Thursday 24 December 2015

Christmas

For those of you who celebrate Christmas.

I hope all of you will have a Merry Christmas, and I wish you all the best for a happy, healthy, wealthy New Year in which your writing goes from strength to strength.

For those of you who don't celebrate Christmas.

I hope you will have time to relax and wish you all the best for 2016.

Rosemary Morris
Historical Novelist
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Saturday 19 December 2015

Tuesday's Child On Schedule

I've been neglecting social media. This year I didn't have a new novel published and decided I write too slowly. I need to be more productive without sacrificing quality so I decided to write Tuesday's Child without research, revision or edits. I wanted to finish the first draft by the end of November or December 10th at the latest. I have almost met my target. I wrote 70,000 words and then realised I should revise Tuesday's Child to make sure that I tied up all the loose ends. I have revised and edited 100 pages of the second draft and am making notes on the contents of each chapter. Next, I shall write the final 5,000 words or more. It's a new way of writing for me but, hopefully, I will be ready to submit the novel to MuseItUpPublishing by the end of March, if not before. Phew!

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Romantic Historical Fiction $0.99 only on the Second of December


 

 

On the 12 days of Christmas my true love gave to me ebooks with food and wine.

For only one day (December 2nd) my novels are on special offer at $0.99 from:-


 False Pretences Annabelle runs away from school into the arms of a charismatic gentleman…but can she trust him to help her to find out who her parents are?

 Sunday’s Child Despite loss and past love, self-sacrifice, brutality and honour, will it be possible for Tarrant and Georgianne to find happiness?

 Tangled Love Tangled Love set in England in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, a story of two great estates, duty, betrayal and passionate love.

 Far Beyond Rubies When Gervaise sees Juliana for the first time, he recognises her, but not from this lifetime…

 The Captain and The Countess.  His heart captured by the Countess only Captain Howard sees pain behind her fashionable façade and is determined to help her.

 To read extracts, view the book covers and the book trailers please visit:


 

 

Writing My New Historical Novel

fter my last novel, Monday's Child, which will be published in Spring, 2016, took me fourteen months to write I decided I need to write faster. I set myself the task of finishing a 75, word novel in 75 days or less, and to enter a young adult fiction competition as well as a short story competition. I've entered the competitions but fallen short of my target to finish Tuesday's Child yesterday. However, the good news is that I've written 65,000 words without stopping to edit, revise and check my research.

In order to reach my goals I stopped posting on social media. I've missed chatting, reading posts and posting messages but it's been worthwhile.

I know that many authors write a couple of thousand words or more a day but I don't have time to, so I'm pleased with my achievements.

Rosemary Morris
www.rosemaymorris.co.uk

Saturday 24 October 2015

The Body Shop

On my way to the London Chapter of The Romantic Novelist's Association's meeting I couldn't resist popping into The Body Shop. Seduced by various products I'm now way over-budget for the week, but it's worthwhile.

Friday 23 October 2015

Switching On My Editor.

Over half way through writing Tuesday's Child I wanted to move the novel forward from one part to the next without going into unnecessary detail. I wrote half a chapter in which the heroine is looking at herself in a mirror and thinking about several recent events.Then I decided my readers would prefer reading about what happened when it occurred to being told about it through the heroine's thoughts. I had not intended to do any revision until I finished the novel in record time, but changed my mind and rewrote half of the chapter.

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Wednesday 21 October 2015

First Draft of Tuesday's Child Sweet Regency Romance


I have found it difficult to write with my internal editor switched off. When writing my previous novels I edited, revised and researched each chapter before I wrote the next one.

 However, I am a historical novelist so some research has been necessary, but even taking that into account, I have written a thousand or more words every day. I hope to finish the first, 95,000word, draft of my stand-alone novel, Tuesday’s Child, (a follow on novel from Sunday’s Child and Monday’s Child) by the 15th December.

 So far, I’m pleased with my objective to complete a novel more quickly than I did in the past but admit I still have to silence my internal editor.

 

 

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Poetry Workshop

I enjoyed yesterday's workshop, Poetry as Therapy, at Watford Writers. The facilitator works with Mencap using art and poetry. We were asked to write a poem about Nature in ten minutes. Mine began with winter.
 
"Snow when we met pristine beneath our feet. Christmas trees, holly bright with berries. Promise of the festive season, And much more." 
I wrote five verses with four lines in each about Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn and a final verse about Winter: 
"Snow when we walk... beneath our feet. Nature retreating in slumber beneath bare earth. Evergreens rich with spicy perfume. Perfume like incense when enclosed in pine your remains rest." 
Well, it was a challenge and people particularly liked my lines: "Daffodils trumpeting their joy for us to share" and "Apples and pears like Christmas baubles on the trees." 
Members of the Writers' Group interpreted nature in varied ways and, as usual, I am very impressed by their talent.

Monday 19 October 2015

Poetry Workshop

This evening I'm attending a poetry workshop at Watford Writers. The subject is writing poetry as therapy.  The theme is nature. Personally, I don't think I need therapy but the workshop might be interesting . Anyway, I tend to write mostly in my own comfort zone, historical fiction, so its good for me to dabble in other forms of writing. However, if I'm bored this evening, I shall leave half way through the workshop during the break for refreshments.

Poetry Workshop

Sunday 18 October 2015

About:Far Beyond Rubies:18th century Historical:PG


 

 

Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris

Back Cover

 

 Set in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, Far Beyond Rubies begins when William, Baron Kemp, Juliana’s half-brother claims she and her young sister, Henrietta, are bastards. Spirited Juliana is determined to prove the allegation is false, and that she is the rightful heiress to Riverside, a great estate.

 

On his way to deliver a letter to William, Gervaise Seymour sees Juliana for the first time on the grounds of her family estate. The sight of her draws him back to India. When “her form changed to one he knew intimately – but not in this lifetime,” Gervaise knows he would do everything in his power to protect her.

 

Although Juliana and Gervaise are attracted to each other, they have not been formally introduced and assume they will never meet again. However, when Juliana flees from home, and is on her way to London, she encounters quixotic Gervaise at an inn. Circumstances force Juliana to accept his kind help. After Juliana’s life becomes irrevocably tangled with his, she discovers all is not as it seems. Yet, she cannot believe ill of him for, despite his exotic background, he behaves with scrupulous propriety while trying to help her find evidence to prove she and her sister are legitimate.

 

Far Beyond Rubies is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

Thursday 15 October 2015

Writing Historical Fiction and Research

I am pleased because I've nearly written half of my book, Tuesday's Child, a stand alone, follow on novel from my Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child. I had decided that I write too slowly so my plan was to finish Tuesday's Child without spending hours researching the historical background. I have notes in bold to indicate where I need to research something, or check if something is correct. However, I have found it impossible to develop the plot without some research. Fortunately, it hasn't prevented me from reaching my daily output, and keeping up with other 'writerly' matters. 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Writing Competitions

I enjoy writing historical women's fiction but every once in a while I think it's good to challenge myself. I enjoyed revising my young adult fiction competition entry which I submitted to Fish yesterday. So I have high-lighted all the competitions of interest to me in Writing Magazine's Supplement: 2016 Competition Special. Years ago, I completed the beginner's, intermediate and advanced Open College of the Arts' Writing Courses. The 3000 word stories I wrote are based on classical Indian literature, which rivals classical Greek literature. One of my stories was published but the others have languished in a box file. The tutor was enthusiastic about the stories so it's time to 'test the waters' by entering one in a competition.

