Tips for Planning your UK Vacation, Part 2

In my previous post, I discussed making arrangements for travel to the UK and pointed out several reasons why I prefer to make my own reservations rather than booking through a travel agent or with a pre-planned group excursion. In this post, I will share my thoughts on how to make those reservations and list a few things to watch out for.

First of all, let me remind you that I am not a travel agent nor travel writer. Nor do I get paid to expound on the virtues of any particular booking company, airline or other entity. I am simply someone who loves to travel, and especially when that travel is to the United Kingdom and Ireland. For those of you who aren’t certain what is meant by Great Britain vs United Kingdom vs British Isles, or just how Ireland fits in, here is a great little Venn diagram to explain it.

Venn Diagram Map created by Anna Debenham (https://brilliantmaps.com/eng-gb-uk/)

Now that you understand where I like to travel, let’s talk about how I make my plans.

I have found Booking.com to be invaluable, because…

I get what I consider to be very good rates
there are hundreds (even thousands, depending on your destination) of listings
the site gives accurate user reviews of listed properties based on several criteria:
1. staff
1. facilities
1. cleanliness
1. comfort
1. value
1. location
1. wifi

and (for most properties) you can reserve now and pay later, in case your plans change.

Additionally, the Booking.com site lists property-specific information about facilities, distance to public transportation and airports, distance to major attractions, local restaurants/pubs/shopping, parking options, languages spoken by staff and direct contact information including phone numbers, which can be invaluable if you are in-country and face a delay.

When choosing a property, items c, e and f above (cleanliness, value and location) are my first priorities, and I know in advance what level of cleanliness I am willing to give up for value and location, and vice versa. Depending on where we are going, location may be more important than value, or less important than cost or cleanliness. Regardless, I always have my lower limit on cleanliness, and no amount of value and location can entice me to go below that point.

Also very important to me are the comments of other people who have stayed at the property. I take most of those very seriously, though I sort of take over-the-top and bottom-of-the-barrel comments with a grain of salt. The general opinion matters much more than one ecstatic patron with no standards or one disgruntled patron who had a single hair in the tub (ok-maybe that is pretty icky). But I think you get my point.

Keep in mind—Booking.com does not own any of the properties, and some properties have their own rules. Always be certain to read all of the specifics for each listing, as there are a few deviations from the norm, and Booking.com is very upfront about them. These specifics are typically found at the top of the listing under tabs labeled “House Rules” and “Fine Print.” You will want to read these details before you book.

Having said that cautionary bit, I have used Booking.com to book lodgings in England, Ireland, Scotland, Rome, Paris and the United States – virtually every place I’ve stayed over the past 5 years — and I continue to use them. That says something about my past experience with this particular company.

I have already pointed out that I do not get paid to promote Booking.com. That said, we can BOTH get a $25 reward if, in fact, you open an account (they are free) and use this link (https://www.booking.com/s/34_6/fce769fd) to book a stay!

Here are links to some of the places we’ve stayed after booking through Booking.com in case you’d like to have a look! Our requirements were a good record of cleanliness, good location (determined by various requirements) and not a national or international chain hotel. Only once did we have to settle for a chain hotel, and it was a unique experience, but that’s another story.

The Swan Inn (now Swan Inn and Backpackers Annex) was the first property I ever booked overseas and I used Booking.com. (https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-backpackers-annex-at-the-swan-pub.html). We stayed in what is now probably called the annex – a room above what was once the stable, and which might have once been the coachmens’ lodgings.

**The quiet neighborhood around the Swan Inn**

The Inglewood Boutique B&B in Chorley, England, is still one of our family favorites from all of our travels. Chorley is a charming little hamlet just off the M61 about midway between London and Glasgow. We used it as an overnight stopping point on our journey north from Oxford to Scotland, and were disappointed to have only one night there. The staff was amazing, the breakfast was first rate, and the accommodations were very clean and super comfy. (https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/inglewood-boutique-b-b-with-self-catering.html)

Where Fancy Wanders, Feet Should Follow

A Castle Old And Grey

by Alexander Anderson, Scottish Poet

I never see a castle
That is gaunt and grey and grim,
But my thoughts at once go backward
To the past so misty and dim.

