Time for a roaring fire

After a rainy and recession-dampened Bonfire Night in my neck of the woods, I began to think wistfully of enormous medieval fireplaces, logs cut from the woods by peasants in grubby tunics, the warm glow of a winter fire. Then I thought of a poem about firewood from the 1930s: '..Apple wood will scent your room,/Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom...'

Then I found this picture, February from the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, which says it all, from the woodcutter in the top right to the fire in the bottom left, blissfully enjoyed by one well-mannered lady in full garb and two pretty unlaced individuals for whom underwear is an optional extra. Ah, the warmth of the open fire....

A romantic medieval fable

Here's the start of a little romantic story for you, set somewhere in medieval England:


THE BRIDAL HOUSE

"Our fathers approve the match." He skimmed a pebble across the fish pond.

Alis watched the stone skipping across the water. Her heat-beat skipped like the stone and she prayed she was not blushing. "And you?"

She could not recall his name, but how could she not be distracted? She had woken and risen a maid, a spinster intent on learning. Now she was betrothed to this stranger.

"I am not displeased, Alis." He offered her his arm to assist her across the ditch - the parents had sent them off to admire the lord's new rabbit warren, to see the baby coneys, as her father had said. Could any symbol be more obvious? In a burst of resentment she ignored her betrothed's hand and jumped the ditch in a swirl of skirts.

The rest is free here at AuthorsDen. The picture was taken at Stokesay Castle in Shropshire.

An idle moment, just staring out of the window...

It's autumn again, the wind is blowing the rain across the garden, and in the moments when I'm trying not to write, promo or otherwise earn a living, I can stare out of the window at the bird table. We've had two families of sparrows nesting in the hedge this year (about 500 of them, by the noise in the mornings in spring, but actually rather fewer), plus a blackbird clever enough to pinch the morello cherries and leave the stones attached to the twig. We have other regular visitors: hyperactive bluetits, a determined wren and a thrush of some sort.

I don't know how they find out (through Twitter?), but as soon as the nyjer seed goes into the feeder a goldfinch appears out of nowhere, followed by another, and they assault the stuff in pairs. A single fieldmouse also seems to live under the hedge and nip out to scoff any seed falling from the bird table.

A pair of delicately bewildered collared doves turns up sometimes, and a small gang of jackdaws, but the most regular patrons of the birdseed restaurant are two wood pigeons. One is sleek and obviously well fed, while the other is a bit scrawny and looks a bit downtrodden. We call them Scruffbag and Fatface, and while the sparrow contingent are out in the fields these two put away at least half the birdseed and bits of bread between them. One day Fatface will probably turn up with a doggy bag.

(Pictures from Wikimedia Commons.

Romantic Times gives four stars to 'Flavia's Secret'

It's a year since Flavia's Secret came out, so I'm delighted to find this in the November issue of Romantic Times:

'The ancient locale that is now modern Bath lends a vivid backdrop to a tender love story surrounded by mystery, danger and deceit. Readers will appreciate Townsend's thorough research and fluid style. Well-written secondary characters complement the action.'

- Donna M. Brown

When the web version of the review appears, it will be here.

'A Knight's Vow' reviewed at Historical Romance Club

My A Knight's Vow has just got four stars at Historical Romance Club, who say:

'This story shows that even after years apart, when the boy becomes a man and the girl a woman, the affectionate nicknames still have meaning, the touches are still tender and the feelings genuine. While reading medieval books is never an easy task due to the detailed history that one expects to be part of, these books and especially this one in particular are worth the time and attention you give them. Enjoy!'

The full review is here.

Ritzy tote bag...

Here I was this morning, rummaging for something strong, practical and pretty to carry my promotional/teaching/general paperwork in, and the postman came down the drive with a parcel. Inside was this lovely tote bag with A Knight's Captive on it. I'm off to my local college tomorrow morning for a meeting, so it will be used right away. Thank you so much, Debi in California (you know who you are)! You've perked up a wet and windy September morning.