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Tuesday 13 October 2015

My Young Adult Fiction Competition Entry

My friend, who write's fiction. likes my entry to the Fish Young Adult Competition. This gave me the confidence I needed to tweak it and submit it. The novel, which I have called, Daisy and Savitri is multi-cultural. It is not only about two girls from different ethnic backgrounds but also about different economic backgrounds. I never expect to win a competition but can't help hoping Daisy and Savitri has a chance of making the short list, partly because, through the characters, I have shown two teenage girls from different cultures, which I have described, who are firm friends no matter regardless of the twists and turns their lives take.

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Monday 12 October 2015

2nd Opinion on My Entry to a Young Adult Fiction Competion.

I whittled my entry into the young adult fiction competition down to 5,000 words. The novel is multi-cultural. To make sure someone unfamiliar with some of the customs  in the first chapter understood them, I asked another author, who visited my house today, to read the first chapter while we drank tea. He really liked it,  and the hook in the first paragraph intrigued him so much that he wanted to know how the plot would be resolved at the end of the novel. Phew! I felt a little more confident so I edited and revised 2,500 words.
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Sunday 11 October 2015

Children's Fiction Competition

A long time ago I wrote a multi-cultural young adult novel. However, it is only 30,000 words long so I thought there would not be a market for it. So, while browsing Writing Magazine's 2016 Competition Special I was delighted to find Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Comp for full-length novels, 30,000 words suitable for readers 7-18. So, I am revising the novel and plan to enter it in the competition.
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Friday 9 October 2015

Turning off My Internal Editor

During today's tea break read an article in Writing Magazine. It is A Novel in A Month by Steven Chapman. The topic is the annual NANoWriMo challenge about getting 50,000 words in a month.

I am still resisting the urge to revise and edit each chapter of Tuesday's Child before I finish the first draft, so I found the following of particular interest.

"By beating your inner editor into submission you'll soon realise how good a writer you actually are. It sounds contradictory but without that nagging voice beating your every move, you'll focus on plot and character development rather than fussing over the finer details."

Historical Novelis
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Thursday 8 October 2015

Don't Lose The Plot

edited and revised. Now that I am writing my new novel, Tuesday's Child, I want to finish the first draft as quickly as possible. I don't plan to edit and revise until I complete it. However, since I'm writing so quickly I'm afraid of losing the plot, so I've decided to backtrack and record the main events in each chapter. This means that even if I resist the temptation to edit and revise I need to read what have written and make a few notes. If anyone else I meet implies that writing is easy or that it is a nice little hobby I'll want to strangle the person.

Historical Novelist
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Wednesday 7 October 2015

Writing Tuesday's Child

I'm pleased with myself. I woke three quarters of an hour later than usual at 6.45 a.m. It's now 9 20 a.m. and I've dealt with daily, morning 'writerly' business and written over 1000 words of my new novel, Tuesday's Child a sweet Regency Romance.

Tuesday 6 October 2015

Flash Fcition Competition

I enjoyed yesterday evening at Watford Writers. There were some excellent entries in the flash fiction competition, the theme of which was the Wrong Room.

I didn't expect to win a prize for my piece which I wrote in haste simply to participate. It is called Five Star Accommodation. A woman is made welcome at a hotel where everything is white. Her clothes are in her room but her knitting is not there. Bored she searches for some books. In the drawer by her bed she finds a pamphlet. The header is: Welcome To Hell. She is in the wrong room at the wrong time and plans to lodge a complaint.

In other words her hell is boredom in a pristine hotel.

Monday 5 October 2015

Flash Fiction

I'm looking forward to attending this evening's meeting of Watford Writers. Those who wish to have been asked to write and enter anonymous flash fiction. The theme is Wrong Room. The word length is between 250 and 275 words. More often than not, I am too busy to compete in flash fiction at Watford Writers. owever, although I don't expect to win I've written my Wrong Room tale with a twist at the end and chose a title for it. Members will read copies of all the entries and enter a score of 1 - 10 on a tick sheet. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for the stories with the three highest scores.

Thursday 1 October 2015

Research & Writing Historical Fiction

I had decided to complete the first draft of my new novel, Tuesday's Child, a traditional Regency Novel, without pausing to research. Until yesterday I put a word in bold to remind me to research a fact when I work on the second draft. Having made that decision I decided on the minimum number of words I should write every day in order to finish the first draft by mid December. Yesterday, the current chapter didn't evolve according to plan. I spent most of the time dedicated to writing researching essential facts and failed to complete my self-imposed number of words. That is annoying because it's so difficult to find time to catch up when I don't reach my targets. If I had a report card I would enter :'Must try harder.'

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Sunday's Child by Rosemary Morris Back Cover


Sunday’s Child By Rosemary Morris

A Sweet Regency Novel

Back Cover

 

Georgianne Whitley’s beloved father and brothers died in the war against Napoleon Bonaparte. While she is grieving for them, she must deal with her unpredictable mother’s sorrow, and her younger sisters’ situation caused by it.

 Georgianne’s problems increase when the arrogant, wealthy but elderly Earl of Pennington, proposes marriage to her for the sole purpose of being provided with an heir. At first she is tempted by his proposal, but something is not quite right about him. She rejects him not suspecting it will lead to unwelcome repercussions.

 Once, Georgianne had wanted to marry an army officer. Now, she decides never to marry ‘a military man’ for fear he will be killed on the battlefield. However, Georgianne still dreams of a happy marriage before unexpected violence forces her to relinquish the chance to participate in a London Season sponsored by her aunt.

 Shocked and in pain, Georgianne goes to the inn where her cousin Sarah’s step-brother, Major Tarrant, is staying, while waiting for the blacksmith to return to the village and shoe his horse. Recently, she has been reacquainted with Tarrant—whom she knew when in the nursery—at the vicarage where Sarah lives with her husband Reverend Stanton.

 The war in the Iberian Peninsula is nearly at an end so, after his older brother’s death, Tarrant, who was wounded, returns to England where his father asks him to marry and produce an heir.

 To please his father, Tarrant agrees to marry, but due to a personal tragedy he has decided never to father a child.

 When Georgianne, arrives at the inn, quixotic Tarrant sympathises with her unhappy situation. Moreover, he is shocked by the unforgivably brutal treatment she has suffered.

 Full of admiration for her beauty and courage Tarrant decides to help Georgianne.

