 I’m thrilled to welcome Susie Black, whose latest book in her Holly Swimsuit cozy mystery series recently launched. Susie, congratulations on Death by Pins and Needles! So exciting! We are eager to hear all about it, but first, let’s learn more about you. 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? SUSIE: As a young child I was given the Mary Jane series and The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew series from my mother-these were her books when she was a child, so they were of course, quite special to me. When I was older, hands down, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series were my favorites. I also loved the biography of Amelia Earhart. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? SUSIE: I enjoy reading books in the mystery genre in general, but gravitate towards the same type of books I write -- humorous cozy mysteries. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? SUSIE: Actually, it was at a rather young age. I can remember writing short stories in the third grade. In junior high, high school, and college, I was a reporter and wrote for the school newspapers. I was ultimately made the Editor-in-Chief of all three. Oh, wow! Bravo! And when did you know that you wanted to write books? SUSIE: While writing the daily journal entries that chronicled the interesting people I encountered and the crazy things I got myself into and out of during my career as a ladies’ apparel sales exec was when I knew I wanted to turn my experiences into books. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? SUSIE: My first column as the Editor-in-Chief of my high school newspaper. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. SUSIE: The creative force within me is how I see the world. That is why I write in the first person. So, it is my voice that the readers hear in their heads when they read my books. The way you see the world, then, is with a wry and wonderful humor. What inspires you to write, to create? SUSIE: I am a people person. People are utterly fascinating and are my inspiration to write and create. I can sit for an hour in the mall food court or an airport departure lounge and people watch and come up with hundreds of stories about the folks I observe. 6) What’s your writing space like? SUSIE: I have commandeered our family room as my writing space. I have a large-screen computer on a computer desk adjacent to a copier, a TV, and a stereo. If the writing is going well, I listen to either jazz or rock N’ roll oldies. But if I am struggling, I find music a distraction and turn it off. We live in the southern California desert on a golf course. I can look out the window onto the fairway and watch the hapless duffers whack away or observe the ducks and geese in the water hazard lounging around for comic relief. It is a very peaceful atmosphere and always gets my creative juices flowing. 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? SUSIE: I don’t have a set daily schedule or a set number of hours a day to write. I try hard to write at least something every day, but candidly, life often gets in the way of the best-laid plans…That said, I can tell you that I rarely write in the morning. I am a night owl and often do my most productive writing late into the wee hours. Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? SUSIE: Before I sit down to write, I make sure there is a full pot of fresh coffee brewed and keep a jar of mixed nuts next to the computer. When I am plotting, I step away from the computer and walk. Some people do their best thinking in the shower or the car. I do my best thinking while walking. 8) Time to talk about your latest release (rubbing hands together)! But first, how did you come up with the idea for the Holly Swimsuit Mystery series? SUSIE: I came up with the idea for the series based on my career. My protagonist’s name is Holly and she is a successful ladies’ swimwear sales exec in the Los Angeles area and an amateur sleuth. Holly is the me I always wanted to be. My journal is the source of all my writing all my characters are based on real people I have crossed paths in my apparel career.  Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? SUSIE: I inherited my maternal grandmother’s love of perfume, jewelry, taking chances, speaking my mind, a wicked sense of humor, and regrettably, her fear of death that we both nervously compensated with by laughing whenever we heard someone died. I incorporated this weird trait into my Holly Swimsuit Mystery series by giving Holly Schlivnik, the protagonist, the same affliction and response to death. 