Welsh myths and legends - Twm Sion Cati, the Welsh Robin Hood

It's not just Sherwood Forest that has a famous outlaw who stole from the rich (although it's not confirmed that he gave his ill gotten gains to the poor, but we'll gloss over that.)

As a child, growing up in West Wales, I was enthralled by the tales of Twm Siôn Cati. (Tom son of Cathi). He  may have become a legendary figure in Welsh folklore. but it seems he actually existed. Thomas Jones was of noble blood, born around 1530, supposedly the illegitimate son of the squire of Porthyffynnon (Fountain Gate), near Tregaron, mid west Wales and Catherine (Cati), the illegitimate daughter of one of the ancestors of Syr John Wynn of Gwydir. (a rather immoral lot some of these noble families), although it is actually more likely he was  the son of a farmer, Sion (John) son of David ap Madog. It was  common practice in rural Wales, traditionally a matriarchal society, for children with common names to be nicknamed after their mothers, so he became known as Twm Sion Cati.

Twm Sion Cati earned his reputation, roaming the rugged west and mid regions of Wales, robbing from the rich. It is thought he had some formal education and  was a talented poet. He appears to have progressed from being a a common thief and highwayman into quite a crafty and clever conman.
 
 According to one well known tale he once stole a fine chestnut mare from a farmer named Powell. Twm then painted the animal grey and sold it back to the farmer - who didn't find out how he'd been cheated until rain washed the paint off the horse!

Another tale tells how Twm stayed an inn overnight and learnt that a certain highwayman planned to  rob him the following day. He had a large sum of money with him and allowed the rumour to   get around that he had the money hidden in the pack saddle of his horse.The next day, Twm rode an old, broken winded nag along the track which the highwayman frequented. When the robber accosted him, Twm tossed the pack saddle in the middle of a pool. While the highwayman waded into the pool to fetch it, Twm  switched horses and galloped off on the highwayman's own horse, a fine, swift stallion.

Another time a shopkeeper tried to cheat him by selling him a pot with a hole in it, while claiming the it was sound. Twm dropped the pot over the man's head, saying that there was certainly a hole in it or he would not have been able to fit such a large thing as the shopkeeper's head inside it. He then made off with the other pots!

He was reputed to be compassionate though, and to have avoided hurting those from whom he stole. It is said he was able to secure his victim by firing an arrow which would pin the rider to his saddle, rendering him unable to move, but unharmed

Twm often hid from his arch enemy the Sheriff of Carmarthen in a cave on the slopes of the rugged, densely wooded Dinas Hill, about 12 miles north of Llandovery, close to the village of Rhandirmwyn. Beneath the cave, the mountain river Pysgotwr joins the larger River Towy and thunders through the rocky gorge below. These days Dinas Hill is on RSPB nature reserve and  can be visited by tourists and visitors interested in the legend of Twm Sion Catti.

When Elizabeth 1st came to the throne he was pardoned and returned from Geneva where he had fled to escape the law. He served as steward for the lordship of Caron and later a Justice of The Peace and geneologist, becoming wealthy and marrying an heiress widow. becoming much loved and respected until his death in 1609.

There are several books written about this loveable rougue, including Lynn Hughes' book about Twm, entitled 'Hawkmoor', which was serialised by the BBC in 1977.

 

CHILDREN IN READ

 #ChildrenInRead. U K readers will be familiar with CHILDREN IN NEED  which takes place every November and raises funds for deserving children all over the world. Children in Read is part of this and hundreds of authors have donated signed books to help this great cause.

I'm so happy to be taking part, and you can bid now for a signed paperback of the first book in my Destiny Trilogy - it's complete and a 'standalone'. I'll include any dedication you wish, and also some 'swag' goodies!

You can bid now for this or any of the hundreds of wonderful books in all genres. Go on, treat yourself and help a very good cause at the same time!

 If you like to listen to a book rather than read it, there are some really great books available in audio.

(You can get my own Destiny Trilogy for FREE, and there are plenty of other free listens available too.)