 Available from MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

To read the first three chapters and view the book trailer please visit: www.rosemarymorris.co.uk
 

Sunday 27 September 2015

Early Morning Service & Weeding

I attended early morning service and returned home feeling cheerful. After a glass of water and a snack, I worked in the garden. I cleared a flower bed of grass and weeds, and found a space for one of the hollyhocks planted from seed and debated whether or not to dig up the geraniums in the bed, pot them up and put them in the greenhouse. Usually, they survive over winter in my greenhouse.

Friday 25 September 2015

Novelist's List of Things To Do

I like to be as organised as possible. Writing and 'writerly' activities 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., even if I break off mid-sentence at 10 a.m.when drafting my new novel,Tuesday's Child a sweet Regency romance, and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Mind you, the hours are not set in concrete but I do write etc., nearly almost every day.
Lists help me to plan what I'm going to do. I have three lists titled, Urgent, Necessary and non-urgent. At the moment I have the following on my lists. Complete 30,000 words of my novel by the 30th September. Complete 60,000 words by the 31st October. Write a blog for Love Romance Cafe, which will be published in mid-October. Learn more about Amazon alogorithms and social media. Add my author's page to amazon.ca. And various other 'writerly' matters.
On today's urgent list. Sow the broad bean seeds which have been soaking in water overnight and also sow rocket outdoors. Cover the turnip and radish seedlings with fleece because an animal - probably a fox - dug a hole at the end of the rows. Plant green and purple basil in pots and stand the pots on the heated propagator. Make spiced vinegar for beetroot pickle made with beetroots from the garden which I have already cooked - this is on my urgent list but it won't take long.
However, lists are not infallible. Yesterday, one of the most urgent things on my shopping list was sugar because I plan to make more marrow and ginger jam spiced with cardamon, and some apple butter with windfalls this week. I forgot to buy the sugar and had to pop into the corner shop to buy some before I attended my 14 year-old grandson's birthday.

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Gardening Organically & Cooking

Beautiful day here in S. E. England, so I took advantage of it. I sowed winter lettuce in a trough in the greenhouse, and also sowed land cress, mizuna and rocket in trays. I use home made compost and add liquid manure to it i.e. chicken manure steeped in water. A couple of days ago I boiled rosehips and cooking apples until they were soft. I then left the mixture to strain through a jelly bag. I didn't have time to make the jelly so I put the liquid in the fridge. Today, I m...ade the jelly. Phew, it's always difficult to judge when the fruit has set. I also made macaroni cheese and cooked potato, carrots and runner beans from the garden for lunch. For desert I had stewed Bramley Apples - the apples from the garden. Then, with a little time left over I made scones to have with butter and homemade jam before I give my daughter a hand with her children this evening. All in all a very satisfying morning.

Tuesday 22 September 2015

Where Do You Find Ideas For Your Novels

When someone asks me: Where do you get the ideas for your historical fiction?:  I reply that reading historical non fiction often triggers an idea. For example, while reading about James I's flight from England, I sympathised with noblemen whose honour did not allow them to swear an oath of allegiance first to his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange, who ascended his throne, and, after their deaths, to his daughter Anne during his life. I asked myself what the effect of their refusal would be on their children. With the plot an theme in mind, I imagined the hero and heroine and their circumstances. Next I named them. Finally I filled in detailed character profiles. When they were completed I wrote the first sentence of Tangled Love. I find lengthy character profiles for major characters and shorter ones for minor characters very useful to refer to as I write. Instead of pausing to consider, for example, who their parents are or where they went to school I already the answers. However, this doesn't mean they can't surprise me.

Saturday 19 September 2015

Growing Tomatoes

At last, a sunny day after several chilly, rainy days. I took advantage of it after I completed the self-imposed quota of words for my new novel.  I sowed a row of radish seeds and then cut off the foliage on the tomato plants in the front garden so that the plants would put all their energy into the fruit.. Short of time earlier in the year I planted the pot grown tomatoes in the front garden, but from then on did not have time to nurture them. More recently I discovered masses of tomatoes on the plants that were sprawled over the ground. I shoved stakes into the earth and tied the plants to them. Today I picked a few ripe ones. Hopefully, more will ripen before the first frost is forecast. If they do, I'll have the best harvest I've ever had and might stop growing any in the green house. Cross fingers the crop won't be ruined by tomato blight. I think I'll make a tomato sandwich to eat at teatime.

Friday 18 September 2015

Productive Day

Very productive day. Off to a good start with the novel when everything fell into place as I wrote. I might hate it when I revise, but for now I'm pleased. Early in the day the sun shone so I decided to sow radishes and winter lettuce after I finished working on the novel. To my annoyance it poured with rain. Housebound, I made five pounds of apple chutney. I also simmered rosehips and apples to make rosehip jelly. The juice is now dripping through a jelly bag.

Thursday 17 September 2015

Missing Heroine

I worked on my novel for longer than usual. Afterwards something niggled at the back of my mind while I collected a prescription from the doctor's surgery, had it filled in at the chemist and then withdrew some money from the bank. I hurried home to greet son number two whose birthday is today. Off we went to my favourite vegetarian restaurant, Sakonis, in Harrow. As usual the food was delicious. While enjoying both the meal and my son's company, I realised what was wrong the part I wrote this morning. The hero attends a dinner at his parents' house to which, I realised, the heroine should have been invited. Tomorrow, much to her relief and my own she will be there.

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Almost Wasted Day

Apart from being on target with my new novel, today has been unsatisfactory.  Yesterday I went for a deep tissue massage. This morning when I woke I ached all over and some of my joints hurt. Nevertheless, I forced myself to make a birthday cake for son number two. I tried a vegan recipe in this month's edition of Asda's free magazine. It includes maple syrup, dates and pecans. The flavour is delicious but the cake is heavy. I weighed all the ingredients carefully, followed the instructions and backed it in a pre-heated oven. After lunch, because the after effects of the deep tissue massages always make me tired on the following day I continued reading Mary Called Magdalene by Margaret George and then had a nap.

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Nature's Bounty

After a weekend at my youngest son's house I brought home four pounds of blackberries picked in the woods behind his house. I also came back with a couple of pounds of rosehips from his garden with which I shall make either rosehip syrup or jelly. In addition to the blackberries and rosehips I brought home a large bag of apples from his garden. Added to those from my four apple trees if they store well I'll be lucky. Unfortunately, the internet service at my son's house is  pedestrian.  Yesterday, I was busy so I did not post any messages. Today I got on with writing Tuesday's Child before making four pounds of blackberry and apple jam, after which I went for a deep tissue massage.  Tomorrow, as the masseuse suggested I should take things easy.

Saturday 12 September 2015

Tuesday's Child - Introducing the Back Story

My new sweet Regency Novel is a follow on novel from Sunday's Child published by MuseItUpPublishing. The heroine is one of the characters in Sunday's Child. It is essential to include some of her back story. Although I didn't intend revise the novel until I finished the first draft I realised that I needed another way to present the back story to the reader. After worrying about it while I wrote 22,600 words, I realised the best thing to do would be to write a prologue with the relevant, but amended, text taken from Sunday's Child. I drafted the prologue this morning and think I've solved the problem.