To the time when tower and turret,
Kept watch far over the vale;
And along the sounding draw-bridge
Rode knights in their suits of mail.

I see the sunshine glancing
On helmet, pennon, and spear;
And hear from the depth of the forest,
A bugle calling clear.

I fill the hall with visions
Of ladies rich in their bloom;
And stately knights in armour,
And waving with feather and plume.

If I climb the broken stairway,
Where the stone is smooth and fine,
I hear a rustle and whisper,
And footsteps in front of mine.

Whisper of youth and maiden,
As they met in the long ago;
His deep and strong and manly,
Hers tender and sweet and low.

But maiden and youth have vanished,
Away from the scene and the light;
Gone, too, the high-born lady,
And the plumed and armoured knight.

Only the grey old castle,
Of crumbling stone and lime,
Still stands to speak of the ages,
And the iron footsteps of Time.

Where Fancy Wanders, Feet Should Follow

Tips for planning your UK vacation, Part 1

In the next several months I plan to do a lot of traveling, some with family and some on my own. Much of this traveling will be to one of my absolute favorite places: The United Kingdom. Scotland and England, in particular, seem almost to call to me. Maybe it’s my Scottish heritage My maiden name is Wallace. My father was John Walter Wallace, his father was John McClure Wallace, his father was Walter Betel Wallace, and Walter’s wife [my great-grandmother] was Marie McClure. That’s a long history of Scots!

Maybe I’m drawn to the UK because of the beauty. Or the long (long) history. I suspect, though, that it has as much to do with castles. I am absolutely, unnaturally enchanted by castles. Aren’t they romantic? Even a castle ruin can ignite my imagination and set my thoughts to the proverbial flights of fancy. Whatever the reason, I’ve spent several weeks in the UK over the past few years, and plan to make a couple more trips this year.

Alnwick Castle:Northumberland, England, Seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland (Also the place where Harry Potter learned to fly a broom, and the castle Lady Edith’s husband inherits just before they marry in the last episode of Downtown Abbey).

Many people prefer to travel with organized groups or to book flights, lodging and rental cars through travel agents when touring overseas. I get that – making long distance plans can be daunting at best and nerve-racking at worst. But having someone else make your plans can also be restrictive and expensive. Really expensive.

Personally, I prefer to make my own travel plans. In fact, I tend to kind-of obsess about it. I can be certain I get the flights I want departing the airport I want. I can stay for a day or a week and I don’t have to stick to a prepaid itinerary. I get to choose where to stay, preferring small apartments and family-run inns over more prestigious hotels with well-known names but little character. I decide when I want to take a short flight from one place to another, and when I’d prefer to drive my own car or maybe catch a train.

I am not a travel agent nor a travel writer, and I’m not even a member of a frequent flier club, but I have had some amazing trips and—with the exception of that time when we set-up our GPS incorrectly and drove for over a hundred miles on a mountain strewn with dead sheep—I have never had a single plan go awry (more about the dead sheep some other time). Over the next few weeks, I will share with you my travel tips for touring the UK. I originally put these thoughts on paper for some friends who were planning their first trip to England. I hope they find my tips helpful, and I hope you will, too.

Tamara Leigh: One of My Favorite Authors

There are so many good books out there that rarely do I spend my precious time reading any of them twice. One author whose books I have read more than twice is Tamara Leigh. Tamara writes contemporary and medieval romance, and if you know me, you know I think there’s nothing better than a guy with a sword on a horse. I’ve read nearly all of her medieval romances at least once (see comprehensive list below) and I’ve read several of them twice. I’ve also listened to most of them on Audible. To say I love her books would be a gross understatement.

What do I love about Tamara Leigh’s writing? First, she has the most amazing way of working medieval phrases and lifestyle into the words she writes without bogging the reader down in dialect or obscure idioms. While some words may be new to those who aren’t familiar with the genre, those who’ve read other medieval novels will find her choices spot-on.