GET YOUR FREE CODES NOW:

Starquest: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=starquest
Children of the Mist: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=children+of+the+mist

Beloved Enemy:https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=Beloved+Enemy

Also try this one by the very talented Helen Johannes:

https://www.freeaudiobookcodes.com/book/4911f918-9db3-4733-867a-53e015ec3192

(If you have a free audio book you'd like me to mention, just leave a comment with an email addy so I can contact you)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Welsh Myths and Legends - The dragon of Penmynydd

 Hello my lovelies

As always, I hope you're staying safe and well. Another mythical creature for you this week - and another dragon. Many dragons in fiction are noble, friendly creatures, not so much the one in this legend - here is the tale of the dragon of Penmynydd:

 

Not far from the manor farm of Penhesgyn, near Penmynydd on the island of Anglesey,  a dragon dwelt on the banks of the river Braint. A soothsayer in the area foretold that the heir to the manor would be killed by the dragon. Hoping to keep him safe,the lord of the manor sent the boy away to England. For several years the young man stayed far away from Wales in the safety of England.  Eventually a brave local lad slew the dragon by putting a polished cauldron in the bottom of a pit.

Seeing its own reflection. and believing it to be a rival, the dragon fought the reflection it until it was exhausted, whereupon the youth killed the dragon and, amid much rejoicing, the locals buried the creature  in the pit. Thinking all was well, and elated by his new freedom to return to his homeland, the heir came back to the manor,  but insisted on seeing the body of the dragon. As soon as the carcass was exhumed, the he kicked the head of the dragon which had caused his exile, but one of the dragon's poisonous fangs penetrated his boot and went into his foot, killing him instantly. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled.

 

(Me thinks he should have been a lot more careful and not tried to take his revenge on the poor, dead creature!) 😉

 CHILDREN IN  READ

 #ChildrenInRead. U K readers will be familiar with CHILDREN IN NEED  which takes place every November and raises funds for deserving children all over the world. Children in Read is part of this and hundreds of authors have donated signed books to help this great cause.

I'm so happy to be taking part, and you can bid now for a signed paperback of the first book in my Destiny Trilogy - it's complete and a 'standalone'. I'll include any dedication you wish, and also some 'swag' goodies!

You can bid now for this or any of the hundreds of wonderful books in all genres. Go on, treat yourself and help a very good cause at the same time!

 

 If you like to listen to a book rather than read it, there are some really great books available in audio.
(You can get my own Destiny Trilogy for FREE, and there are plenty of other free listens available too.)

GET YOUR FREE CODES NOW:

Starquest: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=starquest
Children of the Mist: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=children+of+the+mist

Beloved Enemy:https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=Beloved+Enemy

Also try this one by the very talented Helen Johannes:

https://www.freeaudiobookcodes.com/book/4911f918-9db3-4733-867a-53e015ec3192

(If you have a free audio book you'd like me to mention, just leave a comment with an email addy so I can contact you)

 

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Welsh Myths and Legends - King Arthur's awakening

Hello my lovelies, 

I hope this finds you still safe and well. Here in my part of England, we survived a minor earthquake at the beginning of the week, no damage and no-one injured, thankfully. I'm going back to my native Wales for another legend, this time featuring King Arthur.

Somewhere in the beautiful peaks of Snowdonia, King Arthur is said to lay sleeping with his knights, awaiting the call to return, at a time when the world has need of them.  This place is said to be the mythical Avalon, and their sleeping forms guard a great treasure in gold. Many people have searched for the gold and this is a tale of one of them.

A Welshman visited London, after selling a herd of good Welsh Black cattle. He carried a hazel staff, and as he walked over London Bridge, he saw a man staring at his staff. After a while the man asked him where he came from and he replied that he had travelled from Wales, although he wondered why the man was so interested. "Don't be offended," said the man, but if you can remember where you cut that stick, it could be to the advantage of us both, for there is treasure buried near that place."

It gradually dawned on the Welshman that the man might be a sorcerer, and although unsure whether he should trust him, eventually allowed himself to be persuaded to show him the place.

They journeyed together to Wales, and the Welshman, pointed out an old hazel tree. "This is where I cut my stick."