Friday 11 September 2015

Writing a New Novel - New Technique

This is the first time that I have written the first draft of a novel without revising and editing each chapter after I have finished it. It is also the first time that I have not researched details as I write. For example I referred to a child riding a pony and wrote pony in bold. When I revise the novel I will research ponies and name the breed which he is riding. I am nervous, but if I can stick to my target to write a set number of words every day the first draft of my novel, Tuesday's Child, which will be approximately, 95,000 words, should be finished in late December or early January. At the moment real life has intervened so I'm 1,800 words behind, and this weekend I'm visiting my youngest son and his children. Hopefully, I will manage to fit in some writing.

Thursday 10 September 2015

Writing, Gardening

The sun's shining today. It's not too hot and there's pleasant breeze. I couldn't resist cutting an hour off my writing time and getting on in the garden. I transplanted hollyhocks grown from seed. They are biennials but if they are cut back to the ground after flowering they should thrive for several years.  I've planted them against the wall in two beds in the front garden. Their spires of flowers should make a splash of colour next summer. I also transplanted alpine strawberries grown from seed in the greenhouse.. I panted a double row which form a miniature hedge. The delicious  taste of their small fruit always lingers in the mouth.  I'll catch up with my writing schedule this evening.

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Excuses for Not Writing

Shame on me I haven't posted here or blogged for two days or met my writing targets for several reasons. First of all I was engrossed in a historical novel, which held out the promise of a new slant on the Princes in the Tower of London allegedly murdered by Richard III. Bitterly disappointed because the slant was not new. Secondly, surprise visitors took up most of my time. They were welcome but prevented me from meeting my writing targets. Finally, yesterday I prepared a la...rge marrow to make marrow and ginger jam, cooked a huge pasta for daughter's children who will come to tea after school, picked apples and pears and did so much more. In the afternoon I went on line to order a repeat prescription, and to order winter lettuce and radish seeds. In the evening I read Grow Your Own from beginning to end and began to read the latest edition of Writing Magazine.

Sunday 6 September 2015

Daily Writing Target

It's now 10.15 a.m. With time out for breakfast, which included a delicious peach from the mini-tree in my greenhouse, I've been writing and dealing with 'writerly' matters for four hours. I have written just over 20,000 words of my sweet Regency Novel Tuesday's Child so I have met my daily target. The sun is shining, I'll be meeting up with most of my family at a festival so it's time to turn off the laptop.

Saturday 5 September 2015

Busy Day and My Writing Schedule

A very early start this morning followed by a busy day, but I'm pleased because, this evening, I've written my daily quota of words for my new, sweet Regency Romance, Tuesday's Child, a follow on novel from Sunday's Child, and Monday's Child which will be published in spring 2016. Phew!

Friday 4 September 2015

Deep Tissue Massage, Rest, Tuesday's Child.

Yesterday, due to various minor but annoying aches and pains, I had a full body deep tissue massage. It's relieved most of those little miseries but afterwards I was very sleepy. In the evening I watched Jerry Hall in Who Do You Think You Are but couldn't keep my eyes open. Half way through the program I gave up and went to bed. The masseur told me to take things very easy today and I'm pleased to do so as I'm still sleepy. So I've been researching old English Villages for my new novel Tuesday's Child. I'm now about to meet my daily writing target.

Wednesday 2 September 2015

Snippets from A Country Parson. James Woodforde's Diary. Two Drunk Pigs.


April 15, 17778. “Brewed a vessel of strong Beer today. My two large Piggs (sic), by drinking some beer grounds taking out of one of my Barrels today, got so amazingly drunk by it, that they were not able to stand and appeared like dead things almost, and so remained all night from dinner time today. I never saw Piggs so drunk in my life, I slit their ears for them without feeling.”

 Which leads me to the question: Why did Parson Woodforde slit their ears. Tut tut, today, what would the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have to say about that?

 April 16, 1778 “My two Piggs (sic) are still unable to walk yet, but they are better than they were yesterday. They tumble about the yard and can by no means stand at all steady yet. In the afternoon my 2 Piggs (sic) were tolerably sober.”

 I wonder if the pigs also had hangovers.

 May 21, 1778. “I walked up to the White Hart with Mr Lewis and Bill to see a famous Woman in Men’s Cloathes (sic), by name Hannah Snell, who was 21 years as a common soldier in the Army, and not discovered by any as a woman. Cousin Lewis has mounted guard with her abroad. She went into the Army by the name of John Gray. She has a Pension from the Crown now of 18.5.0 per annum and the liberty of wearing Men’s Coathes and also a Cockade in her Hat, which she still wears. She has laid in a room with 70 soldiers and not discovered by any of them. The forefinger of her right hand was cut by a Sword at the taking of Pondicherry. She is now about 60 years of age and talks very sensible and well, and travels the country with a Basket at her back, selling Buttons, Garters, laces etc. I took 4 Pr of 4d Buttons and gave her 0.2.6.”

 What would the Ministry of Defence make of her today?

A Country Parson:James Woodforde's Diary 1759-1802

With great enjoyment I am reading A Country Parson. James Woodforde's Diary 1759 - 1802. I hope you will find the snippets interesting.
February 3rd, 1768.

"...One Sarah Gore, came to see me this morning and brought me an instrument from the Court of Wells, to perform publick (sic) Pennance next Sunday at C. Cary Church for having a child, which I am to administer to her publickly (sic) next Sunday after Divine Service."
...
My mind boggles about what Human Rights Ativists would say if this happened today.

" March 29, 1777 ...Andrews the smuggler brought to me this night about 11 o' clock a bagg (sic) of Hyson Tea 6 Pd weight. He frightened us a little by whistling under the Parlour Window just as we were going to bed. I gave him some Geneva and paid him for the tea at 10/6 per Pd."

Well, smuggling tea was definitely preferable to today's People Smugglers.

"July 22, 1777 Robert Biggen for stealing Potatoes was this afternoon whipp'd thro' the streets of Cary by the Hangman at the end of a Cart. He was whipped from the George Inn to the Angel, from thence back thro' the street to the Royal Oak in South Cary and so back to the George Inn. He being an old offender there was a collection of 0.17.6 given to the Hangman to do him justice. But it was not much for all that-the Hangman was an old Man and a most villainous looking Fellow indeed. For my part I would not contribute one Farthing to it."

My mind is suffering from the equivalent of shell shock at the thought of modern day Human Rights Activists having a field day if this happened now. Can you imagine the publicity in the media?

Tuesday 1 September 2015

A New Method to Write Novels.

To write my sweet Regency  novel, Tuesday's Child I have changed my method. I have decided how many words I need to write a day in order to finish the first draft, which will be approximately 95,000 words. Previously, before I began to write the next part I would read the previous day's output. Now I continue without revising or editing. Also, instead of simultaneously researching and writing, I am now noting the need to research something in bold. I hope that by changing my method I will complete and submit Tuesday's Child more quickly than I finished and submitted my previous novels. It's a bit scary writing like this but I'm hoping it will be worthwhile.