9) Now let’s hear about Death by Pins and Needles! SUSIE: Set in the heart of the competitive Los Angeles Apparel Industry, Death by Pins and Needles is the story of one ruthless woman who didn’t care who she had to step on to get to the top. Lissa Charney is the showroom manager of a ladies’ swimwear line in the California Apparel Mart. Since Lissa didn’t think any of the rules applied to her, she had no problem breaking them all. From job stealing to dumping a boyfriend when he needed her the most, selfish and self-centered Lissa’s list of enemies rivaled those of Al Capone. So, when Lissa is murdered, no one on the swimwear aisle was particularly surprised…the only surprise was what had taken so long. 10) I comprehend that you’ve just recently published a book. I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have anything waiting in the wings? SUSIE: I do. After Death by Pins and Needles is released, I have three more new books that will be published this year, ninety days apart. I also have one half-completed manuscript that candidly should have been finished long ago, but kept getting pushed to the back of the “to do” pile. I have vowed to finish writing this one and submit it to my editor by the end of this year. 11) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? SUSIE: Yes, actually, two things: First, I want to thank you for hosting me on your blog and giving me the opportunity to introduce myself and my books to your followers. Second, on behalf of all authors, I’d like to ask your readers to please consider writing and posting a review for the books they read. Reviews are the life blood of all authors. Word of mouth is the most effective way to have the light of approval shined on our works. If readers aren’t quite sure how to write a review, I have a terrific guide to point everyone in the right direction. E-mail me at: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com and I’ll gladly send out a copy. As a fellow author, I thank you for your request on our behalf. Susie, thank you for spending time with us. It's a pleasure to host you and I love your latest book. Congratulations again! And now, more of Death by Pins and Needles.  Who wanted Lissa Charney dead? The list was as long as your arm….but which one actually killed her? The last thing Mermaid Swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik expected to find when she opened the closet door was nasty competitor Lissa Charney’s battered corpse nailed to the wall. When Holly’s colleague is wrongly arrested for Lissa’s murder, the wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth sticks her nose everywhere it doesn’t belong to sniff out the real killer. Nothing turns out the way she thinks it will as Holly matches wits with a heartless killer hellbent for revenge. Death by Pins and Needles -- Excerpt! I’d combed the place from one end to another and found no sign of Lissa. Where the Sam Hill was she? Not in the showroom. Not in her office. Not in the kitchen. Not in the copier room. In the ladies’ room? Abducted by aliens? Hiding in a closet? I was out of options and time; so, for giggles and squeaks, I pulled open the doors to the enormous sample closet that stretched across the back wall and peered inside. Good news. I found Lissa Charney. A dozen swimsuits picture -framed Lissa’s battered, bloody corpse like a museum exhibit. Ringed with matching black and purplish-blue shiners, her wide-open, sightless eyes stared into space as though surprised by her situation. No kidding. That made two of us. I was no doctor, but you didn’t need a medical degree for this diagnosis. No need to take her pulse. One thing was for sure, Lissa Charney had made her last sales presentation. Naturally, I burst out laughing.  About the Author Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Fashion & Foul Play Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries. She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect. Looking for more? Contact Susie at: Website: www.authorsusieblack.com E-mail: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com 
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 Happy Medieval Monday! For me -- and for other Eastern Rite Christians -- it is also Ash Monday. Like Ash Wednesday, which is in two days, it marks the beginning of Lent. It is a time for reflection, penance, good deeds, and fasting. But the Church is a lot easier on believers than it once was. The "recommendations" for fasting have relaxed through the centuries. During the early medieval period, Lent was a time of gloomy deprivation with one small meal a day for forty days. Meat, dairy, even fish were forbidden, as were sweets of any kind. Pretzels, made with flour, water, and salt, were easy and acceptable additions to the Lenten diet. A few sources have suggested that the monk invented them during Lent. In many countries, they are still considered a traditional Lenten food. Tradition has it that in the seventh century, a European monk shaped some leftover dough into pretiola, little rewards, to reward his young students for learning their prayers. Shaped like arms folded in prayer, they also represent the Holy Trinity. Pretzels are in a surprising variety of religious art, appearing even in paintings of The Last Supper. Pretzels caught on pretty fast. Monasteries and bakeries across Europe began producing them. German immigrants likely introduced bretzels to America. Nowadays, pretzels are enjoyed in all shapes, sizes, and flavors -- hard or soft, sweet or salty, large or small. From delicate, anise-flavored treats to butter and cheese-stuffed mini-meals to the little, crunchy ones found in the snack aisle of the supermarket, they are well-loved treats. I've always enjoyed the big, soft ones slathered in mustard, but I think I will be expanding my pretzel experience. Yummm. And you can bet I'll have some on hand this Lent. For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit the lovely medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis. Wishing you a wonderful day and week ahead!  Sundar1, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
