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Welcome to my place in the blogosphere!
feel free to explore the Flight Deck and check out my books and website.
Then fasten your seatbelts, sip a glass of something sparkling and let's chat awhile!
I hope you'll stop by again for guest authors and spotlights from time to time.

Beloved Enemy joined Starquest and Children of the Mist to continue the Destiny Trilogy and I'm thrilled to announce was shortlisted for the R.N.A. RoNA Awards 2017, awarded 2nd Runner up in the RONE Awards 2017 and was the winner in the SF/Fantasy category of the 'Best Banter Contest'.

Showing posts with label Arthurian legends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arthurian legends. Show all posts

Sunday 9 August 2020

Mythical creatures of Wales - Cath Palug

Cath Palug

This giant cat features in several early Welsh poems, and the name translates as Palug's cat. It is also known as 'the cat with sharp claws' or 'the cat that scratches.'

It was said to be one of the offspring of the sow Henwen, who was chased to the edge of the sea. Born as a black kitten which took to the water and swam away. Cath Palug crossed the Menai Strait between North Wales and the island of Anglesey. On Anglesey, it grew to gigantic proportions and was said to have killed 180 warriors. It was eventually slain by Cei (the Sir Kay of  Arthurian legend)

A medieval French story tradition tells how a cat called Chapalu or Chatloup (a corruption of Cath Palug) pushed King Arthur into a bog and then overcame him in battle, passing through Britain to conquer it, wearing the crown of Britain. This tale may relate to the early medieval stories of the conflict between King Arthur and Mordred (or Medrawt), in which Mordred's symbol is the cat.

Not the sort of kitty one would want to nurse on one's lap in front of the fire of an evening!


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

Monday 27 July 2020

Mythical creatures of Wales - the Twrch Trwyth

 Hello my lovelies

Welsh mythology inspires new novel during 'Year of Legends' | Y LolfaI 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

Saturday 25 August 2018

#SundaySnippets, #WeekendWarriors, 'Dancing With Fate' - In the name of Hades, she had never seen anything like this before.


Hello fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing  with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far.

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

BACKGROUND:

Having fulfilled the mission set by Apollo, Terpsichore the muse of dance is preparing to return to Olympus when she meets the mysterious Myrddin. Unaware of her goddess status, he invites her to share a meal with him
She refuses to allow him to accompany her but with the coming of darkness, they settle down for the night.


SNIPPET (as usual, some creative punctuation to comply with 10 sentence rule)
                                         

The glowing red sparks appeared a few hours before dawn. Terpsichore looked across to where she could just make out Myrddin, lying close to the fire, apparently asleep. She stood and wrapped her brat around her shoulders. What unearthly lights were these? In the name of Hades, she had never seen anything like this before. She watched them as they advanced and retreated, advanced and retreated. They seemed to beckon to her. She walked forward a few steps. This was not natural. She sensed evil, but of a kind she had never come across before.

She tried to turn her head, to look away and move back to the fire. Some force compelled her to keep staring at them, to move forward. Further and further from the campfire she wandered. The air grew chill and she pulled her brat more closely around her. The flickering lights gyrated in a wild dance, inviting her to follow them. Dawn was approaching. In the dim early morning light, she could make out demon faces, red glowing eyes, hands outstretched, with flames at their fingertips. 

BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE


Buy now from Amazon
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 









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

Saturday 18 August 2018

#SundaySnippets, #WeekendWarriors, 'Dancing With Fate' - "what are you doing alone and away from home?"

Hello fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing  with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far.

                                            Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group
Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.
BACKGROUND:

Having fulfilled the mission set by Apollo, Terpsichore the muse of dance is preparing to return to Olympus when she meets the mysterious Myrddin. He invites her to share a meal with him and invites her to journey with him for safety's sake, being unaware of her origins and immortal status. He has revealed he is on a mission to rescue the woman he is betrothed to and who has been kidnapped by the lord of Castell Madog.


SNIPPET (as usual, some creative punctuation to comply with 10 sentence rule)

"And you?" he asked in turn, "what are you doing alone and away from home?"

She hesitated a moment, the brat slipped down around her shoulders; the firelight shone on her hair and turned it to flame.

"I...I had a task to do here, given me by my brother, now it is completed and I can return."

"Are you quite sure you'll be all right alone? Perhaps I could go some of the way with you?"

"No, thank you, there is no need. I wouldn't think of asking you to go out of your way, I will be in no danger, I assure you."

Myrddin nodded and poked the fire a little more. "We should get some sleep so we can leave early tomorrow." 
BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE


Buy now from Amazon
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 


Other news: I'm  excited that the first two books in The Destiny Trilogy (which I've featured here in Sunday Snippets.)  were released in Audio this week. I've blogged about it in the post below this one.