Monday 31 August 2015

Apples and Plums

After torrential rain today I ventured out to pick ripe apples and plums from the trees in the garden. The fruit is delicious. The apples crisp and sweet, the plums sweet and juicy. And, for a change, this year there aren't many wasps buzzing around the plums.

Saturday 29 August 2015

'Writerly' Activities and Family

Must confess I've neglected 'writerly' activities. It's still the school holidays so, on Friday, I had the pleasure of three of my grandchildren's company for the day. In the evening my daughter joined us at dinner. I served a vegetarian version of a Boston three bean bake with creamy mashed potatoes and a blackberry and apple pie with cream for dessert. Yesterday, guiltily aware that I had not met my writing target for the previous day I doubled up on the number of words that I usually write. I exceeded the target for Tuesday's Child, my new sweet romantic historical. I then indulged in reading for the rest of the day. Daughter's children are back at my house for the night. They are sleeping like angels. Today, we are going to lunch at our favourite vegetarian restaurant, Sakonis in Harrow.

Thursday 27 August 2015

Writing Target, Cooking, Cook in A Stately Home

This morning I met my writing target earlier than usual. After breakfast I nipped out to get some milk and take some money out of the bank.

After I came home I made 4lbs of redcurrant jelly. (I didn't have time to make it before I went on holiday at the end of July, so I boiled the redcurrants with the correct amount of water, strained it through muslin and put the liquid in the freezer.) Next I made a blackberry and apple pie, after which I made more mango ice-cream - the g...randchildren will really love me this year as its their favourite homemade ice cream. I then made my lunch, a vegetable pie, sweetcorn, potatoes, gravy and home grown runner beans. By the time the kitchen was clean and tidy I needed to put my feet up after I ate.

How did a cook in a stately home cope? Meals for the upper class and dinner parties etc., as well as meals for the servants. No electric gadgets such as food mixers and blenders, no fridges, freezers and dishwashers. Ranges fuelled by wood or coal etc. etc. How on earth did the cook keep going even if she had kitchen staff?

Wednesday 26 August 2015

Rainy Day

Yesterday, the weather didn't look too bad but the minute after I hung the washing on the line in the garden it started to rain. I left it on the line overnight. Today the rain poured as though a monsoon had arrived. The laundry's still outside. Unable to finish tidying up the front garden, I made more plum cordial and mango ice cream as well as starting to tidy my office aka the spare bedroom.

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Which Are the Correct Classification of my Novels?

I write novels set in times past. I agonise over how to describe them. The hero and heroine are imaginary but they are not 21st century people dressed in costume. The novels  are romances enriched with historical facts and  social history. My hero and heroine's bedroom door is never wide open. So, how should I describe my books? Are the historical novels, historical romances or romantic historicals? And which term is the best to describe them - traditional, sweet or clean? I want to send a clear message to potential readers.

Monday 24 August 2015

Writing Targets - Cooking - Plum Cordial - Ice Cream - 3 Bean Bake

The weather forecast predicts rain so I shall cook after I finish this morning's writing targets. To start with I'm going to make plum cordial. I shall simmer the bullace, small wild plums with water until they are soft, then strain them through muslin overnight. Tomorrow, I shall bring the liquid to the boil add sugar, stir the cordial until the sugar has dissolved and then bottle it in sterilised bottles. I am also going to make several strawberry ice cream and at least two batches of mango ice cream which I shall freeze. (My ice cream maker is an excellent investment.) Finally I shall make a vegetarian large three bean bake with black eye-beans, cannelloni beans and freshly picked runner beans. I shall add deep fried cubes of paneer, an Indian cheese, which will soak up the flavours of the tomato and spices.

Sunday 23 August 2015

Early Morning Service and Today's Targets

I went to the early morning service this morning. I enjoyed the excellent sermon about appreciating others and thanking them for what they do. After all, what would the premises look like without the unpaid cleaners, the flower arrangers, fund raisers  and others who serve God. I left feeling energised and full of good will. On the way home I stopped at my daughter's house, then socialised wither her and my grandchildren instead of going home and getting on. I have a lot of writing to do if I'm going to meet today's targets. There's also 8 pounds of rather small plums in the fridge to be made into something, 3 cartons of double cream, a large punnet of strawberries and 2 boxes of mangos in the fridge. I plan to make strawberry ice cream and mango ice cream. Then there's the week's laundry to catch up on, and I'm baby child sitting this evening while my daughter goes out. Before I go I should pick the ripe plums from my tree and...and...and. Deep sigh. I doubt that I will accomplish all of today's goals.

Saturday 22 August 2015

Novel Competions

I entered a novel in two competitions and paid extra for the readers' comments. Well you know the saying you can please some of the people all of the time but not all of the people all of the time, it certainly applied to the comments. One reader praised my writing style but didn't like anything else about the novel. He or she couldn't identify with the main characters. Although I won neither competition the other reader really liked it. However, if I had depended on the first writer's opinion I might have given up on the novel.

Friday 21 August 2015

Good Weather and Home Grown Vegetables

Today the weather in South East England is perfect - sunny with a pleasant breeze After writing for two and a half hours I ate breakfast in the garden. An hour later I picked pounds of runner beans, half of which I gave to a friend.

Before I went on holiday this year I transferred some of the six different varieties of tomatoes I grew from seed into pots. The rest I planted in a space in the front garden. The ones in pots haven't done very well. The outdoor ones have run wild without any care and attention. Today I began to prune them and discovered that the lower part of each plant is loaded with cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, salad tomatoes and a new striped variety. They are looking good pruned and tied them to bamboo canes. I incerely hope they won't be attacked by tomato blight.

The rest of the vegetable patches and the fruit trees are very productive this year. I'm looking forward to delicious apples, pears and plums.

Thursday 20 August 2015

Finding Time for Historical Research

Finding time to research historical facts by reading non-fiction.

Last night my five year old granddaughter had a sleepover at my house. This morning, as a reward for her excellent behaviour for the last month I took her to Gambados, an indoor play area. We were there for two hours. In spite of the loud background music, parents talking and many children having a good time, I got on with my research.

I read and put post it notes with remarks on pages of particular interest. An added bonus were the ideas for the plot and descriptions in my new clean Regency novel, Tuesday's Child.

Wednesday 19 August 2015

Very Unwelcome London Visitors

According to my research, in the past, bedbugs were far less prevalent in the country than in the towns.

At the Bell Savage Inn in London, in May, 1782, Parson Woodforde recorded that in 1782, when he stayed at the Bell Savage Inn in London,  "I was terribly bitten by the buggs last night, but did not wake me." In 1786 while staying at the place he wrote that buggs pestered him so much that he slept all night in a chair fully clad.

Moving onto a much later period my great-grandmother stood the legs of her beds in bowls of paraffin to prevent bedbugs getting into the beds, and she swept underneath the beds every day.

And people talk about the good old days.

Horror of horrors, I've heard that in modern times bedbugs brought into the country from overseas have infested some London hotels. The thought of staying in one literally makes my skin crawl.