 Eilean Donan Castle, Scottish Highlands And she says further: “A knight on a stalwart steed, himself clad all in glittering gold, hath to-day borne away the prize for all three days of the jousting. If ye tell the truth to my father, that it was you who jousted so well, then I dare say, surely, he will give you me and all his land. The marriage between yonder young prince and myself should be to-morrow; but here I make a solemn vow, I will never have any man but you! Therefore I pray you with all my heart, go not away, the morn!” “Nor will I, my sweet lady. I will not go from your sight.” Happy Medieval Monday! I thought I would share a medieval love story with you for Valentine's Day. Who has heard of Roswall and Lillian? This time, I don't think the answer is "everyone but me." I sincerely hope not, anyway! It is consistently -- pretty much always -- referred to as a "medieval Scottish chivalric romance", but I'm not sure why. That is, why Scottish? The only reason I can come up with is that the earliest printed version is dated back to Edinburgh in the 1600s. But the story is considered much older than that, likely dating from the fifteenth century. It certainly has lots in common with other chivalric stories of the times. The story begins with an act of compassion. Prince Roswall frees three prisoners against his father's wishes. At first, the king doesn't know who freed them and vows to hang the man who has done so. When he finds out it was his beloved son, he rushes to come up with a Plan B. He ends up sending the prince to another kingdom with gold and a steward to help him. First chance, the steward threatens to kill Roswall if he does not hand over his gold and letters of introduction. Poor Roswall does so and enters the Kingdom of Bealm as servant to his servant, who abandons him shortly after. A woman takes pity on the handsome young man and offers him shelter. He lives with them and attends school with her son. The young prince applies himself diligently and his integrity is so obvious that the King of Bealm's steward takes notice of him. He takes him to the castle, which is where he meets the beautiful Princess Lillian. Of course, they fall in love. But Lillian is supposed to marry a prince. As it so happens, it's the sneaky steward turned false prince. Surprise! A tournament is set to celebrate the upcoming wedding. Roswall goes hunting in the forest and meets a white knight, who lends him his horse and armor so that he can enter the tournament. Roswall carries the day. The next morning, another knight gives him a gray horse and red armour. Roswall wins again. On the third day, he fights dressed in gold and riding a mighty steed. Lillian doesn't know it's him at first, but she begs her father to allow her to marry Roswall. He refuses, insisting she marry the prince. The night before the wedding, the knights come to the city and salute the king, queen, and Princess Lillian, but not her betrothed. When asked why they aren't saluting the son of their king, they explain that they don't see him. Upon finding Roswall they identify him and the king asks him (Roswall) for the truth. As it comes to pass, those three knights are not only his benefactors from the forest. They are the knights he freed from his father's prison. The evil steward is dealt with and Roswall and Lillian are finally allowed to wed. They rule justly and Roswall rewards all those who were kind to him in his time of need. They have many children and live happily ever after. The end. What's not to love? For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis. Happy Medieval Monday, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy Week ahead!   Lachlann stared at the Great Falls--Plodda Falls-- wondering how his heart could hammer so hard without killing him. The name—and everything else—might have changed, but they hadn’t. They didn’t even look smaller. How that could be, when they were nearly seven hundred years older and he was much bigger than he’d been as a boy, he didn’t know. They seemed the same. But where was the cave? He studied the rocks, but it was hard to tell looking straight down from the platform at the top of the falls. He glanced down the river. He thought he knew approximately where they had fished, but the trees were different. It was hard to be sure. There’d been no platform, of course. They’d approached the falls from the opposite side, at the bottom. Rónán, wherever you are, help me.  