1st Paragraphs of The Captain and The Countess

Release Date 21/02/2014

The Captain and The Countess

Chapter One

London 1706

 

Edward, the Right Honourable Captain Howard, dressed in blue and white, which some of the officers in Queen Anne’s navy favoured, strode into Mrs Radcliffe’s spacious house near St James Park. 

Perkins, his godmother’s butler, took his hat and cloak. “Madam wants you to join her immediately.”

Instead of going upstairs to the rooms his godmother had provided for him during his spell on half pay—the result of a dispute with a senior officer—Edward entered the salon. He sighed. When would his sixty-one year old godmother accept that at the age of twenty-two he was not yet ready to wed?

He made his way across the elegant, many windowed room through a crowd of expensively garbed callers.

When Frances Radcliffe noticed him, she turned to the pretty young lady seated beside her. “Mistress Martyn, allow me to introduce you to my godson, Captain Howard.”  

Blushes stained Mistress Martyn’s cheeks as she stood to make her curtsey.

 Edward bowed, indifferent to yet another of his grandmother’s protégées.        Conversation ceased. All eyes focussed on the threshold. 

“Lady Sinclair,” someone murmured.

Edward turned. He gazed without blinking at the acclaimed beauty, whose sobriquet was 'The Fatal Widow’. 

The countess remained in the doorway, her cool blue eyes speculative.

Edward whistled low. Could her shocking reputation be no more than tittle-tattle? His artist’s eyes observed her. Rumour did not lie about her Saxon beauty.

 

Publisher. MuseItUp Publishing

Historical Research

It poured with rain all day today so I stayed at home and nearly finished a chapter of Monday's Child. I also dealt with writerly matters. One of them was checking the date when Arthur Wellsley, the future Duke of Wellington left India, and then researching Gwalior Fort. The fort is approximately 300 feet above the plains below and is a mile and three quarters long. The pictures of it are amazing.

All in all a pleasant day until I tried to log into my e-mail accounts. It seems someone has been trying to use them. I now have to wait for 24 hours before - hopefully - I will be back on line. It's particularly annoying because my publisher had sent me something which, for the moment, I can't access. Fingers crossed, I have answered as many questions as the isp requires.

Pre-order Special Offer

Captain and The Countess
(Set in England in 1706)
           by
Rosemary Morris

Why does heart-rending pain lurk in the back of the wealthy Countess of Sinclair’s eyes? 

Captain Howard’s life changes forever from the moment he meets Kate, the intriguing Countess and resolves to banish her pain.

Although the air sizzles when widowed Kate, victim of an abusive marriage meets Edward Howard, a captain in Queen Anne’s navy, she has no intention of ever marrying again.

However, when Kate becomes better acquainted with the Captain she realises he is the only man who understands her grief and can help her to untangle her past.

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/6our-authors/authors-m/378-rosemary-morris

Helen Fairfax's Guest Today.

I'm delighted to be a guest at Helen Fairfax's blog today. The link is:  http://helenafairfax.com/2014/02/07/good-to-meet-you-author-rosemary-morris/

Somerset Levels are Flooded

The flood on the Somerset levels returned the past to me. Percy, a relative on my father's side of the family, once owned Court House in Muchenley Village. The village is now on an island surrounded by flooded fields. I am sorry for all those severely affected. After being flooded twice, and losing his dairy herd due to a foot and mouth epidemic, Percy sold Court House. I have googled the property, a Grade II listed building. The exterior pictures of it are exactly as I remember. Seeing them brought back many happy memories.

School Run and Writing.

My daughter is a little better today but I took her children to school and shall do so tomorrow. However, I slept badly and when I woke my throat was sore and my nose was blocked.  Nevertheless, I managed to finish Chapter Fourteen of Monday's Child. Phew! I've written 50,000 words of a novel I plan to be between 95 and 100 thousand words.

Emergency - Everything at a Standstill

My daughter had an asthma attack on Sunday. She saw the doctor yesterday. At the moment her lung capacity is only 30%. I'm very concerned so I've been helping out and did not have time to post yesterday.

I'll pick my granddaughter up from pre-school, cook lunch for her and her family and her help out this evening. I hope the inhaler and the medication prescribed for her kick in and she will feel much better tomorrow.

Good Day Today

Now that I've dealt with the galley for The Captain and The Countess, I'm free to return to my new novel, Sunday's Child. Very pleased because I revised two chapters before going to the local allotment society.

The flower bed to the left of the steps leading up to my house was looking dreary so I bought some polyanthas. On the way home I popped in to my daughter's house to give my grandson a few items he needed to make some buns - he's studying food technology at school, which so far as I can understand, is an upmarket word for cooking.

My 4 year old granddaughter asked to come home with me. She was thrilled to dig the holes for the polyanthas and spent ages admiring them after we planted them. We then cooked together because she, her mother and brothers were coming to dinner this evening. After dinner she played snap with her mother, the boys played ludo and, after I loaded the dishwasher, we played jenko. Great fun.

Now, although it's only 7.30 p.m. I'm tucked up in my comfortable bed writing this blog while Country File is on T.V.

Just seen the Countess of Dudley's sunken marble bath - luxury hot water and a coal fire warming the bathroom.

Galley and Gardening

Yesterday I didn't have a free moment. By the time I went to bed was too tired to blog.

This morning, I woke at six, finished the edits for The Captain and The Countess, which will be released by MuseItUp Publishing on the 21st February, and e-mailed them.

While checking my e-mails I noticed the sun had come out so, by 10 30 a.m. I was out in the garden, feet squelching after days of rain. I moved a couple of small shrubs, shifted a clump of Lady's Mantle, a particular favourite, which is so named because the leaves are supposed to resemble the Virgin Mary's cloak, and planted a hebe and a small conifer. I think the grass green conifer is in the wrong place and might move it. I also planted some narcissi bulbs which had sprouted in a plastic bag in the greenhouse.

Later, while cooking lunch, I was fascinated by the sight of a carrion crow. With its beak it picked up some bread I had scattered on the lawn, dunked the piece in the pond and then ate it. The bird repeated this several times before something startled it and it flew away. He/or she visits the pond regularly to drink, but this is the first time I have seen it dip bread in water. By the way, I hope it is not preying on the water snails!

While lunch was cooking, I refilled the bird feeders with seed, came back indoors and watched blue tits, robins and sparrows flock to it, while a female blackbird pecked at spilled seed on the ground. Very entertaining!

Asparagus and New Potatoes

An enjoyable day today. I went through another 50 pages of the galley of The Captain and The Countess, which will be published on the 21st February by MuseItUp Publishing. I then went out shopping for clothes with my daughter.