Secondly, all of her characters are unique and believable—and none of them are perfect. There’s nothing worse than a character who is physically perfect and never does anything wrong. Ugh.

Tamara writes what are classified as inspirational and clean-read romances. That means we get all of the swoon-worthy chemistry between men and women without feeling icky afterward. Lack of abject sex scenes is a plus for other reasons, too – her stories have to rely on, well, story. With plenty of unexpected paths to happily-ever-after, her complex plots and intense relationships leave the reader wanting for nothing.

I also appreciate her historical accuracy in the settings and events, and in her characters’ behavior. As a scientist, I’m a real stickler for accuracy in historical novels in as much as it is possible. I once read (or, rather, tried to read) a medieval romance that had the heroine speak repeatedly of “women’s rights.” Of course, an author can make up anything they want if their novel is meant to be speculative fiction!

Speaking of speculative fiction, Tamara’s two-book Beyond Time medieval time travel series is, in a word, fabulous. In fact, Dreamspell (Book 1) is the reason I wrote Sword of the Fairvern, my first medieval time travel novel.

Of all Tamara’s books, I think Dreamspell is my favorite, with The Feud: A Medieval Romance series a very close second (or, mayhap, a tie?). I’ve read all of them more than once, and have also listened to them on Audible.

As for Tamara’s Audible offerings, I cannot say enough to recommend these to you. The narration by Mary Sarah Agliotta is excellent. If there was a word that meant “more excellent than the usual excellent,” I would use it to describe Mary Sarah’s work. In addition to all of the Tamara Leigh Audible titles, she has narrated Northanger Abbey by Jane Austin, children’s books, and even Jack London’s Call of the Wild! The tone of her voice gives excellent support to both male and female characters, and her use of pauses, pacing and other non-visual cues lends enhanced richness and drama to the performance.

If you are looking for an author whose works are both entertaining and fulfilling, then check out these offerings from Tamara Leigh (all available on Amazon.com.).

CLEAN READ HISTORICAL ROMANCE by Tamara Leigh

~ THE FEUD: A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE SERIES ~

Baron Of Godsmere: Book One

Baron Of Emberly: Book Two

Baron of Blackwood: Book Three

~ LADY: A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE SERIES ~

Lady At Arms: Book One

Lady Of Eve: Book Two

~ BEYOND TIME: A MEDIEVAL TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE SERIES ~

Dreamspell: Book One

Lady Ever After: Book Two

~ STAND-ALONE MEDIEVAL ROMANCE NOVELS ~

Lady Of Fire

Lady Of Conquest

Lady Undaunted

Lady Betrayed

INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE

~ AGE OF FAITH: A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE SERIES ~

The Unveiling: Book One

The Yielding: Book Two

The Redeeming: Book Three

The Kindling: Book Four

The Longing: Book Five

The Vexing: Book Six

The Awakening: Book Seven

See the full listing of books by Tamara Leigh at TamaraLeigh.com!

Y2K. The Mayan Calendar. The Nibiru Cataclysm. The End of the World?

Today is Friday the 13^th, so I suppose I rather expected my social media accounts to contain more than the usual cargo of wacky warnings about black cats, planet alignment and dire doomsday predictions. Sure enough, some group is claiming the biblical rapture will happen on April 23 because of a fictional planet known as Nibiru.

Really?

As I read one report refuting of the end-of-the-world forecast (does such nonsense even deserve refutation?), I wondered what ominous signs caused men to quake in medieval England, before our supposedly enlightened knowledge of the world.