"Then we must dig," said the sorcerer. Eventually they dug down to a broad, flat stone. Together they managed to prise it up, and found some steps leading downwards. At the bottom of the steps, they walked along a narrow passage until they came to a door, which they opened, to see before them  a great cave, dimly lit. The first thing they came to was a bell. "Do not touch that bell," warned the sorcerer. As they looked around the cave the Welshman saw many knights asleep. Each one was clad in shining armour, a steel helmet  on his head, and a gleaming shield on his arm. The sword of each was in his hand. The King held in his hand, below the hilt,  a mighty sword with scabbard and haft of gold studded with gleaming gems; on his head was a crown set with many precious stones. He too slept. On the floor was a huge mound of precious gold.

"Are they really asleep?" asked the Welshman, hardly believing his own eyes.

"Yes, all of them. The King is Arthur himself and they have been sleeping for over a thousand years," answered the sorcerer, "but if you touch that bell, they will all awake.

They swiftly gathered as much of the gold from the treasure mound as they could carry, but as they left, the young Welshman stumbled against the bell, and the sound reverberated throughout the cave. As soon as it rang, the warriors leapt to their feet. Arthur demanded "Who rang the bell? Has the day  come?"

 The sorcerer shouted back ," No, the day has not come. Sleep on, Arthur the Great."

The sorcerer hurried the Welshman out of the cave, moved the stone back to its place, and vanished.

The Welshman tried many times to find the way back to the cave again, but although he dug over every inch of the hill, he never did find the entrance again.

---

If you like to listen to a book rather than read it, there are some really great books available in audio.
(You can get my own Destiny Trilogy for FREE, and there are plenty of other free listens available too.)

GET YOUR FREE CODES NOW:

Starquest: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=starquest
Children of the Mist: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=children+of+the+mist

Beloved Enemy:https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=Beloved+Enemy

Also try this one by the very talented Helen Johannes:

https://www.freeaudiobookcodes.com/book/4911f918-9db3-4733-867a-53e015ec3192

(If you have a free audio book you'd like me to mention, just leave a comment with an email addy so I can contact you)

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Welsh Myths and Legends The tale of Manadden and the mouse

 Hello my lovelies, I have another Welsh myth for you this

week, with a much less threatening creature than some I have featured.

The lord Manadden, who had been campaigning in Ireland, returned to Narbeth in mid Wales, to find his lands had been usurped. After a while, he met and fell in love with Rhiannon, the widow of Pwyll, and the goddess of horses, and soon they were married. 

Some time later, a fierce storm rose up and the land was covered with mist. When it cleared they saw that the countryside was deserted. All the animals, cottages and people had vanished. 

He and Rhiannon's grown up son, Pryderi, set out to discover what had happened and came across a deserted castle with a golden fountain. When they touched the fountain, he and Pryderi were instantly struck dumb, Rhiannon arrived in search of her son and husband and she too was stuck dumb. Then, with a sound like thunder, the castle and  Rhiannon and her son vanished. Manawdden was stricken with grief and turned his back on the land, to earn his living as a shoemaker in Hereford, but he was so good at cobbling that angry competitors threatened to kill him and he went back to Narbeth where he bought some land and settled down to the life of a farmer. He was as good a farmer as he had been a cobbler, and at harvest time he had three large fields of best quality wheat ready to be cut. "I will reap this to-morrow," he said and early the next morning went out to reap the first field. When he came there he found nothing but the bare straw. Every one of the ears of the wheat was cut from off, and all the ears carried away, leaving nothing but the straw. This also happened to the second field. He went to the third field and it was also ripe and he vowed to watch over it and catch the thieves red-handed.

At midnight there was a tremendous roaring sound and there appeared the largest hoard of mice ever seen, far too many to be numbered. Each mouse climbed up the wheat stem and bending it down with its weight,  cut off one of the ears of wheat, and carried it away, leaving just the stalk, then they all left taking the ears of wheat with them.

He rushed after them in a rage, but they all escaped except one, which he caught  and put  in his glove, tying the opening with string, and returned home. Then he went to the Gorsedd (a  Bardic throne) of Narberth, taking the mouse with him. And he set up two forks on the highest part of the Gorsedd, intending to hang the mouse.  While he was doing this, a scholar, dressed in rags, came toward him, and enquired what he was doing.

