One Night With a Highlander

Out this month, One Night With A Highlander is a short story e-book. The story of a couple who lost each other years before and meet up again.  It also links to the Gilvrys of Dunross stories, though it stands on its own.

Gordon McLaughlin has never forgotten the beautiful Annabelle, or the forbidden kiss they shared. But the innocent girl he once knew has become Edinburgh's wanton black widow. What is the truth behind Lady Annabelle's shocking reputation?

A chance meeting with the handsome Highlander re-ignites long-buried passions, but destitute Annabelle cannot afford the luxury of love. They plan an illicit midnight encounter before they part for good—although one night of sensual pleasure may not be enough…

Exciting News

Lady of Shame has been nominated for a Boosellers' Best Award in the Historical Category. Results won't be known until July, still it is quite a feather in my cap.

If you want to know more about the Castonbury Park Series you can go to my Website

Until Next time Happy Rambles

Saltram, Devonshire Part I

Saltram stands on the outskirts of Plymouth and was created by a family by the name of Parker until 1951 when death duties made it impossible for them, to keep their family home.




The first this we came to when we left the parking lot was this pond. It looks like your typical pond with ducks and moorhens. It stands just outside the stable block. I was delighted to discover that this pond had a whole other purpose. Not one I have really ever thought about.

You can see the purpose in this picture. There is a gate and a cobbled slope down into the water.

Easy access for ducks, did you say?

No. In fact this is where carriages where washed. Naturally, like cars today, they had to be washed. All that lovely English mud.

The would back the carriages into the pond and give them a good wash. They didn't want them to sink into the mud hence the cobbles.

This is the first time I have seen a carriage washing pond, so I thought it deserved a blog post all of its own.

Lots more to see at Salram, so until next time, Happy Rambles.

In the Highlander's Bed

A Time Travel by Ann Lethbridge

Yes I wrote a Scottish Time Travel. It's a short story and it came out this month.  This is the blurb. And I've been posting special extracts on my Facebook page  if you would like to check them out.  https://www.facebook.com/AnnLethbridgeAuthor

Hotel Glencovie, 2013

Researching her family tree brings Moirag McLellan to the Highlands and a foreboding castle-turned-hotel. She goes to sleep alone surrounded by modern amenities, but awakens in a room lit only by candles—and occupied by a gorgeous kilted man. And he's far too real to be just an erotic dream…

Glencovie Castle, 1715

Though Gavin MacIver doesn't know how the lusty wench in barely-there clothing came to be in his bed, he knows he never wants her to leave. But if her story of time-travel is true, how can he stop the only woman he's ever loved from slipping through his fingers once darkness fades into dawn?

I must say it was interesting to try to put myself in the place of a modern lass going back into a very different time.  I hope you'll check it out. It's available at ebooks.Harlequin.com and all the other on-line sites.

I'm at the Romantic Times Convention this week. Do drop by and say hello.

Until next time, Happy Rambles

Battle of York April 27 1813

It is hard to imagine that Canada and the US being at war, but so it was 200 years ago. In those days, Canada was British and America was continuing to press the issue of its independence for a variety of reasons and perhaps grab a bit of Canada too. The Battle of York, which is now Toronto took place on April 27. A battle the Americans won.

Unfortunately tempers ran high after the British destroyed the magazine which resulted in American deaths after the battle was over.  The resulting rampage by the Americans culminating April 30 and resulting in the burning of a good portion town, which, by the way, consisted of about 700 people.  Hard to imagine.

In Toronto, the battle was marked on Saturday with parades and bands and by presence of Prince Philip.

Personally, I'm glad we kissed and made up.

Buckland Abbey IX

Interestingly enough it is not until you reach the end of the walk around the house that you reach The Great Hall which is today furnished in sixteenth century style.

I really liked the pink and white tile, which is thought to come from Holland. 

The main feature of the room is the decorative plaster work on the ceiling.

The fireplace is typical of the sixteenth century.

It is not hard to imagine our Regency characters living in a house such as this with its mix of architecture and conveniences.  Of course I have lots more pictures and information, but I only post a few of them here.

The section of the ceiling on the left disguises a squint in the form of a skull. A way to watch the room without being seen. Perhaps a way to keep an eye on both enemies and friends.  I have come across these in other houses and will try to include them as we go along


My last picture is of the north front which still has a strong flavour of the original abbey.

There are quite a few places within the building where the original stonework is incorporated into the design of the building as a house.  I hope you get a chance to visit this building one day.  It was fascinating and certainly I have only skimmed the surface of its history.

Until Next Time, Happy Rambles.

Free Story

Just in case you haven't been following along, the Harlequin Historical authors are having fund writing another round robin story.  This one is a time travel and is lots of fun.  Check it out at http://harlequinhistoricalauthors.blogspot.ca

Aloha!