I didn't find any clothes I liked, but we ended up at Tesco where I bought 6 asparagus plants and some seed potatoes - first early salad potatoes called Charlotte. Last year I grew my first, second an maincrop potatoes in containers and in the ground. The former did best to I shall grow them all in containers this year. I've decided to grow some expensive vegetables this year so the asparagus will be a welcome addition to my vegetarian cuisine, and so will the globe artichokes which are in small pots in the greenhouse waiting to be planted out.

When I returned home the contractor phoned me and we agreed work on my new kitchen will begin on the 18th of February. I am really looking forward to the job being completed by the beginning of March.

New Kitchen

Last year the mould and damp in my kitchen was treated. Everything has dried out and the mould has not returned, so I am about to have a new kitchen. I'm pleased with my choices. A warm but not glaring yellow for the walls an old gold shade,, white woodwork and kitchen cupboards, grey tiles, grey worktops and a grey floor. I am now waiting for the contractor to let me know when work will commence. It will take two weeks of not being able to use the washing machine, dishwasher and gas cooker but as my daughter lives around the corner from me, with her kind permission, I shall use her equipment. If I become stressed by the state of the house I shall sleep at her house and relax with my grandchildren.

Writer's Group

Yesterday evening, at Watford Writers,  I read an extract from my medieval novel. It's amazing how many flaws I find when I read to an audience. I'm also grateful to members of the groups who pointed out repetitions and suggested I divide one scene into two.

Whenever I listen to other authors read their work I am always impressed by their imaginations and talent. A young lady who attended for the first time read a short story which was modern, unusual and succinct. It was a prose snapshot of a significant factor in the character's lives. A member read from her biography of a lady, who lived in the late 18th and early 19th century, and two other talented members read their poems.

Later there was a quiz. Here are a few of the 20 questions. Who only had a vocabulary of 32,000 words? What did Big Ears and Noddy quarrel about? Which two things do the castaways on Desert Island Discs always take with them? And in which year were television programmes first broadcast?

I went home happy and relaxed and woke this morning keen to get on with the galley of The Captain and The Countess.

Rainy Weather

Yesterday it rained heavily. Grey gloomy days are a bit depressing but I cheered up when the galley for The Captain and The Countess set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart - 1706 - 1714 arrived. Afterwards I cooked lunch for my youngest son and his children ( his wife was away from home for the weekend).

It's grey and gloomy again outside, but I'm back to my usual happy self and, of course, the weather keeps me indoors so it's an ideal time to work on the galley.

The Captain and The Countess

My new novel set in England in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart, 1702 - 1706, will be published on the 21st February.

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

 

 

Featured author Rosemary Morris

This week my publisher has chosen be to be a featured author. Here is the link:

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/63-our-authors/authors-m/378-rosemary-morris

 

I am delighted with it.

Under the Weather

Not sure why but I'm not feeling well at the moment so I might not blog for a few days.

Horrible History

Yesterday, after school, I took my daughter's 9 year-old to the library. Amongst other books,  he chose three Horrible History books, the ones about The Vikings, The Romans and World War Two, which he is learning about at school.

Actually, I read a bit of the Horrible History The Romans. It's really interesting and a good starting point for a historical author who wants to write about a period he/she is unfamiliar with.

My grandson came to my house delighted because he has graduated from writing with a pencil to writing with a pen. "It's taken me four years, since I first started school, to be given a pen by my teacher," he explained. "And," he added, "one of my friends is very upset because he didn't get a pen, and he writes better than me but I think it's because his w's aren't formed properly. And now, grandma, I am going to copy you and write historical fiction. Can children be published?"

"Maybe," I replied, "but I think they can enter competitions." Phew, he shares my lifelong interest in history.

He is the third want-to-write-books child in my family.  One of them has written two excellent stories about a dragon quest.

Phew!

I did not work on my new novel this morning, but to my relief I finished applying all the scribbled notes in a shorthand note pad. I found some interesting websites, recorded titles of books I want to read for pleasure and research, and much more. I'm patting myself on the back before I tackle the contents of two small notebooks.

Mild January

This morning after I worked on my new novel and checked my e-mails, I weeded another bed in the front garden. It is a mild January day on which the sun is shining and the birds are chirruping. My hanging baskets and window boxes are full of cyclamen and geraniums all in flower. The front garden is like a French potager in which I grow vegetables and flowers. At the moment the broad beans look very healthy and the pot marigolds still have some flowers. Bit by bit I'm getting rid of the weeds.

Another mild January day, the sun shining, an ideal day to get on in the garden after working on my new novel. I've nearly finished weeding the front garden which is in the style of a potager with flowers and vegetables. At the moment the broad beans are flouring, the berengia, commonly known as elephant ears, will soon be in pretty pink bloom, and the pot marigolds are still flowering. Cyclamen hanging baskets and one narrow bed  are in full flower and so are the geraniums in the hanging basket. All in all a happy time in the garden with birdsong to enjoy.

Library Books

For Christmas I received enough Amazon gift vouchers to buy an out of print book for historical research that costs £65. I dithered about whether or not to buy it and decided I should read it first. The book is not available in the county in which I live but for £3 I am able to reserve it from another county. I will be able to renew it twice which means I can make notes for nine weeks and decide whether or not I want to buy my own copy. Let us hope there are not more and more library cuts.

Knick-Knacks, No Mess, More Haste

"Don't get your Knick-Knacks in a twist," advises daughter-in-law.

"Don't get in a mess," chirps 4 year-old granddaughter.

"More haste, less speed," said my late mother.

Well, I should have taken their advice. I joined Pin Interest and have made a mess of my boards because I'm too impatient. Now, I'm not sure how to cancel them and begin again.

Knick-Knacks, More Haste

"Don't get your knick-knacks in a twist," advices one of my daughter-in-laws. "Don't make a mess," chirps 4 year-old granddaughter. "More haste less speed," my late mother used to say. Well, I should have taken their advice. I'm too impatient. I joined

Business, Writing and Gardening.

If anyone had told me how much business is necessary after a novel is published I think I would have fainted. This morning, I dealt with some, revised two chapters of Monday's child, a traditional historical romance. Outside, a woodpecker treated himself to some peanuts from the feeder hanging from the plum tree. The sun shone, the weather is mild for this time of the year so I spent a happy hour weeding part of the front garden.

An Ivory Tower

My instinct is to lock myself in an ivory tower, aka the spare bedroom, and write my novels. (I would open the door to receive drinks, meals and snacks with profound gratitude.

The ivory tower is unsuitable. I would be forced to emerge from it to deal with business and keep up with online sites. Today, I visited Link In after a long absence and found many messages from wonderful people who want to link up with me. It's great to meet old friends and make new ones. I've also joined pin interest while my hero and heroine are nudging me to continue their story.