"I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," he replied.

"But it's only a mouse, set if free," said the scholar. He then offered him a pound to set the creature free but Manawyddan refused. "I will not let it go free, he said. "It is a thief and will pay the penalty for stealing."

Then a priest on a fine horse rode up and offered Manawyddan three pounds if hewould let the mouse go, but again he refused.

Then he noosed the string around the mouse's neck, and as he was about to draw it up, a rich bishop rode toward him, with a retinue of packhorses and servants, and again bargained for the mouse to be set free. He eventually raised the price of the mouse's release to twenty four pounds, together with all the pack horses and the their loads. Still Manawyddan refused, and the bishop asked what he wanted to reprieve the mouse. When Manawyddan insisted on knowing the truth, the bishop told him that the mouse was his wife. who was with child, hence her inability to run fast enough to get away, and he was a mage and the one who had cast the charm in revenge for the bag-trapping trick Rhiannon had pulled on the man who had wanted to marry her, many years ago. He'd turned his servants and the villagers into mice to strip the wheatfields, and his wife and ladies of the court also asked to be turned into mice, to join in the destruction of the harvest.

Manawyddan demanded that Rhiannon and Pryderi should be set free, and  the illusion of the castle be removed. He also elicited a promise that there would be no vengeance taken either on him, Rhiannon or Pryderi, that he would never cast a spell over the land again and that Rhiannon and Prederi immediately appear before him.

Llwyd agreed and as his wife and stepson came toward him, Manawyddan at once released the mouse.Then Llwyd struck her with a magic wand, and she was changed back into a beautiful young woman.

"Look around upon your land," Llwyd told him "and you will  see it all tilled and the people and dwellings restored.

And so it was. 

 

FREE AUDIOBOOKS

If you like to listen to a book rather than read it, there are some really great books available in audio.
(You can get my own Destiny Trilogy for FREE.)

GET YOUR FREE CODES NOW:

Starquest: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=starquest
Children of the Mist: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=children+of+the+mist

Beloved Enemy:https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=Beloved+Enemy

Also try this one by the very talented Helen Johannes:

https://www.freeaudiobookcodes.com/book/4911f918-9db3-4733-867a-53e015ec3192

(If you have a free audio book you'd like me to mention, just leave a comment with an email addy so I can contact you)

 

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Mythical creatures of Wales - the Twrch Trwyth

 Hello my lovelies

I hope you're keeping well and safe. This week we're back on dry land for our mythical creature - and a return to the Arthurian legends.

The Twrch Trwyth iwas a massive, enchanted boar. A young squire, Culhwch was given a series of tasks in order to impress the evil giant,
Ysbaddaden Bencawr, who was the father of Olwen, with whom Culhwch was in love.

The hardest task was to take a magical comb, razor and scissors,entangled in the long hair around the boar's head. If Culhwch completed this task successfully, Ysbaddaden said he would use these items to shave his beard before the wedding!

Culhwch then enlisted the help of King Arthur. They pursued the creature to Ireland, but the boar took his family of monstrous young pigs across the sea, where it landed in Porthclais, Pembrokeshire, and created havoc, destroying large areas of the adjoining counties of Ceredigion (my home county) and Carmarthenshire, and killing many people, including some of Arthur's men. Eventually, they did manage to fulfil the quest,  and kill the young pigs, although even Arthur was unable to kill the gigantic boar itself, and it swam across the sea back to Ireland.

FREE AUDIOBOOKS

If you'd like to listen to a book rather than read it,there are some really great books available in audio.

(You can get my own Destiny Trilogy for FREE.)  

GET YOUR FREE CODES NOW:

Starquest: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=starquest
Children of the Mist: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=children+of+the+mist
Beloved Enemy:https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=Beloved+Enemy

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Myths and legends of Wales - Adar Llwch Gwin

Apologies for there being no post in this series last week - no real excuse except time caught me up and passed me! Anyway the mythcal animals are back this week with the Adar Llwch Gwin (but more about that in a minute. First I want to say I hope all my friends in the U.S. had a very happy Independance Day and also that you are all keeping safe during this horrid pandemic.