Not unexpectedly, natural disasters often invoked end-of-life-as-we-know-it fear. One such disaster is known as The Great Drowning of 1362 (in England they called it The Great Wind). No matter what you call the storm, it was a winter tempest of epic proportions. Chroniclers record a minimum of 25,000 to 50,000 deaths across primarily England, Germany and the Netherlands (they weren’t very good at counting living people, so it is hard to know how many died). A monk at Canterbury Cathedral wrote that it caused…

…houses and buildings for the most part to come crashing to the ground, while some others, having had their roofs blown off by the force of the winds, were left in the ruined state; and … trees standing in the woods and elsewhere, were wrenched from the earth by their roots with a great crash, as if the Day of Judgement were at hand, and fear and trembling gripped the people of England to such an extent that no one knew where he could safely hide, for church towers, windmills, and many dwelling-houses collapsed to the ground, although without much bodily injury.

(Chronicle of Anonymous of Canterbury; http://www.medievalists.net/2015/02/08/great-wind-1362/medieval-wind-storm/)

Between the wind and waves, a few communities disappeared altogether (see The Lost Town of Dunwich, England at https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lost-town-dunwich).

It’s no wonder medieval people were so superstitious – they experienced otherworldly events with no way to understand them. But what is modern man’s excuse for the outrageous things that some people believe?

Will the world eventually come to an end? Absolutely. The Bible is pretty unequivocal on that point. However, Jesus himself said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). The take-home message in all of this? That part is easy.

Be ready.

Medieval mongrels…

On Saturday, I’ll be taking my doggie to intermediate puppy obedience class at AlphK9U in Fishers, IN (here’s a shout-out to an excellent dog obedience and sports facility). It’s a chance for my pup to socialize with other dogs, run-around and get some exercise, and swim (yep). I’ve always loved dogs and have owned a number of breeds, including rough standard collie, toy poodle, lhasa apso, Shetland sheepdog, Saint Bernard, Labrador retriever, and several mutts. Currently, we have a sassy six-pound black Pomeranian and my eight-month-old miniature Australian Shepherd.

I often put dogs in my stories, which required me to do some research about what breeds were around in fourteenth century England. What I found is similar to what I found when I looked up medieval horse breeds (look for that info in a different post)—dog breeds were named for the service they provided their master. That’s not so different than today, except that the names were a bit more…colorful.

Here’s a list of dogs from a late 15^th century book known as the Boke of St Albans. Dame Juliana Berners (Barnes or Bernes?) lists the following types of dogs in her coverage of hunting practices: a greyhound, a mastiff, a mongrel, a lymer (a hound that finds game), a spaniel, raches (a hound that chases the game), a bastard, kennets (small hunting dogs), dung-heap dogs, terriers, ‘prick-eared curs,’ butcher’s hounds, and trundle-tails. Wouldn’t you love to know what a trundle-tail looked like?

Shakespeare runs down a list of dogs (in MacBeth) as hounds, and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves. I can just see someone looking down their nose at a neighbor’s mongrel as they walk past with their demi-wolf.

Another famous dog-writer was Dr. Johannes Caius, physician to Queen Elizabeth I. In his book, The Dogs of Britain (written in Latin, of course), he lists beast-hunting dogs as Greyhounds, Harriers, Tumblers, Bloodhounds, Gazehounds, and Terriers, among others. Some of those sound familiar, others not so much. He then lists water retrievers as pointers (indexes), setters, and spaniels. Farm dogs include the shepherd’s dog and the mastiff. For the “gentler sex,” he lists “gentle spaniels” and “comforters.” I think that last one, comforter, perfectly describes my little Finn.

Of all the historical dog breeds I’ve run across, one catches my interest more than the others, not because I imagine it as particularly appealing to the eye, but because it lived such an unfortunate life. They were the “turnspit” dogs that often lived their entire life in a cage by the fire, waiting for their master to put meat on the spit. When meat had been skewered and set over the fire, the little dogs ran on a wheel much like a hamster. This, then, turned the meat. They are typically described as scrappy little dogs that often received no human kindness in return for their work. In fact, it was common to add a few hot coals to their wheel to keep them from lying down on the job. And that is one of the reasons why we have animal cruelty laws today.

Enjoy these depictions of dogs in medieval art!

French writer, Christine de Pizan, and her dog

And my dog thinks our vet is bad…

“No, Fido, down! Bad dog!”

