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!
Last weekend, I had the chance to visit Niagara Falls since my husband was giving a talk at a conference. Here is a view of the bridge and the American falls from Goat Island.
My latest novel, Dame Audrey, released at the end of August, and I’ve been working on two new stories in different series.
For now, I’ll continue snippets from Dame Audrey, my new medieval romance set in fourteenth century England in and around my hometown of Reading.
Audrey
has discovered the sheriff’s bailiff, Selwyn Drake, praying in her parish
church. St. Mary’s is a twelfth century church in Reading with a distinctive checkered tower.
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| Photo by Ron Sanders |
You can read my last
snippet of two weeks ago at https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-familiar-figure-snippet-from-dame.html
I
have adjusted the punctuation slightly to fit 8-10 sentences.
“Good morning, Dame Audrey,” he said, “I trust you have
recovered from yesterday’s assault.”
“The thief didn’t touch me,” glancing at his severe features, I
asked, “Are you visiting the chapel to mourn a friend?”
“By Jesu’s bones, you’ve hit the target; I’ve come to offer a
prayer for my wife and child. The eve of Saint James’ Feast is the anniversary
of her death. Graziella died in giving birth to our stillborn son; at one
stroke, I lost my two dearest kin.”
“A sad loss indeed; when did you lose your family?”
“It has been five years.” He passed a hand over his face as if
recalling the tragic event, “I didn’t learn of their deaths for many weeks
since I was away with Lord William and fighting in the king’s army. The years
have passed swiftly, yet my heart is still burdened with guilt.” He sighed and
gazed over the altar into the light-filled rose window.
Blurb:
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?
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Two tragic losses at once. That would have been difficult to handle, especially since he was away.
ReplyDeleteTrue, although it must have been a common occurrence. His wife might as easily learned of his death in battle.
DeleteEven back then, when childbirth was so dangerous, this must have been a stunning loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's always terrible.
DeleteThis is a touching snippet. My heart went out to both of them. Beautiful snippet.
ReplyDeleteThey have suffers similar losses. Audrey lost her husband a couple of years ago, and their two children died of fever even earlier. Par for the era, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant snippet. I like him. He's a good guy.
ReplyDeleteLovely pic of the falls with the goldenrod at the bottom of the frame. And thanks for sharing the pic of the church tower! The checkers are distinct!
Selwyn is a good guy - sincere and honorable.
DeleteI often walked passed St. Mary's church in Reading and always liked the checkered tower.
What a sad and wonderfully intimate moment. A great start to their new beginning.
ReplyDeleteYes. They move quickly into honest communications.
DeleteAnd, she now knows he is not married.
A sad exchange but I can see the two of them making a common bond. A very well written moment between them!
ReplyDeleteThanks. They share the same sorrow about their lost families.
DeleteHow sad to lose his wife and child...at the same time. He must trust her to reveal his loss. Good snippet.
ReplyDeleteHe trusts in her compassion.
DeleteHow sad. Good snippet, Aurora.
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteSo tragic to have lost his wife and child. The moment was heartfelt.
ReplyDelete