Happy Medieval Monday! I thought I'd share a little scenery with you along with a scene from Tremors Through Time. In the fourteenth century, Lachlann and Rónán liked to spend time at the "Great Falls". But when Lachlann visited twenty-first century Plodda Falls, he found that it looked different. The falls were the same, but the trees had changed. And they had. While Glen Affric is still home to one of Scotland's largest Caledonian pine reserves, between 1895 to 1900, Lord Tweedmouth planted the area with Douglas firs. In other natural areas of Glen Affric, the Forestry Commission is slowly removing non-native species, but the firs around Plodda Falls remain. They are huge and, I must admit, stunning. My husband and I enjoyed our time in Glen Affric and our day at Plodda Falls. I can understand why Lachlann and Rónán liked the area so well.  Excerpt -- Tremors Through Time They hiked down and walked along the edge of the stream, away from the falls in what he thought was the right direction. Lachlann stared at the opposite bank, trying to get a feel for his surroundings, to imagine them as they were in his childhood. Desperately, he turned in a circle, looking upriver and down. “Lachlann, wait.” He stopped instantly. “Smell that.” Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply, then smiled at him. “It’s wonderful.” “Deidre…” “It’ll only take a minute.” He frowned. Couldn’t they do this later? He had to find the cave. Stepping closer, she took both his hands in hers. “Only a minute,” she repeated. “Breathe. Close your eyes and breathe.” He did as she asked, taking several deep breaths, allowing the fresh, cool air to fill his lungs. He could smell the trees. The familiar sound of the falls reminded him of that day so long ago. He cast his line. Rónán did the same. They usually did a little fishing before hiking up to their cave. The falls were a long walk from their homes. Although he would never have admitted it, he was often surprised that Rónán had been able to make it. An accident had crushed the bones in his foot when he was small. It hadn’t healed properly and still pained him, sometimes a lot. But his friend was stubborn. “Shouldn’t we bury our treasures first?” Rónán asked, even as he collapsed on a boulder. “We promised to bring trout home,” Lachlann reminded him. “It’s important that we keep our word.” “It shouldn’t be hard,” commented his friend, drawing a hook from his sporan. “I can see them from here.” He spoke the truth. The clear river was running with trout. Rónán had collected worms before Lachlann had joined him that morning, so they were able to cast right away. Their lines weren’t long and didn’t need to be. Although it was a hot day, it was cool by the water’s edge, in the shade of the great pine trees. They sat on boulders and ate lunch while they fished. They didn’t talk much, not even Rónán, who knew not to scare the fish away. Anyway, he was pleasantly occupied eating. Their lines were hit simultaneously. Lachlann jerked his rod and stilled for a moment. When his line went taut, he jerked it again and began pulling in the speckled fish. Rónán did the same. In less than two hours, they both had plenty of trout to share with their families. They left their catch in their nets at the river’s edge, hidden among some grasses. They weren’t particularly worried about daylight-- the days were long in summer—but they didn’t want to be too late in case their families were counting on their catch for supper. They trudged up the slope, clambering over the rocks, to the steep path leading to their cave behind the falls. Lachlann opened his eyes. It all came back to him. He smiled at his angel before releasing one of her hands to look around. Then he saw it—the indentation that marked the narrow path he and Rónán had taken up to the falls. For more Tremors Through Time. To enjoy more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis! Wishing you a splendid day and week ahead!  No fewer than four silver candelabras, holding great waxen torches, served to illuminate this apartment. Yet let not modern beauty envy the magnificence of a Saxon princess. The walls of the apartment were so ill finished and so full of crevices, that the rich hangings shook in the night blast, and, in despite of a sort of screen intended to protect them from the wind, the flame of the torches streamed sideways into the air, like the unfurled pennon of a chieftain. Magnificence there was, with some rude attempt at taste; but of comfort there was little, and, being unknown, it was unmissed. -- Sir Walter Scott, Ivanhoe It's one of my favorite passages from Ivanhoe, the singular passage I remember when the story comes to mind. I was gifted the book around the age of 12; in other words, many, many years ago. To be sure, there are many more memorable selections throughout the tale. Practically any scene with Rebecca is more so. But then, as now, it reminded me that beauty (as well as "magnificence" and "comfort") is in the eye of the beholder. Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) wasn't medieval, but I like to think he was something of a medievalist. Ivanhoe is a spectacular medieval romance. Many of his poems, such as Marmion and Lord of the Isles, were set in medieval Scotland. And then there's that little issue of The Honours of Scotland. That is to say, Scotland's crown jewels, which certainly hail from medieval times. They are the oldest crown jewels in the British Isles.  