Taylor University Professional Writing conference 2017

Taylor University Professional Writing Conference 2017

The second annual Taylor University Professional Writing Conference was held on the beautiful campus of Taylor University this past Friday and Saturday. The value of concentrated and intentional time spent in the company of other writers cannot be overrated – it is invaluable. I now find myself wandering around like a lost pup wishing I had one more bone to chew with my writing friends, old and new.

Key note speaker was Bob Hostetler, an award-winning writer of more than 47 books, editor, literary agent, pastor and speaker from southwestern Ohio (learn more about Bob here: http://www.bobhostetler.com/aboutbob/). As a writer and a Christian, Bob was able to encourage us and challenge us as only a fellow Christian writer could.

Other highlights included author/agent/editor panels and, of course, top-notch teaching, with multiple sessions geared toward specific attendee needs, from a selection of Publishing 101 courses for relative beginners to humor writing to marketing. See below for a complete list of Faculty and Speakers.

There were, of course, a number of opportunities to meet with authors, editors and agents in one-on-one sessions to pitch books, ask specific advice, and network. I met with Michelle Israel Harper, acquisitions editor at Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing (www.love2readlove2writepublishing.com). L2L2 is a publishing house that deals specifically with Christian speculative fiction and that’s right up my Diagon Alley!

Whether you are a struggling new writer or a successful multi-published author, there is something for you at the Taylor University Professional Writing Conference. Save the date for next year: August 3 and 4, 2018!

Faculty/Speakers included: James Watkins (ACW Press), Rachael O. Phillips (author, columnist and very funny lady), Cindy Sproles (Lighthouse publishing of the Carolinas), Lin Johnson (Christian Communicator and Write-to-Publish Conference Director), Katie Long (Wesleyan Publishing House), Michelle Israel Harper (Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing), Estee Zandee (Zondervan), Rebekah Blomenberg (Annie’s Publishing), Kate Jameson (Focus on the Family), Dawn Anderson (Kregel Publications), Lawrence W. Wilson (DustJacket Books), Chip MacGregor (MacGregor Literary, Inc), Linda Glaz (Hartline Literary Agency), and Dr. Dennis E. “Doc” Hensley (author of gazillions of books and articles, and Creator/Director of Taylor University’s Professional Writing Program).

Of Power and Potties

The power was out today. According to the electric company, it was out for 30,000 people. My daughter, a high school sophomore, was delighted to get out of school early. I don’t know how the other 29,998 people felt about it, but I took the opportunity to ponder life before internet, electric lights and flush toilets.

The internet part would be sort of easy to deal with, at least in the short term, unless you’re trying to book reservations at the new restaurant downtown. Or if you’re waiting to hear from a potential agent about whether or not they liked your proposal. Or if that acquaintance you haven’t heard from in a gazillion years might happen to pick that moment to post an update to Facebook.

I like to camp, so we own a broad assortment of flashlights and propane lanterns. I think we even have at least one Harry Potter wand with a light-up tip, so I could probably go a fairly long time without electric lights.

Flush toilets, though, that’s a tough one. We live in the country and our water comes out of a well in the yard, just like in the old times. Except that in modern times you can’t get water out of it without an electric pump. Hence, no electric means no handy-dandy toity. Even us regular campers have our limits…having to do my business in the forest would be just on the other side of mine.

So when I began musing about medieval versions of potties, I remembered a photo I took on a visit to Dover Castle this past June. Those large structures bumping out on the sides of the donjon tower walls aren’t there for architectural flair – they’re the castle version of poop chutes. (Notice that little hole at the bottom in the photo below? More on that later.)

Inside these little “privies” (also known as garderobes or wardrobes) is a bench with a hole in the center. No need to explain how they work. But it seems that at one time these little alcoves might serve not only as a place to relieve one’s self, but also to store one’s valuables. After all, if someone wanted your jewels, where else would you keep them?