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Research- Regency-Water Closets-Coaches

Today, we take lavatories, toilets, loos - call them what you will - and public conveniences for granted, unless we are 'in the back of beyond'.

While reading A Visitor's Guild to:Jane Austen's England by Sue Wilkes, I made a note of the following. After all, one never knows what will come in useful when writing historical fiction.

"Many people love travelling despite the discomforts, but you'll have to endure some discomforts if travelling far off the beaten track. A writer in 'The Monthly Magazine' advised their readers to ask their coach builder to fit a substitute 'for a water closet' when having a new closed-carriage built. In remote places like the Scottish Highlands some of the smaller stages have no privy attached; even the inns in little towns often have no conveniences where you can relieve yourself, except 'a dirty exposed' place."



Monday 17 August 2015

Writing Technique for my New Novel

Really pleased with myself. I've kept to my target of writing a minimum number of words every day and have written the first 10,000 words of Tuesday's Child. On good days I exceed my target. I'm writing faster than usual because I'm leaving blanks re:historical details that I need to research. I have a comprehensive library of non-fiction books about the Regency Era so I should be able to fill in most of the blanks without much difficulty.
Rosemary Morris
Historical Novelist
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Sunday 16 August 2015

Bhagavadgita As It Is.Philosophy, Sentimentality. Fanaticism

At the moment I am re-reading The Bhagavadgita As It Is translated into English and with purports - by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The following made an impression on me: "Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism." Chapter Three Text Three.

Saturday 15 August 2015

The Regency and The Minuet

I enjoy historical research. Today I have been reading about dancing and music. In 1816 Thomas Wilson, a dance master, insisted the stately minuet should open a ball. In 1813 the Prince Regent held a ball that began and ended with a minuet. As far as I know, it was unusual to end a ball with one,
In towns such as Bath where there were many elderly people balls began with a minuet during the first quarter of the 19th century and, possibly, later.

Friday 14 August 2015

Historical Research

It is all too easy to become careless about research when writing a novel whether it is contemporary or historical

I knew that young boys in the Regency wore dresses and ankle length drawers. However, I assumed they were breeched by the age of three.

The heroine in my new novel, Tuesday's Child, has a three and three quarter year-old son.

I researched children's clothes. Boys wore skeleton suits. The ankle length trousers fastened with buttons to a tight jacket that had a double row of buttons fastened down the front. Alternatively, the trousers were fastened to a shirt, so that the jacket could be left open to reveal frills down the front of a blouse, which had a wide collar edged with a frill.

I described young Arthur in his 'skeleton suit' and tried, unsuccessfully, to find out if the term was used in the Regency period.

After much more research I found out that boys were not breeched until they were about five years of age. Arthur now wears a  gown with a high waist and low neck, ankle length drawers, and white stockings. When he goes out he wears a top hat instead of a bonnet that girls wore.

I still need to research fabrics - materials, wool, cotton, silk, plain, sprigged, patterned or tartan.
As a historical novelist I try my hardest to be accurate. 

Rosemary Morris
http://rosemarymorris.blogspot.com

Thursday 13 August 2015

Gardening, Rain, Mango Ice Cream, Cous-Cous Recipe, Delicious Lunch

By midday the rain poured down so I retreated indoors, having planted out lupins and sweet Williams I grew from seeds, which will flower next year. Unable to do any more gardening I made a batch of mango ice cream and put it in the freezer. After I emptied the dishwasher, cleaned and tidied the kitchen it was nearly time to have lunch. I had intended to make a salad but didn't brave the rain to forage in the garden. So I made cous cous. I put one third of a cup of cous cous in a saucepan and added one third of a cup plus a little extra of boiling water and a vegetarian stock cube. I stirred the mixture well. I then cut up the left over potato and runner beans from yesterday into small pieces and added two chopped, fresh apricots. After ten minutes I added this to the cous cous, heated it in the mircrowave and topped it with a generous helping of butter. For desert I couldn't resist some mango ice cream. As I say to small children. Yummy, yummy for the tummy.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

My Guest Interview at Love Romance Cafe


Whenever I am interviewed online, I look at the webpage and think: Is that really me.

 Today my latest interview with Love Romance Café is at:-


 Wow! My thanks to Ally and any of you who visit it.

 

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Blood Test and an Apricot Tree

Mixed day today. The worst thing was a blood test. My veins object to parting with blood so my doctor uses a butterfly needle which was invented for premature babies. Afterwards I had a decaffeinated latte with my daughter before going to Homebase. The local branch is closing down so everything is on sale. I treated myself to a self-fertile apricot tree which will take 2 years to fruit. Pleased with the bargain I lunched with friends, had a natter and then went to the library. I put my feet up in the afternoon and am now child minding my daughters' children. The youngest, my five year-old granddaughter is playing on the wee with a loud running commentary and her brothers are playing on the wi fi. Mind you, their mother limits the amount of time they may spend on these devices. On reflection not a bad day in spite of the dreaded blood test before which I wrote my self-imposed number of words.

Monday 10 August 2015

A Novelist's Plan for Today

Today has started well. I woke at 6 a.m., and drank a glass of water, for which my kidneys will thank me, before going outside and turning on the sprinkler to water the fruit trees. I then put all my white clothes in the washing machine and turned it on. Next I wrote 600 words of Tuesday's Child my new traditional Regency Romance, by then the washing was ready to come out of the machine, so I took it out. I nipped out into the garden and moved the sprinkler so that my curly kale, black kale, chard, brussel sprouts, lettuce etc., would be get plenty of water. Back indoors put the coloureds in the washing machine and turned it on, gave my  kidneys a treat with another glass of water and then returned to my laptop.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the day. When I finish dealing with 'writerly' matters I shall work in the garden and make a salad with home grown ingredients, one of which will be Russian salad made with potato, carrot and French beans from the garden. In the afternoon I'll read and then write etc. 

This evening I will attend the writing group that I belong to.

I propose and hope God will not dispose of my plans.

Sunday 9 August 2015

Review of Tangled Love:Early18thc Historical Fiction


 

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K

 

 

5* review of Rosemary Morris’s Tangled Love on Amazon by J. Pittam.

I very much enjoyed this new author. Tangled Love is set at the turn of the 18th century it follows the fortunes of Richelda, poverty-stricken daughter of a now-dead Jacobite. Richelda is haunted by the childhood oath she made at her father's instigation, to regain their ancestral home. She knows she has little chance of fulfilling that dream - until her wealthy aunt promises to make Richelda her heiress. But there is a condition; she must marry the man of her aunt's choosing- Viscount Lord Chesney. Richelda's feelings for Chesney are ambivalent and her heart already belongs to her penniless childhood companion, Dudley.

Love and betrayal, misplaced loyalties, even the promise of a treasure trove make this a charming story with a well-rounded, believable heroine and a delicious hero. Rosemary Morris's attention to historical detail brings period and place vividly to life. More please.