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

Saturday 11 August 2018

Dancing With Fate - North, to Castell Madog


Hello fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to my Weekend Warriors post. Sorry I wasn't around last week, but I'm continuing this week with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far.

                                            Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group
Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.
BACKGROUND:
Having fulfilled the mission set by Apollo, Terpsichore the muse of dance is preparing to return to Olympus when she meets the mysterious Myrddin. He invites her to share a meal with him and invites her to journey with him for safety's sake, being unaware of her origins and immortal status.

SNIPPET:
"So tell me," Myrddin repeated at length, "is your home very far from here?"

She gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. "It won't take me long to get there, I'll leave at dawn tomorrow." She eyed him with a curious expression in her eyes. "Where are you journeying to, if I may ask, and have you come far?" 

"North, to Castell Madog, another day's ride from here. I have been travelling for five days and nights, my journey is nearly over."

She did not ask, but something about the way she looked at him compelled him to add, "I'm on a quest to rescue the Lady Gwendolyn, who has been abducted from her father's home by Madog."

"I see—there is a reward for her return?"

Myrddin pursed his lips, annoyed she should think his motives so shallow, but they hardly knew each other, why would she have any reason to believe otherwise?

"No, this is a matter beyond mere riches. She is my betrothed." 

BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE
Buy now from Amazon
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 











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

Saturday 28 July 2018

#Sunday Snippets, #Weekend Warriors, 'Dancing With Fate' - She found it difficult to refuse when he looked at her like that...

Hello fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing this week with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. 

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

Last time:
Terpsichore, muse of dance, has just met Myrddin. He tries to persuade her to travel with him, unaware that she is a muse, and should be returning to Olympus. She is equally unaware that her brother, the god Apollo, has other plans for her. This is a little further than last week's snippet which you can read  HERE)

'Sal' the horse in this story, is based on my little buckskin mare Sal, who sadly went to the Rainbow Bridge a few years ago after being a loyal friend for many years. The picture was made for me by Masha Holla 'sister muse' from the anthology in which'Dancing With Fate' was originally published, 

SNIPPET (as usual, a little manipulation of punctuation to fit regulations.)


Terpsichore and Sal by Masha Holl
"Robbers will be less likely to attack at night if there are more than one of us. Used though I am to solitude, I'd welcome a little company." He smiled again, "I've two good trout baking in my fire pit, you're welcome to share."

She found it difficult to refuse when he looked at her like that. All at once, she had a deep desire to get to know him better.

"That sounds good," she said, "I am a little hungry."

"You have a horse?"

Before Terpsichore could answer, a soft whinny came from behind a clump of bushes.

A pretty, creamy-gold mare, with a black mane and tail and four black stockings trotted up to her. A white star graced her forehead as she tossed back her forelock and stood with one foreleg raised,  I am Sal.

BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 



LAST CHANCE TO GET THE COMPLETE  NOVELLA FOR ONLY 99C!


From one minute past midnight Pacific time on July 1 until After 11:59pm Pacific time on July 31 DANCING WITH FATE will be on sale for 99c  so if you have been enjoying the snippets and would like to read the whole novella at the bargain price of 99c go to:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53249 You will see the full price but will be only be charged 99c at the checkout. (You do need to register but it's fairly painless and doesn't cost you anything!)  Please note, This offer isn't available at Amazon, or any other retailer, it's a Smashwords special promotion.





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 willl share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 21 July 2018

#Sunday Snippets, #Weekend Warriors, 'Dancing With Fate'Two travelling together are safer than one.'

Hello fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing this week with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. 

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

Last time:
Terpsichore, muse of dance, is dancing naked near a waterfall in 5th century Wales, unaware that she is being observed by Myrddin. Swiftly and magically clothing herself in her Celtic garb  she admires the stranger.
(You can read last week's snippet HERE)

SNIPPET (as usual, a little manipulation of punctuation to fit regulations.)

Forgive me, lady, I had no wish to intrude, or to startle you."

"Worry not, stranger, you did not startle me, I am not frightened so easily."

"No, that much is apparent."

Was he laughing at her - his tone was polite, but his eyes held a sparkle that threatened to make her forget she was a goddess.

She pulled her brat closer around her, "what brings you here stranger, so far away from any township?"

He smiled, "I was about to ask the same of you, and my name's not 'Stranger', it's Myrddin, Myrddin Ab Morfryn."

"You may call me, Cora."

He raised a quizzical eyebrow, "and do you mind if I ask where you are travelling to—alone?"