According to my Edinburgh Castle Souvenir Guide (absolutely worth it if you go) the Crown, Scepter, and Sword were created in Scotland and Italy during the reigns of James IV and James V. They were first used together for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. During Oliver Cromwell's time, the Honours were moved around, even buried for protection. Once the coast was clear, after the Treaty of Union in 1707, they were locked away in the Crown Room and pretty much forgotten. There they remained until Sir Walter Scott, historian that he was, sought and was granted royal approval to break into the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle to rescue them. He wasn't alone, of course. He had a whole host of commissioners with him for the historic event. But it was his idea. The extreme solemnity of opening sealed doors of oak and iron, finally breaking open a chest which had been shut since 7th March 1707, about a hundred and eleven years, gave a sort of interest to our researches, which I can hardly express to you, and it would be very difficult to describe the intense eagerness with which we watched the rising of the lid of the chest. -- Sir Walter Scott in a letter to John Wilson Croker, February 7, 1818. Not long after, The Honours of Scotland went on display in the Crown Room of Edinburgh Castle, where they've been ever since. Granted, one or all of the articles have been escorted to various important, royal functions. Most recently, this past September, 2022, the Crown of Scotland was placed on the coffin of Elizabeth II, may she rest in peace, remaining there throughout the service.  BBC still/ Fair Use I never could assign any probable or feasible reason for withdrawing these memorials of ancient independence; and my doubts rather arose from the conviction that many absurd things are done in public as well as in private life, merely out of a hasty impression of passion or resentment. For it was evident the removal of the Regalia might have greatly irritated people's minds here, and offered a fair pretext of breaking the Union, which for thirty years was the predominant wish of the Scottish nation. letter to John Wilson Croker, February 7, 1818. Medieval romance, medieval treasures, love of history and country... I think it quite reasonable to celebrate Sir Walter Scott. Medieval Monday is as good a time as any. What do you think? For more fun, be sure to visit medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis. Happy Medieval Monday!   Burns Night
January 25, 2023 A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns O my luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June; O my luve's like the melodie That's sweetly played in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a' the seas gang dry. Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi' the sun: O I will love thee still, my dear, While the sands o' life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only luve, And fare thee weel awhile! And I will come again, my luve, Though it were ten thousand mile.  Charlotte Harkness thinks there is a quiet grace and dignity among the dead. Well, as long as they’re not feeling chatty. I'm thrilled to welcome Author Mary Culler today, LAUNCH DAY for her new book, The Undertaker's Daughter. The book looks absolutely fabulous! We have all the information plus an excerpt. But I thought it might be fun to learn more about Mary first. Here's our interview. Literary You 1) Hi, Mary! What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I loved The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Books, Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, and Baby-Sitters Club. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? Mysteries and fantasy with romantic subplots. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I realized it very early on, when I was in second or third grade and I realized that if I didn’t like reality I could rewrite it. Awww, bravo! 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? I wrote a whole short story (I thought it was a novel) that was a historical fiction romance when I was in 6th grade, but my mother didn’t like it, so I stopped showing anyone my writing for a long time. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I like taking pain and turning it into something positive. I find that both amazing and inspiring. 6) What’s your writing space like? Space? What’s that? I have a corner of a table and my husband has made me a portable office because he’s the BEST. 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I love writing any time, anywhere. One thing that helps me crank it up is sprinting with other writers and working toward a certain word count per sprint, like 500 words in 15 minutes. 