Back to the Adar Llwch Gwin and once again, this story is connected to the Arthurian legends.
The name means Bird of dust and wine (Adar - bird, Llwch - dust, and gwin - wine.)  This creature was a ferocious, giant bird, similar to a griffin. They were said to understand the human language and obey every command given to them by their keeper.

The story goes that the Adar Llwch Gwin was given to a warrior named Drudwas ap Tryffin, by his wife, who was also a fairy. Drudwas's father was the King of Denmark and his sister, so the story goes, was a mistress of King Arthur.

Drudwas was about to do battle with Arthur, and commanded the Adar Llwch Gwin to kill the first man to enter the battlefield. As he prepared for the battle, confident that Arthur would be first on the field, his sister delayed the King, and when Drudwas strode out onto the battlefield, the bird turned upon him and tore him to pieces. When it realised what it had done, the Adar Llwch Gwin let out a shrill and mournful wail.

Later, in medieval Welsh poetry, the phrase Adar Llwch Gwin came to describe all kinds of raptors including hawks and falcons, and was the name was also given to men who proved their bravery.

If you haven't yet read (or listened to) The Destiny Trilogy, and would like to see a 'taster', I'm thrilled to have had the covers animated, and a new trailer made for the series, by the talented Morgan Wright, with music by GeeGee Music

Productions.

 

FREE AUDIOBOOKS

 If you're at a loose end in these strange and rather scary times, there are many great books out there to be read, so why no try a new author.
If you'd like to listen to a book rather than read it, again there are some really great books available in audio.
(You can get my own Destiny Trilogy for FREE.)


GET YOUR FREE CODES NOW:
Starquest: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=starquest
Children of the Mist: https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=children+of+the+mist

Beloved Enemy:https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/https://freeaudiobookcodes.com/?q=Beloved+Enemy

Also try this one by the very talented Helen Johannes:

https://www.freeaudiobookcodes.com/book/4911f918-9db3-4733-867a-53e015ec3192

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

This is from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. 

This snippet starts a few lines from the previous one. Megan and Glyn have become good friends, sharing a common love of animals.Glyn piques Megan's curiosity by hinting that the cottage might be haunted. As you see, if you've been following this from the start, we've sort of come full circle, so I'm going to leave it here - I may post a bit more if I ever get it finished and published.

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.

 SNIPPET

 “As you must be aware, Wales is full of myths and legends, and this area has more than its fair share, and one old tale concerns a young woman called Rhiannon, who lived in this cottage long ago.”

“Go on,” she prompted, as he hesitated once more.

“Apparently, as well as being the village matchmaker, she also cared for all the sick and injured animals the villagers brought her. She loved animals and especially, her little mare, which the villagers whispered, had the power of flight; others said this was just a rumour put about by folk with an overactive imagination.

 

 “So what happened to her?” Megan asked.

“Sion Sienco, a local gypsy, was in love with Rhiannon and forever playing tricks on her to try to gain her attention, but to start with she would have nothing to do with him. Sion would do things like causing her milk cow to go dry, or spiriting away her beloved pony and hiding the animal in the woods.”

She grinned at him over the rim of her mug. “I’m not surprised she spurned his advances if he did things like that.”

He smiled ruefully. “I suppose men sometimes do silly things when they’re in love, and of course it was a very long time ago, and stories become distorted in the telling."

Show Australia Some Love

As I mentioned last week,  The Wild Rose Press, and 48 authors have published three volumes of short stories to raise funds to help those affected by the devastating wildfires. As of this moment, in the state of New South Wales alone, there are 60 separate bushfires burning, of which 20 are out of control. The weather forecast over the next few days is soul destroying as it's expected to be in the low 40's C - about 105 in F with strong winds. In some rural areas, those who have not left their homes have been told it is now too dangerous to move - there is no way out. They must stay and defend their houses.

The print volumes can be purchased from:
 
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product-category/writers-shop-cat/special-release-paperbacks

The ebooks  can be found on Amazon as well as any other distributor where you purchase ebooks. They're available now for pre-order and will be released on 14th February. Print  versions are also available from Amazon but Amazon will take their cut, whereas all of the money raised on the Wild Rose Press will go to the charity.

