Saturday, August 10, 2019

I will grant no exceptions - Snippet from DAME AUDREY 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. I'm happy to announce the book, Dame Audrey, is on pre-order for release on the 27th.
My heroine, Audrey, was attacked by a robber and met the hero, Selwyn Drake.  
Here are the last lines for context: Glaring at the bailiff, Henry Goldsmith protested, “Preposterous. I’m no hedge-born churl. Who are you to fling orders at an eminent town merchant?”

     His voice resonant with authority, he said, “The High Sheriff’s appointed bailiff, Selwyn Drake; I will grant no exceptions to the law.”  
     Henry’s broad face purpled in rage and he spluttered an oath. Curbing his anger, the brushed back his hood and doffed his red velvet cap, “Dame Audrey can vouch for my good name.”
     Gleeful at his predicament in being forced to plead for my aid, I smiled and curtsied; “Good day, Henry.” Nodding at the bailiff, I said, “I can vouch for Henry Goldsmith; he is a jeweler by trade and a senior member of the town guild.”
     “Despite your good name, Master Goldsmith, I must ask you to accompany me to the reeve’s hall as a witness. After you have testified of the man’s crime for the records, you can recover your goods.” Selwyn Drake gestured to the other victims, “All of you must come to press your claim to the stolen purses.”
     One of the men slunk away, as did the dubious slattern.

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?

 Dame Audrey

Pre-order for 99c at: Amazon  iBooks  Kobo  B&N 

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

  1. Oh ho, a way to weed out the liars and cheats. Good snippet, Aurora.

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  2. Dynamite, Aurora. I enjoyed your snippet.

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  3. Well, that sure made the dishonest ones slip away.

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  4. nice move getting rid of the dishonest people.

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  5. Very crafty, on his part, separating the good from the bad. Nicely done!

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  6. I like the way he's handling the situation and I enjoy all the details you've layered in, like the two people slinking away. Terrific snippet!

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    1. Thanks. Audrey appreciates his honesty and command of the situation.

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  7. That's one way to make the liars back down. :) Great imagery of them slinking away.

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    1. Thank you. The High Sheriff chose the right man for his bailiff.

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  8. Drake handled this situation masterfully. Good for him.

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  9. Very atmospheric snippet - and a great way to separate the genuine victims of the robber

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    1. Thank you. I aimed to create the correct atmosphere.

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  10. Clever. Reminds me of Solomon and offering to cut the child in half.

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  11. Hedge-born churl! LOL! Love his decisive resolution and her support of it as fair.

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    1. He is a very honest man. She knows many who are not.

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