As I have mentioned in earlier posts I am also catching up with innumerable scribbled notes. I vowed I would never allow them to increase out of all proportion to available time but - deep sigh - I've added a few more.

Busy Day

As a rule I begin writing at 6 a.m. Today was no exception. At least, I was not writing my novel but attending to business. Amongst other writing related matters things I prepared a brief article about my novel Far Beyond Rubies set in England in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart's reign.

When chatting to people about my books and life as an author many of them are surprised when I point out that writing is a business. Of course, it is a happy one because I enjoy writing historical novels, researching history and visiting places of historical interest.

Anyway, this morning I also applied half of the scribbles in one of my notebooks. I looked up websites relevant to my novels. It was a little tedious but sometimes the results were rewarding. However, I vowed that never again would I accumulate so many notes which would languish for a year or more.

At 10.30 a.m. I took advantage of the beautiful sunny weather to work in my organic garden. I tidied a narrow flower bed that edges the broad steps leading up to my house, planted a shrub that had been in a pot for ages, cut back the dead leaves on the lady's mantle and planted some polyanthas. By the time I had to go indoors to cook lunch I had added two large buckets of weeds etc., to the compost bin.

Lost a Found

Someone gave me a very pretty folder which has pockets in which to store papers. I used it for some vital historical research re:- my new novel, Monday's Child, the sequel to my published e-book, Sunday's Child set in the Regency era. For two days I searched the house for it. I even woke once last night fretting about it and trying to remember the details of the research. This morning when I got up I thought that it must be with all my other files. I returned to the cupboard in which I keep them - sure enough it was there.

The experience is comparable to writing. Sometimes the eye does not see what should be there.

First early peas.

Dull grey morning so far - if there's a splash of sunshine later on I shall sow a row of first early peas and dream of eating tender peas and strawberries in June - but not together.

So far, a satisfactory morning, I've revised Chapter Twelve of my Regency Novel, Monday's child, the sequel to my e-book, Sunday's Child.

Does anyone else fall in love with their fictional heroes?

Better Weather

My grandson, who has been poorly and did not go to school, went for a walk across the green behind my house and on into the woods. We took Oscar  with us. He is a small, delightful 6 month old puppy my grandson and his family are looking after.

The weather is mild, the air crisp but the ground underfoot squelchy after the recent heavy rain. The woods are full of birdsong and we saw squirrels scampering across the ground and in the trees. Oscar enjoyed it and barked for us to throw sticks for him to fetch.

As a historical novelist I imagined our experiences taking place in the past and made notes.

Busy Day

I worked on a new chapter of Monday's Child; tidied the house and made a winter warmer soup with root vegetable, pearl barley, peas, aduki beans, spices and fresh herbs - yummy.

I also checked the peanuts and grains I put out for the birds. It's very worrying, year by year fewer and fewer birds visit my garden. Last winter was severe and so far this winter there has been almost ceaseless rain and fierce winds. Have the harsh conditions killed the  birds? The population sees to be declining.

Oops

Oops. Royalist Rebel is by Anita Seymour not Anita Davison. 4 year-old granddaughter playing noisily with a toy farm is distracting me. She pretends a crocodile is eating my feet and, to oblige her, I scream.

Royalist Rebel by Anita Davison

Thoroughly enjoyed Royalist Rebel by Anita Davison. The rebel is Countess Dysart of Ham House (Richmond, U.K.) whose parents sympathised with Charles 1st. An interesting story based on fact that is well-researched. Highly recommended.

10 Good Things in 2014

1. 5* reviews on www.amazon.com and www.amazon.co.uk of my historical novels, Tangled Love, False Pretences, Sunday's Child and Far Beyond Rubies.

2. Signing the contract for my historical novel The Captain and The Countess with MuseItUp Publishing.

3. Attending The Festival of Romance in Bedford.

4. Two of my grandchildren doing really well at their secondary schools.

5. My niece making a full recovery from a death-threatening illness.

6. A holiday in beautiful Woolacombe Bay in Devonshire with my daughter and her children.

7. Bumper crops of apples, pears and plums in my organic garden, plus lots of delicious soft fruit, herbs and vegetables.

8. Visits to places of historical interest.

9. Very happy extended Christmas season with my large family.

10 The love and support from my family throughout the year.

Rain, Wind and Writing

Day after day in South East England the wind has been raging and lashing rain against the windows of my house. The weather conditions make it an ideal time to stay indoors and continue writing my new novel Monday’s Child, the sequel to my novel Sunday’s Child published by MuseItUp. Both novels are traditional historical novels set in the Regency. At the moment I’m patting myself on my back because another historical novelist who is reading Monday’s Child, chapter by chapter, e-mailed me to say my description of a ball made her feel as though she was watching a film of one of Jane Austen’s novels. As you can imagine her comment makes me feel as though I’m floating on air.

Time to be Honest

Ten regrets re:2013

1. Not being able to afford to buy every book on my want to read list.

2. My inability to manage on less than 8 hours sleep a night so that I could pack more into my already busy days.

3. Not meeting my target of swimming 3 or 4 times a week.

4. Failure to lose more weight in spite of low fat milk, only one sweet treat a week etc.

5. I should have signed up for more book blogs for my romantic historical novels.

6. Spending too much time on Facebook when I should be reading historical non-fiction and making notes for my novel.

7. Describing the hero helping the heroine to sit on his horse and then sitting in front of her. In order to do so he would have had to pass his leg over her head. Ouch! Neither my efficient copy editor nor my efficient line editor noticed this. No matter how hard I try it's really difficult to always get everything right.

8. I wish I had mastered the technique of growing indoor and outdoor winter salads.

9. Failure to finish my new novel by Christmas 2013.

10. I should have bought new carpet for the stairs and a new gas cooker.

Catching up with my notes etc.

I'm about to be given a new computer by my son who is a partner in an international IT company. This morning, I saved all my files on my memory stick. While doing so I printed up some material and was side-tracked by reading and googling. Amongst other things I read Christina Rossetti's thought-provocative Goblin Market.

After deleting all my files from the computer I began to go through notes I made throughout the year. Snippets for novels, ideas, website addresses etc., etc. While doing so I visited several interesting websites. Now that I've made a start I'm looking forward to applying my notes.

2014

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year,

 

 

Rosemary

Historical Novelist

 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

Gardening 2014

The recent storms blew over my wooden bird table and smashed it. Never mind it was very old and a bit rickety so I shall replace it instead of trying to mend it. I'm hoping for a few days mild enough to potter in the garden and greenhouse. I am looking forward to gardening in 2014. In the meantime, while the weather is too bad to be outside, I have checked my packets of seeds and disposed of those which are out of date. I shall now consult seed catalogues, order more seeds, and some perpetual strawberries.  Very soon it will be time to chit seed potatoes and sow the first tomato seeds. 