My contribution is in volume 1 and is an historical western - a change from my usual SF/Fantasy romances.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Australia-Burns-Show-Some-Love-ebook/dp/B0848W2HQT

 Please, if you can, purchase at least 1 volume to help our Australian friends. Thank you

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - " ...is there something you're not telling me?

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. 

 I'm skipping ahead several chapters. Megan and Glyn have become good friends, sharing a common love of animals. The mysterious pony's owner has still not turned up and Glyn's son Huw is the only one who can ride her. Megan has painted a portrait of Huw and the pony and invites them both to the cottage for a meal and to give them the painting.

SNIPPET

After the meal  they chatted about painting and Huw’s schoolwork and the pony, for a while, and Glyn again complimented Megan on the painting. Then he glanced around the room and gave her a very direct look.

  “How are you enjoying living here?” he asked. “You seem to have made this old cottage very cosy and comfortable.”

“Oh yes, I love it,” she told him, “I wouldn’t go back to London if you paid me.”

He grinned, “That’s good.” Then all at once, he looked serious, “you’ve not had any problems, strange noises or anything?”

Megan frowned wondering what he was getting at, that was the second time he’d mentioned strange noises. “No, not really, nothing I wouldn’t expect from a cottage this old anyway  - you asked me that before, is there something about this cottage you’re not telling me?”

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received. I probably won't post too many more snippets of this, as I just want to get on and finish it now.

Show Australia Some Love

If you subscribe to my Newsletter you'll already know about this, but for those who don't, my Publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and 48 authors have published three volumes of short stories to raise funds to help those affected by the devastating wildfires. As of this moment, in the state of New South Wales alone, there are 60 separate bushfires burning, of which 20 are out of control. The weather forecast over the next few days is soul destroying as it's expected to be in the low 40's C - about 105 in F with strong winds. In some rural areas, those who have not left their homes have been told it is now too dangerous to move - there is no way out. They must stay and defend their houses.

Volume 1and 2 have  just released and are available to purchase on our website in print form. Volume 3 will be available shortly.
 
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product-category/writers-shop-cat/special-release-paperbacks

The ebooks can be found on Amazon as well as any other distributor where you purchase ebooks. They're available now for pre-order and will be released on 14th February.


My contribution is in volume 1 and is an historical western - a change from my usual SF/Fantasy romances.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Australia-Burns-Show-Some-Love-ebook/dp/B0848W2HQT

 Please, if you can, purchase at least 1 volume to help our Australian friends. Thank you

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - Megan needs to watch herself...

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

She has dropped by Glyn Phillips' farm in time to see his son, Huw, riding the strange pony that mysteriously appeared in one of his paddocks, and seemed to be unrideable. Skipping ahead a few pages, Glyn takes her into the kitchen to see how his old dog is doing, and the younger dog jumps up at her, almost knocking her over.

SNIPPET

“I'm so sorry, I try to stop him jumping up at people - he’s only young, as I said, and he gets over excited.”

 “It’s okay,” she said with a grin, giving the collie a hug, “I love dogs. We always had dogs when I was a child and I really miss having one now.”

“You should get one then, there are plenty in the rehoming centre looking for a good home. I wouldn’t be without a dog, myself.”

“Oh, I’d love to,” she said, giving a little sigh, but it wouldn’t really be fair, since I’m at work a lot of the day. I’m thinking about getting a cat from the rescue centre though, although I’m really more of a dog person really. Perhaps one day, if I come into money and can retire…”

Glyn chuckled softly. “Sometimes if we want something enough we can find a way to make it happen.” 

Hmm, the man was a philosopher too, as well as devilishly handsome. She’d have to watch herself. It would be easy to fall for his gentle manners and good looks, and she wasn’t ready to commit to another relationship yet. It was rather satisfying to be completely independent, and to be able to organise her life to suit herself without having to consider someone else’s arrangements. Besides, she’d fancied herself in love once before and had her feelings and her trust betrayed. She wasn’t about to allow it to happen again.

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.