It was also common to store cloaks and tights in the garderobe. Apparently they thought the often-strong odors emanating from the hole in the seat would keep fleas and moths out of their clothing. It would keep me out of them, too.

Now back to that little hole at the bottom of the architectural flair. You might have noticed that it doesn’t lead into any plumbing. (They didn’t have plumbing.) Yep – it just went right into the moat, or perhaps a little cesspit right next to the moat. Either way, there was usually a well in the center of the castle grounds and….

Well, I’ll leave the rest of that thought for you to finish.

Taylor University Professional Writing Conference 2016

It has been just over a week since the conclusion of the first annual Taylor University Professional Writing Conference, hosted by the Taylor University Professional Writing Program. Kudos to Linda Taylor, Doc (Dennis) Hensley and their capable student staff for a first rate conference that didn’t break my bank.

The two-day event featured guest speakers Dennis E. Hensley (author, speaker and writing professor), author and speaker Jim Watkins, and Keren Baltzer, editor at Hachette Book Group. Workshops were led by Rachel Phillips (my very funny friend and multi-published author), Ann Byle, Nichole Parks (not to be confused with Nicholas Sparks!), Amy Green, Estee Wells Zandee, Dan Balow and several others. There was truly something for everyone, no matter their level of experience or success, their writing genre, or their age.

For more information on this year’s workshop experts, or to get info on next year’s conference, click here: https://taylorsprofessionalwritersconference.wordpress.com/

Maid to be a Bride

Out now!

When Lady Daphne Battencourt’s uncle arranges for her to marry a wealthy, but vulgar, tradesman, she is resigned to her fate as the token wife of a heartless man. But after she realizes she would rather spend her life in service than marry without love, she finds herself in the role of lady’s maid to the mother of a very handsome gentleman. Unfortunately, Mr. Mattingly is already betrothed. Only Daphne’s rekindled faith can help her find her way.

“Maid to be a Bride by Jan Wallace Reber is a captivating romance that contrasts the best and worst aspects of England’s Regency period. Modern readers will savor this story in which courageous Lady Daphne Battencourt and chivalrous Jules Mattingly battle cultural pressures, unfair inheritance laws, and evil manipulators to affirm their faith and their love.”

– Rachael Phillips, Author of Guilty Treasures, Recipe for Deception, and several biographies.

Read an excerpt of MAID TO BE A BRIDE

Chapter 1

The heavy, ornately carved door of the study was closed. Ever since Uncle took her father’s place as the Earl of Claremont, many rooms of her home were now closed to her. Lady Daphne Battencourt tried to calm her nerves, but it was never good when Uncle summoned her. She reached toward the doorknob, then shrank from it. What if Uncle was cross for her question at dinner when saw him three days prior? What if he was drinking?

She tried not to even think about the possibilities. There was nothing to be done for it, now. She wanted a London season. She’d been preparing her entire life for her presentation to society, for her chance to be admired and courted. For her turn to take the stage before the ton and make her mark.

All of the dancing and music lessons and—goodness, yes, the etiquette training that had been drilled into her from the age of five—would all be for nothing if she wasn’t launched into society. So, she’d taken the risk of asking for his permission to go to Great Aunt Persephone.

The old woman was as mean as a snake, but loved nothing more than to show off her connections to the beau monde. She’d gladly ensure that the daughter of her nephew, the Earl of Claremont, made a good showing in the London social scene. If he was angry about it, she would have to bear his retribution. There was no way to retract the request.

She put her hand on the crystal knob but pulled it back yet again, and bit her lower lip. She could not simply walk into his sanctuary as she always had with Papa. She tried, in vain, to force herself to relax, and knocked twice.

“Enter,” commanded the gruff voice on the other side of the door.

She took a deep breath, then turned the knob and pushed the door open as silently as its massive hinges would allow. Uncle was standing in front of a blazing fire with a half empty glass in his hand.

Daphne eyed the glass warily. “Hello, Uncle.” She gave him the deep curtsy he expected of her. ”You asked to see me?”

