Saturday, August 17, 2019

A serious crime - snippet from #Medieval Romance for #Wewriwa



Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Meet writers in various genres and read 8-10 sentence snippets of their stories. Find a new author and sample their work. Enjoy!

I am continuing snippets from my new medieval romance set in fourteenth century England in and around my hometown of Reading. The book is on pre-order for release on the 27th.
My heroine, Audrey, countered a robber’s attack and met the hero, Selwyn Drake. He is acting as the sheriff’s bailiff to maintain peace in the town. His men have captured the thief and Selwyn has skillfully handled a group of alleged victims.  

Here are the last lines for context: One of the men slunk away, as did the dubious slattern.
Please excuse my slight abuse of punctuation to fit 8-10 sentences.
     The bailiff watched her sidle toward the alley; he frowned, but said nothing. Did he let her go free from lack of proof of her complicity in the crime or was he inclined to be lenient to a woman? Either way, his merciful act did not dampen my good opinion of him.
     “Do you wish me to testify?” I asked.
     He gave me a swift, thoughtful look, before replying, “If you please, Dame Audrey; he attempted to assault you, which is more serious a crime than stealing a purse.”
     Lowering my gaze to the muddy street, I pondered the consequences. The reeve’s justice was harsh; my testimony might send the man to the gallows, while a convicted thief would merely lose a hand. 
     Pursing my lips, I nodded; I had to tell the truth, despite my regret for the severity of the punishment. Exasperation ate at me for agreeing to another delay in my preparations for the fair. Yet, I was curious to learn more about Selwyn Drake; I was impressed by his acute judgment and attractive smile.   


Blurb:
Young widow seeks true love in this vivid Medieval romance with a touch of fantasy.
     In fourteenth century Britain, Dame Audrey cherishes her independence as the widow of a wealthy cloth merchant. But several of the wealthier traders covet her profitable business and she fears they will invoke the Abbot’s authority to compel her to marry a man of their choice. Her worst nightmare is suffering under a cruel husband like the hateful jeweler, Henry Goldsmith, who has threatened to curb her lively spirits.
     Audrey joins a pilgrimage to Glastonbury to pray for guidance. The holy relics give her no inspiration nor do her fellow travelers. On the homeward journey, she aids the dying victim of a brutal robbery. She wins the stranger’s blessing and a gold brooch with a green dragon. Back in her hometown, the faerie brooch attracts trouble from thieves of all ranks and the attentions of a handsome yeoman, Selwyn Drake. As her nightmare looms nearer, she grows desperate to preserve her freedom.
     Can the magic brooch help Audrey evade the schemes to force her into wedlock or must she submit to a husband’s will? 

 Audrey

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As always, I’ll be happy to reply to your comments.  
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21 comments:

  1. This is an amazing snippet. You brought the story right into my thoughts.

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    1. Wow - I thought this was a less-exciting snippet.

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  2. Such an intense snippet - and I can understand her dilemma - but if she doesn't testify, he could be a danger to other women. Mind you, losing a hand is hardly getting off lightly, either! And of course there's the attraction of that smile...
    Love the way you've put the reader in her head!

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    1. Thank you. This book is the first one I've published in the first person pov.

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  3. Explains why he let the woman go. The severity of the crime definitely makes a difference.

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    1. True. And, he has the evidence of the stolen purses.

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  4. Quite a situation she's in. I liked the snippet.

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    1. This long scene really demonstrates the characters' personalities.

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  5. You're doing a great job with the characterizations, which are calm and deliberate and feel like they fit your time period. No flying horses in this one?

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    1. Thanks. No, the horses don't fly. I have included a magic brooch and a couple of fae folk.

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  6. Wow--a dilemma, for sure. Lie, or tell the truth and maybe send a man to the gallows. She made the only decision her character allowed her to make, though. :-) Great character building, Aurora!

    Just pre-ordered. :-)

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  7. Difficult choices facing her...and I wouldn't be surprised if even then things don't go exactly the way she expects. Terrific snippet!

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    1. She's made the choice to tell the truth. Some parts of the outcome are unexpected.

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  8. Hmm... It will be interesting to see what she chooses?

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    1. She does her best to combine truth with leniency.

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  9. Combining truth with leniency isn't easy in any age, especially the Medieval period. Good luck to her.

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    1. Yes. She has to juggle integrity with ambition in her trade also.

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  10. What a tough decision. Crimes were dealt with severely in those days. Great world building. Your characters reveal themselves slowly. I like that.

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  11. What a difficult choice to make.
    I like how you took the reader inside your character's head.
    I'm curious of how that smile distracted her just a wee bit. :)

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    1. She is definitely curious about him. But, for all she knows, he might be married or too poor to make an eligible match.

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