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#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare

Weekend Writing Warriors   

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, Hope you all had a good week - how are the New Year Resulutions going? (or not)

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

Megan has inherited an old cottage and started a new life, and a new job at the veterinary surgery, Her nearest neighbour is Glyn, a single dad and his young son, Huw. A mysterious pony has appeared in Glyn's horse paddocks and even his experienced horse breaker, Evan, can't seem to handle her. Meanwhile, objects have been disappearing and reappearing at the cottage, and Megan isn't sure if she's imagining things. In the last snippet, she is surprised to see Huw riding the supposedly unmanageable pony

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.

SNIPPET

Megan shot a glance at Evan Griffiths, leaning against the fence with a bemused expression on his face. 


“She trusts him, see,” the man said in answer to her unspoken question, “that’s the only way to explain it.” He paused, “p’raps she’s one of those horses which prefer children to adults, some horses do, you know.”

“We only discovered Huw was riding the pony the other day, and I can’t get him to tell me how long he’s been riding her or how he managed to gain her confidence,” Glyn added.

“Well he seems happy,” she replied, “and so does the pony for that matter.”

The boy must have noticed her arrival, and cantered up to the fence, patting the pony’s neck, he drew her to a halt and jumped down from the saddle.

“Hello Miss Johnson, did you see me jumping -- how d’you like my new pony?”

“Your pony now, is she?” his father said, and Megan could not help noticing the twinkle in his eye.

“You seem to be doing really well with her,” she said, stepping back from the fence a little, as the pony snorted and tossed her head. She hoped Glyn Phillips hadn’t noticed

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - and some memories of Christmas just gone!

Weekend Writing Warriors   

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I hope everyone who celebrates it had a lovely Christmas and that the New Year will bring you much happiness, health and contentment. I've been away from here longer than I intended, so many apologies.

After a trip to my beloved homeland to visit family and friends, just before Christmas, we spent a day at a local 'stately home', Waddesdon Manor.  Every year they decorate the grounds with lights in the trees, and illuminated models. There is a Christmas Market, with lots of beautiful craftie things, and food, and the inside of the house has several rooms all decorated for Christmas to a special theme. The theme this year was Christmas music. Forgive me for going back in time, it's been less than two weeks but I know Christmas now seems like an age away already, and I wanted to share some pictures with you.

This is the entrance to what used to be the stable yard,but it is now shops and cafes, with outdoor seating. There were two enormous illuminated baubles in the yard, which were quite spectacular - one could wander in and out of them.

 There were many decorated rooms, each with a gigantic Christmas tree, to celebrate Christmas songs, from While Shepherds watched their flocks by night' to The Nutcracker. I immediately thought of ED - and his great Christmas SF romance, ALIEN CONTACT FOR A CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER!

Anyway, back to today!

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

Megan has inherited an old cottage and started a new life, and a new job at the veterinary surgery, Her nearest neighbour is Glyn, a single dad and his young son, Huw. A mysterious pony has appeared in Glyn's horse paddocks and even his experienced horse breaker, Evan, can't seem to handle her. Meanwhile, objects have been disappearing and reappearing at the cottage, and Megan isn't sure if she's imagining things.The next snippet finds her about to deliver some medication from the vets for Glyn's dog.


SNIPPET

The late afternoon sun shone golden through the lush canopy of trees lining the drive up to the house. as Megan  drew up at the gate to Hafod farm. She opened the gate and parked in front of the house and breathed in the warm, earthy-scented air. There was something about a balmy spring afternoon like this, which made one glad to be alive. A host of birds chirped as they made their way to their roosts for the night, and somewhere an owl hooted.

There didn’t seem to be anyone around, so, clutching the package of medication for Bob, she walked down to the paddocks.She stopped in her tracks and blinked. Glyn Phillips and the stable hand, Evan Griffiths stood as if mesmerised. The chestnut pony, which was supposed to be un-rideable, trotted sedately around the schooling area, with Glyn’s son, Huw, on her back.

She shaded her eyes against the glare of the sun to make sure she wasn’t mistaken. As she approached, Glyn turned and beckoned to her to come and stand beside him and she obliged, trying to hide her amazement as the boy cantered the pony up and down, made a few circles and figures of eight, and then took her over a series of small jumps situated along one side of the school. It hardly seemed like the same pony she’d watched unseat Evan a few weeks earlier.

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join