 

Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

 

To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

Saturday 8 August 2015

6th & final extract from Tangled Love:Early 18thc. Historical Fiction


Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

 

Richelda has gone from riches to rags after the death of her parents. She has inherited Bellemont House in which she lives alone with her mother’s childhood nurse. Her aunt suggested Viscount Chesney should marry him. He has come to meet her.

 


 


Extract from Chapter Three


 

Hertfordshire - England

 

 

‘Elsie,” Richelda said to her late mother’s childhood nurse,” I am tired of struggling. I shall sell the estate to Jack, except for a snug cottage and a few acres of land for my own use.’

 ‘Sell Bellemont to His Grace!’ Elsie twined her work-roughened fingers together. ‘Lord above, my wits have gone begging? I’ve forgotten to say a visitor awaits you.’

 Richelda wiped her face on her coarse apron. ‘Visitor?’ She forced herself to her feet.

‘Yes, a fine gentleman, Viscount Chesney by name, is waiting for you in the parlour.’

Heavens above, he must be the man whose identity she mistook earlier on for Lord Greaves.

A long male shadow fell across the dark oak floor before the parlour door closed. She caught her breath. Either Elsie left the door ajar by mistake or her uninvited guest had opened it and eavesdropped.

After washing and changing, Richelda went down the broad flight of oak stairs.  Looking at Elsie, she raised her eyebrows.

Elsie nodded her approval and pointed at the parlour door. ‘He’s still in there. I’ll fetch some elderflower wine.’

‘No, come with me -’ she began, but Elsie, with speed surprising in one of her size, bustled into a passage that led to the kitchen.

He will not recognize me, Richelda reassured herself.  She mimicked her late mother’s graceful walk, entered the room and coughed to attract attention.

Viscount Chesney turned away from the window. He gazed at her intently. ‘Lady Richelda?’

She curtsied wishing she also wore exquisitely cut black velvet and silk instead of a threadbare gown fashioned from one of her mother’s old ones. He bowed and extended a perfectly manicured hand.

Ashamed of her rough hands, she permitted him to draw her to her feet. ‘You have the advantage of knowing my name.’ She looked into grey eyes reminiscent of still water on an overcast day.

‘Lord Chesney at your service, my lady.’

‘I am honoured to make your acquaintance, my lord. Please take a seat.’

He laughed. ‘Lady Richelda, although I did not introduce myself to you earlier, I hoped you would say you are pleased to renew your acquaintance with me.’

She tilted her chin. ‘You mistake me for someone else.’

‘I do not. Your eyes and voice are unforgettable.’

‘What can you mean?’

‘Why are you pretending to misunderstand me,’ he drawled. ‘Shall we sit?  No, do not look at me so distrustfully. I did not seize the opportunity to manhandle you earlier today. Word of a gentleman there is no need to fear me either now or in future.’

Somewhat nervous in spite of his assurance, she sat opposite him. While she regained her composure, she put her feet side by side on a footstool.

‘If you confess, I will not tell your aunt.’

‘My aunt?’ 

‘Yes, she wishes me to make your acquaintance.’

Her mother’s family shunned her. They feared being tainted by her late father’s politics. The viscount must have referred to Father’s only close relative, his sister, Lady Ware. ‘Aunt Isobel?’ she queried, suspicious because she knew her mother, born into a family with puritanical inclinations, despised Aunt Isobel’s frivolity.

He nodded.

‘But my aunt -’

Burdened by a tray, Elsie entered the room. She put it down and served them with elderflower wine, before she withdrew.

Chesney eyed his glass of wine with obvious mistrust. ‘Why did you sigh, Lady Richelda?’

She refrained from explaining she longed to eat something other than her daily fare of boiled puddings, flavoured with herbs, mixed with vegetables and served with or without game birds or rabbits, which Elsie sometimes snared. 

Bowstring taut, Richelda drank some pale wine. She looked at the viscount, whose posture depicted a man at ease. ‘Please taste this wine, my lord, although you might not be accustomed to home brewed beverages, I think you will enjoy its taste.’

He sipped some. ‘An excellent tribute to Elsie’s skill. She made it did she not?’  She nodded before he spoke again. ‘Tell me, child, how long have you lived alone with Elsie?’

 ‘Since Mother died nearly a year ago.’ The pain of her mother’s death always made her mouth tremble when she spoke of her.

‘Why did you remain here?’ 

‘I hoped to improve my estate. Oh, I know everything has deteriorated, but if I could -’

He concluded her sentence. ‘Transport oak to the shipyards?’

She widened her eyes. ‘Thank you for your excellent advice, my lord, I daresay you noticed my valuable stands of oak when you approached Bellemont?’

Although he chuckled, his eyes remained serious. ‘Never forget I do not allow anyone to play me for a fool, not even a hoyden of an actress, worthy of note though you are.’

Outraged by being called a hoyden for the second time, that day she stood. ‘Please leave.’

Viscount Chesney rose to approach her. Muscles across the breadth of his shoulders rippled beneath his coat, a testament to his tailor’s skill. When he put a hand on either side of her waist, she trembled. His lordship was tall, taller than Dudley. Her head only reached his throat. When she looked up at Chesney his breath warmed her forehead. She trembled again.

 

Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

 

To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

Friday 7 August 2015

Tangled Love:Excerpt:18thc. Historical Fiction


Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

 


 


Chapter Two


London - 1702

 

Chesney stepped from Lady Ware’s spacious house into King Street, and walked towards Whitehall. Although the proposal to marry Lady Richelda took him by surprise, he gave further thought to accepting it. Yet he would not wait for Lady Richelda to come to town where she would doubtless parade in the latest fashions, powder and patch. Where did she live?  He searched his memory. Ah, now he remembered. She lived at Bellemont which Lady Ware had mentioned lay close by his newly purchased property. Why not hazard a journey there and cast an eye over both domains?

His stride quickened to keep pace with his racing mind. Was the young lady tall or short, plain or pretty, blonde or brunette, meek or shrewish, illiterate or well educated?

Cocksure, Chesney took her acceptance of his proposal for granted. After all, why should she refuse a well-educated, not ill favoured viscount?

He knew it was time to settle down and have a family.  If she proved suitable he would wed her. He would welcome her inheritance. For his part, he would try not to give her cause for complaint by ensuring she lacked naught. They would refurbish Field House, improve the estate and purchase a town house.

His inner voice nagged him. What of love?

For most people of his rank, sentiment had little to do with marriage. In fact, some said no lady concerned herself with the vulgarity of love or passion. A wife’s happiness and satisfaction should be derived through ensuring her husband’s comfort, good works, plying her needle and raising children.

He sighed. A man in his position must marry if only to father heirs.

 ‘Look an Adonis? Who is he?’ A high-pitched female voice interrupted his thoughts.

Chesney looked round at a powdered and patched lady with rouged cheeks who stared at him.

‘I don’t know, I think he’s a newcomer to town,’ her companion, a younger lady said in an equally strident tone.

Unaffected by their comments he laughed. Since his youth women commented on his height and his perfect proportions. He did not consider himself vain, but unlike some members of his gentlemen’s club, who took little exercise and overate, he fenced, hunted, rode and walked to keep his body fit.