His eyes swept over her, lingering on her bodice, and she pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, hoping he didn’t feel the power he had to make her shiver under his gaze. Without answering, he went to the small sideboard and wrapped his stout fingers around the neck of a crystal decanter, then pulled off the glass stopper and refilled his glass of brandy.

“How old are you?” He drained the glass in only two gulps.

“I’ll be eighteen in just two months, in July,” she stammered.

“Tell me, Daphne, what is the purpose of a London season for a young woman such as yourself?”

“Excuse me, sir?” her voice faltered and she swallowed hard. “I do not understand the question, Uncle.” She clenched her hands together until her fingertips began to go numb. He was provoking her. Again. Must she always be on guard in her own home?

“Come, now. You’re supposed to be a bright young woman. What is it young women want from their first season?”

She tried to ignore the growing slur in his speech. “Well, I suppose a young lady would like to make a good match.” Or so mother had always instructed her.

“To find a suitable husband, then, hmm?” He turned to look at her with brows raised.

Should she should simply agree?—or add that the season was also about the balls and the gowns and being admired and dancing and being presented at court…and that if she did find a husband, she could leave Uncle for good—.

He cut into her train of thought. “But what sort of match would a girl like you hope to make, hmm? A girl whose family is hiding a nasty little secret?” He squinted one eye at her.

“I cannot know what you mean, sir. We have no secret.” Her mind raced to find some hint as to what he meant, but there was nothing. She had always been close to both of her parents. What sort of secret could possibly be unknownto her but known to Uncle?

“Surely you know about your father, do you not?”

Papa? Papa was perfect in every way. What could Uncle know that she did not? “Still, sir, I don’t understand what you mean. What about my father?”

“Perhaps you should have asked your mother that question before she died and left you to wonder.”

“Wonder about Papa? Do you imply that she—that my father—“ The idea was too absurd to voice it. Of all possible revelations, that one she could not, would not, accept.

“I am simply saying that your mother had many admirers and that, well, you know how it can be when a beautiful woman gets lonely. When her husband is gone for days or weeks at a time.”

No words came to her. She just stood there with her mouth open in shock, drawing quick, shallow breaths. Uncle’s implication was inconceivable!

“You remember your mother’s dear friend, Duncan, do you not? He visited quite frequently, as I recall. Did he ever stay with you and your mother while your father was away on business?”

“Yes, but Uncle Duncan—“

“And what about your mother’s cousin? Her French cousin? What was his name?”

“Roland Thierry, but he was the same age as mother. Of course they were close.” This entire conversation was preposterous. Uncle must surely be mistaken.

“Her cousin? Really? Or did she just call him cousin, like you called Duncan ‘uncle’ when you know very well that I’m your only uncle? It’s almost as if the man wanted to hang around and see you grow up.” He used a fingernail to pick at his tooth, then sucked his tongue against the spot.

Daphne put her fingers to her lips and gasped. “No! That cannot be true. Mother loved Papa very much. She would never—” Her throat went suddenly dry and she couldn’t choke out the rest of her thought. How could any of this be true? How could Papa not be her papa?

“We all want to believe the best about our family, Daphne. But sometimes the truth is our enemy. That being the case, you should be quite glad to know that I have taken care of the matter and have, in addition, saved what is left of your poor departed papa’s fortune from all of the frivolous frippery that goes with a debut season.”

Sword of the Fairvern

My full length medieval time travel romance is finally available on Amazon.com! Available in digital and paperback format!

Sword of the Fairvern

Time can be good or bad, depending on whether you’re going forward or backward…

Chevelle Delamar was known in the 21^stcentury as the girl who shouldn’t have lived. Colwyn, Lord Beaumarche, is a 14^thcentury knight with a passionate hatred for his father and a distrust of women who show up at his castle uninvited. When a medieval sword sends Chevelle right into Colwyn’s battle against his father, she follows her heart down a path that will change both of their futures—if only they can leave their pasts behind.

Get your copy today, and don’t forget to leave a review on Amazon if you like it! Buy Now

Romance in TIME