8) Congratulations on your new release! How did you come up with the idea for your book? Please tell us all about it. My Undertaker’s Daughter Series was originally a trilogy, but it’s being released as one big, fat novel. The strange thought that started it all was that someone is a serial killer’s first victim—what if the people around the crime were fast and drastic enough to stop him before he killed again? I created the character of strong-willed Charlotte Harkness, an undertaker’s daughter who hates Victorian gender constraints. When a beautiful young woman turns up at her father’s funeral parlor, she joins forces with someone else who takes her fears seriously—the victim’s brother, Dr. James Everly. James is far above her station. In Victorian times, they wouldn’t have mingled, so to solve the crime, they form a fake courtship. As clues pile up, Charlotte and James’ feelings turn real and so does the danger. 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting on the backburner? About twenty! But, a handful at a time! What are you working on now? I’m working on The Earl’s Christmas Contest to offer to The Wild Rose Press. Excellent! 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I hope you have fun reading and I’d love to see you at my online book hideaway, Book Dragons! Mary, thank you for sharing your time, talent, and RELEASE DAY with us! Wishing you continued joy and success. Now let's learn a bit more about The Undertaker's Daughter.  What if Jack the Ripper was stopped before he ever got started? Charlotte Harkness has (quite cheerfully) accepted that she’ll never find love. An undertaker’s daughter who reads embalming manuals and hears the dearly departed? It’s enough to make any Victorian patriarch despair. When Lavinia Everly’s corpse arrives at Harkness and Sons, Charlotte is tormented by the girl’s final memories, her death at the hands of the mysterious “Jack.” Charlotte knows she must find the killer before madness consumes her. Dr. James Everly shuns society’s rules to find out who killed his little sister. When he joins forces with the undertaker’s daughter, he never expected his new ally to be so quick-witted and beautiful. James and Charlotte agree to pose as a courting couple to continue their investigations. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan. As danger mounts, Charlotte and James race to stop “Jack” before he can strike again. Will they succeed, or become the next victims on his list?  Excerpt from The Undertaker's Daughter “Do you know what it feels like when no one believes you?” “I do now. Intimately,” James chuckled bitterly. “Some people,” she paused, knowing she had to tread carefully, “think that simply because they haven’t seen a thing, it can’t be so.” “Exactly, but you have seen it!” He seized upon this point eagerly. Not so much a matter of seeing, but of hearing, she thought woefully. “I’d like to tell you something. You must promise to hear me out. I’d like you to believe me, as I believe you.” Puzzled, he nodded. “I can help you. I may have the lead that you need, something even the police don’t know.” “What? You do? How?” James leaned forward and grasped her hand, so grateful that he forgot all sense of propriety. “The man who did this to your sister? His name is Jack, and Lavinia knew him well, well enough to have seen him before that night, anyway.” “But… but this is incredible. My Lord, the name of the murderer! Oh, Miss Harkness, I cannot thank you enough. Tell me, how did you find this out?” “I heard it, Dr. Everly. From beyond the grave. Lavinia’s spirit allowed me to hear her final moments.”   About the Author Bestselling author M. Culler can’t stick to just one genre. She writes fantasy, mystery, and all flavors of romance. M.Culler lives in historic Chester County, Pennsylvania, where potentially haunted battlegrounds and 18th century buildings serve as neverending inspiration. M.Culler lives for her two brilliant children (mini-bookworms), her gorgeous husband, her endlessly entertaining students, and her wonderful community. If she’s not hunched over a laptop, you’ll find her baking up a storm in the kitchen, playing board games, or watching Brit Coms. Soli Deo Gloria. Website and Newsletter Reader’s Group: Book Dragons Historical Heat Historical Romance Group Twitter Instagram Amazon Bookbub Goodreads mcullerauthor@gmail.com   Lachlann walked through the night. Vaguely, in his pain, images flashed before him that he didn’t understand, but he’d ceased being afraid of them. His breath was coming in shallow puffs. His head hurt so much that he couldn’t think clearly. And he was thirsty, so thirsty. He lost count of how many times he threw up, fainted, slept. But he was in too much pain to be still. He’d either find help or die trying. He didn’t care which. Stars were just fading as he reached the kirk. It looked different, but it had to be the kirk at St. Michael’s mount in Inbhir Nis. He was going to pass out again. Focusing on the kirk, he dragged himself through the graveyard. He’d never make it to the building. Fighting darkness, he made it to a gravestone before collapsing. At least they wouldn’t have to carry his body far to bury him. He hadn’t found Rònan to tell him he was alive, to thank him for going after him. He hadn’t been able to save Allasan and their son. He should have been there to help them, at least to be with them when they died. “I’m sorry. . .” he whispered as darkness swallowed him.  