Yes, that is right, if you are wondering where I have been, I went on vacation. While I thought I would blog while I was away, I had too good a time to do anything of the sort.

If you have read my bio, you will see that I admit to being any army brat. I spent a good many years following the drum as they used to call it, with my family.  All of our travels were within Britain so I have to say Hawaii was one of those places on my list. It has a strong military presence even now, and a decidedly famous event.  Since I am nowhere near at that stage in my life,  round metal containers with a handle from which it swings, has nothing to do with this list. It is just a list.



One of the first things I noticed when I arrived in Honolulu were the State flags. Hey, they have the British Union Jack on them. Much like the Ontario flag. I felt immediately at home.  Another reason I felt at home was the very warm welcome we received from Kim Lowe of SOS Aloha fame. http://sosaloha.blogspot.com . I have to say that Kim personifies what I came to know as the Aloha spirit of Hawaii.

The scenery was beautiful, but I won't bore you with too many holiday snaps. Much of my fascination was with the History of Hawaii as it related to Britain and before.  We visited Queen Emma's Summer Palace, a woman who was friends with Queen Victoria.  Her house there is more a cottage in the hills to escape the heat than a palace and we were blessed with a wonderful tour guide. What she could tell us in the hour we were there, wet my appetite to under stand more of the history of these unique islands, which I hope will end up in a book one day.

Of course, no visit to Hawaii is complete without the perfect sunset and a Luau.  As you can see were were granted both on the same day.

 Again my love of history led us to visit the historic memorial of Pearl Harbour and, as a result of Kim's kindness, many places not easily available to most tourist.  There is no doubt in my mind that no one can stand on that memorial and not be moved. The day we were there, it poured with rain, but in a way it suited our mood.

 I plan to share more of Hawaai's history as it related to the Regency period, but I need to do quite a bit of reading before I would be willing to post anything. In the meantime I hope you enjoy these snippets and pictures of this likely once in a lifetime visit.

Until next time  Aloha!

Buckland Abbey VIII

A few more pictures of the downstairs part of the house.

 

The first view looks upward between the kitchen and sculleries in one direction and the second into a small enclosed courtyard the other way.  And finally the sculleries in a small building opposite the kitchen's back door.

And now for my piece de resistance.  Can you guess what these particular gates are for.  

 Answer, next time. Until then Happy Rambles.

Buckland Abbey VII

Because of my recent foray into the servants' quarters of the English Country House in Castonbury Park: Lady of Shame I found the kitchens and sculleries at Buckland Abbey a real draw.

The fireplace on the left is from the 18th century and has two built in bread ovens.  and was blocked up and replaced by the row of brick charcoal stoves invented by the French and known as stewing stoves which you can see alongside it. More of these later.  The fireplace on the right is from an  earlier era. The brackets above it hold spit rods. You can also see a spit rod inside the hearth along with the handle for turning it.

The windows make this kitchen a nice light airy place to work. Especially on a sunny day, which it was when we were there. And no doubt the windows would be good for letting out the smoke and the smells.

And how about that for a pestle and mortar. That really is a tree trunk.

These are those charcoal stewing ovens I mentioned earlier.

If you look carefully you can see the fire inside this one below the copper pot.

And of course no kitchen is complete without its long plank wood table running down the centre.

Notice the flagstones on the floor.  Those would have been cold underfoot, I would imagine, but easy to keep clean.

Until next time, Happy Rambles

2012 In the Rear View Mirror

It is always a good thing to look back. After all, as someone who loves history, I know the past can help with the future.

I think that 2012 was a bit of a watershed for me. I have begun to feel like a Writer. Oh, yes, I was a writer before, but now I feel as if I have the chops to go with the title. Not that I would ever say I had mastered the craft of writing. It is an ongoing process. A skill that must be practiced, examined and honed. I am always reaching for a better book.

However, I have a little more confidence in my approach to my writing. This year I was a finalist in three important writing contests.  I received some wonderful (and some not so wonderful) reviews from reviewers and from readers. I stretched my wings a little bit. Tried some things that were new for me.

Case in point is the book displayed on the left.  This was a first for me. A story that had to fit in with the stories of seven other authors. Between us we had to create an overarching plot, yet end up with a book that could be read alone or as part of the series.  Particularly interesting was the upstairs downstairs feel of the series.  The conflict and tension that causes.  Needless to say in all the projects I undertook, I tried to make sure I had fun. And hopefully readers had fun right along with me.

During the past twelve months I traveled to some amazing places in England and I will be sharing these with you along with other tidbits about the Regency and what is happening in my author world.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and your family a Healthy and Happy New Year. Looking forward to lots more chit chat and rambles in 2013.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all the best for the Holidays and a healthy and happy New Year.

The winner of my part of the Annual Harlequin Historical Authors Contest was..... Amanda from Luton.  Congratulations Amanda!

