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, cooking, music, sports and spending time at her cottage on Lake Tulloch, Ca.
Princess Tahtahme was one of my favorite characters to create. I looked many places for inspiration, but I finally found a story about a real "Queen Tahtahme" from Jamaica. The real queen was also known as Queen Muhmusa and also as the "hidden queen". Queen Tahtahme fought to free Africans from the English slavery and rule. I loved reading about her and soon knew that I had found the perfect name for my warrior princess.
Book Excerpt
Crowns and Kingdoms - Nok
I took a moment to really look at Princess Tahtahme. Jemil was right. She was truly beautiful, especially when she smiled. She was shorter than I was. The top of her head barely reached my shoulders, but we did share a similar slender-but-muscular physique. I could feel her arm strength as she held me close in the hug. Tahtahme’s hair was long, but not like Zora’s. Instead, her long black hair had been twisted into long, thin ropes, similar to the way Jemil twisted his short hair. The royal crown of Nok sat perched on top of her head, and the contrast between her dark hair and the golden orange gems was very striking.
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