Happy Medieval Monday! You won't find that scene in Tremors Through Time. During editing, I had to make some ruthless decisions -- as writers so often have to do. It was simply taking too long for Lachlann to meet Deidre. But I like the scene, so naturally, I stashed it away for possible future use. I chose the Old High St. Stephen’s Church of Inverness to be the location of Lachlann’s modern-day collapse because it’s the oldest church in Inverness. It is believed that as early as 565 A.D., St. Columba converted a Pictish king on St. Michael’s mount, where the church now stands. In the centuries that followed, many wooden churches were erected and burned down. Even once a stone structure was in place, some parts eventually fell into ruin. We're talking centuries, after all. The oldest part of the current structure is the tower base, which dates back to the fourteenth century. The earliest document that mentions the church is a charter granted by William the Lion between 1164 and 1171. The Black Friars founded a monastery just north of the church in 1233. It continued until the Reformation (1525-1560), then fell into disuse. The Church went from ruins to repairs several times throughout the centuries. In 1746, after the Battle of Culloden, Jacobite soldiers were executed on the church grounds. When we were there last fall (2022), of course I had to visit it. I found the site to possess a haunting dignity and the location is stunning -- right on the River Ness. Sadly, while the historic building still stands and visitors are allowed on the grounds, services are no longer held there. The building is up for sale. Up for sale? For more medieval fun, be sure to visit Lady Mary Morgan. Our other medieval lady, Barbara Bettis, is having a time with her website right now. We hope she'll be back soon! May your week be a happy one with bright skies and smiles aplenty!  Crescenza Calendar, c. 1475 Happy Medieval Monday! January means repairs and preparation. Did you know? Jumping down another medieval rabbit hole in my current examination of medieval calendars, I happened upon this lovely little artpiece. It's from a manuscript printed in the mid to late 1400s and that manuscript was a reprint of an agricultural manual written by Pietro de' Crescenzi between 1304 and 1309. Of course, gardener and student of the medieval period that I am, I had to learn more about this manual and the man who wrote it. Pietro de' Crescenzi was born in Bologna around 1235. He became a lawyer and judge, practicing from around 1269 to 1299. In his later years -- he died in 1320 -- his time was spent between Bologna and his country estate. During his retirement, surely inspired by his rural retreat, he compiled a work he called Ruralia commoda, also known as Liber ruralium commodorum -- Book of Rural Benefits.  Frontispiece of the De agricultura in the vernacular edition of Matteo Capcasa, printed in Venice in 1495. -- Wikipedia Dedicated to King Charles II of Naples, it became the gardening manual of kings! In 1373, King Charles V of France requested that it be translated into French. It became extremely popular during the High Medieval era into the early Renaissance. Translated into many languages, it eventually became the first agricultural book in print. Henry VIII had a copy in his library. It is said that he consulted it for the design of the gardens at Whitehall (1540s). Henry VIII's copy of Ruralia Commoda, Royal Collection Trust The work is divided into twelve sections, but surprisingly (at least, I was surprised), the sections don't represent months. Each section focuses on a certain task or tasks, the last chapter being a calendar of the agricultural year. It's evidently a very interesting read, with both sage advice and wild explanations. Crescenzi studied and sorted information, some dating back to ancient times.
I can't seem to find an English version or if there even is an English version. You might disagree, but I think a copy, possibly even a modern one, would be a lovely addition to a gardening or medieval library. Daydreams... For more Medieval Monday, be sure to stop by Mary's Tavern, author Mary Morgan's beautiful blog. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!  I'm delighted to welcome author Rachel Brimble. Let's learn more about her latest book Victoria and Violet, the first book in her new Royal Maids series, and get to know her a bit better. Hi, Rachel! 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? My absolute favourite author as a child was Enid Blyton and it was her Secret Seven series that inspired me to write. As I grew into my pre-teens and early teens, I devoured anything by Judy Blume and as many of the Sweet Dreams romances as I could find! 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I read so many different genres – almost everything except for Sci-fi and horror. My favourite genres are romance, romantic suspense, crime and biographies…especially of past British royalty. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? See question 1, haha! I was around eight or nine when I started writing short stories and binding them with ribbon. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep any of them – I would love to have read them now! I wrote on and off, but never wrote seriously toward publication until my youngest daughter started school full-time. My first novel was published in 2007 and I’ve had a least one novel published per year ever since. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? It was when I won my first short story competition – it was online and I came first. After that, it was my first book contract and then when I secured a multiple-book deal with Harlequin – that was a big day in my career! 5) You have an amazing website. Please tell us about what drives you and about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? Writing is a huge part of who I am and has been for many years – it is no longer a case of me choosing to write, rather that I am compelled to do it. I genuinely need to work, or I become agitated and grumpy. Ask my family! I can usually manage about 3 days without writing before my mood changes…which is why my laptop always comes on holiday with me! 6) What’s your writing space like? I am lucky enough to have my own home office these days – I started off on the kitchen table, but about five years ago I commandeered our spare bedroom for my office space. It is my haven and I love it. I have corkboards in front of me which are filled with visuals from my works in progress, a beautiful big white desk and three floor to ceiling bookshelves overflowing with research books and novels. My window looks down onto our back garden. Your office sounds dreamy! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I suppose my favourite time of the day to actually write is late morning onwards – I am always at my desk by 8.30am but the first two hours are taken up with emails/creating social media content/completing interviews or writing blogs. I then walk our Labrador, Tyler. Once I’m back at my desk, the rest of the day is for writing. I try to finish my work day around 5.30pm. 8) Congratulations on Victoria and Violet. Won’t you tell us about a little about the book and also the series? Victoria & Violet is the first book in my new Royal Maids series – it is set in the court of a young Queen Victoria and revolves around her relationship with her housemaid, Violet. As they get to know one another, they become confidantes and allies against their overbearing mothers. However, the main event of the novel is the burgeoning romance between Violet and handsome courtier, James Greene… I plan for each book in the series to be set in the court of the succeeding monarch – so book 2 will be Edward VII’s court, book 3 George V’s and so on with a royal maid to the reigning queen consort being the focus of the romance. It all sounds absolutely wonderful! 9) I comprehend that you only recently published your latest book. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? Indeed I do! In fact, I have just submitted book 2 in the Royal Maids series to my editor so watch this space! In addition to that, I am working on a new contemporary romance series idea and starting the research for the next Royal Maids book. 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Yes! I would love to tell you and your readers about my First Chapter Critique service – this is my way of helping new and aspiring writers in the careers as so many published writers helped me. If any of your visitors would love to write a romance or women’s fiction novel, I’d love to help! Here’s the link for all the details: https://rachelbrimble.com/first-chapter-critique-service/ Rachel, thank you again for sharing your time and talent. Wishing you all the best!  It should be a dream come true to serve the Queen of England… When Violet Parker is told she will be Queen Victoria’s personal housemaid, she cannot believe her good fortune. She finally has the chance to escape her overbearing mother, a servant to the Duchess of Kent. Violet hopes to explore who she is and what the world has to offer without her mother’s schemes overshadowing her every thought and action. Then she meets James Greene, assistant to the queen’s chief political adviser, Lord Melbourne. From entirely different backgrounds and social class, Violet and James should have neither need nor desire to speak to one another, yet through their service, their paths cross and their lives merge—as do their feelings. Only Victoria’s court is not always the place for romance, but rather secrets, scandals, and conspiracies…  About the Author
Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin). Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet is the first book in her new Royal Maids series with the Wild Rose Press and released 17th October 2022. Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world. To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt |
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