Book Tokens

I'm delighted with the book tokens which I received from more than one person for Christmas.

My Christmas

My head's reeling with Christmas cheer. One of the highlights was watching my daughter's children delving into their stockings and the 4 year old repeatedly saying: This is the best Christmas ever. And the nine year old saying the same thing but adding: Because you're here, Grandma.

The most amusing was one of my 12 year old grandson telling his father that he no longer believes in Father Christm...as. To which my youngest son replied. "If you don't believe, you don't get." "I believe, I believe." Later, he told me. "I don't understand why parents would want a strange man to enter their children's bedrooms while they are sleeping."

I divided my time between my children's houses and loved every minute with each one, my daughters in law and my grandchildren.

On Christmas Eve we lunched at a favourite restaurant, I spent the night at my daughter's house, Christmas Day after stockings at presents at her house, I visited son No.3 and his family and then had a wonderful vegetarian lunch at his twin brother's house.

Boxing Day is on of my granddaughter's birthday. She and her cousins celebrated it playing bowls in the late afternoon. I enjoyed watching my grandchildren and two guests bowling before we went out to dinner.

I spent yesterday at my daughter's house and went to see The Hobbit 2 with my twin sons and three grandsons.

And now, after having such a happy Christmas, back to work on my novel Monday's Child the sequel to Sunday's Child.

Christmas Greetings

My prayers go out to all those who are afflicted.

I offer the compliments of the season to all of you who celebrate Christmas, and hope those who don't will have a peaceful time.

Ideas for My Novels

I'm sure many novelists are asked where they get their ideas for their novels. I am not an exception. My novels are often inspired by historical research, reading non-fiction or visiting a place of historical interest, after which my imagination takes over.

While writing I draw inspiration from many things, including poetry. Yesterday, after reading the following verse, I went to sleep with the words in my mind.

Her gentle motion and her smiles,
Her wit, her voice my heart beguiles,
Beguiles my heart, I know not why,
And yet I love her till I die.

Anon (17th century)

Christmas Read

I'm still staying at my youngest son's house and treasuring my time with his wife, two of my grandsons and one of my granddaughters. The Christmas lights and tree are up and we are enjoying each other's company.

I've dipped into one of the books I chose to read during the Christmas holidays The White Princess by Philippa Gregory. The fate of the Princes in the Tower is uncertain, and the personal relationship between Henry VII and his queen, Elizabeth of York is speculative, but, so far, I'm enjoying the novel.

Time Off

As a rule I'm up early in the morning and working on my laptop. However, I'm spending a long weekend with my youngest son, his wife and children. So I enjoyed the luxury of sleeping late and the afternoons in their lounge in front of a log fire. Very bad for writing my novel, Monday's Child the sequel to Sunday's Child but very enjoyable.

The Infant's Library - Georgian's Revealed Exhibition

At the Georgain's Revealed Exhibition at The British Library I fell in love with The Children's Library a collection of 17 small books published c.1800. They measure approximately 55mm by 45 mm. These tiny books are covered with pretty coloured paper. They are illustrated with woodcuts, some of which are hand-coloured. Originally they were contained in a box with a pink paper lining and a sliding front with "a pretty image of a glass-fronted bookcase".

The subjects of each book are diverse: the alphabet, reading and spelling, games for boys and girls, furniture and domestic items, etc.

Two of the books on display were open. The first two facing pages. Page 62 and 63 of the "History of England". A woodcut of "Our most gracious Sovereign George III" and another woodcut of "his amiable consort Queen Charlotte. The second book was open at a page with the text "I will practice a minuet, and when Harriet and Matilda come in the evening, they will dance to it." The woodcut is of a young girl practicing on a harpsichord.

Dates for Monday's Child

I am more than halfway through Monday's Child, the sequel to my novel Sunday's Child, set in 1814.

The dates are important so I checked my chapters and added one at the beginning of every scene. When I submit the novel to MuseItUp Publishing I shall remove them, but while I'm writing they ensure I'm not in a tangle - so to speak -  with fast moving events.

Miracle of Christmas

The shops are flooded with baubles,  tinsel and many other decorations. Small children visit Santa's grotto. The competition for shopper's money is fierce. Articles about what to buy and cook for Christmas are profuse. Credit cards purchase goods which too many people will struggle to buy. So where is the miracle of Christmas? It was in the faces of the pre-school children, who enacted the nativity today, including that my four year-old granddaughter, who represented Mary and rocked the baby doll standing in for Jesus with real tenderness. 

Christmas Greenery

My eldest granddaughter and I decorated my Christmas tree. It's something she enjoys doing with me every year.
I picked assorted greenery from my garden some with berries on it, arranged it in a large glass vase and hung small baubles on the branches. It looks gorgeous and the cuttings from evergreen trees smell gorgeous. And now to think about making a wreath for the front door using material from the garden.

Georgians Revealed

I visited The Georgians Revealed Exhibition at the British Library with a friend. The walls on the approach the gallery are lined with black and white friezes of Georgian life, and are hung with portraits of the three King Georges. From the ceiling are suspended copies of many pictures and posters of Georgian life.

In the gallery there were also a few items of costume, china and many books on display.

The gallery is divided into three sections. No 1. Public places, private spaces. No 2 Buying luxury, Acquiring style. No 3 Pleasures of society, virtues of culture.

It took my friend and I the better part of the day to view and make notes of everything. And now, to my annoyance, I have lost my notebook. I could say some very rude words, but I won't. In future, I shall always make sure that I write my name and address in front of my notebooks.

Useful 2nd hand book

While I was in the town with no bookshops I popped into the Oxfam shop. I was delighted when I found a useful book for research: The History of Everyday Things in England Volume 1 by Marjorie & C. H. B. Quennell. It was first published in 1918.From then until 1956 it was in continuous demand and ran through ten impressions and three editions. My edition was published in 1956 - perhaps more editions followed. I already own Volume 1V 1851 - 1914 and hope to buy the other two volumes.

No Bookshops in Town

I went from one end of the town centre to the other yesterday and also completed a tour of the large shopping mall. I finished my Christmas Shopping but was saddened because there no longer a bookshop in either. W.H. Smiths has survived but it's stock is limited compared to the independent bookshops which have shut, Borders which has closed down, and Waterstones which no longer has a branch in town.

Daughter's Fate, Karma or Kismet?

As though it was not enough of a shock for my daughter's car to be a write off, the car her friend lent her broke down, and was followed by a frantic telephone call from her asking me to pick my granddaughter up from pre-school.

The problem with the car was minor  but being stuck in the cold waiting for the AA added to the stress she is undergoing.

I pray that in her case bad luck will not come in threes.

Car was a Write Off

My daughter was driving on the motorway with her 4 year old and her 9 year old in the car. The bonnet opened and slammed against the windscreen. The glass shattered and the roof of the car buckled. She managed to see through a tiny gap at the side of the broken windscreen and stop on the hard shoulder. Thank God she was driving slowly and neither she nor the children were injured. Needless to say she and her son were shocked and he couldn't stop crying for ages. My granddaughter was O.K. One of her brothers came and then collected her eldest son from his gymnastic class, her other brother came and arranged for her car to  be taken to his house. But, as I've written thank God no one was hurt.

Carols at Westmister Cathedral

My 9 year old grandson sang with the rest of his class at Westminster Cathedral. He was a little nervous at the thought of singing in front of an audience of 6,500 people, but overcome by the beauty of the Cathedral, and the carols sung by other choirs he enjoyed the occasion.

'Tis the Season to Be Jolly

I've nearly finished my Christmas Shopping + Birthday Presents for 3 of my grandchildren one of whom was born on Boxing Day. Presents are piled on the dining room table waiting to be wrapped and, today, I shall buy Christmas Cards and post them on Monday. Next weekend, the Christmas tree will be in place and decorated, probably with a grandchild's help. So, the season to be jolly is underway in my house.

Choosing a Title for my Novel

I have a  title for my medieval novel set in Edward II's reign but after reading an article by Alison Baverstock in Writers & Artists Yearbook 2013 I'm dissatisfied with it. She quotes: Heather-Holden Brown of the hhb agency says: "The title matters hugely I want something that excites me, and that will draw a similarly instant reaction from any publisher I mention it to." So go for something that is topical, intriguing or witty and to the point."

My characters and I have settled on 'intriguing' but I didn't appreciate them waking me up in the night giving me their input while I was half asleep. They suggested something on the lines of 'When once you practice to deceive what a tangled web you weave,' but  I told them that 'it ignores the romantic elements in my novel.' On the other hand... However, my protagonists needs to understand I am the boss and they are acting under my direction!

What is on my Mind

First of all the Hindhu Wedding Service in which the bride and groom understand they will be joined in marriage for seven births. I've always thought that's risky. Suppose the marriage is unhappy and continues to be so for six more births.

This week I've dressed warmly and got on in my garden and greenhouse. I've sown micro greens which can be snipped when they are four inches high, and peas for shoots to be added to salad.

I cut the yellowing lower leaves off my Brussel sprouts and tied the plants to stop them from toppling over. I then raked and weeded the bed, fed the Brussels with a liquid feed and covered them with horticultural net to protect them from the beady-eyed wood pigeons that visit my garden. I have also spread manure around my fruit trees in the hope they will give the same bumper crop as last year.

Today, I hope to do a little more in the garden after a writing session followed by tidying up the house.

Father of the Bride's Farewell

At the end of the long Hindhu wedding ceremony that I attended on Sunday the bride's father spoke the following words.

"When you wake tomorrow morning there will be an empty place at our breakfast table. We will always remember you. Please, never forget us."

I admit his words brought a tear or two to my eyes.

Word Pictures

I enjoyed Sunday lunch at my youngest son and daughter-in-law's house with their three children, my daughter and her three children. The conversation turned to my paperback which they are very excited about, particularly because it is dedicated to my grandson, Harry. They asked me questions about how I write and I mentioned word pictures. Curious they asked me what I meant so I quoted from my new novel, Monday's Child the sequel to my e-book, Sunday's Child.

"The sun was low in a sky streaked with pale gold and powder-pink as though painted by God’s almighty hand."

This sparked their imaginations and they commented on it.

A Hindhu Wedding

I attended my youngest nephew's wedding in a beautifully decorated conference room at a large banqueting centre.

There were approximately 500 guests to witness the bride in a magnificent white silk sari beautifully embellished with red and green beadwork and embroidery, and the bridegroom in a white heavy silk tunic worn over matching trousers, tight at the ankles.

All the ladies and little girls were resplendent in colourful outfits and jewellery, and the men, many who wore slippers with pointed toes reminiscent of Aladdin, and colourful tunics and trousers were equally resplendent.

I met people I had not seen for many years including a couple of ladies who I taught at secondary school in Nairobi.

The wedding ceremony was followed by a formal lunch - flat breads, curries, a savoury, rice, sweets and much more.

I returned home tired but happy.

New Novel

Phew! 1,750 words to write and I will be  halfway through my new novel Monday's Child set shortly before the Battle of Waterloo.

I send chapters to  critique partners who offer constructive criticism and revise each chapter after I receive their feedback. This means that when I reach those magical words The End I have a novel which needs little dusting, polishing and revision.

The Eagle of The Ninth Chronicles by Rosemary Sutcliffe

As an avid reader and a historical novelist I enjoy giving books as Christmas presents.
I wracked my brains trying to decide what to give a 12 and 10 year old for Christmas. Both of them are keen readers and are interested in history so I chose The Eagle of the Ninth Chronicles by Rosemary Sutcliffe.

In her foreword she writes:

"Sometime in about the year 117 AD, the Ninth Legion, which was stationed at Eburacum where York now stands, marched north to deal with a rising among the Caledonian tribes and was never heard of again.

During excavations at Silchester nearly eighteen hundred years later, there was dug up under the green fields which now cover the pavements of Callleva Atrebatum, a wingless Roman Eagle a cast of which can be seen to this day in Reading Museum. Different people have different ideas as to how it came to be there but no one knows, just as no one knows what happened to the Ninth Legion after it marched into the northern mists.

It is from these two mysteries, brought together, that I have made the story of The Eagle of the Ninth."

Titles and Forms of Address

I treated myself to a copy of Titles and Forms of Address A Guide to Correct Use from the publishers of Who's Who, A & C Black, London. "A reference book for the desk that shows how to address (in speech and on letters and envelopes) men and women with ranks, honours ...etc.,".

I am pleased to have corrected a mistake I made in Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child. A character introduced another character as Colonel, Viscount Langley, instead of as Colonel, Lord Langley. I have corrected my mistake in the novel. Phew! I do like to be accurate.

Cold Weather and Research

Warm and cosy indoors during the cold spell I read Antony Wild's lavishly illustrated The East India Company Trade and Conquest from 1600. the research will come in useful for my novel Monday's Child and a sequel to my recent paperback Far Beyond Rubies. All in all a profitable afternoon.

Cold Weather and Research.

Warm and cosy indoors during cold weather I spent an enjoyable couple of hours researching my novel, Monday's Child, by reading The East India Company Trade and Commerce from 1600 by Antony Wild.

Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemry Morris

I am delighted to announce that my e-book, Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris, has been published as a paperback and an e-book.

 

“When Gervaise first sees Juliana he recognises her, but not from this lifetime, and knows he will always protect her.”

 

Set in 1706 in England 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 in the grounds of her family home. 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 legitima

 

Reviews.

 

 

J. Pitman’s 5 out of 5* review of Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris.

 

It was great to see that there's a new Rosemary Morris out. I like her exquisite attention to detail, and she writes in the reign of Queen Anne, which is something a bit different from the usual Regency romance.

 

In this new book, which I have to admit I raced through and will now read again, the heroine Juliana is stunned to discover that, according to her half-brother William, she and her sister are bastards. The tale of how Gervaise Seymour helps her, how she helps herself, her sister and her various strays is quite enchanting. Rosemary uses her knowledge of India, very pertinent in this period, to bring a spice of something different to this novel. Her 'tanned hero' is no pallid, painted Englishman but one who has travelled, married and been widowed on that exotic continent, thus earning himself the nickname 'Beau Hindu' amongst the fashionable in London.

 

This novel is not a light book, as it contains research into the politics, religion and morality of the reign of Queen Anne. However the research informs the novel quite naturally and I found this to be a lovely, sparkling romance. It is somewhat in the style of the late Georgette Heyer, although I think after four novels Rosemary Morris is developing a voice of her own.  

 

Suitable for those who like a cracking good historical romance, set in England, well researched, sensual but no explicit sex.

 

* * * *

Carolin Walz 5* Review of Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris.

 

Picked up Rosemary Morris' novel recently with the expectation of a nice escape into romance, and was agreeably surprised by the wealth of historical detail and engaging characters. The heroine, Juliana, is suitably persecuted by an evil step-brother and later on by a libertine suitor, and the hero, Gervaise, is not only handsome, but also mysterious, coming from a somewhat broken family and having been previously married to a woman in India. That is one of the things that sets this tale apart from the usual run of historical romances. The author is obviously quite familiar with India, and the reader gets all kinds of interesting tidbits about life there, from certain dishes Gervaise springs on his friends to what he has learned about the country's belief systems, the latter of which at first causes quite some conflict between him and the heroine. The resolution is believable and satisfying. Well-written throughout.

 

* * * *

 

Far Beyond Rubies is available from:

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/2 www.amazon.co.uk  www.amazon.com  nook, kobo and elsewhere.

 

         www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

http://rosemarymorris.blogspot.com

 

          Previous novels.

 Tangled Love

Sunday’s Child

False Pretences

New Release February, 2014 The Captain and The Countess

Reading at Watford Writers

I read an extract from my mediaeval novel set in Edward IInd's reign at Watford Writers. It is a passage I had struggled to write and in spite of my efforts was not entirely satisfied with. However, I am reading the novel in sequence and find the constructive feedback from other members very useful.

After I shared the scene and received some comments from a friend, I realised that I have written it from the wrong viewpoint and am looking forward to rewriting it.

Princess Fairies and Christmas.

It seems the latest craze amongst small girls is that of Princess Fairies. These are Disneyland dolls - Snow White, Beauty, Cinderella etc., for which various accessories are available.

Yesterday my daughter and I took my granddaughter to Toys are Us where she fell in love with the dolls. We told her she must wait for Christmas to see what Santa Claus brings. Many of the dolls were a bargain at half price and she doesn't know we have bought some for her. I can hardly wait to see her joy on Christmas Day.

There is something magical about seeing Christmas through the eyes of children. I shall spend Christmas Eve at my daughter's house, read the story of the nativity to the my grandsons and granddaughter, and share their  joy on Christmas Day when they open their stockings and presents.

On Writing Monday's Child.

While giving my house a through tidy-up on Thursday and doing a lot of shopping on Friday thoughts of my work in progress, Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child, both set in the Regency era were never far away. Mind you, I'm trying to train my mind not to consider the novel while driving. I don't want to have an accident while in the world of my imagination populated by a cast of interesting characters.

Chapter Ten was 'a pig' to write. None of the characters wanted to do as they were told and the historical facts I was trying to slip into their story seemed to annoy them. However, my first draft of Chapter Eleven was comparatively easy to write. The words flowed and the characters behaved.

To my relief the first two one thousand-five hundred words of Chapter Twelve, which I wrote yesterday, was a joy to write.  The heroine defied her temporary guardians but did not defy me me as my fingers almost flew over the keyboard. If only every piece of writing could flow as smoothly.

Plotting a Novel

The only novel I found extremely difficult to write was one that I plotted chapter by chapter. When I write I like my characters to have the ability to surprise me. However, if they try to 'get out of hand' they do need to be put firmly in their place. I also like twists and turns in the plot to take me by surprise.

Before I begin writing I complete detailed character profiles for the main protagonists and name them. I have to visualise them walking, talking, going about their daily lives and understand their aspirations and fears etc.

When I begin a the novel I know what the middle and ending will be, the rest is an exciting journey for my characters and  quite often for myself when I visit places of historical interest.

Love and Marriage - 17th c.poem

My isp was playing up this morning so I am posting much later than usual.

There is no happy life
But in a wife;
The comforts are so sweet
When they do meet.

Two figures but one coin;
So do they join,
Only they do not embrace,
We face to face.

William Cavendish. Duke of Newcastle (17th century)

Writing, Shopping and Unmentionables

Yesterday, I nearly finished Chapter Eleven of my new novel Monday's Child set in the Regency. It's fun to write. The heroine got herself into 'hot water' through an indiscretion and is about to plunge into it for the second time.

The phone rang. My daughter asked if I would like to go into town, do some shopping and have a coffee. I considered my heroine and dismissed her.

I popped into Primark and chose a fleece pyjamas which only cost an unbelievable £3 about $2. They had been reduced from £7. My pyjamas have a discreet pattern. I would have bought more if I could face the idea of wearing ones patterned with garish Christmas designs. I also bought a very pretty, frilly white scarf, some gloves and, as my heroine would say, some unmentionables.

Love and Marriage - Poem

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were love'd by wife, then thee:
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize they love more than whole Mines of gold,
Of all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.

Anne Bradstreet (c1612-1672)

Love & Marriage - Poetry

"Who could relate, save those that wedded be,
The joy, the ease, and the prosperity
That are between a husband and wife?

Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1340-1400)

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are on the to be read pile of books on my bedside table  I enjoy reading a bit here and a bit there and have decided Chaucer must have a walk-on-part in my mediaeval trilogy.

When to Marry - Old English Rhyme

Married when the year is new
He'll be loving kind and true.
When February birds do mate
You need not fear your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow
Joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can
Joy for the maiden and the man.
Marry in the month of May
And you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when the June roses grow
Over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed
Must labour for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be
Many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shine
Your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry
Love will come, but riches tarry.
If you marry in bleak November
Only joys will come, remember.
When December's snows fall fast
Marry and true love will last.

Old English Rhyme

Accomplished Regency Ladies

"It is amazing to me," said Bingley, "how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are...They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I have never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished" - Pride and Prejudice.

It seems that young ladies learned many accomplishments from the time they were children. They studied French and spoke Italian so that they could translate romantic songs, as well as singing and practicing on a pianoforte and or a harp.

They also practised the art of drawing with a pencil and coloured their sketches with watercolours. Gothic novels such as The Mysteries of Udolpho included ancient castles about to fall into ruins and eerie landscapes. Such subjects were popular - even more so if a tree struck by lightning or another picturesque feature could be included.

I can easily imagine young ladies heads bent over their sketches, fingers striking chords or feet practising dance steps. I can also imagine some rebellious little ladies who did not want to please their mammas and papas by becoming expert in the arts of filigree, with decorative needlework, netting and other feminine accomplishments.

Far Beyond Rubies - Paperbacks

The paperback copies of my novel Far Beyond Rubies set in England during Queen Anne Stuart's reign, 1702-1714, have arrived. They are beautifully printed and  I'm delighted with them.

Lots of people have dreams they have been unable to fulfil. I'm one of the lucky ones. My dream of becoming a published author has come true.

 Far Beyond Rubies is also available as an e-book and so are my novels Tangled Love, Sunday's Child and False Pretences, and in February 2014 my new novel The Countess and the Captain will also be published by MuseItupPublishing.

Peach and Nectarine Trees

Several months ago I ordered patio a patio peach and a patio nectarine tree. They arrived yesterday, together with three small Rose of Sharon shrubs which should grow to a good size and a free packet of fifty tete a tete narcissus bulbs. Hopefully the weather won't be too bad today and I'll be able to pot up the trees and plant out the shrubs and bulbs.

I hope the advantage of the patio trees will be that if I hand pollinate the flowers they will thrive in the greenhouse and not be affected by peach leaf curl caused by rain. Hopefully the small crop of fruit will be delicious.

Chorleywood Book Festival

I am looking forward to a talk this evening organised by The Chorleywood Book Festival. Anne de Courcy has picked a topic about which we mostly know very little. During the 19th century, when Britain ruled India, many young men went out to work in the Raj in various roles. A band of women followed hoping to 'hook'  a man. They were known as the Fishing Fleet and her book carries that title.

I have read my own copy of the book and am sure I shall enjoy the event.

My Garden in November

If the rain holds off it's time for me to get on in my organic garden. The broad beans are flourishing and will withstand winter weather. There are bright red apples on a tree, some of which might be ready to pick and store for later in the year. I already have eating and cooking apples and desert pears wrapped in newspaper and stored in trays in my cold greenhouse. Today I plan to harvest the rest of my carrots and store them in a box of dry compost as well as harvesting the beetroot. I shall store some, make beetroot pickle, give some to my daughter and make apple and beetroot juice. Nothing will go to waste - the beetroot greens are delicious cooked like spinach and sprinkled with a little lemon juice.

Back to Work

I'm back to work on my new novel after the Festival of Romance. I am researching balls in the Regency era. It seems he first dance was often The Minuet and the last dance was always the old favourite, Sir Roger de Coverly (later The Virginia Reel). I've had fun watching various dances performed on YouTube.

Festival of Romance

I thoroughly enjoyed The Festival of Romance in Bedford u.k.. I met friends, made new friends and for the first time met my book-trailer designer, Lynne Cobin who kindly popped in for a chat with me. My white silk sari embroidered with gold and my costume jewellery were greatly admired and I admired other historical author's historical costumes.

 

The extract I read from my novel, Far Beyond Rubies, was very well-received, and although the paperbacks had not arrived from my publisher, MuseItUpPublishing I thoroughly enjoyed talking to visitors at the book fair. Lots of people helped themselves to the postcards with pictures of the jacket covers of Far Beyond Rubies, Tangled Love, False Pretences and Sunday's Child on the front and brief descriptions of the novels on the back.

 

 

Festival of Romance

I've decided to leave earlier than necessary for The Festival of Romance to give myself a little time to have a look around Bedford. Amongst other things I want to visit the Higgins Museum.

I'm a little nervous as the paperback copies of Far Beyond Rubies haven't arrived, and I'm wondering if people will stop at my book table to help themselves to postcards featuring the jacket covers of my books and to some nibbles.

Once I'm part of the festival I know I shall enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones so I am looking forward to it.

I shall post about the events next week.

Festival of Romance

Tomorrow, I shall attend the Festival of Romance in Bedford. For details or to buy last minute tickets visit www.festivalofromance.co.uk.

Everything I plan to take with me is lined up on the beds in the spare room. Later on this morning I shall pack my bags. Hopefully, I have not forgotten anything I shall need.

I'm really looking forward to meeting friends, making new friends and acquaintances and the opportunity to meet members of the public who enjoy reading.

Kitchen Sink Drama etc. Continued.

When the carpenter turned up at 8 a.m. yesterday, I had emptied the cupboard under the sink and the work surfaces. The new cupboard did not match the other ones. He called out his supervisor who measured up and said all the cupboards and worktops need to be replaced. I also need to have parts of the walls re-tiled and the area behind the oven tiled. Hopefully the work will be completed in a fortnight. Deep, deep sigh! Since August, while waiting for the wall under the sink to dry, the kitchen has been in chaos. Anyway, at least the plumber came and re-connected the water.

 

As for the etc. I sorted out the postcards illustrated with the cover of my novel Far Beyond Rubies - they should arrive today. However, the copies of the novel have not yet arrived from my publisher and there are only 2 and a 1/4 days to go before I leave for the Festival of Romance.

 

Another problem has been solved. Thank goodness, the mechanic from the AA sorted out my car. Hopefully, I shall reach Bedford and return home without incident.

 

In spite of all the upheaval I managed to write and keep up with writerly activities, but, today, I need time out so my daughter and I are going to swim and visit the health suite at the local sports centre and enjoy the Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

A Trying Day

On some days it would be better to pull the duvet over my head to shut out the world , which involved many phone calls before the plasterer and the plumber came in the afternoon. While waiting for them I wanted to track missing postcards for my book table at the Festival of Romance. The order number is in an e-mail. When I tried to log on my isp was down in my area. Connection was not restored until 5 p.m. by which time it was too late to phone about my order.

 

With no water in the kitchen, I decided to dine out and then attend Watford Writers to cheer myself up. Guess what! My car wouldn't start. The battery is flat. Somewhat later I did go to bed and pull the duvet over my head.

 

Sometimes it is hard to be philosophical, but today is another day. Hopefully, the carpenter and plumber will be on time, I'll arrange for the postcards to be sent, and call the AA to sort out the car.

Blood Pressure Rising

My blood pressure must be soaring.

There's a long drawn out saga about my kitchen . The wall under the kitchen sink was wet. The kitchen cabinet had to be removed. The wall was treated and for months the contractor has been waiting for it to dry out. For the fourth time I emptied the kitchen and was ready for the plasterer at 8 a.m. At 9.30 a.m. I phoned to see why he had not arrived. He had not finished yesterday's job and could not start the work at my house but the work would be started on the 7th. I nearly exploded. Instead I said that I do have a personal life and the 7th is inconvenient. (I shall attend the Festival of Romance although I did not tell her that.). The person I spoke to said she would phone back in an hour to let me know what was happening. She has not and I daresay the saga will be long drawn out.
Sympathy please.

A Day Out

Met a friend for a coffee yesterday at The Coach and Horses in Rickmansworth. We then visited the museum in the High Street, which was once William Penn's House, and found lots of things to interest us, as we are historical novelists. After lunch at an excellent Italian restaurant, we toured the charity shops where I found a couple of books for historical research and a copy of Two Under the Indian Sun by Jon and Rumer Godden. And, of course, we chatted about our writing, tossed ideas backward and forward, throughout the day. We concluded with a coffee and a snack at Café Nero, (my snack was an almond croissant stuffed with marzipan - naughty but nice.  Thoroughly content, we then made our separate ways to our homes.

 

Day Out

Recently, I wrote about The Coach and Horses in Rickmansworth. A friend, who is a novelist, wants to see it so we are meeting there  this morning. Afterwards, we might visit the local museum and then have lunch. We also intend visiting the charity shops. One of them has a huge selection of out of print books from which I might find one or more to add to my non fiction collection of history books.

Extract from Far Beyond Rubies

"Gervaise drew closer to the pavilion with the intention of announcing his presence.

Feet pattered within. A young woman peered through an open window. Her pale oval face looked troubled, and her coal black hair was slightly disordered.

For a moment Gervaise could not speak. The sight of her drew him back to India. Her form changed to one he knew intimately – yet not in this lifetime. He recognised the mark of a crescent moon on her right cheekbone, and sensed the love they once shared. A tremor ran through him. Never before had he thought the Hindu belief in reincarnation was worthy of serious consideration. Yet, in spite of the teachings of the Anglican church, what if -"

Far Beyond Rubies

 

Far Beyond Rubies

Chapter One

1706

 “Bastards, Juliana! You and your sister are bastards.”

Aghast, Juliana stared at William, her older half-brother, although, not for a moment did she believe his shocking allegation. 

It hurt her to confront William without their father at her side. At the beginning of April, she and Father were as comfortable as ever in his London house. Now, a month later, upon her return to her childhood home, Riverside House, set amongst the rolling landscape of Hertfordshire, his body already lay entombed in the family crypt next to her mother’s remains. Would there ever be a day when she did not mourn him? A day when she did not weep over his loss?

 

Far Beyond Rubies is available as a paper back and an e-book from:

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/2

amazon.co.uk

amazon.com

And elsewhere

 

 

 

Competition. Win a paperback copy of Far Beyond Rubies.

Today to celebrate the publication of the paperback of Far Beyond Rubies I am offering the first and last entrants a copy of the novel.

To enter answer the following questions, the answers to which are at www.amazon.co.uk or www.amazon.com

Q. In which year is Far Beyond Rubies set?

Q. To which country is Gervaise drawn when he first sees Juliana?

Q. What do Gervaise and Juliana want to prove?

Q. What are the titles of Rosemary Morris's other published novels?

Send the answers to: rosemarymorris@hotmail.co.uk  and include your name. Subject. Competition. Far Beyond Rubies

Competition ends on Saturday, 2nd November.

Prize Winners announced on Sunday, 3rd November

The prize winners will be notified by e-mail

Digital Camera

A novelist's life is always busy and never dull. There's never time to do everything. I would like to lock myself away in an attic, press a magic button to have food and drink supplied, and write all the hours of the day and most of the night. Ahem. Back to reality. I've decided that I really must learn how to use a digital camera and upload photos. It can't be that hard. So I went to town today and bought a digital camera. (I also treated myself to a pair of very pretty amber earrings.)

Under the Weather

I woke in agony on Saturday night and thought I was having a heart attack, but realised the pain was too low down. I spent a very uncomfortable weekend on a liquid diet including yoghurt drinks - yoghurt's so good for the stomach - and am still too wobbly to do much although I am sticking to a light diet. Oh well, tomorrow is another day and, hopefully, I can catch up and do all the things I should have done over the weekend. Illness is such a waste of time!

Poetry and School

Proud grandmother today. It was the parents teachers meeting at my grandson's school. He had been asked to read one of his poems to the entire school at assembly. One of the lines read: The lead in a child's pencil is the road to imagination. He is doing really well in all subjects but he received the award for being the best reader and speller in Year Four.

Indian Costume Jewellery

I bought a beautiful matching set comprising a necklace, earrings and a ring as well as eight bangles to wear at a special event at the Festival of Romance, where I shall wear a sari. The fancy dress is appropriate for the theme of my novel Far Beyond Rubies.

Fancy Dress for Festival of Romance

The hero of my novel, Far Beyond Rubies, set in England in 1706, has strong links with India, so I shall wear a sari for a special event at the Festival of Romance.

Today, my daughter and I are off to Southall to buy some appropriate artificial jewellery to wear with it - great fun!

Flash Fiction

Yesterday evening Watford Writers, the writers group which I have joined, invited members to write a 250-300 word flash fiction on the subject of Dreams. Although I did not have time to enter, the variety of interpretations of the subject was interesting. A new writer, who has enrolled on a writing course won. My favourite was about a little boy with high hopes of finding treasure with his metal detector.

Weather and Writing Fiction

Yesterday a flash of lightning visible through the venetian blinds in my bedroom woke me. A clap of thunder sounded. It was so loud that it frightened my 12 year old grandson so much that he fell out of bed. It also startled me. Torrential rain followed the thunderstorm. Later the sun shone. I thought my newly planted winter cabbages and purple sprouting broccoli would have been flattened, but no, amazingly they were still upright. By then the day was mild so I worked in the front garden. Later, the sky darkened and more torrential rain fell.

The contrasts in the weather throughout the day would make an excellent backdrop for a day in a novel but not in the clichéd style of: "It was a dark and windy night..."

Far Beyond Rubies

Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris

 

Set in 1706 in England 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 in the grounds of her family home. 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

 

Available now as an e-book from https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/2, amazon.co.uk,amazon.com and elsewhere.

 

Available as a paperback on 30th October, 2013  from MuseItUp publishing.