And many thanks to all who entered.  I am looking forward to meeting you all on-line in the New Year.

Buckland Abbey Part VI

If you are wondering why I have been absent for a while, it is because I had gone over my allowed limit of photos and have been trying to figure out how to proceed.  I am not yet sure I have solved the dilemma, but at least I have made a bit of room for myself.

Continuing on with our tour of the Georgian part of the house we end up where I always find myself the most fascinated.  The servants areas.

 This is one of the staircase that would have been used by the servants as they dashed about making their employers happy.  Compare it to that beautiful winding polished wood staircase in an earlier blog.

As you know, I have just finished an upstairs downstairs Downton Abbey series with a group of other authors and in one of my scenes, my hero, a chef, must go by way of the servants' stairs to meet my heroine in the library, while she travels there by way of the grand central staircase. While we would not tolerate it today it makes for a very interesting dynamic.

Here we have some of the bells used to call the servants to various rooms and little spaces at the bottom of the stairs used for storage. The flagstone floors are typical in the corridors and rooms used for servants areas, whether on ground floors or in basement.

Note the plain wall sconces, a single candle with a polished metal plaque to reflect the light. One can imagine how gloomy it would be at night or on a rainy day.  And then we have a glimpse at the kitchen along with a rare view of my patient party who accompany on these trips. Most of the time they avoid the camera lens but as you can see I caught them here.  So next time we will take a peek around the kitchen.

Until then, Happy Rambles

The Next Big Thing

Sarah Mallory, http://onebellesstrategem.blogspot.co.uk/ author of Book Five in the Castonbury Park Continuity Series, The Illegitimate Montague, Harlequin and Beneath the Major's Scars, has invited me to take part in a chain blog event entitled THE NEXT BIG THING - a series of questions and answers about what's happening next in my writing life.


What is the title of your latest book?

Lady of Shame is the most recent book. It is book for in the Castonbury Park Continuity Series and it came out in print in the UK and digital her in North America in November 2012.  It is out in print in North America under the title Ladies of Disrepute, which contains both book three and book four under one cover published by HQN.

I do hope that you can figure out what the heck I mean. I am putting both covers here for you to see.


How did you come by the idea?
The Castonbury Park Series has an upstairs downstairs theme, much like Downton Abbey, and I really liked the idea of a woman looking below stairs for her romantic interest. It would have been so scandalous for the daughter of a Duke during the Regency. I chose a French chef for my hero, because I liked food having an important role in the relationship.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters if it was a movie?
Keira Knightly for Claire and Daniel Craig for Andre, who was a soldier, before he was a chef and has a bit of a rough edge to him.

A one sentence synopsis of your book?
A ruined woman attempts to avoid seduction by a handsome chef while trying to salvage her reputation

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It usually takes me about three months to research, plot and write the first draft of a book.

Who or what inspired you to write the book?
In this case, I was invited to participate in the Continuity Series. The idea for a chef hero came from a course I had recently taken on Regency food. Claire walked on stage one afternoon when I was driving to the store.

What else would you like to tells us about this book?
Romantic Times said "Liberated heroines and intriguing, unconventional heroes will delight modern-day readers. The sensitive love stories, colorful backdrop and large cast of characters only add to the enjoyment." Four Stars.

To follow the chain, don't forget to check out the next to authors participating in The Next Big thing on December 11:
 
Mary Sullivan A few years ago, Mary picked up LaVyrle Spencer’s Morning Glory and became hooked on romance. Mary discovered Harlequin Superromance and knew she wanted to write these heartfelt stories of love, family, perseverance and happy endings, about very human heroes and heroines graced with backbone, strength of character and hope. Her next book is In From the Cold out in February 2013. www.mary-sullivan.blogspot.com
And
Maureen McGowan is the author of the Young Adult novels: Deviants (The Dust Chronicles #1), Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer and Cinderella: Ninja Warrior. Maureen left a career in finance to pursue her love of fiction. Aside from books and writing, she’s passionate about art, dance, films, fine handcrafted objects and shoes.
Raised in various Canadian cities, her previous career moved her to Northern California and Philadelphia for a number of years. She now lives and writes in Toronto, Canada. http://www.maureenmcgowan.blogspot.com/

Buckland Abbey Part V

What else might you find in the well-equipped drawing room.  A musical instrument.  In this case there is a square piano. A small elegant piece of furniture.

This one is dated 1778 and is a forerunner of a modern piano. The strings being struck rather than plucked, although it retains some of the the harpsichord sound.

The little box on the right hand side has some levers which allow the production of different tones.










Leaving the drawing room we go down the magnificent staircase we saw earlier. How about this for a window seat. You could almost sleep in this embrasure, or get up to all sorts.

And what about these interesting features. One a part of the old abbey above a doorway, the other an odd shaped passage leading from one part of the house to the other.



More to see next time.