"I am returning home—to my family."

"There are dangers for a young woman alone—is your home far - Perhaps we could ride together. Two travelling together are safer than one." 

BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 


From one minute past midnight Pacific time on July 1 until After 11:59pm Pacific time on July 31 DANCING WITH FATE will be on sale for ONLY 99c  so if you have been enjoying the snippets and would like to read the whole novella at the bargain price of 99c go to:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53249 You will see the full price but will be only be charged 99c at the checkout. (You do need to register but it's fairly painless and doesn't cost you anything!)  Please note, This offer isn't available at Amazon, or any other retailer, it's a Smashwords special promotion.




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 willl share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation. http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 14 July 2018

#Sunday Snippets, #Weekend Warriors, 'Dancing With Fate' -Terpsichore stared at the stranger

Hello fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing this week with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. 

I apologise for not visiting as many of my fellow Weekend Warriors as I should have last week - somehow the time just got away from me and the week disappeared!  I'll try to do better this weekend.


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

Last time:
Terpsichore, muse of dance, is dancing near a waterfall in 5th century Wales, unaware that she is being observed. I've skipped a few paragraphs, and Terpichore finds Myrddin rather more interesting than most mortal men.(Read last week's snippet HERE)


SNIPPET (as usual, a little manipulation of punctuation to fit regulations.)

Very tall, and slender, he had strength about him, the man reminded her of a tree that would bend in a storm but not break. That was not all, his aura told her he was, indeed, no ordinary man. Never had she seen a mortal man so striking. He might not be as devastatingly handsome as some, perhaps, but beautiful none the less. His face was, oh, so pleasing to look upon, despite the unusual paleness of his skin. Not an unhealthy palor, but not tanned as one might expect, although it went well with his blond hair. There was unique character there, something that set him apart from his fellow men and went deeper than looks. She wanted to gaze at him forever.

She would have touched his mind with her own but at that moment, he spoke; the rich timbre of his voice sending shivers through her soul.
BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 

 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 


From one minute past midnight Pacific time on July 1 until After 11:59pm Pacific time on July 31 DANCING WITH FATE will be on sale for ONLY 99c  so if you have been enjoying the snippets and would like to read the whole novella at the bargain price of 99c go to:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53249 You will see the full price but will be only be charged 99c at the checkout. (You do need to register but it's fairly painless and doesn't cost you anything!)  Please note, This offer isn't available at Amazon, or any other retailer, it's a Smashwords special promotion.















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 willl share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Saturday 7 July 2018

#Sunday Snippets, #Weekend Warriors, 'Dancing With Fate' - '...Myrddin crept closer and a twig cracked underfoot.'


Hello fellow  Snippeteers and readers.  Welcome to  my Weekend Warriors post. I'm continuing this week with another snippet from my fantasy novella, Dancing With Fate. Thank you to everyone who's been following my snippets so far. 

I apologise for not visiting as many of my fellow Weekend Warriors as I should have last week - somehow the time just got away from me and the week disappeared!  I'll try to do better this weekend.


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

Last time:
Terpsichore, muse of dance, is dancing near a waterfall in 5th century Wales, unaware that she is being observed. (Read last week's snippet HERE)

 (As usual, some creative editing of punctuation and slight variation from published version to comply with  8-10 sentence rule)


SNIPPET


Myrddin watched, enthralled, he'd never known anyone to dance as she did. The way she swivelled her hips had him mesmerized. Her voice was soft and clear, with a haunting quality, it reminded him of the musical bells of Maes Gwyddno, the civilization that now lay drowned beneath the sea. At times of danger, if one listened hard enough, one could hear the bells ringing from beneath the waves. Moreover, it may have been a trick of the light, but she seemed to radiate a soft glow, pure and shimmering. He shook his head in disbelief, he must be imagining it. He'd eaten nothing since dawn, this was surely a vision brought on by weakness from hunger.

Myrddin crept closer and a twig cracked underfoot. Before he could take cover, the beautiful dancer stood motionless. Her eyes, green as the depths of the ocean, looked directly into his. 
BLURB
DANCING WITH FATE
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost. But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way. 
 Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE. 


From one minute past midnight Pacific time on July 1 until After 11:59pm Pacific time on July 31 DANCING WITH FATE will be on sale for ONLY 99c  so if you have been enjoying the snippets and would like to read the whole novella at the bargain price of 99c go to:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53249 You will see the full price but will be only be charged 99c at the checkout. (You do need to register but it's fairly painless and doesn't cost you anything!)  Please note, This offer isn't available at Amazon, or any other retailer, it's a Smashwords special promotion.









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 willl share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join