The older lady inclined her head, the younger one winked before they went about their business.

Chesney whistled low. What would Lady Richelda think of him? He contemplated his future with pleasure. With a smile, he thought of London’s coffeehouses, theatres, parks, concerts and pleasure gardens. Lady Richelda’s inheritance, added to his more modest one, would ensure they could command the elegancies of life.

When he reached his lodgings, he summoned Roberts. ‘Pack, we leave for Field House tomorrow. Send a message to the stables. I require my coach at eight in the morning. Is there anything to eat?’

Roberts shook his head.

‘Order some mutton pies from the tavern. Do you want me to die of hunger?  Hurry, man, what do you tarry for?’  He clapped his hands, his mind racing with thoughts of the future.

Roberts bowed low. He straightened, regarding him with his face creased in familiar lines of despair.

 ‘What?’ Chesney sighed. Why did he always feel dishevelled in his manservant’s presence?  Roberts was only six years his senior but Chesney could not remember a day when the man did not wear an immaculate black cloth suit, a neat black waistcoat and unwrinkled stockings.

‘Firstly, my lord, the sooner you purchase a London House and employ a cook the better it will be. Secondly, with all due respect, my lord, your appearance grieves me.’

Chesney looked contritely at his black, buckled shoes and his white silk stockings splashed with muck from London’s filthy streets. He knew Roberts aspired to take the credit for him always being dressed to perfection.  ‘Do not despair, you shall have the pleasure of dressing me in fine clothes on my wedding day,’ he teased.

 

Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

 To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

Thursday 6 August 2015

Tangled Love:Extract:Early 18thc. Historical Fiction


Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

Extract from Chapter One
London - 1702

Chesney rapped his cane on the front door of Lady Ware’s London mansion. Sister of his late father’s friend he did not know her well. He wondered why she had summoned him.
‘Lord Chesney?’ Bennet, Lady Ware’s middle-aged butler, queried his lined
face both respectful.
Chesney inclined his head.
‘This way, my lord. You are expected.’ Bennet led him up the stairs to a beautifully appointed parlour on the first floor where he announced him to Lady Ware.
Chesney raised his voice above the barks of six King Charles Cavalier spaniels. ‘Your servant, Lady Ware.’
Lady Ware waved a hand at her little dogs. ‘Be quiet.’ Her ladyship inclined her head to him. ‘My lord, I am pleased to see you?’
Full glass in his hand, Chesney sat.
‘My lord, I shall come straight to the point. I summoned you to propose your marriage to my niece, Richelda Shaw. In all honesty, I assure you it would be to your advantage.’
While she waited for his reply, the petite lady patted her silvery hair with one hand. With her other hand she fluttered her fan which she peeped over girlishly. 
‘You flatter me, Madam,’ he drawled.
Lady Ware’s dainty shrug released her cloying perfume of lavender mingled with roses and vanilla. She snapped her fan shut then tapped his arm with it. ‘You are mistaken. I do not flatter you. I offer you and my niece a solution. Your fathers followed King James to France. You are gossiped about.  People eye you as distrustfully as I think my niece will be eyed when I bring her to London.’
 ‘Are you not gossiped about, Lady Ware? After all, your late brother, the earl’s conversion to the Church of Rome must place you and your family under government scrutiny. For my part, I thank God my father remained true to The Anglican Church.’
Lady Ware shuddered. ‘Do not mention that matter to me, my lord. I vow I had no sympathy with my brother when he became a Papist. All I can do is thank God he was not tried as a traitor and his head is not displayed at the Tower of London.’
Chesney shifted his position, smothering a yawn behind his hand before he made a cautious reply. ‘I am neither a Jacobite nor a Papist.  I apologize for mentioning the matter of your brother’s conversion.’
‘Some more wine, Viscount?’ 
He shook his head, leaning back to deliberately present a picture of a man completely at his ease.
Lady Ware arched her eyebrows. She sipped her wine. ‘All London knows I am a wealthy woman.’ She blinked the sheen of tears from her eyes. ‘My lord, ’tis cruel not only to suffer widowhood thrice but to also lose my only child.’
Acknowledging her grief, he bowed his head. ‘My condolences, Madam.’
‘Thank you.’ She dabbed her eyes with a black handkerchief. ‘My poor daughter’s death is my niece’s gain. If Richelda is obedient, she will inherit all my property.’
Her ladyship rested her head against the back of her chair. She opened her fan and plied it restlessly while she scrutinized him.
‘What do you think of my proposal, my lord?’
Chesney sat straighter. She had not minced her words. He smiled with his usual forthrightness. ‘As yet I have neither put myself on the matrimonial market nor made my fortune and title available to any lady who wishes to marry me.’
‘I hear you purchased Field House.’ She tapped her fan on the arm of her chair.
‘Yes, I did,’ he replied in a neutral tone.
‘Well, sir, I shall speak bluntly. My niece’s lands are adjacent to yours.
Through marriage, you would double your estate by acquiring my niece’s mansion, Bellemont House and all the land around it. As for my niece, she would become mistress of Field House, my childhood home.
He inclined his head curious now as to what the old lady’s motive was. Ah, did she want him to marry her niece because she had a sentimental attachment to his estate?
Undeterred by his silence, Lady Ware continued. ‘I know your circumstances. Though you have no close relative, you are saddled with a clutch of distant relations who anticipate your help to advance in the world.’
Devil take it, she was correct. His family looked to him for patronage.  They expected him to marry well and produce an heir. Confound it, not one of them had regained their positions, lands or fortunes after the first King
Charles’s execution. Fortunately, his grandfather’s marriage to a French heiress saved he himself from poverty.
 
Her ladyship’s Roman nose twitched. Her thin lips curved in a predatory smile. ‘You will consider the match?’

Reluctant to say anything she might interpret as his agreement to marry Lady Richelda, he nodded. ‘I will do no more than consider it.’
‘Good, I shall not press you further.’ She hesitated with her fan mid-air, only to flutter it agitatedly. ‘I prefer you not to tell anyone my niece is my heiress. When she comes to town, I do not want a flock of fortune hunters to approach her.’
‘On my honour, I will not mention it to anyone. By the way, when will Lady Richelda arrive?’ 
‘This week.’
He stood. Each of the small dogs wagged their tails, stirred and yapped for attention round his ankles. Deep in thought he ignored them. Although no thought of imminent marriage had entered his head when he arrived, he might change his mind after meeting her ladyship’s niece. It was time he married and if she proved pleasant enough, maybe -.
Lady Ware clapped her hands. ‘My poppets like you and, believe me, my lord, they are good judges of character.’
Chesney restrained an incipient chuckle at his sudden notion of her ladyship’s dogs tricked out in wigs and gowns to judge him. ‘I am complimented by their approval, my lady.’ He bowed and kissed her bejewelled hand. ‘As for your niece, only providence knows if she and I are suited.’
With a rustle of silk mourning Lady Ware rose. ‘I believe you and Lady Richelda